Bali this year 2008 is honored as the host of the 1st Asian Beach Games, 18-26 October. I’m sure Bali has been choose because we have some beautiful and famous beaches. And the place of the games located in the area of Kuta, Sanur, Nusa Dua, and Serangan Island.

The information from its official website the games are all related to beach such as Surfing, Wind Surfing, Jet ski, Beach Volleyball, etc. But I’m not sure why body building and pencak silat (asian martial art) are included in this game. The official games mascot is Bali Starling or “Jalak Bali” is one of bird under protection by the government. The participant of the games comes from around 45 countries and regions in Asia.

For anyone who interested in working or become volunteers in this Games, you can visit the official website www.bali2008.com

Visit Bali to enjoy its unique culture and nice beaches is very common, but to learn and practicing Balinese language is unusual.

Sometimes I meet some expats here speak Balinese very well, but it’s hard to find them. Most of Balinese local who will have to learn English to be able to communicate with the tourist or the expats.

Real Balinese language written in “Aksara” or Balinese script, which are so difficult to learn and now getting so rare people who able to write with this script. But for you who interested in knowing or even learn it, I found a great Balinese Vocabulary publish by Balinese in Gramedia Book Store Denpasar.

The author of the book is I Gusti Made Sutjaja, content inside is the collection of Balinese Vocabulary translated to Indonesia and English as well. And ofcourse it is also written in Balinese Script.

In English you may say it “Happy Idul Fitri” or “Happy Lebaran Day” for our Moeslim friends here in Bali today 1st of October 2008. A celebration for the Moeslim people after 30 days of fasting.

It’s a reality that here in Bali most of eating stall (Warung Makan) are coming from Java, and they also sells and provides currier for food supplies in our traditional market. As a result of the Lebaran day is, hard to find your favorite food stall, and in traditional market most of the vegetables stalls are closed. Balinese people are most work for living as farmer, and for those who lives near the beaches lives as fisherman. And young generation are more interested in Hotels and Tourism fields. And this fact why most urbanization in Denpasar are taking those empty fields.

Anyway, for those who now celebrate the Lebaran day, wish you all “Selamat Idul Fitri, mohon maaf lahir dan batin”