Turtle in Bali especially south Bali (Kuta - Jimbaran - Nusa Dua) was having a terrible life. For information, turtle in Southern part of Bali had been used as part of every ceremonial or and even as daily meal, most of them end up as “turtle satay” or “lawar”. To be honest before I realize that turtle is one of the endanger species in Indonesian Ocean, I had tried the taste, and it is delicious.

Along the road in Jimbaran at that time (some years ago) on the afternoon we can easily find several people sale turtle satay serve with “Tipat” and “sambal”, I must say it was so delicious. Not until I read and watch their beautiful life on TV I began to understand that it was not right for us to eat them all the time, and I feel sorry to finaly know that to have the size of what people to eat take 20 years for the turtles, and it will take only a day to at last end up inside our stomach.

I am so happy when this afternoon watch a local television program about a campaign to safe the turtle life especially the green turtle. I hope this is a start to save one of the life of that poor sea creature.

About a week ago I was visiting a very nice village in east Bali (Karangasem). This village is located along a beautiful beach where you can do diving or snorkeling. What I really like being here is that almost free of polution, fresh air, green environments, hills and mount Agung decorate the landscape.

Do not worry about accommodation here, there are many hotels and bungalows (cottages) along the beach from luxury to something that fit your budget. One of the bungalows here, a beachfront bungalow is Temple Cafe and Seaside Cottages run by a nice lady name Ibu Rangda. They run not just Cafe and Cottages but also souvenir shop and salon for spa and massage.

Please visit their website www.balibeachfront-cottages.com, it is completed with picture gallery of the cottages and the panorama around it.

Bali will celebrate the first day of Saka Year 1930 in the Year 2008 on March 7th. Just like every Nyepi Day in the past, every gate including airport will be closed to celebrate the only perhaps in the world “Day of Silence”.

The Balinese Hindu believes that before entering the new year we should in the state of meditation for self introspections and to achieve this should be supported by a silence environment. Not only meditation but it should also devout through fasting all day and no movement outside the house compound, and to switch off fire or light for 24 hours (00.01am - 00.01am next day). A group of local security force (in every village) or “pecalang” will make sure no one out to the road and patrol all day and only permit vehicle for emergency situation.

This silence condition also will have to be supported by everyone who lives and stay in the island including tourist.

A special celebration a day before the Nyepi Day is the Ogoh-Ogoh parade. The Ogoh-Ogoh is a big puppet in the form of moster, the symbol of evil. This ceremony is to purify the villages from the evil spirit for the starting year of Saka. There are, however some people use this ceremony with alcohol drink all night which will be either a hard day for the Police to give maximum security for the community.