Presidential elections seen from Pekutatan Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

Presidential elections seen from Pekutatan

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Following legislative elections earlier this year on April 9th, all Indonesia went to the polls on July 9th to elect its new President. A major event which took place for the seventh time since 1945.
The former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono being constitutionally barred from seeking a third mandate, two new candidates were competing: Prabowo Subianto and Joko Widodo.
According to the Lowy Institute (www.lowyinstitute.org), the two candidates are a study in contrasts. Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo, known as Jokowi, is a middle class furniture entrepreneur who served as Mayor of the mid-sized city of Surakarta in Central Java, where he built a consensus for a series good government reforms that attracted nationwide attention. Enthusiasm for his approach in Surakarta propelled him to an upset victory in the capital Jakarta, 500km away, in an election there in 2012.
His competitor is the retired Lieutenant General Prabowo Subianto who leads the Greater Indonesia Movement, or Gerindra, a well-funded party backed by his tycoon brother. Prabowo is a Suharto Era figure who has staged a remarkable political comeback after he left the army in 1998.
The Indonesian elections commission on Tuesday night officially proclaimed Joko Widodo the winner of the  presidential election.
On the picture below, the poll office in Pekutatan the candidates and… the proof of the vote with the auricular finger marked with black ink!

Football 2014 World Cup at Dajuma Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

Football 2014 World Cup at Dajuma

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Even if the National Indonesian football team is not in the top ten of football teams worldwide, all Indonesians are fond of football, playing in all villages around the archipelago. Pekutatan and Dajuma don’t escape this passion : the young villagers love playing on the beach in front of the hotel, often inviting our guests to play with them. A rare moment to savour…
On the occasion of the 2014 worldcup, we transformed our Sinta Lounge in a comfortable home cinema where our guests could watch all the matches and the final victory of the Germans. Only downside : they have been obliged to wake up in the middle of the night to watch the matches in direct, because of the time difference with Brazil…

Vacation time… Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

Vacation time…

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There is no specific seasons in Bali, except the « rainy season » which is supposed to be between November and March, and dry season the rest of the year.
Fit for children in terms of size, activities and atmosphère, Puri Dajuma is happy to welcome many families from June to September: the vacation time.
Watching the cape from the big tree in front of the Rama restaurant, these young girls are too cute in the great landscape.

First Aid training Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

First Aid training

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As part of our eco-policy, all Dajuma staff is invited every two years to participate in a  First Aid training aimed at ensuring the safest environment to our guests. This year the training was given by the doctors and the nurses from the closeby Negara Hospital. A necessary refresher course to remind gestures that can save a life if given at the right moment: artificial breathing, use of a defibrillator, securing of a broken bone, and many other things…

Where does the chocolate come from? Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

Where does the chocolate come from?

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Dajuma is located next door the Pulukan State Plantation of 1180 ha where a lot of flora species such as coconut, rubber and clove trees, cocoa and vanilla plants, banana flowers are grown up by local and skilled farmers.
For western kids, the way these species are grown is just mysterious. For example who knows that peanuts grow underground ? Or that vanilla is a variety of orchid ?
And what about chocolate ? Where does it come from ?
One of our guests, Rev Martin Bieler, was shown on one of our tours a fresh open cocoa pod and decided to bring back two pods to Switzerland, to a local school where the children had been learning for some time about the origin and the production of chocolate. Now they finally got hold of two real  cocoa pods! From the original fruit brought back by Martin, it was explained step by step  to the children how to extract cocoa beans from the fruit, how to dry and roast before grinding and mixing them with a little fat to finally get the delicious chocolate which delights our palates.
What’s an experience for them!

Volcano Spa: a unique experience not to be missed under any circumstances! Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

Volcano Spa: a unique experience not to be missed under any circumstances!

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Because of its unique location on a volcanic cape surrounded by two sandy beaches, Puri Dajuma can offer to its guests a comprehensive set of spa and wellness services among which the so-called « Volcano Spa » is one of our best-sellers.
Try to imagine yourself comfortably installed directly on the beach in the breeze from the sea. After a first period of relaxation in one of the natural volcanic giant pots full of water with high mineral content, you will be invited to have a one and a half hour massage with Dajuma essential oils (ask for Serenity, the best!)
On the picture, a french couple pampered by Tini, the Head of our Spa and Wellness center and her assistant Yasuli.

Certificate of Excellence Award Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

Certificate of Excellence Award

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For the fourth consecutive year, Puri Dajuma received the “Certificate of Excellence” award from Trip Advisor. This certificate is awarded on the basis of client testimonials. Out of 157 reviews in total, we have got 98 reviews quoted « Excellent » and 43 « Very Good ». It rewards years of effort in terms of service quality and equipment. Many thanks to our staff and our customers!

Bayu, Ayu and Ari celebrated their Mepetik ceremony Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

Bayu, Ayu and Ari celebrated their Mepetik ceremony

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Bayu, one of our restaurant supervisor and the two children Ari and Ayu of our HR Manager Erly went last week through this important ceremony which takes place only one time in their life and called Mepetik. It consists in cutting the hair in such a way that your soul gets purified and ready for your adult’s life.
On the picture, Bayu, Ayu and Ari with the traditional Balinese dressing just received the blessing of the priest and the community.

Subak in Bali: a unique rice-field irrigation system exciting to visit Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

Subak in Bali: a unique rice-field irrigation system exciting to visit

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A very interesting curiosity to visit in West Bali is the rice field irrigation system. It is called Subak and was developed more than 1,000 years ago. For Balinese people, irrigation is not simply providing water for the plant’s roots, but a holy activity which must be blessed by a priest. Water is also used to construct a complex artificial ecosystem where many species such as frogs and eels can develop.
From Dajuma, you will be invited to visit such a Subak, on the occasion of a bicycle tour around the nearby villages. A unique experience!

New access to Sinta lounge Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

New access to Sinta lounge

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Our Sinta lounge with its large comfortable sofas and its Teppanyaki at night is the perfect place where to relax and meditate, especially when the sun is coming down. The access to this very special place has been recently improved by a beautiful helicoidal stairway, entirely built from merbau and clove tree woods by our skilled workers. Here on the picture, Muriyono assisted by Harorik, both from Banyuwangi, who build it. You can be proud of it guys! It is not only nice to see but also very easy and comfortable to climb.