Cacao from West Bali and VALRHONA Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali cacao chocolate

Cacao from West Bali and VALRHONA

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Many people knowing Bali feel suprised when they discover Jembrana Regency, the West wing of the island where Dajuma is located. Here the nature is preserved. In and along the West Bali National Park, the farms grow corn and high quality rices, coconut, rubber, clove, coffee and all sorts of tropical fruit such as mango, papaya, passion fruit, pineapple, watermelon, mangosteen, not forgetting, of course, the famous « Durian ».
It is also the place where more than 500 farmers collect cacao beans. Not suprising that the Valrhona company, the famous French provider of the best cacao nibs and chocolate required by professionals since 1922, get involved. After 3 years co-working with KSS cooperative (Kerta Samaya Samania cooperative), Valrhona has launched “Cuvée Sakanti Bali 68%” in 2016.
Last week, Dajuma had the pleasure to welcome 3 delegations of Valrhona customers and employees, totalizing one hundred people. Pastry Chefs of their partner companies made a presentation of their chocolate products. They also practiced with the farmers to make a delicious dessert using the West Bali chocolate and some local fruits and herbs. Pastry chef of the first group came from China, Singapore and Taiwan second group from Hongkong, Korea and Bali and the last group from Japan.
Following human values in the heart of the company, each delegation had the opportunity to visit the plantations, look at the harvesting process, taste samples and cook some delicious cakes. A wonderful moment of sharing experiences and know-how, crowned at night with Balinese dances accompanied by a Jegog orchestra under the stars.

Dajuma Cultural Experience: Jagatnatha Temples Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali Jagatnatha Temples Jembrana

Dajuma Cultural Experience: Jagatnatha Temples

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In Bali there are three famous public temples called Jagatnatha Temples respectively located in Denpasar, Buleleng and Jembrana regencies.
In Jembrana regency, it is situated in Negara City, 25 km from Dajuma. Its erection started in 1996 and was completed in 2002. This one has several specific features compared with the others: a very beautiful architecture and, above all, a 40 meters high « Padmasana » (looking like a tower), which makes it the highest among the three temples. In this temple the people worships Sang Hyang Jagatnatha as the king and the protector of the Universe. The most important ceremony is held once a year (second full moon of Balinese calendar), the Hindu people prays in this temple not only during the temple ceremony but also in other holy days. In the Nista Mandala (outside area) of the temple there is an open stage that is usually used for performing Balinese dances, traditional music and other arts. It also has a beautiful garden. Jembrana government is currently developing a 5.4 hectares piece of land, behind the JagatnathaTemple, as a botanical garden which is still under construction and is targeted to be completed by the end of this year. A holy place which definitively deserves to be visited next time you decide to come over!

ORIGINAL DANCES FROM WEST BALI: A MUST! Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

ORIGINAL DANCES FROM WEST BALI: A MUST!

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Jembrana, the West Bali Regency, is now famous with the Jegog music (Bamboo Orchestra) and the Mekepung (Buffalo Races). But it also has some dances that were originally created by local Jembrana’s artists. These original dances are Luihing Paksi Dance, Mekepung Dance and Cempaka Putih Dance.
Luihing Paksi Dance is inspired by the white starling bird (Jalak Bali), that can only be found in West Bali. It stories about the wildlife of starling bird in the jungle, which plays and flies from one tree to another. This dance is accompanied by Jegog and vocal instruments from the musicians.
Jembrana also has Mekepung Dance which is inspired by the Buffalo Race attractions. This is a new dance creation that reflects the process of the buffalo race, from its preparation and race itself. This dance also accompanied by Jegog Instrument.
The icon of Jembrana’s dance is Cempaka Putih Dance, Cempaka (Magnolia) is one of the flower in Bali. This dance depicts the beauty and fragrant of the white cempaka flower which become one of the means of ceremony or worship of Hindu people. Cempaka Putih dance is accompanied by Jegog music, mixed with metal music instrument (gamelan) and vocal instrument as well. Don’t miss to discover these 3 pearls of West Bali culture on the occasion of your next stay with us!

DAJUMA ADVENTURE: PULUKAN ECOTOURISM TOUR Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

DAJUMA ADVENTURE: PULUKAN ECOTOURISM TOUR

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One outstanding feature of Dajuma is its proximity with the Pulukan State Plantation. Imagine a huge area of 1200 ha planted with all kinds of trees and flowers where kids and parents are happy to discover the wealth of Bali flora. Starting from Dajuma around 9:00 in an especially arranged 4 WD jeep you will see first how is made the rubber from rubber trees, from harvesting the sap and treating it. After a nice walk around the plantation where our guide will explain all the species met on the path, you will be invited to taste a coconut freshly harvested from the tree. Comfortably installed on the roof of the jeep, you will then cross the plantation and rivers up to its culminant point which will be reached for the lunch, a pantagruelic meal prepared in the pure Balinese tradition by our staff. The return to Dajuma will be around 3 p.m. after a stop in the holy place of Bunut Bolong, a famous place in Bali where the road crosses a multi-centenary ficus tree. Enjoy!

Dajuma Experience: Genuine Balinese Food Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

Dajuma Experience: Genuine Balinese Food

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One of our “Dajuma Experiences” particularly appreciated by our guests is a lunch in the pure Balinese tradition. We prepare this unique experience on the occasion of our farming and plantation tours. For the farming tour, the lunch takes place in the middle of the rice fields as shown on the picture, whereas, for the plantation one, the pique-nique is held in the mountain with a breathtaking view of the ocean. In both cases, the food is prepared and cooked by our local friends from the nearby villages. The various foods that are served are really like what the local people are serving at home for their family. In the rice farming tour the dishes are presented in the “Kubu” (small gazebo) and guest really enjoy a delicious lunch with beautiful scenery and fresh air of the rice terraces. When do you plan to come over?

Wonderful Fabric from Bumi Mekepung Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

Wonderful Fabric from Bumi Mekepung

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Jembrana, the Bali regency where Dajuma is located, is known as “Gumi Makepung” since it owns the one and only bull-race (read Makepung) in Bali. Another thing that makes Jembrana become one of the place that you should visit is the traditional workshop of hand-made fabric. Jembrana has 2 kinds of fabric called Endek and Songket. On the picture is one of our guest Denise who enjoyed practicing the endek weaving, during her half day trip to discover West Bali.
Just don’t forget to bring home one of them as a beautiful souvenir of West Bali next time you decide to visit us!

HEALTHY DRINKS AT DAJUMA Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

HEALTHY DRINKS AT DAJUMA

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One of the magics of Bali is the extraordinary variety of its fruits and vegetables. On the fertil slopes of the volcanoes, can grow almost any kind of fruit trees and vegetables. The coconut is particularly appreciated because of the recognized vertues of its juice for health. But not only. At Dajuma our guests can also enjoy other healthy drinks (we call them “healthy coolers”) made from carrot, orange, ginger, broccoli, avocado, mint, turmeric and tamarin that you can drink as much as you like.
On the picture: Josiane and Alain FRANCOIS savoring a coconut offered by our guide during their ecotourism trek in the nearby Pulukan State Plantation.

BUFFALOS TAKING THEIR BATH Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

BUFFALOS TAKING THEIR BATH

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This emblematic animal from Bali is used to take a bath every day in the river close to Dajuma. Driven to the river by our neighbor farmer they spend quite a long time in the water with their babies. Just by looking at them, we can see how good they feel. The farmer says that  « it is a tradition in Bali to bath the buffalos because they like it and feel good after. And a buffalo feeling good is a buffalo who works well ». Next time you go strolling on the West beach in the direction of Medewi surfing spot just before sunset, don’t miss this spectacle : it is really something to see !

Hiking Ijen volcano Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali Java Nature Tours

Hiking Ijen volcano

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It is already 9 years that the Ijen volcano is worldwide known with its spectacular crater and sulphur extraction on East Java.

And it is 15 years that Puri Dajuma is involved in the great experience of its hiking.

Not so far from Bali straight joining Java by ferryboat during the night, our guests arrive at the basis of “Kawah Ijen” at 3 AM so that they can enjoy together the “blue fire” and the sunrise in the Dante atmosphere of the crater and sulphured green lake. They are always happy to offer some gift to these courageous minors who are able to carry 70 kg on their shoulders.

An unforgettable tour if you are familiar with mountain conditions and wear appropriate shoes!

AGUNG VOLCANO: WHAT'S UP? Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali Photograph: Juni Kriswanto/AFP/Getty Images

AGUNG VOLCANO: WHAT’S UP?

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It is extremely difficult to predict the behavior of a volcano. As far as Agung Volcano is concerned, the eruptive process already began with 3 eruptions last week. The worst scenario would be a pyroclastic eruption. But this would affect the slopes of the volcano only and for this risk, the authorities have already taken the necessary measures by defining a 7 to 15 km security perimeter around it in order to avoid reproducing the situation of the 1963 eruption where 1100 villagers living on the slopes of the volcano were killed.

Now the question is: should we, as tourists, come to Bali or not?

The answer is definitively yes because the pyroclastic risk is null as long as you respect the security perimeter. The only remaining issue is the cloud of ashes which can disrupt the air traffic. Since the first signs of activity in September, a lot of ashes have already been evacuated and Ngurah Raï airport has re-opened after only a few days of closure. More than 50 cities in the world are living close to an active volcano.

Because of its location 80 km from Agung volcano, the risk of being disturbed in Dajuma is really very weak. Moreover, in case of closure of the airport, we offer free stay for the extra days you would be obliged to spend with us or, if you prefer, we would take care of the re-routing of your flight from Java (Banyuwangi or Surabaya) and organise all the necessary transportation by car.

No reason why you should hesitate to come visiting us! We look forward to welcoming you soon! Have a nice trip to Bali!

On the picture, Tourists gather at Amed beach to watch the eruptions.
Photograph: Juni Kriswanto/AFP/Getty Images