BUFFALO RACES: ONE OF THE HIDDEN TREASURES OF WEST BALI Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

BUFFALO RACES: ONE OF THE HIDDEN TREASURES OF WEST BALI

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Last week was the final championship of Mekepung “Buffalo Race” for this season. To end up the buffalo race season last sunday, the government invited the competitors to something new: the “Mekepung Lampit” or buffalo race in the mud. The one and only in 2017 has been gathering 38 participants. Next year the government will hold Mekepung Lampit in several times. On the picture a “Young Jockey » looks like the guardian of the culture and tradition of West Bali by learning the spirit of buffalo race.

DISCOVER THE HIDDEN TREASURES OF WEST BALI Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

DISCOVER THE HIDDEN TREASURES OF WEST BALI

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Because we share the same love for West Bali, its unique lanscapes, people and culture we decided to go for a close partnership with the Five Pillars Foundation, a community development organization which offers to our guests thematic journeys covering most cultural, artistic and natural treasures of West Bali. Six programs are proposed to our guests:

  1. The Richness of Nature: An Adventure into Local Sustainable Agriculture, which showcases the experiences of local farmers and how they produce products such as coffee, rice, cacao, mushrooms and coconut oil;
  2. Reconnecting with Nature: Exploring Paradise, which takes on a more recreational orientation and is designed for those who want to be physically active and explore nature;
  3. The Essence of Bali: Nature, Community & Spirit, which helps visitors explore Balinese perspectives on what it means to be a good human being and how to live in this world;
  4. Peoples & Communities of Bali, which provides a unique opportunity for visitors to meet villagers from various walks of life, including artists, local changemakers, craftmen and religious leaders;
  5. The Arts & Culture of West Bali, which showcases local artistic traditions such as ceremonies, music, dance, and knifemaking, and
  6. Bali Safari: The Plants & Animals of West Bali, which provides special emphasis on the lives of wild and domesticated animals and includes meeting rescued reptiles and other wildlife, butterflies, and domesticated goats.

On the picture, a good illustration of programme 5, discovery of the artistic life in West Bali: the picture was taken at one of artist’s house family in Melaya Sub-District. From left to right Rondy, Ganda, Dina (Dajuma), Gusti Biyang (Ulon craftsman), Alice (FPF), Aji Mang De (bamboo instrument craftsman) Alan (FPF) Mang De (Talented Artist) and Ngurah (FPF).
The best way to discover the hidden treasures of West Bali! Enjoy it!
https://www.fivepillarfoundation.com/press-releases

DAJUMA ECO EXPERIENCES: RICE FARMING Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali farmer

DAJUMA ECO EXPERIENCES: RICE FARMING

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Rice paddies are for westerners just fascinating. Probably because they are the perfect expression of this so rare harmony between people and nature. By shaping, generation after generation, these beautiful curves perfectly integrated in the landscapes, with volcanoes on one side and the sea on the other, Balinese farmers are the worthy heirs of a long tradition of rice cultivation.
We regularly invite our guests to live a unique experience by sharing the life of one of our neighbour farmer and learning how to plough the rice paddy and plant the rice. On the picture a family from Switzerland is getting acquainted with the way to drive the cows during the preparation of the land and plant the rice just after. But you need to like to have the feet in the mud!

INAUGURATION OF A NEW TREKKING AREA Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

INAUGURATION OF A NEW TREKKING AREA

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A few kilometers from Dajuma, close to the sacred tree Bunut Bolong, we were invited last saturday to the inauguration of a new trekking area by the government of Jembrana which is this region of West Bali where Dajuma is located. Jembrana is now well known for its authenticity and the variety of its hidden treasures: the famous Bali National Park with its unique diving and snorkeling spot Menjangan, another worldclass spot for surfing called Medewi, the holy temple of Rambut Siwi, the fishing harbor of Perancak, the buffalo races, the Jegog music and so many other curiosities! Another very interesting discovery is trekking in the jungle what is now possible thanks to the initiative of Jembrana Tourism Authority: imagine a 1h30 to 2h tour by foot where you will discover the unbelievable wealth of Bali nature, its trees and flowers, its so tiny and beautiful temples nestled everywhere. We are ready for the next summer season to make you discover this new treasure of West Bali. We are sure you will love it!
On the picture, the Dajuma team crossing a small river with 500 other participants to the inauguration.

DAJUMA OUTING Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali tours excursions visiting

DAJUMA OUTING

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Dajuma staff took last week some good time with a trip to Malang organised in 2 groups of 30 people each. Everything has been carefully prepared by the management (Erly HR, Alit and Rondy GMs).
Let Alit (white shirt on the right) report these 3 days of discovery of East Java.
“The trip started at 7 am from Dajuma with a comfortable bus of 45 seats directly to Malang where we arrived around 17.00 at Swiss Bell Hotel (check in time).
After two hours rest and shower we prepared a first visit to BNS (Batu Night Spectacular ) until 10 pm.
There are dozens of rides that we will not be able to forget after enjoying them like a ghost gallery, a slalom test, the highest air bike, garden lanterns, and trampoline.
In these places you can also test your adrenaline by trying some of the rides like a drag race, mouse coaster, and several other games.
Second day we started at 9 am after breakfast doing rafting on the river Brantas. It can indeed make the heart beat hard. Not only because of collisions with river rocks, but also the effect of plunging following the swift river currents. Sensations also vary. Sometimes twisted like a snake, sometimes too rocked.
Everybody ate a lot after rafting around 2,5 hours, next visit to pick up the apple fruit directly from the tree (Apple is famous fruit from Malang).
The last day, we visited JATIM PARK 2 (recreation Park in Batu with Secret Zoo and Animal Museum). In Secret Zoo we also visited Savannah,  a traditional African village with African atmosphere.There are huts with roof made by straw where pigs and another animals are walking around.
Finally, all the team went shopping to bring back some nice souvenirs from Malang while on the way back to Dajuma.“

NICE CATCH! Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali Fishing People Sport Tours

NICE CATCH!

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Fishing off-shore is one of our in-house activity much appreciated by our guests. Jupry, our beach supervisor, himself son of a local fisherman, is always happy to organise a fishing party on one of these beautiful prahos. Starting from the West beach close by the resort, they sail a few miles between Bali and Java in a place where the fish is abundant. On the picture our guest Christopher is proud to show his catch, a beautiful Indian Threadfin also called Mirror fish which has been especially grilled and served to Christopher’s family for the dinner.

LOOKS LIKE BARRACUDA BUT IS NOT! Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

LOOKS LIKE BARRACUDA BUT IS NOT!

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Caught just in front of Dajuma, this beautiful fish looks like barracuda but is not. It is called King Mackerel fish. It has been fished by these 2 skilled underwater fishermen. Well done guys and … “selamat makan”! (enjoy your meal in Bahasa Indonesia!)

BACK FROM FISHING… AND DIRECT TO YOUR PLATE Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

BACK FROM FISHING… AND DIRECT TO YOUR PLATE

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A nice spectacle from Dajuma garden, at sunrise or sunset, is the return of prahos coming back from their daily  fishing campaign. It is really impressive to see these fragile vessels negotiating the waves to land safely onto the shore next to Dajuma.
The village of Pekutatan where Dajuma is situated is well known for its fishermen: they supply all the area with fresh fish and seafood, including  our two restaurants Rama and Sinta.
Selamat makan (Enjoy your meal in Bahasa Indonesia).

FASCINATING MAKEPUNG BUFFALO RACES Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

FASCINATING MAKEPUNG BUFFALO RACES

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Introduced in Bali by Madurese migrants to celebrate the end of the rice harvest, Makepung is the name of a major grand prix in West Bali, which features racing buffalo races. The competitive races take place on erratic tracks a few kilometers from Dajuma, beginning early in the morning, before the heat makes the big bulls sluggish. Hundreds of pairs of buffaloes are teamed up together with their jockeys riding the traditional wooden ploughs that are slightly modified for the competition. 

The racer buffaloes, called kerbau pepadu, compete in various open race circuits around the district of Melaya, leading up to the finals, or what has come to be known as the Jembrana Regent’s Cup, and the Governor’s Cup, held annually.

Here is the program for the next weeks until the finals. A fascinating show not to missed!

Buffalo Races Schedule 2015

  • July 12th 2015 at Dlodberawah
  • July 26th 2015 at Tuwed
  • August 9th 2015 at Merta Sari (Regent Cup)
  • August 23rd 2015 at Pangkung Dalem
  • September 6th 2015 at Dlodbrawah
  • September 20th 2015 at Awen
  • October 4th 2015 at Mertasari
  • October 18th 2015 at Kaliakah
  • November 1st 2015 at Dlodbrawah
  • November 15th 2015 at Tuwed (Jembrana Cup)
TANTERI MUSEUM Puri Dajuma, Beach Eco-Resort & Spa, West Bali

TANTERI MUSEUM

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In West Bali, one place becomes attractive for tourism: the Tanteri ceramic factory, which is also our main chinaware supplier.
It is located in Pejaten, between Tabanan and Tanah Lot temple.
I Made Tanteri has been the head of the village and a pioneer for ceramic development in the years 1980’s.
He get help from some westerners to improve the production, so that the factory is now famed for its fine artcrafts ceramics.
We can see there the women at work, and a museum was opened in 2011, with temporary exhibitions.
Oka Mahendra is Mr Tanteri son, many thanks to him for displaying a lot of beautiful handicraft in this place.