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NEW BANANA FARM CLOSE TO DAJUMA

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This week Dajuma had the privilege to welcome a delegation of  the Ministry of Finances of Indonesia, who came inaugurating a “Banana Farm” in the 1200 ha Pulukan state plantation, close by Dajuma. Initiated by the Governor of Bali, this project is aimed at producing the Cavendish banana specy which is particularly appreciated by export markets. All conditions for getting the best quality are fulfilled in this part fo the island: a rich and fertile volcanic ground, a hot and humid climate and a good irrigation system. But it is also a challenge because this specy is threatened since the early 90s by the “Panama disease”, unfortunately all around the world now. Hopefully this one will not hamper this beautiful project. On the picture the representatives of the authorities ready to plant the first specimen.

WELCOME AGAIN DEAR VALRHONA!

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This year again, we had the pleasure of welcoming at the beginning of September, 3 groups of the famous french chocolatier Valrhona bringing together chocolate masters from the Asia-Pacific region. Aimed at exchanging experiences and recipes and visiting their cacao producers of West Bali, the gathering was also the opportunity to spend some good time at Dajuma and practice some activities such as massages, stand-up paddle and surfing. They also invited the representatives of the cacao farmers to come and taste the delicious chocolate creations made from the West Bali cacao, particularly some chocolate mousses. Everybody was so happy.

DAJUMA ECO-TOURISM TOUR

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Close to Dajuma, is the State Plantation of Pulukan which is one of the preferred eco-tours of our guests. Imagine a huge 1200 ha area planted with all sorts of trees: coconut, coffee, cacao, clove trees, and the most popular, rubber trees from which the sap is extracted and treated on site in a workshop.
Our guests enjoy this 4 hours tour by 4WD jeep and by foot. It ends on top of the plantation by a revigorating lunch with a breathtaking view of the ocean. On the picture, Jeremie and Vanina from France with their guides Mertha and Sumawa, were offered rubber bracelets which present this astonishing property to automatically solder when you join their extremities. A small souvenir of a great moment of sharing with Mother Nature!

PLANTING A THOUSAND TREES

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Last Friday, our guests (Anna and Robert from the Netherlands) had a great experience with the villagers surrounding Dajuma. The Police in Jembrana Regency together with the authorities of Pekutatan sub-district held an event entitled “Planting a Thousand Trees”, to regenerate forests, keep the sustainability of the forests for the next generations and to prevent the disasters (floods, landslides and droughts). It took place in the forest around Pulukan Village. Authorities invited the representatives from all institutions in the whole Pekutatan sub-districts (students, medical personnel, army, villagers from each village in Pekutatan territory) as well as representatives of tourism industry. We invited our guests to join in the event and they were very excited to be involved. After finished the program we walked along the village, Anna and Robert were very happy to see the real life of Balinese village.

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 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!

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.

Good harvest this year for clove and cacao in Pekutatan

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Clove and Cacao’s harvests have been particularly good this year in Pekutatan. Together with rice, vegetable, coffee and  fruit,  the clove and cacao plantations are well developped in this part of the island. The farmers proceed with the harvest of the clove once a year and twice for the cacao. They extract the clove and the cacao beans and make them drying in the sun before sending them to Java where the cacao beans are roasted and exported.
On the picture some clove and cacao beans drying in Pekutatan village, nearby Dajuma. The farmer also collects waste from the village for recycling.

Chocolate factory in Jembrana

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The regency of Jembrana in Bali is renowned for its Jeggog music, buffalo races rice fields overlooking the ocean and for its plantations of cacao.
In 2007, the authorities decided to encourage the local production of chocolate. A special  building was dedicated to the project headed by Nobertha, with all the necessary equipment.
Today the chocolate factory produces all sorts of fine chocolates, tablets, powder and plans to,extend its activities.
Good luck Nobertha ! We support you.

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!