Greetings from the heart of Tanjung, on the still very special and magic island of Bali.

As yet another dramatic year comes to gradual close, it is once again time to review the many events and happenings over the passed 12 months. Without doubt we would have witnessed a year of tremendous contrasts, with lots of success, improvements, changes and sadly enough we felt and suffered through the tragedy of October 12.
This event certainly cased a permanent spell on every Balinese, and made everyone relies what benefits tourism brings to our island paradise. Black and white symbolizes the balance and harmony in our magic culture. As hard as it looks first, there is always a positive side to a problem. I am confident that the terrible tragedy in the long run will bring many benefits not only to the warm hearted Balinese people , but also to visitors. I am certain that many of you which have returned to Bali after October 12 have noticed many improvements in overall security, and foremost in the extra efforts which every Balinese makes to feel visitors welcome and comfortable.

In our continues efforts to improve our services we now like to focus on the future and hopefully be able to make changes and improvements in the following areas.

1. Bumbu Bali
Will go through a complete renovation program, change our reception into a small food art souvenir art shop, change the entire outside flooring, and give our outside kitchen a new face lift, which will hopefully enable us to improve the quality of the food.

2. Rumah Bali
Being now completed we hopefully be able to open our new restaurant BB's as of April on a permanent basis. Similar as in Bumbu Bali we will serve 100% authentic cuisine in a beautiful Balinese surrounding. BB's or Banjar Bougainvillea will enable us to host smaller parties for up to 100 guests in a smaller and more cozy setting

3. Cooking School
Our regular programs will hopefully return back to normal very soon and enable us to hold classes once again every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Currently we do conduct classes as and when we have reservations. There is no limit to the numbers of participants and we will host classes for one person.
As part of this program we will continue with our efforts to give Balinese cuisine not only here in Bali the respect it deserves, but also internationally, and as such will be part of Balinese food promotions in Europe, Australia and possible in the Middle East .

4. Turtles
Our battle and efforts to save as many turtles and eggs as possible will continue. We now have produced little emergency trainings manual to save and hatch turtle eggs. It would be great if this little manual will encourage many more nature enthusiasts throughout Indonesia to join our efforts to save something very special. Whithin the next few days we will send you this manual which is perhaps not scientifically perfect , but it does work well with us.

We now have the following hotels in Lombok which are making terrific efforts to save many turtles and eggs.
The Oberoi Lombok, The Sheraton Senggigi, and the Holiday in. Thank you for you assistance and hospitality.

As you can see there is a lot of terrific work waiting for us next year, and it makes me particularly proud that all of the above is only possible with your whole hearted support.

With the anxiety of the Balinese spirit, and our ever growing family in Bumbu Bali & Rumah Bali, we wish you all a joyful festive season and only the very best of every thing for 2003.

We all look forward to welcome many of you back to our island home.

With best personal regards,

Heinz, Puji, Fabian and the magic of Bali