NATURAL RESOURCES

Some of the TOP Hotels in Bali

Bali's most famous and crowded resort is Kuta beach, a six-kilometre sweep of golden sand, with plenty of accommodation, shops and nightlife. Nearby Sanur is much quieter, but most backpackers prefer the beaches of peaceful east-coast Candi Dasa and traveller-oriented Lovina on the north coast. The island's other major destination is the cultural centre of Ubud , a still charming but undeniably commercialized overgrown village, where traditional dances are staged every night of the week and the streets are full of arts-and-crafts galleries.

Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa : The Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa is a luxury property strategically located only 15 kilometers away from the... Nusa Dua
Aston Bali Resort & Spa : The Aston Bali Resort and Spa is a luxury hotel located on the waterfront facing golden sandy beaches... Tanjung Benoa
Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel : Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel is situated in the coastal village of Sanur, an ideal location from which to explore... Sanur
Sanur Paradise Plaza Suites : The Sanur Paradise Plaza Suites is located in Sanur Village just two kilometers from the Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel....Grand Bali Beach Hotel also is a nice hotel in Sanur.
Swiss Belhotel Bali Aga : The Swiss Belhotel Bali Aga is a deluxe property strategically located only 20 kilometers northeast from the Ngurah Rai... Nusa Dua
Grand Hyatt Bali Hotels located in Nusa Dua and The Oberoi Bali located in Seminyak, Maya Ubud located in Ubud, The Alilia Ubud, Chedi, Hard Rock Hotel Bali located in Kuta beach, Melia Bali located in Nusa Dua and Padma Bali located in Kuta

Indonesia is one of the earth's richest mineral areas. Only 5% of its total land area has been mapped geologically in detail and offshore surveys haven't even got off the ground yet. Indonesia lies in the tin belt of the world, being the 4th largest producer. Freeport Copper Co. mines copper in the rugged Ertsberg Mountains of Irian Jaya, probably the world's largest base metal reserves (33 million tons of high grade ore), producing over 65,000 tons of concentrates each year. In a time of growing petroleum shortage, Indonesia is a petroleum producer of great potential. Revenue from oil has increased ninefold since 1965. Indonesian oil has a relatively low sulphur content and is thus less polluting. Its easy access from relatively shallow pools and its close proximity to Japanese, Australian and S.E. Asian markets, all cause it to be in great demand, especially since the Oct. 1973 Middle East War and the subsequent oil embargo. Until 1975, Indonesia's mammoth state-run oil company (Pertamina) had grown rapidly, accounting for 65% of the government's non-aid revenue and roughly 70% of Indonesia's gross export earnings. This huge conglomerate empire had about 30 subsidiaries: real estate, shipping and port development, tourism and hotels, insurance, oil marketing, steel complexes, office buildings, 80 aircraft, and its tankers at one time added up to more tonnage than the Indonesian Navy. In 1975-76 it was disclosed that Pertamina had incurred international and domestic debts totalling over US$10 billion. Indonesia is still staggering from the collapse of this multi-billion dollar conglomerate, and the country has a long way to go before it digs itself out of the Pertamina recession. There are even more shocks to come when additional debts of Pertamina fall due. In order to make up for the losses, the government in early 1976 pressured about 35 foreign oil companies into 'renegotiating' their productionsharing contracts so that the government's cut is now 85%. This move will net the government more income, but the Indonesian investment climate has soured as a result of it. Indeed, the whole S.E. Asian region is affected. Oil companies have laid rigs up, sent their oil survey ships home, called off contracts, and only a few are still looking for oil. This situation will drastically decrease oil production as existing wells run dry. As the demand for petroleum products increases over the next few years, Indonesia will have less and less of its most ready foreign exchange-earner at a time when it is most needed. Forests cover 300 million acres of Indonesia's total land area of 475 million acres (60% of Sumatra, 77% of Kalimantan, 52% of Sulawesi, 75% of Irian Jaya and the Moluccas), and are now being rapidly plundered and not replanted. From only US$6 million in timber exports in 1967, there was a dramatic increase to over US$330 million in 1973 (12% of exports). At the present rate, in 28 years there will be no forests left. Agriculture constitutes approximately half of the GNP with about 35% of all arable land devoted to cultivation. Four out of every five Indonesians work the soil, the majority small farmers in rice growing villages. Of 40 or more commercial crops, only rubber, tobacco, sugar, copra, palm oil, hard fibre, coffee and tea are of national importance economically.

Nusa Lembongan is situated 12 miles south east of Bali. It is one hour traveling time by boat from Benoa Harbour. This pear shaped island is around 4km long and 2km wide. It is surrounded by a beautiful fringing reef, which hosts a myriad of marine life, The waters are renowned for their abundance of life and great surf breaks. The reef has been declared a marine park by the Indonesian authorities. Not only does the reef support its own Eco-system, but it supports most of the villagers on the island as well. The local people farm seaweed. This seaweed is cultivated, harvested then exported all over the world for use in cosmetics, food stabilizers and medicines. Other sources of income include traditional wooden boat building, farming peanuts, sweet potato, and fishing.Village life is very slow and enchanting. Very few cars and motorbikes are seen on the roads. The people are steeped in tradition, and one could imagine Bali being like this island, thirty years ago.Although the island is small there are many things to do. Fishing, diving, surfing, mangrove exploring, discovering natural fresh water springs, underground cave house exploring, cycling around the island. A visit to the bat caves on a nearby island, or a picnic at dream beach. Try catching mud cabs in the mangrove area at the back of the island. There is something for every one at Nusa Lembongan.