New Lobby at Panorama Hotel in Bali

There have been several changes at Panorama (www.panoramabali.com ) as the new management continues renovations.


New signs in the Restaurant


New layout - to handle 100-200 tourists at lunch some days!


And, most recently, the owner added a new lobby.


Beautiful, isn't it?

Anniversary at Bhanuswari Resort & Spa - The Party Day 3 - Part B

There was live music from a traditional Balinese gamelan orchestra.
"Joged" dance with audience participation.
And also modern rock-and-roll - live music and dancing.
Again, both guests and staff had a great time!

Anniversary at Bhanuswari Resort & Spa - The Party Day 3 - Part A

On January 5, 2007, Bhanuswari Resort & Spa held a party to celebrate its First Anniversary.
Prizes were awarded for the winners of the Games held the prior 2 days.
There were speeches - relatively short!
There was a beautiful cake.

Anniversary at Bhanuswari Resort & Spa - GAMES Day 2 - Part D

Next, the women competed in sack races. I noted 2 different styles.
The traditional HOP.
And the tricky, but effective, SHUFFLE.

Another tug-of-war, this time with another guest participating! Like me, she found out that it's not so easy!

Anniversary at Bhanuswari Resort & Spa - GAMES Day 2 - Part C2

Here are a few more spectators...
- Managing Director Nyoman Suweta and his son, Komang.

- Priest Ketut and his son Made.

- Waitress Ibu Made from Panorama, and her son.
- And a youngster I don't know.
- And a pair of friends, most likely heading off to cause mischief.

Anniversary at Bhanuswari Resort & Spa - GAMES Day 2 - Part C

I have no idea what they called this game for the women - and I'm not sure I want to know!
First, they tie a cord around their waist. There is a large nail hanging down behind like a tail.
Next, they run over to a row of bottles - and squat.
The aim is to get the nail into the bottle without using hands (so I think the lady in pink is cheating!)
Ayu Sri succeeds!
The proud (sort of) winner!
Here is another style - the twist-and-turn.

Anniversary at Bhanuswari Resort & Spa - GAMES Day 2 - Part B

Men's soccer competition - staff vs. management!
Nyoman Suweta, Owner / Managing Director, shows off his style.

Made Putra, Operations Manager of Bhanuswari, displays some very fancy footwork.

Women display their posture, balance, and grace in a bottle race.

Anniversary at Bhanuswari Resort & Spa - GAMES Day 2 - Part A

Tug-of-War

The Panorama women were tough competitors. Here's the Bhanuswari side.
And even I got involved - but they still lost!

Anniversary at Bhanuswari Resort & Spa - GAMES Day 1 - Part B

Here are some of the staff spectating while others participate.
Staff could also bring their own cheering section.

Here is the father of one of the Supervisors.

And here are the priest's wife and son.

Anniversary at Bhanuswari Resort & Spa - GAMES Day 1 - Part A

Bhanuswari Resort & Spa (http://bhanuswariubud.com/)celebrated its 1 Year Anniversary in January. Prior to the big celebration, there were 2 days of games. Some pitted Bhanuswari staff against Panaorama staff (both hotels were under the same management team). Other games were staff vs. management.

Was this purely in fun? Well, it was serious enough to include a competitive standings chart and a Games Master. Since prizes would be awarded at the celebration party, competition was stiff.

Table tennis (aka ping-pong) involved...

some serious competition among the men.
Are these women really going to compete at soccer? Or are they merely displaying a feminine Balinese approach to the game?

New Year's Eve in Bali

The staff at Panorama had a great time decorating and organizing the New Year's Eve Party for 31-Dec-2006.
In the garden by the lotus pond, they spelled out the hotel name using candles.

They decorated the stage for traditional Balinese dance performances. Here you see the "Welcome" dance.

This is the "Joged" or friendship dance. The female dancer selects victims... uh, guests from the audience and pulls them on stage to dance with her.


The audience included guests from around the world - Holland, USA, and this lovely and very happy lady from the UK.

In addition to the traditional Balinese dances and music, there was a modern rock-and-roll band! They played a variety of old, world famous music and current Balinese Top-10.

The staff enjoyed the party as much as the guests!