The Basilico Italian Restaurant at Hotel Sanur Beach Bali introduces a new menu, planned by Chef Oka, which features all Italian favorites. The menu has been refreshed with authentic Italian dishes, great taste and presentation. Some of the highlights are homemade seafood ravioli, tagliatelle, Saltimbocca alla Romana and Piccata alla Zigana. The menu also features an array of delicious cucina Italiana, through a selection of soups, salads, pasta and desserts.

Hotel Sanur Beach
Jl. Danau Tamblingan
(0361) 288-011; www.sanurbeach.aerowisata.com

Expedia travelers is being planned for next year to offer education, therapy, practical skills and above all hope for the many disabled children of Bali, particularly those living in the south. Yayasan Membina Api Cinta Kasih (YAMACK) has their latest project underway – The Matahari Terbit Center (MTC), to be built in Kerobokan. A well-recognized European method of treatment for the children called Conductive Education, a holistic style of therapy that uses techniques incorporating physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and education in one program has been chosen. "We are hoping the community of Bali and the many overseas friends that love Bali will help us raise the US$ 750, 000 that is needed", said Susanne Roziadi, a founding member of YAMACK, who is anxious but confident that this need will be filled. Although there is an estimated 5,000- 9,000 disabled children under the age of 16 in Bali, there are only a couple of small centers for physically disabled children.

Donations can be made by contacting MTC on their website:
www.diasabledchildrenschool.com; www.mtcbali.com
or emailing the office on info@mtcbali.com
or calling (0361) 735-825.

The Aston at Grand Kuta Hotel and Residence recently opened its new Siloam Spa, complementing its freshly unveiled hotel facilities. All treatments are given under the health and hygiene supervision of Dr. Yetie, a Spa CIBTAC graduate from London. Materials used are derived and processed naturally, such as herbal weeds to neutralize nausea caused by changing weather and air temperature, lavender to soothe, ginger and spices to warm the body and remove fatigue after activities, as well as other natural ingredients.

Aston at Grand Kuta Hotel & Residence
Jl. Dewi Sri No 8, Kuta
(0361) 3000-888; www.astonbalihotels.com

The Olive Ridley species has been coming to the Kuta Beach area for centuries to lay their eggs. With so much "unnatural" traffic on the beach, a few dedicated individuals from ProFauna and Kuta Beach security have been relocating the eggs since 2002 to a humble hatchery facility. As the eggs hatch, the baby turtles are returned to the ocean the same day. Recognizing their efforts and the need for support, Coca-Cola Amatil Indonesia (CCAI) together with Quiksilver Indonesia, have built a permanent hatchery facility called the Kuta Beach Sea Turtle Conservation (KBSTC). In the shape of a giant turtle, the construction is accompanied by information boards to bring awareness of the sea turtles history and future.

CCAI
(0361) 883-22222; www.profauna.org

Ramada Resort Camakila recently welcomed its new Chef de Cuisine, Colette Khan. Hailing from Australia, Chef Collette likes to play with recipes and mix ingredients, which makes her unique style stand out when presenting a dish. Having come from a multicultural city like Melbourne, she has mastered not only Western but also Italian, French, Japanese and her favorite, Indian cuisine. With her kind of talent, she has been trusted to run the Azaa Restaurant, Ramada Camakila's signature all-day dining restaurant that provides an elegant contemporary setting for international fare, comfort food, Asian and Indonesian selections.

Ramada Resort Camakila
Jl. Pura Bagus Teruna, Legian
(0361) 752-877; www.ramadaresortcamakila.com

The Westin Resort Nusa Dua welcomes Indian Chef de Cuisine, Mohan Singh Rawat. Chef Mohan joins the resort with more than 9 years of hospitality experience across India as well as abroad, bringing with him a wealth of Indian culinary expertise. Passionate about the relationship between food and culture, Mohan is keen to showcase a rich selection of Indian food at the Veranda Restaurant. He will also introduce some of his signature dishes to the resort's in-room dining menu. At The Westin, he plans to experiment without deviating too much from the authentic roots of traditional Indian cuisine to create healthier dishes that are still rich in flavor. He is certainly no stranger to the healthy lifestyle concept that The Westin has to offer.

For more information or to make a reservation at The Verandah, call (0361) 771-906 or email: dining.bali@westin.com.

The Talaga Spa introduces two new lounge spaces for its spa-going guests as a place to relax and explore the array of spa treatment choices available from the exquisite menu before heading for their treatment sessions of choice. "It is also where the guests undergo personalized spa consultations with the team of professional therapists on essential oil selections and specific key pressure points," explained Bayu Satrya Nugraha, who also recently joined the team at Talaga Spa as Sales Account Manager.

Talaga Spa
Jalan Graha Ganesa Block A, B, C
Jalan Dewi Sri, Kuta
(0361) 8733-831; www.talagaspabali.com