The Telephone Pub, Restaurant & Karaoke Lounge
114/11 Silom Soi 4, Bangkok, Thailand 10500
Tel (66) 02 234 3279, Fax (66) 02 632 7115
www.telephonepub.com
and receive a 10% discount.
As we enter 2009 we reflect back to December '08 and we are pleased to inform all our readers that our staff (Remy, Rudy & Satya) who entered the Diva & The Bodyguard competition at the Nirvana Bar, were awarded 3 rd place in a very competitive grand final. For their efforts they received one million rupiah in prize money and a trophy, which is now on permanent display in our Prada Bar. Rudy & Remy went on to represent the hotel again in the Prince of Paradise competition held at the Q Bar a week later, but sadly neither of our young staff managed to be placed in the top 3, although we have heard rumours that both the guys will be back again this year for another chance to be the Prince of Paradise in Bali.
Our New Years Eve party was a great success enjoyed by both our in-house guests and visitors. The Prada Bar was full of partygoers dancing to hip hop music, enhanced by special effects lighting and black lights (ultra violet), whilst the Pool Side Bar catered for less enthusiastic patrons, but by midnight everyone had united to bring in the New Year in the Prada Bar.
We are now into the new year and our first event was recently held on the 26 th January, on which we celebrated Australia Day. We commenced the evening with a Aussie style BBQ around the pool for our in-house guests and was later joined by several ex-pats living in Bali . As usual the Prada Bar was decorated with Australian flags, but this year we decided to forego the fireworks display, as last year it proved to be a bit of a safety hazard with sky rockets flying everywhere except in the right direction.
Over the past few weeks we have undergone a small number of staff changes, Sayta our previous Guest Relations was promoted to Public Relations and Rudy our Bar Waiter replaced Satya, Rudy was then replaced in the bar by Putu, a ex-employee who has been working in Dubai for the past 12 months. In our hotel office, we also now have Ronny, a new accountant who will assist us to upgrade all our financing systems. We congratulate Satya & Rudy in their promotions and welcome Putu & Rony to the Spartacvs Team.
Due to continuing power shortages in Bali , we have revamped our generator and now when electrical power is lost, our generator will supply electricity for the hotel, a great relief for our guests. Also extra storage shelfs have been placed in all our Standard & Deluxe rooms, giving our guests more space for their clothes and personal possessions.
Our next event will be on the 14 th February, Valentines Day, but this year we will emphasise more on the little things, such as red roses, chocolates, etc. All guests staying with us over this period can expect a few nice surprises on this special day.
Fast approaching is Nyepi, this year celebrated on the 26 th March, for those readers who do not know the meaning or never experienced this important day on the Hindu calendar, we have put together some useful information on what to expect.
The Bali Government Tourist Office has issued a set of guidelines for local residents and visitor that must be observed on Nyepi - the absolute day of silence that will mark the dawn of a new year on the Bali-Hindu calendar. On Wednesday evening, March 25, 2009 , streets across the island will be clogged by revellers out in force to watch teams of young men from local banjars parade large Papier-mâché floats through the streets. Police will maintain a high profile presence in order to contain any excesses by parade participants and spectators who are often "well-oiled" with rice wine. Somewhat worse for wear, the celebrants will eventually find their way back to the village homes before 6 a.m. on Thursday morning, March 26, 2009 , when local rules dictate that island residents must enter into a 24-hour period of silent reflection during which:
| - | No lights may be lit. |
| - | No work may be performed. |
| - | No amusements enjoyed. |
| - | Silence must be maintained. |
| - | People must not venture outside the sealed and silent quarters. |
The silence remains in absolute effect for 24-hours until 6 a.m. on Friday morning, March 27, 2009 .
Tourist visitors and non-Balinese residents of the island are expected to heed local tradition which brings the entire island to a ghost-town-like standstill.
| - | Hotel service staff will be compelled to stay at their place of employment during the 24 hour period as travel between home and job will not be possible. |
| - | All roads across the island will fall silent and be available for use only by emergency vehicles. |
| - | Hotel guests must stay on their hotel grounds throughout the 24 hour period during which they will be able to enjoy most hotel facilities and services. Guest rooms windows will have their curtains drawn and outside lighting at hotels will be dimmed or extinguished during the Nyepi period. |
| - | Bali 's Ngurah Rai Airport will be closed with no flight operations allowed during the 24 hour period. Technical and emergency landings will be permitted, including medical evacuation flights, but crew landing at the airport between 6 a.m. on March 26 until 6 a.m. the following morning will not be allowed to leave the airport terminal. |
| - | All Bali sea ports will be closed during the 24 hour Nyepi period. |
A one of its kind activity, many visitors actually flock to Bali to enjoy the unique experience of seeing an island of 3 million inhabitants go absolutely silent for 24 hours.
If you're planning a visit during this period, here's some related activities you won't want to miss:
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Meklyis or Melasti. Processions of Balinese Hindus across the island bearing effigies from their temples to the ocean for purification ceremonies on Kuta and Sanur beach.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Tawur Agung Kesanga Ceremony. Sacrificial rites are held starting from 12 noon to appease spirits of the underworld followed by ogoh-ogoh parades in the evening of large Papier-mâché effigies resembling evil spirits through local streets.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Nyepi the celebration of the Icaka New Year 1931 . The Day of absolute silence.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Med-Medan - a traditional celebration held in Banjar Kaja, Sesetan, South Denpasar that sees young unmarried men and women gather in a local square to douse each other with water and exchange furtive kisses. Thought to bring good luck, the fun starts at around 3 p.m. .
