Touring around Bali economically in a Honda

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Mon, 12/11/2006 1:37 PM | Life

P.J. Leo, The Jakarta Post, Bali

Bali boasts amazing attractions. The island is known for its thousands of pura (temples) -- shrines to the island's Hindu Gods. Festivals are regular events that are another draw for visitors.

In the aftermath of the 2002 and 2005 bomb blasts that took hundreds of lives, local government and its tourism partners have been striving to reestablish the image of Bali as a safe haven for vacationers.

A variety of initiatives have been promoted, including PT Honda Prospect Motor's Jazz Bali Challenge 2006 held Nov. 17 through 19.

The main aim of the competition was for participants to drive Honda cars consuming as little fuel as possible. The organizers aimed to showcase several tourism attractions along the way.

PT Honda Prospect Motor president director Kenji Otaka said that the program was also aiming to encourage environmentally friendly driving.

The 20 participants, all media people, were split into 10 teams. The competition was divided into two stages -- the Honda Jazz Ultimate Race and Bali Ultimate Eco Challenge.

In the first stage participants had to look for a car key they would use in the second stage of the competition for an 85-kilometer ""economy drive"" to the finish line.

To find a key, they had to read scattered signs and directions. This entailed the participants driving horse carts to a central parking area in Kuta, driving open-sided minivans for 11.9 kilometers to Sanur and finally diving at the Sea Walker marine tourism site to search for their key.

After obtaining their keys, participants entered the second stage of the competition.

They embarked on a journey to several tourism sites that encompassed a route from Sanur, the Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue in Uluwatu, Tanah Lot (famous for its temple), the ""ground zero"" of the 2002 bomb blasts in Kuta and Seminyak.

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