Sanur got a wake up call today with the start of the Sanur Village Festival . The 5 day event runs from August 15th-19th and showcases some of the area's favourite businesses. This afternoon I rode down there and took a butcher's (that London speak for ‘look') at the proceedings.

Getting to the Sanur Village Festival from Kuta & Nusa Dua is easy, just head towards the roundabout in Kuta and take the turn towards Sanur . In about 20 minutes you'll see the McDonalds on the right side, which is Jl. Segara Ayu . Hang a right towards the beach and right away the banjar guys will direct you to parking, which for my motorbike this afternoon was gratis (free).

Attractions at the Sanur Village Festival are in 2 main locations . Halfway down Jl. Segara Ayu towards the beach on the left side is a large area given over to a Bonsai & Adenium display . Fortunately for those of us under the age or 70, some lovely young Balinese ladies were on duty outside to brighten up the affair. In my opinion #3 on the left side deserved to be #1.

In an adjoining area a set up something similar to an English tea party was laid out. Complete with tables, chairs and an assortment of Sanur's finest food and drink outlets, this was the designated place to get merry. Stopping into the Cat & Fiddle Pub's booth I said hello to owner Mark Wilson, who also happens to be the Honorary British Consul. Mark asked me if I wanted a beer or a new passport (small Bintang 12,000rp). A performance stage was set up for evening entertainment and the food and drinks area is in operation from 11am to 10pm. Flying over the festival were some magnificent kites. This one was way up in the sky and was huge. The other main area for the Sanur Village Festival is down at the beach where another large performance stage.

Along the beach side footpath excited vendors offered their services, obviously noting the increased pedestrian traffic. A food competition was in progress late this afternoon, with some of the finest Balinese chefs showing their skills. The dishes created were on show and I must admit all looked great. Most featured seafood and all were original in style. For a tasty memory of the Sanur Village Festival I chose one of the sate babi (pork satay) vendors on the beach, who cooked me 10 sticks for 5,000rp. Enak sekali!.

Plenty of lovely kids and proud parents, this lady kept offering me a massage while taking care of her son. The Sanur Village Festival seems low key, and ideal for families, couples and solo tourists and expats to wander into and have a decent time. Here is the schedule of events .

Schedule of events:

The village of Sanur is about to host a 3 day festival, involving sports and cultural events. I was checking out Sanur Village's website and it had some interesting historical information, about the creation of the village. If you are staying in the Kuta area, you might stop on by the Sanur Village Festival. Hop on the Bypass and at the big roundabout you'll head towards Sanur . Drive will take about 20 minutes.

Date : Friday, August 25th 2006
Location : Inna Grand Bali Beach Cottages Area, Sanur Beach.

1. OPENING CEREMONY
The opening ceremony will be opened by the Minister of Cultural and Tourism and marked by a traditional performance, followed by bus trip city touring and fun bike visiting cultural heritages.

2. IJUMPI ANNUAL COOKING COMPETITION
Location: Inna Grand Bali Beach Cottages Area
Participant: chefs representing hotels and restaurants
Time: noon until evening

3. CITY TOUR AND FUN BIKE TOURING
Location: All historical destination in Sanur and Denpasar City
Participant: open to public, especially tourist and expatriate live in Sanur
Time: City tour- morning and evening trip
Fun bike- morning untill finish
Activities:
a. fun bike to historical sites in Sanur, accompanying by professional guides of Sanur
b. City Tour around Denpasar area will be hosted by the Denpasar City Government, will start in two groups of morning trip and evening trip.

4. WATER SPORT COMPETITION
Location: Along Sanur Beach
Participant: locals and tourist
Time: morning until evening
Activities:
a. beach volley ball
b. wind surfing, kite surfing, kayaking
c. jukung (traditional sail boat) festival

5. TENNIS TOURNAMENT
Location: Bali Hyatt Resort Sanur
Participant: open to public and tourist
Time: evening

6. KARAOKE COMPETITION
Location: Hardy's Sanur
Participant: open to public
Time: noon until evening

7. PAINTINGS EXHIBITION
Location: Three famous galleries in Sanur
Time: all day, open for one week

8. TRADITIONAL BALINESE DANCE PERFORMANCE
Location: Inna Grand Bali Beach Cottages Area
Participant: Sanur community
Time: night

9. FOOD FESTIVAL AND BAZAAR
Location: Inna Grand Bali Beach Cottages Area
Participant: 20 food stall representing hotels and restaurants in Sanur
20 gift and souvenirs stall from artshop, giftshop, etc in Sanur and Bali
Time: all day

Date : Saturday, August 26TH 2006
Location : Along Sanur Beach
Hardy's Parking Lot

PROGRAMS:

1. FOOD FESTIVAL AND BAZAAR
Location: Inna Grand Bali Beach Cottages Area
Participant: 20 food stall representing hotels and restaurants in Sanur, 20 gift and souvenirs stall from artshop, giftshop, etc in Sanur and Bali
Time: all day
Activities:
a. Food sale of Balinese and Indonesia food and international food.
b. Discounted and Low Price handicraft, fabrics, etc.
c. Cooking demo
d. Cartoon making demo
e. Entertainment and vouchers give away

2. IJUMPI ANNUAL COOKING COMPETITION
Location: Inna Grand Bali Beach Cottages Area
Participant: chefs representing hotels and restaurants
Time: noon until evening

3. JAZZ FESTIVAL
Location: Inna Grand Bali Beach Cottages Area
Participant: 20 jazz groups/individu participant from all over Indonesia
Time: noon until evening
Participated by 20 Jazz groups from all over Indonesia centralized at the main stage of the Festival and fill up every appointed spot point along the street in Sanur.

4. SANUR OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT
Location: Inna Grand Bali Beach golf course
Participant: open tournament
Time: noon until evening

5. WATER SPORT COMPETITION
Location: along Sanur Beach
Participant: open to public and tourist
Time: noon until evening
Activities:
a. beach volley ball
b. wind surfing, kite surfing, kayaking
c. jukung (traditional sail boat) festival

6. CITY TOUR
Location: Denpasar City
Participant: open to public
Time: City tour- morning and evening trip
Activities:
a. City Tour around Denpasar area will be hosted by the Denpasar City Government, will start in two groups of morning trip and evening trip.

Date : Sunday, August 27th 2006
Location : Along Sanur Beach
Hardy's Parking Lot

PROGRAMS:

1. KITE FESTIVAL AND PARADE
Location: Sanur open field to Sanur Beach
Participant: Sekhaa laying-layang Sanur
Time: morning until evening

2. FOOD AND MERCHANDISE BAZAAR
Location: Inna Grand Bali Beach Cottages Area
Participant: open to public
Time: morning until evening
Activities:
a. factory outlet discounted merchandise
b. used jewelries and branding merchandises sale

3. IJUMPI ANNUAL COOKING COMPETITION
Location: Inna Grand Bali Beach Cottages Area
Participant: chefs representing hotels and restaurants
Time: noon until evening

4. UNDERWATER FESTIVAL
Location: Puri Santrian Beach
Participant: invitee and public
Time: morning

5. TENNIS TOURNAMENT - FINAL
Location: Bali Hyatt Resort Sanur
Participant: open to public and tourist
Time: morning and evening

6. KARAOKE COMPETITION - FINAL
Location: Inna Grand Bali Beach Cottages Area
Participant: open to public
Time: noon until evening

7. CITY TOUR
Location: Denpasar City
Participant: open to public
Time: City tour- morning and evening trip
Activities:
a. City Tour around Denpasar area will be hosted by the Denpasar City Government, will start in two groups of morning trip and evening trip

8. CLEANING CAMPAIGN
Location: Sanur Beach
Participant: Sanur community
Time: morning
Activities:
a. cleaning up Sanur Beach
b. socializing to the community of Sanur about waste treatment system
c. installing trash cans at several spots in Sanur.

9. CLOSING CEREMONY
Colossal Dance performance from Sanur.