More than 100,000 have evacuated their villages with government officials unhappy that perhaps as many as half the evacuees, acting out of fear and propelled by rumors, have fled homes located in areas considered safe from an eruption. The Governor is urging those coming from safe areas to leave the temporary camps and return to their homes or, at least, stay at a local hotel. Meanwhile, inside the “danger zone” Bali’s sacred Besakih Temple and the surrounding community have gone dark, abandoned, at least temporarily, until Mount Agung’s alert level is lowered.

The Ministry of Tourism has established a Hospitality Task Force to keep the public reliably informed on all developments related to Mt. Agung. In this connection, Bali’s Governor wants those spreading hoaxes and false news about Mount Agung charged with a crime and brought to justice.

In his efforts to keep the public reliably informed, Governor Pastika has met with foreign legations in Bali and asked them to keep their home constituencies informed that Bali is still safe for holidaymakers.

The Minister of Tourism visited Bali last week to review contingency planning and meet with Bali Hospitality Task Force’s Media Center. Minister Yahya estimates that cancellations of groups to Bali may be running between 20%-30%.

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News related to Mt. Agung dominates this week’s update. We have the latest summary update from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. Meanwhile, scientist say magma that has risen from a depth of 100-kilometers below the crater to now just two-kilometers below the peak, is now at an impasse, momentary or otherwise, as its tries to break through the hardened crater floor. Satellites focused on the crater have detected a large fissure and a hotspot, both of which are now being monitored closely by scientists.

Meanwhile, the Indonesia’s Minister of Tourism insists that tourism to Bali remains unaffected by the warning connected to Mt. Agung. Governor Pastika pleads for moderation in reporting on the volcano, saying that in the event of an eruption, damage would be limited to areas immediately surrounding the mountain and far removed from the densely populated parts of Bali. Road officials have surveyed roads and bridges that could be affected by any eventual explosion of Mt. Agung.

While all eyes point to Mt. Agung, we have reports on the installation of 5 early warning sirens installed on the mountain’s slopes. The TelkomGroup has plans well in hand to keep telecommunications operating in the areas surrounding Mt. Agung in any eventuality. Banks in Karangasem are working with customer who may be economically disadvantaged by the alert warnings on Mt Agung. And, Airbnb implements an “Open House” plan for people who want to provide free, temporary housing to those displaced by developments on Mt. Agung.

Bali is witnessing an unparalleled response to the hardship of those living near Mr. Agung. Balinese are helping feed and clothe the homeless, save abandoned animals, and provide housing to fellow islanders. The Anand Ashram Foundation is providing anti-stress yoga training to evacuees. And, the villagers of Tejakula in Buleleng have welcomed those seeking refuge from the mountain with dances and music.

This report curtesy of Bali Update

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Read more on Khaosod here

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Trips – 30% off published price:
05-09 DEC 2016 -> 4 nights – WAS EUR €1,290, NOW ONLY EUR €903

11-15 DEC 2016 -> 4 nights – WAS EUR €1,290, NOW ONLY EUR €903

17-22 DEC 2016 -> 5 nights – WAS EUR €1,570, NOW ONLY EUR €1,100

Price is based on per person, twin/double sharing.

Take on the offers while it lasts! Contact Symbiosis for further details.

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Bicycling Bangkok to Phuket
Ride along the Gulf of Thailand and see some of the best coastal scenery in Thailand! Rest in resorts, eat fabulous seafood, go barefoot in the sand and ride a mixture of flat road and rolling hills while enjoying the view of endless beaches.
10 days / 9 nights in August 7

Burma Heritage by Bicycle
Bike from Mandalay to the temples of Bagan and be one of the lucky few to experience this up-and-coming travel destination. Be captivated by the people, culture and landscape of Burma.
7 days / 6 nights in August 8

Saigon to Bangkok by Bicycle
Visit three of Southeast Asia’s most interesting countries on this trip- Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia! Explore the best that all these countries have to offer with this SpiceRoads rider favorite tour!
14 days / 13 nights in August 28

Bali Mountain Biking Adventure
Ride the rims of volcanoes, enjoy great off-road tracks and chill out on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
7 days / 6 nights in September 4

Sri Lanka Spice trails
Explore inland Sir Lanka through a multitude of Buddhist and Hindu monuments, enjoying a resulting curious mix of ancient cities and atmospheric colonial architecture that have been influenced by ancient dynasties, Indians, Portuguese, Dutch and British.
12 days / 11 nights in September 25

Road Biking from Saigon to Angkor
See the best of two countries as you cycle from the bustling Vietnamese capital, then cross the border to the serenity of Cambodia and the temples of Angkor.
13 days / 12 nights in September 25

Sri Lanka Heritage by Bicycle
Visit five of Sri Lanka’s UNESCO World Heritage sites while cycling through the rural tranquility of local life. This tour will enrich you with the history and heritage of central Sri Lanka.
7 days / 6 nights in September 26

North of Thailand by Bike
An off-road adventure through the hills of the Golden Triangle, where Thailand borders Burma and Laos. Visit remote villages in the beautiful north of Thailand using a combination of bikes and boats.
10 days / 9 nights in October 9

Yunnan Discovery
Discover the diverse culture and ancient architecture of the southern Chinese province of Yunnan, from its snow capped mountains to lush green forests. Prepare for breathtaking scenery and an incredible cultural experience.
12 days / 11 nights in October 9

Thailand to Singapore by Road Bike
Tackle three countries and ride 1,391 kilometres in 15 days on this epic cross-country road bike trip, and discover Thailand’s scenic south, charming Malaysia, and the booming city-state of Singapore!
15 days / 14 nights in October 16

Cycling Sikkim’s Tea Trails
Rugged and remote Sikkim is steeped in history and Buddhist culture. This challenging ride through the Kanchenjunga mountain range offers breathtaking scenery and countless cultural experiences.
10 days / 9 nights in October 23
Get Inspired here!

Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel today to get riding.

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Mount Gamala on the eastern island of Ternate erupted early Wednesday after a moderate earthquake in the area, sending ash up to 600m into the air and closing the island’s airport.

The airport on Lombok was closed overnight from Monday to Tuesday due to a drifting ash cloud from erupting Mount Rinjani, causing the cancellation of 29 domestic and international flights to the resort island.

The airport on neighbouring Bali remained open but several flights between Lombok and Bali were cancelled while a handful of services between Australia and Bali were also axed.

Mount Sinabung, a volcano on the western island of Sumatra which has been rumbling for some time, also erupted violently on Tuesday although its ash clouds did not disrupt any flights.

Full story on Coconuts Jakarta.

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CAMBODIA
May 10 – May 12: Angkor Explorer (C)
Jul 4 – Jul 10: Cambodia Heritage by Bicycle (C)
Jul 17 – Jul 23: Biking Bangkok to Angkor Wat (C)

VIETNAM
April 26 – April 29: Meandering the Mekong Delta (C) (one more rider to depart)
May 8 – May 24: Saigon to Hanoi (C)
May 23 – May 29: Vietnam Heritage by Bicycle (C)
Jun 20 – Jun 26: Vietnam Heritage by Bicycle (C)
Jul 3 – Jul 19: Saigon to Hanoi (C)
Jul 5 – Jul 7: Ha Long Bay Cycle and Cruise (M)
Jul 12 – Jul 15: Meandering the Mekong Delta (C)

INDONESIA
May 9 – May 11: Bali Explorer (M)
Jul 10 –  Jul 16: Bali Mountain Biking Adventure (M)

THAILAND
May 16 – May 22: Thailand Heritage by Bicycle (C)
May 17 -May 20: Central Thailand Explorer (C)
May 29 – Jun 5: Kanchanaburi Hills  (R)
Jul 3 – Jul 12: Bicycling Bangkok to Phuket (R)
Jul 12 – Jul 15: Central Thailand Explorer (C)
Jul 17 – Jul 24: Road Cycling Southern Thailand (R)
Jul 26 – Jul 29: Central Thailand Explorer (C)

BURMA
Jul 17 – Jul 30: Burma Adventure (C)

MULTI-COUNTRY
April 17 – April 30: Saigon to Bangkok by Bicycle (C)
May 8 – May 21: Saigon to Bangkok by Bicycle (C)
Jul 3 – Jul 16:Saigon to Bangkok by Bicycle (C)
Jul 31 – Aug 13: Saigon to Bangkok by Bicycle (C)

Check the Symbiosis Custom Travel website for more details of contact us direct at enquiry@symbiosis-travel.com. We can also make your travel arrangements pre and post cycle trip.

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CAMBODIA
Mar 13 – 19: Biking Bangkok to Angkor Wat (C)
Mar 20 – 28: Wilds of Cambodia (M)

MALAYSIA
April 3 – 13: Untamed Borneo (C)

VIETNAM
Mar 8 – Mar 11: Ha Long Bay Cycle and Cruise (M)
Mar 13 – Mar 29: Saigon to Hanoi (C)
Mar 20 – Mar 30: Road Biking the Ho Chi Minh Highway (R)
Mar 21 – Mar 27: Vietnam Heritage by Bicycle (C)
Mar 22 – Mar 25: Meandering the Mekong Delta (C)
Mar 28 – Mar 31: Trails of Dalat (M)
April 5 – April 8: Meandering the Mekong Delta (C)
April 14 – April 16: Red River Delta by Bike and Boat (C)
May 8 – May 24: Saigon to Hanoi (C)
May 23 – May 29: Vietnam Heritage by Bicycle (C)
Jun 20 – Jun 26: Vietnam Heritage by Bicycle (C)
Jul 3 – Jul 19: Saigon to Hanoi (C)

PHILIPPINES
April 10 – April 22: Island Hopping the Philippines (C)

LAOS
Mar 26 – Mar 27: Luang Prabang Countryside (C)

INDONESIA
May 9 – May 11: Bali Explorer (M)

THAILAND
Mar 8 – Mar 11: Central Thailand Explorer (C)
Mar 9 – Mar 11: Hua Hin Explorer (C)
Mar 13 – Mar 22: Bicycling Bangkok to Phuket (R)
Mar 15 – Mar 18: Central Thailand Explorer (C)
Mar 22 – Mar 25: Central Thailand Explorer (C)
Mar 23 – Mar 25: Hua Hin Explorer (C)
May 16 – May 22: Thailand Heritage by Bicycle (C)
May 17 -May 20: Central Thailand Explorer (C)
Jul 3 – Jul 12: Bicycling Bangkok to Phuket (R)

Multi-Country
Mar 20 – April 1: Road Biking from Saigon to Angkor (R)
April 17 – April 30: Saigon to Bangkok by Bicycle (C)
Jul 31 – Aug 13: Saigon to Bangkok by Bicycle (C)

R = Road Bike Tour
M = Mountain Bike Tour
C = Classic Tour

Check out the Symbiosis website for more details or contact us now to start planning your trip.

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Lombok Airport has remained open since Saturday 11 July with international and domestic flights operating.

There is a possibility Mount Raung will erupt again in the coming days. Dependent on the wind direction, this could lead to some airports closing for safety reasons.

Passengers scheduled to fly are advised to contact their airline as many flights are currently subject to delay.

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Flights due to arrive yesterday evening were either cancelled or diverted to Jakarta or Surabaya where they are being held. Flights due to arrive today into Bali are either held at the departing destination or cancelled.

The ash cloud may clear over the next 24 hours as winds are forecast to turn – however, there is a possibility the volcano may erupt again coming weeks. There have been no reported casualties.

We are closely monitoring the situation and will provide further updates as required.

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Contact Symbiosis Custom Travel now to book your berth.

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According tot Metrobali.com, under arrest is a man named Sangkalan, captured when police inspected a van he was driving on Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai in Sanur on Tuesday, July 15, 2014.

Police found 17 live turtles in the back of the van that had transported the reptiles from Jembrana.

Police say the man was only a courier and authorities are still seeking the identities of the syndicate behind the sale of protected turtles.

Police have moved the turtles to a sanctuary compound on Serangan Island.

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For schedules, Prices and to reserve your berth, visit the Symbiosis Cutostom Travel Dive Komodo webpage.

Cruises are either 7 or 9 nights long. The offer applies to both Mermaid I and Mermaid II

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