In the week leading up to Easter – Bali is booming!

Indonesian airline Adam Air seems to be in serious trouble, both in the air and on the ground. In a single week the Indonesian low cost carrier had a bad landing, got an “or else” warning from the Minister of Transportation and may have lost financial support from its major investor. Can things get worse? Probably. The final report on Adam Air’s January 1, 2007 crash that killed 102 people is due in the coming two weeks.

There’s also news of an Indonesian expedition to climb seven mountains on seven continents to help celebrate Visit Indonesian Year 2008; a call to cut hotel & restaurant taxes by 50% with a denial from VP Kalla that he ever supported such a move; moves to improve security at villas in Gianyar (Ubud); the jailing of a former warder at Bali’s main prison on drug charges; and an update on lobbying efforts to have 3 Bali sites named to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites.

We’ve also got reactions to the reduction in sentences for three of the “Bali Nine”; the final results of the Salon Culinaire Competition held last week in Bali; the return of a familiar face with the appointment of Jean-Charles Le Coz to the Nikko Bali Resort as General Manager and a report on the need for more direct flights between Bali and Moscow.

What better place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on the Indonesian Emerald Isle than joining the gang tonight at Gracie Kelley’s Pub at the Bali Dynasty Resort.

And, to be sure, there’s much for the Irish to celebrate this year. Why, with a McCain, Clinton and O’Bama running for the U.S. Presidency - it’s seems an absolute certainty that someone with an Irish surname will be sitting in the White House come this time 2009!