PRESIDENT EXPECTED IN BALI

Gianyar, Bali, Jan 23 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is expected in Bali on Friday afternoon to visit the Tirta Empul shrine area which is being developed as a tourist spot of historical and cultural interest.

The president is scheduled to arrive at Ngurah Rai International airport after concluding a three-day working visit in Sorong and Manokwari districts in West Papua.
From the airport, the president and his entourage would head to Tirta Empul Temple before proceeding to Tampak Siring Palace to spend the night.
Tirta Empul Temple or Tampak Siring Temple is a holy spring water temple located in Tampak Siring village, Gianyar district and lies about 39 kilometers east of Denpasar city.
West of the temple is Tampak Siring presidential palace which was built by Indonesia's first president, Soekarno.
The temple is regarded as one of the six most important ones in Bali such as Pura Besakih and Pura Luhur Uluwatu.
The name "Tirta Empul" signifies a crystal clear stream from which holy water for various religious ceremonies is derived.
As usual, visitors are allowed only up to the main courtyard to enjoy a view of the exquisite twin shrines and split gate, common in most temples in Bali.
After visiting the temple, President Yudhoyono would take a rest at Tampak Siring Palace and the next morning (Saturday) attend an Institute for Peace and Democracy meeting.
The meeting would follow up the dedication of the Institute for Peace and Democracy which took place at Udayana University on December 10, 2008.
It is the first peace institution in Asia at Bukit Jimbaran campus, located some six kilometers from Nusa Dua, and is expected to be the center of research on political development in Indonesia and abroad.