Warm greetings from the gangsa,
“in harmony with the gangsa” is our very own newsletter designed to keep guests and travel associates informed of recent news from the gangsa. for this 4th edition I would like to take the opportunity to thank readers for the positive response shown towards this update.
I sincerely believe that the gangsa is continuing to lead the way in the resort destination of Sanur by taking a progressive approach towards Bali’s evolving tourism industry. in recent months we have taken the initiative to create a new in-villa dining menu and upgrade existing guest services and facilities.
the island of Bali will celebrate the religious holiday of Galungan during the month of June and for this auspicious occasion we are inviting guests to share with us a traditional parade, a ceremonial prayer session & an authentic Balinese feast. the unique hospitality concept adopted by the gangsa is all about experiencing the Balinese way of life that focuses on a peaceful existence and community values.
kind regards.
Wayan Warta
operation manager
 new pleasures: TV in the bedroom & complimentary massage
in a continued effort to enhance guest facilities and implement improved service standards, the gangsa has recently installed 21" flat screen televisions in every bedroom for the viewing pleasure of our guests, beside television that already installed in the living room. in addition, guests are entitled to a 15-minute relaxing head, shoulder or foot massage upon arrival to eliminate the travel tensions caused by long flights. this complimentary treatment is a basic introduction to Bali’s healing heritage and the therapeutic benefits of traditional massage.
 exciting new dining menu
a delicious new in-villa menu has recently been created for the gangsa. celebrating Asia’s culinary traditions, the menu features a selection of Japanese, Thai and Korean specialty dishes especially for guests who prefer familiar cuisine from home. however, those who take pleasure in the challenge of sampling the exotic tastes of the unknown will certainly enjoy this exciting new menu that ventures across South East Asia.
 prestigious security award
the gangsa is proud to announce that it was recently awarded gold class certification for successful Hotel Security and Safety Standards set by Bali’s Regional Police Department. following a thorough inspection of the property and all of the security measures that have been implemented to safeguard guests, the gangsa was recognized for its high standards. many hotels, resorts and villas in Denpasar were inspected, however, only five other properties achieved gold in this particular award category.
it is also important to mention the unique hospitality concept that has been adopted by the gangsa, which amongst other things involves active interaction with the local community. one of the main advantages of this concept, as well as being located within a village environment, is the sense of community spirit that heightens the overall feeling of security.
the certificate was officially presented to Wayan Warta, Operation Manager of the gangsa by the Mayor of Denpasar, A.A.Puspayoga. valid for a 2-year period until December 2008, this prestigious certification recognizes that the gangsa is a security conscious property where guests can well and truly enjoy peace of mind throughout the duration of their stay.
 truly Balinese: recipe of kolak pisang
in every edition of the “in harmony with the gangsa” we provide a tasty local recipe that it easy to prepare at home. kolak is a traditional sweet dessert made from palm sugar and coconut cream that is enjoyed on a regular basis in every Indonesian household. for this particular recipe known as kolak pisang we use banana, however this can be substituted for sweet potato if desired.
ingredients:
• 5 gr salt
• 30 gr sago
• 4 ripe bananas
• 75 gr palm sugar
• 1 pc pandan leaf
• 5 ml vanilla essence
• 200 ml coconut cream
• 20 gr dissolved rice flour
• 20 gr jackfruit, cut into cube shapes
method:
• boil the peeled bananas in a small saucepan for 10 minutes.
• at the same time in another saucepan, simmer the mixture of coconut cream and palm sugarover low heat for approximately 5 minutes. add the salt, vanilla essence and pandan leaf.
• when the bananas are cooked, peel and cut into slices. put them into the coconut cream. mixture and then add the dissolved rice flour to thicken.
• serve hot in bowls with a garnish of boiled sago and jackfruit cubes.
 profile: Tsukasa Yamamoto
Tsukasa Yamamoto is the gangsa’s energetic guest relations officer and her responsibility is to cater to the needs of our clientele and ensure that every stay proves to be an enriching experience. her career within the hospitality industry has been a dream come true and Tsukasa has enjoyed colourful travel opportunities and meeting so many interesting people. prior to joining the team at the gangsa she worked in hotels in Japan, Australia as well as the prestigious Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan.
although Tsukasa is not a native of Bali, she embraced the local culture and religion when she married her Balinese husband. passionate about life and learning new things, she likes to spend her spare time shopping, listening to music and indulging with a cappuccino at a café. Tsukasa personal philosophy is to maintain a harmonious balance between her work, family and social commitments.
 new spa indulgence: ultimate bliss
ultimate bliss is an inspiring 150-minute wellness treatment at the gangsa’s rebab spa that relaxes the body and evokes the senses. it includes a cleansing aromatherapy foot treatment as well as a nourishing hair therapy to stimulate new growth and leave a lustrous shine. the package also features a traditional massage to relieve tired muscles, a nurturing grape body scrub and finally an extravagant bathing ritual that dates back to the days of Cleopatra – the beautiful queen of ancient Egypt. the ultimate bliss signature treatment is priced at just USD 100 ++ and designed to take guests on a journey that delves into the tradition of natural healing and beauty practices.
 Galungan celebration
on Wednesday 27th June 2007, Balinese Hindu’s across the island will celebrate the religious holiday of Galungan, which rejoices the symbolic triumph of good versus evil. all members of the Balinese community return home to their respective villages to gather with family and pray in their ancestral temples.
 guest testimonies
feedback from guests greatly contributes to the way we assess staff performance, villa services and the overall level of hospitality that we offer. all comments are carefully taken into consideration to determine the direction of in-house training. we’d like to share some of the most recent comments that have been made;
“staff member Gus Wid offered exemplary service during our stay.”
-Mr. Prabowo and family from Indonesia, stayed in villa kempur – Jan 2007
“everything was perfect, I slept so tight although 1 or 2 mosquitoes flied around my room, but it did not matter. My wife was so impressed when the staff served wedding cake during our dinner,it completed our dinner entirely.”
- Mr. Toshimichi & Ms. Mayumi from Japan, stayed in villa jublag – Feb ‘07
“the service at the gangsa is excellent. I have traveled quite a lot, but I have never found service as good as what the gangsa offers. the staff really made us feel at home.”
-Ms. Lui & Ms.Lin from Taiwan, stayed in villa gender – Feb 2007
 staff news
it gives us great pleasure to announce two well-deserved staff promotions at the gangsa. Pak Sonder, who has been a dedicated team member since pre-opening days, has earned himself the title of sous chef for his innovative culinary talents. relative newcomer, Pak Wirama, now takes on the responsibility of restaurant supervisor. together the pair will redefine the Balinese fine dining experience at gong restaurant.
congratulations to Ibu Nila from the reservations department on the birth of a healthy baby boy named Made Erlangga Maha Wirajita in March 2007. both mother and son are enjoying some quality bonding time together. | 
