Canada Celebrates it's 152nd. Anniversary of Independence, July 1st.

All of us at PT. B.A.L.I., PT Bali Luxury Villas,  Bali & World News & Views wish all Canadian's throughout the world a very happy 152nd. anniversary of independence. Tomorrow July 1, 2019

Editor Lawrence and Canada Day 2017

Canada Day 2019: Current facts, History and Celebrations

Canada Day is celebrated every year on 1 July as a National Day of Canada and marks its anniversary. Let us read more about Canada Day, why it is celebrated, how it is celebrated and some interesting facts about Canada.

By SHIKHA GOYAL

 JUN 29, 2019 16:13 IST

Canada Day 2019: Current Facts, History and Celebrations

Canada Day is a statutory holiday there. A day off for general population, schools and most of the businesses are also closed. All ages of the Canadians feel proud of their heritage on this day. Throughout the country various events are celebrated and people also participate with full enthusiasm.

Canada Day: History

This day marks the anniversary of 1 July, 1867, the date on which the Constitution Act, 1867 also known as British North America Act, 1867 united the three separate colonies of the province of Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick into a single Dominion within the British Empire called Canada. Originally it was known as Dominion Day. In 1982, the holiday was renamed when the Canada Act was passed.

Background or reason behind the formation of Canada Day:
The British North Americas Act on 1 July, 1867 was created the Dominion of Canada as a federation of four provinces. That time this event was known as the confederation of Canada. From the former British colonies the original four provinces were created namely Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the Province of Canada, which was divided into the provinces of Quebec and Ontario. Since 1867 the boundaries of Canada was extended. So, now the country consists of 10 provinces and three territories.

National Doctor’s Day 2019

The Canada's Governor General on 20 June 1868 proclaimed that Canadians should celebrate the anniversary of the confederation. In 1879, July 1 became a holiday under the name Dominion Day. However, until the 5oth and 6oth anniversary in 1917 and 1927 respectively, no official celebrations were held. After World War II, Dominion Day was more frequently celebrated and various events were also organized by the national government. After the centenary of the confederation in 1967, Dominion Day events became more widespread. Now, 1 July is officially known as Canada Day from 1983 onwards.

In the United Kingdom since 2006 Canada Day celebrations were also held at London's Trafalgar Square in the United Kingdom.

Canada Day: Celebrations

Various events are organized on this day. Celebrations without parade are incomplete. Therefore, parades will be held in cities, towns, and villages all over Canada. Even the Royal Canadian Mounted Police have established a group known as the RCMP Musical Ride. Also, officers who are rotated after three years of service, perform equestrian drills for the public throughout Canada. Other events include picnics, festivals, sporting events and fireworks. All over the country, Canada Day events are planned including Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, and Victoria.

So, we can say that 1 July is observed as Canada Day as this date marks the anniversary of the nation’s official creation and saw the growth of the spirit of Canadian patriotism.

Important Days and Dates in July 2019

Important Days in 2019 year: National and International

Read more:Canada Day , Canada Day 2019 , Canada Day 2019 celebrations , How to celebrate Canada’s birthday , Canada Day in Canada , Canada Day Ottawa tourism , Fireworks in Canada ,Canada Day 1 July , Canada Day traditions , Canada Day Facts , Canada Day history

Fast and furious across Java from Surabaya to Bandung on recently built freeways

Continued from fast and furious across Bali and eastern JavaTo Surabaya

On our fourth day, we woke up in Surabaya, Java's second Largest City.

We set Google maps GPS for the next major city on Java's North Coast, Semarang.

We traveled approximately 385 km in just a little over four hours, including a couple stopovers for toilets, Petro and meals.

It was our boys, who were born in Bali, first time on a high-speed  Indonesian freeway.

 I might add that I didn’t see any police on the whole trip pulling anybody over for speeding.

These days Google maps will warn you if there is a speed camera but I tend to believe that even if there was a speed camera maybe nobody was watching it.

Our next stop was Semarang, another coastal city.

The night before with booking.com I was able to secure a three-bedroom miniature villa close to the freeway again for a low cost of around $70.

 Later that evening we decided to go by Gojek, for as little as $3.50 USD to the old city of Semarang which was originally a major port for  the Dutch East In these company who controlled Indonesia for several hundred years.

 Fortunately there was still some great old buildings with fabulous architecture, standing.

Semarang is the capital and largest city of Central Java province in Indonesia. It has an area of 373.78 square kilometres (144.32 sq mi) and a population of approximately 1.8 million people, making it Indonesia's seventh most populous city^[2]after Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, Bekasi, Medan, and Tangerang. 

The built-up (metro) area had 3,183,516 inhabitants at the 2010 census spread on 2 cities and 26 districts.^[3]Greater Semarang (a.k.a. Kedungsapur) has a population of close to 6 million (see Greater Semarang section), and is located at 6°58′S 110°25′E. A major port during the Dutch colonial era, and still an important regional center and port today, the city has a dominant Javanesepopulation.

Finally the next day we arrived at Bandung which was our major destination for this vacation. In a little under five hours, we drove 434 KM.

Approximately four years ago I read about a new archaeological find on Java which may predate the great pyramids by as much as 17,000 years.

At the time I flew over and met with the person who discovered it a geologist with a PHD from America, Danny Hillman.

After spending two hours with him I was convinced that recent exploratory digs that they had done plus significant scientific research with sophisticated instruments leaves a very strong possibility that this previously thought of hill is not a hill but a major man-made pyramid.

Danny and many other prominent experts believe several layers were created over as much as 20,000 years as far back as the ice Ice Age.

Learn More about this Magical Mystical  discovery which is possibly the oldest pyramid ever discovered 

Magical, mystical Gunning Padang, possibly the oldest, pyramid on earth

Continued from https://baliworldnewsviews.blogspot.com/2019/06/fast-and-furious-across-java-from.html



After a fast and furious drive all the way from Bali, almost 1,200 km (745 Miles) to Bandung we prepared for an early morning drive to what may be the oldest pyramid in the world.
Again it is still a theory and not confirmed but what we do know is that 885 meter (3,000 FT.) Gunung Padang is the largest site for megalithic stones in Asia and that alone is a reason to visit it.

A megalith is a large stone that has been used to construct a structure or monument, either alone or together with other stones. The word megalithic describes structures made of such large stones without the use of mortar or concrete, representing periods of prehistory characterised by such constructions. Wikipedia

According to Wikipedia: Gunung Padang is a megalithic site located in , West Java Province of Indonesia, . It has been called the largest megalithic site in all of Southeastern Asia, and has produced controversial carbon dating results which, if confirmed, suggest that construction began as far back as 20,000 B.C.

885 meter (3,000 FT.) Gunung Padang is the 
largest site for megalithic stones in Asia

According to CNN news Indonesia "Gunung Padang is a megalithic site that has been known since the 19th century. However, people know it as an ordinary megalithic site on a mountain top. 

However, when Danny Hillman visited there he suspected that there was a building under the site. Based on research led by the Gunung Padang Independent Research Team, it was concluded that there was a building structure under the megalithic site."

In order to obtain an update on the current research we invited Dr. Danny Hillman and his family for dinner and we had a lovely time at the Duck King in Bandung.

Dr. Danny Hillman and family at Duck King in Bandung


Our two boys from right Xander, 

Darius and Dr. Hillman's daughter

According to Wikipedia In October 1, 2014, surveyors halted excavation activities temporarily due to these facts and recommendations:
A core zone site area has been confirmed
Many man-made artifacts have been discovered
The construction of the site spans four eras

In preparation for a trip to the site the next day I asked Danny a lot of questions including "is there going to be any more excavation"? The answer was "probably starting next year".

Why am I so keen on this site?
Because if it is, in fact, determined that this pyramid was begun as much a 17,000 years before the Egyptian pyramid it would make the Egyptians look like children compared to Indonesians.



I assume countries such as Egypt, Mexico and any countries that have ancient ruins would certainly want to try to prevent this Indonesian site from being the most famous site in the world.

Unfortunately, a supernatural incident happened during the recent digging which has caused the enthusiasm from the Indonesian interests to wang considerably.

At 6 AM the next morning we traveled 2 ½ hrs. over tedious roads which eventually went from busy cities to busy villages to beautiful mountains adorned with tea plantations.










This beautiful shot was taken with a Tea picker with my wife Azizah on the way up.




The ridiculously low price for Indonesians to enter the park is only 10,000 Rupiah or roughly $0.70. A bit more for foreigners of Rp 200,000 unless you have a K.I.T.A.S. or working permit.

My wife Azizah, sons Darius and Xander and I at the entrance to Gunung Padang Park.



Evidently, there are approximately 400 steps that take you up a very steep incline to the top of the site at 885 meters.

Once you get there you are greeted by hundreds perhaps even thousands of megalithic stones that somehow were cut thousands of years ago and dragged to the top of the site.


According to Wikipedia: 2012 survey

A survey conducted in 2012 showed the following:
The site was dated 6,500 years BP (before present) by carbon radiometric dating at 3–4 metres below the surface (12,500 years at 8 to 10 metres below the surface), and the artifacts at the surface date to about 4,800 years BP.
Based on geoelectric, georadar, and geomagnetic testing, at least up to 15 metres from the surface there is construction with large chambers.
Unlike the south side with its 5 stone terraces, the east side has 100 stone terraces with width and height of 2x2 metres. The west side also has stone terraces but is still covered by soil and bush, and the north side has, in addition to a 1.5 metre-wide stair, terraces also.
The site area is approximately 25 hectares, in contrast for example to Borobudur Temple, which occupies only 1.5 hectares.
Wall-side construction of the terraces is similar to that of Machu Picchu in Peru..

On the way up the stairs, I had a flash that perhaps each generation wanted to get closer to the gods and therefore built this pyramid to allow them to pull the extremely heavy Meagalite stones to the summit.

"Perhaps each generation wanted to get closer to the gods and therefore built this pyramid"

It will be amazing if this flash of insight turns into reality.

"It will be amazing if this flash of insight turns into reality".

It has been a major religious site for quite some time and only recently been recognized as a possible major archaeological site.

Whatever it is I’m not one to believe in magic but I do believe in spirits because scientifically 'Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only be changed from one form to another.' Albert Einstein.

'Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only be changed from one form to another.' Albert Einstein.

Mysterious Events on Pandang:

Several very mysterious events happened while we were up there that day.

First, we sat at a spot on a wall and almost simultaneously my wife advised me that she received a Whatsapp picture from Danny Hillman’s wife who we dined with the night before.



His wife realized that their family had sat at almost the exact spot on exactly the same day, June 17th. four years before. What are the odds of that happening?

At first, after we arrived I was a little disturbed because the last time I was there, there were maybe only 10 people on the hill.


This time there was a group of local Indonesians who were evidently having a meeting in Indonesian style which includes military type stances and a loud speaker.



I was looking forward to using my new Nikon and taking some great video. The fact that they were announcing a lot of information out loudly was at first a turnoff.

Then I remembered the Philosophy that I follow from the famous philosopher Napoleon Hill
."Every adversity has within it the seed of an equal greater benefit"

."Every adversity has within it the seed of an equal greater benefit"

At the time I couldn't see any benefit in having a loud meeting taking place while my family visited this ancient site. Soon I realized what the greater benefit was.

We ignored this slight inconvenience and continued to inspect the site and it's magical stones.












I don't know what there is about the site but there is a very feel-good atmosphere about.







Another surprising event that happened was when they invited us to pose with them for a group photo. The only other Foreigner in the crowd was a fellow Canadian, Randy Munro



Later when I reviewed the pictures at home I realized that there was a Canadian flag that he had provided.

 I didn't see it at the time because I was looking at the photographer. 

I wondered what are the odds of the only two foreigners being on that hill at that time in history were Canadian. 

Furthermore, I didn't realize until this photo that both the Canadian flag and the Indonesian flag only have two colours, red and white. 
Maybe that's why Canadians feel so at home in Indonesia.

Turns out the group was there to celebrate the 160 year anniversary of the park.
Another mysterious coincidence that we were there on such a special day for them.
Later they were gracious enough to invite us to enjoy their meal of rice and chicken.






I took the opportunity and asked who was the boss of their group and asked my oldest son Xander who was born in Indonesia and therefore fluent in Indonesian to translate for me as I asked a series of questions. 

It was better to get the facts directly from the horses mouth.

Head of the Park Management Pak Nanang

I asked him several major questions such as is are there any plans for further exploration.

Again I sensed the feeling that there was something mystical that happened during the excavations that has led the locals to believe that they shouldn’t bother this ancient ruin.



After lunch, the Indonesian group sat down and started playing traditional instruments.




It wasn’t long before my wife Azizah and our youngest son were sitting down with them as they were playing traditional Indonesian instruments.



The sound was very mystical on top of this magical hill.
Soon Azizah was up dancing traditional Javanese dances with the head of the group.



She mentioned later that she felt possessed to dance at that very moment.
Another mystical event on this very magical day on Gunung Padang.

One of the park attendants showed us a particular megalithic stone that had been used for making music by tapping on various parts for various tones and notes.








Finally, we decided to decsend on the older route which is a little bit more difficult but even more beautiful.





The important question I asked my family, "did you enjoy this". 

It was definitely four thumbs-up.

What the future holds for this site is not quite sure.

What I am sure of if they do in fact determine that this is man-made pyramid as much is 17,000 years before the ancient Egyptian pyramids it would mean that the Indonesians were much more sophisticated than anybody else in the world at the time.

It would provide substantial pride for Indonesians, the fourth largest populated country in the world.

There is no question my mind that it would become one of the largest tourist attractions in the world.

I will definitely be keeping in contact with Danny Hillman and watching for any news of this potentially major fine in the very near future.


In conclusion, whether it does end up just simply being a megalithic site or one of the world’s most important finds I’ve enjoyed thoroughly my trip to Gunung Padang and will definitely go back again in the future.



From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gunung Padang site:

Gunung Padang is a megalithic site located in Karyamukti village, Cianjur regency, West Java Province of Indonesia, 30 km southwest of the city of Cianjur or 6 kilometers from Lampegan station. It has been called the largest megalithic site in all of Southeastern Asia, and has produced controversial carbon dating results which, if confirmed, suggest that construction began as far back as 20,000 B.C.[1]

History:

A view of Gunung Padang

The existence of the site was mentioned in Rapporten van de Oudheidkundige Dienst (ROD, "Report of the Department of Antiquities") in 1914. The Dutch historian N. J. Krom also mentioned it in 1949. Employees of the National Archeology Research Centre visited the site in 1979 for a study of its archaeology, history, and geology.

Located at 885 metres above sea level, the site covers a hill in a series of terraces bordered by retaining walls of stone that are accessed by about 400 successive andesite steps rising about 95 metres. It is covered with massive rectangular stones of volcanic origin.

The Sundanese people consider the site sacred and believe it was the result of King Siliwangi's attempt to build a palace in one night. The asymmetric step pyramid faces northwest, to Mount Gede[3] and was constructed for the purpose of worship. From Sukabumi to Cianjur: From Warungkondang to Cipadang, Cibokor, Lampegan Pal Dua, Ciwangin, Cimanggu.

At the end of June 2014, the Education and Culture Ministry declared Gunung Padang Megalithic Site a National Site Area of 29 hectares area.

On October 1, 2014, surveyors halted excavation activities temporarily due to these facts and recommendations:

· There is a large structure below the surface

· A core zone site area has been confirmed

· Many man-made artefacts have been discovered

· The construction of the site spans four eras

· A recommendation has been made to extend the survey, renovation concept, conservation and management of the site

The 2014 excavation has been criticized for being improperly conducted.

· Gunung Padang was originally a natural volcano

· Around 10,000 years ago, possibly back to 20,000 BC, the modifications to the hill began.

· Around 9,000 years ago, it began the construction of it being wrapped in andesite columns.

· Around 7,000 years ago, the site was renovated once more and they added parallel layers of stone columns.
· Around 3,000 years ago, a new group covered the structure in soil

2012 survey
A survey conducted in 2012 showed the following:

· The site was dated 6,500 years BP (before present) by carbon radiometric dating at 3–4 metres below the surface (12,500 years at 8 to 10 metres below the surface), and the artifacts at the surface date to about 4,800 years BP.


· Based on geoelectric, georadar, and geomagnetic testing, at least up to 15 metres from the surface there is construction with large chambers.

· Unlike the south side with its 5 stone terraces, the east side has 100 stone terraces with width and height of 2x2 metres. The west side also has stone terraces but is still covered by soil and bush, and the north side has, in addition to a 1.5 metre-wide stair, terraces also.

· The site area is approximately 25 hectares, in contrast for example to Borobudur Temple, which occupies only 1.5 hectares.

· Wall-side construction of the terraces is similar to that of Machu Picchu in Peru.