Prambanan : Ancient Temples of Java

The great monuments of Java are either Hindu or Bhuddist, or more likely combinations of both. Most of the sites were built in Java's heroic age of temple constuction, which lasted from the 8th to the 10th centuries. For mysterious reasons, many of these sites were abandoned soon after they were built.

Most Javanese are Islamic. But they're generally not followers of the branches of Islam associated with the Near East. The Javanese have fused Islam with the island's traditional mysticism, much like the Sufis of northern India. It's certainly not fundamentalist. For instance, it's illegal to agitate for the establishment of an Islamic state, and believers are required to sign a document declaring that they won't.

Because of this native tolerance — at least for different spiritualities — many of the monuments of other religions were simply abandoned, rather than being defaced or destroyed. The greatest damage to the monuments have come in the last century, as expanding populations have moved into formerly deserted areas and pillaged ruins for building materials, or by art collectors, who have carted away sculptures for museums and private collections.

But the destruction has abated. The Indonesian government, working with archeologists, has moved to protect and preserve these monuments.

Prambanan Plain

Siva, the destroyer. . .

This highland plain was once densely populated, with a rich network of temples and other sacred sites. Even today, this area has the largest concentration of ancient sites in Indonesia — about 50 in all. But sometime after the 10th century, the Hindu royalty moved to east Java, abandoning the plain and many of its architectural treasures. An earthquake in the 16th century and waves of treasure hunters devestated many of the sites that weren't buried in volcanic ash.

The most dramatic and important is the Loro Jonggrang complex, dedicated to the Hindu god Siva. The centerpiece of the complex is the central Siva temple, which stands 152 feet tall. It resembles a gothic spire cut off at the base — massive and impressive, with an emphasis on vertical lines similar to European Gothic cathedrals. The gaze is drawn up and making the structure appear awesomely tall.
The temple stands on a platform shared by two other temples dedicated to the two other members of the Hindu trinity, Brahma, the creator, and Vishnu, the preserver. These two temples are not nearly as tall as the Siva temple, but they share an emphasis on verticality. All the temples are surrounded by a walkway with a low wall around it. The Siva and Brahma temple are carved with narrative relief panels showing tales from the Ramayana, the great Hindu epic.

But there's a lot more to explore on Pramandan. Candi Sambisari, discovered in 1966 when a farmer hoeing his field hit a stone that turned out to be the top of the largest temple to be found buried intact in Java. Candi Sari is a beautiful Buddhist sanctury alive with decorations showing dancing goddesses and assorted other divine beings. Candi Sewu is noted for its large, well preserved guardian statues. The buildings of Ratu Boko have gone, but an evocative system of terraces, stairways and pools remain, with dramatic views of the plain and its encircling peaks

By Mark Leger

Mentawai Island: the Ultimate Diversity of the Hidden Paradise

Located in the middle of Indian Ocean, 150 km and takes 9 hours trip from Padang, West Sumatra-Mentawai glowing with all the nature spirits and make it an extraordinary escaping spot from a hectic life. Mentawai is the natural habitat for 16 endemic species, and some of them categorized as endangered species e.g. Simakobu monkey (simias concolor-eat leaf as primary food).
The present life of Mentawai people categorized as the legacy from Neolithic era and they have a strong believe in nature spirit, for their life strongly affected by nature. They believe that nature is the center of life. All the genuine attributes make Mentawai a perfect place to gain cultural experiences, here you will notice a very fascinating and indigenous culture, like traditional cloths, art, music and the way of life. The entire culture attributes strongly reflects their respect to nature.
Tattoo is one of the most important symbol for Mentawai people, its reflect maturity, manhood and status. The art of this body painting inherit from their ancestor. The tattoos ink naturally made from leaf
Among the surfers, Mentawai is the best place to fill their demand for challenges and natures beauty. The beaches offer one of the highest wave in the world, 3 to 4 meters, totally challenge your gut. Once you grounded yourself in this hidden Paradise Island, next you will paddle out to the world"s best surf. Don't call your self Surfer if you haven't ride Mentawais waves said most of the surfer to expressed their surfing experiences in Mentawai
There are four ultimate diving spot here in Mentawai ,Siberut, Sipora, Pagai Utara (north Pagai) and Pagai Selatan (south Pagai). You can find great waves here year round, but the best waves are during dry season, March to October. Make sure you have the gut to explore all the glassy waves, because the best way to entitled your surfing experiences remarkable is through finding your own.

Getting There
1.Take flight from Sukarno Hatta air port, Jakarta to Tabing air port, Padang-west Sumatra (flight served every day)
2. Trip from Teluk Bayur port, Padang to Mentawai island by Ferry

Where to Stay
Lot of visitors said, that the best housing to stay is the local people house. Offer you a distinctive way of living in a unique architecture and experience interacting with local people. Other wise you could stay in a budget hotel in Siberut

Moving Around
To access all the beauties offered, you can use boat owned by local people. You can find the boat a long the beach and the rate depend on your bargaining power
Boost your taste with exotic and fresh sea foods that you can found in the local restaurants run by local people. If you are lucky enough, you can pick and cook your own sea food, but make sure you know the secret recipe/spices from Mentawais people. For those who are not sea food lover, you can find regular meals for your dining.

Souvenir Tips
Local handmade souvenirs like traditional hats, traditional bag and accessories will be genuine souvenirs for your relatives and friends. You can buy it in a souvenirs shop or buy it from local people directly.

Other Things to See or Do
Beach Activities
• sight seeing
• Diving
• Snorkeling
Cultural Activities
• Learn how to perform the Traditional dances (war dance and gratitude to nature)
• Traditional ceremonies
• Mentawai is one of the best place to conduct an Ethnographic study since its one of the oldest tribe in Indonesia

Ecotourism Activities

As the habitat for rare primate, the natural rain forest of Mentawai will be the perfect place for research or other educational purpose. Here, you can conduct research about
• Snub-nosed monkey/Simakobu (Simias concolor) monkey family eat leaf as primary food
• Joja or Lutung Mentawai (Presbytis potenziani) easily identified for the long tail, white face and black hair head
• Bokkoi atau Beruk Mentawai (Macaca pagensis)
• Kloss Gibbon/Bilou or Siamang Kerdil (Hylobates klossii) famous for the beautiful voice, different compared to general monkey


Travel Tips
• Nature and culture come to be understood and respected
• Bring your own surf board with you, because its may hard to find surf board shop in Mentawai
• You may arrange your travel using the local travel agent in Indonesia
• Great wave can be find year round, but best wave is during dry season March to October
• Bring your personal medicine
• You may arrange your visit by contact the travel agent and airline services in Indonesia

With Courtesy of my-indonesia

Photos with courtesy of freelinesurf

The Beauty of Sempu Island, East Java, Indonesia

Spanning from east to west over 3.9 kilometers, with beaches that are aligned with steep and lime caved cliffs. That is, at a glance, the picture of Pulau Sempu located in the eastern part of Java Island. Pulau (island) Sempu is located about 70 kilometers south of the centre of Malang city, East Java. Technically, this island is a nature reservation under the jurisdiction of the BKSDA IV (natural resources conservation station) in Malang. While from a government administrative point of view the area is included in the Biru Settlement. Tambakrejo Village, Sumbermanjing Wetan Sub-District, Regency of Malang, of East Java.
The area of the island stretches 3.9 kilometers from east to west, and 3.6 kilometers from north to south. The topography of the island is for almost 50% made up of hilly plains, with slopes ranging from average to steep, at altitudes of 50 to 100 meters above sea level. The larger part of the beaches aligned with steep lime rock cliffs, which is the characteristic of the islands along the Indian Ocean. This character is also specific for the islands along the south and east of Java Island. Certainly, such terrain makes it difficult for the fishermen to moor their boats. But, such a condition also decides that the Sendang Biru Beach, which is located north of Sempu isalnd, has quiet waves. Because of that, this beach is the safest harbor along the southern stretch of the Indian Ocean, and is the largest fish landing spot along the southern beach of Java Island.
The merits of Pulau Sempu for the fishermen of Sendang Biru Beach are indeed invaluable. Its sturdy shape with steep cliffs, neutralize the vicious waves of the southern seas. So it is not surprising to sometimes find fishermen performing the slalom test on this 3.9 kilometers long beach with its quiet waters. Pulau Sempu is separated from Java Island only by an 800 metres wide strait, which is also used as the gate to the open sea. Its waves are relatively quiet, appropriate for fishing, rowing, or swimming. As according to the land maps, the type of soil in the area of this island is of a litosol compound and reddish brown mediteran, and includes even the main limestone formation.
The only natural cave found on Pulau Sempu has its own specialty. The cave that is located around 2.5 kilometers from the Teluk (bay) Sumber Beach line is 25 meters above sea level and holds sources of sweet water. The cave is 20 meters long and 3 meters wide with a dry surface. It is highly strategic place for those who like to meditate, or just seek solitude.
Along the even steeper south side, there are also some sea caves. The sea caves along the east and southeast sides have become the settlements of numerous swallows. But, because of its highly steep location, none of the local fishermen dare to pick the birds’ nests. A visit to Pulau Sempu feels like being at the Bogor Safari Park. Wildlife like deer's, black monkeys, boars, and panthers often teasingly cross the visitors’ paths. It is not surprising then that this area often provokes the hunter to cleave into its forests. According to the data at the Forest Office of East Java, the area still holds 12 species of mammals, 36 species of fowls, and 3 species of reptiles. With this variety of flora and fauna the management of the island, i.e. BKSDA IV in Malang, has developed the area into a tourist destination.
The other uniqueness that can be found on this island is the existence of two lakes, the lake Lele and Segara Anakan. At Lake Lele a variety of colorful decorative fish can be found in abundance. While from Segara Anakan one can freely enjoy a view of the open sea.
You won't encounter any problems getting to these lakes, because the Malang BKSDA IV has built footpaths from Teluk Semut. While to get to Lake Lele, a 2.3 kilometers long footpaths has been built from Teluk Waru and The White Sand coast, which can be covered on foot in 2 hours.
Besides all those uniqueness, Pulau Sempu also holds other tourist attractions like The White Sand coast, which is the gate to this island. The natural scenery at The White Sand coast is also not less fascinating. From here you can see clearly all of the fishermen's activities. A variety of boats with its range of decorations can be seen coming and going to the open sea. And when dusk falls, the process of the sun setting into the horizon, can also be seen from this bright white sand beach. It is also along The White Sand coast that the visitor's boats are moored before they continue the journey to Pulau Sempu.
Although its status is a nature reservation, the management of Pulau Sempu has changed this into an eco-tourist destination of East Java. This is in line indeed with the condition which holds feasible tourism potential to be offered to tourists. And when compared to the other eco-tourist destinations, Pulau Sempu indeed still feels natural. But, it is that genuinely that leaves this island feasible as an ecotourism destination, at the same time a place to preserve the wildlife in it.
Other beauty that could be experienced in the Sempu Island was how could swim in very clear water (in Segara Anakan) and for had snorkeling hobbies was able generously to enjoy underwater scenery because this place had been the cultivation of the coral reef without must be frightened to get dragged by wave. Sempu got lake that mentioned with Segara Anakan. This place more was similar to small lake that was surrounded his limiting high coral stone with the open sea, south sea or Indonesian Sea that has big waves. The supply of water to this lake came from hollow coral big in the middle, which periodically presented picturesque scenery spots of pounding water of the wave that bashed coral. Some water flowing entered Segara Anakan. Apart from swimming in the giant's pond, the visitor could also relax in a playing manner coastal volleyball. For that liked the atmosphere of original nature, far from modern life noise, the Sempu Island gave the solution, only indeed should not hope for had the luxurious hotel, apart from the bed that was carried personally. Nearby same could be climbing coral that orbited Segara Anakan, from on top of our coral could see the pounding of the wave of the open sea that eroded the giant cliff, very beautiful indeed
By Fareza

Nambo Beach - Kendari

Southeast Sulawesi's capital is Kendari, seat of government and tourist center of the Province. It lies along the sloping hill and seaside of Kendari Bay, residence to some 100,000 people.
Kendari boast the manufacture of numerous fine artistic handicrafts, for both home and office use. Skilled craftsmen reproduce these, originals designs form, handed-down through the generation, using indigenous roots and ironwood. Visitors will find a visit to the Berlin Handicraft Center's the Handicraft Exhibition Center valuable; both belong the local Association of Government Wives (PKK), and display items, which may be purchased to adorn the most discriminating setting.
Visitors will find frequent, colorful ceremonial events in and around Kendari. And, to be present on these occasions is to be invited to participate. For the closing of any ceremonial event in Kendari will be highlighted by the local "Lulo Dance" performed by local men and woman. And all on-lookers are invited to joint the dance, as part of the conclusion and harmonious farewell.
Nambo Beach
Nambo Beach is a beach that about 14 km or about 30 minutes to south of Kendari city, which can reach by public transportation or personal vehicle and also by boat from Kendari port that about 15 minutes. This beach has spread white sandy; the calm condition is very suitable for bath and sunbath on the beach.
with courtesy Indonesia-tourism.com

Bali Scuba Diving

Besides have the ultimate traditions and cultures, Bali have amazing nature, land and marine, also underwater scene. You can holiday, vacation and adventure in this paradise island. Bali sometimes has status best travel destinations in the world. You can look the original Bali and will go in some time ago.
Bali's underwater treasures still kept secret, and water temperature can changing rapidly. Long renowned by marine biologists and international underwater photographers, Bali's magnificent diving is now recognized by discerning divers as one of the "must dive" locations of the world.
Infrastructure for diving is developed more perfectly. The infrastructure to provide access to some of Bali's great dive sites has been put in place. Several first class dive operators provide excellent service and meet all international safety requirements, so divers can be assured of a wonderful diving experience. It is well worth contacting several operators and doing a little homework to ensure that the company you choose meets your expectations.
The greatest feature of scuba diving in Bali is the rich and varied sites - deep drop-offs and steep banks, coral ridges and bommies, one of the most famous wrecks in the world, volcanic outcrops and sea grass beds. With the colourful and diverse marine life, there is enough here to keep you coming back for more.
Bali is an unmissable dive destination. Again the answer lies in the variety of its attractions. Many dive locations in the North of the Island offer sheltered diving in gentle conditions, in many cases easily accessed from the shore. In other locations the strong currents provide exhilarating and challenging opportunities for drift diving. The strong upwelling from the exceptionally deep channels around Bali provide a rich feeding ground for the marine life, which is abundant, and ranges from spectacularly beautiful and rare macro species through to the huge mola mola or oceanic sunfish.
Bali is in fact one of only two locations in the world where sunfish can be predicted to appear at certain times of the year. Seeing these giants of the ocean hanging in the current, being cleaned by shoals of Moorish Idol, is indeed a memorable sight. Very little is known about these creatures. The mola mola visiting Bali have been included in ongoing research to try to establish more information about these gentle giants. The sunfish are most frequently sighted around Nusa Lembongan, Ceningan and Penida, but can also be spotted on other dive sites around Bali.
The strong currents also provide an ideal environment for sharks, which are often sighted (and particularly so) on Bali East Coast. A variety of rays can also be seen including the largest of the rays, the manta. Nusa Penida is particularly popular with divers who wish to see the manta rays, as there is a resident group there.
Many interesting and unusual species make Bali their home. Cuttlefish and octopus can be observed at the divers’ leisure in some of the shallow and sheltered sights on the North East Coast. Crocodile fish, leaf scorpion fish and a fantastic array of nudibranchs abound. Stately Napoleon wrasse and groups of bumphead parrotfish are highlights, as are mantis shrimp, blue ribbon eels, pygmy seahorses and ghost pipefish.
The list of reasons to dive Bali goes on and on. The fact that it possesses one of the worlds most accessible shipwrecks - the SS Liberty is just one more. This large war victim is just meter from the shore. The ship was torpedoed in 1942 and after it was rescued it was beached. The unfortunate ship remained on a stretch of Balis beautiful coast until Gunung Agung, Balis biggest volcano, erupted in 1963. The Liberty crashed beneath the sea during the eruption and now sits on a black sand shelf that slopes from about 6m-30m. The wreck is vast, perhaps 120m long and lies parallel to the beach. It has become one of Indonesia most beautiful artificial reefs.
Bali Dive sites:
Menjangan Island Nusa Dua Nusa Lembongan Nusa Penida Padang Bay Tulamben
Beyond Bali:
Alor Ambon Bandaneira Derawan Kakaban Komodo Maratua Raja Ampat Sangalaki
By Kevin Alexandra

Great Places To Visit On Your Holidays in Indonesia

Indonesia is a very interesting country to visit and makes for an ideal holiday. Its diverse range of culture and beautiful scenery draw back holiday makers year after year. There are some fabulous holiday homes to rent in Indonesia with some stunning holiday villas by the beach. You can also rent self catering holiday apartments and use them as a base to explore this wonderful country.
Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world and comprises five main islands of Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Irian Jaya and a group of thirty small archipelagoes. It has more than 17,508 islands. Indonesia is a multi-ethnic country with over 300 ethnic groups inclusive of Malay and Polynesian people. The diverse culture of the country has resulted in an opulent and wealthy culture and heritage, which makes it a tourist's delight.
One among the must see places in Indonesia is the Borobudur temple. It is believed that the temple's name originated from Sanskrit - Vihara Buddha Uhr. It was built in the eighth century and is located in Magelang. It is situated on a hill, overlooking distant hills and sprawling green fields. The temple is built with grey andesine stone and has seven terraces. The great Stupa of the temple is 40 meters tall and the walls are extensively sculpted.
Lake Toba is a beautiful centerpiece of the north Sumatra Lake. The exquisite scenery and the pleasant climate, in the surrounding areas make it a popular tourist attraction in Indonesia. It is the largest lake in South East Asia and it measures 100 km in length. Resultant of a volcanic explosion, the lake's surrounding landscape is fertile. The island of Samosir is located on the centre of the lake and the culture and tradition of the amiable tribe, Toba Batak attracts tourists from all over the world.
Tana Toraja is yet another attraction. Rantapeo, a major attraction of the place, is located in the north eastern part of Ujung Pandang. Rantepeo is located 700 meters above sea level and offers a pleasant climate. The entry point of Tana Taroja is a traditional boat-shaped gate. Tana Toraja has cliff graves and two villages, named Lemo and Londa. Londa is considered as one among the oldest sites of hanging graves of local nobility. Taroja has many excellent craft shops for the shopping buffs.
Krakatau volcano is another major tourist spot in Indonesia. The volcano erupted in the year 1883 and is one of the most catastrophic natural events, which is etched in history. The entire region surrounding the volcano was engulfed in darkness. The volcano disappeared, soon after eruption and resulted in the formation of small islands in the area. One of the volcanoes in the area is called Anal Krakatau or the child of Krakatau, which is a young and active volcano. Boat trips to the volcano, allows tourists to get a closer look at the young volcano.
Mt. Tangkuban Perahu is a must see sight in Indonesia. The volcano is filled with many places for sight seeing and exploring. It is an interesting spot and the mount is famous for its distinct upturned boat shape. The panoramic view of the mount and the forests is a delightful experience. The peaceful mountain erupted in 1969 and Kawah Ratu is the main crater or the Queen's crater, as its name suggests.
Indonesia is a culturally rich country with a picturesque setting. The predominantly Muslim country is a place where people from different religions co-exist. The diversity of the cultures makes it traditionally and culturally rich. The friendly person of the country, year long festivities and innumerable tourist spots makes Indonesia a great tourist destination.
It is no wonder that holiday makers love Indonesia so much and many choose to rent holiday villas and self catering apartments. By renting holiday home accommodation in Indonesia you are able to use them as a base to explore this amazing country. There are some great holiday villas with swimming pools that can be rented direct from their owners.
By Andrew Gibson