My Travel Indonesia

Indonesian Museums

2011-01-07T21:56:00.000-08:00

Museum Nasional

The many monuments and museums, large and small which are found throughout this country offer together virtually the whole spectrum of Indonesian life, thought and history, beginning from the time of the earliest inhabitation and even before, up to the present.
The best known, and also the oldest in existence of the museum of art, culture and history is the Central Museum in Jakarta. Museums of natural history are found in Bogor and Bandung. Of equal scientific interest, though small in size, is the Sangiranmuseum of paleontology and anthropology.

Central Museum (elephant-museum)
Jakarta's Central Museum is reputedly one of the finest in Southeast Asia. Founded in 1788, it still has the world's most complete collection of Indonesian artifacts. Its Hindu-Javanese collection rivals that of the Leiden Museum in Holland, reputedly the finest in the world. It has one the richest collections of Han, Tang and Ming porcelain and an array of Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese export ceramics
Its numismatic collection includes rare specimens of cloth-money used in the past in various areas of Indonesia. Adjacent to the museum is the National Library with over 700,000 old and recent volumes of books, manuscripts and periodicals covering virtually every subject on Indonesian. located at JI. Merdeka Barat 12, Jakarta.

Sangiran Museum
Small museum in this village, 15 km from Solo, displays prehistoric fossils found in the area. This area along the Solo river is an outcropping of the earth's old strata which have in the past yielded many major finds. Among them were the remains of "solo Man" (Homo Soloensis), one of the earliest hominid fossils known.
The fossilized remains of the earliest inhabitants of Java found so far, the "Java Man" or Pithecanthropus erectus, were found in 1881 by the Dutchman Dr. Eugene Dubois near the village of Trinil in East Java. The find has since been succeeded by several others. The Directorate of National Heritage and Historical Values of the Department of Education and Culture is in charge of the supervision of the site management.

Taman Fatahilla Museum
This open-air museum of Old Batavia, now called Jakarta, Taman Fatahillah (Fatahillah Square) has three main establishments standing on the south, east and west of the cobblestone square proper. The first is the Jakarta Museum which exhibits the colonial history of the city by also includes relics from the pre-colonial past. The edifice on the east, formerly the Supreme Court, houses the Fine Arts Gallery and the Ceramics Museum containing, among others, the excellent Chinese and Southeast Asian ceramics collection donated by the late former Vice President Adam Malik. On the western side of the square is the Wayang Museum, filled with all sorts of puppets used in the indigenous puppet theatre. The largest part of the collection consists of wayang kulit flat leather puppets of various types from various regions. Demonstrations of the shadow play, lasting two hours, are given every Sunday morning.

Maritime Museum
At the northern end of Jakarta, in the old Sunda Kelapa harbour area, is the Maritime Museum with exhibits displayed inside the old Dutch East India Company warehouses. In small scale models and pictures, the museum attempts to give the visitor an idea of Indonesia's seafaring tradition and the importance of the sea to the economy of present-day Indonesia. The museum has models of fishing boats from most parts of Indonesia, stone anchors used in some areas, modern steamers and also the celebrated Pinisi schooners of the Bugis people of South Sulawesi which at present make up one of the last sea-going sailing fleets in the world. Located at JI. Pasar Ikan, Phone: 6693406 Jakarta.

National Museum (Monas)
The 137-metre tall monument with the gold flame on top facing the Presidential Palace in Jakarta symbolizes the nation's independence.
The basement of the monument houses a Museum of History with dioramas depicting the history of Indonesia from prehistoric times up to the present. A good portion of it is devoted to the national war for independence waged from 1945 to December 1949. Not part of the museum but located similarly at the foot of the National Monument is the Hall of Silence, Indonesia's first President, Soekarno, can be heard. Located at Jalan Silang Monas Jakarta.

Satria Mandala Museum
Located in the southern part of Jakarta, is the Satria Mandala Museum, or Armed Forces Museum. This museum has an interesting collection of arms, including Japanese fighter planes of World War II vintage, Russian and American guns and armoured cars. Dioramas give the visitor an insight regarding the role of the Indonesian Armed Services in this country. Located at Jalan Jend. Gatot Subroto, Jakarta.

Textile Museums
The Textile Museum on Jalan Sasuit Tubun in Jakarta, a many times renovated 19th century mansion, houses a collection of about 600 different kinds of traditional Indonesian textiles, from batik to ikat and Dayak bark cloths. Weaving was and often still is closely connected with religious practice In many regions such textiles are still user to pay fines, avert illness or for other social and religious purposes. Some of the oldest Indonesian ornamental designs arc found in their original textiles.

Museums Indonesia TMII
Inside the Taman Mini is the Museum Indonesia a three storey edifice in traditional Balinese architecture. The museum houses a vast collection of Indonesian contemporary arts and crafts, traditional costumes from the various regions, puppets, musical instruments, masks, and a large variety of utensils and equipment used in daily life Mannequins and mock-ups display the various rituals concerned with the passage of life.

Sono Budoyo Museum
This museum facing the Kraton (Sultan's palace) in Yogyakarta was founded in 1935 and built in traditional Javanese architecture. Its fine collection includes weapons, leather and wooden wayang puppets, masks, statues, textiles, curiosa and old Javanese gamelan instruments. A library is attached. Located at Jalan Trikora 2 Yogyakarta.

Rajapustoko Museum
The Radjapustoko Museum is located next to the Sriwedari amusement park in Solo and has a miscellaneous by interesting collection of art objects and mementoes from Java's past.
Located at JI. Slamet Riyadi 234 Solo, Central Java.

Zoological Museum
The Zoological Museum in Bogor has a vast collection of preserved species of Indonesian fauna, from birds and reptiles to mammals and conchs, most of it displayed in lifelike dioramas. The museum has a library on the Indonesian fauna as well.

Geological Museum
Another museum of natural history is the Geological Museum in Bandung with an annexed library. Part of the Geological Service of Indonesia, it was founded in 1929 and has collection of fossils, rocks, minerals, volcano models, maps, maquetes etc. The fossilized skull of Pithecanthropus erectus, the celebrated prehistoric "Java Man" is kept here.

Postal/stamp Museum

Inscriptitions Museum

Other Monuments and Museums
Museums of local culture and history are found in many provincial capitals and towns, among others the Bukittinggi Museum in West Sumatera, the Makkasar Museum in the former Fort Rotterdam at Ujung Pandang, South Sulawesi and the Simalungun Museum at Pematang Siantar, North Sumatera.

Courtesy of Indonesian-Tourism

Way Kambas - Lampung

2010-05-11T19:22:00.001-07:00

Way Kambas was named a National Park in 1937, and is one of the oldest parks of Indonesia. Way Kambas mainly consists of freshwater swamps and also includes one of the few locations of dipterocarpaceae, an important part of the lowland rainforest, and that makes the difference with other Sumateran parks. The coast is covered in mangroves nipapalms and casuarina's (cemara).Way Kambas was declared a reserve because of the fauna; unfortunately most of the original forest was chopped down. Commercial important products like damar (a raisin which is used when making varnish _, wood, honey and animals are still substracted to the area. During the last 30 years the rainforests of Southern Sumatera are chopped to make place for plantations and transmigration settlements. Of all homeless animals the elephants caused the biggest problems by destroying crops and even by attacking houses. Villagers complained about the fact that the elephants were free to go anywhere, while they were not able to do anything, since the elephants are a protected animal. Way Kambas National Park is a large national park covering 1,300 square kilometres in Lampung province, south Sumatra, Indonesia.Way Kambas consists of swamp forest and lowland rain forest, but was extensively logged before becoming a reserve in 1972 so there is little primary forest. The reserve still has a few Sumatran Tigers and reasonable numbers of elephants. It is also provides excellent birdwatching, with the rare White-winged Duck among the species present. Another special feature of this national park is the Sumatran Rhinoceros still present in the area. Only 275 remain in South East Asia today. In Way Kambas a managed breeding center or Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary (SRS) has been build up in 1995. At this moment 5 Sumatran Rhinos live at the Sanctuary, most have been translocated from zoos to the large enclosures (with natural habitat) at the SRS.

How to get to Way Kambas
Loud noise goes through the jungle when a young elephant fights with thick cables which are attached to a wooden frame. The young, wild elephant is adopted in the first elephant training program in Indonesia, which shoud make him into a powerfull and easy animal. The elephant training centre (Pusat Latihan Gajah) is located in Kandangsari, in National Park Way Kambas.
The main entrance of Way Kambas can be reached from the village of Tridatu, ten km north of Jepara. The turn to the right is clear. From Bandar Lampung it's about two hours by car and from the ferry terminal in Bakauheni about three hours (seven hours in total from Jakarta). Be sure you arrive during office hours, so the park servants can give you permission.
Way Kambas is the best spot in Indonesia to watch wild elephants; an estimated 250 live here. After the animals are catched, they are tought two times a day, in the morning and in the afternoon. These lessons are also for training of the local mahouts, which each have their own elephant. People hope that the elephants will create a source of income and pride, and that the sons will eventually take over the work of dad later on.
Way Kanan, 13, 5 km past the entrance of the park, is a simple guesthouse. Park rangers can bring visitors without transport there for a small fee. Food has to be brought by you, cooking will happen on an open fire. Most people rather make a day trip to the reserve, and let their visit coinside with the lessons in the trainin centre.
There are much more other animals in Way Kambas. Along the road to Way Kanan observing Javanese monkeys and the more heavy-built laponder monkeys show themselves to the visitors, before jumping in the dense rainforests, while families of wild pigs regularly cross the road. Early in the morning it's the siamang apes, gibbons and birds which create a very nice concert.
Take from Way Kambas a boat which goes downstream towards the sea and ask for the motor to be turned off, so you can float with the stream, and enjoy the magnificent rainforest. On the riverbanks, dragons live, which slip into the river at almost any noise, Giant squirrels and monkeys shoot over from tree to tree.
For bird-lovers which have a little more time, there is an alternative route to the park, via the southern harbour Labuhan Maringgai. From here it's about four hours by boat along the coast to the rivermouth of Way Kambas. The river can be used by boat for another 25 km, and from the boat you can see various spiecies of birds.
During the wet season (November until March), the higher waterlevel offers an excellent opportunity to explore the swamp-floors, which normally can't be accessed by canoo.

Courtessy of indahnesia

Picture by Boston

Nusa Barong

2010-02-02T20:27:00.000-08:00

Nusa Barong a 6,100 hectares island to the south of Jember, is a part of nature Conservation Park under the protection of Balai Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam (BKSDA) II/Natural Resources Conservation Centre II East Java. Located 12 km south-west of the Meru Betiri National Park, on the south coast of Java, this area are still in Jember regent which is a part of East Java Province. The island consists of limestone with high cliffs. Most of the area is dry and mountainous. Several birds and sea turtles breed on the island. Other creatures to be found are crabs, snails, limpets and ... sand flies. The myths about this isolated island only add the challenge to come and prove them. Calm water makes fishing a good pastime here. Once and a while, dolphins swim nearby the boats.

You can reach the island with a boat from Puger. Puger is reached from Jember.
Nusa Barong is a limestone island with spectacular cliffs rising to 325m and some coastal mangrove swamps. The island is about six km from north to south, and 16 km from east to west. Most of the island is hilly; there are several deeply indented bays on the northeast coast which provide sheltered anchorages for visiting fishermen. Because of its limestone substrate, the island is almost completely dry with no rivers and only a few natural ponds where animals may find standing water.
According to TEMPO Interactive, Jember: Jember Nature Conservation Center (BKSDA) rejected plans of the regency administration to turn Nusa Barong Island into a tourist destination. They said the uninhabited island locating 4, 5 kilometer in the Puger coast in Southern Jember is a nature conservation area.
"If they want to change the status of the island, they must get authorization permission from the Forestry Minister and the House of Representatives (DPR)," said East Java BKSDA chief. Yet, at the end of 2007, the BKSDA sent a map and regulations covering nature conservation areas to all provincial executive chiefs, including the Jember regent.
However, we still hope to see the amazing spectacular scene but still we have protect the naturallity.

Pic. by Nusabarong blogspot

Kangean Islands

2009-11-16T18:49:00.000-08:00

Kangean Island is the name of an island among the many islands that are stretched out east of Madura Island, of East Java.
From the government administration point of view; the island is divided into two; West Kangean, which is included in the Arjasa Sub-District, and East Kangean, which is included in the Sapeken Sub-District. Both Sub-districts are part of the Sumenep Regency.
Geographically, on the topographic map, Kangean Island is located closer to Bali Island, as compared to Lombok Island. To Bali Island in West Nusa Tenggara, it is a 4 hours sea journey by speedboat.
This island, which is 30,000 hectares in size, apparently holds a tourism potential that is feasible to be offered. In particular for adventure tourism, in free nature. The attraction of Kangean Island can be felt, starting with the journey from West Kangean to East Kangean. All along the route, a combination of natural forests with the captivating beaches of the Java Sea, are stretched out.
If you would like to buy souvenirs, in Arjasa of West Kangean, there are wood handicrafts of bahar and sentaki roots. It is said that a cane of such wood has certain virtues for the user. Apart from that, the area is also known for its jungle fowls that have melodious crows, and are excellent studs for cross breeds. It is not too difficult to obtain these jungle fowls, because there is a breeding farm in Arjasa, managed by H. Ansoruddin.
The other tourist attractions are found more in East Kangean. Between Tembayang Bay Harbour and Sepanjang Island, a little island south east of Kangean Island, a natural mangrove forestry is lined up. It even has a still intact habitat. Various animals, like monkeys, komodos and snakes, are still found here, in abundance. Hence, the mangrove forestry that functions as the transition between the marine and land eco-systems, can still be found on Kangean Island.
Because of its genuinity the Perum Perhutani Unit II of East Java, which manages this area, has determined this area as one of the tourist locations that has a mangrove forestry, and a still intact eco-system,as its main presentation. Permits can be obtained at the Perhutani Station in Tembayangan Bay. Or further information can be obtained from the Perhutani KPH Madura Office at jalan Joko Tole No. 190, Pamekasan. Phone (62-324) 22549.
In between the stretches of mangrove forestry, that from little islands, is the marine park with its variety of coral reefs, complete with colorful decorative fish.
To experience the beauty of the marine park on the mangrove forestry, no spy glasses or supporting equipment is needed, because it is fenced off by the rather dense mangrove forestry. The sea is clear blue, because of its remote location far away from pollution. A boat can be rented for Rp. 150,000,- a day to travel along this marine park.
Not far from the stretches of mangrove forestry and only around 5 minutes by speed boat, there is a pearl oyster farm. Here, tourists can watch loosely how these valuable pearl-oysters are bred. How these are harvested from the sea beds to be polished into a range of jewelry.
Compared to other tourist’s destinations, the eco-tourism potential on Kangean Island indeed has not been fully developed yet. Everything appears still genuine and natural. But, it is actually this naturality that has become the attraction to visit the island.
Source Info: petra.ac.id

Samalona Island

2009-10-15T04:17:00.000-07:00

Samalona Island is one of a group island from 11 islands which has a 2,34 hectare round Shape Island. Located near Makasar city, known as Ujung Pandang the capital of South Sulawesi, there is a small resort. It is situated at about 6,8km from Makasar shore.

This island is much known as a snorkeling and diving site which is overlain by sparkling clear, warm tropical water. The coral are spread out surrounding islands built the great scenic of a marine park. Samalona has about 20m shallow reef Surrounding Island which makes this place as a favorite area for scuba divers and snorkelers. Sunrise and sunset are a great moment to be left when you you’re enjoying the holiday on this island.
There are two ideal diving locations surround this island, one in the east side of island and the others in north side of island. Nearly everything can be found at Samalona. Ray fish, giant sea turtles, sea snakes, napoleon fish and other small colorful fishes.
Near Samalona Island in 30m depth, there is a sunken bomber ship, Lancaster Bomber, which already turned to be a coral as a new habitat for a thousand small fishes. Samalona territorial waters are remains as a World War II Location.
Samalona is barely a degree above the equator and thus tropical. The "Rainy Season" from October to mid April, brings frequent rains, sometimes in storms lasting for several days, which make the air nice and cool but also reduce visibility or sometimes make rough waves. The "Dry Season" from May to October, when temperatures climb to 35° and visibility reaches a maximum.
Samalona Island can be reached by a rental boat from POPSA quay and it takes only 20 to 30 minutes. The rental rates of boats around Rp. 250.000 to Rp. 750.000 for daily charter and depend on the deal with the boat owners.

by Reni Anggreaini
Picture by fedroza

Ramayana Ballet

2009-09-11T01:14:00.000-07:00

Yogyakarta (also Jogjakarta in pre-1972 spelling or Jogja) is a city and province on the island of Java, Indonesia. It is the only province in Indonesia that is still formally governed by a precolonial Sultanate, the Sultanate of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat. The city is known as a center of classical Javanese fine art and culture such as batik, ballet, drama, music, poetry and puppet shows. It is also famous as a center for Indonesian higher education. The official name of the Yogyakarta province is Special Region of Yogyakarta.
Haunted by spiralling population, economic and political problems, the most populous island in South East Asia is a land of contrasts with an uncertain future.
Java is an island of striking natural beauty, rich in cultural history. But it's getting harder to recognise it.
At Yogyakarta's center is the kraton, or Sultan's palace. Surrounding the kraton is a densely-populated residential neighborhood that occupies land that was formerly the Sultan's sole domain; evidence of this former use remains in the form of old walls and the ruined Water Castle (Tamansari), built in 1758 as a pleasure garden no longer used by the sultan, the garden had been largely abandoned, and was used for housing by palace employees and descendants. Reconstruction efforts began in 2004, and an effort to renew the neighborhood around the kraton has begun. The site is a developing tourist attraction.
The Ramayana ballet is worth attending even if you're not a fan of traditional Asian stage performances. 50,000rp gets you a 90-minute show with a talented dance troupe and full gamelan orchestra. It's a casual, well-organised atmosphere and you can meet the performers and even dance with them on the stage!
The Cirebon Restaurant, also on Jalan Malioboro attracts a steady stream of locals and foreigners with its (mainly) vegetarian specialties and convivial atmosphere -- all at good prices.
Honestly, there are no other cities in Indonesia that have equally popular different names like this one. And, frankly speaking, none of the hundreds of names of areas in this country have been abbreviated in so many ways by its name like Yogyakarta.
On the streets, people - including government officials and university students - prefer to call this sultanate province Yogya or Jogja, despite its official name Yogyakarta.

By Daniel J. Fox

Mount Lawu : The Temples around

2009-08-13T21:22:00.000-07:00

Mount Lawu is in the rustic part of central Java. It has several unusual temples on its slopes, all reachable by hiking from one to the other. The scenery is dramatic, and there are many hidden treasure spots to find along the way.
Sukuh Temple is a perhaps the strangest temple on the slope. Built in the 15th century, it's a post-Hindu, post-Buddhist, post-Islam construction that hearkens back to early prehistoric animist traditions. It actually looks more like a Mayan pyramid than anything Indonesian. Some say that the building's form is homage to Mount Lawu. Others say that the builders were psychically in tune with the Mayan builders also active at the time. Whatever you want to believe is ok by me.
Before you reach the temple gates, you'll encounter a large stone fertility figures -- a lingam and a yoni. Women who wish to become pregnant make offerings to these figures: An innocent enough activity, but one that has earned the temple a sort of ribald reputation. Inside the grounds you'll find several odd sculptures telling stories that nobody has been able to figure out. But it seems to have something to do with fertility and war and turtles. Whatever mix of inspiration and legend came together to make this temple, it works. A truly magical energy permeates this site
A little higher up the hill is Candi Cetho, where in the 70's politicos would come to meditate, believing the temple was the abode of supernatural powers. The temple is actually sort of run down and not as interesting, but it makes a nice story. At the very top of the mountain, you'll find a series of terraces that are visited by as many as 2000 Javanese every New Year. The terrace complexes are ancient - some as old as 2000 years. The ruins have not been completely surveyed, and in themselves are not very impressive. But the views and surrounding terrain are beautiful -- a good place to wander aimlessly and enjoy a few quiet moments .

By Mark Leger

Borobudur : Ancient Temples of Java

2009-07-23T02:18:00.000-07:00

This is the world's largest Buddhist monument. Laid out like a pyramidal mandala, it's a cosmology framed and inscribed in stone, massive amounts of stone — 6,500 cubic yards of it.
Javanese living in nearby Yogyakarta were aware of its existence when Borobudur was” discovered" by Europeans in 1815. At that time most of the monument was visible, even if large portions of it were filled in with soil sustaining overgrown trees and other plants. Over the next century and a half there were many attempts at restoration, but things really didn't come together until 1975-1984 when UNESCO and the Indonesian government undertook a complete overhaul of the sanctuary. The foundation was stabilized and professional restorers cleaned all 1460 stone relief panels that line the walkway spiraling to the top of the monument.
Squat and square, the structure of Borobudur is impressive mostly because it's massively huge. The stone relief panels are the real glory of Borobudur. The panels depict the Buddhist path to enlightenment, from rollicking profanity to the ethereal reaches of enlightenment. Ascending one by one, pilgrims would walk around each of the eight concentric terraces. The whole comes together to form a mountain. Mountain peaks, according to Buddhist thought, is the place where contact with divine truth may be made. Pilgrims would climb each level of the mountain, drawing them closer and closer to complete infusion by divine wisdom. Nirvana.
Nirvana is elusive. The stupa, or tower at the top, has been destroyed by lightening. An unfinished statue Buddha that was found in the stupa has been moved a hundred yards away from the temple. But Borobudur stands as one of the great spiritual monuments of the world. A definite must see on the island of Java.
By Mark Leger
Picture with courtesy by indonesiaseoul

Bird paradise at Pulau Rambut

2009-07-14T04:04:00.000-07:00

Not all of us know about the bird sanctuary in North Jakarta. Well, it is not exactly in Jakarta, but off the mainland on Pulau Rambut, an island to the north. You can get there in less than half an hour by fishing boat from Tanjung Pasir, Tangerang.Pulau Rambut (Rambut Island) is a small coral island. This area has the biggest breeding colonies of waterbirds in West Java (Silvius et.al.1987).It is estimated that around 11450 waterbirds (Lambert & Erftemeijer 1989) live in this area. This area is one breeding site of Milky Stork Mycteria cinerea and other waterbirds of West Java (Silvius et.al.1987, Pakpahan et.al.1992).

Declared as Natural Reserve (18 ha) based on GB No. 7 Stbl. 245 on 3 May1939 (Anon 1997, Anon 1998). Declare as Wildlife Sanctuary (90 ha) based on Menhutbun No. 275/Kpts-II/1999 on 7 May 1999 (Anon 2000)
However, because it is a wildlife reserve, the island is not open to the general public. Its use is restricted to conservation, scientific research, education, and guided tourism.
Visitors who want to visit this island should request a permit from the Jakarta Office of the Natural Resources Conservation Center.
Mangrove and wetland forests cover two-thirds of the total area. Its abundant vegetation and location make this island an ideal habitat for sea birds.
Forty-nine bird species have been identified as inhabitants of Pulau Rambut whose total bird population numbers about 40,000. Most are cormorants, egrets, and herons. Some species are classified as rare or endangered and are protected by law.
The best time to visit is from March to September. Besides enjoying the nice weather, during this period visitors can watch birds feeding their chicks with freshly caught fish. At present only one observatory tower is available, which can accommodate about 10 to 15 observers.
In addition to birds as its main attraction, visitors can also observed other wild animals, including fruit bats (Pteropus vampyrus), hanging upside down in the trees and monitor lizards -- called biawak -- moving sluggishly along the forest floor.
By Benyamin Lakitan

Photo Courtesy with ristek.go.id

Prambanan : Ancient Temples of Java

2009-06-30T02:39:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-25T17:48:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-15T05:15:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-09T20:54:00.000-07:00

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

2009-06-04T18:38:00.001-07:00

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

2009-06-01T00:59:00.001-07:00

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

Ijen Crater Tourism

2009-05-28T07:08:00.000-07:00

Ijen Crater or Kawah Ijen is another volcanic tourism attraction in Indonesia. Ijen Crater (Kawah Ijen) is a famous tourism object, which has been known by the domestic and foreign tourists because of the beautiful and charming nature. It is 5,466 hectares, 2,386 meters high from the depth of the sea, with a 92 hectares tourism forest. Its temperature is between 2 to 8 degree centigrade and the crater area lies at 2.386 meters above sea level (mdpl).
There are many beautiful species of plants that can be found there, such as; the edelweiss flower and the Casuarina Junghu (cemara gunung), etc. Various animals can also be seen in the area like jungle fowl (ayam hutan) and porcupine (landak).
The Ijen Crater lies about 68km from the town center. There are some of facilities here such as: a campground, a shelter and Tourist Information Center (TIC) etc.
The best time to enjoy the crater scenery is at morning, when the yellow sunlight glows the yellow water and shines the surrounding mountain like mount Merapi, the sister of Mount Ijen. Morning haze is creating a tranquility that we don't get at the metropolitan towns. At 2 pm, the crater is closed for the reason that the thick smoke from the crater that is poisonous.
Visiting from Bondowoso route, the tourists will travel across a coffee plantation. It has beautiful view either. The green of Arabica coffee trees are really an exciting scene to enjoy.
To reach Ijen Crater from Surabaya, we can use the public transportation with the route as follow:
- Surabaya - Bondowoso : 180 km with public bus
- Bondowoso - Paltuding : 68 km with public transport
- Paltuding - to the location : 2 km on foot
The Ijen volcano complex is a group of stratovolcanoes, in East Java, Indonesia. It is inside a larger caldera Ijen, which is about 20 kilometers wide. The Gunung Merapi stratovolcano (not to be confused with Central Java's Gunung Merapi) is the highest point of that complex.
West of Gunung Merapi is the Ijen volcano, which has a one-kilometer-wide turquoise-colored acid crater lake. The lake is the site of a labor-intensive sulfur mining operation, in which sulfur-laden baskets are carried by hand from the crater floor. Many other post-caldera cones and craters are located within the caldera or along its rim. The largest concentration of post-caldera cones forms an E-W-trending zone across the southern side of the caldera. The active crater at Kawah Ijen has an equivalent radius of 361 meters, a surface of 41 × 106 square meters. It is 200 meters deep and has a volume of 36 × 106 cubic meters.
By Adi Mulya Prasetya

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adi_Mulya_Prasetya

West Java (Puncak-Taman Safari-Cangkuang Temple-Mount Galunggung-Mount Papandayans-Telaga Bodas Crater)

2009-05-26T21:15:00.000-07:00

Puncak
Between Bandung and Bogor in the mountains lays Puncak, a cool area, which is very popular. People from Jakarta spend their weekend and on public holidays from the heat and busy streets of the capitol of Indonesia to Puncak. Bandung to Puncak takes about 3 hours drive. Puncak Pass area has long been the foremost weekend retreat for Indonesians capital city residents. The cool, fresh air, and the magnificent view offer a calm, fresh and peaceful feeling. In the afternoon, sunsets from the top of the pass can be quite spectacular.
Puncak Pass is one of interesting destination in the West Java Province. It is located in the south of Jakarta and can be reached by an hour journey. Puncak is an ideal place for weekend, as well as a good location to find a fresh mountain air. Besides, many attractions can be found nearby, such as the Bogor and Cobodas Botanical Gardens; the Gede Pangrango National Park; the Plantations and the Safari Park.
Puncak Indah consists of three districts: Ciawi, Megamendung, Cisarua. The area is familiar with its fresh air and beautiful panorama. From Ciawi to Cipanas, there are many bungalows, hotels, motels, restaurants, and other tourism facilities. Tourisms object in Puncak is Lido Park, which is located in Cigombong village/Wates Jaya (km. 21) Rd. Ciawi-Sukabumi, Cijeruk. Facilities that are provided in Lido Park ara restaurant, cottages, swimming pools, camping grounds, and other facilities for lake recreations. Gunung Mas XII Plantation, which is located in Rd. Puncak, Cisarua district. It offers panorama with hilly panorama, which could only be found in Puncak. Activities that could be done are tea walk and seeing the making of the tea from the picking of tea until the tea is ready to serve.
Taman Safari
The wildlife conservation is located in Cibeureum village, Cisarua. Taman Safari Foundation owns the land in Taman Safari, which is also the management of the tourism object. Facilities in Taman Safari are bus, artificial lake, water cycling, canoe, swimming pool, mini train to see African style village, Bird Park, go cart, children playground, windmill, circus, merry-go-round etc.
Animals from all continents roam freely in this 35-hectare park, 75-km southeast of Jakarta along the Jakarta-Bandung route. Among the animals kept here are some comparatively rare species such as anoas, rhinos, giraffes, white tigers and European, American and Asian bears. Adjacent to the park is recreational grounds with a swimming pool, tennis courts, an artificial lake, waterfall and children's playground and amusement park. There are also restaurants and cafeterias.
Taman safari is a drive through zoo and amusement park and is open every day. On the way from Bandung to Taman Safari we have to pass Puncak, do not try to do this on Sunday or public holiday because we can end up in a big traffic jam, because Puncak is a very popular spot for people from Jakarta. Normally, it take 3,5 hours from Bandung to get to Taman Safari.
Cangkuang temple
Cangkuang Temple is 10 kilometers from Tarogong to the North in the direction to Bandung. To go there, tourists particularly foreigners took delman (a traditional land transportation with horse in the front). Beautiful flowers cover the shallow situ. There is a small island in the middle of the lake, namely Cangkuang temple. It is the only Hindu temple that ever found in West Java is the important discovery in the past. Cangkuang has been built in the period of the first Sundanese Kingdom: Galuh Kingdom. Near the temple, there are heritage graves from the Moslem follower Arif Muhammad, who is one of the Mataram Kingdom soldier from Central Java when attacking the Dutch Colonialist in Batavia (now Jakarta), at the 17th Century. The ambush failed, he refused to return and stayed in Cangkuang for teaching and disseminating Islam to the surrounding community, precisely in Kampung Pulo, where his hereditary stays until now. In Kampung Pulo, can be found the traditional village, which contains six houses in a row and face-to-face, three on the left and three on the right, plus one mosque, which stays only six families. In the edge of the lake, to reach Cangkuang temple, people must use traditional transportation made from bamboo, but safe and comfortable that is called rakit (raft).
Mount Galunggung
Mount Galunggung is a volcano with 2,167 m above sea level. It is located about 17 km from Tasikmalaya. There are several objects offered, that is forest-tour in at least 120 hectares area under Bureau of Forestry management, hot water bathing place completed with swimming pool, bathroom and hot water tub facilities. Mount Galunggung is a volcano near to Tasikmalaya city. The volcano erupted in 1990 and spread its rain of ash to entire Indonesia and neighboring countries.
An easy trip from Tasikmalaya by minibus, motorcycle ride and then a two-hour walk is Mount Galunggung. An active volcano that erupted less than ten years ago is worth a look-see. Hike around the "Golden Crater" of Mount Papandayan, southwest Garut, which is an active steam-hissing volcano. The mountain is named after its bright-yellow sulfur deposits and gains its fame, or infamy, due to its highly active and potentially dangerous steaming geysers and poisonous gases. Be careful when walking around the volcano's rim.
Mount Papandayans
Papandayan Mountain is situated on the island of Java, at 7°32' S and 107°73'E, rising 2.665 m. Papandayan Mountain is one of the natural wonder in West-Java. Papandayan is a complex strata volcano with four large summit craters, the youngest of which was breached to the NE by collapse during a brief eruption in 1772 and contains active fumarole fields. This interesting place lies in the border of the Bandung and Garut regencies, about seventy kilometers south of Bandung and about 19,25 km from Garut. It is one if the most spectacular volcanoes in this province and the top of the mountain are easily reaches, because there are special road leading to the crater. Mount Papandayans crater is probably one of the most spectacular mountain scenes on Java Island. There is a Cangkuang temple situated by Cangkuang Lake, which was a major discovery of archaeological value as it was the first of its kind found in West Java, dating back to the 8th century. This volcano is situated 17 km from Garut or 50 km from Bandung.

Telaga Bodas Crater
It is a very nice and beautiful place for hiking and to know the nature from close range (natural studies). The crater is very captivating with water in the crater, which becomes the sulfur exploitation project. Tourists that intend mostly visit the tourism site to bath in the hot water, which contains sulfur. The surrounding view is beautiful, which is full of plants and tropical trees. Telaga Bodas Crater is situated 19.5 kilometers from Garut. Some 30 kilometers from Garut to the Southwest, there is Curug Orok tourism site. The tourism site is beautiful waterfall as the road to reach Curug passes tea plantation. Natural scene in the Curug surrounding areas and the atmosphere of mountainous areas with green tea plantations are the magnetic charms of the tourism site. No wonder many youngsters love to visit the site. Other activities that could be done in the site is bathing in the waterfall. It is good for tourists that seek peace or take a rest for a while from busy cities atmosphere. To reach the site, private cars and public transportation from Garut to Bungbulang could be used. (Courtesy By Indonsia-Tourism)

West Java (Leuweung Sancang-Ciater Hot Spring-Mount Ratuha and Kawah Putih-Cimanggu Hot Springs-Patengan Lake or Situ Patengan- Batu Tulis Ciaruteun)

2009-05-26T21:08:00.001-07:00

Leuweung Sancang
Leuweung Sancang includes the conservation areas, which is located in Cibalong district. To reach the site, we need a -5- hour or a -118-kilometer trip from Garut. The long trip must be taken, as the road condition is stony. But it is an outrageous journey as we can see the Leuweung Sancang Natural Conservation Area, the area of tropical rain forest with multi function. The natural conservation area, which is protected by law, covers 2,157 hectares of land. The charm of the site is that we can walk inside the forest while looking at a number of endangered species. _Unique animals that live in Leuwung Sancang Natural Conservation Area is buffalo (Bos Javanicus), Merak bird (Papo Muticus), Mencek (Muntiacus Muntjak), while plants that exist in there are Palahlar (Diptek Ocarpuspee dir), Kabao (Dipterocarpus Gracilis), Werejit (Excoecaria agallocha lin). However, this area could only be used for tourism activities that are related with education and research.

Ciater Hot spring
Ciater Hot Spring is a nice park with small pools in which we can sit or swim. The streams and pools are fed by warm mineral springs, which are created by the heat from nearby volcanoes. About 30 minutes from Tangkuban Perahu crater. Ciater is pretty little place in the middle of huge tea estate. Its main attraction is the Sari Ater Hot Spring Resort; the pools are probably the best of all the hot springs around Bandung. We can enjoy swimming in warm sulfurous water pools that can heal rheumatism and skin problems. Here we can swim in warm mineral water pools, good for healing skin problems. Ciater hot spring is one stop place for entertainment and relaxation. Ciater is located in Lembang, a green, lush place. The water contains iodium and sulfur, well for curing skin ailments and rheumatism. Equipped with tennis courts, restaurants, and camping area, Ciater is a good way to retreat from every day's life.
Ciater is another area with tea plantations and hot springs, eight km northeast of Tangkuban Perahu. The place also has a tea factory. Ciater is a good starting point for hiking, and has some accommodation.

Mount Ratuha and Kawah Putih
Mt Patuhu is located southwest of Bandung, Kawah Putih is a lake on this mountains is sometimes pale turquoise, or as it's name says white. The direction is drive to Ciwidey. Kawah Putih can easy be reached by car all the way to the rim and then it is a 100 metre walk to the lake it self. It is a very nice colorful lake. Far to the south of Bandung, the hill becomes greener. The fresh air flows through the bamboo trees marching along the way. Kawah Putih, The White Crater, is waiting for who want to contemplate there.
Two craters adorn the summit of Patuha Volcano. The dry crater of Kawah Patuha lies 600 meters northwest of Kawah Putih, a crater lake with approximately 8 meters of water depth. Kawah Putih Crater Lake represents a relatively stable volcanic system, with no records of magmatic or phreatic activity since A.D. 1600. Surrounded by the tea plantation, Kawah Putih is a very prospectors tourist's destination in West Java - Indonesia. Located at about 30 km to the south of Bandung, Kawah putih is relatively easy to be reached. But, driving bu your own car is recommended, it's convenience because along the way, you can stop by to just take a rest, or buy strawberry, which can be easily found in this area. Fresh and considerably cheap.

Cimanggu Hot Springs
Ciwidey is rich with hot springs. One of them has used by Perhutani (State Forest Management Firm) as the source of Cimanggu swimming pool. Cimanggu Hot Spring is some swimming pools full of hot water from the mountain. The water is much hotter then in Hot Spring Ciater Resort, the area of this hot spring is very nice and a good place to relax. This hot spring is not so crowded as Ciater Hot Spring. The drive from Bandung takes about 2 hours. It is a lovely spot reasonably maintained, to relax, to swim, or just soak. The hot springs are channeled into a small pool for children and a large hot water pool. Cimanggu tourism site has some facilities such as; big parking area, play ground, hot water swimming pool, public toilet and bathroom, musholla, and drinking and food shops.

Patengan Lake or Patengan Situ
One of the leading resorts is located in less than an hour by road to the south of the city. The eastern side of the lake is a cool forest has an average temperature of 10 degrees C and is often hazy the whole day. A lush tea estate, reaching far out to the west and south, borders the north side. From Cimanggu Hot Spring it is just 30 minutes drive through tea plantations. This is a lovely site for boating, the lake looks a green carpet, and tea plantations surround the lake. Patengan Lake is a very popular spot for Indonesians on a Sunday and public holiday. Its location is in Ciwidey tourism area, 47 kilometers from Bandung to the South, and the site is in the area of Rancabali tea plantation. The tourism site is good for family as it offers hot spring water swimming pool, restaurants, a recreation park for kids, and bungalow as well as other supporting facilities

Batu-Tulis Ciaruteun (Stone Inscription)
One of the oldest kingdoms of Indonesia, the Hinduism Tarumanagara from the 5th century, was probably located near Bogor. In the area a number of inscriptions has been found, under them a remarkable one, which still can be seen in Ciampea, 15 km west of the city, approximately two kilometers Southwest of the botanical gardens It's a big stone in a riverbank, which contains several lines of Indian style inscriptions, and two king-size footprints, which should have been from the conqueror and king Purnawarman. This inscription tells about the influence of king Surawisesa of Pajajaran in 1533, an important Hindu-king. This inscription is used Sanskrit language.
A replica of the stone can be found in the Fatahillah Museum in Jakarta. The name of the kingdom seems to have close ties with the river, which runs through the Bandung Basin east of Bogor to the coast, Citarum River. Because the inscriptions were found here, the historians concluded the capital of Tarumanagara should have been here, also because it's a good place for defense, and it also provides entry to the fertile hinterlands and the nearby trading harbors at the Sunda Strait.
The site is located on the bank of the Ciaruteun river in Ciampea village which can be reached by driving along the 9-kilometer road from Bogor to Ciampea followed by going on foot for about two kilometers. (Courtesy By Indonesia-Tourism)

West Java (Maribaya-Jatiluhur Dam-Pangandaran Beach)

2009-05-26T21:06:00.000-07:00

Maribaya
Maribaya is well known for its hot springs, the sulfur-laden water, a comfortable place for swimming and enjoying the scenery of a 25-meter waterfall set against a steep mountain cliff. Maribaya warm springs emerge from near the fault trace of the almost east west trending Lembang Fault which is downthrown to the north. The uplifted southern block consists of older andesitic volcanic products from Tangkuban Perahu and other old eruptive centers to the east while on the north the outcrop is mainly of younger Tangkuban Perahu pyroclastics. The main Tangkuban Perahu craters are 9 km to the NW of Maribaya and Bandung city is about 11 km to the SW. Maribaya, which lies 9 km southeast of Tangkuban Perahu at the foot of an east-west scarp which may be associated with Lembang fault. The springs flow from the banks of a stream where it flows over two waterfalls created by basaltic lava flows. The waters have temperatures ranging between 38° and 47°C, an 8-9 and are slightly turbid and yellowish in color. Where they emerge from the rocks they are often associated with carbonate and argyle deposits.
The 30-minute trip from Bandung to Maribaya passes through some lovely mountain scenery. Renowned for its hot springs, the sulfur-laden water is comfort, able for swimming or soaking. Lie back and relax while enjoying the view of a 25-meter waterfall set against a steep mountain cliff. The mountain air is cool and the sulfur-laden water just comfortably hot enough for swimming as and soaking in. Part of the scenery is a 25 m high waterfall set against a steep mountain cliff. This is tiny waterfall.

Jatiluhur Dam
Purwakarta is a part of West Java, a small district with its beautiful scenery of Jatiluhur Dam. It is located 9 kilometers from Purwakarta, is known as Juanda Dam, which could accommodate 3 billion cubic of water from Citarum River. Situated halfway between Jakarta and Bandung, this dam was originally built with French technical assistance in the 1950's to generate electrical power for the region. It is the first multipurpose dam in Indonesia. It now provides irrigation to the surrounding Arabic land and a fishery industry has been developed as well. It is now being developed for tourism and provides convenient facilities such as swimming pools, tennis courts, a camping ground, and speedboats for water skiing and cottages. The reservoir is huge, the scenery tropical, the air crisp and cool.
In the dam, there are six turbine units with installed capacity of 187 megawatts and could generate electricity of 1,000 million kilowatt ours per year. Besides, the dam functions to feed water to irrigation channel of 242,000 hectares of farming land provide raw water for drinking water, as fishery and as flood control.
Grama Tirta is a place where we can enjoy our holiday doing various kinds of outdoor sporting activities. Enjoy a morning walk at Jatiluhur Dam, inhaling the crisp fresh air. Let the cool morning dew on the grass and melodious songs of bird greet in each morning. Catch a glimpse of our Morning Glory and its breathtaking beauty will inspire us to new heights.
For those who love water sports and recreation, 8,300 hectares dam with its year round crystal clear waters, will be difficult to resist. Climb into a paddleboat to explore the Jatiluhur Dam, or just sit back and relax in a motorboat to experience the great outdoors. And if speed and challenge are what we are looking for, the fleet of jet skis will propel the tourists to all corners of the lake.
Asides from its function as hydro power plant, Jatiluhur dam also has a number of recreation facilities including hotels, bungalow, bar and restaurant, tennis court, billiard, camping site, swimming pool, meeting room, water sport recreation center, playground etc. Water sport recreation center includes rowing, surfing, water ski, boating and shipping. In Jatiluhur dam, there is a Ikan Keramba Jaring Apung or Keramba Fish Floating Net activity, that could become a distinguished activity in the dam. In the daylight or at night, we can fish with peace and eat roasted fishes.

Pangandaran Beach
Small mainland peninsula with a national park with beaches and stunning scenery to rival the beaches of Bali on the south coast of Java. Pangandaran is one of Java's best-kept secrets as far as international tourists are concerned, but has been extremely popular with locals for along, long time. A small fishing town, it possesses one of Java's finest beaches and Pangandaran Nature Reserve teems with wild buffalo, barking deer and monkeys. The people are very friendly, this combined with the idealize surroundings make this a great place to spend a few days relaxing island-style. Pangandaran is halfway between Bandung and Yogya, about 5 hours by bus from Bandung and 8 hours from Jakarta.
This is the second beach resort area on the Indian Ocean after Pelabuhan Ratu. The site is 223 from Bandung and 400km from Jakarta. The trip by car or bus is recommendable because the road conditions are good. However, if we prefer to take the train, get into Bandung-Yogyakarta Express train and get off at the Banjar railroad station about 4 hours later. From here it will be another 50 km by bus to Pangandaran. The beach is called Penanjung, where most of the cottages and hotels are located, however, of modest ratings. Nothing luxurious should be expected. Pangandaran is especially of interest to nature lovers, as there is a wildlife reserve in the vicinity where wild birds and other indigenous animals live about freely to be enjoyed by visitors. In Pangandaran visitors will like fine white beaches, blue ocean and fine seafood. Twelve kilometers before arriving at Pangandaran visitors will see a huge rock on the beach, which is called Karang Nini.
Another place of special interest for nature lovers is a forest Conservation Park, close to the camping ground, which has basic facilities suitable for the younger set. Somewhat further out, west of Pangandaran, driving 23 km on the way to Parigi, lays Batu Hiu, meaning Shark's Rock, a coastal rock that has the shark shape. (Courtesy By Indonesia-Tourism)

West Java (Pelabuhan Ratu Beach-Mount Tangkuban Perahu)

2009-05-26T20:58:00.000-07:00

Pelabuhan Ratu Beach
Pelabuhan Ratu is a lovely holiday resort, visited by holidaymakers from Jakarta and Bandung. The site is only three-hour drive from either city through cool mountain villages with picturesque sceneries. Pelabuhan Ratu - Cisolok is a 15 km stretch of breathtaking beauty with hills, mountains and very wide sandy beaches everywhere around, set against the deep blue Indian Ocean. Right next to stretches of white beaches, visitors will find thick tropical forests on rolling hills. Taking walks uphill enables the visitor to look down on the horseshoe shape of the bay's coastline, whereas at night hundreds of fishermen's boat-lamps are seemingly competing with the star-studded sky above, which is both enchanting and romantic. There is one four-star hotel, Samudera Beach, about 6 km from Pelabuhan Ratu, but several other smaller hotel and cottages are available at moderate rates.
At this virgin stage, this area represents unspoiled beauty in a typically tropical setting with hospitable inhabitants. Because of its proximity to Jakarta, more tourists visit this area from the capital than those from Bandung. Moreover, the highways to and from Pelabuhan Ratu have recently been greatly improved to assure the visitor of a smooth ride to enjoy the sceneries that pass even well. Good for taste, swimming, sun bathing and surfing.
The picturesque fishery village, more than 50 kilometers southwest of Sukabumi, is home to the mysterious goddess of the South Sea, Nyai Roro Kidul. The legend tells that the sea in Karanghawu would have taken her, 14 kilometers to the west. Pelabuhan Ratu ('seaport of the queen') is located in a wide bay, which has had the name 'Wijnkoopsbaai'. During the weekends this village is overloaded with visitors from Jakarta. It's not advised to take a bath in the domain of the goddess, and especially not in green clothes. Green is the favorite color of Nyai Roro Kidul and wearing it is an invitation for her to take that person to the depths of the ocean.

Mount Tangkuban Perahu
Tangkuban perahu is a volcano, 25 kilometers north of Bandung direction of Lembang. Its location is in between Sagalaherang village, Sagalaherang district, Subang regency and Cikole village, Lembang district, Bandung regency. This is Bandung's most famous tourist volcano just 28 km north of the city. This volcano offers many places to see and explore. Whether we look into the huge crater or hike down into it, stroll through the forest on its slopes, or simply enjoy the splendid panoramic scenery. Mt. Tangkuban Perahu is an interesting destination that everyone in the Bandung area is fond of visiting. When seen from Bandung, Mt. Tangkuban Perahu has a distinctive shape, like an upside down boat. Tangkuban Perahu means, in fact, "up-turned boat" This peculiar shape has stimulated the fantasy of the Sundanese people from early times as expressed in the Legend of Sangkuriang. Geologically, Mt. Tangkuban Perahu has played a significant role in the development of Parahyangan highlands. Eruptions have contributed immensely to the hills north of Bandung through lava flowing into the valleys and hardening into rock, thus forming big cliffs over which waterfalls leap. Likewise, mud flows have formed a semi-circular cone of gentle gradient (what geologists call "a fan"), which is now a mass that blocked the valley of the ancient Citarum River near present day in Padalarang (some 18 km west of Bandung), this caused a lake to form covering the whole Bandung plain.
Tangkuban Perahu is a volcano with three craters into which areas tourists can walk through. These three craters are: Kawah Ratu ("Queen Crater"), Kawah Domas ("Domas Crater"), and Kawah Upas ("Upas Crater"). Tourists can go down into the Domas Crater where exist many hot geysers in which they can boil eggs. Though the mountain appears peaceful, mild eruptions occurred in 1969, when Kawah Ratu spewed ash and barrages 500 m high. As recently as September 1992 it was closed to the public for a few days because unusually high seismic activity leads volcanologist to fear a new eruption. On the mountain's northern flank is an area called Death Valley, so named for its frequent accumulation of poisonous gases. On a reasonably clear day, from Kawah Ratu, the main crater, we can see not only the mountain range to the east, with Mt. Bukittunggul as its highest peak (2,209 m), but also two other in a northeasterly direction. The lower and nearer one is Mt. Tampomas (1,684 m) just north of Sumedang some 40 km away. To the right and about 90 km away is Mt. Ciremai close to Cirebon on the north coast. At 3,078 m, Mt. Ciremai is West Java's tallest mountain. At the foot of Mt. Tangkuban Perahu we see the Ciater tea plantation covering the rolling hills. Farther to the left are the northern coastal plains of Java, and on an extremely clear day we may even be able to see the Java Sea beyond.
Kawah Ratu, which means "Queen's Crater", is today just a big gray hole, which sometimes has a pool of water at its center. Poisonous gases sometimes accumulate in Kawah Ratu, thus making it somewhat of a risk to descend to the crater floor. Beyond the saddled shaped depression on the far side of Kawah Ratu is the still active Kawah Upas, the oldest crater on the mountain. On the very far western cliff we see a spot where all vegetation has been destroyed by constantly rising sulfurous vapors. On the crater walls, note the various layers of material consisting of rock, sand, and pebbles. Overtime, new craters have formed again and again in a rather consistent shift from west to east. The most well known of these is the Domas crater, but also there are other smaller ones in jungle on the mountain's northeastern flank. Facilities in Tangkuban Perahu Crater are comfortable parking area, souvenir kiosks, and restaurants. (Courtesy By Indonesia-Tourism)

West Java (Garut-Tasikmalaya-Cirebon)

2009-05-26T20:54:00.000-07:00

Garut

Garut is an Old Dutch hill station and a characteristic Sundanese town in the highlands, surrounded by mountains, volcanoes, and crystal clear lakes. Garut's Hindu temples and hot springs are often the destination for hikers attracted by spectacular views from the mountaintops. The choices of where to plan the next trek in the area are as varied as the sights along the way. Some like to hike across to Mount Telaga Bodas with its pale-green Crater Lake bubbling with pure sulfur. This cool place can be reached from Bandung in approximately one hour. Due to the scenic beauty of this there are many places of interest for nature lovers. The northern part of the region is reserved for the development of the city of Garut while the southern region is rich with a beautiful coastline, nature preserves and beautiful scenery. Since the time of the Dutch occupation, this region has been developed as a resting place.
The inhabitants of Garut are mostly Moslems and more than half of the people live on farming. The specific food from this place, which is very famous, is "dodol Garut", a sweet food made from sticky rice flour and sugar with various flavorings. This food is offered in different wrappings and can be store for a long time. In the past, Garut was also famous for its high quality oranges.
The hot springs resort at Cipanas has comfortable accommodations. Many people visit these laden springs, which have medicating effects to purify their skin. Mount Papandayan's crater is probably one of the most spectacular mountain scenes on Java Island. There is the Cangkuang temple situated by Cangkuang Lake, which was a major discovery of archaeological value as it was the first of its kind found in West Java, dating back to the 8th century. The site is located 17 km from Garut and 50 km from Bandung.
Garut has a specific cultural attraction, the "Ram Fight". Two strong male Ram, with big, long and strong horns are made to fight against each other in the center of a arena, usually in a field, accompanied by "Kendang Pencak" music. There are three centers for ram high performances: in the districts of Bayongbong, leles and Samarang. The participants mostly come from the surrounding place. In Garut there are a lot of interesting places to visit, some have been developed, some others are being developed and there are places, which are still left natural.

Tasikmalaya
Sixty kilometers from Garut, Tasikmalaya is known for its plaited mats, painted umbrellas and batiks of particular designs and colors. Geographically, Tasikmalaya is situated between 107° 53' to 108° 20' eastern longitudes and between 7° 3' and 7° 49' southern latitude. The population of the entire regency (the city and rural area around it) is about 1.58 million. Like most of West Java, Muslim, ethnically Sundanese people, mostly populates it with a small Indonesian Chinese minority. A quarter of Tasikmalaya Regency, which has an area of about 256,756,692 hectares, is covered by forest. This Regency may be divided into two areas, lowlands and mountainous regions.
Tasikmalaya Regency is rich in places of interests and cultural attractions. First of all, there is an interesting area called Kampung Naga. Thirty km from Tasikmalaya, visitors will find the uniqueness of Kampung Naga. The distance from Bandung to this kampong is about 88 km. The people of this Kampong still adhere to the old traditions. Their house building is unique. The uniqueness lays its uniformity, starting from the building materials, the house designs to the direction their houses are facing. Instead of its proximity to modern society, it has retained its traditional customs over the centuries. It is a small village in the beautiful mountains of the Salawu District. The most important traditional ceremony is called "Upacara Pedaran" which illustrates its age-old history and culture, held only once every year.
Places of interest in Tasikmalaya include the most attractive natural resorts. From a tourism viewpoint at least, the area has benefited from the latest eruption of Galunggung Mountain, which happened on April 5, 1982. The remains of the eruption have now become taking scenery and are worth-visiting. A lot of tourists, both foreign and domestic, have started visiting this resort. Shady trees are growing again and visitors can also enjoy the sight the crater and bathing in the spa.
Transportation is easily available, although the distance from Jakarta to Tasikmalaya is about 380 kilometers, and from Bandung about 120 kilometers. Since the road is good the distance can easily be covered by either public or private transport.
Home industries are prevalent in Tasikmalaya Regency and the tourist can of course buy the product. Home industries mean handicraft, such as pandan hat, samak hat, dudukuy cetok, hand bags, etc in another region of this regency, there is a place which is famous for plaited handicraft, called Rajapolah. Home industries here produce mats, plaited wares made from bamboo, like kitchen utensils, etc.

Cirebon

Traveling northeast from Bandung towards the coast, the seaport of Cirebon offers a wealth of culture and history. Situated on the border of West and Central Java, it is home to a combination of both cultures. Gemah Ripah Loh Jinawi means a prosperous city that has many people. Cirebon is actually located at the north coast of Java. It is located at West Java. Cirebon has a great resource of sea, especially shrimps. These shrimps are exported abroad to get so much income for city development and education. This city is almost always be passed every time any one wants to go to West Java or Jakarta from Central Java and any east cities of Java. The location of Cirebon is very strategic. In the Indojavanese time it was the most important harbor of the mighty Galuh kingdom, of which the capital was located in the fertile of Citanduy River, not too far away from Ciamis. The harbor also opened the way to the Cimanuk River, which flows through Sumedang to the lake basin of Bandung. Because the coasts of Western Java are swampy and in some places rocky Cirebon and Sunda Kelapa (Jakarta), together with Banten in the far West, the main entries to the blooming highlands.
Cirebon at 14th was a part of Padjajaran Kingdom. The Moslem movement there was so fast and Padjajaran commanded to remove the settlement to Lemahwungkuk, 5 kilometers from Cirebon harbor. In the city itself; the ancient palace (keraton) of Kasepuhan and Kanoman now serve as museums which are open to the public, exhibiting household ornaments, paintings, calligraphy and other art treasures of the courts. The royal carriages are sumptuous in design, one of them a gilded coach in the form of a winged elephant. The three well-known palaces (Kraton) of Cirebon are Pakungwati, Kesepuhan, and Kanoman. The former is the earliest of the three and has said to be occupied by Sunan Gunung Jati himself. In fact, according to the records preserved within the Kesepuhan Palace, and firmly believed by the Cirebon people, the normally accepted account of Sunan Gunung Jati's life is incorrect. Syarif Hidayatullah was, they claim, the son of an Egyptian King and a Sundanese princess. He lived until the age of 120 and died in 1568 A.D.
Across the square from the Kasepuhan Kraton is "Mesjid Agung" (Grand Mosque), in a traditional Javanese style and made entirely of wood. There is an ancient royal cemetery where a holy sultan was buried which has become a place for pilgrimage at the Astana Gunung. Jati Cirebon is also known for its distinct batik, now a flourishing industry in Trusmi village. The local seafood is among the best in West Java. Another specialty this city can offer the visitor is a wide range of seafood, probably the best in West Java.
Nowadays Cirebon is on the crossing of a busy coastal road and the main road to Bandung. The harbor, main depot for the oil from the Java Sea, is famous for it's great catches of fish and other sea animals. Cirebon means 'River of Shrimps' and the city has a nickname 'Kota Udang', 'City of the big Shrimps'; historical sources tell us that the name of the city is probably diverted from caruban, which means 'mixture' - a witness of the very heterogeneous heir of Cirebon. (Courtesy By Indonesia-Tourism)

West Java (Bandung-Bogor)

2009-05-26T20:52:00.000-07:00

Of the 17,000 islands that make up the archipelago of the Republic of Indonesia, Java has historically been considered the heartland. Where Java has led-culturally, economically and politically down through the centuries, other regions have followed. On Java, still the most densely populated island of Indonesia, there are five Provinces. West Java is the largest, with the greatest population, and, some would claim, with the most pride.
West Java Province is located at part of western Java Island. The enchanting of Sunda land stretches from Sunda Strait in the west to the borders of Central Java in the east. The locals' people know West Java Province as the Land of Sunda. The region is primarily mountainous, with rich green valleys hugging lofty volcanic peaks, many of which surround the capital of West Java province. The history of West Java is a story of trade, spices, and the rise and fall of powerful kingdoms. In the late 1500's the region was ruled from mighty Cirebon, which still survives as a sultanate today, although a shadow of its former glory. West Java was of the first contact points in Indonesia for Indian traders and their cultural influences, and it was here that the Dutch and British first set foot in the archipelago.
This province has its own unique culture and language, both called Sundanese that is also used to call its people. The ancient kingdoms of Tarumanegara, Pajajaran, Banten and Cirebon would make interesting studies for the student of archaeology. Cirebon is located on the border between West and Central Java, having a mixed culture originating from the ancient Cirebon and Banten kingdoms, resulting in similar customs and dialects of the two people, although Banten is located at the extreme western part of the province.
West Java province its self, is formed based on the Constitution number 11/1950 on the establishment of West Java. With the issuance of Constitution number 23/2000 on Banten Province, West Java Governor Assisting Territory I Banten was inaugurated as Banten Province with its territories comprising Serang Regency, Pandeglang Regency, Lebak Regency, Tangerang Regency and Mayoralty, and Cilegon Mayoralty. After the change, at present West Java consists of 18 regencies, nine mayoralties, 584 districts, 5,201 villages and 609 sub districts.The capital city of West Java province is Bandung city. Bandung is situated 180 km southeast of Jakarta. The city gamed fame in 1955 as the venue for the first Afro-Asian Conference, which brought together the leaders of 29 Asian, and African nations with the aim to promote economic and cultural relations and take a common stand against colonialism.
The road from Jakarta to Bandung passes through a beautiful panorama of mountains, paddy fields and small holiday resorts. An expressway connects the crowded capital city with Bogor and the mountain areas, and onward to Bandung. It has a number of sea resorts on its western and southern coasts, which have modern hotels and are popular during the weekends. The Sundanese people are soft-spoken. The women of the Bandung region are known for their beauty. A lighthearted people who have a love for bright colors, their mournful "kecapi" music is memory of beautiful legends.

Bandung
Bandung is the capital of West Java in Indonesia. Bandung is 180 kilometers southeast from Jakarta. Although it has a population of over two million the pace of city life is slower than Jakarta's. Today Bandung has a population of 2 million people, Bandung area an estimated 4 million. Bandung is situated on a plateau 768 meters above sea level with a cool climate throughout the year. Bandung is the most European city of Java. The raining season starts in Bandung a little bit earlier, then the rest of Indonesia. Normally the raining season in Indonesia is from October till May, the peak of the raining season is in January. The dry season is from June until August, temperature is then 25-30 degrees Celsius during the day. In the morning, the sun is almost shining every day, but in the afternoon many times it gets cloudy, for sunbathing we have to wake up early from 6.30 the sun is already there. In the evening when the sun is down the temperature has drops. The average temperature in Bandung is 22 degrees Celsius; the weather is pleasant all year round.
There are short drives up to the mountain resorts of Lembang and the Bosscha Observatory, and higher to the volcanic crater of Tangkuban Perahu, the only crater in Java accessible all the way by car as far as its rim. It is an awe-inspiring sight of emanating sulfur fumes. Descent into all the volcano's 12 craters is only possible with the aid of an experienced guide, because of the presence of suffocating gases at certain spots.Just a 15 minutes drive from Tangkuban Perahu is a hot springs resort. Here we can swim in warm mineral water pools, good for healing skin problems. The resort provides visitors with a bar, restaurants, tennis courts and cottage style hotels overlooking a beautiful mountain-scope.
In Bandung, try to see the "Wayang Golek" wooden puppet show and hear the "Angklung" bamboo orchestra, as well as the classical Sundanese gamelan and dances. Several institutes of higher education are located here, including the country's prestigious Bandung Institute of Technology.

Bogor
A bit further away from Bandung about 4,5 hours drive is Bogor, also called the city of rain. Previously known as "Buitenzorg" (Sans soucis or Without worries), during the Dutch colonial era, Bogor actually lies closer to Jakarta (50 km) than it does to Bandung (120 km). Appropriately named by the Dutch as a town "without worries", they chose Bogor to be the site for constructing the first palace of the Dutch Governor General way back in 1745. Later restored in 1832, the palace still stands solid and elegant today with its stretched out gardens where deer roam freely on the green grass under majestically tall old trees.
The inhabitants of Bogor work in agriculture, forestry, industry, as civil are Christians, Catholics, Hindus and Buddhists. From a historical point of view, the Bogor Regency still has a close relationship with the history of the Pakuan Padjajaran Kingdom, which was built between the 13th - 15th centuries. This is supported by some historical objects in the form of inscriptions as old manuscript written by some historians, which were found in the area.
Bogor, is famous with its botanical garden. This botanical garden and in the garden is the palace "Buitenzorg" On a not so busy day on the road a visit to Bogor and Taman Safari can be done on the same day. The world-famous Bogor Botanical Garden borders the Palace Grounds, covering an area of 87 hectares with thousands of species of plant life from all over the world. There are over 15,000 species of trees and plants, 400 varieties of palms alone. The orchid houses contain over 3000 orchid varieties. We don't have to be a horticulturalist to enjoy the gardens, it is a masterpiece of design and a wonderful place to just stroll and enjoy the company of family and friends. See the original "Havea Brazilliensis" rubber tree, formerly imported from Brazil, and world's largest flower, the Rafflesia, a foul smelling and stem less as well as leafless plant. When visiting this Garden, arrange for a permit to visit the neighboring Presidential Palace, which belonged to the Dutch Governor General before Indonesia's independence. Doing this may be a daylong visit by leaving Jakarta in the morning and spend the night in Puncak mountainous region on the way to Bandung the next day. Here again, the whole car trip will be memorable, as scenic tropical beauty all around is really astonishing. We will also pass by another smaller Presidential Palace at Cipanas, the setting of which is in a colorful and flowery vast garden around this wooden but stylish palace. (Courtesy By Indonesia-Tourism)

Mountain Malabar

2009-05-26T01:12:00.000-07:00

The first thing you see upon entering the Cisangkuy Valley from the north is Mt. Malabar. The name alone conveys something exotic; in fact, it\'s quite possible that the mountain is named after the Malabar coast in India; since West Java was one of the strongholds of Indian Hindu culture, this would not be surprising. It\'s a magnificent work of nature at more than 2,300 m above sea level. Dominating the Bandung skyline, Mt. Malabar is the mountain you see from Bandung\'s northern hills. The huge explosion crater which opens to the northwest tells you that here is still another of West Java\'s old volcano family.
Follow the directions above to Banjaran. 5 km after Banjaran there is another turnoff to the left which takes you to a camping ground much frequented by Indonesians. This narrow but well-surfaced road winds higher and higher through the rice terraces, with beautiful vistas of the Bandung Basin.

The camping ground near where the old tea plantation used to be is also a starting point for some good hikes, for example to a waterfall a little farther up. Ambitious souls might consider an assault on the summit of Mt. Malabar, which, however, is anything but easy and should be carefully planned. Afternoon rains are more common here than in Bandung, so do take that into consideration.

The huge cleft in the mountain flank in front of you originates from a pre-historic eruption. This was also once the location of the world-famous transmitter station Radio Malabar. In those days no other colony of such economic importance was so far away from its \"motherland\" as was the Dutch East Indies. Thus, the Dutch made a prodigious effort to install Ruins eerily overgrown with ferns and pine trees are all that remain of the old Malabar Tea Plantation. a radio station that would allow direct communication between Holland and Java.

After Marconi first succeeded in sending radio signals across the Atlantic Ocean in 1906, the technology was quickly refined and inter-continental radio communication became possible. For the Dutch project, huge wire antennas had to be hung between two mountain peaks. The huge cleft on the flank of Mt. Malabar provided ideal natural conditions for such a facility; the antennas could hang right across the ravine, the Lamajan hydro-electric power station a little farther up the valley provided the electricity to transmit, and the whole thing was not too far away from Bandung. On 5 May 1923 Radio Malabar went on the air with the most powerful transmitter in the world (up to 1,800 kW). A telecommunication link with Holland, 12,000 km away, had been established. When Dutch rule collapsed, the facility deteriorated, never to be restored. The foundations of the antenna poles are supposedly still somewhere in the jungle.

Dilapidated, too, are the houses that were once the residences of the tea plantation\'s managerial staff. These are located on the western slope of the mountain at 1,300 m, some 35 km, or about one hour\'s drive, from Bandung. Eerily overgrown with a strange-looking mixture of pine trees and huge tropical ferns, they are still marked with the names of the former occupants, mainly Dutch and Chinese. A bit farther up are the remains of a swimming pool filled with water diverted from the river and full of silt. It must have been a lovely if somewhat chilly place to swim. This is all that remains of the old colonial facilities. Nowadays, there are some food stalls, a tennis court, an information kiosk (probably not open when you are there), and a number of inviting trails up into the forest.
(With Courtesy http://www.articlexpose.com)

The Different Kinds Of Visitors Attractions In Indonesia

2009-05-24T06:08:00.000-07:00

Indonesia is a land of mountains, volcanoes, dense forests, attractive beaches, spectacular artless beauty, which draws the awareness of assorted tourists throughout the year. With its glorious temples, vast mosques, museums Indonesia is a house of some magnificent Indonesia Tourist Attractions.
Attractions in Indonesia Java- Jakarta - The funds city of Jakarta retains much from the regal Dutch and British periods, with many tenuous grand-technique buildings and the newly restored old part. You can stopover at The National Monument towers, Merdeka Square, The Central Museum, Portuguese Church, Istiqlal Mosque etc. If you want to store, then antiques souk on Jalan Surabaya and batik factories in the Karet are the total place for you. Throughout the island, flunky shows are thespian in which traditional wayang golak and wayang kulit marionettes act out stories based on well-known tradition; performances can sometimes last all night.

Sumatra The instant-major island in Indonesia is Sumatra, which is a house of the volcanic mountain sort, hot springs, unexplored jungle and general plantations. Bengkulu, Gedung Wani and Mount Loeser Reserve are some of the amazing Reserve forests. The current Indonesia Tourist Attractions situated in Sumatra are, Lake Toba, Lingga village, Bukittinggi's Fort de Kock that located close to the zoo, promote, a refurbished rice store and the Bundo Kandung Museum and the most attractive beaches on the east coast.

Sulawesi Popularly known as Orchid Island, Sulawesi is a land of high mountains, hazy valleys and lakes, geysers and hot springs like Karumengan, Kinilow, Lahendong, Leilem and Makule. In the south is Bantimurung Nature Reserve which has thousands of exotic butterflies. The island has geysers and hot springs, the most celebrated of which are at Karumengan, Kinilow, Lahendong, Leilem and Makule. Torajaland is known as the 'Land of the Heavenly Kings' and its people are prominent for their opulently ornamented houses and custom of burying the over in vertical cliffside tombs. Ujung Pandang, formerly Makassar, is celebrated for the Pinsa Harbour where impassive schooners of the notorious Buganese seafarers are moored. Fort Rotterdam, built by Sultan Ala in 1660 to defend the township from pirates, is now being restored. Racing is a general island activity; there is horseracing and bullock-racing and at Ranomuut there races with traditional mount-strained carts.

Bali With its spectacular sallow beaches, green jungle and mountain, Bali is a steamy paradise. The landscape of Bali 'is made up of volcanic mountains, lakes and rivers, terraced ricefields, giant banyans and palm groves and, on the coast, bays rang with colorless grimy beaches. Bali is imminent for its crafts and adventurous activities, which are orderly on the southern beaches. The island deception a rapid detach from the eastern coast of Java, across the Strait of Bali. The tourist areas are in the south, around Sanur Beach and at Kuta, which lies on the other boundary of a narrow cape. The island also has thousands of temples - the extract number has never been counted - ranging from the great Holy Temple at Besakih to small village places of worship.

Lombok It is a land of temples home handicrafts like cane baskets and bamboo fabrics. Lombok is an admired tourist destination where you can call at the Senggigi Beach, Gili Islands, Gunung Rinjani, and Desert Point well known for surfing. The island possesses one of the utmost volcanic mountains in the Indonesian archipelago, Mount Rindjani. The two main towns are Mataram, the assets, and the occupied harbor of Ampenan; both are interesting to explore. The south coasted is tough. The west, with shimmering rice terraces, banana and coconut groves and prolific plains, looks like an addition of Bali. The east is dry, sterile and desert-like in appearance. The north, the area dominated by Mount Rindjani, offers thick forests and dramatic vistas. There are also some glorious beaches, some of pallid sandpaper, others, such as those near Ampenan, of black sand. At Narmada there is a gigantic complex of palace dwellings, achieve with a well containing 'rejuvenating waters', built for a former Balinese queen. At Pamenang, visitors can hire a ship and go diving, entering a fine-water world of brilliantly colored coral and inquisitive steamy fish.

Yogakartas Capital of Java Yogakarta is the centre of educational, cultural and efficient activity. You must see the leading university of Indonesia, the Gajah Mada University and numerous arts centers, markets, galleries, shape shops and bazaars.

Moluccan Archipelago Also known as the Maluku Archipelago, it is made up of 1000 islands, many uninhabited and the surplus so secluded from one another and from the exterior world that each has its own nation and very regularly its own poetry. Halmahera is the biggest island in the Moluccan group and one of the most diverse. Banda, in the medium of the Banda Sea, is regularly termed the initial 'Spice Island' and is notorious as a nutmeg-growing interior. At donate, the islands are prevalent for diving and snorkeling.

Nusa Tengara Archipelago Nusa Penida was at one time a penal colony but now attracts visitors to its dramatic seascapes and beaches. Komodo home to the world's prime and rarest species of screen lizard, while Sumba is famed for its handsome Ikat cloth. Mount Keli Mutu is one of Indonesia's most spectacular relaxed sights, famous for its three cave lakes, who's stunning ensign change with the light of the day. Little since the Bronze Age, yet the islands' inhabitants are legendary as musicians and palm weavers. The Terawangan Islands is a small group with lovely beaches and coral gardens. Lucipara has superb waters for snorkeling. Bone Rated, Kangean, Tenggaya and Tukang Besi is a group of isolated islands in the Flores and Banda seas, epitomizing a sultry paradise.
by Jenna Sawin

Cheap flights to Jakarta

2009-05-24T06:05:00.001-07:00

Traveling to various destinations is a dream for every common people, everybody loves to travel, but getting right kind of cheap flights for their desired destination is little complicated. Surrounded by the Java Sea to the north and the low Bogor Hills to the south, Jakarta welcomes their visitors to explore the beautiful and overwhelming capital city of Indonesia. Planning a holiday vacation to this exotic holiday destination by cheap flights will be a fun filled experience. Welcome to Jakarta, one of the most popular tourist holiday destination. No doubt, the overwhelming capital city of Indonesia is a wonderful city with lots of activities to do and to see for various age ranges of people. The most awe-inspiring beauty of nature is the dramatic volcanic range towering from the lush green hillsides and dense rainforest. Travelers will be in love with the cities mystical land, plethora of natural beauties, wonderful geographical features, beautiful landscape and many more. However Jakarta is known to be one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, one can decide to take a short break from their regular activities and fly back from the exotic location of Jakarta with their family members or with friends or relatives. It is the city's unique culture and heritage which has managed to draw the attention of various travelers.
Even though Jakarta has very few sited to explore. Most of the travelers feel trip to Jakarta as a starting or ending point of their journey. One can come across various cheap flights to Jakarta and capture the most memorable moments of their life. Traveling to any exotic destination is a wonderful experience on its own and traveling with cheap tickets would be an added bonus during the trip. Today numerous travelers are looking forward to experience such wonderful and fun filled memories while cherishing its modern as well as traditional culture that goes hand in hand. Once you are sure about your destination, a traveler needs to do some kind of planning work for their trip to ensure a proper get away. Travelers are always advised to travel smart with cheap flights and enjoy the entire travel without making hole in their wallet. Looking out for a low cost airline for Jakarta is one of the major steps taken while planning the most exotic holiday. It is advisable to gather enough of information having cheap flights to Jakarta.

There are various reliable sources that are used to provide information about cheap flights and best airfare deals. Get some helpful hints and tactical tips on how to buy cheap flights to Jakarta available online. Put little effort for on research work before landing up to the right travel site to find the bargain. You can easily track the right kind of airline tickets with the help of online travel sites, word-of-mouth, and travel agents. Knowing what types of resources are available and using them to their advantage is the way to get those cheap flights online. A traveler should have to mention their travel need means when and where should like to go means their travel destination, most of the online travel sites aim to give best and cheap New York airfareto his/her customer only on one search. Various travel sites or the bargain airfare sites are the sources of finding discounted airline tickets. Browsing and comparing various online cheap flights to Jakarta ensures a traveler to get the best deal available. Depending on the season, destinations and departures various airlines display information about inexpensive flights offer on their websites.

Chances for getting cheap flights to Jakarta within a short-term notice period from various sources are very less in compare to early research work. Out of thousand of travelers only few of them can manage to track the best airfare deals on last minute search. However, looking out for low cost airlines is time consuming but it is worth for tracking the right kind of airfare you are looking for. Due to heavy competition in the market most of the airlines has come up with new ideas and discount offers to attract their travelers. Sometimes airline offers discount airfare tickets as a promotional fares on certain location to attract visitors, therefore it is wise enough for a travelers to keep themselves update.
by Tom Cena

Tropical Weddings: Tips for a Wedding in Bali

2009-05-24T06:01:00.000-07:00

Are you considering a romantic destination wedding for your big day? Today many couples are opting for tropical weddings and combining their wedding ceremony; many times a beach wedding, with their honeymoon vacation
Destination weddings are popular at many romantic resorts in Bali, Tahiti, the Caribbean, Mexico, Fiji, Hawaii and Costa Rica wedding destinations. Most Resorts will have a wedding coordinator on site to work with you to plan your destination wedding, or if you prefer, you may want to organize a beautiful private villa. In this case, you can seek an independent wedding planner or on booking your luxury villa may find that the management may be able to help you organize your wedding.

As more couples plan and pay for their own weddings, they want to have a casual, unique celebration and combine it with their honeymoon. Imagine having your family and close friends in a warm tropical setting with a spectacular sunset over the ocean and gentle ocean breezes filling the air. Next to you is the love of your life, passionately vowing their commitment and devotion to you.

Inviting Your Guests: When planning a destination wedding, make sure to send out invitations far in advance. After all, the majority of your guests will have to make some monetary and social calculations before they reply to your RSVP. If you are worried that too many guests will be unable to attend, remember that you may have the wedding ceremony at the destination of you choice and you can then hold the reception at a more convenient, albeit less exciting, location.

Marriage Laws, Licenses and Certificates for Bali: Bali is part of the Republic of Indonesia and is subject to Indonesian Laws. Every couple considering getting married in Bali must comply with these Laws.

In accordance with Law No. 1 of 1974 concerning marriages in Indonesia (Article 2 (1): "a marriage is legitimate if it has been performed according to the laws of the respective religious beliefs of the parties concerned."

All couples who marry in Indonesia must declare a religion. Agnosticism and Atheism are not recognized. The Civil Registry Office can record marriages of persons of Islam, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian-Protestant and Christian-Catholic faiths. Marriage partners must have the same religion; otherwise one partner must make a written declaration of change of religion.

The Religious Marriage under Islam is performed by the Office of Religious Affairs (Kantor Urusan Agama) in a ceremony at a mosque, the home, a restaurant, or any other place chosen by the couple and is legal immediately after the ceremony.

Christian, Hindu or Buddhist marriage is usually performed first in a church or temple ceremony. After the religious ceremony, every non-Islamic marriage must be recorded with the Civil Registry (Kantor Catatan Sipil). Without the registration by the Civil Registry these marriages are not legal. Recording by Civil Registry officials can be performed directly at the religious ceremony for an additional fee.

Persons of non-Islamic faith are required to file with the Civil Registry Office in the Regency where they are staying first a 'Notice of Intention to marry' as well as a 'Letter of No Impediment' obtained from their consular representatives.

For the issue of the Letter of No Impediment to Marriage by your Consular Representative you will need to present for yourself and your fiancé, your Passport(s) valid for more than 6 months and Certified Divorce Decrees (absolute/final) and/or Death Certificates regarding the termination of all previous marriages. Please contact the Consular Representative of your country for details well before your intended date of marriage

What should your wedding planner provide you?

• They should give full details of requirements and procedures for each of the appropriate nationalities.
• Help the wedding couple obtain your 'Certificate of Non Impediment' letter which will be issued by your Consulate or Embassy representative in Indonesia. For Canadian citizens, the Bali Adventure wedding assistant will take care of your Certificate of Non Impediment letter. For citizens of the USA and Australia it will be necessary to apply in person to your Consulate after arriving in Bali and the certificate is generally issued immediately. The Bali Adventure wedding assistant will assist with this process.
• Arrange the photographs that are required for the wedding certificate and documentation. Ensure that they are correct and adhere to authority requirements.
• Advise the Minister of any special requirement you may have requested such as special vows you may wish to say to each other, additional readings, ring exchange etc.
• Just prior to wedding date all arrangements should be reconfirmed with the Civil Registrar, the Minister and any other persons involved with your wedding ceremony.
• Attend your ceremony to ensure it's a smooth procedure and to act as coordinator.
• Act as witnesses if you have no friends or family attending the ceremony

Planning your wedding in Bali can be challenging, considering the constraints on your time and the multitude of choices available. A good wedding planner will give you the assurance that your Wedding Day will be the one you have always dreamed of. A wedding has always been a sacred ritual and in Bali where magic and mysteries mix in harmony, the occasion would be just perfect.
by Sofie De

How to Enjoy Your Stay In The Tropics

2009-05-24T05:55:00.000-07:00

Summer is just a few months from now. However, if you cannot wait to feel the summer heat then you can book a flight to various tropical resorts around the world where the heat and fun is all-year round. There are countless places you can go to where you can enjoy warm waters, fine sand, gushing waves, fresh breeze, festivals, colorful blossoms, sumptuous delicacies, and good-natured people.
Lucky are these places where the heat stays. The tropics enjoy continuous lush growth of flora and fauna. There is no frost season, of course. The perennial warm humid climate allows the flourishing of a diverse variety of vegetation and wildlife which you will not see in the rest of the world. The tropics also house a huge number of tourist destinations, generating income and fostering economic growth. It is in the tropics where you find the most popular vacation and holiday spots.
Enjoy the delights of the tropical resorts these places can offer. This should be fun. Here are some tips you should keep in mind.

1. Plan ahead.
A well-planned vacation will not let you fail. Travelling to another land requires some tasks to be done. It's not like you're going to take a ride on a cab and there you go. Decide on where you'll go, whom you want to join you, what to bring, food preparations or arrangements, how long you'll stay there, what your activities would be and your budget.

2. Secure your documents.
You can't just go to a foreign land and then discover upon getting off the plane that you have left your passport. Bring all your necessary identification documents including your license IDs. Also, take note of contact numbers of hotels and emergency numbers. If necessary, make a checklist of all the things you are bringing and be sure to check them before leaving. 3. Don't forget your first aid kit. Bring bandages, ointments, aspirins, and other over-the-counter medications in case you need them. Pack them in one kit and do not mix them with your other things.

4. Bring your toiletries.
Toothpastes, deodorants, shampoos, toothbrushes, soaps, among others are necessary for hygiene. The heat in the tropics favors the growth of infectious microorganisms. You don't want to acquire some skin infection after a fine holiday. Hence, it is important that you maintain good hygiene.

5. Wear light, comfy clothes.
It doesn't snow in the tropics. There's no need for sweaters or thick jackets. Bring thin garments made of cotton. You can wear almost anything light in the beach from thin, sleeveless shirts to bikinis or trunks. Some people go to beach naked. Leave your leather shoes and bring beach walking sandals or tennis shoes. Be sure to bring enough clothes, unless you feel like getting the used, dirty ones laundered.

6. Don't get burnt.
Tropics are places near the equator. The sun's rays are almost direct. Avoid getting sunburn. It won't be fun to be somewhere in the shade soothing the burns. Apply sunscreens. They contain agents that protect your skin from the damaging ultraviolet rays of the sun which may cause skin cancer. Wear hats and sunglasses that filter out UV rays. Avoid wearing sunglasses that has no UV filter component as these will only dilate your pupils allowing more ultraviolet light to enter your eyes.

7. Be aware of your destination.
You may read a brochure about the resort you're heading to or you can search the internet for details about the place you have a booked your vacation. This allows you to note of what to expect and to have an overview of the location unless, of course, you fancy surprises. You can also bring a map if you wish.

8. Observe environmental awareness.
It's rude to go to a place that's so clean and orderly and then finally leave it with whole lot of mess. Dispose your garbage properly.

9. Be nice to people.
This is basic. You ought to be friendly with the staff of the hotel or the resort you are staying at. Be polite and smile.

10. Have fun.
Soak yourself to the environment. Feel the vibes and explore places. Don't just stay in your room spoiling what has to be pleasurable. Don't bore yourself. If you do, you might as well pack up and head straight home.

Getting on a vacation is fun but it doesn't end there. Be a wise vacationer and follow these simple yet helpful tips and you're surely have a great time!
by Joalesto

Bali Might Be A Long Flight Away, But Is An Excellent Destination For A Spectacular Holiday

2009-05-24T05:46:00.000-07:00

A stunning island in Indonesia, Bali is renowned all over the world for being welcoming, diverse and incredibly beautiful. If you are looking to get away from the daily grind and head to a place of pure escapism then Bali is the ultimate choice. Balinese life takes many sophisticated and diverse forms and if you want to truly immerse yourself in it then hiring self-catering holiday rentals will allow you to do so. Bali is an ideal holiday location for food lovers and there is a huge choice of eating options, particularly when you are staying in holiday rental accommodation. There is a diverse and impressive range of markets on offer so for every meal you can choose to eat as locally or as internationally as you wish. Even if you aren't buying the food the marketplaces are buzzing and colourful! Ubud is the cultural epicentre of Bali and it is a must-see, particularly if this is your choice for holiday rentals. This the best place to absorb the island's cultural heritage. It is from here that different strands of Balinese culture resonate outwards and these are as diverse as painting, sculpture, woodcarving, handcrafts, and performing arts. Music and dance are also important in Balinese culture and their percussion orchestra music, or gamelan, is varied and highly developed. Traditional dances portray stories from Hindu epics such as the Ramayana - and there are dozens of famous Balinese dances including pendet, legong, baris, topeng, barong, and kecak (the monkey dance). Perhaps you could join in and try some of the dances for yourself!
Although Bali can seem like a long way away it is absolutely worth the extra flight time. And if you stay in self-catering holiday rentals it does not have to be expensive. Whatever type of holiday you're planning the island will surprise and delight you. This is the kind of magical island where you will find what you were looking for, even if you weren't sure what that was! If culture isn't your thing do not worry because visitors to Bali have access to some of the finest beaches in the region. When relaxation is the aim of the game you can venture from your villa to bask in the sun, unwind on the sand and bathe in the warm sea. There are few places in the world more idyllic than holiday rentals on a beach in Bali at sunset. If you fancy a little more activity then hiring a four wheel drive vehicle is an excellent way to see the island properly. If you travel inland you can see the famous rice terraces and ancient temples. Balinese inhabitants also hold spectacular festivals which are entertaining and full of life and will make your visit genuinely memorable. Wherever you have been during the day one thing is certain - that you will return satisfied and exhilarated to your holiday rentals property where you can reflect at leisure on what you have seen. It is likely to have been pretty special.
by Olly Symonds

Sumbawa Besar

2009-05-13T02:39:00.000-07:00

Sumbawa is a large island to the east of Bali and Lombok. It is part of West Nusa Tenggara province along with Lombok. There are hundreds of small islands in this area in addition to the two major islands. Sumbawa really belongs more to Eastern Indonesia than to the western part of the archipelago. The effects of Hindu and Buddhist cultures are minimal in Sumbawa (although there is a Balinese presence along the northern coastal area), and although the island is predominantly Muslim, the role of traditional culture is still very strong.
The slogan of Sumbawa Regency is: "B E S A R" which stands for BERSIH, ELOK, SEHAT, AMAN DAN, RAPI, (Clean, Beautiful, Healthy, Safe, and Proper). The regional government's official website notes that Sumbawa still lacks sufficient medical facilities to support public health, in particular a lack of doctors and other health professionals. A public health center was recently opened in Sekongkang, but adequate treatment for a serious illness or accident requires a trip to Sumbawa Besar or Mataram, both of which require a journey of at least four hours minimum.
The regional government has a six-year plan for improving the lives of the island's residents. This plan includes: Health (improving health service quality including equipment and facilities), Education, Social Welfare (including reaching gender equality), Agriculture (optimizing resources for improving agricultural products), Industry, Trade and Cooperation (developing an economic system that focuses on the fair market mechanism), Regional Finance and Capital Investment, Manpower and Demography, Public Works and Communication (improving transport and the use of water resources), Agrarian Matter and Landscape, Living Environment and Natural Resource (rehabilitating and conserving natural resources), Tourism, Art and Culture (developing tourism based on natural and cultural tours, as well as teaching traditional art and culture), Religious Life Teaching (improving religious life through teaching and providing praying facilities and by making the role of religious institutions and social organizations to be teaching about living in harmony with other religious people), Law and Society's Orderliness (creating safe conditions based on the supremacy of the law and human rights); Politic and the Efficiency of Apparatus (improving the quality of public service through responsibility and the quality of government institutions); Science and Technology (the application of right and useful technology).
In many respects Sumbawa can be considered remote. To get to Sumbawa from Bali most people take the ferry from Bali to Lombok, travel overland to the eastern seaport in Lombok and then take another ferry to Sumbawa, ending up in Poto Tano. From there transportation is somewhat problematic. There are buses that will take us on to Sumbawa Besar, the capital, or down the coast road to the south, If traveling from Lombok, it is best to board a bus there that will take us to our final destination in Sumbawa. It is also possible to fly into Sumbawa Besar city on the western side of the island, and Bima on the eastern side of the island. A small airline called Tropical Air existed for a short while which flew directly to Sekongkan where the surfing spots of Yoyo and Scar Reef are located.
Sumbawa is known for its great waves and sandy white beaches. Due to the somewhat trying process of getting there and the scarcity of cheap tourist facilities, the island is not visited much by non-surfing tourists which is unfortunate as the parts of the island that have seen are quite beautiful. During the dry season (April to November) a lot of dust is blown up and around. Strong winds blow in off the ocean, and the lush green hills, mountains and valleys turn a dusty brown. When the rainy season begins an amazing transformation takes place and the island becomes a lush jungle once again.
The pace of life on Sumbawa is definitely slower than that in Bali. As most of the island is still developing, there is a very rural feel to just about everywhere that you go, including Sumbawa Besar, the capital of the western side of the island. The mining company, New Mont, has gold and coppers mine down in the southwestern corner of the island around the villages of Sekongkang, Maluk and Benete. Their presence has speeded up the development process on this side of the island.West Sumbawa is mostly made up of hollow lefts that are best accessed by boat charter. The charters will pull up and anchor at the best breaks for easy access to the surf. This area has many steep cliffs that offer scenic backdrops to the epic surf. The Lake area can be accessed by charter, as well as by ferry and overland transfers, or flights from Bali. Here there some hotels and surf camps

Daya Magis Watu Pinawetengan

2009-05-09T01:16:00.000-07:00

Sekitar satu jam perjalanan menggunakan mobil telah ditempuh dari kota Manado. Sepanjang jalan, dari Kawangkoan terlihat hamparan sawah apalagi saat memasuki Desa Pinabetengan, Kecamatan Tompaso di lereng Gunung Soputan, Kabupaten Minahasa itu. Rumah panggung khas Minahasa milik penduduk sekitar tertata rapi di kanan kiri jalan desa yang hanya cukup untuk berpapasan dua mobil.Jalan menuju obyek wisata Watu Pinawetengan memang beraspal tetapi banyak sekali lubang dan di beberapa ruas jalan banyak kerusakan. Jangan heran pula bila di jalan sempit beraspal itu akan berpapasan dengan gerobak sapi yang mengangkut rumput atau dengan segerombolan kuda yang pulang merumput. Selain itu, penduduk sekitar desa pun cukup ramah untuk ditanyai jalan, karena setelah papan penunjuk jalan di dekat Kawangkoan, tak ada petunjuk lain. Setelah melewati hamparan sawah dan ladang, akhirnya terlihat juga bangunan seperti rumah dengan atap putih dan lambang burung hantu berwarna kuning. Tiang berwarna merah berjumlah sembilan dan di bawahnya terdapat batu dengan panjang 4 meter dan tinggi 2 meter. Menurut kepercayaan masyarakat sekitar, bentuk batu ini seperti orang bersujud kepada Tuhan Yang Maha Esa. Selain itu, bentuk batu ini juga seperti peta pulau Minahasa. Batu ini menurut para arkeolog, dipakai oleh nenek moyang orang Minahasa untuk berunding. Maka tak heran, namanya menjadi Watu Pinawetengan yang artinya Batu Tempat Pembagian.Di tempat inilah, sekitar 1000 SM terjadi pembagian sembilan sub etnis Minahasa yang meliputi suku Tontembuan, Tombulu, Tonsea, Tolowur, Tonsawang, Pasan, Ponosakan, Bantik dan Siao. Selain membagi wilayah, para tetua suku-suku tersebut juga menjadikan tempat ini untuk berunding mengenai semua masalah yang dihadapi. Goresan-goresan di batu tersebut membentuk berbagai motif dan dipercayai sebagai hasil perundingan suku-suku itu. Motifnya ada yang berbentuk gambar manusia, gambar seperti alat kemaluan laki-laki dan perempuan, motif daun dan kumpulan garis yang tak beraturan tanpa makna.Bongkahan batu besar alamiah ini ternyata juga menyimpan sisi magis religius. Tak jarang banyak wisatawan lokal maupun mancanegara yang datang untuk berziarah mengajukan permohonan melalui ritual-ritual tertentu yang dipercaya. Menurut juru kunci Watu Pinawetengan, Ari (48), banyak turis mancanegara yang berziarah di tempat ini, biasanya dari Belanda, Jerman, Australia dan Inggris. "Mereka yang kemari biasanya punya permohonan masing-masing dan batu ini dipakai sebagai sarana untuk mendekat pada Sang Pencipta," ujar Ari. Diakuinya, seperti kisah salah satu turis dari Belanda, Jacob Rygeesberg, yang menderita lumpuh dan dibawa ke tempat ini dengan tongkat. Lalu dia bertekad setelah melihat batu ini, maka ia akan berjalan. "Memang saat itu, perlahan dia melempar tongkatnya dan berjalan tertatih hingga akhirnya benar-benar berjalan normal," kata pria yang tinggal di samping bangunan Watu Pinawetengan itu.Beberapa kejadian aneh, menurutnya, juga sering terjadi di tempat ini seperti orang terlempar keluar area, mobil berjalan sendiri, ada yang memukul dari belakang. "Biasanya kalau kejadian seperti itu karena yang berkunjung sudah memiliki niat tidak baik," jelasnya.Para wisatawan asing yang ingin berziarah dan melakukan ritual tertentu biasanya didampingi oleh guru spiritual mereka. Dalam bahasa masyarakat sekitar lokasi tersebut, pendamping ritual itu biasa disebut tonhas atau "orang pinter". Tetapi bagi wisatawan lokal biasanya membawa tonhas dari tetua adat penduduk sekitar. Juru kunci obyek wisata tersebut memang mengakui banyak wisatawan asing yang berkunjung ke tempat itu hingga bermalam. Ada bekas hio atau pembakaran kemenyan di sekitar batu megalit itu. "Memang tak ada batasan mau berkunjung hingga jam berapa, yang penting mengikuti aturan di sini, seperti melepas alas kaki untuk masuk ke area dan tak punya niat yang jahat," ujar pria yang sehari-hari bekerja di ladang ini.Bahkan beberapa orang yang rutin mengunjungi Watu Pinawetengan, ada ritual khusus yang diadakan tiap 3 Januari untuk melakukan ziarah. Sementara itu, karena nilai sejarah dan budaya yang kental, tiap 7 Juli dijadikan tempat pertunjukan seni dan budaya yang mulai terkikis di Minahasa.Batu ini bisa dikatakan tonggak berdirinya subetnis yang ada di Minahasa dan menurut kepercayaan penduduk berada di tengah-tengah pulau Minahasa. "Nilai sejarah, budaya dan religiusnya sangat kental, maka cagar budaya ini harus tetap dirawat dan itu tugas kita bersama," jelas Ari. (Courtest By Kompas/Antara)

Menyapa Malin Kundang di Pantai Air Manis

2009-05-09T01:12:00.001-07:00

Jika ditanyakan pada generasi 90an ke atas, mitos Malin Kundang begitu melekat terkait dua frase “Anak Durhaka”. Seorang putra yang dikutuk ibunya menjadi batu karena tidak mengakui ibunya lagi setelah sukses pulang dari negeri rantau. Tapi cukup menakjubkan jika sisa-sisa kisah sarat nilai moral tersebut terekam nyata di sebuah pantai di daerah tempat kisah ini berlangsung, Sumatera Barat.Pantai Air Manis, namanya. Di tepi pantai inilah terdapat onggokan batu yang dipercaya sebagai wujud Malin Kundang dan seluruh perangkat kapalnya yang pastinya sudah menjadi batu. Batu Malin dalam posisi bersimpuh sedangkan perangkat kapalnya terserak di sekitarnya. Setiap pengunjung yang datang ke Pantai Air Manis, kawasan batu Malin Kundang menjadi tempat pertama yang disambangi. Mereka berpose dan mengambil gambar terbaik di depan batu Malin Kundang.Namun demikian, keindahan ombak yang bergulung-gulung namun tidak terlalu tinggi serta pemandangan Gunung Padang membuat Pantai Air Manis menjadi pelengkap kesan pesona Pantai Air Manis bagi masyarakat Sumatera Barat ataupun para wisatawan dari luar. Ombak yang bergulung-gulung di tepi pantai seolah-olah menjadi saksi bisu kisah Malin Kundang beratus tahun sebelumnya.Menyusuri pantai merupakan pekerjaan yang menyenangkan sambil sesekali membiarkan kaki basah oleh ombak yang berkejar-kejaran. Berenang juga sepertinya menjadi kegiatan yang terdengar cukuup menarik untuk dilakukan di kawasan ini. Jadi, siapkan baju ganti jika ingin bertandang ke pantai ini.Sekitar 500 meter dari lokasi batu Makin Kundang, pengunjung dapat memulai perjalanan ke Pulau Pisang Kecil di seberang pantai dengan berjalan kaki kurang dari 500 meter. Kedalaman air di antara Pantai Air Manis dan Pulau Pisang Kecil memang tidak terlalu dalam sehingga bisa ditempuh dengan berjalan kaki, meski sebenarnya sejumlah masyrakat menyewakan perahu kecilnya juga untuk menyeberang. Titik paling dalam hanya setinggi perut orang dewasa. Tapi, eits, hal ini hanya dapat dilakukan sebelum sore tiba. Sekitar pukul 16.00, air pantai biasanya mulai pasang. Oleh karena itu, pengunjung disarankan untuk kembali dari pulau seluas 1 hektar itu ke Pantai Air Manis sebelum sore hari.Di Pulau Pisang Kecil, pengunjung bisa duduk di pondok-pondok yang terdapat di sana sambil menikmati pemandangan laut dan pantai. Jika memutuskan untuk menginap di Pulau Pisang Besar, pengunjung bisa menginap di rumah penduduk atau membawa peralatan tenda sendiri. Selain itu, dari tepi Pantai Air Manis pula, pengunjung dapat berangkat ke Pulau Sikuai dengan waktu tempuh sekitar 2.5 jam untuk mencoba berbagai wisata air, seperti surfing dan diving. Pulau Sikuai terkenal dengan pasirnya yang putih.Pantai Air Manis terletak 15 km dari pusat kota Padang, tepat di Kecamatan Teluk Kabung, Kabupaten Padang. Oleh karena itu menghabiskan waktu seharian di Pantai Air Manis dan kembali lagi ke Padang dalam waktu satu hari bukan hal yang mustahil. Tapi, jangan lupa untuk membeli cendera mata berupa terumbu karang dan kerang dengan berbagai bentuk dan ukuran yang dibanderol dengan harga antara Rp 5.000-50.000. jika berminat mencari kaus dan baju berbau Sumatera Barat, pengunjung juga dapat membelinya di kios-kios di sekitar pantai. (Courtesy By Kompas/Antara)

Pesona Wayag dari Puncak Pulau Karang

2009-05-09T01:01:00.000-07:00

SIAPA yang tidak mengenal Kepulauan Raja Ampat? Letaknya yang berada di wilayah segitiga terumbu karang dunia (Coral Triangle) membuat Raja Ampat dinobatkan sebagai kawasan yang paling kaya dengan keragaman hayatinya di dunia. Tidak diragukan lagi, keindahan alam bawah lautnya laksana sihir yang menghipnotis perhatian wisatawan yang datang untuk berenang, snorkeling, dan menyelam.Nyatanya, Kepulauan Raja Ampat juga memiliki lokasi wisata di atas air yang tak kalah menarik. Raja Ampat memiliki pantai-pantai berpasir putih yang indah dan panorama gugusan pulau-pulau karang (karst) yang memesona. Salah satu lokasi yang wajib masuk dalam list perjalanan anda di Raja Ampat adalah Pulau Wayag.Pulau Wayag berada di wilayah Distrik Waigeo Barat, Kabupaten Raja Ampat, Papua Barat. Pulau ini terdiri dari gugusan pulau-pulau karst terjal berbentuk seperti cendawan yang bermunculan dari dalam laut. Menikmati keindahan pulau-pulau karang ini dari dekat laksana masuk dalam sebuah hall besar dengan pulau karang di sekeliling kita.Di dalam hall pulau karang ini air laut teduh dan jernih, bahkan kita masih bisa melihat dengan kasat mata aneka biota laut yang berada di bawah permukaan air. Menyaksikan keindahan Wayag belum lengkap jika tidak menikmatinya dari puncak pulau karang.Di Wayag terdapat sebuah pulau karang yang umumnya dikunjungi pelancong. Untuk mencapai puncaknya dibutuhkan waktu sekitar 30 menit. Karena biasa didaki, batu karang di sepanjang trek yang dilalui juga tidak begitu tajam, namun bukan berarti minim tantangan.Untuk benar-benar mencapai puncak pulau karang ini membutuhkan cukup keberanian. Tiba di atas pulau karang bukan berarti telah mencapai puncaknya. Kita masih harus memanjat tebing setinggi 3 meter dengan kemiringan nyaris 90 derajat. Begitu tiba di puncak pulau karang ini, semua tantangan yang harus dilewati benar-benar terbayar dengan keindahan panorama yang ditawarkan. Dari puncak pulau karang kita bisa melihat kemegahan hall di bawah serta laut lepas di balik gugusan Pulau Wayag.Di kawasan pulau ini juga terdapat lokasi menyelam. Penyu, manta ray, dan ikan kalabia adalah beberapa satwa yang bisa di jumpai di sini. Kalabia merupakan ikan primadona di lokasi ini. Ikan endemik yang hidup di perairan laut Teluk Cenderawasih, Kepulauan Raja Ampat, dan Teluk Triton merupakan jenis baru dari genus Hemiscylliidae. Uniknya ikan hiu berbentuk kadal ini berjalan dengan siripnya ketika mencari makan di atas karang-karang.Untuk mencapai lokasi Pulau Wayag memang bukanlah perkara mudah dan murah. Transportasi menuju Wayag harus ditempuh menggunakan speed boat maupun long boat sewaan dengan biaya relatif mahal.Dari Sorong kita bisa menggunakan kapal cepat maupun kapal perintis reguler menuju ibu kota Kabupaten Raja Ampat di Waisai dengan waktu tempuh berkisar 2-4 jam. Ongkos yang dibanderol berkisar Rp 100.000-Rp 125.000 per orang sekali jalan. Dari Waisai, perjalanan menuju Wayag masih harus dilanjutkan menggunakan long boat sewaan dengan waktu tempuh sekitar 6-8 jam. Anda harus merogoh kocek sebesar Rp 6 juta per hari.Sebagai alternatif kita juga bisa menggunakan speed boat sewaan langsung dari Sorong menuju Wayag. Dengan waktu tempuh sekitar 5 jam, biaya sewa speed boat ini dibanderol sekitar Rp 9 juta per hari. (Courtesy By Kompas/Antara)

Melawan Ombak di Pantai Pelawan

2009-05-09T00:56:00.000-07:00

Bila Anda sedang berada di Kepulauan Riau, sempatkanlah untuk mampir ke Pulau Karimun. Konon, banyak yang menyatakan bahwa orang yang pernah singgah di Pulau Karimun maka kelak dia akan kembali lagi. Boleh percaya atau tidak, namun kenyataannya Pulau Karimun memang memiliki sejumlah tempat yang indah, termasuk Pantai Pelawan.Pantai ini mirip lukisan impresionis ketika senja berkaca-kaca di teluk kecil yang diapit dua tanjung. Garis pantainya meliuk-liuk seperti disengaja. Pemandangan di pantai ini sangat memesona, terlebih bila malam tiba. Cahaya bulan tampak memantul di atas permukaan laut dengan warna kuning pucat. Pengunjung juga dapat menikmati jagung bakar atau sekadar bermain air laut.Pantai Pelawan merupakan pantai dengan hamparan pasir putih kekuningan. Hamparan pantainya luas dan warnanya membiru dengan batu-batu yang tersebar di sekitar pantai. Batu-batu tersebut dapat digunakan untuk duduk-duduk dan bersantai sambil menikmati deburan ombak.Di bibir pantai, dikelilingi oleh hutan bakau yang indah. Kealamian pantai ini juga masih sangat terjaga terlihat dari bersihnya pantai. Pada bulan-bulan tertentu seperti akhir tahun, kawasan pantai ini sangat potensial untuk selancar karena ombaknya yang bergulung-gulung dan anginnya yang sangat pas.Pada pergantian tahun, kawasan pantai ini ramai dipadati pengunjung yang ingin merayakan malam Tahun Baru. Biasanya, untuk menyemarakkan malam tahun baru terdapat sejumlah acara yang dipersiapkan pemerintah setempat di sekitar kawasan pantai ini.Jauh sedikit dari pinggir pantai tersedia pondok-pondok atau balai-balai dari bambu dengan atap ijuk dan beralaskan tikar untuk duduk-duduk sambil menikmati pemandangan. Pengunjung juga dapat menikmati makanan ringan dan minuman yang dapat dipesan di tempat makan di sekitar pantai.Di sekitar lokasi banyak terdapat banyak rumah makan yang menjajakan makanan khas Melayu, sea food, makanan ringan, mi instan, minuman ringan, dan air kelapa. Sejumlah penginapan tepi pantai dengan berbagai tarif juga banyak terdapat di sekitar kawasan ini.Bila Anda hobi memancing, pantai ini kaya akan biota laut. Pengunjung dapat memancing di sejumlah titik yang tersebar di sekitar pantai. Bila kurang puas, dapat juga dengan menyewa pompong atau kapal dari nelayan setempat untuk berlayar dan memancing hingga ke tengah laut. Karena di pantai ini banyak terdapat ikan, maka tidak perlu terlalu jauh melaut untuk dapat membawa hasil tangkapan yang lumayan. Pengunjung juga dapat belajar memancing dari nelayan setempat dan merasakan menjadi nelayan.Sejumlah olahraga air juga dapat dilakukan di tempat ini, seperti menyelam (diving). Atau bila tidak cukup mahir untuk menyelam, pengunjung dapat melakukan snorkling yang hanya mengambang di atas permukaan air laut sambil menikmati keindahan bawah laut. Pengunjung juga dapat berlayar, atau bermain banana boat.Untuk mencapai tempat ini, dari Bandara Hang Nadim, di Jalan Hang Nadim, Batu Besar Batam, Kepulauan Riau, pengunjung dapat naik kapal tujuan Batam-Karimun. Perjalanan menggunakan kapal dari Batam memakan waktu sekitar 2 jam. Atau dapat juga dari Pelabuhan Sri Bintan Pura, Tanjung Pinang, dengan menggunakan kapal tujuan Tanjung Pinang-Karimun dengan waktu tempuh sekitar 1 jam. Pantai Pelawan terletak di Pangke, Meral, Tanjung Balai Karimun, Kepulauan Riau. Letaknya sekitar 30 kilometer dari pusat kota, Balai Karimun, dan memakan waktu perjalanan menuju Pantai Pelawan sekitar 45 menit. Atau dapat juga dengan menyewa speed boat dari Batam menuju Karimun.Saat ini, belum ada kendaraan umum untuk mencapai pantai tersebut. Untuk menempuhnya, harus dengan menggunakan kendaraan pribadi ataupun ojek. Pengunjung juga dapat menggunakan taksi tanpa argo yang dioperasikan oleh penduduk sekitar yang terdapat di sekitar pelabuhan. Atau dapat juga menyewa mobil dengan harga sewa Rp 350.000-Rp 500.000 per hari ditambah ongkos bensin.Bila ingin menginap, pengunjung dapat menginap di penginapan yang tersebar di sekitar lokasi Kota Tanjung Balai, seperti di Jalan Nusantara, Jalan Teuku Umar, Jalan Pertambangan, dan Jalan Setia Budi.Berada di Pantai Pelawan sungguh menyenangkan. Bila Anda mau menikmati keindahan dan kealamian pantai, tidak ada ruginya jika mengunjungi Pantai Pelawan di Pulau Karimun. (Courtesy By Kompas/Antara)

Pesona Resor Rumah Jambuluwuk di Ciawi

2009-05-09T00:42:00.000-07:00

Resor atau tempat penginapan menjadi salah satu tempat favorit di kala liburan. Tidak heran, bila sejumlah resor di kawasan Bogor dan Bandung berlomba-lomba menawarkan seabrek fasilitas untuk menarik pengunjung.
Selain jaraknya yang cukup dekat dengan Jakarta, resor di kawasan tersebut diminati karena memiliki pemandangan yang masih asri dan hawa yang dingin. Rumah Jambuluwuk, misalnya, menjadi salah satu resor favorit pengunjung untuk liburan keluarga maupun bersama teman.
Buktinya, pengunjung yang datang membanjir hingga rata-rata mencapai 2.000-3.000 pengunjung per tahunnya. Sebagian besar pengunjung datang dari wilayah Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, dan Bekasi. "Pengunjung yang datang sekitar 2.000-3.000 pengunjung setiap tahunnya. Apalagi kalau musim liburan, lebih banyak lagi. Bahkan, pengunjung harus booking tempat dulu jauh-jauh hari agar tidak kehabisan tempat," kata pengelola Rumah Jambuluwuk, Mella Purwanaika, kepada Kompas.com.
Resor ini memiliki pemandangan yang asri dan indah dengan latar belakang Gunung Salak dan Gunung Pangrango. Jaraknya hanya sekitar 1 jam perjalanan bila ditempuh dari pusat Jakarta. Rumah Jambuluwuk menawarkan konsep Nusantara dengan menonjolkan gaya arsitektur tradisional dari berbagai daerah di Indonesia.
Vilanya terbuat dari papan kayu dan ditata apik dengan gaya rumah adat. Temboknya didesain menyerupai batu bata yang bertumpuk sehingga semakin menonjolkan kesan tradisional. Fasilitas komplet ditawarkan oleh resor ini, mulai dari vila full AC, tempat hiburan, aneka permainan, kolam renang, sejumlah lapangan olahraga, seperti basket, badminton atau tenis meja, plaza untuk melakukan kegiatan outdoor seperti barbeque, arena bermain anak, function room, tempat memancing, restoran dan kafe, minimarket, serta akses Wi-Fi.
"Kami juga menawarkan paket meeting atau outing bagi perusahaan. Kami memiliki 3 function room, yakni Rumah Bali, Rumah Minahasa, dan Rumah Sumatera," ujar Mella.
Mela mengakui banyak perusahaan dan sekolah yang memanfaatkan fasilitas ini. Untuk paket meeting tersedia dalam dua paket, yakni paket ekonomis dan paket eksekutif. Untuk paket ekonomis dipatok dengan harga mulai dari Rp 133.000 hingga Rp 205.000 per net per orang. Sedangkan untuk paket eksekutif ditawarkan mulai dari Rp 175.000 hingga Rp 520.000 per net per orang. Lengkapnya fasilitas yang ditawarkan membuat pengunjung betah dan menjadi pelanggan setia.
Vanya, warga Kalimalang, Jakarta Barat, mengaku ketagihan berlibur di resor ini. "Nyaman, adem, dan unik. Tempatnya juga dekat dengan Jakarta. Saya ke sini pertama kali tahun 2007. Waktu itu rekomendasi dari saudara. Sekarang kalau ke sini selalu mengajak teman atau saudara juga," kata Vanya, saat ditemui Kompas.com, di Rumah Jambuluwuk, Sabtu (18/4).
Dibandingkan dengan resor lain, kata Vanya, Rumah Jambuluwuk memiliki fasilitas yang lengkap dan nyaman. "Setiap kali saya ke sini ada saja fasilitas yang bertambah," ujarnya. Resor yang terletak di Jl Raya Tapos Ciawi, Bogor, ini memiliki 20 vila full AC, masing-masing 12 vila dengan 3 kamar tidur dan 8 vila dengan 4 kamar tidur.
Selain itu juga terdapat vila kelas VVIP yang dilengkapi dengan kolam renang pribadi dengan pemandangan Gunung Salak. Vila ini juga memiliki teras yang luas dan dapat digunakan untuk pesta kebun.
Vila yang ditawarkan relatif murah. Untuk vila dengan 3 kamar tidur dipatok dengan harga Rp 1.250.000 hingga Rp 1.550.000 per malam. Sedangkan untuk vila dengan 4 kamar tidur dipatok dengan harga antara Rp 2.150.000 hingga Rp 2.450.000 per malam.
Untuk vila VVIP ditawarkan dengan harga sekitar Rp 3.600.000 per malam. Vila ini lengkap dengan kamar mandi, living room, dapur, dan sarapan pagi untuk 6-8 orang.
Pengunjung juga dapat menikmati fasilitas olahraga yang ditawarkan, seperti jogging, badminton, basket, atau tenis meja. Sebab, resor ini dilengkapi dengan lapangan olahraga dan jogging track yang melintasi taman dengan tanaman hijau segar dan kolam ikan.
Sejumlah tempat hiburan, seperti kafe, tempat karaoke atau biliar, dapat ditemukan dengan mudah di resor ini. Atau bagi Anda penggemar permainan outbond menantang juga dapat menjajal sejumlah permainan, seperti flying fox dengan panjang lintasan 100 meter, wall climbing, cargo net dan titian ban, jembatan goyang, side traversing, serta burma bridge.
Untuk mengelilingi seluruh area resor ini, pengunjung dapat menggunakan andong, yakni kendaraan tradisional berupa kereta yang ditarik dengan kuda. Meski fasilitas di Rumah Jambuluwuk sudah terbilang lengkap, tetapi pihak pengelola terus menambah fasilitas yang disediakan untuk menarik pengunjung.
Menurut Mela, Rumah Jambuluwuk siap menambah permainan ATV atau mobil-mobilan dengan track-nya sendiri. Sedianya, arena permainan ini akan beroperasi mulai bulan depan. Untuk tahap pertama, pengelola akan menyiapkan sekitar 2-3 mobil untuk pengunjung. Nah, Anda dapat meluangkan waktu akhir pekan untuk berlibur dan mencoba semua fasilitas di Rumah Jambuluwuk. (Courtesy By Kompas/Antara)

West Lombok

2009-05-07T03:04:00.000-07:00

West Lombok is one regency from eight regencies of West Nusa Tenggara Island. West Lombok has both the lushness of Bali and the starkness of outback Australia. The 3,726m Rinjani volcano dominates the northwest of the island, while the southwest is arid and covered by savannas. Famous for its basket ware, pottery and ikat hand woven textiles, Lombok has exceptional charm and is relatively undiscovered, except for Sengiggi and the Gili islands that have become popular tourism areas. We visit traditional villages and a local market in search for rare pieces of handicraft.
With the three 'big cities', the airport and the biggest concentration of hotels, West-Lombok is the best place to stay for the visitor. Here are the popular Gili Islands, as well as the most important Balinese temples, the center of Wetu Telu and mount Rinjani. The first route takes the tourist north, from Ampenan to Senggigi beach, Gili's, Wetu Telu center Bayan and surrounding, and eventually to the foothills of Moutn Rinjani. The second route goes south to quiet beaches and surfing locations of the southern peninsula. West Lombok has so many tourism objects:

Batu Bolong Beach
Located 9 km from downtown Mataram, this beach has a huge rock with a hole in it. It is an ideal place which to see the majestic sunset from Lombok Strait. After sunbathing, relaxing and frolicking on this beautiful beach-front, try to stay till the end of the day to watch one of the most stunning sunsets you have ever seen when the sun slowly begins to disappear behind Mount Agung with incredibly flaming colors. A Hindu temple lies on top facing the Lombok Strait and beyond is the contour of majestic Mount Agung of Bali. Colorful and musical religious ceremonies are often held in this beautiful temple.

Narmada
In 1727, King Anak Agung Gede Ngurah Karang Asem as both a pleasure garden and place to worship Shiva built Narmada Garden, 11 kilometers east of Mataram. Its big pool is said to represent Segara Anakan, the Crater Lake on volcano Rinjani where they used to make offerings by throwing valuables into the water. As he became too old to make the pilgrimage up the 3,726-meter high mountain, he had Narmada made to represent the mountains and the lake. Near the pond is a place of worship and a spring whose water is believed to give dedicated pilgrims eternal youth.

Lingsar Purse
This may be the only Hindu shrine in the world where both Hindus and Moslems come to worship. About 7 kilometers west of Narmada, it was built in 1714 and rebuilt in 1878 to symbolize harmony and unity between the Hindu Balinese and Moslem Sasak population of the area, especially those who adhere to Lombok's unique Wektu Telu school of Islam.The Balinese temple is built on higher ground, behind the Moslem section in the compound. In the lower yard is a spring in which pilgrims in the temple yard stage a mock battle between Hindus and Moslems, in which both parties hurl rice cakes at each other.

Agung Gunung Sari Purse

This great temple on a hill at Gunung Sari, about four kilometers from Mataram, was witness to the Puputan battle to the last man, fought on November 22, 1894, between Lombok's last Balinese ruler, Anak Agung Nengah and followers, and the Dutch troops under General Van der Vetter's command.

Senggigi
The roads which leaves Ampenan towards the north, passes two small mountains before it reaches a long, bow-shaped beach. On the mornings after moonless nights these hills offer the best view over the sea, which is scattered with small fishing boats with colorful sails, which return to the beach north of Ampenan. When the sunsets the fishermen leave the beach in one long line their lights create a nice play of lights, which can be seen from most hotels on Senggigi beach.
The first of the two small mountains, which are passed from Ampenan, named Batu Layar, contains the dedicated grave of one of the Islamic saints (wali), which spread Islam on Lombok. The local population prays near a shrine close to the road. It's possible to walk from the summit of the second mountain to the Balinese temple along Batu Bolong beach.

The hotel colony grows with the day and slowly crawls towards the north along the coast. The hotels are built along a road, which runs to Pemenang, twenty km north of Batu Bolong. The road passes several hill, which offer very nice views. The old road to Pemenang is located more inland. It starts in Mataram, passes Rembiga and Gunung Sari villages, which has a busi day market, and then ascends around the village of Sidemen.

Tuak
Sidemen are famous because of its red palm sugar, which is by boiling the juice of sugar palm tree. The sugar (gula merah) is sold in half circles on the markets. The juice of the palm is, just after it's cut off from the trees, drunken fresh as well. The sweet juice is then named 'tuak manis'. Gusted into foaming, alcoholic palm wine it's simply called 'tuak'. Further north is a nice coffee house nears the mountain pass of Pusuk. When the weather is clear you have a nice view over the Gili Islands from here. From Pusuk the road descends to Pemenang, which passes groups of monkeys, which wait for gifts from passers-by.

Kuta Beach
The best-known place on the south coast is Lombok's Kuta Beach (Sometime spelt 'Kute Beach'), a magnificent stretch of white sand and blue sea with rugged hills rising around it, but not much else. Plenty of good waves break on the reefs around here - many supposedly “Secret”. There are lefts and rights in the bay in front of Kuta, and some more on reefs east of Tanjung Aan. Local boatman will take you out for a few thousands rupiah. Go about seven km east of Kuta to fishing in Gerupuk village, where there are several potential breaks on the reefs at the entrance of Gerupuk Bay. Again access is by local fishing boat. There's more breaks further east and west, from Blongas to Serewi. Also known as Putri Nyale Beach, Kuta on the south coast of central Lombok is one of the most scenic and unspoiled beaches in this part of Indonesia. From Kuta to Tanjung Aan five km away, it is an unbroken stretch of clean white sand on the Indian Ocean. It is safe for bathing and swimming. Further to the west are the surfers and wind surfer's beaches. Each year, on the 19th day of the tenth month of Sasak lunar calendar on February or March when Nyale fish come to the sea's surface, Kuta Beach is the site of great festivities. Fishermen sail out to sea while young men and women gather along the beach to join in the merrymaking, tease each other and perhaps meet to build a more lasting relationship.

Gili Island
Gili Island is a popular destination in Indonesia. Gili Islands located in the north west of Lombok, featuring three small, coral fringed islands; Gili Air, Gili Meno & Gili Trawangan, each with superb, white sandy beaches, clear water, coral reefs, brilliantly colored fish and the best snorkeling on Lombok. Visitors, especially young European is attracted to the simple pleasures of sun, snorkeling, beautiful beaches, and socializing. The absence of cars, motorcycles, and hawkers adds greatly to the leasure of staying on the Gilis. "Gili islands" is not the local name. Gili actually means Small Island and there are lots of other gili's around Lombok.
There are many options for an enjoyable holiday on the islands. We can rent snorkeling equipment, join a diving course, rent a kayak, go fishing, or take a glass bottom boat to see the magnificent coral reefs and fishes.

Gili Air
Gili Air is the nearest Gili to Lombok. It is also the most populated and you will find more trees there than the other Gili's. The local inhabitants are: Sasak, Mandar, Bugis and Makassar. You can find their different unique culture from Lombok and wonderful beaches. Many of the older generation still make their living as boatmen, fisherman and farming coconuts.
There are only a few number of 2-3 stars hotels on Gili Air. Most of the places to eat and stay are in south and east side of the island (near the jetty). You can find many home stays or budget accommodation on this island.
Not much things happening for the last 3-5 years. One of the first dive schools (The Reef seeker) is no longer operating from Gili Air. They have moved to Flores. Returning guests are what they expect to come. Most accommodation is locally owned and managed, while a few of the up market hotels own and managed by foreign investors. You can go from one island to another by joining Gili Island's hoping boat (depart twice a day). People here are friendlier than on Gili Trawangan. There are also a few places to stay around the north and south west coast in quieter atmosphere.

There are lots of quality scuba diving operations on all the islands. The coral around the islands is good for snorkeling, which can be reaching from the shore. See rays and giant clams. A must see: Turtles Point, Meno Wall. Dive Schools available on all the islands with many dive programs to choose, from beginners to advanced technical dives.
While divers are able to regularly swim with black tip, those who prefer to just drifts in the currents with a snorkel, fins and mask are never left disappointed by the more than 6,000 species of marine life living just off-shore. Fishing is one of the highlight activities on the islands. Deep fishing remains the best on North West of Gili Trawangan.

Gili Meno
Gili Meno, the middle island, the smallest of the three Gili's and it is the quietest with fewer tourists. A great escape for honeymooners or someone who wants to get away from it all. A special feature of the island is the salt lake and spectacular dive sites such as, Meno Wall, Sea Turtle Point, and Blue Coral Point. The beach on eastern part of the island is very nice and there's snorkeling just offshore and further north. In the past Meno was known to have lots of mosquitoes but steps have been taken to control it. Still the best time to visit the island is during dry season.

Gili Trawangan
Gili Trawangan, the most popular island of the Gili's. Just kick back and enjoy the sun, nightly beach parties and sea. The main stripe is full of accommodations, restaurants, and dive shops. If you are seeking a quieter place to stay, there are bungalows in the north. This Island is also known as "Party Island", where mostly young European found them "Lost In Paradise". With spectacular sunrises over Lombok's Mount Rinjani volcano and breathtaking sunsets that illuminate Bali's towering Mount Agung volcano, together with warm hospitality of Gili Trawangan residents, it's not surprising that most visitors end up staying longer than originally plan.
Snorkeling off the shore, sunbathing, swimming, or join any dive trips with any dive operators, which colored the lines. There are quality dive schools available to cater the needs of tourists, offering complete range of PADI courses, as well as Fun Dives for those already certified. By night, the waterfront comes to life as various foreign and locally restaurants and bars start to fire up, with fresh snapper, grouper and tuna, cooked over charcoal flames, readily available.

Nyale Fishing Festival
On the 19th day of October in Sasak Calendar-generally February or March-hundreds of Sasak gather on the beach. When night falls, fires a built and the young people sit around competing with each other in rhyming couplets called 'Pantun'. At dawn the next day, the first Nyale a caught, after which it is time for Sasak teenagers to have fun. In colorful procession boys and girls sail out to sea - in different boats - chase one another with lots of noise and laughter. The worm-like ‘nyale fish’ is eaten raw or grilled, and is believed to have aphrodisiac properties. A good catch is a sign that the rice harvest will also be good.

The Natives & History
A few years ago, sailors from Bugis, Mandar and Makassar (Sulawesi) occupied Gili Air and establish coconuts plantation and expand the fishing activities.As visitors started to visit Lombok and some came to the Gilis on day trips and then began to stay for longer periods in local homes. The islands have become enormously popular. Their popularity may be a problem, as numbers sometime exceed the available rooms and put pressure on the island environment, especially the supply of fresh water and the capacity of septic system to cope with waste and there is always pressure to build more and better facilities.
Big business interests are trying to cash in on the popularity of the Gilis and the local government is keen to promote up market tourist development.Gili Air and Gili Meno retained much of their un-spoilt quality, but Gili Trawangan has become more touristy and pricy.
The islanders are majority Muslims and visitors should respect their sensibilities. In particular, topless or nude sunbathing is offensive to them, even though they won't say so directly. Away from Beach, it is polite for women to cover their shoulders and thighs. Many visitors are appallingly insensitive to local standards and so many of them walk around in skimpy clothing that it's easy to get impression that the local people don't mind anymore.

Meno's Bird Park
On Gili Meno island, a new tourist attraction introduced by an Australian businessman who live in Bali, with hundreds of various tropical birds from many different rain forests of Indonesia. Bring over a camera to shoot some spectacular moment. Humidity on Gili Meno is higher than two other Gilis. Equipped you with sun protection and mosquito repellent. There are many options for an enjoyable holiday on the islands. You can rent snorkeling equipment; join a diving course, or just snorkeling off the shore to see the magnificent coral reefs and fishes.

Wetu Telu
Wetu telu is a unique religion that blends Islam - Animism and is only found in north Lombok. It roots stem from Bayan village in the north. The people who practice this still consider themselves Muslims but they have their own rituals in addition to the normal Muslim ones. One such ceremony is Nyiu, which takes place 1000 days after someone dies. The relatives of the deceased offer material things like clothing, toothbrushes, food, dishes, mattresses, etc. So the deceased will be pleased in heaven.

Bayan: Center of the Wetu Telu
Bayan is located five km southeast of Anyar. Just before the village a road to the south runs to Batu Koq and Senari, starting points for the ascend of Mount Rinjani. The area has several lodges. From here it's less than one hour walking to the high fall of Sendang Gile, from which the vast fields east of the village get their water.
Bayan is one of the centers of the Wetu Telu; the local penghulu (religious leader) lives besides a pension north of the main road. The Wetu Telu supporters live along the northern side of the road and the orthodox Moslems across the road. It is assumed that Islam was introduced on Lombok through Bayan. The 300-year-old mosque of the village is said to be the oldest of the island. East of Bayan a road runs across steep hills to Kali Putih about 10 km. The distance to Mataram is measured at 90 km, or 126 km through Lombok Port along the eastern coast and the road, which runs across the island towards the west.

Traditional Villages
About two kilometers past Pemenang, an unpaved road runs from the northwestern Lombok beach to Sira beach, where you can find hotels. It's a good place for diving. From Sira until past Tanjung (where there is a Sunday market) the beach is made from black volcanic sand.
Anyar (which also has a Sunday market), capital of Bayan sub district, is located 35 km north of Tanjung. On a number of other locations along the road, puma stone is collected. The road runs through a coconut-palm forest, interchanged with fields and vegetable gardens, which locally are over one km long. Inland the Islamic cemeteries are passed marked by old, West Indian red jasmine trees.
Three traditional villages between Pemenang and Anjar - Jambianon, Krakas and Gondang - are located of the tourist locations and have managed to stay out of the tourist influence for a long time. The residents are friendly and have a quiet, traditional existence.
The water around Gili Air is crystal clear, but there is not much to see for snorkels. The coral has been blown away with dynamite and there is not much fish as well; sometimes there are dangerous jellyfish, which force visitors out of the sea. The best place for snorkeling is the edge of the cliff, which surrounds the island; the coral descends about 14 to 20 meters.

Lembar: Seaport in the South
Travelers, which go south to Lembar port from Mataram, have the choice between two routes. The main road runs from Cakranegara to the southeast to Kediri, before going to Lembar. The road is in pretty good condition. The alternative is a road full of holes, which takes us through a landscape full of fields. This road also take us along a Balinese temple near Mount Pengsong and passes Rumak, east of it, to enter the main road just northwest of Kediri, near Karang Anyar.Just west of Rumak is Banyu Mulek, a village that is known about its pottery, made in open fire. Several products are on sale as well.
Lembar port is often houses several big Buginese schooners. Nice boats, equipped with a diesel engine of a modern freighter. They form a sharp contrast with the efficient ferries from Padangbai on Bali.Just south of the port we can rent a motorized boat for the trip along Gili Nanggu beach. Here we can find nice bungalows built on pillars, besides a nice beach and clear water. Snorkeling however is not good, because the reefs are damaged here as well. A walk around the island only takes twenty minutes.
Gili Genting Island, on a short distance of Gili Nanggu, sometimes the destination is for diving trips. People dive from a steep cliff. The visibility under water is not very good and there are only a few formations of soft and hard coral. The best part of the reef, with nice coral formations and many colorful fish, is close to the surface, easy to reach for snorkels.

The Southwestern Peninsula
To reach the southwestern peninsula of Lombok, we have to take the turn just before Lembar. This road runs to the south, around the bay and then goes inland over a number of hills. 9-kilometer long side road stays close to the bay and offers a nice view over the port area and the bay.
The water is scattered with bagan, fixed fishing plateaus, which seem to float on the surface with their spider like look. After the sunset the fishermen set out their huge fishing nets. They use lights to attract fish groups. Twice or three times a night the nets are raised and emptied, mostly small fish are caught.A small road takes us along a shrimp farm and will eventually end at the main road near Jelateng (where there is a Thursday market). A few kilometers ahead are Sekotongdistrict, which concludes the entire peninsula. Near Sekotong Tengah an unpaved road runs to Sepi.The road to the west, which is paved for the biggest part, runs just along the northern coast of the peninsula. Every now and then there are Side Rivers to the seaside. The water is calm and all beaches are made out of white sand

Holy Forest of Bebekeq

In the nearby forest of Bebekeq a periodical ritual is held. Just before Anyer village, near Sukadana village, is Segenter settlement. The inhabitants have maintained to their traditions due to their relatively strong isolation, this goes for their style of building as well as their Wetu Telu habits. They are friendly and open to visitors, however most cannot speak Indonesian. For a good conversation the tourists probably need sign language, unless we can find a Sasak-speaking guide.(Courtesy By Indonesia-Tourism)

Lampung

2009-05-02T21:12:00.000-07:00

Lampung province is located at the extreme of south of Sumatra is overlooked, over flown by most tourists. In the past it was well known for its marvelous 'tapi' fabrics, some using real gold thread, and for its pepper. But today, it is the location from ambitious transmigration projects, resettling farmers from over-populated Java. It boasts volcanoes, wildlife reserve, megalithic remain and a superb coastline of deep-cut bays and wonderful beaches. Its capital is Bandar Lampung, is made up of twin cities that is Teluk Betung and Tanjung Karang. Way Kambas Nature Reserve is a 130,000 ha area of swamp and lowland forest with wild elephant, tapir and many other animals.
The name of Lampung province was taken from origin Lampungnese. Before Indonesia became independent country, a resident led Lampung region and the status was as residency area (Residentie lampungche districten) with many afdeling (afdeling Teloek betoeng, afdeling metroand afdeling kotabumi). The villages/old town with traditional living characteristic could be found like sukadana, menggala, kenali, liwa, blambangan umpu etc. A part of these town bacame the capital of district.
Krakatau

Indonesia belongs to one of the most volcanic and seismically active region in the world. There are 128 active volcanoes of which 76 had eruption in historic time
Bandar Lampung

Bandar Lampung is the capital city of Lampung Province, located right next to the beautiful landscape of Lampung Bay.
Way Kambas

In the east part of Central Lampung there is a nature reserve named “Way Kambas“ which covers 130.000 hectares areas
Tour Garden Bumi Kedaton - Batu Putuk

Lampung has long been as the Land of Elephants and Way Kambas as the best known as elephant training center. But don't imagine that getting there is easy these days.
Lampung Museum

Lampung Museum is located in Z.A. Pagar Alam Street or just 5 km from the heart city of Tanjungkarang. It has 3.233 collections compiled from prehistory, Hindu, Buddha and Islamic Age
Ranau Lake

Ranau Lake is surrounded by mountainuous highland and natural view. It is located in the West Lampung sharing border with South Sumatera Province
Kota Agung PortKota Agung is the capital of the Tanggamus Regency; one of 'old city' in Lampung province had the local port. Besides as the place of the fish landing
Bukit Barisan National Park II

Bukit Barisan National Park II (TNBBS-II) is the protected forest region that is occupied by the endangered species
Way Lalaan Waterfall

Way Lalaan is a constitution gradually waterfall that have 200 m distance of one to others, from the flow of Way Lalaan river which mouth of a river to Semangka Bay.
Jeram Semaka Waterfall

Jeram Semaka waterfall is located in Pekon Way Kerap Semaka district that be at a distance around 25 km from the centre of the government of the Tanggamus Regency
Gisting & Batu Keramat Region

Plateau area of Gisting and Batu Keramat contain a beautiful potency where from height of this area place we can enjoy cold air of mountain with view of workload of Semangka Bay decorated with giant oil tankers and fishing boat and also Kota Agung seaport. Located only 4 Km of Center Governance of Tanggamus Regency
Batu Tegi DamApproaching the centre city Talang Padang district, in the right corner of the intersection, see to strike the plank of the indicator towards Tegi Stone Dam (Tegi = erect / stood - Lampung language).
Megalithic Area & Batu Bedil Inscription

For the site-interested person of archeology (tour-history & the culture), in Pulau Panggung district, tourists could visit to the complex megalithic and Bedil Stone inscription
Lamban/Menhan

Arrive in Pagelaran district, apart from paddy-field scenery and pekon-pekon in turns apparently also a row was produced by rattan diligence peddled by the side of road.
Tabuan Island

Tabuan island is to be a territorial of Tanggamus Regency that located in Teluk Semaka and the wide of the territory is about 600 hectares
Ancient Grave of Prince Jiwa Kesuma

Located at Wonosobo disrict about 7 km from Kota Agung. This grave was graves of Prince Jiwa Kesuma's family who live at transition Hindu-Islam period. This grave marked by primary ornaments or texture of Hindu. Also found Ikhawan grave (single boys and girl) grave as sacrificed for worship in belief Hindu in the past.
Wonotirto Fishery

This location is located in the of Talang Padang district, Wonoharjo village that be at a distance around 10 km from Kota Agung - Bandar Lampung highway. This tourist attraction is supplemented with swimming pool facilities, the bathing place, the rowing boat, the hut to spend the night and huts to take shelter, relaxed.
Harapan Beach

Harapan Beach is located about 10 km from the Tanggamus Regency Government Office.
Badak / Muli Indah Beach

This Recreation place is located in Badak Village, Cukuh Balak District, Tanggamus regency, at Bandar Lampung - Kedondong - Pardasuka - Puith Doh route; it's about 87 Km from Bandar Lampung
Batu Balai Beach

Coast which still natural with clean sea and located in roadside that connect west route with West Lampung regency.
Sawmil Beach

Sawmil beach is located about 20 km from the centre of the Tanggamus regency government widely the location that could be developed about 300 hectares.
Way Gelang Beach The shoreline span that buckled joined with foot the Tanggamus Mountain in this territory of regency waters, has many potential as the object tour-maritime.
Terbaya Beach

Terbaya beach that was located on the left of the road 3 km gazed at the centre of Kota Agung city from the side of Bandar Lampung was the maritime tourism object that was busy visited by tourists during holiday and week final.
Way Gelang Beach
The shoreline span that buckled joined with foot the Tanggamus Mountain in this territory of regency waters, has many potential as the object tour-maritime. Although was not managed-optimal yet, several coasts became the place that often visited by local and foreign tourists. Way Gelang was some among them; this brownish sandy coastal had about 5 km length. (Courtesy By Indonesia-Tourism)

Gorontalo

2009-04-29T20:07:00.000-07:00

Gorontalo, recognized as it three position that is; Hulawa, Dungingi (now Tuladenggi sub-district), which both located is boundary by Bolango river. The third position is between two kampongs that is Biawa'o and Limba B this both kampong is becomes the center birth of Gorontalo city.
At King Botutihe government epoch in 1140, 6 days of Sya'ban month the Center Empire of Gorontalo city had removed from Dungingi to Kuwala that is between the two kampongs. The evacuation was based of the Gorontalo downtown empire, because the Dutch government, starts mastered Gorontalo Port, by sent their officer, and starts to build some buildings to strengthen their position in empire region.
This municipal administration is marked by build Baiturrahim Mosque, and from this mosque, Sultan Botutihe, develop and preserve jointed custom 'Syara' and 'Syara' jointed 'Kitabullah (Al-Qur'an)'. Six days of Sya'ban months in year calculation, on 19 March 1728, thereby, the Gorontalo city age up to 2001 is 273 years old. After getting out of the colonization hand namely since Indonesia had proclaimed the independence in 1945 and there was the government regulation number 11 in 1953, hence Gorontalo city include one part of the autonomous North Sulawesi. Hereinafter with the implementation of the constitution number 29 in1959 about regencies in Sulawesi, hence Gorontalo city area becomes an autonomous area with Gorontalo township status that realized begins on 20 Mays 1960.
Then with the constitution number 18 in 1965 about government fundamental of area, name of Gorontalo township become municipality and the constitution number 22 in 1999 about government area, Gorontalo municipality status become Gorontalo city. With the forming and the declared of Gorontalo province on 16 February 2001, hence Gorontalo city is also declared as provincial capital.This town is properly remembered as the eldest town in Indonesia region east side, the center of Islam expansion; because its custom is jointed 'Syara' is the 19th custom area (Farha Daulima).

Like an old city in Gorontalo Province that build on 19 March 1728 (municipality, 20 Mays 1960) broadly 64, 79 ha and on 0 - 500 m sea level temperature 250 C, make this town as important place in Tomini Bay with Manado with its Bunaken Island in north and Palu with its Togian Island in south side, the location of town with number of residents 200 men which 85 % is Moslem, as strategic purpose. Gorontalo is known "Culture City" which able to be seen through the variety tradition, dance, music, and it legend. The friendly people apply Gorontalo language and Indonesia in their habitually, also famous with souvenir " Krawang Embroidery". Journey to and from Gorontalo is easy: through diffraction land line apply transportation with bus, through sea line can be served two passenger ships like KM TILONGKABILA and direct ferry ship in port Gorontalo, through air line can apply Bouraq and Merpati Airlines to Jalaludin Gorontalo Airlines only 20 minutes from the downtown. And in his own town you can apply the public transportation wherever you go or you also can apply famous traditional gig. Supermarket and market, dispensary, photograph studio, souvenir shop, bank, hotel, travel agent and restaurant offering Bithebiluhuta traditional foods, make the ex town that mastered by Dutch and only 15 minutes to Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park, as fascination tourism objects. Otanaha Fortress as omission object of 14century located in the beautiful lake, and the contour relation of lake and mountain make Gorontalo nature is completely fascination. With the friendly, we greet the visitors.

Otanaha Fortress

Otanaha Fortress is one of omission tourism objects of colonization era in Gorontalo city. This fortress is about 7 km from the downtown.
Limboto Lake

Lake that has special navigation building is located in road boundary between Batudaa district and Gorontalo city. Limboto is a useful lake as irrigation source and as fish recreation place just for that have fishing hobby. Limboto Lake can reach using personal vehicle or common vehicle with traveled about 16 km from Gorontalo city.
Lombongo Warm Pool

Lombong is 40 km from Gorontalo and reachable by public transportation. There's a swimming pool filled with hot springs water and a nearby river with cold water. This pool can reach to apply personal vehicle, with traveled about 10 km from the downtown. In this bath is also available artistry podium.
Ju Panggola Graveyard

"Ju Panggola" graveyard is located in Kota Barat district, Lekobalo sub-district, about 7 km from Gorontalo downtown. This graveyard is located on hill with 50 m height from roadway. From the top of this hill can see Limboto lake which is wide, with more stall water and, from depth of 32 km now remain 5 up to 7 m. "Ju Panggola" graveyard, has visited by a lot of tourists every day, either domestic tourist and foreign tourist, and some of them execute to pray in Ju Panggola Mosque, to request healing from the pain that has suffered.
Baiturrahim Mosque

Baiturrahim Mosque is the old mosque in Gorontalo city area. The mosque build to be concurrent with the development of town Gorontalo, which is new removed from Dungingi to Gorontalo city in 1140 H or 1726 M by King Botutihe. The mosque is build in the center of government empire (Botutihe) such as: Yiladiya (King House), Bantayo Pobuboide (Market Building / Deliberation Hall), Loji (Residency house), Apitaluwu (king security and safety functionary) and Bele Biya / Bele Tolotuhu (empire functionaries houses).

Dulohupa Custom House

This Dulohupa customhouse stay at 500-m2 widths ground and equippeda with flowerbed, and a souvenir building place and there is a gig empire garage building, which also called Talanggeda. Dulohupa Custom house is located in Limba sub-district, Kota Selatan district, Gorontalo City.

Nani Wartabone Monument

Gorontalo features some of the best-preserved colonial houses in Sulawesi. The city's local hero is Nani Wartabone, an anti-Dutch guerilla, and there is a large statue of it dressed like a boy scout in the sports field adjacent to the Hotel Saronde. Nani Wartabone Monument is built in 1987 during Drs. A. Nadjamudin government as Gorontalo governor. This monument stay in front of Gorontalo Province Governor's house on duty. This monument built to remind Gorontalo public historic events on 23 January 1942.

Lahilote Beach

Lahilote Beach is a real interesting tourism object and is properly visited. In this beach there is a sole stone. Lahilote Beach is located in Pohe sub-district, Kota Selatan district, about 6 km from Gorontalo downtown.Tourism object that has a sole stone is located in Lahilote Beach Pohe Sub-district, Kota Selatan District, about 6 km from Gorontalo downtown. Botu mean stone, Liyodu mean sole, thus Botu Liyodu is stone that looks like a sole.
According to legend, this sole stone is a young man sole named Lahilote, because he loves a fairy from fairyland named Boyilode Hulawa, he risking to steal shawl, the fairy wings, but on his household, Lahilote leaved by the princess to return to the fairyland.
For the twice, Lahilote risk to propose Princess Boyilode Hulawa to fairyland with the tip of miraculous cane help called Hutiya Mala. Meeting with his wife, was unique, and confused because the seventh of fairy, had same face and confess entirely named Boyilode Hulawa, so that it was difficult for him to determine who the real Boyilode Hulawa is. Because of firefly help that alighting on his wife bun, Lahilote find the princess. Based on the constitution on fairyland, it is say that whosoever become stripper and hair has grizzled, he must be returned to the world, because fairyland is not place of man who memilikiproses had old.
The princess had discharge her husband Lahilote and put him down by her grizzle hair, which knitted become a string. But between the earths and the sky, that grizzle string was broke, and Lahilote rapidly fall down to the earth in stand position. His right foot falls along Pohe beach Gorontalo city and his left foot was fall to Kwandang beach in Gorontalo regency.
This Lahilote legend hitherto still said by public as folklore for the hereinafter generation. Lahilote beach remain to be tourism object for Gorontalo public and foreign tourist. (Courtesy By Indonesia-Tourism)

Siapa Bilang Museum di Yogya Tidak Menarik?

2009-04-29T04:57:00.001-07:00

Di Indonesia wisata museum kurang populer. Namun, di Yogyakarta keberadaan museum mulai dilirik, terutama oleh para pelajar yang berlibur ke kota gudeg itu. Keberadaan museum di provinsi itu kini mulai menjadi alternatif tujuan kunjungan bagi wisatawan. Humas Badan Musyawarah Museum DIY Bambang Widodo di Yogyakarta, Kamis (23/4), mengatakan, hanya saja dari 28 museum di DIY, belum semuanya menjadi tujuan kunjungan wisatawan terutama pelajar. Hanya museum yang namanya sudah dikenal yang menjadi tujuan wisatawan. Misalnya museum Monumen Jogja Kembali (Monjali), museum negeri Sonobudyo dan museum Sri Sultan HB IX yang terletak di dalam keraton Yogyakarta serta museum Beteng Vredeburg. "Kunjungan wisatawan ke museum tersebut cukup menggembirakan, meskipun belum semua museum di DIY menjadi tujuan kunjungan wisatawan. Namun demikian, jika makin banyak museum di daerah ini yang dikunjungi wisatawan akan mengindikasikan bahwa museum juga bisa berfungsi menjadi objek wisata," katanya. Ia mengatakan, untuk meningkatkan kunjungan wisatawan ke museum, khususnya dari kalangan pelajar, pihaknya pernah menyarankan perlunya dibuat peraturan daerah (perda) tentang kewajiban mengunjungi museum bagi kalangan siswa sekolah. "Perda itu sebagai upaya mengoptimalkan fungsi museum di daerah," kata Bambang Widodo. Menurut dia, jika perda tersebut sudah ada maka pihak sekolah bisa mewajibkan siswanya untuk mengunjungi museum sebagai bagian dari pembelajaran karena museum memiliki multifungsi sebagai objek pendidikan, objek wisata, dan rekreasi. Untuk itu, Dinas Pendidikan setempat perlu memberi dorongan agar pemkab/pemkot di DIY segera membuat perda wajib kunjung museum. Mengenal sejarah bangsaIa mengatakan bahwa peran museum sangat strategis untuk membantu generasi muda, khususnya siswa sekolah agar bisa mempelajari sejarah maupun asal muasal bangsa dan perjuangannya. Dengan demikian, mereka tidak hanya memperoleh pengetahuan tentang bangsanya melalui teori dalam pelajaran di sekolah. Tapi juga bisa melihat langsung benda peninggalan sejarah yang menjadi koleksi museum, sehingga siswa bisa mengapresiasikannya. "Museum menjadi bagian dari wisata pendidikan sehingga perlu promosi gencar mengenai keberadaan dan potensi museum di DIY yang banyak ragamnya," kata Bambang Widodo. Sementara itu, Ketua Yayasan Widya Budaya Yogyakarta Widi Utaminingsih mengatakan DIY memiliki potensi sebagai daerah tujuan wisata pendidikan sehingga kegiatan studi wisata pelajar yang sudah seperti keharusan dari program sekolah, dapat diarahkan untuk mengunjungi daerah ini. "Provinsi DIY, setiap musim libur sekolah seperti sekarang ini ’dibanjiri’ ratusan ribu pelajar dari berbagai wilayah di Indonesia. Mereka tertarik berkunjung ke daerah ini karena pertimbangan potensi objek wisata pendidikan yang dimiliki cukup besar," katanya. Menurut dia, DIY memiliki banyak perguruan tinggi terkenal dan dikenal sebagai daerah tujuan pendidikan. Misalnya Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) maupun Institut Seni Indonesia (ISI) bisa menjadi objek wisata menarik untuk dikunjungi siswa sekolah. (Courtesy By Kompas/Antara)

Saat Pak Dubes Keliling Solo

2009-04-29T04:53:00.001-07:00

Duta Besar Amerika Serikat untuk Indonesia Cameron R Hume mengunjungi Kota Solo, Minggu (26/4). Cameron mengunjungi banyak tempat, antara lain obyek-obyek wisata di Solo dan sekitarnya. Ia berjalan-jalan tanpa pengawalan khusus, hanya tampak Deputi Political Counsellor Kedubes AS Stanley Harsha dan istri yang mendampinginya selain Wali Kota Solo Joko Widodo dan sedikit staf.
"Saya datang ke Solo untuk belajar lebih banyak tentang kota ini. Solo terkenal akan budaya dan keindahan alam sekitarnya. Saya merasa nyaman di sini dan menghabiskan waktu luar biasa dan sangat menyenangkan," kata Cameron saat ditemui di Museum Batik Kuno Wuryaningratan.
Menurut Cameron, negaranya telah mencabut larangan berkunjung ke Indonesia. Dari waktu ke waktu, tingkat kunjungan warga negara AS semakin meningkat. Dikatakannya, untuk bisa meningkatkan tingkat kunjungan ke sebuah negara harus ada upaya untuk menarik perhatian masyarakat dunia. Ia berharap rencana Presiden AS Barack Husein Obama datang ke Indonesia jadi terlaksana. Pada saat itu, pesan bahwa Indonesia aman dan nyaman untuk dikunjungi akan sampai pada masyarakat dunia.
"Saya harap Presiden Obama jadi datang ke Indonesia karena pada saat itulah orang akan melihat Indonesia adalah negara yang indah dan mengagumkan. Di situ lah pesan bahwa Indonesia negara yang aman dan nyaman akan sampai. Itu yang bisa kami lakukan untuk mendukung Indonesia," kata Cameron.
Cameron yang tiba di Solo sejak hari Jumat lalu sempat mengunjungi obyek wisata alam Tawangmangu yang berada di Kabupaten Karanganyar. Ia juga sempat berkunjung ke Candi Cetho dan Candi Sukuh. Di Kota Solo, selain mengunjungi Museum Batik Kuno, Cameron juga mengunjungi Kampung Batik Kauman, Pura Mangkunegaran, Monumen 45 Banjarsari, Pasar Klithikan Notoharjo, Pasar Gading, Night Market Ngarsapura, pusat jajan kuliner Galabo, serta menyaksikan pagelaran wayang orang di Taman Sriwedari, penataan rumah kumuh di Kratonan, dan percontohan sanitasi pemukiman kumuh di Serengan.
Cameron akan meninggalkan Solo hari Senin. Kedatangannya menurutnya, tidak ada kaitannya dengan politik. Ia menyatakan kekagumannya pada batik dan orang-orang setempat yang tetap menjaga budaya tradisionalnya.
Wali Kota Solo Joko Widodo mengatakan, kedatangan Cameron atas undangan pihaknya. Kota Solo yang pernah mendapat stigma sebagai sarang teroris dan bersumbu pendek punya harapan citra negatif itu berubah. Setelah ini, delegasi Kota Solo yang terdiri dari mahasiswa, pesantren, dan birokrasi akan ganti berkunjung ke AS.
"Beliau datang atas undangan lisan kami beberapa waktu lalu. Beliau menyatakan comfortable berada di Solo. Berjalan-jalan ke mana-mana tanpa pengawalan khusus. Itu tanda bahwa Solo aman," kata Joko Widodo. (Courtesy By Kompas/Antara)

Menanti Kereta Api Uap di Solo

2009-04-29T04:47:00.000-07:00

Jalur kereta api dari Stasiun Purwosari Solo menuju Stasiun Kota Sangkrah Solo, sepanjang sekitar enam kilo meter kini akan dihidupkan kembali dengan dilayani oleh kereta api uap untuk kegiatan pariwisata. "Jadi nanti untuk jalur kereta api yang berada di pinggir jalan Slamet Riyadi Solo, akan dilayani kereta api uap buatan Jerman tahun 1902, yang menggunakan bahan bakar kayu," kata Walikota Surakarta Joko Widodo saat meninjau lokomotif di Museum Kereta Api Ambarawa, Senin (20/4). Kereta api wisata yang akan dioperasikan pada Juni 2009 di jalur tersebut, tidak hanya lokomotifnya saja yang kuno tetapi juga termasuk gerbongnya. "Lokomotifnya buatan Jerman tahun 1902, diambilkan dari Museum Palagan Ambarawa, sementara gerbongnya dari Magelang dan Bandung, yang semuanya saat ini kondisinya masih baik dan secepatnya akan dilakukan rehabilitasi," katanya. Mengenai investasi untuk menghidupkan kereta api kuno tersebut, Joko Widodo mengatakan pihaknya telah menganggarkan dana lewat APBD Tahun 2009 sebesar Rp 1,1 miliar. "Untuk menghidupkan kereta api kuno tersebut nanti akan dilakukan kerjasama dengan PT KAI, dan biro-biro perjalanan yang akan memasarkan," katanya. Pengoperasian kembali kereta api pariwisata ini dimaksudkan untuk mengangkat kembali citra kota Solo, dalam rangka pengembangan pariwisata, yang sekaligus juga meningkatkan ekonomi masyarakat. "Saya yakin ini akan bisa jalan baik kalau pengelolaannya benar," katanya. Kepala Daop VI PT KAI Yogyakarta Yayat Rustiandi, mengatakan untuk jalur kereta api dari Stasiun Purwosari-Stasiun Kota Solo, Sukoharjo dan Wonogiri, sebenarnya sampai saat ini masih jalan yaitu dilayani kereta api ekonomi yang sehari hanya sekali. Untuk meningkatkan pelayanan mulai tahun 2009 rel kereta api dari Solo sampai Wonogiri akan dibangun atau diperbaiki, agar pelayanan kereta api di jurusan tersebut bisa maksimal. (Courtesy By Kompas/Antara)

Jambi The Ancient Kingdom of Melayu

2009-04-21T18:35:00.000-07:00

JAMBI province is located on the east coast of Central Sumatra faces to Melaka Straits sharing borders with four other provinces in Sumatra and has long a melting pot for different ethnic groups. The earliest inhabitants were the Kubus, who were among the first wave of Malays to migrate to Sumatra. The ancient kingdom of Melayu developed and grew in Jambi and maintained relations with the mighty kingdoms of Sriwijaya, Majapahit and Singasari, but was eventually attacked and annexed by Sriwijaya in the middle of the 17th century. Encompassing an area of 53,435 sq km, almost 60% of which is forest, the province is home to a large variety of fauna and flora and an exhilarating place for active and adventurous visitors.One of the greatest kingdoms in Indonesia history, the Buddhist Empire of Sriwijaya, prospered and grew along the Musi River bank in South Sumatra over a thousand years ago. Located in the southern-most rim of the South China Sea, close to one of the world's busiest shipping lanes linking the Far East With Europe, the region's historical background is rich and colorful. Sriwijaya Kingdom practiced a bustling and lucrative trade with ancient China its era of powerful dynasties and in Tsing recorded that a thousand monks and scholars could be seen translating and studying Sanskrit in what is now become a regional capital of Palembang. However, few relics of this memorable era remain. Stretching from the foothills of the mighty Bukit Barisan mountain range in the West Sumatra to Bangka and Belitung Island in the East, South Sumatra province is relatively flat but very fertile, with numerous rivers cutting across the landscape and meandering their way to the sea. Coffee and tea are grown in plantations in various parts of the province but the area's enormous wealth comes from oil, natural gas, coal, tin and quartz.
Palembang is still the gateway to the province, and together with Pangkal Pinang on Bangka Island and Tanjung Pandan on Belitung, provides the region with three major airports. All three cities have direct connections with Medan, Batam, Padang and Jakarta and the future will see the introduction of flights to Singapore. Air-conditioned buses from north and west points of Palembang are also regularly available, as well as the major cities in Java and Bali.

Mount Kerinci
A climb to the top of Mount Kerinci or one of many other volcanoes shows an important and remarkable change in vegetation; lower trees, which are covered in mush and sub-alpine meadows and swamps at the top, gradually replace high trees. A remarkable flower on higher altitudes is the Javanese edelweiss Anaphalis javanica, which only grows on volcanoes. This flower usually reaches four meters in height and is colored white-green because of its small hairs; the flowers are yellow with white. The peak of the volcano itself is bald, because of the last eruption in 1934. The park also houses the biggest flowers in the world, the monstrous, flesh red flower of the parasite Rafflesia arnoldi and the two-meters-high flower-flames of Amorphophallus titanum.

Mount Tujug and Kerinci Lake
Mount Tujug is a 10 sq km big crater lake about 50 kilometers north of Penuh River. It's on 1966 meters and it's called the highest sweet water lake in Southeastern Asia. The environment offers simple accommodations, from where people can book a day trip to the lake.
Another, easy to reach lake is Kerinci Lake, surrounded by mountains, 783 meters above sea level and 42 sq km big. It's a good plan for a day trip. Both lakes and the surrounding rainforest are good places to enjoy the fauna of the park.
Kerinci Seblat National Park
In this national park, live up to 129 species of birds, 36 mammalians with 24 protected 10 species of reptiles, 6 species of amphibians, and 8 species of primates. There are also 4000 floras dominated by family of Dipterocarpaceae. Some of these are highly endangered, especially the animals like Sumatera Rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatraensis), Wild Mountain Goat (Capricornis sumatraensis), Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris sumatraensis), Sumatran Elephant (Elephanus maximus sumatranus), Dead Flower (Amorphophallus titanum) and Rafflesia Flower (Rafflesia arnoldi).

Bukit Tiga Puluh National Park
Bukit Tiga Puluh National Park is a 143,143 hectares area on the low land area of eastern Sumatra, included into two provinces, Riau and Jambi. Ecologically, this area is classified as low land tropical rainforest, with some intra ecosystem inside like swamp and highland. Some of endangered species are highly protected here like Dead flower (rafflesia hasseltii and rafflesia arnoldi), amorphophallus SP, and some endangered animals like Sumatran tiger (panthera tigris sumatraensis), tapir (tapirus indicus), primates like Siamang (symphalangus syndactylus), Ungko (hylobates sp), birds (bocerotidae and argusianus argus). This area is also interesting in its natural features of its geology, like the 30 Mountains intrusive complex, folded tertiary sediments, and some offer science breakthrough. Old tribes, which characterized most of Central Sumatra forest, is also one uniqueness you will find inside this park like Talang Mamak tribe.

Muara Jambi
The old harbor area with it's candi and menapo (masonry temples and channels) is over 1,500 hectares and is about 26 kilometers downstream from the modern capital on the other (northern) shore of the river. This biggest archeological complex of Sumatra, with a small but very interesting museum, can be reached from Jambi by waterbus or chartered speedboat. The full size of the location and the connected river villages is not known yet. The restoration of the three most important structures (Tinggi Temple, Gumpung Temple and Kedaton Temple, the last with a core of unusual small river stones) has been completed. Under the findings in Muara Jambi is an exceptional nice Prajnaparamita statue, without head, comparable with the one in the National Museum in Jakarta from the beginning of the 13th century. Under the pressure of the ever-closing agriculture the excavations and restorations continue in a race against time. Probably Muara Jambi was attacked and destroyed around 1377. Following a legend the last ruler of Jambi, prince Telanai, got the prediction that his son would cast bad luck over his principality. Big fear got him, and when his son was eventually born, he was put in a coffin with a letter, and thrown into the sea. The coffin washed ashore in Siam, where the former ruler adopted the Sumatran prince. Eventually the young prince returned to Jambi with a big army from Siam, killed his father and looted the city.
Whether this story is true can be doubted, but fact is that Jambi was the location of the findings of Siamese bronze Buddha statues. Above all excavations in Jambi Estuary showed a piece of a Sukhothai Buddha stone, which originated from the current Thailand as well.

Berbak National Park
Berbak National Park is a national park area on the eastern coastline of Central Sumatra included in Ramsar Convention for international wetland conservation. In 1992, the minister of Forestry, Republic of Indonesia following the original 1935 by Dutch colonial, officially states this area as National Park. Berbak National Park is a national park area on the eastern coastline of Central Sumatra included in Ramsar Convention for international wetland conservation. By canoeing through the swamp river canal, we can enjoy the undisturbed wildlife on the riverside and canopies. We have two exotic areas in this park that are Air Hitam Dalam, typical freshwater swamp and floodplain, with wetland ecosystem and Air Hitam Laut and Cemara River where typical coastline and saltwater swamp and marsh is dominating the area. Up to 300 species of birds are living peacefully inside the park. Some exotic birds like, Wild duck (cairina scutulata), and all species of Raja Udang (alcenedenidae), and also 9 species of Rangkong (Bocerotidae). Migrant birds up to thousands, which reside off their Siberian - Australian journey, especially during October - March season, really amaze any human being, as we will find them blackening the coast horizons. Primates also dominate the canopies during our canoe traverse. The more challenging wildlife to observe may lie deep underwater below your canoe. We can observe 2 species of crocodile, that is saltwater crocodile (crocodiles porous) and freshwater crocodile (tomistoma schegelii). Turtle’s family also dominates the swamp area. Big mammalian like Sumatran tiger (panthera tigris sumatraensis), Black bear (Helartos malayanus) may occasionally show up in front of your canoe. It may be special for the tiger, will require some patience from you and may be a good stamina to traverse into the center of the park on foot.

Trekking in Kerinci - Seblat
Especially long trips through the park need a guide. Local guides can be hired in Kersik Tuo village at the foot of Mount Kerinci. Eco-Rural Travel office can also be found here, it's a company, which sell good maps, hires camping gear and organized trips for several days. It's sponsored by the WNF. Mount Kerinci, or Mount Inderapura, can be reached with most vehicles. The popular climb to the top of Kerinci takes two days. (Courtesy By Indonesia-Tourism)

East Nusa Tenggara

2009-04-18T23:16:00.000-07:00

East Nusa Tenggara Islands have been shaped by the power and force of an enormous chain of mountains and volcanoes, which begins from the North of Sumatra and stretches east across Java. The province consists of over 550 islands, but is dominated by the three main islands of Flores, Sumba, and Timor. Occupying a unique position at the junction of Australian and Asian submarine ridges marked by the Wallace Line, it is one the world's most dynamic and exotic marine environments with nearly every species of coral and tropical fish represented. The arid landscape of eastern and southeastern Nusa Tenggara is the result of hot, dry winds blasting in from the Australian continent. In fact, in many coastal areas not a drop of rain falls during most of the year.
Flores is a Portuguese name, which means 'flower' and ideally describes the beauty to be found here. This long island between Sumbawa and Timor is crowded with volcanoes and mountains dividing it into several distinct regions with individual languages and traditions. Predominantly Catholic and heavily influenced by the Portuguese, there are many examples of a strong European cultural heritage like eastern procession held in Larantuka, and the royal regalia of the former king in Maumere.
Formerly known as the Sandalwood Island, Sumba is now famous for its horses and an excellent style of ikat cloth. Spirits, both ancestral and natural are worshipped. Although some exist in East Sumba, it is in West Sumba that there are a number of enormous megalithic tombs and traditional thatched and peaked huts raised on stilts. It is here where incredible rituals take place, such as 'Pasola' where hundreds of horsemen fling spreads at each other in an annual ritual. Many traditional ceremonies, all with a component paying homage to the spirits, take place from July to October including the traditional houses and burials when sometimes hundreds of pigs, water buffaloes, horses, and dogs are scarified. Other ceremonies include 'Pajura' or traditional boxing, festivals for the Lunar New Year in October and November, horse races and ritual dances.
Kupang City
As the capital of East Nusa Tenggara, the transport and administrative links from Kupang with isolated islands are extensive. The location was an important port and trading point during the Portuguese and Dutch colonial eras. There are ruins and remnant signs of the colonial presence in the city. The city was an important landing and refueling place for early long distance airplane flights between Europe and Australia in the early twentieth century. It was an important location during the conflict in East Timor, for the Indonesian military, as well as the militias. The camps around Kupang were also of significant impact on the city.
Komodo Island
A small island of 280 square km, Komodo is located between Sumbawa and Flores islands. It is famous for its giant lizards, considered the last of their kind remaining in the world today, the Komodo dragon. Called "ora" by the local people, Komodo "Dragon" (Varanus Komodoensis) is actually a giant monitor lizard. Growing up to 3 to 4 meters in length, its ancestors roamed the earth up to about half a million years ago. Komodo live on goats, deer, and even the carcasses of its own kind. The only human population on the island is at the fishing village called Komodo who supplement their income-breeding goats, which are used to feed the lizards. The Komodo had protected by the law and although they are considered harmless, it is advisable to keep them at a distance. Komodo Island is now a nature reserve, home to a number of rare bird species, deer, and wild pigs, which are prey to the lizards as well.To see the lizards in the daytime, baits have to be set in the hinterland where local guides are necessary. The sea surrounding the island offers vistas of sea life, crystal clear waters, and white sandy beaches. The only accommodation available is in simple guesthouses in the fishing village. It is advisable to carry food supplies. The best time to visit the island is between March and June, and between October and December. Komodo is accessible from the sea only. Fly to Labuan Bajo, from where it is about 3-4 hours by boat to the island.
Flores Island
Flores, a long island located between Sumbawa and Timor, is strewn with volcanoes in a mountain chain dividing it into several regions with distinctive languages and traditions, scenic beauty, good beaches, and natural wonders. The name is Portuguese for "flower", as the Portuguese were the first Europeans to colonize East Nusa Tenggara.
Occupying a unique position at the junction of the Australian and Asian submarine ridges, between the two distinct fauna regions marked by the Wallace Line, here is one of the world's most dynamic marine environments with nearly every species of coral and tropical fish represented. Predominantly Catholic, there are several examples of its Portuguese cultural heritage like the Easter Procession held in Larantuka, and the royal regalia of the former king in Maumere.
Among the prehistoric inhabitants of the island were small-proportioned humans (classified as Homo floresiensis in 2004) that may have evolved from Homo erectus and lived on Flores as recently as 13,000 years ago. Some scientists, however, believe that remains are those of micro cephalic modern humans who also suffered from dwarfism. Much later under the rule of Sulawesi princes, Flores came under Dutch influence c.1618. The Dutch gradually gained control of the island, although Portugal held the eastern end until 1851 and the natives were not completely subjugated until 1907.
Flores is one of the Lesser Sunda Islands, an Island arc with an estimated area of 14,300-km_ extending east from Java island of Indonesia. The largest town is Maumere. Flores is located east of Sumbawa and Komodo and west of Lembata and Alor archipelago. To the southeast is Timor. To the south, across the Sumba strait, is Sumba and to the north, beyond Flores Sea, is Sulawesi.
The west coast of Flores is one of the few places, aside from the island of Komodo itself, where the Komodo dragon can be found in the wild. The Flores giant rat is also endemic to the Island. In September 2004, at Liang Bua Cave in western Flores, Paleoanthropologist discovered skeletons of a previously unknown hominid species. Homo floresiensis, affectionately termed hobbits after the small characters in the Lord of the Rings, appear to be miniaturized versions of Homo erectus standing about one meter tall. They may have existed until as recently as 11.000 BC. Local reports of elf people, the Ebu Gogo, or the Orang Pendek of Sumatra, have caused speculation that Flores man may have survived into the historical period, or even to the present. The discovery has been published in the October 28, 2004, issue of Nature magazine. Flores was also a habitat of the extinct Stegodon dwarf elephant until approximately 18,000 years ago.
Sumba Island
Sumba, formerly known as the Sandalwood Island, is known foe its horses and Sumba clothe. Sandalwood was the only known cure for many diseases until penicillin was invented. The Sumbanese traded with the Chinese until the 16th century, after which the Arabs became the most important trading partner until the early 20th century. The island is famous for its arts and handicrafts, particularly the textile "ikat" weaving. Sumba, however, is not for everyone. Neither the food nor accommodations are up to international standards. But if we are willing to make a little effort we can see an authentic, ancient culture with none of the layers of Hinduism or Islam mostly found elsewhere in the country.
The island has a small population and a dry tropical climate. In total Sumba have more hours of sunshine than any other place in Indonesia. The land resembles Southern Africa or Australia, with scattered small villages and herds of cattle and buffalo Sumba is off the beaten track. Transport system and roads are infrequently used. Most hotels in main towns are simple, only catering for the adventurous. However, CNN etc. are available for those wishing to stay in touch with the outside world. Beaches are long and clean. Water is clear and abundant in fish, and there is great surf.
The island is roughly oval in shape. The greatest concentration of those who worship sprits (ancestral and those of the land) is found in West Sumba where two-thirds of the population holds on their traditional belief. It is here where incredible rituals take place, the "pasola" where hundreds of horsemen fling spears at each other. The government allows the ritual to take place, but the spears must be blunt. Although some exist in East Sumba, it is in West Sumba that one can find a greater number of huge megalithic tombs and traditional thatched and peaked huts raise on stilts.
Many traditional activities, all with a part paying homage to the spirits, take place in the month of July through October. These include the building of "adapt" houses and burials when sometimes hundreds of pigs, water buffaloes, horses, and dogs are sacrificed. Other ceremonies include the "pajura" or traditional boxing, the festivals for lunar New Year in October and November, and August 17, Independence Day, horse races and ritual dances.
West Timor
West Timor is the principal island in terms of population where the capital of the province, Kupang, is located. Kupang is now being developed to be the gate- way to Nusa Tenggara. There are direct flights from /to Darwin-Australia. West Timor is rich in various cultures, beautiful sceneries, and a wonderful nature. Made up of dry, rocky land, isolated communities, rolling cattle land, a variety of styles of architecture, Timor is basically something that possesses its own original characteristics.
Rote Island, the southernmost island of Indonesia, is just to the southwest of West Timor. Three native languages belonging of Carbonic Stock of the Austronesian group of languages are spoken in West Timor, the others in East Timor. These languages are Ndaonese, Rotinese, and Helong.
Rote Island
Rote Island is a part of Kupang Regency and is the southernmost island of Indonesia. It is located in the west coast of Kupang. This exotic island can be reached only in four hours. From Kupang by inter-island ferry to dive and tour this untouched beautifully rugged land. Spectacular walls and caverns mirror the hills, valleys, and escarpments underwater. The marine life is so varied and profuse that is hard to believe from Fire-fish to Mantas. The architecture of Rote is unique, as is their exquisite ikat weaving. See the people is their traditional lifestyle, which has remained unchanged for centuries.
Rote has many historical relies including fine antique Chinese porcelains, as well as ancient arts and traditions. Many prominent Indonesia nationalist leaders were born here. A popular music instrument Sasando, which is made of palm leaves. According to legend, this island got its name accidentally when a lost Portuguese sailor arrived and asked a farmer where he was. The surprised farmer, who could not speaking Portuguese, introduced himself, "Rote".Rote just off the southern tip of Timor Island consists of rolling hills, terraced plantations, and acacia palm, savanna and some forests.The rotinese depend, like the Savunese, on lontar palm for basic survival, but also as the supplement their income with fishing and jewelry making.
Before Indonesia's Independence, Rote, boasted the highest density of kingdom in the East Indies. Even today the island, the Rotenese and their kingdoms are divided, following ancient tradition, into two domains, one known as Sunrise and one as Sunset. A “male” Lord, a “female” Lord and several advisers, representing the clans within that domain, rules the domain. Each clan that possesses ceremonial rights performs it's own rituals during the annual HUS celebration, a traditional New Year festival. At the HUS, Rotenese men wearing their unique hats make offerings to the clan ancestors and the women dance accompanied by sasando, The Rotenese guitar.
Rote is particularly well know for its surfing, each year surfers flock to Namberala to ride the near perfect tubes formed by the shallow reefs and off-shore winds. Accommodation in Namberala includes a traditional beachfront bungalow resort and several home stays. The beach itself is one of the best examples of a palm fringed pure white sandy beach to be found anywhere. Diving in the area is also exceptional due to the large numbers of Manta and Dugong seen there. A boat trip to nearby Dana or Ndao Islands is also recommended.
Alor and Lembata Island
Alor Island regency

Is the least visited and therefore the most unspoiled region of Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT). Trek to the rim of a volcano on Pantar or dive the straits of Alor and Pantar in a dive destination rated by all to be amongst the best in the world. Ponder on the existence of the Moko drums, which are not found in large numbers anywhere else in Indonesia and can be traced back to the Dongson period in Vietnam around 350 BC and you start to realize that Alor is truly a land lost in time.
Alor diving is known as the best in the world With its smoldering Volcanoes reaching down into crystal clear waters fringed with pristine coral reefs, coconut fringed pure white sandy beaches and traditional villages built half way up mountains, the scenery is as spectacular above as it is below the waterline. Alor Island is so mountainous that it is almost impossible to pass from one side to the other and many of the villages on the island itself can only transport themselves via small wooden ferries. The eight distinct dialects and more than 50 sub-dialects spoken today, testifies to the diversity on Alor.
Alor traditional culture has been influenced over the ages by the Indian, Chinese and Javanese traders as well as by the Islamic and Christian religions. This can be seen in the silk thread woven into the original weavings and the mix of Mosques and Christian churches dotted throughout the Island. The traditional dances, Ikat weavings motifs and the varies architectural style greatly from area to area. With more than a dozen traditional villages within one hours drive from the capital Kalabahi - Alor is a cultural tourists heaven.
Lembata Island

Is known throughout the world as the home of traditional whaling but what is not known is that the people of this Island are especially rich in cultural tradition. The beautiful rich Ikat weavings are entirely made from homegrown cotton, spun and dyed by the weaver. These cloths are still important as they are exchanged during marriage for Ivory tusks between the two families. The scenery throughout the Island is breathtaking, from the ever-imposing "Ile Ape" volcano of the palm fringed bays to the colorful bustling local markets - beauty and excitement are everywhere.
Lamalera village

Located on the southern tip of Lembata Island is the home of a traditional whale hunting community. Here, Sperm Whales have been hunted for centuries using all hand made equipment; their spears, rope and boats are all made in the village. The boats are without motors and the harpooner must jump from the boat to implant his harpoon in to the whale to ensure success. All parts of the whale are either consumed or traded with other Islanders for corn or other food. While whale hunting is not generally condoned by modern societies, when consider the ancestral links, the primitive equipment used and the importance to the people of Lamalera it is understandable that this traditional hunting has been sanctioned by the United Nations.
Savu Island
Savu is dry for large parts of the year, due to hot winds blowing from the Australian continent. Most rain falls during the months from November to March. Between 82% & 94% of all rainfalls during the west monsoon, with little or no rain falling for the months of August to October. The mean annual rainfall for Savu Island is 1019 mm. During the dry season, the islands' streams dry up, so the islanders depend on wells for their water supply. The land is covered for the most part by grassland and palms. Coral reef and sandy beaches fringe the three islands.
Namata

Namata is located in Western Savu. Namata is a traditional village where the ritual ceremonies are frequently held. There are megalithic stones and traditional houses. It is located in the Rai Lolo village, 3 km from the capital city of Heb'a (Seba) in western Savu district. There is a stone carving of a four mast tall ship. Though the writing beneath has faded, villagers say the Portuguese drew it in 1684.
Rai Jua Island
Kolo Uju (Udju) is a village where ritual ceremonies are held. It is located in Lede Unu of Rai Jua District.
Maja well is located in Lede Unu village of Rai Jua district. It is located about 5 km from the subdistrict capital. The well is an archeological remnant of Majapahit Kingdom.
Rai Jua Beach is located I km from the main town. It is a white sandy beach for snorkeling and swimming.
Dana Island
Dana is also called Nieuw Eiland and Hokki, the latter not known to the local people. Dana is a small, uninhabited island, situated thirty kilometers Southwest of Rai Jua. The rocky, south side of the island is exposed to deep ocean swells originating in the Southern Ocean, five thousands kilometers away. Sheep and goats are to be seen on the island. However, Savu and Rai Jua people do not go to Dana, except for the annual ritual ceremony. According to Savunese tradition, no one is allowed to visit Dana for any other purpose.
Savunese believe that when they die, their spirit reside on Dana. They also believe that it is important to respect the space of others in order to maintain harmony in life. Since Dana is considered to be the space for the spirit of their love ones who passed away, it is considered disrespectful for westerners to visit the island. However, cruise ships and surf charters regularly visit Dana, without consultation with the Rai Jua elders, who are responsible for preserving the tradition. (Courtesy By Indonesia-Tourism)

East Java

2009-04-18T22:53:00.001-07:00

East Java is one of Indonesia provinces. It is located on the eastern part of Java Island and also includes Madura and Bawean islands. It state in the West neighbor of Bali, across the small Strait of Bali. East Java has a variety of attractions, from temple sites to scenic beaches, a sand-sea, highland-lakes, volcanoes, marine gardens and wildlife reserves. Magnificent mountain scenery include the crater and sea of sand at Mount Bromo, the "sulfur mountain" Welirang and rugged lien Plateau. Little of the former glory of Majapahit Empire, still stands in East Java to day with the exception of temple ruins and some archaeological discoveries. East Java's claim to fame in modern history is its vanguard role in the struggle for independence against colonial forces in 1945.
The administrative center of the province is located in Surabaya, the second largest city in Indonesia and a major industrial center and port. Its capital, Surabaya is second to Jakarta in size, population and commerce. East Java is also the most industrialized province in the nation. Its economy is based on agriculture, fishery, oil industries, coffee, mangoes and apples. Connected with the rest of Java by good motor roads and train services, there are also air services between Surabaya and other major cities in the country including Bali which is only half an hour's flight a way. It is also easily accessible by road and regular ferry from Bali and Java. Madura Island, famous for its bull races, is part of the province of East Java, though it has its own traditions and language. Fossilized remains of prehistoric animals and the site of the Java man at Trinil, Ngawi, will tantalize the archaeologist, as well as numerous temple ruins dating from the 7th century AD.
Cultural Attractions of East Java
Angklung: An ensemble of bamboo instruments quite popular in Banyuwangi.
Gandrung Dance: A classical dance dedicated to Dewi Sri, the goddess of rice. Popular in Banyuwangi as well.
Bull Race (Karapan Sapi): a regular attraction at the stadium of Pamekasan, Madura.
Labuhan Sesaji: a thanksgiving ceremony held by fishermen of Muncar, Banyuwangi, and Suro.
Reyog Trance Dance: traditional Ponorogo dance with 15 dancers wearing peacock-feather headdresses and tiger mask.
Tayub Dance: a popular social dance from Nganjuk, 120 km southwest of Surabaya. This dance is usually performed at wedding parties or other celebratory gatherings where the dancers use their scarfs to invite guests to join them.
Interesting Place:
Jatim (East Java) Park
East Java Park may have said as tourism object that different in East Java province, because besides offering to tourist to have recreation and for learnt, because we will get new knowledge besides entertainment amusement. This thing can be seen from various facilities being provided by East Java Park, there are at least 36 kinds of facilities which able to be enjoyed visitor. Before enjoying all supporting facilities for entertainment amusement, at the time of beginning of location admission will give scenery of 'Galeri Nusantara'. Then stepped into 'Taman Sejarah' is a containing miniature temple in East Java like Sumberawan temple (Singosari- Malang regency), customhouse Kiai Hasan Besari Ponorogo and Sumberawan Statue.
Balekambang Beach
The beach possessing three isles with a distance of about one hundred meters each, two of which have been connected with one meter-wide bridge to the shore, Balekambang offers a different atmosphere of beach resorts in the Southern part of Malang. One of the three isles called Ismoyo isle has a Hindu temple, established by local Hinduists
Coban Rondo Waterfall
PujonA beautiful water fall on the slope of Mount Panderman resort that is about 32 km to the west from Malang, it is very interesting to see and visit.
Agro Tourism Wonosari
Tea Plantation, LawangThis plantation pleasure gives a special and peaceful impression, beautiful panorama of tea plantation.
Bromo - Tengger - Semeru National Park
This National Park is one of the most beautiful places of interest in East Java. The beauties of mountain covered, give a special and characteristic green plants, arousing great interest. Tenggerese traditional farming a/so makes this famous place being more interesting and attractive. In addition, coo/ and breezy wind a/ways blows freshly giving ever visitor special deep impression a unforgettable memories
Teleng Ria Beach
This coast face to Pantai Selatan with extent of white sand along the length of approximately 3 Kms. Distance from Capital of regency to location only 3,5 Kms, and earn is easily reached with various vehicle.
Srau Beach
Srau Coast reside in district region of Pringkuku, Regency Pacitan, which jaraknyaa approximately 25 Kms towards town west Pacitan earn passed by with common vehicle and person. White sandy coast this hardly suited for activity of fishing rod arena samodra.
Goa Gong (Gong Cave)
Goa with stalagtit and stalagmite that is is it is said respected Asian selenium South-east have depth of approximately 256 m, besides having 5 sendang that is Sendang Incantation Rogo, Sendang Panguripan, Sendang Alcove Jiwo, sendang Kamulyan, and sendang Ralung Nisto which kono own?have magical value to heal disease.
Sidomulyo Beach
This coast located in countryside Sidomulyo district of Ngadirajo which distance 50 Kms from Regency Capital City and easy to drive with all vehicle. Coastal with his(its white sand facing to south coast which length 2 Kms.
Goa Tabuhan (Tabuhan Cave)
According to public story around, Goa Tabuhan first time found by Kyai Santiko is losing his(its looking after ox but simply the ox to come into goa which many menyimpan water from aereal root diatasnyaSetelah is cleaned [by] Goa taken care of by Raden Bagus Joko Lelono and a putri Raden Ayu Mardilah.
Bath of Warm Water
Wellspring which menyimpan still various main special qualities and benefit for health and body fitness. This bath called " Tirto Husodo " now have been built two place of bathing, two swimming pool and place of Penginapan. Accesibility to this relative wisata object easy, reachable with vehicle of wheel four with kondiri road either, more or less 15 Kms from Town Pacitan, precisely in district Arjosari.
Ngebel Lake
With the wide of surface about 1.5 km, the road along 5 km surrounded Ngebel Lake. This region had the amazing panorama, cool air with the maiden nature condition that kept one million potentials to be dug up. We also could meet various fruits like: the durian, mangos teens, pundung etc. In the lake also was spread by various fishes, one is the variety of the fish that was protected that is the Hampala fish or the local inhabitants named Ngongok fish. For that wanted to spend the night was also available accommodation that was managed by the Regional Government and private enterprise.
The town square of Ponorogo
Was located in the Ponorogo regency. That most prominent from the capital of Ponorogo regency was the wide and beautiful of town square and also the wide of roads and was decorated by various statue sorts in almost every intersection of the road.
The garden Tourism of Ngembak
Was located in the Siman district approximately 3 km to the east from the centre of the city, consisting of the source of water that was supplemented with the playground and the child's swimming pool. Here also often has held the entertainment stage that was aimed for the garden visitor.
Popoh Beach
Its situation in south of Tulungagung town, ± 28 km, can be gone through public vehicle. Along the beach respect Popoh, it has equipped with souvenir shops, playground, lodging, fish market, tour of maritime, and some besotted places to fish. Each month suro (muharam) it carried out " Labuh Semboyo" ceremony. Still in Popoh area, we can enjoy "Reco Sewu" tourism object and high seas. Along the length of the journey towards Popoh, there is crafting diligence of onyx stone as Tulungagung typical souvenir that earning to have. In Popoh coast area engross to fish, if it is using motor bout can trace coast sidem, klatak, gemah and bayeman.
The garden Tourism of Kucur
Was located in the Badegan district, ± 20 km to the west.There is a source of water (kucur) in the middle of the teak forest that also functioned as the national park but and the camp place.
The spring of Tirto Waluyojati
Was located in the Klepu village, Sooko district, that was located approximately 30 km next east the Ponorogo city.
Kalimas
Kalimas is an old traditional harbor for the world famous Bugis schooner "pinisi" which sailed the Indonesian seas for hundreds of years.
Kya - Kya
Kya-kya Kembang Jepun is in shooping center, Kembang Jepun Street that is the center of eastern Indonesia trade and economy. In the night, this place turns into center of local foods, national, even international. Local foods like lontong balap, empek-empek Palembang, Nasi Padang and also Chinese foods and European - American foods.
INKA Indonesia Railway Industry
INKA, state own industry in Indonesia, standing in the year 1981 which is located in Yos Sudarso Street broadly are 220.000 m2 with the labor as much 974 people. INKA, moving towards from stem locomotive workshop in 1981 to the modern railcar manufacture. With the vision to be world-class company, the business activity is growing from basic product to the higher value added product and service in railway and transportation business. The mission on business and technology competitiveness creation in railway and transportation products is focused to dominate domestic market and to win competition is ASEAN region and developing countries. (Courtesy By Indonesia-Tourism)

Mencium Alam di Desa Wisata Siberut Selatan

2009-04-16T17:41:00.000-07:00

Anai Leu Ita! Sapaan ramah, senyum lebar, dan tatapan hangat merupakan paket indah yang bisa diperoleh jika berkunjung ke daerah hulu Kecamatan Siberut Selatan, Kepulauan Mentawai. Balaslah dengan senyuman untuk paket gratis yang sudah diterima.Desa Madobak, Ugai, dan Matotonan sebenarnya hanya tiga dari sejumlah desa di daerah hulu Kecamatan Siberut Selatan. Masih ada desa-desa lain, seperti Rokdok dan Butui, dengan keistimewaan yang hampir sama dengan Madobak Ugai dan Matotonan. Namun, ketiga desa ini menjadi perwakilan yang tepat untuk menunjukkan kepada dunia tentang hangatnya alam Mentawai.Desa-desa di bagian hulu Siberut Selatan memiliki daya tarik yang sangat kuat untuk wisata karena kebudayaan dan kehidupan tradisional masyarakatnya yang masih sangat kuat. Mulai dari kehidupan sosial, aktivitas sehari-hari, spiritualitas, hingga cara berpakaian dan bentuk rumah masih terjaga kekhasan dan keunikannya.Pengunjung yang menikmati wisata budaya di ketiga desa ini, tidak hanya dapat menikmati keunikan budayanya yang nyata, seperti rumah yang disebut ‘Uma’ataupun tarian dan pesta adat. Namun, juga dapat menyelami langsung interaksi dengan penduduk setempat dan terpukau dengan nilai-nilai yang masih dijunjung tinggi, seperti kebersamaan.Contohnya, pantang bagi keluarga asli Mentawai untuk makan dari piring yang berbeda. Biasanya, lauk dan sayuran disuguhkan masing-masing di satu baskom besar. Pada saat berkumpul untuk waktu makan, setiap orang bebas mengambil dari wadah tersebut. Kebersamaan ini pula yang hadir dalam setiap aktivitas mereka dalam mencari nafkah, seperti mencari sagu, menombak ikan, ternak babi, atau menanam daun nilam ataupun cokelat. Mental kebersamaan inilah yang menjadikan penduduk asli tergolong ramah kepada para wisatawan yang datang ke kawasan mereka.Jika beruntung, pengunjung dapat mengikuti sejumlah pesta adat yang dipimpin oleh sejumlah Sikkerei (dukun). Menurut keyakinan penduduk setempat, Sikkerei merupakan pemimpin adat yang memiliki keistimewaan secara spiritual untuk menyembuhkan segala macam penyakit dan juga memimpin upacara keagamaan, seperti upacara perkawinan dan pengembalian roh dari manusia yang baru saja meninggal.Penampilan mereka masih sangat tradisional dengan hanya menggunakan cawat kain yang disebut Simoite, sedangkan di kepala mereka terpasang sebuah Luat, yaitu semacam ikat kepala dari manik-manik. Jika Sikkerei bertugas, maka Sikkerei akan mendatangi tempat acara dengan kopernya yang disebut Baklu. Koper serba guna ini berisi berbagai peralatan Sikkerei untuk memimpin pesta adat, seperti Luat, dedaunan dan juga Kubek, yaitu semacam lintingan rokok khas Mentawai.Di tubuh Sikkerei juga biasanya masih tergambar tato khas Mentawai yang dibuat dari air tebu dan arang batok kelapa. Tato digambarkan di badan dengan paku besi atau peniti, dan dua kayu yang berfungsi sebagai alas dan pemukul. Menurut masyarakat, pembuatannya sangat menyakitkan. Selain itu, Sikkerei biasanya juga menggunakan kalung manik-manik, meski semua penduduk juga memakainya. Kalung manik-manik yang melekat di leher lelaki atau perempuan Mentawai menunjukkan tingkat kekayaan seseorang dan statusnya di dalam masyarakat. Makin banyak kalung yang melekat, makin kaya dan terhormatlah orang tersebut.Jika berangkat dari Muara Siberut, rute yang ditempuh adalah Purou-Muntei-Rokdok-Madobak-Ugai-Butui-Matotonan. Setiap desa memiliki kebudayaan yang sangat unik. Desa Madobak terkenal dengan Air Terjun Kulu Kubuk. Letaknya di dalam hutan, sekitar 3 km dari permukiman penduduk Madobak. Air terjun ini terdiri dari dua tingkat dengan total ketinggian 70 meter dan sangat cocok dijadikan sebagai tempat pemandian alam. Hawa segar nan dingin serta perairan yang dangkal mendukung keindahan air yang meluncur bebas dengan derasnya.Setelah Desa Madobak, pengunjung dapat juga mampir di Desa Ugai. Desa masih menyimpan beberapa Uma asli, yaitu rumah adat penduduk asli Mentawai yang terbuat dari kayu Katuka atau Mecini yang terdapat di Mentawai. Meski di Madobak dan Matotonan juga terdapat Uma, bentuk rumahnya tidak lagi asli dan sudah banyak dimodifikasi. Di Ugai-lah, pengunjung dapat menemui Uma asli dengan dapur di bagian depan. Memang, yang khas dari Uma asli adalah terdapat perapian yang berfungsi sebagai dapur di bagian depan rumah. Ini menunjukkan kebiasaan penduduk asli Mentawai sebagai masyarakat yang senang berkumpul bersama. Oleh karena itu, dapur pun menjadi tempat yang penting untuk memasak dan menyediakan jamuan bagi tamu yang datang. Di depannya, tepat setelah tangga masuk, beranda rumah dibuat bertangga. Satu tingkat saja. Di sinilah biasanya, si pemilik rumah memotong ternak atau hewan buruannya untuk dijagal.Jika puas berkeliling Ugai, sekitar satu jam kemudian pengunjung dapat tiba di Desa Matotonan. Desa ini merupakan desa terujung dari Siberut Selatan karena berbatasan dengan kawasan konservasi alam Taman Nasional Siberut. Dibandingkan dengan permukiman penduduk di Madobak dan Ugai yang berdiri di atas tanah yang datar, permukiman penduduk Matotonan tersebar di beberapa bukit kecil. Pemandangan alam dan budaya di Matotonan tentu lebih menakjubkan. Sejumlah Sikkerei masih mudah ditemui. Beberapa pesta adat yang bersifat mistis masih sering dilakukan berhubung penduduknya berjumlah 382 KK atau sekitar 1.817 jiwa.Tinggal di ketiga desa ini dan berinteraksi dengan penduduknya merupakan pengalaman yang tidak akan terlupakan. Sesekali, pengunjung juga dapat mengikuti penduduk ketika mencari sagu di tepi sungai atau di dalam hutan dan kemudian mengolahnya hingga menjadi sagu bakar yang dimakan dengan lauk, seperti ikan, daging babi atau telur. Semuanya masih dilakukan secara tradisional, mulai dari pencarian dengan keranjang sagu hingga pengolahannya hanya dengan kayu bakar. Tentu saja, tidak ada penginapan khusus di ketiga desa ini dan menginap di rumah warga pastinya akan menambah ketakjuban pengunjung. Waktu seperti berjalan cepat di ketiga desa ini.Ketiga desa ini hanya dapat ditempuh dengan menyusuri Sungai Rereget. Sungai Rereget merupakan jalur menuju hulu dari pinggir laut di Muara Siberut. Perjalanan ke Madobak memakan waktu sekitar 3 jam, ke Ugai sekitar 4 jam dan mencapai Matotonan memakan waktu 5-6 jam dengan perahu bermotor. Jika air pasang, perjalanan bisa lebih cepat. Namun jika air dangkal, perjalanan menjadi sangat lambat. Perjalanan dengan perahu bermotor yang berukuran lebih kecil atau pompong sangat disarankan. Selain itu, dengan pertolongan seorang tour guide yang mengenal masyarakat dan kebudayaan asli Mentawai, tentu komunikasi dengan penduduk setempat akan menjadi lebih mudah. Sampai bertemu di Madobak, Ugai, dan Matotonan….*’Anai Leu Ita’ merupakan salam yang biasa diucapkan ketika bertemu dengan orang lain. Semacam kata ‘Horas’ bagi suku Batak. (Courtesy By Kompas/Antara)

Meniti Jejak Islam di Kokas

2009-04-16T17:39:00.000-07:00

Menyambangi Kokas, Fakfak, Papua Barat, nuansa kehidupan Islami akan terasa begitu kental. Tak heran, karena di sini sebagian besar masyarakatnya memang memeluk agama Islam. Sebagai salah satu pusat agama Islam di Kabupaten Fakfak maka Kokas menyimpan bukti sejarah yang mereka banggakan. Salah satu peninggalan sejarah Islam di Kokas adalah masjid tua di Kampung Patimburak.Masyarakat setempat mengenal masjid ini sebagai Masjid Tua Patimburak. Menurut catatan sejarah, masjid ini telah berdiri lebih dari 200 tahun yang lalu, bahkan merupakan masjid tertua di Kabupaten Fakfak. Bangunan yang masih berdiri kokoh dan berfungsi hingga saat ini dibangun pada tahun 1870, seorang imam bernama Abuhari Kilian.Aura tradisional muncul saat menyambangi lokasi masjid tua ini. Di kampung yang dihuni tak lebih dari 35 kepala keluarga tersebut anda akan mendapati kesederhanaan yang menyatu dari bangunan masjid dan kehidupan masyarakatnya.Sekilas bangunan masjid seluas tidak lebih dari 100 meter persegi ini tampak biasa. Namun coba perhatikan lebih seksama. Masjid ini memiliki keunikan pada arsitekturnya, yaitu perpaduan bentuk masjid dan gereja. Musa Heremba, imam Masjid Patimburak mengaku bangunan masjid ini telah mengalami beberapa kali renovasi. Meski mempertahankan bentuk aslinya, namun material asli yang belum diganti adalah empat buah pilar penyangga yang terdapat di dalam masjid.Pada masa penjajahan, masjid ini bahkan pernah diterjang bom tentara Jepang. Hingga kini, kejadian tersebut menyisakan lubang bekas peluru di pilar masjid.Menurut Musa Heremba, penyebaran Islam di Kokas tak lepas dari pengaruh Kekuasaan Sultan Tidore di wilayah Papua. Pada abad XV, Kesultanan Tidore mulai mengenal Islam. Sultan Ciliaci adalah sultan pertama yang memeluk agama Islam. Sejak itulah sedikit demi sedikit agama Islam mulai berkembang di daerah kekuasaan Kesultanan Tidore termasuk Kokas.Di pelataran masjid, sebuah pohon mangga kokoh berdiri. Namun, bukan sembarang pohon mangga. Dari ukuran batangnya, bisa dipastikan usia pohon raksasa ini tak terpaut jauh dengan usia masjid. Syahdan, perlu empat rentang tangan orang dewasa untuk merengkuh keseluruhan batang pohon ini.Tertarik ziarah ke masjid ini? Untuk mencapai lokasi Masjid Tua Patimburak, anda sebelumnya harus menempuh perjalanan darat dari Fakfak ke Kokas. Tersedia angkutan luar kota dari terminal kota Fakfak. Selama 2 jam anda akan menyusur jalan berkelok dan segarnya udara pegunungan. Tiba di kota Kokas, perjalanan menuju Kampung Patimburak harus dilanjutkan menggunakan longboat sewaan.Pemandangan selama 1 jam mengendarai long boat rasanya sayang jika dilewatkan. Anda bisa menikmati keindahan pulau-pulau karang yang masih perawan di sepanjang perjalanan. (Courtesy By Kompas/Antara)

Pulau Nyang-Nyang, Surga Para Peselancar

2009-04-16T17:37:00.000-07:00

Pasir putih, ombak besar yang bergulung, hangatnya sinar matahari...
Menemukan surga di Sumatera Barat tepatnya di kawasan Kepulauan Mentawai rasanya tak sulit. Pulau Nyang-Nyang, salah satunya. Pulau yang memenuhi sederetan ‘maunya’ wisatawan asing maupun lokal.
Hampir seluruh pulau di Kepulauan Mentawai sering disebut surga bagi para peselancar, termasuk Pulau Nyang-Nyang. Pasalnya, ketika musim ombak, tinggi ombak bisa mencapai empat meter. Biasanya terjadi pada pertengahan tahun. Jika kapal kayu atau perahu motor penduduk enggan melaut, justru kondisi ombak seperti inilah yang menjadi dambaan bagi para peselancar di tepi pantai Pulau Nyang-Nyang. Sebagian besar peselancar yang datang adalah orang-orang kulit putih alias Bule. Demikian keterangan sejumlah penduduk lokal yang ditemui. Keadaan ini juga berlaku di beberapa pulau lain di sekitar Pulau Nyang-Nyang, seperti Pulau Sipora tempat ibukota Kabupaten Mentawai berada, Pulau Karamajat, Pulau Siloinak, Pulau Mainu, Pulau Pagai Utara dan Pagai Selatan.
Pulau Nyang-Nyang adalah salah satu pulau di Kecamatan Siberut Selatan. Dari Muara Siberut, ibukota kecamatan, perjalanan ke Pulau Nyang-Nyang dengan boat kecil memakan waktu lebih dari satu jam sedangkan dengan boat besar menghabiskan waktu satu setengah hingga dua jam. Perjalanan dengan boat besar memakan waktu lebih dalam keadaan normal karena air tidak terlalu pasang. Boat besar yang berisi maksimal 8 orang dapat disewa dengan harga mulai dari Rp 600.000-800.000 untuk sekali perjalanan. Oleh karena itu, dating secara berkelompok sangat disarankan supaya biaya perorangan menjadi lebih murah. Selain melalui Muara Siberut, Pulau Nyang-Nyang juga dapat dicapai sekitar dua jam perjalanan dari Tuapejat, ibukota Kabupaten Mentawai.
Pengunjung yang mendatangi pulau ini biasanya menghabiskan waktu seminggu. Mereka menginap di rumah-rumah penduduk dengan tarif tertentu yang jauh lebih murah bila menginap di sebuah resort yang dibangun di pulau tersebut. Jika menginap di rumah penduduk yang masih terbuat dari kayu dengan bentuk tertentu, tentu saja interaksi dengan para penduduk asli menjadi kesan tambahan dalam perjalanan wisata para pengunjung. Selain berselancar dan berkeliling dengan berjalan kaki ataupun dengan menggunakan boat, pengunjung dapat melihat langsung kehidupan sehari-hari penduduk setempat, misalnya aktivitas mencari dan membuat sagu sebagai bahan makanan pokok atau menangkap ikan di laut.
Di sore hari, pengunjung dapat menghabiskan waktu dengan menyeruput kelapa muda sambil menikmati terbenamnya matahari di ufuk barat. Jangan lupa juga membeli beberapa hasil tangkapan penduduk dari laut untuk makan malam. Meminta tolong kepada pemilik rumah tempat menginap untuk membakar hasil tangkapan tersebut sah-sah saja. Tentu saja dengan imbalan secukupnya. Di pulau ini, penduduk memang mengandalkan hasil laut sebagai makanan sehari-hari mereka. Oleh karena itu, jika tidak terlalu suka hasil tangkapan dari laut, bawalah bekal bahan makanan khusus ketika tiba di Kepulauan Mentawai.
Pulau Nyang-Nyang biasanya ramai pada musim ombak. Selain ramai dengan para wisatawan dan peselancar, pulau ini juga dipenuhi dengan penduduk dari pulau-pulau seberang untuk menjajakan berbagai cendera mata, seperti kaus atau baju, gelang-gelang, maupun ukiran khas Mentawai berbentuk orang yang sedang mendayung sampan.
Keeksotisan Pulau Nyang-Nyang memang mengesankan. Nyiur melambai dengan kemayu dengan latar belakang langit yang biru jernih serta deburan ombak membuat ingin kembali ke Pulau Nyang-Nyang yang perlu untuk dikenang. Namun perlu waspada, Kepulauan Mentawai secara umum terkenal dengan hewan seperti nyamuk yang bernama Agas. Gigitannya sangat gatal. Oleh karena itu, sangat disarankan untuk membawa lotion anti nyamuk atau sejenisnya. (Courtesy By Kompas/Antara)

Masih Banyak Keindahan di Toba

2009-04-16T17:36:00.000-07:00

Heran, di Medan tidak banyak orang yang antusias dengan Danau Toba. Danau terbesar di Asia Tenggara itu menyimpan gambaran ”kotor”, ”penuh keramba”, hingga ”hutan yang sudah gundul”. Seorang guru SMA mengatakan, pelayanan warga kepada wisatawan di Parapat tidak bagus. Orang membeli mangga bisa kena tipu. Aufrida Wismi Warastri & Edna C PattisinaUntunglah seorang kawan berkata, ”Danau Toba itu luas, kita masuk dari sisi lain.”Kata-kata itu menguatkan niat kami, apalagi ditambah kenangan tentang idola masa kecil, Julius Sitanggang, yang suaranya masih terngiang-ngiang di telinga: Danau Toba… oh Danau Toba… danau indah dan permai….Berangkat hari Minggu pagi, dari Medan kami menuju Sidikalang, Kabupaten Dairi, untuk bertemu beberapa teman. Setelah itu menuju Tele, salah satu sudut terbaik untuk melihat Danau Toba. Di Sidikalang, kami mendapat informasi keberadaan danau di atas Danau Toba, danau di Pulau Samosir. Danau Sidihoni namanya. Sebuah imaji yang menjadi cita-cita perjalanan ini.Perjalanan kami lanjutkan setelah sempat bimbang melihat beberapa truk mengangkut durian Sidikalang yang tersohor itu. Beli… tidak... beli... tidak…. ”Ada juga kok di Medan, malah sudah dibungkus kotak plastik, berlapis-lapis, siap masuk ke pesawat,” kata Maringan S Pardede, warga Sidikalang.Jalan antara Sidikalang dan Tele melewati perkebunan kopi dan jeruk, berselang-seling dengan padang tempat kuda merumput di samping anak-anak yang bersuka ria, bercanda sambil mandi-mandi di air yang jernih.Jam sudah menunjukkan pukul 17.00 lewat, saat sesekali, sedikit demi sedikit, Danau Toba menampilkan dirinya, di antara perbukitan. Suasana jadi misterius sekaligus puitis.Tele adalah salah satu sudut terbaik bagi umum untuk melihat Danau Toba. Sebuah menara pandang berdiri di sudutnya. Di sisi kiri tampak Gunung Pusuk Buhit, gunung mitologi Batak, yang diselimuti kabut dan awan. Di sisi kanan beberapa air terjun dari tebing Danau Toba mengalir. Di depan menara, Danau Toba terbentang. Hujan rintik-rintik turun, dingin, tetapi tak menusuk.Beberapa orang yang datang ke Tele sering bergumam, Tele mengingatkan mereka pada pegunungan dalam film Lords of the Ring.Hari itu jalan dari Tele ke Pulau Samosir yang menuruni bukit tengah diperlebar. Keamanan pengendara jadi taruhan. Tebing batu di sisi kiri rawan longsor, sementara jurang puluhan meter menganga di sebelah kanan. Jalanan bergeronjal, rusak. Sayang, keindahan Danau Toba menyembunyikan maut akibat infrastruktur yang buruk.Sup ikanMatahari nyaris tenggelam ketika tiba-tiba kami merasa mobil terguncang aneh di jalan rata. Sebuah insiden terjadi: ban mobil kami pecah. Jujur, kami tidak tahu yang namanya dongkrak, apalagi tempat ban cadangan. Beruntung, seorang pemuda asal Medan yang kebetulan lewat dengan inang dan tulang-nya rela berselonjor di bawah mobil mencari pengait ban cadangan yang telah berkarat dan membantu kami mengganti ban.Sekitar pukul tujuh malam kami tiba di Pangururan, kota terbesar di Pulau Samosir. Kami menginap di Ambarita, disambut Jumaga Gultom, tuan rumah yang mengajak mengobrol di teras dengan suara latar empasan air Danau Toba yang berjarak dua meter dari tempat kami duduk.Istri Jumaga, Masrida Sihombing, menghidangkan menu hari itu, sop ikan Danau Toba, yang baru dibuat karena memang hanya kami tamunya pada hari yang dingin itu. Tidak ada lagi yang kurang, setelah semangkuk panas sop ikan mujair dengan potongan tomat segar dimakan bersama nasi hangat.Obrolan pun mengalir ke sana-kemari, dari air danau yang naik beberapa meter belakangan ini, sampai pada turis mancanegara yang tidak pernah kembali sejak tragedi bom Bali. Turis domestik cukup banyak, tetapi kebanyakan berhenti di Parapat.Sempat kami berpandangan saat empunya rumah bercerita tentang Danau Sidihoni. ”Sebenarnya bisa cuma setengah jam dari Pangururan, tetapi karena jalan rusak dua jam pun bisa lebih,” kata dia. Dalam hati saya berkata, ban bisa pecah lagi, nih.Kami berangkat pukul enam pagi ke Sidihoni. Di huta-huta alias desa-desa di sepanjang jalan, wajah-wajah anak kecil muncul dari rumah adat, sementara ibu mereka menyapu di halaman rumah. Ladang dan makam tempat tulang-belulang para leluhur Batak yang dikubur kembali saat upacara Mangongkal Holi berjejer di tepi jalan.”Boru apa kau, inang?” Ringan sebuah teguran meluncur yang dengan mudah berlanjut ke percakapan panjang tentang suami, istri, anak, cucu, hingga kehidupan. Perjalanan kami terasa sederhana, tetapi nyata, masuk ke dalam kehidupan para inang dan amang di Samosir, bukan sekadar menonton sesuatu yang artifisial.Perjalanan dari Pangururan ke Danau Sidihoni melewati jalan menanjak yang bukan saja rusak parah, tetapi hancur lebur. Jalan tujuh kilometer perlu ditempuh dalam waktu dua jam. Untungnya, pemandangan Danau Toba dari atas sangat indah. Danau Toba bahkan terlihat dalam sudut 180 derajat melebar. Hutan pinus serta bunga-bunga liar ada di sepanjang jalan.SidihoniDi tengah padang rumput dan ladang, muncullah Danau Sidihoni, danau di atas Danau Toba itu. Di tepian danau yang berujud bukit tampak sebuah gereja tua mungil.Tidak ada kesibukan wisata di sekitar danau yang sunyi sepi. Hanya sebuah warung kopi dengan beberapa pria yang asyik menongkrong dengan meja biliar dan segelas kopi. ”Dulu sering ada turis bule kemah di sini, mereka suka berenang di danau,” kata Naibaho, warga setempat.Danau Sidihoni terletak di tengah padang rumput di Desa Ronggur Nihuta, desa tertinggi di Samosir yang terletak di ketinggian sekitar 1.500 meter. Menurut Maruhum Simalango (73), tetua masyarakat, kawasan itu tadinya hutan belukar. Rawa yang ada di tengah hutan belukar itu kemudian berubah menjadi danau. Itu terjadi ratusan tahun lalu.Maruhum berkisah, ada cerita di balik ketenangan air danau yang luas maksimalnya bisa mencapai 5 hektar dengan kedalaman 90 meter ini. Sesekali danau ini terlihat bening sehingga mengundang para turis berenang.Ada saat-saat istimewa ketika perubahan warna danau mengikuti kondisi republik ini. ”Pernah dua kali danau ini berwarna merah, waktu 30 September 1965 dan waktu Soeharto turun,” kata Marihun.Saat kami berada di sana, tepat pada hari kedua kampanye pemilu legislatif (17/3), air danau yang susut itu berwarna coklat keruh. Entah apa artinya....(Courtesy By Kompas/Antara)

Ada Mercusuar di Masjid Luar Batang (1)

2009-04-16T17:34:00.000-07:00

Senin (13/4) pukul 16.00. Di sela riak laut, cahaya matahari seperti menebar butiran mutiara. Nurdin (50) mendorong perahu kecilnya dari tepian kampung nelayan di RW 4 Kampung Luar Batang, Penjaringan, Jakarta Utara (Jakut). Perahu pun bergeser ke tengah, diombang-ambingkan angin sore. Di seberang, deretan kapal kayu bersandar di Pelabuhan Sunda Kelapa. Cuaca cerah, menyenangkan. Tapi tidak buat Nurdin. Pekerjaannya mengantar wisatawan berkeliling kawasan Sunda Kelapa sampai Pulau Onrust, tidak lagi menyimpan banyak harapan seperti 15 tahun lalu. Kala itu, dengan pekerjaan serupa, warga masih mampu menabung dan menyekolahkan anak-anak mereka hingga SMA. Tapi sekarang? “Pendapatan bersih saya sehari rata-rata hanya Rp 50.000,” ucapnya tak bersemangat. Kedua tangannya terus mendayung.Tak jauh dari rumahnya, Suarto (53) duduk gelisah di depan tokonya, menunggu pembeli yang tak juga datang. Usaha kerajinan kerang yang ditekuni ibunya sejak tahun 70-an kini lesu. Padahal, tahun 80-an usaha tokonya di Jalan Pasar Ikan Kampung Luar Batang itu ramai pembeli. Kini, wisatawan yang datang ke sana jauh berkurang. "Dulu, tempat pelelangan ikan di belakang deretan toko juga masih ramai. Ada beberapa warung ikan bakar di situ. Turis suka pada suasananya," tutur Sanang (62), pengojek sepeda yang mangkal di depan deretan toko. Ia sudah 20 tahun mengojek di situ. Lima belas tahun lalu, para pengojek mendapat banyak pelanggan, terutama para pedagang pengecer ikan segar dan turis.“Pendapatan kami tahun 80-an memang cuma Rp 15.000. Tetapi, sepiring nasi sayur dan telur kala itu cuma Rp 50. Sekarang, pendapatan kami sehari rata-rata Rp 30.000. Buat makan dan rokok, Rp 25.000," papar Sanang. Ia menjelaskan, setelah ada pelelangan ikan di Muara Baru dan Muara Angke, pelelangan ikan di Kampung Luar Batang sepi.
Belum banyak tergarap Menurut mantan Lurah Penjaringan, Budi Santoso, 60 persen dari jumlah penduduk Penjaringan bekerja di sektor informal. Sisanya bekerja sebagai buruh di pabrik, pergudangan, pelabuhan, dan pelayan rumah toko.Mereka yang bekerja di sektor informal, umumnya hidup di bawah garis kemiskinan. Padahal, di Penjaringan banyak peluang usaha wisata yang belum banyak tergarap.Setidaknya ada lima lokasi yang bisa diintegrasikan menjadi bermacam paket wisata menarik. Kelima lokasi tersebut, Museum Bahari, Pasar Ikan, Gedung Galangan Kapal VOC (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie), dan Masjid Keramat Luar Batang di Kelurahan Penjaringan, serta Pelabuhan Sunda Kelapa di Kelurahan Ancol. (Courtesy By Kompas/Antara)

Ada Mercusuar di Masjid Luar Batang (2)

2009-04-16T17:31:00.000-07:00

Tentang Masjid Luar Batang, A Heuken SJ dalam bukunya, Mesjid-mesjid Tua di Jakarta (Cipta Loka Caraka 2003), menulis, dulu Masjid Luar Batang terletak di sebelah utara tembok kota lama. Lokasi ini sesudah pertengahan abad ke-17 diuruk, dan mulai dihuni orang-orang Cirebon tahun 1730. Mereka bertugas membersihkan mulut Kali Ciliwung dari lumpur supaya kapal bisa sampai ke Pasar Ikan yang letaknya tak jauh dari masjid ini.Dalam masjid terdapat makam dengan tulisan pada nisan, ”Walijallah Alhabib Husein bin Abubakar bin Abdillah Al Aydrus yang telah wafat pada hari Kamis 27 Puasa 1169, Berbetulan 24 Juni 1756”. Batav Courant edisi 12 Mei 1827 menyebutkan, Habib Husein meninggal dalam rumah komandan Abdul Raup dan dimakamkan di samping masjid.Gema tentang ketokohan Habib Husein tak bisa diingkari, luar biasa. Dalam bukunya yang terkenal tentang Hadramaut, LWC van den Berg pada 1886 menunjukkan betapa populernya Habib Husein.Ia menulis, "Tidak hanya golongan pribumi, namun juga orang-orang Tionghoa campuran, dan kaum Indo, berziarah memohon keberhasilan dalam usaha mereka memperoleh keturunan, dan sebagainya. Penjualan benda-benda keramatnya saat itu mencapai 8.000 gulden setahun." Bagi kaum pribumi, dikubur di makam kecil yang terletak di samping masjid merupakan cita-cita. Akibatnya, sumbangan untuk makam juga merupakan sumber pemasukan yang cukup besar. Pengelola masjid, Hussein Fikri bin Abdullah Alaydrus (40), yang ditemui, mengatakan, sampai sekarang setiap malam Jumat kliwon, masjid ramai dikunjungi peziarah. Sebagian mereka datang dari Malaysia, Singapura, Brunei, Filipina, Irak, dan Iran. “Untuk menyemarakkan suasana, kami menggelar musik rebana biang atau rebana hadroh,” tutur generasi kelima Habib Husein itu saat ditemui di halaman masjid di bulan Ramadhan 2008.Suasana masjid menjadi lebih ramai saat Ramadhan datang. Hidangan khas Betawi bercita rasa Arab (Yaman Selatan, Hadramaut) disajikan kepada seluruh peziarah. Nasi kebuli, kurma, minuman selasi, pacar cina, dan es kelapa muda menjadi hidangan pembuka puasa.Puncak keramaian makan besar di masjid ini berlangsung setiap memperingati Maulid Nabi Muhammad SAW, serta hari kelahiran Habib Husein tanggal 25 Agustus. “Setiap memperingati maulid dan hari kelahiran habib, Ibu Fatwa (80) dan timnya memasak nasi kebuli sampai 40 kuali untuk 5.000 peziarah,” ungkap Hussein Fikri.Selain makan besar, setiap Ramadhan, pengelola masjid bersama sejumlah pengelola masjid tua lain menyelenggarakan tradisi khatam Quran secara bergantian. (Courtesy By Kompas/Antara)

Ada Mercusuar di Mesjid Luar Batang (3)

2009-04-16T17:27:00.000-07:00

Lokasi menarik berikutnya adalah Galangan kapal VOC yang beroperasi sejak 1632. Galangan ini berdiri di atas tanah urukan di tepi barat Kali Besar saat Ciliwung diluruskan dari Pintu Kecil sampai Pasar Ikan. Awalnya, galangan kapal yang terletak di Jalan Kakap Nomor 1, Pasar Ikan ini, adalah sebuah kantor dagang VOC yang didirikan tahun 1628. Bangunan lalu dijadikan gudang barang keperluan galangan kapal yang ada di Pulau Onrust, Kepulauan Seribu, Jakut. Pulau Onrust dibangun menjadi galangan kapal merangkap benteng tahun 1618. Menurut Adolf Heuken dan Grace Pamungkas dalam bukunya, “Galangan Kapal Batavia Selama Tiga Ratus Tahun“, kegiatan perbaikan kapal lama-lama lebih banyak dilakukan di galangan kapal yang terletak di Pelabuhan Sunda Kelapa daripada di Pulau Onrust. Galangan kapal VOC hampir selama dua abad menjadi urat nadi jaringan niaga yang terentang dari Pulau Decima di Nagasaki, Jepang, sampai Cape Town, Afrika Selatan. Dari Ternate, sampai Bandar Surat di Pantai Teluk Arab. Sekitar abad ke 14, pelabuhan yang luas arealnya sekarang mencapai 2000 meter persegi itu, mulai berkembang menjadi pusat niaga Kerajaan Pakuan Pajajaran yang beribukota di Batutulis, Bogor, Jawa Barat. Kala itu, pelabuhan ini disinggahi kapal-kapal dari Palembang, Malaka, Makasar, Madura, India, Tiongkok Selatan, sampai kapal-kapal yang datang dari Kepulauan Ryuku, Jepang. Tahun 1527 pasukan Fatahillah, panglima perang Sunan Gunung Jati (Syarif Hidayatullah), Cirebon, berhasil menghalau pasukan Portugis yang hendak merebut Pelabuhan Sunda Kelapa. Kala itu, Cirebon di bawah Kesultanan Demak. Setelah kemenangan itu, Fatahillah mengubah nama Sunda Kelapa menjadi Jayakarta yang artinya, kemenangan sempurna. Tetapi, tahun 1619, Gubernur Jenderal VOC (Vereenigde Oost-indische Compagnie) Jan Pieterszoon Coen, merebut kembali Jayakarta dan mengubah namanya menjadi Batavia. Kini, galangan kapal VOC seluas 5000 meter persegi itu menjadi milik Susilawati. Tahun 1997-1999, ia merenovasi bangunan dan menjadikan sebagian bangunannya, “Restoran dan Cafe Galangan Kapal VOC”. Ia berharap, langkah yang ia lakukan mampu membangkitkan dunia usaha di sekitar galangan kapal tersebut. Namun, niatnya belum kesampaian karena masih banyak kesulitan yang ia hadapi. Kesulitan itu antara lain, untuk mencapai ke sana wisatawan atau pengunjung lain harus melintas jalanan, yang sehari-hari macet dan berdebu oleh truk-truk peti kemas. Apalagi sebagian jalan di sana rusak. Meski demikian, Susi masih berusaha membuat galangan kapal-nya menarik. Ia lalu menjadikan sebagian bangunan sebagai galeri seni, tempat seminar, festival budaya, bahkan pesta pernikahan. Lokasi berikutnya adalah Museum Maritim (sejak 7 Juli 1977). Bangunan ini awalnya berupa dua gedung bekas kantor perdagangan dan gudang rempah-rempah (teh, kopi, lada) Belanda yang dibangun tahun 1652. Tembok yang mengelilingi museum tersebut adalah tembok batas kota Batavia. Di depan museum berdiri Menara Syahbandar (1839). Menara berfungsi mengawasi kapal keluar masuk Pelabuhan Sunda Kelapa. Di museum, para pengunjung bisa melihat jenis-jenis kapal dari berbagai daerah di Indonesia, gambar, serta foto pelabuhan-pelabuhan di Tanah Air di masa lalu. Salah satu koleksi menarik museum ini adalah tayangan sejarah Pulau Onrust.
Wisata ziarah Berbekal kelima lokasi, peluang menjadikan Kelurahan Penjaringan sebagai kawasan industri wisata, terbuka lebar. Pengembangan kawasan bisa berbasis pada wisata ziarah di Mesjid Luar Batang. Pertama, karena kegiatan ziarah di sana sudah lama populer dan mampu mendatangkan banyak peziarah dari luar dan dalam negeri. Kedua, pengembangan wisata ziarah di mesjid diharapkan bisa mengembalikan fungsi mesjid sebagai mercusuar peradaban yang belakangan tergeser oleh mal. Para pewaris Habib Husein bersama warga sekitar, swasta, dan pemangku kepentingan lainnya, bisa mengembangkan tempat khalwat yang nyaman, penginapan, biro perjalanan sederhana, tempat parkir, serta berbagai jasa seperti pemandu wisata, jasa transportasi tradisional, maupun konvensional. Prinsipnya, usaha dilakukan secara bertahap dengan tenaga pendamping. Dari merealisasikan rencana-rencana jangka pendek, ke rencana-rencana jangka menengah. Dari sedikit yang terlibat, ke pelibatan lebih banyaklebih banyak pihak yang terlibat. Dari hanya mengembangkan wisata ziarah di sekitar serambi mesjid, melebar sampai ke pengembangan wisata air, dan wisata budaya. Dari Museum Bahari, menyusuri pantai Sunda Kelapa sampai Pulau Onrust. Meluas lagi ke wisata kuliner dan belanja di Restoran dan Kafe Galangan Kapal VOC, serta Pasar Ikan. Persoalan, kemacetan, jalan rusak, tempat parkir, dan keamanan, bisa ditanggulangi bersama dengan pola bertahap. Langkah dari bawah ini kemudian diikuti langkah pemerintah provinsi dan pusat, terutama menyangkut pembangunan, penataan, pemulihan, dan pemanfaatan infrastruktur.Komunitas terbuka Pengembangan kawasan wisata yang dilakukan secara bertahap ini, tentu saja diiringi usaha mengembangkan komunitas yang terbuka, kreatif, sadar lingkungan, dan jauh dari kekerasan. Komunitas yang menghormati dan memberi ruang pada beraneka tradisi. Bukan hal yang mudah memang, tapi bila pengembangan wisata berhasil, maka seluruh pemangku kepentingan Jakarta bisa berharap, kawasan kumuh di Kelurahan Penjaringan, bisa berubah menjadi lebih sehat, dan sejahtera. Musibah rob, kebakaran, dan kesulitan air bersih yang sering terjadi di sana, bisa berkurang atau bahkan berakhir. Itulah pertanda, ada “mercu suar” di Mesjid Luar Batang. (Courtesy By Kompas/Antara)

East Borneo - East Kalimantan

2009-04-11T06:44:00.000-07:00

East Kalimantan is the widest province in Indonesia, broadly region is about 245237,80 Km2 or about one a half point of Java Island and Madura or 11 % from Indonesia region wide total. This province abuts on direct with neighboring state, that is Sabah and Serawak, East Malaysia.
Samarinda Sarong

In south region of Mahakam River or also called 'Samarinda Seberang', about 8 Km from the downtown, in Bung Tomo Street, there is center of Samarinda Sarong crafting. This sarong crafting had brought by people who come from Sulawesi and Bugis tribes. Almost in every countrified Bugis tribe in this detectable place is sarong worker Samarinda. Weaver being applied the workers is traditional equipment called 'Gedokan'. The product that being yielded for one sarong has finished till three weeks time.
Tanah Merah Waterfall

The location of Tanah Merah Waterfall is about 14 Km from Samarinda downtown, precisely in Purwosari orchard, north Samarinda district. This tourism place has compatible calm for family recreation because equipped with wide park area; ancient verandah palace to took a rest, booth, open stage and others. To reach this place can join with others public vehicle of Segiri Market - Siring River route.
Pampang Culture Tourism Area

Pampang area which is located about 20 Km from Samarinda city is interesting culture tourism area to see Dayak Kenyah tribe. This culture tourism object can be gone through using motor vehicle through Samarinda - Bontang roadway. The fascination, which can be witnessed in this place, is Lamin or Dayak tribe customhouse and dance and Dayak Kenyah custom ceremony, what performed every Sunday noon up to evening.
Melawai Beach

Melawai Beach, which is located dealt with this Jend Sudirman Street, is place of where the merchant's sell has assorted the delicious food and beverage with cheap price. Visitors can sit on the mat and enjoy the wave splashing and see the ships, which is sailing, yoke and also being reduce charge in Semayang port.
Crocodile Teritip Breding

Crocodile Teritip Breeding is residing in east of the airport, 27 Km from downtown, there is place of crocodile breeding. Visitor can feed to crocodile with a chicken that bought in that place, seems become entertainment amusement for some people. The numbers of crocodiles in breeding with 5 Ha widths are about 3000 tails that consisted of three types that is Muara Crocodile, Supit Crocodile and Swamp Crocodile. This location can reach by joining with others city transport No 7.
Japan Canon

About 8 Km from the downtown in Kampung Baru Ilir countrysides, Asrama Hill area there is an omission cannon of Japan army. The position of this cannon indicates that Balikpapan is strategic defense place. From a place of 2500 m2 width we can see Balikpapan City, refinery and Balikpapan bay. This location can reach using city transport No 5 and No 6.
Wanawisata Garden

This Wanawisata Garden located in Km 10, Soekarno Hatta Street, 15 minutes join with others common vehicle from Balikpapan downtown. In garden, which built by PT Inhutani I, there is various birches and fruits rareness, there is also pounced deer breeding (servus unicolor). This place equipped with trek or special line for having athletics to jog and camping area in open nature with fresh area.
Bakapai Garden

Bakapai Garden Jend Sudirman Street, in front of PLN office there is Bakapai Garden. In the middle of garden there is monument made from stainless steel material depicting the exit of oil blast from earth stomach. At night, from the inside of this monument, there is water fountain that exit being allied with light, so it beautiful forms. This location suited for relaxing with the family.
Manggar Segarsari Beach

Manggar Segarasari Beach is broadly 13000 m2 has clear seawater, small waves and white sand. This beach is balmy place for they, who wish to play, sail and also volley beach. Place that opened start at six mornings so at six evenings is reachable with personal vehicle and also public vehicle number 7. The Beach location is resided in Manggar and Teritip sub-district with distance 9 Km from Sepinggan Airlines or 22 Km from Balikpapan downtown.
Agro Tourism Garden

Agro Tourism Garden had declared in 17 Decembers 1997 have 100 hectares width area. In this garden, the visitor can enjoy tropical crop types. This garden is also equipped with picnic place and resting place with some facilities, such as: long house (wedding-bed decorative) with Dayak ornaments, camping place (camping ground) and children play arena (play ground). Agro Tourism Garden is located in Soekarno Hatta Street Km 23 and reachable with route city transport No 8.

Kutai National Park

In national park area about 200 thousand hectares width is safe fauna and floral properties include animal and rareness plant that protected like orang-utan, bekantan and various forest orchids. In this area also there is the widest forest ulin in Indonesia. To reach the location of national park is through roadway line Samarinda - Bontang or about 125 Km from Samarinda towards Bontang and continue journey using speed boat towards Kaba Bay that need time 2 hours.

Derawan Island

Derawan Island is preserve area that went out to sea, part of Sangalaki island, which is located not far from offshore Batu foreland, between Berau and Tarakan. This island has beautiful panorama with clean white coast with adjoining coconut palm forest, and a number of small villages encircle island. This place has known as sea tourism location especially for dive and snorkeling activities. Although situation of outlying, but the popularity of Derawan Island and islands in vicinity increasingly as location sea tourism. The marines around Derawan Island is rich with fish especially a kind of fish that always forage on the surface of water whereas birds fly above it to pounce adrift food on the sea. Green tortoise, which is scarce laid eggs along the Derwan Island beach, is not far from diving Derwan Dive Resort location. You will not meet car or motor in this island while electrics only live a few nocturnal clocks.

Tenggarong Regency

Tenggarong which is located 39 Km in northwest Samarinda during then is capital of Sultanate Kutai. The town is residing in Mahakam riverbank with people about 50 thousand mans; there is ex Kutai Empire, which now functioning as museum. This palace built by Dutch in year 1930 replaces wood building stripper palace that falling to pieces combustible. The Museum has collection of objects from Sultanate Kutai period and Dayak Tribes culture objects. The museum collection is impressing property of stripper ceramics jar of Chinese from dynasty Yuan, Ming and Qing period and now Sultanate Kutai is animated. Every year in September in Tenggarong is performed a Erau Festival that taking place during one finite two weeks. Dayak public who come from various areas in Kalimantan follows this event. At this event is performed custom ceremony and various dances that show by the Dayak dressy custom dancers. Kumala Island is newest tourism object in Kutai with solidarity between traditional and modern with complete facilities.
Long Iram

Long Iram is a calm village and peace. Here there are a number of omission buildings in colonial period. This village usually becomes perambulation end point Mahakam River. The journey farther upstream from this Long Iram has been difficult to be done by the river condition that is not enables to be passed by speedboat. But if the condition is enable farther upstream journey able to be done. Not far from Long Iram (3 Km) there is Gap Lake where you can explore the lake that become monkey habitat by rent some ships, which available. From Gap Lake journey can be continued to Tering - ama where there is a real impressing church.
Datah Bilang

If the condition has enable you can continue the farther upstream journey, hence the interesting place, which can be visited after Long Iram is Datah Bilang. This area is Dayak Kenyah tribe public region who believing in Protestant Christian moving to this area in 1970 from their area before in Apokayan. The Dayak Kenyah woman in this place have long ear because decorate by a decoration as ballast.
Tengkorak Cave

This place is located in Jemparing village with approximately distance 55 km from Tanah Grogot. In this cave there is skulls fossil. For towards this location can be gone through supporting facilities for transportation of wheel 4 and wheel 2vehicle.
Doyam Turu Waterfall

Doyam Turu Waterfall is located in Lempesu village, 27 km from Tanah Grogot. Be favorite tourism object and have recreation, enjoying beautiful nature glamour and cold atmosphere. In this place are available booths for visitor.
Penajam Pasir Utara Regency
Deer Breeding is located in Waru District, Penajam Paser Utara regency, according to SK East Kalimantan No14/BPN-16/UM-05/111-1990 is reserved farm with 1000 Ha width for breeding area, but finite has just exploited and have been fenced with 50Ha width. It is build in 1996 last year. The location is side of joint streets Tanah Grogot Penajam (about 103 km from Tanah Grogot). Beside as place of tourism object, this place also applied as place of breeding and conservation various deer population types till now (July 2002) about 109 tails, deer types being breed is Sambar deer (Cervus Unicolor Brokei) and Timor deer (Cervus Timorensis), with detail adult 30 tails, female 35 tails, child and each female child 22 tails. Now have been done cooperation with The Institute of Indonesia Science (LIPI) in 'Potensi Ternak Rusa' sector.

Data Dian

Data Dian is the capital city of Kayan Hilir district and this area also close to frontier Malaysia State. The original society of Data Dian is Aborigin. They are the first resident who inhabiting in backwoods of Kayan River, so that the longest River in Malinau regency have estuary to Bulungan Regency is Kayan River. Kayan River area is very famous with rafting that is one rafting activities.Long Ampung is located in Long Ampung village Long Ampung is stepped aside Kayan River. There is airfield Perintis that in recognize as Lapter Long Ampung in Apo Kayan Area village. In this village dwelt by Dayak Kenyah Lepo Jalau tribes and they very diligent grew crops. And they also have 'Lamin custom' so that its culture is in this area. For tourist who will visit this village can apply plane DAS from Samarinda - Long Ampung.
Nyamuk River

In this area, the resident cultivate peppercorn and chocolate. So this area yields chocolate fruits and peppercorn. For tourists who want to visit this area can earn directly from Tarakan or through Nunukan then continue the journey to Nyamuk Island.
Long Bawan Kayan

Long Bawan in mountain area that abutting on Sabah has dwelt by Lundaye tribe The Lundaye tribe culture art typical is Traditionaly Ceremony Nyumpai Semarang Mei Ulung, Parisanan Dance and Baritubang. In this area there is pioneer airfield with plane from Tarakan. Kayan district is famous with population of buffalo livestock and as a symbol for paddy, paddy producer and nature salt producer.

Tarakan Regency
Tarakan is island town, which located near with Sabah, Malaysia frontier. According to history, Tarakan have ever become location of venomous encounter at Second World War between Japan armies and Australian army. 235 Australian armies died at the encounter. Some houses in Tarakan still having stripper cannon rest of world war that put down in house yard as supply of garden and lawn. In Tarakan there is Australian army cenotaph in location, which is become a military complex. This cenotaph is built in memory of coping to die Australian army to free Tarakan from Japan occupying. In other location there is Japan grave residing in ex Japan bunker in hilly area. This tourism object in Tarakan for example Amal Beach is a parting 11 Km from the downtown. This beach has coconut panorama to wave with beautiful panorama. About 4 Km from the downtown, in Masjid Markoni Street Gang III there is 'Tugu Perabuan Jepang' that built in 1933. This monument is square equipped with article Kanji and is place of obsequies the dying Japanese corpse

Sangata Regency
Around Sangata, which is the capital of Kutai Timur regency there are a number of interesting tourism objects to be visited for example Lombok Bay Beach and Perancis Bay. Both of this locations are located not far from Sangata city and reachable using line earned, fringe the beach about 15 Km from the city. Birah-birahan Island is located in Sangkulirang District. This island is reachable using motor ship quickly from Sangata or Benua Baru, Sangkulirang. Besides have its sea panoramic scenery, this island also, has beauty of under sea like Marine Park with variety of beautiful sea rock and decorative fish multifarious. Pangadan Cave located in Pangandaan village, about Sangkulirang - Muara Wahau roadway, its about 20 Km from Sangata city and can be gone through with vehicle. The fascination of his tourism object is cave hole that is long enough and in it there is stalactite and stalagmite that formed from nature process during hundreds of year. Some form of stalactite - stalagmite for example is in lemonade straw form, mug, crystal glowed, transparent plate and chicken spur form. Besides, in this location there is also source of temperature wellspring. 'Long Segar' and 'Long Noran' is two rich villages fascination of art would be cultural and crafting like weapon Mandau, traditional statue and house is decorative wedding-bed. Both of this neighbor villages have admission in Muara Wahau district and located in Wahau riverbank. To visit this place is reachable with river ship from Samarinda fringe Wahau River. (Courtesy By Indonesia-Tourism)

Central Java

2009-04-11T06:29:00.000-07:00

Central Java Province, as one of the Indonesia tourist destination areas, offers various kinds of tourist attractions whether natural, cultural, or man made features. Central Java is located exactly in the middle of Java Island. It borders with West Java Province in the western part, while in the eastern part borders with East Java Province. On the part of the southern side lies also the province of Yogyakarta Special Region. Central Java is the island's cultural, geographic, and historic heartland. Universities, dance schools, pottery, handicrafts, textiles and carving, give to the region a rich culture and interesting shopping. This is also the place of the famous Javanese temples of Borobudur. But it is not the only ones to be noted; Dieng plateau and Sukuh temple are worth a visit. Performing arts is still widely practiced, and traditional dance dramas (Wayang Orang) or shadow puppets (Wayang Kulit) performances are easy to find. Mountains cross the entire central portion of the province. The cool slopes contain numerous hill resorts (Tawangmangu, Kaliurang, Sarangan).The very first Moslem kingdom on the island was founded in 1511 at Demak, about 40 km from Semarang. Today Demak is a sleepy little town, however, its glory of the past is still visible from one of the major relics, which is still well preserved. The Grand Mosque, a quaint blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture, still honored and worshipped by Javanese pilgrims.Surakarta, better known as Solo, is the cradle of Javanese culture in the province. TV courts of Solo embody the noble value that the Javanese attach to grace and refinement, with majestic ceremonies and royal festivals still held with great pomp and circumstance. Although no longer the seat of power it once was, descendants of the royal houses of Solo are regarded as leaders of, Javanese culture and traditions, upholding standards of sophistication and conduct.
The rich and fertile plains of the region support an enormous population of over 30 million people. The low land plains are found alongside the northern beaches. The high land plains are found in the Center of Central Java with mountains stretching lengthwise from the west to the east with a line of mountains, such as Mount Slamet (3,428 m), Mount Perahu (2,585 m), Mount Sindoro (3,135 m) Mount Sumbing (3,321 m), Mount Merapi (3,142 m), Mount Ungaran (2,050 m). Near the border with East Java Province is Mount Lawu (3,265 m), while on the northern side there is Mount Muria (1,602 m). At the feet of these mountains will find pleasant and cool highland plains with beautiful panoramas such as Baturaden, the Dieng Plateau, Bandungan, Kopeng, Tawangmangu, Solo, etc. Apart from these mountains there are some small mountains and lime mountains. The Biggest Rivers found in the Central Java are Serayu River, with its source from the Dieng Plateau and "Bengawan Solo" River.
Borobudur Temple
Borobudur is the biggest Buddhist temple in the ninth century measuring 123 x 123 meters. It is located at Magelang, 90-km southeast of Semarang, or 42-km northwest of Yogyakarta. Borobudur temple is the one of the best-preserved ancient monument in Indonesia that are most frequently visited by over a million domestic as well as foreign visitors. It also had been acclaimed by the world as a cultural heritage main kind. The architectural style has no equal through out the world. It was completed centuries before Angkor Wat in Kamboja. Borobudur is one of the world's most famous temples; it stands majestically on a hilltop overlooking lush green fields and distant hills. Borobudur is built of gray andesite stone. It rises to seven terraces, each smaller than the one below it. The top is the Great Stupa, standing 40 meters above the ground. The walls of the Borobudur are sculptured in bas-reliefs extending over a total length of six kilometers. It has been hailed as the largest and most complete ensemble of Buddhist relieves in the world, unsurpassed in artistic merit and each scene an individual masterpiece.
Borobudur temple built in the eighth century by the Cailendra dynasty, is believed to have been derived from the Sanskrit words "Vihara Buddha Uhr" the Buddhist Monastery on the hill. Borobudur is a terraced temple surmounted by stupas, or stone towers; the terraces resemble Indonesian burial foundations, indicating that Borobudur was regarded as the symbol of the final resting place of its founder, a Syailendra, who was united after his death with the Buddha. The Prambanan temple complex is also associated with a dead king. The inscription of 856 mentions a royal funeral ceremony and shows that the dead king had joined Shiva, just as the founder of the Borobudur monument had joined the Buddha. Divine attributes, however, had been ascribed to kings during their lifetimes. A Mahayana inscription of this period shows that a ruler was said to have the purifying powers of a bodhisattva, the status assumed by the ruler of Shrivijaya in the 7th century; a 9th-century Shaivite inscription from the Kedu Plain describes a ruler as being "a portion of Shiva."
The Borobudur was in danger of collapsing as its stone statues and stone cancer, moss and lichen affected bas-reliefs. But, the monument has been completely restored and was officially opened by the President on 23rd February 1983. The restoration took eight years to complete, funded by the Government of Indonesia with aid from the UNESCO and donations from private citizens as well as from foreign governments.
The visitors have the option of going by taxi or public bus to reach this temple. Public transportation is available from the bus terminal. From that point visitors can hire becaks or horse carts, or walk the rest of the way to the monument. A large parking area is available not far from the monument, so private cars and buses can park in this area.
Bandungan and Gedong Songo Temple
This is a resort on the slope of mount Ungaran, about 900 meters above sea level. Gedong Songo (nine buildings), a group of small 8th century Hindu Javanese temples, can be reached either by car or on horseback from the town. Built at about the same time as the temples of the Dieng complex, Gedong Songo is one of the most beautifully sited temple complexes in Central Java and the views alone are worth the trip. Gedung Songo ('Nine Buildings') belong to the earliest antiquities of Java, they follow up the temples on the Dieng Plateau directly, for what about time. They were also built high in the mountains in an area full with volcanic activity; and they were also from Hinduist origin. But where the temples on Dieng Plateau are somewhat squeezed into a foggy valley, Gedung Songo are spread over the higher parts of the mountains, which guarantee a splendid view. On clear days, the horizon is one long row of volcanoes, from mount Lawu in the east, towards mount Sumbing, mount Sundoro and Dieng Plateau in the west.
The temples were built between 730 and 780, the first temple excepted, which could have been built some 30 years later. Gunung Songo is not the original name and also doesn't point at the number of structures. The number nine has a special meaning in the Javanese culture, in which there is a strong attachment to numbers. The temples are located at about the same distance from each other (100 meters, 200 meters) on a naturally formed terrace of edge of a mountain.
Ambarawa Railway Museum
Ambarawa is famous nationwide by the credo Palagan Ambarawa. Small city that forgotten nowadays but became one of the important base camp of National heroes during Dutch occupancy in World War II. A small city in the junction of national road between Yogyakarta to Semarang and accessible to several small cities nearby like Salatiga, Magelang and Bandungan. Fifty km south of Semarang, Ambarawa has locomotives of various types and ages, and it is still possible to ride on a cog railway between Ambarawa and Bedono, a village nearby. Ambarawa Railway Museum 50 km south of Semarang, Ambarawa is the home of Java's antique locomotives, housed in a museum. Prior arrangements should be made for groups. Also of interest are a collection of antique telephones and other instrument used for railway communication.
The museum was established in the 1970s primarily to preserve a wide selection of the steam locomotives, which were then coming to the end of their useful lives on the 3ft 6in (1067mm) gauge railways of the Indonesian State Railway (the Perusahaan Negara Kereta Api, PNKA). These are parked in the open air next to the original station, originally a transhipment point between the 4ft 8 in gauge branch from Kedungjati to the northeast and the 3ft 6in gauge line onward towards Yogyakarta via Magelang to the south. It is still possible to see that the two sides of the station were built to accommodate different size trains. Ambarawa lays some way above sea level and was an administrative centre for the Dutch colonialists. Now the provincial Government of Central Java is increasingly taking an interest from the point of view of its heritage significance and its potential as a tourist attraction. Non-Governmental bodies like the Semarang Heritage Society are also acting to assist and there is also an unofficial overseas group 'The Friends of Ambarawa Railway Museum'.
Sukuh Temple
Sukuh temple is located in Berjo Village, Argoyoso district, in the slope of mount Lawu 35 Km east of Solo at a height about 910 m above sea level. The temple stretches from the east to the west with the main gate in the west. Sukuh Temple is decorated with wayang stone carvings of Hindu origin, the only erotic temple in Java. The stepped pyramid is like the ones in South America of the Maya culture. The temples are distinctive compared with other ancient temples in Central Java such as Borobudur and Prambanan, and its uniqueness lies in the landscaping, statuettes, and relief. The temples occupy an 11,000m2 area and consist of three terraces, each connected with an ascending alley. The most influential part is the last terrace, at the very back of the compound. At this very sacred area, once erected a homogenous phallic statue, which is now displayed at the National Museum, Jakarta. Another interesting and controversial factor of this historical site is the artistic relief on its floor, which depict male and female organs symbolizing the birth of life. This kind of construction is common in prehistoric time, especially in the megalithic era of pundan berundak (terrace grave). The temple consist of three terraces, the first terrace is the lowest level, followed by the second and the third above it. The terrace are connected with stairs to each other, each of it has an entrance gate. The temple has believed to be constructed in the 15th century during the declining years of Majapahit Empire. The relief found beside the first gate are believed had mean (sengkalan) reads Gapura Buta Aban Wong and Gapura Buta Anahut Bubut, meaning the year of 1359 saka or 1437 AD.
Johnson, the resident of Surakarta, first discovered the temple in 1815 in a very poor condition during the period of Raffles government. The first study in 1842 had done under the leadership of Dr. Van de Vlis, Hoepermans and was studied by Verbeek in 1889, and finally by Knebel in 1910. _In 1917 there had been an effort to secure and rescue by the office of prehistoric sites of the Netherlands East Indian Government. Then in 1989 the restoration was resumed by the Restoration and Maintenance of Prehistoric and Historic Project in Central Java. The view surrounding the temple is alluring. The road to this temple with impressive grandeur is surfaced all the way. The structure and the mood of Lawu Temple are different from other temples in Java, it is built like a Maya stepped pyramid, and so it is worth seeing.
Curug Semawur Waterfall
Curug Semawur, located at Blumah Village in Plantungan district, Kendal, Central Java is about 33km from Semarang. The journey to the waterfall can be a memorable experience as visitors would witness lines of wooden-house of the villagers, in addition to encounters a bunch monkeys along the way. Endless streams of waterfall heavily even in the driest season of the year, not to mention its unusual height, which could reach up to tens of meters. It has legend that the waterfall actually consists of seven levels and very few people have been able to climb up its peak.
Cipendok Waterfall
Cipendok waterfall is located at a plateau in Banyumas region and officially made open for public in February 27, 1986 by the Banyumas Regent, R.G Roydjito. Go north of Cipendok, lies the largest mountain forest in Java. To be able to reach the bottom of Cipendok Waterfall we must walk some steps down. In the stream at the feet of the waterfall, there is a group of black, monstrous stones soaked by the heavy water. Cipendok Waterfall is a perfect site for those who seek solace or quiet surrounding for meditation.
Pasar Klewer (Klewer Market)
Off the west gate of Karaton's North Square, this old market selling all kinds of fabrics, predominantly batik. Other traditional fabrics are lurik (hand-woven striped cotton cloth) and tenun ikat. There are hundreds of shops jammed along narrow passageways. The visitors must be prepared to bargain. Batik cloths and garments, hand-woven fabrics, traditional and local jewelry, leather puppets, basketry, tortoise-shell accessories, trinkets, brassware and other decorative items, and all kinds of antiques are local specialties. Souvenir and art objects are available in all major towns of Central Java, mostly in the downtown areas and popular market places or shopping centers.
Pasar Klewer in Solo is the busiest textile market in Java, a great place to buy not only the less expensive “stamped” (batik cap) cloths, but also some of the best hand-drawn batik tulis on the island. There are plenty of tailors in the market who can make shirts and skirts in a day. Also not to be missed while visiting Solo is the flea Market at Pasar Triwindu, where everything and anything is for sale to those willing to have a bit of fun bargaining.
Simpang Lima
Simpang Lima (means "five intersection") is a vast field at the heart of Semarang. At night, we can eat, drink or just bring our self-wandering around Simpang Lima. There are plenty of food stalls offering variety of Indonesian and Javanese food. The price is cheap, sometimes very cheap. It is a square with many shops and cinemas around. In the evening a lot of people are here taking a walk or window-shopping. Early in the morning, people are jogging along the street.
Simpang Lima, the downtown of Semarang area, is probably the best place to stay if we want to enjoy the hustle bustle of the town life. However, if we are looking for tranquility, the hotels around Sisingamangaraja Street, the upscale neighborhood in the hills of Semarang is probably better. (Courtesy By Indonesia-Tourism)

Central Sulawesi

2009-04-10T23:37:00.000-07:00

Central Sulawesi Province is beautiful region with its mountain; lakes and dales decorate this area. All the things are tourism potency that becomes a fascination for tourist to visit it. The fascination of main tourism in Central Sulawesi is megalith omission area of historic epoch, which stay in Bada and Besoa, however the natural beauty and sociability of its public become valuable asset for the tourism expansion in this area. Central Sulawesi is one of regional in Indonesia that has compatible solidarity between natural beauties, cultural properties and long history. Central Sulawesi Province, Become nine region named:

1. Donggala Regency in Donggala

2. Poso Regency in Poso

3. Banggai Regency in Luwuk

4. Toli-toli Regency in Toli-toli

5. Palu city domicile in Palu

6. Buol Regency in Buol

7. Morowali Regency in Kolonodale

8. Banggai Archipelago Regency in Banggai

9. Parigi Moutong Regency in Parigi
Poso Lake

The third biggest lake in Indonesia has the wide about 32300 hectares with about 450 meters depth. Poso Lake has 32 Km length and wide 16 Km. The Lake situation is reside in 600 meters height above sea level make this area air is nocturnal balmy without have too cool. Visit Poso Lake to become the main reason people to halting-place in Tentena and Pendopo, which is each, located in north back part and south of Poso Lake. Both this places are attributed to supporting facilities for crossing regular transportation lake. Tourist can walk along to fringe rural area around lake or rent boat to encircle lake. Poso Lake also famous because it have orchid garden called Bancea Orchid Garden that has wild orchid collection. This garden can reach by walking (11 Km) or join with others rental car to Taipa from Pendolo.
The tourism location Salopa Waterfall reside in a forest area near to Tentena, there are a number of rapids, waterfall and some pools with the transparent water as clear crystal.
Sulewana Waterfall

Sulewana Waterfall located 10 Km from Tentena. To reach this place you can join with others machinery trishaw, which towards to north and continued by walking of 3 Km in each August month is, performed an event named Poso Lake Festival which is the biggest event culture in this region. This festival followed by the village public who reside in this beautiful area. Pendolo, which located in tip of south and resides in Poso Lake periphery, is silent village.
Lore Lindu National Park

This national park cover 250,000 hectares width area and rich multifariously exotic crop and various animal types and insect, include the butterfly that larger of human hand. National garden area also become the original society place with their custom clothes they gorgeous and usually used at execution of traditional event. The other fascination in this national park is the objects (relict) that made by the historic man from megalith epoch that had dwelt this region for thousands year ago. A number of relicts can be met in Bada dale, Besoa and Napu.
Tentena
Tentena which located in back part of north Poso Lake is the wider village and more beautifully from Pendolo. This place encircled of hilly that grew by clove crop. When bloomy clove (finite June to November), clove tree will release clove interest fragrance. Tentena have accommodations facility and complete restaurants, but the beach in Tentena still beautiful compared to in Pendolo. The interesting location, which must be visited when you to reside in Tentena is bridge along 210 meters length that reside in back part to be north Poso Lake. Under the bridge, lake water rapidly flows to enter river to start the length journey towards to sea. Tentena is famous with eel animal with length reach two meters. These animals live in lake base and a lot to exit follow the water current towards river. In the riparian there is Pamona Cave. Panorama near to this cave is enough beautirfull. Farther to the town, in roadway towards to Kolonodale there is Latea cave that contain of dead body bones that buried during in the past.
Palu

Palu is the capital Central Sulawesi Province, which geographically this region located in upstate. Town which seldom has rain known as one of dry town in Indonesia with hot air in the afternoon and nocturnal cold. In it history, Palu has ever occupied by Japan army in world second. In general, the tourist visit Palu because wishing trekking to Lore Hindu National Park that reside in south Palu or Tanjung Karang that is reside in north. If reside in Palu it is possible you can visit Central Sulawesi Province Museum that have collection of folk art objects as well as archaeological object. You also can visit traditional house Banua Souraja and Datu Karama. Palu Beach is the cleanness beach.
Kolonodale

This small town located in one of Tomori Bay angle with the beautiful panorama. Kolonodale is the gateway towards Morowali Garden, which is preserve area. This area has level of height rainfall and takes place approximant during the year. The best time to visit this place is during September and November. Most of lodging, shop and market reside in located area not far from the main dock. The intersecting street in front of market is also functioned as bus terminal.
Tomori Bay

Most of the tourist who reside in Kolonodale would be towards to Morowali and don't exploit the opportunity to look beautiful panorama around Tomori Bay. Around Tomori Bay area there is small bays with rocks ashore meeting with clear seawater. Bay area to be encircled by hilly that closed over the forest; so also in water territory around outspread bay small islands which in the centered is grew by the forest which still be original and in its periphery is outspread is beautiful coast. All the things unite to to become impressing natural beauty.Along the Kolonodale Beach, there is reef that have fossil and hand image of historic man that sticking on the stone. Also there is reef, which is in mushroom form. To enjoy all of this beauty optimally, hence tourist need to rent speed boat from Kolonodale with tariff about Rp 100000 per day.
Karang Foreland

Karang Foreland is located about 5 Km in north of Donggala is coastal area with the shore sand and sea is a real please for water activities like swimming and snorkeling. The tourists who come to this place are they who fond with shore sand, seawater and sunshine. This tourism object location has sufficient accommodation facility and most of lodging in this place has rent the snorkeling equipments.
Togean Island

The main settlement area in Togean Island is Katupat village that have a small market and a number of shops. Around island there is coast area, which more beautiful from other place and jugs location for trekking for tourist who have been be fed up with activity dive, swim, or snorkeling. This place is also available of lodging, for example Melati Motel, Fadhila Cottages and Bolilanga Indah Motel.
Togean Archipelago

Foreign tourist, who is visit Togean archipelago for the first time, will feel fall in love with its rock islands beauty in this place. The beauties of Togean nature make many tourists finally choose to remain longer from initially plan. Archipelago that is located in the middle of Tomini Bat is grew by forest area, which have not touched and become shelter for the animals in it. But the real beauty resides in the beach and sea. Various combinations forms of rock unite bluely of clear seawater make the beauty of this place become hardly impressing.Togean Archipelago is the only place in Indonesia that has three different rock areas but stay in one same area. The three rock areas is atoll rock, barrier rock and coastal rock, all become flora and sea fauna habitat. Atoll rock is coral island form that midst of its there is deep lake. Barrier rock is in a row consecutive rock encircle the island look like fortress or wall on the sea that protect other island in nearness from the sea wave dashing against. This rock height start from finite base to sea level reach 200 meters, this is not including part of rock on the surface, which able to reach some meters height, again.
Batu Daka Island

Bata Daka Island is the biggest island and easiest to reached in Togean archipelago. In Batu Daka Island there are two villages that is Bomba and Wakai. Bomba village, they are the settlement area, which located in northwest back part of Togean archipelago. Bomba is the most beautiful place in Togean area and not crowded, hence most tourists' pass this place is just for towards main purpose that is to Wakai in Kadidiri Island. However Bomba is interesting place. Here, the visitor can swim and snorkeling in good location. You also can visit bat cave, which located near to Bomba but to visit this place required by guide.
Wakai
The biggest settlement area in Togean is Wakai. This place is point of departure for ships, which would towards to Kadidiri Island. In this place there are two lodgings and a number of haberdashery shops. Some kilometers towards hinterland there is waterfall. Tourist can do the pleasing journey towards to waterfall through the villages, which stay in this area. Two lodgings in this place are Wakai Cottages and Togian Island Hotel.
Kadidiri Island
Kadidiri Island, which is located not far from Wakai, is the center of tourism area in Togean Island. Kadidiri Island is very popular island among tourist because the beach is a real good with snorkeling location and dive a real prima and it also available many doss houses. In Westside of the coastal there is consecutive precipitous reef that become rock crab habitat.
Malenge Island
Malenge Island is island, which rather cloistered but has a real good water territory area for snorkeling with the location not far from the beach. The local resident with NGO help have built the journey route to pass is ambient forest and mangrove forest which good for assisting to know the places or animal habitat in this island like monkey, hornbill, polecat and salamanders. Lodging in this island can be met at near to dock for example Malenge Indah Motel, Lestari Motel and Honeymoon Beach Bungalows.
Walea Kodi Island
The only settlement in Walea Kodi Island is in Dolong village, which is fisherman village that is enough stirred. The tourism facility and transportation in this place are very limited. Dolong, have coast that is not too good but there are a number of locations to snorkeling. The lodging in this place is Lima Hotel and Walea Dive Center Resort.
Banggai Archipelago
This archipelago is a real good area to do various activities of water like swimming and dive. In this water territory area the tourist are possibly to see dugong or sea cow and even whale. Although its panorama is very good but the accommodation facility in this island still limited but the tourist admit of lodge in houses property of resident after ask permission to local village head. The tourist can rent speedboat, which can be met in every village if we like to encircle this archipelago area. (Courtesy By Indonesia-Tourism)

Central Kalimantan and Palangkaraya

2009-04-10T21:06:00.000-07:00

Central Kalimantan is one of the biggest Provinces in Indonesia with area total 153564 km2 or one-third from total Kalimantan Island, or equal to Java and Madura Island. Most of it, is jungle (80%), swamps, rivers and agriculture land. The northern area is mountainous and difficult to reach. The central area is dense and fertile tropical forest, producing valuable commodities such as rattan, resin and the best woods. The southern area is swampy and has many rivers. The boundaries of this province are:North side: West Kalimantan and East Kalimantan Side South: Java Sea and South Kalimantan Westside: West Kalimantan
River has an important role people in Central Kalimantan. There is houseboat, but also have important meaning for people in transportation. Make a move out of one place to other place along the length of river to trade. Transportation facilities are limited much to the rough terrain. Central Kalimantan Province, cover one municipalities and five regencies: Palangkaraya Municipality, West Kotawaringin regency, East Kotawaringin regency, Kapuas regency, South Barito regency, North Barito regency, Administrative Town Kasongan, Administrative Assistant Kalingan, Administrative Assistant Seruyan, Administrative Assistant Gunung Mas, Administrative Assistant Pisau Island, Administrative Assistant Permata Intan, Administrative Assistant Sukamara.Central Kalimantan has a humid and hot climate.
Tribes

The three big Dayak tribes who inhabit this province are Ngaju, Ot Danum, and Ma'anyan Ot Siang. Ngaju, like some other tribes, moves from one region to another. They adhere to the old Kaharingan religion, which is the form of ancestor worship, mixed with animism elements. They have seen progress. Many of them live in the towns, have enjoyed an education and they are intelligent.
The Ot Danum live in longhouses, which sometimes have as many as 50 rooms. The unique longhouse is called Betang. With approximately 6,000 people, the Ot Danum is the largest among the three tribes. They are known for their skill in plaiting rattan, palm leaves, and bamboo. Made by the women, such products are sold in many cities such as Banjarmasin, Kualakapuas, and Sampit. Like other Dayaks, the men are good hunters, using simple tools. The art of Central Kalimantan clearly bears the marks of the Kaharingan religion, which is the traditional belief of the Dayaks in the hinterland of Central Kalimantan. The building styles are the elements of the Hindus, Chinese, and Hindu-Javanese. Aside from their aesthetic properties, such products are appreciated for their magic value.
The Ngaju

The Ngaju, the most known Barito Bayak, managed the creation of the province of Central Kalimantan. They speak different dialects of which the Kahayan has become the local dialect. Most Ngaju practice Kaharingan, or are converted to protestantism; only the Bakumpai Ngaju converted to islam over a century ago.
The branding longhouses of the Dayak are hard to find among the Ngaju. Their place is taken by communal rooms, in which meeting and rytes are held. The Ngaju belong to the best artists of Borneo. This reputation is shown in the ceremonial objects for the dead, like the wooden coffins, tombes, and sailboats and big statues.
The Ma'anyan

The Ma'anyan speak a language which is almost the same with that on Madagascar. There is a lot of speculation that their ancestors crossed the sea to Madagascar in the 3rd or 4th century. This would mean that the Ma'anyan lived more close to the beach than they do today.The different Ma'anyan communities hold contact with each other and with the cities along the Barito by periodical markets. Their most important product for trade - nice canoos made out of one piece - are loved among the Banjarese.
During wars the Ma'anyan lived in family houses in pillars, which could be as high as seven meters. Many Ma'anyan practiced the Kaharingan religion. They know complicated rytes in combination with agriculture and funerals, bring sacrifices for spirits and ask a sjaman when someone has fallen ill. On their graveyard, you can see that the Ma'anyan used to be very layered: the bone-houses of the nobility are placed more upstream, followed to the ones of the warriors, the normal population and the slaves, most downstream.
Before a traditional marriage, the comming husband needs to work and live with the family for five years. This period can be shortened by payments to the coming mother-in-law. This is an extra on the bridal treasure, which consists of bronze drums, beads and money.
The Ot Danum

The Ot Danum (the name means upstream area) live in the area around the rivers north of the Ngaju and south of the Schwaner- and Müller Range, as well as the Melawi-beaken of West Kalimantan, which is located north of the Schwaner Range. Their area is three hundred km wide stretch of land just south of the equator. The Ngaju see the Ot Danum as their cultural ancestors, but there are remarkable differences between the two groups. The Ot Danum live in longhouses in pillars, two to five meters above the ground. This habit is probably taken from the Kenyah or Kayan.
The same with the headhunting, the mild form of social hierarchy and the images on shields and mandau lemmets. However the religion of the Ot Danum looks like that of the Ngaju (most of them still practice kaharingan), their ritual re-burials are more simple and their woodcarvings are less detailed.

LOCAL INTEREST:
Palangkaraya

Palangkaraya is the province capital of Central Kalimantan and situated in the upstream region of the Kahayan River. In the local Dayak language, Palangkaraya means a holy container. Palangkaraya can easily reached from Jakarta, Banjarmasin, Samarinda, Balikpapan and other points of the island by air. Nowadays, the town has become the center of government, trade and education of the province. The regional Museum of Palangkaraya contains a collection of historical and cultural interest from all over Central Kalimantan. The Nature Reserve of Tangkiling lies 34 kilometers north of Palangkaraya. Small rivers flow through the reserve.
Garden Tourism Tangkiling Hill
Tangkiling Hill is a group of eight Batu hills that have beautiful scenery and very attractive to be visited. It is about 43 km from Palangkaraya and located in Banturung village admission in Batu hill region. One of way to reach there, is use land transportation about 30 minutes from Palangkaraya, there is also a lake, 27 km from Palangkaraya. The lake is hardly good for family recreation and fishing.
Culture Museum

The museum that located in Central Kalimatan, Raya Tjilik Riwut Street, 2 km Palangkaraya, is collecting many kinds of public culture. There is the equipment of traditional fieldsman named MIHING and traditional dress named BAJU SANGKAURUT and traditional weapon of Dayak tribe like Mandau, Duhung and the other traditional weapon. Besides that, it also demonstrates goods as those types: Ethnographical, Historical, Archeological, Numismatic / Heraldic foreign ceramics and others.
Arboretum

Arboretum is protection place name of forest. It located in side of Tahai Lake. There are various birch's stepped, it suitable for a research as well as place of various bird types and other animal. You can find a place in this location. Orang Utan rehabilitation that is located in side of the Arboretum, try to help to assist the local animal returned and know their annually habitat.
Taha’I Lake

It is a nature lake that accommodating the rainwater effusing and as a water recreation place, suited for fishing devotee, can circle the lake with boat that being rented. The Adrift houses, place of karaoke and some shelter to take a rest are available for visitor.
Kelinting

It is located in RTA. Milono Street, about 8 km from the downtown. This can go through landline. This is a beautiful building in china design with typical ornaments of Kalimantan Tengah.
Bangkirai Lake Kereng

It is an exquisite lake and located across Sebangau River, in Kereng Bangkirai village 12 km from Palangkaraya toward south. For towards to the location we can apply vehicle of land only 15 minutes from common cab.
Kapuas

Kualakapuas is the capital of the Kapuas regency, south of Palangkaraya, on the Kapuas River 40 kilometers from Banjarmasin. A well-known tourism attraction is ‘Telo’ Island, a fishing village and port. It is a pleasant location for recreation. For the adventurer, white water rafters and nature lovers, there is Gohong Rawai, which known for its beautiful and challenging rapids. The gold mines of Teweh and Batu Api, Rungan district, are also interesting places to be visited. In this region, gold mining is a major source of livelihood for the people, who pan for the valuable metal using the old traditional method. Gold mines are found in many places in Central Kalimantan.
Tourism Object Batu Suli and Batu Tingkes

Batu Suli is a steep hill in Khayan riverbank with natural scenery, which is originally and fascinates trees ruthless. In Batu Suli culminate; there is a boosting big stone upward with incline position called Batu Antang or Batu Tingkes. This tourism object is located in Upun Batu Teweh district.
Hamputung River

This tourism object located in North Kahayan Hulu region which is a river line that covered with trees with its ruthless in left and right side of the river, the clear water hardly suited for tourism adventure.
Kapuas Hulu River

This Kapuas Hulu river path is very compatible for tourism adventure by using rubber boat or other boat types. It is along the length of this river there are some Riam fruits with extent of its river stone in so many its forms. In left and right of the river there is the trees, which inhabited various fauna types.
Cemara Labat Beach
This beach unfolds in Java Sea coastal area with approximately length 5 km that being under the aegis of coconut trees and mangrove tree, so it has beautiful scenery and interesting. The condition of the beach is gradient and waved. This beach is located in south side of Kuala Kapuas in Cemara Labat village, Kapuas Kuala district.
Up the River of Kahayan

There are many long houses which are found at the Kahayan river mouth become an interesting scenery. The long wooden boats become the backbone of the inter-village transportation. The upstream journey by Klotok boat (long boat) along the Kahayan River has its own challenge. This river is indeed not so widely known, if compared with Kapuas River (600 kilometers) and Barito River (500 kilometers). Like the big rivers in Kalimantan, this river has been the source of subsistence of the population for thousands years, from which they would hunt, fish and collect foods and other forest products (such as bee wax, hornbills ivory, rattan cane, resin and camphor). (Courtesy By Indonesia-Tourism)

Bengkulu

2009-04-10T20:58:00.000-07:00

Bengkulu is the smallest and lowest populated province of Sumatra. Bengkulu province is located on the southwest coast of Sumatra. It occupies of 19,831 sq. km area and has about one million populations, comprising mostly Rejang, Malay, Bugis and Chinese ethnic ancestry people. Bukit Barisan mountain range constitutes its northeastern border, beyond which laid of South Sumatra province and Jambi province. The province protected by a stretch of mountains, which soon flow into the mighty Bukit Barisan. Tigers and elephants wander through the remains of the original rainforest, where exotic rafflesia's and orchids grow.
The British founded Bengkulu in 1685. It is a university town and administrative centre. It is the last territory in Indonesia to be held by the British. Fort Marlborough, constructed in 1762, is a castle with gatehouse that contains old gravestones with English inscription. Sir Stamford Raffles, who later found Singapore, was lieutenant - government of Bengkulu from 1818 to 1823.
Thomas Stamford Raffles was an important figure in Bengkulu history, which in 1817 was appointed as a Lieutenant-Governor of Bencoolen, the only territory in the area, which the Dutch had never managed to bring under their control. Raffles was an extraordinary and energetic man of wide-ranging interests. In the year of his arrival, he and a botanist named Joseph Arnold discovered the world's largest flower, at Manna River near Lubuktapi, in South Bengkulu. The flower is now known as Rafflesia Arnoldi and is the official symbol of Bengkulu province.
Tabah Penanjung, an hour drive into the hills above Bengkulu is a nature reserve where rafflesias are often found. Mt Bukit Kaba, near the hill town of Curup can be climbed in a day from Bengkulu.
Bukit Daun

This is a protected recreation forest located between Bengkulu and Curup, about 45 km from Bengkulu. It is inhabited by a great variety of animal species. Located in a sparsely populated region of Sumatra, Bukit Daun forms a twin volcano with Gedang volcano, which is truncated by a 3-km-wide probable caldera. The 600-m-wide summit crater of Bukit Daun contains a crater lake; a smaller crater lake is found at Tologo Kecil on the SSW flank. No historical eruptions are known from Bukit Daun, although active fumaroles occur in the SSW flank crater.
Rafflesia Arnoldi
The world's largest flower is found in many areas in Bengkulu forests, on the slopes of Bukit Barisan Mountains. The flower has a diameter of about one meter in full bloom. It has no visible root or stem, and no leaves. The weigth up to 7 kg, it takes the buds up to 8 months to mature. The flower stays in bloom from 1-15 days and can be seen during the months of September-December. Rafflesia Arnoldi is a big Flower in the worlds, if one visit Rejang Lebong, the Flower was stand at the City Center of CURUP as a monument, that is why, the people call Bengkulu is A LAND OF RAFFLESIA, or in Indonesian means BUMI RAFFLESIA, because in a certain seasons, if we are lucky, we can see a beautiful flower of Rafflesia, in the forest, which appear in periodic of 5 years or more.
Bukit Kaba CraterKaba Volcano is located at Rejanglebong Regency, Bengkulu, Sumatra Island. There are 8 craters show historical explosive activity. The summit area of Kaba volcano contains three high peaks - Bukit Kaba, Bukit Itam (1893 m) and Bukit Malintang (1713 m) with three craters among them called Kaba west-old crater, Kaba middle-new crater and kaba vogel sang crater, one of them is still active. Vapors incessantly escape from 12 fissures in the earth and hot water springs are found in the vicinity. For those who like mountain climbing, this crater complex is in the sulfurous mountains.
Tabot Ceremony
One of the special events in this province is the Tabot Festival. Tabot ceremony is an interesting festival ceremony, which recalls the death of Hasan and Husen, the grandchildren of the Prophet Mohammed, who were killed in a fight to defend Islam. The Tabot feast is held annually, in the Islamic month of Muharram. It is known as the festival of fifty colorful towers (tabots), which are made of bamboo and decorated with colored paper. This tabot ceremony is commemurated by Bengkulu people who are descents from India benggala, performed every yera from 1 till 10 Muharram 61 Hijriah in Bengkulu City. The ceremony is held between 09.00 pm to 01.00 am
Tikus Island Sea Garden
Tikus Island is a group of small islands is excellent for fishing, snorkeling and diving with easy access. Mountain air makes this a pleasant stop for a couple of days. There is popular hot springs near Curup at Suban. Tikus is the name of a cluster if islets surrounded by coral reefs that teem with various forms of marine life, soft and hard corals, and fish of all colors and sizes. The islets can be seen from Bengkulu town. (Courtesy By Indonesia-Tourism)

Banten

2009-04-03T20:41:00.000-07:00

This region is situated in west Java. It can be reached about an hour from Jakarta. It's feel unbelievable, after the busy toll-way and hectic Jakarta as metropolitan city; we enter small and charming Banten. This city has a lot of treasure to whom that likes history. Such as the ruins of Surosowan Palace, Kaibon Palace, 'Masjid Agung Banten' [Banten Great Mosque, enlisted in Moslem's pilgrimage in Indonesia], Speelwijk fortress and Chinese temple Avalokiteshvara, and the harbor of Banten, Karanghantu [devil rock's harbor] that still used nowadays already existed since centuries ago. From this place, Sultan Banten's troopers took fight against the pirates and take defense from the Dutch
The province combines many of the most important Industrial Zones in Indonesia and also has the extended recreation areas along the western coast of Java and in south the Ujung Kulon National Park and the mountainous areas that are home to the Baduy people.
This province uses its own unique culture and language, both called Sundanese that is also used to call its people. The ancient kingdoms of Banten are Tarumanegara, Pajajaran, Banten and Cirebon would make interesting studies for the student of archaeology. Cirebon is located on the border between West and Central Java, having a mixed culture originating from the ancient Cirebon and Banten kingdoms, resulting in similar customs and dialects of the two people, although Banten city is located at the extreme western part of the province. Banten city on Banten Bay was one of the first places to begin trade with the Dutch. There is little to see of the past glories of this area today with the exception of the Grand Mosque, which was completed in 1599 and is certainly worth a visit.
The Province has a great number of attractions, from the wildlife reserve of Ujung Kulon on the southwestern tip of Java and the isolated communities of the mysterious Baduy to the unspoiled beaches. The villages are busy and attractive and the pace of life gets slower as we move towards the National Park in the southwest. From any point along the western coast we can see the "son of Krakatau" volcano, which rises impressively from the sea. Banten offers many different recreational experiences. The trip to Anyer area from Jakarta is now quick and easy because of the toll road, which connects Merak port with Jakarta. As we move further south along the west Java coast the lifestyle becomes more relaxed and after Labuan we move into more rural areas where the road conditions worsen and the lifstyle is relaxed. Here access to the forest areas begins and we can move back in time and enjoy the peace of nature. There is a bus each day from Labuan to Taman Jaya, which is on the edge of Ujung Kulon national park. There are simple cabins can be hired and a ranger can then take us on a walk into the park. It takes about six hours to reach a camping site.
Baduy Cultural Conservation
The Baduy community in Banten is an utterly unique and closed society, which can be reached via a 10 km village road from either Cibolegar or Cibungur village in Leuwidamar district. The 50 km road from Rangkasbitung is steep. In April and May, the Baduy community is closed to outsiders, as during this time it commemorates certain ceremonies, called Seba, the offering of part of their agricultural products to the Head of the District, Sub-Regent and the Chief Resident. During this ceremony the "Puun of Baduy" sends out a group of representatives of Baduy Dalam people as well as Baduy Luar to act as the community's spokesmen. When conducting this Seba ceremony the Baduy Dalam members refuse to ride any vehicle, instead, the distance of150 km is traveled on foot as proof of their perseverance. To enter this very special Baduy area, one should obtain written permission from the Rangkasbitung District Office stating the purpose of the visit, which may take one whole week to process.
Krakatoa Volcano
Actually the Krakatoa / Krakatau belongs to Bandar Lampung, a province of Sumatra. But the Krakatoa is most easy to reach from Java and is part of Ujung Kulon national park in the south west of Java so Krakatoa is implemented in Java section. Krakatoa is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes that located in the strait between Sumatra and Java. With devastating effects this volcano erupted just over a century ago in 1883, bringing its fine ashes with the wind streams as far away as over New York City, whereas the eruption's tidal waves reached the American West Coast. At that very instant, Krakatoa vanished as if devoured by the sea, causing formidable tidal waves which in turn swept off just about everything alive from the surrounding coastal areas. However, the disappearance of the gigantic Krakatoa also meant the birth of small islands in its place, one of which is called "Anak Krakatau" or Krakatoa's Child, which is at present an extremely active young volcano. From both West Java's, West Coast, and from Sumatra's Lampung Province, this young and very active volcano is clearly visible. A boat trip to this place may be worth making.
Ujung Kulon National Park
Ujung Kulon National park is an isolated untamed wilderness on the southwestern tip of Java. The Dutch opened this park in 1921 to protect the threatened Javanese rhinoceros. Now the area covers about 760 sq km including Panaitan Island. It is one of the best places in Java for wildlife spotting. There are many kinds of animal species, which can be seen. They are birds, wild pigs, hornbills, river otters, deer, crocodiles and the Javanese rhinoceros. The crocodiles and the Javanese rhinoceros are rare seen but we never know. (Courtesy By Indonesia-Tourism)

Bangka Belitung Island

2009-04-02T07:57:00.000-07:00

Bangka-Belitung is one of Indonesia provinces. It includes two large islands, Bangka and Belitung, and several smaller ones, which lie east of Sumatra, northeast of South Sumatra province. That acknowledgement is because of the people struggle. The region that was a great tin mines, now already to reach the new phase in its life. It provisioned with the beautiful of nature, and the uniquely of culture, Bangka Belitung step to the better future. Supported by the “Serumpun Sabalai” spirit and abundant natural resources, it has been expecting a greater role to speed up the island region's development, namely Bangka regency, Belitung regency and Pangkal Pinang city through cooperation development. That potency of culture and tourism is also supported by its strategic location that can connect with other interesting area. The sea transportation that become the most accessibility in Bangka Belitung Island, is support its economics activities among the Islands. The richness of Bangka Belitung Island of nature and tin mines until its maritime rich, make Bangka Belitung a magnet for the new comers to get a better life. A Balinese countryside is found in this Island named Giri Jati village, complete with all of Bali culture that remembering us to Bali Island. Beside Bali tribe, we also can found Bugis tribe that adds the various cultures in Bangka Balitung Island. This Bugis tribe can be found in the fishermen village at Tanjung Binga. Otherwise, the original tribe, Melayu culture has strong influence in the traditional ceremony and religious ceremony. One of the ceremonies is Rebo Kasan Ceremony that done by Air Anyer village people. It is believed that one day of a year, the God give His 320,000 angels in the world. The people must together to pray. This ceremony was held in the beach, but now on, it held in the mosque then continued to the beach. Formerly, this ceremony become the people party with its star party is ‘Dambus’ art.
There are two seasons that are suitable for sailing to these islands: February-March and October-November, when the wind and the waves are low

Matras Beach
It is located in Sinar baru village, Sungailiat district in eastern of Bangka Island. It about 9 Km from Sungailiat, it's considered as the best in Bangka Island. The beach is about 3 kilometers long and its width is almost 30 meters. It is unspoiled white sandy beach with coconut trees around the beach area, the tropical breeze and sunshine. Enjoy the warm and clear waters of the blue sea or just have a cooling swim in the river entering the sea. This beach commonly called as the Heaven Beach because it surrounded with coconut trees and visited by a lot of visitor. An easily accessible beach can be found in the northeast of Bangka, 48 km from Pangkal Pinang and 12 km from Sungai Liat.

Parai Tenggiri Beach

This beach is one of Bangka Island’s prides. The beach is located in Sungailiat district. The visitors can find various forms of boulders in this beach, which add its beauty. This beach is very ideal for having swimming, sun bathing and relax. Parai Tenggiri beach has the complete facilities in Bangka Island. There are luxurious hotels and water sport facilities. The tourists will enjoy this beach with the local fishermen who always spend their days by looking for fishes in the sea. The calmness and fresh sea wind will greet the visitor when they arrive there. This welcomed course make the tourists feel comfortable to stay here.

Romodong Beach
Romodong beach is located at Bukit Ketok village, Belinyu district, Bangka regency. This beach is about 77 km of Sungailiat town. In this beach, the tourists can watch the sunset, because this beach is faced to west side. The length of this beach is about 4 km; it is slope, white sandy and soft. Its water is very clear like a crystal. Enjoy the beautiful of Romodong. When it low tide, you can walk in the water until in the middle of clear sea. If we see around, we just find the boulders and white sand that spread in the beach. The winds that make the leaves wobbled greet the tourists who looking for an inspiration. (Courtesy By Indonesia-Tourism)

Bali

2009-04-01T08:49:00.000-07:00

Bali Island, the perfect holiday destination for all ages offers something for everyone. Bali offers not just various customs but also various "adrenalin pump" parks. Many exciting amusements are available in Bali, with something new opening all the time. The number of offshore and inland attraction are on the rise because many tourists want them. This tropical paradise has a unique blend of modern tourist facilities combined with wonderful shopping and a rich past and heritage. After white water rafting that has gained popularity in Bali, comes offshore rafting or ocean rafting. The more adventurous sort of amusement has now become an alternative sport for tourists. Meanwhile white water rafting is still a popular activity with trips on Ayung, Telaga Waja, Unda Rivers, etc. The tourists can refresh their mind by watching beautiful scenery along the route. Those are not enough, some of the best surfing beaches in the world can be found on the western side of the island whilst conversely the eastern side is a wonderful haven for families, with beautiful white sand beaches and gentle seas.

Bali is small island, just 140 Km by 80 Km and lies between Java, the most highly populated and influential of all the islands, and Lombok, one of the quieter and moderately slower paced islands. Like many islands, Bali has developed a world of its own. It not only captures what is special about Indonesia but also has a uniqueness of its own.

The culture of Bali is unique. People say that the Balinese people have reached self-content. The Balinese people are proud of having preserved their unique Hindu culture against the advance of Islam, the dominant religion throughout Indonesia. This is still reflected in days to day life and can be seen in the numerous ceremonies, Balinese festivals and magnificent temples and palaces. The Balinese are skilled artisans, particularly in woodcarving and in fashioning objects of tortoiseshell and of gold, silver and other metals. The Balinese are noted for their traditional dance, the distinctive music of the gamelan and for their skills in weaving cloth of gold and silver threads, Songket, as well as for embroidering silk and cotton clothing. Stone and woodcarvings, traditional and modern paintings and intricately designed jewelry in gold and silver are readily available in shops and galleries throughout the island.
As for recreation, there is no shortage of options. Nature walks, horseback riding, diving, surfing - even bungy jumping and white water rafting - await the adventurous here.

Culture

Each stage of Balinese life is marked by a series of ceremonies and rituals known as Manusa Yadnya. They contribute to the rich, varied and active life the average Balinese leads. There are ceremonies for every stage of Balinese life but often the last cremation ceremony is the biggest. A Balinese cremation can be an amazing, spectacular, colorful, noisy and exciting event. In fact it often takes so long to organize a cremation that years have passed since the death. During that time the body is temporarily buried. Of course an auspicious day must be chosen for the cremation and since a big cremation can be very expensive business many less wealthy people may take the opportunity of joining in at a larger cremation and sending their own dead on their way at the same time. Brahmans, however, must be cremated immediately. Apart from being yet another occasion for Balinese noise and confusion it's a fine opportunity to observe the incredible energy the Balinese put into creating real works of art which are totally ephemeral. There are a lot more than a body gets burnt at the cremation. The body is carried from the burial ground (or from the deceased's home if it's an 'immediate' cremation) to the cremation ground in a high, multi-tiered tower made of bamboo, paper, string, tinsel, silk, cloth, mirrors, flowers and anything else bright and colorful we can think of. The tower is carried on the shoulders of a group of men, the size of the group depending on the importance of the deceased and hence the size of the tower. The funeral of a former rajah high priest may require hundreds of men to tote the tower.

Sanur Beach

Sanur is one of Bali's biggest traditional villages but it's also one of the most established tourist areas. Sanur was Bali's first beach resort but still retains its Balinese character and old style village ambiance. On the southeastern side of Bali, Sanur beach is easily reachable from Denpasar, about a 5 to 10 minute drive. Sanur is an excellent site to watch the sun rises, as we jog along the white sandy beach. Being one of the first resorts developed in Bali, Sanur maintains its traditions. Only a stone thrown away from the beach, ancient temples stand as solemn as they have been in centuries past.
Palm-lined beach, facing the Indian Ocean towards the east, Sanur is an excellent place to see the sun rise in the morning. "Bali is the morning of the world", it is the right sentence for Bali if we has visited Sanur. Offshore reefs protect the beach against the waves, and make it popular for windsurfing, boating, and other water sports. It is one of the first areas where one can find good hotels, restaurants, shops, and other tourist facilities.

Kuta Beach
Once a lonely little village on the road from Denpasar to Bukit Peninsula, Kuta is now the tourist Mecca of Bali, popular mainly among the young and adventurous. Kuta beach is one of the first favorite beaches discovered by tourist. Coconut trees line the sand beach as far as the eyes can see towards the north stopped by the runway of Denpasar's airport far in the west. The sunset in Kuta is most breathtaking. On the south, the beach is fenced by the airport's runway, which gives the visitors a breathtaking landing experience. Kuta Beach bustles with tourists' vendors and locals. It's the most popular beach in Bali and the island's number one party zone. The beach stretches as far north as the eyes can see. As short walk away north, the waves will invite to surfing. Rapid development and an influx of visitors haven't kept the surfers away and Kuta still remains one of Bali's best surfing beaches and a great place to enjoy a beach lifestyle.

Tanah Lot Temple
Tanah Lot is located about 12 kilometers from Tabanan City and 20 kilometers from Denpasar. The area comprises a wondrous mixture of natural beauty and sheer human effort. Here lies an idyllic white sand beach with crashing waves, complemented by a small yet majestic temple. This temple, known as Pura Tanah Lot, juts out to sea on a rocky background. Tanah Lot attracts throngs of both locals and tourists daily. Most come here longing to catch a glimpse of the romantic Tanah Lot sunsets, a regular occurrence during the dry season April to November. (Courtesy By Indonesia-Tourism)

Menikmati Sensasi di Kegelapan Goa Kokas

2009-04-01T08:45:00.000-07:00

Mengunjungi Kota Kokas, Kabupaten Fakfak, Papua Barat, terasa belum lengkap jika Anda melewatkan kesempatan menelusuri sisa-sisa peninggalan Perang Dunia ke-II yang terdapat di kota ini. Tidak main-main, pada periode 1942/1945, Kokas pernah menyandang gelar sebagai kota basis pertahanan tentara Jepang melawan sekutu.
Sebagai kota basis pertahanan militer, Kokas tentu menyimpan berbagai peninggalan. Salah satu saksi bisu peninggalan peristiwa paling bersejarah tersebut adalah bangunan goa atau benteng Jepang yang terdapat di pusat kota Kokas. Sepintas, tidak ada yang istimewa dari bangunan goa di tepi laut ini. Dari luar, hanya terlihat tiga buah bungker pengintai berukuran tak lebih dari 4 meter persegi.
Namun, siapa menduga, di belakang bungker-bungker ini terdapat goa persembunyian sepanjang 138 meter yang mengeruk perut bukit. Sebagai lokasi yang dirancang menjadi pusat pertahanan militer, goa ini dibangun tepat mengahadap arah laut. Dari goa inilah setiap kapal sekutu yang merapat di perairan kota Kokas akan dengan mudah terpantau tentara Jepang.
Meski difungsikan sebagai lokasi wisata, uniknya kita masih bisa menyaksikan bentuk goa ini alami sesuai aslinya. Tidak ada yang berubah, kecuali pintu pagar di ketiga mulut goa. Tertarik menyusuri setiap sudut goa ini? Sedikit perlengkapan berupa pelita atau senter perlu Anda siapkan sebelum memulai penyusuran. Di kedalaman, goa ini benar-benar gulita. Cahaya matahari hanya mampu memandu hingga di bibir goa.
Namun, justru di sinilah letak sensasi menyusuri goa berada. Rasa penasaran tidak akan serta merta terjawab saat Anda memasuki goa. Dalam minusnya cahaya, Anda masih harus meraba dan mencari 'kejutan' di setiap sudut goa yang Anda lalui. Rasanya terlalu sayang untuk melewatkan setiap detail kemewahan lorong di dalam goa. Anda akan menjumpai banyak ruangan yang disekat menyerupai kamar tidur.
Puas menikmati penyusuran, Anda bisa melepas lelah dengan menikmati keindahan pemandangan laut dan tanjung di depan goa. Panorama yang membentang luas tersebut bisa Anda jumput dari atas sebuah bukit.
Tunggu apa lagi? Untuk menyambangi goa ini, tersedia angkutan luar kota dari terminal Fakfak menuju pusat kota Kokas. Sepanjang perjalanan 2 jam, Anda akan dihibur dengan sejuknya udara dan panorama bukit di belantara Papua. Cukup dengan merogoh kocek sebesar Rp 25.000, sekali jalan, Anda akan diantar hingga tiba di lokasi goa berada. (Courtesy Kompas/Antara)

Ocarina, Memboyong Ancol di Batam

2009-04-01T08:40:00.000-07:00

Banyak anggapan yang menyatakan bahwa wisata ke Batam, Kepulauan Riau hanya berupa pantai dan pusat perbelanjaan saja. Namun, siapa sangka Anda juga akan menemukan kawasan wisata lengkap yang memadukan Ancol, Water Boom, dan Giant Wheel dalam satu lokasi. Ya. Kawasan lengkap ini dapat ditemukan di Ocarina, Costarina, Pasir Putih, Batam Center, Batam, Kepulauan Riau. Tempat wisata ini baru saja diresmikan Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono pada bulan Januari lalu. Ocarina berada di lahan seluas 40 hektar berada di tepian Teluk Kering, dan komplek perumahan mewah Costarina. Tidak heran, karena kawasan wisata ini memang menjadi salah satu proyek dalam komplek perumahan mewah Costarina. Sedianya, di kawasan Ocarina akan ada sekitar 30 jenis wisata yang ditawarkan pada pengunjung. Namun, saat ini tempat wisata Ocarina belum sepenuhnya rampung dan diharapkan pembangunan dapat selesai dengan cepat sehingga ada wisata sekelas Ancol, Jakarta yang berada di Batam. Pada tahap awal baru 25 hektar lahan yang digunakan untuk tempat rekreasi dan ada sekitar 11 jenis yang dioperasikan di antaranya Kampoeng Indonesia atau pusat jajanan, Kampoeng Seni atau pasar produk kerajinan dan karya seni, Festival pantai, dan Giant Wheel atau Kincir Raksasa yang bergaris tengah 30 meter. Di sekitar lokasi ini juga terdapat ornamen pohon lengkap dengan puluhan burung bangau.Selain permainan besar, ditempat ini juga menyediakan ruang bermain terbuka bagi anak-anak, pantai berpasir, food court, restoran ala Jimbaran, Karaoke di atas laut, tempat konser menghadap laut, dan banyak lagi.Salah satu yang menarik adalah Giant Wheel dengan garis tengah sekitar 30 meter yang dibangun diatas permukaan laut dengan ketinggian 25 meter dari permukaan laut. Sehingga, ketika kita berada di titik puncaknya, akan terlihat seluruh Kawasan Mega Wisata Ocarina, Perumahan Elit Costarina dan pemandangan separuh kota Batam. Giant Wheel ini didatangkan dari Shanghai, dengan 16 gondola yang akan berputar perlahan-laha. Penumpang Giant Wheel dapat menikmati pemandangan laut dengan iringan musik sehingga penumpang benar-benar dapat menikmati suasana ketika berada di atas udara. Tiap Gondola dapat ditumpangi lima orang dewasa, dan tujuh anak-anak. Pada malam hari, penumpang Giant Wheel dapat menikmati suasana malam karena seluruh kerangka gondolanya dihiasi dengan kerlap-kerlip lampu. Selain itu, juga terdapat permainan ekstrem Sky runners bagi penggemar olahraga ekstrem. Bahkan, di tempat-tempat wisata lain termasuk di Jakarta belum ada yang menawarkan permainan ini. Sky Runners terbuat dari aluminium dengan bentuk lengkung dari telapak kaki hingga dengkul dilengkapi dengan pegas dan kaki beralaskan karet. Pengunjung yang menggunakan sepasang alat bantu Sky Runners, dapat berjalan cepat dengan melompat-lompat macam burung unta, bahkan yang sudah mahir dapat berlari bahkan bersalto layaknya bermain atraksi. Saat ini Sky Runners tengah menjadi tren di dunia, seperti di Eropa, Kanada, dan Afrika Selatan. Meski baru diperkenalkan, namun permainan ini menjadi favorit sejumlah anak-anak muda yang berbadan kuat dan lentur. Bahkan, bila hari libur seperti Sabtu atau Minggu, di kawasan ini dipenuhi pengunjung yang penasaran dan mencoba permainan ini . Pengunjung juga dapat mencoba beragam fasilitas wisata air, seperti banana boat, kapal dayung, renang, atau bahkan menyelam.Atau sekedar piknik dan duduk-duduk di tepi pantai sambil menikmati sunset atau bahkan sunrise juga dapat dilakukan di tempat ini. Biaya masuk ke tempat wisata Ocarina ini juga cukup murah, hanya Rp 5.000 per orang. Bila ingin menjadi anggota, bahkan lebih murah lagi. Untuk pelajar SD-SMA melalui sekolah dapat membeli kartu anggota yang dipatok dengan harga sekitar Rp 100.000 berlaku satu tahun dengan fasilitas bebas masuk tanpa batas. Sedang bagi keluarga tersedia kartu VIP dengan tarif Rp 1 juta yang berlaku untuk setahun. Bagi yang ber-KTP seumur hidup, tarif kartu tersebut dikurangi 20 persen. Tarif masuk tersebut di luar biaya untuk menikmati hiburan yang berbayar. Perjalanan menuju Ocarina dari bandara Hang Nadim yang terdapat di Jalan Hang Nadim, Batu Besar, Batam, Kepulauan Riau dapat ditempuh sekitar 15 menit menggunakan kendaraan pribadi. Atau dapat juga ditempuh dengan taksi yang terdapat di sekitar bandara. Pengunjung juga dapat menyewa mobil dengan biaya sebesar Rp 350.000 - Rp 500.000 per hari. Atau dapat juga dengan alternatif lain, yakni dengan menggunakan sepeda menuju ke arah Bengkong. Karena letaknya yang tidak jauh dari pusat kota, menuju kawasan Ocarina dengan bersepeda dapat menjadi salah satu pilihan. Karena selain lebih sehat, Anda juga tidak akan didera kelelahan karena jaraknya yang tidak terlalu jauh. Selain itu, ketika tiba di tempat wisata, Anda dapat menyisir pantai di kawasan wisata Ocarina menggunakan sepeda. Bahkan, Anda juga dapat mengganti sepeda Anda dengan sepeda air yang ada di tempat wisata. Bila tertarik untuk mencoba sejumlah permainan di tempat wisata ini, mulai sekarang masukkan Ocarina dalam daftar kunjungan liburan Anda. (Courtesy Kompas/Antara)

Melihat Hantu di Tangkoko

2009-03-28T08:06:00.000-07:00

Lansekap Tangkoko Duasudara (LTD) yang terletak di Kota Bitung, Sulawesi Utara, merupakan salah satu kawasan alam terakhir yang menawarkan suaka bagi penyusun alam hayati Sulawesi. Di LTD yang memiliki nilai sejarah alam penting ini, terdapat berbagai jenis satwa endemik. Endemik artinya satwa hanya dapat ditemukan di Sulawesi, tidak di temukan di tempat lain."Kawasan cagar alam Tangkoko ini harus dipertahankan terus, dan tidak boleh diganti menjadi hutan lindung atau kawasan apapun dengan target yang tidak jelas. Tangkoko adalah aset sejarah alam dunia," ujar Sulawesi Program Coordinator Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), Indonesia Program, Johny Tasirin PhD kepada Kompas, Minggu (13/4).Menurut Johny Tasirin, LTD memiliki nilai sejarah alam yang penting, karena di LTD terdapat terdapat berbagai jenis satwa, yakni 26 jenis mamalia (10 jenis endemik Sulawesi), 180 jenis burung (59 diantaranya endemik Sulawesi dan 5 endemik Sulut), dan 15 jenis reptil dan ampibi."Manguni (Otus manadensis ) yang menjadi simbol daerah Minahasa, ditemukan di LTD bersama 7 jenis manguni lainnya. Burung malam ini harus sharing habitat dengan belasan perambah malam lainnya termasuk tarsius, 7 jenis kelelawar," ujarnya.Di LTD hutan tropis juga membentang dari tipe hutan pantai sampai hutan pegunungan dengan variasi jenis tumbuhan yang cukup kompleks. LTD adalah rumah dari monyet hitam Sulawesi (Macaca Nigra ) dan tangkasi (Tarsius Spectrum) yang adalah dua jenis primata asli Sulawesi Utara dengan nilai evolusi yang tinggi, kuskus beruang dan maleo yang berkerabat dengan satwa di Australia.Di LTD terdapat empat kawasan konservasi yakni Cagar Alam Tangkoko, Cagar Alam Duasudara, Taman Wisata Alam (TWA) Batu Putih, dan TWA Batu Angus yang semuanya dikelola oleh Departemen Kehutanan.Sehari sebelumnya, Johny hadir di Cagar Alam Tangkoko berdialog dengan Tim Ekspedisi Tangkoko, yang diprakarsasi Sulut Bosami Network. Kegiatan menjelajah sebagian Cagar Alam Tangkoko yang berlangsung selama dua hari (11-12 April 2008), diikuti sejumlah wartawan media cetak dan elektronik, peneliti, anggota Sulut Bosami Network, serta pemuda-pemuda yang tergabung dalam Kelompok Pencinta Alam Tarantula.Selama di Tangkoko, peserta ekspedisi yang didampingi Dr Saroyo Sumarto, peneliti satwa liar di Sulut yang juga pengajar Program Studi Biologi, Fakultas Matematika dan Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam, Unsrat Manado. Kegiatan ini diawali dengan diskusi tentang Tangkoko di alam terbuka, di kawasan Taman Wisata Alam Tangkoko.Jumat (11/4) malam, Iwan Hunowu dari WCS, Indonesia Program dibantu anggota KPA Tarantula memasang jaring untuk menjerat kelelawar. Kelelawar yang tertangkap kemudian diidentifikasi bersama tim ekspedisi, kemudian dilepas kembali ke alam bebas.Melihat HantuBelum puas rasanya jika berkunjung ke Tangkoko tanpa melihat Tangkasi. Tangkasi adalah nama lokal untuk Tarsius Spectrum. Binatang ini hanya ada di Sulawesi. Binatang yang tubuhnya hanya sebesar tikus ini merupakan primadona Tangkoko.Tangkasi atau Tarsius adalah binatang nokturnal atau binatang malam. Waktu siang mereka tidur, malam-malam mereka berburu mencari makan. Oleh karena itu Tangkasi acap disebut sebagai binatang hantu. Wajahnya pun mirip hantu. Bentuk badannya kecil, mirip kera, tapi matanya besar. Saat siang, Tangkasi bersembunyi di balik dedaunan dan kerimbunan pohon. Begitu malam tiba mereka keluar dari sarangnya berburu kecoa, jenkerik, dan serangga kecil lainnnya. Matanya yang besar sangat tajam di kegelapan malam.Sabtu (12/4) subuh, tim ekspedisi mengawali petualang dengan mencari binatang hantu ini. Tim bergerak mulai pukul 04.00 pagi. Setelah mendaki sekitar satu jam, peserta berhasil melihat dari dekat beberapa keluarga Tarsius, yang kembali ke pohon tempat tinggalnya. Usai melihat Tarsius, peserta melanjutkan penjelajahan dengan mencari dan mengamati puluhan monyet yang dikenal dengan sebutan yaki.Koordinator Program Ekspedisi Tangkoko dari Sulut Bosami Network, Gina Kussoy menyatakan ekspedisi ini diharapkan dapat mendorong lahirnya pengelolaan kolaborasi kawasan konservasi Cagar Alam Tangkoko. (Courtesy Kompas/Antara)