Indonesia Travel Guidebook

Cuisine: South Kalimantan

2011-10-25T14:15:00.001+09:00

Main Dish

1. Soto Banjar

One of Indonesia's many types of soto (soup), it is the one of the province's specialties. Soto Banjar is composed of shredded chicken and soup spiced with ginger, nutmeg and cloves. It is served with ketupat (Indonesia traditional rica cake), perkedel (potato croquette with beef), boiled egg and white rice. Fried onion is used as garnish.

Soto Banjar

2. Sate Banjar

Another specialty of the Banjarese people, it is made of chicken or beef marinated with sauce made of chili, garlic and palm sugar and sweet soybean sauce. It is then skewered and grilled on a traditional charcoal fire. Served with rice or lontong (traditional tube-shaped rice cake).

Sate Banjar

3. Ketupat Kandangan

This dish uses ketupat (traditional diamond-shaped rice cake) and unlike other ketupat-based dishes, ketupat Kandangan is served with haruan fish soup. The fish is first marinated with tamarind, lime and salt, then grilled. After that it is boiled in a mixture of coconut milk and spices such as onion and garlic. The soup is then poured on top of the ketupat.

Ketupat Kandangan

Beverages

1. Es Kelapa Muda Jahe

Just like its name, the drink is made of es kelapa muda (ice coconut) and jahe (ginger). It served just like normal es kelapa muda in big glasses, however mixture of ginger, honey and sugar palm is added. Beside the fact that it is refreshing, it is also a great cure for diseases such as cold, cholesterol, high blood pressure and many others.

Es Kelapa Muda Jahe

Cuisine: Aceh

2011-10-23T20:03:00.002+09:00

Main Dish

1. Keumamah

Made of ikan tongkol (tuna) or ikan kayu as the locals call it, Keumamah is one of Aceh's many specialties. The tuna used for this recipe is different because it is thinly sliced and dried before cooking. Sliced tuna is first boiled in water and then is mixed with spices such as chili, curry leaves and turmeric. Served together with white rice.

Keumamah

2. Mie Aceh

This noodle dish is another specialty of the Acehnese people. Mie Aceh is a noodle dish that is spicy and is served either with beef, mutton or seafood. What is great about this dish is that you can have it either fried or boiled (served with spicy soup). Vegetables inside are beansprouts, cucumbers and tomatoes. Best served with emping (crackers) or acar (Indonesian pickles).

Mie Aceh

3. Kari Aceh

Kari Aceh is one of Indonesia's many delicious curry. Kari Aceh is usually beef, mutton or chicken cut into small pieces that is marinated with tamarind and key lime. The meat is later mixed with coconut milk and spices such as cloves and chili that have been stirred. Best served with white rice.

Kari Aceh

Pastry

1.Timphan

Traditional pastry from Aceh, Timphan is one of the province's specialties. Made from steamed mixture of jackfruit and banana sprinkled with grated coconut. It is served with banana leaf as it wrapper.

Timphan

Cuisine: Central Java

2011-10-23T12:03:00.001+09:00

Main Dish

Bakso Solo

Bakso literally means meatballs, made of beef boiled in hot soup with mung bean-thread noodles, green vegetables, shredded cabbage and tomato sauce or chili sauce. Different with the others, bakso solo has the bigger size of tennis ball. and because of this, it also known as bakso tennis.

Bakso Tennis

2. Soto Kudus

Soto is a common Indonesian soup with turmeric as its main flavor, and the meat are usually chicken, beef or mutton depending on the region. In Kudus, one of Central Java's towns, Soto is usually served with shredded chicken and hard-boiled eggs, beansprout and fried shallots. Krupuk or Emping (crackers) is a common topping for Soto.

Soto Kudus

3. Ayam Goreng Kalasan

Ayam goreng Kalasan has a unique taste: it is salty and also sweet. Ayam goreng Kalasan is chicken stewed in spices such as coriander, garlic, candlenut and coconut water. It is then fried until it is crispy and is served with sambal (chili) sauce and raw vegetables.

Ayam Goreng Kalasan

4. Nasi Liwet

As we know, rice is usually cooked in water, but nasi liwet is different. It is cooked in coconut milk. Traditionally it is served on banana leaves or teak wood leaves. Nasi Liwet is usually served with opor ayam (chicken boiled in a mild white coconut milk sauce), telur pindang (eggs boiled slowly with spices) and labu siam (chayote) as the vegetable. Nasi Liwet is usually served for breakfast and lunch in Solo.

Nasi Liwet

Side Dish

1. Srabi Solo

A pancake made of coconut milk mixed with rice flour. Srabi Solo can be served plain or with toppings such as sliced banana, chopped jackfruit, chocolate sprinkle or cheese.

Srabi Solo

2. Lumpia Semarang

Known in other parts of the world as spring rolls. The filling varies, but consists mainly of meats and bamboo shoots. Lumpia Semarang is usually served with kecap manis (sweet fermented soybean sauce) or sweet garlic sauce. It can also be served with acar (Indonesian style of sweet and sour cucumber pickle and chili).

Lumpia Semarang

Destination: Sulawesi --> South Sulawesi

2011-10-22T18:43:00.000+09:00

Culture & Heritage:

Fort Rotterdam

Fort Roterdam or also called Benteng Ujung Pandang is one of the relics built by the Gowa-Tallo Kingdom in 1545. It is situated in the city of Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi province, facing the sea. The fort has a unique shape, it resembles a turtle heading out to sea. The fort also received the title "the most well-preserved Dutch fort in Asia".

Fort Rotterdam

The people of Gowa-Tallo called this fort Benteng Panyua, probably because of its shape (panyua = penyu = sea turtle), and used it as a marine base. After the fort was taken by the Dutch during the Dutch Colonialization era, Cornelis Speelman, the Dutchman who commandeered the conquest of the fort renamed it Fort Rotterdam after his hometown.

La Galigo Museum

Inside the fort, a museum called Celebes Museum was established by the Dutch in 1938. It was the first museum to be built in the province and during the Dutch occupation it exhibited various articfacts such as ceramics and jewelries. Thirty years after Indonesia gained its independence, in 1970 the museum was re-established and the name was changed to La Galigo after the prince of the Sulu Kingdom. The name La Galigo also refers to I La Galigo, the world's longest epic poem. In addition to the early artifacts, the museum now exhibits artifacts from other kingdoms such as Sawito and Luwu.

The Fort is open daily from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., but La Galigo Museum only opens from Tuesday to Sunday, from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. The entrance fee is around 10,000 rupiah.

Eco-tourism:

2. Taka Bone Rate National Park

Taka Bone Rate is home to the world's biggest atoll in the world after Kwajifein in Marshall Island and Suvadiva in Moldiva Isles with an area of 530,765 hectares. Taka Bone Rate is has the meaning of "Coral piled up on sand" and it has become a major marine reserve and is rich in wildlife, both terrestrial and marine.

To get there, first take a local flight from Makassar (Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport) to Selayar Island that is operated by Sabang Merauke Raya Air Charter. After reaching Selayar Island you can take a boat to Taka Bone Rate National Park.

Taka Bone Rate National Park

Taka Bone Rate National Park consists of 21 islands, 19 of which are great dive sites . This national park is also home to 261 species of coral, 295 species of coral fish and 244 species of mollusk, Dive its pristine waters and you might be lucky enough to encounter Hawksbill Turtles, Green Turtles and Pacific Ridley Turtles.

Hawksbill Turtle

Airports: Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport

2011-10-16T16:36:00.000+09:00

Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport is the main gateway to the eastern part of Indonesia. The airport was named after The Sultan of the Gowa Sultanate.

Location: 17 km northeast of Makassar

Terminal:

Old Terminal: This terminal no longer used due to overcapacity. Since 20 August 2008 all operational flights moved to the new terminal. Now this terminal used by the Indonesian Air Force
New Terminal: Located in the southern side of the old terminal, this terminal is implementing the concept of eco-airport and its shape resembles the traditional house of South Sulawesi.

Airlines:

Facilities:

Shopping area
Internet hotspot in waiting room
Banks and ATMs
Airport shuttle bus
Taxi service

Airports: Halim Perdanakusumah International Airport

2011-10-16T16:15:00.000+09:00

This airport is located in Jakarta, the capital city of D.K.I Jakarta province.

Location: Jakarta, D.K.I Jakarta

Distance from city: inside the city of Jakarta

Airlines:

Facilities:

Shops
Restaurants
ATMs
Taxi service

Airports: Bali International Airport (Ngurah Rai Airport)

2011-10-16T16:09:00.002+09:00

Ngurah Rai International Airport, also known as Bali International Airport, is named after I Gusti Ngurah Rai, an Indonesian National Hero.

Location: 13 km South of Denpasar

Terminal:

The international terminal is located in the "L" shaped terminal while the domestic terminal is located south east of the international terminal. The two terminals are seperated by Festival Plaza. Ngurah Rai International Airport has 14 gates for International Terminal and 3 gates for Domestic Terminal.

Airlines:

Facilities:

Taxi Service
Rental Car service
Charter Buse service
Post office and public telephones
Drug store
Banks and money changers
Duty free shops, private lounges, restaurants, and cafes
Prayer rooms and mosque

Airports: Adi Sumarmo International Airport

2011-10-16T16:06:00.000+09:00

This airport is located in Solo, Central Java.

Location: Solo, Central Java

Distance from city: 14 kilometers from Solo

Airlines:

Facilities:

Shops
Restaurants
ATMs
Taxi service

Airports: Adisucipto International Airport

2011-10-16T15:57:00.001+09:00

This airport is located in Yogyakarta, the capital city of D.I Yogyakarta province.

Location: Yogyakarta, D.I Yogyakarta

Distance from city: 6 kilometers from Yogyakarta

Airlines:

Facilities:

Restaurants
Shops
ATMs
Shuttle bus service
Taxi service

Airports: Juanda International Airport

2011-10-16T14:35:00.000+09:00

This airport is located in Surabaya, the capital city of East Java province.

Location: Surabaya, East Java

Distance from city: 20 kilometers from Surabaya

Airlines:

Facilities:

Two terminals, each for international and domestic flights respectively. Another terminal is under construction.
Restaurants
Souvenir shops
Taxi service
Bus service
Rental car service
Mother's care room
Toilet for disabled people

Airports: Husein Sastranegara International Airport

2011-10-16T11:32:00.000+09:00

This airport is located in the city of Bandung, the capital city of West Java province.

Husein Sastranegara International Airport

Location: Bandung

Distance from city: 5 kilometers

Airlines:

Facilities:

A terminal for both domestic and international flights. A terminal exclusive for international flights is scheduled for construction.
Two executive lounges
Internet access
Restaurants
Shops
ATMs
Taxi service
Rental car
Direct transport to hotels in Bandung

Airports: Soekarno-Hatta International Airport

2011-10-15T23:05:00.000+09:00

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is the main airport serving the Jakarta area. The airport itself was named after the first President of Indonesia, Soekarno and the first Vice President, Mohammad Hatta. The airport often called "Soetta" by the locals.

Location: Tangerang, Banten

Terminals:

Terminal 1: This terminal operates domestic flights except for Garuda Indonesia Airlines and Merpati Nusantara Airlines (operate in Terminal 2).
Terminal 2: This terminal operates international flights as well as domestic flights of Garuda Indonesia Airlines and Merpati Nusantara Airlines.
Terminal 3: Terminal 3 was opened on April 15, 2009. This terminal currently houses Indonesia AirAsia, the low cost carrier for its domestic flights. This Terminal has 30 check-in counters, 6 baggage carousels and 3 gates.

Airlines:

Facilities:

Airport Hotel in "Soetta" is managed by Sheraton Airport Hotel and Jakarta Airport Hotel. The Sheraton Airport Hotel located on the left side of the main exit road from the airport has 220 guest rooms. The Jakarta Airport Hotel is located on the upper floor of Terminal 2; the hotel entrance is located at the meeting point of terminal 2E which has 82 guest rooms.
Golf Area is located on the left side of the airport's main gate after Sheraton Airport Hotel. There are 18 holes in this golf area
There are four First and Business Lounges at the Transit Lounge in the departure area.
Shopping areas consisting of duty free shops, souvenir shops, restaurants and cafetarias are available in all terminals at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. .
Inter-terminal Shuttle Bus which connects Terminal 1, 2 and 3
Taxi Service
Rental car service

Destination: Sulawesi --> Central Sulawesi

2011-10-15T13:38:00.000+09:00

Eco-tourism, Outdoor Recreation, Culture & Heritage:

Lore Lindu National Park

Lore Lindu National Park is definitely the perfect place to spend your time in Central Sulawesi. The park has many things to offer you since its geography is very unique. It consists of many ecosystems including lowland tropical forest and sub-montane forest, which are inhabited by many kinds of animals, great for forest trekkers and animal lovers. Inside its border also lies mountains, making it a great place for adventurous people to do some hiking and mountain climbing, and a great lake which presents great views and chance for travelers to row boats and observe birds. In addition to its natural beauty, Lore Lindu National Park is also home to some of the most impressive megaliths in Indonesia, making it another great place for people who are interested in ancient cultures.

Lore Lindu National Park

Rainbow Eucalyptus

With an area of 2,180 km square, which is mostly covered by forests, the park provides habitat for many animal and plant species, including endangered species. In both its lowland tropical and sub-montane forests lives many plant species such as the rainbow eucalyptus (Eucalyptus deglupta) and Gnetum gnemon, a species of the Gnetum plant native to Southeast Asia and the western Pacific islands. The park also has a high animal biodiversity rate: 117 species of mammals, 88 species of birds, 29 species of reptiles and 19 species of amphibian. These numbers include endemic species such as the Tonkean macaque, Maleo fowl and Sulawesi frog.

Sulawesi Frog

Maleo Fowl

Tonkean Macaque

For mountain climbers and hikers, the park's Mount Nokilalaki would be a great destination. With a height of 2,355 meters, this mountain will surely be a challenge to climbers. When climbers reach the mountain top, climbers can enjoy the view of nearby lake Lindu with boats on its waters.

Megalith

For travelers who want to just relax on a boat while enjoying the quiet water can row boats in lake Lindu. You can also observe birds from your boat or maybe find another endemic animal species, a fish named Xenopoecilus sarasinorum.

The last thing that you would want to check is the granite megaliths that are scattered inside the park. There are over 400 of them there, 30 of which resemble humans. A great place to see them is the Besoa valley.

This place is recommended when you are in the province of Central Sulawesi.

Destination: Sulawesi --> Gorontalo

2011-10-10T12:35:00.000+09:00

Eco-tourism:

Gorontalo

Gorontalo is a province located on the northern part of the island of Sulawesi. It used to be a part of North Sulawesi province but in 2000 it became a province. Gorontalo, despite the fact that it has less cultural place of interest that North Sulawesi, it is blessed with beautiful nature.

Tomini Bay

Gobi Fish

When you are visiting Gorontalo, you can enjoy the fruits of Mother Nature by diving its gorgeous waters and enjoying its breathtaking underwater scenery. Visit Tomini Bay for a chance to experience the beauty of the waters of Gorontalo. The waters here are inhabited by many marine creatures since the equator passes through the province. Among the creatures here maybe you will encounter school of Gobi fish or the tiny Pigmy seahorses.

Pigmy Seahorse

Olele Village

Olele village is another must-go place in Gorontalo. Blessed with underwater biodiversity, the village's waters are renowned internationally and is a famous diving spot among world-class divers. Marine lifeforms here consists of coral reefs such as giant reef (Petrosia Sp.) and sea creatures such as the Harlequin sweetlips fish (Plectorhinchus chaetodonoides).

To get there you can get on a flight from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta to Jallaludin Airport in Gorontalo. Flights are available daily.

Destination: Sulawesi --> South East Sulawesi

2011-10-09T16:22:00.001+09:00

Eco-tourism

Wakatobi

Being one of the best diving spots in the world and the largest barrier reef in the country, Wakatobi Dive Resort has been praised by people from all over the world. Its crystal-clear waters are decorated with beautiful marine lifeforms as many as 942 fish and 750 coral reef species. It is located in the province of South East Sulawesi and is under conservation by many environmental organizations such as WWF and Operation Wallacea.

Clownfish

Wakatobi

The name "Wakatobi" is actually an abbreviation of the four islands, Wangi-wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia and Binongko, that shape the archipelago.With an area as spacious as 1.4 million hectares, the resort is blessed with 43 mapped dive sites that are separated into three levels, beginner, intermediate and advanced, making them accessible even to divers who do not have diving experience. Furthermore, the resort provides you with licensed dive guides and instructors.

While you are there, you can stay at the resort situated on Onemobaa island, next to Toma island. The resort is built along the beach and you can choose between villas or three types of bungalows, each fully furnished. Since the resort is located far from crowds, you can certainly relax here and feel the intimacy with the nature.

Wakatobi Dive Resort

Beside exquisite nature, the resort also offers delightful cuisines ranging from traditional Balinese ones to oriental specialties, to delicious desserts made by top-trained pastry chefs.

The Pelagian

You can also experience cruising some islands near the resort on the Pelagian, a luxurious yacht operated by the Wakatobi Dive Resort. With a maximum of 10 guests, you can have some quality time with your company by diving the pristine waters, venturing caves, or even just enjoying the view while having a romantic dinner on the deck.

The resort is very accessible, since there are now flights operated by popular airlines from around the world. International flights requires you to stop at Bali and continue on a chartered flight to the resort's airport. If you are already in other main cities in Indonesia such as Jakarta and Surabaya, there are also airlines that provide packages to Wakatobi via Bali.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.wakatobi.com/home.php

Destination: Kalimantan --> West Kalimantan

2011-03-24T23:41:00.002+09:00

Eco-tourism:

Taman Wisata Alam Bukit Kelam

Situated near the town of Sintang 395 kilometers from the capital city of West Kalimantan, Pontianak, Bukit Kelam is one place you might want to visit when you are in the area. It was declared a national park in 1992 because of its biological diversity.

Bukit Kelam

Honey Bear

With an altitude of 900 meters and its untouched surrounding, the air here is fresh and cool, making it a great spot to blow off some steam. If you are an animal lover, creatures like honey bears, armadillos and bats will surely make your visit more enjoyable.

Armadillo

Its altitude makes the view from the peak a very panoramic one. You can experience a breathtaking view of the green forests and the tow of Sintang that stands between two rivers, the Kapuas and Melawi rivers. You can even do cliff climbing and paragliding from the peak.

After an enjoyable day, you can spend the night here in the camping ground with your family and friends.

2. Pantai Pasir Panjang

With its soft sandy beach and its clear-as-crystal water, Pasir Panjang beach has become West Kalimantan's most popular tourist destination. Despite its remote location, situated about 140 kilometers from Pontianak, this beach will definitely be worth visiting.

You can sunbathe on the beach while enjoying the view of three islands, Lemukutan, Kabung and Randayan islands or take your board and ride the waves. The waters here are also home to many kinds of fish, so you might want to try fishing here. Or you can play volleyball with your family and friends.

When you have enough of the beach, you can visit nearby fishermen village to explore and learn their everyday life, and don't forget to buy some souvenirs on your way home.

Pantai Pasir Panjang

Destination: Sumatra --> Riau Islands

2011-03-22T22:52:00.001+09:00

Eco-tourism:

Mount Bintan

Located just 55 kilometers from Tanjung Pinang, the capital city of Riau Islands province, it is a spot that you can't miss when you are around the area. Although it is lower than most mountains in Java, it still offers a panoramic view of the surrounding blue seas and a high level of biological diversity.

Mount Bintan

Silver Leaf Monkeys

Located near the equator, the island is home to tropical rainforests with dipterocarp trees as tall as 40 meters covering the mountain. The rainforests is also home to animals such as the silver leaf monkeys and a variety of birds like the sunbirds, eagles and kites.

SImilar to the rainforests, the waters surrounding the island are also blessed with biological diversity. Small sea creatures such as snails and squids inhabit the blue waters, co-existing with dolphins and two species of sea turtles, the hawksbill turtles and the green turtles.

Hawksbill Turtle

After tracking the forests and climbing your way up to the mountain peak, you can take a break at a waterfall situated at the base of the mountain. Feel free to take a refreshing bath here. After that, you might want to visit the fruits plantations managed by the locals and get yourself some fresh durians or rambutan at a low price.

Come here in July to take part in the "Bintan Mountain Tracking and Durian Party" held by the local officials. The event consists two sessions, a race to find your way to the peak and durian party.

A trip here will definitely relieve you from your stress caused by busy works back in the hot, polluted city.

Culture & Heritage:

Tanjung Pinang

Due to its past, the town of Tanjung Pinang is rich in culture and history. People from parts of Indonesia as well as foreign nations such as Britain, Portugal and parts of the Arab world have set their foot here in the past. Come here to learn more about the town's rich history.

Tanjung Pinang

Beside its shops and street vendors that sell exotic fruits and dried assorted seaweeds at a very low price, you can see many historical buildings here. In the central commercial district is a Chinese temple called Cetiya Satya Dharma. Still within the city, there is a Dutch Colonial Graveyard which reflects the life of the Europeans in the past. The town's memories of the past are also preserved in the town's museum. Artifacts such as keris and ceramics are some example of the displays.

Outside central Tanjung PInang is Senggarang, an old village that is believed to be the first home to Chinese immigrants. Proof of this is the existence of a one-hundred-year old Chinese temple called the Banyan Tree temple. Another proof is a temple complex of several temple that faces the sea decorated with colorful paintings and wood carvings.

Senggarang village

2. Penyengat Island

An island located around 6 kilometers offshore Tanjung Pinang, Penyengat Island is a small island whose existence dates back to the 18th century during the time of the British Colonials, making it an island with a high historical value.

Here you can visit the Masjid Raya Sultan Riau, a beautiful yellow-colored mosque that was built in 1832 during the reign of King Abdul Rahman. This mosque houses many old manuscripts written in Arabic and hand-written Koran, but unfortunately some of these are damaged due to dampness. The architecture of this building is a mixture of three different cultures: Indian, Malay and Arabic. Be sure to wear formal dress to avoid being denied entry to the mosque.

Masjid Raya Sultan Riau

Another thing to see is the Raja Haji Fisabilillah Monument, a twenty eight-meter tall monument dedicated to Raja Haji Fisabilillah who died during the battle of Malacca. This monument is being considered to be recognized as a World Heritage Site.

Raja Haji Fisabilillah Monument

Destination: Sumatra --> Jambi

2011-03-10T20:13:00.004+09:00

Culture & Heritage:

Candi Muaro Jambi

This temple complex is located 26 kilometers from the city of Jambi, the capital city of the Jambi province. A Buddhist temple complex, it was built by the Melayu Kingdom around the eleventh to the thirteenth century.

Candi Muaro Jambi is believed to be the capital city of the Melayu Kingdom, a kingdom that became a dominant power after the Sriwijaya Kingdom was defeated by the Chola Kingdom from India in around 1000 AD. The temple complex covers an area of 1500 hectares and is home to nine excavated temple sanctuaries at the moment, with the most significant intact temples are Candi Tinggi, Candi Kedaton and Candi Gumpung. There is also a museum inside the complex that preserves relics such as statues and chinas that date back to as far as the ninth century.

A very good place to know more about one of many ancient civilizations of Sumatra.

Candi Muaro Jambi

2. Museum Negeri Jambi

Filled with relics of the past and its convenient location, Museum Negeri Jambi is another great place to visit when you are in Jambi. It was built in 1981 in the shape of Kajang Loko, Jambi's traditional house. Come here and see ancient Jambi's relics and artifacts.

A building with an area of four thousand meters square, the museum is divided into 6 parts, each with its own distinctive displays. Out of the 2.855 artifacts it houses, there are 5 that are the proud of the museum: two golden Avolokiteswara statues, a golden medallion from the Ottoman Sultanate of Turkey, a golden belt and a golden necklace. 100 Chinas that was found buried at the bottom of nearby waters are also being preserved here. Other displays such as old boats and a collection of flora and fauna can also be seen here.

With a collection like this, this museum is surely a must-go place when you are visiting Jambi.

Ottoman Sultanate Golden Medallion

Destination: Sumatra --> Riau

2011-03-03T15:28:00.002+09:00

Culture & Heritage:

Muara Takus Temple

Located around 120 kilometers from Pekanbaru, the capital city of Riau, this temple is the largest and the most well-preserved ancient temple in Sumatra. It is still uncertain when the temple was built. but a theory suggests that it was built around the eleventh century.

The temple is a Buddhist temple complex that is surrounded by a 74 meters times 74 meters wall. with another 1.5 kilometers times 1.5 kilometers rampart surrounding this. Inside the complex are Candi Tua, Candi Bungsu, Candi Palangka and the Mahligai stupa. Candi Tua is the largest of all, with a height of 8.5 meters and a base measuring 32.8 meters times 21.8 meters. Candi Bungsu maybe is the most unique of all, it was constructed from two different kinds of stone, red stone and sandstone. Candi Palangka is constructed from red stone but only reaches 1.45 meters. The Mahligai stupa is the tallest of all, reaching a height of 14.3 meters on top of an octagonal base. On top of it are lion figures.

This place is a good choice for those of you who are interested in knowing more about the Sriwijaya Kingdom.

Candi Muara Takus

2. Desa Wisata Buluh Cina

This village is home to 1,500 inhabitants which are divided into two tribes, the Melayu tribe and the Domo tribe. Being the oldest village in the area, it played a role in the rise of other villages such as Watas Hutan village and Baru village.

Desa Wisata Buluh Cina offers you many wonderful things, like traditional houses and a museum which preserves tools that were passed down by the two tribes' ancestors. You can also take a closer look at the locals' way of living. Take a stroll beside the river to see kids jumping into the water to take a bath. Visit the eleven lakes that surround the village to fish with the locals in small boats or just enjoy the natural beauty. Or you can trek the surrounding jungle to see some local wildlife such as deers, armadillos and hedgehogs.

A very nice place to learn about the local culture or just relax after hard, busy days.

Eco-tourism:

Pantai Rupat

Pantai Rupat

The most beautiful beach in Riau, Pantai Rupat is blessed with white sandy beaches and calm waves. Every year it is visited by thousands of tourists from many parts of the country, and because it is located across Malaysia, it is also visited by foreigners.

Here you can enjoy a dip at the calm, clean water with no worries about the waves. You can enjoy the sun by sun-bathing on the white sandy beach and enjoy the view of mountains in the neighboring country. The Rumah Togok, the floating houses of the fishermen are also quite a view.

2. Pantai Selat Baru

Pantai Selat Baru

Pantai Selat Baru is the second most beautiful beach Riau has after Pantai Rupat. Located just 7 kilometers north of the city of Bengkalis, it is blessed with soft sandy beach that spans 2 kilometers and calm waves, making it a popular tourist attraction.

Every year you can some festivals held by the locals here, like boat race and kite contest. You can also see many art performance such as traditional dance. Or you can just relax on the beach while watching seagulls dive in the water to catch their preys.

Restaurant: Japan --> Cabe Indonesian Restaurant

2011-03-01T12:43:00.005+09:00

For those of you who want to try some Indonesian food, you can come to Cabe in Meguro. It serves many Indonesian food and beverages, as well as desserts. The atmosphere here will surely make you feel like you are in Indonesia!

For more information, check out the homepage: http://www.cabe-eco.com/index.html

Destination: Sumatra --> South Sumatra

2011-02-24T17:24:00.001+09:00

Culture & Heritage:

Palembang

As the capital city of South Sumatra, Palembang is the center of governance as well as trade and tourism, and this has been going on since the era of the Sriwijaya Kingdom, a once powerful Malay Kingdom that thrived at the banks of the Musi River that separates the city into two areas, Seberang Ilir to the north and Seberang Ulu to the south.

Ampera Bridge

There are a few things you can do here. First, you can go see the Ampera Bridge, the country's largest bridge and Palembang's icon that stretches across Musi River. It was built in 1962 after getting the approval from Indonesia's first president Soekarno and was originally named after him, but as then changed due to the anti-Soekarno movement. The bridge used to open up when ships passed by the river, but no longer operates that way. If you are visiting during Indonesia's Independence Day, then you can see festivals here such as the Bidar boat race, a boat race that involves around twenty people per boat or you can also see boat decoration contest.

Benteng Kuto Besak

Not far from the bridge, there is another relic of the past, Benteng Kuto Besak, a fort that was built by the Palembang Sultanate in 1797 to defend the city against the Dutch's attacks. Standing at 289 meters in length and 184 meters in width, encircled by a ten-meter wall as thick as 2 meters, the Dutch's corvettes didn't stand a chance against it. It is situated next to the river and at the view here at night is pretty amazing as the river reflects the yellow lights. Make sure you visit it.

Don't forget to visit Masjid Agung (Grand Mosque). It was built in 1748 during the Palembang Darussalam Sultanate. With a capacity of 9,000 visitors, this mosque was once the biggest mosque in the country. Its architecture is very interesting, since its main building is Chinese in style and its main entrance is Greek. Arabic calligraphies also are an element of its beauty. A worth-seeing tourist spot when you are in Palembang.

Masjid Agung

If you are hungry, you can go taste the local dishes at restaurants beside the river or even at the floating restaurants. Here you can taste Pindang Ikan Patin, a local specialty made from catfish.

Culture & Heritage, Eco-tourism:

Pagaralam

Pagaralam is located on the west coast of Sumatra Island at the base of Mount Dempo, west of Palembang. It has a potential for tourism because of a number of waterfalls as its natural beauty and megalithic relics that hold important historical value.

Here you can see the Lematang Waterfall, one of Pagaralam's beautiful spots. It is surrounded by green trees and rocks at the bottom, which make this waterfall a great tourist destination. It is viewable from the from the road above, in fact many people who pass the road often stop to admire its beauty. Or if you want to enjoy the splashes you can go down the stairs, but be careful because it is very steep. You will only need to pay an entrance fee around 1,000 rupiah. If you want to take a rest, there are small street vendors and food stalls on the roadside.

Lematang Waterfall

Go to nearby villages to take a look at megalithic structures that was used by the ancient society. You can visit Tegurwangi village to see menhir, a tall stone that was used to honor the dead, as well as statues and stone coffins.

Megalith

Destination: Java --> East Java

2011-02-23T00:31:00.001+09:00

Eco-tourism:

Baluran National Park

For nature lovers who are travelling to Java Island, we advise you to spare your time for Baluran National Park. Located in East Java province, this park covers 25,000 hectares of land and is filled with wildlife, some which are endangered.

Baluran National Park

Banteng

It is divided into five zones and has a wide range of ecosystems, each with its own unique wildlife. Go take a stroll at the beach close to Popongan and you might find the wreathed-hornbill and the white-bellied sea eagle , or go visit the savanna around Beko and spot the Javanese Banteng, the park’s icon. Trek the forests on the slope of Mount Baluran to find the elusive Javan hawk-eagle or maybe dive the waters along Bilik-Sijile and discover coral reefs made of mushroom corals.

White-bellied Sea Eagle

Beside trekking the forests or diving in the coral reefs, you can do bird-watching, mountain-climbing, cycling and canoeing.

Blessed with natural beauty, this place is truly the place where you can “be one” with Mother Nature herself.

2. Telaga Ngebel

When you are visiting East Java, make sure this lake is on your list. Situated at the base of Mount Wilis northeast of the city of Ponorogo, and with its cool climate and peaceful surrounding, Telaga Ngebel is the perfect spot to relax and forget your earthly problems.

Telaga Ngebel

There are a few things you can do here. You can relax beside the lake while admiring the surrounding beauty, or you can get on a waterbus to see the lake filled with fish raised by the locals. If you want to taste the local specialty, you can go to food stalls around the lake and try some grilled fish while making friends with Javanese people.

Grilled Fish

There are a number of small hotels around the lake for you to spend your nights there. One has 10 rooms and is managed by local officials at a low rate.

Before you leave for your next stop, make sure you visit the local durian fields and try some at a very, very low price. The durians here are famous for its taste and its thickness. But watch out for the spikes!

3. Mount Bromo

Mount Bromo is located 4 hours away from Surabaya, the capital city of East Java. This is certainly one place you should visit when you are around.

With an altitude of 2,392 meters, this mountain is not of the tallest mountain in Indonesia, but it has an outstanding beauty. From nearby Mount Penanjakan, you can witness the spectacular sunrise over Mount Bromo. Also, you can capture Mount Bromo with Mount Semeru in the background. You will not be disappointed.

Mount Bromo

Cuisine: South Sumatra

2011-02-20T15:03:00.001+09:00

Main Dish

Pempek

This dish is one of Palembang’s most famous dishes. It is made from fish (usually belido fish) and tapioca, which is then served with noodle and cucumber and coated with sweet and sour sauce called cuka or cuko (Indonesian for vinegar). There are many kinds of pempek such as pempek kapal selam, pempek lenjer, pempek take and pempek kerupuk. A trip to Palembang won’t be complete without this, so make sure you try some.

Pempek

2. Pempek Kapal Selam

Pempek kapal selam is the most famous of all pempek. Egg is wrapped with mixture of fish and tapioca and then deep-fried. Once done, it is then sprinkled with shrimp powder and is eaten along with noodle and cucumber with cuko sauce. The name kapal selam is Indonesian for submarine and derives from its big ship-like shape. Make sure you don’t miss this dish.

Pempek kapal selam

3. Mie Celor

A noodle dish from Palembang, it is made from noodle and beansprout added with hot water and a special sauce made from shrimp consommé. On top slices of boiled egg and celery is added, with sprinkles of fried onion as garnish.

Mie Celor

Pastry

Bolu Kojo

Bolu kojo is one of Palembang’s icons. Made from the extract of pandan leaf mixed with condensed milk, flour and butter, it is then baked and sprinkled with sesame. Although it is usually served during traditional ceremonies, you can get it from street vendors or shops throughout the city to accompany your afternoon tea.

Bolu Kojo

Destination: Sulawesi --> North Sulawesi

2011-02-17T19:33:00.002+09:00

Sightseeing, Eco-tourism:

Tomohon

Tomohon

Known as the city of flower, this city is located near Mount Lokon, one of many active volcanoes in Sulawesi. Due to its fertile soils made by volcanic activities and its cool weather, this city is suitable for cultivating flowers and other vegetations. Taking advantage of this, the locals here have dedicated themselves to planting flowers in their gardens, making the view here colorful.

If you feel like hiking, you can go to Mount Lokon which is west of the city. With 1,580 meters in height, the mountain top offers you a beautiful view. On your way down, follow the trails of cooled magmas to a crater lake. But be careful, it sometimes blows volcanic ash, assistance from local guides is advised.

On the opposite side of this mountain lies Mount Mahawu, a 1,311 meter-tall volcano capped with a yellowish green crater lake. Like Mount Lokon, this mountain offers a scenic view of its surroundings.

Another spot you might want to check out is Lake Linow, a small water-filled volcanic crater located south of Tomohon. Here you can see the color of the water changes from time to time due to mixtures of chemicals inside. It sometimes turns to green, blue and even red. There is a small coffee shop by the lake, so whenever you feel tired, you can rest here while enjoying a sip of coffee. Watch when you are walking around the lake though, for the soils here are actually quite soft and you might get you feet wet due to the running waters below.

Lake Linow

Sightseeing:

Manado

Being the capital city of North Sulawesi and rich of culture and history, this city has become one of many cities in Indonesia that is attracting many tourists, both Indonesian and foreigners. Located on the northern side of the province by the side of the ocean, this city once prospered through trades with the Philippines and and other nations such as China. This city is also the home of the Minahasa people.

There are a few things to see here, like the Ban Hin Kiong Temple in Chinatown. It was built in around 300 years ago by the Chinese community who came here along with traders. Come here and you will find how the local and Chinese cultures co-existed. The dragons sculptures and the aroma of the incense will make you feel like you are in China.

Ban Hin Kiong Temple

Bukit Kasih

Located about 55 kilometers from Manado is another tourist spot filled with spiritual power named Bukit Kasih, or Hill of Love in English. It got its name from the fact that it is a place where people from different beliefs can come and pray here side by side. In the vicinity there are a Buddhist and a Hindu temple, a Catholic and a Christian church and a mosque. Come here to see how different beliefs can co-exist with each other.

Tarsius spectrum

While you are in Manado, why not visit the Tangkoko National Park. This park is located at the foot of Mount Dua Saudara, around 4 hours from Manado and offers a variety of landscape and wildlife. Trek the jungle and hike the hills and you will see many maleo birds, a species of the ape family named the kuskus and the world's smallest primate, the Tarsius spectrum.

Make sure you hire a guide before yo go since the way to the park is quite difficult.

Destination: Kalimantan --> East Kalimantan

2011-02-17T15:36:00.003+09:00

Culture and Heritage:

Pampang Village

Home to the Dayak Kenyah tribe, one of 200 subgroups of the Dayak ethnic group, this village is situated about 20 kilometers away from Samarinda, the capital city of East Kalimantan. It was declared as the first "cultural village" in the province and has attracted both local and foreign tourists.

Lamin

A place high in cultural values, this village is offers you the chance to know and understand the local customs and the inhabitants' way of living. You can see their Lamin, longhouses where all members of a family or clan live together. The architecture of these houses are quite unique, because they are built high above ground,with big poles supporting from beneath. The space below are used to store livestocks and to avoid floods.

You can also see the locals in their traditional costumes embroidered with colorful ornaments selling souvenirs and performing ceremonies and arts like traditional dance.

Dayak dance

2. Mulawarman Museum

Situated in the city of Tenggarong, this place was the Palace of the Kutai Sultanate until 1976 when it was handed to the Ministry of Education and Culture to be turned into a museum. Housing a wide range of antiques, it's the place where you can learn more about the local culture.

With a very low price entrance fee, visitors can tour the museum and find so many interesting relics dating back to the pre-independence era. You can see the throne of the Sultan with two statues of Lembuswana, a mythical beast based on local legends, guarding its sides, small statues dating back to the era of the Kutai Martadipura, a Hindu Kingdom that once ruled the land and carvings made by the Dayak people. Foreign antiques can also be seen here. Look out for a collection of ceramics from China, Vietnam and Thailand.

Mulawarman Museum

After exiting the building, you will see the cemeteries of the previous Sultans, their relatives and local well-known people, such as the founder of Tenggarong Sultan AM Muslihuddin.

Mulawarman Museum's Royal Cemeteries

Don't forget to see the nearby shops to find local souvenirs.

Eco-tourism:

Kutai National Park

A wildlife reserve located nearby the city of Bontang. Extending over an area of 2,000 square kilometers, this national park is home to a wide range of ecosystems, such as mangrove forest, freshwater swamp forest and kerangas forest, a type of tropical moist forest.

Most wildlife here are land mammals such as the endangered orangutan which is an endemic species, proboscis monkey, marbled cats and clouded leopards, but there are also reptiles like water monitors, crested lizards and estuary crocodiles. Also, look out for holes on trees and you might spot some wrinkled hornbills.

This park is easily accessible for visitors. You can reach it from the industrial city of Bontang, where you can also find tour guides as well as advice and information about the park.

Orangutan