INDONESIA TRAVELLING

20 Indonesian tourist destinationRaja Ampat

2016-05-04T10:20:00.003-07:00

BROMO Mountain

Indonesia is an archipelago beautiful. Everyone who was in it too must know, but do you know if from the east end till the western tip of Indonesia is full of outstanding natural beauty is wonderful. The whole beauty of it is not only amaze the local people but also people from around the globe. Well, what are the tourist attractions in Indonesia which has such outstanding natural beauty. Here's the summary

1. Mount Rinjani
Mount Rinjani is located in Nusa Tenggara Barat, Indonesia. This mountain has Panaroma that the best among the mountains in Indonesia. Mount Rinjani annually visited by many nature lovers.

2. Komodo Island
Komodo National Park is located in East Nusa Tenggara. This area consists of several islands along the sea waters. In these islands live wildlife habitat dragons. There savanna has a vast expanse.

3. Raja Ampat Islands
Raja Ampat Islands is an archipelago located in the western part of the island of Papua in West Papua province which is precisely at the head of birds of Papua. Raja Ampat has become one destination for divers who are interested in the beauty of the underwater scenery.

4. Kawah Ijen
Ijen Crater is one of the volcanoes in East Java. Has a natural beauty and marine crater made famous tourist spots among both local and foreign tourists.

5. Puncak Jaya
Living in Indonesia rightly proud because it has a lot of uniqueness and richness of nature and different cultures. Puncak Jaya in Papua which is the highest peak in Australia and Oceania.

6. Children Krakatao
Krakatau is an active volcanic islands located in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra.

7. Mount Bromo
Mount Bromo is an active volcano in Indonesia precisely in the province of East Java. This mountain offers views of the sunrise and sunset are beautiful and also other sights.

8. Flores
Kelimutu is a volcano on the island of Flores, NTT. This mountain has three crater lakes that are on top. The lake is also known as the Lake Three Colors because it has three different colors, namely red, blue, and white.

9. Bunaken Marine Park
Bunaken marine park has a 20 point dive (dive spot) with varying depths. The depth of up to 1344 meters. The dives of 20 points, 12 points of which there are around Bunaken Island. 12 point dive in this, the most frequently visited locations divers and lovers of the underwater world.

10. Lake Toba
Lake Toba is the largest volcanic lake in the world. In the middle of this lake there is an island. Lake Toba attract many local and foreign tourists.

11. Baluran National Park
This is his African Indonesia. This glaze is representative of the mostly dry forest ecosystem in Java include savanna vegetation, mangroves, coastal forest, monsoon forest, lower montane forests, swamp forest and evergreen forests throughout the year.

12. Dreamland Beach Bali
Or also known as Dreamland Dreamland Beach is one of the beautiful beaches in Bali besides Kuta Beach. The existence of the beach is not far from the Uluwatu. The beauty and cleanliness of the beach here adds to the attraction of tourists.

13. Kerinci
Kerinci famous for the existence of the Seven Lakes Mountain which is the highest lake in Southeast Asia. In addition, there are several other smaller lakes that have unique natural beauty.

14. Green Canyon
Green Canyon save a million incredible charm. Natural blend between rivers, green valleys, forest and various stalactite-stalagmite indeed charming scenery.

15. Lake Sentani
Lake Sentani is under slopes of mountains Cycloops which c

16. Goa Gong
Goa Gong is claimed as the most beautiful caves in Southeast Asia. Once in the cave, you will see various kinds of rock protruding or commonly known as stalactites and stalagmites.

17. National Parks Bantimurung
Bantimurung National Park has beautiful natural charm. In this national park can be found the source of the water that never dry. So many types of plants are able to survive when drought.

18. Belitung Islands
The Island is beautiful, unique landscape of white sandy beach with ornate granite boulders that artistic, crystal clear sea water and surrounded by hundreds of small islands. Truly extraordinary.

19. Derawan
In the waters around the island Derawan marine park that became a tourist submarine (diving) with a depth of up to 5 meters. While on the rock to a depth of ten meters, there will be a reef known as "Trigger Blue Wall".

20. Goa Kalisuci
Goa Kalisuci can be found underground river flowing beneath limestone mountains which empties into the sea south of the island of Java. Kalisuci Goa is one of 3 cave tubing adventure travel centers located in the world, after the state of Mexico and New Zealand.

Raja Ampat

overs include the City of Jayapura and Jayapura district. The view of Lake Sentani with a cluster of islands in the middle is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Indonesia.

How sob, the list of tourist spots above? Hope can be the additional information for agan-agan who like to travel

Gunung Padang Site Cianjur Indonesia west java

2012-06-05T18:43:00.000-07:00

Mountain site in Kampung Gunung Padang Padang and Kampung Panggulan, Village Karyamukti Campaka District, Cianjur, a megalithic site punden shaped staircase largest in Southeast Asia. This recall purbakalanya building area about 900 m2 with a total area of the site itself less than about 3 ha.

The existence of this site peratama appeared in the report Rapporten van de oudheid-kundigen Dienst (ROD), in 1914, further reported in 1949 NJ Krom. in 1979 related officials in terms of development and research of cultural heritage bend the local cultural overseer followed by ditlinbinjarah and Pulit Arkenas conduct a review to the location of the site. Since that time research efforts towards Padang Mountain site began to do well from the point of archaeological, historical, geological and other.

Berundaknya punden building form reflects the traditions of megalithic (mega means large and lithos means stone), like many found in several areas in West Java. Gunung Padang Site is located 50 kilometers from Cianjur said to be the largest megalithic site in Southeast Asia. Among local communities, the site is trusted as evidence of efforts to build a palace King Siliwangi overnight.

Helped by his troops, he tried to collect the stone blocks that exist only on the area. However, the night seems to be more fleeting. At dawn tinge the eastern horizon had thwarted his hard efforts, then derah then he left. He let the stones scattered on the hill which is now called the Mount of Padang. Padang means light.

Gunung Padang punden terraces, built with massive volcanic rocks that form a rectangle. The building consists of five terraces with different sizes. The stones have not experienced the touch of human hands in a sense, has not worked or shaped by human hands.

Stone blocks which jumlahya very much that spread almost cover the top of Mount Padang. Locals dub some of the stones of the terraces it with the names of the smell of Islam. For example there are called table Milled Pangancingan Kiai, Chair Eyang Bonang, Jojodog or grandparent Swasana seat, backrest stone Suhaedin Sheikh alias Sheikh Abdul Rusman, grandparent households Sheikh Marzuki, and Sheikh Abdul Fukor stone.

Five Reasons to Visit Lombok, Indonesia

2012-06-05T18:32:00.000-07:00

Exotic Nature

The Indonesian island of Lombok does not receive as much fanfare as its hugely popular neighbor Bali. Nevertheless, many Indonesians prefer vacationing in Lombok over Bali for many reasons: prices for hotel rooms, food and attractions are often a good deal cheaper, and the island's scenic spots are still unmolested by the gated villa developments, cheap cocktail bars and tawdry souvenir shops that have spread across so much of Bali. At least for now. A large international airport will be completed next year and Indonesian tourism officials will likely be marketing Lombok as Bali version 2. So don't put off your trip — or miss any of these five Lombok essentials.

1. A Homestay

If you're going to Lombok to avoid Balinese-style tourism, then why not pass up on the hotels, spas and plunge pools altogether and opt for a homestay? There are numerous options around the island, including farmhouses and homes in beachside and mountainside villages. Some are quite elaborate affairs, with self-contained accommodation and differing from standard travelers' lodges only by the presence of convivial hosts. Many offer an introduction to fishing, farming or even hunting as practiced by the local Sasak people, plus a firsthand look at the preparation of local foods and maybe a chance to sit in on some craftwork or the celebration of a festival. Your hosts will also be able to show you points of interest not found in the travel guides. (Watch TIME's video "Indonesia's Green Gamble.")

If you can't pass up on your little luxuries, Yuli's Homestay, yulishomestay.com, in south Lombok is really more of a small resort (it has three comfortable bungalows and a swimming pool), but with a personal touch and lots of local insights supplied by a host couple from New Zealand and Indonesia. H. Radiah Homestay, tel: (62-370) 22298, in Lendang Nangka is a more rustic experience, offering a location smack in the middle of a Sasak village and a great base for hiking.

2. The Lombok Chili Pepper

Since the word lombok means chili in Bahasa Indonesia, you'd expect the locals to know a thing or two about spicy food. The green and red Lombok chilies are often made into sambal — a fiery condiment — with locally grown naga jolokia peppers, garlic and shrimp paste. Sample it as an accompaniment to local dishes like ayam taliwang (grilled wild chicken) and sayur nangka (jackfruit curry). (See pictures of Indonesia noodle factory.)

3. Hit the Beach

Lombok's beaches are second to none and a blessed relief after Bali's busy strips. Head for the island's southwest to really escape the crowds. Surfers love the big waves at Bangko-Bangko (also known as Desert Point); if its long-walled and hollow left-hand breaks sound too taxing, then try the tiny island of Gili Nanggu, 15 minutes by boat from the town of Tawun. There, the Gili Nanggu Cottages and Bungalows resort, gilinanggu.com, offers a chance to laze on a pristine private beach that encircles the island, or to go snorkeling in the beautiful reefs.

4. Two Wheels Good

Public transport on Lombok is unreliable. Many visitors opt to hire a car and driver, which can be obtained at very reasonable rates, but if you're feeling adventurous try renting a motorcycle — available from shops all over the island. At just over 80 km at its widest point, Lombok is easily traversable and its roads are in great condition for Indonesia — the beneficiaries of recent infrastructural investment. The excellent 21-km coastal stretch from Senggigi to Pemenang winds past beautiful inlets and beaches and is an easy, exhilarating ride. Other, smaller roads meander through rugged highlands, passing secluded waterfalls and verdant rice paddies.

5. Hot, Roasted Worms

Lombok's people are an eclectic mix of religious and ethnic groups, with the majority being the indigenous Sasak Muslims. There is also a sizable Hindu Balinese population, and significant numbers of Chinese and Sasak Buddhists. All of this means a lively festival calendar. The largest and most colorful festival is the Bau Nyale or Sea Worm Festival. Every February at Kuta beach (that's Kuta beach, south Lombok, not to be confused with its famous Bali namesake), the Sasak people commemorate a mythical princess who drowned herself in these waters rather than enter a politically vexatious marriage. The festival is timed with the spawning of marine worms, which are eagerly caught and eaten — often after being wrapped in banana leaf and roasted — and the celebrations last for four days.

Central Java Overview, Event, and Place of Interest

2012-05-30T11:44:00.000-07:00

Central Java
History has left its footprints across Central Java, an area rich in culture and tradition descending from a powerful Hindu and Buddhist past, and more recent Islamic influences.
Under the Saliendra and Old Mataram kings in the 8th and 10th centuries the Hindu-Javanese culture flourished, and it was during this period that Java’s most remarkable religious monuments were built such as Borobudur, the most magnificent monument to Mahayana Buddhism in the world; the enormous Hindu temple complex of Prambanan, and the ancient site of the oldest Hindu temples in Java on the Dieng Plateau.

Getting there:
An extensive network of good roads and railway links major cities and villages.
Airport both in Semarang and Solo and the major seaport in Tanjung Emas, on the north of Semarang and a natural harbor in Cilacap provide national and international access. Door to door travel minibuses are available to and from Java and Sumatra Island.
Tourism Events
• Wayang Kulit (Leather Puppet Shadow Show) from 9.00 pm every Saturday until dawn in Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) Jalan Achmad Yani Semarang. It takes episodes from the Ramayana and Mahabarata epics.
• Wayang Orang (Javanese Opera) performed every night from 8 pm to 10 pm in Sriwedari auditorium Solo Sunday closed.
• Waisak Ceremony, Magelang, Central Java. The “Waisak” is religious event observing the birth of Sidarta Gautama held on June’08 at Mendut and Borobudur temples. This ceremony is first started with religious praying in Mendut.
• Sekaten Fair, Solo, Cental Java. A traditional fair held on Apr’08 annually during the islamic month of Rabiul Awal or maulud (Javanese Calender) to commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammad. The fair takes place at Alun-alun Utara of the Kasunanan Palace’s North Square and open for visitors day dan night.
Places of Interest
Semarang
Semarang is situated on Java’s northern coast and it is the capital of Central Java.
From Candi Hill you get amazing views of the port, the lowlands and green paddy fields, the city itself and the surrounding mountains. The environs around Semarang are perfect for day trips and side-excursions.
In the older part of the city, near the harbour, you can still find an interesting collection of buildings dating back to the Dutch colonial era and the Dutch East Indies Company. The city offers evening performances of Wayang drama played by live actors, actresses and dancers at Ngesti Pandowo Theatre. For sport fans there are tennis courts in all major hotels and 2 golf courses located in the town’s suburbs. For short trips out of Semarang within a radius of about 60 km, the following places are recommended: Jepara, northeast of Semarang, is surrounded by white sand beaches, and is also famous for its wood carving industry. An ancient Portuguese Fort can be found to the east of Jepara. Kudus, about halfway between Jepara and Semarang, is home to the Minaret Mosque, which was built in the 15th century.
Also known with its kretek (traditional cigarette) industries. Demak has the oldest mosque in Central Java.
Bandungan and Gedong Songo Temple.
This is a holiday resort on the slopes of Mt. 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 Ungaran. Built at about the same time as the temples of the Dieng complex, Gedong Songo is one of the most beautifully temple complexes in Central Java. The views alone are worth the trip.
Ambarawa Railway Museum
Fifty kms 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. Prior arrangements should be made for groups. Also of interest are a collection of antique telephones and other instruments used for railway communication. Visit Rawa Pening (Clearly Swamp), the cool water lake near Ambarawa.
Tlogo Plantation
Tlogo Plantation has cool air and beautiful view with various plantation such as coffee, rubber, nutmeg and cloves. It is located 6 kms or only 10 minutes drive from The Ambarawa Railway Museum. (www.tlogoagro.net)
Dieng Plateau.
About 4 hours from Semarang is the Dieng Plateau, the site of some of the oldest Hindu temples on Java. These 50 foot high monu ments stand on a crater floor\ amidst sulphurous fumes. The road to the Dieng Plateau passes through tobacco plantations and beautiful mountain scenery.
Baturraden.
Central Java’s most outstanding resort, approximately 14 kms north of Purwokerto, an administrative town in the southern of Java island. It is occupies a fine site on the slopes of Mount Slamet, 650 m above sea level, feel the coolness air, nice gardens, pines forest, hot springs, ponds and bungalow-style hotels.
Jatijajar Cave,
a magnificient cave near Pantai Ayah (Ayah Beach) 170 km from Solo. It is also has along beautiful tunnel with many stalagnit and stalagtit. A diorama of the legend of “Lutung Kasarung” (a Prince that changed to a Monkey) and some lakes\ and river in the cave wait to be explored.
Sangiran, The Land of Mystery.
In 1891, Eugene Dubois, a French anthropologist discovered fossils of Phitecantropus Erectus, or ‘Java Man’. 1930 and 1931 marked the discovery of fossils of a man from the Pleistocene Period. In mid 1980, scientists were startled by the discovery of a complete 4 m tall elephant. It is located only 18 km from Solo.
Borobudur Temple.
The name “Borobudur” is believed to have been derived from the Sanskrit words “Vihara Buddha Uhr”, (Buddhist Monastery on the Hill). The Borobudur Temple was built in the eighth century by the Cailendra dynasty and is located at Magelang 90 km southeast of Semarang or 42 km northwest of Yogyakarta. One of the world’s most famous temples, it stand majestically on a hill overlooking lush green fields and distant hills. Borobudur is built of grey andesite stone. It rises in 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 sculpted in bas-relief, a total length of six kilometres. It has been hailed as the largest and most complete ensemble of Buddhist reliefs in the world, unsurpassed in artistic merit, each scene an individual masterpiece.
Mendut Temple
Located only 3 kilometers from Borobudur, Mendut is said to face toward Benares, India, where Buddha Gautama taught his five disclipes. The smaller temples of Mendut, which house the great statue of Buddha and the Pawon temple, form an integral part of the Borobudur complex. The three-metre tall Buddha and the two Bodhi satva figures of Lokesvara and Vajrapani are among the greatest manifestations of Buddhist thought and art.
Solo.
A pleasant city with a lively character, Solo is also called “The City That Never Sleeps“. One can always find something to eat or buy, as vendors of all kinds and small foodstalls remain open 24 hours. Home of two royal houses with centuries of power and influence over the city, Solo today remains distinctly Central Javanese with and elegance all its own. It is one of the major centres of batik, and souvenir hunters may find old Javanese antiques. Becak (trycycle ricksaw) and Andong (trad-horse carriage) are the most flexible type of traditional transportations within the city and are available everywhere.
Gong Cave
Gong Cave, has incredible ornament which is about 256 m underground with 12 rooms 7 spring and one natural both, located about 7 km from Punung Market, on the way to Pacitan (70 km southern of Solo city). The people believed that on the certain day of\ Friday there is a sound o traditional drum instrument called “Gong” come from this cave until now.
Kasunanan Palace.
The royal residence of King Pakubuwono in the 17th century, the palace has an art gallery exhibiting royal heirlooms, antiques and other invaluable objects in a genuine royal Javanese atmosphere. Open from 9 am to 2 pm, Friday closed.
Pura Mangkunegaran (Mangku nega ran Palace)
Another palace built 1757, with typical Javanese architecture consisting of “Pendopo” (an open front hall to receive guests), “Pringgitan” (an porch to hold leather puppet shadow play) and private apartments. Two sets of 17th century Javanese gamelan instruments are exhibited and played every Wednesday in the Pendopo. The palace also exhibits complete collection of masks, wayang orang costumes, leather and wooden puppets, religious articles and jewelry. Dancing practise in Mangkunegaran Palace : Wednesday from 10 am to 12 pm.
Tawangmangu.
Located 40 kms east of Solo, this recreational resort offers fresh weather, scenic views, swimming pools, bungalow style hotels and restaurants. It lies on the slopes of Mt. Lawu, at an elevation of 1,300 m above sea level. Other features include nearby temples, a national park and the 40 m high waterfall of Grojogan Sewu.
Sukuh Temple.
Not far from Solo is the Sukuh Temple, the pyramid “Inca” looklike decorated with wayang stone carvings of Hindu origin, and erotic symbols. The temple is located only 34 km from Solo.
Kemuning Tea Plantation.
Between Sukuh and Ceto Temple, there is a 300 hectares rug of green tea plantation.
Ceto Temple
Ceto Temple, is located in western slope of Mt. Lawu, Gumeng Village Jenawi District in Karanganyar - Surakarta. It is located in hill 1400 m from the sea level. Ceto temple site of 13 stages, from the lower places to higher places ar similar to Hinduism temple. Relief status of Ceto Temple Symbolizes a human passion and a portrayal of human being’s soul purification. The hardest seduction in purifying in passions. www.wisata-karanganyar.go.id. Ceto

Ambarawa Rail MuseumHistory has left its footprints across Central Java, an area rich in culture and tradition descending from a powerful Hindu and Buddhist past, and more recent Islamic influences.

Under the Saliendra and Old Mataram kings in the 8th and 10th centuries the Hindu-Javanese culture flourished, and it was during this period that Java’s most remarkable religious monuments were built such as Borobudur, the most magnificent monument to Mahayana Buddhism in the world; the enormous Hindu temple complex of Prambanan, and the ancient site of the oldest Hindu temples in Java on the Dieng Plateau.

Getting there:

An extensive network of good roads and railway links major cities and villages. Airport both in Semarang and Solo and the major seaport in Tanjung Emas, on the north of Semarang and a natural harbor in Cilacap provide national and international access. Door to door travel minibuses are available to and from Java and Sumatra Island.

Tourism Events

* Wayang Kulit (Leather Puppet Shadow Show) from 9.00 pm every Saturday until dawn in Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) Jalan Achmad Yani Semarang. It takes episodes from the Ramayana and Mahabarata epics.
* Wayang Orang (Javanese Opera) performed every night from 8 pm to 10 pm in Sriwedari auditorium Solo Sunday closed.
* Waisak Ceremony, Magelang, Central Java. The “Waisak” is religious event observing the birth of Sidarta Gautama held on June’08 at Mendut and Borobudur temples. This ceremony is first started with religious praying in Mendut.
* Sekaten Fair, Solo, Cental Java. A traditional fair held on Apr’08 annually during the islamic month of Rabiul Awal or maulud (Javanese Calender) to commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammad. The fair takes place at Alun-alun Utara of the Kasunanan Palace’s North Square and open for visitors day dan night.

Central Java Places of Interest

Semarang
Semarang is situated on Java’s northern coast and it is the capital of Central Java.From Candi Hill you get amazing views of the port, the lowlands and green paddy fields, the city itself and the surrounding mountains. The environs around Semarang are perfect for day trips and side-excursions.
In the older part of the city, near the harbour, you can still find an interesting collection of buildings dating back to the Dutch colonial era and the Dutch East Indies Company. The city offers evening performances of Wayang drama played by live actors, actresses and dancers at Ngesti Pandowo Theatre. For sport fans there are tennis courts in all major hotels and 2 golf courses located in the town’s suburbs. For short trips out of Semarang within a radius of about 60 km, the following places are recommended:

Jepara, northeast of Semarang, is surrounded by white sand beaches, and is also famous for its wood carving industry. An ancient Portuguese Fort can be found to the east of Jepara.

Kudus, about halfway between Jepara and Semarang, is home to the Minaret Mosque, which was built in the 15th century. Also known with its kretek (traditional cigarette) industries. Demak has the oldest mosque in Central Java.

Borobudur Budhist Temple

Borobudur Temple. The name Borobudur is believed to have been derived from the Sanskrit words "Vihara Buddha Uhr", (Buddhist Monastery on the Hill). The Borobudur Temple was built in the eighth century by the Cailendra dynasty and is located at Magelang 90 km southeast of Semarang or 42 km northwest of Yogyakarta. One of the world’s most famous temples, it stand majestically on a hill overlooking lush green fields and distant hills.

Borobudur is built of grey andesite stone. It rises in 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 sculpted in bas-relief, a total length of six kilometres. It has been hailed as the largest and most complete ensemble of Buddhist reliefs in the world, unsurpassed in artistic merit, each scene an individual masterpiece.

Mendut Temple
Located only 3 kilometers from Borobudur, Mendut is said to face toward Benares, India, where Buddha Gautama taught his five disclipes. The smaller temples of Mendut, which house the great statue of Buddha and the Pawon temple, form an integral part of the Borobudur complex. The three-metre tall Buddha and the two Bodhi satva figures of Lokesvara and Vajrapani are among the greatest manifestations of Buddhist thought and art.

Solo.
A pleasant city with a lively character, Solo is also called “The City That Never Sleeps“. One can always find something to eat or buy, as vendors of all kinds and small foodstalls remain open 24 hours. Home of two royal houses with centuries of power and influence over the city, Solo today remains distinctly Central Javanese with and elegance all its own. It is one of the major centres of batik, and souvenir hunters may find old Javanese antiques. Becak (trycycle ricksaw) and Andong (trad-horse carriage) are the most flexible type of traditional transportations within the city and are available everywhere.

Bandungan and Gedong Songo Temple.
This is a holiday resort on the slopes of Mt. 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 Ungaran. Built at about the same time as the temples of the Dieng complex, Gedong Songo is one of the most beautifully temple complexes in Central Java. The views alone are worth the trip.

Ambarawa Railway Museum
Fifty kms 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. Prior arrangements should be made for groups. Also of interest are a collection of antique telephones and other instruments used for railway communication. Visit Rawa Pening (Clearly Swamp), the cool water lake near Ambarawa.

Tlogo Plantation
Tlogo Plantation has cool air and beautiful view with various plantation such as coffee, rubber, nutmeg and cloves. It is located 6 kms or only 10 minutes drive from The Ambarawa Railway Museum. (www.tlogoagro.net)

Dieng PlateauDieng Plateau.
About 4 hours from Semarang is the Dieng Plateau, the site of some of the oldest Hindu temples on Java. These 50 foot high monu ments stand on a crater floor\ amidst sulphurous fumes. The road to the Dieng Plateau passes through tobacco plantations and beautiful mountain scenery.

Baturraden.
Central Java’s most outstanding resort, approximately 14 kms north of Purwokerto, an administrative town in the southern of Java island. It is occupies a fine site on the slopes of Mount Slamet, 650 m above sea level, feel the coolness air, nice gardens, pines forest, hot springs, ponds and bungalow-style hotels.

Jatijajar Cave,
a magnificient cave near Pantai Ayah (Ayah Beach) 170 km from Solo. It is also has along beautiful tunnel with many stalagnit and stalagtit. A diorama of the legend of “Lutung Kasarung” (a Prince that changed to a Monkey) and some lakes\ and river in the cave wait to be explored.

Sangiran,
The Land of Mystery. In 1891, Eugene Dubois, a French anthropologist discovered fossils of Phitecantropus Erectus, or ‘Java Man’. 1930 and 1931 marked the discovery of fossils of a man from the Pleistocene Period. In mid 1980, scientists were startled by the discovery of a complete 4 m tall elephant. It is located only 18 km from Solo.

Gong Cave
Gong Cave, has incredible ornament which is about 256 m underground with 12 rooms 7 spring and one natural both, located about 7 km from Punung Market, on the way to Pacitan (70 km southern of Solo city). The people believed that on the certain day of\ Friday there is a sound o traditional drum instrument called “Gong” come from this cave until now.
Kasunanan Palace. The royal residence of King Pakubuwono in the 17th century, the palace has an art gallery exhibiting royal heirlooms, antiques and other invaluable objects in a genuine royal Javanese atmosphere. Open from 9 am to 2 pm, Friday closed.

Pura Mangkunegaran (Mangku nega ran Palace)
Another palace built 1757, with typical Javanese architecture consisting of "Pendopo" (an open front hall to receive guests), "Pringgitan" (an porch to hold leather puppet shadow play) and private apartments. Two sets of 17th century Javanese gamelan instruments are exhibited and played every Wednesday in the Pendopo. The palace also exhibits complete collection of masks, wayang orang costumes, leather and wooden puppets, religious articles and jewelry. Dancing practise in Mangkunegaran Palace : Wednesday from 10 am to 12 pm.

Tawangmangu.
Located 40 kms east of Solo, this recreational resort offers fresh weather, scenic views, swimming pools, bungalow style hotels and restaurants. It lies on the slopes of Mt. Lawu, at an elevation of 1,300 m above sea level. Other features include nearby temples, a national park and the 40 m high waterfall of Grojogan Sewu.

Candi or Te

mpleSukuh Temple.
Not far from Solo is the Sukuh Temple, the pyramid “Inca” looklike decorated with wayang stone carvings of Hindu origin, and erotic symbols. The temple is located only 34 km from Solo.

Kemuning Tea Plantation.
Between Sukuh and Ceto Temple, there is a 300 hectares rug of green tea plantation.

Ceto Temple
Ceto Temple, is located in western slope of Mt. Lawu, Gumeng Village Jenawi District in Karanganyar - Surakarta. It is located in hill 1400 m from the sea level. Ceto temple site of 13 stages, from the lower places to higher places ar similar to Hinduism temple. Relief status of Ceto Temple Symbolizes a human passion and a portrayal of human being’s soul purification. The hardest seduction in purifying in passions.

Travel to West Sumatra - The Minangkabau Indonesia

2012-05-30T11:41:00.000-07:00

Minangkabau Traditional House, West SumatraMuch of its highland formed by the Bukit Barisan Mountain range; virgin jungle inhabited by elephants, tigers, leopard and rhinos. Minang people has firey hot dishes and ancient matriarchal customs. The women own property and the men leave home to seek their fame and fortune. Travelling is considered a mark of success, Padang restaurants are found in all major towns across the nation.

The people are hospitable and eloquent; primarily speak bahasa Minang, with poetic style of speech. West Sumatran days are filled with colourful ceremonies and festivals. Legend has it the Minang kabau are descendants of the youngest son of Alexander the Great, King Maharjo Dirajo. During the early 19th century, the area was disrupted by wars between the followers of the traditional Islam or Padris, and those adhering to the traditional law (Adat) of the Minangkabau.

Getting there:

Padang’s Tabing Airport is the main gateway to West Sumatra and is serviced by Merpati Nusantara Airlines.PELNI’s ship ”Kerinci” sails every two weeks for Jakarta from Teluk Bayur harbour. Smaller vessels from Muara harbour sail to small towns along the entire west coast of Sumatra.Regular bus services run between Padang, Bukittinggi and other major cities of Sumatra, as well as via the trans-Sumatra Highway to Jakarta.

Padang Food - West SumatraTourism Events

* Dances performed on the Bukittinggi museum’s open stage every Sunday and on public holidays, the famous bullfights at Padang Lawas (6 Km south of Bukittinggi) are every Tuesday at 05.00 p.m, where the antics of local owners and bettors are as much fun as the fights themselves.
* Pacu Jawi every July performs bullrace in Payakumbuh. The uniqueness of its race, the joky bite its tail to make the bull runs faster.
* Selaju Sampan and Dragon boat race every September is a traditional watersports in Muko-Muko, Lake Maninjau.
* Wild Hog Hunting every May on Sunday in Solok by the farmers with well - trained dog.

Places of Interest

Air Manis
4 kms South of Padang, down the hill and across Batang Arau River is a fishermen village on Padang’s scenic west coast. A rock standing in the water a short distance from the shore is said to be the hull of Malin Kundang’s boat, which shipwrecked in a storm after it was cursed by the defiant young man’s mother.

Bungus
20 kms South of Padang sheltered by a bay, there are two good beaches : Caroli na and Karang Tirta.

Anai Resort and Golf Course.
The Anai resort is located in gorgeous natural setting roughly 550 meters above sea level. This resort is incorporating first-class hotel facilities.

Batang Palupuah,
12 km from Bukittinggi, is a refuge for the giant flower Rafflesia arnoldi, blooming only once a year in November. A guide can be obtained from the office at the reserve.

Rimbo Panti Nature Reserve.
Just aside the road to Medan, at the distance of 108 kms from Bukittinggi, this nature and wild life reserve where various monkey species and black panther found in here.

Bung Hatta Forest Reserve.
Situated 15 kms from Padang in the direction of Solok, known in the past as the Setya Mulya Botanic Garden. The reserve has giant flower Rafflesia arnoldi.

Padang
Padang is the capital of West Sumatra; and gateway to the homeland of Minangkabau. Its bustling harbours a crossroads for rubber, cinnamon, coffee, tea and nutmeg. There are Minang houses, prehistoric artifacts, ceramics, manuscripts and modern art. In Kampung Cina (Chinatown) you can wander streets lined with turn-of-the century houses, Chinese herbalist and coffee shops. Good hiking and wonderful views of the city can be had a Bukit Monyet and Gunung Padang.

Batu Basurek.
A stone with inscriptions in the old Palava script of India, bearing the legend of Adityawarman in the year 1347.

Twin Lakes, West SumatraThe Twin Lakes (Lake Diatas and Lake Dibawah)
65 km from Padang the two lakes, one a little higher than the other are located at +1000 meters above sea level and covered by thick mist. There are several cottages and coffee shops in Lake Diatas resort.

Pagaruyung Kingdom.
Situated at the ouskirt of Batusangkar the capital city of Tanah Datar Regency. In the past, it was the seat of the ancient of Minangkabau Kingdom, Pagaruyung : which at the beginning of its history was ruled by a queen named Bundo Kanduang. Relics of that ancient past are still scaffered over the area among them are Batusangkar stone inscriptions found in some areas.

Lake Singkaraka
Lake Singkarak is surrounded with green hills and mountains, the biggest lake in west 129,70 kms square and lies on the Trans Sumatra between Bukittinggi and Solok regency. It is 36 km from Bukittinggi or 86 km from Padang.

Tanjung Alai.
Located at 7 kms Lake Singkarak, enjoy gliding in the fresh and coolness of its air.

Mount Talang tea plantation.
35 km from Padang, one of the highest mountains 2,572 meters above sea level has a green and fresh views. From here you can overlook the beautiful Twin Lakes and Lake Singkarak.

The Mystical Rao-rao.
Some 15 kilometers from Batusangkar. A village in which the Minangkabau building style is well preserved.

Belimbing Village.
Some 20 km from Batusangkar, this traditional village has some beautiful old Minangkabau long houses. Around the village one can enjoy the beauty view and traditional social life of Minangkabau matriarchal society.\

Tabek Patah.
30 kilometers from Batusangkar, is a lookout point in the foothills offering a wide open view on the magnificent central Minangkabau countryside.

Lake Maninjau
Perhaps the most beautiful lake in Sumatra, Maninjau is far smaller and less developed thas its neighbour lake Toba to the north the road to the lake is famous for its forty four bends oftering superb panoramas as it meaders down to the water’s edge. The lake is punctuated by pretty Moorish styled mosques, perhap designed by some long ago Arab traders who came to her shores. Datted about the lake are small and friendly villages. Mountain bikes for rent ofter a perfect way to explore along the flat roads. Small hotels.

Bukittinggi
Bukittinggi is the West Sumatra’s center of culture and tourism, nestled in the higlands north of the provincial capital of Padang. It is a pleasant two-hour drive (90 km) from Padang through the gorgeus Anai Valley up to Agam Plateu. Located 930 metres above sea level, it has a cool climate and is surrounded by tree volcanoes: Tandikat, Singgalang and Merapi. The central landmark is the town’s clocktower, reffered by the local people as Jam Gadang. It overlooks the market square, a beehive of activity and fantastic place to do some souvenir shopping. Also worth visiting is the Rumah Gadang Museum, a traditional extended family house built in the 19th century.

Batu Sangkar
Batu Sangkar is 41 km southeast of Bukittinggi, a center of the Minang kabau culture. Megalithic remains found in the area support the theory of a large community li ving in the area some 2000 years ago. Many fascinating historical sites were found at Batu Basurek, a stone with inscriptions in the Palava script of India, bearing the le gend Adityawarman, the Emperor of Kanaka Mahindra (the island of gold). Pariaman has 300 years old traditional houses. Make sure to visit the open council grounds with ancient stone seats, the mosque and hot spring.

Ngarai Sianok
Ngarai Sianok is a canyon in a city, a steep colorful valley surrounded by 100 meter cliffs. 4 km from Bukittinggi, there are many tunnels and caves made by the Japanese during WW II. The pathway leads to Koto Gadang that is renowned for its fine silver filigree and hand embroidery.

Pandai Sikek village
13 km south of Bukit Tinggi and famous for its hand woving and carving industry. The village has a thousand of looms and turning out richly colored cloth. Carved wooden ornaments and furniture also made here.

Harau Valley is 15 km northeast Payakumbuh, 100 to 200 meter steep granite walls shelter this 315 ha fertile valley. It is a nature and wildlife reserve, where wild goats and tigers still roam.

Ngalau Indah Cave can be reach on the way from Bukittinggi to Payakumbuh, it has extend deep into the mountainside. The domain of thousands of bats, the main entrance is the outline of an elephant visible on its face. The pats through these caves lead out to the top of the mountain and panoramic views.

Siberut National Park:
Using a regular ferry, which regularly sail three times a week in the night from Padang (Muara Padang) to Muara Siberut/Muara Sikabaluan/Muara Saibi. The trip takes approximately 10 hours of sailing. Or use an express ferry that travels every Thursday morning from Padang to the town of Tuapejat in Sipora Island and then further to the southern part of Siberut Island for only four hours of sailing.

Mentawai peopleMentawai Islands
Mentawai Islands is made up from four islands: Siberut, Sipora, Pagai Utara and Pagai Selatan. The people of these islands still live in comparative isolation, maintaining their age-old ways. Siberut is an area for trekking and visiting these ancient cultures, and its virgin rain forest, inhabited by a number of some rare monkey’s species. Beautiful co ral reefs are found offshore, and its wave is famous for surfing. The best season to visit is January to September.

Travel to The Jungle Bogor Indonesia

2012-05-30T11:35:00.001-07:00

The Jungle is the name of a water park recreation in Bogor. It is situated inside Bogor Nirwana Residence housing complex. Although relatively new, it has become a famous amusement park that attracts thousands of visitors each day, especially during the weekend.

The Jungle features several water play areas provided for both kids and adults. The attractions include:

Kiddie Pool

There are 2 swimming pools for kids equipped with water games such as water bucket, water cannon, mini slider and tight rope.

Race Slide

This attraction has four lines that can be used to play water slide race with your friends.

Spiral Slide and Tube Slide

These two games are the main attractions in The Jungle. They are basically water slides with a height of 12 meters and length of about 100 meters. The difference lies in that the Spiral Slide has the shape of half tube whereas Tube Slide is a full tube so you cannot see the outside while sliding.

Fountain Futsal

This is a unique futsal field with many holes spouting water. Even the goalpost are created from water.

Lazy River

This water ride consists of shallow pool that flows similarly to a river. With a length of 400 meters, you can ride a tube while relaxing and watching the scenery of the Giant Aquarium that contains rare fishes collection from around the world.

If you want to enjoy privacy, The Jungle also offers cabana or gazebo that you can rent to relax inside and safely store your belongings.

Travel to Riau Indonesia Part II

2012-05-30T11:33:00.002-07:00

Riau Archipelago or Kepulauan RiauRiau Archipelago with Tanjung Pinang as the capital city Is blessed of a lot potential tourism objects, beautiful beaches, and culture attractions. It is located at the crossroads of one of the world’s oldest and busiest maritime routes and well reputes as an ideal stop over for trade and commerce.

Riau Archipelago was once home a sea gypsies cruising its rich mangroves forest and waterways. Moreover, it was on this island that the Sultan of Malacca found refuge from Portuguese attack in the 16th century, mapping tales of the legen dary importance when Bintan thenceforth grew as the center of the powerful Johor Riau Sultanate.

Getting there:
Riau Islands can easily reached by air or sea from Jakarta and Pekanbaru directly. Batam and Bintan have international shiplines and flight. It is only 45 minutes away from Singapore by ferry.

Tourism Events
Perahu Naga (Dragon Boat) Festival in every October covers a distance of 400 meters with both domestic and foreign contestants. It is held along the Tanjung Pinang coast facing Penyengat Island. It features cultural performances, swimming contest and traditional diving challenge.

Riau Archipelago Places of Interest

Tanjung Pinang is a busy town on Bintan Island, now as a capital of Riau Archipelago. It has a Museum on Jl. Katamso. A large Bintan Island, Riau Archipelagosection of the old part of the town was built in traditional local fashion, on stilts, over the water. Tanjung Pinang City is located at about 10 km from the airport. This town also has 2 ports, Sri Bintan Pura in Tanjung Pinang and Sri Bayintan in Kijang. Tanjung Pinang Serves flight to Pekanbaru and Natuna.

Bintan Island.
International investors have developed many new hotels, integrated world-class resorts, international golf courses on the island of Bintan. Other developments include industrial parks, medical, commercial and banking facilities that are readily available to any visitors. During your visit to Riau Archipelago will not be bored or uninspired because there are many other interesting places like Pasar Ikan (Fish Market) where fresh, cheap seafood and vegetables are sold. There are also the Akau (Night Market), Pelantar (Water Villages) and shops selling local handicraft, natural attraction like watching the turtles laying their eggs or fishing on the Kelong.

Batu Bedaun Beach is very famous among the teenagers in Dabo Singkep. The beach situated 20 km from Dabo. This white sandy beach is very clean, with blue sea and small wave.

Daik is a small town but has many historical relics of Riau Lingga kingdom as in the Penyengat Island. We can reach the town by speedboats from Tanjung Pinang. In Lingga Island there are also many variation of tropical plantation and marine water fish species that cannot be found in other places. Other interesting objects is Mount Daik with 3 peaks.

Batam Island, Riau ArchipelagoSenayang Island.
Boat cruising touring the waters between the islands is among potential attractions. Some real and thrilling adventures are available since there are many islands surrounding Senayang and excellent packages include cycling, bush wacking, swimming, snorkeling and diving.

Tambelan Island is about 200 km away from Tanjungpinang. There are only six villages, which are spread over a few islands,with a total population of about 4,000. As is to be expected, the environment here is largely unspoilt, and the scenery is truly magnificent. One of the most interesting of natural attraction in this island is watching turtles laying their eggs in great number that protected by local peoples.

Batam Island
Batam Island is a very strategic island designated as a center of industry, tourism and trade. It lies close to Singapore. The Nongsa recreational region has international hotels, four golf courses,a marina sports facility and a forest reserve. Batam can be reached in two hours from Tanjung Pinang by ferry and in about half an hour from Singapore.

Bintan Island.
International investors have developed many new hotels, integrated world-class resorts, international golf courses on the island of Bintan. Other developments include industrial parks, medical, commercial and banking facilities that are readily available to any visitors. During your visit to Riau Archipelago will not be bored or uninspired because there are many other interesting places like Pasar Ikan (Fish Market) where fresh, cheap seafood and vegetables are sold. There are also the Akau (Night Market), Pelantar (Water Villages) and shops selling local handicraft, natural attraction like watching the turtles laying their eggs or fishing on the Kelong.

Trikora Beach is about 40 kilometers south of Tanjung Pinang on the eastern side of the island. Good beaches are also found on the islands of Terkulai and Soreh, about an hour away by boat.

Natuna Archipelago
Natuna Archipelago is a part of the vast province, which embraces all of the islands off the Riau mainland. The main island clusters of the Natuna archipelago are: Anambas, Natuna, South Natuna and Tambelan.

Matak Island at present serves as a base for offshore oil exploration. Colourful corals and reef fish are found in the waters surrounding these islands. South Natuna comprises the islands Serasan, Panjang and Subi. The surf is strong on these islands and the scenery impressive.

The Tambelan Islands are accessed by boat in 6 hours from Pontianak in West Kalimantan or from Tanjung Pinang in 16 hours. Turtles habitually come to some of the beaches to deposit their eggs in the warm sand. There are probably more turtles than people on these islands.

Natuna is located in area of South China Sea with the geographical location passed by international shipping and coast lines. Natuna’s Ranai airport has length of 2,550 metres and Matak airport with length basis of 1,700 metres. Natuna’s seaport are Lampa (100 x 10 sqm) and Penagih (50 x8 sqm).

Karimun Island is one of the most important islands in the Riau Archipelago, due to its thriving economy and proximity to Singapore. Tanjungbalai Karimun is a medium-sized town, with a large Chinese community and shops selling a large variety of imported items. Lies in a shipping line in Malacca Strait and Singapore, Karimun gateway can be passed by international ferry from and to Malaysia and Singapore.

Sea Gardens with beautiful corals and fish are found in the waters around the islands of Mapor, Abang, Pompong, Ba lang and Tanjung Berkait.

Pulau Penyengat (Stinging Island)
When people found on the first time, Penyengat Island was an island with many stinging bees it is six kilometers from Tanjung Pinang, can be reached in 15 minutes by boat. The seat of the powerful Bugis viceroys of Riau during the 18th century, Penyengat still bears the traces of its illustrious past. Ruins, abandoned for almost 70 years, were recently restored. The old ruler’s pa lace and royal tombs are among the legacies left by the Riau sultanate. Still in use is the old viceroyal mosque, the Mesjid Raya, there is also a newly built cultural center for stage performances of Malay music and dances.

Travel to Riau Indonesia Part I

2012-05-30T11:30:00.002-07:00

Travel to Sumba Island - the most cultural destination of Lesser Sunda Islands

2012-05-30T11:28:00.000-07:00

Sumba tradational village - West Sumba - IndonesiaI have been in Sumba island for several times, and I really like this Island, for me, Sumba Island is the most cultural destination of Lesser Sunda Islands or Nusa Tenggara Islands.

Sumba Island is one of main islands of East Nusa Tenggara. If we look at the map of East Nusa Tenggara then we can see Sumba Island on the bottom of the map or located on the south, so it is located on outside of ‘Ring of Fire’ – ring of volcanic mountains which line up from Sumatera, Java and ended at Arafuru Sea.

In the reality, there is indeed no volcanic mountain on Sumba Island. Most of Sumba Island territories are savanna, especially on the eastern part of Sumba. However, because of its hilly land contour, Sumba island offer an extremely beautiful scenery.

What’s interesting on Sumba Island

Sumba Island has so many tourism attraction either natural tourism attraction and cultural tourism attraction such as traditional villages and stone tomb, society’s belief, culture, customs, arts, handicrafts etc.

In Sumba Island, traditional villages can be seen everywhere, especially on West Sumba. Even if those villages located near a city, their existence is still well maintained, like villages around Waikabubak, capital city of West Sumba regency.

Those traditional villages generally located on top of the hills where traditional houses are lined on the right and left side of the village, while in the middle of the village there are huge stone tombs and also altar made of stone.

Traditional Sumba houses are made of wood and board, shaped like stage house with roof that made of straw and can reach the height of 10 meters.

Its megalithic stone tomb are big long rectangular tomb and some are really huge with the size 5x3 meters, even more. Funeral ceremony is a very interesting cultural attraction, where I myself saw directly dozens of people pull a stone tomb, plus its ritual procession which very impressing and unique.

Sumba also famous for its handycraft, that is Sumba “ikat” weaving which is usually bigger and wider than ordinary ikat on other east Nusa Tenggara area and also have special and unique patterns.

Varieties of native Sumba’s art are also really interesting, where Sumba culture are rich with so many type of dances, such as kataga dance – a war dance performed by 4 men and dressed in Sumba traditional costume, carrying shield made of buffalo skin on the left hand and a saber on the right hand – and many other dances.

The majority of Sumba people are Christian, either Protestan or Catholic, but most of the people are still carry on the traditional belief of their ancestors and also local rituals which passed down from generation to generation, especially on wedding and funeral ceremony and other ceremonies connected to their farming activities.

One of the very famous ritual ceremony is “Pasola”, where 2 groups of men from different villages, fight each other by throwing spears and this event usually held on a grassland or other open area. These man, which dressed in traditional costume, ride their horses and attack each other opponents by throwing their spears, which off course the spearheads had made blunt. (More about pasola will be described profoundly in a special article “Sumba’s Pasola”)

Apart from above cultural tourism, Sumba Island also have natural tourism attraction. The hilly land contour creates beautiful curves on some part of Sumba Island. Sumba is also an endemic for many species of rare birds which only available on this island and also a few other native east Nusa Tenggara birds.

Access to Sumba (How to get there)

There are two airport at Sumba Island, which is Mauhau airport at Waingapu – East Sumba and another airport at Tambolaka – West Sumba. That makes the easiest way to Sumba is by flight from Denpasar (Bali) to Waingapu or to Tambolaka at West Sumba, served by Merpati Nusantara and Trans Nusa. By the time this article was made, Merpati served Denpasar – Waingapu and Denpasar – Tambolaka three times a week. So as Trans Nusa.

For more info, you can contact the above airlines or travel agent who had experienced in arranging tours to those area: Bii Travel (www.biitravel.com)

Accommodation, restaurant, transportation and other attraction

Like other area at Nusa Tenggara in general, the tourism condition of Sumba Island is not yet developed like Bali. That is why we categorized Sumba and other Nusa Tenggara area as an adventure destination (Adventure travel).

There are not much accommodation available, most of them are lowest category hotel, but they usually clean, had private bathrooms but no hot water, some even without shower, so we have to use big basin and water dipper. These days, there are many hotels showed up as boutique hotel that have international standard like boutique hotel in Bali or other area. The price off course is much more expensive and paid in dollar like other hotels in Bali. These kind of hotels all located on West Sumba.

Restaurant There are not many restaurant available. Hotels usually have their own restaurant and only few restaurants located outside hotels. Generally, those restaurants serving Chinese food and mix Indonesian food.

There are no special transportation for tourist, generally using private cars such as Kijang, Panther and APV. While for groups, available public buses, which off course does not equipped with air conditioner and microphone. Roads Quite good especially the main roads, even though some also damaged which caused by lack of maintenance. While roads on villages mostly are not asphalted yet.

I hope that my article can be use full and enriched our insight about Sumba Island as one of interesting destination in Indonesia

Gunung Leuser National Park

2012-05-30T09:35:00.000-07:00

I rolled into the small village of Ketambe after a 9 hour windy, bone rattling bus ride from Takengon. The bus driver dropped me off at the wrong guest house, but it didn't matter. As soon as I met Ahmed I was at ease. He has those kind eyes that you know can be trusted. Ketambe is a great base for trekking into the park, offering a serene alternative to the tout shakedown at Bukit Lawang. Rates there have soared to $80 a day in the last 6 months.

I linked up with a lovely Australian couple, Paul and Gemma, and decided to trek with them the following morning. With 3 it worked out to $30 a day. www.ketambe.com if you are ever on Sumatra, you must check this place out.

Eden and Aris were our guides and we set out around 9 the next morning. We walked up the road a kilometer and then took a trail into the forest by an old, forgotten mosque. Even this close to the road the forest was lush, but already quiet apart from the cicadas and distant bird calls. The first wildlife we saw was the long tailed macaques, swinging around in the canopy above us. One square kilometer of rainforest here can have over 100 species of trees alone. Gunung Leuser is rightly famous for some the rarities it holds including, Sumatran tiger, rhino and elephants. Our target species was the critically endangered orangutan which I have wanted to see for a long time. After only about 2 hours of walking we stopped for lunch and the guides set up camp. It was a great spot by the river with a rock to jump off into the rushing stream. In the afternoon we went out for a hike and saw the highly acrobatic Thomas's leaf monkey. They can make huge leaps from branch to branch. We also heard our 1st hornbill and began following it off the trail. After about an hour I was pretty certain we were lost. This hunch was soon affirmed as Eden began cutting a trail straight through the undergrowth. All I could think about was the cool river waiting back at camp. Then I recognized some the same trees and had to call Eden on it. He could still point in the right direction of camp but the terrain was making it hard to get back down to the river. Paul began leading the way and we were soon enough on a main trail and navigated our way back to camp without too much trouble. I was a little frustrated with the lack of birds and sat by the river as the sunlight faded. Then a magnificent sight came in the form of a pair of rhinoceros hornbills. They are 127cm long, but their central tail feathers extend another 50cm! Hornbills are an old word tropics bird with amazing bills.

On the 2nd day we hiked in further upstream. Awaiting us were some of the best hot springs I have ever seen. The jungle came down to the river on both sides and the hot springs were spread along 25 meters of the stream. Simply incredible. In fact this was suppose to be our last night, but we decided to just go out for a night and come straight back to the springs for another night. The next morning we hiked up to a fruiting fig tree, which we thought might attract the orangutans. We were greeted with noisy calls from the hornbills which were all over it. No orangutans, so we decided to hike

Steamy Hot Springs on up the hillside. Gemma spotted a big black shape high in the canopy. We moved around till we got a good look at a Sun Bear! These small, shy bears are nocturnal and relatively little is known about them. So after going out and resupplying we spent our final night in the rainforest. We had another lovely meal and watched fireflies flicker above us in the trees. The next morning myself, Paul and our new guide Herman got an early start hiking up the steep slope behind our camp. We hadn't gone 300 meters when Herman was excitedly motioning us forward. He had spotted a mother orangutan with a 2 year old baby! They were foraging mid-way up the canopy. We moved in for a closer look. The mother detected us and started some aggressive behavior including shaking the branches around her and tearing some off and throwing them at us! We gave it about 10 minutes and then left them alone. That afternoon we hiked out in the highest spirits and celebrated with a b.b.q. and beers back at the guesthouse.

Gunung Leuser National Park, Sumatra IndonesiaI rolled into the small village of Ketambe after a 9 hour windy, bone rattling bus ride from Takengon. The bus driver dropped me off at the wrong guest house, but it didn't matter. As soon as I met Ahmed I was at ease. He has those kind eyes that you know can be trusted.

Ketambe is a great base for trekking into the park, offering a serene alternative to the tout shakedown at Bukit Lawang. Rates there have soared to $80 a day in the last 6 months. I linked up with a lovely Australian couple, Paul and Gemma, and decided to trek with them the following morning. With 3 it worked out to $30 a day. www.ketambe.com if you are ever on Sumatra, you must check this place out.

Eden and Aris were our guides and we set out around 9 the next morning. We walked up the road a kilometer and then took a trail into the forest by an old, forgotten mosque. Even this close to the road the forest was lush, but already quiet apart from the cicadas and distant bird calls.

Jungle - Gunung Leuser National ParkThe first wildlife we saw was the long tailed macaques, swinging around in the canopy above us. One square kilometer of rainforest here can have over 100 species of trees alone. Gunung Leuser is rightly famous for some the rarities it holds including, Sumatran tiger, rhino and elephants. Our target species was the critically endangered orangutan which I have wanted to see for a long time.

After only about 2 hours of walking we stopped for lunch and the guides set up camp. It was a great spot by the river with a rock to jump off into the rushing stream. In the afternoon we went out for a hike and saw the highly acrobatic Thomas's leaf monkey. They can make huge leaps from branch to branch.

We also heard our 1st hornbill and began following it off the trail. After about an hour I was pretty certain we were lost. This hunch was soon affirmed as Eden began cutting a trail straight through the undergrowth. All I could think about was the cool river waiting back at camp.

Then I recognized some the same trees and had to call Eden on it. He could still point in the right direction of camp but the terrain was making it hard to get back down to the river. Paul began leading the way and we were soon enough on a main trail and navigated our way back to camp without too much trouble.

Guide and Porter - Gunung Leuser National ParkI was a little frustrated with the lack of birds and sat by the river as the sunlight faded. Then a magnificent sight came in the form of a pair of rhinoceros hornbills. They are 127cm long, but their central tail feathers extend another 50cm! Hornbills are an old word tropics bird with amazing bills.

On the 2nd day we hiked in further upstream. Awaiting us were some of the best hot springs I have ever seen. The jungle came down to the river on both sides and the hot springs were spread along 25 meters of the stream. Simply incredible. In fact this was suppose to be our last night, but we decided to just go out for a night and come straight back to the springs for another night.

The next morning we hiked up to a fruiting fig tree, which we thought might attract the orangutans. We were greeted with noisy calls from the hornbills which were all over it. No orangutans, so we decided to hike Steamy Hot Springs on up the hillside. Gemma spotted a big black shape high in the canopy.

We moved around till we got a good look at a Sun Bear! These small, shy bears are nocturnal and relatively little is known about them. So after going out and resupplying we spent our final night in the rainforest. We had another lovely meal and watched fireflies flicker above us in the trees.

The next morning myself, Paul and our new guide Herman got an early start hiking up the steep slope behind our camp. We hadn't gone 300 meters when Herman was excitedly motioning us forward. He had spotted a mother orangutan with a 2 year old baby! They were foraging mid-way up the canopy. We moved in for a closer look.

The mother detected us and started some aggressive behavior including shaking the branches around her and tearing some off and throwing them at us! We gave it about 10 minutes and then left them alone. That afternoon we hiked out in the highest spirits and celebrated with a b.b.q. and beers back at the guesthouse.

Jakarta - Indonesia Capital City

2012-05-30T09:05:00.000-07:00

Jakarta
The main gateway to Indonesia, it is a contrast of-modern western architecture and traditional Indonesian culture. Its rapid growth into a metropolitan city reflects the economic, political, social and industrial development of the nation.
In recent years, Jakarta has expanded its facilities for the visitor wih luxury hotels, meeting facilities, world class golf course, fine restaurants, exciting nightlife and shopping centers besides tourist attractions heritages, sea resorts in the Bay of Jakarta, and an extensive beach recreation complex.

Getting there:
Most flights all over the archipelago and aboard arrived in Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, although flights from Bandung and Lampung use Halim Perdana Kusuma airport.
So many buses arrived in Jakarta from Sumatra and Java. Jakarta has four bus stations; from the west, there is Kalideres; Kampung Rambutan is primarly handle buses from Bogor, Bandung and Tasikmalaya; there is Lebak Bulus bus station to handle many of the deluxe buses from Yogyakarta, Surabaya and Bali. Economic class from Cirebon, Central and East Java, Sumatra and Bali arrived in Pulo Gadung bus station. Door to door travel minibuses are available to and from Java and Sumatra Island.
Tourism Events
• Indonesia International Travel Fair. An annual exhibition of Indonesia tourism destination which will be held on Sept 2008.
• International Kite Festival every July includes creative kite competition, stunt kites, photo exhibition and traditional kites display.
• Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival is an annual event anticipated by over 1000 famous jazz musicians from Indonesia and abroad on March’ 08.
• Musical and drama of local artist performed every month in Gedung Kesenian Jakarta and Taman Ismail Marzuki.
Places of Interest
Sunda Kelapa, The bustling fish Market “pasar ikan” the best visit in early morning. Located in the far north of the city at the mouth of the Ciliwung River. Dutch domination of Jakarta and the rest of Indonesia began from this area, and the remnants of Kasteel Batavia, an old fort and trading post of Dutch East Indies Company, can still be seen. Tall masted Bugis Schooners from South Sulawesi anchoring there offer one of the finest sights Jakarta has to offer.
Museum Gajah (National Museum)
is located on the west side of Merdeka square; it offers historical, pre-historical, archaeological and ethnograpic aspect of Indonesia through its extensive collection of artifacts and relics which date as far back to the Han, Tan and Ming Dynaties.
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (Indonesian Miniature Park)
is a cultural park which attempts to present the ethnic cultures and tradition in permanent exhibits of traditional architecture native to the 30 provincies. Performances of drama and dances of the various provinces are regulary staged in the pavillions every Sunday Morning.
Ragunan Zoo
is situated in the southern part of the city. Indegenous animal such as the Komodo dragon, Tapir, Java Tiger, Wild Ox and brightly coloured birds are given ample room in a lush tropical setting. Open daily from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm.
Pasar Burung (Bird Market) is located at
Jalan Pramuka with its amazing array of co- lorful, tropical birds, including the unique "perkutut" song bird, the pride of the Javanese people. Open daily from 9.00 am.
Pulau Seribu (Thousand Islands)
there are more 140 islands scattered across the Java Sea to the north of Jakarta offers a haven away from the bustle of city life. Golden beaches fringed with coconut palms line the sea; surrounding waters are a paradise for snorkelers and scuba divers. The islands can be reached from Tanjung Priok or Pasar Ikan (Sunda Kelapa) by ferry or by chartered boat. Bungalows, restaurants, diving and sailing facilities are available.
The National Monumen
The National Monument (Monas) is the 137-metre tall table marble obelisk is topped with a flame coated with 35 kgs of gold, and represents the people’s determination to achieve freedom. It is located in front of the president’s palace and opens to the public. An elevator carries visitors to the top, offering a bird’s eye view across the city to the sea.
Maritime Museum.
Two of the original ware houses from the first trading post of the Dutch East Indies Company in Java now house the Maritime Museum. Exhibits include large models of boats from various islands.
The old habourmaster’s tower stands nearby. Open from 8.00 am till 2.00 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. On Fridays closed at 11.00 am and on Saturday at 1.00 pm It closes on Monday.
The Jakarta Hilton Convention Centre (JHCC)
measures 6,120 sqm and can accommodate three conferences, and three public simultaneously. The main hall has a seating capacity of 3,300, and is equipped with a giant video-wall, and a hi-tech lighting and sound system VIP lounge, board rooms, translation booths, multi-function meeting rooms which can seat 220 people each. The main lobby can utilized as precocktail area or for a coffee break for 3,500 persons. The car park can accommodate 10,000 cars.
The Shopper’s Paradise.
Hunt some good quality batiks at Sarinah and the selection of shopping outside of the ordinary in Jalan Surabaya. Mangga dua and many ITC (International Trade Center) offer more than 10.000 kiosks and shops selling everything from fashions, accessories gifts, home appliances, etc at lower prices.
The textile museum.
Is an interesting place to see numerous kind of Indonesian textiles and learn how to make batik. Fatahillah Museum. The Jakarta Museum of History on Taman Fatahillah Square in the heart of old Batavia is housed in the beautifully-restored 18th century Dutch town hall or Stadhius.
The Wayang Museum
located on the western side of Taman Fatahillah in “The Old Town” areas has the finest displays of wayang puppets in Indonesia including puppets from all parts of Indonesia and other part of Southeast Asia as well. The wooden and leather puppets displayed here represent the finest craftsmanship in this particular form of traditional theatre. The museum also shows shortened performances of the wayang kulit
Jakarta Bay City
Jakarta Bay City, Ancol is Jakarta’s largest and most popular recreation park. Its extensive range of attractions includes sea and “Sea World” the fresh-water aquariums, swimming pools, an artificial lagoon for fishing and boating, a bowling alley, as well as an assortment of nightclubs restaurants, and massage parlors.
The complex includes a Marina, “Dufan” Dunia Fantasi (Fantasy World), a golf course, hotels and a 4 dimension theatre. The ‘Pasar Seni’ or art market has a varied collection of Indonesian
handicraft, paintings and souvenirs on sale. An open-air theatre features live performances by local artists. Open daily from 2 pm to 9 pm, and on Sunday and holiday from 10 am to 9 pm.

Ondel - Ondel, Betawi - Jakarta traditional danceThe main gateway to Indonesia, it is a contrast ofmodern western architecture and traditional Indonesian culture. Its rapid growth into a metropolitan city reflects the economic, political, social and industrial development of the nation.

In recent years, Jakarta has expanded its facilities for the visitor wih luxury hotels, meeting facilities, world class golf course, fine restaurants, exciting nightlife and shopping centres besides tourist attractions heritages, sea resorts in the Bay of Jakarta, and an extensive beach recreation complex.

Tourist Office:
Jl. K. H. Abdul Rahman No. 2 Kuningan Barat, Phone. (021) 5209689,5209571, 52052155, 5209677
Fax. (021) 5229136, 5263923 Website : http://www.jakarta-tourism.go.id

Getting there:
Most flights all over the archipelago and aboard arrived in Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, although flights from Bandung and Lampung use Halim Perdana Kusuma airport. So many buses arrived in Jakarta from Sumatra and Java. Jakarta has four bus stations; from the west, there is Kalideres; Kampung Rambutan is primarly handle buses from Bogor, Bandung and Tasikmalaya; there is Lebak Bulus bus station to handle many of the deluxe buses from Yogyakarta, Surabaya and Bali. Economic class from Cirebon, Central and East Java, Sumatra and Bali arrived in Pulo Gadung bus station. Door to door travel minibuses are available to and from Java and Sumatra Island.

Tourism Events

* Indonesia International Travel Fair. An annual exhibition of Indonesia tourism destination.
* International Kite Festival every July includes creative kite competition, stunt kites, photo exhibition and traditional kites display.
* Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival is an annual event anticipated by over 1000 famous jazz musicians from Indonesia and abroad.
* Musical and drama of local artist performed every month in Gedung Kesenian Jakarta and Taman Ismail Marzuki.

Jakarta Places of Interest

Sunda Kelapa,
The bustling fish Market “pasar ikan” the best visit in early morning. Located in the far north of the city at the mouth of the Ciliwung River. Dutch domination of Jakarta and the rest of Indonesia began from this area, and the remnants of Kasteel Batavia, an old fort and trading post of Dutch East Indies Company, can still be seen. Tall masted Bugis Schooners from South Sulawesi anchoring there offer one of the finest sights Jakarta has to offer.

National Museum - JakartaMuseum Gajah (National Museum)
It is located on the west side of Merdeka square; it offers historical, pre-historical, archaeological and ethnograpic aspect of Indonesia through its extensive collection of artifacts and relics which date as far back to the Han, Tan and Ming Dynaties.

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (Indonesian Miniature Park)
It is a cultural park which attempts to present the ethnic cultures and tradition in permanent exhibits of traditional architecture native to the 30 provincies. Performances of drama and dances of the various provinces are regulary staged in the pavillions every Sunday Morning.

Ragunan Zoo
It is situated in the southern part of the city. Indegenous animal such as the Komodo dragon, Tapir, Java Tiger, Wild Ox and brightly coloured birds are given ample room in a lush tropical setting. Open daily from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm.
Pasar Burung (Bird Market) is located atJalan Pramuka with its amazing array of co- lorful, tropical birds, including the unique "perkutut" song bird, the pride of the Javanese people. Open daily from 9.00 am.

Pulau Seribu (Thousand Islands)
there are more 140 islands scattered across the Java Sea to the north of Jakarta offers a haven away from the bustle of city life. Golden beaches fringed with coconut palms line the sea; surrounding waters are a paradise for snorkelers and scuba divers. The islands can be reached from Tanjung Priok or Pasar Ikan (Sunda Kelapa) by ferry or by chartered boat. Bungalows, restaurants, diving and sailing facilities are available.

Monas - Monumen Nasional, Jakarta

The National Monumen
The National Monument (Monas) is the 137-metre tall table marble obelisk is topped with a flame coated with 35 kgs of gold, and represents the people’s determination to achieve freedom. It is located in front of the president’s palace and opens to the public. An elevator carries visitors to the top, offering a bird’s eye view across the city to the sea.

Maritime Museum.
Two of the original ware houses from the first trading post of the Dutch East Indies Company in Java now house the Maritime Museum. Exhibits include large models of boats from various islands.The old habourmaster’s tower stands nearby. Open from 8.00 am till 2.00 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. On Fridays closed at 11.00 am and on Saturday at 1.00 pm It closes on Monday.

The Jakarta Hilton Convention Centre (JHCC)
measures 6,120 sqm and can accommodate three conferences, and three public simultaneously. The main hall has a seating capacity of 3,300, and is equipped with a giant video-wall, and a hi-tech lighting and sound system VIP lounge, board rooms, translation booths, multi-function meeting rooms which can seat 220 people each. The main lobby can utilized as precocktail area or for a coffee break for 3,500 persons. The car park can accommodate 10,000 cars.

The Shopper’s Paradise.
Hunt some good quality batiks at Sarinah and the selection of shopping outside of the ordinary in Jalan Surabaya. Mangga dua and many ITC (International Trade Center) offer more than 10.000 kiosks and shops selling everything from fashions, accessories gifts, home appliances, etc at lower prices.

The textile museum.
Is an interesting place to see numerous kind of Indonesian textiles and learn how to make batik. Fatahillah Museum. The Jakarta Museum of History on Taman Fatahillah Square in the heart of old Batavia is housed in the beautifully-restored 18th century Dutch town hall or Stadhius.

The Wayang Museum
located on the western side of Taman Fatahillah in “The Old Town” areas has the finest displays of wayang puppets in Indonesia including puppets from all parts of Indonesia and other part of Southeast Asia as well. The wooden and leather puppets displayed here represent the finest craftsmanship in this particular form of traditional theatre. The museum also shows shortened performances of the wayang kulit

Jakarta Bay City
Jakarta Bay City, Ancol is Jakarta's largest and most popular recreation park. Its extensive range of attractions includes sea and "Sea World" the fresh-water aquariums, swimming pools, an artificial lagoon for fishing and boating, a bowling alley, as well as an assortment of nightclubs restaurants, and massage parlors.
The complex includes a Marina, "Dufan" Dunia Fantasi (Fantasy World), a golf course, hotels and a 4 dimension theatre. The "Pasar Seni" or art market has a varied collection of Indonesianhandicraft, paintings and souvenirs on sale. An open-air theatre features live performances by local artists. Open daily from 2 pm to 9 pm, and on Sunday and holiday from 10 am to 9 pm.

Travel to Jambi Province Sumatra Indonesia

2012-05-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

Sumatran Tigers at Kerinci Seblat National ParkJambi Province with total area of about 5,343,700 hectares consists of 9 regencies and one municipality. The Topography of Jambi provinces generally vary from low land areas in the east and hills and mountainous in the west. Mountainous areas are mostly in Kerinci regency.

The natural resources with wealthy biodiversity are represented in four national parks such as Kerinci Seblat National Park, Berbak National Park, Bukit Dua Belas National Park, and Bukit Tiga Puluh National Park. Each of the national parks has own characteristic and typical biodiversity.

Getting there:
There are 6 daily flight departing and arriving Jambi. It will take 60 minutes flight from Jakarta, 15 minutes from Palembang and 60 minutes from Batam Island, as well as from Singapore.

Travelling by boat or Ferry is also easy accessing Jambi from Batam only 5 hour and 7 hour from Malaysia. To see and experienced land traveling, its 6 hours from Palembang, 8 hours from Padang, 10 hours from Bengkulu.

Tourism Events
Lake Kerinci Cultural Festival The festival is aimed to promote tourism. More than a week long festival is highlited with art performances, traditional sport competitions and exhibitions of local handicraft products. This event will be held on July’08 in 2nd week.

Places of Interest

Batik & Handicraft Atelier is located 1.4 km from the centre of the town of Jambi.It is a centre for the Jambi-style Batik, plait work and agate handicraft. The centre is run by women.

Lake Kerinci
Lake Kerinci is located 20 km from Su ngai Penuh, the capital of the Kerinci regency.This is a popular tourist spot with beautiful panoramas. Accommodation is available on the side of the lake.

Kerinci Seblat National Park
Kerinci Seblat National Park is located in the Bukit Barisan Mountains; it occupies a total area of 1,484,650 hectares. The park is home to a great variety of animals species, such as elephants, Sumatran tigers, Sumatran rhino, tapirs, panthers, deer, wild goats, primates, crocodiles, birds and reptiles.

Mount Kerinci
Mount Kerinci is the highest mountain on the island of Sumatra and it is popular withmountain climbers. The nearest village and climber’s base is Kersik Tuo, near KayuAro, Kerinci. The route is marked by signs,posted at half kilometer intervals.
The best season to visit is January to October. Fly to Padang the capital of West Sumatra Province and then go to the town of Sungai Penuh,District of Kerinci in Jambi Province which is 7 - 8 hours drive from Padang or 278 km. Otherwise, you can go to the village of Kersik Tuo with a distance of 211 km from Padang or approximately 5 - 6 hours drive.

Muara Jambi Temple is 30 km northeast of Jambi, along the Batanghari River.
This site is considered one of the richest archaeological sites on the island of Sumatra.The eight temple-like structures appear to Buddhist, and were probably built around the 14th century. In 1982, a 32 centimeter tall female bronze statue was found at Koto Kandis, in the Muara Sabak subdistrict. It is believed to be the goddess Laksmi, holding a lotus bud in her right hand and an oil lamp in her left. In addition to the archaeological sites, many visitors find the riverside an ideal recreation and picnic spot.

Bukit Duabelas Nature Reserve is located in the Pauh subdistrict, 60 km from Bangko in the Sarolangun Bangko regency. It covers 28,703 hectares and home to deer, monkeys, bears, wild pigs, elephants, snakes, iguanas and many species of birds. Small lakes are found in its surroundings and many small streams discharge into the Batanghari River. This nature reserve is also home to 1,000 people of the Kubu (Anak Dalam) tribe.

Botanical Garden Bogor

2012-05-30T08:55:00.002-07:00

In 1811, when the Napoleonic wars in Europe, Indonesia at that time called the Dutch East Indies or Nederlandsch Indie, seized by British Belanda.ketika Napoleon fell from power (1815/1816), the leaders of European countries to make agreements, among others, about the division of powers .

In 1816, British Indonesia menggembalikan power into the hands of Holland. Wars that occurred in Europe led to the Netherlands experienced a decline, the Kingdom of the Netherlands to develop science, because they are straight and the glory years of the Netherlands is characterized among other things with science. To this dikirimlah C.Th.Elout, AA Boykens and GAGP Baron Van der Capellen, to Indonesia and Dr. Casper George Carl Reinwardt as advisors.
On 15 April 1817 sparked the idea to establish Reinwardt Botanical Gardens submitted to GAGP Baron Van der Capellen, Commissioner General of the Dutch East Indies, and he finally agreed to the idea Reinwardt. Botanical Garden was established in addition to the Governor-General at the Bogor Palace on 18 May 1817, conducted the first erection peg which marked the founding of the Botanical Gardens, named 'Slands Plantentiun te Buitenzorg'. This marks the founding of the Botanical Gardens with the establishment of Dutch control the commencement of Biological science, especially botany in Indonesia are organized.

After independence, in 1949 "Slands Plantentiun te Buitenzorg" was renamed the Division of Natural Inquiry, later became the Central Institute for Nature of Inquiry (LLPA) led and managed by the Indonesian nation, the first director was Prof. LPPA. Ir. Kusnoto Setyodiwiryo. At that time LPPA have 6 children institutions: Bibliotheca bogoriensis, Hortus Botanicus bogoriensis, bogoriensis Herbarium, Treub Laboratory, Museum and Laboratory Investigation Zoologicum Bogoriensisi Sea. For the first time in 1956 led the Botanical Gardens which is held by the Indonesian people to replace J. Sudjana Kasan Douglas. For the development of plant collections in accordance with the existing climate in Indonesia, the Bogor Botanical Gardens established branches in several places, namely:

1.

Cibodas Botanical Garden (Bergtuin te Cibodas, Hortus and Laboratory Cibodas) in West Java, the extent of 120 hectares with an altitude of 1400 m, was founded by Teysman 1866, for the collection of upland crops wet temperate and tropical regions of sub-tropical plants. 1891 estates are equipped with the Laboratory for Research on flora and fauna.
2.

Purwodadi Botanical Garden (Hortus Purwodadi) in East Java, founded by Van Sloten 1941. The extent of 85 hectares with a height of 250 m, for the collection of lowland plants, dry climate of the tropics.
3.

Kebun Raya "Eka Karya" Bali Bedugul-founded in 1959 by prof. Ir. Kusnoto Setyodiwiryo. The extent of 159.4 ha with an altitude of 1400 m, for the collection of upland crops dry climates.

Komodo Dragon Wildlife Adventure Trip Report

2012-05-30T08:53:00.002-07:00

Flight to LabuanbajoThis is the first day of my trip - Komodo Dragon Wildlife Adventure, we take flight from Denpasar, Bali to Labuanbajo in Flores Island, continue by boat to Rinca Island of Komodo National Park, and return to Labuanbajo to stay at Hotel Bintang Flores – Labuanbajo.

We were already at Ngurah Rai Airport at 9.30 a.m. While waiting for our friend who still on check in process, we had breakfast in one of small stall behind KFC.

In this stall, you can find rice wrapped in banana leaves, selections of cakes, breads, beverages including tea and coffee and the most important part of this stall is its price that considered low enough for person with just “in tight budget” like me... he... he... he...

Then our friend came over and distribute boarding pass. We moved on to the waiting room and paid for airport tax Rp. 30.000 before. Not for long, we heard our boarding announcement at 10.30 and we go straight away to Gate 17.

Labuanbajo - West Flores IslandWe flew with Riau Airlines. This plane is double propeller aircraft with 45 seat passenger capacity. Its seat line formation is two at the left and two at the right.

The plane took off smoothly and right on time at 10.40 a.m. The journey also very smooth and calm, hardly any shake. I also saw Tanjung Benoa view. We usually can see Mount Agung and Rinjani top from above, but this time it was covered by clouds...

After more than an hour, I felt that the plane going down slowly and I think that we will reach land within minutes. I saw many small island around and we flew past Komodo island...

A few minutes later we landed safely at Komodo Airport – Labuhanbajo...Yes, the airport name is Komodo, but we landed on Flores Island instead of Komodo Island…

We directly went to Bintang Flores Hotel, the place where we will spend our night for the next 2 nights. To reach this hotel from the airport only take about 15 – 20 minutes...On the way I saw that the streets has been widened and many office building is being built. This area development is very rapid.

Bintang Flores Hotel - Labuanbajo, Flores IslandBintang Flores Hotel is the only 4 star hotel in this area and I think the only one in Flores, so it is a very extraordinary hotel for this area. Once we get in, we saw a well maintained area... an international hotel area... new and good hotel building... I guess it was 6 storey building. Lobby at the second floor, coffee shop at the ground floor. All rooms were facing the sea... wonderful view... More about Hotel Bintang Flores will be presented on different article (BINTANG FLORES HOTEL REVIEWS).

After put our luggage and a bit refreshment on the room, we were heading straight to Labuanbajo harbor. we have to go trough one way street, to reach the harbor, our car have to climb trough a hill behind the town so we had a chance to took pictures of Labuanbajo harbor with sea and small island as the background from top of the hill... What a magnificent view...

Labuanbajo Harbor - Flores IslandLess than 15 minutes we reached the dock and stepped up to the boat or wooden boat. This boat is clean, its length around 12 meter and width 3 meters, big enough for seven of us plus 2 boat crew makes total of 9 person. This boat equipped with a clean toilet, a kitchen, two long pillowed wooden bench that makes our long journey comfortable.

We moved leaving Labuhanbajo dock while taking pictures. The sea were calm, with only small ripples, unlike what we were afraid of. It seem just like boating on a lake or river. The weather also very sunny and bright, but luckily wind flows generously.

After a while, came a boat crew, serving our lunch that consist of rice, flour coated calamari, cap cay, fried noodle, sour sweet fish... And it was so yummy, especially the flour coated calamari. Or is it maybe because we were extremely hungry, it was almost 1.30 a.m.

Loh Buaya, a dock at Rinca Island - Komodo National ParkWe passed a boat with few foreigners and according to our friend, they also will go to Rinca. We wave our hand... and we passed them by.

In a few hours we arrive at Loh Buaya, a bay at Rinca Island where we can find wooden dock place for boats to stop. There was already 5 boats ahead of us. So we get closer to one of those boats and we jump from one boat to another.
Afterward we walked trough the dock. Just after we passed the gate, we saw a komodo, not so big, maybe around 1 meter. My friend were very enthusiastic, no wonder because this is their first trip here. Noisily, they took pictures of komodo which caused those komodo running away of fright...

We keep on walking for another 300 – 400 meter to PHPA office to get entrance fee. The entrance fee quite expensive. Rp 75.000 for local and Rp. 150.000 for foreigner. (Remember to carry money, unless you want to be deported he.. he... he...)

Komodo Dragons at Rinca IslandThen we were introduced to a ranger who will accompany us exploring this place. Just after we gather around to have short briefing by the ranger, we saw a komodo approach us, not very big, probably 1 meter, just like the one we saw at the dock. Then we also saw another one near the cafeteria… took pictures, and another short briefing.

We continued our journey... Then we saw one big komodo... Two big komodo... And few smaller komodo... It might be 6 – 7 komodo... Wow amazing...

The ranger poke one of the big komodo with stick to wake it up, and the disturbed komodo start to swash its tail. Its tail swash is very hard, it can knock you of the ground with just one swash. The komodo start to move, woke up slowly and lolling its yellow and branched, snakelike tongue.

Komodo nesrby its nest at Rinca IslandFinished with taking pictures, we continue the journey. Then we saw heaps of soil decorated with holes. Above the heaps, lie a komodo. The ranger told us that this is komodo nest, where komodo lay its eggs in one of those holes. The other holes are empty and only served as camouflage.

Not for long, then we saw a bird as big as a chicken and has a pair of red legs. It was maleo bird which also called as megapod. We move forward, but did not see any komodo existence, instead we saw another bird species.

Return to ranger station and those komodo still hanging around there… waiting for another photo shot maybe... ha... ha... Then we heading to cafeteria to have rest then return to dock to get on boat that will take us to Labuanbajo.
We have seen enough komodo today on Rinca Island, so we think it is enough and we don’t have to go to Komodo Island that will only waste our time.

In the middle of our journey, the tide is higher and we were a bit shaken for 30 – 40 minutes, then things get calmer when we enter Labuanbajo bay. Return to Hotel Bintang Flores.

Komodo DragonFinished bathing, we went outside Labuanbajo to have diner. We heading to a simple restaurant, located at small hill slope. It took a while before the foods are ready to be served. Maybe next time we should order it first then return here, in order to save the waiting time. The food itself is not very bad, or is it because we are starving... Return to hotel and have rest.

We’re on a boat! (with dragons and crystal meth) - Komodo Islands

2012-05-30T08:51:00.000-07:00

On the Way to Komodo Island - Komodo National ParkIn order to go see the dragons out on the Komodo islands, our only realistic option was a four day boat cruise. I think we were all a bit wary about being on a relatively small boat out on the open ocean for four days, but in the end we figured the ends justified the means. I mean, dragons, we were going to see dragons. Enormous lizards that hunt and eat water buffalo. Nine feet long, over 200 pounds.

Our first day on the boat did little to reassure us that it our decision to go was the right one. We cruised along in our little modified fishing boat pitching and rolling massively for five hours. No one got sick but we were definitely clutching at the railings to prevent ourselves from flopping all over the deck.

We stopped for a few hours for some dinner and star gazing after which the whole lot of us (15 tourists in all) laid down side by side on the top deck to get some sleep. What seemed like only a few hours later, at 2 AM, our exceedingly noisy diesel engine was fired back up and we were black out on the ocean being tossed around at the seas will.

After a day of snorkeling (we saw hundreds of little squids, an eery eel garden, a turtle and a lobster) and hiking, we set out on what would be the longest non stop sailing portion of the trip; seventeen hours. As luck would have it, we ran into a storm during the night.

Sam and I, who had mistakenly chosen to sleep with our bodies in line with the boats forward motion instead of perpendicular, spent the better part of the night bracing ourselves from rolling all over the place. Anytime we might have slipped into the faintest of sleeps our bodies would slide and roll to the other side of the boat.

Komodo Dragons at Komodo Island, The Komodo National ParkSam had to apologize about four times for having steamrolled the poor Spanish couple sleeping next to him. Im not going to lie, in my delirious state of sleep deprivation I had figured there was about a 20% chance that we would capsize and I ran through our options if we did. In retrospect, there probably wasn any chance of actually capsizing, but it certainly felt that way.

By our third day, after some more hiking and snorkeling, we had finally arrived at Komodo Island, one of the two islands the dragons live on. A ranger lead us on a walk through the National park and 10 minutes into it he spotted a full grown male waltzing along through the brush. We followed it cautiously through the thickets until he finally came to stop.

We gathered round, timidly snapping photos and admiring him as he looked right back at us. He eventually got a bit scared and scuttled off, but our ranger was intent on getting a better view and so we started to follow him some more.

We were walking single file, with me somewhere in the middle and Sam in Caitlin right in the front. The dragon mustve decide that he was sick of us following him, because he turned and charged right at Sam and Caitlin, who hid behind some pitifully small saplings.

The ranger reached out and slammed a long stick in the dragons path causing him to veer off course just enough. The dragon continued to run at a solid clip, bulldozing through the thickets while we stood stunned and a little too nervous to say anything until dragon was well out of view. We ended up seeing plenty more dragons that day and the next, all of which paid us far less attention.

Komodo IslandOn our last day, I think we were all thankful that we would be getting off the boat. Especially because the night before I had walked by the Captains room and seen our guide smoking something funny out of a homemade pipe. He didn seem particularly shy about it and happily confided to Sam and I in his broken english that he was smoking sabu sabu.

He didn know the word in English but said, "Its like crystals, it makes you happy and awake." I had assumed it was crystal meth he was talking about, and we confirmed this later when we looked up sabu sabu on the internet. Other than the fact that he was occasionally high on speed, our guide Oddy was a friendly guy, a little strange, but nice. He never steered the boat.

Just one more little anecdote. We sprung for a flight to leave Flores and get us going to our next destination. The airport was small, as could be expected. When we checked in, we did the usual, handed over our tickets and weighed our bags. But after the bags were weighed, they pointed to Caitlin and directed her to stand on the scale. We thought it was a joke, but with genuine sincerity they insisted she step on the scale. After they made a note and announced her weight to the surrounding crowd, Sam and I were weighed. That was new.

Aceh Indonesia - Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam

2012-05-30T08:47:00.001-07:00

Brief information about Aceh Indonesia - Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, about the province, city, people, place of interest, etc. Banda Aceh, the capital city of - Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam is suffered an immense loss of life during the tsunami of December 26, 2004. Over 100,000 residents lost their live in a matter or minutes as the huge tidal wave swept ashore. Many heart-wrenching and poignant reminders of that day still remain.
They range from a huge generator ship that now become a monument that was lifted several kilometers inland from its seaside berth to crush a rom of family houses and their inhabitants and a smaller ship which landed atop another house and ironically served as a means for the survival and resque of 57 people, to a myriad of battered landscapes, shattered buildings, and mass gravesites.
Visitors are awestruck at the devastion, but inspired by the recovery process. They marvel at the stories of the survivors, and they revel at their determination to rebuild their lives.
Getting to Aceh Indonesia:
Only forty-five minutes from Medan and two and half hours from Jakarta, with Singapore and Kuala Lumpur via Medan even closer than Jakarta
Tourism Events
Aceh Cultural week is held on Aug 2008 in Banda Aceh and perform dances such as Tari Seudati (Seudati Dance).
Nanggro Aceh Darussalam Places of Interest
Weh Island often referred to by the name of its capital, Sabang, is the western most island of the Indonesian archipelago. It is situated at the mouth of the Malacca Strait a sea passage for many yachts and cruise ships only 18 miles away, one hour by ferry, from Ulee-Lheue harbor in Banda Aceh. Diving in Pulau Weh is a well-established recreational activity with dive masters and dive instructors ready to offer a variety of dives to sites like the fabled Sea Garden in Pulau Rubiah.
Alas River flows into the Indian Ocean; this river has exceptional rapids that attract whitewater rafting enthusiasts for all over the world. Hiking to the peak of Gunung Leuser (3,404 meters) take about 10-14 days. The small village of Angasan is a suitable starting point. Angasan is located several hours walk west of Blang Kejeren. Most hikers spend the night in Angasan and start their trek in the morning. The first five days go through virgin rain forest where rare primates can often be seen.

Waterfall Tours in Indonesia

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The water that spilled from a height of the rock cliffs into beautiful scenery. Under it, people gathered and ready to play a natural shower or a swim in the cool pool. In many places in Indonesia, the waterfall has always been an interesting natural tourist attraction.

Here are some of the famous waterfall because of its uniqueness.

Anai Valley
Located on the edge of the Padang-Bukittinggi Highway, this waterfall is actually situated in conservation areas Anai Valley, Tanah Datar, West Sumatra. In the vicinity of the waterfall there are monkeys on the loose. Waterfall with a height of approximately 60 meters is a remarkable sight. During the holidays, this waterfall is visited by hundreds of visitors. Photo: Between / Iggoy el Fitra

Moramo
The uniqueness of this waterfall is the rate-level. Waterfalls Konawe Moramo located in South, Southeast Sulawesi. There is a count of seven levels, there is a count 10 levels. Less is more, the water will fall in a row from a height of 100 meters. That said, the waterfall is located in Tanjung Peropa forest nature reserve is also famous for the legend of the nymph bathing. Photo: Between / Psalms Karuru

Resun
Resun waterfall is located in Daik, Linga District, Riau Islands. The water comes from rivers that irrigate the Mount Daik and visited by many local tourists during holidays. Daik Mountain Regions (1165 masl) with three branches could also be a climbing destination. Besides Mount Resun Daik and waterfalls, there are also baths Muhazam Sultan Mahmud Shah's daughter, Stone Pig and Crocodile Rock (because similar shaped like a pig and crocodile), Batu Belah, baths and waterfalls Lubuk Board Cik Latif. Photo: Between / Ferry

Stone Bridge
Stone Bridge waterfall is located in North Halmahera, North Maluku. Actually, this waterfall is not too high, only about 10 meters. But the special is - as its name implies - bebatuannya shaped like a natural stone bridge. In addition, there is another mini waterfall that allows activities like rock climbing photograph above. Photo: Tempo / Arie Basuki

National Parks Bantimurung
15 meter high waterfall with a width of 20 meters provides a large area for visitors to enjoy the cool water flow. In the vicinity of the waterfall, there is a basin-basin of the river commonly utilized visitors as a place to swim. Besides enjoying the beauty of waterfalls, National Park visitor Bantimurung, Maros, South Sulawesi, also can visit the famous cave with stalactites Dream nodes. Bantimurung also known as the "Kingdom of Butterflies" because this park is the habitat for thousands of butterflies

Bintang Flores Hotels - Brand New 4 stars Hotel In Labuanbajo - Flores island

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Bintang Flores Hotel - Brand New 4 stars Hotel will be open on May 2008.
This hotel is located in Labuanbajo - West Flores, a small city as gateway to Komodo island - home of Komodo Dragons (Varanus Komodoensis)

“Bintang” mean star. Yes, Bintang Flores Hotel will be a stars in Flores Island. This is the only four-stars hotel in this area. This hotel will be a place truly make you filled with very interesting and memorable experience.

One of the superb qualities of this hotel located on the Pede beach in Labuan Bajo Flores near the Komodo Airport. All of its rooms are designed to face the Flores Strait. There are 59 deluxe rooms and two suites. A transparent elevator serves access to the room from where the guest can savor the beauty of the surrounding natural panorama.

The Bintang Flores Hotel is a five-storey hotel set in a spacious tropical garden. Drawing on Indonesian architectural influences with a large swimming pool and private white-sand beach, the hotel will offer complete water-sports facilities in a protected environment suitable for families.

Penglipuran Village - Balinese Traditional Village

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Today, I am very glad to inform you one of interesting place to visit in Bali called traditional village of Penglipuran. This village can be reached throught roads connecting district of Bangli with Kintamani. Penglipuran villlage is well-known for its 75 hectare bamboo forest located in the northern part of the village. From Bangli town to the north up to Kubu Village about 5 kilometers, then have a left turn, one will arrive at Penglipuran and will be received with warm welcome by the villagers. The air is fresh because it is located at 700 meters above sea level. From historical point of view, according to the village elders,

Penglipuran village is well-known for its tidy row of traditional Balinese entrance gates and its unique architectural traditions. The words Penglipuran’ is drived from the words “Pengeling Pura” means a holy place for remembering their ancestors. It is reasonable since their ancestors came from Bayung Gede village, still In Kintamani district. Since from Bayung Gede to Penglipuran is quite along distance there fore the people of Penglipuran, established the same temple as the temple In Bayung Gede.

We can drow conclusion from this matter that the people of Penglipuran is still remembering their origin. Another opinion stated that Penglipuran is derived from the word “Penglipuran” means relaxation since on the royal period this place was a good spot for resting place.This village has cultural potency which is up to the present time still well preserved in the from of traditional Balinese buildings; which differentiate this village from others.The population is 743 person, most of them are farmers and just few as civil servants. Dances and handicrafts are well developed in this remote village.

Members of the “Desa Adat” village institution have played a consistent role from generation to generation in this preservation since they have a strong commitment to the system of “ayahan desa” - a philosophy committed to respecting the land on which the village stands. A portion of the “desa adat” are known as “krama pengarep”, or privileged members. Each of them is given an eight-acre house yard, 40-acres of agricultural land, 70-acres of bamboo forest, 60-acres of riverside irrigation, and 25-acres of rice field.

I hope above story will add your reference before visiting our beautiful Island of Bali. If you wish you can share this story to your family, friends and your collegues. Thank you for reading my story.

Bali Simple Offering

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Canang is one the simplest form of offerings Hindu people presented to the gods. Canang sari consist of beautifully shaped palm leaves which, then respectively added porosan (made of betel leaves which mixed with areca nut, gambier and lime stone then rolled in a tiny palm leaves), a slice of banana and sugar cane and a small piece of kekiping ( a thin cakes made of sticky rice). Afterward, colorful flowers will be added and sam-sam or kembang rampe (finely shredded pandan leaves) will completed the look.

Though simple, each part of Canang bear spiritual significance. The intricately shaped palm leaves symbolize sincerity, areca nut resemble Lord Brahma, Gambier for Lord Vishnu and Lime stone for Lord Shiva. Each color of the flowers also symbolize each gods. White for Isvara, Red for Brahma, Yellow for Mahadeva, Blue for Vishnu and the green kembang rampe symbolized Sang Hyang Panca Dewata.

You can find canang everywhere in Bali. In temples shrine, on the streets, on the gate, on cars and motorbike and even on working table. Balinese believes that canang sari have a special purifying power that can evoke spiritual vibration. Canang also an essential part of Balinese daily life. Every afternoon, all Balinese will do their routine daily prayer. Canang is one of the main prayer ensemble apart from dupa (incense), bunga (flower), tirta (holy water) and bija (holy rice), in which I will described later on my next post.

Canang has also become a livelihood for some Balinese. In the old days, every housewives or girls make canang for their own family. But now, many people opted to buy canang since it is more practical and saves lots of time. But many people still live the tradition by making their own canang.

No matter what, canang will always be the main prayers tool used by Balinese. Its beautiful appearance and sweet scented fragrance will always become and icon for Bali.