Tourism Indonesia

Chinese city considering tourism cooperation with Batam

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:56:15 PST

The government of Han Zhou city in China`s Zhe Chiang province is exploring the possibility of cooperation in tourism with Indonesia`s Batam city, a Chinese official said.

The head of Han Zhou`s trade and industry office, Yoe Tang, disclosed the plan to cooperate with Batam here on Friday.

"Han Zhou and Batam could cooperate in the development of tourism, supply of souvenirs and services," Yoe Tang told Antara through an interpreter here on Friday.

The Chinese trade official said as the seventh biggest tourism and economic city in China, Han Zhou had tourist sites which were visited by both domestic and foreign tourists each year.

Tang said that with a cooperation with Batam, the regional government could help promote the Indonesian industrial city to the people and tourists visiting Han Zhou, provincial capital of Zhe Chiang.

The Chinese trade official said Batam was not yet known well by the people of Han Zhou, so that it would need promotion so that the people of Han Zhou which was a sister city of Jakarta would visit Batam.

Traditional Indonesian Dance Calls Angel to Earth

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:55:05 PST

Arriving at Lara Djonggrang restaurant in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on the evening of Halloween, I was surprised to see a traditional market occupying the courtyard.

Illuminated with torches and oil lamps, open bamboo huts showcased traditional delicacies from Cirebon, West Java, such as tahu gejrot (crisp-fried tofu bathed in a thin, dark sauce flavored with green chili and shallots), empal gentong (tender beef in creamy turmeric and coconut soup) and nasi lengko (steamed rice served with marinated tofu, soybean cake and vegetables).

Hawkers dressed in traditional clothes shouted out the names of their offerings to passersby. Guests — Indonesians and expatriates alike — sat together chatting at long wooden tables. The atmosphere made me think of the Kasepuhan night market in Cirebon.

“We want to bring the history and culture of Indonesia back to life by showcasing local culinary delights and almost-forgotten traditional cultures,” said Annette Anhar, the general manager of Lara Djonggrang.

To this end, once a month the restaurant presents a cultural night featuring traditional dishes and a dance performance from a different region of the country.

On the evening of Oct. 31, the focus was on Cirebon and the performance was “Tari Turun Sintren” (“Dance of the Descending Angel”), a mystical show traditionally danced by a beautiful young virgin in a trance.

Cirebon, a quiet town on the northern coast of West Java, has a unique history and traditions. A sultanate, it was founded by Sunan Gunung Jati, a 16th century Muslim religious leader. It later became an important port town during the Dutch colonial era. Although the people of Cirebon are generally devout Muslims, most still maintain ancient Javanese traditions and mystical beliefs.

“Tari Turun Sintren” originated from a traditional game among Cirebonese fishermen and is considered both sacred and magical. In the old days, fishermen’s wives and children played the game on the beach at night as they waited for their husbands and fathers to return from the sea.

Bentara Budaya launched with festival

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:12:43 PST

The Bentara Budaya Bali art gallery was decked out in a variety of bamboo artworks Wednesday night to mark its grand opening and an exhibition titled "Refleksi Bambu: Problematika Manusia dan Alam" (Bamboo Reflection: Problems of Humans and Nature).

The grand opening was livened up with the playing of bamboo musical instruments by a group from Sebatu village performing the Balinese gamelan of Gambang, followed by the fusion of Jegog gamelan, and jazz by another group from Jembrana regency collaborating with noted musicians Dewa Budjana, I Wayan Balawan and Ayu Laksmi.

The Highlight of the stage performance was "Tri Kaya Parisudha", a song written by Ayu Laksmi, telling of the Balinese Hindhu philosophy of thinking, speaking and acting properly.

Up and running since September, Bentara Budaya Bali is the fourth such gallery after Bentara Budaya Yogyakarta (opened in 1982), Bentara Budaya Jakarta (1986) and Surakarta's Balai Sudjatmoko Solo (2003).

"Bentara Budaya Bali's purpose is to take part in preserving Balinese culture by hosting art performances continuously," said Efix Mulyadi, the gallery's executive director.

The Bamboo Festival was officially launched by Bali Governor I Made Mangku Pastika and Kompas daily chief editor Rikard Bagun.

Bamboo was chosen as the subject of the festival since it is a metaphorical reflection Balinese culture, said exhibition curator Jean Couteau.

"Balinese culture subscribes to the cosmo-centric concept, where humans are strongly united with nature and see themselves as an inseparable part of the cosmic union, and bamboo is the symbol of a peaceful and preserved Balinese culture," he said.

"In Bali, we find bamboo used not only for practical functions, but also for religious rituals. But the existence of bamboo is now threatened, with more and more concrete constructions. This festival is a reflection to revive our ecological awareness of preserving bamboo."

The bamboo artwork exhibition, to run until Nov. 22, 2009 will showcase various bamboo works by prominent contemporary artists from Bali.

Some of the most attention-grabbing works in the exhibition room are the huge indoor installations, "Bam-boom", created by Nyoman Erawan, and "Ritus Daun Bambu" (Bamboo Leaf Ritual) by Sujana Kenyem.

Another interesting work is Popo Danes' "Panggung Kehidupan" (Stage of Life).

Also on show is Made Budhiana's "Roh Bambu" (Bamboo Spirit), featuring the rarely used bamboo bractsas the main material.

"It was challenging to use bamboo bract as a medium for my works because very sheet of bract can be made into different forms," Budhiana said.

"For me, the bract is the spirit of bamboo."

I Ketut Budiana presents his paintings - "Penjaga Hutan Bambu" (Bamboo Forest Guradian), "Ritual Pembangkit Energi" (Energy-Reviving Ritual) and "Sunari Gading" - as well as the installation "Irama Kosmis" (Cosmic Rhythm).

Asia’s Largest Yoga Center to Bring Peace, Well-Being to Bali

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:34:06 PST

A foundation is planning to set up what it claims will be Asia’s largest yoga center in the Buleleng district on the north coast of Bali, a spokesman said on Thursday.

The Bali-India Foundation, formed by a group of like-minded Indonesians and Indians with the aim of bringing the two Hindu cultures closer together, hopes to start building the yoga center — Markandeya Yoga City — early next year, said Dr. Somvir, an Indian professor who lectures in cultural studies and tourism at Bali’s Udayana University and the founder of the group.

Somvir said the cornerstone of the center, to be built on a 1.5-hectare plot of land near the village of Sukasada, would be laid on March 3 next year, in conjunction with the opening of an International Bali-India Yoga Festival.

“The yoga city will run programs to bring yoga-inspired education to elementary and high school-level student,” Somvir said.

According to Somvir, the construction of Markandeya will take place over stages, with the land being cleared in cooperation with the local community.

He said the yoga education center, named after a Hindu sage, would use Ayurveda traditional medicine as its basis, with various kinds of plants being grown in and around the center and Sukasada village.

About 50 types of mostly medicinal plants from India, believed to be effective in curing a variety of diseases, have already been planted.

“The yoga center will be fully dedicated to social activities and the local community’s well-being,” Somvir said.

He said the future home of Markandeya would be the venue of the March 3-10 second International Bali-India Yoga Festival, expected to be attended by around 1,500 participants from India, Europe, the United States and Asia.

Somvir said Bali hosted a weeklong international yoga festival from March 3-10 this year, which involved hundreds of yoga instructors from countries around the world.

Themed “Yoga for Peace and Health,” the March festival was followed by a yoga day program and a series of activities centered in the Niti Mandala Renon area in Denpasar.

Jakarta's International Blues Festival Takes Blues Back To It Roots

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:24:16 PST

The Indonesian Blues Association is gearing up for what promises to be another fabulous International Blues Festival on Saturday.

“Back to the Roots of All Music” is the theme of this daylong festival, which is sponsored by the Djarum Super cigarette company.

With its inaugural event last year, the festival was a bit cramped, but this year four stages at Istora Gelora Bung Karno in Senayan have been devoted to accommodating the more than 30 musicians who will perform.

The lineup includes Dutch rock guitarist Jan Akkerman, Australian singer-songwriter Kara Grainger and Irish harmonica player Mike Wilgar.

Akkerman had been described as one of the best guitarists in the world, while the husky power in Grainger’s singing has led to comparisons with early Bonnie Raitt and Wilgar’s harmonica playing leans towards the Rock’n’Roll spectrum of blues.

An additional feature of the festival will be a string of musical collaborations you wouldn’t normally expect to see.

Guitarist Abdee Negara from Slank will perform with former Boomerang guitarist John Paul Ivan, as well as Andy, who sings lead vocals in the nationally popular rock band /Rif.

Legendary Jazz musician Yopie Item is scheduled to perform with his son Stevie and daughter Audy, while funk bass player and former child-singer Bondan Prakoso will perform alongside his musician father Sisco.

Jakarta International Blues Festival
Saturday, Nov. 7
Tickets: Rp: 100,000
Hot line 24 hours: 021 979-24722

Ticketbox:
Ina Blues Basecamp 021 7590 4349
Aquarius Mahakam 021 720 8413
Aquarius Pondok Indah 021 723 8760
Music Club PI Jakarta 021 7093 4179
Ibu Dibyo Cikini 021 319 31178/310 0386
tiketnonton.com 021 722 9535
Detik.com 021 794 4473, 031 547 4465 or 022 423 3533
Rajakarcis.com 021 828 2137

AirAsia links Jakarta, Medan with Phuket, eyes Brunei, RP

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:37:09 PST

Budget airline AirAsia has just opened its newest international routes connecting Thailand's Phuket with two major Indonesian cities, Medan and Jakarta, whilst looking also at air links to Brunei and Manila

AirAsia is the first airline providing direct flights from Indonesia to the famous beach city. The route is being operated by Thai AirAsia.

"The flights to Phuket are currently available once a day using the sophisticated Airbus A320, both from Medan and from Jakarta," Thai AirAsia CEO Tassapon Bijleveld said Tuesday in Jakarta.

Phuket is the ninth foreign city to be connected to Indonesia by the AirAsia group - including Indonesia AirAsia - after Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Ho Chi Minh City, Perth, and Bangkok.

For online buyers, AirAsia sells the Medan-Phuket ticket at Rp 99,000 (US$10) and Jakarta-Phuket at Rp 199,000, at the cheapest.

Indonesia AirAsia flew 2.5 million people in 2008 and is targeting to fly 3 million people this year.

JakJazz 2009 Nov 27,28,29

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:29:55 PST

JakJazz is known to have such a soul to it, such a community behind it and has featured some of the best jazz music talents

CONTACT
JakJazz Production
Jl. Danau Bekuan Blok C1/50
Pejompongan
Jakarta Pusat 10210
Indonesia
T. +62(21) 5712747
F. +62(21) 5736693
E. info@jakjazz.com
an IMPRO Group

Bali Named World's No. 2 Region for Travelers by Lonely Planet

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:53:22 PST

Bali has been named one of the best regions in the world to visit in a new Lonely Planet travel guide.

The famed Island of the Gods came in second behind Alsace in France, and ahead of Fernando de Noronha in Brazil. Lake Baikal in Russia was the other Asian region to make the top 10 list.

The top three countries were El Salvador, Germany and Greece, while the top three cities were Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, Charleston in the United States and Cork in Ireland.

The book “Best in Travel 2010,” released on Monday, is the travel company’s fifth annual collection of the best places to go and best things to do in the year ahead.

“This is a collection of destinations and experiences that we rate as the stuff people really should consider for next year,” Asia-Pacific communications manager Adam Bennett said. “Whatever your own style dictates, you should be able to find inspiration in these destinations.”

Over 4.6 million tourists visited Indonesia between Jan - Sep

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:28:51 PST

The Culture and Tourism Ministry has recorded more than 4.6 million foreign tourist arrivals between January and September of this year, up by only 1 percent from the same period last year.

Brimming with confidence, the head of data management at the ministry, Wibowo, told Antara on Monday the national target of 6.5 million arrivals remained within reach.

Wibowo said seven international airports saw a significant increase in the number of foreign tourist arrivals compared to the same period in 2008, including Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport. Sultan Syarif Kasim II Airport in Pekanbaru, Riau booked the biggest increase with 60.5 percent.

The ministry’s data reveals, however, eight airports, including the country’s largest airport Soekarno-Hatta, posted less arrivals in the first nine months of this year than the same period last year.

Widodo said the ministry would insist on raising the target to 7 million arrivals next year.

Swedish Girl Reports Rape in Kuta

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 07:09:48 PST

Drinking and Late Night Motorbike Ride Preceded Sexual Attack om Swedish Tourist.

(10/31/2009) A 19 year-old Swedish woman has told police that she was raped on Thursday, October 29, 2009, by a motorcycle jockey (Ojek) on a side street of Kuta.

The young woman who presented at a local police in an intoxicated state smelling of alcohol, has thwarted police in their efforts to investigate the case by refusing a police interview.

Bali's Chief of Police, General Sutisna told Kompas.com, "Although the victim refuses to be interviewed, the police continue to investigate by collecting information from various sources around Kuta."

Based on the Swedish girl's initial report, police are making every effort to catch the rapist. Said Sutisna: "We're still looking for the culprit. Pray that we can catch him quick, especially because this involves a foreign visitor."

Police are waiting for the results of a forensic examination carried out at Bali's Sanglah General Hospital.

According to police, the woman was attacked after attending a late night drinking party by a man she had paid to bring her back to her lodgings on a motorbike.

© Bali Discovery Tours. Articles may be quoted and reproduced if attributed to http://www.balidiscovery.com. All images and graphics are copyright protected.

Javanese folk dances

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:23:44 PDT

On the island of Java in Indonesia, wayang topeng (masked dances) are a form of folk entertainment often used for rituals. During the early 20th century, the central Javanese court of Yogyakarta adapted the form into its repertoire, refining the movements and adding more complex dance techniques. The wooden masks are works of art and come alive with the restless neck movements, animated rhythms and other special motions of the dancers.

"Revealing Hidden Faces: Masked Dances of Java", a one-hour performance, will be given by Garrett Kam at the Siam Society on November 11, at 7pm. It will feature two masked dances performed in the full costume of different characters from the indigenous Panji cycle of semi-historical romances. Set in Java and Bali during the 12th and 13th centuries, these dances are the same Inao stories that are featured in Thai lakhon nai, traditional dance dramas. One dance is about an antagonistic, strong king; the other about a refined, heroic prince. In between the two performances, explanations and demonstrations of the movements will be given.

Kam has spent over 20 years living in Southeast Asia, mostly in Java and Bali. He studied Javanese dance for three years from master court teachers of the sultan's palace in Yogyakarta, and regularly performs in a dance troupe there. He has taught and performed Javanese dance in Hawaii, at UCLA, the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Dartmouth College and Chulalongkorn University, and several other institutes.

For non-society members, a 200-baht donation on entry would be welcomed.

For more information, call the Siam Society, Sukhumvit Soi 21, on 02-258-3491 or visit http://www.siam-society.org.

Eating Outside The Box in Jakarta

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:19:45 PDT

A few weeks before the event, mysterious-sounding invitations for people to share a meal on a Saturday morning in Jakarta were sent via text and e-mail.

The messages included information about the group hosting the event, how one could become part of it and the date and the time, but did not say where the event was going to be held or what was on the menu.

A cryptic clue, however, was provided: “Approximately five kilometers from Pasar Senen [the venue] is a place where the rooster meets the centipede.”

The people behind “Underground Secret Dining” label the event as such because it conceals the precise locations of its dining activities, right until the very last minute.

Similar groups can be found worldwide, including in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, London, Hong Kong, Sydney, Sao Paulo and Rio De Janeiro.

In most of those cities, the events are held in people’s homes and are kept a secret as a way around strict health regulations.

Here in Jakarta, best friends Lisa Virgiano and Sari Hartono — who have been passionate about eating out since they were teenagers — initiated the group to expose people to dining events they might not otherwise find by themselves.

The day before an event, a follow-up message confirming the meeting place is sent out to guests.

“Except for Hong Kong, we are the only underground secret dining society in Asia,” Lisa said.

In keeping with their concept, the hostesses requested that the Jakarta Globe not use the real names of the participants.

Over the weekend, about 30 people gathered at the Antara Gallery in the Pasar Baru shopping district, Central Jakarta, for the group’s fifth dining event.

They were dressed in comfortable clothing, walking shoes and sunglasses, as they were told to do in the invitations that had been sent out.

It was a cloudy morning, but as guests entered the venue and were greeted and introduced to others by the hostesses, a feeling of excitement was in the air. The noise from the Pasar Baru shops faded into the background as participants shared stories and experiences about their own culinary adventures.

For this event, guests were separated into two groups: the halal group, with pork excluded from the menu, and the non-halal group, for which the invitation stated that pork would be “the main star.”

“For me, it is better to look at the history of the respective area before you decide to sign up for the halal or non-halal group,” said Founda, one of the participants.

“The Pasar Baru area is just like Glodok, the Chinese have been here for so long. So I think it’s better to sign up for the non-halal group, just so you can see the way they cook their authentic food.”

At 10 a.m., Lisa addressed the group to give them a peek into the morning’s itinerary, which would be a guided food tour. She would be leading the halal group and Sari the non-halal.

“And whatever happens, please remember that no one here cares who you are or why you’re here, so please, just eat,” Lisa said.

I joined the halal group and we headed off as the briefing for the non-halal participants began, with explanations provided in English for participants who did not speak Indonesian.

We started walking down Jalan Pintu Besi. Pasar Baru was built by the Dutch in the 1820 as a center of economic activity and used to be a prestigious area, with stores lining the alleyways.

Lisa guided us to the Model Cantik jewelry store and told us a Chinese restaurant was located on the second floor.

“I was going to bring you guys here [to eat], but unfortunately the restaurant is under renovation and won’t be finished until November,” she said.

“The ginger chicken is really good here, so try it out some other time.”

A little further along, we stopped in front of a traditional beverage stall selling delicacies such as coconut ice and cendol (sweet glutinous ice), which has been around for more than 20 years.

Lisa, who has been a regular customer since she was a child, said the family business was now run by the original vendor’s children.

At an intersection further on, Lisa turned to face us.

“There was a time when the economy in Pasar Baru was very low,” she said. “The Chinese believe in myths, so some Chinese merchants in the market went to see a feng-shui expert to ask about this.”

The feng-shui master told them that Pasar Baru is shaped like a centipede, with the alley as the body and the stores lining it its numerous legs.

Near the market stands a church, with a rooster weather vane out front. The feng-shui master said it was only natural that the centipede was afraid that the rooster, in the form of the weather vane, would eat it.

This explains the hint in the original invitation, Lisa said.

Because of this, the feng-shui master recommended that the merchants build a statue of an eagle to scare away the rooster. We were standing at the spot where the eagle had been.

“After they built the statue, believe it or not, the economic conditions got better, and more customers came to the market,” Lisa said.

The statue was taken down when the owner renovated the building, but the eagle logo, adopted by a store called Popular at the venue, serves as a reminder.

After the quick history lesson, we continued to Jalan Krekot, which had a signage on which was written, “Passer Baru, 1820.”

Lisa pointed. “That is the rooster weather vane,” she said.

Once everyone had taken photos, we were led to a small street stall with three long wooden tables and plastic chairs.

“This is our first stop,” she said. “We are going to have hao-hao noodles, and they will only use freshly steamed ayam kampung [free-range chicken].”

Bowls of noodles tossed with shredded chicken in an aromatic broth and glasses of iced tea were brought to the tables by an old woman. The woman wakes at 2 a.m. to prepare her noodles and chop up the chicken. “We only use chicken, no pork. And we make our own noodles,” she said.

Her parents used to run the stall and she started helping out when she was still a teenager. The stall has been there for about 40 years and the woman’s daughter also sells Palembang-style pempek (fish cakes in a sweet-and-sour sauce) there.

The stall is usually open for breakfast and closes at about 10 a.m., but Lisa and Sari had ordered ahead for our group. “On the weekend, we serve about 200 people,” the owner said.

Our next stop was Aneka Soto, a soup stall located in the Metro Atom building. The stall is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. “This is actually a personal preference,” Lisa said. “This soto [soup] stall serves not only soto with coconut milk, but also with clear soup.”

The soto with coconut milk was tasty, and the ribs were especially tender.

“It’s good that we’re sharing, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to taste them all,” a participant said.

Rini, another participant, said she loves street food, particularly noodle soto.

“I am fussy and a critic when I go to a restaurant, but when it comes to street food vendors, I never complain because I can’t cook the dishes,” she said.

The day was getting warmer as noon approached and our group walked back to Pasar Baru for the next stop, at the underground market.

Tek Hui is a small stall in the dark, hot market that sells quality spices and other ingredients.

Here, Lisa challenged us to a cracker tasting.

“One of these emping is better than the other,” she said, as she held out two plastic containers filled with thin, crispy, yellowish crackers made from melinjo nuts. “Eat them slowly and pay attention to the texture, the crispness and the smell.”

“I think it’s the second, it has a stronger taste and smell,” someone said.

“I prefer the first, it’s mild and tender,” another said.

After everyone picked their preferred cracker, Lisa informed us the second was the better quality one and the merchant buys it from Serang in West Java.

Most of the ingredients at the stall are ordered from outside Jakarta. Suta, one of the participants, was quick to buy some spices and a bottle of arak — a fruit wine.

Our last stop was the Soen Yoe noodle shop in Sutek alley, but our group was not there for the noodles.

“We are going to have lobi-lobi ice,” Lisa said about lobi-lobi, the dark red sour fruit that was served with syrup and ice.

She explained that lobi-lobi was a rarity these days. The owner orders it fresh from Banten.

At the end of the tour, each participant was given a bag of emping crackers and another bag of deep-fried tofu skin from Sumedang, West Java, an area popular for its tofu.

Lisa said the underground dining group was for passionate people seeking inspiration.

“It began with only food, but actually, it is more than that,” she said. “You get to meet people, make new friends and learn the culture.”

She said the goal of the group was to introduce local people serving traditional dishes to food enthusiasts looking for a culinary adventure.

“For example, the owner of the Tek Hui shop, he is almost 80 years old, but his children encourage him to keep working so he won’t become lonely and senile,” Lisa said.

“We all know that Jakarta is a tough place to live in, with all the traffic jams and pollution, but passionate people are a precious find.”

Palembang to host Musi Festival

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 02:35:29 PDT

Palembang is scheduled to host the Musi Festival from Dec. 3 to Dec. 9 as part of efforts to lure tourists to the city.

The local administration will present various attactions, such as the International Dragon Boat Festival, the Archipelago Culinary Festival and Education Exhibition during the event.

Baharuddin Ali, head of the city tourism agency, said on Monday that the event would be held in parallel with the fourth celebration of the River Days.

“For the International Dragon Boat Festival, there have been four countries that have confirmed their participation,” Baharuddin said, referring to the Phillipines, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

He added that the administration would also conduct a similar boat competition for local participants on a national scale.

“We will present the best local foods to attract visitors during the culinary event and will invite some schools for the education fair,” he said.

The Steak House offers dry-aged beef

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 01:32:30 PDT

People with a soft spot for red meat should visit The Steak House at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jakarta. Its latest promo features dry-aged beef, which is a cut above in quality and taste.

Executive chef Vindex Tengker said that the promo aimed to introduce quality meats to guests. He said that his hotel chose to use Meyer Natural Angus dry-aged beef because the cows are bred in organic farms, which means the cows are fed with corn, not plain grass, and are not injected with hormones for quick growth.

Dry-aged is basically a process to make the meat more tender. The raw materials are placed into combos versus Cryovac bags to minimize moisture loss and additional handling. Within 48 hours of fabrication, they are placed into the well-ventilated refrigerated cases. They should remain undisturbed for 21 days.

Over time, natural enzymes in the meat break down the tough connective tissues and the meat's surface becomes covered with molds and yeasts, which have to be cut off. Once the dry-ageing is complete, the product should be trimmed of excess fat and bone.

"The trimming can reach up to 36 percent of the total meat's weight. This is what makes dry-aged beef expensive," Vindex said.

The Steak House's Dry-Aged Beef promotion offers guests six menus: Rolled Dry Aged Tenderloin Beef Carpaccio with Wild Mushroom and Black Truffle, US Dry Beef Rib Eye with Beef Bacon Asparagus and Shallot Jus, Grilled Dry Aged Beef Striploin with Lyonnaise Potato and Shitake Mushroom Sauce, Dry Aged D-Rump Steak with Peppercorn Sauce, Cajun Marinated Dry Aged T-Bone Steak with Goat Cheese Croquette and Grilled Pineapple Relish, and Dry Aged Beef Tenderloin Medallion with Cheek Ravioli, Root Vegetable and Cilantro Foam.

Indonesia Expects 54% Increase in Tourist Arrivals by 2014

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:00:51 PDT

Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelago, expects to attract 54 percent more tourists within four years, Tourism Minister Jero Wacik said.

The Southeast Asian country, home to the resort island of Bali, aims to attract 10 million tourists in 2014, from an estimated 6.5 million this year and 7 million next year, Wacik said.

Peaceful general elections this year and last month’s killing of Noordin Mohammad Top, the alleged mastermind of fatal bombings in Bali and Jakarta, improved Indonesia’s tourism outlook. Attracting more foreign tourists may help Indonesia achieve its economic growth target of 5.5 percent next year from an estimated 4.3 percent this year.

Last two days of Balinale 2009

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:28:21 PDT

Film Highlights

Saturday, 24 Oct

10:00 am Flower in the Pocket 97 min (Malaysia)
Sunday, 25 Oct
10:00 am Meraih Mimpi 80 min (Indonesia)
Earlier: Tourism Indonesia: Balinale International

Speed Up Visa On Arrival Within first 100 days

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:55:35 PDT

Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik has set a target of cutting the “short visa on arrival” service provided at airports and seaports across the country within the first 100 days in office.

He said accelerating the service would improve Indonesia’s image as a destination, prompting more tourists to visit the country.

“The new service should not waste time or cause long queues. We have to make it simple,” Jero was quoted by Antara after taking back the helm of the ministry from interim tourism minister Muhammad Nuh on Friday.

Jero, who has just started his second five-year term, said he would work with the Justice and Human Rights Ministry to improve the visa on arrival service.

He also promised to advertise Indonesian tourism on foreign TV channels and increase tourism missions overseas to promote the country’s rich cultural destinations. He said he was eyeing 12 countries as potential markets to broaden Indonesian tourism, including Australia, China, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and the UK.

Jero has said the “Visit Indonesia” campaign would be extended in 2010, and will target 7 million arrivals.

Indonesia Channel 2009 Participants to Promote Batik

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:27:41 PDT

Participants of the Indonesia Channel 2009, coming from 31 countries, are expected to promote Surakarta batik when they go back to their respective countries. The event’s participants included foreign artists who received the Indonesian Art and Culture Scholarship granted by the Foreign Affairs Department to study Indonesian traditions and art for three months.

According to Surakarta Culture and Tourism Office chief, Purnomo Subagyo, 50 scholarship recipients have stated their readiness to promote or introduce batik, and hoped that they can also boost export markets for Surakarta batik.

Bali tourism agency launches coral restoration project

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:05:54 PDT

The first coral transplantation project in Nusa Dua was launched Tuesday in an effort to restore the coral reefs and improve marine tourism in the area.

Initiated by the Bali Tourism Development Corporation (BTDC) as part of the ongoing Nusa Dua Fiesta, the project invited tourists, fishermen's groups and several organizations to join the Adopt a Coral program, by donating US$25 for a fragment of transplanted coral.

Some participants donated $500 for an artificial submarine reef and 20 pieces of transplanted corals. The artificial submarine reef is a man-made construction, which is submerged to serve as a platform for transplanted reefs.

The transplanted coral, made by growing small pieces of living coral on a biological substrate, was attached in an artificial submarine reef.

There were 16 submarine reefs, each of which consists of 20 pieces of transplanted corals.

The reefs were placed in some spots where the coral coverage was low. A group of volunteers dived into 8-meter-deep water to plant the artificial reefs and attach the transplanted corals. Names of the adopters were also attached to each of the coral pieces.

"It was very impressive down there. Crowds of fish started to come. Hopefully we will see this area with more coral and fish with this project," said Darren Lauder, one of the adopters, after joining the volunteer group to plant the coral.

Some prominent figures in tourism also took part in adopting coral, including former tourism ministers Joop Ave and I Gde Ardika, and the incumbent Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik.

According to a recent survey in the area, the coverage of living coral stood between 25 and 50 percent, a range categorized as "moderate".

Like reefs in other submarine areas across the archipelago, coral reefs in the Nusa Dua area are threatened by natural and man-made elements, with large areas of dead coral found in several places.

Although Nusa Dua is not a popular diving or snorkeling site compared to Menjangan, Nusa Penida or Tulamben, the beauty of its marine biodiversity has contributed to the tourism there, project head Pariama Hutasoit said.

"Coral reefs are important for protecting seashores from abrasion, and to bring local communities more benefits from fisheries and tourism."

She said the transplanted coral, especially the Acropora species, would grow about 2 to 3 centimeters a month. "A special team of marine biologists will monitor the coral reefs regularly, and take care of them once every three months."

Time to Hit the Books Again at Jakarta's Literary Biennale

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:16:43 PDT

For literature aficionados, the month of October has been one of tension, character and plot lines in spades — and the denouement is yet to come.

On the heels of the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival in Bali, Komunitas Utan Kayu, a cultural enclave consisting of literary writers, intellectuals, artists and journalists, opens its fifth literary biennale on Tuesday.

With the theme “Merandai,” or traversing, the literary biennale seeks to inspire a cross-cultural exchange of ideas between literary artists from different cultural and geographical backgrounds.

The biennale, in collaboration with Festival Winternachten in the Netherlands, brings together 10 international and 23 Indonesian literary writers, including Dacia Maraini from Italy, Reggie Baay from the Netherlands and Drisana Deborah Jack from St. Martin, to read and discuss their work at Jakarta’s Theater Salihara. Among the Indonesian writers are AS Laksana, Leila S Chudori and senior poet-essayist Sapardi Djoko Damono.

Hasif Amini, the event’s deputy director, says the gathering aims to inspire a greater appreciation for both local and international literary works, and perhaps lead to new opportunities for artists.

Festival director Ayu Utami says the fifth biennale also crosses into new realms of the creative arts, placing visual arts and music alongside readings and discussions. Seventeen Indonesian painters and three independent bands from Bandung have been invited to interpret selected literary works in paintings and music. Musical performances will feature Tika and the Dissidents, Angsa and Serigala and Rumah Musik Harry Roesli.

Paintings presented by curator Wahyudin will be on display at Galeri Salihara from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily until Oct. 30.

The event will be open to the public from Wednesday through Saturday. Discussions in both Indonesian and English will feature a translator, and readings are to appear translated on LCD monitors.

Literary Biennale Schedule
Wednesday, Oct. 21
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Theater Salihara:
Reading and Discussion: Women — Heroines and Concubines. Featuring Dacia Maraini (Italy), Lily Yulianti Farid (Indonesia), Reggie Baay (the Netherlands), Wendoko (Indonesia) and Yanusa Nugroho (Indonesia)
9 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Kafe Atap Salihara:
Reading, Music Performance and Poetry Slam. Featuring Hudan Hidayat (Indonesia), Iyut Fitra (Indonesia) and the indie band Tika and the Dissidents

Thursday, Oct. 22
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Theater Salihara:
Reading and Discussion: Spaces and Traces. Featuring Agus Sardjono (Indonesia), Alfred Schaffer (the Netherlands), Bernice Chauly (Malaysia), Gus TF Sakai (Indonesia), M Aan Mansyur (Indonesia), Leila S Chudori (Indonesia). Book launch, Leila S Chudori
9 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Kafe Atap Salihara: Reading and Poetry Slam. Featuring Inggit Putria Marga (Indonesia), Jan Cornall (Australia), Ramon Damora (Indonesia) and Timur Sinar Suprabana (Indonesia)

Friday, Oct. 23
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Theater Salihara:
Reading and Discussion: History and Irony. Featuring A Muttaqin (Indonesia), AS Laksana (Indonesia), Drisana Deborah Jack (St. Martin), Handri TM (Indonesia), Vanni Bianconi (Switzerland), Warih Wisatsana (Indonesia)
9 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Kafe Atap Salihara:
Reading, Music Performance and Poetry Slam. Featuring Ahda Imran (Indonesia), Beno Siang Pamungkas (Indonesia), Zeno Gabaglio (Switzerland) and percussion music by Rumah Musik Harry Roesli

Saturday, Oct. 24
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Theater Salihara:
Reading and Discussion: Traversing. Featuring M Iksaka Banu (Indonesia), Moon Chung Hee (South Korea), Triyanto Triwikromo (Indonesia), Sapardi Djoko Damono (Indonesia) and Sandra Thibodeaux (Australia)
9 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Kafe Atap Salihara:
Reading, Music Performance and Poetry Slam. Featuring Jimmy Maruli Alfian (Indonesia), Hasan Aspahani (Indonesia) and the indie band Angsa and Serigala

Theater Salihara
Jalan Salihara No. 16
Pasar Minggu
Jakarta
Tel. 021 789 1202

Same again as Indonesia launches VIY 2010

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:37:32 PDT

Indonesia's Department of Culture and Tourism has announced its intention to continue the current Visit Indonesian Year (VIY) campaign for a third year as part of plans to attract seven million foreign visitors in 2010.

Visit Indonesia Year which was launched after 2008 was already well underway, was retained for an additional year in 2009.

The latest announcement from the government is that the programme will be retained for a third year - 2010.

Credited with bringing 6.4 million visitors to Indonesia in 2008, tourism officials remain confident that VIY 2010 will pave the way for modest growth in tourism arrivals while arrivals to competing destinations in the region continue to shrink.

Tourism officials also point to Indonesia's improving security situation as contributing to tourism growth now that violence-prone fundamentalist elements are being arrested, run to ground or physically eliminated.

Buleleng: Beautiful vistas aplenty

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:10:18 PDT

Buleleng regency has unique social and cultural characteristics that set it apart from the rest of Bali. Stretching across almost the whole of northern Bali, its 144-kilometer coastline beckoned many foreign ships to drop anchor in bygone days.

Arab and Chinese traders had a lasting influence on the people of this regency, and as a result their culture and arts evolved. An example of this is the Gong kebyar, in which two dance groups compete to the strains of gamelan music.

Old Buddhist temples, such as Kalibukbuk Buddhist temple, and Mongolian relics can be found in Buleleng.

On the way to Lovina for a dolphin viewing tour, domestic tourists often stop in Singaraja to savor the local fare. Local specialties include Sudang Lepet, jukut undis (grilled crispy fish in savory sauce) and Syiobak babi (roasted pork), which can be washed down with Es Bir (young coconut juice with a tinge of lemon).

Lovina, located nine kilometers from Singaraja, the capital of Buleleng regency, is a long stretch of beach ideal for swimming, snorkeling and watching beautiful sunrises. And, of course, for dolphin viewing tours. Tours cost Rp 60,000 per person, start at 6 a.m. and last for three hours.

Historic remains include Puri Buleleng (Buleleng palace), which reflects the glorious days of the Buleleng kingdom. There is a bounty of sights for nature lovers, like Air Terjun Gitgit (Gitgit Waterfall) and Ambengan rice terraces in Sukasada district.

Menjangan Island offers great underwater panoramas. The island is nicknamed the mini Bunaken after the Bunaken in Manado, North Sulawesi, which is internationally acclaimed as a diving destination.

Buleleng also has an ecotourism village, Desa Wisata Pemuteran, located in Gerokgak district.

Indonesia 81st in Global Tourism Survey

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:16:36 PDT

Indonesia ranked 81st out of 133 countries in a global tourism competitiveness report, indicating that the country needed more improvements to boost the tourism sector, an analyst said.

“More focused, integrated promotions are needed to boost tourism, especially during the global economic downturn,” said Ben Sukma, the head of Association of Indonesia Tours and Travels.

The survey was conducted by the Switzerland-based World Economic Forum.

It was called the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2009.

As a first step toward greater competitiveness, Sukma said, the government should create tourist maps for all regions based on their potential, population, infrastructure, accessibility and tourist destinations as a first step.

“Mapping will help make government efforts in tourism more effective, which should result more income from tourism,” he said, adding that Indonesia ranked 82nd last year.

Among Southeast Asian countries, Singapore topped the list at 10th, Malaysia was ranked 32nd, Thailand 39th, and Brunei 69th.

The Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia finished 86th, 89th and 108th, respectively.

Topping the international list overall were Switzerland, Austria and Germany.

Sukma also criticized the government for not properly protecting tourist and heritage sites such as temples and beaches.

Indonesia and Japan to Create Replicas of Boats from Majapahit Times

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:09:32 PDT

The governments of Indonesia and Japan will work together to create five replicas of boats that were originally made during Majapahit times.

One of the replicas, the Kodi Sumekar Boat, will be created in Sumenep Regency in Madura, East Java.

It is expected that after being made, the five boats will travel to nine countries.

Head of Sumenep Tourism and Culture Department, Mohammad Nasir, said today (16/10) that in addition to Indonesia and Japan, the making of these replica boats was also supported by NGOs like the Japan Mojopahit Association (JMA) and Komunitas Peduli Majapahit (Majapahit Community).

The project will not only to increase tourism but preserve and introduce the glory of the Majapahit Empire to the world.

It is expected that all the boats will travel around countries in Asia. “Starting from Indonesia to Vietnam, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Fokoda, Osaka, and Tokyo,” he said.

Sukuh Temple A mystery yet to be unraveled

jalan2indonesia@yahoo.com (Jalan2Indonesia) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 01:47:12 PDT

Compared to Borobudur or Prambanan, Java's famous Buddhism and Hindu icons, Candi Sukuh (Sukuh temple), discovered by Sir Thomas Raffles in 1815, is not that legendary, yet it deserves a visit due because of its antiquated and unique characteristics.

Located in Sukuh village, around 35 kilometers east of Surakarta, Central Java, the Javanese-Hindu temple is perched at around 910 meters above sea level on the western slopes of Mount Lawu.

Some archeologists have assumed the temple was constructed in the 15th century, probably at the end of the Majapahit Empire era (between 1293 and 1500 CE), as shown by one relief depicting a giant eating a human.

The relief, carved into the wall of the northern entrance, can be read as Gapura Buta Mangan Wong. It is an inscription representing the 1359 Saka year (on the Javanese calendar) or 1437 CE, which is believed to be the year of the temple's construction.

To get to the temple, one can simply head to Tawangmangu, a famous tourist destination on the slopes of Mt. Lawu. This is not hard to find thanks to bold road signs. Just be cautious of the precipitous ascent to the temple. You should make sure your vehicle is in good shape, because the road climbs a 45 degree incline!

Sukuh temple has three concentric terraces, connected by ascending alleys. The main temple is situated at the last terrace. Unlike Hindu or Buddhist temples which have square shrines, Candi Sukuh's main structure has trapezium shape, resembling those made by the Mayan civilization in Central America.

The uniqueness of Sukuh temple lies in its landscaping, oddly carved statues and reliefs. One assumption about its "unrefined" carvings suggested the temple was erected during the time of civil war between the Islam and Hindu communities.