Panorama Khatulistiwa

Rendang

2017-04-04T11:04:00.000+07:00

Rendang is a typical food of western Sumatra, beef cooked with coconut milk and spices have been worldwide either the name or flavor. The food is reasonably easy to find in Indonesia of a roadside diner to a five star restaurant. Price per serving varied Rp.20 thousand to Rp.40 thousand.

To you who are outside Indonesia, lest not tasted this food when visiting Indonesia, the guarantee certainly regret.

Bekantan

2017-03-31T15:42:00.001+07:00

Yesterday I saw a flyer one family recreation area called dufan, where icons recreational park that is ape-nosed. Yes, this animal called proboscis, is a native of Indonesia, they usually live in forests and swamps conservation in northern Borneo Tarakan. Proboscis which has the Latin name Nasalis larvatus, they like to live in groups, with the characteristics of having a distended abdomen.

One of the places that can be visited to see proboscis monkeys in the wild is the Mangrove Conservation Area and Bekantan (KKMB) in Jalan Gajah Mada, Kota Tarakan, North Kalimantan. Bekantan staple food not only bananas, these animals also love mangrove leaves as well as some other fruits. So that they are welcome to stay in the mangroves like KKMB.

The conservation around 40 proboscis monkeys are still alive, so let us keep and preserve our forests, so that the protected animals awake from extinction.

Tana Toraja

2009-10-08T15:01:00.001+07:00

To get to Toraja, you’ll find yourself driving through spectacular mountains, steep terraced slopes and tall bamboo forests before arriving in a true paradise of unspoiled natural beauty. Witnessing all that, you’ll have no trouble understanding why Torajans believe their forefather descended from heaven. The center of tourism in Tana Toraja is Rantepao, 328 km north-east of Makassar, sitting 700 m above sea level. Rantepao has cool, pleasant evenings. The entry to Tana Toraja is marked by gate built in traditional boat shaped style. The road passes the spectacular mountains of Kandora and Gandang on which, according to Toraja mythology, the first ancestors of celestial beings descendents from heaven. This form belief created a unique Christian-animism culture in Toraja Society. Their ancestors worship include elaborate death and afterlife ceremonies, which are essentially great feast for everyone, A strict social hierarchy is followed in the villages and for an important figure wedding and burial ceremonies can take days to perform.

Toraja’s Tomae
Tomate (funeral) literally means ‘dead person’ and of all Torajan ceremonies, the most important are those concerned with sending a dead person to the afterworld Without proper funeral rites, the spirit if the deceased will cause misfortune to its family,

Funeral are sometimes held at the rante, funeral sites marked by one or more megaliths. In Tana Toraja, there are several arcs of groups of roughly hewn stone slabs around villages and each stone possibly represents a member of the noble class who lived and died there. Some are as high as 4 m, symbolizing the importance of the deceased.

Families spend much on these tomates and if you’re fortunate to e here for a burial ceremony you should be sure to contribute something such as food, soap or perhaps even money. Be warned thought, some parts of the ceremony are not for the faint hearted, the slaughter by single word stroke of a scared buffalo is considered quite common.

In Toraja, tomates usually last about a week with the feasting, chanting, and dancing continuing throughout the night. It is on the last day that coffins hauled carefully up the mountains side to the family gravesite amidst great shouting and excitement. The best known grave sites are at Lemo and Londa. Here the effigies are those if noblemen and other high ranking community leaders. At Lemo, burial chamber are cut out of the rock and several balconies filled with tau tau overlook new caves being dug to serves as family graves.

Karapan Sapi

2009-10-08T13:21:00.000+07:00

Karapan sapi is a tournament that hold in Madura East java. This tournament is special for people in Madura or people who come to Madura to watch this tournament. We can see in this tournament people who stir two cows on a stalk of wood. You will see how interest this tournament is. Many competitor come to place where they can make danger effort to become the winner.

The cows owners should have a preparation at least a month to make sure that their cows are in good condition. They must have enough money if they want to joint in this tournament. Why not, to do this preparation they can spent at least Rp 5.000.000 to cost many equipment and pay for cows need. It is not usual, a cow that will be participated in tournament has to be given double portion of food. Cow are washed two times per week before they come to the tournament.

Most of cows that participated i this tournament are from Sapudi island. This island is located on the east of Madura Island and it is believed that this island was the place where Karapan Sapi come from. E.F Joachim the historian from Holland said since 1893 Karapan sapi has became culture in Sapudi Island.

Prambanan Temple

2009-10-08T13:15:00.000+07:00

The Prambanan temple is the biggest and a most beautiful Hindu temple about 20 minutes from Yogyakarta city. This magnificent Shivaite temple derives its name from the village where it is located. Locally known as the Loro Jongrang temple , or the temple of the "Slender Virgin" it is reputed to be the biggest and most beautiful Hindu Temple in Indonesia.

17 kilometers east of Yogyakarta, the temple is believed to have been built by King Balitung Maha Sambu in the middle of the ninth century. Its parapets are adorned with a bas-reliefs depicting the famous Ramayana story . it has eight shrines, of which the three main ones are dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma (all are manifestations of God in Hindu). The main temple of Shiva rises to a high of 130 feet and houses the magnificent statue of Shiva''s consort, Durga .

Prambanan Temple is beautiful temple, in fact, it is a group of temples. The biggest temple dedicated to Shiva (one of manifestation of God) with two other smaller ones, on its right and on its left, dedicated to Brahma and Wisnhu (manifestation of God) respectively. Reliefs decorating the walls of the temple depict the story of Ramayana.

Anoa

2009-10-08T13:00:00.000+07:00

Anoa animals is typical South. There are two species namely Anoa: Anoa Mountain (Bubalus quarlesi) and Anoa The Lowest (Bubalus depressicornis). Both live in the forest that does not dijamah man. They look similar to deer and has a weight of 150-300 kg. Anoa child will be born once a year. Both species can be found in Sulawesi, Indonesia. Since 1960 is in endangered status. Estimated there are currently fewer than 5,000 chickens that still survive. Anoa often taken to be hunted skin, meat and tanduknya. Anoa Mountain is also known by the name of Mountain Anoa, Anoa de Montana, Anoa de Quarle, Anoa des Montagnes, and Quarle's Anoa. While Anoa The Lowest also known by the name of Lowland Anoa, Anoa de Ilanura, or Anoa des Plaines.

Kerak Telor

2009-10-08T12:53:00.000+07:00

Indonesia is rich of traditional culinary. Every province has its own food so that tourism in Indonesia is not merely visiting places but also taste the local food. Beside Ketoprak, Jakarta has a classic traditional food called Kerak Telor (Egg Crust). This kind of food exists from many years ago since Jakarta was named Batavia.Kerak is basically rice crust that is adhering to the pot. The main substances for Kerak Telor are egg and rice. Those substances are for the crust which is rather crispy on its edge. The additional substances are butter, cooked shredded meat, fried onion, cheese, chopped meat or anything else that makes it more tasty and luxurious. To make Kerak Telor the first step is making the crust. Using small pan, the rice is half cooked, and then an egg is added. The next step is pouring other substances into the pan one by one. It uses pan to make the food thin and circular. After a while the food is ready to be served. Accompanied by a cup of java coffee is the best way to enjoy ‘egg crust’.

Where to buy Kerak Telor?
Kerak telor are sold specifically at the tourism places in Jakarta such as Dunia Fantasi, Ancol and Taman Mini Indonesia Indah. The price is vary depend on the substances. Generally, it cost for about IDR9000 less than a dollar (US$). In other city it usually sold on the fair.

Saluang

2009-10-06T18:27:00.000+07:00

Saluang is a wind instrument similar to a flute made of bamboo. This instrument is very popular in West Sumatra. Unlike an ordinary flute that has a reed or special part of one edge that can produce the sound, Saluang does not have this kind of part. It is merely a bamboo tube, about 3 cm in diameter and 90 cm long. The musicians produce the sound by blowing one edge from an angle so the wind from the musician's mouth will hit the other edge of the bamboo. There are several tone holes that produce tuning system similar to diatonic system. Darek means inland, so that Saluang Darek is Saluang that derives from inland area.

This instrument is often used in Bagurau, one of the most popular performing arts that involves all people, the artists as well as the audience. Bagurau is merely song performance accompanied by the Saluang Darek that is called Dendang. The melody of the song and Saluang are tied precisely. One of the audience may ask the singer to describe or announce a certain subject by paying the committee who holds the performance. The singer then composes the required subject immediately in a poetic form and it is sung. When another person in the audience feels that the song is addressed to him or her, he will spontaneously ask the singer to answer the first person by paying more than what had been paid by the former. Although the Dendang is used for discussions or a quarrel between one of the audience to another, there is never any physical fighting.

When the discussion through the Dendang becomes hotter and hotter, the money pours very fast. That is why this kind of performing art is often used for fund raising. The artists that consist of one or two singers and one Saluang player will be paid according to their agreement with the committee who holds the performance.

Nias Island

2009-10-06T18:17:00.001+07:00

With it's famous megalithic stone altars and furniture, spectacular traditional architecture, and complex religious rites, this fasctinating island offers a journey in to the past. Nias island lies approximately 125 km south west of Sibolga city. The land has rolling mountainous terrain, gorges, ravines, and rivers ans is subject to earth quakes. The northern half of the island is sparsely populated and featured large swampy areas. The local people of Nias called the island as Tano Niha, or land of the people. Ethnically the Niah who called them selves as Ono Niha are mixed of proto-Malay who have had contacts with the Asian Mongolid world. Their exact origin is misty. Many features, practises and cultures are of their own. Untill now those practises and cultures still well maintained. This is the place that you may discover the live of the stone age era. Stone jumping is one of the popular activities which still well preserved.

During the past, this activity is showing the maturity of a man, and used to be meaning to win a war. The stone jumper used to jumped over the enemies trench to get in to the trench and opened the enemies gate for his companion. However now it used to attract visitors.

For the nature sport lover, Nias provides very very excellent spot for surfing. This is one of the world class surf site in our country. We highly recommend you to the the activity during the dry season (April to October) when the waves and the weather still freindly.

To get in to Nias, most of our visitors fly to Medan, the capital city of North Sumatra province. This town is the main entrance gate entering places in North Sumatra and the surrounding area from abroad.

Witness the unique cultures of the Nias People and experience their War Dance which is the only dance in Indonesia performing high skill of acrobatic jumps or Stone jumping performed in the meaning of proving the readiness of man taking wife.

Merak Dance

2009-10-06T18:00:00.000+07:00

One of the most Sundanese dance is Tari Merak. The Tari Merak or Dance of the Peacock is a female dance. Merak means peacock and the choreography is inspired by the beautiful movements of a peacock. The gestures of a peacock are beautifully blend together with the classical movements of the Sundanese dance and thus making the dance a colourful expression of the proud peacock which is showing its beautiful feathers. The Tari Merak symbolises the beauty of nature.

Lombok Island

2009-10-05T14:10:00.002+07:00

Lombok island is part of West Nusa Tenggara province, lies just east of the celebrated island of Gods, Bali and the neighboring off the beaten track Sumbawa to the east.

Lombok island can be reach both by air from Bali, Surabaya, Jakarta and other cities in Indonesia while by sea from Padang Bai harbor east of Bali Island and Poto Tano west Sumbawa Island.

Surrounded by emerald green hills and the second highest volcano in Indonesia,Rinjani dominated its the northern side. It is one the world’s famous trekking destinations beside its immaculate white sandy beaches with swaying palm trees line up the coastal areas.

Lombok also has many small islets with their well known under water sea world, the Gilis, such as Trawangan, Meno, Air, Nanggu, Gede and Sulat at east Lombok.

Lombok is devided into 3 regencies and one minupality, West Lombok the capital city is Gerung around 15 minutes from Mataram City. Central Lombok the capital city is Praya and can be reach only 30 minutes from Mataram. East Lombok the capital city is Selong, around 55 kilometer from Mataram.

Lombok is home to approximately 3 million people, they are mainly Sasak and several hundred thousands of Balinese and a small population of Arab and Chinese.

Musi River

2009-10-03T12:46:00.000+07:00

The Musi River is the longest river in Sumatra Island. This 750-km long river is famous as an important international harbour at the era of Sriwijaya Kingdom. Tourism destinations that can be found nearby the river are Sultan Mahmud Baddarudin II Museum and Boom Baru Harbour. The river flowing from Kepahiang District, Bengkulu Province separates two cities, Seberang Ilir (north) and Seberang Ulu (south), in Palembang City. Nine tributaries - Komering, Rawas, Batanghari, Leko, Lakitan, Kelingi, Lematang, Semangus, and Ogan rivers flow to the river. Crossing the river using traditional boats can be alternative for those settling in Palembang City. Taxis (motorized boat) are easy to find along the river. Watching the beautiful scenery of sunset at evening is great experience. Likewise, you can enjoy romantic night enlightened colourful lamps around the river. Many visitors come to the river on weekend and holiday. The Musi River is located in the heart of Palembang City, South Sumatra Province, Indonesia.

Lake Limboto

2009-10-03T11:27:00.000+07:00

Lake Limboto is a large lake located in the Regency of Gorontalo. Lake with an area of approximately 3000 hectares of this is the estuary of the five major rivers, the River Bolango Bone, alo River, River Daenaa, Bionga River, and River Molalahu. In the era of 1950s, Lake Limboto have the depth to 27 m.

However, at this time the depth of Lake Limboto only about 7-8 m only. The depth of the lake such as this Limboto does not like the lake is usually shaped like a natural pond. Lake Limboto have the form of a muddy surface. However, in the middle of this lake, visitors can view the fresh water flora that grow in the surface, such as water hyacinth, rush, and lotus flowers. In this lake, visitors can conduct various activities, such as fishing or boating.

Limboto located in the Lake District Limboto, Kabupaten Gorontalo, Gorontalo Province, Indonesia. Locations near Lake Limboto with Jalaluddin Airport, therefore making visitors from outside of Gorontalo is not too difficult to achieve. From Airport to the Lake Limboto may be using a taxi or car hire a lot of waiting around the airport.

Belitung Island

2009-10-03T11:11:00.000+07:00

Many islands in Indonesia which have pleasing beaches. One of the beach which is in Belitung range Bangka Belitung (Babel), an island which is bordered by South China Sea in the north, the south Java Sea, as well as Gaspar in the west. However, the pleasing beaches in the Earth Laskar Pelangi, the brand new Belitung, can be spelled out is perfect.

At least, so criticism as well as Ginette Jeans Cammas, father as well as mother span of Perpignon, France. With the ship, both the Sail Indonesia 2008 has been which the Darwin, Kupang, Alor, Lembata, Maumere, Ende, Riung, Labuan Bajo, Bima, Karimun Jawa, Kumai, as well as Belitung. Throughout their voyage, the beaches which they have for the beauty which is in undiluted beaches Billiton alias Belitung. “Not once we dump in the really pleasing nation similar to Indonesia. But Belitung …,” pronounced Ginette whilst dire the voice, “perfect!”

As the pair, the legal legal holiday which is really most tender by the liberality of Belitung liquid. In Europe, as well as Ginette, people ceremony money, yet is does not have the heart. “In Indonesia as well as here (Red-Belitung), even yet people might not have the money, yet abounding in heart.” Ginette what is pronounced about the island of peppers as well as tin which is not excessive. The box in reality. On the island whose name is taken from the name billitonite mill or mill satam by Dutch kolonialis year given 1922 which the time is so delayed revolve. Ah, no, not usually for the consequence of it. Time there, such as stop.

Time to stop it is to turn the single of the indications which have assent misguided. Two districts which have, namely Kabupaten Belitung Tanjung Pandan to Jakarta as the executive government, as well as East Belitung Manggar the throng as the core of the city, day-to-day scarcely forlorn by tellurian activity. Lasted usually throng during the weekend. That is strong usually in the shop-shop destination. Moreover, if the beach is not the assembly place, even hundreds of thousands of people for the holiday.

No diversion center, film drama or selling in oppulance such as Jakarta or alternative large cities in Java. Beach, the series of tens, seems means to reinstate the hold up of all the place with the full. The withdrawal of hold up character of people in Europe, Belitung community, both in the West as well as the East, regularly outlay time during weekends to picnic. Who someway started. According to the single of the strange people of Belitung, practices which have prolonged held, from the single era to the subsequent generation. And the beach is the special purpose.

So, via the sunrise to dusk upon the weekends, possibly upon the beach Pendam Tanjung, Tanjung Tinggi, Tanjung Kelayang, Bukit Berahu, as well as most alternative beaches, dozens of family groups from racial Malays, the descendants of Hakka Chinese Hokkian as well as churned as well as mingled with the joyous. There, scarcely not listen to stories about the animosity in between them. True, the island where the infancy of the race live in coastal areas as well as coastal tin cave in the rural area is the concordance rates have been not theme to death.

Angklung

2009-10-03T10:36:00.000+07:00

Angklung is a normal low-pitched instrument done of bamboo. Angklung is a musical instrument made out of dual bamboo tubes trustworthy to a bamboo frame. The tubes have been forged so which they have a musical representation when struck. The dual tubes have been tuned to octaves. The bottom of a support is hold with a single palm whilst a alternative palm shakes a instrument fast from side to side. This causes a fast repeating note to sound. Thus any of 3 or some-more Angklung performers in an garb will fool around usually a single note as well as together finish melodies have been produced. Angklung is renouned via Southeast Asia, though originated from Indonesia (used as well as played by a Sundanese given a very old times).

The Angklung got some-more general courtesy when Daeng Soetigna, from Bandung, West Java, stretched a Angklung notations not usually to fool around normal pélog or sléndro scales, though additionally diatonic scale in 1938. Since then, Angklung is mostly played together with alternative western song instruments in an orchestra. One of a initial obvious performances of Angklung in an band was during a Bandung Conference in 1955. A couple of years later, Udjo Ngalagena, a tyro of Daeng Soetigna, non-stop his “Saung Angklung” (House of Angklung) in 1966 as centre of a development.

In Hindu period as well as Padjajaran dominion era, Sundanese people used a angklung to pointer a time for prayer. Later, Padjajaran dominion make use of this instrument as armed forces song in Bubat War (Perang Bubat).

Angklung functioned as office building a peoples village spirit. It was still used by a Sundanese until a colonial epoch (Dutch East Indies, V.O.C). Because of a colonial times, a Dutch East Indies supervision attempted to dissuade people personification a angklung instrument.

Because it was banned to fool around angkung during this time, a recognition of a instrument decreased as well as it came to be played usually by young kids in this era.

Tangkuban Perahu

2009-10-02T18:16:00.000+07:00

Tangkuban perahu is a volcano, 25 kilometers north of Bandung direction of Lembang. Its location is in between Sagalaherang village, Sagalaherang district, Subang regency and Cikole village, Lembang district, Bandung regency. This is Bandung's most famous tourist volcano just 28 km north of the city. This volcano offers many places to see and explore. Whether we look into the huge crater or hike down into it, stroll through the forest on its slopes, or simply enjoy the splendid panoramic scenery. Mt. Tangkuban Perahu is an interesting destination that everyone in the Bandung area is fond of visiting. When seen from Bandung, Mt. Tangkuban Perahu has a distinctive shape, like an upside down boat. Tangkuban Perahu means, in fact, "up-turned boat" This peculiar shape has stimulated the fantasy of the Sundanese people from early times as expressed in the Legend of Sangkuriang. Geologically, Mt. Tangkuban Perahu has played a significant role in the development of Parahyangan highlands. Eruptions have contributed immensely to the hills north of Bandung through lava flowing into the valleys and hardening into rock, thus forming big cliffs over which waterfalls leap. Likewise, mud flows have formed a semi-circular cone of gentle gradient (what geologists call "a fan"), which is now a mass that blocked the valley of the ancient Citarum River near present day in Padalarang (some 18 km west of Bandung), this caused a lake to form covering the whole Bandung plain.

Rumah Gadang

2009-10-02T18:01:00.000+07:00

Rumah Gadang (Big House) is a traditional house of the Minang Kabau people. Most Minang Kabau people used to live in Rumah Gadang with their families. It was caused by the matrilineal pattern of the tribe line. It is the only matrilineal pattern in Indonesia. But nowadays Rumah Gadang rarely to be occupied. People tend to build modern house. It might be caused by the changing of the era.

Actually there is no valid information when this big house firstly built. But the Creator / Architect of the big house is Tantejo Gurhano. His burial is in Pariangan, Batusangkar; the original and the source of Minang Kabau culture. This village is considered the early village around Minang Kabau area.

In Pagarruyung (still in Batusangkar area) there is a very big house that we can call Pagarruyung Palace. This Palace is a symbol of the successful and the glory of pagarruyung kingdom in the 13th century. But the palace which we can visit now was rebuilt in 1976.

Usually Rumah Gadang has three small buildings in front of it. People call them ‘Rangkiang’. The name of each building are 1) Sitinjau Laut, 2) Sibayan-Bayan, and 3) Sitangka Lapa. Each building has different function but how ever the main function of it is to save the rice field. The philosophy of the Rangkiang is first: the rice saved in Sitinjau Laut is to serve the guests / visitors who come to the area. Second, to feed all family. The third, to eat in crisis.

People also use Rumah Gadang to conduct a meeting if a family or a tribe has problem to be solved, the family or the tribe leader will be invited to attend the meeting to make a decision or a good solution. It seems that the process of democracy has been running well in this area since years ago. Besides that Rumah Gadang is also used to conduct a wedding party or any ceremonial party. Then when one of the tribe leader dead, people will look for another person to be the leader by inviting many people to Rumah Gadang. The construction of Rumah Gadang is unique enough. No nail, and foundation is not kept into the earth. In other words, the foundation is built on the surface of the land after putting several stones on it. If the earthquake quake the big house, it will move slowely and flexible as it can. As one of the story shows that a big house felt down or destroyed by the earth quake. Most of the material was made of wood. So, the first enemy of Rumah Gadang is only fire.

Today we still be able to see and observe several Rumah Gadang around Minang Kabau area. But what we do expect every much is to preserve the old building. There are many stories about Rumah Gadang to write, it will be reported as complete as possible next time. I will send you any kinds of West Sumatra Culture later.

Coto Makasar

2009-10-02T17:51:00.000+07:00

Coto Makassar is one of the most famous Indoesian food. No one know when coto makassar was found. The only thing that people know is that coto makassar is one of the most famous Makassar food. If we go to Makassar someday, don’t forget to try this delicious food.

Coto Makassar ingredients are shallots, garlic cloves, salam leaves, coriander seeds, some water, lemon grass, peanuts, galangal, chinese celery, and beef chuck. People of jenoponto usually use horse meat to make coto makassar.

If we want to try this food, don’t worry, coto makassar now can easily found anywhere and anytime, so you don’t have to go to Makassar just because you want to try this food. If we go to the mall, usually we can easily found this food, just look for Indonesian typical restaurant there.

In Makassar, the price of coto makassar are different between one place and another. The price are varies from Rp 3500,00 to Rp 7000,00.

Cendrawasih

2009-09-28T18:02:00.000+07:00

Indonesia is very rich in the diversity of birds in the region. One of the most beautiful birds, the birds of paradise, is Cendrawasih (Paradisaea raggiana). Nowadays, this kind of beautiful bird is about facing its extinction. Why why why? People keep hunting them. Why again? Ough, this is a money talk.

Unfortunately, the birds have been listed as endangered and trapping. The export are illegal, but still, all species of this bird are still being traded illegally on the black market. “Burung Cendrawasih”, is the Indonesian name of this bird. We can easily recognize them, of course! They are very different with another species. Well, they have such rare and beautiful plumage. Burung Cendrawasih size is about 13 inches in length (33 cm). They fly slowly, but they have a graceful appearance.

Raja Ampat Island

2009-09-25T17:33:00.000+07:00

If you had watched The Beach movie starring Leonardo Di Caprio, you will find the same impression when visiting Raja Ampat. The lost paradise deserved to be named for this place because in fact Indonesians personally often didnt know about this place. The beautiful coast, white sand and underwater scenery that were beautiful became the attraction of Raja Ampat.

The Raja Ampat, or “Four Kings,” archipelago encompasses more than 9.8 million acres of land and sea off the northwestern tip of Indonesia’s West Papua Province. Located in the Coral Triangle, the heart of the world’s coral reef biodiversity, the seas around Raja Ampat possibly hold the richest variety of species in the world.

The area’s massive coral colonies show that its reefs are resistant to threats like coral bleaching and disease - threats that now jeopardize the survival of corals around the world. In addition, Raja Ampat’s strong ocean currents sweep coral larvae across the Indian and Pacific Oceans to replenish other reef ecosystems. Raja Ampat’s coral diversity, resilience to threats, and ability to replenish reefs make it a global priority for marine protection.

Many international underwater photographers captured the attraction of sea Raja Ampat. Moreover there are those that came repeatedly and made the book special about beauty of the coral reef and this biota of region sea. Last mid 2006, the special team from the foremost scientific adventure magazine the world, National Geographic, made coverage in Raja Ampat that will become the main report in 2007.

The trip to Raja Ampat was expensive enough, you must prepare around 15k-30k USD /person. From Jakarta you would transit in Menado, afterwards it was continued to Sorong, will take up time around 6 hours. From Sorong the trip was continued by leasing the ship boat or yacht. In Raja Ampat you could choose sleep above yacht or at the resort, both are expensive enough.

Lake Singkarak

2009-09-24T18:21:00.000+07:00

Lake singkarak is the one of four lake in west sumatra. that not include lake kerinci that half is at west sumatra region and the other half is in jambi region. Lake Singkarak is in the side ways to Solok and the way to "Lintas Sumatra". That connect all province in Sumatra. So from Aceh to Lampung is connected by this road. And the lake have a beautiful water that you can swim here. and you can paragliding from the hill that sorrounding this lake. If you go here you'd better be carreful. So you dont miscomunicate with the locals. The transportation to and from here is available from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm. from Bukittinggi its take about 1.30 hours to go there.

What can you do in Singkarak Lake?
you can swim, diving, and fishing to the midle of the lake. There are a lot fish you can fish there. The fish is very delicious to eat after you fry it. It is called goreng bilih(small fried fish). In Singkarak lake you can also sail to go around the lake. It is about Rp 10000 per hour. The water of the lake is pure and cold. It is nice if you come there on tuesday or Sunday afternoon, as alot of food sellers come there.

If you drop in Solok town, you can buy a lot of fruits and padang spicy meal, hmm, very delicious.

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah

2009-09-24T17:49:00.002+07:00

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah is a famous recreational park in east Jakarta, Indonesia. Taman Mini Indonesia Indah literally means Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park. Jakarta due to its strategic location, varied culture and rich tradition attracts the domestic and foreign tourists and Taman Mini Indonesia Indah is the summation of the vivid Indonesian culture and reflects the various intricate aspects of the day to day life in Indonesia. Each and every Indonesian province has got its own distinct culture, tradition, attire and dialects.

Features of Taman Mini Indonesia Indah

The unique complex of Taman Mini Indonesia Indah is spread out on a vast area of 120 hectares of land.
Life-sized duplicates of traditional architecture from each province of Indonesia, a miniature version of the Indonesian archipelago, a string of museums and a number of properly maintained parks and gardens comprise of some of the prominent features in Taman Mini Indonesia Indah.
A beautiful artificial lake adorns the center of the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah.
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah was conceptualized by the late Indonesian first lady, Madam Tien Soeharto.
In Taman Mini Indonesia Indah a model of each of the houses from the 26 different provinces of Indonesia is built.
Models from each Indonesian province is encapsulated in separate pavilions with elaborate collections of architecture, clothing, dances and traditions all depicted vividly and perfectly in Taman Mini Indonesia Indah.
Theater Tanah Airku or Theatre of My Nation is another popular tourist attraction in Taman Mini Indonesia Indah.

Fourteen museums are found in Taman Mini Indonesia Indah

Indonesia Museum
Perangko Indonesia Museum
Pusaka Museum
Transportasi Museum
Listrik & Energi Baru Museum
Telekomunikasi Museum
Penerangan Museum
Olahraga Museum
Asmat Museum
Komodo Museum
Serangga Museum
Research & Technology Information Centre
Minyak & Gas Bumi Museum
Keprajuritan Museum

Other famous parts of Taman Mini Indonesia Indah

Istana Anak-Anak Indonesia
Kereta Gantung
Perahu Angsa Arsipel Indonesia
Taman Among Putro
Taman Ria Atmaja
Taman Renang Ambar Tirta
Teater Imax Keong Emas

Orang Utan

2009-09-24T17:09:00.001+07:00

Orangutans are large apes that live in southeast Asia (on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra). These apes mostly live in trees (they are arboreal) and swing from branch to branch using their arms.

The word orangutan means "man of the forest" in the Malay language. As its habitats are being usurped by man, the orangutan's population is decreasing and it is in grave danger of extinction.

Anatomy

Orangutans have a large, bulky body, a thick neck, very long, strong arms, short, bowed legs, and no tail. Orangutans are about 2/3 the size of the gorilla.

Hair:

They are mostly covered with long reddish-brown hair.

The Head:

The orangutan has a large head with a prominent mouth area. Adult males have large cheek flaps (which get larger as the ape ages).

Senses:

Orangutans have senses very similar to ours, including hearing, sight, smell, taste, and touch.

Hands and Feet:

Orangutan hands are very much like ours; they have four long fingers plus an opposable thumb. Their feet have four long toes plus an opposable big toe. Orangutans can grasp things with both their hands and their feet. The largest males have an arm span of about 7.5 feet (2.3 m).

Size

Orangutans are about 2/3 the size of the gorilla.

Diet

Orangutans are omnivores (they eat both plants and animals) but are mostly herbivorous (plants comprise most of their diet). They eat fruit (their favorite food), leaves, seeds, tree bark, plant bulbs, tender plant shoots, and flowers. They also eat insects and small animals (like birds and small mammals).

Orangutans don't even have to leave their tree branches to drink, they drink water that has collected in the holes between tree branches.

Intelligence and Language

Orangutans are very intelligent. They have been known to use found objects as tools; for example, they use leaves as umbrellas to keep the rain from getting them wet. They also use leaves as cups to help them drink water.

Behavior and Social Habits

Orangutans are shy, solitary animals that are active during the day (they are diurnal). They live alone in large territories. This is probably due to their eating habits; they need a large area in order to get enough food and too many orangutans in one area might lead to starvation.

The only long-lasting orangutan social group is the mother and offspring, who live together for about 7 years. When mating, the male and female orangutan stay together for only a few days.

Sleeping Platforms:

Each evening, orangutans construct a "nest" in the tree branches for the night in which they will curl up and sleep. These nests are made out of leaves and branches. Nests are shared by a mother and her nursing offspring. Sometimes, the orangutan will use a leaf as a "roof" to protect itself from the rain. Orangutans often nap in the afternoon after a morning spent obtaining food.

Communication and Vocalization

Male orangutans are capable of very long, loud calls (called "long calls") that carry through forests for up to 0.6 mile (1 km). The "long call" is made up of a series of sounds followed by a bellow. These calls help the male claim his territory, call to females, and keep out intruding male orangutans. Males have a large throat sac that lets them make these loud calls.

Gado Gado

2009-09-24T16:28:00.002+07:00

Gado-gado is one of Indonesia's most favourite dish everywhere in the world. It is actually vegetable salad dressed in specially prepared peanut sauce. In Indonesia, there are a few dish that resemble gado-gado (with the same kind, or a variation of peanut sauce), such as pecel, lotek, and ketoprak. Pecel and lotek is the closest to gado-gado, so people often mistake them as gado-gado.

Preparation of gado-gado is mainly the preparation of the peanut sauce. There are many gado-gado recipes in the Internet, but most of them advice the use of peanut butter or freshly fried peanut grinded with a blender. But the original traditional Indonesian gado-gado uses cobek batu (Indonesian style stone pestle). This is one of the ingenous Indonesian food preparation technique.

The pestle makes the peanuts not to become too soft and produce a certain kind of flavor which cannot be achieved by using blender or peanut butter. Using a pestle is not just crunching the peanuts but also mixes them with all other ingredients. To do pestling is not to pound but to grind and mix all ingredients together in circular hand movement with enough pressure to crush all ingredients. In Indonesia, this is called uleg or ulek, a technique used in making varieties of indonesian food. You need some practice before you can do pestling the correct way.

Kolintang

2009-09-24T16:02:00.001+07:00

Kolintang music instrument originated from Minahasa, a place in North Sulawesi, an island in the east part of Indonesia. It is made from light but solid local wood such as TELUR, BANDARAN, WENANG, KAKINIK whose fibre construction appears in parallel lines. It can produce a long sound which can reach high pitch note as well as low pitch note when struck.

The name Kolintang came from the sound: TONG (low pitch note), TING (high pitch note) and TANG (moderate pitch note). In the local language, the invitation "Let us do some TONG TING TANG" is: "Mangemo kumolintang". That settled the name of the instrument: KOLINTANG.

In its early days, Kolintang originally consisted of only a series of wooden bars placed side by side in a row on the legs of the players who would sit on the floor with both of their legs stretched out in front of them. Later on, the function of the legs was replaced either by two poles of banana trunk or by a rope which hung them up to a wooden plank. Story says that resonance box was beginning to be attached to this instrument after DIPONEGORO, a prince from Java who was exiled to Minahasa, brought along Javanese instrument GAMELAN with its resonance box, GAMBANG.

Kolintang had a close relationship with the traditional belief of Minahasa natives. It was usually played in ancestor worshipping rituals. That might explain the reason Kolintang was nearly totally left behind when Christianity came to Minahasa. It was so rarely played that it was nearly extinct for about a 100 year since then. It only reappeared after the World War II, pioneered by a blind musician NELWAN KATUUK, who reconstructed it accordingly to universal musical scales. Initially, there was only one kind of Kolintang instrument which was a 2 octave diatonical melody instrument. It was usually played with other string instruments such as guitar, ukulele or string bass as accompaniment.

We, ourselves, had only heard of Kolintang music when it was broadcasted by Indonesian Broadcasting Radio (RRI) in Menado in 1952

At that time, communication was not as advanced as today. Nelwan Katuuk was from North Minahasa while we were from Ratahan, South Minahasa.

We start the production of Kolintang outside its native land of Minahasa in 1964 in Yogyakarta, Central Java, At the same time we began introducing the instrument around Central Java, our musical group toured the area which later extended to cities in East and West Java. At that time Kolintang was still a single melody instrument accompanied by guitar, ukulele or string bass.

The next development was the idea of replacing string instruments with kolintang accompaniment. We began exploring the idea in 1966 and it was not until 1969 we managed to make our first Kolintang 'Orchestra' performance at Satya Wacana Christian University in Yogyakarta. Our band consisted of a set of 5 Kolintang, each with different function, namely Melody, Alto, Tenor, Cello and Bass