Mount Bromo (from Sanskrit / Ancient Java: Brahma, one of the Main Hindu Gods), is an active volcano and best known as a tourist attraction in East Java, Indonesia. As a tourism destination in Indonesia, Mount Bromo is attractive because of its status as an active volcano that is still active. In addition, the Kasodo tradition of the Tengger tribe really gives us a spiritual and mystical experience.

Bromo has a height of 2392 meters above sea level, located in four regions, namely Kabupaten Probolinggo, Pasuruan, Lumajang, and Malang Regency. Mount Bromo shape mesh between valleys and canyons with the caldera or the ocean of sand covering around 10 square kilometers.

Pura Poten of the Tenggerese photo by blueplanet_2009

Bromo is included in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. It has a type of sub-montane ecosystems, montane and sub-alphin with hundreds of years old large trees. Some plant species found in the National Park include jamuju (Dacrycarpus imbricatus), mountain pine (Casuarina sp.) Eidelweis (Anaphalis javanica), various species of orchids and rare species of grass (Styphelia pungieus).

There are approximately 137 species of birds, 22 species of mammals and 4 species of reptile in this national park.

View in Bromo National Park Indonesia photo by chmod999

Protected rare animals found in this national parks, among others, mongoose (Pardofelis marmorata), deer (Cervus timorensis), long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis), kijang (Muntiacus muntjak), red jungle chicken (Gallus gallus), leopard (Panthera pardus), ajag (Cuon alpinus), and various species of birds such as alap-alap birds (Accipiter virgatus), hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros silvestris), bido serpent eagle (Spilornis cheela bido), black thrush (Dicrurus macrocercus), Scaly-breasted falcon (Haliastur indus), and grouse that live in Ranu Pani, Ranu Regulo, and Ranu Kumbolo.

On another day, I was also able to visit in the South of Bawomataluo. Bawomataluo means the Sun City . This is an important tourist destination in Nias and is quite popular. The main tourist destination here is to see the king’s house that is very large in size, with “legs” from the large sized intact logs.

To achieve this stone yard of the King’s house, we had to climb about 80 stairs of stone - as if we are going to the sun up there. The yard area was “fenced in” dozens of traditional houses.Kings House is the largest and highest. In front of the house there are two large pieces of stone, polished and carved on the edge - once used by the king as a seat to watch the show.

One of the most famous attractions is stone jump. Piles of stones about two-meters high is where a young man dressed in customary will jump over. There are some trained people who are and always ready to show these attractions. Paid, of course. If you’re smart enough to bargain, you can see it for just a hundred thousand Rupiahs or about ten US dollars for one jump. If your camera is not ready, then you must pay for another hundreds thousands Rupiahs. Typically, the jumper will always wanted to see your shots. Their standard comment: “Wow, this is less beautiful. You should shoot when I’m exactly on the rock. Yup, it’s just a persuasion so that they will get more money.

Nias House photo by vetanent

Not far from Bawomataluo, in Teluk Dalam district there is a known Sorake Beach. In the Lonely Planet it is stated as the surfers’ beach. This beach is beautiful, and the waves fulfill the qualification for surfing . Around the beach is available lodging facilities for the surfers who came from abroad.

Do not miss to visit the Hiliamaetaniha village in the this Teluk Dalam district. With funding from Muslim Aid that is channeled through BPPI, the houses in this village have been rehabilitated under the supervision of Father Johannes.

Bali chief Inspector General of Police, Sutisna, stated that tourists who visited Bali to always use the hotel services that have been security standardization certified .

Mr. Sutisna delivered it after receiving a visit from representatives of the Consulate General (Consul General) of Japan who came to give an appreciation for the performance of Polda Bali who successfully catch the killer of tourists from Japan, Rika Sano (33). “We asked to all the tourists who will visit the island resort to always use the hotel services that have been certified by the standardization of security and safety,” he said.

In addition, Sutisna also reminded the hotel to confirm if there are people who want to meet one of the guests who were at the hotel. “So there must be confirmation from the relevant guests first, before anyone is allowed into the hotel,” he said. “Thus, something like that happened to a tourists from Japan, Rika Sano, who was staying at the Hotel Prani Kuta on 25 September 2009 does not happen again,” he said.

The existence of cases that happen to foreigners is possible to create negative impact on the economy in Bali, especially those in the world of tourism. For that, he expects to tourists who will visit Bali to always use the authorized “travel agent”, and if you can, stay at certified hotel.

Bali-India Foundation pioneered the development of “Markandeya Yoga City”, the largest yoga center in Asia at a remote village Sukasada District, Buleleng, north Bali. “This center of yoga activities will be the largest in Asia,” said Chairman of Bali-India Foundation, Dr. Somvir in Denpasar.

The facilities on an area of 1.5 hectares will be built starting on March 3, 2010 together with the opening of “Bali-India International Yoga Festival. “Markandeya Yoga City will manage the levels of education starting from Primary School (SD), High School (SMP) and Senior High School (SMU) with the nuances of yoga,” said Dr. Simvir.

Educational institutions is also emphasized on the traditional medicine or “Ayurveda” and alignment with the permanent treatment by utilizing various types of plants that grow in the surrounding environment. Yoga Markandeya City Development will be done in stages, including the expansion of land by embracing self-help and participation of local communities.

“Yoga city will be full of social activities devoted for human beings,” said Dr. Somvir. Initiate these activities has now been planted about 50 species of plants which have medicinal function to cure many kinds of diseases that are especially imported from India. Various types of medicinal plants were developed in the Banjar Gunung Sari, Desa Tegal Linggah, Sukasada District, Buleleng Regency, 80 km from Denpasar City.

Kite surfing photo by myklr09

International KITE Surfing Contest will be held on the coast of  Lakey Hu’u, Dompu regency, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) in May 2010. This activity is planned to be followed by dozens of surfers from various countries including Indonesia. The Chairman of Dompu Surfer Club,   M Ali said the international surfing competitions was already initialed  with “Lakey Peak Sultan Cup” held on October 31, 2009 with 50 participants, including eight overseas surfers including from Australia and the United States. ”

Related to the plan, the committee make coordination with the central government and a number of surfers in the world has said will participate in the contest,” said Ali, at the Lakey Hu’u beach, Friday (30/10). He said, a number of surfers from abroad speciallized in kite surfing have been practicing at the Lakey beach, which is one of the best surfing locations in the world.

Kite surfing is a sport using surfing board and a kind of kite, a parachute. Lakey beach is  considered the best place for this sport as it has big waves and strong wind. In the past five years there are more and more foreign tourists who visit the beach and doing kite surfing. Tourists visit primarily to play surfing in April - May, because in those months, large waves and strong winds are the best for kite surfing.

Lakey Beach Waves photo by olwah

In this regard, Lakey beach tourism object must be organized and road infrastructure which is now badly damaged should be repaired in order to increase the interest of tourists to visit this tourism object. Lakey beach at Hu’u district located approximately 5 hours from the town of Sumbawa Besar and from Dompu town approximately takes 1 hour 45 minutes to the south. Lakey-Hu’u Coast has 4 types of waves: Lakey Peak, Cobble Stones, Lakey Pipe and Periscop. And a few miles near the Lakey beach you will find other great surfing spot.

Djarum Super Jakarta International Blues Festival 2009 will be held at Istora Senayan Jakarta on Saturday, September 7, 2009. The theme taken for this year is “Back To The Roots of All Music”.

The Indonesian musicians that will perform are Gugun & Blues Shelter, Blues Train, Kiboud Maulana, Gigi, The Dance Company, The Changchuters. special performance from senior blues artist Yopie Item and two of his children Audy and Stevie Item, Bondan Prakoso and his father who is also a musician, Sisco, Abdee Slank, John Paul Ivan, and Rif’s vocalist, Andi.

International Stars from UK, USA, Australia, Dutch, Ireland, Thailand and Singapura are invited to perform on stages. Artists loke Jan Akkerman and Mike Wilgar will surely give great atmosphere on the show.

There will be four stages on the festival. The ticket costs IDR 100.000 or about US$10. It’s an affordable price to witness the world class blues festival in Indonesia.

Cake that one of its materials is banana is growing on demand lately. Although not a banana-producing areas, Batam has a banana cake called Kek Pisang as the typical souvenirs that is popular enough. I wonder how delicious this kek pisang is?

Batam is an island that is very strategic because it is located in the international shipping lane. So, no wonder the island of Batam be one of the local tourist destination and tourists are that is quite popular abroad beside the island of Bali.

Besides its natural beauty, Batam island is also famous for seafood and a culinary called otak-otak that will shake the tongue. Although, it is not much souvenir that can be carried back from the island but visiting Batam will really amusing.

Around the year 2006 kek pisang go on sale in Batam. Kek Pisang is not actually popularized by the original Batam residents. But apparently this banana-based cake with  other ingredients such as flour, egg, sugar, and margarine is the admiration of many people including tourists.

Kek  Pisang sticky has sweet taste and its texture similar to spongecake but more dense. The delicious banana mixture to make good sensation on the tongue so that the mouth could not stop chewing. Kek pisang is recently available in many taste modifications such as butter, cheese topping, or chocolate spread.

Keke Pisang photo by merpati66

Now there are about 12 variants of Kek Pisang sold in original taste, strawberry, cheese, chocolate fla, blueberry, mocha, etc.. The most popular brand for kake pisang is “Kek Pisang Villa” and “Nay@Dam”.

For a small box of   Kek Pisang valued IDR 15,000.00 while the big box valued IDR 30.000,00 - IDR 35.000,00. Well, for those that would make a trip to Batam just do not forget to buy Kek Pisang!

Taka Bonerate National Park is located at South Sulawesi. It has the third largest coral atoll in the world after the Kwajifein in Marshall Islands and Suvadiva in Moldiva Islands. Size of the atoll is approximately 220,000 hectares, with coral reef scattered flat of 500 km² width. The atoll creates the best underwater view so that diving or snorkeling is a must activity to be done.

The topography of the area is very unique and interesting, where the atoll consists of group of islands, reef islands and coral averaging a broad and deep, forming islands with considerable amounts. Among the islands reef, there are narrow straits that are deep and steep. While on the surface of coral, there are many small pools that are deep and surrounded by coral reefs. At lowest tide, clearly visible the dry land interspersed with puddles that formed small pools.

Plants located in coastal areas dominated by the coconut (Cocos nucifera), sea pandanus (Pandanus sp.), Sea pine (Casuarina equisetifolia), and ketapan (Terminalia catappa).

Coral reefs are already identified as many as 261 species from 17 families including Pocillopora, Montipora danae, palifera Acropora, Porites cylindrica, Pavona clavus, Fungia concinna, and others. Most coral species have been formed atoll reefs (barrier reef) and reef edge (fringing reef).

There are approximately 295 species of reef fish and many kinds of consumption fishes such as grouper (Epinephelus spp.), Skipjack (Katsuwonus spp.), Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), and baronang (Siganus sp.).

A total of 244 types of mollusks including lola (Trochus niloticus), goat’s head shell (Cassis cornuta), triton (Charonia tritonis), batulaga (Turbo spp.), Clam shell (Tridacna squamosa), pearl oysters (Pinctada spp.), And the hollow nautilus (Nautilus pompillius).

The types of turtles were recorded, including hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), green turtle (Chelonia mydas), and the cracked turtle (Dermochelys coriacea).

The best year to visit: April to June and October to December each year. All that can be done at 15 islands in the Taka Bonerate National Park are diving, snorkeling, and other marine tourism.

Diving at Takabonerate photo by ben_wayan

How to reach the location:
Use bus from Makassar to Bulukumba (153 km) with five hours travel time, and then to the port by ferry Pamatata Selayar about two hours, which continued into the Benteng around 1.5 hours. From the Benteng to the nearby island of Rajuni Kecil using wooden ship about five hours.

In the Balinese Hindu, there is a ceremony for the ancestors after Ngaben that is called Mamukur or Memukur. Mamukur is the highest stage after Ngaben (incineration or burning of the dead bodies). Since the rite costs a lot of money, the people of Bali rarely held this ceremony only for a dead person but for a group of their ancestors or mass Mamukur. The cost for the ceremony can be more expensive then Ngaben.

The word Mamukur comes from Balinese language bhu (natural) and ur (above). It is a sacred ceremony that becoming Balinese Hindus obligations. In this religion, every person has a debt to Sang Hyang Widi Wasa (God), Guru (Teachers), and Ancestors. This understanding gave a sacred duty called Pitra Yadnya. When a parent dies, the children should hold Ngaben and then mamukur - both are series of purification ceremony for the atma (spirit).

In the Balinese Hindu belief, atma is the spark of the Creator in the human body that will never die. When human life, atma attached to the rough body (badan wadag). However, when a man dies, his atma still attached to the invisible soft body (suksma sarira). Atma and suksma sarira still has the characters of human desire. Mamukur is a purification ceremony for atma to be apart from suksma sarira, and to be the holy spirit (Dewa pitara) which merged with Sang Hyang Widi Wasa.

“After Ngaben, suksma sarira can go out of the temple and even his old house. After mamukur, because it was pure and free from subtle body, the God of Pitara can incarnate in the body of the grandchildren or great-grandson who will born.

In other words, Ngaben ceremony is to release the spirit from the rough body, while mamukur to release the spirit from the soft body becomes the holy spirit - the peak of perfection in human life cycle.

In the peak of mamukur, after some preliminary ceremony that are very meticulous, the 36 symbols of spirit moved arround a white bull or a round payadnyan Stana, a symbol of home for the spirit. This symbolizes the spirit riding the Nandini.

Ngaben ceremony photo by dicomini

After all the symbols are placed in Stana, in the middle of the night is the ceremony of burning the symbols. The next day, the ashes taken to sea to be floated. So, the sacred ceremony of Mamukur has been finished.

Malioboro Festival 2009 which will be held 6 - 8 November 2009 along on Malioboro street and its surrounding, is expected to become an icon of tourism in Yogyakarta. This event will be more interesting and has a different color than some other tourist attractions in Yogyakarta.

Yogyakarta has a wealth of cultural attractions and a variety of tourist attractions that is not exist in other areas of Indonesia so that the Festival is expected to become a new icon of Malioboro”s tourism in Yogyakarta.

The festival will be full with “performance art” with a touch of cultural education, the festival will also be dominated by the configuration of batik as a symbol of high Indonesian culture, especially belong to the people of Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

Yogyakarta has responsibility to participate in preserving their cultural heritage like batik, so that batik is not only treated as tourism attraction but also an economic commodity to be sold to the tourists.

Andong in Yogyakarta Photo by bluefox808

The Government is optimistic the Malioboro Festival 2009 that is held by the Tourism Office of Yogyakarta will become the cultural tourism attractions that attract tourists because of the show included artists and cultural experts, including cultural communities in Yogyakarta. This festival will be a reincarnation of Malioboro past cultural tourism.