Indonesian Travel Destination

Maninjau Lake

2011-03-03T06:12:00.000-08:00

Maninjau Lake is a lake in the district of Tanjung Raya, Agam regency, West Sumatra province, Indonesia. The lake is located about 140 km north of Padang, West Sumatra's capital, 36 kilometers from Bukittinggi, 27 kilometers from Lubuk cone, Agam regency capital. Maninjau which is a volcanic lake is located at a height of 461.50 meters above sea level. Size Maninjau approximately 99.5 km ² and has a maximum depth of 495 meters. Formed since the eruption of Mount Cekungannya named Sitinjau (according to local legend), this can be seen from the shape of the hill around the lake that resembles like a wall.

According to the legend in Ranah Minang, the existence of Lake Maninjau closely related to the story of Bujang Nine. Lake Maninjau a source of water to the river named Rod Antokan. In one part of the lake, which is upstream from there Antokan Batang Hydroelectric Maninjau. The highest peak around Lake Maninjau diperbukitan known as Puncak Lawang. To be able to reach the lake from the direction of Bukittinggi Maninjau if it will pass through a winding road known as Curved 44 along about 10 KM from morning until into Maninjau Ambun.

The lake is listed as the eleventh largest lake in Indonesia. While in West Sumatra, Maninjau is the second largest lake after Lake Batur which has an area of 129.69 km ² are located in two districts of Tanah Datar and Solok district. In the vicinity of Lake Maninjau there are tourist facilities, such as Hotel (Maninjau Indah Hotel, Pasir Panjang Permai) as well as lodging and restaurants.

Pemali Hot Spring

2010-04-05T00:12:00.000-07:00

Most of Indonesian Island, lies in a volcanic belt, however, Bangka Island has no volcanoes. The Pemali Hot Springs is naturally created pool from the underground hot springs in the area. The tin workers found it and today a recreation park exists around the spring's area. Please make sure to bring along your swimming suit and be ready to jump into the hot water pool or just relax and enjoy the panoramic view of the recreation park.

Pemali Hot Springs is the main tourism of Sungailiat town. This hot springs come from the active land and suit for health and avoid the rigidly by stand in the water. This tourism objects has equipped with some tourism facilities such as; hotels, shops, etc.

TANJUNG KELIAN OLD LIGHTHOUSE

2010-04-05T00:03:00.000-07:00

The old lighthouse was built in 1826. It is located about 9 km of Muntok district. In the surrounding area we still can find wrecks of Dutch and British ships, which were torpedoed by Japanese warships during the Second World War, on 16 February 1942.

Take our time to climb up 199 steps to reach the top of the lighthouse and enjoy the spectacular view from the height of approximately 60 M above sea level.

We can see the whole beaches in Muntok.

Gajah Cave

2010-04-04T23:54:00.000-07:00

Goa Gajah, literally means 'Elephant Cave”. Although named by 'elephant' it doesn't mean there is any real elephant live or ever live here. The name Goa Gajah derived from 'Lawa Gajah', which is mentioned in the manuscripts that found in this site. This temple complex was built for the first time around 11 century based on epigraph found in this site.

A seven-meters deep cave with a shape of T-letter is the major attraction of this Bedulu village's local temple.

The cave it self is carved in a solid stone hill of the river valley. The main figure of the carving at the cave entrance is 'boma', a barong face, accompanied with big clapping fingers on its side. Leaf, flower, and some horror figures can be noticed if we give more attention look to the rest of the carving. Some holes that are considered to be used as meditation or sleeping quarters can be found in the wall of the cave. Nowadays, those holes are used to place offerings whenever there is ceremonies taking place. On the left end side of the cave is Ganesha statue, believe it as 'the God of knowledge'. Meanwhile on the right end side can be found three 'linggas', that each of them dedicated to the three common God manifestations in Bali, Brahma, Wisnu, and Siwa. There are other three stone carvings in the centre wall, one of them figuring head and face.

Three other statues of Ganesha, demons and Men Brayut, a legendary lady with her beloved children, are placed on a high building located on the left side of cave entrance. It is considered that these statues are 1000 years old. In the middle of the complex, in front of the cave, there is bathing place that is not any longer used by the local people. The angle figures within the bathing complex are about similar to common figures found in India. On the south part of the complex, there are along flight of step leads down the lower part of the valley. After crossing a bridge above a small creek and follow another flight of steps up to eastern side of the valley, a headless sitting Buddha statue can be seen. This is the evident of a close relationship between the two religions.

Bedugul

2009-12-17T23:23:00.000-08:00

Bedugul is the name of both a small city and a mountain-lake resort area, which Balinese have long used for weekend retreats. Bedugul is located on the main north-south road between Denpasar and Singaraja in cool damp mountain country, an excellent base for walking trips around the lakes and surrounding hills. Bedugul is located in a high plateau at the center of the Island.

Cool air and mists are natural for the place. Bedugul is a resort in Bratan Mountains, famous for its golf course; and also the Ulun Danu. Ulu Danu is an amazing temple, which seems to have risen out of Bratan Lake 1,200metres above sea level. There are many water sports available here are boating, water skiing, and parasailing. When the heat and humidity are get, why not escape to Bedugul. Bali's highland retreat has tucked into the crater of an extinct volcano 1400 meters above sea level. Bedugul is known for the quality of its fruit, vegetables and flowers. There are several places to stay near the lake and there is also an interesting temple, botanical gardens, an excellent golf course and a variety of activities on Lake Bratan itself.

Bedugul is a favorite place for Balinese family for weekend picnic. Bedugul is also a center of horticulture. We'll find plenty of fruits and vegetables here. Here we find 3 of Bali 4 lakes, Bratan, Buyan, and Tamblingan. Bratan, the largest of the three is perfect place for water sports such as para sailing, motor boating, jet skiing, water skiing, canoeing, etc. Bedugul fertile soil also produced abundance of plants and trees, some of them formed rain forests with their exotic birds, monkeys, and other creatures.

Kintamani

2009-11-29T23:15:00.000-08:00

The villages of Kintamani and Penelokan provide a great view of the still active Mount Batur and its fantastic lake. Seven miles in diameter and sixty feet deep, Batur caldera is simply astounding. From Penelokan, take the road Kedisan on the shores of the lake where boats can be rented to cross over to Trunyan. The spectacular mountainous region around Kintamani with its deep Crater Lake and bubbling hot springs, make this region a must to visit.

Batur Lake is the largest lake in Bali and the region offers some of the most spectacular views to be found anywhere on the island. Batur Lake also provides water for an underground network of streams and springs across the southern slopes of the mountain. Kintamani is really great for day trips, trekking or simply for getting away from it all for a few days.

Kintamani can run through Payangan or from Denpasar through the Sangeh monkey forest, Plaga and Lampu, arriving to the north of Kintamani. Bemos to Kintamani are available from Ubud via Sakah (notable for its huge "Baby" statue). They also run via Tampaksiring and Bangli. From Denpasar bemos leave for Kintamani from the Batubulan terminal until late afternoon.

Tour to Kintamani is a very impressive experience where Kintamani Area have very beautiful panorama located in plateau and also encircled by mountain atmosphere with the windblast from Mount Batur.

Bangka Island

2009-05-05T01:46:00.000-07:00

Bangka Island is one of the island belong to Bangka-Belitung Province. The name Bangka is derived from the word ''Wangka'' which means ''tin''. Bangka lies east of Sumatra. Pangkal Pinang is the largest town and the capital of Bangka Belitung, and Sungailiat is the second large city in Bangka Island.

While, Muntok is the principal port.

This Island population is approximately 600 thousand people; consist of different ethnic groups, which come from all part of Indonesia. Accountings for 30% of Bangka population, 66% of Bangka people still depend of farming, other descendants of the tin mining company worker, fishing and other activities. The best product from Bangka Island is "BANKATIN", which has a worldwide reputation amongst tin consumers as standard tin or grade "A" tin. The other important products of the island are rubber and pepper. Sepintu Sedulang dance performed to welcome distinguished guests, the dance describes the open-hearted character of Bangkanese people, it is also performed during festivals occasions, other dance is Lion dance, it is performed to chase away evil spirits, some dancers being under a magicians influence go into a trance.

Geographically

The province is surrounded by South China Sea, Bangka straights and Java Sea. Bangka lies just east of Sumatra, separated by Bangka Strait. The marine environment around these islands is colorful. Bangka Island, which is situated at the Southern of the China Sea, it's between Sumatra and Borneo Island. There are many beautiful beaches located in the Northwest of Bangka Island. This Island is bordered by:

North Side: Natuna Sea
East side: Natuna Sea
South side: Pangkalpinang town and Bangka Tengah Regency
West side: Bangka Barat Regency, Bangka Strait and Kelabat Bay

Demographics

The majority of the inhabitants are Malay Indonesians and Chinese mostly Hakkas. The average humidity is approximately 80 %.

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Belitung Island

2009-04-22T00:13:00.000-07:00

Belitung is an Island in South East Asia, a part of Nation archipelago. Belitung is ruled by Indonesia since 1950 and became a district of South Sumatra province. On November 21st, 2000, Belitung and Bangka Island has been approved to become the 31st province of Indonesia separated from South Sumatra. This new province is called ‘Kepulauan Bangka Belitung’ province. This Island is placed at 107o 35' - 108o 18' Latitude and 2o 30' - 3o 15' Longitude.

The length of the diameter from East to West is about 79 km and North to South about 77 km. The total land is 480.060 hectares with 189 small islands surround Belitung. Some of them are quite big with a couple of villages. They are Mendanau Island, Seliu Island, Nadu Island and Batu Dinding Island. Most of Belitung population is come of Melayu ethnic and most of them are Moslem. There are some other ethnics likes Chinese, Javanese, Balinese and some people from Sumatra like Palembang, Minang and Batak. Belitung regency consists of 9 districts and 69 villages. The capital of Belitung is Tanjungpandan, which stay at North West of this Island. The other large towns are Manggar, Gantung, Kelapa Kampit and Sijuk. The main resources, which also become the main product of Belitung Island, are tin mining, kaolin, quartz sands, and granite rock. The plantation are mainly palm oil, pepper, coconut, coffee, natural rubber, and vegetable.

If seen from its tourism sector, Belitung is an island with beautiful beaches, the unique landscape with its purely white sand, and the crystal clear seawater. Belitung is also popular with its granite boulder white stones beach in Tanjung Tinggi, Tanjung Kelayang, Tanjung Binga dan Lengkuas Island. This beautiful nature is also accompanied by hundreds of small islands, which add the beautiful tourism area in Belitung Island. Belitung Island is one of the best and unique beaches own in Indonesia.

Bantimurung

2009-03-04T09:25:00.000-08:00

To the north of Ujung Pandang and driving east along the mountain range, is the Bantimurung waterfall, about 41 km from the capital. A cascade of sparkling water gushes out between rocky cliffs into a stream shaded by tall trees. Here the air is filled with butterflies, which fly from shrub to shrub over the water. These rare brightly colored ornithoid butterflies are considered the most beautiful in the world.

Malino

2009-03-02T09:20:00.000-08:00

Formerly the holiday resort of the kings. Malino, which is 70 km from Ujung Pandang offers a heaven from city-life. Located on the slopes of Mt. Bawakaraeng it has a cool climate with forests of pine trees making it picturesque. Deer hunting on horseback was a royal sport in the days gone by. Beside that, Malino also produce some fruits and vegetables, which grew on the Moun Bawakaraeng's slope. Some of South Sulawesi people had sacred this mount.

SUAYA

2009-02-28T09:16:00.000-08:00

The graveyard lies on one of the hillsides. It is carved as the resting place of the kings and king's family; in conform to the Toraja King dresses, placed in front of stone grave. There are some stone steps to reach the hill, where the kings had their contemplation during their life. A museum will be built in this place to keep the property of King Sangalla.

2009-02-26T09:13:00.000-08:00

You will find white sandy beaches at Bira, 178 km from Ujung Pandang to the south. Traditional shipbuilding is also located in this area. Not far from this area visitors can cross to Selayar Island.

Derawan Island

2009-02-24T09:10:00.000-08:00

On the south of Ternate City, the Portuguese built the unfinished Kayu Merah Fortress on 1510. The peak of Gamalama is 1271 meters high and can be reached by trail. It has three craters and its surrounding environment is very beautiful. Stones from Gamalama's eruption are scattered across the landscape.

Tanah Merah Waterfall

2009-02-23T18:42:00.000-08:00

The location of Tanah Merah Waterfall is about 14 Km from Samarinda downtown, precisely in Purwosari orchard, north Samarinda district. This tourism place has compatible calm for family recreation because equipped with wide park area; ancient verandah palace to took a rest, booth, open stage and others. To reach this place can join with others public vehicle of Segiri Market - Siring River route.

Pintu Kota

2009-02-21T18:40:00.000-08:00

Pintu Kota is a big coral that looks like a gate and stay at Banda Sea. This tourism object is located in Airlaow village and Seri Village. The uniquely of this is the specific coral form. Gotong Royong Market in the harbor area is slowly being replaced by sanitized setting of a newly built Merdeka market. Shopping along Patty Street of the market, look for framed montages from shaped pieces of mother of pearl, 'ikat' cloth from Taimbar and miniature ships cleverly made from wire and cloves. At the end of Patty Street, there is the Al Fatah Mosque.

ALOR AND LEMBATA ISLAND

2009-02-20T18:47:00.000-08:00

Alor and Lembata Islands are the least visited and are therefore the most unspoiled regions of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Trek to the rim of Pantar volcano, visit the traditional whaling village on Lembata or dive the straits of Alor at a dive destination rated by all to be amongst the best in the world.

Alor Island regency is the least visited and therefore the most unspoiled region of Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT). Trek to the rim of a volcano on Pantar or dive the straits of Alor and Pantar in a dive destination rated by all to be amongst the best in the world. Alor diving is known as the best in the world With its smoldering Volcanoes reaching down into crystal clear waters fringed with pristine coral reefs, coconut fringed pure white sandy beaches and traditional villages built half way up mountains, the scenery is as spectacular above as it is below the waterline. The eight distinct dialects and more than 50 sub-dialects spoken today, testifies to the diversity on Alor.

Alor traditional culture has been influenced over the ages by the Indian, Chinese and Javanese traders as well as by the Islamic and Christian religions. This can be seen in the silk thread woven into the original weavings and the mix of Mosques and Christian churches dotted throughout the Island. The traditional dances, Ikat weavings motifs and the varies architectural style greatly from area to area. With more than a dozen traditional villages within one hours drive from the capital Kalabahi - Alor is a cultural tourists heaven.

Lembata Island is known throughout the world as the home of traditional whaling but what is not known is that the people of this Island are especially rich in cultural tradition. The beautiful rich Ikat weavings are entirely made from homegrown cotton, spun and dyed by the weaver. The scenery throughout the Island is breathtaking, from the ever-imposing "Ile Ape" volcano of the palm fringed bays to the colorful bustling local markets - beauty and excitement are everywhere.

Lamalera village located on the southern tip of Lembata Island is the home of a traditional whale hunting community. Here, Sperm Whales have been hunted for centuries using all hand made equipment; their spears, rope and boats are all made in the village. The boats are without motors and the harpooner must jump from the boat to implant his harpoon in to the whale to ensure success.

Ambon City

2009-02-19T18:38:00.000-08:00

The name of the island Ambon is believed to come from the word apon, meaning "plantation'. Indeed, Ambon was one of the firsts Moluccan islands to be occupied by the Portuguese and used as a plantation. Ambon City is the Main City and seaport of Ambon Island, and is the capital of Maluku Province. It is one of the largest cities in eastern Indonesia.

Ambon, the provincial capital of Maluku, which is built on a hillside overlooking the bay, has a number of interesting sites of historical and cultural interests. Among them are the remnants of some old forts built by the Dutch East Indies Company during the heydays of the spice trade and the Siwa Lima Museum with its local arts and crafts collection. More ruins of forts are found such as the Dutch one at Lima and those of the Portuguese at Hila, which are almost entirely hidden underneath the contorted roots of a giant Banyan tree.

The ANZAC War Cemetery near Ambon town is the site of services held every year to commemorate the Allied soldiers who died in the region during world War 11. Ambon is at Maluku end of the annual yacht race between Darwin, Australia and Ambon. The race usually takes place in August.

Ambon, as a beautiful city, has a lot of tourism objects that offer the tourist much beautiful scenery. On arrival in AMBON, you will be met at Pattimura airport, transfer to your hotel. After lunch, visit WAISELAKA POND in WAAI, its clear crystal water inhabited by holy eel, The Crazy Bamboo Performance. You can have dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Derawan Island

2009-02-18T18:44:00.000-08:00

Derawan Island is preserve area that went out to sea, part of Sangalaki island, which is located not far from offshore Batu foreland, between Berau and Tarakan. This island has beautiful panorama with clean white coast with adjoining coconut palm forest, and a number of small villages encircle island. This place has known as sea tourism location especially for dive and snorkeling activities.

Although situation of outlying, but the popularity of Derawan Island and islands in vicinity increasingly as location sea tourism. The marines around Derawan Island is rich with fish especially a kind of fish that always forage on the surface of water whereas birds fly above it to pounce adrift food on the sea. Green tortoise, which is scarce laid eggs along the Derwan Island beach, is not far from diving Derwan Dive Resort location. You will not meet car or motor in this island while electrics only live a few nocturnal clocks.

Raja Ampat Island

2009-02-17T18:35:00.000-08:00

The Raja Ampat Island in Irian is group spreads out over a huge area and consists of over 610 islands. The four largest islands are Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati and Misool.

The area's reefs are covered in a diverse selection of both hard and soft corals. Most of the areas reefs are pristine, with mile after mile of perfect hard corals, drift after drift of soft corals of many species and colors ranging from brilliant red, to shocking yellow pretty pink and exotic purple. Most reef dives are very colorful. The tourist would be able to experience the best dives sites within those islands, which include Cape Kri, Mellisa's Garden, Sardines Reef, The Passage, Nudibranch Rock, Wai Island Night Dive.

Raja Ampat is the western island of Papua Island. The name of Raja Ampat based on the legend. This area had begun with 6 eggs that found by King Waikew in Waigeo Island. But from the 6 eggs, just 5 eggs had crack. From the fifth eggs that had cracked, the 4 eggs was become men who become King of four big islands that is Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati and Misool. That woman was born a child named Gura Besi that known as the historical man of Raja Ampat, because of his heroic story.

The regency that formed based on the constitution number 26 in 2002, is the development of Sorong regency on 12 April 2003. This regency has 10 districts and 85 villages with about 48.707 men.
Geographically, this area has strategic location. Its boundaries is:

North side: Pacific Ocean
West Side: North Maluku
South side: Maluku Sea
East Side: Sorong Regency

For the fauna sector, Raja Ampat has rarely fauna, such as; red birds of paradise (Paradise Rubra), Wilson birds of paradise (Cicinnurs Republica), Maleo Waigeo (Spilocuscus Papuensis), and rainbow fishes.

MOUNT LOKON AND MAWAHU

2009-02-15T18:30:00.000-08:00

Volcano Loko (1580 m) and Mahawu (1311 m), both have very beautiful cauldron. Lokon is usually assumed become more beautifully and simple road ought to be made for the climbers in competent condition. Unfolding vapour cauldron temperature 600 m under the top of the mountain. The lake that about 60 m depth has covered with yellows brimstone.

The good time to start the journey from Kakaskasen is at 7 mornings, reach the crater in morning still cold and the sun has just fulfilled the crater. This thing is important for contact the observation post of Mount Lokon and Mount Mahawu in Kakaskasen III, Tomohon.

Mount Lokon Located to the west and not far from the resort, the active Mt Lokon affords a magnificent panoramic view of the Highlands and out towards the sea. Solidified lava flows meander down the side of the volcano and can easily be followed up to the steaming crater (a brisk walk of about 45 minutes). Ash is often seen around the tip of the crater and is sometimes blown into the nearby town.

Mount Mahawu Opposite Mt Lokon is its smaller sister, Mt Mahawu. The gentler slopes of Mahawu offer a less challenging hike but the view is no less impressive. Inside the crater is a steaming emerald-green lake ringed with yellow sulphur deposits.

Talang Lake

2009-02-11T20:04:00.000-08:00

Talang Lake tourism object that located in Lembang Jaya districts is state ± 2 Km of the twin lakes (Diatas Lake and Dibawah Lake). The Lakes that located about 1.400 m of sea level is state between the cool and fresh hills with fruits and vegetables fields. The nature lover who likes to hiking, the small lake with about 1,9 Ha width, that actually is one of the two of Mount Talang Purba crater, can reach by foot from Alahan Panjang or the twin lakes in one hour walking.

Ngalau Indah Caves

2009-02-10T19:57:00.000-08:00

On the road from Bukittinggi to Payakumbuh these caves extend deep into the mountainside. The domains of thousands of bats, which we won't see but only, hear and sense as they fly close over our head. At the main entrance is a stone with an outline of an elephant visible on its face. The coolness and damp air is refreshing after the tropical heat outside. The path through these caves leads out to the top of the mountain from where it is quite panoramic. The drive up to the hillside itself is worth making because of the variety of the exquisite views along way.

Jeram Semaka Waterfall

2009-02-09T19:50:00.000-08:00

Jeram Semaka waterfall is located in Pekon Way Kerap Semaka district that be at a distance around 25 km from the centre of the government of the Tanggamus Regency. Physically, this waterfall consisted of 3 levels where the source of his spring came from TNBBS II, where at the moment the location is still being very natural. This tourist attraction is potential enough to be developed because apart from having the special attraction like his nature situation that beautiful, and luxuriant forest with the temperature of revolving air of 20°-30°C, also had the location of the development reached ± 5 hectares with the potential for the inhabitants of this area as the producer of pepper and biggest coffee in the Lampung province moreover is one of the areas of the rice barn.

Ranau Lake

2009-02-06T18:07:00.000-08:00

Ranau Lake is surrounded by mountainuous highland and natural view. It is located in the West Lampung sharing border with South Sumatera Province. Cottages and boat are available. Liwa is the nearest town from Lampung (capital of West Lampung). Beauty of Chilli of nature that still natural made this area an area of the tour visit in Lampung West. In this area tourists could enjoy the beauty of the Ranau Lake that was surrounded by green hills as well as the Seminung Mountain that erect soared._Fresh and clear him Ranau Lake water very supportive for the swimming activity.

Tourists could also enjoy the beauty of nature scenery ranau with boating the motor. Moreover for that wanted to be submerged in hot water, in this area also was gotten by the source of hot water.

Baiturrahman Mosque

2009-02-05T17:56:00.000-08:00

Sitting in a vast expanse of green fields, the white washed walls and minerals, and charcoal blacks domes of the Grand Mosque are the most famous landmark in Aceh. The Great of Baiturrahman Mosque is the main feature of Banda Aceh today. Lying at the heart of the city completed with excellent architectural style, this mosque is really one of Indonesia prime tourism sides.

The Mosque was built in 12 Century and had caught fire several time include when the Dutch attacked Kutaraja (Banda Aceh) in 1873. Another mosque to replace the former one was later built by Dutch Military Government that was completed in 1883. The Mosque is extra ordinary in architecture and ornamentation. It has five onion shaped domes, two tall mine rates, wide white walls, and around is pillars various kinds of beautiful ornament.

Jeram Semaka Waterfall

2009-02-03T18:16:00.000-08:00

Dendam Tak Sudah Lake

2009-02-03T17:50:00.000-08:00

This small lake, located 8 km from Bengkulu, has been curiously named Dendam Tak Sudah ('never-ending grudge'). The lake has facilities for water-skiing and boating and its surroundings feature an abundance of orchids known as Vanda hokriana. When they bloom, the lakeside transforms into a huge exotic flower garden. Dendam Tak Sudah Lake is surrounded by mountainous scenery and hosted by habitat for typical water orchid called Vanda Hookeriana (Merr.), naturally a hydro parasitic plant, as well as a means of natural conservation in biodiversity. This lake has been used for fishing, canoeing and other water sports facility proposed.

Enggano Island

2009-02-01T08:31:00.000-08:00

Enggano lies about 110 miles (177 km) south of Bengkulu city. It is about 22 miles (35 km) long east west and 10 miles (16 km) wide north south. Its average elevation is about 330 feet (100 m). Hills, rising to about 922 feet (281 m), cover most of the area. The island covers an area of 40,260 hectares, which is dominated by dense rainforest with its wild buffaloes. Mainly we can see the culture, or the life manners of traditional society and native's Enggano dances. A pioneer boat at Baai Island Harbour or hiring a small boat at Bintuhan seaport can reach the island. Visitors can see the culture, or the life manners of traditional society and native's Enggano dances. A pioneer bat at pulau Baai harbor or hiring a small boat at Bintuhan seaport can reach the island.

There are 5 clans Isukul spread over the entire island: The Kaharuba, Kaarubi, Kaitora, Kaahoao and the Kauno. A matrilineal society, descent is traced through the female line and daughters usually inherit farmlands. Half call them Christian, the other half call them Mosleem. But actually this society is one of the last truly animist strongholds in Indonesia. Engganese culture is sure now to disappear as a result of assimilation into an indiscriminate Indonesian culture.

Bukit Daun

2009-01-28T09:39:00.000-08:00

This is a protected recreation forest located between Bengkulu and Curup, about 45 km from Bengkulu. It is inhabited by a great variety of animal species. Located in a sparsely populated region of Sumatra, Bukit Daun forms a twin volcano with Gedang volcano, which is truncated by a 3-km-wide probable caldera. The 600-m-wide summit crater of Bukit Daun contains a crater lake; a smaller crater lake is found at Tologo Kecil on the SSW flank. No historical eruptions are known from Bukit Daun, although active fumaroles occur in the SSW flank crater.

About Indonesian

2009-01-26T12:25:00.000-08:00

Indonesia is a vast and beautifully diverse country consisting of more than 17,000 islands, of which anly about 6,000 are inhabitated, stretching more than 5,000 kms between the Australia and Asia continental main island and dividing the Pacific and Indian Oceans on the Equator. Indonesia offers the blend of scenic beauty, flora and fun, culture and marine parks. There are stunning architectural features on the island.

The main island of Java is the most populous and where the capital city, Jakarta, located. Jakarta is home to millions of people, a varied blend of shops, good museums, great nightlife, nationalistic monuments and bustling port of Old Batavia. The cultural capital of Yogyakarta is relaxed and offers a window to traditional arts and crafts.

It is possible to experience traditional Ramayana theatre in Yogyakarta. Nearby archaeological site of Borobudur and Prambanan is one of the seventh world best heritages located in Central Java. Volcanoes from a backbone to Java with Mounts Bromo and Merapi popular tourist sites. Other Javanese towns of interest include Bogor, Bandung, Surabaya, Solo and Malang.

Just off East Java are the popular island resorts of Bali and Lombok. These tranquil islands are the tropical playgrounds of Idonesia with great beaches, resorts, nightlife, food, shopping and interesting cultural contrast. It is posible to experience Balinese dance and theatre in Ubud, Bali.

The islands to the east of Lombok provide an adventurous journey to many varied cultures. Komodo island is the home of the famous dragon reptile and Flores is renowned for its incredible beauty and challenging dives. Sumba is the home of to many intricate ikat textiles and Sulawesi is a cultural melting pot.

Balinese boats crusing round the islands
The island of Sumatra, the word's fifth largest, is less settled and featured vast rainforest, orang utans, beautiful Lake Toba and commercial centres of Bukittinggi and Medan.

Kalimantan is the Indonesian part of the island Borneo and its transected by wide rivers and forests for plantations. Several ethnic groups live here and there are opportunities to visit their villages. The travelling is adventurous with enermous distances between settlements.

Irian Jaya is culturally unique even by Indonesian standard to the rest of Indonesia and a part of west Irian province is the most original tourist areas in the world. The scenary ranges from snow capped peaks to vast riverine wetlands with view people in between.

Indonesian food varies from region to region but it is cheap, easily accessible and fresh. Fresh fruit is a highlight. Indonesian love to watch and play badminton and football. The diverse culture ensures many diverse holidays most of which are related to religious calendars.

Borobudur Temple

2009-01-21T06:37:00.000-08:00

When you visit Jogyakarta, the center of Javanese Arts & Cultures and one of Indonesia's most important centers of learning where's you can visit the Kraton, Royal Palace of the Sultan (Javanese King) where Javanese traditional music Gamelan and Ramayana Ballet are regularly performed, or during the free program, you explore around the long main street Jalan Malioboro, a great place to practice your bargaining skills before you enter the higher quality Batik workshops and enjoying the night life. Don't miss visit Borobudur Temple, It is located at Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia, 42-km northwest of Yogyakarta or 90-km southeast of Semarang and leave very early morning from Jogyakarta or Semarang direct to Borobudur, you will enjoy the Beautiful sunrise from this beautiful temple

Borobudur Temple ("Candi Borobudur" in Indonesian) is Indonesia's single most visited tourist attraction. Borobudur temple is the one of the best-preserved ancient monument in Indonesia that are most frequently visited by over a million domestic as well as foreign visitors. It also had been acclaimed by the world as a cultural heritage main kind. The architectural style has no equal through out the world. It was completed centuries before Angkor Wat in Kamboja. Borobudur is one of the world's most famous temples, it stands majestically on a hilltop erlooking lush green fields and distant hills. Borobudur is built of gray andesite stone. It rises to seven terraces, each smaller than the one below it. The top is the Great Stupa, standing 40 meters above the ground. The walls of the Borobudur are sculptured in bas-reliefs extending over a total length of six kilometers. It has been hailed as the largest and most complete ensemble of Buddhist relieves in the world, unsurpassed in artistic merit and each scene an individual masterpiece.Borobudur Temple is the temple monument comprises six square platforms topped by threecircular platforms, and is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. A main dome, located at the center of the top platform, is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues seated inside perforated stupa and one of the world wonders and the biggest Buddhist temple in the ninth century Mahayana Buddhist monument measuring 123 x 123 meters.

Borobudur Temple is one of the greatest Buddhist monuments and one of the most magnificent Buddhist shrines in the world was built at the end of the 9th century by the Hindu kings of the Sailendra dynasty between 750 and 842 AD; 300 years before Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, 400 years before work had begun on the great European cathedrals. Little is known about its early history except that a huge tropical heat to shift and carve the 60,000 Cu m of stone. Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles revealed Borobudur Temple in 1814.

Borobudur has since been preserved through several restorations. The largest restoration project was undertaken between 1975 and 1982 by the Indonesian government and UNESCO, following which the monument was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Borobudur is still used for pilgrimage; once a year Buddhists in Indonesia celebrate Vesak at the monument.

Overnight place
Many hotels and lodging can be found in there, from the cottage till five star class or more can be made the choice to stay and overnight.

Surf , surf and surfing

2009-01-19T07:22:00.000-08:00

The surf in Bali is generally not huge, but most often in the 2-6 foot range (shoulder-high to double overhead). Larger waves can occur on some of the exposed reefs, but a mellower surf break can always be found in Bali by anyone who wishes to avoid life-threatening conditions. Bali has surf breaks both the west-facing and east-facing coastlines and, because of this an offshore wind can be found somewhere on the island on any given day. Because of the number of surf breaks and the quality and consistency of the waves in Bali, it is still possible to find a many places to surf with only a small to moderate crowd.

The surf is always up on the Island of the God's! and regardless of what country you hail from you will feel the mystique of surfing Bali's beaches ...with so many exotic locations available on the island you can choose from white sands, black sands, amazing scenery, traditional fisherman and fishing villages which all add to the unique experience that comes with Surfing Bali.In Bali spirits come out to play in the moonlight, every night is a festival and even a funeral is an opportunity to have a good time. The surf camp is architect designed and newly built. Located near the balinese pipeline, there are a variety of breaks nearby suitable for surfers of all standards - from beginners to professionals. Uluwatu, Padang, Impossibles, Bingin, Dreamland and Balangan are all easily accessible from the centrally located Surf Camp. Feel the adventure , hot , winds , wet so exiting and more

adventure.

Bromo and Semeru Mountains

2009-01-14T08:06:00.000-08:00

If you are traveling to East Java, unfortunately if not visit to the Nature Tours area of Bromo-Semeru National Park. Moreover the weather is cool and fresh condition and nature mountainous is imprisoned.Bromo-Semeru National Park is the only conservation area has a unique of sand sea caldera in Indonesia with wide around 5,250 hectares and resides at height of 2392 above meters of sea level

Bromo and Semeru Mount are Active Mountain and the most famous objects as a tourist in East Java. This beautiful tourism area will not find in other places. You can see the active volcano from the Peak of Bromo Mountain and spread of Sand Ocean, also you can bear witness the majesty of the Semeru Mountain and beauty sunrise.

Event around of 14th or 15th in Kesodo [to-ten] of mount according to the Java calendar, you can witness the Kesodo ritual ceremony, which was held by the Tengger Ethnic. Kesodo is a rituality ceremony for pray as omen blessings from the God.How to achieve in this area.You can reach this area by a car Around 125 Km from Juanda Intrnational Airport (Surabaya). And there are four main gates to enter to this national park area that is: Cemorolawang village if through via Probolinggo traffic lane, Wonokitri village through via Pasuruan traffic lane, Ngadas village through via Malang traffic lane and Burno village through via Lumajang traffic lane.Overnight placeVarious hotels and lodging can be found in the Bromo-Semeru National Park district, from the cottage till four star hotels can be made the choice to stay in the Bromo with low price.And you can wander around in the area National Park with rented of the vehicle jeep type 4x4. Or if you want to wander around only at sand sea of Bromo, you can ride on horseback, which many available for rent in there.SuggestionThe best season for visits around June till October and December till January.Your health should be excellent and should be prepared the previsions of cold weather such as warm clothing, headgear, gloves and the much provision of foods and drinks when you trip will be better if you buy a stock of food and drink as your stock.
Original post by Gusn

Gado Gado

2009-01-11T21:58:00.000-08:00

Ask almost any seasoned dining veteran on the island, expatriate or visitor, which restaurant has one of the best beach views and the answer will, invariably, be Gado Gado.

The kitchen command changed hands, the menu strayed into foolishly ambitious territories and the once loyal crowd collectively voted with their feet.

Gado Gado was but a memory, albeit a fond one. From the entrée selection the foie gras terrine with vanilla, fig compote, herb salad and toasted brioche is palatable but nowhere near as rewarding as the excellent ceviche of fresh sea bass with fresh herbs and a sour dough crumble – a dish that is unusual, highly original and rewarding, full marks.

A token nod is cast at any visiting vegetarians with just one main course being available – a semolina gnocchi with marinate artichoke, morel mushrooms and creamy goats cheese sauce. The roasted duck breast with red cabbage, caramelized apple, pommes salardaise and cumin jus could easily have been a disaster but arrives at the table in pristine condition. The duck breast perfectly pink and tender, the cumin jus bringing the dish to life and matched exquisitely to a recommended Pinot Noir on the advice of the staff.

Dessert is a short lived affair with an excellent vanilla infused crème brulee rounding off an impressive return to form for the team at Gado Gado.

BALI: friendly people, fascinating culture

2009-01-06T17:20:00.000-08:00

Bali is one of thousands of beautiful islands in Indonesia, lies to the east of Java and the west of Lombok. Bali is well known as "The Goddess Island" or "The Island of The Thousand Puras/Temples." Bali is also associated with "Paradise", and not without reason. The combination of friendly, hospitable people, the physical beauty of the island, a magnificently visual culture infused with spirituality and (not least) spectacular beaches with great surfing and diving, and the year-round pleasant climate have made Bali Indonesia's unparalleled number one tourist attraction. That's why Bali is also a place regarded by many visitors as the "Ultimate Island". If it's not enough to convince you that Bali is so gorgeous, know this, the island of Bali is year after year voted by the readers of all major travel magazines as the most enchanting travel and holiday destination in the whole world.

Hence, what to do in Bali? The answer is endless. It depends entirely on you and yourself. Bali is a wonderful destination with something for everyone, and though heavily traveled, it is still easy to find some peace and quiet if you like. If you are a spa buff, you will find Bali as the world spa capital - from budget to most exclusive ones. If you are a beach lover, I'm sure you'll rate Bali among the top ten of your beach favorites. If you are an interior or fashion designer, Bali is the place where you can get the most unique and fresh ideas. Whatever you do, there is always a piece of Bali just right for you.

Yes, Bali is multidimensional. Culture, nature, arts, cuisine, sports, shopping, whatever - could be found at their most unique elements in Bali. Even doing nothing comes at its best in this Island of Paradise. During the Nyepi celebration - a yearly tradition where people observe silence, cease from doing any evil, cut out lights entirely. Unquestionably, it is the best remedial solution for your tired soul.

Bali location Surfing

2008-12-30T17:13:00.000-08:00

The main areas where surfers and tourists stay in order of distance from the airport are Kuta (busy, noisy and central), Legian (popular, some say better nightlife), Seminyak (more upmarket and less hectic). The three areas are merged in to one town. o Indonesian Airlines, Malaysian Airlines, Thai Air. Bali International Airport is inWalking from Seminyak to Kuta takes about an hour depending on start and finish points. Legian is halfway between.

* Flights from Dubai to Bali involve a stop in Singapore or somewhere else in Asia. Singapore Airlines are worth checking, als the town of Denpasar but is only 15-20 mins by taxi from Kuta. Don't bother staying in Denpasar.

Traveller's checks are fine but the exchange rate is lower.

Accommodation
* Most, if not all, hotels have lush gardens and swimming pools. * Seminyak a bit more pricey (or there's just fewer cheap hotels in Seminyak) with some very luxurious hotels directly on the beach.
* Sari Beach Inn a good choice in Legian. On the beach.
* Jayakarta Hotel also worth considering.
* The Bounty hotel on Poppies I in Kuta - well-known party central in good location if you want to be in the middle of it all, good buffet breakfast included, ok rooms, swimming pool, 5 min walk to Kuta Beach.

Books and Guides
* "Indo Surf and Lingo" - available in Bali surfshops - good guide to where to surf.
* "Bagus" - introduction to language (Bahasa Indonesia). * Captain Cooks bar
* Macaroni's - on Jl Legian near Poppies II.
* Sea Side
* Tubes, Poppies I - the surfiest surf bar in Kuta. Surf movies on big screen, important sports matches, or latest Hollywood movies. Food reasonable, beer cold. Food &

Drink
* Don't drink the tap water. * Street food is cheap eg 6000 Rp for satay and rice (less than $1).

Sightseeing for surfers and tourists
* "Jalan" means "road" or "street". Jalan Legian is the main road through Kuta, Legian and Seminyak. You'll find shops including many surf shops, cheap bars and retaurants, and a couple of hotels.

Waves
* Balian - 2-3 hours from Kuta/Legian, rights and lefts (long), bigger than Kuta/Legian.
* Bingin - fast barreling wave.
* Changgu - 30 min drive from Legian.
* Kuta - fast beach breaks, beginners will be fine in the soup.
* Legian - not quite as fast or heavy as Kuta, but almost.
* Medewi - less challenging LH wave breaking over rocks but a 3 hour drive from Kuta/Legian/Seminyak.
* Oberoi - (seminyak) bigger than Kuta/Legian but easier to catch and ride because not so hollow or fast.
* Booties - not necessary if you only surf the beach breaks at Kuta, Legian, Seminyak or some of the reef breaks like Dreamland at high tide.
* First Aid Kit / Medicine Kit - not so important if you staying around Bali but perhaps useful if you go on a boat trip.
* Surfboard - shortboard for fast breaking, powerful waves. Plenty of selection if you want to buy one. Prices aren't very cheap though.
* Warm clothes - not necessary, climate is warm and dry or warm and wet or warm and humid.
* Drugs.

Bali Indonesia Tourism Failing to Compete

2008-12-26T02:16:00.001-08:00

The very first Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report prepared by the World Economic Forum has been published with its overall results presented in summary form at the international travel forum ITB in Berlin on Thursday, March 8, 2007.

An exhaustive survey that compared nations in terms of the factors that make a country attractive to tourism resulted in a hierarchical ranking of 124 countries. Switzerland, Austria and Germany finished in the top 3 countries for tourism with Angola, Burundi and Chad occupying the lowest 3 rankings in the list of 124 nations. Also finishing among the top 10 nation (in order of appearance) were Iceland, the U.S.A., Hong Kong, Canada, Singapore, Luxembourg and the U.K..

In determining how a country stacks up in tourism terms, the World Economic Forum looked at the following factors considered to serve as the drivers of a destination's tourism: policy rules and regulations; environmental regulation; safety and security; health and hygiene; prioritization of travel and tourism; Air transport infrastructure; ground transport infrastructure; tourism infrastructure; Information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure; price competitiveness; human capital; national tourism perception; and natural and cultural resources.

Relying on publicly available data, observations from Travel & Tourism experts and independent opinion surveys the final results are intended to evaluate the "factors and polices that make it attractive to develop the Travel & Tourism sector in different countries."
Indonesia Ranks#60
While a complete ranking of all 124 countries is available at [World Economic Report Tourism Competitiveness Ranking] some of the more salient rankings include:
• #1 Switzerland
• #2 Austria
• #3 Germany
• #4 Iceland
• #5 The United States
• #6 Hong Kong SAR
• #7 Canada
• #8 Singapore
• #9 Luxembourg
• #10 United Kingdom
• #12 France
• #13 Australia
• #30 Taiwan
• #31 Malaysia
• #43 Thailand
• #60 INDONESIA
• #65 India
• #71 People’s Republic of China
• #86 Philippines
• #88 Vietnam
• #96 Cambodia
• #122 Angola
• #123 Burundi
• #124 Chad

from www.balidiscovery.com

How to Acces to Bali by air, sea and Land ?

2008-12-21T19:51:00.000-08:00

Bali very easily to be reached by plane and now there are opened international air lines running of a regular direct flights Europe, America, Australia and the majority of Asian countries to Ngurah Rai Airport. Denpasar is a instead Destination of Bali. Domestic flights are also available to Bali.

There are many modes of transportation to help you around Bali. A variety of excellent day of half-day and full and the packages during the night with excursion are provided by your office of hotel or many agents of voyage and organizers of voyages the ones of which around in Bali. Or you can find a car and a driver which will also act as a your guide. The taxis functioned starting from all the principal hotels and the airport with rates change according to destinations'. The companies of taxi, example Praja Taxi, Bali Taxi, Koperasi Ngurah Rai taxi instead of those belongs to the travel-agencies, proportioned taxis.

The public minibus or the large bus are available to each corner of the island with the price completely inexpensive but their stop here and much to take there and drop the local passengers. It can give you the experience of displacement with people of the country. For those which prefer to travel more into private, without-driver. The car or the rented motor cycle can be the choice. The types of cars available are usually Jimny or Toyota Kijang (a larger car with the part for 6 people). The price, however, always does not include the insurance and they change to depend on the type of vehicle and the duration of the hiring. A virtue important to have while on the road in Bali is patience! Although the system of road in the sectors strongly populated either completely reasonable (wise condition) compared to other countries in the process of development, it can be strongly encumbered at the peak periods. The ceremonious processions often catch up with the whole road thus if you are caught behind a procession, appreciate the color experiment. The roads can be completely narrow with the strongly pedestrian traffic on each side. the Gasoline-pumps and the service stations are available to each larger cities, however in the event of urgency there are always kiosks of roadside selling the fuel-outside of the drum at a dearer price of little.

While acting, to take please largest will be rules of traffic can somewhat different from those be led in your own country. The international license of control is required but one can apply for a provisional authorization in Denpasar and go for a test to the department of police force of traffic, Jalan Seruni-Denpasar, telephone (+62361)227711. It one is forced to carry a crash helmet while you are on the road and she is always available to the exits of hiring of motor cycle. The bicycles are available but consider dense circulation in Kuta, Legian and Denpasar. The bicycles are ideal in Ubud and the countryside if you are adapted. Some companies offer making excursions of the bicycle of mountain. The small horse-drawn vehicles invited to serve it dokar of at the convenient far-hours of transport and in addition to beaten ways.

BALI TOURIST INFORMATION

Overseas, you can contact the Indonesian embassy or consulate, or one of the following Indonesia Tourist Promotion Board offices:
ASEAN & Southeast Asia, 10 Collyer Quay #15-07, Ocean Building, Singapore 0104. Phone (65) 534-2837, fax: (65) 533-4287.

Australia & New Zealand, Level 10, 5 Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia. Phone (612) 233-3630, fax: (612) 233-3629, 357-3478.
Europe, Wiesenhuttenstrasse 17, D-6000 Frankfurt/Main 1, Germany. Phone (49 169) 233-677, fax: (49 169) 230-840.

Japan & Korea, Sankaido Building, 2nd Floor, 1-9-13 Ahasaka, Minatoku, Tokyo 107. Phone (813) 3585-3588, fax: (813) 3582-1397.
North America, 3457 Wiltshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90010-2203. Phone (213) 387-2078, fax: (213) 380-4876.

Travel Tips

2008-12-19T19:24:00.002-08:00

Immigration
Visas are required except for the nationals of 48 countries namely Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Hong Kong SAR, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom (Great Britain), United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Venezuela, Yugoslavia and Taiwanese holding MFA//M passports. The visa requirement is also waived for other nationals from friendly countries, attending a conference which has received official approval.

Visa free entry is for maximum of 60 days and is not extendable. Entry and departure must be through the airports of Polonia (Medan), Simpang Tiga (Pekanbaru), Hang Nadim (Batam), Tabing (Padang), Soekarno-Hatta (Jakarta), Husein Sastranegara (Bandung), Juanda (Surabaya), Adisumarmo (Solo), Ngurah Rai (Denpasar), Eltari (Kupang), Supadio (Pontianak), Sepingan (Balikpapan), Sam Ratulangi (Manado), Pattimura (Ambon), Hasanuddin (Makassar), Selaparang (Mataram), and Frans Kaisiepo (Biak), and the seaports of Belawan (Medan), Batu Ampar and Sekupang (Batam), Tanjung Priok (Jakarta), Tanjung Mas (Semarang), Tanjung Perak (Surabaya), Benoa and Padangbai (Bali), Bitung (North Sulawesi), Ambon (Maluku), and Tanjung Pinang (Bintan). There is only one land gateway, Entikong in West Kalimantan.

For other ports of arrival or departure, visitors must have visas, For others, tourist visas for thirty days can be obtained form any Indonesian embassy or consulate. Two photographs are required and a small fee is charged. Possession of passports is a must to all visitors to Indonesia valid for at least six months with proof of onward passage, either return or through tickets.

Transports
There are metered taxis in Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, Solo, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Bali and Lampung. For air-conditioned taxis flag falls are Rp.2,000 (Rp. 900 for each additional kilometer) and Rp. 3,000 (Rp. 1,300 for each additional kilometer). For Silverbird flagfall is Rp. 3,500 and Rp. 1,500 for each additional km. Hire cars are available and rates differ form area to area and it is best to ask the transportation desk of your hotel for information concerning rates and distances.

From Soekarno-Hatta airport to Jakarta city,
taxis add a surcharge ranging from Rp. 7,500/Rp. 9,000/Rp. 10,000 depending on the destination and the road tolls of Rp. 7,000. There are also Soekarno-Hatta International Airport buses which run every 20 minutes to five different points in the city. For those heading for the major hotels in the city center, take the bus to Gambir, a railway station, which is five to ten minutes away by taxi from the hotels. Bus fare is Rp, 5,000 per person plus luggage. At other airports there are transport counters with fixed fares for taxis.

Other forms of transport in Indonesia are bajaj for two passengers, small buses which ply regular routes, the man-driven pedicab "becak," all of which need advanced bargaining to come to a mutually accepted fare. Buses are very crowded, particularly in the cities and routes need to be identified. Trains traverse the island of Java and part of Sumatra. Fares are comparatively cheap but higher on air-conditioned express trains running between major cities.

Garuda Indonesia has an extensive network throughout the country. To all major cities on the archipelago, Garuda had daily services. Garuda services are supplemented by those of Merpati Nusantara, Bouraq, and Mandala, Lion Air, Awair and Pelita.

Communication and Electricity
Long distance calls within Indonesia are by direct dial. International Direct Dial (IDD) is available from major cities and hotels to 240 countries. Long Distance, IDD and facsimile services are also available at the telecommunications offices (Wartel) in major cities and hotels. Internet service is not a difficult things to find in big cities public internet services (Warnet). Most hotels in big cities use 220 volts 50 cycles and a two-pronged plug. However, some hotels in the provinces may still be using 110 volts. It is better to check before using an appliance.

Weather
Indonesia has two seasons, the dry season from June to October and the rainy season from November to March. There are occasional showers during the transitional periods and the general maximum temperature is 33°C (62°F) and the general minimum 21°C (41°F). Humidity is high at all times.

Shopping and Tipping
At most hotels a service charge of 10% is added to the bill. In restaurants where a service charge is not additional, a tip of 5 to 10% would be appropriate depending on the service and type of establishment. An airport or hotel porter expects Rp. 5,000 per bag.

Tipping taxi drivers Rp. 1,000 or leaving the change is appreciated but not mandatory. It is advisable to carry small change as taxi drivers are often short of change. The big cities have shopping complexes, supermarkets and department stores where prices are fixed. They stay open from 8.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. everyday and some even on Sunday. At small shops bargaining might be necessary.

Food and Health
The Indonesian staple food is rice steamed boiled or fried. Some accompanying dishes can be pepper hot - big red pepper or small green ones - so it is advisable to ask before ordering. Please be inform to also ask the price before ordering. There are many restaurants specializing in European, American and Oriental cuisine including the fast food restaurants.

A variety of beverages (both imported or locals) are available everywhere including very good Indonesian beer. Keep to bottled drinks if doubtful of water served in restaurants. Travelers coming from infected areas are required to submit International certificates of valid smallpox, cholera and yellow vaccinations.

Flora & Fauna , and Marine Life

2008-12-16T20:05:00.000-08:00

Flora & Fauna:
Indonesia is divided into three distinct zoological geographical zones which includes a transitional area in the central part of the archipelago.

The Western islands of the Archipelago display predominantly Asian characteristics of verdant jungles, rare orchids and the giant Rafflesia, (a plant which produces a bloom over 1 meter in diameter). A land where tigers, leopards, elephants, rhinos and thousands of varieties of birds and insects make it their home.

Further east, the Central islands present a gradual shift from Asian to Australasian flora and fauna. Sulawesi, for example, boasts both monkeys and marsupials, while Komodo is home to a pre-historic giant lizards commonly “dragon” found nowhere else in world.

The Eastern most islands, however, are more indicative of Australasia with bush-like shrubs and hardy plants; brilliantly colored Lorries, Cukatoos and Australian marsupials become more common place. These wonderfully diverse illustrations of life are protected in numerous nature reserves and National Parks scattered throughout the archipelago.

Marine Life:
Marine tourism has taken off in Indonesia in a big way, with the establishment of protected Marine Parks, professional dive centers, certified dive masters guides, and some of the most colorful, breathtaking sea gardens anywhere in the world.

In the warm tropical, turquoise waters, magnificent coral reefs, alive with color support myriad types of fish and other marine life. Some of the underwater drop-offs are awesome and downward visibility can be as far as 30 meters in some areas. A journey into this extraordinarily vibrant underwater world is guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience for both snorkellers and scuba divers alike. one of first if you want look about indonesian flora and fauna you can go to harau valley at there you can have natural life, and enjoy you life at sarasah bunta village

Indonesian Arts

2008-12-15T06:53:00.000-08:00

Indonesian arts and crafts are powerful and wonderful expressions of life, born out of an extraordinarily rich cultural heritage. Many traditional works of art were developed in the courts of former kingdoms such as those centered in Java and Bali.

“Wayang” theaters from Java and Bali, for example, originate from ancient Hindu mythology and feature portions of the Ramayana and Mahabharata epics adapted to suit local conditions and age-old traditions.

Rigid discipline and artistry are the hallmarks of dances from Java and Bali, but those of Sumatra, Maluku and most of the other islands (one exception is the Gending Sriwijaya of South Sumatra) are characterized by a more flexible gracefulness and charm, a distinction which is further accentuated by an entirely different, non-gamelan, musical accompaniment.

Artistic traditions are actively being preserved in the many art and dance schools which flourish not only in the courts but also in modern, government-run or supervised art academies.

The Crystal Jade of Bintan Island

2008-12-10T06:27:00.000-08:00

If you wishing for an exotic vacation in the tropical lands of Indonesia and far away from modern way of life with lively cultural atmosphere or just want to satisfy your sanity with luxurious resorts to stay and a flavor of wild nature, coral reefs, tropical rainforest and delicious seafood, the Island of Bintan is the finest place for you. Here, among the golden sand beaches, warm weather almost the year with sunshine, you would discover the other side of the Asian life. Facing the South China Sea, Bintan become an exotic place to visit.

Welcome to the island of Bintan
Bintan Island, Indonesia, is the largest island in the necklace of Riau Archipelago, covering an area of 1,140 square kilometers. It is located about 48 km southeast of Singapore. In old Chinese, the name of Bintan Island means the “Memory of a Dream”, and in true sense of the term is a land of long dust covered roads, lush green vegetation and sleepy villages, nestled amidst mangrove swamps or fishing villages built on stilts over the water. Bintan Island is truly a unique paradise. Simple life, beautiful beach, friendly people which bring unforgettable leisure and relaxing. The island gives the refreshment to our mind, body and soul.

Most of the tourism of Bintan Island is concentrated on the north coast around Lagoi. There are many wonderful and interesting places to visit in and near the Bintan Island, Indonesia. The island has a population of about 200.000, and like the rest of Riau this is a true mix of cultures like Malay, Bugis, Chinese and the Orang Laut (sea people). Bahasa Indonesia is the national language and simple English is widely used. In relation to Jakarta, Bintan is in the same time zone as Jakarta, +7 hours to the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). In relation to Singapore, Bintan is 1 hour behind Singapore time.

The resort destination spreads crossways the northern shores of Bintan and faces the South China Sea, and comprises a good collection of beach resorts and hotels to suit the budgets and needs of all holiday makers. In Bintan the main currency used in Indonesia is the Rupiah (Rp). However, the Singapore Dollar (SIN $) is widely accepted in some places. Almost all prices are denoted in Singapore dollars, while all shops will accept Rupiah, prices would be converted from Singapore dollars at very poor rates and rounded up. Prices are expensive compared to Singapore and very expensive compared to almost anywhere else in Indonesia. Most hotels and resorts accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express credit card payments.

How to get there

You can reach Bintan from Singapore or Indonesia (Batam) by Ferries. Most international travelers arrive from Singapore.

From Singapore
There is a regular ferry service operated by Bintan Resorts Ferries that plies between Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal in Singapore and Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal in Bintan. The journey takes about 55 minutes with high speedboat catamaran. Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal is the departure terminal from Singapore. We can choose which destination we want to arrive in Bintan Island. Sri Bintan Pura Ferry Terminal at Tanjung Pinang or Bandar Bentan Telani at Lagoi (Bintan Resort). Please remember to check in at least an hour before the ferry departs. For more information on the ferry schedule and online ferry ticket purchase, please visit: www.brf.com.sg. Ferry tickets may also be purchased directly. While doing hotel or resort reservation, they also offering for transfer into and out the Ferry Terminal to the hotel or resorts.

From Indonesia
Telaga Punggur is a ferry terminal located 20 minutes by taxi from Hang Nadim Airport, Batam. The price cost around Rp.50.000 from the airport to Telaga Punggur. There are regular speedboat services plying between Telaga Punggur Ferry Terminal in Batam to Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal Bintan. The cost around Rp.100.000 (one way) and the journey takes approximately 45 minutes until an hour depend on the weather. Its amazing moments while on the journey with beautiful scenery surrounds.

Transportation Nearly Bintan Island
There’s no public transportation in the resort area. There are cars for rent including the driver at the hotel lobby, shuttle service within the resort area or to other places on Pulau Bintan. The cost depends on the type of car, but mostly around SGD80 until SGD100 for 12 hours rental. From the resort area, there are shuttle services from the hotels to Tanjung Pinang. It is rather expensive at about SGD88 for a return trip per person on the shuttle bus. The journey will take about 1.5 hours.

Resorts & Spa
There are many hotels and luxurious resorts with cozy atmosphere for you to choose from, but mostly fairly expensive and using Singapore Dollar and American Dollar, even if using Rupiah it will convert again into Dollar. The resorts area is a private place with a strictly security, even the locals are not allowed into the resort area. There's police and army guarding the entrance into and out of the resort area. Once after the guarded entrance, you will get to feel and see the real Indonesian way of life.

Rest and relax at the private beach on the resorts or getting a smooth spa and massage on the pavilion facing the beach. There are also services for Aromatherapy and yoga for body and soul relaxing. In some resorts there are many hammocks near the beach free for you to relax on or have a swing.

Activities
Bintan Island is also a well known for the various activities that tourists can engage in while on a holiday. Water sports, like kayaking, snorkeling, diving, scuba diving, fishing, and swimming are the most popular activities of Bintan Island. From virgin white sands to crystal clear waters during the magnificent sunset and colorful coral reefs, one can indeed find everything for a picture perfect holiday in the Bintan Island, Indonesia. Your holiday at Bintan Island will not be complete without experiencing some local nature and heritage tours.

Recreational activities include snorkeling, jet skiing, canoeing, wind surfing, golfing, fishing, sailing, diving, island hopping and shopping. Sun seekers may take a leisurely walk along the white sandy beaches and enjoy sun bathing in the warm sunshine. Whether your trip is for business or pleasure, golfing is truly an unforgettable experience for everyone. Golf is popular, with several excellent golf courses charging much lower prices than in neighboring Singapore. Water sports of all sorts are also popular, although the scuba diving here is lackluster.

Places of Interests
Among the various leisure activities that this exotic island has to offer to its visitors, including paradise beaches, golfing, spa treatment at the resorts and delicious seafood, there are a number of attractions that reflect the island’s past and deserve tourist’s attention. Most of the tourism is concentrated on the north coast around Lagoi, while the east coast is still untouched and worth a visit. A wonderful experience will take you deep into the tropical rainforest or back in time to Bintan’s glorious royal past or right into the villages to meet the locals and experience their simple way of life.

Tanjung Pinang
About an hour and forty-five minutes from Lagoi by car or 50 minutes by speedboat to Tanjung Pinang. Tanjung Pinang is the main port town on Bintan Island, Indonesia. The trip to Tanjung Pinang, Bintan, is a good experience to learn more about Indonesia’s culture, food and its people. Visit the town areas of Bintan especially Tanjung Pinang to savor a taste of the local lifestyle and enjoy cheap shopping and tasty local fare. Tanjung Pinang is a friendly small town with strong Malay traditions among the society. The whole place has warm tropical feelings all around.

Shopping at Tanjung Pinang is pleasantly affordable, with its colorful variety of goods and cheap bargains. The shop houses here offer all kinds of dried foodstuffs, electronic goods, antique ceramics and handicrafts but the best bargain is to be made with the street side peddler. With their display of jeweled stones, hand-made toys, local artifacts, hand-made Javanese batik clothes and light cotton wraps (also known as sarong) dyed in various vibrant hues, the roadside peddlers are ever willing to explain their wares if you asked them. The famous food from Tanjung Pinang is otak otak - grilled over a charcoal stove - is actually fish meat cooked in coconut milk blended with Indonesian spices and wrapped ingeniously within two cuts of coconut leaf.

Tanjung Uban
The second main town and also district centre in Bintan is Tanjung Uban. It also serves as a take off point for Batam. The main thoroughfare is the 'Pelantar' (boardwalk) with its houses, accommodation, shops and restaurants built over the sea. The simply local way of life we can see in this Tanjung Uban region. There’s also Kampong Eco Tour will takes you to one of the traditional villages where you can experience the real Bintan village life. In local market featuring an amazing variety of fish, gigantic prawns, dried shrimps, crunchy crackers, savory ikan bilis (anchovies), and all kinds of sweet, sour or salty tidbits, fresh green vegetables, and local tropical fruits all stacked high on wooden carts, the rock bottom prices are still open to bargaining. Do note that most peddlers deal in the local Indonesian Rupiah so it's best to have your money changed before you head down south.

Berakit
Fisherman Village, for those who prefer a more hands on experience in the mangrove take a crack at the Traditional Fishing Tour where guests can ride authentic sampans with fishermen and fish using their traditional traps and nets. Berakit is an incredibly traditional fishing village largely at the north eastern summit of Bintan, comprises 'atap' (thatched roof) houses over tidal estuary. Many of the sea faring 'orang laut', the original settlers of this myriad of islands, have relocated here. At this village you can see the daily activities of the Riau fishing community, such as the thousands of 'ikan bilis' (dried fish) being dried in the sun.

Sebung Pereh & Busung
Sebung Pereh and Busung are typical of the small Malay fishing villages that can be found around the coastal coconut plantations. The settlers in these villages live in unique traditional houses on stilts, elevated over the water and lead fairly simple lives, often getting by without modern amenities or even electricity.

Trikora Beach
Trikora Beach you don't want to miss this one. White sand and Blue Ocean as far as you can see tranquil waters with pleasant atmosphere. Untouched sandy beach with rocky headlands and is great for snorkeling and sun bathing. Here you can try fresh young coconut juice while on the beach. The most popular beach on the east coast of Bintan Island, Indonesia, is the Trikora Beach. The sand is white, the water is spotless, and it is a great place to relax in. With its dusty white sand and clear pristine waters, Trikora Beach also serves as a getaway for the locals during holidays and festive seasons.

Kawal
Kawal Located a few minutes away from Trikora is Kawal, a charming fishing port where fish auctions are frequently held. Being the only deep water canal in the North East, Kawal is also the fishing centre of Bintan. From the bridge in the centre of the town, observe a vista of fishing boats, houses and storage yards all built on stilts. A remnant of the past at Kawal is the large kilns once used to make charcoal from "bakau" (mangrove wood).

Senggarang & Penyengat
The best way to experience in Bintan Island is to visit the offshore villages located a few minutes' ride away from Tanjung Pinang. The silence fishing villages of Penyengat and Senggarang, a mere 15 minutes away present an interesting contrast between the local Malay and Chinese cultures. Senggarang Chinese Village is a small Chinese settlement that features Buddhist Temples with emphasized Chinese theme. Today, Senggarang is an old settlement mostly built on stilts and the village's cobbled square is lined with a number of hundred year old Chinese temples with carved doors and eaves.

Penyengat Island is a famous historic place in Tanjung Pinang where remains of old Malay palace are located. Around 1803, Penyengat Island developed from a centre of protection into a state, which became the seat of the Yang Dipertuan Muda of the Riau Lingga Kingdom. Since then, Penyengat Island became the center of government, tradition, Islamic religion and the cradle of ancient Malay heritage. Don’t forget to bring insect repellent when you plan to visit this place.

Pasar Oleh-Oleh
Pasar Oleh-oleh located at Lagoi, Bintan. This is an artificial market in that it is built solely to tap into the flow of tourists into Bintan who demands an alternative place to shop, eat and buy groceries. There are many shops here selling arts and crafts, to swimwear, to sunglasses and office wear. Some folks argued that this is a tourist trap, but the groceries here are indeed cheaper than those at the resorts. Pasar Oleh Oleh has a collection of shops selling the local handicraft items and the prices are reasonable. The handicraft items are mainly wooden crafts and a lot of items made of sea shells too. You can buy your travel souvenirs in here.

Pujasera
This is the local vendor centre, ideal for tourist on a budget. The food here are mainly Indonesian and the Indonesian Rupiah is used and ‘not’ the Singapore Dollar. This vendor centre was originally meant for employees and their families working within the resort grounds. So, if you want to have real Indonesian fare at cheaper prices, this is the perfect place. Take the shuttle bus to Pasar Oleh Oleh and then walk out towards the employee barracks. The walk should take 5-10 minutes to get there. The vendor centre is in the middle of town.

Explore Tips:
* Don’t forget to bring sun blocks, sunglasses, caps, and insect repellant.
* Taking anti-malaria pills 2 weeks before visit Bintan Island.
* Find updating information of ferry schedule.
* Paid attentions to the weather before do travel.
* Preparing your passport for Non-Indonesian Citizen.

Ujung Kulon National Park

2008-12-03T05:48:00.000-08:00

In the remote south west of Java, the national park of Ujung Kulon is the site of one of Indonesia’s most pristine and untouched natural attractions. It is no coincidence that Ujung Kulon is classified as one of Indonesia’s World Heritage Sites and has been a natural reserve since 1937. Most well known for being the home of the last one horned white Javan rhinoceros of which a population of about 60 remains, Ujung Kulon receives about 6,500 visitors a year from all over the world.

With over 120,000 hectares, Ujung Kulon comprises the extreme southwestern tip of the island of Java, Indonesia, the two islands of Pulau Handeuleum and Pulau Peucang just offshore, and the island of Pulau Panaitan separated from the mainland by the Panaitan Straits.

The Ujung Kulon area offers various different landscapes, from the Gunung Payung massif in the southwest and the low rolling hills of the Telanca Plateau in the northeast, to the swamp area characteristic for the lower lying isthmus. Inventories of the Ujung Kulon wild life are the subject of numerous books. The fauna on the peninsula and the islands is almost too extensive to describe in short.

The Javan rhino, a highly endangered species, together with leopards, Javan gibbons, banteng, eagles, pythons, crocodiles and turtles represents just afraction of the wide range of carnivores, deer, primates, birds, reptiles and amphibians present

The terrestrial scenery proofs to be an ideal attraction to hikers, eco-tourists and researchers, and is well matched in popularity by the Ujung Kulon coast and its water sport possibilities. Scuba diving and game fishing enthusiasts rate the marine location among the richest in the archipelago with an abundance and variety of fish and superb coral reefs.

Numerous reef species, such as butterfly fish, batfish, triggerfish and moorish idol, dominate the shallower waters, while deep water species include sharks, tuna, barracuda and marlin. It is because of this last species, the black marlin, that the Sunda Strait has the reputation of being an excellent and challenging game fishing ground.

Apart from the outstanding natural beauty of Ujung Kulon, the cultural heritage is another inspiration for many researchers and historians. The Tanjung Layar lighthouse on the extreme western point of the peninsula guided Dutch, English and Portuguese sailing ships safely through the Panaitan straits during colonial times. The eruption of the nearby Krakatau Volcano in 1883 required the lighthouse to be rebuilt after being leveled by the 40-meter tsunami.

Panaitan Island is believed to have been an important staging post for sailing ships. Captain James Cook is known to have anchored his HMS Endeavour there in the 18th century. The island bears a Ganesha statue on the top of Mt. Raksa, a Hindu archaeological relic from the first century AD.

Visitors are advised to access the park by boat, as overland accessibility is poor. Boat excursions with professional guides are organized from the nearby peninsula of Tanjung Lesung.

Thousand Islands

2008-12-01T06:18:00.000-08:00

White sand, coconut palms fringing the shore, multicoloured coral reefs, abundant shoals of unique, colourful fish, a golden sun setting in clear blue skies….does that fit your image of Jakarta? Unlikely, but then you’re probably forgetting that the beautiful Pulau Seribu (Thousand Islands) are also part of what is known as the city of Jakarta.

Located on a gulf facing the Java Sea, Jakarta has four main ports from which to access the Thousand Islands: Ancol Marina, Sunda Kelapa, Tanjung Priok and Tanjung Kait. Ancol Marina is the most usual departure point, speed boats leaving regularly to whisk you away from the city heat to the cool, palm fringed beaches of paradise. However chartering a boat is also possible for anyone with a more adventurous spirit. The Marina Jaya Ancol itself is buzzing with yachts, motor and sail boats, and is the place to go for marine recreation. Jet skies canoes, sail boats wind surfering and waterskiing are all to be found, along with all kinds of fishing gear you may need for hire. Numerous stalls along the beach serve drinks and snacks while tents are available for sunbathers and sea-lovers.

But it is the Tousand Islands which are the real jewels. The Kepulauan Seribu, as they are known locally, are a group of islands sprinkled across the Java Sea to the north of Jakarta. As the name suggests, the way the islands lie seemingly scattered closely to each other offers you a thousand of beaches, a thousand pleasures and a thousand golden sunsets. The surrounding waters in particular are a paradise for snorkelers and scuba divers, Kotok being the most famous.

Despite the romantic name, there are in fact about 340 islets in Kepulauan Seribu. Islets that have been developed for tourism include Bidadari, Ayer, Laki, Puteri and Tanjung, and bungalows, restaurants, diving and sailing facilities are available on all these islets and others. For anyone with dreams of Robinson Crusoe style seclusion, delightful beaches can also be found in Matahari, Kulkul Kotok, Pelangi, Sepa, Onrust, Edam, Bokor, Kelor, Rambut, Ubi Kecil, Untungjawa, Pari, Perak, Melinjo, Pancalirang, Gosong, Ringgit, Sebaru, Hantu, Antuk, Bira, Panjang, Kelapa, Panggang, Lang, Tidung Besar, Payung, Kongsi, Pari, Damar Besar, Kelor, Kapal, Cipir and Nyamuk.

So if you are in Jakarta and become weary of the frenetic turbulence of the modern metropolis, hop on an early morning boat and escape across the Java Sea to a paradise island in the sun…. you can be there in time for breakfast on Saturday morning, and back in town by sunset Sunday evening without even leaving Jakarta!

Thousand Islands (Pulau Seribu) scaterred in the Bay of Jakarta, accessible ranging from 20 minutes to 2 hours by speedboat off Marina Jaya Ancol or Tanjung Kait. The Thousand Islands or Kepulauan Seribu consist of around 340 isles, including sand bars.

Set in a clean blue sea filled with myriad of tropical fish living among muticolored corals, the Thousand Islands are tremendously tempting places to spenc your vacation. Some of them have been developed into holiday resorts for real lovers of sea, sand and sun.

Furnished with ample, holiday comforts such as accommodation, restaurants, pools and other sport facilities it is an ideal place for a change from the routinism of your life. For water sports and underwater world lovers, it’s a paradise.

Pulau Ayer Island Resort & Cottages

Located about 14 kilometers north of Jakarta, or 30 minutes boat trip from Marina Ancol, Jakarta, part of the Thousand Island’s covering a total area of 60 hectares, a beautiful spot to witness the famed sunset of the Jakarta bay.

Bidadari Island Resort

Being the nearest Island Resort, Pulau Bidadari is reachable in 20 minutes ride on speedboat, about 15 kms, from the Ancol’s Marina. The cottages are built among trees which provide shady and comfortable envronment giving you the

feeling of being integrated with the nature. And those floating over the sea give you the touch of fishermen’s home atmosphere.

Pelangi Island Resort
Pelangi Island is 70 kms from Marina Ancol, Jakarta and can be reached by speedboat around one and a half hour trip.Densely covered by lush palm and pine trees which is surrounded by watch sandy beach in the middle of silver clean blue waters will make this green tropical Pelangi Island on ideal gateway to enjoy the sea, sand and sun.

Putri Resort Hotel

Located just a few breast-stroke away from Jakarta, Putri Island offers paradisian beauty on its soft and white sandy beach and crystal clear water all around. A holiday resort of which you will dream to return over and over again.

Alam Kotok Island Resorts
Alam Kotok offers a chance to holiday in the untouched island habitat of the exotic “ Thousand Island” just 90 minutes from Jakarta. This peaceful tropical atoll has been kept in its original pristine state, the flora and the fauna undisturbed by cozy cottages tucked amongst the foliage, looking out to sea. Here the only sounds are the wind in the trees, birdsong, and the gentle waves lapping the shore. Discover the gentle rhytm of island life, diving the colorful coral reefs, swimming and wandering at leisure.

Lake Toba

2008-11-25T08:03:00.001-08:00

Lake Toba (Danau Toba) is the largest lake in South East Asia and is located in Sumatra, Indonesia.

Lake Toba is an immense volcanic lake covering area 1707 sq km (bigger than Singapore) with an island in the center. Formed by a gigantic volcanic eruption some 70,000 years ago, it is probably the largest resurgent caldera on Earth. Some studies say it might have been associated with causing previous ice age/climate change.

The island in the middle - Pulau Samosir - was joined to the caldera wall by a narrow isthmus, which was cut through to enable boats to pass; a road bridge crosses the cutting. You get a ferry from Parapat to Pulau Samosir Island, they run every 1-2 hours, the last one at 7:30pm (Rp 7000). Self proclaimed 'Tourist Hunters' may befriend you on the boat but are harmless and often helpful to find things, arrangements etc (Bintang can fix you up with anything). Tuk Tuk is the main town to stay on Samosir.

Talk
Lake Toba used to be popular tourist destination but now not many tourist come, which means many services, no crowds, cheap prices and friendly locals grateful for your business. It is a great laid back place to chill out for a few days after jungle trekking etc. The location is very popular with Chinese tourists around the Chinese New Year, when availability drops dramatically and accommodation costs are known to sky rocket.

Get in
The main town is Parapat, about 4 hours by car from Medan (4-6 hours by public bus). Public Bus fee is 18,000 IDR. A scheduled and shared 7 passenger minivan costs 60,000 IDR and can be arranged by most hotels in Medan (Feb 2008 price). A private taxi costs about 600,000 IDR one way from Medan (Feb 2008 price).
Get around

Local transportation around the lake takes the form of boats (cheaper, school boats with limited schedules and more expensive public boats that operate throughout the day).

Public Boats from Parapat and surrounding areas sail from either Ajibata or Tigaraja to Tuktuk or Tomok at Samosir Island. The fee is 7,000 IDR per trip. There is also bigger ship which transports Cars and Busses sailing between Tigaraja and Tomok.

Hire a motorcycle for a day or two and get out and about (Rp.70,000 per day inclusive of 4 litres of petrol). Take a map. There are no police checking licenses and there is not much traffic - just watch out for the big trucks, buses and diabolical bridges. A good journey to take on a motorcycle would be to travel North from Tuk Tuk around to the western shore, stopping at the tourist sites along the way such as the many and varied traditional houses and villages. The roads are very bad in the centre of the island (bumpy and washed out) and it takes half a day to cross this way (verse 1-2 hours by coast road which is more scenic anyway). You can expect to ride at least up to 100km in the day.

See
There are hot springs on the western side of the island just across the causeway from Pangururan.
Itineraries
* Samosir - Many Big Statues as Cemeteries for Batak people ancestors
* Samosir, Simanindo - Batak Museum with traditional dance performed twice daily
* Samosir, Ambarita - Stone chairs used for judgement and executions

Do
Kick back and relax after the frenetic atmosphere of Indonesia. Enjoy the fact that the residents are used to Westerners and won't hassle you; most of them are stoned. Swim in the volcanically warmed waters of the lake or arrange an overnight 'party' boat out on the lake if you can get enough volunteers together. A beautiful place to do nothing at all. Plenty of second hand book shops to stock up on reading material.

Satay

2008-11-24T06:14:00.000-08:00

Satay or sate is a dish consisting of chunks or slices of dice-sized meat (chicken, goat, mutton, beef, pork, fish, etc.) on bamboo skewers (although the more authentic version uses skewers from the midrib of the coconut leaf). These are grilled or barbecued over a wood or charcoal fire, then served with various spicy seasonings (depends on satay recipe variants).

Satay may have originated in Java, Indonesia, but it is also popular in many other Southeast Asian countries, such as: Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, as well as in The Netherlands which was influenced through its former colonies.

Satay is a very popular delicacy in Indonesia, with a rich variety among Indonesia’s diverse ethnic groups’ culinary art. In Indonesia, satay can be obtained from a traveling satay vendor, from a street-side tent-restaurant, in an upper-class restaurant, or during traditional celebration feasts

Satay variants and outlets of note

Known as sate in Indonesian (and pronounced similar to the English), Indonesia is the home of satay, and satay is a widely renowned dish in almost all regions of Indonesia. As a result, many variations have been developed throughout the Indonesian Archipelago.

Sate Madura
Originating on the island of Madura, near Java, is certainly the most famous variant among Indonesians. Most often made from mutton or chicken, the distinctive characteristic of the recipe is the black sauce made from indonesian sweet soy sauce/kecap manis mixed with palm sugar (called gula jawa or "javanese sugar" in Indonesia), garlic,deep fried shallots, peanut paste, fermented "terasi" (a kind of shrimp paste),candlenut/kemiri, and salt. Sate Madura uses thinner chunks of meat than other varians of Satay. It is mainly eaten with rice or rice cake wrapped in banana/coconut leaves (lontong/ketupat). Raw thinly sliced shallot and plain sambal also often served as condiments

Sate Padang
A dish from Padang city and the surrounding area in West Sumatra, is made from cow or goat offal boiled in spicy broth, which is then grilled. Its main characteristic is yellow sauce made from rice flour mixed with spicy offal broth, turmeric, ginger, garlic, coriander, galangal root, cumin, curry powder and salt. It is further separated into two sub-variants, the Pariaman and the Padang Panjang, which differ according to taste and the composition of their yellow sauces.

Sate Ponorogo
A variant of satay originating in Ponorogo, a town in East Java. It is made from whole sliced marinated chicken meat, and served with a sauce made of peanuts and chilli sauce. Garnished with shredded shallots, sambal (chili paste) and lime juice. The uniqueness of this varient is each skewer contains a whole chicken meat, not several slices. The meat also previously being marinated in spices and sweet soy sauce for quite some times (process called "bacem") to allow spice to soak into the meat. The grill is made from terracotta earthenware that have hole in one side to allow blowing the wind onto the burning coal. After use around 3 months, the earthenware grill would break apart, thus must be replaced to ensure the hygiene of the grill. The dish served with rice or lontong (rice cake).

Sate Makassar
From a region in Southern Sulawesi, is made from beef and cow offal marinated in sour carambola sauce. It has a unique sour and spicy taste. Unlike most satays, it is served without sauce.

Sate Banjar
A variant of satay popular in South Kalimantan, especially in the town of Banjarmasin

BALI

2008-11-19T09:13:00.000-08:00

Bali is one of over 13,000 islands in the Indonesian archipelago and is located just over 2 kilometres from the eastern tip of the island of Java and west of the island of Lombok. The island home of approximately 4 million people is approximately 144 kilometres from east to west and 80 kilometres north to south.

The islands varied landscape of hills and mountains, rugged coastlines and sandy beaches, lush rice terraces and barren volcanic hillsides provide a picturesque backdrop to the colourful and deeply spiritual culture of this 'Island of The Gods'.

the word paradise is used a lot in Bali, and not without reason. The combination of friendly, hospitable people, a magnificently visual culture infused with spirituality and (not least) spectacular beaches with great surfing and diving have made Bali Indonesia's unparalleled number one tourist attraction. Eighty percent of international visitors to Indonesia visit Bali and Bali alone.

The popularity is not without its flip sides — once paradisaical Kuta has degenerated into a congested warren of concrete, touts and scammers live on overcharging tourists, and the island's visibility has even drawn the unwanted attention of terrorists in 2002 and 2005 — but Bali has managed to retain its magic. Bali is a wonderful destination with something for everyone, and though heavily travelled, it is still easy to find some peace and quiet if you like.
Balinese dance and music are also justly famous. As on Java, the gamelan orchestra and wayang kulit shadow puppet theater predominate. Dances include:

* barong or "lion dance" — a ritual dance depicting the fight between good and evil, with performers wearing fearsome lion-like masks
* kecak or "monkey dance" — Actually invented in the 1930s by early German resident Walter Spies for a movie but a spectacle nonetheless, with up to 250 dancers in concentric circles chanting "kecak kecak", while a performer in the center acts out a spiritual dance

Festivals
Odalan procession
There are an estimated 20,000 temples (pura) on the island, each of which holds festivals (odalan) at least twice a year and there are many other auspicious days throughout the year, meaning that there are always festivities going on.

There are some large festivals celebrated islandwide, but their dates are determined by two local calendars. The 210-day wuku or Pawukon calendar is completely out of sync with the Western calendar, meaning that it rotates wildly throughout the year.The lunar saka (caka)
calendar roughly follows the Western year.

• Funerals, called pitra yadnya, are another occasion of pomp and ceremony, when the deceased (often several at a time) are ritually cremated in extravagantly colorful rituals.
• Galungan (next held on 20th August 2008). A 10-day festival celebrating the death of the tyrant Mayadenawa. Gods and ancestors visit earth and are greeted with gift-laden bamboo poles called penjor lining the streets. The last day of the festival is known as Kuningan.
• Nyepi, or Hindu New Year, usually March/April (next held on March 26, 2009). This is the one festival worth avoiding: on Nyepi, also known as the Day of Absolute Silence, absolutely everything on the island is shut down and tourists are confined to their hotels (find somewhere with a pool). However if you are in Bali in the weeks preceding Nyepi you will see amazing colourful giants (Ogoh Ogoh) being created by every banjar throughout the island. On Nyepi Eve the Ogoh Ogoh are paraded through the streets, an amazing sight, not to be missed especially in Denpasar.

Nyepi is a very special day to the Balinese as this is the day that they have to fool all evil spirits that no-one is actually on Bali - hence the need for silence. If this can be achieved, then it is believed that the evil spirits will go looking elsewhere for their prey and leave Bali island alone for another year. Balinese people are very religious and life is full of ritual - Nyepi is one of the most important days in their calendar. Police and security are on hand to make sure that everyone abides by this rule.

Nyepi also serves to remind the Balinese of the need for tolerance and understanding in their everyday life. In fact, Hinduism on Bali is unique because it is woven into and around the original Balinese animistic religion. The two now have become one for the Balinese - a true sign of tolerance and acceptance!
All national public holidays covered in Indonesia also apply, although Ramadan is naturally a

much smaller event here than in the country's Muslim regions.

Get in
By plane
Most visitors will arrive at Denpasar's Ngurah Rai international airport: Tel.: (62)(361) 751011. You can fly to Bali from major cities in Indonesia (Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar etc) or from major cities in Asia and Australia.

Many travelers try to search for 'Bali' using travel websites and so for. It should be noted that Ngurah Rai's airport code is DPS. The airport is actually located between Kuta & Jimbaran and roughly 30 mins away from Denpasar.

By bus
There are direct bus services to Bali from all major cities on Java as well as Lombok, which use the ferries to cross over. These are cheap and easy, but slow.

By boat
Ferries cross from Gilimanuk in western Bali to Ketapang on the island of Java every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day, and the crossing takes just 30 minutes (plus waiting around, loading, unloading, etc).

A number of speedboats and catamarans operate from Benoa Harbor near Kuta (~2 hours) and Padangbai (80 min) to the Gili Islands of Lombok. These are expensive (~US$60 one way) but convenient, see the Gili Islands article for details.
There are also public slow boats from Padangbai to Lembar (Lombok) every few hours, with the trip taking around 3.5 hours.

Bali's best-known attractions are its countless Hindu temples. Even the smallest villages usually have at least three, but the nine directional temples (kayangan jagat) are the largest and most important. Uluwatu, at the southern tip of Bali, is easily accessed and hence the most popular, with Tanah Lot a close second. However, for the Balinese themselves, the "mother temple" of Besakih on the slopes of Mount Agung is the most important of all.

Monuments
• Garuda Wisnu Kencana. Nusa Dua, Kabupaten Badung, 40 km south of Denpasar. Created by I Nyoman Nuarta. This is statue of the god Wisnu (Vishnu) riding the mythical Garuda bird.
• Bali Bomb, Jl. Legian, Kuta. This monument commemorates the 202 victims of the first Bali Bomb attack in October 2002, including 161 tourists from 21 countries. The site of the former Sari Club, obliterated in one of the blasts, lies adjacent to the monument. It has not been redeveloped

Do
Hot springs — There are several hot springs to be discovered in Bali. One of them, along the northern coast of the island, near Lovina, is Air Panjar where stone mouth carvings allow hot water to pass between pools which are set among a lush garden.

Spa — Bali is paradise for spa lovers and all sorts of treatments are widely available, but the Balinese lulur body scrub with herbs and spices — traditionally performed before a wedding ceremony — is particularly popular. Balinese massage is usually done with oil and involves long, Swedish-style strokes. In steep contrast to exorbitant Western massage fees, Balinese massage is an incredible value, and visitors should definitely avail themselves this luxury. In local salons, a one-hour full body massage will cost between Rp. 40 - 60,000, and the two-hour mandi lulur, which incorporates a body scrub and hydrating yoghurt body mask in addition to the massage, will cost about Rp. 100,000. The curiously named creambath is a relaxing scalp and shoulder massage, usually lasting 45 minutes, in which a thick conditioning cream is worked through the hair and into the scalp. A creambath typically costs about Rp. 40,000. Note that these same services in an upscale hotel will cost many times more.

Weddings — Balinese wedding getting popular in recent years. The exotic tradition, ceremonies, music and costumes has a special attraction among western people. Many couples who are already legally married to each other choose Bali as the perfect place to renew their vows. Full wedding services are widely available in Bali such as: ceremony arrangements, photography, videography, flowers, musicians, dancers, caterers etc. There are about ten wedding chapels available in Bali today (largely in luxury hotels) and the number is growing. You can find many professional wedding organizer to handle your wedding in Bali through the internet. Destination weddings, featuring all types of religious and presentation arrangements, are becoming increasingly popular with private villas being one of the island's many offerings for venues.

Voluntary work An excellent way to get to know and understand more of the country is to do some voluntary work. There are some organizations that arrange work for international volunteers in Bali and other places in the region.

Berastagi

2008-11-15T07:00:00.000-08:00

Berastagi, a tourist town, is another lovely town located in Karo highlands. The town is known for its plantations and various kinds of flowers, vegetables and fruit, most famous which is Marquisa passion fruit. It's 66 km southwest of Medan and is 4.594 feet above sea level. There is a pleasant colonial-style hotel with a golf course. Other new hotels can also be found. From Gundaling Hill a clear view of Mt. Sibayak and Mt. Sinabung volcanoes can be seen.

From this city, the visitors will enjoy charming scenery to the active mountainside, which are Sibayak Mountain and Sinabung Mountain. To climb Sibayak Mountain require at least 3 hours trip and we could enjoy pretty scenery in these mountains or 3 to 4 hours trip in the forest to see the nature wealth inside, for both the flora and the fauna around this forest.

The atmosphere of green nature from the reflection of the trees from the slope of Rangkap Sibayak Mountain (well known as Sibayak mountain) made the Berastagi city had flooded by tourists. The hill line along with the agricultural field, are always

ready to refresh its visitor's eyes. Berastagi which rich with agro-industries became the appropriate choice for recreation spot other than Toba Lake and Samosir Island, which has become a trademark of North Sumatra.

Berastagi has the strategic location to become the stopping place, not just because several tourist attractions are easy to be accessed from here, but also the hotels are well provided. Hotels can be easily found with varying price, by offering the design typical to the locals. However the visitor still have the choice to choose the hotels and villas that historically were the legacy of colonial period

Sibayak and Sinabung Mountain.
Berastagi to Sibayak Mountain distance are only 7 Km, this is why the hikers choose this City, as the closest alternative to reach the mountain peak (2.094 meters from sea level). With the currently available infrastructure, the vehicles could reach close to the mountain peak that was known with its beauty nature. On the Peak of Sibayak Mountain, we could see a sulfuric crater lake with wide around 200 x 200 meters, with temperature 119.6 Celsius and the temperature of surrounding air is 21 Celsius. The other scenery of Sibayak mountain peak is Sinabung mountain peak (2.451 meters from sea level), located in the west.

Lau Debuk-Debuk
Not just that, near Berastagi, on the side of Sibayak mountain peak we could find Lau Debuk-Debuk Hot Water Springs. Located in Daulu and Semangat Gunung village, this hot water springs flowed with the temperature of 35 Celsius emerged through the lava cracks in the volcano slope that afterwards was accommodated in the bathing place ponds. The climbers usually use this hot water reservoir to release their fatigue from the trip. Now, there are also an electrical generator (power plant) on the hot spring upstream that had the temperature above 150 ° Celsius. The visitors could see a power plant, which produces electricity from geothermal vapors

Gundaling Hill
Berastagi also had Gundaling Hill which located only 3 Km from Berastagi. This hill offered a beautiful garden that was suitable as a spot to relax or to do some sports. From the hill peak, we could enjoy Mount Sibayak and Mount Sinabung panorama.

Tongging
Tongging was located 112 km from Medan City. This area is located near to Sipiso-piso Waterfall with 360-foot height. From this place, we could enjoy picturesque scenery of Toba Lake. In the intersection of Merek we could turn to Sipiso-piso in Mount Tandukbenua slope (1.947 m. from sea level). The surrounding panorama indeed is very much enchanting. From the balcony of the two leveled guesthouse that was located in the south of this plateau, the visitor could see the calm and beautiful nature of Toba Lake.

Banjarmasin (City of a Thousands Rivers)

2008-11-12T09:14:00.000-08:00

One of the province in Kalimantan is South Kalimantan, that the capital city is Banjarmasin, one of big city in Kalimantan Banjarmasin is addresses as city of water or city of a thousands rivers, many canals and waterways there, like in Venice. The rivers is like a hearth of the city, most of native people in Banjarmasin are use rivers for their daily activities, such as for transportation and for trading using a boat that called "Klotok" And also people built houses on the riverside or even on the rivers or it called "Lanting".

How to get There?
We can go to Banjarmasin by Airplane or by Passenger Boat. If you want to get here by plane from Jakarta (Soekarno Hatta Airport), Jogjakarta (Adi Sucipto Airport), or Surabaya (Juanda Airport), just take a destination to Syamsuddin Noor Banjarmasin Airport and when you arrive then you take a Taxi go to Banjarmasin City, it take 45 Minute from Airport.Another way to get to Banjarmasin is by Boat. You can go from Jakarta (Tanjung Priok Port), Semarang (Tanjung Mas Port) or Surabaya Port (Tanjung Perak Port), and go directly to "Trisakti Port" in Banjarmasin.

Attraction
There are many of interested places to visit in Banjarmasin, one of the most famous tourist destination is "Floating Markets" or "Pasar Terapung". It is the traditional market which present the local wisdom of economic fields of societies. It also represents banjarnese cultures which are inherent with the life of people along the river flows. Floating market is located on Kuin river at the north of Banjarmasin. It starts in the morning around 5 am to 7 am central Indonesian time. In this market,the seller and the buyer stay on their boat to make transaction. The goods sold such as banjarese food, vegetables, fruits and handicraft

Another interested place is "Pulau Kembang". This small island is inhabited by the primate species (monkey). This species have been existed naturally in that island. This island located on the eastside of Banjarmasin. It takes about 15 minutes to reach the island by boat from Banjarmasin City. However, the monkeys are quite aggressive and will try to steal it from you so be extra careful.

One of landmark of Banjarmasin is Sabilal Muhtadin. It is a famous Mosque for Muslim in Banjarmasin or surrounding area to take a Pray or another religious activity. It is located at Jl. Jenderal Sudirman, and faced to Martapura River.From banjarmasin to direction marabahan, there's a long bridge connected two areas that divided by barito river. looks like san fransisco bridge at the night!In Banjarmasin, you can taste banjarnese cuisine such as Soto Banjar, Sate, Nasi Kuning, Lontong Sayur. In Ramadhan month (fasting month for Muslim), in many places around Banjarmasin will have Pasar Wadai / Cake Market fair that sell traditional food. this market usually open from 5 pm till 8 pm.

Geography & Climate

2008-11-10T08:16:00.000-08:00

The island of Lombok is located east of Bali. Tourism is not quite as developed yet as Bali and it is that reason which makes Lombok the perfect getaway. Escape to picturesque mountainside landscapes to white sand beaches of the Gili Islands. A place to relax and unwind from the daily life back home. Lombok also has the third largest volcano in all of Indonesia, Mount Rinjani, which extends 3726 meters high with a crater lake called Segara Anak.

The main season here are wet season which starts from November to May and dry season start from May-October. The best time to come is in the month of May when the weather is just perfect with bright daylight and green scenery.

People & Religion
The local inhabitants of Lombok are called Sasaks. They speak Indonesian as well as their local Sasak language. The other main ethnicity’s include Balinese, Chinese, Arabian, and Javanese.

Lombok has three main districts with three capital cities: Mataram in the west, Praya in central and Selong in east Lombok. The majority of commerce is in the capital city of Mataram in west Lombok. The majority of the population on Lombok are Muslims. Every Friday around 12.30 noon, Muslims go to the mosques just like Christians go to church on Sunday. Therefore, on that day most businesses and government offices are closed half day and then re-open again after praying (not including Senggigi).If you are planning on traveling around the island and visiting small villages it is more respectable to wear slacks or knee length shorts, a shirt with sleeves or a sarong. If you happened to be here during Ramadan, which is the Muslim month of fasting from sunrise to sunset, please do not to eat, drink or smoke out in the open public during this month long fast. Even though the people don’t seem bothered in the common tourist areas like, Senggigi and the Gili islands, it is better to respect the people and not eat or smoke openly.

Wetu TeluWetu telu is an unique religion that that blends Islam - Animism and is only found in north Lombok.
It roots stem from the village of Bayan in the north.

The people who practice this still consider themselves Muslims but they have their own rituals in addition to the normal Muslim ones. One such ceremony is Nyiu, that takes place 1000 days after someone dies.The relatives of the deceased offer material things like clothing, toothbrushes, food, dishes, mattresses, etc. so the deceased will be pleased in heaven.

Vehicle Rentals:
Dont miss Lombok's beautiful scenery. If you choose to rent a car or motorcycles and drive yourself, you must have an International Driving License.Renting a car is a good alternative to get around Lombok, either self driving or with driver so you can relax and enjoy the view. (Tip driver pocket money for meals if you stop for lunch or dinner).

If you are pleased with service, tip ( Rp. 20,000 minimum). If you collide with anything, or it collides with you, you are responsible for all cost.Motorcycles are a convenient and inexpensive way to get around the Island, but Tourists are frequently injured in motorbike accident. If you rent a bike, drive slowly and very defensively. Helmets are required by law but those provided by rental agencies offer little protection.

Health and Medical Info
Most hotels have on call doctors. For what it is known by Australian as "Bali Belly", Iomotil and Imodium eliminate Symptoms, but not infections. A fever along with the symptoms requires doctor prescribed antibiotics. Drink as much as liquid as possible. For discomfort, diarrhea, and cramping, drink strong, hot tea; avoid fruits and spicy food. Drink only bottled water or boiled water (air putih).

Peel the fruit before eating; avoid raw vegetables except at reputable restaurants. Ice in restaurants is safe. Protect yourself from the intense equatorial sun. Use sun block and hat. Sexually transmitted diseases are increasing in Indonesia. Local sex workers have multiple partners from all over the world. Act responsibly and use condoms, available over the counter at pharmacies.

Things To Take Back Home
Wanting to take back something from Lombok? Lombok has great woven textiles like songkets and ikats that can be used as a sarong, wall hanging, table cloth and more. The design woven is special to each weaver and it is passed down through the generations before. There is a traditional hand weaving village in Puyung, central Lombok. You can even try on a traditional Sasak costume.
Banyumulek (West Lombok), Penujak (Central Lombok) and Masbagik (East Lombok) are famous villages in Lombok for making pottery. Lombok pottery has gained popularity and is shipped throughout the world.

There is a wide range of selections and it can custom made to your liking. We hope to develop the economy of the area by directly meet them with serious buyer from all over the world.There are many traditional handicrafts you could take back as a souvenir i.e. wooden masks, baskets made out of ketak grass, wooden boxes designed with bits of shells, or other things made from bamboo or rattan.

Nasi Padang (Rendang)

2008-11-07T10:47:00.000-08:00

Padang in West Sumatra is known more as the origin of the country’s most popular cuisine than as a provincial capital, thanks to the ubiquitous Padang restaurants.

Go to any town or city across the archipelago, and the chances are you will find a place to eat called Rumah Makan Padang or Padang Restaurant, either on the roadside, or in luxurious malls or even in more upmarket establishments. How did it happen?

Padang: The birthplace of rendang

To explain the success of the food of the people of West Sumatra, one has to know that the Padang men have an adventurous spirit and like to broaden their horizons. It is said they believe that their mother’s cooking is the very best and cannot not be found anywhere else.

Add to this their good sales skills and it is not surprising that when three people of West Sumatran origin meet, a restaurant will be set up.Mama’s culinary skills and her ceaseless prayers (doa bundo) for her children to seek a better life and return home rich are always in their mind. And what does a loving mother give to her son when he has to go to a far away place with no home-cooked food? It has to be a traditional dish that can be kept for a long time and

one Well, that is certainly rendang or meat cooked in a thick coconut milk sauce, spicy hot just like their mothers make. Though in a cookery book about Indonesia’s regional foods published in 1967 by the then agriculture ministry titled Mustikarasa, rendang is a method of preparation in which the ingredients are cooked without any oil.So when the young man gets homesick he would eat some rendang and offer it to his new friends, popularizing the dish among non-West Sumatran people. that becomes better and better when reheated!

Taking the name for from their place of origin, they call it Padang food as most West Sumatrans are also very proud of their capital. Of course there are now many West Sumatra people who say why not Bukittinggi food or Lubuk Linggau food? But one cannot deny that Padang is more saleable that any other name and it has gone global. In Singapore or Australia, Padang food is known and rendang will be on the menu.

The rendang outside Indonesia is sometimes not the classic West Sumatran rendang, it sometimes is only partly cooked rendang. Traditional rendang has no sauce and because of the preparation the meat is dark brown in color. When it still has thick coconut milk sauce it is called kalio. And that is what in many countries or even in Indonesia outside West Sumatra, is served as rendang.

Perhaps the procedure of making authentic rendang takes too long and requires a lot of patience because one has to stir it often until the sauce is totally absorbed by the meat which will then give it the rather dark color. The preparation is actually not too complicated, but what one has to pay attention to is the time of cooking and rendang is best made from sirloin. Rendang has gained popularity in many countries and when asking visitors to Sumatra what dish they like most the answer will be most likely rendang whether it is from Padang, Bukit Tinggi or anywhere else in West Sumatra where people are very adept in creating spicy, delicious food.

NIAS Island

2008-11-07T10:25:00.000-08:00

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.

Nias is one of the major tourist destinations in North Sumatera, especially famous for its surfing and unique culture. Nias is definitely different than most other places and has very much to offer, not only for surfers. Nias was 'discovered' late and is in some aspects not yet discovered. Forget all strange reports based on travelers' myth and other inflated stories. Nias is definitely one of the more interesting destinations in Indonesia

Surfing and BeachesA deep trench in the ocean along the coast of Sumatera, Jawa, Bali and onwards is the secret behind all the excellent surfing locations in Indonesia. The pressures of the whole Indian Ocean force the sea up out of the trench and to create huge waves along the coast. Many of those waves are now famous, especially the one in Lagundi. Many other places have very good surfing, but are rather unknown due to its isolation and the secrecy of most surfers. Surfing is so much better if one doesn't have to share the waves with the big crowd. Nias has been specially endowed with good surfing. Besides Lagundi there is nice surfing in Afulu, Pulau Asu and Pulau Bawa. In the archipelago Pulau-pulau Batu there are yet more excellent surfing spots.Nias also offers a big variety of beaches for the beach lover. Anything from quiet coral island beaches to huge wide beaches open to the sea. the beaches of Lahewa and Tanah Bala in PP Batu are definitely unique.

Teluk Lagundi is the bay in the Southwest corner of Nias, famous amongs surfers for its excellent surfing. Some years ago it was the main attraction in North Sumatera and in high season all the bungalows along the shores were full.Tourism in Nias started because of surfing. Australian surfers discovered the famous Lagundi/Sorake wave in 1960s. Lagundi became World famous for its long and perfect wave. International competition have been held regulerly since 1993. For those who never have tried surfing there are surf instructors available.

How to get there

To reach this place, there is weekly ship from Jakarta (the capital city of Indonesia) to Gunung Sitoli; There are Ferries from Sibolga to Gunung Sitoli, Teluk Dalam, or Lahewa every day; Before the crisis hit Indonesia, there is daily flight from Medan to Gunung Sitoli, however it is less frequent nowadays. Gunung Sitoli is the capital city of Nias and it is the center of administration and business affairs of regency. There are several travel agencies hotels, public busses and rental cars to support tourism here. There are also some government and private banks available.

Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand agree on transportation cooperation

2008-11-01T10:21:00.000-07:00

Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand agreed to establish cooperation in the transportation sector, partnership and international relations division chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Medan chapter, Khairul Mahalli said in Medan

The keen wish for cooperation in the transportation sector, he said, was marked with the signing of an agreement at the 25th joint business council meeting of the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) in Banda Aceh recently.

Besides coordinating flights from and to cities in the IMT-GT, it was also agreed to increase exports and imports through Belawan Port, evaluate and formulate a work program on the operation of Ro Ro (roll in roll out) vessels plying the Belawan-Penang-Belawan route.

The agreement also covered a recommendation to reach a common tariff for sea/air ports in the IMT-GT region, Mahalli said."The agreement was accommodated by the infrastructure and transportation division of the IMT-GT as the cooperation deals were believed to be effective to boost trade between the three countries," he said.

Festival Danau Singkarak & Danau Kembar, Solok West Sumatra

2008-10-29T10:29:00.000-07:00

Another festival from Solok Tourism Board, West Sumatra.Solok Regency, West Sumatra will held Festival Danau Singkarak & Danau Kembar (Singkarak Lake & Twin Lake Festival) on August 23-27, 2008. This event will be opened by Minister of Tourism & Culture: Mr Jero Wacik.As part of "Visit Indonesia Year 2008" program, Festival Danau Singkarak & Danau Kembar aim to re-discover the nature & wildness of the tourism spots in West Sumatra and also to rise the traditional culture. Traditional children plays and more games will also be performed such as West Sumatra Traditional Kite Festival Festival, West Sumatra Tradional Pacu Biduk, Chicken Kukuek Balenggek Competition, Uda-Uni Election, Food Competition, Bazaar, Paralayang Exhibition and Solok Regency Tourism Photography Competition (July 28- August 23, 2008).

Seminyak Styling

2008-10-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

Just around the corner from Kuta, Seminyak is the epicenter of jet set cool for the urban tropical elite. With a concentration of some of the best restaurants, bars, spas and boutiques on Bali, not to mention a high percentage of some outrageously cool villas, Seminyak has developed into being leader of the island scene over the last few years. Some consider the place snobby, while others come to see and be seen. In the middle of the mix lives a thriving expatriate community of fashion designers, architects, restaurateurs and even the odd magazine editor. Bali suburbia it is, in all its chic glory.When it comes to accommodation the choice is as endless as the overdraft facility on your credit card. Visitors pay big bucks to setup shop in Seminyak: although there are still some good deals to be found, but you have to book well in advance and be prepared to bargain hard - at this time of year mark ups for villa dwellers are the norm. Unlike Kuta or Legian, Seminyak is actually rather easy to navigate on foot. Away from the traffic jams of Laksmana most of the boutique shops and galleries are central enough to be within walking distance of where you are staying. There's less 'hassle factor' evident in this part of town too, so ditch the taxi (save that for the ride home) and explore one of the funkiest parts of Bali for some very cool retail therapy. seminyak Sabbatha (Jl Raya Seminyak, T: 0361 734 877) continues to astound with his highly original and uber glamourous bags for him and her. His range of accessories is equally as desirable as the bags with some incredible gemstone studded bracelets that are hard to put back on the shelf. Prasada (Jl Kunti, T: 0361 735 805) is an exclusive boutique and a fashionable alternative for anyone seeking exquisite yet contemporary style. Prasada brings forth a style focusing on fashion, resort wear, jewellry and accessories. Specializing in luxury silks, and fine cottons incorporating hand beading and sequins to elaborate on the already prominent high quality merchandise offered in the store. Traditional materials or motifs are often incorporated in the form of printed batik style silks or natural woven baskets. The unique collection of quality, original jewellry available compliments the wide selection of exclusive accessories and clothing throughout the store.

seminyak If you're worried about getting too much sun on your skin (or haven't seen the sun owing to nocturnal tendencies) check out Glo (Jl Kunti, T: 0361 738 689) for a professional spray tan in a choice of three healthy glowing shades. What's more, it only takes a few minutes to achieve. Glo also delivers some of the best manicures and pedicures on the island. Gay friendly and essentially, but not exclusively, a spa for men, M Spa (Jl Laksmana, T: 0361 736 715) boasts a staff of all male therapists. The menu presents a wide choice of massage including the Meng Massage administered by two boys using four hands. Also recommended are the body masks, scrubs, facials, and the traditional Balinese Boreh, a great treatment for sore muscles. Cocktails first, questions later…' uttered Vince Vaughan's immortal character in Swingers and not a truer word can be spoken about this Bali rite of passage into the Seminyak night. The sunsets over the beach in Seminyak can be truly astonishing and the crowds still flock like well lubricated lemmings to the one place on the coast that needs no real introduction. The suave and sexy can now level up at Ku De Ta (Jl Laksmana, T: 0361 736 969) with the imminent opening of their VVIP upper decking area, affording those with squillions of disposable Rupiah an elevated vantage point over the setting sun. A super exclusive menu, private lounge area and service bordering on that of a five star resort are what paying punters can expect when ascending to the dizzying heights of the second floor. The rest of us can expect to slog it out over the sun loungers downstairs (get here around three in the afternoon to snag one of these, and guard it with military prowess), throw back the martinis and sample some truly atomic creations from the ambassadors of booze – Bar Solutions.If 'busy' isn't your scene then wander up the beach to either The Samaya or next door to La Lucciola (Jl Kayu Ayu, Petitenget, T: 0361 730 838) for a more relaxed sunset session. The chocolate martinis have to be ordered off the menu but are the best we've come across in Bali in two years of searching, and we've hunted high and low. Upstairs has the best views over the ocean but is non smoking, the downstairs bar is tucked away at the back of the dining area so take a table and consider staying for dinner as the New Australian cuisine is worth sampling.Dinner is an event in itself in Seminyak and, outside of Ubud, has some of the best restaurants on the island in her radius. Current pick of the bunch is Sarong (Jl Petitenget, T: 0361 737 809) a restaurant, lounge and tapas bar oozing with visual texture and lush fabrics. At Sarong, street hawker food is raised to fine dining levels, and the result is divine. The menu features the great cuisines of Southeast Asia with dishes—and chefs—from China, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and India. The prices at Sarong don't reflect the quality of the cuisine or the setting, a resounding success after only a couple of months of being open. The Living Room (Jl Petitenget, T: 0361 735 735) is a stalwart on the dining scene - a beautiful colonial style pavilion in a romantic garden setting encompassed by lacy white wrought iron railings. The extensive menu presents modern Asian fusion with a French twist. Dishes include frog legs with green papaya salad; Vietnamese spring rolls; honey wasabi beef; Thai seafood curry, and desserts such as dark and light chocolate mousse duo.Love the place or hate it, Seminyak cannot be ignored. It's a fun place to dive in and out of and the only part of the island to really party with the up market crowd. If Kuta is too kitsch (actually there's no 'if' in the equation) for your tastes then head uptown this August. Just don't expect to walk away from a big night out with much change left in your pocket.

Minangkabau Matrilineal Homeland

2008-10-25T10:23:00.000-07:00

The Minangkabau ethnic group (also known as Minang or Padang) is indigenous to the highlands of West Sumatra, in Indonesia. Their culture is matrilineal, with property and land passing down from mother to daughter, while religious and political affairs are the province of men (although some women also play important roles in these areas). Today 4 million Minangs live in West Sumatra, while about 3 million more are scattered throughout many Indonesian and Malay peninsula cities and towns.

The Minangkabau are strongly Islamic, but also follow their ethnic traditions, or adat. The Minangkabau adat was derived from animistic beliefs before the arrival of Islam, and remnants of animistic beliefs still exist even among some practicing Muslims. The present relationship between Islam and adat is described in the saying "tradition [adat] founded upon Islamic law, Islamic law founded upon the Qur'an" (adat basandi syara', syara' basandi Kitabullah).

NGARAI SIANOK BUKITTINGGI WEST SUMATERA

2008-10-23T09:42:00.000-07:00

The 150 meter deep canyon lies on the outskirts of Bukittinggi. It is an incredibly picturesque area, lush green with a river winding through the bottom of the steep-walled canyon. West Sumatrans claim it is unrivalled for natural beauty in all of Indonesia, and locals frequently take visitors and friends on outings here.

SINGKARAK LAKE WEST SUMATERA

2008-10-20T10:24:00.000-07:00

SINGKARAK LAKE WEST SUMATERA

Another ideal place for recreation and water sport is Singkarak Lake, 36 km from Bukittinggi. There are several motels and restaurants in the area. Singkarak Lake is located about 10 Km of Solok city and ± 35 Km from Kayu Aro. This lake is located in X Koto district and spread across Solok - Bukit Tinggi way. The lake is state between two regencies that is Solok regency and Tanah Datar regency with ± 129,70 km2 (± 1.129,29 Ha) width. Siangkarak Lake is the widest lake in West Sumatra and the second widest lake in Sumatra Island after Toba Lake.

The Lake is equipped by some facilities, such as; hotels, motels, restaurants and also water sport facilities. Beside used as tourism objects and the economic source of society around, nowadays, this lake also used as the electric source of Sicincin.

Unique Heritage and culture

2008-10-18T09:49:00.001-07:00

History

The written history of Minangkabau started in the 14th century, with the introduction of Islam to West Sumatra, at the time of the gold trade with India and Aceh. By the 16th century Pariaman had become the main port, until Aceh people captured the harbour and took over the trade so that all trade from West Sumatra went through Badeh Aceh. Pepper cultivation then started to become important and West Sumatra became a leading pepper production area, involving, firstly, traders from India, China and Portugal and later the English and the Dutch. In 1763 the Dutch captured Padang and built a fortified trading post. The Portuguese Ambassador of that time became the first European to visit the Bukittingi royal palace.

The Minang lived in three valleys, each valley being ruled by a different leader. Their power reached as far as Batak regions and Rajang. The central Minang government lasted until the end of 18th century when the wealth of the gold mines was exhausted and the miners had to find other work. This work was found in the direction of coffee, salt, textiles and gambir (a superior vegetable tannin which proved to be an improvement on the original Chinese product). Islamic traders from the beginning of the Islamic reformation controlled the trade. Kings, Queens and other secular leaders who refused to follow the Paderi (religious leaders) were conquered during this troubled period in what became known as the Paderi wars. The Islamic university is still called Paderi.In 1821, the Dutch secured their trade by making agreements with King Alam of Pagaruyung. The King gave them the Tanahdatar Valley in which they built Fort de Cock at Bukittingi. From there, they extended their power over the highlands.

The Paderi wars continued until 1837 at Bonjol, named after the most powerful Paderi leader, Imam Bonjol, where their power was broken.From the beginning of the 20th century West Sumatra played an important role in modernizing Islam, especially in improving education for women. In the twenties many a well-educated student was frustrated by the lack of work. In 1926 the students, with the aid of the Communists, started a rebellion; many rebels were put into Dutch jails in New Guinea, Irian Jajah.
After the Second World War, during the independence struggle, Bukittingi briefly became the capital city of Indonesia; after the Dutch captured Sukarno it was the temporary refuge of the Government. On 1st. January 1950 Sumatra became a province of the newly independent Republic of Indonesia.

Traditional House

Minangkabau Traditional house is called 'Rumah Gadang' that means big house or Rumah Adat that means customary house. It is called Rumah Gadang, because of its big size, but it refers to the big function of the house it self. Rumah Gadang in Minangkabau belongs to all members of relatives along the mother's line called 'kaum'. The function is as the place for all traditional ceremonies like wedding party or inauguration of a head of clan. The original traditional house is made of wood and bamboo for the back wall. The roof is made of palm vibe. It is about 12 to 20 meters long and 6 to 8 meters wide the position of floor is two to two and half meter above the ground.
The location of a traditional house stretch from west to east, while the numbers of the rooms are 3,5,7,9 & even though 17. The construction is expended up with a horn shape roof. The roof looks like the horn of buffalo with 4 to 6 points stretch along the house and a point in addition forward for the front door and ladder. For the expanding form of the construction, there is no any right angle connection to the pillars with the horizontal bars of the house. Both, the upper and lower horizontal bars of the building.

The inside of the house is divided into 4 parts. They are living quarters along one side of that house, which consist of five or more rooms; another side in front of the rooms is a hall for meeting. In some houses, the meeting hall made with a raised floor as the place for the household in a meeting. At both ends of the house are rooms with a higher floor called 'Anjuang'. The rooms at Anjuang are used only for a special occasion, and usually used by a newly married daughter of the family.The Traditional House is difference based on their clan:

Bodi Chaniago traditional houses. =>The house has smooth floor and doesn't have anjuang.
Koto Piliang traditional houses ===> The house has anjuang.

The traditional house based on their shape:

Rumah gadang Rajo Babanding.Consists of 5 rooms, 30 poles, 4 slightly horn shapes
Rumah Gadang Rajo Maharam.Consists of 40 poles. It is called Gajah Maharam because the whole shapes look like elephant that sitting on the floor with the legs together and bent back beside the body.
Rumah Gadang Sarambi Papek, It is smaller than Rumah Gadang Rajo Babanding and consists of 3,4,5 rooms coinciding with the numbers of pole and there is no "paserek" and bedroom here.

In front of the traditional house stands rice barns used to keep food supply namely:

Sitinjau LauikLocated on the left side with 6 poles and functioned as paddy storage to provide the common traditional need of expense.
Sibayau-bayauLocated on the right side with 6 poles and functioned as paddy storage for daily need.
Sitangka LapaLocated on the left side with 4 poles and has function as paddy storage for disaster.

The traditional house wall and the rice barns are adorned with colorful carving, that very interesting and has a special meaning reflecting to Minang Philosophy "Alam Takambang jadi Guru" means the whole nature becomes the teachers.

MATRILINEAL

In Minangkabau, the centralization of power is never in the hand of a family leader, but the authority is usually vested in a Senior Woman (Mother or Grandmother) or a mamak (the mother's brother -- Uncle-). In the Minangkabau kinship system, the grandmother if she is still alive has a higher status than the mamak. Both men and women are involved in traditional ceremonies. In the processing of marriage, the role of women is very dominant. Generally, they have the right to supervise the ricefield management and the harvest including the supervision of the earnings, trading, sewing, etc.

Talang Lake

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Talang Lake tourism object that located in Lembang Jaya districts is state ± 2 Km of the twin lakes (Diatas Lake and Dibawah Lake). The Lakes that located about 1.400 m of sea level is state between the cool and fresh hills with fruits and vegetables fields.

The nature lover who likes to hiking, the small lake with about 1,9 Ha width, that actually is one of the two of Mount Talang Purba crater, can reach by foot from Alahan Panjang or the twin lakes in one hour walking.

Bukittinggi

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The heart of the highlands, Bukittinggi is a two-hours drives through beautiful of Anai valley countryside and up to the Agam Plateau. A center of attraction is the town's clock tower, topped with a horn- shaped roof and referred to by the people as Jam Gadang. It overlooks the market square and the city's magnificent surroundings. Located 930 meters above sea level, Bukittinggi, formerly named Fort De Cock by the Dutch, has a cool climate and is surrounded by three volcanoes: Tandikat, Singgalang and Merapi. In the outskirts of Ngarai Sianok town, a canyon that separate Bukittinggi from Gadang City, 12 km away overland. Gadang City is renowned for its fine silver filigree and hand embroidery.

Also worth visit the Museum, which is a Rumah Gadang, a traditional extended family house built in the 19th century. There are dance performances at the museum's open stage every Sunday and on public holidays. Night dance performances are at Sliguri. It is also worth seeing the bullfights at Padang Lawas (6 km south of Bukittinggi) every Tuesday at 5.00 p.m. The delightful hill town, Bukittinggi nestling amid mountain greenery at 920 m above sea level is the Minangkabau capital (victorious buffalo) people. Bukit Tinggi means 'high hill' is stunningly located with views over fertile valleys to two volcanoes, Mt Merapi and Mt Singgalang. It is laid out in tiers down the steep hillside, each level connected to the next by precipitous stone steps and passageways.

The central landmark in Bukittinggi is the clock tower, with its stylized roof, standing in the town square. Geographically, the town's highest point is the Rumah Adat Baandjuang Museum. It is 140 years old classic rumah adat (clan house). It exhibit include wedding and dance costumes, head dressers, musical instruments, village crafts and historic weaponry. Panorama Park has spectacular views over the Sianok and Ngarai canyons

Payakumbuh

Kabupaten Lima Puluh Kota dengan luas ± 3.354,30 km2 terletak pada bagian timur wilayah Sumatera Barat yaitu 00 22' LU dan 00 23'LS serta antara 1000 16' - 1000 51' BT dan berbatasan langsung dengan Propinsi Riau. Disamping mempunyai potensi dibidang kepariwisataan dan menjadi salah satu daerah tujuan wisata di Sumatera Barat, daerah ini juga berada pada jalur strategis yang menghubungkan Sumatera Barat dengan Riau. Daerah yang dikenal memiliki falsafah hidup kemasyarakatan yang masih kuat yang biasa diungkapkan dengan kata kata "Aienyo Janiah Ikannyo Jinak, Sayaknyo Landai, Dalamnyo nan Indak Taajuak, Dangka nan Indak Tasubarangi" . Makna dari ungkapan ini adalah bahwa masyarakat daerah ini suka akan keterbukaan, serta ramah dan bersahabat, namun demikian masyarakat daerah ini sulit untuk didikte oleh orang lain.Kabupaten Lima Puluh Kota merupakan daerah yang sangat potensial untuk pengembangan kepariwisataan daerah. Tercatat banyak sekali objek wisata yang terdiri dari :

OBJEK WISATA ALAM Sebagai Luak Nan Bungsu diantara 3 Luak, Kabupaten Lima Puluh Kota memiliki banyak bukit, lembah dan sungai yang berkelok-kelok serta potensi alam yang cukup unik seperti air terjun, telaga, ngarai, batu yang terjal, gua serta hutan dengan barbagai jenis flora dan fauna. Potensi alam yang indah dan unik ini terdapat dibeberapa Kecamatan di Kabupaten Lima Puluh Kota.

LEMBAH HARAU, Terletak 15 km ke arah timur kota Payakumbuh dan dapat ditempuh dengan waktu relatif singkat (± 20 menit) dengan transportasi angkutan umum pedesaan. Objek Wisata Lembah Harau ini dibagi kedalam 3 resort, yaitu :

RESORT AKA BARAYUN

Dengan kawasan pengembangan seluas ± 225 ha, saat ini dikembangkan sebagai salah satu tujuan rekereasi anak dan remaja dengan berbagai jenis daya tarik dan jenis permainan anak seperti ayunan putar dan sepeda air yang dilengkapi kios-kios souvenir dan makanan/minuman, taman satwa seperti rusa, siamang, beruang madu, burung kasuari dan selanjutnya akan dikembangkan taman penangkaran kupu-kupu. Selain keindahan alam dengan air terjun yang memberikan nuansa alam yang asri, bukit batu yang sangat terjal sering dijadikan arena panjat tebing bagi pecinta alam. Disini juga terdapat fasilitas penginapan berupa pondok wisata (Pondok Wisata Echo) yang bisa digunakan oleh wisatawan yang ingin menginap. Dibangun dengan arsitektur rumah tradisional minangkabau, pengunjung bisa menginap dan bermalam di lokasi ini. Suasana yang nyaman, asri serta jauh dari kebisingan dan polusi, dikelilingi bukit batu yang terjal dan hamparan sawah yang menghijau. Sesuai dengan namanya, dekat lokasi ini terdapat suatu tempat yang bisa menimbulkan suara gema/gaung yang bergelombang (echo).

RESORT sarasah BUNTA

Pada areal ini masih terdapat hutan yang terpelihara dengan baik, dan biasanya tempat ini digunakan untuk kegiatan perkemahan dan pengembangan taman buah-buahan. Memiliki air terjun dengan ketinggian 70-100 meter diantaranya air terjun Sarasah Bunta, Sarasah Aie Luluih, dan Sarasah Muraidan dengan aliran sungai-sungai kecil yang jernih.

RESORT RIMBO PIOBANG

Kawasan ini direncanakan untuk pengembangan taman margasatwa. Dengan luas lahan ± 400 ha, kawasan ini didukung lokasi yang relatif dekat dengan jalan raya Payakumbuh-Pekanbaru, mempunyai potensi flora dan fauna yang terpelihara dengan baik dan memiliki rawa sebagai sumber air, serta adanya jalan tembus dari desa Ketinggian menuju ke Sarasah Bunta dan resort Aka Barayun.

MUSEUM ARKEOLOGI BELUBUS,

Menhir juga banyak ditemui di Belubus, Kecamatan Guguak. Benda-benda cagar budaya ini tersebar berkelompok-kelompok dalam berbagai bentuk dan ukuran. Agar keberadaannya tetap terpelihara, maka dibangunlah Taman Purbakala dan museum arkeologi dalam bentuk rumah adat Minangkabau. Situs yang berjarak ± 8 km dari kota Payakumbuh ini banyak dikunjungi untuk penelitian arkeologi.

TUGU PDRI KOTO TINGGI

Koto Tinggi pada masa Agresi Militer II tahun 1948, sangat penting artinya bagi bangsa Indonesia, karena disinilah Pusat Pemerintahan Darurat Republik Indonesia (PDRI) dilanjutkan setelah Ibukota Negara Jogjakarta berhasil direbut Belanda dan para pemimpin RI ditangkap. Untuk mengenang peristiwa ini, maka pemerintah mendirikan sebuah tugu perjuangan setinggi 7 meter dan diberi nama Tugu PDRI Koto Tinggi. Objek wisata sejarah ini bisa ditempuh dengan kendaraan umum maupun pribadi, 2 jam dari kota Payakumbuh ( ± 50 km dari kota Payakumbuh)

Interesting destination

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Payakumbuh

Payakumbuh is a picturesque village and market place. Fine basketry is available here. It is 35 km from Bukittinggi and a little further up is the most dramatic view on the Harau Valley. Harau canyon, near Payakumbuh is a deep canyon with beautiful waterfall and many butterflies. Near Lake Meninjau, Batang Palapuh a sanctuary, giant rafflesia flowers are sometime found.

Harau Valley

Along the road to Harau Valley is a lovely countryside. Steep granite walls shelter the fertile valley. A waterfall, 150 meters high falls into a basin. The Harau Valley is a nature and wildlife reserve, where tapir, siamangs, boars, wild goats and tigers still roam. The Harau Valley is 15 km from Payakumbuh.

Ngalau Indah Caves

Maninjau Lake

A winding road with 44 sharp turns descends to Maninjau Lake, 36 km from Bukittinggi. A crater lake abounds with fish. There are also facilities for swimming and water skying. Matur village, overlooking lakes, arranges dance performances on request. To the west of Bukittinggi, Meninjau Lake is a Crater Lake renowned for its scenery and remote beauty. Visitors can rent canoes and motorboat at the lakeshore. To the east of Padangpanjang, Batusankar we can see the Splendidly restores palace, with its wonderful carved and painted facades. Balimbing village have many traditional Minang houses.

West Sumatra is one of the most beautiful areas of Indonesia. It is mountainous and divided by three valleys. There are lovely lakes and spectacular volcanoes. But Minangkabau land is very special and has the most friendly population group of Indonesia. They love to talk with visitors and will tell us about their unique society. If a visitor tries to understand the culture and Minang traditions he will soon feel himself a member of the clan. He will be invited as a guest to their homes - a unique way to become acquainted with real Indonesian life. Most of our hosts and hostesses are English teachers so language will not be much of a problem. They will show us the community and explain their customs.

The land of the Minangkabau, West Sumatra has a distinct culture, which distinguishes it from the rest of the island. A land of scenic beauty with blue green lakes and mountains, West Sumatra's Centre of culture and tourism is Bukittinggi in the highlands, north of the provincial capital of Padang. Most prominent in the landscape is the horn-shaped roofs of the houses nestled in the coconut groves. The name Minangkabau means triumphant buffalo. It leads a community and family life based on a matrilineal system, which clusters around mosques and the traditional houses. As it is the women who have the properties, the men are known for their wanderlust and entrepreneurship. Traveling is considered a mark of success and therefore many of them are found "merantau" (emigrated) to other parts of the country. This is proof that many Minang or Padang restaurants, serve very spicy food, found in all major towns in the nation. The people are hospitable and eloquent in a poetic style of speech and ceremonies. Festivals are colorful occasions.

West Sumatra has a coastline where the capital is situated. The hinterland is a range of high mountains, which dip into picturesque valleys and lakes. Amongst them are the remnants of the old Minangkabau kingdom of Pagaruyung, (the art centers for silver, hand-weaving, embroidery and woodcarving)

SARASAH TANGGO

Wisata air terjun yang berada di Kenagarian Sarilamak, Jorong Taratak ± 3 km dari Simpang Pasar Sarilamak. Untuk sampai ke lokasi ini, kita harus berjalan kaki sejauh ± 300 meter. Suasana alami dengan hutan konservasi dan berbagai jenis satwa seperti burung dan hewan lainnya juga berbagai aktifitas masyarakat seperti bertani dan beternak ikan(airnya berasal dari sarasah tanggo) berikut hamparan sawah yang menghijau menambah sejuk suasana ditempat ini. Air yang tak pernah kering walaupun dimusim kemarau, meluncur jatuh melalui dinding batu yang berbentuk tanggo (tangga) diselingi suara satwa kecil disekitarnya.

WEST SUMATRA

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West Sumatra province has about 49,778 sq km width, which is located between 0o 54' North Latitude and 3o 30' South Latitude and between 98o 36' and 101o 53'. The boundaries of this regency is: North Side: Riau Province South Side: Indian Ocean West Side: North Sumatra Province East Side: Jambi and Bengkulu Province

Wide Area

West Sumatra Province has 42,297.30-km2 areas. The West Sumatran coastline faces the Indian Ocean and stretches 375 km from North Sumatra province in the northwest to Bengkulu in the southeast. West Sumatra lakes include: Maninjau (99.5 km2), Singkarak (130.1 km2), Diatas (31.5 km2), Dibawah (14.0 km2), Talang (5.0 km2). West Sumatra rivers include: Kuranji, Anai, Ombilin, Suliki, Arau. The mountains & volcanoes of West Sumatra are included: Marapi (2,891 m), Sago (2,271 m), Singgalang (2,877 m), Talakmau (2,912 m), Talang (2,572 m), Tandikat (2,438 m).

Climate

The temperature of West Sumatra province has ranges between 22o C and 32o C, and the rainfall is 2,289 mm per year.

Administratively

West Sumatra Province is divided among 8 regencies and 6 municipals with Padang as its capital city.

Demography

The people of this province have a strong tradition leaving their hometown to make their way of life. Indeed, West Sumatra communities (Minang) are easily found in each province of Indonesia. In 1994, the total population reached 4,265,900 people with its density amounted to 101 people per Km2. In the 1990-1994 period, the people grew at a rate 1.6% per year or in the lower level that of the population national growth amounted to 2.144% per year.

European Tour of Bali Art and Culture

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The Gigir Manuk Cultural Dialogue in cooperation with the Indonesian Department of Culture and Tourism, the Bali Tourism Authority and the Bali Tourism Board are conducting a road tour of Balinese Art & Culture to Europe from November 11-27, 2006.

Land Under the Rainbow
The cultural program, entitled "Land Under the Rainbow", will form the backdrop for a series of cocktail receptions hosted for the international travel industry, during which art & cultural performances by the renowned Bajra Sandhi Group will be presented during visits to the following European cities:

Brussels and Antwerp,
Belgium Den Haag, The Netherlands
Luxemburg
Paris, France
Aachen, Germany

Bajra Sandhi Performance Troupe

Founded in 1991, the Sanggar Seni Kreativitas Bajra Sandhi, more commonly known as Bajra Sandhi, is a group of Balinese artists who emphasize the spiritual connection between God and the arts. Striving for purity, truth and beauty through the arts - the troupe is comprised of 14 performers who alternate roles as dancers, musicians or singers " depending on the number being presented.

Past performance have brought the group to Athens, Greece where they performed in events paralleling the opening of the 2004 Olympic Games; to Hanoi where they helped celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Vietnam; and to numerous performance venues across Indonesia.

Among the highlights of the coming European tour, the group will present:

Gender Wayang - Music normally reserved as the accompaniment of a shadow puppet performance or for performance at a Balinese rites of passage - the Gender is based on a technically demanding rhythm motif, blending intertwined melodies with lively contrapuntal movements. Resonations created give a shimmering and vibrating quality, extremely rich in overtones, emanating from bronze keys struck with bare wooden mallets utilizing the pentatonic 'Slendro' tuning.
Baris Tunggal Dance - Inspired from the original Baris "Warrior" Dance, the name of this dance derives from the word "baris" meaning rows but also meaning troops of soldiers. With its recent development into a solo performance, the dance now describes the strength and grace of heroic movements of a soldier marching off to war.
Legong Keraton Dance - By legend, the Legong is the heavenly dance of divine nymphs. Of all classical Balinese dances, it remains the quintessence of femininity and grace. Girls from the age of five aspire to be selected to represent their community as Legong dancers. Foremost among the Legong repertoire is the Legong Kraton - formerly reserved for presentation only at Bali's royal courts. Highly stylized, the palace version of the dance enacts a drama performed by three dancers: the 'condong' - a female attendant of the court, and two identically dressed Legong dancers who adopt the roles of royal persons.
Jauk Dance - Taken from Bali's rich tradition of masked dance, the Jauk depicts a crooked and wicked giant king.
Sutasoma - A Balinese tari drama or dance-drama, the Sutasoma tells the story of the birth of Jinapati " the pure soul that arrives on earth with the birth of each newborn baby. Deriving his power from wisdom and peace, Sutasoma defeats the evil giant Purusadha through goodness and enlightenment.

The musical accompaniment in the dance drama derives from the rhythms of traditional lullabies for babies and children, where it at the same time also serves as a divine summon for the unseen 'good' forces to guard the infantile pure souls in this chaotic world.

The Folk Dances

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Like most of the performing arts of the Orient dance in Indonesia is believed by many scholars to have had its beginning in religious workship. Even today, many dances are considered sacred or can be traced back to their early spiritual associations. Among these are not only the temple dances of Bali, but also such seemingly profane dances, such as the Bedoyo Ketawang of Solo, performed only on such rare occasions that they are in peril of becoming lost for the lack of younger generation dancers able to perform them.Dance traditions today are as widely diverse as the various ethnic cultures of which they are part. Nurtured to refined perfection in the royal Javanese courts and princely homes the classical dances of Central Java are highly stylized expressions which have probably already attained their basic movements during the height of the Hindu-Javanese culture from the 8th to the 13th century. From the courts, those dances eventually reached the broad strata of the common people who gave them a more spontaneous form of expression.

In the hands of the people, these dances provided a rich source not only for popular dance dramas, but also for social dances which often display clear erotic overtones, such as Tayuban or Ngibing.
The bumbung dance of Bali which incidentally evolved into the beautiful "bumblebee dance" and Tamulilingan, a creation of Bali's late famed maestro of the dance, I Mario.Other popular folk dances still display strong magic associations, as for instance the "kuda lumping horse dance". Whereas rigid discipline and artistry mark the dance of Java and Bali, those of Sumatra, Maluku and most of the other islands (one exception is the Gending Sriwijaya of South Sumatra) are characterized by their gracefulness and charm, a distinction which is further accentuated by the entirely different, non- gamelan, musical accompaniment.

The old traditions of dance and drama are being preserved in the many dance schools which flourish not only in the courts but also in the modern, government-run or supervised art academies where at the same time the search is continually being conducted for new expressions better adapted to modern times though based on the old traditions.

Enjoy in Bali after dark

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Night life in Bali starts late, which means around midnight. Many visitors wonder where crowds of expats suddenly come from around 1:00 in the morning – even when all of Kuta has been very quiet during the whole evening, the IN-places often become crowded after midnight.

There's a simple explanation: during the early evenings many of Bali's night owls either still work, visit friends at home, or simply sleep. Most of them visit pubs, bars, or discos only in the early morning hours. Therefore, if you plan a night out don't start your dinner too early. Between 9:00 p.m. and midnight there are not many places we can recommend.

Visitors looking for company don't need to worry. Wherever you go in Sanur and the Kuta area, there are many other single travellers with the same problem around – day and night. In Bali's discos you'll meet also many "kupu kupu malams" ("night butterflies" or working girls) and young boys who compete with the females and service all sexes. All taxi drivers know the more popular karaoke bars and massage parlours in Kuta and Denpasar, and the various "Houses of ill Repute" in Sanur's narrow back lanes.

As reported in the BALI travel FORUM: "Prostitution is illegal in Bali. However, like in many countries, everyone turns a blind eye. Many girls can be found in nightclubs and bars in most areas. They look usually just like the girl next door, albeit with a bit more make up on, and they usually dress to please the eye. For the most part, they are gentle, easy to be with, and a lot of fun if you want to dance, drink and have a little fun with. Most will be yours for the whole night for about 300,000 Rupiah although prices range from 100,000 Rupiah to 1,000,000 Rupiah and more – depending on the season, the time of night, the situation and the quality of service".

SANUR & NUSA DUA

Some quite popular places in Sanur are the BORNEO PUB on Jalan Danau Tamblingan and the TROPHY PUB in front of the Sanur Beach Hotel. Both, however, close around 1:00 a.m.

The JAZZ GRILLE, located at the Komplek Pertokoan Sanur Raya No. 15/16 at the By-Pass opposite the Radisson hotel, was opened in February 1999 and attracts tourists and locals alike with live bands (from 9:30 to 12:00 p.m.), a smallish menu, and a billiard table upstairs. KAFE WAYANG in the same building has life music with a good local band and jam sessions with foreign guests every Friday – no wonder it's very popular with many residents. JANGER is currently the only disco in Sanur. Most tourists and even the expats living in Sanur prefer to go to "Kuta" if they look for some fun.The discos and pubs in Nusa Dua's 5-star hotels are often rather empty. They are mostly frequented by those visitors who stay in-house and are too tired to make the 30 minutes drive to Kuta.

THE "KUTA" AREAE

verybody looking for some action and fun in the evening goes to "Kuta" which nowadays means the area extending about 4 miles or 7 kilometers North from the original village of Kuta and includes now Legian, Seminyak and even Basangkasa. Here are most of the better entertainment places offering EVERYTHING single male or female visitors as well as couples might be looking for.

There are several places such as CASABLANCA etc. – down-market open-air pubs and very noisy discos full of stoned Aussies courting Javanese "Kupu Kupu Malams". PEANUTS Discotheque on Jalan Raya Legian at the Jalan Melasti corner (about the border between Kuta and Legian) has been re-opened very soon after it was gutted by a fire. The huge (air-conditioned) dance floor is often crowded, guests are a mix of locals and younger foreign visitors.

Closer to the center of Kuta you find the BOUNTY SHIP with a noisy, over-air-conditioned disco in the basement and the re-built PADDY'S RELOADED not far from the original PADDY'S. When most places close around 2.00 or 3.00 in the morning, night owls of all kinds continue drinking at nearby MAMA'S until sunrise.

For a somewhat more civilized evening out, you can have dinner and a couple of drinks at the bar at either TJ's or KORI in Kuta, at POCO LOCO in Legian, at the open street side bar at NERO Bali right opposite AROMAS Restaurant in Kuta, at the re-built MACCARONI CLUB in Kuta, at MADE'S WARUNG in Basangkasa (see BALI - Restaurants to Enjoy), or at the trendy HU'U Bar & Lounge near the Petitenget temple, LA LUCIOLA and THE LIVING ROOM.

Something more outrageous and only for open-minded people is HULU CAFE between Jalan Padma and Jalan Melasti in Kuta/Legian, a place which calls itself the "only real gay bar in all of Bali" with drag shows starting at 11:00 p.m. three times per week. The performances are actually kind of funny!

You'll find a large and quite popular HARD ROCK CAFE right at the beginning of Kuta's beach road with live music from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. Expect to find many singles of all kinds here looking for company. If you think this is too noisy, too crowded, or the air-conditioning too cold for you, try the CENTER STAGE at the HARD ROCK RESORT located in the back of the CAFE. As the name implies, the band performs on a raised stage in the middle of the huge round lobby bar until 11:00 p.m. Both HARD ROCK outlets are expensive by Bali standards.

The JAYA PUB on the main road in Seminyak features also live music and attracts many Indonesian customers who don't mind the chilling air-conditioning and the sometimes horrible bands and singers.

Seminyak's best place to have a drink and some fun at night is nowadays probably SANTA FEE Bar & Grill, Jalan Abimanyu No. 11 (also known as Gado Gado Road or Jalan Dhyana Pura). Life music, reasonably priced cocktails, a surprisingly good wine list (you have to ask for it, but the prices are very low for Bali standards), and a menu offering local, Mexican, and Japanese dishes as well as a choice of pizzas around the clock and the friendly service attract many visitors until the early hours. If you feel too hot downstairs, you can move to the small air-conditioned "Wine Lounge" upstairs where you find also a rather good choice of wines to take home.

Other popular night spots nearby in the same street are SPY BAR, LIQUID, Q Bar ("for the alternative lifestyle"), Antique Bar, SPACE, THE GLOBE and "A" BAR. New bars and "Chill-Out Lounges" are opening all the time, and most of them feature DJ's and/or live music on certain nights. Just walk down the road and check them out !

UBUD

Don't expect too much here. We are not Ubud nightlife experts, but names frequently mentioned include PUTRA BAR, Jl. Monkey Forest (every night live music ranging from Reggae to rock), MAGIC BAR, Jl. Monkey Forest (live music and sometimes great atmosphere), JAZZ CAFE, Jl. Tebesaya (live music and jam sessions on different nights), EXILE BAR (Saturday nights only, great music), and FUNKY MONKEY (early hours cafe).

indonesian multy culture

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History

The strategic position of Indonesia, has had distinctive influences on both the political and economic history of the islands.Fossils of "Java Man" (Pithecanthropus Erectus) which date back some 500,000 years, were discovered near the village of Trinil in East Java by Dr. Eugene Dubois in 1809. This discovery was followed by other finds in later years which are evidence of Java's earliest inhabitants.Major migration movements to the Indonesian archipelago have been traced as far back as 3,000- 500 B.C. These first migrants were of Mongoloid stock from China and Tonkin and have been credited with introducing new Stone, Bronze and Iron Age cultures as well as the Austronesian language.

History

Indonesia came under the influence of a mighty Indian civilization through the gradual influx of Indian traders in the first century A.D., when great Hindu and Buddhist empires were beginning to emerge.By the seventh century, the powerful Buddhist Kingdom of Sriwijaya was expanding and it is thought that during this period the spectacular Borobudur Buddhist sanctuary was built in Central Java.The thirteenth century saw the rise of the fabulous Majapahit Hindu empire in East Java, which united the whole of what is now modern day Indonesia and parts of the Malay peninsula, and ruled for two centuries.Many monuments spread through Java such as the Prambanan temple complex near Yogyakarta, the Penataran temple complex in East Java as well as the ethereal temples on the Dieng Plateau are remnants of this glorious period in Indonesia's history.

Bali Dance, Music, and Theaters

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Dance, music, and the theater of wayang are other forms of expression laden with religious connotations. The Trance Dance, for example, is performed when a village is suffering, say from an epidemic or bad harvest. The dance is intended to appease the gods and goddesses, with the hope that they will bless the village. Other dances also manifest the great complexity of Balinese daily lives which are never detached from their religious beliefs. Throughout the year, you can regularly find scheduled dance performances, especially the Balih-balihan or entertainment dances.

Dances

Along with the Hindu religion, the Indian influence in Balinese dances is also significant. Balinese strong identity adapts these various influences with indigineous religion of animism and folklore traditions, creating an expression distinctively flavored by Balinese ethnicity.

Much like the training of gamelan orchestra players, dance training begins when one is still very young. The teacher will stand in front of the children and start dancing. The children will follow her every movement. Once the teacher feels that a child understands the basic sequence, she will stand behind the child, and direct the child by holding her wrists. Practicing with a gamelan orchestra will only happen when the dance is considered to have entered the student. The dancer must learn to fully express the character that she is dancing for; self expression is not a known concept.

Based on their religious functions, Balinese dances can be categorized into three

1. Wali (sacred) Dances

These dances are considered sacred, and must be performed in the inner court of the temple.

1. Rejang

Danced by females, Rejang dance is a procession of those who have just barely learned to walk to those who can barely walk, moving in a slow and stately fashion towards the altar, twirling fans or lifting their sashes. Their costumes range from a very simple attire to an elaborate dress complete with headdress as you would likely find in Tenganan.

2. Baris

Literally means warrior formation. Baris is a warrior dance usually danced by men. The movements are dramatic. It is hard to distinguish whether it is the dancer that follows the orchestra, or the other way around. You could say that they both go off into their own dimensions, yet at certain well-defined times meet to create an astounding tapestry. The dancers wear elaborate head decoration, from a gold-colored head band to leaves and strings of cempaka blossoms. Variants of this dance are sometimes danced by children and women. You can find this dance performed in Sanur, Tabanan, and Ubud.

3. Pendet

This dance is usually performed by married women, moving in very dignified and elegant way to carry and present offerings to the gods and the goddesses.

4. Sang Hyang Dedari (Trance Dance)

This dance is normally performed to entertain the gods and the goddesses to appease them or to ask for their blessings. A bad harvest or an outburst of an illness may warrant such a dance. The preparation for this dance may take months, as prepubescent girls who have never danced are trained to relax their mind to be able to get into a trance state. Day after day they visit the priest at the local temple to receive their lessons. When the priest concludes that they are ready, and the time is right, the dance will be performed in the court of the temple. Dressed in elaborate attire and immersed in the smoke of burning incense, the two young girls slowly dance as the accompanying chant of the village women gradually relax them to get into trance. The gods and the goddesses will enter their bodies as they enter trance, and they will dance with movements that they have not mastered in their normal state. They may act and sound like a horse or a monkey; at times, they end up dancing while balancing their back on a piece of bamboo supported by two men on both ends. When they collapse, the village women will chant to ask the gods and the goddesses to peacefully leave the bodies of the young girls. If they refuse, dancing will continue until they agree, at which point the girls will simply collapse.

5. Barong

Barong is probably the most well known dance. It is also another story-telling dance, narrating the fight between good and evil. This dance is the classic example of Balinese way of acting out mythology, resulting in myth and history being blended into one reality. Wanna know the story?

2. Bebali Dances

These dances are ceremonial, and usually performed in the middle court of a temple. In the spectrum of sacred and secular, these dances fall in the middle.

1. Gambuh

Gambuh is a danced drama. It tells the courtly story of a Javanese prince in his quest for a beautiful princess.

3. Balih-balihan Dances

These dances are often considered secular and entertaining. They are performed in the outer court or even outside the temple.

1. Janger

Janger is performed by young girls. Peacock crown shaped headwear made from intricately woven gold-colored, dried coconut leaves rests gallantly on their heads. The girls are open shouldered, dressed in a piece of cloth wrapped around the chest, and a batik wrap on the waist down. Most of the dances are performed sitting down, with highly coordinated hand, shoulder, and eye movements.

2. Kebyar

Kebyar is usually danced by two women with beautiful, long, shiny black hair, accentuated at the top by a band of cempaka blossoms. Fans on one hand, they move dramatically. Feet are strongly grounded, and hands and feet move abruptly.

3. Legong

The dance of legong tells a story. It is the most feminine dance. It is usually danced by two females before they reach puberty (in fact, they must retire by the time they reach puberty).

4. Kecak

Kecak is a spectacular dance usually performed at night, surrounding a bonfire. The westerners called this dance The Monkey Dance, for the movements may remind us of monkey's movements. There can literally be one hundred or more bare chested men, sitting down on the ground surrounding the bonfire, led by a priest in the middle. The only music to accompany them are the beats of their palms hitting their chests, their thighs, or other parts of their bodies, or their claps, rhythmically accompanied by shouting and chanting.

The dancers move in unison, creating a spectacular choreographic performance. Either hands stretched out, pulled in, rested on the shoulder of the next person, or waists gyrated left and right, etc.

Regularly scheduled performances of these dances, especially the Balih-balihan dances, can be found throughout the year.

This is tip for your honeymoon in Bali

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Bali is the Paradise for Honeymooner that many pairs such would like to spend a special opportunity on the island. It' s mesmerized various views such as ; Beaches, mountain, rice catch and romantic place, and romantic place to stay like : Bali hotel, Resort, Villa, Bali private Villa does not make disturbance, no loud clay/tone, really Serenity, for you possible, perfect honeymoon, fair clay/tone too receives to nature. Fresh atmosphere refresh your mind and body. Bali rich culture would contribute, to make your honeymoon the unforgettable one, finds you something, which is singular, beautifully, memorable and fun , the experience of a lifetime, which cannot be gained at other places.

Bali is a tiny island but has so much wonderful things to offer. Many travel agents / tour operator provide worldwide choice of honeymoon ideas.

Here are some tips to get comfortable honeymoon in Bali:

- Schedule your departure day two days after the wedding to give you ample time for rest after the activities and the celebrations. If you must travel immediately, remember to leave in the middle of the day and not the early morning so you’ll get a good night’s sleep.

- Ask your travel agent for Honeymoon Packages, these usually offer the best destinations for honeymooners, not to mention discounts and freebies.

- Never, ever overbook day trips, you’re not just traveling, you’re with your new spouse, better save up some energy for the night’s fireworks.

- Don’t be afraid to ask questions, ask about certain perks, events.

- In addition to the above, don’t be afraid to request extra stuff, like a big bathtub, a double bed, or a romantic view.

- Don’t forget to bring your marriage certificate along with you, especially if the name of the bride is already under her husband’s name.

- Pack your camera and lots of film; you won’t want to miss anything. You might also want to pack a disposable underwater camera and extra batteries, these are absurdly pricey in tourist spots, and you wouldn’t want to overspend.

- Mention to anyone, especially in the café or in the tour boat, that you’re on your honeymoon, yes this may sound a bit embarrassing, but some restaurants give extras like free drinks or gifts for honeymooners. This also works for birthday celebrants.

- If you want an active honeymoon, research and prepare for water sports; the tropics are a great place, to learn them, always remember to consult hubby before you try one though.

- Stock up on sun protection. The higher the SPF the better, as you’ll probably be spending whole days out in the sun; you wouldn’t want to get skin cancer after just two weeks of marriage.

- Some travel agencies include island-hopping trips, these are great ways to explore, and enjoy. This is especially good because you’ll get a change in scenery, and won’t easily get bored, especially if you have an extended honeymoon.

- Even if your valuables are inside your hotel room, keep them under lock, and if you decide to bring them with you, always watch out for stray pickpockets.

- Bring with you a stock of candles and massage oils that you can place inside your hotel room for that romantic evening after touring and swimming.Remember that the entire objective of a honeymoon vacation is to have an unforgettable romance. Follow the quick tips above and you can head your way to a memorable honeymoon in Bali.

Privacy Policy

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Privacy Policy for Indonesian Travel Destination

If you require any more information or have any questions about our privacy policy, please feel free to contact us by email at ryan.lifia@gmail.com.

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ALL ABOUT BALI

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Bali Holidays

Bali was a long time a destination of holidays of favorite for the Australian traveler , just more than 5 hours per plane of the East coast of Australia and alone 3 hours of the west. Bali offers all, the spectacular landscape, a tropical climate, purchases of business, an astonishing range of housing, sports activities and especially, the heat and the charm of the people of Balinese with their 3.000 years of culture of Hindu. The Western side of the island asserts the white sandy beaches and part of better surfer in the world. In the south, the Nusa Dua is a sophisticated enclave of the hotels of resource and the courses of golf, the Eastern resources of Sanur and Candidasa are perfect for families. The interior rice plantations in terrace and century-old women cling to the side of mountain and the village of the artist of Ubud offers peace and the tranquility. To choose traditional houses, exclusive and “moved back hotels of all the villa of” or international properties of resource-model, Bali has housing to be appropriate for each taste and budget. To deliver themselves to the treatments of thermal spa, surrounded by petals of flower, cold outside and to slacken, appreciate a large variety of kitchens, or to make shopping all the day and part in the night. To get information about the culture of Balinese with its festivals, spirits and demons, to see the splendid temples or to test the transporting quiver of white water, cycle by raft of mountain or horsemanship of elephant. That that you want of your holidays, you will find it in Bali, really a paradise of island.