Central Java Overview, Event, and Place of Interest

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

Travel to West Sumatra - The Minangkabau Indonesia

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

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

Getting there:

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

Padang Food - West SumatraTourism Events

Travel to The Jungle Bogor Indonesia

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

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

Kiddie Pool

Travel to Riau Indonesia Part II

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

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

Travel to Riau Indonesia Part I

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

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

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

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

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

Gunung Leuser National Park

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

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

Jakarta - Indonesia Capital City

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

Travel to Jambi Province Sumatra Indonesia

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

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

Botanical Garden Bogor

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

Komodo Dragon Wildlife Adventure Trip Report

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aceh Indonesia - Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam

Brief information about Aceh Indonesia - Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, about the province, city, people, place of interest, etc. Banda Aceh, the capital city of - Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam is suffered an immense loss of life during the tsunami of December 26, 2004. Over 100,000 residents lost their live in a matter or minutes as the huge tidal wave swept ashore. Many heart-wrenching and poignant reminders of that day still remain.
They range from a huge generator ship that now become a monument that was lifted several kilometers inland from its seaside berth to crush a rom of family houses and their inhabitants and a smaller ship which landed atop another house and ironically served as a means for the survival and resque of 57 people, to a myriad of battered landscapes, shattered buildings, and mass gravesites.

Waterfall Tours in Indonesia

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Penglipuran Village - Balinese Traditional Village

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

Bali Simple Offering

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

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