Tabanan: The Home Of The Temple

Tabanan is a regency in Bali province. It located in 35 Km in western side of Denpasar and bounded with Buleleng regency in north, Badung regency in east, Indonesia Ocean in south and Jembrana regency in west.

Founded in the 14th century, Tabanan had a mixed history with numerous conflicts, mainly with the neighboring kingdom of Mengwi. By the end of the 1700´s Tabanan had managed to claim part of the Mengwi kingdom however lost it back to the Mengwi Royal household by the mid 1800´s. By 1906 the Dutch having conquered Tabanan, imprisoned the king and his son.

The district of Tabanan comprises two main regions: the mountains and the lower plains. Tanah Lot, probably the best known and most-photographed temple in Bali. Tanah Lot is also famous for its magnificent sunsets. Every dusk tourists flock to witness the fantastic starkly-outlined temple against the glowing horizon. The best view is from the cliff overlooking the temple.

The city of Tabanan is a modern, prosperous home to a substantial ethic Chinese community. Southwest of Tabanan is Kerambitan. The enchantment of this place lies in the fact that it is still to be affected by modernization. It is particularly noted for the beautiful old buildings and low large palaces.

The Tabanan highlands mostly consist of volcanic areas, with Mount Batukaru (2275m), Mount Sanghyang (2093m), and Lake Bratan, one of three lakes that make up the Bedugul resort area. The area has the last remaining tropical forest on the island. The tranquil botanical gardens of Kebun Raya Eka Karya in Bedugul are home to 650 species of trees and a unique collection of ferns and orchids.

Tabanan is not really a tourist town but Still there are some interesting aspects to the town that become the tourism destination like: Bedugul, Penatahan hot spring, Alas Kedaton, Kebun Raya, Jatiluwih village, Soka beach, Butterfly garden, Tanah Lot, Anyar temple and Gede temple and some more.

Read more »

Lembeh Island: The Best Diving Spot after Bunaken

Lembeh island is part of Bitung administrative area in North Sulawesi. The island is separated from the mainland of Sulawesi Island by the Lembeh Strait.

Lembeh island is famous for those who like to dive, because Lembeh island is the best diving spot after Bunaken. The divers recognized Bunaken as the Sea Garden in the Earth, but Lembeh is such a virgin island. It is untouched and almost to be the perfect diving spot. There are so many unusual habitats and exotic organisms live under Lembeh island, like, the coral skeletons, colorful nudibrachs, mandarin fish, gosh pipefish, frog fish, rhinopias, shrimps, blue-ringed, mimic octopus and rare pygmy seahorses.

It is a fantastic dive area for underwater photographers and the diversity of smaller creatures ensures many memorable photo opportunities.There are several undeveloped beaches on the shoreline of Lembeh Strait which are excellent for swimming and snorkeling.

The only transportation to Lembeh island is using small boats, which is called as taxi from the small port of Winenet for about 30 minutes drive. The taxi is ready in one hour on every departure with maximum capacity of 10 person. The most inhabitant in Lembeh island in Sangihe tribe, the sub-tribe from the Minahasan.

Read more »

Pekanbaru:New Market City

Pekanbaru is one of Indonesia city, a capital for Riau province on the island of Sumatra. As it mentioned before that Pekanbaru is the busy strait for trading port and become the gateway from Indonesia to Singapore. The name of Pekanbaru is referred from Indonesia language of new market or pekan baru.

Pekanbaru has slogan for the city of Bertuah or be fortunate. In other side, Bertuah is a abbreviation of Bersih, Tertib, Usaha Bersama, Aman dan Harmonis or it means as Clean, Orderly, Mutual Assistance, Safe and Harmony.

At early begin, Pekanbaru was known as Senapelan, which is lead by a man named Batin. At first, the region was just a field which gradually turned into a regional settlement.

The native population in Pekanbaru are Riau Malay people that their dominance in most coastal areas and in other regions. Pekanbaru is also inhabited by foreigners, such as the Minangkabau, Melayu Riau (from Riau), Javanese, Batak, Tionghoa, and other tribes.

Riau in general is not like any other province like Bali, which has some attractive destinations, but surely they have some of attraction places that worth to be visited. Especially in Pekanbaru there are some places for recreation or finding the historical site about Pekanbaru. For instance; Pekanbaru Great Mosque, the grave of Marhum Bukit and the grave of Marhum Pekan, Idrus Tintin art gallery, Balai Adat Melayu, Sang Nila Utama Museum, artificial lake tourism, Alam Mayang and tourism market.

While on Riau tourism, in general, they have; Solop beach, Bukit Berbunga or flower hill, Pulau Burung or Bird Island, Taga Raja Guntung lake, Pekan Arba, Kerumutan protected forest, Kuala kempar agroniaga attraction and meranti bay. Napangga Lake, Batu Belah Batu Bertangkup, Tilan sland, Bukit tiga puluh national park, and there are some more natural resources that become a natural tourism in Riau.

source:www.Indonesia-Tourism.com

Read more »

Kudus: The City’s Largest Cigarette Producer

Kudus is a regency in Central Java, located 51Km to the east of Semarang. This regency is bounded with Pati regency in east, Grobogan regency and Demak regency in south, and Jepara regency in west.

Kudus is the smallest regency in Central Java with a total area reaches 42,516 hectares which is divided into 9 sub-districts.

The city of Kudus was something of an important Islamic holy city in the sixteenth century. Nowadays, Kudus also famous with ‘Kota Santri’ or the city of Islamic Students. Sunan Kudus, was one of the nine Wali Sanga, said to have been the fifth imam (head) of the mosque of Demak and a major leader of the 1527 campaign against ‘Majapahit’, before moving to Kudus. The Mosque of Kudus (Masjid Menara) which dates from this period, remains a local landmark to this day.

Kudus is known as the city’s largest cigarette producer in Central Java. The economic developments in Kudus is not separated from the influence industry that stand on Kudus. Some large industrial companies in Kudus is PT. Djarum, PT. Petra, PR. Breadfruit, PT. Nojorono. PT.Hartono Electronic Palace (Polytron), PT. Pura, PT. Kudos, and thousands of small and medium industrial enterprises.

In tourism, Kudus has somethings in particular that worth to be explore, both in religious site and historical site. For instance:

Religious and cultural tourism:

• Minaret Mosque which was built in the 16th century, this building has a blend of Javanese architecture, Hinduism, and Islam.
• Tomb of Sunan Kudus, one wali sanga (spreaders of Islam in the land of Java)
• Tomb of Sunan Muria (in the District Colo Dawe). Also one of walisanga
• Natural attractions:
•  Monthel Waterfall in Colo. district Dawe.
• Songolikur Peak (in Rahtawu Gebog district) the highest peak of Mount Muria.
• Other Mount Muria peak that frequently visited, such as Peak Argojembangan and Argowiloso. Both are located in sub-Dawe.
• Three Flavor Water (Rejenu) and the tomb of Sheikh Sadzili. Located in Japan, Dawe district.
• Pesanggrahan Colo.
• Abiyoso Campgrounds in Menawan, Gebog sb-district.
• Kajar Campgrounds

Source: www.indonesia-tourism.com

Read more »

Bontang: City in East Kalimantan province

Bontang is a city in East Kalimantan province, Indonesia. The city is located about 120 kilometers from Samarinda, directly have border to the East Kutai regency in the north and west, Kutai Kartanegara regency in the south and Regency Makassar Strait in the east.

In this city stand three large companies in different fields, Badak NGL (natural gas), East Kalimantan Fertilizer (fertilizer and ammonia), and Indominco Mandiri (Coal) and has a petrochemical industrial area called the Kaltim Industrial Estate. Bontang city itself is oriented in the industrial, services and trade.

Date back to the early begin, Bontang city was just only a village which was located in watershed and then change to be a city. Formerly, Bontang was also had simple governance, which lead by the elder man named Petinggi or the official.

As the time goes by, Bontang continued to grow . In 1952 it set to be a village led by the Indigenous Elders called Tetua Adat. At that time the leadership was divided in two: the things related to the governmental was under the Kepala Kampung or a headman. While, the things related the custom was under the headman called Tetua Adat Jauh.

There is no particular meaning of Bontang in some traditional languages around Borneo. According to the folklore, Bontang name was arrive from the Dutch acronym “bond” or group/colony, and “tang” is come from the Indonesia word of Pendatang or immigrant. This refer to the condition in Bontang itself, that much more have some immigrant like in Balikpapan or in some area in Kalimantan.

Bontang cis known for its industries and services, those two sectors have provided the main income for this area. Moreover, inside the three giant companies, they complete their manufacture with modern facilities like, housing facilities for employees, sports facilities, recreational spot, playgrounds, hospitals to hotels, those would add to regional cash from the service sector. The service sector and manufacturing industry are the two field operations which absorb the most labor in Bontang people.

Those three giant companies are the economic main support in Bontang. The existence of the giant companies has increased the trade activity with the emergence of new demand for commodities of daily life purposes.

Source: www.indonesia-tourism.com

Read more »

Raja Ampat: The FOUR KINGS

Located off the northwest tip of Bird's Head Peninsula on the island of New Guinea, in Indonesia's West Papua province, Raja Ampat, or the Four Kings, is an archipelago comprising over 1,500 small islands, cays and shoals surrounding the four main islands of Misool, Salawati, Batanta, and Waigeo, and the smaller island of Kofiau. Raja Ampat is new regency which separated from Sorong regency at 2004. It encompasses more than 40,000 km² of land and sea, which also contains Cendrawasih Bay, the largest marine national park in Indonesia. It is a part of the newly named West Papua province of Indonesia which was formerly Irian Jaya. The islands are the most northern pieces of land in the Australian continent.

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. The last was become an egg stone till now on.

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. While the one egg became a woman, had wash away and stranded in Biak Island. 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 area has 46.000 km2. But, 85% of this area is archipelago area. There are 610 islands in this area. But most of them have no social life. 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

According to Conservation International, marine surveys suggest that the marine life diversity in the Raja Ampat area is the highest recorded on Earth. Diversity is considerably greater than any other area sampled in the Coral Triangle composed of Indonesia, Philippines and Papua New Guinea. The Coral Triangle is the heart of the world's coral reef biodiversity, making Raja Ampat quite possibly the richest coral reef ecosystems in the world.

The area's massive coral colonies along with relatively high sea surface temperatures, also suggest that its reefs may be relatively resistant to threats like coral bleaching and coral disease, which now jeopardize the survival of other coral ecosystems around the world. The Raja Ampat islands are remote and relatively undisturbed by humans.

The high marine diversity in Raja Ampat is strongly influenced by its position between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, as coral and fish larvae are more easily shared between the two oceans. Raja Ampat's coral diversity, resilience, and role as a source for larval dispersal make it a global priority for marine protection.

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. Hence, for the flora, Raja Ampat has many kinds of Orchids, Waigeo palm, ironwoods or black woods, 'keruing', 'ulin' woods, etc.

Because of its various nature profit, Raja Ampat will declared by Maritime Ministry Freddy Numberi as ancient regency, based on its location that not only rich of fishes, but also its sea herb and the pearl.

 1,309 fish species, 537 coral species (a remarkable 96% of all scleratinja recorded from Indonesia are likely to occur in these islands), and 699 mollusk species, the variety of marine life is staggering. Some areas boast enormous schools of fish and regular sightings of sharks, such as wobbegongs.

Read more »

West Papua: Exotic Tropical Island

West Papua is a tropical island with primeval rain forests, powerful rivers, beautiful beaches, lakes, and mountains. The highest mountain is Mount Jayawijaya, with snowcaps covering its 5,000-meter-high peaks. The area is also rich in natural resources, including fish, timber, and precious metals. These, however ever, have become a source of conflict between the central government and local peoples.

West Papua is a hot, humid island rising from the sea with some of the most impenetrable jungles in the world and yet also has snowcaps covering 5,000meter - High Mountain peaks, towering over glacier lakes. West Papua is Indonesia's largest and easternmost province and covers the western half of the world's second largest island. It is a land of exceptional natural grandeur, with beautiful scenic beaches, immense stretches of marshlands, cool grassy meadows and powerful rivers carving gorges and tunnels through dark and dense primeval forests. The most heavily populated and cultivated parts of the island are the Paniai Lakes district and the Baliem Valley to the east.

The people of the island can be divided into more than 250 subgroup, which are closely related to the islands along the southern rim of the Pacific and include among others, the Marindanim, Yah'ray, Asmat, Mandobo, Dani and Afyat. Those in the central highlands still maintain their customs and traditions and because of the terrain have virtually been untouched by outside influences. Communications hove always been difficult here and different tribes have lived, for the most part, in isolation even of each other, resulting in an incredibly diverse mixture of cultures.

Even after Indonesia's independence in 1949, Irian Jaya was retained by the Dutch for various reasons. However, Indonesia claimed all of the territory of the former Dutch East Indies, including the Dutch New Guinea holdings, so it invaded Irian Jaya in 1961. In 1969, the United Nations supervised the Act of Free Choice in which Papuan leaders decided in favour of joining Indonesia. This was however rejected by the Free Papua Organization (OPM). The OPM group then conducted guerrilla warfare against Indonesia.

 

Map of West Papua

 

Sunset, Raja Ampat

 

West Papua was created from the western portion of Papua province in February 2003, initially under the name of Irian Jaya Barat; it was renamed Papua Barat (West Papua) on 7 February 2007.

In November 2004, an Indonesian court agreed that the split violated Papua's autonomy laws. However, the court ruled that because the new province had already been created, it should remain separate from Papua. The ruling also prohibited the creation of another proposed province, Central Irian Jaya, as that division had not yet been formalized.

The split is inline with the general trend of provincial splits that is occurring in all parts of Indonesia in the post-Suharto era. The new province has so far been widely supported by the province's inhabitants, as the new entity created more jobs and more government subsidies flowing into the province.

The province changed its name to West Papua on 7 February 2007. The new name applies from that date, but a plenary session of the provincial legislative council is required to legalize the change of name, and the government needs to then issue a regulation.

Read more »

Maluku: Spice Islands

The Maluku Islands (also known as the Moluccas, Moluccan Islands, the Spice Islands) are an archipelago that is part of Indonesia, and part of the larger Maritime southern Asia region. Tectonically they are located on the Halmahera Plates within the Mollucas Sea Collision Zone. Geographically they are located east of Sulawesi (Celebes), west of New Guinea, and north of Timor. The islands were also historically known as the "Spice Islands" by the Chinese and Europeans, but this term has also been applied to other islands outside Indonesia.

Most of the islands are mountainous, some with active volcanoes, and enjoy a wet climate. The vegetation of the small and narrow islands, encompassed by the sea, is very luxuriant; including rainforests,sago, rice and the famous spices - nutmeg, cloves and mace, among others. Though originally Melanesian, many island populations, especially in the Banda Islands, were killed off in the 17th century during the Spice wars. A second influx of Austronesian immigrants began in the early 20th century under the Dutch and continues in the Indonesian era.

Administratively, the Maluku Islands formed a single province from 1950 until 1999. A new province of North Maluku was created in late 1999 and incorporates the area between Morotai and Sula and its capital is Ternate. It is predominantly Muslim, although it has Christian enclaves including in northern Halmahera. Maluku Province includes the arc from Buru and Seram to Wetar with its capital in Ambon. Between 1999 and 2002 conflict between Muslims and Christians killed thousands and displaced 1/2 million.

Spice Islands most commonly refers to the Maluku Islands and often also to the small volcanic Banda Island, once the only source of mace and nutmeg. This nickname should not be confused with Grenada, which is commonly known as the Island of Spice. The term has also been used less commonly in reference to other islands known for their spice production, notably the Zanzibar Archipelago off East Africa consisting of Unguja, Mafia and Pemba. These islands were formerly the independent state of Zanzibar but now form a semi-autonomous part of Tanzania.

Its approximately 1000 islands support a population of less than 1.7 million people. The average population density figure is 19 people per-square kilometer, but the distribution is uneven. Air and sea transportation is the main means, which link the islands together. The province has 32 seaports and 20 airports, and only about 160 km of roads. However, good roads on many of the islands provide easy access to the often-remote places of tourists' interest.

GEOGRAPHICALLY
Maluku province with its capital Ambon, stay at 30 north latitudes 8,300 south latitudes and 1250 - 1350 east longitudes with the area boundaries:
North side: North Maluku Province
South side: Timor Leste and Australia
West Side: Southeast Sulawesi and Central Sulawesi
East Side: Irian Jaya Province

THE WIDE AREA
The wide area of Maluku province is 712.479,69 km_, with the land wide is 54.185km_ and sea wide is 658.294,69km_.
The Maluku Province plain is 85.728 km2 width or 8.572.800 Ha contain of 3 part that is:
- Flat Land: 1.251.630 Ha width (14,6%)
- Wavy Land: 2.417.530 Ha width (28,2%)
- Hilly and Mountainous Land: 4.903.640 Ha width (57,2%)
Almost, Maluku has no upland. The mountain is a back that spread in the middle of the island, forming the mountain with the highest of 3.055 m.

TOPOGRAPHY
Maluku province consists of mountains, islands that spread from west to east and form north to south among 1150 km.

GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION AREA
Administratively, Maluku Province divided into four regencies and one city that is:
1. Central Maluku regency with 15 districts, 296 villages and 6 sub-districts.
2. Southeast Maluku regency with 8 districts, 229 villages and 6 sub-districts.
3. West-Southeast Maluku regency with 5 districts, 187 villages and 1 sub-district.
4. Buru regency with 3 districts, 62 villages.
5. Ambon city with 3 districts, 30 villages and 20 sub-districts.

CLIMATE
Maluku has 2 seasons, that is: west season or north, and southeast or east. West season in Maluku is come from December until March, while April is transition season to southeast season. Southeast season is average 6 months begin from May and end on October. The transition to West season is on November.
The homogenate seasons are give different affect to the land and its sea in this region. The temperature is about 26,2 C (in Southeast Maluku especially in rainy).

Read more »

Situ Bagendit: Exotic Lake

Natural Physical Environment
Situ Bagendit tourist attraction located in the village Bagendit, District Banyuresmi natural tourist attraction is a form of the lake with the northern boundary is bordered by Banyuresmi Village, adjacent to the south by the Village Cipicung, adjacent to the east by the Village Binakarya, and the west by the Village Sukamukti.

Tourism activities that can be done in Situ Bagendit include enjoying the scenery, around the lake by boat or raft. The visitors can also make family recreational activities, enjoy the scenery and water cycling activities.

The object of this tour is managed by Mr. Ajan Sobari with the status of ownership in the hands of local government whose authority is delegated to the Department of Tourism and Culture of Garut regency and the private sector, Mr Adang Kurnia. Under the regulations no. 11 of 2001 the price of admission tickets to this region Rp. 1.000/people for adults and Rp. 500/people for children.

Special Aspects

Situ Bagendit have objects and natural attractions environmental quality, cleanliness and landscape in good condition. The buildings contained in the region, whether permanent or semi-permanent, in well maintained condition. In this area there is pollution, litter and vandalism in the form of graffiti on buildings and trees. Visibility somewhat hindered in this region, the noise level is moderate and there are signs for advertising.
Facilities available in this region of 60 units raft rental rates to Rp.25.000/15 minutes, 11 units of water bike with tarif Rp.10.000/15 minutes in good conditions. There are also several park benches and 6 units rented shelter for visitors with Rp.3.000/jam price. There is also a mini train Rp.2.000 rates and pool area of ​​this Situ Bagendit . The atmosphere in this tourist area is quite comfortable due to its construction has been well planned by the tourism department, but still there are also illegal kiosks and street vendors who in vain to hold their merchandise so that the level visibility in the region become a little terhalang.Objek and attractions Situ Bagendit operates 07:00 to 17:00 o'clock. Building conditions contained in this area in good condition with a permanent type of building materials and semi-permanently in a fairly good spatial development in the region due Situ Bagendit  has been well planned. Area of ​​objects and attractions of this Situ Bagendit  environmental quality, cleanliness and the landscape in this region baik.di conditions contained waste pollution and vandalism in the form of graffiti on buildings and trees caused by pengunjung.Visabilitas somewhat hindered in this region, the level of noise currently there are few signs and advertisements.
Power source in this region comes from the PLN with 220 volts and the voltage distribution is sufficient. Water resources in this area comes from wells and taps with the quality of clear water, fresh water taste, and smell normal water. Sometimes there are obstacles in the area of ​​water use Situ Bagendit the dry season when the surrounding water receded. Waste disposal systems in this area is through septic tanks, sewer and irrigation system. Situ Bagendit  tourist area also has a communications system in the form public phone inadequate amount. There is also a way Situ Bagendit this region whose length B 50m. in the front area there Situ Bagendit  parking lot with an area of ​​1400 m2 with a capacity of 30 buses, 60 private cars and 180 motor vehicles in reasonably good condition with surface layer of soil, but vegetation shaded inadequate. There is a post ticket that also serves as the entrance in good condition, also a public toilet in the building and hygiene conditions are sufficient. This region there is a playground with shade and vegetation in sufficient condition. There are places of worship in the form of Mosque and also there are 10 pieces of trash Bagendit Situ tourist region.

Accessibility
Situ Bagendit tourist area distance from Garut city center is 4 km away. There is public transportation in the form of public transportation terminals Guntur-Kp.Mengger majors and Garut-Limbangan Rp.1.500 rate and tariff Rp.2.000.Kualitas ojeg with the sights and the level of security along the roads in the area of ​​objects and attractions are quite baik.jumlah employees objects and attractions of this Situ Bagendit  of 6 people. Visitors who visited this tourist attraction reached 400-600 people per month. Visitors are usually derived from Garut, Sukabumi, Tasikmalaya, Bogor, Bandung and Jakarta.

Read more »

Mount Talaga Bodas

Talaga Bodas Crater Natural Park region has an area of ​​23.85 hectares and located at an altitude of 1512 m above sea level. Sightseeing is a natural park with white water.

Soil stability and water absorption area is classified as moderate. Type of soil material is rocky sandstone soil. Talaga Bodas Crater environmental conditions quite well with the cleanliness and landscape that are classified as good, as evidenced by the absence of water pollution, soil, air and waste, it's just that there is still vandalism committed by visitors.

Administrative boundary of Talaga Bodas Crater region are as follows:

North: Village Sukahurip
West: Village Sindang Blooms

South: Village Tenjo Nagara

East: Village Tenjo Nagara

Talaga Bodas Crater Natural Park region located 8 km from the capital district Wananraja? 20 km from the town of Garut, and 83 km from Bandung. This area is managed by the West Java BKSDA II based on Ministerial Decree No: 98 / Kpts / UM / 1978, with the status of land ownership by the Ministry of Forestry.

Visitors who come to this Natural Park usually do tourist activity tracking, hiking, photography, picnic, or just a walk and refreshing course.

Accessibility
Accessibility to the Natural Park consists of lane highway that is good enough to grade the road district. To reach the location of natural park was able to use vehicles that pass through the road access in the form of public transportation by bus route: Garut-Cibatu, , Guntur-Sukawening terminal, and terminal point Guntur Perumnas Cempaka Indah, or can also use the traditional form of transportation equipment and wagon motorcycle taxi at the end of entrance road access. The visitors generally reach the site by bringing the two-wheeled vehicles (motorcycles).

Read more »