Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Bali, The Best Island in The World

Bali is one of the tropical islands in the Indonesian archipelago. Probably it the most famous island in Indonesia. Bali has spectacular mountain scenery, beautiful long white sandy beaches with warm blue water, and friendly people who live in vibrant culture.

Bali Ngaben Parade
Sun Sets on Tanah Lot Temple
Panorama of Mount Batur

This tropical paradise is the perfect holiday destination for everyone. Travel & Leisure Magazine has awarded Bali the World's Best Island in 2009 and Lonely Planet's Best of Travel 2010 ranked Bali second place among the world's Top Regions.

Bali Elephant Park
Bali Rice Terraces of Tegal Alang
Jalak Bali Birds at Paddys Field

Bali also known as the Land of the Gods. The Balinese people are very proud having preserved their unique Hindu culture. For your info, Islam is the dominant religion throughout Indonesia. In Bali the Hindu culture is still reflected in day to day life and can be seen in the numerous ceremonies, festivals, temples, dances, arts, and crafts.
The Marvel of Jurang Tanjung
Golf Session at Bali
Bali Monkey

If you are a shopping addict, Bali is a shopper's paradise especially for casual clothing, locally made handicrafts, jewellery, and antique stuffs. Try bargaining at the street markets of Kuta or Sanur, you can get exotic leather ware like jackets and coats at very low prices.  

Traditional Arts Gallery at Bali
Shopping at Kuta Square

Bali has world class of water sports especially scuba diving, snorkeling, and surfing. Many beaches like Kuta or Nusa Penida offer wonderful adventures for water sports enthusiasts. If you want to get brown skin like chocolate, you can simply sun bathing at the beach, and at the end of holiday wonderful chocolate skin will be yours.

Bali Beach Boys
Dancing with Waves at Bali

Bali Sacred Temple

When the sun sets, you can choose a quiet romantic moon dinner or watch the spectacular Balinese Kecak Dance or Fire Dance. Bali also offer all kind of bars, discos, and nightclubs.

 Kecak Dance Video
 

Some useful tips and informations about Bali: 

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Borobudur, The Biggest Buddhist Temple in The World

Borobudur temple is the world's biggest Buddhist temple in the world located in Magelang, Central Java. The temple widely considered to be one of the world's seven wonders. This ancient site built in the 9th century during the reign of the Syailendra dynasty by King Samaratungga, one of the kings of Old Mataram Kingdom. The architects of Borobudur was Gunadharma. Little is known about Gunadharma. Based on Kayumwungan inscription, Hudaya Kandahjaya revealed that Borobudur was completed to be built on 26 May 824, almost one hundred years from the time the construction was begun. The temple's design in Gupta architecture reflects India's influence, yet there are enough indigenous scenes and elements incorporated to make Borobudur uniquely Indonesian. Borobudur is the icon of Indonesia's cultural heritage.

Borobodur Northwest View
Prince Siddhartha Gautama became anascetic hermit
Borobudur covers enormous area, measuring 123 x 123 metres. The temple is a marvel of design, decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. The architecture and stoneart of this monument has no equal. Borobudur was built without using any kind of cement or mortar. The structure of Borobudur is like a set of massive interlocking blocks held together without any glue.

Stairs of Borobudur
A Buddha statue with the hand position of dharmachakra mudra
Queen Maya riding horse carriage retreating to Lumbini  to give birth to Prince Siddhartha Gautama

Borobudur was abandoned at 14th century because decline of Buddhist and Hindu kingdoms in Java and the Javanese conversion to Islam.  Worldwide knowledge of its existence was sparked in 1814 by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the British ruler of Java, who was advised of its location by native Indonesians. Borobudur has since been preserved through several restorations. The largest restoration project was undertaken between 1975 and 1982 by the UNESCO and Indonesian government. Borobudur temple was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Borobudur is still used for pilgrimage by Buddhists in Indonesia especially to celebrate Vesak.

Buddhist Monks Praying at Borobudur
The Mural On The Wall of Borobudur

Monday, November 12, 2012

Surfing Paradise at Krui

Krui is the capital of the Pesisir Tengah district in West Lampung, Lampung Province. Krui is in the Indian Ocean littoral.

Krui Beach

In the coastal areas, tourism is very potential. Krui as a tourist destination is relatively quite compare to Bali or Lombok, but it start to attract foreign and domestic tourists. In Krui we can, swimming, snorkeling, surfing, fishing, looking for crabs, fishing, and also get to see the sunrise.

Surfer in Attraction at Krui
Surfer with a Big Wave at Krui
The Beach is Relatively Quiet
Indian Ocean
Beautiful Coast Line at Krui
Fishing at Krui

Popular Hotels in Lampung:
Hotel Sahid Bandar Lampung
Hotel Grand Anugerah 
Satwa Elephant Eco Lodge 
Alau Alau Boutique Resort 
Hotel Anugerah Express 
Hotel Arnes Lampung
Emersia Hotel 
Grand Elty Krakatoa at Krakatoa Nirwana Resort
Bumi Kedaton Resort
Bukit Randu Hotel
Amalia Hotel Lampung
Sheraton Lampung Hotel
Kampoeng Wisata Tabek Indah Hotel
Novotel Lampung Hotel

Friday, November 9, 2012

Arborek: Village with White Sands

Arborek village is located Arborek Island and approximately 1-2 hours of Waisai, the capital of Raja Ampat. Arborek Village is a pioneer among 18 tourist villages in Raja Ampat, West Papua, which has started to develop local regulations for community-based marine conservation. It makes Arborek become one of favorite places for diving and snorkeling in Raja Ampat. With the help from the central government, local authorities, research centers and non-governmental organizations, local communities in the village has managed to formulate regulations for naming the conservation area namely Indip and Mambarayup.

Arborek Village
White Sands at Arborek

From a distance, the island looks very beautiful. The perfect blend of sight between the white sand beaches, blue sea, palm trees towering and cotton-like clouds in the sky, will make you chuckle in your mind. To discover the underwater beauty here is not so difficult. Arriving at the dock, look to the sea around the dock. Clear blue sea water marine fish are colorful and beautiful corals will look very clear. Various types and colors of fish, making you not bear to throw yourself into the sea. Along the pier Arborek, divers can plunge into the water and easily find a glittering Gorgonia just below the water surface.

Coconut Trees at Arborek

Beach in Arborek is very beautiful. Fine white sand which extend along the coast up to the home pages of its inhabitants and coconut trees along village, it makes the village very cool. Society in Arborek was very friendly and they are also known for their skills in making handicrafts and camshaft cap (string bags) from sea pandanus leaves. Both the sea and the land are very beautiful.

Manta Ray at Arborek

One more interesting in here is Arborek Manta point, the diving point where we can find the Manta Ray which is also one of the icons of the Raja Ampat. Sungguh amazing experience to dive and play with the giant fish that one. So if you're in the Raja Ampat do not forget to go to Arborek.

Popular Hotels in Raja Ampat:
Hotel Maras Risen
Raja Ampat Dive Lodge 

Monday, November 5, 2012

Karimunjawa: The Beauty of Tropical Islands

Karimunjawa is an archipelago of 27 islands in the Java Sea, approximately 80 kilometres northwest of Jepara. The name of Karimunjawa in Javanese means "a stone throw from Java". The islands have a total area of 78 km2. The main island is Karimun (2,700 ha) and the second-largest island is Kemujan (1,400 ha). Some of the islands have been declared as a marine reserve, the Karimunjawa National Park in 2001. Only five of the islands are populated and mostly by local traditional fisherman. The Karimunjawa islands administratively part of Jepara district (kabupaten) of Central Java province.

Karimunjawa Map
Karimunjawa Beach

Karimunjawa is an affordable holiday destination for marine lover because relatively close to Java island that make Karimunjawa more accessible. Fast boat from Semarang cut the length of the trip to half of usual ferry ship from Jepara. It takes only 3.5 hours. 

Karimunjawa Beach

Karimunjawa is a beautiful tropical islands. The weather is warm, the sky is sunny, the water is very clear, and the surrounding is very remarkable. If you want to get burned by the sun, white sandy beach is very awesome. Chocolate skin will be yours at the end of your holiday.

Swimming with the Sharks in Karimunjawa

If you want more adventure you can also swim with the sharks. It the most popular activity to do here. Get your memorable pictures and upload it on your facebook, twitter, or google+ with the sharks around you in the conservatory sharks pool.
 
Karimunjawa Sunset

Diving or snorkeling is a must to do for marine lover. If you are not a good diver or swimmer, glass bottom boat is the solution for you and you can enjoy marine life in deeper water.

Karimunjawa Glass Bottom Boat

Popular Hotels near to Karimunjawa:
Popular Hotels in Jepara
Popular Hotels in Semarang

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Orangutans at Tanjung Puting National Park

Orangutans are large apes that currently found only in the rainforests of Kalimantan (Borneo) and Sumatra. These apes mostly live in trees and swing from branch to branch using their arms. The word orangutan means "man of the forest" in Malay language. Orangutans are in danger of extinction because their population is decreasing.

Tanjung Puting National Park
An Orangutan at Tree

Orangutans are very intelligent and they are among the most intelligent primates. They use leave as an umbrella to prevent them getting wet when rain. Orangutans also use leaves as cups to help them drink water.

Tanjung Puting National Park is located in Central Kalimantan province. Nearest City from this national park is Pangkalan Bun. Tanjung Puting National Park is famous for its Orangutans conservation, purity of the air, night sky with remarkable view of the Milky Way, and also beautiful sunset. Kalimantan itself is the world's third largest island with an extremely diverse flora and fauna that include more than 380 species of birds, 222 species of mammals, more than 2,000 species of orchids, and more than 3,000 species of trees.

Milky Way at Tanjung Puting National Park

How to get to Pangkalan Bun : Jakarta - Semarang - Pangkalan Bun by plane, or from Semarang to Pangkalan Bun by ship.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Komodo Dragons at Komodo National Park

The Komodo Dragon (Varanus Komodoensis) is the largest species of lizard found in Indonesia Islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang, and Padar. It is growing to maximum length of 3 metres (10ft) in rare cases and weighng up to around 70 kilograms (150 lb). Unusual size of the lizards has been attributed to island gigantism, since there are no other carnivorous animals to fill the niche on the islands where they live. Komodo Dragons exist nowhere else in the world and become great interest to scientists studying the theory of evolution.
The Komodo Dragon
Komodo Dragons Having Sex

Komodo National Park is located in the center of the Indonesian archipelago, between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores, East Nusa Tenggara Province. This area established as National Park since 1980. The main purpose of this National Park is to conserve the unique Komodo Dragon and also protecting entire biodiversity, both terrestrial and marine. They are protected under Indonesian law. In 1986, Komodo National Park was declared a World Heritage Site and a Man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.

Underwater Beauty at Komodo National Park

For experienced divers, Komodo National Park is very a great adventure. Komodo has the good reputation for being a diving area. There are many dive sites with strong and sometimes unpredictable currents with water temperatures change very often. In spite of these, Komodo has fantastic underwater experiences for divers. Big pelagics (Manta rays, sharks) are very common to see. Bio diversity of Komodo National Park is very outstanding both terrestrial and marine.

Manta Ray at Komodo National Park

Exotic Underwater at Komodo National Park

Labuan Bajo is a fishing town located at the western end of Flores in Nusa Tenggara province. It is the launching point for trips to Komodo Island and Rinca Island, home of the famous Komodo Dragon.

Some Popular Hotels in Labuan Bajo:

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Dieng Plateau, Abode of the Gods

Dieng Plateau sitting up in the mountains about 150 kilometers northwest of Yogyakarta, around 150 kilometers southwest of Semarang, and 26 kilometers north of Wonosobo. With 2,093 above sea level, average temperature ranging from 10 degrees Celcius to 15 degrees Celcius. The name of Dieng which is literally derived from sansekerta word: "Di" means highland or mountain and "Hyang" means Heaven. Therefore, Dieng can be interpreted as a mountain range where god and goddess resides, or "Abode of the Gods". Dieng Plateau is a misty location that consists of small ancient temples set in the remarkable volcanic landscape, colored lakes, "mirror" lake, craters, sulphurous springs, and geothermal activities.

Colored Lake at Dieng Plateau
Old Hindu's Temples at Dieng Plateau

If you want to transport back to ancient times, Dieng Plateau is the right place. The temples in Dieng Plateau are the oldest Hindu's temples in Indonesia. The temples are remnants from the glorious period of the Hindu empire in Java dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries. From the bubbling mud holes, brightly colored sulphur lakes and thick mist surrounding the plateau, visitors will easily understand why the ancient Javanese considered this place to be the seat of supernatural powers.

The Beauty of Colored Lake at Dieng Plateau

Each of the temple is named with epic tale figures of the Mahabarata such as Bima, Gatotkaca, Arjuna, and Srikandi. It is believed that these temples used to serve as residences of Hindu priests who would spread Hindu teachings.
Beautiful Sky at Dieng Plateau

Dieng Plateau is the largest vegetable producer in Central Java. Potatoes are the main commodity as well as carrots, cabbage, tobacco, mushroom, purwaceng and also carica or mountain papaya.

Beautiful Panorama at Dieng Plateau
Unique Sky at Dieng Plateau
Sikidang Crater at Dieng Plateau

Some tips and information about hotels near to Dieng Plateau:
Kresna Gallery Hotel Wonosobo
Surya Asia Hotel Wonosobo
Pondok Bamboo Sendangsari Wonosobo