Candi Rejo Village - Community Based Tourism Project in Central Java

He explained briefly the history of eco-tourism in Candi Rejo. Only a few years ago an Indonesian NGO approached the village and introduced the concept of community-based ecotourism. After many village meetings, the community in Candi Rejo embraced the idea. The village also has the benefit of being very close to Borobudur, the biggest Buddhist temple in Indonesia and a great wonder of the ancient world. They have a river that can be used for white water rafting, and also has a nice trail called Watu Kendil, which is the path to Kendil Hill. From the top of this hill, one can view 5 volcanoes and also the whole construction of Borobudur Temple.

No doubt that the ecotourism project has increased the village's economy. Since Candi Rejo gained its official "tourism village" status in 2003, it has developed into a cleaner and wealthier village. The village chief has ordered every home in the village to grow "Rambutan", a tropical fruit tree in front of their houses. The result is: this village is becoming very green and shady. The weather in Central Java can get very hot, so these big trees can protect pedestrians from the burning sun

We left Candi Rejo with fond memories of this village. We would go back in a heartbeat. Hopefully next time we could take our travelers there with us. We're proud that the ecotourism and community-based tourism movement in Indonesia is developing rapidly. We hope these projects can alleviate poverty, create more job opportunities and most importantly sustain Indonesia's ecology.

Sir Galigi Played Wayang: The Inestimable Charm Of Wayang Kulit, Or Indonesian Puppet Dancing

Pariangan is a neat little village on the slopes of Mount Marapi in Indonesia. They say that the Minangkabau people of Indonesia first arrived here after their ship landed on this mountain when the world was submerged in water and only the mountain’s peak was visible (That’s some kind of cruise!).  Well…sitting in that old village, with the evening just setting in, I could almost believe that familiar fable. This place was pretty different from the city lights of Chicago, where I live. You could feel that oddly tangible sense of history around here.

They were just setting up the puppet show. I had come all the way from Chicago to see this thing. It is called the Wayang Kulit, and it is an ancient Indonesian art form. “Wayang” literally means “shadow,” and you can understand why they call it that if you see how the puppet show works. I have seen puppet shows elsewhere, but most of them have actual puppets being moved around by a set of strings. The Wayang Kulit is different; here you don’t see the actual puppets. You just see their shadows.

They set up a backlit screen. The screen looks like it is made with Japanese rice paper; it has that peculiar texture. The light behind the screen is a diffuse yellow. The puppets are placed between the light and the screen and what you get to see, sitting before the screen, are their shadows. There’s a very different visual impact of this “shadow dancing” from the usual sticks-n-strings puppet shows I had seen before. Things look more black and white, and visually, the show is very powerful.

I had read up on Wayang Kulit, of course. It is a peculiar Hindu art form of very ancient Indian origin. Wayang Kulit did not originate in Indonesia; it was brought here by Hindu colonialists in the 8^th or 9^th century CE. The first performance of Wayang Kulit is mentioned in a 930 CE inscription here which says “si Giligi mayawang” or “Sir Giligi played Wayang.” Apparently, this “Sir Giligi” (Sir?!) was a famous wandering entertainer around these parts. The theme of Sir Giligi’s ancient puppet show has not changed much even today. These themes are almost always stories from ancient Indian epics, and they talk about ancient war heroes, gods, demons, and not a few princesses, I guess. The actual religion-oriented themes didn’t interest me much, to be honest; but I was fascinated by the continuity of this art form, and the strong visual impact of the shadows dancing on the yellow screen.

The show starts off with peculiarly resonant drum music. If you have heard drummers beating to the tune of the Balinese dance music (YouTube?), you will see what I mean. This is a small drum with a wide base, and the sound has a strong high bass note to it. I can well imagine some of our Chicago rapper brothers getting hold of this thing; they would love it; I did.

Then they start off with the actual puppet dancing. There is a sort of “soul” music that goes on with it. It is done in a strangely nasal voice; I guess they are talking about the stories and themes of the show. I am not sure I understand what is going on, so I just stop worrying about it and focus on the shadows.

The shadow puppets are mesmerizing. The puppets themselves are very well designed, with lots of details in the peculiar headdresses and the style of clothing. They move with a fine grace. If you are watching this thing at night, in an unknown, strange village like this, you are bound to feel something different. What can I say – it’s a very out-of-the-world experience!

The Wayang Kulit continued for an hour into the night. There we were, about two hundred ethnic Indonesians, one extremely garrulous Padang cab driver and an American from Chicago, and we all sat engrossed in the strange beat of that drum, that weird, interesting music, and the shadow puppets dancing away on the screen.

The cabby was unnaturally quiet on the way back to the hotel, as if he could see the little shadow puppets dancing around the car in the darkness of the Indonesian night, and had to focus on the road so he didn’t hit one of them.

batik are indonesian cultures

we’re all know that malaysia always try and keep indonesian cultures. no! batik is not yours dude!!! batik are not just as culture to us, or just as ornament or fashion, but it had deep philosophy on it. read this :

Philosophy of Batik for Indonesian
by : Erny Setyawati

batik pattern

Indonesia has thousands islands that spread from Sabang to Meuroke. Every island has difference language, culture and ethnic and traditional life. Batik as traditional cloth that has been created since century ago, become specific cloth cold not be separated from Indonesian life. You will find Batik almost in every regencies and Municipalities at Indonesia.

Batik is not only used as fashion, but has philosophy for Indonesian daily life. Indonesians always wear Batik when they are born until death. Indonesian mothers always carry on their baby using Batik for lullaby their baby, so that the baby feel comfortable. The baby feel tender and smooth because Batik is made from Mori cloth. The processed of making Batik will take three months at least, even few highest Batik quality will take long time to process.

Wisdom mother always choose Batik with good hope philosophy to carry on baby , in order the baby always health, strong and good future for their family and nation. New bride couple will wear Batik, called jarit when getting marriage ceremonial. The design of jarit reflect good hope for happy marriage and avoid Parang design, because Parang design reflect sword for battle.

You will see varieties design Batik in Indonesia; because every island creates Batik depend on culture, philosophy, Way of life and spirit of life. Different island has different philosophy, design and purposes. Batik is also used to cover corpse when people pass away, the design must reflect eternity. Batik is used in varieties purposes so that the Batik designers create Batik for different purpose also.

The Government as motivator and facilitator of Batik, give and support capital stimulant and find market for Batik, even few Regencies and Municipalities make policy to wear Batik for local government employers. Few popular designers create Batik more fashionable so that the young people are not ashamed and look trendy to wear it. The efforts that have been doing by stake holders and Government, improve Batik popularity and price higher than before. The fashionable Batik motivates Batik entrepreneurs to find niche market and find strategies to market Batik, include marketing on the net.

BALI – INDONESIA

Bali is an island in Indonesia, and became one of the provinces of Indonesia. Bali lies between Java and Lombok Island. the capital province city is Denpasar, located on the southern island. Bali is a majority of the population embraces Hinduism. The world famous Bali is as a tourism destination with a unique variety of art-culture, especially for the Japanese and Australian tourists. Bali is also known as Pulau Dewata or paradise island.

music
a balinese gamelan.

Balinese traditional music has similarities with the traditional music in many other areas in Indonesia, for example in the use of gamelan instruments and various other music tabuh. However, there are specific techniques in the play, for example, in the form of Kecak, the libretto of the same shape that it seems fake monkey voice. Similarly, the various gamelan played also unique, for example Jegog Gamelan, Gamelan Gong Gede, Gambang Gamelan, Gamelan Selunding, and Gamelan Semar Pegulingan. there is also angklung played music for the ceremony of  Ngaben, and Bebonangan music played in a variety of other ceremonies.
There is a modern form of traditional music from Bali, such as the Gamelan Gong Kebyar which is dance music that developed during the colonial Dutch, and the start Joged Bumbung popular in Bali since the era of 1950s. Balinese music in general is a combination of various musical instrument metal percution (metalofon), gong, wood and percution (xilofon). Because the relationship of social, political and cultural, traditional music or games gamelan Bali Bali style to give effect or influence each other in the area surrounding culture, for example, in the traditional music community and music Banyuwangi traditional community Lombok.
* Gamelan
* Jegog
* Genggong
* Bali Silat
dancing
Bali dance art in general can be catogorized into three groups; the guardian or sacred art of dance performance, art or dance bebali performance for the ceremony and also for visitors, and balih-balihan art or dance entertainment for visitors.
Specialist art dance Bali are I Made Bandem  in the early 1980s had sort dances in Bali, among others, belong to the guardian for example in Berutuk, Sang Hyang Dedari, Rejang and Gede line, among other bebali is Gambuh, Topeng Pajegan, and Wayang Wong, whereas balih-balihan, among others, is the Legong, Parwa, Arja, Prembon and Joged, and various other modern dance choreography.
One of the dances that are popular for tourists is the Kecak Dance. Around 1930’s, Wayan Limbak working with German painter Walter Spies to create dance is based on tradition and Sanghyang parts Ramayana story. Wayan Limbak popularize dance this time around the world with the troupe of dancers Bali

rumah gadang the artistic house from sumatra indonesia

indonesia are well known had a rich culture, thats why malaysian always try to stole it from us. one of it are rumah gadang from padang.

                                                                 rumah gadang

Rumah Gadang is one of Minangkabau’s symbol, the most common housing forms have traditionally been wooden and raised on piles, built of locally gathered materials, with steeply pitched, roofs. Their culture is matrilineal, with property and land being passed down from mother to daughter, while religious and political affairs are the province of men. The Minangkabau are strongly Islamic, but also follow their own ethnic traditions, or adat. Minangkabau adat was derived from animistic and Hindu beliefs before the arrival of Islam, and remnants of animistic beliefs still exist even among some practicing Muslims. As such, women are customarily the property owners; husbands are only tolerated in the house at certain times and under special conditions, and must return to their sisters’ house to sleep.

The external walls of a rumah gadang are covered with various motifs, each having a symbolic meaning. A communal rumah gadang is a long house, rectangular in plan, with multiple gables and upsweeping ridges, forming buffalo horn-like ends. They normally have three-tiered projections, each with varying floor levels. They are broad and set on wooden piles that can reach as high as 3 meters (10 feet) off the ground; sometimes with a verandah running along the front face of the house which is used as a reception and dining area, and as a sleeping place for guests. Unlike the Toba Batak homes, where the roof essentially creates the living space, the Minangkabau roof rests on conventional walls. Cooking and storage areas are often in separate buildings.

The house is largely constructed of wood; an exception being the being the rear longitudinal wall which is a plain lattice woven in a chequered pattern from split bamboo. The roof is of a truss and cross-beam construction, and is typically covered with thatch from the fibre of the sugar palm (ijuk), the toughest thatch material available and said to last a hundred years.The thatch is laid in bundles which can be easily fitted to the curved, multi-gabled roof. Contemporary homes, however, are more frequently using corrugated iron in place of thatch. Roof finials are formed from thatch bound by decorative metal bindings and drawn into points said to resemble buffalo horns – an illusion to a legend concerning a bullfight from which the ‘Minangkabau’ name is thought to have been derived. The roof peaks themselves are built up out of many small battens and rafters.

The women who share the house have sleeping quarters set into alcoves – traditionally odd in number – that are set in a row against the rear wall, and curtained off by the vast interior space of the main living area. Traditionally, large communal rumah gadang will be surrounded by smaller homes built for married sisters and daughters of the parent family. It is the responsibility of the women’s maternal uncle to ensure that each marriageable woman in the family has a room of her own and to this end will build either a new house or more commonly additionally annexes to the original one. It is said that the number of married daughters in a home can be told by the counting its horn-like extensions; as they are not always added symmetrically, rumah gadang can sometimes look unbalanced.

exotic girl from dayak tribe indonesia

dayak tribe are one from many tribes in indonesia south east asia, some called them as a head hunter. but the girl from dayak tribe are very very beautiful, take a look on the photo below

we will collect another beautiful culture from dayak tribe another time, or if you had experience about dayak tribe, you can share your information here.

history of gamelan | traditional orchestra from indonesia

Gamelan music is the sum of diverse foreign influences. Pitch relationships from China, bronze instruments from southeast Asia, drums and modal practice from India, bowed strings from the middle east, and even military styles from Europe contributed to the traditional music we hear in Java and Bali today.

The First Gamelan

Among the earliest evidence of gamelan instruments is a series of stone relief carvings on the Borobudur Buddhist temple in central Java (ca. 800ad).

Borobudur shows the world’s first record of a bar percussion instrument. It appears to be a gambang style “xylophone” with ten wide bars resting over a trough resonator. We have no way to tell, but the bars were most likely made of wood or metal. The instrument is shown being played with two sticks with large, presumably padded, balls on the ends (see Kunst, “Hindu Javanese Musical Instruments,” fig. 21). Cymbals resembling Balinese ceng ceng kopyak used in modern processional music can be seen as well as two-headed hand drums which appear to be of both Javanese barrel shape and Balinese conical styles.

The reliefs of Borobudur and other central Javanese temples of the period, including Prambanan and Candi Sari, depict many other instruments including zithers, lutes, harps, vessel drums (gatam), and transverse flutes. Most are extinct in Indonesia today and may have never really existed on the islands, possibly carved from memory by mainland artisans. Only the bar instrument, cymbals, and drums remain. Notably absent from all reliefs of this period are gongs.

The First Gongs

Gongs first appear in the carvings of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, among temples of the Majapahit Hindu empire. These depictions show small gongs, often mounted in pairs on a stick or hanging singly from a cord in the hand and played with a padded mallet. Also evident are significant advancements in bar instruments since the time of Borobudur, including four-mallet gambang style xylophones of a type still used in Bali for cremation rites. Suspended bar gangsa and gender as well as saron with resting bars can be found. The earliest evidence of tuned acoustic resonators, bamboo tubes which amplify the sound of the bars, also appears in this period.

Notable in the east Javanese reliefs are images resembling sitar and other gourd resonated plucked string instruments like those used today in India. Many drums depicted in this period also strongly resemble Indian mridanggam and pakawaj. These instruments became extinct in Indonesia, and again may have never existed, but their presence indicates a powerful foreign cultural infusion.

Gongs most probably did not originate in Indonesia. There is no evidence of the development of bronze gongs in Indonesia before the thirteenth century. They simply appear in the record as highly refined instruments, complete with an embossed center and deep shell. Mainland Asia, however, displays a much wider variety of bronze gong styles, including shallower shells, flat faces, and a clear developmental lineage.

Ancient literature suggests that gongs may have been known and used in Indonesia as early as the ninth century. Their original use may have been as instruments of battle, a sound used to encourage soldiers as it instilled fear in their enemies. But, their absence from the earliest stone record suggests that they were either relatively uncommon until that time. Perhaps they were not an instrument of the ruling class, or had no religiously important purpose.

Majapahit is where all the primary elements of modern gamelan came together. Bronze gongs combined with Indian and southeast Asian influences and the “indigenous” music and instruments of the central Javanese cultures which built Borobudur make east Java the birthplace of gamelan as we know it today. Influence of the Majapahit was strong throughout Indonesia and the southern Philippines and reached deep into the mainland of southeast Asia.

Bali and Java Split

In the fourteenth century, people from the middle east introduced the religion of Islam and the fall of the Majapahit empire began. Those who wished to remain Hindu were exiled to Bali, where they remained relatively isolated for hundreds of years.

The gamelan we hear in Bali today is a direct, almost pure, descendant of the music of the Majapahit period. Many instruments in Bali are exactly the same as those recorded by stone carvers in east Java over six centuries ago. But, while the tools of the trade have remained similar, the music has changed and developed. Every generation of musicians in Bali puts their personal stamp on the music. An added variation here, a new section there, or another composition for a particular ritual, add up considerably over six hundred years. Changes in popular taste also had an effect.

In Java, the new Islamic Mataram empire began and music and instrumentations changed considerably. In Bali, we still find primarily homogenous ensembles of bronze, iron, bamboo, etc. But, in central Java, this diverse instrumentation was combined into a single orchestra. Also combined were the two scales, slendro and pelog, which had remained exclusive to certain ensembles and rituals in Majapahit times. While scales and even melodies may have remained the same, theories behind them were amended to create the Javanese “patet” modal system.

The Javanese Mataram empire is responsible for advancing bronze foundry techniques to produce the very large gongs which have become a staple of modern Javanese and Balinese gamelan. The village of Semarang on the north coast of central Java became the new Indonesian center for gong making, supplying instruments to most of Java, Sumatra, Bali, Borneo, and surrounding islands.

The use and purpose of gamelan music in Java was also revised by Mataram. Originally, gamelan was played in outdoor temples for religious rites, to inspire trance and to invite ancestral spirits. But, in Java religious worship was redirected to the royal courts and the old Hindu and Buddhist temples were left to decay. This change of environment gave rise to many of the aesthetic differences between Balinese and Javanese musical styles. Music in Java moved from open air temples to large roofed platforms within the royal court. Mallets were softened to allow the instruments to reverberate within the space in a more pleasing manner. Forms were also slowed down and elongated to take advantage of the new acoustics and lend austerity to the court. Music became largely a cerebral pursuit of the aristocracy and musicians became servants of the courts.

The Twentieth Century

The last hundred years has brought great changes in both Balinese and Javanese music. Older Balinese musicians speak of times when tempos were slow and variations less intense. Older Javanese musicians relate stories of now rare grand court events and lost compositions. Balinese kebyar style is a product of this century, as is the bonang imbal and kembangan playing techniques so typical of today’s Javanese sound.

Gamelan music continues to change and evolve in both style and purpose. Government performing arts schools are the new patrons driving the future. Students in these institutions are required to create new music and dance, expanding the scope and popularity of gamelan both at home and around the world.

Backpacking Information on Indonesia

INDONESIA

Population: 225.3 million (UN, 2005)
Capital: Jakarta Area: 1.9 million sq km (742,308 sq miles)
Major languages: Indonesian, 300 regional languages
Major religion: Islam
Life expectancy: 65 years (men), 69 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 rupiah (Rp)

The Republic of Indonesia is then again one of the MUST-SEE places in Southeast Asia a small hop from the Indochina Peninsula. Although it has previously lost some of its charisma to the world with the 2002 killings of 164 international tourists and 38 locals in Kuta, Bali, tagging along tectonic hyperactivity scares that brought about almost instantaneously the tragedy of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami that took 167,737 lives in North Sumatra, was yet another big blow to Indonesia's tourism industry, the island paradise is simply tantalizing as ever. With raison d'être, the Java Man, one of the world's earliest species of man, has found his home here around 500 millennia to 2 million years ago. And rather surely with its 17,508 islands that can result to pleasure overdrive, travellers can't resist the ethereal music, spectacular dance, delightful storytelling and exquisite craftsmanship - great manifestations of a rich and spiritual life. Indonesia just knows how to tingle the pleasure centres of each of its travellers be it by flavour, spectacle, aroma, or sensation, in addition to the size of this place, possibly the largest paradise that causes more often than not a rethinking of one's departure. Perhaps another night?

GEOGRAPHY

Fact remains, travel to Indonesia is dynamic exploration chasing after islands and wildlife, which is quite a lot. Indonesia is, after all 1,904,569 km2-territory with 17,508 islands with great biodiversity, 6,000 of which are inhabited, making it the largest and most populous country in the Southeast Asia. Indonesia (5 00 S, 120 00 E) is made up of forest-clad mountains and lowland plains and coasts that have served as the home to nomadic and more advanced civilizations of the archipelago. Mountains can be found inland, toward the island centres of bigger islands, the highest of which is the Puncak Jaya at an altitude of 5,030 metres above the sea level, the Indian Ocean in this part.

CLIMATE

The climate just can't get better for a Southeast Asian travel, tropical climate as usual as Indonesia straddles the equator. The traveller can't ask for more sun or heat with average temperatures varying very subtly throughout the year from 26-30 °C. But the highlands and mountainous regions like Kalimantan, Sulawesi, W. Java, and W. Sumatra and Papua offer a different kind of cool, regardless the two seasons of wet and dry.

PEOPLE

Indonesia is the 4th most heavily populated country in the world succeeding the United States with 240,271,522 people, or officially, Indonesians. Its high population and rapid modernization entail environmental concerns of excessive waste and poor management of it, large-scale illegal deforestation and massive air and water pollution with related forest fires that threaten neighbouring countries Brunei and Malaysia. The Javanese are the most numerous ethnic group with almost 45% of the population, and the island of Java, the most populous island in the world with 130 million of inhabitants. After which comes the Sudanese with 15% of Indonesians and some 300 groups such as the Madurese who are at odds with the Dayak, the Minangkabau, Bajar, Banten, Betawi, and the Bugis.

RELIGION

The republic nation prides on being the country with the largest Muslim population on the planet with almost 90% of a Muslim demographic. Naturally, Islam is the way of life here, that main ideology to every action, every principle from preparation of meat and food to governance and law. Christianity is a budding faith in many small villages where missionary work is chiefly directed to especially in North Sumatra with 9% of the population in practice and still adding. Hindu and other pagan or animist beliefs incompletely identified are also in practice.

LANGUAGE

BAHASA INDONESIA, a modified Malay language, is the official language of the state. ENGLISH is widely spoken in major cities and is the language used for foreign matters and the hospitality industry, DUTCH, the colonial language spoken as more of a creole by a minor senile generation, and a few local dialects have dotted the linguistic landscape.

ATTRACTIONS

The rich and hearty Indonesian culture is the perfect accent to the allure of sights of this island paradise. Nothing quite epitomizes Indonesian allure as the rich biodiversity at the coral reef kingdoms to which the traveller can scuba dive and witness colours and creatures so diverse, so flamboyant, possibly none that anyone has seen anywhere on earth, until now. We're talking possibly hundreds of shades of blue, red, green, yellow, and so on. Sulawesi is a place to site rare animals found nowhere else in the world that have evolved to survive in the island of heat and volcanic activity. Crater and volcanic lakes of Sumatra, alabaster beaches of Maluku, more volcanoes of Java, resorts of Bali, surfing sites and fine woven village textiles of Lombok, rainforests in Sabah and Sarawak, Borneo, West Papua, and thousands more places offer pristine nature experiences that is are constantly threatened, it is heart-breaking. In the Orangutan Sanctuary at the Indian Fire Islands-volcanic hotspot, the traveller will also feel a certain over-joy that suddenly shifts to melancholy realizing that these beings are in danger as well.

The irresistible and accessible charm of the people and the places create a truly phenomenal experience. This is home away from home being a place that is totally different but so familiar. From big island hopping trips from Sumatra to Kalimantan or Papua, or cheap thrills of watching Katchak in southern Bali, the common attraction and the genuine beauty is from the people scarcely touched by modern living, thriving in harmony with nature. But life is no beach, at least for the locals with 17.8% living below the poverty line with so much of a health care system as herbal medicines, and as they get a daily dose of the salty-smelling cool sea water, the Indonesians in small villages can never be calm about their own dear lives.

FOOD

Nonetheless, none can take the festive element of the culinary epiphanies to be had here. It does not matter the place, rest assured a guest will have a wide and colourful spread of dishes that are out-of-this-world in colours and flavours. The nine essential gastronomic elements of Indonesian cuisine are rice, fuel, cooking oil, flour, corn, salt, sugar, eggs and meat. A country of many faces, so is Indonesian cuisine combining Indian, Middle Eastern, European, Chinese, and Malay influences with their use of spices and methods of cooking and food presentation, but not without sharing some of their own like nutmeg, clove, and galangal, spices native to Indonesia.

Most popular to the world are dishes such as satay, beef rendang, sambai, lumpia, pangsit, and many others. Authentic Indonesian cuisine is not a solid concept per se. Rather it pertains to the cuisine in Indonesia which renders localized versions of others. Rice is a staple not restrictive to main meals as it is also used in desserts using a variant called "sticky rice" cooked in coconut milk or buras. In some dishes, food is so hot and spicy, it can kill microbes.

Indonesian food also offers some Eastern exotica of spicy brains, lungs, and gizzards, but besides its high cholesterol content, there is no reason to not eat it. Islamic food prohibitions are practiced but with some leniency. The rationale is that alcohol has been in existence even before Islam and is part of traditional and cultural practices. There's a big and beautiful world out there, but, a world of its own, Indonesia is a tough contender.

Bukit Lawang Mandatory Visited Tourist Areas in North Sumatra

Bukit Lawang Mandatory Visited Tourist Areas in North Sumatra

Bukit Lawang is the name of tourist locations in Langkat, North Sumatra province, located 68 km northwest of Binjai and about 80 km northwest of the city of Medan. Bukit Lawang is included in the scope of the Gunung Leuser National Park which is a conservation area of mawas orang-utan.

Bukit Lawang is a thriving tourist area with a naturally beautiful landscape. Local people called Bukit Lawang as Bohorok. Bohorok is one of the administrative units in Bukit Lawang.

Bukit Lawang tourism development  began with the establishment of the first orangutan rehabilitation

center in Sumatra in the early 1980s.

"Orang utan rehabilitation center that makes Bukit Lawang more famous, a nice addition to the natural charm, people come here to see the orangutans feeding activity.

The enchantment of Bukit Lawang is shown by the Batu Kapal Cave, Batu Rizal Caves and Bohorok crystal clear rivers.

Because of the high interest of visitors to Bukit Lawang, Bukit Lawang grew as a tourist destination and become mandatory visited tourist areas in North Sumatra

More accommodation development. Preceded the establishment of Bukit Lawang Cottage, players compete to build tourism began a comfortable lodging facilities.

Lampuuk beautiful beach of Aceh, beach natural charm of a million

Beaches in Aceh more good from the beach kuta-Bali, one of beautiful beach Lampuuk - Lhoknga - Aceh Besar, Aceh in the sand beach is also more and more fine white sand instead of chocolate and I kuta rough.

Before the earthquake and tsunami 26 December 2004, Beach Lampuuk object into one of the favorite tour of Aceh. Pine trees grow thick along the beach with the wind blowing a fresh coast. There are many places to eat fresh fish with the vendor that is ready and can be baked directly enjoyed by beach visitors.

Unlike the case after the tsunami occurred, this beach looks quiet, reserved and much less pine trees exposed to the tsunami. However, this beach at this time began to run again either by the government. At the end of the weekend or holiday that many visitors come to picnic. Special staff of the Non-Government Organization (NGO) international duty in Aceh, many of them with a picnic and sail surfing. In addition, information that needs to be known by the visitors is the forbidden zone for the swim event, because the vortex wave is too dangerous.

In the vicinity of the beach stands a majestic Andalas cement factory that had experienced severe damage due to earthquake and tsunami. Near the beach also seen a majestic white mosque - the only building that remains intact when the tsunami occurred in this area and has been determined by the local government as a monument tsunami tragedy. This mosque is one with a complex post-tsunami housing built Turkish government.

Lampuuk very beautiful beach with white sand. On this beach the tourists can swim, sunbathing, fishing, sailing, surfing, diving and other recreational activities. In the coastal area of Padang Golf Seulawah there with a background panorama of the sea. In the afternoon the beach is rather beautiful and full of charm. Visitors can watch the beautiful sunset, so do not give a pleasure to remember.

Lampuuk area is located in the west coast of Aceh on the tip of the island of Sumatra. He is in the District of Lhoknga, Aceh Besar regency. The location near the beach and can be Lhoknga through Banda Aceh - Calang (Aceh Jaya).

Distance of the beach location with the city of Banda Aceh, capital of Province approximately 20 km. City of Banda Aceh can be a private vehicle in less than 20 minutes. If increased public transport, the labi-labi (Car passenger transport) department in Banda Aceh-Lhoknga be approximately 35 minutes.

Medan - The Gateway to Sumatra

Medan is the capital of the Sumatra region in Indonesia. It was previously a Dutch colony and has a diverse population, many of whose ancestors had been shipped in generations ago to tend to the tobacco fields set up by the Dutch. The immigrant influence is apparent in the cuisine and the Dutch have left their mark on the streets with some lovely old buildings.

Reliable online hotel reservation agencies will advise you on travel options with great hotels in Medan as this unique place is an experience in itself with various sights, sounds and history. But before heading out, look around at the grand old buildings left behind by the Dutch. These buildings are strewn across Medan and an entire street lined with these architectural gems can be found along the Ahmed Yani Street. Some like the Tjong A Fie Mansion have been converted into museums and cultural centers.

There are a wide range of hotels in Medan, from the large chain hotels to charming Medan cheap hotels and guesthouses. Visitors to Medan can enjoy traditional hospitality at any of the hotels in Medan and enjoy the cuisine, culture and the charm of a lovely vacation hotspot.

Enjoy Natural Wonders

For some mountainous fresh air and challenging hikes, Berastagi is a good option and popular destination for both locals and tourists. If you're feeling adventuresome and want a bit of local flavor, you could take the bus from Medan into Berastagi. All hotels in Medan should be able to help you with bus stop information. Alternatively a safer and faster way is to go by Taxi. Haggling on the fare is a must.

Another important tourist destination is Lake Toba - a volcanic lake. It is a wonder to look into its mirror still waters. The Samosir Island in the middle of the lake is home to the Batak tribe and has an interesting cultural centre.

Head for the charming Bukit Lawang village for a glimpse of the elusive and endangered Orangutans. If you're traveling by public transport, check out the options amongst the Medan cheap hotels since many are based around transportation hubs.

BALI nuance

Bali is a small island in the eastern center of the Indonesian Archipelago. It is about 86 miles from west to east and 51 miles from north to south. On the west it is bordered by Java and the Java Sea. To the north can be found the Bali Sea and to east the Bali Sea, which joins the Lombok Strait between Bali and the island Lombok. To the south the Indian Ocean stretches to Australia. Bali is a province of Indonesia. An important difference in animal and plant life was noted by a naturalist Alfred Russell between the life on Bali and the life on Lombok, an island to the west. This difference is called the Wallace Line. Between these two islands lies a significant biological difference in both flora and fauna. Bali is south of the equator as it enjoys two seasons, rainy and dry. At all times the weather is hot and humid changing very little during the year of average monthly temperatures of 82f to 86f all year. Rainfall is heavy during the months from the middle of October through the middle of April. The rains are strong for very short periods usually in the afternoon and the sun comes emerges from the fast moving clouds. Bali is a tropical island cooled by prevailing trade winds from the ocean and seas. The island was created by volcanic eruptions from that very well known ring of fire where tectonic plate movement is very active in the eastern part of the world. The major volcanic activity has been from Gunung Agung with an eruption in 1963, though the steam and lava flow continues daily from Gunung Batur, which has had many eruptions over 200 years. Gunung Agung is the highest peak of Bali reaching 10,350 feet. The other two other major volcanos, Gunung Batur and Gunung Lesong, have high mountain lakes, Lake Batur and Lake Bratan being the main ones, from which the water irrigation for crops comes from. The high volcanic peaks halt the fast moving rain clouds, driven by tradewinds, which provides rainfall for the mountains and southeastern side of Bali There are many other smaller volcanos on the island as a ridge that bisects the island from east to west separating the north from the south. In the western part of Bali lies an immense National Park combined with an impenetrable series of volcanic peaks. It is very undeveloped dense jungle entered only by foot. Here the rare Bali starling (leucopsar rothschildi) is on the brink of extinction with only an estimated 14 remaining in the wild. The island consists of limestone from old coral reefs and lava flows. The beaches are both white and black sand. Mangrove swamps protect much of the island where beaches or cliffs are not. There are two islands which belong to Bali in the south called Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan which are visited by ferry and for the most part are visited in the day by snorkelers and divers. The clear water around these islands is legendary for divers.

Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park

Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park is in East Java, Indonesia. 

The national park is named after its two mountains, Mount Semeru (the highest in Java at 3,676 metres), Mount Bromo (the most popular) and the Tengger people who inhabit the area.

Mount Semeru also known as Mahameru ("Great Mountain"), is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes. What stands out most about this mountain is the fact that it erupts periodically (and very reliably so). Every 20 minutes or so, the volcano belches out a huge cloud of steam and smoke, sometimes interspersed with ash and stones. Climbing Mount Semeru requires some planning and a permit from the national park authority. The mountain is often closed due to its highly active nature.

Mount Bromo (2,329 metres) is easily recognized as the entire top has been blown off and the crater inside constantly belches white sulphurous smoke. It sits inside the massive Tengger caldera (diameter approximately 10 km), surrounded by the Laut Pasir (Sea of Sand) of fine volcanic sand. The overall effect is unsettlingly unearthly, especially when compared to the lush green valleys all around the caldera.

Yogyakarta Tourism

Yogyakarta (some people call it Jogja, Jogjakarta, or Yogya) is a city with outstanding historical and cultural heritage. Yogyakarta was the centre of the Mataram Dynasty (1575-1640), and until now the kraton (the sultan's palace) exists in its real functions. Also, Yogyakarta has numerous thousand-year-old temples as inheritances of the great ancient kingdoms, such as Borobudur temple established in the ninth century by the dynasty of Syailendra.

More than the cultural heritages, Yogyakarta has beautiful natural panorama. The green rice fields cover the suburban areas with a background of the Merapi Mountain. The natural beaches can be easily found to the south of Yogyakarta.

Here the society lives in peace and has typical Javanese hospitality. Just try to go around the city by bike, pedicab, or horse cart; and you will find sincere smiles and warm greeting in every corner of the city.

An artistic atmosphere is deeply felt in Yogyakarta. Malioboro, as the center of Yogyakarta, is overwhelmed by handicraft from all around the city. Street musicians always ready entertain the visitors of the lesehan food stalls.

Those who have visited Yogyakarta reveal that this city makes them long for it. Just visit here, then you will understand what this means.

Komodo Island - The Biggest Reptile Island in the World

Komodo Island is one of the beautiful and unique islands that you can use as your main destination if you visit Indonesia. The island will offer a panorama of nature that you will not find in any other places in the world, the charm of the island reptiles that may only exist in our minds or prehistory movie-theme.
Komodo Island is not only the pride of Indonesia but also will become part of the world pride. Because these islands are known as the finalists for the Seven Wonders of the World. Komodo Island is located at the westernmost tip of Nusa Tenggara Timur province which borders the province of West Nusa Tenggara. The park is located on the volcanic island of Indonesia Wallace region is home to more than 5700 komodo or the giant dragon lizards. In this place also lived 4000 people.
The island is located in the Komodo district, West Manggarai regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. To be able to reach this island available there are a wide range of accommodation ranging from hostel accommodation to the local communities to set up an international resort.
Since 1980, area of 1817 km2 National Park was made by the Government of Indonesia, which is then recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. In addition it is also the only natural habitat Komodo dragons in the world, and recognized by the World Wildlife Federation and the International Conservation as a global conservation priority.

On this island you can enjoy tours Komodo National Park to observe the life of Komodo dragon up close. In addition you can also enjoy various water sports here. You can try to dive in the waters north and south islands. The water around the island of Komodo is special water because the water is warm. By all those information above, the author thinks that Komodo Island will be your best destination and give you a great experience.