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Beautiful Beaches from South Banten

Beautiful Beaches from South Banten

KARANG TARAJE BEACH
The Beach is full of rock like ladder (taraje), Situated on Bayah Subdistrict, Lebak Regency, 4 km from Bayah Bus Station on street between Bayah-Cibareno. There are also beach shop and villa to spend the night.

Thousand Islands

Geography

Thousand Islands consist of coral islands as much as 105 units with a total area of 8.7 kmТВ mainland. Temperatures throughout the year generally range between 21 ТАC-32 ТАC with an average humidity is 80%.

Group of Islands
Thousand Islands is an archipelago located in the north of Jakarta, directly facing the bay of Jakarta. FRAMES His name does not mean the islands within the cluster kepualaun it amounted to a thousand. The number of the island is only about 342 islands, including the islands of sand and coral reefs that vegetation or not. Sand and coral reef island itself is numbered 158. Not all islands are included in the Thousand Islands group of human beings inhabited. Like many other islands in Indonesia, most of the islands in the Thousand Islands are uninhabited. FRAMES cluster has the potential for the development of no small variety of industries, including mining, fisheries and tourism is the most important.

BABAT BARRAGE TOURISM

BABAT BARRAGE TOURISM


Babat Barrage is a giant barrage with 25-30 million meters3, built above Bengawan Solo river as flood control. The barrage that built with million dollars has also functioned as water supplier of Rawa Jabung area and Sudetan Bengawan Solo (also called as flood way). Babat Barrage in Babat district, Lamongan regency is part of Project Of Lower Solo River Improvement Phase I. Beside as barrage, this barrage also functioned as tourism object. In Ramadhan month (a month before Ied Day – feast month), this area has many visitors. In Sunday, many people have jogging here. And when it starts to dark, many youngster came here to enjoy sunset or just walk around.

Maharani Cave


Maharani Cave, is located in Tanjung Kodok sea tourism area, Paciran district Lamongan regency, about 200 m from Tanjung Kodok gateway fringe the roadway to east. About 50 m in the south of the street, there is stone that its soil is tire to form the bank that has downwards. Here, some labourers had mine the coral soil, phosphate material and dolomite fertilizer that had sold out of Paciran region. On this area, is a countryside road, which is the footpath, and every day passed by non irrigated dry field farmers, the stone mineworker workers, also once in a while is crowded passed the boy scouts who performing a camp around the area.
This Maharani Cave found by 4 labourers who being led by Mr. Sugeng. This cave had found on 6 Augusts 1992. The name of this cave had selected by the situation of the beautiful cave like a palace from a beautiful queen. Before the invention, one of the members, had dream, she had met with a beautiful woman who had a beautiful as the property of a queen that called Maharani. The queen seems to be a head time door of the cave that had found. The name of this empress has specified by the fact of this cave condition. In platform of the cave named Paseban Maharani, there is stone which has crown form, the property of a queen, which named “Selo Mahkota Maharani”. This beautiful cave room also alike an empire palace of subterranean that is full of graven pillar and roof.
The situation of the nature cave of Maharani Palace is stay at 200 m from Java seashore residing in Tanjung Kodok area, Paciran district, Lamongan regency. This cave is easily to visit and fluent to obtain the transportation towards to the location.


Lamongan Marine Tourism


Lamongan Marine Tourism (WBL) is available with its unique, the result of combination between natural aspects, cultures, and architecture, which is global, taste but still maintain local trademark.
WBL is a balancing towards some tourism places that have exist before like Tanjung Kodok and Maharani cave. It is located in north coast of Java, in Paciran, Lamongan regency, East Java. It is on 17 hectares field and supported by some facilities, which are ready to please the guest with one stop service concept.
Besides readily means tourism greet your visit start at 09.00 AM up to beating 17.00 PM, frontage of main gate also has available souvenirs shop with its luxury design, presenting various first products, fish market, fruit and vegetable. This tourism object also present opened to dish market start to beat 09.00 AM up to beating 21.00 PM. Various facility which showed maritime tourism of Lamongan for example: Cat House, Video game, Hospital Of Ghost, Samba Jet Propulsion, Mini Of Train, Drive Arena, Go-kart, Motor Cross, Gallery Of Ship And Cockle, Tagada, Adolescent Playground, Space
Shuttle, Swimming Pool Of Brine, Swimming Pool Of Freshwater, Bumper Boat, Banana Boat, Ski Jet Propulsion, Long Boat, Texas City and Indiana Camp, Agility Arena, Cinema 3D, Palace of Under Sea, Samba Balloon, Mini Of Columbus, Shoot Water, Kiddy Ride, Insect Cave, Piratical Den, Glass Planet, Bumper Car, World Irrigate, Water Boom, Happy Podium, Remote Boat, Traditional Boat, Cano, Ski Boat, The miniature of Walisongo.
There are also the others object in WBL Foreland of Cape Frog

Beach Resort covering Cottage and Hotel. Finally, this local object has international level build using modern management of PT Bumi Lamongan Sejati representing two company between governance of Lamongan Regency with PT Bunga Wangsa Sejati which have succeeded to build and develop Jatim Park in Batu. Nowadays, Tanjung Kodok has new trademark by the name of Maritime tourism of Lamongan "WBL of Tanjung Kodok Or Jatim Park II".
This tourism object has own background of coastal nature, keen stone like the frog which ever used as a place of astronomical symptom research sun eclipse totalize by NASA of Federal America. Nowadays, the location have been built on a large scale and professional using maritime concept tourism like in Ancol Jakarta, Singapura and Japan Coast.
This tourism area also close to gold diligence centre, painting on cloth and embroidery in glorious countryside, Sendang and Sendang Dhuwur and also the center of fish landing of East Java in Brondong port
TANJUNG KODOK
Tanjung Kodok is located about 65 km from Surabaya, Lamongan regency. It is easier to get there from Gresik along Daendels road. Tanjung Kodok gained international renown as the focus of international research during the total solar eclipse on June 11, 1983. It is a peaceful seaside resort, and also a resting place for pilgrims to the tombs of two Moslem saints, Sunan Drajad and Sunan Sendang Duwur. The place derives its name, Tanjung Kodok, from a stone formation, which resembles a frog ("kodok").

Tanjung Kodok is a beautiful beach with wonderful panorama, which has been known by the people for along time. When the solar eclipse happened on June 11, 1983 many astronomers from all over the word and NASA of USA had a research in this place. Every years many Moslem astronomers come here to see the first coming of the moon to determined the beginning of the fasting period and Idul Fitri day. Ketupat is held here every years. This beach is very easy to reach by private or public transport.

Rinjani Mountain

Rinjani Mountain

After visited Gili Trawangan, it is recommended that you – while test your physic – enjoy the extraordinary scine alongside the line towards mount Rinjani ( 3776 mdpl). It is the third highest mountain in Indonesia after Puncak Jaya Wijaya in Papua and Kerici mount in Sumatra. Rinjani also is one of the biggest volcano in Indonesia.
The landscapes around this active volcano are many, spread out along the savanna, tropical rain forest, pine plants, and a wide Kaldera lake. There are two popular lines towards the top of mountain. It is from Senaru or from Sembalun Lawang countryside. If you strart from Senaru, you will arrive at Kaldera lake (formed by the eruption of Rinjani mountain), as the first place. In the middle of Rinjani, there is a small Rinjani. At the side of Segara Anak lake, located at Rinjani, you can make a camp, an experience that will be a beautiful memories. Afterwards, from here you can continue to climb the top of Rinjani.
The line from Sembalun Lawang towards top of Rinjani doesn't pass the lake, but direct to the slope of the mountain which fulfill with pine forest. Here you can make a camp for a while, awaiting for morning, and then you can continue to climb or downwards to lake and go back through Senaru route. From top of Rinjani we can see the scine that’s really beautiful. That makes us not really tired after climbing the top during more than two hours.

The Garden of Eden 100

The Garden of Eden 100

the-garden-of-eden-tobasa
Tobasa, North Sumatra – Garden of Eden of natural tourism object 100 in District Toba Samosir, North Sumatra, considered to be very precise serve as the location of educational tours.
“As an educational tourist attraction, every visitor can learn more about various types of categories of rare plants that exist in the region,” said Marandus Sirait, manager of the Garden of Eden 100, in Lumbanjulu, Sunday.

Kemaro Island, Palembang

Kemaro Island, Palembang

Kemaro Island, downstream of the Musi River in Palembang before midnight on Saturday (7 / 2), suddenly filled with tens of thousands of people – mostly residents of Chinese descent – from various regions and countries.
kemaro island
Tens of thousands of citizens of various nationalities and from a number of areas that came flocking the island of about five hectares, which saves the prince from the Chinese legend of love with the daughter of the King of Palembang was to celebrate Cap Go Meh – the ritual traditions of Chinese New Year – each year.
Arrival citizens wavy and reached its peak on Saturday until midnight. Everything is aimed to be on the island, at the peak of Cap Go Meh celebration in 2560, with a number of rituals attached to them, like the black sheep slaughtered in front of the mound which is believed to be the tomb of Siti Fatimah – daughter of the legendary King of Palembang who jumped into the river, to following the origin of Chinese prince who first foray into the Musi River.

The greatest Hindu’s temple in South-East Asia

The greatest Hindu’s temple in South-East Asia

It is one of the UNESCO world heritage site and the largest Hindu temple in Southeast Asia, Prambanan. Prambanan temple is a building that was built in the 10th century during the reign of two kings, and Rakai Rakai Pikatan Balitung.

Photo credits – Arie Basuki/Tempo
There is a legend that Javanese people always tell about this temple. Once, a man named Bandung Bondowoso loved Roro Jonggrang. Because of his love, Jonggrang asked Bondowoso make 1000 temples with statues in one night. The request was nearly fulfilled Jonggrang asked the villagers to pound rice and make a big fire that created an atmosphere like the morning. Bondowoso who only completed 999 statues cursed Jonggrang be a statue of the 1000 because he felt cheated. By many Prambanan temple is often referred to as Loro Jonggrang.

The amazing “Thousand Island”

The amazing “Thousand Island”

pulau seribu
Capital of the Republic of Indonesia , Jakarta is a huge, sprawling metropolis, home to 9 million people. During the day the number increases with another 2 million as commuters make their way to work in the city, and flock out again in the evenings.
Pulau Seribu
From the coast of Jakarta Bay northward there are many small island scatered that wait to be explore. Kepulauan Seribu (The Thousand of Island) is how people call those group of islands. In astronomical Thousand Islands is located at 106.26 `.00”BT up to 106.57 and 5.10 BT` 40 `.00 106.26.00””LS to LS with an area of approximately 864.59 hectares of land and ocean approximately 6997.50 km2 .
kepulauan seribu
Pulau Seribu (Thousand Islands National Park) is one of the representatives of marine nature conservation areas in Indonesia which is located about 45 km north of Jakarta.
Pulau Seribu Marine Park has high conservation value because of the diversity of species and unique ecosystems and unique.
Condition of natural resources in the Thousand Island holds the potential, especially in the sectors of fisheries and tourism sectors. Marine tourism activities have been developed in the Thousand Islands, such as fishing, marine recreation and islands, water bicycle, diving (diving), windsurfing and snorkelling.

The myth and the paradise of the Four King (Raja Ampat)

Raja ampat
Local communities in West-Papua Indonesia tells the mythical legend about a lady who found seven egg which later hatch into four man, a women, ghosts, and a stone.
On his way, the four men who were born from the eggs became king and ruled on four islands namely Waigeo, Salawati, Misool Misool East and West. Fourth group of islands tersebutlah now known as the Raja Ampat Islands.
Raja Ampat
raja ampat
The archipelago is composed of four islands in the “bird’s head” (vogelkoop) is known as one of potential tourist sites that offer the beauty of the maritime archipelago. With an area of about 50,000 square kilometers, the Raja Ampat Islands have hundreds of small islands surrounding the archipelago’s waters.
raja ampat
Diverajaampat.org tourist sites even reported that there were eleven dive sites which can explored by lovers of nautical tourism. Eleventh dive site is Wayag, Kawe, Gulf Aljui, Waigeo Southwest, South Waigeo, Straits Dampir, Batanta, Kofian, Misool Misool Southwest and Southeast.
To reach the Raja Ampat, you have to travel by plane leading to the Sorong, Papua. From Sorong, you can ride public transportation or rental car little over a nearby dive sites.
It is important to remember that you are in a fit condition during a trip to Raja Ampat in Papua famous because of malaria disease. So prepare your holiday with good equipment, besides clothes and swimming aids diving course.
For those of you who never dive into the underwater beauty of the Bay Park, you’ll be amazed at the beauty offered by the Raja Ampat. This is because the Raja Ampat has several areas of coral reefs that are still very good condition. As many as 90 percent living coral reef in the Strait of Dampier, Kofiau Islands, South East Misool Islands and the Islands Wayag still maintained its continuity.
raja ampat
The beauty of Raja Ampat has amazed a number of researchers from inside and outside the country who count the wealth of marine life. In 2001 and 2002, a team of marine experts from a number of organizations including Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, and National Oceanographic Institutions (Lon) Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI in) found that 75 percent of species of corals, reef fish and mollusks in the world is in Raja Ampat Islands.
Because of the potential wealth of the sea, do not be surprised when you meet with a variety of unique marine species and rare while diving at one of the dive sites in Raja Ampat. Surrounded by thousands of small fish that swim with the flow might be normal, but be a different story if that surrounds you is a collection of fish barracuda.
Reef sharks are also frequently seen swimming stormed small fish. Meanwhile, the sea turtle with a unique style every now and then crossed back biting soft corals. If lucky, in a few dive sites like in Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo, you will be able to see the dugong or sea cow.

Official Holiday Schedule for 2011

Official Holiday Schedule for 2011

Official Holiday Schedule for 2011:
1 January - New Year
3 February - Chinese New Year (Imlek) 2562
15 February – Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (Maulid Nabi)
5 March -Day of Silence – Hindu New Year 1933
22 April - Good Friday
24 April - Easter Sunday
17 May - Waisak 2555
2 June - The Ascension of Jesus Christ into Heaven
29 June -Isra Mi’raj Prophet Mohammad SAW, Celebrating the Ascension of The Prophet Muhammad
17 August - Indonesian National Independence Day
29 August - Shared Holiday by Government Decree
30-31 August – Idul Fitri 1432 H
1-2 September - Shared Holiday by Government Decree
6 November -Idul Adha 1432 H
27 November -Islamic New Year 1433 H
25 December - Christmas Day
26 December - Shared Holiday by Government Decree
Indonesia is a country where the goverment recognise 5 religion: Islam, Protestan, Catholic, Budhist & Hindu. The goverment gives full support to all religion to do their religion activities and also set a national holiday for certain day which is celebration day for each religion.
Here are some information regarding Religion Holiday in Indonesia:
1. Moslem
2. Protestan
3. Catholic
4. Buddhist
5. Hindu

Buddhist holidays in Indonesia

Vihara Indonesia
Buddhist holidays in Indonesia
Hari Waisak - Waisak Day – April or May
Commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha. This celebration is enlivened by religious and social activities in Buddhist temples around the country. In Indonesia, the largest Buddhist temples, Candi Mendut and Candi Borobudur, both located in the Magelang Regency of Central Java not far from Yogyakarta, are the focus of interest and attract those observing the holiday and tourists.
Three major historical events are celebrated on Waisak. The first is the birth of Siddhartha Gautama. The second is the acceptance of the divine revelation under the Bodhi tree. And the third is the journey of Siddhartha Gautama to heaven. These three big events occur exactly on the Full Moon Purnama Sidhi. Thus, Waisak is also very well known as Tri Suci Waisak or Three Holy Events. Buddhists celebrate Waisak by praying to their God Sang Tri Ratna as thanks giving for creating and maintaining the earth and its resources in harmony. It is very common for Buddhists to celebrate Waisak with the presentation of fruit, flowers and candles. For Buddhists, candles symbolize their philosophy of life, the sought-after enlightenment. Provinces with a relatively high percentage of Buddhists are Jakarta, Riau, North Sumatra, and West Borneo. Two of the large Buddhist monasteries are located in North Jakarta (Sunter) and West Java (Pacet), where traditional celebrations can be witnessed.

Hindu holidays in Indonesia

Pura Indonesia
Hari Raya Galungan - Galungan
Celebrates the coming of the Gods and the ancestral spirits to earth to dwell again in the homes of the descendants. The festivities are characterized by offerings, dances and new clothes.
Hari Raya Nyepi - Nyepi
Hindu Day of Silence or the Hindu New Year in the Balinese Saka calendar. The largest celebrations are held in Bali as well as in Balinese Hindu communities around Indonesia. On New Year’s Eve the villages are cleaned, food is cooked for two days and in the evening as much noise is made as possible to scare away the devils. On the following day, Hindus do not leave their homes, cook or engage in any activity. Streets are deserted, and tourists are not allowed to leave hotel complexes.
On March 16 2010 Balinese Hindus will celebrate Nyepi or the Day of Silence. Commemorating the start of the Hindu New Year, Nyepi is calculated according to the Çaka lunar calendar and falls at the time of the new moon in the months of March or April each year. The coming year will be 1932. The name Nyepi comes from the root word “sepi” meaning quiet or silent. Although it is a national holiday enjoyed by Indonesian residents throughout the country, Nyepi is celebrated in particular on the island of Bali where the majority of the 3.5 million inhabitants follow the Hindu religion, as well as in Balinese Hindu communities around Indonesia. Hinduism in Bali bears only slight resemblance to the religion as it is practiced in India as the tenets of the faith frst brought to Bali from the 14th century Majapahit Kingdom of East Java, did not supplant the already existing strong religious beliefs and rich cultural life of the Balinese. Instead, Hinduism was blended with indigenous traditions and beliefs such as animism and ancestor worship to form a new and unique faith. In Bali religion is a very important part of everyday life and the people perform daily offerings to the gods and actively participate in the numerous temple festivals and rituals. Balinese Hindus also make offerings and perform temple rituals to placate demons that they believe personify the destructive forces of nature. On the day before Nyepi major offerings are made to the demons at village crossroads, where evil spirits are believed to loiter. Before every ceremony a cleaning ceremony or mecaru must be held to drive out the devils and spiritually clean the place.

Keraton Ngayogyakarta

Keraton Ngayogyakarta (Yogjakarta’s Palace)
Palace or in the original language is called the KERATON is located in downtown Yogyakarta. In learning about Javanese culture, this sense has a very deep philosophical meaning. Architecture of this palace is Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono I, which is the founder of the Sultanate of Ngayogyakarta. His expertise in the field of architecture appreciated by Dutch scientists – Dr.Pigeund and Dr.Adam who regard it as the “architect of the civil Pakubuwono II Surakarta”.
Sultan’s Palace was founded in 1756 by Prince Mangkubumi (Hamengkubuwono I) as the center of the kingdom Ngayogyakarta. At first, the location of the Palace is now a swamp area called Bannerman Pacethokan, which later developed into a pesanggrahan Ayodya.
The building stretches from north to south. The front page of the Palace called the “alun-alun” north and the backyard is called the “alun-alun” south (alun-alun means city square). The design of this building shows that the Palace, Monument and Mount Merapi are in one line / axis which is believed to be a sacred thing. In the past Sri Sultan regularly meditation on a place of the shaft before leading a meeting or give orders to subordinates.


Parts of the palace from north to south are: Gate Gladag (is gone), Arch Pangurakan nJawi / out, gate Pangurakan Lebet / in, North Square, Exhibition Complex, Complex Siti Hinggil, Gate Brojonolo, Complex Kamandhungan Lor / north , Gate Sri Manganti, Sri Manganti Complex, Gate Donopratopo, Kedhaton Complex (the official residence and the center of the palace), Gate Kamagangan, Kamagangan Complex, Gate Gadhung Jasmine, Complex Kamandhungan South / South, Gate Kamandhungan, Sapit Urang / pamengkang, Siti Hinggil South Complex / south (now called Sasana Hinggil), South Square, the Great Gate Nirbaya (Usually called Plengkung Gadhing).
Yogyakarta Palace Complex is opened every day for the general public from 07:30 to 13:00 pm, except on Fridays until 12.00 pm. For admission tickets will be collected with the value: Adults:
Rp.  2000.00, Rp. 1000.00
if you want to photograph and Rp
2,000.00, if you want to record.

Banda Neira Island

Banda Neira Island
Banda Neira
Banda Island
Banda Neira is a group of small islands located on the southeast island of Ambon and Maluku provinces, including in Central Maluku district.
Banda Neira is an old town full of memories and part of the international world history is not forgotten. Neira is the capital of Banda district, the city that has been aged five centuries, an old town that holds the mysteries of love and sorrow for all its inhabitants, a city that by foreign historians called the “Klein Europeesche een stad in Zuid-Oost azie or group of cities europe owned Southeast Asia.
Nutmeg as a major commodity Banda Islands, is a legend that grace saves and a curse for the people of Banda. In a world economy in the 15th century to early 19th century, which concentrates on the spice trade, it has raised nutmeg Banda name as an international city, it also brings people of Banda in the prolonged catastrophe. All the suffering of the Banda at that originate in nutmeg. People Banda became helpless victims in the Dutch imperialist. Tens of thousand people of Banda were massacred by Jan Pieterszoon Coen and his troops in action deprivation of the rights of the people of Banda at the time.
The massacre of tens of thousands of people of Banda with 44 characters is never forgotten in the minds of all children Banda country from generation to generation, and to remember the human tragedy, the scene of the killing fields, the people of Banda build a monument which is known as a monument “Parigi Chain” . Parigi both chains and Dutch fortifications are scattered in almost all islands of Banda and luxury homes from the Dutch and British, not only become an attractive tourist attraction, but also a symbol of the suffering people of Banda for hundreds of years.
Banda Island
Banda Island
Banda people today is a mixture of different ethnic descent who had long resided in Banda Neira, such as Portuguese, Dutch, English, Chinese, Malay, Arabic, Java, Sulawesi and so forth. The process is what makes ethnic Banda Neira as “unique ethnic” with performances of more pleasing to the eye, and has a temperament as “ethnic jovial”, friendly, full of friendship with the priority of associative processes in social contacts. As a new ethnic mix that was born from the unique features of various ethnic, turning people into Banda as the new men who failed the test in misery like to work hard and have a tolerant attitude and incredible submission. That is why the Bung Hatta (Vice-President of the First Republic) who have resided for five years in Banda Neira (1937-1942) states Banda People like miniature of Indonesia. If Indonesia is made up of various tribes were to proceed into a new nation, then surely the final Banda has become a new tribe in the social fabric of Indonesian society New aspired it.
Banda is not only offer beautiful culture, but also provide peace of its natural panoramic view to anyone who visited there. An expert maritime and underwater archeology Causteau French Jacques, said that looking at Banda Neira like finding a new Heaven, as if he was in Seventh Heaven layer.

Lombok’

East of Bali, across a deep strait seething with whirlpools and dolphins, lies Lombok. This island is quite different from its neighbour Bali. Its climate is certainly drier and the land more rugged and it is only about half as crowded. Like Bali, it is dominated by towering northern volcanic range, with 3,800 m Gunung Rinjani, the second highest peak in Indonesia. Most of Lombok’s arable land and population occupy a narrow 25 km wide strip in between. The vast majority of Lombok’s inhabitant are Sasak. The island’s three main towns form a cluster in a long, six kilometer long urban strip, running inland from the western coast. Ampenan is the old port town, formerly the main port of Lombok. Neighboring is Mataram is the modern provincial capital of West Nusatenggara Province. Cakranegara, just east of Mataram is the most interesting of the islands towns, It is the island’s major market town.

Peru Meru, central temple for Lombok’s Hindu population, over Cakranegara’s main crossroad. Built in 1720 to unify the island’s various Hindu factions, the three courts symbolize the tri loka or three tiered division of the Hindu cosmos, the earth, the human realm and the divine. In the innermost courtyard stand three pagodas representing the Hindu trinity, Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva.

Narmada, an easy drive from Cakranegara is the old summer palace of the Raja of Mataram. It is built in the shape of Mt Rinjani’s Anak Segara lake, the lake here was excavated in 1805 on the Raja’s orders when he became too old and frail to climb rinjani to make the proper offering to the volcano’s gods

West Java

The Sundanese people inhabit most of the western third of Java, the so-called Tanah Sunda or Sunda Lands. Although physically indistinguisable from the Javanese, they are culturally different, known for their mellifuous language, hardy individualism and staunch Islam. West Java may be roughly divided into the Parahyangan and the northern coastal plain. It boasts wonderful mountain scenery, world famous botanical gardens and wildlife reserves like Ujung Kulon, main stronghold of the Javan rhinoceros.

West Coast, the coastline from Anyer to Labuhan is no more than 3 hrs drive from Jakarta. Carita Beach is the oldest seaside resort on the west coast. The focal point of the village is the ageing Krakatau Beach Hotel, overlooking a crescent-shaped bay with silver sand and safe swimming. Krakatau Museum, just over the road of the hotel, has information on the volcano plus archaeological exhibits.In addition to sun, sea, sand and solitude, the west coast is famous for its sunset views of the unihabited volcanic islands of Krakatau. Although dormant for centuries, this volcano achieved instant and lasting infanny in 1883, when it errupted with cataclysmic force, ripping out a huge chunk of earth’s crust to form a monstrous 40 sq km submarine activity caldera. In the decades that followed, undersea activity continued and a new active crater has emerged from sea called Anak Krakatau or son of Krakatau. Ujung Kulon National Park, a good place for trek through pristine troipical rainforest and a first-hand look at some of Java’s rare wildlife species.

Bogor, only an hour drive from central Jakarta, is appreciably cooler than the coast. The main attraction here is the Botanical Garden (Kebun Raya) originally opened by the Dutch in 1817. To the east of Bogor, Puncak Pass is a crowded highland resort area and then a manicured landscape of tea plantation. Beyond Puncak Pass, Cibodas Botanical Gardens, an extention of the Botanical Garden is famous for its collection of montane and temperate climate flora from around the world. The southern coast of West Java, beautiful but dangerous is also within easy reach of Bogor. Pelabuhan Ratu, which is a fishing village is unspoiled and vital. When boats moor in the morning, the fish market does a roaring trade in fresh fishes, prawns and so on. A number of good swimming beaches and hotels line the coastal for several kilometers past the town, Be careful of swimming here because this is the domain of Nyai Loro Kidul, Queen of the South Seas.
 
  
Bandung capital of West Java is Java’s third largest city. It is a student city, home to the Bandung Institute of Technology. Geological museum in Bandung is worth a visit, for a look at the extraordinary array of rocks, map and fossils displayed here including replicas of the famous Java Man skulls found in Central Java. Bandung’s most exciting excursion is a visit to the nearby volcanic highlands.
The nearest is Tangkuban Prahu which leads on to the Ciater hot spring. To the southeast of Bandung about 38 km to Citarik village, just after the local market there are Curug Sidulang or Cidulang, the waterfall which is 10 km from the main road. The two flows gush down from about 12 m high.
 
 
 
 
Ciwidey, 36 km southwest of Bandung is known for blacksmithing. The Ciwidey valley with terraced paddy fields and Mt Malabar as a background providesa beautiful panorama. White Crater is located further south from Ciwidey. The crater at certain times turns from turquois to white, On a clear day, Mt Patuha can be seen standing proudly at the back of the high cliff at the other end of the crater.
 
Cirebon, once a powerful royal centre and still a fascinating potpourri of Sundanese, Javanese, Chinese, Islamic and European influences. Cirebon is rather a sleepy place now, with a small harbor and a sizeable fishing industry.

 
 
Kraton Kesepuhan Komplek in Cirebon, with its split red brick gate and several elaborately carved audience pavilion, is undoubtedly one of the finest example of former Hindu-Javanese architecture in existence.
 
 
 
 
Taman Arum Sunyarage, which is built as a fortress in 1702 and used as a base fro resistance against the Dutch, this stone and coral folly was cast in its present form in 1852 by a Chinese architect to serve as a pleasure palace cum hermitage for Cirebon’s rajas.

East Java

Surakarta (Solo) generally receives far less
attention from foreign visitor than its neighbour Yogyakarta. This is curious from the point of view of Javanese as Surakarta is the older and more refined royal center, the arbiter of cultivated speech and
anstocratic elegance in traditional Java. It is an excellent place for the unhurried shopper who likes to explore out of the way places, in the hope of finding hidden treassure. To begin with there is a sizeable antique industry and many dealers collect and restore old
European, Javanese and Chinese furniture.

     
The starting point for any tressure is
Pasar Triwindu. Surakarta is
also the home of Indonesia’s largest batik manufacturer. It is also the
place to see wayang orange dance performance or a
wayang kulit
shadow play.

Surabaya the provincial capital of East
Java, was the largest and most important seaport in the archipelago.It still rank second after Jakarta Tanjung Priok, with more than 400 years of colourful history behind it. Surabaya is a hot, sprawling cityof almost 4 million. It is known as a city of heroes because of the
momentous first battle of the revolution,
fought here in November 1945. Kali Mas canal, which lies at the
very heart of the 19th century commercial district, is where many
dilapidated Dutch warehouses and office building still stand.

Pulau Madura, neighbor to Surabaya, is
famous for its annual bull races. It is a strange sport, this kerapan sapi. According to the Madurese, racing bulls wasc used to be for plowing in the rice field. Today, they are specially bred for racing and is considerable source of regional pride.

Tretes is one of the best bases for temple-tripping is the delightful mountain resort, just 55 km south of Surabaya. The air is fresh, the nights are cold and mountain scenery is superb. Candi Jawi, just by the main road 7 km below Tretes is a slender Buddhist shrine was completed around 1300 dedicated to King Kertanegara, who died in 1292, of the Singhasari dynasty. It overlooks Gunung Penangungan to the north, a perfect cone surrounded on four sides by smaller peaks and regarded, because of its shape, as a replica of the holy mountain Mahameru.

Penangungan is littered with dozens of terraced sanctuaries, meditation grottoes and sacred pool about 80 sites. The most accessible and charming of these is Belahan, a bathing pool situated at Penangungan eastern foot. It is thought to be burial site of King Airlangga, who died in 1049.

East Java’s only sizeable temple complex is Candi Penataran. It the state temple of Majapahit, assembled over a period of some 250 years, between 1197 and 1454. It has no soaring pinnacle or massive stupa, but rather a series of shrines and pavilions arranged before a broad platform. It is assumed that the pavilions were originally roofed with wood and thatch, as was the body of the main temple, now partially reconstructed.

Mt Bromo is a squat volcanic cone inside the much larger Bromo Caldera. The views from the rim of this caldera and from the narrow lip of Mt Bromo itself are an other-worldly experience, especially if Mt Bromo is belching steam. The traditional visit to Mt Bromo has been a midnight climb to position oneslf on the volcanic lip at dawn. The pink light of the rising sun slowly illuminates the caldera, full of fog at that hour.
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