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2008-01-01T09:19:00.000-08:00

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2008-01-01T06:26:00.000-08:00

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Village of the whale hunters

2007-10-31T06:10:00.000-07:00

Lembata Island by the prospect of visiting the unique village of Lamalera, where the traditional practice of harpooning whales and dolphins for subsistence still survives. So, on Friday 16 September, after two nights in the 'bustling' port town of Lewoleba (see previous entry), we set off on the four-hour drive to Lamalera, situated on the south coast. Our public transport by 4WD vehicle took us through the mountainous, sparsely populated interior of the island, dotted with small farms and tiny villages of bamboo huts. The surfaced road soon gave way to a rutted, dusty track. As the vehicle passed through settlements and stopped along the way to drop of people and goods, we were met by friendly smiles and waves from women and children.
Boat at sea
Boat at sea

Our car had left at midday, and we arrived in Lamalera in the mid-afternoon. The accomodation in Lamalera is limited to a couple of homestays, and we checked into one of them - the home of Abel Beding and his family. We took a walk around the small seaside village - a cluster of brightly painted brick homes situated on the main street and along the curve of the small bay. On the beach, a picturesque row of palm-thatched shelters housed 40 or so traditional wooden fishing boats. At sunset, three boats returned (empty-handed) and we watched the crew heave the boats up the beach, using logs as rollers. I got chatting to a skipper named Frans, who could speak some English, and we agreed that Rich and I would join his boat on its fishing expedition the following day.
Leaping from boat
Leaping from boat

So on Saturday morning at 7am we accompanied the crew of the boat 'Arnol'. Like roughly half of the 40 or so fishing boats owned by the clans of the village Arnol is a hand-built wooden boat with an outboard engine, and is used for hunting dolphins as well as manta ray and other large fish. The balance of the village fleet are outrigger 'pledang' boats propelled by traditional palm-frond sails instead of engines. These are used for whale hunting.

The international whaling treaty exempts the people of Lamalera from the ban on whale hunting, on the grounds that this is a unique and traditional way of life. They are thus permitted to use only their sail boats for whale hunting, and land around 15 to 20 sperm whales a year. For the rest this subsistence fishing community relies on its catches of manta rays and dolphins. Every part of the whale or dolphin is utilised - the flesh is divided among all the families of the village for eating, the blubber is hung in the sun to release the oil, which is bartered as lamp fuel at the surrounding markets. Bones are used in construction and carved into ornaments.
Traditional village of Lamalera
Traditional village of Lamalera

Visiting Lamalera and accompanying a fishing boat presented a moral challenge to us: of course, we instinctively find the idea of whale and dolphin hunting offensive; yet, staying in the village, meeting the people and seeing how they live, we quickly realised that they were barely eking out a living from this subsistence way of life. As Westeners who live in comfort, consuming huge amounts of natural resources yet staying well removed from our food sources, it would be wrong of us to judge this way of life by our own standards.

Though we were eager to observe the unique hunting methods of Lamalerans, we were secretly hoping that no whales would make an appearance - the thought of a full blown whale hunt was just a little too daunting. Thankfully, no whales had been spotted that morning and the prahus remained firmly ashore; Arnol's crew were on the lookout for dolphins. About two hours into the morning and a good few miles out at sea, we came across a very large pod of dolphins, and the hunt be began.

The technique for hunting dolphins is the same as for whales - the harpooner, youngest and fittest of the crew, stands on a small platform on the bow of the boat, weilding a long bamboo shaft with a barbed metal harpoon tip. When the boat comes within striking distance of an animal, he lunges at it, flinging himself into the water to put his full weight behind the harpoon. More often than not it's a miss; a line is thrown to the harpooner and he scrambles on board looking exhausted. If it's a hit, a second and third harpoon are often needed to secure the animal. Then the long battle to reel it in begins... hit or no hit, the whole process is a labour intensive group effort, requiring each of the eight or so crew members to do their bit at just the right second.

We found the sight of struggling dolphins rather hard to bear, yet the absolute delight and relief of the crew whenever they landed their catch made one realise how much they needed it. At about 2pm, with five dolphins in the boat, the guys called it a day, and we started chugging back to shore. By now the two of us were starving, thirsty, sun-burned and quite traumatised. But instead of coming ashore an hour or so later, it took us another four hours to getb back... the boat engine packed up! The helmsman would really battle to start it (Rich was often asked to pull the chord, as he had an unusually high success rate!), then it would splutter a little and die again. Finally, just before sunset, another boat came out looking for us and towed us back. Phew, what a day! We watched as the old men of the village butchered the dolphins on the beach, sharing out the meat to women from various households.

The following day, Sunday morning, most of the 2,000 or so inhabitants of the village went to church (like Flores, the island is staunchly Catholic) - from the verandah of Abel's place we watched families troop by in their Sunday best: clean sarongs, colourful blouses, the women's long black hair knotted tightly in a high bun. We went for a walk to the west of the village and found a secluded little cove where the snorkeling was excellent. The water was crystal clear and the soft corals covering the dark volcanic rocks seemed more like cold water forms. However, walking back up the hill we discovered that a whole clan of youngsters had been spying on us! They said a shy hello and scattered as we walked up the path. Good thing we hadn't been skinny dipping! After another superb lunch at the homestay, we walked the road along the coast in the opposite direction, and found another beautiful little beach.

On Monday morning, Rich joined the fishermen again while I relaxed, chatted to a few people in the village and went back to the little beach we had discovered the afternoon before. The snorkeling from here was absolutely gorgeous too, but I had to keep a look-out for little spies! In the early afternoon, before the boat came in, I returned to the village beach and sat in the shade of one of the boat sheds with a young man named Thomy. Thomy was teaching himself English and eagerly paged through the Rough Guide, trying to read bits here and there. He was particularly taken with the Glossary section, and we had an amusing English-Indonesian conversation using the glossary as a dictionary. By the end of the afternoon, Rich and I had promised to post him a proper dictionary (which we duly did from Bali when we returned there). No doubt the little book will be passed around and use by all the others like him in the village - bright kids who simply do not have educational opportunities available to them.

That evening we said goodbye to all the friends we had made in Lamalera. We'd been bowled over by the friendliness of the villagers and their decency and inner strength despite the hand-to-mouth existence many of them faced. At 5am the next morning, we boarded a 4WD truck back to Lewoleba, from where we returned to Flores by ferry.

ACEH : PLACES OF INTEREST

2007-10-05T04:24:00.000-07:00

Banda Aceh is a capital of Aceh and also the main gateway to the province . The Governor's Residence, was built by Dutch in 1880 on the spot where the palace of sultan once stood. The building is known is one of the historical sites with a unique architecture and completed with traditional house equipment. This place is of course restricted area and entering must be with a kind of permission from the security guard.

Baiturrahman Grand Mosque

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It is one of the most outstanding landmarks in the capital city. The old mosque that stood there before it was burnt at the beginning of the Aceh War, was rebuilt in 1875, taking its present shape after a number of renovations and expansions.

Gunongan and Pinto Khop

Gunongan and Pinto Khop which are located at a few steps from the Pendopo are also charms of the city . Gunongan was erected around the 16th century during the reign of Sultan Iskandar Muda.

The Syiah Kuala Grove

It is another visitor's object. Teungku Syiah Kuala was one of Aceh's Great Moslem Ulamas of the past. His grave stands near the mouth of Krueng Aceh River about 2 kilometers from the city, visited by local visitors and other parts of Indonesia and Malaysia.

Indra Patra Fortress

This old fort was build during the time of Iskandar Muda. It probably functioned as a defence against invader's attack

Museum Cut Nyak Dien

It is historical object. The house is a replica of the heroine Cut Nyak Dien, from the Aceh War. The house was burn down by the Dutch but replica was build later, after Indonesia's Independence. This house in Lam Pisang about 6 kilometers from Banda Aceh, is now a museum.

Museum Negeri

It is another charm of the city. The museum is filled with antiques. Among the exhibits is a big clock, a gift from the Emperor of the China and brought to Aceh by the formed Admiral Cheng Ho in 1414.

Beaches

The most popular beaches are Gapang beach and Ibah beach in Sabang, Kuala Dou beach in west Aceh and the others most popular beaches uncrowded Banda Aceh are Ujung Batee beach, Lumpu'uk beach and Lho'nga beach. It's located 16 kilometres from Banda Aceh. All the beaches have clean waters and white sands. Sunset are quite impressive at the all beaches.

Sea Gardens

Sea Gardens are located off short from Banda Aceh at about 45 minutes by speed oat. Some can be enjoyed around Rubiah island in Sabang and the others are around Beras islands, Aceh island and other small islands them. Sea gigantic clams, angel fish, lion fish and much more.

Around Takengon and the Lke

Takengon is a town locates at the central area of Aceh. It is being promoted as a tourist resort since its temperature is about 20 C (68 F), cool enaugh for a holiday resort. The main feature of the town is Laut Tawar Lake. The scenery is loved and the lake can be used for water sport, such as ski. We can tour around the lake by motor boat or other water trasportation. Thre are caves around the lake slopes of the mountain and the mountain itself is suitable for climbing. A number of hotels are being built to encourage a rapidy incriasing tourist trade. The others object around Takengon are warm water pool at simpang Balik, Layang Koro and Layang Pukes caves by the side of Laut Tawar lake.

Around Lhokseumawe and The Former Kingdom of Samudera Pasai

Lhokseumawe is a town located 274 km from Banda Aceh which is now being developed as an industrial zone of Aceh. Many gigantic plants are constructed following the discovery of huge LNG resources in the area. Touristic features of the town is The Samudera Pasai. It was the first great Islamic kingdom of Indonesia.
All that remains of it, however, is a graveyard 18 km east of the town. The historical indication of this can be seen at the grave of Malikul Saleh, the first ruler of the kingdom and from the royal graves, including that a queen named Nahrisyah and graves of other members of the royal families of Samudera Pasai. The kingdom produced its own gold coins which still can be round in the surrounding areas. Other object for visitors are Blang Kolam Falls and Ujung Blang beach.

The National Park

The National Park of Gunung Leuser is probably the wildest in Indonesia, located in Southeast Aceh that can be reached either Kutacane, or Tekangan. The magnificent national park has a wealth of flora and fauna. The park also has research facilities for the study of primates, birds, insect, and other animals. Basic accomodation facilities are available at Katambe. The rapids-infested Krueng alas river inside the park is popular with rafters.

Laut Tawar Lake

Rafting in Aceh
Laut Tawar Lake is located in Aceh Tengah. Takenagn, the capital of the region, lies on the west side of this lake, 1,120 meters above sea level, with an everage temperature of 20 C. The town is quit cool and is growing holiday resort. The scenery is lovely and the lake can be used water sports, such as ski. We can tour around the lake by motor boat or other water transportation. There are caves around the lake slope the mountain and the mountain itself is suitable for climbing. Anmber of hotels are being built to encurage a rapidly increasing.

Change Your Life Through Travel: Inspiring Tales and Tips for Richer, Fuller, More Adventurous Living

2007-10-03T01:45:00.000-07:00

Book Description
Living life as fully on the road as at home is celebrated in this book that ponders the people who mastered the art of moving about. Passages of classic travel writing by Isak Dinesen, Ernest Hemingway, D. H. Lawrence, and Henry Miller are woven through accounts of the author's own globetrotting adventures. A collection of travel hints, inspirational ideas, and suggestions for journal-keeping fill chapters entitled "Take More Risks," "Buck Convention," "Slow Down and Live in the Moment," and "Find Your Wild Side." Color photographs and an enticing list of travel books for further reading are also included.

Lonely Planet the Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World

2007-10-03T01:00:00.000-07:00

From Booklist
*Starred Review* Even the most avid readers of travel guides and travel literature will not have encountered a book quite like this one. It is huge and heavy but reasonably priced, and it is vastly informative, which is its calling card. All the writers who contribute to the Lonely Planet travel guide series have put heads, knowledge, and experience together and come up with an A-Z series of capsule profiles of every country in the world, 230 in number. Each country gets a two-page spread, on which are placed, like luscious dishes set before one at a feast, illustrations that are typical of Lonely Planet's unique, non-picture-postcard brand of shots. The accompanying text presents a cogent rundown of the best experiences for gaining the essence of the place; books to read beforehand; music to listen to before you go; food and drink to consume once you are there; and a few brief but pungent closing comments on the trademark things to do and buy and see and what, ultimately, is the best surprise awaiting the tourist. For borrowers in the travel section to sit down, look at, and make notes from, without taking off the premises. Brad Hooper

1,000 Places to See Before You Die: A Traveler's Life List

2007-10-03T00:43:00.000-07:00

From Publishers Weekly
This hefty volume reminds vacationers that hot tourist spots are small percentage of what's worth seeing out there. A quick sampling: Venice's Cipriani Hotel; California's Monterey Peninsula; the Lewis and Clark Trail in Oregon; the Great Wall of China; Robert Louis Stevenson's home in Western Samoa; and the Alhambra in Andalusia, Spain. Veteran travel guide writer Schultz divides the book geographically, presenting a little less than a page on each location. Each entry lists exactly where to find the spot (e.g. Moorea is located "12 miles/19 km northwest of Tahiti; 10 minutes by air, 1 hour by boat") and when to go (e.g., if you want to check out The Complete Fly Fisher hotel in Montana, "May and Sept.-Oct. offer productive angling in a solitary setting"). This is an excellent resource for the intrepid traveler.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
Newsweek : "At last, a book that tells you what's beautiful, what's fun and what's just unforgettable—everywhere on earth."
—Newsweek

Travel + Leisure

2007-10-02T08:45:00.000-07:00

Description
Travel + Leisure reveals the best travel destinations in the world! Readers discover where to find the best hotels, the best shopping, the best food, and the most fun. With Travel + Leisure, readers keep up on hot deals on vacation travel and get tons of insider travel tips to help them save money, reduce travel headaches, and enjoy every trip more than ever.

Product Description
Feature articles on travel destinations worldwide, notices of exciting events, restaurant and hotel profiles, regional articles, recommendations and weather for leisure travelers worldwide.

Conde Nast Traveler

2007-10-02T08:43:00.000-07:00

From Amazon.com
As the title implies, Traveller offers more than just articles and advice on vacation planning. Beyond resort and hotel reports, its insightful, thorough, and informative features delve into regional culture, transportation, and cuisine, serving those who are as interested in actually experiencing another part of the world as they are in escaping their own. Traveller also offers pragmatic articles on the perils of visiting foreign countries, such as car insurance (or the lack thereof), medical care, and crimes such as pickpocketing. Other features pinpoint charming diversions--a roadside dried-coconut vendor on Maui's Hana Highway, Seattle's surreal Experience Music Project museum, the latest boutique hotel in Miami's South Beach, or a tiny crêpe shop in Paris. The focus is on more opulent destinations--those looking to do London on $15 a day should look elsewhere. But whether you'll travel by mountain bike, Sherpa guide, or Learjet, and whether you're on a lengthy sojourn or a weekend spa getaway, Traveller inspires a voyager's dreams. --Beth Massa

Product Description
Feature articles on worldwide travel destinations, savvy strategies, shopping, hotels, transportation, legislation, news and tips for vacation and business travelers.

Explorer Blazes Trails in Venezuela

2007-06-15T07:29:00.000-07:00

Charles Brewer Carias has discovered giant sinkholes, collected new species of plants and scorpions, and rappelled into unexplored caves on his nearly 200 expeditions into the flat-topped mountains and jungles of Venezuela.

The mustachioed 68-year-old says his passion for discovery makes him a throwback to the 19th century explorers who once trekked through South America. And he has found his modern-day Eden among the sandstone plateaus of Venezuela, known as "tepuis," which tower above rain forests and savannas.

Brewer has spent much of his life learning to spot subtle anomalies in this rugged landscape, which is home to Angel Falls — the world's tallest waterfall — and was the setting of Arthur Conan Doyle's famous dinosaur novel "The Lost World."
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"The idea of discovery is to see things that no one has seen before," says Brewer, who calls the tepuis "islands in time," each of them isolated much like the Galapagos Islands, allowing evolution to run its distinct course on every mountaintop.

His knowledge and keen abilities of observation have made Brewer the best-known explorer and naturalist in Venezuela.

Flying by helicopter, he gazes down at the tepuis searching for changes in vegetation, rivers disappearing into holes or other clues that could point to a landing spot for his next expedition.

This time he is headed to the site of one of his grandest discoveries: a giant quartzite cave in the belly of a plateau, which he is exploring with the help of scientists from Slovakia and Croatia.

Five years ago, he spotted a river emerging from this cave while flying past. He returned with a team to hike into it, and found what experts believe to be the world's biggest quartzite cave. The group named it after Brewer.

Measured at nearly 2.8 miles long, the cave runs along a river through chambers at times up to 130 feet high. The explorers pause to examine amphibious crickets, rare scorpions and odd mineral deposits called speleothems that grow like coral reefs from the cave floor.

"That's a beautiful piece," Brewer exclaims, squatting to photograph one of the chalky opal speleothems, which scientists believe are built up by bacteria over time.

A total of 22 species — plants, reptiles, insects and a scorpion — have been named in Brewer's honor, including an entirely new genus of bromeliad, with glossy leaves and white flowers, which he found in 1981.

He also has explored underwater, leading a 1998 scuba expedition to a sunken fleet of 17th-century French ships off Venezuela's Las Aves Islands.

Some scientists accuse Brewer of excessively seeking credit and attention for discoveries.

But he sees a simple reason for their complaints: "Jealousy, sheer jealousy."

Brewer has long been captivated by Sir Walter Raleigh's writings about his travels in Venezuela more than 400 years ago. And citing stories related by Raleigh, Brewer is convinced that the lost city of El Dorado, named after an Indian headman who covered himself in gold dust, remains hidden in Venezuela's jungles.

He hopes to prove it by returning to explore a site in the Amazon where in 1990 he unearthed a find of pottery shards, made of clay mixed with gold dust.
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Brewer, the grandson of a British diplomat who married a Venezuelan, has always been fascinated by subjects from botany to anthropology. While growing up in Caracas, his father urged him to specialize, so Brewer became a dentist like his dad.

But he soon gravitated to broader interests. In 1961, he went to live with the Yekuana Indians, performing dental anthropological studies and learning their language. He did similar work among the isolated Yanomami Indians.

The government used to support his expeditions, but today he struggles to obtain funding and asks scientists to pay their own way on rented helicopters.

His most harrowing experience came when he was shot during a 2003 burglary. Wounded in the shoulder, he shot and killed one of the intruders. Bullet fragments remain lodged in his shoulder, but he has not let the injury limit him on outings, boasting he can go for long periods without food or water and still swim faster than most men half his age.

"You have to have a childish, inquisitive nature," he says. "I'm discovering new caves, places where people never imagined before. I'm getting answers where no one ever asked questions before."

source : Discovery Chanel

Bali ATV Tour

2006-12-06T23:43:00.000-08:00

If you are planning to visit the island of Bali, you definitely made a good choice on that, as Bali has something that you cannot find in most other tourist destinations. Despite having welcomed foreign people from all over the world for over a century, the island and its people haven’t changed their way of living, their habits, their culture. Of course you will find influences brought in by people from other continents, mostly noticed in the south and most developed part of the island, where most tourists stay. In places like Kuta, Sanur and Nusa Dua you will find all ingredients for a perfect relaxing holiday, as there are beautiful beaches, restaurants that serve dishes from all over the world, bars, shops and sport facilities.

Meet the friendly people
But of course Bali has much more than that, and for the people who want to experience what Bali is really like, we from BALI QUAD DISCOVERY TOURS have developed some unique off road adventure tours with quad bikes (ATV’s) four wheel drive motorcycles through a very authentic part of the island. Our tours combine a great experience of driving your own powerful off road 4-wheel motorcycle (or enjoying the ride while comfortably sitting on the back of the bike) with the opportunity to learn about the way the local people live. You will follow our experienced guides by driving between beautiful rice fields, pass the rainforest, drive up the mountain and cross some riverbeds. It doesn’t matter if you have ever driven a quad bike before, as the bikes are user friendly, and everybody will get a detailed instruction and practice on the spot before we start our tours.

Maninjau Lake

2006-09-28T20:48:00.000-07:00

Maninjau Lake West Sumatra, is one of the most splendid lakes in Indonesia. This volcanic lake is situated more or less 461 meters above sea level. This lake, 100 m2 in size with the maximum depth of 500 meters, is associated with a legend. It is said that from the local folklore called "Bujang Sembilan" (roughly translates as "Nine Young Men"), one of these men died by plunging himself to the crater. The crater then expanded, forming a lake.
Maninjau Lake has a five-starred resort located on the top of a hill. With pleasant, inspiring sceneries, staying around Maninjau Lake will be a dazzling experience for you.
Maninjau Village is located near the lake. Buya HAMKA, one of the most notable novelists in Indonesia, was born here. HAMKA wrote the phenomenal Tenggelamnya Kapal Van der Wijk. Another famous person born here is Rangkayo Rasuna Said, one of Indonesia's national hero. Her name is immortalized as one of the protocol roads in Jakarta.

Getting There
Located only 35 kilometers away from Bukittinggi, you can visit this site by using a car or a public transportation.

Where to Stay
You can stay at various inns and hotels in Bukittinggi, or at Maninjau Resort, which is closer.

Moving Around
From where you stay, you can use a private car or public transportation to view the magnificent scenery.

Dining Guide
You can eat at several nearby restaurants or hotels. Bear in mind that West Sumatran food tends to be spicy.

Souvenir Tips

You can buy traditional Minangese crafts within the area or in Bukittinggi. Various songket (hand-woven cloth), slippers, shoes, bags, money pouches made of songket, and other unique items are also available. You can also buy traditional West Sumatran snack such as cassava chips coated with chili sauce.

Other Things to See or Do

Simple water recreations can be done in the lake. Unfortunately, since the locals consider swimsuits improper, you shouldn't swim in this lake. You can swim in the resort or in other hotels. If you stay at the resort, you can also use the fitness center and jogging track.

Ujung Kulon National Park

2006-09-28T19:29:00.000-07:00

Ujung Kulon National Park is Indonesia's leading National Park, World Heritage Site and the home of the One Rhinoceros. The Park has a wide variety of vegitation, wild life and marine life. Hereby we would like to invite you to canoe our park river, track our trail, watch our wild game, hike our hill, dive our diverse marine attraction, and much more. The visit to the park provides an excellent opportunity to experience the beauty of Indonesia virgin rain forest, and it's exotic marine life.

The dense rain forest with it's fauna and murky river provides excellent challenge to hike and canoe trough. Deep in to jungle lung and trourgh the river bank. Get the fresh air, green atmosphere, challenging trail, fauna encountering, lonely river trip and more..
Diving and snorkeling in the surrounding park waters offers visitors the insight of view of the park marine life, ornamental fiskes, coral reef, rock formation, and accasionally historical remains.

History
During the Dutch rulling time, various expeditions had been conducted to explore the mining potential and it's unusual richness and scientific importance. The region becoming a national park began at the end of the 19th century when the region was establishing a reputation as a big hunting area. A group of conservationists and game hunters become concerned about the declining animal numbers and that some species were nearing extinction.After the formation of the Republic of Indonesia, the region was again declared as Nature Reserve in 1958.

LOCATION
On the most western point of Java densely populated land.

ACCESS
Accesible both via land and sea.

SEA ACCESS
115 km drive trough scenic view from Jakarta plus 2 hrs sail by speed boat or 5 hours sail by normal boat. It's accessible just in 5 hours from Soekarnao - Hatta International airport.

LAND ACCESS
245 km drive trough scenic view of the interior of west java. Plus further trekking to various destinations within the primary forest of the park.

FLORA and FAUNA
The park has a wide variety of vegetation with tropical primary rain forest, low land forest, mangroves colony,freshwater swamp, and coastal vegetation. Within these is a great diversity of flowering and fruiting plant.Strangling fig is among the most amazing species of the park flora.

The diversity can be seen in it's wild life. Over 310 species have been recorded including mammals, reptiles, birds, and numerous insects, 5 species of primates among them are crab eating macaque, and glossy blackish Javan silvered leaf monkey.

The one horned rhino is among the most famous fauna.

The reefs and surrounding sea are rich in corals, shell life, sea vegetation, and coral colorful fishes,that all thrive well in the warm, clear waters of the park.

A naval port for defensive purpose was built at the beginning of the 1800s by enslaving the people of surrounding villages.But due to some problems, the port was left unfinished.

From many evernts occured to the park, the eruption of the near by Volcano, Gunung Krakatau at the 1883 perhaps the most important one which gave a huge changing of the coastal flora formation on it's northen coast. The explosion was at cost 36,000 of death, mostly by the tidal wave generated by it's power.

The status as a National Park and World heritage Site was confirmed in the 1992.

Indonesian Puppets

2006-09-04T05:22:00.000-07:00

Wayang literally means shadow, but refers to all types of puppet theater. Java has three types of puppets.

Wayang kulit: leather shadow puppets perform Indonesian versions of the Indian Hindu epics.

Wayang golek: wooden rod puppets perform the Hindu cycles and also an Islamic Arabian adventure cycle.

Wayang klitik: flat wooden puppets perform the adventures of Javanese Majapahit Empire heros.

Also wayang beber, an earlier, related form where the storyteller unrolled a scroll of painted scenes.

Other Indonesian puppets:

Bali: The Balinese use shadow puppets that are more naturalistic in style than the Javanese ones. Baron landong are large comic puppets worn by humans. They are temple puppets and only appear occasionally.

Lombok: Shadow puppets perform Islamic stories.

North Sumatra: Large Si Galegale articulated puppets dance as substitute mourners at funerals of childless Toba Batak people.

Puppet-like figures include Torajan effigies of the dead, Tau-Tau, in Sulawesi and a Javanese child's play that uses a puppet-like manikin, Nini Towong.

[Flat wooden female wayang klitik puppet]

The puppet master, the dalang, manipulates his set of 100 to 500 shadow puppets, or 65 to 70 rod puppets, during a performance that often lasts all night.

Wayang Kulit
Puppets range from 10 to 30 inches high (25 to 75 cm). A basic village set has over 100. There are up to 500 in a palace set. Important characters are represented by several different versions in a set.

[White water buffalo hide of unpainted wayang kulit puppet gives a lacy effect: 42k]

Hide is scraped thin to make it even, then cured so it will not warp. The best puppets are made from young female water buffalo parchment and the curing can take up to ten years. Village puppets use thicker water buffalo or goat hide, sometimes sticks and rice straw or even cardboard or scrap metal.

The puppet maker, using a template as a guide, scratches the outline and guide lines for details into the hide. He cuts the body free plus separate pieces for the arms. The details are punched with a wooden mallet and sets of metal punches and chisels. In a fine puppet, this takes weeks.

Figure 1: Unpainted puppet shows the finely punched detail in her stylized clothes and the graceful curve of the horn handle. She may represent Srikandi, one of the wives of Arjuna. Her dodot skirt train hangs to the side in the Jogjakarta style.

Puppets are fitted with long polished buffalo (kebu) horn or bamboo stick handles. The leather arms are hinged at the shoulders and elbows with metal, bone or bamboo studs, then fitted with sticks for the dalang to move. Expensive puppets made for display even have gold studs set with diamonds.

Better puppets are painted with traditional pigments including powdered burnt bone for white, lampblack, indigo, yellow ochre and cinnabar mixed in fish glue or egg tempera mediums and accented with gold leaf. Cheaper puppets are finished with store paint and gilt. Children often do the painting and the inked details so they will learn the different characters. Some characters are partially identified by their color: Vishnu is black; Siva has a gold face. Red shows a fiery temperament, white represents innocence or youth.
The puppet characters range between alus (extremely refined) and kasar (rough and crude). Refined, virtuous characters have small bodies, slitted oval eyes with pupils like rice grains, pointed noses and a modest downward gaze to delicate feet. More vigorous characters look up.
Middle size characters may be strong like good kings or princely warriors. For example, this puppet of Karno, one of the hundred Kurewas princes opposing the virtuous Pandawa princes.
Figure 2: (Above) Karno is one of the "bad" princes, but has many characteristics of the princely alus style.

More aggressive characters are physically bigger. Their noses and eyes get larger and rounder. Their teeth may show in a snarl. Some large puppets represent physically strong, but virtuous characters. Characters like ogres have only one arm.

Shadow puppets may have came from India with traders and priests who used them to explain the Hindu religion; however, they could predate Hindu influence as all the terms are Javanese. Puppet theater was established in the royal courts by the 1st century A.D. The first documentary evidence appears in the 11th - 13th centuries.

The highly stylized form of Javanese puppets is usually considered to be Islamic, but a similar style also appears on earlier Hindu carvings at Candi Panataran. Balinese shadow puppets are more naturalistic.

Besides the characters of humans and gods, there are puppets of birds, all kinds of domestic and wild animals like elephants, tigers and horses, even sets of weapons. Some puppets like the Batara Buru, equated with Siva standing on a bull, are powerful and seldom seen. Every set must have one, but it is kept in a special bag to protect it.
The puppets are always evolving, especially the clowns who sometimes ride motorbikes and smoke. The most important clowns are the Panakawan, who may represent pre-Hindu, Javanese guardian spirits. They do not appear in the Indian versions of the Ramayana or the Mahabharata, but are among the more important characters in the Javanese versions.

They act as advisors and supporters of the aristocracy in the puppet plays, but they represent the village and also the spirit of the land itself. They are buffoons and jesters, sensual and erotic, yet they are also the voice of common sense. Semar, the leader and most beloved of the Panakawan

Wayang Golek and Wayang Klitik

[2 male rod puppets. One has a fierce, bright red face. The other wears a bright flowered shirt: 24k]

Wayang golek rod puppets are created in family workshops. The master carver makes the head because it expresses the personality of the character. There are ceremonies before carving strong puppets like gods or demons.

The head is roughed out from soft wood with a saw or adz. Then the details are chiseled in. Younger family members do the bodies. The articulated arms are hinged with rattan, string or metal fastenings. The central support rod is attached to the base of the body where it is hidden by the clothing. The women make all the costumes.

Figure 1: Wayang golek puppets, probably from the Menak cycle of adventures of Muhammad's uncle. Their sarongs are wrapped tightly around the rods for storage between performances.

[Black wayang klitik puppet with some white color detail on the sarong and headdress : 10k]

Wayang klitik puppets are flat wooden puppets carved in low relief and painted. They have leather arms like the wayang kulit puppets. They are occasionally used in daytime performances without a screen for plays from the Wayang Gedog cycle. They are also carved for sale using characters from the Hindu epics.

Figure 2: This large wayang klitik puppet is an aggressive character with the kasar trait of a big nose.

Wayang golek and wayang klitik wooden puppets are heavier than leather shadow puppets and more difficult for the dalang to carry, so there are only about 65 to 70 puppets in a set. Puppets play more than one character in these smaller sets, but they must match the type. The dalang's role is the same and the stage is similar, but without the screen.

[2 aristocratic female rod puppets in traditional dress and hairdos: 26k]

If the story is one of the Hindu classics, the wooden puppets follow the stylized characteristics of the shadow puppets. If the stories are from one of the Javanese cycles, the puppets have everyday traditional Javanese form, hair styles and dress with lots of detail and bright colors.

Figure 3: Wayang golek puppets dressed in silk blouses and scarves, cotton batik skirts, necklaces of glass beads, seeds and tassels, metal bracelets and other jewelry set with paste gems. A dealer in Solo had old puppets from a more refined set whose fingers were exquisitely carved in classic Javanese guestures.

Only Java uses wooden puppets, but different areas of the island have different styles. They are believed to have originated on the north coast. Sometimes a wayang golek puppet called a tayub or gambyong, dances at dawn at the end of a wayang kulit performance to remind the viewers to consider the message of play.

Rod puppets are produced for plays, for tourists, and for wealthy Javanese collectors who use them only for display. These collector puppets represent characters that the family identifies with or that were perhaps favorites from childhood.

Sumbawa

2006-08-17T05:40:00.000-07:00

This island, much like neighboring Lombok, is much drier than Bali and other parts of Indo. The land is mostly barren with many steep cliffs dropping straight into sea. The two main surfing areas are West Sumbawa and the Lakey area.

West Sumbawa is mostly made up of hollow lefts that are best accessed by boat charter. The charters will pull up and anchor at the best breaks for easy access to the surf. This area has many steep cliffs that offer scenic backdrops to the epic surf.

The Lakey area can be accessed by charter, as well as by ferry and overland transfers, or flights from Bali. Here there some hotels and surf camps located right in front of the main breaks of Lakey Peak and Lakey Pipe, with other waves within walking distance. Most waves are a long paddle or walk across the reef depending on the tide, reef booties are recommended.

During the dry season (May – October), the tradewinds blow from the southeast offering offshore winds to the lefts of West Sumbawa. Alternately, the winds in the wet season (November – April), blow from the southwest which results in more right breaks with offshore conditions like Yo-Yo’s. Water temperatures are in the mid 70’s, but a vest or springsuit can come in handy on windy days. The sun is directly overhead this close to the equator so lots of sunscreen and rashguards are highly recommended.

Rinjani Attractions

2006-08-16T06:37:00.000-07:00

Important Places On The Journey

Over 20 villages surround Mt. Rinjani and there are many routes up the mountain, but the main access is from Senaru in the north and Sembalun Lawang to the east.

The surrounding stories are a selection taken from a booklet for village guides containing a collection of traditional stories that have been related for generations by the people of Dusun Senaru.

Bunut Ngengkang

The first place to rest, located where the paths from Senaru and Semokan meet. Here is a Banyan tree with a wide space on the lower part, which looks like a person standing up with legs apart. That is why it is called Bunut Ngengkang. Andongan Tambing is one of the forrest entry gates and the First Camp on the Rinjani Trek. At this point the trekkers are warned to be careful of the steep slopes.

Half Way Point (Camp II)
At the second resting place (Camp II) is a stone which is called Batu Penyesalan. This marks the place where the trekkers feels a conflict about whether to continue or to turn back because we still have as far to go to our destination as we have already walked.

Usually it takes about two hours to walk here from Bunut Ngengkang.

Caves
One of the three famous caves (Goa Susu, Goa Payung, dan Goa Manik), Susu Cave is a good place for self reflection and is often used as a place to meditate. The people with unclean and envious mind will have difficulty entering Susu cave which has a narrow entrance, but people with noble and pure mind will easily enter the cave.
Inside the cave water drips from the tip of a stone which looks like a nipple, so people say the water in Goa Susu tastes different. Inside Goa Susu is hot and there is a lot of smoke which looks like cooking steam so people call this Mengukus (hot house) and sometimes people call it Rontgen (X-Ray).

Healing Hot Springs
Aiq Kalak means hot water and it is used to cure various deseases. One of the hot springs is named Pangkereman Jembangan which is meant a place for dipping. The water which spurts out of the spring is very hot. Weapons such as keris, swords, big knives, and lances are dipped in the spring to test their magic power. If the weapon become sticky it means that the weapon is bad and has no magical power. However if the weapon remain unchanged it means that the weapon has supernatural power and the power and the strength will be increased.
People also use the hot spring to make medicine from coconut cream. After dipping a bottle of coconut cream in the hot spring if the liquid becomes clear oily it can be used as medicinal oil. Then the medicinal oil is used for good things and is called Siu Satus Tunggal or in Bayan language Siu Satunggal which means that it can be used to cure a thousand kinds of desease.

Segara Anak Lake
Segara Anak Lake is so wide it appears like the sea with its blue water. The name Segara Anak means child of the sea. Segara Anak Lake holds various mysteries and invisible power.
People feel content to stay a long time in this place because of the large community of mysterious spirits which live arround the lake. The local people believe that if the lake looks wide when seen at a distance it is a sign they will live to an old age; or if the lake seems narrow it is a sign of a short age. So in order not to be pessimistic, people quickly purify themselves by lifting up their spirits and calm soul and look at the lake contentedly.
In the area of the lake it is forbidden to have sexual intercourse, to complain or say dirty things. We must be patient when facing problems.

Local Strawberry
This plant grows along the route to Mt. Rinjani. It has thorns like the rose and the fruit is red like strawberry. It has a sweet and slightly sour taste and is good to eat when trekkers are hungry and thirsty.

Eternal Flower or Edelweis
The plant or the flowers should not be taken because it grows in the park and in the mysterious world of the spirit kingdom. In the past, someone who wanted this flower must be brave enough to fight and gamble his soul. That is why the flower is called Sandar Nyawa. The flower has never wilted and is as old as the mysterious spirits.

The Peak of Rinjani
The people of Lombok believe that the peak of Mt. Rinjani is where Dewi Anjani, the queen spirit and ruler of Mt. Rinjani lives. To the south-east from the peak in a sea of dust called Segara Muncar is the invisible palace of the queen Dewi Anjani and her followers. They are good spirits. According to a story about the Queen Spirit Dewi Anjani she was the daugther of a King who would not allow her to marry her boyfriend. At a spring called Mandala she dissappeared and changed from the real world to the spirit world.

Mount Baru Jari
Gunung Baru is the name of the new volcano which emerged in the center of Segara Anak Lake. People believe that Gunung Baru is the navel of Mt. Rinjani. That is why if Gunung Baru erupted it will not harm the people of Lombok unless the eruption is from the peak of Mt. Rinjani. Some people said that the 1994 Gunung Baru eruption was caused by siprits who were building something because the stones that erupted were arranged in an orderly and attractive way at the foot of Gunung Baru.

Senaru Village And Waterfall

2006-08-16T06:24:00.000-07:00

The village of Senaru is the main entrance to Gunung Rinjani National Park, the most popular start point for the trek to Indonesia’s second highest peak (3,726 m). Within the spectacular crater, the lake Segara Anak is the destination of many pilgrims who place offerings in the water and bathe away disease in the nearby hot springs.

The cool, flower – filled mountain village of Senaru on the slopes of Mt. Rinjani stretches up a hill side spur along a winding rood above Bayan. It is a scenic 2,5 hours drive from Mataram or Senggigi to Senaru. The desa includes the hamlets of Senaru, Batu Koq and Tumpang Sari, and all over accommodations in simple but pretty home stays (losmen) with lovely views.
National park and village entry fees are paid here. Village guides, including several local women, have been specially trained to escort visitors around the sights. Arrange a guided excursion through Lombok Network Outdoor & Adventure.

Waterfall

Senaru’s best known attraction is the Sendang Gila waterfall which attracts many thousands of Indonesian and foreign visitors annually.

Located at about 600m above sea level, the waterfall is an easy 20 minute walk down a graded trail and steps from Senaru Village, a pleasant alternative return route winds along the edge of the steep valley, following the irrigation canal.

For the more adventurous, Senaru’s “second waterfall” Tiu Kelep is another hour’s walk upriver from Sendang Gila. The scramble over rocks through the tropical forest is rewarded by the beauty of the waterfall and a swim in its deep pool. It is said locally that every time you swim behind the main waterfall of Tiu Kelep you become a year younger!

With access from the main road, Senaru’s “third waterfall” Betara Lenjang is a true rainforest adventure strictly for rock climbers with local guide and equipment.

Wildlife

During early morning and evening walks in Senaru you are likely to see interesting birds, butterflies and at least one of the two species of monkey who live in the surrounding forest.

Long tail macaques, known locally as kera, often seat on the road.

More elusive is the rare Silvered Leaf monkey, and also known as the black monkey or lutung, which can often be glimpsed in the forest around the waterfalls.

Senaru Traditional Village

A visit to the Senaru Traditional Village, situated next to Rinjani Trek Center where the Rinjani trail begins, is greatly enhanced by asking a local guide to show you around. The Sasak inhabitants are the cultural guardians of Mount Rinjani and its surrounding forest and safeguard its spiritual values. Locally guided visits include opportunities to experience the villagers daily life, visit their thatched houses and gardens of fruits and spices.

For a romantic highlight, ask to be shown the “sunset view” where you may see the tropical sun setting against the distant skyline of Bali.

Cultural Performances

By special request in advance, the people of Senaru and Sembalun can treat you to the very special spectacle of their traditional music and dance performances in a village setting beneath Mt. Rinjani.

Floating Market

2006-07-31T03:53:00.000-07:00

The Meratus Mountains divided South Kalimantan into two distinct regions. The eastern part of the province is filled with the mountains covered with dense tropical rain forests, home to the "Orang Gunnung" or Mountain Peoples.

Collectively called the Dayak, they form the minority of the region's population. The Southern section of the province is much flatter with large rivers, meandering through lowlands to vast mangrove swamps along the coast, helping to make South Kalimantan an exceptional fertile land. Many villages and settlements have been built along these rivers, particularly the Barito River, by the indigenous majority, the Banjar.

South Kalimantan is full colorful and distinctive traditional arts and cultures which can be seen in its people's ways of life, art, dance, music, ancestral dress, games and ceremonies. Exquisite traditional and commercial hand-crafts are all made from local raw materials which include a variety of precious and semi-precious stones, gold, silver, brass, iron and a wide variety of trees such as ironwood, meranti, pinups and rubber have helped to make the province a unique and rich natural resource.

The provincial capital, Banjarmasin, lies a short distance from the mouth of the Barito River at its confluence with the Martapura River. The rivers are literally the lifeblood of the city and everything revolves around them. They are lined with tightly packed stilt houses. A lot of business is done on the water ways; floating markets flourish selling an enormous variety of goods including a tropical selection of fresh fruit such as Kesturi, a rare aromatic species of mango, durian, rambutan, butter fruit, pineapple, watermelon and banana.

South Kalimantan is well connected with cities all over the Indonesian Archipelago through Syamsuddin North airport, which is about 25 km from Banjarmasin. This busy airport handles DC-9's, allowing Merpati Nusantara, Bouraq and Sempati dan Dirgantara Air to service the prov-ince. South Kalimantan can also be reached by sea at Trisakti arid Banjarmasin. For interior travel there are roads, but the waterways are the pre-ferred form of travel.
The floating market is about 20 minutes trip by public transport, the klotok taxi, or about 30 minutes by river transport known as Klotok taxi. The klotok start from the front of the governor office. The market is in Barito river.
The buying and selling are made in the traditional local boat. Such market has started since 400 years ago while people coming from the hinterland took their locol products to sell in the form of barter.
At present no more barter trading system; now money is used. The usual thing about the market that it takes place entirely in the river and it start as 05.00 in the morning and finishes at 09.00 in the morning. Seller and buyers come from different places crowding the market starting from midnight and finally end up at 09.00 the morning

Sarangan Lake

2006-05-31T01:15:00.000-07:00

Located at the feet of Mount Lawu, and representing a tourist destination of East Java that always attracts attention, that is Telaga Sarangan, which is never free from tourist visits.

Telaga (lake) Sarangan is located in the Sub-District of Plaosan, Regency of Magetan, about 1,600 metres above sea level. The climate around is quite cool and comfortable, hence appropriate for recreations. In day time the temperature is around 20 degrees Centrigrade, but at nights it lowers to 15 degrees Centrigrade.

As a tourist destination, Telaga Sarangan has been known since the Dutch time. Here the high ranking Dutch officials often spent their weekends. It is hence not surprising that around the lake, villas of European archiecture can still be found.

In the past, Telaga Sarangan was better known as Telaga Pasir (sand lake). Why? Because, during the dry season the water dried up, showing only a huge stretch of sand. On the other hand, during the rainy season, water would fill up the entire are of the lake. However, until today no definite records can be found of when the name Telaga Pasir changed into Telaga Sarangan. But, irrespective of that, Telaga Sarangan has remained natural and interesting to visit.

As one of the tourist destinations in East Java, Sarangan has been equipped with various facilities for the comfort of visitors. The facilities that are managed by the local government of Magetan, are among others; hotels; logements, restaurants, fruit and vegetables markets, and souvenir shops. Besides that, there are other facilities, like a parking space, musholla (small mosque) and guard station.

To circle along and enjoy the 75 hectares lake, tourist can use motorboats for Rp 7,500 per round trip. Apart from that, there are "water ducks" and horses that will readily take you to the other tourist destinations around Telaga Sarangan. Like the Tirtosari and Sarangsari waterfalls.
The Tirtosari waterfall is located 3 kilometres south- west of Telaga Sarangan. While Sarangsari waterfall is located 2 kilometres north- west of Telaga Sarangan. Both waterfalls are tourist destinations that are still natural and very attractive, because these are surrounded by protected forests, managed by the Perum Perhutani KPH Lawu DS.

At the edge of the protected forest, and exactly at the edge of Telaga Sarangan, the Perum Perhutani KPH Lawu DS has also built a wisma (bed and breakfast), equipped with hot water, television, and telephones. Rates are cheap according todomestic tourists standards, and as compared to the other hotels or wismas around the lake.

Besides that, there is a Taman Ria (fun park) for children, with a quite spacious playground. Meanwhile, for adults, apart from the comfortable environment of the protected forest, there is also an open air stage for cultural performances. And besides that 3.5 kilometres north- west of the lake, at the Mojosemi camping grounds, managed by the Perum Perhutani KPH Lawu DS. The cool and dense environment has created a location that is quite appropriate for nature lovers who are fond of camping, recreationing or researching.

3 kilometres before Telaga Sarangan, from magetan, is another natural lake, i.e.Telaga Wahyu. Itis 15 hectares in size, witha climate not much different from Telaga Sarangan, and definitely easily accesed by big or small vehicles.

At Telaga Wahyu touristscanrelax while fishing. At certain times also variousart and camping performances are held. Near the lake, tourists can find a natural water spring named Sumber Tamtu. It is said that the water from this spring has the virtue to make people stay young.
Travel Tips

It is not difficult to get to Telaga Sarangan, because all types of vehicles can directy access the location. If you use public transportation, board from the Bungurasih Surabaya Bus Terminal heading for Magetan. Fares are Rp 4,000 per person. From the Magetan Bus Terminal board an angkot (mini-bus) to Sarangan ata fare of Rp 1,500 per person.

To enter the Sarangan tourist location, a Rp 2,000 retribution will be charged for adults, and Rp 1000 for children. Meanwhile, if you would like to circle the lake on horseback the fare is Rp 15,000, or Rp 25,000 for a motorboat or "water duck".
taken from : www.petra.ac.id

Bali Indonesia

2006-01-19T21:32:00.000-08:00

The island of Bali is part of the Republic of Indonesia and is located 8 to 9 degrees south of the equator between Java in the West and Lombok and the rest of the Lesser Sunda Islands (Sumbawa, Flores, Sumba and Timor) in the East. Flying time to Jakarta is about 1.5 hours, to Singapore and Perth (Australia) 2.5 and 3 hours, to Hong Kong about 4.5 hours, and to Sydney/Melbourne about 5.5 to 6 hours.
GEOGRAPHY:

The island of Bali has an area of only 5,632 square kilometers (2,175 square miles) and measures just 55 miles (90 kilometers) along the north-south axis and less than about 90 miles (140 kilometers) from East to West. Because of this it's no problem to explore the island on day tours. You can go wherever you want on the island and return to your hotel or villa in the evening.

Located only two kilometers east of Jawa, Bali's climate, flora and fauna are quite similar to its much larger neighbour. The island is famous for its beautiful landscape. A chain of six volcanoes, between 1,350 meters and 3,014 meters high, stretches from west to east. There are lush tropical forests, pristine crater lakes, fast flowing rivers and deep ravines, picturesque rice terraces, and fertile vegetable and fruit gardens. The beaches in the South consist of white sand, beaches in other parts of the island are covered with gray or black volcanic sand.

KUTA BEACH

2006-01-11T23:36:00.000-08:00

Sunsets make memories at Kuta beach, one of the island's loveliest seacoasts. Skylight descends in warm waves of color, leaving shy stars behind. Village fishermen often set off at dusk, the sails of their prahus shrinking to frail silhouettes that drift across a wide, red sun. They vanish into the night, lulled by the rhythm of waves breaking on a beach longer than vision can discern. They return when the young warmth of early morning lights up the slopes of Mt. Batukau and, on clear days, the mountains on the eastern tip of Java.
Save for the fishermen, the villagers usually busy themselves at sundown and rarely wander down to the beach to sit quietly watching the sun set into thek$ea. Mads Lange, South Bali's first European resident, most have enjoyed it though. An Englishwoman, Ketut Tantri, who lived through th_e early years of the revolution in Bali and Jaxle, built a house at Kuta beach. The Kuta Beach Hotel, built on the same site, was opened in 1959, but guests were few. Only in the late sixties did young travelers, at home riding the waves of Hawaii and California and elsewhere, begin to frequent the beach. At that time, almost everyone stayed in Denpasar, coming to Kuta for a swim, the sunset, a kris dance and sometimes a night on the beach. The villagers of Kuta were farmers and fishermen and metal smiths, and they were rather surprised at the great interest their beach received. But like many Balinese, they saw there was a profit to be made. For a small charge they invited the travelers into their homes. Home-stays were set up everywhere. These are clean, simple and cheap accommodation. A number of larger hotels, such as the Kartika Plaza Bali and the Oberoi, have also sprung up. There are many restaurants serving all kinds of westernized dishes and "soul" food, and mini-boutiques selling Bali beach fashions abound everywhere. Tourist activity has spread north up the coast to Legian and beyond on the road to Krobokan. It is said the goddess of the sea claims at least one victim each year at Kuta beach, so be careful-at times there is a strong undertow. Mostly, however, it is fine swimming and the body surfing is great. Kuta and Ulu Watu have waves as fine as anywhere in the world for board surfing. Boards aret(yr hire. The Surfing Club of Bali was set up by an Hawaiian-in-residence and a Lifesaving Club patrols one section of the beach. In 1 981, Kuta hosted international surfing and lifesaving events on its golden beaches.
As the size and fame of Kuta spread, the beach became popular with the residents of Denpasar. Indonesians from the large cities of Java came by the tour load. Dozens of art shops opened along the main streets. On the beach, girls and women carry bundles of sarongs and batiks on their heads, looking for customers. Young boys sell dance tickets, and young girls sell cold drinks. At sunset, the beach is a lively place, and the roads are full of cars and motorbikes.
At Kuta, the water stays warm late until after dusk, like its saffron reflections; and the smooth descent of the shore suits anything from building sandcasties to taking long walks. Local beachcombers are on hand gathering fans of white coral and stringing cowries into long necklaces to sell. The Balinese sometimes comefrom near and farto perform rituals bythe ocean. Although all the ritzy nightclubs are at Sanur Kuta after dark is a popular place for young visitors to eat, drink and be merry. There is a night market, one ortwo informal discotheques and numerous bars and restaurants serving good food at moderate prices. Almost every evening there is a performance of Balinese -dance somewhere in Kuta.. To know what is on just ask around.

Bromo Adventure

2006-01-05T23:17:00.000-08:00

A challenging mountain trek, to attempt the peak of Mount Semeru at 3,676 m above sea level, an active volcano which is the highest in Java. During the trekking, we pass over the beautiful high altitude volcanic lakes, tropical rain forest, the grass land and the sub-alpine forest.

Explore the natural phenomena of Mount Bromo in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. Walking up the peak of Pananjakan to enjoy the natural beauties such as the spectacular sunrise over Mount Bromo. We leave the hotel in the very early morning and arriving at the crater rim in the dark and looking down at the luminous glow of the sulphur, then sitting on the narrow ledge watching the sun come up is a classic experience, but this area also has a lot more to offer: Enjoy The world's best mountain scenery, explore the spectacular Sea of Sand on a horseback or by foot, that fills the caldera of Tengger mountains.

Meet the local Tengger people, wrapped in cloaks riding around on their high stepping ponies. This area is holy to the local Tenggerese who are the only remaining Hindus in Java and thought to be the remnants of the once powerful Majapahit empire. The dawn pilgrimage to the summit is an ancient tradition.

EAST JAVA

Geographically, much of East Java Province is flatter than the rest of Java. In the north-west is lowland, with deltas along Brantas and Bengawan Solo Rivers and km upon km of rice-growing plants. But the rest of East Java is mountainous and hilly, containing the huge Bromo-Tengger Massif and Java’s highest mountain, Gunung Semeru (3,676 M). This region offers a raw, natural beauty and magnificent scenery.

BROMO TENGGER SEMERU NATIONAL PARK

Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, before declared as a National Park mountainous highland of Bromo Tengger Semeru is a forest area with many functions like Strict Nature Reserve Recreation Forest, Protection Forest and Production Forest. Declaration of Bromo Tengger Semeru area as a National Park is based on some considerations i. e: rare and endemic flora habitat of migrant wildlife, unique ecosystem, active volcano, scenery of nature cultural and traditional lives of local people as a catchment area for water resources around the area etc.

The Area of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park covers 50,273.30 hectares of mountainous highland and vertily valley between 1,000 - 3,676 M above sea level. The area is dominated by mountainous trees are also 4 lakes inside namely: Ranu Pani (4 Ha), Ranu Regulo (0.75 Ha), Ranu Kumbolo (14 Ha) and Ranu Darungan (0.50 Ha). Geografically the area lies between 7'54'' - 8'13'' South Latitude and 112'51'' - 113'4'' East Longitude on the globe.

The vegetation of the park area consists of four main vegetation types: Highland Forest, Alvin Forest, Casuarina Forest and Grassland. It is predicted about 600 species of flora in the park. The common species are: Casuarina junghuhniana, Vaccinium varingaefolium, Albitzia lomphata, Acasia decurens, Anaphalis javanica.

At the southern part of Mt. Semeru there are about 157 species of orchids. And also endemic species in the park. Little information about wildlife in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park is recorded. They're only about 16 species of Mammals and 70 species of Birds. The Mammals are: Wild Pig, Timor Deer, Barking Deer, Panther, Silver Leaf Monkey, Common Porcupine etc. The common birds are : Hornbill, Banded Pitta, Crested Spent Eagle, and Australian Grey Duck at Ranu Pani and Ranu Kumbolo.

Tawangmangu Waterfall

2005-12-30T22:56:00.000-08:00

Drive about 45 kilometres (1 hour) to the east of Solo, lies the sleeping Mt. Lawu - 3,265m above sea level. Find Tawangmangu, a peaceful mountain resort, with the cool climate and magnificent scenery, surrounded by pine forest and frequently covered with dense white mists. Also don't miss to visit the park, with the beautiful natural Grojogan Sewu waterfall.

The best thing about Tawangmangu is that you can hike around and the surrounding hills, browse through the holticulture gardens of many kinds of plants and vegetables. You can also rent a horse to ride, enjoying the fresh air and get close to nature. As a tourism, resort, and leisure place, Tawangmangu already has all kinds of facilities, including hotels and bungalows, camping grounds, cross country route, and many others.

The Prambanan Temple

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Prambanan Temple ( also known as Lorojonggrang Temple ) was located at Bokoharjo Village, Prambanan, East of Yogyakarta. The exact date of when the Lorojonggrang Temple was built was still in argument. However, there are two opinion of who builds the Temple. One opinion stated that there was only one, dynasty, Cailendra Dynasty, before Lorojonggrang Temple was built. The second opinion stated that there were two dynasties, Cailendra and Sanjaya Dynasty. Cailendra Dynasty occupied the Southern part of Central Java, whereas Sanjaya Dynasty occupied the Northern part. Buddhist Temples were found mostly in the Southern part of Central Java, and that the Ciwa Temples (Hindu) were found in Northern part of Central Java.

It seemed that Sanjaya Dynasty existed before the Cailendra Dynasty with the center of authority in South Kedu (around Magelang, North of Yogyakarta ). This statement was based on Canggal Inscription ( 732 A.D. ). The Sanjaya Dynasty was then pushed to the North by the Cailendra Dynasty which arrived around 778 A.D. (Kalasan Inscription). The existence of Sanjaya Dynasty was also mentioned in Balitung inscription (708 A.D.). In that inscription it was stated that whenever a King died, the King became a "Dews" ( God, Devine). Based on the inscription studies, it showed the sequence of Kings in Sanjaya Dynasty as follows :

* Sanjaya (732 - 760 A.D.)
* Panangkaran (760 - 780 A.D.)
* Warak (800 - 819 A.D.)
* Garung (819 - 838 A.D.)
* Pikatan (838 - 851 A.D.)
* Kayuwangi (851 - 882 A.D.)

The Rise of Cailendra Dynasty was inscripted in Kalasan inscription, and was followed by other inscriptions, but the historical sequence was difficult to be followed and still a debate. Some inscriptions stated the possibility that both dynasties built the same holy temples as well ( Kalasan Inscription and short Inscription in Plaosan Temple ). On the short inscription two Kings were mentioned, Rakai Pikatan from Sanjaya Dynasty and Sri Kaluhunan from the Cailendra Dynasty. Casparis identified Sri Kaluhunan as the son of the latest King of Cailendra Dynasty, Samaratungga. According to Karang Tengah Inscription ( 824 A D. ), Samaratungga was also called Pramodawardani. The marriage of King and Queen with different religion ( Buddha and Ciwa/Hindu) seemed to influence the architecture of Prambanan Temple which was built by King Pikatan ( Sanjaya Dynasty ). The top of Prambanan Temple did not have a lingga type ( phallus type) but instead a ratna type ( ratna = diamond) which looked like a stupa.

At this point, the King who ordered the building of Lorojonggrang Temple is not convincing. According to the 856 A.D. inscription ( locality source is unknown, preserved in Jakarta Museum of Art ) stated that King Jatiningrat was replaced by Dyah Lokapala. Darmais and Casparis identified Dyah Lokapala as King Kayuwangi who issued Argapura Inscription ( 863 A.D.) According to Balitung inscription (907 A.D.), Kayuwangi was the King between 851-882 A.D. The King before Kayuwangi era was Rakai Pikatan, and thus be concluded that Jatiningrat was indeed Rakai Pikatan.

The Balitung Inscription also described more detail on the structural arrangement of temples. On the 11 th line of the inscription, it stated that temple buildings were categorized into two kinds: the Ciwagraha (graha = a house) and Ciwalaya. The main temple (Ciwagraha) was built by the King, and smaller and lesser temples Ciwalaya ) were built by ordinary people regardless of social status.

The temples which were built by ordinary people had a row arrangement with similar height and forms. The main temple ( built by the King ) had its own wall, separated from the smaller temples. The main gate had a statue of Dwarapala, and at the east was planted a "Tanjung tree" which was considered sacred, as a way for God to descend to earth. Furthermore the temple complex had an irrigation system and buildings for the priests. When the building of Ciwa Temple was finished, the flow of a river was diverted passing alongside the walls of the main temple, separating the main temple ( Lorojonggrang Temple and the smaller temples.

From the inscriptional readings, it could be concluded that on the year 856 A.D. (the issuance of the inscription), Lorojonggrang Temple Buildings had been finished. It was Rakai Pikatan who built Lorojonggrang Temple. This evidence was shown by Casparis based on the Lorojonggrang inscription. There were 50 stones at Lorojonggrang Temple with inscriptions written in white, black and red color. The name of Rakai Pikatan was found among the inscription, and that the writing style found in Lorojonggrang Temple was similar to that in Plaosan Temple.

A. The Discovery and Restoration of Prambanan Temple

The discovery of Lorojonggrang Temple was reported by C.A. Lons in 1733. The temple was in ruined condition, abandoned among grass and tree vegetation. First effort to reveal the presence of a temple was done in 1885 by cleaning the site from grasses and shrubs followed by grouping the stones. This project was supervised by Yzerman, Groneman and van Erp. The work was continued in 1918.

Grouping and identifying the stones in detail followed by restructuring Ciwa Temple was done by van Erp. In 1937, restoration began under the supervision of Bosch, followed by Stuuerheim, van Ramound and others. The restoration was finished in December 20, 1953. About 240 temples undergone restoration, such as two Apit Temples (restored in 1923), four Kelir Temples, and four Corner Temples (Candi Sudut), two Perwara Temples, two entrance gates, the South Gate and the North Gate. The next restoration used the Government Routine Development Budget. Those restoration included Brahma Temple ( start restoration in 1978 ), Wisnu Temple (start restoration in 1982).

B. Structural Description and Arrangement

The Prambanan Temple is a group of Hindu temples, and was also known as Lorojonggrang Temple. The word Prambanan refers to the name of a District, Prambanan District, whereas Lorojonggrang refers to its actual name.

The temple complex has three concentric square

* Outer square (222 x 390 meters) surrounded by a 1 meter boundary wall.
* Middle square (110 x 110 meters) surrounded by a 1 meter boundary wall.
* Center square (34 x 34 meters) surrounded by a 1 meter boundary wall.

All the three squares have gates to connect the other squares. The outer square do not have temples. Inside the middle square there are 224 Perwara temples which are arranged in 4 rows of temples. The first row consists of 68 temples, followed by the second row (60 temples), the third row (52 temples) and the fourth row (44 temples ). The arrangement of temples is in such a way that shorter temples lies in the outside and getting higher toward the center. Inside the center square are sixteen small and big temples, Some of them are

1. Ciwa Temple as the main temple.
2. Wisnu Temple in the North of Ciwa Temple.
3. Brahma Temple in the South of Ciwa Temple.
4. Nandi Temple in front of Ciwa Temple.
5. Temple A and B lies in front of Wisnu and Ciwa Temple.
6. Apit Temple lies in the North and the South flanking row of temples {the West and East row (apit = to flank)}
7. Four Kelir Temples in front of each gate of the main square.
8. Four Sudut Temples (sudut = corner) at each of the corner of the main square

Borobudur the wonder temple

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The Borobudur Temple is considered as one of the seven wonders of the world. This temple is located at Borobudur District, South of Magelang, Central Java.

The expression of experts who had been studying Borobudur Temple varied someway. Bernet Kempers’ expression was: “Borobudur is Borobudur”, meaning that Borobudur Temple is very unique in her own way. Nieuwenkamp (an artist) imaginated Borobudur as “a big lotus flower bud ready to bloom” which was “floating” on a lake. Nieuwenkamp’s imagination was supported by N. Rangkuti (1987) that from the air, the Borobudur Temple looks floating. From the geological studies, experts were able to prove that Borobudur area was one time a big lake. Most of the villages around Borobudur Temple were at the same altitude, 235 meters above the sea-level. The same altitude included the Pawon and Mendut temples. Thus the area under 235 meter altitude was below the lake water level.
Borobudur was built by Sanmaratungga in the 8th century, and belongs to Buddha Mahayana. Borobudur was revealed by Sir Thomas Stanford Raffles in 1814. The temple was found in ruined condition and was buried.

The overall height was 42 meters, but was only 34.5 meters after restoration, and had the dimension of 123 x 123 meters (15,129 square meters). There were 10 floors. The first floor up to the sixth floor was square form, the seventh to the tenth floor were round form.

Borobudur is facing to the East with a total of 1460 panels (2 meters wide each). Total size of the temple walls was 2500 square meters, full of relief. The total number of panels with relief was 1212. According to investigations, the total number of Buddha statue was 504 including the intact and damaged statues. The temple undergone restoration from 1905 to 1910, and the last restoration was done in 1973 to 1983.