Monday, February 28, 2011
Bukit Tiga Puluh National Park
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Sunday, February 27, 2011
Siberut Island
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Siberut island recently received international attention as a priority conservation area, for the unique culture of the ethnic Mentawaian and endemic of its biodiversity that need to be preserved. Although the island has plenty to offer, the potential has not been utilized fully especially for tourism. Most visitors to the island are only interested to see the culture at the indigenous tribes, such as the communal clan life in the traditional UMA house along the riverbanks.
Siberut National Park occupies the western half of the island, ranging from the northern coasts. At present the Integrated Biodiversity Conservation Project organized by PHPA, MOF, together with local government, local NGOs and other institutions, conducts the community based conservation program.
Topography and Climate
Siberut Island is characterized by a wet equatorial climate, with minimum and maximum temperatures of 22o C (71.6F) and 31o C (87.8F). The dry season is from February to June and the raining season is from July to January. Siberut is hilly with wide variations in elevation. Almost 60% is covered by tropical rain forest with many forest types such as: primary dipterocarp forest, primary mixed forest, swamps forest, Barrington forest and mangrove forest. Also, there are many rivers on the islands with a complex system of tributaries.
Community and Culture
Although Siberut is only a small island, the internal variations in language, culture, life styles, and in resources is rather substantial. There is no clear indication of when the first man arrived on Siberut, but anthropologists suggest that the bataks of North Sumatra first settled on the island several thousand years ago. In many ways, the Siberut people are among the most archaic people in Indonesia.
The Mentawaian are traditionally organized as matrilineal groups and the social life centered around the UMA, a communal long house which held a clan of people related through a common ancestor. The UMA vary in size between 30 to 80 members divided in nuclear family units, referred to as LALEP. Because of internal friction, the clan might split up and form a new group or a single family. The Mentawaians believe that all living objects, men, plants and animals are supposed to have spirits. The only specialist in the community is the medicine man, KEREI, responsible for communication with the spirits and the souls. In case of misfortune or illness, he is called in to restore harmony within the group or in relation with the spirits in the environment. An elaborate Taboo system based on religious beliefs with respect to the environment is a dominant characteristic of traditional life on Siberut.
Visit and stay in a Mentawaian village, trek to the jungle, learn about sago processing and bark cloth processing, and do other activities that will heighten our interest in and fascination with the natural philosophy of the Mentawaians.
Jungle Adventure
Very few visitors have explored the thickly forested island. Visiting a cave in central Siberut or waterfalls in the northern and southern parts of the island, are possible upon request with our guide. Be observant of our surroundings. We may have the chance to see and hear some endemic wild life. Siberut has four endemic primates that in local names are called Bilou (Hylobates klossi), Simakobu (Simias concolor), Bokoi (Macaca pagensis), and Joja (Presbytis potenziani). There are at least five species of squirrels and chipmunks and birds abound everywhere on the island. Padding a canoe trekking on muddy trails balancing on a shipper log, wading through a shallow river, brushing through a dense jungle - are all parts of an unforgettable jungle adventure on Siberut.
Coastal Discovery
Some good coral reefs can be found along the east, south to southeast part of Siberut and the surrounding small islands. Along the coast, continuous, white sand beaches, magnificent lagoons, enfacing mangroves and Coral Sea gardens all promise an exciting coastal adventure. Dolphins (Stenela longirostris) can be seen along the east coast. Other sea mammals such as digong (Dugong dugong) occasionally can be sighted near the sea grass by the mangrove along with three protected species of sea turtles.
A motorized boat can reach Masilok Beach on the southern part of Siberut within an hour. The island's resort, dominated by coconut grows, a lagoon with beautiful white sand beach, promising a very relaxing environment. The west coast breaks from Siberut Island, connected only by sea garden and mangrove that lie side-by-side making it a unique experience for diving. Accommodation and fresh clean water are available. If we plan to travel to nearby islands, it can be arranged with local owners. In the southwestern part of Siberut lies Sagulubek Beach, with calm and clear waters making it ideal for wind surfing. In the northern part, Sikabaluan beach offers an excellent dip in warm water to soothe the soul.
Padang
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Padang has several houses built in traditional architecture, including Padang Museum, which houses objects of cultural and historical interest. Its beach on Bungus bay with its white sands is good for swimming, boating or just watching the fishing boats going out to sea in the afternoon. Small boats can be hired from here to some small islands nearby: Sirandah, Sikoai, Pagang, Parsumpahan.
Padang is a prosperous city and major ports, which has retained the atmosphere of a market town. It is the third largest city of Indonesia with a population of more than 300,000. South of Padang, the massive Kerinci-Strait, Nature Reserve is Indonesia's largest national parks sprawls across a 345 sq km stretch of Jungle Mountain dominated by the volcanic core of Mount Kerinci, which is Sumatra's highest mountain.
Padang has some pretty beaches. The most popular ones are located south of Padang. The beaches are good for swimming, boating or just watching fishing boats going out in the afternoon. On Sundays, the beaches are usually crowded with families and youngsters enjoying their weekly day off. On other days, however, we will find the beaches deserted.
Since the 16th century Padang has been a trade centre. During the 16th and 17th century pepper was cultivated and traded with India, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. In 1663 the city came under the Dutch authority. The city came under British authority twice, the first time during the war between United Kingdom and the Netherlands (1781-1784) and again when the United Kingdom managed the area for the Netherlands during the Napoleonic wars (1795-1815). Afterwards the city was transferred back to the Netherlands. Up to approximately 1780 the most important trade product was gold, originating from the gold mines in the region. When the mines where exhausted, the emphasis turned to other products such as coffee, salts and textiles.
Riau Cultural Park
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Alam Mayang Fishing Park
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Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Lhok Nga Beach
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Weh boasts a wide variety of beaches waiting to be explored by visitor. Kasih Beach (Love Beach) is the nearest beach to the town of Sabang. About 2 km to the southwest lays a rocky beach with over hanging palm trees stretching the length of the peninsula. Along this northern peninsula we will find World War II gun emplacements. Some have decayed while others have remained intact. Following the coast two kilometers further will lead us to Tapak Gajah Beach (Elephant Step Beach). If we go on, we will reach Sumur Tiga Beach (Three Well Beach). This is generally considered to be Weh's most beautiful beach. Its soft white sand and crystal clear water make it an ideal place to swim and snorkel.
About two kilometers beyond Sumur Tiga Beach lay Ujung Kareung Beach (End of Rocky Beach). Here Sea Brain coral, fish from the rock or hunt for starfish in the crevices near the shore. Another beautiful beach can be found at Gapang frequented by the locals, this wide sandy beach is lined with lush green coastal trees that provide appreciated shade on a hot afternoon.
Lake Toba
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The centerpiece of North Sumatra, Lake Toba's bracing climate and magnificent panoramas clear the mind and soothe the soul. For decades a magnet from regional and foreign visitors alike, Toba has developed into a full-featured highland resort while retaining the rustic charm and relaxed ambiance that define Toba's attraction. Formed by a stupendous prehistoric volcanic explosion, the 100 km long lake is the largest in Southeast Asia and one of the deepest and the highest in the world. The drama of that cataclysmic birth persist in 500 meter cliffs dropping into the blue-green waters, surrounded by steep, pine covered sloped, the climate is fresh and pleasant, with just enough rain to support the lush vegetation.
Toba Lake is a 100kms x 30kms volcanic lake in North Sumatra, Indonesia. Toba Lake has become one of the main tourist attractions for a long time in North Sumatra apart from Bukit Lawang and Nias, visited by both domestic and foreign tourist.
Pangandaran Beach
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Coastal forests exist only on the Eastern and Western regions. Overgrown with tree Barringtonia formation, such as Butun (Barringtonia aseatica) Ketapang (Terminalia catappa), Nyamplung (Callophyllum inophyllum) and Waru Laut (Hibiscus tiliaceus).
With a many variety of flora, The Nature Park Pangandaran is a Habitat for wild life animals. Types of wildlife found in this area include: Tando (long-tailed monkeys (Macaca fascicularis), Lutung (Presbytis cristata), Bat (Pteropus campyrus), Bull (Bos sondaicus), Deer (timorensis elaphus), Deer (Tragulus javanica) and Porcupine (Hystrix javanica).)
Patuha Resort
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Lodging facilities are equipped with the architecture and building highly harmony with the natural environment there are 12 lodging rooms which can accommodate 48 people present the viewing point which can be used to enjoy the panoramic beauty of nature around.
Patuha Resort also has facilities greenhouse and strawberry garden you can enjoy the freshness of the fruit by choosing their own way or we can help cultivate a healthy juice.
Mount Leuser National Park
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The Leuser National Park of Gunung Leuser is probably the wildest in Indonesia, located in Southeast Aceh, can be reached from either Kutacane, or Takengon. This magnificent national park has a wealth of flora and fauna. The Leuser Ecosystem is an outstanding wilderness in Aceh northern Sumatra. It is one of the richest expanses of tropical rain forest in Southeast Asia. More than 2.5 million hectares in size, it is the last place on earth where elephants, rhinos, tigers, clouded leopards, and orangutans are found within one area.
The first official statement of intent to protect the Leuser Ecosystem was signed in 1934. The Leuser International Foundation (a non-profit non-government organization) was established in the late 1990's when the ecosystem was seriously under threat from illegal logging and wildlife poaching.
Geographically, the Leuser Ecosystem lies between 3-4.5° North and 96.5-98° East. It covers approximately 2.6 million hectares of tropical rain forest, encompassing 890,000 hectares of designated national park, as well as extensive areas of protection and production forests. The ecosystem contains two major volcanoes, three lakes, and nine major river systems that flow to the east and west coasts of the island.
The Leuser Ecosystem has an enormous level of biodiversity. It contains at least 127 mammal species, including the Sumatran elephant, Sumatran tiger, Sumatran rhinoceros, and Sumatran orangutan. About 8,500 different plant species grow in the beach, swamp, lowland, mountain and alpine ecosystems of the Leuser Ecosystem. Of the 10,000 plant species recorded in the West Indo-Malayan Region, 45% are found in the Leuser Ecosystem. Spectacular plants such as Rafflesia (the largest flower in the world) and Amorphophallus (the tallest flower in the world) are among the plants protected there.
Mount Leuser National Park is one of the biggest national parks in Indonesia (950,000 hectare). Actually, it's a collection of various nature reserves and forests: Nature Reserve Mount Leuser, Nature Reserve Kappi, Nature Reserve Kluet, Sikundur Langkat Wildlife Reserve, Ketambe Research Station, Singkil Barat and Dolok Sembilin. Most parts of the national park lie in the region Aceh Tenggara (SE Aceh). Other parts are situated in the region east Aceh, south Aceh, and Langkat.
Mount Leuser National Park comprises more than 100 kilometers of the Bukit Barisan Mountains. Because of that, the park consists of steep, almost inaccessible mountainous terrain. The altitude ranges from 0 meter, in Kluet (South Aceh), to 3,381 meter, on top of the mount Leuser (Southeast Aceh). The Alas River cuts the park into an eastern and western half. Apart from mountains we find several other ecosystems: beach forest, swamp areas, lowland rainforest, alpine and mountain forest. In Bukit Lawang is the Orang Utan Rehabilitation Station and in Ketambe stands the Ketambe research station.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
East Java Tourism Calendar
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There are various ceremonies and traditions among East Java communities, in relation with religiosity, it held regularly on every year, and becomes special attraction that are quite interesting to see. The arts and cultural performances and the festivals that are routinely held and packaged in the tourism agenda also enrich the number of tourist attractions in East Java.
The East Java’s Calendar of Events 2011 contains the schedule of some traditional ceremonies, traditions, festivals and performances which held in the cities and the regencies in East Java. It is designed to promote and to publicize the tourism agenda in the whole area in East Java.
It is important to inform that the local communities usually determine the schedules of the ceremonial events by using the calendars of Javanese, Moslem, and Hindu Tenggerese. Therefore, to assure the exact date of the events, it is advisable to confirm the local Government Tourist Offices.
We hope the East Java’s Calendar of Events 2011 will be helpful and useful for visitors and travelers.
Singkawang Hotels fully booked for Cap Goh Meh Exuberant Celebrations
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Before this day, Chinese descendents from all over Indonesia as well as from surrounding countries have flocked into this city of a thousand shrines. The Office of Culture, Tourism, Youth and Sport of Singkawang reported that in order to assist visitors they have prepared additional homestay accommodation for those wishing to take part in these joyous Cap Go Meh celebrations, the hallmark of Singkawang.
The town of Singkawang , located 145 km north of the provincial capital city, Pontianak, has a majority Chinese population who have settled here since the gold rush in the mid 1700’s when an influx of Chinese migrants came to work the gold mines.
To the Indonesian Chinese, Cap Go Meh is the pinnacle of the 15-day celebrations that starts from the beginning of the New Year. Therefore, all the energy and ecstasy are saved for this day. Annually, Singkawang is undoubtedly the most festive town in Indonesia come Cap Go Meh. Not only will this fiesta take in Chinese communities from surrounding districts, but will also include ethnic Dayak communities who are part of Singkawang’s social structure, who will also participate in these communal performances. Their much awaited performance is that of the magical tatung who possess supernatural powers. Wearing highly decorated costumes just like the venerated Chinese gods, the Tatung or locally known as Louya would walk around in a trance, piercing themselves with sharp stakes, and emerge completely unharmed. Besides these performances, there are plenty more to see and do in historic Singkawang , so that visitors and photographers in particular will not be disappointed.
Visit the ceramic factories here. Until today Singkawang produces some excellent Chinese vases following ancient design and tradition.
Other parts in Indonesia where Cap Goh Meh celebrations take place are in cities with a concentration of Chinese communities, such as in Palembang, Jakarta, Semarang, Surabaya, Makassar and Manado.
5th March Bali Closed for Nyepi
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Ngurah Rai Airport will be closed for 24 hours to all air traffic starting from 06.0 am on Saturday, 5 March to 06.0 am on Sunday, 6 March 2011. The airport will receive only technical landings, while all serving staff are required to remain within the airport compound for 24 hours.
Similar conditions apply to all seaports including those connecting Bali to Java and Lombok.
The provincial government has also asked all Television and Radio Broadcasts to shut down for the day.
This year, Nyepi, which marks the Balinese New Year of Saka 1933, falls on Saturday, 5 March 2011. On this day there will be no traffic in the streets, no pedestrians on the roads or beaches, families are not allowed to light a fire, and there will be no lights during the entire night. Traditional security personnel, called pecalang will be patrolling the streets and beaches. Special arrangements are made for emergency cases.
The Principles of Nyepi
To the Balinese the Bali-Hindu New Year is a day to restore balance in the universe. This is done through strict observance of Nyepi, which demands both silence and darkness for 24-hours during the period from sunrise on 5th March to sunrise the following day.
In summary, religious observance of the day stipulate compliance to four tenets, namely:
• Amati geni - not to ignite fires or turn on lights.
• Amati Karya - refrain from all activities and work.
• Amati lelungan - to stay at home and embark on no trips or journeys
• Amati lelanguan - to not satisfy any passion or engage in other pleasurable pursuits.
Consequently, all visitors to Bali are also required to stay indoors and do whatever activities within buildings only. No one is allowed on the beaches nor swimming pools. At night hotels will draw all curtains so as to keep lights from shining outside the hotel.
Kuta Beach Celebrations on Eve of Nyepi
On the Eve of Nyepi, starting 06.0 in the evening on 4 March, loud celebrations will be held on Kuta Beach, with highlight the ogoh-ogoh or huge papier-mache dolls symbolizing the evil spirit Bhuta Kala. Participated by 16 hamlets of Kuta, each displaying their respective effigy, the giant ogoh-ogoh will be paraded through the streets of Kuta and judged by a team of jury. There will also be performances of traditional music and dance.
Tourism in Indonesia
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In late January 2011 Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik announced that "Wonderful Indonesia" would replace the previous “Visit Indonesia Year” branding used by the nations official tourism promotional campaigns. The minister announced that in 2010, foreign tourists visiting Indonesia touched 7 million and made predictions of 7.7 million in 2011. He was reported as describing the new branding as reflecting "the country’s beautiful nature, unique culture, varied food, hospitable people and price competitiveness. “We expect each tourist will spend around US$1,100 and with an optimistic target of 7.7 million arrivals, we will get $8.3 billion,” from this. The Culture and Tourism Minister added that 50 percent of the revenue would be generated from about 600 meetings, conventions and exhibitions that were expected to take place in various places throughout the country 2011. He further added in the announcements of January 2011 that his ministry would be promoting the country’s attractions under the eco-cultural banner.
Both nature and culture are major components of Indonesian tourism. The natural heritage can boast a unique combination of a tropical climate, a vast archipelago of 17,508 islands, 6,000 of them being inhabited, the third longest shoreline in the world (54,716 km) after Canada and the European Union. It is the worlds largest and most populous country situated only on islands. The beaches in Bali, diving sites in Bunaken, Mount Rinjani in Lombok and various national parks in Sumatra are just a few examples of popular scenic destinations. These natural attractions are complemented by a rich cultural heritage that reflects Indonesia's dynamic history and ethnic diversity. One fact that exemplifies this richness is that 719 living languages are used across the archipelago. The ancient Prambanan and Borobudur temples, Toraja, Yogyakarta, Minangkabau, and of course Bali, with its many Hindu festivities, are some of the popular destinations for cultural tourism.
Tourism in Indonesia is currently overseen by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. International tourism campaigns have been focusing largely on its tropical destinations with white sand beaches, blue sky, and cultural attractions. Beach resorts and hotels have been developed in some popular tourist destinations, especially Bali island as the primary destination. At the same time, the integration of cultural affairs and tourism under the scope of the same ministry shows that cultural tourism is considered an integral part of Indonesia's tourism industry, and conversely, that tourism is used to promote and preserve the cultural heritage.
Some of the challenges Indonesia's tourism industry has to face include the development of infrastructure to support tourism across the sprawling archipelago, incursions of the industry into local traditions (adat), and the impact of tourism development on the life of local people. The tourism industry in Indonesia has also faced setbacks due to problems related to security. Since 2002, warnings have been issued by some countries over terrorist threats and ethnic as well as religious conflicts in some areas, significantly reducing the number of foreign visitors for a few years. However, the number of international tourists has bounced back positively since 2007, and reached a new record in 2008.
