Tourism Catalogue

Sheraton Surabaya Hotels

2008-08-01T03:27:00.001-07:00

LOCATION

Sheraton Surabaya Hotel and Towers is an integral part of the magnificent Tunjungan Plaza developments located in the heart of Surabaya's Central Business District. Combined, the Plazas feature 500 retail outlets, numerous restaurants and night clubs, an ice skating rink, an amusement park, cinemas and a convention centre seating up to 2000. Set one block from the adjacent main roads, Sheraton Surabaya Hotel commands excellent views of the surrounding business districts, enjoying access to an array of facilities unrivalled in Indonesia.

TRANSPORTATION
Surabaya is serviced by several taxi companies, and the Hotel offers a limousine service on request. Hire cars are also available. An airport shuttle-bus services Juanda International Airport, Surabaya, a 30 minute drive from the Hotel.

ACCOMMODATION

Total no. of rooms - 306
Total no. of apartments - 54
	HOTEL	TOWERS	APT
Deluxe Room Hotel	218	38
Executive Suite	9	14
Room for Disabled	3
Non-smoking floor	24		54

ROOM FACILITIES

All rooms feature individually controlled air conditioning, satellite television including HBO, CNN, ABN and ESPN, two IDD telephone lines, three telephones, voice mail, minibar, electronic safe, superbly presented bath room amenities and the convenience of in-room coffee and tea making facilities. Towers guests will also enjoy the privilege of a 24 hours butler service, fax machine, 25" television, access to the exclusive Towers Lounge and Meeting Room and private check in and check out on the 25th floor.

NEW SHERATON RESIDENCE

The Sheraton Residence Surabaya consist of 54 luxuriously appointed apartment located from
level 7 to 12.
Perfectly suited to long term stays, each apartment is ultra safe, secure and has all the comforts of home. In addition to our superb standard of room facilities, these ultra-modern apartment come complete with fully equipped kitchen, ample storage space and daily Housekeeping service.

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

It offers a superb a la carte menu as well as sumptuous buffets, themed with local and
international flavours. Open seven days from 6.30am to 11.00pm.
Seating capacity - 140

LUNG YUAN

Chinese restaurant open daily for lunch between 11.30am and 2.30pm,
(Sunday and Public Holidays between 9.00pm and 2.30pm), and dinner
from 6.00pm to 10.30pm
Seating capacity - 130
Private dining capacity - 90

LA PATISSERIE

Pastry delicatessen shop
Open daily from 10.00am to midnight.
Seating capacity - 90

BONGO'S FUN PUB AND RESTAURANT.

Bongo's Fun Pub snd Restaurant is open from 5.00pm to 2.00am weekdays and
until 3.00am weekends.
Seating capacity - 120

KEN DEDES POOL BAR

Pool Bar daily from 6.00am to 6.00pm

OTHERS HOTEL FACILITIES

FITNESS CENTRE

This fully equipped health and fitness centre is located on the Mezzanine Level
overlooking the swimming pool. Open from 6.00am to 10.00pm.

TENNIS COURT

On the 7th level, providing two flood lit tennis courts, racquet and tennis ball rental,
ball boy and an 800 metre jogging track. Also on the 7th level, you will find the spa and beauty centre.

BUSINESS CENTRE

Located on the Mezzanine Level, the Business Centre offers a courier and mailing service,
flight reservation and re-confirmation, typing and document translation, fax and
photocopy service including transparancies, office rental and bookings for the board room. There are also personal computer available for guest use which include Japanese type facilities.
Open 7.00am to 10.00pm Monday to Friday and 8.00am to 8.00pm Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.

SHOPS

Located in the lobby area, providing a range of newspaper, books and drug store items. Plus a flower shop.

CONFERENCE / MEETING & BANQUET FACILITIES

All conference rooms have fuul audio visual and pover socket throughout. The Terrace features a semi-circular glassed-in area overlooking the pool, with access doors to the pool and direct access into the ballroom. The ballroom has full state of-the-art audio visual equipment, Including ceiling-mounted barco projector to 6m x 5m screen with build-in roller, multiple power and sound outlets throghout the room, three audio visual projection booths at ceiling height and two full time audio visual technicians.

THEME PARTIES

Incentives, meetings and conferences should be unigue experiences, and
participants should feel strongly acknowledged as achievers, as stars in their own right. We add the special touch of creativity that can make every arrival an entrance,
every coffee break an event, every meal a feast. Let your imagination run wild.
We expect to be asked to do the impossible, in 5 star style, at short notice,
on a budget...with a smile and a creative idea or two to offer.

INCENTIVE OFFERINGS

Incentive Travellers are greeted with a refreshing exotic tropical fruit punch and a cold towel. Private registration, deluxe airport transfers, special room amenities and gifts are all available for these high performers. Full American, Continental, Indonesian or health breakfasts can be enjoyed in Kafe Bromo, Poolside, or in the privacy of your room. Lunches and Dinners can be buffet or a la carte, Chinese, Asian, or International, inside or outside, in a small room or the Ballroom- fantastic flavours in stunning settings.

Article : http://www.eastjava.com/hotel/sheraton/

JAKARTA - BATAVIA

2008-07-29T02:22:00.000-07:00

Photo: Monas Jakarta

Jakarta - Indonesia's bustling capital, and home to over 8 million people (although estimates do vary greatly) - dates back to the fifth century AD. The first confirmed record of inhabitants in the area comes from a Tugu inscription which refers to a community of the Tarumanegara kingdom living along the coast near what later become known as Sunda Kelapa. The city was officially founded in 1527, when the harbour town of Sunda Kelapa was renamed Jayakarta (meaning great victory) by the conquering prince Fatahillah but this was later changed to Batavia before becoming Jakarta.

For tourist, Jakarta offers a treasure trove of attractions, shopping, museums, golf, fine dining and nightlife that have made it one of Southeast Asia's best-kept secrets. An economic boom in the mid-nineties led to the construction of dozens of first-class hotels, some of which are rated as the best in the region - good news for business travelers to the capital who can have their pick of Jakarta's 20,000 hotel rooms at cut-price rates.

Another highlight of any trip to Jakarta is the food. The city offers a fantastic range of restaurants with every type of cuisine from Brazilian to Turkish to Korean, and everything in between.

The accompanying map and listing is not meant as a definitive guide to the city. Hopefully it will give unfamiliar visitors an overview of some of the delights on offer. If in doubt, consult the concierge or front desk at your hotel.

Article : http://indo-spot.blogspot.com/2007/12/jakarta.html

Ullen Sentalu Museum, Yogyakarta – Central Java

2008-07-29T02:09:00.000-07:00

One man's homage to Javanese culture, the Ullen Sentalu Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the women of the royal courts.

In the village of Kaliurang, on the slopes of Mount Merapi, is Ullen Sentalu Museum, arguably the most fascinating museum in the Yogyakarta area. Built about seven years ago, the museum of Javanese art and culture is exceptionally well presented, interesting and informative.

Ullen Sentalu Museum with beautiful design

In the higher altitude location of Kaliurang, 26 kilometers from Yogyakarta, the air is cool and fresh. The buildings of the complex are architecturally designed and built from local stone, sheltered by trees and featuring walkways over water, large courtyard spaces and gardens. You will be escorted around the complex by an English-speaking guide, after first being welcomed with a cup of delicious spicy tea made to the special recipe invented by the wife of a past sultan of Surakarta.

The Ullen Sentalu Museum is privately owned by Thomas Haryonagoro, a retired businessman, who expressed his immense love and appreciation of his own culture by investing his savings in this homage to the traditions of Java and now is managed by Ulating Blencong Foundation. It is a ‘labor of love’ – not making a profit, but not necessarily intended to. He wants to give something back to Java, the land of his birth, the homeland he loves. Thomas also has hopes that he can interest schools in bringing students tot hemuseum to study and learn about he richness of Javanese culture.

A newer addition is the Art Deco style Beukenhof Restaurant. As you climb the strais and enter this quiet and classy space, the atmosphere of times gone by washes over you, transporting you back to an era when life was time to sense and savor it.

A particularly unusual and endearing feature of the museum is the special attention paid to the wives of the sultans and other notable women of Java. At the Yogyakarta Kraton and other museums, the sultans get all the attention and women are all but ignored. Special permission had to be acquired from the Yogyakarta court to give this equal focus to the women of the royal courts, and was granted because Kaliurang was deemed to be far enough outside Yogyarakta that this breach of usual tradition could be permitted.

Some of the consorts of past sultans of Surakarta and Yogyakarta have been beautiful, intelligent, well educated and accomplished women in their won right, whose presence was much sought after in high society circles in Europe. Visiting Ullen Sentalu may well be the only time you ever hear of them today.

In the museum, you can see historical photographs of the palace as well as other interesting images of people and events during the colonial era. There are various artifacts, and many oil paintings, including painted portraits of various sultans and also their wives. Carefully displayed in glass cabinets are the actual items of clothing being worn in the portraits.

There is also a batik museum where you can compare examples of the batik style of Yogyakarta and Surajarta, and also batiks exhibiting Chinese influence from the northern coastal towns of java. For the serious student of traditional textiles, this museum is a must. The final part of the escorted tour takes you to a room where the traditional Javanese wedding garb is displayed and explained. Every item has a meaning and it is beautiful to delve into these old traditions.

All the exhibits are fascinating and the visitor is rewarded with a deeper appreciation of the depth and refinement of Javanese culture, which is sometimes hard to find amongst the razzamatazz of Sosro, Malioboro and Prawirotaman.

It is well worth the trip to Kaliurang, if only to visit Ullen Sentalu, but there are many other things there to enjoy. You can walk around the nearby tourist village of Sambi, or you can check into one of the many small hotels and stay the night at Gunung Merapi. And the energetic tourist can climb Merapi with a guide.

Ullen Sentalu Museum is situated at Taman Kaswargan, Jl. Boyong, with a signpost on the main road where you must turn off the left approaching the village of Kaliurang.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9am-4pm (closed on Monday)
Telp: 0274-895161

Article : http://indo-spot.blogspot.com/2008/04/ullen-sentalu-museum-yogyakarta-central.html

Sangiran Museum: Sragen, Central Java

2008-07-28T04:06:00.000-07:00

A student group entered Sangiran Museum in Sragen, Central Java, and enthusiastically looked at the various fossils on display, which date back from hundreds of thousands to millions of years ago. All of the fossils are kept in 15 vitrines at the museum, which is also called the Conservation Center of Early Man Site.

There are mollusk fossils, fossils of water creatures like fish, turtles, crabs and crocodiles, as well as hippopotamus fossils. Other collections include fossils of stone tools and fossils of mammals like buffaloes, ancient elephants, deer, tigers, pigs and rhinoceros, and of course the Pithecanthropus erectus VIII fossil, which is the most complete hominid skull fossil ever found in the country.

Complete information about the fossils is attached on each vitrine.

“Human beings can create tools to ease their work, while animals can just use tools,” archeologist and guide Anjarwati Sri said.

In another part of the museum there is a diorama describing the life of pre-historic people who lived in caves. “They were our ancestors,” said Manik, one of the students from the University of Yogyakarta.

The visitors then went to the watch tower, from where they could view the Sangiran dome or Sangiran site underneath.
Sangiran is well-known all over the world. In that place, various ancient fossils were found, including those of ancient human beings, water, sea and land animals and plants.

Sangiran comprises two hamlets located on the border of Sragen and Karanganyar regencies. The hamlets are divided by the Cemoro River.

Many fossils have been found in the 56-square-kilometer Sangiran site, which is unique and is considered the oldest human settlement in the world, dating back a million years ago. With half of the findings comprising ancient Homo erectus fossils, Sangiran attracts experts from all over the world for research and study about the evolution of prehistoric human beings.

Sangiran began to draw scientists’ attention in 1893 when Eugene Dubois explored the area in search of the fossils of early humans. It seemed, however, that he was not that serious. Dubois found the fossils of skulls and thighs of ancient men in Trinil, Ngawi, East Java, instead. They were called Pithecanthropus erectus, which means monkeys that walked upright.

It was not until 1930 that JC van Es studied Sangiran took the exploration more seriously. His activities were continued by GHR von Koenigswald. In 1934 Koenigswald found about 1,000 tools made by people who lived in Sangiran. The tools could be used to cut, spruce spear heads and trim objects. In archeology, they are called flake tools, while Koenigswald called them the products of the “Sangiran flake industry”.

In 1936, Koenigswald found fossils of the jaws of bigger ancient men called Meganthropus paleojavanicus. The following year he found the skulls of Pithecanthropus erectus, which Dubois had been unable to find.

The findings drew both foreign and local scientists to Sangiran. Among the foreigners were Helmut de Terra, Movius, P. Marks, HR van Heekeren, Gert Jan Bartstra, RW van Bemmelen, Anne Marie Semah, Francois Semah and M Itihara. From Indonesia, there were RP Soejono, Teuku Yacob (the former rector of the University of Gadjah Mada who died recently), S. Sartono and Hari Widianto.

Several research institutes — both from inside and outside the country — also became interested in studying the site including the American Museum of National History; the Biologisch Archeolosgisch Instituut Groningen, Netherlands; Tokyo University; National d’Historie Naturelle Paris; the Center for Research and Development of Geology, Bandung; National Research Center for Archeology and the Archeology Center of Yogyakarta.

In his efforts to find the fossils, Koenigswald had enlisted the help of the chief of Krikilan village, Toto Marsono, who later deployed the villagers. They found a lot of fossils of bones and kept them in the village hall, which later became the Sangiran Museum, located in Kalijambe district.

When Koenigswald stopped his research, the villagers continued digging out the earth and got more fossils.

In 1974, the Central Java government established the Sangiran Museum in Krikilan village. Nine years later a bigger museum was built by the central government and since then more facilities have also been developed.

To protect the Sangiran site, the government in 1977 declared it a cultural conservation site. It covers part of Kalijambe district, Plupuh district and Gemolong district in Sragen regency and part of Gondangrejo district in Karanganyar regency. In 1996, UNESCO put Sangiran in the 593rd position on the World Heritage List under the name of Sangiran Early Man Site.

Anjarwati, who graduated from the University of Gadjah Mada, said that geomorphologically Sangiran was a mountainous area with a dome structure in the middle.

The dome structure had been through a “deformation process”, with breaks, landslides and erosion transforming it into a valley. As a result, all layers of the ancient land with all items and remains of the life on it were revealed.

There were four stratigraphic formations: the Kalibeng Formation, which was the oldest earth layer in Sangiran at about three million to 1.8 million years old. The 107-meter thick land was the sedimentation of the ocean bed where many mollusk, turritela and foraminifera fossils were found.

The younger formation was the Pucangan Formation, which dated back from 1.8 million to 800,000 years ago and was 100 meters thick. In this formation many fossils of vertebrata like elephants (Stegodon trigonocephalus), bulls (Bibos palaeosondaicus), buffaloes (Bubalus palaeokarabau), deer (Cervus sp) and hippopotamus were found. Fossils of pre-historic men were also found in the highest part.

The third formation was the Kabuh Formation, which dated back from between 800,000 to 250,000 years ago and was between 0.1 and 46.3 meters thick. Many hominid and mammalian fossils were found in the lower layer but none of the fossils of pre-historic men were found in the upper layer.

The last formation was the Notopuro Formation that contained gravel, sand, silt and mud. Volcanic mudflow and fossils were rarely found here.

The latest finding in Sangiran was in April when villagers found fossils of the skull of pre-historic elephant of Stegodon trigonocephalus in Dayu hamlet, Dayu village, Gondarangrejo district, Karanganyar regency.

Early examination showed that the elephant lived between 800,000 and 700,000 years ago. The fossil was 1.02 meters high, 46 cm wide and 69 cm high.

Until today 960 fossils of ancient elephants have been found. The one that was found in April was registered as finding number 13,813 among the collection of the Conservation Center of Pre-historic Men of Sangiran.

Sangiran now has guesthouses that were built by the Sragen administration for researchers who want to stay there for a long time and also for tourists who wish to see the site and enjoy the rural view.

Article : http://www.planetmole.org/indonesian-news/sangiran-museum-sragen-central-java.html

Gedong Songo Temple Complex: Central Java

2008-07-28T03:48:00.000-07:00

Central Java is rich with the cultural heritage of Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic historical eras.

The famous Buddhist temples — or candi — of Borobudur, Mendut and Pawon, and the Hindu temple Prambanan are a few of the numerous cultural influences that spread through the province.

Aside from these famed temples are other, lesser-known temples such as Sewu, Kraton Boko, Sambi Sari, Sari, Kalasan and Plaosan.

Some of these temples are located on a mountain slope or on a plateau: the Dieng temples on Dieng Plateau, the Sukuh and Cetho temples on Mount Lawu, and the Gedong Sanga temples on Mt. Ungaran.

If you are both a culture and nature lover, then the Gedong Sanga temples might be an ideal choice for an outing.

The Candi Gedong Sanga complex is located at Candi village of Ambarawa district in Semarang regency, 25 kilometers from Ungaran or 45 km from Semarang, the provincial capital.

The complex is easily accessible from either Yogyakarta (about 2 hours by car, or 3 hours by bus) or Semarang. The roads are paved and smooth — except for the one linking Ambarawa to the complex, which is steep and rather narrow.

Near the complex is a traditional market, Pasar Bandungan, and on market days the street might become congested, so drivers must be alert — from Pasar Bandungan, it is still 4 km to the temples.

The Gedong Sanga temple complex, discovered by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1804, was built during the 9th-century Syailendra Dynasty. The temples are situated at about 1,200 meters above sea level and are scattered within a pine forest.

The local temperature ranges between 19-27 degrees Centigrade. A number of sulfur springs exist inside the complex, where simple bathing facilities are available — at a small fee — for those wanting to bathe or wade in the hot water. It is said the sulfur hot springs can cure minor dermatological ailments.

Facing south from the slope of Mt. Ungaran are Rawa Pening Lake, Mt. Merbabu and Mt. Merapi, while to the west are Mt. Sumbing and Mt. Sindoro.

A complete trip through the complex is roughly a 2-km hike. The journey, which ascends and descends through groves of pine trees, ravines and sulfur springs, surely requires a good deal of energy.

Luckily, horses are available for rent at the entrance to the complex. Be sure to get a fair price: approximately Rp 50,000 per horse. When the deal is made, just climb on to the horse and enjoy the panorama while its owner guides the way, rein in hand. Visitors may dismount during the trip to observe the temples at their leisure.

A variety of accommodation are available along the ascending road to the temple complex, at some 3 km from the temples.

Among them are the Amanda, Gaya and Rawa Pening hotels, whose rates range from Rp 200,000 for a single to Rp 900,000 for a three-bedroom villa. The rates may increase 30 percent over weekends and public holidays.

The Candi Gedong Sanga complex consists of five clusters of temples, simply called Temples I, II, III, IV and V.
Temple I, at 1,260 meters above sea level, only has one complete temple left. Temple II, some 300 meters away from Temple I, has one complete temple, named Temple IIA; the other, Temple IIB, is in ruins.

Temple III, at 1,298 meters above sea level and about 100 meters from Temple II, consists of three complete temples. Temple IV is slightly higher at 1,300 meters and 200 meters across a ravine from Temple III, consists of two sub-clusters.
The northern sub-cluster comprises four structures, the southern, nine structures — only one of these are whole.
Temple V, located still higher at 1,310 meters and 507 meters from Temple I, consists of two sub-clusters. The first sub-cluster holds three temples in a row, with the middle one intact; the other sub-cluster comprises three ruins.

Legend has it that Queen Simha of the Kalingga Kingdom was in power when the Gedong Sanga complex was built. She was known for her fair and respectable reign.

The Queen taught her people to worship Sang Hyang Widi, the Powerful God, and in order to accomplish this, she ordered that a temple devoted to Sang Hyang Widi be built.

According to the belief, human beings must be able to control their desires to live a peaceful life. The desires were said to come from the nine orifices of the body, called Babahan Hawa Sanga in Javanese. The erection of the Candi Gedong Sanga could be thus considered a symbol of controlling these origins of desire.

Article : http://www.planetmole.org/indonesian-news/gedong-songo-temple-complex-central-java.html

Mount Agung and Besakih Temple, Bali

2008-07-25T23:49:00.000-07:00

The volcanic Mount Agung (Gunung Agung) is the most sacred mountain in Bali. It is home to the important Mother Temple of Besakih, the largest and holiest temple in Bali.

History

An active volcano, it last erupted in March 1963. The lava flows narrowly missed the Mother Temple of Besakih on the mountain's slopes, which the Balinese regarded as a miraculous sign from the gods.

Built before 1000 AD, Besakih Temple was originally a terraced temple dedicated to the dragon god Besakih who is believed to inhabit the sacred mountain.

In the 15th century, Besakih became the state temple of the Geigel-Kiungkung dynasty, whose rulers built several small temples to honor their deified kin. It remains a state temple today, run and funded by the provincial and national governments.

What to See

The great Mount Agung rises to an altitude of 3,148 meters (10,308 feet) in eastern Bali. Perched on its slopes about 1,000 meters (3,000 feet) in altitude is the holy Besakih Temple, Mother Temple of Bali.

Besakih is said to be the only temple where a Hindu of any caste can worship. Surrounding three main temples dedicated to Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu are 18 separate sanctuaries belonging to different regencies and caste groups.

Stairs ascend through a monumental split gate to the courtyard of the main temple, Pura Panataran Agung, where the central shrine dedicated to the Hindu trinity of Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu is wrapped in cloth and decorated with flower offerings.

Two other important temples further up the slope join with the Pura Panataran Agung to symbolize the Hindu trinity: the Pura Panataran Agung in the center flies white banners for Shiva, Pura Kiduling Kreteg to the right flies red banners for Brahma; and Pura Batu Mddeg, on the left, has black banners for Vishnu.

There are many other temples to explore at Besakih, but many of their inner courtyards are reserved for worship and closed to visitors.

Quick Facts

Names:	Gunung Agung (Mount Agung); Pura Besakih (Besakih Temple)
Type of site:	Hindu temple; sacred mountain
Faith:	Balinese Hinduism
Status:	Active
Dates:	c.1000 AD
Location:	Eastern Bali, Indonesia
Tip:	If not traveling as part of a tour, try to arrive at the temple before 9am, when the tourist buses begin to arrive.

Article : http://www.sacred-destinations.com/indonesia/bali-mt-agung.htm

Borobudur Temple, Java

2008-07-25T23:42:00.000-07:00

Borobudur, a Buddhist stupa in the Mahayana tradition, is the largest Buddhist monument in the world. Located on the Indonesian island of Java, 40 km (25mi) northwest of Yogyakarta, Borobudur was built between 750 and 850 AD.

The magnificent temple is a three-dimensional mandala (diagram of the universe) and a visual representation of Buddhist teachings.

For centuries, Borobodur lay hidden under layers of volcanic ash. The reasons behind the desertion of this magnificent monument still remain a mystery.

Some scholars believe that famine caused by an eruption of Mount Merapi forced the inhabitants of Central Java to leave their lands behind in search of a new place to live. When people once again inhabited this area, the glory of Borobudur was buried by ash from Mount Merapi.

Borobudur was rediscovered in 1814 by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles who, during his visit in Semarang, received a report indicating the discovery of a hill full of many carved stones. The hill was believed by the local inhabitants to be the site of an ancient monument called budur. Raffles then commissioned a team led by Cornelius to investigate the hill.

It was in 1835 that the site was cleared. Some efforts were made to restore and preserve the colossal monument since then. Unfortunately, in 1896 the Dutch colonial government gave away eight containers of Borobudur stones, including reliefs, statues, stairs and gates, as presents for the King of Siam who was visiting Indonesia.

A restoration program undertaken between 1973 and 1984 returned much of the complex to its former glory, and the site has since become a destination of Buddhist pilgrimage. On January 21, 1985 the temple suffered minor damage due to a bomb attack. In 1991, Borobudur was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Viewed from above, Borobudur takes the form of a giant mandala, symbolically depicting the path of the bodhisattva from samsara to nirvana, through the story of Sudhana described in the Gandavyuha Sutra, a part of the Avatamsaka Sutra. In total, this massive monument contains over 2 million stone blocks.

Some scholars think that this massive monument is a gigantic textbook of Buddhism to help people to achieve enlightenment. To read this Buddhist textbook in stone requires a walk of more than two miles. The walls of the galleries are adorned with impressive reliefs illustrating the life of Buddha Shakyamuni and the principles of his teaching.

Representing the existence of the universe, Borobudur perfectly reflects the Buddhist cosmology, which divides the universe into three intermingled separate levels. The three levels are Kamadhatu (world of desire), Ruphadatu (world of forms), and Arupadhatu (world of formlessness).

The hidden base of Borobudur was originally the first level, which contains the gallery of Kamadhatu level. It is thought that during construction Borobudur experienced a landfall that threatened the entire building. To prevent the whole monument from collapsing, the Kamadhatu level was closed and made into a new base that holds Borobudur steady.

This level of Kamadhatu pictures the world of passion and the inevitable laws of karma. The first 117 panels show various actions leading to one and the same result, while the other remaining 43 panels demonstrate the many results that follow one single effect. At least 160 relief panels were carved around this level, based on the manuscript of Karmavibhangga. What is left of these can be seen in the Southeast corner of this level.

The reliefs of the Rupadhatu level show the stories based on the manuscripts of Lalitavistara, Jataka-Avadana and Gandavyuha. The Lalitavistara reliefs, consisting of 120 panels, tell us about the life of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha. It starts with the glorious descent of Buddha from the Tushita heaven. Born as Prince Siddhartha, Buddha's childhood was isolated from the outside world's misery. Accidentally witnessing the misery of sickness, decrepitude and death, young Prince Siddharta decided to escape from the worldly life and commencing his search of freedom from suffering. Siddhartha’s long and painful search finally led him to the highest level of enlightenment and made him Buddha, the Enlightened One. This story ends with Buddha’s sermon in the Deer Park near Benares.

The Jataka is a collection of stories about Buddha's previous reincarnation, chains and virtues. According to the Jataka, Buddha was born 504 times before being born as Prince Siddharta, taking on the forms of god, kings, princes, learned men, thieves, slaves, and a gambler. Many times he was born in the forms of animals such as lion, deer, monkey, swan, big turtle, quail, horse, bird and many others. But the Boddhisatva (Buddha-to-be) was distinguished from all other kings, slaves, or animals among whom he lived. The Boddhisatva is always superior and wiser than those around him.

As to the relief of Avadana, the main figure is not the Buddha himself. All the saintly deeds pictured in this part are attributed to other legendary characters. The stories are compiled in Dvijavadana (Glorious Heavenly Acts) and the Avadana Sataka (The Hundred Avadana). The first 20 frames in the lower series of stories on the first gallery depict the Sudhanakumaravana.

The series of reliefs covering the wall of the second gallery is dedicated to Sudhana’s tireless wandering during his search for the highest wisdom. The story is continued on the walls and balustrades of the third and fourth galleries. Most of the 460 panels depict the scenes based on the Mahayana text Gandavyuha, while the concluding scenes are derived from the text of Badracari.

On the last three circular uppermost terraces, 72 stupas circle the huge main stupa that crowns the top of the temple. The circular form represents the eternity without beginning and without end, a superlative, tranquil, and pure state of the formless world. There are no reliefs on the three circular terraces.

All but the largest central stupas on the upper levels contain a (more or less) life-sized statue of the Buddha kneeling, although many of these statues are missing or damaged. There are also many alcoves along the lower levels which contain similar statues but many of these are missing or damaged as well.

Article : http://www.sacred-destinations.com/indonesia/borobudur.htm

KRESNAYANA KAKAWIN

2008-07-25T23:36:00.001-07:00

Kresnayana (Kresna story) has been known in Indonesia and recorded in several books. In the Book of Mahabharata, 300 BC-200 AD Kresna was considered as asignificant figure and advisor to the Pandawas. Later, in the Bhagawat GIta it was narrated thet Kresna instructed Arjuna about religion. Other books that contain the Kresna story are Wisne Purana and Bhagawat Purana.

The Kresna story which had originated from India and came to Indonesia, paricularly on Java island, become a composition material by Javanese poets using old Javanese language known as kakawin. Kakawins using the Kresna figure are : Kresnayana Kakwin, Hariwangsa Kakawin, Kalayawanantaka Kakwin, Kresnalantaka kakawin, Kresnantaka Kakawin and Kresnandhaka Kakwin. This Kresna figure had developed to become a character of the shadow play but with some changes. The most popular stories are Kresna Kembang and Nayarana Maling.

Kresnayana did not only develop in shadow-play , but became an inspiration for sculptors in the construction of temples as well. Among the Kakawins containing the Kresna story only Kresnayana Kakawin was able to completely relate the story line of the reliefs at Candi Panataran.

KresnayanaKakawin belongs to the Old Javanese book of epics. The Kakwin was composed by Empu Triguna during the reign of King Warsajaya. This statement was mentioned in the epilogue of Kresnayana Kakawin strophes 62 and 63. According to Poerbatjaraka, the Kresnayana epic was composed in 1026 Saka (1104 AD) during the reign of King Warsajaya, a king of Kediri. If compared to another find,i.e.the Sirah Kiting epigraph which mentioned King Warsajaya's name, the estimation in the year of 1026 Saka (1104 AD) should be appropriate.

Kresnayana Kakawin consisted of stanzas and every stanza comprised verses. The number of verses in each stanza is not similar. The number of stanzas was also different from one scholar to another. Poerbatjaraka (1916), N.J.Krom (1916), Zoedmulder (1983), and Soewito Santoso (1986) were of the opinion that Kresnayana Kakawin comprised 563 stanzas with an additional two verses as a closing (colophon). However, Edi Sedyawati et alia (1979) suggested that the Kresnayana Kakawin comprised 65 stanzas.

Summaries of Kresnayana were made among the others by : Poerbatjaraka (1955), Pangkoesmijoto (1970), Edi Sedyawati et alia (1970), Zoetmulder (1983), Soewito Santoso (1986), and Anita Yoenoes(1993).

Article : http://www.petra.ac.id/eastjava/tourism/kreskakawin.htm

Tari Remo : a Welcoming Dance

2008-07-25T23:33:00.000-07:00

Tari Remo is a welcoming dance performed by a single dancer or by a group of dancers. Because the dancers are either men or women, Remo Dance has two styles: masculine and feminine. Very often women dancers perform masculine-style Remo Dance and men dancers perform feminine-style Remo Dance.

Tari Remo was originally danced at the beginning of ludruk performance, but later it is loosely developed into a dance performed at parties, folk festivals, or at the commemorations of national holidays. Remo Dance is perfomed to welcome guests and, therefore, it is called a welcoming dance.

The characteristic movements of the Remo Dance are the beats of the feet. A set of small bells is tied around the right-foot ankle. The bells tinkle when the dancer walks or beats the floor with his or her right foot. Beside the beats of the feet, the head movements, the manipulative play of the selendang or sampur, the facial expressions, and the postures of the dancers which conform the rhythm of the music, make this dance unique.

The costumes of a Remo Dancer are of various types: Sawunggaling, Surabayan, Malangan, Jombangan. The Surabayan costume consist of a red scarf tied around the head, a black upper outfit that resembles the outfit of an eighteenth-century noblemen with the royal insignia, a pair of velvet trousers which are knee-high and knitted with golden thread and gems, a piece of batik worn around the waist, hip and thighs, and rumpled in the front, a belt called stagen worn around the waist and a keris (a Javanese dagger). A dancer has two selendang or sampur, one of which is worn around the waist and the other which is worn on the shoulders. His or her right hand holds one end of the selendang, and his or her left hand holds the other end. The bells tied around the right ankle tinkle loudly.

The costumes of the Surabaya type are more or less similar to those of the Sawunggaling type. The difference is that the upper outfit of the dancer is a white shirt with a tie. The costumes of Malangan type are similar to those of the Surabaya type except that the trousers are longer, touch the ankles of the dancer and are not knitted with colourful beads. The costumes of Jombangan type are similar to the Sawunggaling type except that instead of wearing a white shirt the dancer wears a vest. The typical costumes of the dancers are difficult to differentiate, especially because of the new creation of Remo Dancer's costumes.

With feminine-style dance, the dancer has a unique hair-do, and wears a black mekak to cover the breast, a rapak to cover the hip to the knee, and a piece of selendang or sampur put across the shoulders. There are various kinds of womens' Remo Dance costumes.

The musical instruments used in the Remo Dance performance consist of bonang babok, bonang penerus, saron, gambang, gender, slentem siter, seruling (flutes), kethuk-kenong, kempul and gong. The various music that accompanies the dance can be gamelan laras or irama slendro or pelog. Various tunes used are Surabaya Jula-Juli, and Tropongan. Other tunes to accompany the Remo Dance are Walangkekek, Gedok Rancak, Krucilan or newly created gending. A Remo Dance performance lasts for fifteen or more minutes. In ludruk performances, a Remo Dancer sings a song in the middle of his or her performance.

Source: Panorama, January 1996, page 19.

Article : http://www.petra.ac.id/eastjava/culture/remo.htm

Mpu Tantular Museum

2008-07-25T23:21:00.000-07:00

Museum is a place to keep save the historic things well. Those things are very usefull for the rich of the culture, education, and as a tourism place. Mpu Tantular had built by Van Faber (a collector from Germany who had live at Surabaya for along time). In 1th november 1974, this museum had declared as “Museum Negeri Prop. Jawa Timur Empu Tantular”. Actually Mpu

Tantular Museum is continued from Stedelijk Historisch Museum in Surabaya which has made by Von Faber was a German, but he is a Surabayanese. Foundation of Universal has made since 1933, but it has just inagurated on 25th July 1937 on Jalan Pemuda 33 Surabaya.

Work hard has been started since 1922 where Von Faber started to collected his data which sistematic to be used as writing part book of OLD SURABAYA.3.

Museum was build by Von Faber, He started with as small object in Readhius Ketabang Room. This place is too far from what his hopes. And then there is bargain from Widow of Han Tjiong King to move that museum in Tegalsari which bigger about fifth time from the old place.

Because growing up that museum, that museum isnít enough. Sould be tried to be a bigger room and then he got a new building in Simpang (Pemuda street no. 3) and paid from fund collected by peoples. Interior of this museum has a colection rooms, library, office room, auditorium. To make perfect that museum Von Faber has connected internationally but before he get his inspiration Von Faber died on 30th September 1955.

THE MEANING OF MPU TANTULAR
Mpu Tantular choosen as a name for National Museum of East Java because to respected his point of view about live in Indonesia and its called Power Element National of Indonesia which is Bhineka Tunggal Ika. Mpu Tantular is a philologist from East Java who was live in 14th Century. When he have research about the glorious period of Majapahit Kingdom.

Article : http://www.eastjava.com/tourism/sidoarjo/mpu-tantular.html

Bull Race, The Traditional Culture of Madura

2008-07-24T03:41:00.000-07:00

Bullrace is one of Madura's culture, which become the special characteristis of Madura Island. The beginning of the bullrace originated from the fact that Madura is not so fertile that is not good for agriculture, instead the Madurese cath fish and breed cows and bulls which are also used for farming especially to plough the fields where paddies or second crop plants are grown.

A man named Syeh Ahmad Baidawi who firstly introduced the weay of working the soil with using bamboo sled pulled by two bulls known as " Nanggala or Salaga ". He was actually a proselytizer who came to Madura to spread up Islam but also taught Madurese the way of ploughing the fields. From this new knowledge that he had taught, he got tittle as "Pangeran Katandur" (Prince of Planter).

The early purpose of bull race event is to get strong bulls for ploughing. The Madurese take care of the bulls and compete them in ploughing their fields as soon as possible. In this way the idea of competing come into existence and then developed into organized sport called "BULL RACE". The bull race soon becomes annually activities carried of every year especially when harvest on the fields has finished.

The Condition Of Bulls To Race
The condition of the bulls which are allowed to compete should have some requirements such as :

The bulls are of Madurese stock and color or original of Madurese
They have to be healthy and strong
Their teeth should have fallen out

The Technique of The Bullrace
The race is conducted in a series of elimination heats between winners and loosers of proceeding heats. It completely has four phases that consist of:

The first phase in which all the bulls compete in two pairs to set apart the winners from the loosers (both the winners and the loosers still have a chance to compete again):
The second phase or the pre selection heat the winners compete against the winners and the loosers compete against the loosers to decide the winners of the winners and the winners of the loosers (in this phase both the loosers do not allowed to compete again)
The third phase or the semi final is to determine three pairs winners of the winners and three pairs winners of the loosers ;
The fourth phase is the final will decide the first, second and third champions of the winners and of the loosers

How To Take Care Race Bulls
It is a pride for Madurese to have a race bull. Therefore the bull owners will be very much happy and proud if their bulls win in the bullrace championship.

To take care race bulls need much money for the bull owners have to prepare a variety of fodder, especially when they have been the champion. Leave of corn, bean and soybean trees and good grass are the special fodder for the race bulls. Besides that, the mixer of traditional spices like crushe ginger, peper, chili, honey, beer and tens even hundreds of eggs believed to warm and strengthen the bulls. The mixture is later forced into the mouth of the bulls with using a bamboo lath.

To make the bulls strong and health the bull owners sometimes also massage them by treading their backs, train every weekly and at times lulled to sleep especially when the racing day is approaching.

* The Use of Magic Power
Three or four days before the racing day come, bull owners and their families crowd the surrounding of the racing track looking for good parking for the bulls, as on this particulary day black magic is common use among the bull owners. In this case, the one tries to over power bulls from the other. Fashing for the bull owners is also prepared as such is believed to give them the inner power and strength to defeat the black magic of others.

When The Bullrace Held
Bullrace competition is always held in September, October and November every year, but one can also see bullrace when he needs if he serve first to the Tourism and Cultural Service, Husbandry Service or Paguyupan Kerapan Sapi (Group of Bull owners).

Article : http://www.eastjava.com/tourism/sumenep/bullracing.html

Traditional Art of Sumenep-East Java

2008-07-24T03:36:00.000-07:00

KERIS
At Saronggi district there is a home industry of making Keris (a wavy double bledded dagger). This home industry is in Aengtongtong village, about three kilometers to the west and two kilometers to the north. Keris is a kind of dagger believe to have magic power. Therefore, in the last time, not all people could make Keris except a man called Mpu (Master Keris Maker). It is now regarded as usual dagger but because its form is unique and interesting, many people have impressed to Keris.

The Aengtongtong Keris product has been sold to the big cities in Indonesia like Surabaya and Jakarta. It has also been sold to other countries, such as; Malaysia, Singapore and Holland.

NYADAR TRADITIONAL CEREMONY
Besides visiting Aengtongtong village to see Keris home industry, one can also go to see Nyadar Traditional Ceremony in Kebundadap village, Saronggi district. It is a traditional ceremony held to celebrate the villager's ancestor named "ANGGOSUTO". He has been regarded as a man who firstly found the way of producing salt through traditionally way. He tought the villagers how to process the sea water to be salt. Because of his merit the villagers always memorize him by helding ceremony called "NYADAR".

BATIK
Madura is also popular of its Batik. One of Batik home industries in Madura is Batik " Melati " from Pekandangan Barat - Bluto sub-district Sumenep Regency. Pekandangan Barat is a center of Batik Home Industry located about 10 kilometers north of Sumenep. It is easy to reach for it is sited about 100 meters from the road on the way to Pamekasan regency.

Madura batik has different characteristic to Java's especially its colour. Madura Batik has usually a clear and strong colour like red, green and yellow with bird, flower and dragon as the motif.

Woodcarving Home Industry
Pragaan district is about 25 kilometers north from Sumenep town. Here one can find the center of wood carving. It is also a home industry that produced by Karduluk villagers.

Karduluk wood carving has a unique style and different colour if compared to Java's. Its colour is clear and strong like red and green, and it often describes bird, flower and dragon as the motif. Its style and colour reflected the influence of China culture.

MUANGSANGKAL DANCE
A special dance performed to welcome the guest. Muangsangkal derived from the two words " Muang and Sangkal ". Muang means throw away and Sangkal means unluckiness. This dance depicts the hope of Sumenep people in order they are avoided from disaster. Muangsangkal dance is always played by odd people, it can be five, seven or nine. The traditional costum with strong color like red, yellow and black show its Sumenep characteristict.

MASK DANCE
Mask dance is a traditional dance played dancers with used mask. It is actually a traditional drama of which story often taken from episode of Mahabharata.

WHIPE DANCE
This dance is usually performed a few minutes before the bullrace competition started to give some opening event to the audience on so that the bullrace competition will be more and more interesting. This dance is played by about 100 dancers consist of boys and girls. The traditional music called Sronen and Thok-thok sounded to go together with this dance.

CODHI' SUMEKAR DANCE
Codhi' is a very small keris usually used as a 'tusuk konde', some accessories of woman hair. In the past time it was also functioned as a dagger to defend from the enemy attack. Codhi' Sumekar dance is played by girl dancers. It describes the power of Sumenep women.

Article : http://www.eastjava.com/tourism/sumenep/traditional_art.html

Garden Palace Hotels

2008-07-24T03:07:00.000-07:00

Hotel Overview
You can feel a hint of vintage with you enter the spacious marble lobby of Garden Palace Hotel and the huge hanging chandeliers. A complimentary shuttle to the airport is also provided to house guests. In the Club Excellence floors, you can ask for their theme rooms, consisting of Japanese, Roman, Nusantara and Oriental rooms, to give you that authentic Japanese feel, the rooms are designed with elevated floors with the Japanese futon bed, even doors and windows are modeled after the sliding Japanese wooden doors with beige and rattan wood combination. The hotel also has a direct walkway that links their 3 star sister hotel Garden Hotel situated just next to it. With a combination of comfortable rooms and professional service will definitely ensure that business and leisure guests will enjoy a relaxed and comfortable stay in Surabaya.

Room Description
All rooms in the Garden Palace Hotel Surabaya have individually controlled air-conditioning and feature minibar with refrigerator, tub shower bathroom, in-room safe, IDD telephone, in-room broadband internet access, satellite television with movie channel and coffee/tea making facilities. Hairdryer is available upon request.
Non smoking rooms and broadband internet access rooms are available.

Hotel Facilities

Hotel Services

Restaurants & Bars

Safety deposit boxes

Swimming pool

Children's pool

Fitness & health center

Massage

Billiard

Shopping arcade

Medical clinic

Business centre

Conference facilities

Currency exchange

Tours & travel desk

Taxi service

Car parking

Valet parking

Laundry & dry cleaning

Room Service
Available 24 hours

Bill Belle Lounge
Drinks with live bands

Nishiki Restaurant
Japanese cuisine
Open: noon - 11.00pm

Ming Court Restaurant
Chinese cuisine
Open: 06.00am - 11.00pm

Kencana Coffee Shop
International cuisine
Open: 24 hours

Article : http://surabayahotels.com/surabaya/gardenpalace.php

Experiencing Paradise in Paradiso

2008-07-21T00:31:00.000-07:00

Thousand Isles near Jakarta has been a favorite destination for ages. Paradiso, containing four island's Kahyangan (formerly known as Cipir), Bidadari (used to be called Sakit), Onrust and Kelor offer spectacular views of the forest and the sea. The name Paradiso indeed comes from Paradise, for Kahyangan in Indonesian means Heaven in English, and Bidadari means Angel.

Getting There

Use a speedboat from Marina Jaya Ancol, Jakarta. It will take about 20 minutes. Bidadari island is only 15 kilometers away from Jakarta.

Where to Stay

Bidadari Island Resort. This resort offers floating cottages and seaview cottages. No need to worry about food for you'll be given food three times a day, plus the fee for the boat ride.

Thousand Isles

Bidadari Island Resort
Jalan Lodan Timur 7 Marina
Taman Impian Jaya Ancol
Jakarta 14430
021-6401140 (phone)
021-680502 (fax)

Moving Around

With a minimal fee, you can visit other islands (Onrust, Kelor, Kahyangan) by boat. You're free to explore Bidadari island on foot.

Dining Guide

Bidadari Island Resort will take care of everything.

Souvenir Tips

Bidadari Island Resort offers various kinds of souvenirs, from clothings to handicrafts.

Other Things to See or Do

Thousand Isles

Ruins of VOC's (Dutch Colonials) Fortress. Used to be center of Jakarta's (known as Sunda Kelapa, then) defense against the British invasion. Circular in design with 23 meters in diameter, rows of windows for cannons are still visible. Seven rooms in this fortress still exist.
Garden of plants with medicinal values. You can also see hundreds years old kepuh trees here. If you're lucky, you can even see some biawaks (giant lizard/monitor) around.
Adventurous people might be interested in jet skiing and banana boating. You can swim on the pristine azure ocean and fish on the fishing pier.
Interested in outbound training? Enjoy your holiday with canoeing, rafting, and climbing tress in Paradiso!

Travel Tips

Dress accordingly. Bring a swimsuit if you're interested in activities related to the ocean.
Bring your camera. Take pictures of your memorable time in Paradiso and share them with your families and friends.
Those who are interested in visiting Paradiso but not in staying overnight, can join the Overday Tour. With a reasonable fee you'll be able to visit Bidadari island. Welcome drink, lunch, boat fee and insurance included!
If you want to spend New Year's Eve at Bidadari Island, please book in advance. Bidadari Island resort has special packages and events to commemorate the changing of the year.

Article : http://www.my-indonesia.info/page.php?ic=1130&id=8

White Sand Beach in Lampung

2008-07-21T00:09:00.000-07:00

White Sand Beach, or Pantai Pasir Putih, in Indonesian truly describes the atmosphere. The enticing white sand refreshes the eyes and feeds the soul with the burning energy to explore. Only 20 kilometers away from Bandar Lampung, this spot has gained more and more popularity these days.

Getting There

By a car passing Trans Sumatera road from Lampung, you will reach this place in about 30 minutes. You can also ride public transportation from Lampung straight to Pantai Pasir Putih.

Where to Stay

You can stay at inns and hotels in Bandar Lampung. Should you wish to spend the night in the middle of the island, you can stay at an inn in Condong Island. The furnishing is simple yet comfortable. A luxurious villa is available in Bule Island. Also, you can find inns on the road to Pasir Putih.

Moving Around

On foot. Or you can use a motorboat to visit nearby islands.

Dining Guide

Visit the nearby inns and hotels for food. Alternatively, you can bring your own lunch.

Souvenir Tips

You can buy souvenirs related to this beach in the area, or better yet in Bandar Lampung.

Other Things to See or Do

You can ride a motorboat to circle the beach and visit Condong & Bule island. Bule Island has many varieties of fish, coral reefs, and marine biota that will amaze you. You can also rent a boat and view the marine life through the wooden boxes that have a glass on them in one side. If you put the box in the sea water using the glassy side on the bottom, you'll be able to view the life in the sea. You can also have a picnic in this beach.

Travel Tips

If you don't want like crowded beach, visit this site on weekdays.
Book your room in advance in your hotel/inn of choice.

Article : http://www.my-indonesia.info/page.php?ic=1130&id=221

Baliem Valley - Papua

2008-07-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

Once you read or give it a deeper study to Danis way of life, dont be surprise that you may find your eye lifting or forehead wrinkling. Why? Because the Dani is uniquely amazing.

The Dani men and women sleep separately in different honai (Danis traditional house). The men sleep grouped in one honai, while the women and children slumber in another honai. As descended from their ancestor, sex is taboo for the women after giving birth, for 2 or 5 years, as the result the Dani generated healthier kids since the women focus on babysitting the kids during the most important phase of growth. This situation makes the men vulnerable to polygamy, its a true fact of life that the Dani men are allowed to have more than 1 wife or as many as he can afford. A man should give 4-5 pigs to the girls parent he wants to marry. For Dani men, his social status are initiated by the number of wives and pigs he has.

Another remarkable custom of Dani is that women will amputate their finger when their relatives die, hence doesnt be surprise when you see women with missing finger.

To enhance the quality of your experience in Baliem Valley, guide is essential since there are no clear maps or signage initiated for visitor. The guide will help to lead the track, communicate with the local people and in advance, the guide will inform the tourist about local dos and donts.

Flying might be the only way to access the Baliem Valley through Wamena. Here are some alternatives on carrier from Jayapura to Wamena: (For further info, ask the officers at Sentani Airport Information Center).

Trigana Air Services provide daily flights into and out of Wamena. Spot the Trigana Air Service Offices at Sentani Airport terminal and Wamena Airport terminal.
MAF
AMA
Yajasi
Manunggal Air
Hercules carrier provide by Indonesian army (TNI)

To access Baliem Valley, you can rent car or public bus from Wamena.

For those who are adventurer and cultural observer in heart, stay and mingle with the Baliem Valley people is possible, just make sure your guide booked it before your visit. Go Show? Affordable.

If the first alternative is way too extreme, you can stay at hotels at Wamena:

Wamena Hotel at Jl. Homhom 61
Srikandi Hotel at Jl. Irian 16
Pondok Wisata Putri Dani at Jl. Irian 40
Nayak Hotel at Jl. Gatot Subroto 63
Hotel Syah Rial Makmur at Jl. Gatot Subroto 45
Hotel Anggrek at Jalan Ambon 1
Baliem Pilamo Hotel at Jalan Trikora
Baliem Valley Resort (3 star resort), www.baliem-valley-resort.de

Would you mind if we say ON FOOT? Healthy foot and fit body? Absolutely. Through trekking, you can witness traditional ceremonies, traditional markets and the people of Dani.

There is no restaurant inside the Baliem- Valley, a guide could bargain the Dani people to provide simple meals. Its stoutly advised, that the visitor bring their own meals and snack during the trekking. Meals and snacks can be found in grocery store at Wamena

Souvenir can be easily found on the valley and buy the crafts directly from the Dani people.
Stone blade is a major favorite for the tourist
Sekan: rattan bracelate
Noken: made from trees bark
Head and arm necklace
Jogal: grass skirt
And other head decorations

The captivating Baliem Fiesta is held on August around 10 - 17 August every year. The festival performs traditional dances, pig races, ancestral fighting and races. Today, Baliem Fiesta is one of the main reasons why tourists visit Papua. Its a magical Fiesta says most of the tourist.
Join the large and busy local market at Sinatma.
Spotting mummies at Kurulu Village.

Guide is needed to explore the valley
Dont forget to bring the copy of your Surat Keterangan Jalan
Best time to visit is between March and August
If you travel during the rainy season, be prepared with cold weather equipment
Ask your guide about Dos and Donts in the Baliem Valley

Foreigner must obtain a travel permit letter or known as Surat Keterangan Jalan to get the access into the interior part of Papua. You can obtain the Surat Keterangan Jalan at main town police station such as Jayapura, Merauka, Timika, Biak, Nabire, Monokwari and other main city. The permit of lasts will depend on your request, from 1 week until 1 month or even longer. Please prepare copies of your passport, recent photograph and list of places you wish to visit. Its easy to get the Surat Keterangan Jalan, because the officers are friendly and helpful.

You can ask your travel agent to arrange the Surat Keterangan Jalan.

Article : http://www.my-indonesia.info/page.php?ic=1124&id=2758

BROMO TENGGER SEMERU NATIONAL PARK : Land Above the Clouds

2008-07-20T23:12:00.000-07:00

A volcanic massive extending from Semeru volcano, the Tengger highlands date back to about 820,000 years ago and consists of five overlapping strato-volcanoes, each truncated by a caldera. An overlapping cluster of post-caldera cones was constructed on the floor of the sand sea caldera within the past several thousand years. The youngest of these is Bromo, one of Java’s most active and most frequently visited volcanoes with a caldera extending 16 km wide.
Visitors come for the surreal experience of crossing the empty sea of black sand inside the caldera of an ancient volcano. In the dry season, people walk or take horses at three in the morning in order to reach the peak in time to catch the sunrise over the mountains.

How to Get There:
Most visitors come through Probolinggo, a small transit town located on Surabaya – Banyuwangi coastal route. From there, catch the
public minibuses that go to Cemara Lawang village, located 3 km away from the crater wall.

The Best Season to Visit:
April to October every year.

Contact:
Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park Office
Jl. Panda No. 8 Malang, Jawa Timur
Ph. (0341) 551040
Email: tn bromo@malang.wasantara.net.id

Article by : http://www.my-indonesia.info/page.php?ic=1130&id=3169