Indonesia - Raja Ampat Island

If you wish for fantastic and unforgettable travel experience throughout your lifetime, then you are now on the right web page. Raja Ampat is a tour destination for all reasons to visit. From the highest point in the sky down to the ocean floor, Raja Ampat has the fascinating beauty for everyone. If there is a tour destination you must visit at least once in a lifetime, Raja Ampat is one of them

Raja Ampat archipelago is located in the heart of the world's Coral Triangle and is the center of the richest tropical marine biodiversity in the world today. Raja Ampat regency is part of the West Irian Jaya province consisting of four major islands namely Pulau Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati and Misool and more than 600 small islands. Central government was situated in Waisai, District of South Waigeo.

The islands are located in the westernmost of main island of Papua, Indonesia stretching over an area of approximately 4.6 million hectares. A team of experts from Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy discovered the existence of more than 540 coral species (75% of total species in the world), more than 1,000 species of reef fish, 700 species of mollusks and the highest record of gonodactyloid stomatopod crustaceans that is 75% of the world's coral species in Raja Ampat. Nowhere in the world has a number of coral species as much as this.

South Waigeo around the Dampier Strait (Saonek-Gam-Mansuar)
Waigeo is the largest island in Raja Ampat. The central part is covered by forest across the lower foot hills and mountains below 1,000 m. The island is consis to flime stone, magma and volcanic. There are three endemic species living in Raja Ampat, they are: Maleo Waigeo (Aepypodius Bruijnii), Cendrawasih Merah (Paradisea Rubra) and cendrawasih Botak (Cicinnurus Respublica).

Capital region of Raja Ampat is Waisai, as a center of various tourism supporting infrastructure such asaccommodation, meals, transportation, banks and others. Tourism is growing rapidly, especially for diving tourism In the southern part of Waigeo at around Dampier Strait, including on the island of Gamand Mansuar. However, this regional so presents a variety of tourist attractions for non-diving activities.

To be continue to the Raja Ampat Island part 2 Full Post

Mt. Bromo, East Java, Indonesia

Mount Bromo which stands tall at 2329 m is one of the most iconic mountain in Indonesia. Mount Bromo is situated inside Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park, beside Mount Semeru at East Java, Indonesia. It beckons majestically despite having the entire top blown off and with a crater inside that keeps spewing off white sulphurous smoke.

Mount Bromo is still one of the most active volcanoes in the world and there are areas that are blocked off from tourists due to its imminent danger. It sits inside the massive Tengger caldera (volcanic crater with diameter approximately 10km), surrounded by the Laut Pasir (sea of sand) of fine volcanic sand. This breathtaking and ethereal landscape have been swooned by many travelers alike.



Myth has it that Mount Bromo is significant to the Tengger people who believe that the site is where their brave prince sacrificed his life for his family. To appease the Gods, the people will offer food and money by throwing it into the crater of the volcano once a year during annual Kasada (or Kasodo) festival.

To be awe in nature’s best combination of beauty and danger, an active volcano that can be so foreboding and desolate yet so beautiful. The view itself is almost out of this world and be the reason enough to go there! Hike up Mount Penanjakan in time to catch the sunrise over Mount Bromo. It takes about 1-2 hours hike to the first vantage point. Sun rises at 5.30am, therefore usually you have to plan when to start hiking depending on your fitness level.

Maps and information are readily and easily available at one of the many official locations. Extra tip is that you may want to hike earlier to avoid the crowd and get a good spot as you may find a lot of people crowding the vantage point to view the sun rising over Mount Bromo. If you have the time and energy, there is another less-crowded vantage point higher up with unobstructed view of the sunrise. Find and scale the slope behind the shelter to get to the higher flat land. Full Post

Wadaslintang Reservoir - Kebumen, Central Java, Indonesia

Wadaslintang Reservoir is a reservoir located in the subdistrict of Wadaslintang, Central Java, Indonesia. This reservoir has several important functions that sustain life in the surrounding residents.

Some of the main functions Wadaslintang Reservoir include:

• Hydroelectric Power Plant (HEPP)
• Fishery
• Tourism
• Prevent flooding
• Water reservoir

Wadaslintang Reservoir is located in the southern region bordering districts Wadaslintang District Padureso in Kebumen. Kali Gede Reservoir uses as its main water source with other woods several small tributaries that supply water to the reservoir Wadaslintang. In the process of development, Basin Wadaslintang takes a few villagers that requires its citizens to move residence.

The process of dam construction is done in the reign of President Suharto in 1992. Reservoir is famous as a favorite site for recreational fishing for sport fishing enthusiasts. Usually on weekends and holidays, many anglers both from within and outside the city who visit this reservoir.

Full Post

Komodo Island - Indonesia - Nusa Tenggara Islands.

Komodo Island is an island located in the Nusa Tenggara Islands. Komodo Island is known as the Komodo dragon habitat for native animals. The island is also the Komodo National Park is managed by the central government. Komodo Island to the west of Sumbawa Island, separated by Sape Strait.

Administratively, these islands including Komodo subdistrict, West Manggarai regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. Komodo Island is the westernmost tip of Nusa Tenggara Timur province, bordering the province of West Nusa Tenggara.

Komodo Island, Komodo dragon animals live and breed well. Until August 2009, on the island there are about 1300 Komodo dragon's tail. Plus the other islands, such as Island and Rinca and Gili Motang, their numbers totaled about 2500 tails. There are also about 100 Komodo dragon's tail at Wae Wuul Nature Reserve on the mainland island of Flores, but not including the Komodo National Park area.


Komodo addition, this island also store a variety of exotic flora Sepang timber that is used by people around As with medicine and clothing dye, or nitak tree Sterculia oblongata in believed to be useful as a drug and tasty and good seeds like peas.

In 1910 the Dutch named the island on the south side of East Nusa Tenggara Province is the nickname of Komodo Island. This story begins with Lieutenant Steyn van Hens Broek who tried to prove the report of the Dutch troops on a large animal resembling a dragon on the island. Steyn then killed a Komodo dragon and bring documentation to the Museum and Botanical Garden in Bogor to be studied.

Full Post

Borobudur Temple, Central of Java, Indonesia

This famous Buddhist temple, dating from the 8th and 9th centuries, is located in central Java. It was built in three tiers: a pyramidal base with five concentric square terraces, the trunk of a cone with three circular platforms and, at the top, a monumental stupa.

The walls and balustrades are decorated with fine low reliefs, covering a total surface area of 2,500 m2. Around the circular platforms are 72 openwork stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha. Who does not know Borobudur? This Buddhist temple has 1460 relief panels and 504 Buddha effigies in its complex.

Millions of people are eager to visit this building as one of the World Wonder Heritages. It is not surprising since architecturally and functionally, as the place for Buddhists to say their prayer, Borobudur is attractive.

Borobudur was built by King Samaratungga, one of the kings of Old Mataram Kingdom, the descendant of Sailendra dynasty. Based on Kayumwungan inscription, an Indonesian named Hudaya Kandahjaya revealed that Borobudur was a place for praying that was completed to be built on 26 May 824, almost one hundred years from the time the construction was begun. The name of Borobudur, as some people say, means a mountain having terraces (budhara), while other says that Borobudur means monastery on the high place.

Borobudur is constructed as a ten-terraces building. The height before being renovated was 42 meters and 34.5 meters after the renovation because the lowest level was used as supporting base. The first six terraces are in square form, two upper terraces are in circular form, and on top of them is the terrace where Buddha statue is located facing westward. Each terrace symbolizes the stage of human life. In line with of Buddha Mahayana, anyone who intends to reach the level of Buddha's must go through each of those life stages.

The base of Borobudur, called Kamadhatu, symbolizes human being that are still bound by lust. The upper four stories are called Rupadhatu symbolizing human beings that have set themselves free from lust but are still bound to appearance and shape. On this terrace, Buddha effigies are placed in open space; while the other upper three terraces where Buddha effigies are confined in domes with wholes are called Arupadhatu, symbolizing human beings that have been free from lust, appearance and shape. The top part that is called Arupa symbolizes nirvana, where Buddha is residing.

Each terrace has beautiful relief panels showing how skillful the sculptors were. In order to understand the sequence of the stories on the relief panels, you have to walk clockwise from the entrance of the temple. The relief panels tell the legendary story of Ramayana. Besides, there are relief panels describing the condition of the society by that time; for example, relief of farmers' activity reflecting the advance of agriculture system and relief of sailing boat representing the advance of navigation in Bergotta (Semarang).

All relief panels in Borobudur temple reflect Buddha's teachings. For the reason, this temple functions as educating medium for those who want to learn Buddhism. Atisha, a Buddhist from India in the tenth century once visited this temple that was built 3 centuries before Angkor Wat in Cambodia and 4 centuries before the Grand Cathedrals in Europe.

Thanks to visiting Borobudur and having supply of Buddha teaching script from Serlingpa (King of Sriwijaya), Atisha was able to improve Buddha's teachings after his return to India and he built a religion institution, Vikramasila Buddhism. Later he became the leader of Vikramasila monastery and taught Tibetans of practicing Dharma. Six scripts from Serlingpa were then summarized as the core of the teaching called "The Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment" or well known as Bodhipathapradipa.

A question about Borobudur that is still unanswered by far is how the condition around the temple was at the beginning of its foundation and why at the time of it's finding the temple was buried. Some hypotheses claim that Borobudur in its initial foundation was surrounded by swamps and it was buried because of Merapi explosion. It was based on Kalkutta inscription with the writing 'Amawa' that means sea of milk. The Sanskrit word was used to describe the occurrence of disaster. The sea of milk was then translated into Merapi lava. Some others say that Borobudur was buried by cold lava of Merapi Mountain.

With the existing greatness and mystery, it makes sense if many people put Borobudur in their agenda as a place worth visiting in their lives. Besides enjoying the temple, you may take a walk around the surrounding villages such as Karanganyar and Wanurejo. You can also get to the top of Kendil stone where you can enjoy Borobudur and the surrounding scenery. Please visit Borobudur temple right away...

Source : Unesco.org - Yogyes.com

Full Post

Indonesia - Merapi Mount - Yogyakarta

Mount Merapi, is a conical volcano located on the border between Central Java and Yogyakarta, Indonesia. It is the most active volcano in Indonesia and has erupted regularly since 1548. Its name means Mountain of Fire. It is very close to the city of Yogyakarta, and thousands of people live on the flanks of the volcano, with villages as high as 1700 m above sea level.

Merapi is the youngest in a group of volcanoes in southern Java.

Full Post

Indonesia : Sanur Beach, Bali

While the rest of Bali's beaches have developed at a breathtaking pace, Bali's first beach resort remains largely unchanged.

Sanur is one of Bali's biggest traditional villages but it's also one of the most established tourist areas. Fine hotels, restaurants and modern entertainment venues compliment traditional village activities like drama and dance, so it's a good place to enjoy the delights of a tropical island and gain a real appreciation of Balinese culture and local life.

Gradual and early development has meant that Sanur has grown alongside the village, with hotels located right next door to local meeting halls and Brahmanic temples. Many hotels have expansive gardens that face the ocean in a picturesque unbroken seaside promenade.

Hang out, sunbathe on the soft sand beach. Located on the east coast, Sanur has a coral reef that makes it ideal for snorkeling - you can even do sea-walking. While local beach restaurants and bars provide an ethnic alternative to hotel dining.

Watersports. More and more popular, both within and beyond the reef.
Sanur is an important religious centre and the venue for many colourful ceremonies and traditional dances that mark the calendar each year. It's also the kind of place where exclusive hotels, boutiques and chic restaurants nestle in with the local shops and cultural centres.

Explore Sanur's shady lanes and discover traditional markets, shops nightspots and local life, especially in the late afternoon.
Nightlife in Sanur is pretty relaxed. It starts and finishes earlier than in Kuta. Most restaurants fill up early in the evening and apart from a few bars and the disco, generally wind up around midnight.

Full Post

Indonesia : Borobudur Temple

Coming to the ancient temple complex of Borobudur, in the central Javanese plains 40km from Yogyakarta, Java’s second city, is like going back in time. Within half an hour of leaving Yogya’s bustling traffic, rural life opened up around us, showing little sign of change since the days of the Sailendra kings.

When we first glimpsed the full scale of the site we couldn’t believe our eyes. The colossal building evokes a feeling of timeless harmony: the site is imposing, breathtaking, beautiful and mysterious.

The best time to visit the temple is in the early morning, as there’s a vibrant local morning market near the complex which is a good photo op and has some nice local handicrafts, plus the open walkways of the temple offer little relief from the sun, and the light is best at this time for photography, a favourite pastime of mine.

One thing you should be wary of is the hawkers at the entrance – try to ignore them if possible, as even starting a conversation is license for them to follow you around all day! Try not to let them disturb your thoughts, as it’s best to enter the temple complex with a clear mind, as there’s loads to see and think about.

It was easy to imagine what it must have been like at its height, with thousands of devotees tracing their hands over the same volcanic stone we touched ourselves, straining to understand the complex philosophy encoded into the walls, just as we did. Full Post