Indonesia Travel Guide

Mentawai Island is on the west of Padang province. The beaches of this island are very famous around the world as a surfing paradise with the most beautiful panorama as an extra plus. Mentawai Island has shoreline 758 kilometers. The most interesting of Mentawai Island is the wave. It is very roughly amazing wave for surfing. The wave was found by Australian surfers who found it when they visited this island in 90th. Then they announced it into the world, even they build some resorts to serve the foreign tourist who interested in surfing. It becomes the starting point of Mentawai Island as The World Surfing Paradise.

Geographically, Mentawai Island directly facing Indian Ocean has consistent wave year-round. Usually on April-August is the best time for surfing because the wave can reach till six meters high. It’s the favourite ekstreme wave for the surfer. It is also the same time with summer holiday in Europe. So, that is why the most tourists are from Europe on that months. [Read the rest of this entry...]

If you are going to visit Bukit Tinggi, West Sumatra, please check out the following hotels:

• Pusako Hotel
  Jl. Soekarno Hatta No. 7, Bukittinggi
  Phone +62 752 32111
  Fax +62 752 32667
• Royal Denai Hotel
  Jl. Rivai No. 26, Bukittinggi
  Phone +62 752 32920
  Fax +62 752 33490 [Read the rest of this entry...]

Sawah Lunto Sijunjung besides known as producer of Coal mines in Indonesia, also known as a tourist destination in West Sumatra. Located at north-east and about 4 KM drive from Padang, Dusun Tanggalo, Desa Air hangat, Kecamatan Sijunjung, Kabupaten Sawah Lunto Sijunjung, West Sumatera, through narrow, winding road with tropical forest viewed at left and right sides, seems like ready to challange the travelers who want to explore this karst mountains.

One of the caves known better by many climber lovers in list of West Sumatra caves is Loguang Cave (Ngalau Loguang). “Loguang” which means great or large, is one of the many limestone caves located in Sawah Lunto [Read the rest of this entry...]

Sijunjung has plenty of interesting sights to visit alongs Muaro – Silokek – Durian Gadang (Musiduga). Sijunjung, formerly called Sawahlunto Sijunjung, is one of districts that is located in the province of West Sumatra, Indonesia. The capital was in Muaro Sijunjung. Before year 2004 Sijunjung was the third largest district in West Sumatra, but then the government separated it into 2 districts, Dharmasraya and Sijunjung.

Sijunjung population (2004) approximately 178,204 inhabitants, most as trader or civil servants, the rest are farmers. Since has located in mountains, Sijunjung has many potential of natural resources and tourism that can be developed. [Read the rest of this entry...]

Located at the southern tip of Sumatra, Lampung is one of the connection rute between Java and Sumatra. With geographical location, natural resources and unique cultures, Lampung many offer tourist attractions, both natural and cultural.

Natural beauty of the Bay of Lampung, Krakatau archipelago in the middle of the ocean, Way Kambas National Park, Bukit Barisan National Park and other tourist objects scattered, should be an attractive place to be visited.

Lampung in A Glance
Geographically, Lampung located between 3 45 ‘  up to 6 45′  South latitude and 103 40 ‘  to 105 40′  East longitude. In the north, borders with South Sumatra and Bengkulu, in the South borders with Selat Sunda, in the East borders with Java Sea and in the West by the Indonesian Ocean.

From 9 provinces located in Sumatra, Lampung position is in the Southernmost of Sumatra, with wide area  (land) 35,376.5 km2, including 54 small islands located in 2 large bays, Lampung bay (Teluk Lampung) and Watermelon Bay (Teluk Semangka).  The population numbered -/+ 7 million inhabitants, 80% came from outside of Lampung. Population growth 2.67% per year.

Following are the names of districts in the capital of Lampung, wide area and population :
1. Bandar Lampung , the capital of Lampung with total wide area 169 km2 and  population 636,706 inhabitants.

2. South Lampung (Lampung Selatan), capital city Kalianda with wide area 3,555 km2 and population 741,576 inhabitants

3. Central Lampung (Lampung Tengah), capital city Gunung Sugih, Bandar Jaya is another city in this districs. Total area 47,329 km2 with population 755,390 inhabitants.

4. Tanggamus, with Kota Agung as the capital city, other cities are Pringsewu, Talangpadang. Total wide area  3,100 km2 with population 100,028 inhabitants.

5. West Lampung (Lampung Barat) with Liwa as the capital, other cities are Sumberjaya and Krui, 4,939 km2 wide area, population 309,050 inhabitants

6. Metro City with total area 183 km2 and population 163,046 inhabitants

7. East Lampung (Lampung Timur), Sukadana as the capital, other cities are Way Jepara and Labuhan Maringgai, with total area 4,275 km2 and a population of 681,696 inhabitants

8. North Lampung (Lampung Utara) and Kotabumi as the capital city, other cities is Bukit Kemuning, wide area  2,726 km2 and population 50,279 inhabitants

9. MENGGALA, Tulangbawang as the capital, other city is Unit 2 with wide area 7,771 km2, population 492,045 inhabitants.

10. Way Kanan with Blambangan Umpu capital, other cities are Kasui and Baradatu, wide area 3,928 km2 and  population 351,182 inhabitants

With a variety of natural resources like beaches with its islands, variety of flora and fauna forests, beautiful  mountain, lakes, unspoiled rivers and unique traditional cultural art, will give a special attraction for tourists visiting to Lampung.

Topography / Geology
Lampung topography contains several kind of plain land, such as hilly land to mountainous. This area includes the spines of the Bukit Barisan, in the west coast of Lampung. This area of vegetation due to these conditions is generally covered by primary and secondary forests are verdant all year round.

The second kind of plain is low hills with narrow plains,  altitude  300-500 m above sea level, lies in the western part of South Lampung. This area is a producer of coffee and clove and crops. Another regional plains with elevation 25-75 m above sea level is in Eastern of Lampung restrict other groups on the East Coast that includes a marshy area (flat marshes) tidal elevation 0.5 – 1 m above sea level.

Several watersheds area (DAS) are Way Tulang Bawang, Way Seputih, Way Semangka, Way Sekampung, Way Jepara, Way Rarem, Way Belu and others. This rivers are used for irrigation and water transportation. The main transportation river are Way Mesuji and Way Tulang Bawang (Way = river).

Aceh is a special territory of Indonesia , this position is the same with Jakarta and Yogyakarta. Aceh was located on the northern tip of the island of Sumatra. Aceh’s full name is Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam.

Banda Aceh is the provincial capital and largest city of Aceh. [Read the rest of this entry...]

Java Island

Java is most is the most densely populated island of Indonesia, situated between Sumatra and Bali. Popular tourist destinations include the city of Yogyakarta, a massive pyramid-like monument known as Borobudur, and Prambanan, the largest Hindu temple in Java. The island is divided into six provinces: DKI Jakarta (Indonesia Capital City), Banten, Jawa Barat, Jawa Tengah, Jawa Timur, and DI Yogyakarta.

Penari Jaipong

The Verdant Land of Parahiangan

West JAva surrounds Jakarta on three sides. It is a region of sandy beaches and lush, breathtaking landscape. Around 70 KM form Jakarta is Bogor, a pleasant and cool town famous for its Botanical Garden built in 1817. The garden cover an area of 87 hectares and shelters 15.000 species of rare trees, such as a carrion-smelling, stemless and leafless plant, and plants from all over the world. As well as an extraordinary collection of 5000 orchids in its orchids gardens. It borders the Presidential Palace, home of the Dutch Governor General during the colonial period.

Baduy Village

In the highlands live some of the most isolated communities of Indonesia’s population. The Baduy in Banten live in the Kendeng highlands and still guard ancient Sundanese traditions and customs. In the highlands of Salawu, Tasikmalaya, the people of Kampung Naga form a closed community, preferring to live and work in their homeland.

West Java offers many adrenaline pumping activities. Trekkers exploring the tropical rainforests of  Ujung Kulon in Banten at the southwestern tip of West Java may be lucky enough to meet its most famous inhabitant, the endangered one-horn rhinoceros.

Beneath the waters, beatiful sea gardens are found off hte nearby Peucang and Panaitan islands. In the Sunda Strait, a seascape of craked volcanic rock around Krakatau, and the caves and tunnels around Ujung Kulon provide an interesting underwater experience.

Around 50 KM south of Bogor, Pelabuhan Ratu is a popular seaside resort on the south coast. Leaving the toll expressway, the road passes through hilly country and plantations. Despite strong undertow and surf, Pelabuhan Ratu welcomes a growing number of surfers from Jakarta.

Yet, many have also come to West Java for healings int the highlands. The rainforests, natural springs and cascading waterfalls of Mount Salak provide the prefect spot for cleansing both body and mind. Treatments at Javana Spa include Indonesian traditional and aromatic massages, volcanic mud body masque, facial aromatherapy and hydrotherapy. At Sari Ater on the slopes of the Tangkuban Perahu volcano, mineral and sulphure springs help you to unwind and heal most skin problems.

Angklung, Java Traditional Music Art

In Bandung, the provincial capital, visit Mang Udjo’s Angklung Workshop in the cool village of Padasuka for the soothing melody of a bamboo orchestra. Bamboo handicrafts and musical instruments of fine workmanship and exact tuning are made and sold here. Bandung is also famous for its hundreds of factory outlets, for the latest off-the-rack fashion. The Juanda park in the city’s suburb has caves from the time of the Dutch and Japanese occupation for a spooky experience.

When in West Java, hunt around for authentic items, such as hand-carved wooden statues and screen, hand-woven and painted cottons and silks, embroidery, shell-ornaments, basketry, sandstone statues and bamboo furniture. Get hand-painted Tasik umbrellas and the Wayang Golek, a three-dimensional puppet used in the traditional theater.

Cradle of Culture and Classic Tradition

Borobudur Temple

The land’s long and rich history cannot be seperated from the influences of Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity. The region is dotted with temples; stark Shivaite temples are found in the Dieng Plateau of Wonosobo, about 2,093 m above sea level. Borobudur is the largest Buddhist monument in the world and the world’s eighth wonder. The two-level pyramid symbolizes the ten stages of the Mahayana Buddhist cosmic system. The walls of Borobudur are sculptured in bas-reliefs extendinf over a total of 6 km.

Prambanan Temple

The 9th century Prambanan temple complex in the outskirts of Yogyakarta consists of three curtyards and temples that surround three main shrines dedicated to the Hindu trinity: Ciwa, Vishnu and Brahma. The temple’s relief are beautifully carved dan depict the Hindu cosmic system and stories from Ramayana. Traditional Javanese ballets are performed on open air stages during full moon evenings. The spread of Islam in Java also left several interesting monuments, such as the 15th century Minaret Mosque in Kudus, the oldest mosque in Central Java.

Age-old culture, traditions and values of the Javanese are kept alive in the courts of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat in Yogyakarta and Pakualaman and Mangkunegaran in Surakarta. The grant and elegant Javanese architecture of the eighteenth century kratons or palace guard priceless royal heirlooms and precious antiques.

In Yogyakarta, the walled-in kraton compound is a veritable city within a city. It is home to 25,000 people and includes the Sultan’s huge palace, the Taman Sari water castle, a bird market and several craft industries.

Take a trip on a historic steam locomotion to enjoy cool highland scenery from the Ambarawa Train Museum near Semarang. At Losari, take the time ti visit a popular teahouse which has been around since the Dutch colonial period. Relax and take in the spectacular panorama of coffee plantations set against the volcanoes, Sundoro an Sumbing.

Apart from graceful classic dances and mesmerizing wayang theaters, Java offers a fantastic array of art and craft. There’s teak carvings from Jepara; leather goods, batik and masks from Yogya and Surakarta. Apart from batik, lurik is a woven textile that is made into sarongs, bed covers, upholstery and garments. Delicate and intricately-made silverworks are produces in Kota Gede, Yogyakarta. Several workshops are open to give public a first-hand experience in how silver is transformed into lovely works of art. Kota Gede also hides a secret of lovely traditional Javanese architecture, transquilty and languid pace of bygone eras when Kota Gede was the seat of the mighty Mataram Kingdom of the 16th century.

Ancient Temples and Java Performing Arts

Java’s easternmost province isn’t short of attractions either. The archeological site at Trowulan Village was the ancient capital of the Great Majapahit Empire. Kalimas, in the province’s capital, Surabaya, is an old traditional harbor for ohinisis or Bugis schooners.

For an unforgettable experience, go up the ancient caldera of Mount Bromo in East JAva on horseback to watch the sun rise over a sea of sand. Int he ancient caldera, two volcanoes are visible, the prefect coned and extinct Batok, and Bromo  which still releases smoke and volcanic sulphur fumes. Once a year, the Tengger people of the mountain pay homege to the gods who dwell on Mount Bromo in a Kesada ceremony in which scarificial offerings are thrown into the crater. Another well-visited crater is Mount Ijen which 1 km in diameter, 175 m deep and has a turquoise lake in tis center.

At the easternmost end of the island, Meru Betiri National Park is the last remaining habitat of the Javanese tigers, panther and giant green turtles who come to lay hundreds of eggs on Sukamade Beach. Nearby Banyuwangi and Plengkung Bay Java are also gaining recognition as a top surfing spot in the world.

Across the Madura Straits lies the island of Madura, famous for its daring bull races called karapan sapi. Regulary held at the Pamekasan Stadium, bulls race across the grass with the jockeys standing on a wooden skid that are fastenes to a yoke placed between two bulls. The Maduranese not only show a great deal of excitement out of watching this race, they take their local sport very seriously. Jockeys and bull owners are held in great esteem by the community.

Wayang Kulit Puppet

The Wayang Kulit or classic leather puppet theater performance usually takes place all through the night until the early hours. It takes its repertoire from either the Ramayana or Mahabarata epics. The court dances of Yogyakarta are among the most refined and sublime of Javanese dances, such as the Golek and Bedoyo, performed by nine female dancers

Sumatera Island

Sumatera is the third biggest island in the Indonesia archipelago. The massive Bukit Barisan mountai range which runs almost the entire lenght of the island make up Sumatera’s diverse lanscape of dense tropical forest, rugged coastlines, wide sandy beaches, deep gorges and steamy swamps.  Large of them are protected reserves, such as the Great Bukit Barisan Forest Reserve in North Sumatera.

Sumatera Provinces

NAD (Nanggroe Aceh Darusalam) is Sumatera’s and Indonesia’s nothernmost and westernmost province. Since the arrival of Islam in the 13th century, Aceh has become a predominantly moeslim region. The Saman Dance for examples, incorporates religious chants with the dynamic movements performed in unison. The fast-paced dance expresses the praise for the Almighty. The body movements require tremendous personal discipline and full concentration from all members of troupe.

In the capital of Banda Aceh, the most striking feature is the black-domed Grand Baiturrachman Mosque with its white marble interior. It is one of the few buildings that miraculously remained erect after a natural disaster struck part of the province at the end of 2004.

On December 26, 2004, Aceh was hit by the worst tsunami and earthquake the world has ever seen with Banda Aceh and areas along the northwestern coast of Sumatera being the worse hit. Since then, the people have picked up the pieces and slowly rebuild their lives, showing the resilience the Acehnese are famous for.

One of the region’s riches is its wild life, largely concentrated and protected in Mount Leuser National Park. The reserve is home to a variety of primates, such as gibbons and orangutans, the Sumatran rinocheros, tigers and elephants.

Whether sea or river, Aceh offers some of the most exciting water adventures. White water rafting down the rapids and bends of Krueng Tripa and the River Alas is an experience that will have you soaking wet and breathless.

Under the sea is an ideal environment for snorkeling and scuba diving (with 25m visibility), such as around Pulau Weh (Weh island) off the nothernmost tip of Sumatera, and Rubiah Sea Garden.

From Ancient Relies to Bright-colored Primates

The Bataks

The Bohorok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center at Bukit Lawang near Medan is also worth a visit when in North Sumatera, to see these orange-haired apes up close.

The Bataks inhabit the highland of North Sumatera. Apart from their musical abilities, the Bataks are famed for their ulos, a cloth with significant traditional value. Ancient Batak Stone burial urns, carved sarcophagi and traditional houses are still found on Samosir Island on Lake Toba, homeland of the Toba Batak. The 1,700Km2 lake is situated 906m above sea level. This lake is the largest in Southeast Asia and the deepest in the world (450m).

Valley of Beauty

The cool highlands of West Sumatera is one of the most picturesque regions in Sumatera. It offers spectacular view of volcanoes, fertile valleys and canyons, such as the Anai Valley, Sianok and Harau Canyons. The latter is a nature reserve famous for the rare giant, flowering plant, Rafflesia.

Jam Gadang, Sianok Canyon, Mentawai Island

West Sumatera is land of the Minangkabau people, known for their beautiful hand-woven songkets and richly decorated horn-roofed longhouses or called Rumah Gadang.

Bukittinggi is a cool highland town with stunning view of two volcanoes, Mount Merapi and Mount Singgalang. 63Km away, is Lake Maninjau, a huge and beautiful crater lake with complete recreational facilities.

About 10-hours drive from Padang – the province capital – we’ll reach the largest park in Sumatera, Kerinci Seblat National Park, includes its active volcano, Mount Kerinci (3805 m) and several high-altitude lakes. The park contains areas of lowland ranforest home to rhinoceros, tigers, clouded leopards, elephants and wide variety of bird species. East of the mountain, is a botanists’ heaven, a high-altitude freshwater marsh known as Lake Bentu.

On Mentawai Island, people live in comparative isolation and still hold on to centuries old animistic beliefs. Mentawai Island is a chain of islands off the western coast of Sumatera, surrounded by beautiful cotal reefs that are ideal for diving.  Around Pieh Island, a 40m vertical wall rises from a sandy slope and is frequented by a rich variety of fish and other marine animals.

A Legacy of Great, Ancient Malay Kingdoms

Siak Sri Indrapura Palace

Approximately 2.5 hours from Pekanbaru, the 19th century Sultan’s palace still stands in the village of Siak Sri Indrapura, on the banks of Siak River. Teh Asserayah Palace’s architecture incorporates Moorish, European, Indian and traditional Malay designs. Muara Takus, about 200 KM from Pekanbaru, is the site of an ancient Buddhist temple believed to have been built between 7th-9th century AD.

Majestic Rocks and Volcano

Rafflesia

Bangka-Belitung offers not only a uniquely breathtaking coastal scenery. Its is a gourmet’s paradise for seafoodlovers. In Belitung, giant granite rocks rise out of pristine blue waters just off the white sandy beaches.

Rich and fertile, oil refineries and vast rubber, oil palm and coffee plantations dot the region. In Bengkulu, the 17th century British stronghold, Fort Marlborough has been carefully restored. The giant rafflesia flower at Dendam Tak Sudah Botanical Gardens was named in honor of Sir Stamford Raffles, Bengkulu’s lieutenant governor from 1818 to 1823.

97 KM across Lampung Bay, South Sumatera, the volcano Krakatau lay dormant. The island volcano erupted in 1883 in an explosion that could be felt half way across the world.

Padang, meaning field, with a population of over 700,000 people is in Western Sumatra on the coast of the Indian Ocean. Padang is the Regional capital of West Sumatra, the 3rd largest city in Sumatra. Originally a port for traders of gold, spices and timber. With a lot of trade with China many Chinese immigrated to Padang so the town has an amazing China Town with many restaurants and spice shops.

Off the coast from Padang are many beautiful islands which can be visited for snorkeling, fishing or just relaxing on the white sandy beaches. A ferry can be caught to the island of Cubadak or Pulau Cubadak or to the Mentawai Islands including Siberut Island. [Read the rest of this entry...]

Indonesia : Gem of the Equator

Gem Of Equator

Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago, consisting of more than 17,000 islands. Spread across 5,120 km of ocean and positioned between Asia and Australia, this country is as wide as the European continent. Four-fifths of the area is sea, with the major islands of Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua.

Unity in Diversity
As the world’s 14th largest nation, Indonesia’s population totals over 200 million, comparising 250-300 ethnic groups that have their own language and dialects bute are united with Bahasa Indonesia, the national language spoken throughtout the archipelago.

The majority of Indonesians are Islam, with Christians, Catholics, Hindus, Buddhists and followers of Confucianism making up the rest. Since 2001 the Chinese culture has experienced a welcomed revival that served to enrich the country’s cultural diversity.

The Nature
Indonesia’s flora and fauna is diversely rich as its land and people. Asian mammals in the west, Australians marsupial species and birds in the east and the endemic species are in the middle of archipelago.

Orangutans, tigers, one horned rhinos, elephant, dugongs, anoas, komodo dragons are the pride of  Indonesia. The seas around archipelago also hold the country’s treasures, a rich marine environment that holds a myriad of species, from fish, corals and marine mammals. National parks around the archipelago serve to preserve this rich natural heritage.

Rules and Regulations
Immigration
All travellers to Indonesia must be in possession of passport valid for at least six months from date of arrival and have proof (tickets) of onward or return passage.

Immigration authorities provide Free Tourist Visas for a period of 30 days to nationals from 11 countries  only on the basis of reciprocity. These countries are Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darusalam, the Philipines, Hongkong SAR, Macao SAR, Chile, Marocco, Peru and Vietnam.

Moreover, Visa On Arrival has been given to nationals from 36 countries. There are : Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Libya, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Panama, People’s Republic of China, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Suriname, Switzerland, Sweden, Taiwan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Visa Of Arrival (VOA) is valid  for 30 days and may be extended under the permission of Indonesian Immigration with the condition as follows :

• natural disaster occurs in the place visited by tourist;
• the traveler is taken ill or meets with an accident during their visit.

Other nationals must apply for visa at Indonesia Embassies or Consulates in their home country. Visa cannot be replaced with any other forms of immigration letters.

Entry ports where Visa On Arrival may be issued are (Airports) :

• Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Jakarta
• Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali
• Polonia Airport in Medan
• Sultan Syarif Kasim Airport in Pekanbaru
• Minang Kabau Airport in Padang
• Juanda Airport in Surabaya
• Sam Ratulangi Airport in Manado.

Seaports :

Indonesia Beach

Batam, The Sekupang, Batuampar, Nongsa and Marina,Teluk Senimba, Bandar Bintan, Talani Lagoi and Bandar Sri Udana Labon in the Riau archipelago, Sri Bintan Pura in Tanjung Pinang, Belawan and Sibolga in North Sumatra, Yos Sudarso in Ambon, Tanjung Perak in Surabaya,Teluk Bayur of Padang,Tanjung Priok in Jakarta, Padang Bai and Benoa in Bali, the port of Jayapura, Bitung in Manado,Tanjung Balai Karimun,Tanjung Mas in Central Java, Tenau and Maumere in East Nusa Tenggara, Pare-pare and Soekarno-Hatta port in South Sulawesi.

ClimateCustoms
Customs allow on entry a maximum of 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 100 grams of tobacco and a reasonable amount of perfume per adult. One litre of alcoholic beverage may be brought in per person 18 years of age or over. Goods up to the value of U.S.$1,000 per person may be brought in as gifts. Cameras, video cameras, portable radios, cassette recorders, binoculars and sport equipments are admitted. They must be declared to Customs.
Prohibited are firearms, narcotic drugs, pornography, transceivers and cordless telephones. Chinese traditional medicines must be registered by Depkes RI. Films, pre-recorded video tapes and laser disks must be screened by the Censor Board. There is no restriction import or export of foreign and travelers cheques. However, the import and export of Indonesian currency exceeding Rp100 million is prohibited.

Climate-wise, Indonesia is distinctly Tropical. Tropical climate varying from area to area. The eastern monsoon brings the driest weather (June to September), while the western monsoon brings the main rains (December to March). Rainstorms occur all year. Temperatures range from 21°C (70°F) to 33°C (90°F). Higher regions are cooler.