Thursday, February 26, 2009

Madura Island




Madura, from an administrative viewpoint, is a part of the Indonesian Province of East Java. Located of the eastern end of Java's north coast, this long, narrow island measures 160 km from east to west and 35 km north south, amounting to a total area of roughly 4,250 square kilometres. Madura is divided into four Regencies, or Kabupaten, which run consecutively from west to east, respectively Bangkalan, Sampang, Pamekasan and Sumenep. Beside the main land mass, however, there are 67 more small islands and islets, 66 of which lie to the east of Sumenep and are a part of that district, while one island belongs to Sampang.


Karamian Island, the most northerly, and Sekala Island, the furthest east of the Madura group, both lie more than 240 km from the main island. Ocean conditions among the islands are for the most part clear, clean and not so deep, displaying an abundance of sea-life, for example in the area around Mamburit Island near the Kangean Group. Beaches are almost all white, such as at Siring Kemuning, Camplong, Slopeng, Lombang, as well as throughout the Kangean Islands, at Saebus, Mamburit, Saur, Pagerungan, Kangean etc. In some cases, though, there are islands which are totally covered in thick vegetation right to the water's edge. Compared with other areas of East Java, Madura's soil is relatively poor. The land is stony and dry. Yet these conditions have taught the Madurese people to be ingenious and adaptable, two characteristics for which Madura's inhabitants are well known. Lying only a 30 minute ferry ride from Surabaya's harbour of Tanjung Perak, the port of Kamal on Madura's south west coast is easily accessible. Ferries transporting vehicles of all sizes, passengers and goods, arrive and depart at 15 minute intervals around the clock, thus forming a permanent moving bridge connecting Madura with the mainland.


During this period of development, Madura's contribution towards the national economy is growing and diversifying. Besides the traditional farming sector, natural resources such as oil and natural gas are beginning to be exploited. No less tourism. With an infrastructure now deemed capable of handling numbers of visitors, it can be expected that the flow of tourists into Madura should increase rapidly in the near futureIf, in the past, people tended to avoid Madura as a place to visit, then it was because of a lack of facilities. But now conditions are different and good roads run the whole away along the length of the island. Reasonable accommodation, too, can be found in all the major towns. In short, Madura is prepared for tourism and is now looking towards improving super structural aspects, in the form of hotels, restaurants, terminals, shopping centres etc.

Furthermore, East Java's Regional Government is currently planning the construction of a bridge which will connect Tanjung Perak with Kamal. Barring obstacles the SURAMADU bridge project should be underway in the near future. This ambitious task stirs the imagination when one considers standing at the half way point and enjoying the panorama, as well as watching the numerous sea-going vessels which regularly make their way across the straits. The bridge will, without a doubt, prove to be a major tourist attraction and a photographer's dream.Though still receiving comparatively few foreign visitors, the island of Madura is already well known for its bull races, the bold designs and colours of its batik textiles, its sate (cooked meat on skewers) and veto (soup), as well as an enviable number of unspoiled beaches. For plant enthusiasts, the Bonsai Casuarina ( cemara udang ) is unique to Madura. Until now we have only mentioned Madura's main island. In addition, there is a string of around 66 more small islands running off to the east of Sumenep and comprising a part of that administrative district.These islands include the Kangean Group, which lie due north of the island of Bali. Planning and development could turn this beautiful mini-archipelago into an incomparable marine resort, equipped with all facilities, including opportunities for all kinds of water sports and marine activities.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Bromo - Tengger - Semeru Map

Bromo-Semeru

Semeru

Bromo Caldera

Bromo-Tengger-Batok

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Baluran National Park

Baluran National Park has some of the few dryland ecosystem types in Java, consisting of savanna. It also has mangrove forest, monsoon forest, coastal forest, swamp forest, and evergreen forest.

About 40% of the Park area is dominated by savannatype vegetation.

There are 444 species of plant growing in this Park, including curious and indigenous species like widoro bukol (Ziziphus rotundifolia), mimba (Azadirachta indica), and pilang (Acacia leucophloea). These three species are able to adapt to very arid conditions, remaining green while the plants around them wither. Other plants in the Park include tamarind (Tamarindus indica), gadung (Dioscorea hispida), kemiri (Aleurites moluccana), gebang (Corypha utan), api-api (Avicennia sp.), kendal (Cordia obliqua), manting (Syzygium polyanthum), and kepuh (Sterculia foetida).


The 26 species of mammal include the banteng (Bos javanicus javanicus), Asian wild dog (Cuon alpinus javanicus), barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak muntjak), Timor deer (Cervus timorensis russa), panther (Panthera pardus), lesser Malay mouse deer (Tragulus javanicus pelandoc), fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus); and ebony leaf monkey (Trachypithecus auratus auratus). The banteng is the mascot of Baluran National Park.


In addition, there are about 155 species of bird, some of them endangered species like the green peafowl (Pavo muticus), red junglefowl (Gallus gallus), malabar hornbill (Anthracoceros coronatus conversus), rhinoceros hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros silvestris), barn swallow (Hirundo rustica), koel (Eudynamys scolopacea), and lesser adjutant stork (Leptoptilos javanicus).


At Km. 80 on the Batangan-Bekol road there is an old well which has become a legend amongst the surrounding community. Legend has it that long ago, people from the towns of Banyuwangi, Bali and Balurawere simultaneously digging wells in their respective cities. Whichever well was first to gush forth water meant that the city would become a centre of trade and culture.

Interesting locations/attractions:
Batangan: historical site in the form of a Japanese cave. This place is a witness to Indonesias fierce struggle for independence against the Japanese. A good place to observe animals, particularly the peacock dance in the mating season between October and November, and go camping.Bekol, Semiang: watching animals such as the barking deer, banteng, red junglefowl and green peafowl.Bama, Balanan, Bilik: marine tours, fishing, swimming, diving/snorkelling, and watching great herds of deer. During July and August, stags can be seen fighting each other. At low tide, troops of ebony leaf monkeys can be seen fishing for crabs using their tails at high tide.Manting, Air Kacip: a year-round water source, birdwatching in the early morning and afternoon.Popongan, Sejile, Sirontoh and Kalitopo: rowing on the calm sea while watching shoals of ornamental fish, watching migrant birds.Candi Bang, Labuan Merak and Kramat: sites of historical/cultural interest.


Best time of year to visit: March to August.


How to reach the Park: Banyuwangi-Batangan, 35 km; then proceed to Bekol, 45 minutes (12 km); or Situbondo-Batangan, 60 km by car.

Mount Kelud


Today, Mount kelud is very phenomenal with its new dome that exists from its lake. To reach Mount kelud, the visitors can use motorcycle and the direction come from Kediri to Wates continued to Margomulyo – Bambingan till Jurang Gelap or Mount Pedot. From Jurang Gelap till the new dome of Mount kelud is about 2 km and you can go on foot.

Mount kelud has change, it had green crater before explode, but today the beautiful crater is gone and turn up new crater that different from the previous.

The increase of Mount kelud activities from the beginning step to the next step is show phenomenal activities that never happen before. The water temperature in 1990 exploded is about 400 Celsius, and in this activity, the water temperature is increase till 77,50 Celsius, makes thermometer broken caused of high warming. The earthquake is also has increase level, both volcanic and tectonic earthquake. The earthquake is higher compare with exploded in 1990.

The white and black smokes that come out from the crater is not happen in 1990.

The climax activity of Mount kelud is to turn up a dome from the lake crater in November 5, 2007 with diameter 100 meters and 20 meters height from crater water. Today, the Lava Dome still growing slowly till 200 meters height and widened to southwest side of the lake crater wide. The first white and black smoke are detected in November 4, 2007. At that time is 200 meters height and today the wind has blow them to south side. The white smoke is come out from the dome and blow to the air till 1.000 meters height.

If this is really the end of Mount kelud and the status is normal, with Mount kelud condition at the present, then Mount kelud has a new face. With its Dome that comes from the crater, Mount kelud is more beautiful than before, add with the other phenomenal that never happen before. Mount kelud changes with its new Dome are very interesting for visitors. The visitors can see and enjoy its new dome if the condition is really safe to be visited. The Dome is seems to be Mount kelud’s son. There is no crater-lake or green water in Mount kelud, but the new kelud presents its new dome. Fantastic and curious nature panorama.

East Java Map


Yogyakarta Map




yogyakarta / jogja map

Visit Yogyakarta / Jogja

Bali Tourism Map




Monday, February 23, 2009

Ubud

Ubud is located 35 km northeast of Bali's International Airport. It is attractive to tourists for a variety of reasons. On a relatively small island with a horde of attractions, Ubud is centrally located, and even the closest beach is only 15 minutes away.

The Ubud area is around two- to three hundred meters above sea level and surrounded by rice fields, which makes it noticeably cooler than then other tourist destinations in Bali. Neighbouring villages are well known for unique bamboo crafts and furniture, wood- and stone carving and many other crafts.
Ubud is famous for it's regularly nightly traditional dance performances, which are part of the traditional culture and are arranged for tourists on a regular schedule. Hindu-Balinese ceremonies take place on a nearly daily basis, especially in the European summer, which is the driest and coolest season here.

Ubud is popular in part today because it is the best place in Bali to break out of the tourist mode and get off the beaten path, although far from undiscovered. Hotels are plentiful; home stays and Indonesian guesthouses (losmen) are easily available to the foreign tourist. Many tourists simply base their entire stay in the city and travel to other destinations from Ubud.


Accommodations in Ubud are also somewhat more reasonably priced than in the beach towns of Bali. But atmosphere is perhaps the major attractions. One visitor summed it up this way: Kuta is madness, Sanur is sterile, and Nusa Dua is culturally isolated; Ubud is the place to go.

Ubud Map


Kuta Beach


Kuta is a town in southern Bali, Indonesia. A former fishing village, it was one of the first towns on Bali to see substantial tourist development, and as a beach resort remains one of Indonesia's major tourist destinations. It is known internationally for its long sandy beach, varied accommodation, many restaurants and bars, and convenience to Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport.


Kuta was the site of the October 12, 2002 Bali bombing (202 killed) and the October 1, 2005 Bali bombing (26 killed).

Kuta is now the center of an extensive tourist-oriented urban area that merges into the neighboring towns. Legian, to the north, is the commercial hub of Kuta and the site of many restaurants and entertainment spots. Most of the area's big beachfront hotels are in the southern section of Tuban.

Legian and Seminyak are northern extensions of Kuta along Jl. Legian and Jl. Basangkasa. They are somewhat quieter suburbs with cottage-style accommodations, where many of the expat crowd live. Also to the north are Petitenget, Berawa, Canggu, and Seseh - new and quieter continuations of Kuta's beach. They are easy to reach through Abian Timbul or Denpasar and Kerobokan. Several large hotels are located in this area: the Oberoi Bali, Hard Rock Hotel Bali, the Intan Bali Village, the Legian in Petitenget, the Dewata Beach and the Bali Sani Suites in Berawa.

To the south, Kuta Beach extends beyond the airport into Jimbaran.

The Balinese Provincial Government have taken the view that the preservation of the Balinese culture, natural resources and wildlife are of primary importance in the development of the island. To this end they have limited tourist development to the peninsula on the extreme southern aspect of the island; Kuta beach is on the western side of this peninsula and Sanur is on the east. To the north of the peninsula no new tourist development is supposedly permitted.

Uluwatu Temple

Pura Luhur Uluwatu is one of Bali's kayangan jagat (directional temples) and guards Bali from evil spirits from the SW, in which dwell major deities, in Uluwatu's case; Bhatara Rudra, God of the elements and of cosmic force majeures. Bali's most spectacular temples located high on a cliff top at the edge of a plateau 250 feet above the waves of the Indian Ocean. Uluwatu lies at the southern tip of Bali in Badung Regency. Dedicated to the spirits of the sea, the famous Pura Luhur Uluwatu temple is an architectural wonder in black coral rock, beautifully designed with spectacular views. This is a popular place to enjoy the sunset. Famous not only for its unique position, Uluwatu also boasts one of the oldest temples in Bali, Pura Uluwatu. Most of Bali's regencies have Pura Luhur (literally high temples or ascension temples) which become the focus for massive pilgrimages during three or five day odalan anniversaries. The photogenic Tanah Lot and the Bat Cave temple, Goa Lawah, is also Pura Luhur. Not all Pura Luhur are on the coast, however but all have inspiring locations, overlooking large bodies of water.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Tanah Lot

Bali is true heaven of tourism. At least that existing fact and which I feel as part of Bali society which live and grow in Bali island. There are a lot of beautiful exotic place in this island. One of them is Tanah Lot. As tourism object, Tanah Lot is true famous. It’s called as icon of Bali Tourism beside GWK statue kuta, Sanur, Nusadua and Ubud Beach. As Icon, Tanah Lot is so enthused by all tourist, foreign or Domestic tourist.

Tanah Lot is True with fascination. This tourist object integrate consist of sunset moment that very beautifull with spiritual tourism marked by tanah lot temple. Even a number of tourist at the moment. Tourist can directly show activity of hindhu people ritual.

Tanah lot located in tabanan Regency. If you want to go there from Denpasar or Ngurah Rai Air Port just need 30-40 minutes but for local tourist from java island tanah Lot could reach from Kediri region located about 8 kilometers north of Tanah Lot and be important way (rush) Denpasar-Gilimanuk. The big……………..of Tanah Lot tourism object can not be let loose from Tanah Lot temple in the Midle of Beach for Praying, Hinduism come to Pura tanah Lot on foot across the beach. Just for five minutes, not too long. The beach water that must be accrosed undeep, just limit of knee.

Tanah lot temple established by Dang Hyang Dwijendra some one who has iron skill that live in majapahit kingdom in era 15. He comes to Bali for starting lofty Duty. Teach spiritual problems and social harmonization. By the Bali King that has power, Dalem Waturenggong Dang Hyang Dwijendra accepted and gived achance to spread Hindhu religion. In Bali, Dang Hyang Dwijendra establish some temples, one of them is Pura Tanah lot.

Beside Tanah Lot Temple and sunset view, there is another thing that proper enjoyed by tourist. That are sixs Pura the location in a row to the west from pura Tasnah lotwith walking for about 1 km, the tourist can find pura Pakendungan, Pura Penataran, Enjung Galuh, jro kandang Batu Bolong, Batu Mejan. All of that temple has unique, in Fact in the last Pura that’s Pura Batu Mejan be located in beach lips. There are 9 water sources out from under the beach and the water tasteless!. In order to enjoy all of interest places souronding Tanah lot tourism object, you must come early or before evening. After satisfied visit seven temples, in the evening you can enjoy sunset in the west part. Now, it’s time to leave from the beach (Tanah lot) But wait, have your hand bring the souvenir! Don’t worry because of that. In there, available art market that available some of crafts and Bali special food. The price, it’s cheap if you smart to bargain.

Bali Map


Bali Island



Bali Island, the perfect holiday destination for all ages offers something for everyone. Bali offers not just various customs but also various "adrenalin pump" parks. Many exciting amusements are available in Bali, with something new opening all the time. The number of offshore and inland attraction are on the rise because many tourists want them. This tropical paradise has a unique blend of modern tourist facilities combined with wonderful shopping and a rich past and heritage. After white water rafting that has gained popularity in Bali, comes offshore rafting or ocean rafting. The more adventurous sort of amusement has now become an alternative sport for tourists. Meanwhile white water rafting is still a popular activity with trips on Ayung, Telaga Waja, Unda Rivers, etc. The tourists can refresh their mind by watching beautiful scenery along the route. Those are not enough, some of the best surfing beaches in the world can be found on the western side of the island whilst conversely the eastern side is a wonderful haven for families, with beautiful white sand beaches and gentle seas.

Bali is small island, just 140 Km by 80 Km and lies between Java, the most highly populated and influential of all the islands, and Lombok, one of the quieter and moderately slower paced islands. Like many islands, Bali has developed a world of its own. It not only captures what is special about Indonesia but also has a uniqueness of its own.

The culture of Bali is unique. People say that the Balinese people have reached self-content. The Balinese people are proud of having preserved their unique Hindu culture against the advance of Islam, the dominant religion throughout Indonesia. This is still reflected in days to day life and can be seen in the numerous ceremonies, Balinese festivals and magnificent temples and palaces. The Balinese are skilled artisans, particularly in woodcarving and in fashioning objects of tortoiseshell and of gold, silver and other metals. The Balinese are noted for their traditional dance, the distinctive music of the gamelan and for their skills in weaving cloth of gold and silver threads, Songket, as well as for embroidering silk and cotton clothing. Stone and woodcarvings, traditional and modern paintings and intricately designed jewelry in gold and silver are readily available in shops and galleries throughout the island.

As for recreation, there is no shortage of options. Nature walks, horseback riding, diving, surfing - even bungy jumping and white water rafting - await the adventurous here.