Yogyakarta - Indonesia

When grief overwhelming, rise from misery remember your smile, I am entertained. Amid the anguish life, expect to take shelter and always want to return to you, Jogjakarta...
That’s the lyrics of the song Return to You, Jogja sung by experienced singer, Katon Bagaskara. Many say that if you ever visited the Special Region of Yogyakarta (SRY), it was believed that you would want to return to the city. Do not believe it? Just prove it!
Number of full tourism objects is enjoyable in the city led by Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X ranging from natural tour, art and tradition, the nation struggle history legacy and monument, museum to culinary tour.
In national tourism map, potential of SRY is in the second top seed after Bali. SRY has relative comprehensive tourism objects in term of physic and non-physic. Known as educational city, SRY also has quality human resources.
In addition, there are more or less 70.000 handicraft industries and other facilities like various accommodations and transportations, numerous food services, travel agents, and proper tourism support, and also tour security team support called as Policemen of Tour, locally known as Bhayangkara Wisata.
This potential is also backed up with the geographic condition which is situated adjacent to Central Java province that increases the variety of existing tourism objects. SRY tourism has attractive power such as good climate, variety scenery attraction, culture and history, friendly-community, lifestyle and proper prices.
More time must be made available when visiting this city for total 31 cultural tourism objects and 19 natural tourism objects will be visited. Number of tourism resorts with stable and unique characteristic like Palace, Prambanan Temple, and silver handicraft in Kotagede are important visiting itinerary.
In addition, there are still many tourism resorts to visit like Selarong Cave, Pandansimo beach, Gajah Mountain, Vredeburg Fort, etc. In the Palace of Yogyakarta Sultanate of Hadiningkrat, visitors will understand the Yogyakarta Sultanate histories of Hadiningkrat.
Number of historical collections of Yoygakarta Sultanate can be viewed including Regalia namely gold heirloom usually used and worn in new king coronation. Building and various Palace heirlooms of Yogyakarta Sultanate do not only contain the historical value but also ultimate philosophy of life.
Coming to SRY is not completed yet if not visiting the shopping center at Malioboro street. Row of shops and malls selling products of numerous trademarks, and streets vendors in front of those shops and malls peddling products with quality is almost as good as those sold in shops and malls. The interesting thing that prices of merchandises peddled by street vendors is negotiable to the lowest ones.

Weh Island

Weh Island is often referred to by the name of its capital. Sabang. It is the western most island of the Indonesian archipelago. Situated at the mouth of the Malacca strait is a sea passage for many yachts and cruise ships. Diving in Weh Island is a well-established recreational activity with dive masters and dive instructors ready to offer a variety of dives to sites like the fabled Sea Garden in Rubiah Island.

MENTAWAI Island

Located in the middle of Indian Ocean, 150 km and takes 9 hours trip from Padang, West Sumatra-Mentawai glowing with all the nature spirits and make it an extraordinary escaping spot from a hectic life. Mentawai is the natural habitat for 16 endemic species, and some of them categorized as endangered species e.g. Simakobu monkey (simias concolor-eat leaf as primary food).

The present life of Mentawai people categorized as the legacy from Neolithic era and they have a strong believe in nature spirit, for their life strongly affected by nature. They believe that nature is the center of life. All the genuine attributes make Mentawai a perfect place to gain cultural experiences, here you will notice a very fascinating and indigenous culture, like traditional cloths, art, music and the way of life. The entire culture attributes strongly reflects their respect to nature. Tattoo is one of the most important symbol for Mentawai people, its reflect maturity, manhood and status. The art of this body painting inherit from their ancestor. The tattoos ink naturally made from leaf.

Among the surfers, Mentawai is the best place to fill their demand for challenges and natures beauty. The beaches offer one of the highest wave in the world, 3 to 4 meters, totally challenge your gut. Once you grounded your self in this hidden Paradise Island, next you will paddle out to the worlds best surf. Dont call your self Surfer if you havent ride Mentawais waves said most of the surfer to expressed their surfing experiences in Mentawai.

There are four ultimate diving spot here in Mentawai ,Siberut, Sipora, Pagai Utara (north Pagai) and Pagai Selatan (south Pagai). You can find great waves here year round, but the best waves are during dry season, March to October. Make sure you have the gut to explore all the glassy waves, because the best way to entitled your surfing experiences remarkable is through finding your own.

How To Get To Mentawai Island
* Take flight from Sukarno Hatta air port, Jakarta to Tabing air port, Padang-west Sumatra (flight served every day)
* Trip from Teluk Bayur port, Padang to Mentawai island by Ferry

Bali Indonesia

Bali Island or frequently known as Dewata Island still becomes the mainstay commodity for Indonesia tourism sector from year to year despite of the Bali�s prestige had ever faded away due to Bali bombing tragedy but tourism affairs in that island are still the favorite destination to visit.
Population of Bali is about 4 million consisting of 92.3% Hindus and the rests are Moslem, Protestant, Catholics and Buddhist. The island that most of the population adhere Hindu indeed offers a million charms with exotic sceneries and cultures.

Most of Bali communities rely on their life from tourism sectors. However, fishery and agriculture which is known with the irrigation system, Subak, also play important roles for them to do a living.
Uniquely, amidst the aggressive assault of modern agricultures, this Dewata community keeps firmly sticking to its traditions. Specific rituals like ritual offerings remain done everyday by the community.

Thus, when visiting this island having incredible magical powers, we could feel the integration of local and global cultures in number of tourism destination resorts.

How To Get To Bali
gurah Rai airport is International airport to visit Bali by air, and crossing Gilimanuk seaport, Banyuwangi, East Java by Ferry for 30 to 45 minutes to Ketapang, and then to Bali can be taken if traveling by land. Meanwhile from Lombok, Nusa Tenggara Barat toward Bali is passed through Padang Bay seaport with transit at Lembar seaport taken for about 4 hours.

BUNAKEN

Ever fancy yourself being a mermaid? Being able to swim in tune with other creatures of the sea, flipping your bodies to the rhythm of the waves? In Bunaken Sea Park, you will encounter a real mermaid, and you can also view a glimpse of the sea life here.

Bunaken is an island of 8.08 km² at Manado Bay, situated in the north of Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. This Island is part of Manado city, the capital city of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. The Sea Park in Bunaken Island is as part of National Park of Old Manado Ocean.

In this Bunaken Sea Park, visitors can see various marine lives at the bottom of Bunaken Sea. To reach this park, you can go by sea transportation like motor boat. Visitors are charged 25,000 rupiahs per person for one visit. The trip to Bunaken Sea Park Location from Manado City takes 40 minutes by motor boat.

Translucent water of Bunaken sea enables people to view numerous sea biota clearly. There are 13 coral reefs in this park, dominated by edge ridges of rock and block ridges of rock. The most attractive view is the steep vertical sloppy coral reef as far as 25-50 meters high.
Feast your eyes with 91 fish types found in this Bunaken National Park, amongst other things locally known gusimi horse fish (Hippocampus), white oci (Seriola rivoliana), yellow-tail lolosi (Lutjanus kasmira), goropa (Ephinephelus spilotoceps and Pseudanthias hypselosoma), ila gasi (Scolopsis bilineatus) and so on.

Visitors may also meet with mollusk types like giant kima (Tridacna gigas), goat head (Cassis cornuta), nautilus (Nautilus pompillius) and tunikates/ascidian.

Viewing the underwater lives might not be sufficient to quench your curiousity. Especially when you are on land and the marine beings appear to be out of reach. For those who enjoy scuba diving, this is the great place to do so. With about 20 diving spots to choose from, divers will have the chance to swim under the sea, and frolick joyfully while admiring the sea creatures.

Make sure to visit Bunaken during its highlight season in May to August। That way you can explore this place to the fullest.

HOw To Get To Bunaken
Bunaken Island is easily reached from Manado by motorized outrigger boat start from Manado harbor, Molas, Kalasey and Tasik Ria beaches. The public boats from Manado to Bunaken are leaving daily around 2 p.m (depending on tide), except Sundays, from Pasar Jengki near Manado harbor. Back from Bunaken to Manado usually early in the morning, around 7-8 a.m

Visiting Indonesia

Entry Point Any one coming to Indonesia shall have at least 6-moth valid passport as of the arrival date and have permit document to pass. No Visa is needed for tourists from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, French, Greek, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italia, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Malaysia, Malta, Morocco, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippine, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, England, America and Venezuela. Free entry visa is also provided to delegates registered in a conference that is officially held. In addition, tourist visa can be obtained from every Indonesian Embassy or Consulate. Come in and out of Indonesia must pass number of specific gates, namely by air via Jakarta, Bali, Medan, Manado, Biak, Ambon, Surabaya and Batam; by sea via Semarang, Jakarta, Bali, Pontianak, Balikpapan, Tanjung Pinang and Kupang. The length of stay in Indonesia is permitted for maximum two months. Customs Office regulation in Indonesia allows to bring in 2 liter alcoholic drinks, 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 gram tobaccos and sufficient amount of perfume for adults. Number of items that needs special permit to be brought in Indonesia is car, photography instrument, and other electronic devices. All films and videos must be censored by Indonesian Film Sensor Agency. Then fresh fruits, plants, and animals should also have quarantine permit. In general, narcotics and weapons are illegal items to be brought in Indonesia.

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About Indonesia

Indonesia at a Glance
The word of “Indonesia” is coined from Latin word “Indos”, means ‘India’ and “Nesos”, means ‘island’. Both words mean Island of India, or islands existing in India. And event those two words are suitable with Indonesia condition having 17.508 islands, in where about 6.000 islands are occupied which are stretching along 5.510 kilometer between Australia and Asia Continent and divide Pacific and Indian Ocean on the equator line.

Indonesia comprising 33 provinces has five big and main islands, namely Sumatera (473.606 km2), Kalimantan 1539,400 km2), Sulawesi (189,216 km2), Papua (421,981 km2), and Java (132,187 km2). Those five islands are occupied by about 70 % of Indonesian people. Geographically, Indonesia is also grouped into four specific territories. First, Sunda Besar (Big Sunda) Island consisting of Sumatera, Java, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi.

Second, Sunda Kecil (Small Sunda) Island comprising smaller islands ranging from Bali Island to the East territory. Third, Maluku Island covering all islands situated between Irian Jaya and Sulawesi territory. And the last is Irian Jaya, the island situated in the most eastern part of Indonesia.

The capital city of Indonesia is Jakarta, a city with impressive histories and backgrounds. At the beginning, Jakarta was known as a seaport named Sunda Kelapa. The anniversary of Jakarta on 22nd June 1527 was stipulated based on the conquest history of Demak soldiers under the commander Sultan Fatahillah to subjugate the territory from Portuguese. The name of Jayakarta donated by Fatahillah for the conquered territory means “city with big triumph”. But the name of this city was changed from Jayakarta to become Batavia during the Dutch colonial.

As the capital city of the nation, Jakarta also plays role as governmental center, business and industrial hub. The city with 660 kilometer width is occupied by about 8 million populations and now Jakarta is growing as a metropolitan city that reflects the advancement of the nation economic, politic, social and industry.

History

Fossil of “Java Human” or Pithecanthropus Erectus was found in Trinil village, East Java by Dr. Eugene Dubois in 1809 giving rise to assumption that Indonesian land had been occupied since 500,000 thousand years ago.

As recorded in the history that extensive migration to the Indonesian islands was known to have occurred in 3.000-5.000 before Gregorian Calendar by Mongoloid tribe from China and Tonkin. This nation brought in new stone culture, bronze, iron and Austronesian language. The arrival of traders mainly from China and India also brought in Hindu and Buddha religion.

The legacy traces of both religions cover Hindu and Buddha temple heritages that were supposedly constructed during the kingdoms epoch. Borobudur temple constructed in Central Java, for instance, is one of the glorious evidence of Buddha and Sriwijaya Kingdom. Other temples like Prambanan, Penataran, and Dieng Plateau were the glorious evidence of Hindu religion in the history of Indonesia. And Islam entered into Indonesia since the arrival of merchants and traders.

Second, Sunda Kecil (Small Sunda) Island comprising smaller islands ranging from Bali Island to the East territory. Third, Maluku Island covering all islands situated between Irian Jaya and Sulawesi territory. And the last is Irian Jaya, the island situated in the most eastern part of Indonesia.

After the arrival of Portuguese in 1509, Dutch also invaded to control Indonesia as a colonial region at the beginning of 17th century. Initially Dutch controlled the region via VOC, which was then directly controlled by Dutch government since the beginning of 19th century to the World War II era.

By 1942, Japan was the only Asian nation colonizing Indonesia but surrendered in 1945 at the end of the World War II in Asia and also this was the opportunity for Indonesian to proclaim its independence on 17th August 1945.

Langguage
There are 583 languages and dialects spoken by the people of Indonesia and divided into number of ethnic groups. Number of specific local dialects amongst other thing is Aceh, Batak, Sunda, Java, Sasak, Timor, Dayak, Minahasa, Toraja, Bugis, Halmahera, Ambon, Seram, and Irian language. The national language of Indonesian is Indonesian language that is mostly similar to Malay language.

Climate
Climate in Indonesia is categorized into tropical climate. The seasons consist of rainy and dry season along the year. East season wind blows on June to September and brings about dry climate. In the meantime west season wind occurs on December to March bringing about rainy season. The change of two seasons intervened with hard rain. The hardest rain usually occurs on December and January with general humidity is 75% and 100%.

Flora and Fauna
A British scientist named A. R. Wallace created an imaginary line, which was then named as Wallace line dividing Asia and Australia fauna. This line overtakes Malay Island, between Kalimantan and Sulawesi; and between Bali (in the west) and Lombok (in the east). Theory that the Wallace presented explains the existence of fauna species in Indonesia is similar with those in Asia and Australia. However, Indonesia also has its original fauna like Orang Utan in Sumatera and Kalimantan, giant lizard or Komodo at Komodo Island, rhinos in Java, Wild ox, Tiger, and other protected species.