IMPIAN MONALISA

Descrizione punti di immersione

2012-01-28T06:39:00.001+07:00

Bunaken National Marine Park è stato istituito nel 1991, nel 2004 la rivista Asian Divers vota le pareti di Bunaken come le migliori dell'Asia. Ma Bunaken non significa solo una fantastica barriera corallina, sulla terraferma è possibile trovare anche interessanti "muck diving" spots.

Ci troviamo sul versante Est di Bunaken Island, a pochi minuti dalla tua immersione da sogno. Piccoli gruppi, Dive Master qualificati, accompagnamento speciale per fotografi, istruttore PADI europeo.

Godetevi il sogno ...

1./15. BUNAKEN TIMUR (Est Bunaken)

Posto di fronte a Raja Laut (1), questo sito è ottimo anche per lo snorkeling e presenta una magnifica barriera corallina con lussureggiante crescita sul top reef. È una scogliera molto lunga che copre tutto il lato est dell'isola, fra il villaggio di Bunaken e Sachiko's Point. Può essere divisa in almeno 2 o 3 punti di immersione (15). E' possibile osservare squali, barracuda, cernie, pesci napoleone, aquile di mare e una miriade di piccoli e coloratissimi pesci di barriera. Alcune volte ho scovato a fine immersione un blu ring octopus che si nascondeva tra i coralli.

Possibilità di fare una notturna notturna davanti al nostro Resort durante la quale è facile avvistare diverse specie di granchi (decoratore, spugna), squali bamboo, nudibranchi, serpenti di mare, murene, tartarughe verdi.

2. MUKA KAMPUNG (davanti al villaggio)

Situato di fronte al villaggio di Bunaken. Un ripido drop-off in cui siamo spesso in compagnia di aquile di mare, razze puntinate di blu, tonni, pesci Napoleone, coralli molli e fantastici nudibranchi, granchi, gamberetti. Rappresenta anche la location giusta per osservare l'accoppiamento di pesci mandarino in un tuffo nel tardo pomeriggio.

3. LEKUAN 1 (o Città' delle Tartarughe)

I 3 "lekuans" sono considerati la firma del "Wall Diving" per cui Bunaken e famosa nel mondo subacqueo. Un drammatico drop off di 40-50m seguito da un gradino e poi un nuovo precipizio nel blu. Facili gli incontri con enormi (fino a 2m) tartarughe verdi, squali (pinna bianca, nera), pesci Napoleone e "nuvole" di pesce di barriera: anthias, fucilieri, farfalla, balestra dai denti rossi. Molte specie di macro nel top reef, scorpioni (diavolo, Ambon, foglia ...) e pesci pietra.

4. LEKUAN 2

Reef a parete con molte cadute verticali, tagli, grottine e strapiombi. Ottimo il numero e la varietà di quasi tutti i tipi di pesci di barriera e di invertebrati.

5. LEKUAN 3

Un slope di sabbia seguito da pinnacoli e affioramenti fanno di Lekuan 3 un paesaggio subacqueo diverso dal solito. Lo "scenario" si trasforma poi in una parete verticale che sprofonda nell'oceano. Numerosi nudibranchi, pesci foglia, ghostpipefishes, pesci scorpione e tartarughe verdi, squali, dentici. Qui è possibile per un occhio esperto individuare il raro e piccolo (4 / 5 mm) Hippocampus pontohi (una specie scoperta di recente di cavalluccio marino pigmeo)

6. CELAH CELAH (crepe)

Un muro profondo con fessure grandi e strapiombi. Squali pinna nera e pinna bianca utilizzano le grotticelle per dormire fianco a fianco con grandi tartarughe verdi. I pesci coccodrillo sono un incontro piuttosto comune insieme a molte altre piccole "creature" nascoste nei crinoidi e nei coralli molli. Dato che si è al riparo dalle correnti principali è un classico sito d'immersione notturna.

7.ALUNG BANUA (dal nome del villaggio)

Alung Banua è un muro molto interessante per i fotografi macro. Pesci coccodrillo, pesci foglia, ghostpipefishes e frogfishes sono osservati spesso insieme a tartarughe verdi e molti altri pesci di barriera.

8. FUKUI (dal nome di un tuffatore giapponese)

Si tratta di uno slope di sabbia con cadute ripide. Qui si incontrano diverse "stazioni di pulizia" e i loro clienti. E 'possibile osservare jacks, barracuda, pesci pipistrello, tonni, dentici. Una zona sabbiosa è sede di una colonia di garden eels. Ad una profondità di 20-22 metri ci sono 5 Tridacna giganti (dimensione circa 1 metro ciascuna).

La corrente può essere forte a seconda delle maree.

9. RON'S POINT

Si tratta di uno slope sabbioso che lentamente passa ad una bella parete di corallo. Seguendo la sabbia si raggiunge un fondale con delle garden eels e ad una profondità di circa 30m il drop off. Nel blu è possibile vedere aquile di mare, tonnI, squali, barracuda. Nella parte alta caratterizzata da detriti di corallo si possono trovare murene, ghostpipefish, pesci foglia, nudibranchi, granchi (è possibile scoprire il fantastico boxing crab) e qualsiasi specie di anemone.

A volte soprattutto con la bassa marea e nel pomeriggio i dugonghi (vacche di mare) lasciano la laguna di sabbia e mangrovie dove pascolano e nuotano intorno al reef facendo la gioia di sub e snorkellers.

10. MANDOLINO (dallo strumento musicale)

Tartarughe, squali, aquile di mare, grandi "sciami" di fucilieri, pesci Napoleone, anemoni, murene e bellissime Acropore. Mandolino è un luogo con gorgonie molte e belle in cui talvolta è possibile avvistare cavallucci marini pigmei.

11. RAYMOND'S POINT

Una bella parete ricca di coralli duri e molli. I coralli a frusta sono molto abbondanti e il reef è ricco di pesce, compreso le grandi specie pelagiche. Squat Lobster crab nascosti nei crinoidi sono particolarmente belli e abbondanti.

12. MIKE'S POINT (dal nome di Mike Severns, fotografo subacqueo)

Grandi pelagici, pesci papagallo bufalo e pesci Napoleone, belle gorgonie, coralli molli. La corrente può essere piuttosto forte, a seconda delle maree.

13. TANJUNG PARIGI (L'angolo del pozzo: prende il nome dal villaggio)

Si trova nella parte settentrionale di Bunaken Island. immersioni a parete con Surgeonfish, Rabbitfish, pesci pappagallo, Jacks, tonni, tartarughe verdi.

14. SACHIKO'S (dal nome di una giornalista subacquea giapponese)

Spettacolare parete di caratterizzata dalla presenza di correnti medio-forti. Fantastico drift dive con la possibilità di individuare pelagico: tonni, barracuda, squali, napoleoni, Mola Mola (Pesci luna, con presenza di acqua fredda), jack, tartarughe, aquile di mare. Hard e soft corals con un lussureggiante giardino sul top reef.

16. PANGULINGAN (Nessuna spiegazione del nome)

È un tuffo fantastico a partire da una parete ripida e profonda che termina in una zona sabbiosa con grandi massi di corallo. Dopo aver superato il muro e cercato nel blu per grandi pelagici: tonni, branchi di carangidi, squali pinna bianca e nera, barracuda, tartarughe si raggiunge uno slope corallino a 20-25m. Lo slope è ricco di ogni tipo di pesci di barriera ed è decorato con coralli duri e molli. Gruppi di pesci pipistrello sono soliti nuotare qui. Una volta superato il pendio si arriva in area a 10-5m con grandi massi corallini in cui la ricerca è spesso premiata con bei nudibranchi, murene nastro, murene dalla bocca bianca, canocchie, granchi. Se la corrente spinge oltre è possibile lasciare questa zona e seguire il filo del drop off.
Una delle mie immersioni preferite dà al meglio con la presenza di medie e forti correnti.

17. Negeri (Village)

Tridacne, pipefish a bande, pesci pappagallo, angelo e numerosi pesci di barriera. A 30m su un pendio sabbioso sono possibili incontri con squali e grossi pelagici. Spugne a barile e una buona varietà di corallo morbido e duro.

18. BUALO (Nessuna spiegazione del nome)

Un muro magnifico con molte piccole terrazze e grotte, grandi spugne a botte e coralli molli.

20. Tanjung Kopi (angolo del Coffee)

Questo sito è spesso caratterizzato da forte corrente con una buona visibilità. Molti tipi di pesci pappagallo, Surgeonfish, balestra, e talvolta blacktip e squali martello. Vi è abbondanza di bei coralli molli, gorgonie e coralli a frusta.

21. Utara Siladen (Nord Siladen)

Un buon posto per vedere le tartarughe, dentici, pesci imperatore e angelfish. Un sacco di vita macro su fondale sabbioso.

22. Siladen

Un luogo ideale sia per snorkeling che per le immersioni. Notevole varietà di coralli duri e molli e diversi tipi di pesci di barriera. Il muro presenta molte piccole sporgenze tappezzate di coralli molli, idroidi, spugne e un sacco di "critters" da scoprire. Pesci Napoleone e aquile di mare sono ospiti abituali di questo sito.

23. Bango (dal nome del villaggio)

Pendio di sabbia con "critters" e colorati coralli molli.

24. GORANGO (Squalo in Manadonese)

Immersione in parete con presenza di coralli duri e molli. La presenza di squali rispecchia quella degli altri siti.

25. BARRACUDA POINT

Qui si può spesso osservare un grande "sciame" di barracuda (fino a più di 200 pezzi). Abbondanti altre specie pelagiche come tonni e jacks.

26. JALAN MASUK (la via per entrare)

Squali pinna bianca sono avvistati di frequente. "Sciami" di pesce di barriera tra cui diverse specie di pesci pappagallo. La corrente può essere forte a seconda delle maree.

27. Batu KAPAL (Il relitto delle pietre)

Barracuda e squali pinna bianca sono comuni. Gamberetti pulitori, pesci scorpione, diversi tipi di nudibranchi e seppie giganti. Possibilità di organizzare immersioni al mattino presto alla ricerca di squali martello.

28. TANJUNG PISOK (L'angolo del coltello)

Dopo una discesa sulla sabbia seguirà una bella parete ricca di spugne e coralli. Nel blu possibile è vedere gli squali ( pinna bianca o nera), tonni, carangidi, pesci pappagallo bufalo. Nella parte più superficiale del reef si osservano interessanti nudibranchi, gamberi e granchi.

29. MOLAS WRECK

Questa nave mercantile olandese con scago in acciaio fu affondata nel 1942 e ora si trova a 5 minuti dal Molas Beach. Il relitto è coperto di coralli e facilmente raggiungibile. Scendendo su una cima in compagnia di pesci di pipistrello è poi possibile raggiungere il relitto e il suo punto più profondo: l'elica destra giace a 40 metri. Spesso si osservano interessanti nudibranchi che "brucano" sulle lamiere, sotto lo scafo dormono grandi squali pinna bianca e nera.

Dopo 20-30 minuti di fondo si raccomanda di nuotare verso la spiaggia e finire l'immersione sul basso fondale di sabbia nera non lontano da Black Rock. In questa area muck diving è possibile trovare rari nudibranchi, pesci ago, anguille nastro.

30. TIWOHO (dal nome del villaggio)

Spot "Muck diving". Dopo la discesa lungo una cima su un fondale sabbioso a 17 m si raggiunge la barriera corallina e si nuota in direzione SE fino ad un angolo in cui di norma la corrente diviene piuttosto forte. A questo punto si inizierà il ritorno ad una quota più bassa terminando l'immersione nei pressi della boa di ormeggio. E' possibile osservare seppie giganti, ghostpipefish, anguille nastro, diversi tipi di nudibranchi, pesci pietra, pesci rasoio, granchi del corallo molle e numersi altri sorprendenti "critters".

31. BOLUNG

Spot "Muck diving". Si scende lungo una cima a circa 15 metri su un grosso masso di corallo. In seguito si segue il margine di sabbia a 8-10m in direzione S. Si scende in acque più profonde fino a ragginugere i 25 metri su un fondale sabbioso. Si ritorna poi seguendo patch di corallo. Possibilità di vedere cavallucci marini, frogfish, pesci coccodrillo a testa piatta, seppie, nudibranchi.

32. WORRY (dal nome del villaggio)

Spot "Muck diving". Fondamentalmente un plateau sabbioso poco profondo pieno di meraviglie. Differenti tipi di polpi sono di casa qui e tra loro l'incredibile mimic octopus, cavallucci marini, seppie, scorfani, razze, nudibranchi, pesci vacca, anguille nastro.

Questi sono i punti di immersione principali, ve ne sono molti altri meno conosciuti ma altrettanto belli, allo stesso tempo è possibile organizzare escursioni giornaliere all'isola di Bangka o immersioni "muck diving" sulla costa a S di Manado come BATA SKOTA, CITY EXTRA o POPOH.

Bromo has Back

2012-01-23T09:00:00.001+07:00

Impian Monalisa-The new show at 04.00 HOURS when dozens of people across the steep path up the hill in the village of Two Penanjakan Ngadisari, District Sukapura, Probolinggo, East Java, on Sunday (01/01/2012).

Cold weather and drizzle through the night did not make the tide of explorers. Beautiful scenery at sunrise and view of Mount Bromo, Batok, and Semeru tough side by side into the reasons people continue to roam.

In her gloves or a thick jacket of people waited patiently. Minute by minute, all such tirelessly watching the eastern horizon. Several others approached the stalls which opened local residents who provided food and warm drinks. "If sunny, four-thirty already seen the sun," said one trader.

Thick clouds blocking the sun was first published. Explorers was disappointed. However, disappointment paid off when darkness unfolds. Three mountain chains were welcomed warmly.

A year ago Mount Bromo is so quiet. Only a native of Tengger tribe who lived. Never mind the hill Penanjakan, Village Ngadisari usually crowded by tourists, too quiet. Mount Bromo is closed to tourism activities. Even if they still want to see, is only allowed from a distance of 3 kilometers.

A year later, the cars four-wheel-drive milling tourists back. The horses whinnied again ready to take tourists through difficult terrain. (Bahana Patria Gupta)

come on, Roving Chinatown Surabaya

2012-01-23T08:58:00.000+07:00

Impian Monalisa-If you are in Surabaya in January and February of this, do not miss to take a free tour with Surabaya Heritage Track (SHT). This time, SHT tour with the theme "Lunar Track" the nuances of Chinese New Year celebrations.
On the tour, visitors are invited to know the tradition of the Chinese community in Chinatown Suarabaya. Participants will see the unique traditions of the Chinese community in celebrating the Lunar New Year, as well as various snacks that are generally found in Chinatown.

Various Chinese communities typical snacks that can be learned on the program 'Lunar Track' this time is the pia cake cake basket, muaco, lauwa, thong chiu pia is the typical dish during Chinese New Year. Cakes are not only favored by the Chinese community, but also by the local community can be found on a visit to the shop and Chung Chiu Pia Pia Victory in Japan as the region Flower.
After studying philosophy confectionary typical Chinatown, the participants visited the pagoda Boen Bio, a Confucian temple in Surabaya. This pagoda was founded at the initiative of two prominent Chinese community in Surabaya, Go and Lo Tik Lie Toen Siong. Inaugurated in 1907, Boen Bio pagoda is a place the students to study religion, literature and civilization, according to the name 'Boen Bio' which means literature or civilization.
The route over which can be enjoyed on Friday and Saturday. While on Sunday the participants will be invited to visit the Hok An Kiong Temple, the oldest pagoda built in Surabaya since 1830. Initially, place of worship the people of Tri Dharma is a haven for immigrants from China.
Generally, they brought with them as well as statues Makcho, the patron goddess of sailors and fishermen, to disembahyangi at stopover sites. Gradually this developed into a residential area so it is necessary to build a temple as a place of worship and homage to Makcho or Ma Po Cou. At the moment Chinese New Year celebrations, this pagoda do Bwee Gee celebration.
Furthermore, participants will visit the house of Han families ash located at Jalan Rubber. The house was founded by Han ash Bwee Ko, a descendant of the Han-6 family, in the 18th century. History of the Han ashes home in Surabaya begins with the arrival of Han Siong Kong to Indonesia in 1673.
One of his descendants Bwee Koo Han came to Surabaya and was appointed Captain Chineezen der the Dutch colonial government representatives to become the leader of the Chinese in Surabaya. He then set up home in Chineezen Voorstraat are now called Jalan Rubber. Residential house is then a Han family ashes.
Ash house is a building which was founded by the family semarga and used as a synagogue in honor of ancestors. Although called a house of ashes, but actually in this house is not stored ash, but there are sinchi (spirit boards).
SHT "Lunar Track" is held every Friday-Sunday from February 20 until January 19, 2012. SHT thematic tour was held on an ongoing basis at certain periods in order to introduce interesting places and have historical value in Surabaya.
SHT tour can be enjoyed by tourists and the community at no charge Surabaya. Through a variety of tours SHT tracker not only enjoy a variety of heritage buildings, but also gain new knowledge and experience.

8 Tips When Lunar Cultural Tourism

2012-01-23T08:56:00.002+07:00

Impian Monalisa-Lunar new year is indeed a celebration for the Tionghoa.Walaupun you are not from ethnic Chinese, there is no harm come to enliven the Chinese New Year by trying to know the traditions and rituals during Chinese New Year celebrations. In addition to the experience, you can also can fill the weekend with a variety of cultural tourism activities.
Dishes enjoyed Yi Shang. Yi Shang became common dish eaten during Chinese New Year celebrations. Filled with hope and kinship, Yi Shang is a tradition that you should know. A variety of materials together in Yi Shang. Call it the salmon, jellyfish, carrots, ginger, radish, peanut, sesame oil, dumplings, candied nutmeg, onions and various other materials.

How to eat it was unique. First, squeeze lemon over salmon while saying the petition. Then spice powder sprinkled on Yi Shang China. After that, sesame oil is poured on top of Yi Shang.
Well, then the whole family that surrounds Yi Shang and stir together Yi Shang. Do not just stirred, but Yi Shang lift as high as say "Lo Hei". That said, the higher the Shang Yi was appointed, the better fortune in the lunar new year.
If interested in enjoying Yi Shang, you can visit the restaurants with a menu that provides a package of Chinese Yi Shang. Typically, several five-star hotel offers a promo during Lunar Yi Shang. Do not forget to bring relatives or friends to come eat Yi Shang. Because, Yi Shang a thick feel familiar and the new kekeluargan was fun if you enjoy it a gang.
Watching Puppet Potehi. Puppet Potehi glance at the figures remind Unyil memory. Potehi puppets made of cloth like a doll with a hole at the bottom. Puppeteer's hand going into the bottom of this to move the puppet. Art Wayang performances Potehi a typical Chinese thousands of years old.
There are various stories are staged Puppet Potehi, usually are the stories legends of country China. The most famous legend of Kera Sakti course. In Jakarta, some malls Potehi Puppet show for visitors. For example in Mal Ciputra Jakarta. However, you can watch a puppet Potehi in temples.
Viewing Making Lunar Trinkets typical. When the Lunar New Year, there are a variety of knick-knacks to the typical snacks that appear only during Chinese New Year. Call it like a cake basket, a large red candle which is used for worship, incense or incense, to the lanterns. In Jakarta, some of these items can be purchased in the nine plots.
But the place of manufacture located in Tangerang, Banten. For example incense factory in Kampung Melayu West, Dragon Bay. Want to see the making of the cake basket? Just stop by to where Mrs. Lauw also located in Tangerang. Or, watch the manufacture of large candles in Candles Lilian, Bandung, West Java. It is interesting to see yourself making a variety of objects typical of the Lunar New Year.
Stopped by the temple. It's very interesting to see firsthand how the Chinese celebrate the Lunar New Year. You can just stop by the temple to see the celebrations. Be prepared to face the crowd the people who came.
However, remember the temple is a place of worship. Therefore, you must be polite when they travel to the temple. If you come to the temple will be your first experience, you can try the following tips "Tip Been to Temple".
Historical tours in Chinatown. Chinatown in any city in Indonesia offers an interesting historical attractions. Starting from the ancient temples that reflects how the struggle of the Chinese when he first came to Indonesia, until the houses wealthy ethnic Chinese skipper.
You can explore their own histories that exist in Chinatown. It may also come with the usual history of the community held a historical tour. For example the Community Cultural Exploration hold regular themed tour the old city Lunar in Jakarta. In Surabaya, there is a free thematic tours are held Surabaya Heritage Track. The route is to explore the city's Chinatown district.
Icip-icip typical Lunar Snacks. In Chinatown usually start popping up various distinctive Lunar snacks. Call it cake basket, lotus cakes, cookies or cupcakes maho, cakes syringe, and the almond cake. Taste the direct and re-fit if your creativity. There is also a variety of sweets and fruits such as pears Lunar typical honey and lemon
Know The fate of Ciam Si. May believe, should not, but Ciam Si is very interesting to try. Ciam Si is the prediction based on the typical Chinese ancient poems. Some bamboo sticks like chopsticks placed in a container width of bamboo round. Each contains a number of bamboo sticks. Bamboo container then shaken to remove a bamboo rod.
Of the number listed on a bamboo pole, stay mencocokannya with papers that are available. Divination is a poem written in kanji, but take it easy, usually there is always translated in Bahasa Indonesian. Most of the temples have Ciam Si. Get permission and instructions for using Si Ciam to guard temples.
Photographed with cheongsam dress. If in your town there is nowhere photo services using the cheongsam, could not hurt to buy a new set of the cheongsam. In Jakarta, some places like Mango Two Sarinah and used to sell clothes on the eve of the traditional Chinese Lunar New Year.
In fact, sometimes the more people who do not celebrate Chinese New Year instead of buying the clothes. Choose a location that reflects the architecture attract Chinese cheongsam dress you wear. Then, photos with style as unique as possible.

Underground Tour You Interested?

2012-01-10T22:07:00.000+07:00

Impian Monalisa-MANY places that look beautiful on earth. We can enjoy it by hiking, tracking, using a bicycle, or other means of transportation. We can also ride a helicopter, Sky train, cable car, and other tourist objects for beautiful looks from on high or on the plateau.
We can dive or go to the underwater aquarium to enjoy the natural beauty under the sea. For those of you who can not swim and feared drowned like me, enjoy nature might just be seen above the earth. Uh, but whoa ... what about beautiful places in the basement?
Apparently there are many beautiful places hidden beneath the soil, also called underground tours. The attractions of this underground of course has its own uniqueness and interesting to explore. These places can be formed by natural processes or man-made as well.
Maybe the places underground in this article is not included in the top 10 list of the world, but it's still interesting to read.

St. Beatus-Höhlen or St. Beatus Cave in Interlaken Ost (East Interlaken), Switzerland. St. Beatus name derives from the name one of the saints in Switzerland. Legend has it, St. Beatus was born in Ireland about the year 20 AD. After graduating from religious schools in Rome, St. Beatus was sent off to Interlaken to spread Christianity. Once there, the cave is guarded by a dragon. St. Beatus slay the dragon and lived in the cave until the end of his life. A dragon statue now adorn the entrance to the cave to remind the struggle St. Beatus.
The key to the beauty of this cave is a stalactite and stalagmite that is in it. Stalactites are formed from the deposition of drops of calcium and other minerals. If water droplets are located on the roof of the cave, it will trickle down and stalagmite formed with the same deposition process.
Although the St. Beatus Cave has been used by humans in the stone age, this new cave opened to the public as a tourist attraction since 1904. Lights illuminate the cave reflect the light, adding to the natural beauty of the cave. Not to forget, the sound of splashing water to accompany your journey along it. It's amazing work of God through nature that formed during millions of years, and now you can enjoy in a day.
Pyramids of Giza in Cairo, Egypt
Umm ... who had never heard the word pyramid. For those who likes to read Tintin comics, must also have known this word since the first. Especially when Professor Calculus and possessed ill after returning from a search expedition mummy along with seven other scientists.
Construction of the pyramid can be more than 20 years and require 2.3 million limestone which each have an average weight of 2.5 tons. Pyramid was built as a tomb in the days of Pharaoh dynasties. Require that the king of ancient Egyptian culture and the royal family or a pet preserved through embalming events when they died as a mark of respect. This is what we now know the name of the mummy.
The curiosity of the greatness of the reign of King Pharaoh's interesting to see how the heck I was in a pyramid shape. Apparently, you have to scour along the hallway a few feet before it could reach the tomb where they used to store mummies. Hallway to the tomb deliberately made with a height of less than 1 meter, so we have to bend to track it down. This was made again and again as a tribute to the king.
Arriving at the base, you could stand upright again. In the first place where mummies lie. At that time, our chance to get into one of the three pyramids of Giza. Unfortunately not allowed to take pictures, so only keep memories without photo evidence, the term my friend, no camera picture, only a mind picture. There are few relics of the letters on the walls of pyramids hieroglyphics, but it's almost gone, either eaten by age or by human hands.
Cistern
Basilica of St. water reservoirs in Istanbul, Turkey, also called the Sunken Palace Cistern or Sunken. Cistern is located in the city of Istanbul, about 150 meters from Hagia Sophia. This place was built in the Age of Constantine's imperial king. History records, the old name of Istanbul was the Byzantine or Constantinople, taken from the name of King Constantine in the Byzantine era. This place was forgotten after Istanbul was conquered by the Ottoman Turkish army. St. Basilica Cistern was rediscovered in 1545. Water reservoirs was used to irrigate the gardens of Topkapi Palace.
Inside the Basilica of St. gardens are surrounded by massive pillars. You're lucky if you can find one of the pillars are carved with faces Mendusa. According to myth, Mendusa is one of the three most hideous creatures in ancient Greece. Creepy indeed to me, because the snake-haired Mendusa. This snake can change anyone who saw it to stone. Image of this creature used to protect the great buildings, one of them, yes, St. Basilica.
To see these historic relics, you should go down to the underground. Down the stairs to the Basilica of St. mystical impressed. The lights were beautiful highlight of this place and make the water sparkle like colored. There was a ripple of water from the fish that swim there. He said, required 7000 slaves to build this historic place. One again the work of man through slavery that can be enjoyed until now. Hope can be a useful lesson without having to perform a similar slavery. (Almeria Allen)

Learning in the Museum Danar Hadi Batik

2012-01-10T22:04:00.000+07:00

Impian Monalisa-Try to stop by the Museum Danar Hadi Batik, Solo, Central Java, if you have the opportunity to travel to this area. There, visitors can learn batik while looking at the process of making batik and cap. Starting from the initial sketches were drawn batik designs until batik dyeing and drying.
When visitors came, the guide will be invited into the museum to see the collection Danar Hadi batik batik pieces by the hundreds. Batik-style batik styled architect of Java with Javanese carving furniture. On the walls there are pictures of ornaments noni noni-Dutch wore batik cloth.
Fragrant flowers and delicious evening scent of jasmine blanketed the museum. The use of flowers in addition to a display room also to improve the quality of the collection of batik batik so durable. Visitors are strictly forbidden to hold the fabrics on display as a human hand contains salts that can damage the fabric.
Of the approximately 700 pieces of batik collections there are several collections of batik, which is divided from some kind of era. There was the era of Dutch batik, Chinese, and Javanese. Batik is an outstanding collection of Surakarta Palace, Mangkunegaran, Pakualam, and Yogyakarta. There is also a collection of batik Former President Megawati, and Iwan Tirta who is an expert on silk batik.
There are also displays of the tools of chemical materials, among others, wax batik and tools such as the process of making batik canting, cloth and batik stamp tool. Travel the original white cloth began to be drawn sketch to a batik, also exist.
Upon the satisfaction of seeing the museum, visitors can see the process of making batik and cap. Visitors can approach the hundreds of employees while at work writing batik or batik stamp to be invited to talk about the process of making batik.
The room is open for visits up to the manufacturer. They kindly explain the process of making batik. After you have finished writing and stamped batik, batik and then get the coloring process, then dyed and dried in the sun until dry.
This is the moment that is waiting to learn batik. Museum has provided a white cloth which were sketched pictures of flowers. Liquid material is heated and canting night has been prepared.
Begin guide teaches how to make batik. Canting canting dyed in the evening then blown then played follow the batik motifs on cloth that had been prepared. Apparently batik requires patience and perseverance of its own.
Visitors need a separate one hour to learn batik flower size is only 30 square meters. So be advised only if the price of a piece of batik batik expensive because it needs quite a long time. As an illustration, one month of the time it takes to make batik cloth size length of 3 meters in writing. (Asita DK Suryanto)

Record, the Louvre Visited by 8.8 Million People

2012-01-10T22:00:00.003+07:00

Impian Monalisa-Louvre became the most visited museum in the world. The museum is a record 8.8 million visitors in 2011. Collection which visitors usually want to see is the smile Mona Lisa, a painting by Leonardo da Vinci. The museum says, there is an increase of five percent the number of visitors in 2011, after three consecutive years the number of visits were at 8.5 million people.

Many tourists who visit the Louvre Museum is a tourist tourists from the United States and developing countries. As many as 66 percent of Louvre visitors come from outside France. Most are the United States, followed by Brazil, Italy, Australia, and China.

Meanwhile, the number visits to French museums are expected to continue rising more than five percent over the previous year to reach 27 million visitors.

In 2010, the Louvre also become the most visited museum in the world, then the British Museum in England is visited by 5.8 million visitors. In third place is New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art in the United States visited by 5.2 million visitors

The evolution of Batur Ended

2011-12-22T15:01:00.001+07:00

Impian Monalisa-Behind the beautiful scenery and unique culture Trunyan communities that live in deep, geological history of Lake Batur horrible store. The lake is crescent-shaped caldera formed by a series of powerful eruptions. The eruption that helped shape the landscape of the island of Bali.
Dutch geologist, Van Bemmelen (1949), called the Lake Batur in Kintamani, Bali, as one of the largest and most beautiful caldera in the world. With an area reaching 16.6 square kilometers, Lake Batur is the second largest caldera lake in Indonesia after Lake Toba in North Sumatra.
In addition to showing the beauty of the scenery, the extent of Lake Batur also illustrates the many volumes of material ejected during its formation.

Deadly eruption occurred about 29,300 years ago, beginning with vomit overlies 84 cubic kilometers (volcanic material). This massive eruption of Batur caldera formed first. Traces of volcanic material that was brought in the eruption spread to the north side of Ubud and Denpasar (about 40 miles from Lake Batur) with a thickness overlies up to 120 meters (Sutawijaya, 2000). For thousands of years, volcanic material was mined stone and is now the community into building materials.
The second major eruption occurred 20,150 years ago, spewing 19 km3 overlies and form a second caldera. At the base of the second caldera is then grown Batur Volcano.
Traces of this second major eruption in the complex revealed perfect Pura Gunung Kawi (approximately 21 miles from Lake Batur). Ignimbrite that forms cliffs up to 20 meters was carved into the complex to honor ancestral spirits, including the King Udayana. This temple was built around the 11th century.
Indyo Pratomo, a geologist at the Geological Museum of Bandung, describe the awesomeness that second caldera eruption through volcanic material outcrops in the cliffs around Besakih-Panelokan Road, 10 kilometers from the caldera of Batur. Outcrops that show a series of eruptions before the massive eruption which throws the contents of the magma chamber to the air up to 40 km.
Phase evolution
Dutch geologist, GLL Kemmerling (1917), concluded that the evolution of Mount Batur occur in five stages.
First, the volcanic activity that formed the old cone of Mount Batur to altitude of 3,000 meters above sea level. The second stage is a massive eruption that causes volcanic cones disappear by half.
This huge eruption that produced the first and remains the basis of the caldera caldera on the northwest side of railroad known as Kintamani. These steps are about 300 meters above the caldera second base.
The third stage is the formation of Mount Abang and other small volcano. Batur Volcano rebuilding followed the fourth stage, namely the destruction of volcanic cones. This second major eruption causing amblesnya first base and the loss of half of the caldera of Mount Abang body.
Van Bemmelen rate, the eruption was followed by the formation of Lake Batur crescent-shaped. This lake has the longest point of 13.8 km and 10 km with the shortest point of the high embankment of up to 2152 meters 1267 meters. Trunyan community, known as the Bali Mula, inhabiting the banks of the east side of this lake for hundreds of years. In fact, many findings megalithic cult around Batur indicate that this area has been inhabited since prehistoric times.
The fifth stage of evolution is the formation of the cone of Mount Batur volcano that began about 5,000 years ago and continued until today. However, the eruption of Batur Volcano young new existence since 1804 and has happened 28 times until 2000.
Wheller and Varne, researchers at the Department of Geology, University of Tasmania, Australia (1986), concluded, catastrophic eruption of Batur can be repeated. The conclusion was made after examining both the process of formation of basaltic magma of Mount Batur (dilute) to dasitik (very thick).
Magma dasitik, according to The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Surono, very thick and rich gas causing tremendous eruption, as happened at Mount Krakatoa erupted during 1883.
Wheller and Varne also found a similarity of chemical properties of rocks and minerals between Batur and Krakatoa. Although magma spewed Batur in 28 times the last eruption are basaltic, according Wheller and Varne, the nature of this magma could turn into dasitik.
Threat to the future
At the foot of the young volcanoes scattered settlements which follows the shoreline of Lake Batur. Since hundreds of years ago, people Trunyan has occupied the east side of the lake. In fact, human life around the lake is estimated to have occurred since prehistoric times, marked by numerous findings of worship characterized by megalithic stones.
Eruption occurred many times, leleran lava hit the settlements, ash and pyroclastic flows (hot clouds) did not make clear the basis of residents around the caldera.
Volcano Batur volcanic activity recorded from 1804 to 2000 was not such a paroxysmal eruption occurred at Mount Agung in 1963. Pyroclastic material being thrown into the air are concentrated in the caldera.
Dilute cause bursts of lava fountains that resemble a burning at night. Beautiful, but deadly. The beauty of the current eruption of Batur disguise traces of the deadly eruption and form part faces the island of Bali.
The evolution of Batur Volcano continues to run behind the panoramic beauty of the caldera. Nature works follow the arguments can only be guessed humans. The silence and the look of natural scenic always keep the risk in the country who wrapped the ring of fire.
(Indira Permanasari / Augustine Handoko / Ahmad Arif)

Pursuing Sunrise at Borobudur

2011-12-22T14:48:00.002+07:00

Impian Monalisa-Spy wistful, occasionally yawning. As if the body is forced waking in the early morning. They must resist sleep while the sun was still fast asleep. This tour group is not alone, together they have another group that originated in Japan and Malaysia.Although looks are still sleepy, they are still excited. The group is about to catch the sun behind the temple of Borobudur. Like Buddhist monks in ancient times, as if he were meditating and chanting prayers accompanied by a burst of sunrise.

Each person was equipped with small flashlights. Indeed, the group began the road to Borobudur temple in the night sky pekatnya towards dawn. A minimum of 4 hours, participants toured the Borobudur Sunrise package should be ready in ticket sales post is located in the area Hotel Manohara.Accompanied by a tour guide, the group moves toward the temple of Borobudur. Before starting up the stairs to reach the Borobudur temple on the top floor, visitors must pass through a security post for checked luggage as well as showing a special admission Borobudur Sunrise package.Although the troupe, the silence continues. Perhaps because it is still drowsy or enchanted charm Borobudur temple in the night darkness. Floodlights that illuminate the effects of Borobudur temple, like an oasis in the midst of darkness. So magical and mesmerizing eyes.Occasionally the sound of laughter and people chatting noisily. However, with a swift and friendly, the guides will be warned."We are not noisy. When it comes to the whispers only. We are sorry, because we wanted to keep her still. Foreign tourists come to this morning not only to see the sunrise, but also looking for peace such as meditation, "says a guide.Small lights from the flashlight began to enliven the street and while riding to the top floor of Borobudur Temple. Direct visitors to take their positions. Anticipated the appearance of the first sunlight that swept the Borobudur Temple.Unfortunately, when Kompas.com visited some time ago, the weather is not supported. December is not a good time to see the sunrise at Borobudur.Some guides explaining the best time is in July. When the weather is sunny, not just the sun that looks swell behind the temples and statues of Buddha, but also will appear silhouette of Mount Merapi and Mount Merbabu.When the sky began to clear, some Japanese tourists seem mencangkupkan hands, close their eyes, and prayed. Some say the puja facing the sun, but some overlooking the stupa symbolizes the Adi Buddha. This is so typical of the main stupa, because it is very large and are top of Borobudur Temple.To be able to enjoy the sunrise at Borobudur temple, visitors must purchase tickets at a price much more expensive than regular tickets. For local tourists will be charged Rp 220,000 and Rp 320,000 foreign tourists. This ticket price includes breakfast in the morning after you are satisfied to enjoy the Borobudur Temple.An impressive experience. The sleepy eyes slowly waking moment enjoying shy sky brightened. A silence of a peaceful and soothing. Just to sit and wait for the sun in silence felt was meditating.

Bali Hospitality Market Continues to Increase

2011-12-22T14:45:00.002+07:00

Impian Monalisa-Hospitality market in Bali continues to increase. This is evident from the growing number of tourist visits and the number of passenger aircraft. Provincial Government of Bali this year targeting the number of tourist arrivals and 2.7 million domestic tourists more than 10 million people.
"The potential that can be seen from the trend of an increasing number of passenger aircraft at Ngurah Rai airport, Denpasar. Central Bureau of Statistics of Bali Province noted in the first 6 months of 2011 the number of airline passengers who pass Ngurah Rai reached more than 3.54 million people," said Moedjianto Soesilo Tjahjono, President Director and CEO of PT International Intiwhiz Whiz in the inauguration of the Grand Hotel Kuta Bali, on Monday (12/19/2011).

Inauguration Hotel Grand Whiz Kuta done Cosmas Coal, Chairman Intiland accompanied Moedjianto Soesilo Tjahjono, President Director and CEO of PT Intiwhiz International and Director of PT Wira Winata Sutrisno Intiland Nusantara, the partners who built the Grand Hotel Kuta Whiz.
According Moedjianto, this number increased 15 percent over the same period last year as many as 3.08 million passengers. Consider this fact, Intiwhiz optimistic outlook hospitality business in Bali is very promising. Even if the competition is pretty tight, but the potential market has increased significantly from year to year.
"The potential market is not only from the tourism sector but also from business activities. It can be seen from the increasingly widespread implementation of the activities of MICE (meetings, incentive, convention, and exhibition) both regionally and internationally, "said Moedjianto in a press release Monday.
Intiwhiz is a subsidiary of Development Tbk PT Intiland engaged in hospitality management that manages the network Whiz Hotel. The Company is a hotel operator who will operate the hotel Grand Whiz Kuta Bali.
Whiz Grand Kuta is a three star hotel in strategic location, on Jalan Kartika Plaza, Kuta, Bali's major tourist areas. It only took 10 minutes to reach the hotel from the Ngurah Rai International Airport, Denpasar.
The opening of the hotel adds to the list of hotels from the network Whiz Hotel which had been operating until today. Intiwhiz previously operated two hotels namely Whiz Hotel Semarang in November 2011 and Whiz Hotel Yogyakarta in October 2010.
Grand Opening Whiz Kuta became an important stage for Intiwhiz to be present on the island of Bali. In addition to the Kuta area, the network Whiz Hotel will be present also in two other prominent tourist areas in Bali, the Legian and Nusa Dua.
"As one of the world tourism magnet, natural that the hospitality market niche in Bali is very large, both domestically and internationally. We understand the competition hotels in Bali are very strict, but also continue to increase the level of need, "said Moedjianto.
According Moedjianto, Grand Whiz Kuta one of the hotels in the network Whiz Hotels with a scheme developed in collaboration with strategic partners. "We want to develop a network together Whiz Hotel investor to achieve success together," he said.
Along this line of business development strategy of hospitality, Intiland Whiz Hotels continues to expand its network in several cities in Indonesia. Development strategy is pursued through various schemes, such as strategic cooperation with landowners, build-operate-transfer (BOT), as well as management of the hotel operator.
Intiland committed to presenting Whiz Hotels in various cities in Indonesia. Whiz Hotel will be present in Medan, Pekanbaru, Jakarta, Bogor, Bandung, Surabaya, Malang, Palangkaraya, Balikpapan, Manado and Makassar.
Why Kuta?Selection of hotel construction site in Kuta area, consider this area a major tourist destination and one of the centers of tourism development in Bali. Kuta developed into a favorite tourist area that provides various facilities such as hotels, restaurants, spas, and a variety of organizing entertainment activities.
Sutrisno Winata explains, this hotel occupies an area of 2,000 square meters and consists of two buildings as high as four and five floors, as well as a basement floor for parking facilities.Central Bureau of Statistics of Bali Province noted in the first 6 months of 2011 the number of airline passengers who pass Ngurah Rai reached more than 3.54 million people
The hotel provides 135 rooms that are divided into three types-standard, deluxe and junior suites. Each room type has a size large enough and equipped with adequate facilities and a variety of wireless internet networks. The hotel also features a swimming pool, restaurant, meeting rooms, lobby bar, and spa.
"We provide many additional facilities for adjusting the target market that is more directed to travel rather than business. We believe Grand Whiz Kuta can be one of favorite hotel for people who want to stay in the Kuta area, "he said.
Sutrisno said he was happy to be part of the network Whiz Hotel. He believes under management Intiwhiz, Grand Whiz Kuta will grow rapidly and become a reference for tourists who want to stay in the area of Kuta. Moreover, apart from in Kuta, Intiwhiz also present Whiz Hotels in other tourist areas in Bali.

When Rosso Divide Batik Sciences.

2011-12-22T14:43:00.003+07:00

Impian Monalisa-LEARN batik at Yogyakarta may be familiar. But in Batik Rosso, not just instruction to learn batik using canting and night. Rosso, a renowned batik artist who is also known on the international scene, with beautifully combines batik and performing arts.I never determines its price. I never received a student here, often also foreign guests.- Rosso
Rosso's work itself has crossed the globe in punjuru world. At home as well as his batik workshop, located at Jalan Wonosari, Bantul, Yogyakarta, sharing his knowledge to anyone who wants to know batik in depth.
That batik is not just the result but the process of yarn to become a fashion. The use of natural color that is characteristic of batik Rosso gives an uncertainty. No guarantees, for example, produced a red color similar to red before. However, therein lies its uniqueness. As life's uncertainty.
Rosso featuring a batik stage. Dance and gamelan wasp which implies the philosophy of batik. He speaks in a dance movement that presents batik as her dance partner.
Visitors who come to the workshop owned by Rosso was like getting more experience. Like a complete menu package, visitors will learn batik, gamelan learn, to learn to dance.
These lessons are certainly not all. There should not be missed to get around the house batik Rosso. Increasingly enter into, you will pass many fruit trees. After that, be prepared enchanted by the fabric-colorful batik cloth stretched in height.
Occasionally batik fabrics are dried wet flapping in the wind. Looked so beautiful as the graceful movements of dancers dressed in brightly. Then walked over to the inside, you'll see the process of batik batik and batik.
You can see where the manufacture of color and the coloring process. Batik Rosso using natural dyes. All dyes made from plant materials without any synthetic dyes. So that any waste produced is safe for the environment.
For example, processed mango leaves to obtain a green color, while turmeric and jackfruit skins to get the color yellow. Because it uses natural materials, dyeing process even longer. Need dyeing process over and over again.
Finished looking at the process of making batik, you can go upstairs to the rooms for rent. At first glance like a full stage house charming carvings. Exotic alloys and full of detail. Navigate to the right steps and you welcome a paddy field. This is a favorite spot for photos.
These rooms are rented for the batik enthusiasts or simply seek the peace of the countryside typical of Yogyakarta. Or, not satisfied to learn Javanese batik and art in a day, then the Stay and Rosso happy to share knowledge. Then how much it costs to stay per night?
"Hmm ... I never determines its price. I never received a student here, often also foreign guests. We prepare breakfast and perfunctory. Issue of costs to stay, I was confused too when asked how much it costs. Importantly, I was happy to get a friend to chat and discuss, "said Rosso.
An answer such an uncertain life. Because it is essentially studying batik is a simple lesson about life. And, a science will live if distributed.

Itiak Lado Mudo The Hot Spicy Food From Bukittinggi

2011-11-29T18:05:00.001+07:00

When you are a fan of hot and spicy food maybe you should eat Itiak Lado Mudo. Itiak Lado Mudo or Itiak Lado Ijau itself is a duck meat in green pepper curry. It is very hottest spicy food, just to remember that you have to brought a lot of tissues to wipe out your sweats. It is an angel but also a demon taste of food, even you try to watering the duck meat the hot and spicy flavor will not remove from it. Everything so perfect, the hot spicy flavor and a soft duck meat are mingle in one tone taste; and also its will serve with a slice of cucumbers and karupuak jangek. Karupuak jangek is a chips from skin of cows.

Just come and taste the itiak lado mudo at Rumah Makan Ngarai which is locate at Jalan Ngarai Binuang, Bukittinggi – Indonesia. It is at Ngarai Sianok bottom level exactly took place. Very nice place for your culinary tourism and also nature tourism, and do not worry if you want to brought as a souvenir the frozen itiak lado mudo are serve to carry back home. Have a nice meal! /r.j

Rendang The Minang Cuisine

2011-11-29T18:04:00.001+07:00

here

Rendang or ‘Randang’ in minang language is the famous cuisine from Minangkabau, not only in Indonesia but also at overseas. Rendang always served at Minangkabau ceremonial occasion, it is one of some peculiar foods that Minangkabau have.

Rendang mostly made from beef, but sometimes chicken, duck, water buffalo, mutton or even some of vegetables like jack fruit also could be another kind of Rendang.

To make Rendang we need a lot of spices, which are: ginger, garlic, red anions, chillies (red and ghost chillies), lemon grass, galangal/ wild ginger, turmeric leaves, nutmeg and others. Then we need coconut milks to mix all spices with beef. Making wet Rendang or also known as ‘Kalio’ not take much time to cook. But when we want dried Rendang are need two or three days cooking, it can be kept for three or four months without moldy. /rj

MINANG COVE RESORT

2011-11-29T18:02:00.001+07:00

If you're looking for a natural setting, with all its unspoilt splendors Warm , clear water, teaming with tropical fishes and resident turtles, virgin rain forest hosting a spectacular array of flora and fauna. High mountain peaks soaring up from the islands coastline, provides breathtaking scenery.Only at Minang Cove Resort.

Bar
Restaurant
Sun Deck
Tour Boat
Snorkeling Area
Kids Fun
Jungle Trekking
Snorkeling
Diving
Island Tour
Canoeing
Fishing
Golf

Bukittinggi Travel Destination

2011-11-29T18:01:00.001+07:00

Anai Valley Waterfall
Anai Valley environment is admirable. Dense tropical forest is impressive and is a protected forest. Didasarnya Batang Anai river flowing with clear water and looking a 40-meter-high waterfall close to the highway.

Clock Tower
Clock Tower is a building of high rise tower with magnificent, distinctive Minangkabau roof, situated in the middle of the town of Bukittinggi. Clock Tower a landmark and symbol of the town of Bukittinggi, built on a hill called Mount Enclosure Buffalo at the time of the Dutch Government in 1827 by Contraleur (City Secretary) Rook Maker. From the top of the tower we can enjoy and see how beautiful nature around the town of Bukittinggi is decorated Mount Merapi, Mount Singgalang, Mount Sago and Sianok canyon. In addition, the Clock Tower is also useful as a guide for local communities to know the time. What is unique in the Clock Tower is the number 4 is written IIII.

Fort de Kock Fortress
The fort was built in pincak in the town of Bukittinggi in 1825 at the time of the popular resistance led by the Tuanku Imam Bonjol and Nan Tiger Salapan against the Dutch. The fort is still around we can see an ancient cannon period of the nineteenth century AD. Spacious place has been decorated with a garden as a place to watch the height, Sianok canyon and surrounding hills are ancient cannons and building the fort. This is the best place in Bukittinggi watch the Sunset.

Lombok Island, Thousand Island Pearls

2011-10-06T01:27:00.001+07:00

The island of Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, is an island of a thousand pearls. Everywhere many sellers pearl jewelry. Starting from the hotel lobby, street vendors, area attractions, until every corner of the city, there is always a pearl sellers.
Even so, prices remain expensive sea water pearls. Price per gram of the white start around Rp 250,000 and the most expensive brown around Rp 350,000. So one grain brown pearl that weighs five grams only be worth USD 1.75 million. Sea pearls sold at a price per gram in the shops just a big pearl in around the city of Mataram. Price per gram of sea water pearls its size depending on weight. From Rp 250,000 to Rp 500,000 per gram depending on the size.

The larger grains of sea water pearls, for example, weighing five grams, increasingly expensive price per gram, can be about Rp 500,000 per gram. The total could be USD 2.5 million for the pearls.
A good pearl white and brown are seen clear, smooth and tends to round. There is also a round shape and there are small bumps that form a natural sea water pearls can not be formed in the shells.
But freshwater pearl price is very cheap. The shape is oval like an egg most of the pigeons. Freshwater pearl colors are pink and white.
Freshwater pearl that has been tied up in rings, earrings, and necklaces that use only silver lining for Rp 10,000-Rp 20,000 per piece. But sellers pearls hung in there to open a tourist area prices with the price three times the actual price. You have to dare to offer a third the price.
Gold sellers in the city of Mataram sell pearls complete with rings, necklaces, earrings that have been so tied up with pearls. Buyers can choose a variety of gold jewelry at a price of Rp 475.000 per gram.
While the price of pearl jewelry tied calculated separately depending on the weight of the selected pearls. So if you buy two grams of gold rings Rp 475.000 per gram, meaning a total of Rp 950,000.
White Mutara purchased weighing 2 grams at a price of Rp 200,000 per gram, then the total cost of Rp 400,000. So the total price of the ring to be paid amounting to Rp 1.35 million for two grams of gold rings and pearls as fastening two grams.
Regional sellers of gold and pearls of the most famous in Mataram is Sekarbela area. Along Jalan Sultan Kaharudin these sellers gold and pearl shops lined on both sides along the road.
While the pearl-producing areas on the island of Lombok is Sekotong Beach, West Lombok. Can be reached by car and a half hour from the city of Mataram. There, tourists can see the sea pearl cultivation process. Tourists can see the pearl oysters were injected in order to form a large sea water pearls (Asita Suryanto DK)

tourists like Hotels in slope

2011-10-06T01:26:00.000+07:00

Foreign tourists who come on holiday many choose the hotel which was built on the slopes of a cliff or ravine as a place to stay in Bali. They feel the hotel provides a magical atmosphere for the residents.
Condition that is one cause of many hotels springing up in a friend ravine or cliff in a mountainous area in Bali, including in Ubud. This was revealed by Dewa Nyoman Bali tourism observer Putrawan in Denpasar, on Wednesday (05/10/2011).
He describes the desire of foreign tourists who travel to the island appears to exist a fundamental change. If in the year 1970-1980's, the hotel accommodation that they like is that there are white sandy beaches.

But lately, he said, many travelers prefer to enjoy solitude or spiritual tours. Therefore, said Putrawan, entrepreneurs in the industrial sector to develop tourism accommodation river ravine and valley.
He said one of the pioneers of tourism of this gap is I Wayan Munut, who bought land on the riverbank in Kedewatan, 35 km northeast of Denpasar He built a cottage with an attractive natural scenery. Package tours of this type, still favored today by domestic and foreign tourists, especially equipped with spa facilities.
"It appears that many foreign tourists attractions like ravines, valleys and rivers," said Putrawan.
Putrawan explain an increasing number of foreign tourists are coming on holiday to Bali, generally want peace of mind. This is because the country has been busy from the various activities that are very tiring.
Foreign tourists seeking tranquility in Bali today is more like staying at a hotel or villa on the edge of the river (the gap) or on the slopes of cliffs which are mostly located in rural areas.
Bali is considered capable of presenting a silence, then it is not surprising that the number of foreign tourists who flew directly to Bali increased from the country a lot.
Appropriate records Bali Tourism Office that the number of tourist arrivals to Bali until August 2011 some 1.8 million people, increased to 10.4 percent when compared to same period in 2010 only 1.6 million people.

A Touch of Modern Versatility

2011-10-06T01:19:00.003+07:00

Four years after launching her own contemporary women’s line, Ardistia New York, in the Big Apple, designer Ardistia Dwiasri is now set to dress up Indonesia’s stylish urbanite.

She showcases the line’s true identity, which is simple, elegant, modern, timeless, versatile and easy to wear, in Ardistia New York’s signature collection 2011-2012.

The signature collection was recently presented in Style Soiree, a fashion event hosted by InStyle Indonesia magazine dedicated to showcase the creative works of Indonesia’s fashion talents.
Designer Ardistia Dwiasri presents signature collection 2011-2012 of her award winning New York based ready-to-wear fashion line, Ardistia New York. JP/P.J.Leo
The Relaxed Elegance collection displays the line’s bestseller pieces from its recent collections as well as some new designs, which are exclusively launched here in Indonesia.

“I want the public to view my design as symbol of elegance, modern and easy-to-wear. And of course, versatility, meaning one outfit to fit any occasion for anyone who adores fashion,” explains the alumnus of Parsons School of Design, New York, about her real-life approach to dressing.

Comprising beautiful staple basics with surprising details, from ruffle sleeves to origami detail, the collection conveys sweet and feminine blouses, skirts, dresses, short jumpsuits and pants in lush jersey and silk fabrics that are cleverly teamed up with clean-cut, structured jackets and trench coats.

It simply creates up-to-the-minute multi-look pieces with understated charm that can be worn at any time of the day.

“I always interpret my designs as modern, timeless and mixtures of architectural concepts inspired by European art and cultures,” Ardistia says.
JP/P.J.Leo
For this collection, Ardistia has fused the Grecian-inspired draping technique in several knee-length dresses; some are combined with flirty front and back geometric cut-outs.

“I have taken historic elements and incorporated into something modern and timeless. And draping is one of the techniques that combines structure and softness that is figure-flattering,” she says.

Some blouses are also adorned with softer draping as well as sexy wrapping in loose cutting.

Continuously fascinated with the jackets and coats, Ardistia also showcased her exquisite trademark designs, such as the black Quitelle jacket with pleated detail and kebaya-reminisce cuttings as well as the ultra-chic Amabelle coat taken from the Autumn/Winter 2010 collection.

These fashion-forward pieces make the perfect statement for office meetings and social gatherings.

“I personally love jackets and coats and got inspired a lot by menswear, historic uniforms, and the power of what great outerwear can do,” says Ardistia, who never creates a collection without a gorgeous jacket or two.

Flaunting a blend of bright summery tones, such as orange, citrus, and exotic green with neutral colors, including vanilla and black, the collection is refreshing to the eyes yet tastefully executed – from the attractive black and white cropped jacket to the fluid green and black maxi dress.

“I really love nature. And the bright orange, citrus, and green remind me of relaxation and freedom. Personally, I think these colors can represent those feelings. At the same time, the color combination is just perfect to interpret my design concept: Timeless and easy to dress.”

As for the top notch quality, there is no doubt about it. The soft, comfortable jersey and luxurious silk used for this collection have been carefully selected by Ardistia to keep the international standard. The line only uses the finest fabrics imported from Italy, Japan, Korea and other European countries.

Although primarily catered to women aged from 25 to 55 years old, the Ardistia New York has transcended its sophisticated appeal to teenagers, college girls and even women over 60, who wear the clothing with confidence.

“It basically reflects my concept: Simple and easy to wear collections which suit everyone!”
JP/P.J.Leo
The contemporary spirit of her designs has been noticed since her first collection in Spring/Summer 2007, which later secured her a Fashion Award from Biore/Gen Art in October 2007 and a profile piece in WWD April 2007 issue as “New Designer to Watch”.

Ardistia’s impressive fashion experiences include an internship stint with Diane Von Furstenberg, a technical designer with Tommy Hilfiger and a freelancer for the GAP and Ann Taylor.

And recently, Ardistia has added her resume when the Women’s Mafia announced her as the winner of the “Are You Runway Ready?” fashion contest in February 2010.

Now, ready to expand her award-winning line in her home country, Ardistia is planning to enter the e-commerce market to cater to the local fashionistas while expanding the brand’s exposure to the wider Asia Pacific region.

“In the past few years, I was busy setting up a strong base and securing a good foundation in New York, since the brand is a New York-based line,” explains Ardistia on why it took her four years to introduce her fashion line to the public here.

With the new collection, she has shown her determination to serve the strong and growing number of clienteles in Jakarta. Welcome home.

Sianok canyon that served "Delicious"

2011-09-28T16:04:00.001+07:00

Impian Monalisa-Dish in the universe, chew with curiosity. Because the feelings that lay behind it you will not find in the desk ... .. (The Journey, Gola Gong, 2008)
An introduction is presented Gola Gong in his book The Journey, published last year looked at the beauty of the canyon ringing when Sianok in Bukit Tinggi, West Sumatra. How might O God? How can it be like this?
Sianok canyon are the two hills which stand facing the wall nearly perpendicular. Height of about 100-120 meters long and about 15 km. The walls form a kind of ravine where there are vast stretches of paddy fields and bend in the river at the bottom. At the top of the canyon covered with trees or grass.
The canyon is divided into two parts location, region and Mount Singgalang Bukit Tinggi. If you enjoyed from Panorama Park is deliberately constructed by local governments in the area of Bukit Tinggi, Sianok looks stunning beauty of the canyon. Rock is very tough, not being changed despite the heat and the rain turns.
Indeed, herein lies the Gorge Sianok privilege. Especially at sunrise and almost drowned. Various foreign tourists even admitted to not feel complete if you do not visit the canyon Sianok in their travel itinerary to Indonesia. Apart from Panorama Park, the beauty of the canyon Sianok can also be enjoyed with a drop straight to the bottom jurangnya which is a residential area and population rice fields.
If you want to enjoy the beauty of the canyon from Panorama Park, visitors only need to pay a levy of Rp 3,000 per person. In Panorama Park, visitors can also enjoy Japanese tourist sites located hole in the basement area Sianok canyon. Just need to pay for the guide again around Rp 20,000.
Panorama Park Location Sianok canyon itself is located in the town of Bukit Tinggi. The distance is less than 1 mile from downtown Bukit Tinggi, the Clock Tower area and Upper Market. Visitors can reach it either by private vehicle or by foot while enjoying the cool air of Bukit Tinggi. In the Panorama Park area, provided cottages for visitors to relax and enjoy views of the canyon while occasionally see the agility of monkeys that live freely in the gorge area of the park. If you have food, share a little to them. But his name the animals, surely they would wait to be given food again.
Inside the park there is also a mini theater that occasionally is used for cultural performances at certain times. If standing on the rock stage, eyes wide broom becomes wider and the beauty of the cliffs that lined increasingly makes amazed.
The beauty is that it never be missed by many photographers and painters immortalized for local and foreign tourists. Similarly, as understood by people around the canyon. They sell various souvenirs that help the visitors to continue to commemorate the beauty of the canyon and be grateful it if it is returned to the region of origin.
In the north the park, there are souvenir stalls that offer T-shirts, bags, knitted, rattan handicrafts to paintings that record the canyon Sianok virulence. T-shirts and clothing with a special motif sold at price range of $ 30000-75000. Meanwhile, the painting on canvas of various sizes are sold at Rp 5,000 to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Walking up to the northern end of the park, there is a tower as high as 20 meters. Admiration onstage mini theater degree increases when climbing the stairs of the tower and found that the facts of nature that is being stretched is not manmade.

Malin Kundang greeted at Sweet Water Beach

2011-09-28T15:58:00.000+07:00

Impian Monalisa-When asked at the 90s generation to the top, so entrenched myths associated Malin Kundang two phrases "Son of lawless one". A son who cursed his mother into stone because they do not recognize his mother again after a successful return from the overseas country. But it's pretty amazing if the remnants of a story full of moral values is a real recorded on a beach in the area where this story takes place, West Sumatra.
Sweet Water Beach, the name. On this beach there are piles of stones which is believed to be a form of Malin Kundang and all the ships, which certainly has become a stone. Malin Stone in a kneeling position while the device ships scattered around it.

Every visitor who came to Sweet Water Beach, the area of stone Malin Kundang be the first place visited. They pose and take the best pictures in front of the stone Malin Kundang.
However, the beauty of rolling waves but not too high as well as views of Mount Padang make Sweet Water Beach to complement the charm of Sweet Water Beach impression for the community of West Sumatra or the tourists from outside. Rolling waves on the beach as if a silent witness to the story of Malin Kundang hundreds of years earlier.
Down the beach is a fun job while occasionally letting feet wet by waves romp. Swimming also seems to be activity that sounds interesting to cukuup done in this area. So, prepare a change of clothes if you want to come to this beach.
About 500 meters from the scene of rock Kundang Makin, visitors can begin the journey to Little Banana Island across from the beach by walking less than 500 meters. The depth of water between Sweet Water Beach and Little Banana Island is not too deep so it can be traveled by foot, although the actual number of the community also rents small boats to cross.
Deepest point is only as high as the adult stomach. But, eits, this can only be done before the evening arrives. Around 16:00, the water usually starts tide beach. Therefore, visitors are advised to return from the island's area of 1 hectare to Sweet Water Beach before the late afternoon.
Small Banana Island, visitors can sit in huts that are there and enjoy the sea and beach. If you decide to stay at the Big Banana Island, visitors can stay at home resident or bring your own tent equipment.
In addition, from the edge of Sweet Water Beach Similarly, visitors can go to the Island Sikuai with travel time approximately 2.5 hours to try out various water attractions, such as surfing and diving. Sikuai island famous for its white sand.
Sweet Water Beach is located 15 miles from the center of the city of Padang, right on the Gulf District of mourning, Padang District. Therefore, spend all day at Sweet Water Beach and back to Padang in one day is not impossible.
But, do not forget to buy souvenirs in the form of coral reefs and shells of various shapes and sizes priced between $ 5000-50000. if interested in looking for socks and clothes smelling of West Sumatra, visitors can also buy them at kiosks around the coast.

Sichuan Gansu Qinghai Tibetan Area 6 days Overland Tour

2011-07-04T06:56:00.000+07:00

Leave Chengdu by flight to Jiuzhaigou-Huanglong airport, then drive to visit Huanglong national park for sightseeing, after that, we will drive to Jiuzhaigou and stay there. Overnight: Jiuzhaigou Xingyu Hotel.

Day 2: Jiuzhaigou full day sightseeing.
After breakfast, we will enter Jiuzhaigou, taking the sightseeing bus as well as hiking wherever you like to visit the three valleys of this national park, Rize valley, Zechawa valley and Shuzheng valley. In the evening, we can see the Tibetan and Qiang minority culture show at an opera center near our hotel. Overnight: Jiuzhaigou Xingyu hotel.

Day 3: Jiuzhaigou-Chuanzhusi-Ruo'ergai-Flower lake-Langmusi
Leave Jiuzhaigou in the morning, we will pass Chuanzhusi town, then driving on the Ruo'ergai prairy grassland, en route, we can visit a local nomad family by entering their tents on the grassland with yak and sheep herds wandering nearby. Sometimes, the warm-hearted hosts will invite us to have a cup of butter tea to show their welcom. In the afternoon, we will go to visit the flower lake where we can see a lot of wild flowers are growing under the water in the lake. Actually, the flower lake is a large area of wet land. In the evening, we will arrive at Langmusi town located on the border between Sichuan and Gansu province. Overnight: Langmusi Hotel.

Day 4: Langmusi-Xiahe
Today, we will visit 2 Tibetan buddhist monasteries, one is Gerdi monastery on Sichuan side and the other Langmusi on Gansu side. These 2 monasteries are also Buddhist Colleges with thousands of young monks studying here. Most of them are from the tibetan families of the nearby provinces like Sichuan,Qinghai and Gansu. Some monks carve on the wooden boards to make them the printing models for Buddhism scripture printing. At the back side of Gansu Langmusi monastery, there is a air burial site where the corpse of the Tibetan people are cut into pieces and fed to the eagles and hawks. The uneaten bones are left here and there on the platform. On Langmusi town, it has a famous small western food restaurant Lisa's Restaurant. It serves apple pie, coffee, pan cake, fried eggs etc. For those foreigners who have stayed in China for a long time, it is a good place to taste some western food here. After the sightseeing, drive to Xiahe. We will drive on the endless grassland on Southern Gansu grassland, the yak herds and sheep flocks are dotted on the green blanet-like prairy while some cloud is floating in the deep blue sky. Overnight: Xiahe Wangfu hotel.

Day 5: Xiahe-Tongren
Visit Labrang monastery in the morning. Labrang tibetan monastery is one of the 6 most famous Tibetan buddhism yellow sect monastery. It occupies a large area hugged by mountain around. At 10am and 3Pm, an Englsih speaking Lama will lead the visitors to go inside the monastery and visit the palaces one by one. The young tibetan monks study in the halls without any distraction by the visitors. after the sightseeing, we will continue our driving to Qinghai Tongren. Overnight: Tongren Yunlong hotel.

Day 6: Tongren-Xining
Tongren, Repkong in Tibetan language, is a Tibetan autonomous region in Qinghai province. It is famous for Repkong art which features Tibetan Tangka and paintings. The paintings of local Tibetans are vividly and delicate most of what are related with the Buddhism stories. Besides of this, we will visit some monasteris of Tongren, the Upper Wutun monastery and the down Wutun monastery, and the thousand years old Longwu temple. Drive to Xining in the afternoon, on the way, we will see the upper reach of China's monter river-the Yellow river, it is hard to believe that the water in the upper reach of the Yellow river is so clear.

Three Holy Peaks of Yading nature reserve

2011-07-04T06:52:00.000+07:00

Impian Monalisa-Yading, the 'Shangri-La' discovered by Joseph Rock in 1928, is renowned for the 3 holy peaks, which were blessed in the 8th century by Buddha Padmasambhava of projecting his divine light onto the range and naming the 3 elevations after 3 bodhisattvas.

The south peak Jambeyang (or Jampelyang, Yangmaiyong) of 5,958m is the avatar of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. The east peak Chanadorje (or Xianuoduoji) of the same height represents Vajrapani , the Bodhisattva of Wrath. The ,north peak Chenresig (or Chenrezig, Xiannairi ) of 6,032m, the highest of the trio, symbolizes Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Mercy.

The 3 peaks are the patron saint of the Tibetan. It's said that if a Tibetan pilgrimage to the shrine 3 times in life, he can be blessed with all he desires. Therefore, pilgrimage to this holy range is a long-cherished wish of each Tibetan.

Yading is one of China's most awe-inspiring nature reserves, Tibetan's holy land. Every stunning vista here is celebrated with a gompa, prayer flags or Mani Stones. On this adventurous trip you will take in relatively remote areas of Tibetan culture - small towns reminiscent of the wild west, rolling landscapes characterized by wheat and barley fields and Tibetan houses.

Come to Nias, Access is Easy

2011-03-18T21:54:00.002+07:00

Now easy access to Nias, Bro! "So the expression of a friend, who also people of Nias, when met at the Christmas show people a Jabodetabek Nias held in Jakarta. Yes, a visit to the island of Nias is very easy. Fifty minutes from the Polonia Airport, Medan, you already get to Nias. Vice versa, from Nias to Medan only takes 50 minutes. Now there are six flights to Nias from Polonia Airport. And, from Nias to the Polonia there are 5 flights.
The impression that still haunt Nias isolation should be discarded far from the minds of anyone who wants berpelesir to the beautiful island. As is known, overland journey that used to be the only option to reach Nias people now have started to be left. As is known, from Medan to Nias by land will take about 22 hours with details, Medan-Sibolga distance should be about 12 hours; Sibolga to Gunungsitoli passing ships spent 8-10 hours. It is conceivable, first 22 hours are shortened to 50 minutes.

Presumably the formation of new autonomous regions on the island of Nias encourage increased demand for air transportation to and from the island of Nias. As is known, Nias Island now consists of four districts and one city, namely North Nias regency, Nias, South Nias Regency, and City of Gunungsitoli.
With growing number of local government autonomy, the traffic and people who go back to Nias to multiply. Plus, since the big earthquake struck the islands of Nias on March 28, 2005. The presence of Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Agency (BRR) Nias and a number of humanitarian aid agencies, both from within and outside the country due to the earthquake, pushing demand for air transportation services Nias, Medan-Nias and Medan is high. Various airlines did not waste the opportunity.
At least two airlines that routinely serve aviation Nias and Polonia-Polonia-Nias, namely Merpati and Wings Air. Wings Air, a subsidiary of Lion Air, provides aircraft Avions de Transport Regional artificial (ATR), a joint Italian-French company, with a capacity of 72 seats. While Pigeon with Xian MA 60 planes made by Xian Aircraft of China Industral capacity of 60 seats. Previously, airlines SMAC (Sabang Merauke Air Charter) never fly this route Medan-Nias, but now for some reason are no longer.
Schedule
Information obtained from Zion Princess Y. Zebua, Bernardo Travel employees with offices in Jalan Diponegoro 196, Gunungsitoli, City Gunungsitoli, from Binaka Airport, it is known that the Wings Air serve passengers with flights three times, namely at 07:00, 08:20, and 15:30. The dove every day from Binaka to serve Polonia flight twice, namely at 08.30 in the morning and 14:45 o'clock in the afternoon. That way, there are five flights a day from the airport Binaka Polonia Airport in Medan.
While from the Polonia Airport, Medan, schedule Wings Air plane that flew to Nias is 05.30, 07.00 am, 14.15 pm, and 15:45. Wings Air plane last will "stay" in Binaka Airport and aircraft that will fly at 07.00 the next day. Likewise Pigeon, from Polonia, Medan, on the morning leaving at 6:55 and 13:10.
Ticket Prices
A visit to Nias by Wings Air and Merpati is not too expensive. According to Zion, Wings Air ticket prices range from USD 385 000 (least expensive) to Rp 737,000 (most expensive). The dove is the ticket price ranging from USD 302 000 (least expensive) to Rp 781,000 (most expensive).
The difference in ticket prices this is a policy of airlines to avoid a loss. "Usually, in a single flight provided some tickets with price promotions. Hence, when a special ticket expires, the passengers thought the ticket price is raised. In fact, it is not. There are at least about 9 scale ticket price disparity. This was taken by the airlines so as not to suffer losses, "said one official travel at Polonia Airport some time ago.
Interestingly again, potential visitors from anywhere can buy a ticket to Nias. In every ticket sales outlets serving Lion Air ticket buyers who headed Nias. For example, from Jakarta, someone who is willing to Nias can simply buy a ticket to Nias, though still will transit to the Polonia first.
Well, when another tourist spot it has already been visited, Nias's time to open wide for you jejaki. Nias people will be waiting your arrival with his trademark greeting, Ya'ahowu. (Harazaki)

Elephants in Bengkulu training center in danger of starvation

2011-03-18T21:51:00.001+07:00

The threat of starvation looms over elephants at the Elephant Training Center in Putri Hijau, Bengkulu, because of delays in obtaining food and medicine that were pledged by a foreign foundation.

"It has been three months since the aid from the International Elephant Fund [IEF] for the trained elephants' food and health was realized, and this is threatening the wellbeing of the animals," Bengkulu Natural Resource Conservation Agency (BKSDA) chief Anom Zamora said Thursday, as quoted by kompas.com.

He said the needs of the elephants, which cost the center around Rp 20 million (US$2,280) a month are currently sustained by the scant regional budget.

“I am looking for funds from a third party or private companies who want to participate [in helping] the trained elephants," Anom said.

He added that the current wet season was making the elephants more prone to disease.

The head of the agency’s administrative division, Supartono, said initially there were 23 elephants at the center, but three had died from illnesses.

The elephants are trained in soccer and taught how to drive wild elephants and illegal loggers away. Several plantation companies previously provided assistance to help take care of the elephants as they benefited from the animals’ work, but such aid has also now stopped.

‘Kebaya’ honored at city fashion event

2011-03-11T01:13:00.001+07:00

Impian Monalisa-On the catwalk: Four models display the kebaya during a “Tribute to Kebaya” fashion show at the opening of Jakarta Fashion Week in Jakarta on Saturday. JP/Nurhayati

Around 159 fashion designers will showcase their stylish collections at the city’s biggest fashion event, the Jakarta Fashion Week (JFW) 2010/2011, which opened Saturday at the Pacific Place shopping center in South Jakarta under the theme “Styling Modernity”.

This event, organized by media group Femina, was opened with a show titled “A Tribute to Kebaya”, which featured the beauty of kebaya (traditional Indonesian blouse-dress combination) from noted local designers such as Anne Avantie, Ari Seputra, Edward Hutabarat, Harry Darsono, Lenny Agustin, Musa Widyatmojo, Priyo Oktaviano, Raden Sirait, Ramli and Suzy Lucon.

Designers participating in the JFW event include several from the Indonesian Fashion Designers Association (APPMI) and the Indonesian Fashion Designers Council (IPMI), as well as other independent designers.

APPMI, for instance, will stage six shows with 30 fashion brands, while 10 designers from IPMI will also display their collections.

Sebastian Gunawan is scheduled to bring fun and joy on Sunday through his very own children’s clothing line, Bubble Girl.

This year’s fashion week, which runs until Nov. 21, will also feature a special show from independent designer Ghea Panggabean, celebrating her 30-year journey in fashion.

Not only showcasing local labels and designers, the JFW also always features the creative works of international fashion stylists.

This year, local designer Oscar Lawalata will show his latest creations, made from traditional textiles in collaboration with the UK’s Laura Miles, in a segment titled “Weaving the Future”.

For tickets, schedules and more information, log on to the JFW official website at www.jakartafashionweek.co.id.

Central Sulawesi’s cultural festivals highlight peace

2011-03-11T01:10:00.001+07:00

Impian Monalisa-Locals perform the dance, a celebratory dance popular among the community in Central Sulawesi. JP/Zainuddin MN

Before I left Indonesia to finish my degree abroad 13 years ago, I met an artist from Palu, the capital of Central Sulawesi, during the Nur Gora Rupa art festival in Surakarta, Central Java. He invited me to his hometown.

I didn’t go simply because the place existed beyond my imagination. More than a decade ago, Sulawesi was not on the map of the Indonesian contemporary art scene.

Today, the situation is quite different.

Over the past several years, a few local artists have traveled outside the island to study or do internships at the studios of prominent artists such as Bagong Kussudiardjo in Yogyakarta and Nano Riantiarno in Jakarta.

Returning to their hometowns, they found positions in the local government or became independent artists. These artists have become the patrons or tutors of younger artists in Central Sulawesi.
One such artist is Suaib Djafar, a dancer-choreographer who works as an officer at the provincial culture and tourism office. Under his direction, Central Sulawesi has become one of the most vibrant cultural centers in Sulawesi today.

An old man from a tribal group in Tojo Una -Una Regency shows off his skill in using sumpit (a blowpipe with a dart used in hunting) during the Togean festival. --JP/Zainuddin MN

A few years ago, he organized a cultural festival at the regency level. Thirteen regencies in the province take turn in hosting an annual cultural festival. He also organized the province’s main festival, Pekan Budaya Sulteng, or the Central Sulawesi Cultural Festival.

This year, the festivals were held in Poso and Tojo Una-Una regencies. What made the festivals special was the choice of venues: beautiful Lake Poso and the Togean Islands.

Poso is known as the site of bloody sectarian conflict. I traveled from Palu to Poso by car with Ola, a well-informed local photojournalist, who covered the conflict for many months. Ola turned my trip to the Togean Islands into a dramatic experience.

On the way to Poso, we passed by sites where bloody clashes took place. Ola kept telling me what happened to him during those tragic days. The stories he told were overwhelming.

I could not digest how people could harm their friends, neighbors or even members of their families simply because they had different faiths. On my journey, I found mosques, churches and even Hindu temples next to each other; the people who were involved in the conflict had known each other for many years.

When we stopped for Friday prayers in the area, I ate at a small Manado restaurant and asked the owner how could conflict have broken out in such a peaceful neighborhood. Locals were provoked by outsiders, he answered.

The fact that the houses of worship were built next to each was proof that people of different faiths had lived in harmony before. Therefore, the instigators had to be outsiders.

Adorned with colorful ornaments, several traditional boats join in the boat carnival during the opening of the Togean Cultural Festival last weekend. JP/Zainuddin MN

A cultural festival was recently held in Tentena city. This year, it was titled the Peace Festival.
After spending a night in Tentena, we traveled another four hours by land through Ampana and another two hours by boat to the scenic Togean Islands.

I never dreamed I would see such a beautiful place. Many Indonesians know that the country has more than 17 thousand islands. But the knowledge means nothing until we see the beauty of those islands.

Togean is indeed a perfect miniature of the archipelago. It is comprised of about 400 small islands located within an enclosed area. Therefore, if you go to Togean you will be sailing between many small islands, as if you are in dream.

If you come and see the archipelago, you will be among a very few lucky Indonesians, indeed.

Clad in traditional dresses, a group of people perform an ensemble of bamboo-made musical instruments. — JP/Zainuddin MN

What makes the Togean Islands even more beautiful is, of course, the marine life. A few foreign tourists have already discovered Togean’s beauty as a diving spot. One island, Wakai, is home to the well-known Bajo sea-faring people.

The Bajo are considered to be the world’s best fishermen. Not only are they able to catch fish in the deep sea without diving equipment, they are also able to swim long distances from village to village.

In their villages, sharks are pets one that one can find in front-yard pools. In the legends of the Bajo, a fish shaman can catch any fish a person desires.

In one small restaurant I ate a delicious red fish that I had never seen before in my life. Locals called this very expensive fish sunu.

The Makasarese restaurant owner said only the Bajo people could catch sunu, because this particular fish always hide among beautiful corals in the deep sea. Yet the fish shaman could get them simply by whispering in the deep water.

Arriving at Kedidire Island, the site of the Togean Cultural Festival, we were warmly welcomed by another unique fish. This time, villagers created ornamental fish for the much-anticipated and colossal sea parade.(jakartapost.com)

— Photos by JP/Zainuddin MN

Jatiluwih, Karisma Tourism Village

2011-02-09T22:54:00.002+07:00

Impian Monalisa-Four foreign tourists rushed out of the car Avanza, then headed to camp (pen), a cow that was eating grass in a patch of rice field Jatiluwih Village, District Penebel, Tabanan, Bali, on Tuesday (01/02/2011).

Tourists from Europe that turns photographs with panoramic backdrop of rice terraces and the Rock You, in addition to Mount Batur and Mount Agung that vaguely pictured in the back covered with fog in the afternoon.

Not long ago, came a few minibus carrying tourists from Europe, Japan, and Singapore, which consists of children and adults. After the vehicle was parked, they scrambled to take pictures and drop the view into the expanse of rice terraces that new rice plant shoots out.

Terraced paddy field as a point of view it is across the main road that separates the houses of the village community that is generally edged Jatiluwih search as a farmer. Plot-petaknya extend ground contours so that the travelers could have been hanging out in a paddy field of vehicle watch-like paintings of nature.

Steps of rice paddies, cool air of the highlands, as well as passing farmer carrying a hoe, sickle, and devices for the prayer ceremony in the temple fields before working on arable land may be a charisma Jatiluwih Village, Village Mengesti, and several surrounding villages. That consideration seems to farming areas in the villages was proposed as world cultural heritage to the UNESCO.

The proposal was for Nengah Virata, the village head Jatiluwih, bring consequences, among others, the area becomes "common property" of local residents and people of the world (tourists). Owner, even more investors, not free mengalihfungsikannya. That is, "Tourists just enjoy a tour of this region, but they stay somewhere else," said Made Suarya, farmer and retired from the Army Wangaya Betan Hamlet, Village Mengesti.

The rice fields in the village of Jatiluwih relatively narrow, which is 303 hectares (ha), and in the Village Mengesti 160 ha. However, both contributing to the Tabanan regency of Bali Province as rice granary.

On the other hand, according to Virata and Suarya, rice fields and natural surroundings is a manifestation of the Hindu teachings contained in the Tri Hita Karana: human relationship with God, human relations, and human relationship with nature. Harmonization antarkomponen relationship was applied to all generations by Subak-use system of water-laden sense of social solidarity, mutual cooperation, and tolerance. The values of solidarity is also represented by the presence of Muslim settlements in the Hamlet of Soko, Countryside Village Senganan Jatiluwih-neighbor.

Noted there are 12 families (75 people) who live there. "We are the seventh generation here," said Jamirin, the board of Masjid Al Hamzah who was at a plateau. When built, the residents are Hindus helped flatten the hills where the mosque now stands.

During this time they live together peacefully, even mother Jamirin, namely Siti Suwani, are converts who came from the village of Jatiluwih. The tradition of exchange of visits during Idul Fitri and Galungan, even tradition ngejot (bring food) when every people celebrate religious holidays, still runs today.

Harmonious relationship that runs down through the generations, as a strategy to grow local rice varieties that lace-temali with social and cultural values and local wisdom. One of them, never established a permanent building in the rice field. Because, with the natural situation in the middle of rice fields, buildings are very vulnerable to being struck by lightning. Therefore, farmers only build camp (cabin) that serves as a warehouse for storing agricultural equipment or cattle sheds. Kubu and livestock was a double play to produce fertilizer raw materials and processing of organic fertilizer from cow dung or buffalo.

With organic fertilizers, Suarya which has 0.30 acres (30 square meters) field can get 2 tons of dry grain harvest. The results were very high compared to land that is paved with chemical fertilizer production 16 quintal.

Agrarian tradition was allegedly related to the myths that accompany the Stone Temple You and other great temples, such as Besakih, Lempuyang, Andakasa, and Pura Batur in Bali. That said, a long dry period occurred around Pura Batu You. People went into the forest looking for food. Among them, the atmosphere between the conscious and unconscious, expressed "sight unseen": rice with yellow rice and a house inhabited a grandfather.

They were asked to stop at the house, and his grandfather gave them rice seeds gaga. When the rice seed is received, the grandfather and the house was gone instantly. Communities also carry the message of his grandfather to plant rice seedlings.

"Message" is then manifested in the cropping pattern farmers. In the village Mengesti, for example, farmers must plant a local variety (brown rice and white rice) in the rainy season (kertamasa). While the dry season (gadon / gadu) in July-August, allowed farmers to plant high yielding varieties IR 64 and pulses. Cropping pattern was reinforced Awik-Awik (rules) through their respective water control system.

It is said that never happened violation farming tradition that all the rice plant resulting in crop failure due to pests and plant hopper mice.

Even if there is no crop failure, farmers are also confronted by sanctions: no quota of water for their fields or encumbered traditional ceremony at the temple at a cost of Rp 3 million. Jatiluwih already set ....

Komodo, The Real Wonder of The World

2011-02-09T22:46:00.003+07:00

Impian Monalisa-Hermawan Kartajaya marketing expert says the lack of transparency in the voting process New7Wonders. Besides, he says that does not need to find out who the wrong side. He revealed it in the presence of bloggers, netizens, and celebrities on the show "New Wave Marketing Power Discussion: The Truth Behind The New7Wonders" in Jakarta, Tuesday (08/02/2011). He invited all attendees to campaign for the Park as "The Real Wonder of the World".

"Gratitude, gratitude can trending topic on twitter. Indonesia People make a trending topic," he said.

Dwiki Darmawan, musicians who actively campaigned for Komodo says that he has participated since the beginning of the campaign to the entire world, one in Vienna Jazz Festival. He also was surprised because there was no transparency.

"This is if you want to be The Real Wonder of the World, I am ready to support," he said.

He added that the dragons do not just sell to tourism but to note the readiness of its infrastructure. Dwiki said the important thing is conservation.

Meanwhile, musicians Piyu said the campaign about dragons for a long time she has received through various media such as fuel, SMS, and twitter.

"This has been done to touch the hearts of friends in social networking, but many still ignore," he said.

While the artist Anya Dwinov admitted he had never visited the island of Komodo. "If I personally did not follow the issue. I became interested after hearing stories about dragons from Mr. Herman said," he said. But he agrees the Indonesian people need support to improve Indonesia's image in the eyes of the world.

Indonesia Leonita from Unite said that the average incoming comments to Indonesia Unite supports Komodo as the government's decision about New7Wonders finalists.

"Without a signed New7Wonders also have The Real Wonders," he said. He also said that the campaign was not only from governments but also of each of ourselves.

Some leaders in attendance also expressed their opinions about dragons. Director General of Marketing Kemenbudpar Sapta Nirwandar present then explain chronological events of Indonesia's participation in the event New7Wonders. He expects support from the youth, women, and netizens to Komodo campaign.

Will festival travel get better?

2011-02-01T18:18:00.000+07:00

Later this year, just before the fourth Thursday in November, about 45 million Americans will take a break from work and hit the roads, clogging highways, battling airlines and jamming trains. They will make more than 100 million trips; a lot for a country of just 300 million people. They will visit their families to enjoy the comfort of preparing and sharing a traditional Thanksgiving family meal together, followed by watching a game of American football while relaxing in an overstuffed sofa, a cold beer close at hand.

Ask any American and he/she will tell you it is a tradition, a national holiday, and more importantly, it is about spending time with family.

As you read this, in China, another mass movement is underway marking the Spring Festival holiday. An expected 2.8 billion trips will be made before the end of Spring Festival this year. This is on average one roundtrip for every one of China's 1.3 billion citizens. Of course some do not travel during Spring Festival, but most do and a significant number of them make more than two trips. This marks the greatest movement of people in history.

Will travel this year be easier? In some ways it will be worse. Because of China's rapid urbanization the mobile young have moved to cities, leaving parents and grandparents behind. Many others seek temporary employment in cities far away from their families. As with the American Thanksgiving, Spring Festival is traditionally a time of family. As such, over the last 10 years, Spring Festival trips have grown by about 5 percent a year.

But in many ways travel this year will be better. Long gone are the days when most Spring Festival travelers relied on slow over-crowded trains to reach their destination. Over the last two decades, China has launched the largest transport infrastructure building program in the history of the world. Since 1990, nearly 50 percent more railways have been built, 130 percent more roads added and 300 percent more route kilometers opened to domestic air carriers. This additional capacity has significantly reduced congestion, over and above the increase in demand.

Income growth has led to more travelers being able to afford to choose other modes of transport such as better buses, private cars, high-speed trains, and planes. In fact, it may surprise one to note that until recently nearly 90 percent of all Spring Festival travel had been by road, either private cars or buses. But the predominance of road travel is now changing. Travelers are returning to trains for mid-distance trips as new railways with better services open up.

Alternatively, they are choosing to fly for longer distances as air travel becomes accessible to more people. In addition, local governments have established alternate release schedules for students and laborers, thereby spreading the demand for travel over several weeks. The net effect is less overall congestion and better travel quality because travel is distributed across several modes of transport and over a longer period of time.

Could more be done? Yes, of course. Congestion during Spring Festival can be mitigated but not avoided. Building infrastructure is expensive and building for only peak holiday travel is wasteful. No one wants kilometers of underused railways and expressways and airplanes sitting idle during the rest of the year. Better travel comes with a cost which many travelers cannot afford. Ensuring that safe and affordable transport remains available for the poorest should not be forgotten.

The Ministry of Railways is considering changes to its pricing structure that will allow differentiated pricing to distribute demand based on the ability of a traveler to pay, which will, in part, ensure that newly added high-speed trains run at full capacity. But the Ministry of Railways also needs to ensure that cheaper local trains which run on slower tracks are still maintained.

Continued modernization of railway ticketing will reduce corruption and eliminate the black market of overpriced Spring Festival train tickets.

Changes by the government to the hukou (house registration) system, together with improving non-farm job opportunities in rural areas, would help bring families together, thus altogether avoiding the need for travel for many families.

Lessons learned from the 2008 winter storm are being adapted by China's transport ministries to help ensure that even if inclement weather hits during Spring Festival, the effects are mitigated. Also where improvement is certainly needed is in transport connectivity; what some call the first and last kilometers, ensuring that getting in and out of railway stations, bus terminals and airports and making transfers is seamless, so that the entire trip is faster and more comfortable.

But we all agree that traveling during holidays, be it Thanksgiving or Spring Festival, will never be easy. The good news is that this Spring Festival we are seeing more travel options, more people who can afford to choose, more comfortable and better managed services, and reduced overall travel times.

And less time spent traveling will mean more time spent with family.

The authors are transport specialists at the World Bank Office in Beijing. Supporting research was provided by Fang Wanli.

(China Daily 02/01/2011 page9

Amazing Dance Rapai Geleng Tourists

2011-02-01T17:56:00.002+07:00

Impian Monalisa-Kutaraja lively Art Carnival on Saturday (1/29/2011) ago. Cultural parade was organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism City of Banda Aceh, which is a series of Banda Aceh Visit Year 2011 "This event is an event for the studio creativity and art enthusiasts to show all forms of traditional arts in Aceh in the form of cultural parade," said Head of Culture and Tourism City of Banda Aceh, Reza Fahlevi to Kompas.com by phone on Tuesday (01/02/2011).

He added that each participant displaying art attractions in the streets. The parade took the start from the square and across the street Blang Padang Tgk. Abu Lam U After the parade ended at the Taman Sari. "There are participants who display the traditional art as a fisherman, wedding, whistle, and so on," he said.

In addition to the traditional arts performances Aceh, there are also action Putroe Bungong parade, lion dance, and parade indigenous stakeholders with clothes greatness.

According to Reza, the event was given the name because Kutaraja Kutaraja is the name of Banda Aceh's past. Reza also said the event aims to convey a message to the people of Banda Aceh that the year 2011 is the year excursions. "Therefore the people of Banda Aceh must be ready to welcome tourists with hospitality and displaying art and culture of Aceh," he said.

Reza said the event is also in demand by local tourists who come from various areas on the outskirts of Banda Aceh. Not to forget, foreign tourists were interested in watching Kutaraja Art Carnival. "Tourists are many today who come to Banda Aceh. Because prior to Sabang, the transit was in Banda Aceh," he said.

Meanwhile, at night excitement continues with the evening peak Banda Aceh's Grand Launching of Visit Year 2011. "We'll make an outdoor stage in the street. So the afternoon parade, the grand launch night. On stage we show the variety of artistic creativity," said Reza.

Some Acehnese national artists were in attendance, such as Vishnu and Nova Eliza Teuku. According to Reza, each participant who appeared to get attention which is good because each one featuring the art of different cultures. "One of the most attention is the Dance Rapai Geleng which 210 dancers danced," she said. On Sunday (30/01/2011), a series of activities covered by Fun Bike event in the morning.

EAST NUSA TENGGARA

2010-11-07T18:11:00.000+07:00

East Nusa Tenggara Islands have been shaped by the power and force of an enormous chain of mountains and volcanoes, which begins from the North of Sumatra and stretches east across Java. The province consists of over 550 islands, but is dominated by the three main islands of Flores, Sumba, and Timor. Occupying a unique position at the junction of Australian and Asian submarine ridges marked by the Wallace Line, it is one the world's most dynamic and exotic marine environments with nearly every species of coral and tropical fish represented. The arid landscape of eastern and southeastern Nusa Tenggara is the result of hot, dry winds blasting in from the Australian continent. In fact, in many coastal areas not a drop of rain falls during most of the year.

Flores is a Portuguese name, which means 'flower' and ideally describes the beauty to be found here. This long island between Sumbawa and Timor is crowded with volcanoes and mountains dividing it into several distinct regions with individual languages and traditions. Predominantly Catholic and heavily influenced by the Portuguese, there are many examples of a strong European cultural heritage like eastern procession held in Larantuka, and the royal regalia of the former king in Maumere.

Formerly known as the Sandalwood Island, Sumba is now famous for its horses and an excellent style of ikat cloth. Spirits, both ancestral and natural are worshipped. Although some exist in East Sumba, it is in West Sumba that there are a number of enormous megalithic tombs and traditional thatched and peaked huts raised on stilts. It is here where incredible rituals take place, such as 'Pasola' where hundreds of horsemen fling spreads at each other in an annual ritual. Many traditional ceremonies, all with a component paying homage to the spirits, take place from July to October including the traditional houses and burials when sometimes hundreds of pigs, water buffaloes, horses, and dogs are scarified. Other ceremonies include 'Pajura' or traditional boxing, festivals for the Lunar New Year in October and November, horse races and ritual dances.

Source: http://www.indonesia-tourism.com

Mutun, Primadona Tourism in Lampung

2010-09-26T13:14:00.002+07:00

Impian Monalisa-Tour the tropical island, complete with panoramic views of white sand and crystal clear sea, usually synonymous with expensive or luxury. Whether it's for the levy into the area of the island, boat rental or transportation costs.
It was amazing, felt like being in another hemisphere. Not in Lampung. Clean beaches, clear sea and the waves were very calm.
- Anidini

KOMPAS/YULVIANUS HARJONO

However, this presumption vanished when we visited the beach mutun or a cluster of other small islands in the Gulf region in the Regency of Lampung Pesawaran. With a pocket of less than Rp 100,000 per person, visitors can feel the sensation of traveling to the island, complete with a variety of fun rides.

Mutun Beach is one of the favorite tourist attractions in the area of Lampung Bay. This beach area has a famous island called Pulau Tangkil. The island has an area of 11.5 hectares of all requirements to be the best marine tourism center in the region. Fairly flat stretch of white sand and clean.

In fact, so clean, the sand on this beach, the sand looks like flour. Seawater was also very clear, bluish colored. Thus, this allows the sea base can still be seen with the naked eye to a depth of 1.5 meters.

On the edge-lined beachfront palm trees and mangroves are shady. Small hostels hostels lard-row trees. Which is also the other advantages that are not countenance, in this island we can see the beautiful scenery and rows mutun Coast as the hills that surround the island.

Still at this point, from a distance, we could see dozens of tankers and commercial ships were lined up in the bay. Therefore, the island is not far from the Port of Long operated PT Pelindo. Distances both less than 5 km.

"It was amazing, felt like being in another hemisphere. Not in Lampung. The beach is clean, clear sea and the waves were very calm," said Anidini (23), one of the first-time visitor to set foot Tangkil Island.

The attraction which causes thousands of visitors during holidays such as Idul Fitri yesterday willing to stand in line and stuck in traffic to get to this area.

Very affordable

Another advantage of Tangkil Island is where this tour is very easy to reach. The distance from the center of Bandar Lampung, only 15 km away. This place is also accessible public transportation from downtown. To reach it, visitors must first stop to Coast mutun. On the beach rides are available waterboom becoming another attraction.

To get into mutun Beach, visitors are not subject to retribution. Subject only vehicle entrance fee. From the beach which also has a stretch of white sand, the visitor must boat to get to the island Tangkil. The cost is very affordable, which is Rp 10,000 per person to go-home. For the home, visitors can be picked up at any time.

The distance from the coast to the Island Tangkil mutun very close, less than 1.5 km. In fact, from mutun Beach, the island is owned by Ismail Kiagoos can already be seen. Travel from coast to the island is less than 10 minutes.

Tangkil Island, visitors are only charged an entrance fee of Rp 3,000 per person. On the right are available various kinds of leasing a vehicle pulling a jet ski, banana boat, canoe, until the ATV around the island.

On the island are also available wc or bathroom, so that visitors do not need to berbilas confusion. Food shops, until the small cottages are also available. Besides swimming, visitors usually spend time on the island for fishing or snorkeling.

Enough to swim or sit back while drinking young coconuts on the beach of this island flavor-taste quite eliminate tired or stress caused by routine work. If you have the pocket more, visitors can trigger adrenaline with banana boat rented for Rp 120,000 per boat per trip.

Fish and kite

Around this island can be easily found groupers, jellyfish, snappers and some small reef fish. Unfortunately, due to the impact of blast fishing, coral reefs in the surrounding so many have died. However, in the back of the island, there are still a few surviving corals.

In certain periods, visitors in this area can be treated to a unique landscape where the traditional fishermen to catch fish using the help of a kite (kite fishing). Kites of all sizes to help keep the bait floating on the water surface.

With all the hallmarks of these attractions, there is one prominent shortcomings. 2-km-long road connecting Beach mutun and highways in Punduh Pedada very bad condition. The street was filled with potholes and asphalt peel.

In fact, in this section there are many steep climbs. Thus, in the holiday season, there is often a long traffic jam in this field. It would be nice if the potential of this magnificent tour are supported by adequate infrastructure is also

Raja Ampat Marine Tourism Promotion

2010-06-06T07:37:00.001+07:00

Impian Monalisa-Raja Ampat with hundreds of small islands and the sea's natural wealth was assessed as a district in West Papua's most keen to promote their regions. However, the implementation of the Raja Ampat Marine Festival 2010 is considered less focus on the maritime sector.
Indeed, Raja Ampat definitely has a unique culture and customs, but let us focus on what will sell.

It is submitted separately by the Staff Advisor to the Minister of Culture and Tourism, and Franciscus Kosama Surya Yuga, Head of Culture and Tourism of the Province of West Papua, in Waisai, the capital of Raja Ampat, Monday (03/05/2010), related digelarnya Maritime Festival Raja Ampat Islands in 2010. Coupled with the celebration of the 7th Anniversary of Raja Ampat, the festival involves the art galleries and island communities as well as some districts guests, such as Jayapura, Supiori, and Bintuni.

Surya said that the Raja Ampat regency government has begun serious work on its tourism sector. Several measures have been carried out, namely the implementation of the Raja Ampat Marine Festival, the establishment of tourism promotion offices in Bali, and participated in various national and international tourism exhibitions.

He requested that the festival organizers focus on maritime or marine areas that is characteristic and selling point because in a few banners and promotional writing Cultural Festival Raja Ampat. "Indeed, Raja Ampat definitely has a unique culture and customs, but let us focus on what will sell. Marine tourism, and cultural and culinary delights as a bonus, "said Surya.

Franciscus Kosama say, Raja Ampat in Indonesia became the leading tourist compete with the eastern part of Wakatobi (Southeast Sulawesi) and Halmahera (North Maluku). "Let all God's creation of nature preserve and maintain the facilities that have been made by the government. By guarding it, we own that will benefit, "said Kosama

Tourism Bay Underwater Jailolo tilled

2010-06-06T07:34:00.002+07:00

Impian Monalisa-Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries to enter the Gulf of Jailolo in West Halmahera (Halbar), North Maluku (Malut) became one of the underwater tourism development in Indonesia.

Halbar Regency Government has implemented various programs to support the existence of Jailolo Bay as a tourist attraction under the sea.

Marine and Fisheries Halbar Kadis, Frederik Budiman, when contacted in Jailolo, Thursday (03/06/2010) says, the influx of Gulf Jailolo as the area's underwater tourism development in Indonesia delivered by Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Fadel Muhammad, during a visit at the weekend Jailolo ago.

Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Jailolo enter the Gulf as the region's underwater tourism development, because it has a beautiful panorama of the bay's underwater and potential tourists to visit both from within and abroad.

Frederik said the local government strongly supports the inclusion of Halbar Jailolo Gulf region to become underwater tourism development in Indonesia, because since the beginning of local government has made the Gulf Jailolo as one of the leading tourist attraction.

In fact, since 2009, Pemkab Halbar make Jailolo bay as a location Jailolo Bay festival. The festival will be undertaken into the national tourism calendar of events.

"Pemkab Halbar has also undertaken various programs to support the existence of Jailolo Bay as a tourist attraction under the sea, such as intensifying the extension to the community to preserve Jailolo Gulf," he said.

To preserve Jailolo Bay, the local government has issued a ban Halbar for people to take Gulf reef Jailolo into building materials and tools do not permit fishing can damage coral reefs in the region.

Pemkab Halbar also has made efforts in conservation of existing mangrove forests along the Gulf Jailolo, even local government has sent teams to the island of Bintan, Riau Islands to learn the technique of cultivation of mangroves.

Frederik Halbar invite the community, particularly in the coastal bays Jailolo to preserve it, because society will not only enjoy the income from fishing, but also from the tourism activities in the region.

Other regions in Indonesia that included the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries in the region's underwater tourism development among the Raja Ampat in West Papua, Maluku Islands and Islands Labour Togean in Central Sulawesi.

Selong Belanak: The remote charm of southern coasts

2010-05-04T21:30:00.001+07:00

Impian Monalisa-Unlike the western coasts of Lombok, Selong Belanak and Lombok’s other southern coasts are still unexplored. That is just one of the many reasons to go there.

Kuta beach of Lombok offers white sand and fewer tourists.

When my friend Anin suggested we visit our friend Ana in Selong Belanak, I did not take it seriously and responded immediately because I thought that Lombok was just Senggigi and the famous Gili Islands.

But when she said that the area we would visit was remote (there is no cell phone signal), I quickly said yes.

Holiday without technology intrusion is heaven on earth.

It was luck knowing that Ana’s schedule and mine aligned. To make things short, we finally met in Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport to fly to Lombok together. While the Bali-Lombok flight was only about 20 minutes, it took about two hours to reach Selong Belanak from Selaparang airport, Ampenan.

The April sun scorched on the road, but it was cool inside the car. The ride passed along paddy fields and hills that flanked the road. At certain areas, the road was bumpy and steep.

When the car was climbing another hill, Ana turned her head to me and said, “Hey girl, get ready for the view.”

As the car reached the peak, we were stunned by the blue azure water that sends waves to a pocket-shaped white sandy beach enveloped by lush green hills. A small island was popping out in the middle of the bay, just like a beauty spot.

The area is still relatively untouched by tourists. The only accommodation in the beach’s vicinity was Villa Sempiak, Ana’s workplace. After getting our bags into Ana’s room, we headed to the beach. The white sand was smooth carpet on our feet and the water pleasant.

At night, the ocean sounded a special kind of music with waves hitting the shores. Sounds of nocturnal bugs were amplified in the peaceful atmosphere. The area was free of pollution, including noise and light pollution and a good place to become more familiar with the map of astronomy.

Sitting there at two o’clock in the morning, I tried to find Crux constellation of the southern sky and one that I’m most familiar with, but to no avail. With so many stars in the night sky, they flickered as if they were in a blinking competition.

In the morning, I took a walk on the beach with my friends. There is a fishermen’s village just near the beach and it is was teeming with activities at five o’clock that morning. A group of men pushed boats to sea.

A couple of black storks flew around, trying to catch small crabs or fish, oblivious to the stray dogs that ran around barking. The sun rose from the hills, a sign for us to start our exploration on Lombok’s southern area.

For the journey, Ana asked her friends Amak Susi and Amak Kasturi to accompany Anin and I. Amak is the local word for common men. For men of noble birth, the word is Lalu. Public transportation in Lombok is rare and tourists usually rent a motorcycle or a car in Mataram to get around.

Our first stop was Sade, a traditional village of the Sasak tribe. The village has 150 houses and is inhabited by about 700 residents. Our guide said that usually residents intermarried among their cousins because there was a fine of three buffaloes if the men married with women of other villages.

Selong Belanak beach seen from a hill nearby reveals a refreshing azure water and greeneries.

There are three types of buildings in the village: houses, rice barns and beruga (Lombok traditional gazebo).

According to our guides, only women are allowed to enter the rice barns. Legend has it that the men would become ill if they entered them.

The houses have low roofs so that guests honor the house owners by bowing before entering, the guide said. The house has two floors. The first floor is for parents and the sons, while the second is allocated for the daughters’ room and the kitchen.

From Sade village, we headed to Kuta beach of Lombok, which was quite deserted. There were only three teenagers who approached us to sell us bracelets.

As we walked along the beach, our feet stumbled on the shells washed ashore. We gathered them and it did not take a long time to find a handful of beautiful shells.

While we were at Kuta beach, several boats were coming in. A group of men and women were closing in on a boat that had just touched the beach. While men were pulling the boat ashore, the women were handling the catch of the day. The women hauled baskets of fish out of the boat and carried them on top of their heads. A basket of fish were left on the sand, tempting the children to play with them.

Another deserted beach to visit is Mawun Beach, which also haspocket-shaped terrain. Unlike Kuta Lombok, a free beach, there is parking fee at Mawun Beach.

It was noon when we got there and the sun was scorching mercilessly. Fortunately, there is a big tree just a stone’s throw away on the shoreline. We sat there, sharing the shade with a group of foreign tourists with surfboards.

Nothing needs to be said when nature exercises its charm. The waves move back and forth, the wind blows an airy breeze and leaves rustle. Time seems to stop. But when the sun tilts to the west, it is a sign for us to get on our feet and head back home.

source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/05/02/selong-belanak-the-remote-charm-southern-coasts.html

— Photos by Tifa Asrianti

Sefa Utaki in Okinawa offers glimpse into golden age

2010-02-10T14:48:00.000+07:00

Impian Monalisa-Whether it is as a member of a tour group or just a weekend getaway with the family, most visitors to Okinawa will make the pilgrimage to Mabuni Hill and the Peace Prayer Memorial Park in southern Itoman City. For most, if not all, this park is a “must see” attraction.

Visitors are often struck with awe when they look upon the roughly 235,000 names inscribed in granite on the Heiwa No Ishiji, “cornerstones of peace.” Here visitors can stroll along the manicured avenues to see the many remembrance monuments donated by the different prefectures of Japan as well as from the nation of South Korea. There is also a first rate museum and the famous Peace Statue is located here too.

When you’ve finished your visit, instead of taking the fast track back through Itoman City to Naha, why not drive north along the winding coast to enjoy the breathtaking scenery. Just a few kilometers further up the road in the town of Chinen is an equally important historical site. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002, Sefa Utaki is still considered the holy of holies in the local religion and gives visitors a glimpse into the past to the Golden Age of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

Religion in Okinawa is significantly different than what most people familiar with Japan are used to. Although they have Buddhist temples located throughout the islands, the people of Okinawa practice a unique faith called “So-Sen-Su Hai” in the local dialect. It can be likened to a blending of Shinto, Buddhism, Taoism; Shamanism with a few other isms’ thrown in for good measure.

It was at Sefa Utaki during olden times where the high priestess was given her commission and where the King of the Ryukyus came to pray at least twice a year for the blessings of heaven. Although it is not used in that manner today, it is still a site for pilgrimages by local citizens and Yuta’s (shamans) who come to pray and give counsel to those that seek it.

In addition to providing visitors a glimpse of what life on Okinawa was like during the Ryukyu Kingdom’s glory days, it also provides a peek into its more recent “battle” history. It was here at this site that hundreds, perhaps thousands, of civilians gathered to hide from and escape the constant artillery bombardments and pray for deliverance from what locals still call the Typhoon of Steel.

It’s quite easy for visitors to walk the site and imagine people huddled under the many rock overhangs and deep into the rock clefts to hide for safety. There is even one bomb crater along the main path that is still clearly visible although the lone sign marking it is written only in Japanese.

The site has been improved over the last few years to make it more appealing to tourists. This includes paved parking, restroom facilities, stone walkways, stairs, strategically placed handrails, information plaques as well as the new air conditioned visitor’s center, a must during the sweltering summer heat.

Even so, be cautious as the walkway can be quite slippery when wet and there are a few places where the placement of additional handrails would be beneficial. It’s not an ideal place for a baby in a stroller or for ladies in high heeled shoes.

To find it, as you drive north from Itoman City along the highway through Chinen Town, look for a Post Office on the left side of the road and the sign marked “Sefa Utaki.” There’s a Family Mart on the opposite side of the road so you can’t miss it. As you follow the road back, you’ll notice several coffee houses, and small restaurants as well as a school that teaches Ryukyu dance and music near the end of the road.

At the end of the road you’ll find the spacious parking area. The fee for entrance is just 200 Yen for adults. Brochures are available in several languages upon request and there are also several small monuments erected with information placards in both English and Japanese along the main paths and at the three altars that make it an ideal spot to stretch your legs and take a self guided tour after a long drive seeing the sights of Okinawa’s historic south coast.

Kamogawa Sea World offers sleepovers

2010-02-10T14:45:00.000+07:00

Impian Monalisa-KANAGAWA —Who knew that women would be so keen to have a slumber party with manta rays and dolphins? The Ladies Night Stay promotion at Kamogawa Sea World in Chiba offers girls the chance to camp out at an aquarium while enjoying a variety of insider tours and activities.

Dinner is served at Ocean restaurant, whose windows are set inside a killer whale tank, and then it’s off for a soak in the on-site onsen and an after-hours tour of backstage areas. When it’s time for lights out, visitors climb inside sleeping bags that are spread out before the aquarium’s largest tank.

The deal is available March 6, 7, 13 or 14, and spots are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.

To apply, call 047-093-4803 (Japanese). Price: 13,500 yen. Minimum age: 20.

Ipoh: Land of grace

2010-01-25T07:13:00.000+07:00

Impian Monalisa-For a long time, Ipoh, the capital of Perak state, has attracted mainly local day-trippers who visit the town in search of good dining spots. Granted that Ipoh boasts many delightful eating spots, there are still many other attractions worth checking out that warrant an overnight stay.

Ipoh’s development began with its thriving tin mining industry at the turn of the 19th century, when it was colonized by the British. During colonial times, Ipoh was Malaysia’s second city for administration purposes. Traces of colonial rule can be seen in several notable edifices, such as the railway station and the town hall.

Ipoh is divided into the Old and New Towns, which are separated by the Kinta River. In Old Town, you’ll find many pre-WWII shop-houses and heritage buildings such as the Ipoh Town Hall, while New Town has recently developed shops, office buildings, malls and housing estates. Recommended is a walking tour in Old Town, where you’ll see places like the Anglo-Chinese School, which is called SMK Methodist (ACS), located on Lahat Road.

The oldest and one of the most prestigious schools in Perak occupies a restored building with arresting colonial-era architectural qualities. St Michael’s Institution on Clayton Road (now Jl. S.P. Seenivasagam) was built in 1912.

During the Japanese occupation, the La Sallian school was used as the Japanese administration headquarters. Many shop-houses on Leech Street (now Jl. Bandar Timah) still maintain their old-world architectural significance, besides being popular spots for food and drinks.

Food haven

There is delicious food galore in Ipoh, which is famous for dishes such as Sar Hor Fun (from RM3, or less than US$1) -- flat white rice noodles in soup with shredded chicken and prawns. The Hor Hee (from RM3) – flat white rice noodles served with fish cakes and/or fish balls; Nga Choi Kai (from RM4) – chicken fillet with soy sauce served with a side dish of pepper bean sprouts; Hakka Mee (from RM3.50) – yellow rice noodles served with mince pork sauce; and Heong Peng (from RM1.50) – a type of biscuit – are irresistible.

Ipoh is also well known for “Ipoh white coffee” (from RM1). The unique brew is attributed to the roasting process, which involves combining elements of modern approaches with traditional Malaysian brewing practices. The term “white coffee” originates from the literal translation of its Chinese name. It was introduced in the 19th century by Chinese migrants who came to work in the tin mines.

Caves

After enjoying a meal or two, and luxuriating in a cuppa, move on and explore Ipoh’s many limestone caves, formed by to the surrounding karst formations.
Notable attractions include the Sam Po Tong (Cavern of Three Precious) Chinese temple built within a limestone cave, and outside the cave, you’ll come across a pond housing many tortoises.

The Perak Tong (Perak Cave), meanwhile, has a steep, tall staircase in the cave’s interior rising up to the top of its hill, from where you’ll be able to enjoy panoramic views of Ipoh and its surroundings. The Buddha statue in Perak Tong was the tallest and largest of its kind in Malaysia when first commissioned.

Also worth visiting is the Kek Lok Tong (Cavern of Utmost Happiness). The cave temple is located on the other side of the same range of limestone hills as Sam Poh Tong. The former is accessible from the Gunung Rapat housing area.

Compared to the aforementioned cave temples, which are regularly packed with locals and tourists, the Kek Lok Tong offers a more tranquil and cool environment and has the best scenic cave view.

Medical services

Medical tourism is also important for Ipoh’s economy. Some hospitals and clinics are equipped with top-notch facilities, making it ideal for locals and foreigners who seek quality medical treatment. Take for instance Ipoh Specialist Hospital – a top private hospital established by a team of 16 consultants in 1981 but which was acquired by the Johor State Economic Development Corporation in 1989. Ipoh Specialist Hospital is now a full service hospital that delivers state-of-the-art emergency, acute inpatient and outpatient care. More than 65 specialists work together with 490 employees to provide personalized care. The hospital has 28 resident doctors and 36 visiting doctors. ISH’s quality of service has been recognized in the form of an MS ISO 9002 awarded by SIRIM. In the new millennium, ISH earned the distinction of being the first hospital in Perak to have a cardiac center. For more info, visit http://www.ish.kpjhealth.com.my/

Travel Tips

- There’s one renowned coffee shop in Ipoh Old Town that brews great coffee in town. Called Sun Yuen Loong, the place also serves tea, toast, steamed bread in kaya and noodles. If you love the taste of Ipoh white coffee, you can take home some 3-in-1 instant white coffee sachets for friends and relatives. Among the best brands are Chek Hup Ipoh White Coffee King and Ipoh Old Town White Coffee.

- When you visit Ipoh, friends and relatives will inevitably ask you to buy a pomelo for them. While the prices of pomelos are not necessarily cheaper in Ipoh, the fruit here is fresher and therefore juicier. Apart from eating it cold and fresh, you can also make a delicious and healthy salad using pomelo.

- You can reach Ipoh from Kuala Lumpur by car, but highway toll is levied. Alternatively, you can take a bus. A bus to KL takes about two hours and costs RM15. To Singapore takes about eight hours and costs RM38.(TJP)

Steam train back on track on Kyushu's Hisatsu Line

2009-12-20T08:04:00.000+07:00

Steam locomotive Hitoyoshi-go is pictured crossing the iron bridge in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto Prefecture. (Mainichi)

Impian Monalisa-Kyushu Railway Co. (JR Kyushu) put a restored steam locomotive, the Hitoyoshi-go, back on the tracks to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the JR Hisatsu Line.

The line was opened on Nov. 21, 1909, to connect Kumamoto and Kagoshima prefectures in Japan's southern island of Kyushu. For security reasons, the Japanese government decided to build the railway in and around the mountains, rather than along the coastline, to avoid gunfire from foreign battleships.

The project faced with a series of difficult challenges, however, including the construction of 60 tunnels and 90 bridges, as well as the nation's first railway spiral and switchback to climb up and down the steep slopes. It was also suspended several times due to the First Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War before the railway was finally completed.

In April this year, JR Kyushu resumed the operation of the Hitoyoshi-go between JR Hisatsu Line's Kumamoto and Hitoyoshi stations. The black steamer 8620, which pulls three passenger cars, allows tourists and railway fans to enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Kuma River in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto Prefecture, as it runs through an old brick tunnels and across an iron bridge dating back to the Meiji Era.

All Nippon Airways set to pick up half of new flight slots at Narita

2009-12-20T08:03:00.000+07:00

Narita International Airport's runway B, which was extended to 2,500 meters in October 2009 to increase capacity at the airport. (Mainichi)

Impian Monalisa-All Nippon Airways (ANA) will receive about half of the 20,000 flights being added to Narita International Airport's annual capacity starting in March, say insiders at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

The new flights are part of ANA's plans to strengthen its international network, mainly in Asia, with the allotment of the new flight capacity to be officially announced by the ministry in January.

Japan Airlines (JAL), which is in the midst of restructuring and reducing its routes, did not make a request for a portion of the 10,000 added takeoffs and landings reserved for domestic carriers. This is apparently partly because the airline needs to secure enough aircraft for the increased number of flight slots slated for Haneda Airport, also known as Tokyo International Airport.

At present, JAL has about 47,000 of Narita's annual 200,000 fights, against ANA's 26,000. The 20,000 new flights were added by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism to coincide with the completion of a runway extension project.

JAL, which must complete its restructuring plan by January and reduce 21 international routes by the end of fiscal 2011, will likely reduce its flights in and out of Narita. ANA has requested that the extra flights left in the arrival and departure structure by JAL's route reductions be divided up fairly, and is looking to increase its share.

Until recently, JAL -- which operates more routes than ANA -- had been picking up international routes from its rival, and the new ANA flight slots at Haneda and Narita will narrow that gap.

The long and wine-filled road

2009-12-18T11:02:00.000+07:00

Impian Monalisa-In spring, the vines are just starting to grow again, with the harvest due in autumn

Having lived in Melbourne for more than a year, I finally had the chance to go on a winery tour one fine spring weekend.

My good local friend Jen offered to take me to some wineries nearby after she found out I'd seen nothing of Victoria's vineyards except from the tourism brochures.

Our options were either the Grampian or Pyrenees wineries, which along with Ballarat make up the Great Grape Road Touring, wine regions offering visitors a scenic view as well as wide ranges of mouthwatering wine. Ballarat itself is a nice town with rich cultural heritage inherited from the gold rush heyday. The town is an hour's drive from Melbourne.

"It's not as famous as the Yarra Valley, but you'll enjoy the Pyrenees," said Jen, as we decided to head there because from Ballarat, where Jen's mother lives, it is closer than Grampian.

She was right, as the picturesque hilly area was a perfect weekend escape for us.

The vineyard at the Dalwhinnies’ winery made for a great place for a walk

Our journey started at around 10 a.m., after a lazy Saturday breakfast, enjoying various homemade jams made by Barbara, Jen's mother. We were lucky to have good weather, considering it is usually still quite chilly in Ballarat and beyond during October, even with spring upon us.

Along the road was a striking bright yellow canola farm. All kinds of birds, none that I could name, were flying in the clean blue sky.

"It's easy to grow canola here. Mostly it's made into oil and used in the food processing industry," Barbara explained. Every now and then she slowed the car down and pulled over so we could take pictures.

This woman has amazing knowledge about the plants and wildlife of Australia. She tirelessly explained to us different kinds of gum trees, native plants, birds and just about anything that we wanted to know during the road trip.

Barbara also told us that the Pyrenees were named after the rocky mountains that span the border between Spain and France. The vast vineyards first started back in the late 19th century, yet did not last. The modern vineyards were planted in the 1960s.

So much wine, so little time! Barbara explains about the different grapes and wines.

According to the Visit Victoria website, the Pyrenees are home to 44 wineries that grow 25 varieties of grapes. These vineyards helped establish the Pyrenees' reputation as producers for, among others, the savory and spicy reds. The Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are among the best varieties from the region.

At about midday, we arrived at our first winery, the Taltarni Vineyards in Moonambel. It wasn't very busy, so we had a good time tasting different selections of fruity wines. Although I'm far from being an expert wine taster, I would say that I love almost everything offered as long as it's not dry. However, I found the sweet sparkling Late Harvest Riesling 2005 the most flavorsome.

"This is going to be perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon picnic later *in Melbourne*," my friend Ria said of the sweet and fruity white wine first released in 1999. We ended up buying a bottle each.

Another friend took a nice Cabernet Sauvignon as a gift for her thesis supervisor following a recommendation from the barman.

"It's a good choice. Very moderate as it's not too strong, yet still good for a chill-out time," he said after we told him that we didn't know the supervisor's preference.

No springtime walk would be complete without a roll in the daisies.

"I suppose he likes red wine, hey?" he added in a broad Australian accent.

We got a little too excited for a bit and began thinking about buying different kinds.

"Take it easy girls, we're heading to more places after this," Barbara warned us.

After quick tea break and a five-minute drive past scenic hilly vineyards, we arrived at our second winery. The Dalwhinnies is a little more isolated and nestled under the brow of a hill. It has a small testing area for visitors with a modern glass design that provides a lovely view of the vineyards down hill. There, guests can also enjoy appetizing snacks and a cheese platter while tasting the wine.

We tried different ranges of white and red, but could not decide what we liked the most. Since the wines were pricey, ranging from A$35 to $150 (US$32 to $136) a bottle, we decided not to buy any - too expensive for a student budget.

The vineyard looked stunning and the spring sunshine was irresistible, so we decided to enjoy a bit of a walk with the dog around the vineyard.

The grape vines had just started growing, yet they still looked beautiful. The best time to enjoy the vineyards is in early autumn in March, when the vines are full of fruit and ready for harvesting.

The hilly landscape reminded us of the highlands around Bandung and Puncak, in West Java, which also make for a perfect weekend getaway. The only difference is that here they are full of grape vines instead of tea plantations.

Spring had sprung, and daisies were blooming everywhere. We made a daisy-chain tiara for Molly the dog, who seemed to enjoy the walk in the stunning hills.

We took a bundle of pictures, and off we went to the next destination. We had a quick check at the Summerfield cellar, tasted some reds and decide that we were too hungry to enjoy the wine.

We then drove to Avoca, a quiet small town with classic old buildings from the gold rush era, to have lunch.

Our initial plan was to go to a caf* offering various old-style Australian meat pies, with different fillings including exotic meats such as kangaroo and crocodile. But a friend just wanted to have a safe lunch, so our choice was a cute little caf*, the Olive and Lavender. The caf* serves homemade food and has a small yard for the dogs.

It was the perfect choice as all the food was tasty. I was satisfied with my feta cheese quiche and a strong latte to keep me awake the rest of the afternoon.

Following lunch, Barbara took us on a small bushwalk around a small waterfall. The walk was good to awaken us before we continued to our final destination, the Mount Avoca winery.

As dusk begins to fall, kangaroos come out to forage for food, apparently unbothered by traffi c and tourists.

Mount Avoca spoiled us with flavorful wines and we ended up buying some. I opted for a white Trios, a blend of the three fruity wines Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Semillon. I think it's going to be a perfect companion for a seafood dinner or even spicy Indonesian cuisine, as recommended by the woman serving us.

Driving back home, we saw a mob of kangaroos in the bush. About two or three males, which looked bigger than the rest, led the group through the green bush. We pulled the car over and took some pictures of them, which didn't seem to bother them.

Barbara said kangaroos were most likely to be seen during dusk.

"It's time to start hunting for food," she said.

After they disappeared into the bush, we continued our journey back to the city center. The next destination was Maryborough, a small town east of Ballarat, where we would spend the night in Jenny's family property and experience a simple life, but without Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie, in the bush.

"It's gonna be great, girls. My dad has prepared a bonfire and we can roast marshmallows on it. And tomorrow, we should get up early to do some bushwalking in the neighborhood," said Jenny. She added that if we were lucky, kangaroos usually came into the yard around the house in the morning or early evening.

And that really happened. we ended our weekend retreat by filming and chasing tamed kangaroos in bush that evening.

- Photos courtesy of Agustina Wayansari

Villa Willys

2009-07-05T17:04:00.001+07:00

Impian Monalisa-Villas within walking distance to the Beach - Seminyak - Price range: Less than US$ 300

Simply the best you can get for the price range, Villa Willys offers you a comfortable private oasis in the most sought after holiday area of Bali, which is literally around KuDeTa and LaLuciola in Seminyak. Hidden behind famous fine dining restaurant The LivingRoom, the beach and the island's best restaurants, spas, and other holiday establishments are reachable within only a few minutes walk, through the cascade of up-market private villa brands.

Villa Willys is a managed compound of three self-contained private villas where each unit is individually gated and comes with private swimming pool. Laying-back on the golden-sandy beach of Petitenget, which is only a few minutes away on foot, or on your own private poolside is solely at your choice. Dedicated estate manager and all the staffs are available to both pamper your indulgence in the villa, as well as proper arrangement should you want to enjoy the rest of the island outside your gate.

With charming simple yet functional layout, furnishing, and decor, the villas are all about tropical holiday living, maximizing enjoyment of both the heat of tropical sun and soothing ocean breeze throughout. Functional modern amenities in Western standard is provided to ensure your comfortable stay, including air-conditioning, en-suites with running hot and cold water, TV and DVD players in each bedroom, and fully equipped kitchen.

Villa 1 (two-bedroom villa)
Villa 1 is the only two bedrooms unit on the estate, located at the front-most, close to the main gate and security post. Whilst it has a private swimming pool located immediately upon the entrance gate, size of pool and the garden are quite smaller than those in the other units. However, smart design makes it still appear as a comfortable home despite of its exact measurements.

Living quarters are housed in an L-shape building surrounding the swimming pool. Compact open living area overlooking the swimming pool comes with comfortable lounging couches, dining area, and a small kitchen. The two bedrooms are smartly located on different sides of the pool allowing both to enjoy quite wide views.

Villa 2 (three-bedroom villa)
The deep blue of the swimming pool is all you catch by entering the gate of Villa 2 which houses three bedrooms. On the opposite side of the pool is the main pavilion housing simple living-dining areas with kitchen, and two en-suited bedrooms on both sides. The master bedroom on the left facing a soothing artificial fountain has an en-suite with bath tub. The other bedroom on the right, directly facing the swimming pool, comes with a rain-shower en-suite.

On the other side of the pool is the third bedroom housed in unique raised wooden house. Comes with a private en-suite, the bed is placed in front of a large window overlooking the swimming pool, creating a unique feeling of sleeping directly on the poolside, but with a comfort of air-conditioned bedroom.

Villa 3 (three-bedroom villa)
Housing its three bedrooms in two separated pavilions, Villa 3 enjoys the largest land plot in the estate. Entering through its private gate is the most eye-catching part of the house, a round building with soaring canonical thatched roof, which house a spacious bedroom with large canopied bed. Large windows along the wall allow you to enjoy the rest, including the swimming pool and the lawn from the bed.

Free form swimming pool sits comfortably on spacious decently-manicured lawn giving a nice contrast of azure blue and tropical green. A narrow pathway between the round-house and the swimming pool leads to the main pavilion at the end of the plot. The main pavilion houses simple living-dining areas with kitchen, and two en-suited bedrooms on both sides. The master bedroom on the left facing a soothing artificial fountain has an en-suite with bath tub. The other bedroom on the right, directly facing the swimming pool, comes with a rain-shower en-suite.

BY FAST BOAT DIRECT FROM BALI OR BY AIR VIA MATARAM AIRPORT

2009-04-29T19:45:00.000+07:00

By far the quickest and easiest way of getting to the Gili Islands from Bali is with the new Fast Boat service, operated by Blue Water Express (www.bwsbali.com), established in early 2006. This has rapidly become the most popular way of getting to the Gili Islands, provides a convenient one-stop transportation direct to the Gili beaches.

The Blue Water Fastboat includes fee air-con transfers to and from the Kuta area in Bali, which is just 20 minutes from Benoa Harbour. From here it takes around two hours to get you direct to the beaches of Trawangan, Meno or Air. Price is USD 75/person (one way)

Other Direct Fast Boat Service available is The Gili Cat (Island Xpress), depart every day from Padang Bay to Gili Trawangan, V.V. Price is: USD 70/person (one way)

BY AIR FROM JAKARTA

There are many daily flights from Jakarta - direct or via Surabaya - stop over. If you arrive at night, you may need to stay over in Mataram or Senggigi before crossing over to the Gilis.

During the peak holiday season or even regular low season, major airlines are fully booked by locals and expats who wish to spend their weekend on Gilis. If you are outside the country you'll find difficulties to book and purchase tickets online, therefore since August 2008 we setup a Branch Office in Kuta Bali (located 5 minutes from Denpasar International Airport) to give a full assistances and service from the time of your arrival in Denpasar International airport until you safely arrive in gili islands Lombok Indonesia. Our system is now fully integrated with PayPal , so you can make an online booking from your home country, pay instantly with PayPal and get your tickets delivered at the airport in Bali or at the hotel where you stay.

Lombok Network Holidays Branch Office in Kuta Bali

Jl. Kartika Plaza No 97, Kuta Bali, Indonesia

T: +62 361 8757904, F: +62 361 767631, M: +62 817361392

Email: bali@lombok-network.com

Garuda Indonesia Airlines serves two daily direct-flights;

GA 430 (ETA 12:10) and GA 432 (ETA 22:55).

Lion Air serves one daily direct flight from Jakarta on JT 650 (ETA 21:55PM) and two daily flights via Surabaya on JT 8382 (ETA 12:20) and JT 8388 (22:55).

Batavia Air serves one daily flight from Jakarta via Surabaya on 7P - 345 (ETA 19:35PM).

Merpati Airlines have one daily flight from Surabaya direct on MZ 831 (ETA 11:40 AM)

BY AIR FROM DENPASAR (BALI)

Merpati Airlines serves 6 daily flights from Bali to Lombok V.V;

MZ 6600 (ETA 01:30 AM), MZ 6602 (ETA 10:00 AM), MZ 6620 (ETA 16:00 PM) and

MZ 6608 (ETA 17:00 PM).

Indonesia Air Transport serves two direct flights; IT 01 (ETA 08:00AM), IT 05 (ETA 16:10PM).

Trigana Air also serves 2 daily flight from Bali;

TGN 542 (ETA 08:30 AM) and TGN 540 (ETA 16:30PM)

One way airfare are between IDR 385,000 - 425,000/adult.

BY AIR FROM SINGAPORE

From Singapore, Silk Air fly direct to Lombok 3 times a week; MI 126 (ETA 18:05PM) every Monday, Thursday and MI 122 (ETA 10:40AM) every Saturday.

If you arrive between 17:00 - 19:00 PM we suggest you to book our private transfer service in advanced.

PUBLIC BOAT FROM BANGSAL TO GILI ISLANDS

From Mataram Airport, take airport taxi service direct to Bangsal or get a public transport/bemos from Rembiga to Pemenang, then to Bangsal by Cidomo (horse cart). Use your bargaining skills to negotiate the price. From Bangsal to Gili Islands, the only transportation is by regular public boat or boat charter.

The Koperasi Angkutan Laut (Sea Transport Co-operative) is the boat owner cartel which monopolizes transport to the islands. Try to get to Bangsal at around 09:30AM or 10:30AM as most boats go in the morning. The public boat office in Bangsal close at 16:30 PM.

PRIVATE TRANSFER SERVICE (AC COACH + PRIVATE SPEEDBOAT)

Most upmarket hotels on Gili Trawangan give extra service and conveniences to their clients by providing their private modern speedboat and skip the hassle in Bangsal Harbor. There is an alternative private harbor runs privately by hotel's owners at Teluk Nare or Teluk Kodek (another 10 minutes drive from Bangsal).

This option is effective and hassle free. It takes only 10 minutes to Gili Trawangan.

You can pre-book online for a private pick up and transfers service through Lombok Network Holidays. Price per person: USD 30/one way or USD 50/return (min. 2 persons). If you're in a group or with family of maximum 5, the price is USD 80/family (one way) or USD 140/family (return). This service includes; private AC Coach + Private Speedboat. Our guide will meet and greet you upon arrival at Lombok airport, arrange your luggage, and escort you to the harbor and organize the speedboat for you.

BY REGULAR FERRY FROM BALI

Ferry service from Bali - Lombok - Bali available 24 hours, depart every two hours. It takes up to 4,5 hours from Padang Bay (East Bali) to Lembar (South West Lombok). You will spend almost the whole day on the bus and ferry and by the time you reach Bangsal, you may have to charter the boat to get the gilis at unusual price.

From Lembar Harbour, take a bus to Mandalika bus station, choose destination Tanjung, and stop at Pemenang. Get a local transportation called Cidomo (horse cart) to take you to Bangsal Harbour. Once there register your name at the ticket office and wait until the list is full. Boat leaves when number of passengers reached 20 pax.

Gilimanuk Harbor

2009-04-29T19:43:00.000+07:00

Bali's west gateway, it is the cheapest inland way to reach Java.There are ferries that sail every minutes to deliver people and vehicle from Bali to Java.
The beauty of Gilimanuk's beaches is rarely mentioned. It has a wide range of coral beaches, white and black sand beaches and mangrove forest. The exquisiteness of the underwater coral awaits anyone willing to dive in and go for snorkeling.

There are two small islands in the bay, which are barely more than sandbars - Pulau Kalong (Bat Island) and Pulau Burung (Bird Island). For tourists who want know further about the history of Bali, there is also a museum containing pre-Hindu archeology.

The villages around Gilimanuk contain a mixture of Balinese, Javanese, Madurese and Bugis architecture unique to Bali. No less beautiful are the various boats belonging to these ethnic groups.

Gilimanuk plays its role as a west seaport of Bali. Daily ferry service (Bali - Java) are run. It also offers a beautiful view from the busy harbor.

THE GILI ISLANDS - GENERAL INFORMATION

2009-04-23T16:32:00.002+07:00

Impian monalisa-Located just off the northwest coast of Lombok, the three islands of Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan are rapidly becoming one of the most popular destinations for visitors to Bali and Lombok. They are now easily accessible direct from Bali with the new fast boat service, or by plane and local boat from Lombok.

All three islands feature superb, white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, spectacular coral reefs, and the best snorkeling and diving to be found anywhere on Bali and Lombok. Visitors from all over the world are attracted to the simple pleasures of sun, snorkeling, diving, beautiful beaches, and socializing. The absence of cars, motorcycles, and hawkers adds greatly to the leisure of staying on the Gilis – although there is now a wide range of accommodation available, the islands have maintained the lazy rustic charms of a tropical paradise.

Getting There

We highly recommend visitors to use a Private Transfer Service to avoid hussle and bustle at Bangsal (public harbour to gili islands). Local street vendors who try to sells things with pushing and pressure, or those who grab your luggage and ask too much for a porter service could be annoying. Paying a little extra for a comfort and easy settlement for a wonderful holiday break is worth it, especially those who travel with kids.

Private Transfer Service includes pick up, meeting and greeting service at the airport/seaport/hotel, land transportation with fully air-con deluxe coaches, private boat charter, and check in assistances at the hotel.

To get around the isle, the only means of transport are Cidomos, horse drawn carriages. Bicycle rentals are available too. Expect higher prices for most things there since all food and goods must be brought over from the mainland.

ISLAND'S HOPPING

Traveling between the islands requires either catching the infrequent shuttle boats or chartering one to take you across. The distances between the islands may seem swimmable, but do not attempt it — the currents can be fierce and several backpackers have died trying.

The Natives & History

A few years ago, sailors from Bugis, Mandar and Makassar (Sulawesi) occupied Gili Air and establish coconuts plantation and expand the fishing activities.

As visitors started to visit Lombok and some came to the Gilis on day trips and then began to stay for longer periods in local homes. The islands have become enormously popular. Their popularity may be a problem, as numbers sometime exceed the available rooms and put pressure on the island environment, especially the supply of fresh water and the capacity of septic system to cope with waste and there is always pressure to build more and better facilities.

Big business interests are trying to cash in on the popularity of the Gilis and the local government is keen to promote upmarket tourist development.

Gili Air and Gili Meno retained much of their unspoilt quality, but Gili Trawangan has become more touristy and pricy. The islanders are majority Muslims and visitors should respect their sensibilities. In particular, topless or nude sunbathing is offensive to them, even though they won't say so directly. Away from Beach, it is polite for women to cover their shoulders and thighs. Many visitors are appallingly insensitive to local standards and so many of them walk around in skimpy clothing that it's easy to get impression that the local people don't mind anymore. In fact, they do.

The development for the last five years has change the island's look, especially Gili Trawangan. Accommodation tariffs on today's range for a simple room with fan are from between Rp. 90,000 (equivalent to USD 9.00) to 150,000 (USD 15.00) per night , to an air-con bungalows style with hot water, in comfortable resort-style settings at up to USD 200.00 per night and everything in between, depending on the seasonal price fluctuations. Demand often outstrips supply, so prices tend to be noticeably higher than on Bali or Lombok.

While the island is busiest from May through August, the quieter off-season from January to April provides a better opportunity to enjoy all the islet has to offer.

Electricity and Communication

Electricity supply are now available on all the three Gilis. The electrical voltage in Indonesia is 220 Volt, if you bring any devices which require recharged at lower voltage (110 Volt) bring an electrical voltage converter or ask the hotel where you stay for STAVOLT.

The islands have no supplies of fresh water and very spotty electricity supply; it's not uncommon for power to be off for hours at a time. Most upmarket hotels, restaurants and dive shops have generators for the back up.

Mobile phone towers ensure you're never out of touch, and there are several Internet cafes on Trawangan for feeding your Internet addiction, although connection speeds tend to be painfully slow. Printing is possible in a few Internet cafés and you can even hook up your laptop in some.

MONEY

There is now a Bank Mandiri ATM on Gili Trawangan, in front of the Vila Ombak Hotel, but it's not always working so it's better to bring along enough rupiah to tide you over. The rates offered by moneychangers are noticeably poorer than on the mainland. Credit cards are accepted by some of the more upmarket places and all dive shops; some will also arrange credit card advances, but with hefty fees on the order of 7-10%. For your own safety, deposit valuable items at the reception where you're staying at. Carry only small cash and necessary items.

Health and Medical

Sanitation has improved on the islands. There are two health centers on Gili Trawangan; 1) located near the soccer fields for locals and 2) located in Villa Ombak with better facilities for Tourist.

Gili Meno also now have a health centre which funded by local's businesses. Gili Air also have a health centre located near the main village. The health centre is known locally as "Puskesmas". To stay fit and healthy, always drink from bottled water or boiled water and avoid eating raw foods or salads from small non-reputable restaurants, because the water might not be sterilized.

True to the hippie vibe, magic mushrooms are widely available and openly advertised. Their legality is questionable, as are any physical and psychological effects.

Small but annoying jellyfish are common in the waters around the Gilis during August only, so wearing a full-length wetsuit or surf skin in the water is advisable.

...

Security

There are no Police Station or Military Post on the islands, but there is a small police station in Bangsal harbor. The Islands funded non-uniformed community policing group, SATGAS, ensures visitor's security and safety. In the rare event of someone breaking the law or disturbing tourists, perpetrators are handed over to Police on Lombok and face banishment from the island for up to five years.

Activities

There are many options for an enjoyable holiday on the islands. You can rent snorkeling equipment, join a diving course, rent a kayak, go fishing, or take a glass bottom boat to see the magnificent coral reefs and fishes. There are no sights as such on the islands themselves, but the snorkeling and diving all around is a major draw.

The locals living on the island are pretty interesting. If you walk behind the main road you will see how the locals live which is much different then the beautiful bungalows the tourists stay in.

Scuba Diving

There are lots of quality scuba diving operations on all the islands. The coral around the islands is good for snorkeling, which can be reach from the shore. See rays and giant clams. A must see: Turtles Point, Meno Wall, Shark (harmless) Point. Dive Schools available on all the islands with many dive programs to choose, from beginners to advanced technical dives.

Snorkeling

While divers are able to regularly swim with black tip, those who prefer to just drifts in the currents with a snorkel, fins and mask are never left disappointed by the more than 6,000 species of marine life living just off-shore.

Fishing

Fishing is one of the highlight activities on the islands. Deep/bottom fishing remain the best on north west of Gili Trawangan. Carry your own equipment if you're not familiar with the traditional-style of fishing.

Cruising along the Venice of the East

2009-04-21T20:17:00.001+07:00

The Grand Palace.

There was a buzz of anticipation at the River City pier. A couple stood at the edge of the pier, eyes locked on the slow-moving Grand Pearl ship.

Like many others who crowded the pier, the couple was waiting to board the ship that would take them cruising along Bangkok’s famous Chao Phraya River, while having a romantic candle lit diner.

When the ship eventually docked, the crew welcomed them aboard, singing Latin songs accompanied by an acoustic guitar. The couple rushed into the ship, followed by others who were in a hurry too. They were about to have a romantic dinner sailing down the canals of Bangkok, the Venice of the East.

Diners enjoy candle lit dinners with fascinating view of Bangkok aboard the Grand Pearl.

In this ship that could accommodate up to 350 guests, people were free to choose where they sat, either inside the air-conditioned cabins or outside. I opted to sit in one of the cabins with other journalists and a Jakarta-based travel agent, given the strong wind outside.

A welcome drink was immediately served as we sat down. The fruit cocktail was very refreshing. I suspect the night wind had made us all thirsty. Two hours prior, we had also indulged in a renowned Thai massage at the Rarinjinda Spa in downtown Bangkok.

As the ship moved, the city lights reflected on the river water. Our two-hour romantic cruise had officially kicked off.

Traditional Thai music filled the air. A woman, dressed in a traditional Thai costume, climbed the stairs to greet the guests. She cast a friendly glance across the hall before gracefully performing a typical Thai dance.

Traditional food minus Thai’s signature soup Tom Yam are served on a long table.

Once the dance finished, the captain welcomed the passengers over a loudspeaker, asking guests to sit down at a long table for dinner. To my surprise, Tom Yam, Thailand’s signature soup, was missing from the table. Instead, there were dishes of mouthwatering lime and chili steamed squid, duck grilled in red curry, deep fried fish, and roasted chicken with salt.

Music played in the background while we walked back and forth between our table and the buffet, helping ourselves with food. I sampled the grilled beef with a green pepper corn sauce, before digging into a fettuccine carbonara and some sushi. I finished off with slices of watermelon.

Live music draws people to dance while cruising along the Chao Praya.

King Rama VII, another ship covered in blue lights and filled with dinners, sailed past us, down the 370 kilometers river.

When it was time to head back to the River City pier, our tour guide Tom started telling us about all the historical places located along the river.

“That’s the Grand Palace,” he said, pointing to a huge structure with a golden roof. The Palace was well illuminated, with lights creating a fantastic spectrum of colors contrasting with the dark sky.

“It was built by King Rama I, the first monarch and founder of the Rattanakosin period, as an exact replica of Ayutthaya, the old royal capital, with a temple built within the compound to house the Emerald Buddha. It is also known as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.”

Across the Grand Palace, one could see the Wat Arun or Temple of Dawn. The landmark temple is 79 meters tall, dating back to the Ayutthaya period. King Rama II and his successor King Rama III enlarged the compound. Renovations were completed during the administration of King Rama IV.

The Emerald Buddha was enshrined in this temple for a brief period before King Rama I built the Grand Palace.

After Wat Arun, we passed the Old Royal Palace and the Wichai Prasit Fort.

“The royal palace spreads along riverside from the Wichai Prasit Fort to a canal, north of Wat Arun,” Tom said.

“The building reflects Ayutthaya’s architectural style. The Wichai Prasit Fort or Bangkok fort was built during King Narai’s reign and is the only remaining fort of the Ayutthaya period.”

As we approached the Pier, we started talking about modern Thailand, one of the world’s most visited tourist destination. Thailand’s tourism business was once hit hard by political unrest.

When protesters “occupied” the Svarnabhumi Aiport last year, Tom said it greatly affected the tourism industry.

Impian Monalisa-To-be passengers swarm a registration table to board the ship.

“The number of visitors significantly decreased. There was no cruise at all,” he said.

“But now, it seems that it’s going back to normal,” he added.

Many Thais, whose livelihood relies on the tourism industry, also hope the situation has returned to normal. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva assured the world an incident such as the airport closure would not happen again.

“I assure you that there will never again be a repeat of the closure of our main gateway airport. The Cabinet has approved laws to protect our major airport from any disruptions in the future,” he said.

Even though we were very close to the pier, people around me were still dancing to the music, as if they were reluctant to leave the ship.

As I was walking back to the hotel, I reflected back on the cruise, and thought it was a spectacular experience that should definitely be added to other adventures in the beautiful Venice of the East.

— Photos by Arief Suhardiman

American space tourist buys return ticket to orbit

2009-04-10T11:19:00.002+07:00

Impian Monalisa-Two-time space tourist: A Saturday, April 7, 2007 file photo taken from a broadcast on Russian RTR Russian Television Channel, Space tourist U.S. billionaire Charles Simonyi, left, is seen aboard the space craft before the launch of the Soyuz TMA-10 from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Simoni will become the world's first two-time space tourist when he leaves Earth behind Thursday, March 26, 2009 and heads back to the space station. (AP/RTR-Russian Television Channel)Recession or no, billionaire Charles Simonyi couldn't pass up another shot at space, even if it meant shelling out $35 million more.

Besides, it may one of the last times the Russian government allows tourists to hitch a ride to the international space station.

"It's now or never," said Simonyi, who has now spent $60 million for a couple of space vacations. The first was $25 million.

A computer genius who helped build Microsoft, Simonyi (sih-MOHN'-ee) will become the world's first two-time space tourist when he leaves Earth behind Thursday. He'll be accompanied by two professional astronauts — a Russian and American — who will be going up for a six-month stint at the space station.

His own trip will last under two weeks, and it will be his last.

"I'm not getting any younger," the 60-year-old told The Associated Press in a recent telephone interview. He'll be one of the older men to fly in space, though nowhere near John Glenn's record at age 77.

Besides, he's promised his new wife, Lisa Persdotter, a 28-year-old Swedish socialite, that this will be his final spaceflight. He told her about his plans when they got engaged and "she was very supportive, but, BUT to a limit, mainly. Just once," Simonyi said with a chuckle. He's quick to point out this is his first marriage, and he's taking one of their engagement rings with him into orbit.

The Hungarian-born Simonyi, who lives in suburban Seattle, is among six rich people who have bought tickets to space through Virginia-based Space Adventures.

NASA, the major stakeholder in the space station, may not love the idea of hosting tourists — "spaceflight participants" as it calls them. But the initial concerns back in 2001 have eased over the years with the addition of guidelines.

Space station program manager Mike Suffredini has spoken to Simonyi, just as he has with everyone going up, to make sure the visitor understands his limitations at the orbiting complex.

"It really has to do with their safety," as well as the safety of the others and the space station itself, Suffredini said. "They're extremely restricted" in what they can do on the American side.

All this may soon be moot: Russian space officials have indicated that after this year, there will be no more seats available to tourists. That's because the space station crew is about to double in size to six — hopefully by the end of May — and professional fliers will fill all the slots.

After he returned from his two-week space station trip in April 2007, Simonyi said Russian cosmonauts told him how different and rewarding it was to go back up a second time. With doors closing on future tourist flights, Simonyi did not want to miss out.

Because the training for his first flight was so recent, Simonyi got the abridged version, three months at cosmonaut headquarters in Star City, Russia, versus six to eight months before. He will return to Earth on April 7 in a Soyuz capsule.

"I look at it as a continuation of the first flight," Simonyi said. "The reasons are the same. It's to support space research, it's to popularize civilian space flight and communicate the excitement of sciences and engineering to our kids."

Simonyi's own interest in space was kindled in childhood. He represented Hungary as a junior cosmonaut, when he was 13, and won a trip to Moscow to meet one of the first Soviet spacemen. His interest in computer programming eventually led him to the United States; he's been a U.S. citizen for 27 years.

Simonyi — who has a doctorate in computer science and is a licensed pilot — led the development of Microsoft Word and Excel. He left Microsoft in 2002 and founded Intentional Software Corp. as well as the Charles Simonyi Fund for Arts and Sciences.

He's offered to do medical and radiation experiments while he's up there, and will use Windows on Earth software to photograph Earth. The view and the feeling of weightlessness are drawing him back as well.

"It's a super-wide screen, and the Earth is fantastic blue," he said.

His wife of four months will be at the launching site in Kazakhstan, along with about a dozen other family and friends. Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates, who was an usher at Simonyi's wedding, can't make it.

It's ironic, Simonyi said, that he left Hungary in 1966 as a teenager, frustrated by Soviet secrecy, and now Russia is allowing him to fulfill his dream — again.

"Who would have thought? The irony of this is amazing," he said./TJP

Versace Mansion in South Beach begins tours

2009-03-15T06:51:00.001+07:00

Impian Monalisa-For years, the iconic South Beach mansion best known as the place Gianni Versace lived and died was open only to the privileged few.

Before the designer’s death more than a decade ago, his celebrity friends stayed so often, rooms were outfitted with them in mind. After Versace’s murder and the house’s sale, it become home to another mogul with A-list friends.

But, slowly, 1116 Ocean Drive has opened its doors, first as an invitation-only private club, then allowing non-members to stay in its ornate rooms, and now to the masses -- or at least anyone willing to plunk down US$65 for a tour.

“It was just kind of a domino effect,” said Elisa Brinkworth, a spokeswoman for Casa Casuarina, as the 2,415-square-meter estate is allied. “The more people you let in the more that wanted to come in.”

The possibility of touring the villa and enjoying a meal there afterward -- or if you’re lucky enough, to stay in one of its 10 suites -- doesn’t come cheap. But it offers visitors a glimpse of a truly special place long kept from the pubic.

Outside, tourists flock to the cast-iron gates, taking pictures all hours of the day. It is not until you enter, though, that you truly sense its magnificence.

Pass through the limestone arch, into the courtyard of Casa Casuarina, and the fuss all makes sense. The trickle of water from a fountain, the shift of clouds above, the tickle of Atlantic breezes -- the simple beauty of each is enhanced by the home’s lavishness.

A lion rug in the Safari Room at Casa Casuarina

Every inch of this place, every detail, is full of thought and history and detail. And yet it feels intimate and generally not over-the-top.

Modeled after Alcazar de Colon, the Dinican Republic house built by Christopher Columbus’ family in 1510, Casa Casuarina is a three-story, Mediterranean-style home surrounded by a high wall on a fashionable stretch of Ocean Drive.

It was built in 1930 by Standard Oil heir Alden Freeman, later became a hotel, spiraled into disrepair, and was one point a hostel where rooms went for as little as $1 a night. Versace bought it in 1992, along with a hotel next door, and did massive renovations to make the estate what it is today.

The purchase of the neighboring hotel made room for Versace’s pool, a centerpiece of the tour, made of more than a million Italian mosaic tiles and 24-karat gold pieces. Its design was inspired by a Versace scarf and was created in Italy, broken down, shipped in numbered sections and reassembled here.

Versace’s touches are everywhere, often in the form of his Medusa head logo, which is seen in gold, on gates and railings, in stone mosaics even on shower drains. And, of course, visitors will want to know where he spent his final moment that Tuesday in July 1997, which staff prefer not to speak about. He was shot by a serial killer who later committed suicide.

“We don’t like to talk about it, but it happened by the steps,” Brinkworth says. “We try to live out his legacy rather than his death and, obviously, when people come in the house you’ll start to see the beauty he left behind. It kind of takes away from the tragedy that happened outside of the gates.”

The home is no longer owned by the Versace family; it was sold in 2000 to telecommunications mogul Peter Loftin, who has slowly made the estate more public while maintaining all of the Versace touches.

The home is full of tapestries, sculptures and paintings. The smell of fresh flowers and sound of classical music fills the air. The roughly hour-long tour includes the central courtyard, dining room, lounges, the pool and a look at a marble toilet with a golden seat, billed as one of only three in the world.

While the downstairs of the home is exquisite, whether it’s worth the price of the tour depends on your interest in art and architecture, your desire to gain access to an exclusive place, and your level of disposable income.

Upstairs is off-limits to tourists. To get a glimpse, you must be a club member or a paying guest. But it, too, is stunning and steeped in a history dotted with familiar names.

There’s the bathtub -- the only one in a house full of showers -- put in for Madonna. There’s the uppermost area of the house, the observatory, where Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes reportedly enjoyed a three-hour dinner before getting engaged. There’s Versace’s sprawling cedar closet, one filled more recently, the host says, by Paris Hilton.

The name-dropping here doesn’t stop. The Wedgwood Suite was Cher’s favorite; the Safari Suite was Elton John’s. A photo of Bill and Hillary Clinton hangs in a cigar lounge; mentions of recent guests are made effortlessly.

Just stepping out on one of the balconies facing Ocean Drive and throngs of tourists makes you a celebrity, albeit briefly, too.

A view of the Atlantic Ocean is seen from the rooftop of Casa Casuarina. AP/Lynne Sladky

The bedrooms share many of the characteristics of downstairs -- elegant chandeliers and moldings; thick, rich drapes and bedding; and artwork on the walls. But they also often offer stunning views -- in the foreground, a fountain spouts water into the pool, and just off in the distance, behind the palms, soft ocean waters lap ashore.

The style of each suite is very different, though they may share the fact that they’re all out of your budget.

Three of the 10 rooms go for $1,200 during the peak winter season, plus 13 percent tax and 22 percent service charge. The others climb in price, up to the owner’s suite, which goes for $10,000 nightly. Prices are cheaper in summer, when the blistering heat chases many tourists away, and for members.

There is no way to sugarcoat the price, but it is worth noting that you could stay in one of the cheapest rooms and have room for several and that, given the exclusivity, a lower-end room could be considered a deal compared with other pricey South Beach hotel suites. In the Parrot Suite and the Wedgwood Suite, there are two full-sized daybeds in addition to a queen, meaning it could comfortably sleep four.

And, it is an once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Those who take the tour may stay for breakfast or lunch, depending on the time of day. But it, too, will come at a price. My colleague and I had salads, pasta and a bottle of water. It was sumptuous, but the tab was about $120.

No one expects the Versace mansion to be cheap; they do expect it to be special. And it delivers. In here, everything seems different, and a Tuesday afternoon is transformed from mundane to magical.

If You Go...

CASA CASUARINA: Gianni Versace mansion, 1116 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach; http://www.casacasuarina.com/ or 305-672-6604.

Call for tour reservations. Tours typically offered every other day during the peak tourist season, with times varying morning and afternoon.

Cost: $65. Those who take the tour can enjoy breakfast or dinner at Loftin’s 1116 Ocean, the in-house restaurant, at an additional cost.

Lights Camera Amour

2009-03-12T08:46:00.000+07:00

Impian Monalisa-In this month of love, Paris is a dream destination for any couple. The Jakarta Post draws inspiration from some of the most romantic movies ever as a guide to the city of love.

(UGC)

Amélie (2001)
The iconic location of this delightful movie is Café des 2 Moulins, where our leading lady works. In Montmartre, one can ask any local where it is; just utter the words ‘Amélie Poulain’ (pronounced poo-lane) café and they’ll point you in the right direction.

See where Amelie worked her charm and take pictures over in the cigarette corner (where most conversations in the movie occur), the toilet (for a reminder of the infamous sex scene) and the seat where Amélie peeks at Nino from behind and first falls for him.

Other memorable scenes take place at the Gare de L’est train station, where the game of cat and mouse between Amélie and Nino begins. Note that Gare de L’est is also the gateway to voyages between Paris and other European cities.

When tracing the path of Amélie, one shouldn’t forget to stop by the Montmartre Carousel, where she tricks Nino into a ride. Located just below Sacre Coeur, it costs 2 euro a turn. A favorite spot for Parisians, the Sacre Coeur, a Roman Catholic Basilica, stands tall at the highest point of the city. Linger a while here for sweeping views of Paris.

To conclude Amélie’s adventure, shop for groceries at L’épicerie in Monsieur Collignon on the Rue des Trois Frères, skip stones in St. Martin’s Canal and pay a visit in Notre Dame, where Amélie remembers her mother’s accident. Spare a lazy weekend for this whimsical tour, following in the footsteps of a whimsical girl named…Amélie.

Moulin Rouge (2001)

Set in 1899, in the Montmartre area of Paris, this Academy Award winning film stars Nicole Kidman as Satine, a dancer in the famous cabaret club, Moulin Rouge, who falls in love with Christian (Ewan McGregor).

Moulin Rouge cabanet club: (JP/Kenny Santana)

The club remains a major tourist attraction. With its iconic red windmill (the English translation of Moulin Rouge) lighting up every night, Moulin Rouge draws audiences from around the world to its colorful cabaret show.

Feerie, a new vaudeville show with four different segments, has over 60 songs altogether and lasts for 2 hours. The show plays twice nightly at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. Book early to avoid disappointment.

Though Feerie has no Romeo & Juliet storyline, like the Spectacular! Spectacular! show featured in the movie, film fans need not worry. Similar to Baz Luhrman’s movie, it’s a feast for the eyes and features the performance of the legendary Moulin Rouge dancers (nicknamed Doriss Girls), who bring the traditional can-can dance to life.

Add glitzy costumes, acrobatics, comedy shows performed by clowns and magicians and a night spent at Moulin Rouge is simply splendid.

Before Sunset (2004)

This film brings two souls, Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy), from Before Sunrise back in Europe. Instead of Vienna however, this time they wander through the streets of Paris.

(Warner Independent Pictures)

Reconstruct their tour by browsing through the extensive collection at the Shakespeare & Co. bookstore in the vibrant Quartier Latin. The homey bookstore is the famous flop house of over 50,000 visitors, including celebrated writers like Henry Miller, James Baldwin, and Lawrence Durrell, just to name a few. Book and history aficionados shouldn’t miss this historic institution.
Avoiding the clichés of the city’s more famous Luxembourg and Tuileries gardens, the film used the Promenade Plantée, which runs from the Bois de Vincennes to Bastille. The 4.5 kilometer long elevated park makes for an easy afternoon walk or intense tête-à-tête, just like Jesse and Celine’s. Followed it up with coffee for two at the Pure Café (14 Rue Jean Macé) where visitors can imitate the movie by chatting over café au lait.

In one of the film’s more tender moments, Jesse and Celine take a river cruise (the couple uses the Canauxrama service) to see the city from the wonderful Seine. It’s the perfect way to see Paris’s gorgeous cityscape in an hour. Take the cruise right before sunset to view the city at its best, when all the lights come on.

(JP/Kenny Santana)

Paris,Je T’aime (2006)

The endless different ways to explore the romantic city are summed up in 18 different stories in this movie. One of our favorites is the Cohen Brothers’ Tuileries, in which a tourist’s (Steve Buscemi) idea of colorful Paris is ruined by an experience on board the city’s popular metro. But despite the seemingly unnerving scene, we say take the Metro to see the real Paris.

Skip Tuileries, the station portrayed in the movie, and instead head for the most fascinating station, Louvre-Rivoli. The station leads to the world’s most legendary museum (The Louvre) and boy, didn’t the city council do something about it. Magnificent replicas of famous artifacts are mounted on the Metro’s walls.

While you’re at it, jump into the train (see also Walter Salles’ segment, which stars Catalina Sandino Moreno, or Natalie Portman’s scene in the part directed by Tom Tykwer) where locals, backpackers and immigrants interact with each other in different languages. Personally, we like hearing the French words uttered in unison in that confined space of the train. It just feels, yeah, romantic.

Another place in the movie that’s worth visiting on a trip for two is the Père Lachaise (Wes Craven directed this section) where Oscar Wilde, Chopin and Marcel Proust are buried. It’s an eccentric choice but a necessary for the admirers of world’s late maestros.

Arguably the best segment in the movie, Alexander Payne’s 14th Arrondissement brings Margo Martindale, playing an American tourist, to Paris. Practicing her heavily-accented French, the new comer strolls through 14th Arrondissement’s Parc Montsouris and Montparnasse tower. Sure it’s not the Eiffel, but at 210 meters high, the Montparnasse tower has the advantage of being the tallest building in the city and gives fabulous views of the Parisian skyline.

As the film rolls to the end, Martindale’s character is filmed eating a baguette in beautiful Montsouris Park, as she watches the day go by. That very second, she realizes how she has fallen in love with the city during her trip and, most importantly, how Paris has returned the affection.

Want a cheap vacation? Try a short cruise

2009-02-22T20:09:00.001+07:00

Travis Reed , The Associated Press , Miami

IMPIAN MONALISA-Seeking a getaway despite the downturn, Olivia Gonzalez called her travel agent with an agenda.

"I said, what kind of deals do you have?" said the Miami resident, who is in her 60s, standing outside the Port of Miami. What she found was a six-day, five-night cruise through the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos for $299 a person.

Last minute supplies and luggage is loaded aboard the the Carnival ship, Destiny, in Miami. It is one of the ships offering shorter cruises now. (AP/J. Pat Carter)

That was all the convincing Gonzalez and thousands of other passengers have needed lately to set sail. Though vacations are disposable when money gets tight, the cruise industry has kept ships full with deep discounts and some itinerary changes to shorter, cheaper voyages. Norwegian Cruise Line is sailing three-and four-day swings for the first time since 2004. Carnival Corp. is offering free state room upgrades and more Caribbean choices - a quick skip from the Miami port - in 2009 to accommodate demand.

"Consumers are looking for more value for their vacation dollar," said Howard Frank, Carnival's chief operating officer, on a recent conference call with analysts. "And our shorter, less expensive Caribbean cruise products are performing much better than our premium and luxury, longer cruise products. So we are seeing a consumer trade-down to value."

The major cruise lines are also seeing vacationers wait longer to commit. Before the downturn, bookings averaged about six months in advance, maybe eight months for luxury trips, said Bob Sharak, executive director of the Cruise Lines International Association.

"People are deferring their purchases to the last minute," he said. "They're booking, but it causes the operators some degree of agitation, because it takes longer to put that sailing on the books.

"I don't think that's something unique to our cruise business right now. I think all travel is like that."

Carnival is offering three- and four- day trips to Mexico and the Bahamas starting at $209 for the lowest-level rooms at the last minute, a nearly 50 percent discount in some cases. A four-day Baja California, Mexico cruise sailing in February and now selling at that rate would cost $399 later, while a three-day Bahamas vacation leaving Jan. 23 is available for $219 instead of $349. Norwegian's short Bahamas cruises were starting at $229 through mid-April.

Passengers wait to sail on a short cruises aboard the Carnival Cruise Line ship, Destiny, in Miami. (AP/J. Pat Carter)

Long considered a good vacation value, the cruise industry is holding up better than some competitors in this climate. The Port of Miami saw record cruise traffic of 3.8 million passengers from January to November 2008, a 10.5 percent increase over the previous year. Sharak predicts overall occupancy will continue to increase, despite grim predictions for 2009 in the industry and economy overall.

Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean have suspended stock dividends, a sign of some distress, and last month Carnival lowered its revenue predictions for 2009.

"I'm not minimizing today's situation. We've not seen an economic situation like this in America or globally in my lifetime," Sharak said. "However, if history is an indicator of the future, the business itself has been resilient in these varied markets, and I think right now we're showing that as well."

Carnival has rolled out a new pricing scheme to entice further advance commitments. The "Early Saver" program offers 25 percent discounts for certain trips booked up to three months before departure, plus a guarantee those passengers will get the same savings if rates drop.

"The good news is that consumers are still taking their vacations, but the vacation decision is for next month, rather than next year," Frank told investors.

For consumers, the cruise lines' push to fill big ships can mean big savings. Shannon McClelland was shopping for a birthday gift for her boyfriend two months ago when she found a five-day cruise sailing out of Miami for $1,500 a couple, including airfare from New York.

"Today is his birthday, so this is his birthday present," said McClelland, of New York. "I was just looking for something nice, it seemed doable, so we did it."

Getting away from it all in West Sumatra

2009-02-09T19:27:00.001+07:00

IMPIAN MONALISA-Imbulun Sangir Waterfall: Photo by Adji K

West Sumatra's natural beauty has long had regional cachet, even dating back to the early 1900s during the Dutch Colonial era.

It abounds with mountains, valleys, rivers, springs, caves and forests. One regency in the province, Solok Selatan, or South Solok, has them all. Recently we traveled through Solok Selatan for five days to see for ourselves how the natural beauty was standing up.

Our rental car set off on smooth asphalt roads from the Minangkabau International Airport leaving West Sumatra's capital Padang behind us. Just past the Bung Hatta Nature Park, we began the first real adventure: twisting and turning roads with plenty of rocky roadbed. But we had no excuse to worry: The lush vegetation and clean, fast-running streams caught our attention from both sides of the car.

The rain caught up with us when we made a stop at Kayo Aro Lubuk Selasih restaurant for lunch. It was still a long way to Solok Selatan. Another stop we made was at Di Atas Lake before reaching the border between Solok Selatan and Solok. Before dusk we arrived at Wisma Umi Kalsum lodging in Muaro Labuh where we stayed the night. We fell on a happy coincidence for we got the chance to enjoy rarely seen traditional performances like Rahab and Saluang Panjang after dinner, staged for some well-heeled guests staying at the modest inn.

Botang Liki river (JP/Adji K)

Our first full day was devoted to exploring the awe and fun of the region's fast waters. Our first destination was the 15-meter-high Imbulun Sangir waterfall on the Batang Liki river located at the village of Lubuak Gadang, 161 kilometers from Padang. Then we ventured on to another waterfall 10 kilometers further upland, the Tansi Ampek in Sungai Lambai village. This waterfall is unique because it sits smack-dab in the middle of a tea plantation. To reach it, we had to walk single file along a narrow 100-meter path. Its waters feed at least 10 rivers in Solok Selatan, three of which have top-notch rafting spots. Tempted by the currents, we eventually tried this sport at the most famous of the three, Batang Liki. Lunch was served riverside once we finished rafting that watercourse. We continued on to Batang Sangir which had stronger currents. Generally speaking, Batang Sangir is rated five out of six for difficulty, six being most challenging. The last stage of the rafting session put us on the famous Batang Hari river, 79 kilometers from Padang Aro, the capital of Solok Selatan. This river marks the border between the West Sumatra and Jambi provinces.

The next day we shifted our attention from rafting to hiking. The Mitra Kerinci tea plantation was our starting point as we set out to climb Mt. Kerinci (3,805 m) the highest mountain in Sumatra. Most climbers ascend via the Kresik Tuo (old route) starting from Kerinci Regency in Jambi, but we had heard about a new approach. Upon arriving at the tea plantation, we spent half an hour just admiring the breathtaking scenery of the sea of tea bushes against the backdrop of Mt. Kerinci. Then it was time to drive to the base camp to start our climb. We met Hedi who recently led an 18-member team to open up the new route. "We've opened this new route called the North Route. Water supplies are more accessible from this route compared to the old way up from Jambi."

"Just 100 meters before reaching the peak we will cross the conventional route, the Kresik Tuo."

A tourist observes a stalagnite at Bukit Sungai Mintan.(JP/Adji K)

We returned to our lodge before gearing up for the next adventure; going inside the Earth, or caving. Our destination this time was Bukit Sungai Mintan cave in Sangir Batanghari district. We drove close to the cave, then pulled off to the side of the road. Inside the cave we found underground rivers with moderate currents and many stalagmites and stalactites. There were even columns where the two formations had joined, in the cave's depths. Except for villagers, few people have explored this cave, apparently, which may account for its pristine condition.

Having roamed the cave, we returned to our lodgings and rested up. Our plan was to visit the hot springs Panas Sapan Maluluang in Nagari Alam Pauh Duo, 23 kilometers from Solok Selatan's capital. The spring, deep inside a rubber tree plantation, was accessible by car or motorcycle.

Legend has it Sapan Maluluang and its small pond about five by 10 meters square formed after a volcanic eruption. Billowing steam and the pungent smell of sulphur welcomed us as we approached. Too hot for a dip, the waters are said to be 100* Celsius. To test this, we took some eggs, put them in a plastic bag and placed it in the pond. Voila! In less than 10 minute, our boiled eggs were ready to eat.

Solok selatan residents hold a ritual to greet new planting season. (JP/Adji K)

Our next treat was a walk to Ngalau Indah and a rubber tree and coffee plantation. Several smaller caves in this village were worth the visit. Though as not as pretty as the first caves, these were interesting because residents were using them to breed swallows and sell their highly prized nests.

Over so soon? On our way back to Padang, we did the math. Five days were too few. Along the way we got the feeling we had glimpsed only a small sampling of Solok Selatan's beauty.

If You Go...

Solok Selatan is the youngest regency in West Sumatra. Home to more than 130,000 people, it is accessible with ground transportation from the Minangkabau International Airport in Padang.

You can take a public minibus or rent a car at the airport. The minibus usually charges Rp 50,000 (about US$5) and a rental car will cost you Rp 450,000 per day.

It takes 3 hours to get to Solok Selatan from Padang. If practicality and security matters, most travel agents in Padang can set you up with a tour package.(JP)* ***

Romance, serenity at the Water Palace

2009-02-07T20:15:00.000+07:00

Impian Monalisa-Culture: A view over the ponds of the Soekasada water palace, with the garden compound in the background. (JP/Retno K. Djojo)

If you're hungering for a taste of history, art and culture, you will get a good dose in Karangasem regency, in the eastern part of Bali, which is rich in examples of the island's cultural heritage.

Taman Soekasada or "The Water Palace" in Ujung is one of Bali's finest such cultural treasures.

It is, in short, an astounding architectural and cultural jewel not to be missed.

The 12-hectare water palace complex some 5 kilometers south of Amlapura, the capital of Karangasem, is ringed by an ornate fence.

The three big pavilions float on a serene lotus pond, connected by bridges, creating an intriguing and romantic atmosphere.

The palace was designed and constructed under the patronage and protection of Karangasem's last king, Anak Agung Anglurah Ketut Karang Asem, in 1926.

The late ruler, a learned and well-traveled man, modeled Soekasada on the Versailles Palace in France.

It was originally intended as a meeting place and guesthouse for delegates of the Dutch government and dignitaries of other countries visiting tropical Bali.

Serenity: The still waters of a lotus pond in the Soekasada water palace, East Bali, surround one of the pavilions. (JP/Retno K. Djojo)

The wide windows of the pavilions look over the palace waters, testimony to the late ruler's passion for harmonizing nature and art. As a culturalist with an international perspective, he blended traditional motifs with modern materials, and balanced Western-style geometry with a Balinese sense of place and symbolism. To ensure his cultural vision materialized, he personally oversaw work at the construction site.

A visit is memorable: Take in the exotic blend of western and Middle Eastern architectural styles enlivened with intricated Balinese carvings, or stroll under the Middle Eastern flavored archways held up by elegant Italian columns, or pause a moment in a walkway shaded by frangipangi and mango trees.

The highest point in the park affords a marvelous view over the distant Lombok Strait and the lush green hills of Mt. Rinjani in Lombok. The view north is a breathtaking panorama of rice terraces set against the backdrop of the mighty Mt. Agung.

Soekasada sustained severe da-mage during the eruption of Mt. Agung in 1963 and the earthquake in 1975.

Because of the future of Bali's rich art and cultural heritage lies in its past, intensive restoration work was carried out from 2000 to 2004 by members of the Karang Asem court.

Thanks to these efforts, one of Bali's finest examples of its cultural heritage has been saved.

-- Retno K. Djojo

Seeking some rest and recreation in the hidden corner of Batam

2009-01-25T06:10:00.001+07:00

Impian Monalisa-A little peace: Nongsa, on the coast of Batam Island, provides a place to get away from it all for a while, to enjoy comfortable resorts, water activites and restful ocean views. (JP/Simon Marcus Gower)

Let’s start by being brutally honest: At first glance, Batam Island does not really appear a great vacation proposition.

Parts of the island are best described as an eyesore, with highly utilitarian industrial and commercial premises stretching over large swathes of the land.

And let’s be frank about the land itself, too – flat for one thing, with soil – exposed through the island’s numerous excavations – in an unappealing orangey-yellowish color that looks infertile and grubby.

Now we’ve got that out of the way, there is one more thing to add: Better things lie ahead.

As you travel from the island’s Hang Nadim airport to the area known as Nongsa, the industrial and commercial buildings – and that grubby-looking soil – gradually give way to dense thickets of shrubs and low-lying plants.

Keep going. This unkempt shrubbery then gives way to something else – to signs of humanity taming this wilderness and making it into something lovely and fresh. You have arrived at the dreamy vacation area of Nongsa, Nongsa is in the northern coastal region of Batam Island, with attractive inlets and beaches that add up to an idyllic and tranquil setting for some rest and recreation. There are golf courses here for those so interested, but it is much more the coast, the beaches and the resorts along the waterfront that attract visitors.

The resorts at Nongsa range from the pristine and ultramodern to the more traditional and tropical made from timber and bamboo with thatched roofs. Some of the modern architecture is impressive but those who find all that concrete and steel clinical and cold with may prefer the more “traditional” architecture with its natural materials.

Regardless of the style of architecture, the common theme here is the sea and the Strait of Singapore that Nongsa looks out onto. The shores and skyscrapers of Singapore are visible in the distance – no prizes for guessing why Singaporeans account for many of the holidaymakers.

Singapore is but a 45-minute ferry ride away, making it all too easy for those city-dwellers to escape their crowded city-state for the tranquility of Batam’s resort, the ferry dropping them at the very well-constructed and -managed ferry terminal known as Nongsapura.

Thanks to Nongsapura, getting to and from the resorts is easy and comfortable, with ferries setting off at regular intervals to destinations in both Singapore and Malaysia. These speedy ferries deftly negotiate busy waters, weaving around the huge cargo ships and tankers that pass through the strait. Before all that, though, comes the Nongsa River.

The Nongsa River connects the island to the strait. Like much of the rest of Batam Island, it is surrounded by dense vegetation, which lends it a distinctly wild air. Trips upriver to view exotic birds and wild monkeys are possible, although most people find it hard to drag themselves away from the coast.

One of those coastal attractions is Nongsa’s impressive and expansive marina open to private vessels. Otherwise, there are plenty of watery activities to help while away the holidays: fishing, snorkeling, parasailing, water-skiing, jet-skiing and banana boating.

The downside of all these water activities is the water itself – or more particularly the clarity of the water. It is perhaps only to be expected that with this strait being a major marine thoroughfare – dozens of massive ships pass through the Strait and often time clouds of exhaust fumes can be seen belching from their enormous engines – the water is going to be on the murky side of pristine.

The problem of pollution is also evident in the work of the cleaners raking the beaches each morning, burying the less desirable offerings that have been washed up on the shore.

Never mind – there is no need to swim in the sea, as the resorts all have their own swimming pools replete with fountains and waterfalls, and a mix of depths to please everyone from children and the more serious swimmer. Given this, the sea may be better left alone as a backdrop for the resorts.

Otherwise, the environment in Nongsa is generally clean and well kept, creating great benefits for the local wildlife. In the thick lush forests, visitors can see exotic and colorful birds going about their business of foraging and nesting. At night, bats sweep across the sky, gorging themselves on the abundant fruit hanging from the trees.

Nongsa and its resorts may be quite different from the rest of Batam Island, but are created ideally for rest and recreation. The detail in the construction and management of the hotels and resorts means taking a vacation here can be very pleasing and satisfying – regardless of first impressions. /jp/Simon Marcus Gower

Buleleng to develop Lake Buyan

2009-01-18T16:57:00.002+07:00

Impian Monalisa-Pristine view: A view of Lake Tamblingan, one of three lakes in central Bali being sought after by developers and investors as the island’s next potential tourism hotspot. Lake Tamblingan is part of a three-lake system within a massive caldera in Buleleng regency. The two others are the Buyan and Beratan lakes. JP/ALIT KERTARAHARJA

The regency of Buleleng may be getting another fancy tourism spot as the regent plans to invest money to develop Lake Buyan into an “ecotourism heaven”.

Buleleng Regent Putu Bagiada and investors from PT Anantara said both parties were ready to invest money into developing Lake Buyan into a “Buyan Ecotourism Heaven,” the area’s new name if the plan gets approved.

“We want to restore this area to its original grandeur, with its original culture and its original look,” Bagiada said at the Bali governor’s office Friday.

“This is the concept behind our plan to turn Lake Buyan into ‘Buyan Ecotourism Heaven.’”
Located in the Sukasada district, Lake Buyan is one of the triplet lakes situated within a massive caldera. A vast wild forest separates Lake Buyan from Lake Tamblingan on its west, while on its east lies Lake Beratan.

So far only the area around Lake Beratan has been developed into a tourist destination. Its close proximity with Eka Karya, the island’s largest botanical garden, has made Lake Beratan a favorite weekend getaway for the residents of Bali’s southern urban cities.

Lake Beratan also hosts Ulun Danu, one of the most important water temples on the island.
The three lakes have been getting shallower over the years due to sedimentation and were declared a priority for environmental damage mitigation by the State Ministry for the Environment last year.

Much of the blame for the sedimentation has been aimed at the construction of villas in the areas. Environmental groups say the villas take away water absorption space, causing mud to be carried along into the lakes.

The local agricultural practices, which use chemical fertilizers, have also been blamed for ruining the quality of the lake water.

When asked about what would change if Anantara were to be given the mandate to develop Lake Buyan, Anantara commissioner Liliah Sukoco said the company’s main concern was to maintain the area’s natural beauty.

“I understand the concern over further environmental degradation when a private company manages an environmental spot, but you have to understand that in order to maintain this lake, the local economy has to be improved,” she said.

She said Anantara’s plans to develop the 60-hectare area in and around Lake Buyan, which could absorb up to 1,000 workers, and that one of the company’s plans was to dredge the land under the lake bed to allow it to absorb more water and soil.

“But these are just plans, we are still waiting for the governor’s recommendation before we decide how we want to proceed,” she said.

Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika did not make any statement on Friday’s presentation, saying only he would consider the proposal.

“We will look into the possible benefits of PT Anantara’s plans,” he said.

Dollar goes a long way on winter trip to Iceland

2009-01-08T19:15:00.001+07:00

Impian monalisa-We figured the driver taking us to a New York airport didn't know much about our destination when we said we were going to Iceland and he asked us to spell it.

"Oh," he said. "The bankrupt country."

Yes, the bankrupt country. Not the volcanic island south of the Arctic Circle with the near-lunar terrain that astronauts once practiced on. Not the home of a swinging Reykjavik nightlife, and other-worldly native musicians like Bjork and Sigur Ros. Not the land with spectacular scenery and bubbling geothermal pools.

The bankrupt country.

Our plans to visit Iceland with five other couples in December predated the onset of the nation's most crippling economic problems. They didn't deter us, since we figured Iceland's beauty wasn't going anywhere. And, hey, the drinks might be cheaper.

We booked rooms two months in advance as Iceland's currency, the krona, was collapsing. It was a bet: perhaps we could book later and find better prices, but since other tourists were sniffing for bargains we worried good rooms might be snapped up. Had we waited, the rooms would have been about $20 cheaper a night.

We made it up in one of Reykjavik's finest restaurants, the Seafood Cellar. The gourmet meal had waves of dishes that included moose carpaccio, tiny Icelandic lobster tails, char, tender lamb and multiple drinks — all for about $100 per person.

Iceland had 48,999 tourists from North America from January through November this year, down 13 percent from 2007. That was primarily due to the loss of air service between Baltimore and Iceland earlier this year, according to the Icelandic Tourist Board.

But with the krona's value dropping, tourism began going up this fall, said Einar Gustavsson, the board's executive director for the Americas. One U.S. dollar was worth over 120 Icelandic krona at the end of 2008, double what a dollar was worth in Iceland in 2007.

One morning my wife and I ate breakfast in a tiny restaurant that looked liked a bookstore from the outside, with two men in the booth behind us. My curiosity got the best of me when one of the men went to the restroom and the other told someone on his cell phone that he was talking to a reporter.

Turned out it was The New Yorker magazine, in Reykjavik to do a story on how the country has been affected by the financial trauma.

There was a demonstration planned for a few hours later in front of the Parliament building down the street, they said. Check it out. The local scoffed at our intended destination, the Blue Lagoon geothermal pool outside of town. It's a tourist trap, he said. The water's not as warm as it used to be.

Yet we were tourists, and we disregarded the warning.

Rock formations tower over a man walking on the black volcanic sands at the beach at Reynishverif, Iceland. (AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)

Maybe the idea of a steaming pool of therapeutic water carved out of volcanic rock and heated with underground energy was old hat to him, but not to us. It was an experience not to miss, swimming in a huge outdoor pool of salty, soothing water as occasional squalls of snow and sleet pelted our face and winter's slow dusk descended. The facilities around the Blue Lagoon are sleekly modern and designed with efficiency in mind.

We also tried one of the many "pools" of thermal-heated outdoor baths sprinkled around Reykjavik, those that the locals use. It's a luxury that should be experienced as much as possible. We never realized how important it was to pack multiple bathing suits for a winter's visit to Iceland.

Reykjavik was lovely for the holiday season, the store windows and streets festive. Half-finished construction projects dot the skyline, however, signifying work that started before the economy went sour and may or may not be completed.

The capital's reputation for a marathon nightlife is no myth, as we found out with a fourth-floor window overlooking pubs and clubs. Fun 'til 4 or 5 a.m. is routine on the weekends. Loud fun.

One of our drivers, even as he outlined how much money his family had lost in the financial tumult, said that Iceland's people had not surrendered to sullenness.

"People are realizing what is important," he said, and they're spending more time with their families.

He drove our party on a tour known as the Golden Circle. Starting before dawn (since dawn was 11 a.m., there was no choice), we left Reykjavik for the Pingvellir national park and one of Iceland's most historic spots. Landscape made jagged by the intersection of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates was the site of the world's first democratic parliament in 930.

It has a stream into which visitors pitch coins and make wishes, the site of a tale told by our guide of a husband and wife who leaned over to toss their coins. The woman lost her balance and tumbled into the water.

"You don't often see wishes come true that fast," the husband supposedly said.

Other attractions include Gullfoss, a stunning double waterfall where water seems to cascade in every direction, and Geysir, a famed hot spot with pools and steam seeping through volcanic rock. The Great Geysir doesn't blow much anymore, but the Strokkur geyser shoots hot water every 10 minutes or less.

You can take a massive bus to these sites, but we preferred a Super Jeep ride. Our party rented three of the gigantic off-road vehicles, which gave us the freedom to book a snowmobile ride to the edge of a glacier and see chunks of blue ice the size of small cars. Our driver loved driving through rivers, too.

The temperature the day we toured was a few degrees shy of freezing, and there was a thick coat of ice on the ground frosted by a dusting of snow.

In other words, about as treacherous as you can get. Virtually everyone in our party slipped and fell at some point. It made you realize the difference between tourist spots in Iceland and, say, in the U.S. With these conditions, U.S. tourist spots would no doubt be closed, or the ice chipped, salted and sanded into messy oblivion.

Not in Iceland. You're responsible for your own safety. Gingerly heading down a path to get a closer view of Gullfoss, one woman slipped and if she hadn't grabbed a rope railing as she was sliding under it, she would have slid perilously close to the edge.

Tourists brave the weather to walk around the hot springs area at the site of Geysir, Iceland. (AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)

At Geysir, you can walk so close to the volcanic pools that if you're silly enough to stick your hand in to see if it's really as hot as they say, you can. Watch the kids.

On our last day, we shook off the cobwebs of a late night out for a trip to a farm and a ride on Icelandic horses. The beautiful creatures are unique to Iceland, about the size of a hefty pony. Our driver said they are as revered in Iceland as the cow is in India. But only to a point.

"We love our horses," he said. "But we eat them, too."

And more often, lately: sales of horse meat — cheaper than beef — have been rising with the bad economy.

The horses were mild-mannered, easy even for beginners. At the end, their saddles removed and the day's work done, the horses ran off to play in a meadow, rolling around in mud.

Our only disappointment was a failure to see the aurora borealis, the so-called Northern Lights. The weather was changeable during our brief trip, never consistently clear enough for our drivers to say it would be worth a ride into the countryside.

Even though the name Iceland sends shivers, we were told Reykjavik in December felt much like it did in New York at the same time, and that proved to be true. It has an intoxicating beauty — just like its intoxicating nightlife — and for a U.S. resident is as easy as the trip from one coast to the next.

Alaska winter trip: Northern Lights and much more

2008-12-30T06:21:00.001+07:00

Impian Monalisa-Last winter, my 10-year-old son and I headed to a destination that had friends and family wondering if we'd lost our minds.

We went to Fairbanks. In February.

We hoped to see the Northern Lights, though we knew there were no guarantees. If you stay three nights in the area, locals say you have a 75 percent likelihood of witnessing the phenomenon, but cloud cover or snow falling can ruin your chances. We got lucky, and saw them twice on a three-night stay.

The Aurora Borealis spins above the Talkeetna Range and a hay field on Farm Loop Road near Palmer, Alaska. (AP/Bob Martinson, File)

But while we went to see the aurora borealis, we ended up doing so much more. In Fairbanks, we visited an ice park, saw ice sculptures and toured the Museum of the North. At Chena Hot Springs Resort, about 60 miles from Fairbanks, we went dogsledding and snowmobiling, soaked in an outdoor hot tub surrounded by snow, and visited an ice museum and geothermal energy plant.

We don't get much snow in New York City, where we live, so the trip also cured our snow deficit. My son Nathaniel loved rolling down snowy hills and climbing up snowpacked river banks.

We'd been to Alaska once before - like most tourists, in the summer. We fell in love with the landscape and wildlife, and became obsessed with everything about the state. We read books, talked endlessly about our trip (him in school, me at work), showed off our photos, and quizzed anyone we met who'd been there.

Only about 250,000 tourists venture to Alaska between October and April (compared to some 1.7 million summer visitors). But most winter tourists are like us - 75 percent are making their second trip to the state, according to the most recent data from the Alaska Visitor Statistics Program.

My husband and teenage son declined to accompany us, although they had been on the summer trip. Husband said he had to work; teenager headed to a warm beach with a friend's family. I wondered if they were right to take a pass when I checked the weather in Fairbanks a few weeks before our trip: Temperatures in early February had set record lows in the minus 40s and 50s.

We bought special gloves, socks and face protectors, borrowed ski outerwear from relatives, and hoped it would warm up. It did, with temps in the 20s and 30s - above zero. We were fine outside for hours at a time.

We also experienced an unexpected cultural immersion. Charter flights from Tokyo bring thousands of Japanese visitors to Alaska each winter. Seeing the Northern Lights is "on their life list," explained Chena spokeswoman Denise Ferree. It's also part of Japanese culture's "traditional reverence for and appreciation of the beauty of nature," said Colin Lawrence, director of tourism for the Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Watching these Japanese visitors waiting outside in the snow, sometimes for hours, all bundled up, for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the aurora borealis, was inspiring. Like a lot of Americans, patience is not my strong suit. But my son and I shared the Japanese tourists' exclamations of joy when we spotted the Northern Lights.

If all this gets you dreaming of your own magical visit to Alaska this winter, the Fairbanks Convention and Visitors Bureau can help: http://www.explorefairbanks.com , 800-327-5774. Meanwhile, here are highlights and practical information from our trip.

DAY 1: We landed in Fairbanks late afternoon, headed to our hotel for dinner and a nap (Alaska is four hours earlier than East Coast time). We set an alarm to be up for a 10 p.m. pickup to see the Northern Lights at the Aurora Borealis Lodge. Lodge owner Mok Kumagai picks guests up at hotels downtown, and takes them away from city lights to see the aurora. We stayed at his home until 2 a.m., napping in his loft before being awakened by exclamations of "Aurora!" from his Japanese guests when the light show began. Details at http://www.auroracabin.com or 907-389-2812, $75 a person; overnight accommodations, $169-$224.

DAYS 2 AND 3: We previewed Fairbanks' Ice Park, where the World Ice Art Championships take place. The park has slides and other playground structures made from ice, along with larger-than-life ice sculptures. Open Feb. 24-March 22, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; http://www.icealaska.com . The sculptors do their chiseling and carving Feb. 24-26, and March 1-6, with the creations finished and lighted on Feb. 27 and March 7.

Then we headed to Chena Hot Springs Resort, http://www.chenahotsprings.com or 907-451-8104 (nightly room rates start at $179 a night; packages available; van transportation from Fairbanks can be arranged 72 hours in advance for a fee). Our visit included dogsledding through snowy woods; visiting and playing with sled dogs and their puppies; our first-ever snowmobiling adventure, with a guide; dips in the hot tubs and hot lake, where the water is 165 degrees (children are not allowed in the lake but they can try the outdoor tub and indoor pool); and tours of the resort's Aurora Ice Museum and geothermal energy plant. The resort also offers horsedrawn sleigh rides, flightseeing and therapeutic massage.

Steam rises from Hot Springs Rock Lake surrounded by the snowy landscape at Chena Hot Springs Resort in Alaska. (AP/Beth J Harpaz)

Chena Hot Springs, which is open year-round, was discovered in 1905 by surveyors and enjoyed by goldminers of the era. Today the resort uses the springs' naturally hot water to generate all its own energy; indoor temperatures are toasty, and my son loved learning about the science behind the power plant on a tour.

The ice museum, from the outside, looks like a giant igloo. Inside are whimsical ice carvings of animals, chess pieces, and furniture. I had an "appletini" drink in a glass carved from ice, at a bar carved from ice. Colored lights infuse the place with psychedelic hues.

A few tips: You can rent parkas and boots from the resort if you lack cold weather gear. The resort is literally off the grid; there is no town nearby, so you'll be eating all your meals there. We found the food good and reasonably priced; yummy salads are made from lettuce grown onsite in a geothermally heated greenhouse.

The water from the springs is sulphuric, and some people don't like the odor. It didn't bother us; we were too taken with the novelty of sitting outside in our bathing suits, surrounded by snow. Internet service is only available in the activities center, so you won't be checking your e-mail every minute. We brought a laptop, DVDs and books, but we were so tired staying up to look for the Northern Lights that most of our downtime was spent napping.

DAY 4: Back in Fairbanks, my son had a blast climbing up and down the snowy banks of the Chena River. Then we headed out to the Museum of the North, at the University of Alaska campus (a $15-$20 taxi ride from downtown, or take the Airlink shuttle from the airport). My son was fascinated by displays on Alaska's animals, from prehistoric creatures like mammoths and mastodons, to bears and wolves. I liked the history of the goldminers, the frontier era and Native culture. Don't miss the museum's unique sound-light installation, called "The Place Where You Go To Listen." Computers create sounds and images using real-time data from seismic stations and magnetometers that track earthquake and auroral activity, and the colors and sounds in the installation change with the position of the sun. Museum winter hours: Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (holiday schedule, Dec. 26-Jan. 4, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily), admission $10, http://www.uaf.edu/museum/ .

Fairbanks' many restaurants include 25 offering Asian cuisine. We ate at Lemongrass, one of 10 local Thai eateries, before heading back east.

There was no snow when we got home; we put away our ski gloves. And the trip didn't cure our Alaska obsession. We're still reading books about Alaska (my son surprised his fifth-grade teacher by tackling Jack London), and we're dreaming of our next trip - to the Arctic Circle. /Beth J. Harpaz