The enchanting land of Sunda stretches from the Sunda Strait in the west to the borders of Central Java in the east. The region is primarily mountainous, with rich green valleys hugging lofty volcanic peaks, many of which surround the capital of the province, Bandung. The history of West Java is a story of trade, spices, and the rise and fall of powerful kingdoms. In the late 1500's the region was ruled from mighty Cirebon, which still survives as a sultanate today, although a shadow of its former glory. Banten, once a powerful maritime capital rivaling the Javanese Mataram Empire, is today a fishing village with an illustrious past. West Java was of the first contact points in Indonesia for Indian traders and their cultural influences, and it was here that the Dutch and British first set foot in the archipelago.
West Java surrounds the nations capital of Jakarta on three sides, anti good roads provide links to most of the province, passing through rugged mountains, iridescent paddy fields and along pastoral stretches of palm- fringed coastline.
There are a number of popular resorts on the western and southern coasts with modern hotels and extensive facilities, favorite weekend gateway for people living in Jakarta.
West Java provides visitors with an extensive array of fascinating things to see and do. Venture to the brink of the awesome power of Krakatau or explore the pristine wildlife reserve of Ujung Kulon on the south-western tip of, Java. Take refuge in the Pulau Dua Bird sanctuary off the coast of Banten or visit the mysterious Baduy peoples.
Other places of interest:
Marubaya
The 30-minute trip to Marlbaya passes through some lovely mountain scenery. Renowned for its hot springs, the sulphur-laden water is comfort, able for swimming or soaking. Lie back and relax while enjoying the view of a 25-meter waterfall set against a steep mountain cliff.
Jatiluhur Dam
Situated halfway between Jakarta and Bandung, this dam was originally built with French technical assistance in the 1950's to generate electrical power for the region. It now provides irrigation to the surrounding Arabic land and a fishery industry has been developed as well. It is now being developed for tourism and provides convenient facilities such as swimming pools, tennis courts, a camping ground, speedboats for water skiing and cottages. The reservoir is huge, the scenery tropical, the air crisp and cool.
Bogor
Bogor actually lies closer to Jakarta (50 kin) than it does to Bandung (120 km). Appropriately named by die Dutch as a town "without worries", Bogor was chosen as the site of the first palace of the Dutch Governor General In 1745. Restored in 1832, the palace sits elegantly amidst gardens and expansive lawns where deer roam freely under majestic old trees.
The world-famous Bogor Botanical Garden borders the Palace Grounds, covering an area of 87 hectares with thousands of species of plant life from all over the world, including towering ancient trees and world's largest flower, the Rafflesia. There are over 15,000 species of trees and plants, 400 varieties of palms alone. The orchid houses contain over 3000 orchid varieties. You don't have to be a horticulturalist to enjoy the gardens, it is a masterpiece of design and a wonderful place to just stroll and enjoy the company of family and friends.
Zoological Museum
Right next to the Botanical Garden, the highlights of this museum are the blue whale skeleton and an impressive library of rare botanical books.
Batu-Tulis Ciaruteun (Stone Inscription)
A relic of the Tarumanegara kingdom in 450 A.D. the stone is inscribed with Sanskrit characters. Located on the bank of the Ciaruteun River, the site is a pleasant 2-km walk from Campea village, just 9 km. from Bogor by car.
Cihodas Botanic Garden
Located in the district of Pacet, 22 kilometers northwest of Cianjur, the Cibodas Garden Park is a 80-hectare nature preserve founded In 1890.
Taman Safari Indonesia
Animals from all continents roam freely in this 35-hectare park, 75-km southeast of Jakarta along the Jakarta-Bandung route. Among the animals kept here are some comparatively rare species such as anoas, rhinos, giraffes, white tigers and European, American and Asian bears. Adjacent to the park is recreational grounds with a swimming pool, tennis courts, an artificial lake, waterfall and children's playground and amusement park. There are also restaurants and cafeterias.
Pelabuhan Ratu Beach
Formerly just a traditional fishing village, Pelabuhan Ratu has grown into a lovely holiday resort, while retaining much of its former charm. It is a three-hour drive from either Jakarta or Bandung on good mountain roads. Pelabuhan Ratu-Cisolok is a 15 km stretch of breathtaking coastline; thick tropical forests cascade down steep hills to white sand beaches and the deep blue waters of the Indian Ocean. At night hundreds of fishermen's boatlamps merge with the star-studded sky above, an enchanting and romantic scene. There is one four-star hotel, the Samudera beach, about 6 km from Pelabuhan Ratu, but several other smaller hotels and cottages are available at moderate rates. Don't forget to enjoy the fresh seafood at reasonable prices.
Krakatoa Volcano
Krakatoa erupted in 1883, one of the most catastrophic natural events in recorded history. The volcano literally blew itself apart, sending a column of ash and stone 80 km. into the air. Ash fell on Singapore, and the entire region was covered in darkness for two days. Giagantic tidal waves over 40 meters high killed almost 40,000 people along the coasts of Java and Sumatra. The volcanic dust in the atmosphere circled the earth for three years, creating sensational sunsets.
The area is still a hotbed of volcanic activity, and the Anak Krakatoa, (Child of Krakatoa), has been growing and erupting since 1928. It is possible for boats to land on the eastern shore of this young volcano, and depending on recent activity, you can climb to the rim of the caldera.
Duo Island (Pukzu Duo)
Dua Island is the name of a small nature preserve inhabited by over 50 species of fish-eating birds. These birds migrate from Africa, Asia and Australia and stay on this island to lay and hatch their eggs from April through August each year. It is located in the Banten Bay and is accessible by boat from Tanjung Priok sea harbor or from Marina, Ancol.
Garut
A characteristic Sundanese town in the highlands, Garut is surrounded by volcanic mountains and vast tea plantations. The hot springs resort at Cipanas has comfortable accommodations. Nearby Mt. Papandayan's crater is probably one of the most spectacular mountain scenes on Java. The Cangkuang temple was the first of its kind found In West Java, dating back to the 8th century.
Kampung Naga
The uniqueness of Kampung Naga is that in spite of its proximity to modern society it has retained its traditional customs over the centuries. It is a small village in the beautiful mountains of the Salawu District, some 30-km from Tasikmalaya.
Cirebon
Travelling northeast from Bandung towards the coast, the seaport of Cirebon offers a wealth of culture and history. Situated on the border of West and Central Java, it is home to a combination of both cultures. In the city itself; the ancient palaces (kratons) of the Kasepuhan and Kanoman now serve as museums which are open to the public, exhibiting household ornaments, paintings, calligraphy and other art treasures of the courts. The royal carriages are sumptuous In design, one of them a gilded coach in the form of a winged elephant. Across the square from the Kasepuhan Kraton is the "Mesjid Agung" (Grand Mosque), in a traditional Javanese style and made entirely of wood. Cirebon is also known for its distinct batik, now a flourishing industry in the village of Trusmi. The local seafood is among the best in West Java.
Pangandaran, Karang Nini and Batu Hiu
Pangandaran is one of Java's best-kept secrets as far as international tourists are concerned, but has been extremely popular with locals for along, long time. A small fishing town, it possesses one of Java's finest beaches and the Pangandaran Nature Reserve teems with wild buffalo, barking deer and monkeys. The people are very friendly, this combined with the idealize surroundings make this a great place to spend a few days relaxing island-style. Pangandaran is halfway between Bandung and Yogya, about 5 hours by bus from Bandung and 8 hours from Jakarta.
source www.travel-indonesia.com
Sunday, 8 February 2009
North Sumatra
North Sumatra. Indonesia’s most populous province outside of Java, stretches from the Indian Ocean in the west to the Straits of Malaka in the East, and from Aceh in the north to west Sumatra in the south. It is thick with virgin rainforest, jungle-covered hills, terraced rice fields, mountain rivers, beautiful waterfalls, and volcanic lakes and peaceful while beaches.
The people of the region can be can be divided into five main ethnic groups: the Coastal Malays, living along the Melaka Straits, the Bataks, consisting of the sub-tribes around Lake Toba and Samosir Island, the Pesisirs along the Indian Ocean coast, the Mandailings of southern Tapanuli, and Nias Islanders off the western coast of the province. These groups each have their own dialects. Religious beliefs, arts, costumes and cultures. Several ethnic groups live in Medan and other towns of Non ¼ Sumatra, tittle largest of these being Chinese and Indian. Other arts of the archipelago arc represented notably the Acehnese, Lake Toha Minangkabau and Javanese.
The diversity of arts and cultures make this region a treasure chest for social scientists and culture seeker. Ancient carved-stone graves of Batak kings, the megalithic culture of Nias, unique dances, ceremonies, arts and crafts are just waiting for you to discover. North Sumatra is also one of the richest provinces in Indonesia for flora and fauna. And of course the jewel of North
Sumatra. Lake Toba, the legendary birthplace of the mountain-dwelling Bataks and the largest inland lake in Southeast Asia. The region tiers more than 30% of Indonesia’s export commodities, making it a vital cog in the economy. Tobacco, palm oil, tea and rubber are produced in large quantities, particularly around medan in the north of the province.
Other places of interest:
Medan
Medan is the capital of North Sumatra Province, a trading center and important harbor. Once part of the Deli Sultanate, the Mesjid Besar (Grand Mosque) and the Palace of the Sultan of Deli have been restored there past grandeur. Medan’s harbor, Belawan, is the sea link to Penang, Malaysia. Regular flights to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Amsterdam, Vienna, and Jakarta arc available, as well as destinations in Sumatra.
Crocodile Farm
Medan has the largest crocodile farm in Indonesia at Asam Kumbang, 5 km from the heart of the city, with nearly 2000 crocodiles of different sizes and species.
Berastagi
Berastagi is a lovely tourist town in the Karo highlands on the way from Medan to Lake Toba. Berastagi is famous for its flowers, vegetables and fruit, most famous of which is the "Marquisa" passion fruit. The local markets are swarming with activity and scenes from traditional Karo life. Days are extremely pleasant and nights can be quite cool. Gundaling Hill provides a clear view of Mt. Sibayak and Mt. Sinabung volcanoes. There is a pleasant colonial-style hotel with a golf course, as well as a range of other hotels and accommodations.
Jangga Village
This relatively unchanged Batak village has traditional ornamentation, and is a often visited by domestic and foreign tourists. Visitor's ca watch young girls and old ladies weaving the beautiful 'ulos' cloth, their principal means of a livelihood other than agriculture. There are monuments of King Tainbun and King Manurung, traditional houses, cultural and other historical remain left by Batak Kings centuries ago.
Lingga Village
Located some 15 km from Berastagi, this is a unique Batak Karo village where traditional houses are still well preserved and inhabited today. Five to six families live in each house and for a small donation will give you a tout of the house.
Lake Toba - Parapat
Lake Toba is the heart of Batak country, the largest lake in Southeast Asia with a surface area of about 1,145 sg. Kilometers, and the deepest lake in the world, over 450 meters deep. The town of Parapat is the main tourist resort and lies on the shores of the lake. The Batak Toba and Batak Simalungun peoples of Parapat are happy, easygoing people, known for their lively and sentimental love songs.
Recreational sports in Parapat include swimming, water skiing, motor boating, canoeing, fishing, and golf. The climate is cool and dry, an ideal place to relax. There is a plethora of hotels, bungalows, villas and guesthouses. Parapat is 176 from Medan and can be reached in 4 hours by bus.
Samosir Island
The island of Samosir, in the middle of Lake Toba, is accessible by regular ferries from Parapat. The original home of the fierce Toba Bataks, the island has many sites of stone tombs and traditional villages. The villages of Tomok, Tuk-tnk, Siallagan and Ambarita are noteworthy. Transportation can be arranged through your hotel or rent a motorcycle for a day’s adventure on the island. Accommodations of various styles and standards are readily available.
Great Bukit Barisan Forest Park
Located at Tongkoh, 59 km from Medan. The arboretum was established in 1916, and renovated and renamed Great Bukrit Barisan Forest Park 1989.
Bohorok
For the adventurous, a trip to Sumatera’s inland wilderness, crossing rivers and climbing steep, jungle-clad hills is a must. Soul Ii of the Mount Leuser National Park, the Rehabilitation Center for Orang-utans at Bohorok is open to the public.
Sipiso-piso Waterfall
Located on the north side of Lake Toba, the 360-foot waterfall is visible from a gazebo near the food and souvenir stands.
Pandaan Beach
A seaside resort with white s and beaches and a fishing village 11-km from Sibolaga, Pandaan boasts magnificent views of the Indian Ocean and fishermen sailing to the open sea. The restaurant feature grilled fish as fresh as it gels! Sibolga is the port town to catch a local ferry to the island of Nias.
Nias Island
Just a bit smaller than Bali, Nias lies only 125 km off Sumatra’s West Coast. Bypassed hr the Indian, Islamic and European influences that swept through most of the archipelago the people of Nias have lived for centuries in virtual isolation from the outside world. Australian surfers in search of the perfect wave were among the first to ‘discover’ Nias, home today to the Indonesian Open Surfing Championship. Despite a growing infrastructure and tourist industry the traditional culture of Nusa has remained quite intact. Villages are laid out around a central plaza and arc still primarily made up of tradition houses. War dances and the famous ‘stow Jumping’ are still part of daily life, but are also performed for tourists. There are daily flight serving Medan and Nias Island.
Accommodation
Hotels are concentrated in the provincial capital of Medan and in the lake resort town of Parapat. Leading the list in Medan is Danau Tuba International and Tiara, both classified as four-star hotels. These hotels have convention facilities health centers, restaurants and nightclubs A three and two-star hotels in Medan have air con (litlonlng. All have attached bathrooms, restaurants, phones in the rooms and sonic have TV.
source:www.travel-indonesia
The people of the region can be can be divided into five main ethnic groups: the Coastal Malays, living along the Melaka Straits, the Bataks, consisting of the sub-tribes around Lake Toba and Samosir Island, the Pesisirs along the Indian Ocean coast, the Mandailings of southern Tapanuli, and Nias Islanders off the western coast of the province. These groups each have their own dialects. Religious beliefs, arts, costumes and cultures. Several ethnic groups live in Medan and other towns of Non ¼ Sumatra, tittle largest of these being Chinese and Indian. Other arts of the archipelago arc represented notably the Acehnese, Lake Toha Minangkabau and Javanese.
The diversity of arts and cultures make this region a treasure chest for social scientists and culture seeker. Ancient carved-stone graves of Batak kings, the megalithic culture of Nias, unique dances, ceremonies, arts and crafts are just waiting for you to discover. North Sumatra is also one of the richest provinces in Indonesia for flora and fauna. And of course the jewel of North
Sumatra. Lake Toba, the legendary birthplace of the mountain-dwelling Bataks and the largest inland lake in Southeast Asia. The region tiers more than 30% of Indonesia’s export commodities, making it a vital cog in the economy. Tobacco, palm oil, tea and rubber are produced in large quantities, particularly around medan in the north of the province.
Other places of interest:
Medan
Medan is the capital of North Sumatra Province, a trading center and important harbor. Once part of the Deli Sultanate, the Mesjid Besar (Grand Mosque) and the Palace of the Sultan of Deli have been restored there past grandeur. Medan’s harbor, Belawan, is the sea link to Penang, Malaysia. Regular flights to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Amsterdam, Vienna, and Jakarta arc available, as well as destinations in Sumatra.
Crocodile Farm
Medan has the largest crocodile farm in Indonesia at Asam Kumbang, 5 km from the heart of the city, with nearly 2000 crocodiles of different sizes and species.
Berastagi
Berastagi is a lovely tourist town in the Karo highlands on the way from Medan to Lake Toba. Berastagi is famous for its flowers, vegetables and fruit, most famous of which is the "Marquisa" passion fruit. The local markets are swarming with activity and scenes from traditional Karo life. Days are extremely pleasant and nights can be quite cool. Gundaling Hill provides a clear view of Mt. Sibayak and Mt. Sinabung volcanoes. There is a pleasant colonial-style hotel with a golf course, as well as a range of other hotels and accommodations.
Jangga Village
This relatively unchanged Batak village has traditional ornamentation, and is a often visited by domestic and foreign tourists. Visitor's ca watch young girls and old ladies weaving the beautiful 'ulos' cloth, their principal means of a livelihood other than agriculture. There are monuments of King Tainbun and King Manurung, traditional houses, cultural and other historical remain left by Batak Kings centuries ago.
Lingga Village
Located some 15 km from Berastagi, this is a unique Batak Karo village where traditional houses are still well preserved and inhabited today. Five to six families live in each house and for a small donation will give you a tout of the house.
Lake Toba - Parapat
Lake Toba is the heart of Batak country, the largest lake in Southeast Asia with a surface area of about 1,145 sg. Kilometers, and the deepest lake in the world, over 450 meters deep. The town of Parapat is the main tourist resort and lies on the shores of the lake. The Batak Toba and Batak Simalungun peoples of Parapat are happy, easygoing people, known for their lively and sentimental love songs.
Recreational sports in Parapat include swimming, water skiing, motor boating, canoeing, fishing, and golf. The climate is cool and dry, an ideal place to relax. There is a plethora of hotels, bungalows, villas and guesthouses. Parapat is 176 from Medan and can be reached in 4 hours by bus.
Samosir Island
The island of Samosir, in the middle of Lake Toba, is accessible by regular ferries from Parapat. The original home of the fierce Toba Bataks, the island has many sites of stone tombs and traditional villages. The villages of Tomok, Tuk-tnk, Siallagan and Ambarita are noteworthy. Transportation can be arranged through your hotel or rent a motorcycle for a day’s adventure on the island. Accommodations of various styles and standards are readily available.
Great Bukit Barisan Forest Park
Located at Tongkoh, 59 km from Medan. The arboretum was established in 1916, and renovated and renamed Great Bukrit Barisan Forest Park 1989.
Bohorok
For the adventurous, a trip to Sumatera’s inland wilderness, crossing rivers and climbing steep, jungle-clad hills is a must. Soul Ii of the Mount Leuser National Park, the Rehabilitation Center for Orang-utans at Bohorok is open to the public.
Sipiso-piso Waterfall
Located on the north side of Lake Toba, the 360-foot waterfall is visible from a gazebo near the food and souvenir stands.
Pandaan Beach
A seaside resort with white s and beaches and a fishing village 11-km from Sibolaga, Pandaan boasts magnificent views of the Indian Ocean and fishermen sailing to the open sea. The restaurant feature grilled fish as fresh as it gels! Sibolga is the port town to catch a local ferry to the island of Nias.
Nias Island
Just a bit smaller than Bali, Nias lies only 125 km off Sumatra’s West Coast. Bypassed hr the Indian, Islamic and European influences that swept through most of the archipelago the people of Nias have lived for centuries in virtual isolation from the outside world. Australian surfers in search of the perfect wave were among the first to ‘discover’ Nias, home today to the Indonesian Open Surfing Championship. Despite a growing infrastructure and tourist industry the traditional culture of Nusa has remained quite intact. Villages are laid out around a central plaza and arc still primarily made up of tradition houses. War dances and the famous ‘stow Jumping’ are still part of daily life, but are also performed for tourists. There are daily flight serving Medan and Nias Island.
Accommodation
Hotels are concentrated in the provincial capital of Medan and in the lake resort town of Parapat. Leading the list in Medan is Danau Tuba International and Tiara, both classified as four-star hotels. These hotels have convention facilities health centers, restaurants and nightclubs A three and two-star hotels in Medan have air con (litlonlng. All have attached bathrooms, restaurants, phones in the rooms and sonic have TV.
source:www.travel-indonesia
Bali Guide
The Tropical Paradise
friendly and remarkably artistic people, the Balinese have created a dynamic society with unique arts and ceremonies, making Bali synonymous world wide with the perfect ‘tropical paradise’. Terraced ricefields dominate the landscape, rivers and small irrigation streams direct the luscious green landscape, filling the air with the enchanting sound of running almost through the center of the island. In Bali the mountains are the home of the gods. Shrouded in mystery and magic, they stretch skywards in majestic splendour. Bali’s main volcano is the sometimes explosive Gunung Agung, which is considered sacred among local people as the center of the universe. Many visitors leave with the same beliefs.
The Balinese have been more exposed to international tourist and generally speak more English than people in other parts of the Indonesian archipelago. They have managed to preserved their culture despite overwhelming foreign influences brought to the region by an ever-increasing number of tourists. Bali’s International Airport, Ngurah Rai, is in the south of the island and is served by numerous international airlines and charters. In order to keep up with the growing the number of visitors and the need for their comfort, more hotels have been built, ranging from small bungalows for budget travelers to the luxurious Nusa Dua tourist resort area. Water sports have naturally gained in popularity and Bali offers superb surfing, windsurfing, sailing, scuba diving and white water rafting
History
The ancient kingdoms of the "Rajas" and princes of Bali were dismantled by colonial governments in the early part of this century, but many of their royal descendants still own traditional palaces and are very much respected as patrons of the arts. Art and culture are strongly bonded to Bali’s unique form of Hinduism called "Hindu Darma". Classical dance dramas are based on the old Hindu epics of the Ramayana and the Mahabarata, but contain an element of local folklore peculiar to the island . The very soul of Bali is rooted in religion and is expressed in art forms that have been passionately preserved over the centuries. It seems that almost every person is an artist. Whether expressed through beautiful and intricate paintings and dances, extraordinary carvings, superb weaving or even in decorations made for the myriad shrines, the island is alive with art.
Events
Temple Festival
Temple festival occur almost in Bali, such as the Odalan or tern pie’s anniversary celebrations. Offerings are carried to the temple. There are purification ceremonies and a fair-like atmosphere prefails. At night, performances of sacral dances. Wayang Kulit (shadow) puppets and gamelan music are held.
Accommodation
Bali has the biggest concentration of different types of hotels catering to the international tourist. There are several luxury properties such as Nusa Dua Beach Hotel, Club Mediterranee, Bali Sol, Putri Bali in the Nusa Dua area and Bali Hyatt, Bali beach in Sanur Beach in Sanur and Pertamina Cottage and Bali Oberoi in Kuta. All these hotels have convention facilities, swimming pools, sports grounds and a selection of restaurants, bars, night clubs,or discotheques and beach fronts.
There are also smaller cottage style hotels with modern amenities. Most unique is the long established Tanjung Sari with rates comparable to the big hotels. Above hotels and those with two stars have air conditioning, attached baths, telephones and TV.
source www.travel-indonesia.com
friendly and remarkably artistic people, the Balinese have created a dynamic society with unique arts and ceremonies, making Bali synonymous world wide with the perfect ‘tropical paradise’. Terraced ricefields dominate the landscape, rivers and small irrigation streams direct the luscious green landscape, filling the air with the enchanting sound of running almost through the center of the island. In Bali the mountains are the home of the gods. Shrouded in mystery and magic, they stretch skywards in majestic splendour. Bali’s main volcano is the sometimes explosive Gunung Agung, which is considered sacred among local people as the center of the universe. Many visitors leave with the same beliefs.
The Balinese have been more exposed to international tourist and generally speak more English than people in other parts of the Indonesian archipelago. They have managed to preserved their culture despite overwhelming foreign influences brought to the region by an ever-increasing number of tourists. Bali’s International Airport, Ngurah Rai, is in the south of the island and is served by numerous international airlines and charters. In order to keep up with the growing the number of visitors and the need for their comfort, more hotels have been built, ranging from small bungalows for budget travelers to the luxurious Nusa Dua tourist resort area. Water sports have naturally gained in popularity and Bali offers superb surfing, windsurfing, sailing, scuba diving and white water rafting
History
The ancient kingdoms of the "Rajas" and princes of Bali were dismantled by colonial governments in the early part of this century, but many of their royal descendants still own traditional palaces and are very much respected as patrons of the arts. Art and culture are strongly bonded to Bali’s unique form of Hinduism called "Hindu Darma". Classical dance dramas are based on the old Hindu epics of the Ramayana and the Mahabarata, but contain an element of local folklore peculiar to the island . The very soul of Bali is rooted in religion and is expressed in art forms that have been passionately preserved over the centuries. It seems that almost every person is an artist. Whether expressed through beautiful and intricate paintings and dances, extraordinary carvings, superb weaving or even in decorations made for the myriad shrines, the island is alive with art.
Events
Temple Festival
Temple festival occur almost in Bali, such as the Odalan or tern pie’s anniversary celebrations. Offerings are carried to the temple. There are purification ceremonies and a fair-like atmosphere prefails. At night, performances of sacral dances. Wayang Kulit (shadow) puppets and gamelan music are held.
Accommodation
Bali has the biggest concentration of different types of hotels catering to the international tourist. There are several luxury properties such as Nusa Dua Beach Hotel, Club Mediterranee, Bali Sol, Putri Bali in the Nusa Dua area and Bali Hyatt, Bali beach in Sanur Beach in Sanur and Pertamina Cottage and Bali Oberoi in Kuta. All these hotels have convention facilities, swimming pools, sports grounds and a selection of restaurants, bars, night clubs,or discotheques and beach fronts.
There are also smaller cottage style hotels with modern amenities. Most unique is the long established Tanjung Sari with rates comparable to the big hotels. Above hotels and those with two stars have air conditioning, attached baths, telephones and TV.
source www.travel-indonesia.com
Jakarta Guide
The City
Jakarta has been called a study in contrasts: traditional and modern; rich and poor; spiritual and wordly stand side by side in this bustling metropolis. Among the 8 million people who call Jakarta home, one find representatives of the many diverse ethnic and cultural groups which shape Indonesia, a reminder of the nation’s motto: ‘Unity in Diverse’. You may have to search high and low in this multi-cultural collage to find one of the proud ethnic Jakartans, called "Orang Betawi".
Their language.Betawi Malay, has two variations, conventional Betawi Malay, spoken by elder people and bred in Jakarta, and modern Jakarta Malay, a slang form spoken by the younger generation and migrants.
Jakarta is the port of entry for many tourists and business people. It is home to a dynamic contrast between Western-style skyscrapers, modern urban life-styles and traditional Indonesian culture. It’s rapid growth into a metropolitan city reflects the economic, political, social and industrial development of the nation. In recent years, Jakarta has expanded its facilities for visitors with luxury hotels, fine restaurants, exciting nightlife and modern shopping centers. It contains many tourists attractions such as Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (Beautiful ‘Indonesia in Miniature’ Park), restored colonial period buildings, island resorts in the Pula Seribu (Thousand Island), and an extensive beach recreation complex called Ancol.
History
The strategic position of Indonesia and its waterways between the Indian and Pacific Oceans has led to fascinating and complex cultural, religious, political and economic history.
Evidence of Indonesia's earliest inhabitants include fossils of "Java Man" (Pithecanthropus Erectus), which date back some 500,000 years, discovered near the village of Trinil in East Java by Dr. Eugene Dubois in 1809. Major migration movements to the Indonesian archipelago began about 3000 years ago as the Dongson Culture of Vietnam and southern China spread south, bringing with them new Stone, Bronze and Iron Age cultures as well as the Austronesian language. Their techniques of irrigated rice cultivation are still practiced throughout Indonesia today. Other remnants of this culture such as ritual buffalo sacrifice, erection of stone megaliths and ikat weaving are still visible in isolated areas across the archipelago.
Indonesia came under the influence of a mighty Indian civilization through the gradual influx of Indian traders in the first century, A.D., when great Hindu and Buddhist empires were beginning to emerge. By the seventh century, the powerful Buddhist Kingdom of Sriwijaya was on the rise, and it is thought that during this period the spectacular Borobudur Buddhist Temple was built in Central Java. The thirteenth century saw the dominance of the fabulous Majapahit Hindu empire in East Java, which united the whole of modern-day Indonesia and parts of the Malay peninsula, ruling for two centuries. Monuments across Java such as the magnificent Prambanan temple complex near Yogyakarta the mysterious Penataran temple complex in East Java and the ethereal temples of the Dieng Plateau are all that remain of this glorious period in Indonesia's history.
The first recorded attempt at armed invasion of Indonesia is credited to the notorious Mongol Emperor Kublai Khan, who was driven back in 1293. Arab traders and merchants laid the foundations for the gradual spread of Islam to the region, which did not replace Hinduism an Buddhism as the dominant religion until the end of the 16th century. A series of small Moslem kingdoms sprouted up and spread their roots, but none anticipated the strength and persistence of European invasions which followed.
In 1292, Marco Polo became one of the first Europeans to set foot on the islands, but it wasn't until much later that the Portuguese arrived in pursuit of spices. By 1509 Portuguese had established trading posts in the strategic commercial center of Malacca on the Malay peninsula. Their fortified bases and the inability of their enemies to unify against them allowed the Portuguese to control strategic trade routes from Malacca to Macau, Goa, Mozambique and Angola.
Inspired by the success Portuguese, the Dutch followed at the turn of the 16th century. They ousted the Portuguese from some of the easternmost islands, coming into conflict with another major European power, Spain which had confused its colonial interests in Manila. The Dutch expanded their control of the entire area throughout the 17th and 18th centuries.
The Dutch East Indies, as it was known at this time, fell under British rule for a short period during the Napoleonic Wars of 1811-1816, when Holland was occupied by France, and Dutch power overseas was limited. While under British control the Lt. Governor for Java and its dependencies was Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, who was known for his liberal attitude towards the people under colonial rule and his research on the history of Java.
With the return of the Dutch in 1816, a period of relative peace was interrupted by a series of long and bloody wars launched by the local people against the Dutch colonial government. The Indonesian nationalist and independence movements of the 20th century have their roots in this period. Upper and middle class Indonesians, whose education and contact with Western culture had made them more aware of colonial injustice, began mass movements which eventually drew support from the peasants and urban working classes.
The Japanese replaced the Dutch as rulers of Indonesia for a brief period during World War 2. The surrender of the Japanese in 1945 signalled the end of the Second World War in Asia and the start of true independence for Indonesia. With major changes in global consciousness about the concepts of freedom and democracy, Indonesia proclaimed its independence on August 17 of that same year.
The returning Dutch bitterly resisted Indonesian nationalist movements and intermittent fighting followed. Under the auspices of the United Nations at the Hague, an agreement was finally reached on December 9, 1949 officially recognizing Indonesia's sovereignty over the former Dutch East Indies.
Events
Wayang Orang (Dance Drama)
Performance of the Javanese Wayang Wong or Wayang Orang dance drama can be seen every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evening at the Bharata Theatre starting at 8.15 pm. and lasting till about midnight. The stories of the Wayang Wong usually relate episode of the Mahabharata and Ramayana Hindu Epics.
Ketoprak
An offshoot of the Wayang Wong dance drama is the modern popular Javanese theatre which takes its stories from popular folk legends and from history. Like the Wayang Wong, the Ketoprak show is accompanied by gamelan music but is simpler in costumes and dialogue. Performances can be seen in Jakarta at the Bharata Theatre every Monday and Thursday evening, beginning at 8.00 pm.
Traditional Indonesian Dances
Performances of traditional Indonesian dances from the various regions are stages in Jakarta at Taman Mini (Indonesia in Miniature Park) every Sunday from 9.00 to 14.00 pm. and at the Ancol Art Market every Saturday evening or Sunday morning.
Wayang Kulit (Leather Puppet Shadow Play)
Wayang Kulit (leather puppet) shows are performed every second and last Saturday night of the month at the Central Museum in Jakarta. Abbreviated versions, lasting for about on hour, are also presented every Sunday morning at the Wayang Museum Fatahillah Square in downtown Jakarta.
Gamelan Music
Every Sunday morning Sundanese gamelan music of West Java is presented at the Central Museum in Jakarta.
Crocodile Farm
Daily shows with crocodiles at Jalan Tirta Loka, Pluit from 8.00 to 16.00 pm. with snakes and other animals every Sunday.
Pameran Seni Rupa (Art Exhibition)
Permanent exhibition at Balai Seni Rupa Jl. Taman Fatahillah Jakarta, open daily.
Oceanarium Sea lion and dolphin shows at Taman Impian Jaya Ancol daily from 9.00 to 18.00 pm.
Keoug Emas Imax Theatre, TMII
The Imax film "Beautiful Indonesia" was initiated by the first Lady Madame Tien Soeharto, to present the beauty on the country from all different aspects. The film meant to make the people have more pride and affection for the country. The cinerama theatre screens "Beautiful Indonesia" Mondays through Fridays from 11.00 to 16.00, Sundays and holidays from 10.00 to 16.45 while on each Saturday performed a special theme.
Accommodation
The capital city has a wide choice of fine hotels which are managed by well known international chains. These include the Jakarta Hilton, The Mandarin Oriental, Sahid Jaya Hotel, Hotel Borobudur Inter-Continenetal, Aryaduta, Grand Hyatt, Hotel Sari Pan Pacific, Hotel Indonesia, President Hotel and independent hotels like Hotel Horison, Jayakarta Tower and Hotel Kartika Chandara.
The first five are rated five-star and the remainder four-star. All three and two-star hotels, in Jakarta have air-conditioned rooms, restaurants, bar, room service and laundry with a few exceptions. Most of those in the three-star, category have swimming pools, nightclubs and shopping arcades.
Most of the one-star hotels have conditioned rooms, with attached bathrooms telephones and restaurants.
source www.travel-indonesia.com
Jakarta has been called a study in contrasts: traditional and modern; rich and poor; spiritual and wordly stand side by side in this bustling metropolis. Among the 8 million people who call Jakarta home, one find representatives of the many diverse ethnic and cultural groups which shape Indonesia, a reminder of the nation’s motto: ‘Unity in Diverse’. You may have to search high and low in this multi-cultural collage to find one of the proud ethnic Jakartans, called "Orang Betawi".
Their language.Betawi Malay, has two variations, conventional Betawi Malay, spoken by elder people and bred in Jakarta, and modern Jakarta Malay, a slang form spoken by the younger generation and migrants.
Jakarta is the port of entry for many tourists and business people. It is home to a dynamic contrast between Western-style skyscrapers, modern urban life-styles and traditional Indonesian culture. It’s rapid growth into a metropolitan city reflects the economic, political, social and industrial development of the nation. In recent years, Jakarta has expanded its facilities for visitors with luxury hotels, fine restaurants, exciting nightlife and modern shopping centers. It contains many tourists attractions such as Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (Beautiful ‘Indonesia in Miniature’ Park), restored colonial period buildings, island resorts in the Pula Seribu (Thousand Island), and an extensive beach recreation complex called Ancol.
History
The strategic position of Indonesia and its waterways between the Indian and Pacific Oceans has led to fascinating and complex cultural, religious, political and economic history.
Evidence of Indonesia's earliest inhabitants include fossils of "Java Man" (Pithecanthropus Erectus), which date back some 500,000 years, discovered near the village of Trinil in East Java by Dr. Eugene Dubois in 1809. Major migration movements to the Indonesian archipelago began about 3000 years ago as the Dongson Culture of Vietnam and southern China spread south, bringing with them new Stone, Bronze and Iron Age cultures as well as the Austronesian language. Their techniques of irrigated rice cultivation are still practiced throughout Indonesia today. Other remnants of this culture such as ritual buffalo sacrifice, erection of stone megaliths and ikat weaving are still visible in isolated areas across the archipelago.
Indonesia came under the influence of a mighty Indian civilization through the gradual influx of Indian traders in the first century, A.D., when great Hindu and Buddhist empires were beginning to emerge. By the seventh century, the powerful Buddhist Kingdom of Sriwijaya was on the rise, and it is thought that during this period the spectacular Borobudur Buddhist Temple was built in Central Java. The thirteenth century saw the dominance of the fabulous Majapahit Hindu empire in East Java, which united the whole of modern-day Indonesia and parts of the Malay peninsula, ruling for two centuries. Monuments across Java such as the magnificent Prambanan temple complex near Yogyakarta the mysterious Penataran temple complex in East Java and the ethereal temples of the Dieng Plateau are all that remain of this glorious period in Indonesia's history.
The first recorded attempt at armed invasion of Indonesia is credited to the notorious Mongol Emperor Kublai Khan, who was driven back in 1293. Arab traders and merchants laid the foundations for the gradual spread of Islam to the region, which did not replace Hinduism an Buddhism as the dominant religion until the end of the 16th century. A series of small Moslem kingdoms sprouted up and spread their roots, but none anticipated the strength and persistence of European invasions which followed.
In 1292, Marco Polo became one of the first Europeans to set foot on the islands, but it wasn't until much later that the Portuguese arrived in pursuit of spices. By 1509 Portuguese had established trading posts in the strategic commercial center of Malacca on the Malay peninsula. Their fortified bases and the inability of their enemies to unify against them allowed the Portuguese to control strategic trade routes from Malacca to Macau, Goa, Mozambique and Angola.
Inspired by the success Portuguese, the Dutch followed at the turn of the 16th century. They ousted the Portuguese from some of the easternmost islands, coming into conflict with another major European power, Spain which had confused its colonial interests in Manila. The Dutch expanded their control of the entire area throughout the 17th and 18th centuries.
The Dutch East Indies, as it was known at this time, fell under British rule for a short period during the Napoleonic Wars of 1811-1816, when Holland was occupied by France, and Dutch power overseas was limited. While under British control the Lt. Governor for Java and its dependencies was Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, who was known for his liberal attitude towards the people under colonial rule and his research on the history of Java.
With the return of the Dutch in 1816, a period of relative peace was interrupted by a series of long and bloody wars launched by the local people against the Dutch colonial government. The Indonesian nationalist and independence movements of the 20th century have their roots in this period. Upper and middle class Indonesians, whose education and contact with Western culture had made them more aware of colonial injustice, began mass movements which eventually drew support from the peasants and urban working classes.
The Japanese replaced the Dutch as rulers of Indonesia for a brief period during World War 2. The surrender of the Japanese in 1945 signalled the end of the Second World War in Asia and the start of true independence for Indonesia. With major changes in global consciousness about the concepts of freedom and democracy, Indonesia proclaimed its independence on August 17 of that same year.
The returning Dutch bitterly resisted Indonesian nationalist movements and intermittent fighting followed. Under the auspices of the United Nations at the Hague, an agreement was finally reached on December 9, 1949 officially recognizing Indonesia's sovereignty over the former Dutch East Indies.
Events
Wayang Orang (Dance Drama)
Performance of the Javanese Wayang Wong or Wayang Orang dance drama can be seen every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evening at the Bharata Theatre starting at 8.15 pm. and lasting till about midnight. The stories of the Wayang Wong usually relate episode of the Mahabharata and Ramayana Hindu Epics.
Ketoprak
An offshoot of the Wayang Wong dance drama is the modern popular Javanese theatre which takes its stories from popular folk legends and from history. Like the Wayang Wong, the Ketoprak show is accompanied by gamelan music but is simpler in costumes and dialogue. Performances can be seen in Jakarta at the Bharata Theatre every Monday and Thursday evening, beginning at 8.00 pm.
Traditional Indonesian Dances
Performances of traditional Indonesian dances from the various regions are stages in Jakarta at Taman Mini (Indonesia in Miniature Park) every Sunday from 9.00 to 14.00 pm. and at the Ancol Art Market every Saturday evening or Sunday morning.
Wayang Kulit (Leather Puppet Shadow Play)
Wayang Kulit (leather puppet) shows are performed every second and last Saturday night of the month at the Central Museum in Jakarta. Abbreviated versions, lasting for about on hour, are also presented every Sunday morning at the Wayang Museum Fatahillah Square in downtown Jakarta.
Gamelan Music
Every Sunday morning Sundanese gamelan music of West Java is presented at the Central Museum in Jakarta.
Crocodile Farm
Daily shows with crocodiles at Jalan Tirta Loka, Pluit from 8.00 to 16.00 pm. with snakes and other animals every Sunday.
Pameran Seni Rupa (Art Exhibition)
Permanent exhibition at Balai Seni Rupa Jl. Taman Fatahillah Jakarta, open daily.
Oceanarium Sea lion and dolphin shows at Taman Impian Jaya Ancol daily from 9.00 to 18.00 pm.
Keoug Emas Imax Theatre, TMII
The Imax film "Beautiful Indonesia" was initiated by the first Lady Madame Tien Soeharto, to present the beauty on the country from all different aspects. The film meant to make the people have more pride and affection for the country. The cinerama theatre screens "Beautiful Indonesia" Mondays through Fridays from 11.00 to 16.00, Sundays and holidays from 10.00 to 16.45 while on each Saturday performed a special theme.
Accommodation
The capital city has a wide choice of fine hotels which are managed by well known international chains. These include the Jakarta Hilton, The Mandarin Oriental, Sahid Jaya Hotel, Hotel Borobudur Inter-Continenetal, Aryaduta, Grand Hyatt, Hotel Sari Pan Pacific, Hotel Indonesia, President Hotel and independent hotels like Hotel Horison, Jayakarta Tower and Hotel Kartika Chandara.
The first five are rated five-star and the remainder four-star. All three and two-star hotels, in Jakarta have air-conditioned rooms, restaurants, bar, room service and laundry with a few exceptions. Most of those in the three-star, category have swimming pools, nightclubs and shopping arcades.
Most of the one-star hotels have conditioned rooms, with attached bathrooms telephones and restaurants.
source www.travel-indonesia.com
Saturday, 7 February 2009
Central Java
History has left its footprints across Central Java, an area rich in culture and tradition descending from a powerful Hindu and Buddhist past, and more recent Islamic influences. Under the Saliendra and Old Mataram kings. In the 8th and 10th centuries the Hindu-Javanese culture flourished, and it was during this period that Java's most remarkable religious monuments were built: Borobudur, the most magnificent monument to Mahayana Buddhism in the 'world; the enormous Hindu temple complex of Prambanan, and the ancient site of the oldest Hindu temples in Java on the Dieng Plateau. All of these are testimony to the ancient power and influence of the region, and should be included in your travel plans.
The first Islamic kingdom in Java was established in 1511 in Demak, about 40 km from the Provincial capital of Semarang. One of the province's greatest Islamic structures is the Grand Mosque of Demak. Symbolic of the way the new faith was introduced, the mosque displays a curious combination of Islamic and Hindu architectural influences and is still revered and worshipped by Javanese pilgrims.
The rich and fertile plains of the region support an enormous population of over 30 million people. Surakarta, better known as Solo, is the cradle of Javanese culture in the province. TV courts of Solo embody the noble value that the Javanese attach to grace and refinement, with majestic ceremonies and royal festivals still held with great pomp and circumstance. Although no longer the seat of power it once was, descendants of the royal houses of Solo are regarded as leaders of, Javanese culture and traditions, upholding standards of sophistication and conduct.
An extensive network of good roads and railway links major cities and villages. With airports in both Semarang and Yogyakarta it is one of the most accessible provinces in the country. Two major seaports, Tanjung Emas on the Java Sea, and Cilacap, a natural ocean port in the Indian Ocean provide national and international outlets for the province's agricultural and industrial products.
Other places of interest:
Semarang
Semarang is situated on Java's northern coast and is called the capital of Central Java, as it lies just about halfway between the extreme east and west coasts of the island. From Candi Hill you get amazing views of the port, the lowlands and green paddy fields, the city itself and the surrounding mountains. The environs around Semarang are perfect for clay trips side-excursions.
In the older part of the city, near the harbour, you can still find an interesting collection of buildings dating back to the Dutch colonial era and the Dutch Last Indies Company.
The city offers evening performances of Wayang drama played by live actors, actresses and dancers at Ngesti Pandowo Theatre. For sport fans there are tennis courts in all major hotels and 2 golf courses located in the towns suburbs.
For short trips out of Semarang within a radius of about 60 km, the following places arc recommended Jepara, northeast of Sentarang, is surrounded by white sand beaches, and is also famous for its wood carving industry. An ancient Portuguese Fort can be found to the east of Jepara.
Kudus, about halfway between Jepara and Semarang, is home to the Minaret Mosque, which was built in the 15th century.
Demak has the oldest mosque in Central, Java, which is said to have been built in a single night by one of the nine early leaders of Islam in Java.
Ambarawa Railway Museum
Fifty kms south of Semarang, Ambarawa has locomotives of various types and ages, and it is still possible to ride on a cog railway between Ambarawa and Bedono, a village nearby. Prior arrangements should he made for groups. Also of interest are a collection of antique telephones and other instrument used for railway communication.
Solo
A Pleasant city with a lively character, Solo is also called 'The City That Never Sleeps. One can always find something to eat or buy, as vendors of all kinds and small food stalls remain open 24 hours. Home of two royal houses with centuries of power and influence over the city, Solo today remains distinctly Central Javanese with an elegance all its own. It is one of the centers of batik and other Javanese fabrics, and souvenir hunters may find exquisite 'objects d'art" and ornate trinkets in the local markets. Those interested in old, Javanese culture and art should not miss Solo.
Sukuh Temple
Not far from Solo is the Sukuh Temple decorated with wayang stone carvings of Hindu origin, anti the only erotic temple in Java. The stepped pyramid is like the ones in South America of the Maya culture.
Tawangmangu
Located 40 kms east of Solo, this recreational resort offers fresh weather; scenic views, swimming pools, bungalow style hotels anti restaurants It lies on the slopes of Mt., Lawu, at an elevation of 1300 m above sea level. Other features include nearby temples, a national park and the 40 in high waterfall of Grojogan Sewu.
Kasunanan Palace
The royal residence of King Pakubuwono in the 17th century, the palace has an art gallery exhibiting royal heirlooms, antiques and other invaluable objects in a genuine royal Javanese atmosphere.
Mangkunegaran Palace or Pura Mangkunegan
Another palace built 1757, with typical Javanese architecture consisting of "Pendopo" (an open front hall to receive guests), "Pringgitan" (a porch to hold leather puppet shadow play) and private apartments. Two sets of 17th century Javanese gamelan instruments are exhibited and played every Wednesday in the Pendopo. The palace also exhibits complete collection of masks, wayang orang costumes, leather and wooden puppets, religious articles and jewelry.
Sangiran, The Land of Mystery
In 1891, Eugene Dubois, a French anthropologist discovered fossils of Phitecantropos Erectus, or 'Java Man'. 1930 and 1931 marked the discovery of fossils of a man from the Pleistocene Period. In mid 1980, scientists were startled by the discovery of a complete 4 m tall elephant.
Bandungan and Gedong Songo Temple
This is a holiday resort on the slopes of Mt. Ungaran, about 900 meters above sea level. Gedong Songo (nine buildings), a group of small 8th century Hindu Javanese temples, can be reached either by ear or on horseback from the town. Built at about the same time as the temples of the Dieng complex, Gedong Songo is one of the most beautifully a temple complexes in Central Java. The views alone are worth the trip.
Borohudur 'Temple'
The name "Borobudnr" is believed to have been derived from the Sanskrit words "Vihara Buddha Uhr", (Buddhist Monastery on the Hill). The Borobudur Temple was built in the eighth century by the Cailendra dynasty and is located at Magelang 90 km southeast of Semarang or 42 km northwest of Yogyakarta. One of the world's most famous temples, it stand majestically on a hill overlooking lush green fields and distant hills. Borobudur is built of gray and a site stone. It rises in seven ten-aces, each smaller than the one below it. The top is the Great Stupa, standing 40 meters above the ground. The walls of the Borobudur are sculpted in bas-relief, a total length of six kilometers. It has been hailed as the largest and most complete ensemble of Buddhist relief's in the world, unsurpassed in artistic merit and each scene an individual masterpiece. The monument has been completely restored and was officially opened by the President on 23 February 1983. The restoration took eight years to complete, funded by the Government of Indonesia with aid from UNESCO and donations from private citizens and foreign governments.
Mendut Temple
Located only three kilometers from Borobudur, Mendut is said to face toward Benares, India, where Buddha Gautama taught his five disclipes. The smaller temples of Mendut, which house the great statue of Buddha and the Pawon temple, form an integral part of the Borobudur complex. The three-meter tall Buddha and the two Bodhisatva figures of Lokesvara and Vajrapani are among the greatest manifestations of Buddhist thought and art.
Beturaden
Central Java's most outstanding resort, approximately 14 kms north of Purwokerto, occupies a fine site on the slopes of Mount Slamet, 650 m above sea level. It has remarkable weather, nice gardens, hot springs, ponds and bungalow-style hotels.
Dieng Plateau
Four hours from Semarang is the Dieng Plateau, the site of some of the oldest Hindu temples on Java. These 50-foot high monuments stand on a crater floor amidst sulphurous fumes. The road to the Dieng Plateau passes through tobacco plantations and beautiful mountain scenery.
source:www.travel-indonesia.com
The first Islamic kingdom in Java was established in 1511 in Demak, about 40 km from the Provincial capital of Semarang. One of the province's greatest Islamic structures is the Grand Mosque of Demak. Symbolic of the way the new faith was introduced, the mosque displays a curious combination of Islamic and Hindu architectural influences and is still revered and worshipped by Javanese pilgrims.
The rich and fertile plains of the region support an enormous population of over 30 million people. Surakarta, better known as Solo, is the cradle of Javanese culture in the province. TV courts of Solo embody the noble value that the Javanese attach to grace and refinement, with majestic ceremonies and royal festivals still held with great pomp and circumstance. Although no longer the seat of power it once was, descendants of the royal houses of Solo are regarded as leaders of, Javanese culture and traditions, upholding standards of sophistication and conduct.
An extensive network of good roads and railway links major cities and villages. With airports in both Semarang and Yogyakarta it is one of the most accessible provinces in the country. Two major seaports, Tanjung Emas on the Java Sea, and Cilacap, a natural ocean port in the Indian Ocean provide national and international outlets for the province's agricultural and industrial products.
Other places of interest:
Semarang
Semarang is situated on Java's northern coast and is called the capital of Central Java, as it lies just about halfway between the extreme east and west coasts of the island. From Candi Hill you get amazing views of the port, the lowlands and green paddy fields, the city itself and the surrounding mountains. The environs around Semarang are perfect for clay trips side-excursions.
In the older part of the city, near the harbour, you can still find an interesting collection of buildings dating back to the Dutch colonial era and the Dutch Last Indies Company.
The city offers evening performances of Wayang drama played by live actors, actresses and dancers at Ngesti Pandowo Theatre. For sport fans there are tennis courts in all major hotels and 2 golf courses located in the towns suburbs.
For short trips out of Semarang within a radius of about 60 km, the following places arc recommended Jepara, northeast of Sentarang, is surrounded by white sand beaches, and is also famous for its wood carving industry. An ancient Portuguese Fort can be found to the east of Jepara.
Kudus, about halfway between Jepara and Semarang, is home to the Minaret Mosque, which was built in the 15th century.
Demak has the oldest mosque in Central, Java, which is said to have been built in a single night by one of the nine early leaders of Islam in Java.
Ambarawa Railway Museum
Fifty kms south of Semarang, Ambarawa has locomotives of various types and ages, and it is still possible to ride on a cog railway between Ambarawa and Bedono, a village nearby. Prior arrangements should he made for groups. Also of interest are a collection of antique telephones and other instrument used for railway communication.
Solo
A Pleasant city with a lively character, Solo is also called 'The City That Never Sleeps. One can always find something to eat or buy, as vendors of all kinds and small food stalls remain open 24 hours. Home of two royal houses with centuries of power and influence over the city, Solo today remains distinctly Central Javanese with an elegance all its own. It is one of the centers of batik and other Javanese fabrics, and souvenir hunters may find exquisite 'objects d'art" and ornate trinkets in the local markets. Those interested in old, Javanese culture and art should not miss Solo.
Sukuh Temple
Not far from Solo is the Sukuh Temple decorated with wayang stone carvings of Hindu origin, anti the only erotic temple in Java. The stepped pyramid is like the ones in South America of the Maya culture.
Tawangmangu
Located 40 kms east of Solo, this recreational resort offers fresh weather; scenic views, swimming pools, bungalow style hotels anti restaurants It lies on the slopes of Mt., Lawu, at an elevation of 1300 m above sea level. Other features include nearby temples, a national park and the 40 in high waterfall of Grojogan Sewu.
Kasunanan Palace
The royal residence of King Pakubuwono in the 17th century, the palace has an art gallery exhibiting royal heirlooms, antiques and other invaluable objects in a genuine royal Javanese atmosphere.
Mangkunegaran Palace or Pura Mangkunegan
Another palace built 1757, with typical Javanese architecture consisting of "Pendopo" (an open front hall to receive guests), "Pringgitan" (a porch to hold leather puppet shadow play) and private apartments. Two sets of 17th century Javanese gamelan instruments are exhibited and played every Wednesday in the Pendopo. The palace also exhibits complete collection of masks, wayang orang costumes, leather and wooden puppets, religious articles and jewelry.
Sangiran, The Land of Mystery
In 1891, Eugene Dubois, a French anthropologist discovered fossils of Phitecantropos Erectus, or 'Java Man'. 1930 and 1931 marked the discovery of fossils of a man from the Pleistocene Period. In mid 1980, scientists were startled by the discovery of a complete 4 m tall elephant.
Bandungan and Gedong Songo Temple
This is a holiday resort on the slopes of Mt. Ungaran, about 900 meters above sea level. Gedong Songo (nine buildings), a group of small 8th century Hindu Javanese temples, can be reached either by ear or on horseback from the town. Built at about the same time as the temples of the Dieng complex, Gedong Songo is one of the most beautifully a temple complexes in Central Java. The views alone are worth the trip.
Borohudur 'Temple'
The name "Borobudnr" is believed to have been derived from the Sanskrit words "Vihara Buddha Uhr", (Buddhist Monastery on the Hill). The Borobudur Temple was built in the eighth century by the Cailendra dynasty and is located at Magelang 90 km southeast of Semarang or 42 km northwest of Yogyakarta. One of the world's most famous temples, it stand majestically on a hill overlooking lush green fields and distant hills. Borobudur is built of gray and a site stone. It rises in seven ten-aces, each smaller than the one below it. The top is the Great Stupa, standing 40 meters above the ground. The walls of the Borobudur are sculpted in bas-relief, a total length of six kilometers. It has been hailed as the largest and most complete ensemble of Buddhist relief's in the world, unsurpassed in artistic merit and each scene an individual masterpiece. The monument has been completely restored and was officially opened by the President on 23 February 1983. The restoration took eight years to complete, funded by the Government of Indonesia with aid from UNESCO and donations from private citizens and foreign governments.
Mendut Temple
Located only three kilometers from Borobudur, Mendut is said to face toward Benares, India, where Buddha Gautama taught his five disclipes. The smaller temples of Mendut, which house the great statue of Buddha and the Pawon temple, form an integral part of the Borobudur complex. The three-meter tall Buddha and the two Bodhisatva figures of Lokesvara and Vajrapani are among the greatest manifestations of Buddhist thought and art.
Beturaden
Central Java's most outstanding resort, approximately 14 kms north of Purwokerto, occupies a fine site on the slopes of Mount Slamet, 650 m above sea level. It has remarkable weather, nice gardens, hot springs, ponds and bungalow-style hotels.
Dieng Plateau
Four hours from Semarang is the Dieng Plateau, the site of some of the oldest Hindu temples on Java. These 50-foot high monuments stand on a crater floor amidst sulphurous fumes. The road to the Dieng Plateau passes through tobacco plantations and beautiful mountain scenery.
source:www.travel-indonesia.com
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