Asmat, Ethnic Group of Papua

The Asmat are an ethnic group of New Guinea, residing in what is currently the Papua province of Indonesia. They inhabit a region on the island's southern coast, much of it a large wetland sometimes referred to as theAsmat Swamp. The total Asmat population is estimated to be around 70,000. Map showing Papua province in Indonesia Papua is a province of Indonesia comprising part of the western half of the island of New Guinea and nearby islands (see also Western New Guinea).

A subtropical wetland in Florida, USA, with an endangered American Crocodile.

Asmat Swamp is a wetland on the southern coast of New Guinea, located within what is now the Indonesian province of Papua.

The swamp has been a major factor affecting the Asmat. Due to the tidal flooding which frequently occurs in many parts of the swamp, Asmat dwellings have typically been built two or more metres above the ground, raised on wooden posts. In some inland regions, the Asmat have lived in three houses, sometimes as high as twenty-five metres from the ground.

The Asmat have traditionally placed great emphasis on the veneration of ancestors, particularly those who were accomplished warriors. Asmat art, most noticably elaborate wood carving, is designed to honour ancestors. The tide is the regular rising and falling of the oceans surface caused by changes in gravitational forces external to the Earth.

A tree house (also spelled treehouse) is a house that is built among the branches or around the trunk of one or more mature trees and is a least 3m off the ground.

Ancestor worship, also ancestor veneration, is a religious practice based on the belief that ones ancestors possess supernatural powers. ... Carved wooden cranes Wood carving is the process whereby wood is ornamented with any design, by means of sharp cutting tools held in the hand.

The swamp has also isolated the Asmat from other peoples. It was not until the mid-20th century that they came into regular contact with outsiders. Initially, the Asmat had a reputation as headhunters and cannibals, and were left undisturbed. Although the Netherlands laid claim to the western half of the island in 1828, a post of the colonial government was not established in the area until 1938, and it was not until Catholic missionaries arrived in 1958 that significant interaction began. Even today, the Asmat are relatively isolated.

Picture: galenfrysinger.com

Source: nationmaster.com

The Dayaks, Ethnic Group of Kalimantan

Headhunting was one of the main pillars of Dayak culture. In the old days, it was believed that freshly severed heads were essential to the welfare of a village. Old heads' power faded with age and new ones were continuously needed. This led to a permanent state of warfare in the hinterland of Borneo (West Kalimantan, Indonesia) until the practice was stopped early in this century by the British and Dutch colonial governments.

The Dayaks, who make up some 30% of West Kalimatan's population, are divided in this province into three main groups: the Kenyah, the Kayan and the Bahau. These in turn are each subdivided into several sub-groups. All Dayaks show a fundamental physical and cultural unity. They are usually light skinned and of Mongol genetic stock.


Several Dayak groups used to excel in beautiful and intricate ironwood carvings with religious significance but this is now fast becoming a lost art. Carvings were a common feature of longhouses in many areas. These huge wooden houses were built on stilts, up to 180 metres long and 18 metres wide. The largest ones boasted of some 200 doors to serve up to 500 persons or 50 families living under one roof. Villages located in several upstream areas of the Mahakam still have longhouses although the government is trying to encourage individual housing.

Many of the older women still sport personal decorations consisting of many large metal rings - weighing up to one kilo per ear - in huge distorted earlobes. Hands and other parts of the body were tattooed to mark status and as a means for ancestors to recognize their descendants after death.

(There are several elements of Dayak mythology and belief with un-canny parallels to the Aztecs and other Indian groups ot ancient Mexico. The feathered serpent was an important figure in both pantheons. There were special paradises, depending on the manner of death. Warriors who died in battle and women who died in childbirth shared one of the paradises in the afterlife. There was another one for those who died by drowning.)

Since the conclusion of WW II, missionaries have succeeded in converting most Dayaks to the Catholic or Protestant faiths. Traditional beliefs have been abandoned, except in a few remote areas. Christianity has been accepted over Islam mostly because it allows the consumption of pork and the presence of dogs which are invaluable for hunting wild game.

Source: Borneocentre.blogspot.com

Picture: accrosindonesia.com

Wayang Golek

Wayang Golek Art is wood dolls performed with engraved Sundanese characteristic. This show is doing in night beginning from 10.00 pm to 04.00 am in the morning. It tells about Ramayana by Valmiki or Mahabrata by Vyasa. Wayang Golek often show in circumcision or wedding celebration. In its growth, the show of Wayang Golek also often performs in institute or birthday institute celebration even.




Before the decade of 80’s, Wayang Golek Show still performs in country society, home backyard or in the opened yard (it was arranged so that the audient could watch and felt enjoy). Now, after the decade of 80’s, Wayang Golek Art has able to perform in hotel or show building and can be directly watch or hear from television or radios periodically.

Wayang golek show is performed by a puppeteer called dalang with an ensemble of gamelan music. The show is usually performed in the evening and typically lasts for about six hours. Originally, wayang golek used to be performed only at thanksgiving, harvest parties, and ceremonies to ask for God’s protection from evil spirits. Now it is also performed at wedding receptions, circumscision ceremony, company’s unniversaries, and other social functions.

The stories at wayang golek performance are typically dirived from the Hindu-Indian epics of Ramayana and Mahabarata. However, they have been adapted to the local Sundanese Moslem wisdom and values.

Source: bandungtourism.com & bandungdailyphoto.com

Wayang Kulit (Leather Puppet)

When you spend the night in Yogyakarta while enjoying leather puppet show, it will feel vivid. The melodious rhythm of the gamelan in harmony with the voice of the female singers will not let you fall asleep. The story presented by the dalang as the puppeteer as well as the storyteller will bring you into being one of the characters in the story. You will soon learn the greatness of Javanese culture in the past.

lh4.google.com


Leather puppet show is a performance art that has been more than half a millennium of age. Its presence has its own story, in relation with the entrance of Javanese Islam. One of the Wali Songo or the nine pious leaders who spread Islam in Java created the puppet by adopting Wayang Beber or Beber Puppet that grew during the triumph of Hindu-Buddha. Such an adoption was done since leather puppet had been attached to Javanese people so that it became the proper media to spread Islam, while Islam prohibited plastic arts. Consequently, leather puppet was made in order for people to be able to see shadow.

Leather puppet show is done by the puppeteer who is also the storyteller who is possibly considered the best entertainer in the world. All the night, he plays all the characters of the leather puppets forming human characters made from buffalo skin decorated with motif as the product of leather carving. He has to change the voice character, switch the intonation, produce humor and even sing. In order to make the atmosphere vivid, the storyteller is assisted by musicians who play gamelan - the traditional Javanese music instruments - and the female singers called sinden who sing Javanese songs.

The total characters in leather puppet show number in the hundreds. The puppets that are not played are stuck in banana stem that is placed close to the storyteller. While being played, the puppets will look as shadow from rear view of the white screen in front of the storyteller. The shadow is created by the light from the oil lamp placed at the upper rear of the storyteller that is cut off by the puppets being played on the screen.

hanifsragen.blogspot.com

Each puppet performance presents different story or act. The act variations are divided into four categories namely lakon pakem, lakon carangan, lakon gubahan, and lakon karangan. Lakon pakem is the standard story that entirely originates from leather puppet literature while lakon carangan is only the main story that also refers to the leather puppet literature. Lakon gubahan does not origin from the leather puppet stories but it uses the places in accordance with leather puppet literature; lakon karangan is entirely a free story.

The stories in the leather puppet originated from some old books such as Ramayana, Mahabharata, Pustaka Raja Purwa and Purwakanda. Now, there are some books containing lakon gubahan and karangan that have been hundreds years to be liked by the society such as Abimanyu Kerem, Doraweca, Suryatmaja Maling and so on. Among the old books, Purwakanda book is most often used by the puppeteers from Yogyakarta Kingdom.

The leather puppet show begins when the dalang takes out a puppet in the shape of a mountain called gunungan. A nightlong leather puppet show in Yogyakarta style is divided into 3 scenes with 7 jejeran or acts and 7 war acts. The first scene, called pathet lasem, has 3 jejeran and 2 acts of war accompanied by pathet lasem Javanese musical composition. Pathet Sanga as the second scene has 2 jejeran and 2 war acts, while Pathet Manyura as the second scene has 2 jejeran and 3 war acts. One of the scenes that most spectators mostly wait is gara-gara that presents typical Javanese humor.

Sasono Hinggil that is located in the south square is the place that very often performs nightlong leather puppet shows. Usually, the performances are done on the second and fourth weeks, beginning at 09.00 p.m. Another place for leather puppet performance is Bangsal Sri Manganti in the complex of Yogyakarta Kingdom. The leather puppet performance in that place is done on Saturdays, beginning at 10.00 a.m. for two hours at Rp.5,000 for the ticket entrance.

Text: Yunanto Wiji Utomo
Source:yogyes.com

Beautiful Bali Dance

Theater and dance is an integral part of Balinese culture. Balinese dances are famous all over the world and the Balinese themselves take them very seriously. Birthdays, weddings, and temples festivals are all occasions for dramatic performances and dance is inextricably linked with the Balinese religion. The commercial performances for tourists that are today offered on a daily basis in several places of Bali do, of course, not have the same religious significance and atmosphere of a dance that is performed at a real temple festival.

1. KECAK DANCE
The Kecak is an unusual Balinese dance for a couple of reasons. First, there is no musical accompaniment. The gamelan is not there. Rhythm is provided by a chanting 'monkey' chorus. The polyrhythmic sound of the chanting provides the name, 'Ke-chak'.

The story line for tohe Kecak is taken from the Ramayana.
Prince Rama goes hunting for a golden deer and his beautiful wife is kidnapped by the evil Rawana.



Story is secondary in this performance, though. If you want to see the story of the Ramayana, you should see a Ramayana performance.
The Kecak is a triumph of style and mood, rather than story. Watch the faces of audience members. More than any other Balinese dance, the Kecak turns every viewer into a child, wide-eyed and transfixed.

The fifty man chorus gathers in a ring around a flame, to create a stage. They also act as various monkey armies in the story, and become a undulating snake in one of the pivotal scenes.
With only the flame as lighting, this performance takes on a primeval fell, especially when staget outside of a hotel setting.
Secondly, the kecak is one of the only dances that was invented for tourist. It’s almost never watched by the Balinese.

2. BARONG DANCE


Picture: rri-online.com

If black magic prevails, a village fails into danger, and extensive purification ceremonies become necessary to restore a proper equilibrium for the health of the community. Dramatic art is also a mea of cleansing the village by strengthening its resistance to harmful forces through offerings, prayers and acts of exorcism.

Such is the symbolic play of the two remarkable presences-the Barong and Rangda. Barong, a mystical creature with a long swaybackand curved tail, representstheaffirmative, the protector of mankind, the glory of the high sun, and the lavorable spirits associated with the right and.
white magic

Source: 99bali.com

Komodo Dragon

The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is a species of lizard that inhabits the islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Montang and Gili Dasami, in central Indonesia. A member of the monitor lizard family (Varanidae), it is the largest living species of lizard, growing to an average length of 2 to 3 metres (6.6 to 9.8 ft) and weighing around 200-300 lbs. Their unusual size is attributed to island gigantism, since there are no other carnivorous animals to fill the niche on the islands where they live, and also to the Komodo dragon's low metabolic rate.As a result of their size, these lizards, along with symbiotic bacteria, dominate the ecosystems in which they live. Although Komodo dragons eat mostly carrion, they will also hunt and ambush prey including invertebrates, birds, and mammals.

Mating begins between May and August, and the eggs are laid in September. About twenty eggs are deposited in abandoned megapode nests and incubated for seven to eight months, hatching in April, when insects are most plentiful. Young Komodo dragons are vulnerable and therefore dwell in trees, safe from predators and cannibalistic adults. They take around three to five years to mature, and may live as long as fifty years. They are among the rare vertebrates capable of parthenogenesis, in which females may lay viable eggs if males are absent.


Picture: Lablink.or.id

Komodo dragons were discovered by Western scientists in 1910. Their large size and fearsome reputation make them popular zoo exhibits. In the wild their range has contracted due to human activities and they are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. They are protected under Indonesian law, and a national park, Komodo National Park, was founded to aid protection efforts.

Source: Wikipedia.Org

Wayang Orang

Wayang orang, another kind of art performance usually held in Central Java. Wayang orang is played by human. The performance consists of many dancing, singing and talking in high javanese language, and gamelan music. At old times many likes to see wayang performance. There are many wayang groups in central Java. One which is famous at old times and still exists until now is wayang group called Ngesti Pandowo. This wayang group is located in Semarang (three hours from Jogjakarta by car), the capital city of Central Java. The wayang performance usually are held every night, from 21.00 and lasted at 24.00 o'clock. They perform usually the Mahabarata stories. Almost every Semarang inhabitants knows about Ngesti Pandowo. Here are some snapshots of a wayang performance, performed by Ngesti Pandowo. As other Javanese people, our cartoon friend, also like wayang. He was also watching it at that time.

Source: jogjacartoonvisit.blogspot.com

Gamelan music

Picture: usd.edu

2. WAYANG WONG or ORANG

In the eleventh century, the center of Javanese kingdom moved from Prambanan (Central Java) to East Java, Jenggala or Kediri. During the reign of King Airlangga, art and culture flourished. The new creation of wayang kulit (leather puppet) started (wayang Purwa is the other name of wayang kulit) the puppet were improved, also the gamelan (music instruments).
The kingdom were divided to four, each ruled by his son, namely, the kingdom of :
Jenggala, under king Lembu Amiluhur
Kediri or Daha, under king Lembu Amerdadu
Ngurawan, under king Lembu Mangarang
Singasari, under king Amijaya.

The son of king Lembu Amiluhur, Raden Panji Asmarabangun was instructed to create Wayang Wong or Orang in Indonesian (wong = orang = man/woman), this is wayang with man or woman players. Panji Asmarabangun was a great artist himself, he was the one who had taught his brothers and relatives to be Dalang (puppeteer).

In that time the topics of the wayang wong was about the Jenggala Kingdom. It was the wish of king Airlangga, the history of his kingdom to be known by all court families and all his descendants. Latter on, until nowadays Jenggala wayang wong was named wayang Topeng (wearing a mask) or Wayang Gedog. In Majapahit kingdom, the Wayang Wwang/Wong also flourished. According to the book "NEGARA KERTAGAMA", even the famous King Hayam Wuruk was himself a dancer. What's explained here is the wayang wong with the stories from Ramayana and Mahabrata.

1. Wayang Orang Show

In the old days, wayang wong was only performed in the four palaces of Yogyakarta and Surakarta as clasical court dance. In the development, it spread beyond the palaces and become popular among the people. The wayang wong has certain patterns of dance movements and dresses.

For male figures, there are pattern of dance movements, a.o:

1. Alus : very gentle movement, slow, elegant, such as the dance of Arjuna, Puntodewa and all ksatria with slightly build, which is divided into two movements (Lanyap and Luruh).
2. Gagah :
a) Kambeng : the dance is more sportif, such as Bima, Gatotkaca, etc.
b) Bapang : gagah & kasar for the knights of Korawa
c) Kalang Kinantang : In between alus and gagah, such as Kresna, Suteja for tall but slim figures.
3. Kasar : rough, for giants.
4. Gecul : Ponokawan & Cantrik
a) Kambeng Dengklik : monkey warrior : Anomanb.

b) Kalang Kinantang Dengklik : monkey bwarriors : Sugriwa & Subali

For female figures

The movement is called "Nggruda" or Ngenceng encotIn Javanese classical court dance, there are in fact 9 basic movements (Joged Pokok) and 12 additional movements (Joged Gubahan) and Joged Wirogo to beautify the movements for female dancers of Bedoyo and Srimpi.
Today, wayang wong with Gagrak (style) of Surakarta, a female dancer performs the ksatria with alus dance as Arjuna. A male dancer performs Gagrak (style) Yogyakarta, Arjuna with the same alus movements. The dresses and accessories are different between kings, gods, ksatrias, begawans, princesses and commanders. There are more than 45 items (it should be described in separated article).

The lakon (play) of wayang wong is the same as wayang kulit but usually the performance is shorter. The dalang of wayang wong has a much lighter job compared with the one of wayang kulit. The figure in wayang wong they make the conversation themselves. The dalang is doing 'Suluk' a prelude of opening explanations with a special standard voice and some narration.

Wayang wong dancers before going to the stage need a long and various training. Some of them can dance elegantly and become the favorite of the audience, and have a famous name in the society. Usually every club of wayang orang has its own stars - male and female.

Wayang Orang Sriwedari

In the city of Solo with its regular evening show is the famous group in the country. Some years ago in Semarang - wayang orang Ngesti Pandawa was also popular and wayang orang Wiromo Budoyo in Yogyakarta (evening show in Purawisata open theater).
In 1960's, almost every town in Central and East Java plus Jakarta has its own group of wayang orang. The 'show business' of wayang orang was slowing down nowadays due to many reasons.
In Jakarta the capital of Indonesia, there is wayang orang Bharata with regular evening performances. There are also some groups performs from time to time, travelling from one town to another.

Picture: flickr.com

The Classical Court Dance

This kind of dance originated from the Karaton can be enjoyed in Yogyakarta and Solo. Some are performed regularly and some are performed on special occasions. A dance training session in Karaton is also worth to be seen, one could feel the atmosphere of the Karaton, somewhat magical, and the dance trainers, they are the first class experts. Classical dance is also taught outside Karaton such Krido Bekso Wiromo, Siswo Among Bekso, and Pamulangan Beksa Sasminta Mardawa.

At dalem Pujokusuman, one of the best show staged thrice a week. The ISI (Institute of Arts, Indonesia) Padepokan Bagong Kusudiarjo & DR. Wisnoe Wardhana's Art and Cultural Foundation are also good education and performance places of dance.
In Solo, dance rehearsal and occasional performance can be seen in STSI (Academy of Art and Music), Central Java Cultural Center and in Karaton Kasunanan and Mangkunagaran. Serimpi and Bedoyo dances of Karaton are worth also to be seen.

Prambanan Ramayana Ballet

This is a precious introduction to classical dance, an evening out door performance under a full moon (at dry season from May to October) with the magnificent 8th century Prambanan temple as a backdrop. Performed by more than 200 dancers with live gamelan music, it's really a spectacular theater.

For 2 hours, one should be enthrilled by a succession of visual and aural delights. The dancers, the musicians, the performance, the magical ancient surrounding, all are perfect. No visitor should miss this performance. There is also in door daytime performance, but probably fewer spectacular.
(Suryo S. Negoro)

Source: joglosemar.co.id

Reog Ponorogo Dance

Ponorogo is most well known for the reog mask dance, which is said to have been created by one of the kings of Kediri in the 12th century.

The performance re-enacts a legendary battle between Pujangga Anom, a minister from the court of Ponorogo, and Singa Barong, guardian spirit of the forest of Lodoyo. The former had aroused the anger of Singa Barong when he stole 150 tigers from the forest, apparently to be offered as a dowry payment for a princess of Kediri, whom the king of Ponorogo wished to marry.

A typical reog troupe, then, usually consists of the principal characters; Singa Barong, wearing an enormous tiger head and peacock feather mask, and his adversary Pujangga Anom. They are accompanied by one or more masked clowns/acrobats, as well as a number of hobby horse dancers, who are said to represent the troops of Pujangga Anom.

Picture: Flickr.com

The people of Ponorogo have a reputation for being tough, both physically and mentally. The qualities of bravery and daring are fully displayed in a reog performance, where the focus of attention is on a trance dancer supporting a giant mask, often weighing more than 40 kg, between his teeth. The mask is a ferocious, snarling tiger's head, covered in real tiger skin and crowned with a gigantic three meter fan of peacock feathers.

Picture: Asiafinest.com

The success of a performance, including the ability of the principal dancer to bear the weight of the mask, is said to depend upon the magical power of the leader of the dance troupe. Known as warok, these men are believed to possess special talents, gained through years of training. One of the unique features of the reog dance is that the hobby horse (jaran kepang) dancers are invariably young boys dressed as women. Known as gemblak, they accompany the warok, who are forbidden close association with females, in their travelling performances.

Contest of Reog dance is presented annually by the local government. Ngebel, a natural lake and batik printing of ponorogo are also worthwhile seeing.

Picture: Flickr.com

Tiger and Peacock

A tiger's head and a wide-winged peacock are the principal features of the traditional Reog Ponorogo dance. The weight of this pair, called Dhadhak Merak, may reach 40 kg or even 100 kg, carried by one man, moving around, up and down. The tiger's head symbolizes a hero. The man, warok, who bears it must have a magic power.
Dhadhak Merak, often known as Singobarong, is performed as a welcoming dance for honorable guests, or as attractions, complete with its attributes. For instance, the player of the role of Prabu (King) Kelana Sewandono, with his supernatural power, always carries an inhabited, holy whip.

Another man plays the role of a dancer, Bujangganong, a governor under the rule of King Kelana Sewandono. He is a hero with a bad face, bearing a mask with a red, long nose, untidy hair and tusked teeth.

The team of players is completed with riders on horses made of bamboo plaitwork or skin of animal. They symbolize the escorting soldiers of King Kelana Sewandono on his trips. Formerly these horse-riders were played by men called Gembak. But now they are generally women.
The total number of a Reog team is between 20 and 40 members, including the magical heroes (waroks) with open breasts and waist band, symbolizing their magic power.

According to history the Reog dance originated from the glorious era of the Kediri kingdom around the l5th century. The region of Ponorogo was called Wengker, the seat of the kingdom of Bentarangin (now the area of subdistrict Sonoroto) under King Kelana Sewandono. He had a governor, Pujangga Anom (in the Reog dance called Bujangganong). One night Kelana Sewandono dreamed meeting a beautiful princess, Songgolangit. He felt in love with her and ordered his governor to ask the hand of the princess. This proposal was accepted on the condition that the King should present an attraction which was still unknown at that time.

King Kelana Sewandono then decided to kill the powerful King Singo Barong, who was pictured as a king with a tiger's head bearing a wide-winged peacock. The victorious King Kelana Sewandono then went into procession to the palace of the princess, bearing the defeated Singo Barong. The procession attracted great attention during the trip to the palace.

Picture: ariesaksono.files.wordpress.com


King Kelana Sewandono then decided to kill the powerful King Singo Barong, who was pictured as a king with a tiger's head bearing a wide-winged peacock. The victorious King Kelana Sewandono then went into procession to the palace of the princess, bearing the defeated Singo Barong. The procession attracted great attention during the trip to the palace.

Another story says that Reog dance is a hint on the king of Majapahit, who married a Chinese princess. The King's power was therefore pictured as being defeated by the beauty of the Chinese princess.

No matter its origin, the Reog dance is a popular attraction, not only in Ponorogo, but all over Java to be performed on various events, including the field of tourism.

Source: Panorama, January 1996

Beautiful Tamblingan Lake

Tamblingan Lake is a lake located in the plateau area with green hill surrounded. It is situated adjunction to Buyan Lake with cool weather surrounds it. It owns the fascination where the nature authenticity is felt and the inexistence of boat use motorize here.

These beautiful lakes can be seen from the top hill right from Asah Gobleg Countryside, Sukasada District and Singaraja regency, north part of Bali . This lake is encircled by hill and covered by fresh cold atmosphere will fascinate all visitors who pay a visit to this place. This lake is ideal for Jungle Trekking Adventure because it was very amazing with the rain forest including flora and fauna observation.

Beside of that, many local visitors are doing camping program or outdoor team building while enjoy the beautiful nature. Here we also can see the local residents use the small traditional boat which is called Perahu to cross it or doing fishing.

The existence of monkey which is not far from these two lakes are precisely located in road side of the main road from Denpasar to Singaraja. In progressively, the amounts are more and more dwelling this area and it was one of fascination for tourist who visit it. It is located in Sukasada sub district, 21 Km south side of Singaraja town. It is situated in the high enough about 1000 meters above sea level so that the atmosphere is rather cold and chilled at night time.

Picture: flickr.com
Source: balistarisland.co

Beautiful Tanah Lot Temple

The Pura Tanah Lot in Bali is a popular tourist destination in the entire island. It is a beautiful temple located amidst the sea. The surroundings of the temple are pretty beautiful and attractive as well. This temple is a grand tourist destination, so far as the sightseeing in Bali is concerned. For detailed information regarding the sightseeing spots in Bali, you can always consult the Bali travel guide.



Picture: edwebproject.org

The popular temple called Pura Tanah Lot in Bali in Indonesia is located on a huge rock amidst the sea. The transportation towards the temple is pretty advanced and well networked. The native Balinese people throng at the temple premise, in order to pay their homage to the Goddess.

The main priest is there at the temple to introduce the Goddess to the international tourists. On the whole, it would be a grand experience for you to visit the temple and relish the pervading tranquility out there. In order to reach the temple, you need to go up by the rocky staircase.

Picture: nomad4ever.com

The entire scenery is breathtakingly beautiful and exciting as well.

Be it the native Balinese tourists or tourists from other countries of the world, everyone enjoy being at the peak of their enthusiasm. Thus, if you are in the Pura Tanah Lot in Bali, you would get the rare opportunity to meet new people and get introduced to new modes of culture. So, this fascinating spot called Pura Tanah Lot in Bali has enhanced the prospect of Bali tourism.

Source: asiarooms.com

Beautiful Tangkuban Perahu Mount

Picture: my-indonesia.info


Tangkuban Perahu is an active volcano, 30km north of Bandung in West-Java and the major attraction of the Bandung area. It is more than 2000m tall. Tangkuban Perahu is Bandung’s most famous tourist volcano just 28 km north of the city.

This volcano offers many places to see and explore. It is a volcano with three craters into which areas tourists can walk through. Tourists can go down into the Domas Crater where exist many hot geysers in which they can boil eggs.



Tangkuban Perahu is one of the nature phenomenon that happened in this world. Shaped about three thousands years ago, Tangkuban Perahu offered something different with everything that we have seen before. It is a must destination for everyone in the Bandung area.

Tangkuban perahu is very worthy to be visited. This volcano offers many places to see and explore.

Beautiful Krakatau Mount

Picture: sfusd.k12.ca.us

Krakatau area place at Sunda Strait between Java Island and Sumatera, exactly at South Lampung, Sumatera Island. Consist of four islands, is Rakata, Sertung, Panjang dan Anak Krakatau. Rakata commonly called as Big Krakatau, and Panjang is called as Krakatau Kecil, small krakatau, anak krakatau.

Krakatau have a deep story, erupted repeatedly, massively, and with disastrous consequences throughout recorded history. The best known eruption culminated in a series of massive explosions on August 26-27 1883.

The 1883 eruption ejected more than 25 cubic kilometres of rock, ash, and pumice, and generated the loudest sound historically reported: the cataclysmic explosion was distinctly heard as far away as Perth in Australia approx. 1,930 miles (3,110 km), and the island of Rodrigues near Mauritius approx. 3,000 miles (5,000 km). Near Krakatoa, according to official records, 165 villages and towns were destroyed and 132 seriously damaged, at least 36,417 (official toll) people died, and many thousands were injured by the eruption, mostly from the tsunamis which followed the explosion.

The combined effects of pyroclastic flows, volcanic ashes and tsunamis had disastrous results in the region. There were no survivors from 3,000 people located at the island of Sebesi, about 13 km from Krakatoa. Pyroclastic flows killed around 1,000 people at Ketimbang on the coast of Sumatra some 40 km north from Krakatoa.

The official death toll recorded by the Dutch authorities was 36,417 and many settlements were destroyed, including Teluk Betung and Ketimbang in Sumatra, and Sirik and Semarang in Java. The areas of Banten on Java and the Lampong on Sumatra were devastated.

There are numerous documented reports of groups of human skeletons floating across the Indian Ocean on rafts of volcanic pumice and washing up on the east coast of Africa, up to a year after the eruption. Some land on Java was never repopulated; it reverted to jungle and is now the Ujung Kulon National Park.

Picture: flickr.com

After eruption, mount Danan, Perbuatan and half of Rakata and Polish Island sweep out, and built some small island and caldera with 250 m in deep, and 7 km in diameter.

How to reach krakatau? To go to krakatau, we can trip from Tanjung Priok port, Jakarta. We can also go from Labuan Port, Banten, or from Canti Port, Kalianda, Lampung.





Source: nightodesa.com

Beautiful Bromo Mount

This National Park is one of the most beautiful places of interest in East Java. The beauties of mountain covered, give a special and characteristic green plants, arousing great interest. Tenggerese traditional farming a/so makes this famous place being more interesting and attractive. In addition, coo/ and breezy wind a/ways blows freshly giving ever visitor special deep impression a unforgettable memories.

The accessibility has no problem and very reachable (via Malang, Pasuruan, Probolinggo or Lumajang).

Surely, different access give different characteristics scenery landscape. The elevation reaches about 2.392 meter sea level above and the temperature varies from 3 up to 20 degrees centigrade.

Picture: isklclassof71.com

Facilities: Star Hotels, home-stays, restaurants, and many others that visitors needed, can be foundThe people who live in this area are supposed to be descended from Majapahit Kingdom about six hundred years ago. The belonged to Tenggerese Hinduism with old traditional. That tradition still survives up to now. Every year, they always carry out the traditional and religious ceremonies, and the most popular ones is Yadnya Kasada, an offering ceremony held at the edge of the crater on the top of mount Bromo.

The Story of Offering Ceremony Kasada Hundreds years ago, during the reign of the last king of Majapahit, Brawijaya, the situation was so uncertain due to the expanding new religion, Islam. At the time, the queen gave birth a baby girl and named her Roro Anteng, later the princess married Joko Seger, a Brahma Caste.Since the influences of the new religion was so strong that it created chaos. The king and his followers were forced to back off to the east, some of them reached Bali and some of them reached a volcano.

Picture: britannica.com


The new married couple, Roro Anteng and Joko Seger were also found among the fugitives who went to the volcano. Later they ruled the volcano area and named it Tengger. The word Tengger was derived from Roro Anteng and Joko Seger. Then he surnamed himself the riffle of Purba Wasesa Mangkurat Ing Tengger which means the righteous ruler of Tengger.

Years after year as the region flourished in prosperity, the King and . - Queen felt un happy for they had no children to succeed their throne. On their desperation, they decided to climb the top of the volcano to pray and beseech before God, the Almighty. Deeply impressed by the faith of their meditation affected the murmuring sound of the crater lifted up miraculously followed by a golden lightning that made the surrounding locked so scintillating. Their prayer were heard the God would give them children but they should sacrifice their last child as return. It was a promising future that could not be denied.

Not long after, the first baby boy was born and Roro Anteng named him Tumenggung Klewung. Child after child was born during the years and it reached 25 in number to whom she gave the named Kesuma for the last child.

Roro Anteng and Joko Seger were very happy ever since, love and affection were imparted among their children. Happiness lingered on years after years, but a dull and sad feeling still haunted them for their promise would be claimed one day. They realized that they could not run from the fact, a bitter disappointment of losing a child shot through their brains. The day came, the God reminded them of their promise which could not be avoided.

As they felt how cruel it was to sacrifice their beloved child, they decided to break their promise by not offering him to the God. They brought away their children in order to save their last child from the offering. They tried to find a place to hide, however, they could not find away.

All of by sudden, the dreadful eruption of the volcano followed to where they went and miraculously Kesuma, the last beloved child was swallowed into the crater. At the same time when Kesuma disappeared from their sight, turbulent brawl diminished and strange silence for a while but a sudden voice echoed: Hi, my beloved brothers and sisters. It was sacrificed to appear before God Hyang Widi Wasa to save all of you. And what I expect be in a peace and live prosperously. Don't forget to set mutual assistance among you and to worship God constantly to arrange an offering ceremony annually on 14th of Kasada (the twelfth month of Tenggerese calendar) by full moon. For the sake of your God. Hyang Widi Wasa.

Kesuma's Brothers and sisters held the offering ceremony annually just like what Kesuma advised and it was held from generation to generation up to now.

Source: eastjava.com

Beautiful Rinjani Mount

Rinjani Mount forms the second highest volcanic peak in Indonesia, part of celebrated “Ring of Fire”. The dramatic landscape has been created over millions of year of cone - building, violent explosions, and erosion. Forested slopes rising directly from the sea create their own weather pattern and act as water - collectors for the hole of Lombok.

Mount Rinjani is an active volcano in Indonesia on the island of Lombok. It rises to 3,726 m (12,224 ft), making it the third-largest volcano in Indonesia. The first historical eruption occurred in September of 1847. The volcano, and its sacred, and spectacular Segara anak crater lake, are protected by a national park established in 1997. The 6 km by 8.5 km oval-shaped caldera is filled partially by a lake known as Segara Anak.

The eruptions of 1994, 1995, and 1996 have formed a small cone in the center of the caldera and lava flows from these eruptions have entered the lake.
The highlands are forest clad and mostly underdeveloped. The lowlands are highly cultivated. Rice, soybeans, coffee, tobacco, cotton, cinnamon, and vanilla are the major crops grown in the fertile soils of the island.

For the people of Lombok, Sasak and Balinese alike, the volcano is revered as a sacred place and abode of deities. Segara Anak crater lake is the destination of thousand of pilgrims who place offerings in the water and bathe away disease in the hot springs. The endemic duck Belibis is found here and several species of fish are recorded. Mt. Rinjani, one of the over 40 National Parks throughout Indonesia, was established in 1997.

Over 20 villages surround Rinjani and there are many routes up the mountain , but the main access is from Senaru in the north and Sembalun Lawang to the east.
The challenging three-days or four-days Rinjani Trek route from Senaru to the stunning crater rim (Plawangan), down to the stunning crater lake then on to Sembalun Lawang, is considered as one of the best treks in south East Asia .

Those heading for the summit usually prefer to start in Sembalun Lawang.
A model for ecotourism in Indonesia, the community based activities are focused on the Rinjani trek Center in Senaru, the most popular starting point for the tough trek. Developed with New Zealand government assistance since 1999, the Rinjani trek Center embodies under one roof (Satu atap) the unique partnership of the National park, tourism industry and Local communities that has been forged to manage and protect the Rinjani mountain environment.

Source: lombok-network.com

Beautiful Kerinci lake

Picture: i56.photobucket.com

Gunung Tujuh Lake (Kerinci lake) is a lake located in the crater of Mount Tujuh in Jambi, Indonesia.

Gunung Tujuh Lake 1996 meter above sea level. which is the highest peat lake over the southeast Asia. Apparently there's a story about a princess that drowned in the river, something about love (as expected). Whatever that's in the river really creeped me out.

Gunung Tujuh is a lake that developed from caldera lake of 960 hectares, located at an altitude of 1,996 metres, which made it as the highest lake in Southeast Asia and surrounded on all sides by the very steep and forested slopes of Gunung Tujuh.

Gunung Tujuh is a volcano that has seven (tujuh) peaks those surround the Lake Gunung Tujuh,with the highest peak is 2,732 metres.

The lake measures about 4.5 kilometres long by three kilometres wide, and the greatest depth recorded is 40 metres.

It is located within the Kerinci Seblat National Park, and administratively it lies in Gunung Kerinci District (Kecamatan).

Kerinci Lake is probably one of the few remaining large, undisturbed lakes in Sumatra, and although it is biologically not very rich, in terms of geomorphology and aesthetic values it is very unusual.

Beautiful Kelud Vulkano (Lake)

Picture: upload.wikimedia.org


Kelud volcano is located at about 27 km from Kediri city and lies between the volcanic massif of Mount Wilis to the West and the complex of Kawi and Butak volcanoes to the East.

Kelud volcano is considered as one of the most dangerous volcanoes of Java because of its frequent eruptions.

The eruptive activity has typically generated deadly lahars, pyroclastic flows and surges that have claimed more than 15,000 lives since 1500 AD and caused widespread fatalities and destruction. The crater lake of Kelud is famous for its potential to release devastating lahars whenever an eruption occurs.

The 1586 eruption produced one of the worst lahar in the historical record of volcanic eruptions and took the lives of about 10,000 people. Extensive works to control lahars have been achieved around the volcano.

A system of drainage of the Crater Lake was completed in 1926. Today, this drainage tunnel still works and maintains the volume of the lake at a low level (2 million m3). Several dams were also built on the slopes of this volcano in order to protect the largest towns.

Source: eastjava.com

Beautiful Kawah Ijen (Lake)

Picture: stormchaser.ca


Ijen Cauldron represent biggest lake cauldron in Banyuwangi east Java. Its located on high plateau of a dormant vulcanoe. Brimstone Cauldron stay in nature draught which is in. Its deepness 200 m and contain about 36 million meter cubic irrigate understeam, blanketed of fog smell sulfur circulating above its. The acidity of the Lake is high, close to 0.2. In cauldron, various size measure and colour detectable stone. Really, cauldron Ijen represent beautiful stone garden. View all brimstone mineworker which up-down cauldron very amaze.

Ijen produce the suphur that mined traditionally. Men bring yellowish stoney on him shoulder, diging brimstone, fluctuate, decreasing bevel before burden sold auction. Peoples earn 3 US per day to carry 85 - 110 kg of a day hard work. That'S natural view cauldron Ijen which can be seen every dayA View of spektakular lake of green chromatic tosca at height about 2400 mdpl.

The lake like residing in cauldron with wall of Caldera as high as 300-500 metre. A top of the mountain boost to other side. White smoke from one of cauldron soar into the air, making of it contrast environmentally is vinicity which the jade of chromaticIjen Cauldron have been publicized and famous in French of through displaying Ushuwaia Adventure showing Nicolai Hulot a cruiser, sit the above boat of rubber tell a story about genesis of lake Ijen with degree of acidity of zero, owning deepness 200 metre and volume almost 40 million meter cubic, one of lake of biggest cauldron in the world. Its acidity is strong enough to dissolve clothes and fingers. view of Bird view camera of that helicopter then change over to edge of caldera showing mineworker of cauldron of ijen is struggling to mount to shoulder tens of kilogram of its payload.
Ijen Cauldron to be visited by through Banyuwangi.

Prima facie of unique from Ijen Cauldron apart at his panorama is very beautiful is seeing mining of traditional brimstone transported by shouldered a manpower. this Traditional mining it is said only just there are in Indonesia ( Welirang And Ijen ). Burden transported by each people until as heavy as 85 - 110 kg. This burden excrutiatingly heavily make most people, when brimstone transported through wall of steep Caldera descend mount as far as 3km. Production accepted by a taker of mean 25 thousand rupiah by day, or about 300 rupiah a kilogram. A taker generally only able to bring to descend once every day, because its a hard work. Some hundred metre of there are a ancient domed building ommission of Dutch write down “ Irrigating of Cauldron Ijen”, what now conceived by a Domed Post, a post where all mineworker consider his payload and get a paper about his value and payload.


To reach cauldron Ijen in this time is not too difficult, through town Banyuwangi as far as 38 km to west go to countryside of Licin, then go to countryside of Jambu end to Paltuding ( 1,600 mdpl) a forest base camp of Perhutani in Natty hillside- Ijen, a trip to cauldron of Ijen can with car or motor because road to paltuding have in asphalt and smoothly. During trip you'd be served by a beautiful view the outspread of plantation copy and clove with its air is cold.


From Paltudin continued walkedly because representing road of land and steep go up to height 2,400 mdpl with time go through 2 hour of easy going. Climb to cauldron of Ijen is generally suggested started at the morning. For the shake of reason of security, climb to cauldron of ijen from Paltuding closed as free as beating 02:00 pm, because its condensed smoke and possibility of wind direction aiming to climb band. To pursue trip in the morning, visitor suggested to camp in location of Paltuding pitched a tently, then at the morning before sunrise climb can be started, Others is also made available by Maisonette in Paltuding which clean enough.


Temparature of Mean around cauldron of Ijen 13 oC at noon and 2 oC at nightAs long as climbing a lot of rubing up against taker of friendly brimstone change over greeting. Arrive at cauldron lip, view amaze ahead time eye. A tosca lake with diameter 1 km of have blanket of fog and smoke of brimstone reside in far below. Mineworker of Brimstone seen to minimize from the top. To go to source of producer that brimstone, we require to descend stoney of bank of caldera through footpath passed by mineworker.


Sweep wet hand very needed, because oftentimes the wind direction blown to bring smoke go to degradation band. Besides direct go to lake face, circling in back Caldera can be done eatenly is time more or less all day long full.


Cauldron base, parallel with surface of lake there are place of brimstone mining. condensed White smoke go out to spurt from a kind of pipe of iron which interfaced to a sulphur spring. Discharge 600oC rose colored fumarol smolder to melt exit and congelation because cool air, forming is solided of bold rust colored brimstone.

Sometimes smolder fumarol to blaze uncontrollably, what generally is immediately sprinkled by a water to prevent reaction of piroporik related to. amethyst of this Brimstone is cut with crow bar and transported into crate. environmental to breathing like this required by a separate struggle, all mineworker generally work at the same time nip sarong or cutting of patch up cloth as air censor.

Source: sakmelbune.blogspot.com

Beautiful Patenggang Lake

Located about 40km West-South from Bandung. Interesting place for tourism. Local people usually call it "Situ Patenggang or Situ Patengan". Situ Patenggang lake in the middle of tea plantation in Ciwidey offers you a relax time in a boat, fishing, camping or in a bungalow. A few kilometers from the lake, there is Kawah Putih (white crater, made by sulfuric activity in the area with a camping park, called Ranca Upas.

One of the leading resorts is located in less than an hour by road to the south of the city. The eastern side of the lake is a cool forest has an average temperature of 10 degrees C and is often hazy the whole day. A lush tea estate, reaching far out to the west and south, borders the north side. From Cimanggu Hot Spring it is just 30 minutes drive through tea plantations.

This is a lovely site for boating, the lake looks a green carpet, and tea plantations surround the lake. Patengan Lake is a very popular spot for Indonesians on a Sunday and public holiday. Its location is in Ciwidey tourism area, 47 kilometers from Bandung to the South, and the site is in the area of Rancabali tea plantation.

The tourism site is good for family as it offers hot spring water swimming pool, restaurants, a recreation park for kids, and bungalow as well as other supporting facilities.

Picture: travbuddy.com

Beautiful Rinjani Lake

Picture: geocities.com



Rinjani Lake (Segara Anak Lake) is a crater lake contained within Mount Rinjani on the island of Lombok in Indonesia. The name Segara Anak means child of the sea given to it due to the blue colour of the lake reminiscent of the sea.



Segara Anak Lake, covering an area of 90 square kilometers.

The crate is cool and beautiful.

To reach the lake, one can start from the village of Senam, North Lombok or from the East side of Sembalun village.

Mount Rinjani is 3,726 meters.

The nearby Mount Baru ( 2,376 meter), which is by the bank of Segara Anak Lake is still active. A sulfur hot water spring is located nearby.





Picture: dephut.go.id

Beautiful Singkarak Lake

Another ideal place for recreation and water sport is Singkarak Lake, 36 km from Bukittinggi. There are several motels and restaurants in the area. Singkarak Lake is located about 10 Km of Solok city and ± 35 Km from Kayu Aro.

This lake is located in X Koto district and spread across Solok - Bukit Tinggi way. The lake is state between two regencies that is Solok regency and Tanah Datar regency with ± 129,70 km2 (± 1.129,29 Ha) width.

Siangkarak Lake is the widest lake in West Sumatra and the second widest lake in Sumatra Island after Toba Lake.

The Lake that located in 362,5 m height from the sea level, has special species of fish that only live in this lake and the only in the world. Society around called as Bilih Fish (Mystacoleuseus Padangensis).

Uniquely, this fish cannot live in other habitat, both in an aquarium and in a pool. The people around are often selling this fish and the visitors can enjoy the specific taste of this fish in the restaurants that located around the lake.

The Lake is equipped by some facilities, such as; hotels, motels, restaurants and also water sport facilities. Beside used as tourism objects and the economic source of society around, nowadays, this lake also used as the electric source of Sicincin.

Source: my-indonesia.info

Beautiful Maninjau Lake

Picture: pbase.com

Maninjau Lake is one of the most splendid lakes in Indonesia. This volcanic lake is situated more or less 461 meters above sea level.

This lake, 100 m2 in size with the maximum depth of 500 meters, is associated with a legend. It is said that from the local folklore called "Bujang Sembilan" (roughly translates as "Nine Young Men"), one of these men died by plunging himself to the crater. The crater then expanded, forming a lake.

Maninjau Lake has a five starred resort located on the top of a hill. With pleasant, inspiring sceneries, staying around Maninjau Lake will be a dazzling experience for you.

Source: my-indonesia.info

Beautiful Sentani Lake

Picture: members.optusnet.com.au

The lake is located in Sentani District, covers an area of 9.360 ha with the height of 75 metre above the sea level. It is miraculous with her beauty scene decorated by the community characteristic stilt housing at the Banks of the lake.

You are also able to see the same panorama on the small islands in the centre of the lake. The only path to connect each house is by wooden bridge.

Lake Sentani is a famous primitive arts centre. Bark paintings, sago bowls and small-carved items are amongst the local handicrafts found here. Kelly is a private collector of primitive Papuan art and therefore he has the depth of knowledge and connections to ensure that you pay the right price and that all items purchased are genuine.

The port city of Jayapura sits on the coast and has a population of around 250,000 including many people from other parts of the Indonesian archipelago. It is not an unattractive city and you will find museums, hotels, an assortment of restaurants, banks and markets for shopping. From Jayapura it is easy to take guided overnight treks to primitive villages and it is a 45-minute flight to Wamena, the main town of the famed Baliem Valley.

Picyure: cempaka-tourist.blogspot.com

Beautiful Tempe Lake

Picture: lombokmarine.com

Tempe Lake is a lake in Central Sulawesi, and the third-deepest lake in the Indonesia. The lake contains silver and yellow eels and two endemic fish species, Adrianichtys kruyti and Xenopoecilus poptae.


The town of Pendolo is situated at the southern end of the lake, the town of Tentena is located at the northern end, while a number of smaller villages dot the shoreline. The lake drains into the Poso River at Tentena, which flows into the Moluca Sea at the town of Poso.


A park containing wild orchids is located near the village Bancea on the lake. As well the forests surrounding the lake still provide rare sightings of the anoa (dwarf buffalo) and the babirusa (literally, pigdeer), a ruminant pig. These two endangered species are among a number of wildlife species found only on the island of Sulawesi.


Once the lake was 30,000 hectares in area and 10,000 meters deep. Now, Tempe is never larger than 10,000 hectares and shrinks to 1,000 hectares with a maximum depth of two meters in the dry season.


Source: en.wikipedia.org

Beautiful Poso Lake

Picture: lombokmarine.com

The third biggest lake in Indonesia has the wide about 32300 hectares with about 450 meters depth. Poso Lake has 32 Km length and wide 16 Km. The Lake situation is reside in 600 meters height above sea level make this area air is nocturnal balmy without have too cool.

Visit Poso Lake to become the main reason people to halting-place in Tentena and Pendopo, which is each, located in north back part and south of Poso Lake. Both this places are attributed to supporting facilities for crossing regular transportation lake.

Tourist can walk along to fringe rural area around lake or rent boat to encircle lake. Poso Lake also famous because it have orchid garden called Bancea Orchid Garden that has wild orchid collection. This garden can reach by walking (11 Km) or join with others rental car to Taipa from Pendolo.

The tourism location Salopa Waterfall reside in a forest area near to Tentena, there are a number of rapids, waterfall and some pools with the transparent water as clear crystal.

Source: indonesia-tourism.com

Beautiful Matano Lake

Picture: keetsa.com

Lake Matano also known as Matana, is a natural lake in South-Sulawesi, Indonesia. It is the deepest lake in Indonesia (ranked by maximum depth), and the 8th deepest lake in the world.

Lake Matano is home to many species of endemic fish and other animals as well as many plants.

The endemic fishes of Matano have been compared to that of the species swarms of the Rift Valley Lakes of Africa. While not as diverese they are thought to have all arisen from a single ancestor species and diversified into numerous different species which now fill many of the previously vacant ecological niches.


The waters of Lake Matano are exceptionally clear, visibility is good, and many of the fish species are highly dependent on visual cues and colour perception for their mating behaviour

Source: en.wikipedia.org