TRAVELING INDONESIA

This building was called the Lawang Sewu (the one thousand doors) because of having many doors by the bow - the impressive bow the cavity, that met facade this building.
In a complex manner the Lawang Sewu consisted the bag of two main building mass.
That on the side west have the shape of "L" with the meeting foot him appeared before Tugumuda, and that was next east was the linear alongside from the west to the east. All the buildings had two storeys. The corner of the meeting foot "L" was the area of the entrance that was pressed by two towers that in his upper part formed copula octagonal and be covered the turret.

The building Lawang Sewu was drafted by the architect C.Citroen from the J.F. Klinkhamer Firm and B.J. Quendag at the beginning of this age during NIS, the first railway company in Java.
Before independence, this building faced Wilhelmina's Garden that had the playing place of music. In front previously passed by the Semarang rails of the city tram, the Bulu - Jomblang route .

Lawang Sewu was built in 27 August, 1903 in the heart of Semarang City, Central Java, Indonesia.
The place is famous for the Thousand Doors and windows and the fascinating stained glass windows representing the Dutch Symbolism of the places like The Hague and Rotterdam and also the Royal family. The building has numerous long winding corridors which open out to the offices on one side of the office and the other end of the building on the other hand. It is a famous landmark in the region of Semarang and a pride for Java. The place was actually built as the main colonial office for the Dutch and was then taken over by the Japanese government. This place was important because it was the main military hub for the Indonesians and was used for giving shelter to the soldiers and army men here. The place was often considered to be haunted place as many truly and sincerely believed that the place was inhabited by spirits and ghosts and thus many people used to feel scared to visit the place fearing the obvious. However later the place was converted in to a heritage site and many came to visit the place during their holidays or vacations while coming to visit the Semarang. There are other places also which deserve mention but Lawang Sewu stands out among the rest.

Ref: www.travelersfortravelers.com; www.asiarooms.com

Karimunjawa is a newly discovered untouched virgin paradise, said to become the “next Bali”
Boasting beautiful tropical reefs and enormous well preserved national park, this new tourist destination is an experience for both the experienced traveler and the newbie.
The first thing about Karimunjawa is the hassle of getting there. Until recently there has been no information on the internet on how to get there. Asking directly to Indonesian tour agents and hotels also draws a blank. Just recently a new website was launched www.karimunjawa-ticketing.co.id that has up to date schedules and the webmaster says that once the airport is up and running regular flights they will be listed also.

There are a few ways to “tackle” Karimunjawa. Firstly getting there. By far the best way is by using the Kartini 1 express ferry that leaves from the Central Java capital Semarang. This 3.5hr trip is quite fun aboard this modern vessel. Both the VIP and Business sections (there is no economy) are both air-conditioned. The vip section has nice big reclining seats and both sections have movies playing. Its great fun to get out the back of the boat and take in the sights of the massive ships passing by and the hundreds of small local fishing boats. The trip goes by quite fast and you arrive in time for lunch.

The second option is the barge that leave the port of Jepara (about 1.5hr drive from Semarang). This ship is the main pipeline for the local people for getting their goods and vehicles to and from Karimunjawa. The economy section is open air and not really comfortable. The vip section though is air conditioned with nice reclining seats and tray table with movies playing. You can also go upstairs onto the deck and get a sun tan and take in the view. The price is also super cheap but the time it takes to get there does cut into your holiday.

Once on Karimun you have stepped back in time when there were no taxies. Unless you have pre arranged a pick up (almost impossible unless you book via a resort) you will have to negotiate with one of the local pedicab driver to take you to your destination. The few cars that are there will take you but the price is very steep.

Karimunjawa is an island chain stretching in a northwesterly direction 83 km from Jepara. Central Java. This archipelago is a cluster of 27 islands in the java sea. Only seven of the islands are inhabited. The reefs are a mixture of fringing, barrier, and patch with bottom depths ranging from 15 to 40 meters. The name of Karimunjawa is taken from Javanese language 'Kremun kremun saking tanah Jawi' addressed by one of Wali Songo (the Nine Saints who had introduced Islam in Java) to describe how far this mini archipelago from Java, to be exact from Semarang and Jepara. Stands from 27 islands, this mini archipelago became marine national park and it's like a treasure for those who love marine life. Here can be found protected coral reefs (very colorful plateaus and plains in deep and shallow waters), secluded and tranquil white beaches, pelican and hornbill, sea grass and kinds of sea creatures, from crabs, anchovy, starfish, sharks, stingray, jellyfish, red snappers, etc.

Diving
This activity can be done in northern and western part of Karimunjawa island, eastern part Menjangan Besar island, around of Menjangan Kecil island, southern and western part of Geleang, western part of Bengkoang island, western part of Parang island, eastern part Kembar island, around of Katang island, northern and eastern part of Krakal Kecil island , and western part of Kumbang island.

Snorkling
This activity can be done in Menjangan Besar and Menjangan Kecil island, western part of Bengkoang island, around of Kembar island, and northern and eastern part of Krakal Kecil island.

Swimming
Locations used by swimming activity are eastern and southern part of Karimunjawa island, southern and western part of Menjangan Kecil island, western of Tengah island, around of Parang island, Kembar island, and Kumbang island.

Sunbathing
Almost all the coasts in Karimunjawa island have white sands with long coast line. This situation made a lot of Karimunjawa coasts are right places for sunbathing, watching the sunset, or sunrise.

Roaming the Sea
For anyone who can not swim and dive, using glass bottom boat can be a good reason to roam the sea in Karimunjawa. The tourists are able to see the under water scenery. It's really fantastic for whom like fishing, snorkling, and diving.

Watching Under Water Aquarium
Menjangan Besar island have a location where an under water aquarium resides. Here, the tourists can see beauty of aquatic faunas, the life of sharks, and others.

Ref: www.travelersfortravelers.com; www.indonesia-tourism.com

Bedugul Botanical Garden or Kebun Raya Eka Karya is the huge tropical garden located in Bedugul, plateau area in Bali. It is situated in the cool atmosphere with rain forest and hill surrounds it. This botanical garden is opened on 1959 and owns 154,5 ha land located Tabanan regency, northwest part of Bali. It is close to the beautiful lake which is called Beratan Lake and Ulun Danu Temple. It is completed by more than 1187 plant types and multifarious of floras. In this area, there is orchid garden with the collection of 320 orchid types from Bali, Java, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Sulawesi and also Irian Jaya. We can also meet the rose garden with the collection of various rose from rust colored until green chromatic.

Bedugul Botanical Garden or Kebun Raya Eka Karya is also completed by 524 birches which are still in its original forest. In this place we can meet the collection from America, South America, China, Japan, Australia, Africa and also Netherlands. Cyathea Garden is one of the specific gardens owning the various collections of Paku-pakuan (tropical vegetable) which can be eaten as vegetable by Balinese and some of them are used for decoration. The tree from this nail Cyatheas are often exploited as growth media of various orchid types. Cactus collections are consisted of 104 types. This cactus is obtained from Africa, America, Germany, Switzerland and also Indonesia. The crop season at botanical garden is taken 94 types plants that are the collection from the exploitation for Balinese life ceremony, temple ceremony, devoting/offering and others purpose. It also owns the collection of drug crop with 84 types/species.

Beside of the crop collections, Bedugul Botanical Garden or Kebun Raya Eka Karya also owns the traditional Balinese houses and it function as guest house for scientist who is doing observation. It is also opened for public including tourists and to be one of favorite tourist destinations in Bali especially for domestic tourists. The most crowded visitors at this place are on Lebaran Period (Moslem holiday), Balinese Holidays, National Holidays and New Year period. You can visit this place by joining Bedugul Tour with some of optional which you can contact Bali Star island/PT. Bewish International Tour.

Ref: www.balistarisland.com

Crystal clear water and stretches of white sandy beach of Nusa Dua makes Nusa Dua a perfect spot for luxurious resorts to which your exhausted bodies, after a Barong performance at Batubulan and a long climb of the steps of the Mother Temple Besakih, will want to rest. Some of the most sumptuous and luxurious hotels in the world find their home in Nusa Dua Bali. You can relax in the Thalasso spa of the Grand Mirage Resort after a day of surfing or diving. Or you can tee off into the sunset, while watching the gentle waves come from the blue sea and caress the banks surrounding the luscious greens. Tranquil swimming pools under the coconut trees seem to be one with the distant blue sea. Art galleries and numerous shops surround them.

Nusa Dua is a pristine complex of international resort hotels and conference centres. It hosts most of the major 5 star resorts and international restaurants with international price tags to fit. It is however possible to find some budget accommodation.
Ref: www.indo.com

Batur Volcano is located in north east Bali. Batur is one of the most impressive calderas in the world. It is 13.8 km by 10 km in size. Within the caldera is Batur volcano and a lake. The volcano rises 700 m above the surrounding terrain, and consists of a main cone with three summit craters flanked by a small parasitic cone (Butus) on its SW slope.

Batur volcanic field is located 300 km north of the Java trench and 150 km above the north-dipping Benioff zone. The crust beneath Bali is about 20-km thick.

Two catastrophic caldera-forming eruptions have occurred at the volcano. Eruptions began at the volcano 500,000 years ago, with the building of a basaltic to andesitic
stratovolcano (Penulisan volcano) in the northwestern sector of the volcanic field. This was followed by formation of an 800-m high basaltic to dacitic parasitic cone (Abang volcano) also formed on the SE flank of the main field.

The first caldera was formed 29,300 years ago and was associated with eruption of dacitic ignimbrite (Ubud Ignimbrite). An andesitic to dacitic lava–dome complex (Bunbulan lava–dome complex) and a small tuff cone (Payang tuff cone) formed within the caldera after the first caldera forming event. A second caldera-forming eruption occurred 20,150 year ago and was accompanied by eruption of andesitic to dacitic ignimbrite.

Batur is a currently active stratovolcano, which has formed in the smallest and youngest caldera.

Historical activity at the volcano includes 25 mild to moderate strombolian eruptions, with lava flows in 1849, 1888, 1904, 1905, 1921, 1926, 1963, 1968 and 1974.
Ref:www.volcanolive.com

Tanah Lot, one of the most popular places of interest in Bali, is located on the coast of West Bali, at the village of Beraban in the Tabanan Regency. It is also called Tanah Let which means ancient land and also Tanah Lod, which means the land to the south.

The temple Pura Tanah Lot, simple in its construction, is dramatic in its ocean-front location and is one of the main temples in the worship of Balinese gods.

Tanah Lot has a long history in the world of tourism.
The word of Tanah Lot is consisted of two words that are Tanah word interpreted as a reef looking like gili or isle. Lot or Lod word has meaning the sea. So Tanah Lot is meaning the small island floating on the sea. The location is now called as Tanah Lot has been used at a Megalithic period as a place that looked into holy, proven from the existence of menhir. Pursuant to environmental condition, hence the structure of Tanah Lot temple is built at irregular reef plain of its angle which is only consisted of one plain yard as Jeroan.

The temple itself is built on a small promontory which is only accessible at low tide.
During high water the rock takes on the appearance of a large boat at sea, such is its shape.

Tanah Lot Temple is located in coastal side of Beraban countryside, Kediri sub district and Tabanan Regency. It is situated in 30Km in west side of Denpasar town and about 11 Km in south side of Tabanan town. The temple is built on the rock with 3 acre size and reachable in a few minute by walk, because it is just 20 meters from the coastal lip.
Poisonous snakes live in the nearby caves to 'guard' the temple and contribute to the temple's dangerous reputation.

One of the most famous events in Tanah Lot Bali is the beautiful sunset where the sun slows down goes to the earth stomach and look just beside of the temple. As a tourism destination in Bali, Tanah Lot provides the facilities to enjoy the beautiful sunset while seat on the chair. You can enjoy the beautiful romantic moment on the sunset time at Tanah Lot while having a tropical coconut drink which is available to be served on your request.
Ref: www.balistarisland.com; www.indo.com

Near the northern tip of the island of Bali lies a stretch of villages by the Bali Sea. Lovina Beach is the name. Lovina is really a string of coastal villages to the west of Singaraja. Escape from the hustle and bustle of Kuta to Lovina Beach located in north Bali, about 100 kilometers from southern tourist hotspots.It is well known as an excellent site for sunset watching, snorkeling, and diving. Darkly beautiful, Lovina offers quiet and calm, and is popular Asian tourists and those avoiding the hustle and bustle of the southern beaches. A number of coves offer tranquil, protected waters and Lovina is one of them. Although the sand is grey, it is quiet and peaceful, and popular among those who shun the glitzier beach resorts of the south. It is a popular place for dolphin watching; dolphins play in the water off Lovina. Famous for its early morning dolphin-watching boat trips, Lovina also offers good snorkeling and diving, and trekking in the nearby mountains. Diving off Menjangan Island, part of the Bali Barat National Park, is generally regarded as the best in Bali. Boats are readily available to take divers over to the island, where there are no residents or hotels.

The North Bali Lovina area is mainly characterized by its rural nature of fishing, farming, rice fields, plantations, mountains, forests, lakes and waterfalls - a true Bali paradise for culture, nature and meditation lovers, and for photographers it will certainly be a true paradise to take the most wonderful Bali pictures, because the unspoilt nature of the North Bali Lovina area forms an excellent decor for the most beautiful Bali pictures you can think of. Explore our Wonderful Bali pictures section and discover that the north Bali Lovina area has many, unexpected panoramas to offer with spectacular, breathtaking views.

Nightlife activities are also abound, as well as chartered boats to go out into the sea. If we like what Kuta offers but do not like the crowd. With a wonderful variety of hotels, restaurants and bars located on or very near the calm beach, Lovina offers something for everyone. It is also a good base to take day trips to the nearby attractions of north and west Bali.
Ref:www.indonesia-tourism.com

Sukawati area is known for its art market that become 'a must see' place by tourists especially the local ones from Jakarta or other area in Java. Huge number of small stalls occupied the two stories building offer a lot of cheap souvenirs. Almost any kind of Bali's souvenirs can be found in here either painting, woodcarving, clothes, temple umbrellas and other temple accessories, leather puppet, wind chime, jewelries and others. The souvenirs choices are has huge quantity and available in various choices.

Located at Gianyar, not far from Ubud Sukawati Market lies a hive of activity in Bali's fabric and craft center. Always busy, this traditional market contains a wonderful range of products to choose from. Many locals shop here, rummaging through the large variety of woven baskets, Balinese ceremonial items made from colorful gold-painted cloth known as prada, paintings and many handcrafted items. Just remember to bargain to get the best buys!

Two hundred meters toward west from the Sukawati Art Market, on the right side of the road, there is another market called 'Pasar Seni Pagi' or 'the morning Art Market' which only open very early in the morning until around 7 AM. The crowd of souvenirs retailers from other part of Bali will come here to get semi-finished product with a very low price. Many of Bali's most established puppeteers live in Sukawati. In line with this fact, Sukawati is also the center of Shadow puppets production center. The leather puppet, 'wayang kulit' are made either of cow or buffalo hide.

Kuta beach is one of the first favorite beaches discovered by tourist. Coconut trees line the sand beach as far as the eyes can see towards the north stopped by the runway of Denpasar's airport far in the west. The sunset in Kuta is most breathtaking. On the south, the beach is fenced by the airport's runway, which gives the visitors a breathtaking landing experience. Kuta Beach bustles with tourists' vendors and locals. It's the most popular beach in Bali and the island's number one party zone. The beach stretches as far north as the eyes can see. As short walk away north, the waves will invite to surfing. Rapid development and an influx of visitors haven't kept the surfers away and Kuta still remains one of Bali's best surfing beaches and a great place to enjoy a beach lifestyle.

Kuta in addition to being the Sunset Site Number One, with its daily spectacular sunsets, it is also the centre of night life activities in Southern Bali and a shopping mecca, with its lines of shops, boutiques, and galleries. Restaurants line up the streets as well as the Bachfront,Hotels, ranging from a small, inexpensive homestay to a luxurious resort, will ready accomodate you.

Legian Street, situated directly behind the row of hotels that face the beach, is lined with shops of all varieties. We can find any Balinese handicrafts here, from the least expensive to the most exquisite; or unique stores such as the leather store staffed by two young Balinese men that will perfectly sculpt a leather jacket. (They are all extremely talented artists). _At night, Kuta is alive with night life. Western influences create discotheques, dance clubs, and pubs. Gastronomical demands inspire a multitude of restaurants, serving traditional Indonesian and Balinese food to various ethnic meals from Japan, Switzerland, etc. As if these were not enough, various Balinese dance performances are staged in Kuta every night. One of the best Kecak performances is found in Kuta.
Ref:www.indo.com

The villages of Kintamani and Penelokan provide a great view of the still active Mount Batur and its fantastic lake. Seven miles in diameter and sixty feet deep, Batur caldera is simply astounding. From Penelokan, take the road Kedisan on the shores of the lake where boats can be rented to cross over to Trunyan. The spectacular mountainous region around Kintamani with its deep Crater Lake and bubbling hot springs, make this region a must to visit. Batur Lake is the largest lake in Bali and the region offers some of the most spectacular views to be found anywhere on the island. Batur Lake also provides water for an underground network of streams and springs across the southern slopes of the mountain. Kintamani is really great for day trips, trekking or simply for getting away from it all for a few days.

The district is the earliest known kingdom in Bali, dating from the tenth century. The evenings get cool up here but it's well worth the stay overnight to climb the volcano and watch the sunrise. Many cheap cottages are available here.

Kintamani can run through Payangan or from Denpasar through the Sangeh monkey forest, Plaga and Lampu, arriving to the north of Kintamani. Bemos to Kintamani are available from Ubud via Sakah (notable for its huge "Baby" statue). They also run via Tampaksiring and Bangli. From Denpasar bemos leave for Kintamani from the Batubulan terminal until late afternoon.

Tour to Kintamani is a very impressive experience where Kintamani Area have very beautiful panorama located in plateau and also encircled by mountain atmosphere with the windblast from Mount Batur. Carpet of Batur Lake seen far below and also there are local resident house beside of Batur Lake. Beside of that, Mount Batur which to date still be active growing its beautiful for Kintamani Area.
Ref:www.indonesia-tourism.com

Perched high on a cliff over the ocean on Bali's south-western tip is the temple of Ulu Watu. In addition to the fantastic view from the temple, especially at sunset, the temple is famous for its gang of monkeys and perhaps appropriately its Kecak dance performance.

The temple itself is open only to Hindu worshippers. You can visit the rest of the complex every day. The admission cost is 1,000 Rp. The Kecak dance is held every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday evening starting around sunset (6 to 7 pm). With the temple and the sun setting in the background, this is easily the best place in Bali to see the Kecak.

Arrive for a performance early so that you'll have time to take in the temple complex and the views from the cliff-top. Be on your guard around the monkeys. They will grab anything they can get ahold of, like baseball caps, handbags, etc.

The Ulu Watu area, especially the beaches just north of the temple, are also world-renowned for their surfing. The Pantai Suluban area is the place to surf on Bali, even though it may involve a hike down a narrow gorge in the cliffs.


Pura Luhur Uluwatu is one of Bali's kayangan jagat (directional temples) and guards Bali from evil spirits from the SW, in which dwell major deities, in Uluwatu's case; Bhatara Rudra, God of the elements and of cosmic force majeures.

Uluwatu also boasts one of the oldest temples in Bali, Pura Uluwatu. Most of Bali's regencies have Pura Luhur (literally high temples or ascension temples) which become the focus for massive pilgrimages during three or five day odalan anniversaries. The photogenic Tanah Lot and the Bat Cave temple, Goa Lawah, is also Pura Luhur. Not all Pura Luhur are on the coast, however but all have inspiring locations, overlooking large bodies of water.

Story of Pura Uluwatu
Pura Uluwatu is located on the cliff top close to the famous surf break on the SW of the Bukit peninsula. Empu Kuturan, a Javanese Hindu priest who built the tiered meru, founded the temple in the 10th century and a shrine here as well as at other key locations longs the Balinese coast. In the 15th Century the great pilgrim priest Dhang Hyang Dwijendra, who established the present form of Hindu-Dharma religion, chose Pura Uluwatu as his last earthly abode: history records that Dwijendra achieved moksa (oneness with the godhead, in a flash of blazing light) while meditating at Uluwatu. The temple is regarded, by Brahman's island wide, as his holy 'tomb'. Legend also tells us that Dwijendra was the architect of the beautiful temple, as well as many other major temples on Bali, Lombok and Sumbawa. In the 17th century Niratha also from Java came to Bali and built temples, adding to Uluwatu.

Behind the main pagoda of Pura Uluwatu's small inner sanctum, a limestone statue of a Brahman priest surveys the Indian Ocean-it is said the statue represents the founding priest Dwijendra. Another shrine within the complex represents the boat on which Dwijendra traveled from, then, Hindu Java. According to legend he arrived at Pura Peti Tenget, north of Kuta.
Ref:www.indonesia-tourism.com

In order to commemorate the struggle history of the nation, Yogya Kembali monument was built on 29 June 1985. The placement of the first stone of the 31.8 meter-high monument was done by HB IX after planting buffalo head as traditional ceremony. Four years later, on 6 July 1989, this building was finished. The opening was done by President Soeharto by signing the inscription.

The monument that is located in Jongkang village, Sariharjo Sub-District, Ngaglik District of Sleman Regency is of a mountain shape, symbolizing fertility and preservation of pre-historical ancestor's culture. The location of the monument was based on local culture that is located on imaginary axis connecting Merapi, Tugu, Sultan Palace, Panggung Krapyak, and Parang Tritis. "Macrocosmic Axis or the Great Axis of Life", as Gunadi told YogYES. The imaginary point in the building standing on 5.6 hectare land can be seen on the third floor where the flag pole is standing.

The name Yogya Kembali that means Yogya Returns symbolizes the return of the function of Indonesian Republic Government and historical hallmark of the Dutch troop withdrawal from Yogyakarta as the capital on 29 June 1949 and the return of President Soekarno, Vice President Mohammad Hatta and other officers on 6 July 1949 to Yogyakarta.

Indonesia's Independent
This battle known as Serangan Umum 1 Maret was initial authentication to the international world that Indonesian National Army still had power to fight and to state that the Republic of Indonesia still existed. This was triggered by the capture and the exile of Bung Karno and Bung Hatta to Sumatera setting propaganda that the Republic of Indonesia had not existed.

This news about the six-hour attack was then sent to Wonosari, continued to Bukit Tinggi, then Burma, New Delhi (India), and finally in the main office of the UN in New York. With this news, the United Nations that considered Indonesia to have been independent compelled the execution of KTN (Komisi Tiga Negara / Commission of Three Nations). The meeting held in Des Indes Hotel Jakarta on 14 April 1949, where Indonesia was represented by Moh. Roem and representatives of Netherlands led by Van Royen, resulted in an agreement signed on 7 May 1949. This agreement was later called Roem Royen Statement. In this agreement Netherlands was compelled to withdraw its troop from Indonesia, and to return President and the Vice President, Soekarno-Hatta to Jogja. Finally on 27 December 1949 Netherlands officially handed over the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia.
Ref:www.yogyes.com

Kasongan is a small village about 6.5 km south of Yogyakarta, which has become famous for its many pottery workshops. Visitors can meet and witness the artisans at work. Before each period of harvest, these artisans also work together to build a wagon for traditional ceremonies.
Visiting Kasongan village, the tourist will be welcomed warmly by local in habitants. May have a look the showroom crowded with ceramics handicrafts. If interest to see the ceramic making, we can visit some gallery that produce the special handicrafts at the back side. The processes are material kneading, shaping, drying and that take 2 - 4 days, and then will be burned in 6 - 9 hours, it will be painted to make lovely color at last.

It is now we call this place as Kasongan ; a village in kajen hamlet that is situated in low mountain with limestone soil. It is about 15 – 20 minutes to get here from Yogyakarta. This village has a beautiful rice field surround and it is clean area.

Many kinds of goods are produced, which most are household ones like moneyboxes, vases, animal figures, and many others.