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Komodo National Park located in a komodo Island, between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores. The total area of Komodo National Park is currently 1,817 km2. Offered of 25 km2 of land (Banta Island) and 479 km2 of marine waters would bring the total area up to 2,321 km2. Komodo National Park was built in 1980 and was expressed a World Heritage Site and a Man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1986. The park was at the start built to conserve the unusual Komodo (Varanus komodoensis), first exposed by the scientific world in 1911 by J.K.H.Van Steyn. Since then preservation destinations have got ahead to protecting it is entire biodiversity, both marine and terrestrial.

Komodo National Park lets in among the world’s most colorful marine treasures. such as forams, cnidaria (includes over 260 species of reef building coral), sponges (70 species), ascidians, marine worms, mollusks, echinoderms, crustaceans, cartilaginous and bony fishes over 1,000 species), marine reptiles, and marine mammals (dolphins, whales, and dugongs).

Popularity: 1% [?]

Billow of dark grey smoke from cupola of Child of Krakatau radiates more the charm. If active, the sliding of red-hot rocks like reddish-black ember boosts up the exoticism.

Under normal circumstances, traveling from Anyer to the Child of Krakatau takes 2.5 hours but it will take about four hours if climate is bad and big sea wave. About 122 years ago, the mother if this Mountain terribly exploded causing tsunami along the south beach of Sumatra and west coast of West Java. More than 36.000 populations were found dead as the victims of the Krakatau Mountain explosion.

The explosion also ended the activity of the (mother) Krakatau. Currently, the mountain is only like a pile of earth fully with pine trees and edible ferns soaring up to the sky in the sea.

But in 1927, around the explosion location appeared a pile of earth like a volcano near Krakatau Mountain. The locals name it as a Child of Krakatau which is still active up to present moment.

The child of Krakatau Mountain is situated in the middle of Sertung Island, Rakata Island, and Rakata Besar Island. This Rakata Besar Island is now known as non-active Krakatau Mountain. After 78 years thereafter, now the Child of Krakatau grows to 315 meter high over the sea level.

From far distance, the Child of Krakatau Mountain is seen black to grey for most of them comprise black pebbles and sands. There are only few pine trees growing around the foot of the Mountain which is located in the middle of Sunda Strait.
The New Things in Krakatau

The reminiscence of explosion of Krakatau Mountain had indeed never been forgotten upon the pass of time. The event is recorded in the world history and up to present time all elementary school teachers will surely inform their student about the explosion of the Krakatau Mountain as the biggest calamity overwhelming Indonesia in the XIX century.

The dreadfulness of explosion of Krakatau re-haunted precisely when Department of Vulcanology specified the Child of Krakatau was in under Alert Vigilant status.

However, the dreadfulness could not hide the beauty and cuteness of the Child of Krakatau. The fine rug of black sands and the beauty of Mountainous slope scenery area are the attractive power for the people to visit the place.

In the coastal area of the Child of Krakatau Mountain, visitors can rest while enjoying the pounding of Sunda Strait blue wave, and even the greenish Krakatau Mountain (the mother) can be seen from the beach at the foot of the Child of Krakatau Mountain.
Since few tourists visiting the place and no cellular phone signal around the area turn out the beach of the Child of Krakaratau to be a comfortable and proper resort to relax.

Around the beach of the Child of Krakatau Mountain is also proper place for camping. However, drinking water should be taken personally as no water sources are found nearby.

The beauty of sceneries area will be more seen to enjoy when climbing the Child of Krakatau. After about 200 meter climbing, the sea below the foot of the mountain is seen like blue lake surrounded by group of islands. In the meantime, hills that are similar to the curvature of the earth below the top of the mountain is perceived closer with the grey sky on the top of the Mountain is seen appear partially among the sand hill surrounding it.

To reach the beauty of natural panorama, visitors may rent motor boat from Anyer toward the Krakatau. Rental tariff of motor boat with 15-20 person capacities from Anyer beach to the Krakatau and vise versa is about Rp 7 million. For small boat carrying 5 passengers is Rp. 2 million. Every one will spend Rp.500,000 to take vise versa tourism trips to and from Anyer-Krakatau plus lunch and snack but insurance and entrance ticket

Popularity: 3% [?]

Karimunjawa is and island chain stretching in a northwesternly direction 83 km from Jepara. Central Java. This archipelago is a cluster of 27 island in the java sea. The reefs are a mixture of fringing, barrier, and patch with bottom depths ranging from 15 to 40 meters.

Five of these islands are domestically inhabited and together with 22 others from the four major zones; Zone I is the core sanctuary area and is out of bounds to all, Zone 2 is the wilderness area open to limited tourism, Zone 3 is the utilization area, Zone 4 is the buffer zone.

For visitor to the Park, expect a very pleasant welcome by the information staff, and an exciting range of flora and fauna to discover both above and below the water.The reefs harboring 35 types of hard corals, sponges, gorgonian, soft and red corals and an amazing 240 plus variety of fish.

A special bonus for the interpid is wreck diving at the island of Batu Kunci, Karang Kapal, Karang Ketel, and Batulawang. Best time for weather is April to November with the rainy season peaking between December and February.

Menyawakan Island has much to offer to all sorts of divers, from novice to very experienced. The islands have been declared a national marine park and are protected. We have discovered several dive sites that are in good to excellent condition. We are placing mooring buoys on those locations, in corporation with the park authorities, and intend to protect them to the best of our ability. On the upside, one should perhaps mention the overall quality of the diving, the variety between fringing reefs, atolls and wrecks, the good variety of species, some of them rare, such as for example the Crocodile fish and Leafy Scorpion fish. Whale Sharks are being spotted all year round and recently one lucky group of divers had very close encounters with them on different locations on each of their three dives during one day… Macro divers also have a lot to be amazed of in the area and everyone loves the service given by the dive center!

The Wreck of Mitra
An Indonesian Pinisi freighter, which where put up on the reef by the Captain, who tried to save the cargo. Unfortunately for him, it sank immediately. See it for yourselves. As one of our guest divers once said after an early dive there: “even Steven Spielberg could not have done it better!”

The Wreck of Biblis
One of the the few wrecks in the world, which still has it huge bronze propeller intact. This wreck has been on the ocean floor for many years, so the coral life is amazing. Several big groupers are nearly always spotted on this wreck. Possibility to penetrate for trained wreck divers.

Karang Kapal
Is a very big submerged reef, where we from time to time find new drop-off’s. This reef is so big, that there is still much to be explored. This dive site is home to very big Bump head Parrotfish, and the occasional White tip reef shark.

Taka Menyawakan
An exciting dive site, with spectacular coral cover which exceeds more than 250 different species, plentiful Bat fish and the wrecks of two ships! One of the wrecks is a Pelni ferry which sunk in the 50s. You will also see schooling Barracudas, Skipjack Tuna, Hawksbill turtles, Lobsters and Giant clams. Usually a strong current sweeps this reef, giving you an exciting ride all the way around it.

Ezdir Reef
This dive site is named after one of our frequent diver guests. It was discovered mid/late 2000. The quality and variety of corals are extremely good, so good that one group of divers did three dives on this site in one day, and it was the first site they wanted to visit when they returned to the resort again.

Hawksbill Point
Conveniently located on our own island of Menyawakan, this spot gives you the opportunity to come face to face with Hawksbill turtles and quite often Octopus too. Usually Crocodile fishes and Scorpion fishes are seen on your smooth drift back to the Resorts jetty.

The Wreck of Indonur
Dutch steam ship. Went down in 1963. A huge warehouse was on fire on the beach, it was mistaken for the lights of Semarang, and the captain went full speed up on the reef….. Come and see 6cm thick steel plates, torn apart like paper. Large riveted steam boilers. Great fish and coral life on the wreck is growing bigger and bigger each year. Excellent night dives on this wreck when you will have a chance to see Arrow crabs, Soft coral crabs and numerous other macro critters.

Torpedo Reef
One of our most remote dive sites, but well worth the boat trip since it is one of the high lights of the archipelago. The exceptionally healthy Torpedo Reef has remnants of torpedoes and grenades scattered across the ocean floor. Beside the torpedoes and the grenades, the reef has a good variety of pelagics and the blooming soft corals are nothing less than fantastic!

Popularity: 2% [?]

Jakarta (ANTARA News) – Minister of Culture and Tourism Affairs, Jero Wacik, asked Indonesian society to consider Borobudur Temple as one of world wonders since the heritage of Syailendra Dynasty is extraordinary and highly deserve with its high historical value as well as its unparallel architecture complexity. Borobudur Temple was built in 9th century, at the golden age of King Samaratungga, one of the kings of ancient Mataram Kingdom. The temple symbolizes high Indonesian civilization, considered as a cultural masterpiece. It also represents the biggest Buddhist temple in the world and acknowledged as the biggest human archaeological remains. Its architecture building was inspired by mico-cosmos philosophy.

The minister stated that the temple has long been considered as world wonder. Moreover, United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have determined it as world heritage. “However, just because of a polling conducted by a French private institution, the temple is no longer a world wonder.” He regretted it. Therefore, not only to return its cultural image and Indonesian tourism specifically Borobudur but also to promote ‘wonder’ of Borobudur, an event or an international-scaled festival is necessary to be conducted. To implement it, the Department of Culture and Tourism Affairs will facilitate Central Java Province and some businessmen to conduct Borobudur International Festival 2009 on July 16th-20th 2009.

It is a series of Visit Indonesia 2009 with art and culture performance with the theme of “Celebrating a World Wonder”, the exhibition of tourism, trade, investment with the theme of “Presenting a World Wonder”, Borobudur Travel Mart with the theme of “Selling a World Wonder”, international seminar with the theme of “Discussing a World Wonder”, and study tour with the theme of “Visiting World Wonder”. The event will be participated by delegates from 15 countries comprising Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, China, Queensland, Korea, Germany, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, the United States of America, Belgium, and India.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Yogyakarta Presidential Palace is located at the southern end of Jl. Akhmad Yani (formerly Jl. Malioboro); Ngupasan, Gondomanan Sub District, Yogyakarta. The complex was built on 43,585 meters per square land. Since it was built, the palace has not changed much. At the front yard, stands a two meters tall statue of a giant gurding the entrance (Dwarapala). Moreover, there is a 3 and half meters “tugu” (a statue in the form of tall pillar) named ‘Tugu Dagoba” (the Yogyakartans call it “Tugu Lilin/candle”), with artificial flame on top. It is made of “andesite” rock. The backyard is full of big trees shading the presidential palace with their thick leaves. Yogyakarta Presidential Palace is also well known as “Gedung Agung” (the Great Building) or “Gedung Negara” (the State Building). One of the main functions of the main building of the palace is a place to receive royal guests.

Yogyakarta Presidential Palace was formerly an officicial house of the 18th Resident in Yogyakarta (1823 – 1825). He was a Dutch named Anthonie Hendriks Smissaert, who was also the one initiating the construction of the “Gedung Agung”. The building was built in May 1824 by A. Payen, an architect appointed by the Governor General of West Indies. The construction was temporarily delayed due to the Diponegoro War (1825 – 1830) and continued after the war was over (1832). Among several Dutch governors who lived in the building were J.E. Jesper (1926 – 1927); P.R.W. van Gesseler Verschuur (1929 – 1932); H.M. de Kock (1932 – 1935); J. Bijlevel (1935 – 1940); and L. Adam (1940 – 1942). At the time of Japan colonization, the palace served as the official house for the leader in Yogyakarta, Koochi Zimmukyoku Tyookan.

On 6 January 1946, Yogyakarta was announced as the capital city of the Republic of Indonesia after the Indonesian Government moved from Jakarta to Yogyakarta. At that time, “Gedung Agung” became a Presdintial Palace, a home for president Soekarno, the first President of the Republic of Indonesia, as well as his family.

On 28 December 1949, President Soekarno moved to Jakarta, and since then the palace was no longer the home of the president. After the independence, when the second president of the Republic of Indonesia ruled to be exact, since 17 April 1988, Yogyakarta Presidential Palace/”Gedung Agung” has been functioning as a place to conduct the Afternoon Parade Ceremony every 17 August, to hold initiation events for the Indonesian Air Forces’ newcomers as well as farewel parties between the Indonesian Armed Forces junior officer graduates and the Governor and people of Yogyakarta. Furthermore, since 17 August 1991, D.I. Yogyakarta has been commemorating the Seconds of the Proclamation of the Independence at Yogyakarta Presidential Palace.

Popularity: 2% [?]

The complex of Jakarta Presidential Palaces is located on Jl. Merdeka Utara, near the park of National Monument (Monas), at the heart of the capital city, approximately 6.8 acres and 5 metres above sea level. The Jakarta Presidential Palaces consists of two palaces: the Merdeka Palace, which faces Monas, and the Negara Palace (State Palace), accrross Ciliwung River and Jl. Veteran. Several other buildings are also located in the complex of the palaces. They are the Presidential Office, the House of State, Baiturrahim Mosque and the Museum of Presidential Palaces. In the garden grow big old shading trees with long dangling roots as well as grasses covering the land like a green carpet and all these succeeds to make the Jakarta Presidential Palaces a shady cool place. Mainly functioning as a place to convene presidential events, the Jakarta Presidential Palaces also serve as the Office of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, the centre of governmental activities and a place to hold state events, to have Indonesian Armed Forces’ junior officers sworn in, to receive state guests, a place for ambassadors from other countries to submit their credentials to the President of the Republic of Indonesia, a place to hold the opening ceremony of national meetings and workshops, national or international congresses and a place for commemorating the moment of proclamation of independence of the Republic of Indonesia every August 17.

Negara Palace
Negara Palace is a witness of numerous historical events, among them are the moment when General de Kock laid out his scheme to bring to an end Prince Diponegoro’s fight and formulate his strategy to deal with Tuanku Imam Bonjol to Governor General Baron Van der Capellen, and the time when Governor General Johannes van de Bosch applied the cultuurstelsel system, which forced the colonized people to cultivate land without payment. Subsequent to the independence of the Republic of Indonesia, on 25 March 1947, the building also witnessed the signing of Linggarjati Agreement by Sultan Sjahrir from the Indonesian side and Dr. Van Mook representing the Netherlands.

Merdeka Palace
Merdeka Palace was built in 1879 and it recorded many important events, which are influential to Indonesian governmental stance, hence, it owns a special place at the heart of Indonesian people. One of them is the history of the title of the place itself: “Merdeka” (Independent). The word “Merdeka” is truly significant, it is a symbol of hope that emphasizes the end of colonization on Indonesian land as well as the beginning of life as an independent nation. On 27 December 1949, Merdeka Palace witnessed the historical event concerning the Netherlands’ recognition of the independence of the United Republic of Indonesia proceeded through a series of ceremony conducted both in Amsterdam, the Netherlands at 10 a.m. and in Jakarta and Yogyakarta, Indonesia at 4 p.m. That day, the whole country was waiting for the radio broadcast from Jakarta announcing the tremendous news, the news on the signing and the submission of the text conveying the Netherlands’ recognition of the United Republic of Indonesia’s independence. At the same time, the Red and White Flag rose before the Independence Palace, taking over the place of the Netherland flag, the Indonesia Raya anthem was sung and people all over Indonesia shouted “Merdeka!, merdeka!, merdeka!” As a result, the palace is called Merdeka Palace. The commemoration of the independence of the Republic of Indonesia was first held on 17 August 1950 in Merdeka Palace. The State Palace.

Popularity: 15% [?]

This is a resort on the slope of mount 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 car 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 sited temple complexes in Central Java and the views alone are worth the trip. Gedung Songo (’Nine Buildings’) belong to the earliest antiquities of Java, they follow up the temples on the Dieng Plateau directly, for what about time. They were also built high in the mountains in an area full with volcanic activity; and they were also from Hinduist origin. But where the temples on Dieng Plateau are somewhat squeezed into a foggy valley, Gedung Songo are spread over the higher parts of the mountains, which guarantee a splendid view. On clear days, the horizon is one long row of volcanoes, from mount Lawu in the east, towards mount Sumbing, mount Sundoro and Dieng Plateau in the west.

The temples were built between 730 and 780, the first temple excepted, which could have been built some 30 years later. Gunung Songo is not the original name and also doesn’t point at the number of structures. The number nine has a special meaning in the Javanese culture, in which there is a strong attachment to numbers. The temples are located at about the same distance from each other (100 meters, 200 meters) on a naturally formed terrace of edge of a mountain.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Introduction to Bunaken Island

The Bunaken National Marine Park was formally established in 1991 and was among the first of Indonesia’s growing system of marine parks. The park is just under 80,000 hectares of land (3%) and sea (97%), located in Manado in the province of North Sulawesi, Indonesia. It comprises the 5 islands of Bunaken, Manado Tua, Siladen, Montehage and Nain. It is part of the Indo-Pacific region which supports the highest marine biodiversity on earth.

What makes Bunaken National Park special?

The park was established because of the marine bio-diversity it supports, because it is a migratory route for protected animals and because it is of high economic value for fisheries and tourism. There are over 20,000 residents in the area who depend on the natural resources of the park. The fear was that if the area was uncontrolled then over-fishing, destructive fishing practices and unchecked pollution would ruin the marine habitat which would be to the detriment of everyone concerned.

In addition to its huge biodiversity Bunaken is also a place where rare and endangered animals can be found such as coelacanths, dugongs, whales, dolphins and turtles.

The park has a unique bathymetry, which is an attraction to tourists diving at Bunaken Island. The absence of a continental shelf in the northern part of North Sulawesi allows the coastal area to drop directly down the continental shelf

• There are at least 58 different genera and sub-genera of corals in the park.
• The number of different fish species is estimated at 2,000.
• The deepest water is around 1,360 metres between Manado Tua and Montehage.
• There are about 25 dive sites in Bunaken

The Management Plan

In 1994 a management plan was created to put the structures and systems in place to achieve the objectives for which the park was created, including 4 main branches:

• Zonation and Enforcement – dividing the park into sections and enforcing the rules governing each section.
• Communication with and education of the public living inside and outside park boundaries.
• Scientific research to develop, evaluate and improve natural resource use policies in bunaken National Park and to evaluate the impacts in the park caused by development activities from outside.
• Co-ordinating activities of government and non-governmental organisations, police, educational and research institutions, mass media, local communities, and the private sector (such as dive operators) to enhance management activities in the park.

Heavy fines and potentially long jail sentences await those who breach the most stringent rules governing activities in Bunaken. For example in parts of the Nature Conservation Zones activities such as fishing or tree cutting can be punishable by a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine of up to 2 million rupiah.

Human activity still needs to carry on however and this is recognised by allowing Support Zones where economic activities may take place such as traditional fishing, restricted mangrove harvesting and seaweed culture under license. Similar zones on land allow for housing, community development, and efficient agricultural practices with controlled use of pesticides and herbicides and commercial fertilizers.

Pressure on the coral reefs

In 1996 28% of people living in the park were full time fishermen. There are also thousands more who fish part-time and between them it is estimated that they caught 5,616 tonnes of reef and pelagic fish in that year. Reef fish such as groupers, snappers, rabbitfish and sweetlips made up 57% of the total weight of this catch. Activities that put the most pressure on the reef in addition to traditional fishing are gleaning (collecting reef-flat animals by prying and overturning corals on the reef flat at low tide), coral mining, and occasional illegal bomb and cyanide fishing.

This all meant that the fisheries in Bunaken National Park were already functioning at their maximum and any increase in takes may cause severe eco-system degradation.

What can and is being done?

Educational programmes are underway to inform the local population of steps they can take to preserve their livelihoods and environment yet still sustain themselves. There are some simple rules that can be followed which will allow for preservation of the habitat for future generations:

• Young, undersized fishes, lobsters and sea snails should be returned to the water so they have a chance to reproduce juvenile stock for the future.
• Illegal fishing methods such as bomb-fishing and cyanide fishing should never be used as they destroy reef eco-systems by killing numerous corals, fishes, and other animals that are not utilised by people, but are important to a healthy reef ecosystem.
• Gill nets and reef fish traps should be used carefully to avoid damage to corals
• Live coral should never be used for building materials nor broken or overturned to find reef animals.
• Protected species such as giant clams, turtles and their eggs should never be taken from the water as their numbers are already precariously low.
• The most highly protected zones must be respected and guarded to allow animals to reproduce and allow their off-spring to re-populate surrounding reefs.

How do visiting divers help?

As a visiting diver you are clearly bringing money into the local economy in terms of your spending on food, transport, accommodation and shopping needs. Provided you are an ecologically aware diver your presence will not impact upon Bunaken’s marine park in any negative way. In fact your presence is one of the reasons Bunaken is being protected and all divers must also pay an entrance fee for the park which further adds to the positive impact visiting divers make. In fact the diving industry provides alternative employment opportunities for local people, many of whom would otherwise be fisherman.

All proceeds from sales of the entrance tags and tickets are managed by the Bunaken National Park Management Advisory Board. The BNPMAB will utilise these funds to finance a number of high priority conservation programmes in the park. These programmes include patrols and enforcement to abolish destructive fishing practices such as blast and cyanide fishing, village improvement programs within the park, collection and disposal of plastic and other wastes entering the park’s waters, marine conservation education of both village children and adults, and reef and mangrove rehabilitation. Conservation of Bunaken’s spectacular marine habitats requires funding, and your entrance fee is a valuable contribution to saving Bunaken’s incredible but fragile reefs.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Danau Toba, or Lake Toba as we know it, is the largest lake in Southeast Asia. It was created by the eruption of a super volcano 75 thousand years ago. It is still surrounded by the crater edge of that volcano, and in the middle of the lake, volcanic activity created Samosir an island as big as Singapore. Attached to that island is a small peninsula, with the village of Tuktuk on it. This is the tourist destination of the area, where we enjoy the cool air, a dive in the lake, the relaxed atmosphere, and the local Batak culture.
After the exciting bus and bemo ride to Parapat we meet Liberty. He tells us that the last ferry to Tuktuk leaves in an Hour. But not to worry, there is a small restaurant where we can eat something while Liberty tells us all about Tuktuk and his hotel Lekjon cottages. It appears that the ferry will drop us off at any hotel on Tuktuk we want, and since we like the leaflet of Lekjon, we decide to let us lead by Liberty.

In the dark the ferry brings us over lake Toba. It takes about half an hour during which we only see some lights and a small fire along the crater edge. The ferry stops at the bay next to the peninsula first, and then moves along the coastline to drop everybody at their desired destination. We see a lot of hotel names, but it is too difficult in the dark to see what they are like. Just in the middle of the peninsula is Lekjon, and we are easily convinced to at least spend one night here. We get a clean room, a warm shower, and a nice view for a low price, what else do we want?

At night we drink something in Lekjon’s restaurant. The personnel is friendly, and one of them starts playing the guitar. A few English guests know some songs, and Sabine also starts playing. It is a good start for our stay at Lake Toba, which promises to become a holiday during our world journey.

Where are the tourists et Lake Toba?

The next morning we make a walk around Tuktuk. Although Lekjon is okay, we like to know what alternatives are around. And we also like to explore the surroundings. We pass many hotels. Big ones, with large buildings, and small ones, with cosy cabins along lake Toba. Especially the big ones make a desolate impression, they seem to have almost no guests. And some of the small ones are closed all together, and so are many of the restaurants. It appears to us that lake Toba must have seen much more tourists in the recent past. Many stay away now because of September 11, and the independence struggle of Aceh in North Sumatra, not very far from Lake Toba.

The peninsula is larger than we expected. At different hotels we inspect the rooms, but it is all similar to Lekjon. We also stop at some souvenir shops. Many nice woodcarvings for low prices. The vendors are urging us to be something, they also feel the lack of tourists.

To the market

In the afternoon we take the ferry across lake Toba back to Parapat. There is a market there, and we have to go there to get some money. This time we have a seat on top of the boat, and inspect the hotels again, this time from the water. There are a few that could not be seen from the road. It is clear that Hotel Carolina is the most fancy hotel on Tuktuk. Nice cabins in traditional Batak style, including cane roofs, and a private pool created in the lake.

The market of Parapat isn’t much of an attraction. We quickly find the ATM and go back to the ferry with a bemo. Parapat isn’t very interesting, but it is a pleasant town. There are some hotels here as well, but again only a few tourists.

Historic Ambarita

We decide to rent a few mountain bikes to explore Samosir island, the main island in Lake Toba to which Tuktuk is attached. The main road goes around the island, and we enjoy great views until we reach the historic town of Ambarita. We enter the wall around the historic center via a small gate. We have to fill in our names in a guestbook, and pay a small fee. We are the only tourists in here, and from the guestbook we learn there are not many visiting these days. We wonder how the personnel here can live from the fees. Then a guide comes along offering his services. He tells us we can decide for ourselves how much we pay him afterwards. Yeah, right.

There are a few traditional Batak houses in a nice row. Although they’re not that traditional, since they have tin roofs. But at least they have the traditional shape, that resembles the traditional shape of the Minangkabau houses, or these of the Toraja people in Sulawesi. They all had the horns of the water buffalo for inspiration. One of the houses doubles as a small museum and the guide explains some tools there. From his explanations, we only remembered the Batak calendar, so is wasn’t much.

Cannibalism at the old courtyard

Most important part of Ambarita is the old courtyard. Under an old tree are a number of stone chairs in a circle where the village elders held council. Criminals who were convicted with the death penalty were led to the execution yard 50 meters further. This is a larger circle with stone chairs, and a large boulder on which the convicted would be tortured to scare away the evil spirits. Then, the victim would be killed, beheaded, and cut in pieces. The heart and liver were eaten by the king and elders, and every witness had to eat something as well. The blood served as a drink for everybody.

We pay our guide, not surprised he asks for more, and move on to the souvenir street. Lots of stalls with woodcarvings and vendors who are desperate to sell something. And only 2 tourists (us) as their prey. But we carry very little money, so we have to disappoint them all. Another sad result of the tourist decline at Lake Toba.

Graves of Tomok

We hop on our bikes and follow the road to Tomok. Main attraction in this village is the grave of the king. Or actually there are more graves, and it is unclear to us which one is which. There are some stone figures around the graves, but no guide to explain things. A little further is a large doll on a stage. The story goes that a former king was so sad for the death of his son, that he ordered a dancing doll. The dancing of dolls became a tradition at funerals.

In Tomok are a lot of souvenir stalls as well. This time especially with clothes and other stuff. But again, no tourist around, and we are the only prey. So we don’t stay long, hop on our bikes and go back to Tuktuk, enjoying the views over Lake Toba.

Cinema

Tuktuk has its own cinema. An Englishman who lives here permanently, created a business with the copied video CD’s which are for sale everywhere in Southeast Asia. He has a large collection for rent, or you can watch them in a small room with large TV. We are watching “The Lord of the Rings” here. The copy was obviously made in an actual cinema: we can hear the laughter of the audience, and once in a while there is a shadow passing by. Amazing how the illegal copying industry works here.

In order to explore more of Samosir, we hire some motorbikes. After some instructions, we leave while the people shout at us to drive on the left side of the road, something we would already forgot. Easily we pass the many hills on our way to the first target: Samanindo. Here is a the Batak museum of Samosir located. After a little search, we find it just in time for an dance exhibition.

Batak dance

In front of an open terrain a more tourists are gathered than we saw in total the last couple of days. And in front of a scale model of a traditional Batak house are a group Batak people dancing. Well, dancing is a big word for the small movements they make. The program indicates multiple dances, but we see little variation. When some tourists join them, we hardly see a difference. And then a dancing doll enters the scene, making more moves than the dancers themselves. The tourists are supposed to give a donation to the doll, which is rewarded with a loud “Horas”. And that is the most exciting part of the exhibition.

The accompanying Batak museum isn’t much either. A little disappointed we hop pack on our motorbikes and move on. What amazes us most is that this place attracts most of the tourists around Lake Toba.

We move on along the outside of the island, passing many traditional houses, most of them with zinc roofs. Also many impressing grave towers, with on top of them a miniature traditional house.

Hot Springs

As we approach the other side of the island, the mainland comes in sight. A large white spot on the crater edge draws our attention. It almost seems like a ski trail, but we suppose it must be chalk or sand. A little later we arrive at the village where the island is connected to the main land by a small bridge. In fact, the bridge was only needed since the Dutch dug a canal to separate the island from the main land in 1906. We pass the bridge and drive up to search for our next goal: the hot springs. The closer we get, the more we realize the white spot is where we will find the hot springs.

The hot springs are accompanied by a number of restaurants and a large parking lot. But there are not many tourists. At one of the restaurants we park our motorbikes and order a meal. While we wait we see a little girl playing with to chicks, one of them bright yellow, the other bright green. Funny little animals, although it is sad that they probably have no mother and are obviously artificially colored.

After lunch we search for the hot springs. Every restaurant appears to have a bath of swimming pool fed with hot water from the springs, but we want to find the springs themselves. So we climb up, until we reach a restaurant that only lets us through if we order something. Here is a pool as well, but also a natural bath in the rocks. And as we climb up, we reach the actual source of the hot springs. In some kind of white moon landscape there is a stream of hot, yellow water. It is boiling up from the rocks, although we cannot see exactly where.

After a lovely, purifying, very hot bath, and a cola at the restaurant, we descend to our motorbikes. Although there is a market in the village we pass, we decide to go back to Tuktuk. It takes us two hours to go back, including a few stops for a beautiful view and a drink. We are back before dark, so we can cool off in the lake.

More Batak dance

That night there is a traditional dance performance in one of the restaurants of Tuktuk. We are convinced that there should be more to it than the slow motion dance we saw that morning, we decide to have a look. But what we see is even worse than that. Odd, since the traditional music sounds happy and dynamic.

After the dance there is a singing performance. Five men are putting all their energy in a few nice songs. Quite a contrast to the dance performance. The surprise is complete when the dancers invite the audience to swing with them. So they can actually dance enthusiastically, although it is not very traditional.

Popularity: 4% [?]

The Legend of Sangkuriang

The legend of Bandung begins here…
(According to the story of Sundanese Folk)

From passion, desire, love, and angry of Sangkuriang, The Eruption of Mountain Tangkuban Parahu, until now become a city…

Here is the short story…

There is a kingdom in Priangan Land. Live a happy family, a father in form of dog (his name is Tumang), a mother (her name is Dayang Sumbi), and a child call Sangkuriang. Tumang is demigod possessing magic powers.

One day, Dayang Sumbi asked her son to go hunting in the nearest jungle and she wanted some deer liver or venison. So Sangkuriang went hunting with his lovely dog, Tumang, to please his mother. After hunting all day with empty-handed, Sangkuriang began desperate and worried. Think shortly, Sangkuriang took his arrow and shot his dog. Then he took the dog liver or flesh and carried home.

He gave dog liver or flesh to his mother. Soon Dayang Sumbi fine out that Sangkuriang lied to her. She knew Sangkuriang had killed Tumang. So, She angry and hit Sangkuriang head. Sangkuriang got wounded and scar. Sangkuriang cast away from their home.

Years go bye, Sangkuriang had travel many places and on one day, he arrived at a village which is used to be his home. He met a beautiful woman whom actually his mother and felt in love with her.

Their love grew naturally and one day, when they were discussing their wedding plans, Dayang Sumbi suddenly realised that the profile of Sangkuriang’s head matched that of her only son’s who had left twenty years earlier. How could she marry her own son? But she did not wish to dissapointed him by canceling the wedding. So, although she agreed to marry Sangkuriang, she would do so only on the condition that he provide her with a lake and a boat with which they could sail on the dawn of their wedding day.

Sangkuriang accepted this condition and built a lake by damming the Citarum river. With a dawn just moment away and the boat almost complete, Dayang Sumbi realised that Sangkuriang would fulfill the condition she had set. With a wave of her supernatural shawl, she lit up the eastern horizon with flashes of light. Deceived by false dawn, the cock crowed and farmers rose for the new day.

With his work not yet complete, SangkuriaNg realised that his endeavor were lost. With all his anger, he kicked the boat that he himself had built. The boat fell over and, in so doing become the mountain TANGKUBAN PARAHU (in Sundanese, TANGKUBAN means upturned or upside down, and PARAHU means boat). With the dam torn asunder, the water drained from the lake becoming a wide plain and nowadays became a city called BANDUNG (from the word BENDUNG, which means Dam).

Popularity: 57% [?]

Situated on the Indonesian island of Java, Yogyakarta is both the name of a province and the capital city within the province. Yogyakarta is commonly called the ‘cultural heart’ and ‘soul city’ of Java, thanks to its rich history, heritage and commitment to preserving Javanese tradition.

The city is reached easiest via its own airport (Adisucipto International Airport), which services a number of domestic connections as well as limited international flights. For most people, the easiest way to reach Yogyakarta is via an international flight to Jakarta and then a domestic transfer to Yogyakarta. Alternatively, there are direct flights from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

If you decide to visit in the rainy season, be sure to pack a waterproof jacket. Daytime attire for any season needs to be modest on account of local etiquette and religious views. Lightweight and loose-fitting cotton clothing that covers your body is suitable.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Popularity: 3% [?]