Thursday, March 24, 2011

Destination: Kalimantan --> West Kalimantan

  • Eco-tourism:
  1. Taman Wisata Alam Bukit Kelam
Situated near the town of Sintang 395 kilometers from the capital city of West Kalimantan,  Pontianak, Bukit Kelam is one place you might want to visit when you are in the area. It was declared a national park in 1992 because of its biological diversity. 

Bukit Kelam

Honey Bear
With an altitude of 900 meters and its untouched surrounding, the air here is fresh and cool, making it a great spot to blow off some steam. If you are an animal lover, creatures like honey bears, armadillos and bats will surely make your visit more enjoyable.

Armadillo
Its altitude makes the view from the peak a very panoramic one. You can experience a breathtaking view of the green forests and the tow of Sintang that stands between two rivers, the Kapuas and Melawi rivers. You can even do cliff climbing and paragliding from the peak. 

After an enjoyable day, you can spend the night here in the camping ground with your family and friends. 


   2. Pantai Pasir Panjang


With its soft sandy beach and its clear-as-crystal water, Pasir Panjang beach has become West Kalimantan's most popular tourist destination. Despite its remote location, situated about 140 kilometers from Pontianak, this beach will definitely be worth visiting.

You can sunbathe on the beach while enjoying the view of three islands, Lemukutan, Kabung and Randayan islands or take your board and ride the waves. The waters here are also home to many kinds of fish, so you might want to try fishing here. Or you can play volleyball with your family and friends.

When you have enough of the beach, you can visit nearby fishermen village to explore and learn their everyday life, and don't forget to buy some souvenirs on your way home.

Pantai Pasir Panjang




Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Destination: Sumatra --> Riau Islands

  • Eco-tourism:
  1. Mount Bintan
Located just 55 kilometers from Tanjung Pinang, the capital city of Riau Islands province, it is a spot that you can't miss when you are around the area. Although it is lower than most mountains in Java, it still offers a panoramic view of the surrounding blue seas and a high level of biological diversity.

Mount Bintan

Silver Leaf Monkeys
Located near the equator, the island is home to tropical rainforests with dipterocarp trees as tall as 40 meters covering the mountain. The rainforests is also home to animals such as the silver leaf monkeys and a variety of birds like the sunbirds, eagles and kites.

SImilar to the rainforests, the waters surrounding the island are also blessed with biological diversity. Small sea creatures such as snails and squids inhabit the blue waters, co-existing with dolphins and two species of sea turtles, the hawksbill turtles and the green turtles.

Hawksbill Turtle


After tracking the forests and climbing your way up to the mountain peak, you can take a break at a waterfall situated at the base of the mountain. Feel free to take a refreshing bath here. After that, you might want to visit the fruits plantations managed by the locals and get yourself some fresh durians or rambutan at a low price. 

Come here in July to take part in the "Bintan Mountain Tracking and Durian Party" held by the local officials. The event consists two sessions, a race to find your way to the peak and durian party. 

A trip here will definitely relieve you from your stress caused by busy works back in the hot, polluted city. 

  • Culture & Heritage:
  1. Tanjung Pinang
Due to its past, the town of Tanjung Pinang is rich in culture and history. People from parts of Indonesia as well as foreign nations such as Britain, Portugal and parts of the Arab world have set their foot here in the past. Come here to learn more about the town's rich history.

Tanjung Pinang

Beside its shops and street vendors that sell exotic fruits and dried assorted seaweeds at a very low price, you can see many historical buildings here. In the central commercial district is   a Chinese temple called Cetiya Satya Dharma. Still within the city, there is a Dutch Colonial Graveyard which reflects the life of the Europeans in the past. The town's memories of the past are also preserved in the town's museum. Artifacts such as keris and ceramics are some example of the displays. 

Outside central Tanjung PInang is Senggarang, an old village that is believed to be the first home to Chinese immigrants. Proof of this is the existence of a one-hundred-year old Chinese temple called the Banyan Tree temple. Another proof is a temple complex of several temple that faces the sea decorated with colorful paintings and wood carvings.

Senggarang village
    
    2. Penyengat Island

An island located around 6 kilometers offshore Tanjung Pinang, Penyengat Island is a small island whose existence dates back to the 18th century during the time of the British Colonials, making it an island with a high historical value.

Here you can visit the Masjid Raya Sultan Riau, a beautiful yellow-colored mosque  that was built in 1832 during the reign of King Abdul Rahman. This mosque houses many old manuscripts written in Arabic and hand-written Koran, but unfortunately some of these are damaged due to dampness. The architecture of this building is a mixture of three different cultures: Indian, Malay and Arabic. Be sure to wear formal dress to avoid being denied entry to the mosque. 

Masjid Raya Sultan Riau

Another thing to see is the Raja Haji Fisabilillah Monument, a twenty eight-meter tall monument dedicated to Raja Haji Fisabilillah who died during the battle of Malacca. This monument is being considered to be recognized as a World Heritage Site. 

Raja Haji Fisabilillah Monument




Thursday, March 10, 2011

Destination: Sumatra --> Jambi

  • Culture & Heritage:
  1. Candi Muaro Jambi
This temple complex is located 26 kilometers from the city of Jambi, the capital city of the Jambi province. A Buddhist temple complex, it was built by the Melayu Kingdom around the eleventh to the thirteenth century. 

Candi Muaro Jambi is believed to be the capital city of the Melayu Kingdom, a kingdom that became a dominant power after the Sriwijaya Kingdom was defeated by the Chola Kingdom from India in around 1000 AD. The temple complex covers an area of 1500 hectares and is home to nine excavated temple sanctuaries at the moment, with the most significant intact temples are Candi Tinggi, Candi Kedaton and Candi Gumpung. There is also a museum inside the complex that preserves relics such as statues and chinas that date back to as far as the ninth century.

A very good place to know more about one of many ancient civilizations of Sumatra.   

Candi Muaro Jambi


   2. Museum Negeri Jambi

Filled with relics of the past and its convenient location, Museum Negeri Jambi is another great place to visit when you are in Jambi. It was built in 1981 in the shape of Kajang Loko, Jambi's traditional house. Come here and see ancient Jambi's relics and artifacts. 

A building with an area of four thousand meters square, the museum is divided into 6 parts, each with its own distinctive displays. Out of the 2.855 artifacts it houses, there are 5 that are the proud of the museum: two golden Avolokiteswara statues, a golden medallion from the Ottoman Sultanate of Turkey, a golden belt and a golden necklace. 100 Chinas that was found buried at the bottom of nearby waters are also being preserved here. Other displays such as old boats and a collection of flora and fauna can also be seen here. 

With a collection like this, this museum is surely a must-go place when you are visiting Jambi. 

Ottoman Sultanate Golden Medallion





Thursday, March 3, 2011

Destination: Sumatra --> Riau

  • Culture & Heritage:
  1. Muara Takus Temple
Located around 120 kilometers from Pekanbaru, the capital city of Riau, this temple is the largest and the most well-preserved ancient temple in Sumatra. It is still uncertain when the temple was built. but a theory suggests that it was built around the eleventh century.

The temple is a Buddhist temple complex that is surrounded by a 74 meters times 74 meters wall. with another 1.5 kilometers times 1.5 kilometers rampart surrounding this. Inside the complex are Candi Tua, Candi Bungsu, Candi Palangka and the Mahligai stupa. Candi Tua is the largest of all, with a height of 8.5 meters and a base  measuring 32.8 meters times 21.8 meters. Candi Bungsu maybe is the most unique of all, it was constructed from two different kinds of stone, red stone and sandstone. Candi Palangka is constructed from red stone but only reaches 1.45 meters. The Mahligai stupa is the tallest of all, reaching a height of 14.3 meters on top of an octagonal base. On top of it are lion figures. 

This place is a good choice for those of you who are interested in knowing more about the Sriwijaya Kingdom.


Candi Muara Takus




    2. Desa Wisata Buluh Cina


This village is home to 1,500 inhabitants which are divided into two tribes, the Melayu tribe and the Domo tribe. Being the oldest village in the area, it played a role in the rise of other villages such as Watas Hutan village and Baru village.


Desa Wisata Buluh Cina offers you many wonderful things, like traditional houses and a museum which preserves tools that were passed down by the two tribes' ancestors. You can also take a closer look at the locals' way of living. Take a stroll beside the river to see kids jumping into the water to take a bath. Visit the eleven lakes that surround the village to fish with the locals in small boats or just enjoy the natural beauty.  Or you can trek the surrounding jungle to see some local wildlife such as deers, armadillos and hedgehogs.


A very nice place to learn about the local culture or just relax after hard, busy days.


  • Eco-tourism:
  1. Pantai Rupat
Pantai Rupat
The most beautiful beach in Riau, Pantai Rupat is blessed with white sandy beaches and calm waves. Every year it is visited by thousands of tourists from many parts of the country, and because it is located across Malaysia, it is also visited by foreigners. 

Here you can enjoy a dip at the calm, clean water with no worries about the waves. You can enjoy the sun by sun-bathing on the white sandy beach and enjoy the view of mountains in the neighboring country. The Rumah Togok, the floating houses of the fishermen are also quite a view.

   2. Pantai Selat Baru

Pantai Selat Baru
Pantai Selat Baru is the second most beautiful beach Riau has after Pantai Rupat. Located just 7 kilometers north of the city of Bengkalis, it is blessed with soft sandy beach that spans 2 kilometers and calm waves, making it a popular tourist attraction.


Every year you can some festivals held by the locals here, like boat race and kite contest. You can also see many art performance such as traditional dance. Or you can just relax on the beach while watching seagulls dive in the water to catch their preys.





Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Restaurant: Japan --> Cabe Indonesian Restaurant

For those of you who want to try some Indonesian food, you can come to Cabe in Meguro. It serves many Indonesian food and beverages, as well as desserts. The atmosphere here will surely make you feel like you are in Indonesia!







For more information, check out the homepage: http://www.cabe-eco.com/index.html