YOGYAKARTA

The mornig after, in your first walk by the city, you will discover the station on its more corlorful aspect and with a busy trafic.Today's Yogyakarta in some 500,000 people are living and welcoming a large number of tourists, as 'Jogja', how it is often spelt nowadays, is the most popular destination on Java.

The Central Javanese cities of Yogyakarta and Surakarta (Solo) are centres of classical Javanese culture. The ancient arts have been encouraged by the royal families of these two sultanates under whose patronage the performing arts and others aspects of Javanese culture have flourished. There are numerous music and dance schools, brilliant choreographer, drama and poetry workshops, folk theatre and wayang troupes, artists excelling in the plastic arts.

The Bird Market (Pasar Burung Ngasem)
Besides a house, a keris (dagger), a wife and a horse, a perkutut (turtle dove) is very much cherished for its mellow cooing, which makes it one of the five items the old Javanese hold up as a symbol of prestige A Javanese man should have these five possessions to show his success in society. A slight variety in the tone and pitch of its voice make quite a difference in price, while a real "champion" would easily reach the value of brand new motor car.
The price of possessing of a lovely singing turtle dove would be an acceptable reason for the passionate attachment of the owner to his pampered pet. No wonder despite the hard day life, there is money for the Yogyanese to spare for birds. There are singing contests organized annually and much care is given to this branch of hobby.
Although turtle doves predominate, other kinds of bird are sold at Ngasem Market. Ornithologists may find a variety of tropical birds available, and the interesting and beautiful bird cages displayed on the wayside near the market place is a fascinating sight. Business is from 9am to 4pm.


Parang Tritis Beach
A popular seaside resort 27 kms south of Yogyakarta on the Indian Ocean, Parang Tritis is famous in Javanese mythology as the home of the goddess of the South Seas, who was married to Panembahan Senopati, founder of the Mataram Kingdom. Every year the sultans of Yogyakarta make special offerings to her in a beach side ceremony called “Labuhan”.


Mendut Temple
The Mendut temple is another km east, back towards Muntilan. It may be small and insignificant compared with its mighty neighbor, Borobudur, but this temple is the most outstanding statue of any temple in Java can still be seen in its proper place - a magnificent three meter high figure of Buddha, flanked by the Budhisattravas Lokesvara on the left and Vairapana on the right. The Buddha is also notable for his posture, for instead of the usual lotus position he sits Western style, with both feet on the ground.
The Mendut temple, known as the temple in the bamboo grove, was discovered in 1836 and attempts to restore it were made by the Dutch between 1897 and 1904. Although parts of the roof and entrance remain unfinished, it is nevertheless a fine temple and the gracefully carved relief panels on its outer walls are among the finest and largest examples of Hindu-Javanese art.

LAMPUNG : PLACES OF INTEREST

Bandar Lampung
The capital of Lampung has several interesting places such as the Museum and the Monument of the Krakatau Eruption, as well as Tapis textiles or art and dance performances.

Museum of Lampung
Located of Teuku Umar Street, it can be reached within 15 minutes from the centre of Bandar Lampung. It contains ethnographic and archaeological collections, Chinese ceramics, traditional music instrument, ancient Tapis cloth and ornaments.

Way Kambas Reserve and Way Wako River
Way Kambas is 2 hours drive from Bandar Lampung. 130,000 hectares of area on Lampung's East coast Way Kambas is the best place to watch wild Sumatra elephants, tigers and many species of birds. Motorboats can be hired at Way Kanan for cruising around and up the river.

Elephant Training Centre
Way Kambas Elephanet training is an international project which is partly founded by the World Wildlife Found., The aim of training them is to make the captured elephant be useful to mankind.
Most visitor come to Way Kambas to see the training centre and to have an apportunity to ride on an elephant.
Simple tourist facilities are available at Way Kanan such as lodges, wooden houses on poles, river boats and observation centre. Way Kambas is accecible by car from Bandar Lampung. The activities and special interst are bird wacthing, jungle tracking, seasons of elephant safari, and river cruises.

Way Kanan River
Here can sail along Way Kanan and Way Kambas by canoe or boat to watch the surrounding flora and fauna while in the mouth of Way Kambas, we can do fishing and swimming in the morning, we can safari for 2 hours through the prepared track and listening wild animals roaring and birds singing.

Krakatau
Here can sail along Way Kanan and Way Kambas by canoe or boat to watch the surrounding flora and fauna while in the mouth of Way Kambas, we can do fishing and swimming in the morning, we can safari for 2 hours through the prepared track and listening wild animals roaring and birds singing.

Pugung Archaeological Site
Located in Pagung Raharjo village, 40 kms northeast of Bandar Lampung is a site of megalith and prehistoric relics, as well those of the classical Hindu-Buddhist period.

Merak Belantung Beach
Located 40 kms south of Bandar Lampung, on the way to the seaport of Bekauheni, the beach is ideal for swinuning and wind surfing. Cottages are available.

RIAU

The Siak Sultanate's

Park This Moorish style palace of the Sultan of Sick, 120 kilometers upsteam from Pekanbaru on the siak river, was built in 1889 by Sultan Syarif Hasyim Abdul Jalil Syarifuddin. Now a museum the palace contains the sultanate's royal paraphernalia and other items of historical interest. Established during the 16th century, the Siak Seri Inderapura sultanate lasted until 1946, when it become victim to the popular upheavals following the Japanese surrender at the close of World War 11.

Tanjung Pinang

A busy little town on Bintan Island, visited by traders from Jakarta, Medan, Palembang and other big cities in Indonesia, Tanjung Pinang is only a two-hour boat ride away from Singapore. The town has a Museum located on jl. Katamso.
A large section of the old part of the town was build in traditional local fashion, on stilts, over the water. Bintan is a good of departure to other islands in the area.

BOGOR

Preciously known as "Beuitenzorg" (Sans soucis or Without worries) during the Dutch colonial era, Bogor actually lies closer to Jakarta (50km) than it does to Bandung (120 km) . Approximately named by the Dutch as a town "without worries", they chose Bogor to be the site for constructing the first palace of the Dutch Governor General way back in 1745. Later restored in 1832, the palace still stands solid and elegant today with its stretched out gardens where deer room freely on the grass under majestically tall old trees.
However, Bogor is famous because of its Botanical Garden which borders the palace Grounds, covering an area of 87 hectares with thousands of species of plantlife from all over the world, including towering age old trees and the rarest kinds of orchids. See the original "Havea Brazilliensis" rubber tree formerly imported from Brazil, and stemless as well as leafless plant. When visiting this Garden, arrange for a permit to visit the neighboring Presidential Place which belonged to the Dutch Governor General before Indonesia's independence. Doing this may be day-long visit by leaving Jakarta in the morning and spend the night in the Puncak mountainous region on your way to Bandung the next day. Here again, the whole car trip will be memorable as scenic tropical beauty all around is really astonishing. You will also pass bay another smaller presidential Palace at Cipanas, the seting of whish is in a colourful and flowery vast garden around this wooden by stylish palace.

MARIBAYA

Since long known for its hot water springs, Maribaya lies north of Bandung which be reached within 30 minutes. The trip itself is worthwhile making, as you will pas through a picturesque road dated with flowery hills and lovely villas all the way. The mountain air is cool and the sulphur-laden water just comfortably hot for swimming as well as for just seaking in. Part of the scenery is a 25 m high waterfall set against a steep mountain cliff.

KRAKATOA VOLCANO
With devastating effects this volcano erupted just over a century ago in 1883, bringing its fine ashes with the windstreams as far away as over New York City, whereas the eruption's tidal waves reached the American West Coast. At that very instant, Krakatoa vanished as if devoured by the sea, cousing formidable tidal waves which in the turn swept off just about everything alive from the surrounding coastal areas. However, the dissapereance of the gigantic Krakatoa also meant the birth of small islands in its palace, one of which called "Anak Krakatoa" or Krakatoa's Child which is at present an extremely active young volcano. From both West Java's West Coast and from Sumatra's Lampung Provinces, this young and active volcano is clearly visible. A boattrip to this place may be worth making.

PANGANDARAN KARANG NINI and BATU HIU

This is the second beach resort area on the Indian Ocean after Pelabuhan Ratu. It certainly equals the latters's awe-inspring natural beauty, however, it has the disadvantage of being so far off from Bandung (233 km) and event more so from Jakarta (400 km). Road conditions are good, thus making the trip by car or bus recommendable. However, if you prefer to take the train, get into the Bandung Yogyakarta Espress train and get off at the Banjar railroad station about 4 hour later. From here it will be another 50 km by bus to Pangandaran. The beach is called Penanjung, where most of the cottagges and hotels are located, however, of modest ratings. Nothing luxurious should be expected.
Pangandaran is specially of interst to nature lovers, as there is a wildlife reserve in the vicinity where wild birds and another indigneous animals live about freely to be enjoyed by visitors. Here too, the white beaches are fine, the ocean ever so blue and the seafood superb. Twelve kilometres before arriving at Pangandaran you will sea a huge rock on the beach which is called Karang Nini. A forest Conservation Park is located right here, which is another place of special interest to nature lovers. Neearby is camping ground which has basic facilities suitbale for the younger set. Somewhat further out, west of Pangandaran, diving 23 km on the way perigi, lies Batu

Hiu, meaning Shark's Rock, which is a coastoal rock having the shape of a shark. Closebya recreation park is found where you can have an andless open ocean view and enjoy nature at its best.

PELABUHAN RATU BEACH

Formerly just a plain fishing village it has now grown in to a lovely holiday resort, more and more visited by holiday makers from Jakarta and Bandung, a mere three-hour drive from either city through cool mountain village with picturesque sceneries. Gradually but surely this area will catch up with the pace of development as is the case with Carita on the extreme West coast of Java. Pelabuhan Ratu-Cisolok is a 15 km stretch of breathtaking beauty with hills, mountains and very wide sandy beaches everywhere around you, set against the deep blue Indian Ocean. Truly rare is the fact that thick tropical forests on rolling hills are found right next to stretches of white beaches. Taking walks uphil unable the visitor to look down on the horseshoe shape of the boy's coastline, whereas at night hundreds of fishermen's boatlamps are seemingly competing and romantic. There is one four-star hotel, the Samudera beach, about 6 km from Pelabuhan Ratu, but several other smaller hotels and cottages are available at moderate rates

BADUY CULTURAL CONSERVATION

The Baduy community in Banten is an utterly unique and closed society which can be reached via a 10 km village road from either Cibolegar village or Cibungur village in the Leuwidamar district. The 50 km road from Rangkasbitung is steep. In April and May, the Baduy Community is closed to outsiders, as during this time it commemorates certain ceremonies among ceremony, called Seba, is the offering of port of their agricultural products to the Head of the District, Sub-Regent and the Chief resident. During this ceremony the "Puun of Baduy" sends out a group of representatives of Baduy Dalem people as well as Baduy Luar to act as the community's spokesmen. When conducting this Seba ceremony the Baduy Dalam members refuse to ride any vehicle, instead, the distance of 150 km is traveled on food as proof of their perseverance. To enter this very special Baduy area, one should obtain written permission from the Rangkasbitung District Office stating the purpose of the visit which my take on whole week process.

UJUNG KULON

On the southern tip of West Java is a wildlife reserve of 51.000 hectares covering the Ujung Kulon peninsula and the nearby islands of Panaitan and Peucang. The reserve is a dense forest and is the home of the last surviving one-horned rhinoceros of which only 50 remain. Ujung Kulon is accessible by boat and the closest departure point is Labuan on the west coast.
An entry permit is needed, issued by the Forestry Service (Perlindungan Hutan dan Pelestarian Alam) at Labuan. The dense forest provides a natural habitat for many species of rhinoceros, wild ox, deer, wild boar, phanters, crocodiles, snakes and birds. Visitors are only allowed to the buffer zone where rustic accommodation is available on Peucang island where towers are erected to be able to observe the animals undisturbed.
Marine life in the surrounding seas is a kaleidoscope of colours. Beautiful sea gardens are found off Peucang and Panaitan islands and the south coast just below Tanjung Layar offer spectacular deepdiving for scuba facilities in Ujung Kulon. On the western tip of the peninsula is a lighthouse built by the Dutch which stands near the site of the ruins of old one.
A stay at least two days on the reserve is recommended where food provisions should be taken along.

Bromo mountain in east java

Most wonderful mountain in east java.

BALI ISLAND

The island of Bali is blessed with the line of beaches surrounding it.

Sanur.
On the southeastern side of Bali, Sanur beach is easily reachable from Denpasar, about a 5 to 10 minute drive. Sanur is an excellent site to watch the sun rises, as you jog along the white sandy beach. Being one of the first resort developed in Bali, Sanur maintains its traditions. Only a stone thrown away from the beach, ancient temples stand as solemn as they have been in centuries past.

Kuta and Legian
Practically on the opposite side of Sanur, the beaches of Kuta and Legian stretch on the southwestern side of Bali, again only about 5 to 10 minute drive from Denpasar or the airport. Surfing is a major activity in these beaches. Shops, Kecak dance performances, pubs, and other facilities make Kuta a tourist mecca.

Jimbaran
Jimbaran is directly south of the airport, on the way from Denpasar towards Nusa Dua. The village of Jimbaran is the narrow neck of the island of Bali, and thus it has two remarkably different beaches. On the west, Jimbaran Beach faces the Jimbaran Bay, recently lined by new luxurious resorts. On the east, the beach faces the body of water sheltered by Benoa Harbor.

Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua is a new luxurious resort area where the world's most sumptuous hotels gracefully integrate into the beautiful white beaches. Crystal clear water provides excellent snorkeling and diving site, and the waves on the northern and the southern part of Nusa Dua allow for great surfing opportunity.

Soka Beach
Further northwest from Denpasar, on the way to Gilimanuk, the ferry port town that connects Bali and Java, there is a small quiet beach called Soka Beach.

Medewi Beach
Continuing along the path towards Gilimanuk, near the village of Pulukan, the beach of Medewi is another beautiful beach.

Lovina Beach
Near the northern tip of the island of Bali lies a stretch of villages by the Bali Sea. Lovina Beach is the name. It is well known as an excellent site for sunset watching, snorkeling, and diving. Night life activities are also abound, as well as chartered boats to go out into the sea. If you like what Kuta offers but do not like the crowd, Lovina Beach is for you.

all about Borobudur in yogyakarta

Borobudur is a ninth century Mahayana Buddhist monument in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. The monument comprises six square platforms topped by three circular platforms, and is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. A main dome is located at the center of the top platform, and is surrounded by seventy-two Buddha statues seated inside perforated stupa.

The monument is both a shrine to the Lord Buddha and a place for Buddhist pilgrimage. The journey for pilgrims begins at the base of the monument and follows a path circumambulating the monument while ascending to the top through the three levels of Buddhist cosmology, namely, Kamadhatu (the world of desire); Rupadhatu (the world of forms); and Arupadhatu (the world of formless). During the journey, the monument guides the pilgrims through a system of stairways and corridors with 1,460 narrative relief panels on the wall and the balustrades.

Evidence suggests Borobudur was abandoned following the fourteenth century decline of Buddhist and Hindu kingdoms in Java, and the Javanese conversion to Islam. It was rediscovered in 1814 by Sir Thomas Raffles, the British ruler of Java. Borobudur has since been preserved through several restorations. The largest restoration project was undertaken between 1975 and 1982 by the Indonesian government and UNESCO, following which the monument was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Borobudur is still used for pilgrimage, where once a year Buddhists in Indonesia celebrate Vesak at the monument, and Borobudur is Indonesia's single most visited tourist attraction.



There is no written record of who built Borobudur or of its intended purpose. The construction time has been estimated by comparison between carved reliefs on the temple's hidden foot and the inscriptions commonly used in royal charters during the eight and ninth centuries. Borobudur was likely founded around 800 AD. This corresponds to the period between 760–830 AD, the peak of the Sailendra dynasty in central Java,, when it was under the influence of the Srivijayan Empire. The construction has been estimated to have taken 75 years and been completed during the reign of Samaratungga in 825.


There is confusion between Hindu and Buddhist rulers in Java around that time. The Sailendras were known as ardent followers of Lord Buddha, though stone inscriptions found at Sojomerto suggest they may have been Hindus. It was during this time that many Hindu and Buddhist monuments were built on the plains and mountain around the Kedu Plain. The Buddhist monuments, including Borobudur, were erected around the same time as the Hindu Shiva Prambanan temple compound. In 732 AD, the Shivaite King Sanjaya commissioned a Hindu Shiva lingga sanctuary to be built on the Ukir hill, only 10 km (6.2 miles) east of Borobudur.

Indonesia

Some 10 percent of the world's remaining tropical forest is found in Indonesia, which has a total forest area of more than 225,000,000 acres. Of this, 61 percent is lowland evergreen broadleaf rainforest. 429 described species of of birds is onli found in Indonesia rainforest. If you wanna see unique birds in you adventure, come on go to my country. .

picture of rainforest Indonesia