KOMODO ISLANDS

Komodo island is one of the 17, 508 islands in the republic of Indonesia. It is part of the East Nusa Tenggara province. Komodo Island has a surface area of 390 km2 and permanent population of over 2,000. The most populations are Islam but there are also Christian and Hindu. In addition, the island is a popular destination for diving. On November 11, 2011, The Komodo island is included to New 7 Wonders of Nature list.

There are some unique fauna that live on Komodo Island. One of those is the Komodo Dragon, the largest lizard in the earth, takes its name from the island. Komodo is a type of monitor lizard which inhabits Komodo Island and some of the smaller surrounding islands. Javan deer also inhabit the island and the other animals includes buffalo, civets, cockatoo.

Komodo Island also contains a beach with pink sand. There are only seven beaches which have pink sand in the world. The sand becomes pink because it is a mixture of white sand and red sand.

MOUNT RINJANI

Mount Rinjani on Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara, may soon be classed as a geopark, a nationally protected area containing a number of geological heritage sites of importance, rarity or aesthetic appeal.

An official at the province’s Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, Heriyadi Rahmat, said UNESCO had accepted nominations to include Mount Rinjani in the global geopark network.

The UN body has also accepted similar nominations for Mount Batur in Bangli regency, Bali; and Mount Sewu in Pacitan, East Java.

Heriyadi, who is also the coordinator of the team that proposed Rinjani’s inclusion into the network, said they are currently preparing to complete the application form.

He said the form includes information that identifies Rinjani’s region, geological description, economic situation (from population, infrastructure and manpower), natural landscape (climate, biology and habitat) as well as human activities (archeological and cultural heritage).

“The form includes management plans and structure, policy strategy, sustainable development and action plans,” said Heriyadi, who is a member of the Indonesian Geologists Association.

“Rinjani meets physical requirements to become a geopark.”

His team has recently met with Director General of Tourism Destination at the Culture and Tourism Ministry to discuss the proposal.

UNESCO’s assessment team, comprising members from China, France, Italy and Malaysia, is expected to arrive and verify the Rinjani proposal in April.

The UNESCO team will also verify two other sites, Mount Batur and Mount Sewu.
The world heritage sites are part of an integrated concept of protection, education and sustainable development.

As of August 2009, 64 national geoparks in 19 states are members of the Global Network of National Geoparks assisted by UNESCO.

Southeast Asia only has one, on Langkawi Island in Malaysia.

Once included in the network, Rinjani’s management responsibility will be shared and UNESCO will assist in its promotion.

Heriyadi said the proposal to include Mount Rinjadi as one of the geoparks under UNESCO was put forth in mid-2008.

The process is ongoing, including with the team’s presentation at the 11th Geo Southeast Asia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in June last year.

“Rinjani meets physical requirements to become a geopark,” Heriyadi said.

The 3,726-meter mountain is a unique site, with the presence of crescent-shaped Segara Anak lake on its crater and active volcano Baru Jari nearby.

Mount Rinjani is the second-highest volcano in the country after the 3,800-meter Mount Kerinci in Sumatra. Its peak is located on the eastern park of the caldera, where a new active volcano has emerged.

Based on research, the mountain had several major eruptions, which formed extraordinary natural stone morphology within the Mount Rinjani National Park area.

The mountain, as part of the national park, is currently managed by Rinjani Trek Management Board, a body comprising members of the government, NGOs, the community and tourism businesspeople.

Since managed by the board, the mountain has received several awards, locally and internationally, including the 2004 World Legacy Award and was finalist of the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards in 2005 and 2008.

Apart from its extraordinary scenery and unique flora and fauna, the region is also home to rich traditional customs, traditions and communities.

Last year along, the park was visited by 4,800 foreign tourists and 3,500 domestic ones.

“As a volcano, Rinjani has great geotourism potential with its scenic caldera, lake, crater, waterfall, hot water spring, its eruption history and many more,” he said.

However, he noted low support from the provincial administration on the proposal, saying it was maybe because the idea being put forward by the professional organization, not the geologists association.

Other proposals, both in Bali and East Java, came from the local administrations.
Head of Tourism and Culture Office Lalu Gita Aryadi, was hopeful the proposal could be realized.

WEH ISLANDS

Weh Island or Pulau Weh or Pulo Weh (by the local population commonly referred to only as "Sabang", the name of the largest city) is a small active volcanic island to the northwest of Sumatra, 45 minutes by fast regular ship or 2 hours by ferry from mainland, Banda Aceh.^[2] It was originally connected to the Sumatran mainland and became separated by sea after the volcano's last eruption in the Pleistocene era.^[1] The island is situated in the Andaman Sea. The largest city on the island,Sabang, is the northernmost outpost of Indonesia.

The island is known for its ecosystem; the Indonesian government has declared 60 square kilometres (23 sq mi) of inland and sea around the island as a wildlife protection area. A rare megamouth shark species was found on shore and the island is the only habitat for the threatened toad, Bufo valhallae (genus Bufo). Coral reef areas around the island are known for their large variety of fish species.

THOUNSAND ISLANDS

The modern history of the Thousand Islands begins with its role in the defenses of the city of Batavia for the VOC and the Dutch colonial empire. Since the establishment of Batavia in 1610, Onrust island has been a naval base.

After the VOC failed to obtain control of trade at Banten in 1610, the Dutch obtained permission from Prince Jayakarta to build a dock at one of the islands in Jakarta Bay as a place to repair and equip ships sailing to Asia, particularly South East Asia. The island Prince Jayakarta assigned to the VOC was Onrust Island, a 12 hectare island 14 km from Jakarta.

Map of Onrust Island (1650)

In 1615 the VOC built a shipyard and a small storage house on the island, which Jan Pieterszoon Coen hoped would eventually develop into a trade and defence base against threats from Banten and England (1618). The VOC constructed a small rectangular fort with two bastions in 1656; the bastions protruded from the fort and were used as look-out posts.^[4] The Dutch enlarged the fort in 1671 and gave it an asymmetrical pentagonal shape with a bastion in each corner. The whole structure was made of red bricks and coral. In 1674 additional storage buildings were built.^[4]

In 1795, the position of the Dutch in Batavia became quite uncertain due to the war in Europe, and the situation became worse with the appearance in 1800 of a British naval squadron under the command of Captain Henry Lidgbird Ball of HMS Daedalus. Daedalus, HMSSybille, HMS Centurion and HMS Braave entered the area, which they referred to as Batavia Roads. They seized five Dutch armed vessels and destroyed 22 other vessels. Onrust island was under siege by the British and eventually destroyed.

After the British departed, the Dutch rebuilt the buildings and facilities, completing the work in 1806. However, a second British attack, led by Admiral Edward Pellew, again destroyed the fort. When the British occupied Batavia in 1810, they repaired the buildings in Onrust island until prior to their leaving Indonesia in 1816.^[4]

Onrust island again received attention in 1827 during the period of Governor General G.A.Baron Van Der Capellen and activities in the island were normal again in 1848. In 1856 a floating shipyard was built. However, the construction of Tanjung Priok harbour in 1883 resulted in a decline in the role and significance of Onrust island.^[4]

The island Onrust and Kuyper Islands served to quarantine returning Hajj pilgrims in 1925.

In 1911-1933, Onrust island became a quarantine station for pilgrims returning from the Hajj. A barrack was built in 1911 that contained 35 units for about 100 pilgrims.^[5] From 1933 until 1940, the Dutch used Onrust to hold the mutineers involved in the Incident of the Seven Ships (Zeven Provincien). In 1940, the Dutch used it to hold Germans, such as Steinfurt, who was the Chief Administrator of Onrust Island. After the Japanese invaded Indonesia in 1942, the role of Onrust island declined again and it became a prison for serious criminals.^[4]

After Indonesia proclaimed her independence, the island became a leprosarium under the control of the Indonesia Ministry of Health, until 1960. The leprosarium then relocated to Post VII at Tanjung Priok harbour.

After a coup by General Suharto, Chris Soumokil, who had proclaimed a Republic of South Moluccas with himself as president, was arrested and held at Onrust. Later he was executed there on 21 April 1966, by order of President Suharto.^[6][7]

In 1972 Ali Sadikin, then governor of Jakarta, declared Onrust Island a protected historical site. In 2002 the administration made Onrust and its three neighbors - the islands of Cipir, Kelor and Bidadari - an archaeological park to protect the artifacts and ruins on the islands that date back to the time of the Dutch East India Company.

MOUNT SEMERU , BROMO , TENGGERESE

This national park is named after its two mountains, Mount Semeru (the highest in Java at 3,676m), Mount Bromo (the most popular) and the Tengger people who inhabit the area.

Mount Semeru also known as Mahameru("Great Mountain"), is one of Indonesia's most active volcanoes. What stands out most about this mountain is the fact that it erupts periodically (and very reliably). Every 20min or so, the volcano belches out a huge cloud of steam and smoke, sometimes interspersed with ash and stones. Climbing Mount Semeru requires some planning and a permit from the national park authority. The mountain is often closed due to its highly active nature.

Mount Bromo (2,329m) is easily recognized as the entire top has been blown off and the crater inside constantly belches white sulphurous smoke. It sits inside the massive Tengger caldera. with a diameter of approximately 10km, surrounded by the Laut Pasir (Sea of Sand) of fine volcanic sand. The overall effect is unsettlingly unearthly, especially when compared to the lush green valleys all around the caldera.

The major access point is Cemoro Lawang (also Cemara Lawang or Cemora Lawang - blame the East Javanese accent!) at the northeastern edge of the caldera, but there are also trails from Tosari (northwest) and Ngadas (southwest). The village of Ngadisari, on the road from Probolinggo about 5.5km before Cemoro Lawang, marks the entrance to the national park. Both Cemoro Lawang and Ngadisari are rather picturesque, with brightly-painted houses and flower beds outside.

The area in and around the park is inhabited by the Tenggerese, one of the few significant Hindu communities left on the island of Java. The local religion is a remnant from the Majapahit era and therefore quite similar to that on Bali but with even more animist elements. The Tenggerese are believed to be descendants of the Majapahit princes and were driven into the hills after mass arrivals in the area of devoutly Muslim Madurese in the 19th century. These Madurese immigrants were labourers working for Dutch coffee plantation owners and the native Hindu people of the region soon found themselves outnumbered and either converted to Islam or fled to the inhospitable high mountain tops where they remain today.

The religion is quite low key though (certainly when compared to Bali) with the most visible manifestation of faith being the rather austere Poten temple in the sea of sand. The Tenggerese number about 600,000 and they reside in 30 villages scattered in and around the park with smaller communities elsewhere in East Java.

For many visitors, the sight of the angular-faced, sunburned, moustachioed Tenggerese wrapped in poncho-like blankets, trotting about on ponies with craggy mountains as the backdrop, more resembles Peru than Indonesia.

LOSARI BEACH

Losari beach is a beautiful beach and located on the edge city of Makassar. It is located only about 3 km from the center of Makassar (Karebosi Park). The beach used to be the longest café in Asia, because many cafes stand in along the beach, but now the cafes are collected in a special place so it does not spread along the coast. Charm of the beach is mainly seen in the evening when the sunset stands out. This is a major attraction of people’s coming to the Losari beach. Every evening hundreds of people come to witness the panorama of red as the sun will disappear into the ocean, so do not miss the sunset at the Losari beach. If the sky is sunny, the scenery is absolutely perfect. Because of its location in a bay, the water of Losari is even often quiet as usual pool water.

Losari is its waterfront of Makassar. The lengthy of the beach is approximately one kilometer and it is a public space that can be accessed by anyone. On this beach there is a park called the Pelataran Bahari (Marine Park), with semicircular area of nearly one hectare. This place is a plaza with a clean floor for children to play and running around, while parents and teens sit on concrete benches to enjoy the sea breeze. From this place, you are also free to view out to the sea and watch the sunset slowly turns reddish in the line of the horizon. The reflected light also creates sheen on the surface of sea water.

The Pelataran Bahari also serves as the stadium of open water to watch the coastal waters in front of Losari beach. This coastal water is often used as a racecourse jet ski, boat races and traditional boat jolloro katinting, or become a transit point of rely of Sandeq traditional sailboats and yachts.

In Losari there are also a few hotels. Some of them qualified as a tree stars hotel. The hotel is offering panoramic beauty of the sea with luxury service treats. There are Losari Beach Hotel, Losari Beach Inn, Makassar Golden Hotel, and Pantai Gapura Hotel. All of the hotels located in Jalan Penghibur.

MOUNT JAYAWIJAYA

If you think that in the tropics will not find snow-capped mountains, you can rectify these assumptions after visiting Jayawijaya Peak, the highest peaks in the Sudirman Mountains (Sudirman Range) in the province of Papua. Peak Jayawijaya or shorter called Puncak Jaya, has a height reaching 4884 + meters above sea level (asl), allowing the area covered by eternal snow.
However, eternal snow is expected to shrink, even dry. In some studies concluded that the deposits of ice in these mountains from year to year experienced a serious depreciation. Depreciation in the Sudirman Mountains the snow is caused by global warming. Thus, it is not possible someday it will lose the snow mountains as it did on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Well, before the estimates were actually become real, it could not hurt you to try to conquer the highest peak in Indonesia.
In addition known as Puncak Jaya, the highest peak is also known as Carstensz Pyramide, or Carstensz Peak. The name was taken from a traveler from the Netherlands, namely January Carstensz, who first saw the snowy peaks in the tropics, specifically in New Guinea. The observation was made by Jan Carstensz via a marine vessel in 1623. Because there can be proved by direct observation, the report was considered absurd. Because, for Europeans, find the snowy mountains in the tropics is something that is almost impossible.

Truth Carstensz report revealed after nearly three hundred years later, when in 1899 a Dutch expedition to map the island of Papua and find snow-capped mountain peaks, as reported by the Carstensz. In honor of Carstensz, then the top of the mountain was later named as the name implies. While the designation Jayawijaya Peak is a gift of President Sukarno after successfully embrace the sovereignty of West Papua from the Netherlands. This name implies â € œpuncak kemenanganâ €??, As an expression of gratitude for the unification of West Papua by the Unitary Republic of Indonesia.
The first recorded climbers have conquered the Puncak Jaya is the expedition team led by Heinrich Harrer in 1962. Heinrich Harrer is an accomplished climber and seasoned authors. His famous book, Seven Years in Tibet, is the true story of wandering and friendship in the Himalayas, Tibet. Before Harrer, actually has a lot of other hikers who attempt the climb, but no one has ever succeeded. After Heinrich Harrer, following the expedition reached the summit of Indonesia. Expedition led by Col. Anwar Hamid Letnal of the Army Topographic Directorate is successfully reaching the Puncak Jaya in 1964.

Jayawijaya mountain is known as one of the world's seven highest peaks (seven summit). Therefore, peak climbing as high as 4884 meters above sea level are the ideals of a true climber, let alone climb to the Puncak Jaya is the conquest of the snow-covered mountain. The obstacles presented in the ascent, as the natural condition of the steep, extremely cold temperatures, high winds and rain, and the lack of oxygen at high altitudes is a challenge that must be conquered by the climbers.
Jayawijaya Peak is one of the snowy mountain peaks that exist at the crossing of the equator, in addition to the mountains in Africa and Latin America. When viewed from the air, Jayawijaya Peak looks like a black carpet that was covered by a white hood. If the sun was bright, the snow will reflect the blinding sunlight. The content of ice in these mountains is an estimated 5 percent of world reserves of ice outside the continent of Antarctica. However, due to global warming, the amount of shrinking year by year. When viewed from the type glaciers, snow-covered area in Jayawijaya enter into any type of Alpine glaciation. While the glacier (snow lumeran flow) in this region into the Glacier Valley types, namely the flow of glaciers that flow from the high ground towards the lower regions. Therefore, in this area is possible there are rivers of ice.
Not only enjoy the natural charm of snow in the tropics, in these mountains visitors can also witness evidence about the geological history of the formation of Jayawijaya Mountains. Geological studies find empirical evidence that the mountain was originally a deep seafloor. A geologist named Francis Benedict Widodo Margotomo mention that the formation of New Guinea with a peak in Jayawijaya occurred about 60 million years ago. The island is formed from sedimentary rocks are uplifted by the impact of Indo-Pacific plate and the Indo-Australian on the seabed, resulting in elevated sea floor was transformed into a large island. Evidence can be seen from the fossils of marine animals left in the rocks Jayawijaya Mountains. Therefore, in addition to being a paradise for hikers, this region is also a paradise for geological research.

KARIMUNJAWA (JAVA HIDDEN PARADISE)

It's time to go to Karimunjawa island when you hear the boat's whistle, either your lovely 6 hours Ferry ship riding from Kartini port of Jepara (137 km from Jogja) or 4 hours Medium fastboat riding when you take Tanjung Mas port in Semarang (95 km from Jogja) as your starting point. Do not think you'll get such a long and dull journey to get  there. It's such an lovely journey when you feel the wind in your face, while your eyes can't stop enjoying sight seeing around the beautiful blue sea. If you're lucky enough, there's a chance for you to see group of dolphins following your ship. While you're enjoying this excitement, in no time your ship is arrive at Karimunjawa island. Time for more fun!

Karimunjawa is an archipelago in the Java Sea, Indonesia, approximately 80 kilometres northwest of Jepara. The island name means "a stone's throw from Java" in Javanese. The main island is also known as karimun. 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.

Karimunjawa offers good diving experience. Various small islands around Karimunjawa are available for diving and snorkling. Pulau Tengah, Tanjung Gelam, and Menjangan Besar  offers you the most beautiful scenes you have ever seen in your life. The reefs have 35 types of hard corals, sponges, gorgonian, soft and red corals, mixtures of fringing, barrier, and patch with bottom depths ranging from 15 to 40 meters. During your diving time, you'll be accompanying by  amazing 240 or more variety of fish. Their variouscolour and size will give you a kind of feeling that you're living in giant aquarium. You could also ask for  wreck diving session at the island of Batu Kunci, Karang Kapal, Karang Ketel, and Batulawang. If you're not familiar with diving, you can still enjoy the beautiful sea of these islands by snorkling, which is the safest way to see beautiful scenes  down there.

If diving and snorkling are not enough for you, swimming with sharks will give you more adrenalin rush. A shark's captivity in Menjangan island serve you with numbers of various sharks. While your adrenalin pumped up to the highest level, it is really safe for you to swim around those sharks  especially when local guide with maximum experience swims beside you. There's nothing to worry about in this rare experience.

Fishing is another good story of Karimunjawa, a fishing boat will happily takes you to the fishing spot of Karimunjawa island and few small islands around. Snappers, mackerels, squids and other kinds of fish are available here, to catch some fishes in the afternoon will give you stocks of delicious dinner along with fresh coconuts water  from the coconut trees that easily found around the island. These can be done almost every afternoon in Karimunjawa.

It's almost evening when you're back from fisihing , all you have to do then is fire up the grill for those fishes, setup the dinner  on your favourite spot around the beach. Ready?  Enjoy your dinner then,  while watching the beautiful sunset welcomes you  in Karimunjawa island.

Text. Arya Ishtadeva
web : http://www.tourjogja.com/berita-216-karimunjawa-island-java-hidden-paradise.html

HEAVEN OF EARTH

Raja Ampat Island

The Raja Ampat Island in Irian is group spreads out over a huge area and consists of over 610 islands. The four largest islands are Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati and Misool. The area's reefs are covered in a diverse selection of both hard and soft corals. Most of the areas reefs are pristine, with mile after mile of perfect hard corals, drift after drift of soft corals of many species and colors ranging from brilliant red, to shocking yellow pretty pink and exotic purple. Most reef dives are very colorful. The tourist would be able to experience the best dives sites within those islands, which include Cape Kri, Mellisa's Garden, Sardines Reef, The Passage, Nudibranch Rock, Wai Island Night Dive.

Raja Ampat is the western island of Papua Island. The name of Raja Ampat based on the legend. This area had begun with 6 eggs that found by King Waikew in Waigeo Island. But from the 6 eggs, just 5 eggs had crack. The last was become an egg stone till now on.

From the fifth eggs that had cracked, the 4 eggs was become men who become King of four big islands that is Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati and Misool. While the one egg became a woman, had wash away and stranded in Biak Island. That woman was born a child named Gura Besi that known as the historical man of Raja Ampat, because of his heroic story.

The regency that formed based on the constitution number 26 in 2002, is the development of Sorong regency on 12 April 2003. This area has 46.000 km2. But, 85% of this area is archipelago area. There are 610 islands in this area. But most of them have no social life. This regency has 10 districts and 85 villages with about 48.707 men.

Geographically, this area has strategic location. Its boundaries is:

• North side: Pacific Ocean
• West Side: North Maluku
• South side: Maluku Sea
• East Side: Sorong Regency

For the fauna sector, Raja Ampat has rarely fauna, such as; red birds of paradise (Paradise Rubra), Wilson birds of paradise (Cicinnurs Republica), Maleo Waigeo (Spilocuscus Papuensis), and rainbow fishes. Hence, for the flora, Raja Ampat has many kinds of Orchids, Waigeo palm, ironwoods or black woods, 'keruing', 'ulin' woods, etc.

Because of its various nature profit, Raja Ampat will declared by Maritime Ministry Freddy Numberi as ancient regency, based on its location that not only rich of fishes, but also its sea herb and the pearl.

KUTA BEACH

Kuta Beach is a beautiful beach in a southern Bali. Its location is in Badung Regency, 9 km from Denpasar, the capital of Bali exactly near Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport. Kuta is one of the first towns with substantial tourist development and also remains one of Indonesia's major tourist destinations. Its long sandy beach is known internationally, with its varied accommodation, many restaurants and bars, and many renowned surfers.

It is also well-known as the right place for people to see scenic sunset in the afternoon. People who come to Bali will be very unlucky if they do not see the panoramic sunset in this town. It is real that tourists feel happy to be there. They can sunbathe, swim, surf, play soccer beach, kite flying, play volleyball or just take a walk. Yes, they can do many activities in this beach for its complete beach activities. For persons who like playing soccer, do not forget to try the game with some locals. The locals usually set up the goal posts between Hard Rock Cafe and Discovery Shopping Mall at 16.00.

When the day becomes dark, the nightlife of Kuta often begins too late, at around 23.00. The scene is full of different atmospheres and entertainment in bars and pubs which some of them give live bands, fashion shows, DJ's and sexy dancers. Being hungry and hoping to have a dinner, many restaurants are ready to serve their best recipes with a lot of international cuisines. Some of the famous restaurants in Kuta are B' Couple Bar N' Grill, Blue Fin, ESC, Flapjacks, Gabah Restaurant & Bar, Kopi Pot, Kori Restaurant & Bar, Maccaroni Restaurant & Bar, Made's Warung, Papa's Cafe, Queen's Tandoor, Sailfin, Stadium Cafe, Sushi Tei, Take Restaurant and so on.

Needing a hotel around Kuta beach, do not worry because Kuta also offers its best varied hotels and resorts which most of the them give beachfront locations with their various styles and budget ranges. In these hotels and resorts you can choose your best. It is really the worth town to visit. Kuta with its beauty of the beach will make the tourists feel satisfied and hope to visit it back. Believe it or not, though for 50 years ago Kuta is the village of fishermen nowadays it is called as the International City because this town is the place where tourists all over the world meet each other.

- See more at: http://www.englishindo.com/2012/02/descriptive-text-about-kuta-beach.html#sthash.lb2qBsZu.dpuf