Bangsal trough Gili Islands

We went to Bangsal Harbour from Mataram by Taxi,there is no more transportation to Bangsal, if you lucky you can find Ojek a transportation by motorcycle. And it cost so expensive for go by taxi we just spend $10/IDR 105,000. And then we go to the ticket station and buy ticket to Gili Trawangan for IDR 10,000, we go by traditional boat. It takes 25 minutes.

Bangsal Harbour trough Gili Islands

Bangsal Harbour

Ticket station inside this building on the left side

On the traditional Boat to Gili Trawangan Island

I cacth this sunset while we go by boat! Beauty he?

This is our rooms per night $12

This bathroom but the water is so salty >_<

Our rooms from outside

This boat ticket and it cost $1 for go to Gili T

Snorkling at Paradise Island!! GILI AIR

okay today i just post some photo, im not good on describe how beautifull it was, its really awesome. Honestly im not good on swimming but first time i try snorkling i really enjoy it. I hope u guys will enjoy this picture too
cheerrssss!!

If u lucky u can find more bigger than this! just swim and swim

Beautifull Coral, anyway

Patriicckkk!! LOL

If u bring some food or crackers the fish will come in a big community

Do everyone know this fish? One of character on Finding Nemo :)

Nana

Lyla Syahirah: how blue you do?

Lyla Syahirah: how blue you do?

Borobudur, The buddhist and the history.

No other monument in the world accomplices what Borobudur does. Borobudur was built on a small hill in Kedu Basin, a rich and fertile valley surrounded by spectacular volcanoes. To the east lie Merapi and Merbabu and to the north lies Sumbing and Sindoro. The unusual jagged Menoreh Hills encircle the temple to the South and West. The temple is also located near the meeting place of two rivers, the Elo and the Progo. These rivers are believed to be symbolic of the Gangga and Yamuna, the two rivers feeding the Indus valley in India. The location was most likely chosen for its central location and expansive views. Borobudur lies directly south of Tidar Hill, a small knob on the valley floor which according to myth place nailed the island of Java .

We get senses of the grandness from the landscape when we climb to the final terrace of the monument which opens up into 360 degree view of the magnificent valley. This feeling of freedom and openness evokes the sense of spiritual release that occurs in Buddhist philosophy when someone enters the Arupadhatu, the sphere of enlightenment which is manifested on the final terrace of the monument.

This famous Buddhist temple, dating from the 8th and 9th centuries, is located in central Java. It was built in three tiers: a pyramidal base with five concentric square terraces, the trunk of a cone with three circular platforms and, at the top, a monumental stupa. The walls and balustrades are decorated with fine low reliefs, covering a total surface area of 2,500 m2. No other monument in the world accomplices what Borobudur does, either in term of the sheer scale on which stone panels have been carved to tell the stories about Buddhism, in the more subjective way in which these stories, man of them highly abstract, have been represented which such great artistry.

We know now that the 1.460 narrative panels on Borobudur were created to illustrate five Buddhist scriptures. Although the relief still poses many fascinating problem, scholars have solved the principal mysteries regarding the text which they are based. Various factors made it difficult to identify the stories told in the relief. Artists often depicted the same persons or objects differently in different panels, even in adjacent ones.

They also avoid showing conflicts, violence or suffering – precisely the scenes that are easier to identify. The lowest level has 160 relief’s depicting the law of cause and effect; the middle level contains various stories of Buddha’s life from the Jataka Tales; the highest level has no relief’s or decoration whatsoever has a balcony, square and shape with round walls. around the circular platforms are 72 openwork stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha. The monument was restored with UNESCO's help in the 1970s. source: www.borobudurpark.co.id

Travel tips to Borobudur temple

Always use a tour guide
The best thing you can do to visit bororbudur is using the services of a tour guide. Tour guides at the Borobudur temple is more knowing the ins and outs at Borobudur temple, ranging from history to myth that you may have never heard before. Distinctive style and unique submission of any tour guide, will certainly make your trip more interesting and meaningful.

Visiting in a group
Borobudur temple area manager will arrange a visit by a group consisting of at least 30 people. Each group will be accompanied by the officer who will direct the traffic lane during the Borobudur Temple. To regulate the movement of tourists who visit in large amounts, there are two paths excursions, ie the yellow line and green line. It is made to avoid the buildup of tourists in one place.

Dress
To enter the Borobudur temple area, you are required to dress a polite and courteous. We recommend that you use comfortable cotton clothing. Avoid to use of shoes or sandals with high heels. Use Sandals or comfortable shoes for walking. If you come in the morning, there is a good idea to bring a jacket, the air around the temple of Borobudur will feel very cold when morning. For each adult visitor shall use batik sarong that has been provided. When finished exploring the temple of Borobudur, do not forget to return the sarong.

Time to visit
Borobudur temple area opening hours starting from 6 am till 5 pm. We recommend that you come in June, July, or August. Because, in these months tend to be sunny weather. However, Borobudur is always beautiful at any time visit

Visiting rules
-. Avoid to climb, occupying the stupa, or doodling body temple.
-. Avoid to bring food when you get around Borobudur temple, brought the a sharp weapon, musical instruments, as well as animals.
-. Do not throw your garbage everywhere, especially in the area Borobudur temple.

Comply with any rules that exist in the area of Borobudur temple, is the highest award of any traveler to this temple of Borobudur. This is because the age of the rocks at the Borobudur Temple is very old and has been slowly eroded so that your participation during a visit in the area is very large in an effort to preserve the existence of this very famous temple.

Java, my hometown!

Java (Indonesian: Jawa) is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million (excluding the 3.6 million on the island of Madura which is administered as part of the provinces of Java), Java is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely-populated places on the globe. Java is the home of 60 percent of the Indonesian population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is located on western Java. Much of Indonesian history took place on Java. It was the center of powerful Hindu-Buddhist empires, the Islamic sultanates, and the core of the colonial Dutch East Indies. Java was also the center of the Indonesian struggle for independence during the 1930s and 40s. Java dominates Indonesia politically, economically and culturally.
Formed mostly as the result of volcanic eruptions, Java is the 13th largest island in the world and the fifth largest island in Indonesia. A chain of volcanic mountains forms an east-west spine along the island. It has three main languages, though Javanese is dominant, and it is the native language of about 60 million people in Indonesia, most of whom live on Java. Most of its residents are bilingual, with Indonesian as their first or second languages. While the majority of the people of Java are Muslim, Java has a diverse mixture of religious beliefs, ethnicities, and cultures.
Java is divided into four provinces, West Java, Central Java, East Java, and Banten, and also two special regions, Jakarta and Yogyakarta.

History

Mount Merbabu surrounded by rice fields. Java's volcanic topography and rich agricultural lands are the fundamental factor in its history

Fossilised remains of Homo erectus, popularly known as the "Java Man", dating back 1.7 million years were found along the banks of the Bengawan Solo River.
The island's exceptional fertility and rainfall allowed the development of wet-field rice cultivation, which required sophisticated levels of cooperation between villages. Out of these village alliances, small kingdoms developed. The chain of volcanic mountains and associated highlands running the length of Java kept its interior regions and peoples separate and relatively isolated. Before the advent of Islamic states and European colonialism, the rivers provided the main means of communication, although Java's many rivers are mostly short. Only the Brantas and Sala rivers could provide long-distance communication, and thus their valleys supported the centres of major kingdoms. A system of roads, permanent bridges and toll gates is thought to have been established in Java by at least the mid-seventeenth century. Local powers could disrupt the routes as could the wet season and road use was highly dependent on constant maintenance. Subsequently, communication between Java's population was difficult.

Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms era

The Taruma and Sunda kingdoms of western Java appeared in the fourth and seventh centuries respectively. However, the first major principality was the Medang Kingdom which was founded in central Java at the beginning of the eight century. Medang's religion centred on the Hindu god Shiva, and the kingdom produced some of Java's earliest Hindu temples on the Dieng Plateau. Around 8th century the Sailendra dynasty rose in Kedu Plain and become the patron of Mahayana Buddhism. This ancient kingdom built monuments such as 9th century Borobudur and Prambanan in central Java.

Prambanan Hindu Temple

The 9th century Borobudur Buddhist stupa in Central Java.

Around 10th century the centre of power shifted from central to eastern Java. The eastern Javanese kingdoms of Kediri, Singhasari and Majapahit were mainly dependent on rice agriculture, yet also pursued trade within the Indonesian archipelago, and with China and India.
Majapahit was established by Wijaya and by the end of the reign of Hayam Wuruk (r. 1350-89) it claimed sovereignty over the entire Indonesian archipelago, although control was likely limited to Java, Bali and Madura. Hayam Wuruk's prime minister, Gajah Mada, led many of the kingdom's territorial conquests. Previous Javanese kingdoms had their power based in agriculture, however, Majapahit took control of ports and shipping lanes and became Java's first commercial empire. With the death of Hayam Wuruk and the coming of Islam to Indonesia, Majapahit went into decline.

Spread of Islam and rise of Islamic sultanates

By the end of the 16th century, Islam, through conversion firstly amongst the island's elite, had surpassed Hinduism and Buddhism as the dominant religion in Java. During this era, the Islamic kingdoms of Demak, Cirebon, and Banten were ascendant. The Mataram Sultanate became the dominant power of central and eastern Java at the end of the 16th century. The principalities of Surabaya and Cirebon were eventually subjugated such that only Mataram and Banten were left to face the Dutch in the 17th century.

Colonial periods

Tea plantation in Java during Dutch colonial period. In/before 1926.

Java's contact with the European colonial powers began in 1522 with a treaty between the Sunda kingdom and the Portuguese in Malacca. After its failure the Portuguese presence was confined to Malacca, and to the eastern islands. In 1596, a four-ship expedition led by Cornelis de Houtman was the first Dutch contact with Indonesia. By the end of the 18th century the Dutch had extended their influence over the sultanates of the interior (see Dutch East India Company in Indonesia). While the Javanese were great warriors, internal conflict prevented them forming effective alliances against the Dutch. Remnants of the Mataram survived as the Surakarta (Solo) and Yogyakarta principalities. Javanese kings claimed to rule with divine authority and the Dutch helped them to preserve remnants of a Javanese aristocracy by confirming them as regents or district officials within the colonial administration.
Java's major role during the early part of the colonial period was as a producer of rice. In spice producing islands like Banda, rice was regularly imported from Java, to supply the deficiency in means of subsistence.
During Napoleonic wars in Europe, the Netherlands fell under France Republic, and so did its colony in East Indies. During the short-lived Daendels administration (as French proxy rule on Java), the construction of Java Great Post Road was commenced in 1808. The road span from Anyer in Western Java to Panarukan in East Java served as a military supply route to defend Java from incoming British invasion.
In 1811, Java was captured by the British, becoming a possession of the British Empire, and Sir Stamford Raffles was appointed as the island's Governor. In 1814, Java was returned to the Dutch under the terms of the Treaty of Paris.
In 1815, there may have been 5 million people in Java In the second half of the eighteenth century, population spurts began in districts along the north-central coast of Java, and in the nineteenth century population grew rapidly across the island. Factors for the great population growth include the impact of Dutch colonial rule including the imposed end to civil war in Java, the increase in the area under rice cultivation, and the introduction of food plants such as casava and maize which could sustain populations that could not afford rice Others attribute the growth to the taxation burdens and increased expansion of employment under the Cultivation System to which couples responded by having more children in the hope of increasing their families' ability to pay tax and buy goods. Cholera claimed 100,000 lives in Java in 1820.

The advent of trucks and railways where there had previously only been buffalo and carts, telegraph systems, and more coordinated distribution systems under the colonial government all contributed to famine elimination in Java, and in turn, population growth. There were no significant famines in Java from the 1840s through to the Japanese occupation in the 1940s.Ethnological factors are also thought to have contributed to the increase in population. In Java, there was no absolute preference for boy babies which was significant in Java where agriculture depends on the labour of both men and women. Furthermore, the age of first marriage dropped during the nineteenth century thus increasing a women's child bearing years.

Independence

Indonesian nationalism first took hold in Java in the early twentieth century (see Indonesian National Awakening), and the struggle to secure the country's independence following World War II was centred in Java. The abortive coup and the subsequent violent anti-communist purge in 1965/66 largely took place in Java. The island has dominated Indonesian social, political and economic life, which has been the source of resentment of those resides in other islands. In 1998, preceding the fall of Suharto's 32-year presidency, large riots targeted the Chinese Indonesians in another series of pogroms.

Welcome to Indonesia!!

 

The floating emerald islands of the Indonesian archipelago have, for centuries, been a magnet to a diverse range of people. Chinese and Indian traders, European colonisers, proselytising missionaries, wayward adventurers, mining companies, intrepid travellers and package tourists have all, at one time or another, been attracted by its sandalwood and spices breezes, its Bali Hai lifestyle and its magnificent beaches, mountains and volcanoes.

Destination Facts

Full country name: Republic of Indonesia
Area: 1,904,000 sq km
Population: 216 million (growth rate 1.5%)
Capital city: Jakarta (pop 9.3 million)
People: There are 365 ethnic and tribal groups.
Language: Bahasa Indonesia (plus 583 dialects), English
Religion: 87% Muslim, 9% Christian, 2% Hindu
Government: Military-ruled Republic
Time:
There are three time zones: Sumatra, Java and West & Central Kalimantan are seven hours ahead of UTC; Bali, Nusa Tenggara, South & East Kalimantan and Sulawesi are eight hours ahead of UTC; and Irian Jaya and Maluku are nine hours ahead of UTC
Electricity: 220V, 50 Hz
Weights & measures: Metric
Tourism: 4 million visitors per year
Currency: Rupiah (Rp)

Environment

The Indonesian archipelago comprises more than 13,000 islands and shares borders with Malaysia and Papua New Guinea. Stretching like a backbone down the western coast of Sumatra is a line of active and extinct volcanoes. These continue through Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara and then loop through the Banda Islands of Maluku to north-eastern Sulawesi. Under 10 per cent of the total land area is suitable for farming, while two-thirds consists of woodland, forests and mangrove swamp (mostly found in Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Irian Jaya).

Indonesia's rich natural environment encourages a diversity of flora and fauna. The archipelago is home to elephants, tigers, leopards and orang-utans. Sea turtles are found in the waters around Bali and the world's largest flowers - Rafflesia arnoldii - grow in Sumatra. The islands of Irian Jaya, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Sumatra have national parks, while other parks protect special areas such as Komodo, home to the Komodo dragon. Rainforests are disappearing at an alarming rate, especially in Kalimantan where the mighty dipterocarp forests are being logged ferociously for their durable tropical hardwoods.

Draped over the equator, Indonesia tends to have a fairly uniform climate - hot. It's hot and wet during the wet season (October to April) and hot and dry during the dry season (May to September). Temperatures climb to about 31°C(88°F) in coastal regions, dropping further inland. The best time to visit Indonesia is from April to October.

Culture

Social and religious duty has, over time, been refined to form a code of behaviour called adat or traditional law. Islam is the predominant religion of the archipelago but it's somewhat tempered by elements of Hindu-Buddhism, adat and animism. In Java, especially, there are hundreds of places where spiritual energy is thought to be concentrated and can be absorbed by followers. Despite a lengthy colonial period, missionaries were only successful in converting small pockets of the Indonesian population to Christianity - the Bataks of Sumatra, the Toraks of Sulawesi and 95% of the population of Flores being notable examples.

Over 300 languages are spoken in the archipelago and most belong to the Malay-Polynesian group. Within this group, many regional languages and dialects are spoken. The lingua franca of the archipelago is Bahasa Indonesia, which is almost identical to Malay. It uses a number of foreign words, indicating the long history of contact Indonesia has had with other cultures. In recent years, Bahasa Indonesia has been appropriated by teenagers into a new and trendy vernacular called Bahasa Prokem; it has proved mostly unintelligible to the older generation.

Batik, the art of applying wax to cloth and then tie-dying in colourful and dramatic designs, is produced throughout Indonesia, and the centre of this activity is Yogyakarta in Java. Other craft forms include: ikat, which is a type of weaving with tie-dyed threads; songket, a silk cloth with gold or silver threads woven into it; and kris, artwork often decorated with jewels. Javanese wayang (puppet) plays and gamelan (hypnotic music composed mostly of percussive instruments) are also popular artistic forms.

Many Indonesian dishes are Chinese-influenced, but some, such as Padang food from Sumatra, are distinctly home-grown. Wherever you travel in Indonesia you'll see vendors selling snacks such as potatoes, sweet nuts, biscuits or fruit. Rice is the basis of each meal, eaten as a soup or with an assortment of hot and spicy side dishes, salad and pickles. Nasi goreng (fried rice) is the most common dish, while sate (skewered meats with a spicy peanut sauce), gado-gado (bean sprouts and vegies in peanut sauce) and seafood are also popular. The variety of tropical fruits grown would make a greengrocer swoon. They include custard apples, durians, guavas, jackfruits, mangoes, papayas, starfruits and rambutans.

Getting There

The principal gateways for entry to Indonesia are Jakarta and Bali. Jakarta is serviced by more airlines but, thanks to its huge tourist trade, Bali gets almost as much traffic. New Merpati flights from Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory to Ambon (Maluku), Ujung Pandang (Sulawesi) and Biak (Irian Jaya) have opened up eastern Indonesia to travellers departing Australia. Airport tax on international flights varies between airport.

The only open land crossing is at Entikong, between Kalimantan and Sarawak. Most sea connections are on comfortable high-speed ferries running between Malaysia and Sumatra, though there is also a service between Manado in northern Sulawesi and Davao in the Philippines.

Most of the sea conections are between Malaysia and Sumatra and the vessel of choice is the comfortable high-speed ferry from Penang to Medan. The other main ferry connection is between Dumai (Sumatra) and Melaka (Malacca).

Getting Around

Domestic air services have been in a state of flux since the economic downturn in the late 1990s. A few airlines have folded and the remaining services have jacked up the price of domestic travel to compensate for soaring costs. For those with hard currency, though, air travel is still relatively cheap compared to the rest of the world. It is essential to reconfirm on domestic flights in Indonesia, otherwise you may be bumped from the list.

Indonesia's main roads are generally excellently surfaced, with the mainstay of land travel being the ekonomi buses - cheap and cheerful fares that may democratically include chickens, pigs and anything in between. Next step up is the express bus which carries the same cargo but gets to the destination sooner, followed by luxury air-con buses with all the whistles and bells that a coach can have.

Rail travel is restricted solely to Java and Sumatra. Indonesia's trains are pretty much a mixed bag: slow, miserable and cheap or comfortable and expensive. It's advisable to buy train tickets a day in advance to assure a seat. Cars, motorbikes and bicycles can be rented in the main cities and tourist centre. There are regular ferries between the various islands. Kalimantan has an undeveloped road system and internal transport is primarily by river or by air.

Local transport includes the ubiquitous opelets/angkot (minibuses), bajaj (auto rickshaws), becaks (bicycle rickshaws) and dokars (horse-drawn carts); most are ridiculously cheap. Many towns have taxis, but agree on a fare in advance.

East Indonesia - Lombok Part 1

Here is some picture from my trip at Lombok. From Malimbu Beach, Gili Trawangan, Lembar, Bali and then back again to Lombok. Now im staying at Gili Air islands at my friends place Shendy.

Review for blogger app

Im startimg using Blogger app on my phone a few months ago and because im at the place who has only 2G signal i always failed if i ppst any photo. Now im at 3G area and i still failed post photo, so i tfy to change the image setting and it work. I change it into medium size and it work, i can use my phone to post on blogspot but my photo size being smaller haha.
I hope the blogger team will make improvement and make it better.
Ciao!

Malimbu Beach Lombok and the Sunset

First day arrived we went to the best cafe or bar actually named Marina. Nah, this is the first time we met the libaneese brother who live at australia and they were on holiday at lombok. The older is Mahmoud and the younger is Moehammed. They stayed at Sheraton Hotels, this is the explanation from my previous photo :D hehe. Im not stayed at hotel, im stay at my friends place. This hotels is too expensive for me, this libaneese brothers seems rich because they stayed at 3stars hotels. Okay back to topic. My friends Melia had a nice chat with Moehammed and they will go together the next days, melia asked me to join them. Were going to Malimbu beach next Senggigi beach. I will post some photo while we go together. And that day ended by nice dinner together :) Nice to meet u guys!

East Indonesia Photo Part 1

Sheraton Hotel Lombok Pool View.

East Indonesia Part One!

Hi all i always have plan to go to East Indonesia, specially Lombok and Sulawesi, since Raja Ampat being popular place and always mention everywhere i do wanna go there too.(put it on wish list)
As you know i live at Java and will cross the sea for go to Lombok. I got my precious ticket just IDR 143,000 same with $15 SUB-LOP by Merpati Airlines. From Jogja-Surabaya i go by bus IDR 68,000 by Eka include meals. When i arrived at Bus Station i habe to use Shuttle for go to the Airport IDR15,000/$1,50. Then i paid the Airport tax IDR45,000/$4,50.
I arrived and stay at my friends place.