November 20, 2008

TANAH TORAJA

Why do people choose Toraja land as a destination? We have spoken to many travelers, while in Sulawesi (Celebes) and they all seemed to say the same things. They had arrived in Sulawesi (Celebes) and the study of Toraja land, either because they had heard such wonderful things from friends or relatives who had been there or who had previously visited themselves. What people seem to be the best friends were the people, culture and beauty of the virgin in the majority of Sulawesi.



Toraja runs along the coast about 130 kilometers from Makasar or Ujung Pandang. After the entry of Tanah Toraja enter a majestic landscape with giant gray, granites and stones and blue mountains at a distance after passing the market village of Mebali. Will form a sharp contrast with the green living in fertility, rain-fed terraces and read the rusted of tropical laterite soil. This is Tanah Toraja, one of the most beautiful areas of Indonesia.



Tanah Toraja has a specific and unique funeral ceremony is called Rambu Solo. In Tanah Toraja, dead body is not buried, but that is put into Tongkonan several times, maybe even more than ten years until the family has enough money to held the ceremony. After the ceremony, the corpse was carried to the cave or on the wall of the mountain. The skulls show us that the body is not buried but just put on the stone or earth, or put at the funeral hole.The festival season begins when the last rice has been harvested, usually in late June or July and lasts until September.
ourist who wants to stay in the heart of the city has many options as there are large number of hotels available. Or if you had an adventurous soul, you can sleep in villages along the way.

Bemo is the best way to get to know the locals, besides chartered vehicles (jeeps and minibuses), with or without a driver. While in the village you can take a stroll to move.

Take a side trip to Rantepao Kete, a traditional village with excellent handicraft shops. Behind the village on a hill is a mass grave with the monitoring of LifeSize statues oldest coffins

Visit Batu Tumonga Plateu; it means stone that facing to the sky. From here can be seen many volcanic stones comes up in between padi fields. And, several giant stones cave became a graveyard. The points of view is quite impressive. The huge Tanah Toraja [Toraja land] looks so lush and green. Like a mosaic of modulating the tone of the green



Palawan is an excellent visit to a village Tongkonan, or a place of burial pululando even with the celebrations and festivals.

Most times, you can not eat at those places, however, appear more warung and restaurants along the road. You can also bring their own food and drinks.

There is a souvenir shop where you can buy anything specific Tanah Toraja. There are clothes, bags, wallets and other handicrafts.

Visitor are expected to adhere to the customs and dress to keep a current mode, such as cigarettes or coffee when Tongkonan.
1. As the roads are not always paved, it is necessary to use a jeep or walking, even when the weather is good (between May and October).
2. Watch your head every time you go to Tongkonan inside, Toraja The traditional house.
3. Enrekang, Makala and Toraja Higland are surrounded by stunning cliffs of volcanic rock. Do not miss it, and just stop taking the picture for a while and not reg


November 8, 2008

Low-cost airlines have not been running successfully for almost two decades. However, the success of each low-cost airline, there are ten to go out of business. So how do the operators of cheap flights make their money? Low-cost airlines make their money on routes where there is little or no competition. Therefore, if you're looking for cheap flights, especially if you want to just go out and a new destination for a weekend, you would do well to check routes where there are a lot of competition among airlines.


Sometimes an airline opened a route in direct competition with another airline. When this is the case, a price war occurs when both airlines actually be losing money on the route. You can be fairly sure that you get a good deal on cheap flights, if this is the case.

Cheap flights from low-cost airline or booking agent?

Cheap flights are usually available from the websites of low cost airlines do not. Agencies often feature cheap flights as well. However, the low-cost carriers tend to discourage the outsourcing of flight data for the reserve officers, who often operate on commission. You may feel that you're getting a good dose of an agent, but the cheap flight might be even cheaper flight on the plane's own website.



Allow the Web site do the job in Search of Cheap Flights


Other sites - aggregators - holds great performance for the consumer experience. These websites trawling for special offers and good deals on flights from various airlines and other sources. These sites do not normally work on commission but rely instead on advertising and deals with hotels and car rental companies to pay for your site. The software used to collate the data and the process may not always work - even human error can result in an inability to detect a large amount of which has just been announced by an airline.

What if only "Show up at the airport?

There is nothing to stop simply show up at the airport and ask about any last-minute offers on cheap flights. But this involves a risk as the airline staff may consider that a captive audience with little choice but to take the flight. Anecdotal evidence has shown that travelers can receive a quote for cheap flights to check on the staff and cheaper tickets for the same flight over the Internet after going online and do a quick check through a computer terminal at the airport!

Reduce the costs of their cheap flight

They are not punitive measures in place to cover the cost of fuel and other surcharges incurred by the airlines. Excess baggage, therefore, cost money. If you are going into a weekend, a bag overnight to be his only luggage, if possible. Typical of luggage may include a verification office. You should carefully consider all the extra add-ons that can be performed by an airline before booking a cheap flight.

While there are no hard and fast ways to get cheap flights, exploring all its options is a sure way to get the best deal possible.

October 23, 2008


The Bunaken National Marine Park was formally established in 1991 and is one of the first Indonesian growing system of marine parks. The remaining 3% of the park is land, including the five islands of Bunaken, Manado Tua, Mantehage, Nain and Siladen.

The waters of Bunaken National Marine Park is very deep (1566 m in Manado Bay), clear (up to 35-40 m visibility), refreshing in temperature (27-29 C) and the port some of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world. Choose any interest group - the corals, fish, echinoderms or sponges - and the number of families, genera and species is bound to be surprisingly high.


Bunaken is the standout favorite, with the highest density of schooling fish and more likely to see the larger species, such as turtles, sharks, and Napoleon Wrasse. There are enough sites here to keep any diver happy for more than a week without going elsewhere. Bunaken The reef is a chain of more than 40 stars, five-point dive. The Marine Park is spectacular with the greatest concentration of tropical fish, coral species and world-famous diving wall. Clear, warm waters , light and the currents of the seas calm, allowing easy access to the submarine in hopes of attracting visitors to the five islands of Bunaken -Manado Tua National Marine Park that sits directly on the coast of Manado.

Most diving is done near Bunaken and Manado Tua, because of its many excellent sites. The following is the representative of diving in the area.
1. Lekuan Walls, This long wall in Bunaken is divided into three sites: Leku I, II and III. Together, they represent the best of the park. Steep walls are marked with deep cracks, sea fans and giant sponges. The shallows are full of fish. The wall, often protected by strong currents, is frequented by bumphead parrotfish, turtles, and Napoleon Wrasse.

2. Mandolin. Mandolin has a knockout reef crest and a wall that attracts thousands of schooling fish such as the Fusiliers, surgeonfish, unicornfish, and bannerfish. They are acclimated to the divers and are easily approachable.

3. Tanjung Kopi. Tanjung Kopi is a great wall with a small school of barracuda and a host of sweetlips. Nudibranches and fire governments are easy to spot here.

4. Siladen Island. Siladen has a beautiful wall of soft corals that flourish when the current is running. The shallows are nice with lots of schooling fish and snappers.

Bunaken island is easily accessible from Manado by motorized outrigger boat start from Manado port, Molas, Kalasey and Tasik Ria beaches. The public boats from Manado to Bunaken are leaving daily for about 2 hours (depending on the tide). Back to Bunaken in Manado usually early in the morning, around 7-8 am. You can explore the land on foot. And you can use a boat to go from one to another dive sites.

Other things to see and do in Bunaken, such: Diving, swimming, and snorkeling. Walking around the beach and sampling the tempting seafood cuisine.

Travel tips :
1. Entrance labels and tickets can be purchased through marine tourism operators based in Manado and in the Bunaken National Park, or can be purchased from one of three ticket counters in Bunaken and Liang villages on Bunaken Island and on Siladen Island;

2. You should be aware that during the absolute peak season months of July and August usually gets very busy. Many of the best resorts and dive operators can not accept walk-ins during that time, as they are fully reserved. Better make a reservation before;

3. Try to hire equipment from larger firms as these tend to be more reliable, but remember the responsibility of checking the equipment is ultimately yours.




Bromo, about 145 km south of Surabaya



Bromo mountain, located in Tengger. It's cover some 800 square kilometers in the center of East Java. It is the largest volcanic region in the province and is Mt. Semeru, which rises 3676 meters above sea level. At its northern end is the spectacular Tengger Caldera the largest of Java, with its 10 km barren desert-like sea of sand. In the place of the boiler deeply fissured volcanic cones of Batok and Bromo, the latter is still active with a cavernous crater blowing smoke into the sky. To the south is a plateau of rolling uplands dissected by valleys and dotted with several small scenic lakes, extending to the foot of Mount Semeru, a tower of gray skirted the southern cone forests dominate the landscape. The uniqueness of the area of the property is reminiscent of a lunar landscape, rather than anything related to the land offers impressive experiences such as observing and watching the sunrise in the crater of a volcano



Across the sands of the sea is Mount Batok with its nearly perfect cone. To the south, Mount Semeru, the highest mountain on Java provides a backdrop of fines for this scenario supernatural. While crossing the sea of sand, low-lying fog that often surrounds the boiler plant, adds to the mystery of your surroundings. As the temperature drops several degrees, the combination of cold air and echoing the strange from the horse's hoof creates a fantastic sensation of walking through a vast frozen lake. Temperatures at the summit of Mt. Bromo range of 5 to 18 degrees Celsius.



In the south, there is a plateau of rolling uplands dissected by valleys and dotted with several small lakes landscapes extend to the foot of Mt. Semeru, a tower of gray skirted the southern cone forests dominate the landscape. The offer of Kasodo ceremony is held each year by Tenggerese the 14 days of full moon Kasodo (Tenggerese Calendar). Tengger inhabitants of the mountain gather at the edge of Mt. Bromo's active crater to present annual offerings of rice, fruits, vegetables, flowers, livestock and other products to the local god of the mountain. As followers of the religion that combines elements of Hinduism and Mahayana Buddhism, to ask God's blessing of supreme Hyang Widi Wasa.


Bromo Tengger Semeru can be reached by private and public vehicle. There are four gates to access the place, Probolinggo, Wonokitri, Ngadas and Lumajang. Probolinggo approach is the easiest and by fat the most popular route, especially if you go by public bus from surabaya or malang, Wonokitri is the closes and the easiest one if you go by private vehicle from Surabaya (5 hours journey). To get closer to Mt. Bromo you must rent 4×4 vehicles (there are many 4×4 vehicles rental there).

The tourists are driven to the small town of Ngadisari, about six miles northeast of Bromo. It is the base camp of the expedition. Needs for the trip includes a flashlight, warm clothes and some alcoholic beverages as a protection against the freezing temperatures ranging from zero to five degrees Celsius (33 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit). Ngadisari of the ascent to the crater is about two hours on foot. The horse-back (ponies can be hired), the trip takes about an hour and a half. Tours usually start around midnight. Ngadisari hotel also has facilities. This allows hikers to spend the night and get up a little later than midnight for the hike to Bromo. The last stage of the trip is the flight of steps leading to the Bromo crater rim, and finally, the incomparable view of the rising in the east.

Travel Tips :

1. Check the latest travel advice for your destination and subscribe to receive free e-mail notification each time the travel advice for your destination is updated.

2. Before travelling overseas register your travel and contact details online or at the local embassy, high commission or consulate once you arrive, so they can contact you in an emergency

3. Make copies of your passport details, insurance policy, travellers cheques, visas and credit card numbers. Carry one copy in a separate place to the originals and leave a copy with someone at home

4. Check with health professionals for information on recommended vaccinations or other precautions and find out about overseas laws on travelling with medicines

5. Make sure your passport has at least six months validity and carry additional copies of your passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas

6. Leave a copy of your travel itinerary with someone at home and keep in regular contact with friends and relatives while overseas

7. As soon as you arrive in another country, you are subject to that country?s local laws

8. Necessities for the trip to Bromo include a torch, warm clothing, comfortable trekking shoes, and glove as a protection against the freezing temperature which hovers between zero to five degrees Celsius (33 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit).

9. If you buy or rent something please negotiate.

10. In Bromo Sunrise starts at 4.50 am till 6.00 am (If weren't cloudy), so you may leave from your hotel or guesthouse at 3 am or even less than that.

11. Don’t forget to bring your camera.

12. Before start trekking, hiking or climbing, be sure that you already eat, or you can bring some food and drink from your places of stay.

13. Some Emergency case please dial 0335 108 ( Telkom Information Center ). When you dial 108 , you can ask the telephone number of your hotel , police or your embassy office.



Indonesia will make history from the 18th – 26th of October 2008 when it plays host to the first Asian Beach Games in the world. Bali will become the venue of this international event which will see 45 countries participating with over 10,000 athletes, officials, media and volunteers all flocking to the Island of the Gods for this world class event.

Over 50,000 people are expected to support their participating countries in the 13 sports that will compete in this first time event entrusted by the Olympic Council of Asia. The areas of Kuta, Sanur, Pulau Serangan, Tanjung Benoa and Jimbaran have all been selected to act as the venues for each of the sports. Beach Volley Ball, Surfing, Jet Skiing, Sailing, Wind Surfing, Beach Takraw, Beach Hand Ball, Beach Soccer, Para Gliding, Dragon Boat Racing, Triathlon, Marathon Swimming, and the new sport, Wood Ball are the sports to be competed in.

The Asian Beach Games is a multi-sport event held every two years among athletes representing countries from Asia. The games are regulated by the Olympic Council of Asia. The Asian Beach Games celebrate cooperation and unity despite differences. Athletes from a wide variety of nations are able to travel, meet new people, and bring back memories about the rest of the world to their home nations. The Asian Beach Games forge unity and friendship between their member nations by joining athletes, trainers, and officials together.



The logo of the 1st Beach Games in Bali Asia 2008 represents the element of water that embodies the sporting event.

The brilliant Sunday comes from the emblem of the Olympic Council of Asia and represents its vital role in Asia's sport development and diffusion of energy created by the solidarity of the OCA.

The selection of light and deep blue color represents the effects of the Balinese waters.

The two vertical lines represent two "Pure" (Balinese Hindu temple), a picture of the door of a Balinese house of worship that is, ultimately, it means the hospitality of the society of Bali and in compliance with welcoming people throughout Asia.

The two big waves represent the commitment and enthusiasm of the host city to celebrate the 1st Beach Games in Asia.

The letters "BALI 2008" are colored red to show the spirit of sportsmanship and the type of selection emphasizes the pride of all athletes competing in Bali.


The Opening Ceremony of the 1st Beach Games in Bali Asia 2008 will be held on October 18, 2008 at Garuda Wisnu Kencana in Bukit in Jimbaran. The Garuda Wisnu Kencana comprises 239 acres . Wisnu or Vishnu is the Hindu God who is the protector of the Hindu trinity, Brahma is the creator, Vishnu the preservation and Shiva the destroyer. The only statue of half man half-bird a day to be a national monument. On the front of the head of the Garuda bird, which has already been completed is an outdoor stage and Amphi-theater for various events and ceremonies. The Closing Ceremony of the Games was also held at the Place Garuda Wisnu Kencana.


October 14, 2008

The presence of quandaries during any travel is undoubtedly part of any travel to an unfamiliar place and you could almost agree with that line of thought. However, if you follow little policies and guidelines there is a good way for quandary consequences to be reduced to little. Something is bound to happen whether good or bad. If they are meant to happen, they will whether or not you like it. The distressing thought however is that you would be left thinking that the travel should have been an affable one should the quandary remained where it should remain in the first place.


It should be a very good experience to be able to travel and see places once in a while. However, we are not in control all the time. Bad memories ensue and you can do nothing about it other than just to let it be. The shoddy thing that could happen is when you could not let go and you find yourself in your room shaking in fear or spending time downtown at police stations. Your perception of things as simple as they are will gauge your safety when you go traveling to an unfamiliar place.

There will be times when we have nothing but our hunches and gut feeling that there is something off and smells fishy. If this is so then do not just leave it alone, as much as possible do something about it. Always make sure that all the items that are important are safely tucked away including your IDs, files and documents, passports, credit cards and all the likes that are likely the most common things that can be lost.

Expensive items should be included in the list of no-no when you are packing for a certain travel time especially when you are really not familiar with the place at all. If you are going to lose something, make sure that they are the ones least important to you if you come to this point of time. Do not carry around too much cash around if you are only going to go out on stroll or to see some scenic beauties in the place.

During your travel especially with your spouse, do not only use one reputed credit account. This is part of the safety little guidelines being designed to protect travelers because if one happens to be lost, there is always the presence of another thing. You should be prepared for possible perils on your trip and not slack off with security because then you would only wind up regretting at the end of your travel stay. Keep important things always in the line of your sight. You will be better off enjoying the rest of the travel if you know everything is safe.

If you decide to hike out, always make sure that you are not walking along the area where motorcycles and cars would be able to drive through. You have to know that criminals nowadays are becoming good at what they do. They do not just enter any room blind. It is more likely you are going to be a victim if you do not take heeds any little precaution.

October 10, 2008

There is a village that almost all of the residents make crafts based copper and brass in our small town, near the village where I was born, called Tumang Village.
This crafting early from production of household equipment like boiler, pot, pan etc. which its raw materials is copper plate, brass or aluminium. This effort walk hereditary which is there's only one in Indonesia



So far, the production of copper have represented one of the outcome of the masterpiece of society Tumang where this swan song have rounded into the industrial home as of society economics.
Copper, brass, and aluminium crafting yielded for example : water fountain, matting, bathtub, bowl, Jar, Calligraphy, hang-desk-stand lamp, mirror frame, relief, sink, furniture and utensil, and many more.



This crafting can be used as a home interior design, construction, mosque, church, etc. As well as decorative media, crafting this brass copper is functional also as such must its.

Easily accessible place, many of transport that can be used to the village Tumang. If perchance I'm on holiday in my village I certainly ready to accompany you to Tumang, see the centers of brass and copper handicrafts there. So, feel free to contact me anytime