Friday, January 17, 2014

Best Travel Destinations in Sumbawa Besar.

In the palace Loka was established in 1885 AD and was listed as the world's biggest stage.
Indonesia Travel
Destinations traveled to eastern Indonesia is fun, usually lots of people began after a further Traveling from Bali to Lombok and Sumbawa Besar passes. Destinations is the capital of Sumbawa Besar of Sumbawa. turns in this area a lot of attractions that are loaded with historical value, many architectures Not only that, stunning natural beauty as well as in Sumbawa Besar many beautiful small islands. The most famous is the island of Moyo, Here is the best tourist destinations in Sumbawa Besar can be visited.
In the palace Loka was established in 1885 AD and was listed as the world's biggest stage.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Orangutan Feeding Centre

Indonesia Travel
Bukit Lawang's famous orangutan centre was set up in 1973 to help primates readjust to the wild after captivity or displacement through land clearing. Many of the original duties of the centre have been moved to more remote locations, but twice-daily feedings are still provided to semidependent orangutans. These events are open to the public (no guide required) and provide one of the closest views of the forest ape outside the confines of a zoo.

During the centre's decades-long operation, it has introduced 200 orangutans into the jungle. Many of them had been kept as caged pets; the centre taught them how to forage for food in the wild, build nests, climb trees and other essentials for survival after release. The orangutans are also treated for diseases that they contracted during contact with humans. Today around 16 orangutang live in the vicinity of Bukit Lawang.

Once the apes are on their own in the wild, the centre still provides supplementary feedings in case of awkward transitions or demanding circumstances. These feedings consist of milk and bananas and are considered a fairly bland diet compared to the diversity of food found in the forest. The semiwild apes who appear at the centre's 'welfare' platform are typically nursing or pregnant females in need of an extra source of nutrition.

There are two feeding times a day: 8.30am to 9.30am and 3pm to 4pm. These are the only times visitors are allowed to enter the national park without a guide.

The feeding platform is located on the west bank of Sungai Bohorok within the park boundaries, about a 20-minute walk from the village. The river crossing to the park office is made by dugout canoe. Permits are required to enter the park (20,000Rp). Technically these are only available from the Bukit Lawang Visitors Centre in the village proper, not the office at the foot of the trail to the platform. In reality it’s often possible to buy a ticket from the park office and either way you’ll need to show a ticket here in order to be allowed to continue to the feeding platform. If you’re heading out on a trek afterwards, your guide will normally get you a ticket beforehand, which you can use to visit the feeding platform as well. If you have a camera/video camera you'll have to pay an additional 50,000/150,000Rp at the office, with no refunds if orangutans don't come to the feeding platform – during peak fruit season they often don't. Get to the river crossing around 30 minutes before the scheduled feeding time as it can take a while to ferry everyone across.

Since 1996 the centre has been closed to new arrivals, as the park is considered to be saturated with orangutans. A replacement quarantine centre, just outside Medan, opened in 2002 to carry on the rehabilitation efforts, but it is not open to the public.


Lonely Planet.

Thursday, January 9, 2014

WAKATOBI National Marine Park: the”Underwater Nirwana”

Indonesia Travel
Legendary underwater explorer and conservationist, Jacques Cousteau is said to have called the Wakatobi islands – then known as the Tukangbesi islands:  an “Underwater Nirwana”
Now a National Marine Park covering the entire Waktobi District, it comprises a total of 1.4 million hectares, of which 900,000 hectares are decorated with different, colourful species of tropical coral reefs. For Wakatobi is widely recognized as having the highest number of reef and fish species in the world.   The islands are also famous as the largest barrier reef in Indonesia, second only to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.  Here can be found fringing, atolls and barrier reefs and offer more than 50 spectacular dive sites easily accessible from the major islands.  This is the habitat of large and small fish species, the playground of dolphins, turtles and even whales.

The island group comprises 143 larger and smaller islands where only 7 are inhabited counting a total population of around 100,000, while the others remain uninhabited. Most notable are the Bajo communities, the seafaring nomads who inhabit many of Indonesia’s remote islands.

Located right in the heart of the Asia-Pacific Coral Triangle, in the province of South East Sulawesi, the Wakatobi Islands offer crystal clear pristine waters and a rich bio-diverse underwater life, a true paradise for Divers, as this is one of 3 hearts in the World Coral Triangle that stretches from the Solomon Islands in the Pacific to Wakatobi, and North to the Philippines.  Wakatobi alone is said to have 942 fish species and 750 coral reef species from a total of 850 of world's collection, which, comparing with the two world's famous diving centers, the Caribbean Sea  owns only 50 species with 300 coral reef species in the Red Sea, in Egypt.

Situated  at the end of the south eastern “petal’ of the orchid shaped island of Sulawesi and separated by the deep Banda Sea to its north and east and the Flores sea to its south,  the name Wakatobi is in fact an acronym of  its four main islands, which are :  Wangi-wangi (WA), Kaledupa (KA), Tomia (TO)  and Binongko (BI).

Due to its magnificent underwater life, Wakatobi is fast gaining worldwide attention for its quality dives that can be made by beginners to professionals. Small wonder, therefore, that many liveaboards make this one of their main ports of sojourn.  Aside from its dive sites, Wakatobi has many superb beaches.

The conservation group “Operation Wallacea” is very active in this marine park, conducting underwater research and conservation. During the Sail Wakatobi 2011 in August, the Marine Laboratory on Hoga Beach by Kaledupa is to be officially inaugurated. (For information visit: www.opwall.com)

The District capital of Wakatobi is Wanci on Wangi-Wangi. Since the opening of the Matohara Airport on Wangi-Wangi, these remote islands are now more accessible and can be reached by flights from Jakarta or Makassar.  There is also another landing strip on Tomia island, which receives charters from Bali.

For more detailed information on Wakatobi, visit: www.wakatobi.info

Indonesia.Travel

Indonesia’s Komodo float wins Director’s Trophy in Tournament of Roses, USA.

Indonesia Travel
Indonesia’s float with its giant Komodo dragon made up of flowers and seeds, with its satellite float depicting the underwater world of Derawan island, instantly attracted the attention of the crowds lining the streets of Pasadena, California, USA, who came to watch the 125th Tournament of Roses on Wednesday, 1 January 2014.

The Indonesia float, presented by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy   must have also appealed to the judges who awarded it the 2014 Director’s Trophy for “Artistic Merit in Design and Floral Presentation”.  In the past two consecutive years in 2012 and 2013, Indonesia had won the President’s Trophy.  The Rose Parade this year carried the theme: “Dreams Come True”.

Since 08.0 in the morning, the 90 participating floats, among which the “Wonderful Indonesia” float, paraded through the streets of Pasadena. Along the 5.5 miles Colorado Boulevard, the Wonderful Indonesia float, which was  accompanied by 10 dancers from East Kalimantan,  was cheered along by the enthusiastic onlookers. The Komodo dragon with its young peeping out of its egg was immediately recognized. Equally admired were the Bali temple, the orang utan, sea turtles and panorama of Derawan island, that were all created from colorful flowers, vegetables, and all kinds of lentils.

The float was created by John Ramirez of Artistic Entertainment Services.
Thousands also watched the parade live on television.

Photo Courtesy https://www.facebook.com/roseparade

Indonesia.Travel

Tour de Singkarak 2014 will again showcase West Sumatra this June 2014

Indonesia Travel
The grand sports stourism cycling event in Indonesia, the Tour de Singkarak will enter its 6th edition this 2nd to 10th June 2014, as noted in the schedule of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Road Calendar 2013-2014 Season. Set against the magnificent scenery of West Sumatra, the international cycling competition will be held in the class 2.2 category.

The annual international scale event that perfectly combines sports and tourism continues to undergo further improvements in quality, anticipating all possibilities. In the first strategic step, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy together with the Provincial Government of West Sumatra and the Organizing Committee will hold a number of physical surveys and preliminary coordination meetings.

Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sapta Nirwandar, initiator of Tour de Singkarak and now also Executive Chairman stated that:”After several considerations,  we have decided that the Tour de Singkarak this year will still be held in the class 2.2 category, correcting reports in the media that it will now be in the 2.1 class.   Sapta Nirwandar stressed that the success of the series of Tour de Singkarak events so far could only be achieved  through the collaborative hard work on the side of many parties and not only by a number of individuals, reports paradiso.co.id

Meanwhile, Governor of West Sumatra, Irwan Prayitno added that the rapid development of Tour de Singkarak over the years has contributed positively to the development of the province, including in the economic and social areas. The tour has become a platform and a fantastic media to promote West Sumatra and all its potentials to the international world.  In regard to the Tour de Singkarak 2014, the authorities of West Sumatra along with the entire people of the province are ready to host the event once again and warmly welcome all the cyclists, officials, domestic and international tourists, and all who will come to watch and attend the event.

Tour de Singkarak has also evolved into one of the most prestigious international sports tourism events in Indonesia that has not only contributed significantly to tourism in the country but has also inspired other international cycling events to be held  in various parts of the archipelago. Athletes and cycling teams also admitted that the Tour de Singkarak has become a perfect benchmark to evaluate their performance with challenging tracks and different competitive environments.

Tour de Singkarak was first held in 2009 when Sapta Nirwandar (at the time  Director General of Marketing of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism) discussed the idea of an international cycling event with officials of the province of West Sumatra including the then Regent of Solok, Gusmal;  Governor of West Sumatra, Gamawan Fauzi; Vice Governor Marlis Rahman;  Head of the Culture and Tourism Office, James Hellyward; and Raseno Arya.  The view overlooking Lake Singkarak was considered most perfectly suited as backdrop, thus Lake Singkarak was decided as the icon of this cycling race. Jero Wacik, then Minister of Culture and Tourism approved the idea and established it as a media to promote tourism in the international scene.

Over the years, the event received positive response from around the world and was also acknowledged by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) as an official international bicycle competition in theis Calendar of Events.  The event also received growing support not only from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, but also from more Regencies as well as from the Provincial Government of West Sumatra. Today, Tour de Singkarak also collaborates with the Amaury Sports Organization who also manages the Tour de France.

Indonesia.Travel

Indonesian Muslim fashion royal style will perform in London

Designer Dian Pelangi dress collection will feature 15 Indonesian kingdoms that have been modified into a modern Muslim fashion at the Haute Arabia High Tea in 2014 in London , England , on January 17 .

"I was inspired by the kingdoms that exist in the UK . I offer fashion concept Royal Kingdom of Indonesia , inspired from the kingdom in Indonesia, such as Sriwijaya , " Dian said here on Thursday .

Haute Event teas High Tea Arabia 2014 will feature the work of 12 designers from all over the Muslim world .

Dian Pelangi was elected to be the only talented Indonesian designer will show his work at the close of the event.

" In addition to the fashion show , I will also show a little dance Indonesian Islam , serve little Indonesian food as a cover and give an offering souvenirs Indonesia Dian Pelangi with the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy , " said Dian .

At this time the Dian culture mission received the full support of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy .

Haute Arabia 2014 will be attended by dignitaries from London and the Middle East , including the First Lady Sheikha Mozah of Qatar .

The nobles of the Middle East and North Africa , international buyers , and fashion bloggers will also be present at the event .

Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Nirwandar said Muslim fashion has become part of people's lifestyles the world and London became one of the most important locations for development .

" So when Dian was invited to London , of course, will be the pride of Indonesia , and we fully support , " said Nirwandar .

Underwater photography exhibition held in Jakarta Indonesia

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy ( Menparekraf ) Mari Elka Pangestu formally opened the exhibition of photographs from the Indonesia Underwater Photography Contest World Level or Indonesia the World Underwater Photo Contest ( IWUPC ) which lasted for four days on 9 to 12 January 2014 in the Moulin Rounge Hall , Grand Indonesia , Jakarta .

In the event announced 27 photos at once set out as winners in the various categories: Best of Show , Basic Compact , Compact Plus Wide , Compact Plus Macro , Wide DSLR , DSLR Macro , and ten Junior Category .

"The work of photography as a creative economic products are very effective for promoting tourism attractions among the best diving Indonesia to the world and showcase our tourism excellence . Was one of our goals this contest title , " said Menparekraf Let the contest winner announcement event IWUPC Thursday .

Let's say through photography contest IWUPC expected dive sites scattered throughout the Indonesian archipelago known international community and attract tourists to come , the impact on improving the welfare of local people .

This is because , said the minister who is also a hobby of diving , Indonesia is a paradise for divers because it has a rich sea is so beautiful .

IWUPC photography contest which was the first organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism is an international contest which has a worldwide reputation . Therefore, the government poured huge prizes with a total of 200 thousand U.S. dollars .

" IWUPC a race that wants to elevate the beauty of the underwater world from Indonesia to the paper and the preview screen , and we are very optimistic that this will be able to move throughout the Indonesian diving tourism stakeholders to work together to make Indonesia as the " Divers Heaven One Nation 2020 " , " said Director General of Tourism Development Destibasi Firmansayah Rahim .

The photography contest was held for 11 months from January to December 2013, with the location of the photo that is widest across the waters and underwater Indonesia and involves seven internationally renowned jury that Alex Mustard ( UK ) , Stephen Wong ( Hong Kong ) , Matt Weiss ( USA ) , Burt Jones ( USA ) , David Espinosa ( USA ) , Yoshi Hirata ( Japan ) , and Keri Wilk ( Canada ) .

Recorded until December 2013 , was attended by 403 participants of the contest with the photo number 2625 . The jury then filter and get as many as 186 photos as a nominations and final set , as many as 27 photos designated as winners in the various categories of participants consisted of 18 international and 9 Indonesian participants .

From the title of this contest also contributed dive travelers from various countries .

In addition , as many as 178 Dive operators also participate in this photo contest participants are accompanied with a local dive guide . Participants must include verification of Dive Operators where they do the dives as evidence that the images were taken in the territorial waters of Indonesia .

" So far we do not have the data Dive Operators . Dive Operators Now there are 178 existing in our database . They already meet the standards in all respects . Dive Operators is critical to the success of responsible diving attraction and adequate , " said Mari .

" With its registered them , then we have access to mapping diving spots can be more complete and can be done not only the development but also the marketing and conservation measures , " added Mari .

From the results of this contest , will evaluate once Kemenparekraf dive sites as well as data mapping Dive Operators and the number of tourists who visited Indonesia with first motivation for diving . From these evaluations , the development will be designed and conservation measures .

" So that Indonesia not only a paradise for diving but have imternasional standard in diving , " she said .