tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35227896126019672242024-03-13T00:10:49.646+00:00Under Voice: Wonders And Beauty Of Indonesia & WorldSearch the world's information, news, travels, images, videos and moreAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05275318729346056814noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522789612601967224.post-33527374048897717462014-11-08T07:23:00.001+00:002014-11-08T07:23:47.967+00:00Malang the cultur city<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Understand
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Malang is the second largest city in East Java with a rapidly growing population of about 1.2 million.
This is a city of great historical significance. The oldest existing record of Malang as a regency is from the 8th century when it was the seat of government of the ancient Kanjuruhan and Singhasari kingdoms. The city officially became part of the all encompassing Javanese Mataram kingdom in the 17th century which by that time was controlled by the Dutch colonialists. Unsurprisingly given that history, there are several interesting Hindu relics in this area. The city quickly became very popular with the Dutch due to its cool climate, very attractive rural surrounds and easy reach from the main trading port city of Surabaya.
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Modern day Malang, although significantly urbanised, has retained much of its historical character, remains vibrant and is regarded as by far the most attractive large city in the East Java region. Malang Regency is located between two groups of mountains with Mount Semeru, the highest mountain on Java, and Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park to the east. The biggest attraction here must be the beautiful landscape, in addition to which there are some temples not far away.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-unDbEosOkqk/VF2-YuJPUvI/AAAAAAAABgY/a-x-POFGtIw/s1600/Candi_Singosari.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-unDbEosOkqk/VF2-YuJPUvI/AAAAAAAABgY/a-x-POFGtIw/s320/Candi_Singosari.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singosari Temple</td></tr>
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In a city of such great cultural and historical significance there are lots of cultural attractions and any visitor to Malang should dedicate some time to exploring these.
There are also a number of beautiful sights in the rural areas surrounding the city.
Balekambang Beaches, (about 60 km south of Malang). There are actually three beaches here: Balekambang, Ngliyep and Sendang Biru. All three are quite beautiful, are close by to each other and locals most often refer to all 3 as just Balekambang. It is best to visit on weekdays as this is a very popular weekend escape and it can get get crowded. It is not safe to swim here but these are great relaxation beaches which offer some stunning coastal scenery. There is an offshore island called Pulau Sempu which can be visited by chartering a boat from Sedang Biru beach. At Balekambang beach there are three little islets just offshore which are attached to the beach by walkways. Of the three beaches, Balekambang itself is perhaps the most attractive but all three are worth visiting. The beaches are easily day-tripped from Malang in a car but for the adventurous there are basic places to stay at and around all three. Rp 10,000. </div>
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Ijen Boulevard, Malang. This is a quite beautiful street in the city. It is lined with well tended bougainvillea against a backdrop of old colonial structures. The street houses a number of interesting buildings including the Brawijaya Army Museum, Catholic Church and the city library. You should take in this area as part of a becak or walking tour of the historic downtown area.
Padepokan Seni </div>
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Mangun Dharma (Mangun Dharma Art Center), Desa Tulus Besar Tumpang, (psmd@indo.net.id). Arts centre dedicated to the research, promotion and performance of traditional East Javanese artforms including dance, batik, shadow puppetry and carving. Superb place. Dance performances can be arranged on demand and are of excellent quality as the dancers are trained from childhood. Their motto is Rescuing the Arts of East Java.</div>
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Purwodadi Botanical Gardens (Kebun Raya Purwodadi, Pasuruan), Jl Raya Purwodadi (about 20 km north of Malang), (kriblipi@bogor.wasantara.net.id). Opened in 1941, This is one of the four official botanical gardens in Indonesia (the others being the headquarters at Bogor, Bedugul in Bali and Cibodas in West Java. The 85 hectares of gardens house an impressive collection and the splendid Baung waterfall.</div>
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Singosari Temple (Candi Singosari), Singosari, Malang (about 12km north from Malang). This well preserved Hindu temple dates from 1300AD and is a reminder of the great Hindu kingdoms that ruled East Java before the arrival of Islam. A visit to the nearby bathing pools at Ken Dedes combines perfectly with Singosari Temple. Ken Dedes was the wife of the first King of Singhasari (later Singosari) and these bathing pools are believed to have been part of the royal court. There are some quite wonderful statues here. The whole area has some other fine relics from the early Hindu kingdoms including Candi Jago and Candi Kidal. Ask your guide or at Singosari Temple for further directions.</div>
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Taman Rekreasi Senaputra (Senaputra Park), Jalan Brawijaya, Malang. Traditional East Java dances every Sunday morning at 10AM in the park during the dry season only. Every last Wednesday of the month there is a Wayang Kulit shadow puppet show starting at 10PM. </div>
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Brawijaya Military Museum, Jalan Ijen. M-Th 08.00-14.30 / F 08.00-11.30 / Sat-Sun 08.00-13.00. Museum of East Java's famous Brawijaya garrison of the Indonesian military. Interesting relics of Indonesia's revolutionary war of the late 1940s, as well as the communist purges of the late 1960s. An insight into the country's turbulent and violent past. Worth at least 45 minutes to an hour when walking through the Jalan Ijen area.</div>
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Sempu Island, Sumber Manjing Wetan. M-Th 08.00-14.30 / F 08.00-11.30 / Sat-Sun 08.00-13.00. Sempu Island is one of most beautiful island in East Java. Sempu Island is an island located 800 meters from the southern coast of the province of East Java, Indonesia. The island is 3.9 km long and 3.6 km wide. Its topography is largely rolling hills whose altitude ranges from 50 to 100 meters above sea level. The coastline consists mainly of limestone cliffs characteristics of the façade of the island of the Java. Point of interested in Sempu Island is Segara Anakan.
Museum Tempo Doeloe [read tempo dulu] - literally means "olden days museum". </div>
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<b>Do</b>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DzfUqc4EZvI/VF3CEyHe94I/AAAAAAAABgk/HlGndtVMBzo/s1600/pulau%2Bsempu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DzfUqc4EZvI/VF3CEyHe94I/AAAAAAAABgk/HlGndtVMBzo/s320/pulau%2Bsempu.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sempu island</td></tr>
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Take a tour of this fine old city by becak.
Take a walking tour of the beautiful Dutch colonial-style houses in the neighbourhoods around Jalan Ijen
Visit the Alun-Alun - the central town square - to the south of one of the city's main thoroughfares of Jalan Basuki Rahmat. Particularly busy on a Sunday evening.
Volunteering. ProFauna Indonesia gives the wonderful opportunity for anyone to volunteer in the organization. The activities in these projects will be decided based on your skills and experiences. By becoming ProFauna's volunteer, you will experience to be part of the wildlife conservation works in Indonesia while learning Indonesian cultures and witness its beautiful nature. 375 USD.
Visit the local bird market and flower market - you can see lots of unique birds and pets, as well as get a glimpse into local culture here.
Malang has a small military museum located near Jalan Ijen. </div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://southofvoice.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05275318729346056814noreply@blogger.com0Malang, Malang City, East Java, Indonesia-7.9839081000000007 112.62139380000008-8.1097071000000014 112.46003230000008 -7.858109100000001 112.78275530000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522789612601967224.post-31699406397261487362014-10-18T17:51:00.000+01:002014-10-18T17:51:48.036+01:00Teluk Hijau ( Green Bay ) Banyuwangi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Green Bay is a coastal tourism in an area Betiri Meru National Park , Sarongan , Pesanggaran , Banyuwangi . The location is about 90 kilometers from the city of Banyuwangi . So named because of the seawater which tend to be colored green .
From Banyuwangi town towards south through Kabat , Rogojampi , Srono , Cluring , until arriving at the intersection of four Jajag village , then turn left . Then the riders arrive at an intersection of four . The rider can take a left oblique direction through the village of Desa Seneporejo Sambirejo and then break Kesilir Market . Or take a straight direction ( through the village of Gambiran , Gambiran - Bangorejo Bridge , then turn left towards Pedotan pass Tugu Tani monument Gunungsari and P. Kusno , then arrived at the intersection of four and turn right to arrive at the intersection Pedotan .</div>
<a name='more'></a> After that the rider can chose to take direction White Buk left past to arrive at the intersection of four Siliragung , or take direction and continue through the village of Desa Sukorejo Kesilir and arrived also at the intersection of four Siliragung . From the intersection Siliragung rider can take a left oblique direction meewati Siliragung Head Office , police Siliragung , then arrived at the intersection four and turn right past the bridge Kalibaru and arrived at the intersection of four studio market , or take a straight direction past the Bridge Siliragung - Sumbermulyo and Jalan Ahmad Kusnan and arrived at the intersection of four studio market .
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If the driver of the intersection Rico took a straight direction , arrived at Turtle Crossing can immediately turn right without passing through the studio , passing lanes will meet at one point ( Office of Rural Sumbermulyo ) with riders from across the studio . From the Office of Rural Sumbermulyo turn left towards Muwuh . After the riders arrived at the Intersection of Human , take the straight path through the Mountain Limestone and Gardening Sungailembu . From here the road is still good to arrive at the grave of former Sungailembu where motorists turn left at the intersection of manufacture. From the tomb of straight road to arrive at the intersection Belon . From there , riders can take the left past the residential area in the village of Belon and a wooden bridge Kandangan - Dam or take the straight through section Sumberbopong Sungailembu and Gardening SUMBERJAMBE . Both of these pathways will lead to the Terminal / Dam Market . From motorists heading south through the Pentecostal Church , the Office of Dam Village , Hamlet Quantities , Hamlet and Hamlet Bayur Rajegwesi and arrived at a checkpoint and tickets. From the post rider can take the left oblique direction ( through Rajegwesi Beach and turn right ) or take a straight line ( through the Housing Tsunami ) to arrive at the parking area , located in the Bay Area peace . From here the journey continues with a walking path along the 1 km hike on a small hill in the fall in Batu . Mile Beach , Green Bay is only about 300 meters . Total travel time is about 91 km . </div>
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<b>From Jember</b> </div>
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From the city of Jember , Banyuwangi take the direction towards passing Subdistrict Pakusari , Mayang and Shiloh to arrive in Gaza Mrawan ( gumitir ) to enter the territory of Banyuwangi . The journey continues past the District of Kalibaru , Glenmore and to arrive at a Crossroads Tile Tile Kulon . Turn left past the Sun East Mall , Village Yosomulyo and arrived at the intersection of four Jajag village and turn right. From here the journey as well as from the city of Banyuwangi . The total trip is approximately 106 miles . </div>
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<b>From Beach Rajegwesi</b> </div>
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From Rajegwesi Beach , a trip to Green Bay can continue to rent a boat . With a wave of the famous south coast of Java is great, visitors usually arrive in Green Bay with wet clothes .</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://southofvoice.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05275318729346056814noreply@blogger.com0Banyuwangi, Jawa Timur, Indonesia-8.2441100575491983 114.35394287109375-8.3069715575491987 114.27326187109375 -8.181248557549198 114.43462387109375tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522789612601967224.post-25720977498722573892014-10-17T03:19:00.001+01:002014-10-17T03:29:04.857+01:00NGADA VILLAGES OF FLORES<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Ngada villages of Desa Guru Sina, Desa Langa, Desa Bela, and Desa Lina Tiwa are nestled between two volcanos, Gunung Inerie and Gunung Deru, in the remote inlands of the island of Flores. These communities are characterized by a distinctive form of vernacular architecture that has survived despite the globalizing forces of the twenty-first century. The number of houses (sa’o) and shrines for male and female ancestors (ngadhu and bhaga) in a given village is determined by the number of clans or families (suku) in the village, and must remain constant over time. The village of Guru Sina, for example, has 27 sa’o. The architecture reflects traditional beliefs, with elements, decorations, and carvings of buffalo, chickens, horses, humans, weaponry, and other forms, each with a specific purpose to protect the inhabitants and ensure a sustainable harmony with the environment, ancestral spirits, and natural forces.
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While the Ngada communities have demonstrated a strong desire to protect and preserve their architectural heritage, these small, rural villages are isolated, connected only by a narrow, winding road to Bajawa, the administrative center of the Ngada District. The mountainous ravines and rainforests separating central Flores from the more visited coasts have in many ways protected these traditional settlements, but also limit opportunities for younger generations, who are increasingly seeking education and careers elsewhere. These Ngada villages are thus emblematic of the great challenges of preserving vernacular heritage in a globalizing world, as the transfer of knowledge across generations is fractured, and traditional skills and resources become scarcer. Inclusion on the Watch seeks to raise awareness about the plight of these villages, and similar traditional settlements, and to promote innovative thinking about how the tangible and intangible heritage of these cultures can be preserved.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://southofvoice.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05275318729346056814noreply@blogger.com0Ngada, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Indonesia-8.7629383562532084 120.99517822265625-9.0141063562532082 120.67245472265625 -8.5117703562532085 121.31790172265625tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522789612601967224.post-45984751932384377902012-01-29T06:02:00.000+00:002012-01-29T06:02:36.955+00:00The World's Finest Example of a Karst Collapse<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f8FVgGsludk/TyTdhhd5g8I/AAAAAAAABNY/zFrMzO9OMEs/s1600/Gunung+Mulu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f8FVgGsludk/TyTdhhd5g8I/AAAAAAAABNY/zFrMzO9OMEs/s320/Gunung+Mulu.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mount Mulu (Malay: Gunung Mulu) is a sandstone and shale mountain. At 2376 m, it is the second highest mountain in the state of Sarawak, after Mount Murud. It is located within the boundaries of Gunung Mulu National Park, which is named after it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Mulu Park provides for guided hikes up the mountain. The usual schedule is a 4D/3N hike. There are forest huts along the route at Camp 1, Camp 3 and Camp 4 (there is no Camp 2). These forest huts provide shelter, cooking facilities (stove, cooking utensils, cutlery), toilets, and water (collected rainwater).</div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The elevation and distance of the camps from Mulu Park HQ are approximately:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Camp 1: 200 m asl, 5.5 km</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Camp 3: 1300 m asl, 12 km</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Camp 4: 1800 m asl, 18.5 km</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Each of the camps is near a helipad for emergency evacuations and also for supplies.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The trail to Mount Mulu is clear and well-marked with red and white markers, and goes through a variety of ecosystems, from lowland dipterocarp forest to montane vegetations. The mountain is notable for its pitcher plant diversity. Five species have been recorded from Mount Mulu: Nepenthes hurrelliana, Nepenthes lowii, Nepenthes muluensis, Nepenthes tentaculata, and Nepenthes vogelii.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>History</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NHCPBMuLS-s/TyTeKwRpDiI/AAAAAAAABNo/8fgQIuwAvbo/s1600/Gunung+Mulu2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NHCPBMuLS-s/TyTeKwRpDiI/AAAAAAAABNo/8fgQIuwAvbo/s320/Gunung+Mulu2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span id="goog_937244985"></span><span id="goog_937244986"></span>Archaeological evidence from excavations in Cave of the Winds indicate that the cave was used for burial between 1500 and 3000 years ago. In 1977-78 the Royal Geographical Society/Sarawak Government organized a major expedition and survey of the area. An account of the expedition results, environment and biota was published in July 1982 in The Sarawak Museum Journal (Vol.XXX No 51, Special Issue No.2). In 2000 UNESCO inscribed Gunung Mulu National Park on the World Heritage List. Today it is one of Sarawak's most popular travel destinations. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Landscape</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7H5BvUOvoKw/TyTe1Fv1hkI/AAAAAAAABNw/ICQwh9M5pl4/s1600/Gunung+Mulu3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7H5BvUOvoKw/TyTe1Fv1hkI/AAAAAAAABNw/ICQwh9M5pl4/s320/Gunung+Mulu3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Named after the 2,377m Mount Mulu (Gunung Mulu), the park is famed for its limestone karst formations both above ground and underground. The massive cave systems, which contain the 12 million cubic meter Sarawak Chamber (the world's largest), are still in the process of being mapped. Clearwater Cave at 151 km (Feb 2007) is the 10th longest cave in the world.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The limestones belong to the Melinau Limestone Formation and are estimated to be 4000 to 5000m thick. In the south-east of Mulu Park sandstones are dominant. The hightest relief in the region (Gunung Mulu) is located in these sandstones. Mulu's landforms are outstanding examples of erosional processes on both of these rock types (limestones and sandstones). Among the most remarkable karst features are the world's finest example of a karst collapse (The Garden of Eden) and the sharp pointed bladed limestone Pinnacles, some of which are 45m high on the northern end of Gunung Api. There are also numerous examples of cone karst and tower karst. Another interesting feature of the landscape is the drainage through deeply incised gorges (Sungai Melinau at Melinau Gorge and Sungai Medalam to the north) in the limestones. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Get around</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MOSQ-FNLNGI/TyTfL2AMwEI/AAAAAAAABN4/dLIrWf-sBo0/s1600/Gunung+Mulu4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MOSQ-FNLNGI/TyTfL2AMwEI/AAAAAAAABN4/dLIrWf-sBo0/s320/Gunung+Mulu4.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There is only one road in Mulu. It runs from Royal Mulu Resort to the settlement of Batu Bungan, passing Mulu airport (approx 5km). There are very few vehicles. To get around you can travel by longboat on the Melinau river which runs along the northern boundary of the park, and on the Tutoh river into which the Melinau flows. The park maintains a network of trails to the key sites. The most frequently used trails are plankwalks. Other trails are cemented, or improved with gravels. Some trails (Mulu summit trail) are wild and a guide is needed just to find them.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is common to hire a guide during your stay in the park. Guides will take care of transportation, accommodation, food and guide you through the jungle. It's strongly recommended to use only Licensed Park Guides. It's for your safety and security. Upon payment you shall receive invoice from the guide all included listing the services. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Most visitors come to Mulu for the caves, but there are also good jungle and mountain trekking options in the area. Guides are obligatory for all cave visits and most treks. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Caves</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EGVGAxwd4rA/TyTfx0DD_SI/AAAAAAAABOA/rRspy-gIQVI/s1600/The+Garden+of+Eden.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EGVGAxwd4rA/TyTfx0DD_SI/AAAAAAAABOA/rRspy-gIQVI/s320/The+Garden+of+Eden.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Clearwater and Wind Caves</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Turtle Cave</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Deer and Langs Caves</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Garden of Eden</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bat Exodus </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Trekking</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Paku Waterfall</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Camp 5 and The Pinnacles</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Summit. A challenging 4-day, 3-night climb to the top of Mt. Mulu itself. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Adventure Caving</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Racer Cave</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lagang Cave</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Clearwater Connection</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Stone Horse Cave</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sarawak Chamber </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Canopy Skywalk</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">With its 480m of elevated walkway, Mulu's Canopy Skywalk is the world's longest tree based canopy walk. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://southofvoice.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05275318729346056814noreply@blogger.com0Gunung Mulu, Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia4.0458333 114.93000000000006-36.0625832 55.164375000000064 44.154249799999995 174.69562500000006tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522789612601967224.post-31693469040390186782012-01-24T13:19:00.000+00:002012-01-24T13:19:17.455+00:00Kuta is a Surfers Destination<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EKAdZ-iIPdI/Tx6sWYTqIfI/AAAAAAAABLA/Ps4L2ZThWpU/s1600/Kuta+Lombok.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EKAdZ-iIPdI/Tx6sWYTqIfI/AAAAAAAABLA/Ps4L2ZThWpU/s320/Kuta+Lombok.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kuta is a coastal town in the south of the island of Lombok in Indonesia. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The scenery is spectacular, with cliffs and mountains reaching the coast to create jagged and awe- inspiring landscapes and views. The beaches are some of the best in Indonesia, with pristine white sand, and transparent blue-greens in the water. Kuta has some of the best surfing in the world, so naturally many visitors are surfers. </div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Kuta has a wide variety of accommodations and restaurants, ranging from backpacker offerings to a four star resort for more wealthy travelers. Many people come to Kuta just to unwind, lie on the beach, rent a motorcycle to look around, or to just relax by reading a book or taking a nap in the afternoon. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aLyDqA651qE/Tx6snJtXA7I/AAAAAAAABLI/jtI_ybUjm1k/s1600/Kuta+Lombok1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aLyDqA651qE/Tx6snJtXA7I/AAAAAAAABLI/jtI_ybUjm1k/s320/Kuta+Lombok1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Most of Kuta retains its sleepy, natural character as a typical fishing village. The local people live in housing clusters (called kampungs) and are largely unaffected by tourist activity. Travellers can walk along dirt roads and see the villagers going about their normal daily activities. Food is usually cooked over a wood fire and the children live a carefree life of playing on the beach and climbing trees. The people are exceptionally friendly to foreigners. Although most do not speak English, they will often welcome you onto their beruga (gazebo porch) for a glass of local Lombok coffee. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lombok International Airport is around 20 minutes away, and there has recently been a huge amount of land speculation in the Kuta area from high-end hotel operators and other investors. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the village of Kuta, all local facilities are within a reasonable walking distance. For local transport in and around Kuta you can use a ojek (motorbike with rider). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Beaches</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QZB4i8eVCcE/Tx6szO7PvGI/AAAAAAAABLQ/dsqi3bbsnA8/s1600/Kuta+Lombok2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QZB4i8eVCcE/Tx6szO7PvGI/AAAAAAAABLQ/dsqi3bbsnA8/s320/Kuta+Lombok2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Around Kuta there are some beautiful beaches. Kuta offers you the private white beaches you have seen on travel posters and always dreamed of experiencing. There are six main beaches in and around Kuta:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kuta Beach, Kuta village. This is where most of the accommodations and restaurants are located.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pantai Putri Nyale (Novotel Beach), (about 3 km east of Kuta Beach). This is where the Novotel Lombok is located. It's a beautiful beach, but at low tide it gets almost completely dry and is no longer suited for swimming.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BGJ3j3ohRRk/Tx6tgUWfDdI/AAAAAAAABLY/XA7rl66ZmK0/s1600/Kuta+Lombok3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BGJ3j3ohRRk/Tx6tgUWfDdI/AAAAAAAABLY/XA7rl66ZmK0/s320/Kuta+Lombok3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pantai Seger (Seger Beach), (about 3.5 km east of Kuta Beach). Beach suited for surfing, not for swimming because of the very strong currents. There are some drink stalls. Climb the hill here to watch the sunset.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tanjung A'an, (about 7 km east of Kuta Beach). Tanjung A'an comprises of two white sand bays, A'an to the west and Pedau to the east, separated by a rocky outcrop. Smooth turquoise waters offer safe swimming and snorkeling. The only facilities are a few drinks stalls.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mawun, (about 8km west of Kuta Beach). Mawun beach is a secluded half-moon bay with crystal clear water and pristine sand. There's one big tree where people congregate in the shade. An awesome place for relaxing, save swimming and surfing. The only facilities are a few drinks stalls.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Selong Belanak, (about 12 km west of Kuta Beach, about 6 km over the steep hill). Beautiful bay bordered by two rocky promontories. Nearby is a surf beach called Mawi.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Visitors can make day trips from Kuta to the pottery village of Penunjak and to the weaving village of Sukarare. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Surfing</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FvGA1RdxM98/Tx6t4t7GFWI/AAAAAAAABLg/exUhmQyQH7k/s1600/Kuta+Lombok4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FvGA1RdxM98/Tx6t4t7GFWI/AAAAAAAABLg/exUhmQyQH7k/s320/Kuta+Lombok4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kuta is a surfers destination, with world class shore, reef and point breaks along the coast. Personal transport is the best way if not the only way to access the surfing spots. Since there have been reports of thefts in Southern Lombok, you should expect to pay a few thousand Rupiah to a local to guard your bike during your time in the water. Board can be hired in Kuta town or at the Gerupuk village.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Popular surf breaks around Kuta:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Seger reef: the closest break to Kuta village, Seger provides a heavy right hander and is excellent under most conditions. It's a popular spot during the afternoon tide shift, and especially after the big rains in the wet season. Ride past the Novotel, then turn right after the small bridge and continue taking right turns until the road becomes unsealed. There is free parking at the very end, with a small hill that onlookers can climb for a phenomenal view of the surroundings. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Air Guling: Air Guling is a beach to the West of Kuta village. The break is a fair paddle from shore, and is a strong right hander, which can become very hollow during a large swell. Continue West from Kuta, up the mountain and over the other side. There is a view of the beach when coming down, and don't be deceived when the road swerves away from the coast. Eventually on the left there will be an unsealed dirt road which can be very difficult to handle (unadvisable to ride when wet). Continue the road to the beach, and pay Rp 3,000 to watch your bike. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KTK9YzL-gfw/Tx6unQUlGsI/AAAAAAAABLw/AF-2OLOAdZA/s1600/Gerupuk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KTK9YzL-gfw/Tx6unQUlGsI/AAAAAAAABLw/AF-2OLOAdZA/s320/Gerupuk.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Gerupuk</b>: The most popular break in Kuta. There are two main breaks here, although some others pop up in the right conditions. You need to hire a boatman from the village to access the breaks (Rp 70,000 for 1 person, Rp 40,000 per person for 2, and Rp 30,000 each for more). The boat will wait while you surf. To get here, take a ride east for 7 km (about 10-15 min), and pay the Rp 1,000 parking fee.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Inside Gerupuk: Insides is located in a sheltered bay and is good for beginners. The floor is a soft reef bed which doesn't cause much damage. The wave breaks both left and right here, and can get busy. Ocean Bar is located a short paddle away from the break (floating on the sea) and offers cold drinks, fruit and basic food</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Outside Gerupuk: Cannot be seen from the village, it's a short boat ride away. Outsides is generally the most reliable bet for a surf - there is nearly always something to surf here (even in low swell conditions). The wave is a right hander and can be quite heavy. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Fishing</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-221szVOYwGE/Tx6uGAqJgeI/AAAAAAAABLo/Q-s1Sb_QqjA/s1600/Kuta+Lombok5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-221szVOYwGE/Tx6uGAqJgeI/AAAAAAAABLo/Q-s1Sb_QqjA/s320/Kuta+Lombok5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There is excellent sport fishing to be had in waters off Kuta. Unfortunately, the only charter boats available locally are local wooden outriggers and these are not always ideal for the challenging fishing conditions. You can though get a decent day's fishing by hiring one of these boats with a captain from the local guys on Kuta Beach. Those requiring a bigger, more comfortable boat will need to bring one around from the Senggigi area, or across the Badung Strait from Bali. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://southofvoice.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05275318729346056814noreply@blogger.com0Kuta, Indonesia-8.725477999999999 115.17793899999992-8.8492609999999985 115.09972899999993 -8.601695 115.25614899999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522789612601967224.post-19761547015960362722012-01-17T17:35:00.000+00:002012-01-17T17:35:11.531+00:00Everglades National Park is the Largest Subtropical Wilderness in the United States<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vn2x6jDGLng/TxWpXadgFTI/AAAAAAAABJM/JHJ8JHeUyB0/s1600/Everglades+National+Park.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vn2x6jDGLng/TxWpXadgFTI/AAAAAAAABJM/JHJ8JHeUyB0/s320/Everglades+National+Park.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Everglades National Park is a national park in the U.S. state of Florida that protects the southern 25 percent of the original Everglades. It is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, and is visited on average by one million people each year. It is the third-largest national park in the lower 48 states after Death Valley and Yellowstone. It has been declared an International Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site, and a Wetland of International Importance, only one of three locations in the world to appear on all three lists.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Unlike most U.S. national parks, Everglades National Park was created to protect a fragile ecosystem instead of safeguarding a unique geographic feature. The Everglades are wetlands created by a slow-moving river originating in Lake Okeechobee, fed by the Kissimmee River, and flowing southwest at about .25 miles (0.40 km) per day into Florida Bay. The park protects an interconnected network of marshland and forest ecosystems that are maintained by natural forces. Thirty-six species designated as threatened or protected live in the park, including the Florida panther, the American crocodile, and the West Indian manatee. The park protects the largest U.S. wilderness area east of the Mississippi River, is the most significant breeding ground for tropical wading birds in North America, and contains the largest mangrove ecosystem in the western hemisphere. More than 350 species of birds, 300 species of fresh and saltwater fish, 40 species of mammals, and 50 species of reptiles live within Everglades National Park. All of South Florida's fresh water, which is stored in the Biscayne Aquifer, is recharged in the park.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Although humans have lived in the Everglades for thousands of years, not until 1882 did the region begin to be drained for agricultural or residential use. In the 20th century the natural water flow from Lake Okeechobee was controlled and diverted to the explosive growth of the South Florida metropolitan area. The park was established in 1934 to protect the quickly vanishing Everglades and dedicated in 1947, the same year massive canal-building projects across South Florida began to divert water away from the park. The ecosystems in Everglades National Park have suffered significantly from human activity, and the repair and restoration of the Everglades is a politically charged issue in South Florida.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Climate</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gEbATwArVGU/TxWqFNaYCaI/AAAAAAAABJU/HyiZrcsp7dw/s1600/Everglades+National+Park1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gEbATwArVGU/TxWqFNaYCaI/AAAAAAAABJU/HyiZrcsp7dw/s320/Everglades+National+Park1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Unlike in the northern portion of Florida, no underground springs feed water into the Everglades system. An underground reservoir called the Floridan Aquifer lies about 1,000 feet (300 m) below the surface of South Florida. However, the Everglades has an immense capacity for water storage, due to the sponge-like permeable limestone underneath the exposed land. Most of the water arrives in the form of rainfall, and a significant amount is stored in the limestone. Water evaporating from the Everglades becomes rain over metropolitan areas, providing the fresh water supply for the region. Water also flows into the park after falling as rain on Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River, to appear in the Everglades days later. Water overflows Lake Okeechobee into a river 40 to 70 miles (110 km) wide, which moves almost imperceptibly.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Most of the Everglades see only two seasons: wet and dry. The park's dry season lasts from December to April, when temperatures vary from 53 °F (12 °C) to 77 °F (25 °C) and humidity is low. Since water levels are low at that time, animals congregate at central water locations, providing popular opportunities for viewing the wildlife. During the wet season, from May to November, temperatures are consistently above 90 °F (33 °C) and humidity over 90 percent. Storms can drop 10 to 12 inches (300 mm) of rain at a time, providing half the year's average of 60 inches (152 cm) of rainfall in just two months.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Ecosystems</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NuxPgG-xDlA/TxWqYztpcJI/AAAAAAAABJc/OVtgHjCNd7Y/s1600/Everglades+National+Park2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NuxPgG-xDlA/TxWqYztpcJI/AAAAAAAABJc/OVtgHjCNd7Y/s320/Everglades+National+Park2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the turn of the 20th century common concepts of what should be protected in national parks invariably included formidable geologic features like mountains, geysers, or canyons. As Florida's population began to grow significantly and urban areas near the Everglades were developed, proponents of the park's establishment faced difficulty in persuading the federal government and the people of Florida that the subtle and constantly shifting ecosystems in the Everglades were just as worthy of protection. When the park was established in 1947, it became the first area within the U.S. to protect flora and fauna native to a region as opposed to geologic scenery. The National Park Service currently recognizes nine distinct interdependent ecosystems within the park that constantly shift in size due to the amount of water present and other environmental factors.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Freshwater sloughs and marl prairies</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uSRCyA_u1-w/TxWq1QQ6RzI/AAAAAAAABJk/zib00nYYmfk/s1600/Everglades+National+Park3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uSRCyA_u1-w/TxWq1QQ6RzI/AAAAAAAABJk/zib00nYYmfk/s320/Everglades+National+Park3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Freshwater sloughs are perhaps the most common ecosystem associated with Everglades National Park. These drainage channels are characterized by low-lying areas covered in fresh water, flowing at an almost imperceptible 100 feet (30 m) per day.Shark River Slough and Taylor Slough are significant features of the park. Sawgrass growing to a length of 6 feet (1.8 m) or more, and broad-leafed marsh plants, are so prominent in this region that they gave the Everglades its nickname "River of Grass". Excellent feeding locations for birds, sloughs in the Everglades attract a great variety of waders such as herons, egrets, roseate spoonbills (Platalea ajaja), ibises and brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis), as well as limpkins (Aramus guarauna) and snail kites that eat apple snails, which in turn feed on the sawgrass. The sloughs' availability of fish, amphibians, and young birds attract a variety of freshwater turtles, alligators (Alligator mississippiensis), water moccasins (Agkistrodon piscivorus conanti), and eastern diamondback rattlesnakes (Crotalus adamanteus).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lPqH3yuRWYs/TxWrWcM6S_I/AAAAAAAABJs/eMU0NDG9e9U/s1600/Everglades+National+Park4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lPqH3yuRWYs/TxWrWcM6S_I/AAAAAAAABJs/eMU0NDG9e9U/s320/Everglades+National+Park4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Freshwater marl prairies are similar to sloughs, but lack the slow movement of water; instead, water seeps through a calcitic mud called marl. Algae and other microscopic organisms form periphyton, which attaches to limestone. When it dries it turns into a gray mud. Sawgrass and other water plants grow shorter in freshwater marl than they do in peat, the other type of soil in the Everglades which is found where water remains present longer throughout the year. Marl prairies are usually under water from three to seven months of the year, whereas sloughs may remain submerged for longer than nine months and sometimes remain under water from one year to the next. Sawgrass may dominate sloughs, creating a monoculture. Other grasses, such as muhly grass (Muhlenbergia filipes) and broad-leafed water plants can be found in marl prairies. Animals living in the freshwater sloughs also inhabit in marl prairies. Marl prairies may go dry in some parts of the year; alligators play a vital role in maintaining life in remote parts of the Everglades by burrowing in the mud during the dry season, and creating pools of water where fish and amphibians survive from one year to the next. Alligator holes also attract other animals who congregate to feed on smaller prey. When the region floods again during the wet season, the fish and amphibians who were sustained in the alligator holes then repopulate freshwater marl prairies.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Tropical hardwood hammocks</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MllAm_2MT6Y/TxWshdI1anI/AAAAAAAABJ0/VLCCYKUUgzI/s1600/Everglades+National+Park5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MllAm_2MT6Y/TxWshdI1anI/AAAAAAAABJ0/VLCCYKUUgzI/s320/Everglades+National+Park5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hammocks are often the only dry land within the park. They rise several inches above the grass-covered river, and are dominated by diverse plant life consisting of subtropical and tropical trees, such as large southern live oaks (Quercus virginiana). Trees often form canopies under which animals thrive amongst scrub bushes of wild coffee (Psychotria), white indigoberry (Randia aculeata), poisonwood (Metopium toxiferum) and saw palmetto (Serenoa repens). The park features thousands of these tree islands amid sloughs—which often form the shape of a teardrop when seen from above (see park map) because of the slowly moving water around them—but they can also be found in pineland and mangroves. Trees in the Everglades, including wild tamarind (Lysiloma latisiliquum) and gumbo-limbo (Bursera simaruba), rarely grow higher than 50 feet (15 m) due to wind, cold weather, and lightning strikes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The plant growth around the hammock base is nearly impenetrable; however, beneath the canopy hammocks are an ideal habitat for animals. Reptiles (such as various species of snake and anole) and amphibians (such as the American green tree frog, Hyla cinerea), find their homes in the hardwood hammocks. Birds such as barred owls (Strix varia), woodpeckers, northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis), and southern bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nest in hammock trees. Mammal species living in hardwood hammocks include opossums (Didelphis virginiana), raccoons (Procyon lotor), bobcats (Lynx rufus), Everglades mink (Neovison vison), marsh rabbits (Sylvilagus palustris), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and the rare, critically endangered Florida panther (Puma concolor coryi).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Pineland</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-REU6zfRR5qU/TxWtS2trHZI/AAAAAAAABJ8/6wARl7QmCPs/s1600/Everglades+National+Park+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-REU6zfRR5qU/TxWtS2trHZI/AAAAAAAABJ8/6wARl7QmCPs/s320/Everglades+National+Park+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Dade County was once covered in 186,000 acres (750 km2) of pine rockland forests, but most of it was harvested by the lumber industry. Pineland ecosystems (or pine rocklands) are characterized by shallow, dry sandy loam over a limestone substrate covered almost exclusively by slash pines (Pinus elliottii var. densa). Trees in this ecosystem grow in solution holes, where the soft limestone has worn away and filled with soil, allowing plants to take hold. Pinelands require regular maintenance by fire to ensure their existence. South Florida slash pines are uniquely adapted to promote fire by dropping a large amount of dried pine needles and shedding dry bark. Pine cones require heat from fires to open, allowing seeds to disperse and take hold. The trunks and roots of slash pines, however, are resistant to fire. Prescribed burns in these areas take place every three to seven years; without regular fires, hardwood trees begin to grow in this region and pinelands become recategorized as mixed swamp forests. Most plants in the area bloom about 16 weeks after a fire. Nearly all pinelands have an understory of palm shrubs, and a diverse ground covering of wild herbs.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pine rocklands are considered one of the most threatened habitats in Florida; less than 4,000 acres (16 km2) of pineland exist outside the park. Within the park, 20,000 acres (81 km2) of pineland are protected. A variety of animal species meet their needs for food, shelter, nesting, and rooking in pine rocklands. Woodpeckers, eastern meadowlarks (Sturnella magna), loggerhead shrikes (Lanius ludovicianus), grackles, and northern mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos) are commonly found in pinelands. Black bears and Florida panthers also live in this habitat.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Cypress and mangrove</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lyiXzuBWAXg/TxWt8h9GEGI/AAAAAAAABKE/aHcCEeEGA0o/s1600/Everglades+National+Park+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lyiXzuBWAXg/TxWt8h9GEGI/AAAAAAAABKE/aHcCEeEGA0o/s320/Everglades+National+Park+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cypress trees are conifers that are adapted to live in standing fresh water. They grow in compact structures called cypress domes and in long strands over limestone. Water levels may fluctuate dramatically around cypress domes and strands, so cypresses develop "knees" that protrude from the water at high levels to provide oxygen for the root systems. Dwarf cypress trees grow in drier areas with poorer soil. Epiphytes, such as bromeliads, Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides), orchids and ferns grow on the branches and trunks of cypress trees. Everglades National Park features twenty-five species of orchids. Tall cypress trees provide excellent nesting areas for birds including wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo), ibis, herons, egrets, anhingas (Anhinga anhinga), and belted kingfishers (Megaceryle alcyon). Mammals in cypress regions include white-tailed deer, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, skunks, swamp rabbits, river otters (Lontra canadensis), and bobcats, as well as small rodents.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xx2emr1qqTk/TxWucLQY4bI/AAAAAAAABKM/fg6W9gQpyV4/s1600/Everglades+National+Park+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xx2emr1qqTk/TxWucLQY4bI/AAAAAAAABKM/fg6W9gQpyV4/s320/Everglades+National+Park+8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mangrove trees cover the coastlines of South Florida, sometimes growing inland depending on the amount of salt water present within the Everglades ecosystems. During dryer years when less fresh water flows to the coast, mangroves will appear among fresh water plants. When rain is abundant, sawgrass and other fresh water plants may be found closer to the coast. Three species of mangrove trees—red (Rhizophora mangle), black (Avicennia germinans), and white (Laguncularia racemosa)—can be found in the Everglades. Due to their high tolerance of salt water, winds, extreme tides, high temperatures, and muddy soils, mangrove trees are uniquely adapted to extreme conditions. They act as nurseries for many marine and bird species. They are also Florida's first defense against the destructive forces of hurricanes, absorbing flood waters and preventing coastal erosion. The mangrove system in Everglades National Park is the largest continuous system of mangroves in the world.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Within the Florida mangrove systems live 220 species of fish, and a variety of crabs, crayfish, shrimp, mollusks, and other invertebrates, which serve as the main source of food for many birds. Dozens of bird species use mangroves as nurseries and food stores, including pelicans, grebes, tricolored herons (Egretta tricolor), gulls, terns, hawks and kites, and arboreal birds like mangrove cuckoos (Coccyzus minor), yellow warblers (Dendroica petechia), and white-crowned pigeons (Patagioenas leucocephala). The mangroves also support 24 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 18 species of mammals, including the endangered green turtle (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), and West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Coastal lowlands</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pq7UkXN-Oe4/TxWvB_07cfI/AAAAAAAABKU/c1DxO5GslHE/s1600/Everglades+National+Park+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pq7UkXN-Oe4/TxWvB_07cfI/AAAAAAAABKU/c1DxO5GslHE/s320/Everglades+National+Park+9.jpg" width="315" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Coastal lowlands, or wet prairies, are salt water marshes that absorb marine water when it gets high or fresh water when rains are heavy. Floods occur during hurricane and tropical storm surges when ocean water can rise several feet over the land. Heavy wet seasons also cause floods when rain from the north flows into the Everglades. Few trees can survive in the conditions of this region, but plants—succulents like saltwort and glasswort—tolerate salt, brackish water, and desert conditions. Animal life in this zone is dependent upon the amount of water present, but commonly found animals include Cape Sable seaside sparrows (Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis), Everglades snail kites (Rostrhamus sociabilis), wood storks (Mycteria americana), eastern indigo snakes (Drymarchon corais couperi), and small mammals such as rats, mice, and rabbits.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Marine and estuarine</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kK-L7jrLI8U/TxWvmJUo7WI/AAAAAAAABKk/gP1B9t1KNT4/s1600/Everglades+National+Park+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kK-L7jrLI8U/TxWvmJUo7WI/AAAAAAAABKk/gP1B9t1KNT4/s320/Everglades+National+Park+11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The largest body of water within the park is Florida Bay, which extends from the mangrove swamps of the mainland's southern tip to the Florida Keys. Over 800 square miles (2,100 km2) of marine ecosystem lies in this range. Coral, sponges, and seagrasses serve as shelter and food for crustaceans and mollusks, which in turn are the primary food source for larger marine animals. Sharks, stingrays, and barracudas also live in this ecosystem, as do larger species of fish that attract sport fishing. Pelicans, shorebirds, terns, and black skimmers (Rynchops niger) are among the birds frequenting park shorelines.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Activities</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gtsaIUn_cx8/TxWv2gMtxMI/AAAAAAAABKs/ujfd8x1QWA4/s1600/Everglades+National+Park+12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gtsaIUn_cx8/TxWv2gMtxMI/AAAAAAAABKs/ujfd8x1QWA4/s320/Everglades+National+Park+12.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The busiest season for visitors is from December to March, when temperatures are lowest and mosquitoes are least active. The park features four visitor centers: on the Tamiami Trail (part of U.S. Route 41) directly west of Miami is the Shark Valley Visitor Center. A fifteen-mile (24 km) round trip path leads from this center to a two-story observation tower. Tram tours are available during the busy season. Closest to Homestead on State Road 9336 is the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, where a 38-mile (61 km) road begins, winding through pine rockland, cypress, freshwater marl prairie, coastal prairie, and mangrove ecosystems. Various hiking trails are accessible from the road, which runs to the Flamingo Visitor Center and marina, open and staffed during the busier time of the year. The Gulf Coast Visitor Center is closest to Everglades City on State Road 29 along the west coast. The Gulf Coast Visitor Center gives canoers access to the Wilderness Waterway, a 99-mile (160 km) canoe trail that extends to the Flamingo Visitor Center. The western coast of the park and the Ten Thousand Islands and the various key islands in Florida Bay are accessible only by boat.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Camping and recreation</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hvhuq2J7N1s/TxWwNiLScJI/AAAAAAAABK0/QNzStv6RVfE/s1600/Everglades+National+Park+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hvhuq2J7N1s/TxWwNiLScJI/AAAAAAAABK0/QNzStv6RVfE/s320/Everglades+National+Park+13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Camping is available year-round in Everglades National Park. Frontcountry camping, with some services, is available at Long Pine Key, close to the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, where 108 sites are accessible by car. Near Flamingo, 234 campsites with some services are also available. Recreational vehicle camping is available at these sites, although not with all necessary services. Backcountry permits are required for campsites along the Wilderness Waterway, Gulf Coast sites, and sites in the various keys. Several backcountry sites are chickees; others are beach and ground sites.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Low-powered motorboats are allowed in the park, although the majority of salt water areas are no-wake zones to protect manatees and other marine animals from harm. Jet skis, airboats, and other motorized personal watercraft are prohibited. However, many trails allow kayaks and canoes. A state license is required for fishing, and although fresh water licenses are not sold in the park, a salt water license may be available. Swimming is not recommended within the park boundaries; water moccasins, snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina), alligators and crocodiles thrive in fresh water. Sharks, barracuda, and sharp dangerous coral are plentiful in salt water. Visibility is low in both kinds.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://southofvoice.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05275318729346056814noreply@blogger.com1Everglades National Park, 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL 33034-6733, USA25.2866149 -80.8986502000000224.7666319 -81.463462700000022 25.8065979 -80.333837700000018tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522789612601967224.post-13518761122661116162012-01-15T15:16:00.000+00:002012-01-15T15:16:45.510+00:00Virgin Islands National Park is Famous for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tCg5CkkpvL4/TxLqKzcsBAI/AAAAAAAABIk/gceIwvgwecs/s1600/Virgin+Islands+National+Park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tCg5CkkpvL4/TxLqKzcsBAI/AAAAAAAABIk/gceIwvgwecs/s320/Virgin+Islands+National+Park.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Virgin Islands National Park is a United States National Park covering approximately 60% of the island of Saint John in the United States Virgin Islands, plus a few isolated sites on the neighboring island of St. Thomas. The park is famous for scuba diving and snorkeling and has miles of hiking trails through tropical forests.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Ferries from Red Hook and Charlotte Amalie on Saint Thomas make regular stops at Cruz Bay, Saint John, near the park, which averages 725,000 visitors per year.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">One of the Virgin Islands National Park's most famous attractions is Trunk Bay, which sports a white sand beach and underwater snorkeling trail, although the trail's chronic overuse has led to extensive coral bleaching along its path.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ixaoXsSuEIM/TxLqeeMuVvI/AAAAAAAABIs/S1r00lRZ4so/s1600/Virgin+Islands+National+Park1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ixaoXsSuEIM/TxLqeeMuVvI/AAAAAAAABIs/S1r00lRZ4so/s320/Virgin+Islands+National+Park1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The park includes the sugar-plantation-ruins-littered Cinnamon Bay Nature Trail and the Bourdeaux Mountain Trail that leads to the highest point on the island at 1,277 feet (389 m) above sea level, and whose view is best described as "what you must see from heaven". The most popular hike, however, is the Reef Bay Trail. This route paves the way to witnessing the beauty of the surrounding forestlands, remnants of sugar mills, historical Taíno petroglyph rock carvings, a spring-fed waterfall and reflection pool, and a chance for rest and relaxation or snorkeling excitement at Genti Bay.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Visitors can stay on Saint John nearby but off-park land, or they may elect to stay in one of the park's two campgrounds, Maho Bay and Cinnamon Bay, which offer varying levels of comfort. The park is free of hotels and resort, with a notable exception, the Caneel Bay resort on the north shore, which lies on Rockefeller’s former personal estate.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Virgin Islands National Park also includes Hassel Island, just off Charlotte Amalie harbor, as well as a few isolated sites on the island of St. Thomas.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Features</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_fAbXUS8RRY/TxLrACWKGyI/AAAAAAAABI0/OZ1OY-5kGFI/s1600/Virgin+Islands+National+Park2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_fAbXUS8RRY/TxLrACWKGyI/AAAAAAAABI0/OZ1OY-5kGFI/s320/Virgin+Islands+National+Park2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The main features of the Virgin Islands National Park are the coral reefs and oceans. They almost completely surround the park. As new coral species replace older ones, the coral reefs are experiencing rapid change. For example, in 2006, the Elkhorn and Slaghorn coral were introduced to the Virgin Islands. Another important feature of the Virgin Islands are the tropical forests. The tropical forests hold most of the park's plants and wildlife. The plants and wildlife are what the Virgin Islands Park is famous for. Bats are the only mammal native to the island. Wild donkeys and crabs are other very common species.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Flora and fauna</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-feuHhkt794k/TxLrorAFUmI/AAAAAAAABI8/ky52HDt35xQ/s1600/Virgin+Islands+National+Park3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-feuHhkt794k/TxLrorAFUmI/AAAAAAAABI8/ky52HDt35xQ/s320/Virgin+Islands+National+Park3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Much of the vegetation on Saint John is second generation growth. Almost the entire Island was clear-cut to make way for sugar cane production during the colonial era. Some native species like the tyre palm remain, but much growth today are introduced species. The only mammal known to be native to the island of St. John is the bat.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>When to visit</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">There is very little temperature difference between summer and winter and the sea is warm year round. Because of the park's typically hot weather a park visitor is recommended to bring sunscreen, a bathing suit, sunglasses, and shorts. The tourist season is from December to April and outside of those months prices for accommodation drop considerably. Camping is available in the park, as well as lodging.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>See</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EVlXlt4N26c/TxLsD1Xrz5I/AAAAAAAABJE/Sv19M2Jlgko/s1600/Virgin+Islands+National+Park4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EVlXlt4N26c/TxLsD1Xrz5I/AAAAAAAABJE/Sv19M2Jlgko/s320/Virgin+Islands+National+Park4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Park's beautiful beaches are the "can't miss" attraction as they are stunningly beautiful. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Park’s Visitor Center in Cruz Bay offers an exhibit showing both natural and cultural resources with examples of reef fishes and coral on display. Other panels depict the cultural history from the earliest inhabitants to the subsistence era. Artifacts from the pre-Columbian Tainos, tools used to harvest sugarcane during the late 1700’s and early 1800’s sugar production era, and examples of objects that became essential for survival after slavery emancipation are displayed. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The St. John Historical Society has a small museum located at the Battery (Offices of the Governor), just a short walk from the Visitors Center. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In Cinnamon Bay, visitors may visit the archeology lab (a converted sugar factory warehouse) and see the artifacts recovered from the nearby dig. If planning a visit, call first to ascertain that the building is open. </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://southofvoice.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05275318729346056814noreply@blogger.com1Virgin Islands National Park, Cruz Bay 00830, US Virgin Islands18.3448229 -64.745876718.3045464 -64.877334199999993 18.3850994 -64.6144192tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522789612601967224.post-71463653321809002062012-01-14T07:13:00.000+00:002012-01-14T07:13:56.754+00:00Indonesia's Charismatic Fauna<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nMSTacyCkTA/TxEfqtDl85I/AAAAAAAABFs/GaBA8I726Ic/s1600/Fauna+of+Indonesia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nMSTacyCkTA/TxEfqtDl85I/AAAAAAAABFs/GaBA8I726Ic/s320/Fauna+of+Indonesia.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The fauna of Indonesia consists of a high level of biodiversity due to its vast-size and tropical archipelago make-up. Indonesia divides into two ecological regions; western Indonesia is more influenced by Asian fauna, and the east is more influenced by Australasian. The Wallace Line—in fact, more an area known as Wallacea—notionally divides these two regions. This unique blend of fauna in Indonesia is also affected by the diverse range of ecosystems, including beaches, sand dunes, estuaries, mangroves, coral reefs, sea grass beds, coastal mudflats, tidal flats, algal beds, and small island ecosystems.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Ecological issues have appeared in the nation due to the rapid industrialisation process and high population growth, resulting in lower priority level to preserve the ecosystems. The situation has worsened by illegal logging activity, in which resulting deforestation; while other problems, including high level of urbanisation, air pollution, garbage management and waste water services also contributing to the forest deterioration.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Origin of Indonesian fauna</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CvAUIPR96XE/TxEgt-tFIiI/AAAAAAAABF0/t32KQTOWzrY/s1600/Fauna+of+Indonesia1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CvAUIPR96XE/TxEgt-tFIiI/AAAAAAAABF0/t32KQTOWzrY/s320/Fauna+of+Indonesia1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The origin of fauna in Indonesia is heavily affected by geographical and geological events on the Asian continental landmass and the Australasian continental landmass (now Australia). The present New Guinea island was connected with the present Australia continent, forming a supercontinent called the southern supercontinent Gondwana. This supercontinent began to break up 140 million years ago, and the New Guinea region (previously known as Sahul) moved towards the equator. As a result, animals from New Guinea traveled to the Australian continent and vice versa, creating many different species living in different ecosystems. This activities continued to occur until the two regions separated completely.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The influence of the Asian continental landmass, on the other hand, was the result of the reformation of the Laurasia supercontinent, which existed after the breakup of Rodinia around 1 billion years ago. Around 200 million years ago, the Laurasia supercontinent split completely, forming Laurentia (now America) and Eurasia continents. The mainland of the Eurasia continent, including China, was not separated completely from the Indonesian archipelago. As a result, animals from the Eurasia mainland could travel to the archipelago, and, under a different ecosystems, new forms of species were formed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the nineteenth century, Alfred Russel Wallace proposed the idea of the Wallace Line, a notional line dividing the Indonesian archipelago into two regions, the Asian zoogeographical region (Sundaland) and the Australasian zoogeographical region (Wallacea). The line runs through the Malay Archipelago, between Borneo and Sulawesi (Celebes); and between Bali and Lombok. Although the distance from Bali to Lombok is relatively short, only about 35 kilometres, the fauna distribution is still affected by the line. For example, a group of birds would refuse to cross even the smallest stretches of open water. A second line, lying east, known as the Webber Line, has also been proposed to separate between "transition species" and species of Australian origin.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Sundaland</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uy-iWd1erJ8/TxEikfJlV4I/AAAAAAAABF8/md0vNxgsmG0/s1600/orang+utan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uy-iWd1erJ8/TxEikfJlV4I/AAAAAAAABF8/md0vNxgsmG0/s320/orang+utan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This includes Sumatra, Java, Borneo and the smaller surrounding islands, share similar characteristics with Asian fauna. During the ice age, after the Laurasia break up, the main Asian continent was connected with the Indonesian archipelago. Moreover, a low sea level enabled animals from the Asian mainland to migrate to Sundaland. As a result, large species such as tiger, rhinoceros, orangutan, elephant, and leopard exist in this region, although some species are categorised as endangered species. The Makassar Strait, between Borneo and Sulawesi, and the Lombok Strait, between Bali and Lombok, which is the Wallace Line separator, mark the end of the Sundaland region.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KWzTBCg3XTM/TxEi_2JKE8I/AAAAAAAABGE/57Jtv3l2ITY/s1600/Borneo+proboscis+monkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KWzTBCg3XTM/TxEi_2JKE8I/AAAAAAAABGE/57Jtv3l2ITY/s320/Borneo+proboscis+monkey.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Mammals</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sundaland has a total of 381 mammal species. 173 of them are endemic to this region. Most of these species are currently endangered. Two species of orangutans, Pongo pygmaeus (Borneo orangutans) and Pongo abelii (Sumatran orangutans ) are listed in the IUCN red list. Other famous mammals, such as the Borneo proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus), the Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) and the Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus) are also seriously threatened.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Birds</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uRj8w_dOsrU/TxEjkOxaGNI/AAAAAAAABGM/X7wH6USpllA/s1600/Bali+starling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uRj8w_dOsrU/TxEjkOxaGNI/AAAAAAAABGM/X7wH6USpllA/s320/Bali+starling.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">According to the Conservation International, a total of 771 bird species occur regularly in Sundaland. 146 of them are endemic to this region. Java and Bali have at least 20 endemic species, including the Bali starling (Leucopsar rothschildi) and the Javan plover (Charadrius javanicus).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Reptiles and Amphibians</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">An astonishing 449 species in 125 genera of reptiles are estimated to live in Sundaland. 249 species of them and 24 genera are endemic. Three reptile families are also endemic to this region: Anomochilidae, Xenophidiidae and Lanthanotidae, the last represented by the Bornean earless monitor (Lanthanotus borneensis), a very rare and little-known lizard. Around 242 species of amphibians in 41 genera live in this region. 172 species of them, including the Caecilian and six genera are endemic.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Fishes</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oN2d9n_iHgE/TxEkZMYlooI/AAAAAAAABGU/QbB0PatAcUc/s1600/golden+arowana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oN2d9n_iHgE/TxEkZMYlooI/AAAAAAAABGU/QbB0PatAcUc/s320/golden+arowana.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nearly 200 new species are discovered in the last ten years in this region. Around 1000 species of fishes are known to live in the rivers, lakes, and swamps of Sundaland. Borneo has about 430 species, with 164 of them considered endemic. Sumatra has 270 species, 42 of which are endemic. The well-known golden arowana (Scleropages formosus) is one of the best examples for the fishes of this region.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fUNPBMDeD1M/TxEkpwGM30I/AAAAAAAABGc/qioupr8cfOc/s1600/Wallacea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fUNPBMDeD1M/TxEkpwGM30I/AAAAAAAABGc/qioupr8cfOc/s320/Wallacea.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Wallacea</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Wallacea represents the biogeographical transitional zone between the Sundaland to the west and the Australasian zone to the east. This zone covers of about 338 494 km² land area in total, divided in multiple small islands. Due to its distinct and varied geography this region contains many endemic and unique species of flora and fauna and has been divided into a number of distinct ecoregions; the mountain and lowland areas of Sulawesi, North Maluku, Buru and Seram in Maluku, the Lesser Sunda Islands (with Sumba a distinct ecoregion in its own right), Timor, and the islands in the Banda Sea.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Mammals</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ouolZEKsdJY/TxElMMdhVVI/AAAAAAAABGk/cQzJ6ogBdq0/s1600/Mammals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ouolZEKsdJY/TxElMMdhVVI/AAAAAAAABGk/cQzJ6ogBdq0/s320/Mammals.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Wallacea has a total of 223 native mammal species. 126 of them are endemic to this region. An astonishing 124 bat species can be found in this area. Sulawesi, as the biggest island in this region, has the highest number of mammals. 136 species to be exact, of which 82 species and one-quarter of the genera are endemic. Remarkable species such as anoa (Bubalus depressicornis) and babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa) live on this island. At least seven species of macaques (Macaca spp.) and at least five species of tarsier (Tarsius spp.) are also unique to this island.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EsqPGyfxxvc/TxElg-oZmnI/AAAAAAAABGs/lBVhvm2zl_Q/s1600/Macrocephalon+maleo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EsqPGyfxxvc/TxElg-oZmnI/AAAAAAAABGs/lBVhvm2zl_Q/s320/Macrocephalon+maleo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Birds</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">650 bird species can be found in Wallacea, of which 265 species are endemic. Among the 235 genera represented, 26 of them are endemic. 16 genera are restricted to Sulawesi and its surrounding islands. Approximately 356 species, including 96 endemic bird species live on the island of Sulawesi. One of them is the maleo (Macrocephalon maleo), a bird currently seen as endangered and found entirely within the Wallacea.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Reptiles and Amphibians</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YkZcONxn5lw/TxEl0s8XHbI/AAAAAAAABG0/PHxtVhxl4as/s1600/Komodo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YkZcONxn5lw/TxEl0s8XHbI/AAAAAAAABG0/PHxtVhxl4as/s320/Komodo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With 222 species, of which 99 are endemic, the Wallacea has high reptile diversity. Among these are 118 lizard species, of which 60 are endemic; 98 snake species, of which 37 are endemic; five turtle species, two of them are endemic; and one crocodile species, the Indo-Pacific crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). Three endemic genera of snake can be found only in this region: Calamorhabdium, Rabdion, and Cyclotyphlops. One of the most famous reptile in the Wallacea is probably the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), known only from the islands of Komodo, Padar, Rinca, and the western end of Flores.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">58 native species of amphibians can be found in Wallacea, of which 32 are endemic. These represent a fascinating combination of Indo-Malayan and Australasian frog elements.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Fishes</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fQy4ZpRPArQ/TxEn5EcUGeI/AAAAAAAABG8/FMIGGZU4d_0/s1600/Oryzias.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fQy4ZpRPArQ/TxEn5EcUGeI/AAAAAAAABG8/FMIGGZU4d_0/s320/Oryzias.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are about 310 species of fishes recorded from the rivers and lakes of Wallacea, 75 species of them are endemic. Although little is still known about the fishes of the Moluccas and the Lesser Sunda Islands, 6 species are recorded as endemic. On Sulawesi, there are 69 known species, of which 53 are endemic. The Malili lakes in South Sulawesi, with its complex of deep lakes, rapids and rivers, have at least 15 endemic telmatherinid fishes, two of them representing endemic genera, three endemic Oryzias, two endemic halfbeaks, and seven endemic gobies.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Invertebrate</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-unbBa7CzSDs/TxEop2To6GI/AAAAAAAABHE/sRA6pUu6obQ/s1600/Chalicodoma+pluto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-unbBa7CzSDs/TxEop2To6GI/AAAAAAAABHE/sRA6pUu6obQ/s320/Chalicodoma+pluto.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are about 82 species of birdwing butterflies recorded in Wallacea, 44 of them are endemic. 109 tiger beetle species are also recorded within this region, 79 of which are endemic. One of the most astonishing species is perhaps the world’s largest bee (Chalicodoma pluto) in the northern Moluccas, an insect in which the females can grow up to four centimetres in length. This bee species nests communally in inhabited termite nests in lowland forest trees.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">About 50 endemic mollusks, three endemic crab species, and a number of endemic shrimp species are also known from the Wallacea.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>West Papua and Papua</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xnAVdswacBs/TxEpGfD-yJI/AAAAAAAABHM/GmmZeLgtJPw/s1600/cendrawasih+bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xnAVdswacBs/TxEpGfD-yJI/AAAAAAAABHM/GmmZeLgtJPw/s320/cendrawasih+bird.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The fauna of this region comprises a huge diversity of mammals, reptiles, birds, fishes, invertebrates and amphibians, many species of which are of Australasian origin. Ecoregions here include; the mountains of Bird's Head Peninsula West Papua, the lowlands of West Papua and Papua, the Biak Islands, Yapen island, the lowlands of New Guinea's northern coast, the mountain ranges behind the northern coast, medium and high elevations of the New Guinea Highlands, the lowlands and the swamplands of the southern coast, and finally areas of mangrove swamp scattered around the coast.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Conservation</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xbbgQbnfej8/TxEqsxjcu_I/AAAAAAAABHc/JSyCA8ayb0s/s1600/papua+birds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xbbgQbnfej8/TxEqsxjcu_I/AAAAAAAABHc/JSyCA8ayb0s/s320/papua+birds.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Although 45% of Indonesian region is still inhabited and covered by tropical forests, high growth of Indonesian population, with its industrialisation, has slowly affected the existence of fauna in Indonesia. Moreover, wildlife trade has also worsened the condition of Indonesia's charismatic fauna, including rhinoceross, orangutans, tigers, and certain species of amphibians. Up to 95% of animals sold in markets are taken directly from the wild, rather than from captive breeding stock; and more than 20% of the animals died in transportation. As of 2003, The World Conservation Union lists as endangered 147 mammals, 114 birds, 91 fish and 2 invertebrate species.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Some of the richest habitats have been protected since the early 20th century under Dutch Colonial law. Indonesia's first national parks have been established in 1980, and the network has been rapidly growing since, reaching a total of 50 declared national parks in 2009. Six of these are also World Heritage Sites and 3 are wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar convention.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Endangered primates</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QiTETCWVoU8/TxEqUfvvAtI/AAAAAAAABHU/QeyoYM8q2hk/s1600/Pig-tailed+langur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QiTETCWVoU8/TxEqUfvvAtI/AAAAAAAABHU/QeyoYM8q2hk/s320/Pig-tailed+langur.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Around 40 primates from 200 primate species in the world found in Indonesia forests. 4 Indonesian primates were includes among the 25 most endangered primates in the world, they are Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii), Siau Island tarsier (Tarsius tumpara), Javan slow loris (Nycticebus javanicus) and the Pig-tailed langur (Simias cocolor).</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://southofvoice.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05275318729346056814noreply@blogger.com0Indonesia-0.789275 113.92132700000002-9.241273 90.913884500000023 7.662723 136.92876950000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522789612601967224.post-62663067115116003992012-01-12T13:09:00.000+00:002012-01-12T13:09:26.918+00:00Kroncong Music<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a7cgN6v6fPE/Tw7UZ9S-LSI/AAAAAAAABEc/7IZuH3AwVTE/s1600/alat+musik+kroncong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a7cgN6v6fPE/Tw7UZ9S-LSI/AAAAAAAABEc/7IZuH3AwVTE/s320/alat+musik+kroncong.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kroncong (pronounced "kronchong"; Indonesian: Keroncong, Dutch: Krontjong) is the name of a ukulele-type instrument and an Indonesian musical style that typically makes use of the kroncong (the sound chrong-chrong-chrong comes from this instrument, so the music is called keronchong), the band or combo or ensemble (it called as keronchong orchestra) consist of a flute, a violin, a melody guitar, a cello in pizzicato style, string bass also in pizzicato, and a female or male singer.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Characteristics</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The name "Kroncong" may be derived from the jingling sound of the kerincing rebana, as heard in the rhythmic background to the music created by the interlocking of instruments playing on or off the beat. This background rhythm runs faster than the (often) slow vocal or melody, and is created, typically, by two ukuleles, a cello, a guitar and a bass. These instruments, especially the pair of ukeleles, interlock as do the instruments in a gamelan orchestra, and it is clear that the musical traditions of Indonesia have been applied to an orchestra of European instruments. Formerly they use also Portuguese musical instruments called cavaquinho, a four steel stringed musical instrument that looks like a guitar. Cavaquinho was then modified into prounga, a 3 nylon stringed instrument with low pitch and macina, a 4 nylon stringed instrument with high pitch.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">One ukulele, called the "cak" (pronounced "chak") may be steel-stringed and the instrumentalist strums chords with up to 8 strums per beat in 4/4 rhythm. The off-beat strums are accentuated. The other ukulele, called the "cuk" (pronounced "chook"), is larger and may have 3 gut or nylon strings. The instrumentalist may pluck arpeggios and tremoloes using a plectrum, and the on-beat is emphasised. As a set, the cak and cuk form an interlocking pair that mostly gives Kroncong its characteristic kron and chong.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The cello may have 3 gut or nylon strings and chords are plucked rapidly, often with a unique skipped-beat, using the thumb and one finger. This instrument then adds both rhythm and tone. The guitar may play similarly to either cak or cuk but, more often, plays extended scalar runs that provide an undulating background to a chord or bridge chord changes. The bass often is played in a minimalist style reminiscent of the large gongs in a gamelan.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On top of this rhythmic layer the melody and elaborate ornamentation is carried by a voice, flute or violin. The violin or flute are used to play introductory passages (often elaborate), fills and scalar runs, both faster and more elaborate than the guitar. The vocalist sings the melody which, in traditional Kroncong, is slow with sustained notes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The repertoire largely uses the Western major key with some arrangements in the minor. One departure from this occurs when Kroncong orchestras play Javanese songs (Langgam Jawa). Javanese music ordinarily uses scales and intervals that do not occur in Western music. Kroncong Jawa maintains Western intervals but adopts a 5-tone scale that approximates one of the main Javanese septatonic scales. When playing this style, cak and cuk leave their characteristic interplay and both play arpeggios to approximate the sound and style of the Javanese instrument the siter, a kind of zither. The cello adopts a different rhythmic style as well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>History</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-af19jrmTQ1o/Tw7UsGqnqZI/AAAAAAAABEk/90-0l_gN96c/s1600/kroncong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-af19jrmTQ1o/Tw7UsGqnqZI/AAAAAAAABEk/90-0l_gN96c/s320/kroncong.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kroncong music began in the 16th century as sailors from the Portuguese Empire brought Portuguese instruments and music to Indonesia. Lower-class citizens and gangs, commonly called buaya (a reference to "buaya darat" or crocodile on land, a term used to describe playboys to this day) adopted the new musical styles. Eventually, they were assimilated by the upper-class citizens. Paul Fisher writes,</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The small kroncong guitar, also the name of a music, is derived from the Portuguese braguinha, sharing its root with the Hawaiian ukulele. Kroncong music is believed to have originated in the communities of freed Portuguese slaves in the 16th century. European influence from this time can also be heard in the music of the Batak people of North Sumatra, and from the end of the 19th century, the beginnings of guitar accompaniment incorporated within a distinctly Indonesian idiom in music from Sumatra, South Sulawesi and elsewhere.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kroncong (currently spelled Keroncong in Indonesian) is now considered old-fashioned folk music by most Indonesian youth, although efforts have been made since the 1960s to modernise the genre by adding electric guitars, keyboards and drums, notably in so-called Pop Keroncong sung by Hetty Koes Endang. The melancholic spirit of traditional, acoustic Kroncong (so similar to Portuguese Fado music) has been recorded by Samuel Quiko and the members of his Jakartan Krontjong Tugu Orchestra, who have performed at the well-known Indo festival 'Pasar Malam Besar' in The Hague. Considered a Eurasian art form Kroncong features prominently each year at the Tong Tong Fair. The genre is also being evolved in new directions by Indo artists in the Netherlands.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The Evolution of Kroncong Music</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Early Long Evolution 1552–1880</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Since Portuguese sailors landed in Malacca (1552) and Portuguese slaves were freed in Kampung Tugu (north Jakarta) in 1661, a genre of music that was to become known as Keroncong has started to take shape. But the real keroncong music has not existed yet at the time. It has only began since 1880, when the main instrument of modern keroncong, the ukulele, was invented in Hawaaii. The so-called "long evolution" of 1552-1879 was a preliminary stage of development, leading to the creation of keroncong as we know it in 1880s. Since then keroncong is in a stage of development referred to as "short evolution" by Indonesian critics.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The Last Short Evolution 1880–now</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The last short evolutions were taken place, divided in four short evolution periods</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The Era of Tempo Doeloe (1880–1920)</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tempo Doeloe is Oldies Time (tempo=time, doeloe=oldies). Komedie Stamboel was an Indo touring comedy company that performed folk entertainment which was very popular during the end of nineteenth century (1891–1903) especially in East-Java. It performed 1001 night tales, European folk tales, as well as local folk tales. Examples are: Ali Baba, Cinderella, Si Pitoeng, etc. The tours were made by railway as well as ships. They toured to Malysia and all parts of Indonesia. Between the scenes there were musical intermezzos such as marches, polkas, waltzes, as well as kronchong music called stamboel.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">During the Era of Tempo Doeloe or the Time of Stamboel Songs (1880–1920), there were 3 types of Stamboel Songs, i.e.: Stamboel I (Nina Bobo, Potong Padi, Soleram); Stamboel II (Si Jampang, Jali-Jali); and Stamboel III (Kemayoran). The Stamboel songs were 16 bars characteristic songs, and played in a fast tempo (like Allegro, as fast as 110 tick per minute). The songs were played in the following song structure:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Stambul I: The songs in these category such as St I Terang Bulan, St I Potong Padi, St I Nina Bobo, St I Sarinande, St I O Ina Ni Keke, St I Bolelebo, etc. and the structure is A - B - A - B or A - B - C - D (16 bars):</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">|I,,, |,,,, |,,,, |V7,,, |</div><div style="text-align: justify;">|,,,, |,,,, |,,,, |I,,, |</div><div style="text-align: justify;">|I7,,, |IV,,, |,, V7, |I,,, |</div><div style="text-align: justify;">|,,,, |V7,,, |,,,, |I,,, ||</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Stambul II: The songs in these category are St II Si Jampang, St II Jali-Jali. In these categories the song opens (in the first beat) with broken chord of I, then in the first 3 bars are in tacet position and at the end of first 4 bars directly enter the sub-dominant chord (IV); and the structure is A - B - A - C (16 bars):</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">|I . . . |. . . . |. . . . |IV,,, | (Open with Chord I, then in tacet position within the first 3 bars, after that directly to chord IV)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">|,,,, |,,,, |,, V7, |I,,, |</div><div style="text-align: justify;">|,,,, |,,,, |,,,, |V7,,, |</div><div style="text-align: justify;">|,,,, |,,,, |,,,, |I,,, ||</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Stambul III: The title Kemayoran is a Stamboel III category, misspelled as Keroncong Asli, but it consist of 16 bars, it means staboel category. The structure it is Prelude - A - Interlude - B - C (16 bars):</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pr |I,,, |,,,, | Prelude 2 bars</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A1 |,,,, |,,,, |</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A2 |II#,,,|V7,,, | 'Modulation 2 bars to the Double Dominant</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In |,,,, |IV,,, | Interlude 2 bars</div><div style="text-align: justify;">B1|,,,, |I,,, |</div><div style="text-align: justify;">B2|V7,,, |I,,, |</div><div style="text-align: justify;">C1|,,,, |,,,, |</div><div style="text-align: justify;">C2|V7,,, |I,,, ||</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The Era of Kronchong Eternity (1920-1960)</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">After World War I, American Popular Music came to the ballroom music in hotels in Indonesia. The musicians mostly came from the Filipino (such as Pablo, Sambayon, etc.), and the new American Pop Songs consist of 32 bars, and it also influenced the local music. Like Indonesia Raya (composed in 1924) also has 32 bars long. The Bengawan Solo was composed by Gesang in this Era. The center of development moved to Solo City (Middle Java), and it has slower movement (like Moderato, use 80 ticks per minute).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Langgam Keroncong: This structure has a binary form like pop songs: Verse A - Verse A - Bridge B - Verse A (32 bars long). Here is the structure:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Verse A | V7,,, |I,,, | IV, V7, | I,,, | I,,, | V7,,, | V7,,, | I,,, |</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Verse A |V7,,, | I,,, | IV, V7, | I,,, | I,,, | V7,,, | V7,,, | I,,, |</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bridge B |I7,,, |IV,,, | IV, V, | I,,, | I,,, | II#,,, | II#,,, | V,,,| Modulation to the Double Dominant as usual in Bridge of pop song</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Verse A |V7,,, |I,,, | IV, V7, | I,,, | I,,, | V7,,, | V7,,, | I,,, |</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Stambul Keroncong: Stambul Keroncong has a unique structure (A-B-A-B') x 2 = 16 bars x 2 = 32 bars, a modification of Stambul II that only has 16 bars, and doubled becomes 32 bars as Stamboel Keroncong (to adjust as new standard song 32 bars).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The structure of Stambul Keroncong is as follows: sign - means tacet</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">|I - - - | - - - - | - - - - |IV,,, | Opening break chord I and directly enter chord IV</div><div style="text-align: justify;">|IV,,, |IV,,, |IV, V,|I,,, |</div><div style="text-align: justify;">|I,,, |I,,, |I,,, |V,,, |</div><div style="text-align: justify;">|V,,, |V,,, |V,,, |I,,, |</div><div style="text-align: justify;">|I,,, |I,,, |I,,, |IV,,, | these 16 bars is repetition of first 16 bars, but no tacet position, it means in full play position</div><div style="text-align: justify;">|IV,,, |IV,,, |IV, V, |I,,, |</div><div style="text-align: justify;">|I,,, |I,,, |I,,, |V,,, |</div><div style="text-align: justify;">|V,,, |V,,, |V,,, |I,,, |</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Keroncong Asli The Keroncong Asli has A - B - B' structure. The song consists of 8 rows, and all together 32 bars long. The first PRELUDE consist of 4 bars played instrumentally (same as 7th row, in the middle there is a modulation (4 bars), then comes INTERLUDE (4 bars long too). The structure then as follow:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">|V,,, |I, I7, |IV, V7, |I,,, | prelude 4 bars taken from 7th row (B3)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">(A1) | I,,, | I,,, | V,,, | V,,, |</div><div style="text-align: justify;">(A2) |II#,,, | II#,,, | V,,, | a modulation as long as 4 bars to the Double Dominant</div><div style="text-align: justify;">|V,,, | V,,, | V,,, |IV,,, | interlude 4 bars become standard for all songs</div><div style="text-align: justify;">(B1) | IV,,,| IV,,,|V7,,, | I,,, |</div><div style="text-align: justify;">(B2) |I,,, | V7,,, | V7,,, | I, I7, |</div><div style="text-align: justify;">(B3) |IV, V7, |I, I7, | IV, V7, |I,,, |</div><div style="text-align: justify;">(B2) | I,,, | V7,,, | V7,,,| I,,, |</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kronchong Cadenza The harmony theory explain about cadenza, i.e. a chord progression for full or half stop of a song. There are 4 candenzes in the classical harmony theory, i.e. as follows:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">a. Perfect Cadenza, i.e. chord progression of V-I for full stop a song</div><div style="text-align: justify;">b. Unperperfect Cadenza, i.e. the song ended with chord of V7, such as II-V7, IV-V7, VI-V7, etc.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">c. Interupted Cadenza X-VI, t.e. if the song ended with chord progression such as V-VI, II-VI, etc.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">d. Plagal Candenza, i.e. chord progression of IV-I like "Amien" in prayer</div><div style="text-align: justify;">e. Even Tierce de Picardy is not a cadenza, but it usually used in the end of a minor key with full close in a mayor key</div><div style="text-align: justify;">f. Kronchong Cadenza, was developed in kroncong music, i.e. a chord progression of I-I7-IV-V7-I will ended a kronchong song.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The Era of Modern Kronchong (1960–2000)</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BYI-6OzAbwo/Tw7XNzeBd9I/AAAAAAAABE0/5-guxbUkupg/s1600/Gesang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BYI-6OzAbwo/Tw7XNzeBd9I/AAAAAAAABE0/5-guxbUkupg/s320/Gesang.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kronchong Music continued to develop in the vicinity of Solo City. Some the Kronchong Musicians moved to other parts of Indonesia, like Yogya or Jakarta.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Javanese Genre The gamelan influenced to kroncong music, including the Javanese Modal Tunes that already exist in these areas. The characteristic of Javanese Music are Javanese Modal Tune (Pelog or Slendro Pentatonic Mode); the use of so called siter (a string instrument plucked like lying harp); kendang (Javanese drum) which was played by plucked cello; kempul (a metal instrument like gong but lying position); metal and wood marimbas; gongs, and the style of Javanese Singers. The songs structure still use pop song. i.e. Binary Form: A - A - B - A or sometimes A - B - C - D with 32 bars long. It began in 1958 composed by Anjar Any (1936–2008), the famous song is: Yen Ing Tawang Ana Lintang (If there is a star in the sky), and borned together with Waljinah the winner of local radio singer contest at Solo in 1958.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Keroncong Beat Rudy Pirngadie and his goup at Jakarta (Yayasan Tetap Segar / Foundation) in 1959 that promoted Kronchong Beat for accompanying various songs, lokal or foreign music, and in 1964 he join the New York World's Fair USA for introducing kronchong music to global audiences. Idris Sardi (Indonesian Violin Virtous) present a hit pop song entitle I left my heart in San Francisco with kronchong beat, but he fined by the US Music Authority, due the violent to US Copyright.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Kronchong Beat promote various songs, including use of major and minor scale, quartel or triple beat, use more various chords, etc. Exactly, global music genre could be performed by an accompanying Kronchong Beat.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Campur Sari An area so called Gunung Kidul (at Yogyakarta) in 1968, a local musician named Manthous introduced so called Campur Sari, a collaboration of gamelan music and kronchong. Now it have been developed in vicinity around Solo, i.e. Solo City, Sragen, Ngawi.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kronchong Koes-Plus Koes Plus, a famous rock pop musician origin from Solo that introduce kronchong music in rock style (1974). The Group produced albums in kronchong style music, one of the song is entitled Kroncong Pertemuan which in the use of combined on Stamboel II and Langgam Kronchong (see above for each structure).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The Era of Millennium Keroncong (2000-now)</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tveadmmQgn4/Tw7VxjuwaHI/AAAAAAAABEs/mM1yds59psw/s1600/Keroncong+Merah+Putih.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tveadmmQgn4/Tw7VxjuwaHI/AAAAAAAABEs/mM1yds59psw/s320/Keroncong+Merah+Putih.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Even the kronchong music in the millennium (since the year of 2000), that the pop music industry until now does not produces as industrial music, but some groups have been make experiments on it. The group called "Keroncong Merah Putih", the kroncong group in Bandung that made some experiments on it which use the elements of combined rap music with background of kronchong music. Furthermore Bondan Prakoso fusion kroncong and hip-hop with his group, Bondan Prakoso & Fade 2 Black. We still waiting so far of this experiments and we hoping that it will be developed as the millennium kroncong. In 2008 @ Solo International Keroncong Festival, Harmony Chinese Music Group make some different atmosphere to Keroncong by adding Chinese musical instrument as main component & they called the genre as Indonesian Chinese Keroncong.</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://southofvoice.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05275318729346056814noreply@blogger.com0Indonesia-0.789275 113.92132700000002-9.241273 90.913884500000023 7.662723 136.92876950000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522789612601967224.post-58349127407092775372012-01-09T03:38:00.001+00:002012-01-09T04:26:07.003+00:00Mendut is a Ninth Century Buddhist Temple<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S8V4rjbrCKc/TwpfqPTthvI/AAAAAAAABDE/DNtfo8iFU4s/s1600/candi+mendut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S8V4rjbrCKc/TwpfqPTthvI/AAAAAAAABDE/DNtfo8iFU4s/s320/candi+mendut.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mendut is a ninth century Buddhist temple, located in Mendut village, Mungkid sub-district, Magelang Regency, Central Java, Indonesia. The temple is located about three kilometres east from Borobudur. Mendut, Borobudur and Pawon, all of which are Buddhist temples, are located in one straight line. There is a mutual religious relationship between the three temples, although the exact ritual process is unknown.</div><a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <b> </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>History</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Built around early ninth century AD, Mendut is the oldest of the three temples including Pawon and Borobudur. The Karangtengah inscription, the temple was built and finished during the reign of King Indra of Sailendra dynasty. The inscription dated 824 AD mentioned that King Indra of Sailendra has built a sacred building named Venuvana which means "bamboo forest". Dutch archaeologist JG de Casparis has connected the temple mentioned in Karangtengah inscription with Mendut temple.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In 1836 it was discovered as a ruins covered with bushes. The restoration of this temple was started at 1897 and it was finished at 1925. Some archaeologists who had conducted research on this temple were JG de Casparis, Theodoor van Erp, and Arisatya Yogaswara.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Architecture</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-22Uyo4ZryLs/Twpf5ZUNcFI/AAAAAAAABDM/xTEbKaA-HI0/s1600/candi+mendut1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-22Uyo4ZryLs/Twpf5ZUNcFI/AAAAAAAABDM/xTEbKaA-HI0/s320/candi+mendut1.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The 26.4 metres tall temple is facing northwest. The stairs projecting from the northwest side square elevated base is adorned with Makara statue on each sides, the side of the stairwall carved with bas-relief of Jataka fable narrating the animal story of buddhist teaching. The square terrace surrounding the body of the temple was meant for pradakshina or circumambulating ritual, walking clockwise around the temple. The outer walls is adorned with bas-reliefs of Boddhisattvas (buddhist divinities), such as Avalokitesvara, Maitreya, Cunda, Ksitigarbha, Samantabhadra, Mahakarunika Avalokitesvara, Vajrapani, Manjusri, Akasagarbha, and Boddhisattvadevi Prajnaparamita among other buddhist figures. Originally the temple had two chambers, a small chamber in the front, and the large main chamber in the center. The roof and some parts of the front chamber walls are missing. The inner wall of front chamber is adorned with bas-relief of Hariti surrounds by children, Atavaka on the other side, Kalpataru, also groups of devatas divinities flying in heaven.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Location three Buddhist temples, Borobudur-Pawon-Mendut, in one straight line across Progo River.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rmRgo4WCjV4/TwpgKj-3wQI/AAAAAAAABDU/j9a433-dyi4/s1600/candi+mendut2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rmRgo4WCjV4/TwpgKj-3wQI/AAAAAAAABDU/j9a433-dyi4/s320/candi+mendut2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The main room housed three beautifully carved large stone statues. The three statues are the Buddhist main divinities revered in Mendut temple which can explain the spiritual purpose of the establishment of this temple. The 3 metres tall statue of Dhyani Buddha Vairocana was meant to liberate the devotees from the bodily karma, at the left is statue of Boddhisatva Avalokitesvara to liberate from the karma of speech, at the right is Boddhisatva Vajrapani to liberate from karma of thought.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Today, during the full moon in May or June, Buddhists in Indonesia observe Vesak annual ritual by walking from Mendut passing through Pawon and ends at Borobudur.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://southofvoice.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05275318729346056814noreply@blogger.com3Candi Mendut, Jalan Raya Borobudur, Mungkid, Indonesia-7.6043595 110.2308994-47.5339365 50.4652744 32.3252175 169.9965244tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522789612601967224.post-6702033924739191352012-01-05T06:37:00.000+00:002012-10-04T10:57:31.960+01:00The Red Sea is a Rich and Diverse Ecosystem of Coral and Marine Fish<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Red Sea (alternatively Arabian Gulf or Gulf of Arabia) is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia. The connection to the ocean is in the south through the Bab el Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden. In the north, there is the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Gulf of Suez (leading to the Suez Canal). The Red Sea is a Global 200 ecoregion. The sea is underlain by the Red Sea Rift which is part of the Great Rift Valley.</div>
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The Red Sea has a surface area of roughly 438,000 km² (169,100 mi²). It is about 2250 km (1398 mi) long and, at its widest point, 355 km (220.6 mi) wide. It has a maximum depth of 2211 m (7254 ft) in the central median trench, and an average depth of 490 m (1,608 ft). However, there are also extensive shallow shelves, noted for their marine life and corals. The sea is the habitat of over 1,000 invertebrate species, and 200 soft and hard corals. It is the world's northernmost tropical sea.</div>
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<b>Characteristics of Red Sea Coral Reefs</b></div>
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Red Sea coral reefs have developed an unusually high tolerance to the extreme temperatures, salinity, and occasional turbidity (caused by huge seasonal dust storms) that occur in the region. Such conditions that would be lethal or highly damaging to most hard corals found in other parts of the the Indo-Pacific region or in the Caribbean.</div>
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Water clarity is exceptional because the lack of river discharge and low rainfall do not lead to the suspension and dissipation of fine sediments as found in many other parts of the tropical oceans that border large land masses.</div>
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Red Sea coral reefs are particularly well developed in the north and central portions (off the coasts of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sudan), with large sizable offshore reef complexes containing many islands, fringing reefs, and other coral reef habitats (see photo, above).</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uK7qGILCv_g/TwVCBT3kGxI/AAAAAAAABBk/boVHoAwHFUU/s1600/Red+Sea+coral1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uK7qGILCv_g/TwVCBT3kGxI/AAAAAAAABBk/boVHoAwHFUU/s320/Red+Sea+coral1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Further south, coral growth is somewhat inhibited by the influx of nutrient laden water where the Indian Ocean enters the Red Sea. This surface waters of the more southerly areas are also subject to far greater mixing with deeper water caused by strong winds coming off a high mountainous coast.</div>
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In general, the marine biota of Red Sea coral reefs is characterized by high endemism. For example, of the 1200 or so coral reef fish species recorded, about 10% are endemic (found nowhere else).</div>
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About 300 hard coral species have been recorded from the Red Sea as a whole. The Egyptian coast alone supports about 200 species of reef building corals belonging to almost 50 genera. This represents about four times the hard coral diversity found on Caribbean reefs, and is comparable to the coral diversity found in the Maldives and Seychelles in the Indian Ocean.</div>
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Nonetheless, the biodiversity of Red Sea reefs does not rival that of reefs of the richest parts of the Indo-Pacific region.</div>
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<b>Status Of Red Sea Reefs</b></div>
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Despite the extreme conditions characteristic of the region, Red Sea coral reefs are generally healthy. Coral reefs range widely in condition and cover, with up to 85% living coral cover at the best sites and over 50% live coral cover at many other locations. There is usually minimal coral bleaching evident, although some localized outbreaks are reported from time to time.</div>
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Still, many Red Sea coral reefs situated near urban centers and other developed parts of the coast have been heavily damaged or lost due to the predicatable effects of poorly planned or regulated population expansions and coastal development, along with associated declines in water quality.</div>
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In some of the once most pristine reef areas, insufficiently managed dive tourism (damage from anchors and recreational scuba divers) has also taken its predictable toll on the reefs.</div>
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A growing number of marine number of protected areas (MPAs) have been established in the Red Sea to help alleviate some of these problems.</div>
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Ras Mohammed National Park was established by Egypt in 1983 and includes miles of healthy fringing reefs (see photo, left: Copyright Fotolia). The Red Sea Marine Peace Park in the Gulf of Aqaba was founded in 1994 by the governments of Jordan and Israel to preserve and protect the area's coral reefs.</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://southofvoice.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05275318729346056814noreply@blogger.com1Red Sea20.280232 38.51257299999997512.440051 33.584584999999976 28.120413000000003 43.440560999999974tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522789612601967224.post-21737689301223992222012-01-04T14:41:00.000+00:002012-01-04T14:41:12.023+00:00Angel Falls is one of Venezuela's top tourist attractions<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LveQBJZV-n8/TwRjEb_WAbI/AAAAAAAAA90/EpjM9QUgPz4/s1600/Angel+Falls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LveQBJZV-n8/TwRjEb_WAbI/AAAAAAAAA90/EpjM9QUgPz4/s320/Angel+Falls.jpg" width="223" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Angel Falls (Spanish: Salto Ángel; Pemon language: Kerepakupai Vená, meaning "waterfall of the deepest place", or Parakupá Vená, meaning "the fall from the highest point", is a waterfall in Venezuela.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is the world's highest waterfall, with a height of 979 m (3,212 ft) and a plunge of 807 m (2,648 ft). The waterfall drops over the edge of the Auyantepui mountain in the Canaima National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Canaima), a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Gran Sabana region of Bolívar State. The height figure 979 m (3,212 ft) mostly consists of the main plunge but also includes about 400 m (0.25 mi) of sloped cascades and rapids below the drop and a 30-metre (98 ft) high plunge downstream of the talus rapids.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The base of the falls feeds into the Kerep River (alternatively known as the Río Gauya), which flows into the Churun River, a tributary of the Carrao River.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Name</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dCgMipLFsA4/TwRjhRkzVAI/AAAAAAAAA-A/ExVFPzr0d5w/s1600/Angel+Falls1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dCgMipLFsA4/TwRjhRkzVAI/AAAAAAAAA-A/ExVFPzr0d5w/s320/Angel+Falls1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The waterfall was known for most of the twentieth century by the name "Angel Falls" after Jimmie Angel, a US aviator who was the first to fly over the falls in a plane. The common Spanish name "Salto Ángel" derives from his surname. In 2009, President Hugo Chávez announced his intention to change the name to the original indigenous Pemon term ("Kerepakupai Vená", meaning "waterfall of the deepest place"), on the grounds that the nation's most famous landmark should bear an indigenous name. Explaining the name change, Chávez was reported to have said, "This is ours, long before Angel ever arrived there… this is indigenous property." However, he later said that he will not decree the change of name, but only was defending the use of Kerepakupai Vená.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Exploration</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vAOy8v4X8vE/TwRj0ubDZQI/AAAAAAAAA-M/DuBnMd2qloM/s1600/Angel+Falls2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vAOy8v4X8vE/TwRj0ubDZQI/AAAAAAAAA-M/DuBnMd2qloM/s320/Angel+Falls2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sir Walter Raleigh described what was possibly a tepuy (table top mountain), and he is sometimes said to have been the first European to view the Angel Falls, but these claims are considered far-fetched. Some historians state that the first European to visit the waterfall was Fernando de Berrío, a Spanish explorer and governor from the 16th and 17th centuries. Later on, they were indeed spotted in 1912 by the Venezuelan explorer Ernesto Sánchez La Cruz, but he did not publicize his discovery. They were not known to the outside world until American aviator Jimmie Angel flew over them on 16 November 1933 on a flight while he was searching for a valuable ore bed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Returning on 9 October 1937, Angel tried to land his Metal Aircraft Corporation Flamingo monoplane El Río Caroní; atop Auyan-tepui, but the plane was damaged when the wheels sank into the marshy ground. Angel and his three companions, including his wife Marie, were forced to descend the tepui on foot. It took them 11 days to make their way back to civilization via the gradually sloping backside but news of their adventure spread, and the waterfall was named Angel Falls in his honor.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dIdoaN67IV8/TwRkjVwoInI/AAAAAAAAA-k/CZ4C_94OTmM/s1600/Angel+Falls4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dIdoaN67IV8/TwRkjVwoInI/AAAAAAAAA-k/CZ4C_94OTmM/s320/Angel+Falls4.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Angel's plane remained on top of the tepuy for 33 years before being lifted out by helicopter. It was restored at the Aviation Museum in Maracay and now sits outdoors on the front of the airport at Ciudad Bolívar.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first recorded Westerner to reach the river that feeds the falls was Latvian explorer Aleksandrs Laime, also known as Alejandro Laime to the native Pemon tribe. He made the ascent of Auyan-tepui in 1955, by climbing on the back side where the slope is not vertical. He also reached Angel's plane on the same trip, 18 years after the crash landing. He gave the river feeding the falls the name Gauja after a river in Latvia, but the Pemon-given name of the river, Kerep, is still widely used.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Laime also was the first to clear a trail that leads from the Churun River to the base of the falls. On the way, there is a viewpoint commonly used to capture the falls in photographs. It is named Mirador Laime ("Laime's Viewpoint" in Spanish) in his honor. This trail is used now mostly for tourists, to lead them from the Isla Ratón camp to the small clearing.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The official height of the falls was determined by a National Geographic Society survey carried out by American journalist Ruth Robertson in 1949. The first known attempt to climb the face of the cliff was made in 1968 during the wet season. It failed because of slippery rock. In 1969 a second attempt was made during the dry season. This attempt was thwarted by lack of water and an overhang 400 feet from the top. The first climb to the top of the cliff was completed on January 13, 1971. The climbers required nine and a half days to ascend and one and a half days to rappel down. The climbers were, John Timo, George Bogel, David Nott, and Paul Straub (ANGELS FOUR, Prentice-Hall Inc. 1972) A book by David Nott, Angels Four, chronicles the first successful climb up the face of Auyantepui to the top of the falls.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Tourism</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4EH14jaXRY/TwRkM49B8VI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/WkYrOu067cY/s1600/Angel+Falls3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y4EH14jaXRY/TwRkM49B8VI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/WkYrOu067cY/s320/Angel+Falls3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Angel Falls is one of Venezuela's top tourist attractions, though a trip to the falls is a complicated affair. The falls are located in an isolated jungle, and a flight from Puerto Ordaz or Ciudad Bolívar is required to reach Canaima camp, the starting point for river trips to the base of the falls. River trips generally take place from June to December, when the rivers are deep enough for the wooden curiaras used by the Pemon guides. During the dry season (December to March) there is less water seen than in the other months (this can be clearly seen in the photos of the falls above).</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://southofvoice.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05275318729346056814noreply@blogger.com0Venezuela6.42375 -66.5897300000000310.64934250000000038 -73.362676000000036 12.1981575 -59.816784000000034tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522789612601967224.post-28957504042832385622012-01-01T16:14:00.000+00:002012-01-01T16:14:25.995+00:00Yogyakarta Sultanate is a Javanese monarchy in the province of Yogyakarta, Indonesia.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sFUCdSlf5SM/TwCFc31XsTI/AAAAAAAAA7A/uC8PkEQPmns/s1600/keraton+jogja.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sFUCdSlf5SM/TwCFc31XsTI/AAAAAAAAA7A/uC8PkEQPmns/s320/keraton+jogja.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yogyakarta Sultanate (Indonesian: Kesultanan Yogyakarta; Javanese: Kasultanan/Keraton Ngayogyakerto Hadiningrat) is a Javanese monarchy in the province of Yogyakarta, Indonesia.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>History</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">After Sultan Agung, the Sultanate of Mataram was declining due to power struggle within the sultanate. To make things worse, VOC (Dutch East India Company) exploited the power struggle to increase its control. At the peak of the conflict, the Mataram Sultanate was split in two based on the Treaty of Giyanti of February 13, 1755: Yogyakarta Sultanate and Surakarta Sunanate.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Giyanti Treaty mentioned Pangeran Mangkubumi as Sultan of Yogyakarta with the title of Sampeyan Dalem Ingkang Sinuwun Kanjeng Sultan Hamengkubuwono Senopati Ingalaga Abdul Rakhman Sayidin Khalifatullah Panatagama (His Majesty, The Sultan-Carrier of the Universe, Chief Warrior, Servant of the Most Gracious, Cleric and Caliph that Safeguards the Religion).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">During the era of Dutch occupation there were two principalities, the Yogyakarta Sultanate (Kasultanan Yogyakarta) and the smaller Pakualaman Duchy / Principality (Kadipaten Pakualaman).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Dutch Colonial Government arranged for the carrying out autonomous self government, arranged under a political contract. When the Indonesian independence was proclaimed, the rulers, the Sultan of Yogyakarta and Prince of Pakualaman made a declaration they would become part of the Republic of Indonesia. Those two regions were unified to form the Yogyakarta Special Region and the sultan became the Governor of Yogyakarta and the Prince of Pakualaman as the vice-governor; both were responsible to the President of Indonesia. The Special Region of Yogyakarta was created after the independence war ended and legalized on August 3, 1950.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WVmZRL6Acoc/TwCF5Mfe1bI/AAAAAAAAA7M/VxK0Bssuu8g/s1600/keraton+jogja1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WVmZRL6Acoc/TwCF5Mfe1bI/AAAAAAAAA7M/VxK0Bssuu8g/s320/keraton+jogja1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In carrying out the local government administration it considers three principles: decentralization, deconcentration and assistance. The provincial government carries out the responsibilities and authorities of the central government, while on other hand carrying out its autonomous responsibilities and authorities. The Regional Government consists of the Head of the Region and the Legislative Assembly of the Region. Such construction guarantees good cooperation between the Head of Region and the Legislative Assembly of Region in order to achieve a sound regional government administration. The Head of the Special Region of Yogyakarta has got responsibility as the Head of the Territory and titled as a Governor.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The first Governor was the late Hamengkubuwono IX, Sultan of Yogyakarta and continued by HRH. Paku Alam VIII as acting governor until Hamengkubuwono X ascended in 1998. Unlike the other heads of regions in Indonesia, the governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta has the privilege or special status of not being bound to the period of position nor the requirements and way of appointment. However, in carrying out their duties, they have the same authorizations and responsibilities.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Residences</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The principal residence of the sultan is the kraton (palace), sometimes called the Yogyakarta Kraton but otherwise known in formal terms Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat.</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://southofvoice.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05275318729346056814noreply@blogger.com0Yogyakarta, Indonesia-7.797224 110.36879699999997-7.8339385 110.33883999999998 -7.7605094999999995 110.39875399999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522789612601967224.post-33644910825209612942012-01-01T15:59:00.000+00:002012-01-01T15:59:07.942+00:00Javanese Beliefs (Kebatinan or Kejawen)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qmVX32iu-ZM/TwCATnAjTpI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/IhwIM4JgHWM/s1600/kejawen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qmVX32iu-ZM/TwCATnAjTpI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/IhwIM4JgHWM/s320/kejawen.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Javanese beliefs (Kebatinan or Kejawen) have principles embodying a search for inner self but at the core is the concept of peace of mind. Although Kejawen is not strictly a religious affiliation, it addresses ethical and spiritual values as inspired by Javanese tradition. It is not a religion in usual sense of the word, like Islam, Judaism, or Christianity. There are no scriptures such as the Bible or the Qur'an, nor are there prophets. There is no emphasis on eschatology (i.e., life after death, heaven or hell, devils or angels).</div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Kebatinan</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kebatinan is a metaphysical search for harmony within one's inner self, connection with the universe, and with an Almighty God. Javanese beliefs are a combination of occultism, metaphysics, mysticism and other esoteric doctrines, exemplifying a Javanese tendency for synthesis. The Javanese system is so flexible that syncresis in all manifestations is attainable, even that which is in conflict. Javanese ideals combine human wisdom (wicaksana), psyche (waskita) and perfection (sempurna). The follower must control his/her passions, eschewing earthly riches and comforts, so that he/she may one day reach enlightened harmony and union with the spirit of the universe.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Meditation</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ylYI0oj47NM/TwCAiPNPpAI/AAAAAAAAA6c/g2XEG_Oh3Js/s1600/kejawen1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ylYI0oj47NM/TwCAiPNPpAI/AAAAAAAAA6c/g2XEG_Oh3Js/s320/kejawen1.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Generally speaking, the Kebatinan follower believes in the existence of a superconsciousness in the cosmic world which is beyond humankind's comprehension, yet controls and guides humans' affairs and destiny. This superconsciousness is believed to be contacted via meditation. There are several meditation techniques (tapa):</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">tapa Ngalong (meditation by hanging from a tree)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">tapa Pati-Geni (avoiding fire or light for a day or days and isolating oneself in dark rooms),</div><div style="text-align: justify;">tapa Senen-Kemis (fasting on Monday-Thursday),</div><div style="text-align: justify;">tapa Mutih (abstention from eating anything that is salted and sweetened, only eat/drink pure water & rice),</div><div style="text-align: justify;">tapa Ngebleng (not Eat-Drink for several time, usually 3-5-7 days )</div><div style="text-align: justify;">tapa Ngadam (stand/walk on foot from Sunset till Sunset, 24 Hours in Silence)</div><div style="text-align: justify;">tapa Kungkum (Meditation under small waterfall or meeting point of 2-3 rivers / Tempuran / Tjampuhan)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Fasting is a common practice employed by Javanese spiritualists in order to attain discipline of mind and body to get rid of material and emotional desires. Many Kebatinan followers meditate in their own way to seek spiritual and emotional relief. These practices are not performed in churches or mosques, but at home or in caves or on mountain perches. Meditation in Javanese culture is a search for inner self wisdom and to gain physical strength. This tradition is passed down from generation to generation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Satrio Piningit Wiragung</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l4CJ70z4430/TwCBYvClUOI/AAAAAAAAA6o/cooPiznC6yE/s1600/Maharaja+Jayabaya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l4CJ70z4430/TwCBYvClUOI/AAAAAAAAA6o/cooPiznC6yE/s1600/Maharaja+Jayabaya.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Satrio Piningit means "Hidden Knights/ Hidden Ksatria". He is a character of Jongko Joyobhoyo (Jayabaya Prophecies) in Javanese myths and he is a Javanese who would become a Great Leader of Nusantara and around the world from Java. Maharaja Jayabaya was a King of Kediri in East Java from 1135 to 1157 A.D. and he was known for his righteousness and prosperous rule, and reputed to have been an incarnation of the Hindu deity, Deva Vishnu so that he had a magical strength (sakti manduroguno) and he was abled to predict the future.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Maharaja Jayabaya is most famous for his oracles or prophesies attributed to him, namely the Serat Joyobhoyo Musoror, Serat Pranitiwekyo, and some debatable others. Jayabaya is also attributed as author of the "Pralembang Joyobhoyo", a prophetic book that played an important role in the Japanese Occupation of Indonesia (1942–1945).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">According to a selectively abridged set of stanzas within a Jayabaya prophesy (all are extremely long epic poems):</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"The Javanese would be ruled by whites for 3 centuries and by yellow dwarfs for the life span of a maize plant prior to the return of the Ratu Adil: whose name must contain at least one syllable of the Javanese Noto Negoro."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">When Japan occupied the Netherlands East Indies, in the first weeks of 1942, Indonesians danced in the streets, welcoming the Japanese army as the fulfillment of the prophecy ascribed to Joyoboyo, who foretold the day when white men would one day establish their rule on Java and tyrannize the people for many years – but they would be driven out by the arrival of yellow men from the north. These yellow dwarfs, Joyoboyo had predicted, would remain for one crop cycle, and after that Java would be freed from foreign domination. To most of the Javanese, Japan was a liberator: the prophecy had been fulfilled.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Islamic view</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kebatinan beliefs have spread to some parts of Malaysia in which certain individuals have combined it with Islamic concepts (e.g. proclaiming themselves to be new-age Islamic prophets, but delivering messages that are a combination of Islamic and kebatinan beliefs). This has led to the Malaysian Islamic authorities declaring elements of kebatinan to be "syirik" (shirk) and un-Islamic. Kebatinan interpretations of Islam are widespread in Malaysia among practitioners of silat, traditional healers and some preachers (such as Ayah Pin and other self-proclaimed Islamic prophets).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Evolution</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Javanese spiritualism entails a never ending search for wonder and surprise. It has some foreign influences. The Javanese tend to be flexible and pragmatic as far as one's spiritual life is concerned. The complexity is perhaps the result of Java's complicated cultural background and its myriad cultural influences. But basically, Javanese spiritualism is individualistic in approach, something typically Javanese. The approach is person-to-person or person-to-guru. One on one.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Kebatinan schools</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t6Kngb-x-QI/TwCCJw-zfeI/AAAAAAAAA60/3nXco5QRW2A/s1600/Kebatinan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t6Kngb-x-QI/TwCCJw-zfeI/AAAAAAAAA60/3nXco5QRW2A/s1600/Kebatinan.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Sumarah School: According to this school, man and his physical and spiritual world are divided into three parts: the physical body and brain, an invisible world, and a more elusive and sublime world. In the brain, the faculty of thinking has two functions: to record memories, and to serve as a means of communion with God. One section, Sukusma, governs the passions, while the other, the Jiwa, provides the driving forces governing thought and reason. The invisible world, which is situated within the chest, is the Jiwa, the ineffable soul. It is here that the deeper feeling (Rasa) is located. The most elusive and sublime world is hidden somewhere near the anatomical heart. Sumarah theology maintains that humankind's soul is like the holy spirit, a spark from the Divine Essence, which means that we are in essence similar to God. In other words "One can find God within oneself," a belief similar to the "I=God" theory found in Hindu-Javanese literature.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Sapta Dharma School was the product of the Indonesian Revolution.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Kebatinan commandments</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"God is within you. God is everywhere. But do not say you are God.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Historical texts</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kebatinan and kejawen practices are extensively written about in texts that are held in the Sanabudaya library in Yogyakarta, and the main Kraton Libraries of Solo and Yogyakarta. Many of the texts are deliberately elliptical so that those who do not work with either initiates or teachers are unable to ascertain or understand the esoteric doctrines and practices. In quite a few cases codified texts with secret systems to "unlock" the meanings are employed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Some Javanese texts relate stories about Syekh Siti Jenar who had conflicts with Wali Sanga, the nine Islamic scholars in Java, and the Sultanate of Demak. Although Syekh Siti Jenar was a sufi whose teaching were similar with Al-Hallaj, most of his followers (i.e. Ki Kebo Kenanga) come from Kebatinan. Some historians have doubted the existence of Syekh Siti Jenar (also known as Syekh Lemah Abang), suggesting the stories represent conflicts between Kebatinan and Islam in the past.</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://southofvoice.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05275318729346056814noreply@blogger.com0Java, Indonesia-7.6145292000000007 110.71224649999999-9.0680142 106.0118605 -6.161044200000001 115.41263249999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522789612601967224.post-16691624653244077252011-12-30T21:08:00.000+00:002011-12-30T21:08:50.729+00:00Madurese People<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RPjmy_829oc/Tv4mTW89f2I/AAAAAAAAA5g/ev9kyao2F1k/s1600/Penari+dari+Madura+%25281890-1917%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RPjmy_829oc/Tv4mTW89f2I/AAAAAAAAA5g/ev9kyao2F1k/s320/Penari+dari+Madura+%25281890-1917%2529.jpg" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penari dari Madura (1890-1917)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">The Madurese also known as Orang Madura and Suku Madura are an ethnic group originally from the island of Madura but now found in many parts of Indonesia, where they are the third-largest ethnic group by population. Common features of most Madurese throughout the archipelago include Islamic religion and the use of the Madurese language.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">The Madurese are a religious ethnic, mostly joint with Nahdlatul Ulama, a moderate Muslim organization in Indonesia. Pesantren has a pivotal role in Madurese life.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">While the Madurese have roots on Madura, off the northeastern coast of Java, the majority of Madurese do not now live on that island. The Madurese people have migrated out of Madura over several hundred years, mostly driven by poor agricultural resources in their home island. The majority have settled on Java, where an estimated six million Madurese live, especially in East Java where they form about half the population.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Transmigration</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XMY-YVvlE_4/Tv4m5dwSh4I/AAAAAAAAA5s/CDO8JCKTjT4/s1600/madura+cuisine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XMY-YVvlE_4/Tv4m5dwSh4I/AAAAAAAAA5s/CDO8JCKTjT4/s1600/madura+cuisine.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Madurese were also major clients of the government transmigration programs of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, through which they settled in relatively sparsely populated areas of Indonesia's other islands, especially Kalimantan. As a result of this program, many regions of Indonesia have communities of former transmigrants and their descendants that maintain their Madurese identity. Some of these migrant groups have been the subject of conflict with Dayak communities. The best-publicicized conflict has been on Kalimantan, where thousands were killed in fighting between the Madurese and the Dayak people during the late 1990s.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>language</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Madurese known for his style of speaking bluntly and its temperamental and easily offended, but they are also known for efficient, disciplined, and diligent work. For the pilgrimage, although poor Madurese must set aside a little money for deposits pilgrimage. Madurese are known to have strong Islamic tradition, although sometimes perform rituals Pethik Laut or Rokat Tasse (equal to the float offerings).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Social life</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-54eeKC8ljSA/Tv4nYTp6vLI/AAAAAAAAA54/EAO66YQpJF0/s1600/Madurese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-54eeKC8ljSA/Tv4nYTp6vLI/AAAAAAAAA54/EAO66YQpJF0/s320/Madurese.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Family is important to the Madurese and they commonly live in villages that function around an Islamic religious center. According to Islamic law, a man may have more than one wife. Marriage proposals are usually made by the groom's parents, preferably to a first or second cousin. If the proposal is accepted, the bride's parents are then presented with the "bride price", which is usually cattle. The groom's parents then set the date for the upcoming wedding. Newlywed couples often live with the bride's family.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Because the island of Madura has very poor soil, farming is not important in Madurese culture. As a result, the Madurese tend not to farm on other islands with very good soil, such as Java, and opt to herd cattle, fish, or sail instead. A common nickname for the Madurese is "cowboys" of Indonesia. Cattle are an important part of the culture, and bull-racing is one of their favorite sports. Islam is an integral part of the social, political and economic life of the Madurese.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://southofvoice.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05275318729346056814noreply@blogger.com0Madura, Indonesia-7.0777326 113.28708499999993-7.2709851 112.56129499999993 -6.8844801 114.01287499999994tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522789612601967224.post-47986371628388164982011-12-29T12:52:00.000+00:002011-12-29T12:52:08.295+00:00Miami Beach, particularly Ocean Drive of what is now the Art Deco District<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Culture</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Image and cultural depictions</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HMU3L1HItDM/TvxfCgLszCI/AAAAAAAAA18/z8nBlI42-_Q/s1600/Miami+Beach1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HMU3L1HItDM/TvxfCgLszCI/AAAAAAAAA18/z8nBlI42-_Q/s1600/Miami+Beach1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">South Beach (also known as SoBe, or simply The Beach, the area from 1st street to about 25th street) is one of the more popular areas of Miami Beach. Topless sunbathing is legal on certain designated areas of the beach. Before the TV show Miami Vice helped make the area popular, SoBe was under urban blight, with vacant buildings and a high crime rate. Today, it is considered one of the richest commercial areas on the beach, yet poverty and crime still remain in some places near the area.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Miami Beach, particularly Ocean Drive of what is now the Art Deco District, was also featured prominently in the 1983 feature film Scarface and the 1996 comedy The Birdcage.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The New World Symphony Orchestra is based in Miami Beach, under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Lincoln Road, running east-west between 16th and 17th Streets, is a nationally known spot for outdoor dining, bicycling, rollerblading and shopping and features and galleries of well known designers, artists and photographers such as Romero Britto, Peter Lik, and Jonathan Adler.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Jewish population</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-icvhfym9XN4/Tvxf5RfQH8I/AAAAAAAAA2I/cO939eG6i0s/s1600/Miami+Beach2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-icvhfym9XN4/Tvxf5RfQH8I/AAAAAAAAA2I/cO939eG6i0s/s320/Miami+Beach2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Miami Beach is home to a number of Orthodox Jewish communities with a network of well-established synagogues and yeshivas, the first of which being the Landow Yeshiva, a Chabad institution in operation for over 30 years. In addition, there is also a liberal Jewish community containing such famous synagogues as Temple Emanu-El (Miami Beach, Florida) and Cuban Hebrew Congregation. It is also a magnet for Jewish families, retirees, and particularly snowbirds when the cold winter sets in to the north. They range from the Modern Orthodox to the Haredi and Hasidic – including many rebbes who vacation there during the North American winter.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are a number of kosher restaurants and even kollels for post-graduate Talmudic scholars, such as the Miami Beach Community Kollel. Miami Beach had roughly 60,000 people in Jewish households, 62 percent of the total population, in 1982, but only 16,500, or 19 percent of the population, in 2004, said Ira Sheskin, a demographer at the University of Miami who conducts surveys once a decade.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Miami Beach is home to the Holocaust Memorial on Miami Beach.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>LGBT community</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oVfwgeTJdao/TvxgXisvCVI/AAAAAAAAA2U/OFCb-KHzl_c/s1600/Miami+Beach3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oVfwgeTJdao/TvxgXisvCVI/AAAAAAAAA2U/OFCb-KHzl_c/s320/Miami+Beach3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">After decades of economic and social decline, an influx of gay men and lesbians moving to South Beach in the late-1980s to mid-1990s helped contribute to Miami Beach's revitalization. The newcomers purchased and restored dilapidated Art Deco hotels and clubs, started numerous businesses, and built political power in city and county government. As South Beach became more popular as a national and international tourist destination, there have been occasional clashes between cultures and disputes about whether South Beach is as "gay friendly" as it once was.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Miami Beach is home to numerous gay bars and gay-specific events, and five service and resource organizations. The passage of progressive civil rights laws, election of outspokenly pro-gay Miami Beach Mayor Matti Bower, and the introduction of Miami Beach's Gay Pride Celebration, have reinvigorated the local LGBT community in recent years, which some argued had experienced a decline in the late 2000s. A handful of anti-gay attacks and some instances of Miami Beach Police brutality against gay men have been at odds with Miami Beach's longstanding image as a welcoming place for gay people.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Miami Beach is home to some of the country's largest fundraisers that benefit both local and national LGBT nonprofits. As of 2011, some of the largest LGBT events in Miami Beach are:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Winter Party</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The White Party</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Miami Recognition Dinner</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Aqua Girl</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In 2008, the new Miami Beach Mayor Matti Bower created a Gay Business Development Ad Hoc Committee, with a mission to bring recommendations to the Mayor and City Commission on initiatives to be implemented and supported by the City regarding a variety of issues to ensure the welfare and future of the Miami Beach LGBT community.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">While being a gay mecca of the 1980s and 1990s, Miami Beach never had a city sanctioned Gay Pride Parade until April 2009. With strong support from the newly elected mayor Matti Bower., Miami Beach had its first Gay Pride Festival in April 2009. It is now an annual event. The 2010 Pride drew tens of thousands of people.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In 2009, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) began looking into instances of Miami Beach Police Department (MBPD) targeting gay men for harassment. In February 2010, the ACLU announced that it will sue the City of Miami Beach for an ongoing targeting and arrests of gay men in public.[18] According to the ACLU, Miami Beach police have a history of arresting gay men for simply looking “too gay”.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The incidents between gay men and MBPD resulted in negative publicity for the city. At the meeting with the local gay leaders, Miami Beach Police Chief Carlos Noriega claimed that the incidents were isolated, and promised increased diversity training for police officers. He also announced that captain, who is a lesbian, would soon be reassigned to internal affairs to handle complaints about cops accused of harassing gays. Some members of the committee were skeptical of Noriega's assertion that the recent case wasn't indicative of a larger problem in the MBPD, and provided examples of other cases.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In January 2010, Miami Beach passed a revised Human Rights Ordinance that strengthens enforcement of already existing human rights laws and adds protections for transgendered people, making Miami Beach’s human rights laws some of the most progressive in the state. Both residents of, and visitors to, Miami Beach have been able to register as domestic partners since 2004 in 2008 this benefit was extended to all of Miami-Dade County.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In 2010, the Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, with support from the City of Miami Beach, opened an LGBT Visitor Center at Miami Beach's Old City Hall.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>The arts</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yHoWtl2bn0U/Tvxhrj_UGHI/AAAAAAAAA2g/pblkoheO1S4/s1600/New+World+Symphony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yHoWtl2bn0U/Tvxhrj_UGHI/AAAAAAAAA2g/pblkoheO1S4/s320/New+World+Symphony.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Each December, the City of Miami Beach hosts Art Basel Miami Beach, one of the largest art shows in the United States. Art Basel Miami Beach, the sister event to the Art Basel event held each June in Basel, Switzerland, combines an international selection of top galleries with a program of special exhibitions, parties and crossover events featuring music, film, architecture and design. Exhibition sites are located in the city's Art Deco District, and ancillary events are scattered throughout the greater Miami metropolitan area.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Miami Beach is home to the New World Symphony, established in 1987 under the artistic direction of Michael Tilson Thomas. In January 2011, the New World Symphony made a highly publicized move into the New World Center building designed by Canadian American Pritzker Prize-winning architect Frank Gehry. Gehry is famous for his design of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, California. The new Gehry building offers Live Wallcasts™, which allow visitors to experience select events throughout the season at the half-acre, outdoor Miami Beach SoundScape through the use of visual and audio technology on a 7,000-square-foot (650 m2) projection wall.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Miami City Ballet, a ballet company founded in 1985, which is housed in a 63,000-square-foot (5,900 m2) building near Miami Beach's Bass Museum of Art.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Miami Beach Festival of the Arts is an annual outdoor art festival that was begun in 1974.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In November 2007 and 2009, a multi-media art festival ("Sleepless Night") was held based on Nuit Blanche. The festival returns on November 5, 2011.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Geography</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Miami Beach is located at 25°48′47″N 80°08′03″W (25.813025, −80.134065).[27]</div><div style="text-align: justify;">According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.7 square miles (48.5 km2), of which 7.0 square miles (18.2 km2) is land and 11.7 square miles (30.2 km2) (62.37%) is water.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Climate</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It has a Tropical monsoon climate (Köppen Am), with hot humid summers and warm winters. There is a marked wet season during the summer months, with dry winters that feature much lower humidity. Miami Beach is one of only a handful of U.S. locales that has never recorded snow or snow flurries in its weather history.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Miami Beach's location on the Atlantic Ocean, near its confluence with the Gulf of Mexico, make it extraordinarily vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms. It has experienced two direct hits from major hurricanes in recorded weather history; the 1926 Miami hurricane and Hurricane Cleo in 1964. The area has seen indirect contact from hurricanes Betsy (1965), Andrew (1992), Irene (1999), Michelle (2001), Katrina (2005), and Wilma (2005).</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://southofvoice.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05275318729346056814noreply@blogger.com0Miami Beach, FL, USA25.790654 -80.130045525.731804 -80.15583 25.849504 -80.104261tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522789612601967224.post-60188856760547346532011-12-28T19:42:00.000+00:002011-12-28T19:42:37.414+00:00Pygmy Peoples<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JCRdgd4c_6Q/TvtvPfdy4uI/AAAAAAAAA1I/cUM9YPH7ckI/s1600/African+Pigmies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JCRdgd4c_6Q/TvtvPfdy4uI/AAAAAAAAA1I/cUM9YPH7ckI/s320/African+Pigmies.jpg" width="209" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>PYGMIES</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Who are they?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are many different 'Pygmy' peoples – for example, the Bambuti, the Batwa, the Bayaka and the Bagyeli ('Ba -' means 'people') – who live scattered over a huge area in central and western Africa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Congo (Brazzaville), Cameroon, Gabon, Central African Republic, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda.</div><a name='more'></a> In many places they are recognised as being the first inhabitants of the region. The different Pygmy groups speak different languages, mostly related to those of neighbouring non-Pygmy peoples. However there are a few words which are shared between even widely separated Pygmy tribes, suggesting they may have shared a language in the past. One of these shared words is the name of the forest spirit, Jengi.<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BP0t4aI_47w/TvtvvFBsdQI/AAAAAAAAA1U/ldQVo_I6Suo/s1600/African+Pigmies1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BP0t4aI_47w/TvtvvFBsdQI/AAAAAAAAA1U/ldQVo_I6Suo/s320/African+Pigmies1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>How do they live?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The 'Pygmy' peoples are forest dwellers, and know the forest, its plants and its animals intimately. They live by hunting animals such as antelopes, pigs and monkeys, fishing, and gathering honey, wild yams, berries and other plants. For them, the forest is a kindly personal god, who provides for their needs. All Pygmy groups have close ties to neighbouring farming villagers, and work for them or exchange forest produce for crops and other goods. At its best this is a fair exchange, but it can involve exploitation of the Pygmies, especially where they have lost control of the forest and its resources.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>What problems do they face?</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">'Pygmy' peoples see their rainforest homes threatened by logging, and are driven out by settlers. In some places they have been evicted and their land has been designated as national parks. They are routinely deprived of their rights by governments, which do not see these forest-dwellers as equal citizens. In Cameroon, the life of the Bagyeli is being disrupted by a World Bank-sponsored oil pipeline which is to be built through their land. The Batwa of eastern DRC, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda have seen nearly all their forest destroyed, and barely survive as labourers and beggars.</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://southofvoice.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05275318729346056814noreply@blogger.com0Africa10.113643258845141 19.039772999999968-27.634185241154857 -24.531977000000033 47.861471758845141 62.61152299999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522789612601967224.post-13454972612314403002011-12-28T13:09:00.000+00:002011-12-28T13:09:56.733+00:00Musgum people<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oKJdOhp99jg/TvsT2lhvQlI/AAAAAAAAAvI/L6QzHJYAqR4/s1600/Musgum+people.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oKJdOhp99jg/TvsT2lhvQlI/AAAAAAAAAvI/L6QzHJYAqR4/s320/Musgum+people.jpg" width="236" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Musgum or Moupoui are an ethnic group in Cameroon and Chad. They speak Musgu, a Chadic language, which had 61,500 speakers in Cameroon in 1982 and 24,408 speakers in Chad in 1993. The Musgum call themselves Mulwi. In Cameroon, the Musgum live in the Maga sub-division, Mayo-Danay division, Far North Province.</div><a name='more'></a>In Chad, they live in Bongor Subprefecture, Mayo-Kebbi Prefecture, and in N'Djaména Subprefecture, Chari-Baguirmi Prefecture. This territory lies between the Chari and Logone rivers. Increasing numbers of Musgum in Cameroon are settling farther north, in the direction of Kousséri.<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Musgum are Neo-Sudanese in origin, having displaced the Paleo-Sudanese at the present territory along with other Neo-Sudanese. Their recorded history begins with their conquest by the Fulani during the jihad of Modibo Adama in the 19th century. Many Musgum have since adopted elements of Fulani dress and culture and have converted to Islam. Fishing is an important activity for the Musgum during the rainy season when the Logone River floods. This has led to ethnic tensions with rival fishermen of the Kotoko ethnic group.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gSP0MRI_mXk/TvsUjhqxfvI/AAAAAAAAAvU/OrZOhX87lQ8/s1600/Musgum+people1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gSP0MRI_mXk/TvsUjhqxfvI/AAAAAAAAAvU/OrZOhX87lQ8/s320/Musgum+people1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://southofvoice.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05275318729346056814noreply@blogger.com0Cameroon7.3697219999999994 12.3547220000000381.6544434999999993 8.4984925000000384 13.0850005 16.210951500000039tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522789612601967224.post-61000042951187871202011-12-26T16:07:00.000+00:002011-12-26T16:07:48.514+00:00Saman Dance Become an Icon of an Attractive Speed Dance From Indonesia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I1O_3c4-tCA/TvibI1dsKOI/AAAAAAAAAs4/YRBUqy9psOs/s1600/saman-dance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I1O_3c4-tCA/TvibI1dsKOI/AAAAAAAAAs4/YRBUqy9psOs/s320/saman-dance.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Saman” the most popular dance in Aceh and the dance that has become well-known abroad with the name “Thousand hands”. It has its origin from the Alas ethnic group from Gayo plateau central Aceh and is normally performed to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad and other important occasions.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">It’s an energetic, dynamic and require excellent coordination among its players. The movements are intense and powerful because, those movements also formed the rhythm for the dance. Because beside the sound of claps, chest slapping or hand hitting the floor there’s only one person reading a narrative in Acehnese tone. If it’s not powerful then nobody will hear anything and if it’s out of control, not only it will ruin the rhythm but somebody may get hurt. However, those are the charm of this dance. It’s dynamic and excellent coordination.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z05V_G0xU14/TvibPw0mBxI/AAAAAAAAAtE/6UV-9-Jig-w/s1600/saman1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z05V_G0xU14/TvibPw0mBxI/AAAAAAAAAtE/6UV-9-Jig-w/s320/saman1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Eight to twenty male performers kneel in a row on the floor and make different kinds of torso movements accompanied by songs, clapping hands, slapping chests, slapping hands on the floor, etc. The songs usually are praises to Allah or prayers or part of Islamic teachings. The dance starts with slow movements and increases its tempo gradually to great speed and finally come to a sudden stop. There are many different regional versions of “Saman”.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Currently, Saman’s performed not only related to the birthday of Prophet Muhammad or other Islamic holidays but it is also performed to promote Acehnese culture, so it’s performed to open cultural festivals, national ceremonies or even abroad to promote Indonesia as a whole. Just like the first video here, it is the rehearsal for One world 2008 in the Maxbell, Pearson college, Canada. It performed not only by students from Indonesia, but from various countries.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BNXPMoTdSXM/TvibUZbby9I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/WTHLanwmoao/s1600/saman2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BNXPMoTdSXM/TvibUZbby9I/AAAAAAAAAtQ/WTHLanwmoao/s320/saman2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now, Saman’s also performed by women although in Aceh, if Saman’s performed by women it is called Meusekat and it’s not originated from Gayo but from West and South Aceh. However, outside Aceh, people called both kind of dances as Saman. Maybe because both dances characterized by it’s dynamic and well-coordinated movement of its players.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WGDXDzUjJs0/Tvibt4FElRI/AAAAAAAAAto/-edsR9Qk-V8/s1600/saman3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WGDXDzUjJs0/Tvibt4FElRI/AAAAAAAAAto/-edsR9Qk-V8/s320/saman3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Saman although has changed from its original form, continues as an icon from the Special District of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (the official name of Aceh province) and also become an icon of an attractive speed dance from Indonesia.</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://southofvoice.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05275318729346056814noreply@blogger.com0Aceh, Indonesia4.695135 96.749399300000052.7442149999999996 95.109045300000048 6.646055 98.389753300000052tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522789612601967224.post-5723390805030758502011-12-25T16:33:00.001+00:002011-12-25T17:06:49.615+00:00The Culture of Talang Mamak Tribe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rvZHLB6Rabs/TvdN9SRoAQI/AAAAAAAAArk/mUvhuhIjTY0/s1600/talang+mamak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rvZHLB6Rabs/TvdN9SRoAQI/AAAAAAAAArk/mUvhuhIjTY0/s1600/talang+mamak.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Talang Mamak tribe belonging to the Proto Malay (Melayu Tua) who is a native tribe Indragiri Hulu with the title "Suku Tuha" which means the first tribe to come and have more right over natural resources in Indragiri Hulu.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Origin</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>From Pagaruyung</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are two versions of the existence of Talang Mamak tribe. According to Assistant Resident Obdeyn-Indragiri, Talang Mamak tribe comes from a recessive Pagaruyung customary and religious conflict.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><b>From heaven (Myth)</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Meanwhile, according to myth, these tribes are the descendants of Adam to the three that come down from heaven to Earth, precisely on the River Lemons and settled in the River Tunu (Durian Cacar). This is evident from the phrase "Kandal Tanah Makkah, Merapung di Sungai Limau, menjeram di Sunagi Tunu" That's the first man in Indragiri named patih.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Location</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Talang Mamak own tribe scattered in the district:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Batang Gansal, Indragiri Hulu, Riau</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Batang Cenaku, Indragiri Hulu, Riau</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kelayang, Indragiri Hulu, Riau</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rengat Barat, Indragiri Hulu, Riau</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sumay, Tebo, Jambi: Dusun, Semarantihan Desa Suo-suo</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Language</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Talang Mamak language (language Sakai) includes Kerinci dialects</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hVhNKVHH9wQ/TvdPs2gA0HI/AAAAAAAAAsI/HvC48Fz3xno/s1600/Bukit+Tigapuluh+National+Park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hVhNKVHH9wQ/TvdPs2gA0HI/AAAAAAAAAsI/HvC48Fz3xno/s1600/Bukit+Tigapuluh+National+Park.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Dusun Tuo Datai</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Access</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">To reach the Dusun Tuo Talang Mamak Datai is located in the Upper River and River Melenai Rantau Langsat Village, District Batang Gansal, Indragiri Hulu Regency, Bukit Tigapuluh National Park Territory accessible path Army. Namely through Siberida (Pekanbaru-Siberida 285 km) by using the car for the road to former concessionaires. Or also via the Simpang Pendowo about 2.5 km from the village Keritang, village located in the District Kemuning Indragiri Hilir directly adjacent to Indragiri Hulu regency, Riau. The route as far as 22 km from Simpang Pendowo until well into the border area of Bukit Tigapuluh National Park (TNBT) or also better known Dalex Road, should be done on a motorcycle "man" or a two axle car.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">mileage of roads leading to the Tuo Datai Dalex about 6 to 8 km only passable on foot. Although not so far, but do not expect will soon be up. Because, forded field must "climb the mountain the river flows through a beautiful valley." Thus, strong stamina required to take 1 to 3 hours drive.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Society</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Usually on a particular day, Talang Mamak tribe will go down to the nearest village, Siberida or Keritang. To sell crops or forest products which they obtained to buy the necessities of life. "But, now we've rarely come down. Forest products is reduced. What we rely on for daily life is the garden, "</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bX4e4umHMoI/TvdOoYQwIoI/AAAAAAAAArw/uhBmel0olDQ/s1600/talang+mamak1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bX4e4umHMoI/TvdOoYQwIoI/AAAAAAAAArw/uhBmel0olDQ/s1600/talang+mamak1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Population</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Currently, the total population of Lubuk Talang Mamak Tebrau Melenai amounted to 265 people.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Religion and philosophy</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Most communities Talang Mamak believe supernatural forces on objects in the vicinity (animism). Some families turn to Islam. They recognize that Islam is their religion, but to worship only in verbal enough alone.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Generally, they live autonomously in the move so that the various problems that exist will be submitted to the village head.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Talang Mamak tribe still thick with indigenous traditions. The example in Gawai ceremony (Wedding Feast), Kemantan (Medicine), mooring Bury (event 100 days of death), and circumcision for boys aged 12 years and over are considered approaching adulthood. So is the house that still shaped stage, as their characteristics, for example. Wooden building with no special room divider screens as well-from the kitchen to the bedroom, so that all goods are still lying becomes a sturdy stand.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Other influences</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Overall, their livelihood is farming, rubber tapping, and take non-timber forest products. In addition to hunting or fishing as well. However, now seemed deserted Dusun Datai and many houses are not maintained anymore. "Now many who left his home, could be they're opening a new garden or also go looking for Jernang,".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-87EdaNY_RLo/TvdPJDYpAuI/AAAAAAAAAr8/x9RSXoNmTgE/s1600/talang+mamak2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-87EdaNY_RLo/TvdPJDYpAuI/AAAAAAAAAr8/x9RSXoNmTgE/s1600/talang+mamak2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Medicine</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Although they live traditionally, but for reliable medical problems as well. The results of Biota Medika Expedition (1998) show Talang Mamak tribe able to utilize 110 species of plants to treat 56 types of diseases and identify 22 species of medicinal mushrooms.</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://southofvoice.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05275318729346056814noreply@blogger.com0Indragiri Hulu Regency, Indonesia-0.51362310000000011 102.34638749999999-1.0762626000000002 101.84842049999999 0.049016399999999849 102.8443545tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522789612601967224.post-47966456899592361582011-12-24T08:05:00.000+00:002011-12-24T08:05:10.532+00:00Happy Holidays at Bintan Island<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UTFhHRrqPig/TvWHhSxrtOI/AAAAAAAAArY/U5GMmkEwM-o/s1600/Bintan+Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UTFhHRrqPig/TvWHhSxrtOI/AAAAAAAAArY/U5GMmkEwM-o/s320/Bintan+Island.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bintan Island or Negeri Segantang Lada is an island in the Riau archipelago of Indonesia. It is part of the Riau Islands province, the capital of which, Tanjung Pinang, lies in the island's south and is the island's main community.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Bintan's land area is 2,402.28 square kilometres (927.53 sq mi) (total area is 60,057 square kilometres (23,188 sq mi) including 96% sea area). Its administrative region is designated the Bintan Island Regency, one of the six administrative regions of the Riau Islands province. The city of Tanjung Pinang is an autonomous area within the Bintan Island.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bintan's history is traced to the early 3rd century. The island flourished as a trading post on the route between China and India, and over the centuries it came under the control of the Chinese, the British, and then the Dutch when it was declared part of the Dutch East Indies through the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824. In the 12th century, the Bintan island in the Strait of Malacca was known as the "Pirate Island" since the Malay pirates used to loot trading ships sailing in these waters.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Singapore, the closest major city, is a 45-50 minute trip by motorised catamaran across the South China Sea from Bintan Resort area in the northwest of the island. The island has beaches with beach-front International hotels and resorts; the most prominent of these beaches is the Bintan Resorts set over an area of 300 hectares (740 acres) of tropical environment. The archipelago of the Riau islands is right opposite to this resort across the South China Sea. Indonesia is promoting Bintan as the next best tourist destination after Bali.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bintan, is the largest among the 3,200 islands of Riau Archipelago and is located 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) east of the Batam Island. It has a coast line of 105 kilometres (65 mi) and has rolling topography in its landform. The Riau islands were a province of Indonesia, which encompassed the Riau Archipelago, Natuna Islands, Anambas, and Lingga Islands. However, in July 2004, the islands of Riau were divided to form the province with its capital at Tanjung Pinang. The archipelagos of Anambas and Natuna, located between mainland Malaysia and Borneo are now part of this province</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3hn-JQ8kOd0/TvWHSVLMUTI/AAAAAAAAArM/KPIvQQcIJdU/s1600/Tanjung+Pinang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3hn-JQ8kOd0/TvWHSVLMUTI/AAAAAAAAArM/KPIvQQcIJdU/s1600/Tanjung+Pinang.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the Tanjung Pinang city, the low tide reach or the mud flat part was built with stilts and were mosquito and rat infested. Above these mud flat reaches, narrow piers or pelantars were built at higher elevations and the old city of Tanjung expanded with a maze of streets and alleys. The old pier with the name Pelantar II thrives as the fish market. The town has a large population of the Chinese, whose presence is seen around three Buddhist Pagodas with the 'Citiya Bodhi Sasana' overlooking the ocean at the end of Pelantar II pier.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Indonesian sea route through the Bintan straits has been considered very safe for sailing of small freighters. The island has developed over the centuries in two distinct zones, namely, the southern and the northern zones, which are clearly differentiated from the prevalent life styles of people living there.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The highest hill on the island is Bintan Besar, which is 360 metres (1,180 ft) in height and has thick forest cover. It is formed by old volcanic eruptions. The summit of this peak can be reached through a forest track and the climb takes about 3 hours. The top of this peak provides a panoramic view of Bintan. It is approached from a hamlet at the foot of the hill, known as Kampung Sekuning, which is 60 kilometres (37 mi) from Tanjung Pinang. Despite being larger than Batam, it is less populated.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Several daily ferries run between Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal of Singapore to the Bandar Bentan Telani Ferry Terminal on the northern part of the Island in Bintan resorts and also at the Telaga Punggur Ferry Terminal at Tanjung Pinang, the capital of the Indonesian province of Riau Islands covering a distance of 45 kilometres (28 mi) in about 45 minutes. The nearest airport to Bintan is at Batam Island. From here, chartered ferry services are available to Bintan and Bintan Resorts.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bintan is very close to the Equator. Hence, tropical climate is dominant all through the year with two distinct seasons namely the northeast monsoon from November to March and a dry southwest monsoon from June to October with the annual rainfall precipitation incidence varying in the range 2,500–3,000 millimetres (98–120 in). The island has an "insular character" with a constant temperature averaging at 26 °C (79 °F). The temperatures reported vary between 21 °C (70 °F) and 32 °C (90 °F).[18] March to early November is the dry and the quiet season with clear sunny days. Winter season lasts from late November to March.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Though a large island compared to all other islands in the Riao archipelago, it is sparsely populated. As the Dutch ruled over the islands for a long period, their influence is distinctly discerned in the island. Population is about 200,000 with the citizens mostly belonging to the Malay, Bugis, Chinese and the Orang Laut ethnicity.[18] An observation made on the distribution of different ethnic groups in Bintan is that Indonesians have migrated in large numbers to the island and as result Malays, the original settlers of the region, are now a minority in Riau Archipelago as a whole. This is attributed to the fact that the island is close to Malaysia and Singapore in particular and Indonesians flock to the place to get a foot hold to go to Singapore. In the capital city of Tanjung Pinang, the urban population had jumped from 98,871 in 1998 to 134,940 in 2004.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Flora and fauna</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Flora</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XMonoL27frk/TvWGtNCH_GI/AAAAAAAAArA/XU7bkmM1a1I/s1600/bintan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XMonoL27frk/TvWGtNCH_GI/AAAAAAAAArA/XU7bkmM1a1I/s1600/bintan.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In Bintan, the primary forest cover was in a limited area on the hills. There was extensive deforestation done mostly for the cultivation of gambier (Uncaria gembieri). The plantation size of each gambier plantation was 30 hectares (190 mi). For processing of gambier leaves firewood was essential. This requirement was met by cutting forests of as much as the 30 hectares (190 mi) sized gambier plantations. With this amount of forest degradation, the gambier processing could be sustained for 12 years only. Forest was not available for use for the processing, and production of gambier was discontinued, while efforts continued to find new stocks of firewood. Inevitably, Gambier was totally abandoned. In the 20th century rubber plantation replaced gambier. Even the rubber plantations were abandoned due to water logging problems. Now, on the higher reaches of the hills secondary forests have developed in those areas where water logging is not prevalent. The abandoned land is also now put to other uses. In the rain forests of the island on the trek to the Gunung Bintan peak, now vegetation consists of 40 metres (130 ft) tall trees of dipterocarp (which bears two winged fruits) and many other plants.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Fauna</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Various species of sea animals and plants are found underwater. From squids to snails, from various fish to oyster – several marine species including Sea Turtles are found here. Dolphins are also sighted. The variety and diversity of sea life is very attractive. Wild life animals seen on this forest trek are: silver leaf monkeys, Sunbirds, eagles and kites.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Sea turtles</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Uqg2UKd1mM/TvWGApNTY-I/AAAAAAAAAq0/JAr3B88va1o/s1600/Sea+turtles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4Uqg2UKd1mM/TvWGApNTY-I/AAAAAAAAAq0/JAr3B88va1o/s1600/Sea+turtles.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sea Turtles, in particular, are the special species of Indonesia and its many islands, including Bintan; six species out of seven found in the world are recorded in Indonesia. The Indonesian law protection Act. no. 5 1990 re Conservation of Nature Resource and its Ecosystem; Government Regulation no. 7 1990 re Conservation Species of Flora & Fauna and the international trade by CITES (Convention of International Trade on Endangered Species) provide protection to these species.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bintan Island was one of the locations where Turtles were found in large numbers; in the 1950s, during the nesting season, at least 2 nests used to be found every day on the coastline of Bintan Resorts. Now, the nests are not found as frequently as in the past. Turtle tracks, nests, eggs, and egg shells have been recorded during patrol surveys conducted during specified periods, not only in Bintan but also in the Pasir Pasan beach. In the Bintan Resort's nestling beaches hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and green turtles (Chelonia mydas) have been recorded. Research and Development Department and Environmental & Health Division of Bintan Resort are encouraged by their patrolling efforts and they are confident that sea turtle nests would be protected on Bintan and also conserved in local villages.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Get in</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">For detailed information on visas, please see Indonesia page. All Bintan ports, namely Sri Bintan Pura (Tanjung Pinang), Lobam and Bandar Bentan Telani/Lagoi (Bintan Resorts) are visa-free and visa-on-arrival points of entry.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As of July 2010 a 7-day visa-on-arrival at 10 US$ per person is available again for groups of 4 people or more. This visa is valid for visits to the special economic zone of Bintan / Batam / Karimum only and must be applied via the local hotel or tour agent in advance. </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://southofvoice.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05275318729346056814noreply@blogger.com0Bintan Island, Indonesia1.1367041 104.42575330.9265626 104.2037378 1.3468456 104.6477688tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522789612601967224.post-30745548019264767452011-12-23T15:49:00.000+00:002011-12-23T15:49:25.131+00:00Variety Of Indonesian Cuisine<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wWUE5BdmD7Y/TvScB0PnENI/AAAAAAAAAoM/yZNuDd1wVJk/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wWUE5BdmD7Y/TvScB0PnENI/AAAAAAAAAoM/yZNuDd1wVJk/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Indonesian cuisine is diverse, in part because Indonesia is composed of approximately 6,000 populated islands. Many regional cuisines exist, often based upon cultural and foreign influences. Indonesian cuisine varies greatly by region and has many different influences.</div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Throughout its history, Indonesia has been involved in trade due to its location and natural resources. Additionally, Indonesia’s indigenous techniques and ingredients were influenced by India, the Middle East, China, and finally Europe. Spanish and Portuguese traders brought New World produce even before the Dutch came to colonize most of the archipelago. The Indonesian islands The Moluccas (Maluku), which are famed as "the Spice Islands", also contributed to the introduction of native spices, such as cloves and nutmeg, to Indonesian and global cuisine.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Some popular Indonesian dishes such as nasi goreng, gado-gado, sate, and soto are ubiquitous in the country and considered as Indonesian national dishes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kT6eGhLsrt4/TvScOtIxxqI/AAAAAAAAAoY/iFU24jkMmjA/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kT6eGhLsrt4/TvScOtIxxqI/AAAAAAAAAoY/iFU24jkMmjA/s1600/7.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sumatran cuisine, for example, often has Middle Eastern and Indian influences, featuring curried meat and vegetables such as gulai and kari, while Javanese cuisine is more indigenous. The cuisines of Eastern Indonesia are similar to Polynesian and Melanesian cuisine. Elements of Chinese cuisine can be seen in Indonesian cuisine: items such as bakmi (noodles), bakso (meat or fish balls), and lumpia (spring rolls) have been completely assimilated.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Some popular dishes that originated in Indonesia are now common across much of Southeast Asia. Indonesian dishes such as satay, beef rendang, and sambal are also favoured in Malaysia and Singapore. Soy-based dishes, such as variations of tofu (tahu) and tempe, are also very popular. Tempe is regarded as a Javanese invention, a local adaptation of soy-based food fermentation and production. Another fermented food is oncom, similar in some ways to tempe but using a variety of bases (not only soy), created by different fungi, and particularly popular in West Java.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Indonesian meals are commonly eaten with the combination of a spoon in the right hand and fork in the left hand (to push the food onto the spoon), although in many parts of the country, such as West Java and West Sumatra, it is also common to eat with one's hands. In restaurants or households that commonly use bare hands to eat, like in seafood foodstalls, traditional Sundanese and Minangkabau restaurants, or East Javanese pecel lele (fried catfish with sambal) and ayam goreng (fried chicken) food stalls, they usually serve kobokan, a bowl of tap water with a slice of lime in it to give a fresh scent. This bowl of water should not to be consumed, however; it is used to wash one's hand before and after eating. Eating with chopsticks is generally only found in food stalls or restaurants serving Indonesian adaptations of Chinese cuisine, such as bakmie or mie ayam (chicken noodle) with pangsit (wonton), mie goreng (fried noodles), and kwetiau goreng (fried flat rice noodles).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Rice</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Using water buffalo to plough rice fields in Java; Rice is a staple for all classes in contemporary; Indonesia is the world's third largest paddy rice producer and its cultivation has transformed much of Indonesia’s landscape.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rice is a staple for all classes in contemporary Indonesia, and it holds the central place in Indonesian culture: it shapes the landscape; is sold at markets; and is served in most meals both as a savoury and a sweet food. The importance of rice in Indonesian culture is demonstrated through the reverence of Dewi Sri, the rice goddess of ancient Java and Bali. Traditionally the agricultural cycles linked to rice cultivations were celebrated through rituals, such as Seren Taun rice harvest festival.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rice is most often eaten as plain rice with just a few protein and vegetable dishes as side dishes. It is also served, however, as nasi uduk (rice cooked in coconut milk), nasi kuning (rice cooked with coconut milk and turmeric), ketupat (rice steamed in woven packets of coconut fronds), lontong (rice steamed in banana leaves), intip or rengginang (rice crackers), desserts, vermicelli, noodles, arak beras (rice wine), and nasi goreng (fried rice). Nasi goreng is omnipresent in Indonesia and considered as national dish.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rice was only incorporated into diets, however, as either the technology to grow it or the ability to buy it from elsewhere was gained. Evidence of wild rice on the island of Sulawesi dates from 3000 BCE. Evidence for the earliest cultivation, however, comes from eighth century stone inscriptions from the central island of Java, which show kings levied taxes in rice. The images of rice cultivation, rice barn, and mouse pest investing a ricefield is evident in Karmawibhanga bas-reliefs of Borobudur. Divisions of labour between men, women, and animals that are still in place in Indonesian rice cultivation, were carved into relief friezes on the ninth century Prambanan temples in Central Java: a water buffalo attached to a plough; women planting seedlings and pounding grain; and a man carrying sheaves of rice on each end of a pole across his shoulders (pikulan). In the sixteenth century, Europeans visiting the Indonesian islands saw rice as a new prestige food served to the aristocracy during ceremonies and feasts.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rice production in Indonesian history is linked to the development of iron tools and the domestication of Wild Asian Water Buffalo as water buffalo for cultivation of fields and manure for fertilizer. Rice production requires exposure to the sun. Once covered in dense forest, much of the Indonesian landscape has been gradually cleared for permanent fields and settlements as rice cultivation developed over the last fifteen hundred years.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Other staples and vegetables</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IrPMIELcyBA/TvSiHMrFRPI/AAAAAAAAAqo/EXvm7_c0Ojw/s1600/masakan+sayuran.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IrPMIELcyBA/TvSiHMrFRPI/AAAAAAAAAqo/EXvm7_c0Ojw/s1600/masakan+sayuran.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Other staple foods in Indonesia include a number of starchy tubers such as; yam, sweet potato, potato, taro and cassava; also starchy fruit such as breadfruit and jackfruit and grains such as maize and wheat. A sago congee called Papeda is a staple food especially in Maluku and Papua. Sago is also often mixed with water and cooked as a simple pancake. Next to sago, people of eastern Indonesia also consume various kind of wild tubers as staple food.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Many types of tubers such as talas (a type of taro but larger and more bland) and breadfruit are native to Indonesia, while others are introduced from elsewhere. Wheat, the base ingredient for bread and noodles were probably introduced from India or China; yam was introduced from Africa; while maize, potato, sweet potato, cassava and maize were introduced from Americas through Spanish influence and finally reached Java in 17th century. Cassava is usually boiled, steamed, fried or processed as popular snack kripik singkong (cassava crackers). Dried cassava, locally known as tiwul, is an alternate staple food in arid areas of Java such as Gunung Kidul and Wonogiri, while other roots and tubers are eaten especially in hard times. Maize is eaten in drier regions such as Madura and islands east of the Wallace Line, such as the Lesser Sunda Islands.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A number of leaf vegetables are widely used in Indonesian cuisine, such as Kangkung, Genjer, Melinjo and cassava leaves. These are often sauteed with garlic. Other vegetables like Labu air (calabash), Labu siam (chayote), Kelor, Kacang panjang (yardlong bean), Terung (eggplant), Gambas and Belustru, are cut and used in stir fries, curries and soups like Sayur asem or Laksa.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vegetables like Kecipir (winged bean), Mentimun (cucumber) and the small variety of Peria (bitter melon) are commonly eaten raw, like in Lalab. The large bitter melon variety is usually boiled. Kecombrang flower buds are a common Indonesian vegetable. Urap is seasoned and spiced shredded coconut meat mixed together with vegetables, Asinan Betawi are preserved vegetables and Pecel is a salad of boiled vegetables dressed in a peanut-based spicy sauce.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Meat and fish</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The main meat source diet mostly are poultry and fish, however meats such as beef, water buffalo, goat and mutton is commonly found in Indonesian marketplaces. As a country with muslim majority population, Indonesian muslim follows Islamic halal dietary law which forbid the consumption of pork. However in other parts of Indonesia where significant numbers of non-muslim resides, boar and pork is commonly consumed. Dishes made of non-halal meats can be found in provinces such as Bali, North Sumatra, North Sulawesi, East Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, West Papua, Papua, and also in Chinatowns in major Indonesian cities. Today to cater for larger muslim market, most of restaurants or eating establishments in Indonesia put halal sign that signify they do not serve pork nor use lard in their cooking.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The meat can be cooked in rich spices and coconut milk such as beef, goat or lamb rendang, skewered, seasoned and grilled chicken or mutton as satay, barbecued meats, or sliced and cooked in rich broth soup as soto. Muttons and various offals can be use as ingredients for soto soup or gulai curry. In Hindu majority Bali, the babi guling pig roast is popular among local as well as non-muslim visitors, while the Batak people of North Sumatra have babi panggang that is a similar dish. The meat also can be processed in various ways; to be thinly sliced and dried as dendeng (jerky), or made into abon (meat floss). Dendeng celeng is Indonesian "dried, jerked" boar meat.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As an archipelagic nation, seafood is abundant and commonly consumed especially by Indonesian resides in coastal area. Popular seafoods in Indonesian cuisine among other; mackerel, tuna, wahoo, milkfish, red snapper, anchovy, cuttlefish, shrimp, crab and mussel. Seafood is commonly consumed across Indonesia, but it is especially popular in Maluku islands and Minahasa (North Sulawesi) cuisine. Seafood are usually being bakar (grilled), rebus (boiled) or goreng (fried). However another method of cooking like stir fried in spices or in soup is also possible. Ikan asin (salted fish) is preserved seafood through cured in salt, it is also can be found in Indonesian market. Fresh water fisheries can be found in inland region or area with large rivers or lakes. Popular fresh water fish among others; carp, gourami, snakehead, tilapia, catfish and pangasius.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Spices and other flavorings</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dKvqOuVpFCo/TvScffKJK2I/AAAAAAAAAok/eSd-lRviAwk/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dKvqOuVpFCo/TvScffKJK2I/AAAAAAAAAok/eSd-lRviAwk/s320/2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Rempah" is Indonesian word for spice, while "bumbu" is the Indonesian word for spices mixture or seasoning, and it commonly appears in the names of certain spice mixtures, sauces and seasoning pastes. Known throughout the world as the "Spice Islands", the Indonesian islands of Maluku contributed to the introduction of its native spices to world cuisine. Spices such as pala (nutmeg/mace), cengkeh (clove), and laos (galangal) are native to Indonesia. It is likely that lada hitam (black pepper), kunyit (turmeric), sereh (lemongrass), bawang merah (shallot), kayu manis (cinnamon), kemiri (candlenut), ketumbar (coriander), and asam jawa (tamarind) were introduced from India, while jahe (ginger), daun bawang (scallions) and bawang putih (garlic) were introduced from China. Those spices from mainland Asia were introduced early, in ancient times, thus they became integral ingredients in Indonesian cuisine.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In ancient times, the kingdom of Sunda and the later sultanate of Banten were well known as the world's major producers of black pepper. The maritime empires of Srivijaya and Majapahit also benefited from the lucrative spice trade between the spice islands with China and India. Later the Dutch East India Company controlled the spice trade between Indonesia and the world. The Indonesian fondness for hot and spicy food was enriched when the Spanish introduced cabai chili pepper from the New World to the region in 16th century. After that hot and spicy sambals have become an important part of Indonesian cuisine. Sambal evolved into many variants across Indonesia, ones of the most popular is sambal terasi (sambal belacan) and sambal mangga muda (young mango sambal). Dabu-dabu is North Sulawesi style of sambal with chopped fresh tomato, chili, and lime juice. Traditionally prepared laboriously ground upon stone mortar, today sambals is also available as industrial processed products in bottles or jars.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Soy sauce is also an important flavorings in Indonesian cuisine. Kecap asin (salty or common soy sauce) was adopted from Chinese cuisine, however Indonesian developed their own kecap manis (sweet soy sauce) with generous addition of palm sugar into soy sauce. Sweet soy sauce is an important marinade for barbecued meat and fish, such as satay and grilled fishes. Sweet soy sauce is also an important ingredient for semur, Indonesian stew.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Peanut sauce</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tm3-KQOmiOo/TvSc6s0lhvI/AAAAAAAAAow/bdUYkiUsCuo/s1600/2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tm3-KQOmiOo/TvSc6s0lhvI/AAAAAAAAAow/bdUYkiUsCuo/s1600/2.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One of the main characteristics of Indonesian cuisine is the wide application of peanuts in many Indonesian signature dishes, such as satay, gado-gado, karedok, ketoprak, and pecel. Gado-gado and Sate for example have been considered as Indonesian national dishes. Introduced from Mexico by Portuguese and Spanish merchants in 16th century, peanuts assumed a place within Indonesian cuisine as a key ingredient. Peanuts thrived in the tropical environment of Southeast Asia, and today they can be found, roasted and chopped finely, in many recipes. Whole, halved, or crushed peanuts are used to garnish a variety of dishes, and used in marinades and dipping sauces such as sambal kacang (a mixture of ground chilies and fried peanuts) for otak-otak or ketan. Peanut oil, extracted from peanuts, is one of the most commonly used cooking oils in Indonesia.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bumbu kacang or peanut sauce represents a sophisticated, earthy seasoning rather than a sweet, gloppy sauce. It should have a delicate balance of savoury, sweet, sour, and spicy flavours, acquired from various ingredients, such as fried peanuts, gula jawa (coconut sugar), garlic, shallots, ginger, tamarind, lemon juice, lemongrass, salt, chilli, peppercorns, sweet soy sauce, ground together and mixed with water to form the right consistency. The secret to good peanut sauce is “not too thick and not too watery.” Indonesian peanut sauce tends to be less sweet than the Thai version, which is a hybrid adaptation. Gado-gado is a popular dish particularly associated with bumbu kacang, and is eaten across Indonesia.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Coconut milk</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-83Tut_1hkLA/TvSdKdlepCI/AAAAAAAAAo8/h36zNisBAjY/s1600/3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-83Tut_1hkLA/TvSdKdlepCI/AAAAAAAAAo8/h36zNisBAjY/s320/3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Coconuts are abundant in tropical Indonesia, and since ancient times Indonesians developed many and various uses for this plant. The broad use of coconut milk in dishes throughout the archipelago is another common characteristic of Indonesian cuisine. It is used in recipes ranging from savoury dishes - such as rendang, soto, sayur lodeh, gudeg, and opor ayam - to desserts - such as es cendol and es doger. Soto is ubiquitous in Indonesia and considered as one of Indonesia's national dishes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The use of coconut milk is not exclusive to Indonesian cuisine. It can also be found in Indian, Samoan, Thai, Malaysian, Filipino, and Brazilian cuisines. Nonetheless, the use of coconut milk is quite extensive in Indonesia, especially in Minangkabau cuisine, although in Minahasan (North Sulawesi) cuisine, coconut milk is generally absent, except in Minahasan cakes and desserts such as klappertart.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In Indonesian cuisine, two types of coconut milk are found, thin coconut milk and thick coconut milk. The difference depends on the water and oil content. Thin coconut milk is usually used for soups such as sayur lodeh and soto, while the thicker variety is used for rendang and desserts. It can be made from freshly shredded coconut meat in traditional markets, or can be found processed in cartons at the supermarket.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">After the milk has been extracted from the shredded coconut flesh to make coconut milk, the ampas kelapa (leftover coconut flesh) can still be used in urap, seasoned and spiced shredded coconut meat mixed together with vegetables. Leftover shredded coconut can also be cooked, sauteed and seasoned to make serundeng, almost powdery sweet and spicy finely shredded coconut. Kerisik paste, added to thicken rendang, is another use of coconut flesh. To acquire a rich taste, some households insist on using freshly shredded coconut, instead of leftover, for urap and serundeng. Serundeng can be mixed with meat in dishes such as serundeng daging (beef serundeng) or sprinkled on top of other dishes such as soto or ketan (sticky rice). An example of the heavy use of coconut is Buras from Makassar, rice wrapped in banana leaf cooked with coconut milk and sprinkled with powdered coconut similar to serundeng.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Regional dishes</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>West Java</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CtIcMrSAfQY/TvSdXrVjmoI/AAAAAAAAApI/urFJcUIvZ9I/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CtIcMrSAfQY/TvSdXrVjmoI/AAAAAAAAApI/urFJcUIvZ9I/s200/4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A textural specialty of Sunda (West Java) is karedok, a fresh salad made with long beans, bean sprouts, and cucumber with a spicy sauce. Other Sundanese dishes include mie kocok which is a beef and egg noodle soup, and soto Bandung, a beef and vegetable soup with daikon and lemon grass. A hawker favourite is kupat tahu (pressed rice, bean sprouts, and tofu with soy and peanut sauce). Colenak (roasted cassava with sweet coconut sauce) and ulen (roasted brick of sticky rice with peanut sauce) are dishes usually eaten warm.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Central Java</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The food of Central Java is renowned for its sweetness, and the dish of gudeg, a curry made from jackfruit, is a particularly sweet. The city of Yogyakarta is renowned for its ayam goreng (fried chicken) and kelepon (green rice-flour balls with palm sugar filling). Surakarta's (Solo) specialities include Nasi liwet (rice with coconut milk, unripe papaya, garlic and shallots, served with chicken or egg) and serabi (coconut milk pancakes topped with chocolate, banana or jackfruit). Other Central Javanese specialities pecel (peanut sauce with spinach and bean sprouts), lotek (peanut sauce with vegetable and pressed rice), opor ayam (braised chicken in coconut sauce), and rawon (dark beef stew).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>East Java</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The food of East Java is similar to that of Central Java. East Java foods tend to be less sweet and spicier compare to the Central Java ones. Fish and fish/seafood products are quite extensive to be used such as terasi (dried shrimp paste) and petis udang (shrimp paste). Some of the popular foods are Lontong Kupang (Tiny Clams Soup with Rice Cakes), Lontong Balap (Bean Sprouts and Tofu with Rice Cakes), Sate Klopo (Coconut Beef Satay), Semanggi Surabaya (Marsilea Leaves with Spicy Sweet Potato Sauce), 'Pecel Lele (deep fried catfish served with rice and sambal). Food from Malang includes bakwan Malang (meatball soup with won ton and noodles) and arem aream (pressed rice, tempe, sprouts, soy sauce, coconut, and peanuts.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Madura</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ntPywOh2WLU/TvShdpQ2f8I/AAAAAAAAAqc/LKd9g_plc5U/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ntPywOh2WLU/TvShdpQ2f8I/AAAAAAAAAqc/LKd9g_plc5U/s1600/5.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Madura is an island on the northeastern coast of Java and administered as part of the East Java province. Like the East Java foods which use petis udang, Madura foods add petis ikan which is made from fish instead of shrimp. The Madura style satay is probably the most popular satay variants in Indonesia. Some of its popular dishes areSate Ayam Madura (Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce), Soto Madura (Beef Soup). Madura dishes are often saltier than other East Java foods.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Bali</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Balinese dishes include lawar (chopped coconut, garlic, chilli, with pork or chicken meat and blood). Bebek betutu is duck stuffed with spices, wrapped in banana leaves and coconut husks cooked in a pit of embers. Balinese sate, known as sate lilit, is made from spiced mince pressed onto skewers which are often lemon grass sticks. Babi guling is a spit-roasted pig stuffed with chilli, tumeric, garlic and ginger. Basa gede or basa rajang is a spice paste that is a basic ingredient in many Balinese dishes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>North Sumatra</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Arab, Persian, and Indian traders influenced food in Aceh although flavours have changed to be little like their original form. Amongst these are curry dishes known as kare or gulai, which are rich, coconut-based dishes traditionally made with beef, goat, fish or poultry, but are now also made with tofu, vegetables, and jackfruit. The popular Aceh food such as roti cane and mie aceh. Batak people use either pork or even dog to make sangsang. Another Batak pork specialty is babi panggang in which the meat is boiled in vinegar and pig blood before being roasted. Another batak dish, Ayam namargota, is chicken cooked in spices and blood. Another notable Batak dish is arsik, the carp fish cooked with spices and herbs. Lada rimba is strong pepper used by Bataks.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>West Sumatra</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Buffaloes are a symbol of West Sumatra and are used in rendang, a rich and spicy buffalo meat or beef dish. Padang food comes from West Sumatra. The Padang food restaurant chains can be found throughout Indonesia and neighboring countries, thus render it as probably the most popular regional dish in Indonesia. Dishes from the region include nasi kapau which is similar to Padang food but uses more vegetables. Ampiang dadiah (buffalo yogurt with palm sugar syrup, coconut flesh and rice) and bubur kampiun (Mung bean porridge with banana and rice yogurt) are other west Sumatran specialties.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>South Sumatra</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NfHQ4H8x3Sk/TvShOMBhqqI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/oD0CycfdwRw/s1600/pempek+palembang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NfHQ4H8x3Sk/TvShOMBhqqI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/oD0CycfdwRw/s1600/pempek+palembang.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The city of Palembang is the culinary centre of South Sumatra and is renowned for its pempek, a deep fried fish and sago dumpling that is also known as empek-empek. Also pempek derivatives dishes such as tekwan soup of pempek dumpling, mushroom, vegetables, and shrimp; lenggang, pempek slices in ommelette. Mie celor is a noodle dish with egg in coconut milk and dried shrimp is also Palembang specialties. South Sumatra is also home to pindang, a spicy fish soup with soy and tamarind. Ikan brengkes is fish in a spicy durian-based sauce. Tempoyak is a sauce of shrimp paste, lime juice, chilli and fermented durian, and sambal buah is a chilli sauce made from fruit.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>North Sulawesi</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Minahasan cuisine from North Sulawesi features heavy use of meat such as pork, fowl, and seafood. "Woku" is a type of seafood dish with generous use of spices, often making up half the dish. Ingredients of woku include lemongrass, lime leaves, chili peppers, spring onion, shallots, either sautéed with meat, or wrapped around fish and grilled covered in banana leaves. Other ingredients such as turmeric and ginger are often added to create a version of woku.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Foreign colonial influence also played a role in shaping Minahasan cuisine. Brenebon (from Dutch "Bruin" (brown) and "Boon" (bean)) is a pork shank bean stew spiced with nutmeg and clove. Roast pork similar to lechon in the Philippines or pig roast in Hawaii are served in special occasions, especially weddings. Other unusual and exotic meats such as dog, bat, and forest rat are also regularly served in North Sulawesi region. Paniki is the bat dish of Minahasa.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>South Sulawesi</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Makassar is one the culinary center in Indonesia. Home of some Bugis and Makassar delicacies such as Coto, Konro, Pallubasa and Mie Kering. As a big fish market center, Makassar is also famous for its seafood. Sop Sodara from Pangkep and Kapurung from Palopo are also famous dishes of South Sulawesi.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Nusa Tenggara</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ve9iUiDGD7s/TvSg8E8ydMI/AAAAAAAAAqE/ft8Nwbfzcg0/s1600/makanan+khas+nusa+tenggara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ve9iUiDGD7s/TvSg8E8ydMI/AAAAAAAAAqE/ft8Nwbfzcg0/s1600/makanan+khas+nusa+tenggara.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With a drier climate, there is less rice a more sago, corn, cassava, and taro compared to central and western Indonesia. Fish is popular including sepat, which is shredded fish in coconut and young-mango sauce. Lombok's sasak people enjoy spicy food such as ayam taliwang which is roasted chicken served with peanut, tomato chilli and lime dip. Pelecing is a spicy sauce used in many dishes made with chilli, shrimp paste, and tomato. Sares is made from chilli, coconut juice and banana palm pith and is sometimes mixed with meat. Non meat dishes include kelor (hot soup with vegetables), serebuk (vegetables mixed with coconut), and timun urap (cucumber with coconut, onion and garlic).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Maluku and Papua</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Maluku islands cuisine is rich with seafoods, while the native Papuan food usually consist of boar with tubers such as sweet potato. The staple food of Maluku and Papua is Papeda, usually eaten with yellow soup made from tuna, red snapper or other fishes spiced with turmeric, lime, and other spices.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Foreign influences</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Indian influenced</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Indian influences is observable in Indonesia as early as 4th century. Even later after the adoption of Islam by majority Indonesian, muslim Indian influences as well as Arab influences has made their way into Indonesian cuisine. The example is Indian kari (curry) that influenced Sumatran cuisines of Aceh, Minangkabau, and Malay; and also Betawi and coastal Javanese. Some of Aceh and Minangkabau dishes such as roti cane, nasi biryani, nasi kebuli, and gulai kambing can trace its origin to Indian influences.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Chinese influenced</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Chinese has arrived in Indonesia since 7th century and probably earlier. The migration accelerated during colonial times, thus creating the fusion of Chinese cuisine with indigenous Indonesian style. The similar Chinese-native fusion cuisine phenomena is also observable in neighboring Malaysia and Singapore as peranakan cuisine. Some of popular Indonesian dishes can trace its origin to Chinese influences such as; bakmi, bakso, bakpau, mi goreng, tahu goreng, siomay, lumpia, nasi tim, cap cai, fu yung hai and swikee.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Dutch influenced</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Through colonialism the European introduced bread, cheese, barbecued steak and pancake. Bread, butter and margarine, sandwiches filled with ham, cheese or fruit jam, poffertjes, pannekoek and Dutch cheeses are commonly consumed by colonial Dutch and Indos during colonial era. Some of native upperclass ningrat (nobles) and few educated native were exposed to European cuisine, and it was held with high esteem as the cuisine of upperclass elite of Dutch East Indies society. This lead to adoption and fusion of European cuisine into Indonesian cuisine. Some dishes which are created during the colonial era are Dutch influenced; they include roti bakar (grilled bread), roti buaya, selat solo (solo salad), bistik jawa (Javanese beef steak), semur (from dutch smoor), sayur kacang merah (brenebon) and sop buntut. Pastry, cakes and cookies also can trace its origin to Dutch influences; such as kue bolu (tart), lapis legit (spekkoek), spiku (lapis Surabaya) and kaastangel (cheese cookies). Some recipes can be considered as Dutch Indies fusion cuisine, using native ingredients and employing European pastry baking techniques; such as pandan cake and klappertaart (coconut tart). Kue cubit commonly found in front of schools and marketplaces are believed to be derived from poffertjes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Vice versa, the Indonesian cuisine also had influenced colonial Dutch and Indo people that brought Indonesian dishes back to the Netherlands during repatriation after the independence of Indonesia. Rijsttafel invented during colonial era are the example of Indonesian feast that still popular in the Netherlands and its colonies.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Meal Times</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In western and central Indonesia, the main meal is usually cooked in the late morning, and consumed around midday. In many families there is no set meal time when all members are expected to attend. For this reason, most of the dishes are made so that they can remain edible even if left on the table at room temperature for many hours. The same dishes are then re-heated for the final meal in the evening. Most meals are built around a cone-shaped pile of long-grain, highly polished rice. A meal may include a soup, salad (or more commonly vegetables sautéed with garlic), and another main dish. Whatever the meal, it is accompanied by at least one, and often several, relishes called sambals. Especially for Javanese family, on the table, it is also common to always have chips, that can be kerupuk, rempeyek, or any other chips to accompany the meal.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In eastern Indonesia, such as on the islands of Papua and Timor, where the climate is often much drier, the meals can be centered around other sources of carbohydrates such as sago and/or root vegetables and starchy tubers. Being east of the Wallace line, the ecozone, and hence the flora and fauna, are quite different from those of the islands to the west, and so the food stuffs are, as well.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Feasts: Tumpeng and Rijsttafel</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c4oBUCIoFpk/TvSgIZLKZFI/AAAAAAAAAp4/6K-QSd9GuME/s1600/nasi+tumpeng.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c4oBUCIoFpk/TvSgIZLKZFI/AAAAAAAAAp4/6K-QSd9GuME/s1600/nasi+tumpeng.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Many Indonesian traditional customs and ceremonies incorporate food and feast. One of the best examples is tumpeng. Originally from Java, tumpeng is a cone shaped mound of rice surrounded by an assortment of other dishes. Traditionally featured in selamatan ceremonies, the cone of rice is made by using bamboo leaves woven into a cone-shaped container. The rice itself can be plain white steamed rice, uduk (rice cooked with coconut milk), or yellow rice (rice coloured with kunyit, i.e., turmeric). After it is shaped, the rice cone is surrounded by assorted dishes, such as urap vegetables, fried chicken, semur (beef in sweet soy sauce), teri kacang (little dried fish fried with peanuts), fried prawns, telur pindang (marblized boiled eggs), shredded omelette, tempe orek (sweet, dry fried tempeh), perkedel kentang (mashed potato fritters), perkedel jagung (corn fritters), sambal goreng ati (liver in chilli sauce), and many other dishes. Nasi tumpeng probably comes from an ancient Indonesian tradition that revers mountains as the abode of the ancestors and the gods. Rice cone is meant to symbolize the holy mountain. The feast served as some kind of thanksgiving for the abundance of harvest or any other blessings. Because of its festivities and celebratory value, even now tumpeng is sometimes used as an Indonesian counterpart to birthday cake.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another Indonesian feast, the Rijsttafel (from Dutch, meaning 'rice table'), demonstrates both colonial opulence and the diversity of Indonesian cuisine at the same time. The classic style rijsttafel involved serving of up to 40 different dishes by 40 male waiters, bare foot but dressed in formal white uniforms with blangkon (traditional Javanese caps) on their heads and batik cloth around their waists. In contemporary Indonesian cuisine, it has been adapted into a western style buffet. It employs a long table with a wide range of dishes, both savory and sweet, served on it. It can usually be found in wedding ceremonies or any other festivities. The layout for an Indonesian wedding ceremony buffet is usually: plates, eating utensils (spoon and fork), and paper napkins placed on one end, followed by rice (plain or fried), a series of Indonesian (and sometimes international) dishes, sambal and krupuk (shrimp crackers), and ending with glasses of water on the other end of the table.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Beverages</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The most common and popular Indonesian drinks and beverages are teh (tea) and kopi (coffee). Indonesian households commonly serve teh manis (sweet tea) or kopi tubruk (coffee mixed with sugar and hot water and poured straight in the glass without separating out the coffee residue) to guests. Since the colonial era of Netherlands East Indies, plantations, especially in Java, were major producers of coffee, tea and sugar. Since then hot and sweet coffee and tea beverages have been enjoyed by Indonesians. Jasmine tea is the most popular tea variety drunk in Indonesia, however recent health awareness promotions have made green tea a popular choice. Usually coffee and tea are served hot, but cold iced sweet tea is also frequently drunk. Kopi Luwak is Indonesian exotic and expensive coffee beverage made from the beans of coffee berries which have been eaten by the Asian Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus) and other related civets. Teh botol, bottled sweet jasmine tea, is now quite popular and locally competes favorably with international bottled soda beverages such as Coca Cola and Fanta. Kopi susu (coffee with sweetened condensed milk) is an Indonesian version of Café au lait.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Indonesian dessert es teler; avocado, jackfruit and young coconut in shreded ice and condensed milk</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Fruit juices (jus) are very popular. Varieties include orange (jus jeruk), guava (jus jambu), mango (jus mangga), soursop (jus sirsak) and avocado (jus alpokat), the last of these being commonly served with condensed milk and chocolate syrup as a dessert-like treat. Durian can be made into ice cream called es durian.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Many popular drinks are based on ice (es) and can also be classified as desserts. Typical examples include young coconut (es kelapa muda), grass jelly (es cincau), cendol (es cendol or es dawet), avocado, jackfruit and coconut with shreded ice and condensed milk (es teler), mixed ice (es campur), red kidney beans (es kacang merah), musk melon (es blewah) and seaweed (es rumput laut).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hot sweet beverages can also be found, such as bajigur and bandrek which are particularly popular in West Java. Both are coconut milk or coconut sugar (gula jawa) based hot drinks, mixed with other spices. Sekoteng, a ginger based hot drink which includes peanuts, diced bread, and pacar cina, can be found in Jakarta and West Java. Wedang jahe (hot ginger drink) and wedang ronde (a hot drink with sweet potato balls) are particularly popular in Yogyakarta, Central Java, and East Java.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As a Muslim majority country, Indonesian Muslims also share Islamic dietary laws that prohibit alcoholic beverages. However since ancient times, native alcoholic beverages were already developed in archipelago. According to a Chinese source, people of ancient Java drank wine made from palm sap called tuak (palm wine). Today tuak continues to be popular in the Batak region, North Sumatra where a majority of the people are Christian. A traditional Batak bar serving tuak is called lapo tuak. In Solo, Central Java, ciu (a local adaptation of Chinese wine) is also known. Bottled brem bali (Balinese rice wine) is popular in Bali. Indonesians also developed local brands of beer, such as Bintang Beer and Anker Beer.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Snacks and street food</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VM1bjPrtLl8/TvSfYAY50SI/AAAAAAAAAps/9ZMDnLCwczQ/s1600/bakso.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VM1bjPrtLl8/TvSfYAY50SI/AAAAAAAAAps/9ZMDnLCwczQ/s1600/bakso.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In most cities, it is common to see Chinese dishes such as bakpao (steamed buns with various sweet and savoury fillings), bakmie (noodles), and bakso (meatballs) sold by street vendors and restaurants alike, often adapted to become Indonesian-Chinese cuisine. One common adaptation is that pork is rarely used since the majority of Indonesians are Muslims. Other popular Indonesian street food and snacks are siomay and batagor (abbreviated from Bakso Tahu Goreng), deep fried fish cake pempek, bubur ayam (chicken congee), bubur kacang hijau (mung beans porridge), satay, nasi goreng (English: fried rice) and mie goreng (English: fried noodle), taoge goreng (mung bean sprouts and noodle salad), asinan (preserved vegetables or fruits salad), laksa, kerak telor (spicy omelette), gorengan (Indonesian assorted fritters) and Bakwan (fried dish of beansprouts and batter).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Various traditional crackers is called krupuk, and usually consumed as snack or to accompany main meals. There are wide variations of krupuk available across Indonesia. The most popular ones would be krupuk udang (prawn cracker) and krupuk kampung or krupuk putih (cassava cracker). Another popular types include krupuk kulit (skin cracker), emping melinjo (gnetum gnemon cracker), an also various of kripik (chips or crisps), such as kripik pisang (banana chips) and keripik singkong (Cassava chips).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Indonesian street snacks also include iced and sweet beverages, such as es cendol or es dawet, es teler, es cincau, es doger, es campur, es potong, and es puter. Indonesian cakes and cookies are often called as jajanan pasar (market munchies). Indonesia has a rich collection of snacks called kue (cakes and pastry), both savory and sweet. Popular ones include risoles, pastel, lumpia, lemper, lontong, tahu isi, getuk, bakpia, Bika Ambon, kue pandan, lupis, lemang, kue pisang, kue cubit, klepon, onde-onde, nagasari, lapis legit, soes, poffertjes and bolu kukus.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Street and street-side vendors are common, in addition to hawkers peddling their goods on bicycles or carts. These carts are known as pedagang kaki lima - (named after the 5-foot (1.5 m) wide footpaths in Indonesia, however some people say they are named 'five feet' after the three feet of the cart and two feet of the vendor!). These food hawkers on cart or bicycle might be travelling on streets; approaching potential buyers through residential areas while announcing their presence, or stationed themselves on a strategic and busy street side; setting simple seatings under small tent, and waiting for customers to come. Many of these have their own distinctive call or songs to announce their wares. For example, the bakso seller will hit the side of a soup bowl, whereas mie ayam is announced by hitting a wood block.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Fruits</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-41L3WwQnkZ4/TvSe2PDCbcI/AAAAAAAAApg/KtWGHyvFaoI/s1600/es+campur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-41L3WwQnkZ4/TvSe2PDCbcI/AAAAAAAAApg/KtWGHyvFaoI/s1600/es+campur.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Indonesian markets abound with many types of tropical fruit. These are an important part of the Indonesian diet, either eaten freshly, or made into juices (such as jus alpukat), desserts (such as es buah and es teler), processed in savoury and spicy dishes like rujak, fried like pisang goreng (fried banana), cooked into cakes (such as kue pisang or bika ambon), sweetened and preserved such as sale pisang and manisan buah, or processed into kripik (crispy chips) as snacks like jackfruit or banana chips.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Many of these fruits such as mangosteen, rambutan, jackfruit, durian, and banana, are indigenous to Indonesian archipelago; while others have been imported from other tropical countries, although the origin of many of these fruits might be disputed. Today, Indonesian markets is also enrichen with selections of home-grown non-tropical fruits that is not native to Indonesia. Strawberry, melon, apple and dragonfruit are introduced and grown in cooler Indonesian highlands such as Malang and Lembang near Bandung, to mimic their native subtropics habitat.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In the last few years, fruit chips has been more and more various. In the old times, banana and jackfruit chips is the most common, but now Indonesian fruit chips also made from strawberry, apple, dragon fruit, pepino, watermelon, melon, and a lot more. Malang, a city in East Java is the center of fruit chips production aside from tempe chips. Banana and Coconut are particularly important, not only to Indonesian cuisine, but also in other uses, such as timber, bedding, roofing, oil, plates and packaging, etc.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Health and hygiene</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pIe0TR-vekw/TvSebcYzMqI/AAAAAAAAApU/-NvK4NYAlYs/s1600/tempe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pIe0TR-vekw/TvSebcYzMqI/AAAAAAAAApU/-NvK4NYAlYs/s1600/tempe.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Much carbohydrate intake in Indonesian cuisine comes from rice, while in eastern parts of Indonesia, yam and sago are common. Indonesian protein intake comes from bean soy products that are processed into tofu and tempeh. chicken eggs, poultry and meats are also consumed. Most of the fat intake comes from cooking oil (coconut oil) of fried dishes, coconut milk, peanuts, as well as meats and offals. Some Indonesian fruit and vegetable dishes such as fruit rujak, gado-gado, karedok, pecel, lalab, capcay, tofu and tempeh are known as healthy foods with low fat and high fiber. Tempeh, for example, is known to be a vegetarian substitute for meat. On the other hand some dishes, especially gorengan (deep-fried fritters) and those dishes infused or caramelized with coconut milk, such as rendang and gulai, might taste succulent but are rich in fat and cholesterol. The goat meat and offals cooked as gulai and soto are definitely categorized as unhealthy dietary choices as they are rich in saturated fat and cholesterol.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The authentic traditional Indonesian home cooking is freshly made and consumed daily with minimal or no processed, canned or preserved foods, which means there are minimal amount of preservatives. Most ingredients are bought fresh early in the morning from local traditional markets, cooked around late morning and consumed mainly for lunch. The leftovers are stored in the cupboard in room temperature to be heated and consumed again for dinner. Traditionally, Indonesian dishes are rarely stored for long periods of time, thus most of these dishes are cooked and consumed in the same day. Some exceptions apply to dried, salted, and processed food. For example, dry rendang may still be safe to consume for several days. Today refrigeration technology is available in most households.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">While most Indonesian grocery products and food served in mid to upperscale eating establishments maintain food hygiene standard ranges from good to acceptable — regulated and supervised by Badan Pengawasan Obat dan Makanan (Indonesian Food and Drug Administration) — some warung traditional foodstalls and street vendors might have poor hygiene. The tropical microbes also might contribute to food poisoning cases, especially among foreigners during their stay in Indonesia. It is advisable to drink bottled or boiled drinking water, or choose cooked hot food instead of uncooked room temperatured one sold by street vendors. For example, when consuming food sold by street vendors, consuming hot cooked mi ayam or soto is much saver than having gado-gado or fruit rujak.</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://southofvoice.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05275318729346056814noreply@blogger.com0Indonesia-7.099190163284379 107.76898325000002-15.55118816328438 84.761540750000023 1.3528078367156207 130.77642575000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522789612601967224.post-7522241841006671022011-12-23T04:10:00.000+00:002011-12-23T04:10:04.148+00:00Weekend to the Beautiful Beaches<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZLvD0yZBMU/TvNZXrBbzMI/AAAAAAAAAlU/dluMlQXw_1s/s1600/phi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZLvD0yZBMU/TvNZXrBbzMI/AAAAAAAAAlU/dluMlQXw_1s/s1600/phi.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Phi Phi Islands (Thai: หมู่เกาะพีพี, Thai pronunciation: [pʰīː pʰīː]) are located in Thailand, between the large island of Phuket and the western Andaman Sea coast of the mainland. The islands are administratively part of Krabi province. Ko Phi Phi Don ("ko" (Thai: เกาะ) meaning "island" in the Thai language) is the largest island of the group, and is the only island with permanent inhabitants, although the beaches of the second largest island, Ko Phi Phi Lee (or "Ko Phi Phi Leh"), are visited by many people as well.</div><a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: justify;">The rest of the islands in the group, including Bida Nok, Bida Noi, and Bamboo Island (Ko Mai Phai), are not much more than large limestone rocks jutting out of the sea.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Phi Phi Don was initially populated by Muslim fishermen during the late 1940s, and later became a coconut plantation. The Thai population of Phi Phi Don remains more than 80% Muslim. The actual population however, if counting laborers, especially from the north-east, from the mainland is much more Buddhist these days.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The islands came to worldwide prominence when Ko Phi Phi Leh was used as a location for the 2000 British-American film The Beach. This attracted criticism, with claims that the film company had damaged the island's environment, an accusation the film's makers contest. The film's release was attributed to an increase in tourism to the islands. Phi Phi Leh also houses the 'Viking Cave', from which there is a thriving bird's nest soup industry.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ko Phi Phi was devastated by the Indian Ocean Tsunami of December 2004, when nearly all of the island's infrastructure was destroyed. As of 2010 most, but not all, of this has been restored.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>History</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">From archaeological discoveries, it is believed that the area was one of the oldest communities in Thailand dating back to the prehistoric period. It is believed that this province may have taken its name after the meaning of Krabi, which means sword. This may have stemmed from a legend that an ancient sword was unearthed prior to the city’s founding.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The name Phi Phi (pronounced ‘pee pee’) originates from Malay, the original name for the islands were Pulau Api-Api (The Fiery Isle). The name refers to the Pokok Api-Api, which literary translated as the Fiery Tree (Grey Mangrove) which is commonly found throughout the Island. They were incorporated into the national park in 1983.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Geography</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JhbAGmtlkyw/TvNZdYn1opI/AAAAAAAAAlg/8hgFyqyoqdk/s1600/phi1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JhbAGmtlkyw/TvNZdYn1opI/AAAAAAAAAlg/8hgFyqyoqdk/s1600/phi1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are six islands in the group known as Phi Phi. They lie 50 km south-east of Phuket and are part of Hadnopparattara-Koh Phi Phi National Park which is home to an abundance of corals and marine life. There are limestone mountains with cliffs, caves and long white sandy beaches. The national park covers a total area of 242,437 Rai.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le are the largest and most well-known islands. Phi Phi Don is 28 sqkm: 8 km in length and 3.5 km wide. Phi Phi Le is 6.6 km.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Tourism</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The islands feature beaches and clear water that have had their natural beauty protected by National Park status. Tourism on Ko Phi Phi, like the rest of Krabi province, has exploded only very recently.[citation needed] In the early 1990s only the most adventurous travelers visited the island, staying in only the most basic accommodation. Nowadays, however, the place has turned into one of the major destinations for visitors to Krabi. However, it is still significantly less developed than the nearby island of Phuket, or Ko Samui, on Thailand's opposite coast.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ko Phi Phi is a popular place for diving and snorkeling, kayaking and other marine recreational activities.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Local culture</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Culture & life-style</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Krabi province the home of Ko Phi Phi is a melting pot of Buddhists, Thai-Chinese, Muslims and even sea gypsies. The majority of the population in the rural areas is Muslim. The province however, does not suffer from any religious tension and the folk live in peace and harmony. Outside of the provincial town, the rural folk speak with a thick Southern dialect which is difficult for even other Thais to understand. With this kind of mixture, the province is often celebrating something be it part of Thai Buddhist, Thai-Chinese or Thai-Islamic tradition. Visitors can also enjoy the annual boat-launching ceremonies of the sea gypsies and various long-tail boat races.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Events and festivals</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jilJgB3kw94/TvNZkIFeqdI/AAAAAAAAAls/lWrXmJ7MAFE/s1600/phi2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jilJgB3kw94/TvNZkIFeqdI/AAAAAAAAAls/lWrXmJ7MAFE/s1600/phi2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Krabi Boek Fa Andaman Festival (งานกระบี่เบิกฟ้าอันดามัน) This is annually held in November to inaugurate the province’s tourist season. Water sports competitions, cultural shows, and good-natured fun are the schedule.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Laanta Lanta Festival (เทศกาลลานตา ลันตา) The festival is usually held in March every year at the Old Community in Ko Lanta called Ban Sanga-Au, which has a very old history of more than 100 years. Ancient Chinese style houses can still be seen here. In this festival, tourists can see the traditional culture, previously unseen ceremonial demonstrations, Southern local performances, folk games, water sports competitions and enjoy the tastes from various kinds of food booths which are provided by prestigious hotels on the island.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sat Duean Sip Festival or Festival of the Tenth Lunar Month (งานประเพณีสารทเดือนสิบ) This is the southern traditional merit making occasion to honour one's ancestors. Food offerings such as Khanom La, Khanom Chohu, Khanom Phong, Khanom Ba, and Khanom Kong or Khai Pla, are made offer to Buddhist monks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FscPRA7kYNc/TvNaZDMgzOI/AAAAAAAAAmE/TE_PMwr8ffQ/s1600/Chak+Phra+Festival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FscPRA7kYNc/TvNaZDMgzOI/AAAAAAAAAmE/TE_PMwr8ffQ/s1600/Chak+Phra+Festival.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Chak Phra Festival (งานประเพณีชักพระ) The original waterborne procession, where Buddha images are put on elaborately decorated pulpits on boats are pulled along on the river, has been replaced by a land procession. The festival was formerly accompanied with a performance of traditional boat songs. However, the traditional waterborne songs have since disappeared.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Loi Ruea Chao Le Festival (ประเพณีลอยเรือชาวเล) This old ritualistic tradition takes place on Ko Lanta during the full moon of the sixth and eleventh month in the lunar calendar. This is a religious rite performed by the sea gypsies of Ko Lanta, as well as, from other neighbouring areas, who gather on the beach near Sala Dan Village. They dance their famous "rong ngeng" round the boats of misfortune to be set adrift. Ceremonies feature singing and dancing. This festival is expected to bring prosperity and happiness to the participants.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Art</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Even though it is Indonesia in origin, the art of batik has embedded itself within the local culture. There are also a lot of Krabi and Ko Phi Phi handicrafts such as pineapple paper.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Rock-climbing</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Experts have climbed up many rock faces both on the mainland and Ko Phi Phi. Railay and Phra-nang Beaches are renowned with climbers as one of the most favoured rock-climbing destinations in South-East Asia. A countless amount of schools have sprung into business over the past decade or so, most of which are located at Railay, with some on Ko Phi Phi. There are now more than 600 routes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Diving</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Krabi has turned into one of the most popular dive spots in Thailand due to its clear water and colourful coral. Ko Lanta is known to be (amongst divers) as the best spot in the province. There are an abundance of diving schools with courses for all levels of diving.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Kiteboarding</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Phi Phi island offers excellent conditions for learning kiteboarding. There are beaches on all sides of the island so any wind direction is suitable. There is only one school on the island and they provide IKO beginner courses as well as advanced lessons. Tours are also provided to nearby islands.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Local food</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6e0doy95kNk/TvNaJgpKMcI/AAAAAAAAAl4/28rDQ5Kr1Fo/s1600/spiciness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6e0doy95kNk/TvNaJgpKMcI/AAAAAAAAAl4/28rDQ5Kr1Fo/s1600/spiciness.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In general, Southern Thai food is renowned for its spiciness. Much of the cuisine has its origins in Malay, Chinese and Indian food. Favourite dishes from the south include Indian-style Muslim curry (massaman), rice noodles in fish curry sauce (Khanom Jeen) and chicken birayani.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As for Ko Phi Phi, reasonable priced and tasty seafood is obviously what most tourists long for when visiting a coastal province like Krabi. In this connection, the wing shell (หอยชักตีน) is the province’s famous cuisine. In addition, stirred fried Spotted Babylon (หอยหวาน), which is found in mangrove forests, with chilies and basil is also famous. This cuisine is common in Ko Phi Phi’s restaurants. Another great provincial taste is seafood.</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://southofvoice.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05275318729346056814noreply@blogger.com0Phi Phi Islands7.7434836 98.7756555999999367.7086881 98.756669599999938 7.7782791000000007 98.794641599999935tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522789612601967224.post-70430233131198370022011-12-22T15:12:00.000+00:002011-12-22T15:12:15.363+00:00Padangbai is a beautiful beaches<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UkxUREB-WTU/TvNICDAbxsI/AAAAAAAAAkA/32EIv9d4Nh8/s1600/Padangbai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UkxUREB-WTU/TvNICDAbxsI/AAAAAAAAAkA/32EIv9d4Nh8/s1600/Padangbai.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Padangbai is a beautiful beaches renowned for its underwater beauty dominated by colorful ornamental fish and soft coral. Padangbai is a small town in eastern Bali, Indonesia near Candidasa.</div><a name='more'></a> It serves as a ferry port for travel to Lombok, The Gilis and other of the Lesser Sunda Islands. It is also a lovely beach town that is popular with those who prefer a small town atmosphere over the large scale beach party that is Kuta.<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Besides the beach near the ferry terminal there is a beach just to the north known locally as the Blue Lagoon and the especially nice Secret Beach just to the south of town. Blue Lagoon has two family owned warungs that will be glad to prepare a meal and serve beer.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Many people go to Padangbai to Scuba Dive.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3dBU_kfSfSY/TvNIRwMsp5I/AAAAAAAAAkM/bnYBbD1TSSg/s1600/Padangbai1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3dBU_kfSfSY/TvNIRwMsp5I/AAAAAAAAAkM/bnYBbD1TSSg/s1600/Padangbai1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nQ2elowEi18/TvNISdJ9SSI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/v_RYgjUQzRY/s1600/Padangbai2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nQ2elowEi18/TvNISdJ9SSI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/v_RYgjUQzRY/s1600/Padangbai2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ESn4pIPtsU/TvNIS0zmpoI/AAAAAAAAAkc/U1OcImJ4rgU/s1600/Padangbai3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ESn4pIPtsU/TvNIS0zmpoI/AAAAAAAAAkc/U1OcImJ4rgU/s1600/Padangbai3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3v45kPGj-R4/TvNIUcVf2KI/AAAAAAAAAkg/WzuD4HtWwGE/s1600/Padangbai4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3v45kPGj-R4/TvNIUcVf2KI/AAAAAAAAAkg/WzuD4HtWwGE/s1600/Padangbai4.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://southofvoice.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05275318729346056814noreply@blogger.com0Padangbai, Manggis, Indonesia-8.531383 115.50810000000001-8.541961 115.50142650000001 -8.520805 115.51477350000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3522789612601967224.post-53774876556357689952011-12-20T18:13:00.000+00:002011-12-20T18:13:48.904+00:00Nusa Lembongan is Paradise Of Diving, Surfing, and Snorkeling<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ezM0HYRuTmw/TvDOTWtyoKI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/IDvsADbIQ-U/s1600/wonders+and+beauty+of+Indonesia+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ezM0HYRuTmw/TvDOTWtyoKI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/IDvsADbIQ-U/s1600/wonders+and+beauty+of+Indonesia+%25285%2529.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nusa Lembongan is a small island off the southeast coast of the main island of Bali. Fast becoming one of Bali's most popular attractions, this island paradise is a world away from the hassle and hectic pace of South Bali. Neither hawkers nor traffic mar the magnificent scenery; this is a fine place to just put your feet up and relax. Main activities include surfing, diving and snorkeling. The water is some of the clearest you will find anywhere, and a vivid aqua blue in colour. </div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Nusa Lembongan is approximately 8 square km in size, and is one of three neighbouring islands, the others being much larger Nusa Penida and tiny Nusa Ceningan (also covered by this article). The three islands are separated from Bali by the Badung Strait. Some visitors may find Nusa Lembongan a little slow after the pace of South Bali.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Many areas around the island are good for diving and snorkeling, with abundant marine life and healthly coral. Surfing can get a bit crowded, but the waves are good. There are several white sand beaches away from the main centres which are virtually never crowded. There is a flourishing and well established seaweed farming industry here, and many visitors find it interesting to learn about this. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Orientation</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Two main beach areas have traditionally attracted visitors.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Jungut Batu in the northwest is the bigger of the two, and has myriad hotels and cheap eateries. This is the area which traditionally attracted backpackers and surfers to the island. The white sand beach here is pleasant enough but nothing to get too excited about, and it is a little narrow in places. In more recent times, the hillside to the south of Jungut Batu known as the Bukit (the hill) has been developed and has attracted some higher level hotels and private villas. The views from the Bukit are perhaps second to none on Nusa Lembongan. Sunsets are best viewed along the main Jungut Batu beachfront. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mushroom Bay to the southwest of Jungut Batu is a quaint, attractive and sheltered bay. It is an especially nice spot after 3PM when the day trippers have returned to Bali, and it has a great white sandy beach, along with some cozy little water-side restaurants.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Further south, the lesser known beaches either side of the Devil's Tear outcrop, known as Dream Beach and Sunset Beach (or Sandy Bay), are increasingly drawing more visitors. The coastal landscape in this part of the island is mostly low-lying limestone cliffs, and there are some dramatic cave formations.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The north end of the island is fringed by an important mangrove forest, and the eastern side of the island is separated from neighbouring Nusa Ceningan by a shallow estuarine channel.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The main population centre of the island is Lembongan Village in the southern interior, and it is here that you will find the homes of many traditional island families. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Climate</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The climate of Nusa Lembongan is similar to neighbouring 'mainland' Bali, but it is noticeably drier here, particularly in the period of May to September. If there is a time to avoid, it would be the height of the rainy season in January and February.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Culture</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The local Lembonganese are Hindu and visitors will notice little or no difference from the prevailing culture on the Bali mainland.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Talk</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Balinese is the most common language of communication between local residents, with Bahasa Indonesia a distant second. The Balinese spoken here is a distinct dialect, and sharp-eared linguists would certainly notice this. English is widely understood and spoken, often with an Australian accent!.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Get in</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The only realistic way (although you can charter a helicopter) to reach Nusa Lembongan from Bali is by boat. There are several options according to budget and speed. Most of the scheduled services leave from Sanur Beach at the end of Jalan Hangtuah, and involve getting your feet wet. The exact departure and arrival point on this beach depends on the tide. Other services run from Benoa Harbour, and there are local public boat services to and from Padang Bai and Kusamba in East Bali, but these are not recommended for reasons of safety and comfort. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">See</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The attractions here are mostly natural. The beaches and other coastal landscapes are obviously a key draw, as are the sunsets. There are a limited number of man-made attractions, most notably temples and the rickety suspension bridge. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Beaches</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jsXziVWpoUc/TvDOxsTTb6I/AAAAAAAAAic/ZJTRPCmpeYQ/s1600/wonders+and+beauty+of+Indonesia+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jsXziVWpoUc/TvDOxsTTb6I/AAAAAAAAAic/ZJTRPCmpeYQ/s1600/wonders+and+beauty+of+Indonesia+%25283%2529.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Dream Beach. A wonderful secluded beach with powdery, white sand, located on the south coast. From the main accommodation areas on the west coast, head southeast towards Lembongan Village where you should turn west, and then look for the signposted small track leading south to Dream Beach. There is a cafe attached to the single resort here, and this makes Dream Beach a great place to spend the whole day doing nothing. Be very careful though about entering the water here as the rips can be fierce. Only the strongest swimmers should consider this and even then, avoid the eastern end of the beach.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sandy Bay (Sunset Beach), (adjacent to Devil's Tear). A small but spectacular beach with white sand and crashing waves, located just to the north of Dream Beach, and easiest reached via the same route. The excellent Beach Club at Sandy Bay is located here and this should encourage visitors to spend the day. At low tide a dramatic cave is exposed in the low limestone cliff at the eastern side of the bay. Approach carefully and make sure you are not cut off from the beach by a rising tide. All-in-all, this is a delightful spot which is as laid back as anywhere in the whole of Bali.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tamarind Beach, (between Playgrounds surf break and Mushroom Bay). Good views back to Bali, and of Mount Agung especially. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Other</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Devil's Tear. A rocky outcrop on the south western coast. Spectacular crashing waves and water plumes. Easily found by walking either a few minutes north from Dream Beach or south from Sunset Beach.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mangrove Forest, (continue north on the only west coast road from Jungut Batu until you reach the mangroves). Northern Nusa Lembongan has an extensive forest of mature mangroves which can be explored in a jukung outrigger boat.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Puncak Sari Temple, Lembongan Village (just north of Lembongan Village on the main route back to Jungut Batu). The largest and grandest Hindu temple on the island. Good views over the straits back to Bali from this area.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Seaweed Farms, (make your way to the shoreline anywhere in the southeast quarter of the island and just observe). Seaweed farming takes place in many parts of the island, but the most accessible farms are on the southern side of Lembongan Village. Most of the seaweed grown here is destined for the Asian cosmetics industry.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1sARFvXY1Y/TvDO7YeOqFI/AAAAAAAAAik/sQc9qxs_Qvg/s1600/wonders+and+beauty+of+Indonesia+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1sARFvXY1Y/TvDO7YeOqFI/AAAAAAAAAik/sQc9qxs_Qvg/s1600/wonders+and+beauty+of+Indonesia+%25284%2529.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sunsets. One thing not to miss on Nusa Lembongan. The Sunset over Bali is awe-inspiring, and can be viewed from any west facing part of the island, but the beach at Jungut Batu is especially popular. A more rural alternative is to go over the bridge to Nusa Ceningan and view the sunset from one of the west-facing high ridges. Being just a few degrees south of the equator, sunset times do not vary much throughout the year here. Look to be in place between 5:30PM and 6PM.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Suspension Bridge, (go through Lembongan Village heading west, sticking on the main road until you hit the estuarine channel). This quirky yellow suspension bridge should not be missed by any visitor. You can walk or bike across the bridge to neighbouring Nusa Ceningan. The noise it makes can be quite scary, and contributes to what is an all-round Indiana Jones-type experience. Although it is definitely getting more and more rickety as the years pass, the bridge is still safe, and there are many thousands of incident-free crossings every year. There are very rare occasions when the bridge is off-bounds to motorbikes due to maintenance. At such times boats, offer transport across the channel for you and your bike. Free. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nusa Ceningan</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nusa Ceningan is the tiny island between Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida, which is easily reached via the suspension bridge on foot or by bicycle/motorbike. There is a notable surf break off Nusa Ceningan which attracts some surfers away from the more crowded breaks on Nusa Lembongan. Otherwise the island offers some scenic roads and paths, and the westward views back over Nusa Lembongan to Bali are impressive. Viewing the sunset over Bali from the central Ceningan ridge is very much worth the effort. The estuarine channel between Lembongan and Ceningan is home to many seaweed farms.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Very few visitors choose to stay on Nusa Ceningan, but a small bungalow complex opened in 2009, another in 2010, and more accommodation options are in the pipeline. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Activities are very much water-based, with surfing and scuba diving being especially notable. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Surfing</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Nusa Lembongan was first opened up as a tourist destination by surfers, and it has long been an established part of the Bali surf circuit.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are three main breaks, all off the top half of the west coast, with another less well known just to the southwest off Nusa Ceningan. Playgrounds, Lacerations and Shipwrecks are all close offshore and reached via an energetic paddle from the beach, or in a more leisurely fashion, by a local boat (perahu) which can be chartered from the nearest beach.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Whilst the breaks usually suit intermediate to experienced surfers given they all break over coral reefs, the aptly named Playgrounds is a little more forgiving and can be enjoyed by beginners and experts alike. All the surf breaks become extremely crowded during the dry season</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Although surfable all year round, waves are best when winds are in the southeast quarter, normally from April to September/October. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Scuba Diving</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bp2A3DaszRE/TvDPCvfAA9I/AAAAAAAAAis/UslKWbvE4jE/s1600/wonders+and+beauty+of+Indonesia+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bp2A3DaszRE/TvDPCvfAA9I/AAAAAAAAAis/UslKWbvE4jE/s1600/wonders+and+beauty+of+Indonesia+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Diving is of excellent quality in the crystal clear waters around the island. A number of reputable dive shops are present, and this is a notable teaching destination. Many hundreds of visitors have learned to dive here.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">For more experienced divers, the most interesting sites are off neighbouring Nusa Penida. There are some challenging drift dives here, and dive operators will visit certain sites only when the sea conditions are safe. There are plenty of options for easier flat reef and wall dives as well. Marine highlights include large manta rays all year round, spectacular, massive oceanic sunfish (mola-mola) in season (July to October), white-tipped reef sharks, nurse sharks and the odd hammerhead. Whale sharks are far from regular, but the odd migrant is seen. Last but certainly not least, four species of sea turtle can be found here. All operators offer scheduled trips to the prime dive sites around all three islands.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Prices vary little from shop to shop. Course fees run from about US$60 for a half day Discover Scuba introduction, to US$395 for PADI Open Water certification. A fun dive will cost approximately US$35-45 including all equipment, with discounts offered for multiple dives. Dive shops have variable opening hours according to seasonal demand. Night dives are widely offered and offer a fantastic underwater experience. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Snorkeling</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N9RN4fk23w8/TvDPIbKWqII/AAAAAAAAAi0/eyo8-84NCT8/s1600/wonders+and+beauty+of+Indonesia+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N9RN4fk23w8/TvDPIbKWqII/AAAAAAAAAi0/eyo8-84NCT8/s1600/wonders+and+beauty+of+Indonesia+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Non-divers should not feel left out, as good snorkeling is available close inshore at various spots around the island. Perhaps the two best areas are Mushroom Bay on the west coast, and the mangroves on the northern tip. Equipment can be hired from your hotel or on the beach, and depending on the quality of the gear, you should expect to pay Rp 20,000-50,000 for renting a mask, snorkel and set of fins.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you fancy getting further offshore, dive shops may sell you a snorkeling space on a scheduled dive boat, subject to availability. Also, local boatmen are willing to take you by boat to various snorkeling spots. Depending on the number of snorkeling spots you want to visit, a boat trip can be arranged for about Rp 200,000-300,000 (including snorkeling gear). An enjoyable snorkeling spot reached by boat only is the west coast of neighbouring Nusa Penida, with Crystal Bay being especially rewarding. There is a strong current along this coast. The boatman will drop you off at the beginning of the current, and you can drift while snorkeling along the drop off wall with beautiful coral and loads of fish. The boatmen will follow you and pick you up at the end of the drift. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Other water sports</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Families with children will not be short of options. The full gamut of typical resort-type, mechanised water sports are available, including wake-boarding and banana boats. Those who care a little about the environment may be keener to patronise the sea kayaking option. Your hotel will be able to assist with booking any of these activities. Alternatively, just head down to the beach at either Mushroom Bay or Jungut Batu, and figure it out for yourself. Costs start at about Rp 150,000 for a single banana boat ride. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Walking</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is an excellent island for walking and keen visitors should not hesitate to just head off and explore the myriad tracks that criss-cross the island. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Walking itinerary</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The low cliffs in the south offer some splendid coastal walking routes. Perhaps the best of them starts at Dream Beach, from where you should take the obvious footpath north over the Devil's Tear outcrop, pausing to see some of the most dramatic wave formations anywhere around the island. The crashing plumes are sometimes huge here, so be prepared to get wet! Continue northwards to Sunset Beach and explore the cove. If you time your arrival for low tide, the cave at the eastern end of the beach may be accessible.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the opposite end of the beach you will find The Beach Club. From here follow the footpath leading northwest up the hill always keeping the private villas to your left, until you again hit the cliff line. From here you will see right across the Badung Strait to Bali. Follow the cliff path northwards and then around to the east, all the time pausing to appreciate the dramatic coastal formations. Birdwatchers should lookout for flashes of turquoise and white, as spectacular sacred kingfishers are common in this area, and offshore it is worth keeping an eye out for huge frigatebirds. Keep following this path eastwards, and you will drop down into Mushroom Bay where the suggested walk ends and refreshments are available. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://southofvoice.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05275318729346056814noreply@blogger.com0Nusa Lembongan, Nusapenida, Indonesia-8.6785828 115.4555858-8.6943243 115.43251479999999 -8.6628412999999984 115.4786568