Mekarsari Tourism Park is the center of the tropical fruitiest in Indonesia. It is the largest tropical fruitiest in the world in the area of 264 hectar. The park located in Cileungsi, District of Bogor West Java an can be accessed from Jakarta only about 1 hour. Mekarsari Tourism Park Park facilities are comfortable, made up of several zones, among others, Water Zone, Family Zone, Race Point, Exotic Mediterranean zone, Central Park, the land and the Green Zone. Diversity of plants into one of the benefits of Mekarsari compared to other parks. We can do various activities such as the view from near the fruit-the fruit of native Indonesia; see the orchard that we rarely see, and so forth. Garden area of 264 hectares is equipped with facilities for tourists touring the archipelago and abroad. Tourism in the middle of the park is supported by various vehicles that visitors to the natural approach. Visitor can look many types of activities and park like • Family Garden, • Recreation Lake (20 ha), • Baby Zoo, • Deer spotted, • Garden Center, • Greenhouse Melon, • Outbound, • dead flowers, • Kids Fun Valley, • Scenic Tower • Building Water Fall (Tirto Sari Puri). • Gathering Company, • Family picnic, • Tourism Fruit Garden • Barbeque, • Walking in the garden.
Kuta, with the adjacent Legian, Seminyak and Tuban, is by far Bali's busiest beach resort area. Shops, restaurants, hotels and nightclubs are all in abundance here and the beach itself is the best in the area with great surfing. Being the hub of Bali tourism, you can join day trips and sightseeing tours to anywhere on the island from Kuta. So if you're looking for a lively night out with your new found dive buddies this is the place to be with many of the bars having live music, special drink promotions and organised pub crawls. Sanur Beach Sanur is an upmarket alternative to the Kuta area of the island with a great beach and plenty of water sports - windsurfing, snorkelling, parasailing etc. all readily available. The nightlife is quiet in comparison to Kuta and there are plenty of good quality, reasonably priced eateries as well as some excellent craft, clothing, art and antique shops making this an attractive option for those wanting a more peaceful type of vacation. Tulamben Tulamben is a sleepy village on the north east coast, beautifully set with the stunning backdrop of Mount Agung volcano, and famed for the Liberty Wreck dive site. Bali scuba diving and relaxation here are the principal draw cards, or if you feel like burning some calories, you can climb Gunung Agung (3,104m) or the smaller Mt. Seraya (1,174m). Beyond that, there are many places of local interest such as Bali's highest waterfall in the nearby town of Les. For something unusual you can head to Tejakula, a local town famed for its horse bath which now acts (slightly disturbingly) as the towns public bath. More hygienic, but slightly further afield, is the spring baths water palace of Amlapura, Tirta Gangga in the east of Bali. Then there's river rafting, a luxurious golf course (set inside a volcanic crater!), mountain tours, traditional markets and cookery classes
Candi Dasa On the east coast is the once sleepy fishing village of Candi Dasa. You can expect to find plenty of accommodation, restaurants, bars, souvenir shops and some nightlife. There are some fantastic views from the headland and on a clear day Agung mountain rises magnificently behind the range of coastal hills. Candi Dasa is a small village nestled on the coastline approx 2hrs drive from the airport. Candi Dasa is a fantastic base to explore some of the best cultural points in Bali. These include, the courts of justice at Klung Klung, the waterpalace at Tirtagganga, the Bali Arga village with its long house, the fishing village of Amed and of course the most Holy temple in Bali Besakih. The beaches at Candi Dasa are not much but it is a great place to relax to the sound of the ocean gently lapping the shore line while reading a good book under a palm tree. If culture and total escape from the world is what you want there is no better place to spend at least 2-3nights at the start of your holiday to help you escape those work day blues. Tulamben Tulamben is a small village on the northeastern coast of Bali. If you journey from here the road climbs through a series of hills and descends quickly to the coast via hairpin shaped bends overshadowed by the mighty Gunung Agung, which is sometimes referred to as the 'navel of the world' and Bali's 'mother mountain'. You can see small white clouds escasping from the towering mountain which stands an impressive 3142m against a pale blue sky. Tulamben Bay is famous because just off the shore lies the wreck of USS Liberty. It is not only Indonesia's most dived site, it may be the most often dived wreck in the world. Between 150?200 divers visit this site every day. Ironically, its fame overshadows the rest of the natural marvels that can be found here, all unique to this bay. One sight that can only be seen at Tulamben is the porter service for scuba divers provided by women from the local village. From girls as young as twelve to the grandmas ? all exhibit a prowess that will leave even the strongest divers gaping with disbelief. With a weight belt slung casually over their shoulder and wearing only rubber flip-flops, they carry the fully set up scuba tanks, complete with BCs and regulators on their heads. With the 20kg or more balanced precariously, they skillfully maneuver their way up and down the beach of fist-sized round pebbles. Even with rubber boots and nothing in hand, divers are often seen tripping over. The women are remunerated by the dive and resort operator, the money shared on a communal basis amongst the members of the village. In the eastern district of Bali is the regency of Karangasem, which is dominated by the mighty Gunung Agung. This is Bali's highest mountain (3142 metres) towering majestically over eastern and northern Karangasem. Gunung Agung last erupted in March 1963 when it literally blew its top. The whole island was covered in ash and crops were wiped out. Ash covered many villages and temples and killed thousands of people, wiping out entire villages such as Sorga and Lebih high on the slopes of Agung. Thankfully, Besakih just six kilometres from the crater, suffered little damage. These days Mount Agung is very quiet and the mother temple, Pura Besakih, sitting 1000 metres up the slopes attracts a steady stream of devotees and tourists. This temple is Bali's most important and best kept temple, comprising 30 separate temples in seven terraces going up a hill. East Bali is everything you dreamed it would be, a rare and special paradise of astounding exotic beauty, vibrant culture and friendly people. East Bali a small part of the island that provides a thousand opportunities to explore in a day, go trekking around the hills and volcano, walk along the nature beach, witness the sunrise on the beautiful strait of Lombok and the romantic sunset on the top of Mt. Agung. Along the beaches of Tulamben, Amed and Bunutan villages is one of the world class locations for snorkellers and scuba divers. The colourful marine fish and coral reef, including the wrecked USS Liberty Navy vessel as World War II treasures is the real magic down below.
Once a fishing village, Sanur is now also a beautiful resort area. Visitors can soak up the sun at a first class resort or soak up the colour and atmosphere of village life at the local markets. Located on the eastern coast of Bali, Sanur is protected by a coral reef which makes the beach ideal for snorkelling, windsurfing and swimming. Colourful outrigger boats can be hired from the locals for trips along the coast or neighbouring islands. This area is for those of you who wish to get away from the rush and bustle of Kuta but would like a holiday in an air-conditioned hotel with a swimming pool. The beach is wide with white sand, it is sheltered by a reef which is great for swimming at high tide but very shallow at low tide. The nightlife is sedate compared to Kuta but of course if you want a night out it is only a taxi fare! Denpasar The capital of Bali, Denpasar has a population of 400,000 and has been the focus of much of the growth and wealth on the island over the last quarter of a century. It now has all the bustle and confusion one associates with the fast-growing cities of Asia. While the traffic, noise and pollution make it a difficult city to relish, Denpasar still retains pleasant, tree-lined streets and gardens and is very much part of the 'real' Bali, given that tourists generally give it a wide berth.
The Nusa Dua area was completely designed from arid land and now is renown for being an "upmarket" location. Nusa Dua is blissfully free of souvenir sellers and garish billboards. The hotels all have magnificently manicured lawns, owned and maintained by the Bali Tourism Development Corporation. With their neo-Balinese architecture complementing the beautiful natural surroundings of white sandy beaches, pristine water and swaying palm trees, thus providing all the ingredients of a tropical paradise.There is a sealed road going south from Jimbaran around to Ulu Watu, where perched on top of a sheer cliff overlooking the sea is the impressive and important temple of Pura Luhur Ulu Watu.
Kuta Bay Including the two beach sites of Kuta and Legian, this area is a major drawcard for travellers, offering cheap accommodation, western food, great shopping, surf, sunsets and riotous nightlife. Although it's fashionable to disparage Kuta for its rampant development, low-brow nightlife and crass commercialism, the cosmopolitan mixture of beach-party hedonism and entrepreneurial energy can be exciting. It's a tourist gold-rush town with a get-rich-quick mentality and a planning horizon to match. Kuta is not pretty but it's not dull either, and the amazing growth is evidence that a lot of people still find something to like in Kuta. It's still the best beach on Bali, with the only surf which breaks over sand instead of coral. Lots of cheap accommodation is available and there's a huge choice of places to eat. Shops and hawkers offer everything from fake flimflammery - laid out in boxes which open like jaws as you approach - to genuine antiques offered with a considerably softer sell. Even the tourists themselves have become a tourist attraction, with visitors coming from Java to ogle the topless bathers, and from other resorts to tut-tut at the tackiness of it all. And despite all the excesses, away from the traffic clogged streets Kuta is still a village: a place of quiet compounds and narrow alleys, where devotional offerings are placed in front of houses and neighbours emerge in the coolness of the evening to gossip in the street Behind the beaches, labyrinthine roads and alleys lead back to the most amazing clutch of hotels, restaurants, bars, food stalls and shops. The renowned Poppies Gang, running directly back from Kuta Beach, is where most of the quieter, inexpensive hostels and restaurants are located. Cheap beachfront accommodation is available in Legian; the lanes running parallel to the beach are the best places to start trawling for a decent bed. Kuta Bay is in the south of Bali, about 10km (6mi) southwest of Denpasar. Nearby to the north is Sanur, an the upmarket alternative to Kuta; Nusa Dua, to the south, is an upmarket alternative to Sanur. Ulu Watu, on the southern tip of Bali, is the island's most famous surfing spot. Located on the northern tip of Legian, Seminyak offers visitors a wealth of accommodation and things to see. Continually developing as a Bali destination in its own right, Seminyak combines all the ingredients of a fun Bali holiday - a surf beach, shops and restaurants as well as the traditional lifestyle of the nearby Bali countryside.
At 750m above sea level, Bandung is the cool and comfortable capital of West Java. It's an unhurried place which makes it a welcome respite from the din and bustle of Jakarta. The majority of the population are the native Sundanese from west Java, who not only have a reputation as extroverted, easy-going people compared with the extremely refined Javanese, but also as zealous guardians of their own ancient culture. So, if you want to mix in with the locals and have an interest in Sundanese culture, Bandung is the place to go. The superb surrounding countryside, the famous Tangkuban Prahu volcano, numerous river walks and its faded art deco grandeur are just a few of the many attractions that you can see while staying in Bandung. Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia. Home to over 10 million people, Jakarta is always bustling. Skyscrapers, single story residential houses, modern apartment complexes, survivalists shanties - all coexist in this city. Although, it is also one of the region's most exciting metropolises. Jakarta boasts one of the best sights in all of South-East Asia: Sunda Kelapa, the old Dutch port, is awash with magnificent Makassar schooners and anyone who spends an early morning here will not forget the experience. Nearby Pasar Ikan, the early-morning fish market, is a colourful scene of busy, bartering crowds. Other sights include Old Batavia, an area of 18th-century houses and streets that are gradually being restored; the Gereja Sion church, which is the oldest in Jakarta; and the zoo with its Komodo dragons and orangutans. A total of 21 mountains can be found through out West Java. Most of them are classified as active volcanoes, consequently there are several hot springs. These springs are not only worth visiting, but also very serviceable for physical fitness purposes, as the water contains various minerals. All springs and volcanos have beautiful views looking over the province. There are several rivers and lakes where various water recreation activities can take place. Some lakes are used for tourism activity because their panoramic view is beautiful.West Java has an enriched tropical forest region with flora and fauna that are rarely found in other regions. These tropical forests are enriched with various rare animals such as single horn rhinoceros, Pelung chicken and Rafflesia Arnoldi, just to name a few.
West Kalimantan is easily accessible from Jakarta or Singapore by air. One of its main attractions is the culture of its Dayak ethnic groups. Most Dayaks live in long houses along rivers which crisscross the land. This province covers an area of 146,807 square km. Its low plains are swampy with more than 100 rivers playing a vital role in communications and the economy.Scattered across the swamps are several lakes and villages, often linked by bridges. The provincial capital, Pontianak lies exactly on the Equator. It is a fast growing city divided into three parts by the Kapuas and Landak rivers. Pontianak is the main gate to enter this province through Supadio Airport, 18 km from the city. The Kapuas river, about 1,143 km, is one of the longest rivers in Indonesia, connecting Pontianak with the Sanggau, Sintang and Kapuas Hulu Regencies. Among the branches of the Kapuas river are the Landak, Kubu, Punggur, Melawi and Sekayam rivers. The population of West Kalimantan consist of the Dayaks, Malays, Chinese and some other Indonesian ethnic groups. Dayak dances express respect, heroism, welcome and cure. It is recommended to take a river trip and make overnight stops at villages where dance performances are organised on advance notice.
Sumatra is an island with a wealth of natural resources and wildlife, massive rivers like muddy facsimiles of the Amazon, and some interesting architecture.
North Sumatra Along the length of this province crosses the Bukit Barisan mountains with peaks of numerous volcanoes. In between are several lakes, one among them is the famous Toba Lake. The land has thick virgin forests, lush vegetation, rice fields, mountain streams, rivers, waterfalls and sandy beaches. It has a rich flora and fauna. An abundance of birds, butterflies, buffaloes, deer, mouse deer, orangutans and many other export commodities make North Sumatra one of the richest provinces in Indonesia, as it produces more than 30% of Indonesia's exports. The province offers the visitors, especially nature lovers, beautiful tropical panoramas, terraced rice fields, blue mountains, jungle covered hills, white sandy beaches, music, dance and folk arts.
The people are hospitable and warm. The major tribes are the Malays of the eastern coast, the Bataks consisting of sub-tribes such as Toba, Simalungun, Pak Pak (Dairi), Karonese of the highlands around Lake Toba, the Mandailing and Angkolas from the southern part. Arts and cultures make this region, a paradise for social scientists. Among the ancient Indonesian cultures which can be seen at Samosir island are the centuries old tombs of Batak Toba kings and a stone-table with its benches, where meetings were formerly held by the Siallagan chiefs.
South Sumatra Situated on the eastern side of the Bukit Barisan mountain range the province of South Sumatra is relatively flat, nevertheless fertile, as numerous rivers crisscross and meander throughout the region. Part of this province are two sizable islands called Bangka and Belitung, off Sumatra's east coast in the South China Sea. Palembang, its capital city and gateway to the province, lies right on the banks of the great Musi river, 60 km upstream and navigable by oceangoing vessels. No wonder that most major social and economic activities should centre in and around Palembang and the Musi river where the region's pride, the Ampera Bridge, is found as well. Because of its sheer location on the southernmost rim of the South China Sea and close to one of world's busiest sea lanes linking the Far East with Europe, the region's historical background is undoubtedly rich and colourful. Once the very site of the Buddhist Kingdom of Sriwijaya, it practised a bustling trade with then ancient China during its era of dynasties.
West Sumatra The land of the Minangkabau, West Sumatra has a distinct culture which distinguishes it from the rest of the island. A land of scenic beauty with blue green lakes and mountains, West Sumatra's Centre of culture and tourism is Bukittinggi in the highlands, north of the provincial capital of Padang. Most prominent in the landscape is the horn-shaped roofs of the houses nestled in the coconut groves.
The name Minangkabau means triumphant buffalo. It leads a community and family life based on a matrilineal system which clusters around mosques and the traditional adat houses. As it is the women who owns the property, the men are known for their wanderlust and entrepreneurship. Travelling is considered a mark of success and therefore many of them are found "merantau" (emigrated) to other parts of the country. Proof of this is the many Minang or Padang restaurants, serving very spicy food, found in all major towns in the nation. The people are hospitable and eloquent in a poetic style of speech and ceremonies. Festivals are colourful occasions.
West Sumatra has a coast line where the capital is situated. The hinterland is a range of high mountains which dip into picturesque valleys and lakes. Amongst them are the remnants of the old Minangkabau kingdom of Pagaruyung, (the art centres for silver, hand-weaving, embroidery and woodcarving). Padang's Tabing Airport is the main gateway to West Sumatra.
Aceh - Northwestern end of Sumatra Of all the regions in Indonesia, Aceh, at the northwestern end of Sumatra, is the first to have come into contact with the world outside. Chinese chronicles of as early as the sixth century A.D. spoke of a kingdom on the northern tip of Sumatra named Po-Li. Several Arabic writings of the early ninth century, and later inscriptions found in India also mentioned the area. The era of industrialisation has arrived, and with it has come a more open attitude towards things alien. Visitors should keep in mind, though, that the Acehnese take their religion, their manners and their morals seriously.
Riau - Eastern Sumatran Coast The territory of this rich province includes a sizable slice of the eastern Sumatran coast and more than 3,000 islands of all sizes. Riau, although comparatively small in both size and population (about 2.5 million), is the heartland of the Malays and the cradle of Indonesia's Malay-based national language and culture. Its links with Johor on the West Malaysian mainland have been long and strong. Sitting astride one of the world's oldest and busiest trade routes, the Strait of Malacca, the Riau islands have for many centuries provided a safe haven to ships plying the sea lanes between Europe, India and China. The rise of Malay power, however, began somewhere around the 13th century, when the Buddhist kingdom of Sriwijaya began to crumble. Malay kingdoms emerged on both sides of the Malacca Strait.
The smallest islands of the Riau archipelago are no more than rocky reefs, about one hectare (2.5 acres). The larger Bintan, Lingga and Singkep islands are about 1,000 hectares in size.
Lampung is strategically located and easily accessible, particularly from Jakarta. Bandar Lampung, its capital, was formerly two separate towns, Tanjungkarang and Telukbetung. In the course of development these towns have spread out to one another to become one single city. Lampung has its own traditions, high valued handicraft and art creations such as woven cloth, interwoven by gold threads called "tapis". Sumatran elephants, tigers and hundreds of species of birds can be watched at the Way Kambas nature reserve. Rafflesia, the biggest flower in the world can be seen when it is blooming at Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, on the southern coastline of Sumatra. The province has a great potential in agriculture, however, its population is small.
Bedugul is the name of both a small city and a mountain-lake resort area, which Balinese have long used for weekend retreats. Bedugul is located on the main north-south road between Denpasar and Singaraja in cool damp mountain country, an excellent base for walking trips around the lakes and surrounding hills. Bedugul is located in a high plateau at the center of the Island. Cool air and mists are natural for the place. Bedugul is a resort in Bratan Mountains, famous for its golf course; and also the Ulun Danu. Ulu Danu is an amazing temple, which seems to have risen out of Bratan Lake 1,200metres above sea level. There are many water sports available here are boating, water skiing, and parasailing. When the heat and humidity are get, why not escape to Bedugul. Bali's highland retreat has tucked into the crater of an extinct volcano 1400 meters above sea level. Here three lakes provide everything from recreation to the water for springs, rivers and rice fields below. Lush pine forests seem to create freshness in the air. Bedugul is known for the quality of its fruit, vegetables and flowers. There are several places to stay near the lake and there is also an interesting temple, botanical gardens, an excellent golf course and a variety of activities on Lake Bratan itself. Bedugul is a favorite place for Balinese family for weekend picnic. Bedugul is also a center of horticulture. We'll find plenty of fruits and vegetables here. Here we find 3 of Bali 4 lakes, Bratan, Buyan, and Tamblingan. Bratan, the largest of the three is perfect place for water sports such as para sailing, motor boating, jet skiing, water skiing, canoeing, etc.
Mount Bromo also Gunung Bromo, located in the Tengger Caldera, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in East Java, Indonesia. It is an active volcano and part of the Tengger massif, and even though at 2329 meters it is not the highest peak of the massif, it is the most well known. From Surabaya city, we take 2-3 hours to go mount bromo by car. Mount Bromo is a good place to relax, because the weather is cool and you can see a beautiful sunshine in the morning at "penanjakan" in mount bromo.
Shopping in Indonesia - There are plenty of things to shop in Indonesia. Among the favorite shopping items are batik cloth, woodcarvings and sculpture, silverwork, woven baskets and hats, bamboo articles, krises (small daggers), paintings and woven cloth.
Bali is the best place to shop in Indonesia, with every conceivable item readily available. This is an excellent place to buy an incredible variety of souvenirs, arts and crafts, clothes, batik, and woodcarvings. Street vendors line kilometers worth of roads. Although the availability and range of goods here is excellent, this may not be the cheapest place to buy items. Prices are often ridiculously high and you are required to use all your bargaining skills.
To purchase traditional arts and crafts at much cheaper prices it is best to head out to the smaller, more remote towns in the archipelago. Markets and vendors in these areas will only sell arts and crafts made locally. Along with these more traditional street stalls, there are large western style malls in some of the bigger cities. They house more up market clothes shops and western fast food restaurants. Jakarta has the largest array of these malls. Prices here are normally fixed.
Origin & History of Indonesia - It is generally believed that the earliest inhabitants of the Indonesian archipelago were of Indian or Burmese origin. Later migrants known as Malays came from Southern China and Indochina at around 3000 BC. By the end of 7th Century, powerful groups such as Buddhist Srivijaya Empire and the Hindu Mataram kingdom developed in Java and Sumatra. The 13th Century witnessed the rise of Hindu Majapahit Empire in East Java, which united the whole of what is now modern day Indonesia and parts of the Malay Peninsula. The subsequent spread of Islam into the archipelago in the 14th century forced the Majapahits to retreat to Bali in the 15th century.
By this time, a strong Muslim empire had developed with its centre at Malacca on the Malay Peninsula. Its influence was short lived and it fell to the Portuguese in 1511. Then, in the middle of 16th century, Dutch displaced the Portuguese and began making inroads into Indonesia. The Dutch East India Company based in Jakarta dominated the spice trade and the Dutch took over the occupation of Indonesia for about 350 years. The Dutch East Indies, as Indonesia was known at that time, fell under British rule for the period of 1811-1816. Later on burgeoning nationalism combined with Japanese occupation of Indonesia during World War II weakened the Dutch resolve, and they finally transferred sovereignty to the new Indonesian republic in 1949. Achmed Sukarno-the leader of the freedom struggle- became the first President of Indonesia.
Business & Economy of Indonesia - Economy of Indonesia is mainly based on agriculture and oil. Approximately 90% of the population is engaged in agriculture. In the agricultural sector, Indonesia has become self sufficient in rice and does not need to import this staple food as it had for years.
Earlier, oil and gas used to be a major foreign exchange earner but rising domestic consumption and stagnant oil production has now made Indonesia, a net importer of oil.
Tourism is steadily gaining ground and is emerging as major foreign exchange earner for the country. Indonesia is rich in natural resources. forestry products, rubber, coffee, tea, tin, nickel, copper, palm products & fish make important contributions to export earnings. In recent years a number of steps have been taken to promote and stimulate non-oil exports, which include handicrafts, textiles, precious metals, tea, tobacco, cement, fertilizers as well as manufactured goods.
Indonesia maintains a liberal foreign exchange system and has few restrictions on transfers abroad, and in general freely allows conversions to and from foreign currencies. The Rupiah-Indonesian Currency-is linked to a basket of currencies of Indonesia's major trading partners. The unitary exchange rate allows for fluctuation.
With the objective of a more equitable distribution of development gains, the government gives high priority to expansion in the less developed regions of the country and the creation of employment opportunities for the country's growing labour force. To attract foreign capital, certain incentives are provided and several sectors are open to foreign investment.
Best Time to Visit Indonesia - Best time to visit Indonesia is during dry season between April and October. The humidity is relatively less and weather is pleasant at this time of the year. Though travel in the wet season is possible in most parts of Indonesia, it can be a deterrent to some activities.
Mekarsari Tourism Park is the center of the tropical fruitiest in Indonesia. It is the largest tropical fruitiest in the world in the area of 264 hectar. The park located in Cileungsi, District of Bogor West Java an can be accessed from Jakarta only about 1 hour.
