Satay

Satay or sate is a dish consisting of chunks or slices of dice-sized meat (chicken, goat, mutton, beef, pork, fish, etc.) on bamboo skewers (although the more authentic version uses skewers from the midrib of the coconut leaf). These are grilled or barbecued over a wood or charcoal fire, then served with various spicy seasonings (depends on satay recipe variants).Satay may have originated in Java, Indonesia, but it is also popular in many other Southeast Asian countries, such as: Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, as well as in The Netherlands which was influenced through its former colonies.Satay...

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Nasi Padang (Rendang)

Padang: The birthplace of rendangPadang in West Sumatra is known more as the origin of the country’s most popular cuisine than as a provincial capital, thanks to the ubiquitous Padang restaurants.Go to any town or city across the archipelago, and the chances are you will find a place to eat called Rumah Makan Padang or Padang Restaurant, either on the roadside, or in luxurious malls or even in more upmarket establishments. How did it happen?To explain the success of the food of the people of West Sumatra, one has to know that the Padang men have an adventurous spirit and like to broaden their...

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NIAS Island

With it's famous megalithic stone altars and furniture, spectacular traditional architecture, and complex religious rites, this fasctinating island offers a journey in to the past. Nias island lies approximately 125 km south west of Sibolga city. The land has rolling mountainous terrain, gorges, ravines, and rivers ans is subject to earth quakes. The northern half of the island is sparsely populated and featured large swampy areas.The local people of Nias called the island as Tano Niha, or land of the people. Ethnically the Niah who called them selves as Ono Niha are mixed of proto-Malay who have...

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Berastagi

BerastagiBerastagi, a tourist town, is another lovely town located in Karo highlands. The town is known for its plantations and various kinds of flowers, vegetables and fruit, most famous which is Marquisa passion fruit. It's 66 km southwest of Medan and is 4.594 feet above sea level. There is a pleasant colonial-style hotel with a golf course. Other new hotels can also be found. From Gundaling Hill a clear view of Mt. Sibayak and Mt. Sinabung volcanoes can be seen.From this city, the visitors will enjoy charming scenery to the active mountainside, which are Sibayak Mountain and Sinabung Mountain....

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Lake Toba

Lake Toba (Danau Toba) is the largest lake in South East Asia and is located in Sumatra, Indonesia.Lake Toba is an immense volcanic lake covering area 1707 sq km (bigger than Singapore) with an island in the center. Formed by a gigantic volcanic eruption some 70,000 years ago, it is probably the largest resurgent caldera on Earth. Some studies say it might have been associated with causing previous ice age/climate change.The island in the middle - Pulau Samosir - was joined to the caldera wall by a narrow isthmus, which was cut through to enable boats to pass; a road bridge crosses the cutting....

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Thousand Islands

White sand, coconut palms fringing the shore, multicoloured coral reefs, abundant shoals of unique, colourful fish, a golden sun setting in clear blue skies….does that fit your image of Jakarta? Unlikely, but then you’re probably forgetting that the beautiful Pulau Seribu (Thousand Islands) are also part of what is known as the city of Jakarta. Located on a gulf facing the Java Sea, Jakarta has four main ports from which to access the Thousand Islands: Ancol Marina, Sunda Kelapa, Tanjung Priok and Tanjung Kait. Ancol Marina is the most usual departure point, speed boats leaving regularly to whisk...

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Ujung Kulon National Park

In the remote south west of Java, the national park of Ujung Kulon is the site of one of Indonesia’s most pristine and untouched natural attractions. It is no coincidence that Ujung Kulon is classified as one of Indonesia’s World Heritage Sites and has been a natural reserve since 1937. Most well known for being the home of the last one horned white Javan rhinoceros of which a population of about 60 remains, Ujung Kulon receives about 6,500 visitors a year from all over the world.With over 120,000 hectares, Ujung Kulon comprises the extreme southwestern tip of the island of Java, Indonesia, the...

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The Crystal Jade of Bintan Island

If you wishing for an exotic vacation in the tropical lands of Indonesia and far away from modern way of life with lively cultural atmosphere or just want to satisfy your sanity with luxurious resorts to stay and a flavor of wild nature, coral reefs, tropical rainforest and delicious seafood, the Island of Bintan is the finest place for you. Here, among the golden sand beaches, warm weather almost the year with sunshine, you would discover the other side of the Asian life. Facing the South China Sea, Bintan become an exotic place to visit.Welcome to the island of BintanBintan Island, Indonesia,...

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Tourism Information (Departement of Tourism in Indonesia)

Directorate General of Tourism (DGT)Jalan Kramat Raya 81P. O. Box 409JakartaTel (021) 310-3117Fax: (021)3101146Dinas Pariwisata Pariwisata Naggroe Aceh DarussalamJl. Teuku Cik Kuota Karang No. 3, Banda AcehT. (0651) 23692, 26206, 21108F. (0651) 33723 Dinas Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata Pariwisata Sumatera UtaraJl. Jend. A. Yani No. 107 Medan 20111T. (061) 4538101, 4520559F. (061) 6631355 Dinas Pariwisata, Seni dan Budaya Propinsi Sumatera BaratJl. Khatib Sulaeman No. 22, Padang 25137T. (0751) 55711F. (0751) 55183 Dinas Kebudayaan, Kesenian dan Pariwisata Propinsi RiauJl. Jend. Sudirman No. 200, PekanbaruT. (0761) 31452F. (0761) 40356 Dinas Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata Propinsi Sumatera SelatanJl. Demang Lebar Daun, Kav. IX, PalembangT. (0711) 311345,...

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Indonesian Arts

Indonesian arts and crafts are powerful and wonderful expressions of life, born out of an extraordinarily rich cultural heritage. Many traditional works of art were developed in the courts of former kingdoms such as those centered in Java and Bali.“Wayang” theaters from Java and Bali, for example, originate from ancient Hindu mythology and feature portions of the Ramayana and Mahabharata epics adapted to suit local conditions and age-old traditions.Rigid discipline and artistry are the hallmarks of dances from Java and Bali, but those of Sumatra, Maluku and most of the other islands (one exception...

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Flora & Fauna , and Marine Life

o Flora & Fauna:Indonesia is divided into three distinct zoological geographical zones which includes a transitional area in the central part of the archipelago.The Western islands of the Archipelago display predominantly Asian characteristics of verdant jungles, rare orchids and the giant Rafflesia, (a plant which produces a bloom over 1 meter in diameter). A land where tigers, leopards, elephants, rhinos and thousands of varieties of birds and insects make it their home.Further east, the Central islands present a gradual shift from Asian to Australasian flora and fauna. Sulawesi, for example,...

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Travel Tips

ImmigrationVisas are required except for the nationals of 48 countries namely Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Hong Kong SAR, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom (Great Britain), United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Venezuela, Yugoslavia and Taiwanese holding MFA//M passports. The visa requirement is also waived for other nationals from friendly countries, attending a conference which...

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Embassy Information

If you need about embassy information for your country in Indonesia just you can read in EMBASSY INFORMAT...

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Indonesian Languages

Introductions to Indonesian LanguageBahasa Indonesia is the national language. words in Bahasa are pronounced pretty much as they are written. In all tourist destination areas English is the number one foreign language spoken and written.EnglishGood morning/afternoon/eveningHow are you?Thank youGood ByeWhat's your name?My name is ..Where are you from?I am from EnglandWhere are you going?I am going to ..Where have you been?I have been to ..Are you married?Yes/Not yetWhere do you stay/live?I stay/live in ..How old are you?I am .. oldWhat time is it?IndonesianSelamat pagi/siang/sore/malamApa Kabar?Terima kasihSampai Jumpa/Selamat tinggalSiapa nama anda?Nama saya ..Dari mana asal Anda?Saya dari InggrisMau ke mana?Saya mau ke ..Baru datang dari...

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