Plaosan, Beautiful Twins Temple

You do not need to rush back to the inn after a visit to the Prambanan temple, because not far from the most beautiful Hindu temple in the world that you will also see other temples are just as entertaining. Headed north as far as 1 km, you will see Plaosan Temple, a temple constructed by Rakai Pikatan for the Empress, Pramudyawardani. Located in the Village District Bugisan Prambanan temple architecture is a blend of Hindu and Buddhist.

Plaosan complex is divided into 2 groups, the Temple and the Temple Lor Plaosan Plaosan South. Second temple has a square-shaped terrace surrounded by a wall, which shaped meditation on the west side ticket booth and the stupa at the other side. Because of that similarity, the appearance Lor Temple and South Plaosan was almost similar when viewed from a distance so that the Temple Plaosan far too often called the twin temples.

Plaosan Candi Lor Building has a central courtyard surrounded by a wall with the entrance on the west. In the middle of the page there are marquee measuring 21.62 mx 19 m. In the eastern part of the pavilion there are 3 pieces of the altar, the altar of the north, east and south. Preview Amitbha, Ratnasambhava, Vairochana, and there at the altar Aksobya east. Samantabadhara stupa and figures on the altar Ksitigarbha north, whereas the picture there at the altar Manjusri west.

South Plaosan temple also has a pavilion in the center surrounded by 8 small temples are divided into 2 levels and each level consists of 4 temples. There is also a picture Amitbha Tathagata, vajra Vajrapani with attributes of Prajnaparamita Utpala and considered as "mother of all Buddhas'. Some other pictures can still be found but not at the original place. Manujri figure which according to a Dutch scientist named Krom is significant also found.

Part Bas reliefs of this temple has a unique picture of men and women. There is a man who depicted sitting cross-legged with their hands and the figure of a man worshiping with vara mudra hand and a vase at the foot of a man surrounded by six smaller ones. A woman is depicted standing with his hands vara mudra, while all around there are books, pallets and vase. Krom argued that the figures he was the picture of the woman patron supporter of the two temples.

The entire temple complex has 116 Plaosan perwara stupas and temples perwara 50. Perwara stupa can be seen on all sides of the main temple, as well as temples perwara smaller. When you walk into the north, you can see the building open Mandapa called. Two prasati also be found, the inscription on the gold coins in the north of the main temple and the inscriptions written on stone in the temple Perwara first row.

One of the particularities of Plaosan Temple Terrace is a smooth surface. Krom argued terrace of this temple is different from other temple terrace built in the same period. According to him, it was related to the function of the temple at the time suspected to save the canonical texts of Buddhist monks. Other allegations came from Dutch scientists, if the number of priests in the area a bit so maybe it was used as the terrace of a temple (Buddhist temple).

If you look around the temple, you will know that the temple is actually Plaosan vast temple complex. It can be seen from the fence along 460 m from north to south and 290 m from west to east, also interior fence consisting of a ditch along 440 m from north to south and 270 m from west to east. Trenches that make up the interior of the fence can be seen by walking toward the east through the middle of this historic building.

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Prambanan, The most beautiful Temple

Prambanan temple is incredibly beautiful building built in the 10th century during the reigns of two kings, and Rakai Rakai Pikatan Balitung. Rose as high as 47 feet (5 meters higher than Borobudur temple), the establishment of this temple has fulfilled the desire maker, shows the triumph of Hinduism in Java. This temple is located 17 kilometers from the city center, in the middle of the area that is now a beautiful park.

There is a legend that Javanese people always tell about this temple. Once, a man named Bandung Bondowoso loved Roro Jonggrang. Because no love, Jonggrang asked Bondowoso make 1000 temples with statues in one night. The request was nearly fulfilled before Jonggrang asked the villagers to pound rice and make a big fire that created an atmosphere like the morning. New Bondowoso can make 999 statues cursed Jonggrang into the statue in 1000 because he felt cheated.

Prambanan temple has 3 main temples in the main yard, namely Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva. These three temples are symbols of Trimurti in Hindu belief. All of them face east. Each main temple has accompanying temple facing to the west, namely Nandini for Shiva, Swan to Brahma, and Garuda for Vishnu. In addition, there are still squeeze 2 temple, the temple curtain 4, and 4 corner temples. Meanwhile, the second page had 224 temples.

Entering the Shiva temple located in the middle and the highest building, you will find a room 4. One main room contains a statue of Shiva, while the other 3 rooms each containing a statue of Durga (Shiva's wife), Agastya (Shiva's teacher), and Ganesha (Shiva's son). Durga is mentioned as the statue of Roro Jonggrang described in the legend above.

In the Vishnu temple is located in the north of Shiva temple, you will only see one room containing a statue of Vishnu. Similarly, the Brahma temple located on the south side of Shiva temple, you will only find one room with a statue of Brahma.

Accompanying temple is Garuda temple lure is located near the Vishnu temple. This temple save the story of a half-bird figure named Garuda. Garuda is a mystical bird in Hindu mythology, who was gold, white-faced, red-winged, beaked and winged like an eagle. Estimated, the figure is Hindu adaptation of Bennu figure (means 'rises' or 'shine', usually associated with the god Re) in ancient Egyptian mythology or Phoenix in Old Greek mythology. Garuda can save his mother from the curse of Aruna (Garuda's brother who was born handicapped) by stealing Tirta Amrita (holy water of the gods).

The ability to save was admired by many people until now and used for various purposes. Indonesia used it to sign the state. That said, the creator of the emblem of Garuda Pancasila find inspiration in this temple. Other countries also use it to sign the country is Thailand, with the same reason but adaptation forms and different appearance. In Thailand, Garuda is known as Pha recruited or recruited.

Prambanan temple also has a load relief Ramayana story. According to experts, the relief was similar to the Ramayana story is revealed through oral traditions. Another interesting relief is Kalpataru tree that the Hindu religion is considered as a tree of life, sustainability and environmental compatibility. In Prambanan, relief of Kalpataru tree is described lions flanking the center. The existence of this tree makes experts consider that the 9th century have wisdom in managing the environment.

Just as the figure of Garuda, Kalpataru is now also used for various purposes. In Indonesia, Kalpataru became a symbol of the Earth (WALHI). In fact, some scientists in Bali to develop the concept of Tri Hita Karana for environmental conservation by seeing Kalpataru relief in this temple. Tree of life also can be found in the mountains that used to open the puppet arts. A proof that the relief panels in Prambanan has worldwide.

If careful, you can also see various birds relief, this time a real bird. Bird reliefs at Prambanan so natural that biologists can identify them even to genus level. One was relief of the Yellow-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea) that invite questions. Why, the bird is only found in Masakambing Island, an island in the Java Sea. Then, whether the species was once numerous in Yogyakarta? Please find out the answer myself. Because, until now no one who can solve the mystery.

Well, there are many more to be unearthed at Prambanan. You must not tire of course. If it was finally exhausted, you can rest in the garden around the temple. Interested? Come immediately. Since September 18, 2006, you can enter the zone 1 Prambanan not even get into the temple. Some of the damage caused by the earthquake May 27, 2006 and is now being repaired.

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PROFILE

Indonesia Tourism

The tittle word above may can't really describe or exacly represent the meaning for this blog. Why, because the content of this blog is telling more about something or some place showing the uniqueness of Indonesia. Something special also that may different from other blog is that we try to show certain story as the hystorical bacground from some interesting place inside this blog. So, What we get not only the wonderfull view that pamper our eyes but also value of hystory, knowledge, and many other uniquess one that we may not be able to find them in other places. So keep update this blog to see interesting panorama that we provide and make this blog your first reference, you will be the first one knowing an update information from us...

 
Thanks,



 
FRESH PANORAMA..BLOGSPOT.COM

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Wakatobi Island, The Heaven of Divers

A destination where you can dive the world's most pristine reefs and experience remoteness from everyday life in total comfort. Situated on a beautiful tropical island in the remote and peaceful Wakatobi archipelago in the Banda Sea, Wakatobi Dive Resort offers what many consider to be the best reef diving in the world. Blessed with a house reef where you can begin your dive only 20m (60 feet) from the dive center, Wakatobi is often described as a live aboard with a built-in beach! In addition to the spectacular house reef, there are several dozens of easily accessible dive sites offering incredible marine life diversity, color and natural splendor.

THE FACT OF THE ISLAND

Each island has its own distinct characteristics and as a second largest marine conservation area in the archipelago, Wakatobi covers an area of 1.4 million hectares giving you the contrast of an exotic and unique experience with its local inhabitants, culture and traditions as one of Indonesian’s jewels.

When marine tourism becomes a permanent and promising business sector, all the factors; including sport culture that has the highest commercial value of any marine tourism activity create a successful marine conservation program to be seen both chance and challenge. At Wakatobi, the program has turned to be equal in all sectors. It seems that people’s empowering program have run well in the area. The society becomes a powerful guardian protecting their underwater heritages.

The Collaborative Reef Conservation Program was developed by the founders of Wakatobi Dive Resort in consultation with local leaders and village elders. It was designed to motivate the people living within the region and to realize the genuine value of the reefs and inspire the villagers to be pro-active in protecting the marine ecosystem. The program achieves by providing the economic alternative sources that could help, protect the ecosystem and manage the reefs . It is a good example of how to do people’s empowerment by giving them the pattern with law enforcement. Cooperation between local fishermen and visiting divers is promoted by generating from tourism income that will return to the community

The best key to build deep trust and understanding amongst the community is to do the continuous and consistent efforts although the program took many years to reach the goals and the aim is there, where all members of the surrounding villages respect and honor the agreement. The Collaborative Reef Conservation Program was extended even further based on the success of a pilot project launched in 1998 that turned 6 km of reef into an effective no-fishing sanctuary. The program includes all 17 communities around the resort and the dive environment includes over 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) of some of the finest reefs of the world, including the protection of dozens of top dive sites for generations.

How to get there?

At this time, the access to Wakatobi can be reached either by air through Kendari using Susi Air
(10 times a week |Monday - Saturday|).

Time Schedule of Susi Air :
Morning Trip :
Trip : Kendari ---> Wakatobi 8:00 am

Wakatobi ---> Kendari 9:00 am


Afternoon Trip :
Trip : Kendari ---> Wakatobi 16:00 pm

Wakatobi ---> Kendari 17:00 pm


To get Kendari can be reach by
(Garuda Indonesia Air, Merpati Air,Sriwijaya Air, Batavia Air and Lion Air)
from Jakarta, Bali, Manado, and Surabaya as follow:

1. Jakarta – Makassar – Kendari - Wakatobi
2. Bali – Makassar – Kendari - Wakatobi
3. Manado – Makassar – Kendari - Wakatobi
4. Surabaya – Makassar – Kendari - Wakatobi

Time schedule of Garuda Indonesia Air :
Jakarta – Makassar (15:35 pm) – Kendari (16:00 pm) - Wakatobi (17:00 pm)

PEOPLE
Wakatobi has an amazing challeging dive sites and the island’s population of nearly 100,563 with their unique custom and culture encourages the people to promote their region to be the most popular marine tourism destination in the world.

Wakatobi consists of multi-ethnic society and Suku Bajo or Bajo Tribe who lives in the seashore, having a particular building architecture connected by the bridge and boats as their main transportation and basic livelihood as the fishermen.
The culinary art of the region serves you a delicious natural tasted food, traditionally made from generation by generation.

ACCOMODATION

The Island provides you in full comfort and distinct resort class although the site is in the most remote resort area. The villas and bungalows were built in a large space, tastefully decorated with the hospitality you would expect in the fine resort like Wakatobi Dive Resort, a Swiss-founded that has an international standard with some facilities in Tomia Island.

The Architecture is built in consideration with the preservation of the traditional building style, respect to the eco-tourism principles with the main building and bungalows crafted by local artisans and all using manual tools. Apart of their land-based resort, the world-renowned Pelagian Yacht now operates and takes the visitors in a local luxurious transportation. This Pelagian Yacht is fully integrated into Wakatobi’s award-winning marine conservation and community development program. It has an exclussive access to the diving sites within the extended Wakatobi region. Let’s try a trip to Wakatobi in a live-a-board adventure on the Pelagian at the same holiday!

Hoga Island with its white sandy beach and beautiful panorama offers you a place that can accommodate up to hundreds guests. There is also a moderate home stay for you to spend the time at Wanci in Wangi-Wangi Island, the capital city of the regency that keeps put in order providing all the facilities to the visitors needs.

There is no denying that Wakatobi is an excellent tourism destination with no less than 750 coral reef species from a total of 850 species in the world, comparing with the Caribbean owes only 50 species and other 300 species in the Red Sea.

AMENITIES

Local food always challenges you to experience unordinary flavour with a touch of magic while a journey in international cuisine will exclusively give you a different taste of seafood with imported ingredients. Guests will enjoy a food etalase from fresh sea fruits to a divine desert and a fresh coconut to a cup of hot local coffee. At Wakatobi Dive Resort the food even extremely served at the Jetty Bar where you can see the sunset of day and look forward to a new adventure tomorrow.

Why make you hurry from the paradise if you can benefit your time in beauty treatments to pamper you while taking a break from diving. Experience the Spa with a fully-trained staff and life can get any better than yesterday. Your day ends with a marvelous sunset watching while having a wonderful candle light dinner.


Source : www.wakatobi.info

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Bandung Shopping Guide

Bandung is very popular and known as a shopping city, or Kota Wisata Belanja. There are many lots of shopping spots in Bandung. Bandung Shopping the right place for shoppers where you can find and buy clothes, shoes, handbags and souvenirs in Bandung. Since Bandung has otonomy right to build their own city, they now build lots of shopping center, The fashion stores now grow so fast, they sell various stuff like quality clothes, and rejected export products which is alot cheaper rather then the price in the malls. You also can find Distro (distribution outlets). Distro is an interesting place to shop in Bandung because they produce their own fashion design which is very unique and cannot be found in other shopping place. There are also several factory outlet shops around Bandung. The shops are mainly found along the streets of Juanda (known as Dago area), Cipaganti area, Martadinata Street (known as Riau) and Cihampelas street. Bandung Shopping is one of the primary attractions for Indonesians visiting Bandung. The other reason is culinary food.


Where to Shop in Bandung?

* Alun-alun area (city square) is surrounded by shopping centers, particularly on Dalem Kaum Street. Facility: Shopping center (available for bargain), food court, mosque.

Cihampelas Bandung

Cihampelas or popular called as The Street of 1001 Jeans is best known for jeans. You can find denim (jeans) stores along the street. Here you can buy literally any type as well as any size of jeans, in addition to a very large selection of casual wear, all at very reasonable prices. The jeans here are mostly copies. The shops here boast huge fantastical statues of comic book or movie characters on their roofs and shop fronts such as Superman, Goku, Rambo and others.

Cibaduyut Bandung:

If you have sometime to explore shopping in Bandung, you can try to go to Cibaduyut. Cibaduyut is the center of shoe sellers. The statue of two bronze shoes at the beginning of the street conveys it all: shoes of all sorts and sizes make up the bulk of what this street sells. If you are keen on shoes and like a bargain, Cibaduyut street will both satisfy your feet as your wallet. To get there, either take a taxi or hop on one of the angkots that states Cibaduyut, and get off past the shoe statue. Most of the branded shoes might not be the real thing even though, many still are of good quality and it is hard to tell if it concerns the real thing or not. Other than that most shoes are Indonesian brands, again of good enough quality and economically priced.

* Factory outlets: Mostly Factory outlets are concentrated along the streets of Juanda (Dago), Cipaganti, and Martadinata (Riau). You can just walk along the streets. Such as The Summit Factory Outlet and Herittage Factory Outlet which are located at Martadinata (Riau) Street. Just ask away how to get there.

* Distros (Distribution Outlets) are a new phenomenon in Bandung where a shop sells stylish products that were made by local designers. They are served as a distribution store, because these local designers do not have their own marketing label yet. One thing that makes distros stand out from factory outlet is that distros come from individual designers and young entrepeneurs, while factory outlet products come from a garment factory.
Some of Bandung distros: EAT, Jl. Trunojoyo 4, Invictus, Jl.Pager gunung 13 and Jl.Trunojoyo 6 also you can check their website www.invcts.com Ouval Research, Jl. Buah Batu 64, No Label, Jl. Sumatra 24, etc.

Note: be careful when buying in distros as the prices are increasing to a level almost the same as at boutique shops.


Mall and Shopping Center in Bandung :

Bandung ELectronic Centre (BEC)
Purnawarman Street
Facility: Electronic, Computer & Hand phone retails, food court.

Bandung Indah Plaza (BIP)
Merdeka Street
Facility: Shopping center, food court, cafe, cinema

Bandung Super Mall (BSM)
Gatot Subroto Street
Facility: Shopping center, food court, cafe, cinema

BE-mall
Naripan Street
Facility: Facility: Electronic retails, food court

Braga City Walk
Braga Street
Facility: Shopping center, food court, cafe, cinema

Bandung Trade Center (BTC)
Pasteur Street
Facility: Shopping center (available for bargain), Food court

Cihampelas Walk (Ciwalk)
Cihampelas Street
Facility: Shopping center, food court, cafe, cinema, billiard, nightlife

Hyper Square
Pasirkaliki Street
Facility: Outdoor Food court, discotheque, FO, Ruko

IBCC (Istana Building Commodities Center)
Ahmad Yani Street
Facility: Electronic center, Food court

Istana Plaza
Pasirkaliki Street in Pajajaran area
Facility: Shopping center, Food court, Cafe, Ice skating

ITC Kebon Kelapa
Moh. Toha Street, Pungkur are
Facility: Shopping center (available for bargain), Food court

Kings Shopping Center
This is a very popular shopping spot for local shoppers
Kepatihan Street
Facility: Shopping center (available for bargain), Food court, Cinema

Palaguna
It is one of old shopping center in Bandung
Dalem Kaum Street
Facility: Shopping center (available for bargain)

Paris Van Java Mall
Sukajadi Street
Facility: Shopping center, Food court, Cafe, Cinema

Pasar Baru
Otto Iskandar Dinata or known as Otista Street
Facility: Shopping center (available for bargain), Food court

Planet Dago
It's in front of Indmaret supermarket, there you can find a popular Cafe "O la la"
Juanda Street, Dago area
Facility: Shopping center, Bowling, Food court, Cafe

Plaza Dago
There you can find many of mobile/cellphone sellers
It's also near to the popular mall in Bandung, BIP.
Dago/Juanda
Facility: Shopping center, Cafe, Food court, Karaoke, Billiard

Premiere
Cihampelas Street
Facility: Shopping center, Food court

Below are some interesting places and shops to find or buy souvenirs and arts.

Saung Angklung Udjo It is my favorite one, there you can watch show performance of sundanese dance and culture Address: Padasuka Street 118 Phone:(022)7271714 The Summit Boutique Outlet Riau Street 61 Bandung Phone: (022) 4221001 Parijs Van Java Gallery Braga Street 48-V Phone: (022) 4212525 Pigura Modern Galeria Ir H Juanda Street 62 Phone: (022) 4205195 Risera Gallery Souvenir Lengkong Besar Street 64-B Elina Ceramics Pramuka Street Phone:(022)7208402 Sin Sin Souvenir & Antique Shop Braga Street 59 Phone:(022)4238574 Gallery Fotografi BKR Street 78 Phone:(022)5202640 Black Cat Braga Street 11 Phone:(022)2038336 Yayasan Bhakti Budaya Papanggungan Street 72 Phone: (022) 7310992 Afrika 65 Rainbow Souvenir Shop Sukajadi Street 168-170 Phone:(022)2034676 Wisma Taruna Phone: (022) 4237343 Tassel Gallery Rereng Wulung Street 29 Phone: (022) 2508600 TS 90 Galeri Taman Sari Street 90 Phone: (022) 2513434 Kalingga Souvenir & Antique Shop Junjunan Street 128 Phone:(022)6073457 Farta Forte Nyengseret Street 18 Phone:(022)5223917

Gallery and Boutique in Bandung

Galeri 16 Cibeureum Street 16 Galeri Kita RE.Martadinata Street 209 Galeri Win Art Mangga Street 36 Batik Keris Tamblong Street 64 Badjoe Batik Jendral Sudirman Street Batik Danar Hadi Sukajadi Street 119 Babe Butik Telaga Bodas Street 55 Baleza Butik Ir.H.Djuanda Street 131 Tirta Jaya Batik Prof.DR.Surya Sumantri Street 6C Museum Barli R.Prof.DR.Sutami Street Mab Butik Prof.DR.Surya Sumantri Street 6C

Best Boutique Lengkong Kecil Street 74 Blue Moon Boutique Jend. Sudirman Street 75 Carla Boutique Jamika Street 41 Celcius Butik Naripan Street 62 Chance Boutique Komp, Kopo Plaza BI D/B Rumah Nusantara Gegerkalong Street 147 Azzalea Shoes Naripan Street 62 Galeri Jeihan Cibeunying Selatan Street Chalisa Boutique Rajamantri Mantri Street 11/2 Fan Italian Butik Terusan Martanegara Street 9 Rumah Payung Nyoman Setrasari Street

Well, that's all I know. I hope this bandung shopping guide will be useful for you..
I will add more information when I have some.

Happy Shopping :)

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List Of Hotel In Bandung

Have you ever traveled to Bandung? if you have you probably have found your own favorite places to stay. For new visitors, no need to worry, you will find lots of Hotel in Bandung. Bandung is one of interesting place to visit in Indonesia because Bandung is popular for shopping. Bandung shopping is so fun since there are lots of factory outlets. Bandung factory outlets sell up-to-date fashion, handbags, and so on. Bandung also very popular as for those who like culinary food. If you visit Bandung in the weekend it will be very crowded and hard to get a room in hotel in Bandung. If you plan to visit Bandung in the weekend, you will need to book a room at least one week before. If you come to Bandung during business day, you will not have any problem to get a room.

The hotel in Bandung have different rates for business day and weekend. It will be more expensive in the weekend, several hotel even charge double for the weekend and holidays. The rates are various, it depends on the facilities and stars of the hotel. There you can find 3 stars to 5 stars hotel. If you don't have lots of fund, you also can find cheap hotels. Cheap hotel Bandung can be found anywhere, you just need sometime to explore.

Below are several hotel in Bandung, if you have enough time you better explore them first to find the best of your interest.

List of Hotel in Bandung
Hyatt Regency Jl.Sumatra 51 Phone:(022)4211234	Horison Hotel Jl.Pelajar Pejuang 45 Phone:(022)7505000
Grand Preanger Hotel Jl.AsiaAfrika 81/41 Phone:(022)4231631	Savoy Homann Bidakara Hotel Jl.AsiaAfrika 112 Phone:(022)4232244
Sheraton Bandung Hotel Jl.Ir.H.Juanda 390 Phone:(022)2500303	Grand Aquila Jl.Dr.Junjunan 116 Phone:(022)2039280
The Ardjuna Hotel	Santika Hotel Jl.Sumatra
Holliday Inn Jl.Ir.H.Juanda 31-33 Phone:(022)4211333	Novotel Hotel Jl.Cihampelas Bawah
Malya Hotel	Geulis Hotel Jl.Ir.H.Juanda 129 Phone:(022)2507777
Patra Jasa Hotel Jl.Ir.H.Juanda	Kedaton Hotel Jl.Suniaraja 14 Phone:(022)4219898
Sari Ater Hotel	Topas Galery Hotel Jl.Dr.Junjunan 153
Papandayan Hotel Jl.Gatot Subroto 83 Phone:(022)7313331	Jayakarta Hotel Jl.Ir.H.Juanda 381A Phone:(022)2505888
Panghegar Hotel Jl.Merdeka 2 Phone:(022)4232286	Nalendra Hotel Jl. Cihampelas 225-229 Bandung, 40131
Progo Hotel Jl.Progo 6 Bandung Phone. 022 420 6249 Price: Rp.200,000	Royal Dago Hotel Jl.Ir. H Juanda 169 Phone:(022)25022300
Bali World Hotel Jl.Soekarno Hatta 713 Bandung Ph. +62.22.7332088 Fax. 62.22.7309402 marketing@baliworldhotel.com Price: Rp.355.000 - Rp.675.000	Naripan Indah Jl.Pelajar Pejuang 45 No.35
Hotel Gandasari Jl. Seram No 3 Bandung 40115 Phone. 022 - 4200518 Fax. 022-4232114 Price: Rp. 375,000 - Rp. 900,000	Bukit Dago Ir.H. Juanda Street 311 Bandung
Riau Hotel Jl RE Martadinata 191 Phone:(022)7271468 Price: Rp.150,000	Utari Hotel & Rest Jl Ir H Juanda 50 Phone:(022)4206810, 4200805, 4200806
Anggrek Hotel Jl.RE.Martadinata 15 Phone:(022)4205537, 4231565	Istana Hotel Jl. Lembong No.44 Phone:(022)4233025
Karmila Hotel Jl. Juanda (Dago) Phn: +62 22 420 6778 Price : Rp.260,000	Cemerlang Hotel

Apartment In Bandung	Room Rate:
The Majesty Apartment hotel Bandung, Indonesia Jl. Surya Sumantri No. 91, Bandung, 40164 Phone: +62-22-2002485/2015483 Fax : +62-22-2015438 marketing@themajestyhotel.com	I forgot where I put the document of the Majesty Apartment rates, but a year ago I stay there for 6 months. The rate for six monts was 25 million Rupiah, and 5 million rupiah per months. The rates probably have changes, can be higher or cheaper since they build a new apartement in Dago area.
Grand Setiabudhi Apartment Jl. Setiabudhi No. 130 Bandung Phone: +62-22-2044002 Fax : +62-22-2044004 sales@grandsetiabudihotel.com	Studio 1 Room: Rp 350,000,- W/Day Rp 400,000,- W/End Rp 1,850.,000,- /Week Rp 4,300,000,- /Month Executive 2 Room + Living Room: Rp 700,000,- W/Day Rp 750,000,- W/End Rp3,750.000,-/Week Rp 7,700.000,- /Month
Galery Ciumbuleuit Apartment Jl. Ciumbuleuit No. 42 Bandung Phone: +62-22-82062000 Fax : +62-22-82062005 sales@galericiumbuleuithotel.com * Please make contact to the hotel for more information. The price listing is not exhaustive	Studio 1 Room: Rp 350.000,- W/Day Rp 400.000,- W/End Rp 1.850.000,- /Week Rp4.300.000,-/Month Executive 2 Room + Living Room : Rp 700,000,- W/Day Rp 750,000,- W/End Rp 3,750.000,- /Week Rp 7,700.000,- /Month
Setramurni Apartment Jl. Setramurni 1A no 9 Bandung contact : 62-8164871771/62-81320652262 e-mail : cps@bdg.centrin.net.id	Rate : Rp. 300,000.-/day for one bedroom Rp. 400,000.-/day for two bedroom

* Please make contact to the hotel for more information. The price listing is not exhaustive

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Visit Paris Van Java Mall

Paris Van Java Mall
(PVJ)

If you like shopping, when you visit Bandung, don’t forget to go to Paris Van Java Mall, this place as a must for visitors. Bandung is a city that is very popular with shopping and culinary knowledge. Paris Van Java Mall is one of the entertainment center in the Bandung which is located in Jl. Sukajadi. The location is easy to be reached, close to the Setiabudi Road, also near the Pasir Kaliki road, and also very close to the Cihampelas Walk that is very hot at the moment.

Look at Paris Van Java Mall, from the outside only represents what is quite an impression that would be submitted to all the visitors who come. Very cozy, spacious and roomy, with a full feel of modern environment-friendly. If you come in the evening, you’ll see the atmosphere and glorious eye catching offered with its many lights placed in the trees in the mall parking lot is also very large. Entering the park, and how knowledgeable no need to worry because parking place can be sure that you can park your car. There you can go for window shopping or lunch in nice cafes with your friends or family who might be invited.



Well, now we talk about the mall, I am very impressed to the management of Paris Van Java Mall in such a way this has all sett the layout counter in the front of this mall. From edge to edge and filled with stalls filled with food, meal, Snacks, beverages, coffee, etc.. Call only outlets that we know are familiar, Starbucks Coffee, Black Canyon Coffee, J. Co Donuts, Oh La La Cafe, Manchester United Cafe & Bar, and a restaurant that offers a variety of concepts of each. Ethnic traditional Indonesia there, the cuisine a la carte there be like a westerner, a Japanese cuisine. Really complete.

Go to inside, there you can shopping fashion clothes or just simply want to window shopping. There are various fashion outlets and apparels on the floor and a basement. All outlets have a majority is branded outlets. A course Esprit, Mango, Giordano, Hammer, not to mention the outlet of the bag and shoes make me dizzy spell to read one by one. Down there on the floor Gramedia, where there is a spa and salon is also one I do not remember. There are also outlets health and beauty clinic, and so many more. Also have lingerie boutiques also do not want to lose consecutive enliven Paris Van Java Mall this. So wonderful!.

Well if you have more time, you can go to Carrefour. It’s a huge department store, this mall is a joint venture with SOGO, a shopping center that is known to middle-class and above. If you like to go to Cinema to see newest movie, you can go to Blitz Megaplex. There are more than 10 cinemas in a theater, so you can choose the your favorite movie in this wonderful cinema. There is also a lounge where you can sit and talk with your partner while you wait for the movie. There is billyard place if you like to do sport near to the Cinema. That essentially, It’s not expensive to watch movie at the Blitz Megaplex, you will will not make you regret, If you only have 50,000 rupiah in the wallet it’s more than enough. The Sound system is so fantastic, I think it’s the best cinema in Bandung.

So that, If you never visit to Paris Van Java Mall, I recommended you to visit there, I believe that you won’t regret it. Have fun!

Map to Paris Van Java Mall

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Bandung City Square
(Alun-alun)

Bandung City Square or also called Alun-alun is a City parks or public open space is one of the facilities of Bandung city as a place for the citizens that must be provided by the government. This facility has become a civilization and culture in every country, since the Indonesian kingdoms until now. Although the public place is never separated from the government’s power, but in each era formed space in the broad field of the central government is perceived as belonging to citizens, or the public.

Bandung City Square (Alun-alun)

In Indonesia, the wide field in front of the government, district or districts and municipalities, called a square. A wide field surrounded by the central government ( regent / mayor), the market, a prison (or the police station / military / security) and the liturgy. The zone of architecture of the city that is many centuries of age.


In ancient times, the king of the square is for the benefit of formal government, for example, military ceremonies or formal non-military, ceremonial liturgy or a party and the night market. The same concept is in the world though different zone, referred to as a plaza or town square.

The Residents thought it’s important to have square as the center information, the crowd, the big events, a playground area, bazaars, and even to play at night under the light of days with feelings of comfort. Not sure square is also an image of the city.

Before the concept of a metropolis, the city is called the district, as led by a regent. This city is located in front of the Bupati office of Bandung. Tragic enough when the Regent of Bandung office moved to Soreang. Bandung is established (several months before Daendels central government also established colonialism) is expelled from the location history. We forget that those who qualified native called the Bandung is that they are born and grow in Soreang, Cililin, Banjaran, Dayeuhkolot, Bale Endah, Majalaya, Pangalengan, Ciparay, Cicalengka and so on.. Bandung city itself is just a small city filled with many immigrants.

Bandung city center is around the road Aceh Merdeka, Wastukancana, and can not provide the same concepts such as Bandung City Square. However the park is clean and Bandung city center is also nice to visit.

While in other cities, Indonesian people usually never forget to visit the City Square. Tasikmalaya, Garut, Ciamis, Kebumen, Kuningan, Medan, Yogyakarta, and Makassar are the cities that most Indonesian people like. We can file smiling faces when we see people play, sit and walk or run enjoy the nice sunset.

Over the years the square was closed because the Bandung Mosque project developed (Mesjid Agung Bandung) which changed its name to the Masjid Raya Bandung development was completed mid-year 2003 ago. Four years more square Bandung lost from view. Perhaps also people forget it.

Mesjid Agung Bandung
(Great Mosque)

Several months ago, Bandung City Square re-opened, with new faces that are far more interesting, more clean and comfortable, although not as comfortable as the old atmosphere.

Shopping Center

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History Of Bandung
(The Flower City)

History Of Bandung (The Flower City) dates since 1488 as the first situation to Bandung existents. As from earliest archeological discoverss, we identify the bandung city was home to Australopithecus, Java Man. The Java Man lived on the sides of the Cikapundung in north Bandung, the Huge Lake of Bandung. The relics can still be found in the top of Dago area, the Geological Museum also has shows and parts of the skeletal remains and the artifacts.

The Sundanese People were a agricultural people, the rich regions of Bandung. They builded a dynamic tradition which comprises the practiced Wayang Golek doll/puppet theatre, and so many musical styles. As Juliaen de Silva wrote in her book in 1614 "There is a city called Bandung, comprising 25 to 30 houses."

The accomplishments of The adventurers from Europe to seek their luck in the productive and rich of Bandung area, led finally to 1786 as a road was developed connecting Bogor, Jakarta, Bandung, and Cianjur. This flow was enlarged since 1809. Louis Napoleon, the leader from the Netherlands, commanded Governor General H.W. Daendels, to strengthen defenses in Java in opposition to English. The idea was a sequence of military defense things and a source road between Cirebon and. However, this area was wet and swamp, and it was better to build the road of the further south, across the Priangan high lands.

Talking about the history of Bandung, we will remember the Big Post Road was built around 11 miles north of the (then called) capital of Bandung. With this usual brevitys, Daendels commanded the capital of Bandung to be re-located to the road. Bupati Wiranata Kusumah II chosen a site in the south of the road on the western side of the Lake Cikapundung, close a pair of blessed wells, Sumur Bandung, assumedly protected by the very old goddess Nyi Kentring Manik. On this site he built his palace and the Bandung city square (alun-alun). Go along the traditional orientations, Mesjid Agung (The Grand Mosque of Bandung) was built on the western side, and the big market on the east. His house and Pendopo (meeting place) was placed on the south facing of the mystical mountain of Tangkuban Perahu. Within the l9th Century, South American cinchona (quinine), Assam tea, and coffee was leaded to the uplands. At the end of the 19th century, Priangan (another called for Bandung) was listed as the most rich plantation place of the province. In 1880, the rail line that connecting Bandung and Jakarta was finished, and assured a 2 1/2 hour trip from the Jakarta to Bandung.

Tea Plantation

With this great modification in history of Bandung, cafes, hotels, shopping malls builded up to provide the planters who came down from the highland plantations or up from Bandung. The Concordia Society was developed and the large ballroom was the magnet for social meeting at the weekend activities in Bandung city. The Grand Hotel Preanger and the Savoy Homann Hotel were the best hotels of choice. The Braga street became the popular as there are many exclusive Europeans shops. *

With the railroad, light industry flourished. Once raw plantation crops were sent directly to Jakarta for shipment to Europe, now primary processing could be done efficiently in Bandung. The Chinese who had never lived in Bandung in any number came to help run the facilities and vendor machines and services to the new industries. Chinatown dates from this period.

Talking about History of Bandung, in the first years of the present century, Pax Neerlandica was proclaimed, resulting in the passing of military government to a civilian one. With this came the policy of decentralization to lighten the administrative burden of the central government. And so Bandung became a municipality in 1906.

Old Braga Street

Braga Street Now

This turn of events left a great impact on the city. City Hall was built at the north end of Braga to accommodate the new government, separate from the original native system. This was soon followed by a larger scale development when the military headquarters was moved from Batavia to Bandung around 1920. The chosen site was east of City Hall, and consisted of a residence for the Commander in Chief, offices, barracks and military housing.

By the early 20's the need for skilled professionals drove the establishment of the technical high school that was sponsored by the citizens of Bandung. At the same time the plan to move the capital of the Netherlands Indies from Batavia to Bandung was already mature, the city was to be extended to the north. The capital district was placed in the northeast, an area that had formerly been rice fields, and a grand avenue was planned to run for about 2.5 kilometers facing the fabled Tangkuban Perahu volcano with Gedung Sate at the south end, and a colossal monument at the other. on both sides of this grand boulevard buildings would house the various offices of the massive colonial government.

Along the east side of the Cikapundung River amidst natural scenery was the campus of the Technische Hoogeschool, dormitories and staff housing. The old campus buildings and its original landscaping reflect the genius of its architect Henri Maclain Pont. The southwestern section was reserved for the municipal hospital and the Pasteur Institute, in the neighborhood of the old quinine factory. These developments were carefully planned down to the architectural and maintenance details. These years shortly before World War II were the golden ones in Bandung and those alluded to today as Bandung Tempoe Doeloe.

The war years did little to change the city of Bandung, but in 1946, facing the return of the Colonial Dutch to Indonesia, citizens chose to burn down their beloved Bandung in what has become known as Bandung Lautan Api, Bandung Ocean of Fire. Citizens fled to the southern hills and overlooking the "ocean of flames" penned "Halo Halo Bandung," the anthem promising their return. Political unrest colored the early years of Independence and consequently people flocked to Bandung where safety was. The population skyrocketed from 230,000 in 1940 to 1 million by 1961. Economic prosperity following the oil boom in the 70's pushed this further so that by 1990 there were 2 million inhabitants.

Present day Bandung is thriving. As home to more than 35 schools of higher education, there is a vibrant collegiate atmosphere. The excellent fine arts offerings have produced an artist colony of great repute and excitement. The textile industry is the largest in the country and contributes to a vigorous business climate.

In 1987 the city extended its administrative boundaries toward a Greater Bandung Plan (Bandung Raya) Plans for the city include higher concentrations of development outside the current city centre, in an attempt to dilute some of the population density in the old core. These days Bandung Raya is still years ahead, yet the land has suffered deeply. Commercial activities run amok, God only knows who can take control. The city core is practically uprooted, old faces are torn down, lot sizes regrouped, and what was idyllic residence is now bustling chain supermarkets and rich banks.

Map of Bandung

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Gedung Sate Bandung

The evaluation of the government to change some of departments from Batavia city to Bandung city was a huge beat for the development of the city. First, in year of 1914, the Department of Defense was transported, and then in year of 1920 the Government Department now called as Gedung Sate followed.


Because of the extraordinary ornament on the roof of Gedung Sate, with a bit similarity to the stick of sate (Indonesian Food), It’s called as Gedung Sate. The buildings was built with the total cost around 6 millions gulden. It is the first building that made by supported actual technology in Indonesia.


With wonderful shaped of the building-complex, designed by of the architect J. Gerber (1921), both ornaments of western and also eastern architecture were incoperated. In 1925, Gedung Sate was the only big building around Bandung.

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LOMBOK ISLAND

Geography & Climate

The island of Lombok is located east of Bali. Tourism is not quite as developed yet as Bali and it is that reason which makes Lombok the perfect getaway. Escape to picturesque mountainside landscapes to white sand beaches of the Gili Islands. A place to relax and unwind from the daily life back home. Lombok also has the third largest volcano in all of Indonesia, Mount Rinjani, which extends 3726 meters high with a crater lake called Segara Anak.



The main season here are wet season which starts from November to May and dry season start from May-October. The best time to come is in the month of May when the weather is just perfect with bright daylight and green scenery.

People & Religion

The local inhabitants of Lombok are called Sasaks. They speak Indonesian as well as their local Sasak language. The other main ethnicity’s include Balinese, Chinese, Arabian, and Javanese.

Lombok has three main districts with three capital cities: Mataram in the west, Praya in central and Selong in east Lombok. The majority of commerce is in the capital city of Mataram in west Lombok. The majority of the population on Lombok are Muslims. Every Friday around 12.30 noon, Muslims go to the mosques just like Christians go to church on Sunday. Therefore, on that day most businesses and government offices are closed half day and then re-open again after praying (not including Senggigi).
If you are planning on traveling around the island and visiting small villages it is more respectable to wear slacks or knee length shorts, a shirt with sleeves or a sarong. If you happened to be here during Ramadan, which is the Muslim month of fasting from sunrise to sunset, please do not to eat, drink or smoke out in the open public during this month long fast. Even though the people don’t seem bothered in the common tourist areas like, Senggigi and the Gili islands, it is better to respect the people and not eat or smoke openly.



Wetu Telu

Wetu telu is an unique religion that that blends Islam - Animism and is only found in north Lombok.

It roots stem from the village of Bayan in the north.



The people who practice this still consider themselves Muslims but they have their own rituals in addition to the normal Muslim ones. One such ceremony is Nyiu, that takes place 1000 days after someone dies.

The relatives of the deceased offer material things like clothing, toothbrushes, food, dishes, mattresses, etc. so the deceased will be pleased in heaven.



Money & Local Currencies

When changing money there are many money changers in Lombok. The best rates are usually in Senggigi. Money changers prefer new, clean large bills and will accept smaller denominations at a lower rate. If you have traveler’s checks the rate will be less than bank notes.



Be sure to count your money before you leave money changers. You can also check local banks but the rate is slightly lower than outside. Re-count the money in front of the money changer reception is a must, as usually there's a quick tricky way how they can steal your money.



A suggestion when changing money. If you plan on making small purchases be sure to carry small denominations with you because many sellers do not have change. The Rupiah come in denominations of 100,000, 50,000, 10,000, 5,000, 1,000, and 500, 100 in coin.



Vehicle Rentals:

Dont miss Lombok's beautiful scenery. If you choose to rent a car or motorcycles and drive yourself, you must have an International Driving License.

Renting a car is a good alternative to get around Lombok, either self driving or with driver so you can relax and enjoy the view. (Tip driver pocket money for meals if you stop for lunch or dinner). If you are pleased with service, tip ( Rp. 20,000 minimum). If you collide with anything, or it collides with you, you are responsible for all cost.



Motorcycles are a convenient and inexpensive way to get around the Island, but Tourists are frequently injured in motorbike accident. If you rent a bike, drive slowly and very defensively. Helmets are required by law but those provided by rental agencies offer little protection.



Business Hours

Indonesian work in the morning to avoid the heat of the day. If you need to visit a government office, arrive between 08 AM and 11:30 AM. This also apply to banks and private businesses. Government offices close early on Fridays and Saturdays. Generally offices are open 07:30AM - 3 PM Monday - Thursday, 07:00AM - noon on Friday. Banks and Government Offices are closed on Saturday and Sunday.



Cell Phone

Cellular phone in Indonesia is GSM. If you have brought your cellular hand phone, you can purchase prepaid calling cards to make outgoing calls at lower cost than calling on your home SIM. Shops which sell these cards are prolific. Major service providers are: Telkomsel, Satelindo and XL Ritel. Look for signs and banners with those markings.



Health and Medical Info

Most hotels have on call doctors. For what it is known by Australian as "Bali Belly", Iomotil and Imodium eliminate Symptoms, but not infections. A fever along with the symptoms requires doctor prescribed antibiotics. Drink as much as liquid as possible. For discomfort, diarrhea, and cramping, drink strong, hot tea; avoid fruits and spicy food. Drink only bottled water or boiled water (air putih).



Peel the fruit before eating; avoid raw vegetables except at reputable restaurants. Ice in restaurants is safe. Protect yourself from the intense equatorial sun. Use sun block and hat. Sexually transmitted diseases are increasing in Indonesia. Local sex workers have multiple partners from all over the world. Act responsibly and use condoms, available over the counter at pharmacies.



Things To Take Back Home

Wanting to take back something from Lombok? Lombok has great woven textiles like songkets and ikats that can be used as a sarong, wall hanging, table cloth and more. The design woven is special to each weaver and it is passed down through the generations before. There is a traditional hand weaving village in Puyung, central Lombok. You can even try on a traditional Sasak costume.



Banyumulek (West Lombok), Penujak (Central Lombok) and Masbagik (East Lombok) are famous villages in Lombok for making pottery. Lombok pottery has gained popularity and is shipped throughout the world. There is a wide range of selections and it can custom made to your liking. We hope to develop the economy of the area by directly meet them with serious buyer from all over the world.



There are many traditional handicrafts you could take back as a souvenir i.e. wooden masks, baskets made out of ketak grass, wooden boxes designed with bits of shells, or other things made from bamboo or rattan.

(source :http://www.lombok-network.com)

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BALI

Bali is one of over 13,000 islands in the Indonesian archipelago and is located just over 2 kilometres from the eastern tip of the island of Java and west of the island of Lombok. The island home of approximately 4 million people is approximately 144 kilometres from east to west and 80 kilometres north to south.

The islands varied landscape of hills and mountains, rugged coastlines and sandy beaches, lush rice terraces and barren volcanic hillsides provide a picturesque backdrop to the colourful and deeply spiritual culture of this 'Island of The Gods'.

the word paradise is used a lot in Bali, and not without reason. The combination of friendly, hospitable people, a magnificently visual culture infused with spirituality and (not least) spectacular beaches with great surfing and diving have made Bali Indonesia's unparalleled number one tourist attraction. Eighty percent of international visitors to Indonesia visit Bali and Bali alone.

The popularity is not without its flip sides — once paradisaical Kuta has degenerated into a congested warren of concrete, touts and scammers live on overcharging tourists, and the island's visibility has even drawn the unwanted attention of terrorists in 2002 and 2005 — but Bali has managed to retain its magic. Bali is a wonderful destination with something for everyone, and though heavily travelled, it is still easy to find some peace and quiet if you like.

Balinese dance and music are also justly famous. As on Java, the gamelan orchestra and wayang kulit shadow puppet theater predominate. Dances include:

• barong or "lion dance" — a ritual dance depicting the fight between good and evil, with performers wearing fearsome lion-like masks
• kecak or "monkey dance" — Actually invented in the 1930s by early German resident Walter Spies for a movie but a spectacle nonetheless, with up to 250 dancers in concentric circles chanting "kecak kecak", while a performer in the center acts out a spiritual dance

Festivals

Odalan procession

There are an estimated 20,000 temples (pura) on the island, each of which holds festivals (odalan) at least twice a year and there are many other auspicious days throughout the year, meaning that there are always festivities going on.

There are some large festivals celebrated islandwide, but their dates are determined by two local calendars. The 210-day wuku or Pawukon calendar is completely out of sync with the Western calendar, meaning that it rotates wildly throughout the year.The lunar saka (caka)

calendar roughly follows the Western year.

• Funerals, called pitra yadnya, are another occasion of pomp and ceremony, when the deceased (often several at a time) are ritually cremated in extravagantly colorful rituals.

• Galungan (next held on 20th August 2008). A 10-day festival celebrating the death of the tyrant Mayadenawa. Gods and ancestors visit earth and are greeted with gift-laden bamboo poles called penjor lining the streets. The last day of the festival is known as Kuningan.

• Nyepi, or Hindu New Year, usually March/April (next held on March 26, 2009). This is the one festival worth avoiding: on Nyepi, also known as the Day of Absolute Silence, absolutely everything on the island is shut down and tourists are confined to their hotels (find somewhere with a pool). However if you are in Bali in the weeks preceding Nyepi you will see amazing colourful giants (Ogoh Ogoh) being created by every banjar throughout the island. On Nyepi Eve the Ogoh Ogoh are paraded through the streets, an amazing sight, not to be missed especially in Denpasar.

Nyepi is a very special day to the Balinese as this is the day that they have to fool all evil spirits that no-one is actually on Bali - hence the need for silence. If this can be achieved, then it is believed that the evil spirits will go looking elsewhere for their prey and leave Bali island alone for another year. Balinese people are very religious and life is full of ritual - Nyepi is one of the most important days in their calendar. Police and security are on hand to make sure that everyone abides by this rule.

Nyepi also serves to remind the Balinese of the need for tolerance and understanding in their everyday life. In fact, Hinduism on Bali is unique because it is woven into and around the original Balinese animistic religion. The two now have become one for the Balinese - a true sign of tolerance and acceptance!

All national public holidays covered in Indonesia also apply, although Ramadan is naturally a

much smaller event here than in the country's Muslim regions.

Get in

By plane

Most visitors will arrive at Denpasar's Ngurah Rai international airport: Tel.: (62)(361) 751011. You can fly to Bali from major cities in Indonesia (Jakarta, Surabaya, Makassar etc) or from major cities in Asia and Australia.

Many travelers try to search for 'Bali' using travel websites and so for. It should be noted that Ngurah Rai's airport code is DPS. The airport is actually located between Kuta & Jimbaran and roughly 30 mins away from Denpasar.

I

n the low-cost carrier set:

• Jetstar Asia operate from Singapore
• AirAsia operate direct flights to Denpasar from Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu
• Malaysia Airlines operate daily direct flights from Kuala Lumpur
• Mandala Airlines operates from Hong Kong and Taipei

Note that if you are flying internationally into Ngurah Rai, most nationalities are now required to purchase an Entry Visa (US$25 or EUR20 or Rp 250,000 in cash for 30 days); see the main Indonesia article for details. Few other currencies are accepted so it's a good idea to play safe

and have the required dollars on hand. Flying internationally out of Bali you are subject to the airport tax (150,000 Rupiah effective from 1st November 2007) which you would need to pay for in Rupiah so save some bills for the trip out. The domestic departure tax is Rp. 30,000.

ATM machines are available at Airport Departure Lobby which accept Cirrus and Plus cards for withdrawals.

Some hotels organize free transfers from the airport but there are plenty of other taxis also available. Approximate price for getting from Ngurah Rai to Legian is Rp. 40,000. If coming from the airport ignore touts offering rides. After years of abuse the airport and legitimate taxi

companies dictated that fixed prices be offered. There is a dedicated booth at the airport for arranging rides to town (and any other location on the island). This is on the right just through the arrival doors for international.

Since the second bombing, security at the airport has increased considerably and be prepared for rigorous scrutiny of luggage, including carry-on items.

By bus

There are direct bus services to Bali from all major cities on Java as well as Lombok, which use the ferries to cross over. These are cheap and easy, but slow.

By boat

Ferries cross from Gilimanuk in western Bali to Ketapang on the island of Java every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day, and the crossing takes just 30 minutes (plus waiting around, loading, unloading, etc).

A number of speedboats and catamarans operate from Benoa Harbor near Kuta (~2 hours) and Padangbai (80 min) to the Gili Islands of Lombok. These are expensive (~US$60 one way) but convenient, see the Gili Islands article for details.

There are also public slow boats from Padangbai to Lembar (Lombok) every few hours, with the trip taking around 3.5 hours.

See

Sunset at Desa Kerobokan Singaraja

Bali's best-known attractions are its countless Hindu temples. Even the smallest villages usually have at least three, but the nine directional temples (kayangan jagat) are the largest and most important. Uluwatu, at the southern tip of Bali, is easily accessed and hence the most popular, with Tanah Lot a close second. However, for the Balinese themselves, the "mother temple" of Besakih on the slopes of Mount Agung is the most important of all.

Monuments

• Garuda Wisnu Kencana. Nusa Dua, Kabupaten Badung, 40 km south of Denpasar. Created by I Nyoman Nuarta. This is statue of the god Wisnu (Vishnu) riding the mythical Garuda bird.

• Bali Bomb, Jl. Legian, Kuta. This monument commemorates the 202 victims of the first Bali Bomb attack in October 2002, including 161 tourists from 21 countries. The site of the former Sari Club, obliterated in one of the blasts, lies adjacent to the monument. It has not been redeveloped.

Do

Hot springs — There are several hot springs to be discovered in Bali. One of them, along the northern coast of the island, near Lovina, is Air Panjar where stone mouth carvings allow hot water to pass between pools which are set among a lush garden.

Spa — Bali is paradise for spa lovers and all sorts of treatments are widely available, but the Balinese lulur body scrub with herbs and spices — traditionally performed before a wedding ceremony — is particularly popular. Balinese massage is usually done with oil and involves long, Swedish-style strokes. In steep contrast to exorbitant Western massage fees, Balinese massage is an incredible value, and visitors should definitely avail themselves this luxury. In local salons, a one-hour full body massage will cost between Rp. 40 - 60,000, and the two-hour mandi lulur, which incorporates a body scrub and hydrating yoghurt body mask in addition to the massage, will cost about Rp. 100,000. The curiously named creambath is a relaxing scalp and shoulder massage, usually lasting 45 minutes, in which a thick conditioning cream is worked through the hair and into the scalp. A creambath typically costs about Rp. 40,000. Note that these same services in an upscale hotel will cost many times more.

Weddings — Balinese wedding getting popular in recent years. The exotic tradition, ceremonies, music and costumes has a special attraction among western people. Many couples who are already legally married to each other choose Bali as the perfect place to renew their vows. Full wedding services are widely available in Bali such as: ceremony arrangements, photography, videography, flowers, musicians, dancers, caterers etc. There are about ten wedding chapels available in Bali today (largely in luxury hotels) and the number is growing. You can find many professional wedding organizer to handle your wedding in Bali through the internet. Destination weddings, featuring all types of religious and presentation arrangements, are becoming increasingly popular with private villas being one of the island's many offerings for venues.

Voluntary work An excellent way to get to know and understand more of the country is to do some voluntary work. There are some organizations that arrange work for international volunteers in Bali and other places in the region.

Sports

• Scuba Diving — There are many interesting scuba diving sites around Bali such as the wreck of USAT Liberty Glo at Tulamben. Pulau Menjangan is particularly popular.

• Surfing — Warm waters, crowds, cheap living and reliable sets keeps Bali near the top of world surfing destinations. The southern coast, namely Kuta and the around Nusa Dua are the primary draws. Beginners will find the gentler, sandy areas of Kuta to be ideal for learning. You'll find surf instructors lounging around the beach; a one hour lesson including board rental from a beach teacher will cost you around $10 USD or less. The teaching done by these local beach teachers is very questionable. From a real surf shop, the price may be $45 USD/hr.

(Source wikipedia)

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