365Indonesia Day 24 – Sunset in Derawan Island, East Kalimantan

This is another beautiful view from Derawan Island.

If you visit Derawan island, do not forget to enjoy this very beautiful sunset, combination color of sky- blue and orange, like a painting.

Regards

Mad

Check my blog travel Mad Alkatiri for more cool places and follow me @madalkatiri

From the Czech cold to the Indonesian jungle, without leaving Prague

Don’t let the rushing water and tropical birds fool you into thinking you’ve left Prague. At the city’s zoo, hundreds of people, including President Vaclav Klaus and the Indonesian ambassador, visited Monday’s opening of the Indonesian Jungle Pavilion. The exhibit aims to create the experience of a Southeast Asian rainforest – both for visitors and for the zoo’s population of Indonesian primates. We take you on a walk through the exhibit.

Guide Frantisek Susta described the animals in a dark, aquarium-lined room. It holds the tanks of kissing guoranis – fish whose lips are puckered up as if preparing for a smooch – and snake-neck turtles. These animals make up just two of the 100 animal species in the zoo’s new exhibit.

The room leads to the sweltering heat and damp air of the pavilion’s simulated Indonesian jungle. It also puts the visitor face to face with a Komodo dragon – the world’s largest lizard species. Prague Zoo director Petr Fejk says having this highly-endangered animal here shows the warm relations between the Indonesian and Czech governments, because it took the involvement of President Klaus.

“This pavilion is a symbol of the cooperation between Indonesia and the Czech Republic. And the power of this symbol is the Komodo dragon, because we asked the government of Indonesia to get this Komodo dragon – this very endangered animal from Indonesia. There’s only one way to get this animal. It’s only through the president of the Czech Republic.” The path though the exhibit winds visitors past waterfalls and thick, green vegetation, and under towering trees. I found Prague resident Katerina Jouglickova between rows of plants on the top level.

“I think it’s something spectacular and beautiful, which I think was a huge gift for us. So I think it’s perfect. … I think I would like to be here on my own and to spend for example one day just to feel the atmosphere and to feel the animals and just to get a little bit closer to the country around here. I would prefer to be here a longer time.”

From the top level of the zoo, there is a diverse panorama. Orangutans lounge on one side of a turtle-filled pond. On the other side is the gibbon habitat, but the gibbons seem to have free range. They were hanging on a net on the ceiling above the orangutan cage. It seemed as if they could go wherever they want.

Those were white-handed gibbons, which Petr Fejk says were given special treatment. “

Gibbons inside this pavilion have absolutely luxurious conditions: a big place and also an outside place. We installed there a special net only for gibbons. And one half of the space of the pavilion … is prepared for gibbon activities. So I think it’s absolutely luxurious for this animal.”

At a cost of nearly six million euros, the exhibit is a luxury for animals and zoo-goers alike, since Prague residents here said they are sure to come back.

Eric P. Martin

365Indonesia Day 23 – Biawak Island, Indramayu, West Java

Hello there!

This is Biawak island’s view from top. Beautiful isn’t it? The water is so clean so we can see the bottom.

Biawak island is located 40 km from Indramayu’s north beach, West Java. There are two other names to call this island, that is Rakit island and Menyawak island. There is also a name from Dutch colonial, that is Bompyis island.  Do not ask why the island is called like that, but i do know why it called as Biawak island. Because this island is the habitat of biawak (Varanus salvator).  They live in the swamps and mangrove bushes that the existence is dominate the mainlad. Biawak in the island is a wild animal, but they will not attack human if they were undisturbed.  Some of them are not immediately run away if approach by humans, maybe they were used to approached by us, human, so they are not afraid anymore.

You can reach Biawak island from Kampung Rambutan bus station, Pulo Gadung or Jati Bening. It is about 4-5 hours from Jakarta to Celeng, Indramayu.  Then continue with public transportation from Celeng to Berondong village, and take a small ship to Biawak island.

Regards

Mad

Check my blog travel Mad Alkatiri for more cool places and follow me @madalkatiri

365Indonesia Hari 22: Pantai Senggigi, Nusa Tenggara Barat, Idola Baru Bagi Turis Asing

Pantai indah lainnya dari Indonesia!

Dari Makassar, sekarang kita pindah ke Pulau Lombok, Provinsi Nusa Tenggara Barat.

Senggigi, yang terletak di Pulau Lombok, terletak di sebelah Bali. Jadi, jika Anda berada di Bali, Anda bisa langsung menyeberang ke pantai Senggigi melalui pelabuhan Karang Asem menggunakan kapal feri, yang membutuhkan sekitar 30 menit untuk sampai ke sana.

Nah, apa yang biasanya Anda lakukan ketika Anda berada di pantai? Berenang,menyelam, snorkeling, bermain dengan air, membuat istana pasir, berjemur, atau mungkin Anda hanya ingin berjalan-jalan di sini, khususnya di siang hari, berjalan-jalan di pinggiran pantai. Saran bagi Anda yang ingin berenang atau hanya bermain dengan air, agar lebih berhati-hati karena ada banyak bebatuan runcing di pantai.

Ketika Anda berjalan-jalan di pantai Senggigi, sekitar 30 menit, Anda akan menemukan Pura Batu Bolong yang dibangun di atas batu di pantai. Menurut legenda, dahulu kala, sering diadakan pengorbanan perawan di pura untuk melayani hiu yang tinggal di pantai. Legenda lain mengatakan, pura ini juga merupakan tempat seorang gadis bunuh diri karena patah hati.

Bagaimana cara menuju ke Senggigi jika Anda tidak di Bali? Ada beberapa penerbangan dari Jakarta, Surabaya, Bali dan Yogyakarta yang akan membawa Anda ke bandara Selaparang di Mataram. Senggigi terletak 11 km dari Mataram dan Anda dapat naik taksi atau transportasi umum lainnya.

Regards,
Mad

Check out my travel blog Mad Alkatiri for more cool places and follow me @madalkatiri.

second photos taken from www.pasirpantai.com

Translated for Good News From Indonesia on MSN by Yoanda Pragita

365Indonesia Day 22 – Senggigi Beach, West Nusa Tenggara, the New Idol Among Foreign Tourists

Another beautiful beach from Indonesia!

From Makassar, now we move to Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara province.

Senggigi, which is in Lombok island,  is located next to Bali. So, if you were in Bali, you can directly cross to Senggigi beach through the Karang Asem port using ferry, it takes about 30 minutes to get there.

Well, what you usually do when you’re on the beach? Swimming, diving, snorkeling, play with water, making the sand castle, sunbathing, or maybe you can just take a walk in here, especially in the afternoon, strolling down the beach. Suggestion for you who want to go swimming or just play with water, to be more careful because there are pointy rocks at the beach.

When you strolling down at Senggigi beach, about 30 minutes, you will find Pura Batu Bolong which is built on the rock at the beach. According to the legend, long time ago, often held a sacrifice of the virgin in pura to serve the shark who live on the beach. Another legend said, pura also a place for a girl  who commit suicide because of a broken heart.

How to get to Senggigi if you are not in Bali? There are flight from Jakarta, Surabaya, Bali and Yogyakarta that will get you to Selaparang airport in Mataram. Senggigi is located 11 km from Mataram and you can take taxi or another public transportation.

Regards

Mad

Check my blog travel Mad Alkatiri for more cool places and follow me @madalkatiri

second photos taken from www.pasirpantai.com

Batik Amerika

by Akhyari Hananto

Saya menaiki taksi dari KBRI di Washington DC menuju ke Bethesda yang terletak di negara bagian Maryland. Sang sopir ternyata sangat aktif mengajak bicara saya, dan ketika mengetahui bahwa saya orang Indonesia, kontan dia bertanya ” Why didnt you wear your Batik?”. Ternyata dia aslinya berasal dari Slovakia, dan pernah beberapa kali ke Indonesia. “Look at my hat…” katanya. Saya baru tersadar, ternyata topi-nya bermotif batik, dan dia beli di Bali pada 2009.

Rasanya benar kalau saya bilang bahwa Batik kini sudah lumayan mendunia, dan rasanya sulit untuk mencari “lawan” batik, yang begitu banyak corak. Saya mendapatkan email dari seorang staff di KBRI Washington DC, dan mengatakan bahwa KBRI akan mengadakan kompetisi design Batik di Amerika Serikat yang dikemas dalam “American Batik Design Competition”. Saya sempat tweet, dan posting di website ini. Namun kemudian saya terlupa….dan pagi ini membaca Kompas.com, ternyata kompetisi berjalan lancar, dan pemenang bahkan sudah diumumkan. Saya sempat google dan inilah pemenangnya :

Lihatlah spirit budaya Amerika, yang tertuang dalam untaian batik Indonesia. Menarik..

365Indonesia Hari 21: Pantai Dengan Pasir Halus Bagaikan Tepung, Pantai Bira, Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan

Hello guys!

Kembali ke Makassar lagi.

Pantai Bira, yang juga dikenal sebagai Tanjung Bira, adalah pantai indah lainnya di Makassar. Terletak di ujung paling selatan Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan, tepatnya, Kabupaten Bonto Bahari, Bulukumba. Jaraknya sekitar 40 km dari kota Bulukumba atau 200 km dari Makassar. Jika diukur dengan waktu, sekitar 3 - 3,5 jam dari Makassar ke Tanjung Bira.

Pantai Tanjung Bira merupakan pantai yang sangat indah dengan pasir putih yang halus seperti tepung. Anda dapat melakukan banyak hal di sini, seperti berenang, snorkeling, menyelam, atau  hanya berjemur di bawah sinar matahari. Jangan lupa untuk menikmati matahari terbit dan terbenam di  Tanjung Bira. Andajuga dapat menikmati keindahan dua pulau di depan pantai, yaitu Pulau Liukang dan Pulau Kambing.

Anda bisa naik angkutan umum dari Makassar seperti Kijang, Panther atau Innova ke Bulukumba. Lanjutkan dengan mobil pete-pete (angkutan umum di Bulukumba) ke Tanjung Bira.

Regards,
Mad

Check out my travel blog Mad Alkatiri for more cool places and follow me @madalkatiri.

Translated for Good News From Indonesia on MSN by Yoanda Pragita

365Indonesia Day 21 – Beach with Sand as fine as Flour, Bira Beach, Makassar, South Sulawesi

Hello guys!

Back to Makassar again.

Bira beach, which also known as Tanjung Bira, is another beautiful beach in Makassar. Located in the most southern tip of South Sulawesi province, to be exact, Bonto Bahari district, Bulukumba. It is about 40 km from Bulukumba city or 200 km from Makassar. If it measure by time, it is about 3 – 3,5 hours from Makassar to Tanjung Bira, but it’s worth it.

Tanjung Bira beach is a very beautiful beach with white sand as fine as flour. You can do many things here, such as swimming, diving, snorkeling or even just sun-bathing. Do not forget enjoy sunrise and sunset at the same position in Tanjung Bira. You can also enjoy the beauty of the two islands in front of the beach, that is Liukang Island and Kambing Island.

You can ride public transportation from Makassar such as Kijang, Panther or Innova to Bulukumba. Continue with pete-pete car (public transportation in Bulukumba) to Tanjung Bira.

Regards

Mad

Check my blog travel Mad Alkatiri for more cool places and follow me @madalkatiri

365Indonesia Hari 20: Selamat Datang Di Kepulauan Derawan, Kalimantan Timur!

Wassuuup everyone!

Masih ingatkah Anda pada hari 16 ketika kita bertemu dengan Nemo pemalu di perairan Pulau Derawan? Atau pada hari pertama, ketika kita melihat keindahan Pulau Derawan? Hari ini Anda akan melihat lebih banyak tentang Derawan!

Jika Anda sudah lupa tentang Derawan (meskipun itu sangat tidak mungkin karenaDerawan benar-benar tak terlupakan), berikut beberapa hal yang dapat mengingatkan Anda pada Derawan yang saya temukan di sebuah majalah menyelam online internasional, skin-diver.com.

Sepanjang sejarah menyelam, ada beberapa tempat di dunia yang menawarkan lebih dari satu daya tarik utama. Sipadan terkenal oleh penyunya, Yap oleh parinya dan Palau oleh danau ubur-uburnya. Tapi bayangkan bagaimana jika Anda bisa pergi ke suatu tempat yang menawarkan itu semua. Menurut Anda, tidak mungkin! Jawaban saya adalah Derawan.

Di pantai timurlaut Kalimantan, Indonesia, terletak sebuah pulau tropis kecil yang disebut Derawan, yang dapat menghubungkan Anda ke ikan-ikan pari, kura-kura dan danau ubur-ubur,serta beberapa gua yang sangat baik, dinding dan dermaga penyelaman. Tambahkan sebuah resort menyelam yang dikelilingi oleh pantai pasir putih dengan air yang jernih, dan Anda memiliki resep untuk liburan menyelam yang sempurna.

Menyelam dari Derawan dibagi antara tiga pulau, Derawan, Sangalaki dan Pulau Kakaban, dan pada kesempatan tertentu, ketika kondisi yang tepat, Pulau Maratua juga dapat dikunjungi. Hari-hari menyelam yang biasa akan terdiri dari dua buah kapal menyelam di Pulau Kakaban atau Sangalaki (dengan makan siang), diikuti dengan penyelaman ketiga di Derawan untuk menutup  hari. Penyelaman pada malam hari di dermaga resort Derawan juga dapat dijadikan pilihan, namun kebanyakan orang lebih memilih makan malam lebih awal, sehingga mereka dapat menonton kura-kura hijau dan penyu sisik menuju ke pantai saat gelap untuk bertelur.

Jadi bagaimana menurut Anda? Tertarik untuk pergi ke salah satu tempat menyelam terbaik di dunia?­

Regards,
Mad

Check out my travel blog Mad Alkatiri for more cool places and follow me @madalkatiri.

Translated for Good News From Indonesia on MSN by Yoanda Pragita

365Indonesia Day 20 – Welcome to Derawan Islands, East Kalimantan!

Wassuuup…!

Remember on Day 16 when we met the shy Nemo in the water of Derawan Island? Or Day 1, when we first started this journey at Derawan beach?

If you already forgot about Derawan (though it’s so unlikely since Derawan is so unforgettable), here’s a few reminder of Derawan that I found in an international diving online magazine, skin-diver.com.

As far as diving goes, there are few places in the world that offer more than one major attraction. Sipadan is famous for its turtles, Yap for its mantas and Palau for its Jellyfish Lake. But imagine what it would be like if you could go to a place that offers it all. Impossible, you say! Well, my response to that would be Derawan.

On the northeast coast of Kalimantan, Indonesia, lies a small tropical island called Derawan, which has access to Mantas, turtles and a jellyfish lake, as well as some excellent cave, wall and pier dives. Add to this a dive resort surrounded by white sand beaches with crystal clear water, and you have the recipe for a perfect dive holiday.

The diving from Derawan is shared between three islands, Derawan, Sangalaki and Kakaban, and on occasions, when the conditions are suitable, Maratua Island is also visited. A typical day´s diving would consist of two boat dives at Sangalaki or Kakaban Island (with lunch), followed by a third dive at Derawan to finish the day. A night dive on the Derawan Resort pier is also an option, however, most people prefer an early dinner, so that they can watch the Green and Hawksbill Turtles make their way up the beach after dark to lay their eggs.

So what do you think? Interested to go to the one of the world’s best diving spot?

Just look at the wooden bridge that welcomes you to the awesomeness of Derawan Island… the water is so tempting!

Regards,
Mad

Check out my travel blog Mad Alkatiri for more cool places and follow me @madalkatiri.