Karimunjawa Islands

Publications is a chain of 27 islands north of Semarang, which is included in Jepara Distric, off the coast of Central Java, Indonesia. Designated as a national marine park. Publications consist of small islands, with the main ones being the island of Karimun, Kemujan Menjangan Besar island islands, and Small Menjangan island. With the vast waters of ± 110,000, and ± 1 500 hectares of land, Karimunjawa now developed into a tourist charm Marine Park, which is now beginning a lot local and foreign tourists liked.

Based on the legend that circulated in the islands, the island was discovered by Sunan Muria Karimunjawa. The legend tells of Sunan Muria are concerned about the naughtiness his son, Amir Hasan. With intent to educate, Sunan Muria then ordered his son to go to an island that appears “kremun-kremun” (blurred) from the summit of Mount Muria. Because it Appears “kremun-kremun” then called the island of Karimun Island.

Karimunjawa map

Most islands have a low level , with a sandy beach. There are some mangroves around the edge of the island Kemujan.
We can find various types of marine animals, such as fish, sharks, and turtles in the territorial waters of Karimunjawa. On the mainland, especially in Karimunjawa island, and i Kemujan island, we can find various species of birds, deer, and even snakes.
Tropical. dry season (approximately May to September) and wet and humid in the rainy season October – April.

Karimunjawa, How To Get There ?

There was a plane chartered from Ahmad Yani Airport in Semarang, who flew from Semarang Airport Kemujan Dewandaru Island. with aircraft lease type 212 Cassa provided by PT. Sea Tourism Nusa Permai (Kura-Kura Resort). It takes about 30 minutes. 3 seats: 412.5 U.S. $ / hour.
There are also regular ferries that sail from the port of Golden Horn harbor in Semarang and Jepara Kartini on the island of Karimunjawa.
From the Port of Tanjung Golden, Semarang, with ships Kartini I (fast boat) departs every Saturday at 9 .00 -12.30 and 1 time every week on Monday,  to Karimunjawa7 .00-12.30 and return to Karimunjawa every Sunday afternoon at 14:00-17.30.
From Port in Jepara Kartini, Kartini with boats depart every 2 weeks on Monday at 10:00 am and return from Karimun to Jepara every Tuesday afternoon at 11:00. Business = Rp. 130.000, Executive = Rp. 150.000,.
From Port Kartini, Jepara there Muria Ship departing every two days, time crossing the economic ship is approximately 6 hour trip. schedule of the ship from the port Muria in Jepara Kartini usually depart Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday at 9 am and from Karimunjawa to Jepara Wednesday, Friday, sunday 8 o’clock. This schedule may change according to weather / waves on the sea of Java. case of high waves then the nexus at the port will not give permission voyage, and the schedule departure of the ship will change following the change in weather. Port of Jepara can also carry motorcycles and cars to ferried to the Publications. Economic Rp.30.500, VIP: Rp. Rp. 80,250, bringing the motor there is an additional charge of Rp. 27 500.
Now there is a service ticket for Karimujawa with up to date time table-ticketing www.karimunjawa.co.id
In Karimunjawa and Kemujan island, we can rent a motorbike / car to go around the island. To go to another island, we can use the local boat or boat motor.

Sunset Karimunjawa

Swimming, locations that can be used to perform these activities, among others, on the east and south of the island of Karimun, Kembar island, the western part of Tengah Island, Kumbang island, the southern and western island of Menjangan Kecil, and around the island of Parang.

Snorkling Karimunjawa

Sunbathing, almost the entire coastal islands with white sandy Karimunjawa a long coastline. This place is suitable to perform activities of sun, sand play, and watch the beautiful sunset or sunrise.
Fishing can be done around  Menjangan Kecil and Besar island, Kemujan Island, Tengah Island, Parang island, around Kembar island , Menyawakan island, and west of Bengkoang island.
You can also go hiking around the island to find many places around the island that provides a beautiful panorama.
Craft of the most wellknown in Karimunjawa is wood carving. We can find many shops selling various kinds of wood carvings. Many people also go to Karimunjawa to find Demandaru factory. Their belief that dewandaru plants can make their lives longer.
Accommodation.
Kura-kura Resort, located on the island Menyawakan. Covered by coconut trees and surrounded by white sandy beaches and coral reefs prestine. This is a high class hotel with facilities scuba.http: / / www.kurakuraresort.com
Nirwana Sea Resort, a luxury resort with many amenities.
Mental Hideaway resort, south of the main island. With 8 + rooms planned, is scheduled to open in 2010-2011 (info@karimunjawahideaway.com).
Paradise Resort, time share vacations and private homes. With a private entrance from the main road you have the most stunning views high above the tree line overlooking the bay, national park and the outer islands.
Romantic Beach Escape, Enjoy the beauty of the sea Karimunjawa of your room. Enjoy dinner on the beach with people you love. The hotel is approximately 10 minutes away by car from Pier Publications. There are 2 types of rooms: Standard and Suite. All the bathrooms are in the room, as well as sea view and the hot water on type Suite. The hotel is also equipped with a dining table and gazebo on the beach that you can enjoy the food, looking at the ocean and hear the waves.
Karimunjawa INN.Lokasi hotel is just 500m from the harbor pilot.
3 pieces / 6 Room Bungalow Suite AC, 3 / 6 Family AC Bungalow Room, Room 6 Standard Type AC, Type 1 Standard Fan Room. Karimunjawa Inn is a Budget Hotels managed by Pemda.www.karimunjawainn.com
Homestay Dafista is the right choice for your vacation with a budget slightly Publications. Accommodation together with resident house is equipped with a bathroom and fan. Since the electricity supply comes from Diesel Power Plant Karimunjawa, then the electricity is only available at 17:30 am to 06:00 pm.
Nirvana SEA RESORT.Temukan luxury of a holiday in Nirvana Laut Resort. With a private beach facilities, Nirvana sea being the only resort in Karimunjawa which has a beach with white sand, clean and well groomed. For those of you who took the children, Nirwana Beach Sea is very safe to use for water play or swimming. You can also do snorkeling and see the sunrise. The resort consists of 6 Suite Room, 1 Master Suite Room, and a Cottage with 4 kamar.Garden view – $ 50, Ocean View – $.
Dewandaru Resort is the place to stay closest to the Port of Karimunjawa. The resort is reachable with a 5 minute walk from the Port Karimunjawa. Type of rooms available at this resort is the Standard, Bungalow and Family. Bungalow – Family Room Rp 305,000 – Rp. 400 000.
Blue Lagoon Hotel, All rooms – Rp. 175 000
His mother’s house, Rp 250.000-350.000I up to 6 pax in 1 room.
Mulya Indah Phone: (0297) 312106 rates: 55rb per room per night (for 2 persons), no fan. bathroom: Outside, the food: messages, 17 500 per serving per person.
KalimasadaTelepon: (0297) 312224 rates: 60rb per room per night (for 2). Bathroom: inside. Food: message. 20rb per serving per person.
Hamfa Phone: (0297) 312125 rates: 75rb per room per night (for 2 people). Style of the ancient house (dutch), bathroom: outside.
Duta Karimunjawa Telephone: (0297) 312207 rates: 150rb per room per night (for 2 persons), AC.kamar bath: in, no shower. food: prices include breakfast, depending on the cuisine, sometimes quite heavy (side dish). location close enough to the market / city square / pier people.
Dive Operators in Karimunjawa:
Kura Kura Resort: www.kurakuraresort.com
Karimunjawa INN: www.karimunjawainn.com

Lake Toba

Lake Toba located at north Sumatra, Lake Toba is a very large volcanic lake covering an area at 1707 square km with an island in the middle, called Samosir island. Formed by a gigantic volcanic eruption about 70,000 years ago, is perhaps the caldera rose again terbesardi Earth. Island in the middle – the island of Samosir – join the caldera wall by a narrow isthmus, which is cut to allow ships to pass, a bridge across the bypass road. Samosir island is the center of Batak culture that most Christians.
Lake Toba is probably more popular than nowadfays. Lake Toba is a great laid back place to relax for a few days after the jungle trekking etc. The location is very popular with Chinese tourists around the Chinese New Year, when the availability drops dramatically and accommodation costs rocketed into the sky.

Lake Toba

Lake Toba, How To Get There?

Planes, Most visitors fly to Medan and then travel overland to Parapat, Lake Toba city. Parapat is about 4 hours by car from Medan, 4-6 hours by public bus. You can get a car from Medan to Lake Toba airport by public transport if you want. First, you have to go from the airport to the bus station. Sandpaper There, you can ride public buses are yellow, No. 64, for Terminal Sandpaper Rp 3,000. Sand from the terminal, you can get a public bus to Parapat Rp 22,000. and then get a ferry to the island of Samosir Rp 7,000.
Or, scheduled transportation by car minivan 7 passengers to Parapat costs Rp 60,000 and can be arranged by most hotels in Medan (Feb 08). King Taxi 0617 366555 taxi service operates along depart from Medan airport at the scheduled time for Rp 75,000 / person (Dec 08). You can also book a taxi the whole, rented a Toyota Avanza seven seats, worth USD 450.000/hari. Parapat is a nice small town with reasonable hotel / guest house, good food choices and so forth. But the island itself that you get the true feelings of Lake Toba.

Lake Toba

The ferry connects to Parapat Tomok and Tuk Tuk on Samosir Island Lake Toba, ship / ferry which runs every 1-2 hours, the last at 18:00 (Rp 7,000). Place to catch a ferry to the port called Tuk Tuk / dock “Three Kings”. Some ferry owners are hunters and will travel to overcharge you $ 20 to 30.000 for the same trip to the island of Samosir. more both trying to observe the ferry with the wooden benches and light green ferry. They are wearing the ferry Rp 7,000 and locals take to cross. ‘Tourist Hunters’ self-proclaimed may be friends with you on the boat, but are harmless and often helpful to find things, settings etc. Tuk Tuk is the main city to stay on Samosir Lake Toba. Using the ferry service is not great, they will drop you directly at your resort in Tuk Tuk.

Simanindo Museum at toba lake

Lake Toba, What will You See There?

You can go to hot springs on the west side of the island just across the highway from Pangururan. Hot water. Residents typically use their hands to get the water out of the pool, standing in the pool is possible, but you may not be able to swim. The cost for entry into the environment is Rp 2,000. Swimming pool is free, there are some special pool for foreigners Rp 10,000.

Paddy's Field at lake toba

You can see some things in there, among others:
Samosir – Many of the Statue as a cemetery for the ancestors of the Batak people.
Samosir, Simanindo – Batak Museum with traditional dances performed twice a day.
Samosir, Ambarita – Stone chair is used for the final execution.
Samosir, Tomok – Good place for locals and foreigners to buy souvenirs. vegetables and fruits. There is a tomb for you to visit as well.
From tuk tuk you can see the waterfall on the mountain behind you. It goes great with fresh swim useful.

Lake Toba, What Will You Do There ?

Relax after the frenetic atmosphere of Indonesia. Swim in warm volcanic lake waters, or set the ‘party’ last night on the boat on the lake. Traditional Batak Dance in the Great Bay Restaurant every Wednesday and Saturday from 08:15 onwards. After the dance, sit back and enjoy the folk songs performed by a group of men. A wonderful place to do nothing. A lot of second hand bookstores to stock up on reading materials.
Accommodation At Lake Toba

There are many hotels and guest houses, especially in Tuk tuks Lake Toba, but with some scattered in other small towns around the island.
Tabo Cottages, Tuk-tuks Lake Toba, 0625 451 318 (tabores@indo.net.id). The rooms are clean and fairly modern with Sumateran standards. Free Wifi. . Of Rp 120,000.
Tony’s Guest House, (local file) lake toba. Good people and nice double room. . Of Rp 25,000.
Safe house, tuk tuk (Next to the house tony) Lake Toba. Batak traditional houses with hot water shower. 40000rps to 50000rps per room.
Liberta Homestay, bill galung lake toba, 0625 451 035. It has a quiet private cabin on the lake. Rp 35,000 +.
Mas Cottages. Closer to the seat of an ancient stone ceremonial center of Tuk-Tuk lake Toba. A variety of accommodation options all directly on the lake, including suites and traditional Batak houses. Prices slightly higher for remote locations. Rooms with hot water, but hot water is unreliable. Good breakfast. No wifi or internet, and the nearest Internet cafe always seems to be closed. Rp 60.000 to 70.000.
Romlan, 0625 451386 (romlantuktuk@yahoo.com). Small guest house with about 15 rooms and 2 bedroom cottages plus a traditional hobo in both single and 2 storey buildings. The rooms are clean and comfortable room with bathroom. All rooms have direct views of the lake. Good for swimming and relaxing. Private boat dock. Cottage Rp 40,000, Rp 60,000 rooms.
Samosir Cottages, Tuk-tuks lake Toba, 0625 451170 (info@samosircottages.com). Good for those who arrive late in Parapat, there is usually a representative to bring them to the cottage. It is clean, and great food and beverages restaurant. Batak music that gives every Wednesday night and Saturday night. If you walk outside the hotel, you can use a local cafe which may offer more variety and low prices. They also have a 5-minute drive Samorsir Resort. Sister resort has a new room, free internet, pool and restaurant providing food and beverages. Of Rp 200,000.
Ebikel s Homestay, (just next to Hotel Carolina) lake toba. Homestay with decent rooms and affordable prices.
Good Bay, Great Bay alke Toba, 0625 451 287. Next to the lake. A dark wood and bamboo bar / restaurant gives the place to relax. Most basic rooms. They have a restaurant and Internet computer. Rp 30.000 to 175.000.
Barbara `s Guesthouse, Ambarita lake toba, 0625 700 0230 (barbarasguesthouse@laketoba.de). Small pretty relaxed place a few miles from Tuk Tuk with beautiful scenery and a good swim. The rooms are clean and located in some houses. Travel information and good tips on Sumatra. Of Rp 70,000.
Christina Guesthouse, Tuk-tuks lake toba, 0625 451 027. A little place to relax with beautiful scenery and a good swim. The rooms are clean and located in some of the traditional Batak house. Internet and Skype access is available for a reasonable price. information and tips on a good tour of Sumatra. From Rp 50,000.
Hotel Carolina, Tuk-tuks Lake Toba , 0625 451210 (carolina@indosat.net.id). has 49 rooms set in a beautiful tropical garden. This place has a restaurant with a veranda overlooking the lake. The staff is very helpful. Batak-style cottage on a small hill to have cold water only. Lakeside luxury rooms come with hot water, bath and refrigerator. They have a lake for swimming area with diving boards and pontoons for relaxing. The hotel can arrange trips, travel and motorbike rental. Computer room and free wifi in the restaurant area, although it can be very slow pace. Rp 45.000 to 150.000 + 10% tax.

Kuta Lombok Beach

Kuta Beach

Kuta Lombok Beach has clean white sand and blue-green water with cliffs and mountains to the coast that makes the beautiful scenery and amazing beaches here is one of the best beaches in the world and home to the world’s best surfing.
Kuta Lombok also has a variety of accommodations and restaurants to support the best tourism on the island of Lombok. Most tourists come to this place to relax reading a book on the beach, sunbathing, surfing and traveling with a rented motorbike to see the surrounding scenery.
This place still keep the original life of local residents, tourists will see life and native culture, tourists can also learn or to know how people live there with their normal lives. most of them do not speak English, so even though they will welcome you with a smile. They also do not interfere with tourist activity.

Tanjung A’an Beach, located 7 km from Kuta Lombok beach, Tanjung A’an consists of two white sand bay, A’an Pedau in the west and the east, separated by a ridge of stone, soft turquoise colored water, very nice to swim and snorkeling.

Tanjung A'an Beach,

Kuta Lombok, Surfing at there

Kuta Lombok is the purpose of surfers, with world class beach breaks, reefs and points along the coast. Many cases of theft of motorcycles here, if you bring a motorcycle when surfing, make sure your motorcycle is keep by local residents by paying them.

Popular surf breaks around Kuta :

SEGER REEF: break closest to the village of Kuta Lombok, Seger provide heavy right hander and is very good under most conditions. This is a popular place for a shift in tide in the afternoon, and especially after a big rain in the rainy season. Novotel your past, then turn right after the small bridge and continue taking right turns until the path becomes open. There is free parking at the end, with a small hill that visitors can climb to see the surrounding scenery.

                                  kuta beach,Surfing at there

Kuta Lombok, How to Get There?

From Bali

many companies that operate a shuttle bus from Bali to  Kuta beach Lombok, usually depart from Kuta Bali or Ubud. This trip costs Rp 150 000 in one direction only. This price includes the cost of ferry and transport links. When you bring your surfboard will incur a surcharge of Rp 10 000 per surfboard. This journey takes 12 hours to travel to the Kuta Lombok. This method is slower and cheaper.
From Lembar
When you go from the Lembar port  in Lombok to Kuta Lombok with a rental car, rental prices should be negotiated first. Because competition among porters very much, sometimes they are carrying goods of tourists into the car, before the tourists and the driver set the price. Make sure the car rental with driver is really clear.
When you use a taxi make sure the taxi use the meter, cost of using a taxi from the Lembar  port to  Kuta beach Rp 250,000.
From Mataram airport
For passengers departing from Airport to Kuta Lombok,  so they should buy a taxi coupon Rp 225.000. journey time approximately 1 hour

Kuta Lombok, What would you do there ?

To go to a local facility, can be done by foot, if you want to go to around Kuta Lombok could do with a ojek (motorcycle taxi).
The most efficient way to get around is by renting a car with local driver, they are available in most hotels there. To circle the island rents upwards Rp 350,000 per day
Many visitors consider the most efficient way to get around is by hiring a local driver and a comfortable car. They are available in most hotels to transport you around the island amounted to Rp 350,000 and upwards per day.
The most efficient way to get around is by renting a car with local driver, they are available in most hotels there. To circle the island rents upwards Rp 350,000 per day.
The most preferred way to get around in this place or traveling around southern Lombok on a motorbike, you can rent a motorcycle in Kuta, rental costs Rp 50,000 / day. If you bring your surfboard can ask the rental agent a motorcycle surfboard rack for motorcycles, they usually have a rack for a surfboard.
If you want to get around by boat, make sure the price is completely agreed upon and also includes fuel, where you will go and return before sunset, do not expect the boat had a full safety equipment, but make sure you have it. and some traditional boat operators, they can not communicate with english and also the Indonesian language.

Beaches

In Kuta Lombok has some beaches have white sand and beautiful. The beach was among others :
Kuta Lombok Beach, Kuta village, in this place a lot of accommodations and restaurants.

Prambanan Temple

Prambanan Temple

Prambanan is the ancient Hindu temple complex in Central Java, Indonesia. and located 17 km east of Yogyakarta, on the road to Solo.
Prambana derived from Para and Brahmana. Para mean much, Brahmana are followers Hinduis. So the name was connected with the function of the temple that long time ago many Brahmins doing activity in the temple.

Rara Jonggrang Prambanan temple is the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia, which is a holy place for Hindu religion.
There is no formal written record of the development of Prambanan. This temple was built by the family of the kings from the Sanjaya Dynasty in the 9th century, and is estimated to be built before the year 856 AD by King Rakai Pikatan, then the temple’s construction was continued and completed by Balitung king from the old Mataram kingdom.
One inscription is set in 856 AD who successfully read by Casparis stated that on Thursday the 11th of November, 856 performed the inauguration ceremony of the completion of making the statue of Shiva.

Brahma statue in Brahma Temple at Prampanan

In 1733 CA Lons an Englishman who rediscovered the ruins from the Prambanan Temple Rara Jonggrang buried by the eruption of Mount Merapi and start digging, then in 1902 the Van erp continue the digging activities and prepare for the restoration again, and finally by the government of Indonesia and helped by UNESCO, the enshrinement of this complex is restored to what it is today. Once restoration is complete, On 27 April 1991 President Suharto opened this temple.
Most of the main temple collapsed during a major earthquake in the 16th century. After-Dutch Java War, Java only briefly under British administration from 1811 to 1816. In 1811, a surveyor working for Thomas Stamford Raffles arrived at the ruins of Prambanan by chance. It is somewhat ironic that the very short period of British rule in Java led reinvention from the Borobudur and Prambanan. England, Raffles has no power in Java long enough to completely examine a lot of Prambanan. looting carried out by Dutch residents decorate their gardens with statues is priceless and local communities to take the foundation stones and their use as construction material.
In the Year 2006 has been an earthquake, and this makes the Prambanan temples were damaged. But the Government of Indonesia together with UNESCO has repaired again this Prambanan temple.

Legend of Roro Jonggrang
Prambanan temple is called Rara Jongrang because There is a legend that tells the origin of the temple. Once upon a time there was a king named Ratu Boko who lived in the palace is situated on a hill, south of Prambanan and can be seen from Prambanan.
Ratu Boko has a hobby that ate human flesh and has a very beautiful daughter. Named Rara Jongrang.
To the east from Prambanan there Paging empire. Son of the royal crown was named Badung Bondowoso.
Once Ratu Boko and Bandung Bondowongso war, then Bandung Bondowongso win in this battle. and kill the Ratu Boko. When entering the Bandung Bondowongso Keraton Ratu Boko, in time to see Rara Jongrang. Bandung Bondowongso immediately fell in love with him, because Rara Jongrang very beautiful. Bandung Bondowongso want to propose Rara,  But  Rara  confused, because Bandung has killed his Father and he was afraid to refuse because of Bandung is very powerful. so he received the proposal with one condition. Bandung have to make a thousand temples in one night. and Bandung began to make a thousand temples in one nightwith the help by the jinn, Bandung almost successfully created a thousand temples while still midnight. But Rara Jongrang not happy with it, then he asked for help from people around to make a fire and began to pound rice with mortar. arise as a result of light reddish dawn and cock began to crow woke to the sound because the mortar. Jinn who helped Bandung leave immediately because they thought it was sunrise. Bandung know the plans that done by  Rara Jongrang , Rara Jongrang then cursed into stone (statue) to complete a thousand temples. The statue is that we can see in the north of the Siwa temple .

Rara Jongrang

Prambanan Architecture

Page enshrinement Lara Jonggrang Prambanan Complex Consisting of:
Page up / page-sized center: 110 x 110 meters
Measuring the middle of page: 222 x 222 meters
Under Page size: 390 x 390 meters
Bottom of the page does not contain anything.
In the middle of page there are the ruins of temples ancillary, if the whole has been completely refurbished, there will be 224 temples.
Page top / center of the page there are 16 big and small temples. This is the most important page because it contains the main temples. where the main temples of the temple consists from two rows facing each other.
The first series is Candi Siwa, Brahma Temple and Vishnu, while the second row consists from temples Wahana is Nandi temple, temples Angsa, and the Temple of Garuda. on the north end and south end that separates the two rows of the main temple there are two temples namely: Apit north and south Apit Temple, while eight other smaller temples, which consists of 4 temples Screen, and 4 pieces Temple Angle / Pathok, plus 1 piece of the corner tower of the temple, so that the whole temple complex at  Jonggrang Lara Prambanan have 241 temples.