This is Jakarta's largest and most popular recreation park. Used to be known as "Jaya Ancol Dreamland", its extensive range of attractions includes sea and fresh water aquariums, swimming pools, an artificial lagoon for fishing and boating, a bowling alley, as well as an assortment of nightclubs restaurants, and massage parlors.
The Ancol complex includes a marina, Dunia Fantasi (Fantasy World), a golf course, hotels and a drive-in theatre. The 'Pasar Seni' or art market has a varied collection of Indonesian handicraft, paintings and souvenirs on sale. An open-air theatre features live performances by local artists.
Getting There
Ancol Bay can be reached by using buses, bike-cabs, taxis, or rented cars. If you're coming from Bogor, there's a train available, but only on Sunday.
Getting Around
You can moving around inside Ancol Bay area by using a car, take a walk or ride a shuttle car which already provided.
To Do
* Ancol Beach
This water park consists of various pools and slides that will thrill both children and adults that never quite grew up. Experience a day of fun-filled adventures by braving the rapids, diving down the slides, enjoying the exciting water rides or just splashing around. The theme park was refurbished several times to ensure safety and everlasting fun. Nonetheless children must always be supervised by adults. The poolside restaurant is popular for its variety of local dishes
* Dunia Fantasi (Fantasy World)
Indonesia own Disneyland where you can discover a cultural journey through Indonesia and many other countries. With the accent on fun, other attractions include a thrilling cork screw roller coaster, adventurous flume rides, turbo tour simulators, bumper cars as well as many other exciting fairground amusements. Open Mon to Sat, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sun from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
* Amusement Park
A village unto itself, this 24-hour park has hotels, nightclubs, shops, and amusement centers, including an oceanarium with dolphin and sea lion shows, a golf course, a race-car track, a four-pool complex with a wave pool, and water slides. Africa is represented by a comedy of mechanized monkeys, America by a Wild West town, Europe by a mock Tudor house, and Asia by buildings from Thailand, Japan, India, and Korea. Rides, shooting galleries, and food stalls surround these attractions, all set on 1,360 acres of land reclaimed from the bay in 1962. COST: Admission. Sat.-Thurs. 11-6, Fri. 1:20-10.
* Marina Ancol
This is a special port for yachts, motor and sail boats, and the port of departure to Kepulauan Seribu or Thousand Islands resorts. This is also a good location for windsurfing and other marine recreation. Beach facilities for the sea or lagoon area are amply provided: water cycles, canoes, sail boats, fishing gear and many others. Stalls are abundant, serving drinks and snacks along the beach.
* Seaworld
This giant oceanarium proudly introduces visitors to more than 4,000 fish and sharks from 300 species. Come and enjoy the deep-sea panorama while strolling through an 80-meter tunnel. The fascinating creatures live in some 500 million liters of seawater and are fed three times a day (some hand-fed). The attraction also features a theater which plays three educational films in English and Bahasa Indonesia. Open Monday to Saturday, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
* Ancol Golf
Built as part of the giant recreational area in Ancol Dreamland in North Jakarta, the 18-hole plays to par 17 with a length of 6,501 meters. Here, the sea wind is often an interesting challenge for golfers. Padang Golf Jaya Ancol has no membership restrictions and is suitable for those wishing to combine golf with a family outing. Facilities at the clubhouse include club rental, pro shop, driving range, locker rooms, hot / cold showers and a spacious parking lot.
In Ancol Bay Area, there are so many things to do or see. If you like water sports, in Ancol Jakarta BayCity you can find jet ski rental there. You can do sailing or even visit Bidadari Island, one of the island among Thousand Islands Area.
To Stay
Within Ancol Jakarta BayCity area, you will find several hotels such as Raddin Hotel, Wisata Hotel, Mercure Hotel and Putri Duyung Cottages with various prices and facilities.
To Eat
You may find many food stalls offering their specialties dishes. There's also one location near Pantai Carnaval which is a place for lots of restaurant served local and international dishes and several of them are serving seafood as their specialties. For the beverage, its worth to try "Es Kelapa Muda" or Young Coconut Ice.
To Buy
A colorful open-air art market is located at the Ancol Amusement Park, which provides the unique experience of not only buying quality Indonesian arts and craft, but also a chance to see and meet the artisans at work. You can watch puppet makers, wood-carvers, painters, and many other craft makers from throughout the archipelago cheerfully working on their creations.
At this art and handicraft market, visitors get to watch Indonesian artists creating their masterpieces. Hundreds of artists from all over the country congregate here to exhibit their work, making the spot a fascinating place for tourists and art connoisseurs. You can even get a portrait of yourself done.
Both traditional and modern art and crafts are on display, including paintings, sculptures, traditional Indonesian wayang kulit (leather puppets), gemstone jewelry and many other artistic products. Art performances are frequently held at the Art Market (Pasar Seni) inside the Jaya Ancol Dreamland on Jakarta's beach. They normally range from wayang kulit shadow plays to folk dances and modern drama.
The market is open Monday to Saturday, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
You can buy lots souvenir in every attractions inside Ancol Bay Area, with their own characteristic souvenir. Also you can buy some Indonesian art as a souvenir at Pasar Seni or Art Market.
Tips
* Equip yourself with sun protection and bathing suits
* Dont forget to bring an extra cloths
* Many souvenirs are sold with fixed prices. But, theres a possibility to bargain at Pasar Seni or Art Market.
Quoted from : http://www.indonesia.travel/en/destination/358/ancol
Supported by : JavaTourism, Lintang Buana Tours
Monday, May 10, 2010
FOOD AND BEVERAGES OF SAMPANG
Typical food and beverage in Sampang
Sampang typical food is dominated by seafood exploitation with its thick spices. The typical foods of Sampang are:
• Squid soup
• Nae Sla tela (a kind of rice)
• Mackarel Sate (kabob)
• Banana Gechok
• Chicken/mutton Sate (kabob)
• Soto Sampang (a kind of soup)
• Lontong lodeh
• Hase orep and plappa kabah (a kind of rice)
• Lontong lodeh dendeng manis
Dessert covers:
• Jajan Calbikal
• Ketempah
• Lapis Juko
• Kolpang
• Podeng jegung
Beverage covers:
• Cao ramo
• Cendul
• Biddeng poka
Quoted from : http://www.eastjava.com/tourism/sampang/food.html
Supported by : JavaTourism, Lintang Buana Tours
Sampang typical food is dominated by seafood exploitation with its thick spices. The typical foods of Sampang are:
• Squid soup
• Nae Sla tela (a kind of rice)
• Mackarel Sate (kabob)
• Banana Gechok
• Chicken/mutton Sate (kabob)
• Soto Sampang (a kind of soup)
• Lontong lodeh
• Hase orep and plappa kabah (a kind of rice)
• Lontong lodeh dendeng manis
Dessert covers:
• Jajan Calbikal
• Ketempah
• Lapis Juko
• Kolpang
• Podeng jegung
Beverage covers:
• Cao ramo
• Cendul
• Biddeng poka
Quoted from : http://www.eastjava.com/tourism/sampang/food.html
Supported by : JavaTourism, Lintang Buana Tours
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Kota Gede
Kota Gede, which is often called Sargede is located about five kilometers southeast of Yogyakarta, Kotagede is a neat little town, which was once the seat of the mighty Mataram Empire. Since the 1930s, Kotagede has become famous for being the center of the Yogya silverwork industry. There are a number of workshops where visitors are welcome to watch silver being transformed into beautiful works of art known as "Yogya Silver". Kotagede is easily reached by "andong", the four-wheeled horse-drawn cart, by taxi, bus, or car.
In that cemetery complex one can still visit the cemetery of the Mataram kings like Sutowijoyo or Ngabei Loring Pasar, the founder of Mataram Kingdom, who was then called Panembahan Senopati. There is also the unique tomb of Ki Ageng Mangir. He was Panembahan Senopati son in law and also Panembahan Senopati enemy. His dead body was buried half inside of the special area for kings and Panembahan Senopati families, and a half of his body was buried outside of the complex. There is a stone called " Watu Gilang ", a stone on which Panembahan Senopati smashed the Ki Ageng Mangir head to dead.
Those who want to go inside the cemetery have to wear traditional clothes that one can hire at the place. Kota Gede Royal cemetery is open on Monday at. 10.00 am - 12.00 am, and Friday at 01.30 pm. - 04.00 pm. In addition to the cemetery, there are also graceful gates, a pond full of Clarius Melanodermas and a yellow turtle. This turtle is hundred years of age and people believe it as a sacred miraculous turtle.
Since the 1930s, however, Kotagede has become famous for being the centre of the Yogya silverwork industry. Kotagede is easily reached by "among", the four wheeled horse drawn cart, by taxi, bus, or car. There are a number of workshops where visitors are welcome to watch silver being transformed into beautiful works of art known as "Yogya Silver".
Quoted from : http://www.indonesia-tourism.com/yogyakarta/kota-gede.html
Supported by : JavaTourism, Lintang Buana Tours
In that cemetery complex one can still visit the cemetery of the Mataram kings like Sutowijoyo or Ngabei Loring Pasar, the founder of Mataram Kingdom, who was then called Panembahan Senopati. There is also the unique tomb of Ki Ageng Mangir. He was Panembahan Senopati son in law and also Panembahan Senopati enemy. His dead body was buried half inside of the special area for kings and Panembahan Senopati families, and a half of his body was buried outside of the complex. There is a stone called " Watu Gilang ", a stone on which Panembahan Senopati smashed the Ki Ageng Mangir head to dead.
Those who want to go inside the cemetery have to wear traditional clothes that one can hire at the place. Kota Gede Royal cemetery is open on Monday at. 10.00 am - 12.00 am, and Friday at 01.30 pm. - 04.00 pm. In addition to the cemetery, there are also graceful gates, a pond full of Clarius Melanodermas and a yellow turtle. This turtle is hundred years of age and people believe it as a sacred miraculous turtle.
Since the 1930s, however, Kotagede has become famous for being the centre of the Yogya silverwork industry. Kotagede is easily reached by "among", the four wheeled horse drawn cart, by taxi, bus, or car. There are a number of workshops where visitors are welcome to watch silver being transformed into beautiful works of art known as "Yogya Silver".
Quoted from : http://www.indonesia-tourism.com/yogyakarta/kota-gede.html
Supported by : JavaTourism, Lintang Buana Tours
Kailasa Museum: Tracing The Ancient Javanese Civilization
If you like religious objects, you should visit the Kailasa Dieng Museum. In this museum, you could trace the ancient Javanese Hindu civilization of the 7th and 8th centuries.
The Kailasa Museum is situated in Gedung Arca Compound and belongs to the Central Java Conservation Agency in Dieng, Batur sub-district, Banjarnegara district, Central Java.
Since it is situated within the Dieng area, you could also see a beautiful and cold environment because the Dieng highlands is not only famous for its ancient civilization but also its beautiful and natural scenery.
Dieng was a volcano, which erupted and destroyed its peak. This highland was made of dead cauldrons which filled with water to become a lake. The lake dried and was used for Hindu religious activities.
Historically, Dieng was a ritual site for Hindu followers. Up to the present, 22 ancient Javanese epigraphs tell about Dieng as a center for religious activities. Here, you will be astonished by temples near the Museum.
Some say, the names of these temples were taken from the names of players in Mahabrata stories such as Arjuna, Bima, Setyaki, Gatot Kaca, Dwarawati, Sembadra, Kunti, and Srikandi. In addition to these temples, you could also find loose sculptures near the Dieng temple compound such as Arca Nandi ( a bull), a symbol of Siva and Mahaguru.
When entering the museum, you will see Dieng’s antique sculptures. After that, you could climb steps to an information room where you could get as much information as possible, such as the history of Dieng highland and its temples.
Several panels provide information about the life of local inhabitants in the highlands. Some panels also tell about their lifestyle and agriculture, and information about local Mosques and Mushallas, arts, and the Myth of Anak Bajang. Other panels provide more information about the Dieng highlands as a center for Hindu ritual activities and about its temples. Dieng is taken from the word "Di" which means mountain, and "Hyang" which means God. Thus, Dieng means a mountain where Gods live.
The Kailasa Museum is taken from a epigraph. It means a holy mountain. This Museum was officially inaugurated by the Minister of Tourism, Jero Wacik, in 2008. It was built to provide information about the Dieng highlands.
Getting There
The easiest way is to go to Jogjakarta and arrange a trip by car to Dieng. There are direct flights to Jogjakarta from Jakarta or Bali.
Quoted from : http://www.indonesia.travel/en/destination/245/kailasa-museum
Supported by : JavaTourism, Lintang Buana Tours
The Kailasa Museum is situated in Gedung Arca Compound and belongs to the Central Java Conservation Agency in Dieng, Batur sub-district, Banjarnegara district, Central Java.
Since it is situated within the Dieng area, you could also see a beautiful and cold environment because the Dieng highlands is not only famous for its ancient civilization but also its beautiful and natural scenery.
Dieng was a volcano, which erupted and destroyed its peak. This highland was made of dead cauldrons which filled with water to become a lake. The lake dried and was used for Hindu religious activities.
Historically, Dieng was a ritual site for Hindu followers. Up to the present, 22 ancient Javanese epigraphs tell about Dieng as a center for religious activities. Here, you will be astonished by temples near the Museum.
Some say, the names of these temples were taken from the names of players in Mahabrata stories such as Arjuna, Bima, Setyaki, Gatot Kaca, Dwarawati, Sembadra, Kunti, and Srikandi. In addition to these temples, you could also find loose sculptures near the Dieng temple compound such as Arca Nandi ( a bull), a symbol of Siva and Mahaguru.
When entering the museum, you will see Dieng’s antique sculptures. After that, you could climb steps to an information room where you could get as much information as possible, such as the history of Dieng highland and its temples.
Several panels provide information about the life of local inhabitants in the highlands. Some panels also tell about their lifestyle and agriculture, and information about local Mosques and Mushallas, arts, and the Myth of Anak Bajang. Other panels provide more information about the Dieng highlands as a center for Hindu ritual activities and about its temples. Dieng is taken from the word "Di" which means mountain, and "Hyang" which means God. Thus, Dieng means a mountain where Gods live.
The Kailasa Museum is taken from a epigraph. It means a holy mountain. This Museum was officially inaugurated by the Minister of Tourism, Jero Wacik, in 2008. It was built to provide information about the Dieng highlands.
Getting There
The easiest way is to go to Jogjakarta and arrange a trip by car to Dieng. There are direct flights to Jogjakarta from Jakarta or Bali.
Quoted from : http://www.indonesia.travel/en/destination/245/kailasa-museum
Supported by : JavaTourism, Lintang Buana Tours
The Asmat
Asmat people who live along the remote southeast coast around Agats are famed for their artistic "primitive" woodcarving. Modern civilization did not reach this area until recently. Agats has an interesting museum filled with woodcarvings and other objects. The area however is still largely untamed wilderness. Asmat crash received a boost in late 1960s under a United Nations supported project to encourage local craftsmen to keep alive their art.
The Asmat homeland comprises the rugged and isolated southern coast of Irian Jaya. It is an area of approximately 10,000 square miles and comprises mainly swamps and mangroves.
Ancestor figures were traditionally made only for the festival honoring Fumer-ipits. They wear a unique costume. Tourists demand, however, is as resulted to change to this custom. Previously, after the festival, the figure is discarded into the forests near a sago tree because it was believed that as the wood of the carving is deteriorated, the power of the ancestor was transferred to the sago palm. Other ancestor carvings are designed as elements in larger carvings, such as canoe prows, paddles or ancestor poles.
The Asmat believe that all things have a spirit whether humans, animals, plants and even special locations such as a whirlpool or the bottom of a river. They also believe that the world is divided between that which can be seen and that which is unseen which is the realm of the spirits. It is considered important to maintain a proper balance between the seen and the unseen. In this respect, birth and death balanced the population between the seen and unseen realms and one cannot take place without the other. This would manifest itself in disease, hunger, death and misfortune that will be caused by the unsettled spirits.
Quoted from : http://indonesia-tourism.com/west-papua/astmat.html
Supported by : JavaTourism, Lintang Buana Tours
The Asmat homeland comprises the rugged and isolated southern coast of Irian Jaya. It is an area of approximately 10,000 square miles and comprises mainly swamps and mangroves.
Ancestor figures were traditionally made only for the festival honoring Fumer-ipits. They wear a unique costume. Tourists demand, however, is as resulted to change to this custom. Previously, after the festival, the figure is discarded into the forests near a sago tree because it was believed that as the wood of the carving is deteriorated, the power of the ancestor was transferred to the sago palm. Other ancestor carvings are designed as elements in larger carvings, such as canoe prows, paddles or ancestor poles.
The Asmat believe that all things have a spirit whether humans, animals, plants and even special locations such as a whirlpool or the bottom of a river. They also believe that the world is divided between that which can be seen and that which is unseen which is the realm of the spirits. It is considered important to maintain a proper balance between the seen and the unseen. In this respect, birth and death balanced the population between the seen and unseen realms and one cannot take place without the other. This would manifest itself in disease, hunger, death and misfortune that will be caused by the unsettled spirits.
Quoted from : http://indonesia-tourism.com/west-papua/astmat.html
Supported by : JavaTourism, Lintang Buana Tours
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Kayan Mentarang National Park
Kayan Mentarang National Park is the biggest uniformity of primary and secondary forest, which covers 1,360,500 hectare, and still remains in Kalimantan and in the Southeast Asia. It is located in Bulungan, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, with humid weather and temperatures around 16°C - 30° C. This national park, situating at 200– 2,258 meters above sea level, has approximately 3,100 mm per year of rainfall.
Because of its geographical location, this national park is blessed with various biodiversity, ranging from tropical flatland area to heavy rainforest at mountain range, which becomes cocoon for many types of vegetation and endangered animals.
A few vegetations are:
* pulai (Alstonia scholaris),
* jelutung (Dyera costulata),
* ramin (Gonystylus bancanus),
* agathis (Agathis borneensis),
* kayu ulin (Eusideroxylon zwageri),
* rengas (Gluta walichii),
* gaharu (Aquilaria malacensis),
* aren (Arenga pinnata),
* various types of orchids,
* forest palms, and
* Tropical pitcher plant or Kantong semar.
Interestingly, many of the vegetations are not yet identified, and considered new ones in Indonesia. There are 100 species of mammals (15 species of them are endemic), 8 species of primates, over 310 species of birds, and 28 species among them are Kalimantan endemic and have been registered by ICBP (International Committee for Bird Protection) as the endangered species.
A few endangered animals are as follows:
* Clouded leopard/ macan dahan (Neofelis nebulosa),
* Honey bear/ beruang madu (Helarctos malaynus euryspilus),
* White Head Lamur/ lutung dahi putih (Presbytis frontata frontata), and
* Buffalo/ banteng (Bos javanicus lowi).
There are approximately 20,000 – 25,000 people from Dayak tribes, namely Dayak Kenyah, Punan, Lun Daye and Lun Bawang, live in the vicinity of this national park. They live side by side with the surroundings in reference to their indigenous knowledge and wisdom. That uniqueness is apparent in the way they preserve natural diversity. Many kinds of archeological inheritance like burial places and ancient stone equipments could be found in this national park. It is estimated that Kayan Mentarang National Park is one of the major archeological sites in Kalimantan.
Getting There
To access this national park, travelers might want to use available airlines from Samarinda - Long Ampung, and Tarakan - Long Bawan routes, for approximately one hour). Another alternative is by boat from Tarakan - Tanjung Selor - Long Pujungan routes. Cruising Mentarang River by speedboat will take around 6 hours, and smaller motorboat requires 1 day to get there.
Alternatively, to access the southern part of this park, travelers can fly from Samarinda (East Kalimantan) or Malinau to Long Ampung Airport. From Long Ampung, the trip continues heading for Data Dian (Kayan Hilir Village), taking about 5 hours journey by boat. Since fuel is oddly expensive, boat cruising is considered costly, although travelers might find half the price when going with the locals on public boat, heading to Data Dian.
Getting Around
You can move around this national park on foot or cruising the rivers by longboat. Chartered motorized canoe costs about 180,000 IDR per hour (20 USD).
To Do
Pulau Datok Beach and Lubang Tedong Hill;
It is the best spot sea cruising and swimming.
Palung and Panti Mountains;
Mount Palung (1,116 meters above sea level) and Mount Panti (1,050 meters above sea level) are perfect choices for hiking, observing flora and fauna, savoring the waterfalls, and camping.
Cabang Panti;
It is a nature research center, which features research station facilities, lodges, and library. Travelers will have the opportunity to see orangutans, gibbons, and leaf monkeys.
Kampung Baru;
Here, visitors could conduct an observation on proboscis monkeys.
Matan and Simpang Rivers;
These rivers are ideal spots for visitors to do an observation on archeological sites, or just having fun experience with the rapids of these rivers by longboat.
To Stay
Kayan Mentarang National Park is considered a remote area. It is possible to stay overnight in the villages as many hospitable Dayak settlements inside this national park are available. The villages can only be reached on foot. Camping in the forest may be an adventurous alternative. Still, around Long Bawan area, there is a comfortable and clean accommodation called Agung Raya Inn. It costs 50,000 IDR per night (5 USD). If you prefer to stay overnight in homestays, the rate ranges from 50,000 - 85,000 IDR per day and this includes 3 meals per day.
Tips
* The ideal time to visit this national park is on September up to December each year.
* DAS (Dirgantara Airline Services) and MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) flights require advanced booking (minimum 1 month before departing date) and both airlines reserve the authority to prioritize seats for local citizens from around the park.
* It is good to bring luggage less than 10 kg when flying with DAS (DAS limits each person, including luggage, up to 80 kg). This makes it more flexible to secure a seat on board on last minute seat available. MAF puts even more restrictions on luggage weight (up to 10 kg/person) on regular flights unless chartered.
* Necessities for the trip include a flashlight/ torch, warm clothing, sleeping bag, comfortable trekking shoes or rubber shoes, and glove as a protection against the freezing temperature at night.
* Before start trekking, hiking or climbing, make sure that you eat beforehand, or you can bring some food and drink from your places of stay.
* It is wise to hire local guides with some knowledge of Indonesian Bahasa, as no one in this area speaks English (cost 70,000 IDR per day / 7 USD).
* Bring mosquito repellent and at least two pairs of knee-high socks for leaches. Preparing anti-malaria pills is a good idea, although there seems to be no malaria.
Quoted from : http://www.indonesia.travel/en/destination/442/kayan-mentarang-national-park
Supported by : JavaTourism, Lintang Buana Tours
Because of its geographical location, this national park is blessed with various biodiversity, ranging from tropical flatland area to heavy rainforest at mountain range, which becomes cocoon for many types of vegetation and endangered animals.
A few vegetations are:
* pulai (Alstonia scholaris),
* jelutung (Dyera costulata),
* ramin (Gonystylus bancanus),
* agathis (Agathis borneensis),
* kayu ulin (Eusideroxylon zwageri),
* rengas (Gluta walichii),
* gaharu (Aquilaria malacensis),
* aren (Arenga pinnata),
* various types of orchids,
* forest palms, and
* Tropical pitcher plant or Kantong semar.
Interestingly, many of the vegetations are not yet identified, and considered new ones in Indonesia. There are 100 species of mammals (15 species of them are endemic), 8 species of primates, over 310 species of birds, and 28 species among them are Kalimantan endemic and have been registered by ICBP (International Committee for Bird Protection) as the endangered species.
A few endangered animals are as follows:
* Clouded leopard/ macan dahan (Neofelis nebulosa),
* Honey bear/ beruang madu (Helarctos malaynus euryspilus),
* White Head Lamur/ lutung dahi putih (Presbytis frontata frontata), and
* Buffalo/ banteng (Bos javanicus lowi).
There are approximately 20,000 – 25,000 people from Dayak tribes, namely Dayak Kenyah, Punan, Lun Daye and Lun Bawang, live in the vicinity of this national park. They live side by side with the surroundings in reference to their indigenous knowledge and wisdom. That uniqueness is apparent in the way they preserve natural diversity. Many kinds of archeological inheritance like burial places and ancient stone equipments could be found in this national park. It is estimated that Kayan Mentarang National Park is one of the major archeological sites in Kalimantan.
Getting There
To access this national park, travelers might want to use available airlines from Samarinda - Long Ampung, and Tarakan - Long Bawan routes, for approximately one hour). Another alternative is by boat from Tarakan - Tanjung Selor - Long Pujungan routes. Cruising Mentarang River by speedboat will take around 6 hours, and smaller motorboat requires 1 day to get there.
Alternatively, to access the southern part of this park, travelers can fly from Samarinda (East Kalimantan) or Malinau to Long Ampung Airport. From Long Ampung, the trip continues heading for Data Dian (Kayan Hilir Village), taking about 5 hours journey by boat. Since fuel is oddly expensive, boat cruising is considered costly, although travelers might find half the price when going with the locals on public boat, heading to Data Dian.
Getting Around
You can move around this national park on foot or cruising the rivers by longboat. Chartered motorized canoe costs about 180,000 IDR per hour (20 USD).
To Do
Pulau Datok Beach and Lubang Tedong Hill;
It is the best spot sea cruising and swimming.
Palung and Panti Mountains;
Mount Palung (1,116 meters above sea level) and Mount Panti (1,050 meters above sea level) are perfect choices for hiking, observing flora and fauna, savoring the waterfalls, and camping.
Cabang Panti;
It is a nature research center, which features research station facilities, lodges, and library. Travelers will have the opportunity to see orangutans, gibbons, and leaf monkeys.
Kampung Baru;
Here, visitors could conduct an observation on proboscis monkeys.
Matan and Simpang Rivers;
These rivers are ideal spots for visitors to do an observation on archeological sites, or just having fun experience with the rapids of these rivers by longboat.
To Stay
Kayan Mentarang National Park is considered a remote area. It is possible to stay overnight in the villages as many hospitable Dayak settlements inside this national park are available. The villages can only be reached on foot. Camping in the forest may be an adventurous alternative. Still, around Long Bawan area, there is a comfortable and clean accommodation called Agung Raya Inn. It costs 50,000 IDR per night (5 USD). If you prefer to stay overnight in homestays, the rate ranges from 50,000 - 85,000 IDR per day and this includes 3 meals per day.
Tips
* The ideal time to visit this national park is on September up to December each year.
* DAS (Dirgantara Airline Services) and MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) flights require advanced booking (minimum 1 month before departing date) and both airlines reserve the authority to prioritize seats for local citizens from around the park.
* It is good to bring luggage less than 10 kg when flying with DAS (DAS limits each person, including luggage, up to 80 kg). This makes it more flexible to secure a seat on board on last minute seat available. MAF puts even more restrictions on luggage weight (up to 10 kg/person) on regular flights unless chartered.
* Necessities for the trip include a flashlight/ torch, warm clothing, sleeping bag, comfortable trekking shoes or rubber shoes, and glove as a protection against the freezing temperature at night.
* Before start trekking, hiking or climbing, make sure that you eat beforehand, or you can bring some food and drink from your places of stay.
* It is wise to hire local guides with some knowledge of Indonesian Bahasa, as no one in this area speaks English (cost 70,000 IDR per day / 7 USD).
* Bring mosquito repellent and at least two pairs of knee-high socks for leaches. Preparing anti-malaria pills is a good idea, although there seems to be no malaria.
Quoted from : http://www.indonesia.travel/en/destination/442/kayan-mentarang-national-park
Supported by : JavaTourism, Lintang Buana Tours
Friday, May 7, 2010
Sembilang National Park
Sembilang National Park is a natural coastal wet land area with various forest ecosystems of peat moss swamps, fresh water swamps, mangrove forests and mud flats. Administratively, it is part of Banyuasin district and has been a national park since March 19th 2003, when it was separated from the Berbak National Park in Jambi. This area is called Sembilang because it has many Sembilang fish (Plotosus canius).
The Banyuasin Peninsula, located on the east coast of South Sumatra, is a haven for water birds. Its muddy lands and sands border mangroves resulting in ideal habits for various types of invertebrates such as worms, mollusks, and crustaceans. The actual peninsula sticks out into the sea for 1.5 kilometers which makes this land an ideal stop for migrant birds from Asia and Europe from October to December.
Kuntul Cina (Egretta Eulophotes), Trinil-Lumpur Asia (Limnodromus Semipalmatus), and Pedendang Topeng (Heliopais Personata), are among 30 species of migrant birds visiting the Banyuasin Peninsula. These birds seek a temporary home to avoid cold seasons in their primary habitats in Siberia, the Korean peninsula, and Japan. Their final destinations are sub-tropical areas of Australia.
You will find very exotic scenery in the far north of Betet Island because some of its swamps are famous for its snakes, crocodiles and rare orchids.
Getting There
You can take a speed boat of 40 (PK ?) capacity to reach Sembilang National Park. There are two routes to this area; from Sungsang, the capital city of Banyuasin II sub-district which will take you about two hours, or from Palembang which will take you about four hours.
To travel around the national park, you must first obtain a permit from the office of Sembilang National Park at AMD street, Kelurahan Talang Jambe, Sukarami subdistrict, Palembang; phone (0711) 7839200. This offices purpose is to provide you with guards to take rivers, bays and seas. It is best if you contact the management office at least one week in advance, so as to enable them to prepare your needs. The waves in this area are very dangerous and if your boats crew is not experienced, your speed boat may turn upside down.
Getting Around
To explore this area, you can take a speed boat or barge except when you wish to explore swampy areas. It will be more fun if you use a canoe. To visit the transit area of the migrant birds, you have to walk 500 meters to the sea through mud because the water level is only as high as an adult's chest.
To Do
Enjoying the beauty of mangrove forests in Sembilang National Park is another attraction in the swampy areas along the rivers and sea. You can ask officials to take you to crocodile, snake, and bird nests, or to marvel at the endangered plants. You can also fish here catching five kilograms of fish within one hour according to local inhabitants.
To Stay
Since it is still very natural, you can only stay and take a rest at the guard houses of Sembilang National Park on Sembilang and Betet Island.
To Eat
After buying or catching fish, you can pay local residents to cook them because it is not possible to make a fire in the settlement area. This is because all homes are above rivers. No visit is complete unless you try the Sembilang fish.
To Buy
You can buy fish, crabs and swallows nests from the local community for less than the market price in Palembang.
Tips
There are some useful tips for those of you who wish to visit this area. Please bring along a rain coat, big plastic bags, food and fuel. Avoid night journeys, unless you like to see crocodiles.
Quoted from :http://www.indonesia.travel/en/destination/199/sembilang-national-park
Supported by : JavaTourism, Lintang Buana Tours
The Banyuasin Peninsula, located on the east coast of South Sumatra, is a haven for water birds. Its muddy lands and sands border mangroves resulting in ideal habits for various types of invertebrates such as worms, mollusks, and crustaceans. The actual peninsula sticks out into the sea for 1.5 kilometers which makes this land an ideal stop for migrant birds from Asia and Europe from October to December.
Kuntul Cina (Egretta Eulophotes), Trinil-Lumpur Asia (Limnodromus Semipalmatus), and Pedendang Topeng (Heliopais Personata), are among 30 species of migrant birds visiting the Banyuasin Peninsula. These birds seek a temporary home to avoid cold seasons in their primary habitats in Siberia, the Korean peninsula, and Japan. Their final destinations are sub-tropical areas of Australia.
You will find very exotic scenery in the far north of Betet Island because some of its swamps are famous for its snakes, crocodiles and rare orchids.
Getting There
You can take a speed boat of 40 (PK ?) capacity to reach Sembilang National Park. There are two routes to this area; from Sungsang, the capital city of Banyuasin II sub-district which will take you about two hours, or from Palembang which will take you about four hours.
To travel around the national park, you must first obtain a permit from the office of Sembilang National Park at AMD street, Kelurahan Talang Jambe, Sukarami subdistrict, Palembang; phone (0711) 7839200. This offices purpose is to provide you with guards to take rivers, bays and seas. It is best if you contact the management office at least one week in advance, so as to enable them to prepare your needs. The waves in this area are very dangerous and if your boats crew is not experienced, your speed boat may turn upside down.
Getting Around
To explore this area, you can take a speed boat or barge except when you wish to explore swampy areas. It will be more fun if you use a canoe. To visit the transit area of the migrant birds, you have to walk 500 meters to the sea through mud because the water level is only as high as an adult's chest.
To Do
Enjoying the beauty of mangrove forests in Sembilang National Park is another attraction in the swampy areas along the rivers and sea. You can ask officials to take you to crocodile, snake, and bird nests, or to marvel at the endangered plants. You can also fish here catching five kilograms of fish within one hour according to local inhabitants.
To Stay
Since it is still very natural, you can only stay and take a rest at the guard houses of Sembilang National Park on Sembilang and Betet Island.
To Eat
After buying or catching fish, you can pay local residents to cook them because it is not possible to make a fire in the settlement area. This is because all homes are above rivers. No visit is complete unless you try the Sembilang fish.
To Buy
You can buy fish, crabs and swallows nests from the local community for less than the market price in Palembang.
Tips
There are some useful tips for those of you who wish to visit this area. Please bring along a rain coat, big plastic bags, food and fuel. Avoid night journeys, unless you like to see crocodiles.
Quoted from :http://www.indonesia.travel/en/destination/199/sembilang-national-park
Supported by : JavaTourism, Lintang Buana Tours
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