Indonesia About Indonesia
Garuda Indonesia Flights to India
Travelling to Indonesia could become much easier next month, when the country’s national airline Garuda’s maiden flight between Chennai and Medan is set to take off. Indonesia’s acting ambassador to India Rizali W. Indrakesuma told Chennai businessmen on Friday that the new flight would strengthen trade and tourism ties between the two regions. Speaking on the sidelines of an interactive session with city Chambers of Commerce, Mr. Indrakesuma explained that this would be the first Garuda flight to India since the economic crisis of the late 1990s forced the airline to cut its earlier flight to Mumbai according to the Hindu Times. Asked why the resumption of flights is starting with Chennai, Mr. Indrakesuma said that one factor was the demographic make-up of Medan, in northern Sumatra, which is home to a large number of ethnic south Indians with links to Chennai. Increasing economic relationships with southern India could also be a factor.
Date: May 16th, 2008 |
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Kopi Tubruk – Mud Coffee
Kopi tubruk literally means “collision coffee”. The concoction can be found in many parts of Indonesia, particularly in Java and Bali. Sources say kopi tubruk stems from a similar recipe brought over by traders from the Middle East, where it is known as “mud coffee.” Kopi tubruk is the simplest recipe for preparing coffee. To make a cup, one needs to add two teaspoons of ground coffee and sugar according to one’s taste.
Date: May 15th, 2008 |
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Indonesians in Focus: Sofiah Peni Carito
These days, women can take on roles that were once thought to be the domain of men — be it as the country’s president, a political head, a minister or the leader of a musical group. But in the art of shadow puppetry, women still usually only feature only as a pesinden; a singer who accompanies the live gamelan orchestra. However, some women have broken traditional conventions by taking on the principal position of puppet master — like Sofiah Peni Carito, from Pringtutul village, Rawakele sub-district, in Kebumen Regency, Central Java.
Date: May 15th, 2008 |
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Committed to Preserving Nature: Sulawesi
The number of Indonesians concerned with preserving North Sulawesi’s flora and fauna — one of the country’s most precious natural treasures — has been rising amid the uncontrollably high rate of deforestation. Beginning with an awareness on how to maintain the existing wealth for the benefit of all, their selfless acts are aimed at protecting the Tangkoko-Batuangus Nature Reserve in Ranowulu district, Bitung regency, North Sulawesi. This is in stark contrast to some government officials who view the existing forests merely as a quick source of easy cash. The environmentalists, on the other hand, see far beyond that in wishing to preserve the forests for future generations.
Date: May 13th, 2008 |
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Lorena Air to Start Flying Jakarta-Surabaya in June
The domestic airline industry is becoming more competitive with
PT Eka Sari Lorena Airlines (Lorena Air) soon to enter the market hit hard by increasing fuel prices. Lorena Air, which is a subsidiary of transportation company Lorena Group, is scheduled to fly its first two Boeing 737-300 aircraft on June 6. The company will serve the Jakarta-Surabaya route four times a day. On June 12, the company will start serving Palembang and Pekanbaru twice a day according to a Business News report.
Date: May 11th, 2008 |
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Kelimutu Lakes: Flores, East Nusa Tenggara
Located some 60 kilometers to the east of Ende, Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, there are three lakes of three different colours that are collectively known as the Kelimutu Lakes. To get to the lakes, tourists must travel about two hours overland from Ende to the parking area of Kelimutu National Park and from there walk for about 30 minutes through casuarina trees to reach the crater. Scientists continue to puzzle over the colors of the lakes, which are situated about 1,690 meters above sea level, because they change over time. Before 2006, the lakes were red, blue and white. Now, the red lake is black-brown, the blue lake is light green and the white lake is black. The black-brown lake and the light green lake are located side-by-side, separated only by a wall of earth that is 100-200 centimeters thick.
Date: May 15th, 2008 |
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Upcoming Events in Indonesia
Along with the endorsement of 2008 as Visit Indonesia Year, a line-up of programs has been arranged to give visitors a closer encounter with the country’s magnificent culture. Here are some of the highlights to come in the next few months:
Date: May 15th, 2008 |
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Kota Museum Horrors: Jakarta, West Java
Picture Jakarta during the Dutch colonial era and imagine how people were tried and punished at the time. You can visualize it from the balcony of the Jakarta History Museum in Kota Tua, the Old Town quarter, in West Jakarta. The building was originally the Stadhuis, or the City Hall, of the colonial period. Today, if you stand on the balcony and face north, you will see the gray stone square below you, known as Taman Fatahillah. The square honors Fatahillah, the commander of the Muslim Demak army which conquered Sunda Kalapa on June 22, 1527. He renamed the coastal Sunda kingdom Jayakarta, or Town of Triumph, after defeating its king. When the Dutch eventually took control, they renamed the area Batavia.
Date: May 13th, 2008 |
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Indonesians in Focus: Indo Deleng
A self-confident young woman strolls along in Lengkasa village deep in the forest in Tojo Una-Una regency, Central Sulawesi. Her age is 24. She voluntarily runs a traditional community school. The Lipu village school was set up by local people and the Red and White Palu Foundation to serve the children of the isolated Tau Taa Wana Bulang community, which follows traditional customs. The teacher is called Indo Deleng, after the name of her eldest child. Or she can use her mother’s name. But never her own.
Date: May 13th, 2008 |
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Hotels and the Visit Musi 2008
Hotels in Palembang are upbeat about higher occupancies rates after the launch of Visit Musi 2008 initiated by the South Sumatra provincial administration. It is hoped the events linked to the initiative will increase the number of tourist arrivals in Palembang. Since the launch of the program up to the first quarter of 2008 (March 2008), there has been an increase in the number of visitors spending the night in Palembang.
Date: May 11th, 2008 |
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