Indonesia Things to Do
Fifteen Great Reasons to Visit Malang: East Java
When you travel across Java there are many beautiful cities and large towns but none are as cool and delightful to walk around as the second largest city in East Java, Malang. Famous for its cool air and the surrounding country regions, the city was commonly referred to as ‘Paris Van East Java’ because of its quaintness and magnificent colonial buildings dating from the era of Dutch colonization and was very popular with European residents during this time. The streets are wide with an airy feeling, the people of Malang accommodating and friendly, however, it is less visited by foreign travellers there days. It is one place that, in my opinion every traveller should put on his ‘must visit’ list as the array of attractions, excellent restaurants and delicious food is quite simply, beyond reproach as far as what a Javanese city has to offer. There is so much to see and do and especially in the countryside where places like Tumpang, Turen, Batu and Singosari offer nature at its best. Then there are the beautiful beaches such as Sendang Biru Beach, Ngliyep Beach, and Balekambang Beach.
Date: August 29th, 2008 |
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National Parks in Sulawesi
Across Indonesia there are several national parks that are not only beautiful and surreal to a certain aspect some are also a great attraction for divers and lovers of the oceans. The parks themselves are a hive of activity with an immense array of flora and fauna unlike any other in the world on display for the enthusiast. The island of Sulawesi is a nature-lovers delight in every facet. Its wildlife is found nowhere else in the world and it’s no wonder Alfred Wallace declared this island so fascinating. The combination of lush tropical rainforests caressing the golden sands of its beaches and the high mountainous areas make the national parks of Sulawesi a definite part of your visit there. In Indonesian national parks are threatened by the economics of the country. The biggest threat to parks is the encroachment of mankind in the pursuit of land to grow palm oil or to reap the forests of their wood. Fortunately there are conservation ‘watchdog’ groups like WAHLI and WWF to maintain the status quo.
Date: August 14th, 2008 |
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The Cuisine of the Sasaks: Lombok
When you travel around the archipelago, each island, or in some cases towns, have their own renowned speciality, that special dish that sets them aside from the others. Lombok, located to the east of Bali and often called the sister-island to it has some beautiful and tasty cuisine. Some of it is transient from Bali and the regular fare you will find in most warungs or restaurants. However, it is the Sasak people whose cuisine I find the most inviting of the two islands. Being Muslims, the Sasak don’t eat pork and so you won’t find any of the Balinese dishes on the island such as babi guling. They do, however, eat meat and goat as well as chicken. Each of these ‘fleshes’ are combined with vegetables and spices producing some mouth-watering dishes.
Date: August 8th, 2008 |
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The Gangs of Indonesia
Guaranteed you thought I was going to write about bunches of hoodlums that are, occasionally, found in some of the streets in the big cities of Indonesia. Sorry to disappoint you. Rather, I was referring to the small laneways, alleys and narrow streets in Indonesia that are referred to as gangs in Bahasa Indonesia. In whatever city or town you are visiting, and, if you are the adventurous and explorer type, then these gangs often yield some delightful surprises and give you an insight into the normal daily life of the Indonesian people. It’s amazing how often I have struck up a conversation with one of the locals only to find out about a place that isn’t listed in any guidebooks. These include restaurants, warungs and even artisans that ply their trade in their own backyard producing high quality pieces of merchandise far better than you would buy in the main streets or shops. I can recall one very hot day in the Chinese quarter of Semarang when I came across a tailor (penjahit) sitting at his old Singer sewing machine on the front porch of his house. He noticed the beads of perspiration on my brow and beckoned me to sit in the shade with him, rest and talk. His wife even brought out food and water for me.
Date: August 4th, 2008 |
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Jungle Ulua Fishing Adventures
I can recall many times when I lived in Cairns, Queensland, in Australia and going out in a boat owned by a friend of mine to do some big-game fishing. It was exciting, even exhilarating, but, when we finally hauled the large fish onto the boat, I almost felt like a criminal for invading the daily life of the poor creature. Naturally, all the fish that we caught were released back into the sea except the few we kept for a delightful repast. Sure, I enjoy fishing but I also enjoy the challenge of getting to a remote place to imbibe in this pastime. There are two guys, Michael Owen and Cyrus Boyum who have been successfully fishing the Islands of Indonesia for many years. Their choice of fish is one of the greatest sports fish, the Giant Trevally or as it is known in Indonesia, Ulua. Over time these two guys developed not only a unique friendship, but also a great company where guests could combine the passion of high adventure with fishing and developed the only fishing jungle safari offered worldwide - Jungle Ulua Fishing Adventures.
Date: July 27th, 2008 |
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Some Good Reasons to Visit Pekanbaru: Riau, Sumatra
There are some stunning and interesting places in Sumatra and none more so than Pekanbaru in the Riau Islands. It is the capital city of the Riau province and has an estimated population of around 800,000 people. Pekanbaru was once a small city port located on the Siak River and now, it is a bustling trade centre with its proximity to Singapore and Malaysia. The city is divided into two by this magnificent river with the shops, hotels and banks located on the north side and on the south, most of the government buildings and offices. It is here you will also find the main bus terminal. Because Pekanbaru is a major gateway into Indonesia from Singapore, the city has become a favourite stop for travellers go further inland in Sumatra and of course the rest of Indonesia. Pekanbaru is one of the cleanest big cities in Indonesia and noted for its wide streets, which are in the city’s main centre. The city is connected by road to an oil refining and exporting port at Dumai and there are numerous facilities including an airport, three stadiums and a swimming pool.
Date: August 21st, 2008 |
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Komodo Dragon on the Verge of Extinction: East Nusa Tenggara
If you travel to East Nusa Tenggara then a visit to Komodo island is a must even if only to experience the other fauna and flora in the Komodo National Park. The residents of Komodo island are naturally the Komodo Dragon, the largest of all known lizards, and of course the park rangers live there too. These magnificent creatures (the dragons, not the rangers!) are also found in the nearby island of Rinca. The island of Komodo was declared a world heritage site in 1986 by UNESCO and at that …
Date: August 9th, 2008 |
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Helarfest: Bandung, West Java
Currently underway in Bandung, the capital of West Java, is the Helarfest, a month-long series of events showcasing more than 30 events at different venues around the city. Organized by the Bandung Creative City Forum, it aims to “awaken” the city’s residents and its visitors to what can be found in the city. It is geared as an alternative to shopping and dining, both of which are a delight in their own right. However, some 1,000 communities working in the music, film, photography, architecture, fashion and handicraft industries, as well as those involved in traditional rituals and performances will make …
Date: August 8th, 2008 |
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Museums in Bandung: West Java
Bandung is one of my favourite places in Java and is located in the cool of mountainous areas. It is the capital of West Java and is the fourth largest city in Indonesia and rated the fastest growing city in the country. Most of its residents are Sundanese and the Sundanese language is spoken a second language after Bahasa Indonesia and it is commonly used as an informal language for communication in streets and markets. Bandung has so many attractions and is colloquially known as ‘Jeans City’ for good reason. This is apparent with the cheaper fashion shops located in factory outlets along Jalan Cihampelas. The city is also known for its cultural and artistic aspects. Put that together with the friendliness of the local people and you know why I like this city so much. Bandung also has some interesting museums and galleries.
Date: August 2nd, 2008 |
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Zipping around in Jakarta: West Java
As anyone one would know that has visited Indonesia’s capital city, Jakarta, it is absolute mayhem in the traffic not to mention the pollution being pumped out of all the exhaust pipes of cars, buses and motorbikes as well as Bajaj. Sometimes as a visitor it is a nightmare to get around the massive city, but, take heart. Starting next month, you will be able to hop on to a sleek Piaggio scooter equipped with GPS systems and wireless communication that will weave their way through the city’s continual …
Date: July 23rd, 2008 |
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