Karang Bolong

A couple days ago we travelled to a tourist destination location around Anyer beach in Banten Province, Indonesia. One place that we visited was Karang Bolong.

The Karang Bolong means Rock (Karang) with a Hole (Bolong). This may have been some frozen lava, formed during the eruption of Mount Krakatau. Karang Bolong beach is the beach recreation area where there is a big rock with its hole in the center, facing the open sea. The Rock forms a gate facing the sea, making it look very picturesque. There is a small forest, which has been converted into a recreation spot. There is a river flowing down to the sea where people can have a bath of fresh water after swimming in the salty sea.

Karang Bolong beach is located 50 km from Serang town or 140 km from Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia.

Your Wedding

If this time you are confuse thinking about your wedding plan, I think this is your lucky day because I will suggest you to an interesting destination wedding which are dreaming for every lovers.
One of destination weddings which I mean is Karisma Hotels, Mexico.

Karisma concept of the luxury all-inclusive has no equal. Beach beds with retractable curtains for impromptu moments of ocean-view intimacy, beachside bar swings, dedicated Beach Butlers and design-conscious details all bespeak a private haven of privilege.

Imagine your gorgeous wedding where sea and sunsets set the stage. It will be a really special moments in your life.

So, happy wedding, guys :D

Family Vacation

If you are contemplating a family vacation and you feel tired of going to the same place you have been visit before, why not consider a trip to a world of sensuality and seclusion on the white-sand beaches of Riviera Maya.

Riviera Maya is ones of the place is an area of the Mexican Caribbean coast with beautiful white sandy beaches and colorful coral reefs and most of that the reef here is part of the second longest barrier reef in the world. This place also is a famous place for world class diving, snorkeling, fishing and water sports.

For all your accommodation there I suggest you Karisma Hotels and Resort. They offers luxury amenities and services such as tubs and hammocks, swim-up rooms with ocean views, white gauze curtains floating over four poster beds, sunset margaritas served by a Beach Butler on a private stretch of sand and a lot more.

So grab yours bag today and bring all your family member to a family vacation in Riviera Maya.

A City ofYogyakarta

Located at the foot of the active volcano Merapi, the fertile plain of Yogyakarta was in the 16th and 17th centuries the seat of the mighty Javanese empire of Mataram, from which present•day Yogyakarta has inherited the best of traditions. The city itself has special, gentle charm which seldom fails to captivate the visitor.A sultanate still under the jurisdiction of Sultan Hamengku Buwono X and now one of the most densely populated areas of Indonesia, Yogyakarta came into being in 1755 when the Dutch, by then firmly in control of Java though allowing the continued existence of Javanese sultanates, lost patience over the continues rebellions. Splitting the much weakened sultanate of Mataram into the two smaller "self•ruling" territories of Surakarta and Yogyakarta, the Dutch appointed Prince Mangkubumi the first Sultan of Yogyakarta, who ascended the throne of the new sultanate as Hamengku Buwono I.Within the city limits, the Sultan's Palace or Kraton and the Water Castle ruins are nowadays major drawing cards of the area. Within easy reach from the many first rate hotels which Yogyakarta now counts are the restorated temple of Prambanan and the restored Borobudur Buddhist sanctuary.Gamelan, classical and contemporary Javanese dances, the wayang kulit leather puppet theatre and other expressions of traditional art will keep the visitor spellbound. Yogya's craftsmen excel in the art of batik, silver and leatherwork and delight in showing of their skill to the visitor. In the silver workshops of Kotagede, once the seat of the Mataram empire but now a tranquil little town just a few kilometers east of Yogyakarta, there hardly seem to exist any trade secrets: every body is welcome to watch as the silver is being transformed from raw material into beautiful works of art under the deft hands of the numerous craftsmen.The Sultan's Palace is the hub of Yogyakarta traditional life and despite the advance of modernity; it still emanates the spirit of refinement which has been the hallmark of Yogya's art for centuries. Since its beginning in 1755, the Kraton has received many a royal guest and served as a stage for exclusive court dances. Today, it is treasured as an archetype of classical Javanese architecture, the ornate carvings and gilded beams testifying to its royal origin.Next to the traditional, the contemporary arts are finding fertile soil in Yogyakarta's culture oriented society. ASRI, the College of Fine Arts, is the academic centre of these arts and Yogyakarta itself has given its name to an important school of modern painting in Indonesia, perhaps best personified by the famed Indonesian impressionist Affandi. There are many others, and another place where so much can be found in so small an area is probably hard to find. Roads leading to the main places of interest are good and local transportation easy to obtain. Buses play predetermined routes regularly within the city and from points in the city to destinations outside.
Taxis are available at the airport and at the better hotel counters. But Yogya's atmosphere invites casualness and leisure and it is completely in style to ride a "becak" pedicab or "andong" four wheeled horse cart whenever one wants to go it on his own on a modest budget.

The Lasgest Archipelago Country

Hello guys. Did you know which is countries are the largest archipelago country in the world?
In fact State of the Republic of Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago. This country consisting of 17,504 islands, including the 9634 islands that have not been given the name 6000 and the island are uninhabited.
Here are 3 of 6 the largest island in the world, namely: Kalimantan (the third largest island in the world with a knowledgeable 539,460 km2), Sulawesi (473,606 km2) and Papua (421,981 km2).
Indonesia is a Maritime State in the world with the area of 93 thousand km2 and the length of the beach about 81 thousand km2, or almost 25% the length of the beach in the world.

Travel to Cancun

Have plan for your great vacation in Cancun and enjoying A World of Sensuality and Seclusion On the White-Sand Beaches of Riviera Maya, friends? For your luxurious accommodations there I recommend you Kharisma Hotel. Karisma Hotels is a collection of divinely favored properties on secluded white-sand beaches on the Mexican Riviera Maya. The Resort collection offers Karisma’s new Gourmet-Inclusive concept, designed especially for foodies. Each resort presents its own surprising indulgences and the elite level of service that makes a vacation truly relaxing.
I believe cancun vacations will be the best traveling experience for you.
So, grab your bag today and enjoyed your pleasant traveling to Cancun.

Sangihe and Talaud

Hello guys. Have you heard about islands of Sangihe and Talaud? The islands is belong to Indonesia, location off the very north coast of Manado, in Sulawesi which seem to form a kind of bridge with the very southernmost islands of the Philippines.

The archipelago consists of 77 islands, of which 56 are inhabited. There are many active volcanoes here and a very fertile soil. The islands are divided into two main groups; Sangihe, consisting of the islands Sangir Besar, Siau, Tagulandang and Biaro; and Talaud consisting of the islands of Karakelang, Salibabu, Kaburuan, Nanusa, Miangas, plus many other smaller ones.

In 2002 Sangihe and Talaud became seperate regencies, with the capital of Sangihe being Tahuna, while that of Talaud is Melonguane. Both Sangihe and Talaud have small airstrips serviced by Merpati Nusantara Airlines once a week. Please check with a travel agent. There are seaports in Tahuna, Siau, Tagulandang and Beo which are serviced by various ferries and local boats.

Sangihe Talaud is renowned for its magnificent white sandy beaches with amazing coral gardens as well as an underwater active volcano.

Anti Aging Water!

I just back from Lombok, an Island in east Indonesia, about two hours fly from Soekarno-Hatta airport, Jakarta. There have many interesting tourist destinations such as Senggigi beach, Gili Trawangan, and many others. One interesting place is Narmada, the Royal King Garden of Lombok with swimming pool in it and also there is a Hindus temple use by the Hindus religion when they have Balinese special ceremony or at New Year.
Lombok’s most famous temple-palace complex is Narmada Taman built in 1727 by the King of Mataram, Anak Gde Karangasem. The architecture is an interesting mix of Hindu, Islamic, and Sasak ethnic styles, but the temple is notable for its man-made lagoon, which symbolizes the lake of the holy mountain, Gunung Rinjani, in north of Lombok. Apart of the garden, there's a small temple for small offering and worship. Inside the temple it had a holy water link from Mount Rinjani. The Hindu believes that the holy water preserved anti-aging. Can be drink and facial wash but, not for bathe. The faithful explain that the replica’s purpose was to permit an aging king to fulfill his religious obligations of throwing offerings into the mountaintop lake when he became too old to make the climb. More likely, however, it was built so that the monarch could spy on the maidens washing in the pool and lures local women to bathe while he sat in his pavilion and watched.

A Nice Hotel Reservations

Its make sense if we want our traveling going to be easy but if you had unhappiness experiences during your traveling before, I have a solution for your next travel. I am quite sure if you are following my advice then your travel will be going to be easy and will be a pleasant one. You will stay in comfortable hotel and most of all with a fair cost!

My advice is; please visit Hotel Reservations, the website which has been established for over 6 years providing the greatest services every anything about Hotels worldwide. Through the website you can search which kinds of hotels are suitable for your excellences. You can search any hotels, motels, condos and Resort anywhere in the world and get an un-imagining quick result and information regarding to our query. The site presents a new and exciting way to search not only for hotel but also, flights, cars, vehicle rentals and vacation packages worldwide.

They offered discounted rates through online bookings up to 75%, offers their website with options of viewing it in your own currency and language, so conversion of rates from dollars to your own currency is made much, much easier and faster All the rates they have now are much cheaper compare to others.

The website it’s simple and uncluttered, and gives you that no-nonsense feeling. Everything you need to find out about the company is right there, and this gives skeptical people the assurance that the company can and will deliver what they promise. The online search, available in five languages across 15 countries, does it all.As well as there being the usual toll-free number for USA residents, there's also an international toll free number for international callers - so you don't even pay to dial.

Grab your bag today and start saving big bucks and feel a pleasant journey by book anything at Hotel Reservations.

Bandung

Guys, last weekend I went to bandung with my family and I remember that my friend Marie will go to this city next month so I’ll try to write some of the city perhaps its will help you.

Bandung known as City of Flowers and Paris of Java surrounded by a mountainous region full of cool breeze and natural splendors. Bandung is the provincial capital of West Java and third largest city of Indonesia. The outgoing nature and strong belief in their culture of local Sundanese people makes it quite a change from the other cities in the country. Bandung is known more as the place which hosted the first Afro-Asian Conference in 1955 then anything else and it is a pity. It has a pleasant climate and plenty of natural escapes that gives the tourists a break from the hectic schedule they might have anywhere else in the country.

There are not much seasonal variations in Bandung and the time of visit here is determined by the extent of rain. Day and night temperatures vary considerably. While the day temperature remains in the range of 26ºC to 33ºC, night temperatures can drop to a low of 10ºC. Two seasons are clearly defined, east monsoon from June to September that brings the dry climate while West Monsoon from December to March that brings heavy rain. High humidity is a year round phenomenon in Bandung. June to September being the dry season is certainly preferred over rainy season.

Some of places that I recommended to you to visit are:
1. Tangkuban Perahu (mean Capsized Boat) Situated at a distance of around 28 km north of Bandung, this is a 2000 meter wide volcano. The route to Tangkuban Perahu is a mesmerizing introduction to Bandung landscape. Crater can be approached by the bus only while you may have to walk on to reach the Geological Station on the upper rim of the crater. On an active crater you can also see the boiling water jetting out of the ground.
2. Drive along the Bandung - Lembang - Maribaya route for around 90 minutes passing through flowery mountainous landscape and you would find yourself in Maribaya. The place is famous for its beautiful agro landscape, hot water springs, and waterfall.
3. Ciater hot spring the hot spring located at the base of Mount Tangkuban Perahu is a favorite picnic spot for the residents of Bandung. The site is situated at a distance of just 32 km north of Bandung and easily accessible by road.

4. Kawah putih (white crater) are situated at Ciwidey, some 40 km south of Bandung. The craters have been now filled with sulphuric water giving them different hue and colors. Sometime it looks that the craters have been covered by the ice sometime they change color from blue to green.
5. Bumi Siliwangi building, this was constructed in 1825 by a Eurasian millionaire of Italian origin, D. W Berrety. This building is a perfect point from where you can see the beauty of Bandung. It is now being used as Bandung Institute of Teachers Training Education.
6. Gedung Papak Built in the year 1920, this building was used as the City Hall in its initial years and later as the office of Bandung Municipality. The structure has been artistically restored recently and now becoming a good tourist attraction.
7. Gedung Sate. This historical building was designed by

architect J. Gerber and the first building that constructed by reinforced concrete technology in Indonesia.

The shopping in Bandung is an enduring experience full of fun. As the city is capital to Western Java, you can look for traditional as well as imported goods in the market. Pasar Kota Kembang is the best place to shop for cheap clothes and leather products. Kampung Ciguriang is the first market in the city while Pasar Baru, Jl. Pasar Utara, Jalan Pasar Selatan, Pasar Jatayu are some of the good places to look for local products. While if you’re looking for food whether it is traditional Bandung cuisine or international one, you would not find any scarcity in any corner of the city. Jalan Diponegoro, Jalan Merdeka, and Alun - alun are some of the best places to hunt for inexpensive local varieties. Food is tasty everywhere and should give you some new experiences in dining. Taxis and minibuses provide most extensive service; both of these can be hired through the hotel where you are staying. City centre can be explored on the foot.

Lampung

As I told you before that last week I traveled to Lampung a province part of Indonesia located at the extreme of south of Sumatera. Boasts volcanoes, wildlife reserve, megalithic remain and a superb coastline of deep cut bays and wonderful beaches. Its capital is Bandar Lampung, is made up of twin cities that is Teluk Betung and Tanjung Karang.
Way Kambas Nature Reserve is a 130,000 ha area of swamp and lowland forest with wild Sumatran elephants, tigers and hundreds of species of birds. Rafflesia, the biggest flower in the world can be seen when it is blooming at Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, on the southern coastline of Sumatra. The province has a great potential in agriculture, however, its population is small.Agriculture provides the main income to its population, from farming, fishery and plantations. Clove, coffee and coconut grow extensively along the southern coast. While on the eastern part and hinterland they cultivate pepper, coffee, cassava, cocoa and rice, the tobacco growing area is around Lake Ranu in the northern part. Btw, thanks to MZ Ghani for the pictures!

Sunda Strait

Last week with some friends I traveled to Lampung, It takes about 6 hours to reach there for just only 200 km! First, we drove about 1.5 hours to Merak port where we must queue for a ferry.

Crossing Sunda strait the ferry need 1.5 hours to reached Bakauheni port at Sumatera Island. From Bakauheni to Bandar Lampung city took 2.5 hours for 90 kms far because road was crowded.
Here I post some of pictures we took while enjoying our journey on the ferry at Sunda strait.

photos by MZ Ghani

Bali (part-4)

Shopping is another attractive activity for traveler because every one of traveler wants to buys some of goods to bring home. Bali is a nice place for shopper because almost of shops offer excellent bargains to you. Catering mostly to tourists, shops sell modern artwork. Leather food, casual summer clothing and of course beach wear, shoes, CDs, t-shirts, furniture as well as knick-knack.
Ones of the popular places are Sukawati art market which offers a tempting range of Balinese goods in one place. While Ubud is the center of Balinese dancing, painting and wood panel carvings. It is also popular as an artist’s village.
Peliatan is known as the center of traditional music and dances. Mas is a village of wood carvers. A new style of wood carving creates carvings of fruit, flower and tree that resemble their real shapers and colorings. Stone figures on the roadside mark the village of Batu Bulan, famous for its stone carvings and antiques. Celuk is noted for its gold and silverworks of jewelry made using age-old techniques. Those in search of batik, clothing or material should not miss Gianyar which has at least 40 textile factories.

Bali (Part-3)

Continue to my post before; let me talk to you about Bali cuisine.
Like the food of other regions in Indonesia, Balinese food is rice as the central dish served will small portions of spicy, pungent vegetables, fish or meat and served almost always with sambal or chile paste. Bali is a few of the regions in Indonesia whose majority of its people are non Muslims, thus babi guling or roasted suckling pig is a specialty, as is bebek betutu, smoked stuffed duck wrapped in bamboo leaves.

Bali (part-2)

Bali known as island temples, there is estimated to have around 20,000 temples. Some of the most important are Besakih, the Mother Temple of Bali on the slopes of the sacred Mount Agung: Tanah Lot, Bali’s famous sea temple; Ulu Danu Which rises out of Lake Bratan and Kerta Gosa at Klungkung. During the kingdoms glory, the latter served as a hall of justice. Ceilings painted in the Balinese wayang style depict scenes of reward and punishment. For a glimpse of how the island was before being inundated by tourists and modernity, visit two notable traditional villages of the Bali Aga, the islands original inhabitants, Trunyan and Tenganan.
Bali with its stunning scenery and culture is increasingly poplar as an exotic wedding location. Attractive wedding packages offer prospective and bride grooms traditional rituals and costumes.

Bali (part-1)

Actually I want to go to Bali with my family in this end year vacation but unfortunately all planes there was fully booked. Bali is the most popular tourist destination in Indonesia. It is a land of soaring majestic volcanoes, of emerald rice fields clinging on hillsides and sculpted in tiers, of idyllic beaches and modern resorts. Despite overwhelming foreign influences, the Balinese have managed to reach a harmonious balance between preserving their culture, their natural environment and accommodating today’s changing world. The Hindu Bali religion pervades all aspects of Balinese society and shrines and temples dominate the landscape. Ceremonies, festivals, age-old dances and the arts are also an inseparable part of their life and culture.
(to be continued!)

Paris Bed and Breakfast

If you ask me, which city you wish to visit very much? My answer is Paris! I want to see Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, Notre-dame and many more interesting places. Often I imagine see the whole of Paris from the top of the platform of Eiffel Tower.
By the way, I planning to visit Paris next year and for any accommodations there I have the best thing to choice that is Paris bed and breakfast,because, as far as I know, by staying at a B&B Paris we will be able to base our self with Parisians, practice our French if we'd like to, and get their precious insider tips about what to visit in Paris. It’s so nice isn’t it?

A Vacation Destination

Guys, end year vacation just only a few days! If you plan to visit some tourists destionation, I will let you know a place in my country to where probably you want to visit. The place what I mean is Bukittinggi, a town in Sumatera island. In the center of Bukittinggi there is a famous, characteristic clock tower which is the symbol of the town, topped with a horn- shaped roof, the clock tower was built in the traditional of Minangkabau style known as Jam Gadang. Mean the big clock. It overlooks the market square and the city's magnificent surroundings. Also worth visiting is the Museum which is a Rumah Gadang, a traditional extended family house built in the 19th century. There are dance performances at the museum's open stage every Sunday and on public holidays. Night dance performances are at Sliguri. It is also worth seeing the bullfights at Padang Lawas (6 km south of Bukittinggi) every Tuesday at 5.00 p.m.Getting There From Jakarta International Airport to Minangkabau International Airport in Ketaping it will take about 2 hours. From the airport to the town is also about 2 hours by bus or taxi.

Bogor, a Rain City

Bogor is a town in West Java, 60 km south of Jakarta. Located 290 meters above sea level, with a population of approximately 800,000 people in the CBD area and 2,000,000 in suburban area, bringing a total of 3 million population.

Bogor bears the nickname Kota Hujan its mean the Rain City, suggesting that it is very wet and nearly always rains even during the dry season. Locals jokingly advise getting any sightseeing done in the morning because it's guaranteed to rain in the afternoon.

The town was the capital of Indonesia during the brief British occupation. Under Stamford Raffles the name of this town was Buitenzorg. Stamford Raffles wife passed away in Bogor and we can see her grave in Bogor Botanical Garden until now.

the grave of Stamford Raffles wife

Next to Botanical Garden is a Presidential Palace with a deer

park. To the south of the town are Gunung Mas ( Mount of Gold) tea plantations then Puncak, the place where many of the Indonesian elite have their villas.

photos by MZ Gani

a view of Jakarta