Hiking and Trekking Mount Rinjani - Lombok Island

The term Rinjani  comes from the old Javanese word which means Majesty. Based on the tale of  Sasak tribe, this is a residence of princess Anjani, the daughter of the  highest deity in Lombok   Island. It was declared  as National Park by the Forestry Minister in 1990. With 41.330 ha in width and  3.726 meters above the sea level, it is considered as the third number of the  highest mounts in Indonesia.  It has tropical climate with 2.066 mm/year of the average amount of rainfall.

Winding, steep and  sheer access to the peak of the mountain will be distinctive challenges for you  who love trekking and enjoying the awesome scenery of its nature. Unstable  temperature will also offer you a thrill holiday that will be hard to be  forgotten. There is a lake  named Segara Anak (about 156 ha in width) in the peak where most of people  around the mount visit it every year to celebrate a customary ceremony. 

It is  totally magnificent scenery where you can find the colorful water of the lake  in 2008 meters above the sea level. In addition, you  can also enjoy the amazing view of the lake and the whole parts of Lombok Island  on a bright weather from the peak of the mountain. Two waterfalls  located in Otak Kotok Gading and Sendang Gile village are mostly visited by  tourists especially on holiday.

Geographically, it  lies in three districts, Central Lombok district, West Lombok district and East Lombok district, Nusa Tenggara Barat province.

How to Access go to Mount Rinjani?

There are three  ways that can be accessed to reach Mount   Rinjani, Sembalun way,  Senaru way, and Torean.

By Sembalun way:  starting from Mataram city to Sembalun, East Lombok District (about 4 to 5  hours by any public transportation continued to the peak by walk about 7 hours.

By Senaru way:  from Mataram city to Senaru, Central Lombok District, about 3 to 4 hours by any  public transportation continued by walk to the peak for approximately 9 to 10  hours.

By Torean way:  starting from Mataram city to Torean, West Lombok District, in 4 to 5 hours by  any public transportation continued by walk for about 8  to 9 hours.

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Lake Laut Tawar

Lake Laut Tawar

The existence of Lake Laut Tawar among the Aceh people is a proud for them regarding that it is a frequently visited destination either by local or foreign tourists. The water is not only used by people living in Central Aceh District, but also people who live in other surrounding districts.

There is a story relating to the existence of depik fish having slim shape and shiny scale that live in Lake Laut Tawar. People believe that depik fish is a grain of unhusked paddy that was thrown to the lake then later on shaped a fish. Depik fish appears to the lake‘s surface on certain occasions, especially on rainy season. Before the coming of rainy season, the fish hides in the slope of Bur Kelieten Mount, south of the lake. Depik is a miracle for Gayo people regarding that it will not be over though consumed forever and ever.

Two hills flanking the lake are the magnificent scenery enhancing the beauty of the lake. The meeting of the land and the water is the livehood resources for people living around the location, especially Gayo people. It is called laut (literally means sea) since the lake is as wide as a sea and called tawar (freshwater) as the water is not salty. Depik fish is the only species of fish that can only be found in Lake Laut Tawar.

In the lcoation you can see daily activities of surrounding people such as cultivating and fishing. Gayo coffee (Arabica Coffee) is the main comodity of surrounding people, especially Gayo. This kind of coffee is exported to Japan, as well as other comodities such as potato, passion fruit (Passiflora edulis), tomato, chili, corn, avocado and vegetable.

Lake Laut Tawar Location

Lake Laut Tawar (5.472 ha in width, 17 km in length, and 5,5 km square) lies east of Takengon City in the highland of Gayo (at an altitude of 1.250 meters), Laut Tawar Sub-district, Nangroe Aceh Darussalam Province, Indonesia. Accessing Takengon City, you will pass by Bireun City by taking public transportations. It is around 5 hours with more and less IDR 25000 for the cost. The another alternative way to Takengon City is via Blang Kejeren and Kutacane. There is a motorized boat that will carry you for hanging around the lake. Some inns are also available for you who want to spend more days in the location.

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The Museum of Dewantara Kirti Griya

The Museum of Dewantara Kirti Griya


Trying to preserve the remain traces of Ki Hajar Dewantara‘s life and struggle, in 1970, a museum namely Dewantara Kirti Griya was built by a Dutch scholar. The museum of Dewantara Kirti Griya keeps so much information about Ki Hajar Dewantara and his life circle, starting from his birth until his death. Dewantara Kirti Griya means a place to preserve and keep the work arts of Ki Hajar Dewantara.
Soewardi Soerjaningrat was the full name of Ki Hajar Dewantara. Born among the palace family, Ki Hajar Dewantara, later on was conferred title Raden Mas. Then he put his honorary title, changed his name to Ki Hajar Dewantara. Putting his honorary title, he set a group consisting of Dr. Douwes Dekker and dr. Tjipto Mangoenkoesoemo that was intended to fight the colonialism in Indonesia.
One of his contributions is the founding of educational institution namely National Onderwijs Instituut Tamansiswa concerning with the efforts to set Indonesian people free from stupidity. “When stupidity covers a country, there will be the easiest way to conquer the country, like what has been done by the Dutch colonial government over Indonesia for about 350 years,” he said. In the early years of its founding, in the 20^th century, Tamansiswa had broadened to Java, Sumatra and Bali.
Now, Ki Hajar Dewantara is recognized as the Father of Indonesia Education. On every May 2^nd, most of Indonesian education institutions hold the commemoration for remembering his contributions, especially on education. 


Reading a biography in shape of books will be bored for some people. Therefore, the Museum of Dewantara Kirti Griya applies different approach. It offers you a biography of Ki Hajar Dewantara, not in text or book shape but in shape of diorama.You will be amazed visiting this museum for its numerous collections of Ki Hajar Dewantara‘s properties. Those collections are neatly organized on the teak racks. Some of his monumental works, “Ais Ik eens Nederlander Was” (If I were Dutch) and “Een voor Allen maar Ook Allen voor Een” (One for all, all for one), can be found in the gallery room. Moreover, another one of his great works is Sari Swara, a Javanese musical notes (gamelan) that has been converted into modern musical score, can also be found there.


In comparison to western museums, you might not be amazed with the architecture of the museum, considering that in the past it was Ki Hajar Dewantara‘s house. However, you will discover so much information relating to Ki hajar Dewantara such as his works, the  obstacles he met during his efforts to educate Indonesian people and many more. The museum also offers you with a library, special for you who want to know more about the figure of Ki Hajar Dewantara. The other benefits you will get during the visit to the museum are that you will find the biological museum of Universitas Gadjah Mada(Gadjah Mada University), the museum and monument of General Sudirman and the Museum/ palace of Puro Paku Alaman. On certain times, you will see the elementary student of Tamansiswa practice traditional dance and play karawitan (gamelan music).



How to Access Location Museum of Dewantara Kirti Griya?

The museum of Dewantara Kirti Griya, which is owned by Persatuan Perguruan Tamansiswa Foundation, lies in the complex of Tamansiswa, on Tamansiswa Street No. 31^st, Yogyakarta City, Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia. For you who want to visit the museum, just take the city bus number three, or you may also take pedicabs, andong, or taxi. The cost for taking city bus is IDR 2.000 and it will be IDR 10.000 when you decide to take andong or pedicabs from Malioboro Street. The museum is opened for public everyday, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
You will be offered with guides‘ services. For you who want to spend more days around the location, you can find some lodgements or hotels around the destination. When the night comes, you can find numerous food tents along the street nearby the location.

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Dragon Boat Race Competition in Padang City, West Sumatra

Dragon Boat Race Competition

Boat race competition in Padang City has been started since the Dutch colonial government occupied Indonesia. At the time, it was called Selaju sampan (literally means paddling boat). The boats are decorated with colourful ornaments so the paddling boats in the competition will be more attractive. In 1995, Chinese people brought Dragon Boat race Competition around the world including Indonesia. Later on, its development in Indonesia occurs rapidly rather than other countries. Hitherto, Dragon Boat Race Competition is functioned by some regions having rivers on it, as annual event, national or international, by International Dragon Boat Foundation. In Padang, West SumatraProvince, Dragon Boat Race Competition takes place to commemorate the birthday of Padang City, on August 7^th. Recently, Dragon Boat Race Competition takes place at international level.

Dragon Boat Race Competition that takes place in Padang has some distinctions from other similar events in other provinces in Indonesia. Rivers in Padang tend to have broad side, calm water and constant stream. That is why; it is regarded as the right place for such event remembering its comfort offering challenges for the players to achieve the best results.

This competition has some categories, 200 meters race, 250 meters race, 1000 meters race and 2000 meters race. For each team, there are three classes, 10 paddlers, 20 paddlers or 30 paddlers each team. Dragon Boat Competition in Padang will be more interesting when the home team joins the competition. In 2006, when the competition of Dragon Boat took place in Malaysia and in 2007 in China, the Dragon Boat team from Padang, Indonesia won the race.

When Time of Events Dragon Boat Race Competition?

Dragon Boat Race Competition in Padang usually takes place in Sporthall of Haji Agus alim, Padang City. West Sumatra Province,Indonesia. The event is commonly held on August. The location can be accessed by any kind of public transportation via Ketaping Airport – Padang City route. It is around 30 minutes fromKetaping Airport to Padang City. For you who want to spend more days around the location, you can easily find some comfortable lodgements and inns. For food and beverages, Rumah Masakan Padang are always there for you 24 hours.

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Samalona Island

Samolana Island

Samalona Island is a cluster of coral reefs area with 2,34 ha in width. This small island is a favourite destination for local and international tourists. There are some activities you can do there like sunbathing above the sandy beach and diving into the deep waters of Samalona Island to observe the wonderful coral reefs and beautiful sub-marine life within. The best months for visiting Samalona Island range from February to October.

This pleasant recreational area contains so much mysteries dealing with some wreck ships, the remnants of the world war II. At least there are seven ships that were sank there. They are Maru Boat, a Japanese warship that is approximately located at 30 meters deep; Japanese gunboat; Hakko Maru cargo vessel made of the Dutch; and Japanese submarine hunter. Now, they have turned into wonderful coral reefs where ample fishes live within. Such wonderful scenery of submarine life surrounding Samalona Island is a distinction from other destinations. Many come to the location for diving in purpose to observe some wreck ships inside the surrounding waters of the island.

Besides revealing the mysteries within and observing the wonderful submarine life in Samalona Island, you can watch the sunrise and likewise the sunset on the same position.  There are numerous kinds of local seafood cooked with special recipe and method. For instance, fishes are cooked by putting them above coconut shell covered by some leaves growing around the location. By such cuisine, the appetizing aroma wafting from the coconut shell will lure you to taste it soon.

Samolana Island Location

Samalona Island is administratively included into  Ujung Pandang Sub-district,  Makassar City, South Sulawesi Province. The location is 6,8 km away from Makassar City. It can be reached for approximately 20 – 30 minutes by taking speedboat for maximum 12 people. Its costs range from IDR 250.000 to IDR 350.000. 

In the location, there is a middle-class guesthouse for 20 people. Its costs range from IDR 150.000 to IDR 250.000. Some food tents offering fresh seafoods can be found as well. Its costs around IDR 15.000 to IDR 20.000 each portion.

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The Traditional Ceremony of Garebeg Keraton Yogyakarta

The Traditional Ceremony of Garebeg


Garebeg Keraton Yogyakarta is a traditional ceremony performed as a manifestation of Sultan’s duty to spread and protect Islam. The ceremony, better known as Grebeg, was initiated by Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono I (1755 – 1792).
The name Garebeg itself is derived from the process of miyos, the moment when the Sultan and the rest of the royal family come out of the palace (keraton) to bestow the gunungan (a heap of various food served in cone shape) to the people. The sound of the royal family’s steps is likened to the sound of a strong wind garebeg… garebeg… garebeg…
Garebeg is held three times a year on Islamic holidays. There are three kinds of Garebeg, namely Syawal, Garebeg Maulud, and Garebeg Besar. Garebeg Syawal is performed as a form of Keraton’s gratitude to God after finishing the month of fasting and also to welcome the month of Shawwal. Garebeg Maulud is perfomed as a celebration and commemoration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad SAW while Garebeg Besar is to celebrate Eid al-Adha which takes place in the month of Dhu al-Hijja which in Javanese calendar is known as Bulan Besar (the Big Month).


The traditional ceremony is opened with a parade of Keraton soldiers. In the structure of Keraton military, there are ten groups of soldiers: Wirobrojo, Daheng, Patangpuluh, Jagakarya, Prawirotama, Ketanggung, Mantrijero, Nyutra, Bugis, and Surakarsa. One by one, eight groups of soldiers come out of Siti Hinggil (the main hall of the palace where a Sultan is inaugurated) through Pagelaran (the front room right behind the north gate of the palace) and stop at Alun-alun Utara (the North Esplanade) to form their typical marching formation. Each personel is wearing full dress, carrying a special weapon or banner, while playing a musical instrument. After the eight groups, there will appear Manggala Yugha (Keraton’s military commanders). At last,  the gunungan is carried out of Siti Hinggil escorted by the other two groups of soldiers.





A gunungan is a heap of food that is served in cone shape. It is the special feature of Garebeg. It consists of various natural products, symbolizing Keraton Yogyakarta’s prosperity, that in the occasion will be provided for the people. In Garebeg ceremony, there are six kinds of gunungan, each has different shapes and consists of different kinds of food. Gunungan Dharat is a gunungan whose peak is made of dark big flat cakes and surrounded by ilat-ilatan, the tongue-like cake made of sticky rice. Gunungan Gepak is a gunungan composed of forty baskets containing various tiny cakes of five colors, red, blue, yellow, green, and black. Gunungan Kutug/Bromo contains miscellaneous cakes with a hole on its peak in which there is a brazier burning incenses. As for Gunungan Lanang, the peak is embedded with a cake made of pulverized rice called mustaka (head). This gunungan consists of a combination of long beans, red chilies, duck eggs, and sticky rice. Gunungan Wadon is a gunungan made of many kinds of small cakes and sticky rice cakes. Gunungan Pawuhan resemblesGunungan Wadon in shape, except that there is a small white flag on its peak.


All gunungans are brought to Alun-alun Utara. By then, Keraton’s soldiers are already waiting in lines to give salvos of honors. After that, escorted by all of the soldiers, the gunungans are carried to Masjid Gedhe Kauman (Keraton’s mosque, literally means the Big Mosque of Kauman since it is situated in Kauman neighborhood) in order to be prayed for by the high priest of the mosque. Later on, the gunungans are put on the ground so that the people waiting around the mosque can take the food right away. The crowd will struggle to take any food provided in the gunungans. They believe that the food will bring them luck and prosperity. Some kinds of the food are believed to have the power to fertilize land if planted, so that the amount of crops will be abundant.

How to Access Location Garebeg Keraton Yogyakarta?

The entire ceremony is held in three different places, yet near to each other. The ceremony begins in the Pagelaran Hall of Keraton Yogyakarta, than moves to Alun-alun Utara and ends in the complex of Masjid Gedhe Kauman. All of the places lie in Yogyakartadowntown, the Province of Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. To get to the palace, you can take a Trans-Jogja bus route 1B, 2A, 2B, and 3A from the nearest shelter and pay around Rp. 3.000,00 (by October 2008) for the fare. Using this public transportation, you should stop at the Kantor Pos Besar shelter, then take a walk or a pedicab to the palace complex. To get more comfort and ease, you can take a taxi up to the front of the ticket counters.


To enter the palace and see the entire ceremony, the charge is Rp 10.000,00 a person (by October 2008). Around the palace there are parking lots for motorcycle and car so that visitors who take their own vehicles should not worry. Besides, outside the gate, visitors can easily find people selling traditional toys, souvenirs, and snacks and beverages.

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Ban Hin Kiong Chinese Temple, Wonderful in Manado City

Ban Hin Kiong  Chinese temple is a Buddhist temple in Manado, North Sulawesi   Province. It is about 300  years old, built in the 18^thcentury. Currently, the temple is well  taken care and still exists because of the heterogeneous society in Manado including Chinese  descendants.
Ban Hin Kiong  temple consists of three words, Ban means much, Hin means  abundance favor, and Kiong means palace. According to its founders‘  convictions, people would get so much favor and safety for attaining the  orderliness of life.


It looks elegant  in red color combined with Chinese classic architecture. In addition to having  beautiful design, Ban Hin Kiong has also some annual events to commemorate the Imlek (The Chinese new year) and the Toa Peh Kong (The Chinese tradition  brought by Chinese ancestors to North Sulawesi usually take place in February).  There will be many attractions and Chinese cultural performances such as Barongsai (The Lion dance performed when Imlek), Ince Pia (Invulnerability  show), Pikulan and Kuda Locia.


The special motif  of the temple is the ornaments portraying symbols of material. Observed it in  more detail, those symbols seem that they desire to deliver us the holy message  representing that the temple is a worship house regarded as “Istana Tuhan”  (God Palace)  and a realization of “Istana Langit” (Heaven Palace)  on the earth.

How to Access Location Ban Hin Kiong Chinese Temple?

Ban Hin Kiong Chinese  temple lies in the downtown of Manado city in D.I Panjaitan Street, North  Sulawesi. You may use any  public transportation such as minibus and taxi. You may also rent vehicle  services as car or motorcycle.

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