Yogyakarta Palace

Yogyakarta Palace is the symbol of the heart of Javanese cultural civilization centered in Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia. Yogyakarta Palace, or known formally as Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat, was built by Pangeran Mangkubumi titled Sultan Hamengku Buwono I in 1755 A.D. following the signing of Treaty of Giyanti. The present ruler of the Yogyakarta Sultanate is Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Haryo titled Sultan Hamengku Buwono X. Likewise, he is a governor of Yogyakarta Province.

Inside the palace building, numerous historical properties of Yogyakarta Palace are kept well. There you can see some royal heirlooms, ancient books printed during the Dutch occupation, and hundreds of photographs depicting the historical journey of the palace from time by time.

The royal palace complex is often used as the venue for traditional events. Some adat ceremonies as well as public events such as Grebeg Maulud, Jamasan, and many more are held at the palace complex.

So if you take a visit to the palace in a right moment, thus you can have two sensations of travelling to Yogyakarta Palace. You can watch the evidence of Yogyakarta Sultanate`s glory as well as enjoying adat ceremonies organized in the palace complex.

Seldom do we find a palace that is still functioned as the heart of a kingdom or a royal administration in the present. Most of Indonesian palaces are now functioned as museums, no longer as the place for all royal activities. It is because a number of kingdoms in Indonesia cannot exist amidst the inexorable wave of globalization.

However, you can find a palace as well as a kingdom that is able to persist in this modern age. Only in Yogyakarta Palace you can find a palace that is functioned as both museum and the center for Yogyakarta Sultanate`s administrations.

Yogyakarta Palace Location

Yogyakarta Palace is located in the heart of Yogyakarta. It faces directly to the north Yogyakarta square, east of Malioboro Street. You can reach Yogyakarta Palace in ease as it lies in the heart of Yogyakarta City. There are two types of entrance tickets to the palace. To enter Pagelaran Kraton (the palace`s mansion), you need to pay IDR 5000; while for entering the innermost of the palace you get charged about IDR 7000 for the ticket. Hotels ranging from the lowest to the most expensive qualities are available in the location around the palace. Most of them are located in the area along the Malioboro Street as the Yogyakarta business center. There you can find souvenirs shops as well as typical foods of Yogyakarta in very ease with reasonable prices.

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Lake Kelimutu

Visiting Lake Kelimutu

Lake Kelimutu, part of Kelimutu National Park, is situated on the peak of Mount Kelimutu which is at an altitude of 1.631 meters. Kinds of flora that you can find there are Kesambi (Schleichera oleosa), casuarinas tree (Casuarina equisetifoia), and Edelweiss. Moreover, types of fauna living around the lake are deer (Cervus timorensis), pig forest (Sus sp.), red jungle fowl (gallus gallus) and hawk (Elanus sp.).

There are three backwaters in the lake which tend to turn their colours. For instance, the water in one of those, change from red to bottle green then someday it can be pink and in another backwater, the water turn from bottle green into light green. The last one, the water can change from deep brown into azure.

There are three backwaters in the lake

Lake Kelimutu Location

Administratively, Lake Kelimutu is located in three sub-districts, Detsuko, Wolowaru, and Ndona Sub-district. It is in the district of Ende, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia.Administratively, Lake Kelimutu is located in three sub-districts, Detsuko, Wolowaru, and Ndona Sub-district. It is in the district of Ende, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. 

Taking air transportation from Kupang, the capital of East Nusa Tenggara Province, to Ende District, it will be approximately 40 minutes to reach the destination. When you have arrived at Ende City, continue the journey by public transportations to Kaonara Village, about 93 km away or 3 hours. Then you must continue the trip to the location by walk for around 2,5 km. From February 2008 up to now, the entrance ticket of the lake is IDR 3.000. However, on weekend, the entrance ticket will be IDR 5.000.

Shelters, wide parking area and lodgements are some supporting facilities around the location. Hopefully it could make your vacation in the location comfortable.

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Rafting in Ciberang River

The Ciberang River is one of tourism destinations, in Lebak District, Banten Province, that was officially launched for public visit on December 1st, 2007, by Hj. Ratu Atut Chosiyah,S.E., the governor of Banten Province. This 40 – 50 meters wide and around 1- 20 meters deep river flows from Halimun Mountain to Sunda Strait. People, who live around the Ciberang River, earn their living by taking advantages from the existence of the river. Likewise, the Ciberang River offers extremely challenging sport such as rafting, special for you who love extreme activities.

The Ciberang River offers the beauty of its surrounding nature. You will find the wonderful scenery of various trees, unique-shape rocks, green rice fields and plantations. The River flows approximately ten km, and challenges you, who love extreme sport such as rafting. You need about a half two hours to three hours to trace the river by rafting to observe the beauty of the river. Started from Muara Village, you will pass by Banjarsari Village, Lebakgendong Sub-district and Leui Bunjal Village, Cipanas Sub-district to reach the finish line of rafting. Various fields of rafting and barriers attract many visitors to try rafting in this River.

Ciberang River Location

The Ciberang River can be found in the Cipanas Village, Cipanas Sub-district, in the district of Lebak, Banten Province, Indonesia. To reach the destination, you may take public transportation from Bogor bus station passing through either Bogor – Jasinga or Bogor – Rangkasbitung routes. You need only to pay about IDR 10,000 to IDR 12,000 to reach the destination from Bogor City. You can also take private vehicles if you are from Jakarta by passing through Balaraja in approximately 100 km distance. Departing from Serang, you will pass by Rangkas Bitung in approximately 80 km distance to reach the location. There is no need to pay any entrance ticket to enter the location. However, you need to pay IDR 185.000/person to feel the unforgettable experience of rafting in the Ciberang River.

Some supporting facilities have been provided for you there. Parking area, mosque, toilet, play ground, track rail and rafting equipments rental service are also available for you. Taste the typical food and beverage of Banten Province that can be easily found around the location. Likewise, assurance and water games are available for you who want to try to rafting in the Ciberang River. Bathrooms are also provided for you.

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Taman Ayun Hindu Temple

Taman Ayun Hindu Temple

Taman Ayun Hindu Temple in Badung District was built in 1634 A.D. by the king of Mengwi Kingdom, I Gusti Agung Ngurah Made Agung titled Ida Cokorda Sakti Belambangan. The Mengwi Kingdom was one of the most powerful kingdoms in Bali at the time until 1891 A.D. Built as worship place for royal family and their relatives, the building uses Gunung Batukau architecture rather than Gunung Agung architecture that was commonly applied at most of Indonesian Hindu temples.

“Taman Ayun” means beautiful garden. It is on a tableland of four ha wide surrounded by ponds. Viewing from afar, it seems floating above the water. Surrounded by leafy trees and colourful flower garden, the complex of Taman Ayun Hindu Temple offers a magnificent view.

Comprising three buildings, it is usually visited by more and less 300 – 600 tourists, either domestic or foreign tourists, in a year. The first building is an opened space for any kinds of religious event and art performances. Here, you can watch a sumptuous meru (pagoda which has multi-roofed structure, typical of Balinese Hindu Temple). The second building is the main building named Bale Pelik which is fully decorated with artistic carving, relief and a wonderful statue of Deity Nawa Sanga. The innermost buildings in the complex are the sacred buildings of Hindu people that are dedicated to god and goddess of Hindu.

Taman Ayun Hindu Temple had ever been recommended as a valuable world heritage. On March 12th 2008, the Director of UNESCO, Kokhiro Masura visited the location to check directly, whether it is proper to achieve the status as above. He argued that this Hindu temple is proper to get such status. Now, this 400 years old Hindu temple is still used as worship place by Hindu people.

The properties of the Mengwi Kingdom can still be found nearby the location, about 300 meters from the location. The Museum of Manusa Yadnya is also located nearby Taman Ayun Hindu Temple. The museum displays some ceremonies relating to human‘s life circle starting from birth to death.

Taman Ayun Hindu Temple Location

Taman Ayun Hindu Temple Mengwi Village, Mengwi Sub-district, in the district of Badung, Bali Province, Indonesia. It is about 18 km away from Denpasar City to Mengwi Village. You can reach the location by public transports passing by route Denpasar -  Singaraja or Denpasar -  Bedugul for approximately 25 minutes. After being on the crossroad of Mengwi Village, you must continue the trip by walk to the location around 250 meters. It is opened for public at 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. IDR 4.100 for adult and IDR 2.100 for children. In Badung District, you can easily find hotels and restaurants for more comfortable visit to Taman Ayun Hindu Temple.

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The Mahakam River Flows through West Kutai District, Kutai Kartanegara District

The Mahakam River is the biggest river in East Kalimantan Province. People, who live around the Mahakam River, earn their living by taking advantages from the existence of the river. This 920 km long and 149.277 km square river flows through West Kutai District, Kutai Kertanegara District and Samarinda City. Five tributaries – Belayan, Lawa, Kedung Kepala, Telen and Tenggarong Rivers - flow to the Mahakam River.

While enjoying the beauty and magnificent scenery of the Mahakam River, you can also take visit to several tourism destinations nearby the river. The main tourism object located nearby the river is Pesut Mahakam where you can watch rare species of dolphin such as Irrawaddy Dolphin that appears only at 6 – 8 a.m. and 4 – 6 p.m. Likewise, you will see numerous birds and mammals such as Enggang, Bangau Tong-tong, Raja Udang, Bekantan, Lutung, Berang-berang etc.

An island namely Kumala Island - approximately 75 hectares in width - is situated in the center of the Mahakam River. To reach the island, you can take cable car or ketinting (motorized boat) that can be found in Kota Tenggarong Harbour. The island offers you many interesting features such as sky tower, cable car, mini train, and lamin (traditional house of Dayak tribe).

Mahakam River Location

The Mahakam River administratively lies in three districts, West Kutai District, Kutai Kertanegara District, and Samarinda City, in East Kalimantan Province, Indonesia.  

The Mahakam River can be reached by land, air and water transportation. People settling East Kalimantan Province, especially those who live in West Kutai District and Kutai Kertanegara District, usually take jukung – traditional boat typically East Kalimantan Province. For you, who love extreme sports; you can take 4WD car rental service that can be found in Samarinda City. Besides, you can also take taxi or public transportation. Locally small airports such as DAS (Dirgantara Air Service) and Kal Star are available for you, who want to take air transportation.

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The Museum of Le Mayeur

Le Mayeur Museum in Denpasar Bali

Born in Brussels, Belgium on February 9th 1880 in a high-class family, Adrian-Jean Le Mayeur got his painting talent from his parents. His latest education in architecture was achieved at Libre University. Forbidden by his father when attempted to develop his talent, he decided to leave his family by hanging around the world to seek for a right place for his talent improvement.

Le Mayeur arrived at Bali in 1932 in Singaraja City then continued a journey to Denpasar City before decided to stay in Sanur Beach. In the beginning, he just wanted to set an eight-month visit to Bali, after knowing the charm of Sanur Beach and beautiful girls of surrounding location, splashed in his mind to build a home and painting workshop in the location. A famous legong dancer named Ni Nyoman Pollok drew his heart to marry her when she became his painting model.

Unfortunately, this couple did not have any son until the end of their life. In fact, Ni Pollok was eager to have son but Le Mayeur denied it considering that she was his painting model. Le Mayeur was afraid of Ni Pollok‘s pregnancy would make her body was not beautiful anymore.

Their home and painting workshop were later on dedicated to government to be functioned as museum by his testament written in 1957. Finally, their home and painting workshop are given a name Le Mayeur Museum.

Le Mayeur is famous as impressionist and naturalist painter. Moreover, he also had tendency to paint the beauty of Balinese girls. Inside the museum, you can watch his works and historical properties such as chair, carved table, bed, wardrobe, ceramic vase, silver alliances, earthenware, and some sculptures.

At least there are 88 work arts of Le Mayeur from 1921 to 1957 showing his impressionist style. Besides using canvas, he also used other mediums for painting such as hardboard, three-ply, paper, and gunnysack. The last one was used by him remembering the difficulty of getting canvas from Belgium, so he decided to use it on the era of Japanese colonialism.

Museum of Le Mayeur Location

Le Mayeur Museum is situated in Sanur Village, Denpasar City, Bali, Indonesia. From the centre of Denpasar City, you can access the location by any public transportation like Indian taxi. Those Indian taxi will take you to the end of Hang Tuah Street then continue to the destination around 70 km away.

The museum is opened for public at 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. for Saturday to Thursday. On Friday, open from 8 to 12.30 a.m. On holidays, the museum is closed. IDR 2.000 for adult and IDR 1.000 for children. For group, more than 10 people, adult visitors only pay IDR 1.000 and IDR 500 for children. Typical foods of Bali Island can be easily found along the coast of Sanur Beach for you who are eager to taste it. Completing your visit, you can buy souvenirs around the location with reasonable price.

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Reog Ponorogo

Once upon a time, the King of Bantar Angin Kingdom named Kelana Swadana was going to propose for marriage to a beautiful girl, the daughter of Kediri King. Unfortunately, Kelana Swadana`s journey to Kediri was stopped because of the cruel blockade done by a group of wild animals namely Singobarong which guarded the area of Lodaya forest, in which Kelana Swadana had to pass it to reach Kediri. A fierce combat between Singobarong and the entourage of Kelana Swadana could not be avoided anymore at the time.

Commemorating the story above, a traditional performing art namely Reog ponorogo is held. The order of a Reog performance follows the order of the story about the fierce combat between Kelana Swadana and Singobarong. A Reog performance is usually begun by six or eight men – dancers – in black clothes and wearing red masks. Those dancers perform a lively dance representing the angered Singobarong in the story of Kelana Swadana. The next order in a Reog performance is a stately dance performed by around six to eight girls – in some other performance my also be performed by men in women`s dress – presenting kuda kepang (a plaited bamboo sheet shaping out like a horse) dance.

The second fragment of a Reog performance is the core which is greatly influenced by a situation wherein the Reog performance is taking place. A Reog performance is dominated by love story when someone holding marriage celebration invites a Reog performance group. Otherwise, a Reog performance will be dominated by bravery and heroic story when it is held to commemorate Indonesia Independence Day.

The end of a Reog performance is signed by the appearance of Singobarong performed by a man wearing a big mask representing Singobarong in the story of Kelana Swadana. The Singobarong mask is usually weighting around 50 to 60 kilograms but few people know that Singobarong mask is worn by a man only by biting a branch of wood installed behind the mask. The only special man with magical and supernatural powers can perform the figure of Singobarong in a Reog performance.

For you who want to see directly a Reog performance, just come to Ponorogo District, East Java, on August 17th, along the Indonesia Independence Day. Not only Reog performance, but also cultural festival and parade are usually organized at the time.

A Reog performance is usually organized in a special occasion such as an Independence Day or a marriage ceremony. A Reog performance needs vast space since in the middle of the performance, they – the dancers – are inserted the spirit of dead people hence the performance seems so liar. Warok – the Reog group leader – recites some mantras asking for successful performance, prior to the performance begins.

There is no strict story order within a Reog performance. The dancers commonly follow the scenario arranged by a warok, however. The interaction between the dancers and the warok should be intensified well during a Reog performance. By that way, a Reog performance seems so attractive enough since sometimes, there is a good interaction happening between Reog dancers with the audiences coming to watch the performance.

Reog Ponorogo Location

In almost sub-districts in Ponorogo District, East Java Province, you can easily find Reog performances that are organized by individual – in a marriage ceremonies – or institution – public cultural parade. For the routine performance organized monthly or annually, you can find them in the heart of Ponorogo City.

You can reach Ponorogo District by route from Surabaya, the capital of East Java Province, for about 200 km. You can take any public transport to reach the location. You can easily find some hotels ranging from the cheapest to most expensive quality around Ponorogo District.

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