Riau Archipelago

Riau Archipelago with Tanjung Pinang as the capital city Is blessed of a lot potential tourism objects, beautiful beaches, and culture attractions. It is located at the crossroads of one of the world’s oldest and busiest maritime routes and well reputes as an ideal stop over for trade and commerce. Riau Archipe¬lago was once home a sea gypsies cruising its rich mangroves forest and waterways. Moreover, it was on this island that the Sultan of Malacca found refuge from Portuguese attack in the 16th century, mapping tales of the legendary importance when Bintan thenceforth grew as the center of the powerful Johor Riau Sultanate.

Jl. Basuki Rahmat 17 Tanjung Pinang, Phone/Fax (0771) 315822 http://www.disparsenibud-kepri.com.
Batam Tourism Promotion Board :
Sekupang Ferry Terminal Jl.R.E. Martadinata, Phone. (0778) 322871, 322875 Fax.322898

Riau Islands can easily reached by air or sea from Jakarta and Pekanbaru directly. Batam and Bintan have international shiplines and flight. It is only 45 minutes away from Singapore by ferry.

Perahu Naga (Dragon Boat) Festival in every October covers a distance of 400 meters with both domestic and foreign contestants. It is held along the Tanjung Pinang coast facing Penyengat Island. It features cultural performances, swimming contest and traditional diving challenge.

Tanjung Pinang

Tanjung Pinang is a busy town on Bintan Island, now as a capital of Riau Archipelago. It has a Museum on Jl. Katamso. A large section of the old part of the town was built in traditional local fashion, on stilts, over the water. Tanjung Pinang City is located at about 10 km from the airport. This town also has 2 ports, Sri Bintan Pura in Tanjung Pinang and Sri Bayintan in Kijang. Tanjung Pinang Serves flight to Pekanbaru and Natuna.

Batu Bedaun Beach

Batu Bedaun Beach is very famous among the teenagers in Dabo Singkep. The beach situated 20 km from Dabo. This white sandy beach is very clean, with blue sea and small wave.

Daik

Daik is a small town but has many historical relics of Riau Lingga kingdom as in the Penyengat Island. We can reach the town by speedboats from Tanjung Pinang. In Lingga Island there are also many variation of tropical plantation and marine water fish species that cannot be found in other pla¬ces. Other interesting objects is Mount Daik with 3 peaks.

Senayang Island

Senayang Island. Boat cruising touring the waters between the islands is among potential attractions. Some real and thrilling adventures are available since there are many islands surrounding Senayang and excellent packages include cycling, bush wacking, swimming, snorkeling and diving.

Tambelan Island

Tambelan Island is about 200 km away from Tanjungpinang. There are only six villages, which are spread over a few islands, with a total population of about 4,000. As is to be expected, the environment here is largely unspoilt, and the scenery is truly magnificent. One of the most interesting of natural attraction in this island is watching turtles laying their eggs in great number that protected by local peoples.

Bintan Island

Bintan Island. International investors have developed many new hotels, integrated world-class resorts, international golf courses on the island of Bintan. Other deve¬lopments include industrial parks, medical, commercial and banking facilities that are readily available to any visitors. During your visit to Riau Archipelago will not be bored or uninspired because there are many other interesting places like Pasar Ikan (Fish Market) where fresh, cheap seafood and ve¬getables are sold. There are also the Akau (Night Market), Pelantar (Water Villages) and shops selling local handicraft, natural attraction like watching the turtles laying their eggs or fishing on the Kelong.

Trikora Beach

Trikora Beach is about 40 kilometers south of Tanjung Pinang on the eastern side of the island. Good beaches are also found on the islands of Terkulai and Soreh, about an hour away by boat.

Natuna Archipelago

Natuna Archipelago is a part of the vast province, which embraces all of the islands off the Riau mainland. The main island clusters of the Natuna archipelago are: Anambas, Natuna, South Natuna and Tambelan. Matak Island at present serves as a base for offshore oil exploration. Colourful co¬rals and reef fish are found in the waters surrounding these islands. South Natuna comprises the islands Serasan, Panjang and Subi. The surf is strong on these islands and the scenery impressive. The Tambelan Islands are accessed by boat in 6 hours from Pontianak in West Kalimantan or from Tanjung Pinang in 16 hours. Turtles habitually come to some of the beaches to depo¬sit their eggs in the warm sand. There are probably more turtles than people on these islands. Natuna is located in area of South China Sea with the geographical location passed by international shipping and coast lines. Natuna’s Ranai airport has length of 2,550 metres and Matak airport with length basis of 1,700 metres. Natuna’s seaport are Lampa (100 x 10 sqm) and Penagih (50 x 8 sqm).

Karimun Island

Karimun Island is one of the most important islands in the Riau Archipelago, due to its thriving economy and proximity to Singa¬pore. Tanjungbalai Karimun is a medium-sized town, with a large Chinese community and shops selling a large variety of imported items. Lies in a shipping line in Malacca Strait and Singapore, Karimun gateway can be passed by international ferry from and to Malaysia and Singapore.

Sea Gardens

Sea Gardens with beautiful corals and fish are found in the waters around the islands of Mapor, Abang, Pompong, Ba¬lang and Tanjung Berkait.

Batam Island

Batam Island is a very strategic island designated as a center of industry, tourism and trade. It lies close to Singapore. The Nongsa recreational region has international hotels, four golf courses, a marina sports facility and a forest reserve. Batam can be reached in two hours from Tanjung Pinang by ferry and in about half an hour from Singapore.

Pulau Penyengat

Pulau Penyengat (Stinging Island) When people found on the first time, Penyengat Island was an island with many stinging bees it is six kilometers from Tanjung Pinang, can be reached in 15 minutes by boat. The seat of the powerful Bugis viceroys of Riau during the 18th century, Penyengat still bears the traces of its illustrious past. Ruins, abandoned for almost 70 years, were recently restored. The old ruler’s palace and royal tombs are among the legacies left by the Riau sultanate. Still in use is the old viceroyal mosque, the Mesjid Raya, there is also a newly built cultural center for stage performances of Malay music and dances.

Riau

Riau, which includes a large part of East Sumatra, is homeland to Malays and the source of Indonesia’s Malay-based national language. The first book of Malay grammar, called Bustanul Katibin, was written and published here in 1857.

Pekanbaru became the provincial capital in 1959, taking over from the former capital of Tanjungpinang on the island of Bintan. About 160 kms upstream on the Siak River a number of buildings in the traditional style are still in this area, among them the Balai Dang Merdu the Balai Adat and Taman Budaya Riau, or Riau Cultural Park.

Tourist Office=]

Jl. Jend. Sudirman No.200, Pekan Baru Phone. (0761) 31452, 40356, Fax. (0761) 40356
http://www.budsenipar-riau.com

Riau Tourism Board

Gd. Badan Promosi & Investasi Prov. Riau, Lt. 2 Jl. Gajahmada 200, Pekanbaru - Riau
Tel/fax: +62-761-858441

Getting thereSimpang Tiga Airport is a busy visa free entry point. Pelangi flies to Kuala Lumpur and Silk Air flies to Singapore. Domestic airlines direct flights from Jakarta as well as from Medan and Batam. There are frequent departures from the bus station. Agencies all around town sell tickets for the boats to Batam.

Tourism Events

• Perahu Naga Festival, Tanjung Pinang. It is the Dragon Boat Race, both local and foreign contes, tank race a distance of 400 m.
• The event is held on Oct-08 at the Tanjung Pinang seaside facing Penyengat Island. To enhance the event there are culture performances, swimming competition for men and women and traditional diving contest.
• Pacu Jalur, Teluk Kuantan, Indragiri Hulu, Riau. Jalur or canoe races coincide with Indonesia’s Independedce Day celebration. Every decorative jalur used for the race on the Kuantan River is made of one single large bark of tree, approximately 30 m long and manned by 25-30 rowers. Before the festival was only held after a harvest and considered a sacred event. The event will be held on Aug 23-26 2008.
• Traditional Culture and Dance Parade on March, 2008 presents the Malay culture and traditions the event features a dance competition and dance performance from dance group and schools in city of Batam.

Places of Interest=]

Candi Muara Takus

Candi Muara Takus. Like many others structures of its kind in Sumatra, this Budha temple stupa near the village of Muara Takus in the Tigabelas Koto district, was built with red bricks and sand. The temple is believed to have been built at arround the 9th century A.D. when the power of the South Sumatra-bassed Sriwijaya Empire was at its peak. Excavations are still being made to determine the precise age and function of the stupa. It can be reached in 118 Km from Pekanbaru.

Kerumutan Nature Reserve

Kerumutan Nature Reserve. Located in mainland Riau in the Kuala Kampar district, this 120,000 hectares (30,000 acres) nature reserve can be reached in 18 hours by motor boat from Pekanbaru.

Bono

Bono is a curious natural phenomenon, which the Rokan River (in the Kampar regency) displays daily along its downstream reaches. Every day at the time high tide sets in, a swelling appears in the water at the river mouth. Accompanied by a rumbling sound, the swelling grows in mass until it is about as high as a small tree, spinning as it moves upwards along the river and growing smaller in the process until it finally disappears.

Dumai

Dumai. Formerly a fishing village on the east coast, it is now a major oil terminal. Storage tanks and modern installations rise against the sky, although the town itself is quite pleasant and interesting.

The Siak Sultanate’s Park

The Siak Sultanate’s Park. This Moorish style palace of the Sultan Siak, 120 kms upstream from Pekanbaru on the Siak River, was built in 1889 by Sultan Syarif Hasyim Abdul Jalil Syarifuddin. Now a museum, the palace contains the sultanate’s royal paraphernalia and others items of historical interest.

West Sumatra

Much of its highland formed by the Bukit Barisan Mountain range; virgin jungle inhabited by elephants, tigers, leopard and rhinos. Minang people has firey-hot dishes and ancient matriarchal customs. The women own property and the men leave home to seek their fame and fortune. Travelling is considered a mark of success, Padang restaurants are found in all major towns across the nation. The people are hospitable and eloquent; primarily speak bahasa Minang, with poetic style of speech. West Sumatran days are filled with colourful ceremonies and festivals. Legend has it the Minangkabau are descendants of the youngest son of Alexander the Great, King Maharjo Dirajo. During the early 19th century, the area was disrupted by wars between the followers of the traditional Islam or Padris, and those adhering to the traditional law (Adat) of the Minangkabau.

Tourist Office

West Sumatra: Jl. Khatib Sulaiman 22
Padang, Phone. (62-751) 55711, 446282, Fax. 55183
http://www.minangkabautourism.info
Mentawai Islands: Jl. Raya Tuapejat km 4, Phone. (0759) 320042, 320042, 320042, 320042.

Getting there

Padang’s Tabing Airport is the main gateway to West Sumatra and is serviced by Merpati Nusantara Airlines.
PELNI’s ship ”Kerinci” sails every two weeks for Jakarta from Teluk Bayur harbour. Smaller vessels from Muara harbour sail to small towns along the entire west coast of Sumatra.
Regular bus services run between Padang, Bukittinggi and other major cities of Sumatra, as well as via the trans-Sumatra Highway to Jakarta.

Tourism Events

• Dances performed on the Bukittinggi museum’s open stage every Sunday and on public holidays, the famous bullfights at Padang Lawas (6 Km south of Bukittinggi) are every Tuesday at 05.00 p.m, where the antics of local owners and bettors are as much fun as the fights themselves.
• Pacu Jawi every July performs bullrace in Payakumbuh. The uniqueness of its race, the joky bite its tail to make the bull runs faster.
• Selaju Sampan and Dragon boat race every September is a traditional watersports in Muko-Muko, Lake Maninjau.
• Wild Hog Hunting every May on Sunday in Solok by the farmers with well - trained dog.

Places of Interest

Air Manis

Air Manis 4 kms South of Padang, down the hill and across Batang Arau River is a fishermen village on Padang’s scenic west coast. A rock standing in the water a short distance from the shore is said to be the hull of Malin Kundang’s boat, which shipwrecked in a storm after it was cursed by the defiant young man’s mother.

Bungus

Bungus 20 kms South of Padang sheltered by a bay, there are two good beaches : Ca¬roli¬na and Karang Tirta.

Anai Resort and Golf Course

Anai Resort and Golf Course. The Anai resort is located in gorgeous natural setting roughly 550 meters above sea level. This resort is incorporating first-class hotel facilities.

Batang Palupuah

Batang Palupuah, 12 km from Bukittinggi, is a refuge for the giant flower Rafflesia arnoldi, blooming only once a year in November. A guide can be obtained from the office at the reserve.

Rimbo Panti Nature Reserve

Rimbo Panti Nature Reserve. Just aside the road to Medan, at the distance of 108 kms from Bukittinggi, this nature and wild life reserve where various monkey species and black panther found in here.

Bung Hatta Forest Reserve

Bung Hatta Forest Reserve. Situated 15 kms from Padang in the direction of Solok, known in the past as the Setya Mulya Botanic Garden. The reserve has giant flower Rafflesia arnoldi.

Batu Basurek

Batu Basurek. A stone with inscriptions in the old Palava script of India, bearing the legend of Adityawarman in the year 1347.

The Twin Lakes

The Twin Lakes (Lake Diatas and Lake Dibawah) 65 km from Padang the two lakes, one a little higher than the other are located at +1000 meters above sea level and covered by thick mist. There are seve¬ral cottages and coffee shops in Lake Diatas resort.

Pagaruyung Kingdom

Pagaruyung Kingdom. Situated at the ouskirt of Batusangkar the capital city of Tanah Datar Regency. In the past, it was the seat of the ancient of Minangkabau Kingdom, Pagaruyung : which at the beginning of its history was ruled by a queen named Bundo Kanduang. Relics of that ancient past are still scaffered over the area among them are Batusangkar stone inscriptions found in some areas.

Lake Singkarak

Lake Singkarak is surrounded with green hills and mountains, the biggest lake in west 129,70 kms square and lies on the Trans Sumatra between Bukittinggi and Solok regency. It is 36 km from Bukittinggi or 86 km from Padang.

Tanjung Alai

Tanjung Alai. Located at 7 kms Lake Singkarak, enjoy gliding in the fresh and coolness of its air.

Mount Talang tea plantation

Mount Talang tea plantation. 35 km from Padang, one of the highest mountains 2,572 meters above sea level has a green and fresh views. From here you can overlook the beautiful Twin Lakes and Lake Singkarak.

The Mystical Rao-rao

The Mystical Rao-rao. Some 15 kilometers from Batusangkar. A village in which the Minangkabau building style is well preserved.

Belimbing Village

Belimbing Village. Some 20 km from Batusangkar, this traditional village has some beautiful old Minangkabau long houses. Around the village one can enjoy the beauty view and traditional social life of Minang¬kabau matriarchal society.

Tabek Patah

Tabek Patah. 30 kilometers from Batusangkar, is a lookout point in the foothills offering a wide open view on the magnificent central Minangkabau countryside.

Batu Sangkar

Batu Sangkar is 41 km southeast of Bukittinggi, a center of the Minang-kabau culture. Megalithic remains found in the area support the theory of a large community li¬ving in the area some 2000 years ago. Many fascinating historical sites were found at Batu Basurek, a stone with inscriptions in the Palava script of India, bearing the le¬gend Adityawarman, the Emperor of Kanaka Mahindra (the island of gold).
Pariaman has 300 years old traditional houses. Make sure to visit the open council grounds with ancient stone seats, the mosque and hot spring.

Ngarai Sianok

Ngarai Sianok is a canyon in a city, a steep colorful valley surrounded by 100 meter cliffs. 4 km from Bukittinggi, there are many tunnels and caves made by the Japa¬nese during WW II. The pathway leads to Koto Gadang that is renowned for its fine silver filigree and hand embroidery.

Pandai Sikek village

Pandai Sikek village is 13 km south of Bukit Tinggi and famous for its hand wo¬ving and carving industry. The village has a thousand of looms and turning out richly colored cloth. Carved wooden ornaments and furniture also made here.

Harau Valley

Harau Valley is 15 km northeast Payakumbuh, 100 to 200 meter steep granite walls shelter this 315 ha fertile valley. It is a nature and wildlife reserve, where wild goats and tigers still roam.

Ngalau Indah Cave

Ngalau Indah Cave can be reach on the way from Bukittinggi to Payakumbuh, it has extend deep into the mountainside. The domain of thousands of bats, the main entrance is the outline of an elephant visible on its face. The pats through these caves lead out to the top of the mountain and panoramic views.

Siberut National Park

Siberut National Park: Using a regular ferry, which regularly sail three times a week in the night from Padang (Muara Padang) to Muara Siberut/Muara Sikabaluan/Muara Saibi. The trip takes approximately 10 hours of sailing. Or use an express ferry that tra¬vels every Thursday morning from Padang to the town of Tuapejat in Sipora Island and then further to the southern part of Siberut Island for only four hours of sailing.

Padang

Padang is the capital of West Sumatra; and gateway to the homeland of Minangkabau. Its bustling harbours a crossroads for rubber, cinnamon, coffee, tea and nutmeg. There are Minang houses, prehistoric artifacts, ceramics, manuscripts and modern art. In Kampung Cina (Chinatown) you can wander streets lined with turn-of-the century houses, Chinese herbalist and coffee shops. Good hiking and wonderful views of the city can be had a Bukit Monyet and Gunung Padang.

Lake Maninjau

Lake Maninjau Perhaps the most beautiful lake in Sumatra, Maninjau is far smaller and less developed thas its neighbour lake Toba to the north the road to the lake is famous for its forty four bends oftering superb panoramas as it meaders down to the water’s edge. The lake is punctuated by pretty Moorish styled mosques, perhap designed by some long ago Arab traders who came to her shores. Datted about the lake are small and friendly villages. Mountain bikes for rent ofter a perfect way to explore along the flat roads. Small hotels.

Bukittinggi

Bukittinggi is the West Sumatra’s center of culture and tourism, nestled in the higlands north of the provincial capital of Padang. It is a pleasant two-hour drive (90 km) from Padang through the gorgeus Anai Valley up to Agam Plateu. Located 930 metres above sea level, it has a cool climate and is surrounded by tree volcanoes: Tandikat, Singgalang and Merapi. The central landmark is the town’s clocktower, reffered by the local people as Jam Gadang. It overlooks the market square, a beehive of activity and fantastic place to do some souvenir shopping. Also worth visiting is the Rumah Gadang Museum, a traditional extended family house built in the 19th century.

Mentawai Islands

Mentawai Islands is made up from four islands: Siberut, Sipora, Pagai Utara and Pagai Selatan. The people of these islands still live in comparative isolation, maintaining their age-old ways. Siberut is an area for trekking and visiting these ancient cultures, and its virgin rain forest, inhabited by a number of some rare monkey’s species. Beautiful co¬ral reefs are found offshore, and its wave is famous for surfing. The best season to visit is January to September.

Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam

Banda Aceh is suffered an immense loss of life during the tsunami of December 26, 2004. Over 100,000 residents lost their live in a matter or minutes as the huge tidal wave swept ashore. Many heart-wrenching and poignant reminders of that day still remain. They range from a huge generator ship that now become a monument that was lifted several kilometers inland from its seaside berth to crush a rom of family houses and their inhabitants and a smaller ship which landed atop another house and ironically served as a means for the survival and resque of 57 people, to a myriad of battered landscapes, shattered buildings, and mass gravesites. Visitors are awestruck at the devastion, but inspired by the recovery process. They marvel at the stories of the survivors, and they revel at their determination to rebuild their lives.

Tourist Office

Jl. Tengku Cik Kuta Karang No. 3, Banda Aceh. Phone. (0651) 23692, 26206, 21108 Fax. 3723
http://www.aceh.net

Getting there

Only forty-five minutes from Medan and two and half hours from Jakarta, with Singapore and Kuala Lumpur via Medan even closer than Jakarta

Tourism Events

Aceh Cultural week is held on Aug 2008 in Banda Aceh and perform dances such as Tari Seudati (Seudati Dance).

Places of Interest

Weh Island

Alas River

Weh Island often referred to by the name of its capital, Sabang, is the western most island of the Indonesian archipelago. It is situated at the mouth of the Malacca Strait a sea passage for many yachts and cruise ships only 18 miles away, one hour by ferry, from Ulee-Lheue harbor in Banda Aceh. Diving in Pulau Weh is a well-established recreational activity with dive masters and dive instructors ready to offer a variety of dives to sites like the fabled Sea Garden in Pulau Rubiah.

Alas River

Mt. Leuser

Alas River flows into the Indian Ocean; this river has exceptional rapids that attract whitewater rafting enthusiasts for all over the world.

Gunung Leuser

Hiking to the peak of Gunung Leuser (3,404 meters) take about 10-14 days. The small village of Angasan is a suitable starting point. Angasan is located several hours walk west of Blang Kejeren. Most hikers spend the night in Angasan and start their trek in the morning. The first five days go

Baiturrahman Mosque

through virgin rain forest where rare primates can often be seen.

Baiturrahman Mosque

Baiturrahman Mosque is a masterpiece of Islamic architecture and ornamentation is the main feature of Banda Aceh. It has five onion-shaped domes, two towering minarattes, expansive white walls, and pillars with beautiful designs.

Lampung & Krakatau Volcanic Island

Ancient Chinese travel chronicles refer to a place in the most southerly part of Sumatra called “Lampung” or “place of southerly winds”. The province is gene-rally flat with the highest mountains of Gunung Pesagi, Tanggamas, Seminiung, Sekincau and Raya all being dormant volcanoes. Bandar Lampung, the Provincial capital, was formerly two separate towns, Tanjungkarang and the port of Teluk Betung, which after the infamous eruption of Krakatau were both completely covered in volcanic ash. In the course of development, however this town have merged together to become one single city.

Tourist Office:
Jl. Ahmad Dahlan No. 79, Gunung Mas,
Bandar Lampung 35211
Phone. (0721) 263401, 361430
Fax. (0721) 266184

Getting there:
Domestic airlines have daily flight from Jakarta. Rajabasa bus terminal is one of the busiest in Sumatra, with a constant flow of departures. The trip from Jakarta takes eight hours which include crossing Sunda strait between Merak in Java and Bakaheuni Lampung by ferry. Three trains a day run from Palembang.

Tourism Events
Krakatau Festival. This annual event is held at the end of August 25-30 2008 the festival commemorate Krakatau’s eruption in the late 19th century. The volcano is located in the Sunda Strait, South of Lampung, in the southern tip of Sumatra.

Places of Interest=]

Bandar Lampung has a Museum and a Monument of Krakatau Eruption.

Krakatau Island

Krakatau is an inhabited island and located on the southern part of the Bay of Lampung. Krakatau is reachable in three hours by boat from Canti, a fishing village near Kalianda, South Lampung. Anak Krakatau (Child of Krakatau) is still growing, first emerging from the sea in early 1928, 45 years after the legendary eruption in 1883.

Krakatau Island is currently among three destination in Indonesia that has been qualified in the New 7 Wonders of Nature campaign held by the New 7 Wonders Foundation (two other candidates is Lake Toba and and Komodo National Park). You could support Krakatau Island to become the New 7 Wonders of Nature by voting through the following the URL:

http://www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/liveranking/

Pugung Archaeological

Pugung Archaeological Site in Pugung Raharjo village, 40 kms northeast of Bandar Lampung is a site of megalith and prehistoric relics, as well those of the classical Hindu-Buddhist period.

Merak Belantung Beach

Merak Belantung Beach is 40 km south of Bandar Lampung, on the way to the seaport of Bakauheni, the beach is ideal for swimming and wind surfing. Cottages are available.

Lawang Sewu

Indonesia - Jakarta - Lombok - Semarang - Yogyakarta - Bali Semarang is very important place in Java and the place is noted for all the attractive tourist spots here. Lawang Sewu is a very important place in Semarang and for many years tourists have been returning to Semarang only to have a glimpse of this amazing place here. The Lawang Sewu is immensely popular for the famous Thousand Doors which is the ticket to fame for the place. The place is distinguished simply for the numerous doors and windows found here and the building was christened as the Gedung Lawang Sewu and tourists love coming here simply because of the distinctive Dutch Symbolism and the immensely long corridors leading to the offices on the other side.

Description of the Lawang Sewu:

Lawang Sewu is famous for the doors and windows. The place is famous for the Thousand Doors and windows and the fascinating stained glass windows representing the Dutch Symbolism of the places like The Hague and Rotterdam and also the Royal family. The building has numerous long winding corridors which open out to the offices on one side of the office and the other end of the building on the other hand. It is a famous landmark in the region of Semarang and a pride for Java. The place was actually built as the main colonial office for the Dutch and was then taken over by the Japanese government. This place was important because it was the main military hub for the Indonesians and was used for giving shelter to the soldiers and army men here. The place was often considered to be haunted place as many truly and sincerely believed that the place was inhabited by spirits and ghosts and thus many people used to feel scared to visit the place fearing the obvious. However later the place was converted in to a heritage site and many came to visit the place during their holidays or vacations while coming to visit the Semarang. There are other places also which deserve mention but Lawang Sewu stands out among the rest.

Lawang Sewu is thus a very important place in Semarang and all are welcome to come and visit the fascinating place.

History of Semarang

Indonesia - Jakarta - Lombok - Semarang - Yogyakarta - Bali Semarang is the capital city of Java, Indonesia and the place is fascinating in terms of history and the interesting locales here. However the place is famous for the interesting history associated with the place. Semarang has quite an eventful past and the place has its history dates back to the ninth century and was known as Bergota. In the 15th century an Islamic Boarding school was established by an Arab and the school was called Kyai Pandan Arang and on 2nd May 1547 Sultan Hadiwijaya of Pajang declared Kyai Pandan Arang as the first bupati of Semarang and thus formally and officially Semarang came into existence on that day.

Sunan Amangkurat II decided to hand over the power to the Dutch East India Company (VOC) as a repayment of a debt. However the Semarang state came into existence in 1682 and was established by the Dutch Colonial power. On October 5th 1705 after many years of occupation Semarang was finally declared as the VOC city when Susuhunan Pakubuwono I had also decided to give the rights to the VOC in return of the Mataram’s debt. Semarang later became a very important colonial trading center with the numerous tobacco plantations in the region and roads and railroads.

In the beginning of the 1920s Semarang had become the nerve center of all leftist and nationalist movements. Semarang was also called the Red City simply because it was found in the Communist Party of Indonesia while the Japanese also had at one point of time occupied the city during the Pacific War of World War II and during that particular time the city of Semarang was ruled by the military government Shiko and there were also two governors and one of them was a local gentleman and the other one was Japanese and in 1945 Semarang was declared the capital city of Java after the Indonesians acquired independence.

Thus one can deduce that Semarang has had a very interesting past and people from all over the world flock here to see this place and also look at the amazing monuments and other attractions here which have gone on to become hugely popular with the tourists.

Batam Island Indonesia

Indonesia - Jakarta - Lombok - Semarang - Yogyakarta - Bali Batam Island, Indonesia, is located just 20 kilometers southeast of Singapore, and is one of the largest islands in Indonesia's Riau Archipelago. The island of Batam Island, Indonesia, is known to be a free trade zone as a part of the Sijori Growth Triangle. In the 1970s, Batam Island, Indonesia observed a major transformation into a major harbor and industrial zone. Today, it is a business, trade and finance.

However, Batam Island, Indonesia, is also an up-and-coming tourist destination, getting wide recognition from tourists all over the world. Some of the wonderful places of interest that can be visited by travelers to Batam Island, Indonesia, are –

Nagoya, also known as Lubuk Baja, is the original center of Batam Island, Indonesia, and the best place for local entertainment, with plenty of shops, food stalls, nightlife, discos, bars and pubs, music lounges, karaoke lounges, restaurants, many small hotels and its share of street girls.

Nongsa, a northern coastal area near Batam Island, Indonesia is an hour's drive from Sekupang. It is the main tourist attraction, where the resorts and golf courses are situated.

Duriangkang East Shore, is a very scenic and peaceful area near Batam Island, Indonesia. Here, one can enjoy birds, farms and the verdant greenery of the village fields.

Tj Uma and Batu Merah, two of the oldest villages in Batam Island, Indonesia, where one can get to see many aspects of traditional island life.

Duriankang Dam, the main water supply of Batam Island, Indonesia, has rural shores, which is an excellent place to enjoy some natural tranquility.

Another sight sometimes visited in Batam Island, Indonesia, is the controversial Dewi Kuong Imra monument, which houses a statue that is a tribute to the Buddhist goddess of prosperity.

The coastline along Kabil, in Batam Island, Indonesia, is strewn with seafood restaurants that can cater to even the choosiest gastronome. All Indonesian sea-food delicacies can be had at this coastline, which is always crowded with food-lovers.

Bridge-5 area and Galang islands, near Batam Island, Indonesia, is a valley where Vietnam refugees have settled. It is a very pleasant village to walk by, with pretty rural scenes

Lombok Weather

Indonesia - Jakarta - Lombok - Semarang - Yogyakarta - Bali The Indonesian island of Lombok belongs to the province of West Nusa Tenggara and a part and parcel of the Lesser Sunda Islands while it’s separated from Bali by the Lombok Strait. Lombok is a circular island with its administrative capital being Mataram which is also the largest city the island has. The eastern part of Lombok initially came to be settled and inhabited by the Dutch community in the year 1764 while the Hindu dynasty ruled the western portion of the island. The Stratovolcano Mount Rinjani soaring up to a height of 12,224 ft determines the topographical discipline of Lombok. The list of cities to visit while in Lombok is Bangsal, Kuta, Lembar, Mataram, and Senggigi while the Gili Islands and the Mount Rinjani are two other tourist sites in Lombok. Presently this island is inhabited mostly by the Sasak group and Balinese group while the Chinese, Arabs, Javanese and Sumbawanese consist of the remaining population in Lombok. It’s necessary on the part of the travelers to have a clear insight about the climatic and weather condition of Lombok before taking plunge into the mystifying island of Lombook.

The tropical weather in Lombok renders 12 hours of broad day light and the average temperature round the year remains consistent at 28 degree C to 34 degree C (that is 83 degree F to 93 degree F). The months of October to March experience wet season while the months of May to September display the dry season in Lombok. Lombok covering an area of 4,725 sq km, 1,824 sq miles supports a population of 3,000,000 and the official language spoken in Lombok is Indonesian. Technically speaking Lombok is under advanced compared to Bali and also boasts of better beaches, diverse landscapes and a gigantic volcano. Mostly travelers haunt this place attracted to the inebriated beauty of the island as they can conveniently enough indulge in activities like diving, snorkeling, hiking and surfing etc. Lombok as a tourist destination attracts more tourists in the rainy season between October to December, though raining continues for a mere time span of approximately an hour, while the aspect of tourism is at its best during May to August. Few other places to visit while in Lombok are, Kuta, Museum Negeri Nusa Tenggara Barat, Pura Lingsar, and Taman Narmada.

Lombok weather on the whole is drier compared to Bali even during the rainy season and for the rest of the year the island is located around 200 miles to the south of the equator and offers a hot and humid environment to its residents and tourists in unison. Here day starts at around 6.30 in the morning and sun sets on this island at around 6.30 in the evening and being so humid in nature it’s hard to mention the time of the year unless one considers the present climatic condition. The temperature in the months of May and October remain as high as 80 degree to 90 degree during the day time and the weather is marginally pleasant in the evening though internally the temperature can be quite high. One exception is Mt Rinjani which offers a comparatively chilly temperature being at a higher altitude during the normal seasons. Lombok situated near the equator maintains parity in its weather conditions be it in dry season or in rainy season, as this mostly refers to the condition of the wind and not to the condition of the rain. The winter months are signified due to the breezes which pick up pace compared to the summer months when the environment is comparatively dull and drab. On the whole Lombok can be said to be a peaceful and serene tourist location with a fixed level of weather condition.

History of Lombok

Indonesia - Jakarta - Lombok - Semarang - Yogyakarta - Bali Lombok is regarded as one of the most spectacular of all of Indonesia’s islands. Though visions of idyllic Bali, modern fast paced Jakarta are conjured up in the minds of the people whenever, the name of Indonesia crops up, Indonesia is much more than the relatively well cities and islands as a whole, Indonesia is also about tempting virgin beaches, innocent and naïve villagers, simple life styles and truly exotic cuisine. It is also about Lombok. Relatively unravaged by time and marauding travelers from all over the world, Lombok is slowly but surely revealing herself to the world. The island of Lombok is to the east of her most famous neighbor, Bali. The straight which divides these two islands is very deep with innumerable whirlpools and dancing dolphins. The history of Lombok gives a fascinating insight into how the island evolved over the centuries to become what it is today. Though it is quite a task to delve deep into the ancient history of Lombok because of a paucity of chronicled articles, what is known is that in the ancient times, Lombok had native rulers who ruled over this province and Selaparang (a small kingdom) had some control over the eastern side of the island.

It was in the seventh century that the veil over this island started lifting with outside influences. Lombok came under the influence of Balinese and Makassarese of Sulawesi. The Balinese arrived from Karangasem crossing the Lombok Strait in the early part of the seventeenth century and around the same time, the Makassarese invaded the eastern part of the island. 1677 was a landmark year in the history of Lombok, it was in this year that the two intruders managed to subdue the other one. Balinese won as they had the help of the native Sasak aristocracy. Henceforth, it became a Balinese obsession to secure and maintain their control over this island. However with the passage of time, it was found that the Balinese control over Lombok had run into hard times and the beginning of the nineteenth century saw Pagesangan, Pagutan, Mataram and Cakranegara competing for the island.

1894 changed the course of Lombok’s destiny. From this year Lombok began her journey as one of the colonies of the Dutch. Balinese army had attacked the Dutch camp in Mayura Palace, Cakranegara. Though the Dutch escaped, they could not escape casualties to artillery and man. Now they were determined to pay back the Balinese and this resulted in their taking total control of Lombok.

Lombok now started to realize what colonialism meant. There was abject poverty and they were on the verge of starvation on more than one occasion. The Dutch wanted control as well as personal profit. Heavy taxation was another area of concern for the Lombok population along with exportation of food materials. The last straw on the camel’s back was famine which tormented Lombok for nearly half a century.

So continued Lombok’s tryst with destiny. But suddenly in 1945, Lombok had a new sun rising . Soekarno arrogated that Indonesia was independent and Lombok was also a part of this new order of things. But in 1965, after a difficult two decades, mass killings of Communist sympathizers and ethnic Chinese created a scar for ages to come on Lombok. It was President Suharto who can be credited with much of the growth and stability of this island, but here it has to be mentioned that in comparison to Bali and Java’s glitz and glamour, Lombok comes a poor second. Now this island is slowly gaining its place under the sun as a distinguished alternative to Bali in the tourism world.