Bajay !

Do you know Bajay ?
It is one of public transportation in my metropolitan city, Jakarta. the body is very funny, it is seem like human that face out their mounth.

Bajay have capacity of 3 passengers including the driver. But it is common to see Bajay ride by more that 5 person. Can you imagine that ?

Bajay is like motorcycle with three wheels, with noisy sound, and also black vapor at the back side.
Bajay is very stable and turnable. it can rotate their direction in very short radius.
So Watch your steps if you find it, because it can suddently exacly on your face.

Many visitors in jakarta very angered about Bajay, so if you go to jakarta in this time, don't miss their actions :))

Well It seem in the future, you will hard to find Bajay because of great many pleasure transportation. slow but sure, bajay will be replaced, and maybe you just only see bajay in picture.

Guide Trip to Kota Tua Batavia

There is some place in jakarta remain in they old fashioned. at this region we can see old building build by ruled government Netherland.
Some of it say, Stasiun Kota and other buildings.
At this region you still see man offering their bicycle to bring you going around.

Guide Trip To Lombok

Lombok has gotten more popular over the past few years. People who think bali is to crowded but are essentialy looking for the same things Bali offers, head for Lombok. The island has tranquil countryside, one urban area (Mataram), great beaches, a spectacular volcano and one established holiday resort Senggigi . gunung Rinjani is great for trekking, the Wadden Islands offer some of the best snorkeling in Indonesia. Lobok's Kuta beach has big waves and good surfing.

Add all of these elements together and you have a pretty good holiday destination. Not as crowded as Bali but with the same fun, sun and action.

Sunset views of Mt Agung

Guide Trip to Loksado

Loksado is a small town about 5 hours ride from Banjarmasin, the capital city of South Kalimantan. Or about 3 hours from Marabahan.

From Loksado, travelers can start trekking to Meratus Mountaineous Range with itinerary Loksado-Malaris-Haratai. With additional attraction bamboo rafting in Amandit river.

Trekking from Loksado to Haratai is nice, especially if the time close to sunset and evening. Passes wooden bridge and forests and small rivers and several villages. And the evening sky showing thousand stars that feel so close to the earth.

And in Haratai, you can stay with locals. If you're lucky, you can witnessing the locals who are still have Hinduism beliefs [called Hindu Kaharingan] arrange a ceremony called Jujuran. A pre-wedding procession where both sides of bride and groom doing Beruji [in Indonesian so called pantun or poem in English] for a dealing about expenses should be paid for the wedding ceremony.

This Jujuran can take all night long! With intermission traditional music and song using drums in trance conditions. This event will be held in a communal house, which connected with several families' houses from the same ancestor.










Meratus Mountain

Guide Trip to Maninjau

Lake Maninjau, addressed by locals as crystal lake is situated at West Sumatra. About 2 hours drive from Padang, the provincional city. Can be reached enroutes; Padang, Pariaman, Lubuk Basung, Bayur and Maninjau. Or Padang, Pariaman, Bukittinggi and passes through the famous Kelok 44 a.k.a 44 hairpin bends to Maninjau.

For orientation, there's Pasar Maninjau at the edge of Kelok 44. Then going to the right is Maninjau, known as Jalan Haji Udin Rahmani and then Bayur [sometimes pronounced as Bayua] about 2 km away. To the left from local market after the intersection is Jalan SMP.

This crystal lake offers tranquility and many accommodation scattered along the lake. Said that Lake Maninjau have 400 m depth and there's a small island in the centre of the lake.

Beside swimming and canoeing, visitors can go trekking to Sakura Hills. Or enjoy the scenic panorama of rice [padi] fields and the lake itself.

sunset in maninjau

Guide Trip to Krakatau

Krakatoa or Krakatau in Indonesia language is an Island about 1.5 miles in diameter. To the south of Krakatoa is a large crater around 2,000 feet in diameter.

There was a large eruption in 1883 and a large piece of Krakatoa was blown clean out of the island (300 meters). And it's created a tidal wave about 40 meters height, destroyed about 150 coastal villages with thousands people.

The tremor was felt in France and England and the gigantic sound can be heard until Australia. And the ashes and dusts of the Krakatau's eruption spreaded worldwide, created unusual but beautiful pattern in the sky about months after the tragedy. Can be seen through people in America.

Today the mighty Krakatoa resized into several small pieces like Rakata and Sertung, Danan and Perbuwatan. Rakata itself called as Ibu [mother in Indonesian language, addressed by the local fishermen from several places nearby] and travelers can climb up the peak of the mountain. Kindly inform, please be careful and listen to the locals who might warn you about recent conditions. Sometimes can be happened minor to moderate quakes since the status is active volcano.

For those who like diving, Krakatau also enchanting about volcanic stones and lava submerged long long time ago into the ocean. The stream is quite strong.

krakatau early morning

Guide Trip to Komodo

Komodo is famous for its dragons. Giant lizards (probably not the right technical term) that can swallow an entire goat.

The only village on the island is Komodo , it's a nice place but if you are here for dragon spotting head for Banu Nggulung (come again?). A guide will take you to a dried up river bed where the dragons come to have a look at the tourists. The best season is the dry season when the dragons come to the watering holes.

The easiest way of getting to Komodo is to take the boat from Flores .

Guide Trip to Kalimantan

Irian Jaya is the Indonesian side of New Guinea. After the independance of Indonesia, Irian Jaya remained Dutch for some 15 more years.

The islands is covered with thick forests and it is very hard to get from A to B. Think of this as part of the fun and you will have a great time on Irian Jaya.

Most travelers head for the Baliem Valey via either Jayapura or biak . Baliem Valley is where the Dani people live. The main town of the valley, Wamena, has some modern facilities but even here you will see men wearing their penis gourds proudly (that's the only way to wear them, actually) and women in grass skirts. From Wamena you can explore the rest of the valley using guides.

Note that for many other areas you need a travel permit, which is hard to get.

Bahau Dayaks
photo by: Laszlo Wagner

Guide Trip To Hinako, Nias

Hinako island is located in Pulau Nias, many tourist object in here such as Surfing, lake, traditional culture, etc.

Guide Trip To Flores

Flores is one of the most beautiful islands of the Indonesian archipelago. Flores is 95% catholic and it were the Portuguese the name the island. 'Flowers' is a fitting name.

The main attraction is the coloured lakes of Kelimutu, near Moni The lake are located in volcanoes that are no longer active (you hope). Bawaja is the best place to start from if you want to see something of the traditional villages.

Labuanboja is a good place to relax a bit, the beaches are pretty okay and accommodation is cheap.

The volcanic lakes of Kelimutu
photo by: Laszlo Wagner

Guide Trip to Cirebon

Addressed as 'Kota Udang' [prawn or shrimp city] since situated in the northern coastal line of Java. Cirebon literally stands from ci and rebon which is rebon is local language to address shrimp.

This city known as one of the harbour city in west Java. Also a religious city where Sunan Gunung Jati, one of the Nine Saints of Wali Songo set his foot for spreading Islam. In another point, Cirebon is a unique city which have two palaces; Istana Kasepuhan [The Elder] and Istana Kanoman [The Younger]. That's happened during old centuries, whenever Dutch playing role divide et impera for reducing the power of Sultan Cirebon [the King of Kacirebonan].

Beside historical trip, Cirebon also have delicious traditional meals so called Nasi Jamblang. Steam ride wrapped in teakwood leaf and served with several assortments.

And another point of interest is old sugar mills that still running nowadays.

Guide Trip To Bintan

Off the coast of Sumatra , close to Singapore .

Bintan is a pastoral island across the Strait of Malacca from Singapore. It can be reached by a one hour ferry ride. The resort section of Bintan, in the north, includes a Banyan Tree resort and a Club Med. The Banyan Tree is fabulous...relaxed but luxurious.

Bintan is VERY safe. The resort area has excellent security, even though it does not seem necessary.

Guide Trip to Batam

If you just want to get away from it all for a holiday in the lush warmth of a very cheap, easily accessible tropical island then it’s all here with beautiful waterfront, marina and golf course resorts waiting to cater to your every whim with grace and style.

Or there’s the Batam entertainment scene… a full-blown, low-cost playground on the front doorstep of Singapore with a burgeoning nightlife like the Thailand or Macau of yesteryear. It’s still a new, fresh, –raw and vibrant, frontier yet at the same time is captivatingly laid back, and welcoming. And the beautiful, smiling, welcoming Indonesian women are judged by many of the Westerners who have visited, settled and often married here to be among the most gracious, charming and generous in the world.

If business and investment are your prime interests then you have found one of the fastest growing and most dynamic economic zones of South Asia – one where you will get the Red Carpet treatment from local authorities who understand your needs and concerns and want you here.

Should you simply want to set up a home here property is cheap, living costs are low and most of the services you need for a quality lifestyle are readily available. If you need more then Singapore is just an hour away across the Strait.

Guide Trip to Banten

Banten is one of the young provinces in the Republic of Indonesia. Situated in west Java, can be reached about an hour from Jakarta as the capital city of Indonesia. It's feel unbelievable, after the busy toll-way and hectic Jakarta as megapolitan city, we enter small and charming Banten.

This city has a lot of treasure to whom who likes history. Such as the ruins of Surosowan Palace, Kaibon Palace, Masjid Agung Banten [Banten Great Mosque, enlisted in moslem's pilgrimage in Indonesia], Speelwijk fortress and Chinese temple Avalokiteshvara.

And the harbour of Banten, Karanghantu [devil rock's harbour] that still used nowadays already existed since centuries ago. From this place, Sultan Banten's troopers took fight against the pirates and take defense from the Dutch.

From Banten, travelers can proceed to Anyer and Carita beaches.

Guide Trip To Banjarmasin

Banjarmasin is addressed as city of the water and also one of the Venice in Asia. Becomes provincional city of South Kalimantan, most of daily activities in this city happened in Barito and Kapuas rivers. Locals built houses by the rivers, buying and selling stuffs by the rivers and visit other places also by the rivers. Usually they take traditional boats powered by engine named klotok.

It's a worth trip to take a klotok trip early morning and visit two of big floating markets in Banjarmasin, named Pasar Kuin and Lokbaintan. There can be seen before the sunrise, people gathers using boats and do transaction for fresh veggies, fruits, meats and fish and several daily utensils, from tooth paste, shampoo, soya sauce to condensed milk!

And not to be missed is about floating resto among the boats of veggies and fruits. You can pick the snacks from your boat and order their local light soup called Soto Banjar, served with rice cake named ketupat.

Morning broken in Martapura river
photo by: rr ukirsari manggalani brodjokaloso

Guide Trip to Bangka Island

Bangka lies east of sumatra. From Jakarta it is one hour by plane.

It has beautiful beaches. There aren't too many western tourists, so you can have quiet stay.

Guide Trip to Sabang Island, Aceh

Sabang is the main town on this island, about an hour's ferry ride from Banda Aceh. The island is very relaxed and offers swimming, snorkelling and diving.

The island is also called "Pulau Weh" or "Weh island".

Sabang town has an area picturesque with a number of colonial homes.

Guide Trip to Aceh

Aceh is located in the Northwestern of Sumatra Island with the area of approximately 57,365.57 km square or 12.26 % of size of Sumatra Island. It consists of 119 islands, 73 major rivers and 2 lakes. Aceh is surrounded by Malacca Strait in the north, North Sumatra Province in the east, Indian Ocean in the south and the west. The capital of Aceh is Banda Aceh.

Aceh was long known for its desire for political independence from Indonesia.

When the 26 December 2004 Tsunami hit the coastline of Aceh, the Acehnese welcomed and accepted the help offered from outside donors and communities in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the province.

The tremendous loss of life also influenced the thinking of political figures of the province, and the Aceh Government became more open to peace talks.

The 29 year long struggle for special control (autonomy or independence) subsequently ended with the Helsinki Peace Agreement which was signed on 15 August 2005, and the decision to remain a province of Indonesia. Since then, the peace process has been quite smooth, without major incidents.The "AAM" (Aceh Monitoring Mission) funded by the EU oversaw the process.

There are a number of major towns, among them: Banda Aceh (capital), Lokhseumawe, Meulaboh, Sigli, and Calang. Also the island of Sabang (an hour ferry ride from Banda Aceh), considered a diver's and snorkeller's paradise, belongs to the province.

Jreu River in Indrapuri, Aceh Besar. Perfect for those enjoy jungle trekking, birds watching, primate observation
photo by: Ron Gedakay

Guide Trip to Pangandaran

Small mainland peninsula with a national park with beaches and stunning scenery to rival the beaches of Bali on the south coast of Java.

Pangandaran located about 4 hour road trip from yogyakarta. you can surfing or just want to watch sun set. Physical Profile of pangandaran form of rock hills nearly resemble of Gran Canyon National park.

Guide Trip to Karimunjawa

Karimunjawa located at authority of Kab. Jepara, Central Java. It is a national park of sea park.
you can see beautyfull sub sea park here.

Guide Trip to Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta is commonly considered the modern cultural centre of Java. Although some may profer Solo as a good runner up, Yogya remains the clear front runner for traditional dance, Wayang (traditional puppetry) and music.

The city currently hosts over thirty universities, including Indonesias first and perhaps most famous university, University Gadja Mada (UGM) along with the National Institute of the Arts (ISI) amongst others. This concentration of students and teachers provides a intellectual backdrop to a dynamic youth culture bursting with music, arts, cafes, warungs, lesehans (road side food stalls) and the odd nightclub.

Yogya was founded in 1755 and was the capital of the Mataram kings when the Dutch came along. The Dutch granted the kings the title of Sultan of the territory of Yogyakarta. Yogyakarta was also the scene of Indonesia's most successful rebellions against the Dutch - firstly with Prince Diponegoro who waged a holy war against colonial rule from 1825 to 1830, and also serving as the capital of the newly independent republic after World War II when the Dutch reoccupied Batavia (Jakarta).

Yogya has more than just culture though. It is a very lively city and a shopper's delight. The main road, Jalan Maliboro, is always crowded and famous for its night street food-culture and street vendors. Many tourist shops and cheap hotels are concentrated along this street or in the adjoining tourist area of Jl Sosrowijayan.

The key attraction of Yogyakarta is the Kraton (the Sultan's Palace). This vast complex of decaying buildings was built in the 18th century, and is actually a walled city within the city with luxurious pavilions and in which the current Sultan still resides. Yogya is also the only major city which still has traditional becak (rickshaw-style) transport.

Yogyakarta is an excellent starting place for many day trips including to the famous temples of Borobudur, and Prambanam as well as the Dieng Plateau and Solo.

Guide Trip To Ambarawa

Ambarawa, famous nationalwide by the credo Palagan Ambarawa. Small city that forgotten nowadays but became one of the important basecamp of National heroes during Dutch occupancy in World War II. A small city in the junction of national road between Jogjakarta to Semarang and accessible to several small cities nearby like Salatiga, Magelang and Bandungan.

There are several tourist spots in Ambarawa like Rawa Pening and Train Museum Ambarawa a.k.a Koening Willem I Spoorweg. And from this city, the travelers can go further to Bandungan flower market and Candi Gedung Songo at the hills of Gunung Ungaran.

Guide Trip to Semarang

Semarang is located in central Java. It is one of the biggest cities of Indonesia.
From the hills that surround the city you get great views over the sea, the rice paddies, the hills, the city and the harbour.

The old city has colonial era buildings (Dutch) and is well worth a stroll. If you have time you should try and catch a traditional Wajang puppet performance.

You can make daytrips to Jepara, to the northeast with good beaches and a Portuguese Fort. Kudus and Demak can be seen on the way to Jepara.

Semarang can be reach 2 hours road trip from yogyakarta. It is becoming an evidence of sea power of javanese emperor in the past.

Special food you can taste here are Bandeng Presto, the more delicious branded by " Bandeng Presto Juliana".

Batavia Info : Archeology Excavation

Jakarta Dept. of Culture and Museum will develop archeology excavation on Jl Kunir in front of Fatahilah OId City Museum, Central Jakarta and targeted will be finished on September 2007

The excavation will dig up the double line of train that is used on VOC period. Jakarta Head of Dept. Culture and Museum, Aurora Tambunan, said the excavation is doing due to add the image of old city. “We want the society know that there was any tram line which was used on VOC period,” said Tambunan.

Tambunan added the old city revitalization will be finished on September 2007. “It’ll be officially legalized on September 2007, moreover, the fund from dept. of transportation is already distributed,” finished Tambunan. [Foto: Taman Fatahillah in 1910]

Batavia Info : Carnaval

Fast line on Jl Sudirman-Thamrin will be closed starting at 19.00 up to 20.30 during the Jakarnaval on Saturday 07 July 2007.

It is an annual parade organized by City's Cultural and Museums Department. There will be 26 decorated cars representing various companies and institutions, along with attractions from Harley Davidson Club, cavalry, Marching Band, ondel-ondel, rebana marawis, tanjidor, etc.
From the Town Hall at Jl Merdeka Selatan, the parade will go through Jl MH Thamrin, Jl Kebon Sirih, Bundaran HI, Jl Jenderal Sudirman, and Silang monas at Semanggi.
It was said that the budget for the Jakanaval 070707 is Rp 500 millions
Auroa Tambunan, Head of the City's Cultural and Museums Department said that beside to mark the 480th Jakarta Anniversary, the parade also to promote that Jakarta is safe to visit.

Batavia Info: Jakara International Video Festival

The third Video Festival organized by Ruangrupa with the name OK. VIDEO, this time with the theme MILITIA.

11-27 July 2007| 11:00-16:00 17:00-21:00
Galeri Nasional
Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur 14
Jakarta

14 July 2007 | 15:00
Galeri Nasional: workshop presentation

16 July 2007 | 18:30
MP Bookpoint, Cipete : screening workshop video + artist' talk

18 July 2007 | 19:30
Cafe Au Lait, Cikini : special screening

19 July 2007 | 15:00
Galeri Nasional: Artist' Talk

19-22 July 2207 | 14:00
Galeri Nasional: Interactive Performance Installation

20 July 2007 | 15:00
Galeri Nasional: Discussion - Video Activism

23 July 2007 | 18:30
Galeri Nasional: Workshop Online Video
MP Bookpoint, Cipete : special screening

Trip to Prambanan

Prambanan is becoming the biggest complex of hindi statues in Indonesia. Located 20 km east yogyakarta.
Prambanan developed at 850 M. while after it development finish, Prambanan left by, and its degradation begun.
Prambanan is the biggest hindi statue in south east asia, and becoming one of UNESCO Protected since 1991.

Trip to Dieng

Its very amazing that we have place like Dieng.
Dieng located at Wonosobo, central java. Located 2.200 meters above sea level, made dieng very cold.
As the name, dieng meant Kahyangan (nirvana). there are some heritage formed hindi statue.
When you go to yogyakarta or semarang, it is very nice if you did not miss this place. you can reach dieng from yogyakarta about 3 hours.
There are some place to go around Dieng:

- Telaga Werna : a form of lake that can change the water color to red, green, blue.
- Telaga Pengilong
- Hindi Statues.
- Kawah : Sikidang, Sileri, Sinila
- Gua Semar
- Sumur Jalatunda
- Serayu river







Hindi Statues in Dieng

Trip to Borobudur

Borobudur is one of World Wonder Heritage located in Indonesia. People around the world come to Borobudur every year to see 1460 reliefs and 504 statues. Build by Samaratungga, one of Mataram Kuno Emperor clan of Wangsa Sanjaya dynasty.
Based on ancient inscription "Prasasti Kayumwungan", an Indonesian man Hudaya Kandahjaya said that Borobudur temple build as long as a century and finished at 26 May 824 M.

Borobudur structure consist of 10 steps. six steps at the bottom squared and 3 steps upper forming a circle and at the top is Budhist Statue facing west.
There are beautifull relief at every step. The relief will be read if you walk clockwise. one of the relief telling us about famous Ramayana Legend. Until now, Borobudur still remain some mystery, some of it is how is situation around borobudur while its development, and why Borobudur found burried.

With all remaining mystery and its greatfull, it is not suprisingly when some people say that Borobudur is one place that have to visit in their live.