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Best things to do in Wakatobi

The name Wakatobi is a combination from the first two letters of every island. WA stands for Wangi – Wangi, KA stands for Kaledupa, TO stands for Tomia and BI stands for Binongo The Wakatobi islands are an undiscovered paradise for divers. The islands have more than 50 diving spots, one of the highest biodiversity in Indonesia and best of all; the spots have a low amount of visitors. Above the surface you will be impressed as well. The sea surrounding the island inhabits villages which are standing in the middle of the ocean. The island have quiet white beaches and boats are sailing over mangrove forests which is an impressive sight to see.

Visit the city on pillars
This village of Bajau is built on pillars and its location is 1 km offshore Ambeua pier. The pillars of the village are standing on coral under water. The locals of the village live in wooden stilt houses which are connected by small bamboo bridges. In the rivers under the bridges is enough space for boats to pass through. The citizens of the village are very friendly and welcoming to the people who want to visit the village. The women in the village do the household duties like cooking, cleaning, going to the mainland to buy groceries at the market, etc. The men in the village are fishermen. They catch fish for their village and for their family.

Discover Wangi – Wangi
Wangi – Wangi has a various underwater world. The reefs are colourful and there is a big variety of marine life under the surface. The ocean floor has various landscapes which you can explores during you stay in Wangi – Wangi. The landscapes vary from Flat plains, gentle slopes, steep walls, and deep caves which you explorer during your adventure at the bottom of the ocean. You can discover the island of Pulau Wangi – Wangi by bicycle. The island has good flat roads which are perfect to cycle. Along the road, there are more than enough beaches and caves to stop and they are all easy accessible.

Discover Kaledupa
Kaledupa was the island of the Ruling Kingdom before the arrival of the Butonese. The royals had a reason to settle on this island and you will see it right away when you enter the island yourself. This island is an beautiful paradise. The mangroves and coconut trees are greeting you when you arrive at shore and when you go into the inlands, you will impregnable landscape. This landscape is even more impregnable then the other Wakatobi islands.

Discover Tomia
Tomia has a beautiful ocean surrounding it which makes the island a perfect diving destination. With beautiful reefs and colourful corals, this destination attracts many visitors. But there is also more than enough to discover when you go to the island itself. Tomia has white beaches and cliffs which are waiting for you to be discovered. After a whole day of exploring the island, you have to go to the night market where you can eat traditional food. Tomia has also a good infrastructure due to its popularity among drivers.

Discover Binongko
This island is famous for its blacksmiths. That explains the nickname of the island which is Kepulauan Tukang Besi. This means blacksmiths archipelago. The island may be the last of the Wakatobi islands, but this island is more than worthy enough to visit with is untouched cliff landscapes, white beaches, turtle breeting grounds and hidden hot springs throughout the island.

Diving in Wakatobi national park
This national park is one of the top 10 diving spots of Indonesia. The diving spot has more than 25 coral reefs and over 900 marine species. The corals are still untouched by humans and the amazing biodiversity underwater makes the diving spot very attracting for scuba divers. The World Wildlife Fund has also helped out the park management to publicize the biodiversity of the park. The WWF even has made a movie over the area.

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Best Things To Do in Jakarta

Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia. This huge city holds a lot of history that you don’t want to miss. You will already see the history when you take a look on the buildings in the colonial era and government buildings. The artificial tours represent the history of Indonesia. Do you want to visit Indonesia in the near future? Then you have to put Jakarta on your list. Here are some activities you can do while on vacation in Jakarta.

Go back in time in Kota Tua
The Kota Tua, located in West Jakarta, is one of the historical and cultural tourist destinations visited by many tourists. There are many spots that can be visited in this Kota Tua tourist area. One of them is the Fatahillah Museum which has a very strong historical value, due to the reason that this building is used as a town hall, court, and civil registry office during the era of the Dutch colonialization. These buildings are located in Dewan Kotapraja. In addition, there is also the Sunda Kelapa Harbor, which in ancient times was often used as a place to lean on commercial boats from China, India, Arabia, and others to trade or visit in Indonesia. There is also the museum of Wayang, which, as the name suggests, holds a variety of wayang on display. This museum may be a dedication to the people of Java and the world of wayang in Indonesia.

Visiting Monas, the legendary Indonesian landmark
Tugu Monas (Monumen Nasional, in English: National Monument) is a monument in the form of a obelisk monument, built on the orders of the first President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soekarno. At the very top of this monument is a flaming torch shaped crown which is coated in gold which has a weight of 50kg.This tongue of fire symbolizes the unending fire, a symbol of the spirit of the Indonesian people that will never fade. The monument is surrounded by an open and green city park. The environment is green and shady, and there is also a jogging track and land for exercise. In some spots, there are also beautiful works of art in the form of sculptures and there are also reliefs that illustrate the history of Indonesia in every corner of the courtyard outside the national monument. Inside the monument there is also the National History Museum which shows the history of the archipelago and holds the original manuscript of the independence proclamation of the Republic of Indonesia which is stored in a glass box framed by a gold-plated gate in a room called the Ruang Kemerdekaan (Independence Room).

See the Indonesian miniatures in Taman Mini Indonesia Indah
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) is one of the largest recreational parks in Indonesia. Standing on an area of 150 hectares, TMII contains a picture of Indonesian culture. You can learn various things about Indonesian culture at TMII, from traditional houses and clothes, regional dances, to houses of worship of every official religion in Indonesia. There is also a large lake in the middle which lies a park that forms islands resembling the Indonesian archipelago from Sabang to Merauke is located. This lake is referred to as a miniature of the Indonesian archipelago. In addition, there are various kinds of museums that you can visit, such as the Museum Indonesia, the Indonesian Museum of Komodo, Fauna and Reptile Park, and other museums. Want to get to know Indonesia more easily? TMII is the answer.

Play challenging rides at Ancol Recreational Park
Ancol Recreational Park, commonly referred to as Taman Impian Jaya Ancol, is a recreational park that stands on an area of 552 hectares. Ancol has several interesting parks, beaches and recreation areas that you don’t want to miss. However, among the recreation parks offered by Jakarta, Dufan is the most famous recreation park. Dufan (uptake from English: Do Fun) is an amusement park that has many rides and is well known throughout the country. Not only does dufan offers various interesting rides, Dufan also has an interesting physics education center to study. If you like playing with water, then Atlantis Water Adventure is a good place to visit. There are eight main pools in this waterpark, and the highest ride is called Crazy Highest Longest will make your adrenaline reach is maximum. If you are curious about the underwater world, don’t forget to visit Sea World where various marine life live in giant aquarium. In addition, there are many other recreational vehicles that you can try in Ancol that you won’t be able to visit all in one day.

Admire the splendor of the Istana Merdeka
Istana Merdeka (Merdeka Palace) is one of the many state palaces owned by Indonesia where the President works and has government activities. Besides from being a place for presidential activities and receiving state guests, Merdeka Palace can also be visited by tourists. The tour can be carried out when there are no presidential activities carried out at the Merdeka Palace. You will be invited to look at the front page of the President’s office, the corridors next to the state guesthouse, and many other destinations with rules that do not interfere with the work of the President and his apparatus, and do not compromise the security of the President, First Lady and his family. Remember to follow all the rules that have been set to honor the Merdeka Palace and remember that this is the place where the President lives and is active for his duty for Indonesia.

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Best things to do in Sumbawa

Sumbawa is known for its excellent waves for surfing and beautiful coral reefs, but the island is still not well-known under many tourists which turns this island into a quiet paradise for the adventurous tourists. Sumbawa has also a big amount of nice sandy beaches where you can spend the full day to relax. But the island is not only special because of its reefs, beaches and waves. The citizens of the island have also a traditional way of living which you have to see. The citizens remained their old rituals which makes the island authentic.

 

Explorer the island of Kenawa
Kenawa Island is a beautiful place which is well suited for people who want a day full of seeing beautiful sights and relaxation. The island is filled with green fields as far as the eyes can reach and there are many white sandy beaches. The island itself is really quiet. You can’t even hear the when you go a little bit more to the inlands. When you go to the beach, you can snorkel or lay at the beach to relax. When you go snorkelling, you shall be amazed by the underwater world. You can see seahorses, starfishes, crabs and a wealth of colourful life under water. There is also the option to do an organised which gives you the possibility to camp on the island. This will give you an adventurous feeling and makes your visit more special

Surf at one of the many surf spots of Sumbawa
Sumbawa is one of the best places in the word when it comes to surfing. There are many beaches where you can grab your board, run into the sea and catch a wave. The 3 best surf spots on the island which you have to visit are Lakey Peak, Lakey Pike and Cobblestones. Lakey Peak has waves which are waiting for you to surf on. You will be challenged by waves which are 2 to 4 meters high and they will give you an adrenaline boost which you will never forget. Lakey Pike is also a surf spot which provides you from high waves. Cobblestones is a surf spot for the beginning surfer. The waves are smaller which makes it ideal to learn how to surf.

Admire the traditions of Sumbawa
Sumbawa is an island full of traditions which, as a tourist, you have to see during your stay. One of those traditions is buffalo racing. This is something the people of Sumbawa do every time when new rice is planted. The reason why they do this is that it’s good for the new rice to grow. The people of Sumbawa also use boxing as one of their traditions. The boxing men are actually not well-trained and have a lack in technique. During the boxing match, there are no written rules and also no rounds. The men show off their boxing skills in front of the women who admire the boxing men. If you visit those traditions, your stay would even more memorable than it already is.

Visit the famous Mata Jitu Waterfall
Walk in a real fairy-tale world and visit Mata Jitu waterfall. This is one of the most famous waterfalls on the island. The waterfall is even so beautiful that even princes Diana paid a visit to the waterfall. The waterfall itself has many pool-shaped creeks. In these creeks you can swim and cool down. The water itself is crystal clear which helps you see the biodiversity in the creekes.

Taste the cuisine of Sumbawa
During your stay at Sumbawa, you have to taste Sepat. This dish is authentic to Sumbawa, so it would be a pity if you miss out this dish. Sepat is made of snapper or rabbitfish. They grill the fish after it is freshly caught. After the fish is prepared they make a delicious sauce from eggplant, young mango, aru leaves, leaf ketimus, starfruit, tomatoes, pecans and sour Sumbawa. After the sauce and the fish is prepared, they serve the dish with rice, tomato sauce and cucumber and the taste is delicious when it all comes together.

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Bali Hidden Gems

What is the first thing popped in your mind when you heard a word “Bali”? Most people will say beach. Indeed Bali has beautiful beaches stretch along the island. Not only the white sandy beaches, but also the black ones. But do you know that Bali is not just about the beach?

The island of Bali has many hidden gems spread throughout the island. Rice terraces, forest, volcano, lakes, rivers, caves, canyon, you name it. The good thing is most of those places are still less exposed by many tourists. You still can enjoy the stream of the river between lush green canyons while you do rafting. Even if you are lucky, you can see one or two apes hanging on the trees.

Wandering the non-touristy places in Bali is one of my favorite activities during the weekend. I usually go with scooter for faster and easier way to travel around this island. I visited a scenic jogging/walking path on the hill in Ubud, enjoy the view from atop of hill overlooking to the sea in Karangasem, found a hidden waterfall with its blue lagoon, hike Mount Batur on sunrise time, trekking in an uphill village overlooking to the lake, and etc.

Bali is famous with its authentic rice terraces called Subak. Subak is the water management (irrigation) system for paddy fields on Bali Island, which was developed in the 9th century. For the Balinese, irrigation is not simply providing water for the plant’s roots, but water is used to construct a complex, pulsed artificial ecosystem. The famous rice terrace in Bali can be found in Tegalalang, Keliki, and Jatiluwih as a UNESCO world heritage. Make sure you stop by those places to see how Balinese combine art and irrigation system.

Are you an adventure seeker? Try to climb the volcano in Bali. Mount Batur is an option for those who want to witness a stunning sunrise above the cloud, with not so long hike needed. Only require about 2 hours hike to reach the top of Mount Batur on 1.717 meters height above sea level. And prepare yourself for the golden sun rising slowly from behind the sea of cloud. You also can spot Mount Rinjani in Lombok at the far east. Want to try the higher level of hike? Then you should hike Mount Agung, the highest one in Bali with 3.031 meters height elevation. Those volcanoes are not only for the strong legs hikers. For people who just want to enjoy the volcano from afar, there are restaurants that offer lunch with the view of this majesty volcano.

Where there’s a volcano, there’s must be a waterfall. And it’s true. Bali has a lot of waterfalls to offer. From the highest one in the midst of forest, until the one situated in the centre of rural villages. Both are worth to visit. And let the cool breeze indulge you while you enjoy the sound of waterfall hit the lagoon underneath.

Talking about the lake, Bali has some lakes with beautiful view surrounding. The famous ones are Lake Batur and Lake Bedugul. Each has their own beauties to capture. While the more secluded one, Lake Tamblingan, lies side by side with Lake Buyan in the midst of Munduk green hills.

I’m sure by now you just can’t wait to come to Bali and explore its secret gems, hidden in the middle of untouched nature. Then just pack your bag and go!

Written by Fransisca Widi

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Best Things To Do in Medan

Medan is the capital of North Sumatra province and also the third largest city in Indonesia. The former citizens of Medan existed out various ethnic and cultural groups such as the Batak, Malay, Javanese, Chinese, and other ethnic groups. Medan is not only rich in cultural diversity, but it also has quite a diverse tourism potential. The following are recommended activities for those of you who want to travel in Medan.

Visiting the legendary Lake Toba
Lake Toba is a vast and beautiful lake formed by an enormous volcanic eruption that occurred around 77,000 years ago. In an exotic view, you’ll see Samosir island in the middle of Lake Toba which has many famous legends in the archipelago. The natural panorama is so beautiful and the rows of mountains surrounding Lake Toba makes the view even more beautiful. You can enjoy the beauty of nature while relaxing and taking a break from work.

Stimulate adrenaline in the Asahan River rafting spot
Challenged for a tour that drives adrenaline? Asahan River is the answer. Asahan River rafting spot has been named the number 3 best rafting spot in the world! Having a steep flow of 22 kilometers, the flow of water comes from Lake Toba, then accommodated in the Sigura-Gura Dam. Its swift flow follows the exotic Bukit Barisan valley, until it ends in the Malacca Strait through Nibung Bay. This river has 4 difficulty levels and the most favorite is the ‘Never Ever End’ side. Asahan River also has fun rafting, which is ideal for children at least 6 years old and can also be enjoyed by the elderly with 80 years of age.

Enjoy delicious Medan Lontong Sayur
Lontong sayur is a typical Indonesian food that is easily found throughout the country. However, Medan’s traditional lontong sayur has a unique taste to the spice. The use of shrimp and tauco makes the food taste more savory and appetizing. The vegetables consist of pumpkin, yellow jackfruit broth, chayote, carrots and long beans. Equipped with balado eggs, rendang meat, dried tempi anchovy beans and fried peanuts. No wonder Medan’s lontong sayur is one of the favorite breakfast menus of the local population.

Visit the place full of culture, the Batak Museum
The Batak Museum is a magnificent building within the TB Silalahi Center complex. This museum was built based on the concept that the Batak ethnic group have known high cultural values since time immemorial. This is evidenced by the fact that the Batak people have their different languages and writings, they have the traditional democratic principles of Dalihan Natolu, and the use of family names or family names. In addition, this museum also acts as a unifying symbol of different Batak clans, namely: Toba Batak, Simalungun Batak, Mandailing Batak, Angkola Batak, Pakpak / Dairi Batak, and Karo Batak. If you want to get to know more about culture in North Sumatra, the Batak Museum is the right place for you to visit.

Seeing the splendor of the Maimun Palace
Medan Maimun Palace is a heritage museum of Deli Sultanate which has an area of 2,772 square meters and has 30 rooms. The distinctive yellow palace of the Malay decorate the architecture of this magnificent building standing in the middle of Medan city is also an icon of the capital of North Sumatra. The design of the Maimun Palace is a combination of elements of Malay, Spanish, Indian, Italian cultural heritage with an Islamic style. According to history, the Maimun Palace building was designed by architects from the Netherlands and was built in 1888 by Sultan Deli, Makmun Al Rasyid Perkasa Alamsyah. As a memento, you can take pictures using the Malay aristocratic clothes provided by the museum manager.

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Best things to do in Flores

Flores is one of the most beautiful islands in the Indonesian archipelago. There are a lot of things on the island which you can do and see. Begin your trip to Flores with visiting the komodo dragons, go diving in the wonderful underwater world of the island and interact with the hospitable citizens of the island. Already curious about the island of Flores? Read further and explorer the activities on the island of Flores.

See a real dragon
Visit the Komodo islands on the west of Flores and discover why this small island is famous along many tourists. This island is the only island in the whole world where you will find the Komodo dragons which is the reason why this island is famous. The Komodo dragons are the biggest lizards in the whole world and that also explains the nickname of the animal. These beasts have a highly aggressive nature, so do you dare to encounter with the famous lizards? These lizards are also highly protected by the Indonesian law and if you see them in real, you know why.

Diving to Komodo National Park
After your visit to the Komodo Dragons, you have to dive in Komodo National Park. The underwater world is known for its manta rays. Encountering with the manta rays will make your visit to Flores unforgettable. The waters are also filled with many schools of fish which are not afraid for you as a diver. Swim together with the fauna under water and you will never leave Flores.

Experience the famous Caci Dance
Encounter with the citizens of the west part of Flores. This tribe is called the Manggarai People and this trip has a big wealth of traditions. One of those traditions is the Caci Dance. Feel the excitement of the dance where you’ll see people fighting against each other with whips while they are dressed as animals. The dance is guided by drums which make the dance more serious, but don’t be afraid about the dancers themselves. The dancers know that the dance is meant to be a spectacular ceremonial happening and they won’t really hurt each other.

Make your way to Wae Rebo village
During your stay on Flores, you have to go to Wae Rebo village. This village is home to the Manggarai tribe. These people live in a special way which you have to see. The villagers live in primitive cottages which have an extraordinary appearance. The roofs of the cottages are shaped into tipi tents. The villagers will be more than happy to show you their way of living and this is unique to see as a tourist, cause you won’t see this in another part in Indonesia.

Enter the spider lair in Cancar
With spider lair, we don’t mean a real spider lair. In Cancar, you’ll see a pattern of a spider lair in the rice plantations. This is a beautiful sight to see and a pity to be missed during your stay on Flores. During your visit to the rice plantations, you have to encounter with the owners who are happy to welcome you. The farmers will explain you that the weightiness of the plantations will describe the wealth of the family. This is an interesting story to hear, but you have to visit the plantations for the full story.

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