Sunday, 16 October 2011

Diving sites and map for Sangalaki island

Sangalaki Island is a small island at the Celebes Sea, perched on the remote edge of northeastern Borneo's continental shelf. Diving is mainly executed around Sangalaki Island but Kakaban, Samama and Manatua Island are not so far from Sangalaki that we can request the optional diving tour to these islands, where there are the different kinds of fishes and locations and we can enjoy more dynamic diving.

Coral Reefs

Good for: Large animals, underwater photography and advanced divers
Not so good for: Non-diving activities
Depth: 10 - >40m
Visibility: 10 - 30m
Currents: Moderate
Surface conditions: Can be choppy
Water temperature: 28 - 30°C
Experience level: Beginner - advanced
Number of dive sites: 13
Access: Liveaboard
Recommended length of stay: 6 - 8 days


Description

Coral Gardens
Above the seabed though, it is a gradual incline of shelves full of hard and soft corals. You'll find acropora corals and mosaic corals, among which are a rich variety of reef life such as anthias, damsels, snappers and triggerfish. Do remember to look up every now and then, for in the midst of watching all the busy coral life, you'll probably come across a manta or green turtles which regularly lay their eggs on the beaches of Sangalaki.

Manta Avenue, Manta Parade and Manta Run
To the east of the island are Manta Avenue, Manta Parade and Manta Run - where the manta rays can be found feeding, gills wide open, on a rich supply of plankton minutes from the beach. The mantas can sometimes be seen cruising down these manta highways, whilst other rays forage around for food under the sand together with the goatfish. Their wing tips break the surface at regular intervals as they circle around you. They prefer to swim close to the surface, so snorkeling or free diving is also a good way to interact with them. The mantas can also be found cruising the seas or less often foraging for sustenance down on the sandy sea beds. The best time to see them seems to be full moon when there might be as much 20 mantas hovering over the cleaning stations.

Turtle Town
Located in the southwest corner of Sangalaki, there are gullies and stony ridges all over the place at this rather flat dive site, which make this place ideal for green turtles. Along with them, you'll also find reef fish like pufferfish, moorish idols as well as sea stars and feather stars. Other marine life which you'll see at this dive site are octopus, giant cuttlefish, popcorn crabs, catfish, shy mandarinfish and for lovers of macrolife, flamboyantly coloured nudibranchs.

Lighthouse Reef
Lighthouse Reef has a maximum diving depth of around 15 m / 49.2 ft and is suitable for all divers. The average visibility is 10-20 metres and access to the dive site is by boat. The coral steps its way down to the first sandy tracks which is an ideal environment for the beautifully coloured Fire Goby, Elegant Fire Goby and Dancing Goby together with the Jaw Fish and Ribbon Eels. There are also two small wooden boat wrecks here.

Source :  http://www.dive-the-world.com

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Lodging in Bali with a convenience of privacy

If you want to plan a vacation with your family or your partner, there's nothing wrong, if you choose Bali as your holiday destination. Bali island famous for its natural beauty and culture, and has become the choice of many people in the world to be a tourist destination. To meet the housing needs during your vacation, there are many places of rest that you can make the choice to complement your tour. Ranging from five star hotels, up to the inn-cheap lodging is widely available there. There are several places that you can make choices during your vacation in Bali island, where the inn is capable of providing privacy for your flexibility during the vacation. Here are some of the inn on the island of Bali that we quoted from usatoday.com

Renting a villa for your Indonesian vacation can be a cost-saving alternative to a hotel stay. It will definitely be a luxurious one. Bali has a wide selection of vacation villas, some of them owned by part-time residents and artists, all with pools, gardens, air-conditioning, access to water sports and extraordinary views. The bonuses generally include an excellent house staff and first-rate personal cooks.

Villa Hibiscus, South Bali

The Villa Hibiscus is one of several properties in a compound that rents to guests in South Bali, which is known for its sunny days, spectacular scenery and low-key night life. The villa is on the Nusa Dua Peninsula where white sand beaches, surfing, para-sailing, jet-skiing and diving are popular. It has its own private swimming pool and free use of the lap pool and tennis court in the compound. There is free Internet access and a personal butler. Spa and beauty treatments, and yoga workshops are nearby.

Guests can arrange for a large group to rent all three villas in the compound. This exquisite, deluxe private villa is located in a quiet residential back-road of Sanur, only a 5-minute drive to hotels, restaurants and shops.The professionally landscaped gardens enhance the 15m X 4m swimming pool area with sitting pavilion and patio to the front right side of the house. Villa Hibiscus, Tanjung Benoa/Nusa Dua Balivillas.com Reservation & Service Center +62 361-703-060 balivillas.com

Villa Dhyan, Ubud

The Ubud-Gianyar area in Central Bali is a mélange of art galleries, great restaurants, traditional performing arts, and festivals. Rent a secluded artist’s villa with spectacular views for your stay, and still be moments away from all the local activity. The absolutely stunning view of the Ayung River right below the villa and the tropical garden make this simple artist’s retreat perfect for a very relaxed vacation in truly Balinese surroundings. The views and space offered are superior to the Four Seasons’ and Amandari’s, but the rate is less than 20% per bedroom compared to these luxury resorts! .

Villa Dhyan is a three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath perch on a steep ridge overlooking the Ayung River. There is white-water rafting on the Ayung, and beaches are about a 30-minute drive. The compound of interconnected and adjacent thatched buildings was built in the old Bali style as an artist’s retreat. Air-conditioned bedrooms are scattered among the cottages, studio and main villa. There is an open kitchen and the uniformed staff includes a cook. An air-conditioned car with a driver, satellite TV, free WiFi, mountain bikes and more are available for extra fees. Villa Dhyan, Ubud Balivillas.com Reservation & Service Center +62 361-703-060 balivillas.com

Villa Holiday Bumbak

For a cheaper alternative, the Canggu-Kuta area features black sand surfer’s beaches, a number of rental villa bargains and a casual vibe. Serene and beautiful, the Villa Bumbak is blessed with wonderful natural surrounding. This Bali private villa has an easy access from the main attractions. Enjoy the finest dining and shopping experience within short drive from this breathtaking Bali vacation villa. Even it’s not really quiet, yet the peaceful atmosphere strongly appears throughout the villa. With the concept of tranquility and quietness, the Villa Bumbak is the choice for today’s travelers seeking for the ultimate Bali villas.

Villa Bumbak is near to handicraft markets, good restaurants and shops, luxurious private villas and a golf course. The two-bedroom villa has an infinity pool, access to a quiet beach next to Petitenget Temple, modern amenities and full kitchen but no personal, live-in staff. Villa Holiday Bumbuk +62 881-460-7998 info@indonesia-bali.com


Source : Traveltips.usatoday.com.

Saturday, 15 October 2011

Sangalaki island : Diving on Manta Rays Home

The Manta Ray ( Stingray ) is classified as a fish. The stingrays are a group of rays, which are cartilaginous fishes related to sharks. They are classified in the suborder Myliobatoidei of the order Myliobatiformes, and consist of eight families: Hexatrygonidae (sixgill stingray), Plesiobatidae (deep water stingray), Urolophidae (stingarees), Urotrygonidae (round rays), Dasyatidae (whiptail stingrays), Potamotrygonidae (river stingrays), Gymnuridae (butterfly rays), and Myliobatidae (eagle rays). Most stingrays have one or more barbed stings (modified from dermal denticles) on the tail, which is used exclusively in self-defense.


The stinger may reach a length of approximately 35 cm, and its underside has two grooves with venom glands. The stinger is covered with a thin layer of skin, the integumentary sheath, in which the venom is concentrated. A few members of the suborder, such as the manta rays and the porcupine ray, have lost their stings.

MANTA RAY CLASSIFICATION
Kingdom : Animalia (animals)
Phylum : Chordata
SubPhylum : Vertebrata (vertebrates)
Class : Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish)
Subclass : Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays)
Superorder : Batoidea
Order : Myliobatiformes
Family : Myliobatidae (Eagle Rays),
Genus : Manta
Species : birostris


Mantas are considered "ghost" fish and hence 'feared' by the local fishermen. The open fins of a Manta Ray can be more than 20 feet in length.They can be up to 25 feet in length and weight as much as 5,000 pounds.It is one of the largest and it continues to be one that we know the least about. Scientifically it would be interesting to investigate the rational behind this assembly of huge mantas. The manta ray is found both inshore and offshore in the warmer oceans. Although mantas can be found on the seabed, they spend much of their time feeding near the ocean's surface.

Mantas swim in tropical seas, living both close to shore and in open seas. Large species of ray, such as the manta, tend to be solitary, although they are often accompanied by a shoal of pilot fish. While feeding, small and medium-sized species of ray may form shoals. Unoccupied by human beings, and 'feared' by local fishermen perhaps explains why huge mantas still exist around Sangalaki Island.

Where is sangalaki island ?

At Latitude of : 2° 5' 41" N and Longitude: 118° 24' 10" E , Sangalaki located in Derawan Islands, Berau regency, East Kalimantan, Indonesia . The island of Sangalaki has a wide 15.9 acres. Sangalaki is surrounded by a shallow langoon and the reefs start a distance out from the Island. The beach sand on this island has a width of 12-15 meters with slopes between 6 ° -11 ° with the material making up the coast of the dominant form of coral fragments and coarse sand-sized grains.

In the surrounding waters are known as marine parks and dive (diving) SInce there is so much shallow reef here, threre is a vast diversity of marine life, and since the area is a protected marine park, the reefs are quite pristine. Most Sangalaki Diving sites are shallower than 65 feet (20 m). The reef slope gently and all dive sites have excellent shallow areas for diving spot . For further information about diving site , please following this link

The hard and soft corals here are amazingly prolific with over 500 species present around the island.Sangalaki's shallow reef system extends over 200 meters from the island, apart from some steep coral ridges in places, generally falls away gradually and most diving is undertaken in water up to a depth of 25 meters.

This islands, is a attractive dive destination as it is known for the large manta rays that come here to feed their plankton. The Manta 's show mostly up at the north part of Sangalaki Islands, and come from all directions. The Manta's are often seen at the surface waterline, and even when snorkeling the Manta's can be easy seen. Here you can swim with the elegant moving Manta' s which have a wing weight of more then two meters.


Manta ray fish commonly clustered in the waters of this island and can be assembled up to 20 tail light rays at the time of the month. They headed to the island to find food in the form of various types of plankton are abundant in these waters. The island itself is a breeding ground for green turtles. At night female turtles come ashore and lay their eggs and small baby turtles can be seen regularly as they hatch and desparately struggle their way to the sea whilst dodging hungry birds.

Sangalaki and it's surrounding reefs are protected as an Indonesian Marine Park. Without the destructive effects of explosives and cyanide fishing, Sangalaki has remained a pristine example of an untouched tropical marine ecosystem. In a world where every resort claims to be situated in a "divers paradise", Sangalaki truly deserves the honor . .

How to reach?

International travelers to Sangalaki,
the best route would be to fly into Singapore direct to Balikpapan. From Balikpapan, you then take a one hour flight to Berau (Tanjung Redeb) where the Sangalaki Dive Lodge boat will take you on a two hour journey to Sangalaki, one hour down the Berau River to the sea, and then one hour out to the island. You can also reach Balikpapan from Jakarta or Bali if you are travelling within Indonesia. If you have the option of flying on Singapore Airlines from your home country, you may get a cheaper ticket to Balikpapan because SilkAir is a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, so you are travelling all the way on the "same carrier". For more further information according to get to sangalaki island , you can visit the website of Sangalaki Dive Lodge HERE

Central Java : Classic cultural tourism

Central Java is a province of Indonesia, located in the central part of Java Island. This province borders the province of West Java to the west, the Indian Ocean and Yogyakarta Special Region in the south, East Java in the east, and the Java Sea to the north. Its area is 32,548 km2, or about 25.04% and the vast island of Java. Central Java province also includes the island of Nusakambangan in the south (near the border with West Java), and Karimun Islands Java in the Java Sea.The majority of the population of Central Java are Javanese. Central Java is known as the cultural center of Java, where in the city of Surakarta and Yogyakarta lies the center of the royal palaces of Java. Central Java is a province that has a culture with a tradition of court. Java community is well-known people friendly and courteous, this is the result of the mindset and philosophy of life which they profess such as:

1. Ojo dumeh
to control himself so as not arrogant as ojo dumeh gek kuwoso (new endowed with power), ojo dumeh wealthy (just blessed with wealth), ojo dumeh wong grade (new endowed positions), etc..

2. Mulad Sariro Hangrosowani
human beings must be willing and able to the self introspection in order to implement daily life is not wrong.

3. Joyoningrat Surodiro Lebur Dening Pangastuti
all crime and evil would be destroyed by kindness.

4. Alon-Alon Waton kelakon
all that will be done must be considered carefully and be careful, NOT in a hurry in order to fit with the ideals and the original plan.


Historically, many standing in the central java royal kingdom is a monarchy. This can be seen from many various relics of the temple in Central Java, Borobudur in Magelang close. Mendut temple. Pawon temple, Prambanan temple near Klaten. Dieng temple, Sukuh , Gedongsongo temples as cultural heritage past is priceless. Literary texts carved in stone inscriptions, scratched and written on palm leaves in the books is a repertoire of classical Javanese literature that has so far not exhausted endless studied by scientists. There is also a high-quality cultural heritage in the form of dance, music, fine arts. art of puppetry, arts building (architecture), the art of fashion, etc.

Properties derived from the imperial system, the Javanese cultural forms that have a variety of customs and traditions that are quite unique. One is the result of a truly fascinating batik masterpiece and is well known to foreign tourists. Each area in Central Java has the style and characteristics of different batik-arriving thereby increasing the diversity of color batik itself.

In addition to batik, java also has a variety of forms of art appreciation, such as shadow puppets and puppet people. the art has been recognized by UNESCO as world cultural heritage. Coupled with the accompaniment of gamelan (musical instrument) that the coherent-matching with earlier art, adding to the rampant culture of Indonesia, particularly the central Javanese culture. In today's era, central java, still had an empire that remains active and still remain standing, the kingdom is located in the city of Solo and known as "Kasunanan Solo". In the city of Solo, often held a fashion show with the theme of Indonesian batik or culture that emphasizes the material works with recycled materials.




Community of Central Java as the heir of classical Javanese culture is not a homogeneous community or self-colored. but a large community that blossomed in cultural diversity. This was reflected in the growth areas of cultural regions which principally consists of Negarigung cultural region, cultural areas and regions Banyumasan coastal culture. Negarigung cultural region that covers the area of Surakarta - Yogyakarta and surrounding areas are culturally linked with the traditions of the palace (Surakarta and Yogyakarta, Region Banyumasan cultural reach of Banyumas.

Kedu and Bagelen The region includes the coastal culture of Central Java's north coast and extending east to west. Cultural diversity is a basic condition favorable for the flowering of creativity in copyright. race and intention embodied in cultural attitudes. In the area of ​​Central Java art of all kinds grow and develop properly

Friday, 14 October 2011

Bandung : World shopper and educational tour in West Java

If you're vacationing on the island of Java, especially West Java, it would be better for you to glance at the city known as the shopping center , Bandung. Flower city which is nothing but another name for the city of Bandung, or more formerly known as the Paris Van Java. As we know, the city of Bandung renowned as a shopping town, with lots of spread of shopping malls and factory autlet in this city. Up until now the city of Bandung is one of the main objectives of tourism and education. Food, clothing, various kinds of cuisine, beautiful natural environment which remains cool raises and the city of Bandung as a tourist destination.

Scattered all reasonable accommodation ranging from hotels to luxury hotels are not hard to get it. Only in the holiday season, the accommodation must be booked well in advance. But the matter of creative work or a wide assortment of culinary fashion typical fixed can easily be enjoyed at any time. In this city there are hundreds of attractions that it was indeed very interesting to visit. Here is a list of some tourist attractions in Bandung city in particular that you must visit during trip to Bandung city.

Cihampleas Walk Regions

Stroll Cihampelas at noon, afternoon and evening will feel different atmosphere. Lights from each outlet and the main building at night to build a different atmosphere. Own parking area located in the basement of the building and the bottom right side of the outside area, so the visitors activities fro the vehicle will not interfere with visitors strolling and relaxing in the shopping and dining.


Shoes and Bags Cibaduyut Center

As the name suggests, along Jalan Cibaduyut Bandung, we can see the shops that line which is dominated by displaying merchandise bags and shoes. If we enter into it, we can find many more. There are clothing including leather jackets, leather bags, carrying bags, wallets, belts, dolls, slippers, and others. The price also varies, ranging from a few hundred thousand up to hundreds of thousands of dollars.


Sate House Bandung (West Java Governor's Office)

This architect designed buildings Ir J. Berger of Landsgeboundienst, office buildings, construction of the Netherlands government. It takes energy to 2,000 workers. Among the thousands of workers, there are approximately 150 Chinese Konghu or Canton, carpenters and skilled stone carvers in the country. Dutch architect, Dr. Hendrik Petrus Berlage, mention that the Sate House Office Center complex and its design agency in the Netherlands Indies Civil Administration Bandung is a masterpiece. While Coor Passchier and Jan Wittenberg, two Dutch architects inventory of colonial buildings in Bandung, called Sate House as a stunning elegant monumental buildings, and has a unique architectural style, and gigantic.

Sate building itself is actually only a small part, or approximately 5% of the "Central Office Complex Insatansi Civil Government" Dutch East Indies that occupies land area of North Bandung 27,000 square meters. By residents of the past "Gedong Sate" named "Bebe Gedong" which was then more popular with the "Satay House" because at the top of the tower building there is a "skewer" with 6 water guava fruit-shaped ornaments.

Observatorium Boscha

Bosscha is an astronomical laboratory became a pioneering development of astronomy and space science in Indonesia. Continuity of work and responsibility to develop astronomy in Indonesia between generations is an important task performed Bosscha Observatory today. The existence of a bridge observatory open to beinteraksi with the international scientific world through the exchange of knowledge.

Bosscha Observatory gives an important contribution to formal and informal education. The observatory is used as an astronomical laboratory for undergraduate and postgraduate education as well as models of astronomical observatories and museums in the world of architecture and fine arts. In addition, every year tens of thousands of students visit Bosscha Observatory to study the universe through direct interaction with and observation of celestial bodies astronomers using a telescope.

Museum of Asian-African Conference

The building is located on the road Africa Asia was founded by a Dutch architect named Van Galenlast and CO Wolf Shoomaker. This building became very famous since the holding of the Asian-African Conference in 1955, then the Asian-African Student Conference 1956 and the Asian-African Conference of Islam that holds manuscripts and famous of African-Asia.

This building was opened to the public every day and accessible by using the city bus-Cibeureum Cicaheum majors, this museum displays a collection of photographs and three-dimensional items associated with the Asian-African Conference of 1955, the Goods KAA, KAA photos before and after KAA warning, Dasa Sila Bandung, Review Press, Statue figures KAA, a permanent exhibition space, Living hall, Audio visual and library

Saung Angklung Mang Udjo

Saung Angklung Udjo (SAU) is a place of cultural workshop, which is the venue, the center of bamboo crafts, and workshops of bamboo musical instruments. In addition, the SAU has a goal as a laboratory for educational and learning centers maintain Sundanese culture and especially angklung.

Founded in 1966 by Udjo UUM Sumiati Ngalagena and his wife, with a view to preserve and maintain traditional Sundanese arts and culture. Located at Jln. Padasuka 118 East Bandung West Java Indonesia. With the atmosphere of the place of fresh air and surrounded by bamboo trees are beautiful, the interior of bamboo and bamboo crafts to bamboo musical instrument.

Ciwidey White Crater

White Crater Lake has its own characteristics and uniqueness. The water in its crater lake can change color, sometimes colored bluish green apple when the sun and fine weather, sometimes also brown milk. Most commonly seen are white water thick with fog on the surface of the crater. In addition to the white surface of the crater, sand and rocks around it was predominantly white, therefore it is called White crater crater.


For access to the city of Bandung is not too difficult, the city is already available ie Husain Sastranegara airport that is accessible from all cities in Indonesia, or for those of you who use private vehicles, just 2 -3 hours from Jakarta to Bandung city can enter it, or for those who want a more relaxed, you can follow the tour package that has been widely available. Welcome to west java , great trip in bandung ...

Thursday, 13 October 2011

Free ebook : Jakarta Travel Guide


JAKARTA
Indonesia’s sprawling capital is one of the fastest-growing, most chaotic and most exciting places in South East Asia. It is the gateway to a vast, vibrant and varied island nation that’s home to dozens of fascinating cultures. You can see Jakarta growing and expanding, with new suburbs springing up on its outskirts and new high-rises reaching for the sky in the downtown area. Jakarta has become a major shopping destination, with numerous brand new, air-conditioned shopping malls springing up all over the city. Beneath the veneer of glass fascias, concrete slabs and shabby slums, however, this is a city of surprises and a city of many faces. From the steamy, richly scented streets of Chinatown to the city’s thumping, decadent nightlife, Jakarta is a Pandora’s box, filled with unexpected gems. Jakarta certainly isn’t a primary tourist destination, but parts of the old city (Kota) offer an interesting insight into the capital’s long history, and there are a handful of good museums scattered about. But if you want to get under the skin of Indonesia, a visit to this mammoth city is an absolute must.
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