Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar, South Sulawesi |
Tue, 07/20/2010 5:49 PM | Archipelago

The function of Bantimurung nature tourism park in Maros regency, South Sulawesi, will be changed into an educative tourism park to enable it to be more beneficial to visitors.

The idea to change the function of the Bantimurung park was based on the consideration that park, which is located about 30 kilometers from the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar, is rich in the wide variety of flora and fauna.

The condition of Bantimurung is also unique in that it is encircled by karst mountain, waterfall and caves with a high level of scientific elements.

“Bantimurung has varied biodiversity so that it has the potential to be altered into an educative tourism and  nature laboratory. Visitors to the park do not only enjoy beautiful scenery but also learn something,” head of Maros Tourism Agency Ilham Azikin said.

Ilham said visitors, especially students going to Bantimurung, can directly do practices by observing each type of biodiversity in the area and no longer see it merely through pictures in books.

In Bantimurung, for example, there are a number of flora and fauna, including the endemic ones like birds, reptiles, insects and monkeys. According to data at the Bantimurung-Bulusaraung National Park, there are at least 302 types of plants in the area.

If you like marine tourism, visit the Marine Conservation Area (MPA) Derawan Islands, Berau, East Kalimantan, newsworthy event. Although only developed into tourist attractions, the potential and beauty of the waters is not inferior to other regions. This region is the sea and mangrove areas are arranged for purposes of sustainable fisheries activities, marine tourism, research, and socio-economic development of society, and the utilization of other marine resources sustainably. There are currently no direct flights to get to this area.

The flight from Jakarta to Balikpapan only to replace the small plane to Cape Redeb, the capital of Berau District. From Cape Redeb using the speedboat to the island Derawan. It took an hour down the river to reach the estuary. Do not be surprised if you see so many step on the chart. This chart is owned by the local population and the number could be thousands. On the island there  are several cottages Derawan. Sea water in this area clean and clear with white sand that stretch. Derawan Islands located in the Celebes Sea, on the coast of Berau, East Kalimantan, overlooking the mouth of the estuary of the River known as Kelai and Berau Delta. This archipelago consists of six large group of islands, namely Pulau Derawan, Sangalaki Island, Kakaban, Maratua Island, Long Island, Pulau Samama, and several small islands and coral clusters.

There are 21 islands in the archipelago. Derawan Islands group is only a fraction of the hundreds of islands in the east coast of East Kalimantan islands totaling 248. Of these, 138 did not have the name of the island, two islands of Sipadan and Ligitan lost, belonging to Malaysia. Waters in this island known as one of the diving spot or the best dive sites in the world. Marine tourism and conservation be developed into tourist submarine is famous for coral reefs are very beautiful. By using a snorkel you can enjoy the beauty of coral reefs under the sea because the water is very clear.

Do not need all the way out to sea, about 100 meters from shore, fish and colorful coral reefs can be enjoyed by renting snorkel Rp 50,000 per day. As for scuba equipment rental (self containing breathing underwater apparatus) approximately USD400,000. Series of islands stretching Derawan more than 100mil along the coast of East Kalimantan, is one of the region’s most biologically rich in Indonesia. On the islands of the River Berau water mixes with water from the Celebes Sea to create a unique landscape with the characteristics of a broad river delta toward the scattered reef, the coral reefs and atolls.

Derawan Islands there are more than 460 species of coral. This makes Derawan Islands as areas with the highest diversity of hard coral in the world number two after the Raja Ampat Islands in Eastern Indonesia. The study also notes that there is more than 870 species of fish, ranging from Pygmy seahorses are very small to giant manta rays. Very often found in a large group of manta rays, amounting to 50 tail was visible were foraging in the waters Derawan. Variety of flora and fauna are also found in this area include: 347 species of reef fish; 222 types of mollusks (including 5 types of chemicals); 27 types of crustaceans, 183 species of coral; 7 seagrass species; and other biota such as rare green turtles (Chelonia mydas) , hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), dugongs (Dugong dugori), fish belebele / Napoleon (Cheilinus undulatus], shell clam (Tridacna sp.), and crab crab (Birgus latrd).

Several types of biota significant economic value that exists between different shrimp lobsters, grouper, red fish, kurisi fish, sharks, sea cucumbers, and oysters. Some rock groups, like the Moras, latitude, Malalangun, Gasongan, Baliulin and also in Masimbung Derawan Islands. Waters around this reef ecosystems under the sea has a very amazing. The beauty of coral reefs, the diversity of different types of coral, fish and biota of reefs and white sandy beaches clean the charm of this place. A number of rare animals in Indonesia now East of snail species found in some of these coral islands. This area is also famous for its habitat for green turtle (Chelonia mydas) are rare and the largest in Indonesia. Derawan Islands as one of the richest and most unique in the world could be your next destination. Make sure you schedule it on the next vacation.

Source: Daydaily.com

Hotli Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh | Tue, 07/13/2010 8:50 AM | Feature

A group of men relaxes in a coffee shop in Lamkabeu village, Aceh Besar, chatting about the breaking news of terrorism in their village.

Up to date: NGO activists surf the Internet in a coffee shop in Banda Aceh. Almost all coffee shops here provide free Wi-Fi and national and international TV programs via satellite antenna.

Mulyadi, the stall owner,  busily prepares dozens of glasses of black coffee for his customers. Since dawn, he and his small cafe had been set to welcome the male guests with their favorite drink to start the day.

“After dawn prayers, the men of this village will come straight here to sip coffee,” said Mulyadi. Waiting on the table were glasses of hot coffee and heaps of traditional cakes. Cigarette smoke formed a thin mist in the shop.

Gathering and talking about everything in a coffee shop are part of the daily routines of all men in Aceh, consuming almost half of the day. “There’s nothing left untouched, from household matters to current international issues. A coffee shop is virtually a communication center for villagers,” said Lamkabeu village head Maimun.

 Many believe the coffee-drinking tradition dates back to Arab traders who came to the province in the past. But during the period of conflict in Aceh in the 1980s and 1990s, coffee shops served as a neutral zone for all circles to meet in a relaxed way. It was widely heard about accidental encounters between conflicting parties, from the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) as well as the Indonesian Military, in coffee shops. “Anybody could enjoy coffee openly without fear,” added Maimun.

He explained that when the conflict was intense, nearly all residents, especially men, were suspected by the military of joining GAM and hiding in village homes. Male family members frequented coffee shops to avoid being suspected by soldiers, who were hunting GAM followers in their villages.

Coffee shops now also function as a main information center for village communities. They are the only type of village business kiosks subscribing to newspapers. Visitors are therefore gathering to get the latest information. Still, TV programs via satellite service offer another attraction to the rural customers.

Fired up: Trader Nyak Bit roasts coffee beans in the traditional way using a drum in a fire.
Though television is not a rarity in villages, not all villagers can afford to buy antennas to receive both domestic and overseas broadcasts.

Some striking differences can be noticed between traditional village and city coffee shops. In big cities like Banda Aceh, they provide not only satellite television but also free Wi-Fi facilities. Almost every coffee shop in such cities in Aceh now offer free Internet facilities for 24 hours.

“Despite the physical difference, village and city coffee shops mostly present their coffee in the same way and with almost the same taste, except in certain places,” said Hasbi Azhar, an Aceh coffee buff.
In Banda Aceh,  coffee shops have their regular customers. Automotive enthusiasts choose to gather in Black Jack, civil servants prefer Taufik’s shop, activists and government officials enjoy drinking at Jasa Ayah Solong, while teenagers’ favorite hangout is Chek Yuke.

 “Coffee shops are practically informal offices for these people. Usually their discussions are held in an apparently informal way. Yet many talks starting in coffee shops have served as the basis for major projects undertaken in Aceh,” added Hasbi.

Normally coffee shops in Aceh, the only among 33 provinces in the country to apply Islamic sharia law, open from 6 a.m. to midnight, but some serve their customers around the clock, seven days a week.

The enforcement of sharia banning the opening of entertainment houses such as discotheques prompts the public to accept the only choice of going to coffee shops to forget the burden of daily routines for a while.

After the tsunami hit Aceh, many NGO workers from various parts of the world also found some comfort in visiting these shops. The NGO volunteers even penetrated the men-only visitor culture to these shops.

“For the Aceh community, coffee shops were originally meant for men, as it was uncommon for women to hang around there. But since the presence of NGO workers, the discrimination between males and females seems no long apparent,” noted Hasbi.

Now coffee shops in Aceh cities are no longer men-only zone. Many female customers ranging from housewives to teenagers frequent the shops for relaxation. Parents even bring along their children just to enjoy the shops’ cheerful atmosphere, as the coffee tradition continues.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/07/13/aceh-sharia-amp-coffee-shops.html

The U.S. travel publication Islands - as part of its editorial mission – tracks tourism related developments on holiday islands around the world. Over the past several months, Indonesia and Bali have placed prominently in the following island-related rankings:

• Best Scenic Resort Room - 2nd Place - The Viceroy Bali
• Best Island Villas - 3rd Place - The Istana
• Best Island Spas - 4th Place - Amanjiwo (Central Java, Borobudur Temple)
• Best Island Reef - 4th Place – Wakatobi.

Government Bulukumba, South Sulawesi province will hold a Phinisi Festival 2010. National scale tourism activities in focus at Tanjung Bira Bulukumba, held 5 to 9 October 2010, said Head of Marketing and Promotion of Culture and Tourism Office Periwisata Bulukumba, Hj Andi Pamenery in Bulukumba.

Department of Culture and Tourism Bulukumba will hold several events to support the activities Phinisi Festival 2010, among others, Bulukumba tourism expo, the bestowal of customary title to officials of the Ministry of culture and tourism, and South Sulawesi Provincial Government, the manufacture of miniature race phinisi, the process of launching the boat phinisi, arts and cultural performances Bulukumba, and a party of fishermen.

For his part, he said, had envisioned. A number of neighboring regions will be invited to participate in attending these activities.

Phinisi Festival 2010 is an event promotion and dissemination about the prospects and potential of culture and tourism in the earth Panritalopi Bulukumba.

He hoped that public support these activities. Phinisi Festival 2010 is planned to be used as an annual calendar Bulukumba Pemkab.

Source: translated from: “Bulukumba Gelar Festival Phinisi 2010”
http://oase.kompas.com/read/2010/07/17/05445774/Bulukumba.Gelar.Festival.Phinisi.2010

Sunday, July 4, 2010 10:15 WIB | Environment

Pandeglang, W Java (ANTARA News) - A Java rhinoceros conservation center is being set up at Gunung Honje in the Ujung Kulon National Park (TNUK), Banten, at a cost of Rp6 billion to be provided by two non-governmental orgnizations, the park's manager said.

"All the costs to build the center will be borne by the International Rhinoceros Foundation (IRF) and the Indonesian Rhinoceros Foundation (YABI)," TNUK chief Agus Priambudi said here Saturday.

If everything went well, the center and its 4.000-hectare conservation area would be ready in 2010 when people would also be able to visit the facility to observe the Java Rhinoceros in its natural habitat, he said.

At present there were about 50 one-horn rhinos in the park but they did not breed easily and most of them were male. So far, the park management had not encountered any illegal rhino hunting case while all rhinos found dead over the years had died of natural causes or disease, he said.

The big animals that can reach the age of 40 years old can only be found in Ujung Kulon although 10 of the same species, mostly female, are reported to be also living in Vietnam.

The park management was often counting the existing rhino population in cooperation with such organizations as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Worldwide Fund for Nature.

A total of 30 surveillance cameras had been installed at many points across the animals' habitat to observe their condition and movements.

Agus also explained that there are only five rhino species in the world, namely the black rhinoceros (diceros bicornis), white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), Indian rhinoceros (rhinoceros unicornis), Sumatran rhinoceros (dicerorhinus sumatrensis) and Javan Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus).

http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/1278213331/rhino-conservation-center-being-built-in-ujung-kulon

Saturday, July 3, 2010 16:58 WIB | Economic & Business

Palu, C Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - Central Sulawesi's provincial government welcomes the reopening of national flag carrier Garuda Indonesia`s Jakarta-Palu route, a local official said.

The provincial government hopes Garuda's regular flights to and from Palu will help increase foreign tourist arrivals in the province, Central Sulawesi Tourism Office chief Suaib Djafar said here Saturday.

He said the reopening of Garuda`s Jakarta-Palu route would also facilitate the local people to travel to other parts of the country and abroad.

Djafar said Garuda was the fourth airline to open a regular air service to and from Palu after Merpati Nusantara Airlines, Batavia Air, and Sriwijaya Air.

He added that Central Sulawesi had a lot of interesting and unique places for tourists to visit but the problem was that road access to those places had yet to be made more convenient.

Garuda conducted its first flight on its reopened Jakarta-Palu route on Thursday, July 1, 2010.

Local Garuda Manager Moh Yunus said here on Friday a significant number of passengers was on the first flight to Palu on Thursday.

Yunus did not go into detail of the specific number of passengers, but said the air transportation business in the country at present was quite promising.

He said following the reopening of the Garuda route to Palu, it was expected that both domestic and foreign investors would be more interested in investing in Central Sulawesi province.

"With the reopening of the Garuda route, we hope more domestic and foreign tourists will visit the province and more investors will operate here," Yunus said.

According to him, the more air line service, the more people will travel with air transportation.

He added that Garuda aircraft Boeing 737-400 with 134 seats for business and economic class would make return lights every day from Jakarta to Palu.

http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/1278151139/c-sulawesi-govt-welcomes-reopening-of-garudas-jakarta-palu

June 21, 2010

If your children are lucky enough to be in Bali over their Summer Holiday, make the experience the ultimate holiday by sending them to Green Camp located on the Campus of the internationally acclaimed Bali's Green School.

Designed as a green learning experience for children between the ages of 5 and 14 years, the Green Camp Experience blends environmental education, hands-on learning experiences, Balinese culture and carefully supervised outdoor adventures from its Bali jungle location spanning 20 acres along the banks of Bali's Ayung River.

The program runs 7 days a week with one day, multi-day and overnight camp experiences available.

Taught by professional educators with a strong commitment to the environment, the Camp's vision is to instill a love of nature among the earth's next generation and develop a shared sense of environmental stewardship.

Green Camp provides a live-in doctor, 24 hour security, and qualified instructors who speak both English and Bahasa Indonesia.

http://www.balidiscovery.com/messages/message.asp?Id=6110

Friday, June 18, 2010 13:09 WIB | National | | Viewed 460 time(s)

Ambon, Maluku (ANTARA News) - At least 41 foreign sail boats had registered for Sail Banda scheduled for July and August 2010.

Coordinator of the Sail Banda local committee, Cak Saimima, said in Ambon Friday that registration is still open until the middle of July 2010.

The participating sail boats were scheduled to be seen off at Darwin, Northern Territory, on July 24, 2010.

The participants were expected to have arrived at Banda, Central Maluku regency, on July 27, 2010.

Saimima said that the participants from Darwin will be heading for Banda and received with art and cultural performances, and directed to various maritime tourism, and historical and cultural objects for three days.

The route from Banda to Ambon, with the peak program of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono declaring Maluku as the main national fish supplier is scheduled on August 3, 2010.

Various activities like national and international seminars on marine resources, coasts and small islands, art and cultural performances, visiting tourism objects, and a feast at Ambon Bay.

President SBY based on Decision No 35 of 2009 dated December 14, 2009, declared Banda, Ambon city and Tiakur, the capital of South West Maluku regency, are the locations of Sail Banda.

http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/1276841342/forty-one-sail-boats-registered-in-sail-banda

The Jakarta Post, Denpasar | Thu, 06/17/2010 8:19 AM | culture

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has an elusive dream — developing Bali as one of the world’s art and cultural center.

Carrying tradition: Male dancers from Bangli regency perform a traditional dance during the opening of the annual festival.JP/Stanny Anggono

“If the international community has an annual World Economic Forum, it should also create an annual World Cultural Forum here in Bali,” Yudhoyono said during the opening of the annual Bali Arts Festival last weekend.

The annual arts festival, initiated by noted scholar and former Bali Governor Ida Bagus Mantra in 1978, has been a showcase for the island’s rich culture and tradition.

However, it will take more than organizing an art festival to develop the island into an international art venue.
Bali still lacks professional art management and international-standard art venues including well-equipped theater stages and concert halls. Supporting infrastructures are badly needed to make the island a world-class art venue.

The Art Center complex in downtown Denpasar — which is currently hosting the art festival — is no longer adequate to accommodate colossal art performances.

Furthermore, many artists and scholars have strongly criticized the festival committee’s lack of professionalism in handling the event.

The art festival, which created a Rp 5 billion hole in the provincial budget, has turned into a traditional market rather than a sophisticated art event.

Every Sekehe (community-based art troop) complained it could do much better if it had enough money to support artistic endeavors. Improving the management of the annual Pekan Kesenian Bali (PKB) Arts Festival could be the key to making the president’s dream come true.

Ready to dance: Female dancers are ready to perform at the 32nd Bali Arts Festival in Puputan field, Badung, Bali, on Saturday. About 3,000 artists from Bali and seven countries are participating in the cultural fiesta, which is taking place between June 11 and July 11. JP/Zul Trio Anggono

The local administration, with financial and technical support from the central government, should be able to turn this annual art event into international scale art gathering, by taking a closer look at how our neighbor Singapore handles annual festivals for example.

The one-month long festival, started from June 11 through July 11, has the potential to become one of the island’s most popular tourist attractions since it is held during school holidays and summer holidays for overseas visitors.

Kadek Suartaya, an art lecturer and expert in traditional music instruments, was of the opinion that PKB had become a significant secular cultural activity that could draw thousands of spectators if it wanted to.

“This [the festival] is the most awaited event for the majority of Balinese artists and commoners alike,” wrote Suartaya. Both amateur and professional artists see the festival as a landmark for their artistic careers.

PKB features more than three hundred performing arts — theater, dance, traditional and contemporary music and more importantly the island’s ancient and rare arts, preserved so well by its talented and dedicated artists.

Watching the two-kilometer long art procession prior to the opening of the festival on Saturday afternoon was thrilling.

It was a real multicultural event, a window into Balinese arts and culture as well as the culture of other ethnic groups of Indonesia. The active participation of seven foreign countries such as the United States, Sweden, India, Singapore and Japan further enriched and colored this festivity.

Who says you can’t laugh: Comedy dancers entertain spectators during a Calon Arang folklore performance in Denpasar.JP/Zul Trio Anggono

Under the sub-theme Bhuana Kerti, the purification of the Universe, the procession started with a special ritual carried out by Governor Made Mangku Pastika.

Beautiful and handsome musicians and dancers performed Adi Merdangga bale ganjur traditional percussion followed by Siwa Nata Raja dance theater.

Clad in glamorous and glittering Balinese traditional costumes, hundreds of artists mesmerized distinguished guests and spectators.

Delegations from the island’s eight regencies and representatives of artists from 20 provinces in Indonesia and seven foreign countries participated in the procession.

The festival itself is more than just a joyous art activity. It is a search for spiritual enlightenment. This year’s festival bears a specific theme Sudama: Searching for the purity of our conscience.

For the next 30 days, Bali will host hundreds of quality art performances that will enrich anybody watching them.

For Indonesians fed up with the current media hullabaloo, the Bali Arts Festival might just be the perfect antidote — an artistic as well as spiritual oasis.

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/06/17/aiming-high-island-gods.html

Thursday, June 17, 2010 04:21 WIB | Economic & Business

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - PT Garuda Indonesia confirmed on Wednesday that it would equip its aircraft with in-flight information technology facilities in 2011 to improve its service to passengers.

"We will do it next year. Passengers can then communicate through an internet service and also send short text messages," its president director, Emirsyah Satar, said after signing a memorandum of understanding on T-Cash ticket payment with Telkomsel here on Wednesday.

He said all new Garuda planes would be equipped with mobile technology and later all Garuda planes will also be given the capability.

He said the technology will allow passengers to communicate using the short text message service (SMS) and operate laptops on board aircraft.

"The technology has been developed abroad and does not disrupt the air navigation system. It will not include phone calls," he said.

Regarding the regulation put in Law Number 1 of 2009 that bans passengers from using telecommunication facilities while aboard a plane, Emirsyah said he would discuss the matter with the government.

"Later we will discuss it with the ministry of transportation," he said.

On the cooperation with Telkomsel he said that it would make it easier for would-be passengers to buy ickets or make Garuda seat reservations by phone.

"Telkomsel customers totalling 86 millions will benefit from the cooperation," he said.

Telkomsel president director Sarwoto Atmosutarno said he would exploit T-Cash facility to make it easier for Telkomsel customers to buy Garuda tickets.

T-Cash is one of the facilities Telkomsel is developing along with mobile payment and mobile advertising, he said.

Regarding the House of Representatives` (DPR) wish for reduction in the hajj flight cost, Emirsyah said Garuda would accept whatever the government and the DPR would decide.

He said although it might reduce the company`s margin, service to hajj passengers would not decline.

"We will give the best possible service to them. What is important is the flight is smooth and Garuda does not lose," he said.

He said the hajj flight cost was determined by the world fuel price.

"If the contract with the religious affairs ministry has been signed and at the time the hajj pilgrimage season begins, the fuel price rises, that will be our risk," he said.

http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/1276723319/garuda-to-install-it-facilities-in-aircraft-in-2011

Tuesday, June 15, 2010 17:39 WIB | National

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government will issue a property regulation which will enable foreigners to possess property in Indonesia so that property business in the country would thrive and absorb a fund of US$6 billion annually, an executive said.

Manager of Editorial Oxford Business Group (OBG), Josh Frankan told a press conference here on Tuesday that the chance for foreigners to have property ownership in Indonesia would generate the growth of this sector and the country`s income.

"This will generate development of property industry in line with the government`s readiness to open its door for foreign investors," he said.

Chief of the Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Gita Wirjawan has in this case said that the Indonesian government would slacken restrictions of foreign investments in certain industries in an efforts to end the ban on foreign ownership of property.

The new regulation which will allow foreigners to purchase and possess property, both residential and commercial, will be issue in the second quarter of 2010.
"Possible this June," he said.

In the meantime, president director of Puramount Serpong Tanto Kurniawan said that the market would open itself to foreigners and this would constitute a recovery time for this industry.

http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/1276598363/indonesia-to-allow-foreigners-to-possess-property

Tifa Asrianti, The Jakarta Post, Mataram, Lombok | Sunday, May 2, /2010 9:10 AM | Travel

Unlike the western coasts of Lombok, Selong Belanak and Lombok’s other southern coasts are still unexplored. That is just one of the many reasons to go there.

Kuta beach of Lombok offers white sand and fewer tourists.

When my friend Anin suggested we visit our friend Ana in Selong Belanak, I did not take it seriously and responded immediately because I thought that Lombok was just Senggigi and the famous Gili Islands.

But when she said that the area we would visit was remote (there is no cell phone signal), I quickly said yes.

Holiday without technology intrusion is heaven on earth.

It was luck knowing that Ana’s schedule and mine aligned. To make things short, we finally met in Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport to fly to Lombok together. While the Bali-Lombok flight was only about 20 minutes, it took about two hours to reach Selong Belanak from Selaparang airport, Ampenan.

The April sun scorched on the road, but it was cool inside the car. The ride passed along paddy fields and hills that flanked the road. At certain areas, the road was bumpy and steep.

When the car was climbing another hill, Ana turned her head to me and said, “Hey girl, get ready for the view.”

As the car reached the peak, we were stunned by the blue azure water that sends waves to a pocket-shaped white sandy beach enveloped by lush green hills. A small island was popping out in the middle of the bay, just like a beauty spot.

The area is still relatively untouched by tourists. The only accommodation in the beach’s vicinity was Villa Sempiak, Ana’s workplace. After getting our bags into Ana’s room, we headed to the beach. The white sand was smooth carpet on our feet and the water pleasant.

At night, the ocean sounded a special kind of music with waves hitting the shores. Sounds of nocturnal bugs were amplified in the peaceful atmosphere. The area was free of pollution, including noise and light pollution and a good place to become more familiar with the map of astronomy.

Sitting there at two o’clock in the morning, I tried to find Crux constellation of the southern sky and one that I’m most familiar with, but to no avail. With so many stars in the night sky, they flickered as if they were in a blinking competition.

In the morning, I took a walk on the beach with my friends. There is a fishermen’s village just near the beach and it is was teeming with activities at five o’clock that morning. A group of men pushed boats to sea.

A couple of black storks flew around, trying to catch small crabs or fish, oblivious to the stray dogs that ran around barking. The sun rose from the hills, a sign for us to start our exploration on Lombok’s southern area.

For the journey, Ana asked her friends Amak Susi and Amak Kasturi to accompany Anin and I. Amak is the local word for common men. For men of noble birth, the word is Lalu. Public transportation in Lombok is rare and tourists usually rent a motorcycle or a car in Mataram to get around.

Our first stop was Sade, a traditional village of the Sasak tribe. The village has 150 houses and is inhabited by  about 700 residents. Our guide said that usually residents intermarried among their cousins because there was a fine of three buffaloes if the men married with women of other villages.

Selong Belanak beach seen from a hill nearby reveals a refreshing azure water and greeneries.

There are three types of buildings in the village: houses, rice barns and beruga (Lombok traditional gazebo).

According to our guides, only women are allowed to enter the rice barns. Legend has it that the men would become ill if they entered them.

The houses have low roofs so that guests honor the house owners by bowing before entering, the guide said. The house has two floors. The first floor is for parents and the sons, while the second is allocated for the daughters’ room and the kitchen.

From Sade village, we headed to Kuta beach of Lombok, which was quite deserted. There were only three teenagers who approached us to sell us bracelets.

As we walked along the beach, our feet stumbled on the shells washed ashore. We gathered them and it did not take a long time to find a handful of beautiful shells.

While we were at Kuta beach, several boats were coming in. A group of men and women were closing in on a boat that had just touched the beach. While men were pulling the boat ashore, the women were handling the catch of the day. The women hauled baskets of fish out of the boat and carried them on top of their heads. A basket of fish were left on the sand, tempting the children to play with them.  

Another deserted beach to visit is Mawun Beach, which also haspocket-shaped terrain. Unlike Kuta Lombok, a free beach, there is parking fee at Mawun Beach.

It was noon when we got there and the sun was scorching mercilessly. Fortunately, there is a big tree just a stone’s throw away on the shoreline. We sat there, sharing the shade with a group of foreign tourists with surfboards.

Nothing needs to be said when nature exercises its charm.  The waves move back and forth, the wind blows an airy breeze and leaves rustle. Time seems to stop. But when the sun tilts to the west, it is a sign for us to get on our feet and head back home

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/05/02/selong-belanak-the-remote-charm-southern-coasts.html

Tuesday, May 18, 2010 15:31 WIB

Ambon, Maluku (ANTARA News) - Maluku`S provincial health office has prepared at least 100 medical workers to support the upcoming international marine event of Sail Banda 2010.

"We have trained doctors and nurses from district and city hospitals and clinics to give health services to Sail Banda participants and guests," Maluku health office spokesman Fat Basalamah said here on Tuesday. Basalamah said of the 100 medical workers, 60 underwent training last week while the rest were trained last year. "The training lasted one week at the Kudamati training facility. They were trained by a team from the East Indonesia Disaster Alert Brigade and Dr Wahidin General Hospital in Makassar," Basalamah said.

The Maluku health office had also formed a Sail Medical Service (SMS) team for people in Maluku`s remote islands. The SMS was formed to avoid social jealousy during the Surya Baskara Jaya health operation on the islands of Ambon, Banda, and Kisar. Meanwhile, the United States Navy`s floating hospital ship. USNS Mercy T-AH-19. is to arrive in Maluku in the near future to support the Surya Baksara Jaya health operation in the province. Dubbed Surya Baksara Jaya operation, the health services program will be conducted at seven vilages in Ambon, Maluku, July 29-August 3, 2010.

Sail Banda 2010 local committee chairman Cak Saimima said in Ambon recently that the health services provision operation would be conducted in conjunction with the international marine event in the province. "A similar program as part of Sail Banda 2010 will also be conducted in Banda Neira, Central Maluku district at the same time," Cak Saimima said. He said the floating hospital would provide health services at Mamala, Morella, Liang, Waai, Tulehu, Passo, and Hutumuri villages on the island of Ambon. "The Surya Baksara Jaya health services provision operation will be supported by the biggest foalting hospital of the United States Navy. the USNS MERCY T-AH-19," Saimima said.

http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/1274171499/some-100-medical-workers-to-support-sail-banda

Agustina Wayansari, Contributor, Waingapu, East Nusa Tenggara | Sun, 05/16/2010 10:12 AM

I am not a surfer. I can’t even swim. Therefore, joining a surfing trip to Sumba, the backwater island of East Nusa Tenggara may seem a bad decision.

Skinny dip-inducing panorama of Tarimbang beach

But I had not been to the island and was in the mood for adventure. In early April some Australian friends invited me to join a trip to Tarimbang, in the eastern part of Sumba Island. I could not help but say yes.

I barely had any knowledge of the island, so readied myself by googling for available information about Sumba, particularly Tarimbang, a surfing point on the east coast of the island.

Like uncharted territory ready to be explored, Sumba has all the right features to lure even the most fanatic surfers from the world. And seen for most of my beach and surfer friends, who have moved from Australia to live in Bali, the trip to Tarimbang is a trip with waves to remember.

Tarimbang is but one of a few surfing spots in Sumba. It may be less famous than Nihiwatu Beach, famously featured in The Drifter, a movie about surfing featuring world-renowned professional surfer Rob Machado, but it would certainly impress fanatic surfers who look for hidden waves.

Besides, Nihiwatu has lost its charm as it has become unaffordable for most budget surfers since it turned into a tourist resort, thanks to The Drifter.

Located in the less disadvantaged part of Sumba Island, the unspoiled Tarimbang Beach is said to always impress surfers.

“My friend went there last year and had the best time catching waves. I have seen some pictures she has taken. It’s beautiful, I want to go there,” said one of my surfer friends, who organized the trip.

He added that the remoteness of the area is a big draw-card among many avid surfers who seek new waves. The trip also proves that Tarimbang offers a consistent swell and is hard to disappoint. Even its worst waves can still be surfed.

Everyone had a wonderful time in the water, despite the long paddles out from shore — as many as 500 were needed to reach the best surfing spots, a friend said.

With only an hour’s flight from Bali plus a three-hour drive through a bumpy and pothole-ridden road, Tarimbang was pretty impressive and served as a perfect getaway from the overcrowded Bali beaches.

A group of three Portuguese surfers who came a few days later to shoot a documentary about Indonesia’s surfing spots for a website and television show shared their enthusiasm about Sumba’s swells and its exotic culture.

But even for a non-surfer like me, Tarimbang Bay has something to offer. The pristine white sandy beach surrounded by lush green forest is perfect for a morning walk and sweat-inducing jog. A yoga session before the clean blue water makes you content and relaxed.

Until today, only a small number of surfers know about Tarimbang beach which in a way helps the spot remain pristine.

A bonfire at the beach, sipping cold beverages at sundown was worth the arduous trip to the spot. With only seven of us and the ocean, it was very peaceful. The beach felt like we were on a private island where you could skinny dip in the ocean on a tranquil night.

Even the trip to the spot was an exciting adventure. It set the tone for what we would encounter there.

We left the airport in Waingapu at around 3 p.m., after we packed some drinks and snacks. The view was breathtaking with prairies reminding me of the drive through a country town, only that the cattle was replaced by rows of coconut trees. We stopped a few times to take pictures of the beautiful landscape.

However, the absence of any semblance of progress on the island can make a week- long stay seem an eternity. Call me a city girl, I don’t mind, too many times I miss my Internet connection.

I enjoyed beach walks, watching the sunset and having fun with my friends, well as talking to the locals who passionately told us their dowry tradition to present at least 50 quadrupeds (cows, horses, buffalos) to the bride’s family, complicating the already difficult affair of getting married.

I won’t easily forget the wonderful experience hanging out with the school kids we made friends with. We took pride in that our in situ English lesson enabled them to speak beyond, “Hello mister” and “Apa kabar miss”.

If I was given the option between seeing progress in Tarimbang or leaving the place as it is now, I will certainly opt for the latter. I don’t want the masses to take over this small piece of paradise in the province. Yet, as much as I enjoyed my adventure here, I believe visitors would love better accommodation options and more places or attractions to enjoy.

Our accommodation, Marthen’s Homestay, (also the only available commercial accommodation in the area) is nice and Marthen and the crew are hospitable and helpful. But I would say that a more hygienic bathroom and toilet would do no harm to my spirit for adventure.

The government of West Sumba is increasing tourism in the area by developing cultural events such as Pasola (the war ritual festival) and other tourist attractions to attract more visitors. I believe that more choices, other than surfing, would invite more visitors to East Sumba, especially those who are not surfers who want to have a better experience than holing up in their room all day long.

Your own private beach on Sumba Island

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/05/16/drifting-away-tarimbang%E2%80%99s-paradise.html

Saturday, May 22, 2010 18:07 WIB

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Life in Ambon city in the days during the international marine event of Sail Banda 2010 will be marked by various cultural and social activities. Cultural and environmental activities such as a music concert and mangrove planting drive will be conducted to grace and mark the upcoming international marine event. To mark the event, singers of Maluku origin are slated to stage a free concert, "Spirit 2010" on June 20 and 22, 2010 at the beautiful Natsepa Beach in Ambon. Committee chairman Theny Soparue said in Ambon on Thursday that the free concert was intended to grace the upcoming international marine event of Sail Banda which is to last from June 12 until August 17, 2010.

According to Soparue, at least 16 singers of Maluku origin such as Dodi Latuharhari, Naruwe, Yoken, Kamba Ipa and others, would entertain the local people for two days at Natsepa Beach. "Some of the singers and music groups of Maluku origin in Jakarta will also come to highlight the Spirit 2010," Soparue said. He added that the Spirit 2010 concert was part of the singer’s participation in gracing the upcoming international marine event of Sail Banda. "As the singers and artists of Maluku origin, they are called to highlight the international marine event, expected to be of great advantage to this nation," Soparure said. In addition to the Spirit 2010 music concert, Spraure said there would also be a Sail Banda familiarization from Maluku deputy governor Said Assagaff who is concurrently Sail Banda local committee chairman.

Soparue said Assagaff would give detailed information about Sail Banda. It was also expected that the people who come for the Spirit 2010 concert will gain an understanding about the importance and advantage of the international marine event and the need to act as good hosts. "We have to act as good hosts because many foreign tourists will come to Maluku, especially Ambon for the event," Soparue said. He added that the participants and the guests of Sail Banda would visit many interesting and amazing places such as Natsepa Beach, Hunimua Beach, Pintu Kota Beach, Manuala Beach, Namalatu Beach, Pasir Putih Beach (Alang), Fort Amsterdam , Old Mosque (Kaitetu), Old Church (Hila), and Siwalima Museum in Ambon.

Besides the free music concert by the singers of Maluku origin, an environmentally-related activity, a mangrove tree planting drive, will also be conducted. At least 2,000 youths will participate in the mangrove tree planting drive along the coast of Ambon Inner Bay on July 30, 2010 as part of the Sail Banda international marine event. Sail Bada 2010 Civic Mission coordinator Fat Bassalamah said here on Saturday that during the drive each of the 2,000 youths would plant one mangrove tree. "At least 2,000 youths from the Maluku Protestant Church, Maluku mosques, high schools and university students, and boyscouts, will take part in the one man, one mangrove tree planting drive," Bassalamah said. He said the mangrove seedlings were being prepared through a coordination with Maluku Forestry Office in cooperation with technical executive unit (UPT) at Forestry Ministry.

"The mangrove planting activity is part of Sail Banda 2010, scheduled for June 12 to August 17, 2010 and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono`s one-man-one-tree policy," Bassalamah said. Bassalamah, who is concurrently the chief of Maluku Health Office, said the mangrove planting program was intended to improve the local youths` social awareness of environmental preservation to reduce global warming. "The mangrove tree planting movement is important in a bid to prevent coastal abrasion and tidal waves," Bassalamah said. In addition, Bassalamah said, at least 100 medical workers had also been prepared by Maluku`s provincial health office to support the Sail Banda event.

"We have trained doctors and nurses from district and city hospitals and clinics to give health services to Sail Banda participants and guests," Basalamah said. He added that of the 100 medical workers, 60 underwent training last week while the rest were trained last year. "The training lasted one week at the Kudamati training facility. They were trained by a team from the East Indonesia Disaster Alert Brigade and Dr Wahidin General Hospital in Makassar," Basalamah said. The Maluku health office had also formed a Sail Medical Service (SMS) team for people in Maluku`s remote islands. The SMS was formed to avoid social jealousy during the Surya Baskara Jaya health operation on the islands of Ambon, Banda, and Kisar.

Meanwhile, the United States Navy`s floating hospital ship. USNS Mercy T-AH-19. is to arrive in Maluku in the near future to support the Surya Baksara Jaya health operation in the province. Dubbed Surya Baksara Jaya operation, the health services program will be conducted at seven villages in Ambon, Maluku, July 29-August 3, 2010. Sail Banda 2010 local committee chairman Cak Saimima said in Ambon recently that the health services provision operation would be conducted in conjunction with the international marine event in the province. "A similar program as part of Sail Banda 2010 will also be conducted in Banda Neira, Central Maluku district at the same time," Cak Saimima said. He said the floating hospital would provide health services at Mamala, Morella, Liang, Waai, Tulehu, Passo, and Hutumuri villages on the island of Ambon. "The Surya Baksara Jaya health services provision operation will be supported by the biggest floating hospital of the United States Navy, the USNS MERCY T-AH-19," Saimima said.

http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/1274526442/various-activities-in-ambon-to-mark-sail-banda-2010

Monday, May 24, 2010 20:11 WIB

Jakarta (ANTARANews) - Garuda Indonesia has won a "World`s Most Improved Airline" award from the London-based independent world airline rating agency Skytrax for its successful business transformation programs.

Skytrax Chairman Edward Plaisted presented the award to Garuda Indonesia Commercial Director Agus Priyanto on the occasion of the Skytrax 2010 World Airline Awards in Hamburg, Germany, on May 20, Garuda Indonesia corporate communications official Pujobroto said in a statement on Monday. The award was a token of the international community`s recognition of Garuda Indonesia`s success in implementing comprehensive business transformation programs and making progress in a number of areas, he said. "They (Skytrax) consider Garuda one of Asia`s most successful and profitable airlines," he said. Pujobroto quoted Priyanto as saying the award would encourage the national flag-carrier to proceed with its business transformation programs in order to provide the highest level of services to passengers.

The recovery of Garuda Indonesia`s financial conditions over the past three years was also inseparable from and had laid the basis for Garuda Indonesia`s efforts to provide better services as a whole, he said. "The resumption of Garuda Indonesia`s long-distance flights to Europe as of June 1 also signals a new era of Garuda Indonesia`s future business expansion," he said. Skytrax Chairman Edward Plaisted said in Skytrax`s official website: "It is clear that a real process of transformation has become well progressed at Garuda Indonesia, and aside from new aircraft and new onboard products, it was improvements in onboard service that were most frequently commented upon by survey respondents."

http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/1274706704/garuda-wins-worlds-most-improved-airline-award

International hotel operator Accor plans to open 16 new hotels across Indonesia by 2012 to support its expansion plan in the country’s growing hotel industry, says an executive of the hotel chain. Accor chairman and CEO for the Asia Pacific, Michael Issenberg, said in Jakarta on Monday that one of the hotels would start operation in Bali by the end of this year, while another 15 would be launched between 2011 and 2012 in Jakarta, Banten, Central Java, East Java, Bali, East Kalimantan, Bangka, Belitung, West Sumatra and North Sulawesi.

Issenberg said that Accor, which currently operates 39 hotels in Indonesia, focused its operations in Indonesia on medium and economy classes, to ensure sustained network expansion in line with the growth in domestic and intra Asian travel. As demand grows, he said, the market prospects for price sensitive segments would strengthen. “With the opening of 16 new hotels, Indonesia will be at the forefront of the brand’s expansion in Asia,” said Accor’s vice president for Indonesia, Gerrard Guilloet.

Currently, Accor operates in Indonesia under several brands including Mercure, All Seasons, Ibis, Novotel and Formula 1. Pullman will make debut this year. The new hotels will include an All Seasons Hotel Bangka, Ibis Balikpapan, All Seasons Denpasar, Ibis Bali Kuta, All Seasons Gadjah Mada (Jakarta), Ibis Manado, Mercure Padang, Ibsis Surabaya Basuki Rahmat, Pullman Bali Legian Nirwana, Novotel Bangka, Mercure Simatupang (Jakarta), MErcure Bali Kuta HArvestland, MErcure Solo, MErcure Banjarmasin, and all Seasons Yogyakarta.

Accor has been in Indonesia since 1993 when it developed a network across 17 cities throughout the country that employs more than 7,000 employes.

Source: The Jakarta Post,Tuesday 25 May 2010, with some adjustments.

Ati Kisjanto, CONTRIBUTOR, LONDON | Tue, 05/04/2010 2:02 PM

Waiters wearing blangkon (traditional Javanese head-dress) and batik sashes, diners enjoying soto Madura to the unique sound of a Sasando stringed instrument, and girls modeling ikat dresses on a catwalk.

All this sounds familiar. Except the above didn't take place in Jakarta, or even Kupang, but in London, the UK. The event was a gala dinner on April 29 marking the end of the one-month "Remarkable Indonesia" extravaganza at the iconic Harrods department store, as part of the Indonesian government's Visit Indonesia Year promotional activities.

"This is a golden opportunity for Indonesia to target the British market," said Sapta Nirwandar, the director general of marketing in the Culture and Tourism Ministry. "Indonesia has been wanting to promote itself in Harrods for many years. And as Indonesia needs to establish an image first, Harrods is the right place to be. In the whole of April, 1.5 million people visited Harrods and those, we hope, were exposed to the *Remarkable Indonesia promo'."

Yuri Thamrin, the Indonesian ambassador to Great Britain. proudly said: "This is the most successful event that has been held to promote Indonesia," he added, "and the best way to enter the heart is through the stomach."

That's why one of the main attractions was the chance to taste close to 20 Indonesian dishes at Harrods' famous food hall and the store's Georgian restaurant.

To ensure the food was as authentic as possible, and that its presentation attracted British customers not familiar with Indonesian dishes, "Dapur Femina" team's Mirta Kartohadiprodjo, chairman of Femina group and Linda Adimidjaja, managing editor of Femina's special projects, collaborated closely with the restaurant's head chef Daniel Hillier and his team.

However, not many customers were adventurous enough to buy the food. Barbara, who came from Scotland, was so amazed by the food presentation she could not stop complementing it. "It's gorgeous," she said. "The food looks beautiful." And yet at the end she settled for English cottage pie.

A sale might have been secured if there had been samples for her to try. Tumpal Hutagalung, the economic counselor from the Indonesian embassy explained: "Sampling to encourage people to taste Indonesian food was planned in the middle of the month. But this never occurred since Harrods did not allow heating food for sampling in their premises".

Meanwhile, those familiar with Indonesian food like Bernadette from Yorkshire, thought an international buffet - which was not exclusively Indonesian food, priced at *42 per person was a bit too much for lunch.

Lydia Long, another visitor, said: "The in-store promotion is in your face everywhere, but then there are not many things you can buy either from the attractive showcase from Alun Alun Indonesia or the stunning batik dresses, accessories. Even Singgih Kartono's Magno wooden radios which are on display are not available for sale in Harrods".

Judith Cook, who lives in London, did not hear about the promotion. She saw it when passing Harrods and did not even realize Indonesian food would be available.

"Why not create something more spectacular and focus on the shadow puppet *wayang* rather than putting too many cluttering objects *in the window display* that are not relevant to the target audience. What is missing is cross promotion from various parties. There's no follow up action to people's interest and curiosity," she said.

Noviendi Makalam, the secretary of the directorate general of marketing from the Indonesian Culture and Tourism Ministry acknowledged that: "Our challenge was to make a breakthrough promo that was creative and effective for the UK tourism market".

Such shortcomings can partly be explained by the short time frame in which the event was arranged. Noviendi, referred to the preparation of the "Remarkable Indonesia" event in Harrods as a Proyek Sangkuriang*.

"Without the support of the professional team of Femina who helped prepare the culinary recipes, presentation and supervising, Pincky Sudarman's *from Alun Alun* magic touch as a stylist/decorator expert, the Trade Ministry and KBRI's support, and other sponsors, the mission would have remained impossible".

The decision to run the event for the whole month of April was taken in January 2010, and strings had to be pulled to make it happen. Professional parties were summoned to be in the team that could make the project possible in less than three months. According to Guy Cheston, Harrods' advertising sales and sponsorship director: "This is a breakthrough - that Harrods managed to work an event this big promoting a country and its product in less than three months. Usually, Harrods will plan as far as a year beforehand, like what they did before with Malaysia and Thailand."

The obvious question is: Why do it in such haste then? Surely Indonesia would have got more mileage from the Rp 5.5 billion event had it been held in 2011, with more time to prepare?

Sapta responded: "We seized the opportunity while it was available to us, as we might not get the slot again next year".

According to Noviendi, "The ideal situation would have been if the promotion could have been executed more systematically, and more importantly integrated and coordinated by all parties including UK buyers and distributors for Indonesian products. Quality wise, Indonesian products are already at par, the biggest challenge is the consistency on delivery and packaging".

The biggest learning of this collaboration, Ambassador Thamrin noted, was that Indonesia needed profiling and a strong image of products it had expertise in, such as spas, haute couture, jewelry and batik.

On the chance of tempeh entering the UK market, he said: " The UK standard for food and health is a challenge for us, but the embassy is more than willing to help and support any plan to promote Indonesian products, especially tempeh".

Mahendra Siregar, deputy minister of trade, told the Jakarta Post just before the gala dinner: "Through this *Remarkable Indonesia' *event*, we want to inform the World! It is very important to have strategic collaboration with many high-prestigious institutions, businesses and other international stakeholders. We want to show the world that Indonesia has many products of such a distinctive quality".

Asked about the next concrete follow-up step to this promotion, Mahendra said there would be a big team from Harrods coming to Indonesia soon to find out how Indonesia should expand its activities for next year.

Indonesia has to start shifting from the old folktale Proyek Sangkuriang mindset to 360 degrees branding, marketing and communications to bring Indonesian tourism up to and beyond other Asian countries.

* Proyek Sangkuriang is an Indonesian folklore legend about a young man who was given an impossible task - in order to fail - by Dayang Sumbi, a beautiful woman who unbeknown to him was his own mother trying to cancel their plan for an incestuous wedding. Sangkuriang almost made it thanks to the help of the supernatural workers, until Dayang Sumbi tricked him.

For all to admire: Batik is on display in one of the windows of Harrods, London, in April 2010, as a part of the Remarkable Indonesia event. JP/Ati Kisjanto

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/05/04/indonesia-comes-harrods.html