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Five Reasons Why Tourist Love To Goes To Bali

post from Indonesia Vacations on 03 July 2009 02:42:33 PM. © Indonesia Vacations

Five Reasons Why The Tourist Love
To Goes To Bali

Picture of Tanah Lot, Bali

Goes to Bali then you will get unforgettable experiences. Bali Island is the second tourist spot after Hawaii. Bali became more popular after the bombing in Bali. The bombing tragedies happened on the year of 2002. It was terrible and I can't forget it. Bali was suffer during the tragedy. Now after some years, Bali recovered and many international tourist now coming back to Bali. Even they are building the securities to make the tourist feel safe and secure during their facation. Goes to bali, you will get very great international facilities, the Hotels, Airport, popular café and nightclubs now is keeping with detector. They are keep trying to improve the Information, and technology communication such as internet connection, and they promote to goes to bali and make Bali more popular than ever. The international tourists goes to bali depend of the season. European and American tourist prefer to come on June to July, but Asian tourist are more interested to come on August. Most of domestic tourist are interested to come on September until December.

Hari Raya Nyepi is a big religion day for Balinese so that Bali will be closed to visitor out side. There will be no light, car passing , or store opened. In this Nyepi Day, Balinese stay at home, they are not eating, and turn off the light. The International Airport in Bali is Ngurah Ray Airport is also closed, there will no departure and no arriving passengers.

There are some reasons to goes to Bali, they are..

1. The culture is still Pure
Balinese still follow Hinduism strong. They really devote their life for their religion (Hindust) . When going around there, you'll see so many buildings called pura, it looks like temple. The tradition of Balinese life from their birth until death. They fstill do the ceremony. You will see Ngaben, Kuningan, Galungan, Nyepi, and some else ceremony at Bali.

The Balinese artist creates some dances which is of soul of art. They also make statue which is created reflect of the Hinduism. You will see the Kecak dance and Barongsai dance performances from small village or studio until 5 stars Hotel.
Balinese are never interfered by the others culture, although so many tourist goes to bali, they never stopped.

Picture of Barong Dance

2. Balinese people are very friendly
Balinese are very popular with their smiling face. Balinese are always friendly and welcome to the tourist. Even if you are white you will not feel like strangers.

3. The Craft are Excellent
Many Balinese are tend to be artist. Most of them like to paint, some like to carving and make very beautiful craft. I suggest you ton visit Antonio Blanco Museum, the is a painter who is married to a Balinese woman. You can go to his market center which is called Sukowati Art . There you will always guide by craft seller. But becareful with the craft seller, sometime they like to beg or push you to buy the crafts.

4. So many be beautiful places that you would like to visit
In Bali, you will never have time to rest. There are so many interesting places, that you would regret if you not visit. The scenery are very natural, goes to Nusa dua beach you can see International cruise ship to go to diving and snorkling or do water sports. You can also go to bedugul, and Tanpak siring. Kuta beach is most popular one and legian street have many international facilities. I love Tanah lot temple, you can see the amazing sunset there.

Picture of the sunset in Tanah Lot, Bali

Kuta Beach Bali

Picture of Kuta Beach, Bali

5. It is very safe now
Bali and Indonesian police has been trying hard to improve their security. After the Bali bombing tragedies the Stars hotel and café provide detector facilities.

So goes to bali now, and have fun!

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Exploring Kuta Beach Bali

post from Indonesia Vacations on 03 July 2009 02:40:57 PM. © Indonesia Vacations

Exploring Kuta Beach Bali

Although Denpasar is the Capital of Bali, but I think Kuta is the tourist center. Kuta Beach Bali is very amazing, it is the longest public beach and the most popular party zone in Bali. It has wide crystal white sandy beach. The sunset is very beautiful, there are lots of local and international tourist go to the beach to watch the sunset in Kuta Beach with their friends, family or having romantic dinner near to the beach with their beloved one. So that, don?t forget to bring your camera and take your best shot.

Kuta Beach Bali is the best beach front in Bali Island. A very short drive away from Ngurah Rai airport (Bali International Airport), meter taxis and motorcycle taxis are easily found around the area to take you anywhere in Kuta area or other places around Bali. The Kuta beach is quite safe, partially clean and well maintained, although the vendors fill up the beach side haphazardly.

However, this beach is really famous for its spectacular sunsets and waves, and attracts tourists who spend hours here swimming, surfing and sunbathing. This place is a well-known destination among surfing enthusiasts: the long sandy beach with its lack of dangerous rocks or coral makes the waves ideal for beginners.

There are lots of bars, internet cafes, shops, and hotels around, so that no need to worry to think where to stay in Kuta. The hotels in Kuta Bali is various from 2 to 5 stars hotels, guest houses and resorts. If you stay in Kuta, you will get easy access for shopping nearby, so you can cut some expenses for transportation.

There are also lots of restaurants in Kuta. They serve local and international cuisines. Most of them serve seafood because Bali is surrounding by the ocean which is very rich of fishes, crabs, and so on. The seafood in Bali is quite cheap, especially in Jimbaran which is only few minutes from Kuta.

What to do in Kuta Beach

About 15 minutes from Kuta Center, or around the end of Jalan Double Six, there is Dreamland Beach. Lots of afternoon action and ball games, with plenty of drinks stands to meet new (girl) friends. No shortage of bars and places to eat with some excellent places to chill and drink like Zanzibar and Blue Ocean.

Soccer Beach
Getting tanned but have extra calories that need burning off? No worries, Kuta is full of beach activities. Try a soccer game with some locals. They usually set up goal posts at around 16:00 between Hard Rock Café and Discovery Shopping Mall. Just come along to play, or even better, bring a friend so the teams will be even. It?s time the world knew about your dribbling skills!

Bali Surfing
If you like to surf, don?t forget to bring your own board or rent one from the guys on the beach. Prices vary but average around 30,000 Rupiah per hour. If you haven't surfed before its the perfect place to learn for beginners. You can get a boat ride out to the outer reef breaks of Tuban or surf mellow beach breaks in front of the Hard Rock Hotel.

Kuta Beach Nightlife
Kuta's nightlife now extends about 7 kilometres (4 miles) north from the original village of Kuta and includes Legian, Seminyak stretching to Basangkasa. Kuta is entertainment central which means music clubs, open-air pubs, karaoke bars, very noisy discos and drag shows. It's a lively party scene to say the least and the kind of place where being single and alone - male or female is no problem whatsoever.

Kuta has a huge selection of restaurants serving both local and a wide variety of foreign cuisines.

Shopping in Kuta
When you are shopping in Kuta, forget your Gucci's and Prada. Bali shopping has its own designers producing one-off pieces for fashion clothing and lifestyle goods.

Lots of individuality here at often reasonable prices. You'll end up with a treasure trove of interesting, fascinating and irresistible buys. Excellent for unusual clothes, jewellry, household and lifestyle items. Kuta's main street has renowned shopping, in mostly small locally owned shops. Individual styles, excellent craftsmanship and low prices. Shopping in Bali is so much fun!

Discovery Shopping Mall Esplanade
Discovery Esplanade is a new concept of entertainment located in the Discovery Shopping Mall?s backyard. Occasionally used for celebrations or some annual events, the Esplanade also offers weekly free entertainment from DJs, and is used for band parades, concerts, product launches, and much more. With a line up of open-air cafés, a deck spinning beats, and a beautiful sunset, what more could you possibly want?

Bali Bomber Memorial Statue

The Bali Bomber's unforgettable for local and also international. It was so horrible. I watched in TV and I still can?t forget it. It was very sad moment for all of us. The government has built a permanent memorial on the site of the destroyed Paddy's Pub on Legian Street. (A new bar, named ?Paddy's: Reloaded?, was reopened further along Legian Street).

The memorial is made of intricately carved stone, set with a large marble plaque, which bears the names and nationalities, flanked by the national flags of the victims. The monument is well maintained by the local government and is illuminated at night. Every year on 12th October there is a memorial ceremony.

Bali Temples
Kuta does not have a popular main bali temples to visit, but sprinkled along the main road you can find regular temples worth a peek at during your holiday here. Positioned on Jalan Pantai Kuta you?ll find Pura Batu Bolong; on Kuta Sidewalk is Pura Penataran; and on Kuta Beach a few metres east from the main gate is Pura Kalangan Majelangu. Every morning and late afternoon right after sunset, the Balinese who live in the neighbourhood come here to pray and present offerings.

Getting Around Kuta Beach Bali

Kuta and neighbouring Legian and Seminyak are easy to walk around. Often you'll find yourself browsing the shops at one of town and before you realise it, you're already at the other end! Failing that it's easy and relatively cheap to take taxis. Negotiate first.

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Best Bali Shopping

post from Indonesia Vacations on 03 July 2009 02:39:03 PM. © Indonesia Vacations

Best Bali Shopping

Bali shopping will certainly give you great excellent bargains. You may have a lot of best buys when shopping in Bali, including leather goods, shoes, CDs, furniture, modern artwork, T-shirts, casual summer clothing, knick-knacks, and jeans. Shopping Bali Souvenirs is very exciting!.

If you don?t feel like going too far from the beaches for Bali shopping, you will find that Kuta, Sanur and Legian are the places where you are able to get whatever purchases you wish for, for example, a variety ranger of sandals to sarongs, silver to surf boards, or wooden statues to Javanses puppets.

If you want to go to a one stop shopping for Bali shopping, you may head to Denpasar. There are a couple of department stores located at Jl. Gajah Mada. The stores here are offering a variety of handicrafts and souvenirs. The goods in these department stores are similar with the ones in any other places in Bali.

Or, if you feel like shopping in Bali with a quite atmosphere, you will then need to go to Nusa Dua. There is Galeria Nusa Dua where you may find a great variety of Balinese purchases within a complex free from the hassle of any street vendor.

If you want to buy a unique canvas for a souvenir, then Ubud is the right place to buy such thing for shopping in Bali. Below is the list of where you can get more items of :

Art ? ubud
Antiques ? Batubulan
Clothes ? Seminyak, Legian, Kuta, Ubud
Bamboo ? Bona
Masks ? Singapadu Ceramic ? Kapal, Campuhan, Tabanan
Music ? legian, Kuta
Jewelry ? Denpasar, Jalan Hasanuddin, Celuk
Stone carving ? Jimbaran Gallery, Batubulan
Puppets ? Gianyar, Klungkung, Sukawati
Toys ? Peliatan, Mas, Tampaksiring
Textiles- Singaraja, Sideman, Jalan Sulawesi, Klungkung market, Negara, Kampunggelgel, Tampaksiring, Denpasar, Batuan, Denpasar, Peliatan
Wood carving ? Buruan, Pujung, Mas, Nyuh-kuning, Kemenuh, Tegallalang.

Traditional Markets

Bali shopping is identical as a shopping paradise where you can get a whole range of interesting goods from traditional antiques to modern branded fashions. When you are shopping in Bali, the technique of bargaining is something requires, since almost in every shops, art shops or markets do not offer the buyers fix prices. So, if you want to purchase a good stuff with a good price, then it really depends on how smart you are in bargaining for the Bali shopping. A variety of product ranging from magnificent Balinese hand woven cloth, gold and silver jewelry, garment, wood carving to many others unique Balinese products can be found almost in any art market or market.. When you are shopping in Bali, you will find that stores are grouped under the similarity of items. It is intended to help the tourist locate the stores for certain item easily when shopping in Bali, and also to help them comparing prices easily from certain store to the next one for a certain Bali shopping. You must always remember to have cash in your wallet because not all of the shops in Bali accept the use of credit cards.

Denpasar
When you are in Denpasar, you can have an interesting overview of the common Indonesian market in The Kumbasari market located near to the river. In this market, you will find a three stories building. The basement is a traditional market that is looked a bit darker. The second level is selling a variety of spices and dried goods, while in the third level is selling clothing and household wares. And if you are heading to Jalan Hasanuddin, not too far from the Kumbasari market, you will find that this street is full with golden shops selling 18-22 carat gold jewelry at the both sides of the street. Or if you want to have some fabrics when shopping in Bali, you can head to Jalan Sulawesi. There are many fabric shops on both sides on Jalan Sulawesi. A variety of fabrics can be purchased here.

Kuta
Besides its beautiful beach, Kuta Beach Bali is also known as a place for a great Bali shopping. If you visit the Kuta Art Market, you will find many shops selling a variety of excellent Balinese goods, such as jewelry, sarong, furniture, handicraft, leather goods and clothing. If you are a careful and smart buyer, you are able to get some great purchases in Kuta for your Bali shopping. There also Kuta Square Shopping Center nearby the Kuta Beach.

Sanur
When you are in Sanur, there is a main street named as Jalan Danau Tamblingan where you can have a shopping in Bali with a less crowded atmosphere compared to the one in Kuta. There are still some street hawkers in Sanur, but they are less aggressive ones, except the ones in the beach market. In Jalan Danau Tamblingan, you will find many interesting shops and also many nice restaurants. Sanur art market is a special place for sarong, wood carving and other handicrafts.

Sukawati
Sukawati is well-known for its traditional market located on the main and side roads. Recently, there is also a new art market opened in Sukawati for a great bali shopping of art goods. This new art market has a two-stories building where you can find a variety of Balinese products from traditional statues to Balinese dances costumes. The goods here are offered with reasonable prices.A large assortment of woven baskets can be found here along with Balinese ceremonial items made from colorful "Prada" - gold painted cloth. These include dance costumes, fans, umbrellas and clothes worn at tooth filings and weddings. Bargaining is a must.

Ubud
Many Balinese say that Ubud is the place to see the real face of Bali. Besides that Ubud is also famous as the cultural center of Bali. The image of Bali as the artist land was created in Ubud. The Bali shopping in Ubud is closely related to its traditional charm. You will find many squatting sellers who will be loudly haggling among spices and vegetables. Besides that, the market also sells handicrafts, many made in the neighboring villages of Mas, Tegalalang, and more.

Malls
When you are in Bali, you are not only subjecting to traditional Balinese vendors, but you can also find good malls located in and around Kuta and Denpasar, where you can easily get your need. The malls in Bali offer you a variety of goods from tool kits to branded perfume. You will occasionally be spoiled with great discounts on designer branded goods.

Matahari Department Stores
One of great department stores for shopping in Bali is Matahari department Stores. There are so many offers here, such as various branded perfumes and cosmetics outlets, such as Estee Lauder, Elizabeth Arden, Body Shop- the free-animal testing products, and Revlon. You can find women's fashion ranging from T-shirts to party gowns, collections for babies and children, including toys and a myriad of colorful fashions, are sorted according to ages. Lea, Tira and Wrangler jeans and T-shirt are found in the men's fashion section, besides formal shirts from Arrow and Charles Jourdan. Besides that some other goods such as household needs, original CDs and VCDs and electronics are available in Matahari Department Store. One special offer from Matahari is the lowest prices for a variety of fruits.

You can find Matahari Department Stores at: Matahari Duta Plaza, Denpasar, 237-364; Galeria Nusa Dua; Bali Mal Galeria, Kuta, 758-875, Matahari Kuta Square and Matahari Legian.

Bali Mal Galeria Kuta
Another great mall for bali shopping is Bali Mal Galerial Kuta. It is a shopping centre in two stories building where you can find so many magnificent products, such as branded sporting items like Adidas and Nike, Branded fashion for women and men in Mark & Spencer and Polo, or kids collections in Osh Kosh B?Gosh. . There are also some beauty salons to spoil your beauty needs.

Bali Mal Galeria is also the island's best place to browse books. In the largest Gramedia bookshop on Bali, stationery, office equipment, imported books, international magazines, novels and best sellers are offered. Periplus Publishers' bookstore offers a wide variety of books on hobbies, recipes, travel, history, politics, Indonesia and culture. There also are book corners for women and kids.

Right in the centre of the mall, there is a shaded garden intended for the non-shopping spouses, tired shoppers and for nourishment. In the second level floor, there is a food court. Another great thing is that there are Planet Hollywood and 21 Cinema and also The Duty Free Shop near to Bali Mal Galeria Kuta that can be reached by walking.

Galeria Nusa Dua
Galeria Nusa Dua is built on over 17-hectare area, offering up to 150 souvenir and handicrafts shops and boutique. The Galeria Nusa Dua building is designed in an open air shopping mall for a friendly and relaxing shopping in Bali. The stores here are mostly having fixed priced high quality items. You can find some designer?s outlets, such as Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein, Prada, and Versace.

In Batik Keris Gallery, many outlets for fine jewelry and onyx souvenirs to scores of first class batik, ikat and handicraft items are priced in rupiah. The Tragia Department Store caters to daily needs and at the Duty Free Shops, for those leaving the country, there are classy tax-free items.

Besides the shops, there are also a great selection of 30 restaurants offering a variety of cuisine from Indonesian, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, and International meals, perfectly served for breakfast, lunch and dinner. To help you reaching the distance, there is a shuttle bus service in the complex of Galeria Nusa Dua mall..

Ramayana Bali Mall
Ramayana is the first mall opened in bali around 5 years ago. It is located on one of the busiest street in Denpasar. Ramayana is a 3 stories mall where you can find a great selection of fashion at reasonable prices. Besides that, there are some franchised restaurants available such as Pizza Hut, Dunkin?s Donut, Excelso café, Wendy?s Hamburger, All You Can Eat Hartz Chicken and also a food court.

The fashion section, which presents both local and branded labels. Select men's or women's wear along with accessories, shoes, bags and so on. Pick music cassettes, original CDs, VCDs and DVDs. The Gunung Agung bookstore features stationery, some imported books and office equipment.

Shopping Galleries
Besides the beautiful nature and culture, Bali is famous for its silver and gold goods, splendid Balinese hand woven, handicrafts and wood carvings. These items are always displayed in a very attractive way to attract the tourist

Agung Rai Gallery
Agung Rai Gallery is a gallery of Indonesian?s best young artist in paintings. It is located at Jl. Raya Peliatan, Ubud, Gianyar Ubud Phone: 975449

Andy's Gallery
Andy?s gallery is located at Jl. Raya Br. Taman Kerobokan No.15, Kuta. The gallery has a two stories building offering an eclectic mix of furniture and carvings, antique and reproduction furniture, and also an attractive wedding chest.

Galeri Keris
Galleria Keris is a one-stop shop which is also known as the centre of Indonesian handicrafts and a department store. Galeria keris offers you inexpensive goods ranging from a variety of crafts, clothes, arts and fun gifts. It is open daily from 9 a.m to 10 p.m. Galleria Nusa Dua Phone: 771303

Asmat Kamoro
Asmat Kamoro is located at Jl. Patih Jelantik 175 Kuta, phone ; 755-624., just around the corner of Jl. Majapahit.. It is a unique shop where you can find tribal artifacts from Irian Jaya. While you can find lots of junk here, if you dig enough, you may find an occasional treasure. Look for long carved Asmat poles, shields, drums, penis sheaths, axes, and bows and arrows.

Bamboo Gallery Main Road Ubud
Bamboo Gallery is located at the main road of Ubud with a phone number: 975037. Different from the other galleries, the Bamboo gallery is more modern and innovative one. This is the place where you can find many works of bali?s most promising young artist.

Window Shopping
Shopping in Bali will certainly be something to do. Bali Bali with its charms offer you a lot of interesting goods, silver and gold jewelry, wood carving, magnificent local hand woven and also so many other handicrafts displayed attractively

Usually, you need to bargain when you are shopping in Bali, such as in art shops, shops and markets. So, the good price that you might get will pretty much depend on your smartness in bargaining. It will certainly be a new challenging experience for certain buyers. However, on most department stores in Bali, prices are tagged and fixed. Major credit cards are accepted. However, in smaller shops, bargaining is required and pay in cash is common.

Kuta / Legian / Seminyak
If you are in Kuta, you will directly see that there are lots of shops and restaurants along the main road, on each side of the road. The Bali shopping in Kuta will offer you a broad variety of products, such as sarong, handicrafts, swimwear, jewelry, leather goods, CD?s and cassette?s. , There are many street hawkers selling watches, transport and bracelets. If you don't want to buy, don't make any contact to them.

You will also find some shopping centres and department stores in Kuta. The products sold here are fixed price. If you want to give a visit to these places, you can head to Kuta centre and Kuta square located in Jalan Kartika Plaza. Each of these shopping centers are also close tone another.

The upper end of Legian Street from Seminyak to Kerobokan has turned into an enclave of boutiques specializing in men's and ladies clothing, interior and homewares stores, antiques, furniture and some interesting deli's and warungs.

Nusa Dua
Before entering Nusa Dua, you will find a small market located right at the Nusa Dua entrance gate. If you want to do some bali shopping here, you also need to bargain. Nusa Dua has a shopping complex called as Galleria. In this shopping complex, you will find lots of stores and restaurants. Besides that, there are also Tragia supermarket and department stores and also Keris Gallery. The stores have mostly fixed price selling high quality items.

Denpasar
Denpasar, as the capital of Bali, is not really recognized as a tourist destination. However, there are some places worth visiting. You will find many department stores in Denpasar, such as Rimo, Matahari, Libi, Tiara Dewa, Ramayana, Dewata Ayu or Tragja. Supermarkets are located within the areas of most of these department stores. If you are looking for handicrafts there are quite a few shops in Jalan Gajah Mada selling similar items to those seen in Kuta.

The Bypass
Along the road connecting Sanur and Nusa Dua, you will find many stores on either side of the road selling wrought iron, pottery and furniture. If you are careful and selected buyer, you may find some masterpieces.

Batubulan
Batubulan is known as the centre of stone carving art. The stone sculptures in Bali were traditionally carved out from paras, soft volcanic rock. These sculptures were used to adorn palaces and temples, but recently they have been exported too. The craftsmen can make practically anything you request.

Celuk
If you are heading off from Ubud, you will come to a location called as Celuk. Celuk is famous as a centre of silver and gold jewelry in Bali. You will find many huge jewelry stores selling a variety of beautiful and sophisticated design of silver and gold jewelries. The silver filigree work is quite amazing. If you can go off the main road into the village where the craftsmen work and live you will get better prices.

Bona
Bona is rich of bamboo plantations. That?s why, Bona has been developed as a centre of bamboo furniture and mats. Besides making use of bamboo, the local villagers also make use of lontar leaves to produce some variety of goods.

Tegalalang
One of Bali shopping for wood carving will be in Tegalalang. This village and the surrounding areas have a specialty in soft good carving. The features which are commonly use for the ornaments are the figures of fruits, flowers, frogs, and some animal fugures.

Duty Free Shopping
If you want to shop in the duty free outlets for Bali shopping, you can head to Sanur, Nusa Dua or Kuta. You will then need to go to DFS and Plaza Bali. Besides that, there is also a duty free shopping in the Ngurah Rai, the international airport of Bali.

They have a wide range of designer label boutiques. Bare in mind some products in Indonesia don't have a high duty, such as cigarettes.

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This is Norway

post from Gard's travel blog on 03 July 2009 02:17:00 PM. © Gard's travel blog

So this is what Norway is like? Well, I wouldn’t say that Norway is this picture perfect all the time but we can brag about some beautiful scenery here. The western fjords of Norway are beautiful and I do get amazed every time I go to places like Preikestolen (Pulpit rock) or Kjerag - at the latter place you are about 1000 meter (about 3000 feet) above the fjord so the view is just spectacular. Well, enjoy the video of Norway

video details and more

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Fishing in Bali And Have Fun!

post from Indonesia Vacations on 03 July 2009 01:17:58 PM. © Indonesia Vacations

Fishing in Bali And Have Fun!

Fishing in Bali is a very amazing tour to explore the wide Indian Ocean with high speed boat to have fun and fish many of tropical fish. As you probably known, Indonesia is a country which is very rich with maritime island. Bali fishing is one or the best spot to fish and catch the big fishes. There you'll fish like the professional fisherman and you will be able to catch many fishes in the Bali Ocean. You'll explore the Bali fishing Trips Point by speed boat with your friends, business partner, family or colleague. You'll get great experiences and enjoy fishing of ocean.

Well, fishing in bali has been quite great. There you'll be buffeted by howling the ocean?s courtesy of the local fisherman which is very common in August. The average fishes catched are usually between 25-50 fishes, weight average between 4-8kg. With some jigging methods it will be more productive.

While cruising around your Bali fishing tours, you can also enjoy your lunch and dinner with the nice speed boat. If you want another callenge, you can go dive or snorkel. You can also go to visit some islands near to Bali Island, such as Nusa Penida and Nusa Lambongan. Fishing in Bali is something worth to go for!

Bali Fishing Maps

Bali Fishing Map

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Beautiful Sunset in Gili Meno Island

post from Indonesia Vacations on 03 July 2009 01:05:19 PM. © Indonesia Vacations

Beautiful Sunset in Gili Meno Island

Relaxing on the beach in a small island would be the holiday dream for most travelers. like watching the Sunset in Gili Meno Island. Far from crowded, noisy and polluted of the city. You can warm your tired feet in the hot sun, baked sand, swimming on coral reefs and relaxing on a bale bengong (stilted open air wooden hut) reading a good book, while feeling the sensation of the sea breeze against the skin. Instead of a beautiful skies during the day or the stars shining in the night.

Sunset in Gili Meno is definitely my kind of holiday. So, when I had the chance to escape the capital, I grabbed it and without hesitation I headed Lombok's Gili Meno.

Some 30 kilometers east of the tourist island of Bali, Gili Meno Lombok is the smallest of the three small sand islands northwest of Lombok, in West Nusa Tenggara.

The bigger Gili Trawangan Lombok is more famous and has been dubbed the party island by visitors for its lively night life. Gili Air Lombok is the biggest and most populated.

All three islands have no motor vehicles roaming the streets. Horse drawn carts called Cidomo and bicycles are the only means of transportation around.

My companion and I took the night flight from Jakarta to Bali on a Friday night and continued to Trawangan on a fast boat, Saturday morning. From there, we hopped on a chartered boat and arrived at Meno around 11 a.m.

When we arrived, we know so little that apart from the expected relaxation time in that spot, we were inspired by the environment.

Based on the recommendation of a friend, we searched for a place called Sunset Gecko. Our boatman pointed out the resort, which had no signboard but a big, wooden gecko on the wall of the dining area.

The hotel is located on the beach, the place has a number of small cottages and a main building with a dining room and kitchen. It has a beautiful garden with flower, trees and banana plants. Four comfy bale bengong search over the sea and Gili Trawangan with high telecommunications tower.

A Japanese man in his early 40s Hiro Tanaka, who we later found out was the owner of the place, greeted us. After we checked in, we made ourselves comfortable in the shady huts looking out to the sea.

Always intrigued by cool Japanese people, we speculated about Tanaka's story. Looking at the beautiful and tidy resort, I guessed he had a degree in hotel management. My travel partner disagreed, guessing that Tanaka was a well-traveled and highly educated person, who for one reason or another decided to open a resort in a small island in Indonesia.

The latter guess was closer to the truth. In one conversation, I found out that he was one of the few idealists who wanted to save the earth, but was obstructed by the politics of the world.

Tanaka is a businessman who set up an alternative energy conversion company with his business partner in Canada. Their product was a patented pyrolysis machine that can transform plastic waste into its former form: oil.

After two years of lobbying city administrations to use the technology without giving money under table, he decided to quit and start making change on a smaller scale.

He grew up in the arid desert of Quwait, while his father worked for a Japanese oil company, Tanaka says that he always dreamed of having a place to share with people.

Three years ago, with friends from different parts of the world, he opened Sunset Gecko, which adheres to eco-friendly practices.

More than often, tourists looking for unspoiled nature to escape the city's pollution end up damaging the environment of their holiday destination. Beautiful spots in Bali have become testament of this, with overdevelopment resulting in beach erosion.

A guess witnessed environmental degradation in Northern Thailand, when six years ago he visited a pristine beach with only two hotels. Three years later, 30 new ones have mushroomed, with mounting piles of garbage.

He says that as he got older he realized that he was part of the problem as he too created garbage. "We always say 'this shouldn't be like this. Oh, you shouldn't burn the plastics' dadadada.

"But when you become an adult, you start to think 'Hey, whose responsibility is this?'. It's easy to say (for an example), *This is the Balinese government's problem'. But then the government doesn't do (anything) and we just keep doing the same troublesome things," he says.

"We just keep messing, creating more garbage, buying chocolate (and throwing away the wrappers), smoking cigarettes and throwing the ash on the street. No, it shouldn't be like this," he says.

So, he opened Sunset Gecko with the hope that he can make a difference.

The resort recycles the water from the dish washing, laundry, and showers to water the plants. Hiro says that they used a three-step filtration system he learned from reading books and internet sites. He mixed the organic solid residue and organic waste from the kitchen to make compost.

Sunset gecko also makes natural soap in the kitchen. This too he learned from books and the internet. He uses palm and coconut oils for the soap and leaves it to harden as soap bars for six weeks. The soap was one of the highlights of the resort for me. It didn't leave the skin dry and was even great when I used it to wash my hair.

Apparently, the news of the natural soap from Sunset Gecko has traveled around. Two Japanese women that stayed at Gili Trawangan traveled to Gili Meno Island to purchase the soap.

Tanaka says that it was not for sale as it was for guests to use. Eventually, the women left with two soap bars each.

Another impressive part of Gecko was the beautiful garden, with various plants. Hiro says that once local island residents came to the resort and marveled at the banana trees.

"They were really surprised. *A banana tree on the beach? How come?' they asked. I told them that we make compost for the soil and villagers have started to copy that," Tanaka says.

In Gili Meno Island, where fresh water is shipped from Lombok, eco-friendly practices are not an option. It is a necessity.

While Sunset Gecko is alive and kicking, walking around Gili Meno Island I found a number of accommodations seemed to be out of business. I passed an abandoned desolate place with an overturned table which seemed to had been a restaurant. Another resort looked closed an empty. Sunset in Gili Meno is definitely beautiful!

Sunset Gecko has a pleasant atmosphere with the other guests to be welcomed and sharing their experiences in the water. Only the quality of bathing water in the area in front the beach of the hotel will lead you to the beautiful coral reefs and the observation of nice sea creatures.

Swimming with the turtles on his side, One guests says that he went snorkeling and saw a Manta ray.

When the sunset, the sky is turn into a purple color. Guests would hang around the open air dining room with drinks chatting, while sounds of geckos joining the chat.

As the night grew slowly, the sight of Gili Trawangan its colorful lights looked like a big ship. A staff commented that it looked like the Titanic ship.

The best part was in a wooden beach chair, watching the sky and the sea, the stars shine, and I started to fall asleep :)

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Celebrating The Chinese New Year in Lombok

post from Indonesia Vacations on 03 July 2009 12:42:49 PM. © Indonesia Vacations

Celebrating The Chinese New Year in Lombok

Lombok is an island with a variety of cultures and religions. These are mingling together to create a fascinating blend of people that is resulting a series of celebrations and festivals throughout the year.

The indigenous Sasak people are the majority population in Lombok island, They practice a moderate form of Islam. In the practice, they often blend Islam with old animist traditions and beliefs that already existed before the advent of organized religion. Besides Sasak people, there are large communities of Balinese who live on the west coast and in the cities. Balinese predecessors settled in Lombok in the 17th century. They still practice their colorful form of Hinduism until these days. Communities of Arab settlers, Bugis seafarers, Christians from Flores and many Chinese whose families have settled throughout Indonesia over the centuries, all live together in harmony on this idyllic island.

Lombok?s Chinese communities celebrated the Chinese New Year in Lombok on January 26. The Chinese immigrants brought beliefs and practices that are incorporated into Chinese New Year celebration in Indonesia. This tradition is still followed and handed down from their parents.

Chinese New Year in Lombok that is also called the spring Festival or the Lunar New Year is very important in the traditional Chinese holidays. The festival traditionally begins on the first day of the first New Moon in the Chinese calendar (Jan. 26) and ends on the 15th day (called the Lantern Festival), on Feb. 9

As the Chinese year 2008 was signified as the "Year of the Rat", 2009 (or the year 4707 in the Chinese calendar), begins the "Year of the Earth Ox".

The celebration of Chinese New Year in Lombok was under restrictive Indonesian laws that made it a unique event. There was no Chinese celebration or Chinese national holidays were allowed to be celebrated in public. It is only 2002 that Chinese New Year was officially admitted and declared as a public holiday in Indonesia. That?s why, last year in Lombok, the Chinese New Year in Lombok celebration was a fantastic cultural performance.

Sahara Restaurant & Club and The Lombok Guide were responsible to organize the event. It was originally planned to be a small inaugural celebration that performing a dragon dance through the centre of Senggigi beach. However, it got bigger and merrier. We must give thanks to the amazing skills and performance of a not famous Barongsai or Dragon/Lion dance group based in Lombok.

From the hotel, the Barongsai troupe progressed to Sahara Restaurant & Club in Senggigi Plaza. A large crowd of local Indonesians, tourist and resident Chinese were already waiting there. Accompanied by drumming and traditional music, a wonderful Lion dance was performed in front of 100 people. It has been a part of tradition for the Chinese to feed traditional red envelopes containing money into the mouth of the hungry dragon. It is believed that the Barongsai bring good luck on New Year and red envelopes are traditionally offered to the Barongsai when they visit.

The hotel in Senggigi Beach Lombok was the starting point of the Chinese New Year Celebration. The hotel itself held a special Chinese buffet and New Year party, where the guest were shown an amazing demonstration of traditional and modern Chinese martial arts performed by some top athletes who were all trained in Lombok. The highlight of the evening was the Lion Dance, performed by two agile and highly entertaining "lions", in a skilful display of athleticism and theater.

From Senggigi Plaza, the parade went on to Senggigi Jaya supermarket for blessing and envelopes.. And then it continued along the main street of Senggigi. A crowd of excited spectators followed them to Restaurant Taman Sari. The surprised restaurant guests were spoiled with another amazing performance of barongsai dance. The procession then danced and drummed their way to Square Restaurant in Senggigi Square, where another New Year celebration was taking place. After that, they marched way back down main street and home. It was the first highly successful Chinese New Year celebration in Senggigi that brought a diverse range of people and cultures blending together in harmony.

This year, many of Lombok?s hotels already made preparation for the celebration. They offered special packages to welcome Chinese New Year in Lombok. Don?t forget to check the buffet theme dinners that will serve you delicious Chinese foods. Hopefully, you'll be lucky to be able to feed a friendly dragon or lion when it dances its way into the New Year

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Fourth of July guide: fireworks, freebies,
webcams

The 33rd Annual Macy?s 4th of July Fireworks this year moves to the Hudson River to mark the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s first voyage there.The 26-minute SOUSA Firework shows will start at 9:20 p.m. with more than more than 40,000 shells[...]

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Mount Rinjani Lombok

Mount Rinjani Lombok is one of Lombok Attractions. As you probably know, there are several active volcano in Indonesia. Mount Rinjani Lombok is one of active volcano. It is one of big mountain which is 12,224 feet or 3,726 meters, this making Mount Rinjani as the second of the highest volcano in Indonesia.

September 1847 was the first historical eruption of Mount Rinjani. The latest eruption of Mount Rinjani was on 1 October 2004. The volcano and beautiful Segara Anak lake are protected by national park which is founded in 1997. About 6 km 8.5 km oval caldera partially by a lake known as Segara Anak (about 2000m above sea level is at 300 and 200 meters deep), contains the caldera - including Hot Springs. An explosion in the years 1994, 1995 and 1996 were something of Gunung Baru or New Mountain about which is anout 2,300 meters above sea level), it is in the center of the caldera and lava from the eruption in the lake.

In the top of the mountain mostly are forests clad. In the lower area there are rice plantation, tobacco, soybeans, coffee, cotton, vanilla and cinnamon. They are the main crops in the fertile soil of the Lombok island.

Mount Rinjani National Park is located in the main field of bio-geographical transition area called Wallcaeae, where the flora and fauna of Southeast Asia meet the Australia. The National Park was established in 1997. The people of Lombok (Sasaknese) and Balinese are so alike. Mount Rinjani Lombok was respected and sacred for people in Lombok. The Crater Lake is a place of pilgrimage for thousands of people each year. Pilgrims offering water to bathe and clean the disease in the spa.

For visitors, the 3 days route of Rinjani trek from Senaru to the crater edge, you can go down to the Crater Lake, and after that go on to Sembalun Lawang,this place is considered as one of the best treks in South East Asia. The Trekkers who like adventurous usually go to the summit, the close way from Sembalun Lawang returning after 4 days to Senaru. If you like, you can join the communities to help with the National Park and tourism revenues. Mt. Rinjani Trek is organized by a company of National Park officials, the private and public sectors of community representatives and industry of Lombok tourism. The community give very cooperatives coordinate of the trek in the Rinjani Trek Center (RTC), it is located in Senaru and also in Sembalun Lawang at the Rinjani Information Center (RIC). Each of them has scheduled system to guide and they also have some porters, activities for touring around the village and find the handicraft sales.

The benefit of entry fees and tourism activities can be used for conservation, management, raining and assisting the National Park and to maintain Rinjani Trek, so that need to making sure sustainability. Overseeing and supporting these activities is the Rinjani Trek Management Board, combining the authority of the central government (National Park) and local government (tourism office), with the voices of Lombok tourisms private sector, and the boundary communities. This institutional model is unique in Indonesia and considered an example for practical implementation of the ideals of ecotourism.

How to get to Mount Rinjani ?

You can manage the transport to Senaru or Sembalun Lawang. These two village can be reached by private and charter vehicle, or by public bus. Form the west, catch a bemo to Anyar, from where bemos travel to Senaru about every 20 minutes until 4 pm. If you are coming from, or going to, eastern of Lombok Island, get off at the junction near Bayan (your driver will know it), from where bemos go to Senaru. To Sembalun Lawang and Sembalun Bumbun, from Kali Putih to the north, a few bemos run along the rough road to both villages, usually only in the morning.

Segara Anak Lake
Segara Anak Lake is so wide it appears like the sea with its blue water. The name Segara Anak means child of the sea. Segara Anak Lake holds various mysteries and invisible power.

Eternal Flower or Edelweis
The plant or the flowers should not be taken because it grows in the park and in the mysterious world of the spirit kingdom. In the past, someone who wanted this flower must be brave enough to fight and gamble his soul. That is why the flower is called Sandar Nyawa. The flower has never wilted and is as old as the mysterious spirits.

The Peak of Rinjani
The people of Lombok believe that the peak of Mt. Rinjani is where Dewi Anjani, the queen spirit and ruler of Mt. Rinjani lives. To the south-east from the peak in a sea of dust called Segara Muncar is the invisible palace of the queen Dewi Anjani and her followers.

Mount Baru Jari
Gunung Baru is the name of the new volcano which emerged in the center of Segara Anak Lake. People believe that Gunung Baru is the navel of Mt. Rinjani. That is why if Gunung Baru erupted it will not harm the people of Lombok unless the eruption is from the peak of Mount Rinjani Lombok.

Map Of Mount Rinjani Lombok

Related Article:

Mount Tangkuban Perahu

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Exploring Lombok Attractions

Lombok island is quiter than Bali. So that, for traveler who don't like crowded places, Lombok is the best choice. Lombok attractions are various, Lombok beach, Lombok diving and snorkeling in Gili islands, and so many more. Below are some interesting places to visit in Lombok.

Batu Bolong Beach Lombok
Batu Bolong Beach is one of Lombok attractions. It is located 9 km from Mataram (capital of Lombok). Batu Bolong Beach has a big rock with a huge hole in it. It is a good place to see the amazing sunset from Lombok Strait. After the sunbathing, relaxing and frolicking on this wonderful beach, you can try to stay until the evening to watch one of the best stunning sunset you have ever seen when the sun goes down slowly and started to to disappear behind the Mount Agung Bali with incredibly flaming colors. A Hindu temple lies on top facing the Lombok Strait and beyond is the contour of majestic Mount Agung of Bali. Colorful and musical religious ceremonies are often held in this beautiful temple. [Read more about Batu Bolong Beach Lombok]

Senggigi Beach Lombok
Senggigi Beach is the most beautiful beach in Lombok Island. Like other lombok beach, Senggigi beach also has a very clean beach and crystal white Sands. So that the wide beach tourist akan freely and have more privacy. This beach is not so crowded, so for those of you who do not crowd the beach like this will give comfort. Along the coast also have international hotel, from 2 to 3 stars hotels, as well as traditional and western restaurant that will spoil you so that your tongue. [Read more about Senggigi Beach Lombok]

Mangsit Beach Lombok
Mangsit Beach is located about 10 minutes of North Senggigi, located just a few minutes to the north of Senggigi, Mangsit Beach caters to the upmarket traveller. These carefully designed boutique villas are located on stunning Mangsit Beach just north of Senggigi on the island of Lombok, 22 miles east of Bali.
[Read more about Mangsit Beach Lombok]

Komodo National Park
One of the best of Lombok attractions is Komodo National Park. It is located between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores in the Lesser Sunda Islands, at a distance of 200 nautical miles to the east of Bali. It has a total land area of 75,000 hectares and encompasses a number of islands, the largest of which are Komodo (34,000 hectares), Rinca (20,000 hectares), Padar, Nusa Kode, Motang, numerous smaller islands, and the Wae Wuul sanctuary on Flores. A total of 112,500 hectares of the surrounding waters are also under the jurisdiction of the park rangers.
[Read more about Komodo National Park]

Mount Rinjani Lombok
Mount Rinjani Lombok is one of interest of Lombok Island. As you probably know, there are several active volcano in Indonesia. Mount Rinjani Lombok is one of active volcano. It is one of big mountain which is 12,224 feet or 3,726 meters, this making Mount Rinjani as the second of the highest volcano in Indonesia.
[Read more about Mount Rinjani Lombok]

Gili Islands Lombok
Gili Islands Lombok are a small-scale backpacker mecca and Lombok's most popular tourist destination. The islands are very relaxed and laid-back, with countless little beachside cafes playing reggae and serving up banana pancakes, and no cars or motorbikes to disturb the peace. The beaches are without a doubt better than anywhere on Bali or Lombok. The flip side of the coin is that as they exist solely to cater for travellers, they're also rather anonymous (you might as well be at anywhere) and, aside from snorkeling and diving, there's little if anything to do. Note that there are no ATMs on the islands, so bring plenty of cash with you.
From west to east, the islands are:
Gili Air Lombok, Gili Trawangan Lombok, Gili Meno Lombok, Gili Nanggu Lombok.
[Read more about Gili Islands Lombok]