Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi

Toraja Death Feast

The Toraja dead rituals are elaborates feasts which hold the greatest significance in the society. The more elaborated the rituals, the higher the familys gratitude and esteem considered to be for departed member. The rituals begin with the taking off the coffin from the family house, accompanied by the tau-tau, a wooden effigy of the dead person.

Traditional welcoming dances are performed for the guests an bull, cock and kick fighting (sisemba) are featured. The mass slaughter of buffaloes and pigs takes place afterwards. The final part of the ritual is when the corpse is taken to its final resting place in cave high up in the cliffs. A funeral feast for a high ranking Torajan often last for many days.

Further Information, please contact:

South Sulawesi Tourist Office
Gedung Mulo
Jl.Jend.Sudirman No.23, Makassar 90133
Phone : (62-411) 878912
Fax : (62-411) 872314
Email : disbudparsulsel@telkom.net

Surabaya year round events

Reog Ponorogo

Performances where the dancers carry a very heavy, ornamented tiger head with peacock feathers. This dance depicts a fight between a tiger and two noblemen on horseback.

Kerapan Sapi (Bull Races), Madura
This is very popular sport and spectacle is held regularly at least twice a month at Bangkalan on the island of Madura, about half an hour by ferry from Surabaya. Bull racing is a great event in Madura especially the annual races for the islands championship which are usually held by the local administration after the harvest time in September and October. The finals are held at Pamekasan capital of the island, once a year. Special races can be organized, given three days advance notice.

Kuda Kepang (Bamboo Horse), Kediri
A dance performance originating from the town of Kediri. Male dances falling into a trance ride on bamboo horses, and eat grass flowers, rice husks and pieces of glass.

For further information, please contact the East Java Provincial Tourist Office, Jl. Wisata Menanggal, Phone : (62-31) 853-1814, 853-1820, Surabaya.

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Bukit Lawang, the Parish of the Orang Utan

Bukit Lawang might be one of the best place to meet this exclusive and unique primate. Bukit Lawang is one of the largest stronghold community of Orang Utan. Bukit Lawang situated at the eastern side of Gunung Leuser National Park, leap with the track of Sungai Bohorok, Medan. With more than 5000 orang utans occupied the jungle, Bukit Lawang considered as the house of the enormous orang utan by the visitor.

Bukit Lawang founded in the early of 1973, set up to preserve the decreasing number of orang utan as the negative result of hunting, orang utan trading and etc. The rehabilitation center helps the orang utans to re-gain their nature habits and trained through certain programs before released to the wild. Once the primate heads the jungle, the rehabilitation center keep provide them with supplement and regular check-up.

If you wish to feed the orang utan directly, there are 2 feeding times 08.30 am and 3.00 pm; you could feed them with milk, bananas and other food supplements supplied by the rehabilitation center. All the activities within the Gunung Leuser National Park should be done under the permit and guide by professional provide by the rehabilitation center. Some visitor argued that the regulations is way too strict and stiff, but the rehabilitation center excuses that the wrong contact by human could harm the orang utan.

Getting There

By Air - Daily international flights are available, flight from Medan to Singapore, Malaysia. The domestic flight hook up Medan to Jakarta, Aceh, Pekan Baru, Padang, Batam and Pontianak.

You can arrange your flight through the airline services listed below:

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Garuda Indonesia (www.garuda-indonesia.com)
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Jatayu Airlines (www.jatayuairlines.co.id)
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Air Asia (www.airasia.com)
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Adam Air (www.flyadamair.com)
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Silk Air (www.silkair.com)

Bus - Get to Pinang Baris bus terminals (located at Jalan Gatot Subroto) by taxy from the airport and then take the frequent public bus to Bukit Lawang for 3 hours trip.

If you traveling in group or wish for something more convenient ambience instead of the public bus, you can rent car that arrange trip through most of the main tourist destination. National Car Rent (+624157744) which located at Jl. Balai Kota 2 is a good alternative for car rental

Where to Stay

Most of the hotels in Bukit Lawang run by the local citizens. Here are alternatives to stay in during your visit to Bukit Lawang.

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Bukit Lawang Eco Lodge (+628126079983), an eco-friendly lodging situated in the forest.
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Noras Homestay & Restaurant (+62813620706561), situated on the rice field side and the materials are dominated by bamboo huts.
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Wisma Leuser Sibayak
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Wisma Bukit Lawang Indah
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Indrah Valley
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Garden Inn
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Jungle Inn

Moving Around

Most of the activities are done on Foot.

Dining Guide

Most of the hotels have restaurants, so you can ask the owner to provide your meal. Along the river, there are some small cafes with chill surrounding; here you can have fruit salad, nasi goreng and snacks. Local pizza also available at Tonys restaurant

Souvenir Tips

You can buy the souvenirs at souvenir shop near the Sungai Bahorok

Other Things to See or Do

Trekking

Over night trekking is the major tourists favorite. Most people choose to have a two days treakking in order to have the chance to witness the Orang Utans and other unique creature n their habitat.

Every single trekking activity should be guided by professional to prevent notorious event that might be occurred in the wild. Make sure to inform the guide if you have special interest to specific flora or fauna before trekking.
Guide rates are including basic meals, guide fees, permit and camping equipment
Ask your guide to visit the bat cave

Jungle Hiking

Bukit Lawang emerge as one of alternative-not to be missed. Leave at the earliest morning so you can have the chance to experience the wild life

Rafting at Sungai Bohorok

Ride the Sungai Bohorok rapids using tubes. This activity should be done under the assistance of guide, the stream can be extremely tough and strong.

Travel Tips

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To soak the entire Bukit Lawangs beauties, make sure you are in your best healthy, fit and well prepared because the Sumatran jungle is not an easy path.
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Bring along mosquito & leech revolting.
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Sunscreen and mineral water supply are highly recommended .
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Make sure you wear special shoes with grip, since the ground is always slippery.
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Long sleeves and long pants are considered as the best outfit to conquer the jungle fiesta, unless you think that you can outshine Tarzan.
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Heavy rains are mostly downpour at the afternoon; please bring your rain jacket and a water resistant bag to keep your items.
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Do not litter, make sure to collect your trash, any type of trash.
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Dont feed the animal

Others:

For more info please visit

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www.bukitlawangtrust.org
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Bukit Lawang Visitor Centre, open from 08.00 am " 15.00 pm
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PHKA Ranger Station open from 07.00 " 15.00 pm
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PHKA permit office
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Bukit Lawang Guide Association
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Decentralization




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Gorontalo, the Pieces of Paradise on the Equator

Hidden Paradise on the Equator. There are just so many things that make Gorontalo perfect for holiday, the beauty of its nature, the culture and not forget to mention, the friendly people. General information about Gorontalo, stated at North Sulawesi. Mountains, hills, shore line are the main characteristic of Gorontalo and it makes the island perfect for marine tourism.

Most of diving site take you just a few minute from town, Diving in Gorontalo mean diving within the richness of biodiversity, health and unique coral and reef

Lot of beautiful place could be found here, Tomini Bay-famous for under water habitat and undefined creatures. There is several number of unsettled small islands. Tomini Bay is a heaven for divers, because the geographic position of Tomini Bay itself, which is crossed by the equator line, has naturally presented various kinds of sea creature inside.

Desa Olele or Olele Village is well known as the wild diving spot among world class diver. Olele beach is a gate to underwater paradise. The amazing beauty of underwater life on this area has been recognize and proofed by the enthusiasm of the divers who come to Olele beach. The divers called Olele as Traffic Jam dive spot.

In Tomini Bay and Olele Beach, you can find some or maybe the most amazing and diver creature such as:
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Lumba-Lumba hidung botol (torsiops trancatus)
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Giant Reef (Petrosia Sp.)
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Angkutan Kota (City Transport " small car) also available
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School of Gobi Fish (Bryaninops erythrops)
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Salvador Dali reef (Petrosia lignose)
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Kipas Laut Biru (Acanthogorgia Sp.). There are only 3 acanthogorgia Sp. In Gorontalo
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Anemon Koralimorf (Discosoma Sp.)
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Nemo
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Ikan Behang (plectorhinchus chaetodonoides), some people call it cha-cha fish caused they dance and swim around the coral.
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Blenni (Escenius Caeruliventris)
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Cardinal Fish, damsel, platax pinnatus, scorpaenopsis, oxycephala, goropa fish, butterfly fish, pusillus, cockatoo fish, Randal fish, parapterois hetururus, Bothus Sp " half face fish, frog fish, celebes
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Not forget to mention that Gorontalo is the Kingdom of Nudibrancia
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Seahorse and pigmy seahorse

There are just too many creatures to be named in Gorontalo, Just come, wear your suit and experience the Pieces of Paradise on the Equator.

In your spare time, go cruise with the fisherman and catch/fishing your own fishes.

Getting There

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Jallaludin airport is the entrance for the visitors who use the airplane service (located approximately 15 km from the town of Gorontalo)
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Flight from Sukarno Hatta Air Port-Jakarta " Jallaludin Air Port, Gorontalo (Filght served every day, please check the exact schedule to your airline services)
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For visitors who use sea service, Gorontalo has 3 harbors, Anggrek Harbor, Kwandang Harbor and Crossing Harbor

Where to Stay

During your diving, you can stay at Gorontalo Resort
If you stay within the town, these hotels might be fit your requirements:

* Quality Hotel Gorontalo
Jl. A. Yani Kota Gorontalo
Phone: (0435) 822222, Fax (+62435) 821111, www.choicehotelsindonesia.co.id
* Saronde Hotel
Walanda Marmis Street
Phone: (0435) 824144
* Yulia Hotel
Ahmad Yani Street
Phone: (0435) 828395
* Wisata Hotel
23 Januari Street
Phone: (0435) 821736
* City Hotel
Basuki Rahmat Street
Phone: (0435) 822437
* Krawang City Hotel
Basuki Rahmat Street
Phone: (0435) 822437
* Citra Hotel
Merdeka Street
Phone: (0435) 821249
* Melati Hotel
Gajah Mada Street
Phone: (0435) 821853
* Wisata Leato Hotel
Leato Street
Phone: (0435) 824144
* Sumber Ria
Budi Utomo Street
Phone: (0435) 23888
* Budi Utomo Hotel
Budi Utomo Street
Phone: (0435) 821564
* Mutiara Hotel
Andalas Street
Phone: (0435) 825778
* Imam Bonjol Hotel
Imam Bonjol Street
Phone: (0435) 826240


Moving Around

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Within the town, Trans Sulawesi is a land acces that connected the province in Sulawesi
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Mini bus
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To access the diving spot you can use rented car/bike, then take a boat toward your spot preferences
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For those who use dive companys services, they'll arrange your activities (transport, meals, lodging) the moment you arrived at Gorontalo
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Take a ride with Bentor, support by motor bike machine, for one or two passenger only. Dont worry with the rain, cause Bentor installed with veil


Dining Guide

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Within the city, its easy to find any kind of food you want to have for your meal, international menu and traditional menu are available. Make your order, and youll find your meal rich in spices.
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Seafood lover will be pleased here
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Perkedel ikan nike (nike fish). Mashed nike fish mix with flour and spices, then fried
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Pepes Ikan Nike. Fresh nike fish mixed with certain spices, wrapped with banana leaf then baked or some prefer it grilled.


Souvenir Tips

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Kerawang: one of Gorontalos traditional cloth materials, which made by hand (man cloth and woman cloth for all ages). Althought Kerawang made by hand but is doesnt look like a hand made at all. Its a Must to buy and make sure its on your list
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Ornaments of intricate carved wood are common in all the district


Other Things to See or Do

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Wreck of Japanese Cargo, Tjendrawasih Ship
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Sail with the fisherman
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Sentinels: Best of the Best in Diving
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Fishing
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Potanga Pool with natural cool and fresh water-directly comes from the mountain spring
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Otanaha Castle was the protection and defense of the Kings of Gorontalo
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White sand of Leato
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Limboto Lake
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Ayuhulalo Waterfall
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Boalemo Beach
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Bolihutuo Beach
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Bajos Tribe Village


Travel Tips

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The best diving season runs from November to April
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You can experienced the encounter with dolphin (torsiops truncates) around February to April


Tourist Office:
Jl. Diponegoro No. 1
Gorontalo 96115 Phone:
(0435) 821763 Fax: (0401) 821763

culture of indonesia

Definition of Culture

Culture is learned as a child, and as children we each learned from those around us a particular set of rule, beliefs, priorities and expectations that moulded our world into a meaningful whole. Culture consist of language, technology, social organization, economy, knowledge, religion and art.