Love Island Travel

Celestial wonders of the southern sky

"Bandung" often evokes images of coffee and starry shopping scene. Certainly, Bandung has a glamorous charm that gets Jakartans ask again, even if it means moving the hell of issue two and a half hours away on the toll road.

During his visit to Bandung, though, I thought about a real change in the atmosphere. Still starry and glamorous, but less fancy mixed drinks named after celebrities, kept withdrawn from fashion magazines, or the best DJ of the first order. Rather, it implies escape the urban bustle to be carried away by the cosmic grandeur of heaven.

Driving one hour north towards the serene hills of Lembang, I wanted to feed my inner geek Observatorium Bosscha, the only professional observatory Indonesia and one of the few in the southern hemisphere of the planet . The visit fills me with wonder and awe that I saw in the history of the universe from an Indonesian perspective.

Old science, youth thrill

Going down the lush gardens, dew covered, I entered a Dutch style of study to meet Evan Irawan Akbar, an astrophysics researcher at the Bandung Institute of technology (ITB), and Yatny Yulianty, curator of the observatory. Having expected graying professors, it is surprising to find them in the twenties or thirties.

Naturally, my first question is why studying celestial beings light years when Earth itself has more problems that humanity can never understand.

"Why not?" Smiled Yatny. "Everyone was amazed by the beauty of the evening sky. This in itself is quite a" wow factor "to attract people to astronomy."

In ancient astronomy was important for navigation, timing and determination of planting seasons, harvesting and hunting, explained Evan. Astronomy is the oldest science known to mankind. Most cultures have their own versions of traditional astronomy. In ancient Javanese people, the Waluku constellation (Orion) is an important marker of the seasons, as written in the Pranata mangsa, an agricultural Javanese solar calendar pre-Islamic bible.

"The Orion rises four minutes earlier by day. In ancient Java, the rooster crows before dawn, farmers take a handful of rice grains, stretch an arm and raise the open palm eastward Waluku. When the palm must be raised high enough angle so that the grains begin to fall, it was during the planting season begins, "said Evan.

now that modern technology has often replaced these functions, astronomy has become more scientific quest to answer philosophical questions on innate universe in mind and the human heart.

Although astronomy is a science with many practical applications, it often invites other disciplines to research and develop new inventions eventually become production tools used by the average Joe on a daily basis. for example, the digital camera was invented in the 1960s for unmanned NASA missions to Mercury and Venus.

Indonesia's contributions to world astronomy

Modern astronomy began in Indonesia between 1595-1597 as Dutch explorer Frederick de Houtman sailed in search of spice islands. When the ship was lost at sea, Houtman looked up and noticed that the stars appear different from the tropical sky. He drew a map of the four constellations, used for orientation, and ended in Batavia and Aceh.

Back in the Netherlands, de Houtman compatriots were delighted with the four constellation map and sent on another trip to Nusantara to make a complete map of the sky. Thereafter, the imperalists easily found Nusantara. It marked the breakthrough of Holland in the spice trade and the precursor to the creation of the colony of the Dutch East Indies. "It was a conquest and economic policy elegantly packaged in astronomy," said Evan.

In the 18th century German pastor Johann Mohr came to Batavia and established a small observatory to satisfy his hobby of observing eclipses and movements of Venus. After Mohr's death there was a period of silence for two centuries until Indonesia astronomy Bosscha.

Karel A. R. Bosscha was a Dutch tycoon in the tea business of the Indies. Although not a scientist himself, the father and grandfather were Bosscha physicists. As a student in Delft, Holland, Bosscha founded an amateur astronomy club on campus. He then left and joined his father-in-law tea plantation in West Java Kerkhoven, which has some of the richest men in India.

Before dying, the father of Bosscha ordered him to use his wealth to contribute to the advancement of science and technology in India. In 1923 Bosscha honored the wish of his father by establishing Observatorium Bosscha Technische Hogeschool van for Bandung, the predecessor of the ITB.

Bosscha hired Dutch-Madiun astronomer Joan G.E.G. Vault to become the first director of the observatory (from 1923-1940). The research Arch with Observatorium Bosscha included double stars, parallax measurements, and photometry of variable stars and clusters. Thank you to the Vault of negotiations with the Dutch government, Observatorium Bosscha became independently operated under the ownership of the Astronomical Association of Dutch East Indies, whose board included Dutch business and government some officials based Indies powerful.

Astronomy for fun

As a child in elementary school, I loved astronomy courses because they seem to come with a sense of mystery and magic. But here in Indonesia, many teachers too afraid to explore astronomy with their classes for fear of "being wrong".

"I can not tell you how many times we have done at school telescopes gift and taught classes how to use them. When I come back to visit them the following year, I ask" ? did you have fun stargazing "they said," We were stuffed telescopes in the closet because they do not work, "says Evan" When I check, telescopes work very well, but are perceived differently because images. appear upside down. But teachers do not receive and are afraid to make a fool of themselves before class. "

Nevertheless, there are still thousands of astronomy enthusiasts throughout Indonesia in Amateur clubs in Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Bondowoso and many others. And despite never advertising , Observatorium Bosscha continues to get a steady stream of visitors who come "for fun." Some, like me, make the mistake of coming in the rainy season when the nocturnal observations are closed. However, many are happy to just stop for a chat and a tour at the moment, and the return of the dry season (April to October) to look through the majestic Zeiss and Schmidt telescopes at night. in 2012, public nights were booked throughout the season.

Evan and Yatny admit to being astronomers in Indonesia is not an easy task. in addition to covering the search for a country of 1.9 square kilometers, the Bosscha astronomers should also participate in public services such as driving tours for visitors and training in schools across the country. It should really be more, at least one for each time zone.

"We are still waiting for the next 'Bosscha' to get there," joked Yatny.

Observatorium Bosscha
Jalan Teropong Bintang
Cikahuripan
Lembang
Bandung
Tel (022) 27801
Web http://bosscha.itb.ac.id/in/kunjungan.html

daytime visits (Rp7,500 per person) available all year round: saturday 9h00-1: 00 PM, or from Tuesday to Friday only for parties of 25 or more.

public evening observations (of Rp10,000 per person) will resume from April to October 2013, except during Ramadan. Time TBA.

All visits must be booked in advance, and appointments met on time.

Following the huge success of the USS Liberty Shipwreck Tulamben, North Bali has a new wreck. The "Boga" was sunk in September 2012 in front of Kubu Beach (Karangasem Regency, not far from Tulamben) with the idea of ​​creating another point of aggregation for marine life and a new dive destination attract tourists to an area of ​​Bali still largely underdeveloped.

Boga was a former 150-ton cargo ship, nearly 40 meters long, and it is now on a sandy bottom between 13 and 32 meters deep, perpendicular to the coast. After being purchased by owners of Relax Bali Hotel (Kubu), the ship was handed over to the Karangasem Regency to establish the attraction of a new diver and increase cash flow in the region.

The ship is almost intact, which is a huge difference for people who are used to diving in the USS Liberty site, as after so many years of being overwhelmed, it is fragmented into many pieces. The eruption of Gunung Agung in late 60s was also a major factor in this decline. Conversely, the Boga includes some interesting pieces, like the wheel steering the ship, a VW car in the storage area, and the screw untouched to the maximum depth of about 33 meters. Some of these pieces are wooden, so they will probably disappear quite quickly, leaving only the metal frame. .

Shipwrecks are deemed to be an "aggregation device" for marine life Currently, after nearly three months under water, the boat is still empty and clean enough: outside some corals "implanted", only a few green algae and sponges begin to cover the ship's surfaces But fish are already interested in this new shelter. damselfish, surgeonfish and fusiliers move around the wreck, in a kind anticipation of what this wreck we hope will become in the coming years. Two giant trevally accompanied me during the dive.

Corals, particularly hard, need time to grow. lucky enough Miscellaneous to plunge the Boga regularly over time in the coming months or years will have the wonderful opportunity to attend an "ecological succession", changing the structure of species over time. species "Pioneer" as algae and some soft corals will begin to colonize the ship in the coming months. These species breed at a very high rate, rapid growth, have a short lifespan, and low competitiveness. Depending on the conditions and the environmental disruption, very slowly these species are replaced by other species, such as stony corals and other encrusting animals, need more time to adjust, but then they become very difficult to eradicate by competing agencies. A covered wreck of branched corals and colorful soft animals, surrounded by thousands of fish is the dream of every diver. It will take time (probably not less than 10-15 years), but for sure it is worth the wait.

I must say that some greener actions should have been taken before sinking the ship. Is it absolutely necessary to leave the tires on the car? It would have taken 10 minutes to remove; we must not over plastic waste in the ocean, and the tires deteriorate over the years, releasing very bad chemical compounds such as hydrocarbons and heavy metals. The same for other previously tires; probably used as boat fenders. I could not find anyone willing to answer a few questions like: "What happened to the oil and other pollutants in the ship (and the car) engine? Does anyone recover before sinking ship? "These questions may sound stupid, but since the boat was hyped as a new" environmental oasis ", I hope these basic environmental issues have been properly addressed. It makes the difference between a good idea with a bad start, and effective ecological restoration project

Anyway, the ship is in a nice and safe position (if properly approached) :. It is worth a visit for both experienced divers and qualified.

As the "ancestral homeland" of more than 300 ethnic groups, Indonesia is one of the most multicultural countries in the non-Western world.

8.8 million Indonesians of Chinese origin. Except that their "ancestral homeland" is not even here. My paternal ancestors came from Fujian Province, China, but we settled in Central Java for centuries. For other Chinese Indonesians, their home might be Jakarta, North Sumatra, South Sulawesi, West Kalimantan and East Nusatenggara.

According to the Chinese historian Dr. Tuty MUA of Universitas Indonesia, the Chinese settled in Nusantara since the 13th century Yuan Dynasty. "That's long before the Dutch touch," said MUA. "Therefore, the Chinese presence in the context of Indonesia is something we can not deny."

17th-18th century boom in Batavia sugar has also been a massive migration period for China to India. Many Chinese were hired as skilled craftsmen to build Batavia. Others worked in the sugar industry or have become merchants. Anyway, the Chinese population has grown rapidly, has demonstrated exceptional work ethic, and many openly showed signs of wealth, prompting social envy.

Many people seem to associate with Chinese-Indonesians "conflict" or "violence". And many incidents may be appointed, in 1740, 1965 and 1998.

"There is nothing wrong with seeking what happened. But if people open the wounds of the past in the name of nationalism, then that is a problem, "said MUA." If indigenous Indonesians keep assuming that Chinese-Indonesians are a group that deserves abuse, and Chinese-Indonesians keep judging indigenous Indonesians in return, then there is no end to this problem. Now it's time to stop this division and we start to see all Indonesians. "

One of the alleged Chinese roots of discrimination in Indonesia is the Indische Staatsregeling (State regulation of India) of 1925, which effectively categorizes the citizens of the Netherlands Indies in Europe, Far Eastern, and native. another set of laws applicable to each group. This regulation framed the Chinese, who fell in the middle of the hierarchy, to appear "inside" of a Aboriginal perspective. the privileges are not necessarily those that the Chinese enjoyed as tax collection for the Dutch government. But they were enough to raise the racial resentment.

the Staatsregeling failed to recognize that Chinese-Indonesians are politically heterogeneous. in the pre-independence era, some were pro-Netherlands, some were pro-China (including pro-Beijing and pro-Taipei), and others were pro -Indonesia.

At the beginning of Independence was a relatively quiet period for multicultural Indonesia. According MUA, Sukarno did not particularly discriminatory policies, although some researchers debate that. Indonesia has fostered close ties with the PRC and the USSR. Many Chinese Indonesians were still citizens of China.

And out of the nationalist spirit, Sukarno issued PP10 / 1959, which has limited foreign ownership of retail businesses at the Regency, and prohibited in districts and villages. The settlement was well-intentioned: to encourage Indonesians to support the economy of the new country and prevent the economic neocolonialism. Although this policy does not specifically target Chinese-Indonesians, many of those who owned retail businesses in rural areas have had problems.

sociologist Arief Budiman According to the Chinese-Indonesians at that time was politically divided into integrationist and assimilationist.

integrationist, represented by Baperki, strove for recognition of Chinese-Indonesians as an ethnic group and tend to be secular ideals. Baperki finished leaning to the left, with the Indonesian National Party (PNI), the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), and Sukarno. However, assimilationist, represented by LPKB (Lembaga Pembinaan Kesatuan Bangsa) Chinese Indonesians wanted to stop identifying Chinese and begin to adopt the customs of local indigenous ethnic groups. LPKB leaned right with Islamic and Christian parties, and the military.

Budiman used to be an assimilationist because of his aversion to fanaticism "shameful" he observed among the Chinese Indonesians, and the idea that pendatang (outside) "in Rome Roman should act." "authoritarian Hell" -like Budiman Sukarno wrote in Kebebasan, Negara, Pembangunan-induced generation Budiman to join the right and the fight against the left, knowing that democracy can flourish under a military regime.

that is, until 1965-1966 saw the fall of Sukarno. Accompanying it was a bloodbath that claimed an estimated one million lives, including Chinese Indonesians blindly accused their . association with ICP Budiman said he felt responsible for the new rule, Suharto, took to the extreme assimilation policies: the prohibition of the Chinese language, schools, media, festivities and of cultural expressions. Chinese Indonesians have even pressured to change their names to Indonesian-sounding.

If the time of Sukarno saw the participation of Chinese Indonesians in the parliament and ministries, Suharto made politics out of bounds for the Chinese Indonesians. Having a strong culture of trade, many Chinese-Indonesians naturally used the company became wealthy, privileged and sometimes if their business ties including the Suharto cronies. Although this only applies to a few Chinese Indonesians, it was enough to strengthen the problem recurring 17th century generalized racial sentiment led envy. And we all know what happened in 1998, when it came to be cast on Suharto's turn.

Budiman started kissing Integrationism in the 1970s, when his studies in the United States have presented to African Americans, who also endured a long history of discrimination and violence, but now enjoy the equality in civil society and proudly identify as both "Black" and "American."

"We still preserve our ethnic culture without becoming no less nationalist. Nationalism and ethnicity should not cancel, but can coexist and enrich each other," wrote Budiman. "I would tell the Chinese not ashamed to express their Chinese-ness, while showing in their actions that their country is Indonesia. "

Budiman added that Chinese-Indonesians should be more involved in politics and ensure that Chinese-Indonesian interests are fairly represented. In a democracy led by civil society, Chinese-Indonesians are also responsible as other Indonesian citizens to make Indonesia the country is allegiance to.

Now, in the Reformasi era, most things are made to ensure that the Sino-Indonesians feel comfortable in this country. In 02, President Wahid said Abdurrachman Chinese New Year a national holiday and effectively reversed the anti-China policies of the previous regime. Chinese Indonesians are competent in political offices, including vice mayor of Jakarta Basuki "Ahok" Purnama. In 09, Indonesia has honored its first Chinese-Indonesian national hero, Commander John Lie marine who fought in the Revolution. Some students are now learning that Chinese-Indonesians are important in both Indonesia's struggle for independence and the contemporary socio-economic development.

As a Chinese-Indonesian I look back now and think, "What a great suit my ancestors have overcome!" And how their struggles have somehow made me who I am today. With this awareness in mind, I've never been more proud to call my home Indonesia, the Chinese blood runs deep in my veins.

Founded in 1619 on the smoking ruins of Jacatra, Batavia was intended to function as a repository for products to Holland and the administrative center of the Society of Dutch East Indies (VOC).

For in order to protect its monopoly of independent citizens-traders, the VOC has discouraged the settlement of private-people-freemen by Batavia unattractive to anyone not employed by the Company. This policy has had a distorting effect on demographics. By 1750 the total population of Batavia was 30,000 to 50,000 people, 2,400 of whom were expatriates VOCs related to 0 (an internationally mixed group) freemen. The remainder consisted of Chinese, Aboriginal groups and slaves.

According to the governor-general Jacob Mossel free men were rude and many civilized. They were generally poor. A previous Governor General, Johan Maetsuycker had already invited a nephew to come to Batavia as a freeman. The young man replied that he would not dream of becoming a slave on Java.

But those in the VOC fold will live comfortably. François Valentijn, Minister of the Gospel, called twice to India and a close observer of everyone and everything around him, has in his encyclopedia in eight volumes in Oud Nieuw Oost-Indien (Old and New East India) a mine information about the goings-on in Batavia, and wondered how these low-paid workers could live in such a rich abundance.

According to Valentijn, life was expensive, rent a house on one of the channels or the most beautiful streets, imports of wine than French, Dutch beer, ham, butter, cheese, smoked salmon , herring, olives and smoked meat, prices were high and 3,000 guilders a month did not allow much luxury. The Governor General had a monthly salary of 1,0 florins, to which was added another 400 florins living allowance. Daily needs of the beer, wine, bacon, oil, butter, candles and other products, if any, were provided by the warehouse of the Company, as well as remains attractive. A primary dealer earned 0 florins, a merchant of 60 guilders and 24 guilders per month assistant. All received additional income in kind.

A governor general would thus earned about 14,000 florins a year. But after staying in this position for five years, the accumulated capital of Joan van Hoorn (1704-1709) on the repatriation was estimated at 10 million guilders. The Governor of Maluku, as Valentijn, saved 50,000 florins a year on an annual salary of less than 2,000 florins. And assistant Lodewijck Roy, who had won 18 guilders a month, left a sum of 136,000 florins in gold coins to his wife.

Governor General van Hoorn, who retired (was forced to retire, actually) with a capital of 10 million guilders, had also spent a fortune on his third marriage in November 1706. Valentijn is again telling the event. The wedding party includes Batavia garrison, members of the Council of the Indies, merchants, other important VOC officers and their wives. After Mass, the wedding 0 guests were feted at the residence van Hoorn 11 am to midnight, while in the early evening fireworks illuminated the sky of the city and added to the gaiety.

Decades later governor-general Jacob Mossel surpassed everything. He, too, has accumulated a large fortune and, on the instructions of the Council in Amsterdam (Heren XVII), he is the instigator rather ineffective measures against corruption. In addition, to counter excessive splendor, he was told to deliver the "Rules ter beteugeling van Pracht in Praal" (Regulations Curb Pomp and Circumstance) which prescribes in detail what has been authorized the ostentatious luxury and magnificence of VOCs officers, for example, the number of buttonholes on the coat of a man, to the size and ornamentation of ladies umbrellas of various ranks were allowed to use, generally carried by a slave following ma'am. at one point, he was even decreed that ladies of mixed blood are not allowed in this parasol service, which led to a boycott of church attendance and was quickly revoked.

But qu'est- it applied to others do not go to the GG itself. and when he died of a debilitating disease in 1761, his funeral procession was a work of art in itself.

Valentijn also records the different methods used for self-enrichment. was first exchanges done privately by agents of the company, competing with the VOC (the employer) and in violation of their strict orders. And the irony of it all is that the contraband was transported on its own VOC ships. In a letter to the Governor General, the Heren XVII complained that ships were so overloaded with these products that one wonders how they ever did through the seas.

Another method was by the faulty accounting. In the sugar industry, for example, the pressing results have been under-reported, and losses in warehouses were overstated. The weights have also been tampered with, a standard Pikol was about 125 pounds; buyers for VOCs, however, increased weight at 140 and 0 pounds while paying for the standard Pikol. In addition, the price of goods sales company was registered under, and those in positions of power did not only sell jobs to potential VOC agents, but also gave lavish gifts on New Year by Chinese traders and of tax collectors under license. The licenses were of course also sold and some had a 50,000 florins price tag.

The VOC was blamed for this situation. Because of low wages, it was said, had not Jan Pieterszoon Coen complained of low pay! And so the benefits were considered an eligible need. It seems that little has changed since those days spent ill.

The Indonesian archipelago , with thousands of kilometers of coral reefs, pristine outer islands and a huge biodiversity is one of the best destinations in the world for scuba diving.

List of Top 30 Indonesia diving sites is difficult because some areas are still poorly explored, but here is a list of dive sites that I recommend you visit.

SUMATRA

Sumatra is normally the destination diver's dream, because often its coastal waters are calm flow of mud and sand from rivers. But the paradise of Pulau Weh, north of Banda Aceh, is an extraordinary exception.

1.Batee Tokong (Pulau Weh, Sumatra)
A huge coral pinnacle approximately 20 minutes Pulah Weh. Currents, sometimes strong, bring nutrients to the reef and coral life is amazing where sea fans, soft and hard corals, can thrive. A domain Batee Tokong is called Shark Plateau -. You can imagine why

2. Canyon (Pulau Weh, Sumatra)
Another coral top with an interesting geological feature; the top of the rock is divided into two parts, creating a deep canyon where divers can enjoy an exciting experience especially during drift dives.

JAVA

Java does not offer much in terms of diving. Densely populated, it is almost impossible to find a dive center with the exception of those based in Jakarta and Pulau Seribu. Although these islands are not the best for diving, they deserve a mention as they are easily accessible from the capital.

3. Papa Theo Wreck (Pulau Seribu-Java)
Papa Theo was a ship that sank in 1982. The ship, about 20 meters long, has become a wreck easy and coral reefs offer interesting encounters. An easy and relaxing dive and the island itself is beautiful.

BALI

The most tourist destination in Indonesia offers some diving amazing sites, mainly located in the North and in the island of Nusa Penida, an hour from Sanur speed boat.

4. Manta Point (Nusa Penida, Bali)
The island of Nusa Penida, especially on the south side, is the place to go to see the majestic rays manta. Swimming with these quiet and stylish fish is an incredible experience. It is an easy and shallow dive.

5. Crystal Bay (Nusa Penida, Bali)
Crystal Bay is a wonderful small bay famous for high visibility and presence, from May to September, the Mola mola majestic or Oceanic Sunfish. This possibility brings thousands of divers each day. A difficult dive - consider your experience level before scheduling a dive there, and be safe

6 .. Blue Corner (Nusa Lembongan, Bali)
Probably the fastest drift dive in the world. Ready for fun? Good chances of spotting sharks, Mola mola and other great stuff. For experienced divers only!

7. Liberty Wreck (Tulamben-Bali)
Probably the most famous shipwreck in Indonesia. Easy shore diving, a bit crowded during the peak season but it is worth a visit.

8. Biorock (Pemuteran, Bali)
A very interesting coral restoration project on the shore of the village of Pemuteran. easy dive full of sea life.

LOMBOK

Except for the Gili Islands, Lombok is still underdeveloped. Perhaps for this reason, there are some interesting new locations, particularly in the southeast of the island.

9. The magnet (Belongas Bay-Lombok)
Pinnacle located in the open ocean. very difficult dive because of the pressure and strong currents, but in some months of the year, you can spot the famous hammerhead shark.

KOMODO AND Rinca

Very small islands, famous worldwide for their dragons, Komodo and Rinca offer some of the dive sites the most amazing country. The area around Komodo is a World Heritage site.

10. Crystal Rock (Gili Lawa Laut-Komodo)
Probably be the most famous dive Komodo. incredible reef teeming with life, rifle schools, tuna and mackerel. Absolutely a place mustdive.

11. Castle Rock (Gili Lawa Laut-Komodo)
Thrilling drift diving, close to Crystal Rock. Another submerged mountain covered with hard and soft corals.

12. Cannibal Rock (Horseshoe Bay, Rinca)
One of the ten best dive sites in the world. The water is cold and full of nutrients, nourishing an amazing amount of hard and soft corals, and an impressive amount of fish and other invertebrates.

ALOR

Alor is still a distant island where diving is increasingly popular. With muck diving and wonderful coral reefs, Alor is one of the next great dive destinations in Indonesia.

13. Anemone City (Pura Alor Island)
As its name suggests, this site is really covered with sea anemones and fish species of anemone different (think Nemo).

ISLAND Ambon

Ambon is probably the world capital of muck diving. Do not expect wonderful colorful walls and reefs, but instead an amazing variety of creatures -. very strange animals that inhabit the sandy or muddy bottoms

14. Rhino City (Laha-Ambon)
The highest concentration in the world of the strange colored fish, Rhinopias. A Holy Grail for many underwater photographers.

15. The Twilight Zone (Laha-Ambon)
This is where the so-called "the rarest fish in the world," the Psychedelic Frogfish, were spotted (only nine times in total).

BANDA iSLANDS

A group of ten small volcanic islands in the Banda sea, quite remote and difficult to achieve, but for this reason it is still unexplored.

16. Gunung Api (Kepulauan Banda)
If you are afraid of snakes, this is not the place . for you around the island, thousands of black banded sea snakes inhabit the reefs they were observed hunting together with large jackfish;. a unique phenomenon never observed in any other place in the world

. KALIMANTAN

the eastern part of Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo, offers several ideal reefs for scuba diving.

17. Manta Run (Sangalaki Kalimantan)
Another wonderful diving Manta Ray. Hundreds of these majestic animals inhabit the waters around the small island of Sangalaki. Good snorkelling too, since manta rays are very curious and can be very close if not harassed.

18. Jellyfish Lake (Kakaban Kalimantan)
shallow lake with thousands of non-stinging jellyfish. A wonderful example of natural evolution, as these jellyfish have lost their defense system without the presence of predators in the closed lagoon.

19. Big Fish Country (Maratua Kalimantan)
Located at the entrance of the channel that connects the lagoon of Maratua with the outer sea. The currents can be very strong, but the opportunity to observe large sharks and large predators is quite high.

SULAWESI

Beautiful coral walls to muck exciting dives, there are plenty of opportunities for everyone.

20. Likuan 1-2-3 (Sulawesi Bunaken North)
An amazing vertical wall, from only a few meters down directly into the deep blue. An incredible variety of fish and many sea turtles complete the scene. This wall is so long that it was divided into three different diving spots.

21. Hairball (Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi)
A desert of black sand, it offers an exciting glimpse of hairy frogfish, scorpionfish many different strange, mimic octopus and many most incredible animals.

Apollo 22. (Togian Island, Central Sulawesi)
Located in the volcanic island of Una-Una, Apollo is a coral slope with lots of currents and the incredible visibility . Big groups of barracuda and trevally are almost always present.

23. The Drowned Village (Sangihe Island, North Sulawesi)
A volcanic eruption in 1963 buried a small fishing village. Many buildings are still intact and covered by hard and soft corals. A wonderful experience, but very difficult to achieve since no dive operators are present in the region.

WEST PAPUA

The dreamland of every diver. Largely unexplored, Indonesian Papua offers the best dive sites in the world, especially the area called Raja Ampat (Four Kings). So far, very few resorts and liveaboards are available in the area, but the housing supply is likely to increase in the coming years.

24. Sardine Reef (Sorido Bay Raja Ampat)
In not many other dive sites is the incredible number of fish obscuring sunlight -. An explosion of marine life

25. Misool (Misool Raja Ampat Island)
Misool is famous for the gardens of soft coral and beautiful mangroves where you can even see the crocodile saltwater. Can be very dangerous, so take care.

26. Manta Sandy (Misool Raja Ampat)
Another great dive site, known as the point of aggregation thousands manta rays.

27. Passage (Waigeo Island Raja Ampat)
soft coral and beautiful gorgonians meet a surface mangrove forest. A single passage between two worlds.

28. Happy Ending (Batanta Raja Ampat)
Probably one of the best muck diving Raja Ampat. Many amazing observations, including Bobbit worm.

29. Eddy Cave (Wagmab Area-Raja Ampat)
An extraordinary diving in a cave, surfacing in a large room, where stalactites can be seen.

30. Whale Sharks Bay (Cendrawasih Bay Raja Ampat)
In this remote bay, beautiful whale sharks are fed by local fishermen, believing they will bring good luck. You can snorkel or dive among dozens of these gentle giants spectacular.

The Indonesia's population is estimated at 240 million and the number of hearing impaired children is over two million. Deafness in infancy and childhood has a huge impact on communication, education, employment and quality of life, yet deafness has received little attention in the field of health development. A Balinese man is spreading awareness in Bali. Wahyu Cahyadi is deaf, and works as a driver and tour guide for other deaf and hearing impaired.

In 09, Jonas Noser was again visit to Bali from his native Switzerland when his deaf Balinese friend Wahyu Cahyadi clearly wanted to earn a decent living. Noser soon made it possible for other deaf people to visit a foreign country without communication barriers in the world of the hearing. Since then, 100 travel enthusiasts have enjoyed the guides and demand is growing.

Deaf Guides

Wahyu was born in Ruteng, Flores where he attended primary school for the deaf in Ruteng from 1991 until 1999. Then, and Wahyu his family moved to Bali where he studied for six years at a school for the deaf in Jimbaran. After high school, he studied computer science at the Denpasar University of Technology from 05 to 09. During this period, Wahyu contacted teachers using sign language or lip reading.

Deaf Guide Bali caters for deaf, hard of hearing people, friends and anyone planning to holiday in Bali. By offering deaf guides who are familiar with sign language, many more tourists can enjoy travel without hindrance. A local guide opens a new world for deaf visitors, including the history and lifestyle of the island. Not to mention the beauty of Balinese culture. With the help of guides Deaf Bali, a trip to an exotic land can come to life, through the hands to talk about their guide through the world of international sign language.

foreign tourists

Wahyu became a guide after talking with many deaf foreign tourists who visited her deaf school in Jimbaran. Taxi drivers and hearing guides led them to the deaf school, but it was clearly hard and difficult for customers to communicate. Wahyu asked: "Do you recognize a deaf pilot and deaf guide" So the decision was made, when Wahyu finished his studies, he would be an independent driver and a deaf guide. And in 09, he began this journey.

Wahyu work is difficult. He decided to learn about the international sign language in Australia, and studied hard to master all aspects of sign language to communicate well with each customer. The problem is that sign language in all countries throughout the world is different, and even in the same country, there are wide regional dialects. Most deaf tourists from Australia, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Norway, France, Ireland, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, China and Canada. And tours cover favorite places such as the monkey forest and rice terraces in Ubud, volcano of Mount Agung, Pura Besakih, Pura Tirta Empul, Pura Tanah Lot, Pura Uluwatu, Turtle Park, waterfall Gitgit, white sandy beaches, the deaf school in Jimbaran and the deaf town Bengkala.

Bengkala sign Language

Although Indonesia has a form of sign language, many teachers are not familiar with the language, and therefore, are not commonly taught to children . Kata Kolok (literally "to speak deaf"), also known as the Balinese name Bengkala Sign Language Sign Language and is a language town signs, which is indigenous to two neighboring villages in northern Bali. The main village, Bengkala, experienced a high incidence of deafness for more than seven generations, and is well suited.

Kata Kolok is irrelevant and lacks spoken Balinese sign of contact that often arise when a sign language and an oral language are in close contact, such as finger spelling and mouthing. Signatories make extensive use of cardinal directions and places in the real world to organize the signing of space, and do not use a "time line" metaphor for time reference. Deaf people in the village speak using special cultural forms such as deaf dance and martial arts. Sign language was acquired by at least five generations of deaf Aboriginal signatories and characteristics in all aspects of village life, including religion.

awareness

In developing countries, such as Indonesia, children with hearing loss and deafness rarely receive schooling. Adults with hearing loss also have unemployment rates much higher. Among those employed, a higher percentage of people with hearing loss are in the lower classes of employment. Awareness that employment rates increase and encourage early detection.

Last but not least, the days of contested hearing Travel are now getting better. While in Bali, you can visit one of Deaf schools and giving back to the young children of this island. Wahyu makes your trips more interesting and relaxing having a Deaf Guide to take care of your trip to their country. He will explain the finer details about the social, culture and history of the island in sign language! You have an itch to do some more traveling this winter?

deaf and tourists can contact Wahyu via their email ( balideafguide@yahoo.co.id ) or Facebook page.

LUMPUR Sidoarjo - The Hot Mud flow Sidoarjo

Twisted Tourism Lapindo Mud Spill East Java

"... Holiday in misery other ... "
John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten), Sex Pistols

" And you have to go see Lumpur Lapindo! "is what my colleague told me when I asked him what I should do on my visit to East Java.

" Really? Can you go see it? As a tourist? " I asked.

" Yes, go see it. " There was a must.

Among the many catastrophes that surround us every day there is the added insult disaster and rubber-necking, the human tendency to flock to a tragedy simply let their jaws hanging open and watching. Very often the gorier the better. In some cases, the tragedy is not such that can be cleaned overnight. It might be as rest for a month, a year, or say seven years in this case. And when such a long-term tragedy persists addition, the human desire to gawk spawns this thing that can accurately be described as the twisted tourism.

In May 06, the company Lapindo during the drilling of natural gas wells, was greeted with a surprise; a mud volcano, a geyser of steam and hot mud shooting 0 meters into the air. As I heard from reliable sources, the immediate reaction of the company was of course trying to hide it. They built temporary walls and small samples as fast as they could, but the mud kept flowing and flowing and flowing and flowing. When you go one day it will still be fluid. Experts predict that it will be running for 30 years. So far it has consumed 16 Desa (villages) and three kecamatan (districts), the displacement of thousands of families and businesses.

Knowing all this information did not prepare me for what I encountered when I finally arrived. The main road that connects directly south of Surabaya, RT. 1, or the room temperature. 23 or Jl. Gempol Malang, going right along the western edge of the Lapindo mud plain solid. When you get there, you are first struck at the sight of this colossal gabion wall 10 meters high, towering over you, built to retain the mud. It extends as far as the eye can see in both directions.

Along this gigantic gabion wall some people have built stairs for people of high and costs for their use. Admission to the mud at a price. This is where there are banners access to view the mud and words of protest against the government and the company Lapindo. It cost us Rp.50,000 for three people plus a cigarette. It took custody a second to do the math, but I'm sure his formula changes depending on the wind direction and perhaps the shade of his skin.

At the top of the wall, I was immediately greeted by ojek , one after another, who offered to take me out, around and closer to the place where the steam geyser is still spewing into the air. Some were selling DVD of the mud volcano. I was tempted by the DVD but not the ojek. I never feel comfortable on a motorcycle taxi and I doubt not comfortable with the idea of ​​riding on the back of a beat-up, old bebek to through a casting active hot bubbling mud.

top of the gabion were common Indonesian refreshments for tourists: Aqua of all sizes teh Botol , peanuts, Bungkus nasi , etc. And there were other foreign tourists there, too. I'm sure they had good reason to be there (students geology doctoral or something) unlike me.

Also atop the giant gabion there is a "monument", a tombstone in fact, as a reminder and promise never to forget the false promises made to pay compensation to thousands of displaced families. A stone's throw of the monument there is an effigy of Aburizal Bakrie appropriately dressed in his bright yellow jacket Golkar, shiny with presidential aspirations. It was obvious he had been mercilessly dilempar lumpur spotted with mud balls and glasses had been knocked askew. Maybe this happens on a regular basis, when the moon is full and the mud is right. I'm glad I got to see him there, standing in the mud. Made the trip even more interesting.

"I'll get a big maybe"
-. François Rabelais

There can not be many things in life that are better than a sandy beach in the tropics. they do not rust, they will not break down and they do not even need maintenance (unlike many other things I could mention!) They inspire dreams. and, if we're lucky, we can even get to make their visit from time to time.

to find this legendary oasis in the sun is not as easy as in the past, however, and unlike 20 or 30 years ago, when you could just hop on a Garuda flight to Bali, a little more effort is now needed to arrive at a very . beautiful Indonesian beach that is not overrun with tourists or spoiled by garbage

really remote and isolated beach, however, is not an option for many people - either because of the considerable time and effort to it arrive or due to lack of housing (which can turn a dream vacation into proverbial holiday from hell).

So when someone told me about the sandy beaches on the southern tip of the island Sulawesi odd shape - just look on the map - I naturally became intrigued

The beaches are near a place called Tanjung Bira and to get there, you must first fly into the vibrant city of Makassar .. This is the part easy. After that there is a five to six hour long journey on that for Indonesia, is remarkably good road, which takes you through small towns and villages Bugis traditional and through vast coastal salt plains finally you get closer to Bira.

The Bugis live in wooden houses stylish and often brightly colored ( rumah Panggung ) that are built on stilts. This is intended to provide protection against wild animals (okay, I made that up) and keep the spacious and cool homes, but they also appear as if they could withstand pretty severe floods also . A traditional solution to the perennial flooding in Jakarta, perhaps?

About 15 km on the road before Tanjung Bira is the boat building village of Tanah Beru. Construction of the traditional Phinisi (schooners) was made here for several hundred years now, and you have probably seen Phinisi if you have visited the old port of Sunda Kelapa in Jakarta. According to one of the young boat builders I spoke to Tanah Beru, the construction of these magnificent vessels is undertaken by adhering to the "knowledge" passed down through the generations, without plans or measures never build real boats - an astounding thought when everything seems to be written or recorded in this day and age.

all doubts about the seaworthiness of vessels are dispelled by elaborate ceremonies, which apparently involved the launching of newly built schooners on the bodies of seven pregnant women. Fortunately for all mothers in grass in the surrounding area, this particular ceremony is no longer (maybe the locals came to realize that the ceremony had a rather negative impact on future generations rather than to make any good luck).

you know you have arrived at Tanjung Bira when you come to one of those roadside medallions feared that ask you to pay what is so endearingly known in Indonesia as "compensation" . But since there is no barrier, there is no reason to stop and that's exactly what the locals; drive all right without stopping. It suffices to say.

First impressions of Tanjung Bira are not really that great to be honest. He has that kind of feeling tired and neglected to a place that has struggled with a lack of visitors. Bit like Anyer and Carita in Banten; ghost towns of the sea.

But Tanjung Bira is not really one place. It is two. There Tanjung Bira weekend when it is packed with domestic tourists - mainly from Makassar and close Bulukumba -. And Tanjung Bira during the week when it is almost deserted

Dig deeper and Tanjung Bira reveals its secrets. First, the beach of Tanjung Bira - while not exactly bad - not great either. However, only about 3 km away is the Bara Beach and this beach is a real discovery with its wonderfully powdery sand and crystal turquoise sea that suddenly turns dark blue when the water gets deep. Being so isolated, it is very quiet and peaceful too.

Yet, Indonesia would not be Indonesia without something completely unexpected happens and whacky. In the case of Bira, it is a neighborhood of modest size "entertainment" located off the main thoroughfare of the city with shabby bungalows and a motley assortment of karaoke bars cheap. "Hindari pergaulan bebas & narkoba" (avoiding sex and free drugs), reads a sign outside of an institution particularly dilapidated. Well, you know what they say about the seamen and ...

In short, Tanjung Bira is an ideal destination for seasoned travelers looking some solitude and clean, secluded beaches. More adventurous types can also snorkel there - although the currents can be strong - and some decent snorkeling is usually possible in the neighboring islands (depending on weather and sea conditions). WiFi in Bira, alas, is more rare than the observation of a Javan tiger, so do not expect to get access to the Net. Bring some books instead - or better yet, your lover. After all, it is a holiday, not

In short

Country: Indonesia

province Sulawesi Selatan

get
many airlines fly Makassar as the city is the regional hub for air transport in eastern Indonesia. Makassar to Bira is a long journey of 195 km. The easy way to do this is to use a rental car (best booked in advance). A proposal much more difficult (but much cheaper) is to use public transport; take a taxi from the airport to the bus station Mellengkeri (about 40 minutes) and from there you can get a small public minivan Bira (maybe you have to change in Bulukumba).

Best travel time
Bira may be a suitable destination to avoid the monsoon season from its seasonal rainfall is different from that in Jakarta, Makassar or Bali. Mostly dry for much of the year, more rain falls in the months of April, May and June.

Where to eat
The only decent restaurant is set back some way from the main beach, almost opposite the hotel Wisma Indah Bahari and called Rumah Makan Cici.

What

• Bira has a renowned diving center called Bira Divers (Tel: 081 237 0 560).
• Visit of an underground cave about 20 minutes Bira called P. Sohara Mandala Ria. After descending about 70 meters (bring a flashlight), you can swim in a cold pool, crystalline spring water.
• Visit the nearby islands of Pulau Kambing and Liukang island for diving. Motorboat costs about Rp.350,000 for the trip.

Pulau Kotok - Photo by Sharat Satyam

Travel and tourism have become so jaded these days that few places evoke the feeling of calm, peace and romance that we all seek vacation. Pulau Seribu , or the Thousand Islands in the Java Sea off Jakarta, but is a pleasant departure from this state of affairs. A day at Pulau Kotok, one of 110 islands that make up the chain Pulau Seribu, is all it took to remind me of a world where nirvana might still be a possibility.

A boat trip of two hours away, Kotok is an island that should be part of a travel catalog highlighting the "top 10 exotic destinations of the world" or "top 50 remote destinations and beautiful in the world "- except it is not. And this is very much the charm of it. It is one of only 11 islands in the squad which house a station, so you can imagine how untapped and 'Survivor' as it may seem! With a simple wooden pier mystically led us into the belly of the tropical island, the only thing that kept me from jumping into the clear blue water on the side was the annoying reminder that I dressed and more importantly, it has not been quite right to drown the Nikon D60 my companion. - I was wearing at the time

Pulau Kotok - photo by Sharat Satyam

Alam Kotok Resort, which manages the island, welcomed with palm leaves head groups and a pineapple-citrus drink to my delight the girl's school. The facilities are basic - no fancy gazebos, no jammed staff, not gatekeepers Inaugurating you, no pools or lily ponds with fountains and bridges false. So if you are accustomed to cushiony, crisp white beds, luxury toiletries and attendants in poshly fitted toilets it is unlikely that this place is for you. But then, if frill-less, rustic and simple do the trick, then look no further.

Little 'floating cabanas "advancing water supply personal inviting spots to settle in when you arrive. A dive shop right next to where you set foot on the white sand island, will rent diving equipment if you are interested. If you are not interested, that's fine too, and you can choose to sit by the water in the languid happiness, and watch others to him. It is always recommended that you take a look from your dry perch in the water you are bound to get a glimpse of some of the marine wonders that lie beneath. For divers for the first time, the dive shop also organizes an escort (literally, because it will chain you with other beginners and "escort" you along the waterfront).

Once you've snorkelled in your heart to the content and / or developed a rosy healthy tan, you can explore the island. Ideally designed paths lined generously lush frond-like leaves, run across the island and you can browse the entire region in less than an hour, give or take a few minutes. On a particularly sultry day, a curious lizard or two can give you company along the way.

Those lazy among you (including me) can opt for the lounge of the azure lagoon on the far side of the pier. Chairs and small wooden tables floated places serve as handy and very organic rest for your sunglasses or your book. It was only a matter of time before the white sand between my toes, small schooling fish flitting around the shallows and the soft swish-swash of mangrove leaves were woven into the ultimate idyllic experience.

lunch, like other meals, is served at the floating restaurant on the island and is a non fussy affair with a simple vegetable dish, fish curry and rice. Soup and salad are available for light eaters. A Bintang, readily available in the 'bar' makeshift serve to mellow you down, if this is even possible. At this point, you would be convinced that there is nothing like a fresh meal, well balanced, the taste of cold beer and singing the sounds of the sea, to define things and strengthen your belief in the goodness of life.

Pulau Kotok - photo by Sharat Satyam

must Rp.850,000 and a boat ride asleep at 8am (boats leave from the pier Ancol ) to reach Kotok and you have up to 15 hours before the boat takes you back to Jakarta. Spend the night, there will of course cost a little more.

Kotok The attraction lies in its rarity. The facilities are Spartan, that nothing distracts from the raw beauty of the island - you can almost hear nature to talk to you. The best part of course is that you leave the island knowing that you will be back soon, because it is a few hours from Jakarta.

Here discover more gems such as addresses Kotok, where less then equal! much more

Country Indonesia
province : DKI Jakarta
Get : speed boats depart from Ancol Pier early the morning. Several tour operators offer day packages. Book early for the night especially during the weekend
What : .. Sunbathing, snorkeling, exploring
What to bring : sunglasses, sunscreen, swimsuit, dive gear (if you do not want to rent on the island), a mat to lie on, snacks or appetizers and a good book to keep you company.