Love Island Travel

Falling in history and fall of ancient relics is what is in store for you when you take a trip to the far East Java. 80km stretch of Malang in Blitar reveals weathered stone shrines and temples attractive the kingdom of Majapahit, who reigned from 1293 East Java 1500s ..

An exquisite structure, the largest temple ancient Hindu in east Java, Candi Penataran, is just 12 kilometers from the township of Blitar, and something totally different, you can arrange a candlelit dinner on the grounds of this beautiful temple.

Penataran Temple in Blitar, East Java by David Metcalf

Candi Penataran is best enjoyed in the evening. It is one of the most beautiful temples in East Java and lies at the foot of Mount Kelud. Special arrangement, a magical event occurs, and the Hotel Tugu Sri Lestari, Blitar can arrange a "Dinner Temple Lost '. It is one of the most unique dining experiences in all of Java, and it is worth going to just for this experience Blitar. It is a getaway from Jakarta weekend.

As the sun was setting, I followed a trail of bamboo torches along a winding path through the grounds of the great temple. In front of her a beautiful candlelit table was laid with a variety of cutlery and glasses to match seven sumptuous dishes meals. As the wine was poured, flute solo played a melodic song singing, and slowly felt transported back in time to another place lined with romance.

As the dark sky pulling down this mystical evening features the temple fell gently into the night. Shaded by the faces carved high on the walls, hundreds of flickering candles danced in the dusty light. A romantic indeed.

Java Kuda Lumping dance by David Metcalf

Blitar is a quiet little town. It is the birthplace of the first president of Indonesia, Sukarno President (101-1970). You can visit his childhood home, his tomb and Sukarno museum, which has an interesting function and draws a crowd.

At the entrance of the museum, a beautifully framed portrait of Sukarno is exposed. This is roped off, and if you stand on the side of the rope and see the table in this way, the painting throbs at the heart of President. There are no project or air-blowing wind on the painting, and it seems that his heart beats on.

In Rambut Monte, a small town nearby, more mystical powers are involved. A beautiful blue-green lake surrounded by a forest is not only a place to picnic pleasant, but is also a mossy temple hidden to discover.

This ensures temple on the beautiful lake where a strange event occurs.

I saw with my own eyes, strange turbulence on the lake bed, but he does not seem to be anything the creation of the sand moving on the lake bottom.

is said to be the house of the God of fish and it is forbidden to swim in this lake; the locals believe that the spiritual fish live in the water.

Many people claim to have seen the fish gods or magical fish with bones of the skeleton and translucent body swimming in the lake. Rambut means hair, and it is said in legend that natural serene beauty of the lake and surrounding trees resemble wispy hair growth of the gods who reside here.

Next on the discovery trail, halfway between Blitar and Malang, you'll find 1 November ^e century Ganesha statue. This beautifully preserved statue is carved in standing position, with views of the thick jungle and a river gorge raging in the village of Karangkates. The unusual thing about this relic is that it is one of the few standing Ganesha statues in Java. Most statues of Ganesha assume the sitting pose and nobody seems to know why it is standing.

From fish gods temple romantic dining, Blitar reveals many treasures and can easily be done in a weekend. Why not go somewhere new and experience the beauty of this Javanese city less known and mystique surrounds

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Blitar

Country: Indonesia

province East Java

population 131968 (2010)

Getting there: daily flights are available to Malang Garuda Indonesia, Citilinks, Sriwijaya Air and Wings. Continue driving for 81.5 km in Blitar

Housing :. Tugu Sri Lestari, Blitar, East Java. www.tuguhotels.com/blitar

Local guide and historian Hery Kurniawan. harinathjii@hotmail.com. +62 (0) 81223314594.

Nearly all United Nations Members approved the 1961 Conventions, 1971 and 1988 on the Prohibition of the main illegal recreational drugs. The goal of these mandates was, in the words of William Brownfield, US Assistant Secretary of State for drugs, to "reduce the misuse and abuse of products harmful in the world. "and the way to achieve this is to launch an all-out war against drugs. Now, half a century later, the belief that the culling of drugs are not the best way manage the problem begins to take root.

We are talking about cannabis, illicit drug in the world of choice. in the United States, four states have legalized as a Washington, while most European countries have decriminalized the use - but not drug trafficking Uruguay is the first country to legalize the entire chain from cultivation to distribution and consumption of cannabis [

regarding other drugs (and there are a number of them) legislation in Western countries is not as indulgence, yet. Users of cocaine and crystal methamphetamine are sometimes still prosecuted, and heroin users could be jailed, but at the same time are provided with access to clean needles and methadone; a substitute to stop overdoses addicts. In Amsterdam, the policy goes further. Heroin addicts who can prove they have tried to quit smoking several times but failed, can get heroin to smoke or inject three times a day in a municipal health center. The result is that addicts have disappeared from the streets, and those under 40 are almost nonexistent.

100 years in the Netherlands East Indies, the main opium was amazing. Used for medical or recreational purposes, the substance was entirely controlled by the colonial authorities through its 1893 legislation called Opium Regie , or Opium. Raw Indian opium was bought by an agent at the auction Calcutta with the UK Government to ensure product quality. This outsourcing has been adopted as poppy cultivation was banned for reasons that, in the vast expanse of the archipelago it was almost impossible to control the production. In addition, it was asked whether the local culture give a reliable product. The government was therefore the only one monopolistic importer and processor of raw opium, taking care of packaging and shipping for resale by tenants, too.

As elsewhere in the world, 19 ^e century was quite tolerant of smoking opium; it was not seen as a threat to health and society. In 1884, a royal commission in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, interviewed a girl of good family and education why she smoked opium. His response was : Why do people start drinking? Trouble, I suppose brought me to smoke. I think it's better than drinking. People who smoke opium will refresh rows; they hurt not one but themselves, and I do not think they hurt a lot .

Back in the Netherlands East Indies, research at the psychiatric hospital in Lawang could not find a link between mental illness, or heredity, and the smoking of opium. And experts were of the view that moderate use of opium did little harm to Asians. The researchers reported that Lawang :. ... typical representation of opium damage is greatly exaggerated

The authors cite examples of coolies who took a certain amount of opium on a daily basis and were always able to perform heavy physical labor. The coolies coal port of Singapore, for example, have reached old age and were known as strong and industrious workers, even if they smoked 10 to 20 times more opium than the Javanese workers.

I do not know if the authors were free enlightened thinkers and well ahead of their time, or try to justify their own habits, but their statements are certainly different from what you would expect to read in an encyclopedia 100 years. However, the article also contains statements and references to studies that oppose the opinions above. The authors themselves, for example, report that the unrestrained smoking [of opium] eventually ravage the body. But this, of course refers to unbridled smoking , rather than to take a certain amount opium .

the Regie opium was modified and adjusted frequently than the government faces the difficulty of predicting how much to import and distribute to different tenants and operators opium den. If too little was bought in Calcutta, tenants - aided and abetted by large powerful groups with business interests in trade - would smuggle quantities necessary to offset the shortage in the country. And when too much was distributed, tenants would be (illegally) enlarge the sales area assigned to them.

In the 20 ^e century, the desire to eradicate opium smoking gradually got stronger, and various methods for achieving this objective were used. The number of regions where opium was allowed to be sold has been reduced, as has the number of opium dens. In Java and Madura, for example, the number of holes was reduced by 20 percent, or from 1 January 1025 105-823 12 years later. Great care was taken not to reduce their number too quickly as this will undoubtedly lead to smuggling and illegal sales.

The government's dilemma was immense. On one hand, the desire to curb the opium-smoking was genuine. However, the revenues collected from opium was very profitable. In 1916, revenues stood at 35,345,0 florins, with operating costs (including raw materials, processing, packaging, shipping, the cost of preventing smuggling, and pensions) to 6,933,646 florins only, leaving a net profit of 28,411,514 florins - the equivalent of about $ 350 million today.

He was the second world war that ended with the Regie opium and profits.

It seems that the main reason for the lack of success of the anti-opium-smoking campaign was profits from the sale of opium. Therefore history repeats , as nowadays the big profits are still the main reasons why the war against drugs has been a failure. Only now, profits are made illegally by big outfits, well organized criminals who have the capital to buy their way easily around obstacles.

Those of getting caught (and executed) are generally small-fry the small mules, or at best a few low-level organizers.

heads of large, powerful groups with business interest in trade sit back and enjoy their illicit profits.

a language of publication English recently published an interesting editorial corruption weakens the war Jokowi against drugs , in which it is stated that the basic problem of war Indonesia is on drugs "... corrupt officials, a penitentiary system rotten and of course the judicial system as a whole rather than just drug smuggling foreigners into the country ."

It is time to try an alternative approach to the fight against drug use. legalization of drugs hit the bottom in the market and eliminate the huge profits. It would also eliminate the need to kick-back and other corrupt practices. Rehabilitation of drug users and a needle cleaning program, rather than imprisonment, would also be a positive first step.

This, however, seems to be a distant dream as the new anti-drug czar, Comr. Gen. Budi Waseso, wants to stop rehabilitation services for drug users provided by his office (National Narcotics Agency, BNN). It also found that, similar to the policy on illegal fishing in Indonesian waters, the boats used to smuggle drugs should be cast, but with crew!

“The memory of things past is important for a jazz musician . "- Louis Armstrong

The appointment of Joey Alexander for two Grammy Awards created an increased international interest in the jazz scene in Indonesia, but it is not the first child prodigy to emerge here play jazz piano.

Jazz arrived in what was then the Dutch East Indies back nearly a century, in 1919, and its entry represented a socio-cultural change among Dutch adolescents and Indo-European just as the advent of rock 'n' roll was in the mid 50s in the United States. Because nothing happens in isolation, it is important to ask why.

According to the second full census survey of 1930, the population of Batavia was 435,000 having grown from 306,000 in 1920, while the population of the Dutch East Indies was 60,727,233. Among these millions, just 240,417 were people with a European legal status in the colony, and about 75 percent of them were "Eurasians" children of Dutch men who had taken women "natives" for the duration of their contracts here.

The Building Society Concordia in Surabaya, 1850 - 100

There were also a number of foreign traders, including the British, who were " in need "of entertainment and fun such as that known in Europe and the United States. This was provided by the high-end hotels that had their own home groups, theaters and a Sociëteit Concordia official network, which offered theatrical and musical performances with dance weekend.

Jazz was born from the ragtime music (rhythm 'ragged'), which originated in hot neighborhoods African-American communities in St. Louis and was popularized by the publication for piano performances Ernest Hogan. Another African-American, Scott Joplin, recorded Maple Leaf Rag in 1899; the first record of surviving the melody of 106 by the military band of the United States.

Ragtime was popular in Batavia. For example, in May 1913, Elite Cinema and Deca Park Theatre, which had live acts of vaudeville, ragtime featured actor Tom Richards and American dancer.

On February 26, 1917, the all-white Original Dixieland Band 'Jass (ODJB) recorded both sides of a 78rpm shellac disc, Dixie Jass Band One Step / Livery Stable Blues , which are considered the first jazz recordings. Ragtime went out of style

Two years later, jazz (more "Jass") arrived in Batavia with the act of the San Francisco-based Columbia Park Boys Club -. A group of 42 missionaries boys. Their eclectic program included singing, dancing, tumbling (gymnastics), with marches and jazz played cornet, trombone, trumpet, saxophone, percussion with. A journalist from East India Het Nieuws van den Dag rejected the Boys Club show as a " kind of entertainment cocktail ." Although it was fun, the " of strong and loud music " gave him " stomach cramps ".

But new music proved popular, particularly with older teens. As phonographs were already part of household furnishings, heavy shellac discs were brought into the country from, it is suggested, Shanghai via Singapore. live music area too in upscale hotels including bands personnel, called "string" groups because banjos and violins predominated, soon began internally to include jazz in their repertoire for morning and weekend dances.

It was not long before high school and vocational college students decided to form their own dance groups playing new music. However, it was not in Batavia, but in Makassar that the first group began. In 1920, WM van Eldik formed the black and white strip with his 17-year-old salary violin playing brother-in-law Rudolf Supratman, now best known as the composer of the national anthem Indonesia Raya . They played at weddings and birthday parties.

The Batavia Jazz Band formed in 1922 with a line of six banjoists, two saxophonists C-melody, a piano, an acoustic bassist and drummer, who had all Dutch names. However, Pater who played trombone and cornet Geduld were perhaps Suriname, the Dutch colony in the Caribbean. All were amateur but their influence stretched Ted Lewis and Paul Whiteman as interpreted from partitions.

The following year, the folded strip and two banjo players, Wim and Piet van Bruyn Rozenburg brothers joined with four other pupils of the school King Willem III to form The Royal Jazz Band, but alto sax and violin respectively. They took their name from Koningsplein (King's Place, now Monas) because they had a regular booking at Hotel railways on the east side, where Gambir station is now.

Another band on stage at the time was flatly called The Jazz Band of origin. It is now noted for its drummer: Moh. Aroef was the Indonesian jazz musician first recorded.

In 1926, a number of lively scene Filipino jazz musicians, and 1928 saw a visit from a real group of American jazz, that of Jack Carter drummer on tour in Southeast Asia after have completed a contract at the Plaza Hotel in Shanghai. Their live sound is so much better than recorded "plateau", they inspired young local musicians.

A new group was formed at the end of this year with sax, trumpet and trombone, with Moh. Aroef on drums. They got regular concerts in the Park Theatre Deca restaurant (north side of Koningsplein) on Saturday night after the movie of the show, and the Hotel Railway whose director was Paatje Vos. At the end of 1926, he became director of the newly opened pool Tjikini Zoo (now Taman Ismail Mazurki), and the group, now called Orchestra Bath Swimming, played Sunday matinees, which began at 11am.

" visitors had first bath for half an hour and spent the rest of the morning dancing to live music. At two o'clock they went home to their afternoon nap . "

Yes, it was a time of leisure for very rare.

Bands came and went staff left school, were published outside Batavia or returned to the Netherlands, so we jump to 1930 and the entry of Charlie Overbeek Bloem to scene. Born in 1912, he was barely six years old when he took his first step to fame playing Paderewski Minuet in G Schouwburg Weltevreden, now Gedung Kesenian.

Bloem was to prove a musical driving force not only in Batavia, but also nationally. At 18, he was the head of a trio, the Jazz-O-Maniacs that played in the lobby King Willem III school. He was also a key player in Kings of money, the name of a brand of cigarettes. They had concerts in elite hotels like the Hotel des Indes, the Batavian Yacht Club and other company locations such as Sociëteit Concordia in Bandung, regularly broadcast live on the radio.

In 1936, the semi-professional group registered both sides of a disk 78s for HMV, Dinah and Ma It Eyes At Me , which unfortunately does not seem survived. In early 1938, Bloem resigned from the group and concentrated as the distribution of live piano soloist on Saturday evening on the radio network approved by the government heard throughout the archipelago.

On December 7, 1941, when Pearl Harbor was attacked, jazz in Dutch East Indies came to an abrupt end that all able-bodied men were mobilized and sent to their defensive positions to prepare for the Japanese invasion . The next chapter A History of Jazz in Indonesia started in late August 1945, when Charlie Overbeek Bloem was liberated from Japanese internment camp in Bandung.

On a leafy quiet corner tree, surrounded by majestic white mansions and European luxury cars parked roadside structure is a small jewel designed by Dutch architect Pieter Adriaan Jacobus and artist Moojen. Built in 1913, the Tugu Kunstkring Paleis is an excellent example of rationalist architecture Dutch - also known as Indian style here in Southeast Asia -. Which introduced new elements to traditional architectural designs to better meet the climatic conditions and the former tropical Batavia

Tugu Kunstkring Paleis outside

Kunstkring Paleis translated literally "Circle Art Palace 'and the building and interiors are truly reflects its name. Originally built as a place to promote the fine and decorative arts, he served as an art and cultural center and home to a world class art gallery with a popular cafe that served good food and wine to the inhabitants of Batavia. Important art works by the likes of Chagall, Gauguin, Van Gogh and Picasso were exhibited.

After the Battle of Java in 1942, the Kunstkring was converted into an office building that housed the Islamic Council of Indonesia, and later served as an immigration office for Central Jakarta until the late 190s

In 2013, the restored Hotel and Restaurant Group and Tugu Kunstkring reintroduced its original splendor. The ground floor now houses a restaurant shop, lounge, tasting room, a café and a gift. Upstairs, a large, open gallery offers art exhibitions and sale to occasional auction.

Diners who walk in the Tugu Kunstkring Paleis are immediately transported to the old Batavia as antiques and paintings adorn the walls and the corners of each room. The sumptuous aroma of spicy incense permeates deeply as Frank Sinatra belts out 'Corcovado' background

Dining here is a true cultural experience not to be missed.

the dining experience at Tugu Kunstrking Paleis in Menteng

Those interested in colonial culinary efforts may be inclined to order Rijsttafel the Betawi. Rijsttafel was born as a method for the Dutch taste different components of a traditional Indonesian meal. It is not uncommon to see more than 20 dishes parade through the dining room and each presented by animated waitstaff in traditional dress. This presentation was a way for the Dutch settlers to display wealth and revel in the exoticism of their adopted country. The rijsttafel (or "rice table") was probably based on local hidang way of eating that is in most restaurants in Padang, where the dishes are brought in the dining room instead of making a selection from a menu. It is a beautiful screen, with food of all textures, flavors and different degrees of spiciness. Sambals, salads, meats, stir-fries and soups are served alongside a variety of steamed rice.

However, for those who are less interested in the stage, there is also a la carte menu from which to choose. There are many traditional Indonesian dishes as there are South-East and West Asia, and an extensive wine list and cocktails for an even more exhilarating experience.

An intriguing appetizer is Nonja Popiah, a kind of spring roll is filled with a creamy combination of turnip, shrimp and chicken is lightly dusted with panko flakes then fried and served with melted cheese. It is rich and satisfying, a unique blend of flavors that knows surprisingly on both eastern and western palate. The Kunstkring Roast Chicken is a play on the Asian duck with orange and served with an orange sauce infused aromatic brandy. Vegetables are also important component in an Indonesian meal and Boentjis Sayoer met Udang Api-Api Telor Asin was refreshing with crisp, young green beans and crispy fried prawns with salted egg yolk thrown together as a blown light. Parboiled Barramundi Curry, a signature dish, is not to be missed. A curry-based flavored coconut milk and light becomes soft when poured on a red bed of rice steamed. Finish the meal with some Kue Pancong, Betawi traditional dessert made of coconut cake and ice cream.

The Nonja Popiah aperitif

During the day, a small café serving homemade bread and pastries and a fine selection of mixed Tugu teas cafes for their private plantation in the hills of east Java can be enjoyed both inside and outside, as there is a quiet balcony on the second floor of the building, with panoramic views the district of Menteng. The Lam Ban Wine Shop and Tasting Room houses a range of wines from around the world. Guests can enjoy their selection here or buy bottles to take home after a heavy meal.

The importance of Tugu Kunstkring Paleis is deeply rooted in its historical relationship and continued with art. As such, a walk through the hall of the gallery and exhibit is indeed one of the highlights of the visit. If possible, skip the elevator ride down the stairs and go to the old photographs and illustrations that adorn the walls and that are part of the history of the building. There are private rooms with Indonesian paintings and luscious art which provide information on a long history of the time.

At the time of our visit, Sidharta Auctioneer displays an impressive collection of fine art, just hours away from their next sale. Potential buyers slowly studying their favorite tracks and navigating some of the most revered modern artists of Indonesia. How fitting indeed that Kunstkring is complete.

Tugu Kunstkring Paleis

Jalan Teuku Umar 1

Menteng, Jakarta Pusat

Tel: +62 (021) 30 0899

Website: www.tuguhotels.com / restaurants / jakarta / Kunstkring /

Email: kunstkring@tuguhotels.com

I used to think the trip to Jakarta ultimate culture shock was the flight over the sweet saccharin Singapore but also as eye opening - and for all the right reasons -. is a trip to the Thousand Islands (Pulau Seribu) northwest of Jakarta

Boats leave Muara Angke until 07:00, and unless you live near this skuzzy zone and dilapidated northern Jakarta, you have to get up at an ungodly hour, which ironically for me, meant being shaken out of bed by 4:30 prayers that came through loud and clear as I made sure to leave the window open in the room the night before. Thank you God, then to the Chinese distortion mounted speakers high up on the minaret (now that is something I never thought I'd say!).

It is only in Muara Angke I thought the boats go Thousand Islands could hardly be described as the last word in the boat building technology. Ours was pretty much a typical Indonesian wooden boat with a roof so low that only the dwarves or kids under 7 years could actually get on without having to look at the Quasimodo style. Power was provided by a small Honda motor attached to the stern.

And so, with the boat only about three times overcapacity (pray, it does not flow!) We were on our way.

everything was fine for an hour or two, but midway between Jakarta and the island, the sea began to be a bit rough and in no time, there were more faces smiling, and just about everyone was vomiting their guts as the Sunda Strait churned our stomachs repeatedly in a tortuous passage round.

puffy we arrive an hour later, incongruously on land that technically falls under the administration of Jakarta, but is surrounded by a wonderfully clear sea as opposed to the terrible dark brown mash run across the channel Jakarta.

in the absence of pollution vault overhanging the Thousand Islands of the sun is incredibly fierce. Definitely something I should have considered before being fried alive on a dive trip later in the day in which my skin was shot very painful shade of red lobster.

Overall, there are 105 islands in the chain of islands that make up the Thousand Islands (do not ask me what happened to the other 895 - maybe they sank) . But the region is also a marine national park, development was limited to only 37 of them.

Of these 37 islands, some of which are the property of hotshots Jakarta (mentioning no names) and others very expensive resorts. Pulau Tidung, fortunately, mostly very simple - but comfortable type of stay -. Many with air conditioning so you can sleep well if you have the habit of sleeping with the air conditioning before madcap Jakarta

From the main island Tidung you can actually walk to another island called Pulau Tidung Kecil (Small Tidung island) as a long wooden bridge was built to connect the two islands.

you can also rent bikes to get around, although in true Jakarta Fashion rent seeking, you are not allowed to take over the bridge to the other island, but rather to park your bike on a field not far from the bridge and pay a small parking ticket!

Tidung the Snorkeling trips can be easily arranged to other neighboring islands - especially on Saturdays. At the dive site, we went to I was amazed at pretty decent coral formations - including some really nice coral table - and many colors tropical reef fish. Obviously, this is not comparable to wonderful places like reefs Amed in northern Bali or Manado to Bunaken out, but when you consider that you are only 30 km from Jakarta, it is a miracle, it is coral at all.

Returning to Jakarta was a case quite comfortable that we went by speedboat shaved a full hour off the travel time compared to slow wooden boats leaving Muara Angke.

another good thing is that these stars will take you to the harbor Marina Ancol (rather than Muara Angke) which is within walking distance of one of the best restaurants seafood Jakarta - Bandar Jakarta

This, incredibly, is technically part of Jakarta

Pulau Tidung is easily the best island to visit if you are on a budget that the island is relatively large meaning there are people living there who provide private accommodation at low prices. Go as a group, not only is really cheap (as low as Rp.300,000 pp) but meals and diving trip are included in the price. It makes a great weekend and is much nicer than fighting traffic to get to places like Bandung and Puncak. By comparison, small islands are difficult to access and accommodations are more upscale and expensive.

Most people do not get too excited when you mention the Thousand Islands (Pulau Seribu), myself included, but a hundred of these islands (I know, the "thousand" in the name is very misleading) captured my hippie heart and soul, and now my favorite weekend in the two hours of the Big Durian. Pulau Macan aka Tiger Island (another misleading name because there are no tigers in sight, I assure you) is a tiny island paradise where not a care in the world exists.

Our trip to the island tigers began with a ride by speedboat, who left Marina Ancol at 8am on Saturday morning. As we arrived at the port, we held our noses for the first five minutes the boat waded into troubled waters polluted North Jakarta. After that we were off, and the waters quickly turned blue skies as we were amazed by the many small islands that we have adopted, some with small houses on the land, wondering how the other half lives.

By far, Pulau Macan looks like a small hedge in the middle of the ocean, and as we got closer, it is that it looks like a large blanket in the middle of the ocean. The first thing you see as the star draws in the pier is the row of solar panels, and as an eco-warrior by his own admission, the moment we set foot on land, I was home. Guests lounged in hammocks, books in hand, relaxing on the driftwood bar on the ocean of clear blue baby, wrapped in giant sofas in the outdoor lounge with soft grooves and fluids ( positive criticism would be that the playlist should be rather constant repetition -. only so many times I can hear Eric Clapton 'cocaine' in the space of a weekend)

and myself mystery date decided to go on a rekkie of the island, which lasted about five minutes that the island is only about one hectare, discovered a cock, chickens, two very happy cats lounging on the island, and our beautiful cabin (cabin because I say what it is - not a wall in sight). You really feel with nature here. We spent the rest of the morning dive around islands, kung fu push some small very aggressive fish who just love to choke you behind your ankles and dodging some very spiny sea urchins! Besides these two "deadly predators" (remember the tigers), diving around the island is very nice Tiger -. Good visibility, various different coral and thousands of fish

This afternoon I met Swiss Island / Dutch / Indo GM, Marc Zwyer at the island bar and he said how Pulau Macan is very proud of its sustainable development projects. There are three years under new management, the island has been transformed into an eco-resort and the goal is for customers to be inspired. "The boat speed may not be environmentally friendly, but the first thing you notice on our island are the solar panels and energy generated from them are stored in a large red box that provides electricity, albeit limited, for customers to be able to have a small lamp in their huts, as well as a fan, "Mark said. To be honest, the constant breeze cooling that blew across the island was quite a fan, but apparently in August, which is when we were there, is the best time to visit the breeze never stops.

"Water is imported boats on the island and we did not get much rain here, we use rainwater to hydrate the organic garden that grows peppers, ginseng, cassava and aloe vera, "he continues." All bar you sit is driftwood our guys go hunting in the ocean as most of our huts. We teach the local fishermen to make furniture out of driftwood to sell in the hope that this knowledge will be transmitted to their children and at the end, hopefully fishing in these waters. "It is that overfishing is a problem here and fishermen still use spray cyanide to fish. - During our stay, I saw at least three fishing boats hovering around the nearby islands The island also has a coral nursery where customers can help the new planting coral.

on the island, guests are welcome to use water and electricity sparingly which are the lessons we should all use in our day- now lives back in civilization. "the island promotes healthy eating and wellbeing and meals are very healthy, served buffet style in the number of people staying to avoid waste (they have a max 40 guest strict policy), and is primarily vegetarian with extra meat satisfy carnivores flat. Pulau Macan can be rented with its small neighboring island for team building as "survivor" exercises where teams must build, cook and survive with only natural resources, and mie goreng package occasional hidden.

Geologically it not about tsunami threat in these waters and Mark assured me that no hackers, unless you want to throw a pirate-themed party course. We spent an extra night because one night was just not enough, and our time was spent in small traditional boat excursions to nearby islands to swim with the fish, the practice of yoga at sunrise, cozying beautiful sunsets sun, sleep 21 hours and just generally feel like we were thousands of miles from anywhere, so when the time came to leave the island, we felt more relaxed than we had ever been. If you're a hippie at heart, love to relax in hammocks and walking around half naked, and can handle the sound of silence, this is the place for you. Book way in advance that the island is almost always full on the weekends.

How many people know that there is a god in Indonesian oldest Chinese temple in Jakarta? And who knew the oldest church in the city was originally built for the slaves, who were released in exchange for changing their religion?

Most residents of Jakarta probably neither know nor care much about the old houses of worship of minority religions. However, these places offer fascinating links the past and worth a visit for those seeking a spiritual change of scene from the monotony of modern monuments to consumption.

The title of the oldest temple usually goes Wihara Dharma Bhakti (Temple of Service Devotional) on Jalan Kemenangan III in Petak Sembilan, part of the main Chinatown Glodok. A Taoist temple was built on the site in 1650 on the order of a Chinese lieutenant named Kwee Hoen. In those days, the Dutch colonial administration followed the Portuguese example given military titles as captain and lieutenant, to our chosen ethnic leaders. Lieutenant Kwee named his temple Kuan Im Teng (Teng means flag) after Kwan Im, the goddess of mercy and compassion. Adopted in Taoism pantheon of Immortals following the spread of Buddhism in China there are about 00 years, Kwan Im has evolved remarkably in the Indian Buddhist deity male Avalokite? Vara in a Chinese goddess due to losses in the translation and sex.

Koan Im Temple was razed in October 1740 the Dutch calmed a rebellion by killing most of the approximately 11,000 Chinese residents of Batavia. The ethnic cleansing of the merchant class of the city caused a recession, which was overcome when more Chinese were attracted to the area by the prospect of profit. Fifteen years after its destruction, the temple was rebuilt in 1775 by the Chinese captain Oei Tjhie, which renamed Kim Tek Yi (Golden Temple of Virtue) to mean that people should focus more on the kindness materialism.

The common name of the temple is in Mandarin Jin Yuan and is now visited by more than 100 people every day, most of the followers of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, as well as some tourists. historical attraction aside, the temple is an open space peaceful haven, covering some 3,000 square meters, and the colorful iconography rarely seen in Jakarta. There are 24 stations altar and over 50 statues of deities. Under a long beard deities is an intriguing plaque bearing the words: "Typically local Indonesian God" This particular god was a real person, born Kwee Lak Kwa in Central Java city of Semarang in 1695. After the massacre. 1740, Kwee was among the leaders of a Chinese guerrilla war against the Dutch, but it disappeared near the northern coastal town of Tegal after the rebellion faltered in 1742. he was killed with two renowned Javanese aid while fighting against the Netherlands on the island of Karang Jeruk, although legend has it that his ship was attacked by pirates off the Dutch Tegal and he escaped by walking on water. Tales soon emerged that had obtained supernatural powers and was to help fishermen. An emperor of the Qing dynasty granted the title of Kwee Tek Cin Jin Hai (Guardian God of Sea Trade). There are statues of him at six temples across Java.

the simplest way to achieve Wihara Dharma Bhakti is to take a taxi or the Busway at Jalan Gajah Mada, then walk to Glodok that access is through the cramped streets and parking n is not easy. Directly across Glodok away from Jalan Busway is Kemurnian I. chef there until the end, finding the man selling caged birds with clipped wings (purchased by the faithful, who believe that they will receive good karma to free the creatures from captivity, birds, and even mutilated homing pigeons) and behind it is the entrance of the temple. If you missed it, just ask any local for kelenteng or candy (both means temple). Just off the main complex are separate, newer temples and outside them are many beggars, mostly older prostrate on the ground. For those who wish to pray, incense sticks, red candles, scented oil and joss paper are for sale. Some visitors also bring fruits, flowers, pork and money as offerings. There is a pervasive smell of incense and a little smoke and ash. Visitors can pick up some brochures with mantras and offered advice on how to deal with the adversities of life, such as "Why is my unfaithful husband?" And "Why not children think?". The temple is open 5:00 to 5:00 p.m. and admission is free. If you take the Busway, note that there is no pedestrian crossing or overpass at the Glodok shelter to take care dodging traffic.

Another competitor to the oldest Chinese temple in Jakarta is Sin Tek Bio, built in 1698 and now hidden in the narrow streets of the old quarter of the market Pasar Baru winding. Originally named Het Huis Sie Kong Tek (House of Blessings Temple), it was built to honor the god of Chinese soil, Hok Tek Cin Sin, good fortune provider to farmers and traders. It is also called the company's god. In 1820, when the Dutch founded Pasar Baru as a center of commerce, the name of the temple was changed to Sin Tek Bio (New Market Hall) and in 1982 it was renamed Wihara Dharma Jaya line with the terminology of the Suharto regime for Buddhist houses of worship. Although smaller than the Glodok temple, it is more exciting because of its hidden location. Again, admission is free, although here there are no beggars hanging around the entrance. Anyone wishing to visit should make their way to Pasar Baru, a meal at famous restaurant Bakmi Gang Kelinci then start to wander through the labyrinths backstreet or ask a local for directions. The guardian of the temple said the city administration provides very little in the way of maintenance funds, despite requests.

And therefore the oldest church in Jakarta, which is Gereja Sion, built on 1693-1695 and on the corner of bustling Jalan Mangga Dua Raya and Jalan Pangeran Jayakarta quieter (a walk health Glodok temple). While Christian houses of worship in some parts of Indonesia are closed due to the failure of the government to fight against religious intolerance, Gereja Sion was a protected heritage site since 1972 and receives maintenance fund of the city . There are no beggars outside, but sometimes there are policemen stopping motorcyclists to illegally turn on Jalan Pangeran Jayakarta. These offenses are quickly resolved with an informal fine on the spot.

The church was originally named De Nieuwe Potugeesche Buitenkerk (Portuguese Church New Outer), being the second in Batavia for Portuguese and just outside the walls of the city. As the Dutch conquered the Portuguese trading ports in Coromandel (1616), Malacca (1641) and Ceylon (1656), they sent many natives and Eurasians in Batavia as slaves, most of whom were Catholics because of Portuguese influence. The Dutch promised them freedom if they convert to Protestantism and speak Dutch. It was for these former slaves, called Mardijkers, the church was built. Since 1675 the site had already been the site of a small Catholic chapel used by Mardijkers. One of the governors general of the Dutch East India Company, Hendrick Zwaardecroon, was buried at the church cemetery in 1728, according to his wish to be among ordinary people. His is one of only 11 remaining graves, although, in 170, only 2,381 people were buried there in the midst of an epidemic of plague.

When main Dutch Church of Batavia was damaged in the 1730s and underwent many renovations, officials and their families began to use the Church Outer New Portuguese. This led to the development of luxury shops in the area and Mardijkers were expelled, are in Cilincing in North Jakarta. They managed to build their own church in 1738, only to be destroyed two years later by Chinese rebels, who considered the accomplices of the Dutch. Today, some descendants of Mardijkers now live in Pajambon area near Gambir Train Station.

The church eventually became known simply as the Portuguese Church after an original within the town burned in 1808. When the Japanese occupied Java from 1942 to 1945 they planned to use the church as a deposit for cremated remains of their dead soldiers, but ended up using most Immanuel church near Gambir. After independence, the Portuguese church has come under the control of Western Indonesia Protestant Church, which in 1957 changed the name of Gereja Sion after Sion Hill ancient Jerusalem. In the 1960s some of the graves were moved to Tanah Abang to make way for a parking lot.

Today the church looks like a square block unexciting from the outside, with a basketball court next to a primary school, but inside are many treasures, including copper chandeliers of origin India, a huge original organ (currently awaiting funds for repair), an octagonal baroque pulpit above, several ornamental original chairs and other objects.

originally located on 6725 square meters of land, the land of the church were reduced in 1984 to expand the two streets outside. Were also displaced about 0 parishioners who lived on Jalan Mangga Dua.

The church has a capacity of 1,500 worshipers. Three services are held every Sunday, including one in Mandarin, while the nearby school loves it on Monday morning. Visitors are welcome, generally 8:00 to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, and should ask the security guard at the door for a visit before attempting to enter. The tour includes a chance to sign the visitors' book placed atop a donation box. The guard tower can also appreciate a gift for his efforts. Just like how some mosques announce donations received regular newsletter church faithfully records who gave how much to fundraising activities.

Although it is impossible to imagine any religion in Indonesia, taking the time to enjoy the sites of its religious minorities can not hurt.

Kenneth Yeung is nothing but a hypocrite.