Saturday, December 31, 2011

45 amazing new year 2012 wallpapers

New Year always brings a new wave of excitement in the hearts of every person on the earth. The reason, being the hope and possibilities that await in the new year. At the start of the year people start changing a lot of things which is not useful in this year. In computer terms, people change their desktop wallpapers, Calender wallpapers, etc. I would like to bring to notice of everyone that 2012 is a leap year. It is also International Year of Sustainable Energy. As per the Chinese calender, 2012 is the year of Dragon. Also, as everyone might have already heard that 2012 is the year with the “end of mankind” tag. It is believed that December 2012 would very disastrous.
New Year 2012 Wallpapersscreensavers and images are the best way to bring a fresh mood, scenario and atmosphere of the New Year at the work place.
In this post we are publishing 45 Amazing New Year 2012 Wallpapers for your Inspiration. I hope that 2012 would bring happiness and prosperity in everyone’s lives.

New Year 2012 Walllpaper
In the meanwhile you may want to read some of our festive articles
Click here for more

66 Photo World coolest pix of week 51

Christmas is only a few days away and 2012 a little over a week. Week 51 saw the US military finally leave Iraq, a new earthquaske in New Zealand, but the big news was that North Korean’s charismatic and much loved leader Kim Jong-Il passed the freedom torch to his more than capable son when he passed away.
Coolest Pix Of The Week 51
French gendarmes and rescue workers survey the Maltese-registered cargo ship TK Bremen, which ran aground on Kerminihy beach at Erdeven, spilling oil from its engines on the coast of Brittany in western France, December 16, 2011.
Click here for more

Scenes from Iraq 36 photos total


As 2011 ends, Iraqis confront their challenges with neither the presence of US troops, nor the shadow of Saddam Hussein, who was executed five years ago today. He had ruled since 1979, although he'd been a power player in the government since 1968. The American occupation ended officially on December 15, eight years after the 2003 invasion. Sectarian strife still plagues Iraq, and although the violence lessened from near-civil war levels in 2006, the pullout of American forces has seen a return of hostilities. While the number of American casualties of the occupation stands at 4,487, figures for Iraqi casualties have no such certainty. Some estimates put the figure as high as 100,000. Now conflicts new and old wait to be dealt with by a country free to decide its own fate for the first time in generations. Sectarian struggle, problems with water and electricity delivery, and war-ravaged infrastructure are just a few of the issues facing Iraqis today. Gathered here are recent images of Iraq as it looks ahead to 2012. The last four images are portraits by Reuters photographer Shannon Stapleton, who asked ordinary Iraqis for their thoughts on their future after the pullout of American forces. -- Lane Turner (36 photos total)

A man smokes a water pipe at a cafe on Mutanabi Street in Baghdad on December 9, 2011. (Thaier al-Sudani/Reuters)
Click here for more

weird chinese inventions 17 Photots total

There’s a nasty rumor going around. We’re accusing the Chinese of simply copying all usefull and great inventions and mass producing these as inferior products, but theses images show us doubters that the Chinese do indeed invent stuff themselves. They just haven’t caught on yet.

Crazy Chinese Inventions
Li Yuming, a local farmer who is interested in scientific invention, works on his unfinished miniature submarine Xiaguang V on the outskirts of Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei province August 24, 2007. Xiaguang V, which is 3-metre long,
Click here for more

Friday, December 30, 2011

drug wars update 33 Photos total

Over the years we’ve posted several photo sets with the theme drugs. The Gang Wars In Mexico, The Latin American Drug Wars and the War On Drugs In Rio De Janeiro. In that time nothing much has changed. Half of Mexico is still run by the drug cartels, people still keep dying from Brazil to the Copa Cabana and drugs is still big big business.


Drug Wars 02
Soldiers patrol a neighborhood in San Fernando, in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, December 20, 2011. Mexico's Defense Ministry has deployed hundreds of soldiers consisting of intelligence units, mobile checkpoints and patrols, to curb the violence in San Fernando and its outskirts, caused by months of bloody gunbattles and turf wars between the Gulf cartel and their former Zetas armed wing, reported local media. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril
Click here for more

in the picture grigoriy sichev 18 Photots total

Hello My name is Grigoriy Sichev. I am 27 years old. I was born and lived in Siberia (Omsk). In a world of too many unnecessary sounds. That’s why in my photographs silence. I also do not give names to your photos, that would limit your imagination. These pictures were taken during this year. In them I try to picture my mood, the state and the vision of this world in silence.
We’d like to thank Grigoriy for sharing his photos. You can check out more of his work on his website.

In The Picture: Grigoriy Sichev
Photo by Grigoriy Sichev
Click here for more

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Tanjung Puting : Orangutans, the only non-human great ape found in Asia .

Tracing the evolution of Darwin's footsteps, then you will be confronted with a creature called as part of the evolution, ORANGUTAN (say oh-oo-RANG-tan). Orangutans are the only non-human great ape found in Asia, and were once widespread throughout most of the south east of the continent, and even as far as southern China. Today, two species of orangutan exist, on the island of Borneo, which is shared between Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei-Darussalam, and the wholly Indonesian island of Sumatra. Considered endangered in Borneo, where most recent estimates put the population at around 6.000. The name Orangutan means "man of the forest" in Malay. Orangutans can grow up to five feet tall, but males are usually 4 feet tall and females are 3 feet. They have an arm span of 8 feet when full grown. The adult male orangutan can weigh up to 220 lbs. and an adult female can weigh up to 110 lbs. They are heavily built and their arms are very long and lanky, but their legs are short and weak.

orangutan family
Orangutan Family

The earliest-known primates date from about 70 million years ago (Macdonald, 1985). The greater apes (family Pongidae, gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, and orangutans) split off from the lesser apes (family Hylobatidae, gibbons and siamangs) 20 million years ago. There are 2 different types of adult male orangutan: "flanged" & "unflanged". Flanged males have a long coat of dark hair on the back, a facial disk, flanges and a throat sac used for “long calls". The unflanged male looks like an adult female. Both reproduce and an unflanged male can change to a flanged male for reasons that are not yet fully understood.

Orangutans are the only primate in which this biological phenomenon occurs. Some scientists think that these two groups of orangutans are different subspecies (a subdivision of a species), others think that they are not. Since these two groups of orangutans have been geographically separated for a long time, they are now physically distinct from each other. They are not different species since they are genetically similar enough to interbreed.

orangutan classification
Orangutan Classification
CLASSIFICATION
Orangutans belong to the:
Kingdom Animalia (all animals)
Phylum Chordata
Subphylum Vertebrata (animals with backbones)
Class Mammalia (warm-blooded animals with fur and mammary glands)
Order Primates (which includes 11 families, which include lemurs, monkeys, marmosets, lesser apes, great apes, and humans)
Family Pongidae (the great apes, including gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, and orangutans)
Genus Pongo (gorillas and orangutans)
Species pygmaeus
Subspecies (perhaps a subspecies) P. p. pygmaeus (with a round face and dark red hair; found in Borneo)
Subspecies (perhaps a subspecies) P. p. abelii (with a narrow face and paler hair; found in Sumatra)


If you want to see and learn about orangutans closer you can visit Tanjung Puting National Park, Central Kalimantan. Located in the peninsula on the south coast of the world's third largest tropical rain forest of Borneo, in Indonesian province of Central Kalimantan, the park consist of 300.040 hectares (741,100 acres).

Started as a game reserve for the protection of orangutans in 1936 and 1937, it was upgraded to a National Park in 1982. It is the only protected area in South East Asia with vast tract of wetlands, lowland, mature tropical heath and swamp Forests with large rookeries that provide breeding grounds for a wide population of waterfowl. The needs of Orangutans and other primates are also available in the park, such as the 400 species of trees which van be consumed by them.

orangutan behind the treesorangutan hang on the tree

The national park managed into 3 zonation system, namely Nucleus Zone, Buffer or Supporting zone and the last one, is the Utilization zone. The most inner part of the park, where the most animals are (usually) or the very inique and rare plants are availble, never allowed to be entered by the visitors, unless they gain special permit for research or alike.

This zone also called as nucleus zone. The only people who allowed to enter the site will be the researchers, national park authorities, or alike. No other common peoples allowed to enter the site. The nucleus zone usually coveres the most inner part of the reserve.

Secondly is the BUFFER ZONE. It is separating the nucleus zone from the other untilization zone. This place also called as the "shock" absorber between the utilization zone and the nucelus zone. Here we can make some visit through the available path only, with an obligation to be accompanied by the national park ranger. Certain and strick regulation for visitors to walk or trekking is applied. The buffer zone usually encircle the nucleus zone.

The last one is the Utilization zone. This zone is the site for the visitors, here the accommodation, the park office, the ranger house, visitors centre and other related infrastructers are available. This can be the site for the park warf, or car park for the park ranger and else. This utilization zone usually covers a tiny part of a national park, and usually lies on the edge of a park, or just on the road side, or else. Here, we can make a visit with some permit regulation. This utilization zone is the main base camp for the visitors to enter and to stay on.

camp leakeytrip to the national park

CAMP LEAKEY

Located about 30 minutes to the right from the branch of Sekonyer river. Camp Leakey is in the Tanjung Puting National Park in southern Borneo, and was set up in 1971 by Louis Leakey to support research activities in Tanjung Puting Wildlife Reserve. Louis Leakey was both teacher and mentor for three young primatologists who would go on to become well known in their field and beyond. Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey were two, who went on to become known worldwide for their work with chimpanzees and gorillas respectively. The third, Birute Galdikas went on to become the leading Authority on orangutans and remains so to this day as president of the Orangutan Foundation International.

Camp Leakey also functions as orangutans rehabilitation center. The Camp and surrounding area is designated as a special utility zone. Over the years, the camp has served the research efforts of several scientist and students. Tourist will be able to walk on certain trails of the trail system without disturbing the research activities. On the way to Camp Leakey (on Sekonyer Simpang Kanan river), you may occasionally see crocodiles and the false gavials.

Orangutans quick facts

-.Orangutans’ arms stretch out longer than their bodies – up to 8 ft. from fingertip to fingertip in the case of very large males.

-.When on the ground, orangutans walk on all fours, using their palms or fists. Unlike the African apes, orangutans are not morphologically built to be knuckle-walkers.

-.From the age of thirteen years (usually in captivity) past the age of thirty, males may develop flanges and large size.

-.When males are fighting, they charge each other, grapple, and bite each other’s heads and cheekpads. They sometimes look like Sumo wrestlers.

-.For the first few years of his/her life, a young orangutan holds tight to his/her mother’s body as she moves through the forest canopy.

-.Like humans, orangutans have opposible thumbs. Their big toes are also opposible. Unlike humans, approximately one third of all orangutans do not have nails on their big toes.

-.Orangutans have tremendous strength, which enables them to brachiate and hang upside-down from branches for long periods of time to retrieve fruit and eat young leaves.

-.Although in the wild, females usually give birth to their first offspring when they are 15-16 years of age, in captivity females as young as eight years old have given birth. Likewise male orangutans in captivity as young as eight years old have fathered offspring

tanjung puting maporangutan child

How to get there

Arrive at Pangkalan Bun, West Kotawaringin, visitors can go directly to Kumai Port to cross over to Tanjung Putting. If you have a long time, a minimum of two days one night, you may prefer kelotok boat with a capacity of 10 people with rate Rp 400,000 to Rp 1 000.000 per day. For a short visit, can use fast boats (speedboats) with a capacity of three passengers. The fee was around Rp 500,000 each way. The trip is only about an hour.

Travel Tips

-. If you want to visit the Tanjung Putting area that has more than 400,000 acres, It's recommend to planned better. If you want to make it as easy trip, you can use the services of tour operators.

-. If you leave early from Kumai, better stop by first to Camp Pondok Tanggui. At 09.00, there are attractions to the orangutan feeding.
-. Do not bring flashy stuff and hanging as it will greatly attract the attention orangutans.

-. Do not tries to swim in the River Sekonyer, because it is inhabited by large-bodied estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) and crocodiles sinyulong (Tomistoma schlegelii) are almost extinct.

-. It is recommended to avoid giving food / beverage or any objects to the orangutans because they can change their behavior.

-. Use long-sleeved shirt to avoid insect bites.

-. make sure the camera with a full battery condition and enough memory card so they can maximize every moment that you would not get elsewhere.

-. If you want to find a souvenir, can stop by the village Sei Sekonyer to find shirts or statues orangutans of Borneo and other typical souvenirs.

China's largest wind farm blows into operation

China's largest wind farm blows into operation
China's largest offshore wind power plant began operation in Rudong county, East China's Jiangsu province, Dec 28, 2011. Constructed by the GD Long Yuan Power Technology & Engineering, it has a gross capacity of 150 MW.
Click here for more

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Japan's nuclear exclusion zone


What does a sudden evacuation look like? After everyone is gone, what happens to the places they've abandoned? National Geographic Magazine sent Associated Press photographer David Guttenfelder to the nuclear exclusion zone around Japan's Fukushima Daiichi power plant to find out. Evacuated shortly after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami led to a nuclear radiation crisis, the area has been largely untouched, with food rotting on store shelves and children's backpacks waiting in classrooms. The area may face the same fate as the town of Pripyat, Ukraine after the Chernobyl disaster 25 years ago. This isn't the first time Guttenfelder has gotten a rare glimpse of a place few see, as The Big Picture featured his photographs of North Korea in an earlier post. Collected here are Guttenfelder's haunting images just released of a place abandoned, and of people dealing with the loss. -- Lane Turner (39 photos total)

In this April 7, 2011 photo, local police wearing white suits to protect them from radiation, search for bodies along a river inside Odaka, Japan. Weeks after authorities had searched for victims and started recovery in other tsunami-hit regions, cleanup crews hadn't yet been dispatched around the crippled reactors because of high radiation levels. (AP Photographer David Guttenfelder on assignment for National Geographic Magazine)
Click here for more

25 Photos of cool total lunar eclipse pix

This weekend so the appearance of a total lunar eclipse in our night skies and it was beautiful.

Total Lunar Eclipse
The earth's shadow falls on the moon as it emerges from a total lunar eclipse above the entrance to a theme park in Sydney December 11, 2011. REUTERS/Tim Wimborne
Click here for more

Iranian navy holds drill in Strait of Hormuz


Iranian navy holds drill in Strait of Hormuz
Military personnel place a flag on a submarine during the Velayat-90 war games by the Iranian navy in the Strait of Hormuz in southern Iran December 27, 2011. Iran threatened on Tuesday to stop the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz if foreign sanctions were imposed on its crude exports over its nuclear ambitions, a move that could trigger military conflict with economies dependent on Gulf oil.
Click here for more

Students rush to get train ticket home

Students rush to get train ticket home
Many students rush a train ticket sales agent in an attempt to buy a ticket home for the winter break in Nanjing city, capital of East China's Jiangsu province on Dec 28, 2011, the day the rail authority started selling student tickets for the Spring Festival travel period. Students can buy tickets for any date during the travel rush, Jan 8, 2012, to Feb 16, by telephone, Internet or ticket agent. During the period, about 235 million trips are expected on trains, up 6.1 percent from last year.
Click here for more

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

World beautiful images by hugo borges 19 Photos total

I’m Hugo Borges, I’m a photographer in Yucatan, Mexico. This is a series on the Mayan Day of the Dead (Hanal Pixán) performed in the first days of November.
We’d like to thank Hugo for sharing his photos. You can check out more of his work on his website.

In The Picture: Hugo Borges
Photo by Hugo Borges
Click here for more

64 Photos Total World coolest pix of week 50

Two more weeks to ago until we get to week 1 of 2012. Week 50 brings us photographs from ther US pull out of Iraq, Christmas preparations from all over the world, the Liege grenade attack and loads more.

Coolest Pix Of Week 50
Smoke and flames rise past residents standing along the wall of a truck terminal where fuel tankers were set ablaze in Quetta December 9, 2011.
Click here for more

abandoned fake disneyland in china 18 Photos Total

Along the road to one of China’s most famous tourist landmarks – the Great Wall of China – sits what could potentially have been another such tourist destination, but now stands as an example of modern-day China and the problems facing it. Situated on an area of around 100 acres, and 45 minutes drive from the center of Beijing, are the ruins of Wonderland. Construction stopped more than a decade ago, with developers promoting it as the largest amusement park in Asia. Funds stopped around 1998 due to disagreements over property prices with the local government and farmers

Abandoned fake Disneyland in China
A farmer carries a shovel over his shoulder as he walks to tend his crops in a field that includes an abandoned building, that was to be part of an amusement park called Wonderland, on the outskirts of Beijing December 5, 2011. REUTERS/David Gray
Click here for more

Monday, December 26, 2011

5 Attractive places for Night Year's Eve

5 Attractive places for Night Year's Eve ; New Year’s is upon us, the last big party of the year and the first big party of 2012 .  Enjoying New Year's Eve in interesting places that will adds the atmosphere and spirit of a higher quality of life upon entering the new year. When it comes to celebrate the night between the old year and the new one, there is nothing more wrong than watching a movie from your home armchair with a huge bag of popcorn at hand waiting for 12 o’clock to come. Fireworks, boisterous atmosphere of trumpets and shouted seconds before the new year, is the beautiful moments, moreover at the Special place with the Special people near you. Now it's time for you to plan the best place at the turn of the new year arrives. If you love traveling a lot and dream of an unusual but fun New Year’s Eve party here are a few destinations you may consider.

1.Corral de la Morería
Described as holding the best flamenco dancers on the globe Corral de la Morería on the top of the 1000 places you must visit according to Times Magazine. A cabaret opened in 1956, brought famous dancers like Isabel Pantoja and Antonio Gades and in the spectators, some of the greatest personalities of the world, JFK, R. Reagan, Sinatra, Marlon Brando and Enest Hemingway.The New Year party held here will create a perfect memory




2. Moulin Rouge
Maybe the most intriguing place for a night in Paris celebrates 120 years of existence. Still amazing with its original cabaret shows, Moulin Rouge promises a sophisticated party very far from the ones we saw in the movies. On the menu there is foie gras, lamb and vacherin glace but also the finest champagne and the exquisite show of Doris Girls. It will bring you a memorable party.





3. Bungalow 8 London Party
The New Year party in Bungalow 8 will bring the entire extravagance specific to this location originated from New Cork. The European Charm of the club is created by the Indian architect Mahdaviis, creator of the many exclusivist clubs. A subscription to the club allow you to participate at the most fabulous events the New Year party being one of them.






4. JOURS DEFÊTE Grand Palais
In the middle of the fantastic Grand Palais between the December 18th and January 1st, 11 am and midnight, you can enjoy a magical display of lights and an amazing show displayed in the largest fair in the world, holding all the attractions an adrenalin junkie can wish. Here the New Year party will gather a large crowd of people in bad need of a party, who will have the privilege to enjoy the best music and the best light shows in Europe.





5. Sin City
The Sin City that never sleeps is partying every minute and it sure can handle organizing the largest and most fabulous party for the New Year 2010. There are so many clubs and hotels, bars and casinos that is almost impossible not to have a good time. The street traffic will be stopped and the fireworks promise to have a grandeur beyond imagination. There will be confetti, wine tasting, rock concerts and light and sound performance.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Feel the tough of hiking on Ciremai Mountain (3,078 m)

Ciremai mountain is located in the region of kuningan west Java, has its own characteristics compared with other mountains in java island. This mountain is far away from the other mountains and situated close to the java sea. The first Highest mountain in west Java area, has a cone-shaped mountain contours, with a hole large crater at the top. To climb this mountain Ciremai, Its require enough tough of physical and mentally. This is caused by a long route, and track which continues to climb. Coupled with the conditions of the mountain that has no springs, make us have to prepare the water needs from the point of beginning ascent. All the needs we have to prepare for the ascent to the appropriate. so we can feel the convenience of hiking. The height of this mountain about 3078 meters above sea level, with start climbing at an altitude of about 700 meters.


Walking 700 m westwards to gedung naskah from the hotel , we will reach linggarjati village hall where we will fine many guides who will leads us to the mountain. If we walk from this place towards the mountain , we will come across a pine woods and find a place called cibunar , where the path is bifurcation . In this place we can put up a tent, obtain water . We should turn left , where the path will lead us to the Mt. Ceremai. Afterward, we will come across a tropical forest , in the middle of which we can find a place called linggak (now called pengasinan), a plain that we can put up a tent and take a rest to stay overnight .

It takes about 5 hours to reach pengasinan from linggarjati and other 2 or 3 hours to reach the peak (crater rim), through grassly hill . Climbing down about 1 or 2 hourr right side from the peak , we will find a small sulfur crater . Walking around the crater rim leisurely for about two and half hours, we can enjoy the panoramic view of majalengka , bandung , north java sea , and other place . It takes 4 or 5 hours to return to linggarjati. The best time to climb this mountain is in the early morning about 5:00 or 6:00 a.m . And turn to linggarjati next day about 2:00 or 3:00 a.m.


To reach these mountain , we may travel by bus from cirebon going to kuningan and get off at cilimus . From cilimus we can travel by mini bus to linggarjati . To climb the mountain , we should obtain a letter of permission from kuningan's forest authority (PERHUTANI) and formerly from the police station of kuningan after receiving the letter , the village headman of linggarjati will give us the permission by return to go on further . We may stay overnight in linggarjati hotel .


An adventurer is quite interesting for those of you of course, but if you do not wish to climb to the summit of Mount Ciremai, you can travel to tourist attractions around Linggarjati. There still are some tourist attractions you can visit to spend your vacation time.

Enjoy the beauty of Mount Gede-Pangrango

The natural beauty of the mountains was never out to speak about. If you're traveling in Indonesia, do not miss to enjoy the beauty of Mount Gede Pangrango with a variety of very beautiful natural scenery. Feel the cool air in Suryakencana, or feel the freshness of mountain water of cibereum waterfalls . This mountains are situated in West Java, Indonesia. It evolved from already existing conservation areas, such as Cibodas Nature Reserve, Cimungkat Nature Reseve, Situgunung Recreational Park and Mount Gede Pangrango Nature Reserve, and has been the site of important biological and conservation research over the last century. In 1977 UNESCO declared it part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.


Mount Gede is a favourite place for hiking and camping. Almost every weekend, adventurers often come to this place in order to conquest the summit of mount Gede, at a height of 2,958 above sea level. From the summit, we can see the summit of Mount Pangrango which looks like a triangle. Both are with the Mount Gede Pangrango National Park system. Visitors usually enter the park by one of the four gates of the park: the Cibodas, Gunung Putri, and Selabintana gates, all give access to the peaks; the Situ Gunung gate gives entrance to a lake area set aside mainly for family-style recreation. Cibodas gate is the most popular entrance gate and is the site of the park's headquarters.


To enter the park , we have to walk trough the Botanical Garden gate and come to the Guard House where we have to register our identity for personal security . Behind the guard house is the way to climb the mountains . On the way up , we come across a beautiful tropical forest . And we also can visit the waterfalls of Cibereum . It has a beautiful place and view . Walking about 4 hours , we will reach 'pos KANDANG BADAK' hut . On the way we will find two or three huts , spring and hot spring . In this place , we may enjoy taking a dip in that hot spring. We can stay overnight in pos KANDANG BADAK where cold water is also available . It is bifurcated path uphill from pos kandang badak ; the right one going towards Mt. Pangrango , and the left one going towards Mt.gede.

To reach the peak of Mt. Pangrango , we have to climb for 2 or 3 hours walking through natural forest at 1000 m high. The peak of Mt. Pangrango is located in a thick and moldy forest , from where no view is visible . It is very different if we climb to the peak of Mt. Gede . Climbing another 2 hours , we will reach the peak of Mt. Gede , we can enjoy a broad view of a scenic panorama and an exotic scene of the big wall Kaldera . Mt. Gede has three living crater. Climbing down the peak westward , we will find the field of javanese 'edelweis' flower , called as 'Lembah Surya Kencana '. In the south of the field there is a hut where we can take a rest . At the highest peak of Mt. Gede we can enjoy the panoramic view towards jakarta , cianjur and other places . If we climb down to the north , we can reach cipanas, or to the south is sukabumi. It takes about 3-4 hours to reach of any of these places.


From Jakarta, the area is two hours drive, usually via Cibodas Botanical Gardens, the most common routes leading to these mountains . From Bogor or Cianjur , we can travel by bus going towards Cipanas and get off at the entrance of Cibodas , approximately 2 km away from the west of Cipanas . From that bus stop , we can go towards the gate of Cibodas Botanical Garden by mini bus . We can obtain a permission of climbing from Mt. Gede Pangrango national park authority office beside the Cibodas Botanical Garden . Which is on the right side of the gate. Guides are also available here . For notify is we must bookmark first to make this permission minimal one week before we go to climb . We can obtain guide map of these national park from Wisma Cinta Alam . Enjoy the great adventure of Mount Gede national park ...happy holiday :)

US military leaves iraq 81 Photots total

On March 20th, 2003 George W Bush gave the order to invade the Iraq of Saddam Hussein. Eight years later Saddam is gone and so has the US Army. The last troops left Iraq in the past week. Does this mean the war is over? For the US servicemen and women it might be, but if that is the case for the Iraqi people remains to be seen.


The US Military Leaves Iraq
U.S. soldiers gather before the start of a ceremony marking the end of the U.S. military engagement, with the last American troops withdrawing nearly nine years after the invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein, at the former U.S. Sather Air Base near Baghdad December 15, 2011.
Click here for more

64 World coolest pix of week 49

We are rapidly coming to the end of 2011. We’ll post our Best of 2011 review early next week, but in he meantime you’ll have to make do with the coolest pix of week 49.


Coolest Pix Of Week 49
People are seen on a ride at the Al-Zawraa Amusement Park in Baghdad December 2, 2011. The last 13,000 U.S. troops will pull out of Iraq by the end of the year. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton
Click here for more

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Pendet dance : The mythical of Balinese dance

The beauty of the island of Bali is no doubt, the various elements of the beauty are formed in a single-entity has been created from this island. One of them is Pendet dance. A dance that symbolizes a welcoming of descent of the gods into the world. Before I Wayan Rindi (a dance choreographer) made ​​several changes, pendet dance was held in the temple for Hindu religious ceremonies. Sources of inspiration Pendet birth is a sacred Odalan ceremony in the temple ritual called mamendet or mendet. The procession takes place after the priest proclaimed mendet adored mantras and after-theater staging mask Sidakarya philosophically legitimize sacred religious ceremonies. Almost every large to the small temple in Bali is accompanied with mamendet activity. In some large temples like Pura Besakih which located at the foot of Mount Agung, usually in particular showing a ritual mamendet with Pendet dance.


This dance was among the oldest dance where the dancers dance like which consists of four girls which are sacred (virgin). This dance requires specialized skills, such as the gestures and content, should be graceful, certain expressions while dancing, and eye movements. Currently pendet dance can be danced by everyone, men and women, adults and girls. In the year 1950 two artists from Denpasar sumertha village named I Wayan Rindi and Ni Kt Reneng successfully transformed this dance into propane dance (dance entertainment) and switch to tap dance welcoming distinguished guests. Pendet was first introduced to the world at the International in 1960 when Indonesia hosted the asian games organizers in Jakarta. From here Pendet became famous to the outside world and became a cultural tourist attraction in Bali.

Pendet many uses so-called seledet eye movements, hand gestures, head movement, shoulder movement, and footwork. One dance called agem attitude, the attitude of both legs with a tenuous grasp on the position of the hand bent. Characteristic of this dance is the movement which preceded the laying flowers with offerings movement while seated.


Pendet usually sung in groups or in pairs by young ladies, and more dynamic than Rejang dance. Published after Rejang dance in the courtyard temple and usually facing toward to the sacred. The dancers wearing stylized Balinese kebaya which usually yellow tank top with Bali gold leaf motif. Then added a piece of cloth (Kamen) that is wrapped around the waist to come down to the ankles. Then on a piece of cloth wrapped around the waist or ambed. The dancers also styled hair and piled neatly on the back. Some loose hair decorated with some Cambodia flowers .

Pendet accompanied by Balinese gamelan instrument. Balinese gamelan different devices with Javanese gamelan instruments. Balinese gamelan instruments, among others: tarompong, reyong, bende, kempul, gongs, drums wadu, petuk, drums lanang, cengceng, jublag, jagong, gangsa, reckless, magnolia, and gongs kebyar. Gamelan is usually done while sitting cross-legged man, and musical instruments played by being hit with a special hitter.

The combination of motion Pendet dance with music accompaniment gives a very different feel. The rhythm of music that has a fast tempo with a full impression of cheerful yet magical elements, making the atmosphere around feels different. Moreover for you to watch this dance up close and live. Surely this will make your holiday is very memorable. Visit Bali with an abundance of beauty ... happy vacation:)


The Year in Pictures: Part III


In this post, featuring images from the last quarter of 2011, we remember a tumultuous year of change across the globe, the capture of Khadafi, the 10th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center, the passing of Apple icon Steve Jobs, fire, famine, flood and protests. A memorable year, indeed. -- Paula Nelson -- Please see part 1 and part 2 from earlier. (EDITOR'S NOTE: We will not post a Big Picture on Monday, December 26, due to the Christmas Holiday ) (51 photos total)

A defaced portrait of fugitive Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi in Tripoli on Sept. 1, 2011 as the fallen strongman vowed again not to surrender in a message broadcast on the 42nd anniversary of the coup which brought him to power. (Patrick Baz/AFP/Getty Images)
Click here for more

Friday, December 23, 2011

Smallest woman in the world

18-year-old student from India Jyoti Amge was entered in the Guinness Book of Records as the smallest woman alive today. Her height is only 62.8 cm, and an official certificate ceremony coincided with the day of her birth.
smallest woman
Click here for more

Best photos of the year National Geographic

National Geographic Magazine summed up the contest in 2011 and named the winners who were chosen from more than 20 000 images from 130 countries. Luchshie photos selected in three categories: people, interesting places and nature.
natgeo best photos
Click here for more

Green Canyon : Travel with sensation of adventure in Pangandaran

Do you like to travel with sensation of river adventure? if your answer is yes, let's try to visiting Green Canyon which is located in Pangandaran, West Java. Green Canyon Nature tourism is most favored place by tourists lovers of trekking, canoeing, or a challenging of adrenaline tour. The green canyon names is taken from the name of the Grand Canyon in United States. This place is a cave with a bunch of greenish crystal clear waters with decorates by stalactite and stalagmite that is hidden behind the rocky cliffs - perhaps that's why these place called Green Canyon. Locals used to call this area as Cukang Taneuh. The nickname of Cukang Taneuh arises because in the middle of the river there is a bridge from the soil, 3 feet wide with a length of 40 meters. This tourist attraction located in the Village Kertayasa, Cijulang District , and located along the Cijulang river - about 31 km from Pangandaran.


Green Canyon is became very famous, because the panorama of the river is very beautiful. The beauty of Green Canyon will always be welcome for any travelers once you enter the gates of these attractions. The river is so special, because it has a very admirable canyon  lengthwise area and divide  of its physical structure. Those people who visiting green canyon would be stunned by the beauty of the panoramas of the river which flows along Cijulang.  The tourists usually also take advantage of the cave rocks to jump into crystal clear water. You can enjoy the incredible natural scenery along the left and right sides of the river while boating.

To go to the cave of  Green Canyon, go to the docks and buy tickets from Pier Ciseuruh. If you traveling on holiday, you certainly have to wait for several hours for the boat to turn up to the cave. Tourist boats  is operated  and owned by local people, but they still regulated by the government on their district. One boat can carry up to five passengers with a rental price of Rp 75,000. If you want to swim in the bat cave, you can tell the boat crew to wait, surely with more added fee. They will ask a full day for Rp 100,000  , but surely you will not spend your time along day there. Bargaining, maybe you can get Rp 80,000 in the holiday season and Rp 50,000 while it is empty of visitors. Each boat is always providing  life jackets for the passengers, so if you are not a good swimmer, do not be too worried.


To get to the first point, we must go through a fairly quiet flow of the river for nearly 15 minutes. After passing through the 'corridor' of the river, then we will meet with a place that force us to get off from the boat. In these places, we will see a row of rocks with very beautiful ornate stunning by stalactites and stalagmites. The rock also forcing us to not continue the boat journey, because the course of the river was blocked by the rocks in  the river which is look like terraced steps.

After you got out of the boat, you will be challenged to be able to see the true beauty of the Green Canyon, while is: you have to swim upstream to get to the river. foreign tourists keen to swim down the river with a depth of 10 meters to the upstream. When swimming down the river, tourists will be accompanied by a row of rocky cliffs adorned with stalactites and stalagmites. Fabulous! Those who did it were definitely not be disappointed, we will also be treated by beautiful views of waterfalls Palatar after swimming. You can also do body rafting around Bat Cave. This activity is managed by the boat crew  in cooperation with the younger local village . Tell your crew that you want to do body rafting and they will take you to the place. Time it takes about 3-4 hours and of course with an additional cost



There are no accommodations around Green Canyon. The closest hotels are in Riverside Panireman river mouth leading to Batu Karas beach, about 15 minutes from Green Canyon. If you are interested in visiting Green Canyon, you can follow some tips below when visiting the Green canyon in Pangandaran

first,
When you decide to come to Green Canyon, you must be prepared to travel a considerable distance to travel time is 8 hours from Jakarta. Leave at night especially if you use public transport. By using public transportation, you can depart from Terminal Pangandaran majors to rural transportation terminals Cijulang with a relatively low cost. Hire a public vehicle if you come in a group.

second,
Green Canyon should be visited during the dry season. Because of the dry season, water colors green and quieter. Very pretty for you make the images object.

third,
If you want to try to wade through the rapids of the river downstream from the height of the cliff and jumped in the Green Canyon, prepare your energy. Do not forget to wear a bathing suit. Body rafting charged Rp 30,000 - to Rp 40,000. You need to prepare a change of clothes after the body rafting

fourth,
For lodging, it is advisable to seek lodgings in Pangandaran Beach. Because in addition to more choices, the price provided is more varied than in the Green Canyon.

fifth,
Bring a waterproof camera for traveling ,because the Green Canyon highly correlated with water. If there is no, you try to be careful with your belongings such as cameras and mobile phones, not to fall.

sixth,
Do not forget to bring food and drinks because there is only food accommodations in the main entrance. And use comfortable shoes for slippery rocks in the Green Canyon.

Grand Canyon Vacation Packages

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Buya sabe : Indonesia's woven cloth from Sulawesi

Indonesia is famous for its diversity of cultures, stretching from Sabang to Merauke. The results of the existing culture is certainly not least in number. If you know the name of batik, ulos, songket, kebaya, that was the result of culture of the country of Indonesia that already known. Have various unique patterns and colors in each works. This time we will introduce you, one more result of culture that is created from the land of sulawesi and that is called woven cloth buya sabe. You can make this woven cloth with silk raw material originally from Sulawesi as a very unique souvenir for you to bringing home.


This woven cloth can be found in Donggala , located approximately 34 miles northeast of Palu. From Palu to the City of Donggala, trip can be reached by using a four-wheeled vehicle with a travel time of about 4.5 hours. Travelers can use public transport from the terminal Donggala to go to the places where craftsmen centers buya sabe woven cloth spread across several areas, including along the Limboro, Salu Bomba, Tosale, Towale and Kolakola. The villages were located to the west of the City of Donggala.

Buya sabe woven cloth is produced traditionally , because the process to make this cloth is traditionally done with equipment that is also traditional. There was less than 100 weavers in every day work. Interestingly, not only middle-aged women aged 50-60 years who became weavers, but also to teenage girls aged 12-20 years. No wonder, if every home residents have at least one loom. In fact, there is one house that has three units of weaving equipment. One of the buya sabe centers located in the Village Limboro. That's what causes the buya sabe weaving tradition is continued sustainable. .

Making Buya sabe weaving is almost the same as making-weaving looms in other areas. Both of the process of yarn dyeing to weaving. Patterns and motifs that are very diverse. In short, there are six types of patterns woven Donggala, namely: garusu (Tembe Donggala), Buya Bomba, Buya sabe , a combination of Bomba and sabe. Among these patterns, Buya sabe Bomba the most difficult, until the execution takes one to two months. Unlike the other patterns that it only takes one to two weeks. Donggala woven cloth pattern also has a very unique and rare, because of his age reaching 200 years. woven cloth commonly known as palaekat can only be found at the residence of the descendants of the kings of Palu.

Kinds and patterns of Buya sabe woven cloth




The difficulties in in the making of woven was also assessed at a great price. Any cloth can be sold up to Rp 600,000, - for the cheapest price of Rp 150,000 and Rp 1,000,000 the most expensive. Because made with hands and require special skills, moreover process was that slow. For this Donggala woven cloth manufacture depends on the size of the cloth it usually takes the most a quick 1-2 weeks to a month. woven cloth made of silk also can not arbitrarily be washed because the rigid texture and slightly rough. Simply by soaking in water alone and should not be a washing machine or brushed.

The fame of this woven cloth is famous all over the country and craftsmen often follow fashion festivals or exhibitions. It also makes it easy for the craftsmen that previously had to go to Palu to sell , are now only waiting for the merchants of the Palu that will buy their woven cloth. If you are interested to see directly, even tried your own weaving with the women of this Donggala just come to the village of Towale because they will be happy to welcome for tourists.