Napabale lake is salt water lake formed by the intrusion of sea water from Buton Strait trough into the cup-shaped crack rocks. The lake is located in the Village Wabintinggi and Lohia, about fifteen kilometers south of the city of Raha, the capital of Muna Regency, South Sulawesi. The lake is adjacent to the sea and connected by nature tunnels. This is make the water in Napabale lake taste salty. The amount of lake water level is very dependent on the ebb and flow of sea water. If tides, the surface of the lake go up and connecting tunnel will be closed by water. However, if tide is low, then part of the lake water reduced. Not every time we can pass through this tunnel. When the sea water run to low, this is the best time to explore the tunnel which has 30 meters length and 9 meters wide.
Napabale lake scenery
You can browse through the tunnel by boat wich is commonly called pincara. In some parts of the tunnel there are various types of stalactites. In addition, tourists can also watch a variety of painting beautiful corals that form due to natural processes.
Travel boat in the lake
Visiting the salty Lake of Napabale, tourists can enjoy two charm of nature as well as lake and beaches. The most fun activities to enjoying Lake Napabale is by sail or dive. Tourists who come to sail using a canoe or boat which can be rented by fishermen around the lake. Enough to pay Rp 50,000, you can enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Napabale from canoe. For you who like to dive, do not miss the opportunity to see the amazing underwater scenes of Lake Napabale.
Satisfied with the atmosphere of the lake, you can cross through the tunnel to the beach. If you can not paddle the canoe alone, you can enlist help from fishermen to take the canoe down to the middle of the lake, where there is a coral island covered with verdant trees was so look beautiful to explore. If you want to spend the night around this salt water lake, suggested to bring your own bedding, such as tents, sleeping bags, jackets, and completion of cooking. In Lake Napabale there are no lodging facilities, hotels, inns and homestay. But if you need a cozy inn with more complete facilities, you can get it at Raha city (Muna Capital).
The tunnel between sea and lake
As notes, in addition to salt water lake of Napabale, there are other attractions located only few kilometers from Napabale. This tourist attraction is a cave, an ancient site tourism named Layang - layang. In the cave that resembles a niche store paintings works of man in prehistoric times. Besides paintings, a few meters above the cave there is a map engraved in stone gray. The stone map illustrates for another path to multiple locations around Layang - layang cave.
How to get there
There are two alternative way to reach salt lake of Napabale which is located in the village Lohia, District Lohia, Muna regency, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. You can use ships/boat or pioneers airplane as your transportation.
1. If using a boat, the journey starts from the Port Nusantara located in the city of Kendari to the port Raha in Raha City (the capital of Muna), it takes about 4 hours. From the Port of Raha, the tourists can go on using katinting (motorized boat) to the Muna Gulf adjacent to Lake Napabale and takes about 15 minutes.
2. If using pioneers airplane, the journey starts from Wolter Monginsidi Airport which is located in Kendari, then fly to Sugimanuru airport located in Muna city, or 25 km from the city of Raha. After arriving at the airport Sugimanuru, proceed to the city of Raha trip using public transportation takes about 30 minutes. Further from the city of Raha proceed to the lakes attractions by taxi or rental car takes about 20 minutes.
Panoramas in Raja Ampat archipelagos is quite remarkable. Islands which included in the World's best coral reef triangle is able to hypnotize every visitors who come through each every region in the Raja Ampat Islands. From many of beauty that Raja Ampat's offers, there is an island that provides perfection landsacpe and underwater scenery. The beauty of panoramas can be seen on an island called Wayag Island. Many of cluster from karst rocks scattered around the Wayag island and brought into its own characteristics, and this scenery is not owned by any other islands in Indonesia. This bring results in wayag Island as a powerful icon for tourism in the islands of Raja Ampat.
Wayag Island Scenery
Upon entering the Wayag Island, a small group of islands scattered like a beautiful maze that stretches between the crystal clear sea water. Extraordinary sensation would be created when you set sail and browse on to the archipelago of Wayag island. Small islands is so compelling, they seemed to show mutual embryo and the beauty itself to every visitor who comes. get docking in one of the beaches, and enjoy the crystal clear waters and white sand between the sea, with various types of coral reef at the bottom.
After enjoying the beauty of underwater scenery near of Wayag island, now is the time to enjoy all of the Wayag archipelagos from the hill, precisely at the peak Wayag. You will be taken to enter a typical tropical vegetation lush and very natural because the Wayag island is uninhabited . The journey that you will travel would be very adrenaline, incline with a slope of 85 degrees is ready to welcome you just before you reach the top of Wayag. Travel time should taken about 30 minutes to reach the peak of Wayag . From this peak, you can see the natural wonders of the sprawling Wayag island .
From the peak of Wayag island
How to get there
To reach the Wayag island , you must first to go to Waisai, Waisai is the capital of Raja Ampat, it takes about 3 hours from waisai to Wayag island. or you can look into our post about how to go to Raja Ampat on this link.There are a few notes you should know about Wayag Island, including: 1. The only transportation to the Wayag island is speed boat. 2. To begin your journey to the Wayag island, it should started from special port for speed boat, located around the harbor of Waisai. 3. Travel time to and leave the Wayag island is about 6 hours, while there is 2 hours time to travel. Total time for day trips around 8 hours. 4. It is not allowed to stay on the Wayag island . because there are no boats to the island every day and the unavailability homestay on the Wayag island. 5. Speed boat rents rates are approximately Rp 7.000.000, - to Rp 14.000.000, -.
Exploring the archipelagos of Wayag island
Travel tips
1. Always observe to the port of speed boat on Waisai when you first arrived. Find information about the group that will travel to the Wayag island in a week ahead. Do not forget to note the name and telephone number of the owner of speed boat to get information of Wayag island tour departure. 2. Next, Put announcements in each receptionist, specialty is for sharing to the Wayag Island. 3. You better be in one group during your trip to Raja Ampat, at least four people. 4. You better to come in around October, because on this month, there is usually a tourist event, so that transportation to the Wayag island have additions to the amount of freight. 5. Dont forget bring food for lunch during your trip to Wayag island, because the speed boat owner does not provide lunch. 6. Bring drinking water more than 1 bottle, remember that you will climb to the top wayag.
From a distance, it appears two surfers danced over the waves that flowed toward the coast. They look so fun and enjoying the water sports, they moving to the right and left, following the flow of the waves. While on the beach, it appears some tourists was leaning enjoying the sunlight with a cold drink in hand. That was the atmosphere on the beach which is often referred to as Little Bali in western Java. Batu Karas is a living, working village which has been chosen by 'Lonely Planet' travel guide as one of Asia's most beautiful beaches for 2012 generated by the dark sand along the beach, lush greenery on the rock, and fantastic waves of the sea.
Batu Karas is popular among surfers, nationally and internationally. In addition to a relatively flat beach, Batu Karas also has a small bay, so that surfers do not have to paddle too far to the starting point for wave. The main beach at Batu Karas region was named Legokpari Beach, located directly in front of the Hotel Java Cove. This beach is a favorite for beginner surfers, has waves that are not too high making it easier for every tourist who wants to try and learn to surf. While for the professional surfer, beach Bulak Bendak is the right choice. On this beach, you can get a wall of long and high waves. The Beach is surely suitable for a professional surfer.
How to get there
Batu Karas beach is located in the village of Batu Karas Cijulang District. Batu Karas could be achieved from Pangandaran to the west. From Pangandaran we can hire a motorcycle or ride a bus majoring to Cijulang. From Cijulang continued ride motorcycles to Batu Karas. The distance from Pangandaran to Batu Karas is about 40 kilometers, or about 1 hour away by car. The road to this location is very easy, and all along the way to tourist locations are also a variety of tourist destination options such as Batu Hiu and Green Canyon (Cukang Taneuh).
The point at Batu Karas ( one of the best place to learn to surf ) Righthand pointbreak that rolls through a sand bottom bay in front of the Java Cove hotel for up to 400 metres. The takeoff is up to you: fast and hollow beyond the point, or slow and easy at the shoulder section. After takeoff the wave mellows out with workable walls through to the far end of Batu Karas bay. This is because the point had sandbottom bay with tropical warm water means user-friendly conditions. Slow peeling waves means plenty of time to work on the basics and improve your style. And the last is Long waves with different sections. Move 'up the point' as your surfing improves - rolling walls in the middle of the bay, faster & hollower at the take-off. The reefs at Batu Karas Righthander with an easy takeoff that leads into fast walls unraveling over a lava reef. This high tide spot can turn on some real quality with clean walls to work on your top/bottom turn combo and down-the-line speed reeling to the beach for around 150 metres. Breaks from waist high to overhead.
Other options There's other surf options accessible by car or boat if you're up for a bit of adventure. Plenty of beachbreaks nearby, and 40 mins drive from Batu karas is a lefthand barrelly reefbreak that works on small swells and is offshore with the tradewinds from June-Sept.
As one of paradise for surfers, Batu Karas mixtured by the beauty of Batu hiu beach and Pangandaran Beach. The beach is suitable as a place to swim and surf, as Batu Karas not only offers for the calm water but also a challenging wave. Beautiful black sand beach make this location as a perfect spot for vacation and surf , because the atmosphere is quiet compared to Pangandaran or even Bali.
The island of Bali is known as the most famous Island in Indonesia for every world travellers. Do you know where is the most famous beach in Bali ? if you ask for every people that was visited Bali, they would answer Kuta beach. Yup, Kuta beach ! The large and busy beach in Bali for travellers. Kuta beach is a tourist place located in south of Denpasar, the capital of Bali, Indonesia, exactly in Badung regency. This area is a tourist destination abroad, and has become a mainstay tourist island of Bali since the early 70's. Kuta beach are often called as sunset beach, has a wide range of 8km long including Legian, Seminyak, and Tuban. This is the most populous places for travelers beside the other tourist destination in Bali.
Why Kuta beach is so famous ?
The first thing that kuta beach offered is Sunset. Kuta beach location is facing to the west, where the Sun goes down and spread the last shine on that day. The charming orange yellow lights upon the dark of the sea, would bring another atmosphere for everyone who watch it. Many local and foreign tourists come to Bali because feel some weirdness for the sunset. Bring attention on your clock while enjoying the sunset, you will get the time reach 7 o'clock approaching the night. Essentially it's already dark. But there were brighter on the atmosphere. This occurs naturally as the sun changes, for those of you who want to enjoy the sunset in Kuta beach, do not forget to note the time of this sunset show, because it decided where the real enjoyment of your holidays.
The second things that makes Kuta beach being famous is the waves. Kuta beach is very popular with a very friendly waves for surfers, both for the novice and professional surfer. Try to enjoy this exciting water sports. If you do not have or carry the equipment, you can rent a surf board rental in many places scattered along the coast. By paying rent amounting to Rp 50 thousand - 150 thousand per hour, in addition to the board rent you will also get a short course of surfing instructors from the rental place. Under their direction, it only took 30 minutes to weave you can split the waves on the surf board.
And the last thing from many things that Kuta beach offered is the completeness of accomodation. Kuta has a lot of cheap lodging, scattered in various villages in this region. The inns are not located on the main roads, but they are hiding on the lane road . However, the rooms conditions that they offer are fit in either category. Many foreigners choose to live in such accommodation, especially those who are backpackers or travelers on a low budget. In addition to the cheap lodging, you too can experience glamorous nightlife in Kuta . There are so much variety of restaurants, pubs and various other nightclubs.
One years ago. Sail Wakatobi-Belitung had managed successfully. as in the quote that we see from http://menkokesra.go.id. Sailor from Florida, United States, Barbara, said the committee provides a stopover point in the series of 26 Sail-Belitong Wakatobi 2011. Each point has its own uniqueness. "It's great to see diversity in Indonesia. Every stop, I can have a new experience," said Barbara, Wednesday (10/12/2011). The results of Barbara's visit, show that Indonesia is much more beautiful than every information he ever got. It's so much beauty and variety. "If I had more time, we will stay longer at each transit point," he said.
And now The Indonesia sail event will be held at Morotai Island on September 2012 , Just like what the Official site of Indonesia goverment said on www.indonesia.go.id ; " The government decided to hold the Sail Morotai 2012 with the aim of supporting the development acceleration of Indonesia’s marine resources and celebrating the 67th Anniversary of Indonesia's Independence Day as well.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono through Presidential Decree Kepres No. 4/2012 that was signed on January 24, assigned the Coordinating Minister for the People’s Welfare, Agung Laksono, as Chairman of steering committee and Minister of Maritime and Fisheries Affairs, Cicip Sutardjo, as Chairman of the Sail Morotai 2012 organizing committee."
What kind profile of Morotai island that will be as a host in 2012 Indonesia sail event ?
Morotai Island was one of the outer islands of Indonesia, located adjacent to the Pacific Ocean and Philipine, has an area of 695 square miles / 1,800 km ². The island is located in North Maluku province and considered as the "Hidden paradise of East Indonesia". The island holds several natural beauty which is so stunning, on the sea and on the land. In addition, the island is also save a million memory of wars that occurred in World War 2. Because the location is quite strategic, Morotai Island became one of the base camp during the war between the Pacific allies with Japan.
And you still can find a variety of war relics including caves, grounding planes and war artifacts such as aircraft, armored vehicles and also the relics of the trinkets and even bottles of Coca-Cola from the 1940s. A total of 63 battalions landed at Cape Dehegila, Morotai Island Regency since 15 September 1944 under the leadership of the command of Commander of Division VII of the United States, Douglas MacArthur. The goal, pounding power of the Japanese soldiers who came to power in Asia, including Indonesia.
Because of this, several dive sites around the island of Morotai are stored some wreckage of World War II. The most famous Underwater wreck site is on the wreck of the Bristol Beuford, lying on depth of about 40m in the `Field Pante`, in the southern Morotai, near the village of Wama. Morotai is relatively new dive spots in Indonesia, the infrastructure is still fairly minimal, but also the number of visitors is very rare.
For those of you who like underwater adventure that challenges the `sense` with thick expedition, this location offers a journey that no one will forget. The combination of underwater walls with the romance of the history of World War II which is spread over more than 25 point dive.
Do not forget to visit the dodola island, located not far from the island of Morotai. Dodola island has a beautiful beach tourism that is very interesting, which is an island archipelago consisting of large dodola islands and small dodola. This island has a white sand beach and very beautiful, which is actually two islands are in one cluster or the land has its own appeal, when sea water was receding, we can truly enjoy the beauty of the islands attractions here and there are looks together with a connecting white sand, fine white sand, swim in the clear sea water, and take pictures decorated with blue sky, it gives more satisfaction for us to enjoy the beauty of nature here.
When sea water is tide of from the region then this looks like two islands are separated, this is the unique characteristic of the island of Morotai dodola. On this island you can see the Cave of with silent witness of a Japanese fugitive named Nakamura. In this cave Nakamura escaped and lived for 30 years ie from 1945 until 1975.
How to get there?
To reach the island of Morotai can be through three channels option 1. Using vessels from Ternate to Morotai for 12 hours, the schedule is twice a week with a rate Rp 50000.00. 2. From Ternate to Sofifi using a speed boat for 30 minutes with a rate Rp 25000.00 and then proceed by road (car) to Tobelo for four hours with the rental fee Rp 75.000,00. Pathway can be bypassed every day. 3. Using a pioneering flight from the airport Babullah Ternate to Galela and Morotai for 30 minutes with a ticket price of Rp 250.000,00 but the schedule only once a week.
Be prepare for the Indonesia Sail event of Morotai island on next September 2012 , and feel the beauty of Indonesian archipelago.
Sulawesi island would be a paradise tourist destinations in Indonesia. There are so many beautiful and impressive attractions that we can visit on the island of Sulawesi. One of the most famous tourist attraction in southern Sulawesi province is Bantimurung waterfalls. Why Bantimurung tourist attraction is so popular ? If you've seen and heard information about Niagara Falls that was so well known in New york United States, thus Bantimurung Waterfalls, had little in common with Niagara Falls. But Bantimurung waterfalls just only have a width of 20 meters with a height of about 15 meters, with a discharge volume of water that quite a lot.
Bantimurung Waterfalls is located in Maros regency, Bantimurung District. With an area of ± 118 ha, Bantimurung consists of limestone rock which forms by steep hills on either side of the river Bantimurung. Bantimurung Waterfalls has water passage in form by wide rocky, bumpy, smooth and beautiful. Unlike most other waterfalls that create a trench in the water at crash site, then Bantimurung Waterfalls which 15 meters height does not create trench.
Other than because essentially form by hard rock area, as well as the contours of a sloping rock waterfall serves as a propagation, thereby reducing the power of hit Bantimurung Waterfalls. Under the waterfall flowthere was a bathing place of ground limestone and covered with a layer of hard minerals from the water flow for hundreds of years.
The depth of water inside natural pool of Bantimurung waterfalls is between the ankles to the waist. Bantimurung Waterfalls is a very popular with visitors to feel the crystal clear waterfall massage from. It is certainly spoil every tourist who comes to immediately soak enjoy the beautiful panorama around the waterfall. Besides having a waterfall, this tourist area is also habitat for many species of rare butterflies, so this place is dubbed as the "Kingdom of Butterfly".
Stone Caves and Cave of Dreams are also being the major attractions for visitors to Bantimurung. Because in there, we can explore those caves get a very unusual experience, inside cave we can see various kinds of stone reliefs formed by dripping water hanging on the ceiling of the cave that looks beautiful with crystal collection.
For the adventure-minded tourists, you can enjoy rafting sports inside this tourist area. the route taken is from the bottom of the waterfall to a suspension bridge which is located within Bantimurung, with notes ; the manager will provide rafting when the water conditions were great able to bring inflatable boats for rafting.
How to get there
1. From the center of Makassar, the location can be achieved using a motor, car or bicycle. ± distance takes 1-1 1/2 hours. If the rent of public transport, the cost of about Rp. 10,000-Rp. 15,000 / person. 2. If you come from Sultan Hasanuddin airport, tourist locations can be reached about 30-45 minutes by bike, car or public transport. Transportation costs incurred when using public transport, around Rp. 6,000 - Rp. 7500 / person 3. If you're in Center City Maros, tourist sites can be reached about 15-30 minutes by car or motorcycle (40 km / h).
Travel Tips
1. The best time to visit here is during the morning so as not to hot. Always wear sunblock with a hat are also prepared. 2. Admission price of Bantimurung National Parks: Rp 10,000 3. Beverage prices an average of 1.5 times more expensive than the normal price.
Raja Ampat is the Islands District and have the best coral reef areas in Indonesia. According to research, approximately 500 types of coral reefs and more than 540 species of hard corals (75% from total species in the world), stored more than 1000 species of reef fish, 700 species of molluscs, as well as the highest record for gonodactyloid stomatopod crustaceans. New seven species of coral reef was founded, spread from another hundreds of coral reefs and never been found in other areas. The waters of Raja Ampat Islands is one of the 10 best diving site around the world.
The archipelago of Raja Ampat consists of four small islands, namely Waigeo , Batanta, Salawati and Misool. The Raja Ampat region have been preserved for thousands years ago and preserved so many variety of marine life. The beaches also had pristine waters that you can't find in other area. Raja Ampat is very famous among divers and be one of the best triangle coral reefs around the world, so this is not surprisingly, if this region is rich with coral reefs and species of fish were so unique and rare. Raja Ampat is like an unpolished gem, and once you come to this place, forever , you will never forget its beauty.
How to get there ?
Transportation modes to Raja Ampat currently is not much as another tourist objects in Indonesia. Unlike the island of Bali which provides flights with dozen times to various major cities in Indonesia and abroad, or the famous city of Manado Bunaken Marine Park which provides more than ten flights connecting Manado and Jakarta. The most popular route to Raja Ampat is through the town of Sorong, one of the largest cities in the West Papua provinces. You can begin your journey from Jakarta to Sorong using aircraft for approximately seven hours of travel after some transit in Makassar.
Trip to Sorong can be reached from several major cities in Indonesia and some other cities in southeast Asia such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Davao in Philippines. Several airlines providing flights between Jakarta and Sorong, but they require to transite through Makassar or Manado. The airlines include Lion Air, Merpati Nusantara Airlines, and Garuda Indonesia. Ticket prices ranged from Rp 1.200.000 valid until Rp 3.500.000 depending on class selection and availability of tickets. Meanwhile, foreign airlines serving flights to Sorong, which is also do some transit in Manado, among others, Silk Air and Cebu Pacific Air with ticket prices ranging from $ 450 in numbers.
From Sorong city you have to continue your trip towards to Waisai, the capital of Raja Ampat. This trip can be done by using a fast boat that can be rented at the rates of about Rp 2.000.000 per vessel per trip. In one trip, the vessel may contain more than ten people. Travel time takes about one and a half hours to reach Waisai. From Waisai, tourists can choose to stay on the island or hire small boats to get to the other islands..
What to see ?
In this place , there are so much activities to fully your days with an exotic panoramas and sea views , such as : -Spectacular diving and snorkling -Sensational kayaking in the shallow bays, especially in the mangrove forests -Slow afternoon cruise with one of the tenders - get up-close-and-personal with the stunning land scenery -Bird spotting - find the illusive Bird of Paradise from the water. -Fishing - unexplored fly-fishing for bonefish or deep water trolling for marlin and sailfish . -Dive in Wreck diving in the area is superb as well. The wrecks here haven't been plundered as in Truk Lagoon, PNG, the Solomons, Vanuatu and other well-known wreck diving areas. Most of these WWII wrecks were not seen by humans again until the day and therefore completely intact. Over 50 years of marine life growing on and around them has turned them in beautiful gardens. By special arrangement, Papua Diving can schedule to dive wrecks in the Manokwari area (on the east side of the bird's head). Although there are plenty of wrecks all around the area, the wrecks in Manokwari are in shallow, clear water with plenty of coral growth and sea life surrounding them. For further information about diving site , please visit this link .
Where to stay ?
1. Misool eco resort this is the naturalist resort with modern facility , built from reclaimed tropical hardwood. Misool Eco Resort offers two levels of accommodation. Eight Water of Cottages are located in the North Lagoon, built on stilts over the water. They're just steps from the Dive Centre and restaurant. Stairs lead from your private veranda down into the placid lagoon, and the House Reef is about 100 fin-kicks away. aAnd also have one deluxe villa, Villa Tabisasu, located on the eastern edge of the North Lagoon. info : www.misoolecoresort.com
2.Kri eco resort and Sorido bay resort The western style look resort (sorido), Western style comforts in a traditional Papuan setting. Located on a beautiful deep lagoon and white sand beach on Kri Island, the dive resort is central to the most spectacular dive sites in the Raja Ampat. Kri Eco Resort is an Indonesian style resort and currently has 6 over-water guest bungalows. Most of the buildings contain two rooms and at least one sitting area. info : www.papua-diving.com
3. Raja Ampat Dive Lodge Raja Ampat Dive Lodge is located at the heart of the most spectacular diving in northern Raja Ampat. Mere minutes from the famous Manta aggregation sites and the fish-filled dives at the western edge of the Dampier Strait, our intimate lodge is the prefect place to experience the most bio-diverse reefs in the world info : www.rajaampat-liveaboard.com
Tips
Accommodation. Currently in Saonek Monde being built three resorts on the island of Batbitiem Nyandebabo, Waiwo, and South Waigeo. During unfinished, you can stay at several places below. First is Sorido Bay Resort is famous for its coral reefs. Then there is the Kri Eco Resort, a traditional resort built on the water. Another option is to camp on the island or a house boat that provided a lot of travel agents.Although Raja Ampat is not very crowded, but there are already hotels and rented houses in Saonek, Mansuar, and islands Yenwaupnor.
Transportation. If you are flying from Jakarta it will take 7 hour flight to Sorong and stopped in Manado. You can also dive in Bali tour and fly from there. Sorong like any other big city. You can get almost everything here. Although, the price is more expensive because its a remote location. Only the tourists who buy package from travel agencies are ussually the most audience in Raja Ampat maritime tourism. You do not need advanced diving dive tour to follow this, because the travel agent providing tours for non professional divers or trained divers. There are 8 airlines open up the flight schedule. Several national and foreign airlines provided flights from Jakarta or Bali to Sorong connected with aviation in Makassar or Manado.
Getting around. Usually, many divers would join the tours and stay at the resort for divers while visiting Raja Ampat Islands. To access the dive sites, you can contact the travel agency that can be found in Sorong. Some travel agents also offer options such as boat tour around Raja Ampat, or diving in Raja Ampat. From Sorong, there are two types of boats, long boat and speed boat. Using a speed boat can carry 15 passengers with travel time 1 hour 40 minutes, cost price of 2 million rupiah. While the long boat carrying 10 passengers and takes about 2-3 hours, the cost price of 1.2 million rupiah. Please be aware that prices may change at any time. You can rent a small boat if you want to explore this island more freely. The islands at Raja Ampat has 4 major islands, is mountainous and hundreds of small islands around it which you can explore.In addition, this region also had a lot of coral, which is a beautiful natural phenomenon. There are a variety of unique fauna as bald paradise, paradise red, maleo Waigeo, rat-rat. For this type of flora then you can see orchids, palms, and many others. Try to do activities of trekking around the island to discover the hidden beauty such as waterfalls and ancient caves.
Culinary. Food provided by the diving operators, ranging from international to traditional food menu is made directly by the local community. Usually available a variety of seafood. Try you taste the fish soup which is a typical food of yellow island.
Shopping. Many divers say that the best souvenirs from the Raja Ampat is the story of your experience when visiting the Raja Ampat. Surely this is a good places catch a lot of photograph to shows. However, you can buy statue of Asmat tribe as souvenirs , the traditional cloth, flute, or traditional drum. The goods are usually sold in souvenir shops in various cities in Papua. This trick will lighten your burden for too much stuff of souvenirs from Raja Ampat. You can also buy handicrafts woven in Arborek if you have more leisure when visited the village in Raja Ampat.
Best time. October or November is a good time to visit Raja Ampat because the sea would be so calm and perfect to get some videos or photograph. Every year, Raja Ampat is typically held maritime festival, held between the months of May or October.
Equipment. Bring your underwater camera. Use your skills for underwater photography , meanwhile for taking underwater pictures is not easy, but also a regret if it passed. Also bring sun block anyway, sunscreen, hats, and shirts which are comfortable for beach weather. Should also prepare insect repellent and anti malarial drugs.
For people of Indonesia, especially people who live in the province of Central Java, Tawangmangu name is not foreign anymore on their ear. An area that is very popular because of the waterfall. Tawangmangu located on Lawu mountainside , Central Java. Has a height of 1300 meters above sea level. This region is the mountainous region which is pretty cool and cold temperate. Has a distance of about 40 km from the city of Solo, can be reached by land vehicles for one hour from the city of Surakarta (Solo). This place has become a sightseeing spot since Dutch colonial times. Object of the main tourist destinations in Tawangmangu is Grojogan Sewu waterfall (height 81 m).
Tawangmangu located in the surrounded area by lush mountain forests and hills. However, this small town has been known up to the foreigner from other countries as tourist region iwhichis suitable to be used as a vacationing option. Tawangmangu morning atmosphere is very beautiful and exotic. Typical of cold air from the mountains and the mist that enveloped the mountain peaks provide an aura of its own beauty. Take a stroll while enjoying the beautiful rice fields, see the activities of residents in the morning, or explore the markets are very effective to relieve tired of the daily grind. Tawangmangu also popular with the production of vegetables and fresh fruits. The fields were planted with cabbage, carrots, radishes, strawberries, and various other crops extends everywhere.
To enter this Grojogan sewu tourist area, you will be charged Rp8000, - per person (prices may change at any time). Ticket prices are cheap enough to enjoy the incredible natural scenery here. Distance from the entrance to the waterfall where the purchase of tickets were still quite far away. On the right and left side, there are growth lush vegetation such as pine, Kaliandra, resins, and many other plants. As for the fauna, the forest is a place to live for the long-tailed monkeys, squirrels, and various species of birds. While on the move, the monkeys will not hesitate to greet visitors, especially with food. To Reach the location of the waterfall, visitors must descended the stairs within 500 meters.
The number of steps that you need to pass more or less totaled 200 steps. Be careful if you come after the rainfall, because the steps to the waterfall is quite slippery. Once you reach the last stairs, you will pass through the rocky path, in the middle - between waterfall and stairs, there stood a bridge. This bridge is the best spot to see the beautiful of waterfall Grojogan sewu . In addition to seeing the waterfalls, the Park Grojogan Sewu there is also a swimming pool, some outbound games such as flying fox, mini rafting and others.
How to get there Visitors can use a private vehicle or public transportation (bus) to the location of these attractions. The distance between Solo - Tawangmangu approximately 42 km uphill and the road conditions are not too wide, while the distance between Yogya - Solo approximately 65km, where the condition of the road is wide with a more dense traffic.
If you want to use public transport, visitors can ride by bus from Terminal Tirtonadi Solo - Tawangmangu. The route followed by Solo-Karanganyar-Karangpandan-Tawangmangu. The journey from Solo to the site can be taken for about a half hour. Arriving at the terminal Tawangmangu, visitors who use the public bus have to walk along approximately one kilometer to reach the location of attractions. Or you can also take public transportation called L300.
Travel tips 1. Prepare a map of Solo and the surrounding areas to avoid getting lost. You can utilize google map or google earth. 2. Be careful of the monkeys at the entrance, these monkeys are very interested in food, although hidden in a bag. 3. To enjoy the atmosphere of peace and quiet, you should come when not in Indonesia national holiday , because when holiday, the number of visitors are very much. 4. prepare for an replacement outfit. the air around the waterfall can make your clothes getting wet.
Kakaban located inDerawan Islands, District Derawan, Berau regency, East Kalimantan. Kakaban is one of the islands of the archipelago group Derawan nominated as a World Heritage Area. Kakaban attract foreign tourists with some of its uniqueness, the uniqueness in Kakaban is the lake on the island, Lake Kakaban.Kakaban Lake, is a lake of sea water were trapped in Kakaban, coupled with water from the soil and rain water from 2 million years ago. Lake Kakaban a prehistoric lake that is the time of transition Holosin. The extent of approximately 5 km², walled cliffs as high as 50 meters, which resulted in sea water is trapped no longer to get out, so it becomes a lake.
As an atoll which has the brackish water lagoon in it, Kakaban rare. Because, in this world , there are only two known to have similar conditions, namely Kakaban and the island of Palau in Micronesia, located 1,000 kilometers from the Philippines. Thus Kakaban is the only island in Indonesia which has a lake in the middle. This island ranks as the third highest world-class dive destination and make this island a dream island for divers.
The specialty of this lake is Kakaban jellyfish with four unique species of jellyfish. Located just 25 minutes from the island of Sangalaki, dip in the lake area of 5 km2, try to swim (and even contact) with a jellyfish without the sting! This unique species exist only in two places in the world. In the Palau Islands, Philippines. And here, in Kakaban! Snorkeling with the jellyfish do not sting will provide an unforgettable experience throughout your life!. The world has known some point dive diving around Kakaban, namely Barracuda Point, The Drift, Cabbage Patch, The Wall, Blue Light Cave, The Plateau, Rainbow Run, Diver's Delight and The North Face. Variations of the various types of dive sites are very interesting for experienced divers.
Kakaban Jellyfish Lake, the jellyfish are unique because no sting. Unlike the other jellyfish commonly found in the sea that have the ability to spout venom, on a jellyfish sting glands in the lake Kakaban (nematosit) has been reduced so it no longer harmful to humans. Four species of jellyfish found in the lake Kakaban are the moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita), spotted jellyfish (Mastigias papua), the box jellyfish (Tripedalia cystophora), and upside down jellyfish (Cassiopea ornata).
Moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita). This Jellyfish are known in English as the moon jelly is a type of jellyfish Kakaban which has the largest in size, between 50-40 cm. The Body shape is like a bowl of slightly transparent white with clover leaf motif at the end hood.
Spotted jellyfish (Mastigias papua). This jellyfish are also known as a lagoon spotted jelly, it has a size between 10-20 cm. And they are most numerous in Lake Kakaban. A unique, jellyfish lake Kakaban spots have a different character with a jellyfish spotted in general. In addition to the pattern of spots on his body that began to fade, which turns reddish color hood, even the tentacles are experiencing downsizing. Nematosit (sting glands) in the spotted jellyfish reduced to very small so it loses its ability to sting.
Box jellyfish (Tripedalia cystophora). Is the smallest jellyfish measuring about 0.7 to 1 cm. Although small, in the open sea habitat, box jellyfish become the one of the jellyfish sting with can be so deadly . But as the spotted jellyfish caught in the lake of Kakaban, has lost the ability to sting off lethal, because it has some reduction in nematosit gland .
upside-down jellyfish (Cassiopea ornata). It was the less unique and even a trade mark of Kakaban. This type of jellyfish swimming upside down with the tentacles at the top. Upside down jellyfish symbiosis with zooxanthella (a type of algae) attached at the bottom of the hood and the tentacles of jellyfish. To be able zooxanthella photosynthesize and produce food, upside-down jellyfish (Cassiopea ornata) goes inversely with the tentacles at the top and hood at the bottom.
How to get there
If you are from Jakarta, just looking for cheap tickets jkt-bpp-Tarakan (estimated 1.7 million PP) or can directly jkt-bpp-ticket to Berau Berau but can only be purchased at Aberdeen Airport, there is no online ordering (estimate 2, 4 million PP).
From Tarakan - Derawan - Tarakan (you can rent a speed boat because it was 3 hours so it was rather expensive rent of about 3 million for max 6 people) If it falls in Berau you have to travel to Tanjung Batu about 3 hours with a rented car (800-1 million cost of PP).
From Tanjung Batu to Derawan using Speedboat 20 minutes (cost 400 thousand PP) In Derawan many lodging choices, ranging from 50 thousand a night, 250 thousand to 400 thousand a night a night (cottages), located on the seafront location can direct fishing from the front room or swim together turtles there.
Tips
* Choose a route Jakarta-Balikpapan-Berau/TanjungBatu-Pulau Derawan.
* Choose a Flight Promo , the tickets are cheap so booked in advance.
* Speedboat selected who have the complete safety of equipment.
* Choose a lodging houses and close to the Cottage facilities.
* Prepare your own dive equipment so that each time could swim so much as enjoying the scenery of coral reefs and colorful fish.
* Take a trip as a family and groups that are lighter in financing Speedboad (Calculated per Speedboad with contents 5-40 people).
* Prepare Camera and Handycam that can stand in the water.
* Prepare an additional budget for diving when we used to dive deeper than 20-40 meters above sea level.
To compelete my post series about interesting tourist destination before we entering to Ubud Bali (the venue for BaliSpirit Festival 2012). This post will inform you where to get some traditional Balinese wood masks and sculpture crafts with good quality. The Bali wood masks and sculpture crafts center was located in the village mas, Gianyar, Bali. This Mas village located for approximately 20km from Denpasar city and 6 km before Ubud. Mas village communities have dynamics live oriented such as the other villages attractions major in Bali. They do some transformation from an agrarian society and continues to craft maker community until service sellers and souvenir trade. Mas village is a tourist village located in the the art network villages which is so mutually supportive and complementary of the surrounding villages.
Along the road in Mas village, it was developed some of the art shop that serves as the marketing and the production of statues and even accommodate the workforce as a carver, sculptor and engraver. The village is characterized in the art of carving wood sculptures that promote synergy characteristic humanism and naturalism. Statues of deities resembling coin lined up to have a very high artistic value. The results of these crafts can be found at any art shop that lined the road when entering the village of Mas.
The Strength from attraction of statues and masks which made by sculptors in the village mas is at the end of the result that looks very smooth on each sculpture and masks that have been so. Mask models that was sales in here leads to a form that is often used to any mask dance performances in Bali. Such as the barong dance, masks are used so realistic, so that adds to the perfection of the show. In addition to crafting a mask, the crafts of Mas village also makes some sculptures were coated with kepeng (pis perforated). Statues of deities resembling kepeng lined up to have a very high artistic value. The results of these crafts can be found at any art shop that lined the road when entering the village of Mas. If you are a collector of traditional statues and masks, then the village mas is the perfect place for you to complete the collection of Balinese statues and masks.
At the end for this series "road trip to Ubud" , we hope this information can help you to guide to the other tourist destination near ubud, Bali. More over if you had a plan to attend the Bali Spirit Festival which held in the end days of next march 2012. Happy reading and enjoy your road trip to Ubud 2012.
