Ponorogo : The mainly cultural arts of Reog performance

Reog is a cultural art performing by dance theater that has a high cultural value and unique. These art of Culture is derived from Ponorogo district, East Java, which is considered as the home town of Reog art. Reog conducted by a group of performers dance with various characters and characterization, The performance of Reog is always accompanying with some of gamelan players and singers who performed the song with the local language. Reog Ponorogo emerged as a form of magical ceremonies with local beliefs that would brought a thick aura of magic and mysticism, as the changing times, Reog Ponorogo was changed becoming a form of entertainment and theater folk art. Modern Reog usually performed in several events such as weddings, circumcisions and national major holidays. Reog told about the struggle for a prince who will propose to a lovely pretty princess .

The show of Reog maid instruments that usually using kempul, tap, kenong, handheld, ketipung, angklung and especially salompret, who voiced tone and slendro. which is giving a rise to mystical atmosphere, unique, exotic and uplifting. One group of Reog usually consists of a Warok old, some young warok, pembarong, dancers Bujang Ganong and King Kelono Suwandono. Number of reog group ranged from 20 to 30-person, the main role is in the hands of warok and pembarong.

Reog Ponorogo performing art consists of several series of 2 to 3 opening dance. The first dance is usually performed by 6-8 brave men dressed all in black, with polished face into red. The dancers depict the brave lion. And the next is a dance performed by 6-8 girls who ride horses . In traditional reog, these dancers are usually played by male dancers with dressed as a women. This dance is called the braid horse dance. If there are another opening dance, is usually using dance by a little boy who brought a funny scene. After the opening dance is finished, the new core scene displayed the contents of which depend reog condition where art is displayed. If associated with the wedding scene shown is romance. For the celebration of circumcision, is usually a story of warriors.

The last scene is the barong lion, where the actors wore masks performing by head of a lion with a crown made of peacock feathers. The players who wear the masks are commonly referred as "pembarong". Pembarong, must have an extra strength. He must have a good jaw strength, to withstand the bite of a burden called "sudden Peacock" which is forming of by tiger's head adorned with hundreds of strands of peacock feathers six feet tall and can weigh up to an 50-pounds during the show.



The scene in the art of reog usually do not follow a neat scenario. There is always interaction between the player and puppeteer (usually the leader of the group) and sometimes with the audience. Sometimes a player's performances can be replaced by another player when the main player had fatigue. The more overlooked in the staging of art reog is to give satisfaction to the audience. Until now people Ponorogo only follow what their heritage as a very rich cultural . In the experience of Reog Ponorogo art is copyright from human creations which formed as belief currents that is hereditary and awake.

Reog dance is also staged full moon nightly in paseban, Ponorogo Town Square.The visitors can enjoy this traditional dance mainly in Ponorogo, East Java - Indonesia. The only area that has REOG dance is Ponorogo, Indonesia , not in other country.

Best Travelers' Choice World Destinations for 2011

Here they are , The best 7 town around the world for travelers

1. Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. Located on the shore of Table Bay, Cape Town was originally developed by the Dutch East India Company as a victualling (supply) station for Dutch ships sailing to Eastern Africa, India, and the Far East.There are over 70 peaks above 1,000 feet (300 m) (the American definition of a mountain) within Cape Town's official city limits. Many of the suburbs of Cape Town are on the large plain of the Cape Flats, which joins the peninsula to the mainland. The Cape Flats lie on what is known as a rising marine plain, consisting mostly of sandy geology which shows that at one point Table Mountain itself was an island.

2. Sydney, Australia
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. The city is built on hills surrounding Port Jackson which is commonly known as Sydney Harbour, where the iconic Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge feature prominently. The hinterland of the metropolitan area is surrounded by national parks, and the coastal regions feature many bays, rivers, inlets and beaches including the famous Bondi Beach. Within the city are many notable parks, including Hyde Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

3. Machu Picchu, Peru
Machu Picchu is situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, which is 80 kilometres (50 mi) northwest of Cusco and through which the Urubamba River flows. Most archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti (1438–1472). Often referred to as the "Lost City of the Incas", it is perhaps the most familiar icon of the Inca World. Machu Picchu was built in the classical Inca style, with polished dry-stone walls. Its three primary buildings are the Intihuatana, the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of the Three Windows. These are located in what is known by archaeologists as the Sacred District of Machu Picchu.

4. Paris, France
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France. Three of the most famous Parisian landmarks are the 12th-century cathedral Notre Dame de Paris on the Île de la Cité, the Napoleonic Arc de Triomphe and the 19th-century Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower was a "temporary" construction by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 Universal Exposition, but the tower was never dismantled and is now an enduring symbol of Paris. The Historical axis is a line of monuments, buildings, and thoroughfares that run in a roughly straight line from the city-centre westwards.

5. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio de Janeiro ( River of January), commonly referred to simply as Rio is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th largest in the Americas, and 26th in the world. In Rio there are important cultural landmarks, like the Biblioteca Nacional (National Library in Portuguese), the seventh largest library in the world, its collections include over 9 million items; the Theatro do Rio, Built on principles of 20th century; the National Museum of Fine Arts; the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden; the Imperial Square; the Brazilian Academy of Letters; the Museu de Arte Moderna do Rio de Janeiro (pt); and the Natural History Museum.

6. New York City, United States
New York City is located in the Northeastern United States, in southeastern New York State, approximately halfway between Washington, D.C. and Boston. New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. Located on one of the world's largest natural harbors New York City consists of five boroughs which were consolidated in 1898.Many districts and landmarks in New York City have become well known to its nearly 50 million annual visitors. Times Square, iconified as "The Crossroads of the World", is the brightly illuminated hub of the Broadway theater district,one of the world's busiest pedestrian intersections, and a major center of the world's entertainment industry. The city hosts many world renowned bridges, skyscrapers,and parks.

7. Rome, Italy
Rome is in the Lazio region of central Italy on the Tiber river (Italian: Tevere). The original settlement developed on hills that faced onto a ford beside the Tiber island, the only natural ford of the river in this area. The Rome of the Kings was built on seven hills: the Aventine Hill, the Caelian Hill, the Capitoline Hill, the Esquiline Hill, the Palatine Hill, the Quirinal Hill, and the Viminal Hill. One of the symbols of Rome is the Colosseum (70–80 AD), the largest amphitheatre ever built in the Roman Empire. Originally capable of seating 60,000 spectators, it was used for gladiatorial combat. A list of important monuments and sites of ancient Rome includes the Roman Forum, the Domus Aurea, the Pantheon, Trajan's Column, Trajan's Market, the Catacombs, the Circus Maximus, the Baths of Caracalla, Castel Sant'Angelo, the Mausoleum of Augustus, the Ara Pacis, the Arch of Constantine, the Pyramid of Cestius, and the Bocca della Verità.

Free ebook : Air Travel Safety Secrets

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It is a myth that airline travel is safe when it comes to your health and well-being. Did you know that nearly half of all airline flights cause serious illness or distress to one or more passengers'? Did you know that airline travel is less safe than car travel in terms of death and injury’? Did you know that it is unsafe for pregnant women to fly? Did you know that more airline passengers die from flight-induced illness lhan from air crashes'? All these questions are fully addressed in this book, and much more. Read and follow the simple advice given in this book and you will greatly increase your safety as an airline passenger.
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Bali : Places of Interest on Bedugul.

Bedugul is a cool mountain area in Bali. Bedugul located about two hours drive from the Ngurah Rai International Airport. Bedugul has many beautiful tourism objects and facilities; even you will see beautiful sights along your journey to this location. The Eka Karya Botanical Garden (the only botanical garden in Bali) located in Bedugul area, among Lake Beratan, Lake Tamblingan, Lake Buyan and natural forest in the west part. At the edge of Lake Beratan you will see the Ulun Danu Temple which is beautifully and harmoniously featured with the surrounding nature. Some water sports activities are provided in this lake e.g. fishing, skiing, diving and parasailing. Yes, clear air and environment with its beautiful surrounding make Bedugul area as one of the best and favorite holiday sites in Bali.


The beauty places you can visit in Bedugul

TAMBLINGAN LAKE
Tamblingan Lake is a lake located on the north slope of Mount Dimples, Munduk Village, Banjar sub- District, Buleleng District, Bali. As one natural tourist attraction, Lake Tamblingan is not developed in the direction of modern tourism in order to preserve the nature and the environment. The main attraction of this place not only its natural charm, but also because of the many temples that stores the history and development of civilization and culture of Bali, especially concerning the formation and development of Tamblingan Village.

BUYAN LAKE
Buyan Lake is a smallest lake in Bali located just a next door of Tamblingan Lake. It is located in the plateau area with cool weather cover it. It is situated in the high land with hill and rain forest surrounds it. Since the location in the plateau area, the fog is usually blanketing the area. This lake can be seen from the top of hill which is called Asah Gobleg. Asah Gobleg it self is the name of the countryside located on the top of hill where the villager with agriculture life on top of it. Buyan Lake own the broadness about 3,9 Km, with the maximum of deepness of Buyan lake is 87 meters and the water volume is 0,116 km3. As a tourist destination, Buyan Lake can be seen from Asah Gobleg Village and it has been available the stop point with traditional chair along the road. The temperature in this place is relative cool in particular at the night time and it is many visited by tourists in particular from local.

BERATAN LAKE
Beratan Lake is a beautiful wide lake encircled by the cool temperature and blanketed by fog especially in the evening. The water is clear and calm with beautiful Mountain as backdrop view that make you will forbear staying there. There are plenty of traditional boats standby at the lakeside which is used by fisherman and found local people are fishing to add the beauty of this place. This lake is strategically located beside of the main road from Denpasar to Singaraja town and the best time to visit is from 08.00 am – 15.00 pm.

BEDUGUL BOTANICAL GARDEN
Bedugul Botanical Garden or Kebun Raya Eka Karya is also completed by 524 birches which are still in its original forest. In this place we can meet the collection from America, South America, China, Japan, Australia, Africa and also Netherlands. Cyathea Garden is one of the specific gardens owning the various collections of Paku-pakuan (tropical vegetable) which can be eaten as vegetable by Balinese and some of them are used for decoration. The tree from this nail Cyatheas are often exploited as growth media of various orchid types. Cactus collections are consisted of 104 types. This cactus is obtained from Africa, America, Germany, Switzerland and also Indonesia. The crop season at botanical garden is taken 94 types plants that are the collection from the exploitation for Balinese life ceremony, temple ceremony, devoting/offering and others purpose. It also owns the collection of drug crop with 84 types/species.

ULUN DANU TEMPLE
Ulun Danu Temple is a famous Hindu temple located in the lakeside of Beratan and owns the beautiful panorama with Beratan Lake and mountain as a backdrop view. When the lake water is going up, this temple is looked like adrift above water because the water encircles it. It is situated in the cool area and mountain with breathtaking view and many tourist visits this place every day in particular on the day time.

TAMAN AYUN TEMPLE
Taman Ayun Temple, Bedugul toursTaman Ayun Temple is a big temple located in Mengwi District and Badung regency. It is one of the heritance from the empire of Mengwi with beautiful temple building and the big fishpond surrounds it. This Temple owns the building boosting high and joins with others with beautiful decoration and it is designed by Balinese architecture.

FRUIT AND VEGETABLE TRADITIONAL MARKET
Fruit Market Bedugul is a traditional market to sell the fresh vegetable and fruit that is very famous and many visited by tourist especially by local tourist. It is one of the tourist destinations in Bali presenting unique local community activities by serving the variety of agricultural product like fresh vegetables, fruit, corn, peanut, union, tomato etc. This market is opened from 7:00 am and closed at 18:00.

Tips to packing before traveling

Bags, an important element during a vacation. All kinds of stuff you need while on vacation would be in the bag. To facilitate access to complete all your needs, proper packing is the solution that you must do before making the trip. The lack of accuracy, adequacy in the packing of goods, it can be difficult for you during travel especially relating to a matter of time. There are a few tips and tricks for those of you who have not been accustomed to packing luggage, and here they are some tips to pack your stuff .


Things to consider before packing

1. Adjust how long the day that you spend for a vacation with a large amount of clothing brought.
2. Find information about the destination field conditions that you want to go, and specify the activity you want to do
3. Classify the types of goods into two categories, items with large size and small-sized and lightweight goods.
4. Bring a big suitcase and a backpack, this is better than a small suitcase in large quantities
5. Complete the suitcase with the identity.
6. Do not force to pack the goods with excessive content.
7. Remember that you will buy new stuff during vacation, and therefore provide enough place.

Things to do when packing

1. Money and travel documents.
-.Put your passport, ID, ticket and document in one special pocket in your hand carry. This way will be easier to find, save time, and you don’t have to scramble your bag just to find the document.

2. Accessories and clothing.
-. Bring some dark-colored clothing to be worn many times and is suitable to be integrated with many models of clothes.
-. Bring some extra accessories such as scarves, necklaces, or brooches in order to sweeten the clothes. So you can wear the same clothes twice, but combined with different accessories.
-. Fold and roll the clothes first. As well as saving space, rolled-up clothing can also reduce tangles on your shirt. For clothing shirt made from a lightweight and thin, can roll up as many as two or three pieces at once.
-. There are good before putting into the bag, put the clothes into plastic bags first . This prevents clothes getting wet in case of rain. unless you're used traveling waterproof suitcase.
-. Always prepare a plastic bag , it may reserve sufficiently to bring your dirty clothes. Soiled clothing should also be folded before being put into the bag.
-. Save a set of clothing and separate them into different bags. Of course as anticipation for emergency reasons, in case your suitcase or backpack that you enter to the luggage was lost or missed. If the worry will increase the burden bag, choose clothing with lightweight materials such as cotton or jerseys.

3. Cosmetics, toiletries and emergency medications .
-. If you going by flight and you bring cosmetics or toiletries, you may not bring liquid or gel substance in your hand carry bag, due to airport security procedure.
-. Don’t forget to put in your liquid cosmetics or toiletries in a waterproof pouch or a plastic bag to avoid the leaking or broken tube and exposed to your clothing.
-. Choose cosmetics and toiletries in mini or travel pack.
-. Fragile stuff like perfume bottle, shall be put it in a plastic bag or waterproof pouch and put it among your clothes so it might have cushion in case of got hit or bump.
-. Carry emergency medications that have been grouped into a separate small bag that you can take while traveling.


Hopefully some of these tips can help you during packing. Happy packing :)

Menjangan diving sites , Bali

The island of Menjangan can be dived year-round as it offers some of the most protected diving in Bali. The clarity of the water can, at times, be amazing, and the best in Bali.Menjangan is actually famous for the wall-diving , and the walls drop down to 30 metres on the south coast and 60 metres to the east. They are decorated with an enormous proliferation of gorgonian fans, pink, purple, green, yellow, orange, and some very large specimens too. The walls are full of small nooks and crannies, overhangs, and bigger cavelettes, crevasses, etc. They are covered with soft corals, gorgonian fans, sponges. .


Reef Basics

Walls and wreck dive, excellent visibility
Depth: 5 - >40m
Visibility: 20 - 40m
Currents: Moderate
Surface conditions: Calm
Water temperature: 26 - 28°C
Experience level: Beginner - Advanced
Number of dive sites: 9
Diving season: All year round, but can be choppy in August
Distance: ~110 km northwest of Kuta (3 hours)

Descriptions:

* Pos I
located on the south west of Menjangan Island. This site is usually used as a diving training area for beginners with its nice protected white sandy slope.

* Cave point
This site gets its name from the caves along the reefs. They are found in 9-12 m. of water and do not go far into the reef walls so they are very safe to explore. The caves are havens for small fish and invertebrates, like the nudibranchs and tiny baitfish that live amongst the corals and tube sponges. This site is perfect for challenging photography. Morning sunlight can create dramatic photographic situations of the reef life.

* Pos II
is actually a ranger station located on Menjangan’s most southeasterly point. It is usually a relaxing drift dive. The dive starts at 12 meters where the white sandy slope meets the top of the wall, and there is a large cave with a narrow entry (around 3 meters) that leads to a large chamber where you can see a window, which lets the lights beautifully go through. Slowly descending the wall, drifting with the current you will see a profusion of soft corals, sponges, and an abundance of gorgonian. The surface of the wall is full of crevasses, cracks and overhangs which hide many treasures. There is the occasional cave too.

* Bat Cave
located on the east coast. As the water here is crystal clear, you can dive down to 30 meters and your visibility still up to 30 meters as well. It has stiff slope, rich of gorgonians, several types of corals, variety of fishes like white tip reef sharks, turtles, batfish, triggerfish, angelfish, butterfly fish, damselfish and anemone fish.

* Temple point
Sloping dive sites, shallow reef-top. El Nino conditions damaged some of the heavy coral; soft corals have since recovered and are healthy and vibrant. Along the slope, look for soft corals, gorgonian fans & sponge life. Lobster hide themselves under coral and ovderhangs. Blue spotted rays explore the sight, especially the sandy terrain, looking for food. White-tip sharks are seen resting on sandy plains at about 30m.This site had small marine life, great for snorkelling and all level of divers.

* Coral Garden
This site is a drop-off, a more gradual slope than the extreme walls of its south-coast competitors. Many entry points have sandy bottoms that creep over into fields of flowing soft corals, and there are many of burrowing creatures include the blind shrimp, goby, reef fish, nudibranchs and various anemones.

* The Anker Wreck
Actually it is the Kapal Budak site, located on northwest. Dive guides named this site as The Anker because there is an anchor from an old wooden shipwreck from early 19th century that lies on the shallows at about 6 meters. You will lead down the wall to 35 meters by the encrusted chain, than you will find a second anchor and the shipwreck itself. Follow the wall down to 30 metres depth. The bow of the wreck lies at the bottom of the wall and whip corals and gorgonians. The deepest section is the stern at 50 metres, and this is home to white-tip reef sharks. Whip corals, sponges and gorgonians lives in the deepest part of the wreck, while the reef wall is beautifully rugged with overhangs, shallow caves, shelves and cracks.

* Garden Eel
Located on the west coast, Menjangan Strait. Just like its name, it is the home of a large numbers of garden eels and you will see some of the most healthy and diverse coral on Menjangan. The cracks and breaks in the wall are filled with a great diversity of reef fish. Divers might encounter white tip sharks, turtles, barracuda, jackfish, lionfish, leaf scorpion fish and banner fish too. The site is a slope with white sandy bottom at around 20 meters deep and receives current quite frequently.

occupy oakland

The Occupy Movement is spreading and some cities can handle it better than others. Oakland decided a heavy-handed tactic was needed and sent in the police to destroy the tent camp and attack demonstrators with teargas and rubber bullets.

City employees survey a closed-down camp of anti-Wall Street protesters in Oakland, California October 25, 2011. Police cleared an anti-Wall Street protest in Oakland, California, early on Tuesday, breaking up an overnight camp at a plaza near city hall that has been the site of two weeks of demonstrations, a city spokeswoman said. REUTERS/Kim White

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