The third highest of Indonesia’s 129 active volcanoes, Mount Rinjani raises 3,726 meters above sea level on Lombok Island. This tourists destination is surrounded by national park that of course will bring you into the refreshness.

Rinjani is characterized by lush rain-forest clinging to its slopes, and a huge caldera. Today, the crater lake thought to be 2,000 meters deep. Trekking to the rim is a great way to get an overview of the island, but it’s not without risk. Trekking is suggested for groups, not individual exploration. The volcano from time to time spits out plumes of ash and lava.

Java is the main island of Indonesia, as the capital of the country is in the island. In the tourism, many beautiful places can be explored and the tourists may uncover the worthy so called Indonesia Java International Destination.

Is Java worthy to be an International Tourist Destination?
The answer is absolutely yes. To come up with that answer we have to look at several reasons.

1. Social Life and Culture in Java
In the Island of Java exist many tribes with their own culture. Let’s see, from the west side of Java we have the Banten people who has the incredible Debus tradition. Betawi with its Ondel-ondel, Gambang Kromong, and various traditional culinary.

Moving a little bit to east we have Sundanese that mainly reside in Bandung, Cianjur, Tasikmalaya, that is in the West java Province. One original tradition still exist is those of Kampung Naga People.

In the Central and East Java we have the Javanese. The people of Java has many interesting culture and tradition. Take an example of those in Yogyakarta. They have Batik, Sekaten, Ramayana Ballet, and many more. Those who reside at beautiful Mount Bromo, known as the Tenggerese has unique tradition called Kasodo.

That are only a part of the cultural richness in Indonesia specifically Java for International Destination.

2. Places for Tourism Destination
Like Bali, Java has also the international grade beaches that relatively still genuine. Let say the chain of beaches in Yogyakarta like Sundak, Wediamba, and Baron. Millions of international tourist have pointed the destination to temples like Prambanan and Borobudur.

Traditional markets are worthy destinations in Java to not only observing the way people make transactions but also to get anything in a low price.

This article is submitted for Indonesia Travel Destination SEO Contest

Jayapura - Papua will have a big event in this year calendar which is Danau Sentani Festival (Lake Sentani Festival). This event will perform various indigenous cultures of Sentani and from other region in Indonesia. The event is starting from June 1st until June 5th, 2010.

The celebration is an important calendar of event in Papua. Beside Festival Bahari Raja Ampat, Festival Danau Sentani is worth to be visited. In the previous event, there are many tourist from Australia, Japan, Europe visited to give appreciation on the local culture living history.

Lake Sentani Photo by hobbes266

One of the event shows is dancing on the canoe. This is the indigenous culture of people around Lake Sentani. The dancer should be carefully dancing to keep the balance so that they won’t fall into the water. In the daily life, the local people do dancing on boat when they bring woods to build the meeting house.

Observing the native culture is very interesting, especially the local’s women activity to catch fishes while smoking. The different is that they put the ember in the mouth. The reason of smoking is to defeat the cold of the lake’s water.

Except those above indigenous culture show there will be Wayang Kulit (Shadow Puppet Show) from Central Java.

The Indonesian Minister of Culture and Tourism as the official tourist information center has launched Immigration on Board (IoB) in Ngurah Rai Airport, Bali. IoB is a service to arrange tourists’ document or Visa on Arrival on the plane. As an initial service, this program is only for certain destination.

[ad]
As the information for tourist, the Immigration on Board be effective since February 1st, 2010, for Garuda Indonesia flight from Narita, Japan. Visitors from Japan is 14 percents of the entire visitors to Bali after Australia which is 20 percents in 2009.

This program is hopefully will ease tourist so that they shouldn’t queue at the immigration counter. As further information, for the next step, the service is prepared for destinations from China, Australia, and Korea.
[ad#468x60-red]

Batam tourism information explain the new single tariff of Visa on Arrival (VoA) is really affecting the visit in the regency. Now, it has only one tariff that is ‘not selling’ the tourism. Most tourists visit from Singapore and Malaysia, for about three day of stay, but the visa on arrival really be a burden on tourists’ budget.

Before January 26, 2010, the government of Indonesia provide two tariffs of Visa on Arrival which are US$ 10 for 7 days of stay, and US$ 25 for 30 days of stay. The new tariff is US$ 25 to stay in Batam whether for one day or thirty days of stay.
[ad]
Tourism Information explained the year of 2010 is the time to campaign the tourism of Batam. It is now the year of ‘Visit Batam’. 1,2 million of tourists are targeted to visit this island. Therefore, it seems hard to achieve.

Many tourists from China, Korea, Japan, and Europe drop in Batam during their holidays in Singapore. They stay for about 3 days or even only a few hours. Therefore, they should pay US$ 25 for the visa. It seems not fair for them.

Furthermore, the Information from the Tourism center says there are 38 tourists from India cancel the visit due to the new tariff of visa on arrival in Batam Indonesia. It is expected the government will give special regulation for the regency.
[ad#468x60-red]

Bali is a wonderful island with its wonderful panoramas, culture, and hospitality. But, if you want to try something new, you may take a look at an island near to Bali namely Lombok. With the nuance of Balinese, Lombok is interesting vacations destination specifically for a couple who want to make the best honeymoon.

Everyone must like to make unforgettable honeymoon. To get that, they will carefully chose honeymoon vacations offered by many agents or resorts. Here in Lombok, there is a package from Qunci Pool Villas which is located at Mangsit Beach, Senggigi - Mataram.

[ad]
For only US$ 749, a couple will get best honeymoon vacations for three days and four nights accommodation at the Qunci Villas. It is the perfect package because superior facilities are given to bring the unforgettable memories. The Villas gives services like shuttle car from and to the airport, private pool, one time candle light dinner, two times dinner on the beach, two times of lunch, trips to Gili Nanggu and Kedis (small island at the south of West Lombok) include lunch, soft drink, tour guide, clean towel, and private boat. The trip’s schedule is given to inform the package in detail.

The Villas provides the best room with private pool for swimming with your spouse. The room is designed for perfect honeymoon so that the couple won’t loss their intimacy. Moreover, you may spend the whole day to enjoy the beautiful panorama of the surrounding.

Qunci Villa Pool Lombok

White sand of Mangsit Beach is achievable for a few minutes from the villa. If you love sunset, you may enjoy it while having special seafood in the restaurant. When in good weather, the beautiful panorama of the Lombok gulf and the Agung Mount of Bali will really giving refreshment for every visitors. Something that you would only say is ‘it was a perfect honeymoon vacations’.

[ad#468x60-red]

Bali will host the Asian Belly Dance Festival 2010. The festival will be held on February 25 to 28, 2010. Ayodya Resort at Nusa Dua is chosen as the venue for the event. Asian belly dancers will gather to conduct workshop, dance attraction, dance competition, talk show, and bazaar.

The world’s belly dance maestro fro the United States, Jiliana, is invited to give a workshop and to be the jury for the dance competition. She will perform colossal theatrical belly dance which the first time shown in Indonesia. Her presence will make this international event more important to join.
[ad]
Participants from 15 countries are confirmed to attend this festival. The countries are Singapore, Philippine, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, South Africa, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, India, Thailand, China, and South Korea.

Raja Ampat, a district in Papua - Indonesia gives serious attention for its tourism. It has strength in the maritime and is supported by  natural richness, cultural interest, and the unique of its art.  For its 7th anniversary, the local government via tourism information center announces the Maritime Festival (Festival Bahari) on May 2 to 9, 2010. Waisai is the town chosen to carry out the festival.

In this event, some activities performed such as underwater photo contest, paddle boat race, diving, beach volley ball tournament, and cultural attraction from the local people and participants from other regency like Wakatobi.
[ad]
Raja Ampat Tourist Information Center explains that the local people will perform its traditional boat which is used to sail the ocean. Furthermore, they will show their custom to consume mangrove fruits. Many attraction that had not been performed will be shown for the first time to surprise the tourists.

Raja Ampat photo from www.gorajaampat.com

Waisai, that is about 3 hours boating from Sorong, has no accommodation for tourists yet. But, the government will provide live aboard as floating hotels to accommodate the visitors.

Raja Ampat photo from www.gorajaampat.com

Raja Ampat Maritime Festival is planned to be annual event to increase visitors. Currently,there are some festivals in Papua such as Festival Lembah Baliem in Wamena - Jayawijaya, Festival Asmat, Festival Kamoro in Timika, and Festival Danau Sentani (Sentani Lake Festival) in Jayapura.

diving photo by wonder_lick

Indonesia is an archipelago country that consists of thousand of islands which have beauty in the underwater world that are worthy to be destinations of diving holidays. From Weh Island to Mearuke, the islands have their own characteristic of the underwater world. Here are the 8 best diving place to be visited during your travel in Indonesia.

1. Weh Island, Aceh
It has 20 diving spots which are possible for night dive. Ibioh is the fishermen village that is used as the base camp for every tourists who will dive there. The spots are achievable by boat for about 30 minutes. The best place is Batee Meudoro, about one hour from Weh. Here, e may see sharks, viz, big pelagic, Scorpion fish, leaffish, lion fish, and blue spotted rays.
[ad]
2. Alor, Nusa Tenggara Timur
Diving Holidays in Alor would be great as it has 40 spots offer beautiful scenery. species that we may see are sunfish, orca (’killer whale - dolphins that swim in group), pegasus sea moths, devil fish, mimic octopus, and the beautiful ornate sea horse.

3. Bontang, East Kalimantan
The diving is at Beras Basah, Segajah, and Selangan. The most interesting thing in Beras Basah is that its beach’s sand changes according to the season and winds, the manta rays, and turtles.
In Segajah is only seen on low tide. It is about 20 minutes from Bontang Kuala.
Selangan is a fisherman village for tourism attraction which has healthy corals.

4. Tarakan, East Kalimantan
Except those above location, East Kalimantan still has Derawan, Samama, Sangalaki, Maratua, and Panajang. The most famous place is Derawan which has magnificent coral and rare species. Species that are commonly seen are manta, scaled turtles, belimbing turtles, sea cows, and jelly fish. In addition, it has various crabs.

5. Lombok, Nusa Tenggara Barat
Lombok has three spots which are Gili Air, Gili Trawangan, and Gili Meno. Gili Air has the most complete species like sharks, eagle ray, manta rays, and turtles.

6. Sorowako, South Sulawesi
One of the most interesting diving point is Karang Tengah. Here, your holiday will be unforgettable. To go to the place we have to ‘fight’ the wave of Bone Gulf. Soft and hard corals form beautiful underwater park. In addition, we would see white tip reef sharks swim across the divers.
Another place in Sorowako is Mangkasa point to see ‘nemo’,
rainbow eyes, parrot fish, and spotted stingray fish.

7. Wakatobi, South East Sulawesi
The world’s famous point is Wakatobi which has location like coral garden, House Reef, Cornucopia, and Roma. The most recomended are Cornucopia, and Roma.
At Cornucopia we would see beautiful coral fishes, white tip sharks, eagle rays, mobula rays, and nurse sharks.
At Roma which is recognized as the world’s best diving holidays we would see fusilier, red-tooth triggerfish, banded sea snakes and many more.
[ad#468x60-red]
8. Bunaken, North Sulawesi
Bunaken has 70 percents of the fishes of west Pacific. The points are Black Rock, Depan Kampung, Lekuan, Tanjung Kopi, Bunaken Timur, Fukui Point, and Mandolin Point. The most recomended are Depan Kampung, Tanjung Kopi, and Mandolin Point. Those have calm wave and great view so that beginner divers may dive there.

Borobudur, the temple at Magelang, Central Java, is an interesting Hindu heritage in Indonesia. Every year, thousand of people visit to observe the unique stone carving and to prove how great is the civilization in the past year. Starting from January 15, 2010, it raise the price of the entrance ticket. PT. Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur as the management promises to give more facilities to all visitors for both domestic and international tourists.

The facilities for the tourists that are promised to be better are free toilet, no charge for tourist to take photos and video, and better service in the tourist information. In addition, the management provide video about Borobudur, museum in the Giant Ship and museum Karmawibangga that are free to enter.
[ad]
The tourist information explains that the price of the domestic tickets are now IDR 15,000 for Monday - Friday, children IDR 10,000, IDR 17,500 for Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays, and IDR 11,000 for children. The ticket for special day like Christmas, New Year, and Idul Fitri is IDR 25,000 for adult and IDR 12,500 for children.

For international holiday tourists, the ticket price is US$ 15 for adult and US$ 8 for children. According to the Borobudur’s tourist information, the facilities for international visitors is including to ride park train.

There is a new regulation applicable from February, 2010, that every visitors should wear local’s batik sarong in order to respect the heritage.