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21
January

Durai island is an island located in Palmatak district, Anambas Islands regency, Riau Islands Province. The island is a habitat of hawksbill sea turtle and leatherback sea turtle, and a conservation of turtle. Because of that, local people also call the island as Turtle island. To access the island from Batam visitor can use pioneering aircraft to Matak airport on Palmatak island by taking around 2 hours. Then, it is continued by land transportation to the port which has a distance of around 2 Kms. From the port, the trip is continued by using speed boat to Tarempa port for one and a half hour. From the port, visitor can rent speed boat to Durai island.The clear sea water around the island makes visitor can enjoy the beauty of marine biotas surrounding the island without diving. If you wait until afternoon, you will see a turtle group that pulls over and make a nest at the beach of the island. In addition to a turtle conservation place, Durai island does not have enough facility yet. So, if you want to visit the island, you should ensure that you bring your own foods and beverages.

19
December

Angeun Lada

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Published in Indonesian Wonder

Banten is a province in Indonesia which rapidly develops. The province, that was a part of West Java province, also experiences development in various fields, such as tourism.  A lot of quite popular tourism destinations in Banten are crowded by tourists. Take for example: Tanjung Lesung beach, Baduy hamlet and many others. Not only natural tourism destination, but also Banten culinary is also trying. One of Banten typical culinary is Angeun Lada.Angeun Lada is Banten typical food which is actually from Sundanese tribe. Angeun means vegetable, while lada means spicy. So, Angeun Lada is vegetable which has spicy flavor. The main material of this food is tripe cow which is mixed with vegetable. The main ingredient is typical leaf called walang leaf. This leaf has very strong aroma. Other ingredients are red onions, candlenut, garlic and galanga.Banten people usually serve Angeun Lada as obligatory dish in great celebration, such as Eid ul-Fitr. In addition, the food is usually served during a family gathering. Thus it is enough to prove that Angeun Lada is one of Banten typical food which has an important role. Even, Angeun Lada has been determined as Intangible Cultural Heritage by Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture. The determination was signed on September 14, 2016.Angeun Lada, the Intangible Cultural Heritage from Banten is worth tasting. If you have a plan to visit Banten, please set your time to try Angeun Lada. You can find Angeun Lada at Sukarel Pandeglang square on Jalan Curug Sawer, Pandeglang, Banten.

11
December

 

Indonesian Wonder, a daily segment featuring information about arts, tourism, culinary, and culture. In today's edition, we would introduce you about Topeng Ireng Dance. 

Magelang is one of cities in Central Java Province. Talking about Magelang's tourism, we view that Magelang City is famous for some destinations, such as Mt. Andong and Borobudur Temple. Besides, the city has rich and enchanting local cultures. One of them is Topeng Ireng Dance. Topeng Ireng or also known as Dayakan is a traditional art that grows in Magelang Regency, Central Java. Topeng Ireng or Dayakan Dance is a new creation of folk dance.

The name ‘Topeng Ireng’ is derived from the words Toto, Lempeng, Irama, and Kenceng. The word Totomeans organizing. Lempeng means straight. Irama means rhythm. Meanwhile, Kenceng means hard. Therefore, when performing Topeng Ireng Dance, the dancers line up straightly and the dance is accompanied by music with hard and energetic rhythm. Topeng Ireng dance is a form of traditional art that integrates Islamic teachings with Indonesian martial art called Pencak Silat. No wonder that Topeng Ireng Dance is accompanied by dynamic music and Islamic songs. The Topeng Ireng dance not only disseminates Islamic teachings, but also portrays the life of rural community on the slope of Mt. Merbabu. The rigid movements of the dance symbolize the physical strength of the villagers when fighting against their enemies and adapting with nature in a bid to survive.

Topeng Ireng Dance is believed to have developed in the community surrounding the area of Mt. Merbabu since the Dutch occupation in Indonesia. During the Dutch occupation, people were prohibited from practicing Pencak Silat by the Dutch government so that the people created innovation of folk dance based on the movements of Pencak Silat. The dance was accompanied by Javanese musical instrument called Gamelan and Javanese songs. The Javanese songs contained lessons about life and Islamic values. Since then, Topeng Ireng Dance has expanded more. If Muslims build a mosque or prayer room, the dome of the mosque will be paraded by people before being placed. Local people will participate in the parade and it is enlivened by a dance which is accompanied by tambourine and Islamic songs. The art is later known as Topeng Ireng.

Topeng Ireng Dance has simple movements. Because the most important aspect of this dance is harmony. The more dancers participate in, the more beautiful the collaboration is. The movements of the dance are also adapted from pencak silat martial art which has been modified. From time to time, innovation has been carried out in every Topeng Ireng Show. The costumes of the dancers are the most attractive thing from the dance. Colorful feather ornaments that look like the throne of Indian chief tribe embellish the heads of the dancers. Their make-up and costumes also resemble to Indian tribe. Their costumes are featured with tassels and they have bright colors. Meanwhile for the bottom part, the dancers wear skirts decorated with tassels. In Topeng Ireng show, there are some musical instruments which enliven the dance such as Gamelan, Kendang or a drum-like instrument, Bendeor a gong-like instrument, flute, and tambourine. The flow of the rhythmic music which harmonizes with the movements and the chants of the dancers make Topeng Ireng dance become more attractive and dynamic.

12
December

Tretes-Prigen region, Pasuruan regency is mountain area which has a lot of natural tourism potentials. Waterfall is one of attractions of the region. Take for example Putuk Truno waterfall. This place is one of tourism objects in Pasuruan that should be visited when holiday in Pasuruan.Putuk Truno waterfall is a favorite destination of Pasuruan people. On weekend, this place is always crowded by a lot of local tourists or from outside region. The beauty of its nature makes anybodywants to stay longer. The water which falls into the pool is very exotic and has clear color. With a height of 45 meters, Putuk Truno waterfall becomes the most beautiful waterfall in East Java. Besides its clear water, the rainbow which can be enjoy from a close distance, also becomes an attraction of this tourism object.Every tourism object certainly has its own myth, no exception with Putuk Truno waterfall. If you soak under the waterfall, you will get eternal love. The myth becomes the basic to name it, Putuk Truno waterfall.Putuk means snake and Truno is taken from the name of Joko Taruno, the son of King Hayam Wuruk and concubine. The king fell in love with Sri Gading Lestari, the daughter of Raden Arya Wiraraja. But their relation was not blessed, because Joko Taruno is a son of concubine. Finally, Raden Arya Wiraraja hidden his daughter at Coban Baung in Purwodadi, Pasuruan. Joko Taruno decided to meditate asking for help to the God. When meditating, his body suddenly changed to be a snake. With the supernatural powers he possessed, Joko Taruno was able to penetrate miracle fortress which fenced off Sri Gading Lestari. Without the knowledge of her father, Sri Gading Lestari ran away to meet her lover. Finally, they met at waterfall that is currently well known with the name Putuk Truno.Its natural scenery and also fresh air certainly can spoil tourist. There are number of facilities provided by the management of Putuk Truno waterfall as supporting convenience of traveling. If you are interested to visit this tourism object, the access to go there is quite easy. You can drive from Pasuruan to Prigen district. From there, you take left and go stright for about 200 metersuntil the gateway of the tourism object. To enter Putuk Truno waterfall complex, you must pay the entrance ticket only Rp10,000 per person.

10
December

Mepar island is located in Riau Islands province. The island has not only beautiful scenery, but also historical sites. Mepar island is at the South of Lingga island. Administratively, the island is at Mepar village, Lingga district, Riau Island province. Mepar island is well-known for its tourism history. One of them is  4 fortresses of heritage of Riau-Lingga Kingdom. The 4 fortresses are Hilir fortress, Lekok fortress, Tanjung Segi Tiga fortress and Tengah fortress. Lekok fortress is located on the hill and it directly faces with Buton bay which is at Lingga island and it is equipped with 7 canons. Unfortunately, those fortresses are damaged and overgrown with wild plants. However, some visitors are still interested to visit it. Besides there are some historical sites, the local people, who live on Mepar island, also become interesting attraction of this island. Until now, they still preserve shelter of Tanah Bunda Melayu. Every tourist who comes to this island, does not need to rent lodging because the local people will be pleased to be visited by tourist who wants to stay at night on Mepar island. Because, Mepar island’s residents preserve their heritage “adoptive parents” meaning every visitor who comes to their village, is their kid who needs shelter. To reach Mepar island from Batam Bintan island or Jagoh Dabo, we can use sea transportation at Singkep seaport on Singkep island every day . Thus, visitor must continue the trip by using speed boat to Mepar island. It takes around 30 minutes.

01
December

“Indonesian Wonder,” a daily segment featuring tourism, culinary arts, fine arts and culture from various regions across Indonesia. In today’s edition, we will invite you to Malang, East Java. 

Malang City has its own attraction which is very tempting to be visited by tourists. Although its location is isolated, the place has beautiful exotic nature.  Air Jenon water springs is the name of the place which is currently visited by a lot of tourists.

Jenon water springs is located at Gunung Ronggo village, Tajinan district, Malang regency. The water springs has beautiful clear water which has turquoise color and very exotic. If sunlight illuminates the water springs, Jenon water springs has varies depth, beginning from 1.5 and 4 meters. In the water springs, there is some fresh and Sengkaring fish which makes the water springs more beautiful. At the Eastern of the pool, there is a big fallen tree which is hundreds year old, that adds exoticism of the Jenon water springs.

The location of the Jenon water springs is only around 20 kilometers from Malang City. If you use personal car, you only take 45 minutes. From Malang city, you can take the road to Gadang-Bululawang. Arriving at the junction of Bululawang market, you will see the  direction to Tajinan. You just follow the direction until Gunung Renggo village.  At the village, you just look for big statue of Sengkaring fish at the right road because that is the location of Jenon water springs. This tourism object is free of charge. You only pay parking ticket Rp. 5000.

After parking your car, the trip is continued by tracking 50 meters to Jenon water springs. When arriving at the destination, you will be amazed with the scenery of its nature. Water springs is so clear and Sengkaring fish can be seen clearly in the pool. Its water is so cool. Jenon water springs’ atmosphere is so beautiful. Moreover, there are big trees surrounding the pool so that sunlight does not directly illuminate your body. Because pool at the Jenon water springs is natural, we suggest you to be careful. Here, you can rent rubber tire with rental cost Rp 5000 until Rp 7000.  At Jenon complex, there are also facilities, such as small mosque and rest room. If you are thirsty or hungry, you do not have to worry, because there are stalls surrounding the complex.

27
November

Welcome back to Indonesian Wonder, a daily segment featuring information about arts, culinary, and tourism. In today's edition, we will introduce you about Endog-Endogan Festival

Last November the 20th, Banyuwangi People in East Java gathered around to hold the Endog-Endogan Festival in a bid to commemorate the birth of Prophet Muhammad SAW. The event was festively held. Thousands of endhog flowers were paraded from 4 different directions: east, west, north, and south to the meeting point of the event in front of the Banyuwangi Regional Government, East Java. The parade of the endhog flowers was accompanied by the beat of rebana (Tambourine) and the Kunthul Dance which is originally from Banyuwangi. Each of the festival's participant also brought instant food called Ancak.

In using language (Local Language of Banyuwangi Tribe), Endog means egg. In this festival, hundreds of eggs are placed on a bamboo decorated with paper flowers. These are known as endhog flowers. The endhog flowers are arranged on a decoration board called Judang. Judang is typically made of banana stem and cork. But, it can also be made of other materials. The development of age encourages people to be more creative in making endog arrangement. Nowadays, the shapes of endog are not only flowers but also barong (lion-like creature),dragon, airplane, and even cone. Usually, in one Judang board, there are 27, 33, or 99 endog flowers.

The Endog-endogan tradition of Banyuwangi historically dated back in the end of the 18th century. AnUlema (Islamic Cleric) from Cemoro Songgon Village named KH. Abdullah Faqih utilized the creative tradition made of eggs to disseminate dakwah (Messages about Islam). The tradition uses eggs because eggs are the symbol of birth. Meanwhile, flowers are the symbol of worship. The festival which is the distinctive tradition of Banyuwangi people is held to express Banyuwangi people's love for Prophet Muhammad SAW.

A series of events of the Endog-endogan festival is closed by the delivering of Islamic lecture and prayers presented by Ustad (Islamic Cleric). Later, people will eat together the instant food named Ancak. Meanwhile, the endog flowers are given to the visitors of the festival. The Endog-endogan Festival is held to not only preserve the tradition of Banyuwangi people but also to promote the tourism of Banyuwangi. Usually, the festival is held every Rabiul Awal (Islamic Month), especially from 12 Rabiul Awal until the end of the month.

That was Indonesian Wonder about Endog-Endogan Festival. See you tomorrow with other interesting topics!

22
November

PAYANGAN BEACH

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Published in Indonesian Wonder

 

Welcome back to Indonesian Wonder, a daily segment featuring tourism, culinary arts, fine arts, and culture from various regions across Indonesia. Today, we will present you about Payangan Beach, East java. So, stay tuned.

 

Jember is one of regencies in East Java. The regency becomes one of main tourism destinations in East Java. The tourism destinations in Jember mostly dominated with beach because it borders directly with Indian Ocean to the south. There are various   interesting beach tourism objects in Jember. One of them is Payangan Beach.

 

Listener, Payangan Beach is located at Payangan Hamlet, Sumberrejo Village, Ambulu Sub-district. The distance of the beach from Jember is around 32 kilometres which takes about one hour trip. The entrance tariff of Payangan Beach is quite affordable. It is onlyRp5.000. When you arrived at the beach, you will see a vast Payangan Beach area. The shape extends to the north, then turns to thewest. Payangan Beach actually consists of three parts of the beach that can be visited. The first part is fishermen beach area facing tosouthwest. The second part is in the form of beach with coral reefs separated by hills. The last part is located at the north of the beach with coral reefs which separated by small hillsThe Payangan Beach has black sands with clear blue sea water. You can swimming, or travel the beach with riding a horse. You can rent a horse only on the weekend with Rp20.000 rental tariff. The Payangan Beach has full facilities. There are food stalls, toilets, and mushola ( worship place).

                 

After swimming, you can try to hike the hill around the beach. There is Samboja Hill inthe southwest which borders fishermen beach and coral reefs beach. To go to Samboja Hill, you must pass the row of stairs. And paying Rp5.000 for the entrance ticket. When you arrived the object, you will see colorful flowers on the edge of the path. In addition, there are many gazebos for taking a rest as well as photo spots.

While on the east, you can find Roro Ayu coastline to Canga’an Beach that curved like giant crescent moon. There are also a row of green mountains which part of Meru Betiri National Park at southeast of Jember Regency. Seeing to the northwest, there is a vast beach to Watu Ulo Beach and Tanjung Papuma Beach with their white sands. While onthe west and the south, there is a vast blue sea. If the weather is sunny, Nusa Barong is seen vaguely in the western horizon, an inhabited island which now becomes natural preservation area. In addition, there is also historical site of the Japanese colonial era, namely Japanese cave at the shore hill.

        

That was Indonesian Wonder for today featuring Payangan Beach. 

20
November

KEBHU TRADITION

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Published in Indonesian Wonder

 

Last Sunday October of 28th, hundreds of people from 7 villages in East Manggarai Regency flocked Muara Limbu Lea, Nangarawa, Bamo Billahe. They flocked the place to hold a tradition called ‘Kebhu’, the local tradition of Iowa ethnic. The tradition is started by reaping corn seeds in Pinggir Limbu Mpubu Lea and Mpube Amu (Pond). The corn seeds reaped are the ones that have been milled. The corn seeds are reaped by the heir of the Iowa ethnic. He is the one who fully controls the procession during the Kebhu tradition. He must also come from a family who only has one child as the tradition cannot be held by descendants who have siblings in their family.

 

When the heir reaps the milled corn, he recites a kind of incantation in their local language namley ‘Rongga Language’. The incantation says that "rengo ika lere liang, oro lau mbahu oro lau". It means that fish and various creatures are to get out from their sanctuary. The incantation is used to ask for god's blessing so that people can obtain abundant fish and other creatures easily from the pond. After reciting the incantation, the heir of the tradition throws Ndala, a special fishing net used only for local tradition. The heir who throws the fishing net must be the first and only child in his family. The Ndala is made from neither nylon nor plastic but thread. The fishing net is an environmentally-friendly heritage. After the heir throws the net, people get into the pond to catch fish and other creatures. Unfortunately, pregnant women cannot participate in this ritual as they will get nothing. People are only allowed to catch fish and other creatures until afternoon.

 

Kefore the Kebhu tradition is held, there are a number of indigenous rituals held earlier. For example, the first ritual is called ‘Mbaru Gendrang’ (Zao Mrhje) in Iowa ethnic. The next ritual is carried out in Watu Nurung (servings for god are placed on this round stone). The stone is located under the tamarind tree called ‘Ponange’ near to the Nangaranga coast. The Ponange tree has been selected in Iowa's ancestors in a bid to perform rituals before they get into the estuary or the Mbupu Lea and Ama pond. The indigenous people of Iowa give serving dedicated to their ancestors and the universe such as betel, limestone paste, pinang tree, ketupat jagung (ricecake made from corn), chicken, and milled corn. Afterwards, the first heir of Iowa ethnic embeds a wood from a tree branch surrounding the stone. The ketupat jagung is hanged on the wood. As this ritual finishes, the chief of the tribe recites incantation to ask for god's blessing and permission so that the Kebhu ritual can be accepted.

 

Legend says the fish living in the pond used to be chickens. Thus, people present them the milled corn. The mystique legend is based on the explanation of Iowa's ancestors in Nangarawa. The tradition is maintained by local people and it is held once in five years.

 

That was Indonesian Wonder about Kebhu Tradition. See you on our next edition.

13
November

 

This is RRI World Service, Voice of Indonesia with Indonesian Wonder, a program which presents information about arts, culinary, culture, and tourism. In today's edition, we will present you information about Gancik Selo Hilltop. 

 

Boyolali is one of the regencies in Indonesia. It shares borders with Solo and Semarang. This regency is famous for its featured milk and beef production. In addition, Boyolali has a number of attractive tourism destinations to visit. One of them is Gancik Selo Hilltop. Gancik Selo Hilltop offers the panorama of Mount Merbabu's slope and the majestic Mount Merapi. By paying only Rp 5,000, you can enjoy the spectacular panorama. Gancik Selo Hilltop is located in Dukuh Selo Nduwur, Selo Village, Selo Sub-district, Boyolali Regency, Central Java Province. It is located 36 kilometers away from the center of Boyolali Regency which takes around 1 hour. When you arrive there, you will feel the cool temperature. This is because the hill is located on a highland whose height reaches 1,850 meters above the sea level. Furthermore, the atmosphere in this object is very enchanting because of the lush trees surrounding the object. The main attraction of this object is a place called Gardu Pandang, namely a place to witness the beauty of the hill from above. Besides, from this place, you can also take a look at the rice field, local people's houses, and plantations. The view is a suitable choice for your photo/selfie background.  Gancik Selo Hilltop has a number of Gardu Pandangs which are connected with bamboo bridges to help visitors get around the object. if you would like to take photos on Gancik Hilltop, you can capture not only the surrounding panorama but also the beauty of sunrise and sunset from the hill. The wonder of sunrise from the hill is undoubtedly gorgeous. But, you must come on time to be able to see the sunrise. Besides taking photos, you can also do hiking on Gancik Selo hilltop. Gancik Selo Hilltop also offers a new hiking track in Mount Berbabu. If you want to hike from Gancik Route, you will arrive at Post 3 of the Merbabu Hiking Track via Selo Lama. Both routes are connected to Post 3 Watu Tulis.

 

That was Indonesian Wonder.