The beauty of nature in Central Java does not defeat from other regions in Indonesia. Just say it, Karanganyar, there is waterfall which is quite known, namely Grojogan Sewu. There is also beautiful hidden waterfall, namely Jumog waterfall. Jumog waterfall is often mentioned as hidden heaven in Karanganyar. It is said like that because its location is behind hill which is closed by bush. In the past, the tourism destination was not visited by many tourists. Due to the local people’s awareness, the road to the location can be accessed easily. Thus, Jumog waterfall becomes one of the mainstay tourism destinations, which increases the local people’s income. At Jumog waterfall complex, we can witness a view of green and tall trees which are a perfect blend, including gurgling sound of water that calms the heart when going down 116 stairs until the waterfall. After going down the stairs, around several meters from the waterfall, there is small bridge. The place is spot which is the most right place to enjoy panorama which has height around 30 meters with strong water flow. The swift of waterfall makes the wind blow strongly. The facility at Jumog waterfall complex is quite complete. At the complex, there are available kids’ play-ground, swimming pool, gazebo, area for taking a rest and restaurant. Around the tourism destination area, there are some residences which usually become home stay. The tariff of the home stay varies beginning from Rp 50,000 until Rp 250,000 per night. Jumog waterfall is located at Berjo hamlet, Ngargoyoso district, Karanganyar regency, Central Java province. If you want to go to this destination, you can go to Karangpandan terminal. Afterwards, you take the access to Ngargoyoso. From here, there are many directions which will help you heading to Jumog waterfall.
West Java Province, particularly Bandung has abundant tourism potentials ranging from culinary, nature, to historical tourism. Not only gifted with picturesque landscape, Bandung is also home to many historical sites; one of them is the Dutch Cave located in the area of Juanda Forest Park. The Dutch Cave is an historical remaining from the Dutch occupation in Indonesia which used to serve as a tunnel for a hydropower plant. During the Dutch occupation, precisely in 1918, the first hydropower plant in Indonesia so-called ‘the Bengkok hydropower plant’ was built. Inside the tunnel of this hydropower plant, there are 15 passageways and several rooms such as bedrooms for the Dutch soldiers to sleep, interrogation room, and detention room. The Dutch Cave is 144 meters long. Besides being functioned for military activities, the Dutch Cave was used as a Dutch radio station established as the center of communication for the Dutch soldiers. The establishment of the radio was done to prevent resistance against the Dutch soldiers. After the independence of Indonesia, the cave was ever utilized as arsenal by Indonesian soldiers. On January the 14th 1985, the Dutch Cave was made as a tourism object and became a tourism destination for both domestic and foreign tourists. To reach the Dutch Cave located at Juanda Forest Park, you can use your own motor vehicles and pay the parking fees Rp 5,000 for motorcycle and Rp 10,000 for car. However, you can also take public transportation to get to Juanda Forest Park located in Dago Pakar. After arriving at the entrance gate of the forest park, you can walk around 1 kilometer to reach the Dutch Cave.
Liang Petang Cave, located in Batu Tering Village, Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara, is 30 km from Sumbawa Besar City. This cave is an adrenaline boosting tourist attraction.The name "Liang Petang" is a combination of "Liang" which means cave or hole and " Petang" which means night or dark. As the name implies, this cave is indeed very dark. The tool that you must carry when you will see the beauty in the cave is a flashlight.In Liang Petang cave there are some interesting things which at the same time store a mystery, because in the cave there are some rooms that until now have not been explored. In this cave there is Batu Mayat or Corpse Stone which according to estimates is a fossilized human body. In addition, there are antique objects such as bale or wooden or bamboo beds, pottery and even looms. There is also a place of hermitage and a spring, still used by people who believe it.Since the floor conditions are slippery by moss and bat droppings, you certainly need a local guide to explore this cave that has a length of 500 meters. The guide will prepare lighting to facilitate your adventure. You will be amazed to see the exotic views of the stalagmites and stalactites in Liang Petang cave, because they are unique and varied. Besides that a flock of flying bats became loyal friends in this cave.To reach Liang Petang cave, you can drive a car ride a motorbike from Batu Tering Village. A view of the Sumbawa savanna is a real treat during the journey to this cave. After that you have to walk through a small but beautiful river called Tiu Sekat which means narrow river due to the fact that this rive which water is green, is flanked by rock cliffs. You would be tempted to plunge into this river to feel the coolness before entering the forest and climbing the hill for about 25 minutes, before finally the Liang Petang Cave welcomes you.If you are an adventurous person and want to test your adrenaline, Liang Petang cave in Sumbawa is a place to visit.
Indonesia is well known to have various kinds of traditional foods which are unique and delicious. The uniqueness of the foods can be from how to cook it. There is traditional food which is processed by fermentation to avoid the food becoming rotten. One of them is Lemea, food from Lebong regency, Kepahiang, North Bengkulu. Lemea is fermentation food of Rejang tribe. Rejang tribe is one of national tribes which is spread out in Bengkulu province. The main ingredient of the food is Rebung or young bamboo which has a lot of nutrition such as protein, amino acid, carbohydrate, and anti-oxidant. Usually in Lemea, Rebung is mixed with fish and then fermented. The fish, which is usually used, is Tilapia and Sepat fish. Making process of Lemea takes long time. Because in its process, raw ingredients of the food must be fermented for around 3 days. To make it, firstly the Rebung and slices of fish are mixed. Then, the dough is restored for 3 days in a closed container. After that, it is stored for 3 days in closed container. After 3 days, the fermented dough is processed again by being cooked and mixed with coconut milk and ingredients such as red onion, garlic, chili, lemongrass, sugar and salt. Lemea has typical and unique taste, but it is no less delicious with other regional traditional foods in Indonesia. Sour and spicy taste from fermentation and its ingredient makes anyone who tastes it, want to enjoy eating it more and more. Until now, many people enjoy Bengkulu traditional food. Even, the food is packed and exported to Japan. In Bengkulu, the food still becomes daily menu at home. If you are interested to taste Lemea, you will be not difficult to find it because there are many restaurants in Bengkulu selling this food.
Welcoming the Independence Day of Indonesia, every region in Indonesia has its own tradition; take for example, the competition of dragon boat racing from Banjarmasin, the sampan (flat bottomed boat) sailing competition from Batam, and many others. The region of Aceh also possesses its distinctive way to celebrate the Independence Day of Indonesia, namely by carrying out a tradition called ‘Pacu Kude (Horse Racing). The Pacu Kude tradition comes from the region of Gayo. Located at 1,800 meters above the sea level, Takengon which serves as the capital of Central Aceh Regency has abundant natural and cultural potentials, particularly cultural attractions. One of them is the horse racing tradition or known as Pacu Kude which has become the icon and inherited tradition of the community in Gayo. This horse racing activity usually involves the communities from three regencies, namely Central Aceh, Bener Meriah, Gayo Lues. The Pacu Kude tradition also helps unite people in the highland of Gayu. Pacu Kude Gayo is one of the cultural traditions that has existed for a long time. The tradition began to be established specially in 1926 when the Dutch Colonial Government started their occupation and this tradition was presented to enliven the birthday of Dutch Queen, namely Queen Wilhelmina. Since then, the Dutch Government kept conducting the horse racing tradition as a part of the royal’s festivity. However, after the Independence Day of Indonesia in August the 17th, 1945, the horse tradition has become a commemorative event for the independence day of Indonesia as the reflection of joy from the people of Gayo towards the independence of Indonesia. Since that time, the horse racing attraction has become an inseparable activity from the Indonesian Independence Day. The event is conducted as the expression of happiness for Indonesia’s victory of achieving its freedom from the suppression of invaders. The horse racing tradition is then combined with other events such as the art of Didong Jalu, football, boat competition, and swimming competition in the fresh water lake. In attempt to welcome the 72th Independence Day of Indonesia last year, exactly on 21st to 27th of August 2017 at the Horse Racing Arena of H.M. Hasan Gayo Belang Bebangka Pegasing, Central Aceh, the horse racing competition with the theme entitled “Keep Racing, Preserve Culture, and Advance the Country” was held by the Aceh Culture and Tourism Department. About 400 participants from regions in the highland of Gayo took part in enlivening the horse racing competition.
In South Sulawesi province, there is regency called ‘Maros’. The regency is a tourism area which has complete varieties, such as Teletubies hills and Bengo-Bengo pine forest. Not far from Pute River, there is amazing scenery. It is called ‘Rammang-Rammang Stone Forest’. In 2001, UNESCO enlisted karst Maros as natural conservation which has met 9 requirements, such as unique biodiversity and remains of ancient humans existing on cave’s wall. This place is the second biggest karst in the world after karst area in Yunnan, South China. The word of Rammang-Rammang comes from South Sulawesi language, meaning cloud or fog. The local people give the place with the name Rammang-Rammang because every morning or when raining, the place is usually covered with cloud or fog. When cloudy, there are clusters of stone pillars at the fields of local people and these make the scenery to be seen exotic. Rammang-Rammang tourism object is located at Salenrang village, Bontoa district, Maros regency, South Sulawesi province. The location of the village is around 40 kilometers from Makassar. To get access of the tourism object, we can reach the area by motor vehicles. If you go from Makassar city, it takes around 2 hours. If you directly go from Hasanuddin airport, it takes only 30 minutes.
Javanese people have various kinds of ceremonies. There is ceremony to welcome the date of 1 Suro in Javanese calender or 1 Muharram in Islamic calender, such as conducted by Kenjo villager, Glagah district, Banyuwangi regency, East Java Province. The villagers are trying to revive a regional tradition which has disappeared long time ago. The tradition is Sapi-Sapian.Sapi-Sapian tradition tells the origin of the village. The tradition reveals the establishment of the village which was begun from 1700s. In the past, there were 3 people from Bugis who found water resource behind thick shrubs which is now located at Kenjo village. The discovery of the water resource became forerunner to clear land. Because they did not find animal to plow the field, they had to plowthe field by using human power. Two persons pull the plow, while another drived it. Not long time, they found cow which finally could be used to plow the field. Because of the history, most of Kenjo villagers use cow to plow the field, comparing to use bufallo. Sapi-Sapian tradition was stopped in 1962. But since 2012, people revive the tradition again. On the tradition, there are some males which make over like cows. The Sapi-sapian carry the plow and paraded around the village. Behind of them is followed by villagers who accompany with traditional music. In the 'Sapi-sapian' tradition, villagers will witness theatrical how to plant such as hoeing the rice field, plowing the rice field, planting rice seeds, dispeling the pests and also how to harvest. It aims to remind how to farm at the village, including as embodiment of gratitude to the God on abundant havrvest for a year.
West Nusa Tenggara -NTB, especially Lombok has many tourism objects which are worthy being visited. Take for example in North Lombok regency, there is beach which is able to eliminate fatigue after running daily activities. The beach is called ‘Sire beach’. Sire beach has amazing nature. With its coastal line of tourism destination as long as 3.8 kilometers, Sire beach has clear and transparent water. Because of its clear water, from surface of the sea, you can see small fish. Besides, its water is quite calm so that tourists can do marine activities. Unlike other beaches which have special white sand, at Sire beach, its sand is not quite white but it has smooth texture. Around the beach, it is surrounded by coconut trees which are in the neat row. In addition to enjoying the beauty of its clear water, tourists, who make visits here, can also enjoy another activity; one of them is fishing. Here, they can also spend the time by playing beach-volley ball. Sire beach is located at Medana hamlet, North Lombok. The distance is around 35 kilometers from Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara. The trip takes around 1 hour from Mataram by land transportation. If you want to go to this tourism object, we suggest you to use rental car, because public transportation which passes Sire beach is still infrequent. The facility at the beach is inadequate. Thus, if you visit the beach, it is better for you to bring enough money, because it is difficult to find ATM. Besides, please do not forget to bring your own swimming equipment because there is no rental facility.
Eruption of a mountain does not always bring about sorrow or other terrible aftermath. Take for example, the remaining flow of lava resulted from the volcanic activity of Mt. Gamalama in Ternate, North Maluku has currently become a natural ornament which is known as Batu Angus. Batu Angus is one of the most favorite tourist attractions located in Tarau, North Ternate District, Ternate City, Maluku. Batu Angus tourism is also known as the Black Gemstone of Ternate. It is called as the Black Gemstone of Ternate because Batu Angus is a sprawl of black stones resembling to charred stones. These sprawling stones stretch from Mt. Gamalama to the beach. Batu Angus is the remaining of lava resulted from the eruption of Mt. Gamalama in the 17th century and the lava that changed into the stones looks like charred stones. The name OF Batu Angus was derived from the thick black color of the stones. At a glance, there may not be something special from these stones but as you take a closer look at the stones thoroughly, you will realize another beauty from the flock of stones. There is also a historical site in the Batu Angus tourism object. The site is the location of dead Japanese soldier whose parachute could not be opened normally when he skydived from the plane during the war in 1945. In addition, several historical fortresses from the colonial period stand strongly in this tourism object, including fortresses of Oranye, Tolucco, Kalamela, and Kastela. Lake Tolire that also becomes a favorite tourism destination in Ternate adds the remarkable panorama of Batu Angus. The tourism object that is located in the axis of outer ring road can be accessed by public transportation with the price Rp 3,000 or taxi with the price Rp 50,000 per hour. But, if you use your personal motor-vehicles, you only need to pay for the ticket worth Rp 20,000 by car and Rp 5,000 by motorcycle.
The name of Ciletuh Geopark is unfamiliar for some people. However, the Ciletuh Geopark is being assessed by UNESCO as global geopark. If it is passed, Ciletuh geopark will officially become global geopark as well as world’s natural heritage site which is protected. Certainly, it will make the name of Indonesia be more famous in international world on the beauty and wealth of its nature. Ciletuh Geopark is located at Pelabuhan Ratu, Sukabumi, West Java. You can access the geopark by land transportation. To go to the tourism object, we suggest you to use rental or private car which uses double power-steering ( 4WD) machine because the road is much damaged. The trip from Jakarta takes around 7-8 hours. Ciletuh Geopark is very wide. The area includes Ciletuh great bay which has tens of kilometers of coastal line. Tourists are free to choose which beach is suitable for swimming, such as the beach of Ciemas in Jampang district, Sukabumi.Besides the beach, tourists can also swim at waterfall. There are more than eight waterfalls which have been opened for public. But, you should be careful when swimming at the waterfall, because there are some waterfalls which have heavy stream such as Dog-dog and Cikaso waterfalls. To go to the waterfalls, tourists should do trekking and passing green trees. Another activity which can be conducted at Ciletuh Geopark is by enjoying undersea beauty. To enjoy the undersea beauty, tourists can do snorkeling at white sand spot of Kunti Island. The location can be found by walking around 10 minutes from the main beach of the geopark. Snorkeling management here is Balawisata (Tirta Tourism Savior Organization). Balawisata provides facility of rental equipment with fee Rp 100,000 per one snorkel for 45 minutes. Having been tired of doing activities at Ciletuh Geopark, you can still stay longer while enjoying the beauty of its nature. There are some camping grounds to set tent for staying overnight with fee only Rp 20,000. With the fee which is relatively cheap, you can sleep by being surrounded with amazing scenery, beginning from beach, rice field, and mountain. In addition, you can also witness exotic sunrise in the morning.