Photo credit: Go Mandalika

Lombok Island is renowned for its beautiful, captivating beaches, anditis a favorite spot for surfers due to its waves. One of the stunning beaches in Lombok, popular among surfers, is Gerupuk Beach. Also known as Gerupuk Beach, it is located to the east of Kuta Beach in Lombok, specifically in Gerupuk Village, Pujut District, Central Lombok. Gerupuk Beach is a well-loved destination for surfers who come to test their skills on its challenging waves. With high waves and a strong breeze, the beach offers a unique thrill for surfers as they ride the waves.

There are five main surf points at this beach: Prigi or Inside, Giligoleng or Outside, Terasaq or Outside Left, Batu Teong or Dondon, and Batu Lawang or Kids Point. These five surf spots are known for their wild waves, although Batu Lawang is safe for children. Surfing enthusiasts are certainly familiar with these spots where waves can reach up to three meters high. Gerupuk Beach is also located close to the Mandalika Special Economic Zone, about 8 km from Kuta Beach Lombok and 4 km from Tanjung Aan. From Mataram City, it is approximately 52 km away, a journey of nearly an hour. The distance from Lombok International Airport (Zainuddin Abdul Madjid Airport) is 23 km, which takes about 30 minutes by car.

Apart from surfing, there are many other activities you can do at this beach. You can just relax on the soft white sand. Stare at the sun as it slowly descends and disappears behind the water. Or take a challenging hike up the small hill to the east of Gerupuk Beach. You can also join the locals in harvesting seaweed. Visiting the Marine Conservation Centre orstaying in a homestay near the beach is the right choice for those who want to enjoy and explore the beauty of Gerupuk Beach.

Photo credit: Baubau city government/RRI

Indonesia is rich in tradition and culture. One of them is called Batu Poaro Traditional Tradition in Bau-Bau city, Southeast Sulawesi. This tradition emerged since the cleric Sheikh Abdul Wahid spread Islam on Buton Island in 936 Hijri or 1526 AD. The locals believe that Batu Poaro was the footing stone of Sheikh Abdul Wahid when he was expelled and crossed the sea with a turban on his head as a sail. The community believes that by holding the traditional ritual of Batu Poaro, they can bring back the glory of Sheikh Abdul Wahid in the mid of his success in Islamising the Buton Kingdom.

In addition to commemorating the entry of Islam into Buton, Batu Poaro is also a momentum to offer prayers to the Creator so that the lives of residents are abundant in sustenance and avoid disasters. Batu Poaro traditional ritual process begins with prayers to God Almighty at the Al-Mukarabin Mosque, Wameo Village by traditional officials. When the prayer procession begins, in the middle of them is a gutter wrapped in white cloth. In this gutter there are a number of traditional foods of the Buton people, such as Lapa-lapa, Cucur, Banana and others.

After the prayer, Talang is then paraded to the location of the Poaro Stone Site by four young men wearing blue robes and a white turban on their heads. Arriving at the Poaro Stone Site on the Wameo seaside, the leaders then descended to the seaside near the stone while holding the stone. They then offered prayers there. After reading the prayer, the money on the stone is then contested by dozens of small children. The traditional ritual of Batu Poaro is now not only a tradition, but has also become a tourist attraction for the city of Bau-Bau, Southeast Sulawesi.

Photo credit: Nias Heritage Museum

Maena dance is a traditional dance of Nias tribe. This dance is performed as part of the traditional ceremonies of the Nias tribe, such as welcoming guests, weddings and others.

Maena is an entertainment dance. For Nias tribe, this dance has a special meaning, such as for unity and togetherness. This can be seen from how they dance and do it together with great joy.

Maena dance is performed en masse. The dancers can be male or female. The more dancers, the more lively the dance. Dancers usually wear traditional Nias clothing. However, the use of this costume is also adjusted to the event, so there are also those who use casual clothing. Since Maena Dance is a dance of joy, the audience who do not wear traditional clothing are also allowed to join dancing.

Maena Dance performances are basically only accompanied by songs or poems, which are chanted by the dancers. Then the dancers dance with movements that are adjusted to the tempo or rhythm of the song. But there are also some Maena dance performances that are accompanied by traditional Nias musical instruments to make it look more festive and interesting.

Maena Dance performances usually begins with rhymes performed by Sanutuo Maena (traditional elders or tribal elders). The rhymes are usually adjusted to the theme of the event. Then proceed with the Maena lyrics (fanehe maena) which are chanted by all dancers while dancing.

The movements in Maena Dance are actually quite simple and repetitive. The movements are dominated by a combination of hand and foot movements that are moved rhythmically back and forth, as well as left and right.

Maena dance movements consist of Maena Gaolo or forming a circle, and also a rectangle with footsteps consisting of Maena Garagazi (Maena Gergaji) whose footsteps go forward then backward. There is also a movement with a triangular shape. But what is often used, is the movement of footsteps with a rectangular shape.

Photo credit: Airlangga University

Every November 10, the Indonesian people commemorate Heroes' Day. The city of Surabaya is often called the City of Heroes because of the long history of Indonesian heroes in fighting against colonialism in this city, especially in the battle of Surabaya in November1945.

Kalisosok Prison is an old prison located in the city of Surabaya and has been standing since the early 19th century. It was built during the Dutch colonial government led by Governor General Herman Willem Daendels, on September 1, 1808.

The name Kalisosok prison is taken from the name of the place where it is located, which is in Kalisosok village in the north of the city of Surabaya.

Kalisosok Prison has been standing since the Dutch colonial era and continued to be used until the Republic era. The Prison has gone through many series of historical events of the nation, especially the Surabaya residences in the effort for Indonesian independence.

Kalisosok Prison is also a place of detention for important figures of the Indonesian nation who fought for the country’s independence . Such as K.H. Mas Mansyur (1896-1946), a Muhammadiyah figure who along with Sukarno, M. Hatta and Ki Hajar Dewantara were known as Empat Serangkai or the Four Figures of Indonesian independence.

Mas Mansyur had to go to Kalisosok prison, because he actively helped the Surabaya youth movement in resisting the Dutch, and made the Dutch felt the need to get rid of Mas Mansyur by imprisoning him in Kalisosok prison, and finally Mas Mansyur died there in 1946.

Over time, several parts of Kalisosok prison began to show signs of declining. The impact of weather and the age of the building naturally caused damage to the original architecture.

The Surabaya city government finally made this building a cultural heritage that aims to maintain historical values ​​and local wisdom. This is important so that later and future generations can appreciate and understand the roots of the nation's history, and be inspired by the spirit of struggle that was once embedded in this building.

If you are in the City of Heroes, Surabaya, find time to visit the cultural heritage of Kalisosok prison which is also part of the history of Indonesian Independence.

Photo source: visitjawatengah.jatengprov.go.id

Borubudur Temple is not the only tourist attraction in Magelang, Central Java. There are still other interesting attractions that you can visit. For example, Kedung Kayang Waterfall. This waterfall flows between the foot of Mount Merapi and Mount Merbabu, so you can enjoy the panoramic view of the mountains with a beautiful waterfall background. The atmosphere is also calming with fresh air. This waterfall flows beautifully between the foothills of Mount Merapi and Mount Merbabu, so visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the mountains with a charming waterfall background. The location is in Ngagrog Hamlet, Magelang. From Magelang city centre, it is about 34 kilometres with a travel time of 1 hour.

To enter Kedung Kayang waterfall, you must pay an entrance ticket of 5000 rupiah or less than 1 US dollar. To get to the waterfall, you still have to walk along the path and through the river for 10 minutes. Upon arrival in front of the waterfall, you will be mesmerised by the rushing water that looks like a giant curtain. Taking pictures with the waterfall in the background is a favourite tourist activity. You can also swim or play in the clear and fresh water pool.

For those of you who are adventurous, you can go trekking around the waterfall. There are various hiking trails that offer natural views of green forests and small rivers. For those of you who want to spend the night, you can camp at the location of this waterfall. The facilities are complete, with toilets, prayer rooms, a car park, a dining area, a camping site, and a viewing post to enjoy the surrounding scenery.

Photo credit: faktakita.com

When you visit Magetan Regency in East Java, Sarangan Lake is a must-visit destination. In the area, there is the Geniangit tourist village, which has become a new icon of tourism in Magetan. The village offers stunning natural views of Magetan. After exploring and visiting various interesting tourist spots in Magetan, don't forget to buy some local souvenirs before you leave. One of them is Jerangking. Jerangking is a traditional snack from Magetan known for its savory and crispy taste.

Jerangking is made from simple ingredients: glutinous rice, grated coconut, salt, and tapioca flour. The process begins by mixing all the ingredients, and then cutting them into thin squares. These pieces are then dried in the sun. After that, Jerangking is grilled over charcoal until it is dry and turns brownish.

Jerangking has a crispy texture with a savory flavor. The snack is perfect to enjoy with coffee or hot sweet tea. If you're interested in buying Jerangking, you can find it at souvenir shops or traditional markets in Magetan. It's relatively affordable, priced at about 20,000 to 25,000 rupiahs, or about 1.3 to 1.6 US dollars per package.

There are many tourism villages in West Java. One of the most famous tourism villages is Mekarbuana Tourism Village in Karawang. This village has beautiful and calming natural scenery. Surrounded by lush green rice fields, fragrant coffee plantations, and dense durian orchards, it thrives due to its location at the foot of Mount Sanggabuana. Being in the mountains, the village provides a comfortable atmosphere and cool air. Mekarbuana Village, located in the southernmost part of Tegalwaru District, Karawang Regency, is a green oasis offering stunning natural beauty amidst Karawang’s industrial reputation.

Mekarbuana Village has a uniqueness not found in many other places in Karawang Regency. In this village, visitors can enjoy a contrasting experience of lush green natural beauty against the backdrop of a district known as an industrial area. The village's coffee and durian plantations offer not only beautiful scenery, but also an opportunity for travellers to learn about the planting and harvesting of these two popular commodities in Karawang.

When visiting Mekarbuana Tourism Village, located about 42 km from the center of Karawang city, be sure to explore the coffee and durian plantations, which are one of the village's main attractions. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy fresh durian, picked straight from the tree during the harvest season from September to March. In addition to natural and agro-tourism, culinary and cultural attractions are also abundant in this village. The top natural spots include Cigentis Waterfall, Bandung Waterfall, and the scenic Cigentis River in the rocky terrain of Mekarbuana Village. Moreover, there’s culinary tourism, such as Wakil Enim Café, offering authentic Sundanese cuisine.

Photo credit: dispar.kotawaringinbaratkab.go.id

West Kotawaringinregency in Central Kalimantan recently celebrated its 65th anniversary on October 3rd. In honor of this occasion, we recommend one of West Kotawaringin’s top tourist destinations, Kubu Beach. Kubu Beach is one of the most popular beaches in West Kotawaringin, offering stunning views with its white-brown sand. The seawater at Kubu Beachis brown affected by the surrounding peat forests. It takes around 5.3 kilometers or about 1.5 hours to reach Kubu Beach from the center of West Kotawaringin regency.

To enter Kubu Beach, visitors must pay an entrance fee of 5.000 rupiah or less than half a US dollar per pax. The area extends about three kilometers with two entrances, the Crocodile Gate and the Crab Gate. Those who enter through the Crab Gate can see a wooden pier 300 meters from the shore, and those coming through the Crocodile Gate will also find recreational activities such as banana boats and boat rentals. You can rent a boat for 10.000 rupiah or less than one US dollar per pax.

At Kubu Beach, you can cool off by swimming in the sea. If that's not enough, there’s also a freshwater swimming pool located by the beach. For those who prefer a more relaxing experience, there are pavilions where you can sit back and enjoy local cuisine. Several food stalls offer a variety of seafood, including squid, clams, crabs, horseshoe crabs, and fresh iced coconut water. Also, there are souvenir shops selling traditional Kalimantan crafts, and it’s perfect to take home a piece of your trip. If you wish to stay overnight, plenty of accommodations and homestays are available near Kubu Beach.

Photo source: Shutterstock/Bambang Wijaya/Kemenparekraf

Loksado is one of sub-districts in Hulu Sungai Selatan district, South Kalimantan province. It is located approximately 185 kilometres from Banjarmasin, the capital of South Kalimantan province. Loksado is located in the Meratus mountains and is one of the natural tourism areas with cultural attractions of the hill dayak community, the indigenous tribe of the Meratus mountains.

For its own natural tourism, Loksado is blessed with at least 8 beautiful waterfalls. In this edition, we will introduce one of the eight waterfalls that have become the main destination in Loksado, namely Haratai Waterfall.

To get to Haratai Waterfall, which is quite far, you can use private vehicles or public transportation. If you are using public transport, just choose the one that goes to Kandangan, the capital of Hulu Sungai Selatan district. From Kandangan to Loksado, the journey takes about 1 hour.

After arriving in Loksado, the journey continues to Haratai village which is about 20 kilometres away. From Loksado to the location of the Haratai Waterfall attraction can only be travelled by two-wheeled vehicles. The terrain is also quite extreme. The 9-kilometre road climbs and descends with an estimated steepness of up to 60 degrees. The width of the road at some points is no more than 1.5 metres, with a ravine or river on one side. For those without a vehicle, you can rent a motorbike or use a motorbike taxi service. The car park is about 100 metres from the waterfall. From the car park, you have to walk and cross the suspension bridge until you reach the counter. You have to pay the entrance fee of IDR 5,000 per person.

Arriving at the location of Haratai waterfall, you will be amazed by its beauty. Haratai Waterfall is about 20 metres high and has three levels. The water discharge is quite large so it is very difficult to swim around the waterfall. Especially if it rains. During the dry season, the water discharge is not too heavy.

Below the waterfall, there is a lake that can be used for bathing or just soaking. For bathing, the tour manager provides tyres for visitors. For those of you who don't want to soak in the clear water of Haratai waterfall, you can take pictures with the background of the waterfall.

Haratai Waterfall is open daily from 7am to 5pm local time. At this tourist location, there is a gazebo to rest while enjoying the atmosphere, there is also a place to change clothes. If you want to spend the night, there are many inns around Loksado.

Photo source: mr. siraphol/freepik/RRI

The location of Torohudan beach in Kanigoro village, Saptosari sub-district, Gunungkidul district, Special Region of Yogyakarta, is hidden behind the fields and rice fields of residents. This beach can be said to be a new touris attraction but has become a favorite for anglers. One of the reasons why not many visitors come to visit this beach is because of its remote location and difficult access. Vehicles can only reach the parking area, beyond that visitors have to walk through fields or rice fields with steep and up and down roads for approximately 10-15 minutes to the beach.

As soon as you enter the Torohudan beach area, you will be greeted with a cool atmosphere thanks to the trees growing around it and the view of the blue and calming sea water. On the right and left sides of the beach there are two cliffs that flank this beach. The sand is white and tends to be rough. The calm waves are safe for swimming or just playing in the water. The calming sound of the waves, the wide expanse of sand and the gentle sea breeze really bring a peaceful sensation. The stunning natural beauty of the beach that spoils the eyes has a positive effect on mental and physical health.

Surrounded by cliffs and green trees adds to the beauty of the beach. In addition to taking pictures, visitors to Torohudan beach can also enjoy various interesting activities such as swimming, playing in the water and also camping. Torohudan beach is indeed an ideal place to enjoy the natural beauty at night. In addition, the view of the sunset at Torohudan beach is very beautiful and romantic.

If you want to visit this beach, you must pass through a path and rocks that are quite steep and extreme and take time because they require caution. However, the difficult journey will not be in vain when you reach the beach area, because you will be presented with the view of a very beautiful beach. It is better to avoid coming during the rainy season, because access is rather difficult to pass.

Torohudan Beach with its uniqueness and beauty, is about 50 km from the center of Yogyakarta. This beach is very suitable as a tourist destination for those who are looking for tranquility, as well as an exotic experience in Yogyakarta.