China International Travel Mart 2011 - "Traveling to Indonesia!"

"I want to go to Indonesia, my homeland!" said Hoo Yu Ming, who was born in Indonesia and went to China in 1960, but he still longed to return to Indonesia, he came from Kalibaru, Banyuwangi regency, East Java.

68-year-old man looks happy, imagining to meet again with those who still thought of his family, described the presence of Hoo Yu Ming on the last day of the China International Travel Mart 2011, Sunday, October 30, 2011 in Kunming, China, at the Indonesia exhibition booth tourism.

An annual event held alternately in the cities of Shanghai and Kunming, China International Travel Mart (CITM) 2011, held in the town of Kunming on October 27 to 30. On this occasion, Bali Barong art, Sasando Music and “Trio Batak Singers” appeared to fill the main stage event at the Kunming International Convention and Exhibition Center.

CITM 2011 was held on an area of 50,000 square meters, where as many as 2,233 booths have been established, the host and participants from various countries to fill the international booth followed by 95 countries and regions in China with around 900 number of buyers attending the event from 46 the state.

The data obtained from the Asia Pacific Tourism Association (PATA), Chinese outbound tourists in 2010 increased to as many as 57 million or increased by 21.27% compared to the year 2009. This positive trend, making China as a huge potential tourist market. By 2015, China will become the world's largest supplier of tourists, and will reach 100 million.

Hoo Yu Ming is just one of thousands of visitors who crowded the central courtyard of the hall, witnessed the proceedings there. The people of China became the world's tourism potential that continues to evolve, in line with their rapidly economics growth, interest people to travel abroad is increasing from year to year.

If Yu Ming don’t have the time to reconsider traveling to Indonesia because of his age, he hoped that his children and grandchildren can recognize the beauty of his native country.

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(Various sources CITM, Indonesian Embassy in Beijing, Kompas /Images Indonesian Embassy in Beijing and PATA)

The Loneliness site of 'Bung Karno' in Ende Flores

We will never suspect a house in Perwira Street, Village Kotaratu, District of South Ende, Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara looks like as other homes that located in a residential area, because the house is similar to one another with the houses next door neighbor.

A sign reading "Former Site Home Exile of Bung Karno in Ende" emblazoned on the front yard, next to the right side of the home page. The house size is 12x9 meters square is where the President of the Republic of Indonesia Sukarno (better known by his nickname "Bung Karno") undergo exile by the Dutch colonial period (1934 -1938).

Local residents in the town of Ende considers exile of Bung Karno's house is considered a sacred place, they have believe in a legend about this place. Anyone who enters the home page must request permission from the Bung Karno to say 'excuse me'. If you did not say ‘excuse me’, always obstacles arise, for example when taking pictures, the picture is not visible.

Behind the museum there is the Bung Karno’s wells within 12 meters, used by him for bathing, washing and drinking as well as for pray. It is said that this water has healing properties for the disease and stay young.

The Government of Indonesia had intended to conduct the restoration starting in 2012, to make it more worth a visit as one of the tourist sites of past history of Indonesia through the Ende Flores Foundation with direct support from the Vice President.

Tourists can visit this site by exploring the various places where Sukarno had settled as a political prisoner in the past by the Dutch government, including the home place of exile of Bung Karno, Bung Karno statue, the park where Bung Karno reflections used to sit to contemplate, the Imakulata building where Bung Karno staging, as well as the tomb of Soekarno mother in law, Mrs. Amsi.

A regular place in the afternoon where he always sit, read, reflect or make some notes, is located right beside Perse Field, Soekarno Street, every evening he sat there sometimes until midnight and even until morning. A famous records came to be known as the forerunner of the state of Indonesia, Pancasila.

A tree where he was sheltering, local residents were treated as memories besides any specialties there, Breadfruit Tree, a tree that had fallen because of the weather, but planted and cared for until re-grow fertile (with 5 pieces of branches that reflect the five precepts of Pancasila).

As a witness to history that the population is believed to influence him, when making notes for the struggle of Indonesia gained its independence in 1945.

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(Various sources /Images H Daros)

Delicious Smoor or Stew, Please Try!

Rendang is widely discussed as one of Asia's most delicious world culinary held by CNN International through an internet survey involving 35,000 respondents, a rendang dish ranked first in the list of “World's 50 Most Delicious Foods”. Although even need to be given a further explanation of rendang.

Rendang can not eat by itself because it is a food supplement, a typical food from West Sumatra, Indonesia, very popular in all societies whether in Indonesia itself or outside the country, is a traditional dish using coconut milk with beef as main ingredient.

A community of foodies in Indonesia sees that not only mentioning rendang as a dish worth which can be categorized as the world culinary heritage, they trying to lift stews (‘smoor’ or ‘semur’) as one of Indonesia's cultural heritage and the world that is equivalent to rendang dish.

Stew is a typical dish of Indonesia which is a blend of typical mix spices of Indonesia expertise and European cooking techniques. The stew is Dutch origin, smoor, which means cooking meat stewed with tomatoes and onions slowly, eventually embodied in the traditions of the Indonesian nation, and become a family favorite menu every Indonesians.

Served in the form of meat, tofu, or eggs cooked with a sauce that uses a variety of spices. It’s sweet at the tongue suitable for anyone. In addition, the stew can also be enjoyed at any time to eat as a rice friend supplement.

Red and white garlic base variety is the spice of food in Indonesia, besides an additional variety of other spices to enhance flavor, such as coriander, nutmeg, pepper, cloves, and cinnamon. However, stews feature lies in the use of soy sauce as a flavor enhancer and sticky sweet caramel brown color gives the appetite.

Cuisine is an integral part of the culture and traditions of a nation so that it becomes the identity of a nation, "With a minimum of material, we can get the flavor of stews optimal. Cuisine is not fat because it does not use coconut milk, and can be managed with vegetable proteins such as tempeh , tofu, or egg, which is simpler," said Dr. Phil Lily Tjahjandari, cultural studies expert from the University of Indonesia.

In the midst of a global flow that presents a variety of culinary abroad in Indonesia, the stew is still a favorite for family meals. Stew also has the potential to become vice culinary of Indonesia in foreign countries because of the taste is acceptable in Asian countries and Europe.

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(Source femaleKompas /Images JakFoodRecipes)

“Poco-poco Dance” in The Grove Los Angeles

Who would have thought that The Grove area that is usually visited by around 50,000 people each day turn into the music arena on Wednesday, October 26, 2011 in the show "Discover Wonderful Indonesia" singing the Indonesian traditional songs and American songs with an “Angklung” musical instrument in the hands of visitor.

The Grove Los Angeles area known as the regional retail and entertainment complex in Los Angeles, California, built, owned, and operated by Caruso Affiliated on parts of the Farmers Market. The Grove features a large center park with an animated music fountain plays every half hour, though the feature has a non-musical program in between shows.

Despite the area of The Grove found many restaurants, like Maggiano's Little Italy, Wood Ranch BBQ and Grill, Morels French Steakhouse, The Whisper Lounge, The Farm of Beverly Hills, La Piazza and The Cheesecake Factory as a visitors choice, but this event offers Indonesia typical food and culinary to taste (food tasting).

There’s an enthusiasms from visitors were their invited to play an “Angklung” musical instrument and “Poco-poco Dance” together on stage, lively town when residents and foreign tourists also plays angklung guided by Mustika Hendraningtyas who came specially from Jakarta, they are guided to play the song "Tabal Gempita Dance" from Riau and "Manuk Dadali" a Sundanese Dance, rhythmic songs and they all happy dancing merrily.

A total of 700 angklung played and souvenirs were distributed to the rapidly depleted because so much interest from visitors, including Councilman Tom' Labonge of District IV Los Angeles County who participated played an angklung musical instrument.

Another event that gets visitors appreciation is a dance "Rampak Drum" performed by six dancers and lively style of a very interesting clothing, including dance "Bale Ganjur" Bali, "Jaipong", "Ronggeng Blantek", "Kelana Mask", and an unique art show "Reog Ponorogo".

The atmosphere more crowded when the music player's turn traditional "Javanese and Balinese Gamelan" participate fill the entertainment stage.

What an interesting days for visitors in the arena of The Grove, something different than usual they encountered on the other days.

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(Source Indonesia Consulate General in Los Angeles /Images Indonesia Consulate General in Los Angeles and wiki)

Let's Fly the "Angry Birds" to the Moon

Of course we've already heard the standard song "Fly Me to the Moon" which was created by Bart Howard in 1954 and sung by many singers after that, the opening lyrics of this song became the title song was originally titled "In Other Words".

Now what if Angry Birds that sing the song? Grumpy birds will fly into space, will probably go to the moon, may also swing among those stars, seeing what spring is like, On Jupiter and Mars, In other Words, Let the Angry Birds fly!

The popular games that depict a group of grumpy birds, figures of popular game developed by Rovio Mobile with millions of fans around the world, again had the opportunity to make its name more famous.

Shown in the form of a red doll "Angry Birds" will participate in a trip to the International Space Station (ISS) to accompany NASA astronauts and Russian cosmonauts, Anton Shkaplerov, Anatoli Ivanishin, and Dan Burbank.

Hopefully, though in the form of dolls, this bird does not show their anger, they will fly into space with the Soyuz TMA-22 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on November 14, before noon local time.

“Angry Birds” will be an indicator that the cosmonaut has entered a zone of zero gravity, "This indicator will we put on the Earth, we hang on a wire right behind the door between the landing module and the compartment in which to live. At the moment we entered the zone without the weight, exactly 10 minutes after launch, the doll will float. So, we know that the flight a success and has been in space," said Shkaplerov on the news conference, Monday, October 24, 2011.

“Angry Birds” do not want to be alone into space, also will be accompanied with iPad tablet device, product work by Apple Computers, who they innovator died in early October this year. iPad would like to accompany the laptop, iPod and iPhone, which also has been first went into space.

Enjoyable trip for the astronauts and cosmonauts, if the iPad has been installed with the game application of "Angry Birds", prepared the birds will be in action in space.

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(Source space.com, Kompas /Images Rovio)

That Javan Rhino Has Been Gone from Vietnam

It has been predicted long ago that the population of Javan rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus) will continue to decrease and approaching extinction, this rhinoceros once was the Asia's most widely spread, but it doesn’t mean guarantee the time will protect their population.

The species is now extremely in critical status, with only a few populations are found in the wild environment, they eat 160-200 leaf species such banyan leaf, jackfruit, or gingers, rarest mammals on earth, there’s only 40-50 rhinos population live in Ujung Kulon National Park in the west tip of Java Island, Indonesia and Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam with an estimated population of no more than eight individuals in 2007.

That is a record in 2007 and now everything has changed, a recent survey of World Wide Foundation (WWF) states that the Javan rhino in Vietnam have become extinct and never again be found in Cat Tien National Park, they hunted for their horns that used as medicine in China, although its efficacy has not been proven medically.

Report from Scientific American, Tuesday, October 25, 2011, the extinction case of Javan rhino in Vietnam is an example of animal extinction due to hunting, there has been previous cases in Indian javan rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus inermis) in India more than a century ago.

Now only Indonesian javan rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus sondaicus) that still exists and is expected to soon become extinct if there’s no proper treatment, the results of recent monitoring only 50 individuals or less which is now still exist in Ujung Kulon National Park.

The heartbreaking news, hunting by humans to gain horn which is then sold precisely against the intention to do conservation. A tragedy, as said by Nick Cox, Manager of WWF's Greater Mekong Species Program, said, "The tragedy of Vietnam is a symbol Javan rhino extinction crisis."

The same concern in the population of Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) whose population is now only about 300 individuals, only two subspecies. The third subspecies is thought to have become extinct.

Rhino conservation efforts as very expensive and need special treatment different from other animals, this animals are classified as shy and very hard to find in the wildlife.

Are we going to let this happens until extinction after extinction of endangered animals still continue?

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(Source American Scientific /Images WWF-TNUK, Uyun Sanwani)

"I, Alex Cross" The Movie in Candidasa Bali

The island of Bali back into the place for the film location that to be released in mid 2012, starring lead actor, Tyler Perry, he served as a detective Alex Cross, who track down a killer named Gilles Mercier.

Of course a thrilling action film, right! Rob Cohen is the film director chose the east coast Jasri Beach, Candidasa, Karangasem, Bali, as the location for the climactic film scenes. Bali island has indeed been known since the 1930's as a filming location, Bali does have a special attraction for writers and film directors because of its natural charm.

Earlier in 2010 Bali has got a great promotion through film, starring actress Julia Roberts in "Eat, Pray, Love" which received rave reviews from movie fans in the world, the film also made based on a bestselling book with the same title, the work by Elizabeth Gilbert.

The positive impact of the film "Eat, Pray, Love" made the audience in America, Europe, and Japan was struck, with a perfect film gives an accurate picture of the island of Bali, beautiful and encouraging tourists to visit.

The choice of location shooting in Indonesia is a good opportunity in order to promote cultural and Indonesia as a tourist destination, the film industry provide opportunities and support each other in each domain that is profitable.

Bali Film Center to support the implementation of the movies on site and support facilities, and included 35 local crew and 20 supporting cast from Indonesia.

Film director Rob Cohen, born March 12, 1949 has been known by many of his films, like “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor” and “The Witches of Eastwick”, and for once he has the imagination of the location of Candidasa, Karangasem as support to the movie plot.

The film is interesting and suspenseful scenes, detective Alex Cross witnessed the pursuit of criminals, Gilles Mercier (played by the famous French actor Jean Reno), aahh... Can’t wait for this movie aired soon!

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(Source Puskompub, Kompas /Images Puskompub Kemenparekraf)

Dive Tourism in Open Sea-waters of Padang Beach

Padang Beach not far from the center of the city of Padang in West Sumatra, the province well-known with a wealth unique culture and culinary to many places, even one of their cuisine that comes from this region, rendang, known as one of the 50 world’s delicious culinary by the CNNGo websites.

The city of Padang has 84 km coastline and 19 small islands, including the famous islands of Sikuai for its tradition "hoyak tabuik", then Cubadak Island and Pisang Gadang Island.

The beaches also has a famous legend, Malin Kundang, a rebellious child who was condemned by his mother into the rocks, after he became rich. The locals really enjoy the atmosphere in the afternoon watching the beauty of sunset, the sun's rays bounced off the beach, dancing around the waters

Not many people know when the beauty of the beaches were not enough, it turns out areas and marine waters in front of the eye has a potential as an arena for dive tourism in the open sea, as said by Indrawadi from Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Diving Bung Hatta University.

At least in the waters there are 39 dive spots for world-class dive sites, scattered on the waters of the sea in seven counties and cities, especially in the city of Padang, Pesisir Selatan District and Padang Pariaman region.

From that 39 dive spots, there are five dive spots that were located about 10 nautical miles off the coast of West Sumatra, or with the distance of about two hours and 30 minutes by 40 hp boat engine.

Exciting news for dive fans who want to try new scuba diving areas with the character of the Indian Ocean that looks quietly calm on the surface, but very passionate in its depths.

The five-dive spots, among others, Gosong Sea in waters within 11 miles of the city of Padang Beach which has a beautiful panoramic expanse of coral reefs, turtles movement towards a remote island to lay eggs.

Then the sea waters of Pulau Air, where on the seabed there is the sunken wreck of the Dutch during the colonial era and is now overgrown with coral and beautiful colorful sponges. At that location also often seen hordes of divers spotted a large shark that has been there that attact the divers.

Pieh Island marine waters, in Pariaman district that has a steep wall of the underwater coral reef layered with panoramic almost the same as in Bunaken National Park, South Sulawesi. And the fourth dive spot, located on the ocean waters Marak Island, Pesisir Selatan District which also has a steep underwater walls with a natural beauty coral reef.

The fifth dive spot found in marine waters of Pandan Island, which in addition has a beautiful panoramic underwater there also a Dutch forts on the island.

As said by some divers there, "There is a different sensation, the ocean current character under the waters are very different."

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(Source Kompas, ANT /Images D Taylor)

Italian Wine Bistro with Garlic Sensation

Oh, this is not in Italia, no! It's a restaurant in Jakarta that offers a fusion menu with the Korean cuisine, please do not be surprised if the food menu available treat with the garlic flavor.

“Mad for Garlic”, a restaurant located in a downtown shopping center, just come inside and garlic smell around, humm... Interior in the space filled with creative design ornaments made of a series of garlic. Beautiful!

The friends said that they recommended the menu, such as Garlic Snowing Pizza, Gorgonzola Pizza, Chilly Curry Chicken, Garlicpeno Pasta, Mushroom Risotto, Garlic Steak, Sweet Pepper Steak, Triple Garlic Pasta, and Dracula Killer as the appetizers (garlic bread cooked with olive oil and anchovie).

For visitors who want to experiment with the another menu, do not worry, there is fried rice, Garlicholic Rice use with the Japanese rice. Besides garlic, most of the menu at this restaurant serves seafood in their main dish.

Experts say that garlic contains phytochemicals that may shed fat in the body, slimming the body, kills the virus and eradicate the fungus in the body. In addition it also contains potent antioxidants and repel flu.

So, the menu in this restaurant has many health benefits, let's try, pizza, risotto, pasta, its tempting, of course, with a touch of garlic inside.

The orders come, pizza, a soft thin garlic fries spread evenly across the pizza, with a sprinkling of cheese on top. Crisp, once bitten there is a sense of sweet, salty, savory, and crunchy. Sweet because there are pieces of pineapple, and felt the smell of shrimp in it. Yummy!

Triple Garlic Pasta is also very tasty, a pile of spaghetti with spicy sauce mixed with garlic, mussels, shrimp, and squid in a container. Because of spiciness, color is very red. It is suitable for fans of spicy flavor, delicious!

Chewy spaghetti, spicy and delicious pasta sauce, mussels, shrimp, and squid was very fresh, very distinctive aroma that comes from the leaves of garlic.

Home atmosphere resto with a touch of medieval Europe, with brick walls, giving the different impression in taste and aura. Garlic!

How to get there:

"Mad for Garlic"

Address: Grand Indonesia, Jakarta
Area: Central Jakarta
City: Jakarta – Indonesia
Opening hours: Every day, 11:00 am - 0:00 pm
Busway: Shelter Grand Indonesia
Facility: 180 chairs, Lounge and Private Rooms
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(Source R Soedjarwo /Images “Mad for Garlic” and LoveIndonesia)

The Waves Surge of Mandalika Beaches

This region has been known since the past for the backpacker tourists, they look for other alternatives that differ from the tourist area beaches in Bali. It is true, not too many tourists here, so the beaches is comfortable to swim in the afternoon or evening.

Southern coast of the island of Lombok is having the old legend about a beautiful princess in the past, Princess Mandalika, a princess of the royal Tojang Beru. Her beauty brings disaster, she rejected many marriage proposals put forward by the royal princes neighbors, disaster struck. Love is rejected and the princess must make sacrifices, she threw herself into the sea, ocean waves with winds swallow, lightning, and thunder boomed.

Before jumping, she promised to return once every year in the form of thousands Nyale or marine worms, now everyone can have it. Nyale worms can be found all over Lombok Island along the southern coast approximately 72 kilometers an hour from the city of Mataram, but thanks to the history, locals often gather in Seger Beach looking for worms in about February, five days after the full moon.

The south coast of Lombok Island store charm with white sands and the waves are roaring on the sidelines of the rocks, look elsewhere row of green hills that give color contrast in the evening sky.

Although located on the island of Lombok, the area is named "Kuta Beach", is named the same as the famous beach on the island of Bali, just maybe the locals there inspired the beach.

The waves never stopped greet spectacular shoreline, especially in coastal areas of Gerupuk Beach, the surfers love this area, and not just for surfers itself, tourists who just want to enjoy the white sand, snorkeling, diving or just for swimming, can visit the beauty of shoreline curvature with the color of sea water blue-green shades on the beach of Tanjung Aan.

Mandalika beach area with virgin beaches are still waiting faithfully, there.

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(Source R Firhadi /Images R Firhadi and H Isnaeni)

Sepang, The Last Circuit for Marco Simoncelli

Sunday afternoon local time at the "Sepang International Circuit", Malaysia, has fulfilled with the MotoGP motorcycle racing fans, temperatures around 34 degrees Celsius, very hot for most riders that are going to start the race.

Racing circuit which was built by a German architect, Hermann Tilke, has been recognized by the racing world in Southeast Asia since inaugurated on March 9, 1999 by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, located approximately 80 km from the capital city of Kuala Lumpur in Selangor, but only 20 minutes from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). A place designated as the venue for the Formula One Malaysian Grand Prix, A1 Grand Prix and other motorsport events.

Sepang race track following a clockwise direction, with a circuit length of 3:44 mi, with a bend as much as 15 tracks full of challenges, as well as the 8-lane semi-straight, or long straight can be reached speeds over 300 km/hour.

With track racing is not as usual with a very long back straight separated from the pit straight by just one very tight hairpin, allowing many opportunities for overtaking rider to perform the race, a sensation of a suspenseful race!

The great circuit for the people of Malaysia that put this circuit as the "Home of Motorsports" and the central activity in the automotive racing world-class level, with the support of high technology electronic devices network of fiber optic cable system along the path, 27 closed-circuit television camera, centered in the Race Control Room.

Spectator seating capacity reached 130,000 people for a world class racing events. The main grand stand stage can accommodate 32,000 spectators, and 18 seat suite for the corporate sponsors who made reservations.

Note added to the circuit after the Sunday, October 23, MotoGP race of 2011 in Sepang. At first the race runs well like usually race on from the starting line, but it all changed after the race enters the second lap, the bend 11.

Horrible accident occurred, Marco Simoncelli of Honda Gresini, is fighting with Alvaro Bautista in the race for fourth place, he lost control of his motorcycle when cornering to the right, so it slipped. His motorcycle into the path's Yamaha Tech 3 rider Colin Edwards, and Ducati rider, Valentino Rossi. Horror accident is inevitable, because the Edwards motor ran over his Simoncelli’s head, his helmet off. He was lyin’ down in the race lane!

The motor racing world had to lose their talented rider, Marco "Supersic" Simoncelli, died at the Sepang Circuit, Malaysia, during the race after just two laps.

Race in Peace, Marco! Good-bye!

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(Source Autosport /Images JJ Aditya)

Traveling to the non-English Speaking Country

When we get the opportunity to travel to several tourist destinations, difficulties occur all of the destinations we choose have great respect for their mother tongue.

What we have to prepare then? Of course as usual early in the course of preparation needs to be done, but special arrangements must be made to anticipate the situation in the resorts that use languages other than English.

1. Learn the customs in the destination country. We need to study what kind of habits of local residents carried out before the trip, such as the belief that they believed, places of worship and prayer, the places are forbidden to enter, how to say hello, greet resident, entered the restaurant and others.
2. The language used. In order for the trip enjoyable and not bother with language difficulties, there's nothing wrong when following language course destinations.Especially when traveling in the destination country lasts long enough, follow the course for 2-3 months.
3. Buy books and CDs for conversational everyday conversation. This can be done before the trip takes place, especially before the days of departure. This action is a cost saving by learning self-taught, in order to facilitate in reciting the language of destination country.
4. Make a small note about basic conversation is often done. Through a small note that we can learn basic conversational sentences are often used, such as "How are You?", “Where is it this place?", "Please, Help me", "Thank you, Sir!", "Good Morning!" and so on. Something else needs to be prepared for example conversations in public places,asking price, ask how, ask directions, and so on. Distinguish verb with a noun. Nouns more easily described, while the verb is more difficult to be described.

5. Small notes for important things. Adjectives are usually found on the instructions of the road. Especially in the opposite words like the words in and out, top-down, wait-go, and so on.
6. Ask for help. Why not, right? Ask for help to local residents, for example, says, "How to say in your language?". To be more active in asking for help, give the paper to write it, so we get a new vocabulary of their language.

7. Looking for places to eat/local restaurants. Local restaurants provide a cheaper price, eat at cafes or restaurants that are not visited by tourists. Find someone to help understand how the local food menu and describe it so that we can enjoy good food at cheap prices.
8. Learn the local language directly from the source. It's really a great experience? While drinking water diving, day trips while we increase knowledge in a foreign language that can later be useful in the following way. Even possible to apply for a job, help a friend. Great!
9. Important! Always Smiling! True, just smile! Smile is the easiest language and understood by all people around the world. Asks for help with a smile or say thank you in local language will add capital in our journey there. A cultural oasis in your tour.

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(Source Kompas /Images JE Ginting)

Come and taste the Soto Tauco in the city of Tegal

A small town that is famous known for their Aci Tofu and Pletok Tofu, we also can found their other delicious foods, such as satay and lamb curry, Tegal meatballs, Tegal-style Lengko rice, chicken satay, pia palm sugar, godog noodles, until rice mix (rames rice) and other unique dishes.

When passing by the town of Tegal in Central Java's north coast, please stopped at a soto special stall, Moro Tresno, the location is easy to find because it is located in the town square.

Let's try their typical meal, Sauto, which is slightly different from soto soup, gravy tauco given. There are also sauto with clear soup, without tauco and options to suit the buyer tastes with beef tripe and chicken meat.

They are very fond of tauco, the town of Tegal very closely with tauco as one of the ingredients for any kind of cuisine. Tauco characteristic flavor and a slightly sour flavor savory dishes plus meet with a little spicy flavor, the seasoning of pepper sprinkled on top of soto soup. The aroma of spices also add delicious and savory dishes.

One stall location in the plaza east of the city, adjacent to the police station, entered a small door behind the white wall there is a typical Tegal hawker complex called Senggol Market.

Moro Tresno stalls providing food other than sauto, but if not try this food, feels incomplete, what kind of dishes are these foods? Delivered food rings to the table, clear brown gravy with stuffing all housed in a soto bowl round enough to pay for Rp 8,000 per bowl.

Tasty and fresh, the smell of spices tauco give a touch of different flavors, with a choice tauco typical acid content of chicken, beef tripe and other cow innards. In addition, in a sauto bowl also added rice, bean sprouts, scallions, and fried onions. Adding their tasty food!

For visitors who want a meal without seasoning mixture tauco, shop owners also provide soto 'without seasoning tauco', "We have prepared the menu for visitors, visitor tastes are diverse."

Stalls owner got busier serve the visitors, more night and more crowded, almost every day of his stall full of visitors during the opening hours morning until round near midnight, all available with a quick and satisfied customers!

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(Source Wink Heryawan /Images W Heryawan)

1000 Pearls from Lombok Island

Not only the natural beauty and beaches, this island has been known since a long time as the pearls island. Once we arrived in Lombok International Airport, we see the pearl vendors. They are so easy to find, just walking around on this island, ranging from the hotel lobby, on the edge of the city streets, in the tourist areas, every corner of the city.

Lombok Island is known as South Seas ‘golden’ pearl cultivation area, we can find pearl farms in the northwestern coast of the island, in the west side of Sekotong Timur, Sekotong Tengah, and Lembar area.

Pearl farms in Lombok lies in the chain of ten islands, along the north side of the Sekotong peninsula, between the Sekotong Timur and Bangko Bangko at the west end. In addition to the South Sea pearls, Lombok also known as the freshwater cultivation pearls, although almost the same shape, but the natural pearls (sea water pearls) is still more expensive.

Pearl is a woman’s dream, a good white and brown shape are seen clear, smooth and tends to round. Can be found other forms, round with small bumps that form a natural sea water pearls that can not be formed in the shells.

Large freshwater pearl oval shaped like a dove egg, pink and white as well as the price is relatively very cheap. Freshwater pearls that have been tied up in rings, earrings, and necklaces that use only silver lining for Rp 10,000-20,000 per unit.

Be careful with the sellers who put a price of up to three times the actual price, do not hesitate to bid as low as possible! What about the seawater pearl?

Sea water pearls are very expensive and was only found on the pearl shops of the area 'Sekarbela' in the city of Mataram, Lombok, the price per gram of around Rp 250,000 - 500,000, which is white and the brown the most expensive ranging from Rp 350,000. So one brown pearls which weighs five grams only be worth Rp 1.75 million.

Pearl hunting on this island, especially in the city of Mataram would give experience in itself, given the vendors prices vary widely, depending on the model, design and its size. Lombok pearl tour in the region, be prepared to welcome the sparkle pearl there!

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(Various sources /Images IDC, kaskus and Lombok Travel)

The coolness and green view of Pondok Halimun Sukabumi

A mountain tourist sites with cool air and green view as far as the eye could see, looking for fresh air in the tourist region in Sukabumi, West Java could be the choice of tourists from Jakarta, if you want to avoid the Puncak’s traffic jam every weekend.

There is no other choice, the way to Sukabumi through Ciawi toll gate is the only path for the car or transportation vehicle to Sukabumi.

Along the main street seemed full of mineral water transport truck, car drivers should be patient enough if you want to overtake a truck transport which controls the road, they walked at a slow pace.

Past the Selabintana Hotel to the tourist area of Pondok Halimun, 12 miles north of downtown Sukabumi, a trip to get there through the tea plantation road, not far from the gate of the Mount Gede-Pangrango National Park. Views of greenery fills the entire sight, cool.

Pondok Halimun (Hazy Cottage) refreshing the body from all tucked in a big city, tea walk, a walking trip along the tea plantations, the right place for refreshing at the green tea plantations, biking and camping to enjoy the out door area.

From the Pondok Halimun tea plantation area immediately continue the journey through the tea plantation area to Situgunung or Goalpara tea plantation, do not forget to use the bike because the scene was greeted at the front of the green journey.

Travellers can release soon tired, eating the roasted corn. Cipelang River upstream with gardens on the banks of the river, the water is very clear, and many large boulders. Fit to be a place to relax over lunch (prepare and bring the lunch before) while holding the mat. Wow!

The air in the vicinity such as cloudy as fog fills the air and the more fog when evening came, should come before noon.

The strong travelers can go for trekking at the foot of Mount Pangrango to see the waterfall, Curug Cibereum, through lush forests and clear rivers along 2 km, the birds singing along the way. Walking trails pretty steep, but the tiredness will be paid upon arrival at the waterfall.

Travel in the middle of greenery and the cool air around it. The fatigue body does not feel anymore, all so fresh!

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(Various sources /Images PL, Sukabumi Travel)

Komodo Island, The New7Wonders of Nature!

Send KOMODO to 9818

A lieutenant in 1910, Steyn van Hens Broek, tried to prove statements from the Dutch troops about the existence of a large dragon like animal on an island on the south side of East Nusa Tenggara province in the east of Sumbawa Island, separated by Sape Strait, they named the island as the Komodo Island.

The island is known as a habitat for native dragons animals, Komodo, and designated as the Komodo National Park managed by the Government of Indonesia. In addition to this Komodo, this island also store a variety of exotic flora, such as “sepang wood” which is used as a medicinal and dye clothing by the local people and “nitak ini tree” (Sterculia oblongata) is believed to be useful as medicines and seeds are tasty and delicious like peas.

Komodo Island, not just a matter of Komodo dragons animals, but the uniqueness of nature under the sea, a collection of stone corals, fish diversity and the enchantment of coral reefs, swimming the giant stingray without sting making it safe to swim with them under the water and diving spots that please the diving enthusiasts.

The world community can rate and provide an appreciation of the uniqueness contained in this island, one of the ancient creatures that still live up to the present, Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis), the giant lizard in the world.

The nomination of this island has been going on and the organizers, The New 7 Wonders Foundation, has set the area of the island as one of the finalists of the “New Seven Wonders of Nature”, the winner is determined by internet voting (or via sms). Indeed there was a slight misunderstanding between the organizers with the Indonesian tourism ministry, but the promotion of the Komodo Island seems to have run thus far.

Selection of the Komodo Island to get The New 7 Wonders of Nature from the version of The New 7 Wonders Foundation, almost left a few weeks away, would need support so that the island is included in “the big 7”, it takes the support of 120 million votes before the deadline (November 11, 2011). Today, the Komodo Island compete with 28 other states with their uniqueness sites.

Despite the competition that occurs with a variety of unique tourist sites in various other places in the world, the characteristics of a natural attractions are hard to compare, unless it has seen where its uniqueness itself.

There is always a pleasant surprise there!

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(Various sources /Images Setiadi Darmawan and Indonesia United)

Cannibals eating a German Tourists

Are there still cannibals tribe in the world today? Maybe! Stefan Ramin, 40, a marine geologist and palaeontologist alumni from Georg-August Universität Göttingen thought to have been a victim of the cannibals in his journey on an island in the South Sea, French Polynesia, Pacific.

He has traveled around the world since 2008 using a catamaran (a boat with a double hull) with his girlfriend, Heike Dorsch, 37, it can be seen from a variety photos of his fascinating trip at picasaweb site.

Stefan Ramin comes from Haselau, Schleswig-Holstein, northern Germany writes about himself on a social networking site, that travel around the world is an obsession since being in college, he just wants to "travel, sailing, kiting, kitesurfing, windsurfing, surfing, diving... essentially everything that people can do on the surface and under water "

He always wrote down his adventures in an online blog, telling their activities to friends and relatives. Voyage took him to an island in the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia, he landed in Nuku Hiva Island, September 2011, which has been known since centuries is an area that embraces cannibalism. Curiosity beat his fears about this place and the adventures continued.

He's adventuring through to the interior of the island, as written in various international media, Sunday, October 16, 2011, he went to a traditional goat hunting in the forests along with a local guide named Henri Haiti.

The local guide, Haiti returned alone and said, "Has been an accident. He needs help," but unexpectedly he had evil intentions, the guide abusing Miss Dorsch.

While Stefan Ramin alleged victims preyed upon the cannibals on the island, 22 search team member from the local police found the scattered ashes in a valley. Among the embers contained the bones, including a jaw bone, teeth and the metal melt, which is believed as dental fillings. The investigators believe, a figure "of the human body has been dismembered and burned” there.

Police suspect the locals guide also was one of a group of human cannibals, soldiers from the French overseas territories have joined the police to pursue the guide.

Ominous news for the world of travel adventuring, cannibalism was never heard again in today's modern world, although it was reportedly a tribe in Papua New Guinea, the Korowai tribe (approximately 3000 people) is one of the last tribe of cannibals as a cultural practice.

Terrifying adventure for a traveling event in the world!

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(Source dailymail, Bild, xing, Picasaweb /Images S Zudts, B Moitessier)

Tournament of Flower 2012 Tomohon

When we arrived in the city of Manado, North Sulawesi certainly hope to find something unique in this city, there’s many special experiences here. Friendly people, nice girls, beautiful beaches, the charm of Bunaken Marine Park, a rare animal Tarsius or Tangkasi (a type of small monkey) as well as delicious cuisine. The tour was never finished!

It's never finished! Take a trip to the mountains around 1-2 hours drive through the city of Tondano and arrived in a city district, Tomohon, cool town fresh air at the foot of Mount Lokon and Mount Mahawu with various rare species of flora and fauna that found only in North Sulawesi, such as Nepenthes masarangense, Bufo celebensis (horned frogs), Ficus minahassae and Schefflera actinophylla which is the native flora of Tomohon.

Tomohon very rich with flowers flourish and this became the inspiration for residents to hold an annual celebration, Tomohon Flowers Festival, which has been held every July since 2008.

Not only in the “Tournament of Roses” in Pasadena, United States, we see a lively flowers tournament, the Mayor of Tomohon, Jefferson Rumayar and local governments see the potential of the flowers that well grow in this region, they are inspired and immediately held a festival, Tournament of Flower 2012 (ToF 2012), inviting hundreds of participants from various cities and districts in Indonesia.

This annual tournament also seems to invite the attention of many other countries, like Vietnam, North Korea, Russia, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore to participate enliven the party.

A group of flower farmers from a number of flowers centers scattered in the city of Tomohon, such as Village of Kakaskasen, Rurukan and Temboan immediately prepare to welcome the party, as well as in the previous year celebration event, tourists coming from different cities and countries, they are welcome happy festive party.

Thousands of flowers will adorn the convoy of floats along the 7 km, Japanese Aster, Taikoko, Tuberose, Chrysanthemum, rare Orchids and others meet in all corners of place in the city, very beautiful!

At various locations along the road was built the platforms for festival with a variety of other events, such as the Electoral of Princess Flowers, Plants Flower and Horticulture Exhibition, Arts and Culture Events, Agriculture Extension Flowers, Seminars, Flower Arranging Competition, such an annual big moment!

In accordance with the slogan on the festival celebration, "Greet The World with Flowers"

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(Source North Sulawesi Tourism Office /Images R Worang)

Traveling and Photography Support Each Other

Taking photos is easier with the availability of various options in cameras and photography equipment on the market, photography enthusiast can freely choose what kind of camera products are suitable for use in accordance with the needs and the price could reach.

Not surprisingly, when looking at the camera attached to other devices that can be said to be part of our lives, such as cell phones or smartphone. The opportunity to photograph becomes increasingly easy to do at any time.

Of course some basic things that must be understood in order to produce works of great and interesting photos, the photography is important is not the sophistication of a camera, but the resulting visual works.

Can begin with a camera photographing whatever we have, can be a pocket camera or using a cell phone.

Proper lighting plays a photograph called "successful", as well as good composition and interesting pictures on the targeted object.

Lighting is a precision fit between the lens aperture and shutter speed on the camera. Measurement of lighting can be done automatically, programmed, or set manually on the camera.

Composition is the photographer's ability to arrange objects in a picture frame so that it becomes an interesting photo. To get the right composition, it is necessary to exercise shooting as often as possible.

A photographer who will get to travel a large selection of shooting moments, just not always from the front of the object image, but also try point of view from below or from above the object image. Photos become interesting if the object looks focused and not too meet the frame.

A tourist sites can provoke emotions of the audience after a photographed tourist attraction, a beautiful moment captured, the landscape is an easy object image is generated, but the feeling of the photographer plays a role.

Photographing natural scenery, landscapes, need perfect timing, for example in the morning, before 09.00 am or during the afternoon. Why? The atmosphere at tourist sites will give a dramatic impression. The moment of sunset is always inspiring, especially when adding the human element in the camera frame, the result will be very great!

A masterpiece photographs into high-value when a photographer is able to understand all aspects of culture, arts and customs of local communities that represent the tourist sites where the object image is taken, be a certain satisfaction!

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(Source R Helabumi /Images Setiadi Darmawan, Agus Setiawan and Agus Pramudya T)