The readers of an online travel magazine have named Bali as the top holiday destination in Asia for 2011.
The poll, conducted by Smart Travel Asia, also picked out several Bali resorts as the top places for a relaxing break.
Bali took the top spot from Kerala, India, which was bumped down to No. 4. Phuket, Thailand, and Hong Kong were the runners-up, respectively.
In terms of top places to stay, a number of Bali resorts were included in the top 25 list, including the Bulgari Resort Bali and the Four Seasons Resort Bali at spots 2 and 3, respectively.
The poll also reported on preferred budget airlines, with AirAsia getting the gold star. Indonesia’s own Lion Air failed to chart.
The poll did not specify the number of voters, but the demographics skewed upscale. According to the magazine, voters took an average of 15.75 air trips over the past year and earned an average annual income of $150,000.
Lebaran, or Idul Fitri, is the biggest Muslim celebration in Indonesia. The holiday marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, so you know food plays an important role, perhaps even more so than with other celebrations.
Among the classic Lebaran dishes, perhaps the most famous is ketupat, a compressed rice dish cooked in diamond-shaped parcels made from coconut fronds. It has a very bland taste and is normally served with other dishes such as rendang, a dried beef curry. Ketupat is easy to make at home, with the exception of the parcels, which require a bit of skill. The best place to buy ketupat parcels are at traditional markets.
For this week’s recipe, I have several spins on how to transform the tasteless ketupat into something tasty. Ketupat is normally served at room temperature, but it’s nice to serve it warm.
Turmeric and Ginger Ketupat
Cooking ketupat in a light stock gives it a wonderful flavor.
Ingredients:
To make 7 ketupat you will need: 450 grams of rice; 7 woven coconut frond parcels; 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder or 20 centimeters of fresh turmeric, peeled and finely ground; 5 centimeters of ginger, peeled and finely grated or ground; 5 shallots or 50 grams, peeled and finely ground; salt to season.
For the stock: 2.5 milliliters of water; 3 lemongrass stalks, crushed; 3 lime leaves; 10 centimeters of ginger, peeled and roughly chopped; 100 grams of shallots; peeled and kept whole; 3 tablespoons of thick coconut cream; 1 tablespoon of salt.
Directions:
1. If using fresh turmeric, add 3 tablespoons of water and mix. With the ground turmeric, mix well and press to get the extract.
2. Mix extract of turmeric or turmeric powder into the rice and add 2 tablespoons water, grated ginger, shallots and season with salt. Mix well.
3. Add the lemongrass, shallots, chopped ginger, lime leaves and coconut cream into the water. Mix well and bring the water to a boil and then to a simmer.
4. In the meantime, fill the parcels halfway with rice and tie a knot at the top of the parcels. Keep doing this until 7 parcels are made.
5. Gently place the ketupat into the stock and let submerge.
6. Cover and cook for 1 hour on medium heat.
7. Serve warm with any curry or any dish you like.
Star Anise and Cloves Ketupat
Cooking technique is the same as the recipe above, but with aromatic star anise and clove flavors.
Ingredients:
To make 7 ketupat you will need: 450 grams of rice; 50 grams of star anise; 20 grams of cloves; 4 cinnamon sticks; 3 salam or bay leaves; 1 large onion, peeled and roughly chopped; 2.5 liters of water; 1.5 tablespoons of salt.
Directions:
1. Mix all the ingredients except the rice into the water.
2. Bring to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes.
3. Fill the ketupat packets halfway with rice and place them into the water.
4. Cook for 1 hour and then remove.
5. Serve with your favorite Lebaran dish.
Pieces of batik hang in glass cases in the Batik Gallery at the Jakarta Textile Museum like illustrated pages jumping off history books.
Each piece tells the life stories and legends of a bygone era in Kudus, the smallest district in Central Java.
One piece shows a black-and-white motif of a capsized ship. The unique piece of batik tells the history of Adm. Cheng Ho, who came to Indonesia in the early 1400s. One of his ships capsized just off the coast from Mount Muria, a dormant volcano, washing its cargo and survivors ashore.
The ship’s cargo consisted of exotic spices from around the world that sprouted on the fertile land around the volcano and still grow there today. Its survivors, the admiral’s army, populated the villages below Mount Muria and are the ancestors of the people of Kudus.
Another unique motif from Kudus is Pakis Haji , or Queen Sago Palm, which depicts the palm’s deeply furrowed trunks and lush green foliage.
“Sunan Muria [the guardian of Muria] cut the tree trunk and made it into a cane that accompanied him during his travels across Java to spread Islamic teachings in the 16th century,” said Yuli Astuti, a batik Kudus artisan. “It’s believed that the cane had magical powers.”
Yuli was one of the pioneers who led a batik revival in Kudus in 2005.
Since the early 1900s, batik from Kudus has been famous for its pictorial and calligraphic motifs. It reached its golden era in the 1930s, when Lie Boen Ien and Liem Wie Tjioe, batik artisans of Chinese descent from the northern coastal city of Pekalongan, also in Central Java, relocated to Kudus and set up production centers.
They combined their expertise and knowledge with the local cultural elements of Kudus batik.
“That’s what makes Kudus batik so unique,” Yuli said. “It’s a multicultural product that combines local, Chinese and Islamic elements.”
The Chinese batik artisans developed vibrant flora and fauna motifs in Kudus, such as the ornate buketan , or floral bouquet, and the exquisite merak katelia peacock and Cattleya orchids, designs that can take more than one year to create.
Handmade Kudus batik went into decline with the introduction of printed and hand-stamped techniques in the 1970s. Customers preferred these new varieties because it was much cheaper, due to the shortened production process.
“By the 1980s, Kudus batik was near extinction,” Yuli said. “The young generation chose to leave batik-painting and work in cigarette factories that guaranteed more pay for less work.”
Kudus produces tobacco and cloves and is an important center for cigarette production, with more than 100 factories.
By 2005, there was only one batik artisan left in Kudus, Niamah, who was then 75 years old and did not have any children to follow in her footsteps.
The Kudus district government became concerned and invited embroiderers to Kudus to study batik under Niamah.
However, only about 20 people accepted the offer and attended the free workshop. Even fewer followed through with what they learned at the workshop and seriously pursued the craft.
“But I felt that it was my calling,” Yuli said. “So, after the workshop ended, I came to Niamah’s house almost every day to learn how to paint batik.”
At the end of 2005, Yuli closed down her embroidery shop and opened Muria Batik Kudus, a workshop and production center. To promote her craft, Yuli participated in textile exhibitions in Jakarta.
It was during one of these exhibitions at the Jakarta Convention Center in December 2008 that she met Miranti Serad and Ade Krisnaraga Syarfuan, members of a textile group called Rumah Pesona Kain. RPK was set up in 2005 as an organization for lovers of traditional Indonesian textiles.
The group aims to revitalize Indonesia’s traditional textile industry by training and motivating traditional artisans, reintroducing traditional textiles to the Indonesian market and promoting traditional Indonesian textiles abroad.
“Kudus batik is not only a work of art, but also a cultural product with a deep historical and philosophical meaning,” said Ade, one of the group’s leaders.
“Take the yellow-and-black motif that resembles undulating valleys. It was adapted from the Arabic inscription of ‘Allah.’ The batik reflects the deeply ingrained religious nature of the people of Kudus,” she added.
Ade and Miranti proposed including Kudus batik as part of RPK’s incubation program, which aims to revitalize the production of traditional textiles by training, motivating and funding traditional artisans. Currently, RPK’s program is active in 19 areas the country.
So the two began the job of helping to revive Kudus batik. At the time, the art form had lost much of its originality, so the pair conducted in-depth research and borrowed old pieces from collectors for local artisans to reproduce.
One of the collectors was Hartono Soemarsono, a batik entrepreneur who owns more than 600 vintage pieces from all over Indonesia.
“Kudus batik is a rare find,” he said. “It has exquisitesogan [brownish] hues like Yogyakarta and Solo batiks, yet they have more descriptive patterns.”
Fourteen of Hartono’s pieces of Kudus batik from the 1930s and the 1940s are now on display at the Jakarta Textile Museum until the end of the month.
“They’re very difficult to make,” Ade said. “The original motifs are very detailed and intricate. It takes between three and eight months to create them.”
RPK promotes the final products of all that effort in various textile expos in Indonesia and abroad. The groups has also invited a number of high-profile Indonesian designers to create collections using the textile.
Fashion designer Barli Asmara is one of them. The designer presented his collection “Pesona Batik Kudus” at Graha Bimasena in South Jakarta at the end of March.
“Kudus batik is still underexposed,” Barli said. “It’s not as famous as batik from Yogya, Solo or Pekalongan. Yet, it actually has very beautiful motifs that could be turned into chic outfits.”
Barli combined Kudus batik with intricate tobacco motifs, lace and brocade and made them into stylish dresses and flared skirts.
He also combined the batik with vibrant butterfly motifs, chiffon and taffeta to create elegant jackets.
“I wanted the young generation to realize that Kudus batik can also look young and trendy for their daily wear,” Barli said.
The designer’s work is on display at the RPK gallery in Epicentrum Walk in South Jakarta.
With so many exhibitions and fashion shows, Kudus batik has enjoyed a newfound popularity.
In April, Djarum, one of the country’s largest cigarette producers, which is based in Kudus, ordered 70,000 pieces of batik from Yuli for employee uniforms.
“It’s a special batik that incorporates traditional Kudus motifs, including tobacco leaves, cloves and shipwrecks,” Yuli said.
This year, the Kudus district government passed a regulation that requires all civil servants to wear local batik every Wednesday and Friday.
“Hopefully, this regulation will help to support the growth of the local batik industry,” Yuli said.
With growing demand, the industry has once again expanded and attracted young artisans.
Today, Yuli employs 40 paid artisans at her workshop. In her spare time, she organizes free batik workshops for students from elementary school to high school.
Talented participants from the workshops could get the chance to be hired as artisans for Yuli’s workshop. One of the newest hires is 21-year-old Malihatun. After graduating from high school in 2009, she took part in a workshop to learn how to paint batik.
“I love drawing,” she said. “So, painting batik is a way to channel my hobby.”
After she completed a three-month training course, she was asked to join the workshop full time. Malihatun jumped at the opportunity.
“I was so happy,” she said. “I am able to make a living out of what I like doing best.”
Some of her friends chose to work in the cigarette factories in Kudus, but Malihatun never looked back.
“I’m so proud of what I’m doing,” she said. “I’m actually creating a fashion product for people to wear.”
A high point for Malihatun came when she watched her favorite actor, Reza Rahadian, win the Best Actor Award at the Indonesian Film Festival in December last year.
On the television screen, the actor accepted his award in a black batik shirt, featuring a Queen Sago Palm motif that gave away its Kudus origin.
“I recognized it as the batik that we had worked on at the workshop,” Malihatun said. “So, I gathered all my friends and family members in front of the TV. I was so proud. It gave me a deep sense of satisfaction that no amount of money could buy.”
Indonesia is the largest archipelago and the fourth most populated country in the world. With over 17,000 different islands, Indonesia has just about every different kind of landscape imaginable. Mountains, volcanoes, rice terraces, bustling metropolitan cities, sleepy villages, beautiful beaches and so much more can be found within its borders. For those considering a trip to Indonesia, there are a few places that are must-sees that deserve special recognition.
Bali is one of those must-see places in Indonesia. With gorgeous beaches and pristine water set against a stunning backdrop of rugged coastline, volcanoes, and rice terraces, it’s easy to see why many believe that Bali is paradise on Earth. While many come to the island for its world-class surfing and other water sports, or to simply relax and enjoy one of the many beaches, Bali also has a wealth of cultural opportunities. While Indonesia as a whole is predominantly Muslim, the majority of people in Bali are Hindu, and their religion and culture shines through in their everyday life. Away from the beaches, the cultural heart of Bali is considered to be Ubud. Ubud has a number of historical sites, in addition to museums and galleries. The landscape surrounding Ubud is something to be seen as well, with rice paddies and terraces surrounding the town, enveloping the area in a sea of green.
Another beautiful and interesting cultural place to visit while in Indonesia is Borobudur. An ancient Buddhist stupa and temple complex, Borobudur is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in central Java. No one knows for sure as to who exactly built Borobudur, or even why it was built, though it’s thought to have been constructed during the 8th century. Along with the mystery of who built it and why, there’s no clear answer as to why Borobudur was abandoned, although many believe that it may have something to do with the area’s conversion to Islam during the 15th century. Regardless of the reasons, it’s a beautiful, awe-inspiring complex and a fantastic place to visit.
For those visitors who want to experience Batak culture and see the world’s largest volcanic lake, a trip to Danau Toba is in order. Danau Toba is located in Sumatra, and its beauty must be seen to be appreciated. With a backdrop of mountains set against the cool, clear water, it’s a great place to visit. The Batak people are another good reason to visit Danau Toba, as they are friendly, relaxed, and have a rich cultural heritage.
Visitors wanting to experience modern Indonesia should take a few days to explore Jakarta. The capital and largest city in Indonesia, Jakarta is everything one would expect from a city with around 10 million people, complete with shopping, dining, and nightlife options that make it one of Asia’s most exciting cities. Visit museums, parks, mosques, and markets while you shop and eat your way through the city. Jakarta can be chaotic and overwhelming, but it’s never boring, and it’s an interesting window into the lifestyle of urban Indonesians.
For those of you who are visiting Bali do not let you miss to stop by for a while in the tourist areas of the lake and mountain shelf. The lake is situated at the foot of Mount Batur and believed to be an ancient caldera. Caldera, or giant crater was allegedly caused by the massive eruption of Batur volcano thousands of years ago.
Caldera is now flooded by water which is the source of most agricultural land in Bali. Yes, the water of this lake flows into almost all major rivers in Bali like Unda River in South Bali, Bali river Sunni west, and Bayumala River in North Bali. From the river’s water flow of Lake Batur then be divided by special regulations called Subak. At the edge of Lake Batur Temple stands as a place of worship of Goddess Danu, the manifestation of God in its function as a protective goddess of agriculture. History of Pura Batur is devoted to Goddess of fertility, Dewi Danu. He is the Goddess of the lake water. Mineral-rich water flowing from Lake Batur, flowing from one patch of rice paddy fields to another, gradually down to earth, Enchantment Lake Batur tour certainly on the beautiful scenery.
Throughout the Batur area has a very interesting sight is the area of Kintamani District located in the northern part of Bangli. Penelokan is the best place to see a view of Mount Batur and Lake Batur. To the Batur lake area takes approximately 2 hours drive from Kuta. If you do not know the way over here, it is recommended you rent a car all drivers. You see, public transport here is very limited in number. It’s about 1500 meters from sea level from year to year have temperatures ± 22o C in the daytime, and 16oC at night. For accommodation in this area are very reasonable, If you want to stay, in Kintamani there are few accommodations. The price would vary. Cheapest price around 200 thousand, and the most expensive around 650 thousand. Restaurants are also numerous in this region. Several restaurants in Penelokan located in the best spot to enjoy views of Lake Batur, usually charge more for their dishes.
Sumatra island famous for its natural attractions are diverse, one of the natural attractions of tropical forest, Bukit Lawang is the name of the natural attractions of tropical forests in northern Sumatra Province which is very interesting to visit, this resort is located exactly 68 kilometers northwestern city of Binjai and about 80 km northwest of the Medan town, Bukit Lawang included within the scope of the Gunung Leuser National Park which is a conservation area on the habitat of the orang-utan. If you are visiting Medan North Sumatra, could took a visit to Bukit Lawang. To reach the location can be reached about 2 hours drive from the city of Binjai by using public transport or private. Throughout the journey will be seen palm oil plantations, as well as several rivers that become the source of life of local people. Since serve as the orang-utan conservation area, especially for rehabilitation, the area is known to foreign tourists as a tourist attraction of natural tropical forests. The beauty of Bukit Lawang is inseparable from his position as part of the Gunung Leuser National Park (TNGL). As a national park area, conditions are maintained. The concept of eco-tourism became the main thing here. 
On 2 November 2003, this resort is destroyed natural disaster-ravaged flash flood, when flash floods hit the area this tour, most of the surrounding nature is broken. Body river was widened because some trees hundreds of years old that is on the banks of the river was hit by the flood collapsed, hundreds of casualties were killed, and houses washed away. But now, Bukit Lawang nearly 90 percent recovered. In addition to the streets to the woods to see the natural beauty and variety of wildlife there, visitors also can play the stream.
Indonesia is rich in tourist attraction, especially its natural attractions in almost all the Indonesian archipelago has its panoramic views and the uniqueness of each are very beautiful and amazing natural sights such as this one, Lake Tolire in Ternate, North Maluku, it is not complete when you come to Ternate not taking the time to stop by Lake Tolire attractions. The lake is located about 10 km from the central city of Ternate, in addition to the unique shape also has an interesting legend. Lake Tolire be under the foot of Mount Gamalama, the highest volcano in North Maluku. The lake itself consists of two pieces. Local people call it the Great Lakes and Lake Tolire Tolire Small. The distance between them is only about 200 meters. Tolire Great Lakes had a variety of freshwater fish live in it. However, local residents no one dares to catch fish or bathe in the lake. They believe that the lake where the water is yellowish brown, the crocodile inhabited by many demons.
Another uniqueness of this lake is that throw something into the lake, however the strength of the throw by using rocks or other objects for example, will never touch the water of the lake. Yet when throwing from the side or above the lake, the lake looks under the feet of the thrower. Perhaps those who first visited the lake, would not believe the facts. However, they may try to throw it after buying the stone that many are sold in the lake at Rp 1,000 for the five seed stone. So far, no one was able to throw the stones to touch the surface of the lake water.
According to local residents, many treasures are stored at the base of the Great Lakes Tolire. This treasure belongs to the people when the Portuguese ruled the Sultanate of Ternate Ternate the 15th century. Community Ternate was a lot of valuable treasure throw into the lake so as not deprived of the Portuguese army.
There was no particular agency or party that specifically investigate the correctness of the recognition that society. But some time ago, a member of the Mobile Brigade by using sonar to detect objects on the bottom of the lake. The result, indicated there is a substance-metal benada ‘dwells’ in the bottom of the lake
Lake Tolire Large and Small Tolire, according to local stories, used to be a village where people live in prosperity. The village was later condemned to the lake by the ruler of the universe, because one of his father in the village were knocked up her daughter alone.
When father and daughter who dihamilinya it will escape out the village, the land suddenly dropped where they stood and turned into a lake. Great Lakes Tolire believed to be the place of the father. While Tolire Small Lake is believed to be where the girl.
To visit the Lake Tolire Tolire Large and Small, is not difficult. To reach it only takes about 10 minutes from downtown Ternate, using a chartered car Rp 250,000 per day, or hire a motorbike motorcycle taxis with fare of Rp 10,000 per hour.
When you visit the Great Lakes Tolire, many other attractions to be enjoyed, such as the beautiful panorama of Mount Gamalama peak, a number of relics of the Portuguese fort and eat Babullah Sultan, Sultan of Ternate, the most famous – who are on the road to the lake.
In addition,
`we` can also enjoy the beauty of white sand beach Sulamadaha, located only about three kilomerer of Tolire Great Lakes. From here, visitors can also hire a boat to fish or go diving panaroma see the beauty beneath the sea around the beach.
When hearing the name of Bali you might remember going to eksotikan directly attractions, but in Bali is not only famous for its art and culture and its natural beauty, the island of the gods is there a place that could be an option as well as a tourist destination, especially for those looking for a place religion tourism and history, namely Vihara Dharmayana, located in the Kuta area of Bali, since being promoted after the reform era, the Vihara Dharmayana Kuta, Bali, which includes historic buildings, attracting many foreign tourists visit mainly from Korea and Taiwan.many foreign tourists, especially tourists from China visited this place, there is hany a merely curious to those who wish to worship melakaksanakan prayers and other rituals in this oldest temple.
In Indonesia, especially in the southern Sumatra province, there is a beautiful lake and worth a visit for trips or vacations, the lake is Lake Tempe, the lake is visited by many tourists coming from Indonesia or abroad because of the natural beauty around the temple lake.
Tempe Lake, which has a distinctive beauty of South Sumatra province has about 13,000 hectare area, if you look at a certain height, the Tempe lake looks like a giant bowl, and to be seen again, Tempe Lake is the largest producer of freshwater fish in the world, danitu is one of the attractions of Lake Tempe and a source of income for residents nearby.
For stations that were distinctive largest producer of freshwater fish in the world, Lake Tempe is a species of freshwater fish are rare and can not be found elsewhere in the middle of the boat house Lake will see hundreds of fishermen, barge quite unique on the lake This Tempe, houses were decorated with colorful flags and lined up for travelers who enjoy fishing while enjoying the beauty of the moon at night, they can stay in their homes this tefrapung, and each August 23, there will be an event that Sea Festival or citizens called around Maccer Tappareng, Macca Tappareng is one of the public ritual surrounding the lake, Tempe ceremony Tempe Lake to purify the public trust by some, the ceremony was marked by cutting cows led by the chairman of the local fishermen.
The lake is located 7 km from City Sangkang, Wajo capital of South Sumatra province. To reach the Tempe lake we can go from town to the river Walennae Sangkang and can be reached from a landline using a microbus car land transport ie after the river at Lake Tempe Walennae in Travel Travel for 30 minutes by motor boat at a cost of about RpRp.50.000 Rp.70.000 up for each person.
Therefore, for the tourists who visited the province of South Sumatra, will be strongly recommended to visit the Tempe Lake, plus a very nice atmosphere and fun we have all the traditions and unique culture of Lake Tempe is very original and interesting to enjoy, happy recreation
Leaving the train station in Nagano, Japan, I encountered what may be the world’s only snow monkey taxi.
While you can make the long walk to the entrance of the park where the snow monkeys hang out, it’s faster by bus, but more stylish by taxi.
And given I was visiting Nagano on a day trip from Tokyo (thanks to the super speedy Shinkansen bullet trains), I opted for the stylish, if pricey, snow monkey taxi.
