Wonderful Indonesia Tourism Program

By Irwan H Nuswanto 

 

This year the Department of Culture and Tourism held Visit Indonesia year with tagline Wonderful Indonesia. This country will give you amazing experience whether you a beach lover, shopaholic, ecotourism enthusiast, culinary travel, or avid history of wonderful Indonesia.
For beach lover, Indonesia have so many beaches with beautiful waves. Go visit to Batu Bedaun Beach in Riau Archipelago. It's white sandy beach with clean blue sea and small wave. Or you can hit Pangandaran in West Java or Parang Tritis at Jogjakarta. Kuta beach in Bali is a must visit especially for surfer enthusiast. Batu Bolong Beach at Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara has a huge rock with a hole in it.

On the south coast of central Lombok, just hit Putri Nyale Beach. It stretches an unbroken expanse of clean white sand lapped by waves of the Indian Ocean. From Sulawesi, Indonesia has two marine spot you must visit, Bunaken in North Sulawesi and Wakatobi in South East Sulawesi. In Papua, don't ever miss The Raja Ampat Island. It possibly holds the richest variety of species in the world.

Indonesia for Shopaholic and Gourmet Traveller

For shopaholic, you could shop till you drop in Jakarta. Check out the Jakarta's modern shopping havens; Java is handicrafts galore, batik and most of the crafts made in Solo, Central Java and the villages around Yogyakarta, Bandung in West Java is a paradise for those who love garments, Shopping in Bali can offer excellent bargains. Shops that cater mostly to tourists sell modern artwork, leather goods, casual summer clothing and of course beach wear.

For culinary travel, Indonesia offers heaven gourmet. Travelers love eating and food is a big attraction. The most popular Indonesian cuisine is Sate (Satay), grilled meat skewered on wooden sticks, served with a sweet peanut or turmeric sauce.

Indonesia offers a great taste. Try hot and spicy rendang in Padang restaurant, the sweet Gudeg in Yogya. Soto mie, noodle soup with beef and cabbage from Bogor West Java, brown color broth beef soup "Rawon" from East Java, tangy fish dishes and red bean soup in Manado restaurant, spicy ribs soup from Makassar, Sulawesi.

Ecotourism Enthusiast and Avid History

For ecotourism enthusiast, there are many national parks worth visit. Go to Bukit Lawang in Medan. It is the first orang-utan rehabilitation center. Indonesia will continue stunning you at Kerinci Seblat National Park in Padang, a tropical rainforest heritage of West Sumatra, Siberut National Park-a man and biosphere reserve. Continue your eco journey to Way Kambas National Park-home to rhino and elephants in Lampung.

In Java, there are Gunung Halimun National Park-the land under the rainbow and Gunung Gede-Pangrango National Park as the most visited national park in West Java. If you want to see a land above the clouds, go to Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park in East Java.

For avid historical place, there are many relic sites you should visit Indonesia. Go to Batu Sangkar in Bukit Tinggi, West Sumatra, center of Minangkabau culture. Megalithic remains found in the area support the theory of a large community living in the area some 2000 years ago. Carry on to Riau, there is a buddhist temple, Muara Takus Temple.

Borobudur and Prambanan are must visit temple. Carry on to Sulawesi by visiting Waruga Cemetery. It is ancient cemetery of Minahasan ancestors. Another cemetery is The Sacred cemetery of Ju Panggola. It is built in 14th century is located in Gorontalo city. See also Fort Rotterdam also known as Benteng Makassar. It is a historical site of the past greatest Gowa Kingdom. Get ready for your marvelous holiday in wonderful Indonesia.

Irwan is an owner of Indoflick Indonesia media site. Visit his website to find more information on hot and popular, Indonesia news, wonderful Indonesia information, stories, pictures, and video.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Irwan_H_Nuswanto 

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Indonesia's Top Tourist Destinations

By Agustian Hermanto
 
Deciding which part of Indonesia, the world's largest archipelago, to visit can be a little bit puzzling. If you only have a 2-week vacation and you would like to get the best out of your Indonesian trip, where should you go?

Home to more than 17,000 islands, 300 distinct native ethnicities and 700 different languages, truly exploring Indonesia will take a lifetime! However, don't let these numbers scare you away. You can still experience the best of Indonesia if your trip is well planned.

According to the Indonesian Ministry of Culture and Tourism, more than 6 million foreigners visited Indonesia in 2008. This remarkable number increased enormously from 2007. Despite the recent negative media coverage of Indonesia's situation, tourism in Indonesia has never lost its value.
Here are some of the top tourist destinations in Indonesia:

1. Bali - The Island of Gods Bali has now become one of the top WORLD destinations for its white sand beaches, blue sky, magnificent waves, tropical weather and friendly locals. For several years, the International Travel Magazine awarded Bali as the world's best island. There were more than 1.4 million tourists to Bali in 2008. You have to wonder, what makes Bali as the most popular tourist destination in Indonesia? First of all, the island is located 8 to 9 degrees south of the equator with the Java Sea to the north and the Indian Ocean to the south, which gives Bali a wonderful tropical weather all year long! If it is rich cultural experience that you are looking for, Bali has it all for you. Balinese people have very strong Hindu beliefs. This is depicted through the statues and temples that you can visit all around Bali. One of the most popular art form is "Tari Kecak" or the Ramayana Monkey Chant. A fact that most people doesn't know about "Tari Kecak" is that this art form was originally a traditional trance ritual.
2. Bunaken - A Marine Paradise on Earth It is said that Bunaken Marine Park has one of the highest levels of marine biodiversity. The park covers 89,065 hectares of warm tropical waters. It is a paradise of magnificent coral reefs. Many tourists come to this site to dive or snorkel to see the corals firsthand. Bunaken has received much international recognition for its marine park preservation. For instance, The International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN) has chosen Bunaken as its single Asian demonstration site for sustainable reef tourism. You are guaranteed to have a spectacular diving experience here! Staying on the marine park is also a relaxing one. Its laid-back lifestyle provides tourists with an enjoyment that they don't usually get in big city life. Here, everything flows gently and you need not to worry. Start your day by going for a morning dive, then come back for a quick lunch and nap before going for an evening dive.
3. Jakarta - A Metropolitan City in Indonesia Jakarta, the capital and the largest city in Indonesia, is home to 8 million people. It is the twelfth largest city in the world. You might wonder what you can see in Jakarta. There are actually many places that you might not expect to see in Jakarta. If it is museum experience that you are looking for, Jakarta is home to more than 22 museums with their own distinctive specialties. For instance, National Museum displays historical aspects of Indonesian culture through its extensive collections of artifacts and relics that date as far back as the Stone Age. The museum has one of the most complete collections of Chinese ceramics dating back to the Han, Tang and Ming Dynasties, as well as bronze and gold collections from the Indonesian classical period. On the other part of the city, Museum Wayang collects thousands of shadow puppets from all parts of Indonesia. There are many other things that you can do when you visit Jakarta. One thing for certain, culinary adventure is a must! Jakarta has a wide selection of traditional cuisines because of the unique blending of Indonesian ethnicities in Jakarta. At the end, you may fully taste Indonesia's culinary adventure just by staying in Jakarta!

As you can read above, adventure is never ending in Indonesia. However, visit http://www.turisku.com and you will at least experience the best of Indonesia.

Agustian Hermanto is the founder of Turisku. He is dedicated to assist fellow travel junkies in experiencing the very best of Indonesia. Turisku is Indonesia most comprehensive travel guide

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Agustian_Hermanto

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Indonesia Tourism - Exotic and Dangerous

By Theodore Satou

Have you been to Indonesia? Most people know more about Bali than Indonesia, while in fact, Bali is in Indonesia. Bali is one a province  of Indonesia. It is an island which attracts tourists from many other countries. Indonesia itself has so many other tourism destinations. Indonesia is an exotic country. It has more than 17.000 islands, the second longest shoreline in the world. Indonesia is a tropical country. It has so many kinds of tropical plants and animals which are really worth experiencing.

The other interesting thing about tourism in Indonesia is their culture. Indonesia has about tree hundred different ethic groups and 250 distinct languages, all with their different cultures. It makes Indonesia rich in traditional culture that you will never finish enjoying. So many traditional ceremonies and exotic places like temples, traditional houses and shows. Borobudur, a Hindu temple is a must see place when visiting Indonesia. It is one of the wonder of the world that attracts foreign tourists to come. Another temple, Prambanan is also a magical temple which according to the folk story, was build only in one day.

Local people of Indonesia are famous with their friendliness and kindness. Enjoy the smile and warm welcome which is already be in their blood for many years. All of them make Indonesia even more worthy to visit.

However, so many incidents have been happening in the past few years. It reduced the foreign tourists visit significantly. On July 2009, seven people died from suicide bombers in J.W Marriott and Ritz Carlton Hotel in Jakarta. It begins back in few years before with a bombing in Bali which also took some lives including foreign travelers. Although the terrorists was arrested and executed by death penalty, the country is not 100% safe. There might be possibilities of another terrorist acts to happen. Those anarchist acts has made a big disappointment for all people in the world especially local people. Please stop all the threat in Indonesia.

Theodore Satou is a family man. He is a husband and dad, who works mostly in front of computer, as a graphic designer and web developer. He is passionate about reading and blogging. You can also check out his latest website on http://www.travelinsurancecomparison123.com/ which reviews the best travel insurance providers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Theodore_Satou

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A Mansion with a Mission

For the ceramicist F. Widayanto, a house should bring benefits to its surroundings.

A house surrounded with black fence stands in Jl. Setiabudi no.11, Central Jakarta. To look at it in a glace, there is nothing special about the building. What makes it different from the rest of the other beautiful house surrounding it, the gate was open wide, and so was the entrance.

Stepping in, instead of a living room, was a room filled with shelves on almost its every side. And on the shelves was hundreds of ceramics in various size and shapes. On the floor lies ceramic tiles, and in the corner of the room was the reception desk.

That house was certainly not a house in an ordinary sense. This is the house where on certain days, the ceramicist F. Widayanto spends his time. The house was unusual because
beside being the residence of Widayanto, the house is also a showroom that offers ceramic making class.

According to Baidar, the manager of the estate, the house is open for everyone. “We welcome
people to come here. They can just look around without actually having to buy anything. And
for those who are interested to simply talk about ceramics? Please do come here,” he said.

“Just the other day, four students of ITB dan STSI Solo came here to conduct research on
ceramic.” It is usually Baidar who is responsible to answer inquiries about ceramics asked by the students. “Usually, after coming here, they would go to the factory and spends a lot of time there.”

For the staff of Widayanto’s house, such visits are part of their daily lives. For a very long time Widayanto has opened the chance so that people could enter or conduct studies on ceramic in his house.

As an artist Widayanto is a man on a mission to make people realize that almost every aspect
of live could not be separated from ceramic. His house is the embodiment of the thought. Almost every corner of the building was covered or decorated with ceramics of his creation. From the small pool near the reception area, to the rooster shaped figures that decorated the top of the roof. So for anyone interested in finding out more about ceramic, don’t hesitated to come to the house/showroom located in Central Jakarta.

The house in Setia Budi is the main house for Widayanto. He inherited it from his parents. After becoming a successful ceramicist, he bought two adjacent buildings and then expanded his house. “ Twenty years of Widayanto’s career was spent in this house,” said Baidar.

Aside from the house in Setia Budi, he has two other houses. The one in Ciganjur is open for
public as a tourist attraction. The other one is in Tapos, it is the one where he spends his time making and producing his latest ceramics creation. Every week he would come and stay in each of the houses.

Like the house in Setia Budi, his other houses also have missions of their own. The Ciganjur
house, aside from being an exclusive resort also held ceramic making classes for elementary and junior high students. According to Baidar, in September alone, there were about 500 students came and learn about the making of ceramics there.

“It is a long shot, but who knows maybe in the future a world class ceramicist would emerger from one of the little ceramic classes that we have,” said Baidar.

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Hotel Alam Kul-Kul Boutique (4 Star)

Hotel Alam Kul-Kul Boutique is one of the hotels in Kuta who nuanced like a Balinese village which is very menawan.Bagi tourists who prefer close to the beach. Alam Kul-Kul is a cocok.Hal option is supported by the facilities the hotel unites modern furniture with a traditional local crafts, guests will feel more comfortable and happy to enjoy the amenities and ambiance of this hotel.
With a moment you set foot outside the hotel, you can enjoy the surf and the sunset from the famous Kuta Beach in Bali.
Facilities star hotels Indonesia is also getting tougher to compete in accommodating each customer's needs and desires. Of MICE facilities, wi-fi access, ball room. Also favor the uniqueness and charm of its own and without leaving the sophistication and professionalism of services wrapped friendly smile. Their location is usually located in strategic areas, to facilitate you reach the central offices, commercial areas, commerce and entertainment. Nuance offered was more diverse and interesting like the feel of the Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, European classical style, blend modern and traditional elements, minimalist style, even a funky and unique can you get.
Voucher Budget is the solution to be able to continue to enjoy the facilities of Hotel in Kuta at affordable prices. Especially for young couples who want to honeymoon in one of the hotels in Bali, Bali Travel can contact to obtain an unforgettable wonderful experience.
Not only for accommodation in Bali and Lodging in Bali, but also various cities across Indonesia, including Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, Makassar, Batam, Ambon, Semarang, Bandung and all cities in Indonesia.
Hotel Facilities Swimming Pool, Restaurant, Meeting Room and Poolside Bar
Room Facilities Air conditioning, bathtub, Sower, Balcony, safety box (safety box) and Satellite TV Room Rates
TYPE OF ROOM Rates Meals
Natural Room / Pax 02 845 000 1.045 million + + ABF Lanai Room / 02 Pax 1.065 million + 1.2 million + ABF Family Room / 02 1.25 million 1.65 million + Pax + ABF Quad Room / 04 + Pax + ABF 1.425 million 1.885 million Alam Villa / 02 Pax + ABF + 1.425 million 1.885 million Additional Details

1. Room rates are based on per room per night and includes, breakfast for 2 people, and 21% government tax and service.
2. Extra Bed is only valid for 1 person and includes breakfast (maximum 1 Extra Bed per room).
3. A maximum of 1 child (aged under 5 years old) sharing a room with parents without extra charge (without breakfast).
4. Room rates apply only to domestic market (Indonesian citizen)
5. Room rates apply only until June 14, 2011

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Harrads (4 star)

Hotel Harrads is a four-star hotel. Providing 76 rooms consisting of 71 superior rooms and 9 rooms are interconnected and there are also 5 suites. The hotel's location is very strategic, directly on the main street, just minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport, also from Sanur Beach and Kuta Beach. Also to Ubud and Denpasar shopping center. If you're a business trip, corporate interests, family vacation or romantic honeymoon, this is the right place.
 

 Hotel Facilities
* Modern design elegantly combines traditional Balinese architecture with luxurious interior design, there is a park with beautiful scenery in the middle of the quiet atmosphere of the hotel. * The strategic location and an ideal location, providing easy access to all tourist attractions in Bali and places of interest. * Only 20 minutes drive to Bali International Airport, with easy access to major business and commercial .. * The hotel has a restaurant with international tastes & Asia, and also Bar & Café for entertainment executives. Adjacent to the hotel Cafe with international standards BLUE CAFÉ & Night Club and VIP KARAOKE * Free entry swimming pool with views towards the sunset, Bali Exotic Spa with traditional means, jacuzzi and sauna. * Laundry and Dry Cleaning Facility * 24 hour in house Health Clinics * There is a playground for infants and children. * Hot spot in the lounge, restaurant, & also a suite. * Free shuttle to the hours already in the set of GENESIS HOTEL & SPA, to Sanur shopping centers and beaches. o 9:00 to 9:30: 

Can set the air conditioning * IDD telephone * Satellite tv and movie channels * Minibar * Free coffee and tea in room * Laundry and dry cleaning * Access to electronic door * In room safety box there * Free pool * Security 24 hours * Fire detectors * Tour & Transportation Service * Money changer * Business center * 24 hour room service * 24 hour concierge service * Clinics * Day spa & jacuzzi * Blue eyes blue eyes executive nightclub karaoke 

Cheap hotel voucher is the solution to be able to continue to enjoy the facilities of Hotel in Sanur is affordable. Especially for young couples who want to honeymoon, can contact Bali travel to obtain an unforgettable wonderful experience. Not just for Bali Hotels, Bali Accommodation and Lodging in Bali, but also various cities across Indonesia, including Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, Makassar, Batam, Ambon, Semarang, Bandung and all cities in Indonesia.

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The Comfort of Ganesha Palace

Each room is equipped with a balcony, presenting the view and rhythm of Balinese rural landscape.

As entering the gateway of “Casa Ganesha Hotel, Resto & Spa”, the aura of peace and comfort seemed to embrace the soul. The front yard of the hotel is neatly arranged. Flourishing trees stand tall along with the flowery decorative bushes and various other plants.

At the front yard a swimming pool that reflects the blue sky ray is located. Wooden benches for relaxing and sunbathing are arranged surrounding the edge of the pool. Next to it, stands the elegant “Fish Pond Café”, a Balinese style structured bar & restaurant with an outdoor space. While dining in total relaxation, guests are able to direct their views to the swimming pool and or the beautiful garden around it, along with the exotic sculptures.

The Fish Pond Café serves their guests for 24 hours. Guests are able to enjoy cuisines of various menus, all the way from Balinese traditional, Chinese food, to the international class servings. For breakfast, guests can choose from the available menu, such as pancakes, omelets, French toast, and numbers of other meals.

The Casa Ganesha has 24 rooms for staying guests. Though there are only a relatively small number of rooms, yet the facilities are of three starred hotel standards. “There are two types of room choices, which are the Twin Bed and Double Bed. Each room is equipped with phoning, AC, television, refrigerator, and free WiFi,” explained Ayu Sukareni, the Manager of Casa Ganesha.

Moreover, Ayu described that every room is also equipped with a balcony. From it, guests are able to enjoy the natural landscape that surrounds the place; for instance, the beautifully arranged gardens. As the night falls, guests will be entertained by the rhythm of nature, which is the combination between songs of the insects and frogs. This nature tunes will fill the imaginations of the guests on the country feel of Balinese inlands.

This hotel also has a spa room, namely the Kahyangan Spa, located besides the hotel lobby. Guests are able to relax while enjoying the available facilities, which are the modern and traditional spa treatments. In accordance with its name, the Kahyangan Spa provides comfort within the mystical Balinese aura and ambiance.

A few meters to the east of Casa Ganesha, stands a gallery with an exotic construction, the Hanna Artspace. This gallery is a part of the supportive facilities of Casa Ganesha. The guests those are enthusiastic on contemporary fine-arts and contemporary works by Balinese young artists can go directly to this gallery on foot.

The location of Casa Ganesha is very strategic. The hotel that has approximately 3000 square meters (30 acres) of width stands luxuriously by the side of Pengosekan Street of Peliatan Village, in Ubud, Bali; just a few meters west from the Pengosekan Gas Station. Besides that, the hotel location is not far from other interesting tourism spots in Ubud, such as the Ubud Temple, Ubud Art Market, Monkey Forest, ARMA Museum, and Blanco Museum. Guests can reach those tourism places in only minutes walk from the hotel.

This hotel was designed to provide comfort for their business guests, far from the commotion of tourism centers and the traffic jam of streets in Ubud city. Guests are able to enjoy a calm vacation while working on postponed business assignments. “This hotel is equipped with hotspot and free WiFi facilities in every room,” said Ayu.

Casa Ganesha was established on 28 December 2008 by Paul Hadiwinata. This hotel is under the management of the PKF Hadiwinata Corporation. According to Paul Hadiwinata, Casa Ganesha means the Palace of Ganesha. In Hinduism, Ganesha is a god that symbolizes knowledge. “Casa Ganesha was designed to provide comfort and calm ambiance. In the near future the Casa Ganesha Villa as many as seven along with a private pool will be constructed,” Paul Hadiwinata explained.

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Markas: Relaxing with various gaming facilities.

The exhaustion of work activities of course can lead you to be in a stressed condition. One of the ways out is to find entertainment that may release the tiredness and thus bring back the mood to be back in action. Gathering with friends can also be a potential way to get rid of your exhaustion, moreover when doing fun activities together. A spot in Tanjung Duren area of West Jakarta provides a place to relax for you and your buddies.

Starting off from the wish to own a confortable place to relax with his friends, Cai Can Ie, the General Manager of Markas Pool and Lounge then thought of the concept of an entertaining spot with various facilities unlike any other place. That idea was finally manifested and given the name Markas which carries out the meaning as a place to gather for anyone who wishes to release their tired mind by playing pool, grooving with karaoke, or even play some games.

Markas itself has been operating since five years ago. Standing on a 200 m3 land, this cool spot is divided into several areas according to the available gaming theme. As entering the place that is located on the second floor, guests can access pool games or have their fun on the karaoke, play on the arcade machines or also just relax and enjoy various selected menus those are comparable with the servings of high-class restaurants.

Hendra Bayu, the Marketing Manager of Markas, explained that this place was designed to bring on the cozy and fun atmosphere, for their initial –and continuing- aim is to make people happy and comfortable by playing. With 30 pool tables and 12 standard typed karaoke rooms, guests are free to choose on which facility they want. There are also two VIP karaoke rooms where guests can karaoke and play pool simultaneously. These rooms are wide enough to accommodate for 10-15 people.

What is also unique from this spot is the several sets of chairs and tables that have traditional board-games on them, such as chess, snakes and ladders, and checkers. According to Bayu, even though they are sitting on a table, they can stull have fun with their friends. “This is what we call a full-entertainment concept. The games those are available here become the main attraction for guests,” he said.

Besides that, guests can also enjoy the WiFi facility that can be accessed on all rooms within Markas. And to fulfill the need of other entertainment, Markas management also set up several plasma TVs at the side of the pool room and a wide-screen in the middle with a set of comfortable sofa. Bayu then explained that the reason for installing several TVs that broadcast foreign channels is to satisfy the wish of those guests that enjoy watching sports. Moreover, it is quite often that guests hold events of gatherings to watch in this spot that once was a movie theatre.

As a place to hangout, it won’t be fun when there is no food and beverages to fill the empty stomach. The menus those are available at the lounge and mini bar area provides the selection of asian and vegetarian cuisines. Some of the primaries on the menu that has become the favorites are the special fried rice, Markas special steak, or the sweet and spicy Pad Thai; with prices ranging from Rp45,000 – 70,000. The servings of special drinks are also tempting to try. The place that opens from 1 pm to 3 am also has performances from DJs that play various trance music to accompany your time of relaxation.

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Teras Air Café & Resto: The Romance of Wood and Nature

The “back to nature” concept and the fresh green of nature’s nuance become its prime attraction.

There are not many cafes that take the attentive to genuineness, harmony, and beauty of nature as the attraction for their costumers. The fresh nature landscape with the greenery of leaves from hundreds of skyscraping trees, trickle of water from several fishponds inhabited by freshwater fishes of various colors, and the Mountain View; are deliberately displayed at the “Teras Air Café & Resto” in the Tajur area, of Bogor City.

The romance of wood and nature seems to be in presence to refresh the customer’s exhaustion. As entering the gate of Teras Air Café & Resot, the customers are enchanted by the building with their architectural concept of “Back To Nature”. A garden filled with various decorative plants and varieties of flowers such as orchid, roses and jasmine welcomes the people. A few terrace-like structures made of wood surrounded by green palms becomes an attachment to the main structure of Teras Air Café & Resto. Meanwhile the main structure is located near the few terraces. What’s unique is, the main structure is divided by a large fishpond of 8 x 20 meters size.

“The architectural concept is modern minimalist by exposing the bangkirai wood. We avoid the use of other materials such as metal or aluminum so the impression of “back to nature” lives on,” Toto, the Manager of the café, explained to Arti in mid February.

Teras Air Café & Resto presents a place that combines the natural and harmonious ambiance with a special and creative taste. However, viewed outside, not many people will know that there is a magnificent site extended beyond the gate. From the front, Teras Air Café & Resto looks like any other structures in the housing area of Teras Hijau Residence; whilst the G’liss Art & Gallry inside retails various arts and crafts items of high quality.

According to Toto, the all-wood building architecture, all-wood dining tables and dining chairs, also other structures within the Teras Air Café & Resto; plays important roles in presenting an appealing display to the customers. The natural and “back to nature” impression has also become an attractive sight for them, aside from the choice of special menus those are favorite culinary of the café.

Teras Air Café & Resto intentionally presents the combination of thick trees with the architecture of back to nature concept. The water trickle always plays the music of nature there. Once in a while, the customers can see the freshwater fishes splash out and back into the water. “I use the fishing pond and plant-growing area, especially decorative plants, to give the impression of uniting with nature,” claimed Toto.

Besides, Toto added, the dining area provides distant seating, thus privacy of every customer remains kept. Distinguished from the concept of any other ordinary restaurant, Teras Air Café & Resto places the dining areas over several places, like the veranda, the bale bengong (patio), several terraces, all through the sides of the pond. “We purposively use wooden furniture and bring out the greeneries to add more aesthetic values to the interior as well as the exterior,” he elucidated.

Not far from the location of Teras Air Café & Resto is a family recreational site, with sufficient facilities such as the Air Soft Gun, Remote Control Arena, Mini Soccer, Fishing Pond and Free Karaoke. “For the fishing pond, customers are only charged Rp. 10.000, with fish baits included,” promote Lea Yuliana, the Assistant Manager of Teras Air Café & Resto.

If the customers are successful in catching fish and wish to have their catch as servings, then they only need to add Rp. 25.000 more per kilogram for the cooking process. There are almost 500 available menus in Teras Air Café & Resto, all of which are self- formulated. The menus are culinary assortments of Javanese, Bandung, Lombok all the way to Thailand.

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D'peak: New Facilities Bit

Not far from the RS Fatmawati, South Jakarta, now stands a new gallery named D’Peak Art Space. Broad room reaches more than 3,000 square meters. Consists of three-stories, with parking lot can accommodate approximately 50 units of the car. Until recently, D’Peak became the most extensive private galleries in Jakarta.

At D’Peak opening night, August 7, 2009, held the exhibition titled Up & Hope featuring approximately 180 art works of painting, sculpture, and installation of various generations of Indonesian artists. Visitors were coming from in and outside Jakarta. New building, as if to mark a new enthusiasm. Previously, this building is the show room. But the owner, Ang Andi Bintoro, juggle it up to art gallery. Ang Andi accompanied by one of the managers D’Peak, Raymond Lukman, and Denny Bintoro, one of Ang Andi’s children who also loves art, answer a few Arti questions. The following excerpt of the interview.


Why did you set up D ‘Peak art space?
You are not the first questioner. People who ask are confused, for what makes the gallery for this? And this is a much coveted gallery for the artists. It is able to accommodate a lot of works. We do all this things because we felt compelled to participate and assist the principals of art in the country. This is our effort to show support.


Is it not enough to establish D’Peak?
We operate D’Peak in Singapore since mid-2008, and has held three exhibitions. We believe, galleries in Singapore that could be used as a stone leap for Indonesian artists to introduce themselves to the international world. Later, October 11, 2009, we will also bring Indonesian artists to Seoul, South Korea. We are currently selecting a few artists of quality and talent to bring to it.

Things like that have been done by a lot of parties. Could you tell the different strategies, and convince many people?
I want to say, that we have the spirit. That is the basic capital required. We hope to participate to transmit the spirit of many parties, especially to the artists. Of course we are thinking of various strategies. What is clear, we are building a network with other galleries in Singapore, and with the Singapore National Museum. At least Singapore will be the right bridge. Then we will turn to Korea, then America, then Europe.


Are you so sure of our artwork accepted internationally?
So far, we have a lot of artists who are known outside the country. But it needs more. Promotions should be promoted. We had been colonized hundreds of years by the Dutch, and many Dutch people know the art of our culture. Well, to go to Europe, we have the capital in which Dutch society already knows us.

Can you imagine what kind of work will be accepted?
Diverse. At least, that exhibited at the Up & Hope for the grand opening of D’Peak, are the works that I think can be accepted and appreciated by the public from the outside. Not just limited to paintings, but also works that have often classified into the craft. After all, craft now included as a work of art. And our artists can be called all-round to produce good work, and technically strong in the theme.

Anyway, how you initially come into contact with art?
Three years I come into contact with the art world. I see a lot of artists to work unconditionally, from morning till late at night, or from early morning till evening. But they feel difficult to communicate their works. Well, from there I was compelled to help. I began by collecting the work of young artists (age-ed). Because they have a hope that is still long.

Is it because there is investing value? Exploring time. My third child and fourth also loved art works. I was worry, in the family no one loves art, because later I’m busy myself. Apparently they are more thicker than me. So I felt there are friends who are equally loved art at home. Now, I am getting a lot of time studying fine art from books and catalogues, ask around, and watch exhibitions in several places.

Raymond Lukman added:
Before three years Mr. Andi explore art as mentioned earlier, Mr. Andi did travelling a lot. In his busyness, he took time to watch the art event. Barriers were due to busyness. So in quotation marks, Pak Andi then more precisely referred to as “observers”. After that, Mr. Andi often held discussions with several artists.

Even the discussion got around to marketing problems, for example by looking at the work of artists through the catalogue, can be discussed patterns or characteristics of certain artwork suitable if promoted to a regional one, or to another regional.

Denny Bintoro:
One of the art capital in New York is the Chelsea area. I see there are contemporary arts from America, Japan, China, but none from Indonesia. I said to my father, why works of art in Indonesia did not exist in Chelsea? According to him, the work of Indonesian artists have great potential and could appear there. But they have not been promoted yet. I got to thinking, how can a gallery there that can display Indonesian artworks.


I hear, you spend Rp12 billion to achieve D’Peak?
More than that. Even for the building alone is expensive. When unfolded, the building area of more than 3,000 square meters. If calculated with the work purchased, approximately 50 billion.

What do you consider when diverting half of the invesment to art?
Well, life is just so-so, but the art seemed to give meaning and comfort to the mind. I was going to retire. I feel the need to do something more fun to mind. Then my son (pointing to Denny) who takes college in America, is a frequent visitor to the gallery there, and he likes works of art. He said, he would go back to the country if he is given a gallery. So, I made it.


How can artists get involved in exhibition at D’Peak?
Later we will have a permanent curator, and a guest curator. We also work with a curator from outside who are ready to help D’Peak. The curator was later on that will determine the rules. But clearly, we are open.

Are you sure you will reach D’Peak’s goal?
I have to be. But I think government support is needed. In China, the Ministry of Tourism is often organize art events, in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzou, and in other cities. Artists and visitors from various countries arriving. That is increasing tourism. Hopefully with the presidential election yesterday, and the composition of the new cabinet, our government more open awareness that art event organized with international scale is one strategy to increase tourism.

What kind of government support that is expected?
Answered by Raymond: Our government should organize art biennale and fair, then the principle of G[overnment] to G[overnment], our government invites other governments to participate in art events held in our country. If the invitation G to G, it is very possible that the government will appoint other participating artists. If the artists invited by private parties individually, not necessarily the artists of other countries want to come, and when artists from other countries did not participate, not necessarily collectors from other countries that want to come.

The government can also issue recommendations for the fiscal exemption. Artists from outside would not be coming to the event in our country if the work they bring here should be taxable. In theory, there are rules to release fiscal. But in practice, our bureaucracy is too complicated. If you want it quickly, bring out your money, too. A pretty good example in dealing with this art event is the Singapore government. Our government must take a comparative study to Singapore.

What do you imagine when returned to Indonesia?
Denny Bintoro: I think Indonesia is very potential. I see from the side of the building alone, private galleries and our wide-area, instead of America’s which are small. I see the characteristics of works of art in Indonsia very diverse. What we are lacking in the website. A website is to show our face world wide. One strategy that should be built in the campaign is to build networking via the internet more intensively.

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Savoy Homan: Eye Witness to the History of Bandung

Suprobo constructed a residence to immortalize a memory.

Span of green grass always brings the aura of coolness and becomes a place to release the jaded mind. That is immediately seen and felt at the residence of painter, Suprobo. The house that is located in Pondok Petir Village of Sawangan Sub-District in Depok, West Java; does not show what is stored within the inner area, just a tall construction of grey viewable from the road. The private path to enter the residence is also a bit hidden, with just one vehicle pass width.

After passing a wooden gate, Arti team got to see the entire building named by the owner; the “Prasada Suprobo” zone. In his red shirt, the painter most-known for his child-themed paintings showed Arti around for a tour of the multiple constructions along with the facilities.

Amongst others are three buildings facing one another, encircling a rather spacious grass area. One of the buildings is a Joglo house which is the main building, where he and his family do their activities. “This house is the first main construction I built. It was taken in directly from Jepara, a Joglo house aging hundreds of years old,” explained the Pati town born man.

The concept of village house he developed came off from his boredom over the concrete constructions he’s always seen. He explained that, with the existence of the village house, he gets a chance to unwind, especially with the span of grass and bushy trees surroundings. The other reason why he deliberately built a green and ethnic valued zone is for his love for his childhood.

“I wish to immortalize the memory of when I was still living in the countryside. That memory has always been pleasant, so I chose to build a house similar to the one my parents had,” he said calmly.

Adjusting to the traditional house, the entire furniture of his residence located in the main room are also antiques. Such as the two ethnic beds originating from Madura at the right and left sides of the room, along with a long bench used to welcome guests.

Meanwhile, at the backside of that main room, three separate buildings are located. Two of them are the bedroom and kitchen along with the semi-outdoor dining room, with the formation of chairs simulating a street vendor bench and dining place.

As a painter, Suprobo owns his own creating room separated from the family room. He purposively built a gallery in triangular shape and a studio he calls Rumah Nusantara. According to him, the concept of that gallery construction is an improvisation of traditional and modern buildings. Triangular shape was chosen to illustrate the shape of a diamond.

“Artists tend to design as they will, no certain formal theory to follow,” smiled the VW automobile and antique motorcycle collector.

He also established a three storied construction directly facing his triangular gallery. The building is a museum used as the display spot for his painting journey. There, he also stores his collections; paintings from other artists he purchased. The museum dominated by grey tone was constructed accordingly to Suprobo’s painting themes with the modernrealist style.

With the area width of 7000 m2, the Prasada Suprobo has not only serve as he residential area of the painter and his family, moreover as a facility for activities he conducts with friends and or groups that intentionally visit for artistic tours.

“There’s a small stage there on the corner, usually used for artistic performances, all from poetry citing to keroncong play. Often times there are also groups of fellow painters or students that visit, usually to learn the traditional culture of the Joglo house, to then knowing more of the trees surrounding this place, to then do a mass painting,” Suprobo concluded the lively conversation.

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Denindo Auction: Content of Antique Curio

Starting from an Art Shop, Denindo Auction now focuses on the retails of hundreds of year old antiques.

A simple everyday looking building stands at the Street of Bangunan Timur, Kayu Putih in East Jakarta. Denindo Auction House, was written on a piece of  plank, denoting the place’s name. The precursor of Denindo Auction House is an art shop established by Danny F.J. Pangker in year 2002. As he first opened the business, he sold various types of artistic items such as any other art shops do.

“The booming of paint art market in last 2007, inspired us to slightly alter our course and participate in the fine-art market,” said the man who was born in Jakarta, July 26 of 1967.

After several times auctioning, Danny again decided to change his course. By the year 2008 he shifted to concentrating on antiques as well as antiquated furniture of the Chinese, Japanese, and caste settlers. “Finally in the year 2008 we had the thought to retail those articles through auctions. And then we decided to hold the auction ourself.”

Though seemingly small from the outside, the interior od Denindo’s gallery can be considered spacious. Rooms after rooms are arranged so as to display antique curios that would be retailed in the auction held last 7 February 2010.

“This show room also functions as a viewing room,” explained Danny. A rather large room measuring at least eight by ten meters becomes the site for the auctions that Denindo hold periodically.

Since their first auction back in 2008, Denindo had held at leas 11 more auctions afterwards. According to Danny the results were always quite satisfying, because the retailed articles reach up to 50 – 70%.

”Furniture retail weas up to 70%, whilst antique curios such as ceramics are usually retailed up to 60%,” he recalled. According to Danny furniture is more in demand because they are usually usable by the purchaser. The most expensive article successfully retailed by this auction house is a wooden divan. The caste settler styled furniture managed to be retailed by the price of Rp. 100 million.

According to Danny, antique curios and furniture have their own markets. Although some purchase them for investments, many buy them for their own use or the sentimental value of the item. That is why the antiques market did not overly plunged during the world economy crisis that went on in 2008.

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Analyzing the History of Bank Indonesia

Electronic displays, static panels, plasma televisions and dioramas tempt the visitors into staying longer inside the building.

The building has a robust appearance, with neo-classic style combined with modest domestic influence, the typical antique European architecture. The aristocratic impression seems so well attached when the day turns to night and the garden lamps outside the building starts to shine. The ambiance could not have been more obvious.

Constructed in the 17th century at Jalan Pintu Besar Utara no.3, Jakarta Barat, the building was originally functioned as a hospital (ziekenhuis), before it eventually serves as the De Javasche Bank building in 1828. Subsequent to its use as head office by Bank Indonesia during the proclamation period, from 15 December 1996 onward the building was officially claimed as the Museum of Bank Indonesia.

Upon commencement, the instigation of The Museum of Bank Indonesia was conducted in phases. The early phase of 15 December 2006 concluded soft opening and launch of public view. At that time the instigation was performed by the then Governor of Bank Indonesia, Burhanuddin Abdullah. Meanwhile, the second phase of instigation which was the grand opening was performed by the President of Republic of Indonesia, RI Susilo Bambang Yudyono on 21 July 2009.

Free of charge, that might be the main key to catch anyone’s attention into visiting this museum. The conditions are just to obtain a ticket and to fill in the visitor’s list. As for another key to attract, evidently is related to the collected items plus the facilities and infrastructure available in the museum. Bank Indonesia gives a great deal of attention in managing the museum to, aside from making it attractive in appearance, also to be able to provide sufficient educational aspect for the visitors.

“For matters concerning the museum, we have a team at hand. The team stands in equal to the other directorates in BI. It goes to show our seriousness in maintaining this museum,” said Oneng Ane, one of the employees at the Museum of Bank Indonesia.

Historical information supported by modern technology in its delivery, is what seems to be offered by the Museum of Bank Indonesia. In your initial step in the museum area, the atmosphere of the building will carry your imagination to the past. Near the ticket collection area, rows of partitioned small chambers where the old-times employees serve their customer are located.

The material of those partitioned small chambers is wood, as so are all the available customer seats, which brings up the unique and classis sense. Curious? Just enter the chamber and sit in one of the customer’s seats, and let your imagination visualize the working activities of historic banking atmosphere. Those were the times when employees of the De Javasche served their customers.

Advancing from the ticket collection, not far ahead you will find the main entrance to the building area. The rules, such as the disallowance of food and drinks in the building, are applied to quite strictly in this museum.

Upon entering the building area, a giant 3D projection screen will immediately enrich your imagination of the old-times. Stand close to it and try to catch the seemingly falling money visualized on the screen. If you succeed, then instantly, information on what currency you caught will appear. The scene is made possible by the sufficient sophisticated optical gadgets in the museum.

In delivering their information, the Museum of Bank Indonesia utilizes modern technology and multimedia, such as electronic displays, static panels, plasma televisions and dioramas, which give a certain attraction for the visitors. Aside from that, the available  air-conditioning keeps the cool, making the visitors feel pleased in staying longer in the building.

Walking further in, you will enter the cinema area where the museum’s movie collection is usually played. Pass the cinema room you will enter an area themed the Pre-Bank Indonesia History. The said room is divided into eight areas. Each of them provides information around important moments before the idea of establishing Bank Indonesia as central bank materialized.

Such as in section one area that is called the History of the National Development of Central Bank. In this section, the room informs on how Indonesian national trade was already an international trade central even before foreign countries entered the country. Meanwhile, in Europe, mercantilism has evolved into industrial revolution, thus causing the escalation of Europe’s trading activities.

It was during that time of trading escalation when simple banking organization surfaces, such as the van Leening Bank in the Netherlands. This banking system was then brought in by the Western countries that also occupied the nation. The OC in Java in 1746 then established De Bank van Leening which later on became De Bank Courant en Bank van Leening in 1752.

Going on room to room, if you take prudent and serious notice towards the available information, you will be enlightened not only by the information around the establishment of national central bank only, but on other information concerning significant moments in the banking world of this country.

Besides the room of complete information about central bank development and the establishment history of De Javasche Bank in the nation, the Museum of Bank Indonesia also has a room where various currencies are in
collection.

In this room various currencies in collection are neatly stored and displayed. Not only the currencies that has been printed and issued by Bank Indonesia, but various currencies that was in the prehistoric age of the nation was also in collection, i.e. the Majapahit Gobog Money, Real Batu Money that was valid during the Sumenep Kingdom era, Jambi Kingdom Money and so on.

Bank Indonesia library collection currently consists of more than 45.000 book titles, more than 400 periodic published titles and 2 online journals (JSTOR,ProQuest, Emerald and Spingerlink), and also more than 2500 digital collection in forms of CD/VCD.

This Periodic Collection concludes Bank Indonesia publication, Government organization and international finance organization. There is also a temporary exhibition room in the Museum of Bank Indonesia.

A space where various exhibitions, such as the previously held Benteng exhibition, takes place. Until today, the Museum of Bank Indonesia keeps on perfecting the available facilities and infrastructure, all the way to their collections. It is without a question that this museum has given a new scene to the world of museums in Indonesia.

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Hok Tek Bio: The First Temple in Bogor

Always full of visitors, this building of Chinese structure design is already 388 years old.

Bogor became one of the cities that hold various antique and historical buildings, including the house of worship for the Kong Hu Cu believers. The Tionghoans that reside in Bogor in 1672 had even build their house of worship in form of a temple. The now 338 years old temple is known as the Hok Tek Bio temple.

The Hok Tek Bio temple is the first temple in Bogor and has a Chinese architectural design. The temple which is now preserved by the government is located in the heart of Bogor, precisely at the back of Kebun Raya Bogor and left side of Bogor Plaza, Surya Kencana Street. Surya Kencana Street is also known as the China Town of Bogor city.

On the left side of Hok Tek Bio Temple, the building Vihara Dhanagun is located. Different from Vihara Avalokitesvara in Banten which is considered home to the Goddess Kwan Im, Vihara Dhanagun is a place for the Earth God, Hok Tek Seng Cin. In this place you can find relieves that are meaningful and also symbols of high significance for the Kong Hu Cu believers and of course the Tionghoans.

The Hok Tek Bio temple is maintained its originality. The pillars and offering wooden tables dominated by dark brown and red colors are still sturdy and very much cared for. This includes the Thikong table set by the entrance of the temple. Meanwhile, the four main pillars –two by the entrance and the other two not far from the offering and worshipping tables- are each wrapped by a giant dragon figurine, which holds a deep spiritual importance for the Tionghoans descents.

According to Susan Handoyo an official from the service section in Hok Tek Bio Temple, the shape of the temple is by and large still original. Whilst in many parts like the wall ornaments on the left and right sides of the temple were renovated in 2003. “Most of the Hok Tek Bio Temple structures are original. The conducted renovation only touched a few section, without altering its originality,” said Susan.

It is undeniable that Chinese architecture design highly influences the structure, such as the wooden details on every corners of the Hok Tek Bio Temple which still hold to more than three centuries. Of course, the wood that was made base material for this Bogor Tionghoans treasured temple’s structure is of  the finest selection, making it possible for the building to last this long of time.

Hok Tek Bio Temple is preserved by the government of Republic of Indonesia under the authority of Directorate General of Archaic and History, of the Department of Tourism and Culture. As well as the Bogor residents who practice Kong Hu Cu, Hok Tek Bio Temple is also often times visited by people from outside the city, such as from Jakarta, Tangerang, Depok, even from Bali and Kalimantan.

During the Chinese New Years namely Imlek, or on the Cap Go Meh celebrations, the Hok Tek Bio Temple is commonly filled with visitors. Aside from the  religious ceremonies, there are usually Tionghoan art events such as the Barongsai and Liong (Chinese spiritual lion and dragon), and also the Tanjidor, Jaipong, Sisingaan and Reog Ponorogo (various traditional performing-arts from Indonesia).

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Sangkring: The Representation of Dream and Arts

As open as the rooms inside it, Sangkring Gallery is open for any artist who wants to have exhibition there.

“Fine arts are not a playground. There is battle there, a lifetime of battles even. Because everything I earned comes from fine arts. Businessmen have clear targets: three years without profit, then they will close. They have no burden. But it is not so in the fine arts. I have a lot of burderns. I owed many things to arts and culture,” said the owner of Sangkring gallery who is also a fine art artist, Putu Sutawijaya.

The gallery itself is the realization of his dreams; dreams which have been creeping inside him, even before he gained success as an artist. He did make his dream come true once before, when he build a gallery on his birthplace, Bali. But for some reason, he decided to return to Jogjakarta, the place where he studied fine arts, and then he built the Sangkring Art Space in its current location.

In its new place, the Sangkring Art Space gallery, located at the Jalan Nitiprayan, RT 1, RW 2 No. 88, Ngestiharjo village, Kecamatan Kasihan, Kabupaten Bantul, Jogjakarta, looks more modern and stylish. The architecture style of the building is the minimalist style.

It consists of two floors building, dominated by greys, white, black and crème, giving it a quiet atmosphere, as if united with nature. According to the owner, the gallery was build as a respond to the issue of global warming. That’s why the building has no air conditioner. It made use the height of the building and a few open spaces to circulate the air, so that the temperature inside the building remains cool and fresh.

Modern, that’s the first impression when we look at the new Sangring Art Space building. An adenium tree welcome us in the front right corner of the building. Entering the room, we will be walking in the middle of two pools, which seem to be made only for decoration purpose.

Grand, that’s the second impression. The walls displaying the paintings are wide and high. The space of Sangkring Gallery is specifically designed to display art works.

“Fine art is all about taste. Many fine art artists said that they will feel different if they displayed their works in a room with high ceiling. But of course in architecture there are certain rules that must be obey, and we have to think about how a room is supposed to be used to display an art work.”

Until now, the work on Sangkring Gallery has not completely finished. A few more rooms are still under construction. As open as its rooms, Sangkring Gallery is open for all kinds of artists who want to do exhibition, without regards to their style, origins, or age. All fine arts artists have the same opportunity to appear in the Sangkring Art Space.

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The Junction of Three Cultures

Indonesia, an unlimited source of inspiration for creating unique interiors.

When it comes to decorating their houses, the Indonesian upper class have the tendency to chose classical European style or the minimalist ultra modern. This is not the case with a certain affluent garment businessman, whose house is located in the western part of Jakarta. For the interior of his house, the entrepreneur created a combination between Balinese, Javanes and Chinese culture.

The outside of the house is a little deceptive. At first glance the building does not look too big. In fact, the ordinary-looking building stands on a plot of land of 3000m2 . In addition to the main building is a spacious backyard, with a swimming pool, and a gazebo to just sit around.

The interior of the house sums up the owners love for Indonesia, his respect for his ancestral heritage, Chinese, as well as his intense concern for the art. As a result elements of Javanese, Balinese, Chinese culture and contemporary art dynamically mix in his house.

Entering the house through a Balinese style wooden door, I come across a small room without partition. A table is placed in the middle of the room. Sculptures of a pair of Javanese bride and groom are placed on the table. The two sculptures stand in front of a painting of a red Chinese building.

Unlike most houses, the second room of this house is a spacious area. A big and long wooden table is the main element of the room. This is the room where the owner usually receives his guests as well as held important meeting regarding the future of his company.

The interior of the residence is also dominated with art works from inside and outside the country. The works of contemporary Indonesian artists such as Galam Zulkifli, Putu Sutawijaya, as well as Chinese artist’s decorated the splendid house. The house gives a spacious impression, from the first room through the living room in the back of the house are not dividedly rigidly with mere walls. Instead, glass doors are used as partitions for the rooms.

“I bought the house in 1979. At that time the area did not seem very promising. There aren’t many malls or other facilities like today,” he said.

Until now according to the owner of the house many of his friends question his decision to reside in the area. “They don’t seem to understand why I don’t I chose a more popular residence such as Pondok Indah.” According to him, he’s very comfortable to live in the house decorated especially to suit his taste.

And indeed the residence built by the businessman who started his business from scratch is very remarkable. He said that one day there a Chinese artist came to visit. The artist was amazed with his house and the decorations. “He decided to stay until late, he inspected the works of art one by one, as well as the little details of decorations.”

Comfortable, open and easy on the eye, that is the description of the house in three words.

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