The farmer True Forest

hornbill (rangkong)

Hornbills are reliable seed dispersers. To live, he eats forest fruits in large quantities every day. In addition, hornbills are able to fly with a broad cruising range.

If a hornbill can split just one seed a day, imagine if in one year? This makes the hornbill play the role of a true forest farmer, being able to scatter seeds to ensure natural forest regeneration is maintained. Without hornbills, forests cannot flourish.

About Hornbills

Hornbills are one type of large beak that has unique characteristics. Of the total 32 types of hornbills in Asia, almost half are in Indonesia; three types of which are endemic. For this reason, Indonesia has become the most important country in protecting hornbill populations in Asia

Spread out

62 hornbills in the world are spread from Africa (30 species) to Asia (32 species). The most hornbill distribution in Indonesia is on the island of Sumatra with nine species ranked first, eight species on the island of Borneo and three types on the island of Java. Meanwhile, the Wallacea Region and Papua have four types of hornbills; three of them are endemic species, namely Sumba (Rhyticeros everetti), Sulawesi crab (Rhyticeros cassidix) and Sulawesi Kangkareng (Rhabdotorrhinus exarhatus).

Hornbills in Indonesia

In addition to meritorious for forest preservation, Hornbills also have a unique sound, physical, and breeding pattern. Each type of Hornbill also gives a variety of meanings to humans. That is why in some regions, Hornbills are an inseparable part of people's lives. Let's explore the uniqueness of 13 types of hornbills in Indonesia in the next post.

Source : https://rangkong.org/

Read More

Mandalika

mandalika

Mandalika is a tourist area of ​​1,035 hectares located in Central Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara. Since 2017, Mandalika has been inaugurated as a Special Economic Zone (KEK) tourism which is expected to be a fairly representative vacation spot in Lombok because it is equipped with several hotels and various recreational facilities. Mandalika, currently, has 7 natural tourism spots that fascinate tourists.

1. Kuta beach

First known from the Mandalika area was Kuta Beach, Lombok at the western end of Mandalika. Its name is often compared to Kuta Beach in Bali. Kuta Beach Lombok is more beautiful than the one in Bali, cleaner and quieter. Kuta Beach area is now the most potential to develop compared to other spots in Mandalika. The facilities are quite complete, especially not far from the Great Mosque of Nurul Bilad which was recently inaugurated by President Jokowi. This place will also be built on the Mandalika street circuit for MotoGP 2020.

2. Seger Beach

Next to the timir Kuta Beach there is Seger Beach with a shape like a cape. Seger Beach follows the popularity of Kuta Beach because it has an annual event, the Bau Nyale Festival which takes place in the Seger Beach area. Residents meet Seger Beach to look for the incarnation of Putri Nyale, once a year. On this beach there is a Putri Nyale monument that adds to the beautiful decoration.
Sereting Beach

3. Serenting
Beach is located east of Seger Beach. The coastline is longer than Seger Beach. Serenting Beach is also the entry area for the Bau Nyale Festival. If Seger Beach is too full of residents and tourists during the Bau Nyale Festival, they will overflow to Serenting Beach. Serenting Beach is no less beautiful.

4. Merese Hill

Merese Hill is the best spot to enjoy views of Mandalika from a height. Merese Hill is between Serenting Beach and Tanjung Aan Beach. The trip up the hill is also exciting and enough to burn calories. With a large area, many choices of places and backgrounds to take pictures on this hill. Visitors can look towards Tanjung Aan or to Serenting Beach, all are equally beautiful.

5. Tanjung Aan Beach

To the east of Merese Hill is Tanjung Aan Beach. White sand stretches across a coastline that is curved like this crescent moon. Tanjung Aan Beach is a favorite place for tourists because it is quieter than Kuta Beach, but the view is more beautiful. Swing by the sea is a favorite for photos of tourists.

6. Umbrella Stone

At the east end of Tanjung Aan Beach there is a unique natural phenomenon called Batu Payung. These are corals formed naturally by erosion, scours of sea water and thousands of years of wind that form similar coral formations such as fungi or bud buds. From there was born the name Batu Payung.

7. Gerupuk Beach

At the easternmost tip of Mandalika is Gerupuk Beach which is the best surfing spot in Mandalika. At Gerupuk Beach there are several surf camps for tourists who want a vacation while trying the waves with varying wave levels.

Read More

Padar Island

Padar Island

Padar is a small island located between Komodo and Rinca islands within Komodo archipelago, administrated under the West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.It is the third largest island part of Komodo National Park.

The Komodo archipelago is famous for Komodo dragons, giant lizards that can measure up to 3 metres (9.8 ft) long. However, unlike neighboring islands of Komodo and Rinca that are teeming with the ferocious lizards, on Padar island the Komodo dragon is extinct.

The topography of the island is rugged, with steep volcanic mountains and hills set against deep bays. Padar has a dry climate, with only bushes and grassland vegetation covering the island, creating savanna hills. Padar island has four deep bays with beaches in different colors, most of them are white sands, while some beaches have grey and pink sands. The sea surrounding the island has several sites popular for scuba diving and snorkelling.

Read More

Talise beach, palu

talise beach at night

Talise beach stretches on Jl. Rajamoili and Jl. Cut Mutia Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Talise beach is one of mainstay attractions the city of Palu, Central Sulawesi. The beach is located at the end of Palu Bay stretches from Palu to Donggala. From the location of this tourist stretch of the bay and the mountains look so beautiful and fascinating. Its presence near the city of Palu to make this beach often visited by tourists from outside the city of Palu and society itself.

In the evening, they came to this beach to watch the seconds sunset (sunset). While at night, they came to enjoy a variety of types of food sold along the coast. Similarly, on every Sunday morning, hundreds of visitors thronged the beach to enjoy the warm sea water and see the beauty of coral reefs and fish under the sea.

Aside from being a tourist, Talise beach is also a source of livelihood for the fisherfolk who lived around the coast. Fishing boats are moored in the bay add to the beauty of the beaches, especially at night. The lights of fishing boats are visible flickering in the dark of night.

Talise beach has many privileges. In addition to having beautiful natural scenery, the beach is perfect for sports activities, such as: swimming, wind surfing (wind surfing), water sky, diving, fishing, and so forth. Toward the afternoon, there were sights to be missed, namely the moments of a sunset (sunset) between Mount Gawalise located not far from the beach Talise. Similarly, at night, looking incredibly amazing. Visitors can witness the beauty of the lights of fishing boats moving in the middle of the bay by the ocean waves crashing, while enjoying traditional food and drink community Palu, such as sarabba (ginger ale mixed with coconut milk, brown sugar and milk), banana epek (grilled banana flavored cheese or brown sugar), fried bananas, and corn on the cob smeared with butter.

In addition, visitors can witness the beauty of IV yellow Palu Bridge stretching over the river upstream of Palu, not far from the beach Talise. Bridges are often inviting admiration for its beauty was inaugurated by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in May 2007.

If visitors want to find another atmosphere, not far from Talise beach, about 3 km to the west, there are attractions that are not less interesting, namely Coastal Park Ria. In Ria Park, visitors can enjoy the beauty of its surroundings and enjoy a variety of typical foods served at Palu food stalls or in restaurants, such as kaledo (beef bone soup) are eaten with cassava or rice, uvempoi (sour soup of cow bones ) are eaten with burasa (coconut milk rice wrapped in banana leaves), and uta chest (sort of chicken opor).

Therefore, this beach is located in the center of the city of Palu, the visitor will have no trouble getting a place to stay. About 1 kilometer from the site, there are a number of hotels and guest house to rest. In addition, on-site cafe grobak also available that provide a variety of traditional foods and beverages Palu community.

Access to Talise beach is very easy, because it is located in the center of Palu. Airport Palu to the location, visitors can use the four-wheeled vehicles and two-wheeler with a distance of about 4 kilometers.

Source: bestindonesiaislands.com

Read More

Gili Island, Lombok

THE GILI ISLANDS LOMBOK INDONESIA

Unique Tropical Escape! The perfect three coral islands - Gili Air, Gili Meno, and Gili Trawangan, fringed with white sand beach and swaying plam trees, lay in the sparkling ocean located just on the north coast of Lombok island. Each of Gili islands has developed independently and at different paces, giving each a different personality or style, and catering to different type of holiday makers and travellers. This means that travellers have a good choice, depending on their individual tastes and what type of island escape they prefer.

Every year the Gilis attract tens thousands of visitors from around the world for their pristine waters, great diving and snorkelling opportunities, and laid back charm.

The word Gili means "small island" so these islands have come to be known as "The Gili's Tramena" by travellers. The Gili's are Lombok's most popular islands and are consistently related as top Sea island destinations by travellers and travel publications.

Although previously popular mainly with backpackers, the Gilis now attract a diverse range of visitors, serious divingenthusiasts, sun seekers looking for the perfect beach gate way, singles, families, and couples of all ages find something to attract them to the Gilis.

There is a good selection of accommodations, restaurants and bars on all three islands, with the bigest range on Gili T. While no body comes to Gilis for shopping, each islands has many small shop selling essentials such as sunscreen, mosquito repellent, toileteries, cold drinks, snacks and more. In addition, there are cheap clothing and t-shirts, sarongs and local handicrafts stalls.

Activities include walking, riding bikes, horse riding and kayaking on Gili T, Yoga, massage and beauty treatments, glass bottom boat trips and island hopping, liveaboards dive trips and cruises to near by islands, fishing, sailing, surfing and all kind of water based activities. The islands provide ample opportunities for visitors to swim, relax, sunbathe, ecplore, snorkel or scuba dive with many internationally accredited dive operators based in Lombok.

Snorkelling is easy in the calm waters directly off the beaches, with plenty of colourful fishes to see. At greater depth and at specific dive locations around the three islands, the pristine waters are home to an abundant variaty of corals, aquatic life and thousands of species of tropical fish.

An impressive array of sea life can be seem, including green and hawkbill turtles, morays, barracuda, reef sharks, occasionally leopard sharks and manta rays and much more. Visibility is very good and commonly in the 15-30 meters range and water temperatures average 23 C(73F) to 29C (84F). Currents around the islands can be quite strong and drift diving is the normal.

Many of the popular dive companies are owned and operated by westerners and PADI and SSI licensed dive operators, with profesional standards of safety and environmental awareness, exist on all three islands.

Surfing and Stand-Up-Paddle Boarding on the Gili Islands

Gili T is the most developed and popular of the three, with the greatest range of facilities and activities. while Gili Air has a relaxed laid back style and is popular with couples and families. Gili Meno is the quitest of the three, perfect for really getting away from it all.

Choose the island that suit you most, or it's easy to combine an island hopping holiday to sample the best of all three.

Source : http://www.lombok-tourism.com/

Read More

Kuta beach, lombok

KUTA AND SOUTH COAST LOMBOK INDONESIA - THE MANDALIKA RESORT

Indonesia boasts some of the most magnificent scenery in the world and the south coast Lombok rates as being among the best. South Lombok has views that inspire artists and photographers and leaves visitors from around the world speechless at the sublime panoramic beauty that unfolds beach after beach, bay after bay, all along the coast.

The beaches of the south draw crowds to bake on the blindingly white sands, swim in the crystal clear oceans and challenge some of the best surf breaks in Indonesia.

Kuta is the main town and tourism center on the south coast of Lombok, and is the hub for exploring the fantastic southern beaches and the many point of interest in the region.

Located around 60 kilo meters south of Mataram and about one an half hour drive from Senggigi, Kuta makes for wonderful day trips from other points in Lombok, or an alternatively hohliday destination for travellers exploring Lombok.

Since Lombok international airport opened inlate 2011, many of the major roads have been upgraded and the main to Kuta is very good. The new airport is located in Tanak Awu only 25 minute drive north of Kuta and has made access to south very easy.

The proximity to the airport has already sparked an investment boom in the area and major depelopments are expected over the coming year. For now, the south is uncrowded, pristine and spectacular.

General Information

Police office located at Jl. Raya Kuta Mawun opposite of soccer court close by Kimen surf shop. Money changer available at Segara Anak Bungalows but the exchange rates are not very good.

Accommodation

There are plenty much option places to stay on Kuta region ranging from the Luxury of Novotel hotel to the basic home stay. Most of the hotels situated on the beach and provide surfing information.

Surfing

Most of Lombok's south coasts offer surf-seekers challenging waves of various grades. Particularly there are four surf-points, which are highly recommended for surf lovers. Within the Lombok's Kuta Beach there are two points, namely Gerupuk that provides neutral waves, and Aik Guling offering waves mostly for the left-handed. Several kilometers to the West of Kuta Beach there is Pengantap desert point that provides various grades of attractions, but it is ideal only during the periods of June, July, August, December and January. The next break is at Ekas Beach that reserves challenging waves and reef-break-points, reachable by boat or by land from Kuta Beach on an approximately one and half hour cruise.

Dinning and Entertainment

There are various of cafe's and restaurants in town of Kuta. you can eat pretty well and at reasonable price. Most Tourist and locals socialize and have fun together. In high season, they can all get crowded by tourist and locals.

Lombok People collecting sea worm

Nyale festival

Every February the Sasak people of Lombok have a very interesting ceremony, held on the beautiful Indian Ocean south coast of the island. Thousands of people go to the single beach near Kute (Kuta) where, for one day only, the Nyale sea worms appear. They seek to harvest the worms, which appear only between midday and about 3.30pm on the one day in February.

Special traditional art performances take place, including Betandak, a recitation by two or more performers singing quatrains, and Bejambik, the giving of gifts to lovers. The next day, people join in the ceremony of Belancaran, basically a recreational sea trip.

Bau Nyale celebrates the legend of a beautiful princess, Putri Mandalika, who many centuries ago lived in the royal house of the Tonjang Beru kingdom. She was so beautiful that many princes from all over Lombok were interested in her. On one particular day, and at the same time, six princes came to propose marriage.

This led to much confusion. Putri Mandalika's father, the king, did not know who to choose from among the six suitors, because whatever he did it would inevitably lead to jealousy and eventually warfare among the kingdoms.

Greatly perturbed, he decided to leave the decision to Putri Mandalika, but she too was confused and uncertain what to do because whatever her decision, her choice of a prince to marry would create a situation in which her people would be drawn into conflict and personal sacrifice. According to the legend, Putri Mandalika decided to resolve the situation by ending her life, and jumped into the Indian Ocean from what is now Mandalika Hill. It is said that the Nyale worms are actually the princess's hair, with her people for ever.

Source : http://www.lombok-tourism.com/

Read More