Banjarmasin (City of a Thousands Rivers)

One of the province in Kalimantan is South Kalimantan, that the capital city is Banjarmasin, one of big city in Kalimantan Banjarmasin is addresses as city of water or city of a thousands rivers, many canals and waterways there, like in Venice. The rivers is like a hearth of the city, most of native people in Banjarmasin are use rivers for their daily activities, such as for transportation and for trading using a boat that called "Klotok" And also people built houses on the riverside or even on the rivers or it called "Lanting".

How to get There?
We can go to Banjarmasin by Airplane or by Passenger Boat. If you want to get here by plane from Jakarta (Soekarno Hatta Airport), Jogjakarta (Adi Sucipto Airport), or Surabaya (Juanda Airport), just take a destination to Syamsuddin Noor Banjarmasin Airport and when you arrive then you take a Taxi go to Banjarmasin City, it take 45 Minute from Airport.Another way to get to Banjarmasin is by Boat. You can go from Jakarta (Tanjung Priok Port), Semarang (Tanjung Mas Port) or Surabaya Port (Tanjung Perak Port), and go directly to "Trisakti Port" in Banjarmasin.

Attraction
There are many of interested places to visit in Banjarmasin, one of the most famous tourist destination is "Floating Markets" or "Pasar Terapung". It is the traditional market which present the local wisdom of economic fields of societies. It also represents banjarnese cultures which are inherent with the life of people along the river flows. Floating market is located on Kuin river at the north of Banjarmasin. It starts in the morning around 5 am to 7 am central Indonesian time. In this market,the seller and the buyer stay on their boat to make transaction. The goods sold such as banjarese food, vegetables, fruits and handicraft

Another interested place is "Pulau Kembang". This small island is inhabited by the primate species (monkey). This species have been existed naturally in that island. This island located on the eastside of Banjarmasin. It takes about 15 minutes to reach the island by boat from Banjarmasin City. However, the monkeys are quite aggressive and will try to steal it from you so be extra careful.

One of landmark of Banjarmasin is Sabilal Muhtadin. It is a famous Mosque for Muslim in Banjarmasin or surrounding area to take a Pray or another religious activity. It is located at Jl. Jenderal Sudirman, and faced to Martapura River.From banjarmasin to direction marabahan, there's a long bridge connected two areas that divided by barito river. looks like san fransisco bridge at the night!In Banjarmasin, you can taste banjarnese cuisine such as Soto Banjar, Sate, Nasi Kuning, Lontong Sayur. In Ramadhan month (fasting month for Muslim), in many places around Banjarmasin will have Pasar Wadai / Cake Market fair that sell traditional food. this market usually open from 5 pm till 8 pm.

Watch Pretty Little Liars Season 2 Episode 5

About the following occurrence informs regarding Dealing with the recognized bad is a lot simpler to cope with with regard to Aria, Emily, Hanna as well as Spencer compared to unfamiliar type that is merely a text aside, within “The Demon A person Know”. Since the surprising information regarding Ian can make the actual models via Rosewood, Aria, Emily, Hanna, Spencer as well as their own families just about all attempt to handle the end result plus some necessary drawing a line under. 

Along with the woman’s house existence especially within uncertainty, Spencer remains centered on the woman’s loved ones and also the astonishing assistance your woman will get through the woman’s mother and father. Emily, however, cannot appear to obtain the drawing a line under which other people tend to be relishing, but instead digs the woman’s pumps into discover any kind of shred associated with proof they might possess more than appeared. As well as Aria appears to locate comfort and ease within Ezra, however using their romantic relationship nevertheless a new comer to the exterior globe, the actual few challenges to become therefore open public therefore quick.

Recently Hanna had been researching all of the features associated with adoptive households Caleb. At the same time, additional people that became a member of within the “Liars” tend to be coping with an answer as well as drawing a line under from the information regarding Lan. Girls go to an additional funeral service, other than it isn’t Allison’s.

Geography & Climate

The island of Lombok is located east of Bali. Tourism is not quite as developed yet as Bali and it is that reason which makes Lombok the perfect getaway. Escape to picturesque mountainside landscapes to white sand beaches of the Gili Islands. A place to relax and unwind from the daily life back home. Lombok also has the third largest volcano in all of Indonesia, Mount Rinjani, which extends 3726 meters high with a crater lake called Segara Anak.

The main season here are wet season which starts from November to May and dry season start from May-October. The best time to come is in the month of May when the weather is just perfect with bright daylight and green scenery.

People & Religion
The local inhabitants of Lombok are called Sasaks. They speak Indonesian as well as their local Sasak language. The other main ethnicity’s include Balinese, Chinese, Arabian, and Javanese.

Lombok has three main districts with three capital cities: Mataram in the west, Praya in central and Selong in east Lombok. The majority of commerce is in the capital city of Mataram in west Lombok. The majority of the population on Lombok are Muslims. Every Friday around 12.30 noon, Muslims go to the mosques just like Christians go to church on Sunday. Therefore, on that day most businesses and government offices are closed half day and then re-open again after praying (not including Senggigi).If you are planning on traveling around the island and visiting small villages it is more respectable to wear slacks or knee length shorts, a shirt with sleeves or a sarong. If you happened to be here during Ramadan, which is the Muslim month of fasting from sunrise to sunset, please do not to eat, drink or smoke out in the open public during this month long fast. Even though the people don’t seem bothered in the common tourist areas like, Senggigi and the Gili islands, it is better to respect the people and not eat or smoke openly.

Wetu TeluWetu telu is an unique religion that that blends Islam - Animism and is only found in north Lombok.
It roots stem from the village of Bayan in the north.

The people who practice this still consider themselves Muslims but they have their own rituals in addition to the normal Muslim ones. One such ceremony is Nyiu, that takes place 1000 days after someone dies.The relatives of the deceased offer material things like clothing, toothbrushes, food, dishes, mattresses, etc. so the deceased will be pleased in heaven.

Vehicle Rentals:
Dont miss Lombok's beautiful scenery. If you choose to rent a car or motorcycles and drive yourself, you must have an International Driving License.Renting a car is a good alternative to get around Lombok, either self driving or with driver so you can relax and enjoy the view. (Tip driver pocket money for meals if you stop for lunch or dinner).

If you are pleased with service, tip ( Rp. 20,000 minimum). If you collide with anything, or it collides with you, you are responsible for all cost.Motorcycles are a convenient and inexpensive way to get around the Island, but Tourists are frequently injured in motorbike accident. If you rent a bike, drive slowly and very defensively. Helmets are required by law but those provided by rental agencies offer little protection.

Health and Medical Info
Most hotels have on call doctors. For what it is known by Australian as "Bali Belly", Iomotil and Imodium eliminate Symptoms, but not infections. A fever along with the symptoms requires doctor prescribed antibiotics. Drink as much as liquid as possible. For discomfort, diarrhea, and cramping, drink strong, hot tea; avoid fruits and spicy food. Drink only bottled water or boiled water (air putih).

Peel the fruit before eating; avoid raw vegetables except at reputable restaurants. Ice in restaurants is safe. Protect yourself from the intense equatorial sun. Use sun block and hat. Sexually transmitted diseases are increasing in Indonesia. Local sex workers have multiple partners from all over the world. Act responsibly and use condoms, available over the counter at pharmacies.

Things To Take Back Home
Wanting to take back something from Lombok? Lombok has great woven textiles like songkets and ikats that can be used as a sarong, wall hanging, table cloth and more. The design woven is special to each weaver and it is passed down through the generations before. There is a traditional hand weaving village in Puyung, central Lombok. You can even try on a traditional Sasak costume.
Banyumulek (West Lombok), Penujak (Central Lombok) and Masbagik (East Lombok) are famous villages in Lombok for making pottery. Lombok pottery has gained popularity and is shipped throughout the world.

There is a wide range of selections and it can custom made to your liking. We hope to develop the economy of the area by directly meet them with serious buyer from all over the world.There are many traditional handicrafts you could take back as a souvenir i.e. wooden masks, baskets made out of ketak grass, wooden boxes designed with bits of shells, or other things made from bamboo or rattan.

Nasi Padang (Rendang)

Padang in West Sumatra is known more as the origin of the country’s most popular cuisine than as a provincial capital, thanks to the ubiquitous Padang restaurants.

Go to any town or city across the archipelago, and the chances are you will find a place to eat called Rumah Makan Padang or Padang Restaurant, either on the roadside, or in luxurious malls or even in more upmarket establishments. How did it happen?

Padang: The birthplace of rendang

To explain the success of the food of the people of West Sumatra, one has to know that the Padang men have an adventurous spirit and like to broaden their horizons. It is said they believe that their mother’s cooking is the very best and cannot not be found anywhere else.

Add to this their good sales skills and it is not surprising that when three people of West Sumatran origin meet, a restaurant will be set up.Mama’s culinary skills and her ceaseless prayers (doa bundo) for her children to seek a better life and return home rich are always in their mind. And what does a loving mother give to her son when he has to go to a far away place with no home-cooked food? It has to be a traditional dish that can be kept for a long time and

one Well, that is certainly rendang or meat cooked in a thick coconut milk sauce, spicy hot just like their mothers make. Though in a cookery book about Indonesia’s regional foods published in 1967 by the then agriculture ministry titled Mustikarasa, rendang is a method of preparation in which the ingredients are cooked without any oil.So when the young man gets homesick he would eat some rendang and offer it to his new friends, popularizing the dish among non-West Sumatran people. that becomes better and better when reheated!

Taking the name for from their place of origin, they call it Padang food as most West Sumatrans are also very proud of their capital. Of course there are now many West Sumatra people who say why not Bukittinggi food or Lubuk Linggau food? But one cannot deny that Padang is more saleable that any other name and it has gone global. In Singapore or Australia, Padang food is known and rendang will be on the menu.

The rendang outside Indonesia is sometimes not the classic West Sumatran rendang, it sometimes is only partly cooked rendang. Traditional rendang has no sauce and because of the preparation the meat is dark brown in color. When it still has thick coconut milk sauce it is called kalio. And that is what in many countries or even in Indonesia outside West Sumatra, is served as rendang.

Perhaps the procedure of making authentic rendang takes too long and requires a lot of patience because one has to stir it often until the sauce is totally absorbed by the meat which will then give it the rather dark color. The preparation is actually not too complicated, but what one has to pay attention to is the time of cooking and rendang is best made from sirloin. Rendang has gained popularity in many countries and when asking visitors to Sumatra what dish they like most the answer will be most likely rendang whether it is from Padang, Bukit Tinggi or anywhere else in West Sumatra where people are very adept in creating spicy, delicious food.

NIAS Island

With it's famous megalithic stone altars and furniture, spectacular traditional architecture, and complex religious rites, this fasctinating island offers a journey in to the past. Nias island lies approximately 125 km south west of Sibolga city. The land has rolling mountainous terrain, gorges, ravines, and rivers ans is subject to earth quakes. The northern half of the island is sparsely populated and featured large swampy areas.The local people of Nias called the island as Tano Niha, or land of the people. Ethnically the Niah who called them selves as Ono Niha are mixed of proto-Malay who have had contacts with the Asian Mongolid world. Their exact origin is misty. Many features, practises and cultures are of their own. Untill now those practises and cultures still well maintained. This is the place that you may discover the live of the stone age era. Stone jumping is one of the popular activities which still well

preserved. During the past, this activity is showing the maturity of a man, and used to be meaning to win a war. The stone jumper used to jumped over the enemies trench to get in to the trench and opened the enemies gate for his companion. However now it used to attract visitors.

For the nature sport lover, Nias provides very very excellent spot for surfing. This is one of the world class surf site in our country. We highly recommend you to the the activity during the dry season (April to October) when the waves and the weather still freindly.

Nias is one of the major tourist destinations in North Sumatera, especially famous for its surfing and unique culture. Nias is definitely different than most other places and has very much to offer, not only for surfers. Nias was 'discovered' late and is in some aspects not yet discovered. Forget all strange reports based on travelers' myth and other inflated stories. Nias is definitely one of the more interesting destinations in Indonesia

Surfing and BeachesA deep trench in the ocean along the coast of Sumatera, Jawa, Bali and onwards is the secret behind all the excellent surfing locations in Indonesia. The pressures of the whole Indian Ocean force the sea up out of the trench and to create huge waves along the coast. Many of those waves are now famous, especially the one in Lagundi. Many other places have very good surfing, but are rather unknown due to its isolation and the secrecy of most surfers. Surfing is so much better if one doesn't have to share the waves with the big crowd. Nias has been specially endowed with good surfing. Besides Lagundi there is nice surfing in Afulu, Pulau Asu and Pulau Bawa. In the archipelago Pulau-pulau Batu there are yet more excellent surfing spots.Nias also offers a big variety of beaches for the beach lover. Anything from quiet coral island beaches to huge wide beaches open to the sea. the beaches of Lahewa and Tanah Bala in PP Batu are definitely unique.

Teluk Lagundi is the bay in the Southwest corner of Nias, famous amongs surfers for its excellent surfing. Some years ago it was the main attraction in North Sumatera and in high season all the bungalows along the shores were full.Tourism in Nias started because of surfing. Australian surfers discovered the famous Lagundi/Sorake wave in 1960s. Lagundi became World famous for its long and perfect wave. International competition have been held regulerly since 1993. For those who never have tried surfing there are surf instructors available.

How to get there

To reach this place, there is weekly ship from Jakarta (the capital city of Indonesia) to Gunung Sitoli; There are Ferries from Sibolga to Gunung Sitoli, Teluk Dalam, or Lahewa every day; Before the crisis hit Indonesia, there is daily flight from Medan to Gunung Sitoli, however it is less frequent nowadays. Gunung Sitoli is the capital city of Nias and it is the center of administration and business affairs of regency. There are several travel agencies hotels, public busses and rental cars to support tourism here. There are also some government and private banks available.

Pretty Little Liars Season 2 Episode 8: Save the date

Click Here to Watch Pretty Little Liars Season 2 Episode 8: Save the date

Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand agree on transportation cooperation

Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand agreed to establish cooperation in the transportation sector, partnership and international relations division chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Medan chapter, Khairul Mahalli said in Medan

The keen wish for cooperation in the transportation sector, he said, was marked with the signing of an agreement at the 25th joint business council meeting of the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) in Banda Aceh recently.

Besides coordinating flights from and to cities in the IMT-GT, it was also agreed to increase exports and imports through Belawan Port, evaluate and formulate a work program on the operation of Ro Ro (roll in roll out) vessels plying the Belawan-Penang-Belawan route.

The agreement also covered a recommendation to reach a common tariff for sea/air ports in the IMT-GT region, Mahalli said."The agreement was accommodated by the infrastructure and transportation division of the IMT-GT as the cooperation deals were believed to be effective to boost trade between the three countries," he said.