reoq ponorogo

Ponorogo is most well known for the reog mask dance, which is said to have been created by one of the kings of Kediri in the 12th century. The performance re-enacts a legendary battle between Pujangga Anom, a minister from the court of Ponorogo, and Singa Barong, guardian spirit of the forest of Lodoyo. The former had aroused the anger of Singa Barong when he stole 150 tigers from the forest, apparently to be offered as a dowry payment for a princess of Kediri, whom the king of Ponorogo wished to marry.
A typical reog troupe, then, usually consists of the principal characters; Singa Barong, wearing an enormous tiger head and peacock feather mask, and his adversary Pujangga Anom. They are accompanied by one or more masked clowns/acrobats, as well as a number of hobby horse dancers, who are said to represent the troops of Pujangga Anom.
The people of Ponorogo have a reputation for being tough, both physically and mentally. The qualities of bravery and daring are fully displayed in a reog performance, where the focus of attention is on a trance dancer supporting a giant mask, often weighing more than 40 kg, between his teeth. The mask is a ferocious, snarling tiger's head, covered in real tiger skin and crowned with a gigantic three meter fan of peacock feathers.



The success of a performance, including the ability of the principal dancer to bear the weight of the mask, is said to depend upon the magical power of the leader of the dance troupe. Known as warok, these men are believed to possess special talents, gained through years of training. One of the unique features of the reog dance is that the hobby horse (jaran kepang) dancers are invariably young boys dressed as women. Known as gemblak, they accompany the warok, who are forbidden close association with females, in their travelling performances.


Contest of Reog dance is presented annually by the local government. Ngebel, a natural lake and batik printing of ponorogo are also worthwhile seeing.
Reog Ponorogo: Tiger, Peacock

A tiger's head and a wide-winged peacock are the principal features of the traditional Reog Ponorogo dance. The weight of this pair, called Dhadhak Merak, may reach 40 kg or even 100 kg, carried by one man, moving around, up and down. The tiger's head symbolizes a hero. The man, warok, who bears it must have a magic power.

Dhadhak Merak, often known as Singobarong, is performed as a welcoming dance for honorable guests, or as attractions, complete with its attributes. For instance, the player of the role of Prabu (King) Kelana Sewandono, with his supernatural power, always carries an inhabited, holy whip.
Another man plays the role of a dancer, Bujangganong, a governor under the rule of King Kelana Sewandono. He is a hero with a bad face, bearing a mask with a red, long nose, untidy hair and tusked teeth.



The team of players is completed with riders on horses made of bamboo plaitwork or skin of animal. They symbolize the escorting soldiers of King Kelana Sewandono on his trips. Formerly these horse-riders were played by men called Gembak. But now they are generally women.

The total number of a Reog team is between 20 and 40 members, including the magical heroes (waroks) with open breasts and waist band, symbolizing their magic power.

According to history the Reog dance originated from the glorious era of the Kediri kingdom around the l5th century. The region of Ponorogo was called Wengker, the seat of the kingdom of Bentarangin (now the area of subdistrict Sonoroto) under King Kelana Sewandono. He had a governor, Pujangga Anom (in the Reog dance called Bujangganong). One night Kelana Sewandono dreamed meeting a beautiful princess, Songgolangit. He felt in love with her and ordered his governor to ask the hand of the princess. This proposal was accepted on the condition that the King should present an attraction which was still unknown at that time.

King Kelana Sewandono then decided to kill the powerful King Singo Barong, who was pictured as a king with a tiger's head bearing a wide-winged peacock. The victorious King Kelana Sewandono then went into procession to the palace of the princess, bearing the defeated Singo Barong. The procession attracted great attention during the trip to the palace.
Another story says that Reog dance is a hint on the king of Majapahit, who married a Chinese princess. The King's power was therefore pictured as being defeated by the beauty of the Chinese princess.

on matter its origin, the Reog dance is a popular attraction, not only in Ponorogo, but all over Java to be performed on various events, including the field of tourism.





 

    singo barong reoq ponorogo
 

Pasuruan Tourism

Pasuruan regency is one of tourism place in East Java, which has potency of nature, culture and tourism attraction that be able to expose the completely tourism enchantment (The East Java Natural Enchantment).
Pasuruan is one of tourism object in East Java that has glamour nature and marvelous culture, such as panorama of mount Bromo seen from Penanjakan, or the fascinating of Tretes tourism area, the amazing of agro tourism area in Tutur, recreation area at Prigen, which presenting multifarious animals in Safari Park Indonesia II, the center of recreation and entertainment amusement of Taman Dayu, Fina Golf and there are still a lot of tourism object which is interesting to be visited.
Pasuruan regency is located 60 km south of Surabaya. Beside its tourism object, Pasuruan also has industrial area and crafting which has its own characteristic, such as; small industry and crafting of embroidery in Beji, Bangil, gempol, and Keraton. Crafting of wood in Prigen and Karangrejo. Crafting of accesories in Bangil and Gempol and also crafting of iron in Gempol and Poh Jentrek.

TAMAN SAFARI INDONESIA II
This tourism object is located at Jatiarjo village Prigen distric. This natural preserve is the branch of Cisarua - Bogor natural preserve. As the natural wild life, preserve Taman Safari Indonesia collects various wild animals. This wildlife preserve is 295 hectares, the wild animal such as : lion tiger, wild buffalo, komodo, rhinaceros, bison that live in open area. Lies at the slope of Mt. Arjuno 800 – 1.500-meter sea level cover 340 ha and divided three zones. Wild life zone, place for visitor observing a natural wild life. Attraction zone for performing education through entertainment attractions. Each Sunday we can see that circus of Taman Safari Indonesia Jl. Prigen. Baby zoo zone place for visitor to getting photos and closing to the baby animals. Taman Safari surrounded by the beautiful panorama and fresh atmosphere with temperature 24-25o C, it also has supporting facilities such as; recreational park for children. This location is easy to be reached. It take only 1 hours from Surabaya or Malang.

COBAN BAUNG WATERFALL
The waterfall is 100 meters high as one of natural attractions. It is located at Purwodadi village exactly in the east of Purwodadi Botanical garden. It has surrounded by a protected forest with various animals like monkey, deer, etc. It has provided camping ground.

 APPLE AGRO TOURISM
The agro tourism is located at Andonosari village, Tutur subdistrict. It's about 40 km from Pasuruan city. The visitor can be relax and go around the Apple plantation.
If we want to pick some Apples by ourselves and eat them as many as we want, we have to pay a admission fee at first. The agro tourism covers an area about 1100 hectares and the apples which are planted consist of Manalagi, Rhomebeauty, Anna and Wanle.

KAKEK BODO WATERFALL
It is located at Tretes and belongs to Pasuruan forest range unit. It can be accessible from Surabaya for about 45 minutes drive. Kakek Bodo is an esthatic Forest lines are located at the Pasuruan Forest District, Forest Ranger unit of the west Lawang, Sub Forest Ranger of Prigen. It's about 35 km from Pasuruan. This recreational forest has surrounded by pine forest and other trees such as, Akasia (acacia decurrens). Kaliandra (Calliandra Calathyrsus) and Mahoni (Swientenia Macraphylla). In this area we can find the kakek Bodo Waterfall 40 meters high, the esthetic forest cross, recreational park for children, and the grave of Kakek Bodo.

SIEN ORCHID
Sien Orchid Garden collects many kinds of orchids and decorative plants, which is located on the way between Pandaan – Tretes. The visitor can see the beauty of orchids and buy them as souvenirs. In this garden is cultivated many kinds of orchid, which are preserved and for collection.

SKI LOT (MUD SURFING)
Ski Lot is the traditional attraction of Lekok fisherman. It is usually held annually on the seventh day of Idul Fitri (lebaran ketupat) in a field with full of mud. Ski Lot is an unique attraction because the competitor must catch a crab, a lele fish and an eel by surf on the mud. Not only men, but also women follow the competition. At the same time at Lekok beach, it is also held row race and decorative.
 

Malang Tourism

Malang is one of clean and cool cities in East Java has, without any doubt, been famous since long time ago. Historical remmants scattered around Malang Showing that it hat played important roles in may eras and stretching out from 112° 17' 10,90° up to 112° 57' 0,00° east Longitude and extending from 7° 44' 55,11° up to 8° 26' 35,45° South Latitude.
Malang regency border Blitar and Kediri Regencies on the West; Jombang, Mojokerto and Pasuruan Regencies on the North; Probolinggo and Lumajang Regencies on the East and Indian Ocean on the South.

 Singosari Temple, Singosari
Singosari temple, also known as kendedes temple, was founded in honor to King Kertanegara, the last king of Singosari dynasty who died in 1292 AD. It was erected in 1300 AD at the same time when the ritual Sradha took place. In the vicinity of the temple there are two gigantic statue called Dwarapala, believed to be the entrance guards to the palace

Jajaghu (Jago) Temple, Tumpang
Jajaghu or Jagu temple was constructed in 1275 - 1300 AD. It believed as the burial place of King Wisnuwardhana ashes, the fourth king of Singosari kingdom, it is extremely interesting that the temple has ornament similarities to those of Penataran temple in Blitar Regency. It lies at the village of Jago, Tumpang Sub District, the Eastern part of Malang (+ 22 km).

Kidal Temple, Tumpang

This temple is located in Rejo Kidal village, Tumpang Sub District, 24 km away to the East from Malang. The Real height of the temple is 17 meters, but now it's just 12,4 meters. The temple base has a square shape. The door is one the West side. Above the door of the temple. there are " Kepala Kala " (Head of Giants) and lions. The temple was decorated using ornaments, which depict Mahabharata story not in sequence.

Ngliyep Beach, Donomulyo

Ngliyep, a beautiful rocky beach at the Southern part of Malang Regency, where gigantic waves meet core/ reef. In addition, it has an isle with a lush green tropical shore-forest giving more enchantment to the beach. This beach is provided with some facilities such as: stalls, Souvenir shop, inns, etc.
Annually the traditional ceremony Labuhan Mulud (offering ceremony) is held here. The beach lies at Kedungsalam village, Donomulyo Sub District, about 62 km a way to the South from Malang

 
Balekambang Beach, Bantur

The beach possessing three isles with a distance of about one hundred meters each, two of which have been connected with one meter-wide bridge to the shore, Balekambang offers a different atmosphere of beach resorts in the Southern part of Malang. One of the three isles called Ismoyo isle has a Hindu temple, established by local Hinduists.
Annually, the ritual and traditional ceremonies Jalanidhipuja (Hindu ceremony) and Suran (Javanese New Year ceremony) are held here every year. The parking lots, stalls, inns, souvenir shops, etc., for the visitors are no problem here. This beautiful beach is located at Srigonco village, Bantur Sub District, about 57 km away to the South from Malang and accessible by public transportation

Sendangbiru Beach, Sumbermanjing Wetan
Sendangbiru is one of beach resorts in the Southern part of Malang Regency, which free from tumulous waves of Indian Ocean due to the existence of wild life Sempu Island, about 300 meters offshore.
At the other side of the beach is now utilize ' as Fishing Harbor and Center of Fishes Disembarkation PPI where fisherman disembark their catches in which both are under theAuthority of the Fishery Service and managed by KUD (Village Cooperation Unit), " Mina Jaya Pondok Dadap "
Officially, the beach of Sendangbiru is managed by the State-owned Forestay Company which has so far provided the beach with inns, guest house, stalls, guard houses, boats, etc.
To reach Sendangbiru, visitor can take an accessible public transportation named "Mikrolet" for Gadang - Turen - Sendangbiru, Sendangbiru is about 70 km away to the South from Malang at Tambakrejo village 4 Sumbermanjing Wetan Sub District

Karangkates Dam Recreational Park
This tourist object is not quite different from the recreational parks at other places that Malang Regency has. In this place, however. the visitors can also get peaceful impression by fishing, boating, skiing or just enjoy the beautiful panorama around the lake.
Facilities: golf and tennis court, camping ground, and many others. The accessibility is reachable, located at Karangkates village, Sumberpucung Sub District, about 40 km to South-Western part from Malang (only one drive hour).


Poncokusumo Tourist Village, Poncokusumo
A special kind of tourist village (+ 686.2509 ha) lies on the Western slope of mt. Semeru (the highest, mountain in Java) or at the Southern border of Bromo-Tengger -Semeru National Park.
The height of the village is about 926 meter from sea level, temperature 22 - 26 degree Celsius, located about 30 km from Malang to the East.
This village has many beautiful and impressive panorama, which noted as one of the most fascinating villages in the Eastern part of Malang Regency. Visitors who come to visit Poncokusumo, surely can enjoy impressive panorama apple plantation, around the garden from quarter to quarter, reflecting the village quarters agro tourism. Without any doubt, it's just nice place to stay gaining the new spirit and healthy


Coban Pelangi Water fall, Gubuk Klakah
A beautiful water fall located about 32 km away to the East Malang. It has natural, coo/, and clean water that gives a peaceful impression. This waterfall can be reached on the way to Mount Bromo via Malang.
Find a lovely mountain resort, beautiful panorama, impressive view of apple fruits and 5 vegetables. The Water fall site is in the village named Gubuk Klakah, the one belonging to Poncokusumo Sub District.
 
Agro Tourism Wonosari, Tea Plantation, Lawang
This plantation pleasure gives a special and peaceful impression, beautiful panorama of tea plantation. The plantation is situated at the area on the slope of mount Arjuno, it belongs to Wonosari - Toyomarto village, Singosari Sub District. In this tourist object, visitors can watch and enjoy the special impression, processing of tea from the leaves taken to the tea ready to drink. The location is reachable, about 30 km away to the North from Malang. Facilities: swimming pool, cottages, jogging tracks area, camping grounds, and I many other.

Probolinggo Tourism

Probolinggo is one of area of East Java, which consist of Javanese, Maduranese, Pendalungan (descents of Java and Maduranese) and Tenggerese who still keep a strong hold of their tradition and custom for so many centuries. Probolinggo has boredered by a group of mountains that is Mount Semeru, mount Bromo, Mount Argopuro and notherly is the beach line. Probolinggo’s soil has highly fretile, because the land was formed out mechanical soil full of minerals derived from volcanic explosions.
On this mountains surrounding Probolinggo are, we can find beautiful scenery with points of natural interests, its history and culture. Those three elements combine into funtastic and fascinating enchanment.
Probolinggo is easy to reach as it is located on the provincial main route. the most convenient means of transportation is intercity bus. We can choose economy bus or executive bus.

Madakaripura Waterfall
Madakaripura waterfall located in Sapih village, Lombang district, and it is not far from bromo area. Madakaripura is a sacred visiting area comprising lines of waterfalls where its center reaches a height of 200 meters from the bottom. This waterfall has related historic with a great Prime Ministry, Gajah Mada, who strongly struggled to unify the whole teritory of Nusantara under span of control of Majapahit, and said as “the last residence for Gajah Mada”.

Gili Ketapang Island
Gili Ketapang is an island that is north sea of Probolinggo. It has a beautiful scenery and there are many sands in the east and south of this, unpolluted and bluish. There are many kinds of colorfull corals. It is about 5 miles from Ujung Tembaga port and takes 30 minutes by boat. The populations is 7.600, the most of them are Madurist and almost 90% are fishermen.

Beside its scenery, there is also “Goa Kucing”. According to historical, this is the rest place of Syech Ishaq, a person who spread Islam from Blambangan, Banyuwangi. At that time, there are thousands cats, but finally the cats are gone every where. Up to know, on Friday “Legi”, the sound of those cats is heard from the darle cave and it will lose when we are trying to find it.

The other unique of this island is people believe that this island have a misterious power, which can move to the midle of sea. According to them, when Semeru mountain had exploded, there was an earthquake and the land of Ketapang village had separated to midle of sea about 5 miles from Probolinggo. Because of that, people call this island “Gili Ketapang”. Gili comes from Madura language, which means “Flow” and “Ketapang” is the name of the village.


Madakaripura Waterfall
Madakaripura waterfall located in Sapih village, Lombang district, and it is not far from bromo area. Madakaripura is a sacred visiting area comprising lines of waterfalls where its center reaches a height of 200 meters from the bottom. This waterfall has related historic with a great Prime Ministry, Gajah Mada, who strongly struggled to unify the whole teritory of Nusantara under span of control of Majapahit, and said as “the last residence for Gajah Mada”.
This spectaculer waterfall lies hidden at the end of a deep valley in the foothills of the Tengger range. The water has cascades from the dense forest above. The primary attraction is its natural environment that is enciecled by 7 waterfalls and caves. The facilities, which are available, include; parking lot, food stalls, resting place and security post.
The fatigue and exhoustion one undergoes from climbing the peak of Bromo, would immediately gone after getting a bathe with the holy Tirta Sewana so to comtinue the travel to other visiting points in Probolinggo area.

 Bentar Beach
Bentar Indah beach located at Gending district, in the side road of Surabaya - Banyuwangi, 7 km from the east to Probolinggo. Bentar Indah beach is the way to Bali - Surabaya - Yogyakarta - Jakarta, so that it is a potential tourism object.
Based on this reason, there is an idea to delevope it become a resort, which still as supporting tourism ideal object. It will be build Terapung Hotel with complete facilities, such as; water sport, sea aquarium, play ground, swimming pool, mangroves forest, fish pond, etc.

There is a hill beside the Bentar Indah beach, because its located on the main road curve. So that the tourists can climb the hill and enjoy the beautiful of sea scenery. The tourists can also fishing, because in the east manggroves forest, will be made for traditional dam, which will have fishes and shrimps seed.
Bentar Beach

Bentar Indah beach located at Gending district, in the side road of Surabaya - Banyuwangi, 7 km from the east to Probolinggo. Bentar Indah beach is the way to Bali - Surabaya - Yogyakarta - Jakarta, so that it is a potential tourism object.

Based on this reason, there is an idea to delevope it become a resort, which still as supporting tourism ideal object. It will be build Terapung Hotel with complete facilities, such as; water sport, sea aquarium, play ground, swimming pool, mangroves forest, fish pond, etc.

There is a hill beside the Bentar Indah beach, because its located on the main road curve. So that the tourists can climb the hill and enjoy the beautiful of sea scenery. The tourists can also fishing, because in the east manggroves forest, will be made for traditional dam, which will have fishes and shrimps seed.

Jabung Temple
The other Probolinggo tourism that we can find is Jabung temple, which become one of ancient and historical haritages in Probolinggo. It located in Jabung village, in Paiton district. Jabung temple was made by red stone with 13,11 length, 9,58 m, 15,58 m height. There are also some relief panils which its story is not surely know yet. The relief panils represent daily activities such as: a hermit wearing “surban” stands opposite to his student, Two men who are near well, a lunar shape panil ground like medalion, some lions sit opposite.

Mountain Argopuro / Rengganis
Mount Argopuro is very suitable for a person who like the challenge. A difficult area with very step high side and sloping valley, there is also nature mantraps along the way. Those are challenge to get a deep impression. Argopuro is the allest hill which is near the Yang upland. The climber will pick of Argopuro’s cold wind that blows friendly. Each climber will admire it.

The climber find other interesting places that need to be visited. After visit the pickof Argopuro or “Rengganis Palace”, we back to cicentor to continue the travelling to “Si Kasur”. Going around the Batu Lempeng hill, going down the Pondok Celot (Celot hut), through Taman Sarang Laba-laba (Spider’s web garden) which known as “Si Mesem” (the smile).

In this location, visitor will smile, to admire the nature miracle. Everywhere, we can find the Spider’s web and the grass plain that is largely like mattress, so this place is called “Si Kasur” (the mattress). A fresh vegetables is proveded to one who camp in this place.

Banyuwangi Tourism

Welcome to Sukamade Beach
Sukamade beach is about 97 km to southwest of Banyuwangi. It is natural and quiet, beautiful place. Dutch discovered it in 1927. The 1200 hectare estate is an active plantation that produces rubber, coffee and cacao. Sukamade is the east Java Natural Resource Conservation which is in charge of the turtle’s perpetuation. A night adventure tour to Sukamade is an unforgettable trip. You will be guided by a natural resource to find sea turtles come to a shore to lay eggs. You can see a female turtle lays more than one hundred eggs on the sandy beach. The female turtles usually start landing at 7:30 PM and return to the sea at 12:00PM. November to March is the peak season for laying eggs.

The ways to Sukamade is worth exploring. Along the way to visit this place the visitors can stop at the beautiful place of Rajegwesi, Teluk Hijau a fantastic green bay with its beautiful cliff around. A dawn excursion to see animals grassing on the savannah is also impressing. They are virgin places you must know in the eastern tip of Java, banyuwangi, Indonesia

Segoro Anakan
Segoro Anakan is good for sailling sports and fishing. It is still natural and has not been developed. It is a virgin mangrove forest tourism object. the visitors can visit Segoro Anakan through Grajagan coast by boat. It takes about 45 minutes.



 

 

Banyuwangi Tourism

One of the pioneers of the agro tourism in Indonesia is Kaliklatak Plantation. It is located on the slope of Mount Merapi where Ijen Crater lies. It is about 15 km to the west of Banyuwangi. It is 1000 ha in wide. It is maaged privately and the commodities plant are coffee, cocoa, rubber clove and spices. The visitors can see the process of harvesting, processing, and packaging in the actor. Cottages are available for visitors.


Welcome to Grajagan Beach
Grajagan is an interesting beach to visit. A wide clean sand hampers the beach. The hill across the sea, stick on the ground strongly. The beautiful panorama of Grajagan fishing village can be seen here. The caves for the battle protection in Japanese Era can be seen here. The cottages and motel are available for the visitors. Grajagan is located about 53 km to the South of Banyuwangi.

Watu Dodol
is located at the village of Ketapang, Kecamatan Giri. It is near the main road to the National Park of Baluran. The view is beautiful. The beach is stretching along the road and the hill on another. The visitors can see the island of Bali from it. A big stone stick between the main roads which called “Watu dodol” Watu means stone and dodol is a kind of cake. The restaurants and motel are available here.



 

 

Banyuwangi Tourism

Gandrung Traditional Art
The government of Banyuwangi gives special attention to the art of Gandrung. The purpose of this is to encourage the spirit of local ethnicity that will in turn increase the development of tourism. For this reason, Gandrung was determined to be the mascot of tourism in Banyuwangi according to the Banyuwangi Regency Decision, Number 173 in 2002.
The word “Gandrung” comes from the Javanese word that means “desperately in love”. It means that they are in love with the goddess of the rice paddy, Dewi Sri, that brings prosperity to the people of Banyuwangi who are mostly employed as farmers. In gratitude for the good harvest, the people organize a performance which is called “Gandrung” because the farmers were in love with the goddess of the rice paddy.

Praburoro Traditional Art Performance
The word of Praburoro comes from the character of this performance whose name is Roro Rengganis. Praburoro is a type of dramatic dance. The stories that are performed come from the Panji, or the tale of Amir Hamzah, which is influenced by Islamic Persian stories. There are about 40 - 50 people who are involved in this performance. The players are divided into 3 groups.
The musical instrument is the gamelan of Java with slendro tone (a typical Javanese gamelan tone). Praburoro is a very unique presentation. First of all, the dance is a Javanese dance. The costumes are modeled after the wayang (puppet) orang performance. The musical instrument is the Javanese gamelan. The songs are also Javanese. However, the songs can be the songs of the Banyuwanginese; such as Padang Ulan, Waru Doyong, Kembang Waru, etc. The story is about the conquest of a non-moslem country. The performance ends with the scene of the King that has been conquered by Menak Agung Jayengrono and Umarmoyo.

BARONG TRADITIONAL ART PERFORMANCE
The word Barong has several meanings. In the Sanskrit language barong means bear, derived from the word “B(h)arwang”. Baron can also refer to the roots that live near a bamboo cluster or a performance imitating a wild animal. Evidenced from the meanings above, the last meaning is closer to the meaning of the Barong Traditional Performance. There are many Barongsin Blambangan of Banyuwangi; for instance, Barong Prejeng, Barong Osing or Barong Blambangan. The main character of this performance is a big giant head, with open wide eyes and two tusks protruding from his mouth. Barong is a traditional performance. The story is taken from a folk tale. The most famous story is taken from Barong Jakrifah that tells about the struggle of the villagers to open a new area in the jungle and they have to face evil spirit of the jungle. The performance is usually begins in the night and finishes at dawn. The message to take care of the forest is always given in every performance.

GEDHOGAN TRADITIONAL ART PERFORMANCE
Gedhogan used to be performed as entertainment after doing a traditional rice paddy peeling in preparation for a wedding or a circumcision celebration. The sound of music is made from the tools that they use to peel the rice, like the alu, lesung and lumpang. Those tools sounded good and have a special tone. They were singing while playing the musical instruments.
At this time, the musical instruments used are supplemented with two chunks of iron called a kempul and a gendang, which is a kind of drum.

MOCOAN PACUL GOANG TRADITIONAL ART PERFORMANCE
The word mocoan comes from the Javanese word that means “to read”. The connotation of the word pacul is “mocking. There are 7 to 8 players in one group in this Mocoan Pacul Goang Performance. Kendang, violin, gong and kluncing are the main musical instruments. The players read and sing using a version of the songs of mocopat like kasmaran, arum-arum, derma, pangkur, sinom etc. using the Blambangan style. The readings are taken from the lontar of Yusuf. The Paculan or mocking activity is usually funny. The paculan uses aphorism, pantun (a kind of poetry) or a joke. To start the paculan, the spectators usually say, “Paculan wis” (let’s paculan) in order that the players begin mocking one other. The Mocoan Pacul Goang traditional Performance is also called Aljin art, because the art was lead by a man named Aljin.
The Gandrung performance used to be performed at night, running from 09 PM until 04 AM. This traditional art is performed during the day as well to especially welcome distinguished guests.

 

Ponorogo Tourism

How to Ponorogo

The Ponorogo Regency was located on the south-west of Surabaya. The distance of the capital of the Ponorogo regency to the capital of this East Java province is about 200 km. This distance could reached by the land trip by bus during ± 5 hours. While, from the capital of the Country Jakarta be at 800 km. From Solo, the city of Central Java could be 3 hours through Wonogiri or 4 hours through Madiun. Usually Madiun becomes the capital of transit when the travelling person travelled by the train. In the meantime when they want to travel by the aircraft they could change to plane in Surabaya or in the Solo.

From the South, could be served by the Pacitan bus route - Ponorogo and Trenggalek - Ponorogo. There are various sorts of the route of the rural Transport (ANGDES) and the urban Transport (ANGKOT) In the personally regency. They connected the subdistrict with the capital of the regency. Could be said, there was no subdistrict that was not covered by the public's transport. Beside the ANGDES and ANGKOT they also has the pedicab transport, the buggy and the taxi bike

The culture tourism attraction

REOG

Reog Art has become the identity for the Ponorogo regency.

Because of this, Ponorogo was also known as the Reog city.

This theatre has been known to be wide in Indonesian even foreign.

Each year was spread out by the Festival Reog National along with the anniversary warning of the Ponorogo regency and Grebeg Suro celebration.

Reog art was also staged nightly the full moon in paseban, the Ponorogo Town Square.

Reog art told about the struggle for a prince who will propose to a pretty daughter lovely.

This art was staged by about 25 - 40 dancers and the musician.

The interesting of this art was his main leading figure who was named Singo Barong.

The dancer of Singo Barong bear the mask weighing 30 - 40 kg and being supported with the strength of his teeth.

The other leading figure in this Reog art including Kelono Sewandono, Bujang Anaom, Jatil and Warok.

GREBEG SURO

Is the biggest culture event in the Ponorogo regency that was held on the occasion of welcomed the Islam New Year or the Saka New Year that often was known as the date one suro.This agenda entered the East Java tourism calendar (Calendar of event). Grebeg Suro was the ritual culture incident and became the party site of the Ponorogo people. Usually it begun a week before the date 1 Suro.

It is the series of the Grebeg Suro agenda was the festival Reog National, various good activity sorts the race and the exhibition and was ended with the Larungan agenda in the Ngebel lake. The parade of the elephant statue Consisting of the musical procession and the elephant statue that in this statue were received by humankind and were climbed onto by two children. This art was often influenced by the Islam culture.

Odrot
musical Art that is influenced by Islam performance art, usually was staged at the wedding reception or circumcision.

Kongkil
Art that combined the element of the dance and traditional music.
This art is usually staged by less than 10 people of the gamelan beater and the dancer, the interesting one from this art was his musical instrument that took the form of big bamboo that was blown.

The spiritual tourism attraction

The Grave of Bathoro Katong
was located in the Sentono village the Jenangan subdistrict ± 2 km to the east from the centre of the city. Bathoro Katong was the founder and the first Regent of Ponorogo and also the leading figure of the disseminator of the Islam religion in Ponorogo.
He was the descendants of Brawijaya King from Majapahit and the Raden Patah Brother from the Demak kingdom that was the first Islam kingdom in Java. In this funeral complex also was buried the other leading figure of the founder Ponorogo, that is Patih Seliaji and Kyai (the religious teacher) Ageng Mirah.

In certain time especially the Suro month and Ruwah (the Javanese calendar), in the Bathoro Katong funeral complex was often visited by the pilgrims who wanted to pray for the soul who was buried.
This funeral complex was also believed by many people as the effective place to pray because of that, this place was always busy by the visitors that want to pilgrim.

The grave of Astana Srindil
The location was in a foot of hill in the Badengan district ± 15 km to the west from the centre of the city. That was buried there was the Regent Sumoroto and his descendants. It Often visited by the pilgrim on the Tuesday Kliwon.

The grave of Raden Jayengrono Pulung
Jayengrono grave was the son from Haryo Mataundari Kasunanan Surakarta.
Whereas his mother was the descendants from Bathoro Katong. Narrated when he opened the forest, he found 'pesing' (smelly that spread) flavoured citrus fruit, so as the area named the Jeruksing. Further he moving to the east that now named Pulung. This area became the perdikan village. The grave of Merto Hadinegoro Tajung was located in the Tajug village. Here in buried R. Adipati Mertohatinegoro. The first Ponorogo regent in the Middle city, he is Jayengrono and Bathoro Katong descendants.

The Tegal Sari mosque
was the old mosque the legacy of Kyai (the religious teacher) Muhammad Besari that it seems was the descendants from the Prophet Muhammad SAW. In the mosque had studied a person named Mas Burhan that in the future was known as Raden Ronggo Warsito, of a big poet from the Surokarto kingdom. This mosque was located in the Jetis district.

The Gontor modern islamic boarding school
was located in the Mlarak district, was the first modern hut and the biggest in Indonesia.
Known nationally in fact to be international.
His student came from various neighbouring countries
 

Reoq Ponorogo

the magical war dance involves several his magical war dance involves several different characters, the most eye-catching and dramatic being the 'Barongan' tiger with a two metre tall crown of rich and beautiful turquoise peacock feathers which is larger than the dancer wearing it! It takes an enormous amount of strength and concentration to be able to throw the crown around and to make the peacock feathers wave. The whole thing is quite demonic and uncontrollably hypnotizing.

A TIMELESS STORYhe history of the dance, or at least the story that goes behind it, goes back to ancient East Java mythology and goes something like this: Once upon a time there was a legendary battle between two mighty kings; King Prabu Klonosewandono and King Adipati Singobarong. (in that life-time a ferocious tiger ). The cause of the battle? A beautiful woman. Not just any beautiful woman but a princess from the kingdom of Kediri called Dewi Songgolangit.

MESSAGES IN DREAMS
King Prabu, unmarried and concerned about succession (he wanted an heir to the throne ), dreamt that he met Princess Dewi. Dreams hold great portent in Indonesia, both then and now, and his prime minister took it as sign that Princess Dewi should be the king's wife and bear him his heir. His dream came too late, however, because Adipati, the tiger king, had already proposed to the beautiful princess. Classic situation; one eligible and drop-dead-gorgeous princess and two extremely well off, love-sick suitors, forget one of them is a tiger. There would obviously have to be a contest of some sort. Princess Dewi thought about it for a while and decided that she wanted three things from her husband-to-be.


A TEST OF WORTH
The first thing was easy. All she wanted was one hundred and forty four horses. Number two on the shopping list was to create a new musical sound and performance that nobody had ever seen or heard before. More difficult but hardly impossible. The final thing. however, was real tricky. Princess Dewi wanted and animal with two heads!

One thing naturally led to another and the two Kings tried to kill each other in a vicious battle. Magic and sorcery were common place at this time, (just look at the tiger King Adipati ), and King Prabu used all the magic he could muster to try and create the beast with two heads. Needless to say he did and King Adipati was forced to bow out of the contest for the beautiful princess.

The characters and story come to vivid life in the Reog performance. King Prabu, obviously angry at having to compete with a tiger for Princess Dewi's hand is red-faced while King Adipati looks magnificent in his plume of feathers. A small percussion group's instruments and music represent those created for Princess Dewi from battle armour and the men on wooden horses represent armies going into battle.

This is a really colourful and exciting event and can be seen in many areas of East Java and even in streets and car parks in Jakarta. Next time you see a group of people dressed in black, carrying small cut-out stylised horses and carrying a huge plume of peacock feathers take the time to see where they go and watch one of Java's most unusual cultural shows.

 

Angklung : A Bamboo Beat

Traditionally, Sundanese dance and music have grown alongside the strata of a strictly hierarchical society. Dances such as the ketak tilu and provocative jaipongan were for the entertainment of the masses, whereas the more refined song poetry (tembang Sunda) and certain forms of gamelan were the preserve of the aristocracy.
These days the differences are fading as art forms follow social trends and feudal systems gradually disappear. Far from being diminished, however, Sundanese performing arts are flourishing, enhanced by an ever widening circle of influences.
Whilst the differing forms of gamelan music may sound rather similar to the inexperienced ear, Sundanese music is usually distinguishable from its Javanese and Balinese cousins by the presence of a clear melody in the foreground. Gamelan degung, traditionally played for the aristocracy, is led by the haunting tones of the suling, a bamboo flute. The more upbeat gamelan salendro - traditional "pop" gamelan - is led by a small, two-stringed fiddle, known as the rebab. Both are carried on the bubbling stream of the gamelan orchestra, a set of bronze percussion instruments producing sounds ranging from the pretty and xylophonic to deep, solemn gongs.



The most distinctive Sundanese sounds, however, come from the angklung - a wooden percussion instrument made from bamboo pipes of differing length and pitch. These are fixed loosely to a small wooden frame and shaken to produce a tremolo. Since each instrument only produces one or two different notes, an angklung group can consist of between 60 - 160 people. These are often children, for whom the angklung group is considered a means of self expression and education. Accompanied by the dog-dog (small drum), the bedug (large drum) and various bamboo glockenspiel-like instruments know as gambang, the combined effect of well-coordinated, interdependent individuals is a unique and magical sound.

The angklung originates from the Badui people of West Java, where it was first used to rouse soldiers' spirits as they went into battle. However, angklung instruments are used for many purposes, accompanying a variety of traditional and Islamic ceremonies ranging from weddings and circumcisions to planting ceremonies, where it is believed the music stimulates growth of newly sown seeds. They provide the entertainment at parties, school graduation ceremonies and anniversary celebrations, or any other modern social function at which a traditional Sundanese flavour is desired.
Deep in the kampungs off Jl. Padasuka in east Bandung lies Indonesia's most renowned centre of Sundanese music and dance. The Saung Angklung Pak Udjo (Pak Udjo's Angklung House) is a partially open air bamboo and thatch auditorium nestled within groves of tall, yellow and green bamboo plants. The front outer wall of the theatre is adorned with Arabic characters reflecting the devotions of a Sundanese community committed to gotong royong working together in harmony.



"You hear - you forget; you see - you remember; you do - you understand." Such is the philosophy underpinning Pak Udjo's educational art. "Through music, we educate people in the art of humanism." Audiences are invited to participate in his angklung performances, whether the music be traditional Sundanese or an angklung rendition of Strauss' The Blue Danube. "By playing the instruments," asserts Pak Udjo, "audiences gain a deeper insight into the nature of the music."

While audience participation and modern adaptations of the traditional musical ensemble reflect the Bandung of today, it is not a gimmick for the tourists. "I began my Saung Angklung to develop and preserve Sundanese art, music and dance," affirms Pak Udjo, a dignified patriarch in the midst of an elegant array of bronze and bamboo instruments. "Then comes Indonesian music; finally, Western music. My children do not perform just for the audiences - they play for themselves. I will make everybody happy for the future of our beautiful country."

Ambitious as this claim may seem, experiencing the musical ensemble in all its rich colour is one of Bandung's finest treats. Performances take place daily from 3.30 pm to approximately 5.30 pm, and the theatre has seating for over two hundred guests. As a prelude, there is a brief "Wayang Golek" puppet performance of key scenes from the Ramayana which will give you a taste of the full, nine-hour performances. The entrance fee is Rp 10,000 for weekdays, Rp 12,500 at weekends. The instruments are also made in the village, under the guidance of Pak Udjo, and individual pieces or whole sets can be bought at a range of prices.
"Many people come for the first time few come for the last," claims Pak Udjo with a knowing smile beneath his long white beard. Indeed, he has seen the trancelike effect of his work on tens of thousands of people in his Saung Angklung; he has been invited to perform for the King of Thailand, delighted audiences at the Edinburgh Festival, received an award from President Soeharto and gained adulation from Indonesia's film and rock idols. He has no doubts of the musical charms of the angklung.

Angklung and gamelan music can also be heard in many of Bandung's leading hotels. To experience the now popular jaipongan dance, which evolved from the more traditional ketuk tilu Sundanese performances, you can visit the Museum of West Java at 638 Jl. Otista. Performances are held regularly, in addition to cultural performances which are held every Sunday. If your feet won't keep still and you want to join in, visit Pak Baun Jaipong on the same road. Likewise you can join in the ketuk tilu dance (performed to gamelan music) at the Sanggar Langan Selna at 541 A Jl. Otista. Alternatively, the Institute of Fine Arts, ASTI, often stages performances of various Sundanese music and dances, or you can visit at any time to watch the students practice. Performance schedules are available at theTourist Information Office.

 

Gamelan Of Indonesia

The most famous music of Indonesia must be that of the gamelan orchestra, whether of Java and Bali. One of the first westerners to comment on it was Sir Francis Drake, in 1580, who recorded in the log of the Golden Hind that he had heard music ' of a very strange kind, yet the sound was pleasant and delightful' . Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles sent back to London a set of gamelan instruments at the beginning of the 19th century and at the Grand Universal Exhibition of 1889 in Paris there were performances by Javanese players and dancers on a gamelan from Cirebon which had been presented to the Paris Conservatoire a couple of years before. It was these performances which Claude Debussy found so enthralling and which were to have considerable influence on some of his subsequent works.
The majority of gamelan instruments are made of metal - usually bronze but occasionally iron. These divide into two groups: metallophones, and gongs with central knobs or bosses. In addition there are hand drums, an end-blown bamboo flute and a two-stringed rebab, or fiddle, of Arabic origin. All the instruments except the rebab and the hand drums are stuck by a variety of mallets, and this style of playing gives the gamelan its name: -an, the striking action of gamelan, a hammer.
The gamelan can be played in two modes, loud and soft, and in two tunings, slendro and pelog. The slendro tuning is a pentatonic scale, having five notes and no semi-tones. The difference between this and the black notes on a piano is that the intervals are more or less equal, whereas the black notes on a piano have clear differences between whole tones and minor thirds. The pelog tuning has seven notes though not all are always used. In both cases the intervals between the notes are not precisely equal and each gamelan will have its own personality depending on how it is tuned. This tuning, or embat, is considered very important and allows a sharp ear to distinguish one gamelan from another. Since the instruments (with the exception of the rebab ) cannot be returned, a full Javanese gamelan has many of its instruments duplicated - one in the slendro tuning and one in the pelog.

The gongs are all circular and are struck on their central protruding boss. The larger ones are suspended vertically from a bar and are struck with a round-headed, padded mallet. The smaller gongs are supported horizontally on cords strung across a wooden frame with the central boss uppermost, and are played by hitting the boss with sticks lightly padded with string wound round them. The gongs provide the structural framework of the music and the embellishment and infilling.

The saran family of bronze metallophone plates over a wooden resonator, and their cousins the slentem, in which the plates are suspended over tuned bamboo resonators, are the crucial instruments of the gamelan: they provide the nuclear melody of the piece from which the parts of all the other instruments can be deduced. There is also a xylophone called the gambang whose plates are made of hardwood, struck by round disks mounted on the ends of horn sticks. It is an embellishing instrument. The flute and the rebab have considerable rhythmic elasticity and are used with the (usually female ) human voice for ornamentation.

The Balinese gamelan is superficially the same as the Javanese but, in fact, the ensembles are different and the music pronouncedly so. The Balinese gamelan underwent a revolution early in this century when a new form of playing and dancing called kebyar evolved. This is much more exuberant than the more courtly and dignified music of Central Java. Unpadded wooden mallets give a brighter, louder and more ' tinkly' sound to the metallophones than the padded mallets of Java.

In Sulawesi a xylophone orchestra of plates mounted on wooden frames without any resonators is played most often at harvest time. Flutes are played all over the archipelago, together with a variety of drums and stringed instruments like the 36 two-stringed hasapi of the Toba Batak and the sapeh of the Dayaks which is a flat lute with rattan strings. The Dayaks of the interior of Kalimantan have an ancient instrument known since the Bronze Age, called a kledi, which can be seen on the bas-reliefs of Borobudur. It is a gourd with six or eight bamboo canes sticking out of it and it is played like a mouth organ.

 

Batik Of Indonesia

lthough the process of decorating cloth through the process of batik is found in several regions in Africa or India and even in some South East Asian countries, the batik of Indonesia is unique and unequalled.
Indonesian Batik is made in several regions, but the center of the art is Central Java, in cities like Yogyakarta, Solo, Cirebon, Pekalongan and Indramayu.

The pride of Indonesians to wear batik till the present day has preserve this art of textile.
The beauty of Batik is a tribute to the patience, creativity of the woman of Java, the main island of Indonesia. Credit should be also given to men who prepare the cloth and handle the dyeing and finishing proceThe word "batik" is Indonesian in origin, even if the concept was known by Egyptians and Indians.
It is known to be more than a millenium old, and there are evidences that cloth decorated through some form of resist technique was in use in the early centuries AD in several West African, Middle-Eastern and Asian communities.

The word Batik is originally an Idonesian-Malay word and means to dot .
This art of textile is spread in the hindu and malay world, but Indonesia is certainly the heart of the Batik.
This way of painting and coloring textile has reached its higher degree of excellence in the Island of Java , in cities like Solo, Yogyakarta, Pekalongan or Cirebon.
From Java this 'batik' cloth was exported to other islands of the archipelago and to the Malay peninsula.
During the past two or three centuries batik has become one of the principal means of expression of the spiritual and cultural values of Southeast Asia.

Site Batik of Indonesia
<>A Javanese woman applying wax in the intricately involved patterns with a canting (tjanting), a small copper container with a long slender spout. From time to time she blows on the tip of the canting to secure an easy flow of the wax.
Areas not slated for coloring are filed with the wax. the cloth is then passed through a vat of dye.
The wax is removed with hot water, scraped from the portions of the dried material still to be dyed.
Next, other areas are waxed over. this is repeated during each phase of the coloring process, up to four or more times, until the overall pattern and effect are achieved.

Basically, as an art, batiking is painting. The canting is used to produce the picture; its size depending on the type and degree of fineness of the lines or points desired. cause of Indonesia's location on the trade route between North and South as well as from West to East, the North coast of Java was often visited by foreign vessels.

It results in a lively exchange of a variety of goods including ceramics and silks from China and the cinde or silk with the patola motif from the west of India.
The foreign art and culture were absorbed and fused with the existing javanese one, resulting in new works of art with their unique beauty.
Merchants from all over the world came to the Indonesian archipelago: Chinese, Indians, Portuguese, Arabs, Dutch, and British.

There is two main kind of batik designs: geometric and non-geometric.
Classified under the geometric designs are
Diagonal or Parang motif
Squares, rectangle,,s crosses or Ceplok and Kawung
Weaving or Limar motifs
and the non-geometric:

Semen

Lunglungan

Buketanogyakarta the capital city of the most powerful and respected Kingdom of Java, is also at the heart of the Batik art.All the old Traditions and customs are observed, as well as in Solo, and one can still find many symbols that are related to Hindu-Javanese culture.
The combination of motifs in Yogya batik is unique, and there is a tendency to combine a number of large geometric motifs. Solo was one of the two sultanates, with all the traditions and customs of their courts, and the center of Hindu-Javanese culture.The Kraton (or court) was not only the residence of the kings, but also the center of government, religion and culture.
this was reflected in the art of the region, especially in its batiks: in the motifs as well as in the colors, and its special rules governing the wearing of batik.

In solo there were special rules about wearing batik. These had to do with
- the social position of the wearer
- the occasion on which the batik was worn or used, in connection with the meaning and hope or wish symbolized by the motif.

 

Bromo Semeru Tengger National Park

TN-BTS (Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park) area is awell known natural tourism objects and one of tourism destination places. Both for domestic and foreign tourists.Tourism objects that exist in TN-BTS area are:

1. Tengger Cadera.
The mayor atractivenees of TN-BTS is its unique and spectacular natural phenomena and those are easily enjoyed from a relative cloose positition.
Tengger caldera (crater) in which 5 (five) mounts are located could be a special interesting thing in the tourism, including its history of formation.
According to esher (1980 et al) formerly mount Tengger was a very big /large mountain whit a peak level of 4,00 meters above sea level. About one milion or one milion and a half years ago have head activities to from a very large caldera of 8-10 Km mount Tengger activities does not stop only to that , but its activities is still seen whit emergence of a new crater at center of the caldera the crater is higher nad higher until sometime it erupst.

Tengger caldera is very large and well known whit is name laut pasir Tengger. Because of its unique this caldera was handled by the govermentin 1919 and stated as a natural conservation . however this area apparently attracted tourist to come. Then the area was changed to be as a national park (especialy in Cemorolawang part.)

2. Lava Crater
The lava crater is at a sand sea of kutho part, from far looks like a pile of bricks of ex- palace . the local people cal the well/ crater as Sumer pitu(well seven).

Based on geologikal history, lava craters have com from lava burning mold of mount Kursi.

This time is lava is vomited from the crater and floods out directly down to the sna sea because the slope of the sand sea leads to horizontal, velocity of the mold is slower and slower to 5 meters per hour and its surface is firstly frozen and solidified while the inside part ist still mold/ more liquit .

lava flow will stop after the lava matters have undergone all solidification . next eruptions cause shaking that affec ist weak ceilings fall and from some wells. There are more than 20 wells and they are scattered around.

3. Mount Bromo
Mount Bromo is one of five mounts located within Tengger mountains on its sand sea.

Atractiveness of this mount is bat to the date it is still active and easily visited /ascended. This mount bromo tourism objec has a natural atraction that atrac visitor because of this unique natural phenomena in from of of a crater on the crater covered by sand sea.
The natural beauty and wondervul valley are vascinating panorama, plus ist serene atmosphere and peace we well fel while visiting this area. To get the peak of mount Bromo , we use prepared stairs /steps of concrete stuff. When we get the peak we will see Brome a large caving crater whit is smoke out of the bottom . it shows the vulcano is still active. From the peak we see / enjoy the view of brome crater whit ist thin cloudy smoke, and the backward side we can see the beautifullness land countains sand see whit its natural silhuets that very impresisive.

Its other atracctiveess, is that volcano is a place of afinal ritual ceremoni (kasada) of Tengger communlty that has is reprensented by throwing farming product like the fruits and grain onto Moutn Bromo crater. This ceremony has attrated tourists to see the annual ceremony.

4. Mount Widodaren
mount /cave Widodaren is located beside mount . Batok and is tourism potentials objec whit the special atractivenes . one of the appeal of this objec is that this location consitutes a sacred tourism objects thar from a cave and a sarced water resource.

Inside of that cave and asarced water resources.

Inside of that cave there is a somewhat broader place and inside that place there is abig stone that is used to provide somethings to be sacrificied and put nadar that also utilized as the place for meditation especially for comunities of Tengger for praying to the syangyang widi. Around that cave ,exactly beside there are believe that eficacy of the water resource that will never dry and according to comonity of Tengger , it is sacred water from widodaren (Mendhak Tira) beside, there ist belive that the efficacy of the water may keeo young and may get the spousefor the umaried person
In order to rach this object has been made a narrou lane whit the trend nearly forty five degree. So that suggested to tourits for carefuly walking when passing this lane.
Another atlaractivenes , when we have already reached the cave , we wel sea abeautifull view at the bottom. I,e sand seaand the adjancent. The more beautifull view when we are enjoiying the view at morning whit the yellow shined sun rise appears at our front.

5. Mount Penanjakan
Peak of moutn Pananjakan is the highets place if compared whit another places of mountainous Tengger. For these reason. In this are we may see the natural beautifulness in the bottom side such as san sea and mount. Bromo complex Dsk.

That is backgrounded by mount. Semeru whit its thick smoke come out this peak of Pananjakan may be seen the beautifulnes of sunrise in the eastward behind the hill we can enjoy the situation mentioned above whit the peacefull situatiound without the noisiness.
The provided facilitation are shelter, plaza MCK (places for washing and bath) and cafetaria.

6. Ranu Pane and Regulo
Ranu pne (1 ha) and Ranu regulo (0.75 ha) are two of four lake availabel inTN-BTS.
Both lakes the heigt is 2,200 m of sea surface. Both are having a sufficient beauty view , from this place we can see the very fascinating view of mount Semeru whit its smoke comes out and enjoying the wonderfullnes of situations around the lake observing the widl animal in particular the living of belibis bird and observing the cultur and custom of the native inhabitanst.

Arount the lake there is a rural residence (pendukuhan) that consituate last place for TN-BTS tourists in particular for the climber . beside in this rural residence there aer several little shops offering the food and beverage and the equipment for the climber .beside in this rural residence there are in habittants who quiding or carrying the equipment of the climber until reach to top of mpunt Mahameru (poter).

Beside the tourist for the purpose of climbing ,Ranu Pane -regulo usualy utilized by the tourist for campng obseving the field and activites of open natural tourism. The facilities are provided in ranu pane rgulo are pndok pendaki , pondok jaga , information center , pondok peneliti and camping ground.

7. Ranu Kumbolo
Ranu kumbolo (8ha) is located at the heigt 22,390 m over the sea surface ,I,e ranu- pane and mount .Semeru historically and geologicaly.
Ranu kumbolo is shaped from masive craters mount . jambangan that has solidefied so that the filing water otomatically not flows down.
Until today, Ranu kumbolo is the potentials of delighfullly toursm object. The atractiveneses are that at a yard in wich relatively higger than the sea surfarce there is a lake whit the clear ,freas and unpolluted water , so that atracted the tourist to visit this park. For the climbers Ranu Kumbolo is he stop place to prepare nex journeianother attractiveness.in the west fringe of lake there is a monument . it is the legaci of acient, supposed that this monument is the legaci of majapahit empire. However until today has not earned the certainty.

In particularn at the watery area of the lake we can see the living of wild animal,I,e Belibis brid . for the enverimental abservers Ranu Kumbolo is essentially the natural laboratori for the studiy and observation of nature that full whit the very rich knowledge.The facilities are provided in Ranu Kumbolo are pendok pendaki (70m) and MCK that are utilized by the climbers for taking rest, beside the availability of a relative evenly for camping ground. Needs of water may be met whit lake water.


8. Kalimati
Kalimati is the last camping location before sustain the journey.This places ususlly used for taking rest , because availabelity of water source. That is gap about 500 m from kalimati. And both the yard is relative evenly and also it has been established facility of pondok pendaki and MCK.
Temperature in kalimati relatively cooler than other places, because kalimati area is the vallei of any adjacent hills.


9. Arcopodo
Arcopodo or recopodo is located in the middle between Kalimati and Mount Semeru. In this places there are twin statue (Arcopodo or rercopodo ) and some monuments of the died and lots climbers when climbing the moutn . Semeru in this places utilized for temporarily resting before sustain the journey to the top of Mahameru.


8. Mahameru and Kawah Jonggring Saloko
Mahameru is another name of the peak of semeru Montain in java (3,676 m above the sea surface) it has wide kawah called Jonggring Saloko. Since it is the highes Mountain , from its peak ,we can enjoy wonderful scenery below it such as

-west side : malang City, north side : Kepolo mountain and Tengger,

south side :shout beach line, east side : Argopura Mountain

Among nature lovers , especialy climber from eatsjava , even some climber from yokyakarta bandung , semeru mountain is challenging one and always be place for nice climbing every year.

 

Bunaken National Marine Park

Bunaken National Marine Park

General Information
The Bunaken National Marine Park was formally established in 1991 and is among the first of Indonesia's growing system of marine parks. The park covers a total surface area of 89,065 hectares, 97% of which is overlain by sparkling clear, warm tropical water. The remaining 3% of the park is terrestrial, including the five islands of Bunaken, Manado Tua, Mantehage, Nain and Siladen. Although each of these islands has a special character, it is the aquatic ecosystem that attracts most naturalists.

The waters of Bunaken National Marine Park are extremely deep (1566 m in Manado Bay), clear (up to 35-40 m visibility), refreshing in temperature (27-29 C) and harbor some of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world. Pick any of group of interest - corals, fish, echinoderms or sponges - and the number of families, genera or species is bound to be astonishingly high. For example, 7 of the 8 species of giant clams that occur in the world, occur in Bunaken. The park has around 70 genera of corals; compare this to a mere 10 in Hawaii. Although the exact number of fish species is unknown, it may be slightly higher than in the Philippines, where 2,500 species, or nearly 70% of all fish species known to the Indo-western Pacific, are found.

BUNAKEN NATIONAL PARK ENTRANCE FEE:Bunaken National Park Entrance Fee Tag The 2006 Bunaken entrance fees for foreign visitors are Rp 50,000 per daily ticket (approximately US$6) or Rp 150,000 (approximately US$17) for a waterproof plastic entrance tag valid for the full calendar year. Tags (or tickets) must be carried at all times the guest is within park boundaries and can easily be affixed to guests’ diving or snorkeling gear or on backpacks. The entrance fee system has been adapted from the well-known Bonaire Marine Park system and was successful in raising over $420,000 for conservation programs in Bunaken during the period from 2001- 2004.
Entrance tags and tickets can be purchased through marine tourism operators based in Manado and in the Bunaken National Park, or can be purchased from one of three ticket counters in Bunaken and Liang villages on Bunaken Island and on Siladen Island. Enforcement of the entrance fee system is conducted via spot checks by park rangers on land and at sea.

Please read: The Bunaken Entrance Fee - Questions and Answers
Oceanic currents may explain, in part, why Bunaken National Marine Park is such a treasure trove of biodiversity. Northeasternly currents generally sweep through the park but abundant counter currents and gyros related to lunar cycles are believed to be a trap for free swimming larvae. This is particularly true on the south side of the crescent-shaped Bunaken Island, lying in the heart of the park. A snorkler or diver in the vicinity of Lekuan or Fukui may spot over 33 species of butterfly fish and numerous types of groupers, damsels, wrasses and gobies. The gobies, smallish fish with bulging eyes and modified fins that allow them to attach to hard surfaces, are the most diverse but least known group of fish in the park.

Biologists believe that the abundance of hard corals is crucial in maintaining the high levels of diversity in the park. Hard corals are the architects of the reefs, without them, numerous marine organisms would be homeless and hungry. Many species of fish are closely associated with particular types of corals (folious, branching, massives, etc.) for shelter and egg-laying. Others, like the enormous Bumphead Parrotfish, Balbometopon muricatum, are "coralivores" and depend on hard corals for their sustenance. Bony mouth parts fused into an impressive "beak" allow these gregarious fish to crunch corals like roasted peanuts.

Some 20,000 people live on the natural resources of Bunaken National Marine Park. Although there are inevitable conflicts between resource protection and use by people, the Indonesian government is taking a fairly unusual and pragmatic approach to park management. The idea is to promote wise resource use while preventing overexploitation. Local communities, government officials, dive resort operators, local nature groups, tourists and scientists have played an active role in developing exclusive zones for diving, wood collection, fishing and other forms of utilization. If successful, Bunaken Marine Park will stand as an important example of how Sulawesi, and the rest of Indonesia, can work to protect its natural resources.

Recommendation-

Living Colours Dive Resort Bunaken
Small dive resort with relaxed atmosphere. The fully equipped dive centre is on the beach between the jungle and the mangroves, run by dedicated, environmentally conscious dive professionals. Our crew is a group of experienced local Captains and Divemasters, and European Padi Instructors.
Living Colours Diving, Bunaken IslandThe bungalows accommodate two people. They are equipped with a double or two single beds, fan, mosquito net, bamboo, coconut and rattan furniture, and western bathroom with running water. Our well-appointed kitchen serves Indonesian and western dishes three times a day. Barbeques on the beach-front are a must! Coffee and tea are available all day long.

Living Colours Diving, Bunaken Island
Living Colours Dive Resort Bunaken
Email: info@livingcoloursdiving.com
Tel: (+62) 812 4306063

Accommodation and Transfer
On the island you have the choice amongst a number of homestays, with rates starting at Rp. 40 000 per day and person incl. fullboard. If you only go for the cheapest option don't complain afterwards if the water in your mandi (bathroom) doesn't get filled up regularly, or food isn't quite as nice as you had hoped for. Life in North Sulawesi in general isn't as cheap as in other regions of Indonesia, and most things on Bunaken have to be brought in from Manado. Depending on the season even fish can be pretty expensive. Better think twice before you try to bargain down prices which are already cheap; for the locals it could mean the difference between being able to eat 3 or only 2 meals a day, or buying school books for the children or not.

Some of the dive operations on Bunaken are offering more upmarket accommodation, and even running water (ChaCha, Living Colours).


Some guesthouses ("homestays") on Bunaken:
Pangalisang Beach: Lorenso's Homestay
Liang Beach: Panorama, Nelson's, Papa Boa

There are a lot more...
Bunaken's much smaller neighbour Siladen only offers few accommodations. Most popular among budget travelers seems to be Martha's Homestay.
The most upmarket resort within the boundaries of the Bunaken National Park is Siladen Resort & Spa which started operations in 2003. The eco-friendly luxury boutique resort places high emphasis on the protection of the Marine Park and the environment.
 The public boats from Manado to Bunaken are leaving daily around 2 p.m (depending on tide), except Sundays, from Pasar Jengki near Manado harbour. Back from Bunaken to Manado usually early in the morning, around 7-8 a.m. The fare is Rp. 15 000. Even on Sundays there might be boats, just go to the harbour and ask people there. To charter a boat is about Rp. 150 000 OW. If you want to go to Siladen it is better to inquire first at the harbour, but usually there are several boats as well. The fare to Siladen is also Rp. 15 000.

Bunaken - Scuba Diving
A growing number of dive centers is operating from the mainland around Manado and directly from Bunaken Island. Generally spoken you should rather pay a few dollars more and go for safe and experienced operators than just choose the cheapest option. Tank fillings can be a problem, and headaches after each dive give you a clear sign that your dive operator saves money on filters; better go somewhere else if you experience this.
North Sulawesi Watersports Association In general diving standards in North Sulawesi are high, as is environmental awareness among the dive operators, at least the ones who have formed the North Sulawesi Watersports Association, NSWA. The NSWA has made significant strides in improving the management and conservation of Bunaken National Park and surrounding marine ecosystems and in conferring concrete benefits of tourism to the villagers living within the park. Many of its members have spent a lot of their money and time for various ecological and social achievements within the park. This has not gone unnoticed; recently the Bunaken National Park has received the "Tourism for Tomorrow Award" and the "UN Equator Prize" (more on www.divenorthsulawesi.com).

Unfortunately some stupid backpackers still think that they know everything better than these international organisations and refuse to pay the entrance fee to the National Park. If you are planning to do this, please stay away. You are not welcome - the National Park needs support, not ignorance!


You should support the activities of the NSWA and only
dive with its member operators.
A few Bunaken Dive Operations (not complete):
Living Colours Diving Bunaken: Dive center and resort on the eastern side of Bunaken; idyllic location, nice and professional team, relaxed atmosphere, good food.

Cha Cha Dive Lodge Bunaken: Small and intimate dive resort, also on the eastern side. Run by an Irish-Italian/Japanese couple. Excellent food, and the only hot water showers on the island!

Two Fish Divers Bunaken: PADI operation based at Pangalisang. Two British instructors, recommended for courses.

Bastianos Resort & Diving Center: located on Liang Beach, western side of the island. Since April 2004 the dive center is managed by Indonesian instructor Frans Rattu.

A few Manado Dive Operations (not complete):
Eco Divers Manado: Modern and well-organized dive center at the Tasik Ria Resort, south-west of Manado. Best and most comfortable dive boats in North Sulawesi. Since January 2004 the Kungkungan Bay Resort at Lembeh Strait is managed by Eco Divers as well (see Lembeh page).

Celebes Divers: Nice resort south of Manado, run by Italian marine biologists.

Minahasa Lagoon Resort*: One of the most upmarket (dive) resorts in North Sulawesi. Located at a beautiful bay about 30 km south-west of Manado. Very well run, excellent services, even small things are very well taken care of.

LumbaLumba Diving Dive center with own cottages based in Tasik Ria. Run by a Dutch couple.

*Please note: In February 2006 torrential rains in Manado & surroundings have caused severe flooding in some areas. The Minahasa Lagoon Resort was partly destroyed; fortunately nobody was hurt. The resort will be rebuilt but it will take some time. My last information is that it is going to re-open soon with some temporary facilities. (posted on 10 March 2006)

Snorkeling and Diving Guidelines
* Do not touch living marine wildlife, such as coral, animals, etc.

* Do not collect souvenirs (shells, coral, etc.).

* Do not stand or rest on coral reefs.

* Never harass aquatic animals for your own amusement.

* Always be aware of your position in the water and that of your dive gear, in relation to marine animals and the coral reef.

* Remember to dive safely, both in terms of your health and that of the marine environment.

* Review and update diving skills such as buoyancy control, finning and positioning.

* Do not feed marine animals.

For dive resorts based at or near Lembeh Strait/Bitung please see the Lembeh/Bitung page.

! If you are looking for something very special and you can afford it, try the Gangga Island Resort. This upmarket European run resort is based on a real tropical island paradise near the northern tip of North Sulawesi's peninsula.
Great place for divers and non divers alike!
! You should be aware that during the absolute peak season months July and August it usually gets VERY busy. Many of the better resorts and dive operators will not be able to accept walk-ins during that time since they are fully booked. Better make a reservation before.

 

Komodo National Paerk

LOCATION :
Komodo National Park lies in the Wallacea Region of Indonesia, identified by WWF and Conservation International as a global conservation priority area. The Park is located between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores at the border of the Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) and Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTP) provinces. It includes three major islands, Komodo, Rinca and Padar, and numerous smaller islands together totaling 603 km2 of land. The total size of Komodo National Park is presently 1,817 km2. Proposed extensions of 25 km2 of land (Banta Island) and 479 km2 of marine waters would bring the total surface area up to 2,321 km2. (Click on the map to enlarge - 70k

HISTORY :
Komodo National Park was established in 1980 and was declared a World Heritage Site and a Man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1986. The park was initially established to conserve the unique Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), first discovered by the scientific world in 1911 by J.K.H. Van Steyn. Since then conservation goals have expanded to protecting its entire biodiversity, both marine and terrestrial.The majority of the people in and around the Park are fishermen originally from Bima (Sumbawa), Manggarai, South Flores, and South Sulawesi. Those from South Sulawesi are from the Suku Bajau or Bugis ethnic groups. The Suku Bajau were originally nomadic and moved from location to location in the region of Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara and Maluku, to make their livelihoods. Descendents of the original people of Komodo, the Ata Modo, still live in Komodo, but there are no pure blood people left and their culture and language is slowly being integrated with the recent migrants.
Little is known of the early history of the Komodo islanders. They were subjects of the Sultanate of Bima, although the island’s remoteness from Bima meant its affairs were probably little troubled by the Sultanate other than by occasional demand for tribute.


DEMOGRAPHICS :
There are presently almost 4,000 inhabitants living within the park spread out over four settlements (Komodo, Rinca, Kerora, and Papagaran). All villages existed prior to 1980 before the area was declared a national park. In 1928 there were only 30 people living in Komodo Village, and approximately 250 people on Rinca Island in 1930. The population increased rapidly, and by 1999, there were 281 families numbering 1,169 people on Komodo, meaning that the local population had increased exponentially. Komodo Village has had the highest population increase of the villages within the Park, mostly due to migration by people from Sape, Manggarai, Madura, and South Sulawesi. The number of buildings in Kampung Komodo has increased rapidly from 30 houses in 1958, to 194 houses in 1994, and 270 houses in 2000. Papagaran village is similar in size, with 258 families totaling 1,078 people. As of 1999, Rinca’s population was 835, and Kerora's population was 185 people. The total population currently living in the Park is 3,267 people, while 16,816 people live in the area immediately surrounding the Park.

EDUCATION :
The average level of education in the villages of Komodo National Park is grade four of elementary school. There is an elementary school located in each of the villages, but new students are not recruited each year. On average, each village has four classes and four teachers. Most of the children from the small islands in the Kecamatan Komodo (Komodo, Rinca, Kerora, Papagaran, Mesa) do not finish elementary school. Less than 10% of those which do graduate from elementary school will continue to high school since the major economic opportunity (fishing) does not require further education. Children must be sent to Labuan Bajo to attend high school, but this is rarely done in fishermen’s families.


HEALTH :
Most of the villages located in and around the Park have few fresh water facilities available, if any, particularly during the dry season. Water quality declines during this time period and many people become ill. Malaria and diarrhea are rampant in the area. On Mesa island, with a population of around 1,500 people, there is no fresh water available. Fresh water is brought by boat in jerrycans from Labuan Bajo. Each family needs an average of Rp 100,000.- per month to buy fresh water (2000). Almost every village has a local medical facility with staff, and at least a paramedic. The quality of medical care facilities is low.

SOCIO-CULTURAL AND ANTHROPOLOGIC CONDITIONS :
Traditional Customs: Traditional communities in Komodo, Flores and Sumbawa have been subjected to outside influences and the influence of traditional customs is dwindling. Television, radio, and increased mobility have all played a part in accelerating the rate of change. There has been a steady influx of migrants into the area. At the moment nearly all villages consist of more than one ethnic group.

Religion:
The majority of fishermen living in the villages in the vicinity of the Park are Muslims. Hajis have a strong influence in the dynamics of community development. Fishermen hailing from South Sulawesi (Bajau, Bugis) and Bima are mostly Moslems. The community from Manggarai are mostly Christians.
Anthropology and Languag
: There are several cultural sites within the Park, particularly on Komodo Island. These sites are not well documented, however, and there are many questions concerning the history of human inhabitance on the island. Outside the Park, in Warloka village on Flores, there is a Chinese trading post remnant of some interest. Archeological finds from this site have been looted in the recent past. Most communities in and around the Park can speak Bahasa Indonesia. Bajo language is the language used for daily communication in most communities.

TERRESTRIAL PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT :
Topography: The topography is varied, with slopes from 0 – 80%. There is little flat ground, and that is generally located near the beach. The altitude varies from sea level to 735 m above sea level. The highest peak is Gunung Satalibo on Komodo Island.

Geology:
The islands in Komodo National Park are volcanic in origin. The area is at the juncture of two continental plates: Sahul and Sunda. The friction of these two plates has led to large volcanic eruptions and caused the up-thrusting of coral reefs. Although there are no active volcanoes in the park, tremors from Gili Banta (last eruption 1957) and Gunung Sangeang Api (last eruption 1996) are common. West Komodo probably formed during the Jurasic era approximately 130 million years ago. East Komodo, Rinca, and Padar probably formed approximately 49 million years ago during the Eocene era.

Climate:
Komodo National Park has little or no rainfall for approximately 8 months of the year, and is strongly impacted by monsoonal rains. High humidity levels year round are only found in the quasi-cloud forests on mountain tops and ridges. Temperatures generally range from 170C to 340C, with an average humidity level of 36%. From November through March the wind is from the west and causes large waves that hit the entire length of Komodo island’s west beach. From April through October the wind is dry and large waves hit the south beaches of Rinca and Komodo islands.


TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS :
The terrestrial ecosystems are strongly affected by the climate: a lengthy dry season with high temperatures and low rainfall, and seasonal monsoon rains. The Park is situated in a transition zone between Australian and Asian flora and fauna. Terrestrial ecosystems include open grass-woodland savanna, tropical deciduous (monsoon) forest, and quasi cloud forest.
Due to the dry climate, terrestrial plant species richness is relatively low. The majority of terrestrial species are xerophytic and have specific adaptations to help them obtain and retain water. Past fires have selected for species that are fire-adapted, such as some grass species and shrubs. Terrestrial plants found in Komodo National Park include grasses, shrubs, orchids, and trees. Important food tree species for the local fauna include Jatropha curkas, Zizyphus sp., Opuntia sp., Tamarindus indicus, Borassus flabellifer, Sterculia foetida, Ficus sp., Cicus sp., ‘Kedongdong hutan’ (Saruga floribunda), and ‘Kesambi’ (Schleichera oleosa).

TERRESTRIAL FAUNA :
The terrestrial fauna is of rather poor diversity in comparison to the marine fauna. The number of terrestrial animal species found in the Park is not high, but the area is important from a conservation perspective as some species are endemic.. Many of the mammals are Asiatic in origin (e.g., deer, pig, macaques, civet). Several of the reptiles and birds are Australian in origin. These include the orange-footed scrubfowl, the lesser sulpher-crested cockatoo and the nosy friarbird.

Reptiles:
The most famous of Komodo National Park's reptiles is the Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis). It is among the world's largest reptiles and can reach 3 meters or more in length and weigh over 70kg. To find out more about this fascinating creature click here.

Other than the Komodo Dragon twelve terrestrial snake species are found on the island. including the cobra (Naja naja sputatrix), Russel’s pit viper (Vipera russeli), and the green tree vipers (Trimeresurus albolabris). Lizards include 9 skink species (Scinidae), geckos (Gekkonidae), limbless lizards (Dibamidae), and, of course, the monitor lizards (Varanidae). Frogs include the Asian Bullfrog (Kaloula baleata), Oreophyne jeffersoniana and Oreophyne darewskyi. They are typically found at higher, moister altitudes.

Mammals:
Mammals include the Timor deer (Cervus timorensis), the main prey of the Komodo dragon, horses (Equus sp.), water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), wild boar (Sus scrofa vittatus), long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis), palm civets (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus lehmanni), the endemic Rinca rat (Rattus rintjanus), and fruit bats. One can also find goats, dogs and domestic cats.
Birds:
One of the main bird species is the orange-footed scrub fowl (Megapodius reinwardti), a ground dwelling bird. In areas of savanna, 27 species were observed. Geopelia striata and Streptopelia chinensis were the most common species. In mixed deciduous habitat, 28 bird species were observed, and Philemon buceroides, Ducula aenea, and Zosterops chloris were the most common.

MARINE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT :
The marine area constitutes 67% of the Park. The open waters in the Park are between 100 and 200 m deep. The straits between Rinca and Flores and between Padar and Rinca, are relatively shallow (30 to 70 m deep), with strong tidal currents. The combination of strong currents, coral reefs and islets make navigation around the islands in Komodo National Park difficult and dangerous. Sheltered deep anchorage is available at the bay of Loh Liang on Komodo’s east coast, the South East coast of Padar, and the bays of Loh Kima and Loh Dasami on Rinca.
In the North of the Park water temperature ranges between 25 – 29°C. In the middle, the temperature ranges between 24 and 28°C. The temperatures are lowest in the South, ranging from 22 – 28°C. Water salinity is about 34 ppt and the water is quite clear, although the waters closer to the islands are relatively more turbid.

MARINE ECOSYSTEMS :
Indonesia is the only equatorial region in the world where there is an exchange of marine flora and fauna between the Indian and Pacific oceans. Passages in Nusa Tenggara (formerly the Lesser Sunda Islands) between the Sunda and Sahul shelves allow movement between the Pacific and Indian oceans. The three main ecosystems in Komodo National Park are seagrass beds, coral reefs, and mangrove forests. The Park is probably a regular cetacean migration route.

MARINE FLORA :
The three major coastal marine plants are algae, seagrasses and mangrove trees. Algae are primitive plants, which do not have true roots, leaves or stems. An important reef-building algae is the red coralline algae, which actually secretes a hard limestone skeleton that can encrust and cement dead coral together. Seagrasses are modern plants that produce flowers, fruits and seeds for reproduction. As their name suggests, they generally look like large blades of grass growing underwater in sand near the shore. Thallasia sp. and Zastera spp. are the common species found in the Park. Mangroves trees can live in salty soil or water, and are found throughout the Park. An assessment of mangrove resources identified at least 19 species of true mangroves and several more species of mangrove associates within the Park's borders.


MARINE FAUNA :
Komodo National Park includes one of the world's richest marine environments. It consists of forams, cnidaria (includes over 260 species of reef building coral), sponges (70 species), ascidians, marine worms, mollusks, echinoderms, crustaceans, cartilaginous and bony fishes (over 1,000 species), marine reptiles, and marine mammals (dolphins, whales, and dugongs). Some notable species with high commercial value include sea cucumbers (Holothuria), Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), and groupers.