April 04, 2012
How to get Indonesia
Though travel in the wet season is possible in most parts of Indonesia, it can be a deterrent to some activities and travel on mud-clogged roads in less developed areas is difficult. In general, the best time to visit is in the dry season between May and October.In most cases, experiencing an Indonesian festival is reason enough to head to a destination. Some are so significant, however, that they can generate difficult conditions for travellers. Tana Toraja's funeral season boosts Rantepao's population, and hotel prices, substantially during July and August. In Java it's a good idea to avoid the final days of Idul Fitri, when public transport is mayhem and some businesses close.A tragic drop in tourist hordes means that Indonesia's 'high season' no longer presents the same kind of bother it once did. Certainly, the December-January Christmas holiday period and the school holidays still brings a wave of migratory Australians, and Europeans head to Bali, Java, Sumatra and Sulawesi in July and August. But climatic impediments aside, pretty much any time is a good time to head to Indonesia at the moment.The main Indonesian holiday periods are the end of Ramadan, when domestic tourists fill resorts to overflowing and prices escalate; Christmas; and from mid-June to mid-July, is when graduating high-school students take off by the busload to various tourist attractions, mainly in Java and Bali.
April 03, 2012
Indonesia History
The Republic of Indonesia Society
Indonesia faces numerous crises - rising Islamic extremism, military insubordination, official corruption, a fledgling and fragile democratic process, and the many separatist movements threatening to tear the country apart. On 12 October, 2002, bombs targeting Western tourists claimed around 200 lives in Bali. An extremist group with links to Al-Qaeda was responsible. Religious violence also plagued the Maluku islands, where Christians and Muslims reached a short-lived peace deal in February 2002. In April 2002, masked gunmen massacred 14 Christian villagers. Fighting between Christians and Muslims has claimed more than 6000 lives since 1999. In Irian Jaya and Aceh, guerrillas have been fighting for independence from Jakarta for decades. Megawati Sukarnoputri's presidency deserves credit for restoring social stability and economic growth but was widely condemned as ineffectual in combating rampant institutional corruption. In September 2004, 80% of Indonesian voters turned up to vote in the country's first direct presidential ballot. Charismatic retired general - and sometime crooner - Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (who holds an American management degree and is often referred to as SBY) won handsomely. As the closest country to the epicentre of the earthquake and resulting tsunami in December 2004, Indonesia suffered the most physical damage and loss of human life. It's estimated that more than 128,000 people were killed and half a million were left homeless, mainly in Aceh and North Sumatra regions. A massive national and international aid operation responded to the tsunami and the affected areas are recovering slowly. Mother Nature continues to test the resilience of the Indonesians. A devastating earthquake hit Java near the city of Yogyakarta in May 2006, causing thousands more casualties and in July of the same year an offshore earthquake caused a tsunami that ripped into West Java, devastating the area around Pangandaran. Meanwhile a mud-volcano, caused by gas drilling, continues to spew forth mud, displacing thousands near Surabaya. Since coming to power, SBY has made battling corruption and growing Islamic fundamentalism a priority. Aside from these campaigns, the most successful domestic achievement of his government has been the peaceful resolution of the Aceh conflict, after complex negotiations and decades of bloody strife. But according to some experts, the June 2006 release from prison of radical Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, who was implicated in the 2002 Bali blasts, may yet cause the president a few headaches. The introduction of an anti-pornography bill into parliament by Islamic parties highlighted the divide between secular and religious forces in Indonesian politics. The proposed law called for restrictions on everything from kissing in public to semi-naked traditional dancing and was only passed in a heavily revised form. President Yudhoyono will need all of his charm and political nous to keep the many voices of his enormous nation working together in harmony.Modern History
Burgeoning nationalism combined with Japanese occupation of the archipelago during WWII served to weaken Dutch resolve, and it finally transferred sovereignty to the new Indonesian republic in 1949. Achmed Soekarno, the foremost proponent of self-rule since the early 1920s, became President. In 1957, after a rudderless period of parliamentary democracy, Soekarno overthrew the parliament, declared martial law, and initiated a more authoritarian style of government, which he euphemistically dubbed 'Guided Democracy'. Once in the driving seat, Soekarno, like many like-minded military strongmen, set about consolidating his power through monument-building and socialising the economy, a move that paradoxically opened up a huge divide between the haves and have-nots and left much of the population teetering on the edge of starvation. Rebellions broke out in Sumatra and Sulewesi, Malaysia and Indonesia came perilously close to an all-out confrontation and instability was the general order of the day. Things came to a head in 1965, the eponymous Year Of Living Dangerously, when an attempted coup (purportedly by a Communist group) threatened Soekarno's hold on power. Soekarno won that particular battle but lost the war when the man responsible for putting the coup down, General Soeharto, wrested presidential power from him in 1966. Soeharto started off with a nice line in political reconstruction, but the promises of economic reform and greater government transparency quickly degenerated into much of the same-old same-old. Nepotism, cronyism and grandiose spending, coupled with the brutal massacre of East Timorese nationalists in Dilli in 1975, proved that much of the talk was mere rhetoric. By March 1998 Soeharto was out of touch with the people and, perhaps seeing the writing on the wall, awarded himself only five more years in office. He never made it - by the end of May that year, with the economy freefalling and street violence flaring, he was out of office and the vice-president, BJ Habibie, was installed. Habibie, never popular to begin with, mouthed the same promises of reform and even appeared willing to consider independence for East Timor, but it was all too little too late. The uncompromising stance by East Timor set off a chain reaction and sectarian violence, student protests and increased demands for independence spread like wild fire through Ambon, Kalimantan and Papua. Rogue militia groups, widely thought to be controlled and equipped by the Indonesian miltiary, rampaged through East Timor after it overwhelmingly voted for independence in 1999; local police forces and parts of the army were sent in to quash other rebellions; protesting students were killed in the streets and the whole country went to hell in a handbasket. A UN peacekeeping force brought stability to East Timor but prompted Indonesian outrage at the 'meddling in internal affairs'. When the dust finally settled the East Timorese had been granted independence over the smoking ruins of their country. Soon afterwards Abdurrahman Wahid became Indonesia's first democratically elected president. By 23 July 2001, he'd lost the confidence of parliament and was replaced by the inscrutable Megawati Sukarnoputri.Ancient History
It is generally believed that the earliest inhabitants of the Indonesian archipelago originated in India or Burma. In 1890, fossils of Java Man (homo erectus), some 500,000 years old, were found in east Java. Later migrants ('Malays') came from southern China and Indochina, and began populating the archipelago around 3000 BC. Powerful groups such as the Buddhist Srivijaya empire and the Hindu Mataram kingdom appeared in Java and Sumatra towards the end of the 7th century. The last important kingdom to remain Hindu was the Majapahit, which was founded in the 13th century. The subsequent spread of Islam into the archipelago in the 14th century forced the Majapahits to retreat to Bali in the 15th century. By this time, a strong Muslim empire had developed with its centre at Melaka (Malacca) on the Malay Peninsula. Its influence was shortlived and it fell to the Portuguese in 1511. The Dutch displaced the Portuguese and began making inroads into Indonesia. The Dutch East India Company based in Batavia (Jakarta) dominated the spice trade and took control of Java by the mid 18th century, when its power was already in decline. The Dutch took control in the early 19th century and by the early 20th century, the entire archipelago - including Aceh and Bali - was under their control.Tips Travel to Bali for Beginners (and limited Budget)
KOMPAS.com - Some one said that is not ritually pure if not ever travel to Bali, especially for an Indonesian nationality. In fact, there is always a first experience for every place.If you are planning a trip to Bali for the first time, here are some practical tips on planning a tour in Bali.
How to go Bali?
Very easy to choose modes of transportation to Bali. There are many ways to Bali. The easiest course on a plane.Promo tickets for under Rp 400,000 or about $ 45 each way has a lot to offer. All Indonesian airlines have offered these cheap tickets. Make sure you order ahead of time, even a year before to get a cheap ticket.
Other path is through the land, you can ride the bus to Bali, especially if you live on the island of Java, West Nusa Tenggara and East Nusa Tenggara. The price varies depending on distance. From Jakarta to Bali usually around Rp 300,000 or $ 35.
When the best time to come to Bali?
Throughout the year a good time to travel to Bali. This is because Bali offers a variety of activities and attractions. In times of rain, you may visit the museum and arts center.However, if you target the marine and coastal or mountain, then select in the dry seasons or months of low rainfall, approximately between April and September.
In addition, you should consider visiting a solid season or high season and peak season. In this period, prices will rise, especially for airfare, car rental and accommodation. The price increase could reach 25 percent. Solid season visit is in June-August and November to January.
Not only prices rising, this time was crowded with tourists Bali will be crowded. So get ready for the road conditions are more crowded and more crowded tourist attraction.
Stay in?
Well, before you seek out accommodation in Bali, ask first, the area in Bali where you want to visit. Typically, for the first time tourists to Bali will go directly to the south of Bali who was in Bali tourist centers.Southern region is famous Kuta area. In Kuta many of the inn. Adjust the budget you have. If you are looking for cheap lodging under Rp 300,000 ($35) per night, you can look it up in the surrounding area Poppies Gang (1 and 2), Three Brothers Road, Jalan Raya Tuban, Gang Puspa Ayu, until Lily Sari Street.
Log into the small alleys of the main road like Jalan Raya Kuta and Tuban Highway, then you will find small hotels are cheap guesthouse style. Some even like a boarding-lodging at a price to under Rp 100,000 or ($ 13) but you dont get good service hehehe....
Want more luxury?
Star hotels can be found in the area of Jalan Kartika Plaza, Jalan Legian, Kuta and Jalan Raya. The villas offer privacy can be found in the area of Jalan Seminyak as Draupadi.Finding hotel should be based on the recommendation acquaintance could ever stay at the hotel before. Or, if you are desperate to find a new hotel on arrival in Bali, just ask the taxi driver where to stay as he could recommend.
Must stay in Kuta?
If you are not too happy with the crowd and the typical frenetic Kuta, you can choose other destinations in Bali. Try the Sanur, Jimbaran, and Nusa Dua is more calm.All three are adjacent to the beach. Only the hotels in Nusa Dua relatively expensive because of the concept resort area. You can also choose to stay in Ubud area that seemed natural. But there was no beach in this area. Only, in Ubud Gianyar regency.
Gianyar has many interesting attractions, such as zoos, safari parks, cultural tours, mountain, up the coast. Another option is the area of Lovina, Singaraja, prices here are cheap, both hotel and food. But the distance away from the airport, about three hours.
In eastern Bali, is the dominant attraction in Ubud Candidasa district with beaches that are relatively less crowded. Many cheap hotels and expensive resorts in the region.Another option is to Nusa Lembongan.
While the West Bali, you can try to stay in the area of Canggu well known as a place to surf or around Tanah Lot. If you are lover of mountains and cool air, the area around Mount Jatiluwih or Batukaru could be an option. This area was relatively quiet.
What rises in Bali?
Public transport like public transport or called in Bali with bemo, relatively difficult. Fleet and watch a little uncertain. If you are familiar with Bali, and the bus ride bemo Trans Sarbagita can indeed be an option.But if this is your first experience to Bali, you should rent a car. Variety of options to rent a car. The cheapest range from Rp 200,000 until Rp 1000,000 ($ 25 - $ 110) is included drivers, but not including gasoline. Price depends on type of car rented.
It is better you hire a car and driver services, in addition to saving time is not lost on the way, you can get advice on the choices of restaurants and tourist attractions.
Keep in mind, car rental with driver in Bali only for 10 hours. If you use more than 10 hours, then the tenant an additional charge per hour. To find a rental car is very easy, you can do through online reservations.
Another way is to find a rental car at the airport or some place to stay. Every rental car is usually set prices not much different. But you'll want to pass up a little survey to get the best price.
Another option is to rent a motorcycle, but the hassle if you do not know the way. It could also ride motorcycles. Negotiate the price to take you around all day. Motorcycles suitable option if you are traveling alone.
Could be an option to take a taxi to take you from airport to hotel or vice versa. Taxi in Bali is relatively safe, including local taxis Bali. Choose a metered taxi. You can also take advantage of the shuttle car facilities at the hotel.
Where to eat?
Want an expensive or cheap, like a typical local cuisine of Indonesia or foreign cuisine, all you can find in Bali.However, be careful if you are looking for kosher cuisine. The most secure, look for a restaurant like Padang restaurants, cafes meatballs, and so forth. For restaurants, you can ask in advance for halal menus.
Area and Jalan Jalan Raya Tuban Teuku Umar including renowned for culinary tour of the archipelago and halal food. Also try Balinese food Jinggo a rice-like cat ala nasi Yogyakarta.
It's just rice, beans tempe, shredded chicken, and sauce. It is definitely acceptable and the price was cheap, only about Rp 5,000 or maybe $ 2 its different in every seller. But not enough rice to eat one if Jinggo.
How about stepping on offerings?
Sajen offerings or other offerings of flowers and coconut in a container (cymbals cider) usually placed at the entrance and the areas that often traveled. Often the question arises what if accidentally stepped on.Actually it does not matter if you accidentally stepped on it. If you stepped in front of a store owner or keeper or where it is placed sajen, simply say "sorry".
We recommend that when walking, avoid getting over it, lest you accidentally stepped on it instead. Similarly, when you visit the temples or places that are considered sacred by local people.
Respect and follow the local customs. Use decent clothes. If you wear shorts, wear gloves or a cloth. Some places also require you to wear a sarong and senteng.
Do not walk in front of the person who is praying or taking pictures with flash during the ceremony were going on. For women, do not get into when you're menstrual.
That's the range price to Bali with limited budged.. hehehe... try it :D
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