Sanur Beach



Sanur is one of Bali's biggest traditional villages but it's also one of the most established tourist areas. Sanur was Bali's first beach resort but still retains its Balinese character and old style village ambiance. On the southeastern side of Bali, Sanur beach is easily reachable from Denpasar, about a 5 to 10 minute drive. Sanur is an excellent site to watch the sun rises, as we jog along the white sandy beach. Being one of the first resorts developed in Bali, Sanur maintains its traditions. Only a stone thrown away from the beach, ancient temples stand as solemn as they have been in centuries past.

Palm-lined beach, facing the Indian Ocean towards the east, Sanur is an excellent place to see the sun rise in the morning. "Bali is the morning of the world", it is the right sentence for Bali if we has visited Sanur. Offshore reefs protect the beach against the waves, and make it popular for windsurfing, boating, and other water sports. It is one of the first areas where one can find good hotels, restaurants, shops, and other tourist facilities.

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Kuta Beach


Once a lonely little village on the road from Denpasar to Bukit Peninsula, Kuta is now the tourist Mecca of Bali, popular mainly among the young and adventurous. Kuta beach is one of the first favorite beaches discovered by tourist. Coconut trees line the sand beach as far as the eyes can see towards the north stopped by the runway of Denpasar's airport far in the west. The sunset in Kuta is most breathtaking. On the south, the beach is fenced by the airport's runway, which gives the visitors a breathtaking landing experience. Kuta Beach bustles with tourists' vendors and locals. It's the most popular beach in Bali and the island's number one party zone. The beach stretches as far north as the eyes can see. As short walk away north, the waves will invite to surfing. Rapid development and an influx of visitors haven't kept the surfers away and Kuta still remains one of Bali's best surfing beaches and a great place to enjoy a beach lifestyle.



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Tamansari Water Castle


Jl. Ngasem
Yogyakarta, Indonesia

A water garden that was built in 1758 and remains a dynamic and traditional neighborhood.

Tamansari, which means "perfumed garden," is home to some 2,700 residents, a community that distinguishes itself through its craft traditions in batik and traditional painting. The "perfumed garden" is experiencing a revival, becoming a venue for the performing arts, tourism, crafts, and festivals, all of which have improved appreciation for the site.
What Makes Tamansari Water Castle a Great Place?

Tamansari is a popular tourist destination in Yogyakarta, because of its convenient location to the city center and Pasar Ngasem (Ngasem Marketplace). The only way to get around Tamansari is by walking, which makes the place more enjoyable and gives more opportunities to enjoy the various tropical vegetations, local community houses, and batik galleries.

Tamansari is a witness of yesterday's charm in the midst of today's creative life. The ruin is well maintained, and the houses are clean, since the site is a tourist destination. The neighborhood residents take care of the place as well as maintain the safety and cleanliness of the place.

As a visitor, there are so many options, from taking the tour of the used-to-be garden, to visiting local artists’ galleries. Visitors can enjoy the city's view on top of the location, and can visit Pasar Ngasem at the end of the journey.

People around Tamansari are helpful and friendly, they are accustomed to visitors and tourists. The local pride can be seen through their daily life and through the galleries. Ratio of local visitors and tourists: 40:60.
History & Background

Tamansari was built in 1758 as a pleasure palace complex for Sultan Hamengku Buwono I of the Kingdom of Yogyakarta. The 59-building compound included a mosque, meditation chambers, swimming pools, and a series of 18 water gardens and pavilions surrounded by ornamental lakes. The palace complex fell out of use following an earthquake in 1867, which destroyed several buildings and drained the famous water features. Over time, squatters began to inhabit the site, living among the deserted pavilions and building homes in the former lakebeds.

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KOTA GEDE


Kota Gede, which is often called Sargede is located about five kilometers southeast of Yogyakarta,
Kotagede is a neat little town, which was once the seat of the mighty Mataram Empire. Since the 1930s, Kotagede has become famous for being the center of the Yogya silverwork industry. There are a number of workshops where visitors are welcome to watch silver being transformed into beautiful works of art known as "Yogya Silver". Kotagede is easily reached by "andong", the four-wheeled horse-drawn cart, by taxi, bus, or car.

In that cemetery complex one can still visit the cemetery of the Mataram kings like Sutowijoyo or Ngabei Loring Pasar, the founder of Mataram Kingdom, who was then called Panembahan Senopati. There is also the unique tomb of Ki Ageng Mangir. He was Panembahan Senopati son in law and also Panembahan Senopati enemy. His dead body was buried half inside of the special area for kings and Panembahan Senopati families, and a half of his body was buried outside of the complex. There is a stone called " Watu Gilang ", a stone on which Panembahan Senopati smashed the Ki Ageng Mangir head to dead.



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MENDUT TEMPLE


Mendut Temple is the older temple than Borobudur Temple.
There are stories for children on its walls. It is located 1 km to the east of Pawon temple. There are magnificent statues of Buddha inside the temples. For Waisak ceremony, the offering and the praying start in this temple.

Mendut Temple is frequently used to celebrate the Waisak day every May full moon and the pilgrims from Indonesia and all parts of the world come to this ceremony. Its architecture is square, and have an entrance on its steps. Its roof is also square and terraced. There are stupas (= bell-shaped structures) on it.

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Merapi volcano



Merapi volcano is one of the world's most active and dangerous volcanoes. It contains an active lava dome, which regularly produces pyroclastic flows. It has been active for 10,000 years. This fire mountain remains one of the most active and dangerous volcanoes in the world. It can be seen from its name; Merapi from Javanese word 'Meru' means 'Mountain' and 'Api' means 'fire'. The internally giant smoking Mount Merapi is one of the active volcanoes that found in Indonesia. It is presenting its peaceful and sleepy dense forest.

Beyond this, there lies a vast deserted land with its deep and steep valley spread out among the mountain hills where sibilant pines and wild grass make out the dominating vegetation, all presents a very exciting panorama. Merapi is located about 30 km north of Yogyakarta, a city with a population of 500,000. It is tall (2.8 km or 1.7 miles high) and has steep slopes. The top of the volcano sometimes has a normal crater, but usually a broad mound of pasty lava (called a dome) fills the crater. The dome plugs up the volcano, making it difficult for other lava and ash to escape. A broad gouge funnels lava and ash flows from the top of Merapi to the south slopes of the volcano.

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Tawangmangu



Tawangmangu is located 40 km east of Solo, this recreational resort offers fresh weather; scenic views, swimming pools, bungalow style hotels and restaurants. Tawangmangu, a mountain resorts at an elevation of almost 1 km above sea level, which promises a cool escape from the city's heat. It lies on the slopes of Mt., Lawu, at an elevation of 1300 m above sea level. A cool splendid hill resort also on the slope of mount Lawu, at about 1400 M height above sea level. The road from Solo via Karangpandan is a fine trip thru magnificent green terraced hills. Tawangmangu has all kind of facilities, hotel, camping ground, forest tourism, etc. The climate is fresh and one can enjoy the beautiful scenery. Other features include nearby temples, a national park and 40m in high waterfall of Grojogan Sewu.


It is a 100 M high waterfall; the pool at the bottom has very chilly water. In front of the gate to Grojogan Sewu, horses for rent are available to ride around Tawangmangu.








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KETEP PASS


Ketep Pass atau Bukit Ketep, berada pada ketinggian 1.200 dpI dengan luas area sekitar 8.000 m2
. Terletak di Desa Ketep, Kecamatan Sawangan jalur Solo-Selo-Borobudur, sekitar 21 km dari Kota Mungkid , 17 Km dan Desa Blabak ke arah timur, 30 Km dari Kota Magelang, 35 Km dari Kota Boyolali dan 32 km dari Kota Salatiga melalui Kopeng. Dari gardu pandang ini wisatawan bisa melihat pemandangan Gunung Merapi, Merbabu, Sumbing, Sindoro, Tidar, Andong dan Pengunungan Menoreh serta hamparan lahan pertanian. Dan tempat ini bisa melihat luncunan lahar panas Gunung Merapi.
Atas prakarsa Gubernur Jawa Tengah H. Mardlyanto, dipilih tanah berbukit mi untuk dikembangkan sebagal tempat tujuan wisata baru di jalur Solo - Selo - Borobudur dengan Girl khas wisata kegunungapian Ketika diresmikan oleh Presiden RI Megawati pada 17 Oktober 2002 baru dibangun dua gardu pandang dan pelataran. Dengan keunggulan panorama yang atraktif Gn. Merapi - Merbabu, hamparan teras - teras tanah pertanian serta kesejukan udara, Ketep Pass makin ramai dipadati pengunjung, lebih - Iebih pada akhir pekan dan han libur. Awal tahun 2003, dibuka Volcano Theatre sebagam fasilitas baru yang menyajikan film tentang Gunung Merapi dengan berbagai aktifitas vulkaniknya. Fasilitas baru mi makin memperkuat ciri Ketep Pass sebagai tempat wisata kegunungapian. Bangunan ni dilengkapi restaurant yang berada di Iantai atas dengan pemandangan luas ke arah Gunung Merapi.


Kini telah selesai dibangun Volcano Centre. Sebuah bangunan seluas 550 m2 yang menyajikan berbagai materi informasi gunung berapi dengan sajian utama tentang Gunung Merapi. Kehadiran Volcano Centre makin memantapkan karakter khas Ketep Pass sebagai tempatwisata kegunungapian. Memasuki Bangunan Volcano Centre pengunjung akan diajak menjelajahi seluruh ruangan secara mengalir dan sajian materi satu ke yang lain, seolah tanpa putus. Dimulai dan informasi umum tentang gunung berapi dan informasi geologis yang tersaji dalam bentuk gambar, foto dan peta dalam format besar, selanjutnya pengunjung diajak secara interaktif menggali dan menikmati berbagai koleksi gunung berapi melalui perangkat komputer multi media. Contoh batuan yang dilengkapi dengan informasi teknis menjadi sajian berikutnya. Panorama Merapi dalam berbagai tampilan akan mengantar pengunjung pada sajian utama yakni miniatur Merapi dalam ukuran cukup besar. Bagian terakhir sajian adalah Mitigasi Bencana Gunung Berapi yang akan mengajak pengunjung se- cara langsung mengoperasikan peralatan peman tauan dan pende teksian gejala dan kegiatan vulkanik. Cinderamata khas yang hanya di jual di dalam Volcano Centre tersedia di bagian akhir perjalanan pengunjung. Di pintu keluar, melalul trap pengunjung dihantar ke pelataran tertinggi PELATARAN PANCA ARGA, di sini pengunjung dapat menikmati sajian panorama alam lima gunung besar di Jawa Tengah yakni Merapi, Merbabu, Sindoro, Sumbing dan Slamet Selain itu akan nampak pula gunung - gunung kecil lain seperti Telomoyo, Andong, Dataran Tinggi Dieng serta perbukitan Menoreh Bukit Ketep kini telah menjadi tempat tujuan wisata yang menarik dengan ciri khas sajiannya yakni kegunungapian. Atraksi wisata yang tidak hanya bersifat rekreatif tetapi sarat dengan kandungan pendidikan yang tersaji secara atraktit.


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Jalan Malioboro (Malioboro Street)



Jalan Malioboro (Malioboro Street) is a major shopping street in Yogyakarta, Indonesia; the name is also used more generally for the neighborhood around the street. It runs north from the Yogyakarta kraton (palace) towards the roads that lead to either Surakarta to the east, or Magelang to the north, as well as Mount Merapi. This is in itself is significant to many of the local population, the north south orientation between the palace and the volcano being of importance.

The street is the centre of Yogyakarta's largest tourist district; many hotels and restaurants are located nearby. Sidewalks on both sides of the street are crowded with small stalls selling a variety of goods. In the evening several open-air streetside restaurants, called lesehan, operate along the street.

Less obvious to the tourist, but more for the local population, side streets, lanes and structures that lead on to Malioboro are as important as the street itself.

The street was for many years two-way, but by the 1980s had become one way only, from the railway line (where it starts) to the south - to Beringharjo markets, where it ends. The largest, oldest Dutch era hotel, Hotel Garuda, is located on the street's northern end, on the eastern side adjacent to the railway line. It has the former Dutch era Prime Minister's complex, the kepatihan, on the eastern side.

For many years in the 1980s and later, a cigarette advertisement was placed on the first building south of the railway line - or effectively the last building on Malioboro, which advertised Marlboro cigarettes, no doubt appealing to locals and foreigners who would see a pun with name of the street with a foreign product being advertised.

It does not reach the walls or grounds of the Yogyakarta palace, as Malioboro ceases in name adjacent to the very large market Beringharjo (on the eastern side as well). From this point the street changes name and has on the western side the former Governors residence, and on the eastern side the old Dutch Fort Vredenburg.

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SONOBUDOYO MUSEUM



SONOBUDOYO MUSEUM
This museum is founded in November 1935 and designed by the Dutch architect Kersten. This Museum is built in traditional Javanese architecture. It exhibits weapons, leather and wooden puppets of Wayang Theater, masks, statues, textiles, curios and old Javanese gamelan instruments. The museum is situated on the northern side of the city's main square in front of the Sultan's Palace. Sonobudoyo museum is located on the north side of the North Square of Sultan's Palace.
SONOBUDOYO MUSEUMIt was built in 1935 according to Javanese architecture. The architecture of gateway resembles to the entrance of the mosque in Kudus in the way to the auditorium and main Joglo structure, which are connected, while Kudus is the most ancient town in Java Island beside Kotagede. The museum has the second most complete collection of cultural artifacts after the central museum in Jakarta, like ceramic from the Neolithic Age, statues and bronze articles from the 8th, 9th and 10th century originating from Central Java temples, various kinds of masks and wayang (puppet for shadow play), a gamelan or orchestra, an ancient weapon collection, the looms and artifacts from Bali. This museum is also an interesting library that keeps various ancient books related to the Javanese culture.

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SEWU of THOUSAND TEMPLE


SEWU of THOUSAND TEMPLE

Sewu Temple is located 2 km north of Prambanan Temple. This is the second largest Buddhist Temple complex in Java; Restoration is
professionally underway to reach its original form. It is a MANDALA, manifesting the universe in the center temple of Mahadeva, surrounded by four rings of 250 smaller temples of Gods. Sewu Temple complex is located in Prambanan Temple Park area, about 800 meters to the north of Rara Jongrang Temples. The fact that this temple was built near Prambanan Temple, which is a Hindu temple, indicated that the Hindus and Buddhists lived in harmony.

The main temple has 1 main room and 4 small rooms of which are doorways to the temple. The east door serves as main door to the main room. That way, the main temple faces to the east. The structure has 9 'roofs'; each of them forms a stupa on the top. It is believed to be a royal temple and was one of the religious activity centers in the past. Based on the inscription dated back to 792 AD, which was found in 1960, the name of the temple complex was probably "Manjus'rigrha" (The House of Manjusri). Manjusri is one of Boddhisatva in Buddhist teaching. Sewu Temple was probably built in the 8th century at the end of Rakai Panangkaran administration. Rakai Panangkaran (746 AD - 784 AD) was a popular king from the old Mataram kingdom. HC Cornelius studied the temple firstly in 1807. NJ Krom did the first archeological study in 1923.

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Prambanan temple


Prambanan Temple

This is the most famous and also the most magnificent of Central Java's temples or more precisely complex of temples. Situated about 15 kilometers from Yogyakarta, the top of the main shrine is visible from a great distance and rises high above the scattered ruins of the former temples. Prambanan is the masterpiece of Hindu culture of the tenth century. The slim building soaring up to 47 meters makes its beautiful architecture incomparable. Seventeen kilometers east of Yogyakarta, King Balitung Maha Sambu built the Prambanan temple in the middle of the ninth century. Its parapets are adorned with bas-reliefs depicting the famous Ramayana story. This magnificent Shivaite temple derives it name from the village where it is located.



Prambanan Temple is locally known as the Roro Jonggrang Temple, or the Temple of the "Slender Virgin", it is the biggest and most beautiful Hindu temple in Indonesia. The temple complex of Prambanan lies among green fields and villages. It has eight shrines, of which the three main ones are dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. The main temple of Shiva rises to a height of 130 feet and houses the magnificent statue of Shiva's consort, Durga. There are 224 temples in the complex; three of them, the main temples are Brahma Temple in the north, Vishnu Temple in the south, and the biggest among the three which lies between Brahma and Vishnu temples is Shiva Temple (47 meters high).

Two theatres have provided the temple. Enjoy sunrise behind the glory of Prambanan Temple. Visitors should be at the location - in the area of The Open Air Theater and archaeological park of the temple - before sunrise at about 5:00 o'clock in the morning. The First open-air theatre was built on the southern side of the temple in 1960 and the second was built on the western side of the temple in 1988. During full moon evenings in the month from May to October, the Ramayana ballet is performed right here. Perhaps one of the most majestic temples in the South-East Asia, Prambanan attracts many admirers each year from abroad.





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KALIURANG

This resort is located on the slopes of Mt. Merapi, 24 km north of Yogyakarta and surrounded by an enchanting countryside. "Telogo Muncar" waterfall and swimming pool make this resort a very pleasant recreation place. Kaliurang lies at the foot of Plawangan hill on the southern slope of mount Merapi, some 28 km, north of Yogyakarta. This is a refreshing holiday resort for those seeking refuge and tranquility amidst the lush green tropical splendor.

Many people visit Kaliurang, especially during the holidays. Young people, like boy scouts, enjoy going there since the town provides camping sites and places for mountaineering. Those who like mountain climbing can climb Merapi Mountain from Kaliurang. One can stay overnight in Kaliurang then start, in the early morning, climbs Merapi via Kinahrejo village to descend again at noon.
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