Monday, June 1, 2009

Tips for Legian

  • The prices of souvenirs at Legian area are more expensive than in the market Sukawati. But if you want to buy only few souvenirs it might be more efficient to buy at Legian. At Sukawati market you can find cheaper price because they’re selling large parties (wholesale) eventhough they still serve a small party.
  • There are various types of accommodation in Legian area that can be selected based on your needs. Although the hotel or lodging has set a fixed price, you have to always try to bargain when you book. Read more...

Sunday, May 31, 2009

History of Legian

Cultural village of Legian in the beginning was just an agrarian village. The communities at Legian were diligently worked as farmers and fishermen as some of them. Geographically at that time on the east of Legian there’s a carpet of rice field land and wide dry field, while on the west there was the ocean where fishemen like to fish.

In the 1970s, the Kuta Village developed became tourist destination which is often visited by tourists in Bali. The rapid development of tourism industry at Kuta was affecting Legian, its neighbor. Travelers at that time especially the backpackers tend to stay around Legian area. Tourist regards the the nuance at Legian is purer and more confortable than Kuta. Read more...

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Legian

Legian is one of the cultural villages, which is located to the north of Kuta in Bali. Legian has a quieter atmosphere than Kuta, the tourism area. Legian can give you a more peaceful atmosphere are because of the mix of local residence and tourism facilities like hotels, lodging, shops, café, restaurants, traditional markets, and other facilities in the area.

Along Legian Street you can easily find vehicle rental services and shops that sell various types of goods such as clothing, and souvenirs. Tourists are also given a various options of restaurants, café, and other accommodation various level of price. The atmosphere of the gala at the café and restaurant at the Legian area is at night time whe tourists return many places of interest in the Bali.

Just like Kuta that has Kuta Beach, Legian also has Legian Beach which is located between Kuta beach and Seminyak beach. Although Legian beach is not as popular as Kuta beach, but the enchantment of the Legian Beach is not far different from Kuta Beach. Some activities that can be done in the Legian Beach are sunbathing on the beach, swimming, surfing, watching the beautiful sunset. Read more...

Friday, May 29, 2009

Tips for Kuta Square

  • Visiting Kuta Square area will be more comfortable with walking (if you stay just around the area) because the streets where the shopping area located are not too big and used for two ways. There’re many two-wheeled vehicles that are parked at the edge of the road making the road at Kuta Square become more limited.

  • If you drive vehicle to Kuta Square, it’s recommended to find a parking lot and park your vehicle once you arrive at Kuta Square. By then you can walk through the area.
  • You can find Kuta Art Market at Kuta Square area where you can buy Bali souvenirs. The goods sold in this market are not too different from the goods in Sukawati Art Market. However the price will be more expensive at Kuta Art Market compare to Sukawati. If not had no chance to visit Sukawati Art Market then you can buy Balinese souvenirs at Kuta Art Market. Read more...


Thursday, May 28, 2009

Kuta Square

Kuta Square is a shopping area which is located in the traditional village settlement of Kuta. The types of goods sold generally are branded fashion from overseas. There are many cafes at Kuta Square area with a variety of menus offered. In addition to shops and shopping centers there are also games around the area such as Kuta Square Bali Slingshot, waterboom Bali, and other games facilities.

Price products for sale in shops and shopping center in Kuta Square are generally defined (fixed price) where bargaining price aren’t applied. When you are visiting Bali and needing a certain brand of clothing to find then Kuta Square area can be the main option. There’re many tourist that enjoy Kuta Square by just walking around Kuta area and sit at the café while enjoying the menus. Read more...

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Tips for Kuta Beach

  • If you have a chance to visit Bali Island, do not miss the moment to see the beautiful sunset at Kuta Beach. There’s no charge for entering Kuta Beach, except for using bathroom facilities or toilets around the beach.

  • round the coast and hotels near Kuta Beach you can find many surfing short courses. You can take short course to learn how to surfing. You do not need to have your own surfing stuff; they’re included in the course charge. Besides, there’re also many people rent surfing stuff at the beach. Surf board rental is charged per hour basis which is agreed before the board. You have to bargain on the rental fare. The longer you rent the more discounts you can get.
  • Kuta Beach is visited by lots of tourists, both domestic and foreign tourists. Peak season at Kuta Beach are usually happened on holidays. When you’re having activities in the sea or the beach do not leave your valuables unintended. If possible it’s better not to bring your values to the beach.
  • There’re many sellers at Kuta Beach, such as accessories seller, temporary tattoos makers, massagers, umbrellas sellers, and hair brading service. If you’re not interested you have to refuse them at the first time they offer you.
  • Watch out on the signs placed along the beach in the form of yellow and red flag. The flag is placed by the beach guard to provide visitors with signs on sea areas with big waves which are not save for surfing and swimming.
  • Kuta Beach provides you with complete accommodation that tourists may need. Besides stars hotels there’re many cheap lodges and hotels along Poppies Lane, Legian - Kuta (the distance is about 200 - 300 meters from Kuta beach). Read more...

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Kuta Beach

Kuta Beach is a seaside resort located side by side with other beaches such as the Legian, Seminyak, and Tuban. Kuta beach’s length is about 8 km through the beach from the North to the South of Bali. Kuta Beach is a beach with a wide spread of white sand and beautiful scenery.

Kuta beach is the most visited beach compared with other beaches in Bali. The high interest of tourists visiting the Kuta Beach is due to the location in the Kuta area which is near the crowd and easy to reach.

There’re many activities can be done at Kuta Beach. Morning until noon time activities are usually swimming, surfing, sunbathing, walking through the beach, sitting and relaxing at the beach. By afternoon, visitors like to witness the beauty of the sunset at Kuta Beach. Other activities can be done around the Kuta Beach are including playing ball run through the beach. At night, you can be see the gala of night life around the Kuta Beach area with the sound of music coming from cafes and bars located at the edge of the road.

Many tourists make Kuta as a base to reach other interesting places in Bali due to its strategic location and complete infrastructure. Among the facilities you can get at Kuta area are including full accommodation, restaurants, bars, internet, mini markets, ATM, and shopping center. Other areas which tourists usually like to use as a base to travel around Bali are Legian, Seminyak, and Nusa Dua. Read more...

Monday, May 25, 2009

Tips for Jalan Surabaya (Surabaya Street)

  • You need to bargain when you want to do transaction at the antique market at Jalan Surabaya. Do not forget to do price comparison between one shop to another.
  • Some people said that some of the antiques sold at Jalan Surabaya are not original (fake). It’s better to bring someone who understands about antiques when you visit Jalan Surabaya.
  • For those who don’t really understand Jakarta, it will be very complicated to reach Jalan Surabaya by public transportation. It’s better to ride taxi or bajaj.
  • Jalan Surabaya is located at the most elite area at Central Jakarta, which is Menteng. It’s near to Jalan Cikini, Cikini Market, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Proclamation Monument, Situ Lembang and Suropati Park. Read more...

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Tips for Jakarta Kota Station (BEOS)

  • If you are a history tour lover then Jakarta Kota Station is one of the objects you should visit when you visit Jakarta, Indonesia. The architecture design was said to be the best one at its age.
  • To visit Jakarta Kota Station (BEOS) you can use personal vehicle or taxi. Alternatively you can also ride TransJakarta Busway from first corridor, which lane is from Blok M to Kota Tua. Kota Busway Station is the last station of the first corridor’s Busway. Jakarta Kota Station is just at the cross side of Kota Busway Station. Read more...

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Interesting Places Around Jakarta Kota Station (BEOS)

There’re still many other interesting places near Jakarta Kota Station you may able to visit as well. Those places are including Bank Mandiri Museum, Bank Indonesia Museum, Jakarta History Museum, Wayang Museum, Fine Art and Ceramic Museum, Maritime Museum, Sunda Kelapa Harbor, Kota Intan Bridge, Syahbandar Tower, Batavia Café, and Batavia Hotel.

Glodok area which is known as the China Town of Jakarta is only 1 km away from Jakarta Kota Station. Ancol Dreamland Park, a theme park which has Dunia Fantasy, SeaWorld Indonesia, and Gelanggang Samudera is only 4 – 5 kms away from Jakarta Kota Station. Read more...

Friday, May 22, 2009

History of Jakarta Kota Station (BEOS)

Jakarta Kota Station (BEOS) was constructed around 1870, and the building was then closed and renovated in 1926 and became a building like what it looks now. The station was officially announced to be utilized on 8th October 1929 by General Governor Jr. A.C.D. de Graef who was governed at Nederland Indies from 1926 to 1931.

The architect who built Jakarta Kota Station was Frans Johan Louwrens Ghijsels, a Dutch architecture engineer who was born in Indonesia. Jakarta Kota Station was a magnum work of Ghijsels that was expressed as Het Indische Bouwen, which means combination of modern west technique and structure with the local traditional characteristic.

The design of Ghijsels was impressed as simple but yet with a high aspiration. Jakarta Kota Station (BEOS) was then decided to be one of culture preserve in Indonesia in 1993. Read more...

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Tips for Syahbandar Tower

  • Since the age of Syahbandar Tower has reached more than a hundred years and the construction was made of wood, it then makes the tower start to be decayed. It’s suggested to be really careful when you step on the stairs of Syahbandar Tower and avoid stepping on the stairs in group.
  • You can visit Syahbandar Tower by personal vehicle or taxi. Alternatively you can ride TransJakarta Busway from the first corridor with route from Blok M to Kota Tua. Kota Station is the last station from the first corridor of TransJakarta Busway. Syahbandar Tower is about 3km away from Kota Station. To reach Syahbandar Tower from Kota Station you can ride bicycle ojek, bajaj, taxi or even by walk. Read more...

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Interesting Places Around Syahbandar Tower

Other interesting places near Syahbandar Tower are including Sunda Kelapa Harbor, Maritime Museum, Jakarta History Museum, Wayang Museum, Fine Art and Ceramic Museum, Bank Mandiri Museum, Bank Indonesia Museum, Jakarta Kota Station, Kota Intan Bridge, Batavia Café, Batavia Hotel, and other old buildings.

Glodok area which is like the China Town of Jakarta is only 3-4 km away from Syahbandar Tower. You can also find Jaya Ancol Dreamland Park with many amusement facilities like Dunia Fantasy, SeaWorld Indonesia, and Gelanggang Samudera in just 3-5 km away from Syahbandar Tower. Read more...

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

History of Syahbandar Tower

Nederland Indies government constructed Syahbandar Tower in 1839 to support the spicy trading and delivery activities from Sunda Kelapa Harbor which was know as Batavia City at that time. The building of Syahbandar Tower had a width of 32 meters (4x8 meters) and height of 12 meters, and the yard was equipped with several cannons which faced to the west and east side.

For the trading administration before the delivery of spicy to countries in Europe, Nederland Indies government constructed another two buildings facing the Syahbandar Tower. Read more...

Monday, May 18, 2009

Tips for Kota Intan Bridge

  • If you’re a history lover and is visiting or in Jakarta City at the moment, then you may find Kota Intan Bridge at Kota Tua Jakarta as an interesting object.
  • If you plan to visit Kota Intan Bridge and other interesting places at Kota Tua area by walk, it’s recommended to start your visit there since morning to avoid the stinging heat of the sun. You may need to wear a cover for your head like hat or umbrella and wear comfortable footwear. Besides by walk, you can also try to ride bicycle ojek which can easily be found at Kota Tua area.
  • You can visit Kota Intan Bridge and Kota Tua Jakarta by riding personal vehicle or taxi. You can also alternatively ride TransJakarta Busway from the first corridor, which routed from Blok M to Kota Tua. If you ride the Trans Jakarta Busway, you can get off at Kota Station which is where busway from the first corridor ended. Kota Intan Bridge is about 700 meters away from Kota Station. Read more...

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Interesting Places Around Kota Intan Bridge

You can also find other interesting places near Kota Intan Bridge such as Jakarta History Museum, Wayang Museum, Fine Art and Ceramic Museum, Bank Mandiri Museum, Bank Indonesia Museum, Jakarta Kota Station (Beos), Maritime Museum, Sunda Kelapa Harbor, Syahbandar Tower, Batavia Café, Batavia Hotel and other old buildings.

Glodok area which is like the China Town of Jakarta is only 1-2 km away from Kota Intan Bridge. You can also find Jaya Ancol Dreamland Park with many amusement facilities like Dunia Fantasy, SeaWorld Indonesia, and Gelanggang Samudera in just 3-5 km away from Kota Intan Bridge. Read more...

Saturday, May 16, 2009

History of Kota Intan Bridge

Kota Intan Bridge had several names before it finally named as Kota Intan Bridge. After being constructed by Dutch government, the bridge was named as English Bridge (Engeise Brug), as at that time not far away from the bridge; a fort that belonged to England was under construction. Later on the name of the bridge was changed to Central Bridge, which estimated due to the management of the bridge which was control by Nederland Indies government.

In the 1900th year the bridge’s name was changed again to be Chicken Market Bridge (Hoenderpasarbrug) due to there was a busy chicken market next to the bridge. In 1938, in the government of Queen Juliana, the bridge was renovated and the name was changed to be Queen Juliana Bridge (Ophaalsburg Juliana). Last, the name was changed to Kota Intan Bridge due to near the bridge there’s a castile which name was “Diamond” (diamond = intan in Indonesian Languange). Read more...

Friday, May 15, 2009

Tips for Inscription Museum (Museum Prasasti)

  • Since Inscription Museum is a museum at an open air area with many big trees, so there’re potentially many mosquito there. It’s recommended to bring anti-mosquito lotion before visiting Inscription Museum.
  • The location of Inscription location is about 1.5 to 2 km away from the National Museum. To reach the Inscription Museum you could ride personal vehicle, taxi or bajaj. Read more...

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Collections of Inscription Museum (Museum Prasasti)

The collection of Inscription Museum consists of inscriptions in the form of ancient gravestone, monument or pillar, goblet, statue, antique corpse carriage, bouquet, flat sided stone, replica and miniature of typical funeral from 27 provinces in Indonesia. At the back yard of Balairung Building there’re collections of bronze medal bells which previously used to give a sign that there’s somebody died. The bell was rang continuously to welcome the corpse while giving a sign for the funeral staffs to be prepared for the burial ritual. Inscription collections in the Inscription Museum are selected inscriptions from the work of talented carver and designer, used as a realization of the family and relatives feeling. When you see the inscriptions, as if they can talk through the deep meaning of the script on them. On one of the gravestone inscription at the Inscription Museum, there's a script written in Dutch saying “SOO GY. NU SYT. WAS. IK VOOR DEESEN DAT. JK, NV BEN SVLT GY OOK WEESEN”, which means “Like you are now, I was before. And like I’m now, thus you will be one day”.

Most of the gravestone inscriptions were from many prominent figures from many fields such military, education, art, science, religion and many others. Some of them were General Major J.H.R Kohler, Dr. W.R. Stutterheim, Dr. H.F Roll, Pieter Erberveld, Olivia Mariamne Raffles, Miss Riboet and Soe Hok Gie. There’re a total of 1700 collections at Inscription Museum. Read more...

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

History of Inscription Museum (Museum Prasasti)

As mentioned above, the current Inscription Park located at an ex funeral. The name of the funeral is Kebon Jahe Kober, a funeral area for officers and prominent figures, especially for Dutch and European. The funeral started to be utilized in 1795 and the main building of funeral constructed in 1844 with Doria style. Behind the main building there’s a building called Balairung Building, functioned as ritual ceremonial hall before the burial carried out. Balairung Building consists of two halls, one at the right side and the other one at the left side. The right side the building used as a place to lie down female bodies, while the left side building used as a place to lie down male bodies.

After the freedom of Indonesia, the funeral was still used as a public funeral, especially for Christian people. In 1975, Kebon Jahe Kober funeral was closed. DKI Jakarta government considered that the ex Kebon Jahe Kober funeral has a potency to be developed as a museum. Therefore the government conducted a restoration and redesigning of selected gravestone inscriptions at the funeral area. In 1977, Inscription Museum which also known as Inscription Park was officially announced by Ali Sadikin, DKI Jakarta governor at that time. Read more...

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Tips for Planetarium

  • The peak season at Planetarium Jakarta are on Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Majority of the visitors are students who come as group. It’s recommended to visit Planetarium Jakarta on week days or in the morning of Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
  • The only one language used in the show is Indonesian language (Bahasa Indonesia). For foreigner it’s useful to understand a bit about astronomy to be able to follow the show.
  • Planetarium Jakarta located at Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) area, one of art centers in Jakarta. It’s good to visit Taman Ismail Marzuki if you are an art lover.
  • You could reach Planetarium Jakarta by personal vehicle, taxi or bajaj.
Read more...

Monday, May 11, 2009

Show Times at Planetarium

Planetarium Show (Star Theater)
Individual :

  • Tuesday to Friday : 16.30pm

  • Saturday, Sunday and Holidays : 10.00, 11.30, 13.00, and 14.30

  • Holiday Friday : 10.00, 13.30, 15.00, and 16.30

Group :

  • Tuesday to Thursday : 09.30, 11.00, 13.30

  • Friday : 09.30, 13.30

Multimedia (Lunar Eclipse and Solar Eclipse)

  • Tuesday to Thursday : 15.30 (individual) and 10.00 (group)

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Tips for Thousand Island (Pulau Seribu)

  • Foreign tourists are generally visiting the island that already have full facilities and infrastructure such as Ayer Island, Bidadari Island, Kotok Island, Putri Island, Pantara Island, and Sepa Island. Some of the management of tourism island (resort island) in the Thousand Island (Pulau Seribu) are offering a day visit to the island. Travelers depart from Marina Ancol Jakarta in the morning toward one of the tourism island and return to Jakarta in the afternoon.
  • Local tourists are generally like to visit Pramuka Island besides tourism island (Resort Island) in the Thousand Island (Pulau Seribu). Th reasons for local tourists visited Pramuka Island is the price that is cheaper than tourism islands. However, it should be noted that the existing facilities at Pramuka Island is not as complete as at tourism islands.
  • If you do not really depend on complete facilities and interested in visiting the Pramuka Island then what you should know are that you can reach Pramuka Island by wooden ship that depart from Muara Angke port, Jakarta, every day on around 6 to 7:30 am. Return schedule from Pramuka Island to Muara Angke is every day at 1 pm. Transit time from Muara Angke to Pramuka Island or vise versa is about 2.5 - 3 hours. There’s no automatic transfer machine (ATM) at the Pramuka Island or at other islands in the Thousand Island (Pulau Seribu).
  • Pramuka Island has limited the source of electricity of which will be turned off several hours in the afternoon. It’s suggested not to turn on air conditioner until 21:00pm at night.
  • There are several home stay on Pramuka Island and lodging that is located strategically on the sealie Villa Delima (phone: 021 – 54373149). Usually the lodging in Pramuka Island would be fully booked on holiday season by groups of traveler.
  • Tourists are usually like to swim, snorkel and dive at around Pramuka Island. To make the traveling cost cheaper it’s recommended to travel to Pramuka Island with minimum three people. It’s because the cost to do marine sports activities (like diving and snorkeling) is quite a lot since you have to rent a boat to find good spots on the sea to dive or snorkel. If you visit with a group of people you can share the cost of renting boat.
  • Following are the estimation of cost/prices if you like to visit Pramuka Island: rent a lodging Rp200 - 350 thousand per day and can be used for 2 or 3 people, rent a wooden boat for half day will cost about Rp150 - 200 thousand, rent snorkeling equipment about Rp25 - 35 thousand, snorkeling instructors Rp60 thousand, rent diving equipment and instructors for a half-day about Rp300 - 500 thousand, freight fare by riding wooden ship from Muara Angke, Jakarta to Pramuka Island is Rp30 thousand for one way, freight fare by wooden ships from Pramuka Island to Panggang Island or vice versa is Rp3.000, and the price of food (rice + fish + vegetable) is around Rp10 - 15 thousand. Those prices was updated on January 2009. Read more...

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Other Side of Thousand Island (Pulau Seribu)

    The attraction of Thousand Island (Pulau Seribu) is not only on the natural panorama. Other attractions are witnessed local people routine activities like doing culture seaweed business, grouper fish, making boat/ship and the conservation of turtle shell.

    Many of Thousand Island (Pulau Seribu) communities, particularly those residing on Pramuka Island lives from making many kinds snacks that many local residents and visitors of Pramuka Island fond of.

    Parts of Thousand Island (Pulau Seribu) that become residential for local people and interesting to visit are Pramuka Island, Untung Jawa Island, Harapan Island, Kelapa Island, Panggang Island, and Tidung Island with local people's daily activity as fishermen, businessmen, traders and employees. Read more...

Friday, May 8, 2009

Resort Islands in Thousand Island (Pulau Seribu)

There’re few islands at Thousand Island managed to be resort island or tourism island that are equipped with complete facilities.

Ayer Island

The width of Ayer Island is 6,5ha. Transit time to reach Ayer Island from Marina Ancol is about 25 minutes. Ayer Island is popular with its floating cottage that is designed with Asmat (an ethnic from Papua) ethnical characteristic. There’re 41 cottages and four lodges equipped with play ground for children, bar, restaurant, karaoke and discotheque.

Reservation office of Ayer Island:
PT Global Eka Buana
Jl. KH. Samanhudi No. 47 – 49
Jakarta Barat
Phone: 021 - 385 2004, 385 2033
Fax: 021 - 385 2046

Bidadari Island

The land’s width of Bidadari Island is 6,03ha. Bidadari Island can be reached in 20 minutes by riding speedboat from Marina Ancol. Bidadari Island has beautiful beach with white sands spread out over it. You can see the excess of Dutch colonial forth that’s still equipped with old cannon and inscriptions in Bidadari Island..

Reservation office of Bidadari Island:
PT Seabreez Indonesia
Jl. Lodan Raya No. 103
Jakarta Utara
Phone: 021 - 647 1173, 647 10048
Fax: 021 - 641 3680

Kotok Island

Kotok Island has beautiful white sand beach and charming underwater panorama as well as protected Bondol Eagle habitat. Kotok Island offering the tourist with snorkeling, scuba diving and canoeing facilities.

Reservation office of Kotok Island:
PT Kotok Wietasha Indah
Jl. Cempaka Putih Tengah No. 34/AI
Jakarta Pusat
Phone: 021 - 428 01932

Putri Island

The width of Putri Island is about 8,29ha. Putri Island is offering tourist the beauty of its underwater habitat, supported by touring facilities like glass bottom and undersea aquarium. Putri Island has 71 cottage to support tourist who wants to stay there.

Reservation office of Putri Island:
PT Buana Bintang Samudera
Jl. Sultan Agung No. 21
Jakarta Selatan
Phone: 021 - 830 5879, 830 5877
Fax: 021 - 829 9002

Pantara Island

Pantara Island divided into two islands, there are West Pantara with 34 cottages and East Pantara with 56 cottages. Pantara Island counts on its clear water and beautiful coral island to be offered to tourists. It’s very interesting to do scuba diving in Pantara Island.

Reservation office of Pantara Island:
PT Pantara Wisata Jaya
Jl. Pangeran Jayakarta No. 115
Kompleks Ruko Blok B No. 13 - 14
Jakarta Utara
Phone: 021 - 626 2612, 626 2629
Fax: 021 - 626 2627

Sepa Island

Sepa Island has beautiful beach with white sand. There are 43 cottages of various types in Sepa Island. You can also see corals and the conservation of turtle shell in Sepa Island.

Reservation office of Sepa Island:
PT Pulau Sepa Permai
Jl. Kyai Caringin No. 20A
Jakarta Pusat
Phone: 021 - 629 8828, 638 63477
Fax: 021 - 638 63478

Read more...

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Sports and Recreations in Thousand Island (Pulau Seribu)

Thousand Island (Pulau Seribu) waters with its diversity of marine’s flora and fauna makes this place become comfortable place for nautical sports and recreation. You can experience various sports and recreational facilities with marine nuances at Thousand Island (Pulau Seribu) such as Jet Ski, Canoe, fishing, wind surfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Other sports that tourists usually like to do there are jogging, tennis, beach volley, billiard, and golf are also available at Thousand Island (Pulau Seribu) .

Travelers can also use having fun with glass bottom boat at Putri Island to see the diversity of underwater wealth there or playing with banana boat with family or friends. Read more...

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Transportation in Thousand Island (Pulau Seribu)

It will require about 20 minutes to reach the nearest island and three hours to reach the farthest island by riding speedboat from the port of Marina Ancol.

Some management of the tourism islands has its own transportation facility. Likewise to the government of Thousand Island (Pulau Seribu) district. The ships are operated every day to facilitate the needs of tourists and local residents to visit tourism islands or other island with local people settled there. The ships depart from the Marina Ancol at 08.00 or at 09.00 and return from the island at13:30 or at 14.00 Western Indonesian Time (WIB)

In addition to the speedboat, other transportations used are timber ships (some kind of traditional boat) with capacity of 50 - 60 passengers. Those raditional and motorized boats that is equipped with life jackets for passengers are departing every day from Muara Angke Port to Pramuka Island and Panggang Island with transit time about 2.5 to 3 hours. Read more...

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Accommodations at Thousand Island (Pulau Seribu)

Tourism Islands in the Thousand Island (Pulau Seribu) have a good quality of accommodations with unique architecture and interesting interior. Some of the lodging has a room with a standard suite and executive room. Other supporting facilities on the tourism islands of Thousand Island (Pulau Seribu) are such as meeting/convention room, bar, restaurant, karaoke, discotheque, swimming pool, tennis field, beach volley and souvenir shops.

Some tourism islands provide a package called "inter island tours" that allow tourists to visit the islands around with all the charm various natural beauties they have. Islands that do not provide resort equipped with home stay accommodation that are provided among the residence of local people who lives there. Among the islands that provide such accommodation are Pramuka Island and Untung Java Island. Read more...

Monday, May 4, 2009

Thousand Island (Pulau Seribu)

Thousand Island (Pulau Seribu) lies in the waters of Jakarta Bay which has 100 miles length and 108,000 ha width. There’re about 110 islands, in some large and small group of islands in the Thousand Island (Pulau Seribu). Those islands divided into tourism islands, conservation, historical island, and island for community empowerment in accordance with the characteristics differences between each island.

Thousand Island (Pulau Seribu) is a district under the government of DKI Jakarta Province and is headed by a regent which office is on Pramuka Island. As the capital district, Pramuka Island has a complete infrastructure such as school buildings, sports facilities, an integrated security system to health facility and hospital units with some speed boat ambulance.

There’re 45 islands that are meant for tourism destination which are classified into general tourism and special tourism. Among the islands that are included in Thousand Islands (Pulau Seribu), six of them have been made as the tourism islands. Those six islands are Ayer Island, Bidadari Island, Kotok Island, Putri Island, Pantara Island, and Sepa Island. Those tourism islands equipped with adequate and even complete facilities and infrastructure. Read more...

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Tips for Schmutzer Primate Center

  • Visitors are prohibited to bring food and beverage into Schmutzer Primate Center area. If any visitor brings food and beverage then they have to keep them at the deposit stand before entering the area. Water cranes for drink with sterilized water are available in Schmutzer Primate Center area.
  • Since Schmutzer Primate Center located in the area of Ragunan Zoological Park, hence the tips provided at Ragunan Zoological Park can be used as a reference to visit Schmutzer Primate Center. One of them is that the area visited most crowded on Saturday, Sunday and holidays. The most peak season is Sunday.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Facilities of Schmutzer Primate Center

Schmutzer Primate Center was designed to be a recreation area as well a place for educational and research activities. To support the goal, Schmutzer Primate Center is equipped with some facilities like theater, library, educational cave for children, educational arena, suspension bridge and artificial tunnel which long reach 250 meters. The artificial bridge is used to observe the activities of orang utan. Read more...

Friday, May 1, 2009

Collections of Schmutzer Primate Center

The primates collections own by Schmutzer Primate Center are including gorilla, orang utan of Kalimantan, Grey Owa of Java, chimpanzee, Si Amang and many others. Read more...

Thursday, April 30, 2009

History of Schmutzer Primate Center

Schmutzer Primate Center was built in 2000. It’s officially announced and open on 20th August, 2000, by Mr. Sutiyoso, the governor of DKI Jakarta at that time. Schmutzer Primate Center was a grant from the late Pauline Antoinette Adeline Schmutzer for Indonesia.

She expected that the grant could help Indonesian people to value and care of the wild animal preservation in Indonesia more. Read more...

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Tips for Ragunan Zoo

  • Ragunan Zoological Park is usually crowded on Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Between Saturday and Sunday, Sunday is usually the most crowded day at the park. The visitor won’t be too many on weekdays.
  • Some facilities like delman (ponicart ride), elephant ride, camel ride, horse ride and train will only be available on Sunday and holidays.
  • There are many warung (like canteen) which sales meals and beverages at Ragunan Zoological Park. They usually display the list of menu at the front side of the canteen.
  • There are some photographers who like to take each visitors picture at the front gate of Ragunan Zoological Park. They will print the picture and offered to the visitors when the visitors leave the zoo. The photographers would not push visitors to buy. However you could ask them not to take your pictures if you don’t want to.
  • To get to Ragunan Zoological Park you could use personal vehicle, taxi, public transportation or Trans Jakarta Busway. If you like to use the busway, you can ride the one from corridor 6, Ragunan to Halimun route. Busway and taxi is the most recommended transportation to the zoo.
  • Public transportation that goes to Ragunan Zoological Park are Kopaja # 19 and Kopaja # 985 from Tanah Abang, Metromini # 77 from Blok M, Kopaja # 68 and 602 from Kampung Melayu through Pasar Minggu, Mikrolet # 17 and KWK # 02 from Depok, red Mikrolet (KWK) # 15A from TMII (Taman Mini Indonesia Indah).

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Activities at Ragunan Zoo

Besides walking around while observing the animals behavior in Ragunan Zoological Park, visitors could see how the animals eat at Ragunan Zoological Park. Eating time of the animals has been scheduled by the management.

Komodo will be feed every Wednesday at 11:00am, crocodile on Wednesday and Saturday, Cormoran everyday at 11:00am, and Hippopotamus everyday. Education and research activities conducted quite often at Ragunan Zoological by the students. The objection is to let the students love and respect flora and fauna as the richness of nature that has to be preserved. Read more...

Monday, April 27, 2009

Collections of Ragunan Zoo

Ragunan Zoological Zoo is inhabited by more than 260 kinds of animals, including scarce and almost instinct animals from Indonesia and from other parts of the world. There are a total of 3000 animals including birds in the zoo.

Besides animal, Ragunan Zoological Park also possesses some collections of grass, trees and decoration plants like Bougainville, Pachystachys and Chinese hibiscus. Read more...

Sunday, April 26, 2009

History of Ragunan Zoo

In 1864, when Jakarta was still named as Batavia, the first zoo was open at Cikini area, Jakarta Pusat, which was named as “Planten En Dierentuin”. The zoo was managed by flora and fauna lovers association (Culturule Vereniging Planten en Dierentuin at Batavia).

The land where the zoo stood was granted by Raden Saleh, a famous Indonesian painting artist, which width was about 10 hectares. Since the zoo in Cikini considered as too small and not really adequate for animal exhibition so in 1964 DKI Jakarta’s government granted a land with 30 hectares width at the south suburb area of Jakarta, later named as Ragunan Zoo.

In 1966, Ragunan Zoo was officially opened by the governor of DKI Jakarta with a name of Ragunan Zoological Park. The first director of Ragunan Zoological Park was a fauna lover, named Benjamin Gaulstaun. Read more...

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Tips for Maritime Museum (Museum Bahari)

  • You could ride personal vehicle or taxi to get to Maritime Museum. As an alternative you could also ride Trans Jakarta Busway from first corridor, route of Blok M to Kota Tua. You need to get off at the last station, Kota Tua, and from there you ride a taxi, bajaj or bicycle ojek to Maritime Museum (called Museum Bahari in Bahasa Indonesia). Maritime Museum is about 2km away from Kota Tua Station. Read more...

Friday, April 24, 2009

Collections of Maritime Museum (Museum Bahari)

Maritime Museum has more than 1800 collections of many kinds of traditional boats from all the areas in Indonesia. Some of the traditional boats are Lancang Kuning boat from Riau, Jukung boat from Kalimantan, Phinisi boat from Bugis, Makasar, Kora-Kora boat from Maluku, Mayang boat from north beach of Java and Cadik Karere boat from Papua.

Besides the boats, Maritime Museum has other collections like supporting facilities for sailing, ship models from 19th century, folklores of fisherman society, flora and fauna in the sea, Indonesian people sailing route, paintings of prominent figures in maritime, and other important information about nautical matters. Read more...

Thursday, April 23, 2009

History of Maritime Museum (Museum Bahari)

The building of Maritime Museum was formerly a spicy warehouse of Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC). VOC was Holland’s company taking care of trading activities on both land and sea, for the interest of Holland Kingdom.

In 1893, VOC constructed a tower at the edge of Jakarta Gulf Beach. The tower that is known as Syahbandar Tower is 300 meters away from the spicy warehouse. There’re two other buildings built facing the tower. The aim of constructing the warehouse, two buildings and tower were to facilitate VOC on watching and controlling boats and ships traffic, as well as to facilitate the administration of spicy trading to Europe.

In 1942, Japan occupied Indonesia and changed the function of spicy warehouse to become logistic warehouse of military equipments. After the freedom of Indonesia in 1945, the former spicy warehouse used as logistic warehouse of PTT and PLN.

In 1976 the warehouse was renovated. On 7th July, 1977 the building was officially announced as Maritime Museum by governor of DKI Jakarta at that time, Ali Sadikin. Read more...

Monday, April 20, 2009

Tips for Battle’45 Building (Museum Juang 45)

  • There’s a souvenir shop next to Battle’45 Museum if you want to buy some souvenirs from the museum. Read more...

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Interesting Places arround Battle'45 Museum

Tugu Tani (Farm Monument), Taman Ismail Marzuki (Ismail Marzuki Park), Planetarium, Masjid Cut Meutia (Cut Meutia Mosque) and Jalan Cikini. Read more...

Collections of Battle’45 Building (Museum Juang 45)

The collections of Battle’45 Museum are including office cars of the first Indonesian president and vice president, Soekarno and Hatta. Those cars have plate identity # of REP1 and REP2. Battle’45 Museum also has collections of photos and paintings that show the struggle of Indonesia from 1945 to 1950. Some images of the independence day warriors presented in form of chest sculptures. Read more...

Friday, April 17, 2009

History of Battle’45 Building (Museum Juang 45)

On the Netherland Indies time the building was occupied as a hotel, named Schomper Hotel. When Holland surrendered on 8th March 192, the building was taken over by Japan, and then handed over to Japan Propaganda Bureau (Sendebu). In July 1942, Sendebu handed over the building to Indonesian youth to be used as an educational facility to support Japanese government in Indonesia.

Japan also allowed the building to be used as a place to educate the youth to prepare the freedom of Indonesia. The building was occupied as a political education facility by Japan, funded by ‘Gunseikanbu Sendebu’.

Japan intended to educate Indonesian youths to be its cadres for the interest of the Great East Asian. However, Indonesian leaders who taught in the building broke Japanese plan by implanted the youths with a pure aspiration of a free Indonesia.

The educational center then recognized by the name of “Ashrama Angkatan Baru Indonesia(literary translation: Indonesian New Generation Dormitory), but then changed to be Asrama Menteng 31 (Menteng 31 Dormitory). The youths were known as Menteng 31 Youth.

In 1972 the building was determined as a historical building protected by the Monument Law. On 19th August, 1974 the building changed to be Museum Joang’45 (Battle’45 Museum). Read more...

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Tips for Textile Museum of Indonesia (Museum Tekstil)

Tips for Textile Museum of Indonesia (Museum Tekstil)

  • The Textile Museum Management provides facilities to learn how to weave batik, to blend natural color and creating painting from scrap cloths. If you are interested you could join these activities by visiting the building behind Textile Museum. If you want to bring back home some souvenirs from the museum, there’s a gift shop in the museum where you can buy them.
  • Textile Museum is located at about 500 meter away from Tanah Abang market. You could get to the museum either by personal vehicle, taxi or bajaj. Read more...

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Collections of Textile Museum of Indonesia (Museum Tekstil)

Textile Museum collections consist of traditional textile from various territories in Indonesia like Batik, Ikat, Pelangi, Tenun, Songket, Prada, tree bark cloth and Celup. Textile Museum also presents traditional tools and equipments in textile industry like weaving and batik tools from various region in Indonesia.

Read more...

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

History of Building and Textile Museum of Indonesia (Museum Tekstil)

The building of Textile Museum of Indonesia (Museum Tekstil) was constructed at the beginning of 19th century. Initially the building was a private house of a France, and then sold to Abdul Aziz Al Mussawi Al Katiri, a Turkish consulate. In 1942 the building was sold again to Karel Christian Crug.

The building had ever occupied as headquarter of Barisan Keamanan Rakyat (literary translated: Front of People Safety), occupied by Lie Sion Phin, and later as Social Department. Afterwards Social Department hands over the building to DKI Jakarta’s government. On 28th June, 1978 the building was officially announced as Textile Museum of Indonesia (Museum Tekstil) by Mrs. Tien Soeharto. Read more...

Monday, April 13, 2009

Tips for National Museum of Indonesia (Museum Nasional Indonesia)

Tips for National Museum of Indonesia (Museum Nasional Indonesia)

  • To visit National Museum you can ride either taxi or bus. If you choose to ride a bus, it’s recommended to ride Trans Jakarta Busway for your comfort. Busway with Blok M to Kota Tua route will pass through the Museum. You can get off at the National Monument (Monas) station. Nasional Museum is located at the cross side of Monas bus stop.
Read more...

Interesting Places Around at National Museum of Indonesia

Some other places near to National Museum are National Monument (Monas), President Palace, Golden Chariot Statue, Gambir train terminal, Bank of Indonesia, Indosat Building, Supreme Court, Immanuel Church, and Jalan Thamrin. Read more...

Exhibition Hall at National Museum of Indonesia (Museum Nasional Indonesia)

The exhibition hall in National Museum consists of two parts, exhibition hall in the Gajah (Elephant) Building and the one in Arca (Statue) Building. Exhibition Hall in the Gajah Building still maintains the arrangement system as in the colonial era, while the one in Arca Building is a new building with a thematic arrangement to present the whole aspects Indonesian people life.

Exhibition hall in Arca Building has four levels; level one presents the human and environment theme; level two of scientific, economical and technological theme; level three of social organization and thinking pattern theme; and level four presents the collections of gold and foreign ceramic. Read more...

Collections of National Museum of Indonesia (Museum Nasional Indonesia)

National Museum has more than 140,000 collections consist of prehistoric collection, archeological collection, foreign ceramic collection, numismatic/heraldic collection, colonial collection, ethnographical and geographic collection.

Archeological collections of National Museum are in the forms of cultural objects from the era of Hinduism and Budhaism, which better known as Indonesian classic era. Some of the objects are statue of Hindu’s Gods and Bhuda. Most of the collections collected at the Holland colonial era, which was obtained through military and science expedition, somebody’s grant, consignment and purchasing. Read more...

History of National Museum of Indonesia (Museum Nasional Indonesia)

The founding of National Museum of Indonesia (Museum Nasional Indonesia) initiated by the founding of Bataviaasch Genootschap van Kunsten en Wetenschappen association. The association was founded by the government of Holland colony on 24th April 1978. At that time, there was an intellectual revolution (the enlightment era) in Europe, wherein people start to develop science thinking. In 1752 in Haarlem, Nedherland, stand a science association (de Hollandshe Maatschappij der Wetenschappen) which urge Dutch people in Batavia (Indonesia) to found the kind of organization, which later on became Bataviaasch Genootschap van Kunsten en Wetenschappen (BG).

One of the BG founder is JCM Radermacher who granted his house and some collections of books and cultural objects which were very important. Grants from JCM Radermacher are the basis of the museum and library founding. The increase of collections had caused Holland government built Museum in 1862 at the location where the current National Museum of Indonesia (Museum Nasional Indonesia) stands and it was open officially in 1868. Later on the Museum became National Museum of Indonesia (Museum Nasional Indonesia). Read more...

Tips for Fine Art and Ceramic Museum (Museum Seni rupa dan Keramik)

Tips for Fine Art and Ceramic Museum (Museum Seni rupa dan Keramik)

  • Bank Mandiri Museum and Bank Indonesia Museum located at the cross of busway terminal is about 300 meters away from Fine Art and Ceramic Museum. If you are interested in Indonesian money and banking history, then you should visit these museums. You might want to enjoy Kota Tua Station for the unique inside the station, and seeing the activities inside.
  • To reach Fine Art and Ceramic Museum you could ride a taxi or public transportation, like busway. If you choose to ride busway, please ride the first corridor busway with Blok M to Kota Tua route. You need to get off at the Kota Tua Terminal which is the last terminal where the busway will stop before go back to Blok M. You could reach Fine Art and Ceramic Museum by walk from the terminal, since the distance is only about 300 meters, or you could ride a bicycle which local people call as bicycle ojek.
Read more...



Sunday, April 12, 2009

Ceramic Collections at Fine Art and Ceramic Museum (Museum Seni rupa dan Keramik)

Fine Art and Ceramic Museum displays some ceramics from central industry in various territories in Indonesia as well, and some creative cotemporary ceramic from Indonesian ceramic artists. There are also ceramic collections from abroad originated from 16th century to the beginning of 20th century.

Some of them are from Chinese, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, and Europe. The ceramics are in various kind of form including a big vase with leaf motif that was coming from Europe in 20th century, Chinese jug from Ming Dynasty in 16th century, water jar in brown color with seven ears on it and decorated with seven dragon, coming from the Ching Dynasty in China, three colors bowl from Europe in 20th century, and many other beautiful ceramics. Read more...

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Fine Art Collections at Fine Art and Ceramic Museum (Museum Seni rupa dan Keramik)

The Indonesian works of art saved in Fine Art and Ceramic Museum originated from various eras. Some are from the era of Raden Saleh (1800-1880), Charming Indies (1920), Persagi (1938), Japan (1942), the founding of art studio (1945), the born of Realism Academics (1950), and the era of new Indonesian Fine Art.

Some collections of paintings including the painting of “Potret Diri” (means: My Picture) by Affandy, which was painted on a canvas using oil paint, in 1975; “Potret Diri dan Topeng” (means: My Picture and Mask) a painting by Affandy, painted on canvas using oil paint, in 1960; “Menyusui” (means: Milking) painted by Dullah in 1971 ,on a canvas using oil paint; “Barong” painted by anonymous on paper; “Pejuang” (means: Warrior) painted by Agus Djaya on a hardboard using oil paint, in 1957; reproduction of “Gunung Merapi Meletus” (means: Mount Merapi Erupting) in day time and evening time version, painted by Raden Saleh in 1865.

The original painting of “Gunung Merapi Meletus” is saved in Geology Museum, Leiden, Nedherland. The artist that reproduced the painting is Andot Roseno, painted on canvas using oil paint, in 2004. Besides those paintings there’re still many more painting in Fine Art and Ceramic Museum. The museum displays sculptures as well which have both the abstract and realist motif from time to time. One of the sculpture displayed in Fine Art and Ceramic Museum is Totem Asmat. Read more...

Friday, April 10, 2009

History of the Fine Art Hall at Fine Art and Ceramic Museum (Museum Seni rupa dan Keramik)

On 21 January, 1870 the hall was built as a Holland Court or Raad Van Justitie. The hall was ever occupied as military barrack in the era of Nippon colony. In 1967 the hall was occupied as West Jakarta Mayor Office, and until 1975 it was occupied as the office of DKI Jakarta’s Museum and History Official Duty.

In 1972, the hall was determined as a historical building protected by monument law. On 20 August 1976, the hall was officially announced as Fine Art Hall by the second president of Indonesia, Soeharto. Since 1990 the hall was changed to Fine Art and Ceramic Museum, as it’s now. Read more...

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Tips for Shadow Puppet Museum (Museum Wayang)

Tips for Shadow Puppet Museum (Museum Wayang)

  • Shadow Puppet Museum (Museum Wayang) conducts wayang presentation periodically on every second, third and fourth Sunday every month, from 10:00am to 14:00pm.
  • Shadow Puppet Museum (Museum Wayang) located next to Fatahillah Square, and near to Jakarta History Museum (Museum Sejarah Jakarta or Museum Fatahillah) as well as Fine Art and Ceramic Museum (Museum Seni rupa dan Keramik) which are also interesting to visit.
  • Bank Mandiri Museum and Bank Indonesia Museum located at the cross of busway terminal, about 300 meters away from Shadow Puppet Museum (Museum Wayang). If you are interested in Indonesian money and banking history, then you should visit these museums. You might want to enjoy the Kota Tua Station for the unique inside the station, and seeing the activities inside.
  • To reach Shadow Puppet Museum (Museum Wayang) you could ride a taxi or public transportation, like busway. If you choose to ride busway, please ride the first corridor busway with Blok M to Kota Tua route. You need to get off at the Kota Tua Terminal (Old City Terminal) which is the last terminal where the busway will stop before go back to Blok M. You could reach Shadow Puppet Museum (Museum Wayang) by walk from the terminal, since the distance is only about 300 meters, or you could ride a bicycle which local people call as bicycle ojek.
    Read more...

Collections of Shadow Puppet Museum (Museum Wayang)

The collections of Shadow Puppet Museum (Museum Wayang) are very various, in both small and big size. Shadow Puppet Museum (Museum Wayang) collects Indonesian leather wayangs, like Kedu, Tejokusuman, Ngabean, Surakarta, Banyumas, Cirebon, Gedog, Sadat, Madia Krucil, Sasak, Kaper, Wahyu, Kijang Kencana, Ukur, Suluh, Klitik, and Beber.

Shadow Puppet Museum (Museum Wayang) has collections of scarce wayang as well like Intan wayang, Suket, Beber and Revolusi. Besides, Shadow Puppet Museum (Museum Wayang) also has some collections of wooden wayang like Catur, Cepak Cirebon, Kebumen, Pekalongan, Bandung, Gundala-Gundala from Tanah Karo, and Si Gale-Gale from Tanah Batak.

There are collections of mask which were sourced from Cirebon, Bali, and Center Java. Some other stuffs are also displayed in Wayang Museum, like gamelan, Blencong lamp, glass wayang, zinc wayang, and paintings. There’re some collections that sourced from abroad, some of them are from Kelantan, Malaysia, Suriname, France, Cambodia, and Thailand.

World Heritage of Masterpiece Creation
On 7th November, 2003, the United Nation recognized Indonesian wayang as the world heritage of masterpiece creation. Hence, if you visit Jakarta you should put Shadow Puppet Museum (Museum Wayang) in one of interesting places list that you must visit. Read more...

History of Shadow Puppet Museum (Museum Wayang) Building

Shadow Puppet Museum (Museum Wayang) Building was constructed at a former old church location, which built by VOC in 1640 with a name of “de oude Hollandsche Kerk”. The church was functioned as a house of worship for Dutch civil and military in Indonesia until 1732. In 1733 the church was renovated and the name was changed to be “de nieuwe Hollandsche Kerk”.

The building existed until 1808, until an earthquake broke it making the church could not be occupied anymore. On the location where the church previously stood, a building then constructed, it's the one stands there currently, which initially functioned as a warehouse belonged to Geo Wehry & Co.

Initially in 1912, the front side of Shadow Puppet Museum (Museum Wayang) was constructed with a Neo Renaissance style, but then in 1938 the whole building was renovated and adjusted to be like Dutch buildings in the colonization time. The open garden of which located at Shadow Puppet Museum (Museum Wayang) the former yard of the Holland church was estimated as the funeral of General Governor Jan Peiterszoon Coen. Read more...

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Tips for Jakarta History Museum (Museum Sejarah Jakarta or Museum Fatahillah)

Tips for Jakarta History Museum (Museum Sejarah Jakarta or Museum Fatahillah)

  • Bank Mandiri Museum and Bank Indonesia Museum located at the cross of busway terminal, about 300 meters away from Jakarta History Museum. If you are interested in Indonesian money and banking history, then you should visit these museums. You might want to enjoy the Kota Tua Station for the unique inside the station, and seeing the activities inside.
  • To reach Jakarta History Museum (Museum Sejarah Jakarta or Museum Fatahillah) you could ride a taxi or public transportation, like busway. If you choose to ride busway, please ride the first corridor busway with Blok M to Kota Tua (Old City) route. You need to get off at the Kota Tua Terminal which is the last terminal where the busway will stop before go back to Blok M. You could reach Jakarta History Museum (Museum Sejarah Jakarta or Museum Fatahillah) by walk from the terminal, since the distance is only about 300 meters, or you could ride a bicycle which local people call as bicycle ojek. Read more...

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Jagur Cannon at Jakarta History Museum (Museum Sejarah Jakarta or Museum Fatahillah)

Si Jagur cannon was from in Macao. The cannon was brought to Malako by the Portugal fleet that was dominating Malaka at that time. In 1641 the Dutch fleet brought the cannon to Batavia. The weight of Si Jagur cannon is 3.5 tons with length of 3.84 meters and 25 cm diameter of the pitch.

There’s a script “Ex me ipsa renata sum” written on the cannon, which means “from myself, I’m reborn”. Some people believe that Si Jagur cannon is the symbol of fertility, may be because of the script and the how the finger shaped at the back end of its body. Read more...

Si Jagur Cannon at Jakarta History Museum (Museum Sejarah Jakarta or Museum Fatahillah)

Si Jagur cannon was from in Macao. The cannon was brought to Malako by the Portugal fleet that was dominating Malaka at that time. In 1641 the Dutch fleet brought the cannon to Batavia. The weight of Si Jagur cannon is 3.5 tons with length of 3.84 meters and 25 cm diameter of the pitch.

There’s a script “Ex me ipsa renata sum” written on the cannon, which means “from myself, I’m reborn”. Some people believe that Si Jagur cannon is the symbol of fertility, may be because of the script and the how the finger shaped at the back end of its body. Read more...

Statue of Hermes at Jakarta History Museum (Museum Sejarah Jakarta or Museum Fatahillah)

In the Greek mythology Hermes was the God of fortune, protector for the traders, and the news sender God. Hermes Statue at the garden side in the museum was a grant from the Ernst Stolz family to thank Batavia governor for the opportunity to trade in Nederland Indies. Read more...

Prison Underground at Jakarta History Museum (Museum Sejarah Jakarta or Museum Fatahillah)

The prison located underneath the building under the garden side in the museum. The hall shaped as half round, dark and musty. The wall of the prison made of concretes with iron bars at the front side. You still can see the iron balls as sized as volleyball which used to be tied up to the prisoners feet. Read more...

Collections of Jakarta History Museum (Museum Sejarah Jakarta or Museum Fatahillah)

Jakarta History Museum (Museum Sejarah Jakarta) has up to 23,500 collections which some inherited from Oud Batavia Museum or Old Jakarta Museum, received from the government of DKI Jakarta, individual or institution grants.

Material of the collection were varied, some are of medal, wood, crystal, ceramic, earthenware, porcelain, leather, paper, cloth, and bones. Some collections of Jakarta History Museum (Museum Sejarah Jakarta) are partitions, execution sword, archives cabinet, paintings, and stuffs from prehistoric society, ancient inscription, and weapons.

Some of the collections had been more than 1500 years old, especially those stuffs from the prehistoric age. Some of the stuffs are stone axe, rectangular pickax, and earthenware flask. You could see the underground prison, statue of Hermes and Si Jagur cannon in the garden side in the museum. Read more...

The Building History of Jakarta History Museum (Museum Sejarah Jakarta or Museum Fatahillah)

In VOC era the building where Jakarta History Museum (Museum Sejarah Jakarta or Museum Fatahillah) currently stands was occupied as the municipal hall or Staadhuis. Municipal Hall of Batavia was built in 1620 by the General Governer, Jan Pieterszoon, who built Batavia.

On 25th Januari 1707 the old municipal hall was demolished to build a new municipal hall as what it is now, under the governance of General Governer Abraham Van Riebeeck on 10th July 1710. The municipal hall was also ever occupied as Raad Van Justitie or justice council which handled civil and criminal cases in Batavia.

Defendant of any case must be cooped up in the underground prison with cuffed hands. To those defendants that were proved guilty or regarded as a rebel to the Dutch Government might be hung in the front of Staadhuis. As the other municipal hall in Europe, the municipal hall of Batavia was supplemented with a square, named as Stadhuisplein.

In 1973, the government of DKI Jakarta changed the square name became Fatahillah Square, to memorize General Fatahillah, the founder of Jakarta city. Read more...

Monday, April 6, 2009

History of Jakarta History Museum (Museum Sejarah Jakarta or Museum Fatahillah)

In 1937, Oud Batavia Foundation proposed a plan to establish a museum about Batavia’s history. The foundation then bought a warehouse of a company, Geo Wehry & Co, that was located at Jl. Pintu Besar Utara no. 27 (now it’s the building used as Wayang Museum).

The warehouse was then renovated as Oud Batavia Museum. In 1939 the museum was open for public. After the independence of Indonesia the name of the museum was changed to Old Djakarta Museum, under the responsibility of Indonesian Culture Institution.

In 1968 the Old Jakarta Museum was handed over to DKI Jakarta’s government. On 30th March, 1974 the museum name officially changed to Jakarta History Museum by the government in-charged, Ali Sadikin. Read more...

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Tips for Gelanggang Samudera

Tips for Gelanggang Samudera

  • When you plan to see all the attractions and Theater 4-D at Gelanggang Samudera and visiting other facilities at Ancol (like SeaWorld and Dunia Fantasy), you need to come early in the morning, so you can see all Gelanggang Samudera’s attractions by noon time, and visit other facilities at Ancol Dreamland Park afterwards.
  • The most favorable presentation at Gelanggang Samudera is dolphin attractions and Theater 4-D. In case you have limited time at least don’t miss those two presentations.
  • When you see dolphin and white whale presentations it’s better not to take seat at the first to third line of the tribune, since many kids and their parents that like to stand in front of the pool that at the end block the vies of audiences from the first to third line. Line four and higher would be more ideal to enjoy the show. Visitors has the freedom to sit anywhere at the tribune, there’s no seat number.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Presentation and Theater 4-D Schedules at Gelanggang Samudera

The schedules of Theater 4-D and presentations at Gelanggang Samudera are as follow (based on May 2008 update):

* Presentation of several wild animals, everyday on 09:45, 12:15 and 14:45.
* Sea lion presentation: everyday on 10:45, 13:15 and 15:45.
* Dolphin and white whale presentation: everyday on 11:30, 14:00 and 16:45.
* Theater 4-D: everyday on 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00 and 16:15. There are extra shows on Sunday and holidays which are on 11:00 and 17:30.

Please take note that above schedule can be changed by the management anytime. Read more...

Friday, April 3, 2009

Facilities at Gelanggang Samudera

There’re several facilities you can enjoy in Gelang Samudera, Ancol, such as presentation of variouse marine animal, sea lions, dolphin and white whale, four dimensions theater, aquarium, marine museum and gift shop.

Presentation of several wild animals will provide you with a show of wild animals doing such activities that usually done by human, like riding bicycle, playing balls, wearing necklace, and dancing. Bear, orang utan, otter (wild cat), and hippopotamus.

Walrus attractions presents several attractions conducted by walrus like raising flag, washing face, applying umbrella, playing balls, and clapping hands. The walrus collections of Gelanggang Samudera were originated from Japan and United States.

Dolphin and white whale attractions are interesting attractions conducted by dolphin and while whale. Dolphin attractions are including jumping through fire circle, pushing a boat, counting and making a circle. During the show the dolphin’s trainer would call one kid from the audience to be kissed by the dolphin. The attractions by white whale are including singing and kissing one of the audiences while spraying waters to the audiences. Dolphin and white whale attractions conducted in a pool which depth is 6 meters, at an auditorium with 2500 people capacity.

Theater 4-D presents movie in three dimensions with additional special effect to surprise the visitors, such as the wind blowing sensation, water spray, shakes and chair moving. The special effect is adjusted based on the story as in the film presented.

Gelanggang Samudera - Ancol has both freshwater aquarium and saltwater aquarium. Freshwater aquarium has many kinds of freshwater fauna collections in it, including Arwana (from Indonesia), sorubin lima fish, alligator, and silver dollar. The collections you can find in saltwater aquarium are including seafish and baronang fish.

Marine museum has collections of preserved corals, sea mohisha, anatomy of sea lion and porpoise. You can also see the skeleton of whale in marine museum. Read more...

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Tips for Seaworld Indonesia

Tips for Seaworld Indonesia

  • The feeding attractions of marine animals at Seaworld Indonesia are very interesting. The visitors of Seaworld Indonesia are usually very antusiastic to see the feeding of sharks and piranhas. If you’re interested to see these attractions too, you may fit your visiting time to their feeding schedule.
  • Seaworld Indonesia is located next to Gelanggang Samudera, an exhibition arena for dolphins, white whale and sea lions that accompanied with four dimensions theater (Theater 4-D). You might want to schedule on visiting Gelanggang Samudera as well once you’re done with Seaworld Indonesia. Read more...

Feeding Schedules animals at Seaworld Indonesia

Feeding Schedules animals at Seaworld Indonesia

Feeding the marine animals is a very interesting show to see at Seaworld Indonesia. The feeding schedules at Seaworld Indonesia are as follow:

  • For sting rays, seafish, turtle and other fishes in the main saltwater aquarium are to be feed on 11:00 and 15:30 on Monday to Friday, and on 11:00, 14:00 and 16:30 on every weekend and holidays.
  • Aquarium for sharks to be feed everyday on 14:00pm.
  • Sharks and turtle collections in the pool that can be touched by visitors to be feed everyday on 10:00, 13:30 and 17:00.
  • Crocodile babies to be feed everyday on 14:00pm.
  • Dugong to be feed everyday on 09:15, 11:30 and 14:30.
  • Piranha to be feed on 09:30 am every Monday to Friday and on 12:00pm on weekend and holidays. Read more...

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Antasena Tunnel at Seaworld Indonesia

Antasena Tunnel is a tunnel which length is 80 meters equipped with conveyer to let the visitors to just enjoy seeing and observing the fishes in the aquariam covering the tunnel without any need to walk around.

The conveyor will bring the visitors go along the tunnel. The huge aquarium that cover the tunnel makes it as if the visitors walk in it is in the bottom of an ocean with thousands of fishes swimming above them.

There’re also other kinds of facilities in Seaworld Indonesia, such as gift shop sells many kinds of things related with marine animals, library consists of books about maritime matters, restaurant where the visitors can eat and drink, and touch screen computer for the visitors to take quizzes on maritime matters. Read more...