Trekking to Mt. Rinjani’s Mystifying

Trekking to Mt. Rinjani’s Mystifying

Trekking to Mt. Rinjani’s Mystifying

Danau Segara Anak is a volcanic lake formed in the caldera of Mount Rinjani on over 2,000 meters above sea level. The lake spans across an area of 11 square kilometers, and reaches depths up to 230 meters. Danau Segara Anak is located on the west side of Mount Rinjani in the village of Lawang Sembalun in Lombok, East Indonesia. The mystifyingly blue colour of the lake gives Segara Anak its name: Small Ocean.

The trek from the Senaru Village, and through the crater to Danau Segara Anak takes two days and a night. 

It begins with a hike through a lush, tropical rainforest, and up the mountain to the rim of the crater. The trek to the Senaru rim is a challenging climb up steep terrain and high cliffs, but the exhaustion is well rewarded by the breathtaking panoramic view of the sun setting over Mount Rinjani, Bali and the Gili Isles on the horizon, and the dazzling blue waters of Segara Anak glistening hundreds of meters below.

The top of the crater is a popular camp site for both foreign and domestic tourists on this journey to spend the night. It is advisable to set a morning alarm so as not to miss the magnificence of dawn from atop Rinjani.From the crater’s rim, it is a sharp descent of about 600 meters to Danau Segara Anak.

Part of Segara Anak

Part of Segara Anak flows down a steep ravine forming one large waterfall and several smaller ones. There are also four natural hot springs in the lake which are said to hold magical healing powers, and many make the climb solely for medicinal purposes.

Despite its high altitudes, taking a dip in the lake is not as cold as one might imagine. 2,010 meters above sea level, the surface water of the lake is unusually warm for such heights, at about 20-22 degrees Celsius—well above the mountain’s “room temperature,” which is about 14-15 degrees Celsius.

Between 2008 and 2009, researchers of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation as well as UniversiteLibre de Bruxells conducted a geochemical and thermodynamic study on Segara Anak. The tests showed several leaks in the volcanic system of Gunung Baru; the cone in the center of the lake.

These leaks from the magma chamber seep a large supply of hot water into Segara Anak, indicating a direct relationship between volcanic activity and the lake’s high temperature. The geochemical composition of the hot water showed a number of elements such as chloride, sodium, potassium, and sulphate. Although rich in elements, rainwater that enters the lake assists in thinning its chemical content. Segara Anak also maintains excellent circulation, and is therefore not harmful to life.

April 09, 2016 0

Pura Besakih

Pura Besakih

Pura Besakih

Rising majestically on the western slopes of Mount Agung, and referred to as the Mother Temple of Hindu Bali, is Pura Besakih, or the Besakih temple, covering a vast area that offers breathtaking mountain scenery surrounding this beautiful and artistic temple complex.

Facing Mt. Agung’s highest peak, believed to be the abode of the gods, and located at an altitude of 900 meters, Pura Besakih is built in the village of Besakih, in the eastern part of Bali. The name Besakih comes from the word “Basuki”, derived from the word “Wasuki” which means Salvation in the classical Sanskrit language. Whereas, in the Samudramanthana mythology, the same name “Besuki” in fact refers to the Dragon-God “Naga Besukian”, who inhabited Gunung Agung, the main volcano in Bali.

This grand temple complex has been revered as a holy place since ancient times. The first recorded mention of its existence comes from an inscription dating back to 1007 AD. It is known that since the 15th century Besakih was regarded as the central temple of Hinduism in Bali.

Pura Penataran Agung

Pura Penataran Agung, or the “Great Temple of State” is the center of the temple complex and is is Bali’s main place of worship, a complex comprising twenty-two temples on six rising terraces set on parallel ridges.

This complex expresses the essential belief of the Balinese known as Tri Hita Kirana, meaning that life on earth must be lived and kept in balance and harmony between man and God, man and society and his fellow human beings, and man and his natural environment.

During a full moon, Balinese and pilgrims throng to the temple. During the festival of Odalan, the temple is most elaborately decorated. Odalan is celebrated on every 210th day.

Away from the loud parties of Kuta Beach, leaving the thrilling waves of Uluwatu behind and the modern facilities of Nusa Dua, then traveling beyond enchanting Ubud, a visit to Pura Besakih is truly a spiritual experience into the heart of Balinese religious and cultural life.

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April 09, 2016 0

Mentawai Island

Mentawai Island

Mentawai Island

Take a trip into the wild with an adventure to the Mentawai islands. Be surrounded by tropical rainforests and immerse yourself in the traditions of the local people. While the physical distance between the mainland and Mentawai is not great, this remains one of the most isolated places in Indonesia, and was only subject to outside influences at the start of the 20th century. A long way from the world of shopping malls and theme parks, this is where travellers come to get a truly off the beaten track adventure.

Mentawai Island

Located off the West coast of Sumatra, the Mentawai archipelago includes four municipalities, Siberut, Sipora, North Pagai and South Pagai. is the biggest of the Siberut islands and remains largely covered with tropical rainforest. From the moment you arrive on and see the white coral beaches, ancient rainforests and hear the cheeky black gibbons playing in the trees you’ll find it hard to resist falling in love with the place. This Siberut island is home to a rich array of bio-diversity which has earned it designation as a UNESCO biosphere reserve.

The remote location of these islands means that the Mentawai people have had very little contact with the outside world. The archipelogo is thought to have broken off from the rest of Sumara about 500,000 years ago and it is only since the 20th century that outside influences began to have an impact on the local people. Today, the Mentawai still abide by traditional practices and live largely off the land. Local people have a strong spiritual relationship with the forest with a belief system that emphasizes harmony with creation.

It is believed people first came to inhabit these islands at least several thousand years ago. Most anthropologists classify the Mentawai people as Protomalay which means they have a mostly Neotlithic culture but have not been effected by Buddhism, Islam or Hinduism.

Tatoos are an important symbol in Mentawai culture and reflect maturity, manhood and status. The art of this body painting has been inherited from ancient ancestors and the ink is made from natural fibres.

The biggest town on Siberut is Muara Siberut on the southeast coast. This is the major point of entry for tour groups from the mainland. From here, you can travel with a with a local guide and trek inland to some of the Mentawai villages. If your bahasa is good enough, chat to the locals and enjoy their hospitality.

The other big attraction for visitors to these islands is the world class surfing. With some of the best surfing conditions in the world, monster waves and swells that remain all year round, this is ranked by serious surfers as a must visit destination.

April 09, 2016 5

The palace of Yogyakarta, (Keraton)

The palace of Yogyakarta, (Keraton)

The palace of Yogyakarta, (Keraton)

The palace of Yogyakarta, known as the Keraton (also spelled kraton or karaton), is a grand complex that was meticulously planned to reflect the Javanese cosmos. This splendid example of traditional Javanese architecture has no equal. Designed and built in stages, the Keraton was completed in 1790.

This elegant complex of pavilions was constructed entirely on ancient beliefs and each feature of the complex, from the courtyards to the trees, has a special symbolic meaning related to sophisticated Javanese world view.

The Keraton

The Keraton is built facing directly north towards the majestic Mt. Merapi with to its south backing the Indian Ocean which is believed to be the abode of Kanjeng Ratu Loro Kidul, the Queen of the South Seas and the mystical consort of the Sultan. Malioboro road was originally used as the ceremonial route, not unlike London’s Pall Mall, and forms a straight line drawn from the Sultan’s palace to the Merapi volcano.

A green square called alun-alun fronting the palace, has a large banyan tree in its center, while behind the palace is another similar square. When a sultan dies, the cortege leaves by the southern gate on its way to the cemetery of kings at Imogiri.

This palace was designed to be more than just a royal residence. It was built to be a focal point of the Sultan’s entire kingdom. Today, the Keraton is a piece of living history and tradition. It continues to be used, both as a home of the Sultan as well as for other important ceremonial and cultural functions of the Yogya court.

The present Sultan Hamengku Buwono X of Yogyakarta retains the title of Sultan although Yogya has become one of the provinces of the Republic of Indonesia. The Sultan of Yogya,is also the governor of the province, and is still considered the cultural head of this region, and is greatly loved by his subjects.

Even with Yogya’s modernization, the Keraton of Yogya continues to be respected by the people of Yogya, steeped as it is in mysticism and philosophy. In the afternoons, after the palace is closed to visitors, women in traditional costume can be seen respectfully sprinkling water and flowers on the pillars, lighting incense to “cleanse” the keraton from evil spirits.

April 08, 2016 0

Anai Resort and Golf Course

Anai Resort and Golf Course

Anai Resort and Golf Course

The Anai resort is located in gorgeus natural setting rounghly 550 meters above sea level. This eighteen hole course's length spans to 5,552 meters. The course itself was designed by Thomson, Wolveridge and Perret in 1996.

While challenging this 72 par course, you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views of Mount Tandikat, Mount Merapi and Mount Singgalang.

The temperature's quite hot. So it's a perfect setting to don your newly-bought hat. And don't worry, the clubhouse's also equipped with a swimming pool and a bar.

This resort is incorporating first-class hotel facilities. So you're all set. But if you wish to explore other areas of Padang, you can also find a hotel in the city. Just click the "Find Hotel" button on the bottom-right corner. Or check our Travel Directory (West Sumatra --> Kota Padang).

Anai Resort and Golf Course

Only an hour away from Padang, the capital city of West Sumatra. Depending on your departure point, you can go to Padang from Medan or Batam. If you depart from Jakarta, there's a direct flight to Padang. Taxi services are available in Padang airport. So you can go straight to this resort. For a fee, you can also arrange for them to pick you up at the airport.

April 08, 2016 0

Exploring Panama's Guna Yala territory

Exploring Panama's Guna Yala territory

Exploring Panama's Guna Yala territory

Scattered along the Caribbean coast of Panama, the 365 tiny coconut islands of the San Blas archipelago make up one of Central America's most intriguing destinations.

This is paradise as most of us imagine it, with coral reefs, sunken shipwrecks and tropical beaches found in every direction.

Throw some thatched dwellings and powdery white sand in the mix, and what’s not to love?

The region is also home to the Guna, the first indigenous group in Latin America to gain political autonomy. While they have embraced outboard motors and mobile phones, much about this culture remains traditional; unlike in more commercial parts of the Caribbean, visiting the Comarca de Guna Yala will give you a chance to embrace local customs. Planning a trip might require a bit more preparation, but luckily we've come up with a handy guide to help you navigate this fascinating place.
The quirks of island living

The San Blas archipelago consists of community islands and outer islands or resorts. The community islands, closer to the mainland, are densely packed with bamboo huts, livestock and people; they are more likely to have budget lodgings, but the hustle and bustle may not live up to your expectations of a remote tropical paradise. The outer islands are only inhabited by caretakers who stay to watch over coconut groves on a rotating basis, and while the latter make for a more appealing vacation setting, there may be little opportunity to interact with locals or get a handle on the culture.

As you might imagine, the culinary scene in the region is fresh and local, with a heavy slant toward seafood. Meals usually consist of fish and rice, with lobster or octopus occasionally available for a few more dollars. Fruit is imported from the mainland and may be in scarce supply, so it’s alright to bring your own.

Learn about Guna traditions

The Guna people make up one of the largest indigenous groups in the country, and they work hard to protect the Comarca from unwanted westernization. Be mindful of this as you move through the region – take the time to learn about the Guna way of life and interact with the locals. Knowing even a basic greeting (na is hello, thank you is dot nuet) can be helpful in establishing goodwill. The Guna also throw a good party: check out the Nogagope, a traditional dance celebration that takes place on Isla Tigre, or the February 25 celebration of the Guna Revolution of 1925.

Admire the colorful molas, decorative panels women sew onto their blouses, for sale at the local markets; in the Guna culture, having an elaborate one – with tiny stitching, many layers of fabrics and good designs – is a point of pride. As molas have become popular with travelers, they are now often used as decor, framed to put on the wall or sewn onto throw pillows.

April 08, 2016 0