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Overview Central Kalimantan, dominated by the indigenous Dayaks , is known as the lung of the world for its vast and fertile tropical jungles and forests. The northern mountain chain, the Schwaner Range, is home to some of the most pristine forests in Kalimantan. Certain areas are within WWF’s Heart of Borneo conservation initiative signed by the 3 nations, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.   These mountains are the source of 11 mighty rivers intersecting the vast lowland peat swamps and finishing their journey in dense, crocodile infested mangroves along the estuaries of Central Kalimantan. Peat swamps are home to iconic Bornean fauna, the orangutan, the proboscis monkey and red leaf eating monkey and many bird species. Deer, clouded leopards, porcupines, sun bears, giant pythons, magnificent hornbills, monitor lizards and wild civet cats also share this jungle habitat. Its capital, Palangkaraya is the natural starting point for exploring the region, having...

Overview Beautiful underwater gardens featuring fascinating coral reefs decorated with various shapes, sizes, and colors of many sea creatures, that is the view that awaits snorkelers and divers under the crystal clear waters of Abang Island, south of Batam in the province of the Riau Archipelago . Abang Island is surrounded by many other small islands, most of which are conservation areas for coral reefs, while the main island of Abang only measures around 10 square kilometers. With relatively shallow waters –around 15 to 18 meters deep- this fascinating underwater wonder is a perfect spot for both diving and snorkeling. Its beauty is often compared to that of the waters around Komodo Island National Park, Bunaken , and Raja Ampat , since COREMAP (Coral Reef Rehabilitation and Management Programs) itself  has also designated the area as site for a special underwater coral reef observation center. Above the surface, the landscape of Abang Island is st...

Overview After an hour’s drive from the city of Padang to its northeastern outskirts, the road splits. Lake Singkarak lies to the left and Sawahlunto to the right, some 95 kilometers from Padang .   Sawahlunto is known as the town of the ‘ black pearl’ harking back to the once-abundant coal which was the town’s prominent product. Today, approaching the town one finds deserted rail roads, stepped rice fields, and the familiar Minangkabau rumah gadang upsweeping roofs dotting the wayside between the busy town of Solok and Koto Sungai Lasi and on to the town of Sawahlunto, a quiet cluster of heritage charm on the slopes of Muara Bungo’s valleys, set among rainforests. The town is quite small, but there is a lot to discover. It was William Hendrik de Greeve , a Dutch Geologist, who discovered the site in the early 19 th century, and found it rich in coal deposits, known as the Black Pearl.  And so Dutch  first investments in coal mining was made ...

Overview Deep within the Telun Seblat National Park, neatly concealed behind a tangle of thick foliage, the sounds of roaring waters splashing over rocks can be heard. After a laborious yet rewarding climb up Mount Kerinci, or perhaps a leisurely stroll through the Kayu Aro tea plantations,Telun Smoky Falls is the decoration atop the cake, or the final step in a perfect adventure through the Kerinci Regency in Jambi Province. As with many waterfalls, Telun Smoky Falls was created by erosion, through the process of fast flowing waters passing through a large rock formation. Telun Smokey Falls, however, retains its own distinct allure. The waters of Telun Smokey Falls begin at Lake Gunung Tujuh, or Lake Of Seven Mountains. The streams then pass through steep rifts and ravines amidst rocks and boulders before crashing down from a height of approximately 50 meters into the rocky pool below. The sheer height of the waterfall causes the fallen droplets to create a sort...

Overview As far as surfing goes in Indonesia, the Bay of Sorake and Lagundri Beach on Nias island is THE ultimate destination. Nias’ Sorake Bay is an internationally renowned surfing spot, and has become one of surfing’s most exotic wave-searching destinations. Every year, surfers flock from across the globe for a chance at its legendary point break. International surfing competitions have been held in Nias since 1993, and even the World Championship Surfing competition in 2000. Touted as the second best surfing spot in the world after Hawaii, the bay is located in the district of Teluk Dalam on the Southern tip of Nias Island . Nias is the name of the archipelago off the west coast of North Sumatra consisting of 131 islands. Nias Island is the largest, covering an area of about 5,000 square kilometers—slightly smaller than Bali . Of the 27 islands immediately surrounding Pulau Nias, only 11 are inhabited. Pulau Nias itself is approximately 125 km west of Sumat...

Overview Situated within the  Tanjung Peropa Nature Reserve  at the  Sumber Sari Village, Moramo District, in the Konawe Regency, some  60km from  Kendari , capital city of  South Sulawesi ,  is the  Moramo Waterfall , one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Indonesia. Formed by thousands of  years of natural processes, the waterfall truly offers a magnificent view of rushing water cascading over huge granite boulders with  heights  somewhere between a half  to 3 meters. The beauty of the  Moramo waterfall even led the local Konawe people to believe that angels frequently descend from heaven to bathe in its refreshing stream. The enchanting beauty of the waterfall is often enhanced  with the appearance of colorful rainbows crowning over  the rushing waters. With a total area of 38.937 hectares,the  Moramo Waterfall is surrounded by the splendors of lush green sceneries accompanied by  the...

Mount Lesung, - or Gunung Lesung - in North Bali is decorated with three lakes, which are: Lake Buyan , Lake Beratan and Lake Tamblingan , where nature has been kept almost untouched.  All three lakes are the life-source for the surrounding communities. Located by the village of Munduk in the sub-regency of Banjar in the regency of Bulelemg, Tamblingan is a relatively small lake covering  a surface of only around 1.5 square kilometers with a depth of 90 meters. The name Tamblingan is derived from the word  tamba meaning medicine or medicinal, and   elingang meaning spiritual. Legend goes that between the 10th to the 14th century the residents of  four villages surrounding the lake, namely the villages of  Munduk, Gobleg, Gesing, and  Umejero were tasked to guard over the sanctity of the lake. But one day suddenly all four villages were stricken by an infectious disease. Hereupon, a holy priest went down to the lake to fetch...

Tower House or Houses Godang is the name for the traditional Minangkabau house which is the traditional home and many have encountered in the province of West Sumatra , Indonesia . This house is also known by other names by local people with the name Home Bagonjong or there is also a mention of the name of Baanjuang House . The house with this model were also encountered in Negeri Sembilan , Malaysia . However, not all regions of the Minangkabau ( darek ) may be established custom home , only in areas that already have the status of a village 's House Tower should be established . Likewise, in the area called the shoreline , this custom home was once nothing is established by the nomads Minangkabau . House Tower as a place to live together , have separate provisions . Number of rooms depends on the number of women who live in it . Every woman in the house who had married obtain ...

Tumbuk Lado a traditional dagger weapon derived from the Riau Islands . Dagger itself is a term for a traditional weapon known in the community Bugis and some areas in Sumatra . Meanwhile , TumbukLada or Tumbuk Lado ( Riau ) is a traditional weapon Malay and Malay Peninsula communities . No wonder if Badik Tumbuk Lado has similarities with weapons from other regions of the Malay peninsula even with neighboring Malaysia . Riau Islands inhabited by various races and ethnicities . However , the majority of the nation's indigenous population is Malay . Therefore , the culture of the Riau area , many have in common with the original population of the territory of other wither . Tumbuk Lado dagger stabbing weapon is a type of size 27 to 29cm and a width of about 3.5 to 4cm . This weapon is not only used by the people of Jambi , and also has similarities with the dagger Bugis differ ...