The Amazing Wakatobi

Did you know that Indonesia has one of the most beautiful underwater paradise on earth? Underwater paradise known as the Wakatobi National Park is located in Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. Wakatobi is the capital of Wangi-Wangi. Wakatobi consists of four major islands, namely Wangiwangi, Kalidupa, Tomia, and Binongko. So, Wakatobi is an acronym for the name of the four main islands. Prior to December 18, 2003, these islands are called Junior Iron Islands and is still a part of Buton. Astronomically, Wakatobi located south of the equator, and like other regions in Indonesia, Wakatobi has two seasons, rainy and dry seasons. Wakatobi National Park established in 1996, with a total area of ​​1.39 million hectares, involving marine biodiversity and coral which occupies one of the highest priority position of marine conservation in Indonesia.

Taman Nasional Wakatobi: Surga Bawah Laut Yang Menakjubkan


    
"Wakatobi is the most beautiful dive sites in the world." - Jacques Costeau (A journalist submarine world).The beauty and richness of the Wakatobi National Park is already well known abroad, especially after Wallacea expedition from England in 1995 which mentions that the region of Southeast Sulawesi is very rich in coral species. There, there are 750 of the total 850 species of coral in the world. Configuring the depth varies from flat to sloping to the sea, and in some areas there are bertubir steep waters. The deepest waters reaching 1044 meters.Marine tourism is a tourist activity has long been recognized and is the mainstay of tourism in the Wakatobi National Park. The wealth of marine life is not because coral reefs along the vast waters of the underwater topography colorful as slop shape, flat, drop-off, atoll and underwater cave.More than 112 species of corals from 13 families including Acropora formosa, A. Hyacinthus, Psammocora profundasafla, Pavona cactus, Leptoseris yabei, Fungia molucensis, Lobophyllia robusta, Merulina ampliata, Platygyra versifora, Euphyllia glabrescens, Tubastraea frondes, Stylophora pistillata, Sarcophyton throchelliophorum, and Sinularia spp who live in harmony with other underwater inhabitants.Wakatobi National Park: The underwater paradise fish MenakjubkanKekayaan owned this national park as many as 93 species of fish including (Cephalopholus argus), takhasang (Naso unicornis), pogo-pogo (Balistoides viridescens), napoleon (Cheilinus undulatus), red fish (Lutjanus biguttatus), rabbitfish (Siganus guttatus), Amphiprion melanopus, Chaetodon specullum, Chelmon rostratus, Heniochus acuminatus, Lutjanus monostigma, Caesio caerularea, and others.Wakatobi National Park is also a point of some kind of sea birds such as goose-brown stone (Sula leucogaster plotus), Malay plover (Charadrius peronii) and King Prawn Eurasia (Alcedo atthis) nested. Several species of turtles also make this park their home as hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), and fission turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea).
Taman Nasional Wakatobi: Surga Bawah Laut Yang Menakjubkan


Wakatobi waters have loyal guests who make Wakatobi waters as a playground, a guest was none other than the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). Normally, sperm whales are in Wakatobi in November, while the other hemisphere freezes. In the relatively warmer waters of Wakatobi and abundant feed the whales could be filling the stomach. Not only that Wakatobi is also a place to play manta rays (Manta ray) were classified as giant body size. Manta is one of the distinctive and unique fish, which is only found in tropical waters.The presence of 25 pieces of coral reef and depth that makes the waters ideal Park Authority ideal place for various species of marine life to live, make the inhabitants of the sea here has aesthetic value and high conservation.Specifically Park Authority surrounded coast of coral islands along the 600 miles along the beach attractions with huge potential to run, spread throughout the Wakatobi region. So it was not without reason that the beach area in Wakatobi is perfect for sightseeing as diving, snorkeling, swimming and fishing.

Courtesy Of:
http://www.indonesia.travel/id/destination/630/taman-nasional-wakatobi-surga-bawah-laut-yang-menakjubkan

The Charm of Toba Lake

Objek tour in North Sumatra is very diverse, from beautiful scenery, culture, arts, crafts, and food typical of the region. In one area that can be reached within three to four hours from the city of Medan are amazing natural charm and exotic. The natural charm of the blue expanse of water stretching was none other than Lake Toba. Volcanic lake with a length of 100 km and a width of 30 km is very famous in Indonesia and overseas.
Toba Lake

 
Lake Toba in historical story formed as a result of an explosion that occurred about 73000-75000 ago. Explosion occurred during 1 week and throw the dust up to 10 km above sea level. This incident caused mass death and then form a large basin filled with water and become lakes as we see today. Amid the lake there samosir island with an altitude of 1,000 m above sea level.


Scenic beauty of the lake can be enjoyed along the coast lake. From bererapa place surrounding this lake still looks exotic. Talk lake toba sure we do not get out to the surrounding places like parapat, tuktuk, samosir, and the area along the banks of this lake toba.
The increased government attention to the development of this tourist area. Some promotions and events to attract visitors done here. One of the annual events held here is Lake Toba Festival held at City Parapat. A series of performances and arts and cultural attractions displayed here. Welcome and fanfare this grand feast could suck the visitors both local and foreign.


When we went to Lake Toba then we see a stunning addition to the charm of the lake as well the activities of the typical Batak culture. Knick-knacks that Lake Toba is very easy to get to be a souvenir.
Lake Toba in many activities that we can do, from swimming in the lake with a float and tires, sauntering enjoy the lake view and choose souvenirs to take home. Ornaments, carvings, clothes, and various handicrafts at Lake Toba.
For those of you who've been here, definitely wanted to come back and enjoy the natural beauty of the lake are not exhausted from time to time. Especially for those of you who have never been here. Come game come and see for yourself. Surely you will be enchanted by the exotic expanse of Lake Toba is.

Courtesy Of:
http://anstone.wordpress.com/2010/03/05/danau-toba-pesona-eksotis-di-sumatera-utara/

Sorake Beach, So Different

Most of you are probably unfamiliar heard Sorake Beach. The beach is located in the village of Botohilitano, District Teluk Dalam, South Nias regency, North Sumatra Province is well-known in the community is not so common. But for water pari world-class professional surfers, beach Sorake like heaven for them. In addition to excellent surf beauty of this place is also a value added Sorake Beach.
Pantai Sorake, Surfing Sorake, Kompetisi Surfing, Selancar Aceh
Waves in Sorake
 

Sorake Beach waves are quite large, this is how Sorake beach famous among surfers. Waves at the beach is touted as the world's best beaches in Hawaii. Sorake Beach Waves has a height of between 3 to 5 meters. The waves here also has 5 levels that no other beaches. The surfers are also pampered with a wave length of more than 200 meters. Besides INTU waves Sorake Beach also has other features that the waves here are not influenced by the direction of the wind or in tides.
 
Pantai Sorake, Surfing Sorake, Kompetisi Surfing, Selancar Aceh
Sorake Beach


With excess Sorake Beach waves, often held Sorake surfing competitions both nationally and internationally. The surfers also familiar Sorake Beach of the competition held at this beach. Professional surfers from different countries helped enliven Sorake surfing competitions are dominated by surfers from the U.S. and Brazil.
 
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Borobudur Temple

Borobudur is the biggest temple in Indonesia. Borobudur temple is located in Magelang, Central Java, in addition to being a bustling tourist attraction, is also a center of worship for Buddhists in Indonesia, especially at every celebration of Vesak. This is consistent with the meaning of its name is "monastery in the hills". Borobudur Currently established as one of the UNESCO World Heritage.
 
Borobudur Temple
 
 
Borobudur temple is located in Magelang, Central Java, about 40 km from Yogyakarta. Borobudur has 10 levels consisting of 6 levels of a square, circular level 3 circular and a main stupa as a peak. In every level there are several stupas. Altogether there are 72 stupas in addition to the main stupa. In every stupa there is a statue of Buddha. Ten levels of Buddhist philosophy which describes the ten levels of Bodhisattva who must pass to reach the perfection of the Buddha in nirvana. This perfection symbolized by the main stupa at the top level. Borobudur structure when viewed from above form a mandala depicting the structure of Buddhist cosmology and the human way of thinking.

 
Relief

On the four sides of the temple there is a gate and a ladder to the level above it like a pyramid. This illustrates the Buddhist philosophy that all life came from rocks. Stone later became the sand, then into plants, then into the insect, then a wild animal and pets, and the last to be human. This process is known as reincarnation. The last process is the soul and finally into nirvana. Each stage of enlightenment in this life processes based on the philosophy of Buddha depicted in the reliefs and statues throughout the Borobudur Temple.
This huge building just a giant pile of stone blocks which have a total height of 42 meters. Each stone spliced ​​without using cement or adhesive. These stones are only connected by patterns and stacked. The base of Borobudur temple is about 118 m on each side. The stones used approximately 55,000 cubic meters. All of the stone was taken from the river around the Borobudur Temple. These stones are cut and then transported and connected with a pattern like the lego games. All without using glue or cement.
Meanwhile, relief began to be made after the completion of rocks stacked and connected. There reliefs on temple walls. Borobudur has 2670 different relief. Relief is read clockwise. This relief illustrates a story that I read it starts and ends at the gate to the east. This suggests that the main gate of Borobudur temple facing the east like most other Buddhist temples.


Vesak celebration at Borobudur
Every year on the full moon in May (or June in leap years), Buddhists in Indonesia commemorate Vesak at the Borobudur Temple. Vesak is celebrated as the day of birth, death and the time when Siddhartha Gautama obtain the highest wisdom to become the Buddha Shakyamuni. The third event is called Vesak Trisuci. Vesak ceremony centered at three Buddhist temples by walking from Mendut to Pawon and ending at Borobudur.


On the eve of Vesak, particularly during the peak moment of the full moon, Buddhists gathered around Borobudur. At that time, Borobudur is believed to be a gathering place of supernatural powers. According to belief, during Vesak, the Buddha will appear in a look at the top of a mountain in the south.
Vesak at Borobudur

Today, Borobudur has become a tourist attraction which attracts many tourists both local and foreign tourists. Additionally, Borobudur has become a holy place for Buddhists in Indonesia and became the center of an annual celebration of the most important Buddhist Vesak.
Borobudur be one proof of the greatness and human intelligence has ever made in Indonesia. Borobudur become a tourist and cultural sites in Indonesia than Bali and Jakarta. After visiting Borobudur, you can also visit the nearby villages like Karanganyar which has some interesting sights.
 
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