Indonesia

Who doesn’t know Zainuddin MZ? He was well known as a Mufti of a million public. His preach was very famous during 80-90, we can hear his voice everywhere, not only in the side of street but also in the office environment.

This year, his popularity maybe not quite bright since his era (maybe) is over. But still, his charming is still dazzling the audiences. We can prove this by watching his perform in Batam Center Mosque. His preach could attract more than 500 tourists from Malaysia and Singapore.

The preach is a tourism package that was bundled by Culture and Educational Department. Department promote this spiritual tourism package to the neighbour country, such as Malaysia and Singapore. If the prospect is quite good, maybe the promotion will be expanded to other country.

Hmmm, spiritual tourism package for VIY…not bad.
*wink*
*the pic was taken from here*

Sandur is a traditional teatre from Bojonegoro, East Java. The existence of this traditional culture is almost extinct, since there is only one left.

Based on this situation, some teachers proposed to take this traditional culture into the stage. The event, which was held on Bojonegoro, was attended many teachers and public around the stage.

The Sandur group has 25 persons, from the star (main actor), one who strike gamelan (traditional musical instrument), jaran kepang actor, and other participants. Usually, the theme of event is about harvest period.

Well, another almost extinct traditional culture that must be noted, not only by the public, but also local and the central government.

Indonesia has many temples which are spreaded on some locations. For example Borobudur and Prambanan in Central Java. Since Yogya disaster on 2006, there are many damages on those temples which will reduce the beauty of the temples.

So, we need temple restoration to overcome and restore the temple. Even the result won’t be as perfect as used to be, at least we can prevent the heavier damage, so the tourists still can enjoy the temple.

Right now, Indonesia has temple restoration technique that is acknowledged by UNESCO, a part of UN that concern with culture. The technique has many advantages, such as no harm for the environment, and the involve of restoration expert can beat the computerize system.

Hope the restoration progress can be finished soon since this year is Visit Indonesia Year. Don’t miss the moment!!
*the pic was taken from here*

Tahu Campur (well, I couldn’t find the exact word in English for this food, since mixed tofu is not the suitable words, I think) is one of popular food from East Java. If I go to Malang, I usually buy this food with my cousins.

For you who live in Jakarta, just like me, we can find this delicious food in Pondok Indah. There is a warung Pak Joko that sell this food. One portion of the food is quite cheap, it’s about Rp 10,000 (US$ 1 - 1.5), excluded the drink or additional snacks.

This place is open on 17.30 WIB until 00.00 WIB.
*the pic was taken from here*

Mimi Rasinah, which is well known as an Indonesian dancing maestro, is back! Of course, she is not performing dance, since she got stroke for 4 years. She is back to attend on Jakarta Anniversary Festival 2008 in Jakarta Culture Building, Friday night (20/6).

She watched her daughter and grand daughter performed Topeng Dance, a traditional dance from Indramayu. Sometimes she gave instructions by moving her right hand.

Topeng dance is an outstanding dancing from Indramayu, which was spread during Islam dissemination by Wali Songo. This dance was usually performed on Cirebon Palace, then became a traditional dance in Indramayu.

In order to attract tourists, local government in Tojo-Unauna, Palu, will held Togean festival. This festival will be held on July 23-27 2008, the same time with European and American summer holiday.

To promote the festival, the local gov had been already made deals with related sides, especially tourism biro, both domestic and abroad tourism biro. Some preparation had been done, such as equipped and completede the facility, setting a schedule for festival, and many more.

During festival, at least 2 competitions will be held. They are swimming accros island competition and ships decoration.

Togean island is one of best Indonesian marine destinations since there are many floras and faunas on there which can’t be found on other marine destinations.

This destinations, based on data, had been visited by 10,000 visitors a year, but since Poso conflict, the visiting was decreasing. Hope on this year, the tourist visiting traffic will increase.

*the pic was taken from here*

Well, this article not related with Indonesia tourism direct, since this blog should tell about tourism in region in Indonesia. But, this article will tell about Indonesia promotion in abroad.

Hungary is one country where the promotion event was held. The uniqueness of this promotion is the involving of a domestic girl to demonstrate “Tari Kipas” (Fan Dance). She danced on the stage of the promotion event which was held on Indonesia Embassy on Hungary.

During the event, Indonesia Ambassador for Hungary, Mangasi Sihombing promoted about the beauty of Indonesia, many destinations, about the ethnics, and many more.

So far, tourists for Hungarian tourists amount is not significant. Maybe through this promotion, more Hungarian tourists will come to Indonesia.
*the pic was taken from here*

To attract tourists for visiting West Sumatera, one region which has a lot of beautiful destinations, local government must improve some facilities especially transportation facilites since many destinations are unreachable because there are unreasonable roads to reach them. The gov must add some facilities on destinations.

Well, to overcome this, there are many solutions. They are:
- Build and maintain roads towards those destinations
- Equip signs, for safety and hint to destinations
- Build rest rooms
- Preparing railway to visit destinations
- Improve sea vehicles

We are waiting the progress from local government’s action to improve West Sumatera tourism.

During June - August 2008, there is an annually event was held on Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta Art Festival. This year is the 20th of event with theme “The Past Is New: Masa Lalu Selalu Baru”. The opening of event was attended by thousands of people, not only from Jogja, but I’m sure there are many tourists, domestic or abroad, visited and enjoyed the show.

The event took place in Benteng Vredeburg (Vredeburg castil) and Taman Budaya Yogyakarta (Yogyakarta Culture Park).

You can see some pictures here to see how attractive this event.
*the pics and inspiration were taken from here*

Chinese etnis in Indonesia has an unique celebration, called Peh Cun. This celebration, originally, came from China, was held thousand years ago. The reason why Peh Cun celebration was held, there is a prime minister during Han dinasty. His name is Khut Gwam. His heroic actions during officiate the position was a bless for China people on that day.

During Peh Cun, there are many activities. In Indonesia, this year, Peh Cun was held on Parangtritis. Some activities were to be done, such as praying by Buddhism priests, distribution of rice, tumpeng cutting, barongsai, and many more.

There is an unique phenomenon during Peh Cun, we can stand up an egg. The person who can do it, is believed will get some blessing. This phenomenon can be described scientically, since Peh Cun was celebrated on day 5 on the fifth month based on Imlek calendar, on that day, position between the sun and the earth is the closest distance, so the gravity force will increase as the distance.

Well, maybe we can wait next year to try standing up the egg. *grin*
*inspiration of this article was here*