Indonesia

When I visited the News 7 Wonders of the World, I couldn't help but noticed that there's nothing in the list from Indonesia. Not that we're lacking in that deaprtment mind you. Actually, we've quite a few that may made it into the list, if only more Indonesians were connected to Internet and aware of the project. Anyway, let's start with Borobudur. The Borobudur Monument Borobudur is a ninth century Buddhist Mahayana monument in Central Java, Indonesia. The monument comprises six square platforms topped by three circular platforms, and is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues Borobudur is built as a single large stupa, and when viewed from above takes the form of a giant tantric Buddhist mandala, simultaneously representing the Buddhist cosmology and the nature of mind. Approximately 55,000 m³ (almost 2 million cubic feet) of stones were taken from neighbouring rivers to build the monument. Borobudur differs markedly with the general design of other structures built for this purpose. Instead of building on a flat surface, Borobudur is built on a natural hill. The building technique is, however, similar to other temples in Java. With no inner space as in other temples and its general design similar to the shape of pyramid, Borobudur was first thought more likely to have served as a stupa, instead of a temple (or candi in Indonesian). A stupa is intended as a shrine for the Lord Buddha.

Emaar Properties, a company with about US$ 25 billion market value, will invest more than US$ 600 million in Lombok to build eco-friendly tourism infrastructure in Lombok. Lombok has been gaining popularity with tourists with its pristine beach, also to surfers. Emaar has not failed to spot this opportunity. Work is already ...

With Muslims totalling 90% of the population, Indonesia is a natural destination for Muslim tourists. Thamrin Bachri, director-general of tourism at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, said visitors from the Arab world can feel at home with nearly all hotels in Java are equipped with special rooms for prayer ...