Indonesia

On one of television channel, we can see a spot where a old lady sits on a boat and raises her thumb. You know what, the location of the spot is in Banjarmasin, the capital city of South Kalimantan. The location is known as Floating Market (Pasar Terapung, Ind).

As a usual market on other city, the buying and selling transactions happen there, the difference is those transactions to be done on the boat both the buyers and/or the sellers. This market is only active from 05.30 WIT until 09.00 WIT.

Unfortunately, the Banjarmasin government officers see this market as an ‘usual’ market. I think they don’t have a plan to convert this ‘usual’ market become a potential place for tourism. I believe this unique market can become a favourite place.

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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. Read full entry »

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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 underway to build the international airport. Several airlines have also promised to open route to it.

The project has been blessed by Indonesian Vice President, Jusuf Kalla. Emaar. the biggest Arab property company, promised that the development will keep the environment intact and safe, while building the local economy significantly with the money brought by the incoming tourists. It’s estimated that about 2 million tourists will visit new resort yearly.

Emaar is planning to finish all works by 2009. Here’s looking out for the new Bali.

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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 and food which conform to halaal laws.

Although the country receives a large number of visitors - with an estimated 5 million tourists in 2006 and more than 6 million predicted for 2007 - there were only about 60,000 tourists from Midle Eastern countries. Indonesia is aiming this number to increase to 100,000 in 2007, and to 150,000 in 2008.

“We have more than 17,000 islands, like Java and Bali and it is a great retreat from the desert, with top class golf courses and spas,” said Monika Blachian, PR account manager for Indonesia Tourism at ATM 2007.

Catering to Arabic speakers, most signs are written in Arabic as well as a large percentage of tourist guides speaking Arabic as well. Visas are available on arrival for 22 nations, including Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Regional airlines including Emirates, Etihad, Gulf Air, Kuwait and Qatar also fly to Indonesia each week.

Now the Indonesian Government has introduced a visa-on-arrival scheme for tourists from Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain. The cost is US$ 25 for one month.

The year 2008 is seen as ‘Visit Indonesia Year’ with the government targeting seven million arrivals to mark the anniversary of the nation’s Awakening Day, which will be celebrated with huge number of events and concerts.

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