Indonesia

This week, Malaysia made a ‘hot’ movement, by claiming Pendet Bali as Malaysia’ traditional dance. This claim made many Indonesians angry and protest to Malaysia government, especially the dance was inserted into Malaysia tourism commercial break.

After couple days, Indonesia government took an action, by sent a protest note to Malaysia government. Indonesia Minister of Culture and Tourism, Jero Wacik, tried to calm down Indonesian who got angry, by trying to make a diplomatic movement to Malaysia Minister of Tourism.

Well, I hope this claim can be solved soon.

Pic was taken from here.

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One of traditional game in Indonesia is whirligig. On July 2009, there was a national whirligig festival in Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII). This event was held by TMII, collaborated with Tourism & Culture Ministry.

There were many attendees on the festival. They show their whirligig from each district and region in Indonesia. Well, you can see the sample on the pic.

Pic and news from here.

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In West Java, we can found some traditional games that many kids never know or even heard about them.

The games are:

• Cak Teu. We make a puppet and play it with other friends.
• Perepet jengkol. This game is quite similar with hide and seek, but in different method.
• Galah bandung. Hmmm…I can’t explain this one, it’s to complex. ;-)
• Egrang. We use bamboo to play and ride it on.

Hmm…how many games do you know from those list?

News and pic from here.

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For 10 years, the population of komodo, in their own place, Komodo Island, is decreasing quite significant. The decreasing number is about 10 times for last 10 years. So, let’s say, if there were 100 komodos on 1999, there are only 10 komodos today.

Many factors cause this, such as:

• Deers population is decreasing as well
• Wild hunting
• Fire on the jungle
• Canibal instinct
• Conflict between Komodo with human being

So, while some effort will be done to improve their own natural environment, komodo must ‘move’ to Bali for their own sake.

I think we need local government action. Supported by state government, of course.

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After Jakarta bomb which targeted Marriott and Ritz Carlton, many hotels that target domestic tourist are still survive. The main reason is the domestic tourists never worry about the security. Well, you can say, in other word, they don’t care. ;-)

This condition can be proven by Aryaduta hotel network. The reservation to those hotels (in the group) is still quite stagnan, not make a lot difference before and after Jakarta bomb incident.

Well, good for you! But I’m not sure, should I happy or worry. ;-)

Pic from here.

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According the conservation of Komodo, there is one effort that being controversional. The moving of Komodo from Komodo Island to Bali issue became a hot issue, since many domestic staffs reject it.

The moving plan, based on some news, will move many komodos from Flores Island (Komodo Island) to Taman Safari Indonesia in Gianyar Bali.

Some people say the moving plan is supported by legal law because Law No 5 On 1990 is about nature conservation. It is also supported by Minister of Forestry Law SK.385/Menhut-II/2009 based on 13 Mei 2009.

Goal of moving plan is to increase the komodo population, because in their own environment, Komodo Island, their population is decreasing. By moving them to Bali, we hope the komodos population can grow.

Hmmm…confusing? Me, too, hahah.

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Bali is still attractive for foreign tourists. We can see from the number of foreign tourists who visited Bali during Jan-June 2009.

From here, I got data the specific foreign tourist visited Bali. There was 1,017,661 arrivals of foreign tourists, where as the economic condition is not quite good since there was an economic crisis since Oct 2008. So, economic crisis (maybe) had no effect with Bali tourism.

I think the Jakarta bomb incident not affect to the tourism as well, since many foreign tourists believe Bali is still safe for tourists.

Sounds great, huh?! Hope more and more tourists visit Bali for next day.

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Many events will be held during 5th Aceh Festival, Aug 1-11, on Banda Aceh. Culture parade, culture simposium, traditional games, and many more can be found and enjoyed. Aceh EXPO is also included since there is a goal to promote and try to sell Aceh tourism to foreigner.

The opening ceremony will be executed by President of Republic Indonesia, took place in Taman Sulthanah Shafiatuddin Banda Aceh on Sunday, Aug 2 2009. The closing ceremony, based on scheduled, will be held on Tuesday night, Aug 11 2009. Read full entry »

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Good news for Indonesia airlines!

Since July 2009, there are some Indonesia airlines that can fly and visit to Europe again. I wrote the article once.

Today, at least 4 airlines can start their operation to Europe. They are Mandala Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, Airfast, and Premiair. The ban had been released after the EU team did some investigations and quality control to the security of some Indonesia airlines since there were many incidents happened by Indonesia airlines.

Many parties involved for releasing the ban. Well, we can say Minister of Transportation and Direktorat Jendral of Airlines as the most influenced persons for the ban release.

Well, good luck. I hope other airlines will follow the 4 airlines.

Pic from here.

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As destination for many tourists, local and foreign, we can say terror became a deadly threat. But, don’t forget, there are many kind terrors. Bomb terror is one sample.

But, the dangerous terror is the disease. Swaine flu became the hot topics recently since there are many victims, especially tourists, that were attacked in many destinations in Indonesia.

In Bengkulu, there are 2 Swedish tourists were suspected as swaine flu victim. They were visiting Singapore and Malaysia before they came to Indonesia. Right now, they were quarantineed in the hospital in Bengkulu.

Pic from here.

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