West Papua forms the western half of the large island widely known as New Guinea. Administratively part of Indonesia, West Papua is officially known as Irian Jaya.
To experience West Papua is to embark on a voyage into one of humanity's deepest mysteries. This far-away and little known island lies like a curled infant in the lap of Mother Nature.
West Papua is home to the most ethnologically primitive cultures on Earth. No less than 25% of the world's languages are spoken here and obviously you will find a vast display of tribes and tribal customs. These are people largely unaffected by the strictures of the modern world as we know it; a race adapted to daily life solely through their basic survival elements.
The land of the Papuans is home to an incredibly diverse, rich and unique flora and fauna. No less than 85% of the island is covered by rainforest, much if it primary and untouched by man. Other prevailing ecosystems include steamy mangrove forest and savannah right through to alpine highlands with snow-capped mountains. Wildlife abounds and includes some of the most interesting creatures known to man. This also holds true with the magical beauty of West Papua's coastal underwater world, which hosts some truly amazing coral reefs.
Our singular appreciation and understanding of this island not only allows you the opportunity to visit and appreciate this most primitive of lands, but we also present you with the opportunity to experience and explore a completely unique human reality which can deepen your own sense of being and purpose. Root cultures such as those found in Papua hold an appreciation of deep earth secrets that can be shared only through direct experience. These are humans intrinsically interwoven with the natural fabric of their environment.
Many parts of West Papua still remain largely unexplored by peering, inquisitive western eyes and minds. For example, it has only been around 60 years since the outside world fell upon the tribes that inhabit the Baliem Valley in West Papua. The Korowai tribes were only discovered 25 years ago and other areas remain completely unexplored.
There remains a tremendous gap between those of us raised in western society and the most primitive people still alive on earth. If you are an individual who enjoys the exploration of this mysterious human condition you would certainly find a visit to West Papua immensely rewarding. Equally, if you simply enjoy and appreciate environments totally different from your own, then West Papua is surely for you.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Siwaratri (Purgatory a la Balinese)
Tomorrow, on the dark moon of the seventh month based on the Balinese lunar calendar system, Balinese will celebrate the Siwaratri or the Night of Siwa.
This holy day is devoted to God Siwa, the destroyer. Balinese believes that on this day, God Siwa, the destroyer meditate for the welfare of the world, and the God Siwa will bestow a pardon for all sin to someone if he accompany the God Siwa in his meditation by observing some self restriction and meditate on the night of Siwaratri.
The Brata (self-restriction) of Siwaratri includes Jagra (staying awake all night long), Upawasa (fasting), and Monabrata (silence). There are three major level of self- restriction, Balinese can choose a level of self-restriction according to his capability.
This holy day is devoted to God Siwa, the destroyer. Balinese believes that on this day, God Siwa, the destroyer meditate for the welfare of the world, and the God Siwa will bestow a pardon for all sin to someone if he accompany the God Siwa in his meditation by observing some self restriction and meditate on the night of Siwaratri.
The Brata (self-restriction) of Siwaratri includes Jagra (staying awake all night long), Upawasa (fasting), and Monabrata (silence). There are three major level of self- restriction, Balinese can choose a level of self-restriction according to his capability.
Yogyakarta's Tourism
INTERNATIONAL flights are set to resume to and from the Indonesian ancient cultural city of Yogyakarta as South-east Asia's largest economy seeks to boost tourism, an official said on Friday.
The head of Yogyakarta's tourism office, Mr Tazbir, said that flights from the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur would be served by Malaysian Airlines and Air Asia, with return trips flown three or four times a week each.
'We are relaunching flights as a part of Visit Indonesia 2008,' he told AFP, referring to the country's new tourism campaign.
The national flag carrier Garuda stopped flying to the city on Java island at the end of 2005 due to a lack of aircraft, shortly before the city and surrounds were hit by an earthquake that killed 6,000 people.
Arrivals jumped 14 per cent in the first 11 months of 2007.
About 150,000 of those arrivals were to Yogyakarta, the usual launchpad for tourists visiting the ancient Buddhist temples of Borobudur and the Hindu temples at Prambanan, Mr Tazbir said.
'With international direct flights, we hope to raise the arrival of international tourists by 30 percent this year,' he said.
The head of Yogyakarta's tourism office, Mr Tazbir, said that flights from the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur would be served by Malaysian Airlines and Air Asia, with return trips flown three or four times a week each.
'We are relaunching flights as a part of Visit Indonesia 2008,' he told AFP, referring to the country's new tourism campaign.
The national flag carrier Garuda stopped flying to the city on Java island at the end of 2005 due to a lack of aircraft, shortly before the city and surrounds were hit by an earthquake that killed 6,000 people.
Arrivals jumped 14 per cent in the first 11 months of 2007.
About 150,000 of those arrivals were to Yogyakarta, the usual launchpad for tourists visiting the ancient Buddhist temples of Borobudur and the Hindu temples at Prambanan, Mr Tazbir said.
'With international direct flights, we hope to raise the arrival of international tourists by 30 percent this year,' he said.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Sukawati
I be sure that the SUKAWATI name already tidal again foreign for them that once and never to Bali. Sukawati was a subdistrict in the Gianyar Regency. Sukawati also the name of the village. In fact, the original resident Sukawati was his champion the manufacturer of the mask especially the mask barong and the widow as well as the craftsman of the skin puppet. But his popularity was inferior by was nuts about him the available art market there that is the Sukawati Market.
This market was located around 30km the east Denpasar direction (40 minutes drive from Kuta), at the edge of the Sukawati highway. If from the side of Denpasar, the art market was in left the road and the traditional market were in right jalan. was easy very much looked for him. Here hundreds of gathered art traders peddled art objects, beginning with the wood statue, the painting, socks, shorts, the bag, sandals, etc..His motive was unique and typical Bali. Be enough the headache also the sheikh if entering here, really busy. But if for that liked shopping, Sukawati was his heaven.
In Sukawati WAJIB bargained bargained. The traders usually open the expensive price. Don't hesitant hesitant, just direct bargained cheaper alias IDR 10,000. they were not angry, his name also menawar. later please was continued by his negotiations.
Increase bargaining should not be excessive, enough of the 10 thousand were 11 thousand, afterwards rose again 12 thousand etc, until your offer most over. if not in might go and searched that was other, most will be called eventually was the same his seller. If being not called again meaning that your offer ga entered itungan capital bought him, if only entered and they could the profit although only 1000 silver, was sure you will be called eventually.
The cheap expenses in Sukawati also must continue to pay attention to the quality of the thing. Must be checked good his condition, lest his measurement the smallness and be not in accordance with that was sewn in labels, or his seam was ugly and free. When must try directly there, not the problem to try him. If only a for the present not the problem. Cuman to be used personally, better searched around Kuta for socks, daster, or coastal trousers. Beads sandals also his quality was not better. Moreover his painting, his quality was still being supervised. It would be better if looked for the painting in the Rock/Ubud, his quality was far more better. Generally, mode and design available in Sukawati lost compared with Kuta, because Kuta was his centre mode.Of course the price also was different.
Almost forgot, the normal person said had 2 Sukawati markets, his term of Sukawati 1 (old) and Sukawati 2 (just). In fact Sukawati 1 was the long market and I wrote in blog this, whereas Sukawati 2 were the Seni Guwang Market that his distance only 5km from Sukawati 1. But the price in Guwang more expensive than Sukawati. Same goods, more complete in Sukawati old. The person who had the same also kiosk.
This market was located around 30km the east Denpasar direction (40 minutes drive from Kuta), at the edge of the Sukawati highway. If from the side of Denpasar, the art market was in left the road and the traditional market were in right jalan. was easy very much looked for him. Here hundreds of gathered art traders peddled art objects, beginning with the wood statue, the painting, socks, shorts, the bag, sandals, etc..His motive was unique and typical Bali. Be enough the headache also the sheikh if entering here, really busy. But if for that liked shopping, Sukawati was his heaven.
In Sukawati WAJIB bargained bargained. The traders usually open the expensive price. Don't hesitant hesitant, just direct bargained cheaper alias IDR 10,000. they were not angry, his name also menawar. later please was continued by his negotiations.
Increase bargaining should not be excessive, enough of the 10 thousand were 11 thousand, afterwards rose again 12 thousand etc, until your offer most over. if not in might go and searched that was other, most will be called eventually was the same his seller. If being not called again meaning that your offer ga entered itungan capital bought him, if only entered and they could the profit although only 1000 silver, was sure you will be called eventually.
The cheap expenses in Sukawati also must continue to pay attention to the quality of the thing. Must be checked good his condition, lest his measurement the smallness and be not in accordance with that was sewn in labels, or his seam was ugly and free. When must try directly there, not the problem to try him. If only a for the present not the problem. Cuman to be used personally, better searched around Kuta for socks, daster, or coastal trousers. Beads sandals also his quality was not better. Moreover his painting, his quality was still being supervised. It would be better if looked for the painting in the Rock/Ubud, his quality was far more better. Generally, mode and design available in Sukawati lost compared with Kuta, because Kuta was his centre mode.Of course the price also was different.
Almost forgot, the normal person said had 2 Sukawati markets, his term of Sukawati 1 (old) and Sukawati 2 (just). In fact Sukawati 1 was the long market and I wrote in blog this, whereas Sukawati 2 were the Seni Guwang Market that his distance only 5km from Sukawati 1. But the price in Guwang more expensive than Sukawati. Same goods, more complete in Sukawati old. The person who had the same also kiosk.
Kuta Beach
The Kuta coast was a tourist attraction that was located on the south of Denpasar, the Balinese capital, Indonesia. Kuta was located in the Naughty regency. This area was a very most famous destination of foreign tourists. In Kuta personally often was gotten shops, the restaurant and the place permandian as well as put himself in the sun to dry. The Kuta coast often also was acknowledged as Sunset Beach or the sun coast sank as the opponent from the Sanur coast.
Kuta in addition to being the Sunset Site Number One, with its daily spectacular sunsets, it is also the centre of night life activities in Southern Bali and a shopping mecca, with its lines of shops, boutiques, and galleries. Restaurants line up the streets as well as the Bachfront,Hotels, ranging from a small, inexpensive homestay to a luxurious resort, will ready accomodate you.
The beach of Kuta is one of the first favorite beaches discovered by tourist. On the south, the beach is fenced by the airport’s runway, which gives you a breathtaking landing experience. The beach stretches as far north as the eyes can see. As short walk away north, waves will invite you to test your surfing
Kuta is very short drive away from the airport, and transportation is readily available to take you from and to Kuta to and from anywhere else in Bali.
Kuta in addition to being the Sunset Site Number One, with its daily spectacular sunsets, it is also the centre of night life activities in Southern Bali and a shopping mecca, with its lines of shops, boutiques, and galleries. Restaurants line up the streets as well as the Bachfront,Hotels, ranging from a small, inexpensive homestay to a luxurious resort, will ready accomodate you.
The beach of Kuta is one of the first favorite beaches discovered by tourist. On the south, the beach is fenced by the airport’s runway, which gives you a breathtaking landing experience. The beach stretches as far north as the eyes can see. As short walk away north, waves will invite you to test your surfing
Kuta is very short drive away from the airport, and transportation is readily available to take you from and to Kuta to and from anywhere else in Bali.
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