Raja Ampat, Papua

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Indonesia Diving, Raja Ampat Island "The incredible reef and fish"

Raja Ampat Island is the most western district of the Indonesian province of Papua. Raja Ampat consists of an area surrounding four major island off the western coast of Birds Head Panisula of New Guinea Island. The western half of which is Indonesia and the eastern half, Papua New Guinea. The province was called Irian Jaya, and its a cluster of over 1500 small Islands.

Raja Ampat is the most bio-diverse location in the world more than 3000 species of fishes and over 300 species of corals have been identified here, in a single one and half hour dive you can identified more than 282 fish species and more than 400 species. Till this very day the area is virtually unexplored and unknown due to its size. This area as there are still many remnants of WW II.

The Roughest seas and decreased visibility in the Raja Ampat area are from mid-June until the end of August. During the rest of the year, the sea is mostly very smooth whit good visibility.

Dive sites in Raja Ampat Island:

• Kri Island: Kri has several sites and Cape Kri is one of the fishiest. The fish numbers and variety are truly amazing. The site is current dependent. Generally it's a steep slope with beautiful coral growth, lots of reef and schooling fishes, including the giant Queensland Grouper.
• Sardine Reef: Sardine Reef has really giant clams at 10m (33ft) but it's all about non-stop fishes here. There's a resident school of bumphead parrotfish in the shallows, colorful soft corals and plenty of critters.
• Kaboei Bay Rock Islands: The bay is a labyrinth of rock islands. Visibility isn't great but this is a great place for macro and finding odd nudibranches, mollusks and the pictured dragonet. Bat caves and skeletons are found on some of the islands.
• The Passage: This is a drift dive through a narrow channel near Waigeo. Look for archerfish among the mangroves, orange cup corals, seahorses, and percula clownfish.
• Fam Island: Several sites near Fam have stunning coral growth. Sponges and soft corals add color and fishes keep it going. Sites include walls, sloping reefs, and muddy bays.
• Misool: Misool is awash in fish life and huge sea fans. Caverns and boulders mark several sites. The schooling fishes seem endless and pygmy seahorses live in less than 10m (33ft). Some sites are current dependent.

At a Glance Irian Diving

• Reef type: Vertical walls, Lagoon channels, caves, platform reefs, etc.
• Access: By boat from base camps.
• Visibility: Very good, 20-45 meters.
• Current: Moderate, excellent for drift diving.
• Coral: Excellent " abundant & divers.
• Fish: Variety & abundance guaranteed.
• Highlights: Snorkeling with dolphins near the Wai base camp (5m); White-tip sharks under P47B wing; finding new wrecks untouched/complete.

It is easiest to fly through to Sorong via Jakarta or via Singapore. Merpati, Pelita and Lion/Wings Airlines operate daily flights from Jakarta to Sorong (with stopovers in Ujung Pandang/Makassar and/or Manado), whereas Silk Air operates regularly from Singapore to Manado. Daily flights to and from Sorong by Airlines Merpati, Lion/Wings or Pelita.

Raja Ampat Island have several accommodations whit traditional design, and there many boat you can rent for a stay. If you using dive operator they will arrange for your base came.

Raja Ampat islands have a very diverse topography with steep mountain shores and deserted white sand beaches. Explore the land on foot. Use a boat to move from one dive site to another dive site.

There are several restaurants and cafes throughout Sorong. Try their specialties: traditional irian foods!

There are many traditional souvenirs made from wood.

You can visit gorgeous waterfalls, ancient burial sites, bat caves and stunning waterways breathtaking limestone landscapes and Manta ray spotting and bird watching.

• To enter Papua itself, you need a surat jalan (Travel Permit) which is issued by the local police. Please bring: 3 Passport Photos, 3 Copies of the photo page of your passport and 3 Copies of the passport page with the Indonesian Visa.
• Guide Book : Diving Indonesia (a guide to the world's greatest diving), Periplus Action Guide, Kal Muller.
• More Information about Irian Jaya Dive, contact: Sorong, Indonesia Office: Papua Diving. Phone: +62 (411) 401 660, Fax: +62 (951) 325 274. www.Iriandiving.com

Raja Ampat, Papua

.

Indonesia Diving, Raja Ampat Island "The incredible reef and fish"

Raja Ampat Island is the most western district of the Indonesian province of Papua. Raja Ampat consists of an area surrounding four major island off the western coast of Birds Head Panisula of New Guinea Island. The western half of which is Indonesia and the eastern half, Papua New Guinea. The province was called Irian Jaya, and its a cluster of over 1500 small Islands.

Raja Ampat is the most bio-diverse location in the world more than 3000 species of fishes and over 300 species of corals have been identified here, in a single one and half hour dive you can identified more than 282 fish species and more than 400 species. Till this very day the area is virtually unexplored and unknown due to its size. This area as there are still many remnants of WW II.

The Roughest seas and decreased visibility in the Raja Ampat area are from mid-June until the end of August. During the rest of the year, the sea is mostly very smooth whit good visibility.

Dive sites in Raja Ampat Island:

• Kri Island: Kri has several sites and Cape Kri is one of the fishiest. The fish numbers and variety are truly amazing. The site is current dependent. Generally it's a steep slope with beautiful coral growth, lots of reef and schooling fishes, including the giant Queensland Grouper.
• Sardine Reef: Sardine Reef has really giant clams at 10m (33ft) but it's all about non-stop fishes here. There's a resident school of bumphead parrotfish in the shallows, colorful soft corals and plenty of critters.
• Kaboei Bay Rock Islands: The bay is a labyrinth of rock islands. Visibility isn't great but this is a great place for macro and finding odd nudibranches, mollusks and the pictured dragonet. Bat caves and skeletons are found on some of the islands.
• The Passage: This is a drift dive through a narrow channel near Waigeo. Look for archerfish among the mangroves, orange cup corals, seahorses, and percula clownfish.
• Fam Island: Several sites near Fam have stunning coral growth. Sponges and soft corals add color and fishes keep it going. Sites include walls, sloping reefs, and muddy bays.
• Misool: Misool is awash in fish life and huge sea fans. Caverns and boulders mark several sites. The schooling fishes seem endless and pygmy seahorses live in less than 10m (33ft). Some sites are current dependent.

At a Glance Irian Diving

• Reef type: Vertical walls, Lagoon channels, caves, platform reefs, etc.
• Access: By boat from base camps.
• Visibility: Very good, 20-45 meters.
• Current: Moderate, excellent for drift diving.
• Coral: Excellent " abundant & divers.
• Fish: Variety & abundance guaranteed.
• Highlights: Snorkeling with dolphins near the Wai base camp (5m); White-tip sharks under P47B wing; finding new wrecks untouched/complete.

It is easiest to fly through to Sorong via Jakarta or via Singapore. Merpati, Pelita and Lion/Wings Airlines operate daily flights from Jakarta to Sorong (with stopovers in Ujung Pandang/Makassar and/or Manado), whereas Silk Air operates regularly from Singapore to Manado. Daily flights to and from Sorong by Airlines Merpati, Lion/Wings or Pelita.

Raja Ampat Island have several accommodations whit traditional design, and there many boat you can rent for a stay. If you using dive operator they will arrange for your base came.

Raja Ampat islands have a very diverse topography with steep mountain shores and deserted white sand beaches. Explore the land on foot. Use a boat to move from one dive site to another dive site.

There are several restaurants and cafes throughout Sorong. Try their specialties: traditional irian foods!

There are many traditional souvenirs made from wood.

You can visit gorgeous waterfalls, ancient burial sites, bat caves and stunning waterways breathtaking limestone landscapes and Manta ray spotting and bird watching.

• To enter Papua itself, you need a surat jalan (Travel Permit) which is issued by the local police. Please bring: 3 Passport Photos, 3 Copies of the photo page of your passport and 3 Copies of the passport page with the Indonesian Visa.
• Guide Book : Diving Indonesia (a guide to the world's greatest diving), Periplus Action Guide, Kal Muller.
• More Information about Irian Jaya Dive, contact: Sorong, Indonesia Office: Papua Diving. Phone: +62 (411) 401 660, Fax: +62 (951) 325 274. www.Iriandiving.com

Central Javanese gamelan

Gamelan owned by Cheltenham Arts Festivals

A modern Central Javanese gamelan, such as the one pictured above, consists mainly of tuned metallophones and gongs and gong chimes with other instruments (see below).

A complete gamelan is actually two sets of instruments, in different laras (tunings), namely slendro (a five-tone scale) and pelog (a seven-tone scale). However the precise tuning of each individual gamelan is unique.

The 'traditional' Javanese music usually played today originates largely from the 19th century Javanese courts, although some of this music has much older origins.

The pieces are cyclical in nature, with some instruments playing a basic melody, others embellishing this while others act as 'punctuation' to mark important points in each cycle.

The instruments

Gongs, Suwukan and Kempul

These are shown at the back of the main picture above. The big gong is the most important instrument in the ensemble and is used to mark the end of each cycle.

Kenong

Kenong (left) are also 'punctuating' instruments.

Saron

The saron (middle right of the main picture above) play the basic melody (balungan) of the piece.

The demung plays an octave below the saron and the peking plays an octave above.

The balungan is also played by the slenthem, a metallophone with bamboo resonators.

Bonang

These are horizontal gong-chimes (at the front left of the main picture above) which play straightforward embellishments on the main melody.

Kendhang

Double-headed drums which lead the ensemble.

Soft instruments

These include:

gender - metallophones with bamboo resonators

gambang - wooden xylophone-like instruments

rebab - a two-stringed bowed instrument

suling - an end-blown bamboo flute

siter - a zither-like instrument.

All these instruments play embellishments on the basic melody.

Lake Toba, North Sumatera

Lake Toba Located 906 metres above sea level, Lake Toba is the largest lake in the world (100 km long and 31 km wide) and also the deepest at 450 metres. This is the hub of tourism in North Sumatera and the homeland of the Batak People. Lake Toba is the second most populated area in Indonesia after Java. The people are mostly farmers drawn there by the rich and fertile volcanic soil. Parapat, 176 km from Medan, is a booming resort and the main town on the scenic lake. There are many hotels and plenty of entertainment. Activities include, waterspots, golf, fishing, trekking and shopping for wood carvings, traditional textiles and ceramics. The Lake Toba is is the largest lake in Southeast Asia, once created by an enormous eruption less than 100,000 years ago. Th eruption was approximately 8,000 times more powerful than the eruption of Mount St.Helen in 1981. There are of course legends on how Lake Toba was formed. The traditional Batak canoe, the solu, was 10-15 metres long. All had the same width. The canoes were decorated with carvings, the captain, the chief, sat in front and gave orders. The solu had its own spirit and when a new canoe was built offerings were made for both teh canoe spirit and to Boru Saniang Naga, the Goddess of the water. Batak feared her ad disasters could easily happen when she was angry. Samosir Samosir is approximately 50 km long and 15 km wide island in Lake Toba, almost as big as Singapore. It is often described as the hearthland of Batak culture. Samosir is actually a peninsula and not an island, as it is divided from Sumatera only by a narrow man-made canal, the Pusuk Buhit Canal between Samosir and mainland, onece made by the Dutch. Samosir is a perfect place to relax and cool down. It is beautiful and scenic and very relaxing. Accommodation is extremely cheap, but food rather expensive (according to Indonesian standard). In the end it evens out compared to other major tourist destinations in Indonesia. The island is small enough for visiting everything of interest from any place you choose to stay in. Jangga Village A traditional Batak village 24 km from Parapat. Here visitors can watch the weavingof the traditional Batak ulos textiles and wander amongst traditional houses and historical monuments of the olf Batak kings. Tuktuk Samosir Island is accessible by ferry from Ajibata or Parapat. One of the main inhabited areas on the island, Tuktuk has been described as Samosir's answer to Bali's Kuta Beach. This popular destination offers scenic views at very low prices. People come here to relax, enjoy the sceneries, eat well and cool down fronm tougher travelling in other areas. Culture is available on certain days and in other nearby villages anyway. Western tunes have replaced the harmonic popular songs of the well-singing Bataks. The whole little peninsula is full of restaurants, hotels and souvenir shops. There are a few discotheques, bars and hotels, one of the best hotel in Tuktuk is Toledo Inn. Tomok A traditional village with beautiful houses and ancient tombs. Tomok is gateway to Samosir and one of the main landing-points on the island. Rows of stalls sell an array of handicraft, traditional ulos cloth and Batak musical instruments. The 200-year-old stone sarcophagus of King Sidabutar built in the shape of a ship is its most famous sight. It is located a short walk away from the lake. Tomok is also known for the Sigale-gale dance. Ambarita Ambarita, just north of Tuktuk is one of the musts when visiting Samosir. The traditional village with King Siallagan's stone chairs is of interest, There are many souvenir stands between this historical object and the boat landing. There are however not so many boats anymore, but now and then there are direct connections with Parapat, normally early morning. Ambarita is also a good starting point for treks across the island. There are many nice and quiet places to stay between Tuktuk and Ambarita and along the coast north of Ambarita. Simanindo Simanindo is a picturesque village and has some of the best-kept traditional houses, incl the house of Raja Sidauruk, now a museum. This nice museum also has daily cultural performances. The market and the boat landing are 150 metres before the Museum, down to the right coming from Tuktuk. There are some nice local coffee shops here. Opposite Simanindo is the island Pulau Maulau, or more commonly known Pulau Tao. There is a restaurant on the island. The island is 800 metres from the boat landing below the museum but you need a boat to get there. Several boats go there from the hotels on Tuktuk. The clan Maulau owns the island according to adat (traditions), but the clan Sidauruk is living there and they built the restaurant and the hotel and changed the name to Pulau Tao. The Maulau clan protested and after negotiations an agreement was reached in June 2001. The islands belong to the Maulau clan, but is managed by Sidauruk. The proper name is Pulau Maulau. Pangururan Pangururan is the only proper town on Samosir and also the administrative center of the island. There are a few hotels here. The town has a strategic location next to the bridge between Samosir and the mainland. Most foreigners just pass through on their drive around the island or on their visit to the hot springs an the mainland. The town itself is nicely located along the shore of Lake Toba. There are a few nice old colonial buildings to admire. Besides the hot springs a visit to the summit of Pusuk Buhit can also be nice.

CRACATOA (Krakatau) CAMP & UJUNGKULON

CRACATOA
In August 1883 this volcano erupted which was supposed at the largest big bang that human being ever heard. Countless of tons of volcanic material were ejected and blown in to the air. The results were huge tsunami hitting all west coast of Java and southeastern coast of Sumatra, the sound were heard over 4000 away from the explosion center, killing more than 36,000 of innocent. Volcanic debris fell in to Madagascar and other side of Indian Ocean. The volcano it self missed more than half of its volume at the time.

In these trips we take you an island right across the volcano as your base camp. We will anchor of a quite, lunar landscape of the Cracatoa volcano if it is not in big eruption, and ascending the creater in 30 minutes to observe the legendary crater and enjoy the abundance of beauty surround you ….

During the free time we trek through the dense vegetation cover the surrounding islands to discover the unique new colony by increasing numbers of species, after the big eruption in 1883. The islands also offer a pristine crystal clear water to swim or snorkel.

In the evening, you will have dinner over the campfire and overnight in tents on the base camp island.

UJUNG KULON TREKKING
Ujung Kulon National Park situated on the most west end of Java mainland. This park bears a status of World heritage site in 1992. Being possibly the last home the endangered one horned rhinoceros, this national park is among the most important one in Indonesia. Refer to latest data, there are app 55 - 60 rhinoceros left in the park. Beside the rhinoceros, there are also another 34 species of mammals, 5 species of primates, 59 species of reptiles, 22 species of amphiby, 240 species of birds, 72 species of insects, 142 species of fishes, and 33 species of coral life. The park also the homes to 700 species of flora of which 57 species are considered as rare.

This trip provides you experiences of trekking through the virgin coastal tropical rain forest, stay overnight in the virgin forest, feel the peaceful touch of the nature, tracing and watch the animals in their habitat, but just remain relax. During the free time, you could enjoy swimming, snorkeling, or fishing on the crystal clear water of the park.

You do not need to worry about lodging and logistic, Adventure Indonesia team will prepare tent, daily meals, transport, and porter for your convenience. Most of the campground will be on the beautiful beach of Ujung Kulon National Park.

Most peoples dreaming of encountering the rhinoceros, they are really difficult to meet. But who knows if we will be the lucky one since we will be in their home.

(source : adventureindonesia.com )

NIAS SIBERUT ISLANDS OF SUMATRA

THE SIBERUT ISLAND
Adventure Indonesia invites you to explore the jungle in the heart into the heart of the Siberut Island in the western part off West Sumatra's coast, to meet the indigenous people of the Mentawai who live close to nature and still live in comparative isolation, maintaining their age-old ways. It's virgin rainforest, inhabited by a number of animal species not found anywhere else in the world, among them some rare monkey species, pleasant surprises await you to explore.

The island also offers continuous spectacular white sand beaches with shallow shelves jutting out to the sea and fringing coral reefs, excellent for snorkeling and leisure a luxury for most of the islanders. It can only be found a few coastal communities.

You will be rewarded with stunning views and beautiful jungles abounding with unique plant and wildlife. The real highlight of your journey though, is the chance to meet the people of Siberut, traditionally hunter, gatherer clans who are now coming into contact with the modern world. You will stay as guests of a local Kerei (medicine -man) in the Uma (traditional family house). Here, where conditions are basic, you will gain a unique insight into the lives of these people who maintain a belief system based on living in total harmony with nature.

NIAS ISLAND
Adventure Indonesia invites you to witness the unique cultures of the Nias People and experience their War Dance which is the only dance in Indonesia performing high skill of acrobatic jumps or Stone jumping performed in the meaning of proving the readiness of man taking wife.

Situated 125 km off North Sumatra mainland, lies Nias island which famous of its' megalith altars, spectacular traditional architecture, and complex religious sites. This isolate island posses rolling mountainous terrain, ravines, gorges and rivers. The northern part of this island is sparsely populated.

You will also witness a lot of historical remains and unique culture such as the megalith stone and the unique clan houses.

The environment it self provides great challenge for wave surfer around the globe and has one of the best right-handers in Indonesia.

NIAS ISLAND
Situated 125 km off Sumatra mainland, lies Nias island which famous of its' megalith altars, spectacular traditional architecture, and complex religious sites. This isolate island posses rolling mountainous terrain, ravines, gorges and rivers. The northern part of this island is sparsely populated.

The local call their land as Tano Niha or "land of the People", while the people call them selves as Ono Noha. Ethnically the Niasers are involved in to the Ptoto-Malay ethnic who once ever get with the Asian Proto-mongoloid world. Niasers speak a kind of language related to Malagasy. Because of the similarity in languages, custom, body size of the Niasers with the Bataks on Sumatera mainland, it is possible that the Niasers have derived from the Bataks.

According to their customary law, there are 3 classes of Niasers, namely aristocrats, common people and slaves. The number of salves possessed, representing the social status of a family. Peoples used to be scarified for some certain purposes. A young man should in service for the family of his would-be wife for certain length of time before the marriage.

War like dance in southern Nias is the only dance in Indonesia performing high skill of acrobatic jumps. The warrior dance is a frightening dance song with a hypnotizing sound of rattling shields, men shouting, jump frog like in to the air. Niasers also perform mock fights and armed combat. They get horned helmet, flaring shoulder plates, face's mask with protruding boar tusk, double edged sword, sharp spears, in order to struck their enemy physiologically.

One of Nias culture that still exists is the Stone jumping, or locally called fahombe. Fahombe performed in the meaning of proving the readiness of man taking wife. The man should jump over a two meters high of stone board. In the past the top of the stone board is covered with spikes and sharp pointed bamboo. Tactically, this stone jumping also mean to train young warrior to clear the wall of their enemy with a torch in one hand a sword in the other hand at night. Stone jumping still take place on South Nias villages.

Attractions
Nias has a lot of historical remains and unique culture to enjoy. The megalith stone, the unique clan houses, and their war dance are just some of the attractions. The environment it self provides great challenge for wave surfer around the globe.

The Surfing
The Best time to surf Nias is from June to October with the biggest swells, however the rest of the year is ideal for those wanting smaller waves.

Nias has one of the best right-handers in Indonesia. It is situated at the western end of Lagundi Bay and holds up to 15 foot. There is also an excellent left reef break that works well over 4 foot. If you are looking for hollow, deep waves Nias is definitely worth visiting. There are also many other spots to explore like the Hinako Islands.

SIBERUT ISLAND
Siberut island recently received international attention as a priority conservation area, for the unique culture of the ethnic Mentawaian and endemicity of its biodiversity that need to be preserved. Although the island has plenty to offer, the potential has not been utilized fully especially for tourism.

Most visitors to the island are interested only in seeing the culture at the indigenous tribes, such as the communal clan life in the traditional UMA house along the river banks.

Siberut National Park occupies the western half of the island, ranging from the northern coasts. At present the Integrated Biodiversity Conservation Project organized by PHPA, MOF, together with local government, local NGOs and other institutions, conducts the community based conservation program.

Siberut island (4.030 km sq) is the largest island of four islands in the Mentawaian archipelago. It is located about 155 kilometers off the coast of West Sumatra, across the Mentawaian strait. The Mentawaian islands belong administratively to Kabupaten (Regency) Padang Pariaman in West Sumatra Province. Siberut is divided into two Kecamatan (district) : North and South Siberut with administrative centers at Muara Sikabaluan and Muara Siberut which also service as respectively market centers of Siberut.

According to Forestry Ministerial Decree (No. 407/Kpts II/93, dated 10-VII-93), a 190,500 hectares area was declared as Siberut National Park in 1993.

TOPOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
The Siberut island is characterized by a wet equatorial climate, with minimum and maximum temperatures of 22o C (71.6F) and 31o C (87.8F). The dry season is from February to June and the raining season is from July to January. Siberut is hilly with wide variations in elevation. Almost 60% is covered by tropical rain forest with many forest type such as: primary dipterocarp forest, primary mixed forest, swamp forest, barringtonia forest and mangrove forest. Also, there are many rivers on the islands with a complex system of tributaries.

PLACES OF INTEREST
Some of the interesting objects to see are:

Community and Culture: Although Siberut is only a small island, the internal variations in language, culture, life styles, and in resources is rather substantial. There is no clear indication of when the first man arrived on Siberut, but anthropologist suggest that the bataks of North Sumatra first settled on the island several thousand years ago. In many ways, the people of Siberut are among the most archaic people in Indonesia.

The Mentawaian are traditionally organized as patrineal groups and the social life centered around the UMA, a communal long house which held a clan of people related through a common ancestor. The UMA vary in size between 30 to 80 members divided in nuclear family units, referred to as LALEP. Because of internal friction, the clan might split up and form a new group or a single family.

The Mentawaians believe that all living objects, men, plants and animals are supposed to have spirits. The only specialist in the community is the medicine man, KEREI, responsible for communication with the spirits and the souls. In case of misfortune or illness, he is called in to restore harmony within the group or in relation with the spirits in the environment. An elaborate Taboo system based on religious beliefs with respect to the environment is a dominant characteristic of traditional life on Siberut.

Visit and stay in a Mentawaian village, trek to the jungle, learn about sago processing and bark cloth processing, and do other activities that will heighten your interest in and fascination with the natural philosophy of the Mentawaians.

Jungle Adventure: Very few visitors have explored the thickly frested island. Inside the National Park pleasant surprises await the adventures visitor. Visiting a cave in central Siberut or waterfalls in the northern and southern parts of the island, are possible upon request with your guide. Be observant of your surroundings. You may have the chance to see and hear some endemic wild life. Siberut has four endemic primates which in local names are called Bilou (Hylobates klossi), Simakobu (Simias concolor), Bokoi (Macaca pagensis), and Joja (Presbytis potenziani). There are at least five species of squirrels and chipmunks and birds abound everywhere on the island. Padding a canoe trekking on muddy trails balancing on a shippery log, wading through a shallow river, brushing through a dense jungle - are all parts of an unforgettable jungle adventure on Siberut.

Coastal Discovery Adventure: Some good coral reefs can be found along the east, south to southeast part of Siberut and the surrounding small islands. Along the coast, continuous, white sand beaches, magnificent lagoons, enficing mangroves and coral sea gardens all promise an exciting coastal adventure. Dolphins (Stenela longirostris) can be seen along the east coast. Other sea mammals such as digong (Dugong dugong) occasionally can be sighted near the sea grass by the mangrove along with three protected species of sea turtles.

Masilok Beach on the southern part of Siberut can be reached within an hour by a motorized boat. The island's resort, dominated by coconut grows, a logoon with beautiful white sand beach, promising a very relaxing environment. The west coast breaks from Siberut island, connected only by sea garden and mangrove that lie side by side making it a unique experience for diving. Accommodation and fresh clean water are available. If you plan to travel to nearby islands, it can be arranged with local owners. In the south western part of Siberut lies Sagulubek Beach, with calm and clear waters making it ideal for wind surfing. In the northern part, Sikabaluan beach offers an excellent dip in warm water to soothe the soul.

TRAVEL ADVISORY AND REQUIREMENTS

• Before traveling to Siberut, it is advisable to take prophylactic doses of anti malaria medicine at least one week before departing for Siberut, and should be continued up to two weeks after leaving
• Travelers are also advised to bring sufficient supplies of medicine (antidiarrea and seasickness, first aid and antibiotics if possible)
• Wear a good pair of hiking boots, bring dry clothes, raincoats and flash light
• Respect local culture
• Leave no waste or garbage

(source : adventureindonesia.com)

Garut Regency At a Glance

On March 2 nd , 1811 Balubur Limbangan Regency was wiped out by Governor General Herman W. Daendels (Dutch Colonial). Its Regent, Tumenggung Wangsakusumah II was honourable resigned. Balubur Limbangan Regency comprised 6 sub-districts: Balubur, Malangbong, Wanaraja, Wanakerta, Cibeureum and Papandak. On February 16 th, 1813 new Limbangan regency was founded by Liutenant Governor Thomas S. Raffles which now becomes Garut Regency.

RAA. Adiwijaya was the first Regent of Garut Regency who governed from the year of 1813 until 1821. He was well-know for his call of Dalem Cipeujueh.

On February 16 th, 1813 new Limbangan regency was founded by Liutenant Governor Thomas S. Raffles which now becomes Garut Regency. RAA. Adiwijaya was the first Regent of Garut Regency who governed from the year of 1813 until 1821. He was well-know for his call of Dalem Cipeujueh.

Garut is one of the regencies in Southern West Java with the area of 306.519 hectares or 3,006.88 square kilometers. Geographically, it lies between 657'34"-744'57" latitude and 107 24'34"-108 7'34 longitude. , belonging to West Java Province region in Indonesia where its borders are the follows;

• Eastern Side : Tasikmalaya Regency
• Western Side : Cianjur and Bandung Regency
• Northern Side : Sumedang Regency
• Southern Side : Indonesian Ocean

This area includes valley territory surrounded by volcanoes (mount Karacak:1838m, mount Cikuray:2821 m, mount Guntur:2249 m, mount Papandayan 2622 m in the Northern side with the average heights of 700 - 750 meters over sea level . There are the streams of frozen lavas on their slopes. In general Garut has cool and tropical climate with the average temperature of 24.3 Celsius degree, whereas the rain falls are average of 2,589 millimeters per-year.

The typology of land fertility is various because of being influenced by mountains, river stream and coastal lowland territories. With the mentioned condition the potency of Garut Regency's territory I dominated by agricultural businesses especially plantation, food plant, animal husbandry followed by forest resources.

Some of specific and well known commodities from Garut are Garut Orange Fruits (Jeruk Garut), Garut Lamb (Domba Garut), Dodol Garut (delicious specific snack from Garut), Vetiver Root Oil /Andropogon Zizanioides (Minyak Akar Wangi), Batik Tulis Garutan (hand painting clothes), Silk Worm Clothes, Gemstone, Leather Craft, and Bamboo Craft. Garut Orange commodity plant located at mountain hill area at Wanaraja, Samarang and Bayongbong District. That all location most popular in Indonesia as mountain hill area with highland view more than sea level 900 m - many kind of fruits and vegetable production. Since a long time ago, when Indonesia have been Dutch colonization, Garut orange are kind variety classified as one of Indonesia famous exotic fruits in the world. Garut Orange has a good taste, good coloring, thick skin textures, and good aroma. Until, a moment, CVPD ( citrus vein phloem degeneration/) damaged it.

Administratively, Garut regency consists of 42 sub districts and 419 rural districts with 2.173.623 people (1.106.473 males and 1.067.150 females). Garut Regency constitutes the buffer land and hinterland for the development of Bandung Raja's territory, has strategic position and the supplier for the needs of Bandung municipality and regency's populations all at once it takes a rote in restraining environmental equilibrium.

Based on the characteristic of the territory, Garut Regency is divided into two territories.

• The territory of Northern Garut consists of upland which constitutes the largest rice field in Garut regency and in general it consists of upland with mountains and range of hills.
• The territory of Southern Garut most consist of sloping land and flowed by twelve rivers going in directions of south and emptying into Indonesian Ocean .

The potencies of tourist resort in Garut Regency, not only coastal panorama and its sea but also crater, waterfalls. Lakes and a hot water place supported by fresh and cool air are much enjoyed by local tourist or those being out Garut Regency even foreign tourists instead. So it is reasonable at if Garut Regency had the call "Swiss Van Java" in the Dutch Colonial Period.

Garut Event :

Ram Fighting Dexterity
		Ram Fighting dexterity is an people game accompanied by Kendang Pencak traditional arts for making atmosphere more lively. Ram Fighting dexterity has esthetical value at the rams take preparations and their heads collide each other. Beside that fighting ram have strong, beautiful, energetic bodies and nice movement while fighting.
This event is usually performed in June, August and December in three places that is : Ngamplang, Cangkuang and Ranca Bango.
Cangkuang Water Feast
		This event is a routine in the framework of commemorating Indonesia 's independent day. The activity appeared is the race of rowing rafts, the race of catching ducks, etc accompanied by traditional arts of calung and pencak silat, usually held in August.
Ngalungsur Ceremony
		Ngalungsur is a process of ritual ceremony where the inheritance heirlooms of Sunan Rohmat (Sunan Godog) every once a year cleaned or washed with flowers water and rubbed with perfume in or not to rusty. It is usually held on every the twelfth of Maulud month. Beside that there is performance of Garut specific arts.
Begendit Festival
		Bagendit festival is a people feast held year. Several kinds of arts are presented, both traditional arts like lais, debus, hadro, etc and modern arts. Besides that water sports is also shown or raced.
"Helaran" Tradisional Art Festival
		Helaran arts performance is a show from of several kinds of traditional arts which ever existed and developed in Garut either still intact, original or having been developed and then visualized by walking in procession in the street. Helaran is held every March in coincidence with the anniversary of Garut city.
"Seba" Ceremony
		Seba ceremony is a devotion to someone occupying high position accompanied with delivery of something good. As for that delivery it is directed to ancestral souls that is Prabu Siliwangi and Keyan Santang because the two figures had high knowledge's supranatural powers, so their heirlooms have hidden and magic powers.
Shoutern Marine Feast
		This event is a people ceremonial feast and arts performance usually held at Santolo beach (Pameungpeuk).
Mojang Jajaka Festival
		This event is a creativity arena of young generations who have love of art and high worth of traditional culture and are able to appeared as tourism enjoys of Garut Regency. Mojang Jajaka contest is usually held in July.

(source : www.garut.go.id)

EAST NUSA TENGGARA

EAST NUSA TENGGARA

East Nusa Tenggara Islands have been shaped by the power and force of an enormous chain of mountains and volcanoes, which begins from the North of Sumatra and stretches east across Java. The province consists of over 550 islands, but is dominated by the three main islands of Flores, Sumba, and Timor. Occupying a unique position at the junction of Australian and Asian submarine ridges marked by the Wallace Line, it is one the world's most dynamic and exotic marine environments with nearly every species of coral and tropical fish represented. The arid landscape of eastern and southeastern Nusa Tenggara is the result of hot, dry winds blasting in from the Australian continent. In fact, in many coastal areas not a drop of rain falls during most of the year.

Flores is a Portuguese name, which means 'flower' and ideally describes the beauty to be found here. This long island between Sumbawa and Timor is crowded with volcanoes and mountains dividing it into several distinct regions with individual languages and traditions. Predominantly Catholic and heavily influenced by the Portuguese, there are many examples of a strong European cultural heritage like eastern procession held in Larantuka, and the royal regalia of the former king in Maumere.

Formerly known as the Sandalwood Island, Sumba is now famous for its horses and an excellent style of ikat cloth. Spirits, both ancestral and natural are worshipped. Although some exist in East Sumba, it is in West Sumba that there are a number of enormous megalithic tombs and traditional thatched and peaked huts raised on stilts. It is here where incredible rituals take place, such as 'Pasola' where hundreds of horsemen fling spreads at each other in an annual ritual. Many traditional ceremonies, all with a component paying homage to the spirits, take place from July to October including the traditional houses and burials when sometimes hundreds of pigs, water buffaloes, horses, and dogs are scarified. Other ceremonies include 'Pajura' or traditional boxing, festivals for the Lunar New Year in October and November, horse races and ritual dances.

GEOGRAPHICALLY
East Nusa Tenggara is one of the four provinces in the Nusa Tenggara (Southeast Islands). Starting from Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, and east Timor. It stretch is between 118° and 125° east longitude, and between 1 18° and 125°southern latitude lines, and between 8° and 12 ° southern latitude lines. The territory of East Nusa Tenggara Province comprises 566 islands. The three main islands are Flores, Sumba, and Timor from which come the term FLOBAMOR, which has been familiar as one of the names of East Nusa Tenggara.
Flores is the main volcanic island and has many unique and spectacular attractions, one of these is Mount Kelimutu with its lakes of distinct color variation, has become one of the fabled destinations travelers.
Sumba is the island famous for its arts, handicrafts, particularly the textile weaving, and cultural assets. The other name given to East Nusa Tenggara is "Nusa Cendana" the Sandalwood Island.

GEOLOGICALLY
Geologically, East Nusa Tenggara can be regarded as being divided into two zones: first, the volcanic inner curve formed by the islands Rinca, Komodo, Flores, Alor, Pantar, Adonara, Lembata and Solor, which have fertile soils and second, the out curve with limestone and rock formation, made up of the island Sumba, Sabu, Rote, Semau, and Timor.

DEMOGRAPHY
The total number of NTT inhabitants in 2001 was 3,888.735 - 1,919.644 (49.36%) men and 1,969.091 (50.64%) women. The most populated is Manggarai regency (621,989 people) and Kupang city is the most densely populated (1,517.30 people per square kilometer).

CLIMATE
Due to central highlands and their closeness to Australia, the seasons are irregular. Generally the islands are semi-arid, with a longer dry season lasting from March to November. The wet season lasts from December to March, but can be considerably shorter and small island of Savu. The average rainfall of this region is between 36 - 4,127 mm/year. The temperature is range from 20.3 C to 31.7 C.

TOPOGRAPHY
East Nusa Tenggara is mountainous, and very steep slopes are everywhere besides some not too wide plateaus or uplands. The lowlands are a long the coastal areas only. Despite of the situation, most part of this region is not fertile, since the rainfall varies between 500 mm and 2000 mm a year.
East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) is includes 566 islands. In addition, there are 524 uninhabited islands. It covers an area of about 47,349.9 square kilometers, including 200,000 square kilometers of maritime territory. Roughly 57 percent of the territory is hilly, with cliffs. The lowlands lay generally around the beaches and river mouths.

WIDE AREA
The area of East Nusa Tenggara occupies an area of 49,879.98 square kilometers, and has a population of more than 3,500.000. It is divided into 12 regencies and one municipality. Kupang regency is the largest region (7,178.26 square kilometers) and the smallest region is Kupang city (160.34 km2).

LANGUAGES
There are a lot of languages spoken in East Nusa Tenggara coming from as many different which groups of the population. Bahasa Indonesia is the national language in Malay, written in Roman script and based in European orthography. In all tourist destination areas English is the number one foreign language fairly spoken and written.

Yogyakarta Culture

Yogyakarta Special Region (Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, DIY) is officially one of Indonesia's 32 provinces. Yogyakarta is one of the foremost cultural centers of Java. This region is located at the foot of the active Merapi volcano, Yogyakarta was in the 16th and 17th centuries the seat of the mighty Javanese empire of Mataram from which present day Yogyakarta has the best inherited of traditions. The city itself has a special charm, which seldom fails to captivate the visitor.

This province is one of the most densely populated areas of Indonesia. The city came into being in 1755, after the Mataram division into the Sultanates of Yogyakarta and Surakarta (Solo). Gamelan, classical and contemporary Javanese dances, wayang kulit (leather puppet), theater and other expressions of traditional art will keep the visitor spellbound. Local craftsmen excel in arts such batiks, silver and leather works. Next to the traditional, contemporary art has found fertile soil in Yogya's culture oriented society. ASRI, the Academy of Fine Arts is the center of arts and Yogyakarta itself has given its name to an important school of modern painting in Indonesia, perhaps best personified by the famed Indonesian impressionist, the late Affandi.

Yogyakarta is often called the main gateway to the Central Java as where it is geographically located. It stretches from Mount Merapi to the Indian Ocean. There is daily air service to Yogya from Jakarta, Surabaya and Bali as well as regular train service and easy accessibility by road. Yogyakarta is commonly considered as the modern cultural of Central Java. Although some may prefer Solo as a good runner up, Yogyakarta remains the clear front-runner for traditional dance, Wayang (traditional puppetry) and music.

Yogyakarta has more than just culture though. It is a very lively city and a shopper's delight. The main road, Malioboro Street, is always crowded and famous for its night street food-culture and street vendors. Many tourist shops and cheap hotels are concentrated along this street or in the adjoining tourist area such Sosrowijayan Street.

The key attraction of Yogyakarta is 'Kraton' (the Sultan's Palace). The Sultan's palace is the centre of Yogya's traditional life and despite the advance of modernity; it still emanates the spirit of refinement, which has been the hallmark of Yogya's art for centuries. This vast complex of decaying buildings was built in the 18th century, and is actually a walled city within the city with luxurious pavilions and in which the current Sultan still resides. Yogyakarta is also the only major city, which still has traditional 'Becak' (rickshaw-style) transport.

Geographically
Yogyakarta Special Region is geographically located almost equidistant from Indonesia's two most important international gateways, about 600 km from Jakarta and 1000 km from Bali. Yogyakarta also has excellent transport connections by bus, train or plane to the rest of Java, Sumatra, Bali and Lombok. Yogyakarta's Adisucipto Airport is in the process of changing its status in order to receive not only domestics' flights from Bali and Jakarta, but also direct charter and scheduled flights from other countries.

Geographically, Yogyakarta Special Province is situated in the Southern part of Central Java and lies between 7 degree 33' and 8 degree 12', South altitude between 110 degree and 50' East longitude. Some regencies of central Java Province surround the administrative boundaries of this region:
Southern East: Wonogiri Regency
Eastern: Klaten Regency
Northwestern: Magelang Regency
Western: Purworejo Regency
The Indonesian Ocean borders the Southern part of Yogyakarta. The borderline of the seashore stretches from West to East of which the length is around 100 km, started from Congot Beach in Kulon Progo Regency and ended at Sadeng Beach in Gunung Kidul Regency.

Because of its location, Yogyakarta is strategically positioned for the economic activity network in Java as well as for the tourist destination area. The special region of Yogyakarta lies midway on the axis of several main tourist destination areas, Jakarta and West Java westward, Central Java northward, East Java and Bali eastward. It is linked by regular rail, road and air services to other parts of Indonesian archipelago.

Climate and Weather in Yogyakarta
The average daily temperature range between 26 degree and 28 degree Celsius with its minimum 18 degree C and maximum 35 degree C respectively. Average humidity is 74% with its minimum of 65% and maximum 84% respectively. The Yogyakarta Special Region lays approximately 7 South of the equator line and is bathed in tropical; sunshine along the year. This region has a tropic climate the daily atmosphere feels a little bit hot and humid. These are only two seasons along the year, the wet or rainy seasons and dry monsoon. Usually the wet seasons begin at September and lasts about August. Generally there is no rainfalls from may to August and there fore the atmosphere feels hot and humid on the day and cool in the night and early morning. The monthly rain falling Yogyakarta varies between 3mm and 496mm in which those above 300mm take place during the month of January up to April. The heaviest rainfall usually occurs in February while the lowest commonly happens between May and October Average annually rainfall is about 1,900mm.

Populations of Yogyakarta
Based on 2000, the total population of Yogyakarta special Region amounted to 3.311.812. Yogyakarta Municipality that has 461,800 inhabitants spread over 32,50 kilometers or the average population density is thus over 14,200 persons per square kilometer. The least densely populated districts is in Gunung Kidul regency which has 720.643 inhabitants and cover 1,485 square kilometers or the density rate is 485 persons per square kilometer. Since a very long time ago the Provincial territory of Yogyakarta Special Region and its surrounding has been decently populated.
The majority residents of Yogyakarta Special Region are Javanese whose language derives from ancient Sanskrit. However, as Yogyakarta is considered to be "Indonesia's academic city" due to the numerous centers for higher learning, many of the inhabitants are student who come from all over Indonesia to study.

Culture of Yogyakarta
The culture Yogyakarta province with its status as a special region lies in the Southern part of Central Java, in the heartland of Javanese culture. As the former capital and the center of several kingdoms in the past, this region and its people are very rich in a variety of cultures. It is widely known from to historical records that the civilization, art and culture had developed well in the center of those kingdoms respectively in the Ancient Mataram Kingdom (8th - 10th Century) era, the second Mataram Kingdom (17th - 18th Century) and Sultanate Ngayogyokarto from the mid of 18th Century up today.

It should be noted that the cultural heritage from the past includes the magnificent temples, the ruins of palaces and monasteries, the various kind of traditions, cultural events, traditional folk and performing arts, architecture and other traditional activities. It is important to note that this is all part of the living culture of Yogyakarta, color of daily activities of live and the local inhabitants behavior, particularly the Javanese community with its traditional way of life and customs. Therefore, because of its culture richness and heritage, Yogyakarta has long been known as the cradle of Javanese culture.

The other legendary name for Yogyakarta City, among the elders as well as the youth generation that is the City of Art and Culture. Traditional and modern exhibition are held almost every day and night about the art of theater, pantomime, music, classic and contemporary dances, poems, etc. Those are flow in the heart of the city. Even more, there are abundant of cultural ceremony, such as Sekaten, Gunungan, Labuhan, Malioboro Fair, etc, which make the city has high value of tradition, art, and culture.

Kampong Naga, Tasikmalaya West Java

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Kampong Naga is a traditional village with extent about 4 hectares area. It can be reach through highway connecting Tasikmalaya and Bandung via Garut, which is about 30 km west to Tasikmalaya. Administratively, Kampong Naga is part of Dusun (a cluster of village) Legok Dage of Neglasari Village of Salawu Sub District.

The attraction of kampong naga is a unique life of community live there. They socialize with modern society, embraced Islam, but strictly hold custom and tradition from their ancestor. They perform Islamic Holidays rituals, such as Mulud or Alif ritual with conducting Pedaran (reading the history of their ancestor). This begin with taking a bath in Ciwulan River and they allow tourists to participate in ritual as long as they adhere to the rules.

All buildings (house, mosque, meeting hall, rice barn) have the same shape. They all have roof made of palm leaves with palm fiber ridge, their walls are made of woven bamboo, and doors are made of rattan fiber. All buildings face on the north or south, while pile of stones arranged in orderly fashion are unique architecture and ornament of Kampong Naga.

A. MARKET PROSPECT
Many tourists have come to this place because of
its strategic location. According to Tourism Office of Tasikmalaya, The foreign tourists in 1997-2000 were 33,629 people, while domestic tourists were 106,536 people. The revenue of this tour object can be classified as on target or even over-target. But if looking over its nominal revenue, it is on 4th compared the whole tourism objects. As illustration, the target revenue in 2000 was Rp 2,000,000, while its realization was 2,162,000, or about 108,10% of target revenue.

B. INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY

Physical investment on Kampong Naga has to be restricted to avoid the damage of unique culture of Kampong Naga. This tour object is transit place to other tour objects. The possible investment opportunity is tourism promotion.

Asmat People, Papua

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Asmat people who live along the remote southeast coast around Agats are famed for their artistic "primitive" woodcarving. Modern civilization did not reach this area until recently. Agats has an interesting museum filled with woodcarvings and other objects. The area however is still largely untamed wilderness. Asmat crash received a boost in late 1960s under a United Nations supported project to encourage local craftsmen to keep alive their art.

The Asmat homeland comprises the rugged and isolated southern coast of Irian Jaya. It is an area of approximately 10,000 square miles and comprises mainly swamps and mangroves.
Ancestor figures were traditionally made only for the festival honoring Fumer-ipits. They wear a unique costume. Tourists demand, however, is as resulted to change to this custom. Previously, after the festival, the figure is discarded into the forests near a sago tree because it was believed that as the wood of the carving is deteriorated, the power of the ancestor was transferred to the sago palm. Other ancestor carvings are designed as elements in larger carvings, such as canoe prows, paddles or ancestor poles.

The Asmat believe that all things have a spirit whether humans, animals, plants and even special locations such as a whirlpool or the bottom of a river. They also believe that the world is divided between that which can be seen and that which is unseen which is the realm of the spirits. It is considered important to maintain a proper balance between the seen and the unseen. In this respect, birth and death balanced the population between the seen and unseen realms and one cannot take place without the other. This would manifest itself in disease, hunger, death and misfortune that will be caused by the unsettled spirits.

Irian Jaya, Papua

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Papua is one of Indonesia province comprising a majority part of the western half of New Guinea Island and nearby. The province originally covered the entire western half of New Guinea, but in 2003, the western portion of the province, on the Bird's Head Peninsula, was declared in Jakarta as separate province named West Irian Jaya. The legality of this separation has been disputed, as it appears to conflict with the conditions of the Special Autonomy status awarded to Papua in the year 2000. The status of West Irian Jaya province is not yet resolved as of early 2006.

Papua is the official Indonesian and internationally recognized name for the province. During the colonial era the region was known as Dutch New Guinea. The province was known as West Irian or Irian Barat from 1969 to 1973, and then renamed Irian Jaya ("Victorious Irian") by Soeharto. This was the official name until Papua was adopted in 2002. Today, natives of this province prefer to call themselves Papuans rather than Irianese. This may be due to etymology (variously identified as a real etymology or a folk etymology) the name of Irian, which stems from the acronym Ikut Republik Indonesia, Anti Nederland (join/follow with the Republic of Indonesia, rejecting The Netherlands). The name West Papua is used among Papuan separatists and usually refers to the whole of the Indonesian portion of New Guinea.

The capital of Papua province is Jayapura. Most of the population depends on subsistence farming, especially the cultivation of rice and maize. The main industries include copper (with the largest concentration of copper in the world at Tembagapura), palm oil, copra, maize, groundnuts, pepper, tuna, gold, oil, coal, and phosphates. It is mostly a mountainous and forested region, with the Maoke Mountain range rising to 5,029-m/16,499 ft at Jaya Peak. The population comprises Melanesians (original settlers of Western New Guinea), Papuans, Negritos, and Europeans. Indigenous animism prevails. The province declared independence from Indonesia, as West Papua, in June 2000. However, the president of Indonesia stated that the declaration was unrepresentative of true feeling in the province.

Geographically

A central East-West mountain range dominates the geography of New Guinea, over 1600 km in total length. The western section is around 600 km long and 100 km across. Steep mountains 3000 to 4000 m and up to 5000 m high along the range ensure a steady supply of rain from the tropical atmosphere. The tree line is around 4000 m elevation and the tallest peaks are snowbound year round.

Both North and West of the central ranges the land remains mountainous mostly 1000 to 2000 m high covered by thick rain forest and a warm humid year round climate. The third major habitat feature is the southeast lowlands with extensive wetlands stretching for hundreds of kilometers.
Mamberamo River sometimes referred to the "Amazon of Papua" is the province's largest river, which winds through the northern part of the province. The result is a large area of lakes and rivers known as the Lakes Plains region. The famous Baliem Valley, home of the Dani people is a tableland 1600 m above sea level in the midst of the central mountain range; Jaya Peak, sometimes known by its former Dutch name Carstensz Pyramid, is a mist covered limestone mountain peak 5030 m above sea level.

Minagkabau, West Sumatra

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West Sumatra is one of the most beautiful areas of Indonesia. It is mountainous and divided by three valleys. There are lovely lakes and spectacular volcanoes. But Minangkabau land is very special and has the most friendly population group of Indonesia. They love to talk with visitors and will tell us about their unique society. If a visitor tries to understand the culture and Minang traditions he will soon feel himself a member of the clan. He will be invited as a guest to their homes - a unique way to become acquainted with real Indonesian life. Most of our hosts and hostesses are English teachers so language will not be much of a problem. They will show us the community and explain their customs.

The land of the Minangkabau, West Sumatra has a distinct culture, which distinguishes it from the rest of the island. A land of scenic beauty with blue green lakes and mountains, West Sumatra's Centre of culture and tourism is Bukittinggi in the highlands, north of the provincial capital of Padang. Most prominent in the landscape is the horn-shaped roofs of the houses nestled in the coconut groves. The name Minangkabau means triumphant buffalo. It leads a community and family life based on a matrilineal system, which clusters around mosques and the traditional houses. As it is the women who have the properties, the men are known for their wanderlust and entrepreneurship. Traveling is considered a mark of success and therefore many of them are found "merantau" (emigrated) to other parts of the country. This is proof that many Minang or Padang restaurants, serve very spicy food, found in all major towns in the nation. The people are hospitable and eloquent in a poetic style of speech and ceremonies. Festivals are colorful occasions.

West Sumatra has a coastline where the capital is situated. The hinterland is a range of high mountains, which dip into picturesque valleys and lakes. Amongst them are the remnants of the old Minangkabau kingdom of Pagaruyung, (the art centers for silver, hand-weaving, embroidery and woodcarving).

Geographically
West Sumatra province has about 49,778 sq km width, which is located between 0o 54' North Latitude and 3o 30' South Latitude and between 98o 36' and 101o 53'. The boundaries of this regency is:
North Side: Riau Province
South Side: Indian Ocean
West Side: North Sumatra Province
East Side: Jambi and Bengkulu Province

Wide Area
West Sumatra Province has 42,297.30-km2 areas. The West Sumatran coastline faces the Indian Ocean and stretches 375 km from North Sumatra province in the northwest to Bengkulu in the southeast. West Sumatra lakes include: Maninjau (99.5 km2), Singkarak (130.1 km2), Diatas (31.5 km2), Dibawah (14.0 km2), Talang (5.0 km2). West Sumatra rivers include: Kuranji, Anai, Ombilin, Suliki, Arau. The mountains & volcanoes of West Sumatra are included: Marapi (2,891 m), Sago (2,271 m), Singgalang (2,877 m), Talakmau (2,912 m), Talang (2,572 m), Tandikat (2,438 m).

Climate
The temperature of West Sumatra province has ranges between 22o C and 32o C, and the rainfall is 2,289 mm per year.

Administratively
West Sumatra Province is divided among 8 regencies and 6 municipals with Padang as its capital city.

Demography
The people of this province have a strong tradition leaving their hometown to make their way of life. Indeed, West Sumatra communities (Minang) are easily found in each province of Indonesia. In 1994, the total population reached 4,265,900 people with its density amounted to 101 people per Km2. In the 1990-1994 period, the people grew at a rate 1.6% per year or in the lower level that of the population national growth amounted to 2.144% per year.