Semarang, The Capital of Central Java

Semarang, the capital city of Central Java has a lot of good attractions that we must visit. Few of those attractions are historical sites of Dutch colonial heritage. This part of the city resembles the architecture of Holland. It has collections of old buildings that once were the residences and offices of officials in the Dutch East India Company, also known as the VOC. Those old Dutch buildings can be found in Kota Lama. 

Most renowned landmark in Kota Lama is the koepelkerk, or also known as the Emmanuel Church. Locally known as Gereja Bleduk, it is a Protestant church with a beautiful Pantheon style façade. Stroll around some more and you will be amazed by the whole complex. The postal office with its orange color wall stands in front of a busy street where becaks, or trishaws, pass by. The old deserted buildings are still there to survive the changing times. The mayor of Semarang is now planning to preservethe district.

The old city is also located very close to the Chinese settlements, Pecinan. Go there to see several Chinese temples with its busy daily life around them. Take a stroll in the city’s colorful Chinese district called Semawis and see the hustle and bustle of daily life in this community. As you make your way through the maze of streets and alleyways, sample some of the delicious Chinese cuisine on offer. Semarang with its Semawis and other centers of cuisine is a place for food hunters.

Bundaran Tugu Muda, or formerly known as the Wilhelminaplein, is a monument and pond built in tribute to the heroic actions of Semarang freedom fighters against the Japanese during the 5 day battle of 1945.  Built in 1953, this monument reflects the history of the town and of Indonesia, with reliefs depicting the difficult period under the Japanese occupation as displayed at the foot of the monument. 

Across the monument, a building built in 1904 and completed in 1907, stands gallantly. Recently renovated and conserved as one of the heritage buildings in Semarang, the  Lawang Sewu, or ‘thousand  doors’, is the name given by the locals. Formerly named the Nederlands-Indische Spoorweg Maatschappij (NIS), the building is an office for Indonesian railways. A 30-minute tour is a historical experience when accompanied by a knowledgeable tour guide.

We have summarized attractions in Semarang you should see and visit on Tour Explora page.

http://www.tourexplora.com/tour/855/semarang-must-see

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Gili Trawangan, The Most Beautiful Gili's Lombok

Gili Trawangan is the largest of Lombok’s Gili Islands and the only one to rise significantly above sea level. Trawangan means Terowongan (Tunnel) due to there is a cave tunnel built in Japanese occupation. This island is also known as “Party Island” because most younger of tourists find themselves “Lost in Paradise”.

The Beaches of Gilis are still powdery white, the water is beautiful clear blue and they are positioned perfectly for sunsets over Bali’s Mount Agung and sunrise over Lombok’s Mount Rinjani. 

Various hotels, luxury villas, and boutique bungalows are easily to find in Gili Trawangan. Most of the accommodation centrally located on South East of Gili Trawangan. The higher price is located in the beach lines. 

Compared than other Gili islands, GIli Trawangan is more developed than Gili Meno or Gili Air. In Gili Trawangan there are also very quite places to stay in Southern and Northern of Trawangan. 

For activities, many tourist doing Snorkeling off-the-shore, sunbathing, swimming, or join any dive trips with any dive operators which colored the lines. There are quality dive schools which offering complete range of PADI courses, as well as Fun Dives. At night, just come to the restaurants and bars to enjoy the night with delicious food and beverages.

Evenings are animated by restaurants which offer local food and bars which are lively social meeting spots. Simply listening to music by candlelight is an option too.

Gili Trawangan : http://www.tourexplora.com/i/1542/gili-trawangan 

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Historical Sites in Jakarta

Jakarta has many historical stories during the Dutch and Japan colonialism. They also left heritage like buildings. By now we can still see heritages of them in Jakarta. I will share some popular old buildings in Jakarta. 

Museum Fatahillah

Fatahillah Museum or Batavia Museum, is located in the Old Town (known as Kota) of Jakarta, Indonesia. Jakarta History Museum, opened in 1974, displays objects from the prehistory period of the city region, the founding of Jayakarta in 1527, and through the Dutch colonization period from the 16th century until Indonesia’s Independence in 1945.

Tugu Kemerdekaan Proklamasi

The Indonesian proclamation of independence was first read in this place on 17 August 1945 by Indonesia’s first President Soekarno and vice-president M.Hatta. This places was Soekarno’s house located at Jalan Proklamasi 56 (was Pegangsaan Street).

Kota Tua

Kota is a small area in Jakarta, Indonesia. It is also known as Old Jakarta, and Old Batavia. Kota is Indonesian word for “city”, it was the reminiscent of the vicinity during colonial times in 16th century that the city was only within Batavia walled compound (today Kota), while the surrounding areas was only kampung (villages), orchards, and ricefields. The largely Chinese down town area of Glodok is a central part of Kota.

Museum Gedung Joang ‘45

Battle’45 Museum (Museum Joang’45) collects inheritances from the Indonesian independence battle time, that used/worn by Indonesian warriors. Visiting Battle’45 Museum would increase your knowledge and insight about Indonesian journey from the colonization time until finally free and independent.

Museum Lubang Buaya

Museum Lubang Buaya is a must to see tourist destination for those interested in the history of the blood incident G 30 S/PKI. Visitor can view the wax replicas of the events that took place of the murders of the six generals according to the curators of the museum.

National Monument (MONAS)

The National Monument (Monas) is a 433 ft (132 metre) tower in the centre of Merdeka Square, Central Jakarta, symbolizing the fight for Indonesia. Construction began in 1961 under the direction of President Sukarno. Monas was opened to the public in 1975. It is topped by a flame covered with gold foil.

Gedung Kesenian Jakarta (GKJ)

Gedung Kesenian Jakarta (“Jakarta Art Building”), historically known as Schouwburg Weltevreden, is a concert hall in Jakarta, Indonesia, built during the Dutch colonial period. It is close to the Istiqlal Mosque and the Jakarta Cathedral, near Lapangan Banteng Park.

Museum Nasional Indonesia

The National Museum of Indonesia is an archeological, historical, ethnological, and geographical museum located in Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta. Its broad collections cover all of Indonesia’s territory and almost all of its history.

Museum Bahari

The Maritime Museum (Museum Bahari) is located in the old Sunda Kelapa harbor area in Penjaringan Administrative Village. The museum was inaugurated inside the former Dutch East India Company warehouses. The museum focuses on the maritime history of Indonesia and the importance of the sea to the economy of present-day Indonesia.

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Beaches In Bali by Aldika - TourExplora

Kuta Beach

Kuta beach is one of the first favorite beaches discovered by tourist. Coconut trees line the sand beach as far as the eyes can see towards the north stopped by the runway of Denpasar's airport far in the west.

Dreamland Beach (New Kuta Beach)

Dreamland Beach Bali located in the village of Pecatu, Badung regency, located on the southern island of Bali. Dreamland can be reached about 30 minutes from Kuta Beach at Jimbaran. The beach is still beautiful and natural is located at the southern tip of South Badung.

Sanur Beach

Sanur Beach is a beautiful white sandy beach with calm and warm seawater located in east part of Denpasar Town. The beach location in eastside and south part of Sanur Village is an edge of Indonesia Ocean.

Jimbaran Beach (Pantai Kedonganan)

Jimbaran is directly south of the airport, on the way from Denpasar towards Nusa Dua. The village of Jimbaran is the narrow neck of the island of Bali, and thus it has two remarkably different beaches. On the west, Jimbaran Beach faces the Jimbaran Bay, recently lined by new luxurious resorts. On the east, the beach faces the body of water sheltered by Benoa Harbor.

Lovina Beach

Lovina beach is well known as an excellent site for sunset watching, snorkeling, and diving. Night life activities are also abound, as well as chartered boats to go out into the sea.

Nusa Dua Beach

Nusa Dua is a new luxurious resort area where the world's most sumptuous hotels gracefully integrate into the beautiful white beaches. Crystal clear water provides excellent snorkeling and diving site, and the waves on the northern and the southern part of Nusa Dua allow for great surfing opportunity.

Beaches In Bali by Aldika - TourExplora

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11 World Famous Buddha Statues

1.  Borobudur Buddha Statue

Buddha statues in Borobudur temple is a masterpiece of Indonesia ancient artist. All position of each Buddha statues are on sitting position with different hand styles. In the past time there are 504 Buddha statues, 300 statues were damaged and 43 statues lost.

2. Hussain Sagar Buddha Statue

This Buddha statue situated in the middle of man-made lake in Hyderabad, India. The statue has 17 metres of height and 320 tons of weight. It is the biggest monolithic statue in India, which created by sculptor only with a big stone. Tragic, when this statue was built, the statue fallen off into the lake and killed 8 employees. Then government refixed the statue and now being an attraction in Hyderabad.

3. Tian Tan Buddha Statue

Tian Tan Buddha statue located in Lantau Island, Hong Kong. Made from bronze and finished at 1993. This Buddha Statue is main attraction of Po Lin Monastery which is symbolizing harmonization between human, nature, society, and religion. It is called Tian Tan due to below this statue is a Tian Tan Temple replica in Beijing. This statue has 34 metres of height and its posture symbolizing the quietness.

4. Monywa Buddha

Monywa is a city in the middle of Myanmar that located on Chindwin river. Here you can see the biggest lying down Buddha statue in the world. This statues has 90 metres of length and. The head of statues has 60 feet of height. Monywa Buddha built in 1991 and visitors can get into the statue.

5. Ayutthaya Buddha Head

Ayutthaya City in Thailand has unusual Buddha statue in the world. Between the ruins of Wat Mahathat, there is a statue which has been lost by time and only its head left, flanked by trees. This is being one of the beautiful statue in the world.

6. Gal Viharaya

Located in Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa is a site which the most popular Buddha Statue lies down.  The monastery of the stone established in 12^th century. In the middle of te monastery there are 4 big Buddha statues lies down along 14 metres and a big 7 meters standing big Buddha statue.

7. Ushiku Daibutsu

Ushiku Daibutsu located in Ushiku city, Japan. Finished in 1995, this statue is one of the tallest statue in the world. Ushiku Daibutsu has 120 meters of height.

8. Temple of The Reclining Buddha

Located in Bangkok, Wat Pho is famous with a big lying down Buddha statue. This monastery being a largest and oldest monastery in Bangkok. This status was built 200 years after Bangkok being the capital city of Thailand.

9. Great Buddha of Kamakura

 Great Buddha of Kamakura or Daibutsu Kamakura in Japanese, is a historic bronze statues from Amida Buddha in Kamakura, Japan. The statue stands in peace above Kotokuin land. Daibutsu Kamakura being a top icon of Japan tourism industry.

10. Temple of The Emerald Buddha

Another popular monastery in Bangkok is Wat Phra Kaew. Inside the monastery there is Buddha Zamrud statue, the oldest and the most popular Buddha statue in the world. Based on folktales, this statue created in India about 43 BC in Pataliputra and stayed there for 300 years. In 4^th century AD, this statue brought to Sri Lanka bay monks to save it from war. And then brought to Thailand and moved to Wat Phra Kaew in 1779.

11. Leshan Giant Buddha

Leshan Giant Buddha is one of the human masterpiece.The statue was carved on a valey that directly heading the sea in Sichuan, western China. Started from Tang Dinasty in 713 AD, this Buddha statue had just finished in 803 AD (90 years) involving many efforts from sculptors and artists.  

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Bali Honeymoon Trip

Day 1

Few years ago I had a good honeymoon trip in Bali with my husband. During honeymoon in Bali, I got so many memorable moment in Bali. From the first day until my last day in Bali. 

Bali has been always a good destination for all of us to get memorable honeymoon in Bali. Now I want to share my honeymoon story with my husband in Bali.

My Bali honeymoon started with getting Spa at Kayumanis Nusa Dua Private Bali and Spa. We got 180 minutes service at here. We enjoy a luxurious cream bath followed by a body scrub and in the end we sat on sparkling wine. 

at night, we had romantic dinner on Canggu Beach. We ordered seafood, beef, and italian menu when had dinner on Canggu beach. 

Day 2


After having romantic day at first day, we continued our honeymoon trip to Elephant Safari Park. We watched elephant talent show and went on a half hour elephant trek along a specially designed night trail through the cool forest. 

In the afternoon, I got another romantic moment with my husband. We did horseriding along the beach while enjoying beutiful sunset. And we ended the evening with romantic dinner near its horseriding area. 

Day 3

Last our honeymoon day in Bali, ended by doing private cooking school. We enjoyed last day in Bali with learning how to cook Bali foods and menus. Several hotels providing Private cooking school service, but we chose Bumbu Bali to have the private cooking. 

The chef and his assistant demonstrated to us how to cook foods with Bali seasoning. 

How great honeymoon I have got with my husband in Bali. It would be unforgettable honeymoon we had.

http://www.tourexplora.com/tour/715/bali-honeymoon-trip

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Trip to Karimun Jawa Islands

Day 1

I have a plan since long time ago to have a trip to Karimun Jawa Islands. Karimun Jawa Islands is being a top favourite attraction right now. There are so many view we can see in these Islands, and because of that I made a plan to take a trip to Karimun Jawa Islands. 

Okay, here is my plan tour during my trip to Karimun Jawa. I will start my trip from my town, Surabaya. I'm going toward Tanjung Mas, Semarang to cross to Karimun Jawa by boat. The information I have got, the boat only depart in the morning at 09:00 am. I shouldn't be late then. 

From Tanjung Mas, the journey will take about 4 hours to be arrived at Karimun Jawa. If my boat departs from 09:00 am, I will be at Karimun Jawa at 13:00 pm. 

After landing on Karimun Jawa, I will go to Cemara Besar Island to swim, sunbathing and enjoying the wind. Then before the sunset coming up, I want to visit Tanjung Gelam Island for seeing the sunset there. I will take some pictures there. 

At night, hotel is my only destination. I won't go anywhere at night, but maybe I need to buy souvenirs near my hotel.

Day 2

In the early morning, I should wake up earlier to enjoy the beautiful sunrise from my hotel. After seeing the beauty of the sunrise, I need to breakfast and take a bath. Then packing my clothes to be brought to my next destination. Because I have to go home at this day. 

okay, at 08:00 am I want to reach Small Menjangan Island (Pulau Menjangan Kecil). I really want to do Snorkeling, hunting some pictures, and playing with cute fishes on the beach. 

Satisfied being at Pulau Menjangan Kecil. I would like to aim Pulau Menjangan Besar. In there, I can play with many turtles, and I can see the eggs of turtle above the sand. This island is very reccomended to visit. 

Huufft.. It would be an exhausting day. In the afternoon, I should go back home to Surabaya. I will be arrived at home at night, it spends 6 hours to be arrived at my home from Karimun Jawa. 

http://www.tourexplora.com/tour/494/trip-to-karimun-jawa

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