Montag, 23. August 2010

Chicago - USA

The City of Chicago covers an  area of 60,000 hectares and sits 176 meters (578 feet) above sea level on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. At 190 km wide and 495 km long, its the 5th largest body of fresh water in the world. The city is traversed by the Chicago and Calumet rivers. Chicago's extensive parklands, including 3,000 hectares of city parks attract an estimated 86 million visitors annually.

As a multicultural city that thrives on the harmony and diversity of its neighborhoods, Chicago today embodies the values of America's heartland-integrity, hard work and community and reflects the ideals in the social fabric of  its 77 distinct neighborhoods.

Chicago is recognized across the United States as a very passionate sports town.

Chicago is a leader in reforming public schools, enhancing public safety and security initiatives, providing affordable housing in attractive and economically sound communities, ensuring accessibility for all and fostering, social, economic and environmental sustainability.





Donnerstag, 19. August 2010

Bandung - Indonesia

Bandung is the capital of West Java in Indonesia. Bandung is 180 kilometers southeast from Jakarta. Although it has a population of over two million the pace of city life is slower than Jakarta's. Today Bandung has a population of 2 million people, Bandung area an estimated 4 million. Bandung is situated on a plateau 768 meters above sea level with a cool climate throughout the year. Bandung is the most European city of Java. The raining season starts in Bandung a little bit earlier, then the rest of Indonesia. Normally the raining season in Indonesia is from October till May, the peak of the raining season is in January. The dry season is from June until August, temperature is then 25-30 degrees Celsius during the day. In the morning, the sun is almost shining every day, but in the afternoon many times it gets cloudy, for sunbathing we have to wake up early from 6.30 the sun is already there. In the evening when the sun is down the temperature has drops. The average temperature in Bandung is 22 degrees Celsius; the weather is pleasant all year round.

There are short drives up to the mountain resorts of Lembang and the Bosscha Observatory, and higher to the volcanic crater of Tangkuban Perahu, the only crater in Java accessible all the way by car as far as its rim. It is an awe-inspiring sight of emanating sulfur fumes. Descent into all the volcano's 12 craters is only possible with the aid of an experienced guide, because of the presence of suffocating gases at certain spots.

Just a 15 minutes drive from Tangkuban Perahu is a hot springs resort. Here we can swim in warm mineral water pools, good for healing skin problems. The resort provides visitors with a bar, restaurants, tennis courts and cottage style hotels overlooking a beautiful mountain-scope.

In Bandung, try to see the "Wayang Golek" wooden puppet show and hear the "Angklung" bamboo orchestra, as well as the classical Sundanese gamelan and dances. Several institutes of higher education are located here, including the country's prestigious Bandung Institute of Technology.




Toba Lake

World famous is the crater Toba Lake in the Batak highlands; approximately five hours drive from Medan. Toba Lake is the largest lake in South East Asia and also one of the most spectacular, surrounded by tall mountains and with the large island of Samosir in the middle. If we descend from the mountain we see the lake glittering in all its beauty. The Dutch writer Rudy Kousbroek even called Toba Lake, 'the most beautiful place on earth'. Most visitors stay on the peninsula of Tuk Tuk on Samosir, named after the linguist Herman Neubronner van der Tuuk. In general people stay several days on Samosir to discover the island, to visit traditional Batak villages, to swim in the lake and go to the hot springs in Pangururan.

The centerpiece of North Sumatra, Lake Toba's bracing climate and magnificent panoramas clear the mind and soothe the soul. For decades a magnet from regional and foreign visitors alike, Toba has developed into a full-featured highland resort while retaining the rustic charm and relaxed ambiance that define Toba's attraction. Formed by a stupendous prehistoric volcanic explosion, the 100 km long lake is the largest in Southeast Asia and one of the deepest and the highest in the world. The drama of that cataclysmic birth persist in 500 meter cliffs dropping into the blue-green waters, surrounded by steep, pine covered sloped, the climate is fresh and pleasant, with just enough rain to support the lush vegetation.

Toba Lake is a 100kms x 30kms volcanic lake in North Sumatra, Indonesia. Toba Lake has become one of the main tourist attractions for a long time in North Sumatra apart from Bukit Lawang and Nias, visited by both domestic and foreign tourist.


 

The Origin of Toba Lake 

It is estimated that Toba Lake was formed during a volcanic eruption about 73.000-75.000 years ago and which was the most recent super volcano eruption. Bill Rose and Craig Chesner from Michigan Technological University estimated that volcanic materials that were spewed out the mountain totaling 2800km3, with 800km3 ignimbrites rock and 2000km3 volcanic ash that is estimated was blown (wind) to the west for 2 weeks. This incident caused mass death (destruction) and to several species also causes extinction. According to some DNA proof, this eruption also shrinks the humankind population to around thousands back then.

After this eruption, a caldera was formed that was filled by water afterwards and now known as Toba Lake. The pressure from the dormant magma, which has not yet erupted, caused Samosir Island to emerge. The region that now known as Samosir Island originally was a peninsula that attached to the Sumatran mainland. In this peninsula the Netherlands built the water canal 10 m width.

For the first time visitors, going through Medan-Parapat route seeing a lake as big as that made Samosir appear like an amazing grand island. However, the island perspective will certainly faded with the increase in Toba plateau visitor, Nias and the other places in the south, through Medan-Berastagi route. Samosir occupied a central geographical position in the Toba plateau region. With the declaration of the Toba Samosir Regency (the inhabitants 302.000 lives, the area with wide of 3.440 km including the lake) it finally ascend from only a shadow into a Regency. Moreover, the width of Samosir Island exceed Singapore (647 km), in fact Toba Lake almost twice bigger than Singapore. The Samosir image in tourism books as the backpackers location must be changed because this historic place must restore the greatness of its past. 

Legend of Toba Lake 

Once upon a time, lived a young orphan farmer in the northern part of the Sumatran Island. This area was very dry. The young man lived from farming and fishing. One day he went fishing, he already fishing for half of the day but still not getting any fish yet. So he returned home for the day turns to night, but when he nearly left he saw a big beautiful golden fish, he then caught the fish and brought it home. He intended to cook the fish right away but watched the beauty of this fish he then cancelled his intention. He chose to keep it as pet, and then he placed it in a big pond and feed it. On the next day, like usual, he went to his farm, and on the noon he comeback home, to have lunch. But when he arrived in his house he was very startled for the meal had prepared to be eaten. He then fears that the fish might be stolen, and then hastily he ran to the back of his house.

However, the fish was still in place, for a long time he thinks, “Who cooks those meals”, but because his is very hungry, he ate those meals. But this incident continued to occur again repeatedly, every time he came home for lunch, the meals are prepared on the table. Then one day this young man made a strategy to find out who cooks those meals, the next day he then began to commence his strategy, he then hide around the trees close to his house. He was waiting for a long time, but the smoke in his kitchen still has not been seen, and when he then intended to return home, he began to see the smoke in the kitchen.

"Hey woman, who are you, and where are you came from?” the woman began to drop tears, and then the young man saw his fish was no longer in the pond. He asked the woman, “hey woman, where is the fish in that pond?” the Woman cried intensely, but this young man continued to ask and finally the woman answers, “I was the fish that was caught by you”. The young man then startled, but because he felt that he had hurt the feelings this woman, then he said, “Hey woman, did you want to become my wife??” the Woman then startled, he stay quiet, then the young man said “Why are you silent??” Then the woman said, “I wanted to become your wife. But with one condition.” ”What is the condition?” the young man quickly asked, the woman then said, “In the future if our child was born and grew, never even once you said that he/she was anakni Dekke (child of a fish) ”. The young man then agreed to that condition and swore he will never say it.

Then they were married and granted a child. When the child was 6 years old, this child turn to be very naughty. Then one day the mother told her child to deliver meals to his father field, the child then went to deliver rice to his father. But in the middle of the trip, this child was felt hungry, then the child opened food package for his father, and ate the food. After finished eating, the child then wrapped it back and continued the trip to his father's field. On arrival the child gave the food package to the father, the father was very happy, the father then sat and immediately opened the food package that was sent by his wife to be carried by his child. But he was very startled when he opened the package there is only bones remained. The father then asked his child “Hay my child, why there are only bones left in this package??” And the child answers,” In my trip I felt hungry, so I ate the food.” Listened to that the father was very angry, he then slap his child and said, "Botul maho anakni dekke (Why you child of a fish),". The child is then ran home crying and ask to his mother “Mak, Olo do na in dokkon amangi, botul do au anakni dekke? (Mother, is it true what father said, that I am a child from a fish?) ” Heard his child's words his mother was startled. While dropping tears and saying in her heart, “My husband has violated his swore, and now I must return to my place.” Then the sky was suddenly become dark followed with lightning, thunder, storm, and rain. The child and the mother disappeared, from their footprint emerged a spring that flowed water as swiftly as possible. Until this area was turned into a lake, that was named as “Tuba Lake” the lake without mercy. According to the local Citizen, the mother return as a huge fish (the lake guardian), and until today no one is able to measure the depth of this lake. Many tourists that tried to dive into the lake but never return. The lake depth in the book is only estimation not as a fact.







Montag, 16. August 2010

Frankfurt - Germany

Frankfurt, Germany enjoys the prestige of being known as a major business and economic hub not only for Germany but for Europe as a whole. Frankfurt houses the second largest commercial airport in Europe and is a major hub for train rails. The European Central Bank is located in Frankfurt as well as thousands of companies that specialize in international trade, manufacturing, and commodities exchange.

Perhaps a majority of Frankfurt’s visitors come to the city as a result of business ties. Additionally, there are several economic and business-related fairs and demonstrations that draw hundred of thousands of foreign visitors each year. 

Frankfurt also boasts many galleries and
museums that showcase the country of Germany’s appreciation for the fine arts. Frankfurt has made great efforts to distinguish itself not only as an economic and development hub of Europe, but also as an attraction for art and literature connoisseurs. The famous author Johann Wolfgang von Goethe lived here. Furthermore, the city has etched a name for itself in the stage arts, boasting many revered dance and acting companies that receive worldwide critical acclaim. 

The city has a skyline of skyscrapers that give a more “Americanized” look to it than a more European flair. The business districts contain some of the tallest buildings in Europe, including the Commerzbank tower that climbs to more than 980 feet above the ground. 

Much of the construction in Frankfurt is relatively new, replacing devastation left by Allied bombing campaigns that took place in World War II. The result is a modern, bustling financial powerhouse that continues to grow in leaps and bounds and has established itself as a cornerstone of European and worldwide commerce. 

Some of the most visited tourist destinations in Frankfurt include:

• The Museum of Ethnology
• The Museum of Applied Arts
• The Communications Museum
• The Städel Institute of Art
• The German Film Museum
• The Goethe House, birthplace of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
• St. Paul’s Church
• Römerberg Square

Frankfurt is an excellent place to enter Germany by comercial airline, since it is such a large hub. Typically, since most traffic in and out tends to be business-related, many travelers have received good
deals on airfare if their schedules are flexible. Furthermore, obtaining transportation to other parts of Germany from Frankfurt is quite easy. Rental car services, trains, and other means of transportation are readily available and like air line flights, may be obtained at very reasonable prices.

Always a main attraction and destinations, the River Main runs through Frankfurt. More than 10,000 pedestrians cross it each day using the Eiserner Steg, a large bridge built in the 19th century. The city is very attractive for those with active lifestyles and even hosted some of the matches for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Frankfurt is also the home of the fairy tale themed amusement park Taunus-Wunderland, a popular family attraction that has a vast array of rides, attractions, and shows.

Sonntag, 15. August 2010

Sanur Beach

Sanur is one of Bali's biggest traditional villages but it's also one of the most established tourist areas. Sanur was Bali's first beach resort but still retains its Balinese character and old style village ambiance. On the southeastern side of Bali, Sanur beach is easily reachable from Denpasar, about a 5 to 10 minute drive. Sanur is an excellent site to watch the sun rises, as we jog along the white sandy beach. Being one of the first resorts developed in Bali, Sanur maintains its traditions. Only a stone thrown away from the beach, ancient temples stand as solemn as they have been in centuries past.

Palm-lined beach, facing the Indian Ocean towards the east, Sanur is an excellent place to see the sun rise in the morning. "Bali is the morning of the world", it is the right sentence for Bali if we has visited Sanur. Offshore reefs protect the beach against the waves, and make it popular for windsurfing, boating, and other water sports. It is one of the first areas where one can find good hotels, restaurants, shops, and other tourist facilities.

It's also the place for some of Bali chic fashion shops, hot hotels and well-known restaurants. It is a good location to explore the rest of Bali. Fine hotels, restaurants and modern entertainment venues complement traditional village activities like drama and dance, so it's a good place to enjoy the delights of a tropical island and gain a real appreciation of Balinese culture and local life. Gradual and early development has meant that Sanur has grown alongside the village, with hotels located right next door to local meeting halls and Brahmanic temples. Many hotels have expansive gardens that face the ocean in a picturesque unbroken seaside promenade.

Bali Island - Indonesia

Bali Island, the perfect holiday destination for all ages offers something for everyone. Bali offers not just various customs but also various "adrenalin pump" parks. Many exciting amusements are available in Bali, with something new opening all the time. The number of offshore and inland attraction are on the rise because many tourists want them. This tropical paradise has a unique blend of modern tourist facilities combined with wonderful shopping and a rich past and heritage. After white water rafting that has gained popularity in Bali, comes offshore rafting or ocean rafting. The more adventurous sort of amusement has now become an alternative sport for tourists. Meanwhile white water rafting is still a popular activity with trips on Ayung, Telaga Waja, Unda Rivers, etc. The tourists can refresh their mind by watching beautiful scenery along the route. Those are not enough, some of the best surfing beaches in the world can be found on the western side of the island whilst conversely the eastern side is a wonderful haven for families, with beautiful white sand beaches and gentle seas.

Bali is small island, just 140 Km by 80 Km and lies between Java, the most highly populated and influential of all the islands, and Lombok, one of the quieter and moderately slower paced islands. Like many islands, Bali has developed a world of its own. It not only captures what is special about Indonesia but also has a uniqueness of its own.

The culture of Bali is unique. People say that the Balinese people have reached self-content. The Balinese people are proud of having preserved their unique Hindu culture against the advance of Islam, the dominant religion throughout Indonesia. This is still reflected in days to day life and can be seen in the numerous ceremonies, Balinese festivals and magnificent temples and palaces. The Balinese are skilled artisans, particularly in woodcarving and in fashioning objects of tortoiseshell and of gold, silver and other metals. The Balinese are noted for their traditional dance, the distinctive music of the gamelan and for their skills in weaving cloth of gold and silver threads, Songket, as well as for embroidering silk and cotton clothing. Stone and woodcarvings, traditional and modern paintings and intricately designed jewelry in gold and silver are readily available in shops and galleries throughout the island.

As for recreation, there is no shortage of options. Nature walks, horseback riding, diving, surfing - even bungy jumping and white water rafting - await the adventurous here.

Samstag, 14. August 2010

Kotagede - The Islamic Mataram Kingdom

Kotagede is a silent witness of the rise of the Islamic Mataram Kingdom that ruled almost the entire Java. The cemetery of Islamic Mataram Kingdom forefathers, the fort’s ruins, and the other historical remains can be found in Kotagede.

In the 8th century, the area of Mataram (now is known as Yogyakarta) was the center of Old Mataram Kingdom that ruled the entire Java. This kingdom had an extraordinary prosperity and civilization, so it had the ability to build ancient temples with an extravagant architecture, such as Prambanan Temple and Borobudur Temple. However, in the 10th century, with an unknown reason, the kingdom moved the center of the government to East Java area. The great numbers of citizens left Mataram and gradually this area became a woodland or forest.

Six centuries later, Java was ruled by The Sultanate of Pajang which is centered in Central Java. Sultan Hadiwijaya, who ruled in that time, gave Alas Mentaok (Mentaok Forest), which was very large in area, to Ki Gede Pemanahan for his achievement in defeating the enemy of kingdom. Ki Gede Pemanahan with all of his family and followers moved to Alas Mentaok, a forest that used to be the Old Mataram Kingdom.

The small village that was built by Ki Gede Pemanahan in that forest became prosperous. After the death of Ki Gede Pemanahan, his throne was replaced by his son who was titled Senapati Ingalaga. Under the rule of the wise Senapati, the village turned into a city that was more crowded and prosperous, therefore it is known as Kotagede (a big city). Afterwards, Senapati built an inner fort (cepuri) around the palace and an outer fort (baluwarti) that surrounded the area of ±200 acres. In the outside of these two forts, they are also equipped by a moat that was as wide as a river.

Mean while, in the Sultanate of Pajang there was a power struggle for the king throne after the death of Sultan Hadiwijaya. The crown prince that was known as Pangeran Benawa (Prince Benawa), was shoved aside by Arya Pangiri. Afterwards, Pangeran Benawa asked Senapati for a help since the Arya Pangiri’s government was judged to be unfair and disadvantageous to the people of Pajang. The war started. Arya Pangiri was conquered, but he was forgiven by Senapati. Then, Pangeran Benawa offered the throne of Pajang to Senapati, but he refused the offer politely. A year after, Pangeran Benawa passed away, but he had given a will that said Pajang must be ruled by Senapati. Since then, Senapati became the first king of Islamic Mataram and was entitled Panembahan. He didn’t want to use his title, Sultan, in order to honor Sultan Hadiwijaya and Pangeran Benawa. His palace was located in Kotagede.

Then, Panembahan Senapati expanded the area of Islamic Mataram Kingdom to Pati, Madiun, Kediri, and Pasuruan. Panembahan Senapati passed away in 1601 and was buried in Kotagede next to his father’s tomb. Afterwards, the Islamic Mataram Kingdom conquered almost the entire island of Jave (except Banten and Batavia) and reached the highest prosperity under the rule of the third king, Sultan Agung (the grandson of Panembahan Senapati). In 1613, Sultan Agung moved the central of the kingdom to Karta (next to Plered) and ended the era of Kotagede as a central of Islamic Mataram Kingdom.

The Historical Heritage

In the later development, Kotagede remained to be crowded although it was no longer as the capital of the kingdom. Many historical remains such as the cemetery of the kingdom forefathers, Kotagede Mosque, traditional houses with Javanese architecture, the topography of the villages or kampongs that using the ancient city’s system, and the fort ruins can be found in Kotagede.

*Pasar Kotagede (Kotagede traditional market)

The city system of Javanese kingdom usually places the palace, the roundabout, and the traditional market on the line that stretches from South to North. The Book of Nagarakertagama that was written in the era of Majapahit Kingdom (14th century), told that this pattern had been used since that time. The traditional market that had been there since the era of Panembahan Senopati, is still exist until now. Every legi morning in Javanese calendar system, sellers, buyers, and trading products are spread all over the market. The building has been renovated, but the position remains the same. If you want to explore Kotagede, you can start it from the traditional market by walking to the South heading the graveyard, the ruins of inner fort, and the fenced banyan tree.

*The kingdom forefathers’ graveyard

Walk 100 meters to the South of Kotagede Traditional Market, we can find the graveyard area of the Islamic Mataram Kingdom’s forefathers that is surrounded by a tall and strong wall. The portal to the graveyard area has the feature of Hindu architecture. Each portal has the thick wooden handle and is decorated with beautiful carvings. Some kingdom servants dressing up in traditional Javanese outfit guard the graveyard complex for 24 hours a day.

We can pass through 3 portals before getting to the last portal that heads to the graveyard area. For getting into the graveyard area, we have to dress up in traditional Javanese outfit (it can be rented there). The visitors are only allowed to enter the graveyard on Sunday, Monday, Thursday, and Friday at 08.00 to 16.00. For honoring the Mataram Kingdom’s forefathers here, the visitors are not allowed to take pictures or bring a camera and wear golden jewelries inside the graveyard. The important people that were buried in here: Sultan Hadiwijaya, Ki Gede Pemanahan, Panembahan Senopati, and their families.

*Kotagede Mosque

The exploring of Kotagede will not be completed without visiting the Masjid Kotagede (Kotagede Mosque), the oldest mosque in Yogyakarta that is located in the area of the graveyard. Afterwards, you won’t be disappointed walking through the narrow passage way behind the wall around the graveyard area to see the architecture thoroughly and observe the daily activities of the people in Kotagede.

*Traditional House

Right across the graveyard area, we are able to see a Javanese traditional house. However, if you want to walk for 50 meters away to the South, you will be able to see a portal with a low hollow space and a sign that says "cagar budaya" (=cultural preservation). Get into the portal you will see some Kotagede Javanese traditional houses that are still preserved well and truly used as a place to live.

*Kedhaton (The Royal Palace)

Walking to the South a bit, you will see 3 banyan trees located right in the middle of the road. In the middle, there is a small building that is used for keeping the "watu gilang" (a special stone). It is a square-shaped black stone that has some written words on its surface. The written words are arranged in a circle-like shape. It says: ITA MOVENTUR MUNDU S - AINSI VA LE MONDE - ZOO GAAT DE WERELD - COSI VAN IL MONDO. In the outside of the circle, there are some words that say: AD ATERN AMMEMORIAM INFELICS - IN FORTUNA CONSOERTES DIGNI VALETE QUIDSTPERIS INSANI VIDETE IGNARI ET RIDETE, CONTEMNITE VOS CONSTEMTU - IGM (In Glorium Maximam).

Inside the building, there is also "watu cantheng" (another special stone), three balls that are consist of yellowish stones. The local people had thought the stone "balls" were the toys of Panembahan Senapati. But there is also a possibility that the stones are the bullets of old cannons.

*The ruins of the fort

Panembahan Senopati built the inner fort (cepuri) completed with the moat around the palace, the area covered more or less 400x400 meters. The real ruins of the fort are still seen on the corner of Southwest and Southeast. The wall was 4 feets thick and made of stone blocks. The rest of the moat will be seen on the East, South, and West.

Walking through Kotagede will enrich our knowledge about the history of Islamic Mataram Kingdom that was successful in Java. Furthermore, you can see local people’s daily routines closely. They have been staying inside the strong wall and doing the activities since hundreds years ago.

It is different with other places, the local people are so friendly with the Javanese characteristic, polite, and not too commercial. In Kotagede, you won’t be bothered by the hawkers who like to force people to buy their things. It’s a bit surprising, or pleasing will be the right word.

Kotagede King Cemetry Inside Gates