Cruise deal to Bali, Komodo Island, Borobudur and Australia on February 10 2012

Cruise travel bring some new experience for those of you who need a new adventure in traveling. Cruising the ocean for some weeks , surrounding by freedom and luxurious things, would be great idea to fill up your energy from your daily exhausting work. Get refresh to the exotic island of Indonesia and australia . You will passing to the last island fully of Big lizard (KOMODO DRAGONS) who lived in Komodo Island, or you can get the antique Batik ( originally Indonesia's wooden cloth ) at the city of Semarang. Mean while , youll be amaze with Sydney, a vibrant metropolis and leading player on the world stage is the ideal introduction to a voyage where your discovery of Australia promises billabongs and boomerangs, reefs and rainforest, kangaroos, koalas and crocs.

Dazzling turquoise-blue waters and pristine white sands, the Whitsunday Islands are a little piece of paradise. More riches lie in the outback ‘gold frontiers’, while Darwin is a springboard to the untouched wilderness of UNESCO listed Kakadu National Park. Singapore’s sleek skyline beckons but first dragons and a dazzling array of nature on Komodo. Bali – pure Indonesian magic, and the wonder of Borobudur. And the nearest cruise offers is from Voyages of Discover with 21 nights and departs on February 10 2012 using MV discovery cruise ship.

A glimpse of the MV Discovery Cruises

In 1967, two well known Oslo firms, Messrs. Fearnley & Eger and Øivind Lorentzen commenced talking about a joint cruise venture. A large number of tenders were received from European shipyards and it was Rheinstahl Nordseewerke GmbH of Emden, Germany, who finally got the bid. They had no previous experience in the building of passenger ships, and consequently joined forces with the well known consultants and naval architect firm, Knud E. Hansen of Copenhagen. On the morning of 11 September 2001, the former Island Princess (now mv Platinum) exited the Suez Canal at Port Said, destined for Europe and a $15 million refurbishment.

Talks were also continuing at this time between the owner and Voyages of Discovery, and agreement was eventually reached for the ship to be chartered by the latter, with a view to focusing on a wider choice of destinations and unusual itineraries. The ship was re-christened Discovery on 7th May 2003 by Mrs Jenny Smith, in Harwich. On 10 May 2005 mv Discovery was purchased from Mr Herrod by the parent company of Voyages of Discovery, All Leisure Group PLC nd will continue to operate a year round programme of cruises. This cruise ship had spacious public areas, abundant open deck spaces and promenades of the traditional trans-Atlantic passenger liners. Full autonomy for worldwide cruising with ample capacity to cover long distances without reprovisioning of food, fuel and fresh water. Discover Indonesia and Australia with another experience of traveling by cruise ship, the new way of traveling method.




About destination in Indonesia's Islands :

-. BALI

Bali Island is a small beautiful island and a part of Indonesia archipelago. It own the panorama and unique culture that make this island is exclusively than others. It is located in the tropical situation that has stated this island as Dream Island for a vacation.Bali has been emitting a thick aura of tourism to many parts of the world's end. Not only natural that so stunning, indigenous traditions and customs of Bali resident, was able to siphon attention from various circles both within and outside the country. Call it, Kecak dance, which is so riveting as we witnessed in person, or any beach that can hypnotize every eye that sees, even with the model of terrace rice fields help provide a unique feel in each moment we set foot on this island .

-. KOMODO ISLAND

These isolated islands are surrounded by some of the most tempestuous waters in Indonesia. The convergence of warm and cold water currents breeds nutritious thermal climes, rip tides and whirlpools that attract large schools of pelagic, from dolphins and sharks to manta rays and blue whales. The coral here is pristine. Add it all up and you have some of the best diving in the world. There were rumours of these awesome creatures long before their existence was confirmed in the West . Fishers and pearl divers working in the area had brought back tales of ferocious lizards with enormous claws, fearsome teeth and forked yellow tongues. One theory holds that the Chinese dragon is based on the Komodo lizard.

-. BOROBUDUR
This famous Buddhist temple, dating from the 8th and 9th centuries, is located in central Java. It was built in three tiers: a pyramidal base with five concentric square terraces, the trunk of a cone with three circular platforms and, at the top, a monumental stupa. The walls and balustrades are decorated with fine low reliefs, covering a total surface area of 2,500 m2. No other monument in the world accomplices what Borobudur does, either in term of the sheer scale on which stone panels have been carved to tell the stories about Buddhism, in the more subjective way in which these stories, man of them highly abstract, have been represented which such great artistry.

If you are interesting and get curious about How the look like of Indonesia island with cruise travel you can see the website of Voyages of Discover for the offers at http://us.voyagesofdiscovery.com

How to Choose Hotel Via Internet

At present, if you want to visit Bali and want to get more information, you do not need to ask your friend for any recommendations. You just need to sit in front of your computer and typing the word 'Bali' on a search engine, you will get lots of information online. And now, setting your travel trip was no longer so difficult and complicated as ever. However, you should know that finding a hotel via the internet is more easier to said than actually. One thing you should consider, do not to quickly decided to stay in a hotel just because of the hotel website 'looks good'. There are six things you should consider when decide to choose a hotel via internet:

1. Cleanliness of the hotel
One of the most fundamental factor is, you should look at the cleanliness of the place. Of course this is not an easy question, especially if you, your family or friends have never stayed there. In an effort to convince yourself, you may need to further more to explore the hotel websites and look into the gallery.

2. Interior inside and outside of the hotel room
A few number of hotel founder put up decorations in general it could be as painting, sculpture or plants which are placed in the corners of the hotel and especially in their rooms and posted on the website the hotel. By knowing how the room looks beautiful, you certainly will feel comfortable living in it even though only a few days.

3. Hotel rating
If the website does not display images from the corners of the hotel room, another option you can do is to check the hotel rating system or if you have lots of time, might be able to see comments from clients who have stayed at the hotel. By looking at the evaluation and assessment, these can provide assurance that you are quite comfortable at the hotel. As you might know some travelers tend to have a strong opinion and objective in their assessments.

4. Room Facilities
Another thing that remains to be considered, of course is the amenities of the hotel room, including Air Conditioner (AC), kitchen equipment, refrigerators, heaters, services such as transportation to the airport and speed of Internet access, room service, and free breakfast for two people. Also as a business center, cafeteria and the latter is the availability of swimming pool which is a favorite activities for your children during holiday at the hotel.

5. No smoking room
Not everyone is smoking, may also include you, then it should be ascertained whether there is a room or rooms that provide smoke-free.

6. Rates and prices
After you check everything else , of course the latter is to see and rate per room per night. You certainly do not want to be affected by all the facilities provided by the hotel which lead you out of money just to pay the room.

By many hotels that you found while browsing, choose the hotel with your budget capability. Some hotels sometimes offer different prices during peak and off-peak seasons. So, what are you waiting for? get books to your favorite hotel that suitable for your budget.

Garuda Indonesia , The Indonesia's national Airline

Garuda Indonesia is Indonesia's national Airline. Garuda Indonesia had its beginnings in the Indonesian war of independence against the Dutch in the late 1940s, when Garuda flew special transports with a Douglas DC-3. 26 January 1949 is generally recognized as the airline's founding date, at which time the airline was known as "Garuda Indonesian Airways". Government-owned airline Garuda Indonesia flies passengers and cargo to more than 44 destinations, split evenly between domestic and international markets (Asia/Pacific region and Europe). From its hubs in Jakarta and Denpasar, the carrier operates a fleet of about 70 aircraft, consisting mainly of Boeing models. Its low-fare CitiLink affiliate serves about half a dozen Indonesian locations. Garuda extends its international network via code-sharing relationships with several carriers. (Code-sharing allows airlines to sell tickets on one another's flights and offer passengers service to additional destinations.) Subsidiaries provide catering and travel services, aircraft maintenance and ground handling.

Garuda Indonesia operates a fleet of 49 aircrafts serving various domestic and international destinations across the Asia-pacific region and the Middle East The airline also operates a number of airline related subsidiaries in the tourism and hospitality (Aerowisata), computerised reservation system (Abacus Distribution Systems), travel and transportation IT service provider (Lufthansa Systems Indonesia) as well as in the airline maintenance (Garuda Maintenance Facility AeroAsia) businesses that in total employs more than 5,900 staff. In 2006, Garuda Indonesia offered over 39,000 flights and carried more than 9 million passengers.

A poor record of the incident that occurred in Jogjakarta in 2007 ago, making this airline together with several other Indonesian airlines, was banned for safety reasons according to flying routes of Europe. After improvement process is quite significant, ban flies in europe finally clear out in 2009. In 2008, Garuda Indonesia obtaining certification of the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) of IATA, which means the airline Garuda Indonesia has met the requirements of standard "best practice" in the field of flight operations, aircraft maintenance and aviation safety management systems. And in 2010, Garuda Indonesia successfully received an award from Skytrax, an Independent Audit Institutions based in London. This award is a four star airline certificate (4-Star Airline Skytrax).

Garuda Indonesia currently has 1 head office and eight management areas which manage 49 branch offices, namely:

1. Areas of western Indonesians who runs 14 branch offices in Jakarta, Bandung, Banda Aceh, Medan, Batam, Padang, Pekanbaru, Palembang, Yogyakarta, Solo, Semarang, Pangkal Pinang, Tanjung karang, Jambi.
2. Areas of Eastern Indonesia, which runs 18 branch offices in Surabaya, Denpasar, Makassar, Manado, Balikpapan, Banjarmasin, Palangkaraya, Pontianak. Mataram, Jayapura, Biak, Timika, Malang, Kupang, Ternate, Kendall, Palu, Ambon.
3. Areas of Asia which manages three branch offices in Singapore. Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok.
4. Area Japanese, Korean, and Chinese. which manages eight branch offices in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Seoul, Canton, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai.
5. South West Pacific Area which manages three branch offices in Sydney. Perth, Melbourne.
8. Europe and Middle East Area which manages three branch offices in Jeddah, Riyadh, Amsterdam.

Fleet

All Garuda's aircraft are maintained by GMF AeroAsia. After the arrival of the six Airbus A330-200 aircraft since 2009 Garuda still expects 8 more Airbus A330-200 and 10 Boeing 777-300ERs to join its widebody fleet by 2016. The Boeing customer code for Garuda Indonesia is U3. Currently, the airline is utilising the Airbus A330-200s on its route to Amsterdam, East Asian and Australian flights originating from Jakarta, Boeing 747-400s on their Middle Eastern routes, Airbus A330-300s for most of their Australian and East Asian routes originating from Bali, Boeing 737-800s on most domestic and regional routes and on the Perth to Denpasar International route and the Boeing 737 Classics on domestic sectors. As of 9 January 2012, the Garuda Indonesia fleet averages 7.1 years of age with the following aircraft:

Once the Boeing 777-300ERs enter service, they will be used on the planned non-stop European and US flights. The airline also plan to acquire 18 Sub-100 seater aircraft to serve secondary domestic airports beginning this year. Visit the natural beauty of Indonesia, and fly with Garuda.

Garuda Office Worldwide (2006)
(click on the images or save images for clearly sight)

And for further information , visit the official website of Garuda Indonesia at http://www.garuda-indonesia.com

GH Universal Hotel , Luxurious italian style hotel in Bandung

Enjoying the city of Bandung as your tourist destination, is a worth things to do. The beauty of natural landscape until the best shopper destination with cool athmosphere, would be pampering you on your holidays. There is a unique hotel in Bandung that would be brought a romantic and luxury nuances especially for those of you while celebrate your honeymoon. The hotel has an Italian Renaissance-style architecture, with stylish detail in every corner of the room. When you enter this hotel, you will feel a very strong European nuances, as if you were on vacation in the region of Europe.

The hotel has 105 guest rooms and luxury suites including Governor suite, Honeymoon Suite and presidential suite. Some of the guest rooms and suites have beautiful city views. For the price per each room, Grand Hotel Universal put up fares starting from Rp970.000 / night for a superior, Rp1.570.000 / night for a deluxe king, until Rp13.500.000 / night for the presidential suite.

The Hotel is located on Jl.Setiabudi. No.376, 40143 Bandung, West Java, Indonesia, and this hotel is very filled with a luxurious nuances and has high prestige. For those of you who want to feel the honeymoon with European atmosphere, the hotel is able to answer your needs. For further information, you can visit the website of GH Universal hotel at www.ghuniversal.com

White crater lake at Ciwidey , Bandung | Indonesia

If you were traveling in bandung , it's better for you to feel the amazingness of white crater lake. Its located on the top of Mount Patuha in South Bandung. From the height of 2194 above sea level , you will enjoy the natural panoramic and the freshness of white crater lake. The green apple color of the water , brought magical intuition to everyone who seen the lake. Two craters adorn the summit of Patuha Volcano. The dry crater of Patuha crater lies 600 meters northwest of white crater lake, a crater lake with approximately 8 meters of water depth. White Crater Lake represents a relatively stable volcanic system, with no records of magmatic or phreatic activity since A.D. 1600. Surrounded by the tea plantation, white crater lake is a very prospectors tourist's destination in Bandung, west java - Indonesia.

The topology of white crater lake is in the hill's area and surrounded by high cliff fully of trees. White Crater is one of the crater with sulfur acidity highest in the world, so that the Dutch colonial government had built a factory of sulfur in this place. The uniqueness of this attraction is the white crater, the air is very cold here could even reach 0-2 degrees Celsius in certain seasons. First revealed in 1837 by a Dutch scientist named Dr. Franz Wilhelm Junghun, the lake at an altitude of 2194 m above sea level with temperatures around 15-22 degrees Celsius is very stunning. Because of its uniqueness, the White crater become a tourist attraction for local tourists and foreign tourists, as well as a favorite backdrop for photographers and cinematographer . Geologically, White crater formed by the eruption of Mount Patuha activity that occurred in the XII century. Patuha name itself comes from the initial name of this mountain, Mount Sepuh (Sundanese for 'old').

After enjoying the beauty panoramic of white crater lake , don't forget to taste the typical Sundanese dishes are very evocative your appetite. Located in parking area , Saung Someah provides a variety of traditional foods Sundanese. Cheap food prices coupled with good service, Saung someah is a good choice for your lunch. If you are interesting to find something fresh , just take alook around near the parking area. So many strawberry merchant with cheaper price ( less from 1$ for a box strawberry ). Still in the parking area , you will find handycraft merchant too, with various things to buy.

How to get there
Access to the white crater lake is very easy, only about two hours with traveling distance of 30 km from the south side of Bandung. If you are from Jakarta or another town, get out in the gate of Kopo highway road, then proceed towards the capital of Bandung regency, Soreang. From there just follow the directions from road mark which wrote as CIWIDEY. And at the top of the hill , you will find the gate of white crater lake ( KAWAH PUTIH ). Driving by your own car is recommended, it's convenience because along the way, you can stop by to just take a rest, or buy strawberry, which can be easily found in this area. Fresh and considerably cheap.

To get to White crater lake , you have to pay Rp 15000 for one person and Rp 150.000 for car. If you want to make it cheaper you can park your car in the parking area and you can choose the local transport provided by perum perhutani. This only paid for Rp 25.000 per person .


Travel Tips
-. Bring your jacket and your umbrella to avoid cold and rain.
-. its better to try to picking strawberries straight from the plant near the tourist attraction with Rp 50.000 for 1 kg
-. be aware on the road to white crater lake from the entrance gate , the road its small and intricated.

Garden of Eden100 : an alternative vacation spot besides lake toba

Garden of Eden100 is located in North Sionggang village, subdistrict Lumban Julu, district Toba Samosir. With a height of 1,100 to 1750 meters above sea level. Garden of Eden100 can be an alternative vacation spot for tourists beside of lake toba. Garden of Eden100 is a tropical forest with an area of 40 hectares, It has an average temperature of 20 degrees celsius in the daytime.

This park is managed to aim for the natural ecosystem restore from damaged. In this park, you can find fig trees of Jerusalem and butter nut from the Amazon that grow thrives. Both of these trees lush and fertile although unfruitful. Perhaps the climate is not suitable to make this trees fruitful. At least, the presence of trees adds to the wealth collection of the Garden of Eden 100.

In addition to the fig tree and butter nut, you can also see the typical Batak plants that began to rare plants such as flowers sampinur, hariara, jabi-jabi, tahul-tahul, and andaliman. Besides viewing rare plants, visitors are free to eat fruits in the forest conservation owned by Marandus Sirait and family. There is also durian fruit, avocados, oranges, and guava.

Garden of Eden100 is perfect tours for lovers of plants and flowers. Management in particular build a toba orchid conservation area with the label Orchid Park, the only garden orchid conservation forests in North Sumatra. Another uniqueness is owned by this forest conservation is located on a label that is written in every tree along the trail. This label contains the names of the agency or organization or individual. This means each existing tree of this garden are planted by each visitor who wish to perpetuate his visit. The name refers the identity of the owner of the tree.

If visitors feel tired after enjoying a variety of beautiful plants and flowers, they are also able to visit a bat cave which is about 2.5 hours' walk from the entrance. In this cave, visitors can enjoy the natural beauty around the protected forest adjacent to the Garden of Eden 100 or can also look directly to the bat habitat. Apart from the bat cave, there are also quite beautiful waterfall for your to visit, about 20 minutes from the park entrance of the garden.

Founder of Eden 100
Garden of Eden 100 was built by Marandus Sirait. A music teacher in medan who experience anxiety because of the environment where he lives suffered significant damage. Looking at the environment that continues to damage, Marandus trying to improve the land area of ​​40 hectares owned by the family that went untreated. Early in 1990, the construction the project of started Marandus Eden 100, he planted 100 species of plant production. Plant seeds he obtained from selling electric guitars, keyboards and some musical instruments that he had. He determined to build the dream for create a forest that can be utilized by residents around Lake Toba. In 2005, the hard work of marandus started successfully. He was awarded the Kalpataru from the government because of efforts to improve forest. And in 2010, he again received the award WAHANA LESTARI. All the awards he won, making he more as to continue the development of Eden 100, by nature and by society.

How to get there
40 hectares of forest sites are located on the edge of Parapat-Balige Highway, about 190 kilometers from Medan to Tarutung. You can travel using private cars or car lease from Parapat, with a distance of about 17 kilometers to the direction of Balige. Long journey that you take about 5-6 hours from the medan. If you have difficulty for find the location of this forest, you can ask people who are along the highway-Balige Parapat, average people here already know the location of this garden of Eden 100.

Travel Tips
-. Entrance ticket area is for Rp 3000 - Rp 7000 per person
-. To immortalize your name, you can plant trees that will be labeled according to your name, the purchase cost of the trees around Rp 100,000 - Rp 300,000.
-. Around this area is not yet available lodging. If you want to stay, you can select a city Parapat for find a place to stay.
-. Remain cautious as long in the forest, together in one group would be better, because the region close to the protected forest.
-. Obey all the rules that exist in this forest area for your comfort while traveling.

Visa Rules for Indonesia

Indonesia Visa Rules - There are several types of Indonesia visas such as Tourist Visa, Business Visa, Multiple-entry Visa (for business trips only) and Transit Visa. All travelers to Indonesia must possess passports, valid for at least six months after arrival, and proof of onward passage out of the country.

Visa Guidelines
Visas are not required for tourists who are nationals of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, The Philippines, Hong Kong Special Administration Region (SAR), Macao Special Administration Region (SAR), Chile, Morocco, Peru, and Vietnam.

Countries and districts eligible for a visa on arrival are: United States of America, Australia, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Denmark, United Arab Emirates, Finland, Hungary, United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, Germany, Canada, South Korea, Norway, France, Poland, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Taiwan.

These visas can be obtained from the following airports on arrival:
Polonia (Medan), Sultan Syarif Kasim II (Pekan Baru), Tabing (Padang), Soekarno - Hatta (Jakarta), Juanda (Surabaya), Ngurah Rai (Bali), Samratulangi (Manado).

The following seaports also offer visa on arrival:

Sekupang, Batu Ampar, Nongsa and Marina Teluk Senimba (Batam), Bandar Bintan Telani Lagoi and Sri Udara Lobam (Tanjung Uban), Belawan (Belawan), Sibolga (Sibolga), Yos Sudarso (Dumai), Teluk Bayur (Padang), Tanjung Priok (Jakarta), Padang Bai (Bali), Jayapura(Jayapura).



*NOTE: The information supplied here is meant as a guide only and is subject to change without warning. Therefore all travelers should check the visa and immigration details with the local Indonesian Embassy or Consulate.

  
Effective February 1, 2004, Indonesia has introduced wide ranging changes in the national visa-free and visa on arrival system. We've tried to summarize those changes here for your convenience.

Visa Free on Arrival
In the past the nationals of 48 nations were given a 60-day stay (visa free) upon arrival at an Indonesian international gateway.

Under the new rules effective February 1, 2004:

• Only 11 countries and territories are eligible for a "Visa Free" facility, they are: Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Philippines, Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, Chile, Morocco, Peru and Vietnam.

• Nationals of the aforementioned countries and territories will be issued with a 30-day stay permit without charge upon presentation of a valid passport with 6 months remaining validity.

• The Visa Free Facility is not extendable or convertible into another type of visa.

Visa on Arrival (updated February 2010)
Effective Jan 26, 2010, visitors holding valid passports from certain countries can now only obtain a 30-days visa on arrival (VOA). The previous 7-day visa at US$10 has been abolished, hence this 30-days US$25 visa (renewable for an additional 30 days, cost for this extension has not been revealed yet) being the only visa that can be issued to eligible tourists. This VOA can be obtained at any of the 15 airports and 21 seaports designated as "international gateways" by the Indonesian Immigration department.
Nationals of the following countries are eligible to purchase a VOA:
Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Panama, People's Republic of China, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Suriname, Switzerland, Sweden, Taiwan, The Netherlands, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America.

• The citizens of the aforementioned countries must hold a passport with at least 6 months remaining validity at the time of arrival, present a completed embarkation/disembarkation card provided by the airlines, be able to demonstrate they have sufficient means to live during their stay in Indonesia, not be listed on any official blacklist of individuals prohibited from entering the country, and pay the stipulated fee to obtain a visa.

• The Visa on Arrival cannot be converted into another class of visa.

• Immigration authorities promise the visa purchasing system will take no more than 3-5 minutes per applicant. Payment counters have been set up to process payments.

• Once payment is completed the tourist will proceed to an immigration counter for final inspection of documents and visa issuance.

Visa on Arrival at Limited Gateways
The visa on arrival facility will only be available at the following international gateways:

• Airports: Medan, Pekanbaru, Padang, Soekarno-Hatta (Jakarta), Halim Perdana Kusuma (Jakarta), Surabaya, Bali, Manado, Yogyakarta, Solo, Mataram (Lombok), Balikpapan, Makassar, Kupang.

• Seaports: Batam, Tanjung Uban (Bintan), Belawan (Medan), Sibolga (Sumatra), Dumai, Teluk Bayar (Padang, Sumatra), Padang Bai (Bali), Jayapura (Papua), Padang (Sumatra), Bitung (North Sulawesi), Tanjung Balaikarimun, Tanjung Mas (Semarang), Kupang, Pare Pare (South Sulawesi), Makassar (South Sulawesi).

Applying for Visas Before Arrival
Citizens of countries not included on a visa-free or visa-on-arrival lists must apply for a visa overseas before arriving in Indonesia. Citizens of any country wishing to stay more than 30 days must also apply for an appropriate visa at their nearest Indonesian Embassy or Consulate before traveling to Indonesia.
It seems that a 60 day visa can be issued on request in most Asian countries for all nationalities within 2 days. You may check with your local Indonesian Embassy as well, where you will probably need to give a viable reason why you need a 60 day visa vs a 30 day visa.

Special Facilities

A certain number of special facilities are being introduced in connection with the new visa policy, including:

• Tour Agents are able to arrange express handling for groups at no additional charge by presenting the completed immigration cards, passports and applicable visa fee.

• Passengers who overstay their visa period for a short period of time can be processed immediately at the airport by paying US$ 20 for every day they "overstayed" their 30 day visa.

• Airlines that experience technical difficulties or delayed flights can apply for their passengers to be exempted from paying any "overstay" penalties.

Source: Bali Discovery

TIP: Make copies of your passport and keep them separate. Losing your passport in Indonesia will cause you quite a few inconveniences since you'll have to make at least one trip to your embassy in Jakarta. We advise to make copies of travelers cheques, health insurances, drivers licenses, credit cards and bills of photo and video equipment as well. In case of loss this can help you at the police station and later on to get your lost property replaced.

For Retirees:
The Immigration Department has issued the long-awaited revisions to regulations that allow the granting of temporary stay permits for those over 55 years of age. This facility to provide renewable stay permits of one year's duration was originally announced in 1998 (Keputusan Menteri Kehakiman No. M.04-IZ.01.02 tahun 1998). In the first few years after the regulations were issued few retirees were actually able to actually get the visa due to the strict requirements. Revisions to the regulations in April 2002 (decree by the General Director of Immigration in law No. F. 492-UM.01.10, April 18, 2002) brought the requirements within closer reach of the financial capabilities of most retirees.
Source: Living in Indonesia - Retirement. See there for more information.

The simplest way to determine Indonesia original Batik

The simplest way to determine the originally Batik from Indonesia is to make sure that Batikmark is listed in batik which you will buy.During its development, batik is known worldwide as a very prominent characteristic. Several countries are trying to learn the making process of batik Indonesia, for example Malaysia. They bring batik artisans from Indonesia, studied the making process of batik and imitating batik designs originating from Indonesia, then they try to create new motives to show Batik with typical Malaysian culture.

Along with the development of batik which is not native from Indonesia, this is certainly going to complicate the fans of batik to determine the native culture of Indonesian batik. The Indonesian government has nominated Javanese batik-patterned textile to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO)’s list of intangible cultural heritage, and was inaugurated in October 2009, besides keris and wayang.

The government was made a certification mark, called “Batikmark”, through its Department of Industry (Departemen Perindustrian RI) that can be applied to properly certified Indonesian batik products. “Batikmark” was introduced by the Indonesian Department of Industry through its Ministerial Decree (Peraturan Menteri Perindustrian RI) No. 74/MIND/PER/9/2007.

With “Batikmark”, Indonesia somewhat combines the concepts of collective and certification marks. Under the Indonesian Ministerial Decree, only batik manufacturers who already sell their products under a registered trademark can obtain a “Batikmark” certification. The manufacturer’s products also must pass a series of tests conducted by the National Standardization Agency (Badan Standardisasi Nasional). Products that pass their tests are considered to conform to the “Indonesian National Standard” (Standar Nasional Indonesia).

The manufacturer receives a certification upon passing the tests. If the manufacturer is eligible, they can then file a written request, attached with its company profile, to the head of the Yogyakarta Grand Handicraft and Batik House (Balai Besar Kerajinan dan Batik). Yogyakarta Grand Handicraft and Batik House is an institution authorized by the Ministerial Decree to perform additional tests on the batik-patterned textile. The Batik Institution will then perform tests in their laboratories.

The aim of the tests is to assure that the textile meets the certification standards of the batik-patterned textile. The qualifications include reviewing: the materials applied to the textile, the pattern, the dyeing technique, and the textile quality. If the batik-patterned textiles pass the tests then the manufacturer will be eligible to obtain a numbered “Batikmark” certification.

This certification is valid for three years and can be renewed. The certification is in the form of a label printed “Batik Indonesia” that is placed in every single product of batik-patterned textile that has been certified. This label has been copyrighted in the Indonesian Copyright office.

Tips for Choosing Car Rental

The more increasingly for companies which offering car rental services, often make us confused to determine the choice, various problems might come up if we choose a rental car that is not appropriate, such as a car is not healthy, no insurance, lack of good service and so forth. Below we try to discuss tips on renting a car or find the right car rental services.

First
For your convenience, select a car rental service that has been famous for its good reputation. You can use the internet to search for car rental service companies that match your criteria. We recommend choosing a car rental services that have good insurance for the car or the borrower.

Second
Once you find the right car rental service, you can contact the car rental services, and choose the car you want to use, then dig as much information regarding all requirements. We recommend that you also can ask for an attachment on it either via fax or via email.

Third
When a rental car arrived, note the condition of the car, the type of car that you order as well as completeness of the documents, key equipment, spare tire, and any other criteria in accordance with the agreement when you apply for a car rental. Make sure, if you can bring itself or have a driver? Do not forget to ask for business cards or car rental service numbers to be easily contacted when needed, for example, strike or other circumstances.

Example of terms and conditions applicable car rental in Bali (quoted from: www.otobali.com)

Car rental without the driver (self drive)

-. Required for every tenant, at the time of hire have a driver's license (SIM) A minimum of a valid driver's license in the State of the Republic of Indonesia ...
-. Car rental rates are calculated a days for 24 hours.
-. Excess time (over time) will be charged at 10% of the rental price per day per hour
-. Pickup and delivery at the airport is free of charge
-. Hotel pick-up and delivery area of Kuta, Tuban, Jimbaran, Nusadua, Seminyak, Denpasar, and Petitenget free of charge.
-. Pickup / delivery outside these areas will be put on the delivery cost of Rp. 100.000, - / car
-. Handover of the car can only be done if the customer can submit a valid Identification Card .
-. The use of a car can only be used in the island of Bali alone. Use of a rental car out of the island of Bali will be subject to sanctions in accordance with the provisions of the law prevailing at the car rental in Bali association under the laws of the Republic of Indonesia
-. All prices listed above already include all risk insurance.
-. Damage to the rental car (abrasions, dents) are charged only minor insurance claims of 250,000, -
-. To damage in a large capacity (cars can not operate, broken glass, etc.) will be subject to major insurance claims for car rental rates for a month.

Rent Car with Driver

-. Rent a car with chauffeur services are calculated for 10 hours, the excess time will be put on a charge of 10% of the rental price of the vehicle.
-. Damage to the vehicle that occurs due to negligence, is solely the responsibility.

The Seven Giant Waves Wonder at Plengkung beach

The waves came rolling high, within half a mile, moves and stretches to the shore. Some surfers seem so enjoy the brunt of the waves that come and go. Glide lightly over the azure coast of Plengkung. The beach is a target of every real surfer. Characteristic of the most famous to this beach is the waves that can occur up to seven times in a short time interval. The surfers from many countries, called this beach as the G-Land, The Seven Giant Waves Wonder. Waves at Plengkung beach is one of the  top ten biggest waves in the world, make this beach one of the favorite beaches in Indonesia for tourists destination from other country. Do not be surprised if Plengkung beach is already organize for four times international surfing event. The event is named "Banyuwangi G-Land International Team Challenge", followed by 12 teams surfers from eight countries, namely Australia, France, America, Britain, New Zealand, and Indonesia.

Plengkung waves are divided into three levels, namely kong, speedis, and many tracks. Each of these waves took in different areas. The first type of wave that is kong, this wave reaches 6-8 meters height . The most waves searched by international surfers. The second level known as speedis and have between 5-6 feet height . This waves type is also a professional surfer consumption. Then, the last level known as many tracks. High waves in many tracks about 3-4 meters.

In addition to professional surfers, the beach is also an option for beginner surfers. They can try many track area in Batu Lawang. Its location not far from Plengkung. When reached by foot takes about 20 minutes. So that tourists often refer to the waves in the area as t twenty-twenty.

Every year no less than 400-600 foreign tourists came to surf on these white sandy beaches. In this place they could stay for a week, even months at the resorts near the jungle.

Access to this beach is quite difficult, because it was located right in the National Park Alas Purwo (TNAP), East Java. That is 87 km north of the town of Banyuwangi. Plengkung beach can be reached by land from the city of Banyuwangi, or the sea from the island of Bali. Road trip takes 2-3 hours from the city of Banyuwangi to reach the first gate TNAP residing in District Tegaldlimo.

During the trip from the first gate to the post in the region of Rawabendo TNAP, on either side of the road looks lush forests of teak trees. However, upon arriving at the next post, namely Pancur, tropical rain forest vegetation area which can gives color to Plengkung trip to the beach.

To cross the forest, visitors must use a car that has four-wheel drive (4wd) belongs to TNAP. The car is ready to carry tourists through pathways that have not been paved, muddy and rocky from Pancur heading toward the entrance  Plengkung Coast. It costs Rp 130,000 per car, traveling back and forth with the full shock of bumpy roads along the 15 kilometers. Arriving at the gate Plengkung Coast, continue the journey on foot as far as 200 meters to the beach. At the termination point of the visitors were greeted with a wooden board bookmark resort locations, such as Bobby's camp or Joyo's camp.

Travel Tips

-. The best time to go to the beach is in the month of March - October, the best time for the waves height.
-. beware of coral while you surf.
-. prepared yaour physic before you travel to this beach, because the path you take pretty exhausting.
-. if you do not have more budget to stay at the resort, you can stay at Wisma Alas Purwo National Park with a relatively cheaper price.
-. prepare anti-mosquito lotion, because during tour the beaches, the location you are always adjacent to the forest areas.

The uniqueness of cemetry on Trunyan, Bali

Do you know if Bali storing a very unique connection with the procession or the treatment on the corpse? There are some unique ways to treat human bodies which we witness on the island of Bali. One the most unique treatment process of bodies found in village Terunyan. Terunyan Village is part of Kintamani district located on the shores of Lake Batur . The villagers are descendants of the original Age of Bali (Original Bali). With its unique cultural aspects of treating corpses, this village became a tourist destination that is interesting enough to visit during your vacation in Bali.

Terunyan village situated on the edge of Lake Batur, Bangli District, with a History of Mount Batur will be an introduction to the journey of Terunyan cemetery village . About 40 km from the city of Denpasar. After reaching the foot of the mountain, the trip must be taken approximately 15-20 minutes by boat to get to the Village Terunyan. Indigenous Village Trunyan regulated procedures to bury its citizens. In this village there are three tomb (sema) that are intended for three different types of death. three types of graves were classified by age of the deceased, the integrity of bodies and ways of burial.

The main cemetery, considered the most holy and most good. The bodies were buried on this sacred tomb is the body remains intact, no defect, and the bodies of the death process is considered reasonable (not a suicide or accident).

The second cemetery is called a special cemetery reserved for young infants and adults who are not married. But still the condition of the corpses was should be intact and no defect.

The third grave called Sentra Bantas. This particular cemetery for the bodies of defects and who died from accidents or suicide.

Of the three types of tombs the most unique and interesting is the main cemetery or sacred tombs (Setra wayah). This cemetery is located about 400 meters in the north of the village to the foot of the cliff ridge bounded by hills. To bring the corpses to the cemetery had to use a special bodies dinghy called Pedau. Although called a buried, but the unique way of funeral, which is known as mepasah.

What makes the cemetery in  village of Terunyan being Unique ?

When you enter village Terunyan cemetery, then you will see human skulls lined up on a large stone basin which has 7 pieces. Then look on around you, the rows of conical woven bamboo, lined with the corpses inside. Perhaps, some questions will immediately arise in your mind, like: Is this body not in the grave? why these corpses do not stink?

Almost in some parts of the world, the form of burying of the corpses are usually in a way inserted into the ground. But in this Terunyan village corpses that have been through the process of the ceremony, placed over the hole as deep as 20cm, with a conical woven bamboo is used as a fence. Another uniqueness is, corpses lying on the ground does not stink, although the natural decomposition process that occurs in each of corpses is ongoing.

This is the main attraction for the tourists when visiting these tourist sites. Well, supposedly why, in the forest area there is a known named Tarumenyan tree, this tree is believed to locals who absorb the stench of bodies that undergo a process of decay. Miraculous! which can release fragrance and is able to neutralize the smell of rotting corpses. As for the meaning which is Taru means trees, incense means fragrant. Tarumenyan tree, only growing in this area. Be a Tarumenyan who later better known as Trunyan which is believed as the origin of the name of the village.

To get to the cemetery in the village of Terunyan, Bali, should be pass through the lake Batur with a distance of 20 minutes. Visitors can use a motor boat for Rp400.000. The boat was able to carry seven passengers. The combination of luster of the blue water of Lake Batur with a background of towering Mount Batur. Coupled with the cool air temperature, making the atmosphere more beautiful. Visiting the Village Terunyan better if performed in summer, so there is no rain or fog blocking the road when crossing into the village.