Jakarta City Travel Guide: Exploring The Beauty of Indonesian Capital

Jakarta is the beautiful capital of the Southeast Asian country, Indonesia. Being an archipelago of more than 18,000 islands, the nation is filled and overflowing with the most wonderful sights and experiences. Its capital alone holds enough things to do to last an entire month of walking around the city without pause, and still not being able to explore every nook and cranny. It is so full of different types of attractions to visit, and is very rich in historical and cultural heritage. To help you wander through this wonderful place, here's a mini Jakarta travel guide.

Seeing Jakarta's History: The Old Town
The best place to go to for a look at what Jakarta was in the old days is definitely Jakarta Old Town, or Old Town Batavia, an area formally stated as heritage in 1969. Even European travelers and voyagers as early as the 16th century saw the beauty of the place and called it "Jewel of Asia" and "Queen of the East".

In Old Town Batavia, history is brought back to life with the magnificent and picturesque scenery of old colonial Dutch architecture and surroundings. The streets are lined with museums and other interesting tourist attractions. Some of these are Gedung Arsip Nasional, Cafe Batavia, Postal Office, Museum Bank Indonesia, and the Museum Fatahillah.

Other than the many buildings you can freely walk into, you can also see many street vendors and open markets in the area. Visit the old drawbridge, Sunda Kelapa old harbor, and delight yourself in the old Javanese leather puppets at the Puppet Museum.

Every Monday, most of the museums in Jakarta are closed. The best day to visit is on Sunday, because usually there would be a puppet show at the Puppet Museum. At the same museum, you can also see the funeral of Jan Pieterszoon Coen. He was an officer of the Dutch East India Company in Indonesia (VOC) in the early 17th century who renamed the city into Batavia from its older name, Jayakarta.

Immersing Yourself in Indonesia's Culture: Taman Mini Indonesia Indah
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) is literally translated to English as Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park. This large 250 acre park, located in the area of East Jakarta, is indeed one of the most beautiful and perfect places to feel like you're actively participating in the culture of the beautiful Indonesia.

An hour is not enough to witness everything you need to experience in this colossal park, as it is a conglomeration of everything Indonesian. The entire archipelago is crammed into the place, and the best thing to do is to let yourself be swept away by the sheer magnificence of experiencing all you can of the country in the shortest time possible. If you take a cable car inside the park, you will see the beautiful of Indonesian archipelago miniature in the middle of a lake.

Encyclopedia Britannica dubs TMII as a living museum, because of all the culture you can get from the entire experience. Each of the 34 provinces of Indonesia are represented in the park as pavilions. Each of them have their own unique surroundings, furniture, and ornaments to give the true feel of the territory. There are also more informative and fascinating museums that you can visit while inside the park, such as the Reptile Museum where you can see a dragon Komodo, Military Museum, Indonesian Museum, etc. You can also walk around and enjoy the calm beauty of the different sub-parks and have fun at the recreational facilities.

The best day to visit TMII is on Sunday, because the pavilions in the park usually perform their traditional dances and shows only on Sunday or public holiday.

Visiting the National Landmark of Jakarta: Monas
And of course, your stay in Jakarta would not be complete without seeing the monument built to remember the day Indonesia became a free country: the Monas, stand for Monumen Nasional. It was built by the first President, Mr. Soekarno, in 1961 and opened to the public ten years later. In Soekarno era, it was the highest building, the 132-meter monument powerfully tower high over Jakarta, a visible testament to the fight for freedom from colonial rule.

When you go there, you can reach the top of the Monas via elevator and see all of Jakarta. Afterwards, you can visit the Independence Room, which holds the national flag as well as other important artifacts. At the base of the Monas is the National History Museum, and the surrounding area is a beautiful park named Merdeka square. In the museum, you will find 51 dioramas telling the story about Indonesia's struggle for independence.

Sunday and holiday are not best days to visit Monas if you want to reach the top, because there are many students and people want to reach the top causing a long queue. There is only one lift with maximum 11 persons maximum capacity while hundreds of people want to enter the lift every holiday.

The above destinations are easy to reach, but many people in Jakarta cannot speak English. That is why you need an English speaking driver or a tour guide. This Jakarta Tourist Guide can help you reach the best destinations in Jakarta and explore more about the beauty of the city.

Visit here if you want to see some beautiful pictures of the city.

Article Source: Marsudi_Suwarnaadi

  Subscribe to the Unique Travel Blog by Email

Bali Tour: The Hot Spots

With its beautiful islands dotted with pristine beaches, Bali is indeed a stunning destination, one with a charm that will never grow old, full of exotic splendor as much as it is filled with the pampering of modern-day amenities. This mainly is the reason why a Bali tour package is one of the most favorite among travelers from around the world.

To have the best experience from your Bali tour, the following hot spots are suggested:

Ubud
Ubud is renowned as the center for Balinese painting, being home to "Purl Lukisan", a museum that features a permanent collection of modern Balinese art dating from the turn of the century. Apart from Purl Lukisan, a number of art galleries as well as homes of artists thrive here, such as that of Antonio Blanco, an American, as well as Dutchborn Hans Snel. Another museum called Neka Museum features an expansive collection of paintings of Indonesian artists as well as foreign artists who used to live in Bali. Balinese painting today thrives on the "Young artist" style, which was introduced by the Dutch artist Arie Smith. Apart from that, Balinese artists have also been inspired by other foreign artist to adopt western techniques.

Kuta
A thriving resort that is popular primarily among the younger generation, Kuta is formerly just a lonely village. Nowadays, however, it has become a popular beach for surfing, although not so popular for swimming due to the particularly strong currents. It is also characterized by beautiful sunsets, as it is facing the west. Accommodation can be had both from international hotels and homestays. Modern establishments also abound, including restaurants, shops, discos, and other tourist facilities.

Nusa Dua
Located along the Bukit Peninsula in southern Bali, Nusa Dua is famous for its clean, breathtaking white beaches and clear waters. The northern side of the peninsula offers gentle surf, while a bigger surf can be had at the southern side. The resort is accessible by taxi, and accommodations are offered by a number of hotels, some of which are among the most beautiful and luxurious in Bali.

Pura Besakih
Gently seated on the sprawling slopes of Mount Agung is the sanctuary of Besakih, which is considered as the holiest of all Balinese temples. It is also the biggest to date. It is also renowned as the mother temple of Bali, and has an illustrious past, being a thousand years old. Balinese people consider a visit to the temple as a special pilgrimage. The sight of the temple against a background of the mountain is a magnificent view, more so during festivals when banners add a touch of colour and gaiety to the natural scene.

Tanah Lot
Tanah Lot is one of Bali's most important sea temples. Built on top of a huge rock surrounded by the sea, the temple traces its beginnings from the 16th century, having built by a priest that have come to Bali from Java. The temple specially pays homage to the guardians of the sea, and local tradition considers the poisonous sea snakes found at the base of the rock island as temple guardians that protect it from both intruders and evil spirits. During the late afternoons, the temple is in silhouette, giving a magnificent, picturesque view.

Apart from the hot spots given above, Bali has of course other destinations that will make any traveler always on the verge of discovery. That is so because a Bali tour package, indeed, is something that will always claim a special space in a traveler's most treasured moments.

Joe Cruze III works for Lokopoko Travel, a provider of Bali tour package and other exciting tour packages around Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

Article Source: Joe_Cruze_III

  Subscribe to the Unique Travel Blog by Email

Things to Do in Bali

Visiting Bali

Many people are familiar with Bali that is located in Indonesia. People are already familiar with its unique culture, its heritage and the variety of things that can be done there. This does not mean though that people have already gone there. A lot of people plan but their plans are usually overshadowed because there are other countries, options that are considered and chosen instead. For those who still do not realize the beauty of Bali, you should know that there are a lot of things that can be done there with any of the available Bali tour package. All you need to do is plan what you want to do and you will be able to achieve more.

More Than Just Beaches

A lot of tourists think that Bali does not offer anything aside from its wonderful beaches. The traditional beach bum may want to see it just to see the difference that it has with other countries but the truth is that Bali has spots and attractions that are beyond what is expected. The rich culture of Bali is always apparent and this is one thing that makes the whole place different from any other place that you will see on earth.

Biking In Bali

Like mentioned earlier, there are still other things that can be seen beyond Bali. You may be surprised to know that you can actually bike around there. The best biking spot in Bali is in Ubud. There are some people who would want to take the bike around the streets so that they can check out different attractions there. Aside from biking, you may also want to try out climbing Mt. Batur. This is usually available through availing package tours that you can purchase and register for on the Internet even before you arrive in Bali.

Water Sports and Night Life

There is a variety of water sports that you can try. If you have always wanted to try surfing, you can probably achieve that when you go to Bali. There are some spots that are considered better for surfing though so it will be best to research ahead of time so that you know exactly where you would need to go. Kuta is usually the recommended spot for surfing. Aside from that, the night life in this place is always kicking. This is where you will find all the nice things about beaches and partying. You will surely enjoy Kuta if you are into those kinds of things.

Diving In Bali

If staying above water is not really your thing, you may want to go under the water and experience seeing life under the sea. Menjangan Island is known to be a spot where not a lot of people go to because it is a bit secluded and not very appealing to people who go to Bali to party. This fact makes it perfect for snorkelling. Trying this out will expose you to the beauty of the sea underneath the surface. Do remember that it may take hours before you arrive at this place from Bali but when you are there, you will realize that it is all worth it.

We specialises in providing Bali tour packages to our clients all over the world. You can learn more over at our website at http://www.lokopoko.travel/indonesia-bali

Article Source: Jim_Rossi

Subscribe to the Unique Travel Blog by Email

3 Must Do Things On A Jakarta Holiday

Are you planning for a holiday to the island city of Indonesia? There are certain important facts that you should know before packing your bag and heading to the destination. Indonesia is a beautiful archipelago that comprises of approx. 17,508 islands. Jakarta is the capital city situated on the island of Java. Being the largest city in Indonesia, it is frequented by travelers all round the year to witness the Java Island, which is the most populous island in the world.

A travel package to Jakarta city means a retreat to the expansive city that carries a flavor of modern and traditional culture in apt proportions. While on a holiday package to Jakarta, you can do innumerable things. We have put together the top 3 must do things so that you are set for an exciting holiday to 'The Big Durian' called Jakarta.

List of things to do in Jakarta

1. Visit the Istiqlal Mosque
The Istiqlal Mosque is the fourth biggest one in the world and definitely a must visit location if you are travelling to Jakarta. Build in the 1960s, this mosque is located right in the central Jakarta and can hold 250,000 worshippers at a time. When visiting this sacred place, ensure to follow the right dress code.

2. Enjoy the colorful nightlife
Jakarta buzzes with a colorful nightlife as the sunsets. You can head to the numerous clubs and bars located here. Ecobar and Kemang are two places where you can catch the pulse of nightlife in Jakarta within a budget. If you want to enjoy good food and party hard, then Jalan Jaksa is the ideal place for a vibrant night escapade.

3. Collect antiques from Jalan Surabaya
Your Tour Package to Jakarta is incomplete without a visit to this wonderful, open-air antique market, Jalan Surabaya. Quite accessible from any part of Jakarta, you can explore this place abuzz with stalls that sell souvenirs, crafts and other exotic antiques. Make sure you bargain before making any purchase and ensure that you buy only the old antique and not some replica.

Conclusion
Indonesia is a beautiful country and home to 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites as of 2013. Tourism is one of the key attractions of Indonesia. While on a holiday to Jakarta, do not forget to explore the delicious Indonesian cuisine, its flora fauna, and its culture. Plan your Jakarta Tour Package such that you get the time to visit the famous locations in Jakarta.

Abhinav Kumar is a Prolific Mumbai-based freelance Content Writer Manager, who writes Travel related Blogs and Articles like Jakarta Tour Packages, Bangkok Tour Package.

Article Source: Abhinav_Gajanan_Kumar

Subscribe to Discover the world of travel with the Unique Travel Blog by Email

Singapore to Indonesia: Travelling by Sea to the Beautiful Islands of the Riau Archipelago

Singapore, one of Asia's busiest metropolises, is just a stone's throw away from the soothing islands of neighboring Indonesia, and more than a few travellers combine their visit to the city with a short holiday in one of these small paradises.

This article will explain to you how to travel by sea from Singapore to Indonesia.

The tropical resort islands of the Riau Archipelago are well connected to Singapore by regular ferry services, which depart from both HarbourFront Passenger Terminal and Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, on their way to the islands of Bintan, Batam, Karimun (Tanjung Balai) and Tanjung Batu.

Bintan, the largest of the 3,200 islands in the Riau Archipelago, lies less than 40 kilometers from Singapore and boasts some lush tropical forests and beautiful white beaches. Despite of its relatively large size, Bintan is not too populated, which means that the pristine coastline is long enough to accommodate the island's popular holiday resorts, leaving enough space for nature.

The amazing thing about Bintan is that it is practically divided into two sections that have almost nothing in common: The island's northern part, known as Bintan Resorts (Lagoi), was leased to Singapore by the Indonesian government and is almost a de-facto colony of Singapore, full of expensive resorts, with well-groomed lawns, golf courses and watersport facilities, while the southern half of the island is more of a "real" Indonesian border town, with fishing villages, authentic markets, prostitutes and some low-key beaches.

Several daily ferries run between Singapore's Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and Bintan island's largest town, Tanjung Pinang (which is also the capital of the Indonesian province of Riau Islands). Ferries also travel to the ferry terminal at Bandar Bentan Telani (Teluk Sebong), which serves the area of Bintan Resorts. In any case, the journey from Singapore takes around one hour or less.

Bintan Resort Ferries operates a few daily services to Bandar Bentan Telani, as well as to the small island of Pulau Lobam (off the shore of Bintan).

Indo Falcon Shipping, Penguin Ferry Services and Berlian Ferries run regular services between Singapore and the town of Tanjung Pinang.

Batam, west of Bintan, is a densely populated island, and a Free Trade Zone with electronics factories, a large and growing ship repair industry and an even larger oil service sector.

As far as tourism is concerned, Batam has much less to offer in the way of beautiful nature sceneries and unspoilt beaches than its larger neighbor, Bintan. Tourists flock here in droves from nearby Singapore and are mostly interested in prostitution, massage centres, bustling nightlife and illegal casinos. Unless you have a particular interest in any of these (or unless you want to use Batam as a gateway to visit the archipelago's other islands), you're better off going elsewhere.

Many ferries ply the water between Singapore and Batam. They depart from both HarbourFront Passenger Terminal (Singapore Cruise Centre, adjacent to MRT-Harbour Front) and Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, and serve different terminals across the island:

• Harbor Bay is the main international ferry port for those heading for the island's biggest town, Nagoya (serviced by Penguin Ferry Services and Berlian Ferries).
• Batam Center Ferry Terminal has the most frequent ferry connections to/from Singapore and Johor Bahru (BatamFast and Penguin Ferry Services).
• Sekupang is the best place for those of you who want to catch a domestic connection to Sumatra and the Karimun Islands (BatamFast, Penguin Ferry Services and Pacific Ferry).
• Waterfront City (Teluk Senimba) and Nongsapura mostly serve the adjacent resorts and are, therefore, ideal for holidaymakers (BatamFast and Indo Falcon Shipping).

Karimun, the westernmost of the Riau Archipelago, is a small island just off the east coast of Sumatra, guarding the southern entrance to the Straits of Malacca. It lies west of Batam and to the southwest of Singapore and is surrounded by a group of small islands that carry the same name (The Karimun Islands).

Its "capital" city, Tanjung Balai, is a bustling port town of about 125,000 people with a lot of commerce, boosted by tourists from Singapore and Malaysia.

Indo Falcon Shipping and Penguin Ferry Services both operate regular ferry services between Singapore's HarbourFront Passenger Terminal and the town of Tanjung Balai.

To know more about travelling from Singapore to Indonesia and other countries in the region, visit Metropolasia - Singapore Travel Guide, where a whole section is dedicated to travelling between Singapore and its neighbors, including a detailed article about travelling from Singapore to Indonesia.

Roni Shwartz is a certified travel consultant and an expert to the cities of Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore. He writes for metropolasia.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roni_Shwartz