Tana Toraja – Land of The Heavenly Kings

admin — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 08:30:49 +0000

Photography By : Stanssa

Tana Toraja, the famed “Land of The Heavenly Kings”, or some people in southern region of South Celebes called people from north highland. Tana Toraja lies about 328 km north of Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi Province, in the central highlands of South Sulawesi. At 300 to 2880 meters above sea level, Tana Toraja combines tropical lushness with alpine freshness. Daily temperature of 16 degrees Celsius to 28 degrees celcius promotes rest and recuperation.

Bright green rice terraces, tall limestone outcrops and bamboo graves are set against a backdrop of blue misty mountains. Traditional Tongkonan houses stand proudly in this setting. These intricately decorated houses with upward-sloping roofs are the center of all Aluktodolo ( Torajan religion before the coming of missionaries; the ancestors belief ) rites; from storing the harvest in the carved rice barns, “alang”, to slaughtering sacred water buffaloes at a week or more-funeral ceremonies. Tana Toraja’s beauty is also reflected in its people. Although they are devoutly Christian ( there are small number of Moslems especially in the southern area), they combine this religious belief with magic and mysticism. Secure in their ethnic identity, they welcome visitors to witness their ceremonies.

Tana toraja is a sleepy rural region cultivating rice, cacao, coffee, and clove most of the year. Toraja’s arabica coffee is known as one of the best in the world. These all change during the dry season,, from June until September, when Children are home from school, the rice is harvested and it’s time for a “rambu solo’ “, a complex funeral ceremony of the ancestors. During the time, Rantepao is transformed into a major tourist resort for national and international visitors.

Vagina hills – photography by : Lim Chin Huang

Vagina Hills – Photography By : greengreenbottle

Photography By : lim Chin Huang

Rice Field – Photography By : Phitar

Double Rainbows in Tana Toraja – Photography By : Stanssa

Makale, Tana Toraja – Photography By : Stanssa

Palawan Monument – Photography By : Lim Chin Huang

Photography By : Dmimi

Photography By : Cercamon

Funeral – Photography By : Trusted Sign

Photography By : Trusted Sign

Kambira Village – Photography By : Lim Chin Huang

Big Funerary Ceremony in Bory – Photography By : Phitar

Grave Cave - Photography By : Phitar

Grave – Photography By : Cercamon

Grave cave – Photography By : Cercamon

Dead Cave – Photography By : Trusted Sign

Grave – Photography By : Trusted Sign

Cliff for A Grave – Photography By : Lim Chin Huang

Cliff for A Grave – Photography By : Marc Broens

Komodo Island

admin — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 06:36:06 +0000

Photography by : Keaton Hepworth

Komodo is part of the Lesser Sunda chain of islands and forms part of the Komodo National Park. Particularly notable here is the native Komodo dragon. In addition, the island is a popular destination for diving. Komodo lies between the substantially larger neighboring islands Sumbawa to the west and Flores to the east.

The island is famous not only for its heritage of convicts but also for the unique fauna which roam it. The Komodo dragon, the world’s largest living lizard, takes its name from the island. A type of monitor lizard, it inhabits Komodo and some of the smaller surrounding islands

Photography by : Luther Bailey

Photography By : Luther Bailey

Photography by : Luther Bailey

Photography by : Neimon

Photography By Luther Bailey

Photography by : Luther Bailey

Photography by : JKTales

Photography by : Backpacking

Photography by : Chris Fogden

Photography by : Ausbatperson

Photography by : JKtales

Photography by : Lim Chin Huang

Jogjakarta – Merapi Volcano

admin — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 12:54:35 +0000

Photography by : Marc Andre Jung

Mount Merapi, Gunung Merapi (literally Mountain of Fire in Indonesian/Javanese), is an active stratovolcano located on the border between Central Java and Yogyakarta, Indonesia. It is the most active volcano in Indonesia and has erupted regularly since 1548. It is located approximately 28 kilometres (17 mi) north of Yogyakarta city, and thousands of people live on the flanks of the volcano, with villages as high as 1,700 metres (5,600 ft) above sea level.

The name Merapi could be loosely translated as ‘Mountain of Fire’. The etymology of the name came from Meru-Api; from the Javanese combined words; Meru means “mountain” refer to mythical mountain of Gods in Hinduism, and api means “fire”.

Photography by : Eijin Kiver

Photography by : BornJavanese

Photography by : daenyo

Photography by : pranav seth

Photography by : rutgrrrr

Photography by : viajar24hr

Photography by : Amre Ghiba

Photography by : Keith Kelly

Photography by : markidit

Photography by : sg Brown Bear

Photography by : 2121studio

Photography by : Grete Howard

Photography by : Budi De Silva

Photography by : Ndeso Adventure

Photography by : Bale Bengong

Photography by : ntitov

Photography by : puguhindra

Photography by : Renee Picasso Manoppo

Photography by : Jovan Aditya

The eruption of Mount Merapi in Jogjakarta since the last two weeks has forced the local residents to leave their hometown.The previous record of rash that began on Oct. 26 reported 151 dead. The largest eruption of the volcano since 1870 have covered or destroyed whole villages and forced 340,000 people to seek refuge in shelters. ”The intensity of the eruption has declined but the volcano is still high,” said Surono, the volcanologist in charge of monitoring volcanoes in Indonesia.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Thursday November 11,2010 that Mount Merapi in Central Java is not expected to show dramatic change in three to four days.
“Based on reports I have received, situation is not expected to show a dramatic change. The mount does not show signs of (eruption) receding either,” Yudhoyono told a press conference.
The eruption of Merapi have claimed 191 lives and forced 350, 000 people to take refuge since the volcano spew cloud of hot ash and lava on Oct. 26.This is believed to be Mount Merapi’s most powerful eruption in a century.

In case you want to help the victims of Gunung Merapi eruption in Central Java, here are some bank accounts of Indonesia’s National TV channel specifically made to accommodate those who are willing to donate for the victims in cash.

SCTV

1. Bank BCA Wisma Asia: 084.266.2000
2. Bank Mandiri Senayan City: 102.006.919.2000
3. All the bank accounts are on behalf of Kotak Pundi Amal SCTV

METRO TV

1. Bank BCA KCU Puri Indah: 288.3333.888
2. Bank BNI KCU Jakarta Pusat: 194.66.0000
3. Bank Mandiri Kebon Jeruk: 117.0000.778894
4. All the bank accounts are on behalf of Media Group / PT. MEDIA TELEVISI INDONESIA

TV ONE

1. Bank BCA Pulo Gadung: 275.111.111.0
2. Bank BNI Rawamangun: 3009.20095
3. Bank BRI Rawamangun: 0386.01.000.111.304
4. Bank Mandiri Pulo Gadung: 125.000.7926.793
5. All the bank accounts are on behalf of PT. LATIVI MEDIA KARYA

INDOSIAR

1. Bank BCA: 001.304.0009
2. The bank account is on behalf of. Indosiar Kita Peduli

TRANS CORP

1. Bank Mega: 01.901.00.11.11111.0
2. Bank BCA: 766.0121.000
3. Bank Mandiri: 070.00.222.2222.3
4. All the bank accounts are on behalf of Dompet Amal Transcorp

Or you can also made a global donation on Relief for Natural Disaster Victims In Indonesia through Global Giving

Thank you for reading and for your kind help in donation.

Bali – The Breathtaking Sunset

admin — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 13:37:06 +0000

Photography by : zoompic

Sunset or sundown is the daily disappearance of the sun below the horizon as a result of the Earth’s rotation. The atmospheric conditions created by the setting of the sun, occurring before and after it disappears below the horizon, are also commonly referred to as “sunset”.

Bali also known has the most beautiful sunset in tourism industries, so here are some of our favorite sunset pictures:

Photography by : Sukandia

Photography by : alien2077

Photography by : calzean

Photography by : gia_365days

Photography by : Thomas Ribes

Photography by : akiko@flickr

Photography by : Mangiwau

Photography by : lesyeuxheureux

Photography by : Tropical Living

Photography by : Ketut Suparta

Photography by : David Smith

Photography by : Camelot

Photography by : Tom9639

Photography by : Esteban Alor

Photography by : LoSinAr

Photography by : AriPhotography

Photography by : keepittidy

Photography by : jAy

Photography by : Creedence67

Balinese Sea Temples

admin — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 13:49:04 +0000

Tanah Lot Temple – Photography by : TropicaLiving

Bali has a number of important sea temples which were founded in the 16th century by a Majapahit monk from Java named Nirartha to honour the gods of the sea . Each of the temples is traditionally said to be visible from the next, forming a ‘chain’ around the coast of

Bali. Many of the most important sea temples are along the south west coast of the island.

Here is the list of Balinese sea temples :

Uluwatu Sunset – Photography by : Farl

Rambut Siwi Temple – Photography by : Luh Ayu

Uluwatu Caves – Photography by : Ed Fladung

Rambut Siwi Temple – Photography by : angshu0105

Rambut Siwi Temple – Photography by : nicolasleroy

Tanah Lot Temple – Photography by : Jeniffer Phoon

Tanah Lot Temple – Photography by : Cuba Gallery

Batu Bolong Temple – Photography by : TropicaLiving

Batu Bolong Temple – Photography by : Sukandia (balifotografer.net)

Tanah Lot Temple - Photography by : zoompict

Bali – Mount Batur

admin — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 08:23:47 +0000

Photography by : erikwi

Mount Batur is a small stratovolcano in north-central Bali. It has several craters, and is 1,717 m in height. Batur lies within a large caldera, the remains of a cataclysmic prehistoric eruption of a volcano that was once over 4,000 m in height. Batur remains active to this day and has erupted over 20 times in the last two centuries. Major eruptions have occurred in 1917, 1926 and 1963 (the same year as Agung’s major eruption), making Batur Bali’s most active volcano. Batur is a popular trekking mountain among tourists, as its peak is free from forest cover, offers spectacular views and is easily accessible.

Photography by : Autonoesis

Photography by : naz’s stuff

Photography by : dicas imperdiveis de viagem

Photography by : Pjwar

Photography by : Jeremy Tan

Photography by : 1ieve

Photography by : Semarapura

Photography by : Rodrigo Vdac

Photography by : scinta1

Photography by : Carolincik

Photography by : tribu02

Photography by : Fabindia

Photography by : King of Jive

Photography by : Sphoto+design

Photography by : Qool

Photography by : Julianmilo

Photography by : tropicaLiving

Photography by : dirgasaja

Bali – Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park

admin — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 08:13:59 +0000

Photography by : asiaX89

Mandala Garuda Wisnu Kencana, or Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) is a private cultural park on the Bukit Peninsula at the southern end of the island of Bali in Indonesia. Bukit is a limestone plateau with Uluwatu to the west and Nusa Dua to the eastern.

It is devoted to the Hindu god Vishnu, and his mount, Garuda, the mythical bird who is his companion.

Currently, the statue of Vishnu is 23 m high, although the original plan was for a 146 meter gold plated Vishnu riding Garuda on top of an 11 storey entertainment complex. The idea was not without controversy, and religious authorities on the island complained that its massive size might disrupt the spiritual balance of the island, and that its commercial nature was inappropriate.

Photography by : Kenji Images

Photography by : Frost Photography

Photography by : Coolden

Photography by : Ganesh_10

Photography by : Randhaem

Photography by : Rini Aryani Limanto

Photography by : D. Meutia

Photography by : It’s Us

Photography by : Pepin Ordona

Photography by : Joekeren

Photography by : nudibranches

Photography by : Thinqbali

Photography by : Widakso

Photography by : nudibranches

Photography by : Pepin Ordona

Photography by : scinta1

Photography by : Andrew William

Photography by : Pepin Ordona

Photography by : Marco Waagmeester

Photos by : gwk-culturalpark

Photography by : imageshack

Photography by : media.photobucket

Bali – Beautiful Beaches

admin — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 07:43:35 +0000

Dream land Beach – Photography by : quirkywonderland

Bali is an Indonesian Island located in the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Island, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east. It is one of the country’s 33 province with the provincial capital at Denpasar towards the south of the island.

The island is surrounded by coral reefs. Beaches in the south tend to have white sand while those in the north and west have black sand. That is why Bali is one of the very much well-known island with so many beautiful beaches in the tourism industry.

Here are some beautiful pictures of beaches in Bali

Sanur Beach – Photography by : zoompict

Kuta Beach – Photograpgy by : Stefan Heinrich

Jimbaran Beach – Photography by : Bram & Vera

Lovina Beach – Photography by : Signe09

Lovina Beach – Photography : Dick Verton

Soka Beach – Photography by : dark melancholy

Dream land beach – Photography by : aq-photography

Dream land beach – Photography by : Helminadia Photography

Sunset over Lovina Beach – Photography by Lisa Stuart

Soka Beach - Photography by : Fisshaasan

Gumbrih – Photography by : Januartha

Pangyangan – Photography by : Januartha

Soka beach – Photography by : Captain John MacTavish

Geger Beach – Photography by : Bali Wedding Photographer

Parerenan Beach – Photography by : Tropical Living

Jimbaran Beach – Photography by : 2121studio

Jimbaran Beach – Photography by : sethgoh

Jimbaran Beach – Photography by : Evelyne

Tuban Beach – Photography by : communiquel

Sanur Beach – Photography by : R. Susanto

Seseh Beach – Photography by : Tropical Living

Sanur Beach – Photography by : TOONMAN_blchin

Nusa Dua Beach – Photography by : Lifeinmacro

Kubu Beach – Photography by : Rekospective

Padang Beach – Photography by : Tommy Schultz

Karma Kandara Beach – Photography by : Philippe Gelin

Bali – Peaceful Lakes

Milana — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 06:44:40 +0000

Batur Lake ~ Photography by martin1110

There are four lakes in Bali, all up on the highland.

Lake Batur

Lake Batur is the old crater of Gunung Batur, a still active volcanoe next to it. It is located on the northern part of Bali.There is a hot spring right by the lake. You can enjoy the spectacular scenery of Lake Batur from Kintamani. Across the lake, only reachable by boat, lies the village of Trunyan, where the Bali Aga people live.

Lake Bratan

Lake Bratan is located next to Mount Bratan and Mount Catur. It is the second largest lake in Bali. The important temple of Pura Ulun Danu solemnly guards the lake. The resort area of Bedugul offers excellent views of the lake, as well as a number of water activities such as parasailing, swimming, etc.

Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan

Immediately to the northwest of Lake Bratan, Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan used to be one body of water, until a landslide separated them at the turn of the 19th century.

Here are some of the pictures :

Bratan Lake ~ Photography by kosmobil

Bratan Lake ~ Photography by TOONMAN_blchin

Bratan Lake ~ Photography by i359702

Batur Lake ~ Photography by banaspatiraja

Batur Lake ~ Photography by kriss1992

Batur Lake ~ Photography by tropicalLiving

Batur Lake ~ Photography by martin1110

Batur Lake ~ Pothography by dirtlight

Batur Lake ~ Photography by Tempo Dulu

Batur Lake ~ Photography by pbassek

Buyan Lake ~ Photography by darkscan

Buyan Lake ~ Photography by Cheslav

Buyan Lake ~ Photography by maicx

Tamblingan Lake ~ Photography by tropicalLiving