Flora and Fauna

Fauna of Indonesia has a high diversity because of vast territory and the shape of tropical islands. High diversity is caused by the Wallace Line, divides Indonesia into two areas; zones zoogeography Asia, which is influenced by the fauna of Asia, and Australasia zoogeography zone, influenced by the fauna of Australia. Mixing fauna in Indonesia is also influenced by a variety of ecosystems including: beaches, dunes, estuaries, mangroves, and coral reefs. The bridge between Asia and Australia formed by the archipelago is reflected in the varieties of animal life. The fauna of Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Java is similar to that of Peninsular Malaysia, but each island has its peculiar types. The orangutan is found in Sumatra and Kalimantan but not in Java, the siamang only in Sumatra, the proboscis monkey only in Kalimantan, the elephant and tapir only in Sumatra, and the wild ox in Java and Kalimantan but not in Sumatra. In Sulawesi, the Maluku Islands, and Timor, Australian types begin to occur; the bandicoot, a marsupial, is found in Timor. All the islands, especially the Malukus, abound in great varieties of bird life, reptiles, and amphibians. The abundant marine life of Indonesia's extensive territorial waters includes a rich variety of corals.

Proboscis Monkey (Bekantan) from Borneo

Komodo from NTT

Orang Utan from Kalimantan

Kaka Tua Putih from Maluku

Siamang from Sumatera

Badak Bercula Satu from Ujung Kulon Java

The flora of Indonesia consists of many unique varieties of tropical plants. Blessed with a tropical climate and around 18,000 islands, Indonesia is a nation with the second largest biodiversity in the world. The flora of Indonesia reflects an intermingling of Asian, Australian and the native species. This is due to the geography of Indonesia, located between two continents. The archipelago consists of a variety of regions from the tropical rain forests of the northern lowlands and the seasonal forests of the southern lowlands through the hill and mountain vegetation, to subalpine shrub vegetation. Having the second longest shoreline in the world, Indonesia also has many regions of swamps and coastal vegetation. Combined together, these all give rise to a huge vegetational biodiversity. There are about 28,000 species of flowering plants in Indonesia, consisting 2500 different kinds of orchids, 6000 traditional medicinal plants used as Jamu., 122 species of bamboo, over 350 species of rattan and 400 species of Dipterocarpus, including ebony, sandalwood and teakwood. Indonesia is also home to some unusual species such as carnivorous plants. One exceptional species is known as Rafflesia arnoldi, named after Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles and Dr. Arnold, who discovered the flower in the depths of Bengkulu, southwest Sumatra. This parasitic plant has a large flower, does not produce leaves and grow on a certain liana on the rain forest floor. Another unusual plant is Amorphophallus titanum from Sumatra. Numerous species of insect trapping pitcher plants (Nepenthes spp.) can also be found in Borneo, Sumatra, and other islands of the Indonesian archipelago.

Rafflesia Arnoldi from Bengkulu

Amorphopalus Titanum from sumatera

Black Orchid from Kalimantan

Traditional Dance

Papua Traditional Dance

Traditional dance in Indonesia reflects the country's diversity of ethnicities and cultures. There are more than 700 ethnic groups in Indonesia: Austronesian roots and Melanesian tribal forms are visible, and influences ranging from neighboring Asian and even western styles through colonization. Each ethnic group has their own dances; makes total dances in Indonesia are more than 3000 Indonesian original dances.

The dance traditions in Indonesia; such as Balinese, Javanese, Sundanese, Minangkabau, Palembang, Malay, Aceh and many other dances traditions are age old traditions, yet also a living and dynamic traditions. Certain traditional dances might be centuries old, while some others might just created less than a decade ago. The creation of a new dance choreography but still within the frame of respected dance tradition and discipline is still possible. As the result, there is some kreasi baru (newly created) dances. The newly created dance could be the rediscovery and the revival of lost old traditions or a new interpretation, inspiration and exploration of traditional dances.

In Bali on November 19, 2011 UNESCO will announce the traditional Saman dance from Aceh province as a world intangible cultural heritage. Saman dance is unique due to there are no music instrument accompany the dance and just only sing and clap their hands together to create harmony in movement and sound.

Cakalele Dance from Sulawesi

Jaipong Dance From West Java

Kecak Dance from Bali

Perang Dance from Kalimantan (Borneo)

Saman Dance from D.I. Aceh 

Indonesia Diversity

 The Republic of Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world comprising 17,504 large and small tropical islands fringed with white sandy beaches, many still uninhabited and a number even still unnamed. Straddling the equator, situated between the continents of Asia and Australia and between the Pacific and the Indian Oceans, it is as wide as the United States from San Francisco to New York, equaling the distance between London and Moscow. Indonesia has a total population of more than 215 million people from more than 200 ethnic groups. The national language is Bahasa Indonesia.

Among the most well known islands are Sumatra, Java, Bali, Kalimantan (formerly Borneo), Sulawesi (formerly Celebes), the Maluku Islands (or better known as Moluccas, the original Spice Islands) and Papua. Then, there is Bali “the world’s best island resort” with its enchanting culture, beaches, dynamic dances and music. But Indonesia still has many unexplored islands with grand mountain views, green rainforests to trek through, rolling waves to surf and deep blue pristine seas to dive in where one can swim with dugongs, dolphins and large mantarays.

Because of her location, and geology, Indonesia is blessed with the most diverse landscape, from fertile ricelands on Java and Bali to the luxuriant rainforests of Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi, to the savannah grasslands of the Nusatenggara islands to snow-capped peaks of West Papua.

Her wildlife ranges from the prehistoric giant Komodo lizard to the Orang Utan and the Java rhino, to the Sulawesi anoa dwarf buffalos, to birds with exquisite plumage like the cockatoo and the bird of paradise. This is also the habitat of the Rafflesia the world’s largest flower, wild orchids, an amazing variety of spices, and aromatic hardwood and a large variety of fruit trees. Underwater, scientists have found in North Sulawesi the prehistoric coelacanth fish, a “living fossil” fish, predating the dinosaurs living some 400 million years ago, while whales migrate yearly through these waters from the South Pole. Here are hundreds of species of colourful coral and tropical fish to admire.

Culturally, Indonesia fascinates with her rich diversity of ancient temples, music, ranging from the traditional to modern pop, dances, rituals and ways of life, changing from island to island, from region to region. Yet everywhere the visitor feels welcomed with that warm, gracious innate friendliness of the Indonesian people that is not easily forgotten.

Facilities-wise Indonesia’s hotels are second to none. In fact, many of our luxurious and unique hotels have constantly been listed as some of the best in the world, located on white sandy beaches, overlooking green river valleys, or situated in the heart of busy capital Jakarta. While Indonesia’s cities like Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, or Makassar are a hive of activities for business and leisure and a paradise for shoppers, offering upscale boutiques selling top brand names, to local goods at road-side stalls. Here gourmets can treat themselves to the many regions’ delectable spicy cuisine or dine sumptuously at international restaurants. And for sheer relaxation, Indonesia Spas are second to none to reinvigorate both body and mind.

Convention centers are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, as many top international conferences and exhibitions are held in Jakarta, Bali to Manado, ranging from the Global Climate Change Conference in Bali to the World Ocean Conference in Manado , to trade and investment exhibitions and tourism trade shows in many provincial capital cities.

Jakarta, Bali, Medan, Padang, Bandung, Solo, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Makassar are connected by direct international flights, and many regular and low cost carriers fly passengers to Indonesia’s towns or remote locations.

Sanur Beach

Sanur beach is a famous tourist place in Bali island. This place is located just east of Denpasar, the capital of Bali. Sanur located in the municipality of Denpasar.

Sanur beach is the location for surfing. Especially the surf beach of Sanur is famous among foreign tourists. Not far off Sanur beach there is also the location of dive and snorkeling tours. Because of the friendly conditions, dive sites can be used by divers of all levels of expertise.

Sanur beach is also known as Sunrise beach as opposed to Kuta Beach.

Because of its location on the east of Bali, this Balinese beach to be the right location to enjoy the sunrise. This makes it more interesting sights, even there is a segment on Sanur beach is named Sunrise beach because when sunrise the scenery is very beautiful.

Along the coast of Bali is the right place to see the sunrise. Especially now built a kind of sanderan containing small cottages that can be used as a place to sit to wait for sunrise. In addition, the waves on the beach is relatively calm so it is suitable for recreational beach scene kids and not dangerous.

Tanah Lot

Tanah Lot tourist attraction is located in sub-province of Tabanan, precisely in countryside of Beraban, district of Kediri, sub-province of Tabanan. Tanah Lot tourist attraction visited by one million of domestic and foreign tourist every year, so that Tanah Lot becoming one of the tourism icon in Bali. All of that thing because of Tanah Lot have different characteristic with the other, that is, looks like a floating one if the tide is high but when tide is low, people can walk to the temple. Because of erosion many caves, which are inhabited by sea snakes, are formed. People cannot disturb these snakes because according to the belief, they belong to the God in the temple. Main thing is different like : 

1. Tanah Lot temple nearly in the see when tide is high. For many things this location was something that is interesting.

2. A cave of holly snakes which is located in front of the temple. That people believe they are the guards of the temple.

3. The view of the sunset combine with Tanah Lot temple, being one set that is very enjoyable to watch.

4. Living cultural present a requral ceremony every six month where there where another ceremony at the same week in Pakendungan temple.

5. Tanah Lot is rocky beaches in effort of making nice wave.

Because of the beauty, many tourists domestic or international come to this place. But if seen from management process, realized that the management of Tanah Lot need to increase creativity and performance to developing Tanah Lot Area.

Apart from Tabanan ± 13 km

Apart from Denpasar is about ± 20 km

Wide : 202.830 m²

Circle : 2.509 m

North : Rice Field

East : Bali Nirvana Resort

South : Indian Ocean

West : Indian Ocean and River of Kutikan

Source : tanahlot.net

Sukawati Art Market

Welcome to Sukawati, Welcome to the center of shopping handicraft in Bali. You will see why it is so soon after you visit this one of Gianyar’s area. Although it belongs to Gianyar area, Sukawati is near to Denpasar. No wonder if you stay at one of Sukawati accommodation you will be flexible to visit Denpasar and Ubud alike. Sukawati and neighboring area named Batuan are the home of the craftsmanship in carving and great painters. So when you need suggest what to do in this area these will help.

Go Shopping

Sukawati Art Market sells various Balinese handicrafts, outfit, bags, and others as souvenir for fellows and friends in your home country. Needless to say, when you buy something in any traditional art market what you need to do is bargain. In this Sukawati Art Market, the price is indeed very low. However, when the sellers see some foreigners who would like to buy their goods they will see you as "BANK" and increase the price dramatically. So don’t give up bargaining. Along the road of Sukawati-Ubud you also may see booths sellig handicraft from glass, or wood, or stones at right and left side of the road.

Seeing The Making of Silver Craft

Sukawati is very near to the other villages. If you drive the car from Denpasar to get to Sukawati you will pass Celuk village. Celuk village is renowned for its craftsmanship in silver. You also may see directly how silversmiths craft their art works with passion.

Source : baliwww.com

Bedugul

Bedugul is one of tourist places and destination in Bali, it is popular with Lake Beratan, Ulun Danu Temple and Bedugul Botanical garden , below is the information.

Bedugul is the name of both a small city and a mountain-lake resort area. The enchantment of Bali is not only its beautiful beach, white sand and sun shine. Bali also has a beautiful mountain range landscape with its forest and lake like in Bedugul, Tabanan regency. Tabanan Regency nestles on the southwestern part of Paradise Island and is well known as green and fertile area. Bedugul is the name of both a small city and a mountain-lake resort area, which Balinese have long used for weekend retreats. Bedugul is located on the main north-south road between Denpasar and Singaraja in cool damp mountain country, an excellent base for walking trips around the lakes and surrounding hills.

In the western highlands of Bali is the serene mountain area of Bedugul where vegetables, fruits and flowers thrive in the alpine climate. The colorful little market offers a wide selection of produce including exotic strawberries.

There are several places to stay near the lake and there is also an interesting temple, botanical gardens, an excellent golf course and a variety of activities on Lake Bratan itself. Kebun Raya Bedugul or Bedugul Botanical Garden is renowned for its wide selection of plants. It's a very airy site with mountain atmosphere. Tourist can access the Beratan Lake through the dock which have been provided or desist around Ulun Danu Beratan Temple. In this place, the visitor can do various activities like doing recreation to look around in dock or do the other outdoor activities.

Here we find 3 of Bali 4 lakes, Bratan, Buyan, and Tamblingan. Bratan, the largest of the three is perfect place for water sports such as para sailing, motor boating, jet skiing, water skiing, canoeing, etc.


Source : balitoursclub.com

Kintamani

Kintamani, which is located in Bangli regency, is one of the favorite sight tourist options both domestic and international.

Generally, in almost any travel agent or tour operator in Bali, Kintamani included in the itinerary after visiting the Moon Stone (Barong Dance), or Sukawati Ubud tourist area as a shopping center.

Kintamani offers a fresh atmosphere of the hills, with temperatures around 18 degrees Celsius, much like air in Bedugul. The main attraction of the region is a view of Kintamani Mount and Batur Lake. Batur Mount is a mountain with active status and the second highest after Agung Mount at Besakih. The atmosphere is best when enjoy lunch while enjoying the beauty of the lake and the mountain is belching smoke friendly.

Interested in knowing more about Kintamani? Also a time to yourself to visit Trunyan village located near the lake. But you have to cross by boat to get there by traveling approximately 20 minutes.

The interesting and unique is the way the funeral of the local population must be different from the norm in Bali. Corpse propped against a tree without buried. But that does not issue a unique body odor because neutralized by the scent of wood called incense (menyan).

Is it unique? If interested, why not to incorporate alternative Kintamani attractions in your vacation? Happy holiday in Bali.

Source : e-kuta.com