Golden Temple

The Golden Temple or "Darbar Sahin: at Amritsar is the most sacred place for the Sikhs. The Golden temple symbolizes the magnificence of the Sikhs all over the world. The Golden Temple also known as Harmandir Sahib is an example of the spirit of tolerance and acceptance that the Sikh philosophy propounds. In the architecture of the Golden temple are included symbols associated with places of worship of other religions. The Sikhs and people of other religions pay visit to Amritsar and to pay obeisance at Sri Hamandir Sahib.

Guru Arjan Singh got the foundation of the Golden temple laid by a Sufi saint Mian Mir of Lahore in December, 1588. The construction work was directly supervised by Guru Arjan Sahib himself. Sri Harmandir Sahib is built on a 67ft. Square platform in the center of a Sarovar (tank). The Golden temple has entrance from all the four sides and is accessible to every person without any distinction of Caste, creed, sex and religion. There is a 13 ft circumambulatory path around the main shrine. It was mainly in the nineteenth century, during the reign of Maharaj Ranjit Singh, that the people lavished their wealth on the Golden temple.

The guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs, was installed in the Harmandir Sahib in 1604. The location of the Granth Sahib here, adds to the sanctity and veneration of the Harmandir Sahib. Here lies the spirit and soul of Sikhism. This symbol of abiding faith and tolerance is held in high esteem by every Sikh. The Golden temple is the place which every Sikh dreams of visiting. Golden Temple tour is a must for the Sikhs coming India.

Thai Traditional Clothes

Lost of people have been asking me abut what of clothes Thai people wear. We have our traditional clothes but we do not really wear them often. We only wear them for special days like Songkran, Father's day, Mother's day, Loy Krathong etc. For normal days, Thai men wear suits to work. Thai children wear uniform to school. At weekend we wear normal clothes like other countries. For example jeans and T-shirt. I think most Thai traditional clothes are made from silk. The pictures below are of teachers and students at my old school.

Saung Angklung Udjo

Saung Angklung Udjo (SAU) is the place where angklung and others bamboo instrument are made and played SAU also the place where children are singing, dancing and played the bamboo instrument especially angklung. Saung Angklung Udjo (SAU) was established in January 1967, contributed by Mr. Udjo Ngalagena and his wife Mrs. Uum Sumiati Udjo.

Here You will find the Sundanese traditional bamboo musical concert performed by a small group of children with colorful and beautiful dances. See their dynamic performances and natural expression. You may not believe that the children performing in the concert are less then 12 years old. There's even a two years old child playing kendang, the Indonesian traditional drum!

Saung Angkulng Udjo also present choices of bamboo art performances and taraditional dances such as Tari Topeng (Mask Dances), Wayang Golek demonstration (puppet show) and many more. You could feel the sophisticated atmosphere when you experience how to play angkulng and being part of our performance all at once. You can see, learn and play "The Angklung," one of Sundanese traditional musical instrument, with the colorful performances, the beautiful dances. Dance together for your memorable visit. SAU is one of the tourism place for all family, it's attractive and adductive. And SAU is one perfectly province tourism object and important in West Java.


Contact Saung Angklung Udjo Office
Address: Jl. Padasuka 118 Bandung
Bandung
Jawa Barat
Indonesia
40192

Telphone: (62-22) 7271714
Fax: (62-22) 7201578


www.angklung-udjo.co.id

Bukittinggi, The Most Relaxed Town in All Sumatra

Bukittinggi, The Most Relaxed in All Sumatra
Bukittinggi is one of the loveliest, friendliest, most relaxed town in all Sumatra. This town is situated more or less 930 meters above seal level.more

Batu Basurek
Batu Basurek. A stone with inscriptions in the old Palava script on India, bearing the legend of Adityawarman in the year 1347.

Pagaruyung Kingdom
Pagaruyung Kingdom. Situated at the ouskirt of Batusangkar the capital city of Tanah Datar Regency. In the past, it was the seat of the ancient of Minangkabau Kingdom, Pagaruyung: which at the beginning of its history was ruled by a queen named Bundo Kanduang. Relics of that ancient past are still scafferd over the area among them are Batusangkar stone inscriptions found in some areas.

The Mystical Rao-rao
The Mystical Rao-rao. Some 15 Kilometers from Batusangkar. A village in witch the Minangkabau building style is well preserved.

Batu Sangkar
Batu Sangkar is 41 Km southeast of Bukittinggi, a central of the Minang-kabau culture. Megalithic remains found in the area support the theory of a large community living in the area some 2000 years ago. Many fascinating historical sites were found at Basurek, a stone with inscriptions inthe Palava script of India, bearing the legend Adityawarman, the Emperor of Kanaka Mahindra (the island of gold). Pariaman has 300 years old traditional houses. Make sure to visit the open council grounds with ancient stone seats, the mosque and hot spring.

Padang
Padang is the capital of West Sumatra; and gateway to the homeland of Minangkabau. Its bustling harbours a crossroads for rubber, cinnamon, coffee, tea and nutmeg. There are Minang houses, prehistoric artifacts, ceramics, manuscripts and modern art. In Kampung Cina (Chinatown) you can wander streets lined ith turn-of-the century houses, Chinese herbalist and coffee shops. Good hiking and wonderful views of the city can be had Bukit Monyet and Gunung Padang. more info :www.indonesi-tourism.com

the Dramatic of Kecak Dance in Bali

The Dramatic of Kecak Dance in Bali

The Kecak dance is one of the most famous of Balinese dances. It is unusual because it has no musical accompaniment like many other Indonesia dances do, the rhythm of the dance is produced by the chanting 'monkey' chorus.more



The Irony

Even thought Bali is almost identical to arts and artists, Balinese language has no word for art and artist.

Four Names for Everyone

Balinese have four basic names for their children, namely, Putu/Wayan, Made, Nyoman and Ketut. If Balinese has the fifth child. it will be named Putu/Wayan.

Bali Arts Festival, Bali-Indonesia
The Bali Arts Festival is a full month of daily performances, handicraft exhibitions, traditional dances, traditional music and beauty.more

more info: www.indonesia-tourism.com

Baskin on Beautiful Borobudur

One of the 7 wonders in the ancient world, Borobudur is located near Magelang. Borobudur, a Hindu Buddhist temple, was built in the 9th century. This temple has Gupta architecture of India's influence.

Constructed on a hill about 46 meters high, Borobudur has about 55,000 m3 or stones. Borobudur is design symbolizes the structure of the universe. This design influences temples in Angkor, Cambodia. This temple was found in 1815, under volcanic ash. About 41 Km northward from Jogjakarta, Borobudur offers spectacular sight in this modern world.

Getting There

Borobudur is only 1 hour away by car from Jogjakarta. You can either join a tour or rent to this spot.

Where to Stay

Inns and hotels in Jogjakarta.

Moving Around

You'll explore this site on foot. Climb this magnificent temple and marvel at various carving on the stone around you.

Dining Guide

You can bring your own food or buy them around this site.

Souvenir Tips

Souvenir related to Borobudur can be bought in Jogjakarta. You can buy silver Borobudur's miniature (silver plated ones are also available), keychains, and many more. T-Shirt and postcards with an an overview of Borobudur are popular as keepsakes.

Other Things to see or Do

Marvel at the magnificent view. for better understanding of this temple, you can join or hire a licensed tour guide here. Climb the temple to reach the top, where you can see an vacant space signifying emptiness as completion. There's a superstition saying that if you climb this temple with one wish deep in mind, try touching Buddha's figure inside the stupa, which is bell-like in structure. If you're able to touch the Buddha, you wish will come true. take note of the stone carvings. There are many stories in these stones.

Travels Tips

• Dress lightly and comfortably.
• Hire a licensed tour guide, so you'll get better information.
• Wear a hat or an umbrella. Bring along a raincoat, just in case.
  

Once you read or give it a deeper study to Danis way of life, dont be surprise that you may find your eye lifting or forehead wrinkling. Why? Because the Dani is uniquely amazing.

The Dani men and women sleep separately in different honai (Danis traditional house). The men sleep grouped in one honai, while the women and children slumber in another honai. As descended from their ancestor, sex is taboo for the women after giving birth, for 2 or 5 years, as the result the Dani generated healthier kids since the women focus on babysitting the kids during the most important phase of growth. This situation makes the men vulnerable to polygamy, its a true fact of life that the Dani men are allowed to have more than 1 wife or as many as he can afford. A man should give 4-5 pigs to the girls parent he wants to marry. For Dani men, his social status are initiated by the number of wives and pigs he has.

Another remarkable custom of Dani is that women will amputate their finger when their relatives die, hence doesn't be surprise when you see women with missing finger.

To enhance the quality of your experience in Baliem Valley, guide is essential since there are no clear maps or signage intiated for visitor. The guide will help to lead the track, communicate with the local people and in advance, the guide will inform the tourist about local dos and dont's

getting there

Flying might be the only way to access the Baliem Valley trough Wamena. Here are some alternatives on carrirer from Jayapura to Wamena: (for futher info, ask the officers at Sentani Airport Information Center).

• Trigana Air Service provide daily flights into and out of Wamena. spot the Trigana Air Service Offices at Sentani Airport terminal and Wamena Airport termina.
• MAF
• AMA
• Yajasi
• Manunggal Air
• Hercules carrier provide by Indonesia army (TNI)

To access Baliem Valley, you cant rent car or public bus from Wamena.

Where to stay

For those who are adventurer and cultural observer in heart, stay and mingle with the Baliem Valley people is possible, just make sure your guide booked it before your visit. Go Show? Affordable

If the first alternative is way too extreme, you can stay at hotels at Wamena.

• Wamena Hotel at Jl. Homhom 61
• Srikandi Hotel at Jl. Irian 16
• Pondok Wisata Putri DAni at Jl. Irian 40
• Nayak Hotel at Jl. Gatot Subroto 63
• Hotel Anggrek at Jl. Ambon 1
• Baliem Pilamo Hotel at Jl. Trikora
• Baliem Valley Resort (3 star resort),www.baliem-valley-resort.de

Moving Around


Would you mind if we say ON FOOT? Healthy foot and fit body? Absolutely. Through trekking, you can witness traditional ceremonies, traditional markets and the people of Dani.

Dining Guide

There is no restaurant inside the Baliem- Valley, a guide could bargain the Dani people to provide simple meals. Its stoutly advised, that visitor bring own meals and snack during the trekking. Meals and snacks can be found in grocery store at Wamena.

Souvenir Tips

• Souvenir can be easily found on the valley and buy crafts directly from the Dani people.
• Stone blade is a major favorite for the tourist
• Sekan:rattan bracelate
• Noken: made from tress bark
• Head and arm necklace
• Jogal: grass skirt
• And other head decorations.www.papua-adventures.com