On July 2nd, the Palau Visitors Authority Management and associates went on a tour on one of Palau’s newest attraction, the Jungle River Boat Cruise. Located in Ngchesar State, the Jungle River Boat Cruise is one of Palau’s Eco-friendly tours giving clients an ideal way to relax and see nature firsthand. The River Boat Cruise is the brainchild of Mr. Billy Takamine, who is a native of Ngchesar State. The River Boat Cruise takes about one hour back and forth on an all-aluminum boat that can carry up to 40 passengers at a time, depending on the tides of the river. The tour starts at the main dock and goes upstream coming out to the ocean that is approximately 5 miles long with 2.5 mile each way.
Six PVA Associates and two interns from University of Guam and Xavier High School were very impressed by the tour and the beauty that garden along the path to the boat dock. During the tour, they got a chance to see the crocodiles, a total of three who swam by the boat as soon it approached upstream. According to the boat operator, the crocodiles are a little bit of celebrities to their adventurous guests. The River Boat Cruise facilities include a gift shop, two “summer houses” resembling Palauan bais’ with colorful paintings which is used for resting area and in the future for entertainment and basket weaving demonstrations. They offer several packages to clients that include barbeque set lunches with entertainment, basket weavings and Babeldaob tour.
“These are the kind of ecotourism developments that we want to encourage throughout Babeldaob, well versed tour guides that guide you through the tour showcasing history, culture and nature,” said Darin De Leon, PVA Managing Director. The PVA Management and Associates thanked Mr. Billy Takamine and the Jungle River Boat Cruise Company for graciously hosting this tour by presenting to him a Certificate of Appreciation for their generous support.
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Palau Jungle River Boat Cruise
on Senin, 27 April 2009Okavango Delta Safari Reserves - Botswana
on Sabtu, 25 April 2009The Okavango River rises in the highlands of Angola and flows southeast into the Kalahari, where it spreads out into a delta formation. The Okavango River delta, or 'Okavango Delta' as it's usually known, is one of Africa's top safari areas. It covers over 15,000km² with a lush water-wilderness of papyrus swamps, shallow reed-beds and floodplains, dotted with islands and laced with a network of channels. A safari to the Okavango Delta' is one of Africa's top big game safaris – and the Okavango Delta is also a wonderful place to relax.
An Okavango Delta safari may not be your first idea of a safari – but gliding silently in a mokoro (a dugout canoe), you'll watch wildlife at eye level. It might take your guide's keen eyes to spot the terrapins basking on floating logs, or a fish eagle just perching, watching and waiting. Often it's the smaller things in the Okavango Delta that catch your eye, like the tropical fish that flash through the Delta's clear waters or the iridescent malachite kingfishers that dive for them; sometimes it's larger animals - red lechwe wading through the river's shallows, or elephants on the islands - whilst all around water-lilies bloom and birds call.
Why safari in the Okavango Delta's private reserves?
Protecting the Okavango Delta's amazing delta environment is the Moremi Wildlife Reserve and, around that, a network of excellent private 'safari reserves', or 'concessions'. Most of these Delta reserves contain a couple of small, private safari camps. Guests arrive at these by air, and they offer great safari activities. In contrast to the public game parks, these private reserves have four main advantages:
a) The guides are allowed to drive off-road whilst on safari when searching for and following game.
b) The guides can conduct night-drives on safari, allowing you to see the nocturnal animals – for example, leopard are more frequently seen around dusk and at night.
c) Some reserves offer walking safaris in the Okavango Delta; these are not allowed in the national park.
d) These private safari reserve are private: you'll see few other people on safari here; this is a real luxury in such a pristine area!
Where to safari in the Okavango Delta's private reserves?
There are two excellent maps of the Okavango Delta on this site: an amazing interactive Satellite map, with links marking all the camps; and a reference map showing all the reserves and their boundaries.
You can navigate using the links on the satellite map, but meanwhile looking 'clockwise' around the Okavango Delta, the main reserves here, and their safari camps and lodges, are:
Sandibe / Chitabe Reserve (NG31)
On the south side of the Okavango Delta, this reserve has three camps and is effectively split into two halves: Sandibe Reserve has just one lodge, Sandibe Safari Lodge, on the north side – which offers a good mix of game and deep-water activities. To the south the adjacent Chitabe Reserve you'll find Chitabe Camp, and the smaller Chitabe Ledibe and also the adventurous Chitabe Walking Trail. Chitabe is a very good area for dry-land safaris.
Stanley's and Baines' Reserve (NG32)
To the south of Chitabe and Moremi Game Reserve, this large reserve has two main camps: Stanley's Camp and its smaller, smarter sibling, Baines' Camp. It's game is probably more variable than Chitabe, but it is the base for the amazing and sensitive elephant experience with Doug Groves – which is worth coming here for. Visit this from either camp, though best book it in advance!
Santantadibe Reserve (NG17)
This small, private safari area is central to the Okavango, and not well known at all because there are no permanent safari camps or lodges here. Historically, this reserve is a bit of an anomaly: it's the private safari area of one of Maun's oldest safari families. Here we often send traveller on safari to the exclusive mobile Santantadibe Camp. It offers a very personal Okavango Delta safari with a top safari guide – especially good for families and small groups.
Abu Reserve (NG26)
In the southwest of the Delta, Abu Reserve is famous for its elephant-back safaris which are based out of the expensive Abu Camp. Also in this reserve you'll find the exclusive Elephant Villa, and the new Seba Camp – both of which are very good for families or small groups traveling together. The game here doesn't match the east of the Okavango Delta, or the safari areas of the Kwando Linyanti, during the dry season, but if fine during the wetter months between about January and April.
Nxabega / Kanana Reserve (NG27A)
West of Chief's Island, and bordering Moremi Game Reserve, this area includes the well-run Nxabega Safari Camp, Shinde's watery sister-camp, Kanana and, in a very picturesque corner of the Delta, the delightful Pom Pom Camp. Those who want some 'out there' adventure, consider a two-night three-day trip on the Kanana mokoro trail. Again, this reserve isn't a top game area during the dry season, but we do find that it is often excellent when more water is around, at the start of the year.
Jao Reserve (NG25)
Further north, and also on the west side of the delta, are several camps in the picturesque Jao Reserve. The three on the east side offer superb water activities, including the palatial Jao Camp, the classic Kwetsani Camp and the smaller Jacana Camp. On the drier (western) side of the reserve, Tubu Tree Camp is a lovely small camp, which concentrates on dry-land 4WD safaris.
Duba Plains Reserve (NG23)
On the northern side of the Delta, Duba Plains Reserve has just one super little camp: Duba Plains Camp. This lovely reserve largely consists of vast grassy plains – of rich, nutritious grass – which attracts large herds of buffalo, amongst other game species. Safaris to Duba are known for the battles between lion and buffalo. Stop here for 3-4 nights if you can, to see the spectacle at its best, and book ahead.
Vumbura Reserve (NG22)
East of Duba is the excellent Vumbura Reserve; for safaris in the Okavango Delta, it's one of the best and most scenic of the Okavango Deltas safari reserves. Like Duba Plains Reserve, this is a top-notch area for safari in the dry season. Then it comes close to rivaling its southern neighbour, Mombo, for the quality and diversity of its game. These are several camps here: Little Vumbura has been a first-rate, favourite camp for many years, meanwhile the newer, and substantially more costly, Vumbura Plains camps is probably the Delta's only truly minimalist, modern safari camp.
Mapula Reserve (NG12)
In the far north of the Okavango Delta, north of Duba Plains and Vumbura, the Mapula reserve straddles the Okavango's famous fence. In this area, this is widely broken down and there is excellent game on both sides of it. Here you find the relatively new Mapula Lodge. It's not currently well-known, but is a very interesting lodge which has the strong involvement of the local community here, and we've visited it.
Shinde Reserve (NG21)
East of Vumbura, Shinde Reserve deserves more recognition. The game is also plentiful and varied during the dry season, and the water activities have access to some very picturesque deep-water lagoons. Here Shinde Camp is a old-school camp and nearby is the Okavango Delta's best camp for walking safaris: Footsteps Walking Trails.
Kwara Reserve (NG20)
Slightly further east, the vast Kwara Reserve has excellent big game and two small camps: Kwara Camp and its newer, slightly smaller, sister-camp: Little Kwara. Both offer enthusiastically-guided Okavango safaris, using 4WDs and boats. Like Shinde, they're also close enough to visit the vast heronry at Gcodikwe Lagoon.
Safaris in the Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta's ecosystem is amongst the richest and most diverse in Africa. It's been effectively protected for years, and with wildlife tourism now thriving here, this looks set to continue – witness the success, and expansion, of the programme to re-introduce black and white rhino to the area over the last few years.
Flora of the Okavango Delta
Over 1,000 species of plants are recognised in the Okavango Delta, yet large tracts of the drier parts of it are dominated by one tree: Mopane. These cover many areas with rich but badly-drained soils, often in beautiful, tall 'cathedral' Mopane woodlands – named after their gracefully arching branches, which resemble a Gothic cathedral. You'll often find large areas in the Okavango River Delta where there are virtually no other species of trees represented.
Beside the area's many rivers you'll find extensive floodplains, and stretches of classic riverine (or 'riparian') forests which contain wide range of species of bushes and trees. Open areas dotted with camelthorn trees follow the sandy beds of ancient watercourses, joined by silver terminalias, wild seringas and Kalahari apple-leaf threes.
Wildlife in the Okavango Delta
With the reintroduction of rhino, you can see all the 'big five' here on a safari to the Okavango Delta, and a lot more besides.
Elephant and buffalo occur here year-round in large numbers, and you're likely to see blue wildebeest, Burchell's zebra, impala, kudu, tsessebe, red lechwe, waterbuck, reedbuck, giraffe, common duiker, bushbuck, steenbok, warthog, baboon and vervet monkey throughout the Okavango Delta. Eland, sable and roan antelope also range across the region – but are less common, as they are elsewhere in Africa. The deep-water and papyrus areas of the Delta have thriving populations of sitatunga, which live deep in the swamps.
Lion, leopard, cheetah and spotted hyena all have thriving populations here. The Okavnago Delta is central to wild dog, which range widely across most of Northern Botswana – and they're easiest to find on the north and East sides of the Delta.
Both black-backed and side-striped jackal occur – though the former are more common. Brown hyena probably occur, but relatively rarely, and probably only in drier areas where there are lower densities of the other large predators. Similarly, bat-eared fox are found here, though not so commonly as in Botswana's drier areas. There is a wide variety of mongeese found here, including the slender, banded, dwarf, large grey, water and Selous' mongoose. Meanwhile in the water, spotted-necked and Cape clawless otters are often seen, though they seldom hang around to allow visitors a good view!
Serval, aardwolf, caracal and aardvark are found throughout the Okavango Delta, though due to their largely nocturnal habits, they are only occasionally seen. Pangolins are also found here, and seem as if they might be slightly less rare than in other areas of their range!
Up until 2001, rhino had been exterminated from here by poaching. Then in October 2001 the first white rhino were reintroduced into the Mombo Reserve, within Moremi Game Reserve. They're now free to roam, and have done so widely. They're also breeding, and Botswana is well on its way to having a nucleus of successfully breeding rhinos.
Birdlife in the Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta has over 400 bird species, a great variety of which are patchily distributed in association with particular habitats. Though visiting any area, the sheer number of different species represented here will strike you as amazing.
Although no birds that are truly endemic to Botswana, the Okavango Delta is hugely important to many species, including a number rarities worthy of noting here. First on the Okavango's list of 'specialties' is the slaty egret – which can be found in shallow, reedy back-waters and pans. Aside from the Okavango River's delta, this rare egret is only resident in quieter corners of the Chobe and Linyanti areas, and the Bangweulu Wetlands in Zambia.
Easier to spot are magnificent wattled cranes, which can be seen easily in the Delta. They're usually seen in pairs or small groups, wandering about shallow floodplains or wet grasslands, searching for fish, small amphibians and reptiles.
For keen birdwatchers, other Okavango Delta specials here include coppery-tailed coucal, brown firefinch, Bradfield's hornbill, lesser jacana, pink-throated longclaw and the tiny chirping cisticola.
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Even though the Muslim public from abroad are no doubt to have been long enough to visit Indonesia archipelago, but it has just in 15-16 century, Islamic Religion stick its influence to Javanese tradisional culture. The missionaries’ Muslim start increased their activity in Java in the beginning of 14 century, in parallel with the collapse starting of the biggest Hindu Kingdom in Java island, MOJOPAHIT. Begin from north coastal area towns in Java Island, such as GRESIK and SURABAYA, Islam religion started to disseminate swiftly and its influence in such a way until it was formed an Islam state that focusing in DEMAK, a north coastal area town in Central Java. Twenty-five years then, MOJOPAHIT Kingdom is really collapsed and the influence of the Islam empire strength in Demak increasingly wide towards West. This thing is not get out of the role of the Saints, a real charismatic Islam carrier and had an effect, who taught Islamic Religion to all of Java Island. Because their charisma and influences, hence Java public give title to those Saints as ‘SUNAN’, their name became Legend and even their grave is often visited by public Moslem for have a pilgrimage.
According to the traditional and belief of Java Moslem public, there is nine Saints who standing in Islam propagated in Java, so that they are recognized as ‘WALI SONGO’ (the Nine saint of Islam). Wali Songo with their heritage, what amount to nine, spread over all north coastal area of Java Island from Surabaya until Banten.
WALI SONGO & their grave locations
Lokasi
1.Syeh Maulana Malik Ibrahim Gresik
2.Sunan Ampel (Raden rachmat ) Surabaya
3.Sunan Giri (Raden Paku) Gresik
4.Sunan Bonang (Raden Machdum Ibrahim) Tuban
5.Sunan Drajat (Raden Qosim) Paciran - Lamongan
6.Sunan Kudus (]a'far Shodiq) Kudus
7.Sunan Kalijaga (Raden Mas Sa'id) Kadilangu - Demak
8.Sunan Muria (Raden Umar Said) Colo Mt. Muris - Kudus
9.Sunan Gunung Jati (Syarif Hidayatullah) Mt. Sembung - Cirebon
The Saints grave were made in such a manner so it impress holy, looked to be drew, beautiful with its architecture so that it is very attractive for all visitor who have pilgrimage
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Halong Bay, Vietnam
on Sabtu, 18 April 2009
About halfway through the trip and after a much needed nap, we stopped for a break at a place that sold local handicrafts made by handicapped children. I bought a very cool picture done in embroidery of a Vietnamese woman carrying some mangos on those balancy things that Blake carried in the infamous pineapple fiasco. I talked the price down from $68 to $58 which was fair especially because as the 4 foot tall salesman kept reminding me 'made by handicap' children'. no word if the kids get any of the profit though.
After the break we piled back into the van and about an hour later we arrived in Halong Bay City. We jumped out and headed straight to our boat, the Halong Bay Dream and man was it ever. It was soooo nice. A new boat with space for 14 and just beautiful on the inside. Lauren and I shared a room with two big windows (for a boat) and Blake got his own room since there were just 9 of us total. After we set down our belongings, we headed up to the main deck to the open dining area for our seafood lunch. And it was incredible. They just kept bringing out dish after dish! We had the freshed squid salad, huge shrimp, lovely vegetables, rice, noodles, a whole grilled fish, fruit... the food just didn't stop coming!
Fully stuffed to the gills, we slathered on some sunscreen, threw on our bathing suits and went up to the top deck. By then we were really getting out into the bay amidst the nearly 2000 islands there and it was incredibly beautiful. The islands are all made out of limestone from decayed oysters, clams, etc from the past 350 million years that grew to form a mountain range because of the pacific rim tetonic plates shifting. Eventually the mountain range was eroded by the water and the islands formed. Now they are all protected by Unesco which is fortunate because the only one that can be inhabited is the national park on Cat Ba island. Just beautiful!
After sunning ourselves we then docked briefly to visit the Amazing Cave which is the biggest of the 8 or so caves that have been discovered so far in Halong Bay. And it really was amazing. Especially interesting though were the trashcans inside in the shape of dolphins and penguins which gave the weird sensation that we were at an amusement park of sorts.
From the cave, we moved onward to an island with a lookout pagoda at the very top. One 10 minute very vertical climb later we were super sweaty but enjoying the wonderful view. Blake showed me how to do a stitch assist too on my camera so I think I should be able to join several of the photos together to make a nice panoramic. Next, we returned to the boat and then jumped off from the top of the boat into the water. I was quite scared at first seeing as I'd really never done a high dive before, but it was worth it and then it was great! And the water was wonderful, just warm enough to be enjoyable but not so warm that you feel like the person next to you just 'relieved' themselves in the water.
After the swim we towelled off and then were fed another enormous and delicious seafood dinner. Dinner was followed by a great conversation with the Scottish couple that had been living in Malaysia the past 2 years, a little bit of World Cup viewing, and then Blake and I laying out on the top deck to look at the stars. It was the perfect day and we didn't go to sleep until after midnight when we pried ourselves away from the night sky.
The next morning, Blake woke me up early to have a look at the sunrise, but at 5:15 am it was already up. So we went back to bed and then got back up in time for a 7am breakfast (also way too much food). Breakfast was followed by kayaking which was incredibly fun. We paddled around for about an hour and a half, with 2 people in each kayak. Lauren and I paddled together, and with her excellent instruction I eventually got the hang of it. It was difficult though because even though the water was pretty calm, the current was really strong. We all paddled together into these beautiful lagoons by Cat Ba island which was just such a peaceful experience (aside from the aching arms) that made me feel like we were in the movie "the beach" (which I am appropriately reading at the moment).
After kayaking, Lauren and I had another swim, then it was time to pack our bags... but not without yet another inordinately huge seafood meal that we could hardly finish! It really was the perfect get away. And amazingly enough, it only costs $2000 to rent out the boat per week, including food. So I'm thinking, grab a group of 14 and come back sometime in the future for some R&R.
Well I'm back in Hanoi though, wearing my new Halong Bay pearl necklace (they do a lot of pearls there) and getting very excited about tomorrow's trips to Hanoi's museums and then the following day at China beach between Da Nang and Hoi An! It's going to be great!
Source: SMU Selengkapnya...
I really hate it when people ask "what is your favorite _______?"
Chances are that my answer will vary from day to day, based on the previous day's experience or how well I slept last night. Favorite song? Today it's "We Won't Get Fooled Again" by The Who (Keith Moon's drum work was beyond amazing!) But a random pick by my iPod or 15 second blurb on NPR might create another ear tick in my head for something by Jimmy Buffet or Carole King. Does that make me fickle? I hope not.
So with that nod to baby boomer nostalgia finished, I will say that for the past four years I have had a consistent answer for "what is your favorite/most beautiful spot on Earth?" The Kalalau Valley… hands down! I probably reminisce about the view there at least once a day… no kidding! And that is no slight to a thousand other places that I've visited and fallen in love with like the Hanalei Valley (also on Kauai), Piccadilly Circus in London, the Gateway Arch in my hometown of St. Louis, the view of Rome and the Vatican from the rooftop of the Hilton Caravaggio just to name a few. And I still have a long list of places yet to see that might (maybe) challenge Kalalau for resonance within my soul (I have high hopes for seeing Iguazu Falls in South America or the Pyramids of Egypt some day).
There are two ways to best appreciate Kalalau while getting an overall feel for its immense beauty, from the overlook above and from the sea. You can't go wrong either way, but I'd have to give the edge to the overlook. There is something about being able to look down across this fantastic valley and then out to sea where you can get a hint of the Earth's curvature. The word awesome was invented for sights such as this.
To get there, follow Waimea Canyon Drive (Highway 550) all the way to the end of the road to the Pu'u o Kila Lookout. No matter what the makeup of your group is (elderly, young, vigorous or handicapped), a simple drive to this lookout will reward everyone. There is a nice switchback ramp from the parking lot to the overlook point that makes it wheelchair accessible.
If the weather is right, you can enjoy the view for hours. If it's not right (and there is no way to predict that), then for gosh sakes, just be patient! The clouds roll in and out as if by whim.
We first saw Kalalau on an absolutely perfect day in September of 2004. The sky was crystal clear, the sea was brilliant blue and the valley was an unbelievably verdant green. I think I might have just sat there and stared for hours! Two years later, after prepping our companion couple for weeks about this fantastic place, we drove up Canyon Drive (stopping at various places to enjoy Waimea Canyon and its unique beauty) until less than half a mile from the lookout we discovered we were within clouds and mist! One of my more spectacular hypes, shot to smithereens! Thinking back, we should have just lingered there for an hour. Things might have changed (and probably would have).
This last time (in May '08) we were more patient. We already planned to do a little hiking down the Pihea Trail, as long as things were at least semi-dry, which they were. The clouds were just low and at first, any view of the huge valley below was impossible. "Just wait!", some other folks suggested. The clouds were visibly moving, so we tarried a while. Sure enough, they moved out to sea and Kalalau was laid before us in all her green glory!
The Pihea Trail is what I'd call a good compromise hiking trail. For the idle strollers that prefer something more akin to a shopping mall degree of difficulty, it's easy enough that they might stumble through the first quarter mile or so of this 1 mile trek to the overlook on the other side of the valley, before saying "okay… it's beautiful, but I'd rather wait in the car." The more committed hikers can press on, with what is probably an easy to moderate degree of difficulty. While there are a couple of places that will have you walking across a little bog or two on a boardwalk, there are others where you'll find yourself grabbing for a tree root to pull you up a short rise. Take note of the tree root, chances are that it's practically polished by thousands of other people that have grabbed it in the very same place.
It's one mile out to the opposite overlook (reachable only on foot), and one mile back. And if you have more time and more desire for adventure, there is a branch off that will take you another 3 or 4 miles too.
Now, for the serious hikers and campers, there are the various segments that reach the valley from Ha'ena State Park at the northwest end of Kuhio Highway at Ke'e Beach (another mystical place that I like. Here, you can take the Kalalau Trail for a vigorous 2 mile introductory day trip, or a full bore exploration of its 11 mile length that will take you a full day just to get to the end of the trail at Kalalau Beach (no road here, only trail or boat access). If you're going to do that, be prepared with good hiking shoes, food, water and camping gear. You won't make it in and out without spending the night! Oh, and if you're going to do that, get a permit from the Hawaii State Parks office. The cost is $10 per person, per night.
This is the Na Pali coast in all of its glory and contradictions. You can motor to a spectacular and very accessible overlook, or you can shoulder up the back pack and do some serious hiking. We saw some hikers from our snorkeling boat, and trust me, it doesn't look easy.
There's considerable anecdotal evidence that a number of people make their homes in the Kalalau. Be aware that they aren't supposed to be there, so the likelihood of you being a welcome visitor should you stray far enough from the trail to encounter them is about as remote as the location itself. Just stay to the trail, respect the land and the sea and you'll be rewarded!
Trust me, as far as I'm concerned, this is the most beautiful place on Earth... at least the most beautiful place that I've been to so far, as of May 2008... wink, wink.
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Morocco tours: a beautiful place
on Jumat, 17 April 2009Morocco is a country situated in African continent with Rabat as capital city. Morocco coastal region touches Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. Spain and Algeria are two important neighboring countries of Morocco. Tourist visit Morocco to experience the splendid beauty of the country. World's most famous desert namely Sahara desert is also spread in the Morocco region. Morocco is controlled by the political government but King of morocco still enjoys the tremendous powers and has political and social influence over the residents.
Following is the description of the Morocco tour:
- People of Morocco are cultured and you can feel the sense of their hospitality for the tourists. They follow the traditions existing from ages and show very friendly behavior to others. You can find people dancing and playing music instruments usually at night after the whole day work.
- You can travel in the Sahara desert and can enjoy the ride on camels. But the season of your traveling is very important. You cannot travel in desert in the summer heat. If you are interested in seeing oasis then Sahara desert is the right place. Marrakech is an oasis which is inhabited by the local people of Morocco and made it a vibrant city. Magnificent palaces and museums are center of attraction for the travelers.
- You can book your flight tickets and can reach in the developed cities of Morocco. Casablanca is the largest city of Morocco occupying the major area and the center for tourist attraction. You can rest in the luxury hotels with quality food facilities for travelers. Evening in Marrakech is most beautiful time to spend where you can see the sunset. Sunset of Marrakech is popular all over the world.
- Villages in Morocco are really exciting to watch. Tourists like to plan their visit in the beautiful villages of Morocco. The life of the people in villages is different from the city life and you can even capture the authentic beauty.
- If you are beach lovers then you have the opportunity to visit the beaches which are not like he other crowded beaches of the world. You can enjoy fishing and also boating by hiring the boats from the village people. Ourzazate is the renowned place where you can find the spectacular natural beauty. Often film makers visit the place to arrange shooting for the movies.
Batubulan is an artistic countryside in west part of Gianyar regency. The identity and image as an art village, Batubulan has been famous in Indonesia and all over the world which has been built based on an artistic blessing dance of Barong (Barong and Keris dance). Barong Dance is daily performed at five different stages in this countryside, like Puseh Temple Stage, Tegal Tamu Stage, Denjalan Stage, Sahadewa Stage and Sila Budaya Stage. The fascination of this Tourism Cultural Object is from variety of quality artistic potency. Batubulan Village is covering the dance art, artistic of Kerawitan, artistic of idol and article art. Batubulan Village
The beginning of Batubulan Village is an agrarian village which is sustained by carves the ledge stone. Relying on artistic potential, strategic location and open village network by local, national, and global, then this village grows as tourist destination which is popular with Tourism Cultural Object. Entire Bali Tour Packages to Middle of Bali or east part Bali are started from Batubulan Village . Batubulan Bus Station is strategically located as node communications to seven towns in Bali those are Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar, Bangli, Klungkung, Karangasem, and Singaraja. Batubulan is the opener relationship to reach the network entire of Bali Island . This village is located 8 KM from Denpasar town and it is consisted of three custom countryside, those are: Desa Adat Tegal Tamu, Desa Adat Jero Kuta and Desa Adat Delod Tukad. It is coming within 16 Banjar demographically, this village is pertained by an overpopulated village with the amount of the year resident 2003 equal to 11.333 people by 2.775 family. The name of Batubulan is etymologically taken from two word that are: Batu and Bulan (moon stone). Pre-eminent tourism sites and especial fascination of Batubulan Village in map of Bali Tourism are Barong Dance and stone carving art. This Tourist destination is become more famous because sustained by tourism fascination non-stopped expand and immeasurable. As a tourism object and stone carving business area, Batubulan village is visited by tourist of foreign countries and domestic since in the morning time until evening time. At 09:00-10:30 am daily, Barong Dance is held while at 18:00-19:00 pm, the Kecak Dance or Bali Night performances are executed.
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Bali Travel Information, Bali Temple, Uluwatu Temple is one of Sad Kahyangan in Bali (six big group of Bali Temple ), located in Pecatu Village region, Subdistrict of South Kuta, Badung Regency, about 25 Km southerly part of Denpasar town. The temple located the above coral reef sordid to sea about 80 meters from sea level. When seen from direction way, hence its Uluwatu Temple location located in Southwest from Bali island. In eastside of this temple there is Kekeran Forrest (interdict forest) own the temple which is occupied by a lot of monkey and other animal. Name Uluwatu come from word ulu meaning head or tip of and watu meaning stone. Therefore Uluwatu Temple mean the temple built in tip of coral reef. Uluwatu Temple in Story
In the right and left of building or pelinggih Ida Bagus Ratu Jurit in complex of Uluwatu Temple, there are two stone mangers it's for looking like a boat. When both of it united hence it's for similar to sarcophagus, that is stone case result of megalithic era culture. Here there is archaeology omission coming from 16 century that is arch or winged entrance gate. Winged entrance gate represent the scarce archaeology omission. Winged entrance gate Uluwatu Temple (a period of its making) can be compared with the same one located in mosque complex in Sendangduwur Village, Lamongan, East Java, where the period of its making is relevant with the year candrasengkala found at this inscription. Candrasengkala found in the mosque is written with the wording gunaning salira tirta hayu meaning year 1483 Saka or 1561 Masehi.If sarcophagus which is there are in Dalem Jurit complex represent the artifact (artifact which is true come from the inscription that the artifact which is not removed from other inscription), hence Uluwatu Temple represent the place sanctified by since era of culture megalithic (About 500 S.M).
In papyrus of Usana Bali mentioned that Mpu Kuturan (Saint teaching Hinduism in Bali) a lot of built the temple in Bali for example Uluwatu Temple. In papyrus Dwijendra Tatwa elaborated by that Mpu Kuturan twice pay a visit to this temple:
- The first visit when he conducts the Tirtha Yatra that is journey visit the holy places. At arrival in Uluwatu his heart jolted, heard a soul whisper that place good to worshiping God. When it is the time for, he chose this place as a place for ngeluwur ree of soul /dead leave without body to return to origin (moksa). Pursuant to the consideration then he set mind to build the Parhayangan or extend the building of Uluwatu Temple which there have previously. When Mpu Kuturan extend the building of Uluwatu Temple, he build hostel as residence and then the ex- the hostel built temple by local society named the Gong Hill Temple (Pura Bukit Gong). The building of Parhyangan in Uluwatu Temple is done by Mpu Kuturan in the early 16 century after he lifted to become the Purohita (priest of king adviser) from king of Dalem Waturenggong commander in the year 1460-1552 .
- Second visit done when Mpu Kuturan will reach the nature Moksa. OnTuesday of Kliwon Medangsya (Balinese Calendar) witnessed by a fisherman, his name Ki Pasek Nambangan, he looked to be like flash only in the form of very very bright light step into the space called ngeluwur.
Implicit at papyrus Padma Bhuwana that Uluwatu Temple which lay in direction of Southwest functioning to worship the Rudra God, one of the god in nine god which called Dewata Nawa Sanga. Rudra God represent to exist the Deity Siwa as Pemralina or return to provenance. In this papyrus also mention that Gate Uluwatu represent the Kahyangan World worshiped by entire/all Hindu people. Nowadays this temple are visited by many people from all over the world because it has beautiful panorama in partucular at the sunset time make the people wish to return so that Uluwatu is one of Bali Tourism Destination, Places to visit in Bali, Place to see in Bali and places of interest in Bali.
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