Tour The Bali

Medan
Medan was one the site of a battlefield between the Aceh people and the neighbouring Deli Kingdom. Medan is the capital of North Sumatra Province, a trading center and important harbour.

Once Medan was part of the Deli Sultanate. What is his­torically most interesting is the Mesjid Besar (Grand Mosque) and the Palace of the Sultan of Deli which has been restored to rivive its past grandeur.

Medan’s harbour town is called Belawan, which is the sea link to Penang Malaysia. Medan, Indonesia’s western in­ternational gateway maintains regular flight to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Amsterdam and Vienna. Addition­ally, there are several air connections between Medan and Jakarta, and other destinations in Sumatra.

Lake Toba – Parapat
The town of Parapat is the main tourist resort and lies oil the very shore of famous Lake Toba. This lake is about 50 miles long and 16 miles across, with a depth about 1.400 feet.
In Parapat live Batak Toba and Batak Simalungun tribes, and are happy and easy going people. They are known for their lively and senti­mental love songs. Recreational sports in Parapat are among other swimming water skiing, motor boating, canoeing, fishing, and golf at Sally golf course (19 holes) about 5 km from Parapat.
Parapat is 176 from Medan and can be reached in 4 hours by bus. The climate in Parapat is cool, and dry, making Parapat an ideal place to relax. Many hotels, bungalows, villas, resthouses welcome visitors. Small shops selling sou­venirs such as “Ulos” (local woven cloths) and specific fruits locally grown.

Samosir Island
The island of Samosir is right in the middle of Lake Toba, covering area of 329 square miles. This island is the origi­nal home of the fiercest hut kind hearted Toba Bataks. It can be reached in half an hour by boat from Parapat. Vis­iting, the village of Tomok, Tuk‑tuk, Siallagan, Ambarita are recommended for traditional Batak Toba houses, and lo­cal dances. This island has many hotels, bungalows, and rest houses.

Great Bukit Barisan
Located at Tongkoh village, in the district of the Karo high­lands, approximatelly 59 km from Medan. Formerly Tahura Bukit Barisan since 1916, known for its location called “Arboretum Tongkoh-Berastagi”, however since 1989 renovated and renamed Great Bukit Barisan Forest Park. Found there is the zoological mu­seum and a gazebo with Karo or­naments designed on the top of the roof, painted with various writings of typical welcome greetings in Tapanuli, which is “Horas”.

Crocodile Farm
Medan has the largest crocodile farm in Indonesia. Here one can see how the crocodile eggs are hatched, and then reared somewhere else. This farm is located at Asam Kumbang, 5 km from the heart of the city, and has nearly 2000 crocodiles of different kinds.

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Posted in: Lake, Medan, Mountain, Tourism Object, Travel on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at at 8:11 PM 0 comments    

North Sumatra

North Sumatra is a large province stretching from the Indian Ocean in the west to the Straits of Malaka in the East and from Aceh in the north to West Sumatra in the south. It is thick with virgin forests, lush vegetation and jungle covered hills, terraced ricefields, cool mountain streams, strong rivers, beautiful waterfalls, peaceful white sandy beaches and large ancient lakes.

The people of the region are hospitable and warm and can he divided into five main ethnic groups; the Coastal Malays living along the Melaka Straits; the Bataks consisting of the sub‑tribes of Toba, Simalungun, Pak Pak (Dairi) and Karon of the highlands around Lake Toba and Samosir Island; the Pesisirs of Central Tapanuli along the Indian Ocean coastline; the Mandailings and Angkolas from southern Tapanuli and Nias Islanders off lie western coast of the province. These groups each have their own dialects, religious beliefs and traditional arts, customs and culture. There are also several ethnic groups who live in Medan and other towns of North Sumatra, the largest of these being Chinese and Indian. Other parts of the archipelago are represented, but non more strongly than the Acehnese, Minangkabau and Javanese who now live in many Parts of the area. As a result the area is often regarded as constituting a natural museum of Indonesia’s proto-Malay heritage in which ancient cuslonis and traditions have been preserved.

The divefersity of arts and cultures literally make this region a Garden of Eden for social scientists and culture seekers. It is a treasure chest of culture and tradition waiting to be explored, with ancient graves of Batak kings, unique dances and ceremonies, and beautiful arts and crafts. North Sumatra is also one, of the richest provinces in Indonesia for flora and fauna with a wealth of birds, butterflies, buffalo and deer. The Province proudly boats of its Orang Utan Rehabilitation Center in the Gunung Leuser National Park which is bordered by the fast flowing Bohorok River and some delightful countryside and of course lake Toba, legendary birthplace of the mountain‑dwelling Bataks and the largest inland lake in Southeast Asia.
The region also produces more than 30% of Indonesia’s export commodities and handles about 60% of them, making it a vital cog, in the Indonesian economy. Tobacco, palm oil, tea and rubber are produced in large quantities, particularly around Medan in the north of the province.
----------See : Museum Cut Nyak Dhien, Aceh, Bali

Posted in: Place of Interest, Sumatra, Tourism Object, Travel on at at 8:05 PM 0 comments    

Museum Cut Nyak Dhien
It's a historical object. The h is a replica of the heroine Cut Nyak Dhien, from the Aceh War. The house was burnt down by the Dutch but a replica was built later, after Indonesia's in­dependence. This house in Lam Pisang about 6 kilometers from Banda Aceh, is now a museum. Uncrowded Banda Aceh has many beautiful beaches. The most popu­lar ones are Ujong Batee beach, Lam Puuk beach and Lhok Nga beach. Thonse beaches are located 16 kilometers from Banda Aceh. They have clean waters and white sand. Sun­sets are quite impressive there.

Beaches
The most popular beaches are Gapang beach and Iboih beach in Sahang, Kuala Dou beach in west Aceh and the others most popular beaches uncrowded Banda Aceh are Ujong batee beach, Lampu’uk beach and Lho’nga beach. It’s located 16 kilometers from Banda Aceh. All the beaches have clean waters and white sands. Sunsets are quite im­pressive at the all beaches.

Sea Garden
Sea Gardens are located off shore from Banda Aceh, at about 45 minutes by speed boat. Some can be enjoyed around Rubiah island in. Sabang and the others are around Beras island, Aceh island and other small islands around them. Sea gigantic clams, angel fish, lion fish, sea fans and much more.

Around Takengon
Takengon is a town located at the central area of Aceh. It is being promoted as a tourist resort since its temperature is about 20°C (68°F), cool enough for a holiday resort. The main feature of the town is Laut Tawar lake. The scen­ery is loved and the lake can he used for water sport, such as ski. We can tour around the lake by motor boat or other water transportation. There are caves around the lake slopes of the mountain and the mountain itself is suitable for climb­ing. A number of hotels are being built to encourage a rapidly increasing tourist trade.
The others object around Takengon are a ware water pool at Simpang Balk, Loyang Koro and Loyang Pukes caves by the side of Laut Tawar lake.

The National Park
The National Park of Gunung Leuser is probably the wild­est in Indonesia, located in Southeast Aceh that can be reached from either Kutacane, or Takengon. This magnifi­cent national park has a wealth of flora and fauna. The park also has research facilities for the study of primates, birds, insects, and other animals. Basic accommodation facilities are available at Ketambe. The rapids‑infested Krueng Alas river inside the park is popular with rafters.

Arround Lhokseumawe and The Former Kingdom of Samudra Pasai
Lhokseumawe is a town located 274 km from Banda Aceh which is now being developed as an industrial zone of Aceh. Many gigantic plants are constructed following the discovery of huge LND resources in the area. Touristic fea­tures of the town is The Samudra Pasai. It was the first great Islamic kingdom of Indonesia. All that remains of it, however, is a graveyard 18 km east of the town. The his­torical indication of this can be seen at the grave of Malikul Saleh, the first ruler of the kingdom and from the royal graves, including that a queen named Nahrisyah and graves of other members of the royal families of Samudra Pasai.
The kingdom produces its own gold coins which still can be found in the surrounding areas. Other objects for visitors are Blang Kolam Fails and Ujung Blang beach

Laut Tawar Lake
Laut Tawar Lake is located in Aceh Tengah. Takengon, the capital of the region, lies on the west side of this lake, 1,120 meters above sea level, with an average temperature of 20°C. The town is quite cool and is a growing., holiday resort. The scenery is lovely and the lake can be used for water sports, such as ski. We can tour around the lake by motor boat or other water transportation. There are caves around the lake slopes of the mountain and the mountain itself is suitable for climbing. A number of ho­tels are being built to encourage a rap­idly increasing tourist trade. Others about Aceh here.

Posted in: Aceh, Museum on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at at 7:45 PM 0 comments    

TOURISM OBJECT

PLACES OF INTEREST IN ACEH
Around Banda Aceh
Banda Aceh is the capital of Aceh and also the main gate­way to the province. The Governor's Residence, was built by the Dutch in 1880 on the spot where the palace of the sultan once stood. This building is known as one of the historical sites with a unique architecture and completed with traditional house equipments. This place is of course a restricted area and entering it must he with a kind of Permission from the security guard.

Baiturrahman Grand Mosque
Is one of the most outstand­ing landmarks in the capital city. The old mosque that stood there before it was burnt down at the beginning of the Aceh War, was rebuilt in 1875, taking its present shape after a number of renovations and expansions.

Museum Negeri
Is another charm of the city. The museum is filled with antiques. Among the exhibits is a big clock, a gift from t e Emperor of China and brought to Aceh by the famed Admiral Cheng Ho in 1414.

Gunongan and Pinto Khop
Which are located at a few steps from the Pendopo are also charms of the city. Gunongan was erected around the 16th century during the reign of Sultan Iskandar Muda.

Kerkhop or Churchyard
Is a much visited site especially by Dutch visitor where the remains of more then 2,000 Dutch soldiers lie burried.

The Syiah Kuala Grave
Is another popular visitor's object. Teungku Syiah Kuala was one of Aceh's great Moslem Ulamas of the past. His grave stands near the mouth of Krueng Aceh River about 2 kilometers from the city, visited by local visitors and other parts of Indonesia and Malaysia.

Indra Patra Fortress
This old fort was built during the time of Iskandar Muda. It probably functioned as a defence against invader's attacks.
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Posted in: Aceh, Museum, Place of Interest on at at 7:41 PM 0 comments    

Aceh
Tourism Destinations & Facilities

Chinese chronicles from as early as the sixth century speak of a kingdom called Po‑Li on the northern tip of what is now Sumatera. Arabic writings and Indian inscriptions from around the 9th century also mention this area and its obvious importance. Of all the regions in Indonesia, Aceh, at the northwestern end of Sumatra, is the first to have contact and he‑ influenced by the outside world. Ironically, 1 is still one of the least known regions of Indonesia, even among Indonesians themselves.

Aceh has a fascinating history which over the centuries has shaped and transformed the region into what it is today. In 1292, Marco Polo, on his epic voyage from China visited Sumatra on his way to Persia and reported that ill the northern part of the island there were as many as six busy trading ports including Perlak, Samudera and Lambri. The first Islamic kingdom of Perlak was established in the year 804 about 100 years after Islam is first believed to have reached the archipelago. In 1511, the Portuguese seized the important strategic port of Malacca, pushing many Asian and Arabic traders to call instead on the developing port of Aceh, bringing with them wealth and prosperity. Aceh's dominance in trade and politics in northern parts of Sumatra and in the entire region had begun and would last until it reached its zenith between 1610 and 1640.

Aceh's decline began with the death of Sultan Iskandar Thani in 1641, and as a result the British and Dutch both began vying for domination of the area. Eventually the signing of the London Treaty in 1824 saw the Dutch gain control of all British possessions in Sumatra in return for their surrender of enterprises in India and withdrawal of all claims on Singapore.

The Dutch found gaining control of Aceh to be more difficult than they had anticipated. It was a long drawn out struggle foi the Dutch in their attempts to subdue the rebellious and courageous Acehnese. The Aceh War, which lasted intermittently from 1873 to 1942, was the longest ever fought by the Dutch costing them over 10,000 lives.

Things are different now as industrialization and global communications have made contact with the outside world a daily occurrence and with it has come a more open attitude towards things alien. Visitors should keep in mind, though, that the Acehnese take their religion, their manners and their morals very seriously.
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Posted in: Aceh, Tourism Object on Monday, March 23, 2009 at at 8:33 PM 0 comments