Near to Paradise

Lore Lindu National Park

2009-04-16T08:29:00.000-07:00

The natural beauty of LORE LINDU NATIONAL PARK, one of a handful of flora and fauna conservation centers in Sulawesi, has for years been threatened by development initiatives.

However, if South Sulawesi Governor Bandjela Paliudju has his way, the park, located 60 kilometers to the south of South Sulawesi’s capital Palu, will be given a chance to flourish once again.

At the time, even the SOUTH SULAWESI chapter of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI), a non-governmental organization, supported plans for development. Walhi representatives said they believed the DONGI-DONGI area could be developed because a forest concession holder once operated in the area.

The park sits between 200 meters and 2,610 meters above sea level. It serves as the water catchment area for PALU, DONGGALA and POSO. The LARIANG, GUMBASA and PALU rivers pass through the park, which is rich in flora and fauna.

It is home to various types of native animals, such as deer hogs, ghost monkeys, KUSKUS, kera kakak tonkea, kuskus marsupial and the biggest carnivorous animal in Sulawesi — the CIVET CAT.The park is also home to at least five species of squirrel, 31 species of rat, 55 species of bat and 230 types of birds.

Papandayan Mountain

2009-04-16T08:24:00.000-07:00

PAPANDAYAN MOUNTAIN is situated on the island of Java, at 7°32' S and 107°73'E, rising 2.665 m. Papandayan Mountain is one of the natural wonder in West-Java. Papandayan is a complex strata volcano with four large summit craters, the youngest of which was breached to the NE by collapse during a brief eruption in 1772 and contains active fumarole fields.

This interesting place lies in the border of the BANDUNG and GARUT REGENCIES, about seventy kilometers south of BANDUNG and about 19,25 km from GARUT.

It is one if the most spectacular volcanoes in this province and the top of the mountain are easily reaches, because there are special road leading to the crater.

MOUNT PAPANDAYAN's crater is probably one of the most spectacular mountain scenes on Java Island. There is a Cangkuang temple situated by CANGKUANG LAKE, which was a major discovery of archaeological value as it was the first of its kind found in West Java, dating back to the 8th century. This volcano is situated 17 km from Garut or 50 km from BANDUNG.

Source: Samuel 89

Welcome to Indonesia

2008-07-07T22:21:00.000-07:00

Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago comprising some 17,508 islands that stretch across the equator for more than 5,000 miles. There are five main islands and 30 smaller archipelagos . The main islands are Kalimantan, Sumatera, Papua, Sulawesi and the most populated Island, Java.

Situated along the volcanic rim known as the "Pacific Ring of Fire" Indonesia is the most volcanic country on earth with 128 volcanoes, Straddling the equator, Indonesia has dry season and rainy season.

It is the 4th most populous country in the world. More than 480 ethnic group display a rich variety of customs, religions and languages (approximately 583) and dialects. Living side by side in harmony, these people still retain their own distinctive cultures. The arts and ancient traditions are expressed through hypnotic music, such as gamelan, agklong, kolintang, as well as sublime dances, exquisite cloths, painting and carvings.

Indonesia is home to several animal and plant species that are found nowhere else, such as orang utan, komodo dragon, one horned rhinoceros, anoas and babi rusa. Exotic white-sand beaches reach toward warm tropical seas teeming with coral and marvelous variety of marine life in some of the most colorful, breathtaking sea gardens in the worlds.

Indonesia cuisine displays mind-boggling variety of dishes that are characterized by the liberal use of aromatic spices and variety of chili peppers, then cooked in a number of exciting ways, including baked or steamed in banana leaves. Rice is the nation's staple for most of the archipelago, but in the eastern island corn, sago, cassava and sweet potatoes are more common. An extensive assortment of tropical and sub tropical fruit and vegetables can also be found year- round to tantalize your taste buds.