Way Kambas National Park

Way Kambas National Park is a large national park covering 1,300 square kilometres in Lampung province, South Sumatra, Indonesia.

Way Kambas consists of swamp forest and lowland rain forest, but was extensively logged before becoming a reserve in 1972 so there is little primary forest. The reserve still has a few Sumatran Tigers and reasonable numbers of elephants. It is also provides excellent birdwatching, with the rare White-winged Duck among the species present. Accommodation is available at the village of Way Kanan, where there is a small guest house.

Another special feature of this national park is the Sumatran Rhino still present in the area. Only 275 remain in South East Asia today. In Way Kambas a managed breeding center or Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary (SRS) has been build up in 1995. At this moment 5 Sumatran Rhinos live at the Sanctuary, most have been translocated from zoos to the large enclosures (with natural habitat) at the SRS.

The Three Batak Megalithic

The three megalithic sites on Samosir bear witness to the glory and horror of Batak history. The three consist of 300-year-old stone seats and benches arrayed in a circle. The first set of ruins was used as a conference area for Batak kings. At the second site, the kings would sit in judgment of a criminal or enemy prisoner. If the accused were found guilty, the assembly would move to the third set, which features the ghastly addition of a central stone execution block.

Other, less gruesome attraction can occupy many days of exploration and discovery. All over the island are superb examples of traditional Batak houses, with elaborate carvings and decorations. Performance of life-size is Gale-gale wooden puppet are held frequently, and at any moment, the musical Batak might break into an impromptu song, the seeming effortless, multi-part harmonies belying the casual setting.

One of Batak tribes in North Sumatra live on Samosir Island. Samosir Island is the island lies in the center of Lake Toba. All over the island are superb examples of traditional Batak houses, with elaborate carvings and decorations. Performance of life-size is Gale-gale wooden puppet are held frequently, and at any moment, the musical Batak might break into an impromptu song, the seeming effortless, multi-part harmonies belying the casual setting.
On this Samosir Island can be found three megalithic site of the Batak tribe.

The three megalithic sites on Samosir bear witness to the glory and horror of Batak history. The three consist of 300-year-old stone seats and benches arrayed in a circle. The first set of ruins was used as a conference area for Batak kings. At the second site, the kings would sit in judgment of a criminal or enemy prisoner. If the accused were found guilty, the assembly would move to the third set, which features the ghastly addition of a central stone execution block.

Batak megalithic site lies on Samosir Island (Center of Lake Toba), North Sumatra Province, Republic of Indonesia

NIAS ISLAND

Nias Island lies about 125 km of west Sumatra Island on the Indian Ocean. It is part of North Sumatra Province. The water surround the island is great for sea activities, such as surfing and scuba diving. The people also have curious culture, which will enrich visitor's heart. The island has some prehistoric remains, which built on megalithic Stone Age, and considered came from the oldest megalithic culture in Indonesia.

The local call their land as Tano Niha or "land of the People", while the people calls them selves as Ono Noha. Ethnically, the Niasers are involved in to the Ptoto-Malay ethnic who once ever get with the Asian Proto-mongoloid world. Niasers speak a kind of language related to Malagasy. Because of the similarity in languages, custom, body size of the Niasers with the Bataks on Sumatra mainland, it is possible that the Niasers have derived from the Bataks.

fig.1 Beach in Nias Island

fig.2 Surfers in Nias

fig.3 Surfers in Sorake Beach

Nias Island lies about 125 km of west Sumatra Island on the Indian Ocean. It is part of North Sumatra Province. The water surround the island is great for sea activities, such as surfing and scuba diving. The people also have curious culture, which will enrich visitor's heart. The island has some prehistoric remains, which built on megalithic Stone Age, and considered came from the oldest megalithic culture in Indonesia.

The local call their land as Tano Niha or "land of the People", while the people calls them selves as Ono Noha. Ethnically, the Niasers are involved in to the Ptoto-Malay ethnic who once ever get with the Asian Proto-mongoloid world. Niasers speak a kind of language related to Malagasy. Because of the similarity in languages, custom, body size of the Niasers with the Bataks on Sumatra mainland, it is possible that the Niasers have derived from the Bataks.

fig.4 Stone Jumping

Surfers will call this island "Paradise on Earth". Together with its beautiful white sandy beach, Lagundri Bay challenge surfers with spectacular waves. In the high season, the waves told to be as high as 3.5 meters. The waves of Sorake Beach on Lagundri Bay have ranked to be within the best ten waves of the world. It is true if some surfers referred of Sorake Beach waves as "the most notorious right-band reef breaks". There are events held for surfers, including the World Professionals Qualifying Series. Surfers are better being ready when your heart cannot leave this island after a visit.

Borobudur Temple

On the island of Java stands a mountain of a thousand statues... surrounded by volcanoes, shrouded in mystery. In 1814, two hundred men cross the lush Kedu plains of Central Java to search out this legendary mountain near the small village of Boro. For six weeks, they slash and burn the choking vegetation. They clear away tons of volcanic ash. Hidden beneath the debris, they find strange figures carved in stone – thousands of them. The excavation of the monument, known as Borobudur, has been ordered by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the new British Governor of Java. Unlike the Dutch traders before him, Raffles is intrigued by the exotic stories and architecture of the Indonesian islands: "The antiquities of Java have not, till lately, excited much notice; nor have they yet been sufficiently explored. The pursuits of commerce have been too exclusive to allow there being much interest in the subject." When Raffles comes to inspect the progress of his expedition, he finds a colossal pyramid, rising to a huge bell-shaped pinnacle. Lacking adequate historical records, Raffles is unable to determine the exact date of Borobudur's construction, but he does have some insight into the purpose of the structure: "The resemblance of the images which surround this monument to the figure of Buddha, has introduced an opinion that Borobudur was exclusively confined to the worship of that deity." But there is no central altar or sanctuary in this temple. Instead, the galleries that ring the structure are covered with nearly three thousand bas-relief panels carved into the stone. As word of the discovery spreads, scholars of Asian religions visit. They recognize Borobudur as the largest Buddhist temple in the world... and the most unusual. The panels depict the teachings of the Buddha, each familiar story a step in the pilgrim's progress. The galleries are designed to guide the faithful on a spiritual journey as they move upward from terrace to terrace, each level representing a higher plane of consciousness. In ancient times, pilgrims may have come from all over Southeast Asia to study the sacred texts full of mystery, meaning, meditation and morals. Borobudur is a three-dimensional guide to Enlightenment. But despite Raffles' best intentions, uncovering Borobudur has placed it in grave danger, as reports of the exotic temple attract a new breed of pilgrim. The local villagers are no longer superstitious of the monument, and now view it as a constant source of building materials. Souvenir hunters decapitate many of the Buddhas and ship them to mansions and museums throughout the world. For the weary tourist, a teahouse is built high on the crumbling central stupa. According to Asian art historian, Jan Fontein, "Many of the Europeans who came to Asia, and many of the Asians themselves, because they had been converted to Islam, regarded these monuments as the work of heathen, and this prevented them from appreciating their true beauty." But in 1885, an accidental discovery rekindles interest in preserving this ancient treasure. J. W. Ijzerman, a Dutch architect involved in a restoration project, walks along the high processional path that surrounds the base of Borobudur. "And he noticed that the moldings of the wall continued underneath a crack that he saw in the floor," says Fontein. "This meant that all these stones must have been added at a time when part of the building was already finished." Ijzerman excitedly calls for a section of the path to be removed. When sixteen layers of stone have been pulled away, Ijzerman discovers another tier of panels quite unlike those of the upper galleries. These are portrayals of hellish tortures mixed with scenes of sweet pleasure. In all, one hundred sixty panels are uncovered. A few scenes had been left unfinished, with instructions to the stone carver inscribed in Sanskrit, and the style of lettering is so distinctive that it can be dated specifically to the middle of the 9th century. Experts conclude that Borobudur must have been built by the Sailendra kings who ruled in Central Java at that time. Further efforts at restoration by Europeans throughout the next century are well meaning, but ultimately do more damage than good. The sediment and plant life that had shrouded Borobudur for so long had also protected it from the elements. As the galleries are cleared, the porous volcanic stone is exposed to Java's relentless heat and torrential downpours. Throughout most of the 19th century, Borobudur suffers more damage than in the thousand years before. In 1968, the Indonesian government and the United Nations, working through UNESCO, launch the "Save Borobudur" campaign. Over the next fifteen years, twenty million dollars are raised to support a bold plan: the complete dismantling and reconstruction of the lower terraces of the monument – stone by stone. Professionals from twenty-seven countries join their Indonesian counterparts to carry out the project. Over one million stones are moved during the course of restoration, and set aside like pieces of a massive jig-saw puzzle. Thirteen hundred carved panels are taken apart and individually cleaned, catalogued and treated for preservation. And Borobudur becomes a testing ground for new conservation techniques – new procedures to battle the microorganisms eating away at the stone. Experts in engineering, chemistry, biology and archaeology all share their skills to solve the multitude of problems. The restoration takes eight years of labor and unprecedented international cooperation to complete. In the words of Professor Soekmono, the Indonesian archaeologist who directed the Borobudur Restoration Project: "Borobudur has resumed its old historical role as a place of learning, dedication and training. We might even conclude that the builders of the monument hoped and planned for such continuity. An excellent training program, either for the pilgrim-devotee or for the field technician, is always based on a wish, a fervent wish, that the trainee will achieve what is projected. For the ardent Buddhist it is the Highest Wisdom that leads to the Ultimate salvation, and for the technician the highest degree of expertise that leads to the appropriate fulfillment of his duty. In both cases, Candi Borobudur is the embodiment of such a deeply felt wish. It is a prayer in stone."

Interesting place in yogyakarta

Borobudur temple
Borobudur is one of the best-preserved ancient monuments in the world and it is listed as The World Wonder Heritage. The construction of Borobudur Buddhist temple was started in the year of 824 AD, and finished in 842 AD. The name Borobudur is originated from the Buddhist's phrase of SAMBHARA BUDDHARA means the Buddhist monastery. This temple is built with 7 terraces symbolizing the 7 steps of a Buddhist in the process of his or her life to reach Nirvana (perfect life). After decades of negligence, the temple was rediscovered and first restored by Sir Thomas Standford Raffles who was also the founder of the modern Singapore. First systematic restoration organized under UNESCO started 1900s.

The monument is the biggest Buddhist temple of the world and it had been acclaimed by the world as a cultural heritage mankind that are the most frequently visited by over a million domestic as well as by foreign visitors up to now. The architectural style has no equal throughout the world. The inspired structure representing the micro cosmos which have very often given risen to question e.g. when, in what way, during how long time and by whom the sanctuary had been built.

Prambanan temple
Prambanan Temple is a name given to the complex of several sanctuaries of Siwa over 200 temples and shrines, the largest, the tallest one is a real masterpiece called 'Loro Jongrang' or 'Slender Virgin'. It is covered with wonderful relief depicting the Ramayana episodes, another appealing aspect is its glorious symmetry and grace, making it the most elegant and beautiful temple in Java. Some of sanctuaries in the complex have been restorated, but most of them are in ruins.

Candi Mendut
Candi Mendut (Mendut Temple) is 3 kilometers eastward from Borobudur Temple. It is a Buddhist temple, built in 824 A.D. by King Indera of Cailendra dynasty. Candi Mendut (Mendut Temple) is frequently used to celebrate the Waisak day every May full moon and the pilgrims from Indonesia and all parts of the world come to this ceremony.

Pawon Temple
Pawon Temple is one and half kilometers westward from Mendut Temple and eastward from Borobudur Temple, it is also a Buddhist temple. Pawon temple is architecturally a blend of old Javanese Hindu and Indian art.

Tamansari (Water Castle)
Tamansari was a recreation garden or a resting house for the Sultan and family or become a hiding place for royal family to defend against the enemy assault. Tamansari is located about 2 km south of Yogyakarta Palace, built in the end of XVII Century. Tamansari not only just a recreation, but it's also a compound of bathing pool, canals, rooms and extremerly large swimming pool (if the canals opened).

Kota Gede
Kota Gede was formertly the capital of Mataram Islam Kingdom up to 1640 is about 5 km from Jogja. Kota Gede can be reached easily by bus or by andong-traditional cart-or pedicab from Malioboro or Kraton. Common people's houses in Kotagede were arranged in peculiar kampong arrangement named Kampung Alun-Alun. They were built very close one to another along the narrow street, which looks like tunnel, since the roofs of the opposite buildings were overlapping. In these kampongs we can see the craftsmen working to make the famous and beautiful Kotagede silver handicraft.

Orangutan Workshop to Address Veterinary Healthcare Needs

The Orangutan Conservancy, which has promoted the conservation of wild orangutans and their rainforest homes for a decade, will focus on the level of care at rehabilitation centers when it stages the Orangutan Conservancy (OC) Veterinary Workshop from August 5-9 in East Kalimantan, Indonesia.

The workshop will bring together veterinarians and technicians who care for orphaned orangutans in Sumatra and Borneo for a week of intensive training, seminars, and practical sessions.

More than 1,500 orangutans currently exist in rehabilitation centers, and many bears the physical and emotional scars of their capture. The OC Veterinary Workshop will address many of the injuries and illnesses that are unique to orphaned orangutans.

The OC Veterinary Workshop will be staged in collaboration with zoos in Europe and the United States and other OC partners in the Orangutan Crisis Coalition.

The OC Veterinary Workshop will also address emerging infectious diseases, and the health standards necessary to consider reintroducing any of the orangutans back into the wild.

“This workshop will target some of the most important veterinary issues currently facing orangutan care,” said Norm Rosen, president of the OC. “It’s no good to rescue orphaned orangutans and commit to a lifetime of care if we don’t have the skills or standards to ensure their health. But more than that, we want to make sure veterinarians in Sumatra and Borneo get the chance to learn the latest techniques and build the sort of network that can help save this important species.”

The OC Veterinary Workshop is modeled after a successful series of veterinary workshops for African primates that Rosen helped create through the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA). Steve Unwin, a veterinary officer at the Chester Zoo in the United Kingdom, will lead the OC workshop.

For more information, please visit the Orangutan Conservancy or contact info@orangutan.com.

(Source: Orangutan Conservancy)

Borneo

Geography

Covering an area of roughly 287,000 square miles, Borneo is the third-largest island in the world. It is divided into four political regions: Kalimantan belongs to Indonesia; Sabah and Sarawak are part of Malaysia; a small remaining region comprises the sultanate of Brunei. Located southeast of the Malay Peninsula and southwest of the Philippines, Borneo is primarily mountainous, with dense areas of rain forest. The highest peak in Borneo, Mt. Kinabalu, stands at 13,455 ft. With a generally hot, wet climate, rain is more common than not, with some portions of Borneo receiving between 150 and 200 inches of rainfall annually. Between October and March, monsoons buffet the island.

Given the abundance of rainfall, it makes sense that Borneo's flora is among the most diverse in the world. Borneo has nearly 11,000 species of flowering plants, about a third of which are indigenous. How dense is the vegetation? In one 16 acre area of Borneo's lowland forest, over 700 species of trees have been recorded. In comparison, there are only 171 native tree species in all of eastern North America.

History and People

For most of the last millennium, Borneo remained isolated from the rest of the world. Located further from Indian trade routes than other parts of the Malay Peninsula, Borneo was less often the destination of traders and immigrants. But in the 16th century, emissaries of Spain and Portugal reached Borneo's shores. Soon after, the Dutch and British arrived, and it was these two latter nations that held power in Borneo from the 17th century into the modern era. In 1949, Indonesia became a foreign state, and in 1957, Malaysia gained its independence. Today, the population of Borneo consists of non-Muslim Dayaks and Islamic Malays, as well as Chinese and Europeans.

Inland, Borneo is comprised of a variety of different native tribes, each distinguishable from others by distinct language and culture. Before contact was made with the West, Borneo's tribes often engaged in wars with one another. Still, the tribes shared a host of similarities, including dwellings, diet, and culture. Today, the Ibans are the largest indigenous group in East Malaysia.

Closeup: Indonesia

Area: 736,000 sq. miles (roughly three times the size of Texas)
Capital: Jakarta, population approx. 8.8 million
Ethnic groups: Javanese, 45%, Sundanese 14%, Madurese 7.5%, coastal Malays 7.5%, others 26%
Religions: Islam, Protestanism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism
Life expectancy at birth: Men, 60 years, Women, 64 years.
Gained independence: August 17, 1945

Closeup: Malaysia

Area: 127,316 sq. miles (slightly larger than New Mexico)
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Ethnic groups: Malay 47%, Chinese 25%, Indigenous 11%, Indian 7%, non-Malaysian citizens 7%, others 3%
Religions: Islam, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity, Baha'i
Life expectancy: Female, 74 years; Male, 69 years
Gained independence: August 31, 1957

(Note: Statistics for country closeups are from 1998.)