BROMO - Life, Legend and Natural Grandeur

The Tengger caldera stretches out afar. With a diameter of 8 - 10km. the whole area covers not less than 5,250 hectares. But at this time of day what can be seen is only the sloping edges. A white mist seems to hang over it, covering most of the gaping crater.

In the center, five peaks jut up from the haze, namely the mountains Bromo, Batok, Widodaren, Kursi and Giri. In the far background, is Mount Semeru (3,6976 meters above sea level), the highest peak on the whole island of Java, standing tall acting as an anchor to all the natural splendor that meets the eye at this point. Meanwhile, volcanic smoke can be seen billowing continuously from Bromo, with occasional mushroom clouds puffing up from the symmetrical peak of Semeru, adding to the spectacular views. A larger that life sensation.

The red shades of the eastern horizon gradually yellow. Slowly but surely, the sun's glory emerges from behind the obscure mountain ranges of the island's east. The exceptional outlook becomes even clearer as the solar rays sweep the peaks and pierce the mists... breathtaking.

This is the most famous and distinguished natural showcase of Bromo at its best. Hundreds of people come every year to be able to experience the emergence of the Tengger caldera at sunrise.

It is said that long ago lived a beautiful woman known by the name Roro Anteng. Because of her attractiveness, there came a day when an evil giant who possessed magical powers approached her to propose. Not daring to reject the giant directly, Roro Anteng asked him to make her a sandy desert in between the mountains in one night. She hoped that the giant wouldn't have the power to be able to fulfill her conditional request, moreover before daybreak.

But the giant magician started out to accomplish the unbelievable that very night. Alas, the giant began to work very swiftly. In witnessing this, Roro Anteng started to think about how to interrupt the giant's work. At last she thought of an idea, so set out to make noises of all sorts that eventually woke up the roosters. Finally the roosters began to crow, signaling the break of dawn.

On hearing the rooster's calls, the giant was flabbergasted and became very sorrowful for having failed his task. Frustrated, he threw the coconut shell (batok) that he used to dig, which then fell to the ground beside Mount Bromo, forming what is now knows as Mount Batok. Conversely, the sandy plain was to form the Tengger caldera.

The story continues. Roro Anteng then met up with Joko Seger, a young man who was a descendant of the great Majapahit Kingdom, who led a reclusive life on the desolate mountain range. Joko Seger and Roro Anteng soon fell in love and were married.; both live happily in peace and were blessed with many children. Their bloodline continued their legacy. With the turn of time they also gradually formed the tribal community of the Tengger (taken from the names 'Roro Anteng' and Joko Seger"). The Tengger tribe is now referred to as the aboriginals that occupy the Bromo area, the place where their ancestors started their path of life from ancient times.

Surely this is the legend of the Bromo and Tenggerese origins that has been handed down from generation to generation... one among the many legends and myths that surround the Bromo mountain range.

It is not hard to understand these people's way of life and beliefs. They live on the edge of a magnificent million-year-old caldera with four dormant and active volcanic peaks. Mount Bromo is one of the active and therefore he humble character frequently reflected through the native people has become an inseparable part of their lives.

At those times when Bromo starts to grumble and cough it becomes a sign of a result of misconduct by the people. They will then proceed in introspection to see what they had done wrong and make up for it. Moreover, every year a ceremony that involves offerings being brought to the top of Bromo as a taken of gratitude for the blessings of the past year takes place.

In order to ease the interaction with nature, horses have likewise come into use as being the people's best companions. These mighty beasts are not indigenous to Bromo, but have been introduced from other areas. The horse tradition is relatively new, after having opened doors and having more contact with the outside world. But the adaptation of the Tenggerese as horsemen has fallen into place. Horses have in due courses and the Tenggerese have formed to become the dual icons of Bromo.

And the Tenggerese tribe that has for centuries been a part of this natural legacy slowly but surely enters into the tourism industry by becoming native tour guides. They utilize their mighty and dutiful horses to carry visitors up the slopes of Bromo, or accompany sunrise hunters in their 4x4 Jeeps. All have become new ritual, and all have become new blessings for them.

Nature indeed continues to provide the blessing, and the Tengger tribe will continue this inherited harmonious relationship. The strong spiritual bonds will have no end.

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The Beauty of Sempu Island

Spanning from east to west over 3.9 kilometers, with beaches that are aligned with steep and lime caved cliffs. That is, at a glance, the picture of 'Pulau Sempu' located in the eastern part of Java Island.

'Pulau' (island) 'Sempu' is located about 70 kilometers south of the center of 'Malang' city, East Java. Technically, this island is a nature reservation under the jurisdiction of the 'BKSDA' IV (natural resources conservation station) in Malang. While from a government administrative point of view the area is included in the Biru Settlement. 'Tambakrejo' Village, 'Sumbermanjing Wetan' Sub-District, Regency of 'Malang', of East Java.

The area of the island stretches 3.9 kilometers from east to west, and 3.6 kilometers from north to south. The topography of the island is for almost 50% made up of hilly plains, with slopes ranging from average to steep, at altitudes of 50 to 100 meters above sea level. The larger part of the beaches aligned with steep lime rock cliffs, which is the characteristic of the islands along the Indian Ocean.

This character is also specific for the islands along the south and east of Java Island. Certainly, such terrain makes it difficult for the fishermen to moor their boats. But, such a condition also decides that the 'Sendang Biru' Beach, which is located north of 'Sempu' island, has quiet waves. Because of that, this beach is the safest harbor along the southern stretch of the Indian Ocean, and is the largest fish landing spot along the southern beach of Java Island.

The merits of 'Pulau Sempu' for the fishermen of 'Sendang Biru' Beach are indeed invaluable. Its sturdy shape with steep cliffs, neutralize the vicious waves of the southern seas. So it is not surprising to sometimes find fishermen performing the slalom test on this 3.9 kilometers long beach with its quiet waters.

'Pulau Sempu' is separated from Java Island only by a 800 meters wide strait, which is also used as the gate to the open sea. Its waves are relatively quiet, appropriate for fishing, rowing, or swimming. As according to the land maps, the type of soil in the area of this island is of a 'litosol' compound and reddish brown Mediterranean, and includes even the main limestone formation. 

The only natural cave found on 'Pulau Sempu' has its own specialty. The cave that is located around 2.5 kilometers from the 'Teluk' (bay) 'Sumber' Beach line is 25 meters above sea level and holds sources of sweet water. The cave is 20 meters long and 3 meters wide with a dry surface. It is highly strategic place for those who like to meditate, or just seek solitude.

Along the even steeper south side, there are also some sea caves. The sea caves along the east and southeast sides have become the settlements of numerous swallows. But, because of its highly steep location, none of the local fishermen dare to pick the birds nests.

A visit to 'Pulau Sempu' feels like being at the 'Bogor' Safari Park. Wildlife like deer's, black monkeys, boars, and panthers often teasingly cross the visitors paths. It is not surprising then that this area often provokes the hunter to cleave into its forests. According to the data at the Forest Office of East Java, the area still holds 12 species of mammals, 36 species of fowls, and 3 species of reptiles. With this variety of flora and fauna the management of the island, i.e. 'BKSDA' IV in 'Malang', has developed the area into a tourist destination.

The other uniqueness that can be found on this island is the existence of two lakes, the lake 'Lele' and 'Segara Anakan'. At lake 'Lele' a variety of colorful decorative fish can be found in abundance. While from 'Segara Anakan' one can freely enjoy a view of the open sea.

You won't encounter any problems getting to these lakes, because the 'Malang BKSDA' IV has built footpaths from 'Teluk Semut' (Ant Bay). While to get to Lake 'Lele', a 2.3 kilometers long footpaths has been built from 'Teluk Waru' and The White Sand coast, which can be covered on foot in 2 hours.

Besides all those uniqueness, 'Pulau Sempu' also holds other tourist attractions like The White Sand coast, which is the gate to this island. The natural scenery at The White Sand coast is also not less fascinating. From here you can see clearly all of the fishermen's activities. A variety of boats with its range of decorations can be seen coming and going to the open sea. And when dusk falls, the process of the sun setting into the horizon, can also be seen from this bright white sand beach. It is also along The White Sand coast that the visitor's boats are moored before they continue the journey to 'Pulau Sempu'.

Although its status is a nature reservation, the management of 'Pulau Sempu' has changed this into an Eco-tourist destination of East Java. This is in line indeed with the condition which holds feasible tourism potential to be offered to tourists. And when compared to the other eco-tourist destinations, 'Pulau Sempu' indeed still feels natural. But, it is that genuinely that leaves this island feasible as an Eco-tourism destination, at the same time a place to preserve the wildlife in it.

Other beauty that could be experienced in the 'Sempu' Island was how could swim in very clear water (in 'Segara Anakan') and for had snorkeling hobbies was able generously to enjoy underwater scenery because this place had been the cultivation of the coral reef without must be frightened to get dragged by wave. 'Sempu' got lake that mentioned with 'Segara Anakan'. This place more was similar to small lake that was surrounded his limiting high coral stone with the open sea, south sea or Indonesian Sea that has big waves. The supply of water to this lake came from hollow coral big in the middle, which periodically presented picturesque scenery spots of pounding water of the wave that bashed coral. Some water flowing entered 'Segara Anakan'.

Apart from swimming in the giant's pond, the visitor could also relax in a playing manner coastal volleyball. For that liked the atmosphere of original nature, far from modern life noise, the 'Sempu' Island gave the solution, only indeed should not hope for had the luxurious hotel, apart from the bed that was carried personally. Nearby same could be climbing coral that orbited 'Segara Anakan', from on top of our coral could see the pounding of the wave of the open sea that eroded the giant cliff, very beautiful indeed.

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Raja Ampat Islands - West Papua

The Raja Ampat island group spreads out over a huge area and consists of over 610 islands. The four largest islands are Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati and Misool and are located at the Westside of the “Bird head peninsula” in New Guinea. The Indonesian province Papua is the western half of the island of New Guinea, while Papua New Guinea is the eastern half.

Raja Ampat is frontier diving. One of the last truly wild places on earth, it has yet to succumb to the pressures of over fishing, coral bleaching, exploding tourism and overpopulation. The diving reflects this. Topside there are few roads, even few boats ply the water in the Raja Ampat islands on the "bird's head", the far northwestern end of Papua where Papua Diving is located. Underwater, the life is wild, extraordinarily plentiful and for the most part, unexplored.

Straddling either side of the equator, Indonesia sprawls in a broad 5,000 km arc from west of Singapore to Papua New Guinea in the east. The world's largest archipelagic nation, Indonesia boasts 17,000 islands, 80,000 km of coastline, 50,000 sq km of coral reefs, and 3.1 million sq km of tropical seas.

Indonesia’s easternmost province is West Papua (formerly known as Irian Jaya), which shares an enormous island with Papua New Guinea (PNG). Just off West Papua’s northwestern tip is a series of islands known as Raja Ampat, or 'The Four Kings’ in Indonesian.

Located within the famed Coral Triangle, this area is comprised of four large forested islands, innumerable smaller islands and rocky outcroppings, all surrounded by a seemingly endless expanse of azure sea.

Raja Ampat's diverse terrestrial and underwater topography is simply breathtaking. Massive tracts of primeval jungles blanket the islands, sheltering orchids, marsupials, birds of paradise, hornbills, and cockatoos.

Sheer, craggy cliffs drop from high peaks to the water, and then continue on all the way down to the bottom of the sea. These underwater walls are current-raked gardens festooned with all manner of soft coral and gorgonian fans.

Raja Ampat abounds in diverse reef systems, the majority of which have yet to be explored. There is a seemingly inexhaustible selection of unmapped walls, reef flats, caves and swim throughs, gentle sea mounds, mucky mangroves, placid lagoons, pinnacles, and WWII wrecks.

The clear waters are teeming with big pelagics, massive schools of hunting fish, whale sharks, manta rays, mobula rays, dolphins, whales, turtles, tawny sharks, and wobbegong sharks.

Macro delights include a bewildering assortment of garish nudibranchs, blue ringed octopus, Mandarin fish, harlequin shrimps, flame file shells, ghost pipefish, frog fish, and a range of elusive pygmy seahorses.

This area’s staggering abundance of marine life is due in part to its remarkably low human population density. Beneath the verdant canopy, the islands are primarily karst limestone, which are dry, inhospitable, and overwhelmingly vertical.

The few resident Papuans are mainly a subsistence society, exploiting a variety of resources to meet their basic needs. Fishing is only one of these resources, and they continue to employ traditional, low-impact fishing techniques, using a hook and line from dug-out canoes.

Biodiversity

In 2002, Conservation International conducted a Rapid Assessment Project (RAP) in Raja Ampat. The researchers concluded that "due to its location near the heart of the coral triangle coupled with an amazing diversity of marine habitats, the area is potentially the world’s richest in terms of marine biodiversity." A similar survey by The Nature Conservancy confirmed this conclusion.

World-renowned ichthyologist and author of several fish identification books Dr. Gerald Allen was part of the Conservation International study. He broke his personal record on a single dive by identifying 284 different species of fish. The research team recorded 828 species of reef fishes in the assessment, raising the known total in that region to 970. In addition, 456 species of hard corals were recorded, which is more than half the world’s total. Including previous studies, this brings the total number of hard coral species in Raja Ampat to 565, and no other area of comparable size has this many species.

This survey also found that the diversity of mollusks was incredibly high, finding 699 species, which surpasses earlier records in PNG and the Philippines. Following a recommendation by Dr. Allen and Dr. Mark Erdmann, Raja Ampat was nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Status. The result is still pending.

Raja Ampat’s pristine beauty, both above the water and below the water, is truly unrivalled. Its remote location and lack of infrastructure have inhibited the growth of tourism. Apart from MER, there is only one landbased resort in Raja Ampat, and two permanently based liveaboards operating from Sorong. In the past year, however, this undiscovered area has received a flurry of exuberant press.

The November/December 2005 issue of Asian Diver magazine named Raja Ampat as its Destination of the Season, in a cover article titled “Kings of Kings.” Author David Espinosa, who is also the editor the magazine, dubs Raja Ampat the Shangri-la of diving, raving that ‘each dive is a guaranteed seat-of-your-pants adventure.’ In July of 2005, Action Asia magazine published ‘Raja Ampat Story’ in which author Pierre Constant calls the area a ‘hidden garden of Eden.’

As word of Raja Ampat’s natural splendours spreads, increased traffic to the area is inevitable. However, tourism and conservation need not be contradictory objectives.

If  Raja Ampat is to maintain its pristine beauty, it is imperative that we are proactive in the development of the tourism industry. The Departmen Parawisata, or the local Department of Tourism, has been very receptive to suggestions as to how the industry can be developed responsibly. Along with the local government, they have been eager to develop low impact tourism and understand that the conservation of their environment is essential to the longevity of both the tourism industry and their local communities. Misool Eco Resort has had their full cooperation in securing contracts for the land.

Misool is a region with thousands of isle, which have been pushed up throughout the thousands of years and build a wonderful scene. You come across caves, or caverns everywhere. You´ll find rocks as big as cathedrals, over hangs that improve the dramatic sight of this breathtaking region. Of course these sights will continue in no less impressing views under water. Misool is one of the places on earth where you´ll find the most various species of fish, hard and soft corals, sponges, worms, nudebranches, shrimps, crabs and all kind of non-vertebrates, like cuttle fish and octopus. You will as well come across Wobbegong and Epaulet sharks, which you will only find in the region of „Raja Empat“. Giant clams as well as fantastic tiny shells. Photographers as well as Videographers will have the dives of their lifetime for shoot macro all over.

Misool is one of the places with most wonderful and colourful and above all still intact reefs. All kinds of different corals set up the background scenery of the underwater world.

The Raja Ampat area of Northwest Irian Jaya is filled with islands, surrounded by reefs and inundated with fish! After 9 years in the area we have only begun to discover the natural treasures awaiting us on each dive.

The area's reefs are covered in a diverse selection of both hard and soft corals. Most of the areas reefs are pristine, with mile after mile of perfect hard corals, drift after drift of Dendronephya (soft) corals of many species and colors ranging from brilliant red, to shocking yellow pretty pink and exotic purple. Most reef dives are very colorful. Among, above, and on top of the corals are fish. Schooling fish, solitary fish, beautiful fish, ugly fish, large fish, small fish! Some fish that are considered to be rare in many parts of the world are abundant in the Raja Ampat area. For example, many Sargassum Frogfish are found in the floating weed in front of the dive resort.

Wobbegong Sharks are found on many dives, often lying atop perfect table corals like a fish carefully arranged by a chef on a dinner plate. The Epaulette Shark, a small shark only a foot long, is numerous and found very often on night dives in the seagrass or even on the shelf of a wall dive.

Wobbegong Sharks

Raja Ampat Island is the most western district of the Indonesian province of Papua. Raja Ampat consists of an area surrounding four major island off the western coast of Birds Head Panisula of New Guinea Island. The western half of which is Indonesia and the eastern half, Papua New Guinea. The province was called Irian Jaya, and its a cluster of over 1500 small Islands.

Raja Ampat is the most bio-diverse location in the world more than 3000 species of fishes and over 300 species of corals have been identified here, in a single one and half hour dive you can identified more than 282 fish species and more than 400 species. Till this very day the area is virtually unexplored and unknown due to its size. This area as there are still many remnants of WW II.

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PULAU WEH - NORTH END TIP OF INDONESIA

Weh Island or Pulau Weh or Pulo Weh is a small active volcanic island to the northwest of Sumatra. It was originally connected to the Sumatran mainland and became separated by sea after the volcano's last eruption in the Pleistocene era. The island is situated in the Andaman Sea. The largest city on the island, Sabang, is the westernmost outpost of Indonesia.

The island is known for its ecosystem; the Indonesian government has declared 60 km² of inland and sea around the island as a wildlife protection area. A rare megamouth shark species was found on shore and the island is the only habitat for the threatened toad, Bufo valhallae (genus Bufo). Coral reef areas around the island are known for their large variety of fish species.
Geography Weh Island is located in the Andaman Sea, where two groups of islands, the Nicobar Islands and Andaman Islands, are scattered in one line from Sumatra to the north up to the Burma plate. The Andaman Sea lies on an active moving small tectonic plate (microplate). A complex geological fault system and volcanic arc islands have been created along the length of the sea by the movement of the microplate.

The island is just 350 metres (1,150 ft) off the northernmost tip of Sumatra. The island is small at only 156.3 km², but mountainous. The highest peak is a fumarolic volcano and is 617 metres (2,024 ft).[1] The last known eruption is estimated to have occurred in the Pleistocene age. As a result of this eruption, the mountain partially collapsed, was filled by the sea and thus a separate island was formed.

At nine metres depth (29.5 ft) close to Sabang city, underwater fumaroles emerge from the seabed.[3] A volcanic cone is found in the jungle. There are three solfatara (mudpot) fields on the island: one is 750 m (0.5 mi) southeast of the summit and the others are 5 km (3 mi) and 11.5 km (7 mi) northwest of the summit on the western shore of Lhok Perialakot bay.

There are four islets surrounding Weh Island: Klah, Rubiah, Seulako, and Rondo. Among those, Rubiah is well known for diving tourism, because of its coral reefs. When traveling to Saudi Arabia was only possible by sea, Rubiah was used as a place of quarantine for Indonesian Muslim during the Hajj pilgrimage season ,
Inhabitants Weh Island is a part of Aceh province. A 1993 census reported 24,700 inhabitants. The large majority of the population are Acehnese and the remaining are Minangkabau, Javanese, Batak and Chinese.[6] It is unknown when the island was first inhabited. Islam is the main religion, as Aceh is a special province where Sharia law has been applied exclusively for the province. However, there are some Christians and Buddhists on the island. They are mostly Javanese, Batak and Chinese.
The economy on Weh Island is dominated by agriculture. The main products are cloves and coconuts. Small-scale fisheries operate in the area, and fishermen have used explosives and cyanide fishing extensively. Therefore since 1982, a wildlife protection area (suaka alam) has been declared by the Indonesian government that includes 34 km² inland and 26 km² of surrounding sea.

The two main cities are Sabang and Balohan. Balohan is a ferry port that serves as a hub between the island and Banda Aceh on the mainland Sumatra. Sabang has been an important quay since the late nineteenth century, because the city overlooks the entry to a busy shipping route, Malacca Strait.

Before the Suez Canal was opened in 1869, the Indonesian archipelago was reached via the Sunda Strait from Africa. From the Suez Canal, the route to Indonesia is shorter via the Malacca Strait. Due to its natural harbour with relatively deep and well sheltered water, the Dutch East Indies government decided to open Sabang as a quay. In 1883, Sabang quay was opened for ships to dock by the Atjeh Associate. At first, the harbour was intended as a coal station for the Dutch navy, but later also served merchant vessels and for the transfer of export goods from northern Sumatra.

Each year, 50,000 vessels pass through Malacca Strait.[10] In 2000, the Indonesian government declared Sabang as a Free Trade Zone and Free Port to gain economical benefit by establishing the port as a logistic hub for international vessels passing through the strait.[11] Infrastructures for a deep water harbour, port, warehousing and refuelling facilities, were developed.

Weh Island is also known for ecotourism. Underwater diving, hiking through the volcanic mountain and beach resorts are the main attractions. A small village, Iboih, is known as a location for scuba diving. A few meters from Iboih is the Rubiah islet that is known for its coral reefs.
Ecosystem On 24 December 2004, a massive (9.0 on Richter scale) undersea earthquake struck in the Andaman Sea. The earthquake triggered a series of tsunamis that killed at least 130,000 people in Indonesia alone. The effect on the island was relatively small, but it is unknown how many inhabitants of the island were killed by the event.

During 1997–1999, Conservation International conducted a survey of the coral reef in the area.[5] According to the survey, the coral diversity is relatively low, but fish species variation is rich. Some species found during the survey include Pogonoperca ocellata, Chaetodon gardneri, Chaetodon xanthocephalus, Centropyge flavipectoralis, Genicanthus caudovittatus, Halichoeres cosmetus, Stethojulis albovittatus, Scarus enneacanthus, Scarus scaber and Zebrasoma desjardinii.

On 13 March 2004, a specimen of the rare and unusual species of shark, megamouth shark, was washed ashore on Gapang beach. Megamouth shark has a distinctive large mouth, very short snout and is broadly rounded in dorsal view. The specimen is said to be the 21st[13] (some say it is the 23rd sightings of the species since its discovery in 1976. The male shark, measuring 1.7 metres (5.58 ft) in length and weighing 13.82 kg (30.5 pounds), was frozen and sent to the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) for further scientific study. As of 2006, there have only been 36 findings of megamouth sharks in the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans.

The 2004 earthquake and tsunami has affected the ecosystem on the island.[16] At Iboih village, a large swath of mangrove was destroyed. Debris from the land was deposited on the nearby reefs as a result of the tsunami. In 2005, about 14,400 mangrove seedlings have been replanted to save the mangrove forest.

Apart from underwater ecosystem, Weh island is the only habitat of one threatened species of toad, named Bufo valhallae (genus Bufo). The species is only known from the holotype from the island. Due to heavily degraded forestation on the island, the population of the species is uncertain.

PULAU WEH DIVING INFORMATION
Pristine coral reefs and the common sighting of large marine animals attract visitors to this unspoiled tropical paradise. The currents around pulau Weh draw the big plankton feeders such as whale sharks and manta rays, with the former frequenting the area each January. Dolphin sightings, sometimes with pods numbering hundreds, are a common occurrence. Around and on pulau Weh are two protected areas: Rubiah sea garden (2,600 hectares) and Iboih recreation park (1,300 ha). A 350m wide channel separates pulau Weh from its reef-encircled sister island, pulau Rubiah.

The most northwestern island of Indonesia offers truly world class diving with clear waters and impressive under water landscapes. Here, where the Andaman Sea meets the Indian Ocean, the deep waters and currents around the island sustain an unbelievable amount and variety of marine life, ranging from tiny critters to grand pelagic's ...

Dive in crowds of fish, not in crowds of divers:
Still being an insiders' secret, and off the beaten track, Pulau Weh offers unspoiled and uncrowded dive sites. Add our team's dedication, experience and love for the ocean and you'll get unforgettable dives, from spectacular full-adrenaline dives to long slow relaxed macro spotting dives.

Pulau Weh is located on the northwestern tip of Sumatra, a 350 meter wide channel fills the gap between Pulau Weh and its reef-encircled sister island, Pulau Rubiah where good drift dives can be had. The island also offers wrecks, drop offs and an amazing array of marine life. Most dive sites are reachable by boat within 30 minutes from Ibioh, a pleasant fishing village where most visitors find themselves based.
The Dive Sites There are upto 20 dive spots around Pulau Weh, we will cover the more popular ones. Gapang house reef is densely populated with marine life such as scorpionfish, lionfish, leaffish and blue spotted rays, topography makes a nice easy dive, it is also a good spot for the night dive. Pulau Rubia has a couple of nice coral gardens that drop down to 30 meters or so, black spotted and honeycomb morays are resident here.

Arus Balee is the name of the water passage around the rocky pinnacle situated between the islands of Seulako and Rubiah. Appropriately nicknamed by the Acehnese Arus Palee, which means bastard current! This attracts the bigger feeders including sharks and barracuda. Pulau Seulako offers some great drift diving opportunitys in the strong currents.

Batee Tokong is a great spot to find morays including the rarer fimbriated and yellow margined species. The sheer concentration of the creatures here is astounding. A steep slope densely covered with gorgonians continues downwards to over 40 meters, where a second wall starts. On the north side you'll find a 24 to 28 meter deep plateau commonly called Shark Plateau where black and white tip reef sharks, gray sharks and the occasional silvertip are often seen.

Pantee Aneuk Seuke or 'The Canyon' offers caves, arches, walls and canyons often with big visitors such as mantas, barracuda and napoleon wrasse. For the deep freaks the best spot is Pantee Peunateung with its drop off to around 70 meters. Big schools of trevally and chevron barracuda are often seen around the drop off, however caution must be taken diving here as the current often sweeps downwards. Looking up through the vertical fields of gorgonians into the dappled sunlight is magical. Batee Gla has some great rock formations, swimthroughs and arches which can be good to drift through when the currents are strong.

There is even a wreck dive or two here, The 134 meter long Sophie Rickmers is an impressive wreck, covered with corals and home to several morays and groupers, situated in the sheltered bay of Pria Laot. The cargo steam ship was built in 1920 in Germany. On May 1st, 1940 she was one of 5 ships confiscated by the British in the waters around Pulau Weh. However the crew of the Sophie Rickmers sunk their own ship at that same day. Decompression diving is required here as the wheelhouse is at 37 meters, the decks at around 45 meters and the straight bow resting on the bottom lies at over 55 meters deep.

A shallower wreck of a tugboat can be found at 14 meters in Sabang harbour, she makes for a great macro dive. At nearby Pria Loat bay streams of hot spring bubbles from an underwater volcano make a memorable experiance.

Batee Meuduro pinnacle is situated around an hour away on the south side of Pulau Weh, it is one of the islands top sites with great viz, big pelagics and several species of shark.

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The beauty of Madakaripura waterfall

Madakaripura waterfall located in Sapih village, Lombang district, and it is not far from Bromo area. Madakaripura is a sacred visiting area comprising lines of waterfalls where its center reaches a height of 200 meters from the bottom. This waterfall has related historic with a great Prime Ministry, Gajah Mada, who strongly struggled to unify the whole territory of the nation under span of control of Majapahit, and said as “the last residence for Gajah Mada”.

This spectacular waterfall lies hidden at the end of a deep valley in the foothills of the Tengger range. The water has cascades from the dense forest above. The primary attraction is its natural environment that is encircled by 7 waterfalls and caves. The facilities, which are available, include; parking lot, food stalls, resting place and security post. The fatigue and exhaustion one undergoes from climbing the peak of Bromo, would immediately gone after getting a bathe with the holy Tirta Sewana so to continue the travel to other visiting points in Probolinggo area.

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The Top 5 Destinations in Bali

Top 5 Bali destinations

1) Ubud:
Just an hour from the airport, you'll find yourself in the green heart of Bali. Ubud is an artistic town with an array of fine restaurants and art shops, surrounded by the fresh green terraced paddy fields. Right in the centre of the town is the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary where you can spot countless long-tailed macaques clambering over ornate Balinese statues.

2) Spotting Dolphins in Lovina:
Lovina has been a popular hideaway for backpackers and adventure travellers for years, which has given it a laid-back atmosphere with lots little restaurants, shops and diving schools. Thanks to a large shrimp population in the waters around Lovina, the area attracts lots of dolphins. You'll need to set off early in the morning with a local guide in a traditional Jukung boat. The water is as smooth as glass at this time of day. Luckily the fishermen know where the shrimp are hiding in the currents and before you know it, you'll hear splashing alongside the boat as the first group of dolphins appear.

3) Trekking through the hills of Munduk:
Munduk is a charming Balinese mountain village in the north of Bali, with beautiful traditional houses and a comfortably cool climate thanks to its relatively high altitude. The area surrounding the village is great for treks through the jungle and rice paddies of the mountains. There are many local guides that can take you on an environmental trek through the lush countryside, showing you the coffee, clove, vanilla and avocado plantations dotted through the jungle.You can also trek to a few beautiful lakes and the picturesque Red Coral Waterfall. The treks range from light hikes lasting 2 - 3 hours, and more adventurous treks that take you deeper into the mountains, lasting 6 - 7 hours.

4) Pemuteran:
Permuteran is a lovely little bay with beautiful hotels and one of Bali's best sandy beaches right on your doorstep. A very successful coral reef restoration project is being run by local businesses in the area, which means you can rent a snorkel and mask and see amazing marine life and corals only 10 metres off the beach. Menjangan Island is nearby and you can go on a boat trip to the island in search of colourful fish and sea turtles. These day trips are run by the local dive shop and you get your own professional snorkelling guide, and lunch and drinks are also provided. You can also choose to visit the Barat National Park to spot exotic birds and other wildlife in the forest and mangroves.

Underwater temple at Pemuteran Bay  - Pray while you dive

5) Tirtagangga:
Hidden in the heart of Bali, amidst bright green rice paddies, lies the magical Tirtagangga Water Palace. Tirtagangga literally means "water from the Ganges". On your Bali Water Palace you can sleep in the palace itself where you can go for a royal swim in the pool of the former sovereign. Tirtagangga is an ideal base for trekking through the surrounding countryside. You can spend a couple of days with a Balinese family as part of a homestay, learning more about how the locals live in the stunning landscape.

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Komodo Island - The Biggest Reptile Island in the World

 

Komodo Island is one of the beautiful and unique islands that you can use as your main destination if you visit Indonesia. The island will offer a panorama of nature that you will not find in any other places in the world, the charm of the island reptiles that may only exist in our minds or prehistory movie-theme.

Komodo Island is not only the pride of Indonesia but also will become part of the world pride. Because these islands are known as the finalists for the Seven Wonders of the World. Komodo Island is located at the westernmost tip of Nusa Tenggara Timur province which borders the province of West Nusa Tenggara. The park is located on the volcanic island of Indonesia Wallace region is home to more than 5700 komodo or the giant dragon lizards. In this place also lived 4000 people.

The island is located in the Komodo district, West Manggarai regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. To be able to reach this island available there are a wide range of accommodation ranging from hostel accommodation to the local communities to set up an international resort.

Since 1980, area of 1817 km2 National Park was made by the Government of Indonesia, which is then recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. In addition it is also the only natural habitat Komodo dragons in the world, and recognized by the World Wildlife Federation and the International Conservation as a global conservation priority.

On this island you can enjoy tours Komodo National Park to observe the life of Komodo dragon up close. In addition you can also enjoy various water sports here. You can try to dive in the waters north and south islands. The water around the island of Komodo is special water because the water is warm. By all those information above, the author thinks that Komodo Island will be your best destination and give you a great experience.

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