Travel Indonesia Blog

Monkey Business -

The title of this song is perhaps a little ambiguous as to of orangutans Borneo instead of gibbons or the proboscis monkeys circling the area. The orangutan is of course a giant ape and just a step away (from the evolutionary) in many ways of the human species.

Who can resist an orangutan? Well, quite a few actually.

For starters, try the palm oil production company or the illegal loggers who are about to decimate Borneo magnificent rainforest. The result of this is that the orangutan habitat is rapidly shrinking, along with the habitat of all other tree species such as the chainsaw roar dwelling and covered the forests.

My particular theory is that the more people who make the trip to visit this endangered species, the more attention will be given to them.

There are two ways to get the orangutans that can be seen in the great outdoors or those who scattered in the numerous "rehabilitation centers in Sarawak and Kalimantan. The rehab centers are the simplest, although I rather circus as the antics at feeding almost scripted for admiring tourists who found these sanctuaries herd.

one of the easiest to obtain the Semenggoh Wildlife center just a few miles outside the capital, Kuching. here 29 orangutans live in only 650 acres preserved rainforest. Unfortunately for a troop of this size, the area is much too small. They are nomadic creatures and usually pretty lonely. the males rarely tolerate other males in their patch of jungle and in this special center, aggression more frequently among older alpha male.

rehabilitation is a wonderful concept, although it has not yet proved successful. Those in "captivity" is the contact with people and bring natural strains upwards not to the orangutans in the wild known. After release, it was found that the wild orangutans succumb to human diseases too easily, of which they have no immunity. have

said that, if you've never had the experience of seeing an orangutan, the center will not disappoint; they are simply adorable, highly intelligent with their basic use of tools and their ability to see, to reason. I recently read a report from Atlanta Zoo, where two orangutan females playing now competitive video games! It has been found that the alpha male in this sanctuary actually plan your day in advance, several hours working to move freely and explore in different places where they will spend the night.

For those more adventurous and want to see

in the wild orangutans, it is best to dare the wonders of Kalimantan. The Gamung National Park just across the border from Sarawak in East Kalimantan is the least visited National Park in Indonesia. The density of the wildlife is amazing and if you are lucky, you can see the rare and incredibly shy maroon langur spot

There are an estimated 2,000 -. 2500 Orangutans living in the park, so you are sure not to be disappointed. If you decide to go there, head to Ketapang, which is the main gateway and secure a permit from the Wildlife Center to visit. The Kutai National Park in East Kalimantan is another jewel, where an estimated 700 orangutans live, although the logging and oil palm plantations are slowly but surely creeping ever closer. Access is easy via the city Samarinda, but be sure to get your permission in the small town of Batang near the main gate.

tourism, in the case of orangutans, is a good thing, because the more people who visit surely bring more and more pressure on their plight. The more people notice, make the more noise people easily.

Borneo is one of the most incredible places on earth. The world's third largest island and home to species yet to be discovered humanity. The pursuit of profit has taken here as oil palm plantations now cover vast tracts of land where ancient forests once flourished. This easy to land plants are indeed a plague, as if their life cycle has ended can not be much different grown; the tree is all nutrients from the soil have sucked.

Current thinking for a quick return, while the acrobatic Gibbon, the shy proboscis monkeys and majestic orangutan will one day no longer be with us.

Malaysia (Sarawak) as Kalimantan visited is far more. Among the attractions are well promoted and developed for tourism. When visiting Kalimantan, it's a good idea to learn some basic Indonesian phrases, as English is not widely used. Better yet get a guide for the duration of your stay. Kalimantan culture is richer, deeper forests and the people so much friendlier. Consult local authorities in all four provinces, as they be delighted to help.

So if you never go, you will never know.

HOW

The simplest and most efficient way to Sarawak or Kalimantan to travel is to fly.

Air Malaysia KL daily flights to Kuching, has the region's capital.

For Kalimantan is to seek the best option offered by Jakarta. Air Asia was led a 3 times a week flight from Denpassar -. Kota Kinabalu

BY SEA

For the more adventurous, ferries to and from Borneo can be from multiple locations within Indonesia climbed. Forestry the Web for the best routes that suits you.

national parks and wildlife centers

Semenggoh ANIMAL CENTRE SARAWAK

If on a top travel of arbitrator, which is the fastest and easiest way orangutans can be seen. When using public transport, the No. 6 bus take on Sarawak Transport co. the main gate and walk the rest of the way (about 20 minutes). Easier to take the 30min drive from the center of Kuching a taxi yet.

GAMUNG Palung National Park, KALIMANTAN

Highly recommended. Crossing to the easiest way is to contact:

Nasalis Tour & Travel, operated a not-for-profit organization owned and operated by the National Park
Phone :. +62 534 7722701
Email: nasalis_tour_travel@yahoo.com or info@borneotourgigant.com

Kutai National Park, East Kalimantan

This park capital in addition to the Samarinda.

to arrange access and tours give easy Pak Supiani a call on +62 (0) 8134638803

WO sleep and eat

Well you my not take word for it. Do what I do and visit Lonely Planet Thorn Tree section and take the other travelers' tips. Alternatively see what TripAdvisor has to say.

Stories from a Enchanted Iceland: A travel diary of Flores -

Lush hills and steep cliffs overlooking vibrant villages and cerulean shores adorn the streets of Flores from one corner to the other winding. While I have my share of Indonesian islands I had called beautiful, I have to say it, Flores is something special.

Despite Flores as a tourist destination increasingly popular, there are still many off- provides the beaten path encountered. The peoples Flores enjoy life as it is; to welcome abstention from vices of excess, to celebrate life values ​​through creative expressions, and generous visitors from afar. In addition, Flores is perhaps the Indonesian island, where I felt the most secure as a solo hikers.

Our first stop in Flores was roe, the village where the first Taman Pelangi Bacaan (Jakarta Expat Issue 99) of Nila Tanzil was founded. It was a rainy Wednesday afternoon, but about 50 children aged eight to 12 braved the weather to us at school to meet that manages the library.

seemed to be excited about the children, visitors from Jakarta. Most of them have never traveled outside Flores. They seemed to be able to find a pleasure to browse images from Java, Papua and Sulawesi from my laptop screen, and asked us many questions about our families and jobs. It was amusing trying to see my travel companion Tino, to explain to them what a computer programmer does.

We also heard how tells the children about life in Roë. Many of them help their parents, the family farm or plantation walk, but still the school participate with an enthusiastic learning spirit. A number of them make talented singers and poets. Later slaughtered that evening our hosts for us a chicken and cooked us traditional Manggarai courts.

Our next stop was Wae Rebo, a restricted highland village famous for its conical straw houses. As efficient, we took a oto kayu (a modified truck, an open-air bus with wooden seats similar) to Dintor. With speakers with sappy ballads eastern Indonesian booming, the four-hour drive through narrow serpentines, mountain jungle and valley villages, made for an adventure in itself.

Dintor, a village on the south coast of Flores Fischer is where our Wae Rebo hosts live (or their semi-modern alter ego). We spent the afternoon by the ricefields walking and sitting on the banks of White Rock beach facing Pulau Mules. Our arrival coincided with a special ceremony, the renovation of an rumah adat in Wae Rebo officiate the next morning, so we. Left Dintor at 3:30 to make it to Wae Rebo walk at 8 am

Wae Rebo sacred aura, I believe, has little to do with the peculiar traditional fashion, architecture or music. It has more to do with the respect that pays this modern community of their country and the values ​​of their ancestors taught them, their assertive expectations that visitors do the same.

Our next stop was Ruteng, where we visited Liang Bua, a cave, lived in the ancient hominids. Homo floresiensis , which is also known as "Flores hobbit 'was a kind of short people who believed, were fast runners and can be speaker. We spent time with a local old man to be pretending a descendant of the Hobbits.

Tino and I traveled back to Labuan Bajo and parted there when he caught a flight to Jakarta. this afternoon in the quiet Danau Sano Nggoang with the friendly locals After, I tried my luck the next day for a cheap trip to Komodo National Park hitchhiking. I landed in a boat on Rinca to a middle-aged couple from Riau.

The trip to Rinca was sliding on Emerald seascapes, with a variety of lush islands in sight. There we saw a band of the famous Komodo dragon, watched some nests, and went for a short hike - which I found too short, but the woman found exhausting. We then went for a snorkel in Pulau Kelor, which unfortunately has a miserable underwater view of dead bleached coral.

I finally once again headed towards the east and visited Bena, a village near Bajawa, which is also known for the distinctive rumah adat. Legend has it that the ancestors of Bena came from Java, and they prayed to their ancestors by offering to the megalithic altars plating, hence the name Ba-Jawa -. Plate of Java

The local architecture with embedded philosophies of life, reproduction, and the fight to survive. , The landscapes that are surrounded by lush mountains, with views of the coast

My next stop was the end - a beautiful coastal city laced with black sand beaches and views of the mountains, where Sukarno spent some time in exile. Unfortunately, every historical place seemed there to be closed for stupid reasons -. The guardian of Sukarno House had no desire to work, and the theater where the former president wrote plays growing all over it wild plants had

If the road from the end collapsed to Kelimutu the next day, I wish I instead Riung on the north coast had disappeared. To Maumere I had north over Mbay detour - an hour's drive from Riung - but could not visit the famous white sand beach because the bus for Maumere on the north coast of hell road leaving at dawn left

[1945006InNita] spent a village south Maumere, I one night at Sentra Tenun Ikat Lepo Lorun. There I was greeted by the ladies, who are busy, Bolo plagar were - rice flour cookies made in the form of Maumere textile patterns, taught by mother to daughter to make one day for the man who for their hand demanded in marriage.

Alfonsa Horeng, the internationally renowned leader of STILL, took me on a personal tour of their gardens, shows me the plants from which fibers and colors come give their textiles. One of their Weber showed the fermentation of indigo and the spinning of cotton threads. We had a lively conversation about the role of Tenun Ikat Textile keep the values ​​of the community alive, and compared the value of Flores traditional agricultural economy of modern money-based economy.

has My visit to the tricolor Kelimutu lakes the next day is not very low turn out as dense fog descended over the view. But maybe that's just a sign that I one day return here. Change After all the colors "lakes like a coat chameleon. - They are not the same lakes on my next visit be

I ended my trip to Maumere with a mass Christmas Eve in Katedral St. Yoseph and a White Christmas morning No. , it was not snowing - very bad rain that this coastal city covered with bad fog

an alternate universe in which coexist the old and the modern, the cave of the dragon, hobbits in a cave, Civil wear woven. robes fit for Royals with secret messages embedded and mysterious lakes, to change the colors - this could have also been written in an exotic oriental tales But in the enchanted island of Flores, I experienced these stories than real life and with another adventurer... to share a part of them that has stolen my heart multiplies the joy of travel distribution

country: Indonesia
Province: Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT )
land area: 14,300 km2
highest peak: Inerie (Greatest near Bena Bajawa) 2245 m above sea level
city: Maumere
population: 1,500,000 (06 estimate)

Directions

• Daily flights to Labuan Bajo from Jakarta and What to bring Bali (Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air)
• Daily flights to Maumere from Bali and Kupang (Sky Aviation, TransNusa, Wings Air)

sunscreen, a hat, snorkeling and diving equipment, hiking boots.

Meet David Metcalf -

Meet David Metcalf, aka Dave Dayak, a photographer and writer whose passion for Indonesia returns to the people he photographed and loves

David, how you began your Indonesian history?
Well, I lived in 00 to 05 working for UPS back in Jakarta and had worked for 20 years for them. I loved Jakarta! I had this passion for photography, but it was very much a hobby at the time and I would all travel to different parts of Indonesia. The kids were younger then we should let the children, they throw on the plane and we would go! I still photos. I have a few exhibitions and some calendars produced, which we sold to raise money for charity.

When my time came to an end on this assignment, we were seriously thinking about moving to Bali, but the children were still young, so we decided for another year, for five of New Zealand Brisbane followed. Really, since I left Jakarta, I wanted to keep coming back to Indonesia.

What is it that you wanted to come back?
I just fell in love with the country really; I loved it. I am very interested in indigenous cultures, and I have just had the most beautiful hikes and times, and I love the people. Wherever we went, people were very nice everywhere. So when the children grew up and left school, it was always to get a plan of mine; not only do photography, but to engage with the community and give something back. I'm not here to live in some beautiful villa in Seminyak and do not connect with the people. This has always been an important part of my thinking.

Why did you live in Ubud and Seminyak not, for example?
Since Ubud is the cultural center of Bali. If you are interested in culture, this is the place to be, there is no comparison. There is no culture in Seminyak or down this way; it is free of Balinese culture. It's so alive. I have a lot of hinterland explored, roads and, in the villages and it's like thousands of years ago; nothing has changed, which is just wonderful.

We have a private villa for rent mentioned in Ubud Villa Damee and we right next to a village. If you want to embrace their way of life, the people are so happy to welcome you to their culture. I have been very privileged and I am invited to the celebrations and I have seen all sorts of amazing things, from mass cremations and bone dig ceremonies trance. I have seen things that I do not explain all.

How the idea of ​​your photograph to start tours began?
I did not know what to do with my photography passion, and I went to a workshop in Queenstown, New Zealand with two very good photographer, Jackie Ranken and Michael Langford, and I thought, why not Photography tours to organize in Bali and Indonesia? I asked if they are keen to get involved and they were very interested. So I organized the first in September 2012. I Mark Rayner addressed, which is a stunning photograph of a teacher and never left Australia, and we have the first tour in November, which was really successful. We had tours in Kalimantan, Bali, India and America and this year Sri Lanka is on the agenda and the islands east of Bali on a luxury boat. Even the fantastic Toko Festival in North East India!

How much would a two-week photography tour again?
. For the orangutan trip, the eight nights, it is $ 3,0 and that includes just about everything It is good value because it includes domestic transfers, the boat on the river, the teacher and accommodation.

Do you do shorter trips as well?
Yes, I have a half-day and day tours in Bali that will appeal more to the local photographer. These are specifically to Ubud and to special ceremonies.

What if someone feels a bit intimidated, but wants to join?
You are very welcome and we will make sure of this. We have beginner Canberra had, who had only just bought a camera before they boarded the plane, they were beginners. It is very much open to everyone.

If you do these tours, as the locals react to you?
They are curious and they always come and ask what's going on. You're just as interested in us as we in them. That's the other thing that is very strong on my trips that I take people to non-places, so most of the time there is no other foreigner ever. People come here for photography, and we have that, but they go away with a much deeper experience, and they want to get involved and give something back to the community.

Your book, Indonesia Hidden Heritage is an amazing photography book that your wife Stephanie Brookes with their stories brings alive. How long did it take to put this book together and what were your drives to complete it?
The book was a 12-month project. We visited 12 different locations in this time, the stories and photos to create. Six of the stories are from me and six are Stephanie.

The drive was to be found in search of interesting cultural stories and photograph the desire, the people and the beauty of Indonesia.

What do you feel, this book brings to the table?
The 0-page book mainly tend photos and stories to personal experiences that we while attending ceremonies had, visiting villages hidden and the connection with the many interesting indigenous cultures of this extraordinary country. I hope it inspires people to jump on a plane or ship, and in the book some of places to visit. There is a section in the "Cultural Connections" with emails and contact phone numbers of good, reliable local guide recalled, which makes it easy to travel for the people of these cities. There is nothing on the shelves quite like this book, we hope that people read it and learn more about the amazing diversity of people living in some of these thousands of islands.

What do you have planned for the future, David?
There are plans to open later in a photo gallery in Ubud. I have to start to introduce with foreign and local photographers talents a photo festival in Ubud next year. But my main goals at the moment are two environmental and health programs in the villages in Central Kalimantan and Flores, and a documentary about a journey that I am doing in Central Borneo in August, to raise awareness about Dayak culture and environment. My photography is really creating all about awareness, hopefully to keep inspiring people to get involved and to improve the lives of Indonesians, and the importance of the environment.

You can get a copy of David and Stephanie book or. About his photography tours in www.davidmetcalfphotography.com You can also buy his book in most nationwide bookstores are available.

If anyone is interested in learning more about David educational and health programs in Kalimantan, out or help in some way, please direct it to an e-mail davidmetcalf3@mac.com or phone: 081 113 312 55

Dolphin Watching Tours in Lovina -

Wildlife tourism, especially to watch dolphins and whales has doubled in the last ten years worldwide. Since the 1980s in Lovina (North Bali) local fishermen take to see dolphins in the wild tourists. But with more than 180 boats today and mismanagement of the interactions with the animals, there is a growing possibility that this activity is no longer acceptable and a decrease in the number of animals are already observed.

Lovina is a coastal area located in the north of Bali belongs to Buleleng. Once a fishing village, popular for looking for a relaxed pace and a different lifestyle, it has suffered recently from unregulated tourism development that has changed "artificial" feeling the atmosphere toward a. Many people think that the development of the new international airport, a few kilometers away from the city, the conversion rate of the site, will continue to increase to a new Kuta the North.

One of the main attractions of Lovina is the possibility of a close encounter with free-swimming dolphins to have directly in their habitat and not in captivity, as these animals are particularly abundant in the coastal waters of this area. The most common encounter is the Spinner Dolphin, but it is also possible to use other whales as Grisso dolphin, porpoises and even rarer species such as the pilot whale and the Bryde's whale.

to recognize

Back in the late 1980s, formed to bring tourists to see local fishermen self-regulating cooperatives dolphins. Now up to 180 dedicated operators small? Vessels carry passengers to watch dolphins near the coast. Most tourists come from western countries, although industrial Asian attracts visitors. A dolphin tour usually starts very early in the morning in the high season (from May to October) and takes about two hours, for a price of Rp.50,000 area per passenger for Rp.65,000. Typically boats are locally jukung to four passengers education. The village Kalibukbuk has three ports of departure for Delphi Tours, Banyualit, Kalibukbuk Aneka and while Kaliasem you have, and any departure port has its own cooperative of boats, which releases the Dolphin License. Each association has a different fixed price per trip. Two of the organizations (and Aneka Kaliasem) use Roster systems to determine which shippers tourists on any given day. The industry is otherwise unregulated

A recent study by some Indonesian and Australian researchers (P. Mustika et al The human dimensions of nature tourism in the developing world .. Watch spinner dolphins in Lovina, Bali , Indonesia. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 2013), that the degree of satisfaction of tourists (Westerners and Asians) ranged from low to medium, where the main concern of the mismanagement of the sailors during their interaction was with the animals, which are easily stressed when the boat they approach too fast or too close. In a standard tag, about 40 ships go for the dolphins were looking for, and with more than 180 boats available, it seems clear how the industry is already saturated.

When a dolphin is discovered, each operator tries to get as close as possible to them to anticipate the other boats guarantee and a better experience for its guests. Of course, the animals can be very easily stressed because marine engines are very noisy, and they have to change their behavior, longer remaining underwater to avoid contact with humans. As mammals, dolphins have to regularly go to the surface to breathe and this type of approach can be very stressful for them and for their very sensitive hearing (dolphins use sounds and "echolocation" to recognize their prey). Propellers also pose a great danger to the animals that can be easily injured when boats are approaching it too fast or get too close.

The same study also pointed out that the waste in the sea and on the beach is disappointing for guests coming to Lovina. The garbage problem still does not seem to be drawn from many local sailors into consideration that let its beaches full of plastic, as in many other parts of Bali and unfortunately throughout Indonesia.

Since a normal trip takes less than two hours, it would be a good idea, the beach cleaned regularly, perhaps involved tourists who are usually happy to contribute such eco-activities. And above all these cooperatives should regulate their affiliates conduct themselves if they want to keep their activities sustainable and profitable in the future.

In many areas of the world, the self-regulation of whale operators is very effective to observe for the guarantee of adequate handling of animals and from the area do not run away to make sure, though harassed. Thus, a minimum distance from the animal for example, should be introduced, as well as a maximum approach speed and a maximum number of boats the Dolphin pods surrounded. In the same study it was reported that in many cases the number of boats usually exceeds the number of dolphins in an encounter.

An appropriate management is necessary in the interests of local boatmen who will be able to keep their jobs, the animals remain safe and for the tourists, who enjoy a more responsible use of this experience.

No national legislation on cetacean observation was still issued for Indonesia. Moreover, as the developing countries a limited capacity have to deliver effective compliance, a self-control directly from the Dolphin Boat Association is really in the same manner required, the diving centers of south Bali try to regulate the Mantas and Mola Mola encounter Nusa Lembongan. If the situation remains the same, it has the potential to cause significant disturbance to the local whale populations and connect with at least 60% overnight guests in Lovina the Dolphin Excursions, a decline in tourist satisfaction, which could harm the current tourism industry.

travel tips

Province: North Bali

Directions: Lovina located on the north side of the island. They are about 3 hours by car to get there. Expect to pay about Rp.500,000 for a one-way transit, including car and driver. Since Dolphin tours start early in the morning, preferably at least one night in Lovina plan

night: .. Lovina many accommodation offers, from simple homestays to high-end resorts

What to bring :. sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat, seasickness pills, a camera with a good zoom and possibly a waterproof cover

Vinod Kannan, General Manager of Singapore Airlines Indonesia -

The company profile this issue Vinod Kannan, General Manager of Singapore Airlines Indonesia. Mr. Kannan has since 01 with the world-renowned airline and is a passionate player in the aviation industry.

Singapore Airlines has. For a long time and is still a favorite of many Asian travelers Could you give a brief history of the airline us?
Singapore Airlines (SIA) dates back May 1, 1947 may be returned when a Malayan Airways (MAL) Airspeed Consul of Singapore took Kallang Airport on the first of three planned weekly flights to Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang. The airline also services in 1947 after Jakarta, Palembang and Medan started. SIA has since come a long way, developed from a regional airline to one of the most respected travel brands around the world. SIA flies one of the youngest aircraft fleets in the world to 62 destinations on six continents with the Singapore Girl as an internationally recognized symbol to have learned the high standards of care and service to estimate the customer. SIA has a habit of the way done, and developed along the way, the reputation of an industry trendsetter. The growing list of industry-leading innovations includes the first free headsets, a choice of meals and free drinks in Economy Class in the 1970s and the first to fly, to offer the A380 from Singapore to Sydney on 25 October 07 [

What's your story General Manager of Singapore Airlines Indonesia to be behind?
I'm from Bangalore in India, but moved to my second home, Singapore, studying on the year 1996th After finishing my Bachelor in Engineering in Singapore and a Masters in computer science from Singapore and Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, I joined After working in marketing, route planning and sales in 01, Singapore Airlines, I moved to Calcutta, India as a manager Eastern India. This was followed by stints in Saudi Arabia and Italy. I moved in December 2013 as general manager Indonesia after Jakarta and enjoy and to learn new things every day!

How many flights does daily Singapore Airlines from Indonesia to Singapore have?
SIA currently operates nine daily Jakarta flights, four daily flights Denpasar and since 26 July SIA flights has taken over one of two daily Surabaya, which was operated by the regional subsidiary SilkAir.

What new routes have opened, and you will open this year in and from Indonesia ,?
last year in Indonesia led SIA ninth Tagesdienst Jakarta, and simultaneously added to his fourth day to Denpasar (Bali), while SilkAir (MI), a subsidiary of SIA extends services to Semarang , Makassar and Yogyakarta began the reach of the group to 14 destinations in Indonesia. From the northern summer 2014 season, MI will operate this year to Kalibo in the Philippines, Mandalay in Myanmar and Hangzhou in China.

SIA will make adjustments to selected markets through the network during the Northern Summer season. A third daily flight to Tokyo Haneda Airport has been added to the number of daily flights to Tokyo increased to five. A380 will serve Mumbai and New Delhi daily from 30 May 2014, the successor of two daily flights that currently serve any city with smaller aircraft. A380 to Shanghai is five times increase weekly to daily, while frequency to Istanbul will increase weekly by one flight per week up to six times. To cater to peak summer demand SIA Athens resume twice weekly on 9 June 2014 and October 9, 2014, while the capacity in selected markets in Europe and Japan is increasing.

Is it difficult to find workers growing company in Indonesia to support?
to find the right people is the key for any organization in any market. Singapore Airlines offers attractive remuneration for aspiring carpenter and I am happy to say that we have a dedicated, talented and cohesive team here in Indonesia.

Why do you believe that Singapore Airlines is the preferred short journeys airline, mainly to Singapore, many Indonesians and expatriates in Jakarta?
We believe that the overall travel experience is one of the main motivators for choosing Singapore Airlines. Since its inception, Singapore Airlines has earned a reputation as an innovative market leader, combining quality products with excellent service. Excellence in customer service has made success Singapore Airlines. Superb in-flight service is the cornerstone of its reputation for customer service and hospitality.

With so many low-cost carriers in operation is now this affect your business?
Since the aviation sector is seen with airlines aggressive rates amid increasing capacity challenging, and the remaining fuel prices high historically, it will be natural that we are facing the competition within the industry. While we respond to the immediate and short-term challenges and adapt; we plan ahead well and to keep a watchful eye on the opportunities and challenges that may arise in the long run.

Has SIA also have a low-cost airline?
Yes, it is a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, called Scoot (www.FlyScoot.com). Scoot operates medium to long-haul low-cost flights between Singapore and Australia, China and others. Scoot is operated independently and has its own management team. Another subsidiary is Tigerair for short-haul flights.

How is SIA works to be the airline of choice in the region?
Singapore Airlines is focused on its premium positioning and on the fundamental values ​​that. Our success The main elements of safety, a zealous focus on our customers, product innovation and management, and network connectivity, form the basis of our competitive offer and will be continuously updated. Our products will continue to develop with comfort, style, and see and feel that in flight experience, the in-flight entertainment experience, and the service element that wraps the entire package.

How many passengers flying each year?
In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 by SIA 18.6 million passengers, an increase of 2.3% over the previous year. Passenger car (in revenue passenger kilometers) increased by 1.4% on the back of 1.9% growth in capacity (in available seat kilometers).

How many airplanes Singapore Airlines has own world?
From May 2014 SIA has 104 passenger aircraft in its fleet.

What was your annual sales in 2013? What are your predictions are this year?
improved in fiscal year 2013-14, operational performance of the SIA surpassed $ 69 million (+ 36.9%) as a spending $ increase $ 93 million increase in revenue 24,000,000.

Since the tragic disappearance of the flight with Malaysia Airlines MH370, you have increased security measures for your airline?
to be in the aviation industry, SIA search to facts in relation to air operations. SIA would require a thorough review of that work us with various parties require; Aircraft manufacturers, authorities, etc., you can be sure that such things very seriously. We have devoted resources to look at what we can learn, and we share in those other airlines with our friends.

And finally, what you believe to be the key to success in your business life?
Based on my experience, the key is to a performance of the team, how well they interact with each other and gel. make people any organization or company successful, more than anything else. The secret is to make sure that the people in the business motivated, committed and always perform to their potential. The other important aspect for personal success is family. In my case, my wife and three year old daughter the support mechanism that keep me grounded when things get a little crazy!

Thanks, Vinod. If you want to contact, use vinod.kannan@gmail.com an e-mail.

There's gold in them thar Hills -

the western foothills overlooking the volcano rather bleak, consisting essentially of dry shrubland with a few stunted trees. During the rainy season some upland rice is grown, but erode the soil and poor. The few villages radiate poverty, although many of their inhabitants are involved in small-scale gold mines. The mines are illegal because the necessary documents were not obtained, let alone permit an environmental assessment management plan. Makeshift waves are dragging manually dug the mud and the lack of suitable reinforcements makes them extremely dangerous. Mercury is then used to amalgamate the grains and nuggets in the mud.

The miners are poorly compensated for their efforts-a well-known pattern in small gold mining as most of the profits go typically the organizers, investors, distributors and suppliers of tools and other inputs. A classic global problem. During the gold rush California (1848-1855), for example, the greatly benefited San Francisco businessman Levi Strauss from the sale canvas for tents and denim overalls for miners; it is likely there that he developed ideas for the famous Levis blue jeans.

I happened to be in the area had come on a Sunday outing where I had lost myself foolishly and had stumbled on one of the shafts. A friendly old man showed him to come off the main road. But before I went on the way I had asked if he worked in the mine. "Sometimes," he said, "every day in the past. Now I'm too old. It is very hot and uncomfortable down there, and dangerous. Just last week, my my neighbor collapsed that kill two women."
"But is it worth it? is there any gold in these hills?"
"Oh, there is gold, enough to occupy us. But the price has barely increased for a long time. the dealer has always one more reason for the transport and for the chemicals to calculate we need. There is not much more we can do here, so we have to accept it. "and then he told me to wait as he wanted to show me a piece of gold which he had found. It was formed a small nugget like a small bottle caps. If it is gold in these hills, there should also be some in the river!

The following week, together with two mates we went our luck at gold panning try. wanted to give and enjoy After two hours and no gold, as we a few fried bananas from his wife, a young boy appeared with a beat-up wok. After a few he whirls shouted: "Grandpa, that's gold?" We all went to have a look, and yes, there, formed a little nugget like a small bottle cap was! Someone must have learned the elderly, how to raise an interest in and promote the operation, or perhaps it was his own idea.

When I went with my buddies back we got lost again and never made it to the shaft. So I never learned whether my brilliant advice had been put into action. Of course I can not directly to the place where I can not even find itself there. It is in the west of Bogor municipality, north of Mt. Halimun Salak National Park. Who knows, if you get somehow manage it, follow these simple instructions will help you with panning:

1. First, fill your cup almost full of sand and gravel. Remove take the largest stones from the pan.
2. Put the pan under water and make sure that all the material is wet. You may need to mix the contents of the pan with your hands.
3. quickly move the pan from the side, on the side, either under water or while it is filled with water and turn the contents of the pan (but do not spill the contents). This action gives the gold particles can settle a shot at the ground.
4. While the site continued movement to side gently, the pan tilt away from you. Lighter materials and larger pieces that will come moving upwards on the front of the pan. These can be skimmed or scraped over the edge of the tub with the thumb or hand.
5. continuation of the movement in steps 3 and 4 so that water easier to wash material over the edge until only a small amount of material remains in the pan. You will need to add water to the pan.
6. The remaining heavy material the concentrate. If you still see no gold in the pan, pour the excess water until enough left is barely cover the concentrate. Swing to 'string out "or" spring the pan contents "are washed the concentrate. Lighter particles farther than the heavier particles to leave the gold (because it is the most severe) in the" tail "of the concentrate.
7. continue water in the pan swirling the concentrates further purify, being careful not to lose gold. Recovering gold occurs exercise by swinging!

a rather complicated and time-consuming process!

"Professional" squire therefore tend to speed up the process by allowing them to amalgamate mercury using the grains of gold. and instead of shoveling the mud from the banks to dig shafts or break alluvium with high pressure water jets. This has certainly increased their productivity but at a high environmental cost - behind the mining operation is the flow of water from the mud brown and highly toxic from the mercury

is not only faced the problem of individuals at the micro scale of a few dollars a day, but also on a mega-scale of large mining companies such as Freeport Grasberg in Papua province, which is the largest gold mine in the world and the largest copper mine in third. It consists of a large open pit and an underground mine. The former is visible from space as on the surface of the crater far more than a mile. And be-the dissolved despite the very high investment costs-the Mine 2500-4000 meters above sea level, which also requires complex technical problems Mine is a low-cost operation.

And as for the small [illegal] mining, the environmental impacts are significant. Some 230,000 tons of tailings, which produces every day laundry in the river Aikwa affect the lowlands-no wonder the fish disappeared almost from the river. But Freeport notes that to meet its regulatory requirements discharges. Proponents of the operation indicate that the Grasberg mine 19,500 employees and is the main taxpayers in Indonesia (US $ 1.4 billion in 09).

It is interesting to note that the Grasberg production of around 60 tonnes distributed less than the estimated 65 to 100 in 2013 from Indonesia 1,000,000 illegal miners in about 850 mining areas produces tons of Aceh in the west to Papua in the East.

Whether these production volumes and justify the income derived therefrom, the environmental and social costs on a visual depend. But it is clear that those hard and dangerous work of the implementation of the least be compensated.

Lempad, a Timeless Balinese masters -

Thirty-six years after his death at the age of 116, the first complete exhibition of the artist I Gusti Nyoman Lempad is now available. On June 19 ^th 2014 Arma Museum in Ubud, the book was officially launched. Edited by Ana Gasper and Antonio Casanova with "Pictures Publishers' of the Netherlands, it is the first meaningful catalog and biography of the famous Balinese artist The 300-page tome is a complete representation of Lempad work;. Biography, social and cultural environment, the all accompanied by rich illustrations. the book presentation included among its distinguished guests, prominent members of the royal family of Ubud. the Ubud Palace was Lempad leading patron. the guests were addressed by an Indonesian influential literary icons Goenawan Mohamad.

the book is the result of seven years of work to produce a definitive book on this unique artist. Ana and Antonio were mesmerized by the work of Lempad when she saw his drawings in Neka Museum first two decades ago. you searched for books about him without success. the project showed them around the world, looking for the art of the most prominent artists of Bali, whose works were taken by and abroad as early as the 1930s. They worked with author Jean Cocteau, an expert on Balinese art, who has written several books and articles on various artists of Bali. born

sometime after the mid-nineteenth century, Lempad began his work as a Balinese Undagi (Baumeister Baumeister) and a Sanging (religious artist). These works integrated to the coded knowledge of architecture, art, religion and sacred formulations; of space and the relationship of the human body to this space, iconography and mythology of culture. His works include traditional sculptures of temple statues, masks, Wayang puppets, cremation towers, sarcophagi and nagas . to identify some of his creations, is complicated as he never signed his works. Each "signed" have been carried out by family members to write the title and artist recognition. The most reliable source for Lempad was his son, Gusti I Made Sumung who worked with John Favorite and Lorne Blair on an award-winning documentary that tells the story of the artist at the end of his life and films his cremation. Documentation is titled "Lempad of Bali" (1980).

Lempad built most of the temples and palaces in Ubud and its neighboring villages. Its exact birthday is unknown, but we know that he was married, went as Krakatoa in 1883, when he died on April 25 ^th in 1978, he gathered his family around and asked her to him to bathe and then died. The Balinese, he said the cheapest sacred time elected surrounded by his loved ones pass on.

He maintained close friendships with Rudolf Bonnet and Walter Spies. Lempad is best known internationally for his drawings done after 1925, after Walter Spies meet who provided him with paper and materials and most likely led him works in other illustrators. He continued, in black and white by the First World War, to draw the Indonesian struggle for independence, and to publish the independence, until his death. He never compromised his unique identity as a Balinese artist. He is a bridge between traditional and modern art. Lempad art is beyond influence. His drawings are not limited to one style, although his "lines" are recognizable; its styles vary from traditional to surreal, simple pictures of everyday life. He pulled the story, all the time for the House of Sukawati, Ubud its tradition as an artist, architect and sculptor continued.

Lempad, a Timeless Balinese masters at Periplus book trade is available. For other locations, contact www.picturespublishers.nl.

Tana Toraja: love for the departed -

grace always knew that in honor of the dead Toraja culture of central importance is. But on her second visit to Tana Toraja in the weeks before Christmas, she found surprising perspectives on what that really means.

skeletons in caves decorated with tau-tau ancestral figures; Tongkonan traditional houses and corresponding rice barns, decorated slaughtered in grave festivals with horns of the bulls; Baby graves in tree trunks. It seems that the Toraja people in constant reminder of how finite life on earth is, and spend this life for the next preparation

Visiting with family and friends during the Christmas season, we started our day at Buffalo Pasar Bolu, which is every 6 days. The slaughter of buffalo is an essential part of the funeral ceremony Toraja, as traditionally considered the vehicle that accompanied the deceased into eternity. Ordinary black buffalo free 20-70000000 Rupiah. The most expensive breed is Tedong saleko , the black and white spotted buffalo with yellow horns, blue eyes and white legs, priced between 0 million to well over one billion rupiah.

a rich family of high social status, in a ceremony to 28 buffalo slaughtering. In other words, success in Toraja community has also made these ceremonies competitive - it is not uncommon to find those who sacrifice more than 100 buffaloes. This does not apply to the pigs, which can cost between 3-7000000 rupiah per piece. In addition, the family has to pay for the expensive Tongkonan -shaped coffins, the construction of the ceremonial grounds and food for those who attend with the help or at the funeral.

"Why go through all these problems and financial stress for a dead?" One may ask. According to local leaders Nathan Salenna: "It is our expression in paying the last respects to our parents to provide absolute best, those who gave us life as it settles in the hereafter, can get these deals and get there happy.. "

Christmas happens to be the time of year when most Diaspora Toraja return home to perform rituals. It is common for a funeral to celebrate someone who has passed away or even a few months ago years. In Tana Toraja, a funeral ceremony more than just a show of wealth and prestige is -. It is a time with relatives and friends to unite not seen very often throughout the year

Since evangelization in 1913, most Torajans today are Christians, but this grave traditions come from their ancestral religion Aluk Todolo. Although polytheistic, Aluk Todolo also recognizes a Supreme Creator Puang Matua named and most Torajans not appreciate the label "animism" in Aluk Todolo . ancestor worship-central to the religion - is based on Chinese influences. Along with the Batak of North Sumatra and Dayak Kalimantan, Toraja are descendants of the same branch of the ancient Chinese migrants from Yunnan.

"Islam did not penetrate Toraja successful because it does not allow us to continue to contain our ancestors rituals and animal sacrifice, pigs. That is, out of tolerance to our Muslim brothers and sisters in Toraja, we usually aside a buffalo in a ceremony on halal slaughter, "Nathan said.

I a funeral ceremony attended in Sangalla and in ceremonial reasons, a female ceremony leader was praying a Christian prayer in the Toraja language. The ceremonial house ornately was maintained in red and gold - somehow it's a little like Chinese New Year felt, except that with instead of knots and lanterns, it had parang (Toraja daggers) and buffalo horns. Barefooted men dressed in mostly black, young and not so young, took their places to carry the coffin. It was in fancy red and gold fabrics covered decorative protected under a red umbrella characteristic of traditional houses Torajan Buffalo Horn.

A parade leader performed the songs together, sing the mourners to the canon. The parade often stopped to do a little dance for the pallbearers. At first I took it this has to be the implementation of such a heavy coffin, but it was always to the hard to reach places, upset with icky mud between the toes. Since we came from the rice fields of the side of the main road in the area, it became clear that my assumption was wrong.

Within seconds I was wet soaking of the rice fields in Buffalo Poop water. It was all to the chaos. The pallbearers stomped harder in the puddles, wet the mourners. The mourners retaliated by jumping in the rice fields and injected with the same poop water that got me in front of seconds. Within a few flashes, pots and pans began to appear. Moving the coffin forward was a game of stop-and-go doused with generous water fights, singing and laughing.

"Oh, they also have you!" Some old women started me laughing. The fact that I have a pink quick-drying sports shirt was not help, I ran out of black and landed a dead giveaway for sporting that I was not on site. "Pay attention to your camera! Here they come again!"

I spent the remaining hours of damp, cold, smells like manure, and laughed with my family and friends. But if there is something that I learned from a Toraja funeral, to move on. When Nathan says. "After the funeral takes joy when we the deceased arrived is happy to believe in their eternal home, we honor them with a feast of love and laughter, if you splashed got, which is upset not for you to be you.. are cleaning easy to go from their mournful spirits way for a new and happy beginning with this life, it is a shower of blessing "

-.

Fast Facts

country :. Indonesia

Province: Sulawesi (South Sulawesi)

land area: The Toraja regencies - 3,205 77 km ²

Sulawesi Selatan - 46,717.48 km ²

highest peak: Sesean - 2,100 meters above sea level

Largest city: Rantepao - now capital of Toraja Utara regency, tourist center of

Makale - capital of Tana Toraja

population: 437843 - 2010 estimate of both regencies including

Directions: flights from most major cities to Makassar daily

AVIASTAR flights twice a week from Makassar to Makale

[1945006oder] eight-hour trip from Makassar to Rantepao

What to bring: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen

camera - rain protection or dry -bag optional

Black clothes and a change of clothes

money for ceremonial sacrifice (a few hundred thousand rupees)

Changing Faces of Batik -

I earlier this year met Serbian artist microcosm (Miroslav Dukic) in Borneo for the first time. He played a didgeridoo, which he himself created and I was fascinated by this great, mysterious figure immediately - he did not chit chat, but talked about the darkness and light, and he spoke lovingly of his partner, whom he described as a goddess. Later I discovered that his exhibition Dark and Light -. Dreams Kosmos , held at Via Via Cafe & Alternative Art Space in Jogjakarta, showed his batik creations, which he had made during his one year tenure in Indonesia

"When I arrived in Jogjakarta, Batik greeted me It was really a big surprise, of course I was very interested -. the process of batik the next episode nurtured in my life I use to study painting, not only the technical process of creation, but the explanations of reality that my. must raise beings on this planet So batik painting is the inverted image in front of me -.. to be, it is a new thing was to learn, my grow at a more perception of reality "

at the beginning of his explorations met micro Indonesian artist Sony at his residence, where the two rivers Elo and Progo meet, on the edge of the Borobudur temple, and micro the question: "What the male and female energy in all?" Sony said, "If you keep on this answer of work on this site from all magical Progo Elo supports you have any answer."

(used to apply a pen-like tool hot wax) with the canting for drawing and color as indigosol and naaptol, micro took his first steps in Batik riverside and the end result was meditation - a selection of visionary, cotton batik pieces.

Later micro studied in small ceramic village, Bayat, (will let modern street art, the traditional Japanese pottery and batik techniques) outside Jogjakarta with the organization Indoartamiks and director Melanie McLintock invited micro for a month with students Collaborate from a local school. At this time, micro learned more about Indonesian culture, communication and batik and pottery techniques. Finally, in South Borneo, micro studied traditional tattooing by native Dayak and to see these influences in his batik.

I was curious to find out if more artists were also the processes of batik help to develop creative and I spoke with Annissa Gultom, director of the Museum Kain (Fabric Museum), which opened in Badung, Bali , in November 2013, and is home to many ancient and modern elements of batik. "Museum Kain is a dream for its founders, Obin of the dead man, Roni Siswandi, an archaeologist-anthropologist who a cloth innovator along with BINhouse was," said Annissa. "It combines centuries-old weaving and batik production process with new types of shape and color. Museum Kain is also an embodiment of what should be a modern museum combines ancient artifacts with new methods of communication, interaction, discussion and impressions give. "
the processes of batik are as Annissa Gultom explains in a constant state of flux" Let me share with you what once Roni Siswandi divided me;. the essence of Batik, is the use of hot molten wax whether you use tilting pin, stamps or computer wax applicator when using hot-melted wax, is the batik batik has the industrial revolution survived in the 1700s;. if machines found to speed up production, the wax-stamp was established but it did not kill the tilting pin method. it survived until today. Batik motif printed cloths arisen because there are so many people who Batik want expensive to have in different aspects of their lives, but they could not afford it. But the people who can afford it is made the traditional method choose Batik. There is another market niche to any form of Batik. Everyone tries yet in any way they can to have batik as an inseparable part of their lives "

and before the introduction of synthetic dyes, batik tended in the 1700s to use the colors blue, red brown -. and modern batik now has access to a greater range of colors and yet I was curious to learn more about the differences between traditional and modern techniques of Batik -. were philosophical motifs and symbols used or were people capable of their own personal experiences detect

"Spiritual philosophy, nature observation and social culture deposits under inspirations are made batik motifs, then and now "said Annissa." There is a piece of Semarang, a sarong, which was passed by five generations of the family Siswandi. The first owner was the grandmother of Roni grandmother. On this sarong, there is a drawing (done with wax and tilting), the situation of the colonial city of Semarang at the time, a dog walk, complete shows with a Dutch man, a long-haired girl near him on foot, and a car with a man and his daughter on board. This piece shows that Batik is not always about spiritual meanings Court symbols or phases of life, but also the expression of the maker -. What they surrounded at the time what the trend was or what they saw every day on the way to the

"in our exhibition, see also batik from Solo to see with badminton motifs (Indonesia first the BWF world Championships in the 1950s won); cotton flower; GANEFO symbols (game of the emerging powers, Soekarno of the project in . the '60s); Peoni flower on Hokokai Batik (Japanese favorite flower, during the Japanese occupation made) and much more These pieces are amazing - each tells the story of the manufacturer and their life time, make batik, actually . a very personal expression the only give us more insight from real people and life time this is how batik should be seen by the people who possessed "

micro Batik is a beautiful exploration of his cosmos. -. to examine the spectrum of light to dark, he was not afraid - by his personal experience he portray showed that batik can be a very personal tool for expression. "Fear is a feeling that occurs when our perception of reality is replaced by the ability to rapidly expand trust and love can transform any part of existence and to illuminate, because we learn to allow us to carry out the universe. - . Us to this incomprehensible hugeness introduction "

Learn more

Kampung Batik Jakarta - Jl. Pal Batu in South Jakarta

Kampung Batik Solo Laweyan

Museum Kain: www.museumkain.org

Indoartamiks: https://www.facebook.com/Indoartamiks

Bajawa Highlands Heartland of Flores -

The growling stopped battered "Executive" bus in front of our hotel in Labuan Bajo, its engine hungrily shows on the way out of town. well swept by this thriving, chaotic east coast port of Flores, we first a steep wooded road woven by an undeveloped landscape of corrugated roof, bamboo huts in the middle of dirt yards with coffee, cocoa and cloves drying on mats Shook Up.

on the other side of the mountain, we descend to a newly built highway with stolid bridges, immense rocky river gorges under steep cliffs, then wide crisscrossed by rice fields. The bus was full, limbs and boys hanging out the window, Javanese pop blaring at ear-shattering volume, as we headed for the Bajawa Highlands, capital of Ngada Regency.

House to Ngada people in the early Dutch literature known as Rokka, this mixed Malay / permanent Melanesian race this high fertile plateau at 2245 meter mountain Inerie in the 17th century.

With great natural beauty on all sides, is Flores Switzerland, Southeast Asia, the most traditional of Indonesia islands about so much more of a distinct Melanesian flavor than its neighboring island of Sumbawa, that it is a foreign country could represent.

pour After a grueling all-day drive from winding mountain roads with icy air under sarongs in the dark blur in the chassis through every crevice, we were dropped in the rain at 10am on Jl. A. Yani, Bajawa the main road. The closest hotel, Korina was the cheapest in town. The three sweet teenage girl, the rooms were small, the pillows brick hard, rats scurrying in the walls, but the hotel was clean, offered free Wi-Fi and breakfast.

Motorcycle Tours

Although an attraction in itself - clean, relaxing and refreshingly cool with a wide range of accommodation and rumah makan - high altitude Bajawa is exploring primarily as a used base for the surrounding hills, where native animistic beliefs still flourish, the volcanic landscape is spectacular and where famous sofi alcoholic beverage is, earthy full-bodied coffee is grown. Nobody hassles to buy something.

There was no problem to find a leader. They found her. Once we the next morning a press friendly from the Korina but stubbornly tugs, motorcycle ojek originated driver-cum-guide, greeted us their services offer. After some back and forth bickering, we introduced two leaders of one tells us kesao was instead of taking house warming ceremony the next morning in the mountain village Tolelo. We struck a deal for Rp.150,000 for one adult and two children on two motorcycles.

Dion and Hillalio the next morning were at 10 am at the Korina. I asked them to draw a rough map and list in their own hands, which were included in the price stops - Tolelo and also the village Bena and bath in a hot springs on the way. The journey took us on a winding road out of town, is by towering bamboo, and at the end of a climb, a steep and muddy path next to a stream upward as it twisted its way up a mountain by a tropical deciduous forest.

Just before the village, we came to a shrine of the Virgin Mary then our relationship at the house of the paid kepala desa (headman) against splashing and photos. We signed the guest book and made a small donation. Rows of tall thatched bamboo Ngadanese traditional dwellings and ritual houses with doors decorated with jaw bone and buffalo horns standing in a stone-edged central square.

dancers formed to upright pole-like ngadhu [1945013und] bhaga ancestors totem stones that were between the structures placed in. Separate groups of women and children began with the poor connected dancing in a circle, turning counterclockwise. In this graceful "dance", she held a long scarf and danced with shuffling steps, fluttering hands and circling the body while advancing orbiting recession and other dancers.

Then it was the turn of the men, some with rawhide shields and helmets painted with horsehair tufting, protect the face like a raised welding shield. Assuming a warlike attitude, to the accompaniment of whistle, gong and drum beats, each circling like cats. I sat for a while next to the deep-thumping Florinese Orchestra, the best vantage point from which to see the hypnotic, unrehearsed performance in which participated the whole village.

Meanwhile, it was the middle of the afternoon. Wanting to get into the city before dark, we left and started on the way back down. Only 30 minutes from the Tolelo the parking lot, we made a stop at a river, where all our efforts have been an excellent bathroom in hot water that gushed from an underwater source.

ended our tour in Bena, the most visited of all the old traditional villages in the area, 19 km southeast of Bajawa at the foot of Monte Somma Inerie. This three-story village, with totemic figures and grave as megalithic structures in the village square, carries out its own brand of animism and cultural and artistic traditions just outside obscure missionary magazines known. After photos of several women weaving Ikat on their porches, a boy took me to a hill for an amazing view of the sea through a cascade of green hills

-.

Fast Facts

Land size Ngada Regency total 1,621km square

population (2010): Bajawa 36 082

Highest point: 1,100 meters

Directions bus fare from Labuan Bajo Rp.100,000-Rp.150,000. AC buses cost Rp.250,000, 8-12 hours (depending on the season). Every hotel in the city organized tours and bus tickets to

Stay .: edelweisses is upmarket in Rp.0,000-Rp.300,000. Budget Korina Hotel is Rp.150,000. Villa Silverin is simple but nice. Bintang Wistata OK for a night or two. Marselino the host family is ideal for backpackers. Hotel Happy Happy is a small, well-run hotel with great breakfast.

Whichever hotel you stay in, ask for a bucket of hot water, towels and extra thick blankets because it is cold at night!

What to do Beno, Langa, Bela, Luba, and Wogo Tolelo villages of Adat traditional houses and megalithic sculptures. Wawo Muda for volcanic lakes.

guide services (min. 4 persons) costs of Rp.75,000-150,000 per day, including transport and driver. Tours can be tailored your priorities and time constraints fit. Guides are excellent sources of information on harvest festivals, ritual sacrifice, consecration ceremonies, weddings and other family celebrations.