- Economic development of East Java Province especially for Madura Island.
- To development Madura Island as a buffer zone of Surabaya
- To increase the mobility of passenger and goods between Surabaya city and Madura Island.
- To stimulate the opportunities for employment that in line with local culture
- For Construction Technology development and training ground for Indonesia expert in Long Span Bridge
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Goals of Suramadu
Monday, June 22, 2009
Suramadu Bridge
The Suramadu Bridge also known as the Surabaya–Madura Bridge, is a bridge with three cable-stayed sections constructed between Surabaya on the island of Java and the town of Bangkalan on the island of Madura in Indonesia. The construction contract for the building of the bridge was signed on September 24th, 2004 between China and Indonesia. And the construction work began in a year after, October 2005 Suramadu Bridge connecting Surabaya (Java Island) and Bangkalan (Madura Island). Once finished this 5.438 Km bridge will become the longest bridge in Indonesia and South East Asian (ASEAN).
Opened by President of Republic of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on June 10, 2009, the 5.4-km bridge is the longest in Indonesia and the first bridge to cross the Madura Strait
"Suramadu bridge is a domestic masterpiece in the field of construction technology of the 21st century. This bridge also proves that this century, Indonesia has become a developed country," Yudhoyono said in front of some 6,500 guests attending the launch ceremony. Suramadu bridge that connect Java island and Madura island is expected to gift benefit, merit and improvement to the people of Madura.
The cable-stayed portion has three spans with lengths 192 m, 434 m and 192 m. The bridge will not have a railway. But they will have a special line for motocycle. For cars, each way will be two lines plus emergency line. The first toll bridge in Indonesia, fares have been initially set at Rp. 30,000 (US$ 3) for four-wheeled vehicles and 3,000 (US$ 30 cent) for two-wheelers.
The bridge was built by a consortium of Indonesian companies PT Adhi Karya and PT Waskita Karya working with China Road and Bridge Corp. and China Harbor Engineering Co. Ltd. The total cost of the project, including connecting roads, has been estimated at 4.5 trillion rupiah (US$ 445 million).
Opened by President of Republic of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on June 10, 2009, the 5.4-km bridge is the longest in Indonesia and the first bridge to cross the Madura Strait
"Suramadu bridge is a domestic masterpiece in the field of construction technology of the 21st century. This bridge also proves that this century, Indonesia has become a developed country," Yudhoyono said in front of some 6,500 guests attending the launch ceremony. Suramadu bridge that connect Java island and Madura island is expected to gift benefit, merit and improvement to the people of Madura.
The cable-stayed portion has three spans with lengths 192 m, 434 m and 192 m. The bridge will not have a railway. But they will have a special line for motocycle. For cars, each way will be two lines plus emergency line. The first toll bridge in Indonesia, fares have been initially set at Rp. 30,000 (US$ 3) for four-wheeled vehicles and 3,000 (US$ 30 cent) for two-wheelers.
The bridge was built by a consortium of Indonesian companies PT Adhi Karya and PT Waskita Karya working with China Road and Bridge Corp. and China Harbor Engineering Co. Ltd. The total cost of the project, including connecting roads, has been estimated at 4.5 trillion rupiah (US$ 445 million).
Borobudur
Borobudur is located at Magelang, in Central Java, about 40 km North West of Yogyakarta, 1,5 km northest of The Pawon, and 3 km northeast of the Mendut. It was built in the ninth century as a shrine to Buddha, and abandoned in the fourteenth century after the decline of the Buddhist and Hindu kingdoms in Java, when the Javanese converted to Islam. After Borobudur was abandoned in ancient times it was mentioned twice in two historical Javanese texts Babad Tanah Jawi (1704) and Babad Mataram (1754). It was rediscovered in 1814 by Sir Thomas Raffles, British ruler of Java. A complete restoration did not take place however until 1907, under the guidance of a Dutchman, Theodorus Van Erp. He worked on the project until 1911.
Borobudur is a giant mountain-building. It is built entirely on a natural hill. The base is about 118 m (387 ft) on each side. Nine terraced layers rise around the hill to a height of about 46 m (150 ft), covering the entire hill. Although there is a stairway leading directly to the summit, there are 4.8 km (3 miles) of original passageways and stairways inside the monument. Exploring these and finding a way to the top is like stepping back in time 1,000 years, to when the temple was built.
This 1907-1911 restoration was established to primarily focus on cleaning the sculptures, and excavating the grounds around the monument to find missing Buddha heads and hidden panel stones. The restoration project did not address and solve the drainage problem. Within few decades, the gallery walls were sagging and the relief showed signs of new cracks and deterioration. Theodoor van Erp used concrete from which alkali salts and calcium hydroxide are leached and transported into the rest of the construction. This has caused some problems that a further thorough renovation is urgently needed (Soekmono, 1973). In 1968, the Indonesian government and the United Nations, working through UNESCO, launch the "Save Borobudur" campaign. Over the next fifteen years, twenty million dollars are raised to support a bold plan: the complete dismantling and reconstruction of the lower terraces of the monument – stone by stone. Professionals from twenty-seven countries join their Indonesian counterparts to carry out the project.
Over one million stones are moved during the course of restoration, and set aside like pieces of a massive jig-saw puzzle. Thirteen hundred carved panels are taken apart and individually cleaned, catalogued and treated for preservation. And Borobudur becomes a testing ground for new conservation techniques – new procedures to battle the microorganisms eating away at the stone. Experts in engineering, chemistry, biology and archaeology all share their skills to solve the multitude of problems. The restoration takes eight years of labor and unprecedented international cooperation to complete.
In the words of Professor Soekmono, the Indonesian archaeologist who directed the Borobudur Restoration Project: "Borobudur has resumed its old historical role as a place of learning, dedication and training. We might even conclude that the builders of the monument hoped and planned for such continuity. An excellent training program, either for the pilgrim-devotee or for the field technician, is always based on a wish, a fervent wish, that the trainee will achieve what is projected. For the ardent Buddhist it is the Highest Wisdom that leads to the Ultimate salvation, and for the technician the highest degree of expertise that leads to the appropriate fulfillment of his duty. In both cases, Candi Borobudur is the embodiment of such a deeply felt wish. It is a prayer in stone."The international character of the project now being ensured by a National Executive agency, a UNESCO Coordinator and an International Consultative Committees, the government and UNESCO signed a formal agreement in January 1973 in Paris. In August 1973 the start of the project was announced by President Republic of Indonesia, inspite of the fact that the international fundraising campaign had only just been started. The significance of Borobudur Temples has an outstanding universal value and UNESCO world cultural heritage inscribed the temple and its surrounding in the World Heritage List in 1991 no. C 592. The Vesak annual ritual is observed by Indonesian Buddhists during the full moon in May or June, by walking from Mendut, passing through Pawon, and ending at Borobudur.
Borobudur is a giant mountain-building. It is built entirely on a natural hill. The base is about 118 m (387 ft) on each side. Nine terraced layers rise around the hill to a height of about 46 m (150 ft), covering the entire hill. Although there is a stairway leading directly to the summit, there are 4.8 km (3 miles) of original passageways and stairways inside the monument. Exploring these and finding a way to the top is like stepping back in time 1,000 years, to when the temple was built.
This 1907-1911 restoration was established to primarily focus on cleaning the sculptures, and excavating the grounds around the monument to find missing Buddha heads and hidden panel stones. The restoration project did not address and solve the drainage problem. Within few decades, the gallery walls were sagging and the relief showed signs of new cracks and deterioration. Theodoor van Erp used concrete from which alkali salts and calcium hydroxide are leached and transported into the rest of the construction. This has caused some problems that a further thorough renovation is urgently needed (Soekmono, 1973). In 1968, the Indonesian government and the United Nations, working through UNESCO, launch the "Save Borobudur" campaign. Over the next fifteen years, twenty million dollars are raised to support a bold plan: the complete dismantling and reconstruction of the lower terraces of the monument – stone by stone. Professionals from twenty-seven countries join their Indonesian counterparts to carry out the project.
Over one million stones are moved during the course of restoration, and set aside like pieces of a massive jig-saw puzzle. Thirteen hundred carved panels are taken apart and individually cleaned, catalogued and treated for preservation. And Borobudur becomes a testing ground for new conservation techniques – new procedures to battle the microorganisms eating away at the stone. Experts in engineering, chemistry, biology and archaeology all share their skills to solve the multitude of problems. The restoration takes eight years of labor and unprecedented international cooperation to complete.
In the words of Professor Soekmono, the Indonesian archaeologist who directed the Borobudur Restoration Project: "Borobudur has resumed its old historical role as a place of learning, dedication and training. We might even conclude that the builders of the monument hoped and planned for such continuity. An excellent training program, either for the pilgrim-devotee or for the field technician, is always based on a wish, a fervent wish, that the trainee will achieve what is projected. For the ardent Buddhist it is the Highest Wisdom that leads to the Ultimate salvation, and for the technician the highest degree of expertise that leads to the appropriate fulfillment of his duty. In both cases, Candi Borobudur is the embodiment of such a deeply felt wish. It is a prayer in stone."The international character of the project now being ensured by a National Executive agency, a UNESCO Coordinator and an International Consultative Committees, the government and UNESCO signed a formal agreement in January 1973 in Paris. In August 1973 the start of the project was announced by President Republic of Indonesia, inspite of the fact that the international fundraising campaign had only just been started. The significance of Borobudur Temples has an outstanding universal value and UNESCO world cultural heritage inscribed the temple and its surrounding in the World Heritage List in 1991 no. C 592. The Vesak annual ritual is observed by Indonesian Buddhists during the full moon in May or June, by walking from Mendut, passing through Pawon, and ending at Borobudur.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Bandung (West Java)
Bandung as known as City of Flowers, is the provincial capital of West Java and Indonesia' s third largest city after Jakarta and Surabaya. Known in colonial times as the Paris of Java because of its European ambiance and sophistication, Bandung shares with Miami a fine legacy of Tropical Deco architecture dating from the 1920's. Situated on a plateau in the beautiful Parahayangan mountains, Bandung's pleasant climate and lush surroundings have offered an escape from the heat of the lowlands since the mid 19th century when it was the heart of the region's most prosperous plantation area. Host to the historic Asia Africa conference in 1955, Bandung is now a center of higher education ,commerce and aircraft industry which despite its modern amenities still retains much of its colonial era charm. Bandung is also renowned for its shopping, particularly for shoes, textiles, clothing and denims which are found in the colourful Jeans street . Easily reached from Jakarta by train , road or air (the scenic train trip is recommended), Bandung, with its cool mountain air is a popular second stop for those visiting the national capital and an essential stay-over for travellers enroute through Java.
Bandung is also known as shopper's paradise in Indonesia. There is a lot of Factory Outlet (FO) that offer both local as well as imported clothes. You can find them with no trouble because they are spread out around the city. Jl. Ir Juanda (also known as Dago), Jl. Martadinat (around Jl. Riau) and Jl Setiabudi are places for popular FO. Why they called factory outlet? The price is cheaper because send directly from factory. There are also particular shops known as Distro (Distribution Store). They offer home industry products with limited amout and the result those products become exlusive item. Each Distro usually offer only specific product, for instance shop selling only surfing equipment, skateboards, Motor Gede (Big Bike), environmentalist, Devil icon lover's and so on. Furthermore for alternatives, there are shopping malls like Pasar Baru, Bandung Indah Plaza, Bandung Super Mall or World Trade Center Bandung.
Bandung is also known as shopper's paradise in Indonesia. There is a lot of Factory Outlet (FO) that offer both local as well as imported clothes. You can find them with no trouble because they are spread out around the city. Jl. Ir Juanda (also known as Dago), Jl. Martadinat (around Jl. Riau) and Jl Setiabudi are places for popular FO. Why they called factory outlet? The price is cheaper because send directly from factory. There are also particular shops known as Distro (Distribution Store). They offer home industry products with limited amout and the result those products become exlusive item. Each Distro usually offer only specific product, for instance shop selling only surfing equipment, skateboards, Motor Gede (Big Bike), environmentalist, Devil icon lover's and so on. Furthermore for alternatives, there are shopping malls like Pasar Baru, Bandung Indah Plaza, Bandung Super Mall or World Trade Center Bandung.
Durian Is The King
The durian is the fruit of several tree species belonging to the genus Durio and the Malvaceae family (although some taxonomists place Durio in a distinct family, Durionaceae). Widely known and revered in southeast Asia as the "king of fruits", the durian is distinctive for its large size, unique odour, and formidable thorn-covered husk. durian fruit is ready to eat when its husk begins to crack
The durian is native to Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. There is some debate as to whether the durian is native to the Philippines, or was introduced. The durian is grown in other areas with a similar climate; it is strictly tropical and stops growing when mean daily temperatures drop below 22 °C (72 °F). In its native southeastern Asia, the durian is an everyday food and portrayed in the local media in accordance with the cultural perception it has in the region. The durian symbolised the subjective nature of ugliness and beauty. The famous Durian in Indonesia is Mothong. Mothong not originally came from Indonesia but imported from Thailand. But this time, durian farmer in Indonesia try to growing Mothong because Indonesia weather same with Thailand. So delicious. You can find it in big market or supermall like Carrefour, Hypermart, Giants, or Superindo. You can find it in traditional market but for Monthing type it rare. In traditional market you will see local durian than Mothong. Because durian is famous Singapore's Esplanade building, nicknamed "The Durian"
The durian is native to Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. There is some debate as to whether the durian is native to the Philippines, or was introduced. The durian is grown in other areas with a similar climate; it is strictly tropical and stops growing when mean daily temperatures drop below 22 °C (72 °F). In its native southeastern Asia, the durian is an everyday food and portrayed in the local media in accordance with the cultural perception it has in the region. The durian symbolised the subjective nature of ugliness and beauty. The famous Durian in Indonesia is Mothong. Mothong not originally came from Indonesia but imported from Thailand. But this time, durian farmer in Indonesia try to growing Mothong because Indonesia weather same with Thailand. So delicious. You can find it in big market or supermall like Carrefour, Hypermart, Giants, or Superindo. You can find it in traditional market but for Monthing type it rare. In traditional market you will see local durian than Mothong. Because durian is famous Singapore's Esplanade building, nicknamed "The Durian"
Baso (Indonesian Meat Ball)
Baso or some people speak and write as Bakso (added ‘k’) is the famous food in Indonesia. Maybe you know it as meat ball. A meatball is simply ground meat combined with ingredients such as bread (or breadcrumbs) minced onion, various spices, and eggs rolled into a ball and cooked by frying, baking, steaming, or braising in sauce. There are many kinds of meatball recipes using various meats and spices. Actually there are various kinds of bakso in Indonesia. The small ones which are smaller than a golf ball, then a larger one, as big as a golf ball and then the super bakso tenis, as big as a tennis ball. In the largest bakso a hardboiled egg is covered with the minced meat mixture. The bakso tenis hails from East Java and in its place of origin it is also called bakwan– creating many misunderstandings for people of other regions who call corn or vegetable fritters bakwan and of course are very surprised when instead of fritters they are served gigantic bakso or meatballs. Bakso tennis is only made from minced beef. Baso not complete without sambal. Sambal is sauce made by red chilly pepper with very sharp spice. So hot…… But if you want to try sambal, you must be carefully. Because you can get stomachache or diarrhea. For Indonesia people already habitual so they stomach can accepted that taste. But for foreign people, the taste maybe like hell especially for your stomach. Many case of diarrhea cause it by eat this hot sambal. But if you want to try in small portion is never mind. On and on your stomach can eat more sambal without stomachache or diarrhea. Enjoy it
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Manchester United's Player Wearing Batik
Manchester United Goes to Jakarta, Indonesia, at July 20th, 2009. MU will be come and play at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta. They will againts with All Stars Indonesian Player. Photos of the MU Wearing Batik - To await the coming of 2009 Champion League finalist Manchester United (MU) who do tour in Indonesia on July 20 to come to a wide range of unique big occupation very day the party is felt in Indonesia. One of the cellular phone operator in Indonesia 3 GSM that makes ad about MU players wearing batik. The ad said “Mau?” means “Want it?” Photo MU players wear clothes that are unique to Indonesia at this time many can found in baliho that various corners of the city of Jakarta, and the succession to the batik is Wayne Rooney, Park Ji Sung, Michael Carrick, and Sir Alex Ferguson. Unfortunately, Chistiano Ronaldo and Tevez doesn’t wearing Batik. as
Monday, June 8, 2009
Sejarah Istana Negara (History of State Palace)
In the beginning, there was onlyone building in the whole present day presidential palace are now the premises of Istana Negara. Building was owned by J.A. van Braam. The construction of the building began in 1796 9during the Governor-General Pieter Gerardus van Overstraten’s adminitration) and wholly completed in 1804 (during Governor-General Johannes Sieberg’s term). In 1818 the Ducth East Ondies administration procured the building, which from then on, was made into the official residence of Dutch governor-general.
Quite a few important events during teh Dutch colonial period took place in the building. For example, General de Kock’s exposition to Governor-General van der Capellen regarding in plan to exterminate Price Diponegoro’s rebellion and his strategy against Tuanku Imam Bonjol’s upsrising took place in this very building. The building now called Istana Negara also witnessed Governor-General van de Bosch’s launching of the cultuurstelsel (force planting), which required the Dutch administration deemed profitable to the Dutch. After independence, an important event which took place ion this building was the signing of the Lingarjati Agreement on 25 March 1947. Indonesia was led by Sutan Sjahrir and the Netherlands by Dr. Van Mook.
Quite a few important events during teh Dutch colonial period took place in the building. For example, General de Kock’s exposition to Governor-General van der Capellen regarding in plan to exterminate Price Diponegoro’s rebellion and his strategy against Tuanku Imam Bonjol’s upsrising took place in this very building. The building now called Istana Negara also witnessed Governor-General van de Bosch’s launching of the cultuurstelsel (force planting), which required the Dutch administration deemed profitable to the Dutch. After independence, an important event which took place ion this building was the signing of the Lingarjati Agreement on 25 March 1947. Indonesia was led by Sutan Sjahrir and the Netherlands by Dr. Van Mook.
Sejarah Istana Merdeka (History of Freedom Palace)
Because of the increasing activities of the Dutch East Indies administration then, the building which is now called Istana Negara was soon unable to meet the growing demand for space. Thus, in 1873, during teh Governor-General Louden's term of office, another building was consructed and completed in 1879, when Governor-General was Johan Willem van Landsbarge. The architect responsible for the construction was Drossare. The new building came to be known as Istana Gambir by the people of Batavia. In the early years of the Republic of Indonesia, this Palace witnessed the signing of the Nederlands; recognition of the sovereignty of the United States of Indonesia on 27 December 1949. The republic was represented by Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX and the Kingdom of the Netherlands by A H J Lovink, High Represntative of the Dutch Crown to Indonesia. Upon the signing ofthe recognition of the Republic’s soverreignity, the Indonesian flag was hoisted, replacing the Royal Dutch flag. The hoisting of the flag was accompanied with the signing of the Indonesian national athem Indonesia Raya (Great Indonesia), followed with the cheer “Merdeka!” (“Freedom!”) bythe Indonesian in unison. Probably this explains why the Palace came to be called istana Merdeka instead of Istana Gambir. One day after the signing of the sovereignty recognition, on 28 December 1949, President Soekarno and his family arrived from Yogyakarta. That day marked the begining of the First Family residing in Merdeka Palace.
Friday, June 5, 2009
David Carradine WA Found Hanged in Hotel
David Carradine, star of the 1972-1975 TV series "Kung Fu" as Kwai Chang Caine, also appeared in more than 100 feature films with such directors as Martin Scorsese, Ingmar Bergman and Hal Ashby and one of his prominent early film roles was as singer Woody Guthrie in Ashby's 1976 biopic "Bound for Glory.", has been found dead in the Thai capital, Bangkok. A news report said he was found hanged in his hotel room and was believed to have committed suicide. The Web site of the Thai newspaper The Nation cited unidentified police sources as saying Carradine was found Thursday hanged in his luxury hotel room. It said Carradine was in Bangkok to shoot a movie and had been staying at the hotel since Tuesday. The newspaper said Carradine could not be contacted after he failed to appear for a meal with the rest of the film crew on Wednesday, and that his body was found by a hotel maid at 10 a.m. Thursday morning. The name of the movie was not immediately available. A police officer at Bangkok's Lumpini precinct station would not confirm the identity of the dead man, but said the luxury Swissotel Nai Lert Park hotel had reported that a male guest killed himself there.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Mahakam River
It is located in the east of Kalimant
an / Borneo most popular with major activities of the river tourism movement specially in exploring the Dayak tribe. The Mahakam River flows 980 km from the highlands of Borneo, district Long Apari to its mouth in Makassar Strait. The city of Samarinda, the provincial capital of Eas Kalimantan, lies along the river 48 km (30 mi) from the river mouth. The east Kalimantan or Borneo is nowadays know as the most industrially advanced province of Kalimantan. Its population is less than two million, and the density figure of seven people per kilometre is among the lowest of Indonesia, although relatively high for Kalimantan. More than 80 percent of the area, or over 17 million hectares is covered by forest. This is where the "Black Orchid" and many other orchid varieties grow within the sheltered confines of nature reserves. The Banjarese and Kutainese are mostly the coastal population, living in towns and cities. The Dayak peoples form the overwhelming majority of the population of the hinterland, who live in longhouses called umaq daru.
an / Borneo most popular with major activities of the river tourism movement specially in exploring the Dayak tribe. The Mahakam River flows 980 km from the highlands of Borneo, district Long Apari to its mouth in Makassar Strait. The city of Samarinda, the provincial capital of Eas Kalimantan, lies along the river 48 km (30 mi) from the river mouth. The east Kalimantan or Borneo is nowadays know as the most industrially advanced province of Kalimantan. Its population is less than two million, and the density figure of seven people per kilometre is among the lowest of Indonesia, although relatively high for Kalimantan. More than 80 percent of the area, or over 17 million hectares is covered by forest. This is where the "Black Orchid" and many other orchid varieties grow within the sheltered confines of nature reserves. The Banjarese and Kutainese are mostly the coastal population, living in towns and cities. The Dayak peoples form the overwhelming majority of the population of the hinterland, who live in longhouses called umaq daru.Samarinda
Samarinda is known for its fine sarong cloth. The city shows some signs of being the capital of a prosperous province. New government offices and public buildings are rising everywhere. Samarinda has a number of modest but comfortable hotels.
Balikpapan
Balikpapan, the centre of Kalimantan's oil industry is also the gateway to East Kalimantan with air and sea connections to Jakarta and other major points in Indonesia. Even the trip to Samarinda, begins in Balikpapan. Living up to its importance, Balikpapan has a number of good hotels, including one of international standard, as well as recreation facilities. It has the second busiest airport in the nation after Jakarta, due to its strategic position.
Tenggarong
Tenggarong, up the Mahakam river from Samarinda, is the capital of the Kutai regency and was once the seat of the Kutai sultanate. The Sultan's palace on the riverside is now a museum where the old royal paraphernalia are kept, as well as an excellent collection of antique Chinese ceramics. Dayak statues can be admired in the yard. A curious thing about the royal paraphernalia is that they display a strong resemblance with Java's court traditions. Each year on 24 September, the former palace becomes a stage of dance and music performances given to celebrate the town's anniversary.
Tenggarong, up the Mahakam river from Samarinda, is the capital of the Kutai regency and was once the seat of the Kutai sultanate. The Sultan's palace on the riverside is now a museum where the old royal paraphernalia are kept, as well as an excellent collection of antique Chinese ceramics. Dayak statues can be admired in the yard. A curious thing about the royal paraphernalia is that they display a strong resemblance with Java's court traditions. Each year on 24 September, the former palace becomes a stage of dance and music performances given to celebrate the town's anniversary.
Tanjung Isuy
This little settlement around Lake Jempang in the lake-studded East Kalimantan hinterland, has a traditional Dayak longhouse which has been turned into lodges for visitors. The grave of a Benuaq Dayak chief lies aside the hamlet's only road. Visitors are usually given a traditional Benuaq Dayak welcome. The trip to Tanjung Isuy over the Mahakam River is long, but interesting, passing floating villages and forests. With luck, you can watch a belian, or witch doctor, dressed in his skirt of leaves, cure his patients at night by performing the rites prescribed by ancestors, to the frenzied accompaniment of gongs and drums. Many Benuaq Dayaks still prefer the old cures to the modern ones at government public health centres which are nearby.
Melak - Kersik Luway
Melak is a little village further upstream on the Mahakam River in the heart of the land of Tanjung Dayak. Not far from the village is the Kersik Luway nature reserve, where the "Black Orchid" grows
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Yogyakarta
Lying in the shadow of the aptly named "Fire Mountain", (2914 meter-high active volcano, Mt.Merapi), is the seat of the once mighty Javanese Empire of Mataram, Ngayogyakarto Hadiningrat. Yogyakarta (Yogya) came into being in 1755, when a land dispute split the power of Mataram into the Sultanates of Yogyakarta and Surakarta (solo). Prince Mangkubumi built Kraton of Yogyakarta and created one of the most powerful Javanese states ever. The Kraton is still the hub of Yogyakarta's traditional life and despite the advance of the refinement which has been the hallmark of its art and people for centuries. Yogyakarta is one of the supreme cultural centers of Java. Full Gamelan orchestras keep alive the rhythms the past, classical Javanese dances entrance with visions of beauty and poise, shadows come to life in the stories of the Wayang kulit and a myriad of traditional visual art forms keep locals and visitors alike spell-bound. Yogya has an extraordinary life force and charm which seldom fails to captivate. Contemporary art has also grown in the fertile soil of Yogyakarta's sophisticated cultural society. ASRI, the Academy of Fine Arts, is the centre of the arts in the region and Yogyakarta has given its name to an important school of modern painting in Indonesia, best illustrated by the renowned impressionist, the late Affandi.The province is one of the most densely populated areas of Indonesia. It stretches from the slopes of mighty Mount Merapi in the North to the wave - swept beaches of the powerful Indian Ocean to the South. The city of Yogyakarta has an area of 3186 sq km and population of 500.000. It used to be the city of bicycles, with noisy and chaotic traffic much like any Javanese city.However the Kampungs, behind the main streets life unhurried. The city provides easy acces for an insight into Javanese culture : craft industries such as batik, silver, pottery. It is also a city of art: Wayang are easily visited: traditional Javanese perfoming arts can readily be seen :and the contemporary arts are also flourishing. Yogya is alsi a good base to explore nearby attacration including Indonesia’s most important archaeological sites Borobudur and Prambanan.
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