TOBA LAKE

Lake Toba is the most famous lake in Indonesia. It is 100 km long and 30 km wide thus many people agree that Lake Toba is the biggest lake in the world. An island in the middle of the lake is Samosir Island at an altitude of 1.000 meters. Lake Toba has a very enchanted scenery for being surrounded by green hills. It offers beautifully magnificent view, fresh air, and tranquillity. You may either swim on the lake or rent a boat to hang around the lake. When the sun is going to set, you will experience a tranquil atmosphere while enjoying the sunset.

Lake Toba has cosmologic and magical values since surrounding people believe the existence of Namborru – seven fairies regarded as the ancestors of Batak tribe. There is an annual event namely Pesta Rakyat Danau Toba to express admiration for the local inhabitants‘ ancestors. In Samosir Island, there are two other lakes namely Lake Sidihoni and Lake Aek Natonang. Likewise, there are some other tourism destinations such as Raja Sidabutar‘s Graveyard and traditional houses of Batak Toba Samosir tribe.

TAMAN MINI INDONESIA INDAH

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah or Beautiful Indonesia Miniature Park was built to be the showcase of Indonesia, in this park visitors will find many Indonesia natural & cultural richness such as unique replication of traditional houses (pavilion) from all around Indonesia, an Indonesia archipelago shaped lake and many other fascinating attraction. The park is an Ideal spot for week-end family outing and also international tourist who did not have enough time to explore Indonesia.

Since its existence and in the course of time TMII continues to grow and developed in line with the dynamism of the community life of Indonesia. People are the more aware of the great advantages of the existence of TMII, with the mission to be a vehicle for the preservation and development of the culture and a means to strengthen the unity and integrity of the people of Indonesia.

TMII is considered as a vehicle presenting the diversity of the people of Indonesia and the variety of cultural wealth enables the community to gain interesting experience, knowledge and information regarding various aspect of culture, tradition, customs, forms of art as far as the introduction of cultural objects.

The beauty and cultural wealth presented by TMII can easily be observed by the community through the availability of a more complete and interactive means of information. It is expected that through the website the information can be disseminated widely all over the Archipelago and even abroad so that it will facilitate the community to better know about the culture and customs of the people of Indonesia.

Attractions

Istana Anak-anak Indonesia: Indonesia Children Castle, featuring fairy tales painting from Indonesia and all over the world.

Perahu Angsa Arsipel Indonesia: Swan Boat to explore Indonesia archipelago shaped lake.
Taman Among Putro: An amusement park for children fully equipped with games and fun activities.

Taman Ria Atmaja: a 60 Sq m stage in an 4000 Sq m area, well known as Dangdut Terminal (Dangdut: popular unique music genre in Indonesia).

Taman Renang Ambar Tirta: Swimming pool for adult and children, equipped with trainer and lifeguard.

Teater Imax Keong Emas: A shopisticated IMAX technology snail shaped theatre, with several IMAX movies featuring Indonesia natural and cultural richness.

Desa Wisata: When a day is not enough to explore TMII, there is Desa Wisata, a hostel for individual or groups visiting TMII from outside Jakarta to stay overnight.

Transportasi TMII: The means of transportation, get you around the "Archipelago".

Titihan Samirono/Aeromovel: Another way to get around is the fast train, Aeromovel. This is an example of the fast and efficient train that could provide nowaday mass transportation for Indonesia.

Sky Lift Indonesia (Kereta Gantung): Want a quick and easy geography lesson? Take the Sky Lift for an aerial tour of the park and one of the sights that will stay with you is a scale model of the islands of Indonesian archipelago set in a smalll lake.

Teater Tanah Airku: The "Tanah Airku" Theatre is the first in Indonesia equipped with high technology to an international standard. The physical aspect of the "Tanah Airku" Theatre is a marriage of the typical Indonesian and the international aesthetic. Indonesian ornamentation such as 'gunungan' (mountains), elements from Javanese puppet shows, the roof shapes of Sumatra and Sulawesi, with a touch of Kalimantan Dayak style, all is harmoniously blended. Combine this with modern sound and lighting effects and the complete stage equipment of a state­of the-art theatre and you have a dramatic experience long remembered.

Panggung Parkir Utara: The North Parking Stage is a permanent stage for various entertainment activities for the visitors. Situated next to the Pancasila Flame Monument Plaza and belonging to the North Parking area the open stage has been built by the participation of private enterprises that care about the national cultural wealth presented in TMII. The 20 m x 18 m large stage with a triangular roof is the biggest stage in Taman Mini

Jayawijaya Mountain

Jayawijaya mountain is known as one of the seven highest peaks of the world (seven summit). Thus, the peak of the climb at 4884 meters dpl is the goal of pure climber, let alone to climb Puncak Jaya is the conquest of the mountain, the enclosed snow. Various obstacles that are in the ascent, as the sheer natural condition, temperature is very cold, blustery wind and rain, and lack of oxygen in the altitude is a challenge that must be passed by the climber.

Given the weight of climbing terrain, a complex licensing process, and guarantee security during ascent, climber should utilize the services of experienced travel agents. Various travel agent who has an international reputation has provided two options climbing routes, the classic route through the Village Ilaga, or both channels with a more comfortable ride to the helicopter base camp Hill Lake (Lake Valley).

Mount. Bromo

This National Park is one of the most beautiful places of interest in East Java INDONESIA. The beauties of mountain covered, give a special and characteristic green plants, arousing great interest. Tenggerese traditional farming also makes this famous place being more interesting and attractive. In addition, cool and breezy wind always blows freshly giving ever visitor special deep impression a unforgettable memories.

The accessibility has no problem and very reachable (via Malang, Pasuruan, Probolinggo or Lumajang).
Surely, different access give different characteristics scenery landscape. The elevation reaches about 2.392 meter sea level above and the temperature varies from 3 up to 20 degrees centigrade.

Facilities: Star Hotels, home-stays, restaurants, and many others that visitors needed can be found.
The people who live in this area are supposed to be descended from Majapahit Kingdom about six hundred years ago. The belonged to Tenggerese Hinduism with old traditional. That tradition still survives up to now. Every year, they always carry out the traditional and religious ceremonies, and the most popular ones is Yadnya Kasada, an offering ceremony held at the edge of the crater on the top of mount Bromo.

The Story of Offering Kasada Ceremony
Hundreds years ago, during the reign of the last king of Majapahit, Brawijaya, the situation was so uncertain due to the expanding new religion, Islam. At the time, the queen gave birth a baby girl and named her Roro Anteng, later the princess married Joko Seger, a Brahma Caste.

Since the influences of the new religion was so strong that it created chaos. The king and his followers were forced to back off to the east, some of them reached Bali and some of them reached a volcano.

The new married couple, Roro Anteng and Joko Seger were also found among the fugitives who went to the volcano. Later they ruled the volcano area and named it Tengger. The word Tengger was derived from Roro Anteng and Joko Seger. Then he surnamed himself the riffle of Purba Wasesa Mangkurat Ing Tengger which means the righteous ruler of Tengger.

Years after year as the region flourished in prosperity, the King and Queen felt unhappy for they had no children to succeed their throne. On their desperation, they decided to climb the top of the volcano to pray and beseech before God, the Almighty. Deeply, impressed by the faith of their meditation affected the murmuring sound of the crater lifted up miraculously followed by a golden lightning that made the surrounding locked so scintillating. Their prayer were heard the God and would give them children, but they should sacrifice their last child as return. It was a promising future that could not be denied.

Not long after, the first baby boy was born and Roro Anteng named him Tumenggung Klewung. Child after child was born during the years and it reached 25 in number to whom she gave the named Kesuma for the last child.

Roro Anteng and Joko Seger were very happy ever since, love and affection were imparted among their children. Happiness lingered on years after years, but a dull and sad feeling still haunted them for their promise would be claimed one day. They realized that they could not run from the fact, a bitter disappointment of losing a child shot through their brains. The day came, the God reminded them of their promise which could not be avoided.

As they felt how cruel it was to sacrifice their beloved child, they decided to break their promise by not offering him to the God. They brought away their children in order to save their last child from the offering. They tried to find a place to hide, however, they could not find away.

All of by sudden, the dreadful eruption of the volcano followed to where they went and miraculously Kesuma, the last beloved child was swallowed into the crater. At the same time when Kesuma disappeared from their sight, turbulent brawl diminished and strange silence for a while but a sudden voice echoed: Hi, my beloved brothers and sisters. It was sacrificed to appear before God Hyang Widi Wasa to save all of you. And what I expect be in a peace and live prosperously. Don't forget to set mutual assistance among you and to worship God constantly to arrange an offering ceremony annually on 14th of Kasada (the twelfth month of Tenggerese calendar) by full moon. For the sake of your God. Hyang Widi Wasa.

Kesuma's Brothers and sisters held the offering ceremony annually just like what Kesuma advised and it was held from generation to generation up to now. to be continued ....