There are butterflies of 60 different species in Gita Persada Park on Betung Mount slope, Kemilang subdistrict, Lampung province, a spokesman said.

“The five-hectare park is a place both for recreation and study,” Herawati Soekardi, manager of the park, said here Friday.

She further said that visitors could learn more about the biodiversity of Sumatran butterflies and enjoy the beautiful colours of their wings.

The management has named the species in Indonesian language like Raja Helena, Perut Merah, Limau Balak, Limau Halom, Limau Tutul, Kupu Hijau, Sirsak Biru, Sirsak Hijau, Ekor Pedang, Cacapuri, Johar Kuning, Kertas, Buntar, Daun Coklat, Widuri and Kepompong Emas.

Visitors also can watch their activities like searching for food, laying eggs or metamorphoses.

Thomas Daley, the US embassy`s cultural attache, in the company of Simon Jones of Solimar International became the park`s special guests on Friday.

The park has developed conservation and biodiversity projects since 1972

Source: Antara

Indonesia has published the list of official holidays for 2007. The schedule of official holidays - the subject of a joint Ministerial decision from the Minister of Religious Affairs, the Minister of Manpower and Transmigration, and the State Minister for Administrative Reform – sets the dates for both official and religious holidays and the recently introduced “shared holidays” or “cuti bersama.” “Cuti Bersama” ares the officially declared long holidays established to stimulate national tourism and increase efficiency in the operation of government offices.

• Monday, January 1, 2007 – New Years Day

• Saturday, January 20, 2007 - Islamic New Year 1428 Hijriah

• Sundaay, February 18, 2007 - Imlek – Chinese New Year 2558

• Monday, March 19, 2007 - Hari Nyepi – Bali’s Day of Silence and Hindu New Year 1929 Saka

• Saturday, March 31, 2007 - The Birth Date of the Prophet Muhammad

• Friday, April 6, 2007 - Good Friday

• Sunday, April 8, 2007 - Easter Sunday

• Thursday, May 17, 2007 - Ascension Day of Jesus Christ

• Friday, May 18, 2007 – Shared Holiday by Government Decree for an Extended Weekend

• Friday, June 1, 2007 - Hari Raya Waisak

• Saturday, August 11, 2007 - Isra’ Miraj Nabi Muhammad – Celebrating the Ascension of The Prophet Muhammad

• Friday, August 17, 2007 - Indonesian Independence Day

• Friday, October 12, 2007 - Shared Holiday by Government Decree for an Extended Weekend

• Saturday & Sunday, October 13-14, 2007 - Hari Raya Idul Fitri 1 Syawal 1428 Hijriah

• Monday & Tuesday, October 15 – 16, 2007 - Shared Holiday by Government Decree for an Extended Weekend

• Thursday, December 20, 2007 - Hari Raya Idul Adha 1428 Hijriah

• Friday, December 21, 2007 - Shared Holiday by Government Decree for an Extended Weekend

• Monday, December 24, 2007 - Shared Holiday by Government Decree for an Extended Weekend

• Tuesday, December 25, 2007 - Christmas Day

The Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park covers some 800 square kilometers in the centre of East Java. It is the largest volcanic region in the province and there stands Mt. Semeru, which rises 3676 meters above sea level. At its northern end is the spectacular Tengger Caldera, Java’s largest, with its 10 km barren desert-like sea of sand. Within the caldera rise the deeply fissured volcanic cones of Batok and Bromo, the latter is still active with a cavernous crater from which smoke blows skyward. Temperatures at the top of mount Bromo range about 5 to 18 degrees Celcius . To the south is a rolling upland plateau dissected by valleys and dotted with several small scenic lakes, extending to the foot of Mount Semeru, a towering grey forest-skirted cone dominating the southern landscape.

Tengger sandy area has been protected since 1919, and its believed to be the only conservation area in Indonesia, even probably in the world possessing a unique ocean and sand at the attitude about 2000 m above sea level. There are several mountains inside the calderas namely: Mt Watangan (2,661 m asl)., Mt Batok (2,470 m asl), Mt Kursi (2,581 asl), Mt Watangan (2,661 m asl), and Mt Widadaren (2,650 m asl).

On the fourteenth day of the Month Kasada, the inhabitants of Tengger Mountain range gather at the rim of Mount Bromo’s active crater to present annual offerings of rice, fruit, vegetables, flowers, live stock and other local produce to the God of the Mountain, as adherents of religion combining elements of Hinduism and Mahayana Buddhism the Tenggerese ask for blessing from the supreme God, Sang Hyang Widi Wasa. This ceremony called Kesodo Ceremony.

While the Great Mountain or Semeru offer a wonderful place to 3 days hike. Serenity of small lakes and large meadows, a three hours struggling through loose screw to the peak and breathtaking views from peak Semeru explodes every half hour and sends billowing smoke upwards. These gases and belching lava make Semeru dangerous ” stay well away from the vent. The fine scenery and bracing climate, easy access and reasonably visitor-oriented facilities make this one of the most popular reserves in Java.

Getting There

Bromo Tengger Semeru can be reached by private and public vehicle. There are four gates to access the place, Probolinggo, Wonokitri, Ngadas and Lumajang. Probolinggo approach is the easiest and by fat the most popular route, especially if you go by public bus, Wonokitri is the closes and the easiest one if you go by private vehicle from Surabaya (5 hours journey). To get closer to Mt. Bromo you must rent 4×4 vehicles (there are many 4×4 vehicles rental there).

Where to Stay

There are a few options that you can choose to stay. You can stay at The Bromo Guest House which is located at Ngadisari that lies 3 km from the crater rim. Or you can choose other hotels at Cemoro Lawang because it this situated at the crater rim.

Other Things to See or Do

Walking on the sea of sand and stepping up on the 249 steps to rim is worth to try. Enjoying the unique crater in crater, watching the dawn at Bromo is the main attractions in the area.

Dining Guide

Its kindly hard to find some food at night, because mostly of warung are closed after 7.30 pm. If youre in Wonokitri area, theres some warung in Tosari market, which still open at 7-9 pm.

Souvenir Tips

There are many souvenir shops around Mount Bromo viewpoints who are selling T-shirts, scarf that are made from wool and others. There are also street hawkers who are selling these things too at the caldera area.

Moving Around

You can moving around on foot and normally it will takes 2 hours, or you can ride a horse or even rent a jeep (for this two, you are suggested to ask first and make a negotiation)

Travel Tips

• Necessities for the trip include a torch, warm clothing, comfortable trekking shoes, and glove as a protection against the freezing temperature which hovers between zero to five degrees Celsius (33 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit).
• If you buy or rent something please Bargain.
• Sunrise starts at 5.00 am till 6.00 am (If werent cloudy), so you may leave from your hotel or guesthouse at 3 am or even less than that.
• Before start trekking, hiking or climbing, be sure that you already eat, or you can bring some food and drink from your places of stay.
• Otherwise, you can buy some food and drink on the nearest markets for your supply before you start your activities on mountain.
• If youre come in the right time, you may possible to watch the annual ceremony of Kesodo.

budpar.go.id

In an endeavor to actively promote tourist destinations in Indonesia and swiftly recover the tourism image, the government of Indonesia through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of RI has placed 60-second advertising on several television stations, including the Discovery Travel and Living. The detailed schedule is as follow:

Discovery Travel and Living ” July 19^th to Sept. 3^rd and Sept. 13^th to Sept. 20^th.

CNN and CNN.com ” July 24^th to Aug. 27^th, and Nov. 6^th to Nov. 9^th.

BS Asahi ” Sept. 22^nd to Sept. 24^th.

Star One ” August 7^th to Sept 25^th and Dec. 13^th ” 15^th.

Xing Kong Wei Shi ” Aug. 7^th to Sept. 25^th, and Oct. 19^th to Nov. 27^th.

Indonesias tourism branding is Indonesia, the Ultimate in Diversity. This slogan tells us that there are various tourist destinations and attractions, from cultural, natural, to man-made attractions. The destinations spread from the west to the east, passing three time zones. This is what the slogan is trying to show about the vastness of the country.

On a series of sweeping bays, Senggigi is the most developed tourist area in Lombok. The sunsets over the Lombok strait are superb, and you can enjoy them from the beach or from one of the beachfront restaurants. Senggigi, north of Bangsal, belongs to the most scenic and most popular
beaches on the island of Lombok with good accommodation facilities. Located on the western coast of Lombok in the small village and resort area of Senggigi.
The town of Senggigi spreads out along nearly 10 kilometers of coastal road. This road continues north to Bangsal, the port for the Gili Islands. Along the way be in store for winding turns, steep hills, and a fantastic scenery of the coast. The bays are ideal for swimming snorkeling and other popular water activities and its impressive hillsides provide a dramatic backdrop and breathtaking scenic road trips along the coast to the north.

Getting There

Theres a few alternatives to get Senggigi Beach :

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Coming from Lembar harbour, you can go straight to Senggigi by Perama Shuttle
bus, or any other Shuttle service available. Lombok taxi available on call for 24 hours of service.
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If you are coming by plane, there is a taxi service at the airport that will take you to your hotel destination for Rp. 35,000 (US$4.00).
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Public transportation or ” Bemos ” are available from 06.00 AM - 06.30 PM for about Rp. 1,500 (Ampenan-Senggigi, or Senggigi-Ampenan) one way.
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Ojek service (ridding the mopeds with advanced bargain deals) are available at night until the bars closed.

Where to Stay

There a lot of diverse range of hotel accommodations that you can choose to stay in Senggigi, from deluxe four-star resort properties to simple home-stays, Such as Holiday Inn, the Oberoi, Sheraton Senggigi, Melati Dua Cottage, Pool Villa Club, Panorama Cottage, and many more.

Moving Around

To go around Senggigi Beach, you can ride cidomos or if you wanted, you can go on foot.

Dining Guide

There are various foreign and local restaurants that offering international and
local foods, cafes and entertainment venues. These all are available along the main Senggigi road and on certain areas along the beach. For inexpensive eating, try the food stalls along the beach, especially at the end of the road past the Senggigi Beach Hotel

Souvenir Tips

There are many souvenir shops along the main Senggigi road that offering you many kind of Lombok souvenir, starting from clothes, paintings, handicrafts, wooden crafts, etc.

Other Things to See or Do

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Swimming off the beach is safe.
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You can also do canoeing here in Senggigi.
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Visit Pura Batu Bolong on a rocky point south of Senggigi.
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There’s good snorkeling off the point and in the sheltered bay around the headland

Travel Tips
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Dont forget to equipped yourself with sun protection.
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Bring a bathing suit and extra clothing’s.
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Several places rent mask-snorkel-fin sets. Try at the beach near tha Art Market or the Senggigi Beach Hotel.
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Senggigi nightlife is low key when there are few tourists in town. It’s busier on Friday and Saturday, when young locals come up from the Mataram area.