Not many people knows where Bengkulu is located, even to few people in Indonesia. Bengkulu is one of province in Indonesia, located in the southern of Sumatera. It was onced together with lampung, included as Southern Sumatera Province in the past years.

Not also many people awares that Bengkulu hides some distinctive destinations which is rarely found in the other place in Indonesia. It is believed that the restricted accecibility entering to Bengkulu caused this province is not wellknown as other neighbour provinces. Air transportation is the only best way to visit Bengkulu, while land and sea transportation is unconveniently operated.

I firstly came to Bengkulu in 2004, when my previous company assigned me in Bengkulu. I was wondering where was exactly bengkulu located and what could we do there. I was desk researching when I found that actually, this part of Indonesia is hiding many interesting places to be visited. And I was surprised that this area was exchanged by Biritsh to get Singapore from Ducth. I was wondering what could be happened if the exchange was never done. Could Bengkulu be as developed as Singapore ?

But it’s all just history. In fact, Bengkulu has many interesting places to be visitied. Pantai Panjang (in English should be translated as Long Beach), is one of the fascinating beaches I have ever visited in Indonesia. It’s white sandy and long beaches fascinate people who come to bengkulu for the very first time. It is located just 2 km from the heart of bengkulu city. I will never forget the delicious coconut which offered by many people along the beach.

Some historical places are also the interesting attraction in Bengkulu. Indonesia first president’s exiled house is located in Bengkulu. It still the president’s private stuff : shirts, bycicle, books, etc. The house is just like the same with the one I see in some historical books. It is realy interesting. The house of the president’s wife is also located not far from the president’s house. I wonder that’s why they could be in touch and proceeded to the marriage.

Then, another interesting attraction, Bengkulu is one of the few places in Indonesia that the rare Raflesia Arnoldi flower can grow up and bloom. Some times a year, the flower blooms which attract many people not only from Indonesia. It is believed that the flower is one of the biggest flower in the world.

So, if you are interested in unussual tourist attraction, please do come to Bengkulu, the hidden

Situated among the magnificent islands of Lesser Sunda (Nusa Tenggara), Flores offers almost anything you want see: Unique cultures at traditional megalithic villages, Mt. Kelimutu volcano with its unique three colors lake, wildlife and marine life.

The Portuguese who reached this island in the 15th Century gave the name Flores. ‘Flores’ means flowers, not by the Flowers grow on the land, but beneath the sea, coral, fishes and other marine lifes. The most beautiful coral reefs occur on the northern coast and western of the Island. Flores is 1.5 hours from Bali by Air.

The most magnificent site is the three colored lakes of Kelimutu volcano. Each lake is a different color: blue, green and black. Other attractions include spectacular hand-woven textiles of Maumere, Ende-Lio, Ngada, the traditional megalithic village of Bena and other traditional villages in Ngada regency (Central Flores), and “Komodo dragons”. This Island is home to hundreds of different ethnic groups who speak scores of languages, and is a sort of transition point between the Malay and Papuan races.

Walaupun masyarakat Muslim dari luar negeri tidak diragukan lagi sudah lama mengunjungi Kepulauan Indonesia, namun baru abad 15 16, Agama Islam menancapkan pengaruhnya terhadap Budaya Trandisonal Jawa. Para misionaris Muslim mulai meningkatkan aktivitasnya di Jawa di awal abad 14, bersamaan dengan mulai runtuhnya Kerajaan Hindu terbesar di jawa, MOJOPAHIT. Bermula dari Kota kota pesisir utara Pulau Jawa, diantaranya GRESIK dan SURABAYA, Agama Islam mulai menyebar dengan cepat dan pengaruhnya sedemikian besar sampai terbentuklah negara Islam yang berpusat di DEMAK, sebuah kota pesisir utara Jawa Tengah. Dua puluh lima tahun kemudian, Kerajaan MOJOPAHIT benar benar runtuh dan pengaruh kekuatan kerajaan Islam di Demak semakin luas ke arah Barat. Hal ini tidaklah lepas dari peranan Para WALI, pembawa agama Islam yang sangat karismatik dan berpengaruh, yang mengajarkan Agama Islam ke seluruh Pulau Jawa. Karena karisma dan Pengaruhnya, maka masyarakat Jawa memberikan gelar kepada Para Wali dengan sebutan SUNAN, nama nama mereka menjadi Legenda dan bahkan Makam mereka sering dikunjungi oleh masyarakat muslim untuk berziarah.

Menurut tradisi dan keyakinan masyarakat muslim Jawa, ada sembilan Wali yang berperan di dalam menyebarkan agama Islam di Jawa, sehingga mereka dikenal dengan sebutan WALI SONGO (Wali Sembilan). Maklum Wali Songo beserta peninggalan sejarahnya, yang berjumlah sembilan itu tersebar di seluruh pesisir utara Pulau Jawa dari Surabaya sampai Banten.

Sebagai tempat peristirahatan terakhir bagi para Wali, makam para Wali dibuat sedemikian rupa sehingga berkesan suci, kelihatan menarik, indah dengan arsitekturnya yang artistik sehingga sangat menarik bagi para pengunjung yang berziarah.

In the eastern part of Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of Borneo and about 45 km from the Berau river estuary out in the Makassar strait lie several reefs ideal for scuba diving. The dive sites are famous for the large gatherings of manta rays and a jellyfish lake. But in the reefs in the Berau archipelago also live a lot of very interesting critters, beautiful nudibranchs, hidden crabs and shrimps and unusual fish such as ghostpipefishes, scorpionfishes and more. There are several dive resorts, all are relatively easily reached from either Balikpapan or Tanjung Redeb.

Derawan Island is a divers` haven and offers many types of diving; walls, fringing reefs, caverns, and even a wonderful muck dive. You are likely to see big sea turtles, schooling barracudas, whitetip and leopard sharks, napoleon wrasses, cuttlefish, jacks and many many other creatures. There is a wonderful variety of hard coral around the island. Macro diving off the pier is world class, and you can find sea horses, scorpionfish, and other bizarre small marine animals.

The island is ringed by a white sand beach where thirty to seventy sea turtles nest nightly. Cottages sit back from the beach a bit to allow turtles personal space. Turtles lay eggs on the island, and you may witness hatchlings making it to the sea.

How To Get There :
From Balikpapan
From Balikpapan guest can take DAS or Kalstar flight to Berau, which costs approx US$ 170 with the following schedule :

Balikpapan-Berau ETD : 11.15 - 12.45
Berau-Balikpapan ETD : 08.55 - 10.45

Sikuai Island, is a small secluded island located in Padang, West Sumatera. An enjoyable 15 minute speedboat ride from Muara Bay would take you to this beautiful island. As soon as you arrive on this island, you will see a white and soft sandy beach and gentle waves with crystal clear water decorating the whole island.
 
Get in touch with the nature by exploring the whole island on foot or by beach bike. A nice connecting bridge as well as a cement pedestrian walk is provided for you to make the exploration more fun. A combination of views like white sand, light blue ocean water, green coconut trees, big rocks, colorful wild flowers, all different kinds of wild trees and curious monkeys will certainly entertain your eyes and fill your heart with amusement.

Snorkeling is a must activity to do here. Many different kinds of tropical fishes such as blue trigger fish, Picasso trigger fish, angel fish, dog puffer fish and trumpet fish are easily found. When you are lucky (like me) you would even see a spotted eagle ray!! Amazing, isn’t it?

Enjoy sunset and sunrise at Sunset Plaza which is located on the top of the island. Breathtaking scenery will accompany your hiking activity to reach Sunset Plaza. Take pleasure in the swimming pool while you enjoy the sunset and sunrise views. Beside that, from this point you would be able to see Teluk Bayur Bay and small, beautiful islands nearby like Snake Island and Cubadak Island.

Indulge yourself on this private island. Sleeping in a comfortable bungalow and listening to the soft, soothing sound of the surf for your lullaby will complete your stay on this beautiful island.

Information:
Sikuai Island Resort
Sea view : Rp. 1,500,000
Garden view : Rp. 1,300,000
Include 21% government tax, breakfast for 2 and transportation from Muaro Bay-Sikuai Island-Muaro Bay

Activities:
Snorkeling : Rp. 50,000 per 2 hours for rental equipment
Diving : Rp. 1,250,000 – include diving equipment, snack box, dive instructor and boat transfer to diving areas.
Beach Bike : Rp. 100,000 per hour
ATV : Rp. 500,000 per hour

source : www.travbuddy.com