West and East Nusa Tenggara

West Nusa Tenggara
The West Nusa Tenggara province or NTB in bahasa Indonesia has a lot of beautiful place. These places are spread between their two major island Lombok and Sumbawa islands.

Lombok Island
At Lombok the famous place is Senggigi, the place is one of the most developed area for tourists in NTB. You can easily find any variety of restaurants, bars, discotheque, travel agents, money changers, souvenir shops, and variety accommodation starting from budget hotel to 5 star hotel. And the Lombok Island has its traditional food and it’s called ayam taliwang (chicken stew in a rich sauce of galangal, turmeric and chili). Sumbawa Island is larger than Bali and Lombok islands combined. Sumbawa is an island of twisted and jutting peninsulas; with a coast close by hills and bights also a line of volcanic stretching along the way. Sumbawa is a scenic island and transport connection is a bit difficult in here. It is best if you explore the countryside with car rent or motorcycle. In here you will find Mount Tambora. Its 6 km wide caldera contains a two coloured lake with views as far as Rinjani Mountain. The Rinjani Mountain has great cultural importance fot the Lombok’s people. In this area was declared as national park in 1997.
The Lombok is famous for the golden south sea pearls and the pearls are known in the world as one of the best quality in the world. First class pearl are found in here with many natural colors such as white, cream, silver, pink, black and gold. Most of the pearls come from the western coast of the island, west of towns of Sekotong Timur, Sekotong Tengah and Lembar.

Sumbawa Island
The rugged land mass of Sumbawa looms massively between Lombok and Flores, separated from each by a narrow strait. Sumbawa is the island of twisted and jutting peninsulas. Sumbawa is a coast fringed by hills and bights, and a line of volcanic stumps stretching along its strength. Although the island is a scenic island and because of the hard and volcanic area so its best if you rent motorcycle to explore this fascinating place.
In the central of Sumbawa there is Mount Tambora with 6km wide and contains two colored lake. If you are a truly surfer, better visit Hu;u beach, the best beach known as a stronghold of surf base camp. You can find new attractive and renovated places on Lakey beach. 3km from Hu’u you can see the stretch of sand that is great for your destination. Don’t forget also to but souvenirs songket sarongs, the best ones made from Poto village. The sarongs is famous with traditional designs include the perahu and ancestor head motif.
Later you must see Pura Lingsar, the only Hindu shrine in the world where both Hindus and Moslems come to pray. Have a great swim and visit the festivals in Putri Nyale Beach.

East Nusa Tenggara
Nusa Tenggara Timur province is dominated by the three main islands of Flores, Sumba and Timor islands.
Watch the Lamalera Whale Hunting on Lembata islands. The whale hunting season goes on from May to September. Using simple traditional tools such as small rowboats and hand thrown harpoons the hunters sail out targeting the whale by bamboo shafted harpoons. In Western Sumba, you can find an archaic little town called Waikabubak, which is full of old graves carved in unique motives such as buffalo horns and horses. If you were in town, please stop by at Kampung Tambelar to see some impressive tombs.

Komodo Island
Komodo is famous for the giant prehistoric lizards, as last of their population. The natives called them ORA, the Komodo dragons has roamed the earth about half million years ago. This tale is exist since a long time ago. And at that time fishers and pearls divers working in the area had brought back tales of giant lizards which length is about 3 m with a very keen sense of smell. The only population is the fishing village of Komodo who supplied goats for feeding the lizards. The komodo is protected by the state law and although they look harmless, it is best if you keep them at a distance.

Flores
The word Flores taken from Portuguese language, which means a cape of flowers. A fascinating, mountainous, and remarkably a beautiful island. Flores has a volcanic topography and it’s wide stretched. Flores also boats the sublime multihued crater lakes of Kelimutu terrific beaches around Labuanbajo and east of Maumere, and idyllic offshore islands with fine snorkeling. Many boats trips to nearby islands to make a great trips day. This trip offers you the chance to snorkel on a deserted beach. You can visit the Bidadari Island for the coral and clear water, Serayu Island and Kanawa Island have the accommodation and other free transport. You can also easily find Batu Cermin. A limestone outcrop that includes a series of caves located about 4km east of Labuanjo. Entering the main cave, you will find the mirror rock.
While you were in here you should visit and surf in Nemberela beach in the south west of Rote Island. Also is exciting to bring some traditional souvenirs Ikat cloth that often symbolizes status, wealth, power and prestige within its motifs.
The Manggarai hill people are perharps the best known and most interesting of the many traditional natives in there. They tend to be shy but friendly. You will see many them many around Ruteng and also their specialized distinctive black sarongs, trailing black haired pigs into market or herding beautiful horse miniatures.

The Untouchable Kalimantan

Kalimantan is an unexplored land of natural beauty and indigenous heritage. The island is well known for the tropical forests, rich natural resources and exotic flora and fauna. Kalimantan is inhabited by Dayaks, Kalimantan is now home of the 10 million inhabitants with many cultures : Dayaks, Malays, Chinese and Javanese people.

South Kalimantan
This province has extensive forest with wide variety of trees such as ironwoods, meranti, pines and rubber. In the capital Banjarmasin you could find the famous Floating Market where local people trade their variety of goods including tropical fruits such as Kesturi, rare aromatic species of mangoes, durian, rambutan, butter fruit and watermelon. To experience Banjarmasin the best way is through the river. You can use either the klotok (river bus) or a speedboat for fun trips. Stopped by at Negara where you can find the traditional weapons mandau and machete are made. Also visit Kembang island where is inhabited by tame monkeys in an old Chinese temple. Also stop at Kaget Island, the home of many birds species and Bekantan, the long nosed and reddish turred monkeys. Also you should try to visit Loksado, the local important market about 170km from Banjarmasin and watch the Mappanretasi (sea offering ceremony).

East Kalimantan
In here you should be able to see the wild orangutans and prolific bird life at Kutai National Park. Technically you don’t need a guide to enter the park but finding orangutans can be very difficult. Ask the Indonesian Forest Protection and Nature Conservative Agency (PHKA) staff as your guide. This is also the home of the original mountain people of Kalimantan. The local tribes called Lamin or Umaq Daru, they built their houses on wooden piles and built it with 3m height as protection against wilds animals and flooding. And you should visit at Tanjung Isuy, the first Dayak Village on Mahakam. The territory is considered to be Banuaq Dayak territory. But don’t expect too much from this society because modernization has affected the people in here. The main interest is in Louu Taman Jamrot, a longhouse vacated in the late 1970s and rebuilt by the provincial government as craft center and tourist hotel. It is highly recommended for you to travel the Mahakam river and experience the adventure also. On the journey you will see the wild jungles to the Derawan Island. In that island you will find many rare animals such as green turtle, scarlet turtle, star fruit turtle and sea cow. The Derawan and Sangalaki islands hold an amazing marine environment including the coral, canary grabs and pearls. Also worth to visit the remains of a king called Keraton Gunung Tambur in Berau.

Central Kalimantan
Near from the capital Palangkaraya city you can find the Kuala Kapuas. The place is perfect for adventurer, rafting into the white waters and explores the nature. The specific place called Gohong Rawai and it’s famous for its beautiful and challenging rapids. And while you in here you must visit the Old Palace of Pangkalanbun. The palace is completely built out of ulin (iron wood) and this is the only royal legacy found. Also when it is the time you should see the Isen Mulang Culture Festival at Palangkaraya. Sampit is also the biggest timber port in Kalimantan. And its worth to visit the Orchid Park of pembuangan Hulu is home to number of many rare species of orchid. Move a bit to the north the Dayak villages mostly lived on Lamandau River and still well traditional. It is necessary to hire a guide to decide the best route for experience hungry travelers. As we continue more to the north you can see the small villages along the river leads to Bekonsu a village of many longhouses as well as traditional mausoleums. Last Tanjung Putting National Park is the spot where you can see the enigmatic primates living in its forest and you can see the monkeys and macaques running around the forest. Also do not miss the fireflies at evening, they will spark up the night and dance in the pandanus palms.

West Kalimantan
West Kalimantan is rich in minerals and precious stone but remains largely untouched. The capital city Pontianak host interesting tourist objects such as: Kadariah Palace in Kampung Dalam, the State Museum, and the Kapuas and Landak River. At Saham village a traditional Dayak’s longhouse is 186m long and 6m wide which about 269 people live under the same roof. On Karimata Island there is marine nature’s reserve. And the place is home for thousand species of turtles and dugongs. At Kapuas Hulu you will find Betung Kerihun and Sentarum Lake National Park. At danau Sentarum you can see a huge lagoon, the house of more than 220 species of fresh water fishes. Among the fish also there are Super Red Arowana fish very fame and rare because of the beautiful colour and highly prized by collectors. The second nature preserves is the Bukit Raya Bukit Baka National Park encountered with rainforest, rugged landscapes, mountains and meandering rivers. This is the right place for bathing, boating, water skiing, bird watching and fishing. This park is easily to go from Nanga Popai by longboats. This park is also the home of the largest flower in the world Rafflesia. Don’t miss also the Equator museum in Pontianak and find Sasirangan, the traditional batik that is once used by the nobles to protect them from evil spirits. This item can easily find with others handicrafts and souvenirs at local market.