Saturday, March 28, 2009

LOMBOK ISLAND

Lombok Island







Lombok is situated just to the east of Bali, and can be reached in just 25 minute by plane or an hour by the new fast boat service from Bali. Lombok is rapidly emerging as the new Indonesian destination and is a haven for those seeking the unspoilt beauty of the” Bali of old”. Indeed many people refer to Lombok as “ Bali 20 years ago”; however in this correct, when you want consider the landscape and cultures that are uniquely Lombok. As the old local saying goes: You Can See Bali in Lombok, but You Can Not See Lombok in Bali.
Lombok island is almost as large Bali, and like her famous sister, has a wide range of attraction and activities for all types of traveler. Wheatear you are looking for action and adventure, discovering different cultures and traditions, or lazing on perfect beaches in the sun.
The island of Lombok is the new tourism destination with a pristine environment, a fascinating culture, stunning beaches and island, jungle and waterfall, and world – class trekking on Mt. Rinjani and the island also combine these with fantastic diving, fishing and ecotourism opportunities, and an exotic tropical lifestyle, and it is obvious Lombok is winner.
Visit the small villages and town for a look at authentic lifestyles, unchanged by tourism, shop for traditional handicrafts, weaving and pottery; or witness fascinating dance and musical performances unique to Lombok. Wherever you go, you will be greeted with smiles and friendly Sasak hospitality.
Lombok island is also delight in clean oceans bordered by lovely sandy beaches, and fringed with coconut palms, Or visit the famous “GILI ISLAND” for world-class diving and snorkeling, boating and water sport. Swim in turquoise clear water by day and, at night, dine at some the bst restaurants in Lombok.

In Lombok island you will find a wide a variety of accommodation to suit your personal tastes and budgets from opulent luxury resort to quaint thatched bungalows on the beach. Enjoy sumptuous fine dining in Senggigi or eat grilled fish on the beach at Gili Island. Climb the world-famous volcano Mt. Rinjani 3726, or have a massage at the Mandra Spa, Challenge the huge waves of Bangko-Bangko, or have pedicure on Senggigi Beach. And so on…. The option are endless.

Come and discover the magic of Lombok, Get feeling stay in New Paradise in the world, and then let your imagine to fly over….!!!!

History
Lombok today has become Indonesia’s new “in” destination. Lombok ‘s area and population are just slightly smaller than Bali’s. There is cultural connection between these two islands.
The named “Lombok” is said to come from a fiery red chili pepper, used as a condiment in Indonesia, although this may be a folk etymology. Lombok also called “Bumi Gora” by the Sasak – the natives of Lombok , which means the dry farmland.

Little is known of Lombok’s prehistory, but it is mentiond in the 14th century chronicle of the great East Javanese Majapahit empire as a dependency. At this time also, Islam was introduced to Lombok and become the native’s religion up till now.
In the 17th century, Lombok was dominated by Balinese state of Karangasem and then continued by the Dutch. Lombok got its fully independence in 1949 became a part of the new province of Nusa Tenggara Barat (West Nusa Tenggara)

Geography
Lombok is a small island, which stretch just 80km from east to west and about the same distance from north to south. There are several clusters of small islands off Lombok’s coast, all called Gili, Sasak word means island. The best known islands are Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno which have relaxing white sandy beaches, calm and clear water, varieties of colorful fishes, and the best snorkeling and diving in Lombok.
Lombok is also dominated by Gunung Rinjani, Indonesia’s highest volcano. Rinjani crowns a group of mountains that dominate the north – central section of the island.

Population
Lombok’s population is just over three million, dominated by Sasak (90%) and the rest is Balinese and several number of Chinese, Javanese, Bugis and Arabs. The Sasaks are Muslim and have much common with the Javanese. They have spread over central and eastern Lombok. Most of the Balinese lived in the western part of Lombok.

Society
In Lombok, artistic activity is strong in certain village but rare in others. Cultural performances are far less frequent than in Bali. Dance and music are directly tied to cultural identity in Lombok and particularly custom relating to birth, circumcision, courtship, and marriage.
The large Balinese minority in western Lombok retain their temple festivals and performing arts only at the festival.

IJEN CRATER (KAWAH IJEN)

Ijen Crater (Kawah Ijen)




The volcanic cone of Ijen dominates the landscape at the eastern end of Java. Crater of Ijen is filled by a spectacular turquoise blue lake, its surface streaked in wind-blown patterns of yellow sulphur.

Kawah Ijen is the world's largest highly acidic lake and is the site of a labor-intensive sulfur mining operation in which sulfur-laden baskets are hand-carried from the crater floor.

Many other post-caldera cones and craters are located within the caldera or along its rim. The largest concentration of post-caldera cones forms an E-W-trending zone across the southern side of the caldera. Coffee plantations cover much of the Ijen caldera floor, and tourists are drawn to its waterfalls, hot springs, and dramatic volcanic scenery.











Tuesday, March 24, 2009

CHENG HOO MOSQUE

Cheng Hoo Mosque:
Islam, Java and Chinese Architecture

The Architecture of Muhammad Cheng Hoo Mosque, which located in Gading Street Surabaya, is enough artistic. It is built by allying Islam culture, Java, and Chinese that predominated by green color, turned yellow, and squeezed. The form of the building is typical of Chinese with 'Joglo' Java. This is show tightly between Chinese cultures and Java, which have intertwined since former. Cheng Hoo is also inspiration name of 'Admiral Cheng Hoo', which become a Moslem when admission to Majapahit empire. The Chinese Moslem community had built this mosque wish to remind again that Chinese also propagates Islam taught.

Cheng Hoo Mosque inspired from Niu Jei Mosque in Beijing, China, being built in 996 A.D. But, the development of new Cheng Hoo mosque executed by 10 March 2002 and opened in 13 Octobers year past. As a whole, the mosque is capable to accommodate 200 pilgrims, fairish 21 x 11 meters with main building 11 x 9 meters

This mosque building has eight sides on the top building. The third measure or number is having separate meaning. Numeral 11 symbolizing new Ka'bah measure that just built. Numeral nine is depicting 'Wali Songo' as Islam spreader in Java Island. While figure of eight symbolize pat kwa that mean luck or glorious.

The historian Sie Hok Tjwan have ever written, before arrival the colonialist from Europe, the relation of Chinese with resident in Indonesia region don't show race problem. Islamic Religion in Java and in Palembang, South Sumatra, finite Sambas in West Kalimantan come it from China. The concept is Islam-Hanafi. The Mosques in upstate Java Island are clearly showing China architecture.

Sie Hok Tjwan tell, in 1451 Bong Swee Ho is coming Champa built the Islamic center in Ngampel, East Java, for local resident. Bong Swee Ho is hereinafter known as 'Sunan Ngampel'. Bong Swee Ho's son named Bong Ang is one of 'Wali Songo' titled 'Sunan Bonang'. The Empire enforcer of Islam Demak, Raden Patah (Jin Bun), also a Chinese or Chinese - Indonesian (TNA/Mohammad Khodim and Winanto)
This religious service place is expected can become unifier media for 'mualaf' from Chinese ethnical. Because, many 'mualaf' from Chinese, who still hesitating to implement religious service together.

This mosque is built to memorized China Soldier to believe in Islam who first entrance to Indonesia, namely 'Laksamana Cheng Hoo'. 'Cheng Hoo arrival is the evidence that Islam is not new thing for Chinese public. Even, before Java admission Islam, this religion particularly come step to China.