Borobudur : A Wonder of Indonesia History

The magnificent temple of Borobudur is the largest monument of the Buddhist world, an ancient site widely regarded as one of the seven wonders of the world. Built in the 9th century, the reign of the dynasty Syailendra the design of the Temple of the architecture reflects the influence Gupta India on the region, however, there are enough scenes of Indians and the elements incorporated to make only Borobudur Indonesia . This imposing monument is truly a marvel. After a visit here will understand why Indonesia's most visited tourist attraction and a famous icon of the cultural heritage of Indonesia.

 Located on the island of Java, the temple sits majestically on a hill overlooking lush green fields and distant hills. It covers a huge area, measuring 123 x 123 meters. The monument is a marvel of design, decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. The stone architecture of this temple has no equal. And it was built without using any cement or mortar! The structure is like a huge set of interlocking Lego blocks together without any glue.

The temple has remained strong even through ten centuries of neglect. It was rediscovered in 1815, buried under volcanic ash. In the 1970 the Government of Indonesia and UNESCO worked together to restore Borobudur to His Majesty the former restoration took eight years to complete and now one of Indonesia's Borobudur and the world's most valuable treasures.

The temple is decorated with stone carvings in bas-relief images representing the life of Buddha. Commentators say this is the largest and most complete set reliefs in the world Buddhists alike in artistic merit.

 This monument is both a sanctuary for the Lord Buddha and a Buddhist pilgrimage site. The ten levels of the temple symbolize the three divisions of the cosmic system of religion. When visitors begin their journey at the base of the temple, make their way to the top of the monument through the three levels of Buddhist cosmology, Ka your Madha (the world of desire), Rupadhatu (the world of forms) and Arupadhatu (the world of the report). When visitors walk to the top of the monument guides the pilgrims the past 1460 narrative relief panels on the wall and balustrade, the.

 All the monument resembles a giant stupa, but seen from above forms a mandala. The great stupa at the top of the temple is 40 meters above the ground. The main dome is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues seated inside perforated stupa.

Historians suggest that Borobudur's name comes from the Sanskrit "Vihara Buddha Uhr" or "Buddhist monastery in the mountains

Lake Sentani : Introduction to Spectacular Papua

Travel within Papua can be relaxing when it started with a visit to Lake Sentani, brighter scenic beauty of water located near Jayapura, capital of Papua. The stillness of the water is calmer, evoking a particular wonder whether a lake should actually be in paradise. The Cyclops Mountains covering the north and lush vegetation as a backdrop, safely protecting the twenty-four villages surrounding the lake. People here are friendly and creative carving its reputation among the best boat builders in the land of Guinea.

To best experience the thrill of sailing on the lake, rent a motor boat available in one of the villages. The guide has taken you on the overnight bus from Jayapura will show you where to get one of the canoes. Experience the thrill of being caressed by the warm breeze, while the acceleration in the lake, the picture of the houses on stilts, meet local people and make friends with your guide, and finally, boldly brag about it in travel blogs.

Sentani Lake and the surrounding area was once the field of training for amphibious aircraft landings. It was built by the Japanese and captured by the U.S. Army in 1944. History of the American war, General McArthur said to have been set in the lake and its islands 22, and came with his victory in island-hopping strategy.

Living as farmers, and the location near the capital of the province, are reasons why most of the population around the lake you can visit. stilt houses with pools and landscape networks are commonplace. The lake is home to at least 33 species of fish, of which almost half of them are native. Sawfish (Pristis microdon) was the headquarters of the lake, is now said to have been extinguished. This fish is one of the indigenous motifs found in Sentani woodwork. Hang one of these elements in the wall as a brand that has been dramatically made in the wilderness of Papua.

The Island of Flores

Flores is a most fascinating and beautiful island. Long hidden in the shadows of its more famous neighbor Bali, the island of Flores is finally emerging as a unique destination of its own.  So, after visiting the lair of the Komodo dragons, take time to marvel at some of the wonders of Flores.  Here you can swim in pristine lakes and waterfalls, dive at one of the 50 spectacular dive sites, go kayaking among craggy coasts and mangrove shores, explore mysterious caves and be warmly welcomed by the island’s people in their rituals, dances and daily life.

Flores spells adventure, diving, eco-tours, and mountain climbing interspersed with visits to prehistoric heritage sites, traditional villages and cultural events.   

Until recently, many tourists have only been familiar with Labuan Bajo, the small port located on the western-most tip of the island, and  the taking off point for a visit to the last natural habitat of the prehistoric Komodo dragons, the islands of Komodo, Rinca and Padar.

Situated in the province of East Nusatenggara, Flores is a long island that contains some of the world’s best kept secrets. A chain of volcanoes stretches the length of this 450 km long and narrow island, creating complicated V-shaped valleys and knife-edged ridges - terrain that was near impenetrable until recently and has separated the island into many distinct ethnic groups.

Administratively the island is divided into 8 districts; West Manggarai, Manggarai, East Manggarai, Nagekeo, Ngada, Ende, Sika and East Flores. Further east are the adjacent islands of Alor and Lembata.

 Here you will find some of the world’s most exotic underwater life.  Diving in the pristine seas of Komodo, divers find themselves swimming along with huge manta rays, dolphins and dugongs, while whales can be seen passing Flores’s east coast during their migration period.

The island itself is surrounded by sparkling white beaches, where one beach even has pink sand.   Mt. Kelimutu, near the town of Maumere, has three different coloured lakes that can change colour from time to time.

Besides Komodo dragons, Flores has been in the world’s limelight with the discovery of the Flores hobbit, or homo floresiensis, a new hitherto unknown prehistoric human species, whose remains were found in the caves of Liang Bua.

This island is indeed ancient, having been untouched for centuries, once inhabited by prehistoric men and still living prehistoric animals, as well as containing remnants of a petrified forest.  

At the easternmost tip of the island, Larantuka is famous for its Easter-week rituals that still continue the old Portuguese traditions brought here some 500 years ago. While at adjacent Lembata , islanders hunt whales manually, harpooning precariously from small boats.  

To find the map on locations of attractions, what to see and do on Flores you can follow this link

For continuous update on developments and attractions on the island of Flores please click:

www.florestourism.com/newsletter.