Wonderful Indonesia beckons visitors

Indonesia is beautiful, diverse and sometimes daunting,




At less than three km long and two km wide, Gili Trawangan is one of three small islands off the northeast coast of Indonesia’s Lombok Island; while ‘gili’, if you are interested, simply means ‘small island’ in Sasak, the language spoken by most people in Lombok.
Blessed with spectacular white beaches, turquoise waters, coral reefs teeming with marine life, and picturesque silhouettes of Lombok’s Mount Rinjani mirrored on turquoise waters, Gili Trawangan is easily reached by speedboat from Lombok.
An exhilarating 15-minute ride gets your adrenalin pumping as you reach its shores and step back in time into an island that’s home to a mere 2,000 residents, with not a single car, bus or motorbike in sight.
In fact, all you will see are horses and carriages, bicycles and boats, which are the sole means of transport within and to the island.
Once there, you can dive into azure blue waters, snorkel, go canoeing or banana boating, play beach volleyball, ride a horse, go fishing or cycling: the “party island” as it is known locally is a paradise for those who love nature and water sports.
But even if you don’t dip a single toe into its alluring waters, Gili Trawangan offers an exquisite respite from the daily grind of the Gulf. Coming to the island in the midst of a hectic four-stop tour of Indonesia, I was more than content to do a Shirley Valentine and relax at the Hotel Vila Ombak, which was playing host to our group of journalists from the Gulf.
After a refreshing welcome drink accompanied by a cold towel to dab away the sweltering heat, we were escorted to our rooms or “hideways” which open out into a private backyard where one can bathe under the sun or stars! And though Gili Trawangan does not have much fresh water, the hotel thoughtfully provides “sweet” water in a pitcher to rinse the salt away once you’ve showered.
The hotel also has a spa which blends Indonesian and Western treatments while a diving academy and water sports hut are on hand for the more adventurous.
Eager to explore the island, I jumped onto a horse-drawn carriage called a cidomo for a bumpy tour which took all of 45 minutes, trundling though mostly virgin terrain before going on to look around the shops along the stretch near the hotel.
Gili Trawangan is also perfect for romance: the setting sun and a dappled sky streaked in pink and indigo created a magnificent backdrop for a wedding held under a canopy on the beach as fireworks lit up the night sky.
Indonesia is keen to attract more Middle East visitors to Lombok, which is predominantly Muslim. The island now has a new airport at Praya in the south and is seeking investors to develop the neighbouring region as a tourist destination.
Indonesia’s cultural diversity is proudly portrayed in its numerous museums in Jakarta, ranging from one that depicts Indonesia in miniature to a museum that displays the various gifts from foreign leaders to Suharto, who was the second president of Indonesia, to a martial arts museum and Bayt Al Quran, which houses a collection of old Korans.
Located to the southeast of the city, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park) lets you see the archipelago in one day, showcasing Indonesia’s 27 provinces and their outstanding characteristics, portrayed through the various architectural styles of each province.
The Cultural Museum is housed in an impressive replica of a temple in Bali and its highlights include a remarkable display of wedding outfits and an insight into the various traditional ceremonies.
No visit to Jakarta is complete without a trip to the National Monument, a gold-covered obelisk topped by a flame symbolising the nation’s independence, but be prepared for traffic snarls.
The highlight of my trip was undoubtedly Bali but a 90-minute delay on a 20-minute flight cruelly robbed me of the opportunity to see the island at an earthly hour. Nevertheless, I pampered myself at the Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel, which lies bang opposite Kuta, one of Bali’s most beautiful beaches in Denpasar, the provincial capital and island’s largest city.
Located just 10 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport, the Discovery Kartika Plaza also has the local market and entertainment within walking distance. As a guest of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (MOTCE), I was allocated a beachfront villa which had two master bedrooms, a living room, kitchenette, private pool and 24-hour butler service.
With just three hours left after breakfast before we had to head for the airport, our ever-smiling guide Rihan let us indulge in acquiring tangible memories of Indonesia with a trip to a souvenir store before we settled down to an farewell meal of steamed rice in a banana leaf, roast chicken and fish served in the traditional basket.
Tourists to Indonesia should be prepared to take on the challenges of transportation, heat and humidity in their stride. Its airports are neither state of the art nor terribly efficient and if you intend to island-hop, leave plenty of leeway for delays. However, if you can overcome these hurdles, the country of emerald islands, turquoise beaches, clear skies and warm people is a diverse and exciting destination that will leave you enriched and wanting to return for more.












                                                                    



                                                           

At less than three km long and two km wide, Gili Trawangan is one of three small islands off the northeast coast of Indonesia’s Lombok Island; while ‘gili’, if you are interested, simply means ‘small island’ in Sasak, the language spoken by most people in Lombok. Blessed with spectacular white beaches, turquoise waters, coral reefs teeming with marine life, and picturesque silhouettes of Lombok’s Mount Rinjani mirrored on turquoise waters, Gili Trawangan is easily reached by speedboat from Lombok. An exhilarating 15-minute ride gets your adrenalin pumping as you reach its shores and step back in time into an island that’s home to a mere 2,000 residents, with not a single car, bus or motorbike in sight. In fact, all you will see are horses and carriages, bicycles and boats, which are the sole means of transport within and to the island. Once there, you can dive into azure blue waters, snorkel, go canoeing or banana boating, play beach volleyball, ride a horse, go fishing or cycling: the “party island” as it is known locally is a paradise for those who love nature and water sports. But even if you don’t dip a single toe into its alluring waters, Gili Trawangan offers an exquisite respite from the daily grind of the Gulf. Coming to the island in the midst of a hectic four-stop tour of Indonesia, I was more than content to do a Shirley Valentine and relax at the Hotel Vila Ombak, which was playing host to our group of journalists from the Gulf. After a refreshing welcome drink accompanied by a cold towel to dab away the sweltering heat, we were escorted to our rooms or “hideways” which open out into a private backyard where one can bathe under the sun or stars! And though Gili Trawangan does not have much fresh water, the hotel thoughtfully provides “sweet” water in a pitcher to rinse the salt away once you’ve showered. The hotel also has a spa which blends Indonesian and Western treatments while a diving academy and water sports hut are on hand for the more adventurous. Eager to explore the island, I jumped onto a horse-drawn carriage called a cidomo for a bumpy tour which took all of 45 minutes, trundling though mostly virgin terrain before going on to look around the shops along the stretch near the hotel. Gili Trawangan is also perfect for romance: the setting sun and a dappled sky streaked in pink and indigo created a magnificent backdrop for a wedding held under a canopy on the beach as fireworks lit up the night sky. Indonesia is keen to attract more Middle East visitors to Lombok, which is predominantly Muslim. The island now has a new airport at Praya in the south and is seeking investors to develop the neighbouring region as a tourist destination. Indonesia’s cultural diversity is proudly portrayed in its numerous museums in Jakarta, ranging from one that depicts Indonesia in miniature to a museum that displays the various gifts from foreign leaders to Suharto, who was the second president of Indonesia, to a martial arts museum and Bayt Al Quran, which houses a collection of old Korans. Located to the southeast of the city, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park) lets you see the archipelago in one day, showcasing Indonesia’s 27 provinces and their outstanding characteristics, portrayed through the various architectural styles of each province. The Cultural Museum is housed in an impressive replica of a temple in Bali and its highlights include a remarkable display of wedding outfits and an insight into the various traditional ceremonies. No visit to Jakarta is complete without a trip to the National Monument, a gold-covered obelisk topped by a flame symbolising the nation’s independence, but be prepared for traffic snarls. The highlight of my trip was undoubtedly Bali but a 90-minute delay on a 20-minute flight cruelly robbed me of the opportunity to see the island at an earthly hour. Nevertheless, I pampered myself at the Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel, which lies bang opposite Kuta, one of Bali’s most beautiful beaches in Denpasar, the provincial capital and island’s largest city. Located just 10 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport, the Discovery Kartika Plaza also has the local market and entertainment within walking distance. As a guest of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (MOTCE), I was allocated a beachfront villa which had two master bedrooms, a living room, kitchenette, private pool and 24-hour butler service. With just three hours left after breakfast before we had to head for the airport, our ever-smiling guide Rihan let us indulge in acquiring tangible memories of Indonesia with a trip to a souvenir store before we settled down to an farewell meal of steamed rice in a banana leaf, roast chicken and fish served in the traditional basket. Tourists to Indonesia should be prepared to take on the challenges of transportation, heat and humidity in their stride. Its airports are neither state of the art nor terribly efficient and if you intend to island-hop, leave plenty of leeway for delays. However, if you can overcome these hurdles, the country of emerald islands, turquoise beaches, clear skies and warm people is a diverse and exciting destination that will leave you enriched and wanting to return for more. 



15 destinations ruined -or about to be- by touristic activities.

“Travel and the freedom of movement are some of the great equalizers in the world. It allows people to discover different cultures, to learn about exotic places and grasp the grand scheme of Earth’s entwined ecology. But as we explore the Earth, we must remember to tread lightly. Tourism is good for people, but it isn’t always good for the landscape. Some of the most beautiful places in the world are being marred by too many visitors. Here’s our list of the top 15 travel destinations being ruined by tourism. 

1. Machu Picchu

Perched high in the Andes Mountains of Peru, this “lost city of the Incas” remained hidden to the outside world until 1911, when historian and explorer Hiram Bingham was led there by local Quechuas. Since then, hundreds of thousands of visitors have flocked to Machu Picchu every year, threatening the fortitude of the ancient ruins. For this reason, UNESCO has recently considered putting Machu Picchu on its List of World Heritage Sites in Danger.

2. Great Barrier Reef

The world’s largest reef system can be seen from space and is home to billions of organisms. The Great Barrier Reef is also one of Australia’s most spectacular attractions. Despite its massive size, it’s also exceptionally fragile. Vast tracts of the reef have become bleached by pollution and the abuses of too many tourists, and a recent oil spill has decimated the ecosystem. Without proper care, the Great Barrier Reef could disappear within a generation.

3. The Galapagos Islands

The unique biodiversity of the Galapagos Islands inspired Charles Darwin to conceive the theory of natural selection. Today, thousands of tourists flock there annually to retrace his footsteps, but this island habitat is extremely sensitive to outside pressure. In 2007, UNESCO added the Galapagos Islands to its World Heritage Sites in Danger List.

4. Teotihuacan

Teotihuacan is the most visited archaeological site in Mexico and one of the most important representations of ancient civilization. As a result, the ruins have been trampled on for millennia. Today the site is under increased threat from development. In 2004, Wal-Mart Stores opened a branch there, building a large store within the archaeological zone of the park.

5. Antartica

This massive continent to the South is largely uninhabited, and that’s part of its allure. It is a top item on many an adventure traveler’s wish list, and the continent is beginning to feel the outside pressure. (Cruise ships regularly visit its shores.) Antarctica has a fragile ecology, including many native animal species that are sensitive to change. Perhaps it’s best to leave at least one of the world’s seven continents alone.

6. Masai Mara

The Masai Mara in Kenya, the northern continuation of Serengeti national park, is one of the most storied large game reserves in Africa. Unfortunately, it is also losing animal species at an unprecedented rate according to a 2009 study. An average day for a big cat in this reserve means being almost constantly surrounded by tourists on safari.

7. Angkor Wat

With its classical style Khmer architecture, Angkor Wat is one of Cambodia’s largest tourist attractions. The ancient structure even appears on the Cambodian flag. Although tourism helps pay for restoration work, it is a double-edged sword — wear and tear from the annual flood of visitors threatens the integrity of the ancient structure, and graffiti is evident on some of the walls.

8. Stonehenge

Known for its mystical design, Stonehenge is one of the most visited ancient structures in Europe. Over the years, the stones have been disrupted by restoration attempts and disrespectful tourists. The site is also threatened by several major roadways that are dangerously close.

9. Mount Everest

Once a forbidding place scaled only by the most daring explorers, Mount Everest today is littered with trash from invading visitors. Straddling the border between Nepal and Tibet, the area is a place of great spiritual and cultural value. Today, garbage on the mountain includes climbing equipment, food, plastics, tins, aluminum cans, glass, clothes, papers, tents and even the remains of failed adventurers.

10. Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is widely considered one of the great architectural achievements in human history. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, and it is visited by millions of tourists every year. But local development and the onslaught of visitors are taking a toll. Pollution, mostly from the nearby Yamuna River, has even been turning the Taj Mahal yellow.

11. Phi Phi Islands

The islands came to worldwide prominence when they were featured in the 2000 British-American film “The Beach” (to this day, filmmakers are being blamed for damaging the local environment), and today they are one of the major destinations for visitors to Thailand. This picturesque place still has pristine beaches and clear water, but it may not have them for long if resort development and travelers continue to flock here en masse.

12. Ngorongoro Crater

Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Crater is one of Africa’s geological and biological treasures. This large, unbroken, unflooded volcanic caldera has provided a natural enclosure for a wide variety of wildlife, making it an ideal location for conservation efforts. Unfortunately the enclosure also leaves wildlife with no escape from the barrage of tourists who flock here to enjoy the crater’s mystique and beauty.

13. Cozumel

Mexico is a popular tourist destination for many American tourists, which has been a burden and a boon — at least for local ecosystems. Known for its beautiful beaches and tropical reefs, Cozumel was once a peaceful place until docks were built for cruise ships. Today the fragile reefs are threatened from pollution from development, and Cozumel is beginning to lose its pristine mystique.

14. Great Wall of China

Many sections of China’s Great Wall have fallen into disrepair because of the scores of tourists who walk along its walls annually. Many parts of the wall have been marred by vandalism and graffiti. In certain regions, the Great Wall has been destroyed to make way for development.

15. Bali

Bali’s delicate island ecosystem is under threat from continued encroachment. Situated at a point where Asian mainland ecology transitions to the ecology of the Pacific Islands, Bali is under threat of increased deforestation, as the area makes way for the tourism industry and Indonesia’s growing population. Non-native animals and plants also threaten this biological jewel.