Travel & Tourism : Kawah Putih (White Crater) - Beautiful Volcanic Crater in West Java, Indonesia

Kawah Putih (English: White Crater) is a striking crater lake and tourist spot in a volcanic crater about 50 km south of Bandung in West Java in Indonesia.

Kawah Putih lake (7.10° S 107.24° E) is one of the two craters which make up Mount Patuha, an andesitic strato volcano (a "composite" volcano). Mt Patuha is one of numerous volcanoes in Java. Kawah Putih crater lake itself represents a relatively stable volcanic system with no records of significant activity since around 1600.

The Kawah Putih site was opened to visitors in 1987. The lake is 2,430 meters above sea level so the local climate is often quite chilly (temperatures are frequently around 10 degrees celsius). This makes a brisk change from the humidity of the north Java plain and the capital city of Jakarta. Kawah Putih is a sizeable highly acid lake (pH 0.5-1.3) which changes colour from bluish to whitish green, or brown, depending on the concentration of sulfur and the temperature or the oxidation state. The sand and rocks surrounding the lake have been also leached into whitish colours through interaction with the acidic lake waters (with possible mineral precipitation as well).

The surrounding area is heavily forested. There is a pathway down to the lake which is surrounded by the high walls of the crater nestling into the side of Mt Patuha. The smell of sulfur is strong because there is a good deal of steam and sulfurous gas bubbling from the lake. There are tracks around the lake and through the nearby forest including to the peak of Mt Patuha. Visitors can walk around the crater area or sit in the various shelters. Local plants not widely found in lower altitudes in Java include javanese Edelweiss and Cantigy (Vaccinium varingifolium). Animals and birds which may be spotted include eagles, owls, monkeys, mouse deer, and forest pigs. Panthers, leopards and pythons have also sometimes been seen in the nearby forest.

A range of simple facilities exists near the lake. There is ample parking and public toilets. Entrepreneurial vendors sell trinkets and food. The site is well-signposted. Local farmers often take the opportunity to sell strawberries (widely grown in the area), steamed corn, and various other items such as pumpkin seeds (pepita).

Kawah Putih and the surrounding area (where there are resort facilities such as hot spas) is a popular spot for people from Bandung. On weekends and on holidays, quite large numbers of Indonesian tourists visit Kawah Putih. The site is so far less well-known to international tourists. According to Perhutani staff at the site, up to 10,000 people might visit on busy holidays and the total number of visitors is perhaps 300,000 per year.

Access is gained from the left of the main road travelling south by entering the park and proceeding along a 5 km access road. Travel time from the centre of Bandung, depending on traffic in and around Bandung, is perhaps two hours. The turnoff from the main road to Kawah Putih is hard to miss: there is a large signboard to the left of the main road and a prominent entry gate. The entry facilities and the crater location are well-managed by staff from the state-owned forestry firm Perhutani.

The usual arrangement is for visitors to leave their vehicles in a main carpark at the entry to the site and catch one of the regular mini shuttlebuses (leaving every five minutes or so) for the 5 km to the crater. For Indonesian citizens, the cost of entry to the site (October 2011) is Rp 15,000 plus Rp 5,000 for the return minibus ride (total of Rp 20,000, around $US 2.20). Charges for foreign visitors are slightly higher. Visitors who prefer to drive in their own vehicles up to the crater must pay a significantly higher charge (Rp 150,000, or $US 17 per vehicle plus tickets for passengers). Tickets are issued by Perhutani staff and include insurance while at the location.

The main road is the busy road south from Bandung through the town of Soreang, the capital of the Bandung District, continuing down through the crowded Pasir Jambu township. Minibuses ply the route southwards from Bandung and, depending on traffic, can take up to two hours to reach the entrance to the Kawah Putih area. There are many thousands of small market-crop farmers in the fertile valley to the south of Bandung which leads up towards the Kawah Putih area. Local food-crops grown include a wide range of fruits and vegetables. A strawberry industry is well-established in the area and many strawberry farms have fruit for sale along the side of the highway.

Accommodation is available at various hotels in the Patuha area close to the nearby town of Ciwidey and also in Soreang.

Travel & Tourism : Parangtritis Beach, The Most Exotic Beach in Jogjakarta

Parangtritis is located 27 km south of Yogyakarta and easily accessible by public transportation that operate up to 17:00pm as well as private vehicles. The afternoon before sunset is the best time to visit this most popular beach in Yogyakarta. But if you arrive sooner, it will not hurt for going up to Tebing Gembirawati (Gembirawati cliffs) behind this beach. From there, we can see the whole area of Parangtritis Beach, southern sea, up to the horizon.

Not many people know that on the east side of this clifft, hidden temple ruins. Unlike the other temples located in a mountainous area, Gembirawati Temple is only a few hundred meters from the edge of Parangtritis Beach. To reach this temple, we can pass road uphill near the Hotel Queen of the South and then go down the path to the west for approximately 100 meters. Faintly roar of the ferocious waves of the southern sea could be heard from this temple.

Parangtritis Beach is very closely related to the legend of Ratu Kidul (Queen of South). Many Javanese people believe that Parangtritis Beach is the gate of Ratu Kidul’s magical kingdom who controls the southern sea. Hotel Queen of the South is a luxurious resort that is named according to this the legend. Unfortunately the resort is now rarely, whereas it used to have a view that could make us breathless.

When the sun is leaning to the west and the weather is sunny, it is time for having fun. Although visitors are prohibited from swimming, Parangtritis Beach is not lack of the means for having fun. On the beach there is ATVs (All-terrain Vehicle) rental, the tariff is around Rp. 50.000 to 100.000 per half hour. Enter its gear and then release the clutch while pulling the gas. Brrooom, four-wheeled all-terrain motorcycle will be raced bringing you across the sand beach dune.

Well, ATVs may only be suitable for those who are more adventurous. Another option is the carriage. 

Walking along the sand surface that is smoothly swept by the wave with two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage is no less enjoyable. The carriage will bring us to the end of the east coast of Parangtritis Beach where the cluster of rocks that is so beautiful , so it is often used as the spot of a pre-wedding photo shoot. The dim twilight and golden shade of the sun on the water surface more raise a romantic atmosphere.

Parangtritis Beach also offers the excitement for those who travel with family. Kite-flying with your child is also enjoyable. The strong sea breeze is very helpful to make a kite flying high, even if you've never played a kite.

Still reluctant for going home even though the sun had set? Soon, some roasted corn sellers will hold a mat on the beach where we can hang out there until late at night. Still do not want to go home? Do not worry, in Parangtritis Beach, there are tens of inns and accommodations available at an affordable price.

 

Motor Matic Injeksi Irit Harga Murah - Yamaha Mio J

Mencari Motor matic berteknologi injeksi yang irit bahan bakar dan berharga murah (ekonomis) merupakan solusi terbaik bagi konsumen sepeda motor yang ingin meletakkan nilai efisiensi sebagai prioritas utama. Faktor ini seakan tidak bisa ditawar. Apalagi isyu peningkatan harga bahan bakar dan pencemaran lingkungan sudah berada di depan mata.

Berbicara tentang motor matik injeksi irit dengan harga ekonomis maka pilihan terbaik akan jatuh pada produk sepeda motor terbaru Yamaha Mio J. Model terbaru yang telah tersedia di pasar nasional ini begitu unik dengan keunggulan sesuai tagline-nya "Semakin Cepat Semakin Irit...It’s Magic."

Keunik Mio J saja sudah dimulai dari namanya. Huruf "J" yang berada di belakang nama "Mio" merupakan awalan dari teknologi FI Yamaha yang disebut Yamaha Mixture JET-Fuel Injection (YMJET-FI).

Mio J Family

Kata kunci lainnya buat Mio J adalah friendly (bersahabat). Artinya Mio J mudah digunakan baik oleh pria maupun wanita dari segala usia, anak-anak sampai dewasa. Desainnya pun friendly, cocok untuk siapa saja karena tidak terlalu macho atau condong ke anak-anak muda.
Mio J mudah digunakan dan ketinggian jok rendah sehingga bisa mengakomodir siapa saja. Sudah menggunakan teknologi injeksi jadi tidak perlu membersihkan karburator. Servisnya pun cepat karena akinya kering, jadi tidak perlu dicek setiap minggu.

Untuk mereka yang butuh ruang untuk penyimpan barang tak perlu khawatir. Bagasi Mio J luasnya 8 liter, sehingga bisa menyimpan banyak barang seperti jas hujan, sepatu ganti dan tas kecil.
Pengguna Mio J juga tidak perlu sering-sering ke SPBU untuk mengisi bahan bakar karena besarnya tangki Mio J yang dapat diisi 4,8 liter bahan bakar. Keunggulan lainnya adalah mudah membawa boncengan karena joknya panjang.

Performa Mio J sudah pasti terjamin keunggulannya. Hal ini berkat diaplikasinya sederet terknologi terdepan Yamaha, yaitu diasil cylinder, forged piston, dan YMJET-FI. Jadi bukan berlebihan bila Mio J lahir sebagai motor matik performa tinggi secepat jet dan selincah Mio, didukung kemampuan irit dan awet.

Mio J Teen

 

Spesifikasi mesin Mio J menggunakan tipe mesin 4-langkah, 2 valve, SOHC, berpendingin kipas dan berkapasitas 113 cc. Mesin ini mampu menghasilkan tenaga hingga 7,75 PS di putaran 8.500 rpm dengan torsi puncak mencapai 8,5 Nm di 5.000 rpm.
Fitur penting lainnya yang terdapat pada Mio J adalah key shutter (kunci magnet) yang meningkatkan perlindungan sepeda motor dari aksi pencurian. Karena itu, ketika parkir Anda tak perlu lagi gundah.


Desain Mio J secara keseluruhan pun menarik. Update sesuai zaman untuk menyesuaikan dengan konsumen yang sudah cerdas dalam memilih motor. Desainnya mengambil aliran garis yang tidak terputus dari bodi depan ke bodi belakang sehingga menciptakan kesan harmonis. Sporty, canggih dan dinamis.

Permukaan bodinya tidak datar tapi memiliki sentuhan lekukan-lekukan yang menimbulkan efek bayangan bernuansa elegan dan berkualitas tinggi. Titik-titik menonjol Mio J secara keseluruhan dapat dilihat pada bodi belakang, spack board, leg shield dan head lamp.

Yamaha Mio J dihadirkan dalam dua varian Mio J Family dan Teen. Mio J Family berkarakter dynamic, sporty, elegan dan simpel. Ada 5 varian dengan warna putih, hijau, biru, hitam dan merah. Untuk varian Mio J Teen cocok untuk kalangan anak-anak muda yang ingin tampil lebih gaya, sporty dan dinamis.  Mio J Teen juga memiliki keunikan tersendiri dengan desain unik berdasarkan 3-tone color combination. Ada tiga warna dasar berbeda dalam satu produk itu, yang dapat dilihat pada cover depan dan cover head lamp, spack board depan, cover sayap samping dan cover body belakang, cover body bagian bawah.

Sumber : www.yamaha-motor.co.id

Whitney Houston.....We Will Always Love You....!

It has been confirmed by the Los Angeles police, Saturday (11/2/2012) local time, Whitney died in her room where she was staying at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills (California). But, the authorities had not released the information about cause of the death of woman who born in Newark, New Jersey (USA), August 9, 1963. Apart from it, relates to the Grammy Awards, Whitney has won six awards. Her first album, entitled 'Whitney Houston' which released in 1985, was nominated for the prestigious category; Album of the Year. She won her first Grammy award in that year for Best Pop Vocal Performance Female. She took home the trophy in the shape of the phonograph for her number one hit "Saving All My Love For You".

Her success continues until the mid-1990s. In 1987, she was nominated for Record of the Year with the song ' Greatest Love of All ' as well as being nominee and award-winning for Best Pop Vocal Performance Female, for the song ' I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) '. Later, in 1993 for the song entitled ' I Will Always Love You' which produced trophy Record of the Year, while the original soundtrack album of The film The Bodyguard, becoming Album of the Year.

Whitney Houston is one of the world's greatest pop singer of all time, sing a very strong and endure soundtrack for the past three decades, said President/CEO of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and (of NARAS), organizer of the Grammy Awards, Neil Portnow. A very strong voice graced many memorable and award-winning song. A light has dimmed in the music community we are today and we deliver our deep condolences to the family, friends, fans, and all who have been touched by her beautiful voice. Whitney...we will always love you!

Anggun - Echo (You and I) Live in Studio Recording Video

David Beckham: LA Galaxy vs Indonesia Selection Team

LA Galaxy star David Beckham, deeply impressed with Indonesia. According to former midfielder Manchester United and Real Madrid, Indonesian people are very friendly and pleasant.

Since coming, Indonesian people welcoming us with a incredible greeted, very warm, i love Indonesia, said Beckham in a news conference after the match between LA Galaxy with Team Selection of Indonesia in Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Wednesday 30 November 2011. Beckham coming to Indonesia as part of the Club LA Galaxy tour in Asia Pacific 2011. After Jakarta, Beckham and LA Galaxy will visit Manila, Philippines and Melbourne, Australia. In a friendly match with Indonesia Team Selection, LA Galaxy only win 1-0 from Indonesia. Galaxy goal scored by Robbie Keane in the first half. According to Beckham, Indonesia playing nicely. The players were tough and fast. He admitted that is difficult to develop games and scored more goals. In the match that Beckham appeared during the 84 minutes.

Johansson's Nude photos Circulated

Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson made dizzy by a number of nude photos of her that circulated widely on the Internet since Wednesday (09/14/2011) yesterday morning. At least two photographs of naked has been circulating so quickly. Not yet known who leaked personal photos of the party. Only, omissions have been made. From the photographs are outstanding, star of Lost in Translation was deliberately taking her naked pictures with my phone. One photo taken while lying on the mattress. While one other photo, she took with using a mirror so that the entire rear body looked intact.

Responding to the circulation of the photographs, the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) immediately perform an investigation. A source close to Johansson confirmed to TMZ that the police had been contacted to ask for Johansson photos horrendous. The FBI is currently pursuing perpetrators of other celebrities nude photos reportedly 50 U.S., including the artist Demi Lovato, Christina Augilera, Ali Larter, Miley Cyrus, Vanessa Hudgens on Jessica Alba. The FBI believes there is a criminal act behind the spread of the photographs. The FBI is investigating a person or group responsible for an incident involving a number of famous people, said Laura Eimiller FBI officials in Los Angeles.

Allegations of criminal motives became more powerful because Johansson nude photos appeared in the same week with the gossip that would release video footage between Johansson intimate with her boyfriend, Dean Martin, which will be released on September 20th.