Borneo or Kalimantan Elephant is known as  small elephant, smaller in size than its kind. They have rounder body, long tail that it touches the ground , big ears and more straight ivory than the elephant species. Yet in Kalinatan Island, they are the biggest mammals.

According to local story, Kalimantan elephant was originally a domesticated elephant from Jawa in the 17th Century and then it was released to Kalimantan Island and they breed until today. According to WWF, the species were isolated for 300 thousand years from Asia elephant family. Their dna structure changed. And the assumption that it was descendant of Jawa elephant is not confirmed as Jawa elephants have been extinct long time ago.

The Borneo Pygmy elephant can grow 2-3 meters and can only weight about 3-5 tons only unlike other species. The elephant can  run 43 km  per hour and they can swim through rivers easily. Their life span range from 55 to 77 years old.

The Floating Market is the icon of Banjarmasin city. It was established in the 18th Century when Banjar Sultanate reigned. It was situated at Kuin River which flows to Barito River, largest river at the South Kalimantan. Kuin River Floating market still exist today.

Rivers are indeed an important part of Banjar people. They have been used as transportation lanes and also site of trading. The houses, mosques, warung (food stall) are built along the edge of river. Land lanes are not used maximum as the area are peat and swamp areas. And yet, as more rapid development of construction, roads, and minimarts, Kuin Floating Market is not as vibrant as long time ago, there are less transaction on the river and the market only open from dawn to seven in the morning.

The famous floating market now is Lok Baintan Floating Market, where visitors can experience groceries shopping on water. The market was also established during Banjar Sultanate. The river is located at Martapura River and can be reached about 30 minutes by klotok boat from the city of Banjarmasin. Lok Baintan Floating Market starts from 6 to 8 AM, therefore visitors must depart at 5 am from Banjarmasin city. Along the boat trip we can see activities of the locals such as locals bathe and wash clothes.

There are various daily commodities to be traded in Lok Baintan floating market, such as vegetables, fruits, cooking oil, eggs, chicken, fish, sugar and etc. In the past they bartered goods.

Sebangau National Park is one of National Parks in Kalimantan Island, administratively, the National Park is located in Katingan, Pulau Pisang and Palangkaraya region. It was officially appointed as National Park in 2004.

The National park is located in the midst of peat swamp forest and it becomes one of the main attraction of the National Park. The National Park has pristine nature. Bukit Batu is one of place you can visit, and this view point overlooking at Sebangau National Park for vast wide jungle landscape. At Bukit Bulan (Moon Hill), travelers can hike to the peal to see swamp forest and granite rocks at the foot of the hill.

Sebangau National Park is where rivers stream and as well where crystal clear fresh water lakes can be found. The locals call the lakes as Lake Bulat, Lake Panjang and Lake Panggualas. Those lakes are rich of fresh water life. The rivers streams through the National Park : Sebangau River and Katingan River, Kahyangan River and Koran River that is knows as black river.

Main attraction at Sebangau National ParK :

RESORT MANGKOK : Is located at Pulau Pisang area, and its main attraction is peat swamp rehabilitation by building canal blocking. The canal blocking was built to wet the region during dry season. Visitors can do birding or as well wildlife observation in the resort.

PANGGUALAS is located in Baun Bango region of Katingan Regency. This place has boat and guesthouse for visitors and wildlife can be observed here are orangutan, bekantan and owa.

KORAN RIVER is where visitor can experience trekking in the forest and also observe wildlife such as orangutan, phytons and also other wildlife. Koran river has black water as it contains tannin that is produced by peat swamp. The river base is peat swamp and the tannin mixed with the water for million years. The water tastes a bit bitter. Here visitors can hire motor boat or kelotok at Kereng Bangkirai harbor to cruise the river.

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The Sebangau National Park situated in Central Kalimantan and it is one of the last remaining peat swamp forests in Borneo. The forest is the home of thousands of orangutans, the largest population of wild orangutan in the wild, and there are 13 endangered species in the National Park. The forest is also rich of plants species.

The National Park is available for trekking activities which is available Bukit Bulan (Moon Hill). Visitors can see the swamp ecosystem and granit rocks which can be observed at Bukit Kaki (Foot Hill). Because of the dry area at granite rocks, the vegetations here are unlike the surrounding.

Sebangau National Park is also the home of fish which live in crystal clear lakes. There are several Lakes in the National Parks : Lake Bulat, Lake Pungguannas, Lake Jalan Pangen and Lake Panjang.

If you love bird watching, Central Kalimantan is also the habitat of various birds species.

Exploring Koran River in the national park can be a challenging and learning experience about tropical forest. The river is black as it contains tannin from the peatland that mixes with river water. The depth of the river ranges from 1-17 meters.

This region is located not far from Semarang, the capital of Central Java. Locals know the region as the birthplace of RA Kartini, the pioneer of woman emancipation.
According to word of mouth, the wood carving community has been existed since Kalinyamat Kingdom era in the 16th Century. Carver made wood carving products to supply the palace. After the era of Kalinyamat Kingdom, the carving declined. And in the period of RA Kartini, in the end of 19th Century, when Kartini promoted the craft products to locals and her friends abroad.
Locals made statues, carved furniture, doors decoration and other home decorations. The carver also update their works to more modern decoration that makes their products loved by younger generation.
Now Jepara has exported furniture products to more than 100 countries. Buyers can find huge selections of crafts, furniture with various style. Not only from woods, Jepara also produces furniture from other materials, such as seagrass, rattan, and water hyacinth.
Buyers can order furniture as per their preferences for their homes, hotels or stores.
If you are looking to visit Jepara, for business trip and leisure, please feel free to contact us.

Wonosobo is one of my favorite place to visit and enjoy mountain area. It is known for Dieng Plateau for its nature beauty consists of craters, volcanic lake and Hindu temple complex from the 9th Century. It has some mountains as well that is popular among hikers, especially for Mt Sindoro, Mt Sumbing and Mt Prau.
I took one day with my family visiting some off the beaten path of Wonosobo. We did it in slow pace in the sunny day during the rainy season.

NATURAL POOL
The place is a little bit hard to find. The road to the village is narrow and some steep, and recommended for MPV vehicle only, not for bigger vehicle. The pool can be reached by walking about 10 minutes only from where our car park.
The pool is crystal clear with school of fish swimming around. It is definitely swimmable. And if you love taking pictures, it is also instagrammable place. The farms located nearby the pool must be amazing when rice paddies grow.
I met a little girl with natural dreadlock hair which locals called as gembel hair. His father says she has not has request for anything, so a ritual to cut her hair has not been held yet.

There is no sign we can find. It is not well developed, that i really like. And from 10 am there is warung where visitors can buy drink and come snacks.

LAKE MENJER
This lake is beautifully mystical for me. It is so big and uses to generate electricity. Boating around the lake with motor bamboo raft is what i like to do here. Even when there are mists around, boating is enticing. It is like sailing through the serenity.

KAHYANGAN SKYLINE
It is actually a view point above Lake Menjer where visitors can enjoy lake view in a more comfier ambiance and as well enjoying meals. It is good for day out with family and friends.

SIKARIM WATERFALL
Located some about 30 minutes drive from Dieng Plateau, this waterfall is worth a stop. Waterfall is ribbon type waterfall that slide along rock. Best time to visit is during

Contributor : Lindy S

To visit off beaten path places of Wonosobo or Dieng Plateau please contact us at javagetaway@gmail.com

Krishna Resto Garden
This restaurant is located right in the middle of the city and set in a large garden area with Indonesian and also local menus. If you stay in hotel in the city, you can enjoy strolling around the city while walking to the restaurant. IG @KRISHNARESTOGARDEN

Dewani View
If you are from Jogja, this restaurant is located before entering the city. There are wide selections of menus here. There are some tables located outdoor that you can enjoy the air of Wonosobo while enjoy your food. On weekends sometimes there is live music held here. The restaurants has large capacity, airy and spacious. IG : @DEWANIVIEW

Asia Restaurant
This is one of the oldest restaurant here, very popular for its Chinese menus. It has served foreign travelers for many years. Located right in the middle of the city, only you must beware of the parking area. The foods are delicious.

Hoka Hoke Warung
This warung is if i can say a boutique warung. It has only six tables. The interior is mix of vintage and the walls are decorated with simple green tropical murals. Its is clean, also provide sink to wash hands at the entrance. It is a hidden gem for locals. It has only some menus, meatball soup, chicken noodle, chicken with hot chilly sambal. The price is unbelievably inexpensive, very affordable. One thing that i very rarely see in small restaurants or warung is that the kitchen area is clean and visible by guests.  Definitely worth to try if you visit Wonosobo or Dieng. INSTAGRAM @HOKAHOKEWARUNG

 

Lotus Restaurant
This seafood restaurant is located in the city. It has large parking area. Suitable for lunch with friends and family. I feel the ambience is very comfy and clean.

Kelapa Gading
This seafood restaurant is Wonosobo locals favourite place to eat. The menus are delicious and perfect for locals taste. It has large area. Good to bring kids also as kids can play swings and as well enjoying the garden and the pool. Guest can choose normal seats or lesehan (sitting on mat). IG @RM.KELAPAGADINGWSB

 

Mi Ongklok
This is special culinary of Wonosobo. It is a must try food for non locals. Mi Ongklok is noodle menus and served with beef satay and local fried dish called tempe kemul. Popular Mi Ongkok restaurant is sold for generations on warung, small foodstall, not in restaurant. Some recommendation of Mi Ongklok food stall : Mi Ongklok Pak Muhadi, Mi Ongklok Bu Umi, Mi Ongkook Longkrag, Mi Ongklok CPNY.

Warung Joglo
Located on slope of Mt Sindoro. It has wide selection of Indonesian menus. The restaurant is airy. The restaurant is set on Joglo House, traditional house of Java.

Rumah Makan Harmoni
It is easy to be found. Has large parking area suitable if you visit with groups. The menus are Indonesian, and its special menus is chicken taliwang. It has also Wonosobo local snacks store, if you want to bring them home for friends and family.

 

Trip ini akan membawamu menikmati pesona sunrise dari Bukit Sikunir, salah satu sunrise terindah di Indonesia. Kemudian kamu juga akan diajak keliling Dataran Tinggi Dieng dengan situs Candi tertua di Pulau Jawa, dan keindahan alam berupa tegada dan kawah. Trip ini berangkat dari Surabaya, sangat cocok apabila kalian berasal dari Gersik, Sidoarjo, dan Mojokerto.

Jadwal Perjalanan:
Hari 1: SURABAYA-DIENG (Snack Awal Perjalanan, Makan Malam Box)
16.00 : Berkumpul di Meeting Point Taman Bungkul Surabaya
17.00 : Berangkat menuju ke Wonosobo via Toll SOKER. Makan Malam box

Hari 2: SUNRISE SIKUNIR- DIENG TOUR- SURABAYA (Makan Pagi Prasmanan, Makan Siang)
03.00 : Berjalan sekitar 30 menit ke View Point Sikunir
06.00 : Mengunjungi Batu Ratapan Angin untuk melihat Telaga Warna dan Telaga Pengilon dari atas bukit dan kemudian masuk kawasan Telaga dengan goa goa, situs bersejarah dan hutannya.
08.00 : Mengunjungi Kawasan Kawah Sikidang dan Komplek Candi Arjuna dan Mata Air Bimolukar yang dipercaya sebagai mata air pertama Sungai Serayu.
11.00 : Makan Siang dan Berbelanja Oleh Oleh Khas Wonosobo
13.00 : Kembali ke Surabaya
22.00 : Perkiraan tiba kembali di Surabaya

Paket Termasuk:

• Kendaraan dari dan ke Surabaya
• Tour Leader
• Local Guide Dieng
• Makan Sesuai Program
• Shuttle Dieng
• Tiket Masuk
• Parking/Tol

Exclude :

• Travel Insurance
• Belanja Pribadi

Yang perlu dibawa:

• Sepatu Kets
• Baju hangat
• Senter
• Surat Vaksin

I have known Maslihar for years, and sometimes visit his home , located about some fifteen minutes drive from the city of Yogyakarta. He has dedicated his life to the art world and creates beautiful pieces. Few days ago I visited him again.

He chose to study art at SMSR after junior high school. Initially it was because he did not want to be an engineer. Yet after graduating from SMSR, he decided to be professional artist. He then continued his study at Indonesian Institute of Art (ISI) in Yogyakarta.

He describes his art consists of decorative and abstract figurative. He engraves his piece of work with some vibrant and bright colors to create more lively pieces that will give positive feelings to him and people who see them. He believes that his artworks are prayers, that these could make good things happened. He added that at least an art is entertaining. He defines art as sharing happiness and art delivers message from the artist to the world.

Maslihar uses various material for his works, such as pencils and thick paint. His current works are more into pop art that also can be enjoyed for young people. He is still very active making more entertaining and happy pieces and share them to the world through exhibitions up today.

His home and studio are located some minutes apart. If you are art lovers or collectors interested to join Yogyakarta Fine Art Tour and visit Maslihat aka Panjul, feel free to contact us.

Yogyakarta known as the city of education and city of culture. And it is also the barometer of Indonesia art and as well Asia leading art center. Yogyakarta has some well-known art festivals that makes it the destination to art lovers, collectors and gallerist from around the world. Music, drama, fine art and other forms of arts are developing and evolving in this city. There are some great artists from Yogyakarta that are already well noted in the artworld such as Affandi, Bagong Kusudiarjo, and WS Rendra.

The atmosphere of art in Yogyakarta has very deep root that drives the handicrafts industry. Its handicraft products have been marketed to other regions in Indonesia or for foreign market.

ARTJOG is the biggest art event in Indonesia. Artlovers, artists, gallerists, curators, collectors and art critics flock too Yogyakarta for this event. It is held usually around July-August when galleries and art centers have art-related activities such as exhibition, dance performance, music performance, film screening, workshop and discuss

Art lovers, artists and collectors are beginning to flock to Yogyakarta for Jogja Art Weeks. The annual event held every May and June sees local galleries and art centers simultaneously holding art-related activities such as exhibitions, art performances, music performances, film screenings, discussions and art workshops.