Jakarta International JAVA JAZZ FESTIVAL 2012 promises to be the biggest show in 8 years

The biggest Jazz Festival yet in its 8 years history, and one of the largest in the world, the Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival 2012 is about to take on the Metropolitan capital of Indonesia by storm, drawing crowds not only from the city but also from throughout the archipelago and neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore. Java Jazz will be held at the Jakarta International Expo, Kemayoran, Jakarta from 2 to 4 March 2012. At a press conference held on 15 December 2012, Peter Gontha Chairman and founder of Java Festival Production (JFP) promised that this year’s staging will be the biggest in 8 years. The same promise was given by t JFP president director, Dewi Gontha, stating that even though the concept remains similar to that of last year but its execution will be better and on a much grander scale. As promoter and organizer, JFP has this year prepared 18 stages as platform for over 1500 artists in about 80 slots per day. Confirming its magnitude, this year’s Festival will be decorated with a stunning lineup of the world’s finest jazz musicians. For the special shows there will be living legend Herbie Hancock , Pat Metheny and Al Jarreau, with each scheduled to perform twice. Erykah Badu has also confirmed and is ready to join the special show lists. Aside from these names, some other giants have confirmed, including saxophonist David Sanborn and Dave Koz, Bobby Caldwell, Bobby McFerrin and son, the beatboxer Taylor McFerrin, keyboardist Joey DeFrancesco, the phenomenal vintage-funk/avant groove group Medeski Martin & Wood and two jazz contrabassists Ron Carter and Rodney Whitaker to join drummer Carl Allen. Bobby Caldwell, who will also collaborate with Laura Fygi and Swing Out Sister in their own Special Big Band Project. The Manhattan Transfer will repeat their magic in the third consecutive year. For Latin Jazz fans, there will be the amazing female percussionist who played often with Prince in the 80s, Sheila E and also Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band. Other international jazz maestros include: Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Chris Standring, Duwende, Mamas Gun, Quincy Jones Presents: Alfredo Rodriguez Trio, Mayer Hawthorne, Ron King Big Band, Barry White Show & The Pleasure Unlimited Orchestra, Depepapep, Soil&’Pimp’ session, and many more. Probably the most anticipated performance for this year’s Java Jazz Festival is the appearance of the legend of Music: Stevie Wonder. Although according to www.javajazzfestival.com Stevie Wonder is still listed as Pending Final Confirmation, but through his tweeter account Peter Gontha has confirmed that Stevie Wonder will perform live at the Java Jazz Festival on Sunday, 4 March 2012, as reported by tempo.co. From Indonesia’s own music scene, many great artists will join in as well, from established groups, legends, and special projects or collaborations. According to Eki Puradiredja, music director of JFP, the selection process for the Indonesian lineup is still running and there will be 110 Indonesian bands to perform this year. Names already confirmed include: Barry Likumahuwa Quintet, Sandy Winarta Quartet, Monita Tahalea Quartet, Abdul and The Coffee Theory, Dwiki Dharmawan & Sa'unine String Quartet, Maliq & D'Essentials, Soulvibe, and many more. Uniquely enough, Sudjiwo Tedjo, the eccentric Indonesian artist will put a unique performance of songs and poems. Some very interesting tributes to highlight are: Tribute to Utha Likumahuwa, Dira Sugandi sings Billy Holiday, and Benjamin S (the legendary Jakarta multi talented artist) on Jazz. Since Indonesian musicians nowadays perform more frequently at jazz festivals around the country and collaborate in jam sessions, in addition to launching their own albums, an event of the caliber of the Jakarta International Djarum Super Mild Java Jazz Festival 2012 will be the pinnacle opportunity for them to give the best of their creativity. Undoubtedly, each group will compete to attract festival goers to fill the area in which they perform. Aside from being the largest jazz festival in Indonesia and one of the largest in the world, the Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival 2012 is the scene for Indonesian groups to draw the attention of the world. As the lineup gets more and more impressive every year, Indonesia has firmly established itself in the world music map. Turning Jakarta into the capital of Jazz, the Java Jazz Festival is constantly committed to promote Indonesia through music, making it truly a Mecca of Jazz. As the stages are being set up, and more artists are filling the lineup, bear in mind that this spectacular music scene only comes once a year. Be there! More information at: http://www.javajazzfestival.com/

Cendrawasih Bay National Park

Cendrawasih Bay or Cendrawasih Bay National Park in Papua, including the largest national park in Indonesia and the sea is one of the best dive sites in the archipelago. Consists of plains and coastal areas, islands, coral reefs and sea, spacious park covers 1,453,500 hectares. Garden of Cendrawasih Bay combine with the mangrove ecosystem of coral reefs, islands and tropical forest ecosystems. This park is a colony of black coral, blue coral and soft coral. The park is famous for its 209 species of fish that make this park as their habitats, among them the butterfly fish, damselfish fish and parrot fish, while molluscs are found here including the triton trumpet, large shells and conical shells. From Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Makassar or take a flight to Jayapura and Biak to Manokwari or Nabire. From Nabire use long boat to park on the island Rumberpon, which takes about 5.5 hours. To visit the park, please contact the official in office: Road Trikora Wosi Rendani, PO Box 220 98 312 Manokwari, West Papua Tel.: 62-986-212212 Fax: 62-986-212437 Email: btnc [at] manokwari.wasantara.net.id The best time to visit this park is in May and October.

Indonesia Tourism Awards (ITA) 2011

Indonesia Tourism Awards (ITA) has been going on for a third time and aims to encourage the leaders of the regions (provinces, cities and counties) as well as the tourism industry to continue to improve and enhance creativity in providing the best service to domestic tourists (wisnus) and foreign (tourists ). ITA is the result of a survey in the Indonesian tourism industry as well as recognition and appreciation to those who excel.

List of award recipients Indonesia Tourism Awards 2011.

Best Provincial Tourism Development:

Bali
Jakarta
Yogyakarta

Cities with the Best Service (for tourists):

Malang, East Java
Denpasar, Bali
Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi

Favorite Travel Destination City:

Raja Ampat, West Papua
Denpasar, Bali
Badung, Bali

Favorite Travel Destination:

Waisai beach, Raja Ampat, West Papua
Tanah Lot, Bali
Park East Java, East Java

Tourism Special Awards:

Sawahlunto, West Sumatra
Province of the Pacific Islands

Tourism Industry category:

Best Five Star Hotels: Hotel Mulia Senayan
Best Four Star Hotels: Santika Premiere Jakarta
Three Star Hotel of the Year: The Aroma's Kuta
Best Restaurant: Bandar Jakarta
Favorite Mall: Plaza Senayan
Favorite Mall Outer London: Paris van Java, Bandung
Favorite mall outside Java: Ska Mall

Favorite Full Service Flight:
Garuda Indonesia

Aviation Economic Services Tervaforit:
Sriwijaya Air

Favorite Travel Agents:
Panorama Tour

Favorite Taxi Fleet:
son

Favorite Spa:
Javana Spa

Favorite Golf Course:
Royale Jakarta

World Class taste Cashew Nuts in Wolowaru

Cashew harvest season on the island of Flores as a party that had just finished. The soil surface covered with thousands of cashew nuts fell on them no time to accommodate the farmers who harvest overwhelmed. Flores not only mahsyur as cocoa, hazelnut, coconut, cinnamon, mango, or coconut, cashew nut because even thrives on infertile soil ditingalkan rain for 10 months.

In various villages along the way seems clear Cross-Flores is a part of tree crops and protector who grew up in the yard. Look on the ground not far from the tree, cashew fruit-studded as if no longer able to be utilized because it is so abundant.

Unique morphology of the island of Flores has made the rain just stopped for 2 months in a year. Perhaps precisely because the character of the soil so that the nuts are seeds from the fruit sticking jambunya feels more dry and crunchy. There is a savory taste like crackers who want to keep mashed in the mouth.

All that can be obtained be tasteful food after going through the process of cashew nut processing in Wolowaru, about 65 kilometers from the city of Ende. The village is probably no more popular than Moni separated by only a distance of about 30 kilometers to the hill climb. But in this village, cashews found a sojourn before being exported to various cities in Indonesia, even abroad.

The quality of cashew nuts from Wolowaru really do not have to be questioned again. This type of grouping tepilih peanuts are beans organic and non-organic. Processed cashew nuts that fall from the tree only. Seen that the selection process was aided by the raw materials of nature.

Certification bodies which come from Europe each year will know for sure where that falls from the tree and which are picked. Harvesting is definitely violating the selection process. All this is a rigorous process for the European market demands quality.

European societies such as Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, and France, as well as the United States, Japan, Singapore, and Australia, admitted that Flores cashew nuts is the best product, much better than Africa and India.

Prices of raw materials both organic cashews certainly higher than non-organic. One kilo of processed organic cashews that have been packaged seasoned and ready then the price is much higher in the market. As an illustration, per kilo packet of cashew nuts ready to eat could reach Rp 140,000.

A resident of East Java named Cahyo saw this opportunity and he pioneered the cashew nut processing business in Wolowaru. With cashew nuts accommodate from suppliers all over the island of Flores, particularly from cashew plantations in Ile Padung, Larantuka, Cahyo utilize land that is not too broad as the household industry. Cashew nuts are still bandaged harsh skin drying on cement floor pan where the motor park and store flower pots. From the edge of the road, this place is almost invisible because the fortified grocery shop and a restaurant named Warung East Java.

A windowless room in the back of the stalls packed bag of cashew nuts that are dry and ready to broken skin. Crammed with bags, table facing walls packed with nearly a dozen workers who work on each task. Among them there is a swinging lever-breaking skin cashews and other nuts that have been assigned to clean skinned.

The division process beans, sorting, and cleaning through several stages. From start to finish cleaning, as if making a very valuable small items. Plastic gloves and wear muzzles so that employees would not adakontaminasi in packaging. Fun, visitors can see all of these processes including the following taste test.

This process is long because it has been determined by inspection and certification body of Swiss specifically examine the cashew nut processing called the IMO (International Marketecotologi). Every year, this agency come and check out all the processes including basic materials and facilities.

In addition Wolowaru IMO certified, plantation in Ilepadung, Larantuka was certified since 2005. When the involvement of specialized agencies already exist in the treatment process so no need to doubt that Flores cashew nuts, especially in Wolowaru is processing food that is definitely high quality.

In fact, cashew nuts do contain some nutrients that are very useful components for the body. Cashew nut consumption helps increase endurance because there is a 33 percent rate the nutritional adequacy (RDA) of zinc element. In addition, cashews can reduce feelings of depression because there are amino acid tryptophan which can be overcome by grief, and increase the sensation of spirit. Cashew nuts also may protect aging skin and reduces risk of cavities.

Economically, this cashew nut processing businesses have absorbed a lot of manpower and a source of household income even regions. Inevitably, a local community development organizations participated assist this effort to improve the economy Flores society at large.

Chopsticks Borneo International Tournament Held

Singkawang in West Kalimantan is believed to hold the first International Tournament Borneo Chopsticks (IBOST) 2011, at 18 to 21 November next.

This international event, according to Chief Disbudpora Singkawang Indari Lies, followed by approximately 200 athletes from foreign countries, including Malaysia, the Netherlands and the United States.

Sports chopsticks itself a part of everyday society Borneo. In Central Kalimantan chopsticks even included as one of the local content lessons in schools. Since the first, chopsticks are used primarily by traditional Dayak tribe as a weapon for hunting and tembaknya distance can reach 200 meters. "Through this contest international chopsticks, chopsticks, we develop the sports media in addition to hunting," said Hasan Karman, Mayor Singkawang.

Regional Secretary Singkawang, Syech Bandar also explained, Singkawang selection as the venue does not necessarily. Achievement of a nationally organized several events, like Festival Singkawang few moments ago, is seen to factor consideration.

While the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Nirwandar, expressing that the event can also promote local tourism.

"Because this event was first addressed in Singkawang, we will do everything possible," said Lies.

There are several categories that will be contested the championship chopsticks individuals, teams, and children. Interestingly, during the race, participants are required to wear traditional clothes.

Not only that, the tournament chopsticks will also be enlivened by various cultural performing arts, music, folk market, to film screenings, all highlight the uniqueness of Borneo or Kalimantan.

Bandar Lampung City Sightseeing

I arrived at the hotel with soaking wet conditions. The city is quite heavy rain. I immediately entered the room and bathroom. I clean the shower bags and direct check-out. I plan on this afternoon is a tour in the city of Bandar Lampung. The first thing I did was look for lunch. I go to a mall in this city. Located not far from the hotel which I inapi. I chose to eat at fast food restaurant because I think the place is quite comfortable and I already know the price range. After lunch I headed to a supermarket to buy some food typical of Lampung for souvenirs.

Done with the affairs of the stomach and souvenirs I headed to one of Belfast City landmarks, namely the Elephant Monument Adipura. Located just down the road Radin Inten at a major crossroads in the city. The journey to this monument I see a statue of a bride and groom who wore traditional clothing typical of Lampung. Then I continued on toward the Gulf Betung. FYI, the city of Bandar Lampung was a composite of two cities, Cape Coral and Gulf Betung. Betung Gulf as its name is located closer to water than to Cape Coral.

I continued my journey and meet a large mosque. The mosque is named the Great Mosque of Al-Furqaan Bandar Lampung. I spend here before midday prayers. Finished praying, I moved on. My next goal is a monument which is a form of warning Krakatoa eruption of this mountain top. Monuments in located close to the Office of the Governor of Lampung. I use my mobile phone maps and facilities during this trip. I keep going to move my legs to reach it. Quite tired but definitely fun, hehe.

After about walking for 45 minutes finally met also with the Office of the Governor of Lampung. Many people who relax there. The young and old playing together playing with their children. I continued walking towards the Krakatau Monument that is located not far from here. About five minutes, I finally arrived at a park in the middle there is this Krakatau Monument. The atmosphere in the park is quite crowded by young anakn are running around. Menlihat completed this monument, I plan to rest for a while to kill time to wait for the bus Damri tonight. I ride public transportation to the Jalan Radin Inten.

Waiting time is approximately four hours. I decided to go to the bookstore. Leave my bag and read-read books in this bookstore. I think it's been a while I read, but still three hours more time to the pool Damri. I am out of the bookstore to carry out the prayers. Finished praying, I am looking for a nice place to eat. Quite a lot of time staring I do, finally at eight o'clock I took my bag at the bookstore and walked to the Station Cape Coral.

Bandar Lampung pretty quiet at night. On the sides of the road opened nonpermanen stalls that sell a variety of cigarettes and drinks, ranging from energy drinks and liquor. About twenty minutes walk, I arrived at Station Cape Coral. There have been many people there. They have the same goal as me, Damri to climb to Jakarta. Wait a minute, my bus finally arrived at this pool. I went inside and did not wait long. Closed his eyes and relaxes the muscles because really tired of my adventures during the day in this city. Pak bus driver gear and move forward. Experience that is very, very precious to me. Good bye Float, Earth Ruwa Jurai!

Jogja Java Carnival 2011 confirms Yogya As a City of Culture

Jogja Java Carnival (JJC) in order HUT-255 to the city of Yogyakarta on Saturday (22/10), confirming the existence of the more valued as a cultural city of Yogyakarta. Conceptually, JJC this year raised the power of tradition that is embedded in the old city of Yogyakarta.

Similarly, the Governor of Yogyakarta, Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, expressed as JJC opened in the plaza north of Yogyakarta. "The hope JJC can confirm the character of the city of Yogyakarta as a condition characterized by cultural values​​," said Sultan.

Sultan said the event was JJC add more cultural harmony and tolerance between communities. Multiculturalism was, he added, should continue to be upheld for the harmony for all parties.

He also added, in order to be more colorful and Yogya become livable cities, the arrangement must always involve the community.

Meanwhile, Mayor Herry Zudianto said also that the JJC into a creative arts event that demonstrated the potential of Yogyakarta culture to the world. 2000 both local and foreign artists involved in the JJC. "This is evidence of art and culture are universal to language and communication without borders," he said. In accordance with the theme this time is taken JJC, Magniworld (Magnificent World) or the wonders of the world.

(Read: Wonders of the World Present at Jogja Java Carnival)

Herry explained, packaging carnival this year did not exist in the previous administration. The presence of technology, the composition of shapes, colors, light fused together in an artistic manjadi interesting.

JJC is a carnival activity vehicle that had been held for the fourth time that each peak of Yogyakarta Anniversary celebration in October.