International Naked Traveling

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2009-06-24T09:24:00.000+12:00

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Te Anau, New Zealand

2009-06-13T20:43:00.001+12:00

Te Anau provides a base for exploring parts of the Fiordland National Park one of New Zealand's greatest wilderness zones. From here it is an easy 2½ hour drive to Milford Sound and 20 minutes by coach to Lake Manapouri and the start of a Doubtful Sound excursion.

If it is serenity you are after, then the Doubtful Sound can provide the perfect place for quiet reflection amongst the fiord's rich flora and fauna. Milford Sound is spectacular regardless of the weather - the many waterfalls are in full force when raining, and on a clear day the reflections of Mitre Peak against the fiord's waters are outstanding.

Lake Manapouri and Lake Te Anau are ideal holiday locations for all seasons. During summer the lakes cater for all water activities and during the winter these houses are retreats from which to admire views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains.

(Source: http://www.holidayhouses.co.nz)

Stewart Island, New Zealand

2009-06-13T20:39:00.003+12:00

If you are interested in visiting one of New Zealand's most remote locations, then Stewart Island should be on your must do list. Its distance from anywhere means this untouched paradise has a very small population, making it perfect for those wanting a holiday away from civilisation. Stewart Island is accessed either by plane from Invercargill or by ferry from Bluff.

New Zealand's third largest island is almost totally made up of national park. Rakiura National Park covers 85% of the island leaving little space for habitation by human. Instead Stewart Island has become a haven for the kiwi and other native birds. One really special place to visit is Ulva Island, not too far from Oban, which is the main settlement of Stewart Island. Here you will see many types of New Zealand native birds - watch out for the cheeky weka.

Other than bird watching, other popular activities on the island include day walks - there are plenty of tracks accessible from Oban or go on a kayaking tour to explore the many coves and bays. Find a holiday house tucked into the bush to listen to the native bird song and make the most of being away from it all.

(Source: http://www.holidayhouses.co.nz)

Invercargill and Riverton

2009-06-13T20:28:00.005+12:00

Invercargill is New Zealand's southernmost and westernmost city and it is full of character. Its distance from other parts of the country has given the city its own distinct flavour that is hard to describe.

Finding a holiday home close to Bluff or in Invercargill is suggested for the opening of the oyster season or alternatively for the Bluff Oyster Festival each April. This annual event attracts oyster lovers from afar - here they can eat oysters to their heart's content along with indulging in great Otago wines and other tasty seafood dishes.

Just to the south of Bluff, a significant part of New Zealand is marked - the end (or beginning) of State Highway One at Stirling Point. Here a signpost shows the distance and direction to various major cities and locations around the world so it's a cool place to stop for a perspective on just where you are standing.

Riverton, a picturesque fishing village set on a small port, provides a small selection of houses ideal for a holiday by the sea.

Invercargill also has Burt Munro that well known as the fastest man from New Zealand. Herbert (Burt) James Munro (25 March 1899–6 January 1978) was a New Zealand motorcycle racer, famous for setting an under-1000cc world record, 183.586 mph (295.453 km/h), at Bonneville, 26 August 1967. This record still stands today. Burt Munro was 68 and was riding a 47-year old machine when he set his last record.

Working from his home in Invercargill, he worked for 20 years to highly modify the 1920 Indian motorcycle which he had bought in 1920. Munro set his first New Zealand speed record in 1938 and later set seven more. He travelled to compete at the Bonneville Salt Flats, attempting to set world speed records. During his ten visits to the salt flats, he set three speed records, one of which still stands today. His efforts, and success, are the basis of the motion picture The World's Fastest Indian (2005), starring Anthony Hopkins, and an earlier 1971 short documentary film Burt Munro: Offerings to the God of Speed– both directed by Roger Donaldson.

(Source: http://www.holidayhouses.co.nz)

Contact Us

2009-06-13T20:13:00.003+12:00

Website (blog) owner:

My name is Andoyo. I am student in Wellington, New Zealand. I was born in Blora, 22 February 1983. Blora is small town in Central Java, it is about 125 kilometers from Semarang. Eflita Meiyetriani is my lovely wife. Now we live in Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand.

I like New Zealand because this country has beautiful places, clear country and nice people every where. This is a combination of farmland and vast wilderness, modern city and old building, and delicious food we can find everywhere.

You would able to contact my self by email, please send the email or contact us at:

4/19 Drummond Street
Mount Cook Wellington
New Zealand 6021
Email: andoyoandoyo@gmail.com.

Southland and Fiordland

2009-06-13T20:03:00.003+12:00

Here lie New Zealand's southernmost lands - a combination of farmland and vast wilderness. Te Anau is the base from which you can explore Doubtful and Milford Sounds or find a lake side holiday house on the edge of Lake Manapouri. Alternatively Stewart Island, which is home to New Zealand's newest national park - Rakiura - is a perfect place for nature lovers.

Riverton, Bluff and Invercargill all provide intriguing places to stay on holiday - you are guaranteed a warm southern welcoming when staying here. With surrounding farms teeming with sheep and the seas with blue cod, a night out in a local restaurant is highly recommended.

(Source: http://www.holidayhouses.co.nz)

Southland, South Island New Zealand

2009-06-13T19:39:00.003+12:00

Southland is the part of South Island New Zealand, at the bottom of the island and close to Dunedin and Otago Peninsula.

More than one quarter of Southland is protected within the Fiordland and Rakiura National Parks, and numerous smaller parks and reserves. The rest of Southland is lush, green farmland with small and medium-sized towns scattered around. The southern coastline is a continuous parade of dramatic views, sandy beaches, rocky headlands and an incredible variety of marine and bird life.

Some of Southland’s more popular destinations have their own very informative websites. Click on these links to learn more specific information about Invercargill, Stewart Island, the Catlins, the Southern Scenic Route, Northern Southland, Fiordland and Western Southland.

Southland has experienced remarkable growth and development in recent years and boasts a range of world-class facilities, many initiatives of regional benefit and an expanding range of visitor attractions that feature some of the most distinctive landscapes in the country.

Farming, forestry and horticulture form the region's economic base, but Southland also has a diversity of manufacturing for export. It is one of the fastest growing tourist regions in New Zealand due to its unspoilt nature and wide recognition of it being a place to restore the soul. Southlanders are friendly, honest, hard-working and hospitable people - so come and find out about our many secrets that we would love to share with you.

The Karori Sanctuary, Wellington

2009-06-01T16:01:00.011+12:00

The Karori Sanctuary offer an opportunity to see New Zealand's rarest animal dan wildlife in its natural environment. Tucked away in a forrest-clad valley just ten minutes from Central Wellington. We can go there by hire a car or by cable car.

By bus is the cheapest choice, we can buy the day tripper ticket with five dollars New Zealand. Day tripper ticket is designed to give us freedom to go around Wellington by using one ticket. In every bus station we will able to get off and caught bus anywhere that we want by show the ticket to the driver.

The Karori Sanctuary is the place to protect original New Zealand wildlife. Kiwi is one of them. Tour provide us encounters with birds and reptiles normally just found on offshore island, and a chance to learn about unique vision to turn back the clock to the time before humans arrived.

Walking track is include a cruise accros the lower lake and change to look New Zealand's living dinosaur the Tuatara. The best time to running the tour is when darkness has settled, if we lucky we can see the New Zealand's national mascot, that is Kiwi. Over 100 Kiwi live in this park, so there is a good change of spotting one.

There are differences of price between day and night tours. We can go there in day time and the ticket to enter there only NZ$ 14, but in the night we have to pay more, Nz$ 60 to see Kiwi birds.

The Kiwi Bird, New Zealand's Native Bird

2009-06-01T14:47:00.005+12:00

Kiwi are the New Zealand's native bird, they are the national bird of New Zealand. Because of the name of the bird, New Zealanders or the people who live in New Zealand are well known as Kiwis.

The kiwi as a symbol first appeared in the late 19th century in New Zealand regimental badges. It was later featured in the badges of the South Canterbury Battalion in 1886 and the Hastings Rifle Volunteers in 1887. Soon after, kiwis appeared in many military badges, and in 1906 when Kiwi Shoe Polish was widely sold in the UK and the USA the symbol became more widely known.

During the First World War, the name "kiwi" for New Zealand soldiers came into general use, and a giant kiwi, (now known as th The Bulford Kiwi), was carved on the chalk hill above Sling Camp in England. Use has now spread so that now all New Zealanders overseas and at home are commonly referred to as "kiwis".

The kiwi has since become the most well-known national symbol for New Zealand, and kiwis are prominent in the coat of arms, crests and badges of many New Zealand cities, clubs and organizations. The New Zealand dollar is often offered to as The Kiwi.

Actually, Kiwi is the nocturnal bird. They get out from their nest and feed in the night. The national bird is a threatened species. Most New Zealanders probably have never seen a live kiwi, and if so it was likely in a kiwi house.

These bird is flightless, it was the main reason why they become rare easily. They are the endangered species in the world. To protect the endangered Kiwi, a number of trusts and protection program have been set up. These including in Karori Sanctuary, The National Park that was set up in Wellington. We can see them in The Karori Sanctuary at the night. The price to enter the park are NZ$ 60, not too expensive to see the endangered bird. The map explain about the habitat of Kiwi.

The Wellington Cable Car Museum

2009-06-01T14:30:00.003+12:00

The Cable Car is another of a series of sculptures crowning sculptural signs in the city. All the signs feature Wellington street maps and show the way to nearby attractions.

The Cable Car provides a unique form of transport to the city to the suburb of Kelburn and the top of the Botanic Garden. We are situated at the end of the Cable Car Lane off Lambton Quay in the heart of Wellington's Central Business District.

There are three intermediate stops. Clifton, leading to the Terrace and the Student Accommodation at Everton Hall. Talavera, the mid point of the track, where the cars pass each other. Salamanca, linking to the Victoria University and more student accommodation at Weir House.

The Wellington Cable Car Museum is located just a few metres from the cable car's upper terminus and from a lookout with spectacular views over Wellington, this museum tells the story of the country's only remaining public cable car system.

Visit us to catch up on the service's colourful history, marvel at the machinery in the old winding room or climb aboard one of the old grip cars.

The museum shop stocks a great selection of Wellington and New Zealand gifts and souvenirs as well as a range of specialist transport books, DVDs and models.

The Wellington Cable Car Museum has Qualmark endorsed visitor activity status and was the 2006 Tourism Industry award winner for visitor activities and attractions: culture and heritage tourism.

Source http://blandforddailyphoto.blogspot.com

The Mount Victoria Tunnel in Wellington

2009-06-01T14:13:00.004+12:00

The Mount Victoria Tunnel in Wellington is well known in Wellington as being the location of "the beeping game", in which motorists sound their horns as they go through the tunnel, often in response to the tooting of other drivers. This is particularly popular after 5pm on Friday nights. The white building above the tunnel is Wellington East Girls’ College..

The tunnel is 623 metres (slightly more than a third of a mile) long and 5 metres (16.4 ft) in height, connecting Hataitai to the centre of Wellington and the suburb of Mount Victoria, under the mount of the same name. It is part of State Highway 1.

The tunnel was built in 15 months by the Hansford and Mills Construction Company. The project cost around £132,000 and greatly reduced travel time between the Eastern Suburbs and the central business district of Wellington. Construction employed a standard tunnel-excavation technique in which two teams of diggers begin on either side of the obstacle to be tunnelled through, eventually meeting in the centre.

The initial breakthrough, when the two separate teams of diggers met, occurred at 2.30pm on 31 May 1930, and the first people to pass through the breakthrough were tunnellers Philip Gilbert and Alfred Graham. The tunnel was opened officially by the mayor of Wellington, Thomas Charles Hislop, on 12 October 1931.

Although the tunnel has been eclipsed in terms of features and amenities by more recent tunnels around the country, such as the Terrace Motorway Tunnel, the Mount Victoria Tunnel was the first road tunnel in New Zealand to be mechanically ventilated. Around 32,000 vehicles pass through it each day. The tunnel also accommodates pedestrians and cyclists, who use an elevated ramp on the north side of the roadway. In the late 1970s, a number of crime incidents resulted in an alarm system being installed based on buttons spaced along the length of the pedestrian ramp - the system was removed several years later, as it proved ineffective. Recent additions include new lighting, CCTV cameras, brighter cleanable side panels and pollution control. These have significantly improved safety in the tunnel.

There has been a long standing designation for a second parallel tunnel to the north, in order to relieve peak period congestion resulting from lane merges at both ends of the tunnel. A pilot tunnel was bored through in 1974 to investigate the technical feasibility and still exists, although the eastern end has been bricked up and the western end lies on private property. Plans to build the second tunnel paralleled the original plan to complete the Wellington Urban Motorway to the tunnel to provide a motorway bypass of the whole of central Wellington. The second tunnel component was shelved indefinitely in 1981 when budget cuts meant that a scaled-down motorway extension was proposed that would terminate at the existing tunnel.

The tunnel currently is a traffic bottleneck in the morning peak from around 7.30 to 9.00am on the Hataitai side with traffic sometimes backing up over 1 km and in the afternoon peak between 5 and 6pm on the city side with queuing back around 0.5 km. Buses to the eastern suburbs bypass this congestion by using the much older single-lane Hataitai bus tunnel.

Some interesting stuff

During World War II, the government planned to use the tunnel as an air raid shelter if Wellington were attacked. However, the plan was scrapped as the tunnel was thought to be too vulnerable to assault from either side by hostile troops.

A murder occurred during the construction of the tunnel. A young woman named Phylis Simons was murdered by her lover, who buried her in the fill from the tunnel. Police ordered workers to excavate the fill in order to find the victim's body.

Source http://blandforddailyphoto.blogspot.com

Wellington, Four Seasons in One Day

2009-06-01T12:42:00.011+12:00

Wellington is very unique city. It is known as "Windy City", because the wind blows strongly and every time. The weather also terrible, four seasons can happen in one day, winter, summer, spring and autumn. Very cold at the night, little bit cold in the morning, hot and sunny at noon and very shower or heavy rain in the evening.

We have to read the weather forecast every day that is published in newspapers, website and telephone. The forecast usually is provided for two or three days. We can use the forecast if we want to arrange activities.

In spring season, summer and autumn are the most interesting season in Wellington. Most of the restaurants, cafes, accommodation agents also offered open space to service the customers. The Cuba Street and and The Courtenay Place are the busy places in summer. There are many tourists and citizens spend much money in both of the places.

In winter, open spaces are not too busy. Many people do not like spend their time outside the restaurants and cafes. They will choose inside them to enjoy their lunch or dinner inside because it is warmer and more comfortable than outside.

However, some restaurants and cafes provide heaters outside in the open space. They install heater outside to service the customer if inside very full and busy. Wearing warm clothes and jackets are the most important thing to eat our dinner outside the restaurant or cafe.

The Weta Cave and Lord of The Ring

2009-05-10T21:17:00.004+12:00

Wellington was Production Central for the making of The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. Weta Cave is one of the place that was used as Wellington City film location and spellbound by the creative genius at the Weta Cafe.

Stunning views of the harbour and Wellington city from the top of Mount Victoria and the first filming location site used in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy.

Visit Weta Cave in Miramar and take a video tour of Weta. Weta workshop and Weta digital created special effect for the Lord of the Rings trilogy and many other movies.

Sources: www.lordoftheringstour.co.nz

Otago Peninsula, South Island New Zealand

2009-05-10T20:17:00.006+12:00

The Otago Peninsula (19.000 ha), stretching along the southern edge of the Otago harbour is an easy drive from central Dunedin. A wonderfully scenic trip will see you passing lush green pastures, small bays and inlets, sandy beaches, rugged hills and volcanic landforms. So near to major city centre, yet so far removed from the hectic pace of city living.

The Otago Peninsula is arguably New Zealand's most renowned eco tourism areas. There are unique opportunities to view a remarkable range of wildlife including Royal Albatros, blue penguins, and rare yellow-eyed penguins a variety of seals, water and wading birds.

Explore the Peninsula's well preserved, colourful history. Larnach Castle, Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens, Disappearing Gun and New Zealand Marine Studies Centre Aquarium are just some of the highlight of any visit.

Discover the talents of current resident when you visit the galleries, studio and craft shops that do the small township and bays.

Otago Peninsula's cafes and restaurants offer the great selection of fine cousine at reasonable prices and the opportunity to sample some of New Zealand's award winning Central Otago wines.

A variety of accomodation styles to suit all budgets is available on Otago Peninsula. Stay a little longer and enjoy the hospitality found at our bed and breakfasts, Farmstays, Homestays, Motels and self-contained units, Cottages, Backpakers, Lodges, and Camping Grounds.

A round tour of the peninsula is approximately 64 kilometers. You may choose to travel the harbourside road out to Taiaroa Heads and Return to Dunedin via high road. Highcliff Road offers magnificent coastal and city view as well as nummerous photo opportunites.

Sources: atoZ Visitor Guide 2009

The Waitaki Valley, South Island New Zealand

2009-05-10T20:01:00.004+12:00

The South Island of New Zealand always offers the interesting experience, one of the beautiful place is The Waitaki Valleys. Lets visit there and enjoy the natural place.

The Waitaki Valley is home to the Mighty Waitaki River and its tributaries. The river drives a hydro power scheme featuring a serius of dams and lakes. The Valley offers and array of outdoor activities including fishing, boating, camping, skiing, hunting, hiking, golf and gliding.

We also have opportunity to simply relax and enjoy the ambience at various villages. The Districts unique geological features are showcased at the Vanished World Centre and Trail at Duntroon which is also the gateway to the iconic Elephant Rocks and Dansey Pass.

Sources: atoZ Visitor Guide 2009

Indosiar Television Tower, The Tallest Tower in Indonesia

2009-05-02T17:15:00.003+12:00

The Indosiar Television Tower is a 395 m (1,300 ft) guyed mast used for FM- and TV-broadcasting in West Jakarta Indonesia, completed in 2006.

It is currently the tallest structure in Indonesia and the 8th tallest building in the world. It consists of a 375 metre tall lattice structure with a side length of 6.3 m (20.7 ft), which carries on its top a 20 m (65.6 ft) high TV-broadcasting antena.

The upper parts of the mast are guyed to a 120 m (390 ft) triangular lattice steel structure with a side length of 56 m (183.7 ft), which was built around the mast. This special design, which gives the tower a unique shape, was chosen because of the lack of space available on the site. Broadcasting is run by the local television station, Indosiar.

Source http://www.wikipedia.org

The Petronas Towers, Great Building in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia

2009-05-02T16:31:00.004+12:00

The Petronas Towers also known Petronas Twin Tower are the great building, their height reached 451.90 meters. This towers were the world's tallest building before being surpassed by Taipei 101 and The Burj Dubai.

The towers were built by Hazama Corpotation, Kukdong Engineering and Construction, and Samsung Engineering and Construction. It was designed by Caesar Pelli, the Argentine-American architect and completed in 1998 and become the tallest building in the world on the date of completion.
This skyscrapers is uniq because this buildings is connected by sky bridge between the two towers on 41st and 42nd floors, which is the highest 2-story bridge in the world. The sky bridge is 170 meters above the ground and the lenght of the sky bridge is 58 meters. Petronas Twin Towers are the tallest building in South-East Asia, there are no building equal with the towers in the regional.

Burj Dubai, The Talles Building in the World

2009-05-02T15:47:00.000+12:00

Did you know Burj Dubai?

Burj Dubai will become the tallest building in the world. The building is under construction at the moment, started in 2004 and it is expected will finish in 2009.

Located in Dubai, the capital city of Uni Emirate Arab, Burj Dubai has built by Emaar Properties. Burj Dubai is now taller than Taipei 101 in Taiwan, which at 508 meters (1,667 ft) has held the tallest-building-in-the-world title since it opened in 2004. Burj Dubai has now reached 141 storeys - more storeys than any other building in the world.

During its construction, Burj Dubai has left behind the skyscrapers that previously defined tall tower architecture around the world, such as Petronas Towers in Malaysia (452 meters, 1,483 ft); Sears Tower, Chicago (442 metres, 1,451 ft); Jin Mao Building, Shanghai (421 meters, 1,381 ft) and Empire State Building, New York (381 meters, 1,250 ft).

The Burj Dubai story is only beginning. The final height and number of storeys, a topic of enthusiastic debate among media and experts alike, has not yet been revealed. But from now on, the tower will set new records for its technical and architectural ingenuity.

When completed, Burj Dubai will have consumed 330,000 cubic meters of concrete, 39,000 metric tons of steel rebar and 142,000 sq m of glass – and 22 million man hours. The tower will have 56 elevators traveling at 1.75 to 10 meters/sec and double-Decker observatory elevators that can carry 42 people at a time.

More than 313,700 cubic meters of reinforced concrete and 62,200 tonnes of reinforcing steel have been used in the tower’s construction so far. Burj Dubai has already set a new world record for vertical concrete pumping for a building by pumping to over 460 meters (1,509 ft). The previous record of 448 meters (1,470 ft) was held by Taipei 101.

Reflecting a no-compromise approach to safety, Burj Dubai has been designed to manage the effect of wind and seismic movements. High-strength concrete makes up the tower’s super-structure, which is supported by large reinforced concrete mats and piles. The 80,000 sq ft foundation slab and 50-meters deep piling are waterproofed and feature cathodic protection.

Burj Dubai became the tallest building in the world in just 1,276 days; excavation work started in January, 2004. More than 5,000 consultants and skilled construction workers are employed on site, and the world’s fastest high-capacity construction hoists, with a speed of up to 2 m/sec (120 meters/min), move men and materials.

Anzac Day, 2.721 New Zealand and 8.000 Australian Soldiers Were Killed at Gallipoli

2009-04-26T23:09:00.000+12:00

25 April is the anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACs) at Gallipoli in 1915. Over 8.000 New Zealand soldiers were wounded at Gallipoli and 2.721 were killed by Turk soldiers. The Australian army also suffered heavy casualties: 26.111 were injured and 8.141 were killed.

The first Anzac Day took place on 25 April 1916. As time went on, the ceremony of remembrance was extended to the soldiers of the Second World War. It honours all New Zealanders and Austarlians who served in a military campaign.

When war broke out in 1914, Australia had been a Federal Commonwealth for only thirteen years. In 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of an Allied expedition that set out to capture The Gallipoli Peninsula, under a plan by Winston Churcill to open the way to the Black Sea for the Allied navies. The objective was to capture Istanbul, capital of the Ottoman Empire nd an ally of Germany. The ANZAC force landed at Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Turkish Army commanded by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

What had been planned as a bold strike to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stale-mate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915, the Allied forces were evacuated after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian and more than 2,700 New Zealand soldiers died. News of the landing at Gallipoli made a profound impact on Australians and New Zealanders at home and 25 April quickly became the day on which they remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in war.

Though the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives of capturing Istanbul and knocking Turkey out of the war, the Australian and New Zealand troops' actions during the campaign bequeathed an intangible but powerful legacy. The creation of what became known as an "Anzac Legend" became an important part of the national identity in both countries. This shaped the ways their citizens viewed both their past and their future.

Jalan Malioboro (Malioboro Street), Yogyakarta Indonesia

2009-04-26T19:31:00.000+12:00

Jalan Malioboro (Malioboro Street) is a major shopping street in Yogyakarta, Indonesia; the name is also used more generally for the neighborhood around the street. It runs north from the Yogyakarta kraton (palace) towards the roads that lead to either Surakarta to the east, or Magelang to the north, as well as Mount Merapi.

This is in itself is significant to many of the local population, the north south orientation between the palace and the volcano being of importance. The street is the centre of Yogyakarta's largest tourist district; many hotels and restaurants are located nearby. Sidewalks on both sides of the street are crowded with small stalls selling a variety of goods. In the evening several open-air streetside restaurants, called lesehan, operate along the street. Less obvious to the tourist, but more for the local population, side streets, lanes and structures that lead on to Malioboro are as important as the street itself. The street was for many years two-way, but by the 1980s had become one way only, from the railway line (where it starts) to the south - to Beringharjo markets, where it ends.

The largest, oldest Dutch era hotel, Hotel Garuda, is located on the street's northern end, on the eastern side adjacent to the railway line. It has the former Dutch era Prime Minister's complex, the kepatihan, on the eastern side.

For many years in the 1980s and later, a cigarette advertisement was placed on the first building south of the railway line - or effectively the last building on Malioboro, which advertised Marlboro cigarettes, no doubt appealing to locals and foreigners who would see a pun with name of the street with a foreign product being advertised.

It does not reach the walls or grounds of the Yogyakarta palace, as Malioboro ceases in name adjacent to the very large market Beringharjo (on the eastern side as well). From this point the street changes name and has on the western side the former Governors residence, and on the eastern side the old Dutch Fort Vredenburg.

Source http://en.wikipedia.org

Kasimbar Beach, Central Sulawesi

2009-04-26T19:15:00.001+12:00

Kasimbar is the little village in Parigi Moutong regency. It is beautiful village, mainly the beach and the coast line along the village. We have not to pay to visit there, it is free. The taste of the fish baked/roasted is one of the culinary experience that we have to try, very spicy and tasty.

Palu is the capital city of Central Sulawesi. The distance between Palu and Kasimbar are about 154 kilometers, it will take about two hours trip by renting a car in Palu. In Durian season, we can buy, eat and take away durian from the local farmers around Kasimbar.

Bunaken Island, North Sulawesi Indonesia

2009-04-26T19:09:00.000+12:00

The Bunaken National Marine Park was formally established in 1991 and is among the first of Indonesia's growing system of marine parks. The park covers a total surface area of 89,065 hectares, 97% of which is overlain by sparkling clear, warm tropical water. The remaining 3% of the park is terrestrial, including the five islands of Bunaken, Manado Tua, Mantehage, Nain and Siladen. Although each of these islands has a special character, it is the aquatic ecosystem that attracts most naturalists.

The waters of Bunaken National Marine Park are extremely deep (1566 m in Manado Bay), clear (up to 35-40 m visibility), refreshing in temperature (27-29 C) and harbor some of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world. Pick any of group of interest - corals, fish, echinoderms or sponges - and the number of families, genera or species is bound to be astonishingly high. For example, 7 of the 8 species of giant clams that occur in the world, occur in Bunaken.

The park has around 70 genera of corals; compare this to a mere 10 in Hawaii. Although the exact number of fish species is unknown, it may be slightly higher than in the Philippines, where 2,500 species, or nearly 70% of all fish species known to the Indo-western Pacific, are found.

On the island you have the choice amongst a number of homestays, with rates starting at around Rp. 80 000 per day and person incl. fullboard. If you only go for the cheapest option don't complain afterwards if the water in your mandi (bathroom) doesn't get filled up regularly, or food isn't quite as nice as you had hoped for. Life in North Sulawesi in general isn't as cheap as in other regions of Indonesia, and most things on Bunaken have to be brought in from Manado. Depending on the season even fish can be pretty expensive. Better think twice before you try to bargain down prices which are already cheap; for the locals it could mean the difference between being able to eat 3 or only 2 meals a day, or buying school books for the children or not.
Some of the dive operations on Bunaken are offering more upmarket accommodation, even hot showers (Living Colours, Cha Cha Nature Resort).

Original sources: Please visit this website if you like to go to Bunaken Island, http://www.sulawesi-info.com.

Mount Ungaran, Central Java Indonesia

2009-04-26T18:41:00.000+12:00

Mount Ungaran (Gunung Ungaran) is one of the most famous interesting mount in Semarang area. Located in Distric of Ungaran, very close to Semarang city. From Semarang, the trip to go to Mount Ungaran is about two hours by car. We also can go there by bus.

Gedong Songo Temple is the reason made Mount Ungaran become famous. The temple was built at the midle of the mount.

There are nine interesting temples that was built in Midle Ages. Accomodation surrounding this mount also provided, cheap and very close with the temples.

Riding the horse is the interesting experience that we can find around the temple. For this service, we only pay about US $ 10 perhours. Spent one or two night and sleep inside the tent is the best experience that we can do here.

Gunung Merapi (Mount Merapi), Java Island - Indonesia

2009-04-26T18:32:00.000+12:00

Mount Merapi (Gunung Merapi) is the most active volcano in the world, the meaning of the name is fire. This mountain located on the border between Central Java and Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta. It has erupted regularly since 1548.

Although smoke can be seen emerging from the mountain top at least 300 days a year, several eruptions have caused fatalities. Hot gas from a large explosion killed 43 people in 1994, mostly in the town of Muntilan, west of the volcano.

Another large eruption occurred in 2006, shortly before the Yogyakarta Earthquake. In light of the hazards that Merapi poses to populated areas, it has been designated as one of the Decade Volcanos.

Around the mountain there are many interesting places. Kali Kuning and Kaliurang is one of the most places that visited by many people from Indonesia, but if the mountain cough and smoke come out from the peak of the mountain, this places will be closed.

Mount Taranaki, Taranaki New Zealand

2009-04-26T18:21:00.000+12:00

Mount Taranaki or Mount Egmont is an active, but equiescent stratovolcano in Taranaki region on the west coast of New Zealand's North Island. The height of this mountain is 2518 meters. This mountain in one of the most symmetrical volcanic cones in the world. There is a secondary cone, Fanthams Peak, on the south side. Because of its rsemblance to Mount Fuji, Taranaki provided the backdrop for the Movie The Last Samurai.

Taranaki is geologically young, having commenced activity approximately 135,000 years ago. The most recent volcanic activity was a moderate ash eruption, of the size of Ruapehu's activity in 1995/1996, that occurred about 1755 and possibly in the early 1800s, and the last major eruption occurred around 1655.

Recent research has shown that over the last 9000 years minor eruptions have occurred roughly every 90 years on average, with major eruptions every 500 years.

Source: www.wikipedia.com

Wellington Mosque, Kilbirnie New Zealand

2009-04-26T18:06:00.000+12:00

Wellington Mosque is the central of moeslem activities in Wellington, New Zealand. This mosque located at 7-11 Queens Drive, Kilbirnie, Wellington. If we live or stay in Wellington, we can go there by bus about 20 minutes trip from Wellington City.

Every Friday there are many nationalities doing Friday Prayer in this mosque such as Arab, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, and many nationalities that have Islam as religion. We can connect each other with many nationalities differences.

After Friday Prayer, most of the moeslem buy what they needed in Pake n Save, Woolworth, and some of the department store around the mosque.

Goa Terawang (Terawang Cave), Blora - Central Java Indonesia

2009-04-26T18:00:00.000+12:00

It is a set of caves that consist of 6 caves in one area. The whole area has a 13ha in size with 1 (one) main cave, 1 (one) lake, and 5 (five) smaller caves as the attractions.

These caves are located 32km to the west of Blora downtown or 107km from Semarang. The road access going there is smooth and well asphalted. It can be reached from Semarang-Purwodadi-Wirosari to Kunduran and right in the intersection of Puskesmas (Health Clinic Operated by Government) Kunduran take a left turn for another 8km.

Another way to reach this caves are taking a minibus Blora-Todanan route (easy to find during day time) Terawang Cave has a cool, fresh air and beautiful forest scenery. During the dry season its temperature are 21 celcius degree while most part in Java is already climbed up for exceeding 35.

This cave diameter is range from 3 to 18 meters. It is quite a long cave and the length even almost 600 meters long.

Sources: www.javatourism.com

Botanical Garden, Wellington NZ

2009-04-13T18:06:00.000+12:00

Karori Sanctuary, New Zealand

2009-04-13T18:02:00.001+12:00

Colossal Squid, The Biggest Squid in Wellington

2009-04-06T07:21:00.000+12:00

During the few weeks of summer in 2007, Antarctica fisherman caught a colossal squid, the largest ever discovered. This provided the very first opportunity for scientists to study the oceans most elusive predator, by freezing the specimen until they can get to New Zealand’s national museum, Te Papa. Getting the Squid there is only part of the journey as they also have the massive task of de-frosting it correctly in order to be able to ultimately study the first in tact sample of a colossal squid! Join the team of specialists as they prepare to undertake the first scientific investigation ever of an adult colossal squid.

The 2007 female colossal squid is the most massive invertebrate ever discovered, weighing in at 495kg. It is 4.2 metres long and holds the record for the world’s largest eye measuring 27cm in diameter. The colossal squid was landed by the New Zealand fishing vessel, the San Aspiring, in the Ross Sea in 2007 and gifted to Te Papa by the Ministry of Fisheries. Stored for a year in a freezer in Te Papa’s Tory St facility, it was defrosted in April 2008 and examined by a team of international scientists, with marine biologist Dr Steve O’Shea (Director, Earth & Oceanic Sciences Research Institute, Auckland University of Technology and Colossal Squid expert), leading the way.

The only colossal squid exhibit in the world (www.tepapa.govt.nz/squid) is now open at Te Papa in Wellington. The 495 kilogramme, 4.2 metre female colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni), the most massive invertebrate ever examined, will be on display at Te Papa for three years. Admission to the exhibit is free.

Discovery Channel - SKY Digital Channel 70

Walking in Butterfly Creek, Wellington NZ

2009-03-28T17:21:00.000+13:00

From Heritage walks to river trails and rugged coastal walkways, Wellington offer some wonderful opportunities for walkers.

Walking arround Butterfly Creek is about 2 hours return. The Kowhai track in Eastbourne take walkers over a ridge with spectacular views of the Wellington Harbour, to be peaceful bush-clad valley of Butterfly Creek. The picnic spot in a clearing by the creek is a popular stop-off point for walker.

Wellington Scenery

2009-03-27T06:57:00.000+13:00

Wellington's Citizen very enjoy their sport. They like Rugby, cricket, and dragon boat. These pictures show the atmosphere when Dragon Boat Festival held on Sunday, 22 March 2009 in Wellington Harbour.

Although the weather was not good because very cold about 9 degree Celsius the spectator didn't recking of the weather. The participants of festival were very enthusiasm.

Dieng Temples, Groups of Temple in Dieng Plateu Indonesia

2009-03-24T22:20:00.000+13:00

Indonesia have many temple archeological remains. One of them is Dieng Temples Group, consists of four group of temple. Located in Dieng Plateu, Central Java.

ARJUNA TEMPLE
This Temple Group is consisted of five temples which are built in two parallel lines.The eastern line consist of four,mostly facing westward respectively the temples of Arjuna,Srikandi,Puntadewa and Sembadra.While, the western line temple which stands face to face with Arjuna Temple.At these temple are depicted about the accon panying Dieties of Siwa.While at the Srikandi is depicted on the recess of the temple about all the main deities if Hinduism,they are Brahmana,Siwa and Wisnu.

GATOTKACA TEMPLE
Group of Gatotkaca Temple located in foothills Pangonan, on the westside of Balekambang Lake.
Initially, this group consisted of. 6 temples, there are Sentyaki Temple , Petruk Temple , Antareja Temple, Sadewa Temple and Gantutkaca Temple.
According to its architecture,gatotokaca Temple was built after Srikandi Temple. This matter look from way of doorstep location, foot/feet, number of alcove, building layout.

BIMA TEMPLE
Group Temple of located Bima about 750 metre toward the south Temple of Gatotkaca Bima temple built in 6 AD is unique in two respects. Apart from its resemblance to the temple architecture of India, Bima temple also has a gate that looks to the east, while other temples on the plateau looks toward the west. It is believed that this site was a holy site, or a point of contact with the immortals. That's why, propagators of Hinduism from India built a spiritual center at this location.

DWARAWATI TEMPLE
Group of Dwarawati Temple located between others temples, built in slope of mountain bukit Perahu. In this location, in the past time there are two temple Dwarawati and Parikesit that restorated in 1955 and 1980. Dwarawati Temple has the size of groun plan 5,3 m X 5,3 m. Those temple look like Gatotkaca temple. Located 1 Km from area of Arjuna Temple.

Resources: http://www.central-java-tourism.com/en/places-candi.php

Gedong Songo, Ancient Temple in Central Java

2009-03-23T21:06:00.000+13:00

Gedong Songo is the one of many ancient temples in Central Java, only about 2 hours trip from Semarang by car. Located at the Mount Ungaran. If you interesting to go to Gedong Songo Temple, visit this link.

Gedong Songo (nine buildings), a group of small 8th century Hindu Javanese temples, can be reached either by car or on horseback from the town. Built at about the same time as the temples of the Dieng complex, Gedong Songo is one of the most beautifully sited temple complexes in Central Java and the views alone are worth the trip. Gedung Songo ('Nine Buildings') belong to the earliest antiquities of Java, they follow up the temples on the Dieng Plateau directly, for what about time.

They were also built high in the mountains in an area full with volcanic activity; and they were also from Hinduist origin. But where the temples on Dieng Plateau are somewhat squeezed into a foggy valley, Gedung Songo are spread over the higher parts of the mountains, which guarantee a splendid view. On clear days, the horizon is one long row of volcanoes, from mount Lawu in the east, towards mount Sumbing, mount Sundoro and Dieng Plateau in the west.

The temples were built between 730 and 780, the first temple excepted, which could have been built some 30 years later. Gunung Songo is not the original name and also doesn't point at the number of structures. The number nine has a special meaning in the Javanese culture, in which there is a strong attachment to numbers. The temples are located at about the same distance from each other (100 meters, 200 meters) on a naturally formed terrace of edge of a mountain.

Tauranga Beach, Beautiful Beach in North Island

2009-03-23T20:51:00.000+13:00

It was a lovely morning along this stretch of beach nearby to the Mount Maunganui at Tauranga, in the Bay of Plenty at the North Island of New Zealand.

One of New Zealand's most popular beaches, this beach had white sand and was as you can see really clean, with clear skies and the bluest of water.

If you want to go to Tauranga, visit this link.

Bali, The Paradise Island in Indonesia

2009-03-23T19:29:00.000+13:00

Bali is the famous island that Indonesian people own. Its the great island, Bali is more famous than Indonesia. There are more people talk about the beautiful of Bali Island than Indonesia.

Bali also have unique culture that prevented from modern culture. The Bali citizens has been take care their culture look like what their parents did.

Bali provide many interesting places that you can visit there such as Tanah Lot, Garuda Wisnu Kencana Statue, beautiful Beach and Coast (Sanur Beach and Kuta Beach).

In Buleleng, part of Bali region you can find the beautiful mountain, old Pallace Puri Agung Singaraja (original uniq architecture of Bali island), and the others beautiful place that we can find there.

Botanic Garden, Wellington

2009-03-23T19:22:00.000+13:00

The Wellington Botanic Garden features 25 hectares of unique landscape, protected native forest, conifers, specialized plant collections, colorful floral displays, and views over Wellington city.
It is classified as a Garden of National Significance by the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture and is an Historic Places Trust Heritage Area. Entry is free. So we can invite go there with our family.

Open Hours
Garden: Daily Dawn to dusk
Treehouse Visitor Centre: Monday - Friday 9.00am - 4.00pm
(Closed weekends and public holidays)

Begonia House Gift Shop:
October - March Daily 9.00am - 5.00pm
April - September Daily 9.00am - 4.00pm
(Closed 1 and 2 January, Good Friday, 25 April until 1.00pm, 25 and 26 December)

Location
The Botanic Garden is minutes from downtown Wellington, and is easily accessed. There are many entrances to the Garden including from Tinakori Road, Glenmore Street, Salamanca Road, Upland Road and the Cable Car. Its only 10 minute from Wellington Central if we go there by Cable Car.

If you interested to visit you able to download The Botanic Garden Map (Pdf) and download Location Map.

Wellington Dragon Boat Festival

2009-03-22T02:58:00.000+13:00

One of the biggest Festivals in New Zealand. Renowned world wide as a great festival venue, Wellington harbour can sure throw a mean party for the competitors when it wants to.

Wellington, March 21, 2009

Museum of Welington City and Sea, Wahine Disaster 1968

2009-03-20T07:13:00.000+13:00

This is popular Museum tells the stories of Wellington. We can find many things that very unique about Wellington story in the past time. Traditional Museum techniques combine with stunning special effect, movie, and interactive exhibits to take you on a journey through Wellington’s History.

The dramatic story about Wahine Disaster also we can find here. The film about Wahine Disaster showed here. On the morning of 10 April, 1968, Cyclone Gicelle hit Wellington at the same time as another storm which had driven up the West Coast of the South Island from Antarctica. The two storms met over the capital city, creating a single storm just as the inter-island ferry Wahine was crossing Cook Strait.

The Wahine had left Lyttelton at 8:40 pm the night before, carrying 610 passengers and 123 crew. There had been storm warnings, but nothing to say that this storm would be any worse than other winds in the strait well known for its rough seas.

The ferry travelled up the east coast of the South Island and headed for Wellington Harbour. By now the winds were gusting at between 130 and 150 kilometres per hour.

At 5:50 am on the morning of 10 April the captain of the Wahine, Captain Hector Robertson decided to enter the harbour. Twenty minutes later the ferry was alongside Pencarrow Head. The winds had increased to 160 kilometres per hour, and those on board could only see for a distance of 800 metres. On board the Wahine the radar system was no longer working.

A huge wave pushed the Wahine off course and in line with Barrett Reef, and the captain was unable to turn back on course. The force of another massive wave threw him across the bridge of the ship. He decided to keep turning the ferry and try to bring the Wahine around and back out to sea again. For 30 minutes the Wahine fought the waves, but by 6:40 am had been driven back onto the rocks of Barrett Reef.

The Wahine founders off Steeple Rock near Seatoun, Wellington, 10.4.68. Dominion Sunday Times Special Edition. Most of the passengers did not realise that the ferry had struck rocks because they could tell little difference between that impact and the battering the ship was receiving. Captain Robertson ordered the closing of all watertight doors and dropped both anchors when he learnt that none of the engines was working.

Passengers were told that the ferry was aground on the reef, and to put on their lifejackets and report to their assembly points around the ship. The accident was reported to the signal station at Beacon Hill, just above Point Dorset, and the crew prepared the life-saving equipment. Flooding was reported in four compartments and the vehicle deck, which could affect the stability of the ship. As the intensity and power of the storm grew, the winds increased, and the Wahine dragged its anchors. At this stage the weather was so bad that no help could be given from the harbour or the shore.

Gradually the Wahine drifted further down the harbour, until she was just by Steeple Rock, off Point Dorset. By now a tug had set off from Queens Wharf to try and reach the Wahine. At about 11:00 am a line from the tug was used to try and tow the ferry, but the line gave way. Other attempts failed, but the deputy harbourmaster managed to climb aboard the Wahine from the pilot launch which had also reached the scene. At about 1:15 pm the combined effect of the tide and the storm swung the Wahine round so that there was a patch of clear water sheltered from the wind and the sea on the starboard side. This was on the side towards which the ferry was leaning more and more.

Captain Robertson had not considered abandoning the ship earlier because he felt it was safer for the passengers to remain on board, given the storm conditions. But now the order was given to abandon ship. Passengers, not told before how serious the situation was, were now confused and frightened. People slid across the sloping deck, trying to make their way to the lifeboats. Only the four starboard lifeboats could be launched, and crewmen tried to get as many people as possible onto them. One lifeboat was swamped when it hit the water and people were lost into the sea. Some managed to hold onto the boat as it drifted across the harbour to the eastern shore.

Other boats were also swamped but many of the passengers were able to reach the small rescue boats which by now were surrounding the Wahine. Some people tried to make their own way ashore, jumping from the Wahine's decks. Others reached the inflatable life rafts which had been thrown overboard, but several of these were punctured in the wreckage.

The waves of the sea were still battering the ferry, and people in the water struggled to keep hold of wreckage or the sides of the lifeboats. The captain and deputy harbour master were the last to leave after checking that no one remained on the ferry. They were in the water just by the wreck for an hour before being rescued.

At about 2:30 pm the Wahine rolled completely onto her side. By then the first of the survivors were reaching the shore at Seatoun. Rescuers there helped the passengers ashore, not realising the extent of the disaster. Other survivors drifted across the harbour to Eastbourne, where over 200 survivors eventually landed. The road to Eastbourne had been blocked by a slip, and rescue teams were delayed in reaching the coast, but were there in time for the flood of people who struggled through the surf to safety. 51 people died in the disaster, most of them middle-aged or elderly. Some were drowned or died of exposure. Others were thrown against the rocks by the surf on the eastern shore and died then.

Sources:

1. Museum of Wellington City and Sea

2. http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Kids/NZDisasters/Wahine.asp

Michael Fowler, Wellington New Zealand

2009-03-20T07:01:00.000+13:00

Welcome to the Wellington Convention Centre. Whether you are organizing a convention, seminar, cocktail function or a concert, we can find the perfect solution within the venues that they offered. Some times Michael Fowler used for Graduation Ceremony, especially Wellington Institute of Techology.

You can go there because this place closes to Cuba Street, Manners Mall, and Courtenay Place. Its about five minutes walk to go there. Michael Fowler also closes to library, Wellington Harbor, Te Papa Museum, Wellington City and Sea Museum.

Seven Rugby, Wellington New Zealand

2009-03-20T06:36:00.000+13:00

Rugby seven was held on Friday-Saturday, 6-7 February 2009. Accommodations in Wellington were in strong demand over the weekend of the sevens, so if in the next year you want every visitors and tourists have to book early.

Rugby Sevens Tournament was very interesting. More than 30,000 supporters descend on Wellington every year for the annual two days Rugby Sevens Tournament. There are 16 international teams that take part in this tournament.
Opening of Rugby Sevens Tournament is very busy year to year. The atmosphere made many tourists that visit this tournament happy. Kinds of costume and great rugby teams have turned the Wellington Seven into one of New Zealand’s leading sport events.

As such event always a sold out, with tickets sold out well in advance of the tournament. So if you are planning on going to the Wellington Rugby Sevens plan well in advance and book tickets and accommodation as early as possible.

Bali Island, Indonesia

2009-03-18T08:08:00.000+13:00

Visit story of Bali at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bali

View Larger Map

Wellington Harbour, New Zealand

2009-03-17T07:00:00.000+13:00

Wellington Harbour is interesting place in Wellington. Every weekend we can find many people hang out at the harbour, jogging, some people ride their bicycle, restaurant and cafe busy, and exercise.

Wellington Harbour also close with another interesting place, such as Te Papa Museum, Museum Hotel, and Michael Fawler. Views around the harbour very beautiful.

Sunday Market or Farmers Market, Wellington - New Zealand

2009-03-17T06:03:00.000+13:00

This market different with others market in Wellington, because only available on Sunday. It was known as Sunday Market or Farmers Market. Every Sunday we can visit there in Wellington on the car park close to Chaffers Marina and Te Papa. With fresh fish sold directly from the boat and all meat , vegetables, eggs, sweets and more available it is a nice trip every Sunday. We really like the farmers market Wellington because the price cheaper than we bought in Supermarkets.

Tanah Lot - Bali, Indonesia

2009-03-14T21:53:00.000+13:00

Tanah Lot, one of the most popular places of interest in Bali, is located on the coast of West Bali, at the village of Beraban in the Tabanan Regency.

It is also called Tanah Let which means ancient land and also Tanah Lod, which means the land to the south.

The temple Pura Tanah Lot, simple in its construction, is dramatic in its ocean-front location and is one of the main temples in the worship of Balinese gods.

Tanah Lot has a long history in the world of tourism. The temple itself is built on a small promontory which is only accessible at low tide. During high water the rock takes on the appearance of a large boat at sea, such is its shape.

Poisonous snakes live in the nearby caves to 'guard' the temple and contribute to the temple's dangerous reputation. Sunset is the best time to visit Tanah lot, when the golden red skies frame the temple and waves crash into the rocks. It is advisable to avoid the tourist crush here as it can be severe.

Sources: http://www.indo.com/geo/tanahlot.html

Bali, Dewata Island (Gods Island) - Indonesia

2009-03-14T21:46:00.000+13:00

Over the years, Bali has been described in many a superlative terms. Endowed with great natural beauty and rich cultuyre, it is by far the most popular tourist destination in Indonesia. It is a land of soaring majestic volacnoes, of emerald rice fields clinging on hillsides and sculpted in tiers, of idyllic beaches and modern resorts.

Despite overwhelming foreign influences, the Balinese have managed to reach a harmonious balance between preserving their culture, their natural environment and accommodating today's changing world. The Hindu Bali religion pervades all aspects of Balinese society and shrines and temples dominate the landscape. Ceremonies, festivals, age-old dances and the arts are also an inseparable part of their life and culture.

Sources: www.embassyofindonesia.org/tourism/bali.htm

Travel to Te Papa Museum, Wellington

2009-03-14T19:30:00.000+13:00

Visit to Te Papa Museum.

Te Papa has built in 1998. Te Pa Pa is a worldwide reputation for its fresh and bold approach to presenting a nation’s treasures and stories. Over ten million people have come to visit this unique museum experience. Te Papa is open everyday of the year from 10.00 am until 06.00 pm.

Te Papa is a museum about New Zealanders and Maori people. It is a waharoa, a gateway, to an encounter with the essence of New Zealand’s land and people. Wonderful taonga (Māori cultural treasures), art, and objects are presented through fascinating stories, thought-provoking interpretations, and engaging interactives.

Over the five floors of our huge building, you can explore the breadth of the New Zealand story - from the shaping of its land to the spirit of its diverse peoples, from its unique wildlife to its distinctive visual culture.

You will encounter Māori, New Zealand’s indigenous people, through authentic portrayals of their traditions and living culture as well as Te Papa’s unique Marae (communal meeting place), a setting that all visitors are encouraged to connect with.

Travel to Tauranga, Beautiful Place in New Zealand

2009-03-14T17:33:00.000+13:00

You need information much more about Tauranga, click here, and maps, click here.

Tauranga is a port city located in the Western Bay of Plenty region of the North Island of New Zealand, approximately 205 km (127 mi) south-east of Auckland. It has an urban population of 116,000 from the June 2008 estimate.

Tauranga has beautiful nature, beach and coast, and there are many accommodations provide there. Tauranga offers a huge range of attractions, activities, recreational persuits and some of the finest restaurants, cafes and shopping set next to New Zealand's most amazing beaches. Top quality facilities ensures Tauranga & Mt Maunganui's reputation as THE place to live as well as to visit year round.

Tauranga is the largest city and urban area in the Bay of Plenty. Nationwide, Tauranga is currently New Zealand's fifth largest urban area. It is one of New Zealand's fastest growing regions, with a 14 percent increase in population between the 2001 census and the 2006 census.

Travel to Cuba Street - Wellington NZ, The Revenge of Pedestrian

2009-03-13T17:13:00.000+13:00

Download map of Cuba Street, click here.

When Wellington's Cuba Mall opened in 1969 it was the first New Zealand to be transformed by the removal of traffic. Cuba Street had once been a popular shopping area, but after World War (1939-1945), spreading suburbia drew people away from central city.

In 1965, the street suffered a further blow with the withdrawal of tram service. However, while the street was closed to remove the tram tracks, retailers soon notice that the lack of traffic was an attraction. Sales increased and letters to newspaper showed the public liked the temporary pedestrian mall. The Cuba Street Businessman's Association presented a petition signed by more than 5000 people to The Wellington City Council requesting that the mall become permanent. The City Council agreed.

Since the mall has been revamped. The prominent signs that marked each and have been removed, but the mall's most controversial feature, the Bucket Fountain, has survived. Critics detest the icon, but intrigued tourists and children love it.

Travel to Semarang, Ancient City in Central Java - Indonesia

2009-03-12T20:46:00.000+13:00

Download map of Semarang City, please click here.

Download about interesting places in Semarang City, please click here.

The city of Semarang, the capital of Central Java province is located on the north coast of Java Sea. The Northern part of the city is lying across on the plain coast and the Southern part is on the hilly side from Candi Baru area upward to the town of Ungaran.

Semarang is a busy administrative and Trading city, most of the offices, business centers, industrial estates are concentrated in the low land, where as in the hilly side, there are many houses with the beautiful gardens with a superb view to the town and the sea. The old records of this city date back to the 15th to the 18th century AD in where captivating ancient and colonial monuments still standing to present date.

There are some interesting places such ash GEREJA BLENDUK, Stasiun Tawang (Tawang Train Station), LAWANG SEWU, (Thousand Doors), In the downtown of Semarang is also a remarkable building from the "Old Dutch Time" and GOMBEL, A favorite place on the hill with its fresh air and picturesque landscape. In the evening, people like to be here to relax while enjoying the panoramic vista to the city and the harbor.

Gereja Blenduk is the eldest Christian Church in Central Java built by the Dutch community in 1753. It shows the Church architecture of the 18th century with its huge dome and a baroque organ inside the building. Nearby the Church, there are some buildings from the Dutch colonial time.

Now, Semarang has Simpang Lima, the shoping area that very famous in Indonesia. Simpang Lima look like Cuba Street or Manners Mall in Wellington, New Zealand. The favourite place to hang out, dating with your special friend and dinner in the unique tent that you can order some food.

Travel to Borobudur Temple, Beautiful Budhist Temple

2009-03-12T06:55:00.000+13:00

Download map Location of Borobudur Temple, click here.

Borobudur, Hindu-Buddhist temple, near Magelang in Central Java Province on the island of Java in Indonesia. Built in the 9th century under the Sailendra dynasty of Java, it was abandoned in the 11th century and partially excavated by archaeologists in the early 20th century. Gunadarma, the architect made the design of Borobudur as the biggest Budhist Temple in the world. The Borobudur, built long time and last long.

Influenced by the Gupta architecture of India, the temple is constructed on a hill 46 m (150 ft) high and consists of eight steplike stone terraces, one on top of the other. The first five terraces are square and surrounded by walls adorned with Buddhist sculpture in bas-relief; the upper three are circular, each with a circle of bell-shaped stupas (Buddhist shrines). The entire edifice is crowned by a large stupa at the center of the top circle. The way to the summit extends through some 4.8 km (some 3 mi) of passages and stairways. The design of Borobudur, a temple-mountain symbolizing the structure of the universe, influenced temples built at Angkor, Cambodia. Borobudur was rededicated as an Indonesian national monument in 1983 following extensive reclamation, aided by the United Nations.

If we want to visit Borobudur Temple, its only need two hours by car from Adisucipto Airport in Yogyakarta. There are many accomodation provide around the temple and very cheap.

Borobudur is incredible. Situated in the mountainous jungles about 50 km outside of Yogyakarta is one of the most impressive and the biggest Buddhist temples ever constructed. What makes it so impressive? The size? The setting? The fact that every stone was transported 90 km from volcanic rock in the 17th century?

Travel to Manners Mall Wellington, the Beautiful Place in New Zealand

2009-03-11T18:20:00.000+13:00

Manners Mall is look like Mecca for young people and teenagers in Wellington. It is popular place to hang out and catch up, or just text some mates for a night on the town. There are many students from abroad usually also visit Manners Mall.

Manners Mall is a pedestrian area, although the government has a plan to change Manners Mall as bus way many people don’t care about that. Some people agree to change it as bus way, beside that some people disagree.

Manners Mall gives walking access to people moving between the Cuba Street, Willis Street, and Courtenay Place. It is full interesting shops (such as Vodafone, Bank of Shoes, and Internet Café etc). It is also provide the pedestrian to fast food places such ash Burger King, Dawath, Eat Asian, Mc Donald and others fast food places.

Manners Mall is also very close to the best entertainment spots in Wellington, on Courtenay Place and Cuba Street. If we want to visit Tee Pa Pa Museum, we only need five minutes on foot to go there or visit Michael Fawler and public library.

Travel to Prambanan, The Most Beautiful Temple in The World

2009-03-11T16:47:00.000+13:00

Prambanan temple is extraordinarily beautiful building constructed in the tenth century during the reigns of two kings namely Rakai Pikatan and Rakai Balitung. Soaring up to 47 meters (5 meters higher than Borobudur temple), the foundation of this temple has fulfilled the desire of the founder to show Hindu triumph in Java Island. This temple is located 17 kilometers from the city center of Yogyakarta, among an area that now functions as beautiful park.

There is a legend that Javanese people always tell about this temple. As the story tells, there was a man named Bandung Bondowoso who loved Roro Jonggrang. To refuse his love, Jonggrang asked Bondowoso to make her a temple with 1,000 statues only in one-night time. The request was nearly fulfilled when Jonggrang asked the villagers to pound rice and to set a fire in order to look like morning had broken. Feeling to be cheated, Bondowoso who only completed 999 statues cursed Jonggrang to be the thousandth statue.

Prambanan temple has three main temples in the primary yard, namely Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva temples. Those three temples are symbols of Trimurti in Hindu belief. All of them face to the east. Each main temple has accompanying temple facing to the west, namely Nandini for Shiva, Angsa for Brahma, and Garuda for Vishnu. Besides, there are 2 flank temples, 4 kelir temples and 4 corner temples. In the second area, there are 224 temples.

Entering Shiva temple, the highest temple and is located in the middle, you will find four rooms. One main room contains Shiva statue, while the other three rooms contain the statues of Durga (Shiva's wife), Agastya (Shiva's teacher), and Ganesha (Shiva's son). Durga statue is said to be the statue of Roro Jonggrang in the above legend.

In Vishnu temple, to the north of Shiva temple, you will find only one room with Vishnu statue in it. In Brahma temple, to the south of Shiva temple, you find only room as well with Brahma statue in it.

Quite attractive accompanying temple is Garuda temple that is located close to Vishnu temple. This temple keeps a story of half-bird human being named Garuda. Garuda is a mystical bird in Hindu mythology. The figure is of golden body, white face, red wings, with the beak and wings similar to eagle's. It is assumed that the figure is Hindu adaptation of Bennu (means 'rises' or 'shines') that is associated with the god of the Sun or Re in Old Egypt mythology or Phoenix in Old Greek mythology. Garuda succeeded in saving his mother from the curse of Aruna (Garuda's handicapped brother) by stealing Tirta Amerta (the sacred water of the gods).

Its ability to save her mother made many people admire it to the present time and it is used for various purposes. Indonesia uses the bird as the symbol of the country. Other country using the same symbol is Thailand, with the same reason but different form adaptation and appearance. In Thailand, Garuda is known as Krut or Pha Krut.

Prambanan also has panels of relief describing the story of Ramayana. Experts say that the relief is similar to the story of Ramayana that is told orally from generation to generation. Another interesting relief is Kalpataru tree that - in Hindu - the tree is considered tree of life, eternity and environment harmony. In Prambanan, relief of Kalpataru tree is described as flanking a lion. The presence of this tree makes experts consider that Javanese society in the ninth century had wisdom to manage its environment.

Just like Garuda, Kalpataru tree is also used for various purposes. In Indonesia, Kalpataru is used as the logo of Indonesian Environment Institution. Some intellectuals in Bali even develop "Tri Hita Karana" concept for environment conservation by seeing Kalpataru relief in this temple. This tree of life is also seen in the gunungan (the puppet used as an opening of traditional puppet show or wayang kulit). This proves that relief panels in Prambanan have been widely known throughout the world.

If you see the relief in detail, you will see many birds on them; they are real birds as we can see on the earth right now. Relief panels of such birds are so natural that biologists can identify their genus. One of them is the relief of the Yellow-Crest Parrot (Cacatua sulphurea) that cites unanswered question. The reason is that the bird only exists in Masakambing Island, an island in the middle of Java Sea. Then, did the bird exist in Yogyakarta? No body has succeeded in revealing the mystery.

You can discover many more things in Prambanan. You can see relief of Wiracarita Ramayana based on oral tradition. If you feel tired of enjoying the relief, you can take a rest in the beautiful garden in the complex. Since 18 September 2006, you can enter zone 1 area of Prambanan temple. The damage caused by the earthquake on 27 May 2006 is being reconstructed. Please come and enjoy Prambanan temple.

Yogyakarta, Ancient City in Java Island-Indonesia

2009-03-11T14:50:00.000+13:00

Download map of Yogyakarta Palace (Keraton Ngayogyogkarto) here and map of route bus way (trans Yogyakarta) here.

Map of Yogyakarta also available to download in this link, click here.

Yogjayarta is the special city in Indonesia, the best place to study. So Yogyakarta also known as Student City. Bali is the most beautiful island in Indonesia that abroad known, but one of the most popular city in Indonesia is Jogjakarta. It is the ancient city, near with volcano mountain known as Gunung Merapi and Parangtritis Beach.

Only ten minute from Adisucipto Airport in Yogyakarta we can visit Prambanan Temple, the ancient Hindust temple built in 851 AD. The temple built by Rakai Pikatan, the King of Ancient Mataram. Actually, this temple containts of 1.000 temple, but now only there 811 temples still exsist in Prambanan Temple complect. Because the numbers of temple, Prambanan temple is the most many ancient temples in the world.

We can find the traditional cultures of real Java in Jogjakarta. Javanese language are more common language than Indonesian language here. Keraton Yogyakarta [Yogyakarta Palace] or Keraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat is currently the palace of Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X. He is the sultan of Yogyakarta and also the governor of Yogyakarta province.

The palace was built by Sultan Hamengku Buwono I in 1755. It consists of seven complex. Since my time was limited, I only visited one complex, at the north side next to the north square. In that complex, visitors can see many historical ancient stuffs. It is recommended to take a guide so we can understand more about the history of Yogyakarta sultanate and including the myth around it.

Keraton Yogyakarta is one of the must visit places in Yogyakarta. It's definitely a must visit place. Not because of the beauty or the grandeur, but the riches of the culture and the history.

Jakarta, Indonesian Capital City

2009-03-11T14:30:00.000+13:00

Software of Jakarta Maps, download here.

This software is the most complete software that you can use and very easy to use it.

Jakarta, also known as DKI Jakarta is the biggest city in Indonesia. Population density that lived in Jakarta in 2008 are more than 8,489,910. It has greatest populatian than any city in South East Asia and bigger than population one country in New Zealand.

Jakarta have many interesting places that we can visited such as Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (The Beautiful Indonesian Miniature Park), Taman Impian Jaya Ancol, National Monument or "Monas", Bank of Indonesia, Mosque of Istiqlal, and Ragunan Zoo.

If you want to visit Jakarta, this city served by the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and Tanjung Priok Harbour. Jakarta has been improving the new transportation system started in 2004 when Sutiyoso as a Governance in Jakarta. The transportation system known as "Transjakarta" or "Busway", and is now planning to expand the numbers of routes. The city had hope to establish its newest transportation system, The Jakarta Monorail on 2007, but the project was failed. PT Jakarta Monorail, as contractor of the Jakarta Monorail was abandoned this project.

Cuba Street and Courtenay Place - Wellington, New Zealand

2009-03-11T13:07:00.000+13:00

Cuba Street and Courtenay Place in Wellington is the famous and interesting places. You can download the map by click this link (software) and this link (map in pdf), download here.

If Courtenay Place is the heart of Wellington's entertainment sector, then Cuba Street has to be its soul. An ‘alternative melting pot' , Cuba Street is known for its entertainment spots and watering holes, as well as the trendy dining and shopping in the area.

The personification of this spirit is seen in the hugely popular Cuba Street Carnival that saw more than 156.000 people. Cuba Street has long been ‘interesting’ in a bohemian sense, but it has now stamped itself with a certain style that is very attractive to people who seek something a little different. Students and people of all ages love to shop or converse in the many cafes and bars, away from speeding traffic. By day it’s a great place to find a special book, CD or item of clothing, and by night it's just the place to dance or be entertained.

In Cuba Street you can enjoy your lunch time or dinner at Big Kumara, Comfort Hotel, Flying Burrito Brothers, Good Luck, Scopa, Mr Bun Bakery and Coffee Shops, Hallensteins, Havana Bar, Hotel Bristol, JJ Murphy’s Iris Pub, Logan Brown Restaurant, Motherhorn, Manners Mall, Olive Café, San Fransisco Bathouse, Southern Cross Restaurant, The Oaks Satay Noodle House, Tulsi Cuba Street, Wasabi Sushi Bar, and Zeal.