Jakarta is the capital city of the Republic of Indonesia, a country composed of more than 13,000 islands with a population of over 180 million. Jakarta is one of the famous tourist destinations of Indonesia. Globetrotters from various parts of the world come to Jakarta to spend their dream vacation and their number is escalating day by day. Step into any of the Jakarta hotels to experience top class amenities and services along with warm Indonesian hospitality.

There are various categories of Jakarta hotels. According to your needs and preferences you can opt from luxury hotels, mid-range hotels and even budget hotels. Most of the Jakarta hotels offer quick and easy access to the business, sh

opping and tourist spots of the city. There are various hotels of the city which are located close to tourist places like Ancol Dream Park, Monas, Museum ABRI and Gedung Proklamasi.

For the budget travelers Jakarta has several mid-range and budget hotels. In Central Jakarta most of the mid-range hotels and low-priced hostels are located in Jaksa Street and Kebon Sirih Street. Some of the budget and mid-range hotels of Jakarta are Emeralda Hotel, Mercure Rekso, Peninsula Tower, Boutique Hotel, Sanno Hotel and Pondok Putri Duyung. Like other economy hotels in Indonesia these city hotels are designed to make you feel comfortable.

Some of the other noted luxury hotels in Jakarta are The Ritz Carlton, Grand Hyatt, InterContinental Jakarta MidPlaza, The Dharmawangsa and Four Seasons Hotel. These hotels have swimming pool, fitness center and fully equipped business center for its guests.

Most of the hotels of the Jakarta are conveniently located. While some are located close to the city center, there are many hotels which are in close proximity to the airport. Most of the hotels of the city offer excellent accommodation facility. Dining and recreational facilities offered are also impressive. To meet the needs of the business travelers there are a number of meeting and conference facilities.

The city is divided into 14 districts (kecamatan). 1. Gondokusuman 2. Jetis 3. Tegalrejo 4. Umbulharjo 5. Kotagede 6. Mergangsan 7. Ngampilan 8. Danurejan 9. Kraton 10. Wirobrajan 11. Pakualaman 12. Mantrijeron 13. Gedongtengen 14. Gondomanan

Yogyakarta, is one of the foremost cultural centers of Java. Located at the foot of the active Merapi volcano, Yogyakarta was in the 16th and 17th centuries the seat of the mighty Javanese empire of Mataram., from which present day Yogyakarta has inherited the best of traditions.

Kotagede

Kotagede, about five kilometers southeast of Yogyakarta, is a neat little town which was once the seat of the mighty Mataram empire. In this old palace town with its walled-in houses, the graves of the first rulers of Mataram are still to be found. Since the 1930s, however, Kotagede has become famous for being the center of the Yogya silverwork industry. Kotagede is easily reached by andong, the four wheeled horse-drawn cart, by taxi, bus, or car.

There are a number of workshops where visitors are welcome to watch silver being transformed into beautiful works of art known as Yogya Silver.

Affandi Museum

On the main road between the airport and the city stands the Affandi Museum (1907 – 1990) in a lush garden next to his peculiar private home on stilts. He was Indonesia’s foremost impressionist painter who built a private museum for his own paintings and of those of his daughter Kartika. Affandi’s grave (died in May 1990) lies in the backyard next to the museum.

Museum Sonobudoyo

This museum, founded in November 1935 and designed by the Dutch architect Kersten, is built in traditional Javanese architecture. It exhibits weapons, leather and wooden puppets of wayang theater, masks, statues, textiles, curios and old Javanese gamelan instruments. The museum is situated on the northern side of the city’s main square in front of the Sultan’s Palace.

The average daily temperature range between 26 degree and 28 degree Celsius with its minimum 18 degree C and maximum 35 degree C respectively. Average humidity is 74% with its minimum of 65% and maximum 84% respectively.
By: Jerry Hall

Lodging in Bali ranges from small bungalows to huge fancy hotels, all with basic accommodations to meet the needs of tourists. The view from your hotel will be wonderful because of the rich beauty of the area regardless of where you choose to stay.

Traveling to Indonesia is definitely a trip you will never forget.Plan for a long ride to get there, as it is a 31 hour flight from New York. Bali is a wonderful area with an array of fun filled activities to choose from. It is the main tourist area of Indonesia.

The people of Bali are very friendly, and enjoy having visitors come to their area. Many speak English to interact with tourists. They have chosen to preserve their culture for all to see rather than change it to become like other countries. The beaches are a main attraction with surfing being one of the most popular activities. Others enjoy renting a boat for the day to relax on the open waters.

The people of Bali are very artistic. They enjoy painting, weaving, carving, basket making, and other arts. Children are taught art from a very early age. They often display their makings to sell to the tourists.

Temples are a main attraction in Bali. They are called Pura. The temples provide an opportunity to explore religion and art of the culture. The people of Bali are still very religious, and it is very important that those visiting the Temples show respect for their religious beliefs.

Art galleries exhibit creative and attractive art work to view. Wildlife and nature reserves are popular in Bali. Many people go to get a glimpse of the very dangerous Komodo Dragon, a large lizard that is found only in the area and is extinct. The rare Java tiger is also displayed.

While Indonesia is a beautiful and serene place to visit, it is strongly advised at this time to be cautious with such visits due to the possibility of terrorist attacks. If you do choose to travel to the area do not travel alone and make sure you have registered with the US Embassy.
There are more than 400 volcanoes in Indonesia, 128 are still active. They offer a historical view of this natural creation to observe. Botanic Gardens are also a very popular attraction. Displaying flora and fauna as well as promoting conservation, people are drawn to the beauty of such attractions.

By: Criss Lee