Enjoy Indonesia

A. Overview

Everytime visiting a new place, it is a must for the visitors to go to the souvenir shops. If you have only little time, of course the souvenir shop in the hotel you are staying will do. The prices are comparably higher for sure than those outside the hotel and it will not give you a special memory like when you spend some time visiting traditional markets to hunt for unique objects.

There are of course wider array of choices for you in either traditional markets or art markets and it is more fun as well. In Yogyakarta, there are Malioboro and Beringharjo Market to shop for relatively low-priced souvenirs. Besides, there is also Gabusan Art Market that provides miscelaneous handicrafts that are unique and interesting. Not only in Jogja, however, in Bali there is also a traditional market providing various special Balinese handicrafts you can bring home as gifts for relatives. The shopping center is Sukawati Art Market.

Sukawati Art Market is a traditional market situated in Sukawati Subdistrict. The market has been operating since 1980s, but the precise date is unknown. Over the course of time, Sukawati Art Market has undergone a speedy development that today, it is the central market for special Balinese souvenirs. It has also become one of Balinese tourism icons. Most tourists visiting Bali will likely spend some time in Sukawati Art Market. When they get home, they will often say to they friends, “If you are in Bali, never miss Sukawati Market.”

B. Features

For shopper-tourists, Sukawati Art Market is heaven. It has everything you need. Keychains, barong t-shirts, accessories, paintings, bags, aromatherapeutic candles, sculptures, bed covers, or even household appliances, all you can find in Sukawati Art Market. The objects are all labelled “made in Bali”. You will have choices of objects and get what you need and like.

If you find the price is too expensive, you should never feel ashamed of bargaining. Most vendors here will not get irritated if you bargain with a very low price. The smarter you are in bargaining, the lower the price you wil get. If you are not good at bargaining, it is possible that you will buy an object at a higher price than normal.

The best time to go for shopping in Sukawati Art Market is in the morning at around 08 a.m. to 10 a.m. Central Indonesia Standard Time. This is after the vendors finish their prayer and just open their kiosks. According to their beliefs, the first object sold will bring them luck for the day. For that reason, vendors usually sell their merchandises at a low price.

In the market, there are two kinds of vendors, namely those who sell things in a kiosks or stands and those travelling salesmen, also known as “acung” vendors. There are approximately 70 acung vendors in the market. They usually sell things by approaching the buyers or tourists who just come off the cars or buses. If you do not want to get exhausted walking around the market, the acung vendors will be very helpful as it is them who approach you.

C. Location

Sukawati Art Market is situated at Desa Sukawati, Sukawati District, Gianyar Regency, Bali, Indonesia.

D. Access

Sukawati souvenir center lies about 15 kilometers north or approximately 20 minutes from Denpasar. If you come from Ngurah Rai Airport or Kuta Beach, it will take around an hour to get to the location. As the market is one of tourists’ favorite destinations, the access to the place is quite easy.

E. Ticket

You will not be charged to enter Sukawati Art Market except if you bring a private transportation vehicle. In that case, you will have to pay for parking. Sukawati Art Market opens daily from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Central Indonesia Standard Time. However in Nyepi and Galungan religious holidays, there will be no activity in the market.

F. Accomodations and Facilities

As an icon of Bali tourism, Sukawati Art Market has been equipped with standard facilities such as wide parking lot and public convenience. There are also homestays and restaurants around the place.

Source : Wisata Melayu

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Sukawati Art Market, Gianyar District, Bali

A. Brief Information


When hearing “Wonosobo,” a great number of people will be reminded of Mie Ongklok and Dieng Plateau. Actually, besides those two things, Wonosobo also has a tea plantation, which is often called Tambi Agro tourism. Tambi Agro tourism is the right choice for those who love escapade tour, or those who want to simply disappear from urban tumult, and to feel the fresh air around mountainous area.

Tambi Agro Tourism is a tea plantation area of 829,14 ha, which is directly controlled by PT Tambi, a company that deal with plantation and tea production. Formerly, at the Dutch colonial era (1885 A.D.), Tambi estate company was a Dutch-owned company named Bagelan Thee & kina Maatschappij with a base in the Netherlands. The Indonesian branch was managed by NV John Peet, with a base in Jakarta. When the freedom revolution of Indonesia exploded, the company was taken over by the Republic Indonesia Government. Its workers were then appointed as civil servants. After the round table conference in 1949, the company was returned back to the previous owner. Then, in 1954 the company was sold by the owner to NV Ex PPN Sindoro Sumbing, a company built by the Ex-Employees of Government‘s Estate. In 1957, NV Ex PPN Sindoro Sumbing established cooperation with the Local Government of Wonosobo to build a new company named NV Tambi. Its present name is PT. Perkebunan Tambi (www.agris-tambi.com)

Tambi Tea Plantation site stretches on the slope of Mount Sindoro. Geographically, this agro tourism site is situated at an altitude of 800 - 2,000 meters above the sea level with the rainfall average of about 2.500-3.000 mm/year. The average lowest temperature is about 15°C and the highest temperature might reach 24°C. For such natures, the place offers you slightly mild weather, and it will make you comfortable to be here for along.

B. Distinctive Feature

The major activity here is walking around the tea plantation. The place has three tea walk routes; there are short route (1-2 km), middle route (2-3 km), and long route (3-9 km). Here, you can release the tension of your daily activity. Green carpet that spread out on the mountain slope, the breezy of wind, and the mild climate will make you fresh and relax. If lucky, you will meet some tea pickers who are smiling and warm.

Wanting some more? So you can have another activity offered by Tambi Agro-tourism management. You will be taught how to choose and pick the tea leave from the trunk. Indeed, the art of picking the tea leave has special rules and methods. So, if you make a mistake in picking a leaf, do not ever wish to consume an aromatic and tasteful tea.

Tea walk and watching the process of tea picking probably had been offered by other agro tourism. Tambi Agro tourism offers something different, which is called factory tour program. In this program, tourists are guided to see the process of black tea production. Starting with tea-picking, the tour continues with observation on the tea production. At this stage, you may observe the processes how a tealeaf is processed into a cup of hot black tea with special fragrance that you can drink in the available gazebos.

In addition, this site offers you another tourism package that might pump your adrenalin up; rafting in Serayu River. For those who never try, don‘t worry. There are professional guides and instructors who will be ready to assist you and teach you patiently how to raft well. If you do not have enough bravery to wade through the rapids of Serayu River, you can have “Flying Fox.” Indeed, this site provides you various outbound arenas, ranging from the simple one to the high-risk one.

C. Location

Tambi Tea Plantation lies precisely at the west slope of Sindoro & Sumbing Mountains, 16 km north of Wonosobo. It is administratively located at Tambi Village, Kejajar Sub-district, Wonosobo Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia

D. Access

Located along the main road of Wonosobo-Dieng, Tambi Tea Plantation is accessible for you who want to have a leisure there. Tourists who want to visit this plantation can start their travel from Wonosobo. To reach Wonosobo City you can use two routes. For those who depart from Eastwards, you can take Temanggung-Wonosobo route because you might see the enchanting scenery of sindoro-Sumbing and Kledung. When you depart from Southwards, you should pass Banjarnegara-Wonosobo route. You will see the green rice fields spread as long as your view. Likewise, the water of the Serayu River flows along the stream to the sea. The river, indeed, might lure you to have adventurous activity through wading the stream.

To reach Tambi Agro tourism, you only need about 20 minutes from Wonosobo City. If you use public transport, you will spend more. If so, you can take microbus Wonosobo-Dieng, and then you descend in Tambi village and continue your travel by foot. The plantation is only 200 meter from Main Street.

E. Ticket Price

To enjoy the coziness of tea walk and watching the process of tea production in the factory, you should come in a group, and a group should consist of 10 people in minimum. Each person should pay IDR 20.000, but, if you want to get lunch, you should add IDR 20.000. For group who want to participate in outbound activity, they should pay IDR 80.000 per person. The number of person in a batch minimal should 20 people (July 2009).

F. Accommodation and other Facility

Tambi plantation area is completed by several supporting facilities. The available facilities are restaurants, souvenir shops, security posts, outbound areas, campfire grounds, tennis yards, fishponds, and playground areas.

If you want to spend more nights here, a comfortable homestay is available with both good facilities and green scenery around, with the views of the hills at afar. The homestay rates range from IDR 225,000/night, to the most expensive one of around IDR 1.25 million (July, 2008). For note, there is likewise a meeting hall here so you can have a business meeting amidst the enchanting green scenery of Tambi Tea Plantation.

Source : Wisata Melayu

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Tambi Tea Plantation, Wonosobo District - Central Java Province

A. Overview

When Tracing back the history of Indonesian independence in Yogyakarta you cannot leave off the President’s Residence The Residence lies upon a 43.858 square meter land and is also known as Gedung Agung. The naming was thought to be related to one of the functions of the main palace as a room for receiving noble guests.


Gedung Agung is one of the six President’s Residences in Indonesia who played an important role in the struggle for Indonesian independence and life. The other are Istana Negara and Istana Merdeka (Jakarta), Istana Bogor (Bogor), Istana Cipanas (Cipanas), and Istana Tampak Siring (Bali). The construction of Gedung Agung was initiated by Anthonie Hendriks Smissaert, the 18 head of Dutch Residency in Yogyakarta (1823-1925) who wanted to own an official office as well as residence for the Dutch Recidents in Yogyakarta. In May 1824 the Indies Governor General then appointed architect A. Payen to start the construction. The construction process was delayed due to Diponegoro War outbreak (1825-1830) which was also known as the Java War (Java Oorlog). After the war ended, the construction continued and finished in 1832. When an earthquake hit Yogyakarta on June 10 1867, the building collapsed. It was reconstructed and finished in 1869.

Along with the promotion of Yogyakarta administrative status from residency into province in December 19 1927, the main building of Gedung Agung complex was used as the resident of the Dutch Governor in Yogyakarta. Some of these Governors were J.E Jesper (1926-1927), P.R.W van Gesseler Verschuur (1929-1932), H.M. Detik.com, Kock (1932-1935), J. Bijlevel (1935-1940) and L. Adam (1940-1942). During the Japanese occupation, the Residence became the official residence for Koochi Zimmukyoku Tyookan, the Japanese ruler in Yogyakarta (1934-1945).

After Indonesia gained its independence, on January 6, 1946, Gedung Agung became the President’s Residence of Indonesia, coincided with the appointing of Yogyakarta the temporary capital of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. Since then, Gedung Agung became the residence of President Soekarno and his family. Vice president Mohammad Hatta, meanwhile, stayed in a building on the north side of Gedung Agung (now Military Command 072/Pamungkas). In this President’s Residence Sudirman was inaugurated Commander in Chief of Indonesian National Army on June 3, 1947 and leader of the Indonesian army on July 3, 1947.

During the Dutch Military Agression II on December 19, 1948, Yogyakarta was taken over by the Dutch army led by General Spoor. The president, vice president and the state officials were exiled out of Java, then returned to Gedung Agung in July 6, 1949. As the President moved back to Jakarta on December 28, 1949, Gedung Agung was no longer president’s residence.

When Soeharto, the second president of Indonesia, ruled since April 17, 1988, Gedung Agung was used to hold The Senja Parade (a flag-lowering ceremony) on 17 every month, acquaintanceship and parting of the Air Force cadets. Even, since August 17, 1991, the President’s Residence of Yogyakarta was officially used to commemorate the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence in DIY. Nowadays, Gedung Agung serves as place for the president and vice president to stay over in Yogyakarta.

B. Features

The building complex in Gedung Agung consists of the Main Building (Gedung Utama), Negara House, Indraphrasta House, Sawojajar House, Bumiretawu House and Saptapratala House. In Gedung Utama there is the main room called Garuda Room which functions as the official room to receive state visitors or special guests.
In addition to the five houses, there is Seni Sono complex which became a part of the President’s Residence since September 20, 1995. The complex is 5.600 square meter wide and located at the south of Gedung Agung. Previously it belonged to the Department of Information. The building functions to keep the collection of art objects as well as holding exhibition and art performance. It is an old building built by the Dutch in 1911 and was last used as an office of Antara state news agency.

In the front porch of Gedung Agung there are two gigantic statues of Dwarapala (the usher) as tall as 2 meters. There is also the 3 meter Dagoba monument which Yogyakarta people call the Tugu Lilin (Candle Monument), made of andecite and always light up artificial fire. The monument symbolizes the religious harmony between Shiva Hinduism and Buddhism. Presumably, the statues come from Cupuwatu Village, as region around Prambanan Temple.

On the front right of Main Building there is Ruang Soedirman to memorize his leadership in guerrilla against the Dutch. In this room, then, Soedirman asked for Soekarno permission to leave the town in order to lead the guerrilla. On the front left of Gedung Utama there is Ruang Diponegoro to memorize Diponegoro stuggle against the Dutch. There is a painting of Diponegoro riding on a horse.

On the south part Gedung Agung there is a bedroom for president and his family, on the north part there is a bed room provided for the vice president and his family, state visitors or other prominent guests. On Gedung Agung backyard there is a big, tall and leafy trees that makes the place shady.

In general, since erected two centuries ago, the Presedent’s Residence complex has not undergone significant changes. It still has the same shape as it was first constructed in 1869. It was in this room that the Indonesian Cabinet was inaugurated when the capital was moved to Yogyakarta. On the wall of this historical building there are images of national heroes such as Diponegoro, R.A. Kartini, Wahidin Soedirohusodo and Tengku Cik Di Tiro.

C. Location

Gedung Agung is situated in the center of Yogyakarta, at Ahmad Yani Street, Ngapusan Subdistrict, Gondomanan District, DIY, Indonesia. It is on the south of Vredeburg Fort, Serangan Umum 1 Maret Monument and Taman Pintar. On the south of this building there is the building of Bank of Indonesia, the Central Post Office of Yogyakarta (Kantor Pos Besar) and Yogyakarta Palace.

D. Access

The access to Gedung Agung is easy because it is located exactly at the end of Malioboro Street. Moreover, the building is relatively close to Adi Sucipto Airport (about 8 km), Giwangan Bus Station (about 6 km), Lempuyangan Train Station (abour 3 km) and Tugu Train Station (about 1 km).

Domestic and foreign tourists who depart from Adi Sucipto Airport can take Transjogja Route 3A or 3B across Malioboro Street. The fare is Rp 3.000 (August 2008). After about 25 minutes stop at the bus shelter in front of Gedung Agung. Those who depart from Giwangan Bus Station can take the city bus lane 4 or 10 across Malioboro Street and stop in front of Gedung Agung. The fare is Rp 2.000 (August 2008). From Lempuyangan Train Station, take a taxi to Gedung Agung for approximately Rp 20.000 (August 2008). While if you depart from Tugu Train Station, take a pedicab or andong to Gedung Agung for roughly Rp 5.000 (August 2008).

E. Ticket

Visiting Gedung Agung is free off charge. It opens daily from 9 am to 3 pm and it closes on Sundays and national holidays.

F. Accommodations and Facilities

Some supporting facilities in Gedung Agung are the library, small mosque, toilet, meeting hall, performance room and a wide and shady parking area.
Tasyriq Hifzhillah (wm/06/08-08)
Translation by Apri Widiastuti (trns/21/03-10)
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if you want to visit this place, please contact :
Maharatu Tour and Travel
Telp. +62 274 8373005. Fax. +62 274 379250
Email : maharatu@maharatu.com
Website : www.maharatu.com

Source : Wisata Melayu

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Gedung Agung Yogyakarta