Selasa, 18 September 2012

Food In Indonesia

Indonesia is the largest economy in Southeast Asia and is home to over 230 million people. With a multitude of languages and ethnic groups spread across 17,000 islands, it is no surprise that the food in Indonesia is as diverse as its geography! Traveling through Indonesia provides a culinary journey like no other.
Food in Indonesia has been influenced over the centuries by China, Europe, and even India. European traders were drawn to Indonesia in search of expensive native spices such as nutmeg and cloves; the Portuguese introduced peanuts during their colonization. Indians brought curries with them and the Chinese contributed noodles and soybeans.
The rich ocean waters between the islands mean that seafood can be found in abundance and the equatorial climate provides the perfect weather for growing rice and soybeans.

Eating Out in Indonesia

Many restaurants in Indonesia serve main meals with kerupuk, light crackers made from prawns, and a fried egg (telur). Vegans should be aware that even dishes advertised as not containing meat are commonly prepared with eggs.
Food in Indonesia is commonly cooked ahead of time and then served at room temperature throughout the day to accommodate the irregular eating schedules of most people.
Outside of Chinese food stalls, chopsticks are rarely used as utensils in Indonesia. More commonly, meals are eaten with a spoon in the right hand and a fork in the left. Restaurants away from tourist areas and signed simply as "Rumah Makan" (eating house) may expect you to eat with your hands as many locals do. Begin by dipping only your right hand in the bowl of water with lime found on the table and keep your left hand - associated with toilet functions - in your lap to be polite.
Unless specified, food in Indonesia is rarely spicy. Chili condiments known as sambal are provided in small dishes or bottles so that you can spice your own food to taste. Some sambal is made from fermented shrimp or fish; smell it first if you are not sure!

Popular Food in Indonesia

Nasi Goreng

Like most of its neighbors, Indonesia's main staple is rice - served either plain or fried with spices. No traveler can pass through Indonesia without eating their weight in nasi goreng, Indonesia's tasty version of fried rice. This popular, low-cost dish is eaten by Indonesians regularly for dinner and sometimes even breakfast. Garlic, shallot, tamarind, and chili lend nasi goreng its delicious flavor.

Mie Goreng
Mie goreng - pronounced "mee goreng" - is the Indonesian version of fried noodles and is interpreted differently across the archipelago. Restaurants in tourist areas will serve thin, stir-fried, yellow noodles with spices and vegetables. Mi goreng in Flores or other rural areas may mean simply a pack of instant, ramen-style noodles that are high in fat and MSG.

A great choice for vegetarians, gado-gado actually means "hodgepodge". Gado-gado usually consists of stir-fried vegetables coated with a thick peanut sauce for protein.

Satay, skewered meat grilled over glowing charcoal, is one of the most common smells encountered while walking the streets in Indonesia. Commonly made from chicken, beef, goat, pork, or anything else that can be grilled on a stick, satay can serve as a quick snack or a main meal depending on the quantity of small skewers purchased. Satay is usually served with peanut sauce or sambal.

Tempeh is made by compressing fermented soybeans into a cake that is roasted or fried. The firm texture and delicious ability to go well with nearly any dish make tempeh the perfect meat substitute and its fame has already spread to the West.

Ayam Goreng
Fried chicken is comfort-food for all parts of the world. Ayam goreng typically consists of one or two pieces of chicken that are fried to a crispy brown and served on rice.

Laksa originated in Malaysia, however the fame and love for this famous noodle dish has spread throughout Indonesia. Laksa consists of rice noodles in a thick soup which somehow encompasses sweet, sour, fishy, tangy, and spicy flavors all in one dish. Read more about laksa.

Rabu, 12 September 2012

10 beautiful places in Indonesia in addition to Bali

Already know about Bali? Never Heard the name of Indonesia before? You should try to know more about Indonesia, because there are a lot of beautiful places in Indonesia besides Bali.

Bali is a tourist place that is famous for its beautiful beaches, unique culture and interesting dances. Many people do not know that Bali is one of many islands in Indonesia, an archipelago country located in SouthEast Asia. The interesting fact about this is that they never know that there are a lot of places that are as beautiful as or even more beautiful than Bali in Indonesia. In this lens, i will give you information about 10 beautiful places in Indonesia in addition to Bali, just check it out.

1. Takabonerate Island, South Sulawesi

TakabonerateTakabonerate lies southwest of Selayar island and is the third largest coral atoll in the world (the largest is Kwajalein in the Marshall islands and the second largest Suvadiva in the Maldives). Spread over 2,220 square kilometer (21 small islands) in the Flores Sea, there are coral reef and seagrass ecosystems. The atoll offers some very good wall diving. Visibility is normally around 30 meter. The atoll rises sharply from the side of a submerged ridge 2,000 meter below the surface. It is said to have been a huge volcano, that has since subsided, leaving a wide ring of coral. The area is an Indonesian National Marine Park and as such there should be no fishing.

There seems to be some areas with damage from dynamite fishing though. It is not clear how extensive they are. Diving is normaly done in the untouched areas. Topographic area is very unique and interesting, where atol group consisting of islands and coral reef a broad and sunken, forming the islands with a rather large amount. Among the islands reef, there is a narrow strait, the passage in and pitched. While on the coral reef surface, there are many ponds in the small and surrounded by coral reefs. At the lowest ebb, with a clearly visible and the dry land with water that formed a small swimming-pool. Visit best season: April until June or October until December each year.

2. Parai Beach, Kota Sungailiat, Bangka

Parai BeachThis beach is one of Bangka Island's prides. The beach is located in Sungailiat district. The visitors can find various forms of boulders in this beach, which add its beauty. This beach is very ideal for having swimming, sun bathing and relaxing. Parai Tenggiri beach has the complete facilities in Bangka Island. There are luxurious hotels and water sport facilities. The Visitors will enjoy this beach with the local fishermen who always spend their days by looking for fishes in the sea. The calmness and fresh sea wind will greet the visitor when they arrive there. This make you feel comfortable to stay here.

3. Dodola Island, North Maluku

Dodola IslandDodola Island is surrounded by the wide of white sand that connect Dodola Besar Island and Dodola Kecil Island. The nature panorama around and the clear water are suitable for swimming and diving. There are also other islands that can visit by the tourists. Dodola beach is about 5 miles from Daruba, the capital of South Morotai districts.

4. Green Canyon Indonesia,Ciamis Pangandaran, West Java

Green CanyonIf United States has Grand Canyon, Indonesia has Green Canyon, one of tourism object in West Java which is located in the Village District Kertayasa Cijulang, Ciamis Regency ± 31 km from Pangandaran. Well, green canyon is only a pun of the name of the Grand Canyon in Colorado, United States. This attraction is the river flowing through Cijulang cave with stunning stalactite and stalagmite, flanked by two hills with rocks and trees provide a unique and challenging natural attraction. The color of the river water that greenness was the reason of this place to be acknowledged as Green Canyon. The name of The Green Canyon itself was popularized by a french tourist in 1993, but local citizen called it cukang taneuh or The Land Bridge in Indonesian language because of the existence of a long and wide bridge that connected between the Kertayasa Village and the Batukaras Village.

The beautiful scenery of the Green Canyon Cave waiting after descending from the boat. You could enjoy the side of the cave with seeing stalactite and the stalagmite that still dropping water. The water continually fall in this area so it's called as eternal rain area. You can swimming to feel refreshing water in the cave and don't forget to use the buoy.

To reach this location visitors must follow the Cijulang river using a boat that available at Pier Ciseureuh, either outboard boat or canoe paddles. The scenery will be more beautiful when witnessing the Palatar Waterfall in the Green Canyon Cave. Swimming in a refreshing water while enjoying high hills and seeing stalactite and the stalagmite will be an unforgotten moment.If you intended to visit this place better to come in the dry season because the river's color is green in this season, Whereas in the rain season, during the high rainfall, the river water will be brown.

5. Bintan Island, Riau



6. Lake Toba, North Sumatera.



7. Umang Island, Banten

Umang IslandAnother paradise island in Indonesia, Umang Island, situated in Banten province, is a small island perfect for your tropical getaway. Especially when you've done some business in Jakarta, since Umang Island is only 4 to 5 hours away from the bustling city.

The five-hectare private island is maintained by a single management, Umang Island Resort and Spa, which offers the same comfort as a star-rated hotel with relaxing ambiance. The location is also very strategic for nature trekkers as it's near the UNESCO heritage site Ujung Kulon National Park.

Umang Island is also well-protected from the West Java sea storms as there's Tanjung Lesung beach to the north and Panaitan Island to the west. So whenever you feel like lazying around a white sandy beach overlooking the crystal sea water, you should try Umang Island, where the beauty of nature may give you peace and tranquility.

8. Raja Ampat Island



The Raja Ampat islands are a truly natural phenomenon with enormous biological diversity. The amazing marine landscape means that underwater photography should be on the top your list during your stay. However with Raja Ampat's natural conditions, high endemic level of land, sea biodiversity, coastal ecology, and local culture & tradition the islands offer more than just amazing landscapes to photograph.

You may also consider:

* Wreck diving
* Sailing
* Kayaking
* Exploring the islands by boat
* Visiting the Red Bird of Paradise
* Enjoying the Karst islands around Wayag Island
* Exploring the bat caves (literally, not the Dark Knight variety)
* Make your own wood sculpture guided by an Asmat artisan
* Fishing using traditional Papuan techniques
* Trekking to discover waterfalls
* Feeding couscous
* Snorkeling
* Watching The Sea Ghost

Even though Raja Ampat islands have only few visitors, there are already hotels and homestays on Saonek, Mansuar, and Yenwaupnor islands.

Raja Ampat Exploration

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9. Bunaken, Manado, North Sulawesi

Bunaken IslandBunaken is one of Indonesia's most famous diving and snorkeling areas and it draws visitors from all over the world. In addition to banana-shaped Bunaken Island itself, the 890 km2 of marine national park includes the neighboring islands of Manado Tua (a distinctive cone-shaped extinct volcano), Siladen (which will be described later), Montehagen, Nain, and Nain Kecil.

The thing to do in Bunaken is dive, dive and dive! However, the steep walls and occasionally strong, rapidly changing currents mean that many sites cater more to the intermediate/advanced diver. There are beginner-friendly sites too and all dive shops can arrange introduction dives and Open Water Dive courses.

All dive shops in the park are affiliated with resorts.Snorkeling is fantastic in front of many of the resorts around the island, with an incredible amount of marine life inhabiting the shallows. Remember not to snorkel without fins as the currents can sometimes be strong and change quickly even when they are not. Pick a reference point on the island and do not stray too far unless you are a very confident swimmer. If you love diving very much then come and visit Bunaken island.

10. Siladen, South Sulawesi

Siladen Coral ReefAs part of Bunaken National Park, Siladen is indeed the little paradise island that everyone has ever dreamed of.Siladen is a small island to the northeast of Bunaken, it offers deep coral covered walls and great marine life. With its long white sandy beaches fringed by coconut trees, coral reefs and bottomless walls just a few meters from the shore, its small fishing village of approximately 300 inhabitants and its few bungalows, Siladen, secluded and off-the-beaten-track, is the perfect place for sea and nature lovers. Walking around the whole island takes about one hour.

If you are already bored to visit Bali and want to go to somewhere else to vacation, you can try to visit one of these beautiful places in Indonesia. Hope you like it.