Developing Indonesia’s Cruise Ship Tourism
Cruise ship tourism has an important role to play in the overall development of Indonesia’s tourism potential. Geographically, Indonesia’s extensive seas and the riches they contain, as well as the land (islands) the water surrounds, provide a strong basis for the expansion of cruise ship tourism.
The Indonesian Department of Culture and Tourism is already trying to develop this potential, both through the promotional angle and through other efforts such as providing and upgrading the necessary infrastructure, in cooperation with expert consultants to provide a better focus on the development.
“We have been working on this continually for quite some time. We’ve been making efforts to develop this potential both continuously and consistently,” says Noviendi Makalam, acting Secretary General of the Department of Culture and Tourism.
From 17 to 22 November 2008, the Culture and Tourism Department held a Familiarization Trip by inviting a number of international cruise operators to observe the potential in several regions of Indonesia, specifically Central Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara. One featured event was a half-day workshop on the theme “Bali As a Turnaround Destination for Cruises”.
Bali is a strategic gateway to Indonesia, lying between Singapore and Sydney, making it an ideal location in the development of the cruise ship market (routes) to and from these two cities, and is also well prepared in terms of tourism facilities. The support provided in this regard has been the construction of the harbor at Benoa to meet international standards, which will clearly support development of travel to all the islands of Indonesia.
It was mentioned that, thanks in part to all the efforts by the central government, local governments, and all stakeholders concerned, the number of visits to Indonesia by international cruise ships has risen significantly over the past several years.
As the target for 2009, 15 international cruise ship companies (operators) have expressed interest in making Indonesia one of their destinations. They will transport passengers to visit 38 different destinations in the islands of Indonesia, from Jayapura in the far east to Belawan in the west.
Located in the northern tip of Baturiti District, Tabanan Regency in northern Bali is a place with several fascinating tourism attractions. It lies at 1301 meters above sea level, so the weather is cool most of the day, averaging 24oC in the daytime and falling as low as 18oC at night.
Pura Ulun Danu Beratan was built in the 15th century as a place to worship the gods and supplicate them for fertility, prosperity, welfare for humans and preservation of the natural universe. Within the Pura Ulun Danu Beratan area lie four other temples, including a Buddhist stupa to the east. The remains of several megalithic sarcophagi and stone walls indicate that this place has been used for rituals since the megalithic era.
“That’s why you must never go hiking here without a local escort. Often tourists are so excited about the idea of seeing a komodo that they go off by themselves. It’s very dangerous to do so, especially if you meet a dragon that happens to be hungry,” said a ranger, repeating the message he always conveys to the visitors he escorts.
Shortly after we set out, it started to rain and the sea became choppy. Belitung was far behind us, and small islands appeared on either side of the boat. The waves grew bigger, higher even than the roof of the boat. If the skipper made just one false move in navigating through these waves, we’d all be dumped out into the sea.
The main function of Pulau Lengkuas in the maritime traffic of Belitung is its lighthouse. The Lengkuas lighthouse was built in 1882, and its strong light still serves as a navigational aid in the Gaspar Strait between the islands of Bangka and Belitung. The interior of the lighthouse is a prison-like space with a sad aura. The lighthouse walls are made of sturdy iron plates. The windows on each floor are in different locations, so you get a different view from each window. The top floor, the 14th, is where the light itself is located. The lantern is half the size of a grown human. The walls of this top story are made of thick rounds of glass; it seems as if nothing separates us from the clouds that seem so close.
If you’re a seafood lover and have been to Bali, you have certainly heard of Kedonganan and Jimbaran, Kuta.
I decided to visit Kelan beach because I had heard that it is different from Kedonganan or Jimbaran Kuta, in that it’s busiest in the morning, when the fishermen’s activities are at their peak.
As one of the many beaches in the Kuta area, Pantai Kelan is a perfect place to visit to see the genuine atmosphere of everyday morning life in Bali – and superbly fresh seafood!
The science of climate change is complex, but everyone should know the basics: the Earth is heating up because gases produced by vehicles, power plants, deforestation, and other sources are building up in the atmosphere, acting like a thick blanket over our planet, over-heating the planet and threatening our health, our economy and our environment.
Let’s look at an example. Of the 8 million hectare of land earmarked for oil palm development in Kalimantan, 1 million is in orangutan forest habitat. This means that some 10,000 orangutans or about 20% of Kalimantan’s remaining populations are threatened by oil palm. Some of this oil palm will be planted on peat lands, which basically consist of carbon. Development of these peats can release vast amounts of CO2. This is one of the reasons why the Indonesian government is looking into better protection of peat lands.
In Berau Regency, on the eastern side of the island of Kalimantan, is a unique cluster of islands, comprising Pulau Derawan, Pulau Kakaban, Pulau Maratua and Pulau Sangalaki. This island chain lies to the east of Tanjung Redeb, the chief city of Berau Regency, and can be reached by traveling around two hours down the Berau River.
On the edge of the lake is another pier – a place to relax and prepare oneself for diving or snorkeling. At first the lake looks just like any other lake; the water’s not particularly clear, and there are a few water plants and mangroves. In fact, this is a huge marsh lake, covering 390 hectares and up to 17 meters deep. Living in the lake are four species of non-stinging jellyfish, which have been trapped in Danau Kakaban for hundreds or possibly thousands of years. Since they have no predators, gradually these jellyfish lost their sting organs, so they’re completely harmless to humans.
This was the first time we’d seen so many turtles. Under nearly ever reef we found turtles, with carapaces ranging from half a meter to over a meter across. The turtles didn’t seem to be bothered at all by our presence; when the water is calm, it’s very easy to approach them for a closer look.
Yogyakarta! Nearly every corner of the city and its environs contains heritage sites with deep historic value. One of the best known is Taman Sari, in the western part of the Keraton of Yogyakarta. A trip to Yogyakarta is incomplete until you have visited this lovely castle.
The Umbul Binangun bathing pool was the swimming pool for the Sultan, his wives and concubines, and his daughters. This complex is surrounded by a high wall. Two gates provide access to this place, one on the east and one on the west. In the Umbul Pasiraman complex are three pools, decorated with mushroom-shaped springs. Surrounding the pools are giant flower pots, which can still be seen.
To the south of the canal was a garden, lying to the west of the Kamandhungan Kidul complex and Siti Hinggil Kidul. This has now become a residential area, the garden is now the kampung (urban village) of Ngadisuryan, and the artificial lake has now become the kampung of Segaran.
The diving spot we chose this morning is Lekuan I, just off Lekuan village on Bunaken Island. Lekuan I is a series of underwater walls that is part of the same diving route as two other dive sites, Lekuan II and Lekuan III.
It is not well known and is believed to be a new species; it lives not on the gorgonian but rather in the cracks between the coral. We headed to a dive site on the west side of Pulau Bunaken, not far from the Mandolin dive site.
Gunung Halimun? Gunung, I know, means “mountain” or “Mount” – but halimun? I open the dictionary: ah, halimun means “fog”. I visualize a mysterious atmosphere: fog descending and enveloping the mountain, the sky turning grey, cold and silent.
The three-room (twin sharing basis) platform house is in the middle of the village, facing the valley, river, and rice fields. It’s very basic, lit by only a few 5-watt bulbs with power from a turbine driven by the river water. Don’t expect to charge your hand phone; but you won’t need it anyway, since there’s almost no signal here. The wide floor is completely devoid of furniture.
“Could I come along on the next leopard tracking expedition?” I asked the ranger.
The Head of the Rhino Patrol Unit told us that during 2000-2002 there were still around 80 rhinos in TNBBS, but by 2003 they were down to only 60. However, no rhinoceros deaths have been recorded since that year. One reason the population has remained fairly constant is that rhinos have a life span of up to 30 years.
Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park extends over the provinces of Lampung, Bengkulu, and South Sumatra. Its natural phenomena include unique topography combining forest, beach, and mountains, and no less than 23 watersheds that support the lives of at least ten million humans. Lying within it are five specific tourism destinations: Tampang, at Belimbing, with a prestigious tourist resort; Kubu Perahu, with waterfalls and a variety of orchid species; Suoh, with natural hot springs; and Keramat Menula and Pemerihan. To the southeast, south and west, the park is bounded by Semangka Bay, Tanjung Cina, and the Indian Ocean, offering spectacular views of the waters.
The islands of Raja Ampat were visited by several European explorers in the nineteenth century. In 1860, the renowned British researcher Sir Alfred Wallace spent three months in Waigeo studying birds and insects.
All foreign tourists entering the area are required to pay an entrance fee of Rp 500.000, which entitles them to visit for one year; for domestic tourists, the fee is Rp 250.000. The entrance fee can be paid at a counter at the airport or through any live-aboard or land-based dive tour operator in Raja Ampat.
Also found here is the blue ring octopus, a small but highly venomous octopus that can be recognized by the blue rings that appear when it is stressed or otherwise disturbed. Never try to touch this beautiful creature! Other exotic species found here include the ghost pipefish, mantis shrimp, and crocodile fish.
