Planet Mole
Indonesia in Focus
Visit Safer Indonesia
By Barrie | 
1 Comment » The just-launched campaign aiming to increase tourism in 2008 started with a small but embarrassing grammatical mistake in the slogan. The government, nevertheless, recognized the mistake and revised the tagline to ensure it says, “Visit Indonesia Year 2008, celebrating 100 years of national awakening” and not “nation’s awakening”.
Saraswati: Bali
By Barrie | No Comments » Today is Saraswati in Bali. This is the special day of thanks for the gift of knowledge. The festive day is a time for making offerings to books and especially the sacred lontar palm leaf books. All books are subjects on this day. One is not supposed to read books, however schools have special ceremonies. Notedly, Pura Jagatnatha in Denpasar is jam packed with students praying for success in their studies in the early morning ceremony.
Mandi Balimau Ritual: Pekanbaru, Riau, Sumatra
By Barrie | No Comments » 
In Indonesia, Muslims celebrate Ramadhan in various ways. In Riau, they take part in the mandi balimau, or lime purification ritual. Usually occurring the last day before Ramadhan, the tradition of greeting the fast by cleaning oneself with limes in the river has been handed down from the royal Islamic kingdoms. But while it was traditionally a celebration of restraint, outings to local rivers to celebrate the last day before fasting begins is so popular today that mandi balimau has become a mass picnic attracting tourists.
Kertalangu Cultural Village: Bali
By Barrie | No Comments » 
A new recreational site - Kertalangu Cultural Village - is being developed in Kesiman Kertalangu, Padang Galak, East Denpasar, by hundreds of local farmers under the coordination of the village head. Strategically located on Jl. Raya Bypass Ngurah Rai, about five kilometers from downtown Denpasar, the Balinese, especially those in Denpasar and Gianyar, can easily reach the location by car, motorcycle or bicycle. On the side of the thoroughfare will be a shop selling ornamental plants and earthenware and not far from the shop an open-air restaurant with a stage and a sound system.
Benjang Tradtional Game: Bandung, West Java
By Barrie | No Comments » 
Benjang is a traditional game that is believed to have been developed in the Islamic boarding schools of Ujungberung, Cobolerang and Cinunuk districts in Bandung regency. Benjang players usually pray to have fun and for fair play before a game. The instruments used in benjang include the terbang gendang (a conical-shaped drum resting on crossbeams and beaten with the hands), the bedug (a large drum suspended horizontally) and the trumpet. Sundanese songs are also performed. Benjang is a form of sumo-like fighting in which the main aim is to push your opponent out of the arena using your shoulders as you are not allowed to use your hands.
Lebaran – The Big Exodus
By Barrie | No Comments » At least 4.21 million people are expected to pass through Central Java from Jakarta, West Java and Banten on their way to their hometowns in both Central and East Java during this year’s Idul Fitri exodus, an official said over the weekend.
Mlangi in Ramadhan: Yogyakarta, Central Java
By Barrie | No Comments » 
On Monday afternoon, just days ahead of the Islamic fasting month, the call to prayer echoed throughout Mlangi, one of the oldest villages in Sleman, Yogyakarta. Men wearing sarongs and caps hurried to the biggest mosque in the village, Jami’ Mlangi, to attend the prayer gathering.
Effigies on Parade: Semarang, Central Java
By Barrie | No Comments » Thousands of residents lined Jl Pemuda in the heart of the Central Javanese capital Semarang on Wednesday to watch the traditional warak parade, a procession a mythological creatures combining dragons, horses and camels.
Nusa Dua Fiesta 2007: Bali
By Barrie | No Comments » 
The Bali Tourism Development Corporation (BTDC) have announced the dates for the Nusa Dua Fiesta 2007 as October 18-21, 2007 centered at the Peninsula Island at Nusa Dua.
Ubud Writers Festival: Ubud, Bali
By Barrie | No Comments » ‘Sekala-Niskala‘ or The Seen and The Unseen is the theme adopted for the Fourth International Ubud Writers & Readers Festival where participants will be wooed with four days of inspiring discussions, performances, literary lunches and readings in one of the world’s most beautiful settings as the Bali Discovery explains.
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