Air Terjun Bantimurung (Bantimurung Waterfall) Bantimurung Waterfall is located at the valley of the step limestone hill with its fertiles tropical vegetation which makes this area an ideal habitat for the types of butterflies and birds that are famous for their rarity.
In 1856-1857 a pre- dominant English naturalist. Alfred Russel Wallace spent half of his life in this area. In this area he enjoyed catching numerous sorts of rarely found butterflies, birds and insects.
Among the butterflies that he caught was Pailo Androcles type, which is considered one of the most rare and biggest type of butterfly that has a tail like a swallow. A detailed description concerning this place attracts the attention of most archeologist, pre-history experts and others.
The area of the water- fall and surrounding is one of the interesting, enjoyable and fresh place, for walking and swimming.From the water- fall, you can go by vehicle to the National Park through the lines of limestone hill
The journey to Ijen as far as three kilometers can be achieved by all people, adults and childrens with healthy bodies. The journey starts at a small path of Pal Tuding where many cottages managed by the Ministry of Forestry are available. The journey usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours walk to Ijen Crater.
Watching directly the mining activities are not allowed for public, especially those with physical problems and vertigo. The rule especially apply to those who would feel sick and dizzy easily if they inhale the sulphuric smoke.
The journey to the crater must apply extreme caution. On your way up, never talk to the miners carrying baskets if you don't have to. They would later stop and talk with you which would slow their rhytms and forcing them to use extra energy located at the bottom of the mountain at Pal Tuding. What an extraordinary scene, yet gloomy for us.
About ten minutes later, the path ended at an open space with the sight of a beautiful valley on our right. Up here, we could see Rante and Raung Mountains in the distance. It was less than twenty minutes for us to reach the Ijen Crater from here as we could already smell sulphur indistinct. Although, the mountain was still active, still the picture of enjoying the Breathtaking crater that only few could enjoy -ad diminished their worries.
Ijen Crater was the final destination for the visitors, but actually it was a start for the miners. Yes, down below in the deep crater the mining was located.
The journey to the mining place was rocky and very steep. To reach it, we had to take a small path along the rocky wall on our right and 200-meter slope on our left. The path itself was very sloppy. What a startling outlook to see the miners had to carry up to hundreds kilograms of sulphur on their shoulders along the hard path. Yet, the picture was not complete unless we could see directly the mining activities on ground zero located on the side of a lake.
The Rise and Fall of the Flavian Amphitheatre in Rome
The Colosseum has been part of the landscape of Rome for nearly 2000 years. Its history reflects the fortunes of the empire that constructed it.
Known as the Colosseum since the Middle Ages, either because of the huge statue of Nero that once stood outside it or from its sheer size and magnitude, the Amphitheatre Flavium or Flavian Amphitheatre has been one of Rome’s major landmarks for nearly 2000 years. Its fortunes have fluctuated. It was the centrepiece of Vespasian’s regeneration programme and the home of vagrants, a palatial fortress and the city’s stone quarry.
The Beginnings of the Colosseum
The Colosseum was begun in 70AD by the Emperor Vespasian as part of his regeneration of Rome. Roma Resurgens was Vespasian’s motto. As the city rose from the ashes of civil war and unrest, so the Colosseum rose from the basin of the lake of Nero’s Golden House to become the city’s first permanent, all purpose stone amphitheatre.
The building remained a family project. Its grand opening was in 80AD under Vespasian’s son the Emperor Titus. Vespasian’s youngest son, the Emperor Domitian, added the structural finishing touches by completing the arena area.
Repairs to the Colosseum
The amphitheatre was repaired and modified several times in its history. The building was particularly vulnerable to fires because of its wooden arena and upper ring of seating. Initial repairs were detailed. Archaeologists have discovered that the original corridor décor of red, yellow, green and black painted plaster was changed following the fire of 217 AD to a plainer red and white style.
As time went on, repairs were less meticulous. A lightening strike in the third century meant that the building again went up in flames. Repairs took two decades and did not have the attention to detail of earlier eras. The last recorded repair of the amphitheatre was in 443 AD when an earthquake destroyed the upper tier of seating. Repairs on this occasion were makeshift and incomplete.
The Decline of the Colosseum
Gladiatorial contests were outlawed in 438AD and the games stopped completely in 523AD after one final animal hunt took place in the arena. The Colosseum became redundant until it became a refuge for the city’s vagrants. Makeshift dwellings were set up in the basement corridors. Gradually, a small community of artisans grew up around the former amphitheatre. A road was built down the main axis of the arena which became a storage yard whilst outside the perimeter walls, a number of dwellings were erected.
Plundering the Colosseum
By the 12th century, the Colosseum had once more gone up in the world when it become part of the Frangipane family’s fortress. The family occupied two levels of arches at the eastern end of the structure until the building left their ownership, eventually falling into the hands of the church. Its stone began to be plundered with records showing travertine stone from the building was put up for sale in 1362.
By the renaissance, humanists such as Pope Eugene IV were calling for the historic remains to be preserved. This did not prevent the building from being used as a ‘quarry’ supplying stone for great renaissance buildings such as the Vatican’s St Peter’s church.
In the sixteenth century, the church sanctified the former amphitheatre, due to the misconception that it was a place of martyrdom for early Christians under Nero. A small church, the Chapel of Santa Maria Della Pieta was built in the north eastern corner of the arena. This in no way stopped the slow erosion of the building’s structure and soon only the north side of the building left relatively intact.
The Conservation and Excavation of the Colosseum
Real conservation did not begin until the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. A law was passed in 1743 forbidding any further removal of stone. The east and west ends of the building were reinforced to stop them collapsing. It was not until the nineteenth century that the first systematic excavations of the building began under Carlos Fea.
Sources
The Colosseum: The Official Guide. Electa: soprintendenza archeologica di roma
Colosseum: Rome’s Arena of Death (2003) by Peter Connolly. BBC books
Located off the northwest tip of Bird's Head Peninsula on the island of New Guinea, in Indonesias West Papua province, Raja Ampat, or the Four Kings, is an archipelago comprising over 1,500 small islands, cays and shoals surrounding the four main islands of Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo, and the smaller island of Kofiau. It encompasses more than 40,000 km² of land and sea, which also contains CenderawasihBay, the largest marine national park in Indonesia. It is a part of the newly named West Papua (province) of Indonesia which was formerly Irian Jaya. The islands are the most northern pieces of land in the Australian continent.
According to Conservation International, marine surveys suggest that the marine life diversity in the Raja Ampat area is the highest recorded on Earth.[1] Diversity is considerably greater than any other area sampled in the Coral Triangle composed of Indonesia, Philippines and Papua New Guinea. The Coral Triangle is the heart of the world's coral reef biodiversity, making Raja Ampat quite possibly the richest coral reef ecosystems in the world.
The area's massive coral colonies along with relatively high sea surface temperatures, also suggest that its reefs may be relatively resistant to threats like coral bleaching and coral disease, which now jeopardize the survival of other coral ecosystems around the world. The Raja Ampat islands are remote and relatively undisturbed by humans.
The high marine diversity in Raja Ampat is strongly influenced by its position between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, as coral and fish larvae are more easily shared between the two oceans. Raja Ampat's coral diversity, resilience, and role as a source for larval dispersal make it a global priority for marine protection.
1,309 fish species, 537 coral species (a remarkable 96% of all scleractinia recorded from Indonesia are likely to occur in these islands), and 699 mollusk species, the variety of marine life is staggering.Some areas boast enormous schools of fish and regular sightings of sharks, such as wobbegongs.
Ancient Siam (formerly known as Ancient City) is the world's biggest open-air museum. It occupies an area of 500 rais (200 acres). Construction began in the latter part of 1963. It is located at Tambon Bang Pu Mai, at Km. 33.5 of the old Sukhumvit Road, 8 kilometres from Samut Prakan town. This unique attraction is the center of scaled-down and actual-size replicas of important historical sites of various provinces such as Prasat Hin Phanom Rung, Wat Mahathat Sukhothai, Phraphuttabat Saraburi, Phrathat Mueang Nakhon, Phrathat Chaiya, etc. Furthermore, there are rare traditional folk arts and cultures, some of which are hard to come by nowadays. For those who wish to learn about Thailand, they will not be disappointed here.
Wat Phananchoeng is in the southern part of the city near the river. It was built in 1324 A.D., 26 year before king U-thong founded Ayutthaya, although it is not known by whom this temple was built. Phra Chao Phananchoeng, a large sitting Buddha constructed of brick and mortar, has been well known of a long time. King Naresuen the Great repaired it once, and the other Kings of Ayudhya must keep it in good repair too, though no mention is made of that in the chronicle, from which it is learnt only that when Ayudhya was taken by the Burmese tears flowed from the eyes of this image.
Later on the first king of the Chakri Dynasty and some of his successors repaired the image and towards the end of 1854 A.D., King Mongkut completely renovated the image and renamed it Phra Bhudh-trai-ratana nayok. On the 21st December 1901, during the reignof King Chulalongkorn, the outer garment of Phra Chao Phanan-cheng caught fire and the image was damaged in many places. King Chulalongkorn commanded the image to be repaired, and the work was finished in 1902 A.D.
On the 15th March 1928 the cheeks and the lower jaws of the image broke into pieces. The Royal Institute had it repaired in 1929. At that time Phra Dhamatri-lok the abbot of this monastery, on collecting the bits of gold leaves left by the devotees inside the Vihara gathered 165 grammes of that metal, 690 grammes of gold were contributed by others. With these 855 grammes of gold the head of the monastery made an "Una-lom" (ornament for the forehead substituted it for the older one which was of copper plated with gold).
Phra Chao Phananchoeng is held in respect by the Thai people who, when they visit ayutthaya, offer worship to this image and obtain prediction of their luck from its Vihara. Tourists who do not visit this temple miss the opportunity of seeing one of the very large, old and beautiful images. No Photographs of this image too are to be found in any book or even in the National Museum, where there is a collection of photographs of all other important images of the Buddha, because there is not enough room within the Vihara to set the camera at the proper distance to get a complete picture of this large image.
Phra Chao Phananchoeng is an image in the posture of subduing Mara. It measures 14 meters and 25 centimeters from knee to knee and 19 meters high (including the ornament above the head).
source: AYUTTHAYA
[photo credit to dhammathai.org]
by ; wat-thai-temple.blogspot.com
Damnernsaduak is believed to be one of a well-known and an attractuve travelling sites. Historically, Damnoenssaduak was actually the name of the canal dug in the reign of King Rama IV by the military men and the people of Rajburi, Samutsakorn and Samutsongkram Province directed by Phayasrisuriyawong, the minister of Defence. In those days without rivers and canals, transportation was almost motionless; King Rama IV with his great concern over the country's future economic growth, he finally had the canal dug to connect the Taachin River in Samutsakorn Province and Maklong River in Samutsongkram Province together.
Nowadays Damnoensaduak is one of a provincial district of Rajburi Province. Most people live densely along both sides of the canal from one end of the canal to another.The majority of this people are agriculturists. They grow several different kinds of fruit and vegetable for examples oranges, grapes, papayas, cabbages, bean, onion and etc. The land in this area is naturally fertile. Apart from providing transportation, Damnoensaduak Canal also provides farmers with adequate water for agricultural purposes for the whole year around. More than 200 small canals were dug by local peasants to connect with it to get water to splatter their land. Moreover; these small canals also become protitiouus ways of taking their agricultural products to the markets in neighbouring provinces and Bangkok.
Day in and day out from about 8 a.m. to about 11 a.m. the Floating Market is routinely crowded with hundrreds of vendors and purchasers floating in their small rowing boats selling and buying or exchanging their goods. What they purchase are particularly food, fruit and vegetable which mostly brought from their own orchards. They usually travel on their small rowing boats. however; today the long-tailed boats pushing by engine become very popular. People tend to use them instead. Anyhow because of the shortage of fuel today long-tailed boats are quite unavailable compared to a few years ago.
Damnoen Saduak in Ratchaburi about 109 kilometres south of Bangkok or approximately 2 hours drive. How to Get There By Car: From Bangkok you can take Highway No. 4 (Phetchakasem Rd.) and turn left at Km. 80 for another 25 kms. along Bangpae-Damnoen Saduak Rd. By Bus: There are public buses both air and non air-conditioned leaving from the Southern Bus Terminal. Pinklao-Nakhonchaisi Rd. for Damnoen Saduak every 40 minutes from 06.00 hrs. onwards. Fare is around Baht 49 (one way) for air-conditioned (tel . 435-5031) and Baht 30 for normal buses (tel. 434-5558). The most suitable time to be at the market is from 08.00-10.00 hrs.
Arriving at Damnoen Saduak, you can either walk on the passage along the canal on the right hand side or take a both at the pier nearby to Floating Market area at the price of Baht 10 per person. Those who want to see all the three of the Floating Markets, Ton Khem, Hia Kui, Khun Phithak may hire a boat at the price of Baht 300 per hour. It is recommended that the fare should be settled before starting off.
The visit to this market, especially noted for its fresh fruits from surrounding orchards, can be combined with a tour of the great chedi in Nakhon Pathom or Rose Garden which is on the same route, the show time at the Thai Village in the Rose- Garden is at 15.00 hrs. and admission fee is Baht 190 per person. This trip can be arranged through a travel agency or tour counter in most of the hotels in Bangkok.
No other in Indonesia is quite like the Moramo Waterfall. It is unique in traversing a 2 Km plateau, with 127 separate terraced plumes, with the top of the waterfall some 100 meters above is basin pool. The falls have seven main terraces, each with its own natural bathing pool.
This combination produces clean, fresh, cool air in the shade production tropical, jungle-forest setting, which surrounds the falls. This is the perfect habitat for Southeast Sulawesi's native animals and birds. Those who love nature at its purest will find this an ideal environment. Only 65 km east of Kendari, Moramo Waterfall is easily accessible by car or by boat, crossing Moramo Bay, with wide panoramic scenery of the sea.
The Iguazu Waterfall is a true wonder of nature and is heralded as the most beautiful waterfall in the world by many visitors. The waterfall is located right at the border of the countries of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay about an hour and a half flight from Buenos Aires.
The waterfall itself is physically located in Argentina, but it is very common to also visit the Brazilian side as well. On the Argentinean side of the waterfall you can walk right around the falling water, take a boat tour to the mouth of the waterfall, and explore the National Park next to the waterfall. On the other hand, the Brazilian side offers beautiful panoramic views and displays the full splendor of the wonder of the world.
Garganta del Diablo
The Devil's Throat is the site of the biggest waterfall and the greatest sight Iguazu Falls has to offer. You can see a great amount of water gushing over 230 feet from above the waterfall or from many different angles in the surrounding area. There are even helicopter tours that let you see the amazing spectacle from above for a fairly reasonable rate.
Touring Circuits
Igauzu Falls Map
The Circuito Superior (Upper Circuit) is a half-mile loop along a protected catwalk that is surrounded by spectacular views of the "Devil's Throat" and the magnificent waterfalls of Iguazu. Visitors approach the falls at a close (but not too close) distance, for an unparalleled experience of a natural wonder.
The Circuito Inferior (Lower Circuit) provides a longer trail (3,000 feet) to view the Dos Hermanos, Bossetti, Ramirez, Chico and finally San Martin waterfalls, as they all plummet into the Rio Iguazu (Iguazu River) below. Gaze upon an endless stretch of falling water and its white foam as it explodes into the river.
Other InformationAlthough Iguazu is best known for their waterfalls, the surrounding jungle is well worth including in your explorations. A plethora of animals and birds make their home in the lush vegetation around the Iguazu National Park. There are also a number of other highlights in this region such as The San Ignacio Jesuit Mission Ruins, The Itaipu Dam, and the Yacutinga Lodge Wild Preservatory.
The Iguazu Waterfalls are located near the little town of Puerto Iguazu with a wide selection of lodgings. You can also see what kind of weather to plan for on the Iguazu Falls Weather page.
Bukittinggi. Formerly named Fort De Cock by Dutch, Bukittinggi is one of the loveliest, friendliest, and most relaxed town, not only in West Sumatera but in all Sumatera island, also.
This town is situated in Minangkabau highland, 90 km by road from the Padang, its province's capital. Rest more or less 930 meters above sea level and is surrounded by three volcanoes, Bukittinggi has a cool climate with temperatures between 16.1°-24.9°C.
In the outskirts of the town is the Ngarai Sianok canyon, a canyon separating Bukittinggi from Kota Gadang, 12 km away overland. Kota Gadang is renowned for its fine silver filigree and hand embroidery.
A center of attraction is the town's clock-tower, topped with a horn- shaped roof and referred to by the people as Jam Gadang. It overlooks the market square and the city's magnificent surroundings.
Also worth visiting is the Museum which is a Rumah Gadang, a traditional extended family house built in the 19th century. There are dance performances at the museum's open stage every Sunday and on public holidays. Night dance performances are at Sliguri. It is also worth seeing the bullfights at Padang Lawas (6 km south of Bukittinggi) every Tuesday at 5.00 p.m.
From Jakarta International Airport to MinangkabauInternationalAirport in Ketaping it will take about 2 hours, after you arrive you can use Taxi or Bus to Bukittinggi. There are various Inns and Hotels in Bukittinggi.
Guess can move around the city by Taxi, Bus or rent a car. Theres also a horse carriage or sado provide a colorful charming transportation to move around through the town. Don't forget to make a trip
in the environment like to the Harau nature reserve, the Pagaruyung Minangkabau palace and LakeSingkarak.
As old city, Bukittinggi has own and long history. The city was known as Fort de Kock during colonial times in reference to the Dutch outpost established here in 1825 during the Padri War. The fort was founded by Captain Bauer at the top of Jirek hill and later named after the then Lieutenant Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, Hendrik Merkus de Kock.
During the Japanese occupation of Indonesia in World War II, the city was the headquarters for the Japanese 25th Army, the force which occupied Sumatra. The headquarters was moved to the city in April 1943 from Singapore, and remained until the Japanese surrender in August 1945.
During the Indonesian National Revolution, the city was the headquarters for the Emergency Government of the Republic of Indonesia (PDRI) from December 19, 1948 to July 13, 1949. The city was officially renamed Bukittinggi in 1949, replacing its colonial name. From 1950 until 1957, Bukittinggi was the capital city of a province called Central Sumatra, which encompassed West Sumatra, Riau and Jambi.
Jam Gadang
Jam Gadang (Literally translated as Massive Clock) is a clocktower and an icon of Bukittinggi, West Sumatera province. Located in the centre of the city, near the the main market, Pasar Atas, Jam Gadang is a main tourist attraction.
Jam Gadang's diameter is 80 centimeters, the base's dimension is 13 metres in length and 4 metres wide, and it stands 26 metres tall. One unique feature of the clock is that it uses the IIII for the number 4 instead of its traditional Roman Number IV.
This tall clock was built in 1826 as a present from the Dutch Queen to the city secretary (controleur), Rook Maker. He asked an architect Mr. Yazid along with his partner St. Gigi Ameh to build the tower.
Over time, its roof has been modified three times. During the Dutch era, its roof was round with a rooster statue on its top, symbolizing the function of the clock like cock waking up people in the morning. Then during Japan colonialis, the dome was changed into trapezoid form, representing Japanese architecture. And finally, when Indonesia proclaimed it’s freedom, the roof shaped like buffalo horn as a symbol of Minangkabau culture, specially Minangkabau traditional home in West Sumatera.
As a city icon, Jam Gadang is situated in a city park in Bukit Tinggi, some 80 km from the Minangkabau international airport, about two to two and half hours by rented car or public minibus. Jam Gadang can see from the park where it stands, from Atas Market, or from a zoological garden which is situated about 1 km from the city center.
Visitors can see the clock while relaxing in a shady park and from many angles because of its square form. For another experience, visitors can take an andong (horse-carriage) to travel around the clock. Then visitors can find many natural products and Minangkabau handicrafts in Atas Market.
World famous is the crater TobaLake in the Batak highlands; approximately five hours drive from Medan. TobaLake is the largest lake in South East Asia and also one of the most spectacular, surrounded by tall mountains and with the large island of Samosir in the middle. If we descend from the mountain we see the lake glittering in all its beauty. The Dutch writer Rudy Kousbroek even called TobaLake, 'the most beautiful place on earth'. Most visitors stay on the peninsula of Tuk Tuk on Samosir, named after the linguist Herman Neubronner van der Tuuk. In general people stay several days on Samosir to discover the island, to visit traditional Batak villages, to swim in the lake and go to the hot springs in Pangururan.
The centerpiece of North Sumatra, LakeToba's bracing climate and magnificent panoramas clear the mind and soothe the soul. For decades a magnet from regional and foreign visitors alike, Toba has developed into a full-featured highland resort while retaining the rustic charm and relaxed ambiance that define Toba's attraction. Formed by a stupendous prehistoric volcanic explosion, the 100 km long lake is the largest in Southeast Asia and one of the deepest and the highest in the world. The drama of that cataclysmic birth persist in 500 meter cliffs dropping into the blue-green waters, surrounded by steep, pine covered sloped, the climate is fresh and pleasant, with just enough rain to support the lush vegetation. TobaLake is a 100kms x 30kms volcanic lake in North Sumatra, Indonesia. TobaLake has become one of the main tourist attractions for a long time in North Sumatra apart from Bukit Lawang and Nias, visited by both domestic and foreign tourist. The Origin of TobaLake
It is estimated that TobaLake was formed during a volcanic eruption about 73.000-75.000 years ago and which was the most recent super volcano eruption. Bill Rose and Craig Chesner from Michigan Technological University estimated that volcanic materials that were spewed out the mountain totaling 2800km3, with 800km3 ignimbrites rock and 2000km3 volcanic ash that is estimated was blown (wind) to the west for 2 weeks. This incident caused mass death (destruction) and to several species also causes extinction. According to some DNA proof, this eruption also shrinks the humankind population to around thousands back then.
After this eruption, a caldera was formed that was filled by water afterwards and now known as TobaLake. The pressure from the dormant magma, which has not yet erupted, caused SamosirIsland to emerge. The region that now known as SamosirIsland originally was a peninsula that attached to the Sumatran mainland. In this peninsula the Netherlands built the water canal 10 m width.
For the first time visitors, going through Medan-Parapat route seeing a lake as big as that made Samosir appear like an amazing grand island. However, the island perspective will certainly faded with the increase in Toba plateau visitor, Nias and the other places in the south, through Medan-Berastagi route. Samosir occupied a central geographical position in the Toba plateau region. With the declaration of the Toba Samosir Regency (the inhabitants 302.000 lives, the area with wide of 3.440 km including the lake) it finally ascend from only a shadow into a Regency. Moreover, the width of SamosirIsland exceed Singapore (647 km), in fact TobaLake almost twice bigger than Singapore. The Samosir image in tourism books as the backpackers location must be changed because this historic place must restore the greatness of its past. Legend of TobaLake
Once upon a time, lived a young orphan farmer in the northern part of the SumatranIsland. This area was very dry. The young man lived from farming and fishing. One day he went fishing, he already fishing for half of the day but still not getting any fish yet. So he returned home for the day turns to night, but when he nearly left he saw a big beautiful golden fish, he then caught the fish and brought it home. He intended to cook the fish right away but watched the beauty of this fish he then cancelled his intention. He chose to keep it as pet, and then he placed it in a big pond and feed it. On the next day, like usual, he went to his farm, and on the noon he comeback home, to have lunch. But when he arrived in his house he was very startled for the meal had prepared to be eaten. He then fears that the fish might be stolen, and then hastily he ran to the back of his house.
However, the fish was still in place, for a long time he thinks, “Who cooks those meals”, but because his is very hungry, he ate those meals. But this incident continued to occur again repeatedly, every time he came home for lunch, the meals are prepared on the table. Then one day this young man made a strategy to find out who cooks those meals, the next day he then began to commence his strategy, he then hide around the trees close to his house. He was waiting for a long time, but the smoke in his kitchen still has not been seen, and when he then intended to return home, he began to see the smoke in the kitchen.
"Hey woman, who are you, and where are you came from?” the woman began to drop tears, and then the young man saw his fish was no longer in the pond. He asked the woman, “hey woman, where is the fish in that pond?” the Woman cried intensely, but this young man continued to ask and finally the woman answers, “I was the fish that was caught by you”. The young man then startled, but because he felt that he had hurt the feelings this woman, then he said, “Hey woman, did you want to become my wife??” the Woman then startled, he stay quiet, then the young man said “Why are you silent??” Then the woman said, “I wanted to become your wife. But with one condition.” ”What is the condition?” the young man quickly asked, the woman then said, “In the future if our child was born and grew, never even once you said that he/she was anakni Dekke (child of a fish) ”. The young man then agreed to that condition and swore he will never say it.
Then they were married and granted a child. When the child was 6 years old, this child turn to be very naughty. Then one day the mother told her child to deliver meals to his father field, the child then went to deliver rice to his father. But in the middle of the trip, this child was felt hungry, then the child opened food package for his father, and ate the food. After finished eating, the child then wrapped it back and continued the trip to his father's field. On arrival the child gave the food package to the father, the father was very happy, the father then sat and immediately opened the food package that was sent by his wife to be carried by his child. But he was very startled when he opened the package there is only bones remained. The father then asked his child “Hay my child, why there are only bones left in this package??” And the child answers,” In my trip I felt hungry, so I ate the food.” Listened to that the father was very angry, he then slap his child and said, "Botul maho anakni dekke (Why you child of a fish),". The child is then ran home crying and ask to his mother “Mak, Olo do na in dokkon amangi, botul do au anakni dekke? (Mother, is it true what father said, that I am a child from a fish?) ” Heard his child's words his mother was startled. While dropping tears and saying in her heart, “My husband has violated his swore, and now I must return to my place.” Then the sky was suddenly become dark followed with lightning, thunder, storm, and rain. The child and the mother disappeared, from their footprint emerged a spring that flowed water as swiftly as possible. Until this area was turned into a lake, that was named as “TubaLake” the lake without mercy, but because of the bataks was difficult to say “Tuba”, then this lake was mentioned as TOBALAKE.
According to the local Citizen, the mother return as a huge fish (the lake guardian), and until today no one is able to measure the depth of this lake. Many tourists that tried to dive into the lake but never return. The lake depth in the book is only estimation not as a fact.
Who does not know Borobudur? This Buddhist temple has 1460 relief panels and 504 Buddha effigies in its complex. Millions of people are eager to visit this building as one of the World Wonder Heritages. It is not surprising since architecturally and functionally, as the place for Buddhists to say their prayer, Borobudur is attractive. Borobudur was built by King Samaratungga, one of the kings of Old Mataram Kingdom, the descendant of Sailendra dynasty. Based on Kayumwungan inscription, an Indonesian named Hudaya Kandahjaya revealed that Borobudur was a place for praying that was completed to be built on 26 May 824, almost one hundred years from the time the construction was begun. The name of Borobudur, as some people say, means a mountain having terraces (budhara), while other says that Borobudur means monastery on the high place. Borobudur is constructed as a ten-terraces building. The height before being renovated was 42 meters and 34.5 meters after the renovation because the lowest level was used as supporting base. The first six terraces are in square form, two upper terraces are in circular form, and on top of them is the terrace where Buddha statue is located facing westward. Each terrace symbolizes the stage of human life. In line with of Buddha Mahayana, anyone who intends to reach the level of Buddha's must go through each of those life stages. The base of Borobudur, called Kamadhatu, symbolizes human being that are still bound by lust. The upper four stories are called Rupadhatu symbolizing human beings that have set themselves free from lust but are still bound to appearance and shape. On this terrace, Buddha effigies are placed in open space; while the other upper three terraces where Buddha effigies are confined in domes with wholes are called Arupadhatu, symbolizing human beings that have been free from lust, appearance and shape. The top part that is called Arupa symbolizes nirvana, where Buddha is residing. Each terrace has beautiful relief panels showing how skillful the sculptors were. In order to understand the sequence of the stories on the relief panels, you have to walk clockwise from the entrance of the temple. The relief panels tell the legendary story of Ramayana. Besides, there are relief panels describing the condition of the society by that time; for example, relief of farmers' activity reflecting the advance of agriculture system and relief of sailing boat representing the advance of navigation in Bergotta (Semarang). All relief panels in Borobudur temple reflect Buddha's teachings. For the reason, this temple functions as educating medium for those who want to learn Buddhism. YogYES suggests that you walk through each narrow passage in Borobudur in order for you to know the philosophy of Buddhism. Atisha, a Buddhist from India in the tenth century once visited this temple that was built 3 centuries before Angkor Wat in Cambodia and 4 centuries before the Grand Cathedrals in Europe. Thanks to visiting Borobudur and having supply of Buddha teaching script from Serlingpa (King of Sriwijaya), Atisha was able to improve Buddha's teachings after his return to India and he built a religion institution, Vikramasila Buddhism. Later he became the leader of Vikramasila monastery and taught Tibetans of practicing Dharma. Six scripts from Serlingpa were then summarized as the core of the teaching called "The Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment" or well known as Bodhipathapradipa. A question about Borobudur that is still unanswered by far is how the condition around the temple was at the beginning of its foundation and why at the time of it's finding the temple was buried. Some hypotheses claim that Borobudur in its initial foundation was surrounded by swamps and it was buried because of Merapi explosion. It was based on Kalkutta inscription with the writing 'Amawa' that means sea of milk. The Sanskrit word was used to describe the occurrence of disaster. The sea of milk was then translated into Merapi lava. Some others say that Borobudur was buried by cold lava of Merapi Mountain. With the existing greatness and mystery, it makes sense if many people put Borobudur in their agenda as a place worth visiting in their lives. Besides enjoying the temple, you may take a walk around the surrounding villages such as Karanganyar and Wanurejo. You can also get to the top of Kendil stone where you can enjoy Borobudur and the surrounding scenery. Please visit Borobudur temple right away... Text: Yunanto Wiji Utomo
by : www.yogyes.com
