The Invaluable Biota of Nusantara

West Borneo or West Kalimantan is one of the biggest provinces in Indonesia. West borneo, provides a natural tropical forest with various flora and fauna. Pontianak is the capital City, on the contrary, is a fast growing commercial city founded in 1771. its situated in the intersections of two major river, the kapuas and the landak river. Kapuas river is the longest river in Indonesia and can be navigated as far as 1,143kilometers. In west borneo there is many interesting places to visist,

West Borneo or equator land as called as Pontianak is really passed by equator line lies 0 latitude exactly. so that on 21-23 march and 23 september every year at middays( 12.00am) the shadow of equator or standing objects surrounding the monuments will be disappeared for a moment. And many beautiful beach resort, most of popular is Pasir panjang Beach or Taman Pasir Panjang Indah Singkawang And Randayan Island Resort.Come and feel at home with friendly smiling people in this warm city and for your nature lovers, beach lovers.

Taman Pasir Panjang Indah is a natural tourism object which geographically at northern seaside of WestKalimantan Indonesia, a strategic traffic lane that connecting Pontianak City to Singkawang Town. From Pontianak is 128 kms in distance; approximately 2 hours driving in average. In meantime from singkawang is 17 kms in distance of 15 minutes riding.Pasir Panjang Beach faces the sea of Natuna and a squence of the adjecent small island, such as Kabung Island, Lemukutan Island, and Randayan Island.

This tourism objecct has itself attractiveness that visited a great number of visitor on hollidays. With the natural beach panorama which, surrounded by green hill, a large area and some supporting facilities like Hotel, Cottages, Restaurant, Swimming pool, Discotheque, a multifungtion hall, an Automotive Circuit, beach valley ball banana boats, Cano/Kayaking Jetsky, Watersky, and etc

Taman Pasir Panjang Indah is a natural tourism object which geographically at northern seaside of West Kalimantan Indonesia, a strategic traffic lane that connecting Pontianak City to Singkawang Town. From Pontianak is 128 kms in distance; approximately 2 hours driving in average. In meantime from singkawang is 17 kms in distance of 15 minutes riding. PASIR PANJANG BEACH faces the sea of Natuna and a squence of the adjecent small island,     such as Kabung Island, Lemukutan Island, and Randayan Island.

This tourism objecct has itself attractiveness that visited a great number  of visitor on hollidays. With the natural beach

Pasir Panjang Beach have old become famous recreation place, facing to sea of Natuna and also some isle around him, for example island of Lemukutan, island Mourn and island of Randayan. Dinghys and of speed boat can be rented here to go to the islands.

As a recreation place, this tourism object have been provided with various supporter facility and also around coast have many hotel, cottage, shops, available other facilities and discotic to tourist.

This is place very compatible to people who take a fancy to swim athletics, fishing, diving and water ski or of as fluent as. PAsir Panjang reside in District Seventeen, only 17 km of downtown of Singkawang. Condition of way in have paved and can pass by vehicle of wheel four. Transportation medium from and to Pasir Panjang in the form of vehicle of public, cab, minibus and also vehicle of person.

The fortification was under construction for four years and was established by East Indian Company under Governor General Joseph Callet, it was completed in its first form in 1718. Joseph Collet named his new fort `Marlborough` in honors of John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough, who was being haled as National hero after winning a number of strategic battles in Europe against the French. The fort was the second strongest fort built by British in the east after Fort George in Madras, India.



Bengkulu was briefly shaken out of its torpor during the Governor of Thomas Stamford Raffles in 1818-1824. Fort Marlborough was the seat of the British power and influence in western parts of the Indonesia until 1824, when under the terms of the Treaty of London, England handed over the territory to the Dutch in exchange for others, ending 139 years of British power in Bengkulu.



The actual handover took place early in 1825 as in exchange for Singapore. The Dutch continued to occupy Fort Marlborough until the Second World War and after the fall of Sumatra it was then occupied the Japanese army. The following of the Japanese in 1945 the fort was again briefly occupied by the Dutch. After independent August 17, 1945 the Indonesian army and police force unit used the fort until it was abandoned in the late 1970`s. The fort remains in its present state following a sympathetic restoration programmed which was carried out in the late 1980`s.



Set on a hill overlooking the Indian ocean it's an interesting place to visit. The old British gravestones at the entrance make poignant reading. Inside, a small museum houses a few interesting old engravings and copies of official correspondence from the time of British rule. Inside the fort, there is also a subway connected to the outside and you can also see where the Ducth incarcerated Soekarno during his internal exile of 1939–1942.



It is open daily from 8am-8pm, admission Rp. 1,000.

Phone: 081539249331

Address: Jl. Benteng

Directions: Fort Marlborough is located on jl. Benteng in the main street of Bengkulu nearby Pasar Baru Koto and Tapak Paderi beach.

Samudera Ujung beach is strongly recommended for surfing mania. It is the best spot for more experienced surfers in Bengkulu. The beach is less popular than Panjang beach or Tapak Paderi beach, but Samudera Ujung beach is clean enough with its white sand and natural spruces along the beach, which makes it very suitable for surfing; it is easy to reach and free from pollution. Only a few local or foreign surfers come to surf here, so you don't have to wait for a wave patiently or fight against other surfers for waves.



Because it is out of the city, there is no inn or hotel or food stall nearby the surfing spots. Bring your own food, drink and gears!



For surfers it will be a frustrating trip taking non-chartered cars. It is easier to get there by paying more for a chartered angkot (city transport) for Rp 50,000 (return trip). The driver will drop you off and pick you up later.



No entrance fee, except on Idul Fitri also known as Lebaran and Idul Adha or Lebaran Haji, the visitors are charged by the locals for Rp. 1,000 per one person.

Phone: 081539249331

Address: Jl. Pelabuhan Samudra

Directions: The beach is quite far from Bengkulu town center. It is located near the ocean harbor Pulau Baai about 17 km (10.6 miles) from Bengkulu town center, on an asphalt road, and can be reached by motorbikes and all four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Bengkulu’s main beach, Pantai Panjang, stretches for approximately 7 km (4.4 miles). It has white sand and good surf. Early morning on a mid to high tide will be the best time for a surf.

In the beach (right in front of Pasir Putih cottage) you can try to ride an Elephant for Rp. 5,000 per one person, but you can try to bargain the ticket for Rp. 10,000 for three people, I’ve tried it and it worked. The elephants to ride are only available on every Sunday, and every national public holiday.

You can find seaside cottages, nice hotels, warung-warung (street stalls) and cafés along the beach. Other recreational facilities are also available such as: swimming pools, tennis court, fishing ponds, etc.

How to get there? You can take yellow angkot (city transport) from Jl. Suprapto to the beach center gate for Rp. 2,000/one person. There is no entrance fee, except on Idul Fitri also known as Lebaran and Idul Adha or Lebaran Haji, the visitors are charged by the for Rp. 1,000 per one person.

Warning: The beach has big waves which are kind of good for surfing, but be careful, it’s rarely suitable for swimming; it’s unsafe for swimming too far out because there are strong currents in some spots.

Address: Jl. Pariwisata, Bengkulu.

Directions: It is located 3 km (1.9 miles) west of Bengkulu city center.

Sungai Suci Beach Bengkulu

Bengkulu is one Province of Indonesia, situated on the Southern Part of Sumatra island and Western beach of Sumatra. Toward the east, a Bukit Barisan Hill stretched as a border line to other Province. The area of about 19,978,870 sq km lying on the southwestern coast of Sumatra island, with the population of about 1,464,000 .

The view in the picture is seen from Sungai Suci Beach, from this point going to southward we can reach Bengkulu beach where there is a Fort Marlborough stand beside the beach.

Bengkulu began from a few small Kingdom, SUNGAI SERUTkingdom, SUNGAI HITAMkingdom, SUNGAI LEMAU kingdom and SELEBARkingdom. According to the History, they have been long set up a coordination of their administration centralized at Bengkulu. Then in 1685 an expedition lead by Ralph Ord and William from United Kingdom (British) landed to Bengcoolen.

In 1784 there is an agreement between British Colony , Sungai Hitam Kingdom and Sungai Lemau Kingdom when Bengcoolen under British colony in which Bengcoolenwas the seat of British Power which ruling the western parts of the Archipelago. At that time the Population of Bengkulu approximately 10,000 which comprise of multi ethnic group: REJANG, SERAWAI, MELAYU(bENGKULUmalay) AND cHINESE.In 1713 till 1719 British East India established a warehouse and fortification, later on was named FORT MARLBOROUGH which still exist as a Fort Marlborough or in Indonesia BENTENG MARLBOROUGH until now

FortMARLBOROUGHbuilt by BritishEast.I in1713

FORT MARLBOROUGH is an old fortress Built in 1713 till 1719 by British East India, located at the beach side of Bengkulu. Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles in 1817 was appointed by British Administration as Lieutenannt Governor of Bengcoolen(Bengkulu), during his administration, a botanist JOSEPH ARNOLD discovered the world largest flower at Manna district, southern parts of Bengkulu, the Flower is wellknown as RAFFLESIA ARNOLDI. tHE bRITISH RULED THE REGION more than 100 years, then in 1825 under the LONDON Treaty , the administration was Handing over to the Dutch until Indonesia get the Independence Day in 1945...(may11,2006)

ThomasPARR and HAMILTON Monument

PARR and Hamilton WAS FORMER hEAD OF bENGKULU rESIDENCE, WHEN bENGKULU was UNDER THE bRITISH administration which was began from the year of 1685, the monument was built to memeorize them, located at the protocol road of Bengkulu Province, not far from FORT Marlborough.

Bengkulu as one of a new Province in Indonesia starting from November 1968,now divided into 8 regencies and one municipality, namely from North to South are: MUKO MUKORegency, LEBONG Regency, NORTH BENGKULU Regency, REJANG LEBONG Regency, KEPAHIYANG Regency, BENGKULU City, SELUMA Regency, SOUTH BENGKULU Regency and KAUR Regency. Geographically, Bengkulu is divided into two regions, the Western parts is a beach line which facing Indian ocean stretch from north to the south as long as 500 km and the Eastern parts which is constitute as a mountainous range of Bukit Barisan.

Pulau Weh:

The most northwestern island of Indonesia offers truly world class diving with clear waters and impressive under water landscapes. Here, where the Andaman Sea meets the Indian Ocean, the deep waters and currents around the island sustain an unbelievable amount and variety of marine life, ranging from tiny critters to grand pelagic's ...

Dive in crowds of fish, not in crowds of divers:

Still being an insiders' secret, and off the beaten track, Pulau Weh offers unspoiled and uncrowded dive sites. Add our team's dedication, experience and love for the ocean and you'll get unforgettable dives, from spectacular full-adrenaline dives to long slow relaxed macro spotting dives.

Homebase in paradise: We are a small dive operation in a great dive shop. Open since 1998, Lumba Lumba Diving Centre has become a meeting point on Gapang Beach, a hub of activity from where the diving starts, a friendly n welcoming place where you can feel at home.



Taste some of the Wonders of Weh: dive into the dive site descriptions n some more photos.

How t o come up to Weh: Take a night bus from Medan to Banda Aceh, then the morning fast ferry and reach Gapang Beach before noon, or fly from Kuala Lumpur or Medan and be here late afternoon the same day!

Stay & relax here: Gapang offers the widest choice in accommodation, from cheap basic wooden huts to comfortable bungalows. Sure you will find something to fit your taste n budget!



fin Tips & fish Tales: Don't miss out on the latest news, stories & background info, comments, links, tips and more....

Lumba Lumba Diving Centre

Gapang offers the widest choice in accommodation on Pulau Weh, from basic wooden huts on the beach, or nice, simple bungalows spread out along the hill overlooking the bay to comfortable bungalows with springbeds, bathrooms, fans or AC and TV in a garden setting at the entrance to the beach. Prices ranges from 3 to 20 € (Euro) per night.

After the tsunami: Both Leguna and Gapang Resort were not touched by the wave, and are open as usual. Same applies for the 3 basic bungalows of our neighbour on the beach

Gapang Beach is an unique beach, with white sand halfway around the bay, surrounded by large overhanging trees; the 'Gapang' trees. So you can choose to sit on the beach in the sun, or in the shade of these grand old trees.

And where in the world can you overlook the ocean waiting for some black fintips coming out of the water, grap your mask and fins to snorkel with some manta's feeding on the plankton?

 

JAKARTA, 17 June 2001 - Every country has its myths, legends and folklore that embellish cultures and in many instances draw people together towards a mutual experience and understanding of life's lessons. Indonesia, it seems, has more than its fair share of these intriguing tales. All parts of the country, large or small, urban or rural, near or far, have tales often from times long past that form part of the culture. Some of these tales are more fanciful than others, featuring outlandish escapades and creatures from fantasy worlds but most, (if not all), have some message or lesson that is as relevant to our modern world as it was when the stories first occurred or were first invented.

In West Sumatra there are many such tales but traveling towards the small fishing village of Air Manis (Sweet Water), south of Padang, it is hard to believe that any such legends might have come to exist in this remote part. Traveling over round topped hills that are covered by dense vegetation there are few signs of human habitation. Occasionally through clearings in the vegetation the coastline can be glimpsed but here too there are few signs of the influences of humanity. The clear blue water washes up to Sumatra's untouched shorelines and sitting quietly just off the coast are tiny islands that are entirely covered by trees and other vegetation that suggests that humans rarely set foot on them.

But as you travel on toward Air Manis along undulating and bumpy roads that weave through the near jungle-like conditions more and more glimpses of the coast can be seen and the occasional fishing boat may be noticed bobbing on the surface of the calm crystal-clear waters. Gradually it will be noticed that there are many boats floating just offshore with lone fishermen casting their nets and as you descend down the hills this is a clear sign that you are closing in on the fishing village of Air Manis. Passing through the village it is apparent that this is a quite traditional little settlement. The houses are built in amongst a maze of trees that lead down to the coast. Rice and fish are laid out in the sun to dry and many of the houses are built entirely from natural materials standing on short wooden stilts, with timber walls, thatched roofs and no glazing in windows only shutters that are closed at night and opened again in the morning.

At the southern edge of the village is the beach. First, though, some swampy ground has to be passed that suggests that a legend here might involve a crocodile but soon there is sand beneath your feet and the trees part to reveal an attractive enclosed beach. A secluded tropical haven has been reached and it is here that a legend is said to have occurred. It is here that the legend of Malin Kundang is told and retold. All myths and legends are prone to different interpretations. Every person that tells and retells the tale is liable to add a little something for extra dramatic effect or forget to include some detail. That is human nature. But this is how an elderly resident of the village recounted Malin Kundang's story.

It seems that Malin Kundang was a restless soul and soon he felt that he had to leave his family in this idyllic tropical place to seek his fortune elsewhere. Restless though he was he did not forget his family and home and so soon after achieving success and gaining great fortune he sailed back homeward. But upon arrival home misfortune was to fall upon him, his fellow sailors and his family. Coming ashore at the beach at Air Manis Malin Kundang's mother rushed to meet her long lost son. But this son upon looking at his mother felt ashamed. Here he was a rich man wearing fine new clothing while his mother was looking ragged and poor as she was. In his undisguised disgust he ignored his mother, refused to greet her and returned to his ship. Of course, his mother was humiliated and heartbroken by her arrogant son's behavior. She fell to her knees in desperation and prayed to God asking that her son be punished for his cruel ways.

Soon a terrible storm rose up and Malin Kundang's ship was wrecked upon the rocks of one of the nearby islands. All but one of the people on the ship died in the wreck. Only Malin Kundang got away from the rocks as the sea picked him up and carried him towards his home. Exhausted and badly injured Malin Kundang tried to get ashore but as he crawled on his hands and knees he was suddenly turned to stone. Today a stony portion of Air Manis beach has a stone that from a certain angle resembles the figure of a man on his hands and knees his head seemingly buried in the rock. Thus, it is said, Malin Kundang has been forced to stay on the beach for all time, forever begging for forgiveness from his mother who he shamed so badly.

Around this rocky figure barrels and ropes have been carved into the stone to represent the shipwreck washed up on the shore. But today this beach is a tranquil place with nothing to suggest that the violence of a shipwreck could happen here or even near here. The sea gently rolls in onto the beach and when the tide goes out the nearest islands that sit just offshore can actually be walked to because the sandy beach reaches out to them. This means that, at the right time of day, the beach can be both quite long and wide. Overall, though, the beach at Air Manis remains pleasantly secluded. It sits in a protected alcove with trees closing it in on one side and the village and its trees on the other.

In the shade of some of these trees it is possible to sit, relax and appreciate the untouched tropical beauty of the seascape before you. Malin Kundang's sad story may teach of the folly and foibles of human beings but thankfully until now human beings have not disturbed the beauty and peace of this location with their foolhardy developments. True the village and the fishermen out in their boats are clear signs of human habitation but they are limited and acceptable as they only add to the idyllic character of this place. The tale of a family's woe makes Air Manis a legendary location and may offer a lesson in life. The natural beauty and restfulness of this place may be a lesson to the soul and lift the spirit. Combined -- the story and the sight of this beach add up to a contemplative destination -- a destination where one might consider one's own destiny.

Simon Marcus Gower