YOGYAKARTA - INDONESIAN

On the 19th day of the 10th month in Sasak Calendar-generally February or march-hundreds of Sasak gather on the beach. When night falls, fires a built and the young people sit around competing with each other in rhyming couplets called Pantun. At dawn the next day, the first Nyale a caught, after which it is time for the Sasak teenagers to have fun. In colorful procession boys and girls sail out to sea – in different boats - chase one another with lots of noise and laughter. The worm-like nyale fish are eaten raw or grilled, and are believed to have aphrodisiac properties. A good catch is a sign that the rice harvest will also be good.

SURFING

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Plenty of good waves break on the reefs around here – many supposedly “Secret”. There are lefts and rights in the bay in front of Kuta, and some more on reefs east of Tanjung Aan. Local boatman will take you out for a few thousands rupiah. Go about seven km east of the Kuta to the fishing village of Gerupuk, where there are several potential breaks on the reefs at the entrance of Gerupuk Bay. Again access is by local fishing boat. There’s more breaks further east and west, from Blongas to Serewi, but nearly all require a boat: the charter rate is about 150.000 to 250.000 rp per day. Bigger yacht from Bali do surf charters along the whole of LOMBOK south coast.

There aren’t many secrets.

INFORMATION

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You can change money at Segara Anak Bungalows, but the rates are not very good. Wisma Segara Anak is a the postal agent and has a booking desk for Perama Shuttle Bus.

KUTA BEACH & SOUTH LOMBOK

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The best-known place on the south coast is Lombok's Kuta Beach (Sometime spelt Kute Beach), a magnificent stretch of white sand and blue sea with rugged hills rising around it, but not much else.

It very small development with far fewer tourist than in famous Kuta Beach on Bali, but there are big plans to develop a whole stretch of the superb south coast with luxury hotels.

After many years of speculation there are signs something is happening, with the road from Praya completely remade and big new road running to as yet undeveloped beaches.

Meanwhile, the low budget Losmen at Kuta are all on limited leases, and seem to trying to get maximum income from minimum investment-some of theme are looking decidedly squalid.

Travelers are reporting some hassles here too. People flock to Kuta for the annual Nyale fishing celebration. Usually falling in February or March each year, with thousands sleeping on the beach. The main tourist season is August and for the rest of year it’s very quite.

info cafe and bar

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Guest of Melia Purosani enjoys an excellent choice of cuisine at a number of restaurants: Parangsari, poolside garden restaurant is the venue for casual dining। El Patio, 24-hour coffee shop offers Asian and International fare while in more formal surroundings, the Ching San Chinese Restaurant offers Cantonese and Szechwan cuisine. For cocktails and entertainment there is the Soka lounge, while the Pub Med offers live bands with Mediterranean atmosphere.

El Patio - All Day Dining

The Hotel's coffee shop, located at the lobby level, offers all-day dining with a wide selection of International and Indonesian cuisine.

Open daily from 6।00 p.m. to 11.00 a.m.

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Ching San Chinese Restaurant

The finest authentic Chinese Restaurant in Central Java offers Cantonese and szechuan dishes. One private room is also provided for privacy and exclusive dining.

Open daily for dinner from 6।00 p.m. to 11.00 p.m.

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Parangsari - Poolside Restaurant

Located beside our spectaculer swimming pool and landscaped garden, our open-air Parangsari Poolside Restaurant offers light snacks.

Open daily from 9. a.m. until 6.00 p.m.

INTRODUCTION TO BALI, INDONESIA

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WHERE IS BALI?

The island of Bali is part of the Republic of Indonesia and is located 8 to 9 degrees south of the equator between Java in the West and Lombok and the rest of the Lesser Sunda Islands (Sumbawa, Flores, Sumba and Timor) in the East. Flying time to Jakarta is about 1.5 hours, to Singapore and Perth (Australia) 2.5 and 3 hours, to Hong Kong about 4.5 hours, and to Sydney/Melbourne about 5.5 to 6 hours.

GEOGRAPHY:

The island of Bali has an area of only 5,632 square kilometers (2,175 square miles) and measures just 55 miles (90 kilometers) along the north-south axis and less than about 90 miles (140 kilometers) from East to West. Because of this it's no problem to explore the island on day tours. You can go wherever you want on the island and return to your hotel or villa in the evening.

Located only two kilometers east of Jawa, Bali's climate, flora and fauna are quite similar to its much larger neighbour. The island is famous for its beautiful landscape. A chain of six volcanoes, between 1,350 meters and 3,014 meters high, stretches from west to east. There are lush tropical forests, pristine crater lakes, fast flowing rivers and deep ravines, picturesque rice terraces, and fertile vegetable and fruit gardens. The beaches in the South consist of white sand, beaches in other parts of the island are covered with gray or black volcanic sand.

FLORA:

The wide variety of tropical plants is surprising. You'll see huge banyan trees in villages and temple grounds, tamarind trees in the North, clove trees in the highlands, acacia trees, flame trees, and mangroves in the South. In Bali grow a dozen species of coconut palms and even more varieties of bamboo.

And there are flowers, flowers everywhere. You'll see (and smell the fragrance of) hibiscus, bougainvillea, jasmine, and water lilies. Magnolia, frangipani, and a variety of orchids are found in many front yards and gardens, along roads, and in temple grounds. Flowers are also used as decorations in temples, on statues, as offerings for the gods, and during prayers. Dancers wear blossoms in their crowns, and even the flower behind the ear of your waitress seems natural in Bali.

FAUNA:

Elephants and tigers don't exist any more in Bali since early this century. Wildlife, however, includes various species of monkeys, civets, barking deer and mouse deer, and 300 species of birds including wild fowl, dollar birds, blue kingfishers, sea eagles, sandpipers, white herons and egrets, cuckoos, wood swallows, sparrows, and starlings. You can watch schools of dolphins near Lovina, Candi Dasa, and Padangbai. Divers will see many colorful coral fish and small reef fish, moray eels, and plankton eating whale sharks as well as crustaceans, sponges, and colorful coral along the east coast and around Menjangan Island near Gilimanuk.

CLIMATE:

You can expect pleasant day temperatures between 20 to 33 degrees Celsius or 68 to 93 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. From December to March, the West monsoon can bring heavy showers and high humidity, but usually days are sunny and the rains start during the night and pass quickly. From June to September the humidity is low, and it can be quite cool in the evenings. During this time of the year, you'll have hardly any rain in the coastal areas.

Even when it rains in most parts of Bali you can often enjoy sunny days on the "Bukit", the hill south of Jimbaran Beach. On the other hand, in Ubud and the mountains you must expect cloudy skies and showers throughout the year (this is why the international weather reports for "Denpasar" or "Bali" mention showers and rain storms during all times of the year). In higher regions such as in Bedugul or Kintamani you'll also need either a sweater or jacket after the sun sets.

POPULATION:

Bali's population has grown to over 3 million people the overwhelming majority of which are Hindus. However, the number of Muslims is steadily increasing through immigration of people from Java, Lombok and other areas of Indonesia who seek work in Bali.

Most people live in the coastal areas in the South, and the island's largest town and administrative center is fast growing Denpasar with a population of now over 370,000. The villages between the town of Ubud and Denpasar, Kuta (including Jimbaran, Tuban, and Legian, Seminyak, Basangkasa, etc), Sanur, and Nusa Dua are spreading rapidly in all directions, and before long the whole area from Ubud in the North to Sanur in the East, Berawa/Canggu in the West, and Nusa Dua in the South will be urbanized.

ECONOMY:

This southern part of Bali is where most jobs are to be found, either in the hotel and tourist industry, the textile and garment industry, and in many small scale and home industries producing handicrafts and souvenirs. Textiles, garments, and handicrafts have become the backbone of Bali's economy providing 300,000 jobs, and exports have been increasing by around 15% per year to over US$400 million. Textiles and garments contribute about 45%, and wood products including statues, furniture and other handicrafts 22% to the province's total income from exports. Silver work is ranked third (4.65%) with 5,000 workers employed. Main buyers are the US and Europe with 38% each, and Japan with 9%.

Important agricultural products besides rice are tea, coffee, tobacco, cacao, copra, vanilla, soy beans, chilies, fruit, and vegetable (there are now even vineyards near the northwest coast). Bali's fishing industry and seaweed farming provide other products which are important exports.

The new free-trade regulations will create some problems for Bali's exporters as they do not allow to employ children. Most children here work for their parents, and this is part of the process of acquiring professional skills and kind of an informal education which has been very important in the Balinese society for centuries.

WHAT MAKES BALI SO SPECIAL:

There is the combination of the friendly people, the natural attractions, the great variety of things to see and do, the year-round pleasant climate, and the absence of security problems. And then there is Bali's special "magic", which is difficult to explain.

As soon as you step off the plane you might sense the difference. In the villages you'll notice the quietness and wisdom in old people's faces, and the interest and respect in the young's. Old men sit at the road side caressing their fighting cocks. Beautifully dressed women walk proudly through rice fields and forests carrying offerings on their heads to the next temple. There is the smell of flowers, and in the distance you hear the sound of gamelan music.

Gods and spirits have been an important part of Bali's daily life for hundreds of years. Gunung Agung – Bali's holy mountain – is internationally regarded as one of the eight "Chakra" points of the world. This may be more than an coincident. Watch out, the moment you feel the magic of this island, you're addicted for the rest of your life.

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YOGYAKARTA

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PARANGTRITIS BEACH

Parangtritis is the most attractive black sandy beach located 27 km from Yogyakarta. It is also a historical place with the legend known as Queen of the South "Kanjeng Ratu Kidul" or "Nyai Roro Kidul" who was married to one of the Mataram Monarch, Panembahan Senopati of whom she visited and communed with on certain occasion.

With this historical legend, Parangtritis is believed to be a sacred place for meditation and a place to perform traditional ceremonies.

This sandy beach is easily reached from various routers. It has a beautiful scenery and lime stones hills.

MOUNT MERAPI

This active volcano, Mount Merapi is situated north of Yogyakarta with a height of 2,920 meters above sea level. There are hill resorts on the mountain slope for relaxations with invigorating weather and one of them is well known as "Kaliurang".

Mountain climbing, camping and observing the incredible active volcano can be arranged through local in house Tour Operators.

Driving through Yogykarta's countryside, guests will enjoy the scenic farmlands spread out with the horizon of the mountainous landscape.

BOROBUDUR TEMPLE

Borobudur temple is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, which was built by Sanmaratungga in the most glorious time of Cailendra Dynasty in the 8 Century. This magnificent monument has a total of 1460 carved store relic, which describes the life story of Buddha.

Located 42 km from Yogyakarta, the Borobudur Temple is best seen in the early hours of the morning during sunrise and from the top of the temple, visitors can also enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding farmland.

PRAMBANAN TEMPLE

Located 17 km from the city of Yogyakarta, Prambanan Temple was built during the Canjaya Dynasty in the 9 Century. This Hindu Temple consists of three courtyard and surrounded by several small temple called "Perwara Temple" and in the Hindu Trinity: Chiwa, Wishnu and Brahma.

Only 20 minutes from the hotel, you can experience the traditional Ramayana Dance during full moon

THE SULTAN PALACE KRATON

The Sultan's Palace or Kraton was firstly name is Ngayogyakarto Hadiningratan and founded in year 1755 by Pangeran Mangkubumi, which was then called Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono I.

With the historical building designs, Kraton has many sets of traditional gamelan instruments, antiques and heirlooms that makes the Sultan's Palace one of the most interesting tourist sites in Yogyakarta.

Only five minutes from Melia Purosani Hotel, this palace is now as the dwelling place of Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X and his family.

BENTENG VREDEBURG

Benteng Vredeburg was built in 1765 by the Dutch during the colonial domination in Yogyakarta to protect the Dutch residents from the cannon shots Indonesia soldiers in the Sultan's Palace.

Only within walking distance from the city center of Yogyakarta, this historical fort was built a unique rectangular shape with bastions and ramparts in each corner.

IMOGIRI - ROYAL CEMETERY

The Imogiri Royal Cemetery was built in year 1545, a burial ground for all the Kings of Mataram Kingdom and the cemetery have to wear the traditional clothes and climb up abouth 345 stairs to reach a top of the hills where the tomb of Sultan Agung Hanyokrokusumo, the third King of the Mataram Kingdom was buried.

This Royal Cemetery is located on a beautiful hill about 20 km from the Royal City, Yogyakarta.

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