Indonesia Island Tour Journal

Islands of Indonesia

Indonesia comprises 17,508 islands according to Indonesian government estimates, with about 6,000 of those inhabited. The country extends from adjacent the Malay Peninsula in its west and into Melanesia in its east. According to a 2002 survey by National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN), Indonesia has 18,306 islands. Counting tidal islands (periodically submerged) doubles the island figure, and many islands with no name or the same names, making it very confusing even to the government of Indonesia.

Management of the islands sometimes includes a Regency (Indonesia) covers a small island chain.

On September 21, 2007, an 8.4 Earthquake struck Sumatra near South Pagai Island, producing a cluster of 6 small new islands, and enlarging others by uplift.[1] A large portion of Indonesia is seismically active, the number, size, shape of islands continues to evolve.

Main islands

* Greater Sunda Islands
o Borneo — divided between Indonesian Kalimantan, Brunei, and Malaysia's states of Sabah and Sarawak
o Java (formerly Jawa Dwipa)
o Sumatra (formerly Swarna Dwipa)
o Sulawesi (formerly Celebes)
* New Guinea — divided between Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua and the independent nation of Papua New Guinea

Other islands

Java

Province of Banten

* Deli
* Manuk
* Panaitan
* Panjang
* Sangiang
* Tunda
* Umang

Province of DKI Jakarta

* Thousand Islands archipelago (Kepulauan Seribu) 105 islands. Only 11 islands are inhabited.
o Angel (Pulau Bidadari)
o Ayer
o Big Bira (Pulau Bira Besar)
o Big Lancong (Pulau Lancong Besar)
o Big Umbrella (Pulau Payung Besar)
o Boy Scouts (Pulau Pramuka)
o Cipir
o Coconut (Pulau Kelapa)
o Edam
o Great Tiger (Pulau Macan Besar)
o Hope (Pulau Harapan)
o Karya
o Kelor
o Kotok
o Lucky Java (Pulau Untung Jawa)
o Onrust
o Panggang
o Pantara
o Rainbow (Pulau Pelangi)
o Sebira
o Sepa
o Stingray (Pulau Pari)
o Tidung

Province of West Java

* Rakit

Province of Central Java

* Karimun Java
* Nusa Kambangan - prison island

Province of East Java

* Bawean archipelago (kepulauan Bawean)
* Genteng
* Iyang
* Kambing Island (East Java)
* Kangean Islands archipelago (kepulauan Kangean)
* Madura
* Masalembu
* Nusa Barung
* Puteran
* Raas
* Raja
* Sapudi

Sumatra

Province of Aceh, 119 islands

* Aceh island
* Asu
* Babi
* Banyak archipelago (kepulauan Banyak), 99 islands
o Balai
o Bangkaru
o Singkilbaru
o Tuangku
o Ujung Batu
* Bawah
* Breueh
* Hinako
* Lasia
* Weh Island
* Simeulue Island

Province of North Sumatra, 419 islands

* Batu archipelago (formerly Batoe Eilanden), 51 islands
o Sibuasi
o Pini
o Tanahbala
o Tanahmasa
* Batumakalele
* Bau
* Bawa
* Berhala island on the Strait of Malacca
* Hamutaia
* Imanna
* Jake
* Lego
* Makole
* Masa
* Nias archipelago (kepulauan Nias)
o Simuk
* Pasu
* Samosir island on Lake Toba
* Sigata
* Simaleh
* Wunga

Province of West Sumatra

* Mentawai Islands
o Siberut
o Sipura (Pulau Sipora)
o North Pagai
o South Pagai
* Pasumpahan

Province of Lampung

* Child of Krakatoa (Pulau Anak Krakatau)

Province of Riau

* Rupat
* Bengkalis
* Padang
* Rangsang
* Tebing Tinggi Island
* Basu

Province of Riau Islands, about 3,200 islands

* Natuna archipelago (Kepulauan Natuna)
o South Natuna archipelago
+ Midai island
+ Subi island
+ Panjang Island, (Natuna)
+ Serasan island
o Anambas archipelago
+ Airabu island
+ Jemaja island
+ Mubur island
+ Siantan island
+ Matak island
+ Tarempah island
o Natuna Besar archipelago
+ Natuna Besar island
+ Laut, (Natuna) island
o Tambelan archipelago
+ Badas Islands archipelago
+ Tembelan Besar island
+ Uwi island
+ Mendarik island
+ Benua island
+ Panjantan island
* Riau Archipelago
o Batam
o Bintan
o Bulan
o Combol
o Galang
o Karimun
o Kundur
o Rempang
* Lingga Islands
o Lingga with nearby islands:
+ Alut
o Singkep with nearby islands:
+ Posik
+ Serak
+ Lalang
o Sebangka with nearby islands:
+ Senayang
+ Kapas
+ Kentar
+ Mowang
+ Lobam
+ Cempah
o Bakung
o Selayar, (Riau Is)
o Temiang
o Mesawak

Province of Bangka-Belitung Islands

* Bangka Island
* Belitung
* Liat
* Lepar
* Mendanau

Kalimantan

Province of East Kalimantan

* Derawan Islands
o Kakaban
o Bunaka
* Balabalagan Islands
* Bunyu
* Mandul
* Mapat
* Sebatik
* Tarakan Island
* Maratua

Province of South Kalimantan

* Laut Kecil Islands
o Matasiri
o Kalambau
o Kadapongan
* Laut Island
* Sebuku
* Karamain

Province of Central Kalimantan

Province of West Kalimantan

* Pandang Tikar
* Karimata Islands
o Karimata
* Bawal
* Galam
* Maya Karimata also just "Maya"

Sulawesi

Province of North Sulawesi

* Talaud Islands
o Karakelong
o Salebabu
o Kaburuang
* Miangas
* Sangihe Islands
o Budike
o Sangir Besar, aka Sangir Island
o Kalama Island
o Karatikang
o Para Island
o Siau Island
o Tahulandang
o Biaro
o Talisei
o Bangka (Sangihe)
* Nanusa Islands
* Karakaralong Islands

Province of Central Sulawesi

* Togian Islands
o Unauna
o Batudaka
o Togian
o Talatakoh
o Puah Island
* Banggai Islands
o Peleng
o Banggai
o Bangkulu
o Bowokan Islands (aka Treko)
+ Bowokan
* Timpaus
* Salabangka Islands
* Manui

Province of South Sulawesi

* Pabbiring Islands
* Marasende
* Doangdoangan Besar
* Kalukalukuang
* Dewalakang-Lompo
* Tanakeke
* Taka Rewataya
* Sabalana Islands
* Tengah Islands
* Selayar Islands
o Kambing Island (South Sulawesi)
o Selayar Island
* Tambalongang
* Kayuadi
* Tanahjampea
* Kalao
* Bonerate
* Takabonerate Islands
* Macan Islands

Province of Southeast Sulawesi

* Tukangbesi Islands
o Wakatobi
+ Wangiwangi Island,
+ Kambode
+ Kampenane
+ Timor
+ Kaledupa
+ Hoga
+ Linea Island,
+ Tomea
+ Talondano
+ Lineta
+ Binongko
o Moromaho
o Cowocowo
o Kentiole
o Runduma
o Anano
o Karang Kapota atoll
o Karang Kaledupa atoll
o Karang Koromaha atoll
o Karang Kadupa atoll
o Langkesi islands
* Wowoni
* Buton
* Muna
* Siumpu
* Batuata
* Kabaena
* Kakabia
* Karompa Lompo
* Kalaotoa
* Bahulu
* Labengke
* Padea Besar

Lesser Sunda Islands

Province of Bali

* Bali
* Nusa Penida
* Nusa Lembongan
* Nusa Ceningan

Province of West Nusa Tenggara

* Lombok
* Sumbawa
* Sangeang
* Moyo Island

Province of East Nusa Tenggara

* Alor Archipelago (kepulauan Alor), 14 islands + 1 (E.Timor)
o Alor
o Buaya
o Kepa
o Pantar
o Pura
o Tereweng
o Kangge
o Kura)
o Sika
o Kapas
o Batang Island
o Lapang
o Rusa
* Flores
* Komodo
* Palu'e aka Palu
* Rinca
* Rote Island
* Savu (Savu Islands)
o Rai Hawu (Savu, Sawu, Sabu, Sawoe, Havu, Hawu, awoe)
o Rai Jua (Rai Djua, Raijua)
o Rai Dana (Dana)
* Solor Archipelago
o Adonara
o Lembata (Lomblen)
o Solor
* Sumba
* Timor—divided between Indonesian West Timor and the independent nation of East Timor
* Semau

Maluku

Province of Maluku

* Buru, former prison island, with nearby islands:
o Ambelau

* Seram, with nearby islands:
o Ambon (Amboyna)
o Buano
o Haruku
o Kelang
o Manipa
o Saparua

* Gorong archipelago (Kepulauan Gorong)
o Gorong
o Manawoka
o Panjang

* Watubela archipelago (Kepulauan Watubela)
o Kasiui
o Tioor

* Banda archipelago (Kepulauan Banda)
o Ay
o Banana (Pulau Pisang)
o Banda Naira
o Batukapal
o Big Banda (Pulau Banda Besar/Lonthoir)
o Crab (Pulau Karaka)
o Hatta (formerly Rozengain island)
o Manuk
o Manukang
o Nailaka
o Run
o Saaru

* Tayandu Islands (also Tayahad), 17 islands
o Kaimeer
o Kur Island
o Manggur
o Taam
o Tayandu
o Walir

* Kai archipelago (Kepulauan Kai)
o Big kai (Pulau Kai Besar)
o Small kai (Pulau Kai Kecil)
o Kaitanimbar

* Aru archipelago (Kepulauan Aru), 85 islands (the largest are Warilau, Kola, Wokam, Kobroor, Maikoor and Trangan)
o Baun
o Enu
o Kobroor
o Kola Island
o Maikoor
o Penambulai
o Trangan
o Wamar
o Warilau
o Wokam
o Workai
o Jin Islands (Kepulauan Jin)

* Tanimbar Islands archipelago (Kepulauan Tanimbar), 66 islands, only 7 inhabited
o Fordata
o Larat
o Maru
o Molu
o Nuswotar
o Selaru
o Selu
o Seira
o Wotap
o Wuliaru
o Yamdena

* Babar Island archipelago (Kepulauan Babar), 6 islands
o Babar
o Dai
o Daweloor
o Dawera
o Masela
o Wetan

* Barat Daya Islands archipelago (Kepulauan Barat Daya)
o Damar
o Maopora
o Romang
o Wetar

* Sermata archipelago (Kepulauan Sermata)
o Sermata
o Coconut (Pulau Kelapa)
o Luang

* Leti Islands archipelago (Kepulauan Leti)
o Kisar
o Lakor
o Leti
o Moa

Small volcanic islands in the Banda Sea

* Nila
* Serua
* Teun

The province of North Maluku

* Halmahera, with nearby islands:
o Damar (North Maluku)
o Hasil
o Machian (Pulau Makian)
o Mare
o Morotai
o Moti
o Sayafi
o Ternate
o Tidore

* Bacan, with nearby islands:
o Kasiruta
o Kayoa
o Latalata
o Mandioli
o Taneti

* Morotai, with nearby islands:
* Rau

* Gebe Umera, with nearby islands:
o Yu

* North Loloda archipelago (Kepulauan Loloda Utara)
o Dagasuli
o Doi

* Widi archipelago (Kepulauan Widi)

* Obi Islands, with nearby islands:
o Bisa
o Gomumu
o Obilatu
o Tapat
o Tobalai

* Sula archipelago (Kepulauan Sula)
o Lifamatola
o Mangole
o Seho
o Sulabesi
o Taliabu

Small volcanic islands in North Maluku

* Mayu
* Pisang (North Maluku)
* Tifore
* Lawin
* Boo Islands

New Guinea

Islands on the west of the main New Guinea island

Province of West Papua

610 islands, 35 inhabited

North of New Guinea Island:

* Asia Islands archipelago (kepulauan Asia)
o Fani
o Igin
o Miarin
* Ayu Islands archipelago (kepulauan Ayu)
* Mapia Islands north of Cenderawasih Bay
o Bras Island
o Pegun Island
* Bantang (Batangpele), with nearby islands:
o Minyahun
o Penemu
o Yar
* Kabu Islands (kepulauan Kabu)
* Kalis Islands (kepulauan Kalis)
* Mansuar, with nearby islands:
o Kri

* Raja Ampat archipelago (kepulauan Raja Ampat or Four Kings archipelago): over 1500 islands
o Batanta
o Gag
o Fam Islands (kepulauan Fam)
o Misool with nearby islands:
+ Babi
+ Daram
+ Ketimkerio
+ Polee
+ Wagmab
+ Walib
+ Warakaraket/Warakaget
o Nusela Islands (kepulauan Nusela)
o Rombombo Islands (kepulauan Rombombo) - near Sorong
+ Doom
+ Kabra
+ Tsiof
o Selawati
o Waigeo
+ Gam
+ Kawe
+ Me
+ Uranie
+ Wayag
+ Yeben
+ Kofiau
* Sariga Islands (kepulauan Sariga)
o Selawati, nearby islands:
o Batanta
+ Igiem
+ Jefman/Yefman
+ Warir
o Sayang
o Su Islands (kepulauan Su)
* Wai (on the strait of Dampier)
* Segaf Islands, due south of Misool.
* Valse Pisang Islands, due east of Misool.

Other islands in West Papua Province:

within Cenderawasih Bay:

* Auri Islands archipelago (kepulauan Auri)
* Meos Waar
* Rumberpon
* Roon Island
* Meos Angra

in Sebakor Bay:

* Karas
* Semai

in Kamrau Bay:

* Adi Island (in Kaimana regency)
* Aduma

Others:

* Sabuda (near Fatagar Tuting cape)

Province of Papua:

* Biak Islands (kepulauan Biak aka Schouten archipelago):
o Biak
o Padaido Islands (kepulauan Padaido)
o Numfor
o Yapen
o Mios Num
o Kaipuri
o Supiori
* Kumamba Islands (Kepulauan Kumamba)
* Podena Islands (Kep Podena)
* Moor Islands archipelago (kepulauan Moor) in Cenderawasih Bay
* Komoran
* Yos Sudarso (Dolak, Kimaam, and formerly Frederik-Hendrik Island)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islands_of_Indonesia

Savu

Savu (also known as Sawu, Sabu, Sawoe, Havu, Hawu, Hawoe) is an island which is situated midway between Sumba and Rote, west of Timor, in Indonesia's eastern province, East Nusa Tenggara. Ferries connect the islands to Waingapu, on Sumba, and Kupang, in West Timor. It is also possible to fly to Savu from Kupang.

The Savu Islands (Kepulauan Savu) include Rai Hawu, Rai Jua and Rai Dana. The three islands are fringed by coral reef and sandy beaches. Rai Dana is a small, uninhabited island, situated thirty kilometres south-west of Rai Jua. From April to October, deep ocean swells pound the south facing coastlines.

The land is covered for the most part by grassland and palms. The climate is dry for large parts of the year, due to hot winds blowing from the Australian continent. Most rain falls during the months from November to March. Between 82% & 94% of all rain falls during the west monsoon, with little or no rain falling for the months of August to October. The mean annual rainfall for Savu Island is 1019 mm. During the dry season, the islands' streams dry up, so the islanders depend on wells for their water supply.

The population is about 30 000. Savu has strong historical ties with Hinduism in Java and the people consider themselves of Hindu origin. The society still performs traditional animistic beliefs, known as Djingi Tiu. Dutch missionaries introduced Protestantism which remains on the islands today.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savu

SUMBAWA

Sumbawa Island is the biggest island of the Province of West Nusa Tenggara and is located east of Lombok and west of the Komodos and Flores.

Despite the dominance of Islam, tradition (adat) remains strong here. Although outsiders call the whole island “Sumbawa”, on the island this term is only used for the west. Sumbawa Island comprises of 4 regencies: West Sumbawa (capital: Taliwang), Sumbawa (capital: Sumbawa Besar), Dompu (capital: Dompu) and Bima (capital: Bima). Each regency has its own distinctive atmosphere and history. Sumbawa Island is three times the size of Lombok but holds just 1 million people. Therefore the island is a true nature paradise. The island stretches 300 kilometres east-west but its width varies from 15 to 90 kilometres.

The two main ethnic groups of Sumbawa Island are the Tau Samawa who mainly reside in the Sumbawa district and the Dou Mbojo who live in the Bima district. The Samawa’s language is close to that of the Lombok Sasaks and Balinese to the west whereas the Bimanese language belongs to the eastern part of Eastern Indonesia. Sumbawa Island has a dominant Sulawesi influence, especially in architecture and the coastal population includes Bugis and Makassarese settlers. The Bima district is distinctively Arabic but a few kilometres east of Bima city, near Wavo, old traditions are strongly followed still today and ancient rituals connected with ancestral spirits are conducted regularly.

Just recently archaeological excavations were conducted on Mount Tambora, Sumbawa’s volcano, discovering a complete city buried under 40 meters of volcanic ash together with ancient Chinese porcelain items.

Mount Tambora erupted in 1815 and was recorded as the greatest eruption in known history. Once the highest volcano in Indonesia, Mount Tambora was truncated to 2,851 meters and the cone holds a huge caldera. A three day trek up to summit leads through dense rain forest and savannah areas. The highlight at the end of the trek is a boat trip to the island of Satonda consisting of the top of an emerging volcano (300 m) with a salt water lake. The island is home to many bird species and endemic fish as well as sea turtles.

The regency of West Sumbawa is most likely the most beautiful in regards of nature. Isolated pristine beaches and turquoise waters line the west Sumbawa coast from Taliwang to Sekongkang. Most visitors to Sumbawa race straight to Bima to catch the boats to Komodo and therefore this area has been completely ignored by tourism with the result that the area is a real paradise for outback adventure. But the visitor is not only blessed with countless sparkling bays, the area also comprises of interesting history and traditional art work such as hand loom weaving and rotan crafts. Traditional dances going back to early Arabic influence and pre Islamic graves can add to the West Sumbawan experience.

Sultan Palaces in Sumbawa Besar and Bima, Dutch heritage in Wavo and Sulawesi style weavings in Dompu as well as first class surfing in Dompu and West Sumbawa are other attractions not to be missed.

Parts of Sumbawa Island resemble landscapes of North Australia and explain the Wallace Line such as Lake Taliwang covered with huge lotus flowers. Large herds of water buffaloes can be observed on lonely beaches and shy monkeys play in rain forests.

http://www.indonesialogue.com

Jakarta

Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia, located on the northwest part of Java.Jakarta has been called a study in contrasts: traditional and modern; rich and poor; spiritual and wordly stand side by side in this bustling metropolis. Among the 8 million people who call Jakarta home, one find representatives of the many diverse ethnic and cultural groups which shape Indonesia, a reminder of the nation’s motto: ‘Unity in Diverse’. You may have to search high and low in this multi-cultural collage to find one of the proud ethnic Jakartans, called "Orang Betawi".

Their language.Betawi Malay, has two variations, conventional Betawi Malay, spoken by elder people and bred in Jakarta, and modern Jakarta Malay, a slang form spoken by the younger generation and migrants.

Jakarta is the port of entry for many tourists and business people. It is home to a dynamic contrast between Western-style skyscrapers, modern urban life-styles and traditional Indonesian culture. It’s rapid growth into a metropolitan city reflects the economic, political, social and industrial development of the nation. In recent years, Jakarta has expanded its facilities for visitors with luxury hotels, fine restaurants, exciting nightlife and modern shopping centers. It contains many tourists attractions such as Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (Beautiful ‘Indonesia in Miniature’ Park), restored colonial period buildings, island resorts in the Pula Seribu (Thousand Island), and an extensive beach recreation complex called Ancol.

Districts

Jakarta is administratively divided into the following unimaginatively named districts:

* Central Jakarta (Jakarta Pusat, postal code: 10XXX) - an aptly named district and the site of Jakarta's symbol, the National Monument. Presidential palace, office buildings,hotels, Mangga Dua shopping center, Menteng residential area.

* West Jakarta (Jakarta Barat, 11XXX) - Jakarta's Chinatown, museums, trading centers, nightlife entertainment centers, shopping centers and malls.

* South Jakarta (Jakarta Selatan, 12XXX) - shopping centers, malls, restaurants, hotels, nightlife entertainment center (Blok M), Senayan sports complex, residential areas.

* East Jakarta (Jakarta Timur, 13XXX) - Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Utan Kayu art community, Cibubur camping ground, industrial parks, Halim Perdanakusuma airport.

* North Jakarta (Jakarta Utara, 14XXX) - Beautiful Thousand Islands, Ancol Bayfront City, and Kelapa Gading shopping centers.

Suburbs:

* Tangerang (15XXX) - Soekarno Hatta airport, golf course, industrial parks.
* Bogor (16XXX) - Beautiful palace, botany garden, golf course.
o Depok, Bogor (164XX) - Universities.
* Bekasi (17XXX) - Industrial parks.

Accommodation

The capital city has a wide choice of fine hotels which are managed by well known international chains. These include the Jakarta Hilton, The Mandarin Oriental, Sahid Jaya Hotel, Hotel Borobudur Inter-Continenetal, Aryaduta, Grand Hyatt, Hotel Sari Pan Pacific, Hotel Indonesia, President Hotel and independent hotels like Hotel Horison, Jayakarta Tower and Hotel Kartika Chandara.

The first five are rated five-star and the remainder four-star. All three and two-star hotels, in Jakarta have air-conditioned rooms, restaurants, bar, room service and laundry with a few exceptions. Most of those in the three-star, category have swimming pools, nightclubs and shopping arcades.

Most of the one-star hotels have conditioned rooms, with attached bathrooms telephones and restaurants.

see:
http://wikitravel.org/en/Jakarta
http://www.travel-indonesia.com

Bali

A friendly and remarkably artistic people, the Balinese have created a dynamic society with unique arts and ceremonies, making Bali synonymous world wide with the perfect ‘tropical paradise’. Terraced ricefields dominate the landscape, rivers and small irrigation streams direct the luscious green landscape, filling the air with the enchanting sound of running almost through the center of the island. In Bali the mountains are the home of the gods. Shrouded in mystery and magic, they stretch skywards in majestic splendour. Bali’s main volcano is the sometimes explosive Gunung Agung, which is considered sacred among local people as the center of the universe. Many visitors leave with the same beliefs.

The Balinese have been more exposed to international tourist and generally speak more English than people in other parts of the Indonesian archipelago. They have managed to preserved their culture despite overwhelming foreign influences brought to the region by an ever-increasing number of tourists. Bali’s International Airport, Ngurah Rai, is in the south of the island and is served by numerous international airlines and charters. In order to keep up with the growing the number of visitors and the need for their comfort, more hotels have been built, ranging from small bungalows for budget travelers to the luxurious Nusa Dua tourist resort area. Water sports have naturally gained in popularity and Bali offers superb surfing, windsurfing, sailing, scuba diving and white water rafting.

Diving

Tiny, volcanic Bali is one of the most enchanting islands in the world. It entices a million tourists a year, drawn like moths towards an exotic flame. A flame fed by a fascination with the unique Hindu-Balinese culture of a gentle people, the legendary beauty of a land chequered by verdant rice fields studded by ancient temples, and the allure of coral seas alive with marine life beyond imagination.

The truth is, there is no better place than Bali for an introduction to Indonesia’s under-water wonderland. And no harder place to decide between time on land or under water.

In the traditional tourist stronghold of the Kuta/Nusa Dua/Sanur triangle, divers have a reef at their doorstep. It is a moderate drop, an undemanding dive made thrilling by a surprising range of fish.

There is more at Nusa Benida, 1.5 hours away by boat. Upwellings mean good visibility, bracing waters and challenging currents. Abundant and varied hard corals hug drop-offs and steep slopes rife with sweetlips, mantas and sharks. Lucky divers may glimpse the bizarre and rare oceanic sunfish and hawksbill turtles.

But the best of Bali’s waters lie beyond the tourist triangle. Discover Titan triggerfish and blue-spotted stingrays in Padang Bais mixed reef; coral walls of an underwater canyon at Candi Dasa; a kaleidoscope of fish at Cemeluk’s coastal reef; friendly fish at Tulamhen’s picturesque Liberty Wreck; and craggy reef walls blanketed by soft coral in Menjangans mind-snapping clear waters.

Hard-core divers can escape the established dive zones with a hired boat. A long ride north brings them to the Kangean Islands, to a world of coral knolls rising from sandy beds.

Irian Jaya

Iran Jaya is a land of contrasts, with some of the impenetrable jungles in the world and snowcapped mountain peaks towering over glacial lakes. Irian Jaya is Indonesia's largest and easternmost province and covers the western half of the world's second largest island. It is a land of exceptional natural grandeur, with beautiful scenic beaches, immense stretches of marshlands, cool grassy meadows and powerful rivers carving gorges through dense primeval forests. The most heavily populated and cultivated parts of the island are the Paniai Lakes district and Baliem valley to the east.

The people of the island can be divided into more than 250 sub-groups, including the Marind anim, Yah'ray, Asmat, Mandobo, Dani and Afyat. Those in the central highlands still, maintain their customs and traditions, virtually untouched by outside influences. The different tribes have lived, for the most part, in isolation from even one another, resulting in an incredibly diverse mixture of cultures.

The coastal regions of Irian Jaya, however were visited as early as the 7th century by traders from Sriwijaya. European traders looking for spices began arriving in the early 16th century, and have left historical footprints in the area with names such as Bougainville, Cape d'Urville and the Torres Straits. It was the Dutch who made the most lasting impact on the island, when 1828 they formally made Irian a Dutch Territory, which it remained until 1962.

The Provincial capital of Jayapura is situated on hills which overlook the sea, and accessible by boat and plane. It was here that General Mac Arthur assembled his fleet for the invasion of the Philippines during the world war. Regular flights to other major parts of the archipelago are available with Garuda and Merpati Nusantara Airlines.

Batam is one of the 3,000 islands, which make up the Riau Archipelago and is closest to Singapore, which is only 20 km away or twenty minutes by air-conditioned ferry. The 415kms island has a population of 700,000 most of whom are Malays (85%) and Chinese (14%). A few indigenous Orang Laut tribes still live in the island.

Batam can be reached by ferries from the islands of Singapore, Bintan and Karimun. 3 different ferry operators, Penguin, Batam Fast and WaveMaster, provide services between Batam and Singapore daily. Ferries from Singapore will drop off and pick up passengers from one of the 5 international terminals in Batam: Teluk Senimba (Waterfront City), Sekupang, Batam Center, Batu Ampar (Harbour Bay) and Nongsa Pura.

Batam's air travel is handled at the Hang Nadim International Airport. The Indonesian government is planning to build a bridge linking the islands Batam and Bintan.

In addition to the oil support industries of Batu Ampar and a fast growing electronics industry, Batam now attracts increasing numbers of tourists. Many come from Singapore for a short holiday with friends and family, duty-free shopping and great seafood. The visitors to Singapore hope over for a day or weekend trip.

from : http://www.millennium-tours.com