Komodo Island

The generally steep and rugged topography reflects the position of the national park within the active volcanic 'shatter belt' between Australia and the Sunda shelf. Komodo, the largest island, has a topography dominated by a range of rounded hills oriented along a north-south axis at an elevation of 500-600 m. Relief is steepest towards the north-east, notably the peak of Gunung Toda Klea which is precipitous and crowned by deep, rocky and dry gullies.

The coastline is irregular and characterized by numerous bays, beaches and inlets separated by headlands, often with sheer cliffs falling vertically into the sea. To the east, Padar is a small, narrow island the topography of which rises steeply from the surrounding plains to between 200 m and 300 m. Further east, the second largest island in the park, Rinca, is separated from Flores by a narrow strait a few kilometres wide. As with Komodo and Padar, the coastline is generally rugged and rocky although sandy beaches are found in sheltered bays. The mainland components of the park lie in the rugged coastal areas of western Flores, where surface fresh water is more abundant than on the islands of Komodo, Rinca and Padar. The seas around the islands are reported to be among the most productive in the world due to upwelling and a high degree of oxygenation resulting from strong tidal currents which flow through the Sape Straits. Fringing and patch coral reefs are extensive and best developed in the west- and north-facing areas, the most intact being on the north-east coast of Komodo and the south-west coast of Rinca and Padar.

The predominant vegetation type is open grass-woodland savannah, mainly of anthropogenic origin, which covers some 70% of the park. The dominant savannah tree is lontar palm, which occurs individually or in scattered stands. Tropical deciduous (monsoon) forest occurs along the bases of hills and on valley bottoms. The forest is notable, lacking the predominance of Australian derived tree flora found further to the east on Timor. A quasi cloud forest occurs above 500m on pinnacles and ridges. Although covering only small areas on Komodo Island, it harbours a relict flora of many endemic species. Floristically, it is characterized by moss-covered rocks, rattan, bamboo groves and many tree species generally absent at lower elevations. Coastal vegetation includes mangrove forest, which occurs in sheltered bays on Komodo, Padar and Rinca.

The park is best known for the Komodo monitor, the world's largest living lizard. The population is distributed across the islands of Komodo, Rinca and Gili Motong, and in certain coastal regions of western and northern Flores. Favoured habitat is tropical deciduous forest and, to a lesser extent, open savannah. The mammalian fauna is characteristic of the Wallacean zoogeographical zone, with seven terrestrial species recorded including the endemic rat. Other mammals include primates such as crab-eating macaque. Introduced species, such as rusa deer and wild boar, as well as feral domestic animals including horses and water buffalo, form important prey species for the Komodo monitor. Some 72 species of bird have been recorded, including yellow-crested cockatoo, noisy friar bird and common scrubhen.

Upwelling of nutrient-rich water from deeper areas of the archipelago is responsible for the rich reef ecosystem of which only isolated patches remain due to anthropogenic disturbance. In areas of strong currents, the reef substrate consists of an avalanche of coral fragments, with only encrusting or low branching species. Reefs off the north-east of Komodo have high species diversity. The reefs off Gili Lawa Laut are variable. Notable marine mammals include blue whale and sperm whale, which are occasionally observed, as well as 10 species of dolphin and dugong. Marine reptiles include five species of turtle.

It is thought that the islands have long been settled due to their strategic importance and the existence of sheltered anchorages and supplies of fresh water on Komodo and Rinca. The evidence of early settlement is further supported by the recent discovery of Neolithic graves, artefacts and megaliths on Komodo Island.

Kuta Beach

Kuta is the most famous tourist places in Bali. It is famous with the spectacular white sandy beach, several of hotels from luxury and until budget hotels are available, hilarious nightlife, plenty of restaurants with international cuisine, bars, pub, Water Boom Park and shopping center. It is one stop place for holiday in Bali by offering the plenty of selection we need and make it the right place to visit on your vacation in Bali. 

Kuta History 

At three hundred year ago, in this place had been built a Konco (Buddhist Temple) located beside of Tukad Mati ( Dead River ) where it river can be navigable at that time. The boat steps into the hinterland of Kuta, so that Kuta is a port trade. Mads Longe is a merchant from Denmark in 19 century had built its trade station in the river periphery. During living in Bali, he often becomes the medium between king of Bali and Dutch. Mads Longe has mysteriously died and his grave is located inside of Konco ( Buddhist Temple ) right in the river periphery. Kuta is quiet fisherman countryside in the past, but now it has been turned into the hilarious town and it is completed by post office, police office, market, pharmacy, photo center, and shop. There are a lot of hotels which are designed luxury and comfortable set in a long side of white sandy beach of Kuta . 

What to see in Kuta Bali? 

Kuta is situated in 11 KM southern part of Denpasar town and it can be easily reached by public transportation from Tegal Bus Station about 15 minutes. Kuta is the fastest growing tourist place in Bali and it is the heaven for foreign countries tourists. Kuta is well equipped by tourist facilities like white sandy beach, bars, restaurants, cafeteria, disco and others spectacular nightlife. We can also meet a lot of good shops selling multifarious items of tourist need like clothes, cassette ribbon, airplane ticket, souvenir, handicraft, sport gear and others. It is a popular place with the surfing activity besides of beautiful sunset. Mostly the tourists come and stays in this place are coming from the low budget traveler especially young tourist. There is a new tourism object in Kuta built in the center of this place called Bali Bomb Monument to commemorate the Bali Bomb Tragedy on 12 October 2002. Bomb which burst at Sari Club and also Paddy'S club have killed 202 people.

Raja Ampat

The Raja Ampat Island in Irian is group spreads out over a huge area and consists of over 610 islands. The four largest islands are Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati and Misool. The area's reefs are covered in a diverse selection of both hard and soft corals. Most of the areas reefs are pristine, with mile after mile of perfect hard corals, drift after drift of soft corals of many species and colors ranging from brilliant red, to shocking yellow pretty pink and exotic purple. Most reef dives are very colorful. The tourist would be able to experience the best dives sites within those islands, which include Cape Kri, Mellisa's Garden, Sardines Reef, The Passage, Nudibranch Rock, Wai Island Night Dive.

Raja Ampat is the western island of Papua Island. The name of Raja Ampat based on the legend. This area had begun with 6 eggs that found by King Waikew in Waigeo Island. But from the 6 eggs, just 5 eggs had crack. The last was become an egg stone till now on.

From the fifth eggs that had cracked, the 4 eggs was become men who become King of four big islands that is Waigeo, Batanta, Salawati and Misool. While the one egg became a woman, had wash away and stranded in Biak Island. That woman was born a child named Gura Besi that known as the historical man of Raja Ampat, because of his heroic story.

The regency that formed based on the constitution number 26 in 2002, is the development of Sorong regency on 12 April 2003. This area has 46.000 km2. But, 85% of this area is archipelago area. There are 610 islands in this area. But most of them have no social life. This regency has 10 districts and 85 villages with about 48.707 men.

For the fauna sector, Raja Ampat has rarely fauna, such as; red birds of paradise (Paradise Rubra), Wilson birds of paradise (Cicinnurs Republica), Maleo Waigeo (Spilocuscus Papuensis), and rainbow fishes. Hence, for the flora, Raja Ampat has many kinds of Orchids, Waigeo palm, ironwoods or black woods, 'keruing', 'ulin' woods, etc.

Because of its various nature profit, Raja Ampat will declared by Maritime Ministry Freddy Numberi as ancient regency, based on its location that not only rich of fishes, but also its sea herb and the pearl.

Keresidenan Building

Gedung Keresidenan (Residency building) is located on Jl. K.K. Singawinata or the south of Situ Buleud. Residency building built in a very wide area. The main building located in the middle of the yard. In front of the main building there is a garden, as well as on the left and right. To enter the main building there are two of stairs located in the middle of building. On the right and left of the main building there is a kind of pavilion buildings which roofed village houses stretching to the rear.

The construction of Gedung Keresidenan closely related to Purwakarta as the capital city of the residency of Karawang. However, because there was no residency buildings built and no adequate transportation facilities in Purwakarta, for some time the office of Karawang residency was in Karawang. As time goes by, in 1902 Batavia-Padalarang railroad was completed in construction. At the same years, the Residency building in Purwakarta has finished in construction. Moreover the office of the residency of Karawang moves to Purwakarta.

Nowadays, Gedung Keresidenan is functioned as the Regional Coordination Board office of Purwakarta.

Situ Buleud

In Sundanese words, Buleud means a round and Situ translated as small lake. So, Situ Buleud can also call the Round Lake. Situ Buleud name was taken from the forms of the lake which round in shape.

Situ Buleud which has an area of about 4 hectares has a background landscape of classic architecture heritage building named Gedung Keresidenan. Because of it is strategic location, the lake is used as a central place for natural recreation and sporting activities in Purwakarta. Every day of week, Situ Buled not only use as a sport and recreation area but also used by merchants to peddle his wares.

Situ Buleud is lined with a circular iron fence with very shady trees lined up around the lake. In the middle of the lake there are water fountains. Situ Buleud very well lay out. The trees are shade, the rest area facilities are comfortable, there is a spacious walking area, and the cleanliness is maintained. Situ Buleud positioned as the lungs of the city in Purwakarta. Moreover, the existence of Purwakarta district library in Situ Buleud location offers many choices for visitors coming.