Plaosan, Beautiful Twins Temple

You do not need to rush back to the inn after a visit to the Prambanan temple, because not far from the most beautiful Hindu temple in the world that you will also see other temples are just as entertaining. Headed north as far as 1 km, you will see Plaosan Temple, a temple constructed by Rakai Pikatan for the Empress, Pramudyawardani. Located in the Village District Bugisan Prambanan temple architecture is a blend of Hindu and Buddhist.

Plaosan complex is divided into 2 groups, the Temple and the Temple Lor Plaosan Plaosan South. Second temple has a square-shaped terrace surrounded by a wall, which shaped meditation on the west side ticket booth and the stupa at the other side. Because of that similarity, the appearance Lor Temple and South Plaosan was almost similar when viewed from a distance so that the Temple Plaosan far too often called the twin temples.

Plaosan Candi Lor Building has a central courtyard surrounded by a wall with the entrance on the west. In the middle of the page there are marquee measuring 21.62 mx 19 m. In the eastern part of the pavilion there are 3 pieces of the altar, the altar of the north, east and south. Preview Amitbha, Ratnasambhava, Vairochana, and there at the altar Aksobya east. Samantabadhara stupa and figures on the altar Ksitigarbha north, whereas the picture there at the altar Manjusri west.

South Plaosan temple also has a pavilion in the center surrounded by 8 small temples are divided into 2 levels and each level consists of 4 temples. There is also a picture Amitbha Tathagata, vajra Vajrapani with attributes of Prajnaparamita Utpala and considered as "mother of all Buddhas'. Some other pictures can still be found but not at the original place. Manujri figure which according to a Dutch scientist named Krom is significant also found.

Part Bas reliefs of this temple has a unique picture of men and women. There is a man who depicted sitting cross-legged with their hands and the figure of a man worshiping with vara mudra hand and a vase at the foot of a man surrounded by six smaller ones. A woman is depicted standing with his hands vara mudra, while all around there are books, pallets and vase. Krom argued that the figures he was the picture of the woman patron supporter of the two temples.

The entire temple complex has 116 Plaosan perwara stupas and temples perwara 50. Perwara stupa can be seen on all sides of the main temple, as well as temples perwara smaller. When you walk into the north, you can see the building open Mandapa called. Two prasati also be found, the inscription on the gold coins in the north of the main temple and the inscriptions written on stone in the temple Perwara first row.

One of the particularities of Plaosan Temple Terrace is a smooth surface. Krom argued terrace of this temple is different from other temple terrace built in the same period. According to him, it was related to the function of the temple at the time suspected to save the canonical texts of Buddhist monks. Other allegations came from Dutch scientists, if the number of priests in the area a bit so maybe it was used as the terrace of a temple (Buddhist temple).

If you look around the temple, you will know that the temple is actually Plaosan vast temple complex. It can be seen from the fence along 460 m from north to south and 290 m from west to east, also interior fence consisting of a ditch along 440 m from north to south and 270 m from west to east. Trenches that make up the interior of the fence can be seen by walking toward the east through the middle of this historic building.

Prambanan, The most beautiful Temple

Prambanan temple is incredibly beautiful building built in the 10th century during the reigns of two kings, and Rakai Rakai Pikatan Balitung. Rose as high as 47 feet (5 meters higher than Borobudur temple), the establishment of this temple has fulfilled the desire maker, shows the triumph of Hinduism in Java. This temple is located 17 kilometers from the city center, in the middle of the area that is now a beautiful park.

There is a legend that Javanese people always tell about this temple. Once, a man named Bandung Bondowoso loved Roro Jonggrang. Because no love, Jonggrang asked Bondowoso make 1000 temples with statues in one night. The request was nearly fulfilled before Jonggrang asked the villagers to pound rice and make a big fire that created an atmosphere like the morning. New Bondowoso can make 999 statues cursed Jonggrang into the statue in 1000 because he felt cheated.

Prambanan temple has 3 main temples in the main yard, namely Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva. These three temples are symbols of Trimurti in Hindu belief. All of them face east. Each main temple has accompanying temple facing to the west, namely Nandini for Shiva, Swan to Brahma, and Garuda for Vishnu. In addition, there are still squeeze 2 temple, the temple curtain 4, and 4 corner temples. Meanwhile, the second page had 224 temples.

Entering the Shiva temple located in the middle and the highest building, you will find a room 4. One main room contains a statue of Shiva, while the other 3 rooms each containing a statue of Durga (Shiva's wife), Agastya (Shiva's teacher), and Ganesha (Shiva's son). Durga is mentioned as the statue of Roro Jonggrang described in the legend above.

In the Vishnu temple is located in the north of Shiva temple, you will only see one room containing a statue of Vishnu. Similarly, the Brahma temple located on the south side of Shiva temple, you will only find one room with a statue of Brahma.

Accompanying temple is Garuda temple lure is located near the Vishnu temple. This temple save the story of a half-bird figure named Garuda. Garuda is a mystical bird in Hindu mythology, who was gold, white-faced, red-winged, beaked and winged like an eagle. Estimated, the figure is Hindu adaptation of Bennu figure (means 'rises' or 'shine', usually associated with the god Re) in ancient Egyptian mythology or Phoenix in Old Greek mythology. Garuda can save his mother from the curse of Aruna (Garuda's brother who was born handicapped) by stealing Tirta Amrita (holy water of the gods).

The ability to save was admired by many people until now and used for various purposes. Indonesia used it to sign the state. That said, the creator of the emblem of Garuda Pancasila find inspiration in this temple. Other countries also use it to sign the country is Thailand, with the same reason but adaptation forms and different appearance. In Thailand, Garuda is known as Pha recruited or recruited.

Prambanan temple also has a load relief Ramayana story. According to experts, the relief was similar to the Ramayana story is revealed through oral traditions. Another interesting relief is Kalpataru tree that the Hindu religion is considered as a tree of life, sustainability and environmental compatibility. In Prambanan, relief of Kalpataru tree is described lions flanking the center. The existence of this tree makes experts consider that the 9th century have wisdom in managing the environment.

Just as the figure of Garuda, Kalpataru is now also used for various purposes. In Indonesia, Kalpataru became a symbol of the Earth (WALHI). In fact, some scientists in Bali to develop the concept of Tri Hita Karana for environmental conservation by seeing Kalpataru relief in this temple. Tree of life also can be found in the mountains that used to open the puppet arts. A proof that the relief panels in Prambanan has worldwide.

If careful, you can also see various birds relief, this time a real bird. Bird reliefs at Prambanan so natural that biologists can identify them even to genus level. One was relief of the Yellow-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea) that invite questions. Why, the bird is only found in Masakambing Island, an island in the Java Sea. Then, whether the species was once numerous in Yogyakarta? Please find out the answer myself. Because, until now no one who can solve the mystery.

Well, there are many more to be unearthed at Prambanan. You must not tire of course. If it was finally exhausted, you can rest in the garden around the temple. Interested? Come immediately. Since September 18, 2006, you can enter the zone 1 Prambanan not even get into the temple. Some of the damage caused by the earthquake May 27, 2006 and is now being repaired.

PROFILE

Indonesia Tourism

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Tour Guide Survey with Adel in Cairo

Tour Guide Adel Taha, Cairo Sightseeing Tours


1. What is the best thing you like being a tour guide?

the best thing of being a tour guide is the work and people. i go to this work and i love it. i have some days in cairo, some around other parts of Egypt.so i love to be at new area and enjoy it. Also i have no manager telling me what to do ,but i do what's my heart telling me to do for my clients to make them happy and enjoy every mintue. I was born beside the temple of kom ombo in aswan. so it's in my blood to show people our places, temples and that's making me more happy to see them smiling and want to visit and see more of this places.



2. What is your most memorable moment in guiding so far?

when people are ready to leave, specially when they are here for a long tour(many days)but sometimes they don't want to leave me not Egypt as their time here is so special. that happened to me the last group...



3. What is most challenging for you in this career? Have you coped with it?

some local rules that delay us from making the tours in the format we would like to.



4. What is your favorite place/thing that you want to show your travel clients?

the great pyramids of giza......for sure.



5. What if you were not a tour guide? What do you imagine yourself to be?

if i wasn't a tour guide - wow - i can't imagine to be anything else.....so i will be just an Egypt tour guide, nothing else.



Check out sightseeing tours offered by Adel


shore excursion from alexandria port to cairo 12 hours

As a tour guide, do you have stories to share?

101 top tips for the best Sightseeing Tours

Here is an excellent collection on 101 top tips for the best sightseeing tours - courtesy of OurExplorer

How to Design a Sightseeing Tour
1. Ask the client beforehand about interest and preference to develop a customized tour.
2. Mind the cultural background of clients.
3. Check with the clients about their physical strength in walking, hiking or other adventurous tours.
4. Check with the clients about food alerts if meals are included.
5. Design a sightseeing tour according to the client’s time of stay.
6. Choose the transportation that is convenient and with local characters.
7. Take different routes from and back to the accommodation to avoid repeated info.
8. Shout your specialty when designing a sightseeing tour.
9. Show your humor and wisdom in your sightseeing tour.
10. Do not include similar sites or activities in one day.
11. Offer alternatives to allow tourists choose with personal interest.
12. Visit the distant sites first and then the nearby spots.
13. Do not include distant visit on the day of departure.
14. Balance time of walking with time on the vehicle.
15. Leave the evening free with options recommended.
16. Consider influential elements like weather and have a plan B if possible.
17. Provide clear information on tour details to avoid misunderstanding.
18. Add photos to your sightseeing tour presentation to inspire tourists.
19. Add videos to your sightseeing tour presentation to be heard.
20. Offer freebie if available.
21. Offer more options to encourage client contact.
22. Include cancellation policy if necessary.
23. Introduce something about yourself to build up personal connection.
24. Present the tour proposal neatly on one page.
25. Provide full contacts for clients to find you easily.

What to Prepare before a Sightseeing Tour
1. Exchange email and mobile with travelers or tour leaders to avoid missing each other.
2. Check weather forecast 3 days before the tour to prepare for the unsatisfactory weather.
3. Get familiar with the tour itinerary and schedules.
4. Be prepared with knowledge on things-to-see.
5. Familiar with transportation between different stops.
6. Check arrival info of flight/train/bus/cruise on the day in case of delay or advance.
7. Confirm with the hotel for client reservation to avoid waiting in a wrong hotel lobby.
8. Do not forget materials of the tour like itinerary, microphone, tickets and pick-up signs, etc.
9. Be punctual at meeting time and place.
10. Locate the vehicle and communicate with the driver about the day tour.
11. Take note of the vehicle’s colour, number, and parking spots to get on smoothly at each stop.
12. Test the microphone before talking, either it is on the coach or your personal appliance.
13. Check if everyone is on board before leaving for the next destination.
14. Count heads one more time from back to front with big tourist groups
15. Have a quick look at overhead luggage to ensure no fall-over.
16. Remind the tourists of safety belts or other facilities on the vehicle.
17. Notice tourists not to walk when the coach is moving.
18. Make a note in advance if smoking, eating or drinking is not allowed on the vehicle.
19. Notice the facilities in each stop like toilets, entrances/exits, souvenir shops, taxi stands, etc.
20. Choose restaurants with good sanitary condition.
21. Dress professionally and properly for the sightseeing tour.

What to Take Notice on the Sightseeing Tour
1. Take the guide’s seat to talk to the whole group easily on a vehicle.
2. Give safety instructions to tourists when necessary.
3. Remind travelers of their belongings whenever getting off the vehicle.
4. Notify tourists of no-photography, no-smoking, no-feeding or other inappropriate behaviors.
5. Inform clear meeting time and location before free activities.
6. Do not guide in more than two languages.
7. Do not talk to the driver with the microphone on.
8. Do not talk when there is gum, candy or other things in your mouth.
9. Talk slowly and clearly when giving commentary.
10. Make sure tourists sit at the back can hear your words.
11. Face your tourist group while talking.
12. Guide in the front and lead the way - best tour guide method.
13. Adjust your pace to be ok with the slowest person in the group.
14. Stop or slow down at corners to avoid missing people.
15. Choose a place capacious of holding all your clients.
16. Do not talking to the whole group while walking.
17. Avoid talking in the sun, wind, rain or other uncomfortable environment.
18. Keep some distance from other tourist groups to avoid disturbance.
19. Start your introduction after your clients all gathered in front of you.
20. Adjust tones to fit into sites with special themes.
21. Point out good stops for photo-taking.
22. Manage the time to avoid over-stay or rush-around.
23. Recommend dishes with local characters.
24. Check food quality and quantity at meals.
25. Introduce unique local dishes and explain how to eat.
26. Spread your attention evenly to avoid any neglecting any client.
27. Deliver when clients ask for extra service and you agree.
28. Inform clients of itinerary changes and explain why.
29. Upgrade in service if possible.
30. Smile is never too much.

What to discuss during the Sightseeing Tour
1. Deliver a welcome speech with consideration of the pick-up location and time.
2. Do not overload with information.
3. Listen to the clients during the tour to find out their interest.
4. Separate general introduction throughout days with multi-day tours.
5. Stick to the same topic on themed excursions.
6. Give commentary according to the tour length.
7. Know the length of driving and prepare topics accordingly.
8. Commentary on scenes or people along the way.
9. Cooperate with national guide, local guide, or tour leader on what to say to avoid repeated commentary.
10. Comment when all clients can see what you are talking about.
11. Point out clearly what you are talking about avoiding ambiguous words like “here” “there”.
12. Introduce facts, and anecdotes.
13. Include latest news, developments and changes when available.
14. Use descriptive languages when introducing a something.
15. Talk informatively and humorously, but not act like a comedian or scholar.
16. Explain technical terms or jargon.
17. Welcome questions from travelers and answer properly.
18. Compare with things or spots familiar to clients for easy understanding.
19. Add stories/interpretation associated with the non-ideal weather to cheer up client moods.
20. Contribute to the local community or organization when appropriate.

How to Conclude the Sightseeing Tour
1. Reflect on what has been covered during the sightseeing tours.
2. Publicly thank the diver for his good job.
3. Publicly thank fellow colleagues cooperated in the sightseeing tour.
4. Thanks to the clients for their cooperation and support throughout the tour.
5. An email follow up with thank and feedback request to the clients.

Tour Guide Replacements - Notify and Explain to your client.

There are some cases when a tour guide may not be able to guide the client as scheduled by a booking made of them directly. Your clients will understand about these changes if they are notified in advance. Let us first have a look into some negative client feedback OurExplorer have experienced in this topic.


“Guide A was not our tour guide. Guide B was. B was a very good guide, and covered all the locations we expected. I presume A had a very good reason for the switch to B, but it still leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth.”

“The first 'surprise' was that we'd thought we'd booked a personal tour guide, so were expecting Guide C, with whom I'd had a lot of emails to confirm details etc. At no point did he indicate we may get someone else (Guide D) from his company. Guide D did make it clear he knew the arrangements but we had expected C to arrive, so even that felt uncomfortable at first.”

So what shall a tour guide do to avoid such complaints from your client?


Notify client in advance to avoid the “surprise”.

It takes only a short note to say “I am personally not available on the tour day, but will arrange my fellow tour guide, who is also a professional and qualified tour guide. Here is the contact for your new tour guide…”

Quick response is critical.

Here is another client who felt uncomfortable at first but later decided to go on with the same guide’s offer. “Thank you for your quick response. I just received another email from the guide, and he has found us a replacement guide.”


Clear explanation from the new tour guide upon meeting client is reassuring.

If you communicated with your clients all the time about their sightseeing tour details, ask the guide who is your replacement to explain again upon meeting. This is reassuring to the clients that they did meet the right person. Also, there will be no confusion about the itinerary or tour arrangements.


Exchange mobile numbers with your clients

A tour guide can notify the clients easily with short messages. Especially if you are meeting cruise passengers who usually start the journey long before your meet, mobile communication is helpful.

Wakatobi Island, The Heaven of Divers

A destination where you can dive the world's most pristine reefs and experience remoteness from everyday life in total comfort. Situated on a beautiful tropical island in the remote and peaceful Wakatobi archipelago in the Banda Sea, Wakatobi Dive Resort offers what many consider to be the best reef diving in the world. Blessed with a house reef where you can begin your dive only 20m (60 feet) from the dive center, Wakatobi is often described as a live aboard with a built-in beach! In addition to the spectacular house reef, there are several dozens of easily accessible dive sites offering incredible marine life diversity, color and natural splendor.

THE FACT OF THE ISLAND

Each island has its own distinct characteristics and as a second largest marine conservation area in the archipelago, Wakatobi covers an area of 1.4 million hectares giving you the contrast of an exotic and unique experience with its local inhabitants, culture and traditions as one of Indonesian’s jewels.

When marine tourism becomes a permanent and promising business sector, all the factors; including sport culture that has the highest commercial value of any marine tourism activity create a successful marine conservation program to be seen both chance and challenge. At Wakatobi, the program has turned to be equal in all sectors. It seems that people’s empowering program have run well in the area. The society becomes a powerful guardian protecting their underwater heritages.

The Collaborative Reef Conservation Program was developed by the founders of Wakatobi Dive Resort in consultation with local leaders and village elders. It was designed to motivate the people living within the region and to realize the genuine value of the reefs and inspire the villagers to be pro-active in protecting the marine ecosystem. The program achieves by providing the economic alternative sources that could help, protect the ecosystem and manage the reefs . It is a good example of how to do people’s empowerment by giving them the pattern with law enforcement. Cooperation between local fishermen and visiting divers is promoted by generating from tourism income that will return to the community

The best key to build deep trust and understanding amongst the community is to do the continuous and consistent efforts although the program took many years to reach the goals and the aim is there, where all members of the surrounding villages respect and honor the agreement. The Collaborative Reef Conservation Program was extended even further based on the success of a pilot project launched in 1998 that turned 6 km of reef into an effective no-fishing sanctuary. The program includes all 17 communities around the resort and the dive environment includes over 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) of some of the finest reefs of the world, including the protection of dozens of top dive sites for generations.

How to get there?

At this time, the access to Wakatobi can be reached either by air through Kendari using Susi Air
(10 times a week |Monday - Saturday|).

Time Schedule of Susi Air :
Morning Trip :
Trip : Kendari ---> Wakatobi 8:00 am

Wakatobi ---> Kendari 9:00 am


Afternoon Trip :
Trip : Kendari ---> Wakatobi 16:00 pm

Wakatobi ---> Kendari 17:00 pm


To get Kendari can be reach by
(Garuda Indonesia Air, Merpati Air,Sriwijaya Air, Batavia Air and Lion Air)
from Jakarta, Bali, Manado, and Surabaya as follow:

1. Jakarta – Makassar – Kendari - Wakatobi
2. Bali – Makassar – Kendari - Wakatobi
3. Manado – Makassar – Kendari - Wakatobi
4. Surabaya – Makassar – Kendari - Wakatobi

Time schedule of Garuda Indonesia Air :
Jakarta – Makassar (15:35 pm) – Kendari (16:00 pm) - Wakatobi (17:00 pm)

PEOPLE
Wakatobi has an amazing challeging dive sites and the island’s population of nearly 100,563 with their unique custom and culture encourages the people to promote their region to be the most popular marine tourism destination in the world.

Wakatobi consists of multi-ethnic society and Suku Bajo or Bajo Tribe who lives in the seashore, having a particular building architecture connected by the bridge and boats as their main transportation and basic livelihood as the fishermen.
The culinary art of the region serves you a delicious natural tasted food, traditionally made from generation by generation.

ACCOMODATION

The Island provides you in full comfort and distinct resort class although the site is in the most remote resort area. The villas and bungalows were built in a large space, tastefully decorated with the hospitality you would expect in the fine resort like Wakatobi Dive Resort, a Swiss-founded that has an international standard with some facilities in Tomia Island.

The Architecture is built in consideration with the preservation of the traditional building style, respect to the eco-tourism principles with the main building and bungalows crafted by local artisans and all using manual tools. Apart of their land-based resort, the world-renowned Pelagian Yacht now operates and takes the visitors in a local luxurious transportation. This Pelagian Yacht is fully integrated into Wakatobi’s award-winning marine conservation and community development program. It has an exclussive access to the diving sites within the extended Wakatobi region. Let’s try a trip to Wakatobi in a live-a-board adventure on the Pelagian at the same holiday!

Hoga Island with its white sandy beach and beautiful panorama offers you a place that can accommodate up to hundreds guests. There is also a moderate home stay for you to spend the time at Wanci in Wangi-Wangi Island, the capital city of the regency that keeps put in order providing all the facilities to the visitors needs.

There is no denying that Wakatobi is an excellent tourism destination with no less than 750 coral reef species from a total of 850 species in the world, comparing with the Caribbean owes only 50 species and other 300 species in the Red Sea.

AMENITIES

Local food always challenges you to experience unordinary flavour with a touch of magic while a journey in international cuisine will exclusively give you a different taste of seafood with imported ingredients. Guests will enjoy a food etalase from fresh sea fruits to a divine desert and a fresh coconut to a cup of hot local coffee. At Wakatobi Dive Resort the food even extremely served at the Jetty Bar where you can see the sunset of day and look forward to a new adventure tomorrow.

Why make you hurry from the paradise if you can benefit your time in beauty treatments to pamper you while taking a break from diving. Experience the Spa with a fully-trained staff and life can get any better than yesterday. Your day ends with a marvelous sunset watching while having a wonderful candle light dinner.


Source : www.wakatobi.info