The Largest Lake

Lake Toba is a volcanic lake of 100km x 30km in North Sumatra, Sumatra, Indonesia. In the middle there is a volcanic island called Samosir Island.

Lake Toba has long become an important tourist destination in North Sumatra, Bukit Lawang addition and Nias, attract domestic and foreign tourists.

It is estimated that Lake Toba explosion occurred at about 73000-75000 years ago and is the eruption Supervolcano (super volcano) the most recent. Bill Rose and Craig Chesner of Michigan Technological University estimate that the materials are thrown volcanic mountain of 2800km3, with ignimbrit rock 800km3 and 2000km3 estimated volcanic ash blown into the west for 2 weeks.

This incident caused mass death and in some species was also followed by extinction. According to some DNA evidence, this eruption also reduced the number to about a thousand men only.

After the eruption, the caldera formed which then fills with water and became what is now

The Uniqueness of Funeral in Toraja

Each area has a tradition to respect death. If in Bali we are familiar with the term Ngaben, in North Sumatra, Sarimatua, then in Tana Toraja Rambu ceremony known as Solo '. Equation of the three: the ritual ceremonies of death and burial. In Tana Toraja itself has two major traditional ceremonies are Rambu Solo 'and Rambu Tuka. Signs Solo 'is a funeral, while signs Tuka, is a housewarming ceremonies of the new custom, or who had just completed renovated. Here I will tell you about the ceremony deaths in Tana Toraja.

Signs Solo 'is a show very festive tradition in Tana Toraja, because it takes days to celebrate. The ceremony is usually held during the day, when the sun began leaning to the west and usually takes 2-3 days. Even up to two weeks for the aristocracy. Her own grave is made at the top of the cliff at the height of the rock.

Because according to the trust Aluk To Dolo (Tana Toraja people's confidence first, before the entry of Christianity and Islam) among the people of Tana Toraja, the higher the body was placed, so the sooner his soul to paradise.

This ceremony is for each community group must be different. When the nobleman who died, then the number of buffalo that will be cut for the purpose of the event was far more than for those who are not royal. For the royal family, the number of buffalo may range from 24 to 100 buffalos. While middle-class residents are required to slaughtering buffalos 8 plus 50 pigs, and long ceremony about 3 days.

But, before the amount was insufficient, the body should not be buried in the cliffs or in high places. Hence, the body often stored for years in Tongkonan (Toraja traditional house) until finally the family of the late / deceased can prepare the sacrificial animals. But for adherents of Christianity and Islam today, the body can be buried in the ground first, then dug up after the family is ready to perform this ceremony.

For people Tana Toraja, the dead person does not in itself a degree of the dead. For them before the ceremony Rambu Solo 'then the person who died was regarded as a sick man. Because the status is still 'sick', then the man who died had to be admitted and treated like people who are still alive, like with her, providing food, beverages and tobacco or betel. Things that are usually done by a ghost, must continue to run as usual.

The body was moved from the funeral home to the first tongkonan (tongkonan tammuon), which is tongkonan where he came from. There is slaughter of buffalos 1 as a sacrifice or in the language Torajanya Ma'tinggoro Tedong, which is typical of the way Toraja slaughter, cutting buffalo with a machete with a single blow alone. Buffalo to be slaughtered was moored at a rock called Stone Simbuang. After that, the buffalo had been cut and the meat distributed to those present.

The body was in the first tongkonan (tongkonan tammuon) just a day, then the next day the body will be moved again to be somewhat tongkonan up again, namely tongkonan barebatu, and even here, the procession together with the first tongkonan, the slaughter of the buffalo and the meat will distributed to the people around tongkonan it.

Signs show the entire procession Solo 'is always done during the day. That afternoon at around 11:30 Central Indonesian Time (Wita), we all arrived at tongkonan barebatu, because today is the day of the transfer of bodies from tongkonan barebatu to Rante (the field where the event took place).

The body was carried using duba-duba (bier typical Toraja). In front there duba-duba-Lamba Lamba (long red cloth, usually located in front of the coffin the corpse, and in the procession pengarakan, the fabric is pulled by the women in the family).

The procession of the body pengarakan tongkonan Rante barebatu to do after church and lunch. It was only the spirits come close family carrying the coffin. The men who raised the coffin, while an attractive woman-Lamba Lamba.

In pengarakan sequences are to be carried out, in the first place we would see people carrying a huge gong, and then followed by tompi saratu (or what we usually familiar with the banners), and right behind a row of saratu tompi tedong (buffalo) followed by Lamba Lamba-final and then duba-duba.

The body will be interred in Rante (special field where the procession took place), there was standing loud (temporary houses made of bamboo and wood) that have been given a number. Loud itself serves as the home of relatives who came later. Because during the event they all did not return to their homes but staying in a loud voice that has been provided by the grieving families.

Funeral procession finally reached the Rante which will be placed in lakkien (tower where the corpse during the procession disemayamkannya progress). The tower is the tallest building in the loud-loud in Rante. Lakkien made of bamboo trees in the Toraja traditional house forms. The body was laid on top before lakkien will be buried. Rante ready in two water buffaloes to be slashed.

After the body arrived at the lakkien, the next event is the reception area, the relatives who came from around the country. In the afternoon after the procession finished reception, followed by entertainment for the family and invited guests who came, by exposing ma'pasilaga tedong (buffalo race). What a crowded audience, because during the ceremony Rambu Solo ', ruminant animal contest is an event that is eagerly awaited.

Over the next few days and the reception of buffalo race is the agenda of the next event, held the reception continues until all the guests are in the space provided is loud in the Rante. In the afternoon contest was always held buffalo, this is a mainstream entertainment by the people of Tana Toraja up until the day of burial. Whether it is buried in the cliffs or in patane '(tombs of traditional wooden house)

Fresh Water in Malino Waterfall

Being in an area with altitude of 1500 meters above sea level, must berhawa cool. That the Malino. Mountains of southern Makassar also has many privileges. Pine forests, waterfalls, fresh vegetables, and passion fruit.

Object Location
Malino is situated on the western slopes of Mount Bawakaraeng. Precisely in District Tinggimoncong, Gowa regency, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. Located approximately 90 kilometers southeast of Makassar.

Overview
Malino in South Sulawesi was developed. The beauty towards Malino was even halfway there. Winding road, the view that Bilibili Dam water to millions of hectares of rice fields and gardens, valleys, and lay a layer of green hills in front of the eyes.The higher, the more beautiful stretch of scenery. Pine forest with a unique sound fauna greet everyone who comes. The higher the travel, the more cool air. The fresh air flows freely through the nose and throat into the chest cavity.In Malino many attractions. Takapala Waterfall, Waterfall Lembanna, Forest Tourism expanse of pine trees, and bathing water Blue Valley is very cool. Visitors also can rent horses to ride to the Takapala waterfall.

In the jungle tour, a variety of animal life. Beautiful singing parrot, black monkeys jumping, valor starlings, birds gelatik, and the king prawns, all can be seen there. While the living flora in addition to pine include acacia, Jabon, banyan, eucalyptus, flowers edelweis, turi flower, rattan, ylang, and some types of shrubs.

In the higher regions, visible expanse of vegetable crops are green. Farmers grow cabbage in Malino, vetsai, leek, potatoes, and tomatoes. All can be enjoyed with the local price. While Pattapang area, there is a green carpet of tea gardens. Wow, incredible beauty.

There is one special in Malino, the passion fruit plantations. Malino passion fruit taste was unique, combination of sweet and sour that fit. Fresh. In the market, visitors can enjoy direct ripe passion fruit, or buy the local processing of syrup and jam.

If you want to spend the night and enjoy the beauty of the Malino for a few days, there are lodging facilities. There are villas, lodging, and hotel complete with restaurants and sports and entertainment facilities.

Tips to confirm a booking with your clients

When a tour guide works for travel agencies, you usually wait for the company to pass on confirmed clients to you. When a tour guide is in contact with potential clients directly, do you realize that you actually play part of the role as a sales person? In fact you are the sales person and need to close the sale to get the business from the client.
You need to tell your clients why they should choose to travel with you. Give them confidence to click the final button “Book this Tour Guide” so you can earn some more income.

Here are some tips to seal a deal with your prospective clients


1. Give thanks to them for contacting you and welcome the clients to your city.


2. Notice the client’s personal interest and promote specific sightseeing tours. Pay attention to exactly what the client asks for in their first email to you. The closer you get to their interest, the more possible clients will choose your service. What differentiates a private tour guide from package tour is the tailor-made personal tour experience. The tour can be customized to personal preferences, tailored to their time of visit, or match the age span in the group.



3. Think in advance of your clients. As a tour guide, you are more familiar with the scenic spots, itinerary design, cost included or excluded in your tours etc. Will the place they are interested be closed at weekends? Is car renting required for their group and for what price? Is it better to quote also in their currency to save them from rate checking? Reply to your clients proactively. Do not wait for their queries.



Now that you are both happy about the tour arrangements, it is time for a booking. Do not presume that your clients are all internet savvy. Some people are but alot are not internet smart. Why not make it easier for your clients to book you? For example, if clients have chosen a sightseeing tour with you, send them the exact tour link/URL directly. So they can just hit the button “Book” and complete quickly and simply.



Do you have any successful tips to close a deal with your prospect clients?

Borobudur as the Biggest Buddhist Temple

Who does not know Candi Borobudur? This Buddhist temple has 1460 relief panels and 504 Buddha effigies in the complex. Millions of people longing to visit the buildings included in this World Wonder Heritages. Not surprisingly, since architecturally and functionally, as a place of worship, Borobudur is attractive.

Borobudur was built by King Samaratungga, one of the kings of Old Mataram Kingdom, Sailendra descendants. Based on Kayumwungan inscription, an Indonesian named Hudaya Kandahjaya revealed that Borobudur is a place of worship which was completed May 26 824, nearly a hundred years since the early days was built. The name of Borobudur itself according to some people means a mountain having terraces (budhara), while the other says that Borobudur means monastery on the high places.

Borobudur-shaped building berundak punden consists of 10 levels. Height 42 meters before being renovated and 34.5 meters after the renovation because the lowest level was used as a drag. Six lowest level and square in the upper three floors and a circular highest level of Buddhist stupa facing to the west. Each level represents the stage of human life. In accordance with of Buddha Mahayana, anyone who wants to reach the level of Buddha must go through each of those life stages.

The base of Borobudur, called Kamadhatu, symbolizing human beings that are still bound by lust. Four levels mentioned above represents Rupadhatu humans who have set themselves free from lust but still tied to appearance and shape. At these levels, a statue of Buddha placed in open space. Meanwhile, three levels above where the Buddhist stupa placed in the holes is called Arupadhatu, symbolizing human beings that have been freed from lust, appearance, and shape. The top part is called Arupa symbolizes nirvana, where Buddha is residing.

Each terrace has beautiful relief panels showing how skillful. Relief that will be read by coherently when you walk in a clockwise direction (toward the left of the entrance of the temple). The relief panels tell the legendary story of Ramayana. In addition, there are relief panels describing the condition of society at that time. For example, relief of farmers' activity reflecting the advance of agriculture system and relief of sailing boat representing the advance of the time the cruise was centered in Bergotta (Semarang).

All relief panels in Borobudur temple reflect the teachings of the Buddha. Hence, this temple functions as educating the media for people who want to learn Buddhism. YogYES invites you to walk through each narrow passage in Borobudur in order to understand the philosophy of Buddhism. Atisha, a Buddhist from India in the 10th century, had visited the temple that was built 3 centuries before Angkor Wat in Cambodia and 4 centuries before the Grand Cathedrals in Europe.

Thanks to visiting Borobudur and having Buddhist manuscripts from Serlingpa (King of Sriwijaya), Atisha was able to develop Buddhism. He became head of Vikramasila monastery and taught Tibetans of practicing Dharma. Six scripts from any Serlingpa reduced to a core doctrine called "The Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment" or better known by the name Bodhipathapradipa.

One of the questions are as yet unresolved about Borobudur is how the condition around the temple was built and why the temple was found in a buried state. Some say Borobudur initially stood surrounded by a swamp and buried because of the eruption of Merapi. Essentially Calcutta inscription reads 'Amawa' means sea of milk. The word is then interpreted as Merapi lava. Some other says that Borobudur buried in the cold lava of Merapi.

With all the grandeur and mystery that is, only natural that many people from all enter the world penjru Borobudur as a place to visit in his life. Besides enjoying the temple, you can walk around to the villages around Borobudur, such as Karanganyar and Wanurejo to see people making craft activity. You also can go to the top watu Kendil to view the panorama from the top of Borobudur. Wait what? No need to worry earthquake May 27, 2006, because of Borobudur is not affected at all.

Tangkuban Perahu Mountain

Tangkuban Perahu, is one of an active volcano in West Java, precisely in Lembang, about 30 km north of Bandung with a height of 2084 meter above sea level. For how to get there takes approximately 30 minutes by motor vehicle. Boat Tangkuban name was attached to a legendary land of the most famous Sundanese, which is Sangkuriang.

Tangkuban boat from a distance looked like a boat upside down, allegedly caused by the power of Sangkuriang that failed to complete its task in making an overnight boat to marry Dayang Sumbi that none other than his own mother. Because so upset it could not complete the boat, the boat finally Sangkuriang kicked it unfinished. Diataslah legend who became closely related in naming Tangkuban Perahu mountain.

Mountain last erupted in 1910, has 9 craters are still active until now. A large eruption that occurred in the latter 1.5-century cause many craters - the crater at Mount Tangkuban Perahu. These craters are craters Queen, Upas, Domas, New, Jurig, Rhino, Jurian, the Demon and Pangguyungan Rhino. Among these craters, Crater Queen is the largest crater, followed by Upas Crater which lies adjacent to the crater Queen. Some craters out sulfurous smoke, there is even a crater which is forbidden to descend, because the smell of toxic smoke.

Tangkuban Perahu mountain charm is so adorable, even when the weather clears, the curve of land on the crater walls can be seen clearly, not only that, but primary craters can we enjoy the amazing beauty. Natural beauty is what makes Tangkuban Perahu become one of the mainstay of natural tourist attractions of West Java Province, particularly Bandung. Every weekend, Tangkuban Perahu area is always packed with visitors who want to see the beautiful panorama of mountain Tangkuban Perahu. In fact, the atmosphere of a long holiday, pangunjung who come to this tourist sites can reach thousands each day.

Taken from here

Tangkuban Perahu Crater

Tangkuban Perahu Crater is one of the attractions located in the southern region Kab. Subang, located at an altitude of 2084 m above sea level. Of natural beauty with a row of craters that stretch and cool mountain air and the expanse of the typical mountain other surrounding high-rise and the number of collections of plants and plants typical of tropical forests that flourished around the crater, making the boat Tangkuban as an attractive tourist destination in Subang regency.
Viewed from the city of Bandung, the mountain Tangkuban Parahu has a unique shape like a boat upside down (Bahasa Sunda: Tangkuban = reverse, Parahu = Boat). Unique form is believed to have a very close relationship with Sangkuriang legend.

Enjoying the view from the crater Tangkuban Queen Boat, like seeing a giant bowl of very large and deep. When the weather clears, the curve of land on the crater wall of the crater base as well as can be seen quite clearly that it can provide a spectacular panoramic view. Glory craters so wide and deep, at least be able to force the viewer to pause and wonder for a moment the greatness of God's work.

Facilities and Tariff Entry

Gift Shop, Cafeteria and information center (TIC), souvenir shops, homestay, camping ground, outbound area, parking area, the area on horseback. The tariffs went into Tangkubanparahu attractions location of Rp 9000.

Accessibility

To go to these attractions, visitors can use either private vehicles or 2 wheels or 4 wheels of public transport. The travel time to Sari Ater attractions, namely the town of Subang with travel time approximately 40 minutes to the south of Bandung, while around 50 minutes and from Jakarta via toll SADANG with travel time approximately 3 hours while the hot water attractions with travel time Ciater 15 minutes.
Condition of the road to this area, both from Subang and Bandung is very good. However, keep in mind about the condition of the vehicle, due to the location from Bandung and Subang will go through a pretty tough climb.