Paradise on Earth 'Sipora Island'

SM - Indonesia is a maritime nation and has more than 18.306 islands, so it is not surprising that there are many islands which are still not known to many people, who have exceptional beauty. one of which is the island of Sipora. Marine tourism and surfing is a leading tourist potential offered Sipora Island. The islands included in the Mentawai Islands area, is indeed a world-renowned as a surfing location with a number of points surfing surfing enthusiast who ogled the world.

Aside from being a destination for surfers (both locally and internationally) to hunt large waves, the natural beauty of this island is beyond doubt. Conditions of unspoiled nature is also maintained recreation sites suitable for families. Snorkeling, diving, or just relaxing on the beach enjoying the scenery, accompanied by a cool breeze whistling, while waiting for the sun to sink is another attraction of a maritime tourist area. Event photography has also become something worthy and interesting to do in order to perpetuate the natural beauty of Mentawai.

You want to know more about interesting tourist locations on the island and surrounding areas? here we go.

To surf, you can go to several points around the island of Sipora. In addition to surfing the four points already discussed in the "Remarks" previous, already famous surfing destination can be found in Katiet Village. Located at the southern tip of the island of Sipora, this village precisely located in the village of Bosua that can be taken approximately four hours away by speed boat from the Tua Pejat.

Katiet village famous for cause it has a perfect waves rolls with a height of up to 3-4 meters. The
beach in this village, relatively has a lot of rocks, but it did not deter the surfers to hunt down the waves. Waves in this village, excellent hunted in early April to December.

In addition Katiet Village, where other well-known surfing site is Karang Manjat. The waves are very long, making it one of the favorite places that often invite tourists and famous surfers. Karang Manjat is also a snorkeling and diving tourist sites that should not be underestimated. Aquatic Coral Climb percentage of live coral is the best and it encourages diverse fish life is decent beauty of the underwater dive. In Karang Manjat you can found various types of angelfish that Angel Napoleon (Pomocanthus xanthometopon), Angel Betmen (Pomacanthus imperator), Angel Roti (Pomachantus semicirculatus) and Angel doreng (Pygoplites diacanthus).

If you are a fan of snorkeling, Awera Island, a distance of approximately 3.5 kilometers of quay district capital Mentawai Islands, Tua Pejat, can be a reference for you. Beautiful island with white sand and palm trees that decorate it, as well as the vast expanse of coral reefs. In this area there are several endemic fish such as Goldstripe maroon clown (Premnas epigramma), Desjardin's Sailfin Tang (Zebrasoma desjardinii), Fox Face-Red (Siganus magnipicus) and Powderblue surgeonfish (Acanthurus leucosternoon).

Gosong Siasiat is also interesting dive sites to explore, because the diversity of fish and coral reefs. and others can be found in the depths of the ocean around Gosong Siasiat.
Ghost Pipe Fish, nudibranchs, harlequin shrimp, octopus, sea horse, various types of crabs, turtles,

For those of you who want to stay with a more adequate accommodation, stay at the resorts can be an option. Preferably room messages from well before you arrive at Sipora especially during holiday times, considering the accommodations on the island is fairly small.

Pray for Nepal

SM - April (25/4), the world was shocked by the earthquake which occurred in Nepal. The death toll from a powerful earthquake that rocked Nepal on Saturday into 5489 casualties and injuries reached 10 965 people.

Sindhupalchowk is the district most affected by the earthquake, with 1,587 casualties after an earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale and a total of 134 864 houses were destroyed and 92 971 damaged. They warned the death toll could rise further as the search and rescue efforts were hampered by damaged roads, dysfunctional communication channels and landslides. Lack of electricity adds to elaborate water scarcity while medical supplies were also reduced.

In Kathmandu thousands of people spent the night on the sidewalks, in parks and open spaces under cold temperatures. They are too afraid to return to their homes, fearing aftershocks.

The building collapsed in the capital city of Nepal is Dharahara Tower, a historic nine-storey building and the main attraction of tourism.

Police said as many as 150 people are believed to be in the tower when the disaster occurred.

Hospitals in the Kathmandu Valley, which is filled with patients, emergency supplies and began to run out of space to store the bodies. Most of the doctors treating patients in temporary tents.

In the most severe earthquake madly in Mount Qomolangma, mountaineers found 18 bodies on Sunday, after they were trapped by an earthquake avalanche.

Six helicopters have successfully reached the mountain after the weather improved, according to some reports.

Strong shocks, followed by at least 14 aftershocks, also shook several parts of India and felt in Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Local Tradition 'Indonesian Batik'

SM - If you have the opportunity to visit Indonesia, especially Yogyakarta. You will find various kinds of beauty. You will be spoiled by the customs, arts, food, and their culture. one of which is the result of artistic handicraft may have known a lot of people, it is Batik.

History of batik can not be ascertained precisely, but artifacts of batik that are older than 2000 years ever encountered. From any origin, the result of this art has become civilization's heritage. Indonesian Batik even officially recognized by UNESCO into the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in Fourth Session of the Intergovernmental Committee in Abu Dhabi.

The use of batik in clothing tradition has a long history and has been going on from the earliest times of Malay civilization. Worn by all classes, from kings to commoners. In the tradition of writing cindai fabric, for example mentioned in many stories of the past. Batik be a parting gift and symbolism of love and made the sign of the conferring in Hang Tua Tale.

Now the use of batik has come into the world of fashion. Many Indonesian designers use batik as a material for making clothes that have a high artistic value. Even Hollywood top artists wearing batik in various events.

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Ganko

SM - NOT difficult to find a delicious dinner places in Kyoto. Restaurants scattered in almost all corners of the city. In the star-rated hotels, restaurants also serve Japanese cuisine is so impressive. However, for me, dinner on the side of the Kamo River (Kamogawa) is the best.

That night, Thursday (10 / 6), we come to the Hospitality Ganko in the heart of the city of Kyoto. As appropriate average of the other buildings in the city area of 827.90 km2, this, too Ganko minimalist design. Not just cooking menu or panoramic Kamogawa edge that makes the foot toward the meal which is always crowded. Big reason is Maiko. Yes, this restaurant is serving traditional Japanese dance performance.

Maiko is a term for young dancers (aged around 15-20 years old). As an adult he called geiko. Here's another interesting side of Kyoto. Only in this place they call the traditional dancers as a geiko. In other regions in Japan, the dancers are called geisha. The song "firefly" from an old tape recorder Maiko accompany movement. Stained face with powder almost no expression and her eyes so sharp. Slowly she followed the harmony accompaniment. Occasionally sitting, standing, rotating body, sometimes brushed strands of her kimono. That feels shrill music finally stopped, just when Maiko sitting. The applause echoed from the diners. Only when it's Maiko original expression. Sweet smile from her lips curved thick dye. As question after question from a visitor rolled a restaurant, he replied kindly. Fukuzusu, Maiko is a graduate of junior high school, eventually accompanied us to dinner that night.

Why choose a Maiko? Was not always a negative stigma attached to the job? Fukuzusu small smile. "Plenty of people think geisha negative connotation. Actually did not like that, "she said. Yamaguchi Prefecture is the home boy explained, Maiko or geiko is a Japanese cultural conservationist. Cap geisha as a mistress officials, he said, happened in the past. Fukuzusu admitted to intentionally take the risk do not continue schooling and become a Maiko. Why? "At first I ever saw the show Maiko. I finally became interested and eventually actually become Maiko, "she said.

Fukuzusu claimed to be a dancer entertainer in restaurants is not the job of rebuke. "This is the cultural heritage of our ancestors," she said. Fukuzusu not excessive. In Kyoto itself, there are currently only 100 people geiko (geisha). Of that total, only 10 people who truly authentic Kyoto. Not easy to be a Maiko. Fukuzusu took nearly a year in the dorms before being allowed to perform in front of people. During a year in a special dormitory, she and her friend are also taught about the life of Maiko. "We should be dancing, singing, also had their culture and traditions," she said. All affairs of life in the dorms is borne entirely by the manager. Later as adults and become geiko, they must get out of the dorm and took her own life.

According to Ayako Shimizu, one of the employees of the restaurant explained, Maiko or geiko who decided to get married, also ended its role as a dancer. "She became an ordinary woman," she said. Fukuzusu smile. Chat flowing seemed so short. Sashimi with wasabi that makes the tongue dance, tempura, bento, and OCHA at the dinner table has been demolished. More late night. A sip of sake to end dinner at the Kamo river beautiful.