East Java

It offers to tourists many objects of historical interest. Sanctuaries and temples comprising many architectural splendours are bountiful legacy of past empires, including the powerful and extensive Majapahit Empire of the late 14th century. Indeed almost every village, town and city in East Java seems to have its own unique historic relics and legends. Among the tourist destination areas in the province, Mt. Bromo, the mountain resort of Tretes and Pandaan are the famous for their magnificent sceneries. The otherwise enduring tranquilty of this region is disrupted ocassionaly during each year by the bull races of Madura, known as "Karapan Sapi."

This province comprices the northeastern arm of the island of Sulawesi, and Manado, the capital of the province, is relatively a sophisticated town. There are good beaches, coral reefs and plenty of speedboats or sailing-boats for hire. Centuries of foreign influence have resulted in fascinating conglemerate of traditions and cultures. The Spanish and the Portuguese traders of the 16th century brought the first the European influence to the Minahasan people.

The mountains of South Sulawesi present a fantastic panorama of nature's beauty and the long drive from Ujungpandang to Tanah Torajas has its rewards. Further north through a rugged country is Tanah Toraja the land of Toraja people known for their grand and unique burial ceremonies and cliffs of hanging graves.The most elaborate, though occasional ceremony on the island is a lavish and expensive funeral event called the "Feast of the Dead," which lasts several days and is accorded only to noblemen.

Lombok Island

Neighboring island, separated from Bali by the strait of Lombok, 5 hours away by ferry from horbour of Padang Bai in east Bali or 20 minutes by planes. It can also now be reached by fast jet foil catamaran for only 2 hours from tourism hourbour of Benoa in south Bali. Benoa alone is only 15 minutes away from your hotel. The island belongs to Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB) or West Nusa Tenggara, a group island which consists other islands like : Sumbawa as well as other hundreds of islets. The population of the province of West Nusa Tenggara consists of 3 major ethnic groups, i.e. Sasak in Lombok island, Samama in the district of Sumbawa and Mbojo in the distric of Bima. The culture and tradition of the province much influenced by the Moslem and Hindu.

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