Holidays Destination on Indonesia

Aside from the spectacular underwater splendors off its coastline and around the nearby Menjangan Island, the serene little village of Pemuteran is also surrounded by Balinese distinct cultural charm which radiates from the beautiful temples that lie in some of the most dramatic natural settings. Among the most notable are the Pura Agung Pulaki, Pura Pabean, and Pura Melanting.

Centered on Pulaki Bay just to the east of Pemuteran Village, the temples located in separate places in this area form what is known as the Pulaki Temples Complex. The complex is centered at the Pura Agung Pulaki, while 6 other temples known as its pesanakan or families are Pura Pabean, Pura Kerta Kawat, Pura Melanting, Pura Belatungan, Pura Puncak Manik and Pura Pemuteran. According to local beliefs, the 7 temples represent the Hindu’s concept of the Sapta Loka and Sapta Patala or the seven layers of the universe.

Nestled magnificently between the mountain and the sea, Pura Agung Pulaki sits pleasantly in the perfect setting of what Balinese called Nyegara Gunung or where the mountain meets the sea – a place of very high spiritual energy. The temple is considered as one of the biggest and most important temples in Bali, and was said to have been built to commemorate the arrival of the Javanese Priest Saint Danghyang Nirartha to Bali in the early 16th Century. The temple is dominated by black granite stone in its architecture and decoration,  perfectly blending  with the hilly background as if some parts of the temple are actually carved out from the cliffs. 

Located 145 km north of Pontianak , capital of  West Kalimantan, Singkawang is the second largest city in the province, bordering the State of Sarawak, Malaysia.   Unlike other towns in Indonesia, Singkawang has a distinct oriental atmosphere with hundreds of Chinese temples found around almost every corner of town. This is because over 70% of Singkawang’s population is of Chinese descent, predominantly of the Hakka tribe with some Teochew. Others are Malays, Dayaks and other Indonesian ethnic groups.

In the 18^th century, West Borneo lured many from mainland China to the gold mines at Monterado (today called the Bengkayang district). The Chinese came by the thousands, and on their way there they used to overnight in Singkawang. Most settled here and their descendents today form the majority population of Singkawang.

One of the oldest temples here is the Tri Dharma Bumi Raya temple , established in 1878 dedicated to the god of the forest, or Tua Peh Kong.   

Normally a quiet city, Singkawang comes alive each Chinese New Year, reaching its climax at Cap Goh Meh, or the fifteenth day of Chinese New Year, closing the celebrations. For this event, Chinese from around the region, including those from Java and Sumatra but also from Singapore and Malaysia flock to Singkawang to celebrate the event with family and friends.

During these celebrations the Tatung or Chinese shamans will perform their supernatural prowess to the thousands gathered along the streets, while remaining totally unharmed. However, before performing their feats they first pray for blessing at the temple of Toa Peh Kong. (Tatungs are people endowed with  supernatural powers performing during the Cap Go Meh Festival in Singkawang, ‘the city of a thousand shrines’, in West Kalimantan. Two of the tatungs are seen bending a sharp sword with their abdomen, remaining completely unharmed.)

Singkawang is also famous for its Chinese ceramics, still produced in the old style  with “antique” designs. Center for ceramics is at Sa Kok, some 7 km. from Singkawang. Ceramics made in Singkawang is very popular on Java and can be bought in many parts of Jakarta and Surabaya.

Established in 1971 by Dr. Biruté Galdikas and Rod Brindamour, Camp Leakey in the Tanjung Puting National Park in Central Kalimantan is the oldest orangutan Research and Conservation Center in the world. The name was taken to honor paleo-anthropologist Louis Leakey, mentor and inspiration to Dr. Biruté Galdikas. Louis Leakey also supported Diane Fossey in the research and protection of the gorillas in Africa and Dr. Jane Goodall in chimapanzees.    

Originally consisting of only two simple huts and meant as Research Center for the great ape in Borneo, Camp Leakey has grown through the years and expanded to include conservation and rehabitlitation efforts to save the endangered orangutans and release captured primates back into the wild. The Orangutan Foundation International organization is now also active in the conservation of rainforests to protect the habitat of the apes.

OFI also organizes special eco-tours led personally by Dr. Biruté Galdikas (click here for details: To do)  

It is through the publication of research in Camp Leakey that the world has come to know about the orangutans. Until today, the organization remains active in supporting research by various universities in Indonesia and the United States, not only on the orangutan but also on the tropical environment that supports the primates

Because of her unfailing devotion to the preservation of the orangutan, Dr. Galdikas is the most respected authority on these primates. Dr.Galdikas has received countless awards, including the Kalpataru Award from the Government of Indonesia, the highest award handed to pioneers in the preservation of Indonesia’s nature and environment. She also received the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, Gold Medal for Conservation, Chester Zoological Society (UK), PETA Humanitarian Award, United Nations Global 500 Award, and many more prestigious recognitions.