Rabu, 21 Desember 2011

Hill Park Theme Park Sibolangit

HillPark Theme Park GreenHill Sibolangit Review
HillPark Theme Park
Here you are, the latest pictures and videos from The Latest theme park in Medan
HillPark at GreenHill City Sibolangit about 1 hour drive from the airport and 1.5 hours drive from Medan City – North Sumatra Indonesia
Want to see the Roller Coaster Experience? and the screams from HillPark… Watch the video below:
hillpark ferris wheel sibolangit medan
The Best Shot for the Theme Park if you want to take some photos. Smile :-)
Ok, What you need to know before you get there.
hillpark sibolangit ticket Rp12.000 per person
The entrance ticket cost Rp12.000 (USD 1.50) per person whether adult or child, it costs the same.
The rides cost Rp10.000 and Rp12.000 depending on the type of rides. Not cheap for Medan standard but if you convert it into USD, it’s less than USD 1.50 per ride. The ticket for the rides valid for only I person/child. You will still need 2 tickets if your 2 children share a ride.
The indoor games costs from Rp1.500 to Rp12.000. The coins are Rp1.500 a piece, you may need to use more than 1 coin depending on the types of games or rides.
So expect to pay at least Rp200.000 per person if want to experience all the rides and food.
greenhill hillpark ride token Rp10000
The Blue Ride Token Costs Rp10.000 per person
greenhill hillpark ride token Rp12000
The Orange Ride Token Costs Rp12.000 per person
The Best ride should be the Ferris Wheel as you can see a nice view from above.
hillpark greenhill view top ferris wheel
View of the Hillpark from Ferris Wheel, You can see the whole of HillPark!
ferris wheel view of hillpark sibolangit medan
Ok, not exactly the scale of Disney Land but a good size for Medan.
waiting in line hillpark ferris wheel
hanging below the ferris wheel
Looking up as we ride up the Ferris Wheel, no screams here… just silence
the wheel that turns the ferris wheel
This is the “Wheel” that turns the Ferris Wheel :-)Our life and death depends on this wheel
the villas at greenhill city medan
This is the Villas of GreenHill City adjacent to HillPark from the same developer. Many Medanese purchase a weekend home here and Brastagi (another hour from GreenHill Sibolangit) A new phase has opened up for sale at the rear of HillPark.
retail food greenhill city medan sibolangit
This is the GreenHill City Retail Area with shops, mini market, restaurants and cafe including KFC (Kentucky Friend Chicken, Garuda, Paparons Pizza, CFC (California Fried Chicken), Soup Ikan, Macan Mart mini market and other smaller retail shops, cafes and restaurants. A wider choice compared to those offered in the Theme Park.
retail shops restaurants mini market
Food & Drinks in HillPark:
There is a Taipan Express serving Dim Sum inside Hillpark at the indoor Palace. Other restaurants include Garuda Indonesian Padang Food, Paparons Pizza plus other small cafes.
hillpark palace greenhill medan
This is the Palace of HillPark with carnival games and souvenier shop. A good place to hide from the rain. Yes, it rained, so remember to bring your umbrella to avoid getting caught in the rain. If not you will need to buy an Umbrella from HillPark for Rp60.000 at the shop.



Selasa, 20 Desember 2011

Traditional Dance in Sumatera

Sumatra
Aceh
Tari Seudati:
Danced by 8 men and 1-2 other narrators and led by a sheh (dance leader). It doesn't need any musical instruments. The dance describes heroic characteristics of Acehnese.
Tari Saman (for men) and Meusekat (for women):
Developed from the traditional dance "Tepuk Ane" and played by 8-20 dancers.  They kneel in a row on the floor or the ground and make many kinds of torso movements. It starts with a very slow speed which gradually becomes a rapid speed then stop suddenly. Accompanied by songs while clapping hands, slapping the   chest, slapping hands on the floor.
Tari Rapa-ii Geleng:
It is a specific tambourine used in dancing and singing. Has 11-20 men dancers, similar to Saman.
 
North Sumatra
Manduda Dance
Tari Manduda:
Traditional dance of Simalungunese, portraying the people who are excited during
Sekapur Sirih Dance
Tari Sekapur Sirih:
This is danced to greet guests who are visiting North Sumatra.
Baluse Dance
Tari Baluse:
A Nia warrior dance which shows brevity and courage
 
West Sumatra
Plate Dance
Tari Piring:
This dance is uses plates with candles on top as one of the accessories. Dancers skilfully move their hands with the plates and candles in them. This dance symbolizes the tight and co-ordinated Minangkabau people.
 
Riau
Joget Lambak:
The dance is one of the means of socializing between young girls and guys.
Tandak Riau Dance
Tari Tandak Riau:
This is also one of the social dances in Riau
 
Jambi
Tari Rangguk:
Full spirited dance, especially performed to greet some guests.
Tari Selampit Delapan:
A social dance for the teenage girls and boys
Sekapur Sirih Dance
Tari Sekapur Sirih:
This dance differs from North Sumatran dance only in costumes and origin, but both of them serve as entertaining dances.
 
Lampung
Tari Jangget:
This is a special dance which is performed during traditional ceremonies. It portrays the morals of the people of Lampung.
Melinting Dance
Tari Melinting:
A dance that carries a legend. When Sunan Gunung Jati (one of the Nine Islam Sheikhs in Indonesia) visited the Kingdom of Pugung, he fell in love with Putri Sinar Alam--the princess--who was supposedly performing Tarin Melinting.
Tari Bedana:
A social dance with Islam influence
 
South Sumatra
Tari Kipas:
A social dance for teenage girls and boys of South Sumatra
Tanggai Dance
Tari Tanggai:
A special dance to greet the guests of South Sumatra. All of the dancers have fake long gold nails as one of their accessories.
 
Bengkulu
Tari Bidadaei Terminang Anak:
It means a dance for a fairy who is cuddling a baby. This a traditional dance of Rejanglebong
Andun Dance
Tari Andun:
This dance originated from the south of Bengkulu. It is a special dance to greet guests of honour.
 
 
 

Gundaling Hill

Gundaling Hill
Viewpoint of Gunung Sibayak and Gunung Sinabung from Berastagi, Indonesia

Exotic Tours of Asia
Exotic Tours of Asia
       
This sight is located in Sumatra, Indonesia. To prepare for a trip to Indonesia, read also the Indonesia Travel Guide. Looking for budget accommodation there? Use AsiaExplorers Budget Accommodation Guide, the no-frills website to cover your budget accommodation needs.



Tim on Gundaling Hill, with view of Gunung Sinabung at the background.


Gundaling Hill is a 1575 meter hill in Berastagi. As Berastagi itself is already 1300 meters above sea level, the height of Gundaling hill is only about 200-300 meters above the town. From the top of Gundaling Hill, one can get a panoramic view of Berastagi, although often the souvenir stalls on Gundaling Hill block the otherwise marvellous view.

There is a park on Gundaling Hill, with statues of - I suppose - local heroes including Pawang Ternalem and a mountain princess called Beru Patimar. From Gundaling Hill, you can catch good views of the two live volcanoes in Berastagi, Gunung Sibayak and Gunung Sinabung. Of the two, the taller, cone-shaped Gunung Sinabung is particularly impressive.

I did not realise how close is the hotel I was staying and Gundaling Hill until I took a coach up the hill from our hotel. Horse riding is available on the hill, and I discovered that I could ever ride a horse from my hotel to the top of the hill.


Gundaling Hill Photo Album


The view of Gunung Sibayak from Gundaling Hill.



Traditional Batak architecture is seen on the gateway to Gundaling Hill park.




1

Welcome to Bukit Lawang


 

 

Welcome

Welcome to BukitLawang.com. Providing information on tourism and visits to Bukit Lawang, Sumatra, Indonesia.

Bukit Lawang is a popular tourist destination for its laidback riverside lifestyle, jungle treks in the Gunung Leuser National Park, and its world-famous orangutan rehabilitation centre. This website aims to provide information on all aspects of Bukit Lawang including trekking, accommodation, food and neighbouring attractions.
 Please visit our forum if you have any questions not answered by the site.


What to do

The prime tourist draws in Bukit Lawang are orangutan trekking in the Gunung Leuser national park and visiting the orangutan feeding, which takes place twice daily in Bukit Lawang. However some visitors stay for many weeks without visiting the orangutans, instead preferring to soak up the relaxed atmosphere - nightly jungle parties at various guesthouses featuring guitar-playing guides drinking bir Bintang and singing late into the night.

By day, activities include tubing on the river (hire a tube for around $1, walk up stream, then float down to wear you started - best done as a small group, speak to one of the guides, get them to arrange a barbecue upstream, bring some beer and then come back together), swimming in the river, fishing in the Bohorok (main) or Landak (30 minutes walk) river or fishing in one of the local fishing ponds.
Several outfits in Bukit Lawang offer rafting and kayaking, this is done locally but not in Bukit Lawang itself. Again, just contact one of the many guides if you have any questions.

When to go

There is no real 'season' to visit Bukit Lawang. The rainy season means torrrential rains - but generally only in the evening/night, and rains moderate temperatures.
Note that on Indonesian public holidays and Sundays (except during Ramadan), hundreds of local visitors crowd the village, which Western tourists may find less than appealing - if visiting on a Sunday it is wise to arrange a visit somewhere quieter, such as trekking or going to the Landak river.
 Accommodation prices may very slightly by season, but not hugely so, and with accommodation prices generally ranging from $5-$30, this is not a major concern.

Facilities

Although Bukit Lawang is by no means a city it has many modern facilities available, although some others are still lacking.
 You can find:
  • Electricity - although powercuts occur several times a week and a small torch is highly recommended for power cuts and for poorly lit areas, visiting caves, etc.
  • Internet access - in three internet cafes located in the new-built village set on the hill bordering the right bank of the Bohorok river. Prices and speeds vary, Leuser Netwave, on the left is fastest, but at 15,000 rp/hour with your own laptop (wifi) or 20,000rp/hour with their laptop, is expensive. The CDC internet cafe, on the right, provides free internet for local people but requests a donation from tourists. There is another internet cafe charging 5,000 rp/hour in between the two. A fourth internet cafe, charging 4,000rp/hour has fast access, and is in the adjacent village of Gotong Royong, about 2km from Bukit Lawang, however a becak will cost you 5,000rp/each way, negating most of the savings. The orphanage past Batu Mandi hotel on the way to the bat cave also offers wifi internet in return for a donation to their cause.
  • ATM - 11km away in the village of Bohorok, a guide will take you by motorbike for around 50,000rp round-trip, or you can try to take a local bus known as an 'opelet' for about 3,000rp/each way, plus potentially a becak to take you to the bus station about 1.5km from Bukit Lawang. The ATM is owned by Bank Rakyat Indonesia and is on the Mastercard/Cirrus network. Visa/PLUS cards will NOT work. If you have a Visa-family card, do not try to use it here. In this case you will need to take a longer journey possibly to Binjai, about 2 hours away. Note that the ATM in Bohorok is sometimes empty of money and there may be a day or two's delay while it is reloaded.  Generally it's safer to bring plenty of money to Bukit Lawang rather than try to get more.
  • Post Office - like the ATM, this is in Bohorok. Here you can maybe send a post card home, but don't send anything of value. Western Union transfers can be received here. Open Monday-Saturday.
  • Money changer - there are a number of money changers who will change a variety of Western and regional currencies to rupiah. Rates are slightly lower than in Medan.
  • Mobile phone coverage - now very reliable, you can buy a SIM card for your (unlocked) mobile phone on the Telkomsel network and enjoy cheap local calls as well as 3G mobile internet. Coverage locally is very good.
  • Market - on Friday from morning till around 3pm, located 2km in Gotong Royong. Popular with tourists, a variety of fruits, vegetables, spices, fish and clothes are sold. Another, similar, market on Sundays in Bohorok (11km away).
  • Clothing - mostly tourist-oriented t-shirts, for buying jeans etc. try the malls in Medan.
  • Mosquito repellent, condoms, sanitary towels, toilet paper. Tampons are not available.
  • Medicines - several local pharmacies, but do not stock a complete selection. Medical care is basic, for emergencies visit 'Rumah Sakit Elizabeth' in Medan, the best local hospital.
What you cannot find in Bukit Lawang - formal restaurants, large supermarkets, alcohol beyond beer. If you fancy something stronger/different from beer please bring your DUTY FREE! Otherwise you can find a limited selection of wine, imported spirits in Medan, on Jalan Gatot Subroto (the road to Bukit Lawang) just before Berastagi supermarket, at around km2.5, at 'Simpang Barat', the shop is known as 'Kedai Opong'. Indonesian-bottled, UK-produced whisky is 150,000rp for 70cl. Imported Smirnoff vodka (from the Phillipinnes) is 175,000rp for 75cl. Wine costs around 200,000rp per bottle.
Local 'gin', 'whisky', 'vodka' and 'arak' are all available in/around Bukit Lawang, brands such as 'Mansion House', however extreme caution is advised as cheap, adulterated local alcohol has been known to cause serious medical problems and death.

Accommodation

Accommodation in Bukit Lawang is in three main areas:
Before the village:
  • Rindu Alam, just before the village, has its own road entrance - so ask your becak/car to take you directly there. The only real 'hotel' in Bukit Lawang, some rooms have air-con. 300 metres walk along the canal to the village proper.
  • Bukit Lawang Cottages Eco-Lodge, operated by Paneco, directly across the river from Rindu Alam, situated above the river.
  • Batu Mandi- past the Ecolodge towards the bat cave (away from the village), about 200 metres
In the village itself.
On the left bank, accommodation starts at the village entrance:
  • Wisma Leuser Sibayak, located immediately across the riverover a rickety bridge. Rooms around 100,000rp depending on type
  • Yusman, adjacent upstream to Wisma Leuser Sibayak
  • Bukit Lawang Indah, adjacent upstream to Yusman
  • Back In Touch, past Bukit Lawang Indah located high above the rocks
On the right bank, accommodation options begin 10 minutes walk along the river, past numerous small cafes/restaurants and shops
  • Rain Forest. Operated by Nora, formerly of Rain Forest Cafe
  • Jungle Inn. Telephone: +62 813 7073 0151
  • Sam's Bungalows. Three rooms, Telephone +62 81370093597
  • Garden Inn
  • Indra Inn
  • Back to Nature Guesthouse - for those seeking a real jungle experience - about 1 hour's walk upstream, crossing the river twice
Although there is generally no shortage of accommodation in Bukit Lawang, smaller/more popular places may book out in advance.

How to get there

Location

Bukit Lawang is located 86km from the centre of Medan, the largest city in Indonesia's Northern island of Sumatra, at the entrance to Gunung Leuser National Park, the last sanctuary of the Sumatran orangutan.

Getting there from Medan

In order to reach Bukit Lawang, tourists can either:

  • take a taxi direct from Medan city centre or airport to Bukit Lawang (cost about $30)
  • hail a becak (motorised rickshaw) or taxi (about $5), or a local yellow bus (about $0.30) to Kampung Lalang, the district on the outskirts of Medan where Bukit Lawang-bound buses depart from, in preference to the official (nearby) Pinang Baris bus station. Large orange buses travel to Bukit Lawang for approx $1, or faster minibuses for $1.50. Buses run until roughly 5:30pm.
  • take a bus or taxi to Binjai, another 10km from Medan past Kampung Lalang on the road to Bukit Lawang where minibuses to Bukit Lawang continue until around 6:30pm
Getting to Medan

As one of Indonesia's northernmost cities, Medan it is a natural first (or last) stop in an Indonesian trip.

Most international visitors arrive from either Singapore, Penang, or Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, almost exclusively by air, the previous Penang-Medan ferry having been cancelled in the face of low-cost airline competition.

While it is possible to book through tickets to Medan from Europe, the USA and Australia, on Singapore, Malaysia Airlines or Garuda (connecting in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Jakarta respectively), it may prove significantly cheaper to book a flight to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok and then book an onward flight to Medan with one of the low-cost carriers.

The full list of international destinations is:

Malaysia
Penang: Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Lion Air, Firefly, Sriwaja Air
Kuala Lumpur: Air Asia, Malaysia Airlines, Firefly

Thailand
Bangkok: Air Asia

Singapore: Singapore Airlines/SilkAir (codeshare with Garuda), Valuair/Jetstar

You can book flights on all airlines except Sriwajaya online - for Sriwayaja contact an Indonesian travel agent. 

Domestic Routes:

There are numerous domestic routes departing from Medan. With the exception of Air Asia, you will need to contact a local travel agent for bookings.

Banda Aceh (Aceh): Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, Sriwajaya Air
Meulaboh (Aceh): Susi Air
Blang Pidie (Aceh): Susi Air
Padang Sidempuan (North Sumatra): Susi Air
Siborong-Borong (North Sumatra): Susi Air
Padang (West Sumatra): Sriwajaya Air, Mandala, Batavia Air
Gunung Sitoli (Pulau Nias): Riau Airlines, Merpati
Sinabang (Pulau Simeulue): Merpati, Susi Air
Batam (Riau) - Kartika Airlines, Batavia Air
Pekanbaru (Riau): Riau Airlines, Sriwajaya Air

Jakarta (Java): Air Asia, Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, Sriwajaya Air, Mandala (stopover in Padang),
Bandung (Java): Air Asia
Yogyakarta (Java): Batavia Air (stopover in Batam)

To get to other Indonesian airports, a change in Jakarta will be required. A local travel agent should be able to issue a through ticket to anywhere you want to go.

Local attractions

The main tourist destinations near Medan aside from Bukit Lawang are Berastagi, a hill-station, and Danau Toba, the world's largest voclanic lake. Both Berastagi and Bukit Lawang are generally visited as a return trip from Medan, although it is possible to arrange to take a tourist bus or charter a bus between the two towns to cut out the stay in Medan. Danau Toba is a little further afield: a tourist bus/charter can be arranged from Bukit Lawang, or from Medan itself, about a five-hour journey. A slightly cheaper option is to take the local bus from Amplas bus station, Medan.

All will drop off in Tuk Tuk on the shores of Lake Toba, for a ferry across. From Lake Toba, travellers will either double back to Medan for an onward or homeward flight, take a six-hour bus journey to Sibolga, the port for Pulau Nias (which is then an 8 hour ferry journey), or continue on by bus to Bukittinggi (which offers cool air, and Danau Maninjau, another lake), a 12-hour journey (longer in slower, cheaper buses). Travelling by bus back to Medan and flying onto Padang, near to Bukittinggi, or to Gunung Sitoli (on Nias itself) would  be a slightly shorter and more comfortable journey, albeit more expensive. From Bukittinggi, most people will take the long bus journey to Java, or fly onto Jakarta.

A quicker, more costly alternative is the daily forty minute flight from Medan to Silangit, just a few minutes from Lake Toba. This is operated by Susi Air on 12-seat Cessna aircraft.