East Timor - 2012

Background.

The East Timorese, living in the eastern half of the island of Timor, its between Indonesia and Australia, occupy a land whose area is 14,874 km².
The population in 1975, when the Portuguese left, was 680,000 - 97% Timorese (including mestizos), 2% Chinese, under 1% Portuguese.

East Timor has a common boundary with West Timor, which is part of Indonesia, the former Dutch East Indies.
For centuries the East Timorese had been farmers, living in scattered hamlets and eating what they grew. Only a few coastal East Timorese were fishermen. Trading and shop keeping had for generations been in the hands of the Chinese.
East Timor is extremely mountainous, so the majority of East Timorese had always lived in isolation, far from towns and foreign influences, tied to their fields and animistic practices. In spite of centuries of Catholic missionary work by the Portuguese, in 1975 animists still numbered as much as 72 % of the population.

Interesting points as an attraction and sightseeing.

It is a hidden paradise. Visitors are started to recognize the appeal of East Timor. National Tourism director José Quintas says visitors increased from 37,000 in 2008 to 85,000 in 2010.

So, if you want to try something new yet still enjoy the conventional sun, sea and sand with an adventurous twist, Asia's "newest nation" -- it gained independence in May 2002 -- is worth a look.

The vast array Timor Leste attractions act as a great appeal to tourists from all over the world who come to Timor Leste for some sightseeing.

Timor Leste was formerly known as East Timor. Timor Leste occupies the eastern half in the island of Timor in south East Asia.It is an island located in the land of Indonesia which lies between the Indian Ocean and South China Sea. Timor Leste is a new nation of south East Asia. Travel in Timor Leste attractions and sightseeing consists of a number of wonderful beaches, landscape and mountain.

Timor Leste as a popular tourist spot offers a number of attractions and sightseeing to indulge in. The popular attractions and sightseeing of Timor Leste includes:

• Beaches, Island and Dive sites. There are numerous beautiful beaches in and around Dili. In all these beaches the tourists can enjoy the facility of diving and snorkeling. Small sharks, tuna, turtles, mackerel and barracuda -- all along a submerged ridge running off the coast near Tibar. Another good dive spot is Atauro Island, 20 kilometers by boat from Dili harbor. En route you might see schools of dolphins fishing in the water or racing alongside the water-taxi, while in October and November humpbacks and sometimes sperm whales surface off the coast. Snorkeling is also enjoyed in this island. Bamboo cabins at Tua Koin and the eco village is the most unique attraction of this place. There are more places to dive, however, both east and west of Dili, with untouched coral reefs to explore. The beach of Pasir Putih also known as Areia Branca, is another popular attraction for the tourists of Dili region. The jewel in the country's crown is Jaco Island, the easternmost point in East Timor, a six-hour drive from Dili through green hills and winding, elevated coastal roads overlooking steep drops to the blue water below.

There are plenty of white-sand beaches close to the capital too, notably Areia Branca (Portuguese for "white sands") and Dollar Beach. These beaches can get crowded at weekends, but there are many other pristine beaches east and west of Dili that are usually empty. You need to bring supplies if visiting a quieter beach, but if you are not feeling so Alexander Selkirk, Areia Branca has plenty of bars and restaurants near the water, so you can dine on fresh fish washed down with a beer or fresh coconut, after a swim or a cycle. The south coast is risky, however, with an abundance of large saltwater crocodiles meaning that the good surf there should be avoided.

• Liquica is another place which is overcrowded by the tourists.
• Oecussi is an old fort situated at the top of the hill in the south of the town.
• Lifau is a place where the Portuguese originally inhabited.
• A big statute of Jesus Christ stands at the top of Cape Fatucama situated at the top of the hill. This is a well known tourist attraction of Timor Leste.
• State museum of East Timor is another famous attraction of Timor Leste. It was established in 1995. This museum holds traditional crafts, paintings, musical instruments, religious wood carvings and wood figures.
• Arte Moris is a famous cultural center established in the February 2003 by a Swiss artist Luca Gansser and the youth of East Timor; Gabriela Gansser is a well known place to see in Timor Leste. It is the first fine art school within the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste. It is a popular attraction for the tourists.
• Baucau is the second largest city in Timor Leste. This city holds the wonderful architecture of the colonial times and the caves used by the Japanese during the Second World War.
• Mountaineering and treking can be enjoyed by the people in Ainaro district. Trekking can also be done in Mount Matebian and Loelaco Mountain.
• The old 17th century fort of Maubara. One part of the fort has military ruins from the Portuguese times and the other part has strong coastal sea facing walls.
• Com is a well known fishing village. Snorkelling and fishing are the popular attractions of this place.
• Maubissa in Ainaro district of Timor Leste is a hill town of the past which offers the tourists long walks and trekking. Mambae house is the unique attraction of this place.

Contact detail

Dimaz PRAKOSO K.K
Rooms Division Specialist - Hospitality Service.
Home base : Bali - Indonesia
Skype : dimazdimaz5
LinkedIn : http://www.linkedin.com/pub/dimaz-prakoso-kievietz-kizmoko/29/681/993
Homepage : http://www.leisuredestinations.blogspot.com
Email: dimaz_p@yahoo.co.id/ dimaz_p@hotmail.com 
Mobile phone : +62 8133 91 26260
WhatsApp: +62 8133 91 26260

Moments

The historical & memorable experience of Cepu - Central Java, Indonesia.

General Information of Cepu, Central Java of Indonesia.
Cepu is defined as the sub district region of Blora city which is located in the Central Java’s province - Indonesia. Located in the border of Eastern Java’s province and Central Java’s province, connecting the main road from Surabaya (Capital of East Java), Purwodadi (Central Java) and Semarang (Capital of Central Java)
Historically, the name of Cepu comes previously since the previous order of Panembahan Senopati (King of Mataram - I), precisely while there was a conflict of Putri Madiun which is well known as Retno Dumilah. Another story says that it comes from the tale of Ario Penangsang, a battle between Jipang Panolan and Pajang nearby the river of Bengawan Solo.
At current moment, Cepu is well known as an oil city since it contains many sources of oil and gas, in other hand Cepu is also well known as a producer of teak woods since it has a lot of teak’s plantations here.
In the old colonial period, Cepu was the one of an important city for the oil, gas and teak’s woods productions. Old style of Dutch’s buildings, uniquely Loji Klunthung, Sasono Suko’s building, and Dutch’s funeral area/ Kuburan Londo which is located in the village of Wonorejo – sub district of Cepu. An old ultra light aircraft’s runaway in Ngolaram, and also the rail of train which is connecting Eastern & Central of Java province thru Cepu.
Instead of oil, gas, teak’s woods exploration, the local people of Cepu is producing a traditional handy craft from woods, and also offering teak plantation tourism by riding an old & historical steam train.


In the period of Indonesian’s national alliance, many communist from PKI Madiun was escaping to Cepu, and fortunately Divisi Ronggolawe which is lead by GPH Dipokusumo could protect and fully control this region and for the appreciation of this effort, the name of Ronggolawe and Dipokusumo is being used as an icon of Cepu. Ronggolawe is being used too for the name a biggest court/ yard in Cepu, STTR (Technology University of Ronggolawe – Cepu) and a Horse monument of
Ronggolawe and to honor the GPH Dipokusumo, a statue is being created nearby Sasono Suko’s building.


Dance of Tayuban & Barongan.
Tayuban is the one of the traditional dance from Cepu, occasionally performed when the local people is celebrating traditional events/ wishes. The Dance that being performed by beautiful ladies with its Gamelan as the back ground traditional music and Sinden.
Another traditional dance named as a Barongan. It shows an attraction for magician. Such as eating glass, coconuts with his teeth, etc.
Famous traditional light meal from Cepu is called Ledre, made from dried & sliced & rolled banana. You may find nasi pecel, bethiti, lontong tahu campur, lontong tahu, etc.
Cepu produces variable vegetable which is not found in other region, such as Temu Kunci. It grows in the middle of teak plantations. A vegetable seems a cucumber, called Krai, the leave of Kedondong as a vegetable and a Kepompong which is living on the teak is used to be produce as one of a favorite food too as well.

The well known meeting venue of Cepu’s downtown is named TAMAN SERIBU LAMPU (ONE THOUSAND LAMPS PARK). Shows many local communities interact in this area for any social purpose. Such as sellers, visitors, teenagers, etc.
For any medical purpose, available hospitals in Cepu are:
• RSU Suprapto Cepu, tipe C: Jl RSU No.50 Cepu
• RS PPT Migas Cepu: Jl Diponegoro No.9 Cepu
• RS PKU Muhammadiyah : Jl RSU Cepu
• RS Bersalin NU : Jl Gajahmada Cepu
Available public transportations in Cepu are:
• Buss station (Ronggolawe’s buss station)
• Train station (Cepu’s train station)
The classifications of the sub district of Cepu are:
1. Balun
2. Cabeyan
3. Cepu
4. Gadon
5. Getas
6. Jipang
7. Kapuan
8. Karangboyo
9. Kentong
10. Mernung
11. Mulyorejo
12. Ngelo
13. Nglanjuk
14. Ngloram
15. Ngroto
16. Sumberpitu
17. Tambakromo

Professional job experience

SWOT Analyzing of hotels & resorts - Belitung Island of Indonesia

The newly growth of the tourism in Belitung Island seems very rapidly. Only 45 minutes from Jakarta with daily flight, such as Sriwijaya, Linus & Batavia Air are available here. The newly hotels & resorts have just been built, and some of them has completely finished building and operated. This competition from the current hotels & resorts and those people who own/ manage in a newly property would be very tight. Local markets is still dominated, to be best supporter for these well known existing property, mean while the newly property will have survival and take the profitability from the current market share.

Personally, I have spent more 10 years to dedicate & give my best service in hotel & tourism industry in Indonesia & overseas and at this current moment I am in Belitung Island as my 3rd experience in leading Hotel & Resort's Rooms Division have been observing the local market share for hotels & resorts in Belitung’s area such as Lorin Beach Resort, Billiton hotel, Martani, Grand PI, Harlika, PI 1, Bunga Pantai and PI 2. It would be globally at around 35% for the yearly average room occupancy (YTD room occupancy) and Rp. 350.000,- up to 400.000,- for the yearly average rate (YTD average rate).

The YTD roughly markets share in average properties would be segmented at around 30% as the biggest share would be supported by Agencies (B.I.C, Levi, etc) 20% from Corporate, 25% from Individual Guests, 15% from Local traveler (taking hotel’s package rate), and the rest markets share from Government offices & others.

Thus, it has meaning that it would be not too far for those hotels & resort owner/ management to achieve maximum revenue, more over for those newly property who expect more revenue based on this established market in Belitung. In this point, they should take over the current existing markets in Belitung (from other competitors) and explore newly markets which is still widely offer new market as the key account to achieve much more revenue, rather than only expecting to take over from the current established markets locally in Belitung.
The people who well experienced & widely relation in tourism network is definitely needed in developing & promoting the overall tourism in Belitung, at least newly market may support from the key prospect became key accounts to achieve much more revenue on its respective property.
It would be not too easy to promote the Belitung Island became the national or international minded tourism destination which need highly dedication & consistency from all tourism elements such as those people from hotel, restaurant, resort, transportation (sea, land & air) travel agencies and governmental, tourism association, etc. The Belitung Island to which is formerly well known as a Tin producer, became a newly discovered marine beauty & paradise which is very suitable for Diving, Snorkeling, Fishing and Islands tour. We do believe Belitung Island in Indonesia would be a minded for a national & international market as the one of Indonesia’s favorite leisure destinations.



Dimaz Prakoso Kievietz Kismoko
Email: dimaz_p@hotmail.com
IM: dimaz_p@yahoo.co.id
Mobile: +62813 391 26 260
http://leisuredestinations.blogspot.com/

Beautiful paradise of Belitung's island

General Information of Belitung Island;
Belitung is an Island in South East Asia, a part of Nation archipelago. Belitung is ruled by Indonesia since 1950 and became a district of South Sumatra province. On November 21st, 2000, Belitung and Bangka Island has been approved to become the 31st province of Indonesia separated from South Sumatra. This new province is called ‘Kepulauan Bangka Belitung’ province. This Island is placed at 107o 35' - 108o 18' Latitude and 2o 30' - 3o 15' Longitude. The length of the diameter from East to West is about 79 km and North to South about 77 km. The total land is 480.060 hectares with 189 small islands surround Belitung. Some of them are quite big with a couple of villages. They are Mendanau Island, Seliu Island, Nadu Island and Batu Dinding Island. Most of Belitung population is come of Melayu ethnic and most of them are Moslem. There are some other ethnics likes Chinese, Javanese, Balinese and some people from Sumatra like Palembang, Minang and Batak. Belitung regency consists of 9 districts and 69 villages. The capital of Belitung is Tanjungpandan, which stay at North West of this Island. The other large towns are Manggar, Gantung, Kelapa Kampit and Sijuk. The main resources, which also become the main product of Belitung Island, are tin mining, kaolin, quartz sands, and granite rock. The plantation are mainly palm oil, pepper, coconut, coffee, natural rubber, and vegetable.If seen from its tourism sector, Belitung is an island with beautiful beaches, the unique landscape with its purely white sand, and the crystal clear seawater. Belitung is also popular with its granite boulder white stones beach in Tanjung Tinggi, Tanjung Kelayang, Tanjung Binga dan Lengkuas Island. This beautiful nature is also accompanied by hundreds of small islands, which add the beautiful tourism area in Belitung Island. Belitung Island is one of the best and unique beaches own in Indonesia.
The uniquely gift from this island is a “Batu Satam”/ Billitionite Stone/ Batu Hitam, the stone which is well-known as the black meteoric stone. Available in any kind for souvenirs, such as a well designed rings, necklace, etc.