Tag:asia

East Java

East Java, Java’s east end

East Java is geographically and administratively the eastern part of the main island of Java. The island with the capital Jakarta is the most important island in Indonesia. However, the other part of the island is considered geographically and administratively as Central Java and as West Java. In addition, there is the administrative district of Yogyakarta. In the west, East Java borders Central Java. That is the only landline border East Java has. While in the north the Java Sea is […]

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Tuban five years later

Tuban a midsize town

Tuban is a midsize town in East Java at the Java Sea. The town locates three hours by car northwest of Surabaya. Tuban is a major economic and cultural centre. The city locates right away on the Java Sea with a harbour and a jetty. The national road No. 1 passes the city and connects Jakarta and  Surabaya. Daily sneaking endless queues of trucks through the town. However, the city doesn’t have traffic jams and crowded roads like the big Indonesian cities. Although, a […]

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Mt Kelut

Mt Kelut volcano eruption

On February 13, 2014, suddenly the volcano Mt Kelut erupted in a big bang. Mt Kelut is a stratovolcano, located around 100 km south of Tuban, between the cities Malang and Kediri in Indonesia. The eruption was very strong. My friends told me, that the bang was hearable even in Tuban.  Moreover, the ash from the eruption fell down in Tuban as well. For two days a thin layer of grey ash covered the town. Fortunately, it’s the rainy season and […]

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Madura island in East Java

Madura island in East Java

Madura Island is an island in the northeast of Java. The island is related to the Indonesian district of East Java with the capital Surabaya. The strait of Madura separates Madura Island and Java Island. The strait is around 2 km wide and looks more like a big river. The only access to the island by car is via the Bridge of Madura or a ferry from Surabaya. One of the most famous things from Madura is bull racing. The bull racing […]

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Parangtritis Beach and Ratu Kidul

Parangtritis Beach and Ratu Kidul

Parangtritis beach is a beach in the south of Java island on the Indian Ocean. Located around 30 km east of the city Yogyakarta the centre of Javanese culture. It takes around one hour of travel time by car, from Yogyakarta to reach the beach. The beach is a popular tourist spot for locals and foreigners. Javanese myths tell Parangtritis beach is the home of Ratu Nyi Roro Kidul and her magical kingdom. She is the Queen of the South […]

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Mount Merapi

Mount Merapi the mythical volcano

Mount Merapi is an active stratovolcano located 25 km north of Yogyakarta. In fact, it’s one of the most active volcanos in Indonesia and in the world as well. Due to the composition and the character of a stratovolcano, Merapi is a dangerous volcano. The volcano is part of a chain of volcanos that dominate the landscape in the north of Yogyakarta. Yogyakarta is an important city and urban centre. The area is usually also known as the centre of […]

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Mahayana Buddhist temple Borobudur

Mahayana Buddhist temple Borobudur

The Mahayana Buddhist temple Borobudur situates in Magelang close to Yogyakarta in Central Java. Yogyakarta is the centre of Javanese culture. The city has had an important influence on Javanese history. However, the area is one of the sacred places in ancient Javanese history. The Borobudur temple was built in the ninth century. That was the time of the Srivijaya Empire in Sumatra. At this time Palembang was the capital of the empire. That was almost at the same time when […]

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The Hindu temple Prambanan

Prambanan a monumental Hindu temple

Prambanan is a monumental Hindu temple in Central Java. The temple locates around 20 km northeast of the city of Yogyakarta. The temple has also the name Candi Rara Jonggrang. However, the area is known as the centre of Javanese art and culture. The Hindu temple Prambanan is an important highlight in the Javanese culture and history. The temple exist since the ninth century. The temple honour the Hindu divinities Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. The Prambanan temple is an important milestone in […]

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Yogyakarta centre of Javanese culture

Yogyakarta centre of Javanese culture

Yogyakarta is the centre of Javanese culture. It’s one of the most important cities in Indonesia. The city in association with Surakarta is the centre of classical Javanese art and culture. For instance, it’s the home of Batik art and Gamelan music. Arts, crafts and Wayang are other most famous Javanese arts. The city belongs geographically to Central Java. With their long history, the city dominated ancient Java’s significance for centuries. The district of Yogyakarta was also declared the “Sultanate of Yogyakarta”. […]

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