ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL

One of beautiful kathedral in Indonesia is St Mary's Cathedral, known today by the locals as "Kathedral". The Kathedral is located in Jalan Kathedral 7B, Jakarta Pusat - Indonesia, not far from the Istiqlal Mosque (Mesjid Istiqlal).

The Cathedral was originally built in 1810 but had to be rebuilt after it was burnt to the ground in 1826 - 1830. In 1882 the two towers were added to the front before it was again reduced to ruin in 1890. The following year the rebuilding started again, but faltered several times before it was finally completed in its current form in 1901.

BACKPACKER ACCOMMODATION

Hostels are as common as motels in New Zealand, provide clean and basic accommodation. Besides numerous hostel run by the YHA, YMCA and YWCA, there are also hundreds hostels that usually called ’backpackers’.

Gone are the days of segregated dormitories and lights out by 10pm : hostel no have private rooms as well as a more liberal attitude. Communal facilities, usually include kitchens, lounge areas, laundries and so on, and although you may sometimes have to provide your own bedding, this can often be hired for a small charge.

Numerous guides and information booklets are available from information centres and hostels, including BBH Packpacker Accommodation Guide, which lists over 350 hostels and can also be ordered online for free BBH New Zealand. The website also provides hostel listings and customer reviews, as does Backpacker website if you're looking for a bed on a budget to travel to Europe, Asia or Africa.

Read also : Bed&Breakfast Accommodations, Hotels in New Zealand.

BED & BREAKFAST

Staying in a private guest house or B&B is a good way to meet people and find out about the locality. Standards vary widely : a room in a basic guest house costs from NZ$30 per person, while one in a more comfortable B&B where the breakfast is included, will set you around NZ$40-60 per person.

For further information you can visit New Zealand Bed &Breakfast website.

Read also : Backpacker Accommodations, Hotels in New Zealand.

TAMAN MINI INDONESIA INDAH

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park) is Indonesia's answer to every visitor's prayer to see the magnificent archipelago in just one day. An extensive park to get a glimpse of the diverseness of the Indonesian archipelago, it represents Indonesia's 27 provinces and their outstanding characteristics, reflected most strikingly in the exact regional architecture of the province. An extensive theme park set in over 100 hectares on the outskirts of Jakarta; the All Indonesian islands are realistically reproduced in miniature in a central lake and around the lakes, there are pavilions. Each pavilions is representative of each province firm the traditional architectural style in miniature to a wonderful display of cultural items and exhibits. The park's centrepiece is a beautiful artificial lake. It also has its own orchid garden in which hundreds of Indonesian orchid varieties are grown. There is also a bird park with a walk-in aviary, a fauna museum and recreational grounds with a swimming pool and restaurants. The special interest here at Taman Mini is the Museum Indonesia. A richly decorated building in Balinese architecture, it houses contemporary arts, crafts and traditional costumes from the different regions of the country. Cultural performances, events, and even local delicacies from the provinces are prepared regularly, especially during weekends and holidays, to showcase Indonesia's rich cultural heritage. The park is open seven days a week. If a day tour is not enough, visitors can spend the night at the 'Desa Wisata' or 'Wisata Remaja' serviced accommodations.

Other interesting places you can visit in Jakarta-Indonesia : Jakarta Art Centre (TIM), National Monument, St. Mary's Kathedral, etc.

ISTIQLAL MOSQUE

As the country’s large muslim population, Indonesia has many beautiful mosques. Istiqlal Mosque is the biggest mosque with the largest marbles alabaster in South-East Asia. This mosque is located on the North-East corner of Merdeka Square, Central Jakarta on the historic Lapangan Banteng, not far from St Mary's Cathedral that is situated in Jalan Kathedral 7B, Jakarta Pusat.
The name “Istiqlal” means “freedom” and the mosque can hold up to 250,000 people, but you usually won’t see that many people here except on the holiest days of the year – Idul Fitri and Idul Adha. If you’ve never seen a mosque on the inside before, then this would be a good one to start with as the scale is truly huge. If you do want to visit, remember to wear long pants. The mosque also provides facilities for social and cultural activities, including lectures, exhibitions, seminars, conferences, bazaars and programs for women, youth and children.

related articles about worships : Kubah Mas Mosque, Mosques in Indonesia.

JAKARTA, INDONESIA

Jakarta is the capital city of the Republic of Indonesia. As the Capital City, Jakarta is a melting pot of representatives of more than 300 ethnic groups speaking 200 different languages. Jakarta is a special territory enjoying the status of a province, consisting of Greater Jakarta, covering of 637.44 square km area.

Jakarta is one of Indonesia's designated tourist areas. It is a gateway to other tourist destinations in Indonesia. It is equipped with the modern transportation by air, sea, rail, or by land. As Indonesia's main gateway, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, serves a growing number of international airlines and domestic flights.

Some of the most popular tourist destinations in Jakarta are National Monument (Monas), Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park, Theater Imax Keong Emas (Golden Snail Theater), Jaya Ancol Dreamland (Taman Impian Jaya Ancol), Sea World, Fantasy Land, Pulau Seribu Thousand Island, Sunda Kelapa Harbour, T.I.M (Taman Ismail Marzuki) Art Center, Ragunan Zoo and the museums : Central Museum, National Museum, Jakarta History Museum (Museum Fatahilah), Shadow Puppets Museum, Ancient Inscription Museum, Fine Art and Ceramic Museum, 1945 Struggle for Freedom Museum, Maritime Museum, Kubah Mas Mosque, Istiqlal Mosque.

THE COLOSSAL SQUID IN TE PAPA MUSEUM

When you are in Wellington, New Zealand, don't forget to visit Te Papa Museum where the colossal Squid displayed at level two of Te Papa.

The colossal squid caught the world's attention. This female squid is the most massive invertebrate ever discovered, with 4,2 m long and holds the record for the world's largest eye measuring 27cm in diameter, and weighing 495kg.

The colossal squid was landed the San Aspiring fishing boat, in the Ross Sea in 2007 and gifted to Te Papa. Stored for a year in a freezer, it was defrosted in April 2008 and examined by a team of international scientists, with marine biologist Dr Steve O’Shea (Director, Earth & Oceanic Sciences Research Institute, Auckland University of Technology and Colossal Squid expert), leading the way.
You may also explore the life of a squid through computer interactive or watch the documentary on their television. the admission for this exhibit is free.

For further information you may visit Te Papa website. Other interesting places you may visit : Wellington Cable Car, Karori Sanctuary, Parliament Buildings.

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME

Last Friday I met a friend. He informed me that New Zealand’s daylight saving time (DST) will come to an end on Sunday, April 5, 2009 and the clocks will move back by one hour from 3am (or 03:00) to 2am (or 02:00) local time. He reminded me also to put my clock back one hour on Saturday.

What is daylight saving? Daylight saving is used in many countries around the world (mostly Europe and America, but also New Zealand and some of Australia). In New Zealand, the whole country puts their clock forward one hour in spring time (September) and back one hour in autumn (April). Why? They do this so that they have more daylight in the afternoon during summer, so they have time to go to the beach after work and school. See New Zealand Law - Time Act 1974 (With 2007 Changes)

If daylight saving ended on April 5, 2009, when will New Zealand’s next daylight saving time start again? New Zealand’s next daylight saving schedule will start on Sunday, September 27, 2009, and end on Sunday, April 4, 2010. The 2010–2011 daylight saving schedule will start on Sunday, September 26, 2010.

For your information, modern DST - they used water clock before - was first proposed by the New Zealand entomologist George Vernon Hudson. Since then, many countries have used it. Wanted to know more about daylight saving time? Click here and find out “Saving The Daylight” http://www.savingthedaylight.com/dst/

CUBA CARNIVAL, WELLINGTON-NEW ZEALAND

The 2009 Cuba Street Carnival celebrated 10 years to the day since the very beginning, It was held on 20-22nd February 2009. It's living up to its reputation as NZ's largest FREE music festival. There were lots of stages planned throughout Cuba Street and Courtenay Place on Saturday 21st February 2009.

Lots of bands and DJs performed the day and night event. Many of Wellington's famous bars were coming out onto the street with great line ups and a parade along the streets. The event attracts national and international interest. The first Cuba Street Carnival in Wellington was held on 21 February 1999.

WELLINGTON CABLE CAR

Have you ever take a cable car? Wellington have a cable car that located in Lambton Quay. The car leaves every 10 minutes to the top of the Botanic Garden.
The Wellington Cable Car is one of Wellington’s oldest & most popular tourist attractions.

The cars run from Lambton Quay in the heart of the central business district and within 5 minutes they take you quickly to under the corporate towers of The Terrace, pass Kelburn Park and Victoria University to the top entrance of the Wellington Botanic Gardens with its magnificent scenery over the City and the Wellington Harbour. The Wellington Cable Car Museum is not far from there, it is located just a few metres from top of the cable car route, situated in the old cable car winding room. By taking a cable car, you may visit the cable car museum as well. So, don't forget to put a cable car in your itinerary! Other interesting places : Karori Sanctuary, Parliament Buildings, Te Papa Museum, Oriental Bay Beach.

ANZAC DAY

This Friday after I got off the train n walking through the railway station foyer, I saw a women dressed in military uniform. She was smiling and just standing near the wall. Two men approached and gave her small money, and picked a small red paper poppie. In the Lambton Quay, again, I saw men and women wearing different but similar uniforms - some of them are old, maybe retired already - were distributing the paper poppies. I wondered what they were doing, then I realised. It was relating to Anzac Day!

What is Anzac Day? Anzac Day is one of New Zealand and Australia national public holiday. Anzac Day (every 25 April) is served as a day of commemoration for those who fought and lost their live for their country and to honour returned servicemen and women. Back to 1916, 25 April is observed as the anniversary of the landing of the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) in April 1915 - the soldiers were known as Anzacs - who fought at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I.

In New Zealand, Anzac Day is observed with remembrance services until 1 pm, followed by a relaxed holiday afternoon. Shops are close between dawn and dusk, and open afterward at 1 pm. There are dawn services in every city in New Zealand, held in local war memorial places. The commemorative services begin before dawn with marches through the city. This year 2009, the Anzac Day Wreathlaying Ceremony is held in National War Memorial, Wellington, with television covered of it.

The ceremony contains the following features : introduction, hymn, prayer, an address, laying of wreaths, recitation, the playing of "The Last Post" by a lone bugler, a minute of silence, "Reveille", and the playing of both New Zealand and Australian national anthems.