The Giant Garuda Wisnu Kencana Statue and Cultural Park

Overview

Situated on a limestone plateau in south Bali, high on the Bukit Peninsula, 300 meters above Bali’s shoreline, is the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park that offers a grand view on Jimbaran Bay and Kuta to the west, and Tanjung Benoa and Sanur to the east with the imposing Mount Agung and Mount Batur as its background.

Focal point of this Cultural Park is the magnificent Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue, that will reach a total height of 126 meters, weighing 3,000 tons, that will be taller than the Statue of Liberty in New York.

The statue depicts Lord Vishnu mounting the mythical Garuda bird, as manifestation of the conscience of Amerta, the Perennial Goodness.

At present, the 23 meters high head and torso of Lord Vishnu already stands in place. Still in construction is the giant Garuda Bird. When completed, both the head and torso of Lord Vishnu will be placed on the Garuda bird, which together will reach 75 meters high with the Garuda wings spanning 64 meters wide. The entire statue will then be placed on top of a 60 meters pedestal, so that the total structure will stand 126 meters high. The statue’s structure is made of copper, brass, steel, with gold mosaic placed on specified parts.

This incredible monument will then be visible from a 20 Km distance, and can be clearly viewed from Kuta, Sanur, Nusa Dua, Uluwatu and Tanah Lot. Visitors will be able to ascend inside the statue to its chest level. From that height, visitors will look down upon the most panoramic view of the fabled island of Bali.

Unfortunately, work on the statue had stalled 16 years, but will now finally be resumed, which will take three years to complete, said I Nyoman Nuarta, Indonesia’s maestro sculptor and creator of this iconic statue. Having been postponed since 1997, this monument is projected to become an exceptional landmark for Indonesia’s tourism in this modern age.

Conceptionalized by sculptor I Nyoman Nuarta, actual work on the statue is, nonetheless, not undertaken in Bali, but in the artist’sworkshop, NuArt Studio, in the mountain town of Bandung in West Java, involving many artists and experts from various fields .

Born in Tabanan, Bali, in 1951, I Nyoman Nuarta is one of the Indonesia’s outstanding pioneers in the new visual art movement since 1976. While still at college, in 1979 Nyoman Nuarta already won Indonesia’s Independence Declarators Statue Competition. Until this day, Nuarta has created over a hundred statues which all reflect modern art in sculpture which follows the naturalistic style. Most of his statues are made of copper and brass.

At the moment, about 200 workers are working in NuArt Studio in the construction of this magnificent statue. Upon completion, the statue will be sent in parts from Bandung to Bali to be reassembled on the site at the Bukit Peninsula.

As many as 13 modules of the project are currently being transported, which are expected to reach Bali late July or early August 2013. The process of reassembling will cost around IDR157 billions, even more expensive than the work on the statue itself which took IDR150 billion. It will take about 400 huge trucks to transport parts of the 3,000 tons statue from Bandung to the site in Bali. Modules will be transported in stages over the course of three years.

The Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue and park was initiated by members of the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Foundation, a group of influential people, that include Joop Ave, then Minister for Tourism and Telecommunications , IB Sudjana, Minister for Mining and Energy, I Made Mangku Pastika,current Governor of Bali, sculptor I Nyoman Nuarta, and a number of businessmen.

Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park

Meanwhile, the extensive Cultural Park where the statue stands is already operating in full swing. It is a favorite venue for large convention dinners and functions able to seat hundreds of delegates, as well as stage star-studded concerts that attract the public by the thousands. Among which was the band Iron Maiden that drew crowds and tourists from throughout Bali.

 

GWK Cultural Park covers more than 240 hectares of land that was once an abandoned and unproductive limestone quarry. The GKW Cultural Park is already an attraction for both local and foreign visitors, the Lotus Pond surrounded by gigantic pillars seats 7,500 persons. The Street Theater where fashions shows and parades are held packs 2,500, the Amphitheater seats 800, and there is also the 200 square meters Exhibition area, and the Indraloka Garden, which is a favorite for weddings and dinners. There are Balinese dances daily, Indonesian cultural performances and other activities.

In the Park is the Jendela Bali Resto, which offers a fantastic view on Bali’s south coast, especially for romantic evening dining and delectable Bali cuisine. The restaurant is also open for lunch.

Since the Park is so extensive there are fun rides available on Segway 2 wheeled vehicles that can take you around the park. The GWK Cultural Park is open from 8.0 am to 10 pm. Entry is Rp. 80, 000 for foreigners, and Rp. 40,000 for Indonesian nationals, with special discounts for Indonesian children at Rp. 30,000.

Get There

Situated in the Bukit Peninsula on Southern Bali, The Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park is close to some of Bali’s finest sites such as Jimbaran, Uluwatu, Suluban Beach, and Balangan Beach. The Park is only 10 minutes’ drive from Ngurah Rai airport, 25 minutes from Kuta Beach, and 20 minutes from Benoa harbor and Nusa Dua.

The Bukit Peninsula is connected to Kuta through Jimbaran by the busy Jl. Bypass Nusa Dua and this is the only route in. Take this main road south to the junction with Jl. Uluwatu II (the famous McDonald's junction), turn west towards Jimbaran Bay, continue about 2 km and at the four road junction make a sharp left up the hill (signposted for Uluwatu). Continue on this road until you find the entrance to the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Park.

To Stay

As a favorite tourist destination, the whole Bukit Peninsula area was popularized by surfers. There are still numerous small, cheap bungalows close to the main surf points at Uluwatu, Padang-Padang, Bingin and Suluban. The area has more recently sprouted an impressive collection of high-end villas and resorts as well. Considering its proximity to the tourists’ hub ofKuta and the capital Denpasar, you can also choose to stay in those two areas.

Here are some of the accommodation options available around Garuda Wisnu Kencana area:

• Pat Mase Villas Hotel
Jl. Karang Mas Sejahtera No 88B, Jimbaran, Bali, Indonesia

• Gending Kedis Luxury Villas Hotel
Jl. KarangMas Sejahter 100Y, Jimbaran Bay, Bali, Indonesia

• Bali Baliku Luxury Villa
Jl. Bukit Permai No. 5A Jimbaran Indonesia Po. Box 3022, Jimbaran, Bali

• Udayana Kingfisher Eco Lodge
Jl. Kampus Bukit Jimbaran, Jimbaran, Bali

• InterContinental Bali Resort
Jl. Uluwatu 45, Jimbaran , Bali, Indonesia, Jimbaran, Bali

• Nirmala Hotel and Resort
Jl. Uluwatu II no. 10 - Jimbaran, Jimbara

• Jimbaran Puri Bali Hotel
Jl. Uluwatu, Jimbaran , Jimbaran, Bali

• Keraton Jimbaran Resort and Spa
Jl. Mrajapati, Jimbaran P.O.Box 2023, Jimbaran, Bali

• Jamahal Private Resort and Spa
Jl. Uluwatu 1 Jimbaran, Jimbaran, Bali

• The Beverly Hills Bali Hotel
Jl. Goa Gong, Banjar Santhi Karya, Ungasan, Kuta Selatan, Uluwatu, Bali

• The Dreamland Luxury Villas and Spa

Jl.Raya Uluwatu-Gang Tegeh Pall No.69 Br.Bakung Sari Ungasan, Uluwatu, Bali

• Puri Bambu Hotel
Jl. Pengeracikan, Kedonganan, Jimbaran, Jimbaran, Bali

• Swiss-Belhotel Bay View Suites and Villas
Jl. Taman Mumbul Nusa Dua Bali, Nusa Dua / Benoa, Bali

• Langon Bali Resort and Spa
Jl. Darmawangsa, Kampial, Nusa Dua / Benoa, Bali

• New Kuta Condotel
Kawasan Pecatu Indah Resort New Kuta Condotel St. Pecatu South Kuta, Uluwatu, Bali

• The Hill Villas Hotel
Jl. Taman Giri, Nusa Dua / Benoa, Bali, Indonesia

• Park View Heights Private Villas Hotel
Jl. Dharmawangsa No.168 Nusa Dua Hills, Nusa Dua/ Benoa, Bali

Bali , Heritage Sites , Sightseeing

Pura Besakih: The Revered Mother Temple of Bali

Overview

Rising majestically on the western slopes of Mount Agung, and referred to as the Mother Temple of Hindu Bali, is Pura Besakih, or the Besakih temple, covering  a vast area that offers  breathtaking mountain scenery surrounding this beautiful and artistic temple complex.

Facing Mt. Agung’s highest peak, believed to be the abode of the gods, and located at an altitude of 900 meters, Pura Besakih is built in the village of Besakih, in the eastern part of Bali. The name Besakih comes from the word “Basuki”, derived from the word “Wasuki” which means Salvation in the classical Sanskrit language. Whereas, in the Samudramanthana mythology, the same name “Besuki” in fact refers to the Dragon-God “Naga Besukian”, who inhabited Gunung Agung, the main volcano in Bali.

This grand temple complex has been revered as a holy place since ancient times. The first recorded mention of its existence comes from an inscription dating back to 1007 AD. It is known that since the 15th century Besakih was regarded as the central temple of Hinduism in Bali.

 Pura Penataran Agung, or the “Great Temple of State” is the center of the temple complex and is is Bali’s main place of worship, a complex comprising twenty-two temples on six rising terraces set on parallel ridges.

 This complex expresses the essential belief of the Balinese known as Tri Hita Kirana, meaning that life on earth must be lived and kept in balance and harmony between man and God, man and society and his fellow human beings, and man and his natural environment.

During a full moon, Balinese and pilgrims throng to the temple. During the festival of Odalan, the temple is most elaborately decorated. Odalan is celebrated on every 210th day.

To Do

Besakih is a remarkable and outstanding temple. Looking at the temple from a distance, you can observe an impressive complex of pyramid-like temples, extending up the mountain, with Gunung Agung providing a dramatic backdrop. The setting looks particularly stunning in the clear morning light, and gorgeous at sunset. This temple is also decorated with Bali-style ornaments, doorstep temple, sacred stone idols, and stone carvings.

Before exploring this temple, you have to rent and wear a sarong and sash at the main entrance of the temple to respect the Balinese tradition, as Besakih Temple is a holy place of worship. The sSarong and sash are special clothes Balinese wear when praying at temples.

When you reach the complex, you will see the first group of temples on your left. This is sacred temple dedicated to royal ancestors is known as Pura Dalem Puri. Balinese store the ashes of the dead after the cremation known as the  Ngaben ceremony. From here, walk up the flight of stairs that will lead you to Pura Penataran Agung.
The locals believe that Pura Penataran Agung is the center of devotion to the Gods. Next to the main temple are two other important temples. These are Pura Kiduling Kreteg on its right and Pura Batu Madeg on its left.

The colors of the banners denote which God the temple is dedicated to, the three representing the Hindu Trinity. The white banner is dedicated to the temple of Shiva (Pura Penataran Agung), the red banner is for the temple of Brahma (Pura Kiduling Kreteg), while the black banner is for the temple of Vishnu (Pura Batu Mandeg). When there are no festivals or events taking place here, visitors may be allowed inside to look around the temples. This is the best spot to take pictures.
If you wish to explore the more remote part of the temple,  head to Pura Pengubengan, which is situated some 2 kilometers at the northern end of the complex.

Get Around

To reach the temple complex, you have to stroll up a footpath for about 200 meters. On both sides of the path you will find beautiful views, and feel the breeze on your way to the temples. Otherwise, you may prefer to rent a motorbike offered by the locals. 

Get There

This temple is very easy to find, as most people know it as one of the best tourist destinations in Bali. There are several starting points that you may choose to take:

From Kuta, it takes about 2 hours to get here. Simply head east towards Sanur, then follow the fast coastal route, which is connected to the Kusamba Bypass at Tohpati. Then go north until you find the road sign to Besakih, and after a few kilometers from this point turn north.

If you are staying around Klungkung, then Besakih is about 20 kilometers north of the town center. Take the Bemo – the small public buses– that will take you to Besakih from Klungkung. Bemos are most frequent in the morning, and it is recommended to change bemos at Rendang, halfway between Klungkung and Besakih.

If you come from the north of Denpasar, it is about 25 kilometers to reach Besakih by car. However, if you stay in the eastern part of Bali such as at Tirta Gangga, Candidasa, or Amed, you can reach Besakih by taking a smaller inland road from Karangasem. This will lead you to the crossroad between Besakih and Klungkung at Rendang, and then turn right to reach Besakih Temple.

During your hour-long drive, you will enjoy beautiful views traveling through  forests, villages, and rice fields. If you are willing to make a short stop in one of the villages, you will see how the locals live, and learn a bit about their unique houses.

To Stay

Besakih is easily reached from all parts of Bali. You can stay anywhere on the island and visit the temple. All over Bali there is a range of accommodation options, from super deluxe hotels to the more affordable home stays. It is also possible to stay with the locals. 

To Eat

There are many roadside stalls called warungs along the footpath before you reach the gate of the temple complex. You need not worry about getting ripped off, as prices are reasonable here. 

To Buy

You can buy some unique souvenirs of Bali for your family members or loved ones. Bali is best known for its unique hand-made crafts, paintings, sculpture and carvings. There are also many vendors outside the temple complex selling trinkets and handicrafts. 

Tips

• Besakih Temple is open to visitors all year round during the official opening hours between 8 a.m. up to 5 p.m.. The entrance fee is 10,000 IDR; parking fee 1,000 IDR; camera use submission 1,000 IDR, and video use 2,500 IDR.
• If you who have not been to Besakih Temple before you may want to engage a guide, who will help show you around the temple. The guide fee is about 25 USD. Still,  if you do not find it necessary to hire a guide, you can walk around on your own.
• Prepare yourself with a pair of comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a hat, and a light t-shirt.
• It is recommended to invite a Balinese friend to accompany you or hire a driver to visit Besakih temple in the daytime.
• Please feel free to report to the temple guards if you meet with any problems.

Bali , Heritage Sites

LARANTUKA of ‘Semana Santa’ fame

Overview

The town of Larantuka, capital of the District of East Flores, lies on the very eastern edge of this long island of Flores in the East Nusatenggara province. Although now quite a sleepy town, in its heydays Larantuka was a hive of activities when in the 16^th century, Portuguese traders came here to load their vessels with precious sandalwood. Not much is left today of this lucrative aromatic wood except for one or two trees still found in the forest.

The first Portuguese ship is said to have arrived here in 1556 at the nearby Solor island near Larantuka. But soon the Portuguese were defeated by the Dutch, and so they retreated to Larantuka.  The predominantly Catholic Portuguese intermarried with the local population, and gradually Portuguese culture, traditions and faith, were adopted by the local elite.

The King of Larantuka at the time, Ola Ado Bala the 11^th, changed his name to Don Fransisco Ola Ado Bala Diaz Viera Deo Godinho, or better known as Don Fransisco Ola Ado Bala DVG.  And as the king changed his name, everyone followed suit. The 13 tribes living in Larantuka then also changed name, the Lamaholot people became the Fernandez tribe, the De Rosari, Da Costa, Da Santo, Gonzales, Ribeiru, Skera and the De Ornay.

Larantuka , in the Lamaholot language meaning the Meeting point, became the meeting place for people of the surrounding Adonara, Lembata and Solor islanders as well as the people from Flores mainland. The town also merged Lamaholot, Portuguese and Malay traditions brought by merchants.

In the 19^th century the Portuguese sold its ruling rights in Flores to the Dutch. Consequently, the booming sandalwood trade declined and now the local inhabitants mostly live on subsistence agriculture.

Today, Larantuka’s landmark is its Cathedral called Reinha Rosari. The cathedral together with the two chapels known as Capela Tuam Ana (Chapel of Jesus Christ) and Capela Tuan Ma (Mother Mary Chapel) are the center of the yearly Easter processions, when the statues of Jesus and Mary, originally brought here by the Portuguese are carried from the chapels to the cathedral

Larantuka comes alive once a year during Holy Week when thousands of pilgrims throng the town to follow the unique Semana Santa ceremonie. The town then literally bursts at the seams. Detailed information about this event can be found at:THE LARANTUKA “SEMANA SANTA” UNIQUE HOLY WEEK CELEBRATIONS

This area is also famous for its ikat-weaving.  Besides its meticulous and arduous process, the locally named kwatek kinge cloth is unique among the Flores fine ikatcloths in that it has sewn-in small seashells into the design. This cloth is produced in the remote village of Lewokluo some 26 km. from Larantuka, and is chiefly used in ceremonial functions. Unfortunately there are very few women left today who still own the knowledge and the skill to manufacture these beautiful intricate materials.

Get There

Larantuka does not have a commercial airport. Therefore to get there you must take a flight from Jakarta or Bali to Maumereor Kupang, and travel overland to Larantuka. Maumere is linked by air to Kupang and Bali with regular flights. 3 airlines fly from here, Lion air and Merpati. All flights eventually end up in Bali, either via Kupang, Sumba or Labuan bajo, so together there is at least 1 flight every day to Bali.

To Stay

Larantuka has mostly modest but clean accommodations, among these are:

The Sunrise Hotel

Jl. Soekarno-Hatta, Weri, Larantuka, Flores

Hotel Fortuna.

Jl. Basuki Rachmat No. 171, Larantuka, Flores

ASA Hotel larantuka

Jl.Soekarno-Hatta,Weri,Larantuka, Flores

Phone: +62383 2325018

Email: asahotel.larantuka@gmail.com

Website/blog: http://asahotel-larantuka.blogspot.com/

Further east, on the island of Alor is the Alor Divers Eco Resort. Information on this resort can be found at www.alor-divers.com

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East Nusa Tenggara , Heritage Sites

The Island of Flores

Overview

Flores is the most fascinating and beautiful island. Long hidden in the shadows of its more famous neighbor Bali, the island of Flores is finally emerging as a unique destination of its own.  So, after visiting the lair of the Komodo dragons, take time to marvel at some of the wonders of Flores.  Here you can swim in pristine lakes and waterfalls, dive at one of the 50 spectacular dive sites, go kayaking among craggy coasts and mangrove shores, explore mysterious caves and be warmly welcomed by the island’s people in their rituals, dances and daily life.

Flores spells adventure, diving, eco-tours, and mountain climbing interspersed with visits to prehistoric heritage sites, traditional villages and cultural events.   

Until recently, many tourists have only been familiar with Labuan Bajo, the small port located on the western-most tip of the island, and  the taking off point for a visit to the last natural habitat of the prehistoric Komodo dragons, the islands of Komodo, Rinca and Padar.

Situated in the province of East Nusatenggara, Flores is a long island that contains some of the world’s best kept secrets. A chain of volcanoes stretches the length of this 450 km long and narrow island, creating complicated V-shaped valleys and knife-edged ridges - terrain that was near impenetrable until recently and has separated the island into many distinct ethnic groups.

Administratively the island is divided into 8 districts; West Manggarai, Manggarai, East Manggarai, Nagekeo, Ngada, Ende, Sika and East Flores. Further east are the adjacent islands of Alor and Lembata.

Here you will find some of the world’s most exotic underwater life.  Diving in the pristine seas of Komodo, divers find themselves swimming along with huge manta rays, dolphins and dugongs, while whales can be seen passing Flores’s east coast during their migration period.

The island itself is surrounded by sparkling white beaches, where one beach even has pink sand.   Mt. Kelimutu, near the town of Maumere, has three different coloured lakes that can change colour from time to time.

Besides Komodo dragons, Flores has been in the world’s limelight with the discovery of the Flores hobbit, or homo floresiensis, a new hitherto unknown prehistoric human species, whose remains were found in the caves of Liang Bua.

This island is indeed ancient, having been untouched for centuries, once inhabited by prehistoric men and still living prehistoric animals, as well as containing remnants of a petrified forest.  

At the easternmost tip of the island, Larantuka is famous for its Easter-week rituals that still continue the old Portuguese traditions brought here some 500 years ago. While at adjacent Lembata , islanders hunt whales manually, harpooning precariously from small boats.  

To Do

If you have one week to spend here, travel agents can take you by road across the island, from Labuan Bajo to Ruteng, and on to  Bajawa, Ende, Detusoko, Kelimutu, ending up in  Maumere, from where you take your flight out.

Ruteng is a small, cool town in the mountains. This is where you will find the unique formation of spider web rice fields at Lembor and Cancar,

At Bajawa is the traditional village of Bena, where, according to megalithic tradition handed down through generations, people pay respect to their ancestors who are believed to dwell in the conical thatched roof huts called “Ngadhu” and “Bhaga”, symbolizing the spirits of their male and female ancestors. Note the huge boulders of stones and stone seats planted in front of their houses ,not unlike the ones seen in the villages on the island of Nias in North Sumatra.

Onekore by the the town of Ende, is famous for its beautiful ikat weaving. From here stay overnight at a missionary guesthouse at Detusoko.

For adventure, take the drive up Mt. Kelimutu, where visitors must still walk another 1.5 km. then climb 127 steps to the edge of the crater, from where one has a panoramic view of the three lakes, currently green, blue and black. When Dutch geologists discovered the craters in 1914, the colours were red, blue and white.

At Maumere enjoy the pristine beach and snorkel to your heart’s content before taking your flight out.  Maumere offers great diving. There are 40 wonderful dive spots in the marine gardens in the Bay of Maumere.

If you only have a few days to explore West Flores you might want to try one of these attractions:

In the Komodo National Park it self, besides watching the dragons you can find numerous species of birds including imperial pigeons, sunbirds, egrets, quail, and exotic mound-building megapodes. There are also horses, wild pigs, crab-eating macaques, flying foxes, besides snakes, cobras and vipers. Its flora includes orchids, lontar palms, bamboo, soursop, tamarind and custard trees.

In the waters of the park live a rich variety of cetaceans, including whale sharks, marlin, tuna, whales and dolphins. There are colourful corals, nudibranches, giant clams, turtles, and a plethora of reef and pelagic fish.

Many tour operators run liveaboard tours for divers out of Bali.

When you get back to the mainland hike through canyons, watch clear water cascade down boulders into pristine pools that just invite visitors to plunge in.

Not far from Labuan Bajo are the limestone formations known as Batu Cermin, or Mirror Caves. There is also the Snake Palace, or Istana Ular, that has an amazing collection of pythons and bats. Make sure that you have a local guide with you and obey the customs here, since people believe in a mystical relationship between the snakes and the local people. Here you can also see petrified large trees.

Do not miss the legendary Caci or “Whip fight Dance”, that combines ritual, legend, mysticism and music in one single colourful spectacle. 

Get There

Transnusa in cooperation with Aviastar now operates twice daily flights from Denpasar (Bali) and Labuan Bajo,leaving Bali at 08.00 am and 12.00 noon. The flight takes about 1 hour. While starting 27 May, Batavia Air has started flying daily Denpasar-Labuan Bajo at 09.00 returning from Labuan Bajo at 10.45.

Transnusa also has 3 weekly flights to Maumere from Bali using Jet BA3-146 with 82 seats capacity. Additionally Transnusa flies Bali-Ende - Kupang(Timor) – Ruteng on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, and Kupang (Timor)- Labuan Bajo daily.  Transnusa also serves Kupang – Larantuka.

Batavia Air has started operating Surabaya-Denpasar-Kupang-Maumere-Kupang flights using B737-200 aricraft. Flights to Maumere are 4 times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.

While Merpati flies Kupang-Maumere and Garuda Indonesia flies only Jakarta-Kupang (on the  island of Timor) from where you can connect on local airlines to Flores.

You can check flight details at indonesia.travel: click on Flights to Indonesia at this web's home page 

To Stay

As a newly emerging destination, the island of Flores has limited accommodation facilities, there are now a number of starred accommodation at Labuan Bajo and Maumere, and also small hotels and guesthouses.

In Labuan Bajo there is the four star Bintang Flores hotel. A number of smaller hotels are the Puri Sari Beach Hotel, the Bayview Gardens Hotel, the Gardena Hotel, the Golo Hilltop Hotel, the Waicicu Eden Beach Hotel, and smaller accommodations, called “losmen” (for accommodation facilities see www.floreskomodo.com)

At Maumere  the favoured hotel is the Sao Wisata resort, which offers de luxe, superior rooms and standard rooms. Sao Wisata is located some 100m from Manly beach. Or you may wish to stay at the Sea World Club which offers facilities for divers. . 

A number of companies from Bali also offer live-aboards on phinisi boats.

Best bet is to contact a travel agency specialized in offering all inclusive tours of Komodo and Flores, operating in Flores or from Bali and Jakarta

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East Nusa Tenggara , Heritage Sites , Sightseeing

Soekarno's House in Ende

Overview

During the struggle for Indonesian independence, the first Indonesian President, Soekarno, was once exiled by the Dutch colonial government for four years to Ende Flores (from 1934 to 1938).  Upon his arrival here, Soekarno did not have any place to stay.  After staying in a house near Port Ende, he then looked for a rented house facing east.  Soekarno then found a Dutch house occupied by Haji Abdulah Ambuwaru.  In this house, Soekarno lived for four years.  In 1954, when Soekarno became the Indonesian President, he officially inaugurated this house as a museum.  This house is now called Rumah Soekarno.

This house has two bedrooms, a living room and an office. In the back of the house is a room previously used by Soekarno for meditation and several rooms for maids.  In the back yard is a well, which is still working today.

During his exile here, Soekarno painted and wrote several plays such as Dokter Setan (Satanic Doctor).

To Do

You can see the interior of Soekarno’s house including its rooms, well, items previously used by Soekarno (plates, bed, and kerosene lamp), and Soekarno’s painting made in 1935 called Pura Bali (Balinese Temple).

Get Around

The airport and seaport in Ende are located near the city center.  From these two places, you can take a bemo (city transportation).  In addition, you can also take a rented car easily found in front of the hotel Flores Sare, the seaport and airport when ships or airplanes arrive.

Get There

Flight schedules and routes to Ende are tentative.  At present, Transnusa has a flight scheduled everyday from Kupang to Ende (Transnusa Ende: 0381-24222).  In addition, Merpati has four flights a week (Merpati Ende: 0381-21355). Ende is the busiest port in the southern part of Flores island.

Motorboats to many cities such as Kupang also have tentative schedules.  It is therefore best for you to ask information from ASDP (0381-22007).  The Pelni ship from Bali and Lombok also makes a stop over in Ende every two weeks.

Land transportation to western and eastern cities in Flores are operating as well.  Ende has two inter-city bus stations, namely Wolowona for buses to eastern cities such as Moni, Maumere and Larantuka; and Ndao for buses to western cities such as Bajawa, Ruteng and Labuan Bajo.

To Stay

Ende has many hotels and inns.  Hotel Iklas (0381-21695) is usually for backpackers while Hotel Mentari (0381-21997) is for tourists.  In addition, Hotel Dwi Putri, Safari, and Flores are also available.

To Eat

Istana Bambu Restaurant on Pasar Street or on Kemakmuran Street offers various types of Chinese, Western and Indonesian foods.  The Hotels Iklas and Mentari also have their own restaurants selling various types of food.  If you like to eat Padang food, there are many Padang restaurants in this city.

Tips

When you arrive at Soekarno’s house in the late afternoon, on Sunday, or on a public holiday, you can ask help from the owner of a house across the street to call the security guard to fetch you by motorbike for Rp10,000 (about 1 USD).

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East Nusa Tenggara , Heritage Sites