Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) / Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park

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 centerpiece is a beautiful artificial lake. The complex was the brainchild of Madam Tien Soeharto, the late Indonesian first lady.

TMII as a vehicle presenting the diversity of the people of Indonesia and the variety of the cultural wealth enables the community to gain interesting experience, knowledge and information regarding various aspect of culture, tradition, customs, forms of art as far as the introduction of cultural objects.

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, giving guests ample time to explore and enjoy the sights. And if a day tour is not enough, visitors can spend the night at the 'Desa Wisata' or 'Wisata Remaja' serviced accommodations.

The beauty and cultural wealth presented by TMII can easily be observed by the community through the availability of a more complete and interactive means of information. It is expected that through the website the information can be disseminated widely all over the Archipelago and even abroad so that it will facilitate the community to better know about the culture and customs of the people of Indonesia.


TMII Management Office
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah Complex
Phone : 021-8409214, 8409210, 8409270, 8409236, 8409239 ,
Fax : 021-8400709
Email : info@tamanmini.com


Source : http://www.indonesia-tourism.com/

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Tana Toraja, The Heavenly Kings

Tana Toraja has a specific and unique funeral ceremony which is called Rambu Solo. In Tana Toraja, dead body is not buried, but it is put in Tongkonan for several times, even can be more than ten years until the family have enough money to held the ceremony. After ceremony, the dead body is brought to the cave or to the wall of the mountain. The skulls show us that the dead body is not buried but just put on stone or ground, or put in the hole.The funeral festival season begins when the last rice has been harvested, usually in late June or July, and lasts through to September.

* By Air
Directly from Hasanuddin airport, Makassar or Ujung Pandang, proceed to TANA TORAJA (twice a week on tuesday and friday) through the airport of Rantetayo, near Makle, 24 km south of Rantepao and there is a bus service to town.


* By Land
Buses to Rantepao from Ujung Pandang leave daily from Ujung Pandang. The journey takes 8 hours and includes a meal stop. Tickets should be bought in town but coaches actually leave from DAYA bus terminal, 20 minutes out of town by bemo. Coaches typically leave in the morning ( 7 am ), noon ( 1 pm ) and at night ( 7 pm).

Several companies in Rantepao run buses back to Ujung Pandang with the departure time and prices. The number of buses each day depends on the number of passengers.

Tourist who wants to stay in the heart of the city has many choices since there is lot of hotels available. Or if you had an adventurous soul, you can sleep in villages on the way.

Bemo is the best way to get to know the locals, besides chartered vehicles (minibuses and Jeeps) with or without driver. While you are in the village you can take a walk to move around.

* Exploring the market; You should not to be missed going to the traditional market. Here you can get the top end of Toraja coffee beans [like Robusta and Arabica]. And several local veggies, fruits Tamarella or Terong Belanda and gold fish [ikan mas].
* Visit Batu Tumonga Plateu; It means stone that facing to the sky. From here can be seen many volcanic stones comes up in between padi fields. And, several giant stones became cave graveyard. The views is pretty awesome. The huge of Tana Toraja [Toraja land] looks so lush and greenery. Like a patchwork in gradation hue of green color
* Palawa is an excellent village to visit a Tongkonan, or a burial place still swarming with celebrations and festivals.
* Take a side trip from Rantepao to Kete, a traditional village with excellent handicraft shops. Behind the village on a hillside is a grave site with lifesize statues guarding over old coffins

Most of the times, you can't eat at these locations; however more warung and restaurants appear along the road. You can also bring your own foods and drinks.

There is a souvenirs shop where you can buy everything specific from Tana Toraja. There are clothes, bags, wallets and other handicrafts.

* Visitor are expected to adhere to local dress customs and to bring a token present, such as cigarettes or coffee whenever entered Tongkonan.
* As roads are not always paved, it is necessary to use a jeep or walk, even when the weather is good (between May and October).
* Beware with your head whenever going inside to Tongkonan, The Torajan traditional house.
* Enrekang, Makale and Toraja Higland are surrounded by astonishing volcanic rocky cliffs. Do not miss it , just stop and take picture for awhile and you will not regret.


Further information

Tana Toraja Tourism, Art and Culture Department
Address : Jl. Ahmad Yani No. 62A, Rantepao, Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi (Celebes)
E-mail Address : pariwisata.toraja@gmail.com
Blog Address : http://www.xanga.com/pariwisata_toraja
Website : http://pariwisata.toraja.googlepages.com

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