The Exotic Batik Fabrics

Batik is a fabric that is traditionally used hand wax-resist dyeing technique. The word batik derived from the word 'ambatik' which translated means 'a cloth with little dots'. Batik can also come from the Javanese word "tritik" which describes a method to resist death, where the patterns are reserved on the textiles by tying and sewing areas prior to dying, even to tie dye techniques.

Javanese traditional batik, especially Yogyakarta and Surakarta, has remarkable meanings rooted in the Javanese conceptualization of the universe. The traditional colors include indigo, dark brown and white. It is linked to the fact that natural dyes are the most commonly available in indigo and brown.

Some of batik patterns can only be worn by the nobility, traditionally more stripes or wavy lines widest range indicated above. Therefore, in the ceremonies of Java, we could determine the royal lineage by a person's cloth.

Although there are thousands of different batik designs, in general, there are two categories of batik design: geometric motifs (which tend to be older models) and free-form designs, which are based on reasonable stylized natural forms or imitations of texture fabric.

Other regions of Indonesia have their own unique patterns which usually takes the themes of everyday life, with motifs like flowers, nature, animals, folklore or humans. The colors in batik Pesisir, coastal cities in the north of Java, is particularly vivid and absorbing the influence of the Javanese, Arabic, Chinese and Dutch cultures.

Bill Gates with Batik shirt 

Modern batik, although having strong ties with traditional batik, utilizes linear treatment of leaves, flowers and birds. These batiks tend to be more dependent on the designer's needs rather than rigid rules that have guided the traditional artisans. This is also evident in the use of color that modern designers use. Batik craftsmen no longer rely on traditional (natural) dyes, chemical dyes can produce any color you want to achieve. Modern batik still uses canting and cap to create intricate designs.

Fine quality handmade batik is very expensive and the production of these works is very limited. High couture designs drawn on silk are very popular among wealthy Indonesians. These pieces of exceptional quality can take months to create and costs hundreds of dollars.

The Great Borobudur Temple

Borobudur temple is one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world. Founded by a king of the Saliendra dynasty, it was built to honour the glory of both the Buddha and its founder, a true king Bodhisattva. The name Borobudur is believed to have been derived from the Sanskrit words vihara Buddha uhr, meaning the Buddhist monastery on the hill. Borobudur temple is located in Muntilan, Magelang, and is about 42 km from Yogyakarta city.

Borobudur temple was built in three tiers: a pyramidal base with five concentric square terraces, the trunk of a cone with three circular platforms and, at the top, a monumental stupa. The walls and balustrades are decorated with fine low reliefs, covering a total surface area of 2,500 m². Around the circular platforms are 72 openwork stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha. The monument was restored with UNESCO's help in the 1970s.

This colossal temple was built between AD 750 and 842: 300 years before Cambodia's Angkor Wat, 400 years before work had begun on the great European cathedrals. Little is known about its early history except that a huge army of workers worked in the tropical heat to shift and carve the 60,000 m3 of stone. At the beginning of the 11th century AD, because of the political situation in Central Java, divine monuments in that area, including the Borobudur Temple became completely neglected and given over to decay. The Sanctuary was exposed to volcanic eruption and other ravages of nature. The temple was not rediscovered until the 19th century. A first restoration campaign, supervised by Theodor van Erp, was undertaken shortly after the turn of the century. A second one was led more recently (1973-1982).

A harmonious marriage of stupas, temple-mountain and the ritual diagram, this temple complex was built on several levels around a hill which forms a natural centre. The first level above the base comprises five square terraces, graduated in size and forming the base of a pyramid. Above this level are three concentric circular platforms crowned by the main stupa. Stairways provide access to this monumental stupa. The base and the balustrades enclosing the square terraces are decorated in reliefs sculpted in the stone. They illustrate the different phases of the soul's progression towards redemption and episodes from the life of Buddha. The circular terraces are decorated with no fewer than 72 openwork stupas each containing a statue of Buddha.

Stylistically the art of Borobudur is a tributary of Indian influences (Gupta and post-Gupta styles). The walls of Borobudur are sculptured in bas-reliefs, extending over a total length of 6 km. It has been hailed as the largest and most complete ensemble of Buddhist reliefs in the world, unsurpassed in artistic merit, each scene an individual masterpiece. The narratives reliefs on the main walls read from the right to left, those on the balustrade from left to right. This was done for the purpose of the Pradaksina, the ritual circumambulation which the pilgrims make moving on the clockwise and keeping the sanctuary to the right.

Karimunjawa Islands, A Virgin Tropical Paradise

Karimunjawa Islands are located in the Java Sea approximately 83 km northern Jepara city, Central Java. This tourism object are an archipelago designated as Karimunjawa Marine National Park with land area consist of ​​7120 hectares with a total of 27 islands, but are inhabited only 5 islands are Karimunjawa island, Kemujan island, Parang island, Nyamuk island and Genting island.

Karimunjawa Islands is an exquisite tropical islands with warm weather, bright sunny blue sky, crystal clear sea water, and breathtaking views.

With only five islands of the archipelago are populated and mostly by local traditional fisherman, this could show how close the islands to the term of "a virgin tropical paradise". The quiet and peaceful surrounding is the perfect hideout for those who wish to escape from the hectic and frustrating high-speed city life.

Karimunjawa Islands are home to coral reefs, mangroves, coastal forests, and nearly 400 species of marine fauna, including 242 species of ornamental fish. Some of the rare fauna that live in here is the sea eagle and white chest, hawksbill and green turtles.

Most of the beaches in Karimunjawa Islands are white sandy beaches. It's a perfect place for leisure to enjoy and relax while swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling.