Mt. Merapi - The Legendary Volcano from Central Java

It's been three weeks already since its first eruption on October 25, 2010, but Mount Merapi is still active and endangered people around its location. The secure area has been expand by local government from 15 kilometers into 20 kilometers. There are more than 2,000 refugees from Mt. Merapi that still staying in refuge due to the condition of the volcano that still unstable. The alert for Mt. Merapi still at the highest level.

All refufees are suffering and need help. We are seeking for donators who are willing to help them. If you have intention to  help the refugees and people that suffer from Mt. Merapi, please send your help (dry food, blankets, clothes, masks, or money), you can send your help to :

Jl. Raya Banjaran Km. 20.5  No. 486

Kab. Bandung, West Java

Indonesia 40336

Phone : + 62 - 22 - 5949049 (Attn. Mrs. Lisda)

OR you can send your fund thru : 

Bank Central Asia (BCA), Cab. Bandung

Account No. 0080185740

a.n. Mulyady Chandra

But if you feel very difficult to transfer the fund of send the things to help to refugees (due to the location of youc country, which is not possible to do all those thing), you can help by clicking the advertising that you see in this blog, and buy them. For every purchase you made in this blog, US$ 0.02 of each one of the purchases will be used to help the refugees.

All donation will be respected and delivered to all of the refugees in Central Java.

About Mt. Merapi
Mt. Merapi have been known for centuries as one of the active stratovolcano - and part of the Pasific Ring of Fire - that located on the border between Central Java and Yogjakarta, Indonesia. Literally in Javanese, Merapi means "The Mountain of Fire". Its been recorded that Mt. Merapi have been erupted regularly since 1548. Meanwhile, stratigraphic analysis reveals that eruptions in Merapi has began about 400,000 years ago. In the beginning, the eruptions typically were effusive with basaltic lava. But then, it becomes more explosive with vicous andesitic lavas.

Mt. Merapi have been erupted regularly in every two or three years. The larger ones usually in every 10-15 years or so. The deadliest eruption have occured in 1930, when 13 villages were destroyed and 1,400 people killed by pyroclastic flows.

Another notable eruption of Mt. Merapi was in May 2006 when a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck roughly 50 kilometers southwest of Merapi, killed more than 5,000 people, raising the volcanic eruptions. LAva and superheated clouds of gas pured repeatledly down its upper slopes towards to Kaliadem River, which is located southeast of Mt. Merapi. Two fatalities recorded as the result of the eruption.

And the latest eruption of Mt. Merapi is 25 October 2010, when  Merapi started to erupt three times, spewing lava down to southern and souteastern slopes. The eruption continues in 26 October. The Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation monitor shown that at least 12 eruptions, 232 seismic events, 269 avalanche seismic events, 4 lava flow, and 6 heat cloud happened that day. At least 194 death cassualites attibutable to the Merapi eruptions, 151 people were injury, and 198,488 refugess from several destroyed villages around Mt. Merapi.

The Culture of Mt. Merapi

The late Mbah Marijan

Mt. Merapi have been known as one of the official royal places that been used by Yogjakarta and Solo's King for annual offering celebration to keep the volcano quiet and peaceful, and also to appease the spirits of the mountain. The celebration is leading by Juru Kunci Merapi (The Key Holder of Merapi) who set up the celebration and praying. Juru Kunci has been appointed by The King of Yogjakarta. The last Juru Kunci - called Mbah Marijan - died in accident of the Merapi eruption on October 2010. Until today, no one has been appointed to replace him.

Singkawang - Exotic Multi Ethnic City

Singkawang is not a big city. It only has 50,400 hectares wide, divided into 5 districts and 26 villages. Located near beach and surrounding by beautiful mountain view,  Singkawang has become one of the largest tourism object in West Kalimantan.

In the beginning, Singkawang was a small village that became a transit area for gold miner, especially from Monterado. Some of the gold miners were come from China. Besides as a transit area, most of the gold miners were doing the transaction in the city. Because of this, the economy in Singkawang grew. Many of the miners who used to be only stay awhile, finally decided to stay permanently in Singkawang. Based on Government Regulation UU No.12 / 2001, Singkawang has been appointed as an Autonomy District by The President of Republic Indonesia.

There are three ethnics that live in Singkawang : Malayu, Chinese, and Dayak. All of them are living side-by-side in harmony. The combination of their ethnic traditions and cultures, turn Singkawang become a colorful city with the most combination traditions in Indonesia.


WHAT CAN WE SEE IN SINGKAWANG? 
Singkawang as several fantastic beach that you need to see. The water is blue, the sand is white, and the area is clean. One of the most popular beach is Taman Pasir Panjang Indah. It located 17 kilometers from South Singkawang or 128 kilometers from Pontianak City. The view in this beach is fascinating. You can do most if the beach activities : Banana Boat, kayaking, speedboat, beach volley, flying fox, cycling around the beach... you name it.... If you feel like "Well.... why not stay a night or two in this place?", you don't have to bring your own tend. There are several hotels and motels that available for you to stay.

Another nice beach that been well-known since long time ago is Palm Beach (previously known as Taman Impian Pasir Panjang). It closed to Taman Pasir Panjang Indah and have a wonderful view of beach. Very calm, and very refreshing. Try to stay till sunset. You can see how lovely the place when the sun goes down...

Another place that you should never miss is Sinka Island Park. It located in the Tourist Area of Karang Bay / Ma'jantuh Bay, located about 8 kilometers in South Singkawang, this place offered modern tourist facilities for family. The place is surrounding by the beautiful view of mountain and it consists of many kind of rare animals. They also provide tour-car for you who want to see the whole area.

If you are looking for adventure sight-seeing, try to go to Gunung Poteng (Poteng Mountain). It located at the Raya Pasi Sanctuary, and located about 3 kilometers from Singkawang. Besides its beautiful view,it also consist of many faunas and plants, such as Amorphopallus sp (Carrion Flower), Rhizanthes zepelii (Star Flower), Giant Padma Flower (Rafflessia tuan-mudae), and some variants of orchids.

Or you can visit Bagak Sahwa Mountain which consists of some of rare animals such as Honey Bear, Flying Squirrel and Boar. It located about 15 kilometers East Singkawang.

There are many more to see in Singkawang. So... grab your bags. It's party in Singkawang....!!!