Lake Lokuv and Mountain Desat

Lake Lokuv is one of the glacier lakes on Mountain Desat. Its altitude is 1000 meters and it is the lowest glacier lake in the Republic of Macedonia. The beauty and the natural values of Mountain Desat in the region Dolna Reka are one of the potentials for development of rural, mountain and alternative tourism, together with the numerous cultural and traditional values and particularities. The region has ample vegetation and beautiful natural landscapes. In the immediate vicinity of the lake there are three sheepfolds where good quality cheese and other diary products.

How to reach Rostuse:
The municipality of Rostuse is located in the Western part of the Republic of Macedonia, about 120 kilometers from Skopje. You can get there by car from the motorway Skopje-Tetovo-Gostivar and the regional road Mavrovo-Rostuse, or by taking the regular bus service or private transportation from the region. The whole territory of the municipality of Rostuse is part of the national park “Mavrovo”.

Local particularities
The municipality of Rostuse offers beautiful, multinational and multicultural traditional heritage. The population from different ethnic and religious backgrounds cherishes its traditions and customs, which makes this region especially attractive and interesting for the guests. For this region, the celebrations of the Muslim holidays Ramazan and Kurban, and the Orthodox Epiphany and Easter, are particularities. The Reka region is known for its special weddings and circumcisions, especially the wedding dishes, which at the same time are part of the Reka traditional cuisine (Bajram meat, corn pie, Reka palenta, baklava, alanditi-valangii, Reka milk, cheese and yellow cheese).

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Plackovica

Highest point: peak Lisec 1754mLocation: The Mountain is located in the eastern part of Macedonia. On the northern and eastern sides it is bordered by the river Bregalnica and on the southern by the rivers Radovishka and Strumica (Stara reka/Old River). The mountain in the south-eastern part continues with the Maleshevo Mountains (Maleshevski planini) (1754m) and the Ograzden mountain (1746m) to the Bulgarian border.
Approach: There are many alternative approaches. The most frequently used is the one via Shtip. From the city there is a marked trekking trail to the "Vrteska" mountain lodge and the St. Gjorgji monastery (approach by vehicle is also possible). Several routes for this massif start from the monastery.

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Madani Hotel

In the mid of hard hotel business competition, Madani Hotel existed to compete the market. The three star hotel which located on Jalan Sisingamangaraja in the centre of Medan, diagonally opposite to the Mesjid Raya and across the road from Yuki Simpang Raya shopping centre, has a specific characteristic in comparison with other hotels. The Hotel run on the basis of Sharia system. I think this is the only hotel which has religious nuance.The architecture of the hotel is fully the style of Melayu, adopting the architecture of Maimoon palace and Mesjid Raya.

The hotel has 172 rooms with various types. The room rate starts from Rp. 410.000 for Superior upto Rp. 3.750.000 for Royal Suite Room.
The facilities of the hotel as follow:
- Vast lobby
- Gelora Ballroom with the capacity of 1.500 persons
- 5 meeting rooms with capacity of 200 persons each hall(Istanbul Hall, Jordan Hall, Doha Hall, Dubai Hall and Bahrain Hall)
- Wi-fi internet access
- Travel agencies
- Barber Shop
- Restaurant
- lounge
- Spa
- Shuttle bus from hotel to Airport
- ect

Room rates:

Superior room Rp. 410,000

Deluxe room Rp. 475,000

Executive Deluxe Rp. 635,000

Executive Suite Rp. 1,200,000

Family Suite Rp. 1,700,000

Madani Suite Rp. 2,400,000

Royal Suite Rp. 3,750,000

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sea tour Learn History and Recreation

sea tour
Learn History and Recreation


Thousand Islands, Sinar Harapan
Learning the history should not be done with how to read books setebal hundreds of pages, or by listening to a boring description. Conversely, history can be learned in a way that's interesting, even rekreasional. One of them, through tourism history.

Interest of the community through history tour packages have been done actually since several years ago. Dipelopori Tour Kampoeng Tua, series appear and then a similar package, among other Tour Night Jakarta History Museum, and tour the Museum Night Prasasti. Now, the row package tours increased long history with the emergence of a new package tour history titled Wisata Bahari. Appropriate name, the package tour organized by the Community Care History and Culture of Indonesia (KPSBI-Historia) was introduced to the community where a number of historical spread on the sea, namely in the Thousand Islands.
Saturday (8 / 5), at 07.00 WIB, the participants who was already about 60 people gathered around the Pearl Beach pier, Pluit. KLM Putra Bugis boat Festival which will be used for Wisata Bahari, already waiting at the dock. According to the plan, that day we will visit five historic island in the Thousand Islands, the Onrust, Edam, Cipir, Kelor and Bidadari Island.
At around 08.30 WIB, ships began to go slow (the speed of five knots) to the Island of Edam, which is the first goal. Unfortunately, the wind did not blow so that the participants had no experience with the travel, cruise laiknya Festival with the truth. However, the weather is sunny morning and still feel cool way to make feel comfortable. The participants also prefer to sit on the deck passengers, although the actual hold on the available space to sit and two bedroom cool by AC.
History heritage
Approximately three hours travel, we arrived on the island of Edam, the island's population by about also known as Pulau Damar Besar ditumbuhi as many tree resin. On the island of Edam, there are a number of historical, among other strongholds Underground and a lighthouse are all made of iron plate.
So together, we walk the paths to the underground fortress, located on the east coast of the island. For participants, it is quite a short trip fun because there is a forest on the left side and right side forest is still quite a meeting, so the atmosphere that participants felt really different atmosphere with the day-to-day in Jakarta. When the debris through a number of buildings in the 1960s used by the TNI AL to practice, almost all participants for taking fun. As a result, the committee is busy enough to keep participants tercerai berai not, as many participants who wander out of the path, while there is no path that so long as it clearly is not used.
Fort on the island of Edam is similar to the underground bunker. The fort on the top surface circular berdiameter 10 meters, and is surrounded by two walls. Condition is still relatively intact. However, space underground fortress that can not be entered again, because the soil and roots is closed.
However, the more interesting of the island is perhaps mercusuarnya Edam. Lighthouse was built in the year 1879 - 1881 is built to facilitate the travel of ships would go to Port of Tanjung Priok. 60 meters high, and all part of the iron plate (cast iron). Sjouke Ridje, one of the tour participants who came from the Netherlands, said that the ancient lighthouse as it is very rarely found.
"Perhaps only a few anywhere in the world. In Indonesia, I see two, and in Anyer here. While living in the Netherlands is only one, namely in Egmond, "said Sjouke, while the screw of the screw-plate weld-iron plate into the wall lighthouse.
Puas historical view on the Island of Edam, and then starting to ship Bidadari Island for lunch, and see the fortress martello (semicircular fortress) built VOC in 1850 to defend the sea from Jakarta. Fort that is now heavily damaged condition, and ruins lives. In addition to infected Krakatau explosion in the year 1883, the fortress also had dijarah on mass 1960s.
The condition of damaged historical heritage-it was also found on the islands that we visit them later. Fortress, the former prison building and the care of infectious diseases and the grave-Dutch cemetery located on the island Kelor, Cipir and Onrust, everything is in damaged condition. This is very be pitied, because the actual value of the history of old buildings that is very high. Thousand Islands in the 17th century and the 18-to-door is the gateway to Batavia.
Nevertheless, almost all tour participants satisfied. However, some participants suggested that next time, no destination is set too many, so that participants have a greater opportunity to see a legacy that is an island. "The island is visited not need too much, probably only two or three islands, but it we could see more time. So a more satisfied. In addition, if elected pulaunya can still be a forest such as the Island of Edam. Kan more fun, "said Lola, ITB student who became one of the tour participants.
Learning history is not necessary with the wrinkled brow. While any trip, a lot of lessons that can be taken. Fun eh?
source:
http://www.sinarharapan.co.id/feature/wisata/2004/0513/wis01.html

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Happy Holidays

To all of you who follow this blog

wherever you are

Thank you for your comments and participation in this blog during this year which is ending.

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Airports: home sweet home?

We have heard a lot of stories about passengers stranded in airports due to bad weather (specially in winter and due to snow). Also we may have seen the film The Terminal starring Tom Hanks, in which a passenger is forced to live in the terminal of an airport due to political reasons. However, it is not frequent to hear about someone who doesn´t want to leave an airport and prefers to stay there till his visa runs out. This is the story of a Japanese man who refuses to leave a Mexican airport. Click on the video to listen to this story:


This story can lead to interesting conversations with your students if you raise questions like:

What would you do in an airport for a whole day?

How would you spend your time there?

Can you think of any reason why he doesn´t want to go back to his country?
Are there similar cases to this one in your own countries?
Please feel free to write any comments about similar stories to this in your countries.

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Tangkahan, The Hidden Paradise

You could enjoy a range of adventures in the hidden paradise, Tangkahan, the ancient rainforest of North Sumatera in the mount Leuser where you will discover Indonesia's best kept secret. You will be amazed with the views of canopies and incredible wildlife, rivers with pure and clear water and various tropical flowers.

Tangkahan is located next to Gunung Leuser National Park about 105 km from Medan City or it takes time about 3 to 4 hours by vehicle. You can go to Tangkahan by renting a car or by public buses (Pembangunan Semesta) from Pinang Baris Bus Terminus directly to Tangkahan. Buses run three times a day, started at 08.00 am, 01.00 pm, 03.00 pm or with the following route; Pinang Baris-Simpang Robert and then two wheelers from Simpang Robert to Tangkahan.

The followings are what you'll get in the hidden paradise.

Forest Trekking
You could learn more about flora and fauna in the rainforest while enjoying your trekking inside the heart of the paradise. You could hike over mountains and across rivers to encounter the natural wonders of the rainforest. There are some fasilities that are provided for full day trek+caving+tubing.

River Cruising
Experience the River safari by tubing along the Batang Serangan River while taking pleasure in watching around, see the long tailed monkeys, wonderful rainforest vegetation, various birds, and if lucky you will meet Kedih (Presbytis Thomasi) an endemic primate in Gunung Leuser National Park. You can also swim in the clear blue water and then drift yourself away back to Tangkahan shore.

Camping
If you want to experience staying at the camp, there also available a camping ground area between the jungle and the river, sufficient for 30 tents. Feel the rare occasion living in harmony with nature.

Caving
This is a kind of adventure trek and you must be fit and healthy enough to walk through the ancient rainforest and crossing a lot of rivers, streams and hilly areas. You need 3 hours to reach the Bat Cave. A skillful guide will accompany you. To return back, you have a choice of tubing down the fast flowing river, or walking through the fruit trees in the Orange and Durian groves.
(Pathway through the jungle)
Elephant Trekking
It is an exciting package as you could experience the sensation of riding over an elephant's back for an exploration by using the Conservation Response Unit's patrol elephants. These elephants help to monitor the forest from any crimes and at the same time could accompany you to explore the forest.


Accommodation
Visitors could choose four comfortable accommodations next to the park, namely Jungle Lodge, Bamboo River, Mega Inn and Green Lodge, designed for family, standard and deluxe. The restaurants provide Traditional Karonese food & beverage, Indonesian food and western food and beverage.
(Restaurant)

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Online Guided Tours

One of the most commons tasks when studying English for Tourism is to be asked to make a guided tour about a certain place. This website is a great source for students where they can see examples and learn how to give a tour. All the continents are represented.

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Berastagi City

Berastagi is a small town in the Karo highland of Nort Sumatera. The name of Berastagi means 'rice store' since the area is highly fertile and produces fruits and vegetables besides rice and sugar can. Berastagi is wellknown for its fruit and vegetable markets as the main economic activities. This hilly areas is quite cold in climate compares to Medan and other cities in North Sumatera.

This one of the attractive tourist destination not because it's fruits production but more for the two active volcanos, Sibayak and Sinabung, with its hot spring. Tourists were attracted to climb Sibayak that is 2100 meters high because it is most accessible and easy to climb specially for one who already used to it. There is no requirement to do the trek. After climbing we can enjoy the warm water at the hot spring.

At Gundaling you may watch the beautiful panorama of the valley from the top.

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A matter of pronunciation

When dealing with pronunciation, students quite often say that it doesn´t make any difference if they pronounce the word correctly or not. Well, show them this video and perhaps they will be convinced: sinking or thinking?

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