History of Jakarta

The sea has played a major part in the development of Jakarta as a port town at least as far back as the 5th century. According to the earliest records, the city first grew its roots around the mouth of the Ciliwung river near the ancient port of Sunda Kelapa, Jakarta's original name. The town grew as more vessels - en-route to and from eastern trading lanes and brimming with the exotic spoils of their journey - called in at this Javanese port.

Permission to build a fort in the early part of the 16th century gave the Portuguese a foothold in the area and was thus the first direct contact with Europe. The Portuguese soon left to continue developing their trade with the Spice Islands of Malaka, yet intended to coming back soon to reinforce their settlement. In their absence, Sunda Kelapa was taken over by the Islamic kingdoms of Banten and Demak, who then defeated the Portuguese upon their attempted return, and gave the city a new name, Jayakarta, meaning "Great Victory". This victory took place June 22, 1527 and is subsequently commemorated every year as Jakarta's birthday.

As Jayakarta, the city continued its growth as a trading port for several decades. Then in 1598 with the arrival of the Dutch, who founded the Dutch East Indies Company (VOC) and forced out its Indonesia rules, Jayakarta was renamed Batavia. Under the aggressive leadership of Jan Pieterszoon Coen, Batavia became the administrative and military capital of the VOC trading empire. Subsequent Dutch leaders brought the city to such a degree of sophistication - including canals fashioned after those in Amsterdam - that Batavia became known as the " Queen of the East. "

Sunda Kelapa in Jakarta - Indonesia

The 500-year-old Sunda Kelapa harbor area is an easy walk from the Jakarta City Museum and Fatahillah. The Ciliwung River was once a vital link to the markets of the outside for the 15th century kingdom of Pajajaran ( near present day Bogor ). Since then this port has belonged to the Portuguese, Muslim kings and the Dutch.

Though little remains of bustling old Sunda Kelapa except he name, the harbor is still home to the largest sailing fleet of its type and one of the most important calls for sailing vessels from all over the archipelago. See row upon now of handmade shallow-draft oceangoing Phinisi schooners with stevedores unloading lumber as peddlers hawk souvenirs. You can catch a ride to Palembang, Kalimantan or South Sulawesi from Sunda Kelapa if you have a few weeks to spare!

For around Rp 20,000-40,000 boatman will take you arround the waterfront for a view from the water.

Thousand Island in Jakarta

Most of these island are inhabited and can be reached in about one or two hours from Jakarta. The surrounding reefs are home to wide variety of fishes, an ideal sport of diving.

Facilities include diving, fishing, sunset cruise, water skiing, jet skiing, hobbies cat, snorkeling, banana boat, etc.

Bali, Indonesia: Island Of The God

Bali is undoubtedly one of the most enchanting place that honeymooners can desire for. Lush greenery, beautiful miles stretched sandy beaches, roaring rivers, crystal clear lakes, tropical forests full of exotic wildlife. There are also picturesque active towering volcanoes over 3000 meters high. A glittering sea, royal treatment by the welcoming and warm people makes wonderful memories for honeymooning couple. Indulge in luxurious tropical plants, coconut palms, birds of paradise. Bali provides a haven to rest, relax and recuperate after the exciting, yet exhausting marriage ceremony.

There are many resorts and spas where honeymooners can enjoy the romantic dining at its best. On the beach front, in a private pavilion, dinner is set in complete privacy under the shade of beautiful white canopies, offering the selection of exotic menus.

These resorts usually have the concept of having each room in a separate private building the romantic couple the most intimate ambience. Rich cultural heritage is visible everywhere. Over 20,000 temples and palaces to visit, frequented by colorful festivals and ceremonies. Traditional music and exotic dances offers the glimpse of beautiful heritage. Commuting is very easy and people are always keen to help in giving directions. Motorcycles, Self driven cars, taxis and chauffeur limousines are different ways to travel to suit everybody�s pocket. Bemos, a mini van, is unique way to commute.

The most popular places for holidays in Bali are in south. A few famous places to visit are Nusa Dua, Sanur, Kuta and Ubud. Lombok is a 25 minute flight from Bali. There is also the Bali Barat National Park, The Botanical Gardens, Blahmantung and Gitgit Waterfall, Sangeh Monkey Forest, Goa Lawah (Bat Cave) on Nusa Penida Island, Reptile and Crocodile Park, the Bali Bird and Butterfly Park, Tirta Empul ( rejuvenating springs) and lots more. Goa Gajah is an ancient hermitage near Bedulu, one of Bali�s most intriguing sites, comprising a man made grotto, elaborate stone carving and Buddhist stupas.

Villas in Bali

A villa is basically a house where a family can spend their time together. In Bali however, a villa is a breath of nature for the family, for first time honeymooners, or individuals who want to re-encounter the self being. Most villas in Bali take personal privacy into account, and this is at harmony with nature. The detailed concept of their respective architectures can be various, but privacy and luxury play an impartant role in the basic concept of many villas. Luxurious, sometimes superbly luxurious, the architecture of many villas in Bali is breathing in the rhythm of space that plays on the silence of the surrounds and fits effortlessly and discreetly into the small community. In recent years the island of the Gods has become the site for many villas, or a cluster of villas in Bali referred sometimes as a boutique resort. The beginning of the new super luxury trend began at the end of the 1980's, precisely with the opening of the Amandari, perched on the edge of Ubud's Sayan Gorge.

The mind behind the resort was renowned Australian architect Peter Muller along with owner Adrian Zecher. Hotels of that era were built with many rooms. Villas, however, have different approach. It is not simply how many hotel rooms you have, but how wonderful they are. Luxury, too, is not only determined by expensive materials for many of these resorts often use the simplest of local materials. The detail of concepts of boutique resorts and villas in Bali have developed since the days of Muller and Zecher, who has initiated the rejuvenation of the Balinese traditional village living within their architecture design. "Nowadays, modern touches are an important component in the design of villas in Bali," said Popo Danes, a reputable Balinese architect who has designed a plenty of villas in some of Bali's more remote locations. As a result, according to Popo, the sense of simplicity is becoming stronger. Initially, simple village living has been blended with a luxurious urban lifestyle.

Nowadays, however, the sensation of simplicity has built the luxurious atmosphere. Details of architecture of many villas in Bali have beautifully combined the traditional and modern elements and features. There is one feature almost always seen: Balinese traditional gate angkul-angkul, which usually gives access to Balinese compounds in many places of the island, has been utilized to strengthen the traditional senses of the villa building. The presence of angkul-angkul has given a particular atmosphere of village living in many villas in Bali. Almost all villa designers' in Bali, seemingly, consider angkul-angkul as a standard feature for Balinese designed villa. However, the popularity of angkul-angkul has expanded beyond the boundaries of the island. In Jakarta as well as in many places in Java, including in Jogyakarta and in Surabaya, angkul-angkul has gained a particular place in villa design, it is often applied to give access to many private villas even luxurious residences. Perhaps it is to remind them of Bali, to bring about the nuances of Balinese harmony of living. Once you pass the villa's angkul-angkul, a serene garden awaits you. A garden is apparently another 'compulsory zone of beauty' for Bali-based villa designers. With lines of colorful flowering plants or decorative leaves, tropical gardens bring nature into the villas, each of which with their own details according to the sense of their respective landscape designer. The garden is not merely decorating the villa; it is so much important for the image that some villas in Bali use it as a marketing tool and promote the property as a 'garden villa'. Adjacent to the garden, often under the shadow of a frangipani tree, often lays the swimming pool. Private pools have been another luxurious trend in villa design.

Nowadays, it seems that a villa in Bali is not a 'real' villa without a private pool. It can be a small swimming pool or even a plunge pool where you guests spend time relaxing and basking under the sun. The garden and the pool sometimes (not sometimes, often!) are perfected with a spectacular backdrop of green rice fields, of mountainside, of river flow or beachfront: according to the blessing of the beauty of the villa's location. This is Bali, where the stunning panorama of nature has long become an important element of beauty. A villa, by this very definition must be small and limited. Above all, it should have its own recognizable flavor and character. The only similarity between many villas in Bali is the level of luxury and excellence.

If you have the money and want to really relax and enjoy yourself while visiting Bali, make sure that you reward yourself by staying in one or more of the world's best resorts. All Bali Villas .com features a great selection of luxury private villas in Bali for honeymoon, ultimate holiday or vacation.