Must Live By Best Vacation Tips so You Have a Wonderful Trip

By: Joe Collinsworth



Traveling is such an enjoyable experience that we wish we could do it all the time. Unfortunately most of us only get a couple weeks a year (if we’re lucky) to take our vacations.



In order to ensure that those trips are the very best and everything we expect (unlike the many travel movies where there are nightmares around every corner), we want to provide our best vacation tips so your vacations are very memorable - in a good way of course.



Discount Florida Vacations Best Vacation Tips (these are in no particular order):



1. Plan early and book when a good deal fits your budget or smells right. There are more and more travel companies popping up everyday. Why? Because as the baby boomer generation gets older and once they boot their children out of the house, they are traveling more and more. Good deals are easy to find and there are many reputable companies that offer great rates and fares.



2. Know about your destination and the best times to travel. Remember when Chevy Chase takes the whole family cross country only to find out their favorite fun park is closed? Don’t let that happen to you. Know what is going on and when the best times to travel are.



For example, most people know that March and April tend to be spring break times. Well, if you take your little ones to Panama City Florida during these months, chances are you are going to run into wild, college kids. Bummer for your children and you.







3. Take care of things at home. Making sure the family pet or the house is taken care of is important. You don’t want to come home to a disaster after you’ve had a wonderful vacation.



4. Budget wisely. Even if you don’t have a budget it is smart to take care of your money. Make sure that if the worst happened you still have funds to fall back on. If you are on a budget be smart and enjoy doing things on vacation that aren’t going to have you taking out a 2nd mortgage just to pay for everything.



5. Don’t forget your important documents. There is nothing more frustrating than forgetting something when you are hundreds or thousands of miles from home.



6. Plan things to do ahead of time. Again, get to know your area of choice to determine how
close you are to various activities and restaurants. There is nothing like landing a great deal on a hotel only to find out it is miles from anything or in a location that is not suitable for a great vacation.



For example, a hotel that is so far away from the beach you need to catch a plane just to get there. Also, you want to make sure that everyone traveling with you will have fun! Again, in Vegas Vacation when the kids are too young to gamble, they have to come up with creative ways to have a good time (hence Nick Popagorgio).



7. Sign up for online newsletters and keep your ear to the ground about your destination of choice.



8. Read the fine print. This can really bite you in the behind on certain things like rentals and such.



9. Utilize a checklist and make sure everything is in order before and during the trip. From booking to packing to check in to relaxation, don’t forget anything.



10. Have fun and enjoy yourself. No matter what type of vacation you are going on, the goal is to not want to come back.



Those are our best vacation tips and we live by them each time we take a vacation. Hope you will too because we know your trip will be much more pleasurable.

Museum Empu Tantular

Kabupaten Sidoarjo - Jawa Timur - Indonesia

Museum Empu Tantular terletak di Desa Sidokerto, Kecamatan Buduran, Kabupaten Sidoarjo

A. Selayang Pandang

Provinsi Jawa Timur memiliki sebuah museum dengan nama Museum Negeri Mpu Tantular. Mpu Tantular adalah nama seorang pujangga di jaman Majapahit (abad 14) yang menggubah kakawin (kesusateraan Jawa) bertajuk Sutasoma. Dari karya ini muncul konsep Bhinneka Tunggal Ika yang diadopsi sebagai motto bangsa Indonesia. Untuk menghormati pujangga besar tersebut, maka Pemerintah Provinsi Jawa Timur mengabadikannya sebagai nama museum.

Museum Mpu Tantular dirintis oleh Von Faber, seorang kolektor berkebangsaan Jerman yang menetap dan menjadi warga Surabaya. Pada tahun 1933, Von Faber mendirikan Stedelijk Historisch Museum yang menjadi cikal bakal Museum Mpu Tantular. Akan tetapi, lembaga tersebut baru diresmikan pada tanggal 25 Juni 1937. Museum ini berupaya mengumpulkan koleksi sejarah berkaitan dengan kota Surabaya.

Kecintaan Von Faber terhadap benda bersejarah merupakan bagian dari upayanya menyusun buku Old Surabaya dan New Surabaya yang terbit tahun 1933. Von Faber mulai mengumpulkan data untuk buku tersebut sejak tahun 1922. Melalui Stedelijk Historisch Museum, dirintislah sebuah museum yang mulanya hanya merupakan ruang kecil di Readhius Ketabang. Karena bertambahnya koleksi, maka bangunan museum dipindahkan ke Jalan Pemuda, Surabaya.

Sepeninggal Von Faber pada tanggal 30 September 1955, museum tersebut terbengkalai. Baru pada 1 November 1974 diambil alih oleh Pemerintah Provinsi Jawa Timur dan diberi nama Museum Negeri Mpu Tantular. Pada tahun 1975, lokasi museum dipindah ke Jalan Taman Mayangkara 6 Surabaya, yang peresmiannya dilakukan pada 12 Agustus 1977. Sejak tahun 2004 lalu, Museum Mpu Tantular telah dipindahkan ke lokasi baru di Desa Sidokerto, Kecamatan Buduran, Kabupaten Sidoarjo, Jawa Timur.
B. Keistimewaan

Museum Negeri Mpu Tantular memiliki koleksi dari masa pra sejarah hingga jaman modern, mulai dari batuan dan fosil, peralatan tradisional, keramik, benda seni, senjata, hingga alat transportasi dan komunikasi. Benda-benda bernilai sejarah dan budaya ini dikumpulkan dari berbagai daerah di Nusantara. Melalui koleksi yang cukup lengkap ini pengunjung dapat memperoleh pengetahuan seputar kebudayaan zaman pra sejarah hingga masa awal kemerdekaan Indonesia.

Untuk koleksi yang khas dari wilayah Jawa Timur, Museum Mpu Tantular menyajikan beberapa benda seni seperti topeng dan peralatan karapan sapi dari Madura, angklung asal Banyuwangi, Reog Tulungangung, dan wayang purwo dari Jawa Timur.

Selain memamerkan koleksi yang cukup kaya, museum ini juga kerap mengadakan kegiatan seperti lomba melukis tingkat SD sampai SMA dan pertunjukan-pertunjukan kesenian lainnya.
C. Lokasi

Desa Sidokerto, Kecamatan Buduran, Kabupaten Sidoarjo, Jawa Timur.

tour dives at karimun java

Jepara – of so much many islands in indonesia, may be new one fourth it that diving tour place. one of them that gone beyond archipelago karimun java, at central java. potentially island white sandy botabene, ship dead body diving tour (wreck memve) and place breeding developers of shark, fitting tour has dived at this archipelago seriouser has been developed the existence.

necessary time six clocks wades sea to arrive at piece. karimun when leave from jepara by water that filled seafish aroma and all household need unimportant things that brought a large part piece occupant. karimun java that come along at ship whom we board. our aim is p. kemojan, place basecamp we are later during do expedition activity there for a few day.

mother pepe, pawnbroker whom we make residence smile friendly moment we arrive with various diving need goods. make this mother, that thing not new matter. really the house also bearby office lsm ”alam karimun” always be transit place before do diving at karimun java.



breeding developers shark

besides memve at wreck and enjoy the white sand at p. middle, there again potential tour other that can be made maritime tour activity supporting exist in piece. karimun this java. one of them penangkaran shark at p. deer. location p. deer not far from p. kemojan make us only vacate time one day to and from there.



recorded there around 6 shark fishes exist in penangkaran. likely very attractive see shark fish, they say very savage, before very eyes and near also.
when visit to return all potential kind exist in piece. karimun java, only two akhirlah up to now new menyeriuskan by piece bational park side. karimun java as maritime tour place. while the other not yet seen bational park side demureness. because it is not impossible, when see people around activity rather less care with oceaninc conservation problem be boomerang for environment problem at region. will live up to we shall what the mentioned will be silneced and expire to like story then or want us serious up to can good for this nation also. all that is in our hand is to decides to how the good.

two days then we can go to p. middle, do our activity kernel, identify potential tour dives there. a day before that is us also do diving at p. sintok as heating.

Tengah Island this obvious a property island a millionaire which actually can also to be rented. there six houses (cottage) big there. and there old a couple of married loyal as penunggu island. this island is reasonable big. with white sand surround it, this island is seen to so beautifuler at eye. soon our scuba prepares moment entire teams arrives at there. all kind bcd, regulator, fins, snorkel mencek redo up to final we are ready submerge blow 10 morning that.

our belt system uses to identify life biota sea exist in around island. belt system that mean us do diving goes island consume time until two days. luck not many problems whom we meet moment do diving there. up to final we do identification end result counting.

by using index that appointed by depparpostel we are all that do identification declares that is potential under sea exist in p. middle this can membilang proper as tour aim region dive. support visibility (distance looks at – red) that achieve 20 meters and average fish kind achieves 30 kinds, more increase laik potential tour dives exist in there. bot to mention beauty umbu cliff the existence 80% still can membilang good.

so very lamentable that region still not yet menyeriuskan as memve point diving tour aim at karimun java.

TRAVEL REPORT by Tanja Meier

2 years ago i passed through Manado on my way from PNG to the Philippines.I had no idea how many things there are to do and see in North Sulawesi untilI met Monal. In his brand new tourist office down the street he showed me pictures and told me about several destinations and tour options. The next day Monal and I were off to Tangkoko National park. We caught several buses, stopped to see the Sawangan grave yard with its waruga (stone tombs). Very interesting! After an adventurous ride on the back of a 4WD, we arrived in Batu Putih village where we were staying with a local family for the night. Just before sunset we left into the jungle to find and see the tiny little Tarsius monkeys. We waited in front of their huge ‘home’-tree until they came out of the nest to hunt their dinner. Just spectacular!On the way back to our lodge it started to rain, but no problem, a huge palm leaf served us as an umbrella.Very early the next morning we trekked into the jungle again to observe the waking up of a group of Macaca nigra. The park ranger knew exactly where to find them, so we were waiting under their sleeping trees. Suddenly you could hear the noise of cracking branches, you could see the leafs trembling and the first monkeys came climbing down the trees. They were very curious, came very close to sniff and see if we had some bananas. But after finding out that we didn’t give them any food the took of to look forbreakfast. It was absolutely amazing to see wild monkeys so close!!!The day after we travelled by scooter. On the way to Tomohon we stopped at the Tasikoki animal rescue centre funded by the Gibbon Foundation. They keep over 180 primates, covering 21 species; the vast majority of them had been confiscated from the illegal trade in wild animals that is rampant there. They had two very cute baby orang utans.At Tomohon we stayed at Onongs Palace. A beautiful resort with a spectacular view on Mt.Lokon. Spacious, comfortable cottages and very friendly staff make it very easy to spend lots of time there. Next morning Monal and I were off to the local markets where I could see all the delicious fresh fruit, vegetables, bats and dogs. Mmhhhh… (There is no party without eating dog in the Minahasa highland area). Next stop was the Crater lake ‘Linow’. A sulphurous lake with very unusual colors. In the afternoon we made or way to the Mahawu volcano crater. Because of the rainy season the treks were very mudy, our feet got stuck a couple of times, but it was well worth it.Next day we visited lake Tondano where a delicious lunch was served at a local restaurant. Fresh fish and many traditional dishes, very yummy.After lunch we went to admire the view of terraced vegetables garden around Rurukan village then we drove back to Manado. After these wonderful, adventurous days I went to Bunaken island to relax at the ‘living colours’ resort. The Bunaken Marine National Park offers hundreds of amazing divespots, it’s just fantastic!!!

Jasa Informasi Pariwisata Sulawesi Utara

PROFILE
INFORMASI PARIWISATA MANADO
SULTAN TOURIST INFORMATION SERVICE

Pusat Informasi Pariwisata ini bernama Sultan Tourist Information Service dengan singkatan “STIS” yang berkedudukan di JL. Sam Ratulangi No.12A (samping Bank BCA) Kota Manado Provinsi Sulawesi Utara dan didirikan tahun 2006 atas dasar tekad dan semangat dari Saudara Mohamad Naliko (Monal) selaku pengelolah untuk berkontribusi pada pembangunan pariwisata dan turut serta berperan aktif mendukung Provinsi Sulawesi Utara sebagai unggulan destinasi pariwisata indonesia yang telah ditetapkan oleh Departemen Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata RI tahun 2007. Disamping itu dalam menunjang program pemerintah Sulawesi Utara dalam melaksanakan WORLD OCEAN CONFERENCE (WOC) 11 – 15 mei 2009 dan program pemerintah kota Manado menuju MANADO KOTA PARIWISATA DUNIA 2010 serta menunjang program-program pengembangan Pariwisata yang ada di Sulawesi Utara

Guest's Comments - Manado North Sulawesi

Date : Fri, July 4, 2008 12:10 am,
Dear Monal, Thank you for being a superb tourguide for the Minahasa Highlands Tour on 15 June 2008. Although the tour was for 8 hours, we learnt much about the way of life and the culture of Manado. The scenery was beautiful and the locations visited held many interesting lessons and stories. Also, the lunch venue had excellent food! The tour was extremely enjoyable and was conducted very professionally. Monal's command of English is very good and coupled with his friendly and warm personality, he is the best tour guide ever! We highly recommend Monal and Sultan Tours to be your guide to beautiful Indonesia. :) Regards, Nicole, Pat, Richard and Sara

Date : Mon, June 30, 2008 4:56 am,
Dear Monal, Next time we take you with us as guide to Papua! The tour with you was exactly as we like it, from beginning to end, sightseeings, accommodation, organisation, your way of doing things, we had joy, we had fun all the time. As you know, we like rainforest and animals. For this Wamena (Baliem Valley) was not the right destination. We wanted to trek for 5 days. There were faszinating views, many adventurous steep paths, suspension bridges, nice people. But also very cold nights and cold on the top of the hills. No bird singing, no animals to be seen, because people catch and eat all what is moving. So we broke off after 3 days. No joke: Before we started the guide took me to the market to buy shoes. But I did the tour with my flip flops, sometimes I went barefoot - and had no problems. They never before had seen tourist without shoes. Kind regards - Ingrid

Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 9:12 PM,
Dear Monal, It was a great experience to join the North Sulawesi region within three days with you. We enjoyed the family feeling, the great landscape and the special spots. Further more we took the chance to explore a foreign country with a well prepared and great educated guide. We loved each discussion and the possibility to meet local people and different cultures. We wish you all the best for your small growing business and we are sure to meet you again. Please don't hesitate to use us as reference for other swiss people. Thanks a lot for your effort.Best regards - Robert and Silke. Email : robertmeier@kpmg.com

This concerns our North Sulawesi Package Tour, which included the following highlights:Siladen Island, Bunaken Island, Minahasa Highlands and Tangkoko Nature Reserve. (from 2nd to 14th of November 2005) We highly appreciated the underwater and wildlife adventure tour organized by Monal. We have got to learn a lot about the friendly people, all kinds of edible plants, the very special animal life, the beauty of the underwater world and the marvellous scenery of volcanic mountains. We had a lot of fun and we enjoyed every day travelling with Monal. We recommend him to everybody, who wants to spend a happy and pleasant vacation under a competent and agreable guiding. Terima kasih. Mrs Gertrud Gl*****tetter-Saladin and her brother Mr Beat Saladin-Tanner Switzerland France

Monal is the best guide ever! I can recommend everyone to travel with Sultan tours. Monal can teach you all about Indonesian culture, lifestyle, nature, food &&& and it is just so much fun to spend time with him. The new page is absolutly great. I wish you and your family all the best. big hug from Switzerland – by Tanja Meier

To Whom It May Concern: I had worked for Daniel’s Homestay at Bunaken as the advisory manager for a year on 2001, and had daily contact with Mohamad Naliko / Monal who was the manager. There is no doubt in my mind that in hiring him you would be gaining a valuable employee. We first came to know each other several years ago when I stayed in Bunaken to enjoy my holidays. He came there with his customers who participated in their Trans-Sulawesi tour from Europe. I was so impressed by him as a capable guide. When I started observing the management of Daniel’s, it quickly became obvious that he is an excellent administrator. He already had built a clear system to manage the accounting and to activate all the staffs with giving great motivation. Because of his good work it was not difficult to communicate with the staffs. Only I had to do was to be a member of the team. The team worked efficiently and devotedly. He also diversified the business as selling postcards, T-shirt, and so on, by his own designing. I found his ability to create new business. He has both administering and creative skills. In short, he was not just a manager, but a good business designer as well. Needless to say about his experiences in tourism and language skills, I recommend him highly, emphasizing that he has the ability to be more than an assistant and can perform highly responsible functions as well. Sincerely, Kobayashi Hiroshi - Japan