Experience Vanuatu - Angklung,an Indonesia,West Java music instrument in Vanuatu museum’s

Experience Vanuatu - Angklung,an Indonesia,West Java music instrument in Vanuatu museum’s by Sumantri
Angklung is a musical instrument made out of two bamboo tubes attached to a bamboo frame. The tubes are carved so that they have a resonant pitch when struck. The two tubes are tuned to octaves. The base of the frame is held with one hand while the other hand shakes the instrument rapidly from side to side. This causes a rapidly repeating note to sound. Thus each of three or more angklung performers in an ensemble will play just one note and together complete melodies are produced. Angklung is popular throughout Southeast Asia, but originated from Indonesia (used and played by the Sundanese my race since the ancient times).

The Angklung got more international attention when Daeng Soetigna, from Bandung, West Java, expanded the angklung notations not only to play traditional pélog or sléndro scales, but also diatonic scale in 1938. Since then, angklung is often played together with other western music instruments in an orchestra. One of the first well-known performances of angklung in an orchestra was during the Bandung Conference in 1955. A few years later, Udjo Ngalagena, a student of Daeng Soetigna, opened his "Saung Angklung" (House of Angklung) in 1966 as centre of its development.
In Hindu period and Padjajaran kingdom era, Sundanese people used the angklung to sign the time for prayer. Later, Padjajaran kingdom use this instrument as corps music in Bubat War (Perang Bubat).
Angklung functioned as building the peoples community spirit. It was still used by the Sundanese until the colonial era (Dutch East Indies, V.O.C). Because of the colonial times, the Dutch East Indies government tried to forbid people playing the angklung instrument.Because it was forbidden to play angkung during this time, the popularity of the instrument decreased and it came to be played only by children in this era. (wikipedia)
If you visit Vanuatu museum you can easily seen this angklung but do not be surprised if no one can explain what is that

Russian travel agent familiarization trip at Iririki Island Resort

Russian travel agent familiarization trip at Iririki Island Resort by Sumantri

VANUATU,30th June 2009 – In the drive to encourage tourism in Vanuatu,Iririki Island Resort & Spa recently conducted a site inspection to a International Tourism KTIS travel agent from Russia. Hosted by John Nichollas from Vanuatu Hotels.vu.

The aim of the visit was to show them Iririki Island Resort & Spa has to offer in order to promote interesting holiday packages for their travel agents.The agents were given a warm welcome by Daniel Faivre, the General Manager and Lynda Chaning the Sales Group Manager. This 12 Russian were then taken around the resort to see various accommodations and facilities accompany by Sumantri Endang the resort Rooms Division Manager and Emmanuel Aru the Front Office Manager, and were later taken for afternoon refreshment at the penthouse snorkel cove apartment.

About Iririki Island Resort & Spa – VanuatuSurrounded by crystal clear blue water, you've got 69 acres of a private island, to indulge in. Situated in the heart of Port Vila – Republic Vanuatu, South Pacific. This tranquil island haven is situated ten minutes from the airport and five minutes from the town centre. Our 24-hour complimentary ferry will enable you to see as much or as little off the island. Helicopter transfers are also available from the airport.Iririki Island Resorts and Spa offers two unique styles of accommodation. With over 130 guest rooms, with a variety of views, you have the choice of indulging in one of our tropical island bungalows at the original Iririki Island Resort, or in one of the spacious and contemporary penthouse style rooms at Snorkelers Cove.With four bars, a handful or restaurants and a variety of cuisines, two swimming pools, tennis courts, a day spa and the tropical, crystal clear waters of Vanuatu, you’ll soon discover what the locals call ‘paradise’. For more information visit:www.iririki.com ph:+67823388 Fax:+67823880 or Email:rdm@iririki.com

“Italiano travel agent familiarization trip at Iririki Island Resort & Spa

“Italiano travel agent familiarization trip
at Iririki Island Resort & Spa “ by Sumantri

VANUATU, 30th June 2009 – In the drive to encourage tourism in Vanuatu,
Iririki Island Resort & Spa recently conducted a site inspection to GO AUSTRALIA travel agent based in Itali. Hosted by Vanuatu Tourism Office ( VTO )
The aim of the visit was to show them Iririki Island Resort & Spa has to offer in order to promote interesting holiday packages for their travel agents.

Roberto Chiesa the product manager of GO AUSTRALIA travel agent based in Torino, Italia were given a warm welcome by Sumantri Endang, the Rooms Division Manager. he were taken around the resort various accommodations and facilities, and were later taken for dinner at Watermark restaurant.

About Iririki Island Resort & Spa – Vanuatu
Surrounded by crystal clear blue water, you've got 69 acres of a private island, to indulge in. Situated in the heart of Port Vila – Republic Vanuatu, South Pacific. This tranquil island haven is situated ten minutes from the airport and five minutes from the town centre. Our 24-hour complimentary ferry will enable you to see as much or as little off the island. Helicopter transfers are also available from the airport.

Iririki Island Resorts and Spa offers two unique styles of accommodation. With over 130 guest rooms, with a variety of views, you have the choice of indulging in one of our tropical island bungalows at the original Iririki Island Resort, or in one of the spacious and contemporary penthouse style rooms at Snorkelers Cove.With four bars, a handful or restaurants and a variety of cuisines, two swimming pools, tennis courts, a day spa and the tropical, crystal clear waters of Vanuatu, you’ll soon discover what the locals call ‘paradise’.

For information visit:www.iririki.com ph:+67823388 Fax:+67823880 or Email: rdm@iririki.com

Experience Vanuatu – Visit Vanuatu’s First World Heritage Site” Chief Roi Mata’s Domain by Sumantri.

Experience Vanuatu – Visit Vanuatu’s First World Heritage Site” Chief Roi Mata’s Domain by Sumantri.
Port Vila~ 25th June 2009 Thursday, Roi Mata Cultural Tours picked me & my wife at 8.30 am at Iririki mainland jetty. Our tour guide of the day is Richard. He greeted us and briefed us on the program, together we were mixed with another 2 families from Australia. The’Roi Mata Cultural’ tours begin with a short visit to the Vanuatu National Museum and Cultural Centre in Port Vila. Richard gave us a short brief on the story of the Great Chief Roi Mata, the wonder of Chief Roi Mata history and legend remain a valuable and dedication to the communities of Vanuatu and it was delicately features its story and displayed some of the belongings of Chief Roi Mata. Chief Roi Mata is still revered throughout central Vanuatu for his exploits and particularly for his part in bring to an end of a long major wars that had raged throughout the region. He was known to be the great chief and with his special gift of powerful within him. There were some very interesting photos of Chief Roi Mata and other mass burial at Artok Island(hat Island). We free to wonder around the museum for few minutes and off we go to our tour destination of the great legend of Chief Roi Mata.
We took off from the museum to Northwest of Efate Island about 40 minutes drive from Port Vila downtown, all the way we enjoy a beautiful lush tropical landscape of Chief Mata’s Domain, some part of the road are now under construction, will be ready hopefully in a year to come. Once we reached the pick-up point of Chief Roi Mata’s Domain, we were amazed by the stunning, perfect beaches and a breathtaking harbor and a spectacular view of Lelapa Island and the Artok island known as “Hat Island” far and away. In July 2008, Chief Roi Mata’s Domain was formally registered as a World Heritage site. Until now, the pacific has not been well represented on UNESCO’s World heritage List but together with the early agricultural site of Kuku in Papua New Guinea, Chief Roi Mata’s Domain is now the first cultural World Heritage site from the independent Pacific Island States. From the pick-up point, with took 15 minutes a banana boat to Efate village of Mangaas, the place where 400 years ago Chief Roi Mata lived.
From a meter ahead, we could see that we reaching Mangaas. It was low tide, the coastline just beautiful! The water so blue and clear and we could see the stunning and amazing coral reef just underneath, Amazing experience. We had to walk on the carol reefs. Upon arrived, we were greeted by another guide Katheline later welcome us with a group of performers performing a great story of how Chief Roi Mata’s held the first great peace feasts, at which he introduced a system of totemic clans, binding people together through maternal links. After a short introduction of Chief Roi Mata’s, Katheline start the tour into Chief Roi Mata’s sanctuary and along the way, we came to a few stops, we were introduced to some of Chief Roi Mata great stone remained at the site, those stones were believed to have generated a great power to Chief Roi Mata’s to protect to himself and the communities from enemies. Katheline then brought us to the site where Chief Roi Mata used to live and a big bayan tree that believed to be Chief Roi Mata meeting place with his communities over 400 years ago. We were later introduced another magical stone that lied on the other side, the stone where Chief Roi Mata used to be seated and observed his people around him and people who come to him for advised on their daily fishing activities and production. As he always sits on the stone, the stone still believed contain Chief Roi Mata power till now. No one allowed get near to the stone even until today. Later some horror stories were told that this area was forbidden at night, everybody had to leave the site before dawn, no one allowed staying at the site. During the night, spooky mystery activity or paranormal activity witness by people who passes by this site from the sea. This is believed that the great Chief Roi Mata and his community spirits still very alive conquering their territory and performing their daily activities as if they were alive. Walked further down, we were introduced another wooden figure of male and female called the Tam-Tam. The days of Chief Roi Mata’s, Tam-Tams used to play as gong which would be heard from other island. It was made of Breadfruit tree. The real Tam-Tams were burned and destroyed when Christianity was introduced to the communities. But however, the Tam-Tams were reproduced in year 2000 exactly the same as to commemorate the lost of the original Tam-Tam centuries ago. Later then we finished our great tour of Chief Roi Mata’s .
From Mangaas, we took a short boat ride to another Island called the “Lelepan island”. Lelepan Island was the place where Chief Roi Mata drew his last breath inside the giant fels cave. Again, It was low tide, the coastline just as beautiful as Mangaas! The water in light blue crystal clear and we could see a bed of stunning coral reefs with small little colorful fishes just underneath, the feeling was just unbelievable!!. We again walk on the carol reefs. We were given a safety hat to be ware inside the cave. From the beach, took 10 minutes track up to Fels Cave. As we reached Fels Cave, I was so amazed with the white stone of the cave. The stone forming were a beauty. Katheline briefed us again on Chief Roi Mata’s story and the Do’s and Don’t inside the Cave. The wall of this giant cave are richly decorated in ancient engravings in black charcoal, there are many drawings and large figure of man, I believe means something from chicken, fish to a large figure of man. There was also one huge natural carved where draw like animal, katheline ask everyone what drawing is that, I quickly answer a face of the dog but my wife was say is a pig which is correct.
Is 12.30 pm now. Richard our tour leader reminds us that we will be staying here for about one and half hour for lunch break. Lunch served in Ni-Vanuatu local dish from lap lap, Melanesian chicken curry, banana, fruits, bread and much more. Everyone enjoying a fantastic food then.
After great lunch the journey continue to Artok (Hat Island) by banana boat, string perfect beach, spectacular view, clear water where you see coral just 5 cm from under the water is unbelievable paradise I experienced. When we reach the hat island Richard and Kateline continue the story of Chief Roi Mata in this hat island were burial more than 50 members of Chief Roi Mata’s family and court sacrificed them to accompany him into the afterlife.It was French archaeologist, Jose Garager to the gravesite which he evacuated in 1967. Artok/hat Island was declare taboo territory, a sanction that has been respected for many century.
Is 3.00 pm now The Chief Roi Mata Cultural is completed but the journey is not over, Richard brought us now to Manggaliliu village its need half an hour by banana boat another unbelievable experience, you can touch or walk on the top of beautiful coral when you reach jetty of Manggaliliu village. We rest here and enjoying the afternoon coffee. We back to Port Vila at 5 pm it was superb wonderful experience we had 5 thumbs scores for this tours.
About Chief Roi Mata?Chief Roi Mata lived 400 years ago in the northwest Efate village of Mangaas. His reputation extended throughout the Central Islands of Vanuatu, far beyond his own domain. He is remembered today as a great leader who settled a long period of warfare, setting up a tradition of peace feasts and new social structures linked by women.Chief Roi Mata drew his last breath in the colossal Fels Cave on Lelepa Island. His chiefly power was considered so great that the entire island of Artok (or ‘Hat Island’) was abandoned to make way for a mass burial. More than 50 members of Chief Roi Mata’s family and court sacrificed themselves to accompany him into the afterlife. Artok was then declared taboo, or forbidden territory, a sanction that has been respected for four centuries. Please contact Chief Roi Mata’s Cultural Tours Richard: +6785440695 or e-mail: roimata@vanuatuculture.org

Australian journalist’s familiarization trip to Vanuatu

Australian journalist’s familiarization trip to Vanuatu by Sumantri

Port Vila 20th June 2009~ Destination remains a huge challenge to promote Vanuatu, inviting journalists is one of idea to increase an awareness of Vanuatu as a destination. Georgia Ditton from Global Tourism Interface/Vanuatu Tourism Office representative based in Sydney together with Vanuatu Tourism Office based in Port Vila recently organized 4 journalists from Australia for a Press familiarization trip to Vanuatu. Many interesting places they visited from the famous land diving pentacosta to Chief Roi mata Cultural tours.
In support to national tourism plan Iririki Island Resort & Spa take part to provide an accommodation to this Press Familiarization. Iririki Island Resort & Spa also host an Asian Buffet dinner for them on Saturday, 20th June 2009 at WaterMark restaurant. Attended on the dinner Sumantri Endang the resort Rooms Division Manager, Georgia Ditton from Global Tourism Interface/VTO based in Sydney and other Journalists Carrie-Anne Hutchinson, from Vacations & Travel Magazine, Louise Southerden fromSMH/A G E, Malissa Milligean from Cumberland Newspapers ( Central Coast Express Advocate, Mosman Daily, North Shore Times and Manly Daily), Justin Jamieson from Get Lost Magazine .

About Iririki Island Resort & Spa – Vanuatu.
Surrounded by crystal clear blue water, 69 acres of a private island to indulge in. Situated in the heart of Port Vila – Republic Vanuatu, South Pacific. This tranquil island haven is situated ten minutes from the airport and five minutes from the town centre. Our 24-hour complimentary ferry will enable you to see as much or as little off the island. Iririki Island Resorts and Spa offers two unique styles of accommodation. With over 130 guest rooms, with a variety of views, you have the choice of indulging in one of our tropical island bungalows at the original Iririki Island Resort, or in one of the spacious and contemporary penthouse style rooms at Snorkelers Cove. With four bars, a handful or restaurants and a variety of cuisines, two swimming pools, tennis courts, a day spa and the tropical, crystal clear waters of Vanuatu, you’ll soon discover what the locals call ‘paradise’. For more information visit:www.iririki.com ph:+67823388 Fax:+67823880 or Email: rdm@iririki.com

Travel experience - Westin Fiji

Elevate your senses at the Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa. Located on beautiful Denarau Island, the resort is stylishly designed to reflect Fiji’s rich cultural heritage and local style. It is further complimented with the finest resort facilities, including the renownedHeavenly Spa by Westin. The resort’s 273 guestrooms and suites are superbly placed in the South Pacific setting.