LIVE IS A STRUGGLE

There are four ways in which the air can be forced to rise. Thus causing the water droplets to condonce. We will look at each of these in turn.

1. The air is heated fro the ground. This tends to occur mainly in the tropics. Where the air in contact with the ground is warmer than the air above, so it will rise. As result sometimes huge thunder-clouds from and the associated rainfall is called convection rain.
2. The air is forced to cross to mountain barrier. As an air mass crosses a mountain barrier, it is forced to rise. If the mountains are sufficiently high and the air mass contains enough moisture, clouds will form and rain will fall on the windward side (the side closest to where the air mass is coming from). This rain fall is known as orographic rain meaning '' caused by the shape of the land ''. The air mass, now drier and warmer will continue to flow down the other slide of the mountains (the leeward side).
3. Air rises as it enters an area of flow pressure. As air rises other air must replace it which in turn also rises. This is a complex process. As the air rises it moves in a spiral but if enough air enters an area of flow pressure clouds will from and rain my fall.
   

Not many people know Pesanggrahan Gua Siluman. We understand it because this building that was built by Hamengku Buwono II was not as popular as the Tamansari Water Castle. Nonetheless, behind is unpopularity, this pesanggrahan was once served an important function for the family of Yogyakarta kingdom, as the place for meditation. Together with pesanggrahan Warungboto, this place was mentioned in one of traditional Javanese songs telling about the success achieved during the governance of Hamengku Buwono II in Yogyakarta.

Pesanggrahan Gua Siluman is located in the area of Wonocatur, Sleman Regency, on the side of a road connecting the East Ring Road and Berbah area of Bantul Regency. We can visit this location through Jalan Raya Janti until the crossroad of Block O, and then we turn right. When we get to a sign plank directing to Berbah, we turn left. This pesanggrahan is located precisely on the roadside, with high wall as thick as 75 cm of which color is blackening as the sign of its existence.

The area of the pesanggrahan encompasses the left and right sides of the road. This might be astonishing, but that is the truth. Is there any part of the building that is cut off with existence of the road? In fact, there is not! YogYES made sure by examining part of the building on the left side of the road as the entrance gate to this building. This gate is adjacent to a tunnel connecting to the other building across the road. This means that the tunnel is beneath the main road leading to Berbah.

On the gate, we saw relief of Beri bird. Its unique shape is still visible even though some parts of it have damaged. At the lower part of the gate, there are some staircases connecting the outer part of the building to the tunnel. If we go further, we will see one door with an arch shape of the upper part that might function as sign of entering the tunnel.

Actually, YogYES intended to explore the tunnel but ended up with crossing the road. Then, we got down to the building on the right side of the road and found a square door. The door is connecting with the tunnel connecting the right and left sides of the road. Unlike the north door that is decorated with relief of Beri bird, this door on the southern part is simple, without any decoration.

Through this door in the south, YogYES could see parts of the other pesanggrahan. There is a building stretching eastwards, directly connects to the tunnel. The building is divided into some rooms each of which is connected by one door. Close to the door connecting to the farthest east room, there is a divider ornamented with beautiful batik-like motifs. While in the farthest east room, a square pond is still filled with full water until present.

Just like many other pesanggrahans in the early time of Yogyakarta kingdom, Gua Siluman also has garden and pond. Today, the garden area is plated with various plants so that it looks green. Those decorative plants grow in both sides of the two square ponds that are also parts of the pesanggrahan building. The base and sides of the ponds were actually cemented well but unfortunately we cannot see those parts because of the unclear water.

Walking to the southwest side, there is another pond in the shape of a circle. The pond is decorated with the statue of Beri bird with its protruding beak. The shape is unique, particularly that the beak also functions as a water fountain. Similar pond is actually found in the southeast side, but the statue has been damaged and the pond starts to sink in the earth.

Until today, no one knows exactly what other activities done by the members of the kingdom family other than meditation in Pesanggrahan Gua Siluman, including whosoever meditated in this place. Other thing still becomes the mystery is the building itself. The traditional Javanese song containing the history of the construction of this building tells that the name of the building is Gua Seluman, but the signboard in the complex of the building writes its name as Gua Siluman. Apakah Do Seluman and Siluman mean the same?

In the past, many people considered this building eerie so that not any people dared to get into it. Now, the belief disappears and many people even use this area to have a chat. Thus, you can visit one of the historical sites without feeling scared.

In 2010 Indonesia targets a total of 7 million international visitors spending on average US$ 1,000 per stay, thus contributing some US$ 7 billion to Indonesias economy, said Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Hatta Rajasa. This is an increase of between 8%-10% growth compared to 2009 which is above the expected 2010 economic growth of 5.5%-6%.

While earnings from domestic tourism is expected to surpass Rp. 120 trillion, which means that tourism will be an important sector in boosting the economy, said Minister Hatta Rajasa.

In the new government of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Tourism has finally come under the coordination of the Minister for the Economy, away from the Coordinating Minister for Public Welfare under which it has resided for many years. The Cultural sector in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, however, remains under the auspices of the Coordinating Minister for Public Welfare.

In 2009 Indonesia received 6.459 million visitors said Culture and Tourism Minister, Jero Wacik, or a growth of 0.4% compared to 2008. Although numbers - wise growth seems minimal, yet even this small growth actually meant that Indonesia has withstood the downturn in traveler arrivals during the global economic recession of 2009. Yet, spending wise, it is evident that tourists are indeed spending less, said Minister Wacik.

If in 2008 on average a visitor spent US$ 1,178 per stay, in 2009 average spending has gone down to US$966/visitor/stay. In 2010, however, it is expected that as the global economy picks up, tourists will again spend some US$1,000 per stay per visit in Indonesia.

For 2010 Indonesia will continue to carry the Visit Indonesia logo, while this year until 2014 the focus will be on promoting visits to the many Museums in Indonesia. So 2010 will carry the additional tag-line: Visit Museums 2010.

Meanwhile, Balidiscovery.com reported that according to the Head of Bali Tourism Authority, Bagus Kade Subhiksu, in 2009 Bali received a total 2,259,000 foreign visitors who, together are estimated to have contributed US$2.7 billion in foreign exchange to Bali's economy, or a figure equal to 42% of the total contribution made by the tourism sector to the national economy. On average tourists spent US$ 137.90 per day per person over the average 8.75 days length of stay in Bali. In 2010, Bali targets total international tourist arrivals to reach 2.3 million.

As reported in Bisnis Indonesia, compared to the previous year, foreign exchange revenues generated by Bali's tourism sector declined 4%, despite the record number of visitors. In 2008, an estimated US$2.8 billion in foreign exchange was produced by Bali's foreign visitors. This decrease is linked by officials to a shortening in the average length-of-stay and lower spending levels.Bali's 4% decline in foreign exchange earnings compares favourably to nation-wide decrease of 11% decrease in foreign exchange earnings from tourism.

West Sumatra is one of the most beautiful areas of Indonesia. It is mountainous and divided by three valleys. There are lovely lakes and spectacular volcanoes. But Minangkabau land is very special and has the most friendly population group of Indonesia. They love to talk with visitors and will tell us about their unique society. If a visitor tries to understand the culture and Minang traditions he will soon feel himself a member of the clan. He will be invited as a guest to their homes – a unique way to become acquainted with real Indonesian life. Most of our hosts and hostesses are English teachers so language will not be much of a problem. They will show us the community and explain their customs.

The land of the Minangkabau, West Sumatra has a distinct culture, which distinguishes it from the rest of the island. A land of scenic beauty with blue green lakes and mountains, West Sumatra’s Centre of culture and tourism is Bukittinggi in the highlands, north of the provincial capital of Padang. Most prominent in the landscape is the horn-shaped roofs of the houses nestled in the coconut groves. The name Minangkabau means triumphant buffalo. It leads a community and family life based on a matrilineal system, which clusters around mosques and the traditional houses. As it is the women who have the properties, the men are known for their wanderlust and entrepreneurship. Traveling is considered a mark of success and therefore many of them are found “merantau” (emigrated) to other parts of the country. This is proof that many Minang or Padang restaurants, serve very spicy food, found in all major towns in the nation. The people are hospitable and eloquent in a poetic style of speech and ceremonies. Festivals are colorful occasions.

West Sumatra has a coastline where the capital is situated. The hinterland is a range of high mountains, which dip into picturesque valleys and lakes. Amongst them are the remnants of the old Minangkabau kingdom of Pagaruyung, (the art centers for silver, hand-weaving, embroidery and woodcarving).

Active : S + Verb + Objek

Passive : Objek + to be + Verb 3 ( + by subjek)

To be which used :

1. Present : is, am ,are
2. Past : was,were
3. Perfect : been
4. Future : be
   
5. Continuous : being
   

1. Jack sings a song (active)
2. A song is sung by Jack (Passive)

1. Jack sang a song yesterday (active)
2. A song was sung by Jack yesterday (passive)

1. Jack has sung a song (active)
2. A song has been sung by Jack (passive)

1. Jack will sing a song (active)
2. A song will be sung by Jack (passive)

1. Jack is singing a song (active)
2. A song is being sung by Jack (passive)

1. Jack can sing a song (active)
2. A song can be sung by Jack (passive)

Some form Passive sentence :

1) Passive Imperative Sentence

Let + objek + be + Verb III

• Help the poor (active)
• Let the poor be helped (passive)

2) Passive Infinitive: It is/was time

It is/was time for + objek + to be + Verb III

• It is time to send the letter (active)
• It is time for the letter to be sent (passive)

3) Negative Passive Imperative Sentence

Subjek + be + Verb III + not to + infinitive

(Verb III : advised, asked, begged, commanded, requested)

• Don’t wait for me (active)
• You are advised not to wait for me (passive)

4) Passive Sentence with Verbs of Perception

Subjek + be + adjectives + when + subjek + be + Verb III

(Verb which used : taste, smell, feel)

• This food tastes delicious (active)
• This food is delicious when it is tasted (passive)

5) Passive Sentence with Certain Verbs followed by “that-clause”

Verb which used: accept, admit, agree, assume, believe, decide, expect, find out, intend, plan, point out, presume, prove, regret, report, say, think, understand.

• We regretted that the principal had to resign from office (active)
• It was regretted that the principal had to resign from office (passive)

6) Passive Sentence with Nouns or Adjectives as Complements

• I consider her very pretty (active)
• She is considered very pretty (passive)

7) Passive Sentence with two objects

• He gave me a book (active)
• A book was given to me by him (passive 1)
• I was given a book by him (passive 2)

Passive Sentence with Gerund Verbs

• The teacher enjoyed teaching the students (active)
• The students enjoyed being taught by the teacher (passive)

9) Agent consisting long expression at the end of sentence

• We were all surprised by her sudden announcement to get married
• I was confused by his plan to stop the ongoing project and begin a new one.

10) Passive Sentence with unique verbs

Verb which used: require, deserve, need

• This wall needs to be painted (same with)
• This wall needs painting.