JAVA

   A high percentage of Javanese people are Muslim which is why some of the worlds' most beautiful and largest Mosques are located here.  This Mosque is located next door to the Padepokan I.P.S.I. right outside of Jakarta at the Taman Mini Indonesia cultural center. 

  Java, as well as most of Indonesia, is known for its' agriculture.  This picture was taken in Garut, West Java.  You can see the vast green rice fields next to a crop of tea plants.  Indonesia has several mountain ranges which were at one time active volcanoes.  You can find some of the most incredible volcanoes (active and dormant) on the islands of Indonesia.  

BALI

   A high percentage of Balinese people are Hindu which is why you will see these Hindu Temples all over the island of Bali.  This picture is the Temple of Tanah Lot which is the primary worship center for Balinese Hindus.  It is said to be guarded by poisonous snakes that live in the surrounding caves.  The cave opening at the bottom is a place where people wash their face and say a prayer, but only Hindu priests can climb to the top. 

   Bali is also home to some exotic wildlife.  This picture was taken at one of the many monkey forests that attract tourists year around.  You can buy a bag of peanuts and see these little guys hold their hands out waiting for you to feed them.  Careful, they will come up behind you and snatch them right out of your hands.  These forests are also home to some very large bats.  Bali is an island of Indonesia that has retained it's natural beauty despite being a tourist hotspot.

Sumatra

   Sumatra is home to the Minangkabau ethnic group.  The picture above is a traditional Minang house located in West Sumatra.  The Minang have a matrilineal culture with property being passed down from mother to daughter while the men generally are in charge of religion and politics. Click here to read the story about the meaning of the word Minangkabau and to learn the reason why the roof tops are curved to a point.  

   The Sumatran tiger is found only on the island of Sumatra.  It is the smallest subspecies of tiger in the world with the narrowest stripes of any tiger.  This tiger has webbing on its paws that make it a fast swimmer.  This tiger has special genetic characteristics that could one day lead to a new species of tiger.  There are only around 400 of these tigers left in existence making them a very endangered species.