Indonesia holidays

Indonesia offers a wonderful blend of culture and scenery, appealing to sunseekers and bargain hunters as well as adventurers. From the beaches and beautiful interior of Bali – the fabled ‘Island of the Gods’ – and the stunning volcanic landscapes of Lombok, to Komodo – the land of dragons, this nation really does have it all.

Bali and its beaches For its size, Bali boasts more than its fair share of attractions, including stunning beaches, world famous surfing, historic temples and a verdant interior of forest, charming villages and terraced rice paddies. Bali’s main beaches are found in the south of the island, while at the island’s heart lies Ubud, the laid-back, cultural heartland.

Lombok & the Gilis Across the water from Bali lies the largely unspoiled island of Lombok which is the perfect destination if you are seeking shores that are a little less developed. Trekkers are enticed by the towering active volcano of Mount Rinjani where, from the summit on a clear morning, a blue-green crater lake can be seen in all its glory.

Lombok & the Gilis

The three small and largely undeveloped islands of the Gilis, just off the north west coast of Lombok, demonstrate island life at its most charming. Rustic and serene, they are incredibly laid back, with no motorised vehicles allowed (transport is by traditional horse and cart or bicycle) and excellent diving. A favourite combination of ours is a stay in Bali’s interior followed by some time on the shores of Lombok and the Gilis.

Ebola virus and Marburg virus

What is Ebola virus and Marburg virus?Ebola virus and Marburg virus are related viruses that cause hemorrhagic fevers — illnesses marked by severe bleeding (hemorrhage), organ failure and, in many cases, death. Both viruses are native to Africa, where sporadic outbreaks have occurred for decades.

What is Ebola virus and Marburg virus?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention monitors the United States for conditions such as Ebola infection, and its labs can test for the Ebola virus. Mayo Clinic does not test for the Ebola and Marburg viruses.

No drug has been approved to treat either virus. People diagnosed with Ebola or Marburg virus receive supportive care and treatment for complications. Scientists are coming closer to developing vaccines for these deadly diseases.

Ebola virus and Marburg virus live in animal hosts, and humans can contract the viruses from infected animals. After the initial transmission, the viruses can spread from person to person through contact with body fluids or contaminated needles.

Causes Ebola virus and Marburg virus
A milder strain of Ebola has been discovered in monkeys and pigs in the Philippines. Marburg virus has been found in monkeys, chimps and fruit bats in Africa. Ebola virus has been found in African monkeys, chimps and other nonhuman primates.

About Zika virus

Zika virus disease Zika virus disease (Zika) is a disease caused by Zika virus that is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes) - About Zika virus -.

The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika. For this reason, many people might not realize they have been infected. Once a person has been infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections.

Zika virus disease (Zika) is a disease caused by Zika virus that is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes) - About Zika virus -. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika. For this reason, many people might not realize they have been infected. Once a person has been infected, he or she is likely to be protected from future infections.
Zika virus was first discovered in 1947 and is named after the Zika forest in Uganda. In 1952, the first human cases of Zika were detected and since then, outbreaks of Zika have been reported in tropical Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands.

Zika outbreaks

Zika outbreaks have probably occurred in many locations. Before 2007, at least 14 cases of Zika had been documented, although other cases were likely to have occurred and were not reported. Because the symptoms of Zika are similar to those of many other diseases, many cases may not have been recognized.

Borobudur Stories in Indonesia

Borobudur, or Barabudur, is a 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist Temple in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. The monument consists of nine stacked platforms, six square and three circular, topped by a central dome. The temple is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues.

The central dome is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues, each seated inside a perforated stupa. It is the world's largest Buddhist temple, as well as one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world.

Built in the 9th century during the reign of the Sailendra Dynasty, the temple was designed in Javanese Buddhist architecture, which blends the Indonesian indigenous cult of ancestor worship and the Buddhist concept of attaining Nirvana.[4] The temple also demonstrates the influences of Gupta art that reflects India's influence on the region, yet there are enough indigenous scenes and elements incorporated to make Borobudur uniquely Indonesian.

Evidence suggests Borobudur was constructed in the 9th century and abandoned following the 14th-century decline of Hindu kingdoms in Java and the Javanese conversion to Islam.[7] Worldwide knowledge of its existence was sparked in 1814 by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, then the British ruler of Java, who was advised of its location by native Indonesians. Borobudur has since been preserved through several restorations.