Jakarta, Feb 27, 2016 (Antara) - The upcoming total solar eclipse (TSE) on March 9 will be visible for around two to three minutes in 45 cities and districts in 12 provinces.
These 12 Indonesian provinces are Bengkulu, West Sumatra, South Sumatra, Jambi, Bangka Belitung, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, West Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi and North Maluku.
The local regions are enthusiastically working to use the momentum of the rare and spectacular natural phenomenon to attract as many tourists as possible.
It is believed that another total solar eclipse will return only in the next 100 years, though some say in the next 350 years.
Central Sulawesi is expecting at least 10 thousand foreign tourists to arrive for the TSE, according to the province's Governor Longki Djanggola.
They will be staying in Poso, Sigi, Palu, Parigi Moutong, Donggala or Tojo Unauna, which are among the paths of the eclipse. Sigi District, for instance, has received hotel reservations for some five thousand foreign tourists.
Balikpapan City in East Kalimantan will welcome the natural phenomenon by organizing various cultural attractions to entertain tourists, Oemy Facesli, head of the Balikpapan tourism office, said on Feb. 27.
Such activities will be held in Merdeka Square and on Manggar Beach, where the local authorities will provide facilities for local people as well as tourists to view the eclipse.
On the beach, there will be competitions of decorated traditional and dragon boats and a beach party offering local culinary and beverages.
Some 85 percent of hotel rooms in Balikpapan have been reserved, particularly from March 8 to March 10, 2016, he said.
In Palembang, South Sumatra, hundreds of tourists from 12 countries have made reservations in star-rated hotels to watch the eclipse.
In Palembang, South Sumatra, hundreds of tourists from 12 countries have made reservations in star-rated hotels to watch the eclipse.
These tourists are coming from countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, France, and Britain, in addition to Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United States, among others.
These the people desirous of observing the rare and spectacular natural phenomenon from Ampera Bridge, Chairman of the south Sumatra Association of Hotel and Restaurant Owners (PHRI), Herlan Aspiudin, said in Palembang, on Feb. 24.
These the people desirous of observing the rare and spectacular natural phenomenon from Ampera Bridge, Chairman of the south Sumatra Association of Hotel and Restaurant Owners (PHRI), Herlan Aspiudin, said in Palembang, on Feb. 24.
The city's iconic Ampera Bridge will remain closed for public vehicles on the day of the eclipse, facilitating the pedestrians to observe the total solar eclipse from the vantage point on the bridge freely and clearly.
From Malaysia, at least 500 tourists will come to the city of "Pempek," a local delicacy. Most of them plan to enjoy watching the phenomenon from the lake Jakabaring Water Sky.
The South Sumatra administration will also organize a glowing night run, a supernatural community ritual, cultural performances, an international photography festival, a 30-meter-long barongsai show, release of thousands of lampoons, a giant dragon lampoon, and an educational tour for students organized jointly with the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN).
In South Kalimantan, the provincial government is preparing various locations for people to witness the solar eclipse.
In South Kalimantan, the provincial government is preparing various locations for people to witness the solar eclipse.
The head of the South Kalimantan Youth, Sports, Culture and Tourism Office, Mohandas H. Hendrawan, stated that the total solar eclipse could be observed in three locations in the northern part of the province: Amuntai Hulu Sungai Utara, Paringin area in Balangan, and the Tanjung area of Tabalong.
The local government has planned to organize various cultural and artistic performances.
The administration of Mukomuko District, Bengkulu province, is offering TSE tour packages, designed around the event, Choirul Huda, spokesperson of the local administration, said recently.
"It is a rare natural phenomenon. We invite everyone to watch the total solar eclipse on the beach," Choirul added.
He said Mukomuko not only has beautiful beaches but also hotels that are located not far from the beach, offering a perfect place to watch the solar eclipse.
Choirul hoped tourists who will visit to witness the eclipse will help boost the local economy, especially for people living near the coast.
He revealed that the two locations in Bengkulu that will fall in the path of the shadow of the eclipse were Mukomuko, with a magnitude of 1.008 and Muara Aman in Lebong, with a magnitude of 1.006.
The duration of the solar eclipse in each of these locations is one minute, 43 seconds, and one minute, 29.9 seconds, respectively.
The other areas in Bengkulu will only experience partial eclipse, with a magnitude of 1.000 in the southern part of Muara Aman, up to 0.930 in the southern part of Bengkulu.
The Indonesian government, however, will organize the main event in Bangka Belitung Province. President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) will be in Tanjung Kelayang, Belitung Island, to witness the natural phenomenon.
"We are optimistic that the president would be present here during the extremely rare TSE phenomenon," Bangka Belitung Governor Rustam Effendi said recently.
Bangka Belitung has been chosen to host the peak event since the 150 square kilometers from where the event can be observed from and most of Belitung's waters lie in the path of the eclipse.
Bangka Belitung has been chosen to host the peak event since the 150 square kilometers from where the event can be observed from and most of Belitung's waters lie in the path of the eclipse.
The TSE, to last for two minutes and 10 seconds, will pass through Bangka Island at 6 a.m. local time and Belitung Island at 6:21 a.m. local time.
"We have been making preparations to provide the necessary facilities and security to welcome the TSE, so that people can watch the natural phenomenon clearly and successfully," he affirmed.
He hoped that the TSE would help increase the number of foreign and domestic tourist arrivals to Bangka Belitung.
In addition to domestic and foreign tourists, Indonesia is also planning to promote the event among scientists, researchers, astronomers, photographers, and astronomy related communities.
In cooperation with various travel agents, Indonesia is preparing several tour packages, including the Eclipse Regatta.
"For the Eclipse Regatta, four cruise ships have registered themselves to sail through Indonesia's regions during the total solar eclipse. Orion Cruise of the National Geographic, Caladonian Cruise, Coral Princess Cruise, and Peter Deilmaaan Cruise will be passing through the country's waters. In the meantime, PT Pelni plans to offer three big ships as floating hotels, respectively, in Bangka Belitung, Palu and Ternate," Tourism and Culture Minister Arief Yahya said. ***1***
(f001/INE/B003)
EDITED BY INE
(T.F001/A/BESSR/Bustanuddin) 28-02-2016 00:01:07
(f001/INE/B003)
EDITED BY INE
(T.F001/A/BESSR/Bustanuddin) 28-02-2016 00:01:07
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