Tugas Softskill Ilmu Sosial Dasar (Cerita Pendek)

Menjaga Kebersihan Lingkungan

Ahmad, Lula dan Sinta merupakan kakak beradik. Mereka tinggal di kampung dekat pantai. Jarak antara rumahnya dengan laut hanya sekitar satu kilometer. Dari arah dapur, Ahmad menghampiri Lula yang tengah asyik menonton berita, Ia membawa kue dan jus jeruk dan meletakkannya di atas meja.

“Kasihan, masyarakat disana terpaksa mengungsi karena banjir”. Kata Lula sambil mencicipi kue yang terletak di atas meja.

“Daerah itu rawan banjir, selain banjir karena hujan kampung itu juga sering dilanda banjir karena air laut pasang”. Sinta menjelaskan seakan ia paham, berita tersebut.

Ahmad yang baru masuk dalam pembicaraan Lula dan Sinta, langsung ingat peristiwa saat pulang sekolah tadi. Ia ingat saat masyarakat membuang sampah di tepi pantai hingga sampah itu bertumpuk dan menggangggu keindahan panorama pantai. Dan akhir-akhir ini ia perhatikan baik turis lokal maupun turis mancanegara makin berkurang, mungkin karena daerah ini tidak ada daya pikatnya lagi dan kotor. Lama-lama kampung ini bisa banjir dan tidak dikunjungi oleh wisatawan.

Di tengah-tengah pikirannya yang sedang melayang, tiba-tiba ibunya mengetuk pintu. Lula langsung berdiri dari tikar dan membukakan pintu. Ibu tampak membawa sayur mayur

“Kalian tadi dipanggil ayah untuk pergi memancing” tutur ibu

“ya, bu” jawab mereka tiga serempak.

Mereka pun berdiri, dan berpamitan pada ibu mereka. ketika mereka berjalan menuju perahu, Ahmad mengutarakan niat baiknya kepada Lula dan Sinta, ia menunjukkan tumpukan sampah di tepi pantai, dan memberi tahu bahwa tumpukan itu merusak lingkungan.

Ahmad mengusulkan kepada adiknya untuk memungut sampah dan membuangnya ke tempat sampah. Namun pendapat Ahmad, dipatahkan oleh adiknya.

“Aku tidak ingin memungut sampah, nanti dikirain pemulung” kata Lula

“Bagaimana denganmu Sinta, pasti sependapat dengan kakak?”

“Tidak, aku lebih sependapat dengan kakak Lula”.

Obrolan mereka terhenti, saat menemui ayahnya di atas perahu. mereka menaiki perahu dan menangkap ikan. Sorenya mereka pulang dengan membawa ikan banyak, ikan itu langsung dimasak. Ibunya menyuguhkan nasi panas, ikan goreng dan sayur mayur.

Keesokan harinya, Ahmad membawa keranjang sampah ke tepi pantai, ia memungut sampah satu per satu. Banyak masyarakat memperhatikan tingkah lakunya yang aneh. Bahkan ada masyarakat yang menganggapnya sebagai pemulung. Namun, hal itu tidak mengurangi niat Ahmad untuk membersikan pantai.

Ahmad membersihkan pantai tiap hari dan menjadi rutinitas, tapi tiap hari sampah dibersihkan pasti besok sampah ada lagi. Hal itu membuat Ahmad jera ditambah lagi ocehan dari temannya yang mematahkan semangatnya

“Percuma saja kamu membersihkan sampah, masyarakat disini akan terus membuat sampah”.

“Biar saja.. kapan lagi kita mau berbuat daripada membiarkannya”

“Kamu peduli lingkungan karena ingin mendapatkan pujian dari banyak orang kan?”

“Tidak, aku hanya ingin agar kampung kita bersih dan asri. Dan atas kesadaran sendiri”.

Ketika Ahmad dan temannya selesai bercakap, tak sengaja temannya mendengar pembicaraan antar sesama turis lokal

“Pantai ini lebih bersih, daripada sebelumnya”

“Mungkin masyarakatnya telah peduli dengan lingkungan”

Karena mendengar pembicaraan para turis. Temannya langsung berbelok arah menuju Ahmad dan meliriknya, dia sadar apa yang dilakukan Ahmad itu benar. Dia meminta maaf kepada Ahmad karena telah mematahkan semangat dan menuduh Ahmad yang tidak-tidak.

Temannya, sadar akan pentingnya mencintai lingkungan. Sekarang ia bersama Ahmad tiap sore membersihkan sampah, Ahmad bahagia karena kebaikannya bisa diterima baik dan memberi manfaat bagi orang banyak.

Lama-kelamaan pantai menjadi bersih, masyarakat pun merasakan dampaknya, kini baik Turis lokal maupun mancanegara makin banyak berwisata ke daerah ini. Masyarakat sekarang sadar apa sebabnya laki-laki bertubuh kecil itu tiap hari memungut sampah.

Masyarakat daerah ini sepakat untuk tidak membuang sampah ke tepi pantai dan bagi siapa yang melanggar akan diberi sanksi. Karena takjub melihat usaha yang dilakukan oleh Ahmad, akhirnya salah satu warga mengusulkan kepada Pak desa untuk memberi penghargaan atas usaha yang dilakukan oleh Ahmad. Karenanya kampung ini bersih dan banyak dikunjungi oleh para wisatawan, saran warga tersebut diterima baik oleh Pak desa.

Pak Desa memberi penghargaan kepada Ahmad, berupa piala di lapangan sekolahnya saat memperingati hari pendidikan. Ahmad sangat terkejut dan tak menyangka. Ia tidak mengharapkan imbalan atas usahanya selama ini ia berharap supaya lingkungannya bersih dan terhindar dari bencana, ia ikhlas melakukan kebaikan.

Tugas Softskill Permasalahan Sosial (Ilmu Sosial Dasar)

Meningkatnya Jumlah Kemiskinan

Kemiskinan memang adalah pekerjaan besar bagi pemerintah kita, tapi pekerjaan itu tidak pernah di prioritaskan untuk mengurangi angka kemiskinan, berbagi cara telah di lakukan tapi malah tidak dapat mengurus permasalahan ini.

Kemiskinan merupakan masalah yang ditandai oleh berbagai hal antara lain rendahnya kualitas hidup penduduk, terbatasnya kecukupan dan mutu pangan, terbatasnya dan rendahnya mutu layanan kesehatan, gizi anak, dan rendahnya mutu layanan pendidikan. Selama ini berbagai upaya telah dilakukan untuk mengurangi kemiskinan melalui penyediaan kebutuhan pangan, layanan kesehatan dan pendidikan, perluasan kesempatan kerja dan sebagainya.

Berbagai upaya tersebut telah berhasil menurunkan jumlah penduduk miskin dari 54,2 juta (40.1%) pada tahun 1976 menjadi 22,5 juta (11.3%) pada tahun 1996. Namun, dengan terjadinya krisis ekonomi sejak Juli 1997 dan berbagai bencana alam seperti gempa bumi dan tsunami pada Desember 2004 membawa dampak negatif bagi kehidupan masyarakat, yaitu melemahnya kegiatan ekonomi, memburuknya pelayanan kesehatan dan pendidikan, memburuknya kondisi sarana umum sehingga mengakibatkan bertambahnya jumlah penduduk miskin menjadi 47,9 juta (23.4%) pada tahun 1999. Kemudian pada 5 tahun terakhir terlihat penurunan tingkat kemiskinan secara terus menerus dan perlahan-lahan sampai mencapai 36,1 juta (16.7%) di tahun 2004.

Pemecahan masalah kemiskinan memerlukan langkah-langkah dan program yang dirancang secara khusus dan terpadu oleh pemerintah dan merupakan tanggung jawab bersama antara pemerintah dan masyarakat.

Faktor Penyebab Kemiskinan

Ternyata kemiskinan itu tidak terjadi begitu saja melainkan memiliki faktor-faktor yang menyebabkan terjadinya kemiskinan. Adapun faktor-faktor penyebab terjadinya kemiskinan dapat dikategorikan dalam beberapa hal berikut ini :

A.   Merosotnya standar perkembangan pendapatan per-kapita secara  global.

Yang perlu digaris bawahi di sini adalah bahwa standar pendapatan per-kapita bergerak seimbang dengan produktivitas yang ada pada suatu sistem. Jikalau produktivitas berangsur meningkat maka pendapatan per-kapita pun akan naik. Begitu pula sebaliknya, seandainya produktivitas menyusut maka pendapatan per-kapita akan turun beriringan.

Berikut beberapa faktor yang mempengaruhi kemerosotan standar perkembangan pendapatan per-kapita:

1)      Naiknya standar perkembangan suatu daerah.

2)       Politik ekonomi yang tidak sehat.

3)       Faktor-faktor luar negeri, diantaranya:

4)      Rusaknya syarat-syarat perdagangan

5)       Beban hutang

6)       Kurangnya bantuan luar negeri, dan Perang

B.   Menurunnya etos kerja dan produktivitas masyarakat.

Faktor ini sangat penting dalam pengaruhnya terhadap kemiskinan. Oleh karena itu, untuk menaikkan etos kerja dan produktivitas masyarakat harus didukung dengan SDA dan SDM yang bagus, serta jaminan kesehatan dan pendidikan yang bisa dipertanggung jawabkan dengan maksimal

C.   Biaya kehidupan yang tinggi.

Melonjak tingginya biaya kehidupan di suatu daerah adalah sebagai akibat dari tidak adanya keseimbangan pendapatan atau gaji masyarakat. Tentunya kemiskinan adalah konsekuensi logis dari realita di atas. Hal ini bisa disebabkan oleh karena kurangnya tenaga kerja ahli dan banyaknya pengangguran.

D.  Pembagian subsidi in come pemerintah yang kurang merata.

Hal ini selain menyulitkan akan terpenuhinya kebutuhan pokok dan jaminan keamanan untuk para warga miskin, juga secara tidak langsung mematikan sumber pemasukan warga. Bahkan di sisi lain rakyat miskin masih terbebani oleh pajak negara.

Kesimpulan

Pemerintah menciptakan lapangan kerja yang mampu menyerap banyak tenaga kerja sehingga mengurangi pengangguran, karena pengangguran adalah salah satu sumber penyebab kemiskinan terbesar di Indonesia. pemerintah juga harus segera menghapus atau menyelesaikan masalah korupsi hingga tuntas. karna korupsi adalah tindakan mencuri uang negara dan membuat terhambatnya pembangunan fasilitas masyarakat.

Some Places That I Have Visited in China

This assignment is about places that I have visited.  I have chosen the places that I have ever visited in China.  China has so many beautiful places to visit and it is an unforgettable journey for me.

I would like to share with you my journey in China. When I was at the first year of Junior High School, I moved with my family to China and lived in Shekou, Shenzhen.  I lived in Shenzhen for 3 years.  I lived in a spacious apartment with my father, my mother, my 2 brothers and my grandmother.  It was really a great opportunity for me to have experienced living in a different country rich with culture.  I am so blessed that I have lived in this wonderful country.  I went to so many beautiful cultural places in China. When I was living there, not many Chinese were able to speak English.  I had to learn Chinese language - speaking and writing. To be able to speak basic Chinese is important when you are living in China, especially if you are a Moslem. In China, most of the restaurants serve pork and therefore I had to learn the basic Chinese to ensure that there were no pork in the food that I ordered.

Shekou, Shenzhen is close to Hong Kong and Macau. You can easily go to Macau or Hong Kong by car, bus or ferry.  However, if you go to Hong Kong, you will need to obtain a Hong Kong visa.  Hong Kong is a special administrative region and hence the administration is different to mainland China.

The other thing that I loved about living in Shenzhen, was because of the very convenient public transportation especially the subways.  I could easily go from one place to another in Shenzhen using subways.

China is a huge country and has lot of beautiful cultures. I loved going to museums and cultural parks in China as the cultural parks there tells you the history of China.  Some of the great, amazing and beautiful places that I have ever visited while I was living in Shekou, Shenzhen are as follows:

ShenZhen Windows of the World

The number one destination to visit when in Shenzhen.  I spent 10 hours there to visit all the attractions and parks.  It was really an unforgettable day. Shenzhen’s Windows of the World has lots of miniatures or replicas of landmarks of different countries.   It was amazing to see key attractions of the world in one place.  The park is divided into continents; such as Asia, America, Europe and Africa.  You can see the miniatures of Big Ben, Eiffel tower, Taj Mahal, Borobudur temple, Angkor Wat, etc in one place.  I especially liked the replica of the Eiffel Tower.  We can go up the highest peak of the Eiffel Tower replica with the elevator and see all Shenzhen. Shenzhen Windows of the World is a perfect tourist destination for people of all ages.  It is really recommended to take pictures.  I went there few times and I never got bored.

Happy Valley of ShenZhen

I went there with my friends two times and each time we went there, we had a lot of fun and really enjoyed our time there.  All the attractions were so much fun!  The American style fast cars was the best.  The aqua park was nice.  There were a lot of places to eat and drink there.  If you are looking for a place to enjoy amusement parks with fun sensations or surprising playgrounds, this is the right place.  Awesome place, a must visit tourist destination if you are in Shenzhen, China. The rides were amazing and fun.

Chinese Folk Culture Village

This Chinese folk culture village is a MUST SEE place in Shenzhen.  You can see and learn the entire history of old China.  Here you can see and learn the entire history of China under one roof.  There are Chinese cultural dances, Ancient Chinese warrior fights and the traditional Chinese way of living.  Many elements of Chinese cultures can be seen, either as buildings, mini parks or shows. There is a small train that will take you to all of these places and it will stop wherever you want to.  I like to look around in this area. It gives me so many insights of China culture whether the dancing or the panorama of Chinese landscape.  Do not forget to visit Chinese Folk Culture Village during your trip to Shenzhen.

Splendid China Park

Splendid China is an amazing walk through some of China's most important towns and cities. Located in Nanshan, approximately 20-30 minutes from Shekou, this beautifully sculptured park is really worth a visit. Each of the miniature towns have been superbly recreated in detail and set within a natural and realistic backdrop.  I really enjoyed seeing many buildings and statues. A good insight of the culture of China.  It is in nice, relaxed and enjoyable area.  I really love this park.  It’s massive with many attractions. Managed to watch the horse-riding battle and also many cultural performances.

ShenZhen Museum

If you like museums, you must visit this place while you are in Shenzhen.  It is very beautiful with the most amazing architectural building.   Here you can see ancient China, history of Shenzhen, beautiful Shenzhen landmarks, animals from China.  It’s a a one step to know Chinese culture closely!

DongMen and Luohu Commerical City (Lo Wu Shopping Plaza)

Dong Men and Luohu are two of the great places for shopping. You cannot even imagine how cheap the costs are as long as you know how to bargain.  I went to Dong Men every weekend with my friends.  It was one of our favorite place for shopping in Shenzhen.  We easily went there by subway.  There were so many street foods and the stuff sold in Dong Men are really cheap.  I was addicted to go shopping there.  My mom however loved to go to Luohu for shopping.  Both places offer cheap prices for so many products but Dong Men was more crowded than Louhu. That was why my mom liked to go to Luohu instead of Dong Men. If you visit Shenzhen, those are the right places to go shopping and buy souvenirs with really good prices.

OCT East ShenZhen

It's a large park situated within the mountain area of Shenzhen. You need two days to fully explore. Things I liked there were lots of different rides, e.g. train, cable car, etc.  It is definitely recommended for family visit because you can find everything you want: restaurants, cafes, famous grocery chain stores, local shops, western shops, relaxing outside seats, inside seats, fountains, boats, etc.  Everything for having a nice day out.

 Dafen Oil Painting Village

This is a nice place to visit for people who love arts. You will be blown away with the talent that is within these streets when it comes to the oil paintings they produce. I loved visiting Dafen Oil Painting village. A small village where you see painters everywhere painting imitation oil paintings, yet, prices can defer greatly between different stores.

China is one of world’s largest country and one of the most wonderful country that has a lot of cultures.  Shenzhen, China has so many interesting places to visit and amongst them are those that I mentioned above.  I recommend China as the destination for vacation.  China is rich of many beautiful sights, breath-taking landscapes, rich history and cultures, amazing markets and exciting products and the most important thing, China’s delicious street food.  People definitely must visit China, particularly Shenzhen J

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Why Tourism is Important in Indonesia?

In my opinion tourism is an important component of the Indonesian economy as well as a significant source of its foreign exchange revenues. The vast country has much to offer from natural beauty, historical heritage to cultural diversity. The tourism sector ranked as the 4th largest among goods and services export sectors. The past couple of decades, the tourism industry has emerged as one of the fastest growing industries in the world. More and more people are interested in visiting other places during their holiday.

The positive effects of tourism on a country’s economy include the growth and development of various industries directly linked with a healthy tourism industry, such as transportation, accommodation, wildlife, arts and entertainment. This brings about the creation of new jobs and revenue generated from foreign exchange, investments and payments of goods and services provided. Though improvements in the standard of living of locals in heavily visited tourist destinations is usually little or non-existent, inflation of the prices of basic commodities, due to visiting tourists, is a constant feature of these areas.

Tourism in Indonesia has brought many benefits for tourist destinations. Tourism not only helps to generate jobs, but also boosts the economy. When tourists visit, they stay at hotels, eat at restaurants and use taxis. All of this increases revenue for business owners involved in these industries. This income, in turn, helps the local community to improve their standard of living. Furthermore, it has been found that tourism has played an important role in the restoration of historical monuments and the revival of several cultural heritages.

Cities and towns make an effort to maintain sites for tourists to visit, helping to preserve important parts of the past. Tourists also benefit from visiting new cities and countries. When a tourist visits a different country, they learn about a new language and culture. They are also introduced to new cuisine. As a result, visitors are able to explore the new culture and broaden their thinking. Children who accompany their parents gain immeasurable benefits from exposure to a new culture. In addition, interacting with local residents helps to facilitate understanding between cultures. These are important benefits in a world that seems to be shrinking each day.

Tourism is important to a country for several reasons: - Helps preserve and develop the culture, history and nature of the destination - Creates jobs for locals - Helps local economy - Creates a cross-cultural environment, hence to improve education awareness

Tugas Softskill Pariwisata

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Los Angeles is one of my dream destinations since i was a little kid. I always wonder when can I go to this beautiful city, and I've made a promise to my self that someday i will go to Los angeles either alone, with my family, or with my friends. I will save my money to visit L.A because that will be like a dream come true. I’m in love with the city that I’ve never been to and people I’ve never met. These are some reasons that Los Angeles comes in Number 1 on my wish destination. So, I have always dream of staring at the Hollywood Sign (or maybe camp there like what the Beverly Hills 90210 kids did), walking the walk of fame (and maybe seeing my name? *Obviously impossible*), staying at the Roosevelt Hotel, walking down Rodeo Drive, driving up the Hollywood Hills and so on. its like im so obsessed with this city. It doesnt matter for how long it takes for me to save my money, but i definitely have to go to this awesome place hopefully in the future.

 When someone says Los Angeles, what do you think of? Do you think of specific people? Movies? Tourist attractions? Foods? TV shows? Books? Historical events? Spotting celebrities and sitting in traffic tend to be two things that come to most people’s minds, and while both are common in LA, this California city also makes for a fun place to travel to. Los Angeles (nicknamed the "City of Angels) is a huge city with several district articles containing sightseeing, restaurant, nightlife and accommodation listings. LA is the entertainment capital of the world, a cultural mecca boasting more than 100 museums, and a paradise of good weather. From tourist attractions like the Walk of Fame’s collection of stars (numbering 2,553, and growing by one or two a month) to career opportunities like those presented in the expanding tech industry, Los Angeles is the place to be.

Los Angeles is on the leading edge of several growth industries. LA County, with more than 87,000 jobs in the fashion industry, has surpassed New York’s fashion district workforce. The LA five-county area also has more than 700,000 people at work in health services/biomedical activities and 190,000 people in aerospace/technology. Here are some more facts and figures about Los Angeles: the city, the county and the region.

In and around the Los Angeles area you’ll find beaches, amusement parks, museums and Hollywood movie attractions many want to see. If you plan to go there for the first time or are curious if it’s worth the trip, take a look at these 10 places in LA that draw people to this city from all over the world.

These are the places in Los Angeles that i want to go :

1. Disneyland

Of course the first place is Disneyland. it has been my childhood dream to visit disneyland since the first day that i've been watching disney cartoons. all i wanted to do is meeting the disney princesses and princes (especially princess Aurora, my favorite disney princess) mickey and minnie mouse, donald duck, and many more. Disney land also have many fun attractions, rides and music parades. I just cant imagine if i’m in Disneyland, seriously i would cry *cry of happiness* . Its like living in my own dream. The attraction known as the “Happiest Place on Earth” continues to earn this nickname with its exciting rides, special events and overall happy, fun atmosphere. Children love taking pictures with some of their favorite Disney characters, dressing up like a Disney princess and watching the fireworks and parades at Disneyland Park.

Here are some picture of Disneyland (My favorite place on earth) :

Disneyland Attractions :

Disneyland Music Parade :

Disneyland at night :

Disneyland Park truly is a place for those of any age to explore and enjoy every minute of while there. You can also check out Disney California Adventure Park to see Disney and Pixar stories come to life through its entertainment and attractions.

2. Knott’s Berry Farm
Another amusement park in California is Knott’s Berry Farm. If traveling with children who like Snoopy and amusement park rides, then bring them here. But there’s also fun for the whole family with different family rides, water rides, roller coasters and thrill rides for those feeling daring and adventurous.

Just outside of this theme park is California MarketPlace that has 15 shops and dining spots. Knott’s Berry Farm is about a 30-minute drive from LA, but spending a day there with your family is worth the drive there and back.

3. Universal Studios

To get a small taste of Hollywood, visit Universal Studios Hollywood.

While here take a behind-the-scenes tour of the world’s largest working movie studio to learn about special effects and other movie making practices, and then get into the action of some of your favorite Hollywood flicks with the action-packed rides and attractions offered at this theme park.
 

4. Hollywood Walk of Fame and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre

Stay with the Hollywood appeal and take a stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame. On these 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street you’ll find more than 2,500 brass stars and signatures from famed actors.

While walking along Hollywood Boulevard, be sure to check out TLC Chinese Theatre. This Hollywood theatre had its grand opening in 1927 and is the most sought-after Hollywood theatre for movie premiers. This historic and cultural landmark and the Walk of Fame are two Hollywood sites you don’t want to miss out on seeing.


5. J. Paul Getty Museum

The J. Paul Getty Museum has two venues in California. The one in Los Angeles at the Getty Center has European and American works of art, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs and manuscripts.

Besides the various works of art from different ages and countries, this museum has a beautifully impressive architectural design. Admission is free to see the Museum’s collection and its many changing exhibitions offered throughout the year.

6. Griffith Observatory

For those interested in astronomy, the Griffith Observatory is the place for you. Look through their optical and solar telescopes, see dozens of exhibits outside and inside their building or enter their 200-seat presentation theater to watch a short film on the Observatory.

The Samuel Oschin Planetarium is one of the best planetariums in the world and a well-liked feature of the Griffith Observatory. This popular Southern California attraction is visible from many parts of the Los Angeles basin, so you not only get a great view of the sky but also of LA. This attraction is closed on Mondays so don’t plan your visit then.


7. Farmers Market and The Grove

This destination brings in locals and tourists with its selection of fresh produce and yummy snacks. LA’s famous and original Farmers Market was founded in 1934 and now has hundreds of merchants who sell produce, meats, gourmet groceries and bakery items.

Adjacent to the Farmers Market is The Grove. This area in Los Angeles offers a number of stores to shop at, restaurants to dine at, a movie theater and various special events.


8. Santa Monica Pier

Santa Monica Pier just about has it all. You can swim, surf, sunbathe or walk along the beach. You can take a bike ride along their bike path that goes 22 miles to Torrance, Calif. You can also fish, see street performers and ride on some of the thrill rides at Pacific Park.

You can also grab a bite at one of the restaurants or from one of the food carts at Santa Monica Pier. With three miles of beach, numerous activities always going on and an average of more than 300 days of sunshine each year, this is one LA experience you must have.

Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States, surrounded by the cities of Los Angeles and West Hollywood. 

Tourists arriving in Southern California often confuse Hollywood with Beverly Hills.

Many visitors come to Hollywood expecting to find a gleaming city filled with movie stars, posh restaurants, grand mansions and expensive shopping areas. They are, of course, very disappointed; the actual suburb of Hollywood is far from glamorous. The real "Hollywood" is a state of mind, not a place; it's not so much a city as it is shorthand for the general movie and entertainment industry.

But if that fabled, glittering Hollywood of the tourist's imagination exists anywhere, it exists in Beverly Hills. It is in Beverly Hills, not Hollywood, where many stars actually live, dine and shop. Beverly Hills is, above all, a small town for the wealthy.

Less than six square miles in size, Beverly Hills is strictly a neighborhood of homes and shops. The city has churches, but it has no smokestacks; it has restaurants, but no industry; boutiques, but no billboards; parks, but no eyesores. There's not even a hospital or a cemetery in the city to remind the residents of their mortality. It has been said that, technically, no one is born or dies in Beverly Hills.

Beverly Hills is a place for the fortunate to live in comfort, and to shop and dine at their leisure. It just so happens that many of these fortunate few are celebrities. On the city's tree-lined streets, you'll see more stretch limos, shining Mercedes-Benzes, and sleek Ferraris per square mile than at any other place on earth. It is also a place where the wealthy can feel secure. The Beverly Hills police department prides itself on being able to respond to any call in less than a minute.

Houses in Beverly Hills:

BEACHES

The 75-mile Los Angeles County coastline is home to Southern California’s greatest beaches, stretching from Malibu to Long Beach. L.A.’s coastal regions boast some of the best surf spots, amazing oceanfront dining and trendy shops. Each seaside town is unique, offering distinctive landmarks such as Santa Monica’s famous pier, Venice’s iconic Muscle Beach, and Malibu’s stunning shorelines and Getty Villa. Further south is San Pedro — home to the Battleship USS Iowa, and the hip and chic beach towns that make-up South Bay-Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo.

1. Venice Beach

Venice Beach is an area that could thoroughly entertain you or just shock you. All different kinds of people flock here, but it’s a known hangout for the more creative and artistic types.

Besides the beach that’s always filled with sunbathers, there’s also a promenade, shops, restaurants and sporting courts, like handball and basketball. This venue may not be at the top of your list, but it’s a fun and entertaining one that tourists should stop by if they have time.

2. Zuma Beach

This Malibu beach is one of the biggest and most popular in Los Angeles County. Zuma Beach is the cleanest beach compared to Santa Monica and Venice, so it’s the best one for swimming and sunbathing. It has good waves for surfing and also offers areas for diving and fishing.

There’s plenty of parking at Zuma Beach, as well as lifeguard stations to make sure all beach goers stay safe while there.

Los Angeles is one of the top entertainment cities. Travel here and experience all of the fun activities offered to people of all ages. Also, look into some of these top hotels located in and around LA where you can stay at while on your trip.


3. El matadaor state beach

Small, beautiful and dominated by rocky outcrops, El Matador looks not unlike a European beach. Six miles north of Malibu and 25 miles from Santa Monica, it's past just past Leo Carrillo Beach, accessible via a steep gravelly path.






4. Manhattan Beach, The Strand

There's always a lot going on at Manhattan Beach, which makes it feel lively, fun and lived-in - and the beachfront homes here are among the nicest along the coast (good for gawking at and daydreaming about).

Manhattan Beach is best for: People-watching, beach volleyball, surfing, swimming, fishing, walking and bicycling


5. Paradise Cove

Paradise Cove is accessed through a privately-owned parking lot with a restaurant, framed by bluffs and with nice, level sand.
Paradise Cove is best for: Swimming, fishing, beach volleyball, people-watching


ARTS AND CULTURE

With various museums and exhibits, Los Angeles is full of inspiring art and diverse cultural experiences. In fact, Los Angeles has more museums and theatres than any other city in the U.S., making it the perfect place to be immersed in arts and culture. Los Angeles is home to 105 museums and 225 theaters. In 2014 several institutions celebrated milestones including the 35th Anniversary of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) (spring) and the 50th Anniversary of the Music Center in Downtown L.A. (September).

DINING

Los Angeles is home to some of the most dynamic dining experiences a destination can offer. From quaint to red-carpet dishes, from celebrity chefs and top-rated cuisine to short order legends and bar-stool gourmet, the possibilities are endless in L.A. Each region of L.A. offers a variety of dining options that appeal to any palette and price point. L.A. is so diverse, it’s possible to dine around the world without ever leaving the city.

L.A. has foods for every diet, even weight-loss and picky ones. If you go with restaurants or cafes, expect to pay on the average $6-10 for a moderate budget. I didn’t say it was cheap. For budget-minded eaters, who are still striving to avoid fast food joints, you’ll want to do some grocery shopping.

SHOPPING

Los Angeles has inspired “California-cool” fashion trends all over the world. From the high fashion shops on Rodeo Drive to the chic boutiques of the beach cities, Los Angeles offers shopping for every style. Top shopping enclaves include Rodeo Drive, the Fashion District in Downtown L.A.,

The Grove, Beverly Center, Hollywood & Highland, Americana at Brand in Glendale, Westfield Century City, Robertson Boulevard, Melrose Avenue, The Citadel Outlets, Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place. Throughout L.A., visitors will find eclectic shopping neighborhoods, museum gift shops and several outlets for bargain shoppers.

ACCOMMODATIONS
As the fifth largest hotel market in the U.S., Los Angeles offers 994 hotels with more than 97,818 hotel rooms. Accommodations are conveniently located near prized attractions, museums and public transportation, ranging from value to luxury and simplistic to trendy. With eight new hotels scheduled to open in 2015, Los Angeles’ hotel community continues to grow along with the tourism industry.

1. Value Hotel

Los Angeles is known for luxury, but there are also excellent value hotels throughout the city. One of the best value hotel chains is Holiday Inn Express, with locations in top LA regions. Downtown L.A. value hotels include the Cecil Hotel, the Hollywood Inn Express South and the Ritz Milner.
Hotels aren’t cheap in Los Angeles. Even a ratty motel might cost you $75. What to do?









2. Luxury Hotels

Few cities have high-end hotels like Los Angeles. The J.W. Marriott & Ritz-Carlton are Downtown’s most visible luxury hotels. The W Hollywood and Hollywood Roosevelt are truly glamourous, while the Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Wilshire, Peninsula, Four Seasons & L’Ermitage are pure luxury.

3. historic hotels

Some of L.A.’s best hotels have decades of history in addition to modern amenities. Movie and music legends have stayed at these properties, and the hotels themselves have appeared in countless movies and TV shows. The Millennium Biltmore and the Hollywood Roosevelt have hosted the Academy Awards, and famous guests. The Beverly Hills Hotel has catered to legendary guests since 1912. Art Deco landmarks like the Sunset Tower Hotel and Casa del Mar have welcomed guests for decades. Browse L.A. Tourism’s listings for more about L.A.’s historic hotels.






4. Business Hotels

Los Angeles is a prime business destination. Hotels like the Omni Los Angeles, Westin Bonaventure and Sheraton Los Angeles are located in the Financial District. The Loews Hollywood, London West Hollywood, Hilton Los Angeles / Universal City, and Sheraton Universal are ideal for the entertainment industry. The Four Seasons Beverly Hills features a state-of-the-art business center, while L’Ermitage offers stationery and free printing.

ATTRACTIONS

Some of the world’s best-known and most iconic landmarks and attractions call Los Angeles home: the Hollywood Sign; Griffith Observatory; the Getty Center; the Walt Disney Concert Hall at the Music Center in Downtown L.A.; the Hollywood Walk of Fame; the TCL Chinese Theatre; Space Shuttle Endeavour at the California Science Center; the Battleship USS Iowa located at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro; Air Force One at the Ronald Regan Library; and Universal Studios Hollywood.

OUTDOOR RECREATION

Southern California is famous for its near-perfect weather and Los Angeles has plenty of outdoor activities to allow visitors to enjoy the sunshine. Plus, Los Angeles is one of few cities in the world where it’s possible to ski in the morning and surf in the afternoon.

Los Angeles is home to Griffith Park, one of the largest urban parks in North America, with more than 4,300 acres of recreational space and 50 miles of hiking trails that lead to some of the most spectacular views of the city and Hollywood Sign. Visitors can hike to the Griffith Observatory or even travel on horseback to experience the best sights.


L.A. Tourism has launched a Car Free L.A. initiative that encourages travelers to explore the city in a fresh and healthy new way – via foot, bike and public transportation using tested themed self-guided itineraries. Visitors can also see L.A. without having to get behind the wheel with guided tour options such as Bikes and Hikes L.A. and Starline Tours Hop-On, Hop-Off tours.


SPORTS

With famous venues like the Staples Center at L.A. LIVE, home to the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, NHL’s L.A. Kings, and Dodger’s Stadium, where the Los Angeles Dodgers serve as a main attraction sports fans flock to in L.A. Los Angeles is also home to several esteemed universities that have large sports followings such as USC and UCLA.

Music

No matter what music you're into, Los Angeles will feature artists to your taste. Visit the Rock Venues on Sunset Blvd. Jazz Clubs in Hollywood. The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Downtown. etc. Los Angeles has an abundance of records stores scattered around the area. Also, though vinyl has disappeared from the shelves of most regular record stores, there are still plenty of stores that sell new and used vinyl. Amoeba Music in Hollywood is without a doubt the best in the city and possibly one of the best in the entire country. An exploration of underground music would be advised to perhaps begin at The Smell in Downtown or listen to KXLU 88.9 Monday-Friday for details on numerous shows.

Cost Of Living in Los Angeles 

You would need around 5,242.36$ (69,618,583.92Rp) in Los Angeles, CA to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with 34,000,000.00Rp in Jakarta (assuming you rent in both cities). This calculation uses our Cost of Living Plus Rent Index to compare cost of living. This assumes net earnings (after income tax).

Restaurants	Avg.
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant	$ 15.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course	$ 60.00
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)	$ 1.83
Water (0.33 liter bottle)	$ 1.54
Markets	Avg.
Milk (regular), (1 liter)	$ 0.99
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)	$ 2.85
Rice (white), (1kg)	$ 3.73
Eggs (12)	$ 3.83
Local Cheese (1kg)	$ 9.97
Chicken Breasts (Boneless, Skinless), (1kg)	$ 9.92
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)	$ 12.23
Apples (1kg)	$ 3.99
Onion (1kg)	$ 2.63
Lettuce (1 head)	$ 1.59
Transportation	Avg.
One-way Ticket (Local Transport)	$ 1.75
Monthly Pass (Regular Price)	$ 100.00
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)	$ 3.38
Gasoline (1 liter)	$ 0.84
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)	21,500.00 $
Sports And Leisure	Avg.
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult	$ 41.02
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)	$ 15.00
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat	$ 14.00
Clothing And Shoes	Avg.
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)	$ 47.75
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)	$ 33.83
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)	$ 77.86
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes	$ 101.76
Rent Per Month	Avg.
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre	$ 1,786.48
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre	$ 1,344.67
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre	$ 3,429.48
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre	$ 2,554.41
Buy Apartment Price	Avg.
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre	$ 7,559.80
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre	$ 4,069.68
Salaries And Financing	Avg.
Average Monthly Disposable Salary (Net After Tax)	$ 3,100.31
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly	$ 3.93

Quick Tips: Visiting Los Angeles

Transportation: Although I recommend renting a car if you’re comfortable with US city driving and have a lot you want to see outside of the downtown/Hollywood area, there is also great public transportation for the major tourist sites in Hollywood.

Budget: If you are on vacation and planning to sightsee, then budget at least US $100 per day to properly enjoy the city. You can get by on a lot less though if you couchsurf for free accommodation!

Flights: For internal US flights, consider leaving from Burbank airport in the Valley, it can be a lot easier and faster.
Sightseeing: Consider being a movie extra, or studio audience! There are also some great City Passes that save money if you plan to visit many of the tourist spots: Hollywood, Southern California, and other great ones.

People from across the world come to Los Angeles seeking to make their hopes and dreams come true. There are a multitude of reasons wish kids visit the City of Angels: to enjoy the sun and surf, to record in a music studio, to visit Disneyland, to have a dream shopping spree, or to meet a favorite celebrity or musician. In los angeles, you can have the city life and feel like you’re on holiday at the same time. These are just a few of the reasons Los Angeles comes in Number 1 on my wish destination. All i really want to do is spend my life travelling the world.

“ To travel is to alive. Travel as much as you can, as far as you can, as long as you can. Life’s not mean’t to be lived in one place. Dont give up on your dreams because it is not going in the direction you want. There are different routes to the same destination”