WORK DAYS OFF. PART 3. UBUD-BERATAN

UBUD

The Disappointed Hotel

We were disappointed about the hotel that we have booked a month ago. We had the voucher in hand but when we want to check in, the hotel staff said, there are no confirmation from the *g*** – a website for hotels booking.  How come this could be happen? We have paid the bill for 4 rooms, but now there is no room in the hotel that available. But, the hotel would like to refund now.  Wait a minute, it’s very weird that they had no confirmation from the web but they didn’t mind to give our money back.  My suspicious is the Hotel does that on purpose. Maybe because from that web the price is really cheap while other guests don’t mind to pay more. And there is no room rates information in front desk that we can check.

But we’re facing it in calm. It’s really late to find another room while our driver is waiting. I manage to find another room in the same alley with that damn hotel.  But we got a higher rate. Well, we took it for good reason. We need some rest immediately.

 

GLIMMERING MONKEY FOREST STREET

 

I don’t remember if I ever pass the monkey forest street. Maybe I am, in 2007, while visiting the Sacred Monkey Forest. But, I found a very relaxing vibe since our car entering the road. The glimmering walks way in road borders. There are many cafés, shops and hotels want to offer us with a pleasant treats. Many tourist enjoying the evening, hang out in the café’s or restaurants, watching some live music, shopping and get their foot massaged.

This place is a tourist area in Ubud region that always developing based on the local culture mixed in modern way. This is my first time stay the night in Ubud.

CAMPUHAN HILL

The reason why I choose to stay 1 night in Ubud is because I have my wish list, to go to Campuhan hill in the morning. It’s a scenic walking area. There’s a path ways to go up to the hills in the middle of high grass vegetation.  And we can also see the rivers bellow the hill. It’s really instagramable. I manage to go from our hotel at 7 o’clock. But somehow, we’re just difficult to be on time.

Campuhan hill is a scenic walking area.  There’s a Path way through the hill with high grass. It was a healthy morning walk. But it can be very exhausting if you still had an ache in foot muscles after Nusa Penida and south Bali trip.  It’s better to get here earlier. The sun is calm and the visitor not too crowded. After walking through the hill we can see some café’s. But, unluckily we have limited time. Why time bothering this holiday so much. Next time visit, I want to take longer days off.

 

BERATAN LAKE

It’s my newbie friend wish list. There so much iconic picture about the Ulun Danu Temple in Beratan Lake makes her eager to see. In some poster, rupiah’s money, calendars, etc. It is Located in Bedugul, 2 hour road trip from our pick up point in Ubud. The Lake was famous as the second biggest lake in Bali, after Batur Lake.

The Lake is a volcanic lake, +/- 1240 m height from the sea. The temperature was 18 to 24 Celsius degree.  The weather is cloudy and windy.

When we get here, the religious ceremony was held. So many people from the local prayer and tourist came here that day. It’s impossible to have a clean selfie with the landmark. We just wait for another tourist to move to another spot.

Thanks for your stalks!

 

 

WORK DAYS OFF TO BALI. PART 2. SOUTH BALI

DAY 2

We rent car and visit some usual destination because there some friend is a newbie. They want to have some pictures looks really Bali, with some temples and beaches. I plan the itinerary in South Bali, we will visiting Uluwatu temple, Suluban beach, Padang-padang and Dreamland. In the night, we will move to Ubud. It’s a little bit late that we go at 9 a.m considering the many stops.

ULUWATU TEMPLE

 

Located in the Edge of high cliff above the sea, Uluwatu Temple becomes a mainstream destination. Known as “Pura Luhur Uluwatu” ,the temple is remarkable mix of cultural and architectural. It’s a famous destination in Bali, no wonder if it’s a little bit crowdie of tourist.

The entrance ticket is IDR 20,000 for domestic visitor. The guard provides some satin sarong to wear visitor. It’s just a matter of manner. When you walk in to the holy place (even it’s not for your religion) you have to respect the custom.

The temple is a home for monkeys too. They are sometimes aggressively stole visitor’s belonging like glasses, hat or anything they might find interesting. We can see Kecak Dance performance if you want to stay a long until the sunset come.

It’s very large place to walk around. Selfie over the limestone fence of cliff is a must. But, try to be patient with other tourist if you want your pictures clean (without any unknown else captured). I saw a Chinese lady in red dress doing her photograph session.  She looks silly. Somehow other people may hold their laughter when they see her act. But she seems really confident. She might have a long journey from her country to enjoy Bali.

And why we don’t have any dumb picture like that, you know! So, we make some group photo and act like Bali dancer. Well it’s kind of fun and I appreciate the Japanese tourist that looking at us like, wow, a local creature -beside the sneaky monkey. Really authentic! So, she captures us as her own holiday documentation.

 

SULUBAN BEACH

To be honest, I never heard about the Suluban beach until my friend look up the instagram photos. We ask the driver about the location of its photograph, and he brings us here.

My feet are a little bit fatigued as we continue the trip. Go down & up several stone stairs (with 40-50 cm height) become a real challenge.   No one from us ever stepped in the Suluban Beach.  It’s kind of hidden beach.  Suluban means was “passing under something”, since we have to pass through the coral reef cave before reaching its white sandy beach. After we enter, the stunning view will greet us.

Everyone who comes up the reef cave will smile. And the wind will breeze as if the sea welcome us. The sand is white and the water is crystal blue.  That’s what people seek from beaches in Bali. We can just walk around or sit on the sand with cliff wall become a roof, if you want to avoid the sunshine. It is not quite safe to swim or surf in this beach. Because there are many rocks in the ground and the wave average is high.

But how can you say no to the water which is so refreshing. It contained the vitamin sea that makes the euphoria in our mind. I can’t stand to just sit on the beach. I have to get wet. And please get wet, everybody!

We decide not to go to Padang-padang because of the limited time.

 

DREAMLAND

I dream about Dreamland….

Dreamland beach is located inside the Pecatu Indah Resort,  a large property development with five stars hotels, golf club and some entertainment spot.  This is my third visit from 2007, 2012 then 2017. This place change so fast.

In 2007 this place is really unknown. Just like a hidden beach in ordinary place, the property around still on built progress. In 2012 I found an illegal way to hit the beach. It is a village road near the Pecatu Indah Resort.  I was ride a motorcycle that day, experimenting with GPS.

Because we are now renting a car, we have to go there in the legal way. When we entered the area, we have to pay entrance fee, parking, and then go to the beach from parking lot with shuttle car.

The beach is a long line with some rocks and powdery white sand. The water is crystal clean-like always.  Dreamland is a good place to hang out and playing with the wave in the shore or watching sunset.  This is why people also knowing this place as a New Kuta. When Kuta itself become a very usual place, Dreamland becomes a new favorite.

And why not my entire friends get wet on the beach? Yes, it’s a personal decision. I mean, I love beaches, I love water and I love Bali. I can do whatever here while in other place in Indonesia is not usual. Like wearing bikini’s –but I got no Bikini. In Bali, people don’t really mind about fashion. But we can see the differences from the tourists between the nation and religion.

My friend also talks about the differences between beaches in Bali and Java. In Java, it’s hard to find a girl with bikinis but there will be many of toilets. Otherwise, in Dreamland there is so many girls on bikini but, you there’s only a few toilets. She recommends some beaches around her hometown in Yogyakarta. I may want to visit it next time.

To be continue to Part 3

 

WORK DAYS OFF TO BALI. PART 1. NUSA PENIDA

18 September 2017. After we got the cheap flight ticket issued from ‘A’ Airways, 2 months before the day, Me and 8 friend of mine visiting Bali. There so many plan and way we made to do the vacation.

6 hour before the flight, the panic begins when I got the text message from the ‘bloody Airways’ that say our flight may cancel or reschedule because of operational matter. What the f***! We cannot cancel or reschedule the flight. The hotel have been paid, the boat ticket was bought too. If there’s any delay flight over 3 hour, we’re done! The vacation is ruin.

So, I reach the Airways call center and the officer say that we can choose another flight with no more cost that day, but the flight schedule is 2 hour earlier than we had planned in the first place. After that, there’s no flight until the dawn. I decided to take that only option available and call everyone to have on the way NOW, IMMEDIATELY, or we miss the flight and everything what we had planned up!

Some friend in separates location thought I must be kidding. They have to go to the airport faster while the traffic in the city was hell too. We relieved that we touch in the airport in time and the panics gone. Me and my 6 friend meet in the boarding room, telling each other what we stressed out with laugh.

We got the airplane at 9 pm and landed in Denpasar at midnight. It’s been 5 years since my last visit, the airports become more clean and comfy. Say hello to the Airport Officer, Say Hello to Bali, get the trolley and grabs the baggage, this vacation going to be Legendary! (Grinning with two thumbs up)

My two friends, a couple, wait for us in airport. They start the vacation earlier. And they help us to arrange some accommodation like rent the motorcycles 24 hour start in the Airport.

NUSA PENIDA

NUSA PENIDA is our top priority in the itinerary. And we’re expecting so much from this place. Here is our plan to make it happen.

1. We arrange to go to Nusa Penida at the start of journey. Because this place requires a good stamina. Because we already issuing the night flight, actually it seems so wasting money to late check-in at our hotel in Legian. But at least we can have some naps and put the heavy baggage and other things in safe place. We booked 2 rooms for 9 people in the first night. It will be ashamed if the hotel staffs kick us out because the room was out of capacity. But luckily, the hotel seems fine.

We got a really low rates room via web-based travel agent after redeeming some telecommunication customer points. I’m proud of my friends that really informative and helping about it.

2. Rent motorcycles for 24 hour. After calling some rental services, we book the rent only IDR 75,000 for 24 hour. Some rental services may have minimum charge for 2 days rent. But we have agreement with them to start and end at 9 pm at the airport. We have to take that rent because we also rent a car from the same service in day 2 and 3. We have to catch the fast boat in Sanur at 8.30 AM, so the choice will be good for our tight schedule.

3. I count on my 2 friends who get the island earlier to get the fast boat tickets from Sanur to Nusa Penida 2 days before the day. It will be disaster if we just go show in the morning hoping that we can get 9 pax ticket. It’s a gambling and we don’t have back up plan for what to do if we missed the boat.
From Sanur, we get the fast boat for at least 50 minutes. We land in Toya Pakeh pier. We rent motorcycle again for transportation in this Island. It’s cheaper than rent in mainland.

ANGEL’S BILLABONG & BROKEN BEACH

First stop is Angel’s Billabong and the Broken Beach. After a hour ride from the port, we sure we find the mentioned spot. It was reviewed by many International Travel Vloggers. There’s a unique natural pool in the middle of the volcanic-sharp rocks near the sea line. I step carefully to go down the pool. The water is fresh and cold. The emerald green of alga plant grows in the rocks as the natural pool bed met the crystal blue colors of water make me exciting.
Slowly I move deeper while my friend busy capturing the moment. We were warned to always look out the waves from the sea that constantly sweeping the pool. Sometimes it can be dangerous if the wave is too big. Lucky we are, the waves is friendly. So, we can swim around and enjoying the Angel’s billabong.
We track to the other side of beach and find a beautiful scene on the hills. It’s The Broken Beach that we see. A big beautiful lagoon down the cliff but nobody can touch the grounds. It just means to be scenery in the photograph today.

SEGANING WATERFALL

I was not prepared, also all my friends. This island is exhausting. The attraction points are separately far than I thought. And some roads still a dirt road. We were discussing the next stop. What I plan is at least 6 destination but we just had done 2 from that entire list in the middle of the day. We are already booked the fast boat back at 3 pm. So, this is what we’ve done.
1. Rescheduled the fast boat ticket to 5 pm, so we can have more time to at least 1 destination.
2. We decide to go to Seganing waterfall. Because it sounds fresh water and green habitation. Only 1 person from us knew the Seganing waterfall, He will lead the way.

Its 30 minutes ride in the middle of a hot day ever. We stop and entering the attraction site. The waterfall that mentioned is located below the cliff. The local guide said that we can go downstairs about 40 minutes.

Only 3 of us decide to go down, two men and a woman (me). The rest of all were just sitting on the wood bench, sleep or eat. I found it very hard to go downstairs. The stairs we’re talking about is the narrow paths created with steps on rocks and wood fence. It was hell. My legs were trembling while I did semi-wall climbing down. I had regretting why I’m doing that.

And I though, somehow, I can die there by exhausted and dehydrated. And it makes me hard to think which path is safe to continue the way. The two of friends already far down left me in worry. The wood fence might be strong enough but I can guarantee. The cliff really stunning but scares me.

The friend, whose suggesting this stop, was tease at me. I swore him, and he just laugh. Then he told me how to go down again, slowly, and said I will arrive soon in a few step.

And where is the waterfall again? I don’t see anything. Damn, you fool. It was just a fountain not waterfall that mentioned. But it’s amazingly serving the natural water spring near the sea. The water go down to some pool like Jacuzzi. It was said that the water from the Seganing waterfall is a holy water that can make you stay young, believe it or not.

We decide to enjoy the water that really fresh, bathing my soul from the shitty feeling on the way.
Damn it’s smooth! We met some foreign tourist there and my friends had some chit-chat.

“It just a water-go-down,” my friend comment. You fool!

It was the best ‘Single Stamina’ Trip I ever done. After this, I have to climb up that bloody cliff again, Oh my!

There some tips There if you want to go to Nusa Penida Island.
1. Prepare sandals and sport shoes. Choose the comfy one.
2. Have a quick dry kind of clothes. Somehow, you have to swim and ride the motorcycle over again for 30 to 90 minutes in a dirt road. Toilet also hard to find here.
3. I swear to God. Have one day trip to Nusa Penida is not efficient. The land is bigger than I though. It will be good if you enjoying this land with slower pace. Stay 1 or 2 night here, and you will enjoy the adventure more. You can ask people around the pier about some home stay that you can rent.

This journey story will continue…..

CHECK THE ARTICLES : THINGS A GIRL SHOULD HAVE BY THE TIME SHE’S 30

Cosmopolitan Australia ; November 2015

Sebuah artikel yang saya baca di waktu senggang berjudul “ Things a Girls Should Have by The Time She’s  30” membuat saya ingin berkomentar. I mean, I am 30 and still a girl (single) i wanna know how far i get if we compare with the list on the articles.

Berikut list dari kolumnis Cosmopolitan tersebut:

Things a Girl Should Have by The Time She’s 30

1. A Proper Matress .

Check. I agree that so much. Siapa tau ada cogan yang minta nginep, eh! Menurut saya, Kasur yang bagus itu adalah investasi. Semakin berkualitas kasurnya, maka semakin aman masa depan kita bersamanya. Kualitas tidur kita yang nyaman akan mempengaruhi performa keseharian kita. Dan biasanya kasur yang berkualitas akan tahan lama. Kecuali rumah anda sering kebanjiran.

2. An Original Piece of Art.

I don’t have any. Maksud si kolumnis adalah supaya kita dipandang ortu sudah dewasa dan tak menghabiskan uang untuk urusan konsumtif lagi. Dan itu mencerminkan kita sudah pintar mengatur uang, benarkah?? Mungkin saya harus punya. Ok, mulai cari seperti apa Original Piece of Art itu.

 3. A Decent Bag.

I’m not really in to it. I mean a decent bag that will last forever is extremely expensive. Saya terbiasa beli baru dengan budget 250k sampai 350k di Tanah Abang Blok A. An Everyday worthed look. Tapi kalau kelas saya beda, mungkin saya mau punya.

4. An Investment.

Agree. Tapi sejauh ini yang saya punya hanya segitu. Berbentuk logam mulia yang easy liquid. Mungkin pandangan orang lain itu bukan investment. Hanya saving. At least I also have a bundling unit link fund with the link insurance. Mungkin kapan-kapan kita bahas soal poin yang satu ini. Terkadang ada anggapan kalau saving itu juga investment, tapi ternyata berbeda.

5. Suitable Insurance

Check. Agree so much. Karena apa yang kita kumpulkan bisa habis seketika tanpa proteksi kesehatan yang menunjang. Semakin kita tua maka semakin banyak resiko kesehatan yang akan dihadapi. Ini penting banget! Saya punya BPJS dan asuransi pribadi dari sebuah perusahaan swasta. Menurut saya sejauh ini sudah cukup.

6. The Following Wardrobe Shoes.

Saya baru sadar kalau ini juga penting. Supaya cari sepatu tidak kelimpungan sementara sang pangeran menunggu di depan pintu. I better see the online shop or IKEA.

7.A Full of Set of Screwdriver

Katanya sih supaya mandiri. Jika ada peralatan elektronik yang kira-kira bisa dibetulkan sendiri, bongkar kipas angin untuk membersihkannya. Pernah punya yang kecil-kecil hilang melulu. My father still have it somewhere. Kalau memang penting, boleh lah cari yang rada-rada girlie look. Dan kalau bisa bukan produk china yang ada senternya.

8. An Emergency Fund.

I want to ask all the Financial Advisor in country. Can’t I just simply call it as saving and invesment also? Kayaknya gak bakal disetujui. Atau kah boleh saya katakan kalau emergency fund saya saat ini hanya sebatas limit credit card??

9.A Proper Workout Regime.

Agree. Lucu, si kolumnis sudah mengenyahkan option shopping sebagai Workout Regime. Tapi Sex boleh disebut sebagai work out regime. And my proper work out regime is at least 150 minutes cardio a week. In front of my laptop, You Tube Class. Wearing a comfy sport bra and F21 leggings. It will be more ecxiting when you also do the fashion!

10. A decent Pot and Pans

Check. In last holiday i buy a happy call pans, and i still proud of it. Pesan saya, beli yang kualitasnya juga Ok  supaya semangat bikin-bikin masakan gitu lah. Hitung-hitung media untuk mengasah cooking skill kita.

11. A Passport.

Yes, i should have it. And i feel so primitive because i still don’t have it. Coba kalau tiba-tiba memang harus keluar negeri gitu. Pasti disempetin. Kode keras nih! Ajak saya kemana kek, gituh!

12. A seriously Juicy Story

Once you have a fun friend or gank, you’re not worry about that. Sering bergaul, perbanyak teman dan traveling.

13. An Ex You Would Recommend to Someone else.

If I had it, I will go ring his appartment bell, wearing my ‘battle’ costume. I simply ask him “Do you want a second change for this or that bitch?”

Selfish I am. Mungkin kalau sudah mengalami kita bisa belajar ilmu ikhlas seikhlas ikhlasnya ya, bu! Seperti Ted Mosby yang mengikhlaskan mantan pacar yang selalu dikenangnya menikah dengan temannya sendiri.

14. A Favorite Drink.

For me it’s just Vietnam drip –Aceh gayo coffee. Lalu, teh manis pakai taburan cinnamon.

15. A Financial Advisor.

Sounds really serious and expensive. Tapi bisa kan kita belajar dari teman, pengalaman orang dan referensi buku, gitu? Dan referensi yang saya suka adalah Lois P Frankel yang buku “Nice Girl don’t Get Rich” nya sangat mengena di kehidupan nyata saya.

16. A Go-To Lip Colour.

For me, the peach glossy one is always works. Dan siapa juga yang hari gini, perempuan, gak punya lipstik. You should be ashame! ashame!

17. An Actual Filing System.

Sure. I cannot run away from this stuff. Sure, i want to runaway, hehe… My filing system is on my google email. Everything I have is in that account. Sangat beresiko sebenarnya.

18.A Linkedin Profile.

Masih sungkan request connection sama bos sendiri. Apakah jaman sekarang profesionalitas semua orang harus dilihat dari Linkedin Profilenya?

19. A Knowledge that You Can’t Change The Length of Your Legs, Width of your Hips or Shape of your Feet.

Maksudnya ya… STOP COMPLAINING! And be happy about the best of your self.

20. A Saving Account

Dan jelas di sini maksud si kolumnis untuk tidak mencampur aduknya dengan Emergency Fund dan Investment. Maksudnya Saving di sini adalah untuk jalan-jalan, beli aset, merencanakan masa depan yang cerah tanpa mengorbankan Emergency Fund yah! Okeh!

21. A Friend Who Makes You Laugh So Much Sometimes A Little Bit of Pee Comes Out.

A had a few. And damned I miss them so much. From them your story will be come so juicy. Dan penting banget cari temen yang lucu-lucu atau punya comedy skill.

22. A Business Card

Dulu sih punya. Sekarang enggak. Posisi gak penting-penting amat. Tapi sih, enaknya bikin usaha dulu trus bikin business card tanpa embel-embel jabatan di kartu namanya. Dan buat gue, Business card itu berbunyi “A Brilliant Screen Writer”.  So, I am thirty an still not going anywhere. Sucks!

23. A Piece of Furniture That Doesn’t Need an Allen Key to Put Together.

Konsisten sekali artikel ini mengajarkan supaya kita bisa merabot dengan cermat. Times to Furniture Hunting!

24. A Doctor.

Si kolumnis menegaskan, a doctor that know your name, your family and stay in your neighbourhood. I had an uncle who is a gynecologist. Can I count him? Dan dokter yang sering saya kunjungi adalah dokter klinik yang berbeda-beda dan beberapa dokter kulit dan kelamin. Namanya juga masih sehat, Alhamdulillah!

25. A Sex Toy.

Whaaat??? Ok. just be open minded. Some people need that, some people don’t. And I’m not really interested.

26.A Laptop.

Agree. Laptop and phone is different. You have to have the real mini computer with a real keyboard not the screen keyboard one.

27. A Decent Underwear.

Check! I have that. I mean, I wish they’re Victoria Secret with silk and lace material. So far it’s works.

28.A Will.

The legal one? I will  remake my last will. The Will I may forget in past time. And for me now is a Will to ………….(secret)………

29. An Opinion on Who You Want to Vote For

Well I don’t have it so far. Maafkan kalau wawasan politik saya rada tanggung. Saya gak pernah kepo sama kandidat-kandidat itu. Apalagi sampai mati-matian ngebelain salah satunya. Mungkin karena gak pernah ada yang perfek seperti bayangan pemimpin ideal saya.  Saya sih maunya semua rakyat Indonesia memiliki kesempatan untuk berkarya dalam kondisi dan situasi yang aman, seaman di Iceland. Masyarakatnya cerdas dan kritis supaya pemimpinnya juga takut malu kalau mau bohong.

30. The Following Wardrobe Item

Check. It’s good to always have the fashion updates. And the important part is being confident about what you wear.

BELITUNG, NEW BALI IN EARLY 70’S

Indonesia travel growth is improving during 2014 to 2015

The Travel Minister says that Indonesia Traveling Growth increasing to 7.2 %, while the average point in all countries only gets 4.7 %. Government optimist that the increase will make our people can get a better life in economic sector.

Even though Bali is still the most popular travel destination, but the trend now showing that the travelers not again seeing the mainstream point of fun. Indonesia has many beautiful beaches if we compare it with all beaches in Bali. We still got Raja Ampat, Derawan Island, Wakatobi and many more. And I will have some thought to share about a beautiful place called Belitung Island. The island is potential to become Indonesian pioneer of travel destination, just like Bali.

Just Choose Belitung

I like to travel so much. It’s the best medicine to run from not-so-great reality, I think. The access to Belitung is improving, the flights is lots of choice and cheaper from other; Bali, Raja Ampat, etc (if you are from Jakarta).  The accomodation price still reasonable. And we can have many option from cheap guest house to star hotel. But still, there will be more efforts from Belitung society if they want some improvement.

Me and my friend who is young and energetic, choose to have holidays in Belitung. I also make ‘sharecost’ trip and having another traveler outside my friends circle to join our journey.

So we landed in HAS Tananjoedin Airport, got picked up by a mini bus driver I had booked. The driver becoming our guide. He is really friendly and talk much about Belitung island. He quotes his former guests have says that “Belitung is like Bali in early 70’s”. It means that, Although we considere about this travel potential, still the society need to have changes and improvement to adequate the tourist’s need.

The Exotic Beaches

The character of the beaches in Belitung is mostly surrounded by the granites rocks with variation size and form. It become really unique and adorable. Reputedly known that the rocks is part from the earth’s bedrock in west Indonesia called Batolit. It’s different from the rocks derived from volcanic vomit. The rock scattered in Bangka, Belitung, Riau islands to some part of Malaysia.

The beaches inclined ramps with white soft sand and the water is clear and calm. There are some popular beaches oftenly visited by tourist.

1. Burung Mandi

Located in East Belitung, the beaches also has coral reef with colour sand tend to a light brown. There some little granite rocks appears in water just like bird having bath, Indonesian word is “Burung Mandi”. We can see some traditional fisherman boat parked in the sand. The beaches not crowdy and we can just sit on bench under pine trees seeing magnificent views.

2. Pantai Tanjung Kelayang

It is the most important visited beaches, Pantai Tanjung Kelayang has beautiful granite rock composition in some areas. There is some rent bungalow with wood chips or bamboo walls. In Tanjung Kelayang, we can rent boat and do some water sport activities ( just like tanjung benoa in Bali). From here, we can go to some tiny island like Batu Berlayar, Pasir, Burung, Kepayang and Lengkuas island. I had plan to go that island visited and do snorkelling.

Don’t forget to have the rent boat booked before you go, because the boats are limited if you go there during high-season.

3. Lengkuas island

The island is only one hectare with a mercusuar. Built since the dutch colonial era, 1882, the mercusuar is function to guard ships crossing the Belitung sea. Now the building still treated well for tourism attraction. Granite stones adorned some corners.

We can go inside the mercusuar to the peak at 17th floor. I don’t think it’s tiring while we can just slowly stop in some floor and looking the view from tiny windows. And after all, we can  reach the peak. That’s really beautiful and iconic.

Boating again for about  100 meters from Lengkuas island, there is a snorkelling spot. The fish can be attracted to the biscuit we scatter. The water flows are not too strong even though we came during wave season.

4. Batu Berlayar Island

The name of the island means  rock sail. It because the form of granite stone just like a gigantic sails. The island has no habitation but the granite stones and white crystal sand. We can visit it for 5-10 minutes Photo sesion or we can just skip it if the weather not really friendly.

5. Tanjung Tinggi Island

The beach become really popular shown in an Indonesian Movie, Laskar Pelangi. The are plenty granite rocks composition spread over 2 or 3 kilometers beach. Tanjung Tinggi beach is the most visited beach in Belitung. You will have regret, if you go to Belitung but don’t have time to visit it. We can explore the granite walls, some secret room and  ways betwen the stones. It remains me about Padang Padang beach in Bali, but better. Be ware that we sometimes get lost while hunting the best view.

Thats a top five beaches in Belitung. Unfortunately not all beaches I can visit during this holiday. I missed some snorkelling spot, Kepayang island and sunset in Tanjung Pendam. And there are some beaches also in south of the island. My time is limited. Maybe someday i can visit Belitung again.

Others Attraction in Belitung

The Laskar Pelangi movie become hits in Indonesia. And it affected to the tourism list of itinerary. Tourist usually want to see the set of tiny school just like in the movie. It’s a replica of andrea hirata’s elementary school. A tiny wood building look like a shack in the middle of sands lot. The school just have 2 class room for 6 level class of elementary school.

Laskar Pelangi story is a biografi of the writers it self, Andrea Hirata. He tells that he used to go to that unfacilitated school. The school that lack of teachers, and the student is came from the poor family. But in that poor school, the teacher’s never give up to educate the children, even she can’t have enough salary.  And Andrea Hirata, the succesful writer never forget where he was study.

Some tourist really enjoy to get pic like this…

Not far from the school Andrea Hirata makes his property to become a museum of words. He still lives in that house. Sometimes have chat with some tourist. But that day, in the rainy day, we don’t see him. In that museum Andrea show his ideas of words, tell, language and writings. Sometime he caption the inspiring word from famous people in the world.

 

Kaolin Lake

Belitung is known for the kaolin mining sites. The kaolin is base material for producing cosmetic powder, ceramic, pocelain, paints, etc. The lot that used to explored become lakes. That lakes attracting tourist because the sand of kaolin really bright white and the water traped inside become so blue like the swimming pools.

The Things We LOVE about GARUT

1. Iklim dingin di sekitar Darajat, Garut.

Seorang teman bertanya, “Kenapa semakin tinggi daratan, semakin dekat kearah matahari, tapi iklim justru semakin dingin? Sementara di pantai, semakin rendah daratan dan semakin menjauh dari matahari justru iklimnya semakin panas?”

Tak perlu dijawab, karena kita gak lagi ulangan. Kalau saya boleh googling sih katanya itu pengaruh dari tekanan udara.

Berikut kutipan dari blog tetangga; http://sains.me/186/tanyasains-kenapa-makin-tinggi-suatu-tempat-suhu-udaranya-semakin-dingin.html/

“Semakin tinggi sebuah wilayah, tekanan udara makin kecil, energi kinetis makin kecil, gesekan antar molekul udara makin berkurang dan suhu juga makin kecil.”

 

Garut dikelilingi 4 pegunungan yaitu, G. Guntur – G. Haruman – G. Kamojang di sebelah barat, G. Papandayan – G. Cikuray di sebelah selatan tenggara, dan G. Cikuray – G. Talagabodas – G. Galunggung. Itu penyebab utama iklim di Garut , khususnya di sekitar Drajat cenderung dingin. Disamping curah hujan yang cukup tinggi.

Udara sejuknya membuat siang menjadi nyaman. Apalagi buat tidur. Bangun tidur lalu jalan-jalan kecil, lalu makan, lalu tidur lagi. Santai bos! Selain airnya yang terasa beku, waktu di sini juga jadi beku. Buat yang puasa, sabar-sabar kece lah! Soalnya udara dinginnya ngeresep banget. Dan buat yang water resistant, boleh coba menginap di sekitar sini asalkan gak bawa pasangan.

Tapi enaknya kan kalau dingin-dingin ya cari kehangatan. Di sekitar sini banyak penginapan dengan fasilitas kolam air hangatnya. Cocok banget buat bulan madu.

2. Pemandian sumber air panas alami, Drajat

Pemandian air panas alami disukai semua orang karena memiliki manfaat untuk kesehatan.
Diyakini, berendam di air panas alami dapat mencegah insomnia, meredakan ketegangan dan stress serta menormalkan otot-otot yang kaku. Ada lebih banyak manfaat kesehatan yang berhubungan dengan penyakit arthritis dan penyakit kulit yang dapat disembuhkan dengan terapi sumber air panas alami.

Di kawasan drajat, ada sebuah tempat populer untuk di kunjungi wisatawan untuk berendam air panas alami dilengkapi fasilitas sekelas waterpark yang menarik. Lokasinya tepat di atas puncak Darajat . Dari sini saya bisa melihat bukit-bukit hijau dan pemandangan pegunungan mirip di swiss. Maka dari itu pun orang-orang menjuluki Garut sebagai Swiss Van Java.

Air hangat di sini cukup ekstreem, tapi tidak berbau belerang yang begitu menyengat. Di pagi yang cenderung terik, justru menjadi tantangan untuk teman-teman saya menggunakan seluncuran dengan berbagai gaya.

3. Kawah Gunung Papandayan yang Eksotis

Gunung Papandayan adalah gunung berapi aktif dengan catatan letusan terakhirnya di tahun 2002. Jalur pendakiannya populer karena keunikan ‘Hutan Mati’ dan ‘Padang Edelwise di Tegal Alun’. Sebelum beranjak ke jalur pendakian, kebanyakan orang yang tidak berencana mendaki Gunung akan berhenti di  Kawah Papandayan.

Dibutuhkan waktu sekitar 15-30 menit dari area parkir untuk sampai ke Kawah Papandayan. Track Jalannya dipenuhi dengan bebatuan besar – kecil yang menumpuk tak beraturan. Tak ada jalur khusus yang dibuat rapih, dan semua orang hanya mengikuti jejak pejalan kaki di depannya.

Disarankan memakai sepatu kets supaya nyaman mendaki dan tidak terluka sepanjang perjalanan. Jangan lupa masker dan air minum untuk mengantisipasi bau belerang dan kehausan.

Pemandangannya tak kalah eksotis dengan Kawah Putih dan Kawah Tangkuban Prahu. Apalagi kalau memang berencana melewati ‘Hutan Mati’ dan ‘Tegal Alun’ di jalur Pendakian.

4. Garut bukan hanya Kota Intan, tapi Kota kecil ramah

Pada kunjungannya di tahun 1960-an Presiden Soekarno menjuluki Garut sebagai Kota Intan yang berarti ‘Indah, Tertib, Aman dan Nyaman’. Kota ini memang bersih dan asri, apalagi udaranya cukup sejuk dan masyarakatnya juga ramah lingkungan. Jalan-jalan di kota Garut tidak berbeda dengan kota-kota kecil di wilayah lainnya.

Di Kota Garut kita bisa mencari oleh-oleh populer makanan dan kerajinan tangan dari kulit domba.

 

5. Makanan enak

Mau apa saja makanannya, murah atau mahal, sedikit atau banyak, kalau makannya di Garut serasa lebih nikmat. Malam kita mencoba kuliner di Pasar Ceplak di jalan Siliwangi Kota Garut. Warung-warung tenda berjejeran. Ketika malam hari sepanjang minggu, pasar ini adalah tempat nongkrongnya orang Garut. Berbagai jenis makanan yang menggoda selera tersedia serta dengan harga yang murah meriah.

Dan yang paling enak tentu saja makanan rasa kabel alias ‘kagak beli’ yang bisa didapat ketika silaturahmi dengan keluarga atau teman. wink!

6. Oleh-oleh populer

Sentra bisnis oleh-oleh Garut yang paling populer adalah Dodol dan dalam perkembangannya produk dodol Garut bisa ditemukan dengan berbagai macam varian rasa. Chochodot merupakan varian dodol yang paling beken zaman sekarang, karena mengkombinasikan dodol garut yang lembut dan cokelat. Chochodot bukan hanya menjadi istilah cokelat-dodol garut tapi menjadi sebuah ‘brand’ apik. Di sebuah gerai ‘chochodot’, segala jenis cokelat dengan varian rasa (merk ‘chochodot’). Varian rasa yang paling unik adalah cokelat rasa ‘jange’ (cabe) yang harus dicoba dan bikin ketagihan.

 7. Teman-teman dengan otak geser

Rasanya liburan tidak akan lengkap kalau tidak ada teman. Teman yang bisa diajak patungan bensin. Teman yang rumah keluarga atau kerabatnya bisa ditumpangi semalam, teman yang bisa meminjamkan kendaraan dan yang paling penting adalah teman-teman dengan otak yang ‘geser’. Kombinasi semuanya bisa membuat kenangan terindah semasa liburan. Dan suatu hari, kita akan kembali membicarakan perjalanan yang meskipun terhadang hujan, itinerary berantakan, macet dan segala macam persoalannya dengan tertawaan yang membahagiakan.

Thanx for all my friend that make the magic happen!!!!

CHILL OUT IN DIENG

 

Agustus 2014, rencana dua tahun lalu akhirnya terlaksana. Setelah mendengar banyak cerita, melihat banyak foto-foto dengan latar yang kece dan teman yang mengundang trip, saya pun bergerak ke Dieng, Wonosobo, Jawa Tengah.

Dataran tinggi Dieng, adalah kawasan vulkanik aktif 2000m diatas permukaan laut dengan beberapa gunung di sekitarnya yaitu, Sindoro, Sumbing dan Prahu. Suhu di daerah berkisar 12-20 derajat celcius di siang hari dan 6-10 derajat celcius di malam hari. Suhu yang demikian adalah keunikan dari dataran tinggi Dieng yang jarang ditemukan di Indonesia.

Bulan itu masih musim kemarau. Saat siang hari ketika semuanya beraktivitas di luar rumah, matahari menjadi terik menggigit kulit dan semilir angin sejuk terkadang membuat saya bergidik. Begitu tidak sinkron, tapi lembut membelai orang yang ingin istirahat siang di dalam rumah.

Semakin sore dan menjelang malam, dingin semakin menusuk. Bagi saya yang tidak terbiasa tinggal di iklim seperti ini, tidur menjadi agenda yang merepotkan. Homestay tempat saya menginap tergolong cukup pas. Dengan matrass yang empuk dan tebal, lantai berkarpet dan selimut yang baik, masih tidak membantu tubuh ini beradaptasi. Saya tetap sering bergeser bolak balik badan ketika merasa tertusuk es. Metabolisme jadi tidak karuan karena harus beberapa kali pergi ke toilet. Tapi itulah esensi liburan, merasakan yang belum pernah dirasakan dan merasakan yang lebih ekstreem.

Tentang Dunia Percandian

Kawasan Candi Arjuna

“Arjuna, the Temples of the heart”

Foto-foto kece yang sering dilihat di instagram itu berlatarkan Candi Arjuna. Satu bangunan candi yang paling mencolok dari bangunan candi lainnya di Kawasan Candi Arjuna. Bukan struktur candi besar nan mainstream seperti Borobudur dan Prambanan, tapi unik dan fotogenik.

Terdapat 5 kawasan candi yang tersebar di Dieng Plateu, yaitu; Kelompok Candi Arjuna, Kelompok Candi Gatut Kaca, Kelompok Candi Bhima, Kelompok Candi Dwarawati dan Kelompok Candi Magersari. Tapi di trip kali ini, saya dan teman-teman hanya mengunjungi Kawasan Candi Arjuna dan Gatut Kaca saja. Candi Bhima sedang ditutup untuk kebutuhan rehabilitasi dan waktu kami memang terbatas. Bangunan-bangunan candi tersebut mungil-mungil dengan sudut-sudut yang apik dan ornamen yang unik. Semuanya menyatu dengan alam asri pegunungan yang begitu indah disorot lensa kamera.

Diperkirakan candi-candi ini dibangun di abad ke 7 Dinasti Sanjaya. Tak perlu Sherlock Holmes yang menganalisa kalau candi-candi ini diilhami karakter-karakter dari kisah Mahabrata. Berawal dari usaha pemerintah Hindia Belanda untuk mengeringkan sebuah telaga besar di tahun 1856, warisan budaya ini telah mencuat ke permukaan. Nama ‘Dieng’ sendiri adalah berasal dari kata “Di” yang berarti “Tempat” atau “Gunung” dan “Hyang” yang berarti “Dewa”. Dapat dikatakan kalau Dieng itu berarti tempat bersemayamnya para Dewa.

Tentang Ke-Gunung Api-an

Telaga Warna, View dari Bukit Pandang

“The Volcano is the Gift for life”

Seperti yang telah dibahas pada posting-posting sebelumnya. Soal kekayaan bangsa Indonesia dengan gunung-gunung apinya. Meski melimpahkan derita dan bahaya tapi juga bisa menghasilkan kehidupan layak bahkan harta yang melimpah. Dieng merupakan cerminan itu pula. Dataran tinggi yang sebenarnya merupakan kaldera memunculkan beberapa kawah sebagai tempat keluarnya gas, uap, dan material vulkanik lainnya. Masyarakat Dieng sebenarnya hidup ditempat yang penuh bahaya yang mengintai dan akan menyeruak suatu hari.
Masih tercatat dalam letusan gas kawah sinila tahun 1979 yang menewaskan banyak jiwa. Dan masih banyak kawah-kawah aktif di daerah ini seperti Kawah Sibanteng, Kawah Sikidang, Kawah Sileri, Kawah Sinila dan Kawah Timbang. Semuanya memiliki keunikan dan bahaya masing-masing.

Saya hanya mengunjungi Kawah Sikidang yang lebih mudah dicapai dalam Kawasan Wisata Dieng. Keunikan kawah ini adalah lubang keluarnya gas selalu berpindah-pindah di dalam suatu kawasan luas. Sama seperti kijang yang melompat-lompat. Dan bagi para manusia narsis abad 21, kawan tersebut bermanfaat untuk foto-foto kece seperti ini.

courtesy Lucas

Aktivitas vulkanik yang terjadi sepanjang masa juga membentuk banyak danau vulkanik atau telaga-telaga seperti Telaga Warna, Telaga Cebong, Telaga Merdada, Telaga Pengilon, Telaga Dringo dan Telaga Nila.

Telaga warna merupakan yang paling unik, Telaga ini sering memunculkan nuansa warna merah, hijau, biru dan putih. Fenomena ini terjadi karena air telaga mengandung sulfur yang tinggi, saat sinar matahari mengenainya, terpantullah warna-warni itu.

Telaga Pengilon airnya bening seperti tidak tercampur belerang. Merupakan telaga yang juga sering dikunjungi wisatawan karena dekat dengan Bukit Sikunir yang populer sebagai tempat yang perfect mencari golden sunrise yang indah itu. Ditepian telaga, terdapat rumah-rumah penduduk dan juga ruang lapang untuk orang-orang berkemping-ria.

Tentang Dunia Pertanian

Melihat pertanian Dieng mengingatkan saya pada game anak muda yang tidak punya pengetahuan apa-apa tentang bercocok tanam, “Farmville”. Sayur mayur adalah komoditas utama, itulah yang dinamakan berkah dari aktivitas gunung api tadi, menjadikan lahan subur dan menghidupi masyarakat. Yang jadi primadona adalah kentang, wortel, kubis, bawang-bawangan, papaya gunung (carica), jamur, kemar dan Purwaceng.

Nama terakhir adalah herbal yang internationally known sebagai Viagra alami. Tanaman ini hanya tumbuh di beberapa tempat seperti Dieng, Pengunungan Lyang – Jawa Timur, Gunung Tengger dan Pegunungan Alpen di Swis. Nama latinnya Pimpinella Pruatjan.

courtesy Lucas

Tentang Rambut Gimbal
Mereka yang gimbal tapi bukan anak reage. Keunikan dari masyarakat keturunan Dieng adalah tumbuhnya rambut gimbal semasa kecil. Ada yang tetap gimbal, tapi ada juga yang hilang seiiring waktu. Ruwatan untuk potong rambut anak gimbal adalah tradisi yang harus dijalani supaya rambut dapat tumbuh normal.

 

Tentang Golden Sunrise
Pagi-pagi buta menanjak Sikunir adalah pengalaman yang tak boleh dilewatkan. Meskipun dingin menusuk, tanjakan terjal menghadang, nafas terpegat dalam gelap gulita tapi hadiah yang menanti di bukit Sikunir saat pagi begitu Indah. Golden sunrise that I thought is only a myth. Beginilah kejadiannya!

 

Tentang Perjalanan yang Mempertemukan Para Sahabat.
Banyak Perjalanan yang kami lalui, Trip-trip yang diniati maupun secara impulsive terlaksana. Semuanya mempertemukan kami bersama dunia yang membahagiakan masa muda. Semuanya menyeringai seperti ini meskipun kami baru kenal, kami tidak kenal, kami hanya numpang lewat saja. Terima kasih!

courtesy Lucas

Early Summer Holiday in Pahawang Island

The rain season not really over, but in this tropical country it is not bad time to go to beach. Because the heat just the same like summer days. On the third week of March, some youth go to beaches like us. We love beach even we hate the heat. I ask my friend who had trip organizer flag to make a tour in a place that she even never walk.

I always plan my holiday un-mainstream. I don’t like to go at the peak season and to the popular family destination. That’s my theory to have effective holidays. We can get cheap offering for the homestay and accomodation. And there should be no traffic during the road trip. The Pahawang Island in Pesawaran, Lampung, might be the next memorable trip destination.

My Journey start from Jatibening, Bekasi. I Stop the bus to Merak. I had appointment to meet other backpackers in the ferry station. I was too early, and the others still in Jakarta while I arrived to the big port. I have to wait almost 2 hour until some friend got here and all the trip member is completed.

We sailed the Sunda strait at midnight. The Ferry is lacked of facilities. And I barely cannot sleep or even go to toilet. At 3 o’clock in the Morning, we arrived in Bakaheuni station and the rent car driver waiting for us. Now we go to Ketapang, there is a little port where we can rent a boat and doing holiday activities. Before that, we need to recharge our energy in the car. Everybody slept away and won’t wake up until the driver said, “Here we are!”

The driver call the boatman to pick the 15 person of us. 11 female and 4 male. The ocean was so calm and the water is still fresh. We can see the bottom of the sea full of habitation. Inside the water, the seaweeds look like waiving at us and said “Enjoy your holiday!”

And so, we’re boating again to Kelagian island. Our home stay is only a shack with wood chip of the wall. The bathroom is naturally designed with no ceramic floor. And the water still tasted salty. But the youth like us doesn’t seem to care about it. Because all we want to do here is find the virgin beaches and best snorkeling spots.
We unpacked the things we need and prepare to full day trip in the ocean around the island. It’s not really long trip but too many spots we have to explore. Based on Itinerary, we will go to Kelagian kecil, Pahawang Kecil, Tanjung Putus and Gosongan.
The coral was big and bigger. The fish is very tiny and it’s really hard to see them around if we don’t swim deeper with snorkels. Unfortunately, I can’t find the clownfish. They were so untouchable, but some friend have seen them right away. But some spots only have 1.5 meter depth, so we can stand for a while in a dead rock. It seems that everyone wanna have a self-underwater picture. It’s really cool to have something like that in your social media profile, right? So, even though we cannot swim at all, the snorkeling instructor who is our boatman will arrange a photo shoot for each of us touching the coral into deep.

 
We had lunch in the shore of Tanjung Putus. This is where the only one good cottage with air conditioner and karaoke facilities. Unlike our homestay in Kelagian island which not provide with electricity. There are many foreign tourist stay here because it close to diving club. We don’t know exactly where they going to dive in.
Not far from the Tanjung putus shore, we snorkel around again. It’s pretty exhausted that we have to explore 4 different snorkeling spot in a half day.We stop by in Pahawang kecil and walk to the beach of Gosongan. Where is the sand make way to the other island. It’s very beautiful moment to have scenery like that. The day will fall, there are many civilian shown up in the shore to find some shell or crabs to eat.
We ran into Kelagian island in the middle of the rain. Our body is wet and it sicken me out because my health dropped. So, time to clean up and have a quality of sleep. But you can’t ignore the bugs that will bite you like oak. Makes your skin itchy and red.
The Second day, we snorkel around again in Pahawang besar. It’s very annoying that I cannot go down because of my health and my period time. But I like the spot because it’s near to the exotic walls in the shore. The water colour is green because of the coral and the planktons.
Our last place to visit is Pasir timbul and Cafe the Apung. There is a fish pond in the water and some float lodges for people hang out. The point is, the thing like this place still naturally good. But time will make it worse. Even the President of Republic Indonesia is change. Pesimistic? Not really. There are many virgin beaches in this country now exploited for Tourist. Might be good but also bring something uncool too. But I am so proud of this Island, I cannot keep away from posting picture that I had after traveling in my own beloved country.
And I will say for people, even you are old, married, unhealthy. Keep Traveling!!

Bromo, Postcard From Heaven

Many Volcanoes in Indonesia make people think that living in Indonesia is full of danger and menace. But for Indonesian resident who love the country, that is not a problem. Death is just destiny. And the volcanoes become a powerful point in our lives.

Because our richness source is from the volcanoes. That things make our land fertile and productive. And the one of productive sector is Tourism.

If we heard name Bromo, we will imagine the iconic scenery such as hills, mountains and craters. Bromo crater put outs smokes. And from the far, The great Mount Semeru also put out volcanic ashes in small scales. Everything become one in the sea sand area. Those scenery always came up in Postcard, Magazine and while we googling about the Bromo.

But if we see it with the eyes, we feel it so spectacular and dramatic. Even though we’ve seen that already, many times. We will still clicking on the camera and pose in front of the magnificent view.

Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park

The name of Mount Bromo is from word Brahma, the God of Hindu. The Tengger people live in the villages around believe that Bromo is a saint Mountain. If you want to visit this place, there are some domestic and international route. The nearest flight is via Surabaya or Malang City. The two city also recommended if you want to take train, bus or car. And then, you can find the route to go to Probolinggo.

Cemoro Lawang is the nearest village, where tourist can rent a home stay or motels. We also can rent a jeep to make the trip around here become more easy. The village is on the pretty high land and always be fog and the air is chill. The villager usually has vegetable farm with high quality products.

Get ready to see the first attraction. Manage the jeep rent so you can come to Pananjakan to watch beautiful sunrise in the iconic view of Bromo. A friend of mine suggested that it will be very advantage if we have bath in the night, so our body temperature will get adapted to the temperature in this place.

Ride jeep about 3 to 4 am, after that you have to walk up a little way that pretty high. Sometimes some villager offer you a horse that will bring you up directly to Pananjakan. But they want you to pay very expensive. So, it will be necessary if we have routine cardio to face the tiring journey.

But when the sunrise came up, the exhausted will be erased. Just like I said, Dramatic. Be along in Pananjakan and view the Heaven feels so exciting. But we won’t missed the next adventure. There some Popular spot like Bromo Crater, Savana land / Teletubies hill and The Whisper sand (Pasir Berbisik).

Bromo Crater

Mount Bromo is categorized as really active volcano. The explosions makes a deep and mysterious crater. The smokes came up from the depth make some attraction. In this crater, some religious event was held. They usually throw Sesajen (form of presentation from produce by the homeland soil ) to the crater. That is a symbol of people that thankful to the God, so the people will have a safe wealthy life. This ritual is according the legend of Roro Anteng and Joko Seger that have supernatural whisper that they have to sacrifice one of their children to the crater.

Climb the sands mountain is so tiring. This is even worse than climb mount krakatoa. The sun so bright and there are many horse poops that makes annoying smells. The little climb up stairs not really helping.

In front of Bromo Crater and mount Batok, there is a temple of Tengger people usually pray and held religious ritual.

Savana Field or Teletubies hill

I still inconsider about the name of this place. Long time ago, people know this place as Savana field. Nowadays, people name it Teletubies hill because the hills form just like the hills where the kids TV character came up, the Teletubies. The hills with the large scale green grass in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park is the sweet place for tourist to have some pictures.

Whisper sand Field (Pasir Berbisik)

In the sea of sand, you can have exotic picture like you’re in the other planets. The wind makes the sand move and the noise just like the sand is whispering to us.

If you have plenty time you can also hike mount Semeru. And I recommend this place be your point to memorize sunset. Sunset in the Whisper sand field is really amazing. Because in the beach is too mainstream.

 

Krakatoa, The Volcano that never sleeps

In 1883, Mount Krakatoa exploded massively, create the hot clouds 40 meter height and kill 36.000 people around. After the unfortunate event, Surprisingly rise the new krakatoa in 1927.

The Fisherman in Sunda strait shocked by the dark whiff on the sea level between 3 island. A year after that. The new Krakatoa ( or local people called it ‘Anak Krakatau’) growth to 280 meter from the sea level.

This is extremely rare case in the universe and make curiosity of the people. Many researcher visit this mount also the tourist. Nowadays, mount Anak Krakatau always guarded to maintain the ecosystem. To visit this land required permits. As unimportant tourist like me and friends, seeing the nature phenomenon is an unforgettable experience.

Until Now, the new Krakatoa still having eruption activity, so that is important for visitor to know the status first before going to the land. Despite the New Krakatoa is being the tourism object , the forest guard in Krakatoa land still controlling the number of visitor every day.

Traveling here means observation in the allowed areas and only for a few hour. And the guard really concern that we are not allowed to littering or bring something from the land.

When we walk in the black sand of Krakatoa island, the wind feels warm even though it’s still 7 am. Few friends are having nausea because the big waves when we were boating from Sebesi Island, our home stay.

The pines grow in the foot of the mountain or in the beaches line. This is the pioneer living things in the island instead the Fungi. And the black sand covering all over places. This kind of sand that reputedly containing the best steel raw material. That’s why the guardians always patrolling so that no body dare to exploit this black sand for money.

Next, the guide will bring us to hike the mountain until we reach the safe spot to see the volcano activity. It’s really difficult to hike the black sand that unstable and dusty like dessert. There are some volcanic stones that spit out from the crater. And the track become more steep. It’s because the volcano grow about 4 meters a year. I have some tips if you want to visit this place.

1. Wear dark colored sport shoes because it’s really comfort in the sand. If you want to wear mount sandals, then put socks on your feet also. After the trip you may throw the socks away because cleaning them from the sand is so wasting time.
2. Find a stick to help you go uphill. Believe me, it so hard to hike in sand and you don’t even able to climb it. The sand, dust and volcanic stones feel so hot when you touch it, so the better tools is a stick.
3. Wear hat and masker with strap. You will be like walking in the dessert in a tropical island and in the heat of sun and the wind will make the sand and dust fly to your nose. The strap is to prevent your hat and masker fly away.
4. Wear sun glass and sun block.
5. Don’t bring anything on your bag except a handy camera and water. Put the others thing in the boat.
6. And don’t forget to keep the areas clean from your garbage.

 

 

 Travel Activities

If you have plan to visit The Krakatoa, take tour to other interesting places around the Sebesi Island. There are some snorkel spot, beaches and little islands.

Snorkeling Spot

There are some popular snorkeling spots around like Sebuku Besar, Lagoon Cabe,

Sebuku Besar is a snorkeling spots. It just about 1.5 to 3 meters depth, so sometimes we can stand on the dead corals. Be careful with the waves that sometimes can drag you away. The coral is fine for me. Beautiful for some people. I don’t see any fish but only starfish colored purple and contrast blue. In Lagoon Cabe, the waves become bigger. But the corals is amaze me.

Beaches and islands

Sebuku kecil is an island with white sand and corals. There are beautiful sea shell scattered around the shore, and all of them become a good scene along with the crystal blue water. This is one of my favorite spot in the universe, because I like beach, the sea shell and the exclusiveness of this island. Some boat may stop by here but the number of people are limited. But we cannot swimming here because we can get very close with some sea urchin which is dangerous.

 

Near the Sebesi island, the prime inhabited island, there is a little fun island called Pulau Umang-umang. Only about 10 x 10 meters area. With a numbers of tree, white sand an big rocks. I guess the rocks is come from the volcano materials. And it makes the island beautiful and exotic.