Monday, March 7, 2011

Beautiful Bromo, East Java

I am so lucky to get the chance to visit Mount. Bromo before the eruption. This opportunity came, when I have such a reckless and foolish idea to bring my family for a road trip around the Java Island on September 2010, starting from Jakarta to Semarang, Surabaya, Malang, Turen, Solo, and then adventure ended in Yogyakarta, then we went back home to Jakarta. We spent 5 days for the whole experienced trip. 

It took about 1 hr and 30 min to reach near the top of Mount. Bromo from Surabaya. You have to pass such a dark spooky uphill road to reach our lodge. We were checking several places for an over night stay when we finally found Hotel Yoschi Bromo in a very edge of our hopes hunt, owned by the Japanese.

Mount. Bromo has smartly stolen my heart through every angle of landscapes and the story beyond it. It is one of tourist most popular destination in East Java which is located in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in the eastern city of Malang.

Cold windy and mysterious was the first impression of this place that catched my mind. The temperature at night was around 5 degrees Celsius and 0 degrees Celsius during the morning. Luckily I brought my long thick black coat that I could used the next day on our ride to see the sunrise from the peak. We all went to bed early so we will not missed the sunrise views which famous among the tourist. I made a car reservation and asked them to pick us at the hotel at 03.00 AM.

Yoschi Bromo
View from our hotel ^^

Standing at an altitude of 2770 meters of Mount Penanjakan, was a new experience for me. The tracks must be passed by a Jeep car, it was a heavy track. As the sun began to reveal itself completely, I began to prepare my camera to capture those beautiful moments. The sun emerged from just a tiny speck of ray light, dazzling my eyes and my heart; I was really intrigued by the very natural composition of colors and scenery of Mount .Bromo and the peeked of the sun. The cold atmosphere was so perfect, adding such a romantic lust for couples. Mount. Bromo was surrounded by thick white smoke billowing above its rose more clear in visiblity.

When the sun rise right behind the mount, it's just wonderful
Taken from distance on the other side of the hills

The peak of Mount Bromo is one of the most tourist visits. You have two options to get there by a horse or take a long walk, climbing hundreds of steep stairs. I was thinking a little bit of doing physical exercise so I climbed the stairs to the top which was such a big challenge to me, with great difficulty and the smell of sulfur that tighten my chest. I thought I was almost there, but when I looked up, it was a long and increasingly steep terrain. Several times I had to stop to gathered strength and catched my breath and recharged a zip of power for my legs, as well as other climbers, hikers. But this was not in vain; my heart whispered to me “when can you come here again? May be not in the near time”. And there was I!

Right here is a closer look to the crater

Was not completed until there, I saw the other side of Bromo known as The Sea Sand (Lautan Pasir), the place had been used for filming the big screen ‘Pasir Berbisik’ that played by Dian Sastrowardoyo and Christine Hakim. The journey to get there surrounded by a sea of ​​desert, grasses and lined valleys. Awesome!

A lion rock in the overlay desert

Arriving in The Sea Sand unimaginable by your mind and unspeakable by your mouth, it was too beautiful to believe such place are here in Indonesia. I felt like being stranded on a fascinateing stretch of desert surrounded by valleys and limestone, that makes me felt like surrounded by mountains of snow. Our guide also showed us a big stone shaped like a lion. The stone just grabbing my attention and added a strong mystical impression.

The hunger began to whack, which was signed to end my day in Mount Bromo, took lunch and immediately went to the next place. Although it feels very less time for me to enjoy this beautiful place, but I was pleased to have the opportunity to come and got one of the most beautiful incredible sunrise that I’ve ever had in my life.

Surrounded by beautiful view
Our Jeep in Bromo
Beautiful Views from Every Angle

Getting there is not very complicated, either by plane to Surabaya or to Malang, or you can travel by road. 

Calculate My Budget
Gasoline IDR 600.000 (Jakarta - Surabaya by Car) @ person = IDR 120.000
Tol & Parking IDR 100.000 @ person = IDR 20.000
Accommodation  IDR 300.000 / room for 4 - 5 person = IDR 50.000
Meal = IDR 100.000
Rent 4WD Jeep IDR 300.000 @ person = IDR 60.000
Others = IDR 200.000
TOTAL = IDR 550.000 / -/+USD 65

Suggestions
- Don't missed the morning rise
- Bring thick cloths, gloves and hat/cap
- Make it possible to reach Bromo before evening
- Go up to the lava pit
- If you wanna drive to the venue by your own car, use a 4WD vehicle

Information About Bromo (wikipedia)

Mount Bromo (Indonesian: Gunung Bromo), is an active volcano and part of the Tengger massif, in East Java, Indonesia. At 2,329 metres (7,641 ft) it is not the highest peak of the massif, but is the most well known. The massif area is one of the most visited tourist attractions in East Java, Indonesia. The volcano belongs to the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. The name of Bromo derived from Javanese pronunciation of Brahma, the Hindu creator god.

Mount Bromo sits in the middle of a vast plain called the "Sea of Sand" (Javanese: Segara Wedi or Indonesian: Lautan Pasir), a protected nature reserve since 1919. The typical way to visit Mount Bromo is from the nearby mountain village of Cemoro Lawang. From there it is possible to walk to the volcano in about 45 minutes, but it is also possible to take an organised jeep tour, which includes a stop at the viewpoint on Mount Penanjakan (2,770 m or 9,088 ft) (Indonesian: Gunung Penanjakan). The best views from Mount Bromo to the Sand Sea below and the surrounding volcanoes are at sunrise. The viewpoint on Mount Penanjakan can also be reached on foot in about two hours. From inside the caldera, sulfur is collected by workers.

On the fourteenth day of the Hindu festival of Yadnya Kasada, the Tenggeresecaldera of the volcano. The origin of the ritual lies in the 15th century legend where a princess named Roro Anteng started the principality of Tengger with her husband, Joko Seger. The couple were childless and therefore beseeched the assistance of the mountain gods. The gods granted them 24 children but stipulated that the 25th child, named Kesuma, must be thrown into the volcano as human sacrifice. The gods' request was implemented. The tradition of throwing sacrifices into the volcano to appease these ancient deities continues today and called Yadnya Kasada ceremony. Though fraught with danger, some locals risk climbing down into the crater in an attempt to recollect the sacrificed goods that believed could bring them good luck. people of Probolinggo, East Java, travel up the mountain in order to make offerings of fruit, rice, vegetables, flowers and sacrifices of livestock to the mountain gods by throwing them into the

On the Segara Wedi sand plain sits a Hindu temple called Pura Luhur Poten. The temple holds a significant importance to the Tenggerese scatter across the mountainous villages such as Ngadisari, Wonokitri, Ngadas, Argosari, Ranu Prani, Ledok Ombo and Wonokerso. The temple organized annual Yadnya Kasada ceremony which lasts for about one month. On the 14th day, the Tenggerese will congregate at Pura Luhur Poten to ask for blessings from Ida Sang Hyang Widi Wasa and God of Mahameru (Mount Semeru). Then the mass will proceed along the crater edges of Mt Bromo where offerings will be thrown into the crater. The major difference between this temple with the Balinese ones are the type of stones and building materials. Pura Luhur Poten uses natural black stones from volcanoes nearby, while Balinese temples mostly made from red bricks. Inside this pura, there are several buildings and enclosures aligned in Mandala zone composition.

The Tengger Caldera was still active in late January 2011, the activity being characterised by fluctuating ongoing eruptions. On 23 January 2011 the Indonesian Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM) (Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi) reported that since 19 December, 2010 volcanic ash and incandescent material had been thrown up by eruptive activity resulting in a heavy rain of material that fell around the crater. Continuous eruptions on 21 January caused a thin ash fall mainly in the village areas of Ngadirejo and Sukapura Wonokerto in Probolinggo district. The impact of a heavy rain of volcanic ash from eruptions since 19 December 2010 resulted in disruption of normal activities. By early 2011 concerns were being raised concerning the effect upon the local economy and the potential for long term environmental and health problems amongst the residents in the locality surrounding Mount Bromo. Due to high seasonal rainfall in January 2011 the potential for lahar and lava flow was raised due to the deposits of volcanic ash, sand and other ejected material that had built up. Seismic activity was dominated by tremor vibration and reports of visual intensity and sounds of eruption continued to be reported from the mountain monitoring facility, Bromo Observation Post. People living on the banks of the Perahu Ravine, Nganten Ravine and Sukapura River were alerted to the possibility of lava flows, especially when it was raining heavily in the area around Cemorolawang, Ngadisari and Ngadirejo. Eruptions and volcanic tremors were reported on 21 January and 22 January with activity subsiding on 23 January 2011. On 23 January, 2011 at 06:00 am the alert status at Mount Bromo remained at (Level III).

On 23 January 2011 an exclusion zone was recommended for communities living around Mount Bromo. Tourists and hikers were to advised not to come within a radius of 2 km from the active crater. CVGHM stated that they expected warning signs to be installed stating the limit radius of 2 km from the crater. Operational caution was recommended for flights into and leaving Juanda International Airport IATA: SUB in Surabaya. CVGHM recommended the establishment of public areas for the provision of face masks and eye protection. CVGHM also issued a warning to residents to be cautious of ash build up on roofs and other places that may give cause for collapse under the burden of ash.

Further eruptions and the issuing of Aviation Ash advisories on 27 January and 28 January 2011 led to concerns being raised regarding a volcanic ash plume, reported to be drifting eastward toward the air corridors used to access the Ngurah Rai International Airport IATA:DPS in Bali. Airport official Sherly Yunita was reported at the time as stating that concerns about visibility had prompted Singapore Airlines, Jetstar-ValueAir, Air France-KLM, Virgin Blue and Cathay Pacific to cancel several flights to Bali, 340 km (210 mi) to the east. SilkAir also cancelled flights on the 27 January between Singapore and Lombok, an island to the east of Bali.[11] The Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in Darwin, Australia released several Code Red Aviation Ash Advisories pertaining to Mount Bromo (Tengger Caldera), on 27 January. They indicated that ash was observed at altitudes up to 18,000 ft (FL180) extending 200 nautical mi to the south east of the caldera. In other ash advisories of that day the cloud was reported as at times having a 10 km/h drift, both to the east, and to the south east

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Kawah Putih, Ciwidey - Bandung

The Pale Green Water

Several times going to Bandung, West Java never cross in mind to visit Kawah Putih. Then one day we were spontaneously went there because my mother was very curios about that place. 
Kawah Putih, in English is Kawah for Crater and Putih for White  is located on Mount Patuha in West Java. the height of this mountain is 2386 meters.
 
We had to descend the ladder to be closer to the crater of this mountain. our hearts will immediately chuckled amazingly to see the whole of this place from the steps of stairs above in the enterance.
 

When we were about to go down, it's extraordinary view we saw in the crater. white soil which consists of sulfur is the reason why the crater is called Kawah Putih, truly unique place. the surface soil is also not flat so as to resemble the humps of land. greenish water crater also attract attention.
 

We can go around through the mountain, but don't go to far, scare you will get lost there. on this mountain we will find dry trees and many branches of the trees that fell under the white sand & stones.
 

The crater is quite wide and large. Water color can vary depending on the sun light. Smoke from the sulfur water sometimes arise that impede our view. The water also cause the smell of sulfur so when the wind blow, the smell of sulfur can pierce our noses and make us cough. There are several points on this crater is fitted with a warning not to get too close to avoid poisoning sulfur smoke. 

Group of Plants Grow in The Land of Stones

This crater will give us a different experience. You can sit on the white sand, grab your cigarettes and rest your body after such a long drive. Wide crater and bluish-green water that makes us as if were on the beach. the trees are mostly just stayed dry stalks and creating a different atmosphere.

With my Best Friend, Puri
Smoky Crater from Above

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Korea Korea Korea

Finally, a week of relaxation mind away from Jakarta Office, even though it was still related to work and training but so much different there in Korea. I miss Korea so much, especially all the great people I met there. I flew to Korea on 9th Oct and stayed for almost 10 days there until 18th Oct 2010.

It was a little awkward when I touched down one of the best international airport, Incheon. I felt like an alien; no directions, no one I knew, no connection in my cell phone, hard to communicate with the people and I just felt alone and really really needed to burn my in-dependency.

LG Twin Tower
From the airport I went to LG Chem Twin Tower to meet one of my colleagues.  I think he forgot that I was in fatigue for 6 hours flying, that he brought me to visit Everland, an amusement park in Gyeonggi-Do area.

Let's act like one of the Korean hehehe

Everland Theme Park
It was so exhausted that I have to be honest to him, I needed him to drop me in Osan, which is 2 hours driving from there. Inside my heart was actually screaming for "hot water, shower shower shower, bed pillow and blankets!!!!!!"

I spent my first night in Osan.It was very cold and I really needed to adapt with the weather. In Jakarta it's usually 27-30 Celsius, and Korea was 8-10 Celsius and was not winter, note that down. What a hard time to get compromise with the new temperature. My room floor was very warm, they applied heater the room floor in the Learning Center. I couldn't sleep easily that night, I decided to open my window so that I could hear some noises from outside. It was very silent, I let the tv on with no sound, my laptop was also on with no internet connection, and nice place with no one I knew. Oups, I forget to inform the time different between Jakarta & Korea. Korea is 2 hours ahead then Jakarta, so not really a jet-lack to me, but it effected my wake up time. For instance, I have to be in the conference hall or discussion room every morning at 09:00 AM, which is 07:00 AM Jakarta time. So I have to wake up even earlier. Oh my!!!!

On my first night, I said to my heart that I didn't have to be worry, because tomorrow I'll be meeting some new friends and you're not gonna be alone hehehhehe.... and lovely, it's true! Even though Alice is not the first person I met, but she is the first person that I felt to have a connection to communicate with. Then followed by Yulia and Kim in our firts tea break.

Alice Leung fr New Jersey

Yulia Valeeva fr Moskow, Rusia
Hee-Kyung Kim fr Germany




Sharma fr New Delhi, India
Further just a couple of hours, I've known almost all of them. We had a simple fine dinning, did toast in different style that usually been use in our country and gathered together in groups to get to know each other more. I was the only Indonesian in that event, we have 7 polish, a girl from Moscow, 1 Turkish man, 4 people of Vietnamese, 6 of Indians and 1 from USA.  .

Kim & Anna were in the same table with me that night
full team without one girl from Vietnam
After that we continued for our "own section" in the cafeteria with beers & snacks. I was glad that we could immediately cohesive as good friends. It's a cross culture relation that easily became like a family with so much harmony ^^.

the girls are mingling on our first hangout
we gathered in the cafeteria after the welcome dinner

For me, what matter is how do we manage to be friend and get along during the training and group discussion... and we did it! I mean, we over doing it, hahahaha.. like you can see in these pic, there were no days without hangout, did so much silly things and drink drink drink... wooowww



 
Beside the weather, I also adapted with the foods and not much of them I could eat, because I can't eat pork and they served pork very often. Everyday I eat Kimchi, Ho Bakjun, and Korean Salad.

I also visited many other places in Korea... and I think It was amazing...















 

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

journey to indonesia

Sempu Island

I had this trip in the long holiday of Lebaran 2010. Among many beaches, I picked Sempu Island into my vacation list.

Sempu Island is a small island in the south of Java Island. This island is in Malang District, East Java province. From city of Malang, we stay for one night in Turen. Early in the morning we packed and drove through around 1 and half hour to Sendang Biru, place where we had to take the small boat to get to Sempu Island.

It has its wide around 877 hectare and formally becomes a sanctuary under the government since 1928. Based on finding in 2000, there are 223 kinds of plants, 144 more kinds of birds’ species, mammals, and others. Just for your info, the guide told me that they recently just released 700 hundreds of snakes in that island.

The most exotic destination in Sempu Island is the Segara Anakan Lagoon. It is a lake with a salty water behind a huge reef of Hindian Ocean. There are two gates to get into Sempu Island, depends on your destination.  If you want to visit Segara Anakan Lagoon, you have to choose Ant Bay (Teluk Semut) gate.  If you want to visit Lele Lake (Telaga Lele), you have to choose Waru Waru gate. The guide also told me that there’s another good spot, called Pasir Kembar (Twin Sand), but too bad we didn't have enough time to get there, so we passed this time.

Just sharing a bit of my experiences, frankly speaking getting into Segara Anakan is not very easy as I thought. You have to trek for almost 3 hours through the juggle with tarnish all over the regular trek, so all over my body was almost covered with mud. I was hoping for God 's mercy to rescue me and hoping that He could send a helicopter to get me back to Sendang Biru. My foot was bleeding and I got so many scars, especially under my foot step. So many people gave up on the quarter or half way and choose to return to the start line, so I could be a little bit snobby since I could make it in my way (screaming, yelling, almost crying, bleeding, so sloppy ^^). Somehow, I was amazed and very proud of my mom, aunt, and my two sisters because they are really strong and spirited, two thumps up guys! So the total of trekking is  around 6 hours… but side of that, this is what I've got there:

Entrance Slit of Sea Water
Camp Sandy Beach Inside The Jungle
Hidden Paradise
Mystery of The Blue


Getting there from Malang - Turen - Sendang Biru

Calculate The Budget
- Boat IDR 100.000
- Guide IDR 100.000

Other Info:
- Guide contact number, Pak Hadi +6281233926575
- You have to stay in Turen, there's only one hotel there : HOTEL CAKRA
- Check the weather by calling Pak Hadi
- You can actually camp in Sempu Island

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

water all around us

The way we see things could be as beautiful as we thought it could be..

dew drops
wet look of white flowers

the roar of river flow

wreckage water

aperture water slip