Menjangan Island, West Bali National Park

After craving for a long time to visit West Bali National Park, finally, i found some friends whom want to join me. Why West Bali? Because it’s not touristic like Kuta or Seminyak or Ubud or Nusa Lembongan and Islands. This one and only national park in Bali has a protected area for total 81.000 hectares include forest and coral reef down the coastal waters. 

The best highlight of West Bali National Park is Menjangan Island, which is known also as the best diving and snorkelling area in Bali. Here in Menjangan Island also, there is a protected deer species named as Menjangan by the locals (that’s way the island also called like that). This uninhabited island is located near teluk Gilimanuk, which can be visited by boat trips from Labuhan Lalang or Banyuwedang village. 

The easiest way to make your trip if you start from Denpasar is take a bus from Ubung Bus Station to Gilimanuk, and stop at Cekik, than change into a bus to Singaraja which passed Banyuwedang. For whom starts at Gilimanuk after crossing from Java land, just take Adi Jaya or Putra Jaya Bus from Gilimanuk Bus Station and stop at Banyuwedang crossing point gate (1 hour/10.000).

In Banyuwedang, there’s a ‘loket’ pos for arranging your trip to Menjangan Island. Normally, it costs about 800.000 for boat, entry ticket, guide, snorkelling gear, and assurance for maximum 10 people. The price won’t regret you as you will enjoy an unforgettable snorkelling experience in this smooth sea :) After snorkelling, you can explore the island to meet its natives a.k.a Menjangan (really cute deers!!) and visit some temples :) Enjoy also a breathtaking scenery of Bali Sea from the hilltop. IT’S CHILL TIME!

*some pictures taken by Alanna Alia :)

3 days to go : Far to the Ocean, Pacitan

Start from : Malang or Surabaya or Solo

How to get there :

Actually, it is better to reach Pacitan from your place (wherever it is) by your own vehicle since this lovely town is too faaarrr from everywhere in this world :P But if you want to challenge your self to use the public transportation, here is the way. For everyone who starts from Malang, you can take a bus from Arjosari Bus Station to Tulungagung (3 hours), then continue to the south-west, Trenggalek (45minutes) where you can catch a bus to Ponorogo (3 hours). From Ponorogo there is a direct bus go to Pacitan (3 hours), but you better arrived before 5pm since it's the last departure. Other choice (and the cheapest) is firstly take a train from Malang Kota Baru Train Station to Tulungagung. But the really comfortable one (a little bit pricey also)  is to take a travel bus run directly from Malang to Pacitan.

If you start from Surabaya, you can take a bus from Bungur Asih Bus Station to Trenggalek via Kertosono, than you can head to Ponorogo and Pacitan with the same route as mentioned. 

The easiest one, for traveller from Solo or Jogja, there are a lot of direct buses run to Pacitan every time, so no worry about your way.

When you arrived in Pacitan, you can rent a motorcycle to explore around (50.000/24hours). Ask Nabawi rental for it +6285790425499.

Itinerary :

Pacitan is on the way for tourism development. This calm town mostly visited in the weekend for it’s main attractions, Beaches and Caves. It’s known also as “Kota 1001 Goa (1001 Caves Town)” :) There are a lot of caves and beaches along the hillside, from east to west. Some of the best known beaches are Pantai Teleng Ria (only 4 km outside the town), Pantai Srau, and Pantai Klayar, and for caves are Goa Gong (ssstt.. it is nominated as one of the most beautiful caves in Southeast Asia) and Goa Tabuhan. You will need more than two days if you want to explore more, because the road to access those places is err.. rough yet.

Don’t worry for backpackers, because Pacitan provide you with some budget hotels, spreading near the central town. At my time, I was stayed in Hotel Pacitan, the price range is 45.000/night/room (twin bed), you need to add only 20.000 for extra bed. It’s located right in south side of Alun-alun :) Another option is having your own camp gear in the beach, but make sure for the weather before build your tent. Remember this is ocean, not a calm sea, literally.

Unfortunately, I only make a visit to Pantai Klayar (entry ticket 3.000) and Goa Gong (entry ticket 5.000). But I didn’t regret it after all. Both of them have REALLY REALLY SUPERB VIEWS, i swear. So, put your pack on the back, and explore pacitan!!

Day 1 : Started the “tiring” bus trip

           Arrived in the night

Day 2 : EXPLORE PACITAN

Day 3 : Walked around the central town, taste the culinary!

           Return home in the noon :(

Photo : Baluran National Park

Londo Lima and Puru Kambera Beach, East Sumba

Last year, i had a chance to visit, the most southern big island in Indonesia which is Sumba Island. This island is a part of East Nusa Tenggara Province. It's known as the land of horse. I never expected what it would look like except there will be a lot of horse farm there, as the information related to the tourism in this island was really limited. But what i found, eventually drop my jaw, no no i mean it's really amazed me!

Empty white sand beaches along the road, savannah, horse in the seaside, traditional houses everywhere, cultural welcoming, and heart-minded people :) I couldn't resist my feeling, i love this island! This island is waiting to explored, but not for commercial i wish. 

If we heard about East Nusa Tenggara, mostly only Komodo National Park or Flores will come in mind. Moreover, please give your attention to this (i can say) remote island :) Chill time!

*all pictures taken using film camera

3 days to go : Hiking to Mount Lawu

Start from : Malang or Surabaya or Jogja

How to get there : 

If you start from Malang, take a bus to Surabaya Bungur Asih Bus Station (2 hours) then take a bus which is head to Jogja and get down in Magetan Maospati Bus Station (5 hours). From Maospati, look for a regular bus to Sarangan, then continue by using a mini one to Cemoro Sewu (1 hour). Usually in Maospati, there’s a direct mini bus to Cemoro Sewu offered by locals. If you start from Jogja or Semarang, take a bus to Surabaya (south by pass) and get down in Magetan Maospati Bus Station (4 hours). In Cemoro Sewu, there’s a PHKA office to register your self or just take a rest before start to hike up.

Itinerary :

Normally, we need 6 up to 7 hour to hike up this mountain, until the last shelter. You can start to hike in the morning and arrived to camp in shelter 6 which is the last shelter around the noon. At this shelter, don’t be surprised, because there’s a warung! you can even build your tent in front of it :D This warung sells some snacks, drinks, and meals. It provides some spaces inside also in case you don’t bring any camping stuffs. So, just don’t worry if you get starving or hypothermia. From here, the peak is only about 20 minutes to hike more. Usually, the sunrise can be seen also from the last shelter, right after you open your eyes in the really early morning.

You can walk down through the similar track or head to Cemoro Kandang track. At this time we didn’t choose it, because the track is much longer then Cemoro Sewu, even though the distance between this Cemoro Village isn’t that far. 

Day 0 : Take a midnight bus from your place

Day 1 : Arrived in Cemoro Sewu, and start to hike.

Day 2 : Catching sunrise and playing with fog. Prepare to get back in the noon.

Day 3 : On the way to your bed again!

What’s needed : 

• camping stuffs
• enough meals
• personal medicine
• warm clothes
• camera (fully charged and empty memory)
• ENERGY AND EXCITEMENT!

check for more photos here!

Photo : Telaga Warna and Bukit Sikunir, Dieng Plateau

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