Monday, January 28, 2013

The Journey to Krakatoa (Son of Krakatoa - Krakatau) on 19-20 January 2013

Who doesn't know Mount Krakatoa or you also can call Son of Krakatoa (in Bahasa is Anak Krakatau)?

Well, please read our Journey to this amazing volcano..
FYI, this trip is requested by Liesel and her friends.

Our trip actually in between flood disaster in Jakarta, the flood happened on Thursday, 17 January 2013.
So, I thought the participants would cancel the trip, but all said "Let's go..!" - Like this (facebook version) :D

We start from Liesel's apartment at 5a.m where we all gathered on Saturday early morning.
When we arranged our bag pack into the car, then we were so ready to go.. no more flood on our way out from Jakarta. That was a good thing, thank God!

Since we leave early morning, so the road to reach Carita port was very friendly =D
We reached the port around 7.30 a.m and while we wait for the guide who bought supplies at the local market there, we had our breakfast in the small 'warung'

Finally around 8.30 a.m we were on the boat for 'Anak Krakatau', that morning was sunny day.. we were so happy about that, even though on our way, we had rain for like 20 minutes, but after that clear sky again.
It took 1,5 hour to reach Mount Krakatoa with speed boat (2 engines), if you use wooden boat, it takes 5 hours, even more if wavy seas.

Our speed boat and crew at Rakata Island
We had flat sea at that time, and we were so lucky to see 2 dolphins jumping by about 100 meters from us.
And when it's raining.. we enjoyed 'rain drops on the sea' view. (Truly beautiful)

When we couldn't see Java island behind us, that means we barely can see the volcano.
And everyone just very happy to see that, and can't hardly wait to see closer.

Rakata island, Son of Krakatoa and Long Island
Our first schedule for Saturday, 19 January 2013 is to explore Rakata Island with small trekking inside.

Rakata island is the only remain volcano with only half appearance of volcano, because the other 2 main volcanoes and half of Rakata were already 'dissapear', which means exploded.
I am talking about 800meters of volcano and two and a half of them disappeared.
And now Son of Krakatoa (Anak Krakatau) is about 500meters and keep growing until now.

When we trekked into the forest at Rakata island, we saw so many kind of flora and learn more less about the trees there.


mushroom

huge spider as big as my hand

'I don't know the name' fruit

beautiful flower on my hand
Spider and cricket
After the trek, we direct to our next schedule which is snorkeling at Rakata Island.
Since the wave was really friendly, so we enjoyed snorkeling a lot there.

After snorkeling and almost lunch time, so we head to Son of Krakatoa island, and let the crew cook for us.
While we were waiting for lunch, Phil and Lisa exploring the island by walk the beach until the end because there is huge tree blocking.
Mirna, Meena and myself were swimming.. just enjoy the beach.
Liesel was taking a nap.. =)
Honestly, I played with huge log near the beach.. hahaha.. (remembering child hood)

After lunch, we took a break for a while for few minutes before go to hot spring sea spot and snorkeling spot.
Hot spring sea happens only in some area where there is hot bubbles come out from the sands.
So when you put your ears into the sea, you can hear clearly the sounds of Music (Oops.. I mean sounds of the bubble) Lol..
And if you can dive in (for only 2-3 meters depth) and touch the sands, it is warm sands..
Awesome right?

After hot spring sea, we continued to snorkeling spot just east side of Son of Krakatoa island.
In this spot, all corals actually grow from the volcano rock, and very beautiful with so many kind of fishes and corals.
we spent like almost 2 hours snorkeling there, and then we head back to the base camp, where we built the tents near the beach.

the lizzard on the island
the lizzard on the island (another pose)
It was 4 p.m, and we took some break while enjoying fried cassava that the crew already prepared there.. Yummy =)
And finally, when it's about 5 p.m, we all prepared for trekking to the volcano.
It took less than 1 hour to reach to the half of the volcano, you can't go to the top, because it's very steep and dangerous.

On our way, unfortunately Mirna had asthma, so she had to go back to the camp.
So only 5 of us hike up.. (Liesel, Phil, Lisa, Meena, me and Mr. Samsul our guide)
It's quite difficult because the wind was blow against us, so all the gases, the sulfur against us.
We could smell that really bad, so sometimes we had to stop and drink, also cover our nose with our clothes.

the view on our way to the top

Our journey to the top
But finally we made it, everyone just took a lot of pictures up there.

We are posing for the pictures =P
Phil and Liesel explored to the east and to the west while we all just enjoyed the view and took pictures.

Smoke all around the volcano


Liesel and the volcano

half side of volcano
Suddenly, about half an hour, someone climbed up to the volcano followed our path.
And she is MIRNA... Awesome.. she finally came back to the group.
We thought she would take some rest in the tent, but she grabbed her medicine and climbed back.
You are awesome, Mirna.. ^_^ (two thumbs up)

Mirna not a quitter

And we took group picture =) Happily ever after.. Haha..

We waited up there until sunset, and we were hoping to be able to see red light from volcano's mouth.
But we couldn't because so many smokes covered the peak.

Smoke all around the peak
So, we took decision to walk back, it got darker, but we all prepared with the flash light.
We also collected woods for bonfire on our way back, what a perfect team work here.. Thanks guys!

When we reached to the base, dinner already served on the table under the tree, near the beach..
what a perfect dinner. They prepared seafood for us, except for Meena, she is vegetarian, but veggies already there, don't worry ^_*

Our Dinner
With a full stomach and big smile.. I knew that everyone enjoyed the dinner so much.
Mr. Samsul prepared the bonfire for us..with 2 mats nearby.
Chit chat.. sleeping nearby.. It's not that cold at that night.

Around 9 p.m, everyone started to enter the tents for sleep. I choose to sleep outside because I just love the nature =D
but suddenly on 11 p.m, the rain came. So I ran quickly to the tent and continued to sleep.. *__^
The rain didn't last longer.. that was a good thing.

Morning comes.. it's 5.30 a.m.. I remembered.. I saw first light of the day.. and all the animals started to make noise, they were welcoming the day (I guess)..
Everyone started to walk out from their tents.. and we had an idea to watch sunrise.. so we walk to the east side of the island.. It's only Liesel, Mirna, Mr. Samsul and me.
Strangely, we were keep busy talking and suddenly the sun was already up there.. Hahaha..
Well, it was also because of the clouds.

Around 8 a.m everyone was ready for breakfast.. It's pancake with omelet.. PERFECTO! =D
after breakfast, Liesel and Meena wanted to go for a swim and the others just busy packing.


one of our tents
 We still had another snorkeling session.. Next spot was near Panjang island.
This spot also awesome..

For first, Mirna and me actually didn't want to do snorkeling anymore, but I couldn't help myself when I see this clear pure sea. And I was the first one who jumped into the sea..
And you know what? Mirna was tempted and join us snorkeling around.. haha..
For about 1 hour snorkeling and we were ready to back to the port..
Our way back was little bit up and down.. and Lisa had her sea sick.. but she's fine..

When we reached the port, some people took a bath.. after that we back to our car and head back to Jakarta.
Everyone was a little bit full, so we skip lunch and we reach Jakarta around 3 p.m
Just perfect time to take some more rest before Monday..

And Lisa flied back to Malaysia, thank you for coming this far to Jakarta for Krakatoa trip.
Thanks to Liesel for requesting this trip.
Thanks to Meena who knows my number from someone and pass to Liesel =D
Thanks to Phil and Mirna for joining the trip
Thanks for sharing the pictures (Phil and Liesel) and upcoming pictures from Mirna and Meena.


Me, Lisa, Meena, Liesel, Phil and Mirna (from left to right)

You guys are awesome, I do really hope that this trip will remain forever in your memory.
Because we have visited the amazing Krakatoa.

Keep growing Son of Krakatoa,

Didi
d'travel
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Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Baduy Tribe Trip on 23-24 February 2013 (Inside Baduy and Outside Baduy)


It's Baduy Time..
Tick Tock.. Tick Tock.. ^_*

Let's live, learn, explore about Baduy Tribe.
Let's see the naturally amazing 'root bridge'
...
Let's do it on 23-24 February..
For Indonesian, you can do Inside Baduy (Baduy Dalam)-skip the root bridge, and for foreigner, you can only do Outside Baduy (Baduy Luar)-as their regulations

Here is the detail
Schedule
Saturday, 23 February 2013
5 a.m leaving Jakarta for Ciboleger
11 a.m arrive Ciboleger (take away lunch)(included)
11.15 a.m to root bridge
2 p.m head back to Ciboleger
3 p.m to Gajeboh village
6 p.m dinner (rice+chicken) (included)

Sunday, 24 February 2013
7 a.m breakfast (noodle) (included)
8 a.m hike around to another Baduy Luar village
11 a.m back to Ciboleger
12.30 p.m lunch at Ciboleger (not included)
1.30 p.m back to Jakarta
7.30 p.m arrive at Jakarta (dinner on the way back) (not included)

What to bring?
Sleeping Bag
Clothes
Mosquito repellant
Flash light / head lamp
Jacket
Rain coat
A lot of Snacks
Plastic for wet clothes
Sandal / Shoes
Towel
Sunblock
AQUA
neck pillow
etc (what you think that you need it)

Trip price is 450,000
Included Transportation, Homestay(Baduy's house) 1 night, Guide, Permit, Meals 3 times
Meals are :
Saturday Lunch and Dinner
Sunday Breakfast

What is excluded?
Sunday Lunch and Dinner
Personal Expenses

Deadline for transfer is Friday, 8 February 2013
Please transfer the money to

BII
Account Name : Ferdinand Wongso
Account Number : 1159168804

BCA
Account Name : Feny
Account Number : 8370026930

CIMB NIAGA
Account Name : Ferdinand Wongso
Account Number : 329-01-00382-11-8

Baduy-er,

Didi
d'Travel -...when travelling is a need..-
alien_fw@hotmail.com
081904073310
BB : 25899538
FB : Ferdinand Wongso d'travel
@d2travel
d2travel.blogspot.com

Friday, January 4, 2013

The journey to Yogyakarta / Jogjakarta Trip on 29-30 December 2012

End of year trip of d'travel in 2012..

Yogyakarta... or you can call it Jogjakarta...

Actually this trip was requested by 2 India families. (Sundaram's family and Elaya's family)As they wanted to go only for weekend only (2 days 1 night).
After purchase Garuda Airline and Purchase Hotel at Victoria Hotel 2 weeks before the trip, we couldn't wait for the trip. ^_^v

And finally the day is come...
Saturday, 29 December 2012
We met up at the airport (Terminal 2) 04.30 a.m because we took early flight 6.15 a.m Garuda Indonesia Airline, 7 persons total (CHECK)
I still remember when we were close to Jogjakarta, beautiful view down there..
on the left side is Mount Merapi and Mount Merbabu..(north side of Jogja) and right side is the sea (south side of Jogja)
The view was welcoming us to Enjoy Jogja =D

When we arrived at Adisucipto Airport, we went direct to our rental car (Xenia 2012-new car)
Since I spent my 6 years in Jogja for my Bachelor Degree, so I am the driver =)
Our first destination is Borobudur Temple, we needed around 2 hours to reach there.
We stopped in between for SALAK fruit.

When we arrived at Borobudur, we took some break for breakfast, Indian breakfast as the families already prepared the breakfast.. (yummy)
After 15 minutes quick breakfast, we were so ready for Borobudur temple.
We entered with 1 guide from Borobudur Temple, he explained the history of Borobudur Temple.
He also explained some crafting which talks about some stories.
It was just so amazingly stunning, how people that time could build this huge temple with a lot of details.

Of course, don't forget to bring umbrella because Borobudur is an open area, also don't forget to take a lot of pictures there.. n_n
After we walked to the top and head back to the car, everyone's hungry and had lunch, Indian lunch (already prepared) ^_^
We continued to next destination, Prambanan Temple, it took around 2 hours to reach there.
But suddenly on our way, it was heavy rain, but we still continued just hoping that the rain will stop when we reach there.

2 hours later,the rain just won't stop when we reach there, so we went with plan B which is we will come back to Prambanan on Sunday morning and hoping no rain tomorrow morning ^_*

So, we went to our hotel, check-in, take some rest with evening snack time at the hotel.
Around 6.30 p.m we were ready to explore Jogja more =)
We went direct to South Main Square of Keraton (Alun Alun Selatan).
It has 2 trees in the middle, and there is a game if you can walk in between those tree with eyes closed, then your wish will be come true, haha.. (well it is just a game) :D
Everyone tried, but failed, and it was so funny, because believe it or not, when we try to walk straight, actually we're not.. some people go to the left and some people will go to the right..
But finally after some trials, Elaya and his son made it! Well done!

After played that game, they tried tandem bicycle and kids are playing shining catapult.
We enjoyed 'Alun-Alun' so much until we forgot that we haven't had dinner.. it was 8.30 p.m already.
So we went back to our car, and drove to Indian restaurant at Timoho Street (Colonial Cuisine)
After dinner, we head back to hotel because everyone's already tired, and we still have schedule on Sunday.. :-)
Good night then.. @_@

Sunday, 30 December 2012
Let's continue our Journey..
Day - 2
We start from 8.30 a.m from Hotel, check out, and Prambanan is our destination for morning time.
And you know what? It's a sun shiny morning
Prambanan was already full of visitors, I guess everyone has the same plan with me since yesterday was heavy rain.

Our journey in Prambanan will be explained by Mr. Subarno (the guide in Prambanan)
He explained about Prambanan Temple history.
We were so lucky, because 3 weeks before, they just opened Ganesha temple for public after 6,5 years (after big earthquake in Jogja), but only limited 50 visitors and must wearing helmet.

We entered one by one temple in Prambanan..from Ganesha temple to Wisnu temple and to Brahma temple.
On Wisnu temple, there is crafting story of human being and of course Kama Sutra crafting there.
Also there is crafting about masturbate monkey.
I know you must wondering where, haha.. but it's true =)

After visiting 3 temples, we took train car to visit another temple just 1 km away.
We enjoyed Prambanan as much as in Borobudur.
At noon 12p.m we left Prambanan for Keraton Palace. we skip our lunch because we tried to catch before the Sultan's house closed at 1.30 p.m.
But unfortunately, the traffic was so bad that time, so we couldn't visit Sultan's House, but we still can visit Keraton Palace for the hall and museum.

After Keraton Palace, we had our lunch at Gadri Resto.. one of the restaurants that served Keraton food.
For your information, there is also Bale Raos Restaurant, if you want to try.
Gadri Resto is very near to Keraton Palace.
While waiting for the food, we can walk around the house (Sultan's brother house) to see the collections.
We finished our lunch around 4 p.m, and we wanted to go to Taman Sari (former royal garden) but it was close at 4 p.m.. so we skip Taman Sari to underground Mosque.

Keraton Palace, Sultan's house, Museums, Taman Sari and underground Mosque, all are nearby, it's like one package trip =)
Since we didn't have enough time, so we only missed Sultan's house and Taman Sari.
Every places has their own story. That's why I love to visit them again and again. =)

Underground mosque will be our last destination for this trip.
And we get ready to go to Adisucipto Airport because our flight is 7.45 p.m
Thank God no delay in this rushing long weekend.
Finally, we arrived back to Jakarta on 9.15 p.m and everyone is happy.

What a wonderful Jogja trip.
History and cultural Jogja city.

Happy Jogja,


Didi
d'travel - when traveling is a need
alien_fw@hotmail.com
+62 819 0407 3310
FB: Ferdinand Wongso d'travel
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