Camping at mount Prau

About last week...

I went to Prau Mountain for the first time experience camping, like a real camp with a tent on a mountain.  According to what am thinking, camping it should be on the mountain (even though I'm not a mountain person tough).

We bought the ticket to Purwokerto 1 month in advance, because of long weekend. Although two days before our departure to Purwokerto, it was flooded in Yogjakarta. Which is due to tropical cyclones Dahlia and Cempaka. Let say the term the Dahlia and Cempaka met in the Indian Ocean. 

We were so much aware about this wheather since the first day we reached the foot of Prau Mountain, at about 1 o'clock and we were greeted with a light rain with a fairly strong wind. We were thinking of taking a short break at the base camp of one of the local residents' homes. And it turns out there are also other entrants that "trapped" like us, not allowed to camp at the peak of Mount Prau, due to extreme weather. When the family size tents weighing 7/9 kg we had to take it to camping on the top of the mountain. 

One of the locals suggested to climb to the top around 3 am. Well, we are only human who made a plan, God is the decisive. So we take a break to prepare for the early morning climb to the top of Prau. Finally registration for the climb opened and at 5.15 without waste of time we were rushed. There are 2 routes that I know to the top Prau: via Dieng and via Tapak Banteng. And we also choose the route climbing via Patak Banteng. Lately I just found out there are 6 alternative different routes to the top of mount Prau. 
On our journey up to post 1, there was a fallen tree. A little too scary to imagine the strong wind that hit until the tree can fall like that. Ok, then we continue the trip to post 2. During the trip altogether there is no other people or any other group who usually passed each other when going up the mountain. Hmm..kinda weird indeed, we thought maybe because of bad weather. 

The more we continue our journey, the fog is getting down accompanied a light rain. By staying optimistic, we continue our trip to post 3. Actually we are still physically able to travel to the top of mountain. But then we finally decided to stop at post 3 because the weather got worse and the absence of other climbers made us even more hesitant to continue the journey. We finally took out the supplies we bring to rest and enjoy coffee / tea. BUT the funny thing is even though the stove we have brought, none of us carry matches!  After the short break and deciding to go down, we met another group that was still ambitious to reach the peak of Prau amid the weather that has not improved. At the time my friends had been hesitant and want to continue the journey. But because I insist, if in doubt it's better to go down, and finally we go down. A little relief after getting under it the weather is improving and we’ve met many people want to climb to the top. 

We spent time in the hills with rice paddies to take photos. No one is disappointed because it does not reach the peak as the previous plan. We’re going back to base camp and continue our joiney to next destination to the camping ground of Sikunir sunrise spot. Untill next time, Prau mountain. Hope to see you again sometimes. 

Semarang - Ambarawa

Geopark Ciletuh Sukabumi

Geopark Ciletuh terletak di Desa Ciwaru, Kecamatan Ciemas atau sekitar 90 km dari Kota Palabuhanratu Ibukota Kab. Sukabumi. 

207 KM Jarak yang harus ditempuh dari Jakarta untuk sampai di Ciletuh, Mbah Google bilang jarak bisa ditempuh dalam waktu 3 jam 50 menit, tapi kenyataanya jauh dari ituh... 8 jam ajah, itu pun baru sampai lokasi homestay. 

3 jam perjalanan dari Jakarta ke Cibadak dengan elf 300, dilanjut 5 jam dengan mobil Land rover. Jalanan 50% bagus teraspal & 50% rusak parah, tapi pemandangannya bagus bangettt... padang savana, padi huma, hutan tropis, Perkebunan Buah Naga & Nanas, hingga perbukitan dan pegunungan yang masih hijau. Semuanya sangat asri dan belum banyak sentuhan masyarakat.

Geopark Ciletuh ini dilengkapi sembilan curug (air terjun), seperti Curug Marinjung, Curug Sodong, Curug Awang dan sebagainya. Pemandangan dinding cadas yang melingkari teluk Ciletuh, serta lembah dan ngarai yang masih hijau termasuk pesawahan dan perkebunan mangga milik masyarakat.
Di kawasan ini tersadapat pula batuan yang konon tertua di dunia yakni berumur sekitar 6 juta tahun yang lalu. Oleh masyarakat setempat, batuan itu disebut batu batik.

Untuk bisa mencapai ke sana, Anda harus naik perahu cadik sewaan milik warga seharga Rp 300 ribu pergi pulang. Karena memang batuan ini berada di tengah lautan. Ada dua pulau yang konon berusia sama dengan batu batik, yakni pulau Mandre dan pulau Putih.

Keindahan alam di kawasan geopark Ciletuh memang tidak ada duanya. 

http://paguyubanalampakidulansukabumi.blogspot.in/

http://lialt.blogspot.in/2015/02/ciletuh-geopark-perjalanan-yang.html

3 days to explore JOGJA

I am always excited every first experience doing anything. and this one too, my very first time to traveling to Jogja by train. Not my first time to visit Jogja though, but just the transportation matter. and the thing is not the executive train but economic. A bit funny to share my seat with stranger besides me and it has so many stops! I went there together with 3 other friends but we were in the different carriages.  It was meant I have to enjoyed the 8 hours trip (alone). But because of Jogja is one of my favorite city to visit, it doesn't matter to me to me about how many hours to get there, as long I have time. Because Jogja is always worth it :)

for train ticket, and booking via online information you can get it here  

We have 3 days to explore JOGJA! yeay!

People mostly go to Jogjakarta to see temples, such as Prambanan, Sambisari, Borobudur, etc. But did you know that besides that there are also many beautiful beaches in Jogjakarta that are still unexplored or wild. Located in Kidul Mountain, which has Wonosari as their capital city. To reach Kidul, you need to rent a car from Jogjakarta city. The average cost for renting a car for 12 hours is Rp. 500.000,- including driver and gasoline. If you are lucky, you can get it for Rp. 400.000,- with same conditions. The Car can bring around 5-6 persons there, so you can share the cost and reduces your budget. Nice, eh?

When the hearts are high, the time will fly

Happy New Year !!!

Time is fly, clock is never stop ticking, and finally here we go. 2014 is coming!
Thanks 2013 for many lesson learnt and kind of beautiful memories. I wont create any new resolution this time, as I think the resolution is useless if it's not coming from ourself and just following others. I will just let it flow wherever it goes, and hopefully it will be better that last year. Happy new year everyone! :)

Beauty in life

It's hard to stay mad when there's so much beauty in the world.
Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once and it's too much.
My heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst.
And then I remember to relax...and stop trying to hold on to it.
And then it flows through me like a rain, and I can't feel anything but gratitude...For every single moment of my stupid life.
You have no idea what I'm talking about, I'm sure. But don't worry.
You will someday.

Lester Burnham, American Beauty.

Road Trip to East Java

This year, I almost did not go everywhere and before the year after I finally decided to traveling again. The purpose of traveling was to visit Bromo. Why Bromo? Bromo is very famous mountain and one of the most tourist area awhich I normally avoid. But since I live in Indonesia and have not been there plus there are friends who invited to spend the rest of our annual leave, I found myself alongside 4 other friends who had never to Bromo decided to leave. Then East Java road trip it is! the route is to Madakaripura - Ijen Crater - Baluran - Bromo.

   

Madakaripura

Behind and descending into the Probolinggo Regency, one will find a spectacular sight secluded within the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park: this is the enchanting Madakaripura Waterfall.

Believed to be the final meditation place of military Commander-in-Chief, Gajah Mada, of the great Javanese kingdom of Majapahit in East Java, the towering waterfall is fondly dubbed the eternal waterfall, since its waters never cease to pour down an endless rain of blessings on those fortunate enough to walk underneath it.

Located not too far from Mount Bromo near the village of Sapih, in the Lombang district, Madakaripura Waterfall is about three hours’ drive from the capital of East Java, Surabaya. The spectacular waterfall lies hidden at the end of a deep valley in the foothills of the Tengger mountain range. To reach this, visitors must trek about 20 minutes crossing rivers and a rocky path, set amongst beautiful sceneries along the way, before reaching the entrance. Here a statue of Majapahit‘s great Commander, Gajah Mada, in the seated position of deep meditation greets visitors before they continue further on foot.

An atmosphere of natural grandeur radiates around as the waterfall comes into view. As the rumbling sounds of water grows louder, a spellbinding feature of water curtains cover the path, that will not only please the eyes but also freshen body and soul. Here, nature gracefully pours her endless refreshing gifts, making getting wet quite inevitable. While it may be best to be ready with raincoats or umbrellas, stalls along the trekking path will offer umbrella rentals and plastic bags to protect valuables, such as cameras.

    

   

  

Ijen crater

The magnificent turquoise sulfur lake of Kawah Ijen lies at 2148 m above sea level and is surrounded by the volcanos sheer crater walls. The vent is a source of sulfur and collectors work here, making the trek up to the crater and down to the lake every day. Sulfur collectors hike up in the morning and return around 1 pm when the clouds roll in. They carry shoulder basket of pure sulfur from a quarry on the lakes edge under the shadow of the sheer walls of the crater. The mineral at Kawah Ijen is purer and is worth commercial exploitation despite the horrendous labor involved: Javas homegrown sulfur is a natural source of sulfuric acid, in great demand in the oil-refining business and in the production of fertilizers.

Baluran National Park

Savana Bekol as one of the natural attractions mainstay Baluran has an area of ​​± 300 ha which includes the largest expanse of natural savanna in Java, with a background Baluran make the visitors seemed to be in Africa. 

                      

    

    

    

Bromo

This national park is named after its two mountains, Mount Semeru (the highest in Java at 3,676m), Mount Bromo (the most popular) and theTengger people who inhabit the area.

Mount Bromo (2,329m) is easily recognized as the entire top has been blown off and the crater inside constantly belches white sulphurous smoke. It sits inside the massive Tengger caldera. with a diameter of approximately 10km, surrounded by the Laut Pasir (Sea of Sand) of fine volcanic sand. The overall effect is unsettlingly unearthly, especially when compared to the lush green valleys all around the caldera.

The major access point is Cemoro Lawang (also Cemara Lawang or Cemora Lawang - blame the East Javanese accent!) at the northeastern edge of the caldera, but there are also trails from Tosari (northwest) and Ngadas (southwest). The village of Ngadisari, on the road from Probolinggo about 5.5km before Cemoro Lawang, marks the entrance to the national park. Both Cemoro Lawang and Ngadisari are rather picturesque, with brightly-painted houses and flower beds outside.