8 hidden beaches in Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta.

Do you know that Yogyakarta has secret beach? I guess you don't. All people know about Yogyakarta's beach  is Parang Tritis. In fact, there are 60 hidden beaches located in Yogyakarta, a best place for beach-hopper, right? it's like beach-hopper's paradise. It is located in Distict of Gunung kidul bordered with District of Klaten.

Most of this terittory are hills and limestones mountains which are part of mountainious of sewu. This district is known as a barren area which often has long drought, but it has a uniqueness history including tourism and culinary destination especially beach. Most of beaches are still so quite that people always make a campfire here at night. People who come here are still not as many as on Parang tritis beach. It's because the way to get here is still unreachable.

Here I will give you 8 recommendation beaches that you can visit:

1. Baron Beach
This is a nearest beach after getting through the main gate. It is just 1 km from the main gate. Local tourist are always having a celebration here in every year during holy day. This is a good spot for fishing lovers because there is a mouth of the beach in the edge of the sea. There are Parang Racuk hills with its mountain slopes so people could get some adventure there. Such an exciting place to go.

(lookjogja.blogspot.co.id)

2. Wedi Ombo beach
Do you want to swim in the safe place? here's the place. You don't have to worry because there is a small natural pool in Wedi Ombo beach. Cluster of rocks line surrounding like a small lagoon. Here you can swim by staring at the sky waiting for sunset come.
Although it is safe, you should be aware of big wave which often wipe you out. It could drag you out of the lagoon and hit the rocks. This place is located in Jepitu village, Distict of girisubo.

(valuexhunter.blogspot.co.id)

3. Wohkudu Beach
It takes 2 hours from Yogyakarta to Wohkudu beach without getting lost hehehehe. It is actually just a small beach (20 -25 m). But, this place has truly awesome scenery. This beach is flanked by two big hills which are also high. A view of white sand and blue sea would be pampering yourself. In one of cliff, there is a cavity like cave. This place is still hard to reach which is good to make a camp here. The way to get this beach is also a bit tough, you have to walk around in the path which is surrounded by thatch in your side.
There is no facility here so you have to keep this beach clean. Bring back your trash, Do not ruin the coral reef and also keep this beach away from the destruction activities. The best time come here in the morning so you can make a camp at Kesirat beach or you can come in the afternoon waiting for sunset.

(fajarsaprol.blogspot.co.id)

4. Pantai Gesing

Hidden at the west end of Gunung kidul, this beach is still untouched. 

Besides far away from the city, this beach is also quiet and deserted. There are just local people (fishermen) who want to fish in the sea. A torqouise water and super clean are the finest thing that you can see along this attractive beach.
Due to the fact that this beach is untouched, many restaurants offer seafood with fresh fish and lobster. The price is friendly for traveler. It is caused by this place is still deserted. There are row of restaurants line on the side of the beach which make easy to look for something to eat, or you could make your own food by fishing on the beach. Such a lovely beach !

5. Ngobaran beach
Blue water and sandy white beach are the beauty of natural sea. But, On Ngobaran beach you can also find 4 worship places which represent religious diversity on this beach. It also reminds us of respecting ecah other by letting them worship in the holy place.

 

(travelingyuk.com)

There is a temple with buddha and other ornament which remind us of Tanah Lot, Bali. It was build to celebrate Brawijaya's 5 presence as a descent of Majapahit. There is also a mosque facing south near the coast. 

6. Ngerenehan Beach

Located in the east side of Ngobaran beach. The first impression when you see this beach is a chain of limestone hill. 

In this beach, you don't have to worry about dragged by waves. This beach is flanked by two large coral reefs which make wave can't touch your skin. Known as fishermen's village, you'll see the way they prepare to catch the fish by using boat.  There is a unique tradition that you can see. It is a fish auction. You can attend to this place or maybe you can buy some fresh fish by local fishermen. 

7. Timang beach
Located in 35 km away from south of wonosari. This beach wasn't famous until there is a photographer who took a picture of "cable car" which hang around the beach.

(indonesianparadise.net)

This cable car used to be the only one way to get the "watu pajang island). They went there to catch lobster and shrimp, but now it's been famous destination that people love to visit. Travelers can test their nerve by using this cable car. Although it doesn't use steel rope, this cable car is strong enough to take there. Enjoy Cable car!!

8. Jogan beach

The primary attraction is the waterfall beside this beach. This beach isn't as famous as Siung beach, but the waterfall could be the best reason to walk a few hundred meters from Siung beach.

(yogyakarta-backpaker.com)

There are many beaches that I couldn't share guys. If you need to relax and enjoy your holiday, those places could be the best to ran away from your tedious activity.


@feryandriawan3

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Chilling out at Radja Coffee

I basically don't like hanging out on saturday night. But, I got a text in the group chat that my schoolmate wanted to hang out together. Having never seen for a year was our reason to meet up. We decided to chill out at Coffee store. I was a bit dissapointed with the idea because I don't like coffee. At first, the reason I went there was just meeting up my old friends.

( source: @bekasifood)

We decided to gather there at 8 pm. I told my friend to pick me up at my house.

When I arrived there, I saw all of the design made by wood, wooden chair, wooden table. A classic one, but pretty enough. There are few portable games that you could play such as, zenga, card or uno. There is a small stage you want to sing with few guitars also. In each table, a small candle beautifies your sight. There are lots of choices menu you can buy. It turns out the serve not only coffee but also milkshake, desert and appetizer.

Location : Radja Ngopi
Address :  Pahlawan street, Duren jaya, East bekasi (beside RS. Sentosa)
Range of price : Rp. 10,000 - Rp. 35,000

A music show always play at 9 pm. You can sing or request a song. My friend sang a song called "just the way you are" covered by Bruno mars, he was quite excellent. I'd never doubted him because he has a good voice. One the moment, He also sang "Happy birthday" which was given my other friend who has turned 21 years old. Happy birthday for her !

At the store, we planned on having vacation in Puncak which is held on February. I am looking foward to it though. After everyting was set up, at 1am we came back home with satisfying.

@feryandriawan3

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5 Tricks to have low-cost holiday

Many people are hesitant to go holiday because they have no much money. Thinking of ticket's flight, hotel, food, souvenir and other stuffs make you worry. The truth is holiday is cheap if you open your mind widely up. Try to change your mindset by considering some destination you haven't thought before. In addition, you can find some recommendation from the expert how to get low-cost holiday. Based on "hufingtonpost", there are several ways to have low-cost holiday.

1. Be a traveler, not a tourist.
If you go vacation, do not think of fancy hotel, food, souvenir. You have to stimulate yourself that you are a traveler not a tourist. By measuring your accomodation, you can extend your holiday. Staying at motel and eating at the street vendors can make you live longer in your destination.

2. Going to the place where you know somebody there.
Have you ever thought that you have to allocate 30% of your money to stay at hotel? If you think so, you need to consider it carefully. Going to the place where you know somebody there may be a good reason to save your money. Besides having a room to stay, you can live longer because you have extra money in your pocket.

3. Get a promo or discount.
Since travelling application (traveloka, mister aladin, etc) can easily be accessed by your hand, each agent competes by giving many discount and promo such as, ticket's flight, hotel, food. This promotion can be a perfect time to have low-cost holiday, but you have to check one by one each agent.

4, Going vacation in regular day.
Peak season could be the "worst" day to have vacation as a low-budget traveler. All prices are insanely expensive though. If you want to do low-budget vacation, make sure you have a day's off in the regular day. Besides inexpensive ticket, your destination wouldn't be as crowd as peak season.

5. Going together with your friends. 
Having holiday together is the best method to have low-budget vacation. Most of places provide cut-prices for community. The more you bring, the less you pay.

By reading those tricks, you know how to ge low-cost vacation. Be a smart and tricky traveler.

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Where to have picnic in Jakarta?

Where to have picnic in Jakarta? well, there are many beautiful places to go in Jakarta. Such as National monument (MONAS), TMII, Ancol and Ragunan. The last one, Ragunan is not just a place where animals live, but it has a beautiful scenery which is surrounded by dozen of big tress in every places. It is a good place to have picnic with your family, friends or anyone. A good place is not always expensive, like this one. I went there with my friends (5 person + 1 me). The ticket is just 10,000/motorcycle and it's been including the ticket get on Transjakarta to Kota tua (old city) and Monas. Interesting, isn't it?

After passing through the main door, we were pleasantly surprised with the views. It's so much better than before. We sat in the iron-bench like at the bus station which is existed along the road. I took a few sightseeing pictures which made me impress.

Actually, we could rent a bicycle Rp. 10,000/person, but we took a walk until we found herd of elephants who were fed by zoo keeper. They were fed palm frond. They looked like healthy because the zoo keeper treated them carefully. Then, we went to the king of jungle "Lion Africa". We saw them lied in the big rocks. They were so boring so we decided to the bird's cage. 

We saw many kinds of birds but we were amazed with Cenderawasih. When they slowly opened their wings, they looked elegant. As i could see, the visitor was impressed with this kind of aves too. Well, I saw most of visitor came from out of the town, I could see the way they talked wasn't sound familiar.

We went to the owa (kinds of monkey). At first, they were kind of friendly by stretching out their hands but they could be aggressive when we insulted or bothered them. They would jump up and down like a child who needed to be pitied. They also shouted loudly like calling each other.

We got back to the main gate where we could loan a mat or carpet Rp, 10,000/each. We streched it out and had a lunch together. A good time in the good place provided a good mood hehehehe. The weather was good, it was cloudy but not rain. We didn't spend much money here but we got a good place. It's good at restoring your mood while you want to refresh yourself.

Find me on twitter:

@feryandriawan3

Thanks for reading...

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Visiting a famous beach in Banten

For some people, Carita beach has been well-known as a famous beach in Banten. Most of them prefer going to other beach, such as Sawarna beach or Karang bolong beach. In my opinion, Carita is still worth to visit, although the beach wasn't as good as it used to be. There are many factors which make this beach so dirty. Besides air contamination, corporate activity which throws the trash away into the sea contributes to this contamination. Instead of keeping the sea clear from the trash, they contribute to make it dirtier.

Back to the story, I visited carita beach on March,2016. It'd been 1 year ago. It hadn't been planned at all, as usual. In the morning before our departure, I opened up my group chat and I saw that my friends had a plan to go somewhere. Apparently, my friend told about going to beach. It was reckless trip i guess because of not planning well. In the middle of the day, we hadn't got a rent-car. It could be canceled until my friend called his uncle to rent his car. We took of by a car at 4 pm, such a waste day!. It took 5 hours and a half to arrive on carite beach. 

Due to weekend, we hadn't easily got a homestay. we looked around for an hour to find a homestay. We checked in at 1 am and prepared to have a rest. Basically, we had to take a rest, but my friend asked us to make a fire. He put two chickens out of the box and roasted it. We had a late late dinner atthat time. It turned out that we couldn't sleep until the dawn was coming. During the dawn, I made myself feel awake. I wanted to see a sun rise there. It was unlucky for me, rain was coming until 6am. Besides i couldn't see a sunrise, I couldn't get to the beach too. 

During the rain, I talked to the pak wani a guy who had been a security for 4 months. We talked 'bout the beach and other stuffs. He said that the beach used to be crowded than now. He also told about his side-job. He had been a security in every night and he became an oil palm's laborer in the morning. I couldn't imagine how he could sleep well. He had a kid who helped him to watch in the night. Such a good boy !. 

As the rain stopped, I ran to the beach by barefoot and found a couple of rainbows. It was so stunning. It didn't seem clear, but we could see with your eyes. I was envy with people who got a good spot from his homestay. Their homestay was exactly behind the beach which made them see the sunrise or sunset. Suddenly, I felt hungry and I had "nasi uduk". The local 45 years old woman brought her basket full of rice and filled with "tempe orek and noodle". 

I enjoyed the beach with its big wave. The huge was repeatedly coming from the middle of the sea. It seemed like swalowing us with fun way hahaha. My friend bought a mini skiing to dive in it. I tried one, but I didn't feel good at it. People were happy at that day. Playing football in the beach, skiing in the sea and also snorkeling in the depth of sea was so behaved. Their routinity was so fun as if they would do it in their whole life.

Sun came up so I decided to get back to homestay. I took a bath then had some sleep. I hadn't slept for 24 hours by the way. After swimming in the morning, we prepared to get back because the traffic would be so bad if we didn't go earlier. Driving back to home was like something I didn't want to do. There wasn't anything excited while we were in the car so I slept. Soon, I got home and did an usual boring routinity. See you beach, I'll be back as soon as I can.

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Exploring Yogyakarta in 4 days

Last year, I opened up my journey by visiting Yogyakarta with my friends. We spent 4 days to get lost there. It wasn't planned at all. We actually didn't know why we got there because all we just wanted to was to have holiday together. It was unforgettable memory, started by having time together, getting lost together and making unbelievable decision. it was such a stunning week ever!. Yogyakarta is a city which has thousand beauty inside of it. When you get there, I assure you don't want to come back hahahaha!

(http://yukie-freaks.deviantart.com/)

Let's start from .....

FIRST DAY #1 : Where the journey began

This trip started when we arrived at Lempuyangan station, Yogyakarta. We had a dozen plan to do, but, first, we had to find a homestay. That was a funny thing when my friend used google map to find "malioboro street". We strolled down to Malioboro for 2 hours from lempuyangan station. To be honest, from lempuyangan station to malioboro actually just took 15 minutes. It turned out that my friend used google map, but the setting was when you used a car not walk hahahaha.

After we checked in at the homestay, we made a plan to get around in Malioboro street. We slept for couple of hour then we got off to Malioboro in the afternoon. We had a lunch in front of "beringharjo market". having "gudeg" (Yogyakarta's traditional food) was delicious meal for us. After that, we went to town square. There wasn't anything right there because we went to the wrong town square then we decided to get back to malioboro street. We stopped by at "titik nol Yogyakarta" this is a heart of the city where you can hear a heartbeat of the city.

As long as we walked, we rubbed up against store supplies such as clothes, meals, any other unique stuffs. Malioboro street is a place where you can find unique and unusual stuff. We got around 2 hours to find a stuff we we'd love to buy. I bought 2 clothes and 2 traditional wallets as a souvenir for my parents and sister. Bargaining is something that you should specialize here because you can get whatever you want with a low-cost.

SECOND DAY #2 : Unexpectedly decision

I woke up earlier in the second day. I had a plan to find another town square this morning. We enjoyed walking around in Yogyakarta and took a few pictures to memorize it. From Malioboro street to East town square took an hour by foot. When we got there, there was 2 huge tress in the middle of the field. The myth said that if you could possibly walk in the middle of by closing both of your eyes, your true couple would be found immediately. That was just a myth hah! .

I enjoyed a beautiful scenery with a cup of tea and "gorengan", so did my friends. Having conversation with local people was pleasure. The way they talked about the beauty of this city, and the way of their perspective about living this city made me stay longer or even lived there hahaha. I always dreamed of living in the village not in the big crowded town.

It'd been 2 hours so we came back to the homestay and packed our stuff to the real destination. We should've checked out at 12 am and went to the bantul, but the plan wasn't going well. We had to wait friend of mine pick us up, but there wasn't any news from him. We had to arrange another plan. We are insisted on staying at the mosque for 3 hours then we took a walk to Vredenburgh wall, but unfortunately, the wall was closed. What an amazing day, was it? we took off to another mosque. We stayed there till the night came, till the electricity that we used was turned off. We were like a beggar who needed a homestay.

We were desperated so we decided to get Bantul with a cab. We finally made it ! after more than 10 hours going to nowhere. Our friend who lived in Bantul was so pleased. He let us stay for 2 days. We slept there thanks to him.

THIRD DAY #3 : Going to hidden beach in Gunung Kidul

After getting through rough day, now we arrived in Bantul. We'd been getting closer with our destination. At first time, I didn't think we could get there because the way to get there was so steep with high hill and ravine. By riding motorcycle, we went to gunung kidul beach. In the middle of the trip, we saw a car crashed and got into the ravine. that was so terrified, but we kept taking our eyes on in order that we could keep an eyes on each other.

We got the main gate in Gunung Kidul beach. Rp.10,000/person was the ticket that we should pay. It wasn't too expensive to see chain of beach along Yogyakarta until east java. The nearest beach was "Baron Beach". We finally came by in "Slili Beach", it wasn't as familiar as "Indrayanti Beach", but the scenery was awesome and stunning. By renting a cottage Rp.20,000 you could put your things and enjoy the beach.

We did snorkeling there, but most of couldn't swim, including me. Rp.30,000/person snorkeling in Slili beach. it was cheaper than other beach. We had snorkeling for an hour. It was my first time and I thought I wanted more. After snorkeling, we had a lunch. Some of my friends continued seeing other beach whereas I slept in the cottage. My friend talked about a waterfall in the beach. That was their destination, but i didn't come along. They came back at 4 a.m and we went home. Journey was over.

FOURTH DAY #4 : Packing stuff then going home

The day was running quickly. There was a time we had to come home. Although I missed my home, I prefered staying here for few days more. Train was off at 4pm. We headed back with all memories kept tightly on my mind. Thanks to lad who let us stay for days in Bantul. The perfect holiday when i also turned to 21 years old.

Ciaoo!!!

@feryandriawan3 

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5 Highest Mountain In Indonesia

A biggest archipelago in the world, thousand of unique places in the whole country, the best place when people want to go away from their routinity. That whole things are wrapped up in one country, "INDONESIA".

Besides beach, most of islands in indonesia became home from the mountainous with an evelation more than 2000 metres above sea level. Either volcano or not, mountain in Indonesia has become favorite destination for hikers. Here's 5 highest mountain in Indonesia that you must hike :

5. Mount Semeru (3676 m)

It is the highest volcano in Java island and still active. In indonesia, Mount Semeru the third highest volcano after Mount Kerinci and Mount Rinjani. The peak of volcano is called as "Mahameru" or abode of god. Mahameru itself means "the great mountain". Located in Malang, this mountain has been known by hikers as a horror mountain because there are many people said they've met "ghost market".

It takes 2 days to get the peak of mount Semeru. Journey starts from Malang bus station then continued by using truck until Ranu pani (the first post). Don't forget to do-checking in Ranu Pani then you can start hiking from there.

4. Mount Rinjani (3726 m)

Located in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. It turns out that Lombok has the second highest volcano in Indonesia. Not only chain of beaches, but also mount rinjani has been known for a long time. in 1995, the biggest eruption was occured here, but tourist still not afraid of that.

3. Mount Kerinci (3805 m)

Located in Jambi, Sumatera. The highest volcano in Indonesia and still active. But the scenery was so epic. That is why this mountain never been uncrowded. Mount kerinci is surrounded by seven mountains which are very beautiful. Then there are Penuh river and Coffe plantation in around mount Kerinci. If you want to hike mount Kerinci, you can reach from Padang, Jambi and bengkulu. But for airplane, I reccomend you to land in Padang because there is an international airport which is called as "Minang Kabau International Airport"

2. Trikora Peak (4750 m)

Also called as wilhemina peak located in West Papua, Indonesia. This mountain lies in the eastern part of Sudirman (nassau) of Maoke Mountain. It is the second highest mountain in Papua and also Indonesia. If you want to hike this mountain, you can take a flight to Jayapura then you can continue by taking local flight from Jayapura to Wamena. After getting Wamena, you go to Balliem valley. From there, you can start trekking to the trikora peak. See the beautiful landscape from up there.

1. Jaya Wijaya Mountain (4884 m)

The highest mountain in Indonesia which is located in Papua. This mountain is still part of Sudirman (nassau). In 1962, Robert phillip temple and friends were the first hikkers in JayaWijaya. Actually, this mountain was closed for tourist because it was not safety in 2005. But, one year later, Hikkers can hike this mountain, but they have to take tourism agency.

If you have an experience there, you can share by writing down your experience below here.

catch up on writer:

@feryandriawan3

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Raja Ampat, heaven in the east of Indonesia

Papua is a black pearl. That nick name was given because Papua hides many beautiful places that you haven't ever heard. Located in the east of Indonesia, Papua apparently has a major beauty which is hidden in each of its island, especially "Raja ampat". 

History

Raja Ampat is surrounded by four major island. There are Waigeo, Misool, Batanta, Salawati. Each island has different characterization. According to myth which is in Papua, There was a girl who found seven eggs, but only four of eggs hatched. Each of egg occupied one island which means there are 4 king in 4 island surrounded in Raja Ampat.

History also mentioned that Raja ampat was part of "Sultanate of Tidore" , but the Dutch was invaded. Raja ampat became part of Netherland's invasion territory for temporary.

Main Attractions

Raja ampat is an amazing place. One of those stunning scenery is "Lagoon in wayag". Lagoon is a spectaculary group of big rock islands in the northwest of the region. 

In Raja Ampat. you can also see 540 type of corals, 750 type of fish and 1000 type of mollusc. Based on those facts, 75% of the world's species live there. You can see yourself how beauty this place is. The stunning underwater scenery will hypnotize you because of those things.

How to get there?

You can go there by plane from Jakarta to Sorong, Papua. It may take 6-7 hours then you go to Sorong Harbour. Sorong harbour is the gate to Raja Ampat. Taking Ferry or Speed boat from Sorong Harbour to Raja Ampat.

Actually, there are cheaper way to Raja Ampat, but it takes much time so I reccomend you to take a flight and book it a month before your vacation. The important thing is to avoid "PEAK SEASON" because the ticket will be expensive.

Catch up on me
Twitter : @feryandriawan3

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Tips on Vacation

5 Ways to Save Money on Vacation

In 2016, I had some vacation.  In each vacation, I always made a mistake for my reckless. Like everybody else, I always made a note about what to do and what not to do, especially in managing my money. Ticket, Lodging-house, meals, and other stuff must be concerned for the traveler. I remembered when I had a trip to Yogyakarta, I bought some helpless stuff. Travel isn't cheap is a reality, people can't just have a holiday without managing the cost of everything.  

Here's the 5 ways to manage your money.

1. Order your ticket a month before your travel

This is important because each travel agent have a cut-price if you order a month before your travel. By downloading apps such as Traveloka, Mister Aladin you can compare the ticket price. Those sites could be your guide to get a hot-deals hotel. Besides having cut-prices, those sites have a certain recommendation places. 

2. Pack efficiently

Don't bring more clothes and roll your clothes in order that you don't have to take many bags. If you are going to beach, you have to bring a cloth not an uniform. You must be aware of the situation where you are going. Don't take a wrong custome, it would embarrass yourself.

3. Don't be afraid of bargaining

This is always happened for traveler, they are afraid to do that. While I went home from Bogor, my friends and I should have ordered Grabcar, but we didn't have grabcar around us. So we decided to take public transportation (Angkot), we didn't ask how much. That's the fault because we had to pay more than 10k each people for 3km. That's insane !!

 4. Skip the Souvenir

Why we have to buy a souvenir. We don't need a key chains or decorative spoons to remember our terrific journey. Instead, we can take a photo to memorize our journey. 

5. Going to cheap destination 

Cheap destination does'nt mean a bad place. There are many rare places that is still hidden. Don't go to mainstream place because it's too usual for people. 

Check my recommendation trip.

@feryandriawan3 

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