Showing posts with label Nature. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nature. Show all posts

Goa Pindul - Guningkidul - Yogyakarta

Monday, May 12, 2014

Pindul Cave, Gunungkidul . As one of the district in Yogyakarta, Gunungkidul has very interesting attractions. Gunungkidul tourism popularity increase caused by internet, there are many blog or  website that provides information about tourist attractions in Gunungkidul.

One of the tourist attractions that must be visited in Gunungkidul especially when my friend a nature lover, is Pindul Cave or Goa Pindul. 
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Oya River as beautiful as Green Canyon

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Gunungkidul Region at Yogyakarta has a beautiful tour destination as beautiful as Green Canyon in America. This potential of the natural wealth was located at Gelaran, Bejiharjo, Karangmojo, as a part of Oya River.


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ATV challenge in Gumuk Pasir

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Some peoples uses their holiday season traveling. Even some people are already planned a tourist trip well advance before the holiday season comes. The goal is clear, do not let your long vacation without impression. So there is nothing wrong if the object Parangtritis Tourism became the primary choice. In the Objects which is located 25 kilometers south of Yogyakarta, the traveler not only spoiled by stretch of sand and ride a horse and hansom.

Trying to drive All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) with a field of sand beach will certainly bring a different sensation and worth a try in the Object Object Parangtritis. There are four ATV rental services around this beach. For ATV enthusiasts can enjoy the thrill of ATV without having to spend too deep, manager at Parangtritis agreed rental rate is $ 25 thousand per 15 minutes. With 15 minutes, it is enough time to down along Parangtritis.



The existence of ATV rental service is one of commitment to residents around the beach in introducing the coastal fringe tour. The concept is to introduce the presence of sand dunes or “Gumuk Pasir” in Parangtritis to visitors that are still common.



Actually the presence of motorcycles ATV rental services not just for profit only. There are another more great mission, to participates in maintaining the safety of visitors beach. Although not as complete as the SAR Team equipment, in each ATV rental services location there is a simple infrastructure to help save the visitors when drifted.



ATV motor sensation not only be enjoyed alone. But it would be more memorable when shared with loved ones. Actually this bike designed for two passengers. The beach managers also no age limit for renters. They just restricted the area for childs. They recommend the area for child is around the post, so they can monitor their child renters.



Although still relatively new, you do not have to worry if it has not been able to operationalize the ATV. The experts and professionals will assist us in driving ATVs. So don’t forget to try this ATVs sensation when you comes to Parangtritis Beach. (source: www.krjogja.co.id)
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Nglanggeran the beautifull hills

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Nglanggeran Hills are hills at Gunungkidul Residence that has beautiful view. This hills placed at the north side of Gunungkidul Residence in direction of Klaten Residence, Middle Java. This place was not far away from the center of Yogyakarta City. It’s about 20km to the southeast from Yogyakarta City. When we go there, we can through curving street with beautiful hills scene. Before we arrive to Nglanggeran Hills, at the hills area at Pathuk Subdistrict, we have viewed with beautiful scene of Yogyakarta City like in Puncak-Bogor-West Java.

When we arrive in a crossroad not far away from Old Pathuk Village Office, we must turn left, pass through small road around 6 km for reach Nglanggeran Hills. Before we reach Nglanggeran Hills we presented some TV transmitter tower and some cellular operator antenna at the edge of this small road. After we arrive at Tawang Crossroad, we must turn right follow small road as far as 2 km and we arrived at the bottom of Nglanggeran Hills.
At the bottom of Nglanggeran Hills, there are so many big stone spread. Some big stones bigger than a house and elephants. Between the big stone there is a house like a public building. This public building used as traditional ritual/ceremony place. As some villager said, we can park our vehicle at the village near the hill. We only paid Rp2000 for park a motorbike and Rp5000 for park a car for along day. Through that village we can start climb the hill pass through small footstep to aim Nglanggeran Hills. It is not long time to reach the top of the hills. The distance of hill climbing around 2,5 km for parking area and it can reach only in 1,5 hours.

During climbing the hills we presented leafy trees and sedimentary rock formation at the edge of footstep. The leafy trees make the ambience more chilly. And when we reach the top of the hills we will be impressed. Beautiful nature scene can viewed from here. The road bendeds like snakes, wet rice fields like green ladder and trees spread out area like green beautiful carpet. At the top of this hills we can see Wonosari City surroundings by the green hills. We also can enjoy the fresh air, composure and peacefully.
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Kiskenda Cave | The Wonderful Cave in Yogyakarta

Monday, April 5, 2010

Kiskendo Cave located about 35 kilometers at northwest side of Yogyakarta, located in Menoreh Mountain at Kulon Progo Regency. An also only 15 kilometers to the south from Kendal via Kaliwungu city, exactly at Trayu village, the location is very easy to reach too. The area lies about 700 meters above sea level, so the air is always cool and fresh.

The environment around this cave was so beautiful. To the East, vast lowlands extending around the Progo River can be admired and to the South, the Indian Ocean looks so wonderful. Motorbikes or cars can reach this cave. But if you are using big vehicles (i.e. bus) you are advised to stop at the Girimulyo district and continued by smaller vehicles because of the narrow road. Along the way to the cave the beautiful view of the mountainous area and the terraced rice field are a beautiful sight.

After tracking, visitors begin entering the mouth of cave; inside will be found some little caves and a little river flow. Sometimes, you can found some collegians were climbing the vertical wall and slope of cave. When you entering Kiskendo Cave, you will be greeted by wonderful stalactites and stalagmites.

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Gembira Loka Zoo Yogyakarta

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

When you visit Yogyakarta you can visit a great zoo that called Gembira Loka. Gembira means happy and Loka is place. Hopefully one should be happy by visiting it. Gembira Loka Zoo is located at the eastern side of Kusumanegara Street on hinterland of Yogyakarta. It is located not far away from down town, it is within the reach of andong or becak relax tour. It’s also not so far from Malioboro, Tugu Rail Station and Kotagede (center of handicraft in particular of silversmith located in eastern).

Gembira Loka Zoo that first opened in 1955, is a popular weekend destination for domestic tourist (more than 650.000 visitors a year) and a point of interest to tourists to the area, but there are also some foreign tourists watching closely the famous reptiles Komodos (Varanus Comodoensis), originally live only in Komodo Island, nearby Flores. There is a large central lake and numerous weird and wonderful entertainment devices for children dotted around the 20 hectare 400 species site.

In about one hour browsing, a visitor could see tigers, snakes, crocodiles, goat, Sumatra’s elephants, Java’s one-horned Rhinoceros, and several kinds of monkey such as Orang Utan, Beruk (Sumatra’s monkeys), the black singing monkey with big air bubble on his neck etc. There are also have collections of deer’s, birds etc.

The well-arranged zoo, amidst a park of green garden, with a large artificial lake for boating has adequate collection of some tropical animals. The zoo management tries to put the animals in more spacious stables, to feel more comfortable.

The vast green shadowy park and the lake water and the river Gajah Wong that passes right in the middle of the zoo should regulate the temperature to be a bit cooler or at least fresher.

Sometime, in special event or in weekend, live music performance with some famous singers and artist organized in this park. This should bring a big crowd. But during working days, everything is calmer and a visitor could enjoy the visit comfortably.


GEMBIRA LOKA YOGYAKARTA

Jl. Kebun Raya no. 2 Yogyakarta, 55171 - Indonesia
Telp: +62 274 373861
Fax: +62 274 384666
Email: info@gembiraloka.co.id
Website: www.gembiraloka.co.id
Facebook: Gembiraloka Zoo Yogyakarta
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Village Trumpon Nature Tours Offer

Wednesday, October 7, 2009


Trumpon Resort is a tour object at Merapi mountside with exotic natural panorama. In this object found a guardhouse with 3 floor building and broadly 25meters square. This guardhouse equiped by means of binoculars that functioned to see mount Merapi panorama, mount Merbabu, mount menoreh, mount Sumbing and south coast ridges.

Trumpon Resort consist of one village that is Salam-Trumpon village, enter in merdikorejo village, Tempel district, Sleman regency, Yogyakarta province. Geographically this area is located in Merapi hillside at south side, or western capital of Sleman regency with distance around 13 km or 24 km from yogyakarta. Beside can be goed with individual vehicle also can be go through with rural district transport or general vehicle.

Weather in this place is cool enough because present at 500m high from sea level. This location lays in tour stripe of prambanan temple - kraton jogjakarta - kaliurang – borobudur temple. This location also be potential strategic for area growth, especially from economy aspect based on agriculture. Trumpon also can integrate in one tour package "one day tour on merapi belt" cover Trumpon village tour, balerante tradisional market, Ngringging village tour, Tunggul Arum village tour and tracking at Turgo with have lunch at Boyong Kalegan restaurant or Kangen Desa restaurant with specially bream menu. For the man who interested to stay, Trumpon citizen also prepare home stay ready for used. besides can enjoy Salak Fruit, also can enjoy comfort other like tradisional artistry, fishing package, tracking package, outbound package, up to Salak Pondoh cultivation training package.

Besides that Trumpon has also social character, has traditional artistry culture with doesn't less important this area has mount Merapi beauty panorama.

Reservation & Contact Person :
Trumpon Resort
R. Susilo Hadi
Salam-Trumpon village, Merdikorejo, Tempel Sleman, Yogyakarta
Phone : 0817 0425 817, 0274 652 3378, 0274 789 7998

Tour Package :

Package A
Salak Fruit enjoy
Enjoy Salak pondoh fruit from the garden ( self pick)
Price
Rp: 7.500,-/orang (child)
Rp. 10.000,-/orang (adult)


Package B
Salak Pondoh cultivation training package
Service : welcome drink, guide, lunch
Price :
Rp. 25.000,- (min. 6 person)

Package C
Home Stay
One day home stay, welcome drink, Breakfast, Local guide, Lunch, dinner
Price :
Rp. 75.000,- (min. 6 person)

Package D
Out Bond
Price :
Rp. 25.000,- (child) , Rp. 50.000,-(adult),


Traditional Art

Badui
Price :
Rp. 750.000,-

Jatilan
Price :
Rp. 2.500.000,-

Karawitan
Price :
Rp. 1.000.000,-

Others

Fishing Package
Price :
Rp. 10.000,- / person

Batik making
price :
Rp. 25.000,- (min. 6 person)


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Baron, The beautiful coast at Gunungkidul

Friday, August 7, 2009


Baron Beach located in Gunungkidul Regency, precisely at Kemadang Village, Tanjungsari District, 65 km from Yogyakarta City. To ashore this beach, you will pass Wonosari City, as capital of Gunungkidul Regency, the distance approximately 40 kilometer from Yogyakarta. Road infrastructure to Wonosari City is good enough. The way was devious and fluctuate. Although, during trip, you serving with beautiful nature scenery. Distance between Wonosari with Baron Beach approximately 23 kilometer southerly, with bituminous road, across famous lime hills that called Pegunungan Seribu.



Jalan menuju Pantai Baron

Baron Beach be first coast that is find from coast area Baron, Kukup, Sepanjang, Drini, Krakal and Sundak. This coast is a gulf that is flanked by green hill wall and filled by coconut trees. This gulf is a river estuary under reef with clear enough water. Baron beach wave is big enough, but you admit to swim at this coast up to the sea limit that marked with stretched wire above the gulf.

Barons Local Fisherman

Not so far from this place, can found a fish market that sells various kind fresh fish. Besides that, you also can enjoy various fresh seafish culinary with achievable price, belong Baron beach special menu, Kakap Soup.

Baron Fish Market

At eastside, reachable with footpath we can found lime hill. There are a rest guardhouse that we can take a rest while sip fresh coast air. Approximately 10 km to the west from Baron beach, can found Parang Racuk beach with the hill that rise out and steep.

In every “Syuro” month (Javanese Year), local fisherman society conducts Sedekah Laut ceremony as an expression to thanks god on fish harvest that overflow and welfare looks for fish at the sea.





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Pulutan Beach : Others beach at Wediombo area

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Pulutan beach lies in Wediombo Beach area. As same as Jungwok beach, Pulutan beach is a natural beach with beautiful scenery. This beach also have beautiful white sand with great scenery. There are many species of fish, algae, crabs, snails and any others. Pulutan beach still very natural and there are lack of tourist, so you can enjoy your privacy sunbathe. Behind the scenery of beach, sometimes you can see some Javanese Monkey which live in many caves at Pulutan Beach area. You can walk from Wediombo beach to visit this beach. Read more about Pulutan Beach @ www.wediombo.com

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Jungwok Beach : Beach around Wediombo area

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Jungwok beach lies in Wediombo Beach area. Jungwok beach placed in the east of Wediombo beach. Jungwok beach is a natural beach with beautiful scenery. The special scenery is a big stone or coral at the middle of the sea. This stone or coral called “Watu Topi”. “Watu” is stone and “Topi” is hat, so “Watu Topi” means is stone or coral that as shape as hat. This beach also have white sand with shallow beach. There are many species of fish, algae, bird and any others. Jungwok beach still very natural and there are lack of tourist, so you can enjoy your privacy sunbathe. This beach can’t accessed with any vehicle so you can walk from Wediombo beach, but don’t worry about this. Jongwok beach not too far from Wediombo beach. Read more about Jungwok Beach@ www.wediombo.com

"Stone at the middle of the sea"


"Watu Topi"

"Fisherman & conservation forest behind the beach"

"shallow beach"

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Wediombo Beach

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Wediombo beach is a natural beach with beautiful scenery. It lies in Jepitu village, Girisubo sub district, about 40 km in the south east of Wonosari city. It's a bay with white sand,which slopes gently to the sea, and it can be seen from the hill or even from the shore. Visitors can enjoy perfect sunset scenery from here and the fresh air is very good for the respiratory organs. For visitors who enjoy fishing, Wediombo beach is a perfect choice. In a certain times many of Panjo fish appear along the beach. Ngalangi traditional ceremony is perfomed once in a year in this beach. It's a kind of fishing ceremony. In this ceremony, people use gawar, made from wawar tree's root as a net. The wawar tree's root is staked from the Kedungdowok hill and pulled together into the sea by wediombo people. In one area with Wediombo beach, there is Gremeng beach, Jungwok beach and Kalong island (a small island inhabited by thousands of Kalong). This island can be reach by tracking trough a pathway, about 1,5 km to the east.
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Sadeng Beach, The Estuary of the Ancient Bengawan Solo River

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Bengawan Solo River used to flow quietly from its upper course in the north area and empty into Sadeng Beach that now is located in Gunung Kidul Regency. Four million years ago, however, a geological process took place. The Australia slab got under Java Island, causing the Java Land to rise slowly. The course of the river could not resist so that it turned northwards. The old line then dried since there was no flowing water anymore. This area is rich in limestone hills that, according to some researches, used to be coral reefs under the seawater.

Now, the ex line of the river that is popular through the keroncong song entitled Bengawan Solo created by Gesang becomes an interesting tourism object. In addition to serving as a tourism object, Sadeng, which was the estuary of the river, is one of the biggest fish harbor in Yogyakarta. Both of them become valuable geological sites. Once, there was a tour package exploring the course of the Ancient Bengawan Solo to its estuary.

On the way to Sadeng, we can see some hundreds meters line of the Ancient Bengawan Solo River. We can see the line after arriving at a blue plank with the writing "Girisubo - Ibukota Kecamatan". Get down from your vehicle and look carefully at the ex line of the river and record it with your camera.

There are two high limestone hills planking a low land that used to be the line of the river. The low land that now functions as a field for local people to grow vegetables bends beautifully as far as 7 kilometers northwards Pracimantoro area in Wonogiri Regency. The bends are so tempting that our eyes will have to see them.

The river line can also be explored southwards to its ex estuary in Sadeng Beach. One of the fishermen told that the estuary of the Ancient Bengawan Solo River was on the east beach, the area that currently is part of the fish harbor. Nonetheless, the explore to the south is not as beautiful as the one to the north because the line going to Sadeng Beach is not in the same direction with the flow of the biggest river in Java.

When we get to beach, we will see different scenery. The area of the beach also experiences changes like the line of the river that now functions as vegetables field. Sadeng Beach now functions as the most advanced fish harbor in Yogyakarta. This can be seen from the availability of big motorboats, gas station, shelters for fishermen and fish auction center and fishermen cooperative.

The development of Sadeng as a fish harbor has its own story. Around the year 1983, a group of fishermen from Gombong, Central Java came to this place. They considered Sadeng to be a potential place to go sea. The challenges are quite hard, not only the big waves but also local people's belief forbidding people to go sea and the beach that is believed to be mystical.

One of the fishermen, Pairo told that the fishermen from Gombong believed that anyone could get into Sadeng Beach. Thus, anyone who dares to live in Sadeng will live. Finally, more fishermen from Gombong lived and made their living with their catches in that place.

Since then, the area keeps developing. In 1986, a center for fish auction was built and a harbor equipped with lighthouse to support the fishery activities were built. In 1989s, a cooperative for fishermen was formed. In 1995, an office that took care of the catches that also functions as a shelter for the transit fishermen was organized.

We will see the development of the fishery in Sadeng by visiting all parts of the beach. We will see fishermen cleaning their boats, carrying the fish to the acution center, grinding ice cubes to be placed in fish box before being distributed, and a number of mothers taking car of children in the shelter. All people are busy with fishery activities.

Besides, we can also explore the seashore in the eastern part and head to the sand dune close to the lighthouse. The scenery of the unlimited ocean will look clearly. Different from other beaches in Gunung Kidul in general, Sadeng does not have huge coral reefs so that our vision will not be obstructed. Sometimes, you can see fishermen's boats are going to sea.

Visiting Sadeng is like witnessing an evolution process. Along the way, we can recall the evolution of the low land of the Ancient Bengawan Solo line from its time when the water was still flowing to the present condition where the line changes its function as a field where local people grow vegetables. Meanwhile, visiting the beach seems like recall the beach that used to be the estuary that was quiet and now it becomes the biggest fish harbor in Yogyakarta.

Source : www.YogYes.com Read more...

Ngobaran Beach, from Temple to Fried Sea Urchin

Friday, April 25, 2008

Going to Ngrenehan Beach and enjoying the grilled fish will be complete if you drop by Ngobaran Beach that is located adjacent to it. The location of the beach with high cliff is around two kilometers from Ngrenehan Beach. It is not far, isn't it? Local people of Ngrenehan Beach even talk and visit Ngobaran Beach, why don't you?

Ngobaran is such an exotic beach. When sea water falls, you can see spread of both green and brown seaweed. Being looked from the top, the spread of the algae growing in between coral reef looks like spread of rice field in a densely populated area. Tens of sea animal species also present in between the coral reef, ranging from sea urchin, starfish, to various types of cockle shells.
What you will not find in other beaches is the cultural enchantment, ranging from the building to the local food. One interesting place is four praying places that stand side by side. Is it form of multiculturalism? Who knows.
The most prominent one is a building that looks like a temple with ornaments of god statues in white color. The building was built in 2003 to commemorate the arrival of Brawijaya V, one of Majapahit's king, in Ngobaran. The people who use the place are of Kejawan belief. The name 'Kejawan' originates from the nickname of Brawijaya V's son, namely Bondhan Kejawan. The person who built the building acknowledge to be the descendant of Brawijaya V and appointed one person in the community to keep this place.

Walking to the left side of the praying place, you will see Javanese building, Joglo, which is used by followers of Kejawen belief to say their prayer. When we visited this place, some people were saying their prayer. The people tell that Kejawan belief is different from Kejawen one. However, they cannot pinpoint the differences.

If you continue your way in front of the joglo, you fill see a stone box with dry plant on it. The plant is confined with grey wood fence. The point where the dry plant grows was the place where Brawijaya V pretended to burn himself. He took this step because he was not willing to fight his son, Raden Patah (the first King of Demak).

The truth of this story about Brawijaya V is doubted by many historians. The reason is, if Raden Patah attacked Brawijaya V, it will give an image that Islam was spread in a violent way. Many historians suggest that the existing historical evidences do not sufficiently conclude that Raden Patah made an attack. You may search any information for further assurance about it.
Some meters of the box where the dry plant grows there is a temple for Hindu people to say prayer. No detail information of its foundation.

In front of the dry plant grows, there is a mosque with the size of around 3x4 meters. The mosque building is quite simple since the floor is of sands as if it unites with the beach. What is unique is its direction. Most of the mosques in Indonesia face westwards, but this mosque faces southwards. The front part where the religious leader leads the prayer is open so that it directly sees the ocean. When we asked local people about it, no one knows the reason. They even get surprised because the founder of the mosque is a well known kyai of Nahdatul Ulama who lived in Panggang, Gunung Kidul. For correct direction for those who want to pray in the mosque, local people make a sign on the wall using red pencil.

After being astonished with the religious site, you can get down to the beach. When you come early in the morning, you will see people take seaweed. They sell the seaweed at 1,000 to 1,500 Rupiah per kilogram. They use the earnings for their daily lives.

If you come in the afternoon, however, you will see people searching for sea urchin for their side dish at their dinner. The spines of the sea urchin must be cut first then it is pried using a sickle. The meat inside of the sea urchin is then taken out. When searching for the sea urchin, people usually bring bucket, coconut sieve, sickle, and hat to prevent them from the sun.

The ingredients to cook sea urchin are salt and chilli. It is then fried. Not many people sell this menu. They say that the meat is quite delicious. If you really want to have a try, please ask them to cook specially for you. Maybe you have special recipe to cook sea urchin so that it can be served as favourite cuisine and increase society welfare.

Isn't it complete yet? There might not be other choices for the beach beauty, enchantment of the praying places, and tempting cuisine other than this beach. (source YogYES.COM)
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Krakal Beach

Thursday, April 3, 2008

To get to Krakal beach you have to pass Wonosari, the capital of the Gunungkidul Regency, about 38 km from Yogyakarta. The winding and mountainous road is well asphalted. Krakal is about 21 km from Wonosari. Located at 7 km eastern side of the road where branches off the main road crossing limestone hills with their harsh appearance alternated with terraced rocks which all presents enchanting scenery to Baron Beach. Geologists say that a long time ago, this place was lies below sea level. Among all the beaches that stretch along the coast of Java, Krakal with its white sandy beach surrounded with mountainous rock hills is may be the most beautiful beach in Yogyakarta. Meanwhile, the battering of its gigantic waves in a mass of white foam gives more enchantment in enjoy relaxing atmosphere in this beach. It has attracted many tourism-planning experts from foreign countries. They suggest that it should be prepared as a beach resort, particularly for foreign tourists (like Nusa Dua resorts in Bali). Their interest in exploring Krakal is supported by its attractive potentials such as: a sloping and white sandy beach stretching out for about 5 km. There is always warm sunshine from dawn until the twilight comes during the whole dry and rainy season. The sea wind is always blowing softly. As a whole, it is most suitable for sun bathing. It also offers a shade and a multi colored marine growth.

Krakal is close to Kukup beach and Baron cove. This cove is in fact an estuary of an underground river that comes up exactly at the waterfront. It is interesting to observe the combination of the beach and the cove from the protruding rocky hills that flank the caves on both sides.

Related Link: www.yogyes.com/krakal

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Kaliurang, a la Madam and Meneer Tour

Sunday, March 23, 2008

In the early of the nineteenth century, some Dutch geologists living in Yogyakarta intended to find a place for their family to spend their vacation. They went along the edge of the north area as the high land. Arriving at Kaliurang that is located on 900 meter above sea level, the "meneers" were enchanted by the nature beauty and coolness in that foot of the mountain. They finally built bungalows and decided to make the area their place for vacation.

Nature Enchantment and Historical Buildings

The trip from Yogyakarta to Kaliurang reminds us of the scenery picture we (=Indonesian people) made in the kindergarten. A mountain with the street lying in the middle and the green spread on both sides ornamented with people's houses will release tiredness in the frame of nature painting.

Covered with the breeze, even when the sun is over our head, the coolness is still felt. The air dancing through the trees and slowly going down hill gives fresh feeling to our body.

The view of Merapi Mountain gives special sensation in this area. Just like village girls who will cover their face when we look at them, this mountain will also be covered with fog when we come to see it.

Going along the west side of Plawangan Hill as long as 1,100 meters, traveling cross country, through soil path framed with trees and green slopes, and series of 22 caves as the inheritance of the Japanese colonial are some uniqueness of Kaliurang natural tourism.

In addition to its natural beauty, Kaliurang also has some historical buildings. Some of them are Wisma Kaliurang and Pesanggrahan Dalem Ngeksigondo that is owned by the Sultan Palace that used to be functioned as the meeting place of the Three Nation Commission, and Ullen Sentalu

museum which part of the building is under ground. This museum reveals the mystery of the culture and values of Javanese history, especially those related to the princess of Yogyakarta and Surakarta kingdoms in the nineteenth century.

Family Recreation Area

Located 28 kilometers from the center of Yogyakarta city, Kaliurang now has an enchanting cultural and natural tourism area that becomes en enjoyable place for family recreation.

Parents may relax while keeping their children playing in the Play Ground. In an area of 10,000 meter square width, children can play swing, sliding, or swimming in a mini pool. Besides, in the play ground that is ornamented with the statue of a genie a la 1001 night stories and some kinds of animal, children can play mini cars or pass through a dragon statue by entering from its mouth and exiting from its tail.

About 300 meters to the north east of the recreation garden, there is Plawangan Turgo garden. There is Tlogo Putri swimming pool of which water originates from a spring at the slope of Plawangan Hill. Playing swing or behaving playfully with the family in the garden will release tiredness among the green forest of the forestry department.

Walking along the east side, seeing some monkeys jumping and swinging on the branches, enjoying the chirp of birds in the sloping up path of layered stones and stairs as long as 900 meters can be a little tiring, but the top of Merapi Mountain viewed on a bright day from Pronojiwo Hill will replace the tiredness with admiration. On the way to the top of Pronojiwo Hill, we had the opportunity to run race with Nick (47 years old), an English tourist. I won the race, but the feeling of being united with nature was more pleasant. Mineral water sold by the drink sellers will quench your thirst while seeing Merapi that stands amidst the green spread of the forest. Binocular is rent for IDR 3,000 per 30 minutes to see the Merapi Mountain more clearly.

Arriving back to the garden, have relax at Tlogo Muncar to enjoy the waterfall. During rainy season, water will flow down swiftly.

To enjoy the Kaliurang scenery, visitors may go around by a rabbit carriage that is most popularly called sepoer. This vehicle usually stands by in the parking lot in front of the food shops. The route is going around from the east to the west to encircle Kaliurang tourism area, passing through the viewing post on the west side where Merapi can be seen clearly on bright days. For minimum of seven people, each person will be charged IDR 3,000. For exclusive trip, the charge is IDR 20,000 per person with services like those for a nobleman.

If you want to enjoy the coolness of the air and the quietness of the night at Kaliurang, there are many choices of villas, bungalows, and inns. The tariffs vary from IDR 25,000 to IDR 300,000. Some lodgings where you can stay are: Bukit Surya (most recommended), Puri Indah Inn (3-stars), and Wisma Sejahtera.

Before leaving, make sure that you buy gifts ranging from local fruits to special food namely tahu and tempe bacem (sweet, fried tofu and tempeh) and jadah (made from sticky rice and grated coconut).

The green spread at the foot of Merapi Mountain, cool air and all natural, luxurious packages will release your tiredness and refresh you from the noise of the city. (source : YogYES.COM)

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Siung Beach, With 250 Routes for Cliff Climbing

Friday, March 21, 2008

Siung Beach is located in a remote area in Gunung Kidul Regency, to the south of Tepus Sub-Regency to be exact. The distance is around 70 kilometer from the center of Yogyakarta city or it will take you around 2 hours drive. Since it is difficult to get public transportation to go the beach, it would be easier if you make your travel with your own vehicle. Public bus or mini van from Wonosari city will stop at Tepus area only and you have to wait long to get one.

When you plan to make your travel by your car or motorcycle, make sure that they are in a very good condition. The reason is that you are going to go through challenging road with climbs, sharp bending and sometimes slopes under the hot sun in between limestone hills and vegetable fields. You will have to overcome all the hindrances since you come to Pathuk area (the first Sub-Regency that you will pass by in Gunung Kidul Regency) until you get to the beach.

You cannot escape from the hindrances. The easiest route with smooth asphalted road you best take is Yogyakarta - Wonosari continued with Wonosari - Baron - Tepus route. Another route, namely Yogyakarta - Imogiri - Gunung Kidul, has harder challenges with road full of holes, while Wonogiri - Gunung Kidul route is to far to take from Yogyakarta city.

Suffering before getting the happiness seems to represent your journey to Siung Beach. You will fee happy, released and peaceful after you get to the beach. The blue ocean and white, clean sands will cure tiredness. Some wooden houses are available for visitors to take shelter or to have a chat with friends while enjoying the beauty of the beach panorama.

One of the prominent enchantments of Siung Beach is its coral reef. The huge coral reefs at the west and east parts of the beach have important function to add the beauty of the scenery and to border with other beach.

The coral reef of which form resembles the fang of a monkey protrudes little bit to the ocean. The name of the beach was - according to Wastoyo, the local senior leader - taken from the form of the coral reef that resembles the shape of a monkey's fang. The coral reef remains beautiful to enjoy with the waves sometimes hit it and the seawater permeates through its cavities (look at the photograph).

The monkey's fang coral reef that still stands firmly despite eroding waves becomes the witness of the triumph of Siung area in the past. Wastoyo tells that Siung area was one of the trading centers during the time of Islamic leaders in Gunung Kidul area. Close to the beach, in Winangun area, there is a traditional market. Here, Mrs Kami and Mrs Podi, the widows of the servants of the Yogyakarta and Surakarta Kingdoms lived.

Most of the people in Siung area make their living by producing salt. They rely their lives on the seawater that is rich in rich content. The salt produced by the local people becomes the main commodity in Winangun market. Even though the sea is rich in various kinds of fish, not many local people dare to go sea by that time. Most of them just catch fish at the shallow waters.

The trading in Winangun market was decreasing when the market was "moved" to Yogyakarta. The new market in Yogyakarta that used to be the Winangun market in Siung area was named Jowinangun that stands for Jobo Winangun, meaning outside the Winangun area. Local people lost their livelihood and not many people come to this area. There is no history telling what local people did to keep alive.

It was during the vacuum time that the beauty of the coral reefs in Siung Beach regained its popularity. In around 1989, a group of nature lovers from Japan utilized the coral cliffs to the west of the beach as an arena for cliff climbing. Then, in 1990s, there was a competition of Asian Climbing Gathering utilizing the coral cliff at Siung Beach. Since then, the popularity of Siung Beach began to come back.

As many as 250 climbing routes are now available at Siung Beach to facilitate the lovers of cliff climbing sport. Referring to the rule that the existing route can be added with the consent from the maker of the previous path, the routes can possibly be added. Many groups have made use of the climbing routes in this beach, such as a group of students from the State University of Yogyakarta that was about to climb when we came to visit this beach.

The other facility supporting the cliff climbing activity is the camping ground in the eastern part of the beach. Tents are erected in the camping ground and fire can be set to spend the night. The only requirement to go camping there is destroying the environment and disturbing the turtle habitat as the sign board there says.

Close to the camping ground, a wooden stage-house can be functioned as the base camp as another choice than erecting the tent. It contains 10 - 15 people. The stage-house enables visitors to get wider view of the exotic beach. You only have to get permission from local people and pay some amount of money to use the stage-house.

When night comes or when there are not many visitors, the long-tailed monkeys will get down from the cliff to the shore. The existence of these rare long-tailed monkeys can be one of the reasons why the naming of the coral reef was analogized with the fang of the monkey, not other kinds of animals.

Wastoyo explains, based on what wise men explained, the prosperity and triumph of Siung Beach will come soon. The visit of more people and the increasing popularity as an arena of cliff climbing signal the movement of this beach to its triumph. The visit of tourists, including you, will surely speed up the attainment of the triumph.
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Trisik Beach, Enjoying the Nuance of a Coastal Village

Trisik Beach is the first beach in Kulon Progo Regency that you will see when you are passing Bantul - Purworejo road, through Palbapang and Srandakan. Located in Brosot Sub-Regency, Kulon Progo Regency, it is 37 kilometers from the city center. Trisik Beach is located so close to the main street so that it is easy to reach.

The trip to Trisik Beach will be enjoyable and will not be to tiring even though the distance is far enough. The road to this beach is smooth with minimal climbings and there are many small restaurants alongside in order for you to get rest when you are tired. Taking the Palbapang and Srandakan roads, you can also enjoy the beauty of Progo River scenery when you pass by the bridge connecting Bantul Regency and Kulon Progo Regency.

Trisik Beach has its uniqeness compared to other beaches in Kulon Progo in terms of its strong nuance as a coastal village. The beach, people's houses, the huts selling foods and the read connecting the village and the town are located closely one to each other. Various activities done by local people that make use of the coastal area and the ocean as source of their living also takes part in strengthening the coastal nuance of the village.

The center of the fish trading is one of some place that you will find when you come into this area. This place serves as the heart of Trisik community whose profession is fishermen, because this is the place where people are trading the fish they get. Usually, this place is busy as soon as the fishermen return from fishing. When YogYES came, there was one of the fishermen bringing the rayfish he got.

Upon arriving at the beach, you will feel the exoticism of the coastal village with the daily fishery world. You will see row of motorboats that fishermen are using when going fishing. Close to them, there are scattered nets showing that they had just been used. Some small warongs built from bamboo plait offer foods and drinks for visitors.

At certain time, you can see some birds flying on the sky of this beach. Is it believed that Trisik beach is one of the sheltering places for migrant birds from different areas. The migrant birds that you can see are, for example: swamp trinil, beach trinil, bush trinil, red-neck kedidi, cerek kernyut, small cerek kalung and Asian kites. In addition, there are such non-migrant birds as buffalo heron, cow swallow and blue shrimp.

When you walk westwards following the asphalted road to Glagah Beach, you will see the activities of Trisik coastal village community. On both sides of the road, people are drying hyacinth that they obtained from Ambarawa area under the sun. When YogYES came in the afternoon, they were collecting the dried hyacinth and then bound them in several bindings.

The dried hyacinth is sold to the craftsmen who make bag, sandal, and various boxes. The handicrafts are usually distributed to town or to handicrafts entrepreneurs in different areas for further processing. The craftsmen in town usually do the finishing process by adding some accessories to make them more beautiful. Small in scale, the activity of drying the hyacinth gives living to the people.

With strong coastal village nuance, Trisik Beach is worth writing in your tour agenda. Not many beaches have the beautiful yet simple nuance like Trisik Beach.
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