Jun 30, 2008

Pangandaran Beach - West Java

Small mainland peninsula with a national park with beaches and stunning scenery to rival the beaches of Bali on the south coast of Java. Pangandaran is one of Java's best-kept secrets as far as international tourists are concerned, but has been extremely popular with locals for along, long time. A small fishing town, it possesses one of Java's finest beaches and Pangandaran Nature Reserve teems with wild buffalo, barking deer and monkeys. The people are very friendly, this combined with the idealize surroundings make this a great place to spend a few days relaxing island-style. Pangandaran is halfway between Bandung and Yogya, about 5 hours by bus from Bandung and 8 hours from Jakarta.

white sand pangandaran beach west java

This is the second beach resort area on the Indian Ocean after Pelabuhan Ratu. The site is 223 from Bandung and 400km from Jakarta. The trip by car or bus is recommendable because the road conditions are good. However, if we prefer to take the train, get into Bandung-Yogyakarta Express train and get off at the Banjar railroad station about 4 hours later. From here it will be another 50 km by bus to Pangandaran. The beach is called Penanjung, where most of the cottages and hotels are located, however, of modest ratings. Nothing luxurious should be expected. Pangandaran is especially of interest to nature lovers, as there is a wildlife reserve in the vicinity where wild birds and other indigenous animals live about freely to be enjoyed by visitors. In Pangandaran visitors will like fine white beaches, blue ocean and fine seafood. Twelve kilometers before arriving at Pangandaran visitors will see a huge rock on the beach, which is called Karang Nini.

Another place of special interest for nature lovers is a forest Conservation Park, close to the camping ground, which has basic facilities suitable for the younger set. Somewhat further out, west of Pangandaran, driving 23 km on the way to Parigi, lays Batu Hiu, meaning Shark's Rock, a coastal rock that has the shark shape.

Parang Tritis - Yogyakarta

Parangtritis in Yogyakarta the Most Popular Beach. In addition to being the most popular beach in Yogyakarta, Parangtritis is worth visiting since it is closely related to such tourism objects as the Sultan Palace in Yogyakarta city, Parangkusumo Beach to the west of it, and the Merapi area at the north part of Yogyakarta. Located around 27 kilometers from the city center, Parangtritis Beach is also part of the Queen of South's authority.

The naming of the beach has its own history. Hundreds years ago, someone named Dipokusumo, who was a fugitive of Majapahit Kingdom, came to this area to meditate. When he saw water dripping from the crack of the coral reef, he named this area 'parangtritis', originating from the word parang (stone) and tumaritis (water drops). The beach close to the area was then named the same.


Parangtritis is a beach full of myths, which is believed to be the manifestation of the unity among Merapi Mountain, Yogyakarta Kingdom, and Parangtritis Beach. The legend tells that Panembahan Senopati and Sunan Kalijaga once met in this place after completing their meditation. Panembahan Senopati was reminded of being a humble ruler despite his supernatural powers.

The primary attraction of this beach is its natural view. The enchantment of the coastal scenery can be seen from different angles to give you different experiences. When you are standing at the seashore, you will see the wide ocean with the high waves and steeply mountainside on the east side.

To get the view from the site, just walk or hire the horse-cart westwards and you look southwards when you have reached the place. You may get to the place by riding a horse that you shall rent at negotiable price.

After enjoying the scenery of Parangtritis beach from the seashore, you can leave for Langse Cave for a different experience. On the earth road leading to the cave, you can look westwards to see Parangtritis from different angle. The high waves rushing to the shore will look silvery under the sun, and will look golden by the sunset time. YogYES got the opportunity to see this exotic view during its visit a couple of days ago.

Before reaching Langse Cave, we suggest that you pay a visit to the graveyard of Syeh Bela Belu that will give you spiritual experience. Usually, many pilgrims come on certain days such as certain Tuesday that is called Kliwon on Javanese calendar as one of the five Javanese days of the week.

From the graveyard, you may challenge yourself to continue your journey to Langse Cave that you have to go on foot to get to the cave that is 3 kilometers away through as high as 400 meters mountainside at the slope of almost 900. To get into the cave that is also called the Queen of South cave, you have to get the permission from the tomb guard. According to the guard of Depok Beach several times entered the cave when he was young, we will get beautiful view of the south ocean at the mouth of the cave that directly faces the ocean.

On the fifth day of the fifth month of Chinese calendar, you will be able to see Peh Cun ceremony procession in Parangtritis. Peh Cun, originating from the word Peh that means oar and Cun that means boat, is Chinese expression of gratitude to God. This rite is also meant to commemorate Khut Gwan (Qi Yuan), a loyal patriot as well as a minister who was once betrayed by his colleague so that he committed a suicide.

Peh Cun ceremony is unique since there is no festival of dragon-decorated boats rowing like in other regions, instead there is an attraction of standing egg. The attraction begin at 11:00 a.m. and by afternoon, according to the myth, the egg will stand upright with no means of support are needed. By 01:00 p.m., however, the egg will suddenly fall down and no one can erect it anymore.

To get to Parangtritis Beach, you can take either one of the two routes. One is the route of Yogyakarta-Imogiri-Siluk-Parangtritis with the river and coral reel scenery on the way. The other is Yogyakarta-Parangtritis route that is easier to take with quite smooth road. It is suggested that you do not wear green clothes to respect local people who believe that green clothes will bring misfortune.

Jun 28, 2008

Legian Beach Hotels Accommodation

In Balinese the word of Legian is means anything sweet, pleasant, and delightful to the senses.

Close to the Kuta action but far enough for some down time, Legian beach is less hectic than downtown Kuta but still has a funky nightlife zone. Legian is a no-holds barred beach where locals, expatriates and tourists mingle, bargain with the best, play paddle ball and football, indulge in a massage and manicure, catch up on reading, meditate, exercise. Legian beach and Seminyak were small villages a few years ago a short distance from Kuta.


Over the last few years, accommodation has expanded around Legian beach with many simple family-owned guest houses upgraded; complemented by boutique style hotels and first class hotels. Kuta is literally five-minute taxi ride away.

Sunset is peak time at Legian Beach, when the beach bars fill up, the football field is at its busiest and the locals knock off work and wade fully clothed, skirts swirling, into the waves. Now part of the greater Kuta area, both offer quieter alternatives and a more sophisticated nightlife scene focusing on dining-out and socializing rather than full-on partying.

Legian Beach in Bali (Kuta) is an exposed beach break that has reliable surf. May - Oct (Dry Season) is the favoured of the year for waves.

Why World Wide Tourists Interesting to Visit Bali

Bali is one of thousand islands in Indonesia South East Asia. Bali is so popular with Bali bombing tragedies that happened on 2002 still interesting to visit. The Bali bombing tragedies make many international facilities, like Hotel, Air Port, big café and night club is keeping with detector. The improvement of Information Communication technology like internet connection, make Bali Island more popular than before. The world wide tourists that come there depend of the season. Europe and American tourist always come on June until July, but Asian tourist interested in coming on August. The domestic tourist more interested in coming on September until December, because the month is full students holiday so that the parent will follow the situation.

why reason world wide tourists interisting visit Bali

Nyepi is religion day that Bali Island closed to people out side. No light, car passing or store opened. The Balinese will stay at home, no eating, and light. The Ngurah Ray Air Port as International Air port is closed, no departure and arriving passengers.

The Bali bombing by terrorist make bad image and deep impressed to people world wide so that the people decide to build Bali bombing monument at Kuta. Australian and American come there to pry for the victims.

Many reasons why people world wide interested in coming to Bali Island,

Pure culture
Bali people follow strong Hinduism. They devote their life to the Hindu religion. You will see many puras when going around there. The Balinese tradition life from birth until death, followed by ceremony. You can see Galungan, Kuningan, Nyepi, ngaben and others ceremony at Bali.

The artist from Bali creates many dances because of soul of art. The statue was created there reflect of Hinduism. You can see the Kecak and Barongsai dance performance from small village until five stars Hotel. It is not astonished, Balinese never interfered by others culture, although people world wide come there never stopped.

Friendly people
Balinese is popular with smiling face. They are always friendly to others and welcome to new comers. You will feel like at your home.

Excellent craft
Balinese tend to be artist. They like to paint, carving and make others beautiful craft. You can visit Antonio Blanco Museum, the painter that married to Balinese woman, Sukowati Art market center. You are always followed by craft seller whenever you go. They always beg you to buy the crafts.

Beautiful places to visit
You never have time to rest when you are at Bali. There many interesting places, you should visit. The scenery is so natural, let’s see Nusa Dua beach that have International cruise ship, bedugul, Tanpak siring that have president palace. Kuta and Legian beach with international facilities or Tanah lot, is beach especially for praying.

Save to stay
The regency of Bali and Indonesian police try to improve the security Bali after Bali bombing tragedies. Star hotel and café with international reputation with detector facilities.

Jun 26, 2008

Tanjung Kodok a Beautiful Beach with Wonderful Panorama

Tanjung Kodok (Frog Cape) is located about 65 km from Surabaya, Lamongan regency. It is easier to get there from Gresik along Daendels road. Tanjung Kodok gained international renown as the focus of international research during the total solar eclipse on June 11, 1983. It is a peaceful seaside resort, and also a resting place for pilgrims to the tombs of two Moslem saints, Sunan Drajad and Sunan Sendang Duwur. The place derives its name, Tanjung Kodok, from a stone formation, which resembles a frog ("kodok").

Tanjung Kodok beautiful beach with wonderful panorama

Tanjung Kodok (Frog Cape) is a beautiful beach with wonderful panorama, which has been known by the people for along time. When the solar eclipse happened on June 11, 1983 many astronomers from all over the word and NASA of USA had a research in this place. Every years many Moslem astronomers come here to see the first coming of the moon to determined the beginning of the fasting period and Idul Fitri day. Ketupat is held here every years. This beach is every easy to reach by private or public transport.

Segara Anakan a Beautiful Lagoon in Sempu Island

Sempu Island is located about 60 km to south from Malang, East Java. Technically, this Island is a natural conservation area, no population, except wildlife.

Heard that deer, panthers, black monkey, crabs, atc live here, but on our way to the lagoon, not even one we found them.

To reach Sempu Island from Malang we just need to follow a very beautiful road passing the little villages of Turen and Sumbermanjing Wetan as well as hilly, natural surroundings, until we found Sendang Biru area.


It's a fisherman villages facing Sempu Island, separate by a channel roughly 0.5 km wide, runs from southwest to northeast between Sempu Island and Sendang Biru.

From Sendang Biru, we need to crossed the channel by wooden boat and since there is no pier in the Island, we stop at Cave (Teluk) named Teluk Semut and directly got in the water to reach the edge of the island.

Destination at Sempu Island is a Lagoon named Segara Anakan that lies in the other point of the island. Therefore, we need to walked in to the jungle across the middle of the island.

Segara Anakan is a beautiful Lagoon separated by a high rock from Indian Ocean. It’s watery by sea from a hole at the rock.

It’s very beautiful and quite with the white sand spreading at a side of lagoon and high rock at the other side.