Bandar lampung

From Kalianda we were walking to reach the main road of Trans Sumatra. It is about 34 Km or around 2 hours to reach Bandar Lampung. We can go by bus that you can stop on there. If you want to move faster, you can pay a travel van or minibus. They will stop beside you, where you were standing. You must pay about 25000 IDR, to drive you to Bandar Lampung.

Along the way to Bandar Lampung, we go down and up the hills, and also we can see many beautiful beach shore.

Bandar Lampung is the capital of Province of Lampung. The city area is about 207, 50 km square, with 985803 populations. The density is 4,597 people per km square. The growth rate 3, 79% per year.

The capital Bandar Lampung is a gate to enter Sumatra Island. It is about 165 km from Jakarta. Bandar Lampung is the third biggest city in Sumatra after Medan and Palembang

After reach Bandar Lampung, we are walking surrounding the city. It is not busy at that day. Maybe it was an election day. We were not seeing the actives of people, because it was a holyday. We have enjoyed seeing and go walking around the city. No traffic jams on the day.

After visiting Bandar Lampung, we go back to hotel. Actually there are still many places to visit. But supposing I only have a view holyday. I must in a hurry and back to Jakarta. There is still much of duty that I must work it. I am promise, I will make a plan to go holyday next time and into the other place….Indonesia has many beautiful places to visit.

Kalianda resort.

Next morning we start to travel. Actually we have a plan go to Bandar Lampung and Pasir Putih Beach. We only know both places to visit. After we get information from hotel staff, Kalianda have some object also. We decided to visit. We go to Kalianda Resort, but we find a virgin beach that not enough managed. Kalianda resort is the name of the beach.

From Beringin Hotel, Kalianda we ride a motorbike rental to Kalianda Resort. We ride a motorbike for three people, a little bit a wild rider habit. To reach the beach we need only 15 minutes. Wow….It is an amazing place. A beautiful beach complete with white sand, Blue Ocean and no pollution. But there is only a small visitor that day, maybe it was an election day. Really, I never find a beautiful beach before.

Entering the beach, we must pay 5000 IDR per person. While you visit this beach. It is better you prepare food and water to drink. There is no food counter around the beach. This beach still has a minimum visitor, maybe the government not enough to promote this place as object tourism. After enough watering in the shore, playing and make some photos, we left the beach and go through to Bandar Lampung.

Lampung Journey

After crossing Sunda strait for two hours by ferry, I can reach to Sumatra Island exactly at Bakauheny Harbor. This is my first time to visit this island. I have a plan to explore around Bandar Lampung area.

While I am coming it is about 2 AM in the morning. I and my friend looking for a hotel o have a sleep. But we are really shock, after asking to many people we still can not find a hotel. There is someone telling us to get a hotel, but it is around 24 km from Bakauheni. It is mean we must straight a head about 1.5 hours again by bus, or microlet. It is un beliefable, that in the big harbor city Bakauheni we can not find any motel or hotel. Maybe just only we are not know a hotel in here. My friend Aji told to me : It is sound imposible

After discussing for a while, I and Aji make a decision go to Kalianda by micro let. We get information from the guard harbor that we can find a hotel on there. We pay 15000 IDR for a ticket. We scared also while we can not find a hotel that night. Along the way to Kalianda, we passed down and up some hills, sometime we through silence villages. There is some being in the darkness no electricity. After uncomforted sitting in the crowd and hot micro let, we can reach the centre of Kalianda. We have a lucky because the kind driver fined for us a hotel, Beringin Hotel. There is still an empty room for us. We get a room and pay only 75000 IDR per night. After taking a bath, finally we get a sleep in the simple and minimalism room. But it is Ok just to take a rest in my vacation. (Written by Aji and Joe)

Merak Harbor.

The density my trips is Lampung. From Serang I go a head to Merak by bus. This AC-bus needs 5000 IDR to reach Merak. This harbor is end west point of Java Island to Sumatra’s Island. There are many ferries and every hour they deliver all the passengers who want go to Sumatra. The first city after Merak is Bakauheny in Lampung.

I want crossing to Lampung by ferry. I only pay 10000 IDR for one ticket. It is very cheap price, right! It is need 3 hours to reach Bakauheni. You can choose a VIP room to relax but you must pay 6000 IDR more. It is a full Ac-room. The other choice is business room. You will take more money 3000 IDR. But if you want not to pay anymore you can go to the dock. It is just economic class passenger.

I feel much enjoyed in the ferry, because I can see a beautiful water landscape of Sunda strait. This ship is clean enough and comfort. If you feel hungry, there is a canteen in this ferry. You can stuff on there.
I reach Bakauheny around 2 AM. I need a hotel and get sleep. Tomorrow I will explore Kalianda and Bandar Lampung.
Next posting is Lampung. Wait and don’t forget to go with us to Lampung.
(Written by Aji and Joe)

THE DEVILCORAL

After visiting Banten Mosque, I went to Karangantu Harbor. We ride a becak and pay 7000 IDR. It is only 15 minutes from the mosque. I am attracted by the name of Karangantu, so I decided to visit. This name Karangantu is derived from a folk legend in the past. There is a big empty ship had docked in this place. With no passenger and no ship crews, the ship like belong to a devil ship. From this point in the future this place is named as Karangantu.

Out of the scared story above, this was an important harbor in Old Banten. In the era of Banten Sultanate this place is an international harbor. Manny foreigner trader ship had docked. But nowadays it is very different. This harbor has sleep and no more activities as before. There are only small boat native fisherman make some activities. But I am not feeling up-set to visit this harbor. I had find some attracted mind on there, just watching the struggle of live from the native fishermen on the site.

For a while I spent my time, take some capture and make some interaction and communication with fishermen. They are very humble and very responsive to foreigner.
Finally I go back to Serang by public transportation again. The sun will set up. And I must in hurry go to Merak than to Bandar Lampung. Ok I close this posting about Banten. (Written by Aji and Joe)

Ancient Banten Mosque.

While walking to the mosque, I must pass a non permanent market. There are many counter sale foods, Arabian Food, Islamic souvenir or Arabian Specific items. They are sale qurma, kismis and Sawo fruit. It is look like as an Arabian traditional market. Unfortunately this market is not enough manage. All the seller crowed to offering their goods. After walking about 100 meters, I can reach the mosque garden. This is a unique mosque. The architecture looks like as Demak Mosque in central Java. There is very clear influence with Hindu building. People enough care to the mosque. This mosque has some renovation. I spent time to get some photos on there. In the west area mosque, there is a royal cemetery of Sultanate and his family. Many visitors have come to have as a religion journey. They came from many cities of Indonesia. But we can not get some capture photos inside the cemetery. We stop a while to pray in the Banten Sultanate Grave.

The next posting… it is about “Karangantu harbor” (Devil Harbor). It is enough a scared name. Don’t forget to read my journey writing. ( by joe and ajie )

Surosowan Castle.

This castle was built in order to cover Banten sultanate against to the power of Netherlands. But at this time it is a tourism object. The wall still massive built around the castle. There is a traditional market in front of the gate whit many sale counters. It is look crowded and the beauty scene of the castle being decreasing. It is a very big castle, but it is look not enough manage well. While I am coming there, I must climb the Iron Gate to entry. It is about four meter in height. After climbing the gate I can reach to entry the castle. Hmm... I feel fascinate because I can see a different panorama inside the castle. There is a wide green grass and some bush. It is look like a beautiful garden and not connecting with outside activity world live. Inside the castle you can see all green that grows inside the ancient castle. There are two poles inside also, but no water anymore. In the past this is a bathing pole of The Banten Sultanate. It is a unique and exotics place to capture some photos. Look at my photos in the gallery. You can see how beautiful it is.

I think enough , and I am going through my trip to Ancient Banten Mosque.

TRIP TO BANTEN

This holyday session I have gone to Banten. It is a new province. At the year of 2000 Banten split from West Java. First, I have gone to Serang, the capital of Banten. It is a small city and still development city. I saw this city still in a fix programming city development.

After watching and looking at the center city of Serang, I am going to Ancient Banten City. This is my start point of my journey. Banten was a very famous city in the past. It was a big harbor and an international trade city in South East Asia.

I need 30 minutes to reach Old Banten, by public transportation. The old Banten city placed in Banten Gulf. In the past it was a capital of Banten Sultanate. It was a harbor that The Netherlands was come at the first in Indonesia. The harbor was called with “Karangantu Harbor”. Although Karangantu now is not a crowd and active harbor as before. It is an amazing city. We still can see the power of Banten in the past. There is an ancient castle in Banten, It is Surosowan Castle beside The Jami Mosque. ( by Joe and ajie )

Sewu Temple (Sewu=1000)

I am going to continue my travel to Sewu Temple. This complex is not so far from Roro Joggrang. I am only walking about 15 minutes to reach the temples. Sewu temples maybe was built by King Rakai Panangkaran, 746 – 784 of The Mataram Ancient Kingdome . The Sewu temple complex is the second biggest temple after Borobudur Temple.

Following the myth of the villager, The Sewu temple contain of 999 building. Bandung Bondowoso was built this complex only in a one night. It is an agreement for his proposal to marry Roro Joggrang. But he was failed. Because he could not built a complete 1000 temples. He was less one temple only. He became angry, than He spoke to Roro Jonggrang to be a statue for completing 1000 temples.

I am very interesting to this folk story. The story had been made into a film. With Minute Atmanegara scenes as Roro Jonggrang. I also want to count the temples. Is it really 1000 temple or not? As per the name of Sewu Temple. Ahh… But I am not sure the total temples are 1000 exactly. Because I was busy to make some photo capture in the artistic area, he he . In the same time, there are many people was make a pre-wedding photo session. Really this place is very good to make the pre-wedding photos session.

There is a unique historical about this temple. Sewu temple is a Buddhist temple but the temple was built by a Hindu Kingdome. This is a fact that Indonesian is a tolerant nation and people since a long time ago.

Ok…Bye this is one end point of my traveling in Yogyakarta. Don’t forget and following my next posting…… See you in Banten. By the way if you want to know more about Yogyakarta culinary pls click : culinery. (Written by: Aji and Joe )

Prambanan Temple

The day after, I am visit to Prambanan also. This temple is not so far from Yogyakarta. You can go by TransJogya bus way. It is about 3000 IDR for one-way ticket. And you can reach the temple.

This temple also called by Rara Jonggrang Temple. It is the biggest Hindu Temple of Indonesia. The location is about 20 Km of east Yogyakarta, exactly in the border of East Java and DIY province. Loro Jongrang Temple was built in Prambanan Village, in the border of Sleman and Klaten Residence.

This temple was built around 850 by Rakai Pikatan, Mataram I Kingdome, and Balitung Maha Sambu, Sanjaya Kingdome. Not long after this temple was built. The people left it and the temple beginning broke. The people move out from the temple are by war and and big earthquake.

This temple was being an icon of Indonesian tourism. With his temple as its logo. This temple always is preferred object tourism. Unfortunately, while I am coming, this temple still under reconstruction after earthquake at 27 Mei 2006 in Yogyakarta. The accident is about 5, 9 of Richter scale. Many building crack down and also many villager had pass away. The Brahma temple in prambanan was break also.

Beside you are travel and visit this temple, you can get buy some souvenir. Begin from key hanger, miniature of temple, T-shirt etc. if you wish to buy…Don’t forget to ask reduce 50% of the price offering. Because usually they are have increase about the original offering price.
After I am feel satisfied walking around the temple. I go to Sewu Temple complex. I will write about this temple in my next posting. Don’t forget to follow my journey and my report in Juhdymagazine. Thanks. ( written by : ajie and joe )

Borobudur Temple

While visiting Yogyakarta, we will have a complete journey before we visit Borobudur temple. This temple is not placed in Yogyakarta residence. It is not so far from Yogyakarta. We can get a bus directly from Yogyakarta bus station, the ticket bus is about 7000 IDR. About 2 hours on the bus.
Borobudur area is in Magelang Residence, Central Java. Its about 40 Km in northern area of Yogyakarta. This temple was built by Syailendra Kingdome at 800 . It is a Buddhist temple.

Why I am visit to Borobudur . because this temple is the best temple of Indonesia. I am proud to have the temple, and the temple had been recorded as one of the seven world magnificient object. I am not wrong. Suppose I am consider now, How wealthy Indonesia. We have many historical object before.

The ticket entry is about 12.000 IDR. Entering to the temple complex, you can see the beautiful landscape area surrounding the temple. It is a huge and wonderful building. While you are walking around the walls of the temple. You can read relieves as a book story. The story content base on Buddhist morality. If you are confuse. You can get a guide that usually offering him in front of the gate temple. It is only need cost about 50000 – 100000 IDR.

There is some forbidden activity in the temple, like as: eating, drinking, make mess garbage, climbing at the stupas. Why? Because you will destroy a beautiful of this temple. Don’t do it pls. How do you think? Will you visit to Borobudur? Let go …..(Written by : Aji and Joe)

The Centre of Culture

Yogya is well-known as a culture centre. We can see there many artifact in around Yogja., like as: Sultanate Palace, Monument, Temples etc. As an ex-big kingdom, Yogyakarta have a high sense of art and culture…..It is not wrong if Yogja called by a centre of culture city.
Dancing Art and the other art had been well developt in Yogya. The art sense of Yogyakarta People have been applicate in their home arsitechture. They have a special home design…It is called joglo. Joglo is very famous in Indonesia. Many Famous Artist of Indonesia was born or have educated in Yogya. Like as : Affandi, Bagong Kusudiardjo, Nyoman Gunarso, Sapto Hudoyo etc.
I am proud have a trip to Yogyakarta. This is a fantastic experience. It is not wrong, if Malaysian Tourist Board choose Yogyakarta as the Prime Tourist Object. I will always missing go to Yogyakarta. I want to co memory about the beautiful ancient scene on there. Jogya is never ending Asia.
(by : juhdy and ajie )

Yogya is a complete object tourism city.

Yogyakarta city have been called as a Hero Struggle City, Student City and Education Centre City or Culture Centre City. Yogyakarta have a beautiful scenery. It make Yogyakarta as a prime tourist object
This is complete object tourism, not only as a Historical City but also as a Shopping and Culinary place. Yogyakarta with his theme “Yogya Berhati Nyaman”. We will feel home in here. Because the native people are humble and acceptable for all of you as a tourist.
I gave you a recommendation, go to Yogyakarta. For a tourism object, Yogyakarta is a complete object place. Not only for a tourism, but you can study more. Studying about his historical and the ancient kingdome before. It is interesting place, isn’t it .

How to Travel to Yogyakarta.
By plane :
You can flight directly to Yogyakarta from Singapore, Bangkok, Jakarta, Medan, Denpasar or other city because Yogyakarta is a one gate of tourism of Indonesia. You can manage a flight as per your budget. There are many aircraft have a trip order to Yogyakarta. Yogyakarta has an international airport.

by Buss :
While you reach one city of Sumatra’s, Java or Bali Island, you can go by bus also. From Jakarta you must pay about 300.000 IDR for executive class or 150.000 IDR for economic class. While you travel by bus. You can see the Javanese scenery along your travel.

By Train :
From Jakarta, There are may train to travel you and reach Yogyakarta. From Gambir Railways station, let you choose your preferred one. If you want an executive class, please get a chair of Argo Lawu, or Taksaka. The ticket is about 300.000 – 400.000 IDR. Depend on the session. But if you prefer a business class, you can have Senja Utama Yogya or Fajar Utama Yogya to deliver you. One ticket you must pay about 120.000 IDR.
( by Juhdy and ajie)