Segara Anakan is a Beautiful lagoon in the Sempu Island

Sempu is a small island located in south Java, actually located in Malang district, East Java. Sempu Island including is protected nature reserve areas by Indonesian government. The trip to the island is so exotic. Sempu Island lies off southern ocean offers a beautiful lagoon in the middle island and its coral reefs around.

What was special about Sempu Island?

With rich natural conditions of rare flora and fauna, Sempu Island has an amazing beauty. Another beauty that you can find on Sempu Island is how could swim in very clear water without fear a wave drag, especially considering the waters around this island is the tempestuous sea. Yeah, the water was very clear, lots of colorful fish that swim to and fro. In addition there is a source of brackish water, lake catfish, and white sand beaches, there is also a cave tiger as others natural tourist attractions you can find in Sempu.

The most special is, amid Sempu Island there is a lake called lagoon Segara Anakan. This place is more like a small lake surrounded by a barrier reef with the sea. Supply water to the lake is derived from the big holes reef in center, which periodically provides a great view of water splash sound of waves hitting the reef. Some water was flowing into Segara Anakan.

So it is Segara Anakan which also known by lagoon, a collection of separate salt water from the sea by a barrier reef, sand, rock or something.

Anyway, Sempu Island not built like conventional resort as usually. So there is no accommodation facilities on the island. If you want to set up a tent on the island, you must ask permission prior to the supervisory officer nature reserve first.

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Posted in: Java

Surfing Paradise at Plengkung Beach G-Land, Alas Purwo

Alas Purwo is an Indonesian national park situated in Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia. Geographically, Purwo located on the eastern tip of Java. Alas Purwo renowned as one of the best surfing locations in the world and also offers variety of other charm to visit. Well, Alas Purwo natural attraction no less than Ujungkulon National Park located at the westernmost tip of Java.

Alas Purwo National Park especially Plengkung Beach has long been becomes the paradise for surfers because the great waves were available here. Many fantastic nickname that given by surfers of the world for this place. For example, the enthusiast rolling wave from Japanese called this beach as The Seven Giant Wave Wonder, because often encountered giant waves come one after another as many as seven layers. The nickname was not excessive, because the wavelength at Plengkung beach up to 2 km with height of 4-6 feet in five-minute intervals. According to some surfer, except in Plengkung, only Hawaii, Australia and South Africa are having such devastating waves, while waves in Fiji Islands and Peru are still below of four spot above.

Plengkung Beach G-Land Surfing Spot

By late afternoon, when the sea tides you can see the coral reef that form likes pools with various sea creatures in it. Shortly thereafter, you can enjoy the sights of exotic treats such as the sunset fell in the arms of the bay. But if you really curious to surfing, then swing your legs to Parang Ireng to Batu Lawang beaches because the waves characteristics here not too big like Plengkung.

As with the surfers in Australia and the United States, they called Plengkung as G-Land is an abbreviation of Grajagan port that is the port vessel is being used by foreign tourists to reach Plengkung. The term of G-Land it is cause the Plengkung that was part of Gulf Grajagan that resemble the letter G. Or it can also be interpreted as Plengkung location not far from the expanse of tropical rain forests that look always green or Green Land.

Sunset view at Alas Purwo National Park

Still not satisfied playing with the sea and the beach, you can try snorkeling and diving around the coastal of Perpat, Slengrong, and Tanjung Pasir. There, somewhat sloping beach, complete with coral reefs and diverse variety of ornamental fish.

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Posted in: Java

Mount Bromo is a part of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park at East Java

Bromo is one of the amazing mountain view at East Java, Indonesia. Actually bromo located at Pasuruan, East Java. There are two way to reach bromo, from Probololinggo, and the other one from Malang.

Located some 4 hours drive from Surabaya, the capital of East Java, Mount Bromo is a part of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park that covers a massive area of 800 square kilometres. While it may be small when measured against other volcanoes in Indonesia, the magnificent Mt Bromo will not disappoint with its spectacular views and dramatic landscapes. At 2392 meters tall, Mt Bromo is not among the tallest of Indonesia’s mountains but its stunning beauty lies in its incredible setting.

Visit the park and see the plumes of smoke coming from Mt. Semeru, an active volcano which rises 3676 meters above sea level. Experience the remarkable Tengger Caldera, Java's largest, with its 10 km barren desert-like sea of sand. Within the caldera rise the deeply fissured volcanic cones of Batok and Bromo, the latter is still active with a cavernous crater from which smoke blows skyward. Temperatures at the top of Mount Bromo range about 5 to 18 degrees Celsius. To the south of the park is a rolling upland plateau dissected by valleys and dotted with several small scenic lakes, extending to the foot of Mount Semeru.

Bromo Poten Temple

Bromo Stairs

Bromo Sunrise

From a vantage point on Mount Penanjakan (2,770 meters above sea level), 2.5 hours from Malang. visitors from around the world come to see the sunrise over Mt Bromo. From this spot the vista is magnificent. All you will hear is the click of cameras as visitors snap their camera’s hoping to capture the incredible scene of Mt Bromo in the foreground with Mt Semeru smoking in the distance and the sun shining brightly, quickly rising in the sky.  

Bromo Tengger Tribe

Bromo Culture

The eerie landscape has spurned countless legends and myths. Mt Bromo has particular significance for the Tengger people who believe that this was the site where a brave prince sacrificed his life for his family. The people here appease the Gods once a year during the annual Kasada festival where offerings of vegetables, chickens and money are thrown into the crater of the volcano.

The Tengger sandy area has been protected since 1919. This is believed to be the only conservation area in Indonesia, and possibly the world which possesses a unique sand sea at the attitude of about 2000 m above sea level. There are several mountains inside the caldera: Mt Watangan (2,661 m asl). Mt Batok (2,470 m asl), Mt Kursi (2,581 asl), Mt Watangan (2,661 m asl), and Mt Widadaren (2,650 m asl).

With beautiful scenery, easy access and visitor-oriented facilities, it’s no wonder that this one of the most popular reserves in Java.

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Posted in: Java

Sanur Beach Bali

Sanur is Bali's oldest resort with development starting here in the 70's. Since then it has flourished along with many of Bali's other popular destinations. It couldn't be further removed from Kuta and the town lies only 30 minutes away by car. Sanur has a very village atmosphere to it with the beach and restaurants all within walking distance of your hotel.

Situated on the east coast of Bali's southern tip it is easily accessible from Denpassar International airport and will only take you around 35 -45 minutes by a pre paid taxi. Of course, if you have a hotel reservation then your hotel will most likely pick you up from the airport.

bask in the summer at the beach sanur bali

bask in the summer at the beach sanur bali

In the history of ancient Bali Sanur is also famous, and there masdih written stone monument which is an inscription of King Kasari Warmadewa Singhadwala berkeraton in 917 years, which is now located in Southern Blanjong Sanur Beach. The attack group of islands and coral rocks jutting into the sea across the sea visible from the south of Sanur Beach.

The beach is very different from Kuta, Legian and Seminyak. There is a coral reef situated about 150 metres off shore thus providing a natural barrier from the waves. It is ideal for families with children as you can rest assured by the tranquil lapping of the sea upon the beach while your child paddles and plays. The reef unfortunately was used extensively during the boom years for development and has suffered very much. You will most likely come across a very picturesque bathroom in your hotel with a coral wall. It is sad to say that your bathroom wall was made from this reef just off the coast of Sanur. You can now rest assured that in today's ecological climate, the Indonesian Government pro actively protects all its coral reefs.

waiting for sunset at the beach sanur

   

 There is a lot to do in Sanur setting aside the obvious sunbathing and shopping. One particularly great attraction is the Mayeur Museum. This is the former house of the Belgian Impressionist painter Adrian Jean Le Mayeur. Mayeur came to Bali in 1932 and not only fell in love with the Island but also a beautiful Balinese dancer. The house is pretty much still in the same conditions as when Mayeur and his wife lived there and it is a little run down and in need of renovation. Because it is still standing in the same condition as the 1930's you will gain an insight into what it was like to live in Bali during this period. It is literally a time warp! You can find the museum at the end of Jalan Hangtuah. +62 361 286201 opening times are from 7.30am – 3.30pm Sunday to Friday and there is a small entrance fee of Rp5000.

If you are interested in temples then Pura Blanjong ( Blanjong Temple) is a must see while you are here. It is in this temple that you will find Bali's oldest known artifact. The artifact itself is an inscription on a stone pillar called the Prasati Blanjong and it tells of a Javanese King who visited Bali in the tenth century and installed Bali's first formal government. You can find Pura Blanjong on Jalan Danau Poso just south of Sanur. Please remember to dress appropriately when visiting all temples in Bali. Shoulders must be covered and you will also be asked to wear a sarong.

  

Panorama south of Sanur beach is more beautiful to see in the morning. The atmosphere along the coast of Sanur light and shade as full of big trees. Sanur Beach is nice to enjoy the sun rise (Sun Rise), and sunbathing along the white sandy beaches. Sanur Beach is one of the beaches on the island of Bali that interesting to visit. See the attraction of Sanur beach is very beautiful, the Le Mayeur decided to stay in Sanur by establishing a studio to paint. The topography of curved white sand beach that stretches to form a beautiful constellation.

It is not difficult to find great places to eat as Sanur is awash with fine dining experiences. A very good option if you feel like you want to taste some local food is to walk along the paved sea front once the sun has set. Here you will find Night markets and plenty of local delights.

Sanur is a great place to set as a base to explore the rest of Bali. It offers all the amenities any world class resort has to offer.

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Posted in: Bali-Lombok

Legian Beach Bali

Legian is nicely nestled between busy Kuta and the up market Seminyak. In a sense this reflects nicely in that Legian can offer you the best of both worlds. Many years ago Legian was once a place where farmers would grow their rice and fishermen would brave the Indian Ocean. You can still to this day see a few rice paddies that have been kept away from the development of tourism. It was only until the 1970s when Kuta started to attract tourists that Legian became a popular spot for the more budget conscious traveler.

It has a great backpacker scene where budget accommodation is plentiful (Jalan Bensari) and also if you want to splurge out, then there are numerous high end hotels on the beach front. Legian is now a major part of what has become the Greater Kuta district and most people would agree that north of poppies I and II is accepted as Legian. Legian itself has a more relaxed atmosphere than its sister town of Kuta and you can quite easily find yourself mixing with locals amongst the warungs and traditional markets. 

The beach in Legian really is an extension from the beach at Kuta however it has to be said that it is much less crowded here than Kuta. You will find less people selling typical Balinese souvenirs so you can in a sense have a quieter time here. The further north you go up the coast away from Kuta the waves tend to get bigger so if you are after larger waves then head here.

A popular spot among locals and tourists alike is Melasti. You can either walk the back streets looking for local souvenirs and bargains or head to the beach front and watch the sun set. The beach front cafes/bars are a great way to wind down after a busy day sightseeing.

For the more budget conscious traveller, many find Benesari is a perfect balance with quiet reasonably low cost home-stays, small bars, surf shops, mini-marts, and restaurants. The area is similar and close to poppies but far less crowded with a friendlier crowd. If you are here for some time then it really can start o feel like a second home as you chat with locals and do your groceries and laundry all on the same street. The beach here is also less crowded with all the same facilities as central Kuta including surfboard hire, massage, cold drinks and quick access to the poppies area and Legian Street but far enough away be able escape it when necessary and still find seclusion at the hotel.

The further north you go you can expect to find higher end hotels catering more to the Seminyak crowd. Legian itself has a great village atmosphere and is definitely the place for those wanting a lower key yet still budget conscious holiday.

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Posted in: Bali-Lombok

Kuta Beach Bali

Once a sleepy village with a quiet, beautiful sweep of beach, Kuta today has become a popular beach destination in its own right, alive with tourists from all over the world, swimming, surfing or sunbathing by the beach. Others, casually dressed in shorts, T-shirts and flip-flops stroll along its main road, shopping around or enjoying meals at its many open air restaurants. When in Kuta you know that you are in a holiday town, and people here are in a holiday mood.  

Back in the 1960’s the only hotel was the Kuta Beach Hotel, but soon without much planning, Kuta developed rapidly into a haunt for surfers and backpackers, while the high end market preferred to stay at the more sedate Sanur village on the opposite side of the peninsula.  

With time, Kuta’s popularity grew, and shops, restaurants, discos hotels, - from the simple to the exclusive - sprang up along the main road from Kuta to Legian, catering to the ever increasing holiday crowd, that not only included international tourists but also domestic visitors from Jakarta and other big cities.

On the beach, people enjoy parasailing, banana boat trips or swimming Women offer traditional Indonesian massage on the beach, others are seen plaiting hair.

Before sunset, crowds rush to the beach waiting to watch Kuta’s legendary sunsets. Then as darkness falls, Kuta’s nightlife starts to throb with loud music from bars and restaurants, while shops stay open till late at night. Kuta’s main attraction is that everyone can enjoy the town without any prescribed dress code.

Many famous international bands and celebrities have voluntarily played and sung here enlivening the fun, dance and music scene of Kuta.

One poignant reminder, however, of the tragedy that befell Kuta is a monument located next to the present Paddy’s café. The monument is erected in memory of those killed during the fatal October 2002 bomb terrorist blasts. The blasts killed more than 300 people, mostly Australian tourists and Indonesian workers.

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Posted in: Bali-Lombok

Dreamland Beach Bali

Since 2005 Dreamland Beach has become more and more popular, firstly it was always popular with surfers, but the word has gotten out and you too can enjoy this beautiful beach with the cliffs behind you and the clear waters in front of you. There has been development of the area and it is changing from a sleepy hideaway to a swanky retreat. A great place to visit but it is a bit of a drive away from the main hotel area.

The beach is located in southern Bali is known as Dreamland Beach. Dreamland beach is surrounded by hills and cliffs are very high. Dreamland beach is about 30 minutes from home is very popular in Bali is Kuta beach. The origin of the name of Dreamland Beach in this area first because there was a housing project and tourist attraction. Residents hope the project is finished and they could pursue other business in the field of tourism. That’s why the land around the beach called Dreamland .

Dreamland beach is perfect for enjoying the sun was sinking. in this Dreamland beach than we enjoy the beautiful white sand beach dremaland contained in this, we can also surf. Dreamland Sea region also has high and big waves. Therefore, many surfers like to surf on this beach. Dreamland is also one surfing destination in Bali. Dreamland Beach because of its uniqueness adds another charming coastal tourist areas on the island of Bali is dreamland beach .

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Posted in: Bali-Lombok