KARIMUN JAWA, INDONESIA

Karimun Java is located in Jepara district, Central Java, Indonesia. Karimun Java is an archipelago of 27 islands in the Java Sea, Indonesia. The main island named Karimun.  If you are fave to snorkeling activity, the right place to go is Karimun Java. Because this place is well known by tourist marine park.

In addition to visiting the islands around, you can also challenge yourself to play with the sharks in the captivity shark at Menjangan Besar island.

JOGJAKARTA, INDONESIA

Sundak Beach

Sundak Beach

This time is my 4th times to visit Jogjakarta. There’s not too much changed except they open some access for some beaches around Wonosari. Jogjakarta is famous with its culture. You can see friendly people who are easily to smile and ready to greet you.

Indrayanti Beach

Lately, local tourist often come to visit the beaches during the weekend. The local government seems already realized that the beaches are popular attractions in Jogja now. This is evidenced by the levy entry fee to the beaches area. You can see plenty of stalls and beach umbrellas stand along these beaches.

Drini Beach

You may not swim at the beaches around  Wonosari because mostly the wave of beaches in the south of Java are strong and big. But so, some surf communities currently practicing surfing on Krakal beach.

Krakal Beach

Sepanjang Beach

Actually there’s few beaches in this area that I didn’t take the picture, but more or less their characteristics are almost same.

Baron Beach

Feel free to leave your comments in box below :)

RED ISLAND, INDONESIA

When I was in Jogjakarta, a friend of mine told me about this island. He said, an international surf competition just held in this island few months before I come. This island is located at the southern most tip of Java island.

Pulau Merah is still a new place that just popular for local and domestic tourist. This island is one of the place that government-protected. I guess this is because the land  containing of gold. 

The Red Island itself called by local people sinced the area experienced a drought, then the island which is contain a lot of gold looks red. So they named it Pulau Merah (*Merah=Red). It takes around 8 hours by bus from Surabaya to Banyuwangi and 3 hours from Banyuwangi to Pulau Merah.

The access to Pulau Merah is a bit difficult because there’s not many public transportation to get here. There’s a bus from Jajag (Banyuwangi terminal) to Sanggaran area. Then from Sanggaran you can take “ojek” (motorbike) to Pulau Merah and it takes around 30 minutes. You can  also take the boat if you come from Bali, because there’s a pier in Banyuwangi. 

The red island coastline forming the letter B. there’s also a temple named Tawang Alun in the far left in front of the beach. This temple is frequented the Hindus from Bromo and Bali. The minimum you should spend at least 3 days in this island so you will feel refreshed enough when you back to your daily activities. Or if you are a beginner surfer, Pulau Merah’ wave is suit for practice. I’m honestly fall in love with this island in the first time I arrived there. 

Next time I come back, I will also want to visit Plengkung Beach (G land). They said it is only 1 hour trip by car/motorbike.

Feel free to ask me anything information related to this island. I will respond as much as I know.

Enjoy the video I made in Red Island :)

PACITAN - PANCER & TELENG RIA BEACHES, SRAU BEACH, WATUKARUNG BEACH AND KLAYAR BEACH.

I had an opportunity to stay a few days in Pacitan, East Java last time in my holiday trip around central and eastern Java last end of July. Here are the 5 beaches that I visited; Pancer Beach, Teleng Ria Beach, Srau Beach, Watukarung Beach and kelayar Beach. The first 4 beaches are well known by surfers, while Klayar Beach only a beach that is not less interesting.

I arrived at night in Pancer Beach, Pacitan after a long trip from Jogjakarta. Well, usually people do surf at Teleng Ria Beach in the morning and at Pancer Beach during the noon. These 2 beaches are still in one area. Pancer and Teleng Ria, their coastline shape them like the letter U and the water itself is a little murky. 

Srau beach is around 14 Km from Pancer. To get here I can say it is still easy. Srau has a blue water and white sand. 

Need 7 Km more to get Watukarung Beach from Srau Beach if you take the alternative way. But for sure this way is really hard. This road is totally damaged, lots of sharp turns and steep ramps. If you have enough brave and you like something challenge, you may take this alternative way. Same like Srau Beach, Watukarung is also a white sandy beach with a very blue sea. These beaches are also famous with the big waves. They both are suit for the advance surfer.

Klayar Beach is also nice. An unique beach which has an exotic panoramic and sea flute. This place is suit for family because they provide ATV motorcycle, so you can play this motorbike around the beach. I’ve tried once, but it’s quiet hard to ride it. 

Drive a car from Jogjakarta to Pacitan was nothing after seeing those all amazing beaches. I promised to come back soon there to do surf.

SEMPU ISLAND AND THE HIDDEN BEACH

Sempu Island is a nature reserve. It is situated on the south of Malang, Central Java. Inside the island there’s a hidden beach named Segara Anakan. One of the beautiful beach which is surrounded by the cliffs overlooking to Indian Ocean. 

To reach Segara Anakan Beach you’ll take 2 hours from Malang to Sendang Biru Beach, then cross the island, 10 minutes from Sendang Biru Beach to Sempu Island by wooden boat. And the last is to take 2 kilometers tracking inside the  protection forest (It’s 2 hours more or less). You also need to have a special entry permit to the conservation area (Surat izin masuk kawasan konservasi/SIMAKSI) before enter the island. You can get this kind of permit from the staff in the office when you are in Sendang Biru. 

The public transportation is quite complicated though the road to get there is paved and well with plenty of signs leading to Sendang Biru Beach. There’s public transportation/ something like minivan called “angkot”, but it’s a bit rarely. Usually you can find this angkots from Turen’s area. Their operational hours is from 6 AM to 4 PM (Turen-Sendang Biru/ Sendang Biru-Turen). Because of this lack of means of transport/inadequate transportation facilities in this area, so the best way to reach Sempu Island is to rent a car or arrange a tour package. 

The only available option for stay is camping if you wish to stay over in the island. If you don’t bring any tent, you can rent it in Sendang Biru. They also provide special shoes for rent. Please prepare all the necessary logistics and other camping equipment. 

Once you get in this hidden beach, you really feel like in paradise. I’m not sure you can compare to Maya Bay in Thailand. Because each place have their own sense.

Please don't hesitate to ask me further information about the island :) 

Kura-Kura Resort The Cozy Island

I'm thanking God for each chance given to see all beautiful places in the world.

Warm and friendly welcome of the 3 staffs at the dock when I got off the boat chartered was really soothing my heart during the hot day. They are all capable of spitting out a smile that makes my presence feel very respected and important in that place.

 

Kura-Kura resort! The resort which is located on the island of Menjawakan (among Karimun Jawa archipelago) 22 hectares, approximately 2.5 hours from Semarang has 20 family villas are equipped with their own pool and 15 beautiful cottages. The concept of the villas are actually very Indonesian. The buildings are dominated by wood which combined by light brown paint color for the walls and all of them created the shade atmosphere even though we were in a tropical island. 

For me, it is an incredible opportunity that I may enjoy the atmosphere of Kura-Kura Resort which is beautiful and comfortable. One day on a private tropical island is a special experience and tremendous fun that is unexpected for me. If all things have a price, I think a price is right when you vacation in this place. What does it mean when a nominal all paid off by this cozy place with excellent service? I'm definitely going back here again one day, but not for one day. One week! I love Kura-Kura Resort!

Please feel free to ask me and I would be happy to help and give you kindly information about Kura-Kura Resort. Or you can also visit the link given for further information; http://www.kurakuraresort.com/

How to get here:

1. By flight from Jakarta to Semarang. Semarang to Karimun. By boat from Karimun to Kura-Kura Resort.

2. By train from Jakarta to Semarang. Semarang by boat from Tanjung Mas pier to Karimun or Semarang to Jepara/Kartini pier to Karimun.  Karimun to Kura-Kura Resort.

I made this video only for fun :)

Or you can also visit on this link; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhvlxCi9Gk4&feature=you tu.be