Hotel La Hasienda, Kupang

When I received the invitation of my friend's wedding in Kupang, the second thing that popped out in my head is "Where will I stay?" (Of course the first thing is the plane ticket).

I found La Hasienda in TripAdvisor.

me in the front of La Hasienda

My husband is a little picky about hotel cleanliness, so the reviews mentioned in TripAdvisor had been already a good point. For myself, I'm always try to look for a different atmosphere, so i usually try to avoid business hotel. La Hasienda could meet our expectation.

Michael, the owner himself picked up us from the airport. We even had a couple times for chit chat with him during our stay there.

this is the view from the balcony in the front of my room

We also like the decoration. It's not common to see mexican style here (hey, it's Kupang!) especially during this minimalist era (something that I always think as lack of personality). The bright orange color and the mozaic will surely attract you.
The bedroom and bathroom are very clean. Fluffy towels are available.
What do I also like is the strict non smoking policy in the room and at the public area like breakfast area. Since I was pregnant during my stay there, I felt very comfortable with this policy.

La Hasienda also has a rooftop area at the 4th floor. According to Michael, it would be a rooftop restaurant (not yet ready during our stay). You could see panoramic view of the hill and to the sea. The view is nice.

Rooftop area of La Hasienda, you could see the sea in the horizon

Power outage is still a problem at Kupang, and unfortunately they haven't had a generator yet, but it has been already on their list to be included in their service.
For the food, we tried macaroni goulash (40k IDR) and ikan goreng/ fried fish (20k). Delicious food and the price is quite reasonable.
Overall, if I have another opportunity to visit Kupang again in the future, I'll definitely stay here again.


disclaimer: I visited La Hasienda at October 2013, pardon me if something has been updated.

Blitar - Kota Putra Sang Fajar

Since elementary school, what I know about Blitar is only limited as the city where Soekarno, the first president of Indonesia, was born.
My father-in-law is from Blitar. So, like other Indonesian, I know that I have some obligation to visit Blitar for ziarah and visiting relatives.

As usual, before the trip I did some research for potential place to be visited.
This is very important since we were travelling with baby O (she's nearly 11 months old) and my parents-in-law.
My very short list consists of:
- Tugu Sri Lestari Hotel
- Kampung Coklat

That's all. I was very interested with Rambut Monte temple and Pantai Tambakrejo, but realizing that we have to travel in a very limited time, I thought that I had to keep everything as simple as possible to evade dissapointment. If we could visit other places, it would be as a nice bonus.

We departed from Singosari at Monday morning. My father-in-law suggested us to take the alternative road since it was still in the morning and the weather seemed nice.
If the weather is nice and you are not in a rush, the view is very beautiful to be enjoyed.
But if the weather isn't nice, I don't suggest you to take this road, since landslide could happen there.
The alternative road is via Batu-Pujon-Coban Rondo-Bendungan Selorejo-Krissik-Tulungredjo.

While in the journey, we passed Rambut Monte (!), but we couldn't stop there since it was raining.

It is approximately 40 km to Blitar.

Our first stop in Blitar is Warung Ayam Bakar Bu Mamik. 

It was under renovation, but they were still open.

You could order ayam bakar (grilled chicken), gurami bakar (grilled fish), etc.

The price is in the middle range for Jakarta's people. (we spent 175k IDR for 4 adults)

The second stop is of course Hotel Tugu Sri Lestari. For Hotel Tugu, I'll write in another post separately.

In the front fo Hotel Tugu Sri Lestari

Once in Blitar, you could see two common attributes used for decoration.

• Merah-Putih (Red-White)
• Blitar is known as the city where PETA (Pembela Tanah Air) under Soepriyadi's command did their first rebellion against Japanese on 14 February 1945. This rebellion inspired the other PETA's rebellion in other region. During this action, the Merah-Putih flag was raised for the first time in Indonesia. More detailed information could be found in this link (source: wisatadanbudaya.blogspot.com , in Bahasa)

Soepriyadi's statue in the frontyard of Pendapa Rangga Hadinegara (north side of Alun-alun)

• Ikan Koi
• Koi fish breeding is common to be found in Blitar, that's why Blitar is also known as The City of Koi. Koi fish is also the symbol of the ability to attain the highest goal.

Koi in Alun-Alun as Beringin tree pedestal

Koi as a decoration element at Blitar's pedestrian

Inside the city, Blitar's alun-alun is well maintained.

Around the grass area, the government provide fitness and gym facilities.

Fitness and gym facilities around the alun-alun

Playing football in the alun-alun

The area and the surrounding is very clean.

Jalan Merdeka area in the morning

If you like old styles bread, you could buy bread at Perusahan Roti Orion (Jl. Merdeka no 113). It is famous for its Roti Semir.

Orion

Roti Semir

After the morning breakfast, me and my family went to:

• Museum dan Perpustakaan Bung Karno (Museum and Library of Bung Karno): this is actually a complex area consisting of a museum, library and the Bung Karno and his parents's tomb. The area itself is well maintained, but sadly some "pedagang asongan" is sitting around. 

Bung Karno's Statue in the middle of alley

The way along to the tomb

Tombs area

• Tips: 
• there is no entrance fee, but if you signed the attendance list, the guarding will tell you to donate some money (the amount is up to you, it will be used for maintenance).
• If you don't want to "nyekar" (honoring Bung Karno and his parents), you don't need to buy flower. Flower's seller could be a little bit pushy in the surrounding area.
• parking fee (not official): 10000 IDR/car

• Candi Penataran

• located in countryside of Penataran, District Ngelegok, Sub Province Blitar, complex of Candi Penataran is first reported in History Java by Raffles. It is mentioned that in the year 1815 Dr Horsfield find a Hindu temple ruins in Penataran. From the remaining structure and artefact found in the temple area, it is found that the building development happen in several steps during a long period. The estimation is that the it was built during the 12th century until 15th century (since the Kediri's era, followed by the Singasari's era and finished in Majapahit's era). According to Prasasti Palah, this temple is used as ritual sites. Raja Srengga (one of Kediri's king) often did his ritual here. Candi Penataran (Palah) is also mentioned in Negarakertagama as Dharma Ipas (a site for Rsi Satwa-Sugata, built as holy ritual site).  

  

  Candi Penataran panoramic view from the main temple

  Tips: 
• Bring an umbrella! The sun is very bright and since there is no tree,you can feel the sun on the top on your head. Umbrella rental is available there, but I don't know exactly how much is the fee.
• The official entrance fee is 5000 IDR/car (the officer will ask you whether you are just passing through or going to Candi Penataran, so the fee will depend on the your honesty)
• Like in Museum and Perpustakaan Bung Karno, if you sign the attendance list, you will be asked to donate some money. The amount is up to you, and it will be used for maintenance. 

• Kampung Coklat: 



In the entrance area, you could see bag containing fermented cacao

• This is an educational recreation sites. The owner is the leader of Paguyuban Santoso (that's why their chocolate product's name is GusSant, an acronym from Paguyuban Santoso). Paguyuban Santoso is a fair trade organization for cacao plantation across Blitar area. This organization buy fermented cacao from the local farmers around Blitar. From my father-in-law's friend (he is a cacao farmer), we got information that this organization are willing to buy 1000-2000 IDR higher than the local average price. Of course, they follow the SNI (Standar Nasional Indonesia) for the acceptance. The standard of cacao grading mention about the humidity (max 8%), fungi (max 5%), number of cacao per 100 gr (110 cacao seeds/100 gr or minimal grade B), others material (max 4%). Kampung Coklat was built to promote knowledge about cacao plantation. In the area, you could see how to produce chocolate and of course you could also buy their product. Unfortunately, I couldn't meet the owner since he was out on business trip.

Cacao's nursery

Drying fermented Cacao

• If you are a dark chocolate's lover (like me), you could try dark chocolate ranging from 67%, 80%, 90%, even 100%. Milk chocolate is also available, but it's a little bit too sweet for me. When I paid, I was surprised that the cashier ask me if I'd already tried their sample since it is not common for local people to buy the 100% variant. 



Blitar's Chocolate Products: GuSant, LaChoco, Gloria, Pinonika, and fresh cacao from the plant



• Tips: 
• If you are interesting in cacao production, this place offers training. For further information please contact: 
• Entrance fee: 5000 IDR/person

For culinary info, you could refer to this post.

Other than those places, I also want to share you something for thought.

I haven't explained why Blitar is also known as Kota Putra Sang Fajar.
For Indonesian, Blitar is known as the city where Soekarno was born.
Based on a Javanese belief, a person who was born during the sunrise has a predefined future. Since Soekarno was born during sunrise in the beginning of a new century (he was born on 1901), people said that he was born as a people who will bring change.

Anywhere you go around Blitar, you could easily find the spirit of "Merah Putih". The spirit of Merah Putih in my own term is the spirit to fight for a better life, not only for your own, but maybe also for the people around you.

In Jakarta, I often see beggar in the street. Sometimes, they are still young, but they only want to beg for your money.
Looking at these old lady in Blitar makes me feel ashamed. She is definitely not young, but she is still willing to work.

Old lady in Jl Soekarno

The owner at Paguyuban Santoso is another example of a people who want to give something meaningful for his surrounding. I know how hard life could be for a farmer if there isn't any fair trade organization that support them. For cacao, there is another problem. Sometimes the farmer aren't well educated, so they didn't process their cacao well. The price is not good since it can't achieve certain grade.
They will have to sell their cacao with under market price via the "tengkulak". The tengkulak will enjoy the benefit, while the farmer has to work hard without any benefit. That's a well known story of farmer's life in Indonesia. A sad story but that's a fact.
Paguyuban Santoso is willing to buy cacao with higher price, but the farmer has to learn how to process the cacao to achieve certain grade (minimum grade B). I think that's something good, you encourage people to growing together.

Last, I want to share this picture.
My husband standing with my daughter at Taman Makam Pahlawan (Heroes Cemetery) Blitar. (His grandfather was buried there).

Life is so short. 

But it doesn't mean that you just let it slip away.

Your path is still a long journey for you my daughter.

Just don't forget that it will have to end someday, like the people lying here.

Remember the fallen, pray for them.

Taman Makam Pahlawan Blitar graveyard area

posted from Bloggeroid

I Ate Mollusk..... (so many times)

An idea suddenly popped up in my mind while I was writing a post about Blitar.

Why don't I dedicate one posting about mollusk as a culinary dish?

So, here we are.

Note: this post will be updated as long as I eat other type of mollusk. Just pray that I won't get too many rash during the process. (LOL).

Escargot

As a person who was born in French, of course I know that there is the famous escargot.

Fortunately, in Jakarta you could find escargot in several French restaurant or international restaurant.

I ate this one at Boka Buka ( twitter, instagram)

Escargot from Boka Buka

The price is 75k IDR for 6 escargots, or 140k IDR 12 escargot (include tax and service charge).

The escargot at Boka Buka were cooked with garlic butter and parsley. They also served fried rice with escargot.

The other place that served escargot is Loteng Cikini.

Unfortunately, when I came to this place last year, it was not during their open time. Maybe I'll try it in another opportunity.

O2 Satay

My husband told me that in Blitar, there is a culinary dish named O2 satay.

Why is it named O2?

In Indonesia, there is a famous gambling method called "togel".

I'm not familiar enough with togel, but my husband told me that O2 is the symbol represented by "bekicot" (=snail)  in togel. That's why snail satay is known as O2 satay.

*update...
my sister sent me a picture of togel that she found (source: link )

The satay is seasoned with honey . For the sauce, not like the usual satay which use peanut sauce, O2 satay is accompanied by petis sauce.

Since the bekicot and petis sauce are high in protein, the food stall that served O2 satay usually sell kelapa ijo (green coconut) or degan (young coconut) also. Kelapa ijo is known as the natural remedy for allergy.

In Blitar, O2 satay could be found in the warung (food stall) at the front of Taman Makam Pahlawan Blitar.

The price is 3k IDR for 10 tusuk (one plastic bag)

 

O2 Satay

O2 Satay with Petis Sauce and Cabe Rawit

Kupang Lontong

Another delicacy from East Java is Kupang Lontong.

Kupang isn't a snail like escargot and bekicot. It is actually more a shellfish.

Kupang Lontong is served in a plate with petis, kupang's broth, garlic cabay, salt, sugar, lentho (fried cassava) and of course lontong.

Depend on your preference, you could also add kerang satay. It is also common for the seller to provide degan and/or kelapa ijo since it's an allergen.

You could find it at Kupang Kraton in Malang city.

Or maybe you could find it from some local people who sell around.

My husband's long time favorite is buying from a seller who walk near his parent's house twice a week.

preparing the Kupang Lontong

Kupang Lontong

The price is only 7k IDR per portion (without the kerang satay)

Ốc

Another type of snail that I've ever eat is the Ốc (river snail) at Ho Chi Minh City during my trip in Vietnam. 

Unfortunately, I don't actually remember the taste and the price since it has been a long time ago.

I tried it at a little restaurant near Metropole Saigon hotel (near Tran Hung Dao Street, District 1, District 1 - Pham Ngu Lao / Tay Balo, Ho Chi Minh).

Ốc
courtesy of my sister

Just beware, my father got some rash after eating this snail. I'm not really sure if the place in Vietnam also sell coconut water or not. But if you are prone to allergy, be cautious.

Tutut

Tutut is another name of keong sawah in West Java.

This time, its my turn to got some rash T_T.

----to be continued-----

Attending a Timor Wedding

(Two weeks ago) At October 2013, me and my husband got an opportunity to attend our friend's wedding at Kupang, NTT.
* sadly, I lost my pocket cam. This posting was delayed due to my maternity leave and my attempt to search my pocket cam. Unfortunately, until this day, my camera is still missing. :(
I found my camera! :D


The groom-to-be is Javanese and the bride-to-be is Timorese.
The tradition to be used is Timor tradition with a little bit touch of Javanese.

For your information, the process itself had begun since last year with a "Peminangan".
Unfortunately, I didn't attend this procession, so what I wrote in this post is what I saw during the procession in Kupang.

The groom-to-be is my husband's best friend. So we were included into the groom-to-be group.
The groom-to-be family has to prepared "Belis" to be given to the bride-to-be family.
The Belis consists of:

• Uang air susu: money given to the family as an exchange of raising the daughter from baby until now
• Uang AIUW (I forgot to ask how to write it) or Uang Kayu: money given to the family as a thank you for the family who help to organize the wedding
• Silver coins
• Toiletries
• Jenang

The groom-to-be group has to come to the bride-to-be's home at 5 PM. No more or less.
Someone from the bride-to-be family will welcome the group at the front door.
They said some greeting in Timor language and then the groom-to-be groups had to answer "Eeeee".
Then the groom-to-be groups were allowed to enter the house.

In the house,the bride-to-be group served the groom-to-be group with "Sirih-Pinang".
After that, they served "Air Hangat" alias hot tea.
The spoke person from the bride-to-be group will give an opening speech and asking about the "Penyelesaian Secara Adat" (traditional term of agreement) which has been agreed during the "Peminangan".
Until this time, no one from the groom-to-be group is allowed to speak.
The bride-to-be group will check the Belis brought up.
Three person have to check the Belis. One from the grandparent generation, one from the parent generation, and one from the bride-to-be generation.
If the contain of Belis match what have been agreed during the "Peminangan" then the spokeperson from the groom-to-be group will be allowed to talk.
If not, then the groom-to-be group have to go back and trying to fulfill the requirement.

The spoke person from the groom-to-be spoke about the gratitude of being welcomed by the bride-to-be family then the spoke person from the bride-to-be group replied the speech.
At this moment, the groom-to-be is welcomed as "anak-mantu" (son in law).
The bride-to-be group exchanged the Belis with two (2) sheets of fabric, one bag of rice and one pig (if the groom-to-be is Catholic or Christian, if moslem the pig could be swapped with a goat).

The next procession was "Searching the Bride".
The spoke person from the bride-to-be asked the groom-to-be to search the bride-to-be in the house.
During the process, a pantun was read by the spokeperson from the bride-to-be group:

Pelan-pelan, hati-hati.. (Slowly, be careful)

Jangan sampai tersandung (Don't slip away)

Itulah calon istrimu, jagalah dia kapan pun (That's your future wife, take care of her anytime)

Why do they have this pantun? Since if the groom-to-be choose the wrong girl, his family will be punished with a fee. It could be a long negotiation again to discuss the punishment.
After the searching process was over, the procession was followed by prayer.

Javanese vs Timor 

For the mass, it was an usual Roman Catholic's wedding mass.
What is unique is the entrance procession and the sitting position. The entrance procession used Timor music and dancer to accompany the bride and the groom.
For the sitting position, usually it is only the bride and the groom whom sit at the front of the altar.
In Timor, the witnesses also sat beside them.
It is a symbol that the witnesses also have a responsibility to be patron of the bride and the groom.

For the reception, wedding reception in Timor used seating dinner system.
The guest are seated in several tables. On each table, drinks, ice and cakes were prepared.
Then the reception began with opening speech followed by wedding cake's cutting.
After that the guess were allowed to take the dinner (buffet system), the sequence was arranged by usher.

After the dinner, it's dancing time!
The first dance is polonaise.
I was surprised to know that the polonaise's song is "Potong Bebek Angsa".
Do you know about this song?

Potong bebek angsa, angsa di kuali (Cut the duck and the swan, put the swan in the wok)
Nona minta dansa, dansa empat kali (The lady is asking for a dance, and dance four times)
Sorong ke kiri, sorong ke kanan, (move to the left, move to the right)
lalalalalalala (lalalalalala)

It's a famous children song in Indonesia. And honestly, I always think that the lyric of this song is a quite sadistic even the melody is cheerful. That's why I'm surprised.
But it didn't stop the people to enjoy the polonaise.

After the polonaise, it's the time for traditional Timor dance, known as tebe-tebe.
People are standing in a circle formation, then they grab each other arm. The dancing is following some pattern for the feet's movement.
Actually it's a very interesting dance. (I have the video, and I'll update this post later).

They would dance all night long.
But for me, it's the time to go back to the hotel. :)

I would like to thank you Victor and Putri for the opportunity to watch their wedding's procession.
Hope both you will enjoy marriage life and God bless you :)

*disclaimer: if there is any correction regarding the Timor's custom, I would gladly accept any comment

Propinsi dan Pulau.. Seberapa banyak kumelangkah?

Sebenarnya sih, saya agak bingung dengan jumlah propinsi di Indonesia.
Dulu pas zaman sekolah sih masih 27.
Terus berkurang jadi 26 (bye Timor Leste).
Sekarang ada 34 kan ya? (memeriksa cepat, dan tampaknya benar).

Jadi sekarang saya mau berhitung, sudah berapa banyak propinsi dan di Indonesia yang sudah saya kunjungi hingga per tanggal yang gw sebut di bawah ya.

Propinsi:

1. DKI Jaya
2. Banten
3. Jawa Barat
4. Jawa Tengah
5. DI Yogyakarta
6. Jawa Timur
7. Bali
8. Nusa Tenggara Barat
9. Nusa Tenggara Timur
10. Kalimantan Barat
11. Kalimantan Timur
12. Kalimantan Selatan
13. Sumatera Selatan
14. Sumatera Utara
15. Riau
16. Kepulauan Riau
17. Kepulauan Bangka dan Belitung 

Ternyata pas setengah (Juni 2013).... lumayan....

Kalau pulau sih, kayaknya susah dihitung ada berapa pulau di Indonesia ya. 16000-17000 sih sepertinya.
Yang sudah saya kunjungi:

1. Jawa
2. Kalimantan
3. Sumatera
4. Bali
5. Bangka
6. Batam
7. Umang
8. Nusa Lembongan
9. Flores
10. Komodo
11. Kambing
12. Rinca
13. Lombok
14. Gili Trawangan
15. Gili Air
16. Timor (Oktober 2013)

Ternyata masih sedikit sekali.

Jadi mari kita menggiatkan jalan-jalan :D

Sailing Trip to Komodo (part 2)

I woke up in the morning, preparing for the next journey.

While we are eating our breakfast (crepes with banana and chocolate sauce, very yummy), we could see a ship approaching the hotel.

Our ship name is Fadaelo.

The welcome drink is papaya juice with milk.

Surprisingly, it is very delicious.

Me and my friend enjoying papaya juice

From Labuan Bajo, our first destination is Pulau Rinca. The port name in Rinca is Loh Buaya.

I'm not a biologist or an ecologist, so I'll say what I see.

Once inside the gate, what I can see is savanna, rock and sand. The weather is hot and dry, with only a small of plantation. 

From the top left, clockwise: Rinca habitat, a Ranger explained Loh Buaya map, me with the Komodo stick, ranger standing near a Komodo nest

We are accompanied by two rangers because our team consists of 9 person. Normally a ranger accompany 5 person.

The ranger brought a stick with two branch in the edge. Why? Since it is known that komodo are afraid with something similar with their branched tongue.

Komodo has an excellent smelling capability.

Women during period is prohibited to enter the Komodo National Park for their safety, because Komodo could smell the blood and locate you even from far away.

According to the ranger, komodo could run at 18 km per hour speed. I think that's fast, because I could only run with max 9 km per hour on the treadmill. :D (and the maker of this song "Macet lagi macet lagi, gara gara si Komo lewat" must have never known anything about Komodo!)

So you better hope that you don't have any open wound or during your period when you go there. A chase between you and a komodo surely would not be a pleasant part of the trip.

For myself, I'm thrilled when we meet a komodo in our trekking trail. I'm speechless, because I feel so frail.

Notes: if you want to see komodo, but you are afraid of doing some trekking, I suggest you to come there before noon. Many komodo will gather around the ranger's housing area, since they smell the cooking!

It is quite strange to see a group of Komodo laying below the house.

Laying under the ranger's hut, "waiting" for the lunch time

After Rinca, our next sailing target is Pulau Kambing. ( Kambing = goat)

If you love to snorkling or diving, you have to go there.

It is one the most beautiful underwater scene that I've ever seen.

I've ever been to several snorkeling points across Indonesia, and this is definitely one of the best.

Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my underwater camera while I snorkeling there. :(

I don't know why it is named Pulau Kambing, because I didn't see even one goat there. 

The next destination is Kalong Island. (Kalong = bat)

This is the last destination for in the first sailing trip, because this is the place where we'll watch sunset and spend the night.

The view is spectacular. 

Beautiful red orange sky with thousands of bats flying across the sky.

Unfortunately, I have a pocket camera only, and it couldn't capture the red beautiful sky. :(

After breakfast we continued the journey into Pulau Komodo.

This is the biggest island in the Komodo archipelago area.

The difference with Rinca is the komodo living in Pulau Komodo are older and bigger.

Rinca's komodo are younger and more savage caused by their agility.

The habitat itself is quite different.

It is more like a tropical forest. This is also a good place to do some bird watching.

From top left, clockwise: Sulphurea Hill Top, Sulphurea Hill Top, Komodo, Sea Dock 

Oh yes, and I'm lucky that I've got there before the permanent dock is finished. I think a wood dock is much nicer than a permanent dock.
I understand that Komodo will be a big part of tourism in Nusa Tenggara Timur.
But I really hope that the government won't forget that the main reason of making Komodo archipelago as a National Park area is for the animal reservation, not for tourism.

The next destination is Pink Beach.
Why it is named Pink Beach? Because the sand is pink.

Pink Sand

But that's not the only think that you can see at Pink Beach. It is also a beautiful place snorkeling. If you are not a water activity fans, you could do some trekking to the hilltop, the view is quite fascinating.

The last destination for our sailing trip is Bidadari Island.
It is a small island near Labuan Bajo.
This island also has pink sand, but it is more polluted than Pink Beach.
Pink Beach is a no man island and the location is quite far from the local people village.
Bidadari is close to Labuan Bajo, so the rubbish from Labuan Bajo are washed into this shore.
It's a shame, because the beach is pretty.

After two days of sailing trip, we returned to Wae Cicu Eden Hotel.
So long Komodo.... :)
Hope that I'll see you again someday..

notes: all the pictures aren't edited. I'm not a professional photographer, and I'm only using my pocket camera (Sony Cybershot W-570)

Labuan Bajo, a Step before Reaching Komodo (part 1)

First of all,

this journey happened on May 2011.

So I would say I'm sorry if it is not really accurate.

What is Komodo?

From Wikipedia : Komodo is a large species of lizard found in the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang and Padar.

Komodo is listed in UNESCO World Heritage since 1991 and Natural Seven Wonder List since 2011.

So I'm actually lucky that I got an opportunity to visit Komodo before it is declared as one of the Natural Seven Wonder.

How to get there?
You have to reach Labuan Bajo first.


By air:

• DPS- LBJ: Trans Nusa (7x / week)
• DPS- LBJ: Wings Air (3x/week, TUE, THU, SAT) 

Points of interest:

- Labuan Bajo sea port : It smells fishy, but the view is beautiful. Blue sky tinted with white cloud in the sky. Traditional ships.

- The Lounge : a nice restaurant at Labuan Bajo, don't forget to try Komodo's Smile drink.

It contains Flores mint a.k.a Kemangi for Indonesian people.

(left to right) Chocolate Milk Shake, Watermelon Juice, Komodo's Smile

- Batu Cermin: (a.k.a Mirror Rock) : a limestone cave, with beautiful reflection of the ray light onto the wall.

- Paradise Bar: a bar, best known for watching sunset

- Wae Cicu Eden Hotel : owned by a Swiss and Indonesian couple. Located in the hilly side across Labuan Bajo.  

Fresh water and electricity is available. 

No air-con, only fan, but they provided mosquito net. The bathroom is clean enough for my standard. 

The cuisine is made with French style. I realized that once they served me grilled fish with thyme for dinner.

And for the breakfast, they served crepes (of course ala Francais , not dry like Indonesian crepe)

What I love the most about this hotel is the fact that they don't have a port.

Their commitment is to stay as natural as it can be. So the only way to reach this hotel from the sea is by using a small raft since the bigger boat couldn't landed on the beach.

As you can see on the picture below, there is no port in the front of the hotel.

Enjoy your stay in Labuan Bajo, because the trip to Komodo is still awaiting you.

continued to Sailing to Komodo...

Amed Beach - Bali

Last weekend, I went to Bali for company outing.
My first reaction was "Bali"?
I stop counting my visits to Bali since a long time.
Maybe because I've been there more than 5 times, nearly once a year (twice last year, because my flight to Komodo depart from Bali).
What makes difference for this time is the destination.

The destination is Amed.
Located on Karangasem area, on the east of Bali island.
It took 3.5 - 4 hours from Kuta by bus.

On the way to Amed, you can stop at Goa Lawah, Pesinggahan, Tirta Gangga.
The last "city" before Amed is Alampura.
The view between Amlapura into Amed is surely breathtaking.
You can enjoy the view of ricefield across the valley on your side and the blue sea in the horizon for the background.
At another point, you'll see the beach below your way, with several jukung boat laying on the sea-shore.

Unfortunately, because of the flight delay, we didn't have enough time to see the sunset.
I spent the night at Coral View - Hidden Paradise.
I was lucky enough to get the Family Suite to shared with my friends.
It is a two level villa.
The room downstairs provide two single bed, the room upstairs provide one queen bed.
There is one bathroom downstairs , located outdoor (Don't worry, the wall is high enough, unless someone climb the wall, nobody will peek you naked)
Hot water is provided, also the toiletries. (The shampoo and conditioner is well enough. It didn't dry my hair even after I soaked my hair in the pool and the sea. But you can't take it home, because it is stored in a big stone bottle)

Amed is actually a small fishing village.
You can see plenty of jukung boats on the sea-shore during the time when the fisherman are not sailing.
Oh yes...I almost forgot.. Amed is a black sandy beach with sunrise view.

April(e) in May

How about the white sand lovers? Will they be dissapointed?
Of course they won't.
Below the sea-surface, the view is quite beautiful.

Try to snorkeling while you get there.
Or if you are a certified diver, try to dive there. There is a japanase wreck in Amed.
If you don't feel enough, you could arrange a dive trip to Tulamben (30 minutes from Amed). You could find the wreckage of U.S.S.R. Liberty.


You don't like to snorkling or diving?
You can still walk around the village.
It is a quiet village, so if you want to feel a different side of Bali, this is a nice place.
I really enjoy my morning walk there. It is so calm and refreshing.

7:00 AM at Amed village road

You like to enjoy spa? (Balinese massage is quite famous, isn't it?)
From the hotel information, they recommend A-Spa and Puri Wirata Spa.
I didn't have enough time to go to those places, but I was lucky enough that I found a masseuse near the pool.
I paid 150k IDR and I get 60 minutes body massage.
I think the price is reasonable, considering that Amed is only a small village.
(You'll forget about the price once the mbok's hand is in your back, and you could hear the wave sound as the background)

Last, don't forget to eat some fish.
The grilled fish is so awesome. :)