Thursday, January 7, 2010

How to Make a Cheap International Call From Indonesia





Being far from your home country when you are travelling is not a big deal anymore these days, as the advanced mode of telecommunication. This enables you to get in touch with your family or your friends easier. You can use email, chat window or internet conference with webcam and mic.
Phone call can be another option, but it is very expensive to use phone for international call. And the price is worse if you use hotel phone for that.
I have Tips for you to call your family or friends at your hometown from Indonesia.
  1. Buy Indonesian Number for your mobile. I recommend you to use TELKOMSEL number. (I use Kartu AS number). If you buy the number, to activate the number you must register your number to 4444. You can ask the vendor to help you to registrate.
  2. Now… How to make cheap call? For TELKOMSEL number (Kartu AS and Simpati) you can use code 01017 to call any country. I don’t really know how much this cost a second for a destination country. But Usually for a country like Australia, USA, Canada, Malaysia and Singapore is very cheap. Only less than Rp.1000 a minute. Or to Europe you can call round Rp.3500/ minutes. (a second Rp.40). Example : 01017 and followed by the number you want to call like 316147789** ( for Holland)
  3. Other cheap code you can use is 01052. This code can be used to call cheaper to limited countries. I ever call Canada number with this code and I just charged less than Rp.1.500 / 4 minutes.

ANOTHER ADVENTURE................MT BROMO

MT BROMO THE HOME OF TENGGERESE

Mt Bromo is one of the most popular destination in Indonesia. It is a must destination for international traveler in Indonesia.
Mt Bromo is located in the midst of caldera with diameter 16 KM which is known as Sea of Sand. Bromo with its active crater always smokes and you can smell the sulphur aroma. Mt Bromo isnt the highest mountain on Sea of Sand, there are other mounts there. Mt Bromo (2.392m) MT Batok (2.470m) Mt Kuris (2,581m) Mt Watangan (2.662m) dan MT Widodaren (2.650m).
The tour usually accentuate the sunrise that can be seen via MT Penanjakan (2774M) The road to Mt Penanjakan is narrow and curving so suggested that you use 4x4. From Penanjakan then head to see the rim of Bromo crater. (1.392 above sea level). you can ride horse back or trekk to the stairways.
Transportation available by landrover that can be reserve on site.
Temperature here ranges from 0 to 10 deg, the coldest is before the sunrise.
The sunrise will take place at around 05.20 – 05.40 AM depend on season, the best time to see the sunrise would be around at May – September (no rainfall within that month).
Annually, Tenggerese Hindu who live here hold Kasada Ceremony to commemorate



Mt Bromo is located 4 regency, Probolinggo, Malang, Pasuruan and Lumajang.
There are two common routes to Mt Bromo, via Pasuruan and via Probolinggo.


DWI's EXPERIENCE
Well, a friend of mine promised me to pay all of my expenses if he accompany me to go to Mt Bromo. And sure thats a nice offer. I havent been there though i have been living in Surabaya, East Java for 2 years. :).
When he arrived in Surabaya then we plan to go to Bromo via Probolinggo, as i heard this is the easiest way to get there. But then he said that the ATM machine has eated his ATM in Jakarta. Oh my.......And he had complained to his Bank in his country about this but the bank had not given him any response yet.
Alright we made a deal that we would use my money to for transport but then he had to return the money to me as he promised me that he would pay all of my expenses in this trip. And he would use his credit card to pay the hotel.

We depart in the morning to Bungur Asih terminal in Surabaya, then take economy bus to Probolinggo. We paid Rp. 14.000 each person and it took 3 hours approximately. We stopped at the Probolinggo bus station and then take public transport to Bromo. People in the bus station usually will as you where you will go and if they see you with backpack then they will know you will go to Bromo. Oh ya from the bus station to Cemoro Lawang is charged Rp. 15.000. And took round 1 hour.

All the way from the bus station to Cemoro Lawang was a nice landscape with green trees and beautiful little hills. Guess what is my friend reaction when we arrived at Cemara Indah hotel and see the scenery of the Sea of Sand? Thats the most beautiful scenery ha had ever seen. :).

When we about to check in, my friend said if it was possible to pay the hotel credit card, but the reception said it is not possible. Hmmmmmm. I was thinking that maybe we wont sleep and wait till 3 PM to see the sunrise as we had paid the Land Rover. My friend looked at me and said sorry. The trip wasnt smooth as we expected. :). well thats the beauty of an adventure :)

But then a young man with Brazil soccer costume approached the reception desk with his big back pack and asking for a room. But only 1 room available, so he offered us to share room with him and he would pay. This Brazilian man also lend my friend money. Lucky us .... :)

Afternoon we walked to the surrounding the hotel. Very interesting to see farmers with their potatoes field. And also tenggerese walking with their horses. The sun that set in the west shine beautifully to every object arround us. We took many nice pics there.

It was freezing at night. I am prepared with jacket and hat and gloves. but i still feel freezing. The Brazilian man really felt the cold like he had flu and his body is shivering. We woke up at 3 and prepared to go to see sunrise and land rover was waiting outside. A man knocked our door and offer jacket as it was very cold outside in the morning at MT Penanjakan. I didnt rent the jacket, also my friend. But the Brazilian man rent one for Rp.20.000. He didnt prepare for the cold weather in Indonesia as he thought that tropical country has warm air. :)

The Land rover passangers were 8. 6 at the back seats and 2 at the front seats. It stopped at the foot of Mt Penanjakan, and we had to climb this mount to get to the best site to view the popular Bromo spectacular sunrise. It takes round 30 Minutes to get to the viewing area. My friend hurt his forehead as it was dark and no lighting.
Many foreigners tourist there. Mostly Dutch and French. Few went with grup on schedule trip and few are individual tourist.
THE SUNRISE was very amazing. With a very nice gradient of blue and orange and res at the horizone. Mt Semeru looked pretty nice and accentuate the landscape. Hmm i love the panorama so much.

Roung 6 00 am we decent MT Penanjakan and returned to Land Rover to head to Mt Bromo. Land Rover park at the sea of sand which surround the mountain. To get to the mountain, we had to trekk through the sea of sand or to ride by horse (charged Rp.70.000-Rp.90.000). We preferred walking as we saw many older people walk. We dont want to be spoiled persons from the city :) Even if we rode by horse we still had to climb 248 steps of stairways to reach the summit of Mt Bromo. Not that easy, but it was fun and satisfied when at last we arrived there. We took off our jacket as we felt so hot as the sun has shone and as we exercised a lot with hiking and climbing.

Finally with panting breath we arrived there. We conquered the stairways. We took pics and strolled circle the rater lips. I love it when we look down and mist float over the sea of sand. I can see Hindu temple lying mysteriously down there.

Round 9 we return to hotel, shower, breakfast then return to Surabaya by car. We paid 15.000 each person to probolinggo bus station.

TIPS TO VISIT MT BROMO :
1.Bring Flash light
2.Bring warm Clothing and gloves and cotton trousers, if not Jacket Rental is available there.
3.ATM is available close to Cemara Indah Hotel (BNI ATM)
4.Reserve Land Rover for 275.000 Rupiah. So when you want to get a land rover better managed with other tourist to get best price, then you order individually.
5.If you arrive in in daylight, afternoon you can stroll and i guarantee you can get good pictures.
6.Visit Bromo at dry season round May – September
7.I suggest you to stay in a hotel closest to the caldera.

Hotel BROMO Available plus price:
1. Hotel Raya Bromo :
Desa Sukapura, Bromo area 67254, East Java - Indonesia
Phone : (0335) 581103-5, Fax : (0335) 581142
2. Lava View Lodge Rp. 160.000-750.000
3. Lava Cafe Lava Rp. 75.000-Rp. 150.000
4. Bromo Permai : Rp. 88.000-Rp.462.000
5. Yoschi's : Rp.75.000-Rp.400.000
6. Cemara Indah : Rp. 75.000-Rp. 600.000


Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Exploring Alas Purwo National Park......Banyuwangi East Java

Here is my experience visiting one of the most interesting National Park in Java.

Alas Purwo National Park located in Banyuwangi (5 hours from Surabaya). Right on the tip of Java Island.Javanese believe that this jungle is the beginning (purwa) of all. According to Javanese legend, Alas Purwo is the first land appeared from the ocean.

This National Park is 434,2 KM square and rich of wildlife inside especially bull, dear, and peacock.
Alas Purwo is also where you can fine caves that are used as meditation caves. They are Istana Caves, and Padepokan Caves.

I went there to Istana Caves the inside of the cave laid a humble board seemed like to be used as bed with statue and incense and offering. It was quiet dark but a man offer me a flashlight. Inside the cave i met a young men with long hair and he has been living in the cave for years. I went inside with two men from Australia and South Africa. At the end of the cave there is a tunnel, very small tunnel that we had to bend over, and sure took off our shoes as the bottom was water to the ankle. The length of the tunnel was just 3 meters approximately. and at the end of the tunnel there was a small cave room with oferring and incence and.... bats. The bats looks calm and do not feel they were disturbed by us.
The path to caves are very interesting to enjoy too cus you can see creek and lush bamboo is all around. You will meet few people on site they usually have purpose to meditate.

Hindu people visit Pura Agung in the mids of Alas Purwo to celebrate Pagerwesi that is celebrated once in 210 days.

Alas Purwo National Park is rich of flora and fauna. It is the home lutung budeng (Trachypithecus auratus auratus), bull (Bos javanicus javanicus), ajag (Cuon alpinus javanicus), peacock (Pavo muticus), The Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus), deer (Cervus timorensis russa), The Javan leopard (Panthera pardus melas), dan The Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis javanensis). And other protected animals such as Olive Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), The Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), and Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas). Those turtles usually go to the shore between Januari to September.

Sadengan Savanna 80 ha pastures where you can see wild bull, barking deer, wild pig, peacock, jungle fowl and many kind of birds. The wild animals are grassing and can be seen in the morning and afternoon from the viewing tower.

G-LAND BEACH
Located in the midst of Alas Purwo national Park. The G derives from Grajagan bay. G-Land is naturally completed with waves for beginner to the most advanced surfer.


My First Visit in Alas Purwo (An Adventure)
After visiting Baluran National Park, me and my friend fron Banyuwangi then planeed to visit Alas Purwo hmmm we are curious how G-Land is :). We were 2 girls travel alone to the jungle which are no common for javanese :)
We went by her motorbike. And guess what happened...... the road were no good for motor bike of hers, we had flat tyre. When we arrived Pancur, we left the motor in front of Mushola (mosque). And we continue our trip to G-Land on food.
At first we follow the road which is dark as the trees were tall. So we chose to fringe the shore.
My friend loves shore very much she was exited to see white sandy beach. Walking thru the sand we felt like it was our island or something, cus there was no one. Just us, and quiet. Only the waves that broke. My friend changed her trousers to short pants like she did in a private bathroom. :)
It was hot but we still prefer to follow the coast line. it took 3 hours approximately to G-Land. Pancur to G-Land is 9 Km.
We saw surfers and we knew that we arrived to one of the best surf beach.
It was afternoon and we knew we couldnt return on foot to Pancur cus we were exhausted so we managed to sleep at G-Land. Luckily there is a 3 floor surfer tower. I met a very kind young men that lent us pillow and blanket so we can sleep well on the 3rd floor of the tower. :)
But we awake until late at night cus we joined with young men with guitar and singing with bonfire. HMmm it was so peaceful...... the song..... the guitar....the moon .....and the sea that started to tide.

In the morning, we returned to Pancur by logistic truck. We had to wait until the tyre repaired. There is no tyre in the jungle so we had to ask someone who wanted to go to town to buy for us. Luckily there is a man who had to ride his gf home for her visit. Afternoon at 6 PM we head back to Banyuwangi.


My Second Visit To Alas Purwo (in group)
This visit less adventure and not that hard like my first experience :)
I went there with my campuss friends. We went buy 27 seats bus, and stop at the entrance gate of Alas Purwo where we had to pay entrance fee. We had luch box there.
In this trip we were accompanied by a ranger as our guide. We rode by Land Rover to G-Land and the to Sadengan Savanna and Ngagelan Beach to see turtle captivity ( i didnt visit these palce on my first trip)
Ngagelan is pretty interesting. Here you can see baby turtle and turtle eggs that were burried under the sand. Turtle lying eggs in the middle of the night is one of the most interesting tour to do. For this tour you must stay overnight at Triangulasi where accomodation is available for Rp. 50.000.


HOW TO GET THERE:
Banyuwangi-Pasaranyar :65 km (by car)
Pasaranyar-Trianggulasi :12 km (by car)
Trianggulasi-Plengkung :10 km (by land rover)

Sunday, January 3, 2010

AFRICA-LIKE SAVANNA IN BALURAN NATIONAL PARK

DWI'S ADVENTURE TO
BALURAN NATIONAL PARK

I went to Banyuwangi last time to visit my friend's family. My friend lived with me in Surabaya and she wanted to see her parents and she asked me to go with her. I havent been to Banyuwangi, so.... i was expecting to see ...how Banyuwangi really is. Cus we plan to visit Baluran National Park.

We took train from Surabaya to Banyuwangi in the morning. Well..... thats the first time i rode by train. Pretty interesting. Itinerant vendor selling snacks and hot air. But i love it. As it was very hot i went outside to feel the wind, and i met a Canadian Backpacker. We talked and he is interested to come with us. My friend agreed that he could come with us and stayed in her parents house.

In the morning the three of us prepared with backpack and rice and banana that was taken from my friends back yard. We walked from my my friends house to the National Park which is approximately 3 KM. And at the entrance gate, we must pay admission for the National Park.
1. For Domestic Tourist : RP. 2500
2. For Foreigner : Rp. 20.000

We saw a sign OLD WELL and went there. There is legend about the well. It is said that long long time ago three cities dug a well at the same time, and which city succeed to dig the the watered well the quickest, then the city will be the most hilarious in the future.

Then we passed the evergreen forest. When we passed evergreen forest animals like black and gray monkey and birds can be seen. Sometimes they passed in front of us.

It took round 3 hours to get to Bekol Savanna from the entrance gate.
Bekol Savanna is just like african savanna. With yellow grasses and couple of trees. Hmm thats why it is also called the Africa of Java.:) This Savanna is 40 % of whole the National park Area (25.000 Hectares) . In the dry season, wild animals usually gather here for water. Best time to visit is September to October.
Wildlife animals living in this national Parks are abundant. The icon of Baluran is Bos javanicus (javanese bull) which has horn and on the head and dewlap.Other fauna in the Park are Wild Bulls (Bubalus bubalis), ajag (Cuon alpinus javanicus), dear (Muntiacus muntjak muntjak), rusa (Cervus timorensis russa), Panther (Panthera pardus melas), mouse deer (Tragulus javanicus pelandoc), dan mangrove cat (Prionailurus viverrinus), biawak lizard (Varanus salvator).

And also living happily round 155 kinds of birds here such as The Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), Asian koel (Eudynamys scolopacea), Green Peafowl (Pavo muticus), The Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus), kangkareng (Anthracoceros convecus ), The Rhinoceros Hornbill, (Buceros rhinoceros), Lesser adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus), and many others.


We were so tired that we stopped few times and enjoy banana. Our Canadian fellow bought young coconut as eating coconut will be good for energy. It was pretty hot... so dont forget if you visit Baluran... bring hat and apply sunblock. And water.
You know what from my friends house to Bekol is 19 KM. and we walked that far...........
At noon when we arrived we stop at the ranger house. We bought snack there and there is also mosque, where we can pray there. If you want to spend the night here yu can rent the guest house at the Savanna.

Anyway though we were tired, when we arrived the Savanna, felt like we were healed and feel fresh to see the Savanna exotic panorama.

From Savanna to Bama is round 5 KM. Bama Beach has white sands. And lush mangrove. And a big lizard popped out. We were a bit shocked. than we laughed.

Bama is rich of coral reef. three of us then went to the beach and swam to see the corral reef. very beautiful with school of colorful fish. Snorkle is a must-do here if you want to explore more. But becareful of sharp coral. I hurt my feet stepping on those sharp coral.
Bama is also the home of hundreds of Grey Monkey (Macaca fascicularis).

We return to Bekol again at dusk. Satisfied of the adventure... but tired and they way to my friends home is 19 km ahead.
Luckily domestic tourist car stopped and gave us ride. Alhamdullilah. Thanks God.

TIPS TO EXPLORE BALURAN NATIONAL PARK
-Best time to see wildlife is in dry season round 5 AM. Walk slowly thru the bush and see what those wildlife do from a very close distance. :)
-Dont forget your sunblock and hat if you want to trekk
-If you want to explore more of Baluran ... better stay overnight there and rent guest house. If you dont want to stay overnight, better go with vehicle (car/motorbike/landrover).
-Get a bicycle to get to Savanna and Bama will be fun and healthy :), if you love cycling.