Wednesday, February 17, 2010

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Saturday, February 13, 2010

Kasembon Rafting, Malang-East Java

I love nature and adventure, so last weekend me and friends went to Kasembon, Malang Regency for rafting. For me this is the second time i tried this sport.

Kasembon is located in Malang, close to the border to Kediri regency. The route to reach Kasembon from Surabaya is very easy.
Surabaya - Mojoagung, Mojokerto - Ngoro - Kandangan - Kasembon.This trip will takes 2-2,5 hours.
And to return to Surabaya we can take the route from Kasembon to Malang, which can give you nice scenery along the trip.

Kasembon is a nice village with sawah (rice paddy) and nice people. And you can enjoy gazebo if you want to stay there. Each Gazebo's capacity is for 4 people and there are 8 gazebos available there.

For me it is such an amazing experience to do white water rafting as a beginner. I have never ever tried this before.
The sources of Sumberdandang River of Kasembon are cisterns, one of the cisterns is Selorejo Cistern. So even on dry season, the river is representative for rafting as the debt can be adjusted.
Kasembon rafting has 7.5 km rafting route. For beginners.. they can finish the route for 2 hours. And it has 5 canals with 2 to 3 meters, with 2nd and 3rd grade difficulty that fits either pro or beginner. And other advantages of the routes are the nice scenery along the river with farmers, green paddies, and people bathing. If you raft in the late afternoon, you can see beautiful sunset from the back of mountain. Have you ever thought of doing rafting at night? night rafting is available at Kasembon during dry season.

First opened on December 9th 2006, now this rafting site is getting more popular and visited by domestic and foreign visitors. Opened by Mr Sujudi , Malang City Mayor. Now it is completed with Gazebo, Souvenir Shop, Mushola and catering is also available here.

Usually tourist go rafting after trekk to Mt Bromo. Get tour operator for this kind of tour.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Rafting

Rafting has been a popular outdoor sport that give an extreme experience with the turbulence of the water. In USA it is popular as white water rafting.This activities use rubber rafts that is very sturdy and flexible. To proper the raft through the water, rafters use paddles. The capacity of the rafts can be 10 to 12. So it takes a team work.The excitement of rafting derives from the level of river turbulence, or rapids. The rafting risk and class comes from the changes in elevation to the riverbed, rocks or other obstacles in the water, and flow from snow melt and rainNow rafting is available not only for professional but also for amateur and family rafting.Hear are things that you need to prepare to go rafting :- Rafting Shoes that will protect you from sharp rocks in the river in case you fall. Do not wear sandals /slipper because it is risky to lose.-Wear T-Shirt and trousers/short like parachute or Lycra fabric that will dry immediately-Sunglasses -Sun Screen Cream to protect your skin from ultraviolet-Clothes for change-Mineral water to avoid dehydration during your rafting fun

Monday, February 8, 2010

Remain of Majapahit Empire-Trowulan-Mojokerto

Located 1 hour from Surabaya, and easy to reach. Trowulan located in Mojokerto Regency.Trowulan is rich of majapahit empire sites and until now it is assumed to be the capital of Majapahit Empire, which reigned almost all part of Indonesia and reached its heyday at the 14th century.
Few there are many remains but mostly are only ruins. And it is assumed also that there are still many remain that are still burried under the ground.In October 2009 Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Indonesia submitted Trowulan as UNESCO World Heritage list. Excavation showed that Trowulan once was a very dense area. These are Majapahit Empire remains you can witness in Trowulan:

1. Kolam Segaran (Segaran Pool)
Found by Ir maclain Pont in 1926 and had be restorated few times, in 1966, 1974 and 1926 when Mojokerto first mayor reigned.
Pool's size is 375 m x175 m, and depth 2,88 m, wall's thickness is 1,6 m. The construction is made of bricks. those bricks were rub on its each side so bricks attach to each other. The water flows from the south east part of the pool. The sources of the wopeater are from Balong Bunder and balong Dawa and rainfall. The average of depth is 1,5 M to 2 M.

Kolam Segaran was build to be a dam for royal family, and training site for knights of Majapahit.In Negarakertagama this pool is similarly refers to LAKE, expert says.

The myth that spread among the local community, Kolam Segaran was once the place to
hold welcome party for empire's guest from abroad. The dish to serve the guest were made of gold and when the party was over the dishes were thrown to the pool. Segaran village was once the Grand Kitchen for Majapahit. Other myth that is believed by the people is that the water of Kolam Segaran that water the rice paddy's arround makes the rice taste delicious.

2. Candi Brahu
Built by Mpu Sendok, the King of Kahuripan Kingdom in 861 Saka or 9 Sept 939 M. Brahu derived from Wanaru or warahu, a name of sacred building in Alasantan Inscription which is found 45 m from the temple. This temple's function is to put the ash of Majapahit Kings. Brawijaya I,II,III and IV. This temple is 25 M X 20.70 M and made of red bricks.
Although there is no proof that the temple is budha, but the style and the remain of foundation profile showed it is budha one. At the vicinity of the temple were found artefact and old stuff from of ceremonial instrument made of metal, jewellery, gold stuff and metal statues with budha typical stuffs.

3. Candi Tikus (Tikus/mouse Temple)
This temple was found in 1914 when this was experiencing plague of rats and suddenly the rat was desapeared to a hole on the ground.Regent of Mojokerto Kromojoyo Adinegoro ordered to dig where the hole located and thats when the Tikus Temple/ Rats Temple was located.
According to Negarakertagama, there was a bathing place for royal family that it was assumed to be candi Tikus. And other opinion from Bennet Kempers in 1954, this temple was built related to symbolize mahameru Mountain and holy water in hindu myth. But according AS Wibowo this building was the barometer of dams in Majapahit.


4. Candi Bajang Ratu
It is the shape of Padureksan type of gate. This gate was made of red brick and andesit rocks for ladders. This temple is decorated with kala, lion, legged dragon, sun and Sri Tanjung Story with protecting function. At the right wing is decorated with Ramayana Epic reliefs.

This gate was built to commemorate the death of King Jayanegara in 1250 Saka or 1320 BC. Bajangratu means young king, as King Jayanegara became king when he was very young.

According to the relief,It is predicted to be built in 13-14 century and once restored in 1992.

Other interesting things you can see here is : Museum with many majapahit artefacts displayed, gentong Temples, Kedaton Temples, Raden Wijaya Grave, Wringin Lawang Temple, Statue Carving, casting home industries.

For this tour you can do the tour individually or else you can get an arranged tour package to Trowulan by good tour operator in Surabaya.

candibajangratu2.jpg

For this tour you can do the tour individually or else you can get an arranged

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Experiencing Giyanti Village in Wonosobo

Giyanti is located around 4 KM from the highway to Wonosobo and approximately 9 KM from the heart Wonosobo. Giyanthi is a typical a village in Java with thick javanese culture. The people are friendly and work as farmers. Though the world is getting more modern, the people of Giyanti still maintain their way of life and the traditional culture. Thats why in 1999, this village is officially becoming Tourism Village of Wonosobo.

This village offers lengger (embleg) performance for tourist at night or day as ordered. For this a pendopo for this performance has been established. Usually foreign tourist order the tour at night and this cultural tour will give the tourist a unique experience, cus the trip to Giyanti is like trip to very remote rural which you must pass dark narrow farming area with silence ambiance and night animals singing.

Unlike other village, this relatively small village has 3 house to pray for moslem, for catholic and for Javanese belief. And those three adherents live in a harmony and holding hands with each other. You can see from how they participate in Nyadran Ritual Ceremony where every family and every one in the village participate.

Nyadran Ritual is held annually every Jum'at Kliwon (Friday 13th) in the month of Sura according to Javanese calendar. And it is held to thank God for the blessings of bountiful earth and village well being. The ritual is started by parade that is led by village old man and they go to the cemetary of Giyanti founders, Adipati Mertoloyo, the follower of Prince Diponegoro after the great war with dutch in 1825-1830 and then he refuge to Giyanti. Then proceed to pray at the graves of Kiai Monyet dan Mbah Kertojanti which are located at the same place. The old man prayed in Islam way but also use Hindu ritual like offering and incense. Javanese adopts easily cultures that comes to the community and mix it. The ritual then continued in the village where colorful banners row along the village street. At the village street women are ready with tenongan, a bamboo bin with jajan pasar (traditional food) and fruits inside. They dress in javanese village dress. Very impressive to see the parades moving to pendapa where Pak Parno, a respectable man tells a story about Giyanti Village and its tradition. Adipati Mertoloyo developing art, farming, and culture around 1832, that until now it is commemorated as the anniversary of Giyanti Village. The ritual is followed by wayang kulit (shadow puppet show) and other traditional performances.

If you visit this village in a day, you can visit local people makind traditional Javanese masks, puppets, and bamboo handicraft. Here you can also order tour to dress in embleg dancer costumes.

Tips to visit Giyanti Village
1. From Jogja
Take bus to Magelang from Giwangan bus Station. From Magelang take bus to Wonosobo and stop by at
Binangun Vegetable Market (Pasar Sayur Binangun). And take Ojek to Giyanti
2. Best Time to visit is Sura Month when Nyadran is held
3. If you visit Wonosobo and also want to enjoy this, order from tour operator to arrange for you. You can to
watch in a group so it will cost you cheaper.
4. Or you can get your tours from Jogja, Dieng and Giyanti arranged by tour operator.


Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Trekk To Ijen Crater

Ijen Crater is crater lake with 960 X 600 m, and located at the height of 2.148 m asl with depth 200m.
Located in Banyuwangi and Bondowoso regency and can be reached from both routes.
From Banyuwangi
If you are from Bali then this is the route that you take.
Banyuwangi to Sasak Perot/Banjarsari by Bemo (small public transport)
Sasak Perot to Licin by Minibus
Licin to Sodong via Jambu by Plantation Truck/Ojek/Travel Coach
Sodong to Paltuding by Truck or Ojek
Paltuding (1,600 m asl) to Ijen Crater by trekking
But if you are on group you can rent take land rover from Banyuwangi to Paltuding.

From Bondowoso
From Bondowoso, you can take Minibus to Wonosari then to Sukosari and then take another bus to Sempol. Sempol is where you can find humble room to stay. Or you can stay at Belawan that is located 3 km from Sempol where you can also enjoy natural hot water that is managed by local people.
Sempol (800 mdpl) to Paltuding is 13 Km so you better hire vehicle in Sempol to get there.

From Paltuding you must trek to reach Ijen Crater. The route is not that steep so it is save enough for family holiday destination. When i was there to trekk i even meet an old woman of 60 years old and a kid of 6 years old that reach the top of the mountain to see Ijen. And on the way you mill meet men sulphur from Ijen to bring it down. They can carry 85 kg sulphur and usually just carry once down a day. This sulphur is used for medicine, chemical and i heard also to whiten sugar.
After round 1.5 hours trekking, we will arrive at Pondok Bunder, a base camp that was built by dutch to watch the active crater. Pondok bunder now is the base camp where the sulphur miner weight the load they carry.
From Pondok Bunder (2214 m asl) to top of mountain is just 30 minutes. To reach the crater we must go down the 800 m steep caldera wall. Yes it takes more energy but it worth with the experience you can see there. Down there you can see how the sulfur is mined from sublimed sulphur. The Sulphure is yielded by the sublimation of sulfuric gas on 200 °C solfatar fumes. And you know what the capacity of the sulphure yielded is 8 tons/day.

The scenery on top of mountain to crater is very pretty. The tosca green crater looks very tempting but it is very acid and hot, the temperature of the crater water is 36'C. The temperature at the crater rim can reach 5'C.

Note :
1. Prepare with wet handkerchief to prevent you inhale sulphur
2. Depart to Ijen round 6 am for save as in the evening the gas can be dangerous
3. If you are from Bromo you can visit Ijen from Bondowoso cus the road is better than from Banyuwangi
4. YOu can go independently or you can get arranged tour to ijen.