Hello from the Other Side....Again

Wow, I've neglected this blog for almost 2 years? That's amazing >.<

So what happened? Well....life happened :P

I didn't travel much this year and I did try my best to settle down. But it turns out, I....cannot. Yet.

The year 2015 pass by with a lot of travelling adventures almost every month, I was so busy working and travelling I cannot find the time to write. And this year, the 2016.... life just get so weird and hectic I barely can think about travelling. I managed to do series of life experiments though, the dating apps experiment and the entrepreneurial experiment to be exact. And both just confirm the commitment issue I tried to deny.

And along with that, another issues start to come out too. I decided, enough is enough. I'm just going to tackle this once and for all. And hopefully it's all.

So here I am now, in Ubud, Bali. All alone trying to figure out myself. Some people say the term "I'm still trying to figure out myself" is a lazy way to describe: I don't want to grow up and be responsible. Maybe that's true, but maybe that's not the case for me. I really do want to grow up and settle down, but the thought of staying put and settle down like most of my friends give me bad anxiety. The more I tried to commit to a business, to a place, to a person or to anything, the more I want to run away. But I do want to settle down. It's confusing.

Conquering fears has been my motto these past years. And this period of time really is the period of conquering one of my biggest fear: commitment. Maybe it sounds counterintuitive trying to level up my commitment game by being carefree. But hey, I have tried to push myself to settle down a bit and commit but it failed. If anything, it gave me bad anxiety and stress. It made me hate where I live and I started to resent anything that I do and anyone that I know. But now, it's been only about two week of solo travelling and living a semi nomadic life and I got to admit I already miss the house where I live a little bit. I miss doing the business that I do, the gym that I go to, the Muaythai place I go to sometimes and the Starbucks near my house where I always went to if I need extra focus to do my works.

So maybe this is it... Before I embark on this experiment/adventure, my mentor said to me, there are 2 types of free spirit: the one that just need to fulfil the need to explore for some time and find the point where she feels that it's enough. Or the one with another type of issue that needs to be resolved. Well, ok, finger crossed that I'm more of the first type then.

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IN AND AROUND JOGJA

The third day was spent strolling around the city center of Jogja. Since Jen never been to Jogja before so we took her to some of the "mandatory" tourism spot. Kraton, Taman Sari, Kampung Cyber and around.

We decided to eat in a restaurant inside the Kraton area called Bale Raos. They provide Sultans' favorite foods. One of the dish that caught our attention is this dessert. Such a complicated way to serve a banana plate.

Other dishes were ok, but nothing too special in our opinion. Some are way too expensive considering the portion and taste. It was interesting because they put information particular dish of Sultans' favorite. 

After lunch we went to Taman Sari. I personally not really keen of this place. I think it could look prettier with more care and a little bit renovation. The history of the place is quite interesting though.

Taman Sari Backyard

Kampoeng Cyber located on the back of Taman Sari. There is this small door connecting to this little village. I always went to this area with a guide from Taman Sari. The guide will take you to the underground Mosque too.

The history of underground mosque is pretty cool. If you want to visit this place, I suggest to go with a guide. I always get very excited hearing about the history and explanation about this mosque while being there and explore the place. 

The Underground mosque can get very crowded with locals and youngsters, it is best to avoid weekend and holiday season.

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THAT ONE BEACH BEFORE PANTAI INDRAYANTI

Rating: 7

After witnessing one of the greatest phenomenon on earth at Goa Jomblang, we were planning to head up to Pantai Indrayanti. With our GPS man/videographer in charge of showing us the way.

Now, we went through a very very rough road with our somewhat broken car (1 flat tire and 1 broken tail lights) when we came in the morning. So when Sam looked at the GPS and found a shorter way to get to our next destination, we all agreed to head on the other road.

"Right or left? Left is the road where we came in earlier and right is the shorter route to get to Pantai Indrayanti. It seems like a small road though here on the GPS and it doesn't recommend that route"

But we all agreed to try our luck: RIGHT. It was a small road, fitted only one car and it was very rocky.

And suddenly our driver/adventurous boy Michael (Mamai) said "If it leads to a dead end, we will remember this story for the rest of our life"

Little that we know that that decision led us all to a whole new "adventure". Probably Mamai has jinxed it because we actually did get lost! We go through a chicken farm and a very dry forest. The scenery was awesome, all brown with dead trees all around. But we were really heading to a dead end since the road was blocked.

And so we spent another half an hour trying to get back to the right way. We tried our luck the second time, trying to go to other small road, but we got lost again and finally decided to go back to the original route. Mamai has to drive backward the whole time and go through so many obstacle along the way since the road was uber small and the rock blocking the tires all the way. We had to get off the car so it could go through the rough road easier with less weight in it. So yeah, that was unforgettable, but if we never try we never know right? >.<

We finally went out of the wood with a story to tell and lesson to learn to never ever outsmart the GPS :P

From now on we will always trust you GPS! *bow*

We initially wanted to go to Pantai Indrayanti, but since it looked like it was going to rain and got really dark so we decided to stop at 1 beach before Pantai Indrayanti. We arrived at that 1 beach before Pantai Indrayanti exactly at sunset. It took us around 1,5 hour from Goa Jomblang to this beach (But sometimes Mamai drove like a racer so..... >.<). It wasn't too crowded. The tide was about to get high but we can still see all the rocks covered up in seaweed. The seaside covered in green and we could see some underwater creatures like snails, little fishes and sea urchins. Some little caves under the cliffside were exposed too during this low tide.

Lots of fishermen and seaweed farmer were out to take the seaweed. We tried to help them a little bit by collecting some seaweed. It was fun but the farmer did not look too impressed though ;P

The only thing I dislike about this beach was that it was a little bit dirty with trashes on the sand. They do have cafes and toilets here so I guess tourists left their trashes deliberately there :(. The sunset was okay but nothing too spectacular. But overall we fell in love with those seaweed covered rocks and had fun looking at little sea creatures.

Tips:

1. We need to pay to enter the beach complex. Since Pantai Selatan (South Beach) are all connected so we only need to pay once at the gate and we can go to some beaches within the complex.

2. We did not try the cafe but they have one there. But prepare some cash if you plan to eat at the cafe. And small change to go to the toilet!

3. The low tide made this place more interesting. Try to go when the tide is low!

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GOA JOMBLANG

Rating: 10

When my friend Vero asked me to join the Jogja trip, she kept mentioning Goa Jomblang as the main destination. I was just agreeing without even knew what it was. But after I got there, I wonder how could I never knew a place so beautiful like this even exist in Indonesia.

Goa Jomblang is a vertical cave, around 60-80 m under the earth with an ancient forest in it. 

They transport us down with ropes, manually with human force. Now, I have a terrible fear of height and this is soooo nerve racking as hell. When they told us to let go, you can see 60 meters down the cave and freely hanging with just ropes. Honestly it was not so fun part for me, but it was worth it in the end :)

Unexpectedly going up was worse than being transported down to the cave. Because gravity could take care of our weight going down so the ride was quite smooth and fast, but when they have to pull us up, they have to stop for quite a while to gather the strength and adjust the position. They basically just leave us hanging for 30 seconds or more, I really wanted to cry when they stopped. But according to the staff, they have met the safety standard and they renew the safety measure periodically.

Ancient Forest

According to some scientists, the plants are so ancient that they could not even identify them. Connected with a pitch dark tunnel, you’ll find another cave, Goa Grubug where the “light from heaven” exist. Apparently this place was one of the location for one of the episode of Amazing Race and location for Djarum Super ad campaign.

This is hands down the prettiest view of earth I have ever seen so far in my traveling experience. I might have seen lots of beautiful beaches or beautiful mountains and woods, but a beautiful cave with a light phenomenon like this? I have seen none.

We took turn to take some photos on the rock where the light hit directly. It was almost like a spotlight on stage. The rocks are in beautifully interesting and strange shape. They have gorgeous pattern formed by drops of water for God knows how many years. And deep down under these rocks lay a river. The site was slippery so we really need to be extra careful not to get slipped and fall into the flowing river.

with our guide

Tips:

1. The road to Goa Jomblang is pretty rough. If possible, please come with a proper off road car.

2. Make a reservation before visiting Goa Jomblang. Max 25 person each visit in the cave to conserve the site (Cahyo Alkantana (+62 811 117 010). Do not forget to ask for an invoice if you pay in advance (they staff at the site will ask you). Or opt up for paying directly to the staff at Goa Jomblang to avoid misunderstanding.

3. We departed from city center of Jogja around 8 and arrived around 10. We thought we were late already, but turned out we had to wait for other people to even out the group before descending to the cave and catch the right time to see the light phenomenon (around 11-12 am)

4. Make the most of your GPS! This place is quite confusing to find.

5. Wear Sun Screen! I got a really bad sunburn on my neck because I forgot to put sun screen on that area T-T

6. They prepare boots so no worries about the shoes, but don't forget to wear socks to avoid blister (personal experience of our team >.<). The Cave was hot and we have to wear the safety belt and helmet throughout the visit so it got really hot quickly. The cave was wet and slippery especially during rainy season so dress accordingly!

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SUNSET AT RATU BOKO

Rating: 8 

That afternoon we rushed to Candi Ratu Boko after visiting Candi Prambanan. Since it is located not too far from Candi Prambanan (approx. 3 km South), we underestimated the time of our visit. It was almost sunset and we got lost on our way. A couple of minutes before the sun set in, we arrived. We were told that the site was closing soon, but we entered anyway.

50 meters after the ticket box, we were so surprised by the view already. We were not even inside the complex yet. The leading road to the main gate of the complex has this spectacular sunset view overlooking the Klaten-Sleman area. With trees vignetting the view, making nice pattern with the silhouette.

few meters from the main entrance

After taking so many pictures, we run to the main gate of the complex to catch the last minutes of the sunset. We climbed up the stairs and welcomed by a rude group of amateur photography club or something. They were rudely yelling at everybody who stood in the middle of the gate or even just passing by to get to the other side of the area. Such a mood breaker :(

And not just us, other visitors were disturbed by this too since they were group of 20-30 persons who kept on yelling, name calling and intimidating every single person who passed by the gate. For this reason we could not take good images of the gate itself and the beautiful view felt a little less magnificent with those disturbing people around. 

One of our friend we met on this journey visit Ratu Boko a couple of days after and he had the same issue with a group of "photography club". Not sure if this is an ongoing issue or we just a little bit unlucky to meet those groups -.-

One of so many failed attempts of making cool silhouette >.<

But anyway, we went up to the site and got a better view of the sunset (or should I say the best?). I could not even explain how breathtaking it was. These images do no justice to the real experience. The ambience was really romantic and mellow (but got ruined by the continuous yelling from that amateur photography club -_-)

We could see Candi Prambanan from this spot. Had it been brighter, we could take a good shot of Candi Prambanan. But I don't mind since I could get a precious view of the beautiful sunset. I rarely get the chance to capture a perfect shape of the sun (so round and orangey >.<), setting in with the sky in one of my favorite color combination.

Unfortunately we could not visit the 16 hectares complex of Ratu Boko since they closed the area after it get super dark (no lamp or whatsoever around the complex). But I was a happy girl to witness such a great sunset from the gate!

We cannot give you a full review or rating of the place since we only managed to get to the main gate. But we give the Sunset at the Main Gate experience an 8. I personally want to give a 9 if there was no disturbing group at the area ;P

precious!

Tips:

1. If you are a group of professional or amateur photography club with good ethic, please do book the whole Ratu Boko complex for your own session and do not disturb other visitors. Mind you that it is a public space. If your project is really that important, please do spend some money to close the area for yourself.

2. Go at the sunset! And go with your loved one! I did get a little bit jealous looking at some couples admiring those pretty sunset :P

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CANDI PRAMBANAN

Candi Prambanan

This temple has one of a kind legend about a Beautiful Princess, an enamored knight and spirits who build these temples in one night.

So here goes the story:

Once upon a time there was a Beautiful Princess named Roro Jonggrang from the kingdom of Prambanan. Her beauty got a powerful knight from Pengging Kingdom named Bondowoso fell so deep in love with her. He wanted to make her his wife and he proposed. Roro Jonggrang agreed with one condition: Bondowoso had to make her a thousand temples and two wells in one night.

Now, this might sounds impossible, but Bondowoso had an army of spirits who helped him. Halfway through the night, Bondowoso and the spirit army almost finished the temples and the wells. Roro Jonggrang got worried since she actually did not want to marry Bondowoso. So she asked her maids to burn straws and pound the rice to make it feels like dawn has come.

The sky turned red and upon hearing the sound of pounded rice, the rooster start to crow as if the dawn has broken. The spirit army went back to their world as they thought the morning has come even though the temples has yet to be finished. Bondowoso asked them to returned and finish one last temple, but the spirits ignored his wish and left the site with the rocks laying on the ground unfinished. He tried to finish the last temple on his own but before it finish, the dawn really came.

He got really mad upon learning that Roro Jonggrang made him failed. He was so angry that he cursed Roro Jonggrang to turn into a statue to complete the 1000 temples he built. And up until now the statue remains in one of the temple called Roro Jonggrang temple.

Candi Prambanan - almost sunset from the exit route

I am not sure about now, but I supposed every kids in Indonesia knows about the Roro Jonggrang legend as well as they know about Disney Princess story. We had to learn about this legend as a part of Indonesian culture history at school when I was younger.

Some of the temples were still on restoration when we visited them so we could not go inside of some of the temple. But the Ramayana Ballet show is still held there on some evening every month. The performance will give you chills with lots of dancers and musician with Candi Prambanan lit up as a backdrop.

us!

Go check the schedule before visiting to see the performance here!


Tips:
1. To avoid the heat, go in the afternoon around sunset or early in the morning so you can visit other temples!
2. The exit route is quite long. Prepare to walk for a bit.

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