Day 0
Started by midnight from
Chennai to KL Malaysia with a layover off 3 hours. Reached in the morning hours
around 9.30 to 10.00. The next flight was from Jakarta to Yogyakarta which was
scheduled in the evening hours. Took the airline train from international
airport & reached terminal 1 A which is about 15 minutes. Pricked with
hunger & laundering through the domestic airport for food. Managed to pick
up something edible after a hunt of 20 minutes. The night travel made me
tiresome, found a complete bench and slept for 2.5 hours in the lousy hot
airport. Flight was delayed by 30 minutes and finally landed when the sun was
settling down. The hostel was around 10 kms, took transjogya and reached the
nearby place and while I was figuring out the exact location, shopkeeper
offered a help to drop me which was just minutes away. Though i was trying to figure the next day plan and work out a
scooter, nothing was clicking by & then went to sleep.
Day 1 - Bhoomi Hostel
Woke up at 3 am with a
headache and puking, decided it to sleep it off. Again at 9ish was trying to
refresh and get some coffee and food with hostel mates. Post 30 minutes Nausea
& vomiting triggered severely and thereon couldn't even drink water. This
speaks the rest of the day in the bed and restroom patiently on a fast &
sleep mode. Lara helped me to get some fruits and yogurt drink which helped me
to recover by evening. Later part of the evening got refreshed and went to the
supermarket and purchased survival food for next few days. At that point of
that time I never knew this supermarket would be my Akshyapatra. Meanwhile got
the internet package, scooter booked for the next day. As I was curling up whole
day, slept quite late with my roommates turning in late. Have lost a planned
day & other bookings needs to be taken care, still slept in peace for few
hours. It shall be taken care!
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| What you give, will come back |
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| My Staple |
Day 2 - Jomblang Caves & Prambanan temple
Woke up tired at 6 am, refreshed and started to Jomblang in
the scooter with the help of Map. The route was pretty straight, scenic, hilly
and reached the spot around 10.00 am. Paid for the ticket and waited around for
my slot 18. Took around 30 minutes, slot 17 were 3 girls so I had an
opportunity to be clubbed with them. Rappelling was fun entering the caves and
sooner a batch of 10 people assembled towards the caves. Entered into the caves
which was slushy, muddy and slippery, got accompanied with 3 Singapore girls
and a couple from Thailand. People around me were very surprised to see me
alone driving all the way Jogya city center and doing these alone. Post the
slippery climbs, witnessed the sun rays coming from another cave hole which can
be seen only from 11.00 to 12.30. Constant babbling would prompt to search for the
stream, as its pitch dark one will not blessed. The spot where the rays are
seen is mesmerizing and covered by limestones. Though I was enjoying the
moments my mobile drained out of charge and mind was enforcing a camera for my
next travel. We were sent in batches to the final spot and all of us emerged in
taking pictures in different angles and poses. While returning the Thailand
couple hand holded me in the places i slipped by, came back with the same
rappelling way in a reverse. Dress was completely muddy and washed it off to
ensure am clean and the dogs don't chase me. They had preserved a veg meal, had
plain rice, fried tofu and tampei(seaweeds) a fulfilling meal after fast.
Returned via the same route and a bit faster, enroute found
the signboard for Prambanan temple and took the route.It was another 10 kms to
reach to prambanan temple, got the tickets as a single entry as i did not carry
enough cash or credit card with me, couldn't buy the combination ticket.
Halfheartedly bought the single entry & It was crowded when I first climbed
saw lord vinayagar with a smile. The complete view of gopurams is a wonderful
sight, but it was more wonderful towards the exit. Amazing architecture but the
hot and humid wouldnt spare you enough time to enjoy the moments. Reached the
hostel in the evening hours and opposite to hostel the vendors sell donuts and
some fried tampei, tofu, banana. Had a sumptuous dinner with papaya, made the
settlement to the hostel and packed up all stuffs for the next day.
Tips :
Reach
early, Carry a set of change clothes, Avoid light colored clothes & socks
The last few kms to Jomblang caves entrance are rocky and it
hard to throttle the scooter, so be careful to drive to entrance
Day 3 : Borubudur, Diang Plateau, Arjuna Complex
Got up at 4.30 and was ready by 5.30, had
banana & the yummilicious balinese black coffee before the exit from hostel.
How to reach Borubudur from Yogyakarta
The transjogya is very close by
hostel, pick the line 2A bus. Sun broke early the day and the roads were empty
& people were busy going to Namaz, the bus station are elevated ones which
you need to enter from left side to claim your tickets.
Yogyakarta to Jombor – Take line
2A bus which takes around 30 min,
Jombor to Borubudur – cross the
lanes and take the bus to borubudur, takes around 1 hours
From the bus station walk for
another 10 minutes to reach the entrance. Bought the tickets and now that am
hungry, ate my cream bun and guava juice to kick start the temple tour. Crowded
with students, walked around and amazed with the architecture and carvings,
while you keep climbing each floor depicts several carvings, there are several
which will capture your eyes and fulfill the art desires. This was constructed
during 875 AD and simply amazing with the talent & knowledge behind. If
these eminent person are still alive, they can put us for shame straightly.
Tips: Hot and humid will make to
sweat like pig, carry enough water & cap.
Buy the combination ticket for prambanan temple
Diang Plateau
As there are no direct buses,
took a detour & found a girl who talk in English and helped me to take the
best route.
Borubudur to Magalang - 1 hour
Magalang - wonosobu - 2 hours
Wonsobu to wonosobu main station
- 5 minutes
Wonsobu main station - diang - 4
hours
As soon as I entered wonosobu the
temperature dropped and the buses were very slow, the moment was nearing diang
it was greeny and routes were simply amazing, was seated next to the driver had
some fun watching the roads. The driver was smoking and blowing towards me,
requested him not to do that & thankfully he was nice. Reached the hostel
and refreshed, took a scooter from the receptionist and realized there were no
petrol, post returning was walking around the whole area.
Found the tampei hot fried, hot
and tasty fulfilled my tummy, shopped some food rations for next 2 days in the
super market and walking around. Entered Arjuna temple and found such beautiful
places, enjoying the greenish with cold coffee and snacking around. While it
was getting dark, returned to the hostel & places are deserted by 6. PM.
Female dorm was empty & acquired it entirely, was writing the blog, slept
early as there was a sunrise planned next day. Though i have from recovered
from nausea, still unable to get accommodate the stinky Indonesia rice/noodles.
Have been banking whole day on the bread, banana, juice and buns & some hot
fried stuffs.
Day 4 :
Sikunir hills, Batu Pandang, Skidang Crater
Woke up early at 3.30 & was
ready on dot by 4.0. There was another couple who joined me. The driver picked
up and dropped us at the base, which took around 15 minutes. As i missed my
light, banked on them for light, was quite a climb in pitch dark with steps.
Last minutes another guy helped me to reach the spot as they lagged behind.
While walking could witness millions of stars. The sun had some special guest
of 100 plus me waiting with flash light and got seated towards the NE
direction. Post the wait, at 5.10 sky started lighting and then turned cloudy,
fraction of second had a glimpse of the volcanoes which was standing and it
took a while for me realize with sleep eyes. Mt Batur vanished within seconds
and at 5.20 sun played the same game and wondering if the sun would ever come
out today. With a bit of disappointment people started moving and i was still
holding the hope. At 5.40 the sky was clear and with the full view of Mt Batur
came to my vision. The fumes were coming out for volcano, post the enjoyment
and clicked several pictures of diang theatre which is of layered vegetation.
Started moving down and had a slip and fell down straight on my tummy with
several scratches. At that moment i was thinking something negative which
universe slapped me hard which made me fall which evaded those thoughts. As it
was hurting badly all i was worried is how am i going to carry my 14kg humpy
and bumpy? It shall be taken care!
Next visit was Batu Pandang from
where you can view the 2 lakes Telaga Warna Lake, left hand side the lake is
composed of high sulphuric acid which changes the color during bright sunlight
and the right is the normal mirror lake. No one was around that area, so the
lady nearby me accompanied me so that i can get some pictures clicked, with the
local talk she was saying that not everyone is lucky to see the colors and so i
am. She had seen red, blue and so many :(
Post that was the skidang crater,
it was fascinating with the pungent smell and had a feeling of entering the
chemistry lab. Was mysterious to see the bubbles and the fumes which was
emerging from the ground, was careful about my new expensive boots. Was standing
near the crater & merely awed at the greenish water bubbling with spewing
fumes. Volcanoes are mysterious always, after all the mystification, reached
the hotel, packed all the stuffs, rested for 30 minutes and was ready for next
destination.
Tips: if you are allergic buy a
mask as it definitely burns the nose.
Take the same route to wonsobu,
on the way there were 2 ladies in the bus helped me with next destination route
who could talk a good English. There were several routes which they suggested
& picked 2
Option 1; reach semarang and take
bus or train
Option 2; there are some direct
buses to Surabaya from wonosobu, got the bus booked while i reached at 12.30,
it was raining and the bus agent had some shelter where i was a refuge for the
rest part of the day. Finally had the guts to explore the food and got noodles
an egg omelet after several retrospection as lunch and was resting near by the
bus. The bus was at 4.0 PM which relatively late for an hour.
As Mt jien was closed and with
the lengthy travel decided to pick up a flight from surabaya to DPS. While i
was hunting my time, the bus agent helped me to get the tickets done through
his laptop. Now the turn of the agent having some fun playing Indian hindi
songs and while before i left, played humma and humma and he bloated the sound
all through that area. With that note they were bidding a smiling bye with the
song in the back ground.
As the bus arrived, it was damn
cold and was struggling to sleep, at 12.10 the bus stopped for dinner and they
served rice, egg curry, chips & tea had it without any curry. The bus again
started and reached around 5.0 am.
How to reach Probolingo from
Surabaya
From Surabaya terminal take bus
at line 6, takes around 2 hours to reach Probolingo.
The bus started at 5.30 and
reached around 7.30. Walk outside the terminal and can find the Mt bromo bus.
If you are with a heavy back pack, people will route you without asking. Found
the bus to Mt bromo and the green bus will start only when it’s full. The
driver was trying to rib off money from me for a private ride, though i waited
for 45 minutes. There is a concept of scooter taxi and many people offered and
was dubious to take. Later decided to take one and with the maps on, reached
the village in 1 hour. The check in time was around 2.0 pm and as it was full
and had to find another homestay.
Refreshed had bread and cheese
and slept till 2.0 PM. while i woke up at it was completely foggy, was trying
to go around check the plan for next day. Managed to get cup noodles and eat as
lunch. My bad memory of missing the lights played a toll, definitely for sun
rise i need a light. Couldn’t find in any shops which i asked for and the
village shuts down at 6.0 PM. as i was talking to a local, he took his scooter
and went ahead and bought a torch light for me. Was very thankful to him and
started to pack for early morning stuffs and sleep it off. Spent the day
sleeping and reading books after tiresome travelling. As i was alone in the
homestay, though the camera was fixed, it was scary, somehow i indulged in
reading books and overcoming the fear & slept early
Day 6 : Mt Bromo Sunrise, Sea of sand and Crater
Got up early at 2.30 with a weird
dream, now is this a vacation huh? I have been waking up early almost
every day, sleep & food deprived.hmmm! Refreshed quickly and started
to the sunrise spot, wasn’t that cold still carried the jacket and the warmers.
It was pitch dark and could only see a blanket of stars spread across,
while i was walking someone offered me a scooty ride and trying to negotiate
the price, was not in a mood to talk to anyone at that early hours.
I was scared, so holding by bag tightly was walking, with 250 mts ahead saw
2 people walking with flash light and i was relieved by seeing them. Though i
was walking briskly and counting the stars, was scared to death of any
sound which was close by (bikes, jeep or horses). These kept me haunting for
next 2 kms, was thinking whether am doing anything stupid or crazy at such
early hours and not sure what i was scared about?
Post 3 kms saw huge bunch girls
who was seated around the roads, was completely relieved by seeing them, they
were waiting as they didn't have lights and i had to guide them with
lights, now i have company all through and reached the sun rise point I within
1 hours. I could have started a bit later, but however was seated in the
direction for the sun to switch on the day.
Almost waited for 1.5 hours ad
the sun started brightening up at 4.45. The complete Mt Bromo and Mt meru came
in to my visual existence only at 6.30. Bumped on many people and
couple of people from russia who kept me engaged and we had good fun
clicking pictures of each other. At 7.0 started descending the whole and was
figuring out the route which was walking in dark. Within few minutes i
bumped into Martin who came as a savior to give me a clear route from sun rise
point to Crater. There was a route which you could bye pass the ticket, as
straightly there is no reason we had to pay so much cash while looking in to
the volcano. Based on his advice took the route, though he was ahead of me lost
him as he was rushing. Based on the my instinct and local guidance took the
right from cemro indah and took a trail, there was a lady walking
ahead of me and few horses in the trail. While i was almost down
the trail realized the i was right on the track, i told myself in case i
miss somewhere its fine i will come back same route and miss the
crater. An tactic to convince my scary mind. After 15 min, was walking in the
sea of sands, Vast area covered with soft sand and with the temple as landmark,
need to walk diagonal to reach the temple. As you reach the temple
you could see the people heading to crater. The last few steps are really tiring ones
to see the crater and its bubbling water with fumes. The ridge is
narrow and if you have a agility you could walk around, else get burned into
the crater. Now am from other side of the mountain to the this side and mt
bromo was very close by for me. The temple looks like a miniature. After
spending sometime, started descending, was fueling with my food rations
and started walking. When i suddenly saw someone walking by and on all probability it
was martin and we chatted a bit and started the to reach the room. Now i
had several tress passers giving me company & i didn't find
a single Indian anywhere in java.
The sea of sand and the crater is magnanimous
& Every single step in the sea of sand will make you muddy. Reached the
trail,now i am exhausted after 6 hours of self exploration, taking slow steps
reached the home stay.
On all terms i need a complete
head to toe wash, While returning me and martin were discussing the
hardness in getting the buses. We decided to meet up at the bus station and
while i refreshed and packing took an hour to reached the bus
station. Now there were 9 other people who were bargaining with the driver and
happy to see folks saving penny for me. Bread, cheese and juice were
my stable post the 13 kms hike. It took another 2 hours to reach and a
good chat with Martin in the bus who has been travelling Indonesia since
1 month.While i read that Mt Ijen was open and was disheartened and
now that i have booked the tickets cant change the plans. So decided to let go
and was sure cant cover everything within 10 days. Took
another bus to surabaya from probolingo which took another 2.5 hours. Now all i
that i want is sleep and food, was eating everything i had from apple to dark chocolate.
All i was missing on that day was idly, dosai and curd rice. There was only
food on my mind nothing else.
After getting tried to find out
some veg food and all i vain, had donuts and chocolate drink to
fulllfill the tank. Got into damri bus to airport which took around 25-30
minutes. Reached the airport and had avaocado juice and rested at the airport
& the flight was delayed for an hour. The internet package stopped working and was
trying to figure out.
Its a long day from 2.30 am and haven't had
a sleep yet, boarded the flight and was reading a book. A girl next seat
started the conversation on the book i was reading and as
she was. She was trying to figure out whereabouts in bali and told
her my internet package stopped working and need to work out while i get down.
She convinced me to give her internet package card as it will be hard for me,
not sure how people bumped on what i want. Though i hesitated she
forced me so, as she claimed its very cheap for locals to buy one. Took it
sheepishly and then next turn i booked a cab and he was trying to
talk in bahansi and i couldn't explain him. There was another person
at the airport whom i checked on the driver language offered the
drop, i was scared to take a call on this and studied the cab driver was woman
and he dropped me at hostel at bali. Finally at Bali after 21 hours.
Though i was exhausted, my room
was full of girls and they were so active. All i wanted to sleep off without
thinking any plan for next day. Slept around 1.30 am in a disturbed fashion
Day 7 : Tanoh temple, Ubud, Monkey Forest, Ubud Palace
At 6.0 am up and the front desk
was surprised to see me waking up early, they supply pancakes so
i prepared several layers and had coffee. It was a fulfilling meal
after several days which really opened my eyes, rather it was only heavenly
meal i had. Mean while rented the scooter and decided to leave UBUD and sorted
the day plan. Left the big bags there and took 1 day pack and started
the scooter. All through Indonesia has narrow 2 way roads and it take
really longer time to reach even shorter distance. I straightly booked the scooter
for 3 days so that i claimed some discount, now with the weight of cash
reducing am spending in a calculative fashion.
It took 1 hour to reach tanoh
temple and spend some time relaxing there, reached around 1.30 at
ubud hostel. Enroute you could vision green paddy fields and the
smell would throng you. Rested for a while and started to monkey temple and
spent around 2 hours and then to palace. While i exited the
place near by saw a indian cuisine, went and had mushroom pulav and chick peas
masala. Finished the dinner around evening itself and then headed to Ubud
market. It very happening place and shopped few souvenirs. you have extremely
good in bargaining as they would hike the price the 4 times and its
your talent to slash it down at least twice. Mostly the shops are
closed by 6.0 PM. refreshed the day and charting out the plan for next day and
again the female dorm was empty and AC wasn't working fine. Ubud is a
wonderful ancient place which looks historic, ancient and the roads
are extremely good. As i had scooter-ed could absorb the roads and
the place
Day 8 : Campuhan Ridge walk, teggallang rice terrace, Kuta beach and Kuta market
Oh this is definitely not a vacation,
am on wheels getting up early every day and started to ridge
walk. With my research located easily as its bit hidden and they were
several who were running. Walked beyond karfe cafe and had my first
glimpse of rice terrace, was enjoying the walk and returned back after walking 4
kms. Cliff is an must to do walk either in the morning or evening hours.
Headed straight to tegallang rice garden which is another 30 minutes. The
rice garden is completely green several layers of paddy, its well maintained and
walked down the fields. The farmers would ask for donation, after some up and
down walk. Found my favourite tampei and Indomaret. Its
fuel time seeing these two as a break fast. While enroute to ubud found several
good shops for sovenier retail and wholesale, stopped at a place and shopped
few. Returned to the hostel and had plans to to go water falls near by,
Somehow i lost interest and got tired of the whole thing. Slept for a
while and decided to let go falls and started to kuta. A long drive waited for
me and luckily the temperature was dropping by.
While i was driving found a juice
shop and he had Indonesia dessert and while i was talking with
him he suggested to have some dish near by. Had laklak and reach the hostel
in the evening hours. After settling down went for sun set
to kuta beach, after a long walk returned back to hostel through the market
road. Was checking on the massage and tatoo. Had chilly corn and reached hostel and slept
off post a refresh
Day 9 : Beaches, Massage & Tattoo
started early and merely there
was no plan in my head, was very tired of driving and went to nusa
dua for sunrise. Beaches are crystal clear, enjoyed the transparency for
sometime and started ahead to uluwattu. It was the day for detour, not sure
what was running on my mind i was taking all wrong turns and headed
in the wrong way. After several detours visited padang padang & binbing
beach which is kind of deserted and scary. Was chased by dogs in the
scooter and but had a good view of the beaches. Was tired and exhausted,
decided to wrap up the exploration and head straight to hostel. I
truly understand i need to come to back to bali as i i had many other
things to do(missed scuba diving, Nusa pendia, gill island to visit). Well
there is always a next best time.
Post reaching the hostel, decided
on the tatoo i wanted and went for massage nearby, it wasn't convincing
still was ok, refreshed immediately and went straight for tatoo. Painful
process but got through it. Went to the market and had some food. Came to
hostel and all set and packed to depart. This day i was only in the mood to
depart and nothing was captivating. Started bit early based on the road
experience, as it took 1 hour to reach the hostel while i reached. Return malindo
flights was very comfortable, slept like a horse from bali to Malaysia. Post i
reached KL, was flooring the airport was it was good one and then
headed again for some food. Got the early morning flight and reached Chennai
Entrance Fees
Jomblang Caves
|
4,50,000 IDR
|
Prabman temple
|
337500 IDR
|
Borubudur
|
337500 IDR
|
Cemorah Village Entrance
|
10,000 IDR
|
Tanoh Temple
|
60,000 IDR
|
Monkey Forest
|
40,000 IDR
|
Batu Padang
|
10,000 IDR
|
Skidang Crater
|
15,000 IDR
|
Accomodation: My preference are based on secured, clean, and
economical and close by options through bookings.com
Yogyakarta : Bhoomi Hostel
Diang Plateau : Tani Jiwo Hostel
Cemorah Vilalge : Close by Bromo Homestay
Ubud : Bali Backpackers Hostel
Kuta :Celebbest Kuta Hostel
People
Most of them are humbled and warming. When they don’t understand your language or they don’t have an answer they will simply give you a loud laugh & eventually you will be humiliated. In Java there is no alcohol available but most of them smokes, they tend to smoke in the buses and make you suffocate & no one questions them. All along the trip, people who helped me was mostly women who fairly speaks English. Majority of the places, Muslims are people whom you find, so the roads are crowded at the early morning & evenings as they have their prayers
Commute
Well connected through buses & train, if you are taller than 5.5, take care of your head as you end up bumping on bus shafts. Scooter would take some time to get used as they designed for dormant structure. Mini petrol station are available in remote areas and petrol is really cheap. Scooter full tank would hardly cost 28,000 IDR
Gratitude Note : Thankful & Grateful
Parents : Who allows & trust
me to explore
Boss : Who blesses vacation leaves
Indonesian People : Those ever
who helped & guided me even in providing a little information
Lara : Who got some food when I was bedridden and helped me to recover
Muthyara : for giving me the free internet package
Lara : Who got some food when I was bedridden and helped me to recover
Muthyara : for giving me the free internet package
THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS BLOG IS BASED ON MY OWN EXPERIENCE
Love you for your grit and of course, your post
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