Without a doubt, Indonesia is among my favourite travel locations in Asia. This nation warmed my heart with its cultural and linguistic diversity, an excellent quantity of remarkable temples, stunning landscapes, cloud-swept mountains and delightful local foods. Due to the endless possibilities that it offers, I certainly do not mind returning. A such, I voluntarily accepted the invitation by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Indonesia to explore and experience the charms of 4 picked provinces (South Sulawesi, West Nusa Tenggara, East and West Java) through a familiarisation program called The Journey of Marvel, in line with the Fantastic Indonesia campaign.MAKASSAR, SOUTH SULAWESI 1. Discover Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park
Bantimurung Bulusaraung National forest Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park The top place we went to was
the Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park. A visit to the park provides tourists the fantastic chance to witness the Rammang-Rammang karst area, covering roughly 43,000 hectares and includes 286 caverns( consisting of 16 of the regency’s pre-historic caverns). Found in Maros Regency, this park is a symbol of Sulawesi Island beauty and tranquility. The karst area, another draw that makes Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park as one of the must-visit location in South Sulawesi is the waterfall, ideal for cooling down and immerse in beautiful nature.Getting there: If one dreams to experience a bit of experience, attempt riding a local
mini-bus called pete-pete from several stops at Makassar to Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park.Tip: There are gazebos offered near the waterfall, ideal for taking pleasure in meals and relaxing. Do bring extra clothes
if you want to get wet.GPS: -5.015780, 119.684789 2. It Seems like a Private Island at Kodingareng Keke Your journey to Makassar is not total without going to the
unoccupied island of Kodingareng Keke Island
, among the 11 islands that comprise Spermonde Archipelago in Makassar. Though Kodingareng Keke is just a small island with minimal building or facilities, it is still worth to be found due to its fantastic underwater scenery — it is the best snorkeling chance to see cute marine animals, consisting of blue starfish.Getting there: Take a return boat journey from Kayu Bangkoa Port to Kodingareng Keke that costs IDR 600,000 per individual Tip: Do bring your own snorkelling equipment( fins are highly recommended if you wish to go further from the beach); drink and food(because as there is no
shop offered on the island ); and sun block(if you really require it). Best time to visit is between June and September.GPS: -5.103396, 119.289102 3. Capture BeautifulSundown from Pantai Losari Experiencing the stunning sunset view at Pantai Losari in Makassar.Makassar provides breathtaking sea views given that it lies on the Southwest coast of Sulawesi that faces the Makassar Strait. Pantai Losari, a beach that can be discovered on the western part of the city, has ended up being popular amongst locals and immigrants to experience viewing of sundown and daybreak, tasting wonderful local culinary offerings and taking part in random festivals held there.Getting there: The sunset and dawn spot lies near Mesjid Amirul Mukminin(Floating Mosque) at the Western end of the city. Travellers can access it by walking or taking the regional public transport.Tip: Try savory regional dishes like coto Makassar(a stew including beef and innards with seasoning broth made from ground peanuts)and pisang epe(grilled banana )that are widely available at the food stalls close by.< img data-attachment-id=39913 data-permalink=https://www.gayatravel.com.my/a-wonderfully-memorable-trip-to-wonderful-indonesia/pallubasa/ data-orig-file="https://i2.wp.com/www.gayatravel.com.my/ver4/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Pallubasa.jpg?fit=1100%2C1100&ssl=1 "data-orig-size= 1100,1100 data-comments-opened=1 data-image-meta =’Pallubasa.jpg?resize=448%2C448&ssl=1″ alt=Pallubasa width=448 height=448 data-recalc-dims=1>
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” https://i2.wp.com/www.gayatravel.com.my/ver4/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Pallubasa.jpg?fit=500%2C500&ssl=1 “data-large-file=”https://i2.wp.com/www.gayatravel.com.my/ver4/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Pallubasa.jpg?fit=1100%2C1100&ssl=1″src=” https://i2.wp.com/www.gayatravel.com.my/ver4/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Pallubasa.jpg?resize=448%2C448&ssl=1 “alt= Pallubasa width =448 height=448 data-recalc-dims=1 > Pallubasa– a Makassar’s must-try dish.4. Savouring Regional Meals I suppose experiencing the regional food is a huge part of taking a trip. Therefore, embarking on a journey to Makassar is a treat for the taste bud since the city is considered as a significant cooking destination in Indonesia. Throughout the trip, I tested a few of regional meals that I never ever before seen anywhere else in Indonesia. First one was pallubasa, which you can have at Palbas Serigala. It is popular amongst Indonesians for its hearty meat stews. Comparable to coto Makassar, pallubasa is a thick and rich combined beef soup containing the offal of cattle and buffalo cooked for a long period of time. Egg yolk is added to the soup to make it more luring. As for dessert, Muda-Mudi restaurant dishes out the thirst-quenching es pisang ijo, which is incredible when consumed during hot Makassar weather condition. The dessert is comprised of peeled banana covered in pandan-flavoured dough and served with shaved ice, condensed milk, vanilla syrup and tapioca.Palbas Serigala
GPS: -5.160517, 119.421105 Muda-Mudi Dining establishment GPS: -5.151028,
119.421940 LOMBOK, WEST NUSA TENGGARA 1. Indulge in SasakCulture at Sasak Sade Town
Found in Central Lombok, Sasak Sade Town
is a conventional town of the biggest people in Lombok, which is the Sasak. This town gives the opportunity to tourists experience the abundant Sasak culture. One can expect to see the row of standard houses that are typically constructed from wood or bamboo for the roofs and walls, and a mixture of ash and clay for the flooring. It is fascinating to understand that buffalo dung is utilized to wash the flooring– it is believed that the dung keeps mosquito away and make the flooring warm. Stepping even more into the heart of the village, visitors might see women busy with yarn and standard loom in front of their own houses while the males normally farm at the garden, some even work as tourist guide. Sade town is also well-known for ikat weaving(dyeing method used to create the styles on fabric) and distinct handicrafts made by the women. Make certain to grab a few of the artistic handicrafts or woven fabrics as souvenirs.Getting there: Sasak Sade Town is situated about 30 kilometres from the city of Mataram. You may select a trip package or merely employ a one-day supir (chauffeur )to bring you around
and check out the nearby attractions.Tips: It is extremely recommended for you to follow the guided tour so that you can comprehend and appreciate this town better. You might request for it at the village entrance(cost is around IDR 100,000 per individual for one session). GPS: -8.838918, 116.291848 2. Gili Trawangan, Meno and Air– The Pearls of Lombok While every year countless tourists are drawn to Bali, Lombok appears to hold a lot capacity due to it being less found, especially its smaller sized islands. Lombok has around 35 smaller sized islands and islets called gili; the popular ones are Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno. Gili Trawangan is the liveliest and popular amongst the 3 gilis, also ranked together with Bali and Borobudur as one of Indonesia’s top locations. It is ideal location for tourists seeking dynamic bars, taking place parties, seafood restaurants, high end resorts, water activities and capturing up sundown or daybreak view. Gili Air is the closest to Lombok mainland and a favourite area for spending plan travellers. Gili Meno is the tiniest and least developed, ideal for snorkelling offshore among hawksbill and green sea turtles.Getting there: Tourists require to take a speedboat trip either from Bali(around three hours)or Teluk Kodek( around 30 minutes) to Gili Trawangan.Tip: Motorised lorry is prohibited on the island. It is possible for visitors to explore
the island by simply walking the island(taking perhaps two to three hours depending on rate), biking or riding on cidomo( horse-drawn carriage). EAST JAVA 1. Conquering Mount Ijen< img data-attachment-id =39917 data-permalink =https://www.gayatravel.com.my/a-wonderfully-memorable-trip-to-wonderful-indonesia/dcim100goprogopr9255/ data-orig-file="
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data-medium-file= “https://i1.wp.com/www.gayatravel.com.my/ver4/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Mount-Ijen-1.jpg?fit=500%2C281&ssl=1″data-large-file=” https://i1.wp.com/www.gayatravel.com.my/ver4/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Mount-Ijen-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1″src=” https://i1.wp.com/www.gayatravel.com.my/ver4/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Mount-Ijen-1.jpg?resize=1600%2C900&ssl=1″ alt=”Mount Ijen” width=1600 height=900 data-recalc-dims=1 >
Beautiful view of Mount Ijen.Ijen Crater– also understood
amongst Indonesians as Kawah Ijen– is one of the popular destinations in Banyuwangi, bring in countless mountain lovers and hikers. The biggest acidic lake on the planet and mesmerising blue flames in the evening are adequate reasons for visitors from all over the world to come to East Java. The three-hour hike(duration depending on the individual’s pace and endurance)leads to the top of Mount Ijen where one can come down near the lake to see the blue flame and take pleasure in the majestic sunset view from the rim of Mount Ijen. The best time to start hiking to Ijen Crater remains in the morning, around 2:00 to 3:00 a.m.– the earlier the better so that travellers can reach on time. Why should travellers take the difficulty to experience such an experience when being in Indonesia? It is since the blue fire is a special phenomenon that can just be seen in 2 locations worldwide: Ijen Crater in Indonesia, and Iceland.Getting there: The hike is suitable for knowledgeable and non-experienced mountaineers without breathing health problem. Use highly-filtered gas mask to protect against the harmful sulphur clouds. Best time to go is between June and August.Tip: Tourists can take 4 × 4 car that costs around IDR55,000 per individual to get to the starting point of the walking up to Ijen Crater.GPS: -8.059094, 114.240509 2. Baluran National Park– The Little Africa of Java
Baluran National forest is unique in numerous methods. Found in Situbondo Regency, this park has a fairly dry climate and an essential savanna, making it the only place in
Indonesia that permits travellers to enjoy close encounter with exotic animals like the Javanese wild ox(banteng), barking deer, feral water buffalo and different other species in an African-like setting. Expect to savour an unquestionably sensational view of the Mount Baluran (an inactive volcano) located in the centre of the park. Baluran National Park has an observation tower on a hill at Bekol that offers the chance to see animals from a distance. When travellers journey another 15 kilometres from the park entrance, they are bound to come across a lovely white beach called Bama Beach, the habitat for coral reef, fish and mangroves.Getting there: Best way to go to Baluran National forest is by working with a local driver from Situbondo or Banyuwangi(Around one hour and 30 minutes’drive from both regencies). Tips: The panorama in Baluran goes through a remarkable modification depending upon seasons– the finest time to check out is throughout the later half of the dry season, which is from June to October.GPS: -7.831093, 114.387969 WEST JAVA
Kawah Putih Kawah Putih assures a special experience to witness the lovely and surreal turqoise coloured lake.Located near the charming
little market town of Ciwidey, approximately 50 kilometres south of Bandung, Kawah Putih(White Crater) is one of West Java’s beauties due to its surreal blue-green coloured lake inside with a stunning background of tree-clad cliffs surrounding it. Given that it lies 2,500 metres above sea level, the local climate is typically cold with the temperature level around 10 to 15 degrees Celcius. Travellers should spend a few hours and walk around the crater to appreciate the area’s natural splendour.Getting there: From Bandung, the journey takes a little over two hours depending upon traffic. Once reached the Kawah Putih entrance, travellers require to take angkot( a mini-van )that will transfer them to the crater. GPS: -7.165885, 107.402129 This article is included in Gaya Travel Publication Problem 12.2. Read the publication
fortotally free HERE.
