Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Strolling around Senggigi : Malimbu Hill and Batu Bolong Temple

Berkunjung ke Lombok tidak akan lengkap rasanya jika tidak mengunjungi daerah Senggigi. Ada banyak objek wisata yang siap memanjakan  kamera anda. Senggigi terkenal dengan pantainya  dan pemandangan pohon kelapa yang berbaris menghiasi pantai tersebut. Laut di Pantai Senggigi ini tidak sebiru di 3 gili dan pantai Kuta yang ada di Lombok Tengah. Pasirnya pun hitam dan untuk snorkeling tidak begitu disarankan.

Ada begitu banyak restauran, cafe, resort dan villa dengan konsep unik dan fasilitas mewah yang menawarkan pemandangan indah Senggigi. Ada beberapa tempat dan spot yang tidak boleh terlewat saat kalian mengunjungi Senggigi.

Bukit malimbu / Malimbu Hill 

Spot yang menjadi favorit dan menjadi incaran adalah Bukit Malimbu. Jika kalian ingin mengunjungi gili, Senggigi merupakan salah satu rute yang akan dilewati, dan kebanyakan pengunjung akan berhenti sejenak di sepanjang jalan untuk mengambil foto Bukit ini.




Pemandangan bukit dan pantai ini menjadi semakin eksotis saat senja dimana warna Oranye yang menghiasi langit senggigi menghadirkan suasana romantis.



Sepanjang jalan menuju Senggigi ini, ada banyak sekali tempat perhentian untuk mengambil foto dan menikmati jagung bakar. Bagi para wisatawan asing, mereka memilih menginap di daerah ini selain karena tempatnya yang tenang dan harga hotel yang terjangkau, disini juga tersedia transportasi yang memadai apalagi bila ingin ke bandara. Bis Damri yang disediakan pemerintah dari Bandara - Senggigi dan sebaliknya beroperasi setiap 1 jam sekali dengan harga yang murah Rp 25.000,00 dan nyaman.


Pura Batu Bolong / Hole Stone Temple 

Kebanyakan agama hindu di Lombok merupakan suku Bali yang berpindah dan memberi pengaruh yang besar pada kebudayaan Lombok, seperti banyaknya keberadaan Pura dan perumahan Hindu di wilayah tertentu di Mataram. Pura Batu Bolong yang terletak di Batu layar, Senggigi menjadi salah satu daya tarik wisata tersendiri. Altar utama Pura ini dibangun diatas sebuah batu besar yang memiliki lubang ditengahnya, dan uniknya lagi, saat cuaca cerah, dari Pura ini dapat terlihat pemandangan Gunung Agung yang ada di Bali. Karena keunikannya itu, Pura ini dianggap suci dan nuansa spiritualnya pun terasa.



Saat pertama tiba di Pura, bagi yang bukan beragama hindu diwajibkan untuk mengenakan sarung yang tersedia dan mengikat kain kuning di pinggang untuk para wanita, sedangkan para lelaki cukup mengenakan kain kuning saja. Sedangkan yang datang untuk berdoa, wajib mengenakan Kebaya untuk wanita dan Sapari untuk lelaki.



Bagi penganut agama Hindu yang datang untuk sembahyang, mereka akan membawa "Banten" atau sesajen untuk Sang Hyang widhi yang diletakkan di beberapa altar di Pura itu. Sesajen berupa makanan ringan, buah-buahan, minuman, serta dupa dan bunga.



Selain dapat menikmati keindahan pantai dari atas pura, berkunjung kemari juga memberi ketenangan spiritual. Wangi dupa dan debur ombak yang keras menjadi hal yang khusuk bagi para umat yang berdoa.



Berkunjung kemari, memberi saya cara pandang baru atas agama lain, karena menurut saya, Agama Hindu adalah minoritas, tidak banyak menemukan mereka di kota lain seperti di daerah Sumatera dan Jawa. Kebudayaan dan ajaran mereka yang mencintai alam, dimana bagi mereka alam adalah salah satu hal yang paling wajib dijaga dan dihormati, karena memiliki peran penting dalam semua siklus kehidupan universal.

 Ingat, saat berkunjung kemari, walaupun dibuka sebagai objek wisata, tapi tempat ini juga merupakan tempat ibadah, jadi berpakaian yang sopan, jaga perilaku dan tutur kata, serta hormati para umat yang datang berdoa.

Namaste !!!



Tak hanya itu objek wisata yang bisa kalian explore jika berkunjung ke senggigi, karena masih banyak lagi tempat lain. Jika budget yang dimiliki  besar, maka bermainlah ke villa, resort dan restoran yang ada di wilayah ini, seperti katamaran resort, qunci Villas, holiday inn. Cara mudah untukliburan mewah.



ig : @siulie1
steller : https://steller.co/s/6jUy8cD2768

Friday, March 3, 2017

Sweet Escape at Villa Rara

Berkembangnya pariwisata di Lombok, menjadi daya tarik usaha bagi penduduk Lombok dan para wisatawan asing. Kebanyakan dari mereka  berlomba-lomba membangun hotel, villa dan restoran dengan konsep yang unik dan menarik. Jika kalian menginginkan liburan yang berkelas dan mewah, maka pemilihan hotel adalah yang bagian yang penting.Di daerah seperti Senggigi, Gili, Kuta dan Selong Belanak akan sangat mudah menemukan hotel yang menawarkan pemandangan indah seperti pemandangan pantai ataupun bukit, fasilitas yang mewah dengan buffet breakfast, infinity pool dan wifi yang kencang. Tentunya harganya sebanding dengan berbagai fasilitas tersebut.

Lalu bagaimana jika kalian memiliki budget pas-pasan, tapi juga pengen rasain santai2 dan berfoto mewah di Hotel ? Kelihatannya seperti khayalan yaa.. Tapi setelah saya mengunjungi Villa Rara yang berada di daerah Batu Layar, Senggigi, saya rasa khayalan itu bisa menjadi kenyataan walau tidak sepenuhnya.

Villa rara ini salah satu Villa yang baru dibuka tahun 2016 kemarin dan lagi booming di Lombok. Letaknya sedikit jauh kedalam desa tapi tidak sulit untuk ditemukan. jalan menuju kesana pun mulus, tapi saat malam, cukup gelap yaa karena belum banyak lampu jalan terpasang daerah sana. Mobil dan motor pun bisa dengan mudah menjangkau tempat ini. karena letaknya yang di atas bukit, dari Villa Rara ini kalian dapat melihat indahnya kehijauan pohon kelapa dan sunset pantai Senggigi.

Dengan Membayar Rp 60.000,00 per orang, kalian dapat menikmati fasilitas di Villa Rara dan kalian bebas untuk melihat-lihat setiap ruangan yang ada di villa itu. Tapi karena keasikan foto, tidak banyak ruangan yang kami kunjungi disini. di Bangunan Utama terdapat 3 lantai, dimana lantai 1 dan 2 adalah untuk para pengunjung yang ingin melihat-lihat dan lantai 3 untuk pengunjung yang ingin menginap.






kalian juga bisa duduk-duduk di teras karena pemandangannya yang indah ataupun memesan makanan disana seperti pop mie, nasi goreng, nasi ayam taliwang.





Salah satu andalan Villa ini adalah Infinity Poolnya yang juga merupakan favorit saya, karena dari pool ini saya bisa melihat pemandangan pantai sengigi apalagi pas sunset. Sayang, karena saya datang saat musim hujan, langitnya mendung dan kelabu, dan air kolamnya dingin sangat..








Untungnya, gak banyak pengunjung yang datang hari itu, dan kolam pun terasa seperti kolam renang pribadi. Bagi yang gak bisa berenang, tenang aja, kolamnya gak dalam kok, segar lagi..




Sunsetnya juga menggoda, walau hanya sesaat kita menikmatinya. Setelah melihat sunset inilah, kami mengakhiri renang cantik ini.



Peraturan disini cukup ketat, tidak boleh membawa makanan dan minuman pribadi ke dalam ruangan, lalu setelah selesai berenang pun tidak diperbolehkan masuk kalau belum bersih-bersih, jadi peralatan mandi dan baju ganti bisa diletakkan di area kolam. Villa ini juga disewakan untuk umum dengan harga 1,5 juta per malam. Penjaganya baik, jadi jangan segan-segan untuk bernegosiasi.

Saran saya kalau mau kemari lebih baik siangan, karena pemandangan langit yang cantik dan kalian juga bisa menikmati sunset. Daerah sini kalau malam cukup rame, berhubung daerah senggigi, jadi mudah juga buat sekalian kuliner di sekitarnya.

Sebelum mengakhiri tulisan ini, saya ingin titipkan salam terlebih dahulu kepada partner saya Lamtiar Hema yang sudah nemenin kesini, jadi fotografer abal dadakan, rempong sekali yaa kita berfoto di kolamnya. Kapan-kapan ayoo ke Lombok lagi dan travelling bareng ^^



Villa Rara
Jl. Jurusan Penanggak Km 1.5,
Desa Batu Layar Utara 
Batu Layar, Kabupaten Lombok Barat
Nusa Tenggara Bar. 83355
no hp : 0878-6515-1333
ig : @raravillaslombok


Thanks yang udah mampir ke blog ini semoga bermanfaat untuk kalian, jangan lupa komentarnya yaa.. kalau ada yang perlu ditanyakan bisa email atau cek ig saya

email : freespiritxplorer@gmail.com
ig : @siulie1
steller : https://steller.co/s/6XEKM2zaNdq
 




Friday, February 24, 2017

Addicted to Sumbawa

My adventure to Sumbawa began with a confusing conclusion between Sumbawa and Sumba Island. at first, I keep thinking both are the same island, obviously, Sumbawa is an Island of West Nusa Tenggara while Sumba located at East Nusa Tenggara.. Similar name but the place is so far...

Meanwhile, I'm getting interest with one program called "Kelas Inspirasi" where I became a volunteer and teaching a student at secluded village. We can register ourselves on various city and Island depend with our choice. Throught this program, I got a chance for travelling Sumbawa Island, make a good memories and a new fantastic friend.

Sumbawa become my choice because of my curiousity and this place is easy to reach from Lombok. There are many transportation that can be used from Lombok, such as :
1. Using airplane, the fastest transportation but more expensive
2. There are many travel cars going to Sumbawa from Mataram, capital city of Lombok. Price is around 100 - 120 thousand rupiah. Check the schedule of this travel, normally they just have 3 until 4 schedule
3. Rent a car with a driver or by yourself, or driving with motorbike
4. Using Damri Bus at Sweta, price is 70 thousand for economy, and 90 thousand for a bus with AC. Damri just have 3 schedule at 10 am, 5 pm, and 10 pm.

Because of my schedule, the only choice I have is using a Damri. We started from Sweta and going to Kayangan Harbour to get on a Fery (big ship). This Fery is crossing a Selat Alas and arrive at Pototano Harbour in Sumbawa. If you going in the noon at 1 or 2 am, you'll get a chance seeing a beautiful sunrise at pototano.



Well, Let's go to main topic.. So what's good from Sumbawa Island ?

actually, when I made an Itinerary for Sumbawa, I don't have so much plan, what's on my list just kenawa Island with savannah view and Moyo Island, the rest is I wish my friend which is local people can show me a good places there. Fortunately, I got it.

I don't get a chance going to Kenawa and Moyo Island because of my time limit but I visit another island that also worthied because of the view and scenery. Here is some place I reccomended  :

Gili Keramat

Same like Lombok, gili means small island, and there are many beautiful small island in Lombok and Sumbawa. Every gili has their own unique, ready to make you speechless. Gili keramat became our choice because of a fisherman told us about an amazing view of undersea. Tempted by his word, we decide to see it through our eye. We go to Labu Pade and rent a speedboat. 



The speedboat man told us which just part of his promotion that next to Gili Keramat, there is Gili Bedil. If you wanna going to both island and return to labu pade, price will be 350 thousand,  and for one island will be 250 thousand. It's hard to decide, that's why we need some break at gazibu, eating a fresh seafood first then the decision coming.. One island is enough. Keramat Island is a result of our long discussion. 



 Like what a fisherman said, Gili Keramat has a wonderful view. By the time I arrived at this island, it got my heart. 




Not just a beach, gili Keramat have a lot view that will make you mesmerized. we took many photos in this island, at the small bridge, at savannah, and our favorit at the sea. yuhuuu

This is a photo at a bridge, one side facing a sea, the other is a yellow  savannah. 






Satisfied with this side, I decided, It's time for playing with water. Heart can't lie, it knows really well what it wants. In front of my eyes, a crystal clear water become a perfect match with a blue sky and a white sandy beach.






This island really quiet, 3 hours we are here, Nobody is coming,  just our group playing. Feels like our private island. Unfortunately I can't explore more about this island, our speedboat pick us and bring us back to Labu Pade.




Bungin Island

I am coming to this island because someone told me about floating cafe  in the sea even she showing me a photo and it really looks interesting. after some preparation, we going to Bungin Island that located at Teluk Alas. We drove for 1 hours started from Utan. Bungin is a small island with a large population, surrounded by a sea, they have no plant or grass, so don't be surprise if you see a goat eating a cardboard. Actually the goat here is eating a  rice or bread, for a cardboard, they just chewing and then throw it. Because of large amount of people living in this island, some are lack of land. The local people which is an indigenous tribe from Sulawesi expanding the land by adding a feces of cow, plastic and coral together. Then, they built a wood house at the top of a land. People here care and really protecting their sea, it's really easy seeing a fish and coral without any equipment. When we enjoy watching the fish, a boat from floating cafe pick us. This boat is a free accomodation for getting there.


 

This cafe is unique, its built in the middle of the sea, and also has a Marine Aquaculture to protect and cultivate shark, turtle, starfish and every protected fish. 




Before taking a photos, we order some dish first. Seafood here is really fresh, they fishing it directly from the sea. I think this Floating cafe is really a good idea. Visitor and customer can learn a lot about the fish, seeing how they live and even you can snorkeling here while you waiting your food. Just pay Rp 30.000,00 for renting a snorkeling equipment. If you don't want snorkeling, you can sit in a spot they prepare for customer, of course there is no table and chair, this is one of tradition in Indonesia where you eat on the floor that coated by mattress. It makes us getting close to each other.



For a food, we order a crab, prawn and fish menu with different variety of sauces. I really like the prawn, it's so delicious, big prawn with spicy sauce and fresh from the ocean. !!




Mantar Peak / Puncak Mantar

Do you ever see a Doraemon movie's : Kingdom of the Clouds ? At Sumbawa, you wouldn't find a kingdom, instead a Village of the clouds. Mantar Village located at West Sumbawa with the height is 660 mdpl. for getting here, we would passing a Tapir Village and rent a pick up car Rp 20.000,00 per person that will bring us to the top which is Mantar Peak.
 


we also got a chance talking with local people that tell us many stories about the village. The people believe in this village must has 7 albino people. When another albino born, the other will be died.  Not only that, Local People here still has a strong tradition about mystical things. So, please watch out your words and your action, honour the elder and keep being friendly with local people.


Mantar peak is famous for a camping site. there is a place to rent a tent and all the equipment in the top. When sunrise comes, you will get a view of cotton clouds. This is a reason why people called it Village of the clouds. I came here just a few hours before sunset time and a bit cloudy, so a view from above of Sumbawa is so clear. I saw Pototano harbour and Paserang Island. When the weather is good, this place open for a paragliding activity.




Festival Moyo Sumbawa 2016

By the time we came to Sumbawa, There is a big festival that held at all district of Sumbawa for 23 days. Each day have a schedule for many event. Curious about this event, we came to one district near Utan that has a buffalo racing. The winner of this game will get a spring bed and a certain amount of money. Seeing how people riding their own buffalo and running in the top of mud stage. Buffalo is a quiet scary animal when they are running. Some of participant are losing because they getting thrown from the buffalo back.



Ahh.. even one participant gave me a chance riding his buffalo.. without even thinking I said yes, and they help me. I gave my phone to my friend and we take a picture with the buffalo. hahaha 😎




That's all a place I can suggest, actually Sumbawa has many beautiful places to visit. I wish I have more time, or I get another chance for visit Sumbawa. Some already in my list like Paserang Island, Kenawa Island, Moyo Island, Mountain Tambora  and Loka Palace that located at Sumbawa Besar. 

Before I finish this blog, I still have something to share about traditional food at Sumbawa. Indonesia is rich country, the richest of Indonesia can be taste from it food. Every city in Indonesia has their special food, Let's look what Sumbawa has. 

Traditional Food of Sumbawa  

Basically because the position of Sumbawa that surrounded by the sea, the main ingredient and the most important one is a fish and all kind of seafood. There is a food named Singang and Sepat that you really must try

Singang :  this is a fish curry of Sumbawa, for a yellow soup, they put a kemangi leaves, red chilly, tamarind inside and the taste will be sour spicy. When they don't have fish, they will replace it with chicken.


Sepat : also with a fish as a main ingredient but some people will put a small crab also in the white soup. 


Sumbawa still has many traditional food, but I forget taking a photo of it, my favorite snack here is "janda berendam" or soaking widow. really a funny name but the taste is delicious. Try also a plecing kangkung, ayam taliwang and milk candy.. 

here some lunch menu I ate at Sumbawa, I wish I could go back there, thank you for all my friend family that cooking this food.. 💓😘



Ahh.. If you wanna buy a gift from Sumbawa, there is some choices like goat milk and Sumbawa honey.. Try that !!

Alright.. I think that's all about my journey to Sumbawa, just a few days but it become the special one. Thank you for all my friend that helping me in this journey. I hope I get another chance visiting this place, because I still have many destination on my list.. See you again ^^