Parangtritis Beach or Paris Beach

We visited Parangtritis (Paris) end of 2012. It is located 27 km south of Yogyakarta. A beautiful but dangerous beach of the Indian Ocean

The afternoon before sunset is the best time to visit this most popular beach in Yogyakarta. Parangtritis Beach is very closely related to the legend of Ratu Kidul (Queen of South). Many Javanese people believe that Paris Beach is the gate of Ratu Kidul’s magical kingdom who controls the southern sea. So, do not swim on this beach, the waves are big and the current is strong. Do not go beyond knee-deep. Swim in the hotel's swimming pool instead.

We stayed in Hotel Queen of the South, the luxurious resort that is named according to this legend. he hotel is on top of a rock cliff, overlooking the Indian Ocean about 50 metres below. But the road leading to the hotel on the cliff is indeed very rough, so only go during daylight.

We choose a Superior room overlooking the ocean. The Superior room is spacious, serene and with its own terrace looking out to the sea. Heck, just draw the curtains to your full length windows and you can fall asleep in your bed looking out to the sea. If you want some privacy in vast open area, from the hotel walk alongside the rock cliff to a secluded area. The view is even better there, as the cliff curves toward the ocean.

When the sun is learning to the west and the weather is sunny, it’s time for having fun. Although visitors are prohibited from swimming, Paris Beach is not lack of the means for having fun. On the beach there is ATVs (all-terrain Vehicle) rental, the tariff is around Rp 50.000 ~ 100.000 per half hour. Another option is the carriage. Walking along the sand surface that is smoothly swept by the wave with two-wheeled horse-drawn where the cluster of rocks that is so beautiful.

Borobudur Temple

Borobudur, or Barabudur, is a 9th-century Buddhist monument in Magelang,Central Java, Indonesia. The monument consists of six square platforms topped by three circular platforms, and is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. A main dome, located at the center of the top platform, is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues seated inside a perforated stupa.

Built in the 9th century during the reign of the Sailendra Dynasty, the temple’s design inGupta architecture reflects India's influence on the region, yet there are enough indigenous scenes and elements incorporated to make Borobudur uniquely Indonesian.

The monument is both a shrine to the Lord Buddha and a place for Buddhist pilgrimage. The journey for pilgrims begins at the base of the monument and follows a path around the monument and ascends to the top through three levels symbolic of Buddhist cosmology:Kāmadhātu (the world of desire), Rupadhatu (the world of forms) and Arupadhatu (the world of formlessness). The monument guides pilgrims through an extensive system of stairways and corridors with 1,460 narrative relief panels on the walls and the balustrades.

Evidence suggest Borobudur was constructed in the 9th century and abandoned following the 14th century decline of Buddhist and Hindu kingdoms in Java, and the Javaneseconversion to Islam. Worldwide knowledge of its existence was sparked in 1814 by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, then the British ruler of Java, who was advised of its location by native Indonesians. Borobudur has since been preserved through several restorations.

The largest restoration project was undertaken between 1975 and 1982 by the Indonesian government and UNESCO, following which the monument was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Borobudur is still used for pilgrimage; once a year Buddhists in Indonesia celebrate Vesak at the monument, and Borobudur is Indonesia's single most visited tourist attraction.

Wayang Museum (Shadow Puppet Museum).

 

Wayang Museum (used to be called as Shadow Puppet Museum) is museum that keeps collections of wayang from various territories in Indonesia and even from other countries.

 

Wayang Museum Building was constructed at a former old church location, which built by VOC in 1640 with a name of “de oude Hollandsche Kerk”. The church was functioned as a house of worship for Dutch civil and military in Indonesia until 1732. In 1733 the church was renovated and the name was changed to be “de nieuwe Hollandsche Kerk”. The building existed until 1808, until an earthquake broke it making the church could not be occupied anymore. On the location where the church previously stood, a building then constructed, it's the one stands there currently, which initially functioned as a warehouse belonged to Geo Wehry & Co. Initially in 1912, the front side of Wayang Museum was constructed with a Neo Renaissance style, but then in 1938 the whole building was renovated and adjusted to be like Dutch buildings in the colonization time.

 

 

 

 

 

Fasting Break

Weeks before Lebaran, my office held a breakfasting event at a nearby restaurant. Its a famous one located within Industrial Estate that split in two areas, outdoor and indoor. While waiting for the breakfasting time, the event began with a short speech from Board Member. A warm night shared with colleagues, was truly a blessing night full of cheerful moments.

Batukaras Beach

Batu Karas is a little village 1 hour away from Pangandaran. Batu Karas offers a nice beach for swimming and surfing. There are also several restaurants and hotels. This is a simple and remote village that will appeal to surfers, those wanting to immerse themselves in another culture, or anyone who just wants to get away from it all.

If you want something simple and peaceful, this is the place.

Saung Angklung Mang Udjo (SAU)

Sponsored by a 4 stars hotel in Purwakarta, I visited Saung Angklung Udjo (SAU) a one-stop cultural workshop, consisting of: performance venue, bamboo handicraft centre and bamboo instrument workshop.

 

The performance at Saung Angklung Udjo features the Angklung, but also incorporates Wayang Golek (wooden puppets), traditional dance, and the children’s orchestra into the show, so it’s interesting to watch as well as listen to.

The audience gets to participate during the show too. They teach everyone to play the Angklung by giving everyone an instrument that plays a single note. Each instrument is numbered – the conductor uses a variety of hand signals to let you when to shake your Angklung. And, following the final dance, the audience is invited onto the dance floor to dance with the performers. It’s all good fun!

It was established in 1966 by Udjo Ngalagena and his beloved wife Uum Sumiati, by a strong purpose and dedication to conserve and preserve Sundanese traditional art and culture. SAU illustrates nature and culture in harmony, it is no wonder SAU becomes a noticeable destination where people could experience Sundanese culture as a part of world heritage.

Apart from that, SAU has an honourable function as an educational laboratory and training centre to preserve the Sundanese culture - Angklung in particular.

Sangkanurip, Kuningan

This was very unusual vacation. On the way back to Jakarta from ‘Kampung Nenek”, we decided to drop by at Sangkanurip, Kuningan. It is located in the foothill of Mount Ciremai, approximately 35 Km from Cirebon towards Kuningan. Surround yourself in the beautiful sceneries and fresh mountain air.

Sangkanurip is one of the tourist villages that do not only rely on beautiful panoramas, but also water for health. In the small village at the foot of Mount Ciremai that mineralized hot springs flow. 

The point of the flow is not so much, only in certain joints. But that’s precisely what makes the Village Sangkanhurip be special. Hot water is contains various mineral elements, especially odium, used by the visitors to relax the muscles. Also believed, hot water, by use of routine, it is an effective way to combat rheumatism and destroying fat. Therefore, hot water pool in the cool area in the valley of Mount Ciremai was visited by many tourists.