Belitung trip day 4

On our fourth day we took another 1,5 hour trip to Membalong, south area of Belitung. We went to see some more beautiful beaches. 

On the way we noticed there were some Durian sellers. Jones, our guide, told us that those fruits are from the sellers backyard so it is acceptable if we got a bad durian and return it. The size of it is similar to a rockmellon, not too big. Though it has a distinctive and strong smell, it taste good and sweet. Well, probably I'm bias since I'm a fan! Each durian costs IDR 25,000.

A point of interest that we passed by on our to the beach was Batu Baginde. It is a giant beach located on top of a hill. It should take you 30 minutes to hike up there. We just took some picture from the road.

Our first beach stop was Teluk Gembira. It is actually a bay but since the wind was kind of strong, the wave was relatively big and strong.

Then finally we got to this beach named Pantai Penyabong or also known as Pantai Batu Lubang. It literary took my breath away. Very beautiful! Magnificent!

The water was calm and warm. Picturesque. The rocks were gigantic and spread across the shore. I think I'll let the picture to tell the rest.

Totally a must visit beach in Belitung!

Belitung trip day 3

On our third day we went to another shooting place of Laskar Pelangi movie.

But we made a few stops on the way. First stop was Bukit Berahu. It is a hill that led to a beach, unfortunately there is a warning of jelly fish. So we did not bother to play there. 
Pretty view to see from the top. 

Then we made another stop at Pantai Tanjung Kelayang. It was just for a photo op. It is the same place where we took our boat for island hopping on the previous day.

Finally we got to the Laskar Pelangi movie shooting location. It was Pantai Tanjung Tinggi.

When we got there it was packed of people so we went to nearby beach. It was so hot but my older son wanted to play outside. So I let him and I kept my toddler in the car and nursed him.

We were getting tired eating seafood so Jones offered us to a Chinese restaurant about 15 minutes away. So we cooled off there until about 3 PM.

As we returned we went to giant granite rock and took pictures. We climbed one of the higher rock. It was terrifying but worth it.

Finished the photo session with the rocks and beautiful scenery, we moved to the beach. I rented a paddle board. It was so much fun. Both my sons were so eager to try as well.

We stayed there until sundown. And still my first born wasn't ready to go yet. He was just having the time of his life. Finally, both of them got so tired and slept until the morning 

Belitung trip day 1

Happy New Year 2016

Hi! 

I know it's been a few days but hey keep up the spirit, right?

Just before New Year we took a trip to Belitung. It is only an hour flight from Jakarta so it was really convinient. 

We had arranged our trip from the help of JelajahPulau.com (totally recommend it!)

We took the first flight with Garuda Indonesia which was 06.50AM. Our guide/driver, named Jones, was ready at the airport as we landed. It only took us 20 minutes from airport to downtown. Since it was too early for hotel check-in, we had breakfast at Mie Atep, local noodle cuisine.

Our first stop was Danau Kaolin. It is a lake in the city created from an active kaolin mining. The lake has very clear water that the color is just as blue as the sky. It literaly took my breath away.

The land part are built from sand so it is easily erode as you walk areas that are wet. So careful!

Next stop was 1,5 hours away. It is the shooting place of Laskar Pelangi or Rainbow Troops. We went to the school shooting scene. Then nearby is the house of Andrea Hirata, the novel writer of the movie.

The house has became Indonesia's first literary museum named "Museum Kata Andrea Hirata". The main house showcases memoribilia from the movie also with other publications that the novel and writer received. The left wing of the house has a small area of self-expression stage (Panggung Ekspresi) and colorful bench area where most of the interior made from doors.

Then we moved to Kampung Ahok. Ahok is Jakarta's governor who came from Belitung. Well there is nothing much to see so you might not spend a lot of time here.

As noon approached we went to Pantai Serdang that is 30 minutes away. Pantai Serdang is known with its colorful Perahu Kater. Another nearby beach that characterized with this boat is Pantai Burong Mandi. Across the beach there are  seafood restaurants. The food is tasty and fresh but sometimes takes awhile to get served.

Belitung is also known as "1001 warung kopi" (or coffee stalls). This was started because as the fishermans docked their boat, they take rest and warm themselves at nearby coffee stalls. Even more on at the alley to the wet market, there are coffee stalls all the way until the end. Interestingly, they specializes on the traditional way of brewing the coffee and get the beans from elsewhere.

Last visit of the day was Vihara Dewi Kwan Im or Goddess Kwan Im Temple. It is one of the oldest and biggest temple in Belitung. People still use it for their holy celebrations prayer. At the time, they are building the statue of the Goddess which is 12 metres tall (babelpos.co.id).

Finally evening set in, we checked in at Billiton Hotel and Club. Time to unpack and pack for island hopping on the next day! Yeay!

Lombok...a piece of heaven on earth

I’M IN LOVE WITH THIS ISLAND!!!

From the first time I landed my feet at this island, I just knew there is something about this island that will take me back again and again. 

The main attraction here is the beach and the small islands nearby, called Gili. But don’t get me wrong Pulau Lombok has various other natural attractions that would just mesmerize the whole family. There are local villages that are still hold strong their heritage tradition, even their floor are made from cow’s poop! Mount Rinjani will also take your breath away. The water falls are amazing as well, it is rumored that Jenny from the Block a.k.a Jennifer Lopez visited one of them.

         

So how to get to this beautiful island of Lombok?

If you are from outside Indonesia, you can take a connecting flight from Jakarta or Bali. Actually from Bali you can opt to use ferry from Padang Bai, cheaper but takes longer time. The domestic airlines that goes to Lombok International Airport is Garuda Indonesia, Citilink, Lion Air, and Batik Air. Plenty of flight times to pick from.

Touchdown!!

My favorite area is these hidden gems around Kuta. Yes, it has the same name with the famous beach in Bali. But this one fascinates me! Seeing the view already leaves me in awe, then the clear sea water, and the unique sand. If you are thinking what so unique about sand, well let me tell you, the sands are pepper-like, or as locals say "Pantai Merica", tiny marbles!

Pasir Merica at Kuta Beach, Lombok

With grandma... isn't it magnificent?!

Just can't wait to play

My hotel of choice has been Sheraton Senggigi Beach Resort. They have beautiful pool, nice clean beach to stroll, and definitely helpful staff. It is located in the city centre, however it takes approximately 1 hour from the airport.

Sheraton Senggigi Beach Resort from the beach

My little tiger enjoying his down time playing at the hotel's beach

But if you want to stay in hotel that is closer to the airport and near the infamous beautiful beaches in Lombok then I would suggest, Novotel Hotel.

Photo cred: Novotel Lombok Resort and Villas

Come and visit Indonesia's hidden gem!