Day 15 Ubud

Today at 10am it was time for most of the group to be leaving. Saying goodbye its hard for me personally but we have to.Their impression of the trip and they said this trip is very complete as it was mixed between the city, the beach, village, volcano,natural, culture and art!

They really enjoyed the trip for 2 weeks and as I was their leader and as I am Indonesian, I'm very happy they enjoy the trip in my country. 'Terima Kasih Banyak' for visiting my country and hope to see you all in other Intrepid trip very soon.

Don't believe what the media say about my country, Indonesia is such big country. every country always has some problem especially with politic but never think that whole country is affected by the problem,

Indonesia just "Dangerously Beautiful". It is your time to decide if Indonesia is too beautiful to be just passed by. Make Indonesia one of your next destinations for your next holiday with Intrepid and see and feel first hand my beautiful country!

I have a week off now and hopefully I will get some time to surf. But i have to do all my paper work first then"Rock and Roll" for surf!! See You one day soon...

Day 14-Ubud

This morning some of us woke up at about 8am then went to have breakfast. to day not really nice weather as since last the rain like cant stop, not big rain but just enough to make it wet when we stay too long out side. Mostly the group just had chill but some of them went to visit art museum which is not too far from our hotel. they said it was interesting to visit as the art are really beautiful. the other just went wondering around, trying the local food or visiting the monkey forest near by. one of the girl just went out for shopping as it is her last day in Ubud and would like to get some gift for the family. No one do really "real" activity to day, they just went back and had chill at the hotel. I think also cos the weather not really good. Just to make us even lazier to do anything.

By 7pm, we meet for our last dinner and as 2 weeks trip nearly over. Took them to mix resto where they have Indo local food and also western food just incase they miss their own food. then we plan to go for "good bye" drinking at one bar near our hotel.

We had such nice food and all of us had an Indo food. then we had some beer and also Bali wine. we didnt stay for long here as some of them leave tomorrow early morning. Thanks guys for coming to Indonesia and hope to see you again in one of our trip! CHEERS!

Day 13-Ubud

To day some of my group had to wake up early morning 5.30am as they would like to do the dolphin watch. Our boat men came to pick them up and at 6am they went out to the ocean ready to see the dolphin come out! It was good weather and the sunrise was very beautiful too. when we went out looking for the dolphin, we saw not only us, maybe there were other 15's boats they did the same to watch the dolphin come out. we were wondering around for little while and suddenly our boat men bit yelling, the dolphin show up!! everyone trying to get the best pictures of them, at the first we saw only the fin but not long after some of the dolphin was jumping! not very high but we could see the whole body of dolphin, so we could guess how big they are. Such good morning anyway, we saw lots dolphins and also the weather was perfect, sunrise was beautiful! At around 8am,we went back to hotel, had breakfast then we packing and ready at 9am we left for Ubud but we would like to visit Tirtagangga first.

On the way to Tirtagangga its took about 2.5 hours from Lovina, the view really stunning whenis get closer to Tirtagangga. when the weather very clear, we could see the Mt.Agung, the highest volcano in Bali, its about 3100m. The rice terrace so beautiful and from here in Tirtagangga the view is mix between the rice terrace and the ocean. we could see other island call Nusa Penida and it is still part of Bali or if we really lucky with the weather, we could see also Lombok island which is in the future this island migh be the same like Bali as one of the tourist destination! Soon we arrived in Tirtagangga, we order our lunch and while we were waiting for our lunch, we went to the water palace. very old water palace but still beautiful. very nice garden too and in the pool they put so many fishes mostly gold fish and they are very big. stay at the water palace for about 30-40 mins then we back again to the resto and had our lunch. soon after lunch,all group went wondering around the rice terrace as it is so stunning view. After we had enough, we head back to Ubud which was take about 2 hours from Tirtagangga. Ubud....here we come. if you like the art of real Bali, here is the place. for someone is crazy shoping, you need few days to buy the stuff you like. so many thing we could get here especially the art and painting or hand craft. Ubud is the central of culture of Bali. we could see the most famous dance call Kecak dance which the story is the same like the ballet we saw in Yogya but the different is, here they dont have orchestra, they use their voice as the music and its about 40-50 players! also for you guys love the challenge or active, you could do white water rafting,cycling or hiking around Ubud. And for you who would like to spoilt yourself, this place has so many spa and massage place. we had dinner at 7.30pm, had great dinner and after cos one of my group had birthday to night, i was trying to arrange the birthday cake for her. was so lovely surprise for her, she thought she wont get a birthday cake but we did it for her. Nice after had great dinner then we had great chocolate cake........Yummy....yummy! then about 9.30pm we went back to hotel and hope the weather will be good tomorrow. not too sure what they would like to do here in Ubud. Will see tomorrow anyway!

Day 12-Lovina

To day actually we suppose to leave for Tirtagangga But we agree to change the itinerary that we decide to stay one more night in Lovina as it is more thing to do here in Lovina. What we plan is tomorrow on the way to Ubud we will pass Tirtagangga and we will stop there for few hours to enjoy and look around Tirtagangga.
So,to day started at 8am some of my 4 of my group went out for snorkeling at one of the island near Lovina call Menjangan island. it is one of the best spot to snorkeling or dive. Take about 1.5 hours to get to harbor and take other half hour to cross to the island. when we were on the boat we could see Java very clear where we got off the train last 2 days ago. We could see the island where we would like to snorkeling and we could see there were some boat there. Manjangan island is including of west Bali national park, so it is protected. the weather is very good, the sun shiny and the water is very clear. we jumped from the boat and we swim around the best part of the island for snorkeling.Here like we saw other world....the under water wold. so imaging and lots of type of fish and the coral are life! The guide took us and pointing what fish we saw. so many fish i would like to tell that i cant say one by one but the most cute is when we saw the nimo fish they stay in their nest. also we saw baracuda, jack fish and many others. the fan and table coral such imaging view. this area is perfect also for some people who love to do dive. we able to saw some people diving under us. this place is very famous with what we call "the Wall" as it is look like the wall. when we swim in 1-3 meters and suddenly big drop (wall) about 40-50 meters deep. and that where we could see the imaging view. for some people not confidence or scared of the deep,we could use the life jacket. After about 2 hours we snorkeling, we back to the beach and had some lunch and rest for about 1.5 hours. we could see bit of the island if we want to. then after we had enough rest, then we went back again to snorkeling with different area. here we could see more coral, still lots fish and we lucky,we could see turtle swim around. we spent nearly 2 hours then we back to the boat and head back to mind land and ready to go back again to Lovina. such nice day and the view of underwater was so stunning. I would like to say, "If you love the under water world, you Must come to this island"!! we arrived in Lovina about 4pm and we had some rest.
Anyway, what was happening with 3 other people on my group, about 9am, they went out for cooking class. the cook, his name Putu, took them to the local market to buy some ingredient and other stuff for cooking. then they went to his house to learn how to make the local food. he make demo not in special place just for cooking but he took them to his family kitchen and his wife also was trying to help and saw them how to do it. they make some local food such Gado-Gado, Satay Lilit some tofu dish and finish with black rice podding. was great and good local interactive with the local family.
At 7pm, we ready to go to Intrepid friend house where she would like to cook the local Bali-Indo food. 7 of us going to dinner. and she would like to cook so many different dishes. As far as i knew, she always cook too much for us. the food is always imaging and very delicious and lots food we could choice from chicken,fish and vegetarian.

Well, after all lovely day to day, some of us went out for coctail and Bintang. was imaging and stunning day to day and we need night out party.YES!!!

Day 11- Lovina

This morning was free morning as all the group were so tired and feel need sometime to have rest and bit of a long sleep.
Our activities start at 1pm and are heading to an amazing waterfall.  And the best things is that not many people knew about this place but us! Our driver Koko is ready to drive us and its takes about 1.5 hours to Sekumpul waterfall. 'Sekumpul' means gathering, so this waterfall is a gathering waterfall. As we were walking from the distance we could see the waterfall and everyone was so excited and can't wait to be there! We had to go down hundreds of steps and its a bit slippery as it was raining a few hours ago. We passed rain forest and some plantation here. Then here we are here....The impressive waterfall and only us and few other tourist! Wow! It's a lovely waterfall!! Some of my group went out for a swim and the water was so very refreshing! we spent about 1.5 hours here and as we walked back to the bus, everyone was kept talking about this waterfall!



From there we went to hotsprings. Here is bit different as so many shops and people are trying to sell many things ot us. It can be annoying but because there is many competition with the other shops and maybe thats the only way to get the money for them! They have to work hard to survive!

There are more locals here and they just having their baths. The color of the water is milky and they have 3 pools - 1 big and 2 small. One of the pools they have set up for massage as they put where the water come out bit high, so we could swim here and just stay under it and it lets the water do the "massage" to our back or neck! Nice........I like!

After spending time here, we went back to Lovina. Time now for dinner and we might be going out for cocktail too. We will see!

Day 10-Sunrise at Mt.Bromo

This morning we woke up at 3am,very early but everyone was so excited to see the Mt.Bromo which is this volcano that is still very active. Today we won't be doing the hike but if anyone would like to do it, it is possible too.

None in my group would like to do the hike but  instead they will be taking the Jeep up to Bromo. The temperature it about 10-14 degrees but sometimes even worst then now, it is very cold for me hey! . So at about 3.30am, we got into the jeep and it took about one hour drive to get to the view point which is the best place to see the sunrise and the view of Bromo which is way down below us. We passed what we call "sea sand" area, which was 1000's years ago actually the crater. From there we head up to the view point which was non stop up hill! It took about half hour from the sea sand area to the top.
The view point its about 2700 meters above the sea level and from here - 'Oh My God!' - The view is so stunning. The weather was clear and we could see Bromo with the smoke come out from the crater. We could also see the highest volcano in Java, Mt.Semeru and it about 3670 meters and still very active. When Semeru is very active, sometimes we could see every 5-10 minutes this volcano "pop up" the smoke and ash.
At about 5.15am the sun was rising and as there were many people here waiting for this moment, everyone were busy with their camera to take the most impressive sunrise. I said to my group, "Guys....you better watch out or your memory card will be full with sunrise pictures only"...!

Anyway, the sunrise was perfect for little while then the cloud came down and was a bit covered by the sun, so we went back to the parking area where the jeep parking but before we got on the the jeep, we stay about half hour to have some coffee and hot chocolate and stay around the fire to warm our body as it was very cold for some of us. Jumped to the jeep and drove down to where Bromo is. from parking area where we start to walk to Bromo rim. It takes about half an hour to walk to the rim Then we had to walk about 300 steps up to rim, here we could see where the smoke always come out. The smell of sulfur is very strong but the view down there also very nice.

From there it was back to the hotel where we have breakfast and at 9am we have to leave Bromo for Lovina (Bali).

Its will be other long travel days to day as we woke up since 3am. We make it to the ferry and the view from the ferry was also quite beautiful especially when the sunset time, stunning!! We could see the other volcano near the ferry port call Mt.Ijen. Bye byeJava....Thanks for such wonderful time we had!


Then is was time to say Welcome To Bali.....one of the most popular tourist destination in the world. This trip sometimes feel like we cross into different countries as lets say Java, is mostly Muslim religion and there about 4 languages. Compare this to Bali, where mostly the people are Hindu religion and there are so many temples around Bali that we could visit, also for me as the person from Java and I speak different languages and different religion ( I am Muslim ) I felt I was in other country when the 1st time I went to Bali which was about 13 years ago! In Bali, they speak with the Balinese languages which is totally different with the languages I use, but as Indonesian, everyone has to speak Indonesia for communication between the regions...

Anyway, here we are in Bali, which is we are now in Lovina (north of Bali ). We checked into our hotel and had some dinner, not for long as we were so tired from long travel today especially since we woke up since 3am. We would like to get some good sleep. I hope!

Day 9-Walking around Seloleman

We started the day with breakfast at 8am which was pancakes, scrambled eggs, toast and fruit salad. It was such a nice breakfast and we had some choice. Then at 9am we start to walk around the the village and the rice terraces. It was a stunning view and we could see some farmer activities when they plant the rice.

Seloleman is really good for mainly rice plantation as the community they try to build the irrigation. We were walking trough the water way and throughout this area they are trying to use the natural as efficient as possible, example they have hydroelectric where some electricity coming from here and some is just normal electricity by the government. We had rest for few minutes in the place where the hydroelectric is and we could see how the hydro working. The guide told us, it is about 100-150 family use the electric from the hydro. Very good idea or example for the other communities living near the water area or in the mountain where there is a waterfall.


After all the rice terrace walks we went to the village to see some activities and how the people are living here. The most interesting is part is when we stop at one of the oldest lady in this village. What she does is just selling the coffee for some farmer before they go to field for farming  Usually her place is used for gathering some farmers to talk about what to do with their farm while they drink coffee. She sells the coffee very cheap and her living very simple. Her age is about 98 years old but still so fit!! It is just unreal: She is always smiling and just a very happy lady when we visit her place.Here we tried a cup of coffee. Most of my group loved this coffee and some of they bought the coffee for later when they back home! Then we left the Seloleman Starbucks (hehe) and we were just enjoying the village here: people are so friendly and so nice.

In the afternoon we saw a  demonstation of how this place is introducing herbal medicine. Our guide Sa'fi'i shows us how to make them. It looks like he making tea but with all fresh leeves. It was interesting to try and see how he makes it and it tastes so good!

At 3pm we left for Bromo, which was take about 3-3.5 hours.  we could not really see the view when we got closer to Bromo as it was bit dark and cloudy!! But we hope tomorrow will be great weather. We have to wake at 3am. Had dinner and went to bed as early as possible. So guys, see you in few hours!