Banyuwangi | Kawah Ijen - The Climb

Kawah Ijen.

Sulphur volcano.

2hours climb.

Climb starts at 12am.

Weather at 18c.

OK. Thanks. Bye.

That pretty much sums it all (do I still need to blog? *cheeky smile*).

Everyone has their own experience of their climb up this wondrous Mount Ijen or Kawah Ijen as what the locals call it. But mine was different. Special. Unique. Whimsical. I did not climb up… you heard me right alright. I vomited. That’s why. But don’t get me wrong, the sulphur smell wasn’t that bad, it just that am not well, I have a bad sinus case… so being there enhance it.

I, however, would want to share my journey… of NOT climbing up. Gempak ok cite I… baik you guys baca.

I started the day being informed that I must climb this mountain – it being mandatory, worried being short of breath (thinking I can and will die – drama much kan!), I decided to abide by the rule (I good girl tau) and woke up as early (or late) as 11pm and got ready at the lobby at 12am where they  whisked us from Ketapang Indah Hotel in this rugged macho 4x4 jeep. A one hour journey from Banyuwangi town to the foot of Kawah Ijen, at this point, your nose instantly hinted you that the sulphur smell is similar to rotten eggs (plenty of rotten eggs. Plenty), signalling your brain (and memory) for a face mask (forgot to bring), medicine, water, glove and walking stick. Oh yah! The weather was 18c.

Photo courtesy of Kenneth Surat of #iKen.

Briefing was done at the mountain foot, there is a toilet near where we park, you can get your gloves from here too, toilet and gloves is chargeable of course. During the briefing we were told that the journey up takes an hour or so, we will be able to see the famous blue flame and catch the beautiful sunrise before we head down. Me with all my gear in place start walking… as I reached the first 200m, I started to feel nauseated. As we walked another 50m, I almost vomit out whatever we ate earlier. I inform the organiser and was advised to rest in the jeep. But this is not the great story, you guys need to read further to know this epic story of mine (epic hokkay).

Photo courtesy of Keith Yeun of Travel Inspiration 360.

This old pak cik (old man/old uncle) assisted me to the jeep, holding my arm, worried that I will collapse or faint and chatted with me as we walk slowly. The journey down was nothing great… but what he said touched me “Kita jalan perlahan-lahan ya, supaya selamat. Kalau sakit ngak perlu naik, yang penting kita aman” something along this line.

“We walk slowly down so that we will be safe. We do not need to climb up if sick, as long as we are healthy and safe, that is more important”. Sweet right.

When I reach the jeep, it was locked… he search for the driver while I lean by the jeep. Once the drive unlock the vehicle, he pull down the chair, took out the headrest and turn it into a pillow and insisted I lie down and rest. He then close the door and ask the driver to stay nearby.

He was so fatherly and kind… I was overwhelmed and almost cried, reminded me of my late dad.

I vow to write about his kindness, and so I wrote it. Here. Now.

Trip of Wonders– Indonesia Social Media Fam Trip is in collaboration with Tourism Indonesia.

Gili Trawangan | Snokerling in Gili Islands

You can get to Gili Trawangan via Lombok – Fly in to Lombok and a boat ride to Gili Trawangan

Or you can get to Gili Trawangan via Bali (2 hours bumpy ferry ride) – Fly in to Bali and a boat ride to Gili Trawangan

My advise : FLY TO LOMBOK. Unless you are a daredevil and hungry for adventure, then by all means take the boat from Bali to Lombok and return. It is an experience of a life time *wink*.

Having been to Bali 5 times, it is a big surprise to my friends that I haven’t been to Gili Islands, not even to Lombok. The invitation by Tourism Indonesia came at the right time as I was thinking of a quick getaway and wasn’t sure whether Lombok and Gili would be a good choice (obviously I am way too comfortable with Bali, it is practically my hometown). The trip to Lombok wasfull of culture, you can read more HERE. And Gili was… a lot of sea adventure. If you are into outdoor, yeah… this place will be your heaven. But of course, you can laze around as well. Plenty of place and space for you to do so.

Upon arriving on Gili Trawangan, I realised it is almost like a party island. Pubs, bar, restaurant and message place is abundance, diving and snorkel shops is at every corner. Basically, you will never be bored, hungry or unadventurous. It is almost like, the locals in Gili forbid anyone coming to their island be left idle. It’s a major no-no.

Ok. We got it.

Hence (whoever starts a sentence with ‘hence’, duh Lily!), Gili Trawangan is also known as the ‘Mecca’ for backpackers during the 90s. Similar to Goa, Penang, Krabi and many more, it is the famous Banana Pancake Trail that a traveller/backpacker will pass by and stop for a long while before continuing their journey. A term often use for Southeast Asia/Asia route where places such as guesthouses, cafes and restaurants catering to backpackers/budget travellers, and serving a quick and easy to make banana pancakes reminds them of their home back in the west. Due to this reason, Gili Trawangan is the most populated and developed of the nearby Gili islands, namely Gili Meno and Gili Air.

Feeding beach bum and holiday goers with its laid back guesthouses, cafes of every concept and theme, bars that caters for rave, reggae, rock and local music (dangdut?) and restaurant that feed you with delicacies from all over the world (well, almost) and activities that will keep you occupy during your stay here. And guess what? Cars and motorbikes are not allowed, simply to not disturb the peace in these Gili islands.

So, aside from lazing and sleeping (what I do best), I DID try to venture into outdoor activities (yeah yeah… kid you not). I experience snorkelling in Gili Trawangan thus missed the popular swing place (Yup! I did not cover the swing hence don’t ask me for any pictures yah). I learnt that it is a favourite spot for snorkeler and divers; Sponge Coral, Basket Coral, Turtle Point and etc for snorkelers where else Manta Point, Shark Point, Senset Point and many more are a great favourite among the divers; local and international.

If you are into photography, make sure you have an action cam or an underwater cam to snap the coral, turtle, manta rays, nemos and etc photos. Else, do like what I did, get the photos from ThatSoFarah hehhehehe..... Thanks Farah!

For snorkelers, you can rent the snorkelling equipment from the operators located by the beach area for IDR50,000 for half a day, you can also get a guided snorkel tours that will cost roughly IDR75,000 a person. As for diving, for a package of 5 guided boat dives around the Gili Islands will probably cost around IDR2,205,000 or more.

Oh! Before I forgot, other than snorkelling, diving and the swing thingy, you can also cycle the whole island, take the cidomo (horse carriage), catch sunset from the hill, or even walk the whole island; by the beach perimeter of the island, it should take you approximately two hours or so

What else to expect in Gili Trawangan? Check THIS out.

Thank you Farah of ThatSoFarah for the beautiful photos.

Trip of Wonders– Indonesia Social Media Fam Trip is in collaboration with Tourism Indonesia.

Banyuwangi | Ketapang Indah Hotel is simply perfect!

It was a much needed rest.

Ketapang Indah Hotel perfected it.

(To a point I was confuse, should I take a rest and enjoy the room (and bed) or should I take a stroll at the premise, enjoying the deep blue ocean, the lush greenery and the Ketapang Indah warm hospitality).

Either you have or you don’t.

That’s what I usually say when I stay at a hotel. I have certain expectation and I categorise Ketapang Indah Hotel as one of the best in Banyuwangi. 

It is located by the sea. The deep blue see (kid you not), with its vegetation comprising mostly coconut trees and local wild flowers balances well as with the buildings architecture. Keeping their buildings low thus underpowering its presence and structure, calms the inhouse guest, maintaining the holiday mood and the Javanese feel. Decorate in minimalist style, its room is overlooked at god’s backyard of lush greenery and blue ocean partnered with the sound of waves crashing, all this are music to guests’ ears. A definite plus point.

Most room are presented with balcony for one to laze around, perfect for travellers that just got back from the hot and dry Baluran Savannah and the cold Kawah Ijen. Not to mention their kind and friendly hotel staff, plus the generous local food spread help to educate the international guest on local delicacies available in Banyuwangi, Java and Bali.

Six hectares of land, beautiful black sandy beach coupled with welcoming sunrise views over the Bali Strait makes Ketapang Indah Hotel unique. Just 88 kilometres from the hotel is Plengkung or G-Land; a world-class surfing beach within the Alas Purwo National Park. It is not a surprise, if you bump into surfers staying here.

Pool and playground is located near the open concept coffee house and it is just by the beach which is kinda splendid, I personally regreted not joining everyone for a walk by the jetty and beach. They took great pictures there (but then again, they seems to take nice picture regardless of the site).

The ambience, locality and premise aside, in general the check-in was fast and the luggage was brought to our room promptly too. However, I wouldn’t suggest for you to volunteer yourself to carry own luggage as the rooms are widely spread across the premise. But if you trust your ‘sado-ness’ and want to show off your ‘macho-ness’, go right ahead. Oh yah… I was a little bit confuse when heading to my room, after few wrong turn, I managed to handle it well even at night. So yah, it is pretty widely spread.

If you need and seek for great comfort when in Banyuwangi, let it be if you plan to conquer Kawah Ijen or drop by the savannah or any one of the national parks, do consider Ketapang Indah Hotel as the journey takes approximately 1.5 hours (38.2 km) to Baluran National park and 2 hours  (54.0 km) to Kawah Ijen.

What more can I say.

Ketapang Indah Hotel - A Tropical Retreat. A Heaven on Earth.

Ketapang Indah hotel

Jl. Gatot Subroto Km. 6

Kabupaten Banyuwangi

Jawa Timur 68421

Indonesia

Phone :  +62 333 422280

URL : http://www.ketapangindahhotel.com/

Trip of Wonders– Indonesia Social Media Fam Trip is in collaboration with Tourism Indonesia.