Tour to Jogjakarta

Here ya gooo!

Now is the time for me to tell ya my tour experience visiting Jogjakarta. In fact, I went to Jogja not in purpose of traveling, but attending wedding celebration of my friends. However, wise men said one day, "When there's a chance, just take it!" Yeah, that's it that I was supposed to do. After attending the wedding, me and my friends wandered around Jogjakarta, visiting ancient temples like Borobudur, Prambanan, Candi Sewu, and finally Keraton (the palace of Jogja).

I'm afraid I can't tell ya the whole story because I myself can't remember about the ancient history of Indonesia. From Elementary School exactly, I always remember and I'd tell you that .... I Hate History! Nevertheless, I do love Indonesia. Fortunately, I found some information about that so don't worry. Your curiosity would be disappeared after I gave it to you. Check it out!

Borobudur Temple
Source: http://www.yogyes.com/en/yogyakarta-tourism-object

Based on information here, Borobudur was built by King Samaratungga, one of the kings of Old Mataram Kingdom, the descendant of Sailendra dynasty. Based on Kayumwungan inscription, an Indonesian named Hudaya Kandahjaya revealed that Borobudur was a place for praying that was completed to be built on 26 May 824, almost one hundred years from the time the construction was begun. The name of Borobudur, as some people say, means a mountain having terraces (budhara), while other says that Borobudur means monastery on the high place.

This Buddhist temple has 1460 relief panels and 504 Buddha effigies in its complex. In order to understand the sequence of the stories on the relief panels, you have to walk clockwise from the entrance of the temple. The relief panels tell the legendary story of Ramayana. Besides, there are relief panels describing the condition of the society by that time; for example, relief of farmers' activity reflecting the advance of agriculture system and relief of sailing boat representing the advance of navigation in Bergotta (Semarang).

Borobudur is constructed as a ten-terraces building. The height before being renovated was 42 meters and 34.5 meters after the renovation because the lowest level was used as supporting base. The first six terraces are in square form, two upper terraces are in circular form, and on top of them is the terrace where Buddha statue is located facing westward. Each terrace symbolizes the stage of human life. In line with of Buddha Mahayana, anyone who intends to reach the level of Buddha's must go through each of those life stages.

The base of Borobudur, called Kamadhatu, symbolizes human being that are still bound by lust. The upper four stories are called Rupadhatu symbolizing human beings that have set themselves free from lust but are still bound to appearance and shape. On this terrace, Buddha effigies are placed in open space; while the other upper three terraces where Buddha effigies are confined in domes with wholes are called Arupadhatu, symbolizing human beings that have been free from lust, appearance and shape. The top part that is called Arupa symbolizes nirvana, where Buddha is residing.

Borobudur from top viewpoint

Prambanan Temple
Source: http://www.yogyes.com/en/yogyakarta-tourism-object

Prambanan temple is extraordinarily beautiful building constructed in the tenth century during the reigns of two kings namely Rakai Pikatan and Rakai Balitung. Soaring up to 47 meters (5 meters higher than Borobudur temple), the foundation of this temple has fulfilled the desire of the founder to show Hindu triumph in Java Island.

There is a legend that Javanese people always tell about this temple. As the story tells, there was a man named Bandung Bondowoso who loved Roro Jonggrang. To refuse his love, Jonggrang asked Bondowoso to make her a temple with 1,000 statues only in one-night time. The request was nearly fulfilled when Jonggrang asked the villagers to pound rice and to set a fire in order to look like morning had broken. Feeling to be cheated, Bondowoso who only completed 999 statues cursed Jonggrang to be the thousandth statue.

Prambanan temple has three main temples in the primary yard, namely Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva temples. Those three temples are symbols of Trimurti in Hindu belief. All of them face to the east. Each main temple has accompanying temple facing to the west, namely Nandini for Shiva, Angsa for Brahma, and Garuda for Vishnu. Besides, there are 2 flank temples, 4 kelir temples and 4 corner temples. In the second area, there are 224 temples.

before earthquake
( http://awidyarso65.files.wordpress.com)

Candi Sewu (Sewu Temple)
Source: http://www.borobudurpark.co.id/en-sewu.html, http://www.pbase.com/rileyuni

About 800 meters north of Loro Jonggrang, Candi Sewu is actually a Buddhist monument and it is the second largest Buddhist Temple in Central Java after Borobudur, though built by the same Hindu King, Rakai Pikatan.

Rakai Pikatan married to a Buddhist and most of his subject retained their old religion after the return of Sanjaya Dynasty. The fact that this temple was built near Prambanan Temple which is Hindu Temple indicated that the Hindus and Buddhist lived in harmony. It is believed to be a Royal Temple and was one of the religious activity centers in the past. Based on the inscription in 792 AD which was found in 1960, the name of the temple complex was probably “Manjus’rigrha” (The House of Manjusri). Manjusri is one of Boddhisatva in Buddhist teaching. Sewu Temple was probably built in the 8th century at the end of Rakai Panangkaran administration. Rakai Panangkaran (746 – 784 AD) was a popular King from the old Mataram Kingdom.

before earthquake
( http://www.jogjaportrait.com)

Keraton Jogja
Source: www.yogyes.com
http://kratonjogja.com/

Karaton, Keraton or Kraton, originates from the word ke-ratu-an that means the place where the queen/king lives. Simple explanation of its broader meaning is that all structures and buildings in the Kraton area have significant meaning related to essential Javanese philosophy of life, namely Sangkan Paraning Dumadi that means the origin and the destination of human being.

Not only culinary tour and historical buildings, you can also dig a new lesson by learning how to make batik cloth, kite, music, with expert teacher in its field; Pak Hadjir (batik teacher whose name is well known by world). Kraton Jogja, offers more than just a cultural tourism.

Keraton gate
(http://images.travelpod.com)

Interior
(http://amefutoboyz.files.wordpress.com)

Exterior
(http://tukangriweuh.files.wordpress.com)

Palace's Troops
(http://www.jogjaphoto.net)

Taman Sari
(http://bangjotours.com)

Museum Kereta (Carriage Museum)
(http://indotravellers.com)

Fee:
- Prambanan temple : IDR 17.500
- Borobudur temple : IDR 17.500

*The photos were taken by me, Dina, and many sources.

Backpack to Ujung Kulon

Initiating from the last February, we intended to make a trip to Ujung Kulon. After that, we took the initiative to invite the others because of the quotas have not been fulfilled yet. Then, it was decided that we did this trip in three days, May 13-15 2010, with the person-in-charge for this tour was me and Olip. Here is the map of Ujung Kulon ...

May 13, 2010: Cikarang - Kampung Rambutan - Serang (Pakupatan bus terminal) - Taman Jaya

We boarded the bus from Cikarang to Kampung Rambutan, then shift to another bus from Kampung Rambutan to Serang. Buses didn't bring us to the terminal Pakupatan, then we rode public transportation to get there. There was an elf owned by Mr. Hendrick that will take us to Taman Jaya village in six hour. Maximum capacity was only for 15 people, although initially we were 18 people total, but three people were unable to participate due to some reasons.

Arriving at Taman Jaya, we stayed overnight at the house owned by the brother of Mr. Komar (Contact Person for tourism in the Ujung Kulon). At the morning, Olip and me bought groceries at the store with IDR 150,000 for initial budget, but in fact all the food was worth almost IDR 300,000. Next, we checked the tent and snorkeling equipment and carried them to the boat. Mr. Alex will be our guide and our chef when we lived on Peucang island.



May 14, 2010: Taman Jaya - Handeleum - Peucang - Cibom - Tanjung Layar

From the pier of Taman Jaya, we set sail for Handeleum. Once on Handeleum at around 9am, we signed up for registration and rent canoes to drift into Cigenter river. Actually, there were only 2 canoes available, each of which can only brought 5 persons. But after our negotiations, there was an additional canoe then it would be fitting with our number.


We had stopped at a place where the buffaloes were usually founded, but unfortunately when we came there, there's no buffalo at all because the weather might not support (after a light rain). After that, we continued canoeing again, but our guide could not pass up the river as the rain caused the water point being higher and the current water became increasingly tight. In fact, we haven't found the rhinoceros, pythons, and crocodiles yet. We only found a lizard and monkeys. Because the situation was desperately so bad, we finally returned to Handeuleum.


We continued the journey to Citerjun to do snorkeling. It took 2.5 hours from Handeleum. Arriving at Citerjun, the weather transformed badly into heavy rain so that we decided to cancel snorkeling. Schedule for snorkeling was adjourned until tomorrow. Then we proceeded to Peucang island. Over there, we met the animals that roamed freely around the island, such as deers, wild pigs which were not dangerous, and the monkeys which were greedy and mischievous. After the rain subsided, we headed down Cibom where we go camping. To go there, we could not pull over the ship because there were many reefs in shallow place, so we need a speed boat whose price was doubled the rent price of canoes.


Because the land for camp was muddy, we decided not to build the tent in Cibom, so we continued our journey from Cibom to Tanjung Layar -about one kilometer- by trekking through the dense jungle where most wild monkeys and buffaloes lived. It was said that the jungle was haunted, so we did not dare to do things which violated the mystical realm such dirty words, singing, whistling, and being arrogant, especially when it was already entering the dawn.


Arriving in Tanjung Layar, we met Mr. Yitno, a lighthouse keeper who lives alone to operate it there, imagine! Living alone in a place far away from the civilization in the middle of the jungle, alone!



May 15, 2010: Tanjung Layar - Cibom - Cidaon - Peucang - Citerjun - Taman Jaya

In the morning, there were some of us who hunted sunrise by climbing the lighthouse, and there were some of us walked toward the camping area, not far from there. We found a very big wave since it is the most western part of Java island and facing directly out toward the ocean. I had the opportunity to climb a hill protected by a forest because I was so curious for finding the staircase made of stone leading upwards. Arriving at the top, I found the ruins of buildings that seem to former lighthouse. Although the pretty scenery was visible from there, but I'm a little bit frightened because it looked creepy, then I quickly got out and joined again with the others to get ready leaving to the next destination.


The next destination was Cidaon. Cidaon is a vast meadow where the buffalo is usually crowded for grazing. But once again, we were less fortunate. We only saw - just one buffalo and a lizard. From the pier to Cidaon meadow, we did trekking which was not as far as we did to Tanjung Layar. Interestingly, when trekking to Cidaon, we find mangroves and palm fruit everywhere. Our guards worked so hard to find the best-tasted palm fruit but none of them were good.


The next destination was Citerjun where we did snorkeling. Because we had limited amount of snorkel equipment, then only some of us who did it. I myself didn't want to do it since I just want to wander around Peucang island along the coast which were still virgin.


According to the testimony of my friend's, Citerjun's underwater was less good than Karimun Jawa's, possibly because of the last rains that made the sea water turned a bit turbid. After several of us had finished snorkeling, we arranged a plan for trekking on the island towards Karang Copong. The place looked chic when sunset came. However, because our time was limited, eventually the plan was not realized. Thus we finally boarded the ship to sail back to Taman Jaya.




Mass Budget:

1. Elf Rental (two ways): IDR 1,300,000 (originally IDR 1,200,000, we must repay the IDR 100.000 for midnight departure)
2. Boat rental for 2 days (two ways): IDR 2,000,000 (max 20 persons)
3. A guide and a cook for 2 days: IDR 350,000 (IDR 100,000/guide/day, IDR 75,000/cook/day)
4. Groceries: IDR 282,000
5. Entrance Ticket + insurance (for 15 persons): IDR 82,500 (@ IDR 2,500 (tickets) + IDR 3,000 (insurance))
6. Permission fee to hook the boat: IDR 100,000 (to all destinations)
7. Boat rental in Cibom: IDR 200,000 (official price IDR 250,000)
8. Tent rental (4 sets): IDR 100,000 (because we didn't use it, so it should be per tent IDR 50,000)
9. Breakfast (15 persons): IDR 75,000 (Nasi Uduk in Taman Jaya)
10. Tips for Mr Yitno: IDR 100,000 (voluntary)

Total : IDR 4,850,000 with subsidy from 2 persons who canceled the tour : IDR 200,000, so the net total was:

IDR 4,650,000 / 15 = IDR 310,000


Individual Budget:

1. Snorkel rental /set /day: IDR 40,000
2. Canoe rental in Cigenter: IDR 50,000
3. Transporation fees: IDR 73,000 (ojek and angkot (2 ways): IDR 18,000, bus to Kampung Rambutan : IDR 5,000, Kampung Rambutan - Serang : IDR 17,000, angkot Pakupatan terminal (2 ways) : IDR 50,000, Serang - Cikarang : IDR 28,000)

Total personal expenditure = IDR 163,000


Ujung Kulon Contact Person:

Mr. Komar: 081806181209
Mr. Hendrik: 087871006879


NB:

Condition of road from Taman Jaya to Serang was very bad. So if you plan to go with your own car, get ready for it, make sure to take off-road car :D
Here is some extra fees info which you need when reaching Peucang island. FYI, we have arranged the administration and registration for permission to wander around all of the spots in Ujung Kulon firstly at Hendeuleum, so we didn't have to pay more when arriving at Peucang Island.


*The photos were taken by me, Olip, Dina, Aldo, Shanti, Destin, Wawan, Heni, Antho, and Rizka.