Sunday, October 28, 2012

Kiluan Bay, Enjoy Sunrise With The Dolphins

What’s In Kiluan Bay ?
Teluk Kiluan or Kiluan Bay is one of the main attraction of the district Kelumbayan, Tanggamus, Lampung province. 

In this area we can enjoy a pristine countryside. Spectacular coral beaches on Pegadung beach, Karang Bolong Beach. Hiking in a forest to a waterfall. White sand beaches, snorkel and enjoy the underwater park at Kelapa island. Early morning we can enjoy the sunrise on a jukung (small boat) and accompanied by a pack of dolphins.


Estimate Time
A weekend trip from Jakarta. Depart on Friday evening, going back on Sunday noon and arrive at Jakarta in the evening. If you are not in hurry, 4 days and 3 nights are enough.


Transportation
From Jakarta to Merak Port, there are plenty buses to go to Merak port. The bus ticket range 15-17 thousands rupiah for economic buses and 18-22 thousands rupiah for aircon buses.
Boat to Bakauheuni port is 12.000 rupiah and depart every hour, 24 hours a day.
Due to road very bad to Kiluan Bay, public transport to Kiluan is almost non exist. They are very rare and have no definite schedule. The only way is to rent a car fit for 7 persons max, for around 2-2.3 millions rupiahs a day. 
Motor taxi around Pegadung beach and around. You can rent motor taxi per day with 100-130 thousands rupiah.
Jukung, small boat to see to see the dolphins range 250-300 thousands rupiah.



Foods
There's small mini market near Kiluan, but after in Kiluan Bay area you will not found any mini market. They have warung but it's only for groceries. Better to arrange the meal with local person.


Place to Stay
You can set a tent on the beach or stay in a homestay. There's a homestay which usually full in the weekend. Contact person Mr. Amin : +62.812.7228.3879


Important
Almost no signal for mobile phone
No ATM in the area, make sure that you have enough cash. 
If you prefer to take a tour via travel agent is fine. he charge around 700-850 thousands rupiah. But if you want to arrange with a local people you can contact Mr. Asse, mobile phone +62.813.7936.5147 or +62.823.7263.5106. I use to trip with 13 people and we only got charge for 650K rupiah including car from Bakauheuni - Kiluan (return), motor taxi, meals 5 times, tent to sleep, jukung and tips for his service 200K from all of us.
Pegadung Beach
 
 
Karang Bolong Beach
 
 
 
 
  

Monday, September 10, 2012

Sawarna Beach, Ride of That Waves!!

What's In Sawarna ?
Sawarna village is like a jewel hidden by the hills and valleys of Bayah district, Serang - Banten province. About 5 hours from Jakarta by car, make Sawarna a perfect weekend gateway from the crowded city. 

Before, not many people know about this little paradise due to the difficulty of the public transportation (unless you rent a car). This place is very popular among surfers. Surfers arrived in this village since years ago to enjoy the huge-unending waves.  Apart of the waves, Sawarna also offer many kind of attractions. In this village you can find the green paddy fields, white sand beaches, cave and beautiful views.
 
In the morning you can enjoy the sun coming over the hill at Lagoon
Pari. If the weather not good, morning at that beach will be misty, mysterious indeed. After, your can walk through paddy field path and a swing bridge to Goa Lalay and see only water source located within the cave. During the day you can relax on the beach or go surfing. Then you can enjoy a walk through the beach to Tanjung Layar with coral walls and huge waves while enjoy a spectacular view of sunset. If the sea is calm, you can cross to Palistir beach.

If you take Pelabuhan Ratu route, there is also another surfing spot at Cimaja village. 

Estimate Time
If you use private car, depart on Friday evening and arrive early the in morning around 4 am. Then going back on Sunday afternoon and arrive in Jakarta in the evening.

Using public transportation is a bit tricky because they do not operate in the evening. Mostly early in the morning until late afternoon. But still can make it through weekend even in tight schedule.

Transportation
Perfect route for private car Jakarta -  Sukabumi - Pelabuhan Ratu - Bayah - Sawarna.

The public transportation still rare, but here are some available transportation.
  • From Kampung Rambutan terminal – to Pelabuhan Ratu terminal – take ELF to Sawarna  (only once a day and it leave exactly on 12 o’clok)
  • From Kampung Rambutan terminal or Kalideres terminal or Kebon Jeruk Highway – to Serang (Pakupatan terminal) take DAMRI  to Bayah terminal (only 3 times a day) – motor taxi (ojek) to Sawarna
  • From Kampung Rambutan terminal or Kalideres terminal or Kebon Jeruk Highway – to Serang (Pakupatan terminal) take ELF to Malingping – then small car (angkot) to Bayah – motor taxi (ojek) to Sawarna
  • Train Station Tanah Abang to Rangkas –  take ELF to Malingping – then small car (angkot) to Bayah – motor taxi (ojek) to Sawarna
Foods
Plenty of traditional or kampung foods.

Place to Stay
Nowdays many homestay at Sawarna Village. The first homestay is Widi Homestay, mobile number +62.819.1128.2912 ot +62.859.2003.1692

Importance 
No ATM in the area. Make sure you bring enough cash.
Barely have covered signal with mobile phone.
Nothing serious, only need to be polite with the people and not much exposed skin in the village, please.