richard's posts with tag: java hidden beauty
 (continuation of part I http://richardkurni.multiply.com/journal/item/14/Revisiting_the_Part_of_Mid_Java_-_Dec_07_Part_I)
.......... place was good indeed, but very humble with several small shops selling some supplies.
On the way downhill, I saw un-promoted waterfall, named ‘Kahyangan’ in the Wonolelo village; on the official plank, it was named ‘Kedung Kayang’. I paid the ticket for two thousands each and then chose the short trek about two or three hundred meters heading to the place higher than the waterfall, so that I could see the small river on top of the waterfall. If the route to Wonosobo was not far, I would have then chosen the long trek heading to the waterfall basin far down below. Should I have chance again to go there with better situation, then I would go closer to the waterfall basin to get better view.
Around 4 pm my car reached Ketep, a place used as public post to observe active volcano of Merapi. There were big mosque and great restaurant equipped by binoculars. Some local people also rented small binoculars to see the peak of that mountain. Merapi volcano that was active several months ago was sleeping now, so that I could not see smoke on the peak of Merapi. However, it was clear day, so I could see the peak pretty clearly. I used my tele-lens instead of binocular to see the peak. The restaurant’s parking lot was full, so that I needed to park my car in the other place close to the mosque. There were lots of tourist buses too. Below the restaurant, there were lots of small (blue) humble tents where local people sold ‘tempe mendoan’ and grilled corn. I could not stay that long, since there was still long way to reach Wonosobo.
 Since I had snacks when I was driving, I did not feel so hungry for lunch. I was then having my real late lunch at ‘es Eny’ restaurant, very close to Magelang. The food was okay but I considered it expensive compared to the other food in mid Java. I did not spend too much time in this restaurant, since I did not want to be too late to reach Wonosobo. It was almost 6 pm, when I started my car to go to Wonosobo.
Perhaps my eyes were not that good as before, I did not feel comfortable to drive in the night especially when it rained. And since from Magelang and so on, it was rainy night, my eyes then suffered. I changed my plan to stay in Wonosobo and informed the hotel to cancel my booked room. I stayed in Parai, Kledung Pass hotel in small town of Kledung, between Sindoro mountain on the South East and Sumbing mountain on the North West. I had stayed in this hotel long time ago, and I had bad experience with their services, but since many friends of mine said that there was new management with better services then I liked to try once more. Lucky me, that there were few left rooms for me to stay that night. I found that with new management of ‘El John’, the hotel services were indeed better than before. The room condition was slightly better too. I chose the room on the second floor with balcony heading to Sumbing mountain.
I woke up very early to see how nice the morning would be broken. But I was too late to take the picture of moonset on the back of Sumbing mountain. I was then going around the hotel to see the sunrise; but since the sun rose on the back of the Sindoro mountain, then the yellow morning sun would never be seen from this location. I went around in the backyard and garden in the front of the hotel taking some pictures. I also saw small lovely pool in front of the hotel. I was then having ‘nasi rawon’ for breakfast in the nice hotel restaurant. But I did not really like this kind of ‘nasi rawon’ since it was sweet and had lots of fat oil. However, the nut ‘peyek’ was pretty delicious (I was about tired of dietary of avoiding fried and oily foods). It seemed that restaurant also served lots of visitors who were just stopping by using rented travel cars.
 After I had checked out, I drove my car back to Parakan and then went to north to town of Weleri. This route was taken due to it was said that there was great waterfall close to Sukorejo. Along the way, the weather changed very rapidly and very frequently. Sometime it was dry and clear, but it also changed to be rainy and windy again and again. Lucky me that when I reached the waterfall, it was only light rain, so that I was able to take picture. The waterfall was named ‘Curug Sewu’, located around 4.5 km away in the east of the junction of the main road Sukorejo. Around the waterfall, there was small simple zoo but I did not go to there at all since I had been crushed on the waterfall. Beside that, it was so hard but challenging to take picture without tripod in the light rain (I hate myself for forgetting my tripod at home). There were lots of steep stairs to see the upper and downside of the waterfall. I only went to upper and middle side of the waterfall, for some reasons like it sometime heavily rained and the stairs were really steep (considering my route that day was still long to go to Cilimus - Kuningan). There was also viewing building to see the great scenery down below; and on the rock apex I could also see the waterfall. There were lots of monkeys around, but they were seemed not that wild, since they did not like to snatch tourist stuff or small stuff and supplies sold by local people in the small tents.
I continued to drive to Weleri and then headed to west trying to reach Cilimus - Kuningan before dusk. My prediction was I would reach Cilimus right before dusk if I had quick lunch on the way there. The traffic seemed pretty empty, so that I was optimistic to reach Cilimus before dusk. I would then take a rest and in the same time I had my late lunch in ‘Kepiting Prima’ in Pemalang. To me this restaurant was nice, even though the food taste itself was not that special but yes more than average. One thing that I did not like to have meal in here was their longtime services, but I hoped that it was that long since it was not lunch time. I finally realized that because I spent too much time during lunch for their longtime services, I would reach Cilimus after dusk. The worse was I had not booked the room in Cilimus. So, I was relying on my luck.
My eyes suffered again when it was rainy again in the night. However, I was lucky since the traffic was pretty empty and the road condition was not that bad compared to the one several years ago when I had lots of small but deep holes like booby trap. I reached hotel in Cilimus after 7 pm and hoped there was proper room left. The hotel I chose was Grage Sangkan, where I had stayed in there few years ago during Ied Holiday. The superior room was full already, but lucky me, that the reception gave the junior suit with the rate of superior room; so I took it. However, I thought that the superior room rate was already pretty expensive compared to the one I had paid on my previous stay.
Right after I had finished downloading my baggage, I went to Laksana restaurant, where my favorite food ‘Gurame Cobek Sambel Hijau’ available. I actually wanted to satisfy my desire of this food since I was not hungry due to my late lunch in ‘Kepiting Prima’. I had ordered small fish for my meal, but it seemed that the smallest one was still big enough for me who was not hungry. That delicious food was able to raise my appetite so that I could finish that big meal.
I went to Tirta Sanita hotel to see the new room rate, beside that I would like to know what was the new facility available in this hotel, since the last time I had gone there, the facility was partially on construction (or renovation?). To be honest, since I had seen the new room rate of Grage Sangkan hotel, I was really curious how much the new room rate of Tirta Sanita is. It used to be pretty higher. But I was surprised to see that their room rate was not that higher than the one of Grage Sangkan. I was a little regret being checked into Grage Sangkan. I should have checked Tirta Sanita first before I checked in to Grage Sangkan. However, I might miss room in both hotels if the condition were really full. Some how, I got junior suit too in Grage Sangkan. Before I went back to my hotel, I spent some more time in Tirta Sanita’s back yard to see more detail situation of this lovely hotel. I loved the situation and would like to stay there some other time in the future.
I went back to Grage Sangkan and watched TV till fell asleep. I actually wanted to go to church since it was Christmas’s eve, but since I did not have any information about the close church near hotel and its liturgy schedule, and I was tired and had problem with my throat too then I just lied on the bed on Christmas’s eve.
I woke up a little late in the morning, since I knew that there was no chance to take great sunrise around the hotel area. I walked around the garden in the back and enjoyed the scenery and breeze in the morning. Since the hotel breakfast would be close at 10 am then I had heavy great breakfast around nine. I asked the hotel officer to get late check out, but they refused due to the rooms were full and lots of visitors would come that day. I was then spending my spare time on the bed watching sport TV and then checked out almost noon. Before I checked out, I visited the big pool since I was curious to hear the crowd from there; and I found out that the big pool were opened for any visitor, meanwhile the smaller one near the restaurant was only for hotel guests.
The traffic between Cirebon and Jakarta was also pretty empty, so that even though there were several rainy roads, I could reach Cikampek on time. I was just afraid of traffic jam around Eretan Wetan – Kandanghaur, where my brother was stuck before. I understood what my brother had said before that the road’s lane left was only one during the traffic jam on Idul Adha holiday few days ago.  It was because the two lanes were on construction (or re-construction?) and one out of the other two lanes available was occupied by prayer on Idul Adha. So, only one lane left for transportation of both directions. The drivers had no choice but alternated the usage of the only one lane available for both directions. It surely caused congested traffic. But in my case, I was lucky since I passed that road not on Idul Adha, so there were two lanes available for both directions; one lane for each direction.
I had my simple lunch in the toll way rest area. That was also because I would like to know this rest area, since I had never stopped there before. Finally, I reached my home before 5 pm and saw my car’s odometer that I had driven my car over than 1,550 km during the last 6 days and 5 nights. I calculated my car’s gas consumption and found out that it took a liter gas for more than eleven kilometers; much better than its consumption if I used it in the city. I just remembered that I should go to old weapons museum at Palagan – Ambarawa.
To see more photoes, please click on http://richardkurni.multiply.com/photos/album/30 and .... (check on my gallery and kindly give critics on it, there are more than two albums related to this journal)
 I had just gotten back from Wakatobi Dive Trip few days ago when this trip started. But the plan for this trip had been made pretty long time ago after several consideration that some other destination had been dropped, beside I was still a little tired of the previous trip. I almost canceled this trip since I was still having problem with my throat, however I did not want to let my relatives down.
The plan to leave Jakarta was supposed to be around 4 am before dawn, but then I postponed myself to give an extra rest for my body to get better condition especially for my throat. But my relatives in the other part of Jakarta were still leaving at 4 am in order to reach destination before dusk. Finally, I drove my car out of garage around 8.30 am, very late from the original plan, and had breakfast in the car. My brother who had left earlier had reached Eretan Wetan – Kandanghaur, and informed me that the traffic was heavily jammed started from Patrol village and totally stop at Eretan Wetan. I was just entering Cibubur toll way when I received that short message, so I changed the route to Bandung first, and using Padalarang – Jatinangor toll way then heading to Cirebon, avoiding traffic jam at Kandanghaur. I did not count in detail the route I took, but according to my odometer, this route was about 70 km farther then the route taken by my brother; but since the traffic of the route I took was smooth, so it only took about half hour longer then the one taken by my brother in normal traffic. I filled my car  with Pertamax around Jatinangor since gas station in Bandung toll way was run out of stock; and again I filled it again around Cirebon considering that there was possibly no more Pertamax gas station till close to Semarang. All of sudden I remembered that I had forgotten to bring my tripod and GPS, argghh. Seemed that because I left very late, my brother rerouted his car to go to Guci, a tourist object, near Slawi – Tegal hoping that we would be together to reach destination. My car panel alarmed me that there was problem with my brake, but sometime the alarm switched off. So I suspected that the brake fluid was depleted. I stopped my car and checked it out, and I was right that the brake fluid was at the minimum level, so what I had checked before I left Jakarta was wrong, I should have checked more detail. I knew this problem was not that emergency and did not need immediate action, so I continued driving my car and in the same time I was looking brake fluid to be added. I found out that was not easy to find brake fluid with the specification (neutral DOT 4) needed for my car in the country side. I had my late lunch at ‘Mbok Berek’ close to small town of Brebes; and since my throat was still in problem and very itchy, I only took ‘sayur asem and rice’ and avoided any fried food. I had reached Tegal and still could not find DOT 4 brake fluid, while my brother had also reached Tegal and had his lunch at ‘Kepiting Prima’. Along the way from Pekalongan till destination in Bandungan, it was mostly rainy, few was heavy rain, lots of light rain with several dry area. Close to Mangkang – Semarang, I took wrong shortcut to Bandungan but then I used it to buy some more medicine since my previous medicines were almost out. I was back in the correct route to take Semarang toll way to Ungaran and bought some gas again. I reached Bandungan around 8 pm and had dinner at ‘Rina Rini’ before I checked in to Amanda Hotel. I chose the room in the down side of the hotel, at most north of  the room row, considering free scenery as my valuable expectation. Later, about more than half hour, my brother had also reached Amanda and stayed just beside my room. But I was tired (and perhaps my brother too), so that I continued to take rest in that night. I woke up too late in the morning to take picture of sunrise, but I did not regret that since it was cloudy morning. I went around the hotel garden to enjoy the morning cold breeze and asked the office boy to wash my dirty car. I and my relatives had breakfast almost 10 am, after my niece and nephew had swum in the hotel pool. My niece cried in the first time he jumped into the pool since it was really cold. After we had breakfast then we went to Ambarawa and visited Train Museum of Ambarawa. It was a little rainy when I took some pictures. We then tried old rail using small tourist train from Museum to Toentang, a small train station close to Ambarawa, back and forth. I did not remember how much the costs of the ticket for the museum and for the tourist train were, since all were paid by my relatives. We had no chance to use real old train since it had to be arranged in advance with enough passengers to share the cost, otherwise it would be costly for only several passengers. We were then heading back to Ambarawa downtown to have lunch in Chinese food restaurant. I was still avoiding any fried food to sooth my soar throat. Finished having lunch, we were then looking for ‘Klenteng’ (kind of Vihara) that my brother’s father in law knew before. That was unique ‘Klenteng’ in the top of small hill; and I took several pictures of it. Our trip was then continued to big pagoda that was  seen from the high way between Semarang and Ungaran. We found out that the pagoda was located in Watugong village, called Vihara Buddhagaya. I read in the location that giant Budha statue would be built in that location in the near future. The rain was really annoying us to go around and to take pictures. It was dusk when we were back to Bandungan. My brother car was heading directly to Bandungan, while mine was stopping few times to look for brake fluid in Ungaran. But it seemed that it was too late, several shops had been closed and I could not find the suitable one for my car. I was close to Bandungan, when my brother messaged me that he would have dinner before back to the hotel. I was then joining him in the humble restaurant ‘Rina Rini’ close to Bandungan market. One of my favorite foods, ‘baikut’ - pork cooked with salted vegetable, was ordered; this menu was good but with its menu size, it would only good for several persons to consume. We would then back to the hotel in the night and took a rest. The following morning, we woke up just in time when sky was still red. But again, it was cloudy so that I could not take good picture of sunrise. I was then taking picture of ‘Rawapening Swamp’ in the foggy situation. Rawapening was originally a small lake with several swamps in the surrounding area; and as time went by the swamps were getting wider and wider and the lake was getting smaller and drying. Some areas were pretty dry long time ago so that the train could pass on it, as I just did yesterday.  That morning my relatives went to the Bandungan market (you know ladies) to see some items interesting and in the same time they exercised to walk down and uphill. They bought some good and fresh fruits. Some of them were going back using ‘motor ojek – motor public transportation’ due to very steep hill near the hotel. And I picked up the rest using car realizing that they would finally tired on the walk back.
My brother’s plan was to go back to Jakarta that day, while my plan was to continue to Tawangmangu – Karanganyar to see big waterfall named ‘Grojogan Sewu’. It seemed that my plan was really tempting so that my brother’s father in law would like to join me. Then they just changed their plan to join me to Tawangmangu. We would then call the hotel in Tawangmangu to book more rooms. Lucky us, there were few more rooms left for us, even though the rooms location were not favorable, but okay for just a night stay.
While my brother’s car was heading directly to Tawangmangu, my car was heading to Semarang first to buy suitable brake fluid at my relative’s shop in Semarang. I was lucky since the shop was pretty close to the toll gate, so that I did not have to mingle with the heavy traffic of Semarang. Shortly, my little problem with brake fluid was over and my car was speeded to Tawangmangu. The route I took was thru Ungaran, Bawen, Salatiga, Boyolali, Kartosuro, Surakarta (Solo), Karanganyar, Tawangmangu. I had my late lunch between Kartosuro and Solo, at ‘Mbok Sarun’, a very small ‘warteg’. I paid less than ten thousand rupiahs to have ‘nasi pecel’ and chicken ‘soto’ with with tea. It was almost dusk when I reached Tawangmangu. I checked in to Komajaya Komaratih Hotel. Actually, the original plan was to stay in Pondok Asri Hotel, but  this hotel was already full booked and the receptionist advised me to book room at Komajaya Komaratih Hotel. The hotel room was a little smelly and the style was not my type, frankly, but the other options were full booked either, so I did not have other choice. However, this hotel was okay for one night stay. My brother had already checked in and he was going around Tawangmangu to gather more information and other hotels to stay the future. It seemed that nice hotels were not that much in small town like Tawangmangu. My favorite hotel was still the hotel I would like to stay in the very beginning, e.g. Pondok Asri. I and my brother agreed on this issue, and then based on the information that had been gathered several minutes ago, we went to Vihara Lawu a bit above Tawangmangu thru small road in the right side of the main road. Several visitors were there to perform their rituals. My brother’s father in law did that too, but other relatives were just enjoying the chilling wind. To enter the building, visitors needed to leave shoes and sandals outside; and the freezing floor would chill your feet. I did not bring my camera flash along with me, so that I used built in flash to take picture that actually not enough for that situation. We also got information that there were several places for many rituals around the Vihara, like small temple in front of Vihara where people used to pray to Lawu Spirit and other place below the Vihara for other religious rituals.  We were then back to Tawangmangu; and when we saw amazing scenery of Karanganyar (or Solo?) in the night with shimmering lights, we stopped for a while. My brother was about taking picture when the mist winded across and blocked our sight away. We had no chance to take picture at all and even our road became hard to see, so that we had to drive pretty slowly. We were then going to the restaurant close to Pondok Sari (not Pondok Asri) to have dinner. I was still avoiding any fried and oily food. I rather chose watery food with little oil to sooth my throat, such as chicken ‘soto’.
After we had finished our dinner, we went back to the hotel. My brother and his family continued to take rest, while I and my relative were going out to walk downhill along the main road of Tawangmangu to enjoy town in the night just for a little while. I saw many rabbit sate seller along the road, and many youngsters were sitting on the floor having their delicious sate. Afraid of tire and unable to go uphill back to the hotel then I did not walk downhill that far; and I was back to the hotel and took a rest. I was late to wake up in the following morning, so that my brother and other relatives had already checked out and went to the waterfall while I was still having breakfast. I was a little poignant for being late to wake up, loosing chance to see the quiet waterfall in the morning. I had quick breakfast and then checked out right away to go to ‘Grojogan Sewu’, a great waterfall in Tawangmangu. Instead of passed thru ordinary gate, I chose the second gate down below that had relative gentler trek. But I was astonished to see the gate still closed while the day was  already shiny. My brother’s car was there but they were gone away. I knew that they must have found an alternative road to get in. So that I asked local people to show me that road, but he refused to show and advised me to wait till the gate opened by the officials. Why should I wait those lazy officials? I could not wait for that and found the road out by myself. I planned to see the waterfall early in the morning when it was still quiet and took good picture of it; more than that, the weather would usually be better in the morning than it was in the day or later. Not that long, I also saw other local people used the same alternative road I used to enter the area. When I was close to the waterfall area, I found that I was a little late since there were people there, even though it was not that crowded. There was small pool for people to swim down below the waterfall, but I was not interested in swimming neither taking picture of it. I was more interested in the small stony river around the area. Not that long, visitors flocked into that area. It was really hard to find good place to take picture. Moreover, it started to rain, phew. I was used to swim into the waterfall basin, but seeing that situation, I canceled my chance. I also realized that the landscape around the waterfall had been rearranged and was quite different compared to that more than several decades ago when I was there in the first time with my beloved parents. On the way back to parking lot, the stony trek became so slippery due to the rain. I felt so pity of the little baby brought by his/ her parents; I was afraid that if they slipped down, the baby would most likely be injured. From ‘Grojogan Sewu’, I and my brother separated; my brother went back to Bandung and Sukabumi, meanwhile I continued my trip to Wonosobo. I was not really sure what had just happened in the parking lot, I saw few visitors were arguing with local people who rented the horses. It sounded that they were having miscommunication about the deal made before. I was just taking picture of the horses and went away to continue my driving to Wonosobo. That time I took this route, e.g. Karanganyar, Solo, Kartosuro, Boyolali, Selo, Mungkid, Magelang, Secang, Temanggung, Parakan, Kledung, Kertek, Wonosobo.  I had not been passing Selo for such a long time ago. This place should be very good, since it was between active volcanoes, e.g. Merapi on the South and Merbabu on the North. I was absolutely correct, the scenery around Selo was amazing, and beside that the mountain breeze was so relaxing. I found new hotel in Selo, named Agrowisata Selo Pass. This hotel was located in the right side of the main road from Boyolali to Mungkid and had operated for around two years. For such small town like Selo, this hotel had pretty good design and great scenery. Not far away from this hotel, there was higher good place to enjoy the small town scenery of Selo called New Selo. This place was good indeed, but very humble with several small shops selling some supplies.
On the way downhill, I saw un-promoted waterfall, ....... (to be continued on part II http://richardkurni.multiply.com/journal/item/15/Revisiting_the_Part_of_Mid_Java_-_Dec_07_Part_2_-_The_End) To see more photoes, please click on http://richardkurni.multiply.com/photos/album/30
 Had no plan for Ied holiday, I finally agreed to go to Bromo Mountain and its surrounding. It was not me, if I just went to Bromo without additional adventurous plan, especially when I had been chosen to lead the group :D. So I planned to search great waterfall on south Semeru mountain, using information from Google Earth combined with GPS.
I got no ticket on 12 Oct 2007, so I went on 13 Oct instead. The streets were pretty empty during this holiday. Early in the morning I arrived in Surabaya, went to pick up car, had quick ‘nasi pecel’ breakfast and then directly drove to Bromo mountain.
I was stucked in Lapindo mudflow for about an hour, but that was okay for me (comparing with the traffic in Jakarta). The mudflow forced every car to exit from Porong toll way. From Porong, the car headed to Gempol thru regular road, and then to Pasuruan and so on. My plan was to have lunch in ‘Rawon Nguling’, but too bad it was close; So I changed the plan and had lunch in ‘Tongas Asri’. It was pretty crowded, but the foods were pretty good. From the sms, I got information that the other participants would join directly from Tretes to Bromo and met up there in the hotel.
Finished my lunch in small city, Tongas, I directly headed to the south, Bromo, thru small town, like Lumbangkuning and Sukapura. I just realized that the sun was still high, so I would arrive in Bromo during bright day, much earlier than the plan. That was why I changed the plan, I went to waterfall ‘Madakaripura’ close to Lumbang. After paying Rp 2500 per person (with no receipt ticket?) I arrived at the Madakaripura parking lot.
 I never regretted changing my plan. The waterfall was great, and lucky me that on the afternoon the waterfall was not so crowded. I could take great pictures of it. Several things to be noted were unfinished bridge, so that I had to drive very carefully; And the trekking pedestal to waterfall, where many spots were heavily damaged. I never intended to use guide, but since I had never been there, I allowed one person to come with me as guide without asking the price (this was a mistake).
I found that the route to the waterfall was actually not that difficult as I thought before. I also found that I should bring my raincoat or umbrella to avoid water splash from the waterfall. Lucky me that there were people who rent the umbrellas; Too bad that the umbrella was not that big and strong, so that it was close down when I was using it to pass under small waterfall to go to the right place to take pictures. My cloth became wet; Lucky me that the camera bag was pretty good to protect the camera, so that only few splash came into the bag, but the camera and lenses were okay. Finished taking pictures, I gave back the umbrella with some fee. On the way back, I also took some pictures of the river stream. I was surprised when the guide asked for the fee, it was very expensive! I should have asked him before using him. Okay, I paid anyway, but I promised myself that I would never use it again for such services. It was not worth at all. And I was more surprised when I found my car washed and some kids asked for the fee too. I never asked them to wash my car, beside that my car was clean! And no need washing at all. I told them in very polite way, that what they did was sleek extortion to tourist and it will deteriorate their image. They finally understood, but I gave them some money anyway for the sake of compassion. After changing my wet clothes, I drove to Ngadisari. I arrived at Bromo Permai I – Ngadisari hotel after dusk. The hotel location was great, right on the edge of Bromo caldera. I and other participants had some discussion about the plan for tomorrow and lots of chitchat since we had never met for such long time. We also planned to rent car for tomorrow morning to see sunrise in Penanjakan thru sand sea in caldera. It was surprising that local people did not allow tourist car to pass the caldera. Their reasons were too dangerous for tourist and some un-logical reasons. If they would like to conserve Bromo as National Park professionally, there were many other ways for sure. Anyway, I paid the ticket to rent car for Penanjakan route of Rp 250K (while the Ranupane route would cost me Rp 350K) and the officer advised me to deal directly with the driver if I would like to use it again to Ranupane. In the meantime, I was proposing that they should let tourist car pass the sand sea route if the tourist were willing to pay the same amount, so every body felt okay.  After I was back to the hotel, the long discussion still carried on after dinner. In the same time, I had to take care of my camera, lenses, and its bag, since the bag was heavily splashed by the water in ‘Madakaripura’ earlier. I finally fell asleep almost midnight. At 3 am in the morning, the rented car driver woke me up. I was ready at 3.30 am and headed to Penanjakan. As soon as I reached Penanjakan, I walked to the peak where so many local people offered long john jacket for rent and warned that it would be very cold up there. I was not so cold that time, so I was just wearing one long hand t-shirt plus short hand t-shirt and glove. Right after I reached the peak, I prepared my photo gear. I took position in the front of the stage; Even so, I realized that the stage fence became an obstacle for me who used tripod. But I got no choice, so be it. All I had to do was to get the best tripod position setting. Other participants were curious to see what I was doing; And they helped me too. This was meaningful, since I needed to try several filters and change lens. I got many lessons using several filters and lenses. Not that long, it became so crowded, so many foreign tourist came to the front and their feet touched and moved my tripod, till I had to tell them that they were annoying me taking pictures. However, I could not merely blame them, since they were so enthusiastic to the breathtaking sunrise and would like to memorize it into their camera, just like I would. I also found out that even though my body could stand against the chilly wind, my hands and fingers were shaking; But if I used my glove, I lost my feeling on my camera, phew what a dilemma. Few people sang a song just right the sun rose while others shouted happily; so good to hear that. One important lesson was I had to be prepared for strong wind that might bring dust that was surely not good for my camera especially when I was changing lens. Finished taking pictures, my groups had small breakfast of ‘Jagung Bakar’. 10 plus 1 f.o.c. ‘jagung bakar’ at Rp 2000 each were gone within few minutes.
 My rented car headed back to the hotel. But on the way back, I stopped at Penanjakan II, and I took few pictures. The car moved again to the sand sea and I stopped again close to Bromo-Batok mountains and Temple in middle of sand sea. I did not want to miss the chance taking picture even though I did not have much time. I had no chance to go up to the Bromo crater thru hundreds stair and neither Widodaren Cave (many people said it was small and not worth to see), however I was pretty satisfied taking pictures in surrounding area.
I needed to save time, since I planned to go to Ranupane and Ranuregulo. I did not want to be too late to reach both Ranus, so I rushed back to the hotel. By the way, looking at the Ngadisari – Penanjakan route taken by the rented four by four car, I was so sure that even two-wheel drive car with two thousands cc engine (or more) made in year two thousands or later would be okay to be used as long as the driver was capable enough. My group had pretty quick breakfast in the hotel and prepared simple logistic to go to Ranupane. I found out that even though I used the same car that I rented before, the driver did not give any discount for renting the car to Ranupane, that was Rp 350K. To my perspective, they did not have sense of business. However, I just wanted to enjoy my vacations, so let it be. They should learn as time went by.  It was between ten and eleven a.m. when I was ready on the rented car heading for Ranupane. On the way to Ranupane, the car stopped in front of ‘Teletubies’ hills, a hill that so called ‘Teletubies’ since it was green with grass just like in the film ‘teletubies’. I used this chance to take pictures again. Too bad that the color of savanna was not good. It was supposed to be colorful, not just one brownish color; But perhaps it was because of long dry seasons, so that only one species of grass could grow while other species waited for rainy seasons. Most of the time the wind blew from the front, so that the dust did not become obstacle, but from time to time the wind direction changed, so the car had to stop to let the dust go away; However, the dust was so annoying, since it was coming from the active volcano, so that it was not ordinary dust, plus the rented car was not air tight so that the dust could get in the car. I saw Suzuki two wheel drive from the opposite direction; It ensured me that two wheel drive car was actually usable in this area. While my rented car reached the junctions up the mountain, I remembered that I had been here so long time ago using Isuzu Panther from Malang (at that time I was not sure to carry on to Ranupane nor to Bromo). I had quick shot of Semeru ‘coughing’ from inside the car. Right after my rented car reached Ranupane area, I walked to Ranupane, took several slow speed shots and carried on to Ranuregulo. I saw simple cottage was being built on Ranupane, while other wooden building on Ranuregulo was not well maintained and started to rot (might be there were not lots of tourist?). There was trekking pedestal that was just finish lately, but this trekking route was not completely circling the ranu, too bad. There was also small damage concrete pier with lots of kid playing around; some of them were fishing. I made fire out of dry sticks gathered from surrounding area to grill sausage in Ranuregulo; And I had simple lunch of grill sausage, with bread and margarine under damage shelter close to Ranuregulo. I had to be very careful with fire due to lots of dry grass in the surrounding area and doused the fire with water from Ranu before I left. After I had some chitchat I got back to the car and drove back to the hotel. And again I was lucky enough since the wind direction in the sand sea had changed again; However, there were lots of dust entering the car and made my nose so itchy and hard to breath. Beside that I was always concern with my camera, phew. Even though I felt so tired, especially my leg, I could not take nap at all. So, I took a bath and then reviewed my pictures taken. I needed to delete several pictures due to I forgot to bring photo bank. Finished that, I had discussion with hotel officer about tourism issue in Bromo, hoping that I got what they had in mind, and they would understand what tourist in mind. Not that long, I and some other participants walked to the east, passing Lava View hotel. Actually there was rear gate of Bromo Permai hotel for shortcut, but the rear gate used to be locked up, so that I had to pass thru front gate. I found camping ground and volcanology inspection post with their damage viewing post on the edge of caldera. I took several interesting pictures around there and surely spent some more time till sunset. Other participants used their car to explore the west side, and they found that actually there was road from Ngadisari to Penanjakan thru the mountain instead of caldera; But this road was cut in the middle and I believed that was because of business reason (I hope I was wrong). They should learn about this impropriate act, since if the tourist felt lots of ease they would share to others and more tourist would come and then economic would grow faster. Finally I was just lying on the bed at night and having dinner on the bed :D. I woke up a little late in the morning; And I and other participants once again walked to the east, enjoy the morning dew in the bromo volcanology viewing post. Some local people passed by bringing grass for their cattle, while other brought dry sticks and charcoal for sale. Satisfied taking pictures I got back to the hotel, had breakfast and then packed up before checked out. After I finished all the administration, I headed again to waterfall Madakaripura.  In Madakaripura, I would become a guide this time. This time I asked ticket as I paid the entrance fee. The officer advised me to tell the kids in the parking lot not to wash the car if I did not want the car to be washed; And I surely followed this advise. On the trek to the waterfall I also needed to talk to the local people three times that my group did not need guide since I was there couple days before, while other participants also frequently came there. I was more prepared with umbrella to face the water splash close to the waterfall. Since I came there around noon, the place was pretty crowded so that I got difficulties in taking pictures. But hell with the pictures, I had it before, so that I took off my t-shirt and jumped and swam into the waterfall basin. My action was followed by others, ha3x.
I stayed there for a while, and finally I had chance to take picture when all the people had gone away. On the parking lot, I found that my car had been washed again, even though I left message to the kids not to wash my car. After changing my clothes, I gave couple thousands rupiah for the kids for the shake of compassion, just like couple days before.  While other participants went back to Tretes, I was driving my car a little bit faster to south Semeru, trying to reach bridge close to Piket Nol (and huge waterfall that nobody knew before) before dusk. I finally reached the lovely concrete bridge over the Semeru lava stream. The bridge was pretty and high; A good place for bungee jumping. Some cars and motors stopped by the bridge to enjoy the scenery. There were few ‘warteg’ close to bridge selling simple meals and beverage. Too bad, there was one truck stopped on the bridge; I believed this was forbidden. How could they be so careless?
The journey on the south Semeru carried on to find the huge waterfall; But it was dusk already, so that I decided not to search it. But I got the better clue of the situation, so that next time it would be easier for me to reach there. The road on the south Semeru was smooth but not wide enough. However, I believed that the scenery during the day would be wonderful since I had been around long time ago. The whole route taken from Tongas on north side to the south Semeru and backed to Surabaya via Malang was Tongas – Probolinggo – Leces – Ranuyoso – Klakah – Lumajang – Tempeh – Pasirian – Pronojiwo – Dampit – Turen – Tumpang – Singosari – Lawang – Pandaan – Gempol – Porong – Toll way to Surabaya. I did not have lunch, since I missed the recommended restaurant in Probolinggo due to I turned before the intended junction where the restaurant was located at. I had a piece of cake and instant noodle instead (while taking pictures of the bridge). In the nite, I had ‘nasi rawon khas HTS’ for dinner at HTS, Singosari. After that I continued driving my car till Surabaya and reached the lovely bed almost 11 pm. Next time, I will surely go to the unvisited huge waterfall and … Ijen mountain.
|  | GPS: Entrance S 06o 40,501' ; E106o 45.070’
I haven't been camping for a while.. plus Jakarta was so hot; Needed to go to a cool place..
A friend of mine from the mailist asked me to join him to camp to Sukamantri, less than 10 km South west of Bogor. The last 2 km was a damned crazy stone road.
However, the camping ground was good, plus great companions, made this occasion great!!. Very simple meals n 'fire' liquid were in place boosting the happiness.
August supposed to be cold month in the dry season, but that was okay for me, long sleeve t-shirt with glove and socks were enough for me to enjoy the chilling nite in the open air. At 3.40 a.m. I was moving into my car to sleep for two reasons, cold and 'sound'... :)
After having breakfast, I went to waterfall near the camping ground, there were two waterfalls from the same creek..
I hope you know what I meant by 'waterfall from the creek'...
Tips:
Better use 4WD, eventhough 2WD would be able to reach
Take Ciapus direction, instead of Ciomas (Ciomas are for Curug Luhur)
No worry about F&B, there are many kiosks.
Very modest toilet and bathroom are available |
| | These are the pictures I took while I was on holiday in Kuningan during Lebaran 2006
Read also my trip report on my blog (Trace of my Pen) with title "Tanpa Rencana, Jalan Tiba-tiba" in tag "Sangkanurip - Kuningan" |
 Seminggu kemaren gak ada planning buat jalan…. Dasar Jakarta panas dan sepi… yach pabobu… cari tujuan buat ngadem,.. Yang gak terlalu jauh (toh gak kepingin ninggal rumah lama-lama juga, takut dimaling), juga gak terlalu crowded dan….. gak macet…. Pilihan jatuh ke kawasan Kuningan – Cirebon.. (dulu pernah mampir dan bermalam disana, cuman saat itu buruburu jadi belum menikmati suasana dan salah pilih hotel, sehingga kurang enjoy). Masih mikir juga gimana supaya tanaman dirumah gak mati kekeringan…. Akhirnya ketemu idenya juga gimana supaya mereka gak terlalu tersiksa tanpa disiram selama beberapa hari, jadi persiapannya malah nyelametin tanaman dulu... huehehheheh. Minggu sore.. kelar deh persiapan tanaman… Senin pagi.. badan koq kurang seger… rencana mo brangkat pagi jadi gak jelas… tapi juga gak ada target juga mesti Senin.. bisa Selasa, Rabu.. dstnya… lah emang gak planning koq. Siang mayan seger.. akhirnya jam sekitar setengah satu cabut juga ….. hitung2.. sekitar jam 5 lewat mestinya sudah sampe tujuan… Makan siang?? Hmm.. mampir bentar ke Mc D drive thru, jadi deh makan siang sambil nyetir di tol. Rutenya ngambil via tol Jakarta – Sadang – Bandung – Cileunyi, dengan harapan jalanan gak sepadat kalo lewat pantura. Pengisian Pertamax terakhir di tol (sekitar km 147) sebelum keluar Cileunyi, karena perhitungan gue setelah ini gak ada pengisian Pertamax lagi sampai di Kuningan. Setelah keluar tol Cileunyi gue ambil arah Cicalengka – Nagreg – Malangbong – Wado – Bantarujeg – Cikijing – Kuningan. (tidak mengambil arah Sumedang – Kadipaten – Palimanan – Cirebon – Kuningan, karena jalan ini pasti lebih padat bagi pemudik dari seputar Bandung yang mengarah ke pantura.) Perjalanan enak, mulus, dan lancar sampai dengan Malangbong. Dari Malangbong hingga Wado jalan mulai kecil, namun tetap mulus dan lancar. Dari Wado ke Bantarujeg sebagian badan jalan rusak, memang kerusakan tidak parah dan kira2 separo jalan. Namun dengan mengendarai sedan, maka tingkat kerusakan aspal mengelupas dan kerikil lepas terasa sangat mengganggu dan sangat menghambat. Perjalanan dilereng gunung yang banyak pemandangan semestinya enak dinikmati jadi mubazir, konsentrasi jadi ke jalan yang rusak, walo dikit dikit masiy juga nglirik pemandangan, hehhehe. Sekitar maghrib lewat, perjalanan baru mencapai Telagakulon, jadi kemalaman. Sesampai di Darma, mencoba mampir ke cottage ditepi waduk Darma, siapa tau ada kamar kosong (dibayangi kekhawatiran penginapan di Kuningan bakal full book), syukur masih ada!! dan setelah diliat… langsung dengan halus gue hindari… lha kamarnya sangat pengap, lampu remang-remang dan kondisi sekitar yang sangat minim penerangan, bisa-bisa jadi bermalam ala FearFactor donk…hahahhaha apalagi pemandangan yang sangat biasa saja. Perjalanan dilanjutkan ke Kuningan yang tidak jauh lagi. Dari rencana tiba di Kuningan sekitar jam lima sampe setengah enam sore, jadi molor hingga sekitar setengah tujuh malam.  Betul betul tanpa rencana mo nginep dimana, jadi saat sampai Kuningan, kontak ke temen yang asli orang Kuningan, tanya arah dan rekomendasi. Jadilah ke desa Sangkanurip di Cilimus (sedikit arah Utara Kuningan). Dari rekomendasi temen katanya hotel Sangkanurip dan Grage Sangkan (S 6* 53,177' :E 108* 29,858'). Harap harap cemas hotel bakal full masa peak season gene. Apalagi Grage yang katanya bagus.
Thanks God, masiy ada satu kamar standar tersisa di Grage, langsung tanpa babibu diambil. Setelah oke, baru nanyak apa ada diskon… ehhehehhee… syukurlah.. masiy juga dikasih walo cuman 10 persen. Tapi cuman SATU MALAM AJA!!… arrrkkhhh… lah besoknya???? Besok mesti pindah kelas ke Superior… dan kalo mo nambah lusa, harus pindah lagi ke Deluxe.. jadi tiap hari pindah mulu… nomaden gitu loh… J Setelah download pakaian dan ini itu… baru ngiter lagi.. liat hotel2 sekitarnya… tanya ini dan itu, rate, etc. Kesimpulannya… yang paling bagus adalah Hotel Tirta Sanita, dengan kompleks yang luas dan fasilitas yang lengkap berkelas bintang 3. Kedua Grage Sangkan yang masih kategori Melati, namun dengan kompleks yang luas dan fasilitas yang memadai, tentu saja oke banget buat kebanyakan orang. Ketiga hotel Prima Sangkanurip, dengan area yang lebih kecil lagi, namun masih oke juga. Tentu saja masih banyak hotel dan penginapan lain, misalnya Cipanas, Si Kabayan, Matari dan lain lain, namun menurut gue kurang nyaman sebagai hotel wisata, walo semuanya punya fasilitas air panas alami (mungkin di bawah tanah desa Sangkan semuanya ada air panasnya, hehehe). Tirta Sanita malam itu hanya tersisa kamar kelas Deluxe yang ratenya mayan jauh berbeda dengan Grage. Prima Sangkan masih ada yang standar. Ternyata gak full full amat nih di Sangkan, hehehe. Sekitar jam 8 malam, atas rekomendasi resepsionis hotel, gue rencana mampir ke Laksana buat dinner. Ada juga rekomendasi lain ‘Alinda’ namun kata hati lebih ke Laksana. Jaraknya sebenarnya tidak jauh dari Grage, hanya karena muter2 tanya hotel sana sini, jadi malah ‘kebuntel’ arak-arakan takbiran malam Lebaran. Arak-arakan yang pertama lewat mayan cepat dgn beduk bertalu-talu, sedangkan yang kedua rada aneh (karena ada taritarian semacam barong-sai sangat ala kadarnya, dengan kepala kecil terbuat dari kayu dan dibentuk/ dicat seadanya dan rambut2an yang juga ala kadarnya); parahnya jalannya lambat dan menghalangi mobil gue. Secara pribadi gue rada segan dengan arak2an yang umumnya cenderung holigan… Ternyata tari2an dgn kepala kayu tadi datang menghampiri mobil dan minta sumbangan. Setelah diberikan sumbangan (dengan harapan tidak naik ke mobil dan membaret mobil), mereka menyediakan jalan bagi mobil untuk menyalip… phewww…. selamet Sampai di Laksana…langsung tanya.. apa yang direkomen?? Gurami goreng bla bla bla katanya… Kebetulan lagi males sama goreng2an, akhirnya mesen Gurami Tim Cobek dan Kangkung Cah Polos. Minum Es Jeruk dan ahh.. satunya lupa… o ya nasi putih tentunya. Si waiter mengingatkan kalo Gurami Tim Cobek ini rada pedas; Dasar gue doyan pedas, gue timpalin, bikin ajah yang pedas sekalian… huahahhaha (secara pengalaman gue minta pedas, selalu dapetnya sedang-sedang saja) Busyett.. masaknya lumayan lama… Tapi penungguan yang mayan lama terbayarkan!! Gurami Tim Cobeknya muantappp tenan…. Gurami tim yang fresh terasa kenyal manis dan tidak terasa amis, dengan bumbu sambal ijo, hmmm pedasnya pas menurut lidah gue… Sayang tidak bawa kamera, jadi gak jeprat jepret, jadi gw crita ajah… J Penyajian Gurami diletakkan diatas daun pisang dan diatas Gurami disiram rata dengan bumbu sambal ijo yang diuleg lumayan halus. Harumnya siy biasa saja, sejujurnya gue enggak expect banyak dengan rasanya dengan menghirup baunya yang biasa saja. Bersamaan keluar juga Kangkung Cah Polos disajikan dengan hotplate; dengan bau yang biasa juga. Nasi putih yang dipesan, keluar dalam bentuk nasi merah, Gue tidak menolak nasi merah, krn dari kolega dokter menyarankan lebih baik nasi merah ketimbang nasi putih. Gurami jadi sasaran pertama disikat, …. Wuaahhhh… betul betul diluar dugaan, rasanya sedap sekali, kesegaran ikan dan kekenyalan daging yang manis dicampur dengan sambel ijo uleg dan bumbu2nya betul betul beyond expectation, gurih dan pedas, mantafff sekali disikat dalam kondisi panas.. Lidah jadi menarinari, antara enak, kepanasan dan sayang kalo kecepeten ditelen. Kangkung Cah Polos jadi dianaktirikan, hehehe. Setelah puas dengan Gurami, giliran Kangkung disikat, boleh juga tuw ternyata, bumbunya terasa sekali, sedikit asam mengarah manis. Namun kelasnya sedikit dibawah Gurami, sehingga seperti antiklimaks gitu deh setelah menyikat Gurami. Yang menarik saat gue kombinasikan antara Gurami dan Kangkung ini…. Eddiannn.. ternyata kombinasi yang pas sekali.. rasa gurih, pedas dari Gurami dan manis sedikit asam dari Kangkung membuat antiklimaks menjadi klimaks kembali…. Lidah menarinari lagi neh… uhuiii Serasa memesan tiga macam lauk dari dua macam lauk yang ada. Harga untuk Gurami memang lumayan, tapi worthed lahhh…. Puas deh dinner malam ini. Kelar dinner, balik hotel… istirahat, tidur-tiduran, sambil nonton StarMovies.…. Suara kenceng dari loudspeaker yang guedhe deket kamar yang terus menerus di setel dgn bunyi takbiran mewarnai malam ini (mungkin karena ini pula kamarnya jadi tersisa satu, hehehe), anyway, beginilah cara hidup bersama dengan toleransi terhadap perbedaan… nikmati ajah… J. Sampe malem nonton pilem dan pilem dan.. ZZZZZ….. bablas… gak mandi….. hahahhaha Bangun pagi,.. eh mungkin lebih tepatnya bangun kesiangan langsung nyamber kamera, muterin kompleks hotel Grage… sambil iseng jeprat jepret kesana kemari. Umumnya dikejauhan tampak bagian bagian pemandangan yang coklat – tanah/ tanaman kekeringan, juga di gunung Ciremai. Ternyata bagian belakang hotel Grage berbatasan langsung dengan hotel Tirta Sanita, jadi tau cottage mana yang mesti dipilih kalo bermalam di Tirta Sanita, Audi ato dua cottage di Utaranya keliatan paling oke dengan pemandangan gunung Ciremai. Dikompleks belakang Grage terdapat dua menara untuk aktivitas ‘flying fox’, kebun untuk aktivitas berkebun yang diperbolehkan bagi tamu hotel. Sempet liat juga bangunan sederhana yang gue duga adalah mess karyawan Grage. Ada juga tempat mancing. Semuanya dikitari jogging track. Gue lebih tertarik jalan lambat-lambat menikmati matahari dan angin pagi, dengan pemandangannya gunung Ciremai yang abu-abu tandus dipuncak, hijau di leher gunung, dan hijau coklat di lerengnya. Sekalikali motret juga. Angin pagi yang sejuk, betul betul nyaman membelai tubuh yang biasa kepanasan di Jakarta. Balik ke kompleks utama, ada juga kolam air dingin, kolam air panas dan kolam spa air panas, dan satu kolam lagi… hah hijau??? Gak minat sama sekali dgn yang terakhir… hehehhe  Setelah puas muter, baru deh breakfast sambil nonton video tentang Grage Sangkan dan obyek wisata seputar Kuningan dari acara salah satu station TV di Jakarta yang diputar berulangulang. Gak ada yang istimewa dengan menunya, omelet, bubur ayam, dengan jus jeruk dan teh panas.
Kelar breakfast, merasa belom puas keliling desa Sangkan semalam, muter lagi rada jauh, juga meninjau beberapa hotel yang belon sempat dikunjungi semalam. Kesimpulan semalam gak berubah… hehehe. Dan ternyata Alinda dan Laksana tidak buka disiang hari. Balik ke Grage, tunggu waktu pindahan kamar…… Jam duabelas (yang kata resepsionis batas check out) belon juga nih pindahan, moga moga ajah gak perlu pindah…moga2 yang booking gak dateng hahahha… Jam satu kurang dikit telpon masuk dan gue diminta pindahan… ya akhirnya pindahan juga, tapi dapetnya lebih oke nih. Di lantai satu lebih deket kekolam dan playground, juga menjauhi loudspeaker yang guedhee… J. Secara fasilitas kamar, sama persis dgn yang standar sebelumnya, dibedakan hanya pada luasan kamarnya saja. Kelar pindahan kamar, tiduran dan nonton pilem lagi deh….. Baru jam empat sore perut mulai ngomel minta diisi. Ini makan sore namanya… hahaha; Berhubung Laksana dan Alinda tutup, pilihan ke rumah makan lain ditikungan jalan Raya Cirebon –Kuningan dengan Jalan desa Sangkan, sayang lupa deh gue namanya, maap. Rekomendasi waiter berupa masakan berbahan dasar Gurami gue tolak, dengan was was kalo membuat rasa enak diingatan kemaren bakal sirna dan juga kepingin mencoba yang lainnya. Singkat kata menu Sop Buntut Goreng dan Nasi Rames jadi pilihan. Sambil menunggu hidangan, gue sempatin juga jalan2 ke belakang dimana terdapat tempat lesehan juga; Dan kebetulan ketemu dengan kawan dari Jakarta yang lagi mudik, ngobrol sana sini sejenak. Sekaligus nanya nanya obyek wisata dengan waiter disana. Gak lama hidangan siap.. hmm liat penampilan dan harumnya kurang menggugah selera; Dan ternyata rasa Sop Buntutnya biasa saja, cenderung dibawah rata2, hanya saja secara volume Buntut Gorengnya yang banyak menjadikan harga tersebut menjadi sedikit pantas. Kelar makan gue sempatkan tanya lagi mengenai obyek wisata diseputar Kuningan. Ada waduk Darma yang kemaren sudah gue lewati, beberepa curug (Sidomba dgn kambing bertanduk empat, Cilengkrang, Bangkong dan Landung), Pemandian Cibulan dgn ikan dewa, Desa Linggarjati (perjanjian Linggarjati) dan kompleks peninggalan barang prasejarah. Ada juga tempat ziarah Gua Maria Sawer Rahmat di Cigugur, yang beberapa taon lalu terjadi penampakan Bunda Maria di sini. Btw, ada pengalaman menarik dalam diskusi dengan waiter tadi .. Sudah dari dulu gue gak yakin dengan estimasi jarak dari orang didaerah pada umumnya (maap bukan menjelekkan lho, this is the reality). Gue sempet tanya, setinggi apa Curug Sidomba? Besar jawabnya… Seberapa besar?? 20 meter?? 2 meter pakkk lebih tinggi dikit dari orang sambil mengangkat tangannya (arrkkhhh 2 meter koq besar??? Tapi okelah, besar kecil kan relatif) Terus gue tanya lagi yang lebih tinggi dan besar apa?? Curug Bangkong pak.. Berapa?? 20 meter?? Iya sekitar segitu tingginya…. (gue masih gak yakin) stinggi rumah makan ini?? (tingginya sekitar 7 – 8 meter) Iya pak.. setinggi bata yang diatas rumah makan ini…. (Nah Loh???, kan jauh tuw 8 meter dibanding 20 meter) Ooo oke pak, terima kasih… Dari pengalaman ini jadi pelajaran, paling enak pake pembanding ketimbang pake meteran.. ahhhahahha. Setelah diskusi kesana kemari, akhirnya coba inspeksi jalan ke Cigugur Gua Maria. walo sudah sore supaya besok tidak repot cari cari lagi. Ditengah perjalanan ternyata ada belokan ke kiri ke arah kompleks peninggalan prasejarah cuman limaratus meter. Gue samperin deh, tapi ternyata udah sampai sekilometer juga gak jelas juntrungnya (ini lah Indonesiaku yang tidak memberikan informasi yang jelas dengan obyek wisatanya), balik lagi deh ke jalan semula dan melanjutkan ke Gue Maria. Dan ternyata jalan ke Gua Maria ini sejalan dengan jalan ke Curug Landung. Jalan ke Gua Maria ternyata cukup mudah dan jarak ke curug Landung sudah dekat, tinggal beberapa kilometer lagi dari petunjuk di jalan. Mobil dilanjutkan ke curug Landung dan melewati parkiran ke Jalan Salib Gua Maria yang penuh dengan mobil peziarah. Jalan melewati ini menuju curug Landung masih mulus, tapi makin sempit dan berkelokkelok. Sampai di curug Landung (S 6* 56,676' : E 108* 26,099') sudah lepas mahgrib. Dari keterangan penjaga pos ternyata curug cuman jalan kaki limapuluh meteran lebih dan suara curug sudah terdengar. Sampai jam brapa tutupnya, gue tanya. Si penjaga njawab, kalo ada pengunjung akan ditunggu sampe pulang semua. Hmm berarti bole juga neh gue terusin. Mobil langsung di parkir dan bayar tiket…katanya sih Rp 8500, tapi duit Rp 10000 cuman dikembaliin seribu perak, katanya 500nya nyusul, gak ada kembalian saat ini (basi lah…dalam hati kecil). Buruan deh bawa senter dimobil dan jalan… sambil diteriakin ‘Jangan malem2, ada pantangannya’ kata si penjaga. Gelo kata gue dalam hati, katanya ditungguin sampe jam berapa pun, tapi koq dilarang malem2,.. hehehehe…gak dijelasin juga tuw apa pantangannya….  Bener juga siy, jalan sesaat sudah sampai di Curug, buru2 motret jeprat jepret. Curug lumayan lah buat pelipur lara (???) haahaha, ketinggian kurang lebih 8 meter dan mayan lah di musim kering kerontang kayak gini… airnya sangat jernih, sejuk cenderung dingin. Mestinya bakal jauh lebih besar dan cantik di musim hujan. Lingkungannya yang hijau dan rindang, udara sore yang mulai dingin membuat hati tentram. Bakal betah rasanya kalo ada waktu lebih untuk duduk berlama-lama menikmati air terjun mini, sekaligus meditasi. Ada rasa bersyukur juga jadi pengunjung terakhir, bisa motret dengan bebas tanpa halangan J. Setelah membasuh muka dan tangan, langsung balik (walo sebenernya kalo waktu masih banyak dan tidak gelap, pengin juga tuw mandi dan berenang di bawah pancuran seperti kebiasaan gue kalo ke Curug lainnya). Dasar gue buru2 banget karena sudah gelap, battery camera jadi jatuh karena lupa nutup tempat battery (duh semoga gak jatuh di air deh), dan gue balik lagi nyari2 pake senter dikegelapan malam, semua tempat yang tadi gue lewati gue cek satu persatu termasuk di air yang dangkal tadi.… Arrkhhh gue denger ada suara seperti suara tokek, ato suara ‘kethok-kethok’ … apaan neh?? Suara tokek koq guedheee banget dan enggak mirip suara tokek, lagian cuman gue yang denger; Ato suara jadi jadian?? Penunggu Curug?? Ahh sebodho amat.. gue yakin dengan perlindunganNya dan teteup ajah nyari, sambil sekali kali senter gue arahkan kesumber suara yang gak jelas tadi.… Akhirnya Thanks God, battery ketemu, phewww … dan ternyata jatuhnya ditanah kering, Thank God again.
Balik di pos, bener deh kembalian gopek ilang gitu ajah…hehehhee…. Ah relakanlah… penjaganya juga udah berkurang… hehehhee Diperjalanan malam balik ke hotel ternyata peziarah Gue Maria masih banyak tuw dimalam hari.. wah, sayang gue kurang persiapan, so biarlah jadi schedule buat besok. Sampai di hotel tiduran lagi bentar sambil ngecek hasil motret di Curug. Arkkhhh!!! Gara gara di Curug terlalu buru-buru motretnya jadi setting saat motret di Curug keliru.. ahhh sialll nasib-nasib…. Ya udahlah, emang juga terlalu sore… Sambil iseng gue liat juga tiket masuk Curug; Nah ketauan lagi.... si tukang jaga pos ternyata 'nyatut' juga tuw, total nilai tiket dan karcis parkir di Curug gak sampe Rp 8500,.. alias gue di catut lagi... (duh, gimana wajah pariwisata Indonesia dimata dunia... kecian deh; Kapan majunya kalo gini??)  Gak lama.. jedar jeder… - busyett dah -… ada tamu hotel maen petasan gedhe banget…. Ada juga yang bagus, terbang ke udara dan meledak, tapi suara yang kenceng gue yakin bikin sebagian tamu hotel bergidik. Berhubung tempat umum, gue mah cuek ajah dan malah ambil kamera buat motret lagi. Baru keluar kamar dan cuman motret sekali, petugas hotel dateng dan memberitahu pemain petasan untuk menghentikannya…. Yaahhh.. gak jadi motret kembang api deh…
Udah terlanjur diluar kamar, dilanjutkan jalan kaki ngiterin kompleks hotel di malem hari. Anginnya wuihhh sejuk dan kenceng bangett. Sempet juga naek dan nongkrong dimenara tempat orang bermain ‘flying fox’. Setelah merasa cukup menikmati angin malam dan sekadar jeprat jepret, balik ke kamar, brendem air panas (malah sempat bobok sesaat di bathub, kelewatan yakk J )… terus bobok. Btw, baru nyadar lho air panas di sana rada asin, banyak mineralnya kalee... Besoknya bangun rada kesiangan, muter bentar di kompleks hotel (sambil nyesel, mungkin kalo lebih pagi bisa liat merah matahari pagi dari menara ‘flying fox’) ngobrol bentar dengan tukang kebun hotel nanya tanaman ini itu. (Ternyata tanaman yang ditanam di kebun umumnya adalah ubi jalar, namun bukan seperti ubi cilembu, karena tanahnya kurang cocok untuk ubi cilembu.) Langsung breakfast, menu tersedia sama dengan kemaren, gak ada perubahan sama sekali. Kelar langsung siap-siap, packing up. Sekitar pukul sebelas check-out, tujuan ke Gua Maria Cigugur, di jalan sempat salah belok masuk ke terminal Kuningan. Ini yang menyebalkan, masak gara-gara salah jalan ke arah terminal, eh didepan langsung ada preman yang nyegat. Gue paling sebel dengan ginian, langsung ajah gue mundur, hahaha, lewat jalan lain disekitar situ; Yang penting menghindari preman gendheng itu.  Dalam waktu singkat, sampai juga di parkiran Jalan Salib Gua Maria (S 6*57,084' : E 108*26,958'). Mobil diparkir dan melanjutkan ziarah Jalan Salib. Banyak anak muda yang menawarkan menjadi guide, namun keyakinan bahwa perjalanan tidak lah susah dan mendapatkan bimbinganNya, maka perjalanana salib dilanjutkan tanpa guide, juga masih ada pengunjung yang lainnya. Perjalanan asyik juga, naik dan turun, kadang tanah kadang berbatu, satu demi satu dari empatbelas perhentian dilalui dengan khidmat dan sampailah di Gua Maria Sawer Rahmat (S 6*56,978' : E 108*26,692') yang pembukaannya dilakukan oleh almarhum Paus Johannes Paulus II. Di kompleks gua ternyata ada juga kapel kecil dan pendopo terbuka tempat dimana biasa dilakukan misa bagi umat Katholik. Di sini banyak sekali peziarah yang berdoa dengan segala kepentingannya. Sungguh suatu tempat yang indah, sunyi dan sejuk, cocok sekali untuk bermeditasi, berdoa, bersyukur dan melantunkan pujian kepadaNya. Di sisi lain dari kompleks, gue bisa menikmati pemandangan ke bawah, dimana ada kota Kuningan, desa Jalaksana dan sekitarnya. Sayang, teropong gue tinggal di mobil, jadi pandangan rada terbatas.
Perjalanan pulang dilanjutkan melewati track jalan yang berbeda, dalam hati gue bertanya-tanya juga, masak gak ada yang jual jagung rebus ato bakar di sekitar sini?? Belom lama berjalan, sudah terjawab, didepan ada pondok kecil dimana terjual beberapa penganan, termasuk juga jagung rebus. Karena sudah saatnya makan siang dan perut lapar, tawaran si mbok, jagung rebus Rp 500 sebuah langsung gue iyakan tanpa nawar (secara jagung rebus di Puncak tau ndiri harganya). Gue minta yang muda jagungnya. Si mbok dengan tekun mencarinya, tapi lah?? Koq yang muda kecil kecil? Minta diskon donk… Si mbok dengan santai menjawab nanti dikasih potongan deh. Gue gak nanyak berapa potongannya, secara gue rela koq berapapun, hehhehe. Sepuluh buah gue ambil, berapa?? Tiga ribu rupiah, jawabnya. Setengah melongo gue ndengernya, ya udah gue bayar tanpa babibu. Itupun masih ditambah satu lagi buat bonus, hmm thanks God. Selain itu masih sempet beli tomat seplastik duarebu perak pilih sendiri tanpa ditimbang. Pokoknya seplastik dua rebu!! Gue sikat jagung rebus ditempat, peziarah berikutnya mulai ikutan berdatangan dan ikutan membeli. Mungkin inilah yang disebut ‘penglaris’ bagi orang Jawa. Ada satu pembeli awal dan yang lain berdatangan. Jagung tinggal beberapa buah, dan si mbok memberi lagi bonus sebuah. ???? Opo tumon? Tigarebu dapet 12 buah jagung rebus panas? Wah, indahnya dunia… Sesekali diperjalanan turun ini berhenti buat menikmati pemandangan di lereng bawah yang cantik, juga motret.. pasti lebih cantik kalo musim hujan, sehingga lebih hijau (asal gak berkabut, hehehe). Di sisi jalan setapak ada satu dua kandang sapi perah, pantas saja sesekali bau kotoran sapi ditengah sejuknya udara pegunungan, hehehe. Sempat mampir ke salah satu kandang mo coba merah sapi, tapi enggak jadi lha sapinya kurus sekali, kesian. Si pemilik sapi datang membawa rumput dan potongan daun jagung, katanya memang tidak diberikan banyak makanan, karena musim kemarau, kalo semua makanan diberikan, maka makanan akan habis (belum sempet tumbuh) dan sapi mati kelaparan. Didekat parkiran ada juga penjual cenderamata, namun semuanya gue lewatin, kurang menarik siy (imho). Ada seorang anak (mungkin anak penjual cenderamata) bermain petasan ditengah keringnya dedaunan; Enggak heran kalo ada bekas lahan terbakar lha anak ini bermain api tanpa dijaga di lahan kering, sayang sekali... Parkir di pinggir sawah dikenain bandrol tiga rebu; Wah, setara 12 jagung rebus panas, hihihi. Perjalanan langsung digeber ke arah Garut lewat Cikijing, lanjut ke Kawali, Ciamis dan terus berlanjut ke Tasikmalaya. Sepanjang perjalanan enak, mulus dan lancar. Sayang tidak sempat berhenti untuk mengabadikan pemandangan, karena takut makin kemalaman di Garut. (Sebenernya ada pemikiran mau dilanjut ke Baturaden, Purwokerto, namun dirasa bakal terlalu jauh baliknya dan akan padat dalam masa-masa orang mudik seperti ini, jadi pilihan ke Garut untuk mengunjungi Candi Cangkuang dan Situ Bagendit yang gue belon pernah kesono). Surprise juga di Tasikmalaya ternyata ada pompa bensin yang menyediakan Pertamax (jalan Juanda arah Garut, namun masih deket ke kota Tasik), mobil diisi full biar aman. Perjalanan ke arah Garut dilanjutkan lewat Singaparna dan Salawu. Hari mulai malam, sayang perjalanan ini seharusnya sangat cantik pemandangannya karena naik gunung dan berkelok-kelok, namun tidak bisa dinikmati karena matahari sudah dibawah horizon. Tiba di Garut sudah sekitar jam delapan malam. Masiy juga mutermuter cari makan secepatnya untuk kemudian segera cari penginapan. Makan malam yang buru-buru jadi kurang dinikmati, walopun sebenernya suasana sangat rame dan ayam gorengnya enak, namun sayur asemnya dingin, ah sayang sekali; lupakan saja… Sambil tanya-tanya arah dengan sesama pengunjung dan sms-an dengan kawan milis, gue mulai mencari tahu keberadaan penginapan yang oke. Ternyata perjalanan di kota Garut menuju penginapan arah Cipanas merupakan ujian kesabaran tersendiri, jalan macet karena banyaknya kendaraan dan pengunjung yang berminat melakukan mandi malam hari di pemandian air panas, ditambah dengan kendaraan umum lokal yang main serobot dikanan jalan, phewww. Tidak kurang dari 6 hotel yang direkomen kawan full, mulai dari yang murah dan bersih, sampe yang berkelas dan mahal. Ada yang gue kunjungi langsung, ataupun gue call saja. Hotel Augusta, full just five minutes before I arrived. Pengunjung didepan gue sangatlah beruntung!! Terdapat juga satu hotel lain yang berkelas yang masiy kosong satu kamar dan memasang tarif Rp 975 rebu.. ??? Gile, mahal kalee. Dengan keputusan bulat, balik ajah deh ke Jakarta malem ini!! Sementara lupakan Candi Cangkuang dan Situ Bagendit yang katanya elok (but, I 'll be back!! pake gaya Terminator J). Ujian kesabaran ternyata belom kelar. Perjalanan dari Garut ke Nagreg macet parah. Maju sesaat berhenti berratus saat. Mata sampai pedes bertemu dengan kendaraan dari arah lawan, yang umumnya malah kurang sopan dengan lampu yang mengarah ke atas (ato watt yang besarrr). Selepas Nagreg ke arah Cileunyi kondisi makin parah dengan pertemuan kendaraan dari Malangbong menuju Cileunyi. Dalam kondisi yang sudah sangat 'tiring' menjelang tengah malam, rupanya polisi membuat kebijakan jalan satu arah yang aduhai. Tidak jauh selepas Nagreg menuju Cileunyi kebijakan satu arah berlaku dan mobil bisa mulai digeber. Sayang, rupanya penduduk sekitar jalan tersebut kurang mengerti ato tidak terbiasa ato karena sebab lain? Masih ada sepeda motor yang melawan arus berjalan ditengah seakan-akan jalan dua arah dan mengumpat mobil yang bergerak dikanan. Yang lebih parahnya, ada juga truk yang masih melawan arus. Tentu saja sangat berbahaya apalagi perjalanan ini di gunung yang berkelok-kelok dan naik turun. Lega rasanya begitu masuk ke tol Cileunyi, mobil bisa digeber oke. Akhirnya tiba juga di home sweet home, jam tiga dini hari…. langsung bobok (belakangan denger kabar, ada jembatan gantung putus di Baturaden,...... hmmm, seandainya gue ke sono, bisa jadi gue gak jadi wisata ato mungkin malah jadi korban.... Thanks God for taking care of me) Eh...photo yang lainnya gue upload di album Kuningan - West Java... J Selamat menikmati
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