Batu : Paragliding at Banyak Mountain, I’m Flying Like a Hawk!!

Batu is an Indonesian language for “Stone”. It’s located on East Java Province, about 30 minutes drive from Malang, or 2 hours and 30 minutes from Surabaya, the second biggest city in Indonesia. Even though it’s not a big city, only 190,000 people in the population, but Batu has so many interesting places to see and activities to do.

From a bunch of activities in Batu, I choose to try their Paragliding, one of the extreme sport, as the first and most wanted list that I must experience in Batu. Actually, I’ve been wanting to try Paragliding since last year, when I had my internship in Jakarta (The Paragliding activity is in Puncak, about 45mins from Jakarta) but I don’t have time :( 

The peak of Banyak Mountain, Indonesia!

That is why, when I heard that there’s also Paragliding sport in Batu, which is not far from Surabaya, I definitely must try that!!

Before departure, I already search some informations from the internet about the Paragliding activity. Well, I can sum it up for you in my post here. Your welcome ! 

Directions :

1. From Batu city, you need to go up hill, follow the road direction with green colour, to Songgoriti. 

2. You’ll go pass Jambuluwuk resort (if you find this, then you’re still in the right direction).

3. After that, you’ll find a Cow Statue, and TURN RIGHT.

4. Becareful, because you’ll find 2 intersections, and there’s a sign of Paragliding there, and again, TURN RIGHT.

5. About 200 - 300 meters from there, there’s again another blurry sign on your right, then you must TURN LEFT. 

6. The alley is a bit small, and you’ll see rice fields there. From there on, follow the sign “PARALAYANG” until you reach your destination. 

NOTE :

The road to the Paragliding is really small, rocky, and it’s near the edge, but don’t worry, just go straight because about 300m from there you’ll arrive at your destination. 

The parking area

Why is it call “Banyak” Mountain ? 

The view from Banyak Mountain

I went there with one of the Paragliding Tandem Mentor, Mas Jhoni. His house is really near my homestay, that’s why I got a chance to met him, had a small talk, and then asked if he could become my mentor for the paragliding. (Yeah, so lucky, I know right!) 

Anyway, Mas Jhoni ever became an athlete that represents Indonesia overseas! Really cool! 

That’s why I also know why this mountain is called Banyak, because Mas Jhoni told me about it. “Banyak” is a Javanese languange for a Goose. Decades before, this mountain was sacred and there were moments when a pack of goose came there, searching for some food. As years goes by, there were none of goose left anymore. 

Paragliding from the peak of Banyak Mountain!

The registration for Paragliding sport is on the right side (behind the girl with blue T-shirt)

It is about 8 a.m, and I already stand there in the peak of Banyak Mountain, ready for my flying experience! The weather is really nice and cloudy, which means the wind is friendly for the Paragliding sport. 

Preparing for the Paragliding!

Approaching the edge of Banyak Mountain! WOHOOOO!!

A brief explanation and preparing my smartphone to record the whole Paragliding!

NOTE: 

1. They’ll provide paragliding equipments and also give you a certificate. 

2. If you want to take pictures, then you need to bring your smartphone / pocket camera / DSLR / Go Pro. They’ll lend you a selfie stick (not available for DSLR) to take picture while flying. 

3. Don’t think about it, FLY and just enjoy the view!

Okay then, let’s FLY LIKE A HAWK!!! 

Flying!!

It's so much fun!!

Here's the video when I'm flying! 

Thanks, reader(s)!

[Megan Faustine]

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Kusuma Agrowisata: Hydroponic Garden in Batu City

If you are bored of going to the shopping malls, beach, mountains, or other usual recreational area, maybe you can try to go to Kusuma Agrowisata in Batu. Here, you can pick some apples in the garden, enjoy the fresh air that's free from pollution, and enjoy some snacks.

Yes. Live, Laugh, Love!

Directions:

You can get here from Surabaya or Malang area.

From Surabaya, you will found a sign to the right that shows Kusuma Agrowisata. Take that turns and you will find Kusuma Agrowisata

KUSUMA AGROWISATA

Introduction

There are actually two places of Kusuma Agrowisata (KA), but both of them belongs to the same owner. 

I happenned to go to the upper KA (with the big strawberry near the entrance), but then I need to transfer to the bottom part of KA to pick the apples and guava. 

Both of them also having the same package price, which is IDR 50,000 and also IDR 65,000

What is the differences between them?

The one that I visit, which is the upper KA (with the big strawberry) offers this kind of package 

Whereas the lower KA, offers food like toast and fried rice besides pudding, juice, and hydroponic vegetables.

So it's up to you what to choose!

Note: if you want to taste a very delicious meatballs called "BAKSO JEMPOL" then just go to the upper KA, hahaha! Read the review about it below! ;) 

The reason why I go to the upper KA?

Well, it's very simple. I just don't know that KA has two places! 

So yes, let me talk about the upper KA, the one that I visit.

Near the entrance

The Journey

I went into this place and bought the tickets for IDR 50,000 each person. Yes, I take the first package.

After that, a guide will accompany you to look around the garden.

From the story, KA is using hydroponic method to grow its vegetables and fruit. The differences between hydroponic and the usual method is that with hydroponic, there are no chemicals involved, the size of the vegetables and fruits can be bigger, and its purely using water.

Hydroponic method

At that time, I am the one who start the conversation with the guide, as he looks really shy. Maybe he's still new. So don't be afraid to ask questions since you've paid for the whole package ;). Finish hearing the story, you will be arrived at the hydroponic vegetables station, where you can choose your pack and bring it home. Remember, it's already included in the package, so you don't need to pay anything more!

The journey continue to the outdoor garden where they are also growing its vegetables and fruits all over the place. It's so green and I can feel the fresh air! It's so refreshing and it's a new experience for me. 

Finish going around, the guide will take you back into the restaurant near the exit door. Here, you'll be given a strawberring pudding and also juice. Trust me, the juice taste really fresh and delicious! Too bad the portion is really small, hahaha!

From here, to go to the garden and pick the apple, you need to transfer to the lower part or the other place of KA. It's so near and only takes about 5-10 mins walk. I choose to go here by our car though, so we don't need to go back again to pick the car. 

The other KA has a larger area than the upper one. It also consist of villas, entertainment areas, outbond facilities, and others. You need to go to the information centre, and give your tickets here. Then, you'll receive a guidance / directions where to go afterwards. Just follow it, and you'll be totally fine.  

The guava garden

First stop will be to pick the guava. You'll arrive at this huge garden full of guava tree. According to the package, you only can pick maximum two guavas and bring it home. There are no strict supervision from the guard, but please be honest to yourself, okay?

Me picking the guava

The apple garden

Second stop will be the apple garden. To go here, you can ride some kind of an elf (small bus) that will stop right in front of the garden. 

Riding the elf

You can see this beautiful waterpark right in front of the elf stop. Stunning with the mountain view, isn't it? 

Wish I have time to play around!

There are actually a lot of apple gardens around, but most of them is closed. The supervision is more strict in the apple garden, as you're not allowed to go beyond the border that is made from a rope. The rule is the same. Pick maximum 2 apples that you can bring home. 

Finish picking apples

Overall, I have no idea that picking apple and also guava can be so much fun! 

Besides picking those two delicious fruits, my friends and I also get to know a lot of new things!

Can you guess? Is it an apple or a guava? ;)

BONUS

A selfie bonus?? 

Of course not!!

As I promise, I'll be discussing about Bakso Jempol!

A surprisingly delicious meatball "JEMPOL" found in front of the upper Kusuma Agrowisata.

After enjoying the pudding and juice, we supposed to go into the lower one. 

But then, my friend spot a meatball stall in front of KA, then we stop by to eat it.

Amazing findings:

1. The owner of Bakso Jempol is a very old guy, age 75. He's been selling this meatballs since in his twenties.

2. This honorable man doesn't use any MSG in his meatballs. (Yes, it's true. I can taste it)

3. You can pick whatever you want all by yourself and also calculate what you eat by yourself. Once again, be honest, okay?

Super clean, right? Taste great too!

I really love the taste, especially the "gorengan". Surely will eat this meatball again if I visit KA!

Even if you don't go to KA, you can still stop by because the location is near the parking lot of KA and it's super easy to be reach.

See you guys in another trip! 

Save earth, okay?

Craving for another travel trip around? 

Enjoy reading Bromo Mountain Adventure here

Enjoy reading Eco Green Park here

Thanks, reader(s)!

[Megan Faustine]

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Eco Green Park: It's Not Just a Park!

If you're going to Batu City, East Java, you will found a lot of attractions there.

There are Jawa Timur Park 2, Batu Night Spectacular, Museum Angkut, and also Eco Green Park.

Eco Green Park is kinda new, and I also a bit underestimating it because its name, which is Eco Green Park. Feel lame, isn't it? 

I can tell you my thoughts - and maybe yours too - is totally wrong! Eco Green Park is totally a great Park to hang out with friends, especially with family and your precious little kids. You can teach your little kids a lot of things while in here. Even us, the teenagers, also learn a looottt of new things here. 

Near the entrance

Directions:

You can reach Batu City from Malang or Surabaya. It takes approx. 1-2 hours to reach Batu. 

Before you see Jawa Timur Park 2, there will be a little sign near the tree on the right which says "ECO GREEN PARK -> " and you'll need to turn right after seeing the directions.

You can found a lot of villas and hotels in Batu area, so no need to worry ;) 

ECO GREEN PARK

The Rate

As per December 2014, the rate for weekdays (Mon - Thurs) is IDR 45,000 and weekend (Fri - Sun) is IDR 60,000. Yes, I personally think it's really affordable since you won't need to pay anything else inside. Except for foods, beverages, and also if you wish to use the vehicle there.

Posing again near the entrance!

To Ride

When you enter Eco Green Park, the road will directly split into two. You will need to choose whether you want to go right of left. I choose right. It doesn't matter though, because you'll finally go all around Eco Green Park both ways.

1. Learning the earth

Take your time about 15 - 20 minutes for this ride. The train moves really slow, and there will be a story about the earth. From the very begginning, until human came and kind of destroying the earth (Well, I must admit that's true) also teach us how to avoid it and save our earth. 

On the train!

2. 360 degree movie

It's about 10 - 15 minutes movie about "Hanoman", it's like a human monkey originated from Indonesia. I also doesn't really understand the story because the sound is not really clear and it's a mix with Javanese Languange.

Note : Both rides are using Bahasa Indonesia, but you can try to grasp what it means by looking at the picture.

3. Weather / Disaster Simulation

There are 3 kinds that we can really try on our own, which are earthquake, wind and ice / winter. 

It's really fun and worth to try ;)

Disaster like Tsunami, Fire, can also be seen but you can't involve directly in it. 

Posing inside some educational house there. FYI, all things in this place is made from recycle products!

To see

1. Upside down House (Rumah Terbalik)

It's really fun inside here! You can pose a lot of crazy pose and it's all with a trick!

If you're lucky like me, the only one guide there will approach you and accompany you to see around. 

This guide will show you all of the hidden trick to get a super duper crazy photos!!

I went to Eco Green Park on Friday, and there are only few people there. That's why it's not that crowded and I can pose freely. 

Oh yeah I'm a spy!!

Acrobat ;)

Yes I can stand in 1 finger!!

As a bonus, in the end you'll find a confusing mirror house to reach the exit. Thank you, Mr. Guide! You are really nice and we all really happy because of you!!

Cool photos inside the mirror house

2. Some educational area

There are some educational area such as the replica of some houses and traditional work that people in Indonesia has back then. 

The minion of the house. No, I won't destroy it. Trust me, it's just an act, hahaha!

Besides, there are also some temples replica like Prambanan Temple, Mendut Temple, and even you can found Borobudur Temple Replica in here. So you doesn't need to go directly into Yogyakarta to show Borobudur to your kids. Simply go here and you can show all temples in Java island to your kids and even to yourself, haha!

Temple Replica

Am I look like a model yet? ;)

There are also animals area such as reptile, birds, and others. You can see around while looking at the display name and information about each of the animals.

Posing near the bird sections

3. Other show & small museums

There are also some show (e.g. bird show) in Eco Green Park, but I don't get to see it. It's too bad that I haven't finish exploring the rest of Eco Green Park because it's raining, and I run real fast until the exit so I won't get wet :(

We should watch the bird show here :(

See you again, Eco Green Park!

What else you can expect in Batu:

Go to the Alun-Alun Batu (it's kind of a square which you can found a lot of food stall that mainly sell traditional food there) and try the milk there! It's really famous and you'll love the taste :)

Craving for another travel trip around? 

Enjoy reading Bromo Mountain Adventure here

Enjoy reading Kusuma Agrowisata Adventure here

Thanks, reader(s)!

[Megan Faustine]

Add me in Snapchat for Live Updates!
meganfaustine

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Bromo Mountain: Catching Sunrise!

Last week I had a chance to visit Bromo Mountain that is located in East Java (intersection between Probolinggo, Pasuaran, Lumajang and Malang), the one and only Mountain with Sea of Sand. It was so much fun!! You should also visit Bromo :))

Direction:

From Surabaya / Malang area, you can rent a car + the driver to escort you to Bromo Mountain.

After entering the Bromo area, you will see a lot of jeep start from the bottom until the top, near the parking lot. Be smart in hiring the jeep there peeps! 

If you ask: is it possible not to hire a jeep? 

Well, unfortunately not. You must hire a jeep to go around Bromo Area. 

But, if you're travelling alone, maybe you can hire a motorcycle + the driver instead a jeep.

Kindly ask the citizens there to help you make the decision. 

Remember one thing guys, you can't walk on foot, okay? :)

Beautiful view near the crater

Time to go:

For you who wants to see the sunrise on Bromo, then you should leave from 00.00 / 12a.m in the morning from Surabaya / Malang. Then, you will arrive at Bromo aruond 2 - 3 a.m, hire a jeep.

From hiring the jeep to the sunrise location, you will need approx. 40 minutes.

Then, you need to search for the best location and wait until the sunrise begin at around 5 a.m.

Else, you also can have one night stay in Bromo homestay (there are plenty there) starting from evening. So you only need to get up early at 3 a.m to go to the sunrise area.

For those who doesn't want to see the sunrise, you can go there whatever time you want. My suggestion is to go there in the morning, since the weather will be super hot in the afternoon.

Before walking to the crater

What you can enjoy in Bromo Mountain:

1. Sunrise (Penanjakan ke Matahari Terbit)

This is one thing that you wouldn't and should'nt miss in Bromo! A lot of local and foreign tourist go to Bromo to enjoy the Sunrise. Sunrise in Bromo is indeed exceptionally beautiful and magnificent! After the sunrise, you can also see the mountain near it that is surrounded by clouds and fogs, make it become really beautiful!

How to reach here: The jeep driver will escort you until the bottom of the "Penanjakan" from there, you need to walk approx. 10 minutes to reach the sunrise waiting area. 

Best time to see sunrise:

I suggest you go here in Summer to make sure that you will get the sunrise. Because in Rainy season like this, the fog usually cover the sun, so you can't see anything at all. (This is what happen to me last week :(( Yes, I can't see the sunrise because it's covered by fog :(( ) 

This is around 3 a.m

Yes, the sun is block by the fog :(

2. The Crater (Kawah)

The jeep driver will only escort you until the horse area.

To reach the crater, you have 2 options, walk on foot or using a horse.

- Horse

You need to pay certain amount of money to the horse owner, and he will guide you until near the 300 stairs to reach the crater. It will be very easy and you won't get tired if you hire a horse.

- Walk on foot 

If you walk on foot, it is quite a long way to go and there will be a lot, A LOT of horse poo there! 

What did I choose?

Well, my friends and I choose to walk on foot! Yes, we made it until the top!!! *Really proud*

We reach the top!!

Yes, we walk start from the very bottom until the top!

The Crater

3. Savannah

From the crater, the jeep driver will bring you to savannah.

Savannah is basically a small valley / hill / mountain, and you can take photos here. 

Best time to go here: On rainy season, because the hill will become very green and it's really good. In summer time, it gets dry and the color is not that good.

4. Sea of Sand

The last place is the sea of sand. Actually, there's nothing here, you can only see sand. That's it. 

But then, you can take a lot of cool photos here! For example using the jeep, or maybe anything else. Be creative ;)

Behind the scene of jumping photo, Hahaha!

What to Prepare:

1. Sweater, Coat, anything warm

If you plan to see the sunrise, then you need to prepare everything that can keep you warm. The weather in Bromo Mountain is extremely cold in the evening - morning, and it can reach 0 degree celcius. Do not underestimate the weather there guys! Because a lot of people have underestimate it and they can't stand the cold weather. 

What I wear there : T-shirt, Sweater, Coat, Scarf, Earmuff, wool legging, thick socks, and shoes.

For you who doesn't want to see the sunrise, then you don't need to prepare anything. Just wear a regular clothes since the weather will be hot and normal in the morning - afternoon. 

Sorry for the blur image. So yes, this is what we wear!

2. Mask 

You will see the crater (Indonesia: Kawah) in Bromo Area, and it contains the smell of sulfur. 

That is why, it's best for you to wear mask. 

3. Glasses

Besides using it to look cooler, glasses can be very useful to guide your eye from all the sand there. Especially when there is a wind, your eyes can get very dry and a lot of sand will go into your eyes. It's better to use glasses :)

4. Any other thing that you need

You might want to bring water and some snack, since the complete Bromo tour using the jeep lasts for about 6 hours (Starting from sunrise at 3 a.m until 9 a.m going to Crater, Savannah, and Sea of Sand). You can't go back to your car until the tour is finished.

Craving for another travel trip around? 

Enjoy reading Eco Green Park here

Enjoy reading Kusuma Agrowisata Adventure here

Thanks, reader(s)!

[Megan Faustine]

Add me in Snapchat for Live Updates!
meganfaustine

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