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]

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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!
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Hotel Bumi Surabaya: When 3 restaurants blends in 1

Recently and I don't know why it could become such a coincidence, I come to Hotel Bumi Surabaya 3 times in a week. 

Yes, 3 times in a week, and this is an all you can eat hotel restaurant. Imagine how my fat keeps growing, hahahaha!

Promo Price

Hotel Bumi Surabaya offers an affordable price for each person.

It's only IDR 168,000 (disc 30& off) and you can enjoy eating in 3 Restaurants! (Kizahashi, Arumanis, and The Indonesian food in front)

During my 3 times visit, I ever sit inside Arumanis, in Kizahashi, and then in the back side of Arumanis. Overall, I'd suggest you to sit in Kizahashi, because the area is more comfy and elegant. 

I never try to sit outdoor, because the wind is too strong and it's a bit hot. 

If you take dinner, maybe outdoor is better so it will be more romantic.

The outdoor

Kizahashi Restaurant Style

For your information, the two restaurant (Arumanis and Kizahashi) are connected. So if you want to go inside out, no need to go outside, and then walk a bit further. You just need to go into this hallway, and then found the Kizahashi sign outside.

Let's begin the review!

Kizahashi Restaurant

I will start with Kizahashi

Representing the name, Kizahashi means a Japanese restaurant.

There are 3 main large table where you can found a grill table, and soup table

In the grill, there are meat, 2 kinds of chicken, vegetables, and fried rice. 

Overall, I think the chicken taste better than the meat. The meat is kinda cold and not warm enough even though the chef grill it in front of you. 

Also, be prepared to queue, especially at weekend, since this grill spot is become a favourite spot of the customers.

In soup area, there are cawan mushi, miso soup, noodle with soup, red meat, boiling vegetables, and fried tempura. 

I love this table side very much! Especially, because the red meat is just too yum! 

The noodle soup is also really delicious. The Tempura is really crunchy and a must grab. Be prepared to queue again and fight for your Tempura if it's on weekend. Hahahaha. Unless, you go a bit earlier than the others so that you can grab it in peace and get a bunch Tempura for your tummy.

I prefer the soup table rather than the grill one. 

Arumanis Restaurant

Moving on to Arumanis.

There are Chinese food, Indonesian food, drink selections, and fruits.

Honestly, I don't really like the Chinese food here.

For the Indonesian food, I never tried one because what they offer here is not my favourite Indonesian food.

They have a very wide selection of Indonesian traditional food (Ceker, Pepes, Babat, others) and the customers can order Rujak and Gado-Gado also here.

For the drink selections, I've tried all of them, and I'd suggest you to take the Strawberry Tea. Believe me, it taste really good and also sweet!

The Outdoor

Let's go outdoor !!

The outdoor one also offers a wide selection of Indonesian food and also blend with omelette,  and western dessert such as pudding.

I'll start from the left side (in front of Arumanis)

On the stall 1, you can found Omelette. You choose the fillings of the omelette. There are cheese, mushroom, onion, vegetables, and others.

Same like the others, if there are too many people queue, you can order first, leave it, and take it later on. It's also for the customers own convenience.

Next to it, there is a waffle and ice cream stall. Here, you can choose three options of ice cream, vanilla cookies, chocolate, and chocolate chilli.

I most favorite one is the vanilla cookies, but you must grab it fast because it also gone really fast!

I don't recommend the chocolate chilli because the taste is just too weird.

After that, you can also choose toppings with peanut, chocolate wrinkles, and cheese. Also some syrup, maple, strawberry, chocolate.

My suggestion, give it cheese and peanut, taste awesome!

The third one provide Sate Ayam, Sate Kambing and also some selections of Tempe Rice, and other kind of Rice.

I love the Sate Ayam! 1 portion only consist of 5 Satay, so if you want more just say the number directly to the chef, for example 15 satay, please.

Fourth one is the fried Indonesian food. There are Tahu Isi, Tempe Goreng, Spring Rolls, and others. It's not that interesting and also not that tempting. I only tried the Spring rolls and taste fine, but not great.

The fifth one is Indonesian traditional snack. 

You can pick whatever snack you want. My suggestion : try the Terang Bulan with Pandan and cheese or the regular one, also the little snacks which I don't even no the name (Shame on me, yes, because I'm an Indonesian people, hahaha!) 

Taste great with a wide range of selections!

Indonesian traditional snack selections and also the cooking process

The sixth one is the pudding and also ice selections.

There are varieties of pudding, but I still can't find the one that I truly love. 

For the ice, try the pudding ice (you will get a matcha ice cream too) and also the es campur.

If you take dinner, then you can also taste the Wedang Ronde and Jahe (ginger base dessert soup)

The pudding selections

The dessert or ice selections

Moving on to the upper part near the outdoor seats.

Here, they offer selections of steam Indonesian food such as Ketela, Pisang (Banana), Rice, and others. 

Also, you can taste Soto Ayam, Bakso, and ordered Indonesian fried noodle or fried rice. 

The Soto Ayam, Bakso (pick the Bakso Kasar) and fried noodle is highly recommended!

For those who love spicy, try the spicy fried noodle. It's yum!

Indonesian steam food collections

Left: Soto Ayam , Right: Bakso

Traditional elements in outdoor

Overall, I'm truly satisfied eating here!

Especially since I eat three times in a week, hahahaha!

A great choice if you go with family, colleagues, and friends.

Let me close it with something nice, yes, it's my favourite combination of waffle, ice cream, and toppings here.

**Born To Bite visit Legend of Noodle on 9th July 2014

Thanks, reader(s)!

[Megan Faustine]

Add me in Snapchat for Live Updates!
meganfaustine

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Hotel Bumi Surabaya

Address : Jl. Jenderal Basuki Rahmat  No. 106 - 128
Embong Kaliasin, Genteng - Surabaya

Ph : +6231 - 5311234
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