Great Quote - March 30, 2014

"Respect your leader 

even though he might not be 

the perfect one

for it's not easy

to be one."

Gitgit Waterfall Bali

Gitgit Waterfall Bali

Gitgit Waterfall is located in the middle of Bali Island. It's on the way between Singaraja and Bedugul Lake.

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Air Terjun Gitgit terletak di Bali bagian tengah, di perjalanan antara Singaraja dan Danau Bedugul.

Travel Photo: Local Guide inside Grave Cave at Londa, Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi

Local Guide inside Grave Cave at Londa, Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi

Date Taken: September 13, 2013

Taken by: Ferry Wijaya

Location: Londa, Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi

~In Toraja culture, one of the places to bury the corpses of Torajan people is inside the cave at Londa~

Landscape Photography: Bukit Nona Toraja

Bukit Nona, Toraja, South Sulawesi

Date Taken: September 13, 2013

Taken by: Ferry Wijaya

Location: Bukit Nona, South Sulawesi

~Bukit Nona is about 1 hour from Tana Toraja~

~One of the gates to go to Tana Toraja is from Makassar~

~Tana Toraja (Tator) can be reached from Makassar for about 8 hours driving~

~Tana Toraja is one of the best cultural travel in Indonesia~

Travel Photo: Shibuya Intersection

Busy Afternoon at Shibuya Intersection, Tokyo, Japan

Taken by: Ferry Wijaya

Date Taken: December 31, 2012

~Shibuya intersecttion could be the busiest intersection in any city in the world~

~A movie called fast and Furious was filmed around Shibuya Intersection area~

Travel Photography: The Three Sisters, NSW, Australia

The Three Sisters, Katoomba, NSW, Australia

Date Taken: July 18, 2010

Taken by: Kelvin Kurniadi

Camera Used: Sony NEX-5

Facts about The Three Sisters: (Source: Wikipedia)

• The Three Sisters are a rock formation in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia, on the north escarpment of the Jamison Valley.
• From nearby Echo Point, a bushwalking trail leads to the Three Sisters and down to the valley floor via more than 800 well-maintained steel and stone steps called "The Giant Stairway".
• The commonly told legend of the Three Sisters is that three sisters (Meehni', 'Wimlah' and Gunnedoo') lived in the Jamison Valley as members of the Katoomba tribe. They fell in love with three men from a neighbouring tribe (the Nepean tribe), but marriage was forbidden by tribal law. The brothers were not happy to accept this law and so decided to use force to capture the three sisters. A major tribal battle ensued, and the sisters were turned to stone by an elder to protect them, but he was killed in the fighting and no one else could turn them back.

Travel Photo: Clear Water at Gili Meno, Lombok

Clear Water at Gili Meno, Lombok, Indonesia

Taken by: Ferry Wijaya

Date Taken: December  28, 2013

Location: Gili Meno, Lombok, Indonesia

~Gili Meno is one of the three gili islands northwest of Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia~

~Gili Meno is situated in the middle between Gili Trawangan in the West and Gili Air in the East~

Ubud Rice Terrace, Ubud, Bali

Rice Terrace at Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Video Taken by: Ferry Wijaya

Camera Used: Olympus TG-2

Date Taken: December 25, 2013

At the Top of Mount Ijen, Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia

At the Top of Mount Ijen, Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia

The 360 degree view from the top of Mount Ijen, Banyuwangi, East Java, Indonesia.

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Pemandangan 360 derajat dari Puncak Gunung Ijen, Banyuwangi, Jawa Timur, Indonesia.

A Sampan/Boat Sign at Gili Nanggu, Lombok, Indonesia

A Sampan/Boat Sign at Gili Nanggu, Lombok, Indonesia

Traveller's Notes:

• Gili Nanggu is one of the islands in another group of gilis (small islands) off the coast of Lombok Island, other than the Gili Islands (Gili Trawangan, Meno, Air)
• It is located about South West of Mataram and  can be reached in about one and half hours from Mataram, the Capital of West Nusa Tenggara.
• Snorkeling gear rentals are available on the island and also on the beach where you rent your boat in Lombok Island.
• Gili Nanggu is gaining more popularity nowadays and is getting more crowded.
• Gili Nanggu is still a peaceful and laid back place to be compared to Gili Trawangan
• There is some basic accommodations on the island if you need or want to stay on the island overnight.
• I personally enjoy snorkeling off Gili Island since the corals are more beautiful and healthier compared to those in Gili Islands.

Travel Photography: Martial Arts under the Sunset at Kuta Beach

Martial Arts under the Sunset at Kuta Beach

Taken by: Ferry Wijaya

Camera Used: Canon EOS 400D Digital

Date Taken: August 10, 2013

Specifications: ISO 1600; 250 mm; f/10; 1/1000

Some Facts about Kuta Beach:

• Kuta was the site of October 12, 2002 first Bali Bombing (202 killed) and the October 1, 2005 Second Bali Bombing (26 killed).
• Once a simple, rustic and quiet fishing village, Kuta Beach has witnessed a transformation over the past years due to the rise of various accommodations, dining and shopping options. The rapid growth owes much to visitors, beachcombers and art lovers from nearby Australia. Expatriates also helped pioneer surfing in Kuta, as well.

Travel Quote - March 19, 2014

"Traveling is much more than 

going to places 

for your own pleasure.

It is also about knowing 

that you are not 

the most knowledgeable person 

on the planet."

Photography: Sunrise at Mount Bromo

Sunrise at Mount Bromo

• Mount Bromo is an active volcano...
• It is located in East Java, Indonesia
• It is one of the most internationally visited tourist destination in Indonesia.

Bluefire Phenomenon at Ijen Crater, Banyuwangi, Indonesia

Bluefire Phenomenon at Ijen Crater, Banyuwangi, Indonesia

Video Taken by: Ferry Wijaya

Camera Used: Olympus TG-2

Date Taken: December 24, 2013

Petualangan Menuju Bluefire Kawah Ijen

Gunung Ijen merupakan salah satu dari sekian banyak tujuan wisata di Jawa Timur selain Gunung Bromo. Dibandingkan Gunung Bromo, memang Gunung Ijen lebih kurang dikenal. Namun, keindahan Gunung Ijen bukanlah sesuatu yang dapat dianggap remeh dan seharusnya mendapatkan lebih banyak perhatian dari penikmat wisata gunung.

Puncak Gunung Ijen

Gunung Ijen terletak lebih dekat ke Bali daripada ke Surabaya, ibukota Jawa Timur. Gunung Ijen tertelak di Kabupaten Banyuwangi dan sekitar satu jam dari Kota Banyuwangi. Jika Anda sedang berada di Bali, Anda dapat dapat dengan mudah mencari tour yang menawarkan perjalanan ke Gunung Ijen.

Sulfur Dingin yang Dipahat

Gunung Ijen dapat dituju dengan 1 jam perjalanan dari Kota Banyuwangi menuju Paltuding dengan menggunakan mobil biasa. Paltuding, yang merupakan kaki Gunung Ijen, adalah awal dari pendakian menuju puncak Gunung Ijen. Anda juga dapat mencapai Paltuding dari kota lain yaitu Bondowoso, jika Anda dapang dari arah Surabaya. Namun, konon jalan dari Bondowoso ke Paltuding lebih buruk kondisinya.

di Atas Awan

Ketika Anda sampai di Paltuding, Anda biasanya akan bertemu penduduk lokal yang kebanyakan penambang sulfur yang akan menawarkan jasa guide menuju puncak gunung. Biasanya jasa mereka berkisar di harga Rp 100.000 - Rp 300.000. Namun, Anda juga bisa memilih untuk mendaki gunung sendiri tanpa guide.

Penambang Sulfur Sedang Menimbang Hasil Penambangannya

Jalan pendakian cukup bagus kondisinya, sehingga Anda tidak perlu khawatir tentang keamanan diri Anda. Jalanannya cukup lebar sekitar 4 meter sepanjang jalur pendakian.

Bluefire di Kawah Ijen

Hal yang paling spesial di Gunung Ijen adalah adanya fenomena bluefire (api biru) di dalam kawah gunung. Bluefire ini merupakan salah satu dari hanya dua tempat di dunia dimana Anda dapat menyaksikan fenomena ini. Namun untuk dapat melihat kemegahan fenomena ini, Anda harus sudah berada di dalam kawah gunung Ijen sekitar jam 2-4 pagi karena hanya pada waktu itulah fenomena bluefire terjadi. Jadi, Anda harus memulai perjalanan pendakian Anda sekitar jam 12 malam dan mencapai puncak gunung sekitar jam 2 pagi, lalu masuk ke dalam kawah selama sekitar setengah jam sampai 45 menit dikarenakan jalan yang cukup terjal dan agak berbahaya jika tidak hati-hati.

Bluefire di Gunung Ijen ini adalah salah satu fenomena yang tidak ingin Anda lewatkan dan fenomena ini bisa jadi salah satu hal yang harus Anda lihat before you die.

Adventure to Mount Ijen to See Bluefire

Mount Ijen is one of the most visited tourist destinations in East Java, other than Mount Bromo. Compared to the neighboring Mount Bromo, Mount Ijen is indeed less famous. However, the beauty of Mount Ijen is not something to be skipped over and deserves some more good publications.

At the Top of the Mountain

Mount Ijen is closer to Bali than to Surabaya, the Capital of East Java. It is located in Banyuwangi regency and about one hour drive from Banyuwangi City. If you visit Bali, you can opt in for an optional tour to Mount Ijen through any tour operators you can find in Bali. It's pretty easy to find a tour operator to go to Mount Ijen from Bali.

Carved Sulphur

In order to go to Mount Ijen, you will have to go on an approximately one hour drive from Banyuwangi City to Paltuding (by any car, since the roads are paved well anyway). Paltuding, the foot of the mountain, is the start point of the hiking trip to the top of the mountain. You can also go to Paltuding from another city, Bondowoso, if you come from another direction (from Surabaya). However, the roads from Bondowoso to Paltuding is said to be less well paved (I haven't confirmed it yet since I didn't go through this way).

Above the Clouds

Once you arrive at Paltuding, you would usually find a lot of locals (usually also sulphur miners) who would offer you a guided hiking trip up to the top of the mountain. It usually costs around IDR 100.000 - IDR 300.000 for the guide fee. But, you can always opt in to go by yourself without a guide.

The Sulphur Miner Weighing His Mine

The hiking trek is in pretty good condition now, so you don't have to worry about the safety too much. The trek is pretty wide consistently, about 4 meters most of the way.

The Bluefire

The most special thing about Mount Ijen is that you can see the bluefire inside the crater. It is said to be one of the only two places where you can see the amazing bluefire in the world. However, in order to see the bluefire, you must be inside the crate in the middle of the night, at around 2-4 am. So, you might need to start your hiking trip at about midnight, reach the mountain top at 2 am, and climb down into the crater for about half an hour to 45 minutes.

Bluefire at Mount Ijen is something that you wouldn't wanna miss and it is a place you would want to see before you die.

Photography: Doraemon and His Friends

Place: Odaiba, Tokyo, Japan

Date Taken: January 1, 2012

Taken with: Canon EOS 400D Digital

Taken by: Ferry Wijaya

Specifications: ISO 800; 18 mm; f/3.5; 1/100

Description:

- Taken in a shop at Odaiba area, Tokyo.

- Doraemon and his friends

Photography: Japanese Beggar

Place: Tokyo, Japan

Date Taken: January 1, 2013

Taken with: Canon EOS 400D

Taken by: Ferry Wijaya

Specifications: ISO 800; 70 mm; f/5; 1/1000

Description:

An interesting sight of a Japanese beggar standing queitly and waiting for people passing by to give him some money at a road intersection in Tokyo, Japan.

Daftar Hari Libur Nasional dan Cuti Bersama di 2014

Buat yang suka traveling, daftar hari libur dan cuti bersama di bawah ini mungkin dapat menjadi pegangan untuk merencanakan perjalanan traveling Anda.

Plan your trip well!

Berikut daftar lengkap Hari Libur Nasional 2014:

1 Januari, Rabu, Tahun Baru 2014
14 Januari, Selasa, Maulid Nabi Muhammad SAW
31 Januari, Jumat, Tahun Baru Imlek 2565 Kongzili
31 Maret, Senin, Nyepi Tahun Baru Saka 1936
18 April, Jumat, Wafat Isa Al Masih
1 Mei, Kamis, Memperingati Hari Buruh Internasional
15 Mei, Kamis, Hari Raya Waisak 2558
27 Mei, Selasa, Isra' Mi'raj Nabi Muhammad SAW
29 Mei, Kamis, Kenaikan Isa Al Masih
28-29 Juli, Senin-Selasa, Hari Raya Idul Fitri 1435 Hijriah
17 Agustus, Minggu, Hari Kemerdekaan RI
5 Oktober, Minggu, Hari Raya Idul Adha 1435 Hijriah
25 Oktober, Sabtu, Tahun Baru Islam 1436 Hijriah
25 Desember, Kamis, Hari Raya Natal

Cuti Bersama 2014:

30-31 Juli dan 1 Agustus (Rabu-Jumat) untuk Hari Raya Idul Fitri 1435 Hijriah.
26 Desember, Jumat untuk Hari Raya Natal.

Quote of the Day - March 3, 2014

"People without hope 

won't take action. 

If you want to help someone, 

give them hope."

-Tom Ziglar