Tempurung Island

Yesterday we went to Tempurung Island, near Merak, with total 15 members. It's a small island which looks like a turtle shell. The name might came from it. :D We departed from Semanggi, meeting point at around 6. It was supposed to be 5, but due to some miss communication, it was delayed almost 1 hour. 

We arrived Merak Port at around 9 and immediately stepped on the speed boat to cross the sea to our destination after leaving some unnecessary stuffs in the home stay, such as clean clothes, bath stuff, etc.

Taken on the speedboat before arriving the island

Well, I was quite shocked actually when I saw the island's condition. So many trashes and empty bottles were seen. Well, not affected by it, all of us started to go snorkeling, including me. There were no one except us, so we felt like we owned the island, hehehe.. 

Since I don't have any fins, well even the mask and snorkel were borrowed from Wahyu, I had no guts to swim too far because the current was quite strong. There were so many fishes swimming back and forth. Wonderful! I was so amazed which made me unwilling to get up. Yet, after some time, I went back to the island because of feeling tired. I needed to use extra energy to swim due to the strong current. 

The others were also taking a rest

At last, Rika who also brought fins felt tired and stopped already. That's why I borrowed hers and went to the deeper and further sea. I have no words to describe how beautiful it is. There are really so many fish there. Wow, fantastic! So bad, my camera can't go underwater. Never mind, there's some who brought underwater camera. Hopefully I can get the pictures from them soon. 

After a long and tiring but satisfying effort to swim back to the island, we decided to have lunch. Some of them went back snorkeling later on and some went fishing, while I went going up the hill. :D 

Frau and Shari were playing inside the lagoon

Riska was going to the fishing spot with Frau, Shari and Wahyu

These were the small hill just beyond the fishing spot

 

The wave crashing the reef, near the fishing spot. Beautiful, isn't it? :)

This whirpool was seen near the hill beyond the fishing spot. Love it very much! 

When the others were snorkeling and fishing, Wahyu and me decided to go up the peak of the island's hill. Not as beautiful as the underwater I saw, but I'll upload some of the pictures taken from the hill. 

The forest before the hill

At the Summit, I saw a lighthouse. Of course, I climbed it, hohohoo.. 

Stepped only the first layer.. :(

I took more picture on the way back.. Wahyu made me a single model for the day, hahahaa.. 

Reef when climbing down the hill

Small hill

We decided to go back at around 3, and arrived the home stay at 4. After taking a bath, we went back to Jakarta at around 5.30. Wow, what a tiring journey yet pleasing. I don't regret going there. :) 


- Keep the Faith - 

  Nadia 

Dieng

Hey, this was my third trip. 
Plus, it's so much fun... :) 

That's our first destination arriving Dieng. The total of us should be 26 (Shari, Yeyen, Arie, Agnes, Rolly, Retno, Lina, Nora, me, Rani, Migdad, Esi, Hesti, Resty, Puji, Firman, Faizz, Ismail, Erwin, Arief, Narso, Nung, Aris, Sri, Brian, and Budi) but I guess not all  got into that picture, or is that all? However, before I continued, it's better I told the stories before departing. Hm, we departed on Friday night, supposedly to be at 8.30. Yet, I was late, so sorry Guys... I was given additional tasks in the office; therefore, I went back there to complete them. I was hopeless already, so afraid would be late and be left behind. True, GOD is good. He made me arrive the meeting point in time. I arrived at around 8.40. Then, we started our journey. 

I didn't know any of them, except Shari, so I only got on the bus, looked around and found the empty seat. I prefer sat alone for a while, hence I was also very tired with all the tasks and pressures I was given before coming. Suddenly someone came, asked the permission and sat beside me. I was not mind of course. However, because I was so tired, I didn't pay much attention. I was almost sleeping all the way to Dieng. 

We arrived Dieng, our Homestay at around 11 on Saturday. 

The person beside me, Agnes, is a nice girl. Then, both of us with one of her friend, Rolly, chose to sleep in one room. I was so grateful to her. It was her that introduce me to the other friends there. Therefore, I could meet some nice friends, still mostly guys... Well, I make friend faster and better with guys rather than girls... -_-" We took a bath, had lunch - supposedly breakfast -, and then departed to Dieng Plateau Theater. 

After watching some introduction and briefing about Dieng's culture - with someone snoring inside -, we continued the track to Telaga Warna. Wew, due to the dry season, the lake was quite dry, not as much as it usually seemed. Never mind then... It's still beautiful though... :) 

Narcissistic girls... Seemed like not all the girls joined...

I'm not the type that be able to be that friendly to new people, but if I find that the person is nice and I like him/her, I'll be very welcoming. :) At that time, I still didn't have any attachment to them. I walked, watched the sight seeing alone... Yet, Agnes and Rolly were sometimes accompanying though, thanks a lot girls... Hehehehe.. 
From Telaga Warna, we climbed a tracking route to the peak of a cliff in order to enjoy the scenery more from above. I was so enthusiast and walked quickly not realizing leaving others behind. I stopped, looked back and waited for them. Except me, Firman - well, I haven't known his name that time - was also seemed excited. We walked until a spot which we could see the whole lake. Wow... Actually Firman and me wanted to climb more, but seeing the others stopping, I was not sure why, but we also stopped. Ah, I quite regretted it though... Ah, never mind. 

At the Peak

When we got on the bus, Agnes told me to sit with Arief, because he was also sitting alone. Thus there I was. I was not very familiar so still I only kept quiet, only talked for a bit when he asked. I don't know what to say to new people. My mind is as if blank and have no idea what to talk about so I just keep quiet. That's what I did at first. :D 

We were going to Kawah Sikidang next. I started to approach some of them when having a chance to befriend them which made myself quite surprise. It's not me to have the initiative approaching new people. Usually I tended to stay calm and be quiet until they approached me. Wow, maybe God really has His ways for me. Hehehe... The result was not that good actually, but I guessed that's my first step which made me easier talking with them? Who knows. I didn't approach everyone though, especially the girls. Well, quite a girls' habit which tend to have their group by themselves. Never mind for me, for I made friend better with guys right? Hehehe... 

At first I walked with Agnes and Rolly, but then I was left behind because I enjoyed and took the scenery with my camera - borrowed from Tensa - too long. 

Suddenly, I was walking with the guys who walked slowly behind although still I didn't know what to talk with them. Somehow, Brian asked my permission to take my picture, I was quite surprised though. I forgot he was one of us... So sorry, hahaha.. The result was good. (I'll upload the picture once I got it from Brian). 
Then, the guys took some pictures and asked me to join. I like myself to be taken in the picture, so of course I wouldn't mind. ;) Then, Shari came and joined. Still I took picture with them, but I didn't know what their names were, except Arief. Great huh? 

Taken by Brian
Behind: Narso
Front from left to right: Erwin, Ismail, Faizz, me, Arief dan Shari 

Then I walked upward, of course that was my intention from the beginning, tracking!! Hihihii.. Along the way walking with them, we took more photos. 

Then I saw the cliff. Wow, so steep it seemed. I saw most of them didn't climb the cliff, but I was really urged to. Fortunately, Yeyen also wanted to climb but Arie refused, so we climbed together. As it seemed, it's quite hard. At the peak, I saw Firman again - well, still I haven't known his name yet - has already stood by with his camera. Wew really a veteran photographer together with Brian. Of course having the chance, I asked him to take a picture of me. I was quite strange, asking someone whom even I didn't know the name, hahaha.. 

The steep cliff..

We didn't climb until the peak. After some time, we went back to the bus again and went to Arjuna Temple. I don't remember all the temples' names actually... :D Once again, we took many pictures together, including the narcissistic pictures. Hihihi... 

Back to Front, Left to Right: Lina, Nora, me, Rani and Nung

Left to Right: Lina, Rolly, me, Nora, Agnes, Yeyen and Nung

We decided to have dinner at 4 o'clock - supposedly lunch -_-" - there. We sat on the stones along the road, had our lunch without water. Well, the menu was grilled chicken which I couldn't eat. Wew, luckily there were potatoes inside, so I still could eat some. The dinner menu would be changed into fish, only for me. Thanks Arie... 
Um, I quite forgot what we did next... Let me think... Ah, I remembered asking the names of the guys behind. Then... seemed like we went back to homestay to have dinner and take a bath for those who wanted. After that, we went to homemade souvenir shop. I guessed most of them shopped except Erwin, Firman, Faizz, Brian (or did they shop? Hm, can't really remember.) and me. Actually I wanted to talk to them, but I didn't have the guts it seemed. I only stood quietly waiting for the others finished shopping. I didn't buy anything for my family don't like the snacks. Moreover, they had already known I was going for hiking, not shopping, so they never asked. :D 


At homestay, we all gathered in the girls' house. Ah, I haven't mentioned it. We booked two houses, one for the girls and one for the guys behind. Most of them were playing cards. I can't remember who they were, only Lina and Agnes who were the most active one. Hahahaa.... I sat there, reading my novel that always accompanied me wherever I went. 
One by one stopped playing and went to bed already, especially girls, leaving Brian, Firman, Faizz, Erwin, Resty, Sri and me. Brian took many pictures of Sri's, Resty's and mine using Shari's camera. I really loved the result. I never imagined that Brian is a model photographer. Wow... I can't wait to get the pictures from Shari. Don't worry I'll upload some of mine in this post. Of course  I won't upload theirs, not my right. :D Oh one more, Brian also said, he might asked us to be his model one day. Hahaha... We'll see later. 
Three of us became models for almost one and half hour. When we finished, it's still early for me, around 10 o'clock. Well, I can't sleep before 12. Sri and Resty went to sleep. Faizz was sleeping on a sofa in the main lobby while Firman, Erwin dan Brian were talking on another room next to it. I wanted to join them, but I was not sure what I must do or say, so I decided to read my novel on the sofa. 

Wew, in fact Faizz was not sleeping and at last we started to talk. We talked for almost two hours. Ehm, don't ask me what we were talking, I can't quite remember because he was the one that opened the topics mostly. If I find someone is nice and makes me comfortable, I am not the quiet Nadia anymore, but change into the talkative one. Hahaha... After two hours, it means 12 o'clock already, I went to bed while Faizz stayed on the sofa. It seemed like he was intentionally sleeping there from the beginning, because he said it's warmer than the guys' house. 

We were asked to be ready for tracking to watch sunrise at 3.30. We departed at 3.40. I saw many people wrap themselves until the only part of their body which can be seen was only the eyes. I couldn't really recognize them. They were surprised seeing my outfit. Well, I didn't wear socks, no mask, no hat... I felt cold but not the cold that I couldn't stand. It's still okay compared with the weather when I went to Papandayan. 

Quite a challenging tracks. I arrived the peak before sunrise, so lucky! We took some photos of course! Not all stayed. Most of them went back downward after a while, moreover many didn't reach the peak successfully. 

There're more who reached the peak. The complete one will be uploaded soon.

Pose before the Sunrise.. :)

I didn't know that we were going to Curug Sikarim straightly. The routes were only one way below the climbing track. Not all decided to go. I guessed only 3/4 joined. The road was not too hard but it's really descending. At that time I really can't imagine how we were able to climb back the ascending road. Ah, being excited for the adventure in front, and the waiting waterfall, I don't really care. How would I not go? I love nature very much!  The length of the journey was about 1,5 km, almost took one and half hour by walking. 
We walked and walked until half way, some of them stopped. It's only natural as many girls were taking part. Actually I already decided to walk alone, but they who knew I love tracking were so nice sending one of them accompanied me while the others take care of other girls, and there Faizz came. We walked along the road and met the first group who stopped on the bridge looking at the waterfall which had RUN DRY??? Oh man... How could this happened? Everyone was so disappointed and grumbling. Some decided to go back while some move forward including me. 
We walked for almost 10 minutes only to see a small waterfall with moss covered lake. We all looked at it for quite some times. Hm, we could only laugh at ourselves, and became limp thinking the return journey. Ah, we must move no matter what right? Then, we got up, walked the way back together. Similar with the departure journey, one by one fell and surrender, mostly girls. Some guys who also had no energy to walk anymore used this chance to take a rest by accompanying the girls. 

I didn't intend to give up and forced myself to walk, together with Faizz dan Arief. Narso walked far in front of us alone. Well, to admit, it was so tiring! Three of us walked step by step, took a rest when needed, and walked again, until suddenly Narso and Arief ran towards the ascending road leaving Faizz and me behind. I was not sure, but I really couldn't imagine they could still run while I was trying my best to keep my breath. I was right, we passed Arief who were sitting out of breath while Narso was nowhere to be found. Wow, his stamina and breath were really good, huh? 
Both of us walked slowly while keeping our breath. We were so thirsty and luckily we met Budi who was talking with the farmer there. He took some aqua inside and we asked some. We stopped for resting a while and walked again, until one point I had cramps on my right foot! We stopped of course and rested. I might have lacked of stretching before climbing. Aw man, so embarrassing! After massaging my foot for a while, I felt better, but we still rested. 
Suddenly we saw a farmer riding a motorcycle. Faizz asked whether he was willing to take us up. Hey, he agreed. Faizz asked me to go back with the farmer by bike due to my foot condition. Yet, I didn't like being that spoiled while I still could walk so I refused. I was only having cramps on my foot, not a serious one I guessed. I knew he was very tired and really wanted to go back by bike, but he, seemed to know my stubbornness already, didn't have the heart to leave me alone. I'm sorry Iz for being stubborn and made you suffer, but I really didn't intend to give up. Actually he could just give up and ride the bike himself. I in fact didn't mind at all, but still I was grateful he chose to accompany me. At last we asked the farmer to go downward helping the other girls whom we knew could barely walk anymore. 
After I felt better, we started to walk again. Man, the road was very long. We met some of our friends going up with that farmer's bike. At last, after a long attempt, we arrived the parking lot. Ah, how exciting! And, you know what! It was Narso who negotiate and persuade the farmer to take us. Both of us had guessed Narso might be using the bike because it's impossible he could walk that fast dan had the stamina. Then, one by one was being sent up using bike, until the last group was sent using car. Hahaha... Only 4 people who were able to walk along the road without giving up, Faizz, Arief, Resty and me. 
We went back to the homestay to take a bath, have breakfast and be ready for going home. We cancelled our plan to go to the hot water bath, and straightly went to have lunch, the popular Mie Ongklok in Wonosobo. 
Then, I forgot when it started, but suddenly out of the moment they were teasing Faizz and me. It seemed like because we talked till midnight and then we walked together climbing the ascending road? Hahaha, quite funny. I am used to being teased for my friends are mostly guys. Yet, it seemed like he was not used to and being embarrassed? Actually, I was quite thankful being teased with him. You know why? I can befriended them because of the teasing. I also started to be close to Arief, Ismail, Brian, Erwin, Firman and Narso. They were nice guys, I like them, including Faizz of course, but it seemed the teasing has made him avoid me. How sad.  
The funniest moment was when we were having a karaoke inside the bus. The teasing began hotter and hotter. Ismail and Lina were being teased and even teased each other. They were so funny. Hahaha.. 
Firman who wanted to tease Faizz by singing a love song to me using his name was also being teased with Esi, I don't know the reason of the teasing though. Although I was the one being teased, I felt it was fun and I love the joy and togetherness among us. As what Firman said, our trip was like a elementary school trip. Well, it's right, and I felt it's fun and lively. 

Feeling tired, most of us slept in the bus. I felt asleep for a while and it seemed that I disturbed Arief too. :D Yet, I was awake many time which made me uncomfortable. Moreover, the cold of Air Conditioner made me more uncomfortable. I was freezing... Then, I moved to the back, sat together with Firman, Brian, Erwin and Ismail. We talked a lot there until we reached Jakarta. 

We were planning to arrange our time, gather and hang out. Moreover, having a trip together. I guess I have made some wonderful friends here. I really hope we can meet later; Firman, Brian, Erwin, Ismail, Faizz, Arief... Will Narso join as he already married and has family to be taken care of? Well, we'll see. I wonder when we will hang out later. :) 

True friendship is so rare nowadays. I don't care whoever they are, as long as they sincerely want to be my friend, I'll welcome and treasure them. 

- Keep the Faith - 
  Nadia

Ujung Kulon

Hey hey hey... 
I came back Jakarta from Ujung Kulon, which we prefer calling UK, Sunday midnight. 
We arrived Jakarta at around 12 p.m., starting at 11 a.m. from UK. What a long journey huh? 
Yet, it's really very worthy going there! Our GOD is really so wonderful, who can create such a beautiful and wonderful nature and scenery. 

We started our journey on Thursday midnight, July 12, 2012 12.00 p.m., consist of 13 people including me. The members are Miea, Maria, Wahyu, Friska, Afung, Wawan, Emil, Erni, Vita, Dudey, Meti, Yuni and me. The departure journey was quite quick, because there were no other cars except us. We went there using 2 cars. Well, I'm not sure how the journey was, because I fell asleep soon after the car started. I woke up not long before at last we reached Sumur to transit to Peucang Island by boat at around 7 o'clock in the morning. The journey by boat itself took around 3 hours. Phew, what a long journey! Yet, the fatigue was paid off when we reached our destination. Wow, I was so bewitched by the beauty of the beach. 

Welcome to Peucang Island!!!

What a beautiful scenery I have ever seen! The sand is so white and fine-grained, the sea is calm and clean. Thus, we can see the fish swimming right beneath the surface. Oh Jesus, I really fell in love at the first sight! :) 
Wow, I can't imagine how grateful I am being able to come and see one of GOD's marvelous creation. No pollution and waste dispossal or even trash were sighted. The air is also so fresh and the wind breezes slightly, made me feel as if I was in heaven.If there's another chance, I would like to come once more. ;) 

On the first day, we didn't travel much. We arrived there at around noon. After taking a short break for relieving our exhaust due the long journey, we had our lunch together.

Arrived at Cibom (Taken from Wahyu's) :D

Then, we took our trip to Tanjung Layar, from Cibom, which is famous for its scenery and light house. We went there by boat of course. It took around one hour tracking for us to reach the summit. Beforehand, we stopped by the lighthouse. Nobody dared to climb, yet I was eager to. At last, I climbed it myself with Miea joined afterwards. However, I stopped before reaching the first layer, It has seven layers in total, because the wind was quite strong. Phew, really I hoped would be able to climb until the peak of the lighthouse. :(

Well, never mind that! We continued until we reached the summit. Wow, once more I was fascinated by its view. Really I can't describe the beauty of the nature, because it will lack of words. No words are enough to illustrate it, the rocks, the reef, the sea, the waves, the tides, the horizon... 
We took many pictures, but most of them were taken by Miea's camera. I only had some taken by my Blackberry. Although the result is not as good as the picture from camera, especially SLR like Miea's, it's quite good I think. Better than nothing right? :D 
Well, before I continued my story, I would like to share some misery I experienced. I hurt myself several times and the first time happened here. I accidentally kicked a piece of leaf with some thorns at one side. Three thorns stabbed into my toes, one each, and were left there. Ouch, it's so painful. I was able to pull out two of them and of course it quickly started bleeding from it. I met difficulties in pulling the last one. Luckily one of the member had a fingernail cutter and I was able to pull the thorns by it. Wew, another luck, the bleed stopped at last. Phew... What a clumsy me! :D 
Hey, we met a very strange  tree, and I like the unique of it.

Next stop, Cidaon! What a waste, I didn't go there. I was lack of stamina and fell asleep at the boat. I really can't move! I was so sad I can't encounter the endangered animals there, such as peacock, rhinoceros, wild ox, etc. Ah, my bad! Might be due to the long journey, one by one fell. We decided to go back, take a bath, have dinner and have some talk among us. Most of them went to sleep at around 9. However, I was able to take a picture of a very beautiful sunset scenery.

Then... The next day schedule was full snorkeling! Tee-hee... I have been wondering and excited how it felt. Luckily Wahyu promised to get me the tool for snorkeling. My first experience? It's wonderful!! The underwater scenery is also as beautiful as the upper one! The corals, the fishes... *clapping hands* Once more I was very grateful to You, GOD! :) Yet, I can't upload any of these, because my Blackberry is not waterproofed. :(  

Yet, I'll upload the pictures taken from Dudey's. :D

There're more but I think these are enough... :D

Another one taken from Wahyu's athough given some editing.

Oh, another interesting story! We were not lack of any food, especially fish of course. Yuni and Meti, moreover Afung really like fishing. They got some buckets of fish. Not that interesting? Hahahaha.. Of course, the interesting one was... Afung succeeded in getting us a big fish for dinner by using his spear fishing gun during snorkeling! Super, isn't he? Here's his picture taken from Dudey's.

Quite a small picture though. It can't be helped. Dudey took it from the boat and it's quite far from Afung's position. 

We got ourselves three spots for snorkeling. I didn't enjoy much in the last spot, near Peucang Island, due to the jellyfish swimming around. It almost felt like being struck by lightning when we were touched by its tentacles. Phew, quite painful may I say. I got up soon, not more than five minutes I guessed. :D 

taken by Wahyu

If I were asked whether I was satisfied for stopping snorkeling, I would say "No". However, the time passed by quickly. :( Ah, never mind. Next... We went for another tracking to Karang Copong from our backyard lodge. Not many joined, as many of them only love snorkeling and dislike tracking which usually fond by mountain climber, including Miea, Wahyu and me. Therefore, the people that went tracking were Miea, Wahyu, Maria, Wawan, Vita and me. We past through some forest before arriving Karang Copong. Once again I met many strange, unique and beautiful trees.

We started the track in the evening, for pursuing sunset. Oh, I forgot telling you that I hurt myself the second time when snorkeling. I was so amazed and spell bounded by the underwater beauty and didn't realized my leg hit the corals. When I got up unto the boat, I felt pain in my leg. How I surprised that it's bleeding...
Ah, back to the story! We walked a little bit slower due to my wounds. Really appreciate them accompanying me behind. :)
Yet, we were unlucky. The sunset was covered by some clouds. Phew... We went home at almost night. Luckily I brought my flash. Thanks for Your reminder, Holy Spirit. :) 


After having dinner, we all had a nice quality talk. I felt much closer to them than before. Sadly, there were no bonfire. :D Due to the many activities, one by one, almost the women, felt tired already and went to sleep at around 10 or 11. Maria and I still had some talk with some of the men until 12 o'clock.

On the next day, we packed our stuffs early in the morning. We decided to go back Jakarta at around 10 a.m. from Peucang, to avoid any traffic jam that might happen. Yet, we departed at around 11 o'clock because Maria and Wahyu still had some payment to the lodging owner and boat rental. As expected, many cars were sighted on our way home and we were quite stuck somehow. The journey that was supposed to be only 9 hours took 12 hours. I arrived home at around 12 midnight. 

Wew, what a long journey! Yet, I didn't regret it! This is one of the best trip I've ever had. Thanks a lot to the committees. :D 
For those who want to have a trip there can contact me, I will give you the committee's number. (Somehow I end up promoting) 

By the way, Maria will be going to German on July 29, 2012. Is there any farewell for her? They said the trip was her farewell, but I don't think it works. I've told Wahyu, hopefully he can arrange some gathering before she flies to get married.

Well, that's all I can share for my trip. Hopefully I can get another trip as fascinating as the last one soon. 
Once again, thanks GOD for everything. :) 

       Nadia
- Keep the Faith -