Sempu Island : A Hidden Pieces of Heaven

In memorian, one of our friends who has left us forever, the driver of this adventure, PRIMERI LISTRIKO

Sempu Island is a small island located south of the Malang city, East Java. Precisely located opposite the beach Sendang Biru, famous tourist attraction for the citizens of Malang, and surrounding areas. To cross to the Sempu island only takes about 20-30 minutes by motorboat. What's on this Sempu island? The most fascinating is its Segara Anakan, although there are still other interesting places such of Pasir Panjang, animal breeding, etc. What's so special about this Segara Anakan? The atmosphere in this place may be likened to a beautiful beach atmosphere in the movie 'The Beach' starring by Leonardo de Caprio. The difference, this beach is closed, not connected directly to the sea. It was hard for me to describe the beauty of this place, because it must be my words not enough to represent the beauty as in reality. This Segara anakan are formed by the sea water, which is connected directly to the Indian Ocean, which broke in through a small niche of the rock cliffs that flooded the plains in it. And then formed a kind of salt water lakes are also the beach. The short description might be like this. White sand beaches covered cliffs surrounded by rocks on the one side and forests the other side, the atmosphere of the lake shore is a replica of a real sea water, where there are coral-reefs, marine biota such as mussels, fish, crabs, etc., with the Indian Ocean waves are pretty hard hitting rock cliffs beyond. Long description ha! Images below may be less representative. Images below are not images from our camera, because unfortunately we did not bring the healthy camera at that time when visit this place. And so sorry, in my next explanation can not show a clear picture which shows Sempu island atmosphere.

One thing that becomes important note that makes this place more remarkable is the serenity. This place is not easily accessible. To go to this place needed to travel far out of town, across the island, tracking 1 hour, then arrived. Because as beautiful as any one place, let's say there is another beach which more beautiful than this place but the atmosphere is very crowded, the beauty will vanish.

By considering the access to get there, the beauty, and the atmosphere offered, so that this tourist destination is not suitable for stay in moment (only be here 1-2 hours). This place is more suitable for camping. In the morning we could swim in the 'sea' but it will not drift, tracking in daylight, looking for shells in the afternoon, and the other interesting activities. Access to get there starting from Malang city. This town that famous for apple fruit, can be reached easily from anywhere. Whether through the bus, train, or airplane. Sendang Biru itself is approximately 60 km journey from the city of Malang. Our group departed from Surabaya city by using private cars. But for those who would use public transportation still within easy access.

For those who use private vehicles, the route is from Malang take direction to Turen through Gadang region. And then proceed to Sendang Biru. For those who entering the Malang city from the south (Blitar and surrounding areas) in the Kepanjen region can be directly go to Turen (without entering Malang city). From Malang city time to travel until reach the Sendang Biru spend approximately 2-3 hours, with the road after Turen region is mountainous track that up/downhill and winding.

For those who use public transportation, all started from a terminal Gadang (South Malang). If you are at Landungsari or Arjosari diterminal, you can take city transportation (local people called angkot/mikrolet) to the Gadang terminal. From the terminal Gadang, if you arrived here early day, there will be a direct transport to Sendang Biru. At noon, transport does not operate anymore. However, if this transport is no longer in operation, so you do not need to worry. You can take the minivan transportation (local people called bison/elf) that led to the Turen. From Turen you continue with the rural transportation up to Sendang Biru. For the tariff itself, I did not update. But perhaps the Gadang to Turen will cost about 5 thousand and the Turen to Sendang Biru about 10 thousand rupiahs.

Arriving at the Sendang Biru you can direct toward the beach attractions of Sendang Biru. The fees about 3 thousand rupiahs (I forgot ). For those who do not want to cross to the Sempu Island, it may still be able to enjoy the beauty of this Sendang Biru Coast. As the name implies, this beach really in very clear blue-green water colour. This beach lot of fishing boats parked, because this place is famous for its fish auction. If you want to bring gifts or supplies for camping on the Sempu Island, you so should go to this fish auction place.

For those who carry private vehicle and intend to stay on the Sempu Island, do not forget to entrusts your vehicle. You can entrusts to the gatekeeper or also to local people. Price depends on the expertise of each lobby. While eating you can chat with the shop owner asked where the vehicle can be entrusts. That's one of my tips. To cross to the Sempu Island, many ships offer his services. You do not need to bother to look for because usually that people will come to you. Be smart in bargain. Me and my group at that time paid the price of 50 thousand rupiahs. It includes round-trip. Do not forget to tell him when the time to pick you up, what time and how many days start from today. And fulfill it. Because if not, and you do not meet your pickup ship, then you will be stranded on the Sempu island and must be returned by swimming

From the boat, you can see how beautiful and clear the ocean of this beach. Farther away will seem more clear. And from the distance, Indian Ocean looks very beautiful. This trip across spent 20-30 minutes. From Sendang Biru beach, there are 2 landing destination on the Sempu Island, the first which is leading to a freshwater lake and and the second headed for the Segara Anak. Certainly our destination into the second. And that's what should be notified to the driver of the ship (of course these people are going to ask the destination before sailing ).

Arriving on the Sempu Island, we need to go to Segara Anakan by tracking . This track was open and clear so that the possibility of getting lost is very small. Tracking time approximately 45 minutes. When you arrived, and if you're here for the first time, prepare to stunned and amazed. If no other person, you can scream as loud as possible (like us) to vent your admiration.

Find a comfortable place to open an existing tent around the beach. And congratulations to enjoy the adventure that you will never forget this Sempu Island.

Epilogue: When my group going here in 2005, we are still not familiar with 'modern adventure'. We do not know the backpack, dome tents, cooking gear, etc. So you can see how we are. Assembled tarp to be tents, boxes of instant noodles and bottled water is carried like refugees, cooking with firewood and kerosene, etc. Really beautiful memories.

Route:

• Malang - Gadang - Turen - Sendang Biru Beach
• Sendang Biru beach - Landing beach at Sempu Island
  
• Landing beach at Sempu Island - Segara Anak

Rate:

• Gadang-Turen = IDR 5000 (estimated)
• Turen-Sendang Blue = IDR 10,000 (estimated)
• Fee = IDR 3000 per person (not updated)
• Rent boats = IDR 50,000 (nego)

Tips:

• Do not visit when the school holiday season, it will be very crowded, and will make the serenity of Segara Anak Sempu Island vanish.
• Source of fresh water far enough away, so bring your water needs with a suitable day, the number of people and needs.
• During the Sempu Island you can also visit the Pasir Panjang beach which facing the Indian Ocean. One hour tracking from Segara Anak.
• Bring your fishing pole. Besides fishing is a fun activity, fish can be used for camping meal in this place.

Ranu Kumbolo: Emerald From the Sky

Ranu Kumbolo, which in local language means Kumbolo Lake (ranu = lake). This lake is claimed as the highest lake in Java Island. Located at altitude 2400 meters above sea level, with an area of about 14 hectares. This location is one of the hiking post of the mountain Semeru (Mahameru) which is the highest mountain in Java Island. However, it is not rare for people who come to this Ranu Kumbolo just for camping only, not to climb for the Semeru's Top. Because of this Ranu Kumbolo offer natural beauty that so exquisite. So perfect for camping and refreshing. Even though Semeru hikers almost certainly will spend at least 1 day for camping here, because they obviously do not want to lose precious moments to enjoy the beauty of this Ranu Kumbolo.

This lake is blue-green shining. With Background Mount Semeru (Mahameru) coughing smoke belching, and surrounded by a vast savanna, this makes the atmosphere of this place more beautiful. When the morning come, sun will rise among the sidelines of hill. The light will bounce over the lake, which will make the lake sparkled like an emerald green. And this is one of precious moment than should not to be missed for anyone who visits this place

For those who visit this place, could spend the time with a stroll around the lake which has natural scenery that quite beautiful. Or they also can fishing in the lake (which according to a story, fish seeds in this place is dispersed by the former president of the Republic of Indonesia, Suharto), or just relax only. Everything is still going to feel great. From this place, every few minutes will see the top Mahameru smoke belching.
The main access to Ranu Kumbolo reach through the Tumpang village, south of the city of Malang. From the bus station of Malang, take public transportation to the Tumpang village. It will spend about 30 minutes. From here, you can rent a Jeep (if you are in the large group) or you can hitchhike the vegetables truck that a lot located behind Tumpang traditional market that will leave to Ranu Pani village. Ranu Pani village is the last village in the base of mountain Semeru.



By using vegetable truck or jeep, trip starts from Tumpang to Ranu Pani. But first stopped at Gubugklakah to obtain a permit letter and will be checked at Ranu Pani guard post. In Ranu Pani there are also stalls and cottages. In this post we can find any porters (local residents to help indicate the direction of hiking, lifting goods and cooking). Hikers can also spend the night at the guard post. In Ranu Pani there are also has two lakes namely Lake Ranu Pani lake(1 hectares) and Ranu Regulo lake (0.75 hectares). Situated at an altitude of 2200 mdpl.
Initial point tracking is sloping enough, along the hillside is dominated by reed plants. There was no sign of track to navigate, but there are signs on every 100 meter. There are many fallen trees and branches above the head.
After walking about 5 km down the hillside that a lot overgrown with Edelweiss, we will arrive at Watu Rejeng. Here, there is a steep stone that is very beautiful. Very beautiful scenery to the valley and hills, and there are overgrown with fir and pine forests. Sometimes the smoke can be seen from the top of Semeru. To go to Ranu Kumbolo still has a distance of about 4.5 Km.
Ranu Kumbolo located behind a hill, so it will not appear from a distance. When you've been over the hill, you'll see incredible beautiful scenery. Ranu Kumbolo, vast savanna, and from a distance looks the top of Mount Semeru.

Route:

• Malang-Tumpang: 30 minutes
• Tumpang-Gubukklakah: 15 minutes
• Gubukklakah-Ranu Pani: 1.5 hours

Track:

• Ranu Pani-Watu Rejeng: 5 km
• Watu Rejeng-Ranu Kumbolo: 4.5 km

Tips:

• Bring your fishing pole
• Have an extra memory card for your camera, coz you will take a lot of photograph :)

Mount Bromo : Crater in the crater

This tourist destination can be regarded as one of the most promoted icons by the department of tourism of Indonesia, or East Java in particular. National Park Bromo, Tengger, Semeru. Mount Bromo, which is part of the scope of this national park offers its own exotica as the tourist destination. Not only because of the mountains and sulfur craters itself, but more because of its location. People call crater in the crater. Because the actual, Mount Bromo and the surrounding mountains (Mount Batok, etc.) is only a 'bumps' which resides in a large crater, that formed as sea sand (local people call as segoro wedi) and has an area about 10 km square. In the ancient times these mountains are derived from a mountain that is much bigger than the existing Mount Semeru beside it. Then this mountain erupted violently, forming a sandy crater with small mountains that formed in the crater. One of these is Mount Bromo.

For access to Mount Bromo, there are two main entrances, the east entrance (Tosari, Pasuruan) and the west entrance (Cemoro Kandang, Probolinggo). But I recommend, Bromo adventure will be more interesting if we go through the east entrance. Adventure will begin in the viewing post of Bromo and Semeru mountain located in Mount Penanjakan. Here we will enjoy the beautiful sunrise with background Bromo and Semeru mountain. If you ever see very beautiful picture or photograph with background Mount Bromo and Semeru (like the picture above), this is where the photo was taken. After we satisfied to enjoy the sunrise here, about six-thirty o'clock we can go down to the sea of sand. Here we can enjoy the atmosphere of a combination between mountains and desert, is not like other places. And after that, we headed to Mount Bromo crater and enjoy the surrounding scenery.

To get there easily enough, especially for residents of Surabaya or Malang and surrounding areas. The recommended transportation is by using private vehicles, could be a car or motorcycle. Why not use public transportation, because it is rather difficult to obtain (especially toward the base of the mountain) and the timing was not right because we leave at midnight where there is no public transport anymore. Unless you intend to spend the night before. From Surabaya, we headed to Pasuruan via Gempol. Arriving in Pasuruan, take Malang direction, toward the road that connects with the Purwosari, Pasuruan. About 3-4km leave Pasuruan there will be a big T-junction (with traffic light), where there are large marks on it that shows if the left is to Mount Bromo. This area is called Warung Dowo. As well as the direction of Malang. From Malang we headed to Purwosari. At T-junction Purwosari, take direction straight toward Pasuruan (where the left is the direction of Pandaan). From this junction to Warung Dowo, the distance about 15 km.

From Warung Dowo, after entering a few miles, there is a another T-junction, take the right direction. After that, there is no another turn until reach the Tosari village. Starting from Warung Dowo, there is sufficient clear road markers, so you do not need to worry getting lost while driving in the middle of the night. But the travel can make the stomach nausea and headache, because it is uphill and the road winding sharp enough. There is almost a full rotation even. Travel will spend one to two hours depending on your 'style' driving in the winding streets like this.

Arriving in the Tosari village, you are required to take important decisions, whether you will go with your personal vehicle or do you rent a 4WD car (called hardtop). Why, because after this road is exactly like the path of death. Derivatives and sloped ramp terrible enough, maybe up to 50 degrees. And it was only a one quarter wide driveway. This means that if a car ran into each other there should be special tricks. The slope is combined with a sharp bend. So it is not recommended for drivers who are not skilled. Except for those who do not love their car and life But for motorcycle riders did not seem necessary specialized expertise. It's just make sure your bike is strong enough to take the slope. There are two types of leases, rent the car (hardtop) with driver, or just rent the driver. To rent drivers, our vehicles remain in use, but the driver is guaranteed if there is damage caused by driving, then the damage will be borne entirely. The price is certainly cheaper than renting hardtop with driver. To rent hardtop with they set same prices so it is impossible for negotiable rates of 300 thousand rupiah. That includes the journey from Tosari to Penanjakan, Penanjakan sand toward the ocean and Mount Bromo, until returning to Tosari.

Travel from Tosari to Penanjakan takes approximately 30 minutes, with a more uphill journey and winding than before. Previously, out of the Tosari village to go to TNBTS area, entry fees will be drawn into. Individuals fees less than 5 thousand rupiah. And Bromo retribution portal was opened at 3 am. So if you are up earlier than it had to wait first. Arriving at Penanjakan, we will be presented with kiosks offering neat variety of souvenirs. Although time is still shown at half-past four in the morning but the atmosphere is bright, because the neon glow of the kiosk owners are clashing bright to attract customers. Here we will take the stairs as far as approximately 200 meters until reach the viewing post. In the viewing post we will enjoy the beautiful landscape spread by the Almighty. This location was arranged quite neatly with the availability of seats in a row for the audience. And the most important thing is to pray for clear weather so you can enjoy that beautiful view of the maximum. Because unfortunately, when me and my friends were here when the weather was overcast, until seven o'clock the sun was not visible. Especially Mount Bromo. That appears only a white cloud, and from a distance looked Mount Semeru coughing smoke belching.

After the Penanjakan, we can continue the journey to Bromo. The journey begins with the road there extraordinary decline horrible, that it is here where an expert driver in action. Because it really can be called the road 'down the cliff'. After the adrenaline stimulated, stomach seemed to be shaken, head hit the hood of the car, we will treated to the beauty of the sea sand (segoro wedi). As mentioned before, here we can enjoy the atmosphere of a combination between mountains and desert. So cool. Very awesome. You can take few minutes here to take pictures, photographs or just enjoy the atmosphere of sea sand. Me and my friends quite happy here (formerly frustrated because we can not see the beautiful scenery in the Penanjakan viewing post).

Quite satisfied in a sea of sand, we continue the trip to Mount Bromo. Hardtop only allowed in certain areas that have been bordered around climbing area. With the goal, other than to look tidy is also to share good fortune with the jockey who rents horses for riding. Horse rental fee varies and depends on your bargaining level, but for the local people are usually pegged to the price of 20 thousand dollars. And will be even cheaper if approaching the climb stairs. Although if you want to walk it will not make any problem if your stamina is excellent. Until reach the base of the stairs, if you walk will spend half an hour or less. Then you can climb the stairs to reach the top of Mount Bromo. Here you can enjoy the beauty of Bromo crater and also can take pictures with the background of mount Batok. You can also tour around the crater if the day is still in the morning. Because in the afternoon is dangerous to be around the crater. Since the day, sulfur vapor increasingly unable to rise above so that the possibility of danger to the higher toxicity.

Route:

• Surabaya - Gempol - Pasuruan - Warung Dowo: 1.5 hours (night journey)
  Malang - Purwodadi - Purwosari - Warung Dowo: 1 hour (night journey)
• Warung Dowo - Tosari: 1-2 hours (night journey)
• Tosari - Penanjakan: 30 minutes
• Penanjakan - Segoro Wedi: 25 minutes
• Segoro Wedi - Bromo: 15 minutes

Rate:

• Levy entered the area TNBTS: Rp.5000 per person
• Rent hardtop: Rp.300.000 per car
• Rent a horse: 20,000 (nego)

Tips:

• Field trip during the dry season, not the rainy season, so you will get a perfect view of the moment.
• Prepare a cold protective clothing, such as the slayer, scarves, gloves, jackets, and do not forget the shoes because the weather here is cold enough.
• Bring sunglasses also for protection from dust in the sand during the segoro wedi.
• Do not stay at Bromo crater above 9 o'clock in the morning to avoid the risk of poisoning.
• The most appropriate timing off from Surabaya or Malang is about 12-1 at night.