Mungkin yang terkenal selama ini Kepulauan Komodo adalah sebuah kepulauan dengan habitat asli satu-satunya hewan purba yang masih hidup di abad ke 21 ini. Turis berbondong-bondong mengunjungi Pulau Komodo untuk melihat hewan yang mampu berlari 18km/jam ini. Bukan rahasia umum lagi, selain menjadi habitat asli hewan komodo, kepulauan komodo juga memiliki landscape dan bawah laut yang di favoritkan oleh para beberapa traveler.

Siapa yang belum pernah mendengar tentang 3 buah gugusan pulau kecil yang terletak di barat Pulau lombok. Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, Gili Meno bisa di bilang kini menjadi primadona wisata 0 mdpl pulau Lombok. Jika kamu punya waktu lebih, paling tidak butuh kurang lebih 4 hari untuk bisa menikmati ke tiga pulau ini, namun bagi yang memiliki waktu libur lebih singkat dan harus memilih. Sebaiknya tentukan dulu prioritas yang ingin kamu nikmati di pulau yang memiliki waktu tempuh antar pulau 45 menit- 1 jam ini.

If i have to say 2 words to describe Weh island, the words will go to "Leisure Time". It's obvious that Weh Island is the best place to unwind after a hectic city lifestyle.

stingless jellyfish in Kakaban Island

If you guys haven't know before, these islands were located in Derawan Archipelago. Each island could be reached for only 1 hour between one to another. So, i am gonna starting with my first visit in Derawan. It was this year, Mei 2015 and yes i was late. I came when everything has changed or i might put too high expectation for it. I thought Derawan would be a lovely island with the clear blue water where i could find turtle swimming here and there. But i was wrong. My friend who came 2 years ago said now Derawan has changed, it was like what i thought before, but now it turn out to be more commercial he said. Since the big increasing number of tourists, the locals take this advantage by build more and more home stays. Sadly, the high demand of staying in overwater bungalows growing up as big as the development. The local residents build more and more overwater bungalows which are going further away of the coast and almost reach the sea each day.

Leaving Maratua Island

Derawan Island

It becomes even more sadder when seeing so many household waste floating on the water and knowing that the owner (which mostly the locals) just let them flow in the sea and pretending to not responsible of them. I once talked with the local asking how this could be happened, and he answered that it's true, Derawan doesn't has the solution about waste and he really hopes it could be solved soon. Instead of those minus points i mentioned above, Derawan is still visited by tourists. The tourists or trip planners usually stay in Derawan before going for island hopping. Derawan is the only island where kind of home stays could be found among other island is the cause.

Sangalaki Island/Manta Point

So if you already choose to start from Derawan Island, the best route for the next destination is going to Sangalaki afterwards. It will take 1 hour to get this place. Sangalaki or best known as the manta point of Derawan archipelago. This island is famous for its manta rays. I were told that it used to be black mantas, but that's changed. You can still see some but it is rarer now.

Sangalaki Pier

way to sangalaki beach

On my two times visit of sangalaki island, it's quite easy to find them as they mostly swim on the surface. But, they will timidly swim down deeper if your boat gets closer. Manta rays used to be found in big waves area. So, if you are not that good at swimming, you'd better stay on the boat and watching the mantas from the deck. Because, it's quite harmful if you force yourself to get closer to them by knowing your inability of swimming.

Manta ray was swimming on the surface in Sangalaki

Kakaban Island

One popular thing of Kakaban Island is its famous lake. It protects many species and is considered for UNESCO nomination as a world heritage site (because of endemic jellyfish). Kakaban island is well known as a place where we can swim with millions of jellyfish without sting. There are only 3 places to see this in this world; Kakaban in Indonesia, Togean in Indonesia too and Rock Island in Mickronesia. But Kakaban is the place with that many species of stingless jellyfish.

Kakaban Lake from the top

Wooden Step to reach Kakaban Lake

Once in Kakaban, you will be welcomed by a gate and also the ticket counter. You need to pay for IDR20.000/person to go inside. It needs 10 minutes walk through the wooden step to reach the lake. Before start swimming with the jelly, you'd better know about these 

Before swimming on Kakaban Lake

Stingless jellyfish in kakaban

3 things you should know before swimming in kakaban lake :

1. Don't bring your fins (only mask and snorkel)

2. The best time to get the millions floating jellyfish is around 12.00 - 14.00

3. Avoid to putting your sunscreen before you swim with the jellyfish, it will harm and pollute the jellyfish.

4. Don't hesitate to go further into the lake to be surrounded by the jellyfish

5. When you're done, out of the lake, kakaban island is also consisted by beautiful coral and blue water to be explored. Make sure you do snorkeling around the pier.

The jelly fish swim following the sun light

Haji Mangku Cave
One destination that also you don't have to be missed. This cave is very near with kakaban lake, only 15 minutes away by speed boat. Though this cave is not quite popular than the others, but i bet It would be one place which make your adrenaline going up of all other destination. Yes, it's a cave, and it's located inside the forest, so after get out of the boat, you have to walk in rocky, and slippery land to reach the cave during 5 minutes. Once you are here you will be welcomed by a clear blue water which is 7 meter down of the surface.

Haji Mangku Cave

The popular activity is jump from the land to the water (it's 7 meter height). It's still funny to see people who afraid of height and took a lot of times thinking to jump (though they already ready to jump from the edge), sometimes they stepped back and shout so loudly to make their fear disappear. For me, it was such addictive, even i jumped for 3 times there. I once jumped from the 15 meter height to the sea when i was in Mandeh Island, West Sumatra. Believe it or not, it now becomes my fears of height released. haha.

That blue water in Haji Mangku Cave

Best times to go to Haji Mangku
1. The sun light is best shine the blue water at 11.00-13.00 but sad to say in this times, due to the low tide, the boat cannot be parked so close to the walk starting point which means you have to walk further to reach the cave (about 15 minutes away).
2. So, if you don't wanna walk that far, you'd better come between 15.00-17.00, you just need to walk for 5 minutes. But the negative thing, you cannot see the sun flare effect which makes water looks so bright.

Maratua Island

Snorkeling time in Maratua Island

Look at that sandy beach blending with the clear blue water

Best spot in Maratu Island is in around Maratua Paradise Resort.

Best times to go to Maratua
1. the best time to see the most beauty of Maratua is at 11.00 - 14.00. Again the sun light is still as the reason.


I spent two weeks to enjoying the beauty of East Borneo, Indonesia. Starting from visitied Derawan Island, and meet the stingless jellyfish in Kakaban Island, Watched Manta Ray playground, Felt the amazing experience in Labuan Cermin Lake which famous for its unique two-flavor lake water, fresh on the surface and salty at the bottom, with different types of fish coexisting alongside one another. Enjoy the movie !
How To Get There


If want  to get here and need a travel planner, do not hesitate to contact me  on kadekarini@hotmail.co.id

*i'll give you the best price.

cheers,
kadekarini

So, yeah i am writing here after my third times visit to Labuan cermin has just finished 4 days ago. Third times is not really a little amount for a place where could be reached for more than 2305 km from Jakarta. Well, i honestly have to say that i fall in love with this place. Labuan cermin Lake is located in Biduk Biduk Region, Berau, East Borneo. Though everyone knows about this magical beautiful lake, but only some of them decide to go there, since it is quite hard to reach this place. No, it's not hard because we have to do some tracking for hours or riding a motor trails to get there, it's more because 6-8 hours will be spent from Berau Airport to Biduk Biduk Region and vice versa. For sure, it will be first problem for working tourists who only have free time on weekend.

The road from Berau to biduk biduk would become your boring overland journey ever due to the winding and bumpy road with lack or almost no view you will experience. The prefect time to starting this journey is no more that 03.00 pm, that's the perfect time i think, so you wouldn't arrive too late. If The overnight journey is too dark to see and feel the fresh air of biduk-biduk area, then your morning would be welcome by a calm atmosphere with straight tall coconut trees line up along the road and the clear blue sky combining the turquoise blue water on the coast.

Where To Stay in Labuan Cermin 
Biduk-biduk area is a remote area, so do not expect of getting a luxurious accommodation to stay. There are only a few proper home-stays or inns, some of them are Penginapan Mayang Sari, Selvia Inn. But if you want to have the unique experience, staying at local houses is probably will be the good option like what i did. I was staying at one of local houses, the family was really nice, they also cooked me and my friends for lunch and dinner, and it was the best food i have ever eaten when i was in Borneo.

How To Get To Labuan Cermin

Either the local houses or home stays are all located only 10 minutes driving to Labuan Cermin. You can rent a bicycle or motorbike which rented by the home stays. Once you arrive, you will be greeted by "Welcome to Labuan Cermin" sign board and the tosca water for sure. Go to the ticket counter and pay for IDR 100.000/ boat to reach the lake. It only took 5 minutes to arrive, and do not forget to ask the pick up time to your helmsman.

It's still amazing for me to experience the fresh water on the surface and salt water 2 metres deeper. I was also wondering how it could be happened. Even without thinking logically, this phenomenon was already stated on moslem holy book, and of course on others religion's book too.

"Dan Dialah yang membiarkan dua laut mengalir (berdampingan); yang ini tawar dan segar dan yang lain sangat asin lagi pahit; dan Dia Jadikan antara keduanya dinding dan barat yang tidak tembus.'' Al-Furqan [25] ayat 53

"And He let two seas to flow (side by side); they are fresh water and salty water; And He magically make the barrier to separate them''.  Al-Furqan [25] ayat 53

For people who cannot swim, you guys are absolutely still can enjoy the Labuan Cermin, because there are swimming bans and life jackets rented on the pier. But, it will be more well-experienced if you can feel those magical fresh water which flows into the seawater trapped in the lake.

Cheers,

kadekarini

Ujung Kulon, a very nice wild trip, beautiful islands where could be reach for 3 days with good budget. Very Recomended for Jakarta' sweet escape.

Pulau Peucang, Ujung Kulon.

Kira-kira begitulah serangkaian kalimat yang bisa menggambarkan trip saya ke Ujung Kulon. Sebagai pekerja kantoran yang tidak memiliki waktu banyak untuk travelling, saya selalu menyisihkan waktu weekend khusus untuk lari dari hirup pikuk kota. Gak terbayang kalau tiap hari terbalut asap kendaraan, menghirup polusi kota, terpaksa menghadapi kemacetan jalan, dan harus menghadapi hal yang sama di saat weekend. Kayanya kenikmatan hidup di rampas aja haha.

Pulau Peucang, Ujung Kulon. Taken by Samsung NX3000

Cerita weekend kali ini, saya terdampar di sebuah pulau dekat Jakarta, gak dekat sih 8 jam perjalanan darat plus 4 jam nyebrang kapal. Sebenernya sama aja kaya waktu perjalanan ke Jakarta-Yogyakarta, tapi karena Ujung Kulon bisa di sebrangi dari Banten jadi terlihat lebih dekat aja sama Jakarta.

On the way to Pulau Peucang, Ujung Kulon. Taken by Samsung NX3000

Ketika berencana ke Ujung Kulon, pastikan kalau tidak berangkat sendiri, karena jatuhnya akan mahal dibandingkan kalau berangkat bareng dan bisa sharing cost. Berangkat dengan 17 orang lainnya, ini pertama kalinya buka open trip untuk sharing cost, tapi sebenernya yang ikut ya temen-temen yang kenal juga sih. Bedanya saya dan partner yang arrange semuanya.

Pulau Peucang, Ujung Kulon. Taken by Samsung NX3000

Perjalanan dimulai pukul 21.00 dari Jakarta menuju ke Banten melewati Cilegon dan Anyer. Sepanjang 8 jam perjalanan yang muncul di ingatan cuma kepala yang kejedot sana-sini, posisi duduk yang terpental-pental, sisanya bunga tidur haha. Berasa ilang ingatan tau-tau udah sampai di rumah Pak Koni (pemilik kapal yang saya sewa).

Pulau Peucang, Ujung Kulon. Taken by Samsung NX3000

Jam 07.00 kapal sudah siap ditumpangi untuk menyebrang dari Sumur menuju ke Pulau Peucang. Dibutuhkan waktu menyebrang kurang lebih 3-4 jam untuk bisa sampai di Pulau peucang. Udara sangat terik, langit cerah, dan seperti biasanya saya ketiduran di deck kapal.

Pulau Peucang
Pulau Peucang merupakan sebuah pulau yang lokasinya bersampingan dengan Taman Nasional Ujung Kulon.

Babi hutan berkeliaran di Welcome gate Pulau Peucang, Ujung Kulon. Taken by Samsung NX3000

Kalau memasuki kawasan Taman Nasional ujung Kulon sudah pasti melewati pantai di Pulau Peucang. Pertama menginjakan kaki di dermaga Pulau Peucang langsung di sambut babi hutan dan monyet yang berkeliaran di pantai. Haaa berenang bareng babi hutan banget nih ?? ya kapan lagi kan kejadian langka ini terjadi haha.

Banyak monyet berenang di pantai. Pulau Peucang, Ujung Kulon. Taken by Samsung NX3000

Kejernihan air Pulau Peucang, Ujung Kulon. Taken by Samsung NX3000

Tekstur pasir putih Pulau Peucang, Ujung Kulon. Taken by Samsung NX3000

Tekstur pasir putih, air yang jernih dengan latar belakang pepohonan bakau membuatnya menjadi magnet utama bagi traveler yang hendak mengunjungi Ujung Kulon. Awalnya saya sempat ragu apakah benar P.Peucang memiliki air sejernih dan pasir seputih itu, mengingat lokasinya yang berdekatan dengan kota Jakarta. Namun, itulah gunanya harus membuktikan dan merasakkannya sendiri, dan buat saya sendiri, Pulau Peucang dengan kejernihan air nya sangat recommended banget, melihat letaknya yang bisa dicapai dengan tidak sulit dari Kota Jakarta. 

Guest house di Pulau Peucang, Ujung Kulon. Taken by Samsung NX3000

Di Pulau Peucang juga terdapat guest house penginapan yang di kelola oleh Pengelola TN Ujung Kulon. Pengunjung yang berniat menginap di Pulau Peucang tidak diperbolehkan ber camping melainkan harus menyewa penginapan.

Pulau Peucang, Ujung Kulon. Taken by Samsung NX3000

Pulau Peucang, Ujung Kulon. Taken by Samsung NX3000

Trekking Hutan Tropis, Karang Copong
Di belakang pantai Peucang terdapat hutan hujan tropis dimana jika beruntung kita bisa melihat badak jawa yang merupakan habitat yang hampir punah. 

Trekking Hutan hujan tropis, Ujung Kulon. Taken by Samsung NX3000