Jalan-Jalan ke Brunei Darussalam (Selesai)

Masjid Omar Ali, Masjid kebanggaan Brunei  

Halo guys!. Saya senang sekali, blog saya diapresiasi oleh kawan-kawan di Brunei Darussalam. Sudah hampir 200 pembaca, dan semoga kedepannya semakin  banyak lagi. Saya juga berharap di Indonesia banyak pembaca menyukai tulisan-tulisan saya. Saya sangat bahagia karena blog saya juga diapresiasi di negara-negara yang lain. Hanya saja, blog saya belum menghasilkan uang, karena memang untuk sementara ini saya menolak iklan. Saya menulis untuk kepuasan batin dan murni berbagi pengalaman saja. Intinya, blog saya belum komersil.  Ya, semoga kedepan dapat menghasilkan “sesuatu”. Amin.

Orang menulis itu memiliki niat dan motif yang berbeda-beda. Ada yang ingin populer, ada yang untuk cari uang, ada yang demi kepentingan politik atau menulis hoax untuk menyebarkan fitnah, dan lain sebagainya. Saya tidak mau seperti yang terakhir.  Menulis untuk suatu hoax itu berat tanggung-jawabnya. Guru Bahasa Indonesia saya semasa SMU pernah berkata “menulis itu apapun niat dan motif kamu sah-sah saja”. Memang sah-sah saja, tetapi semua itu ada konsekuensinya. Bagi saya, menulis sesuatu yang positif itu lebih menyenangkan.

 Yah, blog saya sangat sederhana. Saya juga tidak berharap yang muluk-muluk bisa menjadi penulis terkenal seperti Trinity "The Naked Traveler" atau Gol A Gong yang legendaris itu. Semua punya rizki masing-masing. Bagi saya pribadi saat ini “aku menulis, maka dari itu aku ada”.  Menulis itu dibuat enjoy saja. 

Masjid Sultan Bolkiah, Masjid kebanggaan kedua masyarakat Brunei

Setelah sekian lama menulis artikel tentang destinasi-destinasi di Indonesia, saya dapat ide lagi untuk menulis tentang Brunei. Maaf ya menunggu lama. Menulis memerlukan mood dan inspirasi. Bagi saya, menulis dengan hati dapat membuat saya ikhlas dalam menuangkan ide-ide. Entah mengapa, malam ini begitu banyak hal yang saya pikirkan perihal jalan-jalan. Saya rindu ingin melancong keluar negeri lagi, tetapi entah kapan. Kemauan itu memang harus sesuai dengan kemampuan ya guys. Namun, saya percaya semua ada jalan bila ada niat. 

Perjalanan saya ke Brunei bersama Halim dan Asep (nama samaran) 2 tahun yang lalu menghasilkan beberapa tulisan yang kawan-kawan semua dapat membacanya di blog ini juga. Tulisan kali ini merupakan yang terakhir, karena sejujurnya saya sudah kehabisan ide untuk menulis tentang Brunei.  Tetapi bila dilain kesempatan saya dapat mengunjungi Istana Nurul Iman, maka saya akan mendapatkan bahan untuk menulis lagi.

Saya dan Halim jalan-jalan bukan untuk pamer guys.  Apakah kami kaya? Belum guys. Saya saja masih ngontrak rumah. Tahu kan harga properti di Kabupaten Sleman – Yogyakarta mahalnya minta ampun. Kami traveling karena kami menabung, dan menahan untuk membeli sesuatu yang kurang penting. Memang tidak mudah, dan banyak godaan tentunya. Beruntungnya kami, jalan-jalan merupakan hobi dan pekerjaan. Jangan mupeng ya? he he. 

Brunei itu cinta pertama guys. Bagaimana mungkin saya bisa lupa dengan segala hal yang telah terjadi di Brunei? Suatu pengalaman 6 hari yang berkesan. Sampai sekarang pun, semua itu berlalu-lalang dipikiran saya. Sedapnya Ambuyat, murahnya Nasi Katok, wisata Kampung Ayer yang awesome, saling  berinteraksi dengan warga lokal, serta kemurahan hati Bang Lani sebagai Tuan Rumah membuat kenangan ini terpatri dalam jiwa saya. Hutang budi ini pun hingga kini belum terbalas.

 Wisata Kampung Ayer, wisata adrenalin apabila dipandu orang yang tepat

Kini Halim yang merupakan kawan seperjalanan saya ke Brunei, semakin sibuk dengan pekerjaannya selaku pemandu gunung api. Nampak semakin sulit bagi saya untuk mengajaknya melancong keluar negeri. Rekan seperjalanan saya ke Malaysia dan Thailand yaitu Sofyan, juga sibuk dengan urusannya.  Saya harus mencari teman lain, atau akan mencoba menjadi solo traveler kedepannya. Well, life must go on. 

Saya memiliki banyak rekan seprofesi, tetapi tidak mudah mencari seseorang yang dapat dijadikan team. Cocok-cocokan sih, atau Bahasa Jawa nya “jodo-jodonan”. Tentu, saya akan kembali ke Brunei tetapi melalui rute yang berbeda. Saya ingin mencoba rute Pontianak – Kuching – Miri – Brunei. Kemudian, berlanjut ke Kota Kinabalu dan Sandakan, lalu diakhiri ke Provinsi Kalimantan Utara – Indonesia. Rute ini belum pernah dicoba oleh pelancong Indonesia. Yeah, baru rencana sih. Doakan saya ya guys. Rencana dulu. Segala sesuatu bisa saja berubah kedepannya. 

The Charming of Yogyakarta for International Filmmakers

“Yogyakarta is a volcano, a temple, a shrine and now a place to stay” – The New York Times

Candi Sewu (inside Prambanan Park)  for The Philosophers A.K.A. After the Dark - www.youtube.com

The name of Bali as a world’s class destination is becoming more popular after “Eat,Pray,&Love (2010)” movie success in the box office.  Yeah, in this film, Julia Robert and Javier Bardiem have great acting. The locations for this film are in 3 countries such as Italy (for “Eat”), India (for “Pray”), and Bali – Indonesia (for “Love”). The effects for tourism are WOW, and one of them is more tourists coming to this island until today. But yes, Australian tourists are still number one for international visitors. That makes sense because from Darwin – Australia to Denpasar – Bali is only 3 hours flight. Oh yeah one more, please “Get It Right” if Bali is not a country!. Don’t be a silly person in the digital era like this. 

 

 (www.filmrcithulk.wordpress.com)        

But, did you know if Bali is not the only one island in Indonesia that interested for foreigner filmmakers?. Anaconda 2 : The Curse of Black Orchid (2004), Savages (2012), Java Heat (2013), The Philosophers A.K.A After the Dark (2013), Beyond Skyline (2014 – Post Production), and Blackhat (2015) are just the examples. There are some more but have been flopped in the market, not famous. The titles above are more well-known for the moviegoers. Did you know if three of the films have been taken in Yogyakarta for the locations?. Here the list below is my explanation for some of  the movies above:

-       Java Heat (2013): Mickey Rourke, Kellan Lutz, Ario Bayu, Atiqah Hasiholan, & Rio Dewanto

 

The poster film of Java Heat (Borobudur as the background) - www.margatehousefilms.com 

 

The film was screened at the “Dallas International Film Festival” on April 4, 2013 then at the “Taormina Film Fest” on June 15 – 22. This film got various reviews from www.imdb.com , and for me Java Heat is still worth it to watch. Yogyakarta Special Region (or just “Yogyakarta”) and Central Java Province are the mainly locations for this drama-action-crime-thriller movie. The choices of locations are amazing. 

The locations are in Borobudur (World’s Largest Buddhist Archeological Site since 2012 – Guinness World Record, and one of World Wonders), Candi Sewu (The Biggest Ancient Buddhist Compounds in Indonesia), Keraton Yogyakarta (Yogyakarta Sultanate Palace), Tamansari (Yogyakarta Water Castle) and its underground area, and Malioboro (shopping street).

Kellant Lutz and Borobudur as its background - www.margatehousefilms.com

 

The story is fictive. Why? Never happened bomb case in Yogyakarta!. This is what I don’t like from the film. But, what I love from Java Heat is the screenplay, cinematography, and showing the Javanese traditions such as “Wayang Kulit” (Javanese Shadow Puppet) performance, Javanese “Batik”, and Javanese “Keris” (asymmetric dagger). When Mickey Rourke riding “Andong” (Yogyakarta Traditional Horse Cart) also cool!. I have favorite quotes from the film.

Quote 1:

Jake Wilde (Kellan)        : I flew in last week, and they invited me to this party. It’s informal, when I realized it’s    like Hawaiian shirt party.

Hashim (Ario Bayu)       : Batik. It’s called Batik.

Quote 2:

Jake                                :“Bule”?

Hashim                           : Literally, “stupid white person”. But, it can be a term of endearment.

Quote 3:

Hashim                           : Americans. You are like children. Always think you are “Rambo”.

Jake                                : You know Rambo? “I always thought the mind was the best defense.”

Hashim                           : “Weapon”!

Jake                                :  What?

Hashim                           : “I always thought the mind was the best weapon”.

Jake                                : See? That’s why we make a good team.

-       The Philosophers A.K.A After the Dark (2013): James D’Arcy, Sophie Lowe, & Bonnie Wright

 

 Prambanan, one of the settings for "After the Dark" - www.pinterest.com 
 

This science fiction psychological apocalyptic thriller film had awesome cinematography, very good complicated and unpredictable story, and got better critics from www.imdb.com then also www.rottentomatoes.com . The film premiered in competition at Neuchatel International Fantastic Film Festival on 7 July 2013, and at Fantasy Filmfest on 21 August 2013. Then, finally has been released on February 7, 2014 in the United States, after the film changing the title from “The Philosophers” to “After the Dark. 

 

The poster film of "After the Dark" and Sewu Temple as its background - www.wikipedia.com 

The locations are in the different places in Indonesia like in Jakarta, Yogyakarta (Prambanan), Candi Sewu (Central Java Province), Bromo (East Java Province), and Belitung Island (nears Sumatera). I love the story and the cinematography. The film is showing the spectacular destinations in Java Island. Superb!. Thank you very much John Huddles!. Don’t worry, Bromo is fine even elementary school students can enjoy the view. Eruption in the film is just CGI, of course!.

Favorite Quote:

Georgina (Bonnie Wright)         : What we will do in Prambanan?

Mr.Zimit (James D’Arcy)           : Field trip.

-       Beyond Skyline (Upcoming in 2017): Frank Grillo, Bojana Novakovic, Iko Uwais, & Yayan Ruhian

 

 The Poster film of "Beyond Skyline" and Prambanan as its background, & the poster of the first film - www.teaser-trailer.com 

This is American science fiction action thriller film about alien invasion in Asia (especially Indonesia), and the second film after “Skyline (2010)”. The first film is taken in the US, got not good critics but box office in the worldwide!. Now, for the second film is located in Indonesia like in Yogyakarta (Candi Sewu, Sri Gethuk Waterfall) and Batam Island. There are two Indonesian martial artists here, Iko Uwais and Yayan Ruhian from “Merantau”, “The Raid” and “The Raid 2 : Berandal”. Beyond Skyline needs long post production because the CGI is more complicated than the first film. Be patient!.    

 Sri Gethuk Waterfall, Yogyakarta, Java Island, Indonesia

-       Savages (2012):Taylor Kitsch,Blake Lively, Aaron Johnson, John Travolta, Salma Hayek,Benicio Del Toro

The poster film of "Savages" - www.uphe.com 

This American crime thriller film is really “dark”. Some scenes are really “breathtaking” and “messy”. It is very good action film, very good story, twist ending, and unpredictable plot. Mainly the location is taken in America and a little bit in Moyo Island, Indonesia (eastern Indonesia). You don’t know Moyo Island? Come on! You only know Bali?. Google guys!.

Favorite Quote :

Taylor                 : After we’ve done, let’s take vacation to Indonesia.

Blake                  : Indonesia? Wow. More than 10.000 islands, something? 

Pulau Moyo (Moyo Island),Indonesia - www.dutapulauseribu.com

And this is just information for you my friends. There will be more foreign filmmakers will come to Yogyakarta. Why? Did you know if Yogyakarta is the heart of Java? Even “The Huffington Post” and “The New York Times” have been wrote nice things about my city. Please read my last article about Yogyakarta, “Why Yogyakarta is Special for your Trip?”. For tourism destination, Indonesia is not only Bali. Go to Moyo Island! Go to Yogyakarta! Go to Borobudur!. Go to Sumatera, Kalimantan A.K.A. Borneo, Sulawesi A.K.A Celebes, Maluku A.K.A Moluccas, Lombok, Flores, Raja Ampat, and Komodo Island. Just pack & go!. Go..go..go!. 

Kawah Ijen

(A volcano with green lake, sulfur mining, blue fire, and amazing trekking route)

If you are reading my articles, you will get more understanding geographically about Indonesia. Mostly international tourists know about Bali if talking about my country, but that is in the past before internet exists. THAT is long long time ago, dudes!. The effect of internet is making every traveler smarter. 

Right now yes Bali is still top destination in Indonesia, but many new destinations are raising my friends especially in Java Island, Sumatera Island, Kalimantan Island, Sulawesi Island, Lombok Island, Flores Island, Komodo Island, Bunaken Island, Sumbawa Island, Moluccas Island, and Raja Ampat Island. See? Indonesia is a big country! More than 17.000 islands!. And, mostly population in Indonesia is living in Java Island (about 140 million). 

This article focuses about one rising destination in Java since few years ago, Kawah Ijen AKA Ijen Crater, one of the most popular volcano destinations in Indonesia.

 

The map of volcanoes in Indonesia (Doc.Wikipedia)

Indonesia has so many volcanoes (more than 100), and imagine if every local government in every provinces in my country make the volcanoes as tourist destinations. Unfortunately, not all local governments are aware about this. Until today only Bromo (East Java Province), Ijen (East Java Province), Tangkuban Perahu (West Java Province), Dieng (Central Java Province), Merapi (Yogyakarta Special Region), Merbabu (Central Java Province), Semeru AKA Mahameru (East Java Province), Rinjani (Lombok Province), and Kelimutu (Flores Province) are very popular for European tourists, local tourists, and Asian tourists. 

The beauty of Kawah Ijen

How to go to Ijen? There are 3 ways to go there. Here we go:

-                      Yogyakarta : European tourists mostly travelling to Yogyakarta – Bromo – Ijen – Bali. Then for Gili Islands or Lombok, they can go independently. This way is only famous for European travellers. I call this trip as Java – Bali Overland. This is a legend and classic trip, also full of adventures. Imagine, the combination of ancient temples like Borobudur and Prambanan, city tour, volcano destinations (Bromo and Kawah Ijen), then leisure destinations like in Bali or Lombok (Gili Islands). It is a complete package trip, isn’t?

-                      Surabaya : Thanks for the new international airport in Surabaya, so that many direct flights from Singapore and Malaysia. If you are European, you can go to Bromo first, and then go to Ijen. After that, you can go to Bali by crossing the strait with Ferry from Ketapang Port in Banyuwangi District – East Java to Gilimanuk Port in Bali (just 1 hour guys!). But if you are Asian tourists, better you take Ijen first then Bromo for the last. After that, back to Surabaya for return to your country. 

-                      Bali :You can go to Ijen from Bali but this is not effective and efficient in time, except if your accommodation in West Bali National Park area or Lovina area, because not far from the Gilimanuk Port.

The sulfur miners in Kawah Ijen area

Reaching the paltuding post? There are two ways. Here we go: 
-          If your accommodation in Arabica Homestay or Catimor Homestay in Bondowoso District – East Java Province, you don’t need a jeep to go to the paltuding post (the starting point for trekking). You just need a car or long van to get there. The homestays are the nearest accommodation to the paltuding post.

-          If your accommodation in Banyuwangi District – East Java Province, you need a jeep or rent a good scooter. Please notice that, not every accommodation serves scooter. Mostly the travellers rent a jeep to reach the paltuding post.

 

The sulfur mining area at the bottom of the crater

Blue Fire? Blue fire is natural phenomenon that only two in the worlds (Iceland and Kawah Ijen). Many travellers have no idea about this attraction. You must bring special stuffs like special mask, anti-slip shoes, headlight, trekking sticks,  fit condition (you cannot go for Blue Fire if you have asthma and heart attack), and amazing camera. I’ve tried this attraction so I knew how it felt. Professional travel agents are never offering this attraction because too risky and absolutely dangerous. But many backpackers are doing this because they are ready for the consequences. You know what I mean, right?

 

Blue Fire at the bottom of the crater (Doc.www.vertlhorizon.com)

You must go at midnight (or before midnight) from your accommodation. From the paltuding post, you just follow the trekking route with your guide until the lip of crater of Ijen. Trekking at night is never easy and need more time (because less oxygen) . For local people or Asian, mostly need about 90 minutes until 2 hours for 3 km trekking route. So, around at 02.00 am from the lip of crater, you must go down to the sulfur mining area that close with the lake, because Blue Fire only in that area. Walking step by step and slowly, also need super focus and super concentration. No rush!. In this part, you need local sulfur miner to help you. 

Kawah Ijen (from different 'angle')

Around 03.00 or 03.30 am, you may enjoy the Blue Fire just right in front of you!. The sensation is super wow!. Do not stand too long in that area. After you get what you want (recording video or taking amazing photos), please return immediately to the lip of crater. Then, hike again to the secret area for the sunrise spot and you will take an amazing landscape of Ijen Lake from the best area. 

Enjoy your breakfast and waiting again until the sun shine goes through to the lake. You will never forget this experience in your lifetime. Blue Fire is not possible to conquer my friends but you need special preparation. You need 2 days 2 night, so that after this trip you may rest to revitalize your body.

 Kawah Ijen - sulfur mining area and a green lake

If Blue Fire is too difficult for you, you may choose the regular way. Go to the paltuding post by jeep or car from your hotel around 04.00 0r 04.30 am, and follow the trekking route then go to the secret area. Sorry, I cannot tell you. The regular way is more relax, and also spectacular you know. 

Other attractions? There are some by the way, but you cannot go if you only have time 1 day in Ijen. Kawah Wurung, visiting the sulfur river stream, coffee plantation, interview with local sulfur miners, visiting “the sulfur house”, clove plantation, and trying local Soto Ayam are very good additional attractions for you. Don’t forget to try the local coffee also!. 

As a professional and licensed guide, the safeties of clients are top priority. I never recommend Blue Fire except the clients want it with special “terms and conditions apply”. Need vacation? Contact me!.