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22 Oktober 2013

Enchanting New Zealand is in OK! Magazine



Saya sudah beberapa kali posting disini tentang indahnya New Zealand, betapa beberapa sisi tampak surreal dan seperti di alam mimpi. Bulan Oktober ini sebagian cerita pengalaman saya di New Zealand ada di OK! Magazine Indonesia.

I already posted about the beauty of New Zealand few times here, about how some parts of it look surreal and dreamlike. This October I shared some of the stories from New Zealand on OK! Magazine Indonesia.

And again, let's see those enchanting places again..

Hobbiton
Hobbit hole
The Green Dragon Pub
Just a normal day in Matamata


Auckland
Harley Tour
View in Waiheke
Diving Canterbury Wreck
View in Silverdale, North Auckland

@marischkaprue - Want another surreal journey

Photo by Ferry Rusli 

NOTES:
  • The story about enchanting New Zealand is in OK Magazine, October 2013

SEE STORIES FROM NEW ZEALAND ON MY BLOG:

20 Oktober 2013

Biggest Aquarium, How To Handle?



Bayangkan 18 juta liter air dengan sebagian sisi ditahan dengan panel bening sehingga anda dapat melihat ke dalam dimana lebih dari 50 ribu hewan laut tinggal disitu. Bayangkan pembuatan aquarium dengan panel pandang selebar 36 meter dan tinggi 8,3 meter.
 
Imagine 4,7 million gallons of water detained with see through panel so you can see inside where more than 50 thousand marine animals live. Imagine how they make a gigantic aquarium, 118 feet wide and 27 feet high.


4,7 million gallons of sea water and these marine animals!
Bagaimana cara membuatnya, berapa lama mengisi airnya, setebal apa panel itu, bagaimana membersihkannya, mengisi dan memberi makan ikan dan berbagai makhluk laut di dalamnya, semua pertanyaan itu muncul saat berhadapan dengan panel di aquarium terbesar di dunia, SEA Aquarium, khususnya di depan Open Ocean, salah satu area "aquarium" terbesar di kawasan SEA Aquarium, Sentosa, Singapura.
 
How do they built it? how long does it took to fill the water? how thick are the panels? how to clean it up, fill or even feed the fishes and other marine animals inside it? All those questions just rise up when I'm facing the biggest viewing panel of an aquarium in the world, the SEA Aquarium, precisely the Open Ocean, one of the aquarium in SEA Aquarium, Sentosa, Singapore.


Open Ocean adalah pusat dari SEA Aquarium, dengan lebar panel salah satu sisi yang saya sebutkan di atas. Panel bening yang jadi sisi atraksi utama seakan menyatu, tanpa terlihat ada garis penyambung. Saya mesti melihat sangat dekat ke salah satu titik dan menggeser pandangan ke kiri dan kanan titik itu untuk melihat sambungan antar panel di platform pandang tersebut.
 
Open Ocean is the main attraction of the SEA Aquarium, with the size of the panel I've mentioned above. The clear panel which is the main attraction looked so converged, it's very had to see the connecting line between panels. I really have to look closely to one side and shifting my head right to the left to see the connecting line.

Sebuah garis terlihat sangat kasat mata, anda perlu memicing dan bergerak sedikit kemudian melihat ketebalan panel. "70 sentimeter," ujar Anggi Permatasari yang menemani saya. Panel pandang terbesar di dunia ini mencapai berat 250 ribu kilogram atau setara berat 30 gajah afrika, wow that's heavy!

Almost not visible at all, you must focused your eyes and move a bit to see how thick the panel is. "2,2 feet," said Anggi Permatasari who accompanied me telling how thick the panels are. The weight of this biggest viewing panel in the world reached 551 thousand pound, equal with about 30 adult African elephant, that's heavy! 

Divers cleaning the aquarium, pic by Resort World Sentosa
You can dive in this aquarium too, pic by Resort World Sentosa
"Setiap hari ada divers yang membersihkan aquarium ini," ujar Anggi saat saya bertanya bagaimana cara membersihkan habitat hewan laut buatan seluas ini. "Dibersikan di saat bukan jam operasi," tambah Anggi. Saya membayangkan perlu berapa lama dan berapa divers untuk membuat panel panel bening ini tetap bersih.
 
"Every day there are divers cleaning the aquarium," said Anggi when I asked how to clean this aquarium. "They clean it when during non operate hour for visitors," Anggi added. Then I'm thinking about how long and how many divers to get this panel clean all the time.

50.000 marine animals inside
Sementara air laut tempat hidup hewan laut sebanyak 18 juta liter ini juga diganti secara berkala. "Langsung dari air laut namun di filter terlebih dulu agar bersih dari bakteri atau elemen yang berbahaya bagi hewan laut disini," tambah Anggi. Sama halnya dengan aquarium di rumah kita, air laut di dalam Open Ocean ini tentunya harus diganti secara berkala.

Also, the water for the marine animals to live is also filtered and replaced periodically. It's about 4,7 million gallons of sea water. "We got the water from the sea but it through filter process so that the water is totally clean and safe for these marine animals, no bacteria or elements which may harm those fishes," Anggi explained. Just like aquarium in our home, the water inside the tank must replaced periodically.

It's so crowded during feeding time :)
Sedangkan makanan makhluk laut ini rupanya dipersiapkan secara khusus oleh ahli nutrisi SEA Aquarium, saya melihat makanan berbentuk bulat yang langsung dikerubuti ikan ikan laut ini saat saya masuk ke dalam aquarium untuk Sea Trek, namun ada makanan makanan yang berbeda untuk hewan laut yang berbeda pula, kita tentu saja tidak bisa menyamakan makanan pari manta dengan makanan batfish.
 
As for food apparently specially prepared by SEA Aquarium nutritionist, I saw the food, round shape which immediately surrounded by the marine fish when I got inside the aquarium during Sea Trek, but there are also different foods for different marine animals, we certainly
just can't give the same food for manta rays with the batfish.

Leopard shark with schools of smaller fishes following
Masih banyak hal lain yang ingin saya tanyakan, sayangnya saya tidak bisa bertemu tim teknis SEA Aquarium, mungkin saya bisa menghabiskan waktu berjam jam untuk bertanya dan bertanya tentang habitat laut buatan yang begitu mempesona ini.

There are still many other things I really want to ask, unfortunately there are no technical guy around to ask. I might spend countless hours to ask and ask about this breath taking artificial marine habitat.

Memang habitat asli jauh lebih indah, namun melihat manusia sanggup membuat sepotong keindahan ini ada di darat dan dapat melihat begitu dekat, you'll be amazed.
 
I still think that the natural habitat is way more beautiful, but look at this and realize that human are capable to built this beautiful marine life which are accessible to see so close, you'll be amazed.

@marischkaprue - falling in love with the ocean again and again

NOTES:
  • Harga tiket masuk SEA Aquarium: Dewasa 33 SGD (Singapore Dollar), Anak anak 4-12 tahun 23 SGD dan orang tua di atas 60 tahun 23 SGD.
  • Admission price to enter SEA Aquarium: 33 SGD (adult), 23 SGD (child 4-12 years old and above 60 years old)
  • SEA Aquarium beroperasi dari pukul 10 am - 7 pm
  • SEA Aqurium opens from 10 am to 7 pm 
  • Kontak Resort World Sentosa: +65778888
  • Resort World Sentosa, Contact: +65778888
RELATED STORIES:

19 Oktober 2013

Taman Bawah Laut Maratua Reef



Derawan bukan hanya penyu, manta dan barracuda. Bagi saya yang sampai sekarang masih mencintai indahnya warna warni koral dan topografi yang tertutup "taman" bawah laut, ini adalah tempatnya.

Derawan is not only about sea turtles, manta rays and barracudas. For people like me who still love the beauty of colorful corals and the underwater world covered with "garden," this is the place.

Plunge into the blue water
Beautiful reefs in maratua

Maratua reef, sesuai namanya, terletak dekat dengan Pulau Maratua di Kepulauan Derawan, Kalimantan Timur. Hanya perlu naik kapal sekitar 7 menit untuk sampai ke lokasi dimana anda dapat menceburkan diri ke birunya laut dan menikmati taman surgawi bawah laut.

Just like the name itself, maratua reef is a diving spot located near Maratua Island in Derawan Islands, East Borneo. It only took 7 minutes boat ride to get into the spot where you can plunge yourself into the blue sea and enjoy the heavenly underwater garden.

So many pyramid butterflyfish around the corals
Bleeker's parrotfish
Paddletail snapper
A couple of fire dartfish
Dengan kedalaman maksimal penyelaman hingga 18 meter, topografi koral terbaik berada di sekitar 10 meter dan area yang lebih dekat dengan permukaan. Disini cahaya matahari masuk dan membuat semua warna koral terlihat jelas, menyinari ikan laut yang berwarna warni dan membuat saya tersenyum senang mengambil semua foto ini.

With maximum depth of dive up to 59 feetyou'll find best view around 32 feet or even near the surface. Here's the sunlight gets inside the blue water and brings out the best color of corals and marine animals. Fishes with bright colors and corals makes me smile while taking all these photos.

It's getting more and more crowded near the surface
Really love seeing group of purple anthias everywhere
Arus di maratua reef cenderung tenang, namun anda harus menyelam di waktu yang tepat, sesuai musim. Saat arus bersahabat dan matahari bersinar, inilah saat menikmati taman di maratua reef. So, enjoy it!

The currents in maratua reef tend to be calm as long as you dive at the right time which will depend on the season.  When the sea is calm and the sun is bright, it's time to enjoy the beautiful garden in maratua reef. So, enjoy it!

@marischkaprue - enjoy moments in the underwater garden

RELATED STORIES:
DIVING SPOTS IN DERAWAN ISLANDS:

16 Oktober 2013

Dancing With The Manta Rays



"Anyone who spends time with a manta will discover how special and important these animals are!" - Shawn Heinrichs


Seringkali memang kita mesti berhadapan langsung baru kita perduli. Saya pernah bertemu manta tahun lalu di Nusa Penida, Bali, namun saat itu jarak pandang yang buruk, arus yang mengganggu membuat pertemuan saya dengan manta saat itu tidak begitu spesial.

Sometimes we gotta experience and have a close encounter to care. I've met manta rays last year in Nusa Penida, Bali, but at the moment the visibility was so poor and also strong currents makes my manta encounter wasn't as special as it should be.
 


Tahun 2013 ini saya ditawari untuk ikut Manta Project bersama Riyanni Djangkaru, Gemala Hanafiah dan Dayu Hatmanti. "Nanti bareng Shawn Heinrichs, cek video dan foto fotonya," ujar Riyanni berusaha meyakinkan saya untuk bergabung.

In 2013, I got offered to join Manta Project with Riyanni Djangkaru , Gemala Hanafiah and Dayu Hatmanti. "We'll have some photos with Shawn Heinrichs, you should check out his photos and videos," said Riyanni to convinced me.

Saya cukup ragu untuk bergabung saat itu, pertama saya tidak terbiasa membuka mata di dalam air, kedua saya tidak andal menyelam tanpa alat atau free dive, apalagi jarak waktu dari saat Riyanni menawarkan saya bergabung dengan waktu saat pelaksanaan proyek sangat dekat dan saya tidak dapat berlatih terlebih dahulu karena berbagai jadwal keluar kota.

First, I hesitate since I'm not comfortable open my eyes underwater and also I'm not really good doing free diving, besides there was no time for me to practice first due to the tight schedule.


Inti proyek Manta ini adalah membuat foto bersama pari manta, untuk menunjukkan bahwa manta adalah makhluk yang luar biasa bersahabat, tidak berbahaya dan sangat anggun. Lokasi foto adalah di Manta Bay dan Manta Point di Nusa Penida, Bali. Membayangkan air yang dingin, ditambah saya yang awam melakukan free dive membuat saya ragu. Namun kemudian saya melihat video manta dance ini dan terkesima.

The main goal of this project is to make some photos with manta rays to show that mantas are friendly, harmless and a graceful creature. The photos took place in Manta Bay and Manta Point in Nusa Penida, Bali. Even thinking about the cold water, plus that I'm not a good free diver makes me hesitate, then I watched this video and amazed by it.

 "Manta Last Dance" amazing video by Shawn Heinrichs

Saya merasa saya harus melakukannya, setidaknya mencoba, then I said yes. 

I feel like I gotta do it no matter what, at least I try, then I said yes.

Jadwal yang berbeda membuat kami tiba di Bali di hari yang berbeda, sebagian lebih dahulu di Manta Bay dan saya di hari kedua di Manta Point. Foto pertama adalah dengan alat snorkel, masker dan baju biasa. Kapal berhenti saat melihat beberapa manta melintas, kemudian saya menceburkan diri di Manta Point yang ternyata hangat.

Different schedules make us arrived in Bali on different days, some do the photos on Manta Bay while I arrived on the second day then do the dive at Manta Point. First photo is using the mask, snorkel and usual rash guard. The ship stopped when seeing some manta rays passing by, then I threw myself into the water which surprisingly warm.

Trying to get close with the manta ray
Tanpa alat diving dan badan yang bergerak lebih bebas saya bisa memperhatikan dengan jelas saat manta mendekat. Pari manta dengan bagian atas berwarna hitam dan sayap yang lebar mendekat dan melewati saya. It such a great feeling sehingga di saat manta mendekat lagi saya sedikit menyelam dan berenang ke arah manta itu dengan berpikir ia akan menghindari saya dan membelok, namun ternyata tidak.

Without diving equipment, my body can move more freely and I can clearly notice when a manta approached. Manta ray with black color on top and wide wings approached and passing me near me. It is such a great feeling that when the manta came close again, I dive a bit and swam towards the manta, thinking that it would avoid me and swerved. but apparently not.

Saya cukup panik saat berhadapan begitu dekat dengan pari manta yang besar, takut akan bertubrukan, sehingga saya menggeser badan ke kanan dan sirip manta itu mengenai punggung saya. Tidak sakit, terasa seperti tepukan halus.

I was quite panicked realized that I got so close to a big manta ray, thinking that we would collide, so I shifted my body to the right and got hit by the manta's fin on my back. No pain at all, felt like a smooth pat.

They are big!
Shawn meminta saya untuk tidak terlalu dekat dengan manta dan mengambil jarak aman. "Boleh kita lakukan dengan menyelam tidak terlalu dalam?" ujar saya pada Shawn sedikit memohon, saya belum terbiasa free dive sehingga hanya bisa turun maksimal 5 meter saja, sementara Shawn dengan gesitnya bergerak kemana mana tanpa alat diving dan memegang kamera besar.

Shawn asked me not to get too close to the manta and take a safe distance. "Can I dive not too far to the surface?" I'm asking Shawn, begging a bit. I really don't used to do free diving so I can only get into 5 meters deep, while Shawn can go like anywhere so fast even when he bring the big camera.

Surfer and manta ray, that's new! :)

"You're good, let's do it again with the mantas," Shawn menyemangati saya yang merasa tidak enak karena tidak bisa memberikan momen yang baik untuk diambil gambarnya. Kemudian beberapa kali saya turun dan mengarah ke dekat manta, sementara Gemala juga beraksi dengan papan surfing untuk mendapatkan gambar yang unik tentang manta dan surfer.

" You're good, let's do it again with the mantas," Shawn encouraged me who felt bad that I couldn't gave good moment to be photographed. Then I went down a few times and swimming near the manta, while Gemala also in action with surf board to get unique images of manta and surfer.

face to face with this gentle giants, majestic!
Berhadapan dengan manta secara langsung benar benar memberi sensasi yang menyenangkan. Makhluk yang hitam dan besar, dengan sayap lebar membentang mengarah langsung ke posisi saya, ada momen dimana saya merasa makhluk ini sangat besar namun kemudian kita akan dibuai oleh keanggunannya.

Dealing directly with manta really gives a pleasant sensation. Large black creature, with wings stretched wide going directly to me, there was a moment where I felt so small facing this huge creature, but then we will be lulled by its elegance.

Big manta ray, dancing up and downs
Manta bergerak bagaikan menari, saat makan dan mencari plankton ia seringkali melakukan gerakan berputar ke atas, tanpa perduli manusia mengelilinginya. Beberapa gerakan manta bagaikan tarian yang dilakukan dalam gerak lambat dan saya hanya terpesona dapat melihat begitu dekat dan bebas.

Manta moves like dancing. During feeding the manta rays will do spinning movements, up and downs, not disturbed at all by divers around them. Some of its movements is like a slow dance. It took my breath away, seeing so close and free.



Makhluk yang indah ini kini terancam, banyak manta yang diburu hanya untuk diambil insangnya, karena mitos tidak jelas yang berharap bahwa insang manta dapat menyaring racun karena dapat menyaring plankton, logika yang absurd dan tidak benar.

This beautiful creature is threatened now, many people hunt manta rays for its gills, just because of some stupid myth thinking that it can filter out toxin since manta's gills filter plankton. Absurd logic and totally wrong.

Manta bereproduksi sangat lambat, hanya satu anak setiap dua hingga tiga tahun. Penangkapan yang masif kini mengancam populasi pari manta di Indonesia padahal Indonesia salah satu negara dengan daya tarik manta terbesar untuk pariwisata, ironis.

Manta reproduce very slow, only one calf every two to three years. Massive killing now threatens manta ray populations in Indonesia. Ironic since Indonesia is  one of the largest manta attraction for tourism . 
The manta ray is dancing!
Semoga foto foto ini bisa menunjukkan keanggunan manta, betapa tidak berbahayanya makhluk ini, dan betapa mereka butuh kepedulian kita.

Hopefully this photo would show you how elegant manta rays are, how that they aren't dangerous, they're harmless and desperately need out awareness.

Because dancing with them is a gazillion times better than killing them.

Hey manta! Let's dance!

@marischkaprue - wish to dance with the manta, one more time

All photos by Shawn Heinrichs

NOTES:
  • Cerita mengenai Manta Project ini juga ada di Divemag Indonesia Vol. 4 No. 041, Agustus 2013
  • Story about this Manta Project is also on Divemag Indonesia Vol. 4 No. 041, August 2013.
  • Kita tidak berhasil mendapatkan foto dengan gaun saat berdansa dengan manta karena arus dan saat turun dengan gaun manta sudah menghilang, maybe they aren't into girl with dresses ;)
  • We don't get the chance to took photos with manta while wearing dress due to the currents and the manta disappear when we wear some dress, maybe they aren't into girl with dresses ;)
  • Untuk tahu lebih banyak tentang Manta Trust, see here
  • To know more about Manta Trust, see here
  • Berita tentang Manta Project juga ada di Metro Tv news dan Detik.com
  • The news about Manta Project is also on Metro Tv News and Detik.com

15 Oktober 2013

8 Things To Do in Menjangan Resort



Terletak di Taman Nasional Bali Barat, ini adalah lokasi bagi yang ingin menikmati taman nasional dengan fasilitas resort. Taman Nasional Bali Barat berada di dua kabupaten, yaitu Buleleng dan Jembrana, namun area Menjangan Resort di wilayah pemanfaatan intensif dan disinilah tempat wisata dapat dibangun dan dikelola.

Located in West Bali National Park, this is the perfect place to enjoy the national park with comfort of a resort. West Bali National Park is located in two districts, Buleleng and Jembrana, but the area of ​​Menjangan Resort is in the intensive use areas and this is where the tourist facilities can be built and maintained.


Ada beberapa hal yang wajib dilakukan di Menjangan Resort, since this is a very beautiful place to be and these things will make your trip even more memorable.

There are several things that you better do in Menjangan Resort, since this is a very beautiful place to be and these things will the make your trip even more memorable.

1. Menyusuri hutan dengan kendaraan ala safari Afrika
    Enjoy strolling the park with this African-safari looked alike vehicle

Feels like into Africa :D

2. Bird watching dan naik ke menara pengamatan
    Bird watching and don't forget to get on top of the watching tower


The view is just mesmerizing
Get on top of the tower and you'll see this
On top of the tower
3. Mangrove Spa, persis di pinggir pantai
    Mangrove Spa, exactly by the beach

Nothing beats time with a good spa therapist
This view meaning double relax
4. Horse riding and see the sunset


Big horsie
Horse riding plus the sunset!
5. Bertemu rusa di pinggir pantai
    Meet these deers at the beach

Every day the deers will come to the beach and its fun to meet them :)

6. Kayaking

No worries, you won't fall into the water
Do I look like a kayak athlete? err, maybe not :D
7. Diving

This blue and you don't dive? come on!
Surely there are a lot of colors inside the blue Menjangan

8. Wine or beers by the beach


Nite convo at the beach
@marischkaprue - two times went to Menjangan and still want more 

Photo courtesy: Tommy Tjokro (2), (3), (5), (6), (7), (8), (14), (15), Christo Hantarikso (1), (4), (9), (10), (11), (12), (13), (20), (21)

NOTES:
  • The Menjangan Resort terletak di Taman Nasional Bali Barat, kontak untuk booking: +62362 94700 atau +6285238562575
  • The Menjangan Resort located at the West Bali National Park, for bookings contact: +62362 94700 or +6285238562575
  • List rate kamar di The Menjangan Resort dapat dilihat di website ini
  • You can see the room price list at The Menjangan Resort here
RELATED STORIES: