Matterhorn, The Toblerone Mountain

I'm sure you all know the famous triangular shape chocolate, the Switzerland chocolate, Toblerone. Well, that shape doesn't come from nothing; it's actually represented the mountain that you can see also on the logo, the Matterhorn.

I was lucky enough to be able to visit the beautiful town where I can see one of the most photographed mountains in the world from almost every side of the town. Zermatt in Switzerland is a gateway to Matterhorn, even though this mountain is "shared" between Switzerland and Italy (it called Monte Cervino in Italy).

When the sky is clear, you can see Matterhorn from many different spots in Zermatt

Matterhorn will capture your eyes instantly. Well, lets hope that the sky is clear so you can see this beautiful huge mountain at the height of 4.478 meters above the sea level.

This is a very nice option to get on top: gondola!

Long time ago only a few can see this mountain from a near spot to get the great view of Matterhorn and the glacier around it. But thanks to tourism industry, Zermatt is a city where tourist flocks and surely Switzerland gave a better and nice option for people who want to see Matterhorn from a proper distance.

Last stop before taking the bigger gondola to get to the glacier paradise

The stunning view during the gondola ride

Ski area

The viewing point at 3.883 meters above the sea level

I only have to take a gondola ride to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise, and climb only a few stairs to get to the viewing platform at 3.883 meters above sea level. Nice and easy, but the view is beyond nice, it's surely sweeter than Toblerone. I can't even compare the pleasure of having a sweet chocolate with seeing this. Matterhorn is just awesome.

@marischkaprue - few years back when she climbed a mountain, she brought a lot of chocolates.

NOTES:

• Thanks to Qatar Airways for the nice experience. I took a Qatar Airways flight from Jakarta to Zurich (via Doha). 
• From Zurich you only have to take a train to get to Zermatt. Easy breezy :)

Visit Switzerland with these super awesome people, thanks for the fun days! :)

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Pleasant Day at Double Six Bali

Having a tranquil moment at Double Six Seminyak, Bali. We really love room no 120, the best pool access room with wide terrace. You can jump off to the pool just a few steps away from your bed or just chilling with the view of Seminyak beach, seeing the blue sky, white clouds and feel the wind breeze.

I'll tell you more about this luxury hotel but first, let me enjoy the moment :)

the terrace on room 120 :)

@marischkaprue - Bali never failed her

All photos by Ferry Rusli

See more about the hotel and the fab room on my other blogpost, here 

NOTES:

•  Double Six Luxury Hotel Seminyak located at No 66, Double Six Beach, Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia 80361. Info and bookings: phone +62 361 730466, email info@double-six.com 

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Magic Lights: Savanna in Sumba

Saat dimana matahari perlahan turun sebelum kemudian menghilang adalah momen favorit saya untuk mengambil gambar. Senja selalu memberi warna tersendiri, tidak hanya jika anda melihat senja di laut.

The time when the sun slowly disappear is my favorite moment to take pictures. Dusk always give certain colors, and it's not only best at the sea.

Padang savana bagaikan pemandangan yang tidak ada habisnya di Sumba, Nusa Tenggara Timur. Perjalanan kami terutama dari area tengah ke Sumba Timur akan ditemani pemandangan padang savana yang luas. Terkadang rombongan kuda terlihat beriringan dan bahkan melintasi jalanan aspal.

These kind of savanna is a never ending sight in Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara. During our road trip from the central area to the eastern Sumba, these kind of view is everywhere. Sometimes we saw a group of wild horses and even sometimes you can see them crossing the street.

Sore hari adalah saat terbaik. Di Waingapu kami sempat berencana menikmati sunset di pinggir pantai. Namun perubahan rencana seringkali membuat perjalanan lebih menyenangkan. Kami berubah pikiran dan memutuskan untuk menikmati senja di area savana, sambil mencari kumpulan kuda sumba yang terlihat beriringan pulang.

Late afternoon is the best time. In Waingapu we changed our plan to see the sunset from the beach. Sometimes the change of plan give better experience and that's what happened. We decided to enjoy the sunset from the savanna while looking for those wild horses.

Saat mendekati kawanan kuda jangan berbicara keras karena mereka akan pergi dengan cepat saat terusik. Cukup mendekat hingga jarak yang tidak terlalu mengganggu mereka, duduk menikmati senja sambil mengambil gambar. Amazing scenery right in front of you, enjoy!

When approaching a herd of horses just don't speak loudly because it will make them ran quickly. Approach them slowly and quietly and you can enjoy a perfect sunset view from a distance which won't disturb them. Amazing scenery right in front of you, enjoy!

@marischkaprue - got a lot of splash of sunset everywhere

NOTES:

• Harga normal tiket Jakarta - Waingapu berkisar di harga Rp. 3.200.000 - Rp. 3.500.000,- PP. 
• Normal return airlines ticket from Jakarta to Waingapu is around 280 USD to 305 USD.
• Contact sewa mobil di Waingapu: TX Waingapu, dengan harga sewa antara Rp. 400.000,- hingga Rp. 600.000,- per hari, sudah termasuk driver dan bensin. Telp: +62387 61534
• Rent a car in Waingapu via TX Waingapu, it's about 35 USD to 53 USD per day including driver and gas, but the price might be more for foreigner. Contact via +62387 61534 

RELATED STORIES

SUMBA:

• Peaceful Time in Ratenggaro, Sumba
•  Weekuri Lake, Angel's Lagoon in Sumba
• Indonesia's Best Beaches: Tarimbang Beach, East Sumba

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La Petite Kepa, A Small Haven in Alor

Kepa mungkin terlihat kecil, namun keindahan pulau ini menyaingi berbagai pulau lain sehingga Kepa menjadi surga kecil yang terkenal bagi wisatawan yang datang ke Alor, Nusa Tenggara Timur.

Kepa may look small, but the beauty of this island makes it stand out among others for those coming to Alor, East Nusa Tenggara.

The pier in Alor Kecil, look at the clear water!

Hanya sekitar 10 menit menyeberang dari dermaga di Alor kecil, atau sekitar 30 menit perjalanan dari pusat kota Kalabahi di Alor, Kepa sangat mudah untuk diakses. Pulau kecil ini berjarak hanya 500 meter dari Alor kecil dan terlihat jelas dari dermaga. Bahkan, beningnya air sudah mengundang saya untuk terjun sejak dari dermaga Alor Kecil. 

Only about 10 minutes crossing from the pier at Alor Kecil, or a 30 minutes drive from the center of the City in Kalabahi, Kepa is easy to access. This small island is only 500 meters away from Alor Kecil, you can see it directly from the pier. Even at the dock, the clear water invites me to jump already. No but I didn't do that, I wait till I get in Kepa before I jump to the water ;)

Pulau Kepa sangat menyenangkan. Pasir putih yang halus dengan sebagian titik merah dari karang berwarna merah yang tersebar di pantai, pepohonan di "padang" saat rumput mengering di pertengahan tahun membuat Kepa semakin cantik.

This island gave me a pleasant feeling. Fine white sands with red dots of red corals scattered on the beach, the trees in the "savanna" when the grass turning brown during summer making this island even more beautiful.

The "sakura" in Kepa

Who wants to stay here? :)

The modest homestay at Kepa Island

Langit yang membiru dan lautan di sekeliling membuat kami betah berlama-lama di pulau kecil ini. Snorkeling juga dapat dilakukan di sekeliling pulau dengan air yang jernih ini. Ada satu penginapan di Pulau Kepa yaitu La Petite Kepa Homestay, sebagian unit-unit bangunan kamar dibuat menyerupai rumah tradisional di Alor dan dibangun di sisi pantai. 

The blue sky and seas around makes us didn't wanna leave this island. You can also snorkel just around the island, it's crystal clear water everywhere anyway. Also, there is a nice home-stay in Kepa which is La Petite Kepa Homestay where most of the rooms of the building units made ​​to resemble a traditional house in Alor and built on the beach side.

A view in front

Kepa might be petite but the happiness is grand here :)

@marischkaprue - she's a petite woman on the grand world

NOTES:

• Alor terletak di Nusa Tenggara Timur. Untuk menuju Alor, ambil penerbangan ke Kupang (Harga tiket Jakarta - Kupang PP sekitar Rp. 3.000.000,-) kemudian dilanjutkan dengan penerbangan Kupang - Alor (via Transnusa dengan harga tiket sekitar Rp. 1.200.000,- PP)
• Alor is located in East Nusa Tenggara, to reach Alor you can take a flight to Kupang (Jakarta - Kupang return flight is about Rp. 3.000.000,-), then continue with Kupang - Alor (via Transnusa return flight is about Rp. 1.200.000,-)
• Budget untuk menikmati 5 hari di Alor sekitar Rp. 3.000.000,- all in (tidak termasuk tiket pesawat), untuk mendapatkan kisaran budget tersebut sebaiknya pergi bersama-sama atau ikut open trip sehingga biaya sewa kapal dan mobil dapat lebih murah. Untuk trip ke Alor, hubungi Tukang Jalan ,via email: tuk4ang.jalan@gmail.com atau telp +62 813158 09191
• The budget for 5 Days in Alor is around Rp. 3.000.000,- all in (exclude plane ticket), to get this price with proper facilities, you can join open trip so the boat and car rent is cheaper. Contact Tukang Jalan for the trip to Alor: tuk4ng.jalan@gmail.com or phone +62 813158 09191
• Jangan lupa membawa peralatan snorkeling sendiri (masker, snorkel, fin, bisa juga rental dari Jakarta). Di sejumlah tempat di Alor disediakan penyewaan alat snorkeling tapi selalu lebih nyaman menggunakan alat sendiri atau dengan alat yang sesuai dengan ukuran kita.
• Don't forget to bring your own mask and snorkel, also the fins (or you can rental from Jakarta), they provide the snorkeling gears here in Alor but it always more comfortable using your own tool or rental a perfect size gears first.
• La Petite Homestay berada di Pulau Kepa, dengan waktu terbaik mengunjungi di pertengahan tahun sekitar Juli hingga September. Sebaiknya booking sebulan (atau lebih) sebelumnya untuk mendapatkan kamar. Harga menginap di La Petite mulai dari Rp. 175.000,- per orang per hari (termasuk makan 3 kali sehari). Kontak La Petite di +62813 53709 / +62813 38200479
• La Petite Homestay is located in Kepa Island, best time is on mid of the year, on July - September so you better book months ahead to get a room in La Petite Homestay. The rate starts from Rp. 175.000,- per person/ day (include 3 meals per day). Contact La Petite via +62813 53709 / +62813 38200479

RELATED STORIES:

• Places to Snorkel in Alor 
• Ternate Island in Alor (woven)
• Feeling local at Takpala Village

I had a lot of fun in Alor with them, thank you for the nice and fun convo everyday! :)

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Biking Kelok 44: New Experience

 

It's been years since the last time I rode a bicycle. Actually, it's been a very very long time since the last time I rode a bicycle. So at first, I was a bit worried when we stopped at the roadside of Kelok 44 in Agam, West Sumatera. I even did a two-practice "lap" before we started.

This #MinangkaBike is a new experience, even though during my childhood, I rode a bicycle a lot and get a lot of wounds also for speeding a lot, my mom not even shocked seeing me going home with bruises or wound and bleeding here and there (ha!). Well, being an adult you are more insecure, I think about crashing the cars, fell down and so many bad possibilities before we started.

the view is just.. relaxing!

But then, as I paddle my bike, going through the winding road with all the green and some yellowish grass and paddy, all the dreads are gone, maybe I am become too excited, it's been a long time and here I am paddling my bike in Kelok 44.

The name itself describes the famous road in West Sumatera. Kelok means winding and 44 shows how many sharp turns on the road. Other than nice air to breathe (even though you'll smell some smoke from the cars passing by), you'll find some monkeys on the side of the roads. Also it's hard not to stop at several places since the view are just beautiful.

If you want to recreate childhood memories biking on the roads with green grass around it, well remember to be careful especially on every sharp turns and get yourself a reward afterwards: a nice coffee with this view.

Oh well, let sip the coffee, shall we?

@marischkaprue - she's on the fun moment in her cycle of life.

 NOTES:

• Biking in West Sumatera is one of the activity at #MinangkaBike a program from the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economics to promote West Sumatera as a tourist destination. See more about destinations in Indonesia in Indonesia.travel
• Again, thanks to Mad Alkatiri the initiator, let's do more projects in the future!

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