Travel with Xperia M4Aqua

Saat bepergian kita selalu ingin mendapatkan foto-foto terbaik, namun kadang kita tidak dapat selalu membawa kamera yang bulky, atau hanya ingin sekadar mengambil gambar secara cepat saat waktu tidak memungkinkan.

When we travel, we always wanna get the best shots but we cannot take bulky camera every time or maybe we have no time to capture a good one.

It’s been months I travel with Xperia M4 Aqua, a simple beautiful smartphone that gives good photos and great selfies :)

Here are our stories:

Took this pic while I was on the other boat. Saya ingin mendapatkan gambar yang wide agar perahu dan suasana terlihat dengan jelas meski posisi kami berada dekat dengan perahu ini. Xperia M4 Aqua dengan 13MP Superior Auto yang wide membantu saya mendapatkan foto ini.

Took this pic while I was on the other boat. I wanted to get a wide picture so the boat and surroundings looked bright although we were next to the boat. Thanks to Xperia M4 Aqua with 13MP Superior Auto camera that help me take this pic.

Spot: Tokyo DisneySea, Jepang

Saat hendak ikut dalam ride Indiana Jones di Tokyo DisneySea, kami mengantre melalui lorong dengan cahaya minim. Saya iseng mengambil gambar dengan kamera Xperia M4 Aqua dan ternyata hasilnya bagus sekali :D

When we’re going to join Indiana Jones ride in Tokyo DisneySea, we queued through the alley with a less light. I took a pic randomly with the camera of Xperia M4 Aqua and surprisingly it’s such a great one. :D

Spot: Tokyo DisneySea, Jepang

I remember when I forgot to charge this smartphone for two days and it still working well, no need to panic looking for some charge, thanks to 2 Day Battery (2400mAh).

Took this pic after I realized how my Xperia M4 Aqua matched the surroundings. All white and beautiful.

Setelah bersantai di villa di Bali, kami menunggu mobil datang setelah check out. Semua tools saya sudah disimpan rapi di dalam tas. Matahari pagi itu sangat terang dan "semestinya" foto ini backlight sehingga saya dan sekitar area yang tertutup bangunan "semestinya" lagi akan terlihat gelap. Namun saya mencoba menu Manual dengan setting Backlight correction HDR dan ternyata HDR dari smarphone pun bisa menghasilkan gambar yang baik di kondisi backlight. 

After chilling out in villa at Bali, we were waiting for the car after check out while all my tools already set in my bag. The morning sun was so bright that this pic “should” be backlight and made me and the area covered with building became darker. Then I selected Manual with Backlight Correction HDR setting and surprisingly, HDR of Smartphone can produce a nice picture at backlight.

Spot: The Santai, Bali

Playing with water is more than fun. I know I have underwater camera but it need housing. Saat hanya ingin bersenang-senang di kolam, untuk apa saya mesti menghabiskan waktu memasang housing kamera saat dapat langsung menceburkan XperiaM4Aqua langsung ke dalam kolam renang. Spec waterproof IP65/68 membuat smartphone ini tahan 1,5 meter di bawah air selama 30 menit!

Playing with water is more than fun. I know I have underwater camera but it needs housing. When I just want to have fun at the pool, why so bother to waste the time using housing while I could go into the water with Xperia M4 Aqua. The waterproof IP65/68 specs makes this smartphone become usable up to 1.5 meter under water for about 30 minutes.

Saya termasuk orang yang malas memindahkan file di kamera hp sehingga foto-foto saya dari trip di bulan Juni hingga sekarang masih tersimpan manis di folder images smartphone saya. Untungnya Xperia M4Aqua memiliki memori internal 8GB, plus slot untuk micro SD. No worries about "low memory" anymore.



I am kind of lazy person when it comes to move all files from my phone camera. That’s why, all photos from my trip on June until now are still stay in the folder images of my smartphone. Fortunately, Xperia M4 Aqua has 8GB internal memory and a slot for micro SD. No worries about “low memory” anymore.

Spot: Lembata, Nusa Tenggara Timur

 

Saya biasanya jarang mengambil foto-foto selfie. Alasannya karena seringkali foto dengan kamera depan hasilnya tidak memuaskan. Namun front camera 5MP di #XperiaM4Aqua benar-benar menghasilkan selfie yang sangat jernih dengan kualitas foto yang baik. Satu lagi, kamera depan yang wide juga membuat selfie lebih mudah!

Actually, I don’t take selfies that often since I always think that taking picture with the front camera mostly not that good. However, 5MP front camera of #XperiaM4Aqua will give you a very clear picture with a high quality. Last important thing, a wide front camera also helps us to take selfie easily!

There are still more to explore from this smartphone, for sure I’m gonna bring this #M4Aqua to travel more, because #ICan take more photos easily :)

@marischkaprue - snap everywhere!

Love Struck: Love Hills, Lembata (Bukit Cinta)

"Kenapa namanya bukit cinta?"

"Why is it called Love Hills?”

"Banyak yang pacaran di sini," ujar driver kami saat menyusuri jalanan panjang dengan pemandangan serba coklat kemanapun kami memandang.

“This is such a dating spot,” our driver explained as we went through the long road and our view was full with the brown landscape.

Memang benar banyak muda-mudi pacaran di Bukit Cinta, Lembata, Nusa Tenggara Timur. Namun kebanyakan dari mereka hanya nongkrong di atas motor di sisi jalan.

He was right. I could see many couples were having a date at Love Hills, Lembata, East Nusa Tenggara. But most of them just spent time on their bikes at the roadside.

"Kalau saya yang pacaran, saya akan pilih tempat di situ," pikir saya sambil melihat area dengan pemandangan perbukitan coklat yang diliputi rumput yang mengering di musim panas. 

“If I were dating, over there would be perfect.” I told myself while looking at the brown hills view covered with dried grass on the dry season.

  

Kami turun di salah satu sisi di Bukit Cinta, tepat di depan area dimana taman kecil masih dalam pembangunan. Namun saya justru lebih suka area yang masih tidak tersentuh bangunan sama sekali, area perbukitan yang tampak tidak ada habisnya.

We went down on one side of Love Hills, where a small park was being built. But actually, I prefer the other side without any construction, purely an endless view of hills.

Kami menyusuri jalan setapak kecil yang dipenuhi rumput kering. Pemandangan di Bukit Cinta, Lembata sangat mengingatkan saya akan pemandangan serupa di pulau-pulau di Taman Nasional Komodo, namun bedanya di sini mobil bisa masuk ke jalanan.

We continued tracking the small path that full with dried grass. The scenery in Love Hills, Lembata, reminded me of the similar sight of the islands in Komodo National Park, but in Lembata we could use the car to access the road.

Saat hari semakin sore, sinar matahari semakin berwarna keemasan dan membuat Bukit Cinta semakin mempesona. Kombinasi perbukitan, gunung dan laut di kala sinar keemasan mewarnai pemandangan yang ada, such a beautiful view!

In the afternoon, the golden sunlight turned Love Hills into more fascinating with the combination sight of hills, mountain, and sea. It’s such a beautiful view!

Satu hal yang pasti, saya jatuh cinta pada Bukit Cinta!

One thing for sure, I am falling in love with Love Hills!

@marischkaprue - falling in love with Indonesia's awesome nature since 2009 (yes, it's too late for her to start travel but better than never started it)

Photos by Ferry Rusli & me

**Some photos taken using DSLR Camera, some with mirrorless camera and some only using Sony Xperia M4Aqua smartphone! Can you spot which using M4Aqua and which using DSLR? It's hard to spot isn't it? Smartphone camera definitely becoming better and better, especially this Sony Xperia M4Aqua with 13 MP Superior Auto camera and 5 MP front camera!

**Some photos taken using DSLR Camera, some with mirrorless camera and some only using Sony Xperia M4 Aqua smartphone! Can you spot which using M4 Aqua and which using DSLR? It’s hard to spot isn’t it? Smartphone camera definitely becoming better and better, especially this Sony Xperia M4 Aqua with 13 MP Superior Auto camera and 5 MP front camera!

Bonus point: it also waterproof IP65/68, can handle 1,5 meters below the water for 30 minutes, splash and swimming is even more fun now!

NOTES:

• Bukit Cinta ada di Lembata, Nusa Tenggara Timur. Posisi Bukit Cinta terlihat dari berbagai sisi di Lembata, termasuk terlihat jelas dari Waijarang. 
• Love Hills is in Lembata, East Nusa Tenggara. It is visible from any side of Lembata, even from Waijarang.
•  Lembata berada di Nusa Tenggara Timur, Pulau Lembata berada di sisi timur Pulau Flores, namun Kabupaten Lembata mencakup gugusan pulau di area tersebut.
•  Lembata is in East Nusa Tenggara, Lembata Island is in the East side of Flores Island, and the group of islands in that area is included in Lembata District.
• Akses masuk ke Lembata paling mudah menggunakan pesawat masuk melalui Bandara Lewoleba di Lembata. Rute yang beroperasi dengan jalur Kupang - Lewoleba. Maskapai beroperasi setiap hari (namun tetap harus cek jadwal terlebih dahulu karena ada kemungkinan penerbangan dibatalkan) dengan jadwal: Kupang - Lewoleba pukul 8.30 pagi, Lewoleba - Kupang pukul 9.30 pagi. Waktu tempuh dengan pesawat sekitar 40 menit menggunakan pesawat baling-baling jenis Fokker 50 (untuk Trans Nusa)
• The easiest access to Lembata is by using an airplane through Lewoleba Airport at Lembata with the route Kupang – Lewoleba. The airline is available every day (but you always have to check the schedule to make sure no possibility of cancelling flight) with the route: Kupang – Lewoleba at 8:30 a.m., Lewoleba – Kupang at 9:30 a.m. It takes about 40 mins flight using the propeller plane with Fokker 50 type (for Trans Nusa).
• Harga tiket pesawat Trans Nusa Kupang - Lewoleba rata-rata Rp. 650.000,- hingga Rp. 700.000,- one way, untuk PP sekitar Rp. 1,4 juta.
• The average ticket for Trans Nusa with route Kupang – Lewoleba is IDR 650.000,- up to IDR 700.000 for one way and IDR 1.400.000 for return ticket.
• Penginapan terbaik di Lembata adalah Hotel Palm Indah Lewoleba, untuk saat ini booking baru dapat dilakukan melalui nomor +6285253913787. Kamar dan service sangat baik untuk kategori hotel di daerah, terdapat wifi di lobby dan area dekat lobby namun wifi sering down. Untuk sinyal internet dari provider ada di depan lobby (E) dan area dekat jalanan. Di bandara, dermaga dan beberapa area lain sinyal 3G. Hot water di kamar mandi kadang beroperasi dan kadang tidak beroperasi.
• The best accommodation in Lembata is Palm Indah Lewoleba Hotel. For now, booking only available by phone to +62 852 53913787. In terms of local hotel, the room was nice and the service was excellent. Wi-fi available at lobby but the signal around the lobby was poor. You can get (E) for internet signal from provider in front of the lobby while you can 3G around the street, at airport, and dock. Hot water in the bathroom only works on and off.    

Perfection in Life

"Ngapain sih keliling terus non stop, apa sih yang dicari?"

"Perfection"

Karena pekerjaan saya memang traveling, jadi mungkin ungkapan "Kerja mulu, apa sih yang dicari" berganti menjadi "Keliling terus, apa yang dicari?"

Apakah saya merasa hidup saya sempurna? tentu belum, manusia akan terus mencari kesempurnaan, terus mencari hal baru dan terus menambah tolok ukur akan apa yang dianggap tepat, baik dan sempurna.

Sempurna itu apa?

Saat melihat sunset dari pantai, dengan langit yang berwarna-warni berubah perlahan dan kemudian berubah warna secara dramatis sebelum akhirnya sang surya pamit dan meninggalkan langit yang menjadi kelam. Perfection.

Saat bercengkrama dengan penduduk Indonesia, di mana pun, mereka selalu tersenyum bahagia menyambut siapapun yang datang dengan hati yang tulus. Saat melihat keceriaan anak-anak muda di daerah yang menikmati hidup dan kebahagiaan yang sederhana, tanpa polusi, tanpa campur tangan teknologi yang begitu merajai kehidupan kota. Simple, but it's perfect.

Laut yang membiru, koral yang berwarna-warni dan ratusan ikan yang bergerak ke berbagai penjuru di laut dalam seakan tidak perduli dengan keberadaan saya, manusia yang tidak bernapas dengan insang namun dikaruniai kesempatan untuk menikmati alam bawah laut dengan bantuan teknologi. Dunia biru dan berbeda yang memukau setiap kali saya membenamkan diri di lautan Indonesia. Perfection is not always on the surface, we could find it down below.

Hijaunya kebun teh, perbukitan yang menenangkan. Udara segar yang menyehatkan. Ujung daun teh yang masih kuncup, dipetik untuk diolah menjadi minuman yang menemani aktivitas kita. Silver needle #WhiteTea namanya, menggambarkan proses, menjelaskan bahwa ujung kecil daun yang seperti jarum itulah yang diproses.

Perfection kata yang tepat menjelaskan proses panjang ini. Kuncup daun dipetik sebelum matahari mulai terik agar antioksidan tetap tertahan di dalamnya, suhu dalam proses selanjutnya pun mesti dijaga hingga siap dalam kemasan #FiestaWhiteTea

Apakah kesempurnaan proses selalu menghasilkan hal yang sempurna?

Perfect place and perfect drink, this white tea blend with the surroundings :)

You know how good antioxidant is for your body. Antioksidan menangkal kerusakan sel, memperlambat penuaan, memberikan hal-hal baik yang dibutuhkan oleh tubuh kita, membuat kita sehat dan secara tidak langsung memberikan kebahagiaan dari tubuh yang sehat.

I know I want to be healthy while looking at those breath-taking sunset or when I dive into magnificent ocean. I know I want to bring smile as good as those people in many parts of Indonesia, I know I want to have more antioxidant so I can keep up to travel more, to be healty while doing that.

Want some perfection? It came in three forms:

One of them is lychee, can you guess the other two?

So, shall we continue living this (almost) perfect life?

@marischkaprue - her life might be absurd but she knows that she's in the perfect path

Photo Story: Sunset in Kalong Island, Flores

Saat LOB (live on board) atau tinggal di kapal dalam perjalanan kami menyusuri perairan Lombok hingga Taman Nasional Komodo, biasanya kapal akan merapat ke lokasi perairan yang tenang untuk memasang jangkar di malam hari sehingga kami dapat beristirahat tanpa mengalami banyak guncangan dari ombak.

During LOB (live on board) or stay on boat in our trip through the Lombok sea to Komodo National Park, the boat usually moored to the calm spot to set the anchor at night so we could rest without getting too much shock from the waves.

Di hari ketiga kami telah menyusuri banyak lokasi dan sudah berada di area Taman Nasional Komodo di Flores. Menjelang senja kapal merapat ke dekat Pulau Kalong untuk perlahan memasang jangkar.

On the third day, we already explored many spots and reached the Komodo National Park area in Flores. When the dusk came, the boat getting closer to Kalong Island to slowly set the anchor.

Tidak lama kami justru disuguhi pemandangan senja yang sangat indah di lokasi istirahat ini. Langit berubah perlahan dari biru menuju jingga,merah oranye hingga ungu, bahkan kamipun dapat melihat bulan sabit sudah muncul di langit sebelum gelap tiba.

Soon we realized there was a very beautiful sunset in the rest area. The blue sky slowly turned into orange, red-orange, and purple. Even a crescent moon was there before the dark come.

Crescent moon in the middle of purple sky

Momen jadi semakin indah saat ada warga lokal dengan perahu kecil melintas, membentuk siluet cantik di tengah senja yang manis.

It’s such a perfect moment when I saw local people with a small boat pass along and create a beautiful silhouette in the middle of this lovely sunset.

Sun is always saying good-bye in a nice way in this paradise

@marischkaprue - never get enough of sunset

NOTES

• Having this trip with Tukang Jalan, dengan budget Rp. 1,9 juta per orang (sailing dari Lombok menuju Labuan Bajo, sudah include makan 3x sehari). Untuk info trip serupa hubungi Tukang Jalan di +6281 806898303/ 081315890191 atau email di tuk4ng.jalan@gmail.com
• Having this trip with Tukang Jalan, with budget IDR 1.9 million per one person (sailing from Lombok to Labuan Bajo, included three times meal). For similar trip, contact Tukang Jalan at +62 81806898303 / +62 81315890191 or email to tuk4ng.jalan@gmail.com.
• Untuk menuju ke Labuan Bajo dari Jakarta melalui penerbangan transit di Bali. Harga tiket Jakarta - Bali sekitar Rp. 600 ribu (one way), sementara harga tiket Bali - Labuan Bajo sekitar Rp. 1 juta (one way). Total tiket Jakarta - Labuan Bajo PP sekitar Rp. 3,2 juta.
• To reach Labuan Bajo from Jakarta, use transit flight in Bali. Ticket price of Jakarta – Bali is about IDR  Rp 600.000,- (one way), while the ticket of Bali – Labuan Bajo is about IDR 1 million (one way). Total ticket price of Jakarta – Labuan Bajo is about IDR 3.2 million (round-trip).
• Jika ikut trip sailing dari Lombok menuju Labuan Bajo maka tiket yang diperlukan dari Jakarta ke Lombok (sekitar Rp. 700 ribu) dan Labuan Bajo - Jakarta sehingga total budget tiket sekitar Rp. 2,3 juta
• If you join the sailing trip from Lombok to Labuan Bajo, so you have to buy ticket from Jakarta to Lombok for about IDR 700.000 and also Labuan Bajo – Jakarta so the total budget will be about IDR 2.3 million. 

RELATED STORIES:

• Rinca Island, Beauty and The Beast
• Fosil di Gua Batu Cermin (Labuan Bajo)
• Best View: Gili Laba

DIVING IN KOMODO:

• "Shark Hunt" in Crystal Rock & Castle Rock
• NIght Dive in Siaba Besar
• Falling Fishes in Batu Bolong