Serenity in Hakone: Prince Hakone and Onsen

Jika ingin merasakan suasana Jepang di luar hingar bingar Tokyo, Hakone adalah tempat yang tepat. Kota di Distrik Ashigarashimo, Prefektur Kanagawa ini dikelilingi dengan pegunungan dan memiliki danau biru yang indah. Beberapa kuil dengan torii (gate) berwarna merah juga terlihat jelas di sisi-sisi Hakone.

If you wanna try the new experience in Tokyo apart from the hustle-bustle, Hakone would be perfect. This city is located at Ashigarashimo District in Kanagawa Prefecture, surrounded by mountains and had a beautiful blue lake. Alongside the city, we can see some temples with red torii (gate).

 

Tempat terbaik untuk menikmati Hakone adalah The Prince Hakone Hotel. Saya datang di saat salju masih menutupi sebagian pohon di area hotel ini, namun Prince Hakone tetap terasa nyaman dengan retro style room, kamar mandi yang lapang dan halaman penuh pepohonan dan tentunya pemandangan langsung ke arah Danau Ashi dari jendela kamar saya, sangat menenangkan.

No other place you could enjoy Hakone better than The Prince Hakone Hotel. The snow was still covering half of tress around the hotel area during my visit yet Prince Hakone was still so comfortable. A retro style room with spacious bathroom, green garden, and view to Ashi Lake right from my window so calmed me down.

Jika ingin mendapatkan pemandangan ke arah Gunung Fuji, anda dapat menempati kamar Mt Fuji View Twin Room, atau kamar yang mengarah ke danau jika ingin pemandangan asri danau dan pepohonan. 

You could stay in Mt. Fuji View Twin Room to enjoy the view of Fuji Mountain, or room led to the lake for a beautiful landscape.

Onsen in Prince Hakone, photo courtesy of Prince Hakone Hotel

Salah satu hal yang wajib dicoba saat berada di Prince adalah hot spring bath atau terkenal dengan nama "onsen." Berendam di air dari sumber air hangat di Jepang ini merupakan salah satu must-do dalam list saya dan di Prince Hakone akhirnya saya memberanikan diri untuk mencoba dan ternyata sangat menyenangkan.

One must-try in Prince was the hot spring bath or also known as “onsen”. Dipping into warm water source has became one of my to-do-list in Japan, and finally I encouraged myself to try it in Prince Hakone. It was excitingly fun 

You have to take a bath first before dipping into the hot spring pool, photo courtesy of Prince Hakone

Hal yang mungkin menahan sebagian dari kita untuk mencoba onsen adalah kewajiban untuk menanggalkan semua baju saat berendam, bahkan kita tidak boleh menggunakan bikini saat berendam. Namun tenang saja karena area berendam pria dan wanita terpisah, sebelum berendam kita pun wajib membersihkan diri terlebih dahulu di area khusus dan masuk ke area kolam usai membersihkan diri.

The most reason that hold us to try onsen maybe the rules that we have to take off all the clothes before dipping, even bikini or any swimwear was not permitted. But no need to worry since there is separate area for men and women. Before entering the onsen, you have to wash yourself in a special bathroom to keep the onsen clean.

Photo courtesy of Prince Hakone

Di udara yang sangat dingin saya akhirnya masuk ke kolam beratapkan kayu ini dan menikmati suasana onsen yang sangat menyenangkan. Hot spring bath di Prince Hakone sangat menggambarkan onsen dalam bayangan saya, berada di luar dengan batu-batu di sekeliling, taman dan pemandangan Danau Ashi persis saat berendam, sangat nyaman dan membuat saya enggan beranjak keluar dari kolam.

In the very cold weather, I slowly entered this wooden-roof bath and started enjoy the atmosphere. Hot spring bath in Prince Hakone was exactly what I thought about onsen all this time. Dipping at an outdoor bath surrounded by rocks, garden, and view of Ashi Lake was too relaxing that I didn’t want to get out.

Patrick wants to get out and play :)

If you're looking for serenity in Japan, this could be one of the places to visit and enjoy.

@marischkaprue - she loves dipping in warm water

NOTES:

• The Prince Hakone Hotel terletak di 144 Motohakone, Hakone-machi, Ashigara-shimo-gun, Kanagawam 250-0592, Japan
• The Prince Hakone Hotel is at 144 Motohakone, Hakone-machi, Ashigara-shimo-gun, Kanagawam 250-0592, Japan  

• Saya menginap di The Prince Hakone dalam rangkaian Fuji & Hakone Tour, mengikuti tour ini lebih mudah karena sudah termasuk penjemputan di Tokyo, berkeliling Fuji (visitor center, 5th station), lake cruise, penginapan di Prince Hakone hingga tiket kembali ke Tokyo. Cek harga di website JTB.
• I stay in The Prince Hakone as a part of Fuji & Hakone Tour. Join this tour was a complete package since they also provide you with pick-up transport in Tokyo, touring around Fuji (visitor center, 5^th station), lake cruise, accommodation in Prince Hakone, until return ticket to Tokyo. Check rate on JTB website here.  

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Where To Stay in Lombok: Jeeva Klui

Alasan pertama saya dan teman-teman menginap di Jeeva Klui adalah karena salah satu teman saya, Achmad Alkatiri melangsungkan resepsi pernikahannya di resort di Lombok Utara ini. Sudah lama Mad (panggilan kami pada Achmad) menyebut-nyebut Jeeva sebagai resort favoritnya di Lombok, baik Jeeva Klui ataupun Jeeva Beloam.

First reason that made me and my friends stay in Jeeva Klui was one of our friends, Achmad Alkatiri, held his wedding reception in this resort located at North Lombok and Mad (the way we call Achmad) kept mentioning Jeeva as his favorite resort in Lombok, either Jeeva Klui or Jeeva Beloam.

 

Jeeva Klui merupakan resort yang sangat menyenangkan, tidak besar dan masif seperti hotel-hotel chain internasional dengan kapasitas tamu hingga lebih dari 500 orang, namun inilah yang sangat membuat kami nyaman berada di Jeeva Klui.

Jeeva Klui was a nice resort, though it’s not as spacious and massive as an international hotel with more than 500 guest capacity, but for us that made Jeeva Klui as a cozy place to stay.

 

Kamar saya berada di ujung, persis mengarah ke area pantai dengan sunset tepat di depan kami kala senja dan langit memerah dengan foreground pohon-pohon di area taman Jeeva Klui.

My room was at the end of the resort, right to beach area where we can enjoy the sunset view at red sky during twilight with the trees around Jeeva Klui as foreground.

 

Taman penuh rumput hijau, pohon kelapa dan pohon rimbun lain serta kolam renang yang langsung mengarah ke laut biru Lombok, sangat menenangkan. Sayapun sangat suka dengan outdoor shower di taman kecil di unit-unit cottage, dengan pepohonan yang menutupi pandangan dari atas (don’t worry, nobody gonna see when you’re taking a shower).

It was really soothing me to see a garden full with the green grass, coconut trees and other lush trees, also a swimming pool with a view of Lombok blue-ocean. An outdoor shower in small garden of the cottage unit got me so exciting. Trees are blocking the view from top so don’t worry, nobody’s gonna see when you’re taking a shower.

 

Jika anda penyuka ketenangan, penyuka pantai dan suara ombak menemani tidur tanpa keramaian yang berlebihan, this is a perfect place in Lombok.

If you love to find serenity, beach view, and sleep while hearing the sound of a calm wave, this is a perfect place in Lombok.

@marischkaprue -her perfect place is the sea :)

NOTES:

• Jeeva Klui berada di Jalan Raya Klui Beach No 1, Lombok, Indonesia, phone: +62 (0) 821 50000 800 
• Jeeva Klui is located on Jalan Raya Klui Beach No. 1, Lombok, Indonesia. Phone: + 62 (0) 821 50000 800

• Booking via stay@jeevaresorts.com

• 

  We're also here for Achmad Alkatiri's wedding, congrats bro!

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Banda Naira Photo Story: Diving Batu Perahu

Banda Naira jelas merupakan surga penyelaman. Bahkan sebelum saya datang ke Banda Naira, banyak sekali teman-teman penyelam yang menceritakan indahnya destinasi menyelam di Maluku ini sehingga saya menyediakan waktu lebih di Banda Naira khusus untuk menyelam.

Banda Naira was such a diving paradise. Since I’ve heard about the beauty of this diving spot from other divers, I kept telling myself to make time for diving in Banda Naira.

Usai mendarat di Banda Naira, saya langsung menyampaikan kepada Sasha dari dive center Naira Dive bahwa saya ingin langsung menyelam di hari yang sama, sayang rasanya jika tidak memanfaatkan waktu yang ada.

Right after landing at Banda Naira, I told Sasha from the dive center, Naira Dive, that I wanna dive that day because every second seemed so worth it I didn’t want to waste.

Titik penyelaman pertama kami adalah di Batu Perahu, dinamakan demikian karena berada di bawah pulau karang yang berbentuk seperti perahu. Lokasi penyelaman ini relatif dekat, hanya 30 menit saja dengan speedboat dari area pesisir Pulau Banda Naira.

Our first diving point was at Batu Perahu. It was literally named as its location, under the boat-shaped coral island. This spot was close enough, only 30 minutes with speedboat from the shore of Banda Naira Island.

 

Clown triggerfish

Areal penyelaman berupa wall dengan berbagai hard coral dan soft coral menghiasi sisi wall. Saya berulangkali melihat clown triggerfish mengelilingi koral mencari makan, sementara area lain dipenuhi oleh black surgeonfish di sekitar wall.

The diving area was a wall with various kinds of hard and soft coral fill the whole side. I could see clown triggerfish looked for some food around the coral while another area was full with black surgeonfish.

Meski tidak seramai titik penyelaman lainnya, spot ini tentunya jadi pembuka yang menyenangkan untuk menyelam di Banda Naira.

Though it’s not as crowded as other diving point, this spot surely become an exciting opening for diving experience in Banda Naira.

@marischkaprue - she need saltwater

NOTES:

• Banda Naira terletak di Maluku, untuk menuju ke Banda Naira anda dapat mengambil penerbangan ke Ambon (harga tiket Jakarta-Ambon PP sekitar Rp. 2 hingga  Rp. 2,5 juta), dari Ambon dapat dilanjutkan dengan penerbangan ke Banda Naira dengan pesawat twin otter Aviastar berkapasitas 17 orang (harga tiket Ambon - Banda Naira Rp. 280.000,- one way) namun untuk mendapatkan tiket cukup sulit karena jumlah seat yang terbatas. Pesawat Aviastar dengan rute Ambon - Banda Naira hanya beroperasi seminggu 3x yaitu di hari Senin, Kamis dan Minggu.
• Banda Naira is located at Maluku. You must take flight to Ambon (round-trip ticket price Jakarta-Ambon about  Rp 2 until Rp 2,5 millions), then continue taking flight to Banda Naira by twin otter plane Aviastar with 17 seat capacity (ticket price Ambon – Banda Naira is Rp 280.000,- one way). But it’s quite difficult to get ticket because of limited seat. Route Ambon – Banda Naira from Aviastar Airplane only available three times a week (Monday, Thursday, Sunday).  
• Budget untuk trip di Banda Naira 5D/4N sekitar Rp. 4 juta (termasuk tiket pesawat Ambon - Banda Naira), jika berangkat dari Jakarta maka total budget Rp. 6,5 juta per orang, dengan catatan trip bersama (group). Untuk trip serupa hubungi Tukang Jalan di +6281 806898303/ 081315890191 atau email di tuk4ng.jalan@gmail.com
• Budget for Banda Naira 5D/4N trip is about Rp 4 millions (included plane ticket Ambon – Banda Naira). If you depart from Jakarta, the total budget becomes Rp 6,5 millions per 1 person, but please note: only if you join in a group. Further info about this trip, contact Tukang Jalan at +6281 806898303 / 081315890191 or email at tuk4ng.jalan@gmail.com  
• Budget di atas belum termasuk diving. Untuk diving di Banda Naira, ratenya adalah Rp. 400.000,- per dive, lebih baik pergi minimal 2 orang karena jika sendiri akan mahal di extra cost untuk bbm kapal. I dive with Banda Sea Hobbits (dahulu bernama Naira Dive), untuk booking hubungi Sasha di +62821 251 22202 
• Diving cost is excluded from the transport details above. The rate for diving at Banda Naira is Rp 400.000,- per dive, better go with min 2 person to save the extra cost for boat. I dive with Banda Sea Hobbits, for booking please contact Sasha +62821 251 22202 

For daily feeds of destination photos, please do follow my Instagram: 

@marischkaprue 

Thanks! :)

 

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Where to eat in Tiong Bahru, Singapore: Open Door Policy

Mencoba berbagai tempat makan yang berbeda selalu menyenangkan, termasuk di Tiong Bahru, Singapura. Tujuan pertama kami meluncur ke area Tiong Bahru adalah untuk mengunjungi Books Actually, toko buku unik dengan ragam buku yang berbeda. Namun rupanya Open Door Policy menjadi penutup yang menyenangkan pada "jalan-jalan singkat" kami di Tiong Bahru.

Having culinary experience in different places is always fun, also in Tiong Bahru, Singapura. At first, our main destination in Tiong Bahru was to visit Books Actually, a unique bookstore with unusual books. But apparently, Open Door Policy became a perfect closure for our “short trip” in Tiong Bahru.

 

Area Tiong Bahru merupakan kawasan pemukiman lama yang telah dibangun sejak tahun 1930-an. Kini berbagai café, restoran dan toko-toko menarik bermunculan di Tiong Bahru dan dengan atmosfir yang lebih tenang, area ini menawarkan rasa yang berbeda dari riuhnya Orchard.

Tiong Bahru is an old residential area that has been built since the 1930s. Nowadays, with all various café, restaurants, and attractive shops that bring out the comfort, Tiong Bahru was such a refreshing getaway from the Orchard crowd.

 

Open Door Policy berukuran seperti toko-toko dan restoran lain di Tiong Bahru, dengan areal dari luasan ruko sehingga dining area memanjang ke belakang, namun tetap tertata cantik.

Open Door Policy had a similar size with others shop and restaurant in Tiong Bahru. Dining area heads to the back side of the restaurant and all set prettily.

Harga di ODP cukup pricey jika dihitung dengan kurs rupiah terhadap dolar Singapura, namun semua makanan di Open Door Policy sangat memuaskan dari segi rasa dan tampilan. Menu favorit saya di sini yaitu Roast Akaroa Salmon dengan tumis bayam, babaganoush dan cucumber raita. Pilihan lain Seafood Risotto, Plin Ravioli atau Roast Barramundi.

The price at ODP was quite pricey if we converted into IDR, but all foods in Open Door Policy could satisfy you tastefully and visually. My favorite was Roast Akaroa Salmon with a sautéed spinach, babaganoush and cucumber raita. Another option was Seafood Risotto, Plin Ravioli, or Roast Barramundi.

So, let's eat, shall we?

@marischkaprue - eat, sleep and travel

NOTES:

• Open Door Policy terletak di 19 Yong Siak Street, Singapura 168650. Telp: +65 6221 9307, email: enquiries@odpsingapore.com
• Open Door Policy is located on 19 Yong Siak Street, Singapore 16865. Phone: +65 62219307, email: enquiries@odpsingapore.com  
• Harga menu starters mulai dari 20 SGD (Singapore Dollar), main course mulai dari 26 SGD (Roast Akaroa Salmon 29 SGD, Roast Barramundi 26 SGD, Seafood Risotto 28 SGD), dessert 18 SGD, cocktails start from 17 SGD
• Starters menu starts from 20 SGD (Singapore Dollar), main course starts from 26 SGD (Roast Akaroa Salmon 29 SGD, Roast barramundi 26 SGD,. Seafood Risotto 28 SGD), dessert 18 SGD, cocktails start from 17 SGD  

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