Photo Story: Another Heaven in Misool: Dafalen

When I say Misool is true paradise, I'm not exaggerating. Having countless of spots that will take your breath away, this southern part of Raja Ampat is a hidden paradise where you'll find many places only for you.

Here are some photos from Dafalen, another spectacular area with cone-shaped mega-rock that came from the ocean with it's perfect surroundings that make this place one of the must visit in Misool. 

 @marischkaprue - never get enough of Misool.

Photo by Ferry Rusli & me

PS:

 
We're going to Misool again this October, you can also join us. See more detail about itinerary and budget here.

 

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Magical Day at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

It even wasn't a good day. Langit mendung dan terkadang hujan rintik-rintik turun dan membuat saya mesti menyiapkan payung.

It even wasn’t a good day. A cloudy sky with drizzle made me have to bring my umbrella.

Kami baru saja tiba di Osaka dan usai drop koper di hotel, saya dan Ferry langsung menuju Universal Studios Japan (USJ). Nama USJ sudah cukup terkenal. Sebagian besar teman-teman saya yang datang ke Osaka khusus untuk dapat menikmati theme park ini sehingga banyak juga yang melakukan one day trip dari Tokyo ke Osaka khusus untuk ke USJ.

After we arrived in Osaka and dropped our luggage in the hotel, Ferry and I headed to Universal Studios Japan (USJ). It’s quite familiar because most of my friends also come to Osaka for the sake of visiting this theme park. That’s why, there are lots of one day trip from Tokyo to Osaka only for going to USJ.

Universal Studios theme park tersebar di seluruh dunia, namun setiap theme park memiliki beberapa ride atau area yang berbeda. Itulah yang menyebabkan kenapa orang-orang akan tetap mengincar Universal Studios di kota dan negara lain meski sudah mencoba, misalnya yang terdekat dari Indonesia yaitu di Universal Studios Singapura.

Though Universal Studios theme park spread all over the world, but every theme park has some different rides or area. That makes many people are eager to try Universal Studios in other city or even other country even though they already visited the nearest one from Indonesia, which is Universal Studios Singapore.

Universal Studios Japan punya satu keunggulan utama yang jadi incaran semua orang, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Area ini pula yang sudah jadi tujuan utama saya saat datang ke USJ.

Universal Studios Japan has one speciality that becomes the main point or target of any visitor, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which was also my purpose in visiting USJ.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter berada di area tenggara USJ dan merupakan area paling luas di theme park ini. Berjalan masuk ke area ini bagaikan menyusuri hutan dengan pohon cemara di kiri dan kanan, serta bunyi-bunyi binatang dari speaker di sepanjang jalan setapak.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is in the shout-east of USJ and also the largest part in this theme park. Walking into this area was like tracking the forest with pine trees on the both sides and the animal sounds from the speaker along the path.

Di ujung jalan kita akan menemukan pintu masuk besar dengan tulisan "Hogsmeade," dan rumah-rumah dengan atap berselimut salju sudah terlihat. Melewati gerbang kita akan langsung melihat kereta Hogwarts Express seperti di film Harry Potter di sebelah kanan dan deretan bangunan-bangunan dengan tampilan persis seperti di Desa Hogsmeade pada cerita Harry Potter membuat kami tercengang.

At the end of the road, we would find a big entrance gate reads “Hogsmeade” and houses with snowy roof. Entering the gate, there was a Hogwart Express train as in the movie on the right side. The rows of the buildings that really imitated the real ones in Hogsmeade Village in Harry Potter story got us really impressed.

Hogsmeade di USJ ini bagaikan di cerita asli, penuh dengan toko-toko yang menjual peralatan sihir (mereka bahkan menjual tongkat sihir), jubah di Dervish and Banges, barang-barang unik seperti "expendable ears" di Zonko's Joke Shop, hingga Owl Post dimana kita dapat mengirimkan surat dan kartupos dengan stamp Hogsmeade. Semua pecinta Harry Potter akan dipuaskan dengan deretan toko dan bangunan yang ada.

Hogsmeade in USJ was really alive, as if in the real story. It was full with magic shops (even they also sold magic wands), robes in Dervish and Banges, unique stuff like “expendable ears” in Zonko’s Joke Shop, until Owl Post where we could send mail or postcard with Hogsmeade stamp. All of those things and the circumstances would satisfy the Harry Potter lovers so much.

Namun keseruan tidak berhenti sampai di situ. Usai deretan toko di Hogsmeade kita dapat melihat kastil besar di sisi danau yang dikelilingi pepohonan. Di kastil inilah kita dapat merasakan atraksi utama di The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. 

But the joy didn’t stop there. After the rows of the shops in Hogsmeade, we are led to see the big castle in the lake side surrounded by the trees. In this castle, we could feel sensation of the main ride from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey adalah ride utama yang menjadi andalan area ini. Karena banyaknya peminat ride ini, terkadang panjangnya antrean bisa mencapai 3-4 jam waktu antre (lihat bagian notes untuk tips menghindari antrean panjang). Kami menggunakan jalur cepat dan dapat menghemat banyak waktu. Selama antre untuk merasakan ride, kami memasuki kastil dan terhibur dengan menariknya interior dalam kastil ini. Ada satu area di tangga dengan frame-frame lukisan yang bergerak dan berbicara layaknya di film Harry Potter, my favourite spot during queing!

Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey is the main ride that becomes most attractive spot in this area. Because of the high enthusiasm from the visitors, sometimes the queue could take about 3-4 hours (see Notes for tips about avoiding long queue). We took express route and saved more time. While queuing, we entered the castle and got entertained with the interior. There was a part at the stairs consists of painting frames that were able to move and talk like in the Harry Potter movie, my favorite spot during queuing!

Akhirnya kami tiba di depan dan langsung mencoba ride ini. Di Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey kita akan duduk di perangkat layaknya untuk roller coaster, lengkap dengan penahan bagian atas tubuh. Saat semua siap, mesin mulai bergerak dan kami memasuki dunia Harry Potter.

Finally it was our turn to take this ride. In Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey, our seat was like in roller coaster, completed with the safety belt to hold our body.

Kami menggunakan kacamata 3D selama ride untuk mendapatkan sensasi visual yang luar biasa. Di ride ini kita seakan-akan dibawa melewati galaksi dan kemudian bertemu Harry Potter yang mengajak kita ikut dalam petualangannya. Mesin bergerak cepat membawa kami "bermanuver" mengikuti Harry, menghindari musuh hingga melewati sela-sela kastil dengan gesit.

We used 3D glasses during the ride to feel the spectacular visual sensation. It felt like we were taken through the galaxy and met Harry Potter who asked us to join his adventure. The high speed machine got us “make a maneuver” like Harry, avoided the enemy and also passed any corner of the castle nimbly.

Yang menarik ada banyak area di dalam ride ini yang diliputi dengan layar 3D berukuran besar dan mengelilingi sehingga saat saya melirik ke atas hingga bawah, sensasinya adalah terbang bersama Harry Potter. Beberapa kali saya berusaha mencari batas layar (kebiasaan saya jika mencoba atraksi dengan sensasi 4D), namun keseruan yang ada membuat saya tidak menemukannya.

It’s interesting to see many areas in this ride surrounded by 3D big screens so that when I glanced up and down, the thrill of flying with Harry Potter was so real. I tried looking for the screen border (thing I always do anytime I am in 4D show) but seemed like I was too excited to find it.

It's funny how they called it "Forbidden Journey" but after the ride people will say it's a must do in Universal Studios Japan.

It’s funny how they called it “Forbidden Journey” but after the ride people will say it’s a must do in Universal Studios Japan.

@marischkaprudence - a happy go lucky muggle

NOTES

Where

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Universal Studios Japan

2-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana-Ku

Osaka 554-0031

Opening Hours

9:00 - 19:00 atau 9:00 - 21:00 (Jadwal jam operasi berbeda dalam periode tanggal yang berbeda, cek jadwal jam operasi terlebih dahulu di www.usj.co.jp/e/schedule/calendar.html

9:00 - 19:00 or 9:00 – 21:00 (operational hours depends on the date, check schedule on www.usj.co.jp/e/schedule/calendar.html)

How To Get There

Dari Osaka Station (Departure Track No.1) naik JR Osaka Loop Line ke Nishikujo Station (¥160, waktu tempuh sekitar 6-8 menit)

Dari Nishikujo Station naik JR Yumesaki Line menuju Universal City Station (¥160, waktu tempuh sekitar 6 menit)

From Osaka Station (Departure Track No. 1) take JR Osaka Loop Line to Nishikujo Station (¥160, about 6-8 mins)

From Nishikujo Station take JR Yumesaki Line to Universal City Statin (¥160, about 6 mins)

 
Admission Fee

One day pass: ¥7200 (Adult), ¥4980 (Children 4-11 tahun)

Tips

Universal Studios Japan sangat penuh terutama pada weekend dan musim liburan. Waktu mengantre setiap ride dapat menghabiskan waktu 1 hingga 4 jam (terutama untuk ride Harry Potter). Disarankan untuk datang bukan di saat weekend untuk menghindari antre terlalu lama.

Universal Studios Japan is so crowded on weekend and holidays. It takes about 1 – 4 hours for queuing in one ride especially Harry Potter ride so I recommend you not to come on weekend in order to avoid the long queue.

 

Jika memiliki budget lebih bisa membeli Express Pass sehingga untuk ride yang ada kita dapat menggunakan jalur khusus (express). Khusus untuk Harry Potter ride express pass yang berlaku adalah Express Pass 7 dan 5 (untuk 7 ride atau 5 ride). Namun Express Pass 5 sudah cukup (Express Pass 3 tidak berlaku untuk Harry Potter ride, jangan sampai salah membeli).

If you have extra budget, you can buy Express Pass to have an express line for any ride. Special for Harry Potter ride, the valid express pass was Express Pass 7 and 5 (for 7 or 5 rides). But actually, Express Pass 5 is enough (Express Pass 3 is not valid for Harry Potter ride, check first before you buy!).

 

Harga Express Pass 5: ¥5.200

Baca ketentuan penggunaan Express Pass USJ di sini 

Express Pass price 5: ¥5.200

Read the terms and condition of Express Pass USJ here

 

PS: tiket masuk USJ dan Express Pass dapat dibeli di Indonesia untuk menghindari antre membeli tiket, selain itu untuk Express Pass memang sebaiknya beli jauh-jauh hari karena tidak tersedia banyak kuota. 

Di Jakarta dapat dibeli melalui:

SMI Travel

Mediterania 2, Tower F Kiosk F2. Jl. Tanjung Duren No.5

Jakarta-Barat 11470 Indonesia

Tel: 021-294-26820

email: risma@smitravel-indonesia.com

(biaya tiket akan ditambah handling charge Rp. 50.000,- per tiket)

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Kamikochi: Little Switzerland in Japan

"Pernah ada turis dari Swiss yang mengirimkan foto di sini kepada temannya dan langsung dibalas 'kamu sudah kembali ke Swiss?' haha," ujar Teddy Yamaishi yang menemani kami selama di Matsumoto, Jepang.

“A tourist from Switzerland once sent a photo of this place to his friend and immediately got reply, ‘are you back to Switzerland?’ haha,” Teddy Yamaishi, our guide in Matsumoto, Japan, said.

Memang pemandangan gunung es, danau biru dan cuaca dingin membuat pikiran saya kembali melayang ke Switzerland, negara yang populer dengan pemandangan serupa dengan yang sedang saya saksikan.

Combination of snow-mountain, blue lake, and the cold weather, again, got me think about Switzerland, a famous country with the similar view like I had right now.

Danau Taisho adalah perhentian pertama kami di Kamikochi, area pegunungan tinggi di Chubu Sangaku National Park. Danau Taisho atau Taisho pond terbentuk dari aliran Sungai Azusa yang dikelilingi pegunungan tinggi yang tertutup salju bahkan di musim panas. Sangat menyenangkan melihat perahu kecil, kehijauan hutan dan tentunya Gunung Nishi-Hotakadake dan puncak Nishiho Doppyo yang tertutup salju.

Taisho Pond was our first stop in Kamikochi, a high mountains area in Chubu Sangaku National Park. It was formed from the streams of Azusa River, surrounded by high mountains that covered with snow even on summer. It’s really exciting seeing a small boat, green forest, and of course Nishi-Hotakadake Mountain with the snowy peak of Nishiho Doppyo.

Kamikochi adalah area yang sangat cocok bagi pecinta alam, saya hanya melakukan trekking pendek dari jalur Teikoku hingga Kappa Bridge, namun trek panjang tersedia melewati hutan pinus dan sisi Sungai Azusa yang indah. Beberapa penginapan yang ada tampak sangat menyenangkan, Hotel Imperial yang berwarna merah ini tampak kontras dengan kehijauan hutan di sekelilingnya. It's gonna be nice to spend a day on place like this, pikir saya saat melewati hotel yang berada di salah satu sisi jalur trekking ini.

Kamikochi was a perfect place for nature lovers. I only did short trek from Teikoku track to Kappa Bridge, but there was a longer trek through the pine trees and the beautiful Azusa River. Some inns caught my eye, like this red Imperial Hotel that so contrast with the green forest around. As I walked through one hotel alongside the trekking track, I told to myself that it’s gonna be nice to spend a day on place like this.

Kami berhenti di Kappa Bridge dan menikmati suasana menyenangkan di sisi sungai. Air sedang surut sehingga saya bisa bersantai di area berbatu sambil menikmati es krim lembut khas Kamikochi. Tidak terasa kami sudah menghabiskan waktu berjam-jam di Kamikochi, feels like I don't wanna leave Switzerland (in Japan).

We stopped in Kappa Bridge and enjoy the calmness on the river side. When it was low tide I could chill in the rocky area while eating Kamikochi’s soft ice cream. Time flies. Suddenly we realized that we spent hours in Kamikochi but feels like I don’t wanna leave Switzerland (in Japan).

@marischkaprue - ice cream and snow mountain is one of her fav combination

NOTES:

Where:

Kamikochi berada di Chubu Sangaku National Park, Matsumoto, Nagano, Jepang.

Kamikochi is located in Chubu Sangaku National Park, Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan.

to know: Kamikochi dibuka untuk umum pada akhir April hingga 15 November

Kamikochi is opened for public starts from the end of April to 15 November.

 

How to Get There

Matsumoto Access Map

Kamikochi Bus Terminal

Kamikochi dapat diakses dari Matsumoto atau Takayama

Dari Matsumoto: Naik kereta dari Matsumoto Station (Matsumoto Dentetsu Line, kereta pertama di pukul 6.35 pagi, kereta berikutnya ada dengan interval waktu sekitar 30 menit hingga 1 jam 20 menit). Turun di Shin-Shimashima Station dan dilanjutkan dengan naik bus ke Kamikochi Bus Terminal. Opsi lain naik bus (direct) dari Matsumoto Bus Terminal (bus berangkat pukul 10.15). Tiket Kamikochi Line dapat dibelu di Matsumoto Station (¥2.450 one way/ ¥4.550 PP). Waktu tempuh sekitar 1 jam 50 menit. Lihat jadwal bus di sini

Dari Takayama: Naik bus dari Takayama Bus Center (bus pertama pukul 7 pagi), transfer di Hirayu Onsen menuju Kamikochi Bus Terminal (¥2.730 one way/ ¥5.190 PP). Waktu tempuh sekitar 1 jam 40 menit.

ps: Japan Rail Pass tidak berlaku untuk rute Kamikochi Line

Kamikochi can be accessed from Matsumoto or Takayama

From Matsumoto: Take a train from Matsumoto Station (Matsumoto Denetsu Line, first train at 6:35 a.m., next train will arrive within 30mins to 1hr 20mins). Get off at Shin-Shimashima Station and continued by bus to Kamikochi Bus Terminal. Other option is by taking direct bus from Matsumoto Bus Terminal (departure at 10:15 a.m.). You can buy Kamikochi Line’s ticket at Matsumoto Station (¥2.450 one way / ¥4.550 return) for about 1hr 50mins. Check the bus schedule here!

From Takayama: Take a bus from Takayama Bus Center (first bus arrives at 7 a.m.), transfer at Hirayu Onsen to Kamikochi Bus Terminal (¥2.730 one way/¥5.190 return) for about 1 hr 40mins.

PS: Japan Rail Pass is not valid for Kamikochi Line route

 

Weather

Suhu di Kamikochi berkisar dari -5°C hingga sekitar 20°C. Namun Kamikochi hanya dibuka pada akhir April hingga November dengan suhu rata-rata: April 5°C, Mei 9°C, Juni 13°C, Juli 16°C, Agustus 18°C, September 14°C, Oktober 6°C, November 1°C.

Temperature range in Kamikochi is at -5°C to 20°C but Kamikochi only opened at the end of April to November with the average temperature: April 5°C, May 9°C, June 13°C, July 16°C, August 18°C, September 14°C, October 6°C, November 1°C.

Akomodasi

Terdapat 15 penginapan yang tersebar di Kamikochi dengan rate per malam mulai dari ¥8.000 hingga ¥116.400

15 inns available in Kamikochi with rate per night starts from ¥8.000 to ¥116.400

Kamonji Goya Lodge: ¥8.000/night. T: +81 263 952418

Tokusawa Lodge: ¥8.000 - ¥10.500/night. T: +81 263 95 2526

Taisyoike Hotel: ¥14.580 - ¥22.680/night. T: +81 263 952301

Kamikochi Imperial Hotel: ¥32.076 - ¥116.424/ night. T: +81 263 952001

More info about Kamikochi on their website here

More info about Matsumoto on their website here

Need information about Matsumoto?

contact: Teddy Yamaishi via yamaishi@matsumoto-tca.or.jp

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