Belitung: Beyond Horizon (Part 2)

Previously on... (Part 1)

Wednesday, 1 October 2014 – Day #2

Today we would be having fun with the sea. We had breakfast, sunblock *check*, sunglasses *check*, and here we go!

To go to Pulau Lengkuas took about 30 minutes by the speed boat. As we arrived, we jumped from the rock to the rock to took the photograph on it. There was a lighthouse that was used to guard Bangka-Belitung island. To reach the top, we had to climb 18 stairs or about 60 meter height.

We went to offshore to snorkeling. The tour guide asked us to feed the fishes with the bread, the fishes came in hurry.

Kepayang Island Conservation Center was a turtle breeding place. The newly hatched turtles were treated and they would be let go when they were ready to face the ocean. Here was also a diving center. We took a bath and had lunch here.

Pulau Batu Pelayar was a small island in the middle of the ocean. There were some huge rocks that looked like a sailing ship.

We had our dinner at Belitung Timpo Duluk Restaurant, an ancient-style restaurant. There are a lot of old stuff on the wall and on the tables. (Maybe) it is hard to find in these days.

Thursday, 2 October 2014 – Day #3

Museum Belitung or Museum Tanjung Pandan became our first destination. The museum was located at Jalan Melati and the ticket price was IDR 2,000. There were the relics rocks from the tin mining, the relics items from Belitung kingdoms, the relics war equipments, and collections from the sunken cargo ships. And there was mini zoo in the back. Do you know that they have the crocodile in Laskar Pelangi film? Yes, they do...

Danau Kaolin was formed of the tin dredging since the 1880s by the Dutch. Kaolin is usually used as an industrial material like paper, cosmetics, toothpaste, food, paint, etc. The mining was open for public and such an interesting place to visit (although we sadly know this is utilized by the other countries). We could see how blue the water that filled the huge puddle.

Pantai Lor-in might be my favorite place to make a great photograph. The pristine white sand combined with the turquoise layered sea covered this area; They were so perfect!

Pantai Tanjung Tinggi was used for the Laskar Pelangi filming location, so the beach was often referred as Laskar Pelangi Beach. There were so many beautiful large granite stones. We had lunch at the seafood restaurant in the back before playing at the beach.

Trip tips:

We used the tour services for 3 days in Belitung Island and it costed IDR 1.2 mio per person. It included: 2 nights hotel, meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), tourist attractions tickets, and transport. There is no public transportation in Belitung. So as you arrive at the airport, I suggest you to rent a motorbike or a car for the convenient mobility.

It was all my stories in Belitung Island. The most important thing is: Indonesia is too beautiful to visit!

Let's go back to reality. Jakarta, I'm back!

#meandmom #visitbelitung #explorebelitung #visitindonesia #exploreindonesia

Belitung: Beyond Horizon (Part 1)

Who is not curious about Belitung Island?

The island known with its clean beaches and blue-green seas, the island which has so many interesting history to tell, the island that is rich in natural resources, the island that becomes the tourist destination.

Belitung Island itself became so well known by the common people since the publication of the tetralogy novel Laskar Pelangi (Rainbow Troops) by Andrea Hirata. Belitung Island is also known as the birthplace of Vice Governor of Jakarta: Mr. Basuki Purnama Tjahja.

The plan for the trip to Belitung Island was completely so sudden. I bought the return tickets for IDR 850,000.00 per person a day before. Me and the other five flew with Sriwijaya Air for an hour, from 06:00-07.10 in the morning.

We stayed at Green Tropical Village Deluxe Suites with 2 single beds, 39" LED Television with cable program (actually, I only got the HBO channel), hot and cold shower, breakfast buffet, terrace, gazebo, and swimming pool. It costs IDR 650,000 on the weekday and IDR 800,000 on the weekend. Worth to stay, anyway!

Tuesday, 30 September 2014 – Day #2

The first thing we did was having breakfast at Mie Belitung Atep. There were a lot of celebrities photos who had been here on the wall of the restaurant; and also, the photo of the Former President Megawati Sukarnoputri and her daughter, Puan Maharani. This noodle was really well known!

A plate of noodles costed IDR 12,000. Belitung noodles served with yellow noodles, potatoes, tofu, dried shrimps (ebi), chips (emping), and with the sour soup. Me likey!

Kwan Im Temple was a Chinese Buddhist temple which was dedicated to the goddess of the sea. To enter to the temple that was dominated by the red color, we had to climb the quite high stairs.

We had lunch at Rumah Makan Fega, Manggar, Belitung Timur. I was starving like hell. Thanks God, they served the good food here. 

We also visited Ahok's House. The visitors could see the entire contents of his house: the living room, the dining room, and the kitchen. My mother was very happy, even though we were only able to go though the yard. She is a big fan of his.

Our next destination was Laskar Pelangi Museum or also known as the first literature museum in Indonesia, Museum Kata (Museum of Words).

The museum was just a reconstruction from the old house. This museum was filled with Laskar Pelangi movie footage and the short stories by Andrea Hirata, along with his quotes.

I was struck helpless when I knew that there were 20 countries adapted and published this book, yes, 20 languages​​.

The school replica for filming.

And look how delicious our dinner was! That big fat lobsters were so... *speechless!*

Next on... (Part 2)