Exploring Tambi Tea Farming, Wonosobo Central Java

Tambi Tea Farming is one of natural tourist destination in Central Java. The farming is stretching along 830 hectares with a low temperature around 15 degree C and it will make you able to enjoy natural beauty for hours. The stretch of tea farming with green scenery will make you feel great since you stepping at the farming of Tambi.

Location of Tambi Tea Farming

The farming is located at Tambi Village, Kejajar sub-districk, Wonosobo Regency, Central Java. This place can be reached around 20 minutes from Dieng Plateu. Even though Tea Tambi Farming is located at the middle of village, but the it is accessible. The easy way to visit Tambi Tea Farming is by car from Wonosobo which is taken around 16 km. 

Actually, public transportation is also available. You can take a bus Wonosobo – Dieng and you have to turn down at Tambi Village. Next you have to continue your journey by on foot around 200 meters from the main road. Although you have to struggle to pass along 16 km from Wonosobo to Tambi Tea Farming, you will never feel bore because you can enjoy the beauty of nature during your trip. The green scenery is look like amazing carpet that will refresh your eyes. 

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Explore Tambi Tea Farming

As you approach the tea farming, the fresh atmosphere will welcome you and it will make you want to stay longer. Not only to record the beautiful farming, but to explore it as well. If you like selfi, you can walk among the tea tree. The background of green scenery really make you feel good. 

If you arrive at Tambi Tea Farming in the morning, you will have chance to see the worker picking the tea leaves. Most of them are female and they look so professional using a big scissor and they work from 06.00 – 12.00. If the condition is good, they able to harvest around 50 kg of tea leaves a day.

This farming is divided into 3 parts, i.e. Tanjung, Pedagah, and Tambi itself. The entire of farming is around 830 hectares. Tambi Tea Farming is located at the highest places with 1.400 m to 2.100 m above sea level. That is why the atmosphere in this spot is so fresh and chilly.

The owner of Tambi Tea Farming provide many package for those people who want to explore the farming, from standard (IDR27.500 per person) to exclusive (IDR55.000 per person). For standard package, you will have chance to explore the farming, visiting the factory and enjoy the tea. If you choose exclusive package, you have the same experience just like standard package, plus you will have chance for banquet.

Harvesting tea at Tambi Tea Farming

What makes Tambi Tea Farming interesting for visitors is because you will have chance to harvest the tea. Yes, the farming provide you the hat and basket. If you have no experiences, no worries because the guide will accompany you and will explain how to harvest the tip of leaf. Very interesting, isn’t it? So, it will be the first experience to harvest tea and that happen in Tambi Tea Farming in Wonosobo.

After satisfied picking the tea, next you can go to the factory to see how to process the tea. In this place, you will see the tip of leaves will be poured into a big container with length 1m x 20m and able to accommodate 1 ton of tea leaves. 

The drying process in this place will be continued by entering it into a hole that have direct connection to hulling machine. The result of hulling process will separated according to the quality. The tea from Tambi itself has been exported to many countries, such as USA, Japan, India, Middle East, and Russia.

Travelers, if you want to stay longer at Tambi Tea Farming, you can stay in the homestay. There are 22 rooms that able to accommodate 150 people. Happy traveling!

Karimunjawa Islands, Most Favorite Snorkeling and Diving Spots In Central Java, Indonesia

Karimunjawa Islands or Karimunjawa National Park is a paradise for divers. You can do many water activities, such as swimming, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, hoping, and sunbathing happily. The beauty of coral reefs and colorful fish become the main attraction for you who love to play in the water. The water in Karimunjawa is very clean so that you can see the seabed clearly. For you who like to fish, you can do that in many islands in Karimunjawa.

To visit the islands, you can take a boat which doesn't take much time because the location is adjacent. There is also a boat that has glass at the bottom. This is a perfect choice if you don’t want to dive but still curious to see coral reefs and fish. Karimunjawa National Park consists of 27 groups of small islands and 5 islands among them are populated, i.e. Parang Island, Nyamuk Island, Karimunjawa Island, Kemujan Island and Genting Island. Those islands have white sand and look so clear and natural.

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Actually, there are many favorite islands that become the main attraction for tourists here, i.e. Menjangan Besar Island, Tajung Gelam Island, Cemara Kecil Island, Cemara Besar Island and Menjangan Kecil Island. And now, let's visit those islands one by one.

·        Menjangan Besar Island

On this island, you can find shark breeding. You can challenge yourself to stand or swim together with the sharks. Don’t be afraid because they are tame and friendly to human being.

·        Menjangan Kecil Island

On this island, you can find colorful fish and they look so beautiful. Besides that, the seabed is clear. Thus, if you like snorkeling, Menjangan Kecil Island is the right place for you.

·        Cemara Kecil Island and Cemara Besar Island

Both islands have pine trees, and perhaps the name of the islands comes from the tree. In Bahasa Indonesia, Cemara means pine. The other uniqueness in these islands is the coastline has white sand and jutting into the sea.

·        Tanjung Gelam Island

This is a beautiful island with a stretch of white sand and clear water with turquoise color. Everyone will love to come and relax here. 

Location

Karimunjawa Island lies at Jave Sea, north of Jepara, Central Java, Indonesia. To reach the island, there are many options, i.e.

·        By speedboat from Semarang City.

From Semarang, you can go to Karimunjawa Islands through Tanjung Emas Port by speed boat. It takes around 4 – 6 hours depend on the weather.

·        By boat from Jepara

From Jepara, you can go to Karimunjawa through Kartini Port. You can choose speedboat or a ferry that is slower and cheaper that takes around 2.5 – 3 hours.

·        By plane

If you have enough budget, traveling by a plane is the easiest choice. By small plane from Ahmad Yani Airport in Semarang, you can go to Dewa Daru Airport in Kemujan Island. This is one of the islands in Karimunjawa. From the height, you can see the beauty of Karimunjawa Island before you landing. It will take around 30 minutes.

The ticket is quite cheap because you only need to pay IDR65,000 or US$6 for executive class, and IDR80,000 or US$8 for VIP class. The facilities are also adequate because it has comfortable chairs, AC room, and snack box. The capacity of the ship is around 190 passengers. Thus, you have to reserve it before you go. On Friday, the ship will depart only once at 14.00 p.m.

Accommodations

Beside enjoying the beauty of the sea and beaches, you also can visit traditional market or visiting fishermen that fish in the sea to get fish. If you want to spend the night in Karimunjawa Islands, there are many lodges, luxurious resorts and affordable hotels in the small islands. Even, local residents provide Homestays for tourists who want to enjoy the natural atmosphere with cheaper rates.

But, if you like to enjoy something different, you can stay in Wisma Apung. This is a floating lodge and the distance is not too far from the coastline. The rate to stay in in the Homestay is around IDR65,000 – IDR125,000 or US$6.5 – US$12.5 per night. In the hotel, the rate is around IDR200,000 – IDR2,500,000 or US$20 – US$250 per night.

Activities

Strolling in the island is the first activity you can do to explore Karimunjawa. You only need to pay around IDR350, 000 – IDR450,000 or US$35 – US$45 by hiring a boat from fishermen to go to many snorkeling spots. If you don’t bring snorkeling equipment, you can rent from them by paying IDR35,000 – IDR50,000 or US$3.5 – US$5. By snorkeling, you can see wonderful underwater life, such as coral reefs, colorful fish, and crystal water.

After snorkeling, you can visit Gosongan Seloka. The island can be visited only when the tide is low. Local resident calls the island as Gosongan because the island is fulfilled by sand and there is no vegetation. Gosongan is located at Tanjung Seloka. That is why the island is known as Gosongan Seloka. The best time to visit the island is from 13.00 pm or 15.00 pm. To reach Gosongan Seloka, you have to walk or swim. Don’t forget to wear your shoes to avoid you from the poison of stone fish.

After enjoying Gosongan Seloka, you can go to Cilik Island. But, if you want to enjoy complete adventure, you have to bring an underwater camera. The beauty of underwater life is so stunning. By walking for about 15 minutes from Cilik Island, you can visit one of the favorite snorkeling spot, i.e. Tengah Island. The island has sea anemones and hard coral. You also can see cute fish and other marine life.

When you visit Karimunjawa, you have to get up early to enjoy sunrise in Palem Beach. Bring your camera to capture the exotic scenery in the morning. When the day starts to hot, you can continue visiting the Menjangan Besar Island. By paying IDR5,000 or US$0.5, you swim together with baby sharks. The shark breeding lies around 15 minutes by walking from Karimunjawa Pier. This is kind of floating house in the middle of the sea. If you come inside, you will see if this building is made from wood. Around the building, there are two big ponds that are full of sharks. You can swim together with the sharks and other fish freely.

The next destination is the Menjangan Kecil Island. It takes around 20 minutes from the Menjangan Besar Island. The panorama in this island is so amazing. You can snorkeling, kayaking and playing banana boat to challenge your adrenaline. When you visit this island, don’t forget to bring the white bread because you can feed the fish here.

The best time to visit Karimunjawa Island is from March to October because the weather more friendly to you and you can explore many islands there.

Kampung Batik Kauman, A Complex of Batik Producer in Surakarta

Kampung Batik Kauman is a kind of village in which all the people sell batik. Batik is a typical cloth made by the local people. If you visit Surakarta, visiting this kampung will be the right choice. You can shop many incredible batik clothes as souvenirs. Kampung Kauman is closely related to the history of removing of the Kartosuro Kingdom to Solo. 
Kauman was the place where many officials of the kingdom at that time like anom, ketip, modin, suronoto and kaum gathered in this place. People called kauman since there were many kaum (servants of kingdom) lived in the village. Until right now, the area is called kauman. They made special clothes of batik for the royal family of Surakata. From generation to generation, they made batik with its various types. Today, kauman is known as batik cloth producer. 

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Location

Kampung Batik Kauman is situated in Trisula Street, Kauman, Nonongan Solo Kota or Kliwon Market, Central Java, Indonesia. The art of making batik of the people of Kauman is inherited from their ancestors. In its development, the art of making batik in this village is divided into three types, i.e. classical batik (written batik), stamped batik and the combination of both. Written batik has various patterns influenced by the art of batik or Surakarta Kingdom. Most batik products of this area are made using natural silk and woven silk, cotton and rayon. There are about 30 home industries in Kauman. The home industries support the products sold around Kauman. Many visitors admire the art of batik cloth. They are tourists from Asia, Europe and America. 

Activities

          Kampung Batik Kauman is a unique village where almost all people there live their life making batik clothes. There are many small shops around the village. Hence, when you visit the village, you can shop batik clothes. You can take a look at the collection of batik clothes in all of the shops. There are also souvenirs made of batik, such as fan, key hangers, paintings or wall decoration. Even, you can find bed covers made of batik here. Walking around Kauman is so exhausting as the village is so vast. However, when you will be satisfied since you can find many things in this village. You can also learn about the various types of batik clothes. Visiting the home industry are also a fun activity. You can learn how batik is made.

Accommodations

          When you have a plan traveling to Surakarta, you should plan your trip carefully. There are many places you can visit in this city. However, it is better for you to think thoroughly about the accommodation, including the hotel where you should stay and what you should do and bring. The important is that you don’t forget to bring a camera. You can perpetuate many beautiful places and objects here. While, the hotel option is various, including Novotel or Hotel Indonesia.

          Visiting Surakarta will give you great experience. You can explore the entire city and learn about many things. Include Kampung Batik Kauman in your travel plan.

Puro Mangkunegaran, a Great Palace in Surakarta

Puro Mangkunegaran is a palace where the king of Surakata, Sri Paduka Mangkunagara lives. The palace was built in 1757. The architecture design of this palace is so incredible that it has unique characteristic. The palace consists of many buildings, including pamedan, pendopo, pringgitan, dalem and kaputran. All of the buildings are fenced with strong walls. 
The construction of this palace started after Salatiga Agreement. Salatiga Agreement showed the initial construction of Praja Mangkunegara. The Agreement devided the reign of Java into Kesultanan Yogyakarta and Kasunanan Surakarta by VOC in 1755. Raden Mas Said, with his title Mangkunegoro I started to build his authority in the western part of Pepe River, which is now known as Solo or Surakarta.

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Location

          The palace is situated near the complex of traditional market of Surakarta, including Klewer, PGS and Beteng. The palace is so vast that it may take more than a day to complete your trip exploring the city. Puro Mangkunegaran has been restored in some parts since the VOC in central Java. No wonder that the palace has European style decoration at this moment. There are many parts you can explore while visiting the palace including Pendopo Agung which covers an area of more than 3,500 m². The design of the palace is unique and classical. The roofs are designed with Joglo (a design typically found in traditional houses of Java).

Activities

          There are many activities you can do in Puro Mangkunegaran. The main activity is surely sightseeing around the palace. The atmosphere of the palace is so calm and peaceful. It’s perfect for you who want to relieve your stress. You can walk around the palace and enjoy the calm and peaceful atmosphere. You can also explore the palace by learning further about the history of the palace and everything related to the palace, including the typical art and all traditional heritage of the palace. Observe carefully all of the things about the palace. When you get back from your travel in Surakarta, you will have complete knowledge about the history of Surakarta.

Accommodations

          Puro Mangkunegaran lies in the downtown of Surakarta. If you visit the palace early in the morning, you surely don’t have to spend the night around the palace. However, if you have a plan to visit more than one place in Surakarta, then you can think of the hotel you want to spend the night. Fortunately, there are many hotels in Surakarta you can select. Depending on your budget, you can select a hotel offering the rate that suits to your budget. You can select Novotel or Hotel Indonesia if you have more budget. While you can also stay in Dana Hotel if you want to stay in a mid-range hotel. If you are backpackers, you can stay in small lodges that are available in almost all parts of the city.  

          Visiting Puro Mangkunegaran offers you great experience since you can learn the history of the palace along with its greatest kings. This will be your greatest experience.   

Radya Pustaka Museum, A Historical Tourism Object in Solo

Radya Pustaka Museum is a museum built by Kanjeng Adipati Sosrodiningrat IV in October 28, 1890. He was a pepatih dalem (today, it’s a kind of vice regent) in the reign of Paku Buwono IX and Paku Buwono X. The museum has complete collection of statue, heirloom, wayang and old books. The old books collection includes Wulang Reh written by Pakubuwono IV and Serat Rama bu Yasadirpura I. 
The museum doesn’t lie under Olden Times Department or Tourism Department but a foundation. The foundation names Yayasan Paheman Radya Pustaka Surakarta and was established in 1951. For daily activities, presidium was formed in 1966, and led by Go Tik Swan or K.R.T. Hardjonagoro as the first leader.

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Location

          Radya Pustaka Museum is situated in Jalan Slamet Riyadi, in the complex of Taman Wisata Budaya Sriwedari, Surakarta, Central Java. To reach the museum, you can go by bus or taxi. If you are from Tirtonadi bus station, you can go by local minibus or taxi towards the Sriwedari. You will need to pay less than Rp10,000 (US$1.00) by bus. If you are from Adi Sumarmo airport, you can go by taxi for less than Rp50,000 (US$5.00). The city of Surakarta is quite crowded, and you may feel that the journey towards the museum is not too comfortable, especially if you are trapped in a traffic jam. That is why, it is better for you to come around 9 a.m where the street is not too crowded. The museum has complete collection, hence you can learn many things from the museum.

Activities

          Deciding to visit Radya Pustaka Museum means you can learn history. The museum is part of historical tourist destinations. That is why, when you visit the museum, you can do many things related to history. You can walk around the museum to see and learn various objects in this museum, including the statue and heirloom. Otherwise, you can see classical book and learn about the historical book. You can hire a guide to lead you the way around the museum. He or she can tell you about the history of the classical book. The old books are precious. It’s not surprising that the museum takes care of all the collection carefully. The arrangement of the books is so tidy that it looks so interesting. Hence, you will not get bored walking around the museum to learn more about the great history of kings of Surakarta at all times.

Accommodations

          Radya Pustaka Museum lies exactly at the center of Surakarta City. Hence, when you visit this museum, it will be very easy to find hotels. There are many hotels in Surakarta that you can select to stay. For example, Novotel or Dana Hotels offers comfortable bedroom to spend the night. Spending the night in Surakarta will be fun. It’s because Surakarta is a metropolitan city, so that the activities run through the whole night.

          You can explore many things in Surakarta, including the entire culture and history of this city. Visiting Radya Pustaka Museum can be the first step you can do.