Sandboarding in Jogja

Jogja Trip Part 3

Day three in Jogja…

‘Are you sure it’s the right way?’ Aldi asks, feeling something just isn’t right.

‘I am. Just go with it. We’ll be there.’ I answer confidently. Well, I’m not too sure either but I try to keep me positive.

But suddenly, the motorcycle that we are riding gets stuck in the middle of the sand pathway.

‘I can’t move. It’s stuck!’ I say and Aldi pushes the motorcycle from behind.

‘It’s hard. Let me handle it.’ I get off the motorcycle and let Aldi take the stir. It turns out the same. It won’t move. Well, it moves just a bit. We switch for a couple of times until we finally give up and just park the motorcycle.

‘How did they get there?’ Aldi says pointing at some motorcycles at the beach, about 100 meters from where we are.

‘Theirs are manual motorcycles. We’re riding the automatic one. Plus, it’s small anyway. No wonder it can’t run on the sand like this.’ I explain knowledgeably.

How did we get here? As a matter of fact, I don’t know. We left the hotel at 8 this morning after meeting my friend who took the car we rented yesterday. Today I borrow his motorcycle. I actually wanted to rent but he said I can just use it. He rarely goes out during pandemic, so it’s not used. I was confused and just took the key. But I’ll give him money as the usual rate of renting motorcycle in Jogja.

Then, I and Aldi headed to Parangtritis. Our main destination was actually Gumuk Pasir. We found it already. But I was curious to explore the end of the road. So I rode to the beach and here we are.

We’re not alone though. There are 4 local tourists who are taking selfies. And there are some fishers not too far from here.

Luckily, the place where we’re stuck is good. I mean the view. Some coconut trees protect us from the sun, the sand is so white connecting the blue sea, and some shelters standing, waiting for companies.

So I decide to stay for a while to enjoy all these. And of course, to take photos.

The weather today is nice. The sky’s so clear with a very bright sun. But it makes me lazy to move. So after some selfies, we walk toward a stall, hoping for fresh coconuts.

Yes, there are coconuts. The young ones. So frigging delicious! And because I feel a little bit hungry, I order a cup of instant noodle too. We spend Rp25.000 for them.

While enjoying our meals, the clerk explains that this is a new beach called Widuri Beach that was officially opened for public in less than a month ago. No wonder it’s still so quiet. It’s like finding a hidden gem that isn’t so hidden.

Now I feel hydrated and ready to continue the journey. We then go to Gumuk Pasir.

It’s near. Only about 500 meters from the beach. It’s getting hotter and hotter as the clock ticks and we’re about to be in the middle of mini desert. I have no problem since I can put on sunscreen. But Aldi does have a problem. So we decide to sit at another stall for ice tea.

Jogja Sand Dunes

Finally after 15 minutes, we enter the sand dune. It’s sooo hot! But I feel confidence for I’m wearing sunscreen. I so love sunscreen! Oh, sorry for making it like an advertisement.

I actually want to try sand boarding. But the board rent is pricy. How come they ask for Rp150.000 for only one board? I just need to take photos while standing on it anyway. With that price, I better cancel my will.

We take some photos and when we feel enough, we get back to our motorcycle. This time, we’re going for lunch. I’m starving. Aldi wants to eat Sate Klathak. But the restaurant is pretty far. We need 45 minutes from here.

Sate Klathak

I don’t like to explore culinary. For me, every food is delicious as long as it’s not rotten. So now I feel stupid for not knowing how to order the satay. Whether the clerk comes to us giving the menu or we order and pay directly at the cashier.

The restaurant is fancy and crowded, so the food quality must be good. So we decide to sit and wait for the clerk to give the menu. We order 2 portions of Sate Klathak. My stomach is demonstrating but the food never comes. After 30 minutes when Aldi’s about to ask the clerk, our satays are finally delivered.

I eat like a barbarian. In less than 5 minutes 2 sticks of satay are gone. My stomach’s finally relieved. We spend Rp65.000 for the food and beverages.

After eating, we discuss about the next destination that we should visit. But there’s nothing interesting nearby. I only find Kasongan Village. It’s a tourism area that’s known for the pottery craft. Google shows loads of eye-catching pictures. So, off we go.

Kasongan Village

Google is definitely right. Along the street, I see pottery craft stores at my left and right. The crafts are cute and I feel like stopping by. But remembering my tight budget for this trip, I ask Aldi to keep driving. If we stop, then we’ll have that urge to buy at least one thing. And craft’s usually pricy because it’s handmade.

Then, I tell Aldi to make a U turn and find another place. On our way we find Ice Tape. Tape is the fermented version of cassava. It’s one of my favorite snacks. We can eat it just like that or mix it with another condiments. But with ice, it’s the best! Especially in this kind of weather. The price is so cheap. Only Rp5.000 per glass.

After filling our stomaches with Ice Tape, I tell Aldi to go to Taman Sari. We don’t hope much since it’s 4 pm already. The water castle is closed at 3 pm. I’ve visited Jogja for more than 3 times but I’ve never been there. It’s located about 2 km south within the grounds of the Kraton but I don’t know why I never considered visiting it. So in this trip, Taman Sari is a must. It’s actually the site of a former royal garden of the Sultanate of Yogyakarta but now it’s just for tourist attraction.

Well, I was right. Taman Sari is closed by the time we arrive. But at least we know the direction so tomorrow we’ll get here faster.

After asking for some information, we go back to the hotel. The rest of the day is a blur because I’m so exhausted and when my body touches the bed, my soul goes up and wanders around.

***

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Teaser

‘They have bad intention here.’ Aldi suddenly says when we go down the stairs.

‘What do you mean?’

‘Didn’t you see their faces? They came here and went straight to one quiet spot and did nothing?’

‘Oh yeah, you’re right. I just realized it. Why didn’t they just go to a hotel?’

***

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