Chasing Paradise in Jogja

Refreshing is something that everyone needs to get a new spirit and “escape” for a while from the boring daily routine. To reduce the stressful mind or heavy burden, an amazing beautiful place will do. Last month, I found one of places that can help to refresh my chaotic mind because of my monotonous daily activity, college. This place is a beach lies in Gunung Kidul Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Well, I love beach very much that’s why I always choose it to be visited when I need to refresh my mind. Especially beaches in Wonosari Gunung Kidul Yogyakarta, because they are extremely beautiful.

Ngandong, Sadranan and Krakal

Sunset at Sadranan Beach

My last visit was different, it was greater than before. Felt like I had a short holiday in my own paradise, LOL. But that’s what I felt, more than awesome! My friends (actually they are couple), my lover and I visited Sadranan Beach, one of white-sandy beach that can be found in Wonosari. It was recommended by a friend of mine, and that time we spent three days there. Don’t think that we rented a motel, inn or villa. FYI, there are some motels or inns that can be rented (especially in Kukup Beach, Krakal Beach, Indrayanti Beach or Parangtritis Beach) the price more or less about one hundred thousand rupiah per night, on weekend most of them are booked. There’s a good villa in Sadranan Beach that can be rented (14 million rupiah per night, what the…?) and it’s usually rented by rich or famous person, I heard that one of famous Indonesian female actress had rented it twice. Back to topic, we didn’t rent motel, inn or villa (we must be crazy if we rented the villa) because we brought our own “villa”, the tents. The best thing about Sadranan is: there are so many spots that can be used to build a tent to spend the night near the beach.

In front of "14 million per night villa"

The tents as free shelters

On the night we could lay on the sand and see the sky with its stars, we could see the lamp of the ship on the sea from distance, we could feel the wind, and hear the sound of the waves, everything felt so amazing there. Unfortunately we couldn’t make a campfire because it rained and we had to go inside the tent and took a rest after had a long trip for more than 7-8 hours from Semarang. We recharged our energy for the next day.

Jump jump jump!!!

In the morning we woke up, looked outside the tent and the beach greeted us warmly. We enjoy the view, explored the beach (Sadranan is between Krakal Beach and Ngandong Beach), explored the big coral, found a whole and there was a sea-snake. And one more important thing: took so many photographs, LOL. When we already tired and staving, we cooked the meal near the tent and ate together. I still remember that time, there’s nothing we can feel but happiness. Everything was so great, and we didn’t think about college, final project or work at all. Just like a song, felt like summer paradise.

Do whatever we want

In the afternoon when the sun was not too hot we swam on the beach, enjoy the salty-water and the waves. Actually Sadranan and nearby beaches are not good for swimming, they have so many corals along the beach and a little bit dangerous (you might be bleeding because of that). Since it was ‘paradise’, playing with the water was enough. The sun set and we took a bath in public bathroom (this is another best part of Sadranan beach). On the night we cooked again for our dinner and sat together near the beach. We were talking about everything until late at night.

Part of Ngandong Beach

The last day, we packed all the stuffs and prepared to go back. It is suck when we know that something awesome has to be ended. We back to Semarang with this route: Gunung Kidul – Wonosari – Yogyakarta – Klaten – Boyolali – Salatiga – Bawen – Ungaran – Semarang. We took a break in Salatiga to enjoy coconut water, that was nice. Finally we arrived at six in the evening. Absolutely we were tired, but the experience could be the best healer.

Must-visit place, we'll come again someday :)

FYI, if you want to feel the “paradise” in Sadranan too, you can meet Mbah Sugeng (an old man who stays there). He can give a safe place to keep your vehicles (especially motorcycle), and some woods to make campfire on the night. He will also show the spot where you can build your tent safely. Just try and feel the paradise ^o^v

2^nd Double Date

15, 16, 17 February 2013