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Nathan and Beth a young couple from the UK who started their adventure with me as their local guide. It all started with an email I received in early November 2015. They wanted to take a long trip across Java, covering Yogyakarta, Solo, Bromo, Ijen Crater, Banyuwangi and ending in Surabaya. Enthusiastically, I responded to every email they sent, and chatted with them via WhatsApp. After several discusions, about hotel, tourist attractions, entrance tickets, and local cuisine. They decided to hire me as their local guide during their overland trip in Java.
The long-awaited day arrived and I am very excited to meet this young couple. As a professional local guide, I arrived at the airport early. holding a sign that reads “Welcome Nathan and Beth”. After a short wait, they appeared from behind the arrival doors and greeted me warmly. Nathan’s cheerful smile and Beth’s excited wave set the tone for what would be an unforgettable trip. We introduced ourselves and headed straight to the hotel since they had arrived late at night. On the way, I offered to take them for dinner before checking in, and they gladly agreed.
I took them to a local warung to enjoy Jogja’s famous goat tengkleng. The warung was bustling, so we waited for a while to get seats. When our food arrived, they both commented on how much they loved the rich and spicy flavors of Indonesian cuisine. Nathan, who was adventurous with his food choices, asked for extra chili sauce, while Beth preferred to stick with the milder flavors but enjoyed every bite.
Temple Tour with Local Guide
On the second day of the tour, I picked them up from their hotel near Malioboro Street and took them to Borobudur Temple. During the drive, we chatted about culture, history, and even work-related topics. Nathan shared that he worked in IT, while Beth was a graphic designer. They were both intrigued by the stories of how Borobudur was rediscovered and restored. Java Temple Tour is super tour packages that can be explored on the Java Island with local guide.
Upon arriving at Borobudur, they were amazed by the intricate carvings, the grandeur of the temple, and the fascinating history I shared. Nathan was especially interested in the relief panels that depicted ancient Javanese life, while Beth couldn’t stop taking photos of the stupas and the serene Buddha statues. After spending two hours there, we visited Mendut Temple, which also houses a Buddhist monastery. They enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere and took some time to chat with a local monk.
Later, we headed to Prambanan Temple, the largest Hindu temple in Java. Like Borobudur, Prambanan left them in awe of its beauty and significance. As the sun began to set, the warm glow on the temple’s spires made for a picture-perfect moment. Java Temple Trip is superior tour packages that can be explored on the Island of java with local guide.
Cultural tour
The third day was all about exploring Yogyakarta’s culture. We started with a visit to the Yogyakarta Palace, where they had an official guide and even watched a traditional dance performance. Nathan and Beth were captivated by the graceful movements of the dancers and the vibrant costumes. Their cameras were constantly clicking as they captured the colorful scenes.
Next, we visited Taman Sari, a historic water palace, followed by the bird market. The bird market, with its lively chirping and colorful birds, was a unique experience for them. Nathan, in particular, enjoyed learning about the bird chirping competitions that are popular in Indonesia.
After that, I invited them to my house for lunch and a bicycle tour around the village. My wife had prepared fish meatballs, a local delicacy, which they thoroughly enjoyed. Since it was the month of Syawal (Eid al-Fitr), there were plenty of festive snacks and dishes to share. Beth couldn’t get enough of the traditional sweets, while Nathan enjoyed the savory snacks.
At my house, they had the chance to meet my children, who were shy at first but soon warmed up to our guests. Nathan and Beth played with them for a while, even watching them racing pigeons in front of our house and teaching them some simple English phrases. It was a delightful experience for everyone, and my family truly enjoyed their visit.
Bicycle Tour
It’s time for a bike tour and they are very happy. The first destination in the bike tour is the Jodog traditional market. Jodog market is a market that still follows the Javanese calendar system, only once every 5 days the market. Which means that not every day is full of sellers. Even so, every day there are also those who sell, but not as busy as when it’s market time or on that day. They were surprised to see old people still selling or working, and they quickly took photos or videos. After being satisfied walking around the market, we immediately headed to another place, namely Pande Besi or blacksmith.
Blacksmith are masters of metal, transforming raw iron into everything from horseshoes to intricate tools. Theirs craft is deeply rooted in history and remains a symbol of strength and skill. After seeing the blacksmith proses, we continued our journey to the tempe making proses. Tempe daun is a variant traditional Indonesia tempe, where fermented soybeans are wrapped in leaves typically from banana tree. This wrapping proses impart a distinctive flavor and aroma to the tempe. Making it a sought after delicacy among Indonesian.
Nathan and Beth were impressed with the grandmother who made tempe. Because even though she was old, she was still active at work. They both tried to wrap the tempe in banana leave, after several time the succeeded in wrapping the tempe nicely.
Tofu and Beef Floss
Nathan and Beth were very excited to follow the bike that I accelerated,we were going to visit the local who made tofu. Hopefully we would be lucky, After arriving at the tofu making place we felt happy because the tofu maker was in action. Tofu is made by coagulating soy milk and then pressing the resulting curds into a soft white block. It has a mild flavor and can be easily incorporated into a variety of dishes. Tofu is often used as meat substitute in vegetarian and vegan diets.
After being satisfied with seeing the tofu making process, we continued our journey to the place where the beef floss is made. Along the way, we were treated to a vast expanse of rice fields and a gentle breeze. Along the way, we also passed a river with a clear flow. Every now and then they stopped to take photos or videos. After enjoying the rice fields and the journey in the village, we arrived at the place where the beef floss is made.
Beef floss or abon sapi in Indonesia is a traditional Indonesian snack or condiment. It’s made by slow cooking strips of beef until they are tender, then shredding them into fine fibers. The meat is then seasoned with a blend of sweet soy source, garlic, and others spices, giving it unique flavor. The mixture is cooked down until the meat is dry and flaky, resulting in a product that can be stored for a long time. After finish the bike tour, we returned to the hotel to rest.
Land Trip to Solo
Day four, we started our journey from the city of Jogja to the city of Solo. To visit the antique market, the Mangkunegaran palace and stay overnight in the Tawangmangu area of Central Java. As a local guide, I started to pick them up in the morning, so as not to be late to visit the places we had planned. The journey is about 1.5 hours from the city of Jogja to the city of Solo, throughout the journey we always share stories and joke together. After arriving in Solo, we went straight to the antique market near the Mangkunegaran palace.
They entered the market and were fascinated by the antiques in the market. They wanted to buy something but they were confused about bringing it, because of many things. Finally they decided not to buy anything there, and we continued our journey to the Mangkunegaran palace. When we got there, we went to the ticket counter to buy tickets and hire a local guide there. We immediately entered the palace accompanied by a funny and informative local guide. Nathan and Beth were happy and satisfied with what they got. After completing the Dinkeraton tour, we immediately continued our journey to Tawang Mangu to check in at the hotel and rest.
Journey to Bromo with Local Guide
The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon as we set off on our journey to Bromo from Tawangmangu. Nathan and Beth, a couple from the UK, were excited to explore the famous volcano, and I as local guide was eager to show them the beauty of my country. We started our drive early in the morning, winding our way through the lush green hills of East Java. The air was crisp and clean, and the views were simply breathtaking. We stopped a few times along the way to take in the scenery and to stretch our legs.
After a few hours, we finally reached the hotel in Bromo. We starting to check in and rest a bit, as we promise want to drink beer together. The village was asleep, its lights twinkling like distant stars. A gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of night-blooming jasmine, creating a serene atmosphere. I stood with Nathan and Beth, a charming couple from the UK, at a rooftop bar . As their local guide, I was thrilled to be sharing this experience with them.
We chatted for hours, the conversation flowing effortlessly. They asked about local customs, and I was happy to share stories about the city’s rich history and culture. In turn, they told me about life in England, their travels, and their dreams. As the night deepened, the village lights began to fade, replaced by a sky full of twinkling stars. This time to me for rest and prepare for the next day to get sunrise.
Sunrise at Penanjakan Bromo
At 3 am we promised to meet in the hotel lobby to see the sunrise at Penanjakan. Our jeep was waiting in front of the lobby, and after a few minutes they came out to the jeep while looking right and left to make sure which jeep was theirs. I as a local guide immediately greeted them and we immediately drove to Penanjakan Hill. The air felt cold, the distinctive sound of Bromo jeeps and several motorbikes that were also heading to the hill to see the sunrise added to the excitement of our adventure.
The winding road went up and down and sometimes a thin fog descended. Not to long after we arrived at Penanjakan Hill and after getting out of the car we walked to a simple roadside warung to warm up and wait for the sunrise. After a while we immediately headed to the sunrise point to wait for the sun to appear, the reddish color was already visible from the east and the sun would soon appear. they kept praising the beauty of Bromo. after being satisfied watching the sunrise, we headed to the jeep to continue the journey to the Bromo crater.
As we arrived, their eyes widened in awe at the sight before them. “This is incredible!” Beth exclaimed. “I have never seen anything like this.” Nathan and Beth began hike the mountain, following a well worn path, the air was crisp and cool. After about an hour, we reached at the peak mount bromo, the view from the top was simply stunning. The vast expanse of sand and the billowing smoke from the volcano crater were all awe inspiring. Nathan, Beth and me as local guide were thrilled to be so close to the volcano, we took countless foto and video.
Journey to Kawah Ijen
We have returned to the hotel after seeing the sunrise at penanjakan hill and Mount Bromo. After breakfast, Nathan, Beth and I as local guide got ready to continue the journey to the Ijen crater in Banyuwangi. The journey from Bromo to the Ijen crater is about 6 hours, passing through coastal roads, mountains and coffee plantations. The journey began, as before we stopped a lot along the way, to take pictures or just drink coffee on the side of the road. Along the way we saw many durian fruit, Nathan and Beth were interested in trying it.
Then we stopped at the side of the road where the durian fruit seller was, they began to taste the durian fruit with great curiosity. After eating a little durian, their foreheads wrinkled, and it turned out they didn’t like durian fruit. This was lucky for me as a local guide because durian is my favorite fruit, and I immediately finished the durian fruit. Nathan and Beth just smiled and sometimes covered their noses because of the very stinky smell of durian fruit.
We started the journey to the Ijen crater again, after passing through the mountains and coffee plantations, we arrived at Sempol village where our hotel was located. Nathan, Beth and I as local guide immediately checked in and rested to restore our energy after a long journey. We will star the journey again at midnight around 1 am from hotel, to catch the sunrise at the ijencreater.
Ijen Carter with Local Guide
Nathan and Beth had been looking forward to this trip for years. They had heard about the mesmerizing blue flames and the stunning natural beauty of Ijen. And they were eager to experience it firsthand. As we began our hike, I as local guide shared stories about the volcano. Its unique ecosystem, and the local communities that have called this place home for generations. Nathan and Beth were fascinated by the sulfur miners who worked tirelessly to extract sulfur from the crater, carrying heavy loads on their shoulders in the dark.
We reached the crater rim just as the first rays of sunlight began to paint the sky in hues of orange and pink. The view was breathtaking a vast, emerald green lake nestled within a towering volcanic caldera. But the real show was yet to come. As we descended into the crater, the air grew heavy with the sulfurous fumes. We donned our gas masks and continued our journey towards the heart of the volcano. And then, we saw it the elusive blue fire. The otherworldly glow of the flames was mesmerizing, casting an eerie blue hue over the entire crater
Nathan and Beth were speechless. They stood at the edge of the crater, their faces illuminated by the blue fire, taking in the extraordinary sight. After spending some time admiring the blue fire, we began our ascent back to the crater rim. As we hiked, we talked about the significance of the volcano to the local people and the importance of preserving such a unique natural wonder.
Kalipait Waterfall
After finishing the climb in the ijen crater, its was time for us to return to the hotel. Along the way home there was the kalipait waterfall and we decide to stop for a moment to enjoy and rest. This unique waterfall is not your typical cascade its water carries a distinctive greenish hue and a slightly bitter taste, hence its name “Kalipait” which translates to “Bitter River”.
The source of this peculiar water can be traced back to the sulfuric lake within the Ijen Crater. Over time, the water seeps through the porous volcanic rock. Carrying with it minerals and sulfur that give the waterfall its characteristic color and taste. The high sulfur content also creates a frothy appearance, making it seem as if the waterfall is perpetually bubbling.
Kalipait Waterfall offers a serene and otherworldly atmosphere. Nathan and Beth enjoy a refreshing dip in the natural pool at the base of the waterfall. I as local guide just simply relax and soak in the stunning scenery. After enjoying the kalipait waterfall, we immediately returned to the hotel to prepare for continue trip to surabaya. The last destination city on this land trip.
Till We Meet Again
Our journey continued to Surabaya,after chek out from hotel we drove to same way that we took before. More less 7 hour drive, finally we reach at Surabaya city, and straight to local restaurant. We will spent our last evening together at a traditional Indonesian restaurant, enjoying a delicious meal and reminiscing about our adventure. After we finish chatting, we returned to the hotel and said goodby to them.
As I waved goodbye to my friend, Nathan and Beth at the hotel, I felt a sense of sadness mixed with gratitude. It had been an honor to share my country’s natural beauty and rich culture with these wonderful people. This last tour marked the end of a chapter in my life, but I know that the memories I made will stay with me forever. Thanks Nathan and Beth, see you on the next story about our journey,keep healthy and happy. God Bless You !!!
” Nathan and Beth are happy to provide a reference for my business and tours – please ask me if you would like to make contact with them and I will provide their details.”
