Kulon Progo In News

JOGJAVANESIA CRAFT SHOP

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 04:11:00 +0000

The concept of the place is one-stop shopping handicraft store that sells quality goods at relatively low prices. It offers handicrafts made of plant fiber such as fibers of water hyacinth, pandanus, and others. This kind of handicraft turns out to attract consumers as they are considered environment-friendly and more affordable.

The idea of setting up Jogjavanesia is a brainchild of Susmirah, a plant fiber handicraft maker famous in Kulon Progo. She was concerned about the fact that there was no center for handicraft shopping in Kulon Progo which accounted for their lack of buyers. The buyers were keener to go to Yogyakarta wherein many handicraft centers are.

At last, with the supports of fellow Kulon Progo craftsmen, Susmirah set up Jogjavanesia Craft Shop on August 9th 2010. The place was inaugurated by the Regent of Kulon Progo, H. Toyo S. Dipo, along with the ex-Coordinating Minister for Public Health who is now General of Indonesian National Council for Social Welfare (DNI-KS), Prof. Dr. Hayono Suyono.

Jogjavanesia building comprises three floors exhibiting various kinds of Yogyakarta-style traditional handicrafts, especially those made of plant fibers. Some of the products are bag, furniture, vase, hat, wallet, tablecloth, door mat, pillow case, box for keeping clothes, trash bin, tissue box, carpet, parcel bag, and umbrella place. The prices range from tens to hundreds of thousands rupiahs. There should be no doubt over the quality as the goods are all finely made.

Jogjavanesia is an integrated handicraft center in Kulon Progo which specializes at plant fiber handicrafts made of water hyacinth, phloem, banana frond, coconut shell and coir, and so on. There are also handicrafts made of rattan and recycled paper.

The goods are affordable and environment-friendly. Most of them are made by Kulon Progo craftsmen and hand-made.

Jogjavanesia Craft Shop is situated on Yogyakarta-Wates Road KM. 18 precisely in the area of Ngelo, Salamrejo Village, Sentolo District, Kulon Progo Regency, Yogyakarta.

The location is very accessible. You can go there using your own vehicle. But if you want to take public transportation, you should go by bus heading for Wates from Giwangan Bus Station, Yogyakarta. You can get off right in front of the place as it lies at the side of the 17th kilometer of Yogyakarta-Wates Road

Jogjavanesia provides supporting facilities for visitors who come in group with a guesthouse called Wisma Gebang, not far from there. The guesthouse is often used by government officials from outside Yogyakarta who come for a comparative study with Mrs. Sumirah and other Kulon Progo craftsmen. The comparative study itself usually includes plaiting, weaving, spinning fibers, and also handicraft marketing.

Angguk Dance

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 08:29:00 +0000

Ten beautiful girls and pengrawit (accompanists) at the age of less than 25 years old danced in synchronous movements. The dance performed was so synchronous and full of symbolical meanings. Sunglasses, socks, and Western clothes, became the main costumes. The costumes indicated the military elements of this dance, particularly because it resembled the military uniform of Dutch soldiers during colonization. In one of the episodes, a dancer ndadi (possessed by spirit or, in terms of Sufi Dance, is called trance) and changed the lively situation into a mystical one.

That is a brief illustration about the performance of Angguk Dance. The dance was originated in Kulon Progo as an improvement of Dolalak Dance from Purworejo Regency, Central Java. It is said that the term Dolalak derived from the musical notes scale in West diatonic, Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Si. Regarding the notes scale, Do and La is the inspiration of Dolalak Dance. It is not clear who created, brought, and popularized Dolalak dance until it became Angguk Dance and is recognized as the culture of Kulon Progo Regency.

Angguk Dance appeared in Kulon Progo around 1950. At first, this dance was performed as a dance of teenagers gathering and was usually performed after the harvesting time as a gratitude to God. Previously, this dance was performed by men. However, at around 1970, there was a change which placed women as the dancers instead of men. Some art groups were
formed and provided female dancers. The reason of this change was not obvious. This may be due to the commercialism and entertainment factors which, unavoidably, recognized that female dancers are more interesting than the male dancers.

The word “Angguk” came from the movemenet of the dancers which often nod their heads. The movement of Angguk Dance was previously inspired by the army-style drill of Dutch soldiers. Moreover, the costumes worn by the dancers also resemble the uniform of Dutch soldiers.

There are two types of Angguk dance, namely Ambyakan dance and Pasangan dance. Ambyakan Dance is performed by many dancers, usually more than 20. And Pasangan Dance is performed by couples (even number of dancers). Angguk dance delivers moral messages during its performance in form of traditional verse, advice about life, and education through the songs sung by the vocalists.

In every performance, Angguk Dance adapts the story from Serat Ambiyo, namely the story of Umarmoyo-Umarmadi and Wong Agung Jayengrono. Angguk Dance’s duration is about 3-7 hours. The number of dancers is always even, ranging from 10 to 20 dancers and pengrawit (accompanists). However, in special occasions, this dance can be performed in brief course within 15-30 minutes.

The musical instruments accompanying Angguk Dance is a combination between Islam, Javanese, and Western cultures. The instruments are rebana (a kind of tambourine), bedug (large drum; usually suspended horizontally in a mosque to summon to prayer), Kendang
(a conical-shaped drum resting on crossbeams and beaten with both hands; used to direct or conduct a group of players) Batangan, Kendang Sunda, electrical bass, snare drum, keyboard, cybal, and tambourine. The other personals are the vocalists consisting of 2 male singers and 1 female singer.

The costumes of Angguk Dancer, which resembles the military uniform of Dutch soldier, is decorated by golden fringes, varnish, sash, black peaked hat, red or yellow socks, and sunglasses.

Angguk Dance is usually performed in special occasions, such as circumcision or wedding. The performance can be in the afternoon or during the night. The government of Kulon Progo Regency always has Angguk dance performance during special events, such as local art exhibition, official announcement, or cultural events.

Before the show, a group of Angguk Dance always hold such ritual as placing offerings around the show location. Since then, the mystical atmosphere is obvious. The peak of the mystical atmosphere is during the scene of ndadi by one of its dancers. The dancer sometimes eats the offerings, such as setaman flowers (flower of seven kinds; water and flour mixture used ceremoniously) or drink the offerings water.

Angguk Dance is unique because it combines the elements of Islam, West (Dutch), and East (Yogyakarta). The element of Islam is represented by Shalawat Nabi (prayer to honor the Prophet) which always becomes the opening song of the performance. In addition, the use of musical instruments bedug and rebana indicates that this form of art is influenced by Islam.

Western elements are obviously seen from the movements of the dancers which are inspired by the army-style drill during the Dutch colonization. In addition to the movements, costumes worn by the dancers also resemble the military uniform of Dutch soldiers. However, there is a slight difference. The dancers do not wear trousers like common military uniform, but they wear shorts.

The Eastern elements is represented by the graciousness of the movements. This graciousness is a unique characteristic of Eastern culture, particularly of Special Province of Yogyakarta. Moreover, the dance presents the story of Umarmoyo-Umarmadi and Wong Agung Jayengrono
written in Serat Ambiyo. Therefore, this dance is a nice integration of different cultures. The military aspect is beautifully combined with the graciousness of the movement and the Islamic musical instruments. The result is a synchronous dance movements full of graciousness.

Angguk Dance also combines mystical elements into the art of performance. The episode of ndadi (trance) in the performance is able to change the lively situation into a mystical one. In addition to Angguk Dance, there are other traditional arts practising ndadi in the performance, such as Jathilan (horse dance).

The location of Angguk Dance traditional art group is spread around the districts of Kulon Progo Regency, starting from Temon, Samigaluh, to Kokap. Some Angguk Dance art groups are Putri Puspa Rini from Kulur Subdistrict, Temon District; Angguk Sri Lestari from Pripih Village,
Hargomulyo Subdistrict, Kokap District; and Angguk Mekar Perwitasari from Tlogolalo Village, Hargomulyo Subdistrict, Kokap District.

Angguk Dance is usually performed during cultural festivals particularly held by the Government of Kulon Progo Regency. However, if visitors want to watch the performance of Angguk Dance, particularly of Putri Sri Lestari Group, they can come to Pripih Village, Hargomulyo Subdistrict, Kokap District, Kulon Progo Regency, Special Province of Yogyakarta.

This area is accessible by private two-wheel or four-wheel vehicles. Visitors can also use public transportation by taking a Yogyakarta-Wates bus, stop at Wates bus station, and take another public transportation (of yellow color and usually called colt or colt tuyul heading for Kokap District.

There is no particular charge for watching Angguk Dance performance because it is usually performed in particular event, thus it is funded by the organizer. However, if the show is held in a gallery, visitors will be charged for the entrance ticket.

Visitors will be charged if they have special order of Angguk Dance performance (summoning Angguk Dance), when there is no performance schedule of the group. The amount of the charge depends on the deal between visitors (summoner) and the manager of Angguk Dance art group.

Visitors who want to summon Angguk Dance only need to prepare the fee (summoning cost), while all other equipments : dancers, vocalists, costumes, musical instruments, and the sound system will be prepared by the art groups.

Some art groups also provide brief performance which lasts for about 15-30 minutes. The traditional art group of Angguk Dance Putri Sri Lestari is able to perform 100 dancers in a show

Text taken from : wisata melayu.com

The Grave of Nyi Ageng Serang

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 16:04:00 +0000

The name Nyi Ageng Serang must be familiar for Indonesian people. She is one of Indonesian national heroines who struggled to fight the Dutch colonial.

Born in Serang, Purwodadi, Central Java, in 1752, Nyi Ageng Serang’s real name was R.A. Kustiyah Wulaningsih Retno Edi. She was the daughter of Panembahan Notoprojo, the ruler of Serang which was an area under Mataram Kingdom. She was a perseverant soldier in fighting for her country against colonialism. She was truly a female soldier. The people of Serang called her Diajeng Sekar, an honorary title for women who had a character of a champion. She led the Gula Kelapa Troop for Northeast Central Java region.

Nyi Ageng Serang never gave up in her struggle against the Dutch until she was grey. It was the war that brought her to a place where she was buried, i.e. Traju Mas hill which is no known as Menoreh Hills. In time of Diponegoro War, she led her troops for a long march from Serang to
the west then to south through Progo River and then up to Traju Mas. It was in this hill she and her troops planned attacking strategies.

Nyi Ageng Serang passed away at 76. She died of illness in 1828, two years before Diponegoro War ended. She was buried in Menoreh Hills at her own request before she departed. The grave complex lies in Beku, Banjarharjo, Kalibawang, Kulon Progo.

Before entering the complex, tourists will see a monument that marks her as national heroine. There are also some other graves of soldiers who struggled with Nyi Ageng Serang. In the center part, there are two buildings in joglo architecture. The graves of Nyi Ageng Serang, her daughter, and her servants are in one of the buildings. In the other one, there are the graves of her husband, R.M. Kusuma Wijaya, her mother, and her relatives.

The grave in fact is always crowded on Indonesian Independence Day, Heroes Day, holidays, Islamic holidays, and certain other days. Every year, the people of Banjarharjo village hold some art and cultural performances to commemorate Nyi Ageng Serang’s service and struggle.

Another thing that pilgrims should know is that they are not allowed to bring weapon and liquor. Pilgrims should not be noisy nor trigger noisiness. Women who are in period are not allowed to get into the complex. And lastly, pilgrims should take off their footwear before entering the grave complex.

The complex of Nyi Ageng Serang grave has a great historical value to commemorate her struggle to wipe out colonialism. It was in the hill that she and her troops devised strategies. Menoreh Hills and the grave complex are historical facts that women can be as strong as men, far before feminism movement started in Europe

The people of Banjarharjo Village hold an art event to commemorate the heroine in a routine basis. It is usually held in Sura (Muharram) month. It features dolalak dance, kuda lumping, shalawatan, and other performances by artists from different areas in Banjarharjo. The event is an expression of the artists in honoring the heroine and at the same time, their efforts to preserve local culture. In the event, there is usually also a bazaar of fruits and food produced by Banjarharjo village.

Aside from having heroic and historical values, the grave of Nyi Ageng Serang has a distinctive attraction. People often come to the grave to seek for good fortune (ngalap berkah), praying for their wish to come true. The rite of praying for those in the afterlife has combined with people’s mysticism. This is evident as a lot of people crowd the place in some certain days, for example, on nights before Kliwon (one of the day in 5-day Javanese calendar) Tuesday or Kliwon Friday.

The location of Nyi Ageng Serang Grave is in Beku, Banjarharjo Village, Kalibawang District, Kulon Progo Regency, about 30 km west of Yogyakarta.

Tourists can use public transports, private transports, or tourism bus to get to the location. The street to the grave is in a good condition so there will be no problem concerning people’s comfortableness.

The route to Nyi Ageng Serang Grave from Yogyakarta is through Godean Street At the crossroad west of Godean market, take the road that leads to Kenteng, then turn right at the first crossroad. From there, the street has no branches so all you have to do is go straight ahead until you see a direction sign to Nyi Ageng Serang Grave. Take the former road and it will take approximately 20 more minutes to get to the location. Just go straight until there is an ascending left turn. That road leads to Nyi Ageng Serang Grave.

There is no charge for entrance. However, pilgrims can give donation for the grave upkeep and renovation. In the complex, there are custodians that will provide pilgrims with information about the grave. For those who want to do ngalap berkah rite, the custodians are ready to help. Usually for that, they will ask pilgrims to bring with them seven certain kinds of flowers and myrrh. Sometimes they will require pilgrims to fast before the rite.

Source : wisatamelayu.com

Kiskendo Cave

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 09:15:00 +0000

This cave, which was named Guo Kiskendo by the local people, was found firstly by a hermit named Ki Gondorio in 1700‘s. The hermit was also the first cave keeper. According to the local story, one night the hermit had a dream of entering a cave that looked like a palace. In the dream, Ki Gondorio got a guidance to name the 15 rooms in the cave. After he woke up, Ki Gondorio followed the guidance that he saw from the dream.

Despite there is a story like above, the local people have their own versions. Some say that the cave came from the wayang world. The version tells that once upon a time, Kiskendo cave was a kingdom ruled by a king named Mahesosuro. Some other say that the cave is the duplicate of another cave in India.

Until now, the local people still think that Kiskendo cave is a sacred place. This relates to the myth or legend it brings, the places inside the cave that are often used for some ascetic activities or meditation, and the rules that forbid anyone to litter the cave, insult or damage it, and do immoral activities inside the cave.

Tourists can search the story line of Kiskendo cave that is being related to the wayang story (Ramayana epic) which is carved to the relief in front of the cave.

Kiskendo cave is a complex of tourism object which consists of a few places. Rumor has it, this relates to the legend that came with the cave, which is Kiskendo Kingdom. There are 15 areas in the cave, they are:

Lidah Mahesosuro (Mahesosuro Tongue), is a rock that has a tongue. People say that this rock was King Mahesosuro‘s tongue which was cut by Subali to prevent him from being risen from the death.
Pertapaan ledek (Ledek Retreat), is a place for artists to meditate for gaining success in their job.
Pertapaan Santri Tani (Farmers Retreat), is a place for farmers to meditate and pray for good harvest. Farmers around the cave in the old times often lived in this place.
Pertapaan Subali (Subali Retreat), is a place Subali meditated before fighting against Mahesosuro and Lembusuro (ox-headed man)
Sumelong, is a hole that leads to the top of the cave. Myth has it that Subali used the hole (it is in the middle part of the cave) to get out from the cave since Sugriwo closed the way out of the cave.
Lumbung Kampek, is a place to keep valuable things from the Kingdom of Kiskendo Cave.
Selumbung, is a rice barn of the Kingdom of Kiskendo Cave.
Gua Seterbang (Seterbang cave), is a cave that still becomes the part of Kiskendo cave. People say that this cave connects to the Indian Ocean (south of central java).
Keraton Sekandang (Sekandang Palace), is the center of Kiskendo Cave Kingdom. In this place, Subali fought against Mahesosuro and Lembusuro.
Kusuman Retreat, is a place of meditation to gain a higher status.
Padasan, is the well at the time of Kiskendo Cave Kingdom
Sepranji, is the center of animal farming at the time of Kiskendo Cave Kingdom
Babat Kandel, is rocks that look like human‘s intestines. According to the local story, this babat was Mahesosuro‘s intestines that were thrown by Subali.
Sawahan, is a place to plant rice.
Selangsur, is a place where the soldiers of Kiskendo Kingdom fought Subali.

Besides the 15 places above, there are other objects near the complex of Kiskendo Cave, they are Sumitro Cave (about 50 meters), Grojogan Sewu (a waterfall with of 20 meters height), Watu Blencong (around 250 m above Kiskendo cave), Mount Krengseng, Watu Gajah, and Mount Kelir (limestone mountain shaped like a sail, about 4,5 km from Kiskendo cave).

Kiskendo cave is located at the area of Menoreh mountain which is part of the administrative territory of Dusun Sukamaya, Jatimulyo Village, Girimulyo Sub-district, Kulon Progo District, D.I Yogyakarta Province. This cave is at the south western part Wates, the capital city of Kulon Progo District, and is about 800 meters height above the sea level.
To get to the cave location which is about 35 km from the city of Yogyakarta, tourists can take the bus from the Center Terminal of Giwangan Yogyakarta. From the terminal, the tourists can choose the bus with Yogyakarta-Sentolo route or Yogyakarta - Wates route that costs IDR 10.000 (February 2008). Usually, the buses that operate in those routes have dark color and smaller in size compared to the city bus.

From Terminal of Giwangan, it takes 40 minutes. Do not forget to tell the conductor to put you down in the Ngeplang three-junction. From the junction, tourists have to take another bus with Samigaluh or Nanggulan route. This costs Rp. 15.000 and 50 minutes travel to get to the Kiskendo cave.

Source : wisata melayu.com

Mount Lanang Religious Resort

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 08:00:00 +0000

Do not ever think of Mount Lanang as just any mountain as high as 500 m above sea level, with cool air, huge trees here and there, and green surroundings. The mountain, which is situated in Bayeman area, Kulon Progo Regency, is actually a mound containing high amount of sand or like a small hill at a coastal area in which huge typical-barren-area trees grow. The placement of trees on the surrounding of the 500 m2 hill looks quite neat. There are scattered leaves which cover Astana Jingga, a yard on top of the hill used for holding certain rituals.

Also known as Astana Jingga or Badraloka Mandira, the place is more famously known as Mount Lanang. The word “lanang” is a Javanese word which means “male” That is due to the history of the hill as a place where a nobleman from Ancient Mataram meditated.

The name Astana Jingga means a palace which radiates a yellowish red beam. And as for Badraloka Mandira, it refers to the fact that the building is made of brick and grandiose (badra). The name was given due to people’s belief that the mountain has the power of bringing good fortune or spiritual inspiration. This place is used by people to perform some ascetic practices such as tirakatan (night vigil), ruwatan (exorcism ritual), or meditation. From upon the hill, you can see the Southern Sea (Indian Ocean) which is so blue and vast stretching from east to west as if without end.

People believe Mount Lanang has a power to bring them good fortune. It can be like good carrier or success in business. People who come for this kind of purpose are mostly from town, even outside of Yogyakarta such as Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Solo, and Surabaya. They are expecting to get some fortune from the sacred place. Moreover, in the yard there is a well whose water is believed to have curing power for various illnesses.

Besides being a place for meditation, there is also often held some kejawen (Javanese beliefs) rituals, especially on the night of 1 Suro. On that day, there is usually held Ruwatan Agung Tumapaking Laku Suci ceremony. In addition to the local people, many people from outside Wates come to take part in the mass ritual.

Before performing the ritual, it is suggested that the participants pass a purification process for both physical and mental called sesuci. Sesuci is done by taking water from the Tirto Kencono well to clean the face. Afterward, participants must prepare their mental in Sasana Jiwo by praying or reciting kidung pambuko, so that God will protect them throughout the ritual.

Next, they would enter Sasana Sukma and Sasana Indra which are located in Astana Jingga yard. Sasana Sukma is a Javanese-lettered stone inscription standing upright resembling a flower bud at the center of Sasana Indra. The area of Sasana Indra is bordered by a terraced pentagonal (fence); which faces south. Here, the ritual participants perform their deepest meditation in a natural tranquility with submission, full concentration, and sincerity focused on God Almighty.

Finishing meditation, the participants would go back to Sasana Jiwo to perform prayer or recite kidung panutup as an expression of gratitude to God. Often, after the mass exorcism, a puppet show is held all night long. Then next morning, the people would continue the ceremony with labuhan ritual, in which they set adrift some nail cuts, hairs, and clothes into the Southern Sea from the shore of Glagah Beach.

Mount Lanang lies 4 km west of Glagah Beach ticket booth in Bayeman, Sindutan Village, Temon District, Kulon Progo Regency, Special Province of Yogyakarta. To visit Mount Lanang, first of all you must get to Glagah Beach in Temon District, Kulon Progo. You can use your own vehicle or go there by bus if departing from Yogyakarta City.

From Giwangan Bus Station in Yogyakarta, finding a bus heading for Wates is the first thing you will have to do. The bus fare is Rp 10,000 and you will get to Wates Bus Station in 45 minutes. Soon as you are in Wates Bus Station, you should change buses for Glagah. The bus trip will likely take another 15-20 minutes and cost Rp 5,000 each person

Meanwhile, if you take your own vehicle, from Yogyakarta you just have to head westwards through Jogja-Wates Street and take about 40 minutes. In Wates, you will easily find road signs showing the way to Glagah Beach. At the ticket booth of the beach, there stands a road sign right at the T-intersection. The sign directs you to Mount Lanang Religious Resort, which is another 4 km away.

Visitors will have to pay Rp 1,500 to get to Glagah Beach Tourism Area. For those taking motorcycle, there is an additional charge of Rp 1,000 while for car is Rp 1,500

There is no charge anymore after that. But it is recommended however, that visitors spare some alms for the custodian of the sacred place, Mbah Pawiro Suwito. Mbah Pawiro Suwito will guide you to perform some rituals in the sacred mountain. He will prepare the offerings and other things needed for the rituals.

You do not need to worry about inns and food stalls because Mount Lanang is close to the famous Glagah Beach. In the beach, there are hostels or cheap hotels with tariffs ranging from Rp 15,000 to Rp 25,000 a night in general. As for eating places, you will get food like nasi rames (rice mixed in with various accompanying dishes), chicken noodle, Padang food, and also seafood easily along the road to Glagah Beach.

Text from wisatamelayu.com

Clereng Bathing Place

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 15:36:00 +0000

Exploring the hinterland of Kulon Progo, you really cannot miss Clereng Bathing Place. It is a tourism object of a natural pond with water coming out from Clereng spring. The bathing place is situated in a range of hills through which pure water flowing from the spring. Local people use the water for drink and irrigation. In this tourism object, visitors can take a bath, playing around, or just washing their face to feel the freshness of the water.

Not far from the spring, there lie the grave of Kyai Pakujati and a place where Sunan Kalijaga used to live in. They are apparently sites of pilgrimage for some people. They say, a long time ago when spreading Islam, Sunan Kalijaga once set foot in Kulon Progo, precisely in Clereng. So it is the past presence of Sunan Kalijaga that gives this spring both historical and spiritual values. People believe that the water can slow up ageing and bring safety, success, and peacefulness. Despite having been renovated to become a public bathing place, the atmosphere of history remains.

Many people believe that by taking a bath or washing their face with the water can bring them both longer life and safety. The pond is also believed to have the power to bring peacefulness and success. Regardless it is true or false, this is the belief the local people adhere to.

The bathing place constitutes a natural pond whose floors are stones and walls are moss-covered sandstones sheltered by luxuriant trees, and two constructed swimming pools with a depth of 0.5 to 2 meters.

Aside from the ponds and historical remnants, there is a traditional market that every Pahing and Wage (days in Javanese calendar) is crowded by people. Here, tourists can find and have a taste of Clereng special food, such as geblek and tempe benguk. With such potential, the bathing place is actually quite promising for investment. It is likely to develop the natural, historical, and even culinary potentials further.

Clereng Bathing Place is situated in Sendangsari Village, Pengasih District, Kulon Progo Regency. It lies more or less 5 km north of Wates or about 30 km west of Yogyakarta.

It is not difficult to get to the bathing place because it is just 5 km north from Wates Bus Station. And taking private vehicle, it could even be much easier and faster.

The bathing place is open everyday. The entrance ticket is Rp 4,000 a person. There you can take a bath as long as you want. As for the parking, the charge is Rp 1,000 for motorcycle and Rp 3,000 for car

Clereng Bating Place is always crowded by people every holiday season and especially some days before Ramadan month. People like to perform padusan (the rite of washing body before Ramadan starts) in this place. Aside from the swimming pool, there are also other facilities such as public convenience, food stalls, benches around the ponds, shady parking lot and traditional market

Source : wisatamelayu.com

Glagah Indah Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 16:53:00 +0000

It would feel a bit incomplete to enjoy the relaxing and refreshing shore of Glagah without getting around on the tour boats. The ride in Glagah Indah Lagoon is a real attraction for visitors especially on holidays. You can feel the hissing waves and breeze on the boat, while beautiful shoreline gives the eyes some kind of enjoyment as you observe your east and west.

The lagoon scenic view is actually a small harbor for tour boats, which are ready to take you around to see how beautiful Glagah Beach is. You can find this lagoon as soon as you enter the tourism area. With streams heading for a nearby estuary, the lagoon splits the shore into two, namely the location in which beach plants and grasses grow and the other location which consists of sand dunes and borders with the sea. You can get across by boat to the sand dunes area, which is not far from the estuary. Going around enjoying the beach on the boat is really a moment you will relish.

Both visitors and local people like to fish in this lagoon. But aside from that, there are 11 boats ready to add to tourists enjoyment on Glagah Beach. Enjoying the beach on a boat can take you away for a while from your routine activities. The boat rider will take you and your group around the beach for about 25 minutes.

Features
Doing some sand play and sunbathing on Glagah Beach are probably what you look for. But going around the location on a boat is something more. You can rent a boat, which is available there. The tour will be on if there are at least 10 people in the boat though. So you may have to wait for a while. But it is always fun there because you can take pictures on the boat or on the shore while waiting for the other passengers. What is more, the 25 minute boat tour is available at a very cheap price, which is Rp 3,000 each person

Glagah Indah Lagoon is situated in Glagah Beach area, Temon District, Kulon Progo Regency, Special Province of Yogyakarta. Beach is about 15 km from Wates or 40 km westwards from Yogyakarta. You had better use private vehicles to get there for more ease.

The road is not really difficult as it is mostly plain without too many ascents along the way. You can actually relax on your way there. Moreover, the road connects Glagah Beach with other beaches in Kulon Progo Regency. So after a visit in this beach, you can continue your trip to the other beaches nearby.

Before entering the beach area, you will have to pay for the transportation charge, which is Rp 1,000 if you are taking motorcycle, Rp 3,000 for car, and Rp 5,000 for bus. Entrance ticket of Rp 3,000 (per 2010) for each person is not Included

To get around by boat in the lagoon, you will get charged Rp 3,000 per person. The boat will set out with 5 passengers minimum and 10 passengers maximum.

For the parking, you will have to pay Rp 2,000 if you are taking motorcycle and Rp 5,000 for car. As for bus and truck, the parking charge is Rp 10,000.

Source : wisatamelayu.com

Trisik Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 14:17:00 +0000

Trisik Beach is one of the main tourism attractions of Kulon Progo Regency. It offers scenic panorama especially at dawn or dusk. Not far from the beach there are green rice fields and coconut plantations owned by the local people. Enjoying this view are perfect for urban people after exhausting routines.

Aside from the beach view, the daily activity of the local people living at the surrounding of Trisik Beach is also something interesting. There are the fishermen at the fish auction market and the turtle preservation. These activities are potential for tourism attraction if managed seriously, creatively and innovatively. The fact is that they are not. Lacking knowledge on spatial and coastal management is one of the main causes.

The exotic rural area and its fishing activity is the common view you will find as you arrive at the beach. There you can see rows of motorboats that people use to fish, food stalls made of gedhek (bamboo panels) where you can quench your thirst.

Features
The strong village atmosphere differs Trisik Beach from the other beaches in Kulon Progo. The fact that local people make use of the coastal area and the sea as their means of support also add to the strong rural atmosphere.

The fish auction market is one of the spots you will see when entering the beach area. This is the heart of the locals activities who are mostly fishermen. Usually, the place gets busy soon as they return from sailing.

On certain occasions, you may also see various birds flying around the beach. Trisik is in fact one of the transit of migratory birds from many places. Some of these birds are the marsh sandpipers, waders, wood sandpipers, red-necked stint, Pacific Golden-Plover, Little Ringed Plover, and swiflet.

There are also the non-migratory birds such as the cattle agret, and glossy swiflet, blue-banded kingfisher. Trisik beach is a potential tourism destination. Aside from the beach sand and splashing waves, the locals daily activities give tourists another reason to come. The beach is situated at the side of the main road thus accessible by private vehicle.

If you walk westwards following the asphalt road toward Glagah Beach, you will see the other activity of the local people. On the right and left of the road, you can see people spreading out water hyacinth in the sun. They derive the plant from Ambarawa and dry them to be sold to the craftsmen who would make them into various items such as bag, slipper and boxes. The crafts are marketed to town and craft businessmen all over Indonesia for finishing process. In this process they usually add accessories to beautify the crafts. Although still run in small scale, the water hyacinth processing obviously gives revenue to the local people.

Trisik Beach is administratively included in Galur District, Kulon Progo Regency, Special Province of Yogyakarta. It takes ±1.5 hours from Yogyakarta downtown to Trisik Beach by road trip. Tourists can take a Bantul - Purworejo bus which pass Palbapang and Srandakan. Arriving at Srandakan, tourists must continue to Brosot passing the 600 meter bridge across Progo River. There is still another 5 km road before arriving at Trisik Beach. Tourists can take one of the traditional transportations such as dokar, andong, or sado (all are special horse-cart of Yogyakarta). The entrance ticket to Trisik Beach is Rp 2,000

The supporting facilities are relatively inadequate. The buildings and roads towards the beach are not well-maintained and it seems that they are abandoned. But tourists should not worry since there are food stalls where tourists can relieve their weariness after the long and hard trip. The stalls offer various snacks and drinks such as green coconut ice.

Source : wisatamelayu.com

Kulon Progo Regency

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:15:00 +0000

Kulonprogo Regency is one of the four regencies of the Yogyakarta Special Region, Indonesia. The name stems from the fact that it is located at the west (in Javanese kulon) of Progo River. The capital is Wates. It is located about 30 km to the west of of Yogyakarta and separates Sleman regency and Bantul regency on the east. On the north side, it borders with Magelang regency. On the west side, Purworejo regency, and on the south side, it opposites to Hindia Ocean.

GENERAL CONDITION

Regency of Kulon Progo lies on the west side of Yogyakarta on 7°38'42" - 7°59'3" South Longitude and 110°1'37" - 110°16'26" B East Longitude.

The area of Kulon Progo regency is 586,28 km2. It consists of 12 districts, 88 villages and 930 sub villages. It is popular with its hills almost on its side. One of them is hill of Menoreh.

Its beauty is a potential asset to be maintained and improved. Tourism in Kulon Progo regency is one of many assets besides farming, handicraft, and traditional foods.

HISTORY
Kulon Progo regency was once divided into two regencies, Kulon Progo regency and Adikarta regency that was a part of Pakualaman. In 15 Oktober 1951, Kulon Progo stood it self.
Before the war of Diponegoro in Negaragung, including Kulon Progo, there was no one who was in charge in that area. At that time, the government was run by someone in Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat (Yogyakarta).

After the war of Diponegoro in 1825-1830 in Kulon Progo area, there were four regency areas:
· Regency of Pengasih in 1831
· Regency of Sentolo in 1831
· Regency of Nanggulan in 1851
· Regency of Kalibawang in 1855

On September 5, 1945, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX and Sri Pakualam VIII issued that their areas, Kasultanan and Pakualaman were kingdoms and special province of Indonesia. In 1951, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX and Sri Pakualam VIII considered to unite Kasultanan which were Kulon Progo and Kabupaten Adikarto. Accordimg to the agreement between Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX and Sri Pakualam VIII, the central givernment issued UU No. 18, 1951 declared on Oktober 12, 1951 and officially issued on Oktober 15, 1951. This laws regulated about the change of UU No. 15 1950 about to unite Kulon Progo and Adikarto in Yogyakarta area with one regency named Kulon Progo that later has the right to run its own government. Therefore, the anniversary of Kulon Progo is on Oktober 15, 1951.

Menoreh Green Land and Pusat Penyelamatan Satwa Jogjakarta (PPSJ) or Animal Preservation Center of Jogjakarta

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 14:27:00 +0000

Pusat Penyelamatan Satwa Jogjakarta (PPSJ) or Animal Preservation Center of Jogjakarta is a non-governmental organization that is committed to the save of the animal and its habitat. Located in the path of Menoreh Hill, precisely lies on the 13,9 area in Paingan, Sendangsari, Pengasih, Kulon Progo, Yogyakarta.

Situated about 25 kilometers to the west side of Jogja, it used to be a place for rehabilitation center of wild animal confiscated by the government.

The place that was initially established 2003, is now becoming the place to release back the wild animal habitat to the original habitat. Recently, it consist of 4600 wild animals, that 2900 of them have been released to the nature.

One of the "residents" PPSJ

The main programs done by PPSJ include salvation, rehabilitation or conditioning animals and its habitat, release back the animals to the nature, and education to care about the environment for the people.

To support the living of the wildlife and the staffs, PPSJ spend around Rp 45 juta per month. The fund is obtained from the Menoreh Green Land (MGL) that is a fund raising for PPSJ. MGL obtains money by creating tourism service fo public by bringing the concept of awareness conservation for all.

In their efforts to raise funds for the financing viability of the animals and PPSJ itself, PPSJ a business unit called Menoreh Green Land. Menoreh Green Land has a variety of tour packages nuanced environmental education and adventure, among which are:

    * Little Adventurers
    * Tourist Village
    * Outbound Training
    * Air Soft Games
    * High Rope Games
    * Eco-Tour volunteers

For Village Tour package, the location is taken Nglinggo village which is about 40 km from the area PPSJ.

The view from one of the top of the hill in the village Nglinggo

Menoreh Green Land also provides lodging in the area PPSJ. There are two models that they provide lodging buildings, the model of "normal" as we commonly see in a hotel or motel and the other is a model home village. Because of the location of the inn is very close to "home" variety of wildlife, then when you wake up in the morning, you will be greeted by "chants nature", which sounds as though a variety of wildlife that offer praise to the Creator.

Form of village houses that used for lodging

Unfortunately Menoreh PPSJ and Green Land was not yet have a website. However you can contact them via email ppsjogja@yahoo.com or via their contact person, namely Wita (081328757691) and Wiji (081328400219).