Amazing Scenery of Seoraksan National Park

It was  beautiful morning in the autumn . The  temperature was minus 1 degree Celsius. Three layers of clothing plus thick socks, boots and gloves  should be used if you didn't want to get cold . Actually,  the temperature was not too cold, but the strong  wind blew,  made the cold as infiltrated to the bone. Nevertheless, my husband and I felt very excited.

The hotel was located  in the area of Mount Seorak, South Korea. My husband, ( I call him Akang) and I lulled by the beautiful scenery outside the hotel. There was a  form of a replica "Stone Henge"  with  the mountains background.

We took pictures as much as we can  with  variety of poses. I just wanted to capture every beauty in this place. I never being bored constantly staring at this beautiful natural view.

A friendly-looking Caucasian woman was passing near us.

"Are you newly married couple? "She asked me.

"Yes, we are, Mam ... hahaha ... We've just got married for 16 years." I said with a laugh.

She chuckled.

"Congratulation! Have a wonderful honeymoon for both of you. "She said as she left.

"Thank you." I  waved to her.

The trip from the hotel to the Seoraksan National Park took only a few minutes. This area is a nature reserve in 1982 designated as Biosphere Preservation District by UNESCO.  Mount Seorak is the 3rd highest mountain in South Korea after Halla Mountain and Mount Jiri. The peak height of mount Seorak  is 1708 m, composed of granite and gneiss which is formed the rocky mountains.

Don't ever  miss Seoraksan National Park when  you visit South Korea. This place is  really beautiful!

Since get down from the bus, I never  stopped exclaiming cheerfully   seeing  leafy trees with variety color : red, yellow, yellowish-green, brown,  and green with   the beautiful mountain in the background  and also  the clear blue sky. The scenery was plentiful of color.

From the entrance, we kept walking  on the  wide pedestrian while enjoying the atmosphere. Not far from the gate, on the right side of the road, we saw a giant Buddha statue or the Grand Bronze Buddha called” Tongil Daebul”. Unlike the sleeping Buddha statue which was  located in Thailand, this Buddha statue was in a sitting position.

On the crossroads, there was a bridge stretching over white rocky river. It was dramatic landscape with the magnificent mountains as the background. It looked like a painting, a natural  amazing divine  painting. Allahu akbar!

We continued our journey to get to the temple Sinheungsa. There were some  beautiful corners of the old temple that were very interesting as the object image.

After having a short rest and drinking delicious hot tea, we walked to the cable car terminal. We sat on the bench waiting to go up to Gwongeumseong Fortress. When entering into the cable car, we deliberately sought position on the edge section so that we could freely enjoy the view of the park from above.

The cable car moved slowly . Then our eyes was spoiled by the amazing natural scenery. Down there, on the left side, I saw the winding road between the trees. The winding road crosses the river bank that  the water was receding. White stones scattered on the riverbed. The higher cable car took us, the more  the river with  white stones  looked  like  a snow-covered. Far away on the right side,  the  upstream of  the river  seemed like the point that linking bluish-green mountain ranges.

The more we moved upward, on the right side of the river , I saw clustered trees with colorful leaves. The trees that grew on the slopes and cliffs covered the mountain looked like a thick draped rug . On the higher level , the trees were increasingly rare, and the view was changed into the gray rocky mountain wall with jagged shape. There was a crack between the rock serrations where the sun peek, shining with   golden light . Bright blue sky completed the stunning natural painting. I felt that  my heart jumped up,  wanting to shout admiration. Masha Allah ...

When we arrived at the bridge which was the cable car station, we rushed down. Here we also enjoy  beautiful scenery. There was yard  bounded by blue fence   where tourists could enjoy the scenery from the  height . They could  sit there, relaxing, and  enjoyed the  drinks and cakes  that  sold in caffe.

Then there was a path to climb to the top of the stairs.   The stairs  led  to the top, to an uphill road on the side of  the mountain slopes.

We chose not to climb to the top. We just sat down and took many  pictures around the platform.

But when I looked up , a small road on the slopes of the mountain caught my attention.

" Let's go there, Akang ! I think it will be nice. " I exclaimed.

Akang nodded.

We walked hand in hand up the stairs of rubber coated material. Soon we arrived at the small road,  I was amazed at its beauty.

The road was winding and uphill. On the left side, there was a wooden fence that restricted the path of a steep cliff. In the right , there was rock wall and clustered trees. Too bad we didn't  have time to climb up to the top.

"Pose there , honey. I'll take your pictures!" Exclaimed Akang pointing to a stone in my right side.

Camera caught my pictures many times.

Then we sat on the stone. The natural silence hug us , bringing  a peaceful ambience.

I turn to look Akang, then gave  him the sweetest smile I had ever had.

"Why do you smile?" He asked.

"I just wanna say thank you for bringing me here. "

"Well. Actually I want to be here with Angelina Jolie. But since she was busy shooting, I was forced to bring you. "Akang chuckled.

I pinched his arm with exasperation. He always had a way of teasing me . But I could not deny, how grateful I was being here.

I lookedat the beautiful valley down there, sharpening  my senses. I breathe in the fresh air,  listening  to the sounds of nature. The  friction foliage, rustle of wind and the cold that I let  caress my  skin.  I instilled  this feeling  on  memory in my brain cells,  so I could bring this feeling back,  if someday I missed this place.

Going on Vacation to Garut, West Java (Part III)

WRONG CHOICE

For lunch this time, we tried to choose a restaurant located on the main road in Garut. Actually we wanted to eat at the restaurant which was recommended by a friend, but because it was far, we were so reluctant. Finally the choice fell to a restaurant with the slogan "Eat at gazebos above the water". Actually, it was a pretty place, in the main street, there gazebos above-water with big fish swimming around, there were wooden houses in the background that looked sad, but the atmosphere was quiet. There were no other visitors there.

Then we ordered food. Like other Sundanese restaurants, the menu almost the same. We ordered white rice, karedok (Sundanese vegetables salad), tamarind vegetables, grilled chicken, fried squid with flour, avocado juice, soursop juice and milk tea.

After a long wait, the food came. I tasted them. Unfortunately they did not taste good. Too much salt on karedok and fried squid; plain taste of tamarind vegetable; there was a strange taste, even bitter on avocado juice. Ho ... ho ... no wonder no other visitors stop by here. Because of hunger, we ate them all…. Ha..ha…

When paying at the cashier, I saw the waitress at the restaurant were sitting, dazed awaits visitors. The atmosphere was grim. In my heart I also felt sorry for them, if there’s no visitor came, and it happened on and on, they might lose their jobs because restaurant got bankrupt. Maybe the management should think about a new proficient chef?

DODOL GARUT

The next event was traveling around the city of Garut. We went around the town without any direction, turn right, turn left, and went straight ahead, enjoying a cool little town. Passing by Great Mosque of Garut, schools, offices, and shops, we tried to find something unique. When we saw the stores that sold souvenirs, we stopped. The shop owner greeted us with his big smile. We were invited in, and he said we could taste various kinds of dodol Garut. Dodol was a traditional snack made from brown sugar, glutinous rice flour, fruits, and other ingredient.

When I was little girl, my relatives often gave me dodol Garut. Dodol was inside the box, it brand was “Picnic”. It wrapped in paper. The color of dodol was dark brown, sweet, but I did not like the taste. It happened on and on, always the same dodol.

But this time, there were many kinds of dodol stored in the transparent boxes. There were colorful. There were dodol wrapped in clear plastic, some are wrapped with leather corn "This dodol made from potato, this is made from strawberry, this is made from mango, and then this is made from soursop." The shopkeeper said. "And this is the best choice; this is very good, made from red beans. There are also made from green beans, and there is also the black sticky rice. "

I and children ate many kinds of dodol. The taste were so good, so different with dodol Garut I ate when I was a kid. I like the red beans dodol the most. But potato dodol and green beans dodol were also yummy.

The price were various , start from Rp. 18,000; Rp. 20.000,; Rp. 22,000, -; Rp. 24 000, - to the most expensive Rp. 32 000, - per kilogram.

After buying dodol, leather crackers, nut ting-ting, bajigur and bandrek (beverage made from ginger and brown sugar), we went back to the hotel.

Going on Vacation to Garut, West Java (Part II)

DANAU DARIZA HOTEL AND RESORT

After eating, we continued our journey to the hotel. In Cipanas area, there were a lot of hotels. There were large and small hotels. The hotels offered hot spring to pamper visitors , it's no wonder because there was natural hot springs from the mountain in Cipanas.

On my opinion, large hotels and small hotel looked very different. Most large hotels were visible from magnificent and spacious building, while the small hotels were simpler; there was even a small alley entrance location. On average, large hotels such as the Kampung Sumber Alam, Danau Dariza, Tirta Gangga, and the Sabda Alam already "advertised" on the internet. So that visitors from outside the city could find and booked the hotel via internet or phone. Not surprisingly, in front of large hotels lettering "ROOM FULL" or "SORRY, ROOM FULL", while the small hotels did not. In front of the small hotels lettering the words "EMPTY", there were even special officers who stood in front of small hotels which the job were to offer people on every passing car to stay at their hotel. "Come, sir .. Please stay at our hotel, complete facilities at a low price ... " they said. So whenever visitors came to Garut without prior hotel booking, not to worry, because the small hotels could accommodate them.

When we arrived at Danau Dariza hotels and resorts, located on Jl. Raya Cipanas Tarogong Kaler Garut, we were greeted by quite unique scenery. The hotel lobby shaped just like Toraja traditional house, complete with cow's head on it. The rooms were also provided in the form of traditional houses. There were traditional houses such as Padang, Batak, Sundanese, East Nusa Tenggara,Bali, etc.. The rooms were set overlooking an artificial lake. Each room was equipped with a boat, so that it can be used for boating on the lake.

After checking in, we rested for a while in the room. But children could not wait to get a boat ride.While my husband and kids going around the lake by boat, I took the picture by camera. In the lake,there were many big fishes. Most of them were gold fishes. The fish came and gathered near the porch steps. When the children spread peanut,the fishes crowd eating the peanut. The fish seemed to be tame, they took the peanut from Dea’s and Rafif ‘s hand. Truly a unique experience!

Unfortunately the weather was less friendly. It rained.. Children, who were easily bored, beganimpatient. Finally, in the rain we walked to the swimming pool. There were two swimming poolsavailable at this hotel, a pool of cold water and a pool of natural hot water. Despite the rain andcold, many hotel guests swam and soak in hot tubs. Because it's too late, the children chose to playthe water ball. Beside the water ball, there were also another game for children such as flying foxand waterbike, but due to rain the kids could not do it.

As we passed the gate of swimming pool, Dea smelled delicious pastry. Apparentlythere was a small shop that sold croissants there. Her stomach was so hungry. She bought a few pieces ofcroissants, or “hollow bread “; that’s the way Dea called them.The price was Rp. 5000, - per piece.It was quite tasty, really inviting appetite.

That night we went out the hotel, looking for a place to eat. Because the kids want to eatnoodles,then we eat at the Mie Alladin.

The next morning, I and the kids tried bicycle water. Anin and Dea pedaled the bike enthusiastically around the lake . Once satisfied, the children went to swim straight until noon.

Going on Vacation to Garut, West Java. (Part 1)

A friend recommendedGarut, West Java became one tourist destination. He told at a glance about the beauty of Garut. At that time I was not so interested. But when I saw his vacation photos posted on Facebook, I got interested. Immediately, I browsed the internet searching for more data about Garut.

Another friend then gave me the brochures for hotels in Garut. There were two interesting hotels, the Danau Dariza hotels and resorts and the Kampung Sumber Alam resort. So we booked the hotel via telephone, as it was already in the holidays, we almost missed the place. Kampung Sumber Alam was already full. Luckily, we got a room at Danau Dariza hotel.

After packing and preparing for all purposes, by having a hotel brochure with a map to the location, we went to Garut. To avoid traffic jam, we chose to go to Garut on wednesday. It was at 9 pm, the sky was bright and travel was smooth, no traffic jams. We chose to go through Cipularang toll-road. Along the road to Garut , the beautiful scenery of hills, valleys and mountains spoiling our vision. We spent 3.5 hours trip happily. Although had to wonder which direction should we go, we finally arrived in Tarogong Kaler Cipanas ,Garut, without difficulty. Rafif, my youngest child vomited and was pale face, so we decided to stop into a restaurant first.

NASI LIWET AT CANGKUANG KURING RESTAURANT

A roadside restaurant catch our attention. Its name was "Cangkuang Kuring". The menu offered were Sundanese Food. One of them was rice liwet. This restaurant offered dining in the gazebos with the view paddy field and mountain.

Dea and Rafif the swing that was available there. Rafif ‘s pale face was no longer visible. He laughed and swung his body on the swings.

It’s time to order a meal. There were some menu options, all of them were Sundanese and Indonesian cuisine. For example, fried and grilled carp, liwet rice, oxtail soup, fried chicken, grilledchicken, rice oncom tug tug, and others. We booked 2 servings of oxtail soup, 3 servings of white rice, 2 packages liwet rice, grilled chicken on bamboo, and hot sweet tea . The children ate avidly. It was delicious cuisine as well. Rice liwet was tasty, we ate all of themravenously until its crust-descale. Ha .. ha ...

Rumah Air Restaurant

While jogging in the morning at my residential environment(Bogor Nirwana Residence, Bogor-Indonesia), I and my husband saw the area near the Aston hotel where many gazebos were built. At that time I wondered, what the place it would be. A few weeks later, I got the information from a friend that the place was called “Rumah Air”, a restaurant with the fish pond and playing ground for children.

On one occasion when my father-in-law from Palembang was visiting us at Bogor, we decided to have dinner at the “Rumah Air”.

When entering the area Rumah Air, I was fascinated with the comfortable atmosphere there, the sound of gurgling water flowing, and beautiful lights that seemed to form a painting in the night. The waiter who greeted us asked if we wanted to sit at restaurant’s room or to sit and eat at gazebo. Soon we chose to sit at gazebo. There were many beautiful gazebos-over-water. The size-of those gazebos were different. There were large gazebos and small gazebos. The large one was suitable for visitors who bring a lot of friends . For example, visitors who were having a reunion, or having an office event, etc.

Cold mountain wind blowing and hit us so we increasingly felt hungry.

After choosing a gazebo, we ordered food. Menus available were Indonesian cuisine, especially Sundanese cuisine. For example, nila (tilapia fish) soup served inside a coconut shell. Then there was fried and grilled gurame (carp fish), fried chicken and grilled chicken, ribs soup, assorted satay, sayur asam ( vegetables with sour spices) and many others.

That night we ordered white rice, tilapia soup served in coconut shell, grilled chicken, vegetables, and sayur asem. Beverages were hot tea, while children chose vanilla milk shake. From the menus, tilapia soup taste so good. Beside tilapia fish, the soup consist of unripe coconut. It was unique, because unripe coconut was usually added into beverage such as coconut ice or fruit ice. But the soup was not suitable for children, because there were also spicy chili on it. Roast chicken was pretty good. But the children like vanilla milk shake the most.

Two days later, because we were still curious, we went back to eat at this restaurant. This time we came in the late afternoon. We want to enjoy the beautiful atmosphere of the afternoon with a view of Mount Salak at this restaurant.

The atmosphere in the afternoon at Rumah Air was not less beautiful compared to the atmosphere of the night. Mount Salak was blue, the cool air, the scenery of Aston hotel which was located besides Rumah Air, gorgeous gazebos, gurgling water and fishes that sometimes jump in the pond under gazebos created a comfortable atmosphere. While waiting for the meal to be served, we took some pictures.

This time we ordered white rice, 3 servings maranggi satay (satay with sweet spice), chicken satay, fried carp fish, vegetables, sayur asam, hot orange, and vanilla milk shake.

For children's playground, there were water balls, water bikes, mini motorcycles, fishing areas, etc.. My kids had tried the water ball, but there was no time to try something else because of the rain drizzling down, so they must quickly took shelter in gazebo. For a comfortable lunch and dining atmosphere, Rumah Air could be a good option.