amanda purba: hotel

After all the bustle occurred in the last couple of months, finally i can go back writing and spreading some good vibes. And now, i really want to share about my experience going to the hidden gem in South East Maluku: Kei Island.

Maybe some of us heard about this place already, because lots of people talking about this destination lately. I knew this place from three years ago. The story starts when a good friend of mine been placed in Tual to prepare a new route opening. And after around 7 months, she invited me over. She said i must be amazed with the view she saw everyday. I went there, just to prove her words right.

My first visit was fun! I had a staycation at Ohoiew resort and feel the softness of the sands in Ngurbloat Beach. But since i didn't bring a proper camera, I'm planning to go back here again even i don't know when.

Like an answered prayer, i had another opportunity to visit this beauty again in October 2017, along with all the digital influencers from Asia Pacific for business trip. So i want to share some places you should visit when you're coming to Kei Island in a proper pictures:

Bair Island

Known as the small version of Raja Ampat, Bair Island is a tropical island where there are two bays with mangrove vegetation and rock cliffs

credit: Jaejun Lee (@holdingwind)

credit: Jaejun lee (@holdingwind)

Sarah (@sclaudiamar)

Ohoidertawun

Located in Kei Kecil island, Ohoidertawun has the longest low tide every day, which can span up to 500 meters long compared to all beaches there

credit: Joshi Daniel (@joshidaniel)

credit: Jaejun lee (@holdingwind)

credit: Genta Masuda (@gnta)

Ngurbloat Beach

A stunning beach with the crystal clear sea, thousands of coconut trees lie off the coast with the most famous white "powdery" sands that extends up to 5 km. This is also a perfect place to see the sunset.

cotton candy sky

credit: Noah Stammbach (@zeebachi)

Trying to catch Milky Way

Ngurtafur Beach

Located in Warbal Island, Ngurtafur has a quite exotic nature beauty where the white sands spreads out to sea up to 2 kilometers and seven meters wide. It is also being established by WWF as breeding place for the rare species Penyu Belimbing called Tabob.

credit: Joshi Daniel (@joshidaniel)

a Fisherman on his way home

credit: Jaejun lee (@holdingwind)

And if you're lucky, you're gonna meet a bunch of Pelicans here.

Hawang Cave

Anyone who pay a visit to this cave will be indulged with the crystal clear blue water sourced from Evu water springs.

credit: Noah Stammbach (@zeebachi)

credit: Jaejun Lee (@holdingwind)

If you want to feel like you own the place, i suggest you to avoid visiting this place on weekend :)

Rainbow Village

This place wasn't in our original itinerary, but some of my friends want to visit this place to take a portrait of the locals. Rainbow Village was also a fun place to visit because of the happiness feeling occured after seeing colorful houses around.

Rainbow Village

Kids trying to catch some fishes

credit: Noah Stammbach (@zeebachi)

Hello!

Mr. Joshi and the locals

So, if you're planning to go to Kei Island, you may want to consider visiting these 6 places.

I strongly suggest to use a local land tour/land arrangement, as it's pretty hard (and obviously take longer time) to go from one place to another by yourself.

If you want to book a local land arrangement, you may want to check their instagram @keiislands_indonesia, or if you want to rent a car and explore them by yourself, you may want to check my very first driver during my first visit: Mr. Danny in +62 813 5437 5164 or text him via whatsapp in +62 822 3043 1802.

Have a good trip!

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I can't imagined how it feels to work in aviation industry in the first place, simply because i've been in none. I thought it'll be boring as hell, especially when they put me in the hospitality standardization division.

But working in that circumstances brings me to a bigger project called Star Chef. Star Chef is a collaboration project between Garuda Indonesia and four chefs with the same mission: to Introduce Indonesia’s culinary to the world through on-board services.

I personally pay attention to one of the partner's restaurant named Ron Gastrobar Indonesia in Amsterdam. The fact that Ron Gastrobar Indonesia is one of the Ron Gastrobar’s restaurant group which owned by two Michelin starred restaurants owner – Ron Blaauw - gives me excitement to see how he created something nice with a touch of Indonesian Hospitality.

Did you guys know what Gastrobar restaurant concept is? I used to listen about gastronomy or a bar but it feels like the first time i heard about Gastrobar.

The concept of Gastrobar itself basically an adaptation of a typical tapas bar or serving small bites version of larger dishes combined with cocktail bars. In some cases, they used to combine it with store selling their unique products.

Ron Gastrobar in Amsterdam has 4 other restaurants with special concept in each: Ron Gastrobar with their european dishes like foie gras with yoghurt and raspberry (it sounds weird but it tastes so gewd), Ron Gastrobar Paris (i love their cold cuts and escargot), Ron Gastrobar Oriental and Ron Gastrobar Indonesia (i love everything in it!) where chef Agus Hermawan is the only Indonesian executive chef among those restaurants.

Now this confused me. How come Indonesian dishes which is usually served in a large portion fit with this kind of concept?

Let's get the tour!

Front View of Ron Gastrobar Indonesia

The Bar Area

Dining Area

Menu Page 1

Menu Page 2

When i arrived at lunch time, chef Agus himself served his signature rijstaffels for the troops. Haven't got a chance to take a picture of it as everybody starving and will unleashed their wrath if i have to stopped them to take so many pictures.

But i remembered they served up to 15 dishes in mini bowl, so you can share it with your friends. It consists of fried rice, sambal goreng kentang, gado-gado, oerapan, rendang, telur balado and everything he said on the menu with such a price.

I also tasted their mains and snacks, but i don't know if i can consider it as snacks because it comes in quite a large portion:

Loempia Bebek

Lemper Kepiting

Taco Ayam Besisit Bali

Maybe you might think this is the same kinda dish that you can eat in Indonesia, but i can say it's different, and still as delicious! It's like Indonesian dishes enhanced for upper class market. Also, since it is Gastrobar concept, you can pair the dishes with wine and drink cocktail, just to balance the flavor. And you just have to spend 35 euro per person for all course (except wine and cocktail part).

Ikan Ijo

Colenak

Coconut Tiramisu

There's a proudness in me that Indonesian dishes was being well known in this area, and becoming one of the most favorite restaurant in Amsterdam, thanks to chef Agus. And aiming for the upper market class was no longer impossible. if you're living in Amsterdam, or on your vacay here and want to taste it, i suggest you to make a reservation on their restaurant here

Location:
Amstelzijde 51, Amstelveen

Opening Hour:
Daily, 12 - 3 PM and 5.30 - 11 PM

Budget to prepare:
EUR 15 - EUR 50

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If you guys haven’t heard anything about the magnificent Komodo dragon in Indonesia, I bet this is the right time to find out more about it.

Komodo dragon is the largest lizard found in the Indonesian islands that can reach 10 feet in length and weigh up to 200 pounds. They like to shred their prey to death or let them die within 24 hours of blood poisoning because its venomous saliva. Their unique way to kill its prey became the most interesting story for me.

So last month, I decided to visit this little buddy in Labuan Bajo National Park, Flores, Indonesia. Beside the Komodos, Labuan Bajo -which consists of several islands- has an enormous view in each one of them. So if you’re not so into the vicious prey-hunter, you can have a different experience with the gulfs-scenery view they offered, the pink beach or maybe dancing with Manta Ray in the middle of a clear sea. Your call.

To feel the excitement of the Island Hopping, I decided to Live on Board for three days two nights, plus adding another day to stroll around in the main island before heading back to Jakarta.

My open trip consists with nine other persons and one tour operator that surprisingly just two years older than me, named Ashadi. So I decided to feel it as a private trip.

The land operator pick us up at the airport on 10.00 am and my trip started from here. Starting from the port, this is my itinerary with semi-Phinisi ship named Aqua Luna:

Day 1

Kelor Island

One of the steepest hill among all, we should climb with 45 degrees steepness track. Due to my stupidity for leaving my trekking gear at home, I survived to climb it with flip-flops. Not recommended to do it so, because it’s pretty dangerous.

Rinca Island

This is where the Komodo dragons lay low in a hot sunny day. Basically, there are several islands where the Komodo dragons live, and Rinca Island is one of them.

Komodo Dragon

The Single Tree

The others are: Komodo Island, Gili Motang and Nusa Kode. Among of these islands, it’s easier to find them in Rinca Islands.

Kambing Island

Our original plan was docking Aqua Luna in Padar Island. Due to strong waves occurs, it’s pretty impossible to sleep with a bumpy ride. So our land operator suggests docking our ship in this island and went for photo hunting while waiting for the sunset.

Day 2

Padar Island

One of the main attraction beside the Komodos, this hill require approximately 30-45 minutes trekking. But I can assure you, you won’t be disappointed. Again with my flip-flops, I managed to trek this pretty hill and rewarded by this awesome view. But remember, trekking with proper shoes will be way more comfortable.

Pink Beach

The first thing that came into my mind was: the Pink beach isn’t that pink anymore since the first time I saw it in one of my friend’s picture. But it’s still pretty though.

Manta Point

After the Pink Beach, we went to Manta Point where you could swim with manta Rays if you’re lucky.

And yes, it’s our lucky day.

I remembered that time when I visited Kei Island, South East Maluku in 2015. I clearly didn’t know that Manta ray and Stingray was two different thing back then. I slowly stepped my foot in a shallow spot among Bair Island when I was doing Island hopping.

Turns out many stingrays were hiding underneath powdery white sands. And now here, I can see its relatives dancing in a clear blue see.

Gusung Island

Just 5 minutes across the Manta point, here we are literally standing in the middle of the sea.

Before we’re heading back to the ship, one of the members picked up the magenta coral from the beach and take it home intentionally. My friend clearly scold her, but she said it’s okay to take it home, because she just took one out of plenty, especially from the beach. She’d willingly pay for it if she has to.

The magenta corals are the things that make the sand looks pink. So if everyone thinks like this person, no wonder the sand –especially in pink beach- looks less pink than it should be. No matter where you take it from, just don’t. Let’s keep our environment as it is.

Day 3

Gili Lawa Darat

We docked our ship on our second day and climbed one of the hill in Gili Lawa Darat for photo hunting while waiting for the sunset.

In the morning of the third day, we woke up at 4 am to hike and found this amazing sunrise

Kanawa Island

This is our last stop before hading back to Labuan Bajo Island. You can snorkel here, but I’d prefer to sitting on the beach while waiting for our lunch.

If one of you were trying to find land operator for a short visit to Labuan Bajo, I highly recommend LookIndonesia Adventure.

You may want to check him out on Instagram @lookindonesia.adventure

Psst.. he brought a portable speaker with him every time. Very helpful to keep your good mood while trekking!

Budget to prepare:
IDR 8.000.000 (all in, more or less depends on the flight and seasonality)

Do and Don'ts:
a. It's best to visit Labuan Bajo between April until September
b. Bring your own snorkeling or diving gear would be better
c. Don't forget to wear a proper shoes or sandals for trekking. Wearing flip-flop is possible, but not recommended
d. Bring out the best sunblock you've got, and don't forget the after sun
e. Don't take anything home (like sand or even worse, the pink coral)
f. Don't Litter! it helps everyone
g. Bring enough cash, it's a bit hard to find ATM around

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Everybody got their own preference about the companion while they're traveling, either a backpack or a suitcase. I personally prefer to travel with a carry-on suitcase since i like a better protection of my things, and i usually travel with a simple itinerary, with no outdoors activities such as hiking or camping.

But bringing a suitcase may give you another trouble if you don't know what to pack. Some people tend to bring stuff they don't really need just because there are much space left unused.

source: https://id.pinterest.com/pin/522487994249963174/

And sometimes, being a light traveler means you will save on checked baggage fees, flexibility at airport and public transportation and extra space for your purchases on the trip.

Here are 4 tips to help you pack your things and be a light traveler:

1. Plan your clothes

It might sounds pretty troublesome in the first place, but i can assure you this is the first thing to do when you want to free some spaces.

Most of us, women, are likely to throw everything in while traveling, not knowing which one to be wear and which one is not. I always take a pictures of my clothes and which one is easy to be mix and matched.

For example, if i want to travel abroad for six days in winter season, i will plan which one i want to wear since day one until the last day. You can also mix some of your tops in a different days. That way, i know which one i want to bring and eliminate the others.

But since it's better to prepare before anything happen, i would bring extra tops just in case i need to change OR if i don't feel to wear something that i've already planned before.

Or else, if you're just too lazy to plan in advance, just pick three tops for every bottom. Tops take up less places.

After you choose all of your clothes, then fold all of it neatly. Seriously, it matters.

2. Check the Hotel or Airbnb amenities

I personally have a long hair that needed to be dried every time i showered. It is very space-consuming when you have to bring your hair-dryer, and also hair straightener or hair curler.

It's a very good idea to check your room amenities in your destination. Hotel, hostel or airbnb nowadays provide a decent amenities such as hairdryer and towel.

If they do provide those stuffs, you can put those things off of your list.

3. Buy the right souvenirs

First thing first, you may want to free some spaces for your gifts in the first place, but knowing what to buy really matters. You really want to minimize asking for someone's help to lift your suitcase to the overhead cabin rack because it was too heavy.

While we're traveling, people also tend to be more impulsive. Having some research before you go won't hurt. In fact, it may helps you to plan what you really want to buy in your destination.

I usually bring a different type of souvenirs for my relatives, but mostly a big bunch of traditional local snacks, magnets or something that really exist in that particular area that could be consumed communally.

It helps me some times and spaces by not impulsively buying something unnecessary.

4. Bring an extra foldable bag

My former boss once said, when you travel anywhere, bring an extra foldable bag with you. I'm not really sure in the first place, and that was my first time going abroad solo, so i bring it anyway.

Turns out, the extra foldable bag helps me to carry my souvenirs such as snacks and other little things that can save my bags some spaces for a bigger things that i bought while i was traveling. When you come home, you will only carry one suitcase and one extra folded bag!

With these 4 tricks, i usually bring my cabin-size suitcase for 1-6 days traveling, and bring my medium-size suitcase for 2 weeks going abroad.

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