IFTravels: YOGYAKARTA 29 Jan - 2 Feb 2017 (DAY 4 - TIMANG BEACH & THE GONDOLA)


Assalamualaikum.

DAY 4

We started at 830 AM and went straight for Timang Beach. The journey takes about 2 and half hours. On the way to Timang, other tourists usually stop at Goa Pindul for cave tubing and Goa Jomblang for caving acitivity and seeing "cahaya surga" (sunlight emitting into the cave from a hole above the cave). We opt out the trip because this type of activities can be found in Malaysia too. But if you have time and want to go, just inform your supir and he will advise you on the costs.

For Timang, the cars need to park at a specified parking as cars are not able to use the road to get to the port. You have to get an "ojek" (motorcycle) for 50k rupiah per person for a return journey. The journey using ojek is about 3-4km of extreme terrains. The ride was super bumpy and quite rough. When the journey was over, the moment you step down from the motorbike, you feel your legs shaking. But, the view once you get down the bike doesn't disappoint you.


This is only the beginning. You still need to walk over to the gondola area. Because the island is quite coarse and the terrain is rocky because of the corrosion made by the waves, so expect not to be able to walk smoothly. For girls especially, wear a comfortable footwear, preferably sneakers!


There is a small hut for you to eat or drink here, don't worry it's cheap. One thing to note: Food from simple local joints are really cheap. The price of a single meal at Malioboro is equivalent to 3 meals elsewhere. If you are the type who are not comfortable to eat at local stalls, prepare some on-the-go food everywhere you go. Indomaret is a shop similar to 7 eleven, it's everywhere and very good for on-the-go food.

Back to Timang, some people might be taken aback looking at the gondola. But because I have read that it is fairly safe, so I didn't worry much. When you look at the rocky terrains and the waves, they look vicious. They FEEL vicious. But just relax and enjoy. Once you get to the island, the ride will be worth it. 

 

Going to the Island: Riding together.

This Island is actually not called Timang. Timang beach is actually where the port is. The rocky island is called Panjang Island, where locals fish for lobsters. This gondola is man-made and operated by the locals for fishing on the island. That is why there is no official road getting here because it used to be only for the fishermen. However, this spot became famous after the gondola pictures went viral in 2015.

The gondola is actually well-maintained and the locals make sure the ropes are changed regularly. The gondola is also manned manually, purely humans operating it not machines! For lobster fishing, the fishermen will set up their nets at 4 PM and will pick the nets up at 4 AM. This is because if they pick it up too late, some other fish or water snakes will eat the lobster that has been caught inside the net. The lobster season is around November to February but when we were there, we didn't get to eat lobster as the stock they had had finished. For lobster meal, it's 450k rupiah for 1kg lobster, including rice, ulam etc.

The net with the baits; sea urchins and kerang.

That's one of the local fishermen, actually showing us the spot where they put up nets for lobster. That rock he is on is actually quite hard to get to, especially when the sea is so rough. But he is the expert! There was another young local with him too, even he is scared to follow him.

Because people associate this place with Timang beach, thus this sign was put up. Reality is Timang beach is actually opposite this island.



The view here is seriously amazing. Coupled that with the waves breaking into the rocks. It's such a thrill when you're standing at the edge and the waves crashing underneath you. Alhamdulillah, to be able to see this place, a gift from Allah. Definitely the highlight of our trip.

Look at that vicious waves! Even so, the blue stands out.


For me to describe the beauty here, it's just beyond words. Go here, you will understand and see that this is going to be one of the best places you've been to.

For the ride back, we decided to go one by one. Thanks FF for taking my picture beautifully (which is quite rare haha).
And a video of the manually manned gondola:

2 comments

  1. Jati Wijaya13 November, 2017 06:33


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    ● Manding (leather arts)
    ● Alun2 selatan (bicycle with lights)

    Day 2
    ● Merapi lava tour (exploring the rest of the Merapi eruption using jeeps)
    ● Borobudur temple
    ● Kalibiru

    Day 3
    ● Timang beach
    ● Cave tubing pindul
    ● Pinus Forest
    ● Bukit bintang hill

    Day 4
    ● Drop off to airport

    Price start from:
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    RM 452 (exclude hotel)*

    • 1 ringgit = 3500 rupiah (depends on exchange rate)
    • Price for min 5 person, more or less person please call / whatsapp for price

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    ReplyDelete
  2. Aiman04 January, 2018 10:03

    Assalam hi IF, i'm aiman.. read your post on timang beach, am excited to visit there too!

    Anyway, me and my friend will be visiting jogja in 2 weeks time, was wondering where did u book your car rental from?

    Really appreciate it if u could email me at ak.aiman36@gmail.com �� thanks a lot!

    ReplyDelete