Mount Slamet in Java, Indonesia

I would say I am really lucky to have set my foot on the grounds of the beautiful  Mount Slamet located in Java, Indonesia.

Wikipedia.com defines Mount Slamet or Gunung Slamet as an active stratovolcano in the Purbalingga Regency of Cetral Java, Indonesia. It has a cluster of around three dozen  cinder cones on the lower southeast-northeast flanks and a single cinder cone on the western flank. The volcano is composed of two overlapping edifices. Four craters are found at the summit. Historical eruptions have been recorded since the eighteenth century.   

 As part of our activity during YPA10, we took a 4 hour philosophical walk around Slamet Volcano  from Ketenger Village up to Pancuran Pitu or the place also known as the the Seven Hot Springs. 

On the way to the hot springs, I really appreciate the Sustainable Development plan applied to the area.  It's really inspiring that the Indonesian Government has really put an effort to develop the agricultural site. It's like hitting two birds with one stone with their beautiful rice fields and the development of Mt. Slamet as a tourist site.

The pathways were beautifully constructed both for the tourists and farmers. 

Even if I live in a mountainous region with equally beautiful sites to offer, I still get really excited to view every single site in Mt. Slamet. My companions and me were really happy as we crossed the foot bridge made of wood.

The scenery once you see the hot springs are breathtaking!  The hot springs are known to have medicinal impact. Locals and tourists alike can take a shower on the spring. Excitingly, the water coming from the spring is really hot!

The locals also offers massage for hands and feet using the sulfur they get from the spring. They said that the sulfur is really good for the skin. I tried the foot massage for only 20,000 rupiahs (less than 5USD)

I hope and pray that Mount Slamet will stay the way it is for the years to come and for the future generations. Mount Slamet can erupt anytime but the people has a well laid disaster plan for sure.

So far, I have not heard of any mining or dam application from large corporations in Mount Slamet yet. Let's hope for the best for these beautiful place.

Next time, when you go to Indonesia, make sure that you set your foot on the grounds of Mount Slamet!

Here's a vide of Mt. Slamet Volcano eruption on August 26, 2014
Video Credit: File:MT Slamet Volcano eruption on August 26,2014.webm

 

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Cheap Travel Guide: Make the Most of Your Travel in Bhaktapur, Nepal

The Statue of Lord Shiva at Bhaktapur, Nepal

Lack of money should not be a hindrance for anyone to travel. I’ve been to Nepal via the low fare promo of AirAsia.com. If you are wishing for relaxation and looking forward to that much needed break, then Nepal is a wonderful destination.

Cheap Travel to Nepal

I have been to Nepal last January 2014 and I am really happy that I had a meaningful journey.   I attended the 7th Youth Peace AmbassadorTraining Program sponsored by the Youth UNESCO Club-Nepal. From these event, I had the opportunity to meet passionate youth leaders from around the world. Participants were coming from the Kingdom of Thailand, Indonesia, Norway, Tunisia, and locals from Nepal.

One of the most beautiful places in Nepal is in Bhaktapur. Bhaktapur is a Nepali word that means Places of Devotees. It’s a magnificent place and it is redeemed as a cultural gem. It is   accessible from Kathmandu. You can take a cab from the airport and pay some 300 ringgit to arrive in this wonderful place.

Your cheap travel is really worth it once you go around Bhaktapur because you’ll be able to see the old city center of Nepal. The place was  listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Truly, you can see and feel the rich culture, temples and wood, metal and stone artworks in the city.

We were hosted at the Hilltake Resort, Sanga where the tallest Lord Shiva is standing! From our hotel,  we also had the chance to see the breath taking sight of the Himalayas!  

The Nepalese are one of the most hospitable people I met. I can say that I was really lucky because I met Charu and Bishal who were both University Students from Kathmandu.

They showed us the hidden beauty of Bhaktapur. What’s really nice when you get the chance to meet with the locals is that they will show you the best places. They’ll tell you the story of their land and people better than reading books. Also, you don’t have to read maps because they’ll guide you all the way.

At the Hilltake Resort, Sanga

Here’s a list of must see places in Bhaktapur:

• Durbar Square

See the many remains of the ancient temples, monasteries and ornate structures that were destroyed during an Earthquake in 1934.

• Visit the 55 Window Palace which was the seat of royalty in the 1700s.

• See the incredible Taleju Temple Complex

• See the Big Bell established in the 18^th century by the last Malla King.

• Durbar Square is also home to the Big Bell, built by the last Malla king of Bhaktapur, Ranajit Malla in the 18th century. It was rung to pay homage to the Goddess Taleju and to harken the public to town meetings. 

• Taumadhi Square -  Visit the century old temples with extraordinary designs. Get to see the legendary carvings of divine figures.

• Dattatreya Square -  See the astonishing monasteries call maths and stunning temples of museums.  All these structures were built in the 1400s which makes it more amazing to see and visit.

Cheap travel to Bhaktapur is worth it. It's one of my most unforgettable experience and I wish to go back someday and by then, I wish to see the foot of Mt. Everest.

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Baguio City, Philippines: Best City Ever

 

I will always be a Baguio girl who will forever love, protect and fight for Baguio City. I remember when I was a little girl, Baguio was not so congested unlike today that it has turned into a highly urbanized city. 

Baguio is very much alive with its booming business and commerce, although a lot of issues were budding such as the garbage problem and cutting of trees. As a Baguio girl, I will always choose to keep the trees. Back in the old days you can really smell the heavenly scent of pine trees when you are on a bus traveling from the lowlands back to the City. Today, the scent  is forever gone. How sad!

Baguio City is located in Benguet Province. It is the center of education for Northern Luzon and the seat of government for the Cordillera Administrative Region. Baguio City was established by the Americans as a hill station. Originally, Baguio is the home of the Ibalois, a group of Indigenous peoples originally living in Baguio. 

Because of Baguio's awesome cool climate, it is designated as the "Summer Capital"of the Philippines.

Wikipedia.com says that:

The government was transferred to city to escape the lowland heat during summer. It was incorporated as a chartered city by the Philippine Assembly on September 1, 1909, as authored by former Philippines Supreme Court Justice George A. Malcolm. The City of Baguio celebrated its Centennial on September 1, 2009.

Burnham Park is one of the famous tourist destinations. The park was named after the American architect and urban planner, Daniel Hudson Burnham who creatively laid the blueprint of the city. 

When I was little, my family used to have picnics at Burnham Park. Really, it was one of the most memorable parks for a Baguio girl like me.

Back then,  manual photography was a huge business! Since there were no digital cameras available during those days, people took manual photography as a full time job.  Perhaps, it was a good source of income back then. Sadly, the fad was killed by modern technology. However, you still see those men  with their old cameras.  

My prayer is that in spite of the development and technology introduced, I wish that they will still keep the trees and its natural god given beauty. I wanted my great great great grand children and their children's children to see how beautiful Baguio is.

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