No elephants in the Elephant Museum ...

National Museum is different from Monas... do you know?

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Many people wrongly think National Museum as Monas. I'm one of them * admit* .... Monas is National Monument. Although both places adjacent, but clearly different.

National Museum of Indonesia

Dorokyo, beautiful secluded gorge in the deep of Japan

Dorokyo, meet the clear emerald water in the middle of scenic gorge...

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Dorokyo

Travelling from Shingu to Hongu down Kumanogawa (Kumano river), where along the way will be presented incredible scenery, Kumanogawa with clear water, winding penetrating green lush hills. Each curve presents a surprise breathtaking sight.

Scenery along the way to Dorokyo

And will be great if in the middle of the trip stopped by on Shiko for a jet boat ride, go deeper into the middle of beautiful Kitagawa, a tributary of Kumanogawa, to a place called Dorokyo (Doro Gorge)

Kumano Hongu Taisha (Kumano Sanzan Part 3)

Hongu Taisha, a majestic temple in the rugged mountains

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Kumano Hongu Taisha

Hongu Taisha is the last shrine of Kumano Sanzan, the ultimate goal of Kumano Kodo pilgrimage, head shrine of approximately 3000 Shinto shrine spread throughout Japan.

Torii entrance to Hongu Taisha ground

Kumano Hatayama Taisha (Kumano Sanzan part 2)

Hatayama Taisha, grand shrine in Shungu town

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Kumano Hatayama Taisha

Hatayama Taisha is the second temple of Kumano Sanzan, and most easily achieved between those 3 temples, because it is located in the city of Shingu, just on the edge of the street, ....no stairs, ...no forest.

Kumano Hatayama Taisha main entrance 

Typical bright red color of Shinto shrine welcoming from the entrance to the temple main building. Despite its location on the street side, but once stepping into the temple area, the atmosphere change become quiet, sacred, peaceful ....

Kumano Nachi Taisha (Kumano sanzan part.1)

Kumano Nachi Taisha, when religious blend with natural beauty...

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Three storied Pagoda with Nachi no Otaki on the background

Have you ever seen a photograph or postcard of a beautiful pagoda with a waterfall behind it? The place is located in Nachi-san, this place not only beautiful landscape, but also has deep religious and historical significance.

Kumano Nachi Taisha (Shrine)

Kumano Nachi Taisha is the first temple of Kumano Sanzan (3 Kumano grand shrine), located in the Kii-Katsuura area, Wakayama prefecture.

Kumano Kodo & Kumano Sanzan

A journey to the place where the Gods have lived...

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For tourists in general, the ultimate destination when visiting Japan are Tokyo-Osaka-Kyoto. But because I was an eccentric tourist, since long ago I have desire to take the unpopular path of Kumano Kodo.

Kumano Kodo path

Kumano Kodo is a series of famous ancient pilgrimage route in Japan, even listed as a UNESCO World Heritage with the name Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range.

Kumano Kodo stone path

Toko Merah (Red Shop), not even a shop....

Toko Merah (Red Shop), relics of colonial architecture in Jakarta

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Toko Merah (Red Shop), located at Jl. Kali Besar Barat 11, Kota Tua, West Jakarta

Red Shop, considering the name, automatically we hope to buy something in this place. But it turns out Red Shop is not even a shop ... wkwkwk 

Toko Merah (Red Shop)

Candra Naya : Traces of Chinese history in the capital city Jakarta

Batavia history witnesses, hidden by the jungle of Jakarta's hi-rise buildings...

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When invited to visit Candra Naya, I spontaneous ask, what is it? Where is it? And the answer "A historic building on Gajah Mada street" instead makes clear, has raised more questions ... What? There is a historic building at Gajah Mada street? The hell? Where? I have been crossed Gajah Mada street many times, but never seen any historic building named Candra Naya.... And I believe I'm not the only one who doesn't know ^^

Candra Naya located in the middle of Novotel Hotel, Jl.Gajah Mada 188, Jakarta 

Autumn is coming to Minoh

Morning walk - Early autumn at Minoh park

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That morning, Umeda station had been busy and crowded already... wanted to briefly leave the bustle of Osaka. Let's go to Minno, ride Takarazuka line subway only about 30 minutes from Osaka. Minoh park is famous for its "koyo" (autumn foliage), located not far from Minoo station. 

Minoh Park, Osaka

A memory of Bassano del Grappa

A piece of memory about pretty little heaven named Bassano del Grappa....

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Bassano del Grappa

While Jakarta-hot-like-hell, the best thing to do is drinking a cold ice lemon tea, while opening an old albums and recall memories of the first time feel the chill of snow in a small town in Vicenza Province, Northern Italy. This trip, around 8 years ago, became unforgettable memories for me^^

Snowy hills outside Bassano del Grappa

Pari Island....a Little Paradise near Big Jakarta

Pari Island, just a little paradise in the middle of Thousand islands...

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Pari Monument, turquoise water, and white sands

After approximately 2 hours by traditional wooden boat from Muara Angke port, finally arrived in this small paradise. It was a relief when the boat begins to leave the-not-so-eligible-port of Muara Angke.... sitting back in the edge of the ship, feel sleepy, enjoying the breeze and splashing water, watching the sea water changes color, from black ... brown .. . green ... dark blue ...and freshly light blue color welcoming the ship when it reached Pari Island dock.

Welcome to Pari Island

Yoyogi Park, a greenery escape of Tokyo megapolitan

Yoyogi Park, a big green lush forest right in the middle of Tokyo megapolitan 

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One of my favorite park in Tokyo is Yoyogi Park. Located right in the heart of Tokyo. Amid the concrete jungle of skyscrapers Tokyo megapolitan, there was a board green lush forest... Yoyogi Park.

Lush green Yoyogi Park

It's a wide scale park, one side of Yoyogi Park can be accessed from Yoyogi station, and the other side can be accessed from Harajuku station. I prefer the access from Harajuku station, because once we exit the station, directly jump into the middle of Tokyo young generation gathering center. 

Just a step from Harajuku station is the entrance to Yoyogi Park, near Meiji Shrine. This kind of contrast makes me love Tokyo! Look to the left, there is a hype shopping centers, full of funky teenagers, ...and look to the right, there is a lust green deep forest with some kimono clad adults head up to the Meiji Shrine.

The magic of Arashiyama Bamboo Groves

Yes, it's only bamboo, nothing else ....but it's so famous and magical 
....and it's true!

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Arashiyama Bamboo Groves - Kyoto, Japan

Talking about the beauty of Kyoto city in Japan, certainly will not miss the legendary Arashiyama Bamboo Groves. What is that exactly? Sometimes called the Bamboo Forest, is a few hundred meters footpath along a deep grove of very tall bamboo threes. 
That's it? eeemh .... yes ...

Hanami...long lost journey to catch fully bloom Sakura

Hanami, partying under Cherry blossom (Sakura), an unique Japan tradition

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Pinky Sakura

As a poor tourist like me, a chance to catch Sakura season in fully bloom condition was like a dream come true. My eyes can't blink at all, afraid if I blink then the Sakura will fall out... qqq ... My mouth can only say "WOW!" while agape and hypnotized along the way.

My fingers on auto pilot mode, continuously shooting the camera to all directions, without caring anymore will the picture focused or blurry, don't even care how many of photos has been taken, when the object was in the same shapes and colors ...... let it be.....

Fully bloom Sakura along the river next to Kitanomaru-gyoen, Tokyo

Wonderfull colour of Seoraksan

Autumn in Seoraksan means wonderfull warm colour all the way...

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Seoraksan is the third highest mountain in South Korea. And one of the most beautiful regions in South Korea, which is rich with a lot of rare plants and animals. Seoraksan was recognized as UNESCO Biosphere Protection Site. ... and the beauty of Seoraksan doubled when autumn arrives ...

 

Seoraksan National Park