Hello, Malang! (Part 1 - The Beach!)

Hello! Would love to share about my trip to Malang, last month. This trip was not really well-planned and rather impulsive, actually.  It all began with my unexpected tweet to Ilma, Zelda, Otto and Feza. All of a sudden, I tweeted, “Let’s go to Malang someday.” And ta daaa, Zelda answered, “Come on! I have go there for some work duties at the end of this month.” (which is about two weeks later).

So, we searched for flights there and ended up using Tiger Mandala Airways Jakarta-Surabaya-Jakarta – because it was the cheapest flight (direct flights to Malang cost much more) and went to Malang using rental car. Zelda’s been there for 5 days when we arrived, and she’s off for that weekend. We stayed in a pretty nice hostel named Helios, near the Alun-Alun (city square). Helios hostel also has a rooftop dorms mostly rented by international backpackers named Kampung Tourist. If you’re planning to save your pocket, I recommend this hostel. Find out more about Helios hostel here.

On our first day, we went to Pantai Balekambang, about 3 hours drive to the south, passing lots of hilly and long, winding roads. Just like typical southern beaches, Pantai Balekambang is located behind hills. When we arrived, the beach was rather empty, only some visitors beside us. Probably because it was Friday afternoon. Our driver said the beach usually crowded in Saturday and Sunday. The tides were lessening. We could walk above the corals for about 50 meters from the edge of the shore. There were some local fishermen trying their lucks. The sand was golden and quiet soft, almost like Bali’s sands but more textured.

goldie Balekambang's sands

blue sky over red corals

There’s a small Pura in the beach, reminds me of Tanah Lot. A couple was doing their pre-wedding shoots in the bridge and we happily interrupted them :p

obviously a perfect spot for pre-weds

the front-side of The Pura

The next day, we went to Pulau Sempu. I was really excited! I’ve heard about Sempu for years, and been really curious to go there. Especially because people said it’s not an easy track. We drove from Malang for about 4 hours before reached Pantai Sendang Biru, a ‘gate’ to Pulau Sempu. Sendang Biru is more like a pier, with lots of fishermen and their boats. Pulau Sempu is a tiny island about 30 meters far from Pantai Sendang Biru, and we have to cross the sea for about 10 minutes. Pulau Sempu is a conservation site and it’s restricted to go there without guide. We also had to check in to island guard first before going. It’s also suggested to use spiky-soled shoes (like on football shoes) because the track is rather muddy, and really dangerous if you insist to use flat-sole shoes.

pier on Sendang Biru with Pulau Sempu's hills on background

posters of some wild creatures conserved in Pulau Sempu

Then we crossed to Pulau Sempu. The island was fully covered by mud. We walk across the forest, climbed over toppled trees, jumped over mud hole... I felt like a doing an outbound sport.

muddy forest track - even there's no path!

bring some food & water, the track was tiring

accidentally met 2 European girls at the pier, who stayed at the same hostel as us

After walking like forever for about 2 hours or so, finally... Segara Anakan! *overjoyed with tears*

Segara Anakan is a lagoon, formed by hills and big crags. Sea waters from Hindia Ocean came from small rift between crags and filled the soft-sands shallow ponds, shaped like a private pools.

Pardon for my lame photos. Please kindly find better photos of Segara Anakan here.

Segara Anakan scenery was waaaay beyond magnificent.

Unfortunately, lots of irresponsible people really can’t appreciate mother nature. Some tourists did littering. Some even freely defecated *woops* there. Our guide told us that island guard and local people have to do regular cleansing in order to maintain Pulau Sempu’s natural condition but it’s not really helpful since the number of tourist has increasing and most of them are littering every here and there. Too bad, really wish Pulau Sempu can preserve its natural beauty :(.

I do still have another stories about Malang. 'Till the next post, then!