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.
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goldie Balekambang's sands |
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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
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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!
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