Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Natural Beaches in Yogyakarta - Indonesia

At the south of Yogyakarta, you will meet beaches. The closest beach is Parangtritis which offers the fun of riding along the beach by horse cart or ATV. There are also natural beaches in the Gunungkidul region; like Baron, Siung, Sadeng, and Sepanjang Beach. It kind a different with Northern Yogya which full of historical and cultural icon that already explain at last article, Travelling In Yogyakarta - City of Culture in Indonesia 
Although we cannot expect a mature beach resort like Bali or blue-blooded such as Thailand, the natural beaches in Gunung Kidul - Yogyakarta still worth a visit, especially for travelers with special interests.
Congot Beach and Glagah Beach 
Located in Kulon Progo district, approximately 40 km from the city of Yogyakarta. This beach can be reached by private car or by public transport buses – lines from Yogya to Purworejo until the intersection Glagah. From this intersection, visitors who do not bring their own vehicle can request services "motorcycle taxi" to deliver to that location. For hiking lovers, travel that distance by foot is a healthy and exciting journey. Local Government has built this beach area with various facilities such as recreational parks, fishing pond and campground. You also can enjoy river attraction at this place, sports fans can get a rowing facility. Congot beach is about 1.5 kilimeter from Glagah beach, both beach has been associated with paved roads.

Glagah Beach is a natural tourist attraction that has several features compared with other beaches in Yogyakarta, even in Indonesia. Sandy beach plus a breakwater to provide a beautiful panorama for tourists. Another specialty Glagah owned beach is the lagoon that divides the coastal area into two areas that are still covered by grasses and other marine plants and sandy areas that relate directly to the beach. Tourists can wander along the lagoon by boat tours available at the lagoon mouth. Also in the coastal region there is an agro tourism for dragon fruit, so that the tourists can see directly the process of cultivating and picking dragon fruit.
Glagah Beach also offers a variety of tourist attractions, both regular and temporary, like a kite festival, motocross, ceremonies, and performing arts area.
To enter the region Glagah Beach, visitors will be charged levies Rp 3,000 per person. In addition, visitors will also be subject to two kinds of parking fees, at a counter charges and the location of the parking lot. In the booth fees, visitors who use motor bike Rp 1,000; car Rp 3,000 and Rp 5,000 for buses. To levy parking, if you use two-wheeled vehicle, you can park in the area by paying a levy Glagah Beach parking Rp 2,000 and Rp 5,000 for four-wheel vehicles. As for the bus and truck parking fee of Rp 10,000.
Trisik Beach

This beach is located approximately 37 kilometers from the city of Yogyakarta and can be reached via Palbapang. From the intersection Palbapang is then turned in the direction to Srandakan, then proceed to Brosot area along Progo bridge around 600 meters. From Brosot area, travel along the 5 miles to the Trisik beach, can be achieved by local transport called ANDONG (cart drawn by a horse). Trisik Beach also can be reached by bus to the coast. Trisik Beach is an attractive tourist area, especially for the angler fish, because the Gunsario river (canal) located in areas inhabited by many big fish.
Parangtritis Beach
Parangtritis is the most popular beach in Yogyakarta. Good management makeParangtritis beach clean and beautiful while still always crowded visit. Not only beach scene just presented, but we also can see the landscape rocks, mountains, etc..
When we walked south toward the coast, we’ll see a wide stretch of ocean. If you want to see a different view, we could walk to the east, there would appear green grass covering the mountains on the east coast beaches. When the water receded, there is a stretch of rocky reefs. Parangtritis has its own myth. believed to have a unified trinity of Mount Merapi, Palace, and Parangtritis. There is a myth that Parangtritis coast became a meeting between the Panembahan Sunan Kalijaga when finished ascetic. Once satisfied with enjoying the natural scenery, you can go to the grave of Bela Belu sheh many pilgrims visited the kliwon Tuesday.
As a natural tourism area, Parangtritis has equipped itself with the lodging-inns and restaurants, as well as various recreational facilities such as swimming baths, camping grounds and others. Attractions that can be visited include:
·          Wedang Beach: A mineralized hot springs that never dry all year, which is often used to cure skin diseases.
·          Parang Kusuma: Facilities that have been many such inns, mosques, restaurants and toilets.
·          Gambirowati Highlands : it is one plat that has spectacular views over complex Parangtritis beach and into the surrounding sea. This place can be reached along the road from the direction of Parangtritis to Panggang and Langse Cave which is an uphill road to the hills. Gupit hill that is on this road, often used as a place to start / jumping of hang gliding sports lovers.
Ngrenehan Beach
Located in the Kanigoro village in Saptosari district, approximately 30 km south of the Wonosari city. A shore of the bay surrounded by limestone hills stretch and has a spectacular panoramic view with white sand. Tourists can watch the activities of fishermen and enjoy sea food or take a souvenir of fresh fish.
Pantai Baron
Baron beach is quite unique and has many food vendors are available, making it suitable to take a break while enjoying a seafood meal that we can buy directly in the local fish auction place. Baron become centers of local fishermen, because of the uniqueness of this Baron beach at fence two karst cliff on the left and right into the bay. Most of the fisherman have completed their boat with engine so it can reach a wider sea. The uniqueness of others, there is a path from a stream originating from underground springs that are attached to the shoreline, so there are areas blend of fresh and salt water. Among teenagers and scouts often camping activities in this place, besides cross-country activities into the hills surrounding the bay beaches.
Kukup Beach 
Is located in the Kemadang Village in Tanjungsari District, about 1 km east of Baron beach. Sloping white sandy beaches and there are trails that cut through the hills until the Coastal Baron and a Coral Island connected by bridge. From the top of Coral Island, we can see a wide stretch of beach and very beautiful with ornamental fish in the sea water which many found in this area and very attractive tourist
Drini Beach
Drini Beach, another object, is still characterized by the same coral beach with clear sea water, in this place we used to play down the hill there is lots of coral there, looking for marine animals that are trapped in shore reefs, or reefs along the hallway that seemed to be a shield from the fierce waves south sea. Called Drini because in coastal locations there were grows Drini tree which believed  that the wood work for an antidote to venomous snakes. Apparently there is Sepanjang beaches that rarely visited, and at a certain time become a place of sea turtles landed to lay eggs, making this area as a conservation of sea turtles.

Krakal Beach
Krakal Coast is the region's most beautiful beaches, among the entire stretch of beach along the island of Java. This beach will be built into the coastal and tourist settlements, especially foreign tourists, similar with Nusa Dua Resort in Bali island.
Sundak Beach
Sundak mean Asu (dog) and Landak (hedgehogs). Sundak named because, in this region there is a spring inside a cave in a limestone cleft. The discovery of fresh water used by the locals this is due to a dog fight is chasing a porcupine that go into this cave, so that the origin of the name Sundak beach.
Wedi Ombo Beach
Another beach that we visited. But the location was separated with aboves others beach. Wedi Ombo or in the Indonesian is Pantai Pasir yang Luas, wedi is Pantai Pasir (sand) and  ombo mean Luas (wide). Bay beach of white sand area, which is visible from a far mowing. I think this beach is not inferior to the beach in Bali, very exotics when sunset or before sunrise. Around the coast there are Gremeng beach, Jungwok beach and Kalong Island, the island with thousands of bats that nest on the island. 
Way back to Yogyakarta after the morning visiting various coastal location, does not let go the opportunity to stop at a location before the bend of Semar butt, namely Bukit Hargodumilah or Bukit Bintang (star hills). Locations that have a view of the city of Yogyakarta, a very beautiful time of the sunset, see the fairy light flickering in the distance the city of Yogyakarta.  If during the day from this place can be seen Sindorodan Cleft Mountain, also of Mount Merbabu and Merapi.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Cheap holidays – Low on Cost, Big on Fun!

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Everyone loves taking holidays. Cheap holidays are not just for couples, families can really get some fantastic cheap holidays to the same destinations for just the same value.

Everyone loves taking holidays, they are a chance to get away from it all and experience a new country and culture and recharge your batteries. Sometimes though it can be difficult to budget for a holiday and that is why so many people are now taking cheap holidays all over the world. When you go on a cheap holiday you are getting exactly the same holiday as those people who have booked at the same resort and hotel – but at a higher price than you paid.
One of the main reasons that cheap holidays are available is that often as the departure date for the holiday gets closer not all of the places on the holiday are booked. This means that travel agents reduce the cost of the holiday in order to sell it, and this is where you can really get yourself a bargain, with some holidays reduced to less than half price. It is possible to get bargain holidays to anywhere in the world, you just need to be patient and watch out for the type of holiday that you want. You also need to be quite flexible to really be able to benefit from a cheap holiday as some of them are quite last minute and are reduced in the few weeks or even days before the departure date.
A Cheap holiday is not just for couples, families can really get some fantastic cheap holidays to the very best destinations all around the world which means that you can have a fun packed holiday and still have money left over. So why not keep an eye out for a cheap holiday which is perfect for families and have the holiday of a lifetime at much less than the full price?
Finding cheap holidays is actually easier than you would think, you don’t have to spend hours trawling the internet to find them, it is easy to find one as you walk down your local high street. Travel agents all advertise their bargain holidays and there are new holidays added every dayFind Article, so the next time you are walking past a travel agents take a look at what is on offer and you could be astounded.
Cheap holidays are also the perfect way to book onto a holiday that you might not usually go on. Doing this can give you some amazing experiences that you want to repeat that you wouldn’t normally go for due to the price. Imagine what it would feel like to be on a holiday of a lifetime to a far flung corner of the world knowing that you haven’t broken the bank to get there. This is exactly what will happen to you when you book yourself onto a cheap holiday.
So for a holiday that is low on cost but big on fun you need to try out cheap holidays. One thing is for sure once you have taken one you will be hooked and want to look out for amazing bargains every time you want to book a holiday.
Author : Martin Shane Jones is a Travel Writer in the UK

Cheap Freight - The Secrets to Getting Cheap Air Fares

Cheap Freights are easy if you keep these 8 tips in mind. Airlines aim to make as much money as possible. They are not going to put the cheap air fares out front, so you need to know how to find those gold mines yourself.
There are basically 8 rules I use on a regular basis when booking flights to be sure I get to my destination the cheapest way. These are tips that every person can easily use, frequently cutting the price in half you pay.
1. Make your reservation as early as possible. At least 14 days in advance. After this time, the air tickets can easily more than double in price and cheap air fares may not be available.
2. Be flexible with your travel time. Changing the day or the time of day can drastically reduce the price of your air flight. The best day to fly on is Wednesday, which is also the best day to book the flight on. The cheapest time to fly is early morning or late evening.

3. Fly during the off-season. Prices are a direct result of supply and demand. As demand goes down, prices go down as well, benefiting flyers.
4. Shop all the airlines. This is the most possible using a couple of key air travel websites. Being able to check all the airlines side-by-side can make it really easy to get those cheap air fares you're after.
5. A stopover instead of a direct flight can result in huge savings.
6. Membership in some clubs like AAA can get you discounts.
7. Look into air travel packages. Purchasing your air travel, hotel, and rental car through the same place usually gives a massive discount. Using a bigger air fare website will allow you to get both cheap air fares and cheap hotels in the same place in moments.
The prices on air fares are a direct result of competition, inventory, and demand. Competition is the airlines competing with each other. Inventory is how many seats are left open on a given flight. Demand is how many people are looking for air travel tickets.
8. By choosing the least-crowded flights that are the least in demand, you get the cheap air fares you want. It's really that simple.
As you can see, there are many ways to get better prices. If you use a good air fares website and choose the best days and times to fly, you can often get cheap freight and save a hefty amount of money in the process. Most of this is easier in practice for the well setup sites to compare all the airlines side-by-side. The cheaper prices stick out like a sore thumb. There are also many hidden deals also that don't get as known, so I have done the leg work to find you the best site to book everything from cruise ship vacations to cheap hotels to cheap air fares, all in one place. Also I have tracked down running specials on the cheap air fares, some as nice as 50% off the prices of the cheap air fares giving you deals that simply can't be beat.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Planning Your Holidays? Get Useful Tips!

What types of holiday celebrations do you want? For example: Do you want to have an immediate family only holiday affair or an extravaganza including immediate and extended family plus a few friends? Once you've thought everything through and decided on the type of holiday gathering you would like, you can then start making your plans.
If you are ready to get a head start on organizing yourself, your family and your holiday check lists, then keep reading:
I use a holiday card list that I derive from saving names and addresses from holiday cards my family has received in past years. I created a simple, computerized list that is easy to edit and print onto address labels. Be sure to stock up on stamps so that when you have your cards signed, stuffed and addressed you can affix a stamp to them and make one, simple trip to the Post Office.
There's nothing like getting a HUGE credit card bill in the mail at the start of the New Year. Many of us tend to want to be generous when shopping for holiday gifts. While your generosity will be appreciated at gift giving time, keep in mind that it is very easy to succumb to "impulse buying" and go all out on your holiday shopping. While your intentions may be good, your pocketbook may be singing a different song. Set a budget and stick to it - your bank account will thank you for it after the start of the New Year.
Wrap your gifts and place nametags on them immediately after you bring them home, then store the gifts in a secure spot. This will cut down on those late night wrapping sessions that I am sure we ALL have experienced a few times, if not every year.
If you will be cooking during the holidays, it is important to plan your meals ahead of time. Be sure to stock up ahead of time on all the necessary non-perishable baking ingredients such as flour, sugar and spices. Create a list of your holiday menus and a list of the ingredients you will need to prepare each of those meals. Also, try to think of a few dishes that can be prepared ahead of time and then frozen as an extra timesaving measure
This is one of my favorite tips. Be sure to enlist the help of your family or friends. Sit down and discuss what needs to be done then ask for volunteers. If no hands are raised, simply assign small tasks to each of them. Whether it is arranging for a babysitter so that you can escape for a child free day of shopping, passing the shopping list onto another family member or friend so that they can pick up the items for you, or letting the children decorate your home. Be sure to get the whole family involved in the holiday preparations so that you will not be overwhelmed.
Author: Mike

How to Find Fun at Home During the Holidays

All too often, the holidays are times when families don't spend enough time at home. This may sound ridiculous because holidays are supposed to be centered around the home and the family unit. Nevertheless, with shopping and everything else needing to be done at the holiday time, it can be difficult for families to find things to do at home.
The truth is that the average family must make an effort to stay home and find things that are fun to do at home. When you do stay in more, you will realize your family is happier and not nearly as stressed out! Use these tips to help spur your memory and figure out exactly what you can do this holiday season.
Family Traditions
One of the easiest ways to have fun at home during the holidays is to participate in family traditions. Many families have certain activities they do each holiday season. Some will help decorate the house with holiday decor together. No matter what you do as a family, you can guarantee that spending time together and in your home will make you feel great this holiday season. If you don't have any specific family traditions yet, you can always make this season the one where you create some great ones. There are no rules on this front, so just be creative and have fun!
Music 
Another way you can have fun at home during the holidays is by getting in the holiday mood. One of the best ways to get into the holiday mood is by playing music. Playing holiday music in your home may sound a little ridiculous to you. However, the sound of the holiday music can bring out the bonding in everyone. You can play board games with your family while listening to holiday music and eating holiday cookies. Your kids will love it!
Parties
If you love to entertain, having a party is also a great way to have fun at home. You can throw a big bash, or only have a few friends over for appetizers and eggnog. Having a holiday party is perfect because your home is likely already decorated. So, all you need to do is pick up a few food choices and make some phone calls. Of course, if you want, you can always just create a small holiday party for your children and your spouse. You can sip eggnog by the tree and sit on the floor reading stories all night. Anything you can do to help your family develop great holiday memories is a good thing.
So make an effort to stay home more this holiday season. Find things that make your family happy and try them. You just might find that you would rather stay home than go out!
Author: Jaci Rae 

Five Tips to Keep Families Healthy and Strong - Even with Challenging Children

The holidays are notorious for putting a strain on even the healthiest of families. Schedules fall out of sync, stress builds with added expectations to be available to friends and extended family members, and tens of thousands of people seem to come out of hiding, making roads and shops unbearable. This does not include the stress from the unpleasant realization that in all likelihood, children are not going to get every toy they see on television. 

To help you through the holidays, I am listing five tips that are applicable to all families, not just those with special needs children. 

1. Ensure that all family members have adequate respite. 

Parents cannot be at their best without having a break once in a while. The same is true for children. Find some way that every member of your family can get rejuvenated. Perhaps your children would like some 1-1 time with you, playing a game, doing a sensory activity, or just taking a walk. Parents may need to call in a babysitter way in advance to get some time alone together, but use this time to build your relationship instead of holiday shopping or going to another party. 

2. Eat dinner together

Eating dinner together is a healthy habit throughout the year. It is a time for your family to stay connected. Dinner does not need to be elaborate, the time together is most important. 

3. Nurture your relationships. 

While this is the focus of the holidays, nurturing relationships does not need to be made through elaborate parties. It may also be the reality that you can not possibly reach out on a personal level to everyone. If that is the case, prioritize the people that you want to connect with this year and give a call, or write a personal card. Perhaps you invite some of them out to coffee instead of sending a card. 

4. Live in the moment

There is much beauty to be found at this time of the year. Yet, the most beautiful aspects are also the easiest to miss when we are frantically shopping, sending cards, or trying desperately trying to make our house the best decorated on the block. Instead, try to notice the day to day development of your child and their sense of wonder.

5. Appreciate the little things in life

If you take some time off during the holidays, try to appreciate all that your family has. Appreciate too all that you have given your child. You may have given your child with special needs an opportunity to realize his or her full potential; an opportunity that was rare only thirty or forty years ago. Lastly, try to appreciate everything your child with a disability has given to your family. Maybe it is patience, empathy, an appreciation for humanity, or something else.

Author : Christoher R. Auer