Pinus Kita "travelling and be friend with nature, why not?"

"Pinus Kita" means our Pines. It is located in Gemaharjo Village, Tegalombo Subdistrict, Pacitan. It is on Pacitan-Ponorogo direction at around 40 km from main city eastward, then u will find sign "Pinus Kita" on the right side of main road, then turning right for around 200m more. This place becomes interesting because it is on the highland area and has a good spot for photographing in tree houses with magnificent background of Pine forest.

This Pine forest is a forest-tourism area that has cool and fresh air with beautiful nature landscape. It is on the developing process but it has some simple facilities such as; wood benches, swings, hammocks, tree houses and view post on the tree top. The entrance ticket is only Rp.2000 (less than one-half dollar) and another Rp.2000 if you want to get photograph helper.

Since it is still on developing process, the tree houses and view spots arent permanent buildings, they are only made from planks wood, but they are strong enough for us to stand. There are only bamboo ladder tied onto the tree to climb, so you need to be careful and it is better to bring safety rope on your own if needed.

There is one thing to be remebered, that we need to make a friend with nature, so take care of the waste and keep it clean. That is for Pinus Kita.

Thanks for reading.

Video for Pinus Kita (in Indonesia Language)

Goa Luweng Jaran (Cave)

This cave is located in Kasri, Jlubang Village, Pringkuku district, Pacitan. It is located on jlubang hill's area around 20 km from the central city westward. Aside of Luweng Jaran, there are other caves such as Luweng Ombo and Luweng Musuk with 60 m diameter and 100 m depth and more, which are connected by underground river.

Luweng Jaran cave was submitted on 2002 and found at the first time by local on 1984. Up till now, Luweng Jaran cave hasnt been opened for public, the strange thing is, they said that the first person who explored this cave were Bule (that is another name for foreigner) as a member of Anglo-Australia's Expedition Group on 1987. That time, the mapping of this cave reached for 11 km, then on the second expedition on 1992, this cave connected with Luweng Punung Plente (another cave) that made the length became 19 km. The last data was from 2002 with 25 km length.

The trip can be done by using motorcycle and Car to the nearest village. The road will be narrow with hill-shaped contours.  The trip then would be continued by walking to the destination.

Different with Gong Cave or Tabuhan Cave that has structure is dominated by beauty, Luweng Jaran is a underground river line, so it has the entrance like river. This Cave a swallow hole, in the other words, a place where river dissappear from the surface. This cave is also known as Labirin Cave because it has a lot of branching and leveled paths

Although this cave hasn't opened for public yet, this cave has already become a "heaven" for climber and explorer because this cave serves a great beauty and miracles. The cave's wall is naturally ornamented by underground rock like reliefs, Stalactite and Stalagmite hanging with various beauty, looks like human, animals, tower and small version of grand canyon that are very charming.


On the cave's floor was formed a small lake from clear water's drop that we can see through the floor's lake. The sound of dropping water rhythmically heard together with wind sound that leak into the cave.

One of the alley on the west chamber was constructed by ruined of big rock. Peoples need to duck between fissures. And in one area, there are one small alley where we need to creep to pass trough.

There are tools that need to be brought along in this vertical cave exploring; Kernmantle rope, Anti-friction, Cover all,  Helmet, Headlamp, Boot, Webbing and Carabiner, SRT (single rope Technique) set that consists of Chest and sit Harness , Millon Rapide , Descender, Ascender, Cow's tail, Foot loop and Medical Kit.

The first Entrance of down climbing can be used for only one rope' line because it is very small entrance. A few meters downside, we can smell karts rock, the humidity of underground, and the surrounding that become darker. In one point, there are path to south where we need to duck walking because of a lot of hanging stalagmite. Around 30 m to the south there will be a dark room with 30 m wide, it looks like an underground station decorated naturally with underground rock.

This is the second point around 25 m downward, that make us realized how big this cave is. On this point, it has 3 alleys, from east, south, and West. The line toward 25km length is the South alley. 

There is small river flowing where various caves animal live, such as shrimps and small fishes with their transparent body and some arthropod such as spiders and crickets, The river flow become bigger and oxygen become thinner downward, so oxygen tube is needed here.      

Up till now, there sill has no exact information about how deep luweng jaran is.

Luweng Jaran Gallery & Luweng Jaran Video

Ceprotan Traditional Ceremony (Donorojo-Pacitan)

"Ceprotan"  is a traditional ceremony that has cleaning purpose which is done by people in Sekar Village, Donorojo, Pacitan. This traditional ceremony is held in every Monday Kliwon, Longkang Moon, or Selo (Kliwon , Longkang and Selo is Java's Calendar Stuff). This sole purpose of this traidition is to get rid of any danger for its peoples and nobody wants to neglect this ceremony.

Peoples believe that it would give them bad effect to the village if they don't held the ceremony, such as; more peoples got sick and failed in farming often happen. "This Ceprotan tradition will never be stopped, even in the future." said Imam Tukidjo one of the peoples in the middle of the ceremony.

The series of sacred Ceprotan Ceremony is started by gathering chickens from some peoples. This ceremony is lead by a village Chief. The peak of this procession would be in afternoon where the sun began to dawn. It would be started with "surup" (sun dawn) dance, then the elder start to pray, and the Chief Village would take a role as another person Called Ki Godeg, and his wife would have a role as Dewi Sekartaji.

It is like some other traditions in Java Island. The background of Ceprotan was based of the collapse of Kediri Kingdom that was divided into two smaller Kingdoms; Jenggolo Kingdom and Doho Kingdom.

It was told that a romantic relationship from a young couple also became a victim from the kingdom's splitted up. The love relationship between Raden Panji Wanengpati and Dewi Sekartaji was broken. Both of them had to run from the kingdom to save their lives.

For tens years, they were looking each other. Finally, they met in a particular area that in the future would be came Sekar Village. 

"Dewi Sekartaji pretended to be Brambang Bawang, while Radeb Raden Panji Wanengpati became Kyai Godheg. When Raden Panji opened the forest in this area, he met with with Dewi Sekartaji. The word "Sekar Village" was based from the name of Sekartaji." Said that long haired man.

Smokes from incenses started to mix with the dawn sensation. The incenses aroma made the magic sensation stronger. In a small stage 2x2 meters size with young coconut leaves as its fence and banyan leaves, the elder faced a incenses pot. His mouth muttered a strange chanting. That was a beginning of Ceprotan's ritual.

A while after that, a group of people with traditional Java costumes brought a carriage with 2 meters high. There were a offering foods inside. Started from Ketan, Jadah, roasted chicken, etc.

At the very front, Imam Tukidjo which acted as Kyai Godeg and the wife Dewi Sekartaji that was acted by Sri Gianti, the wife of Imam Tukidjo, they were really into the ceremony. With the procession movements that mixed beautifully with the Gamelan music, both of them brought the offer near the gate that was made from the yellow coconuts leaves.  

"This ritual told us about Kyai Godeg and Dewi Sekartaji when they started their life as teacher in the old days." said Imam Tukidjo enthusiastically.

Two roasted chicken that were in the carriage was brought by two peoples that running around in the middle of the field. Then peoples around the field would throwing them with young coconuts. 

"Who dare to snatch the roasted chicken would be "ceprot" (thrown at) with coconuts. It told us about the Kyai Godheg pupils that snatching food from others." said that man.

Tumpak Rinjing Monument

Statue of The Patriots

Monument Tumpak Rinjing is located at Dadapan Village, in District Pringkuku Pacitan. This monument is built as reminder of guerrilla route that was performed by Big Commander, General Sudirman in Pacitan in order to fight the colonization. There are two big statue at that monument. They are General Sudirman and Brigadier General Ignatius Slamet Riyadi as the leader of the war and guerrilla. This monument also was built to remember the service of the patriots that died in Tumpak Rinjing war against the convoy army of Colonial Netherland that was happened in June 7th, 1948.

The access road to this monument is very easy, using the "Pacitan-Solo bus". That monument is right at the rear read. The area of this monument is not large, and there are no facility. It is just a good place if you want to stop from your journey to take a rest, or taking a photo, or somehow, want to remember or give honor to the patriots. 

That monument also is a favorite route for senior high school in their exploring for extracurricular program. In some occasion, that place is used for "Palagan Tumpak Rinjing" Event. It is a marching festival. Peoples made a group for 10 peoples and walk from the central of Pacitan (alon-alon), to the Pringkuku and pass Monument Tumpak rinjing, and back to the alon-alon. It is about walking for 35km endurance, started from 8pm (night) to 7am (morning).

This place is good as a resting place for biker, before continuing their journey. The location is rather shady with the blowing wind and the tree surround it. The shelters there is the best place to rest and eat your food. Make sure to keep that place clean.

That is for Monument of Tumpak Rinjing. See you in my next post. Bye. <more picture>

Gesingan Beach

This place is located in Dadapan Village, Pringkuku. It is about 15 km from alon alon pacitan. You can come here follow the Pacitan-Solo's bus route. You will find Monument Tumpak Rinjing, on the left side road, with a small narrow road with a small gate right after that monument. Turn in to that gate and follow the road through a village. The road is still in asphalt form, but in very bad condition. You will find a three section after it, make sure that you turn left, then follow the road again. From here, the road will change into macadam. 

Following that macadam road, you will arrive at the wide area, that you can see the landscape of South Ocean from there. Such beautiful scenery. That wide area is called Lapangan Tembak (Fire Practiceing Field). Sometimes, that area is used by Indonesian Army to practice Shooting Fire arm. Peoples can not go to Gesingan Beach using that route if the Army still in practice. It is happened rarely though, so don't worry about that.

From Lapangan Tembak, you must go by walking. Go straight to south, and you will find down path, follow it. The gesingan beach is located rather in the left,. When you find a splitting path, make sure to choose left. If you walk the wrong way, you will reach under the field, that only contain dangerous cliffs. The way down is rather long, maybe about 10 minutes walking.

Gesingan beach is still quiet place, has its white sand, coral along the shore with some traditional fisherman there looking for sea shell. That place also a good choice for fishing. The scenery from that beach is very beautiful, without a noise from seller, clean area, that can make you enjoy vacation. Taking picture from many angle using the unique coral that spread along that small beach.

The pacitan-solo course itself is also another good point. You can enjoy the trip by looking the scenery of teleng ria beach from upside. Some time you will find a shady area with a large tree and fresh air in the middle of your trip. If you still have enough time, you can also visit Loh denok. They are very close.

That is all for Gesingan Beach. See you in my another post. Bye.
<More Picture>

Loh Denok and Pacitan Indah

Loh Denok is located in "Pacitan-Solo" bus route. It is about 12 km from the center of pacitan to the west. It is on the same direction with Teleng Ria Beach and Monument of Tumpak Rinjing. It is right beside the main road. Loh Denok is not officially called as Pacitan Tourism, but it surely has a good scenery. You can see the view from above, see the whole pacitan city, its beach, its town, its mountain and with the mild blowing wind up there. At the night time, when you pass Loh Denok, you will see the beautiful light from lamp in the city, it is looked as a black sea with the stars light in it. With the real stars spread on the night sky high.  

There was a Dawet Ice and Lotes (like fruid salad) in the small food stall made from wood. That was my favourite, it was cheap and yummy. Now, the stall is not there anymore. Regardless it is daylight or night, Loh Denok is a favorite place for couple teenagers. The place is somehow, romantic and refreshing.

You can Park your car or motorcycle there, then walk for 10m to north, walking in the grass path. There, you can find an old fortress left from war period. That fortress face ocean in order to observe incoming attack from ocean. There are a buried underground, but you can still walk down there.

Or, from your car or motorcycle, you can also walk 10m to south, walking in the brush path, you will find an old building. It is the most favorite place for couple to do something, or just enjoying the scenery. If you want to take picture of sunset or sen rice, this old building is your right place, since you can climb up to the building roof to take picture. That old building is strong enough for you all to stand up there.

Pacitan Indah

There are also another place similar with Loh denok. It is called "Pacitan Indah", that place is also not officialy known as Tourism location, but it is good enough to take a rest and got rid of all stiff in your body. It is also a favourite place for coulpes, and also for whole family to do a picnic. It is located on the west side of loh denok. It is about 25km from Central of Pacitan, or 10 Km to the west more after Loh denok.

This location is in responsibility of government forest agency. This place is rather shady, with a lot of big tree around that area. The wind is also blowing and make your self refreshed. You can also see the beauty of pacitan with its vast ocean from above. There are wooden building as sign of that place that originally used by government forest agency.

That is for Loh Denok and Pacitan Indah, see you in my next post. Bye. <More Picture>

Limo Mountain

Gunung Limo is one of the object of tourism in pacitan. It about 15 km from Alon-Alon Pacitan to the East, in mantren village, District of Kebonagung. You can get there by using JLS (South Line Road) and turn left before the Woro Wari Bridge. Look for Gayam Traditional market, then turn left again follow the road. The JLS road is plain and wide, but you will find a rather difficult small road with hill contour after Gayam traditional Market. Another information, from Gayam Traditional Market you can also go to Wawaran Beach and Woro wari Beach. Dont you worry about your motor cycle or Car, because there are a wide parking area on Gunung Limo's Foot.

Gunung Jepen, Bathok, Lanang (left).---------Gunung Limo series (right)

From many Mounts in pacitan, gunung Limo is believed at the mountain that omit highest spiritual energy because of his history. But it is up to you to believe of not, but came here with good intention is the best thing that you can do about its spiritual energy. Among the mountains in pacitan, gunung Limo has phenomenon of real jungle. You can find high and big three with the vine hanging around there. The ascend food path will guide you onto its peak. You will find, sometime, climbing using an emergency ladder with a rope as helper in some difficult path. Right before its peak, you will find a big rock that have a crack as a small tunnel. The crack is very narrow, it only can be used for one person. It is believed, that people with a bad intention, regardless how big their body size will not be able to pass that crack. But people with a good intention do. That crack also known with the name of "selo Matangkep" or "Watu Apit"
 
After passed that rock, you will find its peak. There are two peaks in gunung Limo, the first peak is the nearest with the cracking rock. From there, you can see the Beautiful panorama of kebonagung village, with the wind is strongly blowing. That is my favorite place, although you can not build your tent here because it has a rock as its foundation .

Then you can walk a little bit further to find another peak. That is higher that first peak, you can see the spreading beaches in pacitan. If you want to camp, this peak is better because it has a solid ground to build a tent and the wind is not strong.

In gunung Limo, there are also place called "pertapan". It is a place for hermit to pray. That is like a shallow cave, some people often use that place to pray (in their own believe) and bring some incense and myrrh there. If you are brave enough, it is also good place to sleep, no need to worry about the rain that "pertapan". Enjoy your recreation, your camping, with your friends, and don't worry to bring your Guitar. 

Always remember this thing,"Don't Take anything but picture, don't Left anything but Footprints and don't Kill anything but time". Keep the area clean. Happy Camping!

That is for Gunung Limo, See you next time in my another post. Bye. <More picture>