Pangandaran: Boats tour Green Canyon and Cliff Jumping Green Valley
Universal Traveller – Travelling ‘Round The World Pangandaran, a place to remember: Banana pancake with chocolate for breakfast, a breathtaking boats tour through the Green Canyon and a lot of fun at More »
Java in 10 days
Universal Traveller – Travelling ‘Round The World Sightseeing in Jakarta, boats tour to the Green Canyon and Cliff jumping in the Green Valley, visiting one of the most famous Buddhist temples in More »
Jakarta – The gateway to Indonesia
Universal Traveller – Travelling ‘Round The World I have one week vacation and want to discover Java. My first stop is Jakarta: Monument, Grand Indonesia and the historic part Kota. It is More »
Beach-Hopping on Bali’s southern peninsula
Universal Traveller – Travelling ‘Round The World Beautiful white sandy beaches with high cliffs and turquoise blue water. A temple with a fascinating view and lots of monkeys. This weekend I did More »
By car from Fez to Marrakech
Universal Traveller – Travelling ‘Round The World More than 1.500 kilometer from Fez to Marrakech through the Sahara desert and over big mountains. We slept outside at the campfire, got in a More »
Haw Par Villa, Singapore
Universal Traveller – Travelling ‘Round The World
Haw Par Villa is a theme park in Singapore with more than 1.000 statues and 150 dioramas inspired from Chinese folklore, history and mythology.
The park is divided into different areas. Each of the areas portrays storys and events based on famous Chinese Historical personalities, mythology and legends. The Ten Courts of Hell legend, which depicts scenes of punishment and reincarnation popular to Buddhist belief, is probably the most well-known:
Ten Courts of Hell
*The following descriptions of each Court are excerpts taken from inside the cave
The origin of “Ten Courts of Hell” is believed to be based on the Indian Buddhist legend of the ‘World of Sufferings’ where one would be punished in ‘Hell’ for sins committed in one’s present life.
The Buddhist concepts of ‘Hell’ and ‘Yama’ had spread to China during the late Tang Dynasty. Over the centuries, the Chinese had adopted and integrated their ideas into their own belief systems.
Each of the ‘Ten Courts’ is presided over by a ‘Yama’ taking charge of the various torture chambers to penalize evildoers. These ‘Yamas’ would decree the different methods and severity of punishment to be meted out based on one’s past deeds.
The idea of ‘One Reaps what One Sows’ and ‘Cause and Effect’ is the central tenet that serves to restrain antisocial behavior and determine Chinese ethical and moral core values over the centuries.
“Ox-Head” and “Horse-Face”
‘Ox-head’ and ‘Horse-face’ are guards or escorts of the “Nether World” (Ten Courts of Hell). Disseminated through religious and traditional folk custom, they impress people with ferocious features and are stern executors.
According to a recent publication entitled “Popular Gods of China”. “Ox-head” is hell soldier and “Horse-face” is Lousha a wicked ghost who act as guardsmen at the gate of hell. When the spirits arrive, they would chase them into the gate of hell with a steel spear and ivory stick to face the various punishment given by the Yamas or Emperors of Hell.
This design of “Ox-head” and Horse-face” to guard the gate of hell is based on legendary Chinese tradition beliefs.
First Court of Hell Yama: King Qinguang
In the First Court of Hell, King Qinguang conducts preliminary trials and each prisoner is judged according to his deeds in his past life. The ‘good’ are distinguished from the ‘evil’ and the King recommends appropriate reward or punishment. Punishment is then carried out in the various Courts.
Those with virtuous conduct in their past life will be led over the ‘Golden Bridge’ to reach paradise.
Those whose past good deeds outweigh crimes committed will be sent to the ‘Silver Bridge’ to reach paradise.
Those who were evil doers in their past life will be sent to repent before the ‘Mirror of Retribution’ and then taken to a subsequent Court of Hell to be punished.
Second Court of Hell – Yama: King Chujiang
| Crime | Punishment |
|---|---|
| - Inflicting physical injury - Conmen - Robbers | - Thrown into volcanic pit |
| - Corruption - Stealing and gambling | - Frozen into blocks of ice |
| - Prostitutes | - Thrown into a pool of blood and drowned |
Third Court of Hell – Yama: King Songdi
| Crime | Punishment |
|---|---|
| - Ungratefulness - Disrespect to elders - Escape from prison | - Heart cut-out |
| - Drug addicts & traffickers - Tomb robbers - Urging people into crime and social unrest | - Tied to red hot copper pillar and grilled |
Fourth Court of Hell – Yama: King Wuguan
| Crime | Punishment |
|---|---|
| - Tax dodger - Refusal to pay rent - Business fraud | - Pounded by stone malle |
| - Disobedience to one’s siblings - Lack of filial piety | - Grounded by a large stone |
“Wang-Si” Town
This accommodates those where were wronged and driven to their death. They would be asked to view how their enemies receive retribution. They would then be judged on their past deeds and given an appropriate punishment.
Fifth Court of Hell – Yama: King Yanluo
| Crime | Punishment |
|---|---|
| - Plotted another’s death for his property or money - Money lenders with exorbitant interest rates | - Thrown onto a hill of knives |
The Viewing Home Tower is for the evildoers to see how their relatives and family are suffering as a result of their wrong-doings.
Sixth Court of Hell – Yama: King Piencheng
| Crime | Punishment |
|---|---|
| - Cheating - Cursing - Abducting others | - Thrown onto a tree of knives |
| - Misuse of books - Possession of pornographic material - Breaking written rules and regulations - Wasting food | - Body sawn into two |
Seventh Court of Hell – Yama: King Taishan
| Crime | Punishment |
|---|---|
| - Rumour-mongers - Sowing discord among family members | - Tongue pulled out |
| - Rapits - Driving someone to their death | - Thrown into wok of boiling oil |
Eigth Court of Hell – Yama: King Dushi
| Crime | Punishment |
|---|---|
| - Lack of filial obedience - Causing trouble for parents or family members - Cheating during examinations | - Intestines and organs pulled out |
| - Harming others to benefit oneself | - Body dismembered |
Ninth Court of Hell – Yama: King Pingdeng
| Crime | Punishment |
|---|---|
| - Robbery - Murder - Rape - Any other unlawful conduct | - Head and arms chopped off |
| - Neglect of the old and the young | - Crushed under boulders |
Tenth Court of Hell – Yama: King Zhuanlun
In the Tenth Court, there is the ‘Wheel of Reincarnation’ and the ‘Pavilion of Forgetfulness’ (“Men-Po” Pavilion).
After serving their sentences, prisoners arrive at the Tenth Court where King Zhuanglun passes final judgment. The prisoners are then brought to the ‘Pavilion of Forgetfulness’ where an old lady ‘Men Po’ hands them a cup of magic tea which on drinking, makes them forget their past lives.
They will then go through the ‘Wheel of Reincarnation’. Depending on the prisoner’s past life, he would either be reborn either as human or an animal. Some would be reborn into a life of ease and comfort whilst others into sorrow and suffering.
Meng Po
Sinners who have been punished will be led to the Pavilion of forgetfulness where an old lady, Meng Po hands them a cup of magic tea which when drunk helps them forget their past lives.
After they have drunk the magic tea, the sinners leave the Ten Courts of Hell via one of the six paths of the Wheel of Reincarnation or Samsara.
When I visited the park it was not well-attented and it seems that its best times are already over. However for me it was definitly one of the highlights of my trip to Singapore and definitly worth it to visit. I especially liked the story of the “Ten Courts of Hell”. When you are in Singapore and have two or three hours time I recommend you thinking about visiting this extraordinary place.
Essential information
Opening hours
Daily 9am – 7pm
Entrance fee
Free entrance
How to get there
The Circle Line station, Haw Par Villa MRT Station is located next to the park.
Universal Traveller – Travelling ‘Round The World
Pangandaran: Boats tour Green Canyon and Cliff Jumping Green Valley
Universal Traveller – Travelling ‘Round The World
Pangandaran, a place to remember: Banana pancake with chocolate for breakfast, a breathtaking boats tour through the Green Canyon and a lot of fun at body rafting in the Green valley.
It is already after midnight when I finally arrive in Pangandaran. I am really tired after almost 10 hours in the bus. I want to eat and to sleep and do not want to talk to anyone. However, as usual in Asia there are many taxi drivers and people who want to sell all kind of souvenirs and food. I ignore them all and walk down the street in the hope that it is the right direction. After 400 meters I arrive at an archway where I have to pay a small entrance fee and have to fill in my name in a big, old book. Before me people from all over the world already have signed.
I am lucky and find very quickly a nice and cheap hostel. A double room including breakfast costs only 90.000 IDR. For the breakfast I can choose between Toasts with eggs or jam and banana pancake with chocolate. Along with it I get mixed fruit juice and coffee or tea. After a few hours of sleep I take a banana pancake. I really enjoy eating something different than Mie Goreng Ayam or Nasi Goreng (Fried Noodles with chicken or Fried Rice). I get the food served on a nice terrace with a view on the beach.
Green Canyon
Strengthened I decide to rent a motorbike. I want to go to the Green Canyon, one highlight of my trip through Java. I start at my hotel and drive along the coast. I see many beautiful beaches and stop time by time to take some photos. The Canyon is only 31 kilometers away from Pangandaran however I need more than one hour to get there because the streets are partly pretty bad.
Arrived at the Canyon I rent a boat with driver for 125.000 IDR. From the starting point we drive the river up for about 20 minutes until we reach the Canyon. It is an amazing place. The water is flowing between huge walls of hills. I want to see more and pay another 50.000 IDR for half an hour swimming. Together with a guide I climb up a small waterfall and swim deeper into the Canyon. I jump from a 5 meter high rock rising from the canyon floor into a deep pool below. It is a lot of fun and definitely a place worth it to visit.
We swim back to the waterfall and want to take the boat back. However, the boat is not there. I have two options, either I have to wait for the boat or I have to swim one kilometer out of the Canyon. I decide to swim back between the boats and become unwanted a tourist attraction. Many people take photos of me and cheer me enthusiastic on. On Bali I met already many local people who wanted to take a photo with me. However here on Java it is even more extreme as here are barely international tourists.
Cliff Jumping Green Valley
Today I want to go by scooter to “Citumang”, which is compared to the Green Canyon rather unknown. The English name is Green Valley and it is 15 kilometer outside Pangandaran. It is slightly more difficult to get there but definitely worth it. There are barely any tourists and there is no need for expensive boats or tours.
I nevertheless decide to make a one hour guided tour which is actually kind of body rafting and costs 120.000 IDR (about 9 Euros) for two persons. Therefore we get our own guide and someone who accompanies us for taking pictures. We first swim to a small cave. The guide asks me if I want to jump from the cliff. I do not really listen to him when he is telling me how high it is and just follow him climbing up the rock face. He jumps first … and me …. Well, it is much higher than I have expected. I ask the guide again … 8 meters.
While I am standing at the cliff a group of local tourists is taking pictures and trying to encourage me to jump. I have no chance. I wanted to jump … so I have to jump. There is No Way Out. I take my courage in both hands. It is a good feeling to have outgrown my fear and I am a little bit proud that I did it.
From the Cave we jump down some waterfalls and swim relaxed back to the starting point. It was so much fun and a nice way to discover the Green Valley.
Are you also planning to go to Java, Indonesia? Trip Idea: Java in 10 days
Universal Traveller – Travelling ‘Round The World
Java in 10 days
Universal Traveller – Travelling ‘Round The World
Sightseeing in Jakarta, boats tour to the Green Canyon and Cliff jumping in the Green Valley, visiting one of the most famous Buddhist temples in the world and one of the most active volcanoes worldwide, sunrise on the Bromo volcano,Madakaripura waterfall and a last day in Surabaya.
Day 1 – Arrival in Jakarta
The easiest way to get to Java is by plane. From Bali it takes about 1.5 hours with Airasia. The airport is located 20 km west of Jakarta. A taxi costs more or less 130.000 IDR. It is also possible to take a bus which costs 30.000 IDR per person. When you arrive in Jakarta you should first look for a Hotel or Hostel. I chose the “New memories Café & hostel” (Jl. Jaksa 17 Central, Jakarta) which is near the monument. The hostel is simple but cheap. A double room with fan costs 95.000 IDR (7.30 Euros) and a room with AC and hot shower 200.000 IDR.
After sunset I would suggest to go to the Monument as it is way nicer during night time. You can also go to one of the big shopping malls like for example “Grand Indonesia” which is open until 10 p.m.
Read more here: Jakarta – The gateway to Indonesia
Day 2 – Jakarta and bus to Pangandaran
In Jakarta there is actually not that much to do and see. One interesting place is the historic city “Kota Jakarta” in the north. From there you can also go to the harbor.
From Kota I took a taxi to the bus station “Kampung Rambutan” in the south of the city. It takes about 1.5 hours and costs with bargaining 100.000 IDR. You can also take a bus which costs less than 1 euro. From the bus station there are many different busses going to Pangandaran. I first went to Banjar and from there further to Pangandaran. It was a 10 hours bus drive and cost about 100.000 IDR (7,70 Euros).
Day 3 – Green Canyon
Pangandaran is a small city with a very nice beach. It is a silent place with barely tourists. I suggest you taking a room at Panorama a la Plage Hotel. A double room including breakfast costs only 90.000 IDR. For the breakfast you can choose between Toasts with eggs and banana pancake with chocolate. The owner is very nice and gave us many tips what to do in Pangandaran and surrounding.
I rented a motorbike for 50.000 IDR and drove to the Green Canyon (Cukang Taneuh). The streets are partly pretty bad so that you should calculate at least a one hour drive for the 31 kilometers. Arrived at the Canyon you can rent a boat with driver for 125.000 IDR. When you want to swim you have to pay another 100.000 IDR but it is definitely worth it.
Read more here: Pangandaran: Boats tour Green Canyon and Cliff Jumping Green Valley
Day 4 – Green Valley and national park
Another trip idea for Pangandaran is the Green Valley which is located between Pangandaran and the Green Canyon. Here you can do a one hour guided tour which is actually kind of body rafting for 120.000 IDR for two persons.
When you still have time you can go to the small national park at the end of Pangandaran. The entrance costs 30.000 IDR per person. Here you can see different kind of animals and a nice beach. It is interesting but in my opinion no Must-See.
Day 5 – Train to Yogyakarta
From Pangandaran you can take a bus to the train station in Sidareja. It takes about 2 hours and costs 25.000 IDR. The train to Yogyakarta arrives at 12:15 in Sidareja. I would suggest taking a bus at 9 a.m. from Pangandaran because the streets are pretty bad and you never know what happens. The business class in the train costs 210.000 IDR (about 16 Euros) and it takes around 3.5 hours from Sidareja to Yogyakarta. You can buy your train ticket in the post office in Pangandaran. More information concerning train times and fares can be found on the Indonesia Railways website www.kereta-api.co.id.
Day 6 – Famous Buddhist temple
Yogyakarta is a good starting point to visit Borobudur, one of the most famous Buddhist temples in the world. The entrance fee is 195.000 IDR or 95.000 IDR for students. Within the area you can make a ten minutes round trip with a small train which costs another 7.500 IDR. The temple is really impressive and definitely worth it to visit. From the temple you can drive to Kaliurang which is the south starting point for hiking tours to the Merapi volcano. I would suggest staying at Vogels hostel. A big room for two persons costs 150.000 IDR.
Day 7 – Merapi – One of the most active volcanoes worldwide
Vogels hostel offers daily hiking tours to the Merapi, one of the most active volcanoes worldwide. The tour starts at 4 a.m. with a 15 minutes breakfast and a short briefing. During the tour you will make several stops to see the sunrise and to take photos of the Merapi. The tour ends at about 10 a.m. at the hostel. After a small break you can drive back to Yogyakarta and take a train at 4 p.m. to Surabaya which costs 90.000 IDR and arrives at 20:47 p.m.
Day 8 – Transport to Bromo volcano
From the bus terminal Bungurasih in Surabaya you can take a bus to Probolingo. It takes between two and three hours and costs 23.000 IDR. From Probolingo there are Mini busses going to Cemara Lawang which is the starting point for the Bromo volcano tours. A ticket costs 25.000 IDR and the bus starts when it is full which can take some time depending on the time and day. Alternatively you can also go by shuttle bus which starts regular and costs 50.000 IDR. Cemara Lawang is a small village wherefore the hotels are a bit more expensive.
Day 9 –Sunrise at Bromo and insider tip Madakaripura Waterfall
The best way to discover the Bromo is by Jeep which costs 100.000 IDR (7.60 Euros) plus 25.000 IDR entrance fee for the national park. You get picked up at 3.30 and first go to a view point where you can see the sunrise. Afterwards the driver brings you to the Bromo where you can go up to the crater. It is really amazing and worthwhile. After the tour you can rent a car with driver who drives you from Bromo to the Madakaripura Waterfall which is located between Cemara Lawang and Probolingo. Most tourists only go to the Bromo and do not even know about the waterfall so that there are barely tourists. It is one of the most beautiful waterfalls I have ever seen. From the waterfall you can go back to Surabaya via Probolingo.
Day 10 – Surabaya
The hotels in Suarbaya are in average more expensive than in other parts of Java. I recommend you staying at Krowi Inn (Jl. Chiliwung 66, Surabaya 60241). A very nice and clean double room with shared bathroom costs 200.000 IDR.
Depending on how much time you have, you can also make a tour from Yogyakarta to the Bromo and Ijen volcano. You first go by bus to Cemara Lawang where you stay one night. On the next day you can see the sunrise at Mount Bromo. Afterwards you go by Mini bus to Paltuding Post which is the starting point for a 3 kilometer trekking to the Ijen crater. From the Ijen you can go back to Yogyakarta or to the Ferry station. For 70.000 IDR it is possible to go by ferry and bus to Denpasar, Bali. I did not make this tour but it might be an option when you plan to go to Bali afterwards.
Universal Traveller – Travelling ‘Round The World
I provide all information for free and you are always welcome to ask questions. However I would really appreciate a small donation to finance my next trips.
Thank you very much
Tim
Jakarta – The gateway to Indonesia
Universal Traveller – Travelling ‘Round The World
I have one week vacation and want to discover Java. My first stop is Jakarta: Monument, Grand Indonesia and the historic part Kota.
It is midday when my plane from Denpasar, Bali takes off to Jakarta on the neighbor island Java. Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia and with 10 million inhabitants the most populous city in Indonesia and in Southeast Asia, and the thirteenth most populated city in the world.
Arrived in Jakarta I first look for a cheap hostel and find one near the monument for only 45.000 IDR per person. It is a simple room with fan and two small beds. Enough for me. After a quick shower I ask some locals where to go. The result is sobering. “There is nothing to do in Jakarta”. I cannot believe it. In every city there is at least one nice place. I decide to just go and discover the city by my own.
From my hostel I first go to Jakarta’s national monument “Monas”. It is located in the centre of Merdeka (Freedom) square and 137 meter high. The best time to visit the monument is during night. It is very nice illuminated, with changing colours.
It is already dark whereas I decide to go to the shopping mall “Grand Indonesia”. It is one of the largest upscale shopping centres in Southeast Asia with over 130,000 m2. The complex includes a shopping mall and a hotel and is connected to the Blitz Megakomplex, the largest cinema in Indonesia. The mall is really impressive and you can easily spend a few hours there.
On the next day I check-out early and take a tuk-tuk to Kota, the historic part of Jakarta. It is also known as Old Jakarta and Old Batavia. While walking through the small streets you can see old buildings and nice squares. It is compared to the city center calmer and I only saw a few other international tourists.
From Kota I take a taxi to the bus station in the South of Jakarta. I do not agree that there is nothing to do in Jakarta but I am also not sad to leave the city after 1.5 days. I will take a bus to Pangandaran, where I want to see the Green Canyon and the Green Valley.
Are you also planning to go to Java, Indonesia? Trip Idea: Java in 10 days
Universal Traveller – Travelling ‘Round The World
Beach-Hopping on Bali’s southern peninsula
Universal Traveller – Travelling ‘Round The World
Beautiful white sandy beaches with high cliffs and turquoise blue water. A temple with a fascinating view and lots of monkeys. This weekend I did a tour with the scooter to Bali’s southern peninsula.
It is early in the morning when I start with three friends my first big trip on Bali. From my Hotel in Denpasar I take the Sunset Road down to Jimbaran. It is a small fishing village with some tourist resorts and a nice beach. After about one hour on the scooter I really enjoy jumping into the water.
From Jimbaran I take a small road that winds along the coast. The traffic is more relaxed than in the city and the airstream is cooling. At the end of the street I find a very nice, secluded beach. It is surrounded by high cliffs and the water is turquoise blue. It is the first highlight on my tour.
Balangan Beach
Balangan is one of the most beautiful beaches of Bali. It is well known and visited by surfers from all over the World. The long stretch of white sand is flanked by rocky cliffs and there are some nice places to eat traditional food or have a cold drink.
It is already late in the afternoon and I decide to stay one night here. On the beach there are a few very laid-back warungs which cost about 50.000 Rupiah per night. I decide to rent a four person bungalow together with three friends for 450.000 Indonesian Rupiah (about 35 Euros) .
At the end of the day I enjoy the beautiful sunset.
Dreamland Beach
Dreamland beach is a very touristic place. Instead of old and simple warungs like at Balangan beach, there is a big hotel complex and several leisure facilities. On the other hand, the beach convinces with white sand and it is a good place for swimming.
In the Internet I have found this photo which shows how the beach looked like before big investors built up the hotel complex.
Uluwatu Beach
To get to the beach you have to go down some steep steps. When I arrived there it was currently tide wherefore the beach was sadly flooded. However the spectacular view could definitly compensate it.
Close to the beach there is the Uluwatu temple. The entrance fee is 20.000 Indonesian Rupiah (about 1.5 €) and you need to be properly dressed to enter. The temple is inhabited by a large number of monkeys who are extremely adept at snatching visitors’ belongings. The view from the temple is really fascinating whereas the temple itself is not that impressive.
Nusa Dua Beach
The last beach on my trip is in Nusa Dua. It is a white sandy beach that stretches for many kilometers. I go swimming and relax for a few hours before I head back home to my hotel in Denpasar.
More Photos can be found here.
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Universal Traveller – Travelling ‘Round The World
