Opted to extend my stay in Yogyakarta for a day to explore Kukup beach along the southern coast. So I secured an extra night at my accommodation and prolonged the moped rental. Despite intending to start my day early, I ended up oversleeping.
Amazing Advice
At 9 am, I rose and enjoyed a swift breakfast by the pool. As mentioned earlier, my time at Tropis Homestay has been fantastic, largely due to the exceptional owners. Each morning, I’d relish breakfast by the pool, skillfully prepared and served by the homestay’s gracious hostess. Post serving, she’d inquire about my plans and offer insightful suggestions—this morning was no exception.
Today’s plan involved a road trip to the southern coast of Java, approximately 50 kilometers from Yogyakarta, with the intention of exploring a beach. While chatting with the hostess, my French neighbors overheard and advised against Parangtritis beach. Expressing my interest in Kukup beach, they provided valuable insights. Rather than taking the direct highway route (60 kilometers from Yogyakarta), they suggested heading to Parangtritis first (20 kilometers south of Yogyakarta) and then navigating to Kukup beach via scenic rural hilly roads. Their recommendation was spot-on—I thoroughly enjoyed the journey!
The Route from Parangtritis to Kukup
Shortly after, I departed from Tropis Homestay, took a left onto Jalan Parangtritis, and the path ahead was clear—just keep heading straight. Surprisingly effortless, I reached Pantai Parangtritis in a mere 40 minutes. I explored the surroundings, capturing some memorable snapshots along the way.
I lingered briefly, finding the place somewhat deserted and showing signs of wear. However, I decided to move on quickly, eager to reach the other beaches at the earliest. The journey to those beaches from Parangtritis was over an hour, and I wanted to make the most of my time.
As advised by the French couple, the roads were impeccable. I encountered small, narrow, and steep stretches, transforming intermittently into expansive, well-paved, straight racing tracks. Racing along these roads at a smooth 100 kilometers per hour was exhilarating. The absence of weekend traffic allowed me to enjoy the ride to the fullest, as weekends tend to draw crowds to these beaches. Capturing the essence of the journey, I took snapshots of the diverse roads along the way.
As I ventured, friendly locals warmly greeted me, with plenty of smiles and even some high-fives from cheerful children—quite the mood lifter, haha! My initial destination was Pantai Baron, just 2 kilometers north of Pantai Kukup. However, I couldn’t help but notice a change in the weather, which sparked a bit of concern. Upon arriving at the beach, my attention was drawn to a hill on the left. Spotting a trail, I couldn’t resist the urge to explore and decided to follow it.
Pantai Baron
The scenery, as usual, was breathtaking, and I proceeded along the cliffside path. Witnessing the waves crash against the cliffs below was a mesmerizing sight. In complete solitude, with no locals in sight, I strolled along the path for about 10 minutes, heading towards a viewing platform atop the hill. From there, I enjoyed a panoramic view that included Kukup beach, situated to the left of the hill.
Upon reaching the shelter, a light drizzle began. I lingered for about ten minutes at the petite outlook, and fortunately, the rain subsided. As I retraced my steps back to the beach, I encountered a transformed trail, now muddy and slippery due to the recent rainfall.
Pantai Kukup
Opting for Kukup beach, I reached the destination in just fifteen minutes, thankfully with the rain having ceased. The approach to the beach involved a leisurely stroll, and it was surprisingly secluded! Imagining better weather, I could easily picture myself lounging on the beach. I took a brief walk to the nearby small island, spending a total of only 30 minutes there.
While heading back to my moped, I engaged in a lively chat with some Yogyakarta girls who were keen on snagging a photo with the giant “bule.” The condition of Kukup beach seemed a bit worn, suggesting that a revitalizing makeover would do wonders.
Indonesian Fruit
Back at my hotel, I started planning for the next day. Engaged in a pleasant conversation with one of my neighbors, a 66-year-old gentleman named Prio from Bogor. He generously shared some locally abundant Indonesian fruit called Salak with me. It’s a unique flavor for me, hard to describe, but quite enjoyable. Prio handed me ten salaks and mentioned he had another kilo in his room, offering more, but I graciously declined. The gesture was already more than generous!
In the afternoon, I indulged in a brief hour-long nap, and during the late afternoon and evening, I dedicated my time to crafting and refining my blog articles. Working diligently for eight hours, I initiated the uploading process around 1 am, bringing all the pieces together. Managing the website proves demanding, particularly when recounting days packed with meticulously planned activities.
I retired to bed at approximately 1:30 am. With plans to make the most of my moped one final time in the morning—having to return it by 11 am—I set my alarm for 4:30 am.
