Buku Tentang

The imagination of very wide, white-sand beach that enables you to see different angles of the beach will rise when you hear the mention of Wediombo (wedi=sand, ombo=wide) Beach. Nonetheless, Wediombo Beach actually does not have such wide spread of sands. The west and east parts of the beach are planked by coral hills so that the spread of the sands is not as wide as the one in Parangtritis, Glagah, and possibly Kuta beaches.

In fact, local people tell that the name of this beach that was given by the predecessors does not represent the real situation. Some people say that more appropriate name for this beach is Teluk Ombo (The Wide Bay), since the beach looks like a wide bay. There are two flanking coral hills with the seawater protrudes to the land but it is wider that common bays.



Apart from the inappropriate name, however, Wediombo still provides extraordinary beach view. The seawater looks clear blue; it is different from other beaches of which seawater looks greenish resulted from water pollution. The white sands with ornaments of the seashells are maintained well. The atmosphere of the beach is quiet so that it becomes the right place to get out of noisiness.

Wediombo is located in Jepitu village of Girisubo Sub-District in Gunung Kidul Regency. If you have come to Siung Beach, you will easily reach this beach. You only have to get back to a T-junction in Tepus before the road leading to Siung Beach, then turn right following the road until you get to a sign board asking you to turn right to get to Wediombo.

The location of this beach is far lower that the surrounding lands. You have to get down by the stairs in order to reach the beach and enjoy the panorama. While descending the stairs, you will be able to see the field, houses and mangrove vegetation on your left and right sides. Some people are seen carrying herbs for their cattle or taking care of the cattle in its stall.

In addition to the enchanting coastal panorama, Wediombo offers a unique tour experience, if not an extreme one, namely fishing from the height of the coral cliff. This kind of tour originating from the fishing habit of local people is popular with fishing hobbyists from Yogyakarta and Wonogiri. The main objective is, according to local people to YogYES, to catch big fish.

It is not easy to reach the fishing location at the top of the coral cliff. We have to walk eastwards through the shore; climbing steep and slippery cliff and sometimes the waves will hit us before arriving at the cliff that directly faces the deep ocean. For those who have been familiar with the route, it will take them one-hour walk.

The difficult way to the cliff, however, is paid well. Big fish are sometimes caught by the hobbyists. At least they will catch fish that local people name it panjo fish. The fish of which size is as big as man's arm are of two kinds, the cylindrical one that exist more during dry season and the flat one during the rainy season.

The baits are small fish that can even be collected at the seashore. We can use either fishing pole or fishnet to catch the small fish. It's cheap and easy, isn't it?

For those who do not dare to get to the top of the cliff, they might just buy the fish they the fishermen catch. They sell the panjo fish at IDR 3,000 one fish, or IDR 20,000 for a string of fish containing 5-6 fish. Some local people are willing to cook them for you if you wish. Otherwise, you can take them home as a gift for your family.

Cooked panjo fish are also available. Served with rice and condiment from chili pepper, fried Panjo fish is sold at IDR 7,000 only. The rice is served in the traditional container called bakul and the condiment is on traditional saucer called cobek. The portion is big enough for two persons. YogYES tried this menu in a warong located close to the parking area. Fried sea urchin that tastes like fried chicken is also available if you want to try.

At certain occasions, you can see Ngalangi ceremony that is held by local people. This ceremony takes place once in a year, just like the labuhan besar ceremony, of which objective is to express the gratitude to God for what have been granted and asking for good fortune for the future. The fortune is mainly good catches in sufficient quantity to fulfill daily needs.

The procession of the ceremony is unique; it begins by spreading gawar - the fishnet made from wawar tree. This kind of fishnet was used to catch fish before the present nylon fishnet. The gawar is spread out from Kedongkowok hill to the area of the rise and fall of the tides in order to trap the fish that are washed away by the waves and that cannot get back to the sea.

When seawater falls, the fish are collected. People are then busy cleaning and cooking the fish. Some of the fish are returned to the sea with some rice ans offerings. Most part of the dish is shared to the families. This ceremony is known as kenduri besar or great shared-meals as the form of local wisdom that fish are livelihood for all people.

In addition to Ngalangi ceremony, the enchantment of the beach can be enjoyed everyday. The entrance fee is only IDR 5,000 for two persons. If you want to spend the night and gather with some of your friends, you can use a small hut located close to the warongs alongside the beach. It is so refreshing to be in this beach.

Coming to the Coast Ngrenehan and enjoy the grilled fish is incomplete if you drop on the beach next to it, Ngobaran. Location of high rugged coast is only about two kilometers from the beach Ngrenehan. Not far away is not it? Coastal residents Ngrenehan just talked often and stopped by the Coast Ngobaran, why would you not?

Ngobaran is an exotic beach. If low tide, you can see the spread of the algae (seaweed), both the green and brown. When viewed from above, the spread of the algae that grows on the sidelines of the reef looks like a rice field in a densely populated area. Dozens of marine animals are also present on the sidelines of coral, ranging from sea urchins, starfish, until the shellfish group.
But that is not contained in the other shore is the charm of its culture, ranging from food to building residents. One of them is interesting is that there is a place of worship for four of religion or belief were standing close together. Is that form of multiculturalism? Who knows.

The most visible buildings are places of worship like temples with statues of gods are white. Place of worship was built in 2003 to commemorate the presence of UB V, a descendant of the king of Majapahit, in Ngobaran. People who worship in this place was of the belief Kejawan (not Kejawen know). The name "Kejawan" according to a story derived from the name of one son of UB V, ie Bondhan Kejawan. Builders place of worship is claimed to be descendants of UB V and appoint one citizen to keep this place.

Walk to the left of the place of worship, you will see a Joglo used for places of worship Kejawen followers. When YogYES visited this place, some followers of people were saying their prayer. According to locals, different beliefs Kejawen Kejawan. However, they can not pinpoint the difference.

If you continue down a path that lies ahead Joglo, you will find a box of rocks overgrown with dry plants. Plants are lined with gray wood. Point where the dry growing was the place where UB V pretend to burn yourself. The move was gone through because the UB V not fight against his own son, Raden Patah (King I Demak).

Truth is the story of the UB V doubted by many historians. Why, if indeed Raden Patah attacking UB V then it will give the impression that Islam spread by force. Many historians believe that the historical evidence that there is not strong enough to declare that Raden Patah attack. Learn how, maybe you can find your own.

A few meters from the dry box where there is growing temple for Hindu places of worship. No detail of its foundation.

At the front of the mosque there is a growing branch measuring approximately 3x4 meters. The mosque building is quite simple because the floor is of sand. As if fused with its beach. Interestingly, if most mosques in Indonesia facing the West, the mosque was facing south. The front of the imam leading the prayer is open so can immediately see the ocean. When YogYES asked local people, no one knows the reason. In fact, locals wondered because the building was one of the famous Kyai NU followers who lived at Bake, Mount Kidul. As a guide for those who will pray, give local residents a sign on the wall with a red pencil on the true direction of Qibla.

After being amazed at the religious site, you can get down to the beach. Then came the morning, then visitors will find the central coast seaweed harvest to be sold to middlemen. They usually sell seaweed for Rp 1,000 to Rp 1,500 per kilo. The result is bad for their daily lives.

However, if you come late afternoon, usually you will find people looking for sea urchins for food in the evening. To be edible, prickly sea urchin dikepras first flat and then broken using a sickle. Meat that is in part the sea urchin kemudioan taken out. Usually people look for sea urchin, armed with buckets, oil filter, sickle, and hat to avoid heat.

Sea urchins were obtained usually in the form of salt and chili seasoning then fried. According to residents, the sea urchin meat is quite chewy and delicious. Unfortunately, not many people who sell exotic food. But if you want to order, just try asking on one of the residents to cook. Who knows, you can also share ideas on how to cook so that the people of the coastal sea urchin Ngobaran can use that knowledge to improve their business life.

Complete is not it? From the beautiful beaches, the charm of the place of worship until the dish is tempting. Perhaps there is no elsewhere.