05 Feb 2025
Today was not what I expected due to a few reasons.
Aling-Aling Waterfalls is a sight but you basically spend 5 minutes there and then turn back. The fun is at Kroya Waterfall where you get to jump and slide. There are changing rooms for you but this activity is not for the faint of heart, it's pretty terrifying looking down and you see rocks but if you follow the guide's instructions, you will be safe.
Wanagiri Hidden Hills we didn't get to see or participate in due to rainy and foggy weather which sadden us. All you could see was deep intense fog so our guide advise us that it was not worth seeing.
Handara Gate is a complete waste of time, it's not a 30 mins activity. There is nothing special about it, it's a gate and if you have been to Heaven's Gate, it's basically the same thing but not as fancy. You have to wait in a ticket queue and the ticket we got was 'selfie ticket' not realizing when it was our turn (we waited an hour and in my opinion not worth it), the guy demanded more money when we wanted a photographer to take our photo. We had already paid... you are basically paying to wait in a long queue and then money for them to take your photo and even more for the fancy version (with a mirror). Everyone ahead of us had the photography take their photo and then when it came to us, we were told this news which took us by shock. What a tourist trap. Also people "snuck" in by paying money to cut the line ... what a complete SCAM.
Gusti was a good guide, he even stopped by a fruit stand for us on the way since he knew we wanted to try the local fruits and helped us with translating to the local vendor. How sweet of him!
This review is not reflected of Gusti's effort and kindness, it reflected on the activities we participated in especially on our treatment at Handara Gate. I feel cheated by today activities ... I understand weather is not something we can control but maybe an alternative activity should be plan if weather conditions doesn't allow for the main activity.