and I said to myself, what a wonderful world!
I have no fear of drowning
It's the breathing that's taking all this work
I have no fear of drowning
It's the breathing that's taking all this work
(Work, Jars of Clay)
Minggu, 07 Februari 2010
Minggu, 10 Januari 2010
On Pilgrimage (Kudus, Ambarawa, Semarang)
Cool. Humid. Cold. Rain. Gloom. Mellow. Happy. December is. It's the month of reflection for Sem. It can evoke in him a mood of reflection—if not melancholy. “Blame it on the weather,” he says, grinning.
His Decembers have been nice. For example, two Decembers ago he went on a ‘historic’ trip with Cik and Fajar to Dieng-Magelang-Jogjakarta.
Now once again he finds himself in December, on a trip to Central Java.
Kudus
As the name suggests ('kudus' means holy), the town reflects Islamic influences. Some source says that it’s derived from al-Quds or Jerusalem.... Thus starts the ‘pilgrimage’ in the holy city. First destination: the old Masjid Menara with brick minaret dated back to the early days of Hindu in Indonesia. It houses the tomb of Sunan Kudus. Sem also attends Christmas Eve mass here in the city. what a Malam Kudus (Holy Night).
Bandungan-Ambarawa
From Kudus 'the pilgrimage' continues in the highlands of Bandungan, to the Hindu temple complex of Candi Gedung Songo. Here Sem stands in awe of what he sees: The temples are situated in the scenic mountains, spanning in the location of like 3 km sq. He can only wonder, what was on their mind when they built and dedicated these temples to the deity?
Semarang
Sem visits one touristy spot: Gedung Lawang Sewu. Sem dares himself to take underground tour where it is said to be haunted—given its bloody past. He feels goose bumps that he mumbles “bring your torches Jeanette, Isabella” while holding his battery-powered torch in the dark.
Outside, the night is about to fall. He rushed to Oudstadt—very much like Jakarta’s Kota Tua or Duesseldorf’s Altstadt: there’s canal, bridges, stocky buildings, and a church. the latter is Gereja Blenduk that’s been there since 1753.
His Decembers have been nice. For example, two Decembers ago he went on a ‘historic’ trip with Cik and Fajar to Dieng-Magelang-Jogjakarta.
Now once again he finds himself in December, on a trip to Central Java.
Kudus
As the name suggests ('kudus' means holy), the town reflects Islamic influences. Some source says that it’s derived from al-Quds or Jerusalem.... Thus starts the ‘pilgrimage’ in the holy city. First destination: the old Masjid Menara with brick minaret dated back to the early days of Hindu in Indonesia. It houses the tomb of Sunan Kudus. Sem also attends Christmas Eve mass here in the city. what a Malam Kudus (Holy Night).
Bandungan-Ambarawa
From Kudus 'the pilgrimage' continues in the highlands of Bandungan, to the Hindu temple complex of Candi Gedung Songo. Here Sem stands in awe of what he sees: The temples are situated in the scenic mountains, spanning in the location of like 3 km sq. He can only wonder, what was on their mind when they built and dedicated these temples to the deity?
Semarang
Sem visits one touristy spot: Gedung Lawang Sewu. Sem dares himself to take underground tour where it is said to be haunted—given its bloody past. He feels goose bumps that he mumbles “bring your torches Jeanette, Isabella” while holding his battery-powered torch in the dark.
Outside, the night is about to fall. He rushed to Oudstadt—very much like Jakarta’s Kota Tua or Duesseldorf’s Altstadt: there’s canal, bridges, stocky buildings, and a church. the latter is Gereja Blenduk that’s been there since 1753.
Bread Alone
December is a time for reflection and also insouciance. And even during pilgrimage, when spiritual hunger is fulfilled, pilgrims still need worldly food. So here Sem is, enjoying second, third, and hundredth servings of meals and delicacies.
December is a time for reflection and also insouciance. And even during pilgrimage, when spiritual hunger is fulfilled, pilgrims still need worldly food. So here Sem is, enjoying second, third, and hundredth servings of meals and delicacies.
Sabtu, 09 Januari 2010
Kamis, 07 Januari 2010
Nobody's an Island (Kepulauan Seribu)
Nobody's an island, so ayn't I.
and then so ayn't my friends.
So together with Umi, Phie, Mamet, Echi, Rudy, Toto, Tetty, Uwi, Ifan, Leo, Yudhi, Ipul, I went on island hopping at Kepulauan Seribu.
At first, I din expect much considering the mighty west wind I 'encountered' with at Tidung. I only hoped for nice weather so I could observe more species in nice environment. And.... so be it: clear sky and waters, plus mild wind and undercurrent.
At the first plung, I instantly fell in love with the corals, fishes, and echinoderms. I also joined in the exciting echinoids (bulu babi) hunt. It's surprisingly edible and tasty! Using a stainless steel tongs, I disarmed four urchins!
and then so ayn't my friends.
So together with Umi, Phie, Mamet, Echi, Rudy, Toto, Tetty, Uwi, Ifan, Leo, Yudhi, Ipul, I went on island hopping at Kepulauan Seribu.
At first, I din expect much considering the mighty west wind I 'encountered' with at Tidung. I only hoped for nice weather so I could observe more species in nice environment. And.... so be it: clear sky and waters, plus mild wind and undercurrent.
At the first plung, I instantly fell in love with the corals, fishes, and echinoderms. I also joined in the exciting echinoids (bulu babi) hunt. It's surprisingly edible and tasty! Using a stainless steel tongs, I disarmed four urchins!
When the night came, life at the beach was also wonderful. The water twinkled here and there with red LED-like flickers as though someone igniting matches in the water. Amazing!
The island hopping continued to the ever famous Pulau Putri with its submarine-like 'seaquarium'. After that, they jumped to the water. the corals and the fish are colorful here and the site is vast. I felt blessed at the sight of a neon green clown fish aka nemo aka ikan guri, swimming here and fro, guarding his anemone. (It was a good beginning too for me for I swam around sans life jacket!)
Senin, 07 Desember 2009
J'aime Tegal
Long long ago, I, as once a Pantura-frequenter, thought it'd be nice to stop by and explore the city. So when Ent, Marcia, Cupay ignited the idea, I quickly yessed it. Besides i needed to attend a wedding reception there.
that morning on third week of Nov, we hopped on Dedy Jaya. The road was loooong and it was not our brother. bumpy one moment, smooth another moment. thankfully most of the time Dedy sped.
We arrived in the city at 14.15. it has malls! We, being constantly hungry, lunched at the nearest warung. The ready-to-eat menu was like what I usually see in Jkt with an exception of sotong cooked in its own black ink. (“where do sotongs refill their ink?” joked M). And here none puts a “warung tegal” sign or call theirs warung tegal.
We explored the city on becak (Been a while since I rode the last time in Yogya). we went to Pantai Alam Indah to watch sunset. we stopped by a military museum and then to Alun Alun Poci for exra heavy dinner.
Day two. In the morning we headed to Guci. At an intersection we got off for a transit. Like my previous experience in Yogya, some thugs forced us to wait in the minibus. this time I refused to give up. we chartered a mikrolet.
The driver offered to take us on a scenic Kampung Danawarsih (?). It has a beautiful river. Someone tried to cross the pillar-turned-into-bridge and trembled that he retrieved. Lol. And it was fun to dip my feet in the thigh high cold water. It’s probably the cleanest in-the-kampong-river I’ve seen!
Off we went up to Guci, stopping by to snap some Farmville-like views. The air is so refreshing here. It was noon and cloudy. We hiked up to the hills. The good thing is it has a warm springs which we dipped ourselves in.
Mr. driver insisted on taking us to the canopy bridge. It’s beautiful, stretching like 100 m across the river. Picturesque is the surrounding. Perhaps we can go there and camp! And it was good for us to meet a man “shepherding” ducks, never been as close! He’s got black ducks too, a hybrid of entok (mallard?) and duck. It is said they make tasty grill.
Speaking of eating, i should say yes. we came to the city to devour! our culinary feast consisted of: chicken and goat satay, soto balungan, soto gambyong, and soto tauco, nasi-jinggo-like (forget the name), durian and many more, and of course, being in Tegal, gallons of tea served in clay pot or teh poci.
that morning on third week of Nov, we hopped on Dedy Jaya. The road was loooong and it was not our brother. bumpy one moment, smooth another moment. thankfully most of the time Dedy sped.
We arrived in the city at 14.15. it has malls! We, being constantly hungry, lunched at the nearest warung. The ready-to-eat menu was like what I usually see in Jkt with an exception of sotong cooked in its own black ink. (“where do sotongs refill their ink?” joked M). And here none puts a “warung tegal” sign or call theirs warung tegal.
We explored the city on becak (Been a while since I rode the last time in Yogya). we went to Pantai Alam Indah to watch sunset. we stopped by a military museum and then to Alun Alun Poci for exra heavy dinner.
Day two. In the morning we headed to Guci. At an intersection we got off for a transit. Like my previous experience in Yogya, some thugs forced us to wait in the minibus. this time I refused to give up. we chartered a mikrolet.
The driver offered to take us on a scenic Kampung Danawarsih (?). It has a beautiful river. Someone tried to cross the pillar-turned-into-bridge and trembled that he retrieved. Lol. And it was fun to dip my feet in the thigh high cold water. It’s probably the cleanest in-the-kampong-river I’ve seen!
Off we went up to Guci, stopping by to snap some Farmville-like views. The air is so refreshing here. It was noon and cloudy. We hiked up to the hills. The good thing is it has a warm springs which we dipped ourselves in.
Mr. driver insisted on taking us to the canopy bridge. It’s beautiful, stretching like 100 m across the river. Picturesque is the surrounding. Perhaps we can go there and camp! And it was good for us to meet a man “shepherding” ducks, never been as close! He’s got black ducks too, a hybrid of entok (mallard?) and duck. It is said they make tasty grill.
Singing for money (Ngamen)
"as little children we would dream of..."
i remember the days where Delsy, Diana, Ezzy, Andre, Johan, Angel etc would practice singing. Bali December 1997
i remember the days where Delsy, Diana, Ezzy, Andre, Johan, Angel etc would practice singing. Bali December 1997
Jumat, 30 Oktober 2009
Cooler Climate (on volcanos in Java)
Mi loves cool and breezy places but she says God takes me here where the sun smiles from morning to time to sleep. so i kinda like it she adds.
she goes wherever her man goes. faithful she is. heaven bless them. but think they have gone to cool and breezy places more often than i do, yes? lovely eh?
(while me don't like the hot weather, i can still tolerate. sometimes can't esp when the sun bakes my head and i will go dizzy)
Wherever they go, Mi has made peace with Pi's tendency to work the land. it's a curse or it's a blessing i don't know. but his toil is always fruitful. they brought me three manalagi mangoes from our backyard! he has the patience of a farmer--a profession his is.
so i am sending all the mountain breeze in Java to their house.
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