SEA GAMES 2011

Indonesia become host of 26th SEA GAMES from 11th until 22nd November 2011. Opening and closing ceremony will be held in Palembang.

Football game was started earlier (3rd November) in Jakarta, there are 2 groups in this game

Group A

Indonesia

Cambodia

Thailand

Singapore

Malaysia

Group B

Philippines

Vietnam

Laos

Brunei Darussalam

Myanmar

Timor Leste

I watched match Philippines VS Vietnam at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on 3rd November, it was my first time watching SEA GAMES directly. I could see many spectators from both country. Vietnamese spectators used red t-shirt and some of them brought picture of Ho Chi Minh in order to pep up their team. Meanwhile Filipino spectators used red and blue t-shirt looked so proud flaping their beautiful national flag, Philippines was my favourite team in this match (and group B) although the Vietnam beat them, I hope they will get better in the next match.

Here is some pictures of that match

Philippines vs Vietnam

Bali Holiday

I choose Bali as my holiday destination this time, Bali is one of more than 17000 islands of Indonesia, located between Java and Lombok makes Bali as an important gateway to Indonesia.

Here's my trip report

I flew from Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport by using Boeing 737-900 ER of Lion Air, it was an on time flight.

(Lion Air, I used this plane when visiting Bali)

After I arrived to Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport I choose taxi to Kuta.

As a backpacker I choose an inn room at Kuta's poppies lane. Wow, here's so many backpackers, I could sharing with them, I had new friends from other countries to explore Bali.

After satisfied with my amazing Bali trip I went home by using Lion Air too, it's also an on time flight.

(B737-900ER of Lion Air Brought me back to Jakarta)

Here are some pictures of Bali I wanna share with you:

(Gateway to Kuta Beach)

(Kuta Beach in The Morning)

(Famous Kuta Bali's Sunset, so romantic and beautiful)

(Balinese Gateway to Tanah Lot)

(Tanah Lot, Asia's Famous Temple)

(Holy Spring at Tanah Lot)

(Around Tanah Lot)

(You can enjoy sunset of Tanah Lot from this restaurant)

(Other temple near Tanah Lot)

Dreamland Beach

Dreamland is My Favourite Beach

Notes and Tips:

1. Because of my on time experience I recommend you to use Lion Air.
2. At Ngurah Rai Airport you can find taxi counter near domestic arrival gate, you can buy taxi ticket here.
3. There are free Bali maps in brochures at Ngurah Rai Airport.
4. Many nice hotels/inns/cottage you can find at Kuta. Easy for you to reach other tourist area at Bali from Kuta.
5. Don't hesitate to ask people if you can't find your destination, people are very friendly here.
6. If you are a muslim like me, you better ask first before eating in order to make sure your food is halal

Base on my experience I'll tell you some reasons why you should visit this Indonesian island:

1. Great Culture (world knows that)
2. Many beautiful places (world knows that too)
3. Easy Accessibility (many ways to Bali)
4. Friendly People (friendliness makes you feel like home)
5. Suitable for sun bathing (sun seems love Bali, sun shines everyday even in rain season)
6. Diver's Paradise (wonderful reef)
7. Shopper's Paradise (you can buy many unique art crafts here)
8. Surfer's Paradise (excellent waves)
9. Learning something new (you can join Balinese art class)
10. Best spa (just enjoy)

Museum Wayang, Jakarta

Wayang is a cultural heritage of Indonesia, it's one of roots of Indonesian culture.

Indonesian people use wayang as a medium of education, entertainment, art and even the spread of religion.

In Indonesia wayang is not only can be found in Javanese culture, you can also find it in Sundanese, Balinese, Madurese, etc.

There are so many kinds of Wayang:

Wayang Orang

Wayang Kulit

Wayang Golek

Wayang Beber

etc

Every kind of Wayang has its own charm.

Museum Wayang, Jakarta.

Wayang Kulit from Surakarta

Mask that is used to perform Wayang

You can visit museum wayang in Jakarta to learn more about this heritage, the museum is near from Stadhuis of Batavia (i had made article of Stadhuis of Batavia before). In this museum you can find many kinds of wayang from Indonesia and also other puppets from other countries.

Surabaya Trip

My destination this time was surabaya, Surabaya is Indonesia's second largest city with about two million inhabitants.

I departed from Soekarno Hatta International Airport (CGK) in Jakarta with Boeing 737-200 plane owned by Sriwijaya Air.
i needed 1 hour and 30 minutes from Jakarta (CGK) to Surabaya (SUB) with this comfortable aircraft. Wow, it was my first flight to Surabaya.

B737-200 of Sriwijaya Air at CGK

B737-200 next to me at SUB

Surabaya has the second largest airport in Indonesia and it's the cleanest in Indonesia. this is also an international airport with flights to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. Surabaya has fame as a patriotic city of Indonesia because in November 10th 1945 Indonesian people had beated British invasion in this city and showed to the world that Indonesian people could defend their homeland from colonialist.

Well, now i will show some objects that I had seen in surabaya.

Dolphin and crocodile statue, famous icon of Surabaya

Surabaya word taken from Suro and Boyo, in Javanese language suro means dolphin and boyo means crocodile. Based on Javanese folklore there was a fight between dolphin and crocodile in this city long time ago.

Romantic Suramadu Bridge

Suramadu bridge connects Surabaya and Madura Island, it's longest bridge in Indonesia and 3rd in Southeast Asia, for me it's the most wonderful bridge on earth.

Well, there are still many magnificent object that you can find in Surabaya actually but my time is not enough to show you more, i hope i can visit this city again someday.

I used Boeing 737-900 ER of Lion air when i went home to Jakarta, it was my first flight using this plane, the plane was quite big with soft sound. I love its livery, a mixture between red and white with nice lion logo.

B737-900ER and a Boeing of Batavia Air at SUB

Jakarta Old Town Tour, Part 2

Every town has its own charm, as well as Jakarta. in Jakarta you will find not only modern building, but also the remnants of past-style mix of Dutch, Chinese, Arabic and Malay.

Entering this area you will feel taken with a time machine to tens or even hundreds of years ago, when Jakarta was called Batavia which is one of the largest city of the Netherlands East Indies

I think this area is built using dutch urban country with canals which divides the city and become one of the important modes of transportation. Jakarta is known as the bustling port city in Southeast Asia even after hundreds of years ago. therefore many of the nations residing in this town, they bring their own cultural and ultimately enrich the culture of Jakarta.

This area you can easily access from the glamorous downtown Jakarta by using various modes of transportation.

Do not forget to rent a bike to explore this area, bicycles for rent here is very unique because it is a classic bike that has existed since the time of the Dutch East Indies.

Do not forget also taste Indonesian food that you probably never felt before. Cafe Batavia is my favorite one.

Indonesian Traditional Houses, part 1

My great nation Indonesia has thousands of islands, there are so many unique culture of Indonesia.

Traditional house is a part of Indonesian culture, every region in Indonesia has its own traditional house that different each other. When i visited TMII (Taman Mini Indonesia Indah) i saw so many magnificent Indonesian traditional houses. let me introduce you some.

From Nangroe Aceh Darussalam.

Rumoh Aceh is beatiful wooden house with unique traditional engraving of Aceh.
it consists of 3 rooms generally,

• seuramo keue as room for receiveing guests, reading Al-Qur'an and boy beds
• Jureu which is devided in 2 chamber (rumoh inong and ruang anjong
• seuramo liekot as kitchen and dinning room
  

From Kalimantan Barat (West Kalimantan/Borneo)

Rumah Betang is a home for many families, its length will be increased if there is a new family, that's why they call this house rumah panjang/long house. in this house all the society member life in peace and help each other

this house is 3-5 meters above the ground in order to save the resident from the enemy or wild animals.

Painting of Dayak Warrior as wall decoration

TVRI Tower, Jakarta

TVRI (Televisi Republik Indonesia) Tower, located at Senayan Jakarta, It was Jakarta's tallest structure. this tower is one of landmarks of this city.

Although there are so many great structures at Jakarta but TVRI Tower still become my favourite one because it looks strong among other strong buildings arround it.

Info:

• You can also find many shopping centres at Senayan such as Senayan City and Plaza Senayan.
• Bung Karno Stadium, the one of the biggest stadiums on earth is near from this tower.
• Don't forget to see the unique Indonesian Parlement building near TVRI tower.
  

Blok M, Jakarta

Blok M is an area at Southern Jakarta. This is transit point for many visitor who want to travel around JABODETABEK (Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi). if you chose to use public transportation to explore Jabodetabek you can find suitable mass transportation base on your direction here. Blok M bus terminal consist of 6 corridors.

Blok M is also one of the largest commercial areas in Jakarta, many tourists buy their Jakarta trip souvenir here.

Note:

• You can use Transjakarta to reach Blok M from the other famous areas such as Monas, Hotel Indonesia and Sudirman Central Bussines Distric
• There are 3 cinemas at Blok M, you may watch interesting Indonesian and Foreign movies here .

Inside DC-9-32

Please play video below, :)

DC-9-32 at Transportation Museum, TMII, Jakarta

DC-9-32 was first plane i ride and this is my favourite plane type, i hope i will have replica of this plane someday. :)

Cibinong

Cibinong has so many places for you to relax. With fresh air, magnificent lakes and friendly people will make you feel like home, easy for you to find popular Indonesian cuisine here

You can visit Cibinong when you drive from Jakarta to Puncak (other tourist spot at West Java).

One of many lakes at Cibinong

Pancoran Statue, an Unique Monument of Jakarta

Pancoran statue is one of the monuments located in Jakarta (Pancoran).

The design is based on the request of The Founding Father of Indonesia to display the might of the Indonesian people in the field of aerospace. sculpture design intent means that to achieve the strength, the Indonesian people rely on the properties of Honesty, Courage and Eager. Heavy statues made of bronze reaches 11 Ton. high statue itself is 11 Meters, and the base of the statue is 27 Meters.

Pancoran Statue has a good position because its location is the gateway to Jakarta City for the visitors who had just landed at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport.

Ragunan Zoo

I visited Ragunan Zoo about six months ago, I want to share my memories to you, enjoy.

Gorilla


Sumatran Tiger


Elang Bondol (Mascot of Jakarta)


Binturong


Australian Pelican


Sumatran Tiger, Please watch. :)

Footprints of the Leaders

Banyak hal menarik yang dapat anda temui secara tidak sengaja di Jakarta, seperti yang saya alami ketika menunggu bus di halte di Jalan Medan Merdeka Utara, awalnya saya dibuat penasaran oleh 6 buah lempengan logam berwarna kuning yang berjejer rapi di trotoar, setelah saya dekati ternyata itu adalah cetakan kaki pemimpin-pemimpin Indonesia mulai dari Presiden Sukarno sampai Presiden SBY.

Catatan: untuk Presiden ke 1 (Ir. Sukarno) yang dicetak adalah alas sepatunya.


Presiden ke 1



Presiden ke 2


Presiden ke 3


Presiden ke 4


Presiden ke 5


Presiden ke 6