Gara-gara nyari lagu Manuk Dadali dan Bengawan Solo, ehhh... malah kangen dan bernostalgia denger lagu2 keroncong perjuangan, favoritnya Eyangkong hihihihihi...
Ahhh, jadi ingat siang2 pas pulang sekolah, matahari terik, udara kering, tas berat berisi buku2 teks dan catatan, pengen cepet2 sampe rumah dan minum sirup jeruk ABC pake es. Pas beberapa langkah deket dari rumah Curug, sayup2 sudah terdengar alunan lagu keroncong, favorit Eyangkong. Entah kenapa, setiap kali aku sampai di depan pintu dan melepas sepatu, yang mengalir pasti lagu Putri Solo.
Setelah dipikir2 lagu2 itu enak2 dan dengan mudah tertanam dalam kepala, termasuk syairnya. Secara gak sadar, kayaknya diriku sebagian besar. Lalu ternyata sebagian besar favoritku adalah ciptaan Ismail Marzuki: Juwita Malam, Saputangan dari Bandung Selatan. Trus juga Jembatan Merah-nya Gesang... lalu juga Rindu Lukisan, Sepasang Mata Bola...
Hmmm, kira2 karena pengaruh Eyang atau pendidikan Seni Musik saat SD ya, yg bikin perbendaharaan lagu2 keroncongku lumayan luas? Generasi yang lebih muda familier gak ya, ama2 lagu2 kayak gini? Sayang juga kalo hilang begitu saja...
Showing posts with label Indonesia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Indonesia. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Pak Harto: Mix Feelings
Hmmm... couldn't really say what I'm feeling after hearing him gone. A bit reproachful when reading a harsh yahoo short bio on the guy (funny, huh? a lot of my fellow mahasiswa will definitely make a punch bag out of me on this---a sample of good Suharto's regime education, perhaps?? hehe).
A bit sad in a sense, there goes away another thing I knew from home... all in a less than a year...
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Music: Lagu Rindu by Kerispatih
Lagu Rindu
Artist: Kerispatih
Bintang malam katakan (sampaikan) padanya
Aku ingin melukis sinarmu di hatinya
Embun pagi katakan padanya
Biar ku dekap erat waktu dingin membelenggunya
Tahukah engkau wahai langit
Aku ingin bertemu membelai wajahnya
Kan ku pasang hiasan angkasa yang terindah
Hanya untuk dirinya
Lagu rindu ini kuciptakan
Hanya untuk bidadari hatiku tercinta
Walau hanya nada sederhana
Ijinkan ku ungkap segenap rasa dan kerinduan
Friday, February 16, 2007
Travel: Korean Restaurant "Gahyo"
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GAHYOJl Jenderal Sudirman Kav. 52053 Lot. 6
Jakarta Selatan
Telp 021-52897044
If you ever want to taste some of the Korean delicacies (Hanguk Emsik), I would very much recommend you to Gahyo at Jalan Sudirman. Though did not look too promising from the outside---you cannot see it from the main road; it’s located at the back of Milenia, at one of the alleys. On busy days, you barely can see it, as it is covered by cars parking at the front of it---once you’re inside, you will become a bit reassured.
The rectangle restaurant is divided into two types of seating: western style (with tables and chairs) and the oriental style (with platform, short legged tables, and seat cushions). There was also a small island of bar at the middle of the room. Wanting to have the complete eastern experience, we chose the oriental style seating; taking our shoes off, hoping our feet would not betray and go dead on us ;-p
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There were of course the barbeque selections on the menu, but as we want to try the foods with gukgi (clear soup) or cigae (thickly spiced, sometimes oily, soup), we only had our eyes on that group. I wanted to order the Kimchi Cigae (cigae with meat and kimchi), but too bad they only have the pork one, so I have to pass. I order the Jukkejang (cigae with beef and mushrooms) instead.
What I loved about this restaurant was the complete banchan (side dishes) that they served. They were many of them!!! (Quantity sometimes does still rules over quality!!! Hahaha) On my first visit, I counted them, and there were about seven types of banchan: including kimchi, vegetable pancake (a bit like Japanese okonomiyaki), and bean pasted spinach (my favorite!), and eggs tofu, etc. You can see more from the pictures I took. And I found out at my second visit that the set of these banchans were not always the same, so you expect different sets on one day and the other.
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The tea they served tasted and smelled like the Japanese mugicha (usually drink cold during the summer). I instantly fell for it. I didn’t expect that mugicha also tasted delightful when served hot. Oh, and thank god for the free refill!!!
Stepping out from Gahyo with full tummy probably can well be expected with the price over Rp100.000 each. But, guess what?! We only spent about Rp60.000 each after tax, only because of the cigae’s price. The banchan is for free and if one serving wasn’t enough, you can get another refill!!! So I guess now you’ve known why I like this place so much. The thought of coming in and order only white rice will certainly come to mind… ;-p
Amidst all the good review, sadly the restrooms were not as those of the high-class restaurant. And where taste is concerned, I will have to admit that at the second visiting, the taste of the Jukkejang could not be described as mind-blowing, but if you’re insist on having great collections of banchan, this is definitely the place.
The rectangle restaurant is divided into two types of seating: western style (with tables and chairs) and the oriental style (with platform, short legged tables, and seat cushions). There was also a small island of bar at the middle of the room. Wanting to have the complete eastern experience, we chose the oriental style seating; taking our shoes off, hoping our feet would not betray and go dead on us ;-p
.jpg)
There were of course the barbeque selections on the menu, but as we want to try the foods with gukgi (clear soup) or cigae (thickly spiced, sometimes oily, soup), we only had our eyes on that group. I wanted to order the Kimchi Cigae (cigae with meat and kimchi), but too bad they only have the pork one, so I have to pass. I order the Jukkejang (cigae with beef and mushrooms) instead.What I loved about this restaurant was the complete banchan (side dishes) that they served. They were many of them!!! (Quantity sometimes does still rules over quality!!! Hahaha) On my first visit, I counted them, and there were about seven types of banchan: including kimchi, vegetable pancake (a bit like Japanese okonomiyaki), and bean pasted spinach (my favorite!), and eggs tofu, etc. You can see more from the pictures I took. And I found out at my second visit that the set of these banchans were not always the same, so you expect different sets on one day and the other.
.jpg)
The tea they served tasted and smelled like the Japanese mugicha (usually drink cold during the summer). I instantly fell for it. I didn’t expect that mugicha also tasted delightful when served hot. Oh, and thank god for the free refill!!!Stepping out from Gahyo with full tummy probably can well be expected with the price over Rp100.000 each. But, guess what?! We only spent about Rp60.000 each after tax, only because of the cigae’s price. The banchan is for free and if one serving wasn’t enough, you can get another refill!!! So I guess now you’ve known why I like this place so much. The thought of coming in and order only white rice will certainly come to mind… ;-p
Amidst all the good review, sadly the restrooms were not as those of the high-class restaurant. And where taste is concerned, I will have to admit that at the second visiting, the taste of the Jukkejang could not be described as mind-blowing, but if you’re insist on having great collections of banchan, this is definitely the place.
Pictures taken by Chihiro 2006: (1) Banchan (2) More Banchan ;-p (3) Jukkejang and bab (rice)
Friday, November 10, 2006
Travel: Solo's Culinary Experience
When coming to Solo (in central Java), you definitely cannot escape from the Javanese delicacies, which are more often than not, made with those rich santan (milk made from squeezing the white flesh of coconut kernel). Here’s my full recommendation for the complete culinary adventure of the one-day menu in Solo---always successfully made my waist shapeless every time I’m spending a holiday there:
Start your MORNING with a tall glass of super sweet tea (the term “add sugar” is probably won’t be needed for Javanese people, as I always go with “add water/ice, please”. The thought while sipping this beverage is always “I’m drinking sugar with a splash of tea, instead of drinking tea with sugar.” And of course the traditional nasi liwet: rice made with santan, usually accompanied with boiled chicken, boiled scramble egg, and the delicious white sauce-look-alike made from---can you guess??—santan!! YUMMY…
The NOON won’t be complete without Hayam Wuruk’s great fried/grilled tender-bones chicken, the fried ones usually accompanied with delicious golden crispies that goes soooo well with warm rice… slurphhh… the bones are so tender, you barely can tell the difference between bones and meat. And, oh, of course, don’t forget the tall glass of super sweet tea… (Oh my dear poor bladder.) For dessert, don’t forget the sweet traditional snacks jajanan pasar such as onde-onde, kelepon, etc.
In the AFTERNOON you’ll hear the soft ding ding sound drifting in cool afternoon’s air that come from the wedang ronde vendor’s bell, luring us to call the vendor, and enjoying the warm and sweet wedang ronde: ginger beverage.
And then for DINNER, the whole experience wouldn’t be complete without a nice warm beef clear soup, famously known as soto kwali. Even though there are several other warungs (delis/stalls) or restaurants that are offering this menu, my recommendation is my family’s all time favorite: “Soto daging sapi, Kwali Asli, Pak Kasiyo.” The warung is located in front of SMP Negeri 13 Surakarta (beautiful old building, by the way), at Jalan St Syahrir (widuran), before number 83-85, next to Adam Air and a notary’s office.Only opens at night, I think, with long hours, maybe until three in the morning or when the soup all sold out.
As the term “warung” suggested, don’t be too surprised to find it rather dark, cramp (mostly caused by so many people trying to get a seat there), and a bit lack on the clean side. But I always find the look has a certain charm: all that Salman Khan and Rani Mukherjee’s and F4/other Taiwanese idols’ calendars, local celebrities (perhaps) doing their first project as the glasses' or automobile garage’s model calendars on its walls. Stuffs like that really can create a classic atmosphere rarely found in other places nowadays.
As for the food: HEAVENLY! Especially after the long drive from Jakarta, when your whole body had seemed to go dead on you, and the car’s air conditioner had froze you for hours. The warm nice clear soup is usually accompanied with empal gepuk (sweetened beef fry), steamed eggs, perkedel (fried mashed potatoes), etc; it’s your choice. Ah, and then after that, don’t forget to wash all that down with the super sweet tall glass of tea… ;-p
Felt a bit guilty after gulping all that? Well, to tell you the truth, I did too. Cause while some people are loosing their puppy fat when they get older, I seemed to have been gaining them this last few years… *shucks… But, hey, it’s okay! We’re on holiday! (^___^)v
Start your MORNING with a tall glass of super sweet tea (the term “add sugar” is probably won’t be needed for Javanese people, as I always go with “add water/ice, please”. The thought while sipping this beverage is always “I’m drinking sugar with a splash of tea, instead of drinking tea with sugar.” And of course the traditional nasi liwet: rice made with santan, usually accompanied with boiled chicken, boiled scramble egg, and the delicious white sauce-look-alike made from---can you guess??—santan!! YUMMY…
The NOON won’t be complete without Hayam Wuruk’s great fried/grilled tender-bones chicken, the fried ones usually accompanied with delicious golden crispies that goes soooo well with warm rice… slurphhh… the bones are so tender, you barely can tell the difference between bones and meat. And, oh, of course, don’t forget the tall glass of super sweet tea… (Oh my dear poor bladder.) For dessert, don’t forget the sweet traditional snacks jajanan pasar such as onde-onde, kelepon, etc.
In the AFTERNOON you’ll hear the soft ding ding sound drifting in cool afternoon’s air that come from the wedang ronde vendor’s bell, luring us to call the vendor, and enjoying the warm and sweet wedang ronde: ginger beverage.
And then for DINNER, the whole experience wouldn’t be complete without a nice warm beef clear soup, famously known as soto kwali. Even though there are several other warungs (delis/stalls) or restaurants that are offering this menu, my recommendation is my family’s all time favorite: “Soto daging sapi, Kwali Asli, Pak Kasiyo.” The warung is located in front of SMP Negeri 13 Surakarta (beautiful old building, by the way), at Jalan St Syahrir (widuran), before number 83-85, next to Adam Air and a notary’s office.Only opens at night, I think, with long hours, maybe until three in the morning or when the soup all sold out.As the term “warung” suggested, don’t be too surprised to find it rather dark, cramp (mostly caused by so many people trying to get a seat there), and a bit lack on the clean side. But I always find the look has a certain charm: all that Salman Khan and Rani Mukherjee’s and F4/other Taiwanese idols’ calendars, local celebrities (perhaps) doing their first project as the glasses' or automobile garage’s model calendars on its walls. Stuffs like that really can create a classic atmosphere rarely found in other places nowadays.
As for the food: HEAVENLY! Especially after the long drive from Jakarta, when your whole body had seemed to go dead on you, and the car’s air conditioner had froze you for hours. The warm nice clear soup is usually accompanied with empal gepuk (sweetened beef fry), steamed eggs, perkedel (fried mashed potatoes), etc; it’s your choice. Ah, and then after that, don’t forget to wash all that down with the super sweet tall glass of tea… ;-pFelt a bit guilty after gulping all that? Well, to tell you the truth, I did too. Cause while some people are loosing their puppy fat when they get older, I seemed to have been gaining them this last few years… *shucks… But, hey, it’s okay! We’re on holiday! (^___^)v
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Travel: Hotel Plaza, Semarang
Hotel Plaza
Jl Setiabudi 101-103
Semarang 50263 Indonesia
Ph. 024-7473188
After estimating that we would not be able to pass Cirebon before midnight with the mudik rush traffic, my dad decided to stay at Semarang on our way home to Jakarta from Solo (October 27th, 2006). The hotel he chose was Hotel Plaza, located at Setiabudi Street.
The hotel was built with bungalows concept (little houses-like) complete with garages. The houses, the rooms, and garages' size differ, of course, depends on the rate. Our room consisted of one comfy king size bed, one cupboard, a sofa and an armchair, one big mirror, and a desk, a 17-20-inch TV, and a small fridge. The bathroom was with bathtub and hot water. It was fully satisfying for a mere Rp240.000 (felt like something more!). Don’t expect ESPN or CNN or Cartoon Network or cabels, though, the channels were strictly local. The room was clean, no funny odor on the sheets and pillows, nicely air-conditioned, bathroom’s appliances even looked new.
The downside was that you’ll have to climb the stairs from the garage to your room. But of course if your luggages were too heavy, you can always asked the bellboy to help. There was one more minor problem: getting breakfast. I found out that we have to walk for about five minutes or more (depends on whether you are a slow-walker or a fast-walker; I considered myself as a rather fast one) to get to the main building where the breakfast was served. I didn’t mind the walking, I kind of enjoyed it actually, but then I found out that the dining hall was better to be left unexplored.
The hall was too dark to bring out your appetite. After sitting a while, you’ll realize that the air was a bit damp and felt rather suffocating. I was not sure whether this was caused by bad air conditioner, or the drapes that were left un-open even though it was already eight o’clock of a hot and shiny morning (it looked rather filthy, or was it just because of its color?), or the gloomy and dirty covers that enveloped the tables and chairs (the table cloths were almost solid pink while the chairs’ were navy blue!). I caught a glimpse of a rusty folded chair under its depressing blue cover.
The food was nowhere from making you better, the food utensils made it worst. But thank God, there was this nice porridge made with santan (milk squeezed from coconut kernel white flesh) and hot tea. But I guess in this case, expecting anything else could be ungrateful. **Hey, with that rate, you already got a good night sleep and now you demand star hotel’s gourmet?
Over all, a recommended place if you want to crash, but as a place to eat… ummm, better find somewhere else.
Notes for pictures taken by chihiro Oct 28, 2006: 1) Front view of Hotel Plaza 2) Front view of our room 3)&4) Inside view of our room (sorry for the little mess ;-p)
Jl Setiabudi 101-103
Semarang 50263 Indonesia
Ph. 024-7473188
After estimating that we would not be able to pass Cirebon before midnight with the mudik rush traffic, my dad decided to stay at Semarang on our way home to Jakarta from Solo (October 27th, 2006). The hotel he chose was Hotel Plaza, located at Setiabudi Street.
The hotel was built with bungalows concept (little houses-like) complete with garages. The houses, the rooms, and garages' size differ, of course, depends on the rate. Our room consisted of one comfy king size bed, one cupboard, a sofa and an armchair, one big mirror, and a desk, a 17-20-inch TV, and a small fridge. The bathroom was with bathtub and hot water. It was fully satisfying for a mere Rp240.000 (felt like something more!). Don’t expect ESPN or CNN or Cartoon Network or cabels, though, the channels were strictly local. The room was clean, no funny odor on the sheets and pillows, nicely air-conditioned, bathroom’s appliances even looked new.
The downside was that you’ll have to climb the stairs from the garage to your room. But of course if your luggages were too heavy, you can always asked the bellboy to help. There was one more minor problem: getting breakfast. I found out that we have to walk for about five minutes or more (depends on whether you are a slow-walker or a fast-walker; I considered myself as a rather fast one) to get to the main building where the breakfast was served. I didn’t mind the walking, I kind of enjoyed it actually, but then I found out that the dining hall was better to be left unexplored.
The hall was too dark to bring out your appetite. After sitting a while, you’ll realize that the air was a bit damp and felt rather suffocating. I was not sure whether this was caused by bad air conditioner, or the drapes that were left un-open even though it was already eight o’clock of a hot and shiny morning (it looked rather filthy, or was it just because of its color?), or the gloomy and dirty covers that enveloped the tables and chairs (the table cloths were almost solid pink while the chairs’ were navy blue!). I caught a glimpse of a rusty folded chair under its depressing blue cover.The food was nowhere from making you better, the food utensils made it worst. But thank God, there was this nice porridge made with santan (milk squeezed from coconut kernel white flesh) and hot tea. But I guess in this case, expecting anything else could be ungrateful. **Hey, with that rate, you already got a good night sleep and now you demand star hotel’s gourmet?
Over all, a recommended place if you want to crash, but as a place to eat… ummm, better find somewhere else.
Notes for pictures taken by chihiro Oct 28, 2006: 1) Front view of Hotel Plaza 2) Front view of our room 3)&4) Inside view of our room (sorry for the little mess ;-p)
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Sinetron: Pengantin Remaja
First episode: 30 Oct 2006; every Monday on RCTI at 19.00; Sinema Art
Believe me, friend, I was as amazed as you are when you’re reading this posting to find myself actually enjoying a sinetron after I don’t know for how long! I mean, what possibly have possessed me to do this? But seriously, last night I find myself laughing out loud for this TV Series; its dialogues were actually funny; its casts were surprisingly genuinely good.
Starring Christian Sugiono and Alyyssa Soebandono, this sinetron gives us the story of a rather mischievous and popular high school girl named Amel who has been betrothed ever since she was born to his grandpa’s best friend’s grandson, Fabian. Amel already knew about this arrangement and was even looking forward to the happy day to come when she will finally meet her prince. They accidentally bumped to each other and instantly felt the attraction, but Amel didn’t know then, that Fabian was gonna be the new counselor teacher (in Indonesia: guru BP) at her school.
Being the troublemaker at school like she always has, didn’t make her relationship with Fabian better. She even later decided to protest against the engagement, despite the little sparks that keep flying and taunting this two when they are around each other.
I saw this sinetron last night because my sister said that the story was, like so many other sinetrons these days, adapted from a Korean TV Series** played by Lee Dong-Gun (Sweet 18). I couldn’t comment more about this because I haven’t watch that series. But adaptation or not, I have to give Sinema Art around of applause for the originally entertaining dialogues, naturally funny scenes—not the slapsticks you’d see a lot on your TV screen lately, new potentials on the casts line-up, and nice catchy-on-the-right-places soundtrack so far for only the last night episode. I just hope they didn’t prolong the script and turn it into another television disaster.
**Let me just say that one of them, I think the title is Benci Jadi Cinta, is horribly copying My Girl (Lee Dan Hae, Lee Dong Wuk, Lee Joon Ki). And when I said horribly, I mean tottaly horrid “HORRIBLY”. They made Nia Ramdhani’s hair and clothes—at least they tried to make them—just like Lee Dan Hae's, down to the furry scrafs, I mean, Hellooooo!!! It's tropical right here in Jakarta!!! Duh!!!; they cast Jonathan Frizzy who in a way looks like Lee Dong Wuk, God knows who they chose to play Lee Joon Ki’s part, I draw my line at the first cheesy ten minutes of the sinetron.
***For God sake, it was the exact (in Indonesian: plek-plekan) copy of the first ten minutes in My Girl: the bus scene, the heroine pretend to be ill in order to withhold the flight scene, even the bloody soundtrack, etc, but only in this case, they’re brilliantly making the—did I already say this?—cheesy and lowly version of it!!!!!! And they have the nerve to say that it’s NOT an “adaptation”? The word “adaptation” will not even deserve to be used to describe what they’re doing!
Phew… okay, I’ll need to take some air, here…
Anyway, tell me what you think after watching Pengantin Remaja. It’s on RCTI every Monday, 19.00. But let me say this: watching Christian Sugiono, the cute Javanese-German guy, on it will definitely worth your time… ;-p
Image and an article about this sinetron: :: IndonesiaSelebriti.com ::
Believe me, friend, I was as amazed as you are when you’re reading this posting to find myself actually enjoying a sinetron after I don’t know for how long! I mean, what possibly have possessed me to do this? But seriously, last night I find myself laughing out loud for this TV Series; its dialogues were actually funny; its casts were surprisingly genuinely good.
Starring Christian Sugiono and Alyyssa Soebandono, this sinetron gives us the story of a rather mischievous and popular high school girl named Amel who has been betrothed ever since she was born to his grandpa’s best friend’s grandson, Fabian. Amel already knew about this arrangement and was even looking forward to the happy day to come when she will finally meet her prince. They accidentally bumped to each other and instantly felt the attraction, but Amel didn’t know then, that Fabian was gonna be the new counselor teacher (in Indonesia: guru BP) at her school.
Being the troublemaker at school like she always has, didn’t make her relationship with Fabian better. She even later decided to protest against the engagement, despite the little sparks that keep flying and taunting this two when they are around each other.
I saw this sinetron last night because my sister said that the story was, like so many other sinetrons these days, adapted from a Korean TV Series** played by Lee Dong-Gun (Sweet 18). I couldn’t comment more about this because I haven’t watch that series. But adaptation or not, I have to give Sinema Art around of applause for the originally entertaining dialogues, naturally funny scenes—not the slapsticks you’d see a lot on your TV screen lately, new potentials on the casts line-up, and nice catchy-on-the-right-places soundtrack so far for only the last night episode. I just hope they didn’t prolong the script and turn it into another television disaster.**Let me just say that one of them, I think the title is Benci Jadi Cinta, is horribly copying My Girl (Lee Dan Hae, Lee Dong Wuk, Lee Joon Ki). And when I said horribly, I mean tottaly horrid “HORRIBLY”. They made Nia Ramdhani’s hair and clothes—at least they tried to make them—just like Lee Dan Hae's, down to the furry scrafs, I mean, Hellooooo!!! It's tropical right here in Jakarta!!! Duh!!!; they cast Jonathan Frizzy who in a way looks like Lee Dong Wuk, God knows who they chose to play Lee Joon Ki’s part, I draw my line at the first cheesy ten minutes of the sinetron.
***For God sake, it was the exact (in Indonesian: plek-plekan) copy of the first ten minutes in My Girl: the bus scene, the heroine pretend to be ill in order to withhold the flight scene, even the bloody soundtrack, etc, but only in this case, they’re brilliantly making the—did I already say this?—cheesy and lowly version of it!!!!!! And they have the nerve to say that it’s NOT an “adaptation”? The word “adaptation” will not even deserve to be used to describe what they’re doing!
Phew… okay, I’ll need to take some air, here…
Anyway, tell me what you think after watching Pengantin Remaja. It’s on RCTI every Monday, 19.00. But let me say this: watching Christian Sugiono, the cute Javanese-German guy, on it will definitely worth your time… ;-p
Image and an article about this sinetron: :: IndonesiaSelebriti.com ::
Friday, October 20, 2006
Blog: Nostalgic Mood
Every time I’m in a nostalgic mood towards Tokyo, I will take the “not so newly-imported-from Japan” PPD 46 Bus (Kampung Rambutan-Grogol). I will endure the hot wind that rarely blow from its big windows—cause the constant stopping and the slow moving—and pretend it was Tokyo’s summer breeze. In good days, I’ll get to see the still operating (at least, I thought it is, because of the red light) “Push if you want to get-off” buttons written in kanji. I will stare at it long and hard, remembering the times when I concentrated in trying to figure out what it’s saying and smile.
Tips: while in the bus just ignore the loud vendors, the mysterious odors from your neighbor, the non-air conditioned air, the dirty and rather torn-up seats, and all of that, and you’ll have Tokyo, no doubt about it! ;-p
Of course, these nostalgic moods have consequences: the 30 minutes drive will easily turn into 45 minutes or even 1 hour trip! Blahhh! That, and there’s no guarantee for your dashing looks to stay the same afterwards…
Note for pictures taken by chihiro 2005: 1) One of the street at Tachikawa 2) Ghibli’s Museum Bus—common type of bus in Japan
Monday, September 18, 2006
Blog: Lulu's Wedding Souvenir
Me the Cynic
For this last couple of years, I seldom spent time to familiarize myself with the so-called magic box known as the television. This weekend though, the afternoons seemed to have been spent by watching numerous infotainments that I heard have long dominated our TV screen.
One of the fresh and juicy topics for them nowadays is the unification of Lulu Tobing and the Cendana family. I was like, “yeah yeah whatever” all the way, some rich family’s wedding never intrigued me much anyway… But then I saw the wedding souvenirs. And I was… mad, upset!
The paper flowers were made from about seven to eighth Rp10.000 bills for the petals and two or three Rp20.000 bills for the leaves each; this was felt to be such a mockery for me. They were used the same way as any other insignificant/non-value pieces of paper. In the time like this, in the time of people losing their homes because of Lapindo’s mud, farmers fighting their rights against imported rice, and all of that… you’re giving away three, ladies and gentlemen, not one, but three flowers that each worth Rp150.000 to the people who consider that amount as petty cash?
One of the celebrities being interviewed for this “extraordinary” souvenir expressed her light disappointment when she realized that she had lost one of the Rp20.000 leaves. No one knew how much other petals or leaves that accidentally had fallen off and being stepped on, while for some people earning Rp10.000 a day can be a blessing. Sad… sad… Sanity, O the sweet dear sanity, where art thou?
Monday, August 28, 2006
Travel: Sam Po Kong Temple, Semarang
After all those years just driving through, we finally got the chance to visit this historical temple last long weekend (August 20th, 2006). The temple was located in the city of Semarang, central Java. You can easily drive past it on the way to Yogyakarta from Jakarta. No charge on admittance but I think it’s best to wear something modest—there were no written dress-code at the temple but nevertheless… after all the temple was a sacred place and many people still come and pray there.
I was really surprised to see how spacious it was. Up until now I always pictured it as one big temple, but instead I got to see a complex of one big main temple, two small temples each on its side, and one under construction—I think this one is going to have some kind of water features in front of it, also a quite large inside-ground in front of the temples, and all of this was surrounded with high, so very forbidden city like, walls. Lovely.
The complex was so much bigger than the one I went to see in Melaka, Malaysia, and Sam Po Kong’s statue was thinner in Semarang ;-p If you enter the main temple, you will find a long relief that told the story of Sam Po Kong’s journey in three languages: English, Indonesian and Chinese, at the back of it.
In addition, there were also some construction works for the gate. Looks like they’re going to make it grander than the main entrance. Maybe we can expect a complete new Sam Po Kong temple next year.
Though the toilet was better off to be left unmentioned (the toilet for gents was an open row of urinoirs under a big tree! Hehe), there was a small shop at its side that sells beverages, T-shirts and stickers for those who like souvenirs. Don’t expect designer’s work, though.
Too bad I didn’t bring along the camera with a bigger memory space, so there were not much space left for pictures.
Travel: SPBU 44.521.08, Tegal
If you’re on a drive to central Java through the Pantura, or to any other places, there will come a time when you need to stretch out your legs and answer those nature calls. Ten years ago, though this may be too far away back, you simply could not find a decent toilet everywhere on the road. I remembered having to hold my breath and focusing hard on not noticing my surrounding when using the public toilets; they were usually dirty, icky, dark, damp, cramped, and especially funny smelled.
But thanks to the recent revolutionary development on SPBU, we seldom need to torture our bladders by holding the calls anymore. Almost everywhere you look, you will find grander, cleaner, and even mall-like gas stations in Jakarta or at any other roads on main routes. Some of them have Starbucks, Indomaret, decent mushala, etc.
SPBU 44.521.08 in Tegal certainly know how to win its crowd by putting the BIG sign of “Pemenang Penghargaan MURI untuk Fasilitas Toilet Terbanyak 67 Toilet”; some of them maybe stop there to satisfy their curiosities, while some… well, simply because they need to go. My family and me were there on the account of both, and the place was turned out to be truly accommodating. The toilets (for the ladies’ at least, didn’t went to the gents’ ;-p) were clean, bright, and spacious enough to have a comfy shower, and there were no funny odor there. The mushala also nicely build with air conditioner, clean carpets, and good place to take your wudhu. They also had some clean mukenas to lend.
Over all, this SPBU will be a good choice for us to rest a while. Oh, but just for a little tip: don’t be too surprised if you find a lot of foods/beverages that were overpriced on its store. Anyway, here’s the record found in www.muri.org for more details:
1297. SPBU YANG MEMILIKI FASILITAS TOILET TERBANYAK 67 TOILET (15 KAMAR MANDI/WC, 12 KAMAR MANDI/WC PRIA dan 40 URINOIR)
Pemegang Rekor: SPBU 44.521.08 Sintha Irawati-Tegal
Ibu Shinta Irawati menumpangkan rekor lamanya sendiri di SPBU yang sama dahulu pada tanggal 16 Januari 2003, tercatat di MURI dengan jumlah fasilitas SPBU 44.521.08 tegal sebanyak 25 toilet (10 kamar mandi, 10 urinoir & 5 kamar mandi khusus pria) dan pada tanggal 30 Oktober 2004 sudah berjumlah 67 toilet. Fasilitas toilet ini layak masuk MURI sebagai SPBU yang memiliki fasilitas toilet terbanyak. Penyerahan Piagam dilakukan oleh Ibu Sri Widayati.
P.S. Sorry, no pictures. I got there with only one super urgent thing in mind. ;-p
But thanks to the recent revolutionary development on SPBU, we seldom need to torture our bladders by holding the calls anymore. Almost everywhere you look, you will find grander, cleaner, and even mall-like gas stations in Jakarta or at any other roads on main routes. Some of them have Starbucks, Indomaret, decent mushala, etc.
SPBU 44.521.08 in Tegal certainly know how to win its crowd by putting the BIG sign of “Pemenang Penghargaan MURI untuk Fasilitas Toilet Terbanyak 67 Toilet”; some of them maybe stop there to satisfy their curiosities, while some… well, simply because they need to go. My family and me were there on the account of both, and the place was turned out to be truly accommodating. The toilets (for the ladies’ at least, didn’t went to the gents’ ;-p) were clean, bright, and spacious enough to have a comfy shower, and there were no funny odor there. The mushala also nicely build with air conditioner, clean carpets, and good place to take your wudhu. They also had some clean mukenas to lend.
Over all, this SPBU will be a good choice for us to rest a while. Oh, but just for a little tip: don’t be too surprised if you find a lot of foods/beverages that were overpriced on its store. Anyway, here’s the record found in www.muri.org for more details:
1297. SPBU YANG MEMILIKI FASILITAS TOILET TERBANYAK 67 TOILET (15 KAMAR MANDI/WC, 12 KAMAR MANDI/WC PRIA dan 40 URINOIR)
Pemegang Rekor: SPBU 44.521.08 Sintha Irawati-Tegal
Ibu Shinta Irawati menumpangkan rekor lamanya sendiri di SPBU yang sama dahulu pada tanggal 16 Januari 2003, tercatat di MURI dengan jumlah fasilitas SPBU 44.521.08 tegal sebanyak 25 toilet (10 kamar mandi, 10 urinoir & 5 kamar mandi khusus pria) dan pada tanggal 30 Oktober 2004 sudah berjumlah 67 toilet. Fasilitas toilet ini layak masuk MURI sebagai SPBU yang memiliki fasilitas toilet terbanyak. Penyerahan Piagam dilakukan oleh Ibu Sri Widayati.
P.S. Sorry, no pictures. I got there with only one super urgent thing in mind. ;-p
Travel: Pandansari Beach, Kampung Samas
My father was feeling a bit adventurous, so he dragged us to this small beach in Kampung Samas—I used the word “drag” cause we were actually planning to go to Yogyakarta that day, even though we still visited it afterwards. To get to Pandansari Beach, we drove through Bantul and Kasongan—two areas that had suffered major destructions on Yogyakarta’s earthquake last May 27th. So the journey was somewhat felt like a disaster area tour; this made me remembered a TV report about a woman who was a tour guide in New Orleans. She changed her tour theme after the Katrina hurricane and showed devastated areas to tourists. It was really sad to see crumbled houses and building—some were still hopelessly standing with lopsided parts and torn apart roofs, the survivor’ tents, etc.
By the way, Kasongan was a great area for those who like to buy ceramics or other ethnic decorations for your house. You can find artistic wooden flowers; shellfish picture frames, wind chimes, etc; water fountain statues; drapes; and many more with reasonable—sometimes even considerately low—prices. After the quake, the shops were looking rather heartbreaking, but seeing some of them already began opening their businesses again—with high spirit—made my heart warm.
The beach itself was a bit desolated, there’s only one warung (foods/beverages vendor) active, but there were also two or three other empty huts in its surrounding. Perhaps they were out of business after the quake, or maybe earlier than that, judging from the not-so-developed-area. One interesting point of this beach was the lighthouse; never saw a lighthouse first handily before. It was white and cool and made me remember a lot of romantic stories ;-p. You can climb its stairs with 2000 rupiahs, but I didn’t try it.
The wind was so strong that day; I have to set my feet rather deep into the sand when taking pictures with my back facing the sea. The waves were menacingly big, really gave me the chill when picturing such powerful waters hit the land as tsunami. The lighthouse keeper told us that there were small earthquakes very early that morning, and this probably was the reason for the strong wind and big waves. Oh dear God, cannot image living with constant fear after a natural disaster, wondering when will it strike again…
Friday, June 16, 2006
Monday, June 12, 2006
Show: Balet dari Rusia: KALINKA
Gedung Kesenian Jakarta
Saturday, June 10th 2006--4 pm
Artistic Director: Alexander Filippov
Though the show was named “Ballet from Russia”, I think “Russian Folk Dances” would be a more appropriate name for the whole performances. There were seldom any ballets; in fact, as far as I can remember there was only one solo ballet number that day. But nevertheless, I was quite entertained. It was very pleasing to see cute boys and girls with their wonderful glimmering costumes. The group was consisted of four boys and ten girls, with age ranging from 9-14 years old.
I finally had the chance to see the black fur hats, the red velvet jackets, the blue with yellow striped pants, and the “kicking dance” Russia was so famous about with my own eyes. The whole folk dances (especially the dances for boys) primarily consisted of these leg-expertise-required movements. Though looked so easy, I can promise you my bones will no doubt break only after one jump, if I insanely try to do this life-threatening move. Hahaha. The few incidents such as knocking a friend with a—what is it called, again? The baby rattle look alike—music instrument; slipping; forgetting to put the right hand on top the left; etc was never minded much. Even though there were no breathtaking performances, I was very tensed when watching the dance number with glass pitchers--the after-harvest wine dance. On that number, two girls danced around, each with a glass pitcher on their heads. And, get this; there were actually some fluid in those pitchers!! I kept imagining what’ll happen if they drop it… arrgghhh… Fortunately nothing bad happened.
I was also very impressed with their stamina. But of course being a professional dancer—even if you’re a child--will require that. I will close this posting with the notion: the Russian songs I heard during that day surely fulfilled the stereotype of them being first-slow-and then-very fast paced-melody! That and a “Huh!!!” on every kicking moves.
Saturday, June 10th 2006--4 pm
Artistic Director: Alexander Filippov
Though the show was named “Ballet from Russia”, I think “Russian Folk Dances” would be a more appropriate name for the whole performances. There were seldom any ballets; in fact, as far as I can remember there was only one solo ballet number that day. But nevertheless, I was quite entertained. It was very pleasing to see cute boys and girls with their wonderful glimmering costumes. The group was consisted of four boys and ten girls, with age ranging from 9-14 years old.
I finally had the chance to see the black fur hats, the red velvet jackets, the blue with yellow striped pants, and the “kicking dance” Russia was so famous about with my own eyes. The whole folk dances (especially the dances for boys) primarily consisted of these leg-expertise-required movements. Though looked so easy, I can promise you my bones will no doubt break only after one jump, if I insanely try to do this life-threatening move. Hahaha. The few incidents such as knocking a friend with a—what is it called, again? The baby rattle look alike—music instrument; slipping; forgetting to put the right hand on top the left; etc was never minded much. Even though there were no breathtaking performances, I was very tensed when watching the dance number with glass pitchers--the after-harvest wine dance. On that number, two girls danced around, each with a glass pitcher on their heads. And, get this; there were actually some fluid in those pitchers!! I kept imagining what’ll happen if they drop it… arrgghhh… Fortunately nothing bad happened.
I was also very impressed with their stamina. But of course being a professional dancer—even if you’re a child--will require that. I will close this posting with the notion: the Russian songs I heard during that day surely fulfilled the stereotype of them being first-slow-and then-very fast paced-melody! That and a “Huh!!!” on every kicking moves.
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