How you grow food in Indonesia through American eyes
After a long time not updating this page, now I wanna share a new experience of my friend, Colin Tomkins-Bergh from the USA about his curiosity to how Indonesians grow their food especially in western Indonesia, more especially in Bandung, West Java. So here is the story:
Over the past three weeks I have stumbled into a number of agricultural fields in Indonesa. This has happened because 1) their fields are gorgeous and 2) I’m interested in how crops grow in different countries.
The fields surrounding Bandung are purely beautiful. Most of them are nestled away on the hillsides that surround the city. Almost all of the fields are terraced giving the scenery a neatly designed pattern.
I haven’t taken any tours of the fields, but my group did explore the fields for a few hours one day for some trekking. All of the thoughts below are from observations and limited research on agriculture in Indonesia.
Observations on Agriculture:
What you can see along way from Jakarta to Bandung
Rice grows EVERYWHERE. From the first train I took from Jakarta to Bandung rice paddies lined both sides of the track everywhere there wasn’t a city. Indonesia is actually the third larges rice producer in the world, which considering the small amount of land mass is quite impressive. I’ve heard that they can grow 3-4 crops of rice a year because of the tropical climate. Also, any free space within cities is taken up by rice paddies. Multiple times there has been a rice paddy surrounded by buildings and streets on all for sides (picture below).
Rice paddy in the town
Crops grow in bags: I’ve seen this be very popular in the hills around Bandung from crops like Strawberries to green onions. I believe that it’s purpose is to improve the soil quality by using different soil and adding fertilizer. Either way it looks really cool!
How many people we can provide with all these paddies?
Tea Plantations! Some of the most beautiful fields that I’ve seen. These pictures are all located in southern Bandung. We got to talk with some of the workers who a surprising number of them were from Saudi Arabia. They would come to Indonesia, work, then bring the tea bag to Saudi Arabia to sell.
Gorgeous rolling hills of the tea plantations
This cool article is written by Colin Tomkins-Bergh in his blog, colintomkinsbergh.wordpress.com
Check his blog, it is so awesome :)
Photos: Colin Tomkins-Bergh, Dio Sundoro
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From Poland to Indonesia: Savu Island, The Extraordinary Journey
“When you leave a beautiful place, you carry it with you wherever you go.”
This quote from Alexandra Stoddard is really suitable to describe the journey done by my friend from Poland, Paweł Nowakowski, after his journey to Indonesia in 2013. Yep, Savu Island. There might be many of you who haven’t heard this island name before. So let’s get lost to Savu Island to go along the path of his footstep :
After 11 months spent my time living in Indonesia I've collected so much experiences, so I would say, it's more than I've achieved in past 25 years. I've never been on the road such a long time, it was the longest stay outside my home country in my life.
My journey began after I grabbed my lonely planet guidebook and map of Indonesia, I've had a plan to go to East Nusa Tenggara, to see all the nice places with Komodo dragons as a highlight. During making plans where to go, I've found an island on the map that wasn't listed in a guidebook. It grasped my attention, I started to ask myself, what's there? is it worth to go to the place which is unknown for most people? Let's give it a try.
“My trip was something like this...”
I didn’t meet any person who can have knowledge about this island yet. I relied on myself and what was going to happen on my way there. I started from Lombok to Flores with huge ship. Then crossed Flores from west to east, to Maumere city. Took a ship to Kupang where my couchsurfing host was waiting for me. I've met her neighbor who was originally from mysterious island I was going to! I've had lots of luck to meet someone from there, I didn't expect it, but it happens very often, that when travelling you accidentaly meet people on your way who can show the further path. As my time in Kupang passed, I get into the boat to the island, I was few weeks ago afraid of, I was thinking if it's worth to go. Now is pure adventure, and I was happy to be there at the moment. Let's go to Savu island!
“Finally... Savu Island!”
I get out of the ship after tough journey, I couldn't sleep cause the ship was overcrowded and I was only foreigner on board. Everyone wanted to talk, get to know me alike where I'm from, where I am going, or in what purpose.
“No turis di sana mister, no hotel, no apa apa.” (no tourist, Sir. No hotel, nothing to see)
I was thinking like, ‘Who cares?’
“Too beautiful to play with.”
After I landed. Everyone was so surprised seeing me there, maybe even more than I was at the time. Although I got someone from Kupang who can help me to interact with the people in the island, I honestly didn’t know how they would react on ‘bule’ coming to the village. It turned out that they were extremely happy to see me and helped me. I became a member of family and I lived with them in a traditional hut.
“Traditional house in the island”
After few days I knew all important people here, a teacher from local school, kepala desa (village chief) who arrived to the harbor to shake my hand, and a policeman who borrowed me his motorbike which got damaged after my lonely trip around island. I didn't realize the motorbike got very weak brakes which cause me slipped on one of the slopes and I crashed down from the hill. I got bleeding, in the middle of nowhere, no people around. But I've heard voices of people, they were running to me with help. And again something happened I did not expected. 100 meters from this place was house of a doctor whom I met near the harbor. I don't know how to call it, a miracle?
“I am officially Savu villager, hehe...”
Apart this situation, I've had really good time in here. I became a member of family, I was going for every event around, going fishing and drinking strong homemade rum with fishermen which was totally the best beverage I've tried, cooking together and talk only Indonesian cause none of them were able to speak English. I remember this moment for a long time.
“The people are so friendly though”
“Making traditional fabrics. Just imagine the complication of the pattern she made”
One more thing, apparently I couldn't get out of the island due to lack of the ships, one ship I was waiting for a week! And it got broken. No choice, had to stay one more week :) But I tell you something, If you are looking for a calm place and want to stay alone with your thoughts, not disturbed by mass tourism, this is exactly the place you are looking for. At the time I visited the island (2013) there were no place to sleep; the only possibility was to stay with a family. Still empty and beautiful island, free of tourism and greedy touts. Hahaha...
“Trapped in an island like this. Why not?”
My trip to the ‘wild part’ of Indonesia makes me realize that I've seen so many beautiful places, I've met many interesting people and still keep in touch with them. I had this opportunity to stay in culturally different country than mine, feeling the difference, trying to understand people there, how they live and how they think. But I was still missing something, I didn't have enough of explorations. These days, every interesting place is listed in a guidebook, that everyone can find it. It's so easy to travel with all these information given. And that was bothering me. That we all who come here, going through the same path, using the same services to reach the goal, there is nothing what can surprise you. I didn't believe in it and decided to travel out of the box.
“Sunset in Savu, see you Savu. Will see you again”
Written by: Paweł Nowakowski
Photos: Paweł Nowakowski (Swiata Penetracja), eagle-eyed: Laily Lanisy (thelanisy.com), map: Wikipedia
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Why you shouldn’t be offended of what Indonesians say
Why you shouldn’t be offended of what Indonesians say
Indonesians are known for their friendliness because we have been taught to be polite, know our manners, and to always smile. But, there are some things that Indonesians often say that are considered rude by non-Indonesians, especially by Europeans. I for one started to feel uncomfortable when my fellow Indonesians say these things to me.
"Jogja, Undoubtedly An Endless Memories," said a guy from India
Jogjakarta, or usually called Jogja, is the most fascinating place in Indonesia. Not only because of its location, but also the culture that has created Jogja as the most unique province in Indonesia. Jogja, or formally called Ngayogyakarta Hadinigrat, is the only province in Indonesia led by a Sultan (while the other provinces are led by governors). Jogja is also called a Sultanate province as its system like a kingdom territory. The hundreds of years civilization in Jogja region has influenced Jogja today, like you can find numerous ancient temples which were built enormously, and also some cultures which still maintain in this modern age.
My friend from India, Harsh Agarwal, will share his story about Jogja, and like what he said, trip to Jogja is lots of endless memories.
I would like to start with a subtle question or rather with a rhetorical one- Is it the places and the inanimate things which make our journeys a memorable one or is it the people with whom we accomplish these journeys make it look like a wonderful dream? Well I guess in my guess both the above mentioned aspects did the trick! When my modest and humble trip did became “The trip” of my life I just couldn’t take a note of it! I was so immersed in this dream like reality of mine that I barely bothered to give a thought about what was going around me! You guys must be thinking “Why is he praising his XYZ trip so much! He didn’t scale any Mt. Everest or walked on the moon! So why?!” Yes I did neither of the things! But what I did or what I experienced was nothing less than those above mentioned achievements also!
Malioboro Street
Enjoying beaches in Jogja
My six days in Jogja, Indonesia were a complete bliss. Everything about Jogja looks just so perfect (Except for that travelling in crowded buses at times!). There is something mystical, something very exquisite about Jogja which makes it so distinct from the other places in Java. Here it is just not about the beaches and the surf boards. Starting from the overwhelming nature of the local people to the breath taking view of serene calm blue water, everything seems to be exclusively hand-made by the God himself!
Prambanan Temple
Sewu Temple
Borobudur
And one can never miss out on those immaculately built Hindu temples! There you’ll see unnumbered gigantic Hindu Temples like Prambanan and Sewu Temple which are displaying the finest craftsmanship that man could ever witness. And also the world’s biggest Buddhist temple in the northern side like Borobudur Temple, is bound to transport you into the medieval times. And did I mention about the food? I won’t be doing justice to my write-up if I don’t mention how mad the Jogja food was! Their taste is Epic. Jogja cuisine has by far one of the most delicious platter that one can ever eat in his lifetime.
Besides the temples, visiting Bukit Bintang (the Star Hill) is something that I am going to cherish all throughout my life. I doubt if ever again I will witness something so great and so marvelous. It is called so because when you are on top of that place it seems that the Stars have themselves descended from the skies to greet you! As far as your vision can go you can only see a clear sky twinkling with billions and trillions of those heavenly bodies all around you! It is “The place” for the couples in love to be!
City view from Bukit Bintang
Pindul Cave
And what can I say for my Cave Ride! It was so much of fun! I mean how many of us have been inside a cave that to in your own raft and that to when it is raining like cats and dogs!! There is 20ft deep water beneath your raft and a pitch dark cave to surround you coupled with typical Bat noises! I am quite sure that feeling adventurous as well as scared at the same time like in this ride is something that we haven’t seen people experiencing quite often!
Mushroom Satay
Posing in Ulen Sentalu Museum
If I can tell you anything about Jogja right now, it has many perfect locations, even more perfect food and all these with a bunch of the perfect people! I had all the ingredients to make my trip the best one ever! My friends and I, who all went together. We all were from different countries, we spoke different languages, we all had a different lifestyle but one thing was same amongst all of us- The infinite love for Jogja. Yes we all were and still we are Deeply, Madly and Crazily in love with this beautiful island! This city made me dumbstruck with its beauty; it left me speechless with its architecture and filled my heart with love seeing the people’s utmost warmth and hospitality. Undoubtedly Jogja is that One Place that has gifted me with Endless Memories till I breathe my last.
Taman Sari
“Not always you have to be rich in order to enjoy the richness of the world!” The warmth of the people and the grandeur of the Temples with which they welcome you are sure to make you feel like a blessed being. Undoubtedly this trip was “The trip” of my life!
(source: Harsh Agarwal)
(photos: Harsh Agarwal, Pulkita Agrawal, Dio Sundoro, Alex McSporran, wikipedia.com)
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When you're doing a trip in Java, choose train as your intercities transportation. Unlike using cars or airplanes, the railways on Java island pass across the hills, cliffs, mountainsides, and riversides in one way. The best landscape you can see from along the way from Bandung to Jogjakarta, and from Jogjakarta to Malang.
The photo from a photographer, Derek (Hank888) just proves it. Here is one shot landscape while on the way between Jogjakarta and Malang.
(photo: Derek, flickr.com)
Kali Kuning, Cangkringan, Sleman
Jogjakarta, Indonesia.
Located at the downside of one of the most active volcanoes in the world, Mount Merapi, Kali Kuning (literally means 'yellow river') is a river which not only flows the water but sometimes flows the cold lava from the Merapi eruption. The volcanic ashes burn down the trees into black dead woods, and produce fertile soil which grows the young plants easily.
(photo: 3 Joko,beingindonesian)
These 5 Places in Indonesia look awesome. But wait until you see them other ways!!!
There is nothing more epic than seeing the real life huge lizard, Komodo Dragon in Komodo Island. But when you see the island from up above...
(photos: myexperienceoflife.wordpress.com, fotowisata.com)
4. Ranu Kumbolo, Semeru
East Java province
Ranu Kumbolo is the first springs you'll find when hiking to Mahameru, the peak of Semeru Volcano. This is a very refreshing place you'll stay a night before continuing the hiking, and you'll be amazed what will happen at night.
(photos: Pitaloka89, clubsnap.com, Wira Nurmansyah, Cheppy Photography)
3. Borobudur
Central Java province
With its humongous structure and a very complex architecture, everybody who ever see Borobudur will always say this is the perfection of ancient temple the men ever made, even though seeing through the picture. But something you need to know, a good position and good time will make it more perfect.Just try to see Borobudur from Punthuk Setumbu in the early morning. See how the mystical fog surrounds the temple with the background of Mount Merapi.
(photos: Asdi Kurniawan)
2. Kawah Ijen (Ijen Crater), Banyuwangi
East Java province
Located in the easternmost part of Java Island, Kawah Ijen which is located on the peak of Ijen Volcano is a beautiful place to see, with its sulfuric rock color (and the sulfuric smell) and a light-blue volcanic lake. But like what many people say, "The real party always start at night,". And here they go, the blue fire of Kawah Ijen!
(photos: boston.com, sip-alamnusantara.blogspot.com, Gita Wisata, Alika, Olivier Grunewald)
And the most jawdropping views you'll see in.....
1. Raja Ampat
West Papua province
Raja Ampat literally means "The Four Kings", is a district which consists of a minor archipelago located in the west of Papua mainland. From up above, you will see a very natural views from the green islands spread on the sea, but the view of the "real kingdoms" is actually located down below the sea surface. Be ready to hold your jaw!
Feel the experince of Raja Ampat underwater through this video:
(photos: Jalan2.com, Gaia Discovery, Linda Eline, Diversion Dive Travel, Greenpeace, Indigo Safaris, lokasiwisata.info)
(video: Raja Ampat, Indonesia - Scuba diving in paradise, by midael75, courtesy of Youtube)
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See how strong the Komodo Dragon's biting is and how it slapped the thing around.
Komodo Dragon, the strongest lizard you'll ever meet
The story from Komodo Island
East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
See the location in here
(source: "Deadly", BBC Earth)
Searching The Javanese Sunrise with a Pretty German Adventurer
After my AIESEC internship in Bandung. I went to Malang city, East Java and did a tour to Bromo from the city. I booked it at the hostel I stayed at. The tour started at 1 am, I think, so basically in the middle of the night. I and my two Dutch girls went into a jeep and we drove to Bromo. Later on the drive I realized why we needed that jeep. As soon as we hit volcano terrain it got super bumpy. That was when all of us, 3 tourists, woke up from our nap and I was pretty much shocked by the fog. It was so extremely foggy I couldn't even see the whole bonnet. I have absolutely no idea how the driver even knew where he was driving. It was really scary, especially because from time to time some dead trees appeared: possible items to hit considering we had no view at all (it felt like in a horror movie).
But… the driver was great and he brought us safe up to the volcano. We thought that he would also be our guide, so we were a little surprised, when he suddenly stopped and said, ”That’s the way straight ahead to watch sunrise you need to walk.”
So, with a little scared feeling, the three of us made our way up to the volcano. And it was almost pitch black because we only had one flashlight
Finally, after some hiking, we arrived an outlook.
We were not quite sure whether that was the place we were supposed to stay or not. The guy was not feeling that well due to a stomach flu (basically a must have on every trip to Indonesia) but the girl and me wanted to give it a try and climb a little higher. At first we had some trouble finding our way, but finally we found a small path
We still had some time until sunrise. So we climbed and climbed and climbed…. in total probably like 2-3 hours. And we could still see not see very much. Finally at twilight, we found a place to stop where we stayed and watched the most amazing sunrise together with three French guys. It was a very beautiful stop, the fog which made it more mystical, and the sunrise just came up and burned the fog so beautifully. The most perfect landscape you ever see.
After the sunrise, we climbed down to Bromo itself.
There we also climbed up to have a look into the bubbling deep. It was pretty impressive. We still didn't have breakfast and were starting to feel exhausted. So we drove to our next stop, halfway around Bromo to the Teletubbies hills (that’s literally the name of the hills, haha)
After that we left the volcanic caldera. We had another stop and a small hiking to a beautiful waterfall. Pretty much hiking for one day!
And the Indonesian sun hit me and burned me quite bad our last stop on the trip was a small Hindu temple. But I had seen Prambanan and Borobudur before, so I was not that impressed. On my way back down from the crater rim where we watched sunrise I realized how steep it was. At some places it went a couple hundred meters down, just next to the path. Lucky I didn't see that on my way up
I don't know if I would have made it all the way up if I knew it before, but I’m really glad I did. It was absolutely worth it. All in all it was an absolutely stunning and amazing trip.
(source: personal interview)
(photos: Alina's personal document)
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Baiturrahman Grand Mosque, the iconic building of Banda Aceh. This mosque is one the buildings which miraculously remained standing after the tsunami.
The Minaret of Baiturrahman Mosque, glowing in the night
The city never sleeps, Banda Aceh seen from Goh Leumo, Ujoeng Pancu
"From Banda Aceh with Love," seen from Lampulo port
Sultan Iskandar Muda International Airport, one of the spot you can reach Banda Aceh through (via airplane obviously)
Sultan Iskandar Muda Airport from above
Sometimes you will find some wrecks from the tsunami which turn into memorial spots or something else useful.
Coming back to Baiturrahman Minaret and nothing changes, it's the same beautiful
Harapan Bangsa Stadium, feel the spirit!
Aceh Tsunami Museum, the symbol of Aceh people's courage. There are only two tsunami museums you can find in the world, the other one is in Japan.
The main hall of Aceh Tsunami Museum, designed like traditional house of Aceh and also can be used as the evacuation spot for the tsunami survival.
The Chamber of Blessing, the most touching part in the tsunami museum. Here you will see the names of all victims in 2004 tsunami carved on the chamber wall. On the top, you will see the silhouette of the sign 'Allah' (means God) watching over from up above.
All the flags of the countries which help the restoration of Aceh province at the ceiling of the main hall, and you see them saying word 'peace' in their national languages
Aceh Tsunami Museum seen from Kerkhoff cemetery, the cemetery complex area of the Dutch colonials from the Dutch colonialism era.
Lampuuk Beach, 10 years ago it was the first land reached by the deathly tsunami
Waiting the sunset of Lampuuk
and going up to the cliff right behind Lampuuk Beach
Lhoknga Beach, just another pretty beach in Aceh then (surely it's pretty)
No Taxi? Labi-Labi can be your other choice. Labi-Labi is literally the name of a turtle, but Labi-Labi in here is the traditional minibus in Banda Aceh.
Wanna know the location of Banda Aceh? It's located in here
(photos:
Danny Photoworks
Very Andre F
PortalAceh
GalleryAceh
skycrapercity.com
BMW2002 Tour & Travel
Kasfo Brankas Informasi
Lensa Kamera ARFA
Kaskus
destindonesia.com
foto.okezone.com
buzzerbeezz.com)
