DONGENG & CERITA RINGAN

Kota Lama - City of Semarang - Indonesia

2010-01-17T06:48:00.002+08:00

Kota Lama - Semarang - Central Java

Our Tour – 15 December 2009

Semarang is a capital city of the Province of the Central Java, the city itself situated at central - north area of Java island and is about 600km from Jakarta to the east and about 1 hour flight or approximately 6 hrs by train from Jakarta. The population is approximately 1.5 millions (info from Wikipedia), since 1993 this city became sisters of Brisbane – Queensland Australia. The elevation in most parts of the city is approximately close to the sea level, the southern area is situated on a scarp which runs from the area called “Candi” to the town of Ungaran and beyond. Most of the areas in Indonesia are humid and this was no exception for Semarang, the humidity in this city is very high.

We went to Semarang on December 2009 to visit my sisters and stay at my sister house for 3 days, yes….I was born in this city so I use to know most the areas in city. However, the situation are very different compared to my childhood period and the time when I was there some 30-35 years ago. That was when I went back in this city continuing my high school education. But the scenery remains unchanged in the area called “Kota Lama” or old city. Most of the buildings built on the Dutch era are still standing; in fact some of the buildings of “Kota Lama” are protected by the government under the heritage laws.

Figure 1 - Map A - Kota Lama an the Seaport

My wife and I decided to explore this Kota Lama by feet in a day light, the sun was bright and strong and so were the heat and the humidity. From my sister’s place we caught a taxi, and approximately 30 minutes later we were already in Kota Lama which is situated at the north toward to the shore. We started at jalan Suprapto where the icon of Kota Lama stands, i.e. the building called “Gereja Blenduk” (pronounced like gheraejae bleundook). I’m not exactly sure how this name would translate in English, but looking at the building with the dome alike feature on her roof top that may be where the name Blenduk came from; and Gereja means Church. Up till now this building still has the same function as it was and is very well maintained. I’m not sure when this building was constructed, some data says this building was completed in 1753 and then underwent for extensive renovation in 1894.

Figure 2 - Map B – Area of Kota Lama - the Gereja Blenduk (A) to Railway Station

Here are the photos of one of the city icons in Kota Lama – Gereja Blenduk.

Figure 3 - Gereja Blenduk from the front-left

Figure 4 - Another picture of Gereja Blenduk

From Gereja Blenduk we walked along the street to the west (approximately 500m) toward to the Bridge of Berok River (see the map B), along the way there are other old buildings which still stands and are occupied. Some of the architecture or roof top designs of the buildings were European and some of it were Chinese style. The one of the building with Chinese roof top style is located just in front of the Gereja Blenduk. The building currently is used as a restaurant by the name of “Ikan Bakar Cianjur” specialising in grilled fish. I’ll come back to tell about this restaurant later.

Back to Berok bridge, the river or canal was used by small vessels to load/unload merchandise goods to and from the warehouse along the river. As you can see in the map A, the river runs up to the seaport of Tanjung Emas. Those activities disappeared long ago and this river can no longer be used as part of a transportation system for Semarang city. Looking at the bridge itself, you can still see the old look of the area. The street lights at the four corners of the bridge are the same style as on the other areas of Kota Lama.

Figure 5 - The Berok Bridge & Corners Street Light

Restaurant

After walking a while along Jl. Suprapto, we couldn’t stand the heat and humidity any longer. My wife was sweating like she just finished with her heavy exercises and I myself feel so muggy all over, so we decided to come back and enter the restaurant (mentioned above) just to cool down a bit.
There is other restaurant located also in front of Gereja Blenduk and just 3 building away to the east of the "Ikan Bakar Cianjur", the name is Restaurant 29 which specialising in a type of kebab or sate (Sate & Gule Kambing). I did not visit this restaurant and so I can not comment on the building occupied by this restaurant or the kebab itself, but friend of mine told me the menu is one of the Semarang's specific favourites foods. He want to comeback again one day said Mr. Bakti Sudaryono. Here I copied the foto of the front look of the Restaurant 29 from "cityguide.kapanlagi.com" below.

Restaurant 29 - courtesy of cityguide.kapanlagi.com

The restaurant “Ikan Bakar Cianjur” is a well known restaurant throughout Java and Bali, but this particular restaurant is a rare occasion. The restaurant occupied the old building built some 230 years ago, and the building is still well maintained makes you feel ‘whaaooo’ being inside of the building. The ornaments, floor tiles, detail of the ceilings and doors seems are all still original. We spoke to the receptionist and asked her permission to take photos inside the building, she kindly let us walk around taking pictures. Here are some photos of the restaurant of “Ikan Bakar Cianjur” at Jl. Suprapto – Semarang.

The roof style on this building it's look to me does not belong to European architecture, I am inclined to say that roof top design more to the Chinese architecture. The height of the ceilings are high above, I think probably around 8 metres high. Anyway, if you planned to visit Semarang or if you haven’t been to this place, I strongly recommend to spare your time to visit.

Figure 6 - The 230 years old building occupied by restaurant "Ikan Bakar Cianjur"

Figure 7 - Picture of restaurant from different angle

Figure 8 - Inside view of the restaurant

Figure 9 - From the front looking onto kitchen area at the back

We were having dinner last night in this restaurant and the menus were really great. After finishing our glass of water and a glass of juice of sirsak and some rest of course, we continue our tour. This time we walked across the road in front of the restaurant and continued walking behind Gereja Blenduk toward to the “Tawang” train station (“Stasiun Kereta Api Tawang”). Along the way we passed the old buildings until we reached the big water catchment before the Tawang train station (see figure 13 below). Not sure what the function of the water catchment is, some say this massive manmade water pond is to contain the flood waters during rainy season of some certain area before being pumped or released to the down stream area. Below some photos we took during our tour.

Figure 10 - Small Park just opposite of the Gereja Blenduk

Figure 11 - Water Painting around Gereja Blenduk

Figure 12 - Paved Road and Street Light around the Water Catchment

Figure 13 - Water Catchment and view surrounding it

Figure 14 - Gereja Blenduk at the background

The view surrounding the area to the Tawang railway station look very classic and contrast compare to the other part of the city. The new street lights are made by copying the original old street light, paving has been used for street floor instead of bitumen. Those combinations of old building, street lights, paved road, make us enjoy walking around in this kota lama.

The downsides are, most of the water drains along the streets are not well maintained causing dirty water trapped in the drain and causing terrible smell, even on the bigger water drain i.e. around the water catchment, the water was so dirty and smelly. We have to hold our breath when passing the blocked water drains, really this was not nice experience we have. Also we couldn't find leaflet containing information about the area, luckily I am still familiar with the area but it will be a bit difficult for someone elses who knows nothing about this precinct.

Seeing the kota lama during our tour, I am led to believe that there has been lot of money spent to make this town becoming tourist attraction. However, the smell on the most area of Kota Lama has ruined the “appetite” for tourist to come back and I think the money became not well spent.

I think this precinct have a high value and can be sold as a tourist attraction, there are interesting objects, the good roads and the nice restaurants (may be more restaurants needed). And may be just a few add on needed i.e. tourist information booklet or leaflet which can be placed in the restaurant and train station, provide a post of tourist information (optional) and of course the smelly water drains that need to be fixed.

Anyone interested to walk around kota lama, we suggested doing it in either morning or in the late afternoon to avoid the sun burn. Hope the smelly water drain will disappeared soon.

Figure 15 - Tawang Railway Station from the other side of Water Catchment

Railway Station

Semarang biggest railway station was declared in 1868 or some 140 years ago and at present is the main railway station for the city, connecting this city to other capital city in Java island i.e. Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, Jogyakarta etc. In fact according to some sources this building was also claimed to be the first biggest railway station built in Indonesia.

We planned to catch the train called “Harina” in this station to Bandung on the following day after our visit here. However there are no commuter trains available for this city, instead the city relies on buses and mini buses for inner city transportation or taxis. Here are some photos of Tawang railway station we took during our visit.

Figure 16 - Main building of Semarang biggest railway station

Figure 17 - Left wing of the railway station

Lawang Sewu

The next city’s icon that we wanted to visit is the building that the locals call her “Lawang Sewu” or building with “thousand doors”. As stated by her nickname, obviously this building has so much doors and windows.

From Tawang railway station you can ride becak (three cycle) which will bring you to the west across Berok bridge and then along jalan Bojong (renamed to jalan Pemuda). The Lawang Sewu building is located at the end of jalan Pemuda or some 5 – 6 kilometres from Tawang railway station. However we caught a taxi instead just to cool ourselves down after walking in the heat.

OK, now we went with a tour guide, someone that will take us around and explain the past history of this building. Tariff for a guide was only Rp50 thousand, you can give him a tip if you like.

So here we go a short note of this historic building.

This building built and declared in 1907 and owned by the railway company, but then this property has changed hands to other parties a number of times before it went back to become part of railway’s company asset again. During the WW II, the building was used by Japanese to detain the politicians prisoner of war, where they we tortured and even used for the executions of those prisoners. According to my guide those activities happened on the top floor and at the underground floor, which contained water up to the knees. Lots of people have the impression that this building has become haunted, my guide told me some people who have ability to see the other “world” can communicate with “someone else” living in the building. The underground chamber are becoming the test case for people/individual wanting to experience (usually at night time) and witnesses of those story.

Anyway, no wonder people gave the nickname to this building as “Lawang Sewu”, the corridors on the right and left side of the building on either first and 2nd floor are doors and there are doors as long as you can see. Here some photos we took during our visit.

Figure 18 - The both tower in front of this building was used to place a water tank which obviously been used for supplying water for sinks, toilets, etc

Figure 19 - Left Wing of Lawang Sewu

Figure 20 - One of the corridors of Lawang Sewu

Figure 21 - In the building also found steel climbing staircase which according to our tour guide is the same one as on the Titanic passengers ship sank on the Atlantic ocean

Figure 22 - Wash tables at the back of the building was brought from Amsterdam and still in good condition

Figure 23 - The Brand of the Wash tables above

Figure 24 - I just know that during those year the man urinary similar to today’s one was already been used, but this one is high quality ceramic

Other interesting events
Few times I went back to Semarang and see the city grow. In the past the business activities centralised at around Kota Lama, i.e. at jalan Bojong (Pemuda), and pasar Johar (Johar market), nowadays are shared by other shopping districts i.e. Simpang Lima.

I also found that people of Semarang still very tolerant as it was in the past, always step back and look at the whole picture before taking necessary action. May be this is why aren’t easy to influence the provocative acts to the people of Semarang.

There are also festivals every year including Chinese festival, I haven’t seen these Chinese festival yet but people say it was very big and people enjoying it. The next visit we may arrange our time to coincide with those festivals.

So long, till next time……

DIY at Around the House

2009-09-02T12:02:00.000+08:00

Working in and around the house – August 2009

For the last few weeks I’ve been busy working around the house, not doing too hard but few things were done. Sealing/patching the walls crack, replacing all ceiling light unit with the new one (DIY option), installing downlight under the kitchen overhead cupboard and also in the bookshelf, painting the entrance and back doors and painting one of the bathroom. The house look better now….and my wife say that word too…..nice…very nice…
Our house was built in 2003, it was housing boom on that period. The problem with walls cracking appear to be common for the house built on this period. When I met an old man at Bunning Warehouse and I mention about the walls crack, he told me: in the old days the builder need to wait approximately up to 6 month before walls plastering works can begin. The reason behind it was to wait until the building and its support become settle and also giving time for material completely dry and stop expanding or shrinking, so there will no movement which can cause the walls plaster become affected. There you go, so his explanation is a relief for me because there is no problem with walls structure of my house.
It wasn’t nice when you sit in the living room, lounge room or in the bathroom seeing few walls crack in front of you although the cracks were very thin. So I bought multipurpose filler in a tube and start filling it one by one, it was not difficult and only need a scrapper and sandpaper. Now the whole walls becoming nicer, there are no sore eyes objects anymore.

Below are photos of kitchen before and after replacing ceiling unit and installing downlight under the kitchen’s cupboard.

Photo No 1 – Kitchen with default lighting

Photo 2 – Kitchen after lighting installed.

The next small project is: The backyard of my house.
Our backyard is quite small, the size in approximately 17 x 5 metres and approximately half of it already occupied by patio as well as paved. Then there is a garden shed, rosemary, mandarin and lime lemon plants, so only left a bit for the project.

Here is the photo of current situation of my backyard. The concrete square blocks laid on both sides are the new stuff that I just bought for this project. The area was previously a green small lawn, but then my dog ruined it. Since then we abandoned these area.
Now I have time to do it, so I will turn some of area becoming a vegies garden and the other paved with charcoal colour paver.

Photo 3 – Abandoned backyard

A. The Vegies Garden
I copied the TV programmed aired last week (Better Homes and Gardens), in the preparation it was said there is not necessary to do anything on the area even if there is grass on it. Just covered it up with news paper and soil required for the bed. So….this will be easy….
Here is my list and cost for my vegies garden:

Description ----------------Dimension/Unit ------------------Total Cost ($)
Perimeters ------------------5 x 2 metres -----------------------168.3
Fence (lattice) ---------------6 EA ------------------------------132.90
Garden Soil ------------------1 trailer load -----------------------56.0
Compost ---------------------1 trailer load -----------------------66.0
Reticulation --------------Black poly pipe (left over) --------------35
Others -------------------------------------------------------------15
TOTAL ----------------------------------------------------------453.2

I include the lattice fence to stop my dog wondering around into the vegies area, it cost a bit but it will stop all of us becoming annoying because of our dog destroy our hobby.
I must tell you, I have a crook back so this works will be slow otherwise I will end up laying in bed with agonising pain in my back. Just to let you know the weight of masonry block for the border/perimeter is approximately 17Kg each, yes it a bit heavy. My son helping me out to unload it then transported and stacked at the backyard.
Here are some photos of the works in progress for creating the vegies garden. Pfuih…..what a small project….$450 for a vegies garden!?….hope I can get something out of it. Well at least my backyard should become tidy and not abandoned.

Photo 4 – Work in progress, border are laid off along the planned area

Photo 5 – Works in progress, garden soils is in place and add little bit of paving

Photo 6 – Works in progress, I also bought compost at the same place as the garden soils

Photo 7 – Works in progress, transferring compost to the backyard. My son helping me for doing it

On Monday the 24th of August basically the vegies garden project is completed; fence are in, pipe for water reticulation installed and connected to the main rotary valve, the remaining to be installed are the micro jet water sprayer. The last one is very easy and I will do it when everything else completed.

B. Paving
Today is 25th of August and I only did a bit of paving on the area left over along side the vegies garden, the rest of today is resting my back. At the afternoon I went to bricks yard to buy some material for paving on the area next to vegies garden. In this area I am going to pave it with charcoal colour paver and will placed a series of limestone block at the outer side.
The area of this one is not big; the size is approximately the same as the vegies garden. Here are the costs of the material:

Description -----------------Total Cost ($)
Paver (Charcoal) ---------------150
Lite Wall block -------------------76
Edging ---------------------------24
TOTAL -------------------------250

Tomorrow I am going to pick these materials up myself.

Talking about paving, we (my wife Anna and myself) did almost all of the paving around the house ourself when the house just completed. Only paving of the carport or drive way was done by contractor/professional. The total area we did was about 80sqm, yes a lot of brick. And the total weight that we handled was approximately 80x37x2.3Kg = 6,800Kg, that’s right it’s a lot of tonnes. The works itself is not difficult, but I can tell you it was a hard job. Not just because you will always in a squatting or kneeling position, there were also a lot of cutting paver into half or triangle (a quarter) or any other shape and this one is very noisy. The hardest part was making the base flat/level and inclined out not toward the building, so the rain water will flow away off building. I think we completed the paving about 2 weeks. Anyway that was 6 years ago, and we have fun in doing it.

This one that I am about to do will only 8sqm, so is nothing compare to the one we did in the past. I will avoid any paver cutting, because I don’t want to hire the cutting machine for a day (minimum) if I am going to use it only for less then an hour. Beside that I also don’t want to disturb the neighbour with the squeaky noises came out from the cutting process. I have measured the width and the length and then I choose the dimension of the paver, the paver should be fit into the planned area without any cutting. So I hope there will no cutting machine is required……finger cross.

Today is the 26th August and my son got flu, this mean I should unload all pavers and blocks by myself. My trailer has maximum load capacity of 750Kg, the brick retailer advised me to have 3 times loads one after the other; that way it won’t exceed the trailer capacity. At 10am I started my first load then unloaded and stacked at the backyard, by 2pm the 3rd load (only approximately 200Kg) completed and stacked. Uhhh…my back, is not too bad though….thanks to the back-strap.
Not much going on for today after that, I think I’ve done enough after that moving approximately 1.5 tonnes of bloody paver into the wheel barrow and then again for stacking up. This paver are ticker and heavier compare to brick paver, here is the photo of bloody ugly paver in my backyard.

Photo 8 – Works in progress, pavers and borders

Take a few days to finally finish this backyard project, that’s because I also got flu complete with fever. So at least 2 days (Friday and Saturday) I was in bed with full blanket on top of me….oohh so cold. Now here is a photo my new backyard taken on Tuesday the 01/09/09 after just completing the last item of micro jet spray of the reticulation. I think it is a little bit better compared to previous condition.

Vacation in Lombok & Bali Island

2008-09-09T07:59:00.000+08:00

24th Wedding Anniversary - 19th August 2008

We planned to go to New South Wales, especially to Sydney for our 24th wedding anniversary in August 2008, but then we changed the plan and went to Lombok & Bali - Indonesia instead. This purpose was to attend a reunion of the past and current employees of PT Koba Tin held on 16-18 August at Lombok Island. Luckily our friends let us know about that event very early, hence I made travel arrangement to Lombok instead to Sydney. Why did I say it was lucky that they let us know early? because in this time of the year these holiday destinations are in a peak season. If you don’t make your travel and accommodation booking early the chances are you won’t get any. Anyway, you can read my memorable experience of this reunion under "Reunion August 2008 Lombok" of the table of content or follow a link below (right click and select in a new tab):

http://haryanto-wa.blogspot.com/2008/09/reunion-at-lombok-island-indonesia.html

After the reunion we’re continuing our holiday to celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary, we want to spoil ourselves a bit while we still can do it ...........................

Senggigi Beach - Lombok Island

We stayed at the Senggigi Beach Hotel in one of their bungalows, a duplex but it's nice. The entire building of this hotel occupied a large block of land along side the Senggigi beach. The landscape are also nicely designed, the gardens, the pool, the sport facility, the restaurants, the bar etc are well maintained. I found myself staying in an accommodation which had large front and back yard with maintained green lawn and tree plantations. Very nice, here are some photos of the hotel area:

Photo 1. The bungalows are laid in a horse shoe formation and this is the front yard

Photo 2. One of the Bungalow (duplex)

Photo 3. At the Veranda, relaxing looking to the green lush garden in front

Photo 4. View taken from the Rinjani restaurant

There are other good accommodations available around the Senggigi beach, but this one is the oldest one built in approximately year of 1987. So the hotel is a little bit old, but still very nice.

If you think I am promoting this hotel, well may be. Actually I am promoting Lombok Island, especially Senggigi for a honeymoon/holiday destination.....he...he...he...
A friend of mine (Probo Yuniar - ITB'74), cancelled his proposed mining business somewhere in this island due to his environmental concern. Good on him.

Exploring Lombok:

To Gili Trawangan
We went off to the small island or 'gili' as the local people called, the closest one is gili Trawangan with two (2) other gilis nearby. We charter a traditional boat powered by 40KW motor, this boat reached the gili Trawangan in approximately 1.5 hrs. You can charter on the day or make a booking of the boat just outside (beach side) hotel, the cost will varied depend on the size. The one that we chartered can carry up to 12 people and costed up to Rp 1,200,000/boat or approximately A$150.0 return. At around 10.0am we went off with few friends on board and before noon we were already at gili Trawangan. It surprised me, this little island also beautiful. There is white sandy beach, the clean blue sea water and very nice area for relaxing under the open air. You can do snorkelling; viewing corals and beautiful fishes. Don't worry about bringing snorkelling gear and life vest with you, there are plenty of shops available that you can come and hire this equipment. Anna and some other boys of our group went for snorkelling and she enjoyed herself, she said it is beautiful out there.

Obviously there are places for diving at other islands nearby, but we do not have expertise in it so we just watched. However, if you do want to have diving experience, there is a day course available at the hotel. You can also hire the diving equipment at the hotel, unfortunately we just knew about this facility on the last day of our stay. So we can not do much with this situation, may be next time around.

At approximately on 1.00pm, we all sat down at one of the shelters belonging to a cafe and ordered some food to eat while enjoying the panorama. There were a number of tourists also visiting or staying in this island, hearing their conversation I am sure some of them came from Germany, French, Australia, Spanish speaking country, Japanese and others. Yes, we were a bit surprised knowing that there are few hotels/motels at this gili Trawangan.

After we finished having lunch and had rest for a while, some of the girls on our group decided to hire push bikes and pedalled slowly touring the island. There is also wagon pulled by a horse called "CIDOMO" that you can hire for going around. Here are some photos to tell what the gili Trawangan was like:

Photo 5 & 6. At the Senggigi beach just outside hotel waiting for boat to arrive

Photo 7. A boat arrived, ready and preparing to move

Photo 8. Boat approaching the gili Trawangan

Photo 9. Our ladies enjoying touring around the island with the hired push bike

Photo 10. A vessel anchoring just off the cost of gili Trawangan, I've been informed that this vessel were bringing tourists and the journey start from Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa and Komodo island

On the 19th August, all of our friends whom came here for the reunion were leaving and by the afternoon the only group left were Ken & Susan Hart and us. So today we met all of our friends who were ready to go and to say good bye. Thanks to all of you who joined in the reunion and also thanks for your well wishes to us on our happy day today.

After saying good bye to our friends, we spoiled ourselves by having full body massage and relaxing in the hotel (Mandara Spa) and back to our cosy room. At night we went out for a dinner at one of the restaurants just outside hotel located along the Senggigi main road. We walked to get there, and it was quite nice restaurant. We sat on the 2nd floor looking down the road and other buildings surround it. The food was very yummy ...and few bottles of Bintang beer were also tasteful....and we make a toast "Mud in your eyes" as Ken said to me.

Just to let you know, Ken Hart was in his 70, but look at him; he's still strong and fresh. Once again….I propose a toast for the good health of Ken & Susan Hart… "mud in your eyes" Ken.

Photo 11. Dinner together with Ken & Susan Hart

To The Waterfall
Today was the 20th of August; the plan for the day was to go to the waterfall which is located at the one of the hill on the way to Mt. Rinjani.
We hired a car to get there and it only cost us Rp. 250,000/all day, this included a car (L300 mini bus) plus the fuel and plus the driver. It was very cheap. To cut the story short, we arrived at the location at about noon. After we payed entrance fee and the tour guide, off we went walking along the foot path up and down. The tour guide told us there are 3 waterfalls, but today we can only reach up to the 2nd one. To get to the 3rd one will require a full day to go up, then staying at an overnight camping ground, and coming back to the base in the following day. And we were not prepared for that.

Anyway, the 1st waterfall obviously is not far away from the entrance gate. The 2nd one is a little bit longer and is quite tricky to get there. I gave up half way to get there and let the others continue without me. My back couldn't stand the rugged terrain while crossing the water ways, ooohhhhhh.....poor old man..........And my friend Ken Hart which is 15 years older then me still kept going, honestly I was disappointed and a bit embarrassed of myself at the time. I think I made a mistake by taking off my shoes. Why? because on the way back I can stand on my feet gripping the ground firmly with my shoes on. Anyway, here are some photos:

Photo 12a & 12b. Stop and take photos at the 1st waterfall

Photo 13. Walking track along side the irrigation channel built in Dutch era.

Photo 14. Crossing of the water ways, few steps after this moment I fell and gave up

Photo 15. The 2nd waterfall taken from a distant, compared it with person standing under the displayed date.

On the way back ...I managed to walk until we reached the hire car without anyone helping me. Thanks God, they not necessary to carry me or slowing down........that's because while I was alone in the middle of nowhere and at the very silent place, I did some exercises taught by my physiotherapist and the pain slowly disappeared. So, I suggest you don’t let the old people with a crook back go experience with you......he....he....he...

Anyway, driving back to Senggigi was another very nice experience; the panorama of rice fields with the back drop of Mt. Rinjani (on left side) was beautiful. See the picture taken from inside the car while travelling.

Photo 16. Rice fields with water irrigation sourced from waterfall.

When we arrived at Senggigi it was already at a dinner time, so we decided to stop at the Gara-Gara Cafe; not far away from the hotel; we made a booking a day before. We were tempted to have a dinner here because the owner (Charlie – he’s a local guy) was very keen for us or anyone to come and try his fresh fish and other seafood by showing off how fresh the fish was, and also he offered cheaper price for Bintang beer.....I think the last one was his trick to attract the customers like us to come. He’s a clever and cheerful guy. So, we sat down around the table which was set outside the building under the clear sky. The food came as we ordered, and...wow...yes he kept his promised it was very fresh and yummy. The beer was very good too...........So today we went to bed with a happy feeling, thanks be to God.

Shopping: The Pearls
Lombok island also known a pearl producer, you will see pearl farms scattered along the coast during your travel cruising the main road. There are sea water pearls as well as fresh water pearl. However you need to be cautious and careful where you want to buy, some of them are imported from as far as Tahiti. There are at least two (2) good pearl shops if you're looking for good quality pearls, Lipco and M&L Pearl Collection both located at Mataram, the capital city of Lombok. My wife, Anna, went to these 2 shops during our stay and she's happy with what she's got for both the quality and the price. Anna said to me, you can not find the same price in Perth with the quality shown in these shops. They even issue the certificate of originality of the pearl they sold, what that does mean; I don't know but at least they showed that they do a serious business. So yes, she bought earrings for our daughters and herself, ring and pendant for herself ....and for me..........I was just happy seeing her satisfied and happy...he...he...he....
We very much enjoyed our stay here at Senggigi - Lombok, August/September seems a very good time to be here; are not in a wet season.
On the 22nd of August we checked out and next holiday destination: Bali.
Bali
The distance is approximately only 35 minute by flight (I think was Fokker 27) from Mataram - Lombok to Denpasar - Bali. In Bali we stay at Seminyak district approximately 30 minute drive to Kuta. In conversation with our friend when we were at Lombok, they told us Lombok was like Bali 10 - 15 years ago. And here we are, yes when we're at Kuta there was crowd of people everywhere. I think people from all over the world were present here at Kuta and other parts of Bali. Some of them just walked around with their legs, other using a car and lot of them hiring a motor bike and cruising along from kampong to kampong, alleyway to alleyway and their skill of riding the motor bike seemed no different with local people. I myself didn’t have the courage to ride a motor bike in a very busy street here.

I think most of you have known about Bali already, so I will not disturb what you have known about Bali. Here are some photos of us while in Bali.

So long..........

Photo 17. Bali Bombing monument at Kuta to remember the victims of the Bali's bombing in 2002

Photo 18. Having a rest at one of the cafes alongside the Legian beach, Kuta

Photo 19. At the pura Besakih, the biggest pura in Bali

Photo 20. Wearing serong to respect Balinese holy pura

Photo 21. Respecting Balinese God and their believe at Brahma's pura

Photo 22. At the Monkey forest, Ubud

Photo 23. A friendly monkey chasing banana hold by one of the tourists, otherwise monkey will become very aggressive if you teasing them

Photo 24. Pura Tanah Lot at dawn

Photo 25. Sun set at Pura Tanah Lot

Reunion at Lombok Island - Indonesia

2008-09-07T07:40:00.000+08:00

Reunion - The past and current workforce of PT Koba Tin Indonesia
Senggigi – Lombok island Indonesia; 16 – 18 August 2008
Venue: Senggigi Beach Hotel

Old friends from all over place started to arrive at the venue as early as the 15th of August and some of us arrived on the 16th of August. Ken and Susan Hart were the last couple to arrive at approximately 8pm on that day. There were warm welcomes from the hosts (Malik Salim and Tony Kirk of PT Newmont Nusatenggara Mining) and hugs from one to another followed by surprises after seeing old friends face to face. Words like “look at you, you haven’t changed, I am a grandpa/grandma now” and so on are frequently spat out from our lips. Some of us haven’t seen each other for more then 10 – 20 years, although most of us still keep in touch through cyberspace. I did not recognise the look of some of the people straight away, and I needed someone else to tell me who they were. I can still remember most of them, although their faces and look have slightly changed, and of course, all of us have become older and have grown lots of grey hair. Tony Kirk called me Santa Claus and would call out 'Santa Claus is coming' every time we met or passed each other by, although he has also grown lots of grey hair………he…he..he…..

Meet the old mates
On the early morning of 16 August we met my ex boss Roger Bastone at the Ratna Hotel Denpasar Bali prior leaving for Lombok. We’d been told by Hasan Nursyamsi, that Roger will also be staying (transit) at this hotel on that date. But because we arrived on a different time, we’re not able to see each other during the check in. Anyway, we’re screaming and hugging each other soon after we met in the hotel’s lobby. It has been more then 10 years since we last saw each other at Koba, but he doesn’t seem much different. I mean he’s still looks the same as he did 10 years ago, only more grey hair………

The flight from Denpasar Bali to Mataram Lombok only takes approximately 35 minutes with Fokker 27, so at around 8.30am we already checked in to the Senggigi Beach Hotel where we were staying until the 22nd.

On the way to our room, we met a couple who asked us whether we were coming here for the reunion. We recognised this couple, although we only met them for a short period of time before they left Koba Tin. Anna straight away said to them “you must be Mary” and Tony said to me “you must be Eko Haryanto”, they are Tony and Mary Kirk, we exchanged greetings and hugged each other. Anna was in an English class (for free) together with the other ladies and Mary was their teacher while we were at Koba, that’s why Anna didn't forget about Mary. We talked and talked about the past, remembering our old friends like Ape & Margreet Wintje, Kevin & Ann Ewing, Bill & Margaret Stratton etc as we didn't know where they were. Then Tony told us that breakfast is served in the Basilico Restaurant and there were other participants in that building.

Nearly everyone was having or going to have breakfast when we arrived. We met Sudibyo (pak D) & Budi, Yahya Saleh & Meta, Mansyur & Elsa, Zulkarnaen & Nina, Nizwar, Sake Razak, Susy Hasan, Wiwien Lara, Asti Tresna, Tuty Ary, Saibon Salman followed by, Tresna and Ary who just came back from playing tennis. We were introduced to Malik Salim’s wife, Carolina (Alin) Salim whom we met at the Basilico Restaurant in the hotel complex.
Your guessed right, after shaking hands and hugging we meant to say to each other “You look old now” by saying “look at you…..you have more grey hair by now”. Anyway, we’re all smiling, happy to see each other are still active and healthy.

Around the table from the left: Ine, Wiwien, Susy, Alin (Carolina), Bayu (Hasan & Susy yougest son) and Anna

The front Table: Sake (black T-shirt), Budi, Dibyo, Roger and Ary

The back table: Mansyur & Nizwar (black shirt)

Around the table from left: Ary, Sake, Yahya, Meta, Roger

After breakfast, Carolina Salim organised a tour for the ladies (rather than staying at the Hotel and being bored), it was an excellent idea. So off we went, a bus full of ladies and few gentlemen touring around Mataram (Capital city of Lombok island). The first stop was at the terracotta/pottery outside Mataram, they produce very nicely designs knickknack, fruit plater, dinning table’s accessories up to terracotta pots. Anna wanted to have one of the platters, it’s nicely handcrafted with wonderful decoration in it. Unfortunately they are very heavy. One set weighed up to 5 – 7 Kg, it was too heavy for us to bring it home. She was very disappointed, but I kept saying we couldn't bring it home……………

Display of pottery at the teracotta home industry
The next stop was the ladies favourite, the pearl shop. As you probably know, Lombok is also known as pearl producer either salt or fresh water pearl. In this shop, they issue a certificate to warrant the originality and the quality of the pearls sold. There were some serious faces in the shop as they were bringing their palms closer to their eyes trying to look for the detail. So, there was a lot of transactions that took place in this shop. Anna whispered in my ear to say that the price at the quality she witnessed is cheaper than in Perth. They stayed for a considerable amount of time in this shop before we go to the restaurant, again Carolina organised lunch to feed our hungry stomachs. We went to a restaurant called “Taliwang Moerad”. This is a famous restaurant in Mataram. The first dishes they served was called “pelecing kangkung”, the ingredients in it are beansprout, kangkung (water crest), fried peanuts covered by specific fresh chilli sauce. Anna was curious what “pelecing kangkung” was, she had never heard of this dish before, but when she tasted the dish she got the bite and she loved it. Since then everywhere we went during this holiday, she always asked for this menu at the restaurants we visited. The fried chicken, grilled fish and other dishes were all yummy. After we finished having lunch, we went back to the bus and headed off to the hotel. Thanks to Carolina for organising the trip.

Official Opening - Welcoming Dinner
People who attended this reunion come from all over place in Indonesia, some from Jakarta, Jogya, Kalimantan, Sumatra, Surabaya, and of course from Koba/Pangkalpinang where PT Koba Tin is located. A few of us who came from overseas/living abroad made an effort to come to this reunion i.e. Ken & Susan Hart from Kuala Lumpur, Roger and Sue Bastone from Hobart and ourselves from Perth. I heard that Jack & Liz Simpson and Malcolm & July Gillfilan pulled out on the last few days before the date of reunion due to health/accidents. Few of the others couldn't make it due to other commitments.
Anyway, the official opening was on evening of the 16th of August 2008. We went to the venue together with John & Swany Kairupan. We were the first ones to arrive and we saw someone in the technical desk setting up the presentation, but we did not recognise him until he turned his face and walked toward us. Yes he’s Malik Salim, again we were hugging and staring each other to see what has changed since the last time we saw each other. I think it was more than 15 years that we haven’t seen each other and yes, he’s also getting older like me but he has less grey hair.
The other participants started coming and filling the dining table which was set nicely along the beach front at the hotel’s property, apart from above names they were Bapak & Ibu: Muchlis & Chotik, Salman & Saibon, Fauza & Niar, Manaf & Yati, Dahyar & Ninik, Suwarno & istri, Turidho & Ningsih (and their daughter and grand son), Darmawan & Elly, Kelvin (A Cin), Unang & Ine (former director represent PT Timah), Mathias & Imur, Zahanuddin & istri, Ichsan, Lumbino & Melanie, Rod & Cin Jones, Obang & Yana, Rudi Fitrianto, Sarwanto & Ida and much much more.
The party started with a few drinks followed by yummy dinner then announcement from the committee (Tresna Widya) followed by speeches from Malik Salim as a host representative and H. Manaf as the representative of all of us. Then……..singing (one of them was My Way by Darmawan), dancing (‘poco-poco”, “dangdut”, cha-cha, jive and I don’t know what else), chatting and more chatting. Here are some photos of those moments.

From left to right: Fauza, Obang, Nizwar, Hasan, Muchlis, Zahanuddin (behind Muchlis)

From left to right: Anna, Kelvin (ACin), Zulkarnaen, Dachyar

From left to right: Mansyur, Rod Jones, Roger, Tony (sitting), Ichsan, Muchlis, Lara, Eko, Yahya, Sake, Rudi and Nizwar
"Poco-poco' Dancing

H Manaf, Lara and Rod Jones

Ken Hart, Mansyur, Tony Kirk and Lara PK

Dancing continue, Malik and Alin
Mr Najeeb, Mr Najeeb's son, Ary and Rod Jones

The party was very loud but everything was running smoothly, the band & their crews was excellent. Everybody was enjoying themselves and Tresna has done a good job as a master of the stage for that night. The event went on until late night before most of them went back to their room, although some of them were still hang around i.e. exchange their stories, asking to each other the where-about of our other old friends and enjoying this unforgettable atmosphere.

Touring
The next day (day 2) a programme was set, the gentlemen embarked to the east cost to catch the ferry then crossed the sumbawa straight, destination is the PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara mine at Sumbawa Island. The ladies embarked onto the bus provided and the destination is to explore the Lombok Island.
The mine tour was excellent, the four wheel drive bus took a large group of past and current Koba Tin people touring and stopped at the every point of interest with the tour guide explaining what it is all about. If you want to know more details of the NNT mine, please visit their website:

www.newmont.co.id/EN/welcome.htm

After tour of the mine, the group headed back to Senggigi which is about 3.5 hours from Sumbawa’s port. The gentlemen's group met with the ladie's group at one of the restaurant of Senggigi for a dinner. As I told you earlier, the ladies group were touring around Lombok. Here is their story from Anna:
We went to visit the place where the traditional Lombok Sarong was made, we walked around and observed how they were prepared and processed until the finished product. They make a variety of products with ranges of quality. Not long after observing how to make the sarong we were all soon busy buying their products. Then we went to the Suku Sasak village. Sasak is the name of the tribe that lives in Lombok, it was interesting to know that in the modern world like now there are people who are still living in their own tradition and keep that tradition alive. The tour guide of suku Sasak let us enter their unique house which have their own roof top character, as well as listening to his explanation.
After having lunch we stopped to do some shopping here and there, then we went to the place called Narmada lake. There is a superstitious belief in this lake, it’s believed that the water from this place can keep you young. So, most of us tried it. As for me because I was so tired and sleepy, I just wanted to wash my face to freshen up a little bit. It was cool and nice. Some ladies filled up their water bottle with the Narmada Water to bring home, it is normal for ladies wanting to look young isn’t it…..ha…ha..ha…. After almost a day touring around, finally the journey come to an end. We stopped at the restaurant for dinner (Menega Restaurant), soon after we arrived the gentlemen came and joined us.

At Suku Sasak village

Hand making Sarong (photo above) and ladies inside the house

After visiting the Nirmada Lake, they were look younger and cheerful weren't they??

All gentlemen (bapak-bapak) were very surprised to see their partner look younger and fresh, what was going on during last 12 hours?? Alin said to me “mas Eko don’t you see mbak Anna look younger?”, then the story of Narmada Water broke up. We were all smiling and laughing, I think bapak-bapak will all agree at that time that their partner looked younger didn't they?……he…he…he…..Anyway, the dinner came…….. and again it was wonderful and delicious.

Goodbye & Sampai Jumpa
The next day is the 18/08/2008 almost half of the participants were ready to go home, only few of us remained. Some of them left in the early morning and the others left in the afternoon, so we come to the hotel lobby to say good bye and chit-chat again with them before they left because we will not see each other again for a long period of time.
In the following day all remaining participants were leaving the island and back to their home base, leaving two (2) couples stranded on this lovely island. Ken & Susan Hart left on the 21/08, Anna and myself left on the 22/08. It was our 24th wedding anniversary, I will write another story of our adventure together with uncle Ken & aunty Susan Hart exploring this beautiful island. Thank you for everyone who congratulated and the well wishes of this lovely day for us, goodbye and sampai jumpa. Hope we will meet again sometime, somewhere. Take care of yourself, will you……….bye for now.

PS,

apologise if I made mistakes on name’s spelling and also if I missed some of you/your name in this story.
Please write your comments (in any language) by clicking your mouse at the word "Post a Comment" down below, I will insert it and update the story. If you not a member of Google, just click the "anonymous" button this will get you away from unnecesary entries.

Warm regards,

Eko & Anna Haryanto

For more photos, right click using your mouse and select 'open in a new window' on the links below:

HT Sudibyo photo album:

http://picasaweb.google.com/HTSudibyo/LombokReunion?authkey=euh_sWs7fWc#

Ary Haryono photo album:

www.flickr.com/photos/arimbi

Trip To Winery Region - South Of Western Australia

2008-06-01T07:06:00.000+08:00

On the April 25th 2008 finally we have set a time to have a quick visit to Margaret River and the area surrounding before winter come again. As you probably know, winter is not a good time to enjoy a holiday break ..well to me anyway. The weather is to cold, wet and can not drive properly on the highway. So autumn is one of the best times to make a visit or a holiday.

A little bit about this region. In the early days, this area was and still is known as a farming region starting from dairy, fruits (like apples, mandarin, plums, peach, orange and many more), vegetables, and of course wheat and barley. Along the coast from Augusta at the south to Dunsborough at the north (see Map 2) there are a limestone formations and some area have natural caves that open to the public. To the area further inland from the limestone formations, you will see jungle/forest of Karri and Jarrah trees everywhere. I’ll show you this later. And along the beach the wave is quite big, so is popular for surfing. Then just recently (probably around 10-20 years ago) the wine industry grew very strongly, so you can see and visit hundreds of wineries around this region. There are few tours available to visit the wineries and you can have a wine tasting experience during that tour apart from just nice restaurants.
Margaret River is a town located at Southwest Region of WA, this town is situated in the bank of a river also called Margaret. The distance from Perth is approximately 350km and can be reached at around 3 to 4 hours by car. The road is good and the scenery also good, is quite pleasant driving to go there actually.

We, my wife Anna and myself, leaving home in the morning of 25/04/2008 drove down south, and the destination is Margaret River. There are two highways that lead to the town of Bunbury (largest town site in the Southwest region), one is old Southwestern Hwy (highway No. 20) and the other one is South Coastal Hwy (highway No. 1). Both highways have good road conditions, I think the only difference is the South Coastal Hwy have long stretch of dual carriage way and also there is a freeway from Perth up to 50km before joining the highway. This is very nice highway and lot of people using it. So we decided ……not to use the South Coastal Hwy….because….I have use this coastal highway many times when I work at the mine site few years ago. The mine office is located at Capel town just south of Bunbury. In the year 2003 I regularly commute to this town, leaving Perth on Monday early morning and back home on Friday afternoon. So I know this highway very well, with the development happening along this coastal highway, the traffic becoming worst and distressing. So, instead we will drive along the old highway, there are no dual carriageway, but there are plenty of overtaking lane if you need to take over slower cars/road trains. The scenery in this highway is more beautiful compare to the other one, so we will cruise along, relax and just enjoy driving.

Figure 1. Google Map - Perth to Margaret River - Highway No. 20

Figure 2. Map of Where we staying surounding area and winery producers

At around 10 in the morning, we sat down in our car Toyota Avalon Grande and ready to go, check here and there before drove off. This car is quite nice to drive actually, have 3L engine with automatic transmission plus electric drive to almost everything starting from steering column adjustment, lumbar support, up to fuel vs distance indicator and leather interior. Anna like this car very much and this is her car….
As usual the boot is always full, there are folding chairs, table, portable stove, air mattress, a little water tank and of course a tent, etc. So everything is ticked and off we go. The weather reported fine today, but will be turning cloudy and some rain on the following days. Anyway hope everything will go as planned.

Heading off to Margaret River

So we are cruising along with me behind the steering wheel, we’re going to drive non stop to Margaret River with only stop just to stretch my legs. The Indonesian “Keroncong Asli” songs accompanied me along the way, very relaxing……….
After passing town after town we arrived at Margaret River at about 2pm, and….the town is very busy. There are lots of people walking and driving around including us before we found parking area. We walk around the town for a while, we found supermarket and they are open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm everyday!! wow……We never found that long trading hours even in Perth, so I guest this town is very busy everyday. Hearing some conversation of people passing by, we know that there are many overseas visitors. Anyway it’s lunch time, a bit late actually it was 3 o’clock in the afternoon, we’re so hungry at that time. So we search for a restaurant before we finally sat down, Anna ordered a grilled fish & orange juice and I order a plate of pasta with maroon plus a glass of red wine. They serve grilled fish just by itself, no salad or some decoration with it and similar to the one I ordered. However we tried to enjoy these foods as much as possible as the price of each is quite expensive and also there is a surcharge due to a public holiday. That was the most expensive lunch I’ve ever paid for at a class of restaurant like that, $100 for both of us. You can get a decent dinner including wine and extra sweet in Perth’s restaurants or nearby suburb at the same cost. Anyway after having lunch then we went to visitor centre to get some information about the region although I have some of it already via the internet, then to supermarket to buy some food for dinner tonight and also for breakfast.

After we got what we needed, we drove out of town to the place where we can set up our tent. The location called Prevelly, see map 2. We booked already this afternoon while we’re on the road to Margaret River, the location will be close to the beach and approximately about 10km out of town. We make few wrong turn before we finally found it, it is a nice place to relax. There are amenities (showers & toilets) for men and women, laundry, barbeque area and shady with lot of trees. Not like our other trips, this time we book a place in one of the commercial accommodations in which there is a block that we can put up a tent. So we have no dramas finding a place for camping………..
I prefer to set up a tent rather then staying in the bungalow or villa, this style of accommodation gives me something different compare to what I have daily. Apart from that obviously we hardly hang around and staying in the tent/bungalow/villa during the day, normally we go out in the morning after breakfast and came back at late or very late afternoon and tired. So….as long as the bed and pillow are comfortable (and there is a blanket if required), any bed should be hehmmmm…nice. Anyway…sorry a bit carried away….we set up tent and walah……….here it is.

Touring around the region – to the Caves & Valley of the Giants
The following day after shower and breakfast, we set off on to the road to visit caves and Giants trees. We drove along the Caves road to the south direction (see Map 2 - Margaret River winery region), the first cave we visit is called Lake Cave. It will take about 20 minute to get there from where we’re staying, the road is a bit narrow compare to the highway and also winding. The speed maximum permitted in this road is 90Km/hr as per sign posted. Alongside the road are trees and tall tress, farms and vineyard changing intermittently. So we drive a bit slow this time, and enjoy the scenery.

Lake Cave

At around 11.00 am we arrive at Cave Lake, the front desk attendant said that the next tour will be at 11.30 but the ticket has already been sold out. So we book in for the 12.30 tour, the cost is $19/ticket. While we’re waiting for our turn, we explore around the area looking at the display, photos and history of the caves and then sit down for a cup of coffee.

Oops ……12.30 already, hurry up and line up for a tour.
The cave is called Lake Cave because there is small lake inside the cave, the tour guide mentioned the water is reducing and sooner or later the lake will be dry he said unless there is an adverse situations. Here some photos inside cave, they can speak themselves how beautiful they are.

Picture 1 – Going down to the cave mouth

Picture 2 – Entrance section - right infront of cave opening

Picture 3 - Entering into the cave

Picture 4– Columns inside the cave. Below it is water of small lake

Picture 5 – The same columns as above with the lighting turned on

Picture 6 – Stalagmite with a Kangaroo look alike

Heading Further South to the Giants
There is another cave open to public further down to south close to Augusta town, the name is Jewel Cave. Before we get to this cave, we stop at approximately half way down to see the Karri forest. The karri tree is a family to gum tree or eucalyptus, see more about it in this link:

http://www.australiassouthwest.com/en/Natural+Wonders/Forests/default.htm

If you haven’t visited that link above, here is some photo of it. This tree is very tall, big and can be up to 80m tall. For us who used to live up north of Perth, these sceneries are quite stunning. In the north area or they called Midwest region, the gums tress are short and most of tress are shrub alike. The tall trees are very-very rare and I haven’t seen Karri tree grown in the Midwest region. According to the website above this tree is specific South of Western Australia.

Picture 7 – Stop at Karri forest

Picture 8 – Just want to give you a clue how big this karri trees

The Jewel Cave
This Jewel Cave is a bit different compare to previous cave, in the Lake Cave the primadona is the double column where the stalactites and stalagmite joined together while in this cave there is no column but the size is much bigger. There are straws hanging from the roof down with pendulum alike at the bottom, also there are stalagmite with shape like coral. This is very interesting. Here are more photos of Jewel Cave.

Picture 9 – Jewel Cave - if you can zoom into this picture you'll see stalactite like a straw with the pendulum at the bottom end. The tour guide said the pendulum (black colour in this picture) can be as heavy as 10 to 15Kg. Can you imagine that the tiny straw holding that weight for thousand of years?

Picture 10. Stalagmite with coral shape alike

There is another cave named Mammoth Cave we decided not to visit this one, visiting two caves I think is more than enough. So we head off to town of Augusta as we are only few kilometers away to this town. What’s in Augusta? I really don’t know, the girl at the Lake Cave told me the Augusta is a town of a slice of a pie and then relax and just enjoy scenery around inlet. And…it does……after we found fresh bakery we took seats and our eyes looking down at not distant away to the inlet while enjoying famous pie from Augusta………yum and …..peaceful…because my tummy is full by now….ha…ha…ha.
It’s time to drive back to the base and have a good night sleep.

Tour to Winery
Normally I always woke up early morning and today is no different, as usual the ritual start with boiling water for a cup of coffee then sit down at the folding chair and sipping it slowly. In the environment like this with lots of trees, plenty of birds singing and the dominant one is the voice of the Kokaburra, it sound like this Kurrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Kuokakaaaa..kaaaa….kuu..kuuu…..kakkakkkk………..kurrrr…kuoaka..ka…..kak.
It is very noisy but very different and also nice to hear it for once in a while.

Anyway, a bit cold today it was raining last night, luckily not pouring rain. The rest of today will be cloudy and some rain, its mean today is not a sunny day and no sunshine. Doesn’t mater, I guest the farmer and the other living creatures need this rain.
Our planning for today is visiting vineyards and do wine tasting and may be bought some wine that I like. Anna is not fussy about the wines, what she likes the most is dessert wine. Anyway, after packing up, have a shower etc we drove to Caves road to north direction and the destination is vineyard in between Gracetown – Dunsborough. You’ll see on the map above many locations numbered in red font, all of those are winery.

Picture 11. Entry road to a cellar - on both side of the road is vine trees

During this time of the year, the grapes have already been harvested and the leaves of the vine trees become yellow before finally fall to the ground in winter time. The trees look like falling asleep in the winter and then starting to shoot again in the spring time and will have full fruit in summer time. That’s approximately the cycle of vines.
At the first stop they said some of their products have been sold out, hence only few products available. I tried some of they products, but the taste are not according my taste bud so I did not buy any. We went back to Caves road again and drive further north, the traffic was very quiet though. Not much cars passing by nor overtaking me, so we just drive easy and no rush.
Few minutes later we stop at another winery. Similar to other winery site, the landscape of the entrance starting from the front gate up to the building are nicely designed and perfectly constructed. We walked around the this winery that we’re in now, the restaurant is nicely located up on the higher elevation with the view of artificial lake surrounded by vineyards on one side, garden of flowers on the other side and the scarf of dunal sand at a far as a background. Very very nice. Anyway we came here looking for wine, so we enter into building where we can do wines tasting. In this winery apparently they have similar situation as happen to the previous winery we’ve visited, some of the product are sold out. Doesn’t mater, finally I select one of their products, is a red and its called “CABERNET SOUVIGNON MERLOT”. I bought a bottle of it, do you want to know how much I paid for it? Its $58 a bottle……feuwh… I think this is the most expensive wine I have ever bought, I hope I will enjoy drinking it until the last drop….ha…ha….ha….

That’s our story this time, until then take care of yourself.

Picture 12. Show room where wines can be tasted and purchaced

Picture 13. And this me posing infront of wine drum

Esperance - Easter 2008

2008-03-30T23:45:00.000+08:00

Untuk rekan2/kerabat yang doyan/suka traveling menggunakan jalan darat ini cerita kita.
Akhir pekan bersamaan dengan libur Paskah minngu lalu saya bersama bojoku jalan2 ke arah selatan Western Australia. Kota yang kita tuju namaya adalah Esperance, berangkat hari Jum'at dan pulang hari Senin 24-03-2008. Orang Perancis yang menemukan daerah ini dan nama itu yang diberikan oleh penemunya. Perjalanan yang sebenarnya agak terlalu jauh untuk 4 hari, total jarak yang kita tempuh pergi pulang adalah 1,756Km.

Sebelum berangkat saya sudah berusaha lihat di internet dan bertanya ke visitor centre didaerah tersebut, keduanya bilang akan sulit untuk mendapatkan akomodasi di long weekend yang akan datang, semua akomodasi sepertinya sudah fully book. Terus saya lihat alternative akomodasi seperti camping di national parks. Ada beberapa lokasi yang bisa saya datangi kalau akhirnya saya nggak dapat akomodasi di Esperance. Jadi ini cerita perjalanan yang sedikit nekad....he...he...., pusing mikirin kerja terus jadi perlu "intermezo" yang agak lain sedikit.

Seperti biasa sebelum berangkat kita siapkan perlengkapan untuk emergency, tenda untuk camping, alat masak memasak, satu jerrycan air, kasur & bantal & selimut, makanan sekedarnya, lampu/penerangan, pompa angin untuk kasur, meja dan kursi lipat dsb. Lengkap dah pokoknya segala tetek bengek ada sampai ke portable toilet juga ada, kalau cuma 2 hari harus terdampar di national park yang jauh diluar Esperance kita akan servive lah. Namun ada satu yang nggak terpikirkan waktu itu, apa itu akan anda dapati sebentar lagi.
Mobil saya nggak 4WD jadi terpaksa menghindari route camping yang aksesnya hanya bisa menggunakan tipe kendaran itu.

Anyway, ini cerita perjalanan kita.
Meninggalkan rumah jam 7.15 pagi, menuju ke arah Albany Hwy (highway no. 30). Kita akan menyusuri highway ini kira2 sejauh 250Km sebelum belok ke timur menuju Esperance. Rupanya banyak juga yang berlibur menuju ke selatan ini, sepanjang sekitar 150Km itu berderet kendaraan (bump to bump) menuju ke arah yang sama. Disamping itu jalan di penggal ini jalananya naik turun, jadi kendaraan yang nggadeng trailer atau caravan agak melambatkan kecepatannya. Masih mendingan karena kecepatan rata2 masih sekitar 95km/jam. Selepas daerah itu kondisi trafik sudah mulai lengang dan kita bisa melaju dengan kecepatan maksimum sekitar 110Km/jam. Bisa melaju lebih dari itu kalau mau, tapi jauh2 hari polisi sudah mengumumkan bahwa pelanggar lalu-lintas akan dikenakan "double demerit ponit" di easter long weekend ini. Artinya kalau biasanya kena 3 point hukuman (dan juga denda berupa uang) karena 30km diatas batas kecepatan maksimum menjadi 6 point. Selama setahun kita cuma diberi 10 points, jadi kalau total pelanggaran lalu-lintas yang kita lakukan mencapai point ini maka driver licence kita akan di non aktifkan alias di cabut. Dari pada kena resiko seperti itu jadi kita nyopir rileks saja 110-115Km/hr, sambil menikmati pemandangan.....

Singkatnya setelah menempuh jarak 920Km sampailah ketempat pemberhentian darurat dan jam sudah menujukkan ke 6.00 sore. Wah....untung masih musim panas jadi matahari masih ada sampai jam 7.30 sore, jadi kita ada waktu untuk mendirikan tenda dll sebelum gelap.

Gambar 1.

Peta rute perjalanan dari Perth ke Esperance (garis biru).

Ada dua cerita dag..dig..dug...diperjalan ketempat tujuan ini.

Ceritanya begini, waktu nyampai di kota Katanning (lihat peta terlampir) bensin masih 1/4 tangki menurut indikator dan aku putuskan untuk mengisi di kota berikutnya yang hanya sekitar 50Km. Ternyata baru menempuh sekitar separo jalan, fuel warning indicator mulai nyala. Tapi karena kita tahu bahwa sekitar 25Km lagi ada pompa bensin jadi ya adem ayem dan tenang-2 saja. Sesampai di kota itu kita cari keliling dimana itu pompa bensin, maklum kota kecil. Ketemu itu pompa bensin...tapi....celaka ....dia nggak buka....aku ketok2 pintunya...nggak ada yang nyahut. Mulai panik aku....terus aku minta bojoku ngecek masih berapa kilometer lagi kita bisa jalan, dia bilang menurut indikator terbaca 49km to empty. Nggak ada pilihan lain, harus jalan lagi dan menurut papan petunjuk jalan kota berikutnya sekitar 42km. Belum pasti apakah ada pompa bensin dan akankah tutup juga. Wah ...tambah deh dag..dig..dug..nya. Mengingatkan ke masa saya melakukan perjalan dari Palembang ke Bandung, terutama Palembang Bakahuni sekitar tahun 92. Pernah ngisi bensin di pengecer pinggir jalan. Anyway jadi kita pelototin terus itu komputer indikator, setelah menempuh perjalan 30km indikator bilang 2km to empty....wah gimana ini....cuman kepikiran dua alternatif yang bisa dilakukan kalau mobil stop kehabisan bensin. Nyetop kendaraaan yang lewat atau jalan kaki menuju pompa bensin dan balik lagi. Bayangin "in the middle of no where" bensin habis. Aku tetap pertahankan kecepatan mobil 80km/jam, banyak orang bilang itu adalah kecepatan yang paling effisien, dan 0km to empty tapi mobil masih jalan dan tetap jalan.....jarak masih 5km lagi...mobil masih jalan...akhirnya sampai kita di kota itu dan pompa bensin buka........wah.....lega sekali kita.....Lesson learned....usahakan bawa bensin cadangan kalau mau travel jauh...

Gambar 2.

Lokasi tempat kemah kita, terlindung dan nyaman. Dibelakang kita (30m) adalah laut.

Cerita dag..dig..dug yang kedua...sesampai di Cape Le Grand (50km sebelah timur Esperance), semua tempat fully book, jadi kita kembali ke Esperance nyari akomodasi. Di Esperance yang kita dapati adalah tulisan "no vacancy" dan "no vacancy" sampai saya akhirnya minta apakah bisa kita di "squeeze in" di tempat camping groundnya, mereka bilang "sorry can not help you" camping ground juga penuh. Jadi kita eksekusi rencana alternitif ke 3, ke camping ground sekitar 70km ke arah barat menuju ke arah pantai. Nyampai di tempat ini (namanya Quagi Beach) jam 5.30 sore dan minta ampun...disini juga sudah penuh nggak ada lagi camping ground tersisa...wah gimana ini apakah harus terpaksa tidur didalam mobil nggak kebayang. Kita coba muter2 lagi di Quagi Beach ini, akhirnya ada seorang perempuan yang memperhatikan kita muter2 dan dia (dari Eropa dengan logat Jerman) ngasih tahu sudah banyak yang datang dan pergi mulai dari pagi karena nggak ada tempat lagi, dia bilang ada beberapa orang (termasuk dia dan beberapa teman Eropanya) camping di area yang ada tulisan "no camping" dan dari kemarin nggak ada "ranger" yang datang untuk memeriksa. Wah harapan dapat spot untuk berkemah muncul lagi.....karena desperate saya masuk ke "no camping area" dan setelah cek sana sini akhirnya kita dapat lokasi. Dan jam sudah menunjukkan pukul 6.00 sore. Lega kita...nggak jadi tidur di dalam mobil............

Gambar 3.

Bangun pagi bikin kopi tubruk sambil naruh bumbu ke daging ayam untuk makan sepanjang hari.

Keesokan hari setelah "mandi" (ala pasien yang di opname di RS), kemudian kita jalan2 didaerah sekitar kemah. Baru kita tahu bahwa kita terlalu jauh dengan pantai Quagi yang pasirnya putih dan bersih. Kita berada di pantai yang banyak batu2 besar, wah nggak bisa main di laut. Cuaca yang kita harapkan sedang2 saja berubah menjadi dingin, kita kedinginan waktu tidur semalam walaupun sudah pakai jumper dan selimut. Disamping itu ombaknya berisik banget karena menghamtam batu2. Dengan mempertimbangkan kondisi tersebut kita putuskan untuk pergi ke kota lagi dan nyari hotel atau holiday inn, siang hari kita cabut dan off we go ...again to Esperance.

Sesampai di kota dan masuk ke hotel/apartemen hasilnya "big zerro", rupanya memang kita harus tetap dengan option kita yang sekarang yaitu tidur di tenda. Tetapi kali ini kita dapat surprise information yaitu bisa berkemah di kota. Rupanya kota ini punya fasilitas yang bisa dipakai untuk bermalam bagi para tamu (yang bawa caravan, motor home, camper trailer dan kemah seperti saya ini) jika semua akomodasi komersial sudah penuh. Wah...baru tahu kita....jadi..??? berakhir dah drama kita..he..he...horeeee.......

Ternyata banyak juga yang bernasib sama seperti kita, terbukti tempat ini ada banyak kemah dan caravan atau camper van. Ditempat ini juga tersedia toilet, tempat mandi (bayar $2.5/orang) dan power source untuk camper van atau caravan. Sore hari "ranger" datang untuk mungut fee sebesar $16/malam. Dibanding dengan pengalaman yang kemarin mendingan yang ini walaupun harus bayar $16/malam untuk camping he..he..... Kita berkemah dua malam di tempat ini.

Gambar 4.

Pemandangan disalah satu sudut camping ground untuk influx/overflow turis. Kelihatan beberapa camper van, camper trailer dan beberapa kemah/tenda disitu.

Gambar 5.

Sebelah kemah kita adalah suami istri dari negara bagian Victoria dengan trailer campernya. Rencananya saya pengin beli yang beginian ini untuk keliling Australia pensiun nanti.

Ini yang kedua kali kita berkunjung ke Esperance, yang pertama adalah bulan Januari 2002. Waktu itu kita masih berdomisili di Eneabba 350km sebelah utara Perth. Kita sekeluarga dengan anak 3 biji melakukan perjalan keliling dari Eneabba - Perth - Hyden - Kalgoorlie - Esperance - Strirling range - Albany - balik lagi ke Perth - Eneabba. Route perjalanan tersebut juga bisa dilihat di gambar 1. Perjalanan yang pertama itu kita rancang dengan makan waktu sekitar dua minggu, akomodasi di setiap pemberentian sudah di pesan dan jadwal perjalanan sudah diatur rapi waktu itu. Berabe kalau nggak begitu...kan membawa 3 anak waktu itu... Waktu itu di Perth (perginya) menginap dirumah teman kita yaitu keluarga Houtman Simanjuntak. Teman kita ini dulu sering sekali datang ke Perth waktu anak2nya masih kuliah di UWA Perth, sekarang anak2nya sudah mentas semua dan rumahnya juga sudah terjual. Eh sorry nyimpang sedikit tadi.........
Bagus sekali kota kecil ini suasananya rilek sekali dan tidak sibuk atau serba "rush", penduduknya juga tidak banyak hanya sekitar 12,000 jiwa. Senangnya kalau berkemah ini, sering kita dapat kenalan baru atau sekedar ngobrol santai mendengarkan cerita perjalanan mereka.

Gambar 6.

Salah satu pemandangan pantai di Esplanade, tepat disebelah kanan gambar adalah kota Esperance.

Di Esperance kita jalan-jalan di sekitar esplenade menikmati udara bagus dan suasana yang rileks, kemudian makan siang di Kebab-nya orang Yunani/Turki. Setelah itu acara "sightseeing"nya kita lanjutkan dengan naik chopper kecil dengan kapasitas 4 orang termasuk pilot. Berikut ini photo-photo yang kita ambil dari chopper. Sepertinya industri Turism berkembang juga di kota ini, dulu helitours ini belum ada. Pada kunjungan yang lalu kita pakai "cruise boat" untuk melihat "seal colony" serta pergi ke "woody island national park".

Gambar 7.

Bersiap untuk take off.

Gambar 8.

Crocodile island atau P. Buaya tepat di lepas pantai nggak jauh dari Esperance. Memang seperti buaya ya...bener nggak?

Gambar 9.

P. Bebek atau Duck island. Dibangian atas adalah kepalanya.

Gambar 10.

Yang ini disebut P. Kambing (Goat) karena disitu hidup sekitar 40 kambing liar. Kalau and jeli munkin anda bisa lihat sekelompok kambing di gambar itu.

Kota yang menarik, saya sarankan untuk anda dikunjungi kalau kebetulan ke Western Australia. Kalau andainya bisa bawa fishing rod, wah.... akan seru lagi ceritanya....

Mudah-2 an anda menikmati cerita ringan ini, sampai jumpa di cerita lain yang akan datang.

Eneabba - Kehidupan Kita di Kota Tambang

2007-12-16T03:45:00.000+08:00

Beberapa waktu yang lalu saya pernah janji mau cerita tentang kehidupan kita di salah kota tambang di Western Australia. Inilah sekelumit tentangnya.

Fasilitas
Kita tinggal disini selama sekitar 7 tahun.........bayangin....kok betah ya......
Nama kotanya ENEABBA kira-kira 300Km dari Perth ke arah utara. Waktu kita tnggal disana penduduknya sekitar 600 orang........kecil yah. Hanya ada 1 (satu) sekolah dasar negeri (state primary school), 1 general store yang jual keperluan sehari-hari mulai dari sayur, buah, daging, ikan (semuanya beku kecuali daging), dan lain-2 keperluan dapur sampai dengan hardwares. Tokonya kecil dan ada kantor posnya juga. Kita kenal baik dengan yang punya, sampai sekarang kita masih saling berkirim kabar. Jadi kalau mau masak sayur asem atau pecel........wah klabakan kita. Untuk yang beginian harus nunggu sampai weekend. Disamping general store, disana juga ada 1 tavern (pub), 1 pompa bensin dan 1 fresh bakery shop.......dan satu klinik... dengan dokter seminggu sekali. Nggak apa-apa orangnya pada sehat-sehat kok.....

Rumah kita tinggal, transportable house 4kamar tidur & satu kamar mandi

Sekolah
Di primary school (kelas 1 - 7) jumlah muridnya lumayan waktu itu, walaupun begitu masih nggak cukup sehinnga kelas 3&4 satu kelas juga 6&7. Nggak dipungut uang sekolah di seolah dasar. Dua tahun kita tinggal disitu, penduduknya menyusut menjadi sekitar 400 karena salah satu processing plant ditambang di relokasi ketempat lain. Sekolah juga berkurang muridnya, jadi kelas 1 & 2 satu kelas, 3&4 satu kelas dan 5,6,7 digabung menjadi satu kelas. Anyway, enaknya sekolah disini nggak ada murid yang namanya nggak naik kelas atau mengulangi kelas yang sama pada tahun berikutnya. Semuanya naik kelas.........enak ya....., ini berlaku juga di high school (8 - 12). Lho......kok gitu, laha terus gimana kalau mau ke uni?. Ada test kok buat mereka yang mau melanjutkan ke Uni, yang nggak ingin melanjutkan ya....lenggang kangkung aja.......

Apakah sytem ini baik untuk di terapkan di Indonesia?..........

Selesai primary school bisa melanjutkan ke sekolah atas negeri (state high school) dikota lain dan ada school bus (murah sekali bayarnya) untuk pergi dan pulang sekolah. Nah karena saya pengin anak saya keluar dari Eneabba dan pindah ke kota yang lebih ramai (biar nggak kelihatan seperti anak dusun gitu lo ceritanya.........), kita kirim mereka satu persatu ke Geraldton (150Km dari Eneabba ke utara) penduduknya sekitar 20-25 ribu. Mereka "boarding" di salah satu private school disitu, mulai dari anak pertama (1999) lalu anak kedua dan berikutnya anak yang ke tiga. Wah moahalnya...........ketika ketiganya berada di boarding school.

Kota terdekat & Penduduk
Ada satu orang lagi yang sama warna kulitnya dengan kita waktu kita tinggal dikota itu, dia dari Philipina (mining Engineer juga). Penduduk didesa itu mereka semuanya baik, penuh pengertian dan mau membantu jika kita perlu. Penduduknya kebanyakan juga pendatang, ada yang dari Scottland, England, Kiwi, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, dll. Selain pekerja tambang juga ada pensiunan dan beberapa petani. Umumnya petani tinggal di farmnya masing-masing beberapa kilometer dari township.

Di townshipnya sendiri mungkin penduduknya hanya sekitar 300 orang, yang lainnya tersebar diluar. Pendapat saya layout townshipnya nggak begitu bagus, hampir tiap jalan berakhir dengan jalan buntu (no through road) dan rumahnya juga sudah tua-tua. Maklum kota ini dibangun sekitar tahun 70an oleh perusahaan tambang yang lama untuk para pekerjanya, dan mungkin tidak untuk jangka lama. Perusahaan tambang lama tersebut kemudian dibeli oleh perusahaan dimana saya kerja waktu itu.

Kota kecil lain terdekat sekitar 45Km sebelah barat, 60Km sebelah timur dan 80Km sebelah utara. Jauh-jauh ya......2 kota kecil disebelah timur majoritas penduduknya adalah bertani.

Sedang jadi tukang di halaman belakang rumah

Golf & Aktivitas lain
Lapangan Golf ini milik kota dan semua pengurusnya dari anggota dipilih oleh anggota, sifatnya sukarela/voluntir.
Tiap akhir pekan kita main golf (9 x 2 round), disamping lapangan golf ada juga 1 swimming pool, 3 tennis court, 1 sport hall, 1 lapangan tembak, 1 motor cross, 1 lawn ball. Lumayan yah.........tapi TV gratis cuma ada 3 channel suka nggak suka ya itulah...
Green di lapangan golfnya aneh juga, nggak pakai rumput asli atau sintetis tapi cuma pasir......Ya pasir yang diberi cairan semacam minyak supaya debunya nggak terbang kemana-mana. Di green disediakan semacam rake untuk menghaluskan permukaan setiap mau mukul/masukin bola. Kagok juga waktu pertama kali main, lama lama eh.....biasa dan seneng juga. Witing tresno jalaran soko kulina he..he...(I can see someone smiling.....). Kenapa kok nggak pakai rumput?.........pasang air retikulasi mahal cek.....club nggak punya duit. Ada yang pernah punya pengalaman dengan green pasir ini nggak???.......mungkin teman yang di arab atau pedalaman amerika ngkali yah.......Kalau di arab mungkin pakai rumput sintetik....
Bojoku 3 tahun berurut-turut dipilih sebagai treasurer, jadi dia tahu berapa uang yang ada. Dia juga 2 kali menang trophy's Ladies Championship. Beberapa kali dia mewakili Eneabba Golf Club unyuk bertanding dengan club-club lain. Namanya masih terpajang di board member sebagai treasurer (1999, 2000, 2001) dan sebagai champion. Nah kalau aku..........tahun 1998 pensiun dari golf sejak lower back ku makin nggak karuan (sampai sekarang)........bisanya cuma jadi caddy untuk bojoku kalau dia lagi main....he..he..he...

Bojoku sedang jogging keliling jalan kampung, rajin sekali dia berolah raga.

Di kota kecil ini juga ada organisasi pemadam kebakaran dan juga ada SES (state emergency services), semua anggotanya sukarela/voluntir. Perlengkapan dan peralatannya disediakan oleh pemerintah, pemadam kebakaran ini perlu karena seringnya terjadi "bush fire". Search & Rescue umumnya untuk mencari orang hilang dan membatu penduduk kalau ada musibah (rumah roboh kena angin/hujan, kuda atau sapi/domba kabur, dsb). Aku ikut menjadi anggota di yang kedua ini (SES), lumayan dapat training tentang methoda pencarian orang hilang dan bebrapa hal lain disamping lebih banyak mengenal orang.
Pernah ikut nolong mberesin rumah yang ambruk di kota kecil lain, dan juga pernah nyari orang hilang juga di kota lain.

Farms
Dikota yang kecil kayak gitu nggak banyak yang bisa dilakukan untuk mengisi waktu hidup sehari-hari, beberapa kali kita di undang ke farm (sheeps & wheat farm). Kita punya beberapa teman farmer, ladang mereka luas-luas ada yang sampai 50,000 acre (~20,000Ha)......biasanya 1/5 untuk dombanya dan lainnya ditanami gandum atau canola, atau barley, atau lupin, atau campuran diantara itu. Itu alat pertaniannya.........gede-gede....mulai dari pembalik tanah & penyebar biji, sampai dengan traktor untuk panen.....Nggak mengherankan kalau Australia export gandumnya kuat sekali, walaupun panennya setahun sekali. Biasanya kalau ladangnya hanya sekitar 20,000 acre...mereka kerjain sendiri, kalau lebih dari itu baru dia memperkerjakan orang....Enak ngelihat hamparan hijau gandum, atau kuning (bunga canola) berhektar-hektar kalau lagi jalan-jalan di farm.

Berkebun dihalam samping belakang

Hiburan lain
Selain main golf, kita juga sering mancing dipantai (30Km). Kalau mancing di laut nggak perlu punya licence, kalau di sungai harus punya licence. Baik di laut maupun di sungai, ikan yang ditangkappun harus memenuhi ukuran minimal, ada brosur pedomannya untuk rekreasi ini. Ikan yang dibawah minimum standard size dan yang perutnya gede (ada telurnya) harus segera di ceburin balik ke air.........Jadi nggak boleh sembarangan ngambil.........aturan itu untuk menjaga resource sustainability, jadi bisa mancing terus.....he...he.......Semua orang mahfum dan menghargai aturan itu. Industri perikanan-pun (yang pakai kapal) juga mengikuti aturan ini. Ada yang pernah kena denda oleh petugas perikanan lho gara-gara masukin ikan tangkapan yang dibawah ukuran , dan ada juga yang nangkap terlalu banyak. Satu orang hanya dibolehkan nangkap ikan 6 ekor lho kalau nggak salah.
Pernah suatu hari kita hampir diseruduk sama stingray yang gedenya seukuran 2 tampah beras (1.5m), istriku lari keluar dari air ketakutan. Pernah juga mobilku pecah kaca & lampu depan dan penyok bonetnya gara-2 pindah ketempat mancing yang lain dan nabrak itu kanguru segede anak sapi dijalan.......wah.......

Its time to go
Dari tahun ke tahun, penduduknya menyusut. Bukannya tambang menyusut tetapi banyak yang pada pindah ke kota lain yang dekat pantai. Agak jauh sih..sekitar 80Km dari tambang (45 menit naik mobil), tapi kotanya rapi dan lebih baik. Kita sendiri situasinya juga berubah.
Dua tahun menjelang anak pertama saya selesai kelas 12, kita putuskan untuk beli rumah kecil di Perth untuk tempat tinggal dia selama nanti dia kuliah. Kemudian keputusan berubah dengan mambangun rumah baru mengingat kita belum punya rumah, jadilah keputusan itu. Setelah ngurusin design rumah & tetek bengek mulai dari developer sampai ke bank (untuk mortgage), rumah itu akirnya jadi beberapa bulan sebelum dia selesai kelas 12. Perkembangan lain saya dapat pekerjaaan baru di kota lain (selatan perth), jadilah kita keluar dari Eneabba pertengahan tahun 2003.

Refleksi
Banyak hal yang kita dapat pelajari waktu kita tinggal di kota kecil ini, diantaranya system ajar-megajar, bentuk keterlibatan orang tua disekolah (bojoku banyak terlibat), fund raising untuk sekolah, toleransi & way of life mereka, tentang wine, soal sustainability (mancing contohnya), dan lain-lain..... Organisasi voluntir, 3 diataranya yang saya sebut diatas (Golf, Pemadam Kebakaran & SES), banyak sekali jenisnya dan semuanya tertata rapi, baik reporting strukturnya, laporan dana maupun agenda kegiatannya. Banyak aktivitas bermasyarakat yang tidak perlu mengandalkan pemerintah untuk menanganinya, polisi atau lembaga pemerintah hanya tinggal bekerja sama dengan organisasi-2 kemasyarakatan tersebut. Sebagai contoh ada laporan ke polisi yang menyatakan satu anggota keluarga si A yang belum pulang/hilang. Setelah polisi yakin akan kebenaran laporan itu, polisi kontak dengan ketua SES yang pada gilirannya memobilisasi anggotanya (siapa yang bisa pergi dan tidak bisa). Setelah di-brief oleh polisi, SES berangkat ke posisi pencarian. Hasilnya......mungkin ketemu dan mungkin nggak ketemu.

Itulah sekelumit cerita hidup kami sekeluarga di kota kecil (dusun?) di Western Australia. Tentu saja tidak semuanya mulus dan lancar-lancar saja..........riak-riak kecil terjadi dari waktu ke waktu. dan itu merupakan pelajaran hidup buat kita sekeluarga.

Christmas 2007 - Holidaying Back Home (in English)

2007-12-10T17:57:00.000+08:00

Dear all

Another year has nearly gone by. Looking back at this year we’re grateful and thankful to God for what we have, and have done. Of course everything wasn’t pleasant, wasn’t smooth and easy, sometime we questioned “God where are you?”, but I think we learned the lessons from it. Hope we can do better in the coming year and become wiser as we are growing older.

To Indonesia
Last Christmas we were in Indonesia trying to catch up with all of our relatives and friends. We had a very good time and it was great that all of the family (our brothers and sisters and their family) can join us during that precious time.
On the morning of the 25th we went to Cathedral where I normally attended Sunday mass whilst I was a University (ITB) student in Bandung. We were a bit surprised to see lot of police with some military vehicles were present everywhere around the building, then we realized that there was a threat to bomb the churches during that festive season. Anyway, nothing happened, and the mass went well starting from 24th midnight till midnight the following day.

This is one of photo that we took during that morning, my son and my daughter (Xenot & Eva) didn’t want miss out on this opportunity.

Eating Out
There were so many nice places to visit and eat in Bandung; Cafés, Restaurants, Warung Nasi etc. One of them is Tizis Restaurant located at Jl. Kidang Pananjung. Everyday I pass this restaurant when I was going and coming home from Uni. I lived at Jl. Kidang Pananjung renting a house together/share with other students for over 6 years. This will be a good opportunity to show it and tell the old story to all my children, so we went to Tizis for Christmas dinner. We enjoy very much that night and we all agree this is nice restaurant, decoration, architecture, lighting, services, was all good. And the food……..we liked it.

Here is the photo of that moment in Tizis Restaurant with my wife, daughters, son and my mother in law.

To the mountain
On the 29/12/2006 we went to the mountain called Tangkuban Perahu located just outside Bandung. We got there at around noon and the weather was disappointing. It was windy, raining and so cold, so we could not explore the hot springs (bubbling hot) that we wanted to visit. We just stayed in the entry area looking at the area around, it was so chilly……….and we were not prepared for that. After taking few photo shots, we left the mountain and drove further looking for food (what else……….). On the way, we stopped at tea plantation and took a few photo shots with the tea pickers. There was funny story in this one. After we finished a taking few shots Anna (my wife) gave them (the tea pickers) a Rp100k to say thank you and then we left. But they were just standing there, looking both at us and the money in their hand, and we were confused. Finally they went away smiling……..and we were still confused and headed off too.
On the mountain, windy and chill

On the tea plantation with tea pickers.

To the wedding
January 2007 went to Jakarta without my daughter Ivi, she went back home early because the she could not take a long holiday.
My youngest brother finally got married, this trip was to attend his wedding. We were very busy attending functions here and there, and we were all exhausted. Anyway all went well, we were happy. But…..not long after that tummy bug came upon us……..and this time it was very intense…I think we were to excited with the food for dinner of the restaurants across the road from where we were staying………may be…….. The plan was to visit Koba town (Bangka island) to see my children’s birthplace and meet old friends but it was all cancelled. Any way here is some photos of the wedding.

Pose together before we all go to the hall.

Bride and Groom at their traditional Javanese wedding costume.

Brothers and sisters of the Groom

Back home
Back at Perth life continues as usual, we’re all still at the same jobs as it was before……Ivi works for Bunnings Warehouse and Eva with Ready Workforce-Chandler MacLeod. Anna and Eva continue taking their part time study at TAFE and Curtin University respectively, while Ivi is taking full time study at Edith Cowan University. Xenot is preparing his score by doing a bridging course to enter Mechanical Engineering course at TAFE next year. In the middle of this year Xenot took a casual job at the Pert Mint as a general hand, this will be good experience for him.
Eva saved her money very hard since last year, in May this year finally she decided to by her own first car. I guess she was fed up using my old car. It looks very old and not cool……she said. So we have 4 cars at our place now…crowded….

Gathering
In November this year, we invited our old friends and also some new friends from Indonesia. We were glad to see them again after few years not seeing each other. Here they’re, some of you may still recognize these names i.e. David & Tuti Clift, Kim Russell (his wife did not came as she was busy), Mark & Heather Czar and Dennis & Pauline Geldard. We’re chit-chatting about here and there and dug our memory back to where we use to live and work years ago back in Indonesia.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2008, hope you all have good success in what you do in this coming year.

Best Wishes from the Haryantos
10/12/2007

Rutinitas Akhir Pekan

2007-12-07T19:24:00.000+08:00

awal Nov-07

Weekend kali ini rutin seperti kebanyakan weekend yang lalu, shopping groceries, motong rumput, masukin pakaian kotor ke mesin cuci, njemur pakaian, setelika, bersih-bersih rumah, dll......... hebat nggak...he.. he.. seperti kebanyakan orang Aussie sini lah rutinitas ini.
Kali ini bagian saya, istri saya ngerjain yang sama minggu lalu.......dia juga kerja fulltime, jadi ya bagi-2 tugas. Berbahagialah bagi rekan-2 yang masih bisa membayar orang lain untuk ngerjain itu semua......he. ..he... Pengin degar cerita soal rutinitas weekend dari rekan-2 yang lain i.e. Agung Eka (NY City), BangSad (Abu Dhabi), Han (Maryland), Triyoga (Hamburg), Valens (Perth), dan tetntu saja rekan-2 di tanah air, dll.

Photo diatas rumah kita yang cekli (4 kamar tidur & 2 kamar mandi) yang selesai dibangun Juni 2003, kita mulai masuk bulan Agustus 2003. Glad that finally we can bought a house after just working in Australia for 5 years with the minimum mortgage.
Halaman rumput hijaunya kecil jadi ngak perlu pakai mesin untuk motongnya, cukup dengan hand push mower sekalian sambil olah raga dan ngurangi green house gas effect. Lumayan bisa sekitar 45 menit nyelesain nya komplit sama trimmingnya.

Photo daerah depan rumah,sebelah kanan depan adalah taman atau “public open space”

Menjelang summer udara nggak begitu dingin lagi, rutinitas weekend saya akan bertambah satu lagi, excersice dengan push bike. Sabtu ini yang pertama kali setelah nggak melakukannya +/- setengan tahun. Jarak yang ditempuh sekitar 30Km pergi pulang selama sekitar 1.5 jam termasuk istirahat. Kebanyakan (90%) kita pakai jalan jalur khusus sepeda. Ada dua rute yang kita biasa kita pakai (tahun-2 yang lalu) yang pertama langsung dari rumah nyebrang block terus menuju ke jalur sepeda dan melintasi natural/native parks/bushlands. yang kedua bawa sepada ke city, parkir di salah satu taman dan pakai jalur sepeda di sepanjang sungai. Jalur yang ini bisa ke arah utara bisa ke arah selatan. Jarak yang keselatan bisa sampai 40Km pergi pulang, bisa 200Km kalau mau. Naik sepeda ini disampaing olah raga juga refreshing. Pemandangan disepanjang jalur sepeda lumayan bagus walaupun kadang-kadang nggak sempat lihat karena terus berusaha nggenjot pedal sambil ngos-ngosan. .....
Ceritanya biar tetap fit diusia diatas 50....iya nggak......he. ..he...

Kita siap-siap mau berangkat naik sepeda ke Perth City sepanjang sunngai Swan, sepeda sudah dicangklongin dibelakang mobil.

Minggu pagi ini setelah setelika baju dan bersih-bersih rumah terus buka milis ITB74 sambil minum kopi espresso bikinan sendiri..... ...hemh.. ..enak sekali.....
Banyak subject/topik ada di milis ini mulai dari teknologi sederhana ceramic dari "tletong" sapi (kereksi dari rekan BW), sampai ke teknologi canggih PLT Nuklir, ngebor minyak sampai kedalaman 7Km... bukan main, dan soal well being dari kemping berdua seperti rekan BangSad dan saya sendiri, info tentang cancer, sampai ke renungan/ dialog dari rekan Agung Eka. Belum lagi topik yang lain yang menyangkut soal moral/korupsi, kiprahnya jeng Sri et al di humanitarian aid, TKI/W di Malaysia, dan topik sideline yang lain-2. Bukan main........ ..

Produksi minyak dan tenaga nuklir menurut saya topik yang banyak muncul, dan memang peradaban perlu energi untuk terus bergulir. Baru-baru ini Brasil mendapatkan minyak dikedalaman 7Km, geoscience rupanya sudah sedemikian canggih sehingga minyak dikedalam 7Km bisa dtemukan. Dan ngebor di kedalaman 7 Km itu bukan main-main... ..Pertanyaan yang muncul, apakah akan ditemukan ditempat lain sumber minyak dikedalaman ini?, inikah cebakan minyak baru di layer sedimentation yang lain/lebih dalam? Berapa banyak? Jika ini bisa ditambahkan kedalam perhitungan jumlah cadangan energi dunia, berapa lama lagi dunia bisa terus tergantung dari minyak 10, 50, atau 100 tahun?
Cepat atau lambat sumber energi ini akan habis dan perlu penggantinya, PLTN, PLTPB atau PLTG?, saya rasa PLTN adalah primadona calon penggantinya. Namun seperti sudah di tanggapi oleh beberapa rekan sebelumnya, PLTN masih sangat rawan atau produk beresiko tinggi sehingga masih banyak kekhawatiran akan akibatnya kalau mishab terjadi. Untuk Indonesia, resiko ini masih menjadi momok terbesar.... ..namun, seperji juga bansa lain, Indonesia harus menyiapkannya. .........

Mobil/modus transportasi nanti pakai apa? biodiesel?.. .....Hydrogen fuel cells....... ..wah...biarlah rekan-2 yang ahli dibidangnya menjawabnya. .........

Sorry, ada inturupsi tadi, anak saya yang bontot minta saya untuk mendampingi dia nyopir mobil. Dia baru dapat learner permit driving licence (L plate) dua bulan yang lalu, dia harus mengumpulkan minimum 25 jam praktek dengan ditemani oleh senior driver (min 4 tahun pengalaman). Jadi saya jalan-jalan (mobil-mobilan) terus melewati jalan-jalan yang lama nggak saya pakai baik itu freeway, hwy maupun main roads. Dan hari ini saya kira hari terakhir. Setelah itu harus test lagi (komputer test) unuk dapat Probationary Permit (P plate). Kalau dia dapat P plate dia akan terus pakai plate ini selama 2 tahun sebelum dapat full licence.
Mobil saya yang tua (Camry biru) akan dipakai sampai dia bisa beli mobil sendiri sebelum mobil itu dibuang………abis sudah mulai banyak masalah....transmisi otomaticnya udah ganti dua kali, rem hydrolic-nya udah harus ganti dsb....
Walaupun procedure untuk anak muda mendapatkan driver licence sudah dibuat sedemikian rupa, tapi masihlah banyak kecelakaan yang merenggut jiwa para anak-anak muda ini.......
Udah dulu ceritanya.....mau istirahat sebentar...........

Jeda Sejenak

2007-12-05T04:42:00.000+08:00

Nov-2007

Suhu udara di week days yang baru saja lewat berubah dengan cepat, weekend yang lalu suhu udara sekitar 20an celcius, terus naik cepat sampai 38.5C pada jum'at yang lewat. Rasanya seperti di oven waktu keluar jalan-jalan (luch brake) dengan bojoku pada hari itu.
Kebetulan tempat kerja bojoku nggak jauh dari temapt kerjaku, jadi tiap hari dating terus dengan dia pada jam lunch brake. Kadang-kadang cuma sekadar melongok ke pertokoan atau minum kopi, tapi seringnya jalan ke taman kota yang selalu ditata dengan bagus, bunga dimana-mana dan rumputnya hijau terawat. Pedestrian di seluruh daerah dirawat dengan baik dan jalan juga bagus, nggak percumalah bayar pajak tinngi tapi jelas uangnya dikembalikan untuk publik. Kalau di city ada 3 rute bus keliling city yang kalau anda mau keliling dengan itu bus, anda nggak dipungut bayaran alias free of charge dan juga nggak pakai macet seperti cerita rekans di Jakarta.....Mungkin bus gratis ini hal biasa di new york, meryland, abu dhabi, singapur, hamburg atau KL di Malaysia barangkali yah.....Busnya terawat/bersih dan nyaman.. Barusan saya dapat jawaban dari rekan di NY City nggak ada bus yang gratis.

Photo diatas adalah salah satu taman dekat sungai Swan di belakang gedung Supreme Court Perth.

Saya dan keluarga tinngal disalah satu suburb kira-kira 10Km dari Perth city mulai pertengan 2003, lokasinya cukup baik dekat dengan stasiun kerata api, shopping centre juga dengan sekolah. Anak-anak saya kerjanya juga nggak jauh dari suburb dimana kita tinggal, kecuali yang bontot dia kerja di daerah perth city.
Anak yang pertama (perempuan) kerja di salah satu garden & hardware/ warehouse (toko peralatan) terbesar di perth bagian selatan namanya “Bunnings Warehouse” kepunyaan Westfarmer. Dia sudah menjabat supv di retailer, itu, saya pikir akan menjadi referensi yang bagus untuk nyari kerja setelah dia selesai uni nanti. Disamping itu kalau saya perlu beli peralatan dan gardening........ada discount.........he...he...
Sebelumnya kita tinggal di kota tambang kira-kira 300km dari perth ke arah utara. penduduknya waktu itu sekitar 600 kepala. Kecil yah......walaupun begitu fasilitas nya cukup lengkap disana, ada swimming pool, 3 tennis court, satu sport hall (indoor sports), community club, dan .......lapangan golf.....Ini bukan fasilitas perusahaan tambang lho, ini fasilitas kota yang disokong dari uang negara/pajak.
Nanti saya cerita tersendiri deh masa-masa saya dan keluarga tinggal di desa terpencil ini.

Maunya sih kemana-mana (terutama ketempat kerja) bisa pakai publik transport. Aku dan bojo juga awalnya selalu naik kereta (12 menit jalan kaki dari rumah ke stasiun), tapi setelah kita bandingkan dengan ongkos parkir dan availabilitynya kita putuskan naik mobil saja. Parkir nggak susah (agak jauh sih......) dan ongkosnya cuman $5 per 10jam (early bird) dibanding dengan ongkos kereta $11 pp berdua. Cuma ya itu perlu jalan agak jauh....sekitar 10 menit ke kantor bojo dan 30 menit santai atau 25 menit jalan agak cepat ke kantor saya. Kalau mau dekat-2 dengan kantor, nggak ada harapan akan kebagian tempat parkir dan kalau dapat juga ongkosnya bisa 4 sampai 5 kali lebih tinggi. Nggak apa-apa sambil olah raga pagi.......seperti yang dilakukan BangSad di cerita week end nya di Abu Dhabi, jauhan mana dengan jalan kaki saya .....?....he...he...

Bojoku (mbak Non) sedang bawa tas kerja yang baru dibeli siang tadi untuk ngganti tas ku yang sudah tua,

Sebelum kita temukan tempat parkir yang sekarang ini, kita parkir dekat dengan kantor bojoku ongkosnya sekitar $7.50 per 10 jam (early bird) atau sekitar $12 waktu normal, akhir-akhir ini kita nggak pernah lagi kebagian ditempat yang ini. Mengapa kita pindah ke tempat parkir yang baru kejadiannya begini: waktu itu tempat parkir penuh jadi kita parkir di block sebelahnya yang juga dikelola oleh perth city parking. Sore harinya, itu ticket denda sudah nagkring di wiper kaca depan $50 fine. Hari berikutnya kita bawa masalahnya ke officer dan kita arguing bahwa saya bayar tiket kenapa didenda, officer dikantor kemudian ngecek....eh...rupanya ada fotonya.....no plat mobil dan display tiketnya.....esoknya saya terima surat dibilang kalau tiket yang saya beli tidak berlaku untuk ditempat lain (walaupun persis disebelahnya).......tapi dendanya dibatalkan. Hari berikutnya kejadian yang sama, nggak dapat tempat parkir terus pakir di sebelahnya...........sorenya.....adalagi ticket diwiper kaca depan........cuma kali ini warning aja........Rupanya ongkos yang disebelahnya ini 2 kali lebih mahal.......Lahh.. daripada akhirnya akan beber...bener bayar denda for nothing.....yah pindah tempat yang kita pakai sekarang......pelit yah......saya...?
Downside-nya kalau bojoku ada kuliah malam (dua kali semnggu dia kuliah malam habis kerja untuk nyelesaiin accouting diplomanya) jalan ke mobilnya agak jauh dibanding sebelumya. Semangat dia masih ada walau sudah mejelang tengah abad.

Wah kopi ku sudah habis (kali ini kopi tubruk dari Italia...........) sudah habis.......berhenti dulu......obrolan dari saya......disambung lagi nanti......more photos below:

Pemandangan di Hay Street - Perth City, dekat dengan kantor

Swan River diambil dari jendela kantor.

Bell Tower tampak dilatar belakang

Trip to Exmouth - 2007

2007-11-21T17:52:00.000+08:00

Ulang tahun perkawinan yang ke 23
(dongeng di perbaharui pada tanggal 06 April 2008 dengan photo2 dan cerita yang ketemu disana-sini)

Ngomong-ngomong soal liburan, bulan Agustus 2007 saya sama bojoku juga liburan ke kota kecil namnya Exmouth. Ngeraya-in perkawinan yang ke 23. Jaraknya kira-kira 1300Km dari Perth kearah utara.
Sekedar bagi-bagi cerita saja.

Kita putuskan untuk naik mobil dari pada naik pesawat, karena di Exmouth nanti harus sewa mobil kalau naik pesawat jadi beayanya bisa tambah mahal. Perjalanan akan memakan waktu dua hari, dan kita putuskan untuk camping pada akhir hari ke satu diperjalanan dari pada nginnap di hotel (kan cuma semalan saja…..). Demikian juga pulangnya dari Exmouth nanti, kita juga akan camping di salah satu tempat yang bisa kita dapatkan. Semua sudah direncanakan, perlengkapan disiapkan termasuk untuk camping (air, kompor, gula, kopi, supermi dsb), buku pedoman dimana bisa camping dsb. Kita juga bawa 2 sepeda untuk jalan-jalan…..eh sepada-sepedaan disana.
Dengan bantuan Google Map persiapan bisa bertambah baik alias lebih detail, saya bisa dapatkan jarak dan lokasi camping di hari pertama dan juga lokasi camping untuk pulangnya nanti.

Kita berangkat jam 8.15 pagi dari rumah. Enak juga nyopir jarak jauh, kita gantian nyopirnya jadi nggak begitu tegang/capai. Kita ngisi bensin dua kali, dan harganya makin menjauhi Perth makin tinggi. Kalau di Perth sekitar A$1.20/l di tempat terakhir kita ngisi harganya sekitar $1.45/l. Untungnya mobil kita nggak besar, cuma 3.0 liter, jadi ya nggak minum bensin. Sebenarnya sih pengisian yang kedua belum perlu, tapi mengingat jarak antar kota/pompa bensin sangat jauh, kita putuskan untuk ngisi. Makin ke utara jarak antar pompa besin (hanya pompa bensin nggak ada kampung apalagi desa) bisa sekitar 100 – 150Km.

Peta rute perjalanan dari Perth ke Exmouth (garis biru), jaraknya */- 1300Km

Kita berhenti di kota berikutnya setelah Perth (namanya Geraldton, penduduknya sekitar 25,000) setelah menempuh perjalanan sekitar 450Km. Dahulu hampir setiap weekend kita datang kesini sewaktu anak-anak kita masih pada sekolah dan tinggal di boarding house di kota ini. Anak yang pertama boarding pada tahun 1999 (kelas 8), kemudian anak kedua tahun 2000 dan yang ketiga tahun 2002. Jadi kita paham sekali dengan kota ini.

Sehabis makan siang kemudian kita belanja sedikit untuk makan malam nanti, kita melanjutkan perjalanan lagi. Kira2 jam dua siang kita meninggalkan Geraldton, dan kota "besar" berikutnya adalah Carnarvorn jaraknya sekitar 380km dari Geraldton. Kita sudah rencanakan untuk tidak meneruskan perjalanan hari ini ke kota Carnarvorn, karena hari bakalan terlalu gelap ketika kita sampai di kota ini. Kita sudah rencanakan untuk berkemah/camping di lokasi dekat panti kira2 120km sebelum Carnarvon.

Kondisi lalu lintas mulai dari Geraldton sampai ke tempat kita camping boleh dikatakan lengang, nggak banyak traffic jadi bisa melaju dengan kecepatan konstan. Kita taruh/hidupkan "cruise control" dan santailah kita dengan kecepatan 110-115km/jam sambil dengerin musik keroncong asli (dari CD). Wah bener-bener rileks nyupirnya.....

Sampai di tempat camping jam 5 sore dan jarak yang kita tempuh sekitar 730Km.
Di tempat camping, eh…….ternyata bukan gue sendirian (padahal lokasinya jauh dari mana-mana). Ada beberapa pasangan yang juga camping tetapi pada umumnya mereka bawa caravan, hanya beberapa yang bawa tenda seperti saya. Yang bawa caravan pada umumnya saling tukar informasi lewat radio communication tentang lokasi dimana bisa stay overnight. Karena kita nggak bisa sembarangan camping (walaupun di Australia Barat jarang penduduknya), kalau ketahuan oleh petugas kita di denda. Nah aku mengadalkan buku yang aku punya dan itu edisi tahun 1997, jadi sudah 10 tahun yang lalu………tapi ternyata masih tepat/spot on. Terus terang kalau nggak pakai buku itu tempatnya pasti nggak ketemu, wong nggak ada tanda/sign nya kok. Jalam masuknya juga nggak di aspal alias tanah merah (masih sama menurut buku).
Fasilitas di tempat tempat camping (approved by local authority) sangat basic, ada yang menyediakan air bersih, tempat mandi dan toilet (decompose toilet,…apa sih namanya lupa…pokoknya yang nggak perlu diglontor pakai air dan nggak begitu bau), tapi kebanyakan cuma ada toilet saja. Ditempat yang kita berhenti, cuma ada toilet dan di “gerbang” masuk ada kaleng berukuran 0.5m tinggi x 10cm diameter linkaran (yang juga sudah tua) dan nggak ada gemboknya yang bunyinya “please pay $1.0/per night per person”. Jadi ya nurut seperti permintaan itu kita masukin coin……..plung……plung.
Anyway, tenda sudah berdiri, kasur angin sudah dipompa dan tertata, giliran masak untuk makan malam lauknya ayam BBQ yang barusan kita beli di kota Geraldton. Sehabis makan malam dan cuci piring kemudian relex sampil minum kopi tubruk……sedap.....

Bojoku sedang santai didepan tenda.

Paginya setelah beres-beres, ngelap badan dengan air yang kita bawa dan buang sampah ketempatnya, kita teruskan perjalan ke Exmouth. Beberapa kali kita stop dijalan untuk menikmati pemandangan yang menarik dan agak berbeda, seperti hamparan bunga-bunga liar (wild flowers) yang sangat mencolok ada yang kuning dan ada yang purple. Kita bisa memandang/melihat sampai jauh sekali karena jarang ada pohon, yang ada cuma tanaman perdu (shrubs) saja tingginya sekitar 0.5m, jadi bukan tempat yang baik untuk bersembunyi he….he…..

Langit biru cerah serta hamparan bunga liar warna ungu di tepi jalan dengan pohon perdu terhampar luas.

Kita mampir sebentar di kota Carnarvon untuk melihat-lihat kota penghasil pisang di Western Australia. Kota ini juga peng-export pisang seperti halnya negara bagian Queensland, tapi jenis pisangnya nggak sama walaupun sama2 enaknya. Tapi pisang ambon dari Indonesia masih lebih enak...he...he...

Ini salah satu perkebunan pisang yang bisa kita ambil gambarnya dari pinggir jalan, luas sekali areanya.

Disamping pisang di daerah ini juga terkenal dengan perkebunan mangga, istriku suka beli paling nggak satu box mangga Carnarvorn sekali seminggu kalau lagi musimnya. Kalau kita bandingkan dengan mangga arum manis dari Indonesia, wah jauh sekali bedanya....arum manis sangat lebih enak. Di Perth's supermarket atau di fruits & vegies market jarang sekali atau bahkan belum pernah ada mangga arum manis, jadi mangga carnarvon ini yang kita beli....he..he....

Photo salah satu perkebunan mangga di Carnarvon

Selepas Carnarvorn dan sepanjang daerah exmouth peninsula pemandangan agak berubah, sepertinya pohon perdumya lebih pendek lagi dan banyak sekali gundukan-2 tanah merah disana sini. Bentuknya seperti rumah2 lumpur dai Afrika sana juga ukurannya besar2 seperti rumah mainan anak2 (cubby house). Rupanya gundukan tanah merah ini adalah sarang rayap (turmite), nggak tahu jenis rayap yang mana. Kita nggak ketemu dengan rayapnya waktu kita coba berhenti dan melihatnya.

Berhenti di jalan untuk melihat sarang "Turmite" atau Rayap. Besar sekali ukurannya. Rumah rayap ini banyak sekali kita jumpai didaerah sini

Jam 2 siang kita sampai di kota Exmouth dan langsung menuju ke lokasi akomodasi yang sudah kita pesan jauh2 hari. Kita tinggal 5 hari di Exmouth, penduduknya sekitar 2000 orang dan naik menjadi sekitar 20,000 orang pada musim turis (sekitar Agustus-Oktober). Kita tinggal di Chalet (lengkap dengan kitchen facility) disalah satu Caravan Park Accommodation. Ongkosnya nggak terlalu mahal ($90/night) dan cukuplah untuk kita berdua.

Esoknya kita kumpul ketempat visitor center menunggu mobil safari tour yang sudah kita pesan kemarin. Bersama-sama kita di tour ini adalah satu pasangan dari Perancis dan satu pasang lagi dari negara bagian Queensland. Dalam tour ini kita akan dibawa melintas dari satu sisi sebelah timur ke sisi lainnya dari peninsula ini. Perjalanan safari akan menempuh sekitar 4 - 5 jam dengan mobil Toyota Landcruiser yang dimodifikasi untuk keperluan tour ini. Menarik sekali perjalanan ini, jalannya naik turun dan nggak bisa jalan cepat karena medannya yang memang hanya bisa dilalui dengan 4WD. Tour guide yang merangkap sopir memberikan gambaran dan penjelasan mulai dari tanah, batu, gua, flora serta fauna sepanjang perjalanan. Selama perjalanan tersebut kita nggak ketemu dengan orang lain baik itu dari rombongan lain maupun pejalan kaki, bayangin kalau mobilnya ngadat.....wah.......

Anyway, dengan safari tour ini kita banyak melihat gorges dan canyons yang nggak bisa ditemui kalau hanya tinggal di kotanya. Beautiful scinery……….. Mengingakan saya pada film-film cowboy Amerika.

Salah satu canyon, tampak di kaki horison adalah jalan air alam bukan jalan yang dibuat.

Perjalanan safari ini berakhir di sisi lautan India, pantai dan air lautnya sangat bersih dan jernih. Sepanjang pantai adalah coral reef, disini kita ber snorkling ria melihat coral dan ikan2 karang yang berwarna-warni.........wah bagus sekali. Alat2 snorklingnya disediakan oleh tour company. Menurut petunjuk di visitor center pengunjung juga bisa diving ke coral reef, pengunjung juga bisa diving dekat dengan "whale shark" (exclusive tour) yang dilindungi di perairan Australia, atau naik kapal melihat "humpback whale" yang sangat terkenal disini. Mungkin lain kali kita akan kembali lagi untuk mencoba tour tersebut.

Hari berikutnya kita jalan2 ke kota untuk berbelanja dan makan siang, sore harinya kita naik sepeda ke mercu suar duduk2 disitu sambil menikmati sun set. Tidak lama kemudian orang ribut2 katanya mereka melihat humpback whale di kejauhan, rupanya kadang2 ikan paus itu datang dan bisa dilihat di posisi mercu suar yang tinggi. Saking penginnya melihat lagi kita balik ke tempat penginapan mengambil binoculer dan kembali lagi sambil ngos-ngosan (naik sepeda). Sesudah sampai di atas lagi, kita nggak lihat lagi ada humpback whale sampai matahari terbenam....wah........nggak beruntung kita..he...he...

Kita lagi nampang di sekitar "FLAMMING HEAD LIGHTHOUSE"

Benar2 tempat berlibur yang menarik, banyak turis dari Jepang, Eropa dan lain2 terutama para muda-mudi. Saya rekomendasikan untuk dikunjungi kalau ada yang mau berkunjung ke Western Australia. Kondisi jalan sepanjang perjalanan sangat bagus dan lebar, kecepatan maksimum yang dibolehkan adalah 110km/jam.

"Canyon" di tengah-tengah Exmouth peninsula

Bergaya bersama dengan peserta lain dari rombongan dengan tour guide-nya. Gambar ini diambil setelah selesai "snorkling"

More Canyon at the back drop of my lovely wife.

Sampai jumpa di cerita yang lain, dag.............

Perth, updated 06/04/2008