My Kitchen Story part 1: Pisau

Sejak punya anak yang mesti makan, terpaksa yang namanya gw atau bapaknya neng O mesti rajin-rajin turun ke dapur untuk masak.
Semakin sering masak, entah mengapa itu membuat gw jadi sadar kenapa dulu Mama itu demen banget beli aneka peralatan masak.
Soalnya sedikit banyak, peralatan masak yang bagus itu membuat memasak itu jadi lebih ringan.

Benda pertama yang waktu itu gw incar pas udah mulai sering masak adalah....

PISAU

Ah?Pisau? Emangnya ga punya pisau? Punya sih, tapi gimana juga, si pisau ini ternyata emang ada harga ada rupa. Percayalah, ketika misalnya dalam kondisi bangun kesiangan dan terpaksa harus mengolah daging beku yang baru dikeluarkan dari freezer, kalau pakai pisau yang ga tajam, yang ada frustasi motongnya. (Jangan ditiru ye, gw tau perubahan suhu makanan yang terlalu drastis itu ga bagus, tapi kadang gw lupa nurunin daging dari freezer ke chiller).
Gw punya beberapa pisau, tapi pisau yang gw dah punya bertahun-tahun dan masih tajam banget itu paring knife nya Victorinox.
Jadi pas gw lagi mikir mo beli Chef's knife atau Santoku knife, tentunya akhirnya yang gw lirik si Victorinox ini.
Secara yang lagi promo warna yang genjreng-genjreng neon, jadi Chef's Knife dan Santoku Knife punyaku warnanya kuning dan orange neon, hihihi... Tadinya sih setengah hati mo beli pisau dengan gagang warna-warni begini, secara keliatan banget kagak 1 set. Tapi setelah membaca aneka review, daripada gw beli 1 set terus ada yang ga kepake, lebih baik membeli pisau yang emang jelas-jelas kepake saja. Jadi sekarang pisau Victorinox gw ada 4 dan semua warnanya beda, hahahaha...
*mestinya ada 6, tapi gw kehilangan 2 pisau Victorinox pas lagi renovasi rumah, hiks hiks...

Setelah membeli pisau, tentunya benda incaran berikutnya adalah knife block.
Kenapa perlu knife block? Soalnya gw ga pede kalau make gantungan pisau model magnet. Kesannya gore banget kalau majang pisau gede-gede di tembok dapur.
Sementara katanya sih, salah satu cara menjaga keawetan pisau itu adalah memiliki tempat penyimpanan pisau yang baik, tidak saling berbenturan baik antar pisau ataupun dengan peralatan masak/makan yang lain.
Masalahnya adalah.... mencari knife block universal itu tidak segampang judulnya yang "universal".
Hasil dari muter-muter beberapa toko offline maupun sekian toko online, gw hanya nemu knife block universal produknya IKEA.

RETRÄTT

Tampaknya kalau memang gw ga bisa nemu produk lain, maka gw akan membeli knife block ini.

Kayaknya sih untuk soal pisau, cukup ini dulu. Gw masih berdilemma, apakah gw perlu membeli pengasah pisau atau tidak. Soalnya pengasah pisau jika dipergunakan secara kurang tepat malah bisa bikin pisau kurang tajam. Saran lain mengatakan, lebih baik pisau dibawa ke pengasah pisau profesional (di mana pula di Jakarta ada profesi pengasah pisau untuk koki rumahan? Hahahaha)...

Ribut-ribut soal BPJS Ketenagakerjaan

Pertama-tama.....
aku tidak mau membela siapa-siapa ya....
cuman mau memberikan sudut pandangku sendiri.

Ketika kemarin banyak orang mulai ribut-ribut soal aturan baru BPJS yang mengatakan bahwa klaim JHT hanya bisa dilakukan setelah minimal 10 tahun kepesertaan dan kalau mau diambil utuh mesti ketika 56 tahun/ meninggal dunia/ cacat, tentunya reaksi orang-orang adalah "AH?".
Selain itu, hanya bisa diambil 10% atau 30% kalau untuk perumahan.

Reaksi aku sendiri sebenarnya juga "AH?".
Apalagi ketika mulai beredar ajakan untuk tandatangan petisi.
Tapi ya namanya aturan, tentunya ada dasarnya kan. Jadi tentunya aku mencoba mencari tahu apa sih sebenarnya aturannya.

Setelah membaca sekian artikel berita, akhirnya aku menemukan kalau dasar Undang Undang yang jadi referensi adalah UU no 40 tahun 2004 mengenai Sistem Jaminan Sosial Nasional.

Pasal-pasal mengenai JHT ada di pasal 35-38.
Yang menjadi bagian ribut-ributnya adalah pasal 37.

Pasal 37

1. Manfaat jaminan hari tua berupa uang tunai dibayarkan sekaligus pada saat peserta memasuki usia pensiun, meninggal dunia, atau mengalami cacat total tetap. 
2. Besarnya manfaat jaminan hari tua ditentukan berdasarkan seluruh akumulasi iuran yang telah disetorkan ditambah hasil pengembangannya. 
3. Pembayaran manfaat jaminan hari tua dapat diberikan sebagian sampai batas tertentu setelah kepesertaan mencapai minimal 10 (sepuluh) tahun. 
4. Apabila peserta meninggal dunia, ahli warisnya yang sah berhak menerima manfaat jaminan hari tua. 
5. Ketentuan sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (3) dan ayat (4) diatur lebih lanjut dalam Peraturan Pemerintah. 

Supaya lebih lengkap, di bagian bawah Undang-Undang, ada juga penjelasannya di bawah dokumen Undang-Undang nya:

Pasal 37 

• Ayat (1) Cukup jelas 
• Ayat (2) Pemerintah menjamin terselenggaranya pengembangan dana jaminan hari tua sesuai dengan prinsip kehati-hatian minimal setara tingkat suku bunga deposito bank Pemerintah jangka waktu satu tahun sehingga peserta memperoleh manfaat yang sebesarbesarnya. 
• Ayat (3) Sebagian jaminan hari tua dapat dibayarkan untuk membantu peserta mempersiapkan diri memasuki masa pensiun. 
• Ayat (4) Cukup jelas 
• Ayat (5) Cukup jelas

Poin-poin yang aku tebalin itu yang ternyata jadi dasar untuk munculnya perubahan aturan BPJS itu.

Poin yang aku garis miringkan itu untuk dibahas ntar selanjutnya.

Pertanyaan selanjutnya, wow, itu undang-undang ternyata sudah ada dari tahun 2004 ya? Kenapa baru ribut-ributnya sekarang di tahun 2015 ya?

Nah pas tahun 2004 itu belum ada yang namanya BPJS. Adanya Jamsostek dan beberapa badan lain.

Di penjelasan undang-undang disebutkan:

Dalam Undang-Undang ini diatur penyelenggaraan Sistem Jaminan Sosial Nasional yang meliputi jaminan kesehatan, jaminan kecelakaan kerja, jaminan pensiun, jaminan hari tua, dan jaminan kematian bagi seluruh penduduk melalui iuran wajib pekerja. Programprogram jaminan sosial tersebut diselenggarakan oleh beberapa Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Sosial. Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Sosial dalam Undang-Undang ini adalah transformasi dari Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Sosial yang sekarang telah berjalan dan dimungkinkan membentuk badan penyelenggara baru sesuai dengan dinamika perkembagan jaminan sosial.

Pasal 52 ayat 2 berbunyi

Semua ketentuan yang mengatur mengenai Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Sosial sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (1) disesuaikan dengan Undang-Undang ini paling lambat 5 (lima) tahun sejak Undang-Undang ini diundangkan. 

Kenyataannya adalah undang undang mengenai BPJS sendiri baru muncul di tahun 2011 yaitu di UU no 24 tahun 2011 mengenai Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Sosial. Alias 7 tahun sejak tahun 2004.

Yang berkaitan dengan pembentukan BPJS Ketenagakerjaan ada di pasal 5 dan 6.
Pasal 5

1. Berdasarkan Undang-Undang ini dibentuk BPJS. 
2. BPJS sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (1) adalah: 

• BPJS Kesehatan
• BPJS Ketenagakerjaan 

Pasal 6

1. BPJS Kesehatan sebagaimana dimaksud dalam Pasal 5 ayat (2) huruf a menyelenggarakan program jaminan kesehatan.
2. BPJS Ketenagakerjaan sebagaimana dimaksud dalam Pasal 5 ayat (2) huruf b menyelenggarakan program:

• jaminan kecelakaan kerja;
• jaminan hari tua; 
• jaminan pensiun;
• jaminan kematian. 

Disebutkan juga soal salah satu kewajiban BPJS di 

Pasal 13 huruf e.

memberikan informasi kepada Peserta mengenai hak dan kewajiban untuk mengikuti ketentuan yang berlaku; 

Balik lagi ke pertanyaan sebelumnya. Lho kalau sudah ada segitu lama, kenapa baru muncul ribut-ributnya sekarang?

Simpel, karena BPJS Ketenagakerjaan sendiri baru resmi beroperasi 1 Juli 2015 kemarin, makanya aturan yang sudah disebutkan di Undang-undang dari jaman baheula itu baru diterapkan mulai 1 Juli 2015 ini.

Kesalahan mendasar yang pertama terjadi adalah pembuat undang-undang tidak mensosialisasikan hal tersebut sampai dengan akhirnya aturannya benar-benar berlaku. Soalnya jujur saja, berapa banyak sih warga negara yang tahu dengan isi undang-undang negara ini sampai itu benar-benar berlaku?Aku pun baru mengulik-ulik isi UU nya sejak ada ribut-ribut ini.

Celah yang sebenarnya masih bisa diotak-atik adalah pasal 37 ayat 3.

Di situ tidak disebutkan secara pasti angka 10% dan 30% nya.

Kalau untuk minimal kepesertaan 10 tahun, itu sudah jelas disebutkan. Sayangnya, para pembuat Undang-undang lupa memberikan penjelasan lebih lanjut mengapa angka 10 tahun itu yang ditetapkan.

Ketika mereka mencantumkan angka 15 tahun untuk masalah Jaminan Pensiun, di Undang-undang dijelaskan mengapa mereka perlu 15 tahun.

(Ketentuan 15 (lima belas) tahun diperlukan agar ada kecukupan dari akumulasi dana untuk memberi jaminan pensiun sampai jangka waktu yang ditetapkan dalam bentuk Undang-Undang ini.)

Ngomong-ngomong, ada yang bertanya tidak sih siapa yang bikin aturannya?

Namanya Undang-Undang itu yang membuat Pemerintah dan .... DPR. (masih ingat pelajaran sekolah kan?)

Jadi ga cuman pemerintah sendiri lho, ada DPR juga..

Jadi buat yang bikin petisi, itu kayaknya alamat penerimanya mesti ditambahin juga lho... Jangan lupa DPR. -> ada kecenderungan orang-orang sukanya menyalahkan lembaga tinggi negara yang judulnya Presiden alias eksekutif, padahal lembaga tinggi negara itu ga cuman Presiden lho, masih ada yang lain  seperti legislatif, yudikatif....

Coba dicek dulu adakah peranan lembaga tinggi yang lain yang juga ada peranannya.

Menurut pendapatku pribadi sih, ini hal-hal yang perlu dikritisi:

1. Sejak dari tahun 2004 ke 2011 ke 2015, mana sosialisasinya?
2. Untuk poin 10 tahun, minimal berikan penjelasan mengapa angkanya diubah dari 5 tahun menjadi 10 tahun.
3. Untuk angka 10% dan 30%, dari mana keluar angkanya segitu, secara di undang-undang tidak disebutkan secara spesifik.
4. Aturan Jaminan Hari Tua yang disebutkan di undang-undang ini lebih cocok ditujukan bagi orang-orang yang kerja secara berkesinambungan hingga memasuki usia pensiun. Tapi tidak memberikan kejelasan yang cukup bagi orang-orang yang tidak bekerja hingga memasuki masa pensiun. Ketika seseorang sudah tidak bekerja karena entah pensiun dini atau diberhentikan, semestinya ada pilihan untuk mencairkan dana jaminan hari tua nya, baik sebagian atau pun seluruhnya. Toh disebutkan di bagian penjelasan bahwa dana dapat dicairkan sebagian untuk persiapan memasuki masa pensiun, semestinya peserta berhak juga untuk bisa menentukan juga seberapa besaran dana yang ingin dia ambil untuk diolah sendiri. Ini hal yang penting karena saat ini rakyat belum cukup percaya pada pemerintah bahwa besarnya pengembangan yang diberikan BPJS akan dapat mengimbangi nilai inflasi. Walaupun ada jaminan bahwa minimal pengembangan yang akan diperoleh akan minimal sama dengan bunga deposito bank pemerintah, tapi itu tetap belum menjamin nilai uangnya.

Hmm... untuk saat ini sih baru ini saja yang kepikiran olehku..

Firasat?

Pertama-tama ya, gw ini bukan orang yang 'berkemampuan'.
Titik.
Nol besar.
Gw hanya manusia biasa, normal, tanpa indra keenam atau pun aneka embel-embel lain.

Tapi, itu semua bukan berarti gw ga bisa dapat firasat ya...

Awalnya kita mulai dari yang bikin senyam senyum dulu..
Entah mengapa, dari siang hari gw pingin banget jajan sesuatu... Tepatnya, kue cubit green tea setengah matang..
Si kue cubit ini, ga gampang lho nemunya (buat gw)..Tapi dari jam 5 sore tadi, gw bilang ke suami gw 'Kamu tau ga klo kadang ada tukang kue cubit green tea lewat depan rumah di jam pulang kantor kita?'
Percaya atau tidak, tadi pas benar-benar baru sampai di rumah, benaran tukang kue cubit lewat!

Sungguh, Tuhan Maha Mengetahui kalau ada hamba-Nya yang lapar :)
Suami gw sampai bilang 'Mestakung tukang kue cubit' ^^!

Beranjak ke cerita berikutnya yang lebih suram...
Sekitar 10 tahun yang lalu, gw pernah bermimpi jelek.
Tepatnya, gw memimpikan menaiki suatu pesawat dan ternyata pesawat itu jatuh.
Yang membuat gw stress sendiri ketika gw terbangun adalah gw masih bisa mengingat apa rutenya..
Semakin shock adalah ketika beberapa hari kemudian, ternyata hal itu memang kejadian, dengan rute yang sama persis.
Sulit dipercaya?

Bagaimana jika gw bilang hal itu terjadi lagi?
Beberapa hari kemarin, gw memimpikan 2 hal yang aneh.
Yang pertama berkaitan dengan nama seseorang yang bisa dikatakan cukup terkenal.
Yang kedua berkaitan dengan pesawat jatuh (lagi).

Yang pertama, tidak gw ceritakan ke suami gw, karena gw menganggap, itu mimpi yang aneh secara biarpun itu orang yang tersohor, tapi apa hubungannya coba.

Yang kedua, karena berkaitan dengan pesawat jatuh, pas kebangun tengah malam, gw langsung ngomong ke suami gw 'Aku mimpi ada pesawat jatuh'.
Ceritanya sih, gw berharap dengan gw mengatakan itu keras-keras, gw membuat hal itu terdengar konyol dan 'mematahkan' firasat.

Tapi, gw mulai merasa ada yang aneh pas kemarin gw baca berita dan ternyata malah mimpi pertama menunjukkan wujudnya.
Gw cuman berharap mimpi yang kedua tidak ikut-ikutan menjadi kenyataan.
Dan ternyata, sirnalah harapan itu...
Malam ini gw membaca berita, dan ternyata mimpi itu kembali menjadi kenyataan. :(

*sekali lagi, gw bukan cenayang...

Malam ini, gw akan sulit untuk tidur...
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24 Maret 2015

posted from Bloggeroid

Hotel La Hasienda, Kupang

When I received the invitation of my friend's wedding in Kupang, the second thing that popped out in my head is "Where will I stay?" (Of course the first thing is the plane ticket).

I found La Hasienda in TripAdvisor.

me in the front of La Hasienda

My husband is a little picky about hotel cleanliness, so the reviews mentioned in TripAdvisor had been already a good point. For myself, I'm always try to look for a different atmosphere, so i usually try to avoid business hotel. La Hasienda could meet our expectation.

Michael, the owner himself picked up us from the airport. We even had a couple times for chit chat with him during our stay there.

this is the view from the balcony in the front of my room

We also like the decoration. It's not common to see mexican style here (hey, it's Kupang!) especially during this minimalist era (something that I always think as lack of personality). The bright orange color and the mozaic will surely attract you.
The bedroom and bathroom are very clean. Fluffy towels are available.
What do I also like is the strict non smoking policy in the room and at the public area like breakfast area. Since I was pregnant during my stay there, I felt very comfortable with this policy.

La Hasienda also has a rooftop area at the 4th floor. According to Michael, it would be a rooftop restaurant (not yet ready during our stay). You could see panoramic view of the hill and to the sea. The view is nice.

Rooftop area of La Hasienda, you could see the sea in the horizon

Power outage is still a problem at Kupang, and unfortunately they haven't had a generator yet, but it has been already on their list to be included in their service.
For the food, we tried macaroni goulash (40k IDR) and ikan goreng/ fried fish (20k). Delicious food and the price is quite reasonable.
Overall, if I have another opportunity to visit Kupang again in the future, I'll definitely stay here again.


disclaimer: I visited La Hasienda at October 2013, pardon me if something has been updated.

Blitar - Kota Putra Sang Fajar

Since elementary school, what I know about Blitar is only limited as the city where Soekarno, the first president of Indonesia, was born.
My father-in-law is from Blitar. So, like other Indonesian, I know that I have some obligation to visit Blitar for ziarah and visiting relatives.

As usual, before the trip I did some research for potential place to be visited.
This is very important since we were travelling with baby O (she's nearly 11 months old) and my parents-in-law.
My very short list consists of:
- Tugu Sri Lestari Hotel
- Kampung Coklat

That's all. I was very interested with Rambut Monte temple and Pantai Tambakrejo, but realizing that we have to travel in a very limited time, I thought that I had to keep everything as simple as possible to evade dissapointment. If we could visit other places, it would be as a nice bonus.

We departed from Singosari at Monday morning. My father-in-law suggested us to take the alternative road since it was still in the morning and the weather seemed nice.
If the weather is nice and you are not in a rush, the view is very beautiful to be enjoyed.
But if the weather isn't nice, I don't suggest you to take this road, since landslide could happen there.
The alternative road is via Batu-Pujon-Coban Rondo-Bendungan Selorejo-Krissik-Tulungredjo.

While in the journey, we passed Rambut Monte (!), but we couldn't stop there since it was raining.

It is approximately 40 km to Blitar.

Our first stop in Blitar is Warung Ayam Bakar Bu Mamik. 

It was under renovation, but they were still open.

You could order ayam bakar (grilled chicken), gurami bakar (grilled fish), etc.

The price is in the middle range for Jakarta's people. (we spent 175k IDR for 4 adults)

The second stop is of course Hotel Tugu Sri Lestari. For Hotel Tugu, I'll write in another post separately.

In the front fo Hotel Tugu Sri Lestari

Once in Blitar, you could see two common attributes used for decoration.

• Merah-Putih (Red-White)
• Blitar is known as the city where PETA (Pembela Tanah Air) under Soepriyadi's command did their first rebellion against Japanese on 14 February 1945. This rebellion inspired the other PETA's rebellion in other region. During this action, the Merah-Putih flag was raised for the first time in Indonesia. More detailed information could be found in this link (source: wisatadanbudaya.blogspot.com , in Bahasa)

Soepriyadi's statue in the frontyard of Pendapa Rangga Hadinegara (north side of Alun-alun)

• Ikan Koi
• Koi fish breeding is common to be found in Blitar, that's why Blitar is also known as The City of Koi. Koi fish is also the symbol of the ability to attain the highest goal.

Koi in Alun-Alun as Beringin tree pedestal

Koi as a decoration element at Blitar's pedestrian

Inside the city, Blitar's alun-alun is well maintained.

Around the grass area, the government provide fitness and gym facilities.

Fitness and gym facilities around the alun-alun

Playing football in the alun-alun

The area and the surrounding is very clean.

Jalan Merdeka area in the morning

If you like old styles bread, you could buy bread at Perusahan Roti Orion (Jl. Merdeka no 113). It is famous for its Roti Semir.

Orion

Roti Semir

After the morning breakfast, me and my family went to:

• Museum dan Perpustakaan Bung Karno (Museum and Library of Bung Karno): this is actually a complex area consisting of a museum, library and the Bung Karno and his parents's tomb. The area itself is well maintained, but sadly some "pedagang asongan" is sitting around. 

Bung Karno's Statue in the middle of alley

The way along to the tomb

Tombs area

• Tips: 
• there is no entrance fee, but if you signed the attendance list, the guarding will tell you to donate some money (the amount is up to you, it will be used for maintenance).
• If you don't want to "nyekar" (honoring Bung Karno and his parents), you don't need to buy flower. Flower's seller could be a little bit pushy in the surrounding area.
• parking fee (not official): 10000 IDR/car

• Candi Penataran

• located in countryside of Penataran, District Ngelegok, Sub Province Blitar, complex of Candi Penataran is first reported in History Java by Raffles. It is mentioned that in the year 1815 Dr Horsfield find a Hindu temple ruins in Penataran. From the remaining structure and artefact found in the temple area, it is found that the building development happen in several steps during a long period. The estimation is that the it was built during the 12th century until 15th century (since the Kediri's era, followed by the Singasari's era and finished in Majapahit's era). According to Prasasti Palah, this temple is used as ritual sites. Raja Srengga (one of Kediri's king) often did his ritual here. Candi Penataran (Palah) is also mentioned in Negarakertagama as Dharma Ipas (a site for Rsi Satwa-Sugata, built as holy ritual site).  

  

  Candi Penataran panoramic view from the main temple

  Tips: 
• Bring an umbrella! The sun is very bright and since there is no tree,you can feel the sun on the top on your head. Umbrella rental is available there, but I don't know exactly how much is the fee.
• The official entrance fee is 5000 IDR/car (the officer will ask you whether you are just passing through or going to Candi Penataran, so the fee will depend on the your honesty)
• Like in Museum and Perpustakaan Bung Karno, if you sign the attendance list, you will be asked to donate some money. The amount is up to you, and it will be used for maintenance. 

• Kampung Coklat: 



In the entrance area, you could see bag containing fermented cacao

• This is an educational recreation sites. The owner is the leader of Paguyuban Santoso (that's why their chocolate product's name is GusSant, an acronym from Paguyuban Santoso). Paguyuban Santoso is a fair trade organization for cacao plantation across Blitar area. This organization buy fermented cacao from the local farmers around Blitar. From my father-in-law's friend (he is a cacao farmer), we got information that this organization are willing to buy 1000-2000 IDR higher than the local average price. Of course, they follow the SNI (Standar Nasional Indonesia) for the acceptance. The standard of cacao grading mention about the humidity (max 8%), fungi (max 5%), number of cacao per 100 gr (110 cacao seeds/100 gr or minimal grade B), others material (max 4%). Kampung Coklat was built to promote knowledge about cacao plantation. In the area, you could see how to produce chocolate and of course you could also buy their product. Unfortunately, I couldn't meet the owner since he was out on business trip.

Cacao's nursery

Drying fermented Cacao

• If you are a dark chocolate's lover (like me), you could try dark chocolate ranging from 67%, 80%, 90%, even 100%. Milk chocolate is also available, but it's a little bit too sweet for me. When I paid, I was surprised that the cashier ask me if I'd already tried their sample since it is not common for local people to buy the 100% variant. 



Blitar's Chocolate Products: GuSant, LaChoco, Gloria, Pinonika, and fresh cacao from the plant



• Tips: 
• If you are interesting in cacao production, this place offers training. For further information please contact: 
• Entrance fee: 5000 IDR/person

For culinary info, you could refer to this post.

Other than those places, I also want to share you something for thought.

I haven't explained why Blitar is also known as Kota Putra Sang Fajar.
For Indonesian, Blitar is known as the city where Soekarno was born.
Based on a Javanese belief, a person who was born during the sunrise has a predefined future. Since Soekarno was born during sunrise in the beginning of a new century (he was born on 1901), people said that he was born as a people who will bring change.

Anywhere you go around Blitar, you could easily find the spirit of "Merah Putih". The spirit of Merah Putih in my own term is the spirit to fight for a better life, not only for your own, but maybe also for the people around you.

In Jakarta, I often see beggar in the street. Sometimes, they are still young, but they only want to beg for your money.
Looking at these old lady in Blitar makes me feel ashamed. She is definitely not young, but she is still willing to work.

Old lady in Jl Soekarno

The owner at Paguyuban Santoso is another example of a people who want to give something meaningful for his surrounding. I know how hard life could be for a farmer if there isn't any fair trade organization that support them. For cacao, there is another problem. Sometimes the farmer aren't well educated, so they didn't process their cacao well. The price is not good since it can't achieve certain grade.
They will have to sell their cacao with under market price via the "tengkulak". The tengkulak will enjoy the benefit, while the farmer has to work hard without any benefit. That's a well known story of farmer's life in Indonesia. A sad story but that's a fact.
Paguyuban Santoso is willing to buy cacao with higher price, but the farmer has to learn how to process the cacao to achieve certain grade (minimum grade B). I think that's something good, you encourage people to growing together.

Last, I want to share this picture.
My husband standing with my daughter at Taman Makam Pahlawan (Heroes Cemetery) Blitar. (His grandfather was buried there).

Life is so short. 

But it doesn't mean that you just let it slip away.

Your path is still a long journey for you my daughter.

Just don't forget that it will have to end someday, like the people lying here.

Remember the fallen, pray for them.

Taman Makam Pahlawan Blitar graveyard area

posted from Bloggeroid

I Ate Mollusk..... (so many times)

An idea suddenly popped up in my mind while I was writing a post about Blitar.

Why don't I dedicate one posting about mollusk as a culinary dish?

So, here we are.

Note: this post will be updated as long as I eat other type of mollusk. Just pray that I won't get too many rash during the process. (LOL).

Escargot

As a person who was born in French, of course I know that there is the famous escargot.

Fortunately, in Jakarta you could find escargot in several French restaurant or international restaurant.

I ate this one at Boka Buka ( twitter, instagram)

Escargot from Boka Buka

The price is 75k IDR for 6 escargots, or 140k IDR 12 escargot (include tax and service charge).

The escargot at Boka Buka were cooked with garlic butter and parsley. They also served fried rice with escargot.

The other place that served escargot is Loteng Cikini.

Unfortunately, when I came to this place last year, it was not during their open time. Maybe I'll try it in another opportunity.

O2 Satay

My husband told me that in Blitar, there is a culinary dish named O2 satay.

Why is it named O2?

In Indonesia, there is a famous gambling method called "togel".

I'm not familiar enough with togel, but my husband told me that O2 is the symbol represented by "bekicot" (=snail)  in togel. That's why snail satay is known as O2 satay.

*update...
my sister sent me a picture of togel that she found (source: link )

The satay is seasoned with honey . For the sauce, not like the usual satay which use peanut sauce, O2 satay is accompanied by petis sauce.

Since the bekicot and petis sauce are high in protein, the food stall that served O2 satay usually sell kelapa ijo (green coconut) or degan (young coconut) also. Kelapa ijo is known as the natural remedy for allergy.

In Blitar, O2 satay could be found in the warung (food stall) at the front of Taman Makam Pahlawan Blitar.

The price is 3k IDR for 10 tusuk (one plastic bag)

 

O2 Satay

O2 Satay with Petis Sauce and Cabe Rawit

Kupang Lontong

Another delicacy from East Java is Kupang Lontong.

Kupang isn't a snail like escargot and bekicot. It is actually more a shellfish.

Kupang Lontong is served in a plate with petis, kupang's broth, garlic cabay, salt, sugar, lentho (fried cassava) and of course lontong.

Depend on your preference, you could also add kerang satay. It is also common for the seller to provide degan and/or kelapa ijo since it's an allergen.

You could find it at Kupang Kraton in Malang city.

Or maybe you could find it from some local people who sell around.

My husband's long time favorite is buying from a seller who walk near his parent's house twice a week.

preparing the Kupang Lontong

Kupang Lontong

The price is only 7k IDR per portion (without the kerang satay)

Ốc

Another type of snail that I've ever eat is the Ốc (river snail) at Ho Chi Minh City during my trip in Vietnam. 

Unfortunately, I don't actually remember the taste and the price since it has been a long time ago.

I tried it at a little restaurant near Metropole Saigon hotel (near Tran Hung Dao Street, District 1, District 1 - Pham Ngu Lao / Tay Balo, Ho Chi Minh).

Ốc
courtesy of my sister

Just beware, my father got some rash after eating this snail. I'm not really sure if the place in Vietnam also sell coconut water or not. But if you are prone to allergy, be cautious.

Tutut

Tutut is another name of keong sawah in West Java.

This time, its my turn to got some rash T_T.

----to be continued-----