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

Propinsi dan Pulau.. Seberapa banyak kumelangkah?

Sebenarnya sih, saya agak bingung dengan jumlah propinsi di Indonesia.
Dulu pas zaman sekolah sih masih 27.
Terus berkurang jadi 26 (bye Timor Leste).
Sekarang ada 34 kan ya? (memeriksa cepat, dan tampaknya benar).

Jadi sekarang saya mau berhitung, sudah berapa banyak propinsi dan di Indonesia yang sudah saya kunjungi hingga per tanggal yang gw sebut di bawah ya.

Propinsi:

1. DKI Jaya
2. Banten
3. Jawa Barat
4. Jawa Tengah
5. DI Yogyakarta
6. Jawa Timur
7. Bali
8. Nusa Tenggara Barat
9. Nusa Tenggara Timur
10. Kalimantan Barat
11. Kalimantan Timur
12. Kalimantan Selatan
13. Sumatera Selatan
14. Sumatera Utara
15. Riau
16. Kepulauan Riau
17. Kepulauan Bangka dan Belitung 

Ternyata pas setengah (Juni 2013).... lumayan....

Kalau pulau sih, kayaknya susah dihitung ada berapa pulau di Indonesia ya. 16000-17000 sih sepertinya.
Yang sudah saya kunjungi:

1. Jawa
2. Kalimantan
3. Sumatera
4. Bali
5. Bangka
6. Batam
7. Umang
8. Nusa Lembongan
9. Flores
10. Komodo
11. Kambing
12. Rinca
13. Lombok
14. Gili Trawangan
15. Gili Air
16. Timor (Oktober 2013)

Ternyata masih sedikit sekali.

Jadi mari kita menggiatkan jalan-jalan :D

Visiting The Homeland of Java Man

Last month, I received an invitation from my cousin to attend her wedding at Solo.
I just can't pass this occasion for a chance to explore Yogya and Solo for a weekend's gateway.
So I booked a round-away trip CGK-JOG.
The original plan was that I would meet my parents at Yogya, then we would depart to Solo together.
Since there was some family issue, we changed the plane.
Instead of me going to Bantul, I had to go straightly from Yogya to Solo by myself.
At first, I'm pretty shocked, because I've never travelled from Yogya to Solo or vice versa by myself.
My father told me to took the Prambanan Ekspress.
At the first thought, I was thinking "How could you expect me to travel from the airport to the railway station and then waiting at Solo by myself?"
But then I encouraged myself.
I'm 28 years old and I've travelled a lot, what should I scared of? It is still on the same island. I didn't have any problem travelling outside Java.
So okay, let's do that.

4:15 AM : depart from my house to Blok M (thank you my dear...)
4:30 AM : depart from Blok M to CGK Terminal 3
Since Mandala announced their bankruptcy, Terminal 3 seems very quiet with Air Asia as the sole airline company.
6:00 AM : depart from CGK, headed to JOG
7:00 AM : arrived at Adisucipto International Airport.
I didn't have any idea what I'm gonna do. So I looked around and found the sign "Meguwo Railway Station".
I bought a ticket, oh gosh, it's only IDR 9k.
Prambanan Ekspress have several routes. The farthest route is Kutoarjo-Solo Jebres (Solo has 3 railway station: Purwosari-Solo Balapan-Solo Jebres). The regular route is Tugu-Solo Jebres. There is also Prambanan Ekspress Wisata (wisata = tour)
The train itself is clean and comfortable enough.

Prambanan Ekspress

8.00 AM: arrived at Solo Balapan
I was a clueless tourist. I was looking around the railway station, trying to open my Google Maps, searching for a clue, how to get away my self to Klewer or to Slamet Riyadi area. Then, a man approached me.
He said that his name is Jarot, and he offered to accompany me getting around Solo. At first, I was suspicious (heyy, I've been living too long at Jakarta). But at the second thought, I think that's a great idea.
So, let's the adventure begin...
Because I was starving, I asked where I can have some breakfast.
He brought me to Warung Soto Gading 1.
No words need to be said. The picture will say what it need to be said.

Soto Ayam - Warung Soto Gading I

I only have to paid 10k IDR for a bowl of Soto Ayam and a glass of hot orange.
After that, Jarot took me to Kampung Batik Kauman.
There are several batik shops around here. The price range varies from the cheapest to the most expensive one, depending on the technique used to produce the batik.
I really want to share some picture about the batik processing, but no picture is allowed.
After that, we resumed our journey to Kraton Mangkunegaran.
There are two Kraton at Solo, Kraton Pakunegaran and Kraton Mangkunegaran. Since I have gone to the first one 3 years ago, so I decided to go to Kraton Mangkunegaran.
It's a beautiful place. But I think there is a lot of review about this place. So I think, I don't need to review this place a lot. But I found an interesting fact. There is a lot of picture of Mangkunegaran VIII around this Kraton. What I mean a lot is really a lot. Comparing with the other Mangkunegarans, Mangkunegaran VIII has a lot of picture taken. FYI, the current Mangkunegaran is Mangkunegaran X.
Actually, after Kraton Mangkunegaran, I thought that's the end of the journey.
But Jarot asked me, "Why don't you go to Sangiran?"
Me: "Sangiran?"
What do I know about Sangiran is only what mentioned at the history books.
A place where fossils were found. That's all.
But I never thought about visiting it.
Maybe because I thought that the place is in the middle of nowhere?
So I pick up the bait.
It's kind of surprise me to see the site.

Too modern?I'm thinking about an Indiana Jones's adventure, not some modern site.
But overall I think it's nice that the local government show some interest in building some local tourist attraction. Inside the area, it is quite resemble ITB's boulevard. The museum is small, I think the size is about Museum Sri Baduga at Bandung.
After looking around for a half hour, I took a look at my watch. I decide it's the time to go back to Solo.

My parents booked Hotel Dana at Jl Slamet Riyadi.
It's a three starred hotel owned by the Mangkunegaran. My cousin's wedding reception will be held there, so I think that's a nice choice.
After taking a short break, my parents and I took an evening walk to Klender, a traditional market famous for its batik product.
For dinner, we ate at Ayam Goreng Mbak Yuli. The fried chicken is delicious and cheap. I highly recommend you to try this.

At the 2nd day, mainly I attend my cousin's wedding reception. It's really differ from the other wedding that I've ever attended.
At Bandung or Jakarta, mainly wedding reception use buffet system. Sometimes the chinese people use table system.
My cousin's reception use chairing system (she is Javanase-Palembang, and her husband is from Aceh) with servant.
So I have to sit on the same chair (with a very small table, only to put your glass) for 3 hours and waiting for the servant to deliver foods and beverage.
From that moments, I understand the importance of Among Tamu.
In traditional Javanese wedding reception, Among Tamu has to be familiar with the guest list. He/She has to identified who are the guests and show them the correct seating position. Any mistakes on this matters could cause a great annoyance for the elderly.
After the reception finished, my parents and I headed to Solo Balapan, because my flight would be from Yogya.
From Yogya, I only want to share this picture.

Adisucipto International Airport Boarding Gate

I like the color combination... black, white, red....
That's all from the trip of "Visting the Homeland of Java Man"

Season Greeting

Finally, this is the first day of my xmas holiday.

I'm gonna spend a little time with my boyfriend searching some birthday's present for my sisters (yes with 'S', because both of them are having birthday on the last week.. What makes it funnier is my boyfriend's sister is also on the last week).
Then i'm gonna go back to Bandung, celebrate the moment with my family and friends..
Oh gosh, i really like this season.
Last,I'm wishing you a 'Merry Christmas'

South Vietnam 2009- day 1

Hi..

As my promise, this is the story about my trip to South Vietnam.

25th December 2009

Okay, this is my first trip outside Indonesia without paying the fiscal. (OMG, has it been so long since I went abroad?)

According to the latest tax regulation, Indonesian citizen with NPWP can go outside Indonesia without paying the fiscal.

We took Air Asia QZ7736 with Ho Chi Minh City as our destination.

The flight had been delayed for almost one hour, but I think it's okay because we are still full of spirit, hahaha...

The meal served on the plane is delivered for both my parents and sisters. Me? I have to watch them, because I can't order chicken sandwich due to my health and I'm not lucky enough to get tuna sandwich on board.

So here we are, landing at Tan Son Nhat Airport at nearly 9pm and a very hungry tourist.

We met our tour guide, Mr Hiep and our driver Mr Tuc from Aurora Travel.

We are surprised to see our car, because it's a Mercy Sprinter. Wow, nice car :D

On the journey to our hotel, we could see Saigon atmosphere on the night.

Oh yeah, it's Christmas, so it's a public holiday.

It's crowded on the road and the city is so beautiful with its Christmas light decoration.

After we checked in, Mr Hiep delivered us to Pho 2000 (pardon me, because I was very hungry at that time).

I was very surprised to see this Pho 2000.

In Jakarta, Pho 2000 is a nice restaurant in up class mall like Pondok Indah Mall. And guess what, Pho 2000 in Vietnam is only just like Warung Naripan in Bandung :)

But the food is delicious, and I don't have to worry about my diet because they have vegetarian menu.

I ordered vegetarian curry, and yes, it's very delicious.

After that, we've tried our first taxi trip in Vietnam.

Mr Hiep recommended us to use Vinasun or Mai Linh taxi.

So, we stopped a Vinasun Taxi (it's an Innova), and it's the time to use Tarzan language.

Even we've brought our hotel card, it's still hard to explain to the taxi driver that we want to go back to our hotel.

He brought us to a Liberty hotel! (lately, I learned that Metropole hotel is one of Liberty Hotel chain, so I understand why the taxi driver brought us there)

So, finally we arrived at our hotel, so it's the time to sleep. Tomorrow, the exciting journey will begin. :)