Back to Yogyakarta

@ Serambi Mekah part 1

Aceh was called Serambi Mekah, the Mecca veranda, to indicate the biggest influence of Islam in this region. As I respect the local norms applied, i decided to wear the head scarf anyway during my visit. It's not because I hate their awe look on my face but I believe homogenity brings about the feeling of comfort.

Sitha and I took a chance to browse around the city, by the becak motor, a three-wheeled vehicle just to give us some time a way from the lower-than-expected-result work. Rp 60,000 seems to be the best bargain from 4 to 7 o'clock trip. That's the best offer we had anyway.



The first destination would be the Mesjid Agung at the center of the city. Many must have remembered that this Mosque was built back in December 27, 1881 and it was the only building survived from the tsunami in 2005.

Eventhough I did not enter the mosque, the view in the late afternoon was somewhat tranquilizing.

Honestly, this trip is very special with the companion of a friend, especially because our last trip was like in 12 years ago. Yeah, when we were younger and happier.

Though we had many trips before, with even poor accomodation provided, not that we had nothing to complain, we were just lucky to find our own silver lines.


I have always trained myself to see the silver lines in every single cloud that darken my sky, the way I see it is that the clouds do still appear.



But then I know some people who fail to see the clouds in everything, they seem to be able to perceive the lighter sides. They would be amazingly convinced that the silver sky is the highlight of the dawn.

Well, that's probably why we need to live side by side.

Nusa Dua

Some people might say "yeah, so it's another beach in Bali".
Yeah. But the thing is Nusa Dua offers different atmsophere.
Just try it

Sanur in June

When you try to get away from cold climate
or hectic schedule in the metro pole
perhaps a trip to Sanur Beach could be an option

It's not as crowded as another part of Bali Beach
as most people visiting this place for serenity
probably the absence would really makes your heart grow fonder

I couldn't find a decent book to read in the shade
Music is even too loud for the wind and the waves
As the camera captured a man standing near
Not any special profile to introduce

But sometimes life is like that
You just figure the right person in the right spot
under the right sun , blown by the right wind
the same trees would just give you enough protection
or visualize the perfect shadow

and perhaps all the perfect image
is merely in your imagination
as the wind keeps blowing on the same sky
trees remain standing
without the presence of the man

when life is no longer real
and reality is no longer imagination
and you would see yourself standing
under the shades, blown by the wind
without recognizing your own existence



Sanur Beach, June 22

Another day in the island of gods

Blue sky
Warm breeze

(sigh) where would I rather be?







It is the same corner I returned ,
where the sands meet the waves
under the same sky,
under the same sun
why then I felt alienated?
failed to recognize the sense of familiarity












It's amazing how your brain works
in a such a perfect place
on a perfect day
you could feel helplessly in vain,
even some smart conversation over the line
would not be able to fake
the real emptiness

I always fall in love with the blue sky
and the beach, everywhere
perhaps they understand
what I might often try to disguise

Palm Coconut Plantation

My company sent me and my manager to conduct a language proficiency test at the Palm Coconut Plantation at Air Molek, a 3-hour drive from Pekanbaru. The three hour drive with 120 km/hour speed is the last thing I ever expected from a helldriver. I tried to sleep during the trip, but ended up banging my head over the window. The great thing is that trying to relax with the typical local songs played loud on the tape. Yeah,yeah, it's a free country.

The single road with nothing much seen a far seems to be a good reason to shut your eyes and save the energy while you can. The picture of the bridge over the river is anyway a great scene for your blog.


I have never been to any real forest in my life. Not even on a camping site as a girlscout. But this time, the lined coconut palm trees are for real. To make it even more impressive, they do not have a special training room for the test, but only make the best use of the dining room. What startled me was the way they throw jokes --for example "Lonte" for lontong sate (for the word means prostitute in Jakarta slang words) or some other words I prefer less to remember.


With limited if I can not say low proficiency level, the participants endured the two-hour test plus interview.

I wonder how you have to rate these people when the interview went like :

" Tell me about yourself"
" rrrr.."
" Tell me about yourself"
" ....(silent)"
" What's your name"
" ...(silent)"
" My name is Kenny. What is your name?"
"....rrr..Kenny? yes,yes".
Then I just smiled at the guy who was sweathing and trembling as if I was an alien trying to abduct him. I was totally at a loss and felt guilty at the same time realizing the fact that we shot a mosquito with a bazooka.

We spent the night at the guess house, had durians in the morning, took the original forest honey bee at a PET bottle. Before we left the camp, they took us for a tour. They showed us the fruits -- palm coconut bunch and where they processed them into the crude palm oil.
















I left the site with a little sensation of diarrhea, not really sure the cause was. Perhaps it was because the last question I asked, about this place. They said proudly "oh, this is the lake where we get the water from. We use the water after refining it for drinking and washing." Yeah, right.
Must be very practical that my digestive system complained.

Anyer beach

Beach used to be a popular spot for holiday. Since
Tsunami's tragedy in Aceh, people prefer to avoid beaches.
Somehow, the beauty of the sandy beach with the lined
palm trees would attract the metropolists who try to get a
new meaning of holiday.


Some quiet strolls along the beaches would offer more than clear air.



The sun is pretty friendly for those who are willing to take risks taking the water jet ski or banana boats.



Those who fancy seafood would long for the barbeque after dawn.


We could just watch the sun go or come. Sit side by side, talk over future or dreams.

Just one hour drive through free way from Jakarta, in Anyer, you could totally forget about the crowd, polluted air, trafffic jam, deadlines.