Adopt the pace of nature:  her secret is patience.  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment.  ~Jane Austen

Great things are done when men and mountains meet.  This is not done by jostling in the street.  ~William Blake

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.  ~Albert Einstein

Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.  ~John Lubbock

Tam Coc literally means Three Caves and one of the popular destinations inVietnam. Tam Coc is reachable about 2 hours from Hanoi and before reaching Tam Coc, visitors can visit Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam.

Activities include 2 hours excursions by boat through Ngo Dong river, proceeding through scenic landscapes of rice fields and karst hills. The trip includes floating through three natural caves. The boats are typically rowed by one or two men who also sell embroidery. Sometime they’re a bit pushy but it is something manageable. Some rowers unshamedly asked for ridiculous tips but they were not really mean, just ignore it. About 20k VND per person should be acceptable.

In Japanese, Matsuri means festival. Jakarta Matsuri is simply a Japanese festival held in Jakarta, with no specific reference to certain festival in Japan. Jakarta Matsuri is held by City of Jakarta and Japanese Embassy to exhibit Japanese cultural performances. The theme for 2011 is “Thank You Indonesia” which related to Indonesia support on Japan’s recent disasters (Earthquake, Tsunami, and Nuclear disaster).

Get ready before the procession

The Procession

To keep the beats

Pulling the cart has never been so fun like this!

Other than the procession, the usual things people can see in any Japanese festivals in Jakarta are:

1) Cosplay

2) Japanese business show

That’s a freakin’ huge Yamaha motor bike

and 3) lovely visitors

On this occasion, there was performance from Nakamura Dance Company. It is a sport dance performance. I skipped their performance on the Japanese Matsuri closing date, because I already watched their full performance at  Taman Ismail Marzuki on the day before. They are awesome and very entertaining. Check their website for further info (in Japanese, but what’s the use of Google Translate? ;p )

In this occasion, we held our meet up at Potato Head, Pacific Place as it is easy to find this place. From planned 10 participants, only 6 showed up. There were me and Yudieth, Anita, Maureen, and two bloggers I just met: Lynda Ibrahim and Veny Lai.

Left to Right: Lynda, Anita, Maureen, and Veny

Lynda: I found out that she’s a contributor to Jakarta Post and used to work with my gonna-be-ex-employer. She seemed comfortable with us because by the time she arrived, she started talking and apparently forgot that she just knew us for…few minutes . She’s a good friend of Veny.

Lynda Ibrahim

Anita: Gorgeous lady. She came to Jakarta for a wedding party of her acquittance, and she ignited the idea for this bloggers meet up. She will be back to Indonesia by the end of this month, so I expect more bloggers meet-up

Maureen: The inspiring Lady. Her blog has been inspiration for many moms out there. Apparently she got an appointment after this meet-up. Hmmm….I’ll just keep an eye on her blog

Anita & Maureen

Veny: She works at the same place with me! And later I found out that we have several mutual friends. Banking is such a smallllll world…

Veny Lai

Yudieth: My girlfriend. I have nothing to say here. I’ll keep it just for myself

Yudieth

Me? Oh, I am just the organizer and the photographer. What I did was mostly taking picture like this

Martini Coffee…with weird glass

or this

Candid Discussion

We talked about many things, including the FPI and Indonesia’s recent international laughing stock – Mr. Tifatul Sembiring. Well, since I am the only male at that time, there  was a lot of discussion about girl things. I also found out that I might have the coolest fingernails among them. My fingernails are original and I was born with it!

Anita brought cupcakes which made by her cousins. The cupcakes were simply delicious and I think it is one of the finest cupcakes in town. If one would like to order, one could visit her blog here: http://hernov.wordpress.com/ , email her at hernov.info@gmail.com , or sms her at 0818926088 (no phone call, sms only). Some pictures of the cupcakes:

Cupcakes

I also did some tests with my G12 like this (it got the Tilt & Shift effect!) :

So it was very fun to see Anita and Maureen again, and to know Lynda and Veny – both are very interesting characters. I am looking forward for another meet up since Ivy, Toni Wahid, Parvita, Therry & Yefta, Cn, Devi, Wiwien, Juin didn’t came.

If you are looking for Chinatown experience in Jakarta, Petak Sembilan (Glodok) is a place to go. Not a modern Chinatown like what people see in most modern cities, but rather like old Singapore: a bit messy, cramped, and a bit smelly. But the experience is original and the foods are damn tasteful.

The temple of Dharma Bhakti, or Vihara Dharma Bhakti, is the oldest Chinese temple in Jakarta and almost identical with Petak Sembilan. When Jakartans mention about Klenteng Petak Sembilan or Vihara Petak Sembilan, it refers to Vihara Dharma Bhakti, despite there is another temple located around 200m from Vihara Dharma Bhakti, called Vihara Dharma Jaya. Dharma Bhakti is more popular than Dharma Jaya because Dharma Bhakti hosts Goddess Kwan Im which is more popular than God Cheng Goan Cheng Kun which is hosted by  Dharma Jaya.

Both Dharma Bhakti and Dharma Jaya were built around 1600s, but they were burned by Dutch Colonialist and rebuilt around 1750s.

During Imlek, or Chinese New Year on 3 February 2011, Dharma Bhakti was cramped with worshipers and beggars, could be thousands of them. Beggars are waiting for ang pau, or money, from the worshipers. In order for smooth observance, the beggars are  grouped in separated section within the temple complex.

Inside the temple was full with ashes and smokes, so if one would like to visit the temple for a longer time (it means, not for worshiping only), then one need glasses and mask, and do not forget to bring eye-drops.  The temple is also cramped with people, so it would be better if photographers go inside the temple with less gears, fast primes or high-ISO friendly body (due to low light situation), weather sealed equipments (ashes and ashes!), small bag, and forget about tripods (monopod is possible however).

The worshipers come from many backgrounds: poor & rich, old & young, hippie & conservative, and so on. They don’t have to wear fancy dresses, even shorts will do. Nobody will ask how many times one go to the temple every month and nobody will need to see whether one drive a Mercedez or using rickshaw to go to the temple. The worshipers were not bothered by beggars, tourists (I even saw some Caucasian people, sweating after taking bicycle trips, and taking few group pictures, and then placed their offerings in the temple), and photographers (provided that they were not disturbing)  inside the temple. All the worshipers did were just praying and placing the offerings.

I have created a separate gallery for more pictures about worshipers inside the temple. Click here to see.

The Temple was actually well decorated, but it was hard to take the decor pictures due to crowded situations. Visitors also can place their offering and only need to buy offerings (i.e. Incense, Flowers, Oil, Birds) from the temple or nearby sellers at considerably small amount of money.

Note that, tourists might expect to see traditional Lion Dance (Barongsai) at Petak Sembilan during Imlek. There was small Lion Dance, but it was small and hosted by a small shop over there. The “actual” Lion Dance will be held at Cap Go Meh, or the 15th day of Chinese Year – exactly 2 weeks from Imlek - or 17 February 2010.

How to get there? If you are taking Transjakarta (or busway as the local say), stop at Glodok Stopover and then take a 10mnt walk. Ask directions from local or get a motor cab (Ojek) for about IDR 10,000.-. If you are using private car, after Jembatan Glodok from Bundaran Hotel Indonesia, go left and park in front a blue building or restaurant Siauw Tjiap. Take a short walk (I think about 5 minutes). If you’re lost, ask for direction. This temple is very famous there.

I anticipate 2011 because I believe this year will bring more good things. As you probably aware, I tend to believe in Chinese horoscope to certain extent. Year 2011 (actually after February 3) will be the lucky year for people under the sign of the swine, so I am quite optimistic about this year

Year 2010, which is the year of the Tiger, was not really favorable toward people under the sign of Swine, so say most of the soothsayers. Oh well, for myself, year 2010 was a “mixed” year, and probably one of my most remarkable years so far. There were best and worst things in life. The good things are, for instance, met my girlfriend, went to Europe for the first time, and got an unexpected fortune (which less likely to happen again in near time). Bad things? Well, I’d rather to keep it for myself

For this year, the 2011, I have many things to achieve, but the most realistic one is to  get rid the fats around my belly. They are getting bigger everyday!

Anyway, new year’s eve last night I went to Hotel Indonesia roundabout, or in Indonesia known as Bundaran HI. Actually there were no spectacular attractions, but people like to gather around that place and fired up fireworks. Some nice hotels and shopping malls donated fireworks. Tourists also gather in that area because at that place, tourist can have the Jakarta experience: foodstalls (bakso, siomay, nasi goreng, etc), and the crowd of Jakartans.

My friends told me that Fireworks in Ancol were grandeur than in Bundaran HI, but getting there was like in hell (traffic, traffic, and traffic). Perhaps next New Year’s eve I should go there.

• Clean and modern look.
• Emphasize on the gallery.
• Etc

Just browse and see.

http://baltyra.com/2010/08/11/serial-baltyra-orang-orang-terlupakan-dalam-proklamasi-mendur-dan-mendur/

Orang-orang Terlupakan Dalam Proklamasi: Mendur dan Mendur

Mendoer dan Mendoer? Kok mirip seperti Johnson&Johnson atau Thompson danThomson, tokoh kembar berkumis dalam komik terkenal karangan Herge, Tintin.Mendoer dan Mendoer di sini adalah dua nama pria kakak beradik, Alex Mendoerdan Frans Mendoer. Siapa mereka?

Generasi sekarang banyak yang tidak tahu nama mereka. Mungkin lupa ataumemang sengaja dilupakan. Apalagi untuk mengenang apa yang mereka lakukan padasaat-saat bersejarah hari 17 Agustus 1945, ketika sebuah negara besar lahir disebuah ruang kecil, beranda rumah Soekarno, di Jalan Pegangsaan Timur 56,Cikini, Jakarta.

Peristiwa pada Jumat pagi itu, akan hanya sekali terjadi dan tidak akanterulang selamanya. Irreversible. Tidak bisa diulang, bagaikan kelahiranmanusia. Sekali keluar dari rahim, ya sudah. Tidak mungkin dan tidak dapatdimasukkan kembali ke dalam rahim.

Bila peristiwa maha penting itu berlalu, hanya segelintir manusia yang dapatmengenangnya di kepala masing-masing, dengan kekuatan imajinasi visual yangdimilikinya. Namun sayang, tak semua yang hadir menyaksikan peristiwa 17Agustus 1945 di rumah Soekarno itu, bisa menuangkannya dalam bentuk sketsa ataulukisan.

Upacara penandatangan kemerdekaan Amerika Serikat pada 4 Juli 1776, hanyabisa diabadikan oleh sebingkai lukisan besar yang dibuat 19 tahun kemudian olehpelukis neo-klasik Amerika John Trumbull. Dia banyak membuat lukisan-lukisanyang mengabadikan jalannya revolusi Amerika.

Atau upacara pembacaan proklamasi Cina pada 1 Oktober 1949oleh Mao Zedong di Lapangan Tian An Men, Beijing, yang diabadikan banyak fotountuk mengenang peristiwa penting bagi rakyat negera terbanyak penduduknyasejagat itu. Atau kemerdekaan Malaysia sebagai hadiah dari Inggris, sehinggaupacara proklamasi sudah terencana matang dengan banyak kamera foto atau TV yangsiap mengabadikannya

Bagaimana dengan upacara proklamasi kemerdekaan Indonesia? Wooo… jauh darikesiapan dan seperti sebuah peristiwa yang tak terencanakan meski sudahdijanjikan akan terjadi. Situasi yang genting dan serba cepat pada hari-hariantara 15 hingga 17 Agustus 1945, mem buat semua kejadian berlangsung begitucepat dan darurat.

Mau diproklamasikan di mana Indonesia ketika terjadi kekosongan kekuasaan?Belanda jelas sudah tidak ada, lha sudah terusir oleh Jepang dengan kenistaantiga setengah tahun lalu. Lalu Jepang? Lha, Jepang sudah menyerah kepadakekuatan Sekuta karena dua kotanya diratakan dengan bumi oleh bom atom. Nah,ini kesempatan untuk merdeka tanpa perlu minta ijin kepada siapa-siapa, kecualikepada rakyat Indonesia sendiri.

Frans dan Alex Mendoer adalah dua fotografer yang hadir pada saat pembacaannaskah proklamasi di rumah Soekarno. Mereka berdua berhasil mengabadikan peristiwabersejarah itu dalam berapa frame foto yang kemudian kita kenal sekarang. SaatSoekarno membacakan proklamasi, saat Soekarno berdoa setelah membacakanproklamasi serta bendera ketika bendera Merah Putih pertama kali dikibarkan dibumi Indonesia. Semua hasil karya SOEMARTO FRANS MENDOER. Lalu kemana karyaAlex, sang kakaknya Frans? Dirampas Jepang!

Frans sendiri menyembunyikan hasil pemotretan upacara prokalamasi beberapalama di bawah pohon di halaman kantor harian Asia Raja. Kalau tidak, bisadirampas Jepang dan habislah sudah momen penting itu dari ingatan visual bangsaIndonesia.

Tidak mengherankan, bila foto upacara pembacaan proklamasi kemerdekaanRepublik Indonesia, baru muncul di harian Merdeka pada Rabu 20 Februari 1946!Lalu apa yang didapatkan Alex dan Frans Mendoer dari karyanya itu? TIDAK ADA!

Frans dan Alex tidak hanya mengabadikan peristiwa bersejarah 17 Agustus 1945itu. Jauh sebelum itu dan sesudahnya, banyak peristiwa dan romantika jalannyarevolusi kelahiran bangsa Indonesia, berhasil direkam oleh mereka berdua.Mereka mengabadikannya bukan dengan kamera semata, tetapi dengan keberanian,ketulusan, kejujuran dan tanpa pamrih!

“Ini gambar foto perjuangan saya bangsa saya. Silahkan Anda bawa ke negeriAnda. Silahkan Anda siarkan di sana”, kata Frans suatu hari kepada siapapunyang dikenalnya, terutama kepada wartawan asing. Kalau jaman sekarang? Entardulu….enak aja.. Gue dapat royalty nggak? Emangnya nenek moyang lho yangmotret?

Lihatlah karya monumental Alex Mendoer, yang mengabadikan Bung Tomo sedangberorasi di Malang, yang kemudian dimanipulasi oleh kita sendiri, seolah-olahBung Tomo sedang mengobarkan semangat rakyat Surabaya jelang peristiwa heroik10 Nopember 1945!

Lihat juga karyamonumental Frans Mendoer yang mengabadikan Soeharto menjemput PanglimaSoedirman pulang dari gerilya. Foto itu dicetak kembali dengan hasil yangbersih oleh Soeharto dan diperbesar lalu dipasang di ruang kerjanya di BinaGraha. Dalam gambar itu tampak Sjafruddin Prawiranegara di ujung kiri, namundicropping oleh Soeharto karena orang itu menentang kekuasaannya

Apakah Soehartomemberikan sesuatu kepada Frans dan juga Alex Mendoer? Rasanya sulit mengatakaniya. Justru pada Soeharto mereka hidup dalam “kesengsaraan” dan dibiarkan matitanpa jasa yang selayaknya. Bahkan seharusnya Frans dan Alex diberikan predikatBapak Fotografi Indonesia. Buktinya Hari Musik Nasional dicanangkan PresidenMegawati Soekarnoputri berdasarkan hari lahir WR Soepratman pada 2003

Banyak sekali negatif film berisikan momen-momen penting perjuanganIndonesia hasil karya Alex dan Frans Mendoer, yang dibiarkan rusak dan tidakdiperhatikan oleh pemerintah secara serius. Suatu hari nanti, ketika negeriIndonesia beranjak menjadi negara besar, datanglah tawaran dari orang asing,seperti George Soros atau Bill Gates yang mau membeli semua negatif film karyaMendoer bersaudara dengan harga berapapun… Waah.. matilah kita semua. Bisa-bisasetiap penayangan foto Proklamasi 17 Agustsu 1945, kita harus membayar royaltykepada orang asing!

I read from the newspaper that there would be traditional dances (Kalimantan, Betawi, Sunda, etc), traditional foods, traditional markets, etc. Jalan Jaksa is a habitat of around 3-4 cultures and that’s why there were several cultural events in the festival. However I had a chat with the locals and they said that it seemed this festival would not be as crowded as it had been before. No idea why it would happen.

I went there in the afternoon, before the Festival started, so I didn’t see any interesting events there. But there were a lot of locals, especially kids. They were really really photogenic and indeed, asking to be photographed. They were simply amazing.

I recall a tip from National Geographic photography book: Your Camera is Your Passport. It is true in most part of Indonesia.