The hidden precious beauty in West Java

Most Indonesian people do not recognize Mt. Padang as popular as Mt. Tangkuban Perahu, Mt. Merapi, Mt. Papandayan, Mt. Bromo, etc. Those sites are well-known already for being one of tourist’s destinations enjoying the mountainous sceneries. Mt. Padang is not located in Padang, the capital city of West Sumatra. It is located in Karyamukti village, Cianjur regency, West Java. Mt. Padang occupies 3 ha area, was already mentioned as the biggest megalith site in Southeast Asia, compared to Borobudur temple site which is only 1.5 ha.

Megalith was derived from the word “mega” which means big and “lithos” which means stones. It is indeed, a hill covered by many andesites stairs look alike a terrace, which also spread untidily on its surface. Andesite is a kind of stone which was formed by volcanic materials after eruption. Located on 885 m above sea level, from Mt. Padang you can also enjoy the fresh air and scenery of tea plantation around. Not only enjoying an amazing history behind, you will also restore and rejuvenate energy by taking a visit on this site during the weekend.

Tea plantation around, along the road

My friend and I were going to Mt. Padang on Sunday morning by an elf. After having a night stay before, we departed there from Sukabumi. It took for about a half and an hour to reach Karyamukti village, Cianjur. But, we still had to ride up to the site for some other times. The route was quite difficult as there was only a road made of rocks. I would say that most of the trip to Mt. Padang is like an off-roading. Thus, a great driving skill and big-wheel vehicle was truly necessary. Along the road, we were amused by breath-taking panorama of a huge tea plantation. The amusement did not end yet.

Before entering the Mt. Padang, there was an old railway station, called Lampegan station. It used to be inoperative but since 8 February 2014 it is running again and becomes one of stations stopped by KA Siliwangi to serve people going from Cianjur to Sukabumi. We went straight to Mt. Padang and just prayed that there won’t be any other vehicle passing by due to the small road.

After off-roading for about an hour, we finally reached at the gate of Mt. Padang. There was a big car park for the tourists. Afterwards, we had to walk on foot. Before entering the site itself, we had to pay for tourist fees, IDR 2000 – 10000 a person. Before climbing up the stairs, there was spring water, called “Cikahuripan”. In local language, “Ci” means water and “kahuripan” means life. Thus, the local people believe that the water may give long life and is rejuvenating. 

It did not take longer than an hour to reach the top of the mount. According to the local wisdom, Mt. Padang was a sacred worship place and a sanctuary of Prabu Siliwangi. Once you visit the place, you will see the design and the miracle of its formation. The andesites, called menhir, were organized like a terrace and bond by ancient cement made of iron, silica, and clay. The most interesting thing was that the andesites were all pentagonal and there were five levels of terrace. The highest was the most sacred place to arrange a ritual. There was also some stone which sound like “gamelan”, a traditional instrument. People believe that it is used as a musical instrument during the ritual.

Ancient cement, made of silica, iron and clay

Mt. Padang was firstly found in a report of Rapporten van de oudheid-kundigen Dienst (ROD) in 1914, which was later reported by N.J Krom in 1949. However, it was just being officially restored as a heritage site in 1985. The formation of its stones looks like Machu Picchu in Peru. However, not so many people notice at its existence. Recently, some archeologist, geologists and other researcher worked as an independent team of research on ancient catastrophic disaster found out that Mt. Padang was probably built older than Giza Pyramid (2500 BC) in Egypt. After doing excavation and carbon dating on 4 up to 12 m below the surface, they found out that the material inside age 4500-12500 BC. The observation was done in collaboration with Laboratory, BETALAB, of Miami, USA. The scientists were doing some more research and investigation on it. However, it raised some protests from the opponents and local people that they concerned on the damages and distraction later. Having permits to conduct more investigation by the president, it was terminated in the end of 2013.

Human beings are getting smarter inventing more sophisticated tools and technologies. More complex methods will be fruitful for digging up the unrevealed information yet. However, being the first one taking step will always be the hardest part.

Me, on the top of Mt. Padang

Family's trip to Mt. Padang

p.s. thanks to de_Rantau, for organising this great trip!

Summer in Europe #2: Paris, je t'aime (pas)?

This is another story of mine in Europe...

Paris..a city that most people adore at, as an elegant, historical, and romantic one. Who doesn't want to go to Paris? It has the most renowned La tour d'Eiffel, the notoriously historical Cathedrale Notre Dame, the precious and prestigious Musee du Louvre, Flamme de la Liberte, Sacré-Cœur Basilica, etc. Each attraction has its own history, even since hundreds years ago. 

Here, I don't want to talk about history. I am recalling my two-years-ago memories in Paris. 

My friends and I visited Paris, as one-day trip from Brussel. It was only a group of five girls. We made different destination from the other twenty people who visited Amsterdam and Ghent in Belgium. Just like other ordinary people, we were so curious, how romantic and beautiful Paris is. So, we bought return ticket of TGV from Bruxelles-Midi to Paris Nord at 7.30 a.m and will be back again in 10.15 p.m. We've arranged the trip, which places we would like to visit. It was 23 June 2012. We took breakfast very early in the morning, at around 6 a.m. Then walked to the railway station, which was just across the road of our hotel. We were so excited so that when there was an hour delay of departure, we still thought it's okay. We lost an hour trip, yet.

We arrived safe and sound, and fast at Gare du Nord a Paris at 10 a.m. At that time, all of us didn't have any experience yet in Paris, so we've asked for a friend of mine to pick us up there. Due to the limit of time, we needed a guide so that we wouldn't waste our time, lost in Paris. It will be another story, though. Yeah, we made it. A friend of mine, has waited there and took us to Saint Michael Fountain. It was a fountain we passed on the way to the notorious Notre Dame Cathedrale. We just took couple of picture then went to Notre Dame immediately. On the way there, my friend said that he suddenly gotta go as his relative came by or his friend had a farewell party. He didn't really explain it. Well, I was shocked, it meant that we had to walk around Paris ourselves, but it's okay. We got a very clear map and high curiosity on Paris. But my friend, Ayya said that she also had a friend studying there. So she called him, to guide us.

We finally arrived at Notre Dame. It was a huge and old church, which was flooded by loads of people. I didn't know why but there was a very long queue there. I believe that it was designed sophisticatedly inside so that many people came by to pray or just looked around its interior. I had had enough visit on church in Brussels so I didn't want to queue. A friend of mine really wanted to go inside to pray. There were two persons went inside, the others were waiting outside. And yes, my friend who picked us up at the railway station left. Ayya tried to contact her friend to help us using her Belgium number. FYI, there were certain provider usable in some different countries even though some don't provide so. Thankfully, her friend agreed to help and would like to meet us at Pantheon, near the Sorbonne university. It was -used to be a church- a mausoleum, a burial site of many world-wide well-known people like Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Victor Hugo, Jean Monnet, Marie Curie, and many more.

Us, in front of the Saint Michael Fountain.

The good side was we didn't put Sorbonne as the place to visit, but we should go there to meet Ayya's friend, the tour guide. However, we didn't know the location. He said that, it was close to Notre-Dame. We walked around, asked a lady walking her baby, luckily passed the on-renovation-Sorbonne University, asked an old guy we met while waiting for a queue at a public toilet, and finally reached Pantheon. Ayya said that she ran out her account to call her friend. And none of us had any usable number to call him as well. Alors, we decided to asked a young lady in red. Actually none of us mastering French so we talked in English. But, turned out that the lady didn't understand English. We thought that it was close to a university so that English will be a common thing. Then we made gestures, Tarzan's language :P, tried to explain that we wanted to ask her to send sms to Ayya's friend. Thank God that she kindly helped us. Even twice, for Ayya's friend replied us through the lady's phone again. We finally met him, Jiro the hero!

Our feet on 0 km of Paris. There was a myth, tourists who stepped on that will go to Paris again. Aamiin.. ;)

There we started our real journey. After taking some pictures in front of Pantheon, our destination was Musee du Louvre. Jiro brought us there by Metro, and we also passed by the Musee d'Orsay. We didn't enter Musee d'Orsay nor Lourve for time limit. The Lourve was so huge and beautiful. The queue was long but not so long as in Notre-Dame. There was discount for students' ticket by showing their student's card. Jiro said that if you wanted to look thoroughly at every precious architecture and furniture in the whole Lourve, you'll need 3 days all. We just took some pictures and bought macaroons. I didn't like it as the fragrance was too strong. If you watched film the Da Vinci Code, some scenes were taken there. :)

Then we continued the journey to Eiffel. Unluckily we didn't go there at night, so we can't see the beauty of lights view. Here's the big point I'd like to say. Paris, was not as romantic and elegant as I thought. Underground, on Metro was so stinky and smelly. The people, i think they were immigrants, spitting everywhere and didn't have manner. I think, somehow, I understand why they were unacceptable in the society. A friend of mine was almost being stolen by a pick-pocket. Luckily, she realized immediately that someone in the back was trying to open her bag. And the pick-pocket was a teenager. Still very young. Jiro always reminded us to take care of our belongings. He said that there were lots of them, usually work in two or more people in group. He also said that, yes, Paris is not as good as people thought, no more. It's getting more and more crowded and lots of traffics. Paris, the capital city of French, indeed, is the most populous city in the country. 

Remembering that we run out of time, we went immediately to the next destination, Arc de Triomphe. Going there, we passed by a New York in France, Flamme de la Liberté (it was on the tunnel where Lady Di got accident), and Avenue des Champs Élysées. We passed by a magasin of Louis Vuitton and there was a long queue to enter. To my observation, most of them were Asian. Well, now we know who the real rich are. Hoho.. That avenue was famous of many stores with various brands, most are so expensive. And there was a tradition, that usually they would provide big discount, up tp 70%, at the same time every end of season. Yes, that's one of the proof that Paris is a center of fashion and mode. They got to change and make new trend each season, and "throw away" the past one. Yeay, we arrived at Arc de Triomphe. Not so many to look around, as it was a monument of struggle for French army, requested by Napoleon.

It was at 3.30 p.m. Without being lost, we happened to visit many attractions so fast. Then we took another Metro to visit Sacré-Cœur Basilica. It was located near the Moulin Rouge. If you never heard of it, you could search for a famous drama or film entitled. Then, we decided to take a break for having lunch in a fast food restaurant. Jiro said that in Paris, you couldn't easily find halal food. But the Quick fastfood is guaranteed as a halal food. Well, bon appetite et Bismillahirahmani rahim.. :)

We ate, chit-chatting and talked, turned out that Jiro was a neighbour of my fellow friend at UI. Haha..how small!! He was also a close friend of Dhay, another fellow on a leadership training programme (FIM) I joined in Indonesia. After realizing that facts, I just felt that it was a real blessing from HIM. He will be always coming along with us, no matter what, where, when, and how.

Time flies and we continued the journey to Sacré-Cœur Basilica, walking. Walking around in other countries was way better and more enjoy than in Indonesia. Hmm.. I wonder why they couldn't be as discipline as in here (ngaca oi!!). Wew.. Arrived at another sacred church. I just realised that most of our destinations were church. Okay, this was Europe, its most historical places were relate to Christianity. Don't be so surprised. And the tragedy happened again. The Maghrebs were making chaos again. They were shouting each others, screaming, the others were insisting the tourist to buy some souvenirs. Well, the last part was not so fine, but remarkable. This place was a dull! However, most people said that Sacré-Cœur Basilica was a beautiful place. We didn't have enough time to go inside. Feeling insecure and running out of time, after taking some photos, we went directly to the railway station. It was around 8 p.m. But we still got sunshine. Yes, on summer, the sun set at around 10 p.m.

Going back to the Paris Nord, we accidentally met a very gentleman other than Jiro the Hero! He was a Marocoan. It would take another page to tell story about him. Luckily we arrived at the station at around 10 p.m. We went back to Bruxelles Midi right on time at 10.15. Well, I might be wrong about the Maghrebs. After all, it was so remarkable in life. And I believe that there is no coincidence. However, this one day trip, led me to rethink: Paris, je t'aime (pas)?

An automatic toilette. After using it, the person should just left then the door closed.
Then the next person should wait until it finish cleaning and flushing automatically. And it's FREE! :DD

New York in France?? It has another history... :P

Even though it was many years ago, there were still many who put a bouquet of flower
or even just visit this tunnel to commemorate Lady Di's death.

Myta
-All pics are private collections.-
Thanks to Ayya, Lien, Corina, Thao and Jiro for this remarkable trip. I miss you all.

Jakarta, 290114

Summer in Europe 2012 (Part I)

In summer this year, I had an opportunity to visit countries which I had never dreamed of visiting before. I had a quite trauma that I should have gone studying at Queensland, Australia, but unfortunately I didn't due to some reasons. Quite disappointing. Well, it was in the past! After deciding to study at University of Indonesia, the opportunity of going abroad was open again. At first I got an announcement about a Summer Programme held by EU Center in Singapore. This programme purposed on focusing at the European integration so that it probably is able to be implemented in here, Asia, particularly ASEAN countries. Instead of a series of intensive seminars, the programme also comprised of a field trip to European Union institutions in Europe. As it relates to my study of European Studies, I decided to apply to that chance. Within a month, I got an email that I have been considered as one of the short-listed candidates, then they would like to make an interview via skype. Okay.. I was so exciting!! :)

The next week after the interview, I got another email about the inquiry and stuffs to be prepared along with the acceptance letter from EU Center in Singapore. At first they told that the Schengen visa to Europe will be prepared and covered by them, from Singapore. However, they asked the three Indonesian participants to look for the visa ourselves. It was 2 weeks before we go. Pretty hectic days to apply for visa in only few days, since it usually needs at least a month to get it from the Embassy. Thankfully, I got the visa from the Embassy of Netherlands. Then, I could focus on completing my final assignments for my study~~ it was in the end of semester, anyway.

Well, within the programme, there are 21 participants, all is from Singapore but 7 foreigners, 3 Indonesian, 1 Malaysian, 1 Cambodian, 2 Vietnamese. The overseas participants were provided with a room each at the Graduate Hall of National Technology University of Singapore. O yea, all the seminars would be held in Rajaratnam School of International Studies in NTU. The room was pretty wide and had a fan on the ceiling. As the foreigners, we explored Singapore together. It was super fun and impressive, enjoying the life as a student in NTU, for about 2 weeks.

Getting know and living with the mature Bang Sallehudin, the fashionable Em Lien, cheerful dek Ayya, smart Corina, the "lost" Thao, and the mister map Try is such an honour to me. I'd like to craft your names as a part of my life stone. I could also learn from you all about your country, civilisation, and lifestyle.

I got the chance to meet and learn from many great people; students and lecturers. One thing I learnt from Singaporean is that they will obey the rule of law and respect others, even though they will do anything to attain their goals. And they will be more respectful to educated people.

I would like to share my other story about Summer Programme in Europe, later.. C u.. <3 font="font">

EUC Summer Programme's participants with lecturers

Manneken-Pis: a tiny Cold-Friend from Brussels

Have you ever been in Belgium? Have you ever heard of Tintin and his dog, Snowy? Yup, it is world-wide known as a legendary comics, which has been published since 1929. It has not only been considered as a comic, but also reflects and influences the International affairs of Belgium towards many countries lately. Tintin was originally created by Georges Remi (1907–1983), a journalist from Brussels. His adventurous stories throughout the world were described in adorable plot so that might leave a deep impression to the readers. Not only for kids, fans of Tintin are varied from their ages, originals and backgrounds. Some parts of the seriess are forbidden to publish. But most of them are still being republished until now as there are still many fans of Tintin in the world. Even, the Adventures of Tintin was filmed in 2011.

However, I would not discuss more about Tintin. Another famous symbol from Belgium is the Manneken Pis. Originally a simple fountain of public utility, Manneken-Pis is considered today a figure of legend, universally known. He became the representative par excellence of Brussels sense of humour - the "zwanze" - and the symbol of the spirit of protest and unconcern which characterizes the people living in this town, but also of the opposition to the multiple foreign occupations and to fanaticism. Nowadays he regularly shares the joys and the sorrows of the city.

The Manneken-Pis

Manneken-Pis was at first a fountain that played an essential role in the former distribution of drinking water since the 15th century. The system was well-known in all of Europe. Towards the end of the 17th century, the statue became more and more important in the city life. It was also a survivor of the bombardment of Brussels in 1695. Manneken-Pis became a precious good and enjoys a ceaselessly growing glory.

During big events, the Belgian adorn him with luxurious clothes. In the 18th century, Manneken-Pis was dressed at least 4 times a year. Since he lost his main function in the network of water conveyance of the city in 19th century, Manneken-Pis gradually became an image and symbol of the Brussels folkrole, the joy of the inhabitants and their capacity of self-mockery.

Although no one really knows the true story that inspired Manneken-Pis, rumours abound.

One such story recounts that he was a little boy who tried to douse a fire in the city with the only weapon he had at hand. Another story claims that he was the lost son of a visiting merchant, who had a statue sculpted to thank the citizens upon finding the boy was found urinating in the garden.

Various clothes of Manneken-Pis

Yet another favourite but unlikely tale claims that the statue commemorates Duke Godfrev III of Leuven, a two-years-old lord who in 1142 had troops battling armies of the Berthouts, the lord Grimbergen. It is said that the little two-years-old lord was placed in the basket hung in a tree to encourage the troops to fight for him. From there, he urinated on the troops of the Berthouts, who eventually lost the battle.

When my friends and I were looking for the Manneken-Pis, I thought that it would be much bigger than a tiny statue. After we found it, we just took some pics and that's all. Then we decided to eat waffle which tasted very good. :9

Well, tiny cold-bronze-friend, it was a memorable moment meeting you in Brussels, Belgium.

Me with Manneken-Pis :)

U L U W A T U - B A L I

When you'd love to find both romanticism and gorgeous scenery of flowers, rocks and beaches, here is the

place...

When you'd love to enjoy the wind breezing, playing your hair, so calming...

Quite far..but so worthy..

Purple on the sea

Need friends or enemy to play with.. There are many monkeys there..

Watch your glasses, hats, even camera out.. They also like to play with them..

Do not forget to bring some food or nuts in order to distract their attention, somehow to your belongings..

Unless you won't share with them, never show off.. :)

Monkey's silhouette 

People usually like to have a wedding ceremony in this place..

Located in a quite hilly place, next to the sea as well.. must be a perfect wedding venue..

if it is possible and affordable..

Will not regret spending loads of money to have your once in a life time moment here.. :)

Temple on the edge

Uluwatu - 1207