tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74236225351468192122024-03-18T07:35:39.063-07:00Traveler GuideA free online guide to finding Traveler Guide information. Here's TOP rated Traveler Guide , tips and more!HDG's travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03812020898809262902noreply@blogger.comBlogger2267125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423622535146819212.post-49709862749135251042022-11-11T01:42:00.000-08:002022-11-11T01:42:00.192-08:00Basking in Chungnam-Do’s Natural Beauty<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4UDs29YQQL46u9ZREYhUo0jNFYNk9hAMBRLLgY0FrVzDDiIcBZUYewyttzNKRCGoFXD_p9P_lHhLNac74F0by4DnUp7bAS48A2iIcFkghXG0n4YHvWMShU_GcWsbLgBTYvykzdxOo4k/s1600/chungcheonam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="166" data-original-width="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4UDs29YQQL46u9ZREYhUo0jNFYNk9hAMBRLLgY0FrVzDDiIcBZUYewyttzNKRCGoFXD_p9P_lHhLNac74F0by4DnUp7bAS48A2iIcFkghXG0n4YHvWMShU_GcWsbLgBTYvykzdxOo4k/s1600/chungcheonam.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><b>Chungcheongnam-Do</b>, or Chungnam-Do,
is south Korean province, which is located not far from the capital city of
Seoul, that features beautiful natural vistas. In order to get more Indonesian tourist
to visit the province’s pristine locations, the Korean Tourism Organization
(KTO) Indonesia recently hosted a dinner for several travel agents to help
promote it more effectively.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">The dinner was held on July 31. Hopefully,
the KTO and travel agents will offer packages to encourage more Indonesians to
visit the province. On your way there, you can experience South Korea’s KTX
bullet train, which will take you from Incheon International Airport to the
beautiful province within 40 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Once arrive there, enjoy Chungnam-do’s
beautiful beach, which will provide you with excellent sunset scenes. After that,
visit Taeanhaean National Marine Park, the Baegmagang River and more. Also take
delight in the province’s summer mud festival and warm water fountains.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Then take time to visit the province’s
Baekje historical site that comprises ancient gates, graveyards and relics,
which was designated by UNESCO as a world heritage site in 2015.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">This year, the Magok temple in
Gongju city was also designated as a UNESCO world heritage site.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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HDG's travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03812020898809262902noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423622535146819212.post-45168095381236819022022-10-10T01:30:00.000-07:002022-10-10T01:30:00.174-07:00Sailing Smoothly with Richard Mille<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKPCRDRNBiC5MNtDwUt7JqA-DbdH6YTyhUVny8MxzEZrnvoEk2xP4TSLvETUi_bwy5rsj6mxTrX5BvPo4osuc36__e-ZS242dJlmJdhRLf6gowRbcLiQT6DRyjRo2lhcvRFhgKCp1_RI/s1600/sailing1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKPCRDRNBiC5MNtDwUt7JqA-DbdH6YTyhUVny8MxzEZrnvoEk2xP4TSLvETUi_bwy5rsj6mxTrX5BvPo4osuc36__e-ZS242dJlmJdhRLf6gowRbcLiQT6DRyjRo2lhcvRFhgKCp1_RI/s640/sailing1.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The Caribbean Sea, Luxury Swiss
brand Richard Mille supported the annual Les Voiles des Saint Barth sailing tournament
– organized for the ninth time this year – in the Caribbean Sea in April. The brand
also created a specially designed trophy for the tournament’s winners.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US">Participants took pride in taking
part in the tournament, which comprised 53 crews in seven different classes,
showing their solidarity with their fellow sailors despite logistical
difficulties. They also did this in honor of the people who survived Hurricane
Irma in August last year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The designer of the eponymous brand
said he had placed his trust in the participants’ endurance in taking on the
Les Voiles de Saint Barth, which embodied the triumph of the human spirit. The event
was launched in 2010.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Now that the event has reached maturity, it has
become a major event in the Caribbean. We want to maintain its world-class
reputation to make it more attractive. Therefore, we are strengthening our
participation in solidarity with the organizers. Helping to create a successful
event is a source of a great shared pride, which builds true camaraderie,”
Richard Mile said.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_0w1MjO69hNZCiTjeUai_V5AbyD3AkSFOi6K8QXR8JpVAUQjY_bZOEdorgIeCsLkdn76Tj6UZPVraxnTJkbixGcWTgIWvwJy31n7F9X2PMuwyJe48292f45cY6KYGHFcdvJC-XfkMgA/s1600/sailing2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="186" data-original-width="271" height="439" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_0w1MjO69hNZCiTjeUai_V5AbyD3AkSFOi6K8QXR8JpVAUQjY_bZOEdorgIeCsLkdn76Tj6UZPVraxnTJkbixGcWTgIWvwJy31n7F9X2PMuwyJe48292f45cY6KYGHFcdvJC-XfkMgA/s640/sailing2.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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HDG's travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03812020898809262902noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423622535146819212.post-61070745141577092112022-09-09T01:10:00.000-07:002022-09-09T01:10:00.184-07:00GENDENG VILLAGE Center of Wayang Kulit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzreHcGFsKBCTx9UQjKb_44uZybgQCNTH-salCGBMRzPmy9XQtJ_Oun68PXWXZMfOmc0r_Tbz7G5gwAWPZjyntckeVgswIIgaXbPDuO4SF6MJ1T15SQ1khQ0irnEgIigIklgJejwoSsg/s1600/gendeng1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="629" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzreHcGFsKBCTx9UQjKb_44uZybgQCNTH-salCGBMRzPmy9XQtJ_Oun68PXWXZMfOmc0r_Tbz7G5gwAWPZjyntckeVgswIIgaXbPDuO4SF6MJ1T15SQ1khQ0irnEgIigIklgJejwoSsg/s640/gendeng1.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">F<b>OR LOVERS AND COLLECTORS</b> of wayang
kulit (leather puppets), Gendeng village in Bangunjiwo yakarta, it is where
tens of artisans ;prodsubdistrict, Kasihan district, Bantu regency, Yogyakarta,
is well known.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Located some seven kilometers
southwest of downtown Yogyakarta, it is where tens of artisans produce
Yogyakarta style <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wayang kulit</i> of high
quality.<sup><o:p></o:p></sup></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">It is therefore not surprising to
learn that the village is not just well known among <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wayang kulit</i> lovers and collectors, but also among noted puppeteers
such as Ki Timbul Hadiprayitno and Ki Hadi Sugito, said to have puppets made in
Gendeng in their <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wayang kulit</i>
collections for show purposes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">“We prioritize quality. As for myself,
It’s not just a matter of generating revenue but more importantly a desire to
preserve leather puppets,” said local artisan Sagio, 67, the owner of a puppet
handicraft workshop.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">The history of Gendeng as a center
of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wayang kulit</i> production started
back in 1925 when a newcomer named Bundu came to the village and introduced puppetry,
including how to make <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wayang kulit</i>,
to the local villagers.he later had a pupil named Walijo, also known as Atmo
Sukarto, or more commonly, Pujo. It was Pujo who then introduced the puppet
handicraft industry to the village in the 1930s.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Gendeng gained its golden years a
puppet production center especially during the rule of Indonesia’s second
president Soeharto, who was also known as a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wayangkulit
</i>show lover.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">“I was once sent to Japan to promote
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wayang kulit</i> there,” said Sagio,
adding that he spent a year there from 1969 to 1970 for the purpose.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Ever since, he said, he was
frequently sent to other countries for the same reason. Sometimes he even
visited a country more than once. Among the countries he visited were the Netherlands,
France, England, Hungary, New Zealand, the Unites State, India, china, Thailand
and Singapore.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Sagio himself said he started
learning about puppet making when he was 11 years of age. He said he first
learned from Pujo, then directly learned it from Bundu. When Bundu passed away.
Sagio frequently went to the Yogyakarta Palace to have a closer look at the
palace’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wayang kulit</i> collection to
learn about their fine and high quality.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">This accounts for why Sagio is well
known as an artisan specializing in fine and high quality <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wayang kulit </i>in the Yogyakarta style, although he is also capable
of making puppets in the Surakarta style.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Workshops<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">He said he initially also learned puppetry
and was once a puppeteer but he finally decided to focus on puppet making
because he realized that no formal institution for puppet making was available.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">“There were schools for puppeteers,
but none for puppet makers, that is even still the case now,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Gendeng’s glow as a center of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wayang kulit</i> production faded away
following Soeharto’s fall in 1998, leaving only about 50 artisans in the
village.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Wayang kulit handicraft showrooms
and workshops are mostly centered in the area around the subdistrict hall, as
the hall is also located in Gendeng. Among the well-known workshops ar those of
Sukono, SAntoso, Sabarno and Suprih.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">“Many of them were previously my
apprentices and now they have their own workshops,” said Sagio.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">He added that he previously took on
apprentices to be trained as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wayang kulit
</i>artisans in his workshop, but he has not done so since 1998. Nowadays he
only receives groups of students or tourists to experience puppet making at his
workshop. Some stay for up to a week, others just for three to four hours.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Other workshops in the village also
do the same. Apart from selling puppet products at different prices depending
on their quality level and size, they also offer puppet making experiences.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">“There are always tourists coming to
the village to enjoy the experience,” said Sagio, adding that some 75% of the
tourists visiting Gendeng were foreigners.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">He said an average of 20 foreign tourists
visited his workshop every moth, giving him a monthly revenue of about IDR 20
million.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Products on offer in the workshops
include puppets of the standard size for both collections and souvenirs,
puppets of bigger and even huge sizes for decoration, puppets of smaller sizes
for bookmarks or wedding souvenirs, and puppet key-rings.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">In the village, tourists can also see
the process of turning animal leather into parchments. For this they can go to
Suyoto’s.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">“I need at least three days to get
this leather ready,” said Suyoto, 57, while currying a sheet of buffalo leather
spread on a structure to be turned into parchment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">The process starts by submerging sun-dried
buffalo leather overnight in a nearby river to soften it, then spreading it the
following morning on a structure to dry and curry.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">“The best leather for making puppets
is buffalo,” said Suyoto, whose workshop is located some 100 meters to the east
of Sagio’s.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">To get to the village, visitors have
to take a taxi or private vehicle, as no public transportation heading to
Gendeng is available. However, it is just a stone’s throw from the renowned
ceramic handicraft production center, Kasongan. Both Kasongan and Gendeng are
under the same jurisdiction of Bangunjiwo district administration.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">In fact, both are part of the
subdistrict’s leading toruism and industrial package called KAJIGELEM, an
abbreviation of Kasongan, Jipangan, Gendeng and Lemahdadi.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Jipangan is a bambbo handicraft
production center while Lemahdadi is a stone statue production center. [Sources
from the Jakarta Post, August 2018|words by: Sri Wahyuni]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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HDG's travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03812020898809262902noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423622535146819212.post-376187194022069722022-08-01T23:16:00.000-07:002022-08-01T23:16:00.178-07:00LAKE TOBA Pearl of North Sumatra<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #660000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">THE EXPANSIVE BLUE</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> that is Lake Toba, located in the midst of mountains, is an
aweinspiring spectacle for all who visit it. They are mesmerized by the exotic
view of the lake.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">The lake has an area of 1,130 square
kilometers and is not only the largest lake in Southeast Asia but also the
world’s largest volcanic lake. The beautiful panorama makes the lake, which is
located in seven regencies and towns, a favorite among local and international
tourists. Zulkifli Fahmi, 42, a local visitor from Dairi, said he and his
family visited Lake Toba almost every month. The teacher was full of praise for
the lake’s beauty.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">“It’s soothes the mind to see the
beautiful lake; it gives me comfort,” Zulkifli told the Jakarta Post at Taman
Simalem Resort, which offers views of the hills and mountains surrounding Lake
Toba in Karo regency, on July 15.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Tourism Minister praised Lake Toba,
saying it had a temperate climate, was highly popular and admirable. Arief said
the government had designated Lake Toba as one of the tourist mainstays because
of it strong allure.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">“Lake Toba has a beautiful nature
and an interesting history, especially on how it was formed as the result of a
massive volcano eruption thousands of years ago that created this caldera. The
nature itself is already a strong draw,” Arief said during a working visit to
Medan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Arief added that the culture of the
Lake Toba area was also rich and had a strong character. Like culture-rich
Bali, the Toba area has a deeply rooted Batak culture.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">“That is another strength that Toba
has. So, we want to empower this culture so that it becomes stronger and can
lure more tourists to Lake Toba,” said Arief, stating that Lake Toba had tourist
spots that had the potential to compete, with those in other regions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">The Tourism Ministry has released
the Top10 list of tourist sites around Lake Toba. They are:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSB2PGbIh0837h0bAmbBUsim3rHVDowbDVXi-zzGQCsA8YUKMMdNU7pSL5lqUIlpeSOx9y_2Xj6QcJyL6nen5ySU6eHhWyp8he6VUaw8254FfvTIVEW2Z-1B15rQaGyrvtdGRcgKd2OsE/s1600/laketoba1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="172" data-original-width="293" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSB2PGbIh0837h0bAmbBUsim3rHVDowbDVXi-zzGQCsA8YUKMMdNU7pSL5lqUIlpeSOx9y_2Xj6QcJyL6nen5ySU6eHhWyp8he6VUaw8254FfvTIVEW2Z-1B15rQaGyrvtdGRcgKd2OsE/s640/laketoba1.png" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #660000;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Tomok<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Tomok is a traditional village
acting as a gateway to Samosir Island. It is here that the large sarcophagus of
king Sidabutar can be found. Tomok has long been a tourist village on Samosir.
There are three interesting tourist attractions in TOmok village, the
Sigale-Gale statue, the burial ground of former Batak kings and the Batak
Museum.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Holbung Hill (Teletubies Hill)<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Holbung Hill is in janji Marhatan
village in Samosir regency. The hill is also known as Teletubies Hill. Many
international tourists visit the hill to go trekking. The top of the hill can
be reached in 10 to 15 minutes and offers an enthralling view of Lake Toba.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Situmurun Waterfall, Binangalom<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Situmurun Waterfall is also known as
Binangalom Waterfall because the watger flows from Binangalom village in lumban
Julu district, toba Samosir regency.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">The waterfall is special as the
waterfalls directly into Lake Toba. The sensation of swimming against the
current can be experienced at the waterfall.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Iman Sitinjo Tourist Park<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Iman Sitinjo tourist park is located
in the hills of Stinjo district, Dairi regency. The place combines the concepts
of religious tourism and nature tourism. Aside from showcasing several spots of
officially recognized places of worship, the place offers a beautiful panorama
of the lake.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Beautiful Simarjarunjung Hill<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">As the name suggests, the hill,
which is situated on Jl. Simarjunjung, a road crossing from Parapatto Merek,
Karo regency, offers natural beauty. It offers a vantage point to view the
lake.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Simarjarungjung Hill is managed in
the same way as Kalibiru in Yogyagkarta, complete with tree house.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Paropo Beach.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Paropo is a village on the shores of
Lake Toba. Besides being a popular camping area, the village, which is situated
in Silahi Sabungan district, Dairi regency, is ideal for fishing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Taman Labirin, Taman Simalem Resort<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Taman Labirin is a mainstay of Taman
Simalem Resort in karo district. The tourist destination offers a challenge to
visitors to find their way out of a 500-square-meter labyrinth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">From here tourists can also visit
the pearl of Lake Toba and enjoy the lake’s panorama from an elevation of 500
meters, a truly instagrammable spot.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Huta Ginjang<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Huta Ginjang is located in Muara
district, North Tapanuli. The place can be reached in 15 minutes from Silangit
Airport, Huta Ginjang is situated on a highland. From here, visitor have a
beautiful view of Lake Toba.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Most people visit Huta Ginjang Hill
either in the morning to catch the sunrise or in the afternoon for sunset. The place
also has a pine forest and is popular for paragliding.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Sipinsur Park<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Sipinsur is an ideal location for
relaxation. Visitors can feel their exhaustion and stress ebbing away when they
spend time in the park. Sipinsur Park is situated in Paerung village, Humbang
Hasundutan. Here, visitors can stroll amid pine trees and enjoy the
invigorating breeze.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Lae Mbilulu Waterfall<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Lae Mbilulu Waterfall, located in
Pakpak Bharat regency, has an elevation of around 40 meters, its pool a depth
of 5 meters and an area of 60 square meters. To the right and the left is
enchanting greenery surrounding pristine water.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Of the 10 tourist destinations
around Lake Toba, Taman Simalem Resort is the only one to have won a 2017 Indonesian
Sustainable Tourism Award (ISTA) in the environmental preservation category
from the Tourism Ministry.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrqliANUwIL2j1Muldc1u2U9O21KWUlize2VIClyuq05-Ii9D_DVeJ-0vjrzIuqb1LZ9Mcr4mV5WwhOp6o3jiMCxPgAfGnORjXov3QFryykkQ4kG0qDZedhV78aQg14PVZemn0ncNleU/s1600/laketoba2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="900" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrqliANUwIL2j1Muldc1u2U9O21KWUlize2VIClyuq05-Ii9D_DVeJ-0vjrzIuqb1LZ9Mcr4mV5WwhOp6o3jiMCxPgAfGnORjXov3QFryykkQ4kG0qDZedhV78aQg14PVZemn0ncNleU/s640/laketoba2.png" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;"><b>Taman Simalem Resort </b>general manager
Eddy Tanoto said the national level award was the first one it received from the
Tourism Ministry since the establishment was opened in 2008.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Eddy expressed pride in the achievement
because the 200-ha agriculture and eco-themed resort was the only one in North
Sumatra to have won second place in the environmental preservation category.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">“We won the award thanks to the
support from the community and the governments of Karo gegency and North
Sumatra province,” Eddy stated.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">A tourism player, Tandeanus Sukardi
from Erni Tour, praised the development of tourism at Lake Toba over the last
few years. Tandeanus likened Lake toba to a shining pearl. Tandeanus said many
international tourists visited the lake and enthused about their experience.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">“I often take groups of
international tourists to Lake Toba, especially to Taman Smalem Resort,” said
Tandeanus, adding many of the tourists hailed from Singapore, Malaysia and
European countries. [Sources from the Jakarta Post, August 2018|words by: Apriadi
Gunawa]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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HDG's travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03812020898809262902noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423622535146819212.post-80122824118548321212022-07-07T01:38:00.000-07:002022-07-07T01:38:00.183-07:00BINTAN ISLAND A Resort Island Rich in History<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlL8I7HlDGWk8Gi4D6Li4ypxE7uDgFSVN4-ks2XvuaNBcsCGU-zxa8DU2bBWWsmvsZ4mHres2AJCEPhjr1Ric0Pjsn9kMFA9XlsxnqDjPXorGMmusKb-nBaQnjtZYnE24pL0t6ZEPwva0/s1600/bintan1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlL8I7HlDGWk8Gi4D6Li4ypxE7uDgFSVN4-ks2XvuaNBcsCGU-zxa8DU2bBWWsmvsZ4mHres2AJCEPhjr1Ric0Pjsn9kMFA9XlsxnqDjPXorGMmusKb-nBaQnjtZYnE24pL0t6ZEPwva0/s640/bintan1.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #660000;"><b>MOST VISITORS</b> would not know it today, but Penyengat Island in the Riau Islands province was once the capital of a Malay Sultanete known as Nusantara. Many people would struggle to locate Riau, which has about 2,000 islands, but the main islands of Batam and Bintan are both located less than an hour by fast ferry south of Singapore in the South China Sea or 90 minutes by plane from Jakarta. interestingly, Bintan is two-and-a-half times bigger than Singapore so Riau is quite a significant regional island group and yet one that is not yet on everyone's travel radar.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">After the fall of Melaka in 1511, the Malay regional political power switched to Penyengat Island, which was considered the center of the Johor-Riau Sultanate before the Dutch colonials split it up in 1824. Singapore was then considered part of the Sultanate.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNfxGfBHPLThei08qLxa2Cw8F3fhLxVENUokmi5AF8FbtUs61_ldg7RrMSCSz6jSBisMzwHEqxNZ_xe-q1zcyScmOBpCBjHIxxVr6K4FsfgM3ONhwQaZ2l6myRb2mqQk_jUUAdeUsI7k/s1600/bitan7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="1024" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNfxGfBHPLThei08qLxa2Cw8F3fhLxVENUokmi5AF8FbtUs61_ldg7RrMSCSz6jSBisMzwHEqxNZ_xe-q1zcyScmOBpCBjHIxxVr6K4FsfgM3ONhwQaZ2l6myRb2mqQk_jUUAdeUsI7k/s640/bitan7.png" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">Plans are afoot to give the striking gold and several old cannons and a green Grand Mosque on Pulau Penyengat Bintan adn the adjoining old fort heritage protection. The site is located on Pulau Penyengat just a few minutes boat ride fro mTanjung Pinang and includes a fort with several old cannons and a moat, the Sultan of Riau's Grand Mosque and other heritage buildings.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPX70Md3LfdBcIigcwtk6VScKbOFfdJ-8mkyV2MOuG1DfqPy5dbc8slvnlqqsROrs_mFP-wMa70CdxRn1G-RHdSiYC9aGbcLjTDUe4lvle89V8S7RccCd2IN8q6raJjt_70CD6x2l-knI/s1600/bintan7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPX70Md3LfdBcIigcwtk6VScKbOFfdJ-8mkyV2MOuG1DfqPy5dbc8slvnlqqsROrs_mFP-wMa70CdxRn1G-RHdSiYC9aGbcLjTDUe4lvle89V8S7RccCd2IN8q6raJjt_70CD6x2l-knI/s640/bintan7.png" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">Many visitors to Bintan head to destinations such as Bintan Resorts on the northern coastline, check into one of several resorts in the special tourism zone and chill out along beautiful palm-fringed beaches. While this is a great way to relax, it is also recommended that visitors hire a vehicle adn take a trip around the island to discover its history and Indonesian culture. Be aware, though, that it is big island and you will scarcely scratch the surface in a day's journey of discovery.</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #660000;">Boatbuildings and Kelongs</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">Being and island of mostly fisherfolk, seafood is bountiful all over the island. Most visitors will be taken to a small wooden boat building yard and then to one of several <i>kelongs</i> (places where fishermen store their catch) at Trikora on the east coast where the rustic restaurants on stilts over the water keep fresh fish in nets below and haul it up upon request. Seafood such as fish, prawns, squid, crabs and oysters could not be any fresher and it is all very affordable. Restaurant Pantai Trikora is recommended as it offers fresh ocean-caught seafood and a breezy over-the-water ambiance.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">Akau Market in Potong Lembu in the capital of Tanjung Pinang is the place to dine on delicious dishes in the open air under the stars. Most of the food is cooked fresh and includes famous dishes like oysters omelette, <i>ikan bakar</i> (grilled fish), <i>nasi goreng</i> (fried rice), <i>ayam penyet</i> (fried chicken) and a local favorite called gong gong (sea snails). The stalls ope nat 5 p.m. and close at midnight.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfZVO65QgN3FEHiTReFqf5YmoCK_-5dF7C3U3-EPRrvQeTwHACVeKe1vzwji3fTitFuxwR1_HOyqrvZhU3rYZEdfIRWuTnuH3XvZt2IO6pcrLqK5j9hIs80ZMcqEwu-Y29LSy76UZiwk/s1600/bintan2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="1300" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfZVO65QgN3FEHiTReFqf5YmoCK_-5dF7C3U3-EPRrvQeTwHACVeKe1vzwji3fTitFuxwR1_HOyqrvZhU3rYZEdfIRWuTnuH3XvZt2IO6pcrLqK5j9hIs80ZMcqEwu-Y29LSy76UZiwk/s640/bintan2.png" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><b>Wetland Wonderland</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">Parts of the Bintan coastline and rivers that flow into the ocean are lined with mangrove forests. These can be explored from the safety of small boats, which head upriver to the narrowest reaches of the overhanging forest. Long-tailed macaques and mangrove snakes lurk in the trees and it is possible to see them plus lizards, birds and some fascinating plant life along the way. Skimming fast across the water in a small boat is also an exhilarating experience, while visiting in the early evening to admire the flickering fireflies is a memorable experience.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><b>Resort Living</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">There are various accommodation options in or near Tanjung Pinang adn resorts along the east coast centered on Trikora.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">The finest accommodation is within the Bintan Resorts precinct in the north of the island Bintan Lagoon Resort ia a large property that stretches along a picturesque palm-lined coastline. It has an extensive selection of recreational activities and dining opportunities.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">The added bonus here is that golfers can play the Jack Nicklaus Sea View adn ian Baker-Finch Woodlands courses. Both are in immaculate condition and while the landscaping is similar on both courses, they each offer different golf experiences.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJszujNsimS2jPot5JtM4lNXra9mDukM7oreICZcanN9UOFlcKAgqahAjAn9s4i4FSwXyoSfrdN38m67MPX_RrhVNqaJ-JG2Aeq29iIFr8cv4QrQN5mw6H617AqQuUhoOVAPKTednvRk/s1600/bintan4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="680" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJszujNsimS2jPot5JtM4lNXra9mDukM7oreICZcanN9UOFlcKAgqahAjAn9s4i4FSwXyoSfrdN38m67MPX_RrhVNqaJ-JG2Aeq29iIFr8cv4QrQN5mw6H617AqQuUhoOVAPKTednvRk/s640/bintan4.png" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;">The par 72 Nicklaus course of 6,420 meters has wide-open fairways, which encourage golfers to open their shoulders to get some distance on their drive ,but bunkers round the greens make approach shots challenging.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCM5EBDiLyFlSgYS4T3Q8BKDiX-LhyVTHIc6xl2Sjzr5CqugKG6H1_y9fUgNGXKSDQfmO1BBvVw_QK5lIxvVpyRugfSCWiDLxC6yBm-woFoidmTKRw1MeujIVkeLB_LFFVQkNJjF68ipM/s1600/bintan5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCM5EBDiLyFlSgYS4T3Q8BKDiX-LhyVTHIc6xl2Sjzr5CqugKG6H1_y9fUgNGXKSDQfmO1BBvVw_QK5lIxvVpyRugfSCWiDLxC6yBm-woFoidmTKRw1MeujIVkeLB_LFFVQkNJjF68ipM/s640/bintan5.png" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;">The par 72 Baker-Finch course of 6,211 metes is narrower as it weaves its way through the coastal forest ang golfers need to pay more attention to their game to stay on top of it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;">Facilities at the resort and several other properties here, including Club Med and Banyan Tree, ensure Bintan's popularity with Singaporeans. Indonesian visitors can join in the fun here or the sights attractions in other parts of the island.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<h3>
<span style="color: #660000;">Travel File</span></h3>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><b>Getting There</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;">There are directy daily flights from Jakarta to Bintan Island on Sriwijaya Air. The alternatives ar to fly to neigboring Batam Island and catch a ferry across or, to fly to Singapore and catch a ferry to Bintan from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal.</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSucJYYYs3LwAUMCxhrM3Rc6mQ0V1dv_LwHIXAh_EuMwnEyCZYtQTyU589kt1f65xZogIPH1NdimczJEjyD9XSoZWfLSe4WDZbFq2VrJnK9rm-dwTxnlfHqx4Q2kDHEgcV6n1mwrT35Vw/s1600/bintan3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="531" data-original-width="800" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSucJYYYs3LwAUMCxhrM3Rc6mQ0V1dv_LwHIXAh_EuMwnEyCZYtQTyU589kt1f65xZogIPH1NdimczJEjyD9XSoZWfLSe4WDZbFq2VrJnK9rm-dwTxnlfHqx4Q2kDHEgcV6n1mwrT35Vw/s640/bintan3.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><b>Where to Stay</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;">The Bintan Resorts precinct, or Lagoi, is located on the northern side of the island. Visitors can stay in Luxury seaside accommodation such as the Bintan Lagoon Resort (<i><a href="http://www.bintanlagoon.com/">www.bintanlagoon.com</a></i>), which</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;">is set in spacious landscaped grounds. It has a comprehensive range of services adn facilities. In additionto an expansive beachfront, there are many food and beverage outlets, watersports, pools and two championship golf courses. In Trikora, stay at the Trikora club and resort (<a href="http://www.trikorabeachclub.com/">www.trikorabeachclub.com</a>) while on the outskirts of Tanjung Pinang, the Pelangi Hotel and Resort (<i><a href="http://www.pelangihotel.com/">www.pelangihotel.com</a></i>) offers resort living near the main town.</span><br />
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HDG's travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03812020898809262902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423622535146819212.post-74177514087578061662022-06-06T01:30:00.000-07:002022-06-06T01:30:00.177-07:00SURFER’S Paradise<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pqJRrHLkOvwLbaXqdssPM987MIXhU6xwLPB8gYuvtOkYaOIa3lrC6ucSj6hHo6bettdccQP2EIr-MVC1J_QKntJ4YCnufz-q9mpsewLlNNkPTAS7J71bAheJaCjeFS3Q6xhTsrrhH0s/s1600/surferparadise3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pqJRrHLkOvwLbaXqdssPM987MIXhU6xwLPB8gYuvtOkYaOIa3lrC6ucSj6hHo6bettdccQP2EIr-MVC1J_QKntJ4YCnufz-q9mpsewLlNNkPTAS7J71bAheJaCjeFS3Q6xhTsrrhH0s/s640/surferparadise3.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><b>FOR THREE DAYS</b>, Dean Izzi rode the
waves off Sorake beach in the North Sumatra regency of Nias Selatan. The Australian
surfer enjoyed waves of up to 10 meters.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Dean Izzi said the waves at Sorake
were great for surfing, adding that Sorake Beach was a surfers paradise.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">“The waves here are far out, extreme
and fit very well for surving,” Izzi told The Jakarta Post at Sorake Beach on
July 26.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Sorake Beach is located on Nias
Island west of the Sumatra mainland, more specifically in the village of
Botohilitano in Telu, Dalam district.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">The beach face the Indian Ocean,
which explains the extreme waves wit hcrests as high as 15 meters. The waves
also tend to roll perfectly before breaking at the water’s edge. Sorake Beach’s
waves spoil surfers with five levels of height to choose from. Skillful surfers
can perform incredible stunts on each level as they ride the waves, which can
reach a length of 200 meters.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Once a best-kept secret among
surfers, the beach is becoming quite a well-known tourist spot. From April
until August, the beach hosts many surfers from various countries.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Social Zagoto, a Sorake community
figure, said for five months starting in April Sorake Beach is packed with
surfers. Zagoto added that, during that period, the rolls can reach a length of
200 meters.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">“That’s what draws the world’s
surfers to Sorake Beach,” Sosial told the Post on July 26.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Social also said that, this month,
hundreds of surfers, including Macekly from Hawaii, had gathered at the beach
to try and tame Sorake’s rolling waves. The surfers usually stay for several
days at Sorake Beach, which has some starred hotels.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #783f04;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QcFe5w5a2wgm9xkNDH9RqoWXwtPNhM0FjJaMTLuhBgm-fOSq4sT6wpZEqqLmi1fv1urUC-5Eyt8dphHB5XaOFt9UQd_x55mQePTDZgVH-4_qsX4p2OL-AU44aZej_jzEHFRFq4lAAsI/s1600/surfingparadise1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QcFe5w5a2wgm9xkNDH9RqoWXwtPNhM0FjJaMTLuhBgm-fOSq4sT6wpZEqqLmi1fv1urUC-5Eyt8dphHB5XaOFt9UQd_x55mQePTDZgVH-4_qsX4p2OL-AU44aZej_jzEHFRFq4lAAsI/s640/surfingparadise1.png" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #783f04;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">“The shortest period of stay is one
week; some even spend a few months here. They want to really enjoy the beauty
of the nature and extreme waves,” said Sosial, who has been accompanying and
helping the surfers who come to Sorake Beach.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Social explained that Sorake Beach
had several specific characteristics not found at other beaches, namely that
the waves don’t rely on the direction of the wind, so surfers can ride the
waves to their heart’s content. This, according to Sosial, also makes the beach
popular with surfers.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><i>“Many of the wolrd’s top surfers say
the waves here are the second-best for surfing after Hawaii,” he said, citing
several international competitions that were held at Sorake Beach.</i></span></span></blockquote>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">In a matter of weeks, the administration
of South Nias, in cooperation with the Tourism Ministry and the World Surf
League (WSL), will hold the Surf Qualifying Sereis Nias Pro championship. The event
will be held from Aug, 24 to 28 at Sorake Beach.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">The head of the South Nias Office of
Tourism, Youth and sports, Anggraeni Dachi, said the event was the government’s
way to support, introduce and develop tourism at Sorake Beach.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><i>“Our aim is that the international
surfers participating in the Surf Qualifying Series will get to appreciate the special
characteristics of the waves at Sorake,” said Anggraeni. </i></span></span></blockquote>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">The event offers a
total of US$15,000 in prize money and trophies.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcAWz07bsA4w9SVQRKTk92kAE8mqv0_5Fovl2AHrcIbc-GWTKumkQiHIeYs9tyGx7zDW60qK0sRxf4wE0vKzx_2QMctd-QLyVbn56_8s8nfWa0HRAqQRi35LxB_R4yWLiORs7rSUQoAY/s1600/surferparadise2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="129" data-original-width="390" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRcAWz07bsA4w9SVQRKTk92kAE8mqv0_5Fovl2AHrcIbc-GWTKumkQiHIeYs9tyGx7zDW60qK0sRxf4wE0vKzx_2QMctd-QLyVbn56_8s8nfWa0HRAqQRi35LxB_R4yWLiORs7rSUQoAY/s640/surferparadise2.png" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #783f04;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">The WSL is a professional surfing
tour founded in 1976 and dedicates itself to promoting world-class professional
surfers. The WSL has its headquarters in LA, USA.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Aggraeni noted that various
international serufing events held at Sorake Beach had positively affected the local
economy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">“We are grateful that the people’s
economy is getting a boost with Sorake Beach drawing in many surfers from many
countries,’ said Anggraeni, who added that the regency was reliant of beach
tourism.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Aside from Sorake Beach, south Nias
regency also has Lagundri Beach. The white-sandy beach is located some 13 kms
to the south from Teluk Dalam district. The beach borders directly with Sorake <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beach, and like Sorake Beach, Lagudnri Beach
is popular among international surfers, even though the crests are not as high
as those at Sorake Beach.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">At Lagundri Beach, we’ll see more
visitors swimming, sunbathing or snorkeling. The beach of the nhosts
attractions like diving and snorkeling activities as the sea off Lagundri Beach
is filled with beautiful fish</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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HDG's travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03812020898809262902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423622535146819212.post-81736339117552001522022-05-05T00:19:00.000-07:002022-05-05T00:19:00.161-07:00Hour China<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNyxtTmuVOG2I3-xoVA6QRpU54M8w3TwELE53tZVLbTZVTYf6-NrwW8y9qvXltqvHvSnchqwxMQoTs6GdDQT75imwgNnLxMdEyXdjs28kJHibUnfIL9807eXS2RhpsWoPVY3Fuo18kpw/s1600/hourchina.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="342" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNyxtTmuVOG2I3-xoVA6QRpU54M8w3TwELE53tZVLbTZVTYf6-NrwW8y9qvXltqvHvSnchqwxMQoTs6GdDQT75imwgNnLxMdEyXdjs28kJHibUnfIL9807eXS2RhpsWoPVY3Fuo18kpw/s320/hourchina.png" width="243" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Ep1. ANCESTORS</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">*wuxi – qinhuan : Zhangguo – yellow
river<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">*Zhukou – 1950 communits <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">*Yangzhou 1900 BC : xia, fuxi , nuwa
. Erlitou, Henan province : old town, grandcanal 605 BC<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">#Xia Dynasty<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">#Shang Dynasty 16<sup>th</sup> – 11<sup>th</sup>
cBCE : first chinese letter :<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>big,
water,heaven<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">*Anyang – Henan<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">*Shangqiu 1511 : King Di Xin 1105-
1046 BCE<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">#Zhou dynasty 1066 – 256 BCE :
Taoisme, Qufu capital – The Analect of Confuncious, warring states period 5<sup>th</sup>
cBCE (metofora hidup) : kemanusiaan & morality. 551 – 479 BCE, what a joy
it is to have friends come from far away/kebahagiaan adalah memililik teman
yang datang dari tempat yang jauh.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">#Qin dynasty 221 – 2016 BCE / Qin
Shi Huang Di 259 – 210 BCE :<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Xian –
changgan<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">#Han Dynasty / Liu Bang 265 – 195
BCE / 206 BCE – 220 CE : <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">*Luoyang – Sima Qian 145 – 86 BCE ;
choi’s city<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXL0K3GJ4rVXcqj_YHFqGRsCNXAKafOaWKLBLV_CKCiTceyvhN5IRrgJMt3XU2xYtxzvT1nr-BM2EFIRoSvdFvL2EuUixiGApDM17ueBPgXc1ZthWMmciYOG5bd7lGu2UcfLesQEZY0Lc/s1600/hourchina1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="331" data-original-width="500" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXL0K3GJ4rVXcqj_YHFqGRsCNXAKafOaWKLBLV_CKCiTceyvhN5IRrgJMt3XU2xYtxzvT1nr-BM2EFIRoSvdFvL2EuUixiGApDM17ueBPgXc1ZthWMmciYOG5bd7lGu2UcfLesQEZY0Lc/s320/hourchina1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Ep.2 SILK ROAD & CHINA SHIP</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">#TANG Empire 618 – 907 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AC * Xuan Zhang : Longmen Caves<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- Matanga. Taklamakan Desert / masuklah kau
tidak bisa keluar kembali.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">Empire taizong 598 – 649 – Anxing<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">*Gaozhang 640-648 Taizong’s campaign
in the west ; Grandcanal : Du Mu “Saat Yangzhou berjarak 16 km dari angin musim
panas” 830 eufisme dalam puisi.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">*Xinjiang – expanse muslim – Li Bai
/ bertempur di barat. Sungai kashar – Sung patia – Tiangasan mountain – Jiara,
Xuanshong empir vs An Lusan, Sin Siming : “Adegan musim semi “ by Du Fu.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">*Xi’an 638 AC. : xian ling mosoleum
700 Ac.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;"><b>GOLDEN AGE</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">#TANG EMPIRE 967 AC collapse/
Kaifeng – Central china<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">#SONG DYNASTY 960 AC -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>chen duan – hua san – 20 banjir besar –<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shanghai china art palace 1120<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- AC – Meng Yuan Lo<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">Taizou Song Founder<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">Expansion of Kaifen 960 – 980 Pagoda
Besi di Bukit Panjang Umur. – festival di sungai 1120 AC the festival on the
river Kaifeng<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-karakter china – bi
seng.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>– susong 1020-1101. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">Sima guang – Henan university <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">1100 Emperor Huizong 1082 -1135<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">The siege of Kaifeng 1127<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">Qing Zho On the defeat of the nation
– Song Retreat 1129<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">Capital of the southern song 1132
Hang Zhou.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">Tieshan 19/03/1279<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">Lu xiu fu<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>: the end of song dynasty<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">Hong Wu Empire 1328 - 1398<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Ep.4 </b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">#Ming Dynasty abad ke-14 (1368 –
1644); Nanjing / sang pembawa lentera; Zhu Shuan Yang; Hong Wu emperor 1328 –
1398 /Shaoxing / Zhao Village : Fujian / Zhang Dai (Biksu) 1645.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">Wang Ren yu (penyair) / Xian (Tang’s
City)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">Manchu / Qing Dynasty <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">Kangxi Empire<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: red;">Quangzhou<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>/ Canton<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Note: <span style="color: #660000;">silk road or silk route</span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFaSa18H-TZ_pjxoNmGNPv8jibg4MlOx5t-AtADxUjKFSbmISj6-BegYBwrUbwvnGthqaqB_a_ip-TK9r5T6vl9ESpefzhdTgkIVk1rW9_1W5H1fDV-bMrQYQfoI_Npu5w_gc97eYARek/s1600/silkroad1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFaSa18H-TZ_pjxoNmGNPv8jibg4MlOx5t-AtADxUjKFSbmISj6-BegYBwrUbwvnGthqaqB_a_ip-TK9r5T6vl9ESpefzhdTgkIVk1rW9_1W5H1fDV-bMrQYQfoI_Npu5w_gc97eYARek/s640/silkroad1.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Silk Road, also called Silk Route,
ancient trade route, linking China with the West, that carried goods and ideas
between the two great civilizations of Rome and China. Silk went westward, and
wools, gold, and silver went east. China also received Nestorian Christianity
and Buddhism (from India) via the Silk Road.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Originating at Xi’an (Sian), the
4,000-mile (6,400-km) road, actually a caravan tract, followed the Great Wall
of China to the northwest, bypassed the Takla Makan Desert, climbed the Pamirs
(mountains), crossed Afghanistan, and went on to the Levant; from there the
merchandise was shipped across the Mediterranean Sea. Few persons traveled the
entire route, and goods were handled in a staggered progression by middlemen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">With the gradual loss of Roman
territory in Asia and the rise of Arabian power in the Levant, the Silk Road
became increasingly unsafe and untraveled. In the 13th and 14th centuries the
route was revived under the Mongols, and at that time the Venetian Marco Polo
used it to travel to Cathay (China). It is now widely thought that the route was
one of the main ways that plague bacteria responsible for the Black Death
pandemic in Europe in the mid-14th century moved westward from Asia.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Part of the Silk Road still exists,
in the form of a paved highway connecting Pakistan and the Uygur Autonomous Region
of Xinjiang, China. The old road has been the impetus behind a United Nations
plan for a trans-Asian highway, and a railway counterpart of the road has been
proposed by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
(UNESCAP). The road inspired cellist Yo-Yo Ma to found the Silk Road Project in
1999, which explored cultural traditions along its route and beyond as a means
for connecting arts worldwide across cultures.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br /></div>
HDG's travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03812020898809262902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423622535146819212.post-88157571549910307612022-04-04T00:15:00.000-07:002022-04-04T00:15:00.183-07:00France, Italy mark 500th anniversary of Leonardo's death<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPVIotMaDCYR_EMgqyhmddyseGqp3VLTkLgzq2M3EnxT34RGF2omrPQsjn8J5EOKe5puU7XOedq1rUAYSHU5aoBsDM35OtUqlHr3dT2KCy33bj2i3jKNQGcB3VHSFtQ7fhhRMqmeqZ3g/s1600/france1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="512" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPVIotMaDCYR_EMgqyhmddyseGqp3VLTkLgzq2M3EnxT34RGF2omrPQsjn8J5EOKe5puU7XOedq1rUAYSHU5aoBsDM35OtUqlHr3dT2KCy33bj2i3jKNQGcB3VHSFtQ7fhhRMqmeqZ3g/s640/france1.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000;">#Italian President Sergio Mattarella
(L) and French President Emmanuel Macron pay their respects at the tomb of
Italian renaissance painter and scientist Leonardo da Vinci to commemorate the
500th anniversary of his death, at the Saint-Hubert Chapel of the Chateau
d'Amboise during a visit in Amboise, on May 2, 2019. (POOL/AFP/Philippe Wojazer)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000;">French President Emmanuel Macron and
Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella on Thursday kicked off commemorations to
mark 500 years since Leonardo da Vinci died in France, paying their respects to
the Renaissance genius in a show of unity after months of diplomatic tensions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000;">"The bond between our countries
and our citizens is indestructible," Macron said after the two men lunched
at the Clos Luce, the sumptuous manor house where Leonardo spent the last three
years of his life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000;">Mattarella and Macron, who was
accompanied by his wife Brigitte, began their visit at the royal chateau in
Amboise, where the heads of state laid wreaths at Leonardo's grave.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000;">The Italian leader had started his
day with a visit to the fire-ravaged Notre Dame cathedral in Paris.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000;">The joint celebrations come after
months of mounting diplomatic tensions between Paris and Rome over the hardline
policies of Italy's populist government and its support for France's
anti-government "yellow vest" protesters. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000;">In the worst diplomatic crisis
between the two countries since World War II, Paris briefly recalled its
ambassador from Rome.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000;">Amboise, a sleepy town on the Loire
River where Leonardo died in 1519 aged 67, was in virtual lockdown because of
fears of protests by France's grassroots "yellow vest" movement.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000;">Amboise was turned into a ghost
town, with traffic banned within a five-kilometer radius and the usually
teeming restaurants and shops shuttered. On Wednesday, dozens of cars were
towed away, with some foreign owners apparently unaware of the draconian
security measures in the town of just 13,000.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000;">The presidential helicopter arrived
on a river island in the heart of the town, touching down on a pad usually used
to launch hot-air balloons over the chateau-studded valley.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000;">Also Thursday, the two presidents
visited the sprawling chateau of Chambord -- whose central double-helix
staircase is attributed to Leonardo though the first stone was not laid until
four months after his death.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000;">Among glitterati attending the
events were Italian star architect Renzo Piano, French astronaut Thomas Pesquet
and historian Stephane Bern, a prominent French television personality.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000;">At Chambord, Pesquet told a group of
around 500 Italian and French youths: "If Leonardo were alive today, maybe
he would be a European astronaut."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000;">The entire Loire Valley has seized
on Leonardo's quincentenary as that of the Renaissance in general, planning
more than 500 events across the region, with Bern as the figurehead.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000;">Read also: At Amboise, Leonardo's
last years paint a picture of Franco-Italian harmony<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000;">'Architect of the king'<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000;">Francis I, known as the "Sun
King of the 16th century", is widely credited with bringing the
Renaissance to France, even if his predecessor Louis XII had begun the process
by bringing in architects and artisans from Florence, Milan and Rome.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000;">Leonardo was 64 when he accepted the
young Francis I's invitation to Amboise, at a time when rivals Michelangelo and
Raphael were rising stars.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000;">With Leonardo's commissions drying
up, it came as a great relief and no small vindication for the Tuscan artist,
who received a handsome stipend as the "first painter, engineer and
architect of the king".<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000;">At the time, Francis I was barely
23, and his ambitious mother Louise of Savoy "knew that Leonardo would be
the man who would allow her son to flourish", Catherine Simon Marion,
managing director of the Clos Luce, told AFP. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000;">Leonardo brought with him three of
his favorite paintings: the Mona Lisa, the Virgin and Child with Saint Anne,
and Saint John the Baptist -- all of which today hang in the Louvre museum in
Paris.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000;">Italy and France have also sparred
over an accord under which Italy will lend several Leonardos to the Louvre in
October.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000;">With fewer than 20 Leonardo
paintings still in existence, many Italians are resentful that the Louvre possesses
five of them, as well as 22 drawings. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #660000;">During his three years in Amboise, Leonardo
organised lavish parties for the court and worked to design an ideal city for
Francis at nearby Romorantin -- one of the polymath's many unrealized projects
-- all while continuing his research</span></span></div>
</div>
HDG's travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03812020898809262902noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423622535146819212.post-88284126182828384952022-03-03T00:12:00.000-08:002022-03-03T00:12:00.181-08:00Tales of Leonardo, enigmatic genius GINA DOGGETT<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8jeUCNftiZrZYewNL_8c7nMCtx3PxSO-7pyI78bnBwnyyD71QFxOwrmrbFpxFH-QSRsh3E0d_BI3iu0GyUDZLmbs8L4AC8hfbEOaEDlUnJgIdrYAhZAFUqReW8kMXBO6tJcs0mim4P4/s1600/tales1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="512" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8jeUCNftiZrZYewNL_8c7nMCtx3PxSO-7pyI78bnBwnyyD71QFxOwrmrbFpxFH-QSRsh3E0d_BI3iu0GyUDZLmbs8L4AC8hfbEOaEDlUnJgIdrYAhZAFUqReW8kMXBO6tJcs0mim4P4/s320/tales1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">A picture taken in center Milan on
May 3, 2019 shows the details of a statue of Italian Renaissance genius
Leonardo da Vinci done by Italian sculpture Pietro Magni. (AFP/Miguel Medina)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Leonardo da Vinci, who died 500
years ago on Thursday, lives in the collective memory as an enigmatic genius
who embodied the Italian Renaissance. Here are some anecdotes about his
extraordinary life and work.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">'Fake news': Leonardo died in the
arms of King Francis I<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">An 1818 painting by French artist
Jean-Auguste Dominique Ingres shows Leonardo da Vinci breathing his last with
his patron, France's King Francis I, at his bedside.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">The scene was inspired by an account
in "Lives of the Artists" by Giorgio Vasari, first published in 1550.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Vasari, seen as the father of art
history, wrote that Leonardo "died in the arms of the monarch". The
problem is that it could not be true. According to historical records, the king
was a two-day ride away in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, near Paris, for the baptism
of his second son on May 3, the day after the Renaissance master died.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">While the Ingres painting, which
hangs in the Petit Palais in Paris, is the best-known depiction of the
sentimental fiction, it was itself inspired by a 1781 painting by
Francois-Guillaume Menageot, which is on display at the royal chateau of
Amboise after meticulous restoration work for the quincentenary.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Lover of birds, and flight<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">A story about Leonardo speaks to both
his love of nature and fascination with flight. He would often pity cooped up
birds on sale in markets, plunk down the asking price for them and then release
them into the air. Leonardo had a legendary obsession with the flight of birds
and how understanding the mechanism could lead to the creation of a human
flying machine.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Read also: France, Italy mark 500th
anniversary of Leonardo's death<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">The face of a traitor<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Leonardo was in the habit of roaming
the streets of Milan in search of beautiful or unusual faces, according to
Giorgio Vasari, the 16th-century father of art history. "He would follow
any such... through the whole day, until the figure of the person would become
so well impressed on his mind that, having returned home, he would draw him as
readily as though he stood before him," Vasari wrote.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">But when it came to the face of
Judas for The Last Supper, Leonardo was at a loss as to how to portray a man
who "possessed a heart so depraved as to be capable of betraying his
Lord". Work on the famous mural at the Santa Maria delle Grazie monastery
dragged on, and its prior grew so impatient that he complained to the Duke of
Milan. He fumed that Leonardo would "sometimes remain half a day...
absorbed in thought before his work, without making any progress that he could
see," Vasari related. "This seemed to him such a strange waste of
time."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Summoned by the Duke, Leonardo
explained that "men of genius are sometimes producing the most when they
seem to be labouring the least" and revealed his difficulty finding a face
for Judas, as well as that of Jesus, which he feared that "he could not
hope to find on earth."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">At least for Judas, Leonardo had a
fallback plan. He told the Duke he could always use the prior's face.
Henceforth, "the poor prior, utterly confounded... left Leonardo in
peace," Vasari wrote. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Oh, that smile!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">One of the many artistic conventions
that Leonardo da Vinci upended was the portrayal of people smiling, with no
smile more famous than that of his Mona Lisa.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Facial expressions were a source of
deep fascination for Leonardo, who conducted meticulous anatomical studies to
determine the nerves that trigger them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Biographer Walter Isaacson writes
that while by day Leonardo was painting Mona Lisa, by night he "was in the
depths of the morgue... peeling the flesh off cadavers and exposing the muscles
and nerves underneath."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">And how did he get the young wife of
a Florentine silk merchant to smile through hour upon hour of sittings?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Contemporary biographer Giorgio
Vasari wrote in the 1550 work "Lives of the Artists" that Leonardo
saw the need to keep the lady entertained, and hired musicians and jesters for
the purpose. An 1863 painting by Cesare Maccari shows such a studio scene, with
Leonardo's subject flanked by musicians. The work is housed at the Museo
Cassioli Pittura in Siena, Italy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
HDG's travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03812020898809262902noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423622535146819212.post-43690032435821700982022-02-02T23:59:00.000-08:002022-02-02T23:59:00.188-08:00Steeped in history but crumbling Albania’s ‘slanted city’<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXZlN2zy_tDvkqaNReDSh0kRDYpnx4TSbK2PeItaU9KFGpjsHEXdrcit0Pj5fOTXeedx9PwDgYUdfXEsqmlBW9byXMNwCPU3P0U3jKNshsdAIOa5CE2c-kG-af8fEyHZ6R-RSu8_PujE/s1600/steped1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXZlN2zy_tDvkqaNReDSh0kRDYpnx4TSbK2PeItaU9KFGpjsHEXdrcit0Pj5fOTXeedx9PwDgYUdfXEsqmlBW9byXMNwCPU3P0U3jKNshsdAIOa5CE2c-kG-af8fEyHZ6R-RSu8_PujE/s320/steped1.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">The Lolomani dwelling, formerly the
home of the Ottoman period family of that name, was once an impressive sight in
the mountainside town of Gjirokastra in southern Albania.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">Now the house lies in ruins, like
dozens of others in the "City of Stone," defined by its castle, steep
cobblestone roads and silvery-coloured limestone structures with views of the
Drino Valley near the border with Greece.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">Many of the centuries-old, fortified
buildings, which won the town a place on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage
List in 2005, are a tourist attraction but are at risk of disappearing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">Some are deserted or have not been
maintained for years, others underwent changes that have destroyed their
historic value, or have too many owners to agree on the necessary work or they
are simply too poor to afford the repairs.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">Authorities in the Balkan nation
don't have the means to restore them either.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">"I feel pain for every stone,
every wall that is getting damaged," sighs Email Nacaj, a 58-year-old
house painter, who remembers the collapse of the Lolomani house in winter 2016.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">Below, the roof of his own house has
half fallen in.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">"I'm scared here, but my mother
does not want to leave," he says.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">Even if he had the money, he
couldn't do anything – his cousin, who lives in the capital, Tirana, and is a
co-owner, refuses.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">Out of 615 monuments in the town's
historic centre "more than half are subjected to illegal or out-of-context
constructions, while 169 are in critical condition or at risk of
collapse," warned Europa Nostra, a pan-European federation of heritage
NGOs, early this year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Once upon a time </b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">Most of the buildings date from the
17th and 18th centuries, although the town's origins go back further and its
walls were built in the 3rd century.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">Albania's most famous writer Ismail
Kadare famously described his native Gjirokastra as the "slanted city, set
at a sharper angle than perhaps any other city on earth."</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1UzrJOwtwcEMlsfpnC5JacPssr4g6Ies-cjur0j-4Ypg36FPjqssP397FMNuhl_OihRoPNp39Mvbd-5zlLivuF8_n9hmSNcc9SO4AFpJSJcDeZQZXF4sGEQ07ZlcbqBfoQwY-OjNAnI/s1600/steped2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="650" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1UzrJOwtwcEMlsfpnC5JacPssr4g6Ies-cjur0j-4Ypg36FPjqssP397FMNuhl_OihRoPNp39Mvbd-5zlLivuF8_n9hmSNcc9SO4AFpJSJcDeZQZXF4sGEQ07ZlcbqBfoQwY-OjNAnI/s640/steped2.png" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">"It was surely the only place
in the world where, if you slipped and fell in the street, you might well land
on the roof of a house," he wrote in his 1971 novel "Chronicle In
Stone."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">Massive emigration has compounded
the buildings' fate, as Gjirokastra has not been immune to the trend plaguing
Albania.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">The town's population has dropped
from 34,000 in 2011 to less than 25,000, according to Engjell Seriani, head of
tourism at the town hall.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">Its houses are named after their
original owners, dignitaries of the Ottoman Empire such as Lolomani, Karaulli,
Fico, Zeko, Babameto, whose power was measured by the number of chimneys on
their homes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">Today, Sokol Karaulli, a descendant
of one of those noble families, says his way of life is a far cry from the
ostentation of his home's substantial five chimneys.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">A former soldier but not yet
eligible for his pension, he says they only survive thanks to the salary of his
pastry chef wife.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">"The day when we will say 'Once
upon a time there was Gjirokastra' can happen," the 60-year-old warned.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">Karaulli cut off the electricity on
the first floor and placed plastic washing-up bowls to collect the leaking
water that had already rotted the wooden frame of his crumbling house.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">Worsening daily<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">Around the town's bazaar, the clean
facades are down to a three-million-euro ($3.5-million) restoration footed by
an Albanian-US association and the World Bank.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">Small stalls tout souvenirs to
tourists, 77,000 of whom visited the citadel last year. Their numbers grow 10
to 15 percent annually.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">"However Gjirokastra is not
only the bazaar and those emblematic places," said architect Lejla Hadzic,
of the NGO Cultural Heritage without Borders (CHwB).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">Elsewhere, "the situation ...
is getting worse day by day," she said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">In 2014, the NGO had warned of the
"rapid destruction" of the historic districts of the town, where
Albania's former communist dictator Enver Hoxha grew up.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">Of the 650 buildings it took into
account, CHwB said 40 were in a very poor condition, 34 were in ruins, while 15
were on the verge of collapse.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">Now, the number in ruins has gone up
to 47, it says.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">'Only one Gjirokastra in the world' <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">Today about 80 houses are
uninhabited, raising the possibility that a leaky roof will affect the wooden
structure.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSTk27e3UwpvUdw7Q8FKLcquWwajjvZq_zKVqw2SkUZGHXnPP95Z8PysobAxDjL38jjq6m81g5S4BJCEETF9Eoie7TGonmM9hglJrSIoV2MI0NNme2gYmODna9FYzVrcdWsYVBhMdBrQ/s1600/steped3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="708" data-original-width="960" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSTk27e3UwpvUdw7Q8FKLcquWwajjvZq_zKVqw2SkUZGHXnPP95Z8PysobAxDjL38jjq6m81g5S4BJCEETF9Eoie7TGonmM9hglJrSIoV2MI0NNme2gYmODna9FYzVrcdWsYVBhMdBrQ/s320/steped3.png" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">"Every day, I see something
that is wrong, as if the building is whispering to me to do something,"
said deputy mayor Vangjel Muco.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">But with a total overall budget of
2.5-3 million euros, his municipality cannot tackle the issue properly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">Albanian Culture Minister Mirela
Kumbaro insists the town "is no longer in danger" and that the
government has taken the problem in hand.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">Since 2013 structural changes to
Gjirokastra houses have been banned. She also has high hopes for a newly passed
law on cultural foundations, as well as for tourism after the conversion of
about 20 houses into hotels.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">But the CHwB believes that
Gjirokastra can hope for "no more than 10,000 euros" from the
national budget.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">And renovating the Babameto house
alone cost 160,000 euros which came from Sweden.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">Just to reinforce all the ruins
would take another 1.2 million euros, according to Hadzic.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">"All the actors dealing with
cultural heritage should really take it seriously and intervene as fast as
possible because there's only one Gjirokastra in the world," she warned.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: blue;">Source: AFP<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br /></div>
HDG's travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03812020898809262902noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423622535146819212.post-90918446198954530072022-01-01T06:40:00.000-08:002022-01-01T06:40:00.176-08:00ASTANA, The City of Peace, Turns 20<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBFJRzGrnTFdMwZMPb_UpLvmtg3sHNJMxmegVi8XGtTWUMvliZoOgHKfCSlHiC9-tj5I2Y1HxKudXGhfe_ASMObyUYrfTpqbO5qoTIL1m-x8RT86twvnu4T7XTnnSTjaF7nXxy4oklLw/s1600/astana.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #660000;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="780" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBFJRzGrnTFdMwZMPb_UpLvmtg3sHNJMxmegVi8XGtTWUMvliZoOgHKfCSlHiC9-tj5I2Y1HxKudXGhfe_ASMObyUYrfTpqbO5qoTIL1m-x8RT86twvnu4T7XTnnSTjaF7nXxy4oklLw/s640/astana.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Words Veeramalla Anjaiah<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Photos Courtesy of Embassy of Kazakhstan
JakartaKazakhstan citizens in Indonesia joyfully celebrated the 20th
anniversary of Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan, in Jakarta on Wednesday
at Hotel Borobudur in Jakarta.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Astana, one of the youngest cities
in the world, is a beautiful and modern city in Central Asia. It took just 10
years for world famous architects like Norman Foster and many others to built
such a marvelous city. With a population of more than one million people,
Astana has been growing very rapidly, as is evident from the tremendous growth
in its gross domestic product (GDP). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">According to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Astana Times</i>, the GDP of Astana city has gone up to US$16
billion in 2017 from just $3.2 billion in 2007, a record jump of more than 500
percent.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">With modern buildings and beautiful
towers like the Presidential Palace, Golden Towers, Singing Fountains, Bayterek
Tower, Nur-Astana Mosque, Opera House and the tent shaped Khan Shatyr shopping
mall, Astana is a very interesting place to visit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Kazakhstan and the people of Astana
are proud about the growth of Astana.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">“Astana is the creation of the whole
Kazakhstan. We have created a miracle in the 21th century. In the history of
manking, no such city has been built in 20 years. But we did it! Kazakhstan
President Nursultan Nazarbayev said recently in Astana.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Echoing a similar view Kazakhstan
Ambassador to Indonesia Askhat Orazbay, said Astana was not just a capital city
but a point of pride for all Kazakhstan people.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">“Astana is not only a dynamically
developing megapolis with eye-catching architecture, it is the sacred center of
the country, our pride and the result of the efforts of the entire nation,”
Ambassador Orazbay said at a reception to celebrate Astana’s 20<sup>th</sup>
anniversary.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Amazing Astana, in a short period of
time, has emerged as major hub for diplomatic, economic and cultural
activities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">In 2010, Astana according to
Orazbay, became the host of the historic summit of the Organization for
Security and Cooperation in Europe. Last year, Astana hosted the world’s biggest
trade exhibition called Expo 22017. It also hosted the first Summit of the Organization
of Islamci Cooperation (OIC) on Science and Technology and adopted a
forward-looking document – the Astana Declaration on Science, Technology, Innovation
and Modernization in the Islamic World, Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla
attended the OIC Summit in Astana.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">According to Orazbay, Astana was
awarded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) in 1999 the title “City of Peace”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">“Astana has been the host to nine
rounds of Syrian peace talks, which began last year. All the parties involved
in the conflict guarantors and international organizations are involved in the
these talks, which are aimed at ending the conflict in Syria,” Orazbay told The
Jakarta Post.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Kazakhstan is also currently a
nonpermanent member of the United Nations Security Council.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">As a peace loving country, Kazakhstan
launched a new initiative called the Congress of leaders of World and
Traditional Religions in Astana several years back with the exclusive aim of
promoting peace and harmony in the world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Astana, Orzabay said, would host the
VI Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions from Oct 10-11 with the
theme of “Religious leaders for a safe world”.[Sources: The Jakarta Post,
Friday, July 20, 2018]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br /></div>
HDG's travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03812020898809262902noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423622535146819212.post-36493138043298834542021-12-12T23:36:00.000-08:002021-12-12T23:36:00.188-08:00The Other Side of KOREA Art, food & history<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdTl2EibPqDq7hrQWR1xauEilXaCs2GvkoGIpSpzsaZAmTMAeaKwx2lszp-7sVhgDcERY-IScey24PABlTqllieF9hyphenhyphen3NseOZM37to3VpMedsxxc5tlUQVxdlKeJ0zVI3E5o1P-8Q8sk/s1600/theother1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="1000" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdTl2EibPqDq7hrQWR1xauEilXaCs2GvkoGIpSpzsaZAmTMAeaKwx2lszp-7sVhgDcERY-IScey24PABlTqllieF9hyphenhyphen3NseOZM37to3VpMedsxxc5tlUQVxdlKeJ0zVI3E5o1P-8Q8sk/s640/theother1.png" width="640" /></i></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;"><i>Come over: A South Korean market
vendor (right) waits for customers at her food stall at Namdaemun market in
Seoul. (AFP/Park Ji-hwan)</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">A group of Indonesian journalists,
including The Jakarta Post, was invited by the Korea Tourism Organization to
join a familiarization trip to South Korea. A number of Asian journalists and
bloggers from Malaysia, Singapore, China and Japan also took part in the
three-day trip.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">It was raining on the day we arrived
in Seoul, South Korea — a typhoon was approaching and a festival meant to
welcome autumn was canceled.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">In many other cities, such a
situation would turn a perfectly planned holiday into an expensive misfortune.
But not in Seoul, a city so vibrant that not even bad weather could spoil its
charm.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">If anything — especially if you’re a
pluviophile or do not mind getting a little wet in the rain — it actually makes
the city even more charming.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">In the past few years, Seoul has
expanded its charm beyond its pretty parks and fancy shopping malls. It has
actually been promoting its traditional markets as one of its tourist
attractions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">At a glance, the idea may seem odd.
Seoul, like other major Asian cities, is highly modern and urbanized. Only
after visiting the markets did I find the idea plausible, if not brilliant —
something that perhaps only Koreans could pull off.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">The argument for the tourism
strategy is quite simple. South Korea is known for many things, with K-pop and
K-drama now being its biggest cultural exports. It is not uncommon for tourists
(read: feverish K-pop fanboys and fangirls) to come to Seoul just to see their
K-pop idols.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">But Korea, an ancient civilization
that has survived wars and destruction, is much bigger than boy band BTS and
other K-pop sensations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">And one of the cheapest, fastest and
most fun ways to learn about Korean history and culture is, of course, by
visiting its remaining traditional markets.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">South Korea has many historic
traditional markets. In Seoul alone, there are three traditional markets that
you may want to visit while you are there: Namdaemun Market, Tongin Market and
Mangwon Market.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Namdaemun Market, opened in 1414, is
the largest traditional market in the country, attracting more than 300,000
visitors every day. There you can find Korean art, clothes, cuisine and many
other things in a single location.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">If you’re looking for Korean
souvenirs, Namdaemun is the place. But if you like to eat but do not feel like
going to a fancy restaurant or are simply on a tight budget, then Tongin Market
is the place you are looking for.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK48ebB6eSIKJkXeXAIx35FijRcsjfi06UIz78xYwrCioD88x9-U0Yov1Vo0qM5YPMj5yOFCb-y8vfePUAdXXLKyg_1s_ASD7DJFCbTWmMBJMMx3CZXhjHTRcKYnr2TFUd29q8F8WUgN8/s1600/theother2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="747" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK48ebB6eSIKJkXeXAIx35FijRcsjfi06UIz78xYwrCioD88x9-U0Yov1Vo0qM5YPMj5yOFCb-y8vfePUAdXXLKyg_1s_ASD7DJFCbTWmMBJMMx3CZXhjHTRcKYnr2TFUd29q8F8WUgN8/s640/theother2.png" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;"><i>Memories: A sculpture pays tribute
to Korean drama series Winter Sonata in Chuncheon, Gangwon province, in South
Korea. The romantic drama’s huge success brought in tourists to the country.
(The Jakarta Post/Ary Hermawan)</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">The market is an alley of small
shops offering traditional Korean food like bibimbap (mixed rice with meat and
assorted vegetables), kimchi (fermented vegetables), gimbap (rice roll) and
japchae (stir-fried glass noodles).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">There you can get a tray and buy
food using traditional Korean coins called yeopjeon — a simple feature that
makes you feel like you are traveling back to the old days in Korea.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Other than traditional markets,
South Korea has given tourists another reason to visit the country: its vibrant
theater scene, especially in October, when the city’s cultural center Daehak-ro
holds its annual Daehak-ro festival.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">The Korean performing arts scene had
developed way before K-pop and K-drama grabbed global attention, producing many
talents that have made Seoul one of the leading art and cultural centers in
Asia today.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">During our trip, we had the chance
to watch two plays in Daehak-ro: Only You, a popular musical filled with 1990s
Korean hits, and Finding Mr. Destiny, which was adapted into a rom-com in 2010.
We also had the chance to watch the epic play 1446 at Theater Yong at the
National Museum of Korea.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Wait, are you wondering if I speak
Korean? No, I do not. Some theaters in Seoul provided English, Chinese and
Japanese translations for foreign audience members.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zLxG-j7dCW4LsfG_KTzd3jGQRq3tGMB9_2GDMUZwqGPc9OqvB2U6GdK-z2q-1v0qbG4-gXDgTAIHbsMg44KaECU2Hqmf_qHM-iCtYY-K1fYwlz3B8wqtscQ1zC6_-wgaDHHq_FqJAR8/s1600/theother3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="747" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zLxG-j7dCW4LsfG_KTzd3jGQRq3tGMB9_2GDMUZwqGPc9OqvB2U6GdK-z2q-1v0qbG4-gXDgTAIHbsMg44KaECU2Hqmf_qHM-iCtYY-K1fYwlz3B8wqtscQ1zC6_-wgaDHHq_FqJAR8/s640/theother3.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;"><i>Hot and spicy: Korean dish bibimbap,
which literally means “mixed rice”, is served as a bowl of warm white rice
topped with sautéed vegetables, gochujang (Korean chili pepper paste) and soy
sauce with raw or fried egg and slices of meat. (www.souschef.co.uk/file)</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">While the subtitles might not
capture the nuances of the dialogue, they still let you follow the important
parts of the play even if you do not understand the language. It also gives you
some of the funniest lines, though not all of them, since at some parts you
could hear the rest of the audience laughing without you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">On the last two days of our trip in
Seoul, the sky was clear. We took a city tour with the Artee Riders Club, which
takes tourists on a rickshaw ride into the popular attractions in Seoul,
including its historical villages and alleys.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">The 60-minute tour ended at
Gyeongbok Palace, where many Koreans could be seen strolling in their beautiful
traditional dress, called hanbok. A rickshaw tour is perhaps shorter than a bus
tour, but it could give you a more intimate picture of Seoul, as told by an
English-speaking driver who knows the city’s history.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">A city tour in Seoul is nice. But if
you are a food or musical lover, the city is certainly best experienced in many
of its traditional markets and theater halls.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Daehak-ro Street the mecca of plays<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSJyJOm9LatxxdPvhVsZIxqOxxskmTba7ykk4w_WAakVEOHxAINW4N3IHRxSDyThWqKzIKHqxYAZGWG702ZRzqsNS6qT0kckCLOREoCbxri0BKMj-4xXOdSbv7uL4FKXeIkWkA_6RscQ/s1600/theother4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="747" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSJyJOm9LatxxdPvhVsZIxqOxxskmTba7ykk4w_WAakVEOHxAINW4N3IHRxSDyThWqKzIKHqxYAZGWG702ZRzqsNS6qT0kckCLOREoCbxri0BKMj-4xXOdSbv7uL4FKXeIkWkA_6RscQ/s640/theother4.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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</div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;"><i>Together: A scene from Finding Mr.
Destiny, one of the most popular musicals shown in Daehak-ro in Seoul<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Daehak-ro Street is widely known as
“the mecca of performance arts”, “Korea’s Broadway” and a “symbol of Korean
youth and culture”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">For decades, it has served as
Seoul’s cultural center. In Korean, Daehak-ro means “College Street”. It was
given the moniker as it used to be the headquarters of Seoul National
University — which included its College of Liberal Arts and Science and College
of Law — before the university relocated its campuses.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">The area is now home to 160
performance halls. It holds, according to the Korean Tourism Organization
(KTO), four times the number of theaters than New York’s Broadway and three
times that of London’s West End.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">For Indonesian tourists, the area
would perhaps remind them of Jakarta’s own cultural center, Taman Ismail
Marzuki (TIM). It is more or less the same as TIM, only bigger and way more
vibrant with many shows throughout the year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">October, however, is the best time
to visit Daehak-ro. Throughout the month, the KTO organizes Welcome Daehak-ro,
a festival in which foreign tourists can enjoy a number of musicals and plays
with English subtitles.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Some of the most popular musicals
are Finding Mr. Destiny, Love Comes with the Rain, Oh! While You Were Sleeping,
Only You, Laundry and 1446. The ticket prices range from 15,000 won (US$13.22)
to 60,000 won.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Some performances, such as Finding
Mr. Destiny and Only You, are shown in small theater halls where the artists
can interact with the audience.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">During these shows, you cannot help
but envy the local audience, because there is improvised dialogue without
subtitles that always draws laughter.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Outside the halls, at Marronnier
Park, some amateur artists, mostly musicians or hip-hop dancers, usually
perform for free. During Welcome Daehak-ro festival, some non-verbal
performances are also shown at the park.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">No subtitles are provided for
outdoor performances, of course, but they are still enjoyable. After all,
millions of people around the world have been drawn to K-pop, even if they only
know one or two Korean words.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Choose your traditional Korean
markets<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Traditional markets can be found in
all provinces in Korea. The Korean Tourism Organization has listed at least 17
top traditional markets that you can choose to visit while in the country.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Among them are Cunccheon Jungang
(Nangman) Market in Gangwon-do, Suwon Nammun Market in Gyeonggido, Singi Market
in Incheon, Seomun Market in Daegu and 1913 Songjeong Station Market in
Gwangju.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Each market has its own unique
features. Singi Market, for instance, operates a unique payment system where
buyers can use special coins called singi tongboto pay for certain merchandise.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFbeBznQsIhaCIKLpbhzov1YDR2FKMp3_fXaHKB5fhvjyKiJ2DkN7OCSx3qaYKRVbRP_6nUo5IUV7Gw4ON1y6cFbFmiz-Fy78TKlJSKiHeDsGsg-DBL9JXY7IkLeKIZIy349n30d4_sQ/s1600/theother5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="747" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHFbeBznQsIhaCIKLpbhzov1YDR2FKMp3_fXaHKB5fhvjyKiJ2DkN7OCSx3qaYKRVbRP_6nUo5IUV7Gw4ON1y6cFbFmiz-Fy78TKlJSKiHeDsGsg-DBL9JXY7IkLeKIZIy349n30d4_sQ/s640/theother5.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;"><i>Korean style: A South Korean shop
tailor checks fabric at the hanbok (traditional dress) market in Gwangju city,
South Korea. (AFP/Kim Jae-Hwan)</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Seomun Market is one of the largest
and most historic markets in Korea. It goes back to the age of the Joseon
dynasty.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">The market’s main products are
textile goods and hanbok traditional costumes, but it has recently been known
for its night market, which offers treats like napjakmandu (flat dumplings) and
tteokbooki (spicy stir-fried rice cakes).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Nangman market, meanwhile, is known
for its romantic atmosphere. Chuncheon itself is known as the “City of
Romance”. The city is especially known for being the filming location of the
2002 K-drama classic Winter Sonata and the city’s romance theme can be found
even in one of its traditional markets.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">We had the chance to visit Nangman
Market on the second day of our trip. Located just one hour away from Seoul,
the market has stores that are decorated with drawings that lend a fun twist,
preventing the space from feeling somber. If you explore deeper into the
market, you will find various sculptures and wall murals, adding to the
creative vibe of the place.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">But do not forget that Nangman
Market is still a market where you can find various products ranging from daily
necessities to hanbok, bags, shoes, clothes, electronic appliances, jewelry and
food.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">A wide range of people, whether
locals or foreign tourists, go there to shop.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br /></div>
HDG's travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03812020898809262902noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423622535146819212.post-38745418776099501882021-11-11T23:25:00.000-08:002021-11-11T23:25:00.244-08:00XI’AN Showcases Chinese Culture Interwined with Islamic Traditions<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEzcDmBDhEESMhYgT7v8RKsIpUvqXXO3jsLkI9UbgOFXYyMX8tg9FmYOltRl2IA1_qcm-i6ES9olEpZ1Il6YmIaO5d2YniBwTkL2j8HhXGirlN7nQF25Kz3SIukANYeGcDx63XN5gUPI/s1600/Xi%25E2%2580%2599an.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue;"><img border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="780" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEzcDmBDhEESMhYgT7v8RKsIpUvqXXO3jsLkI9UbgOFXYyMX8tg9FmYOltRl2IA1_qcm-i6ES9olEpZ1Il6YmIaO5d2YniBwTkL2j8HhXGirlN7nQF25Kz3SIukANYeGcDx63XN5gUPI/s640/Xi%25E2%2580%2599an.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i>Greetings to everyone: A Muslim
lady on a bike takes her time for afternoon chit-chat. In Xi'an, Muslims have
been part of society for 1,300 years.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Walking through the Muslim quarter of Xi’an is a fascinating adventure
into an exciting mixture of Muslim and Chinese cultures. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The sound of a Chinese lady in a
hijab selling fried squid and the smell of lamb skewers offered by a Chinese
man with a white <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">peci</i> cap permeates
the air. Visit the mosque where there are Islamic calligraphies under a
traditional Chinese roof.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In China, the Muslims are a part of
the “five great peoples of China,” along with Mongols, Tibetans, Manchus and
the Han.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There are 10 Islamic Minzu (ethnic
minorities) in China, including the Turko-Mongol speaking communities living in
China’s northwest provinces, which include a group of Farsi speakers, the
Uighur in Xinjiang, and the Hui who scattered all over China.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Located in central northwest China,
Xi’an is home to Hui Muslims. The city is also famous for its tourist sites,
such as Emperor Qinshuang’s mausoleum, the fortificatios of Xi’an and the
Musuem of Terracotta Armies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">According to the 2012 census, Xi’an
is home to more than 8 million people of which 60.000 are Muslims. Islam
reached Xi’an in the second year of the Yonghui period of the Tang Dynasty (653
AD), 43 years after Islam was founded in 610 AD at that time, the Silk Road
played an important roe in spreading its message across China.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The interesting part of the Hui
Muslims in the Xi’an Muslim quarter is the degree of acculturation, without
necessarily being assimilated into the ethnic majority, the Han.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The Hui people in Xi’an are proud of
their identity boasting 1,300 years of Islamic history. At the same time,
Chinese culture flows organically in their veins, making the hijab and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">peci </i>the only means of Islamic
identification.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQuNwQlfvQ94nDv6uQIrt9y4A-yQzf6KJihF5AqJaqJQDSu-PBcatz5MV0mjWKVRMkPXGYfcnghazaglRGkmsONq0kLLotu8TMj8PeiA8BUI9W_FsdlcYiptriUsMdz8TCZCh0czUJss/s1600/Xi%25E2%2580%2599an1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="960" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHQuNwQlfvQ94nDv6uQIrt9y4A-yQzf6KJihF5AqJaqJQDSu-PBcatz5MV0mjWKVRMkPXGYfcnghazaglRGkmsONq0kLLotu8TMj8PeiA8BUI9W_FsdlcYiptriUsMdz8TCZCh0czUJss/s320/Xi%25E2%2580%2599an1.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: blue;">One of the reason for the unique
acculturation is the Hui’s dual ancestry.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“We (Hui Muslims) are the
descendants of Arab men and Chinese women. If you see my pointed nose, I
inherited it from my Persian ancestors,” said Hasan, the Great Mosque of
Xi’an’s keeper.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Hasan also mentioned that Hui
religious activities are inseparable from their Chinese heritage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I think around 90% of Hui Muslims
find it difficult to read the Qur’an because of the dialect. Many of us
memorize the compulsory verses to salat and use the Xi’an dialect to pray,” he
explained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Hasan then recited Quran verses, Al
Fatiha (1), An-Nas (114) and Al-Ikhlas (112). The combination of the Xi’an
dialect and Arabic fashions a deep rhytm that seeps into the subconscious in
Indonesia. It might be similar to Langgam jawa, reciting Qur’an verses with a
Javanese rhytm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">At the Great Mosque of Xi’an,
acculturation appears robust in the form of architecture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">According to Nancy Shatzman, who
wrote a research article on China’s earliest mosques, it was constructed under
Emperor Hongwu during the Ming Dynasty. It consists of five courtyards and a
long axial building oriented to the west or Mecca.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The establishment of the mosque is
frequently attributed to China’s famous Muslim admiral Cheng Ho.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1197k1-Wrz3YlDVEL2vtCzk1spsOxSSUycYrXBMseHDXdAESV7Zo-WcyjgUy0f-cuaOKNvHgtGw9KSZOCkAP61cYLMazNGs52SLzLmlAPqHnso2bdVf58baMryQYx2M6iQYmIDfAR7E/s1600/Xi%25E2%2580%2599an3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1197k1-Wrz3YlDVEL2vtCzk1spsOxSSUycYrXBMseHDXdAESV7Zo-WcyjgUy0f-cuaOKNvHgtGw9KSZOCkAP61cYLMazNGs52SLzLmlAPqHnso2bdVf58baMryQYx2M6iQYmIDfAR7E/s320/Xi%25E2%2580%2599an3.png" width="256" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i>No bacon, no problem: Halal food, or
Qingzhen, is easily spotted across Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter. In line with Islamic
lawa, pork is forbidden. Thus, Muslims in Xi’an tend to substitute pork with
lamb.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Cheng, who also built a mosque in
Nanjing, is known for spreading Islam in south and West Asia, Africa and
Indonesia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Hassan mentioned that the city
government supported the mosque’s development, including its restoration if
needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“We have a good relationship with
the government because they support the development of the building. Even
during the Ming dynasty the emperor supported the effort to build the complex,”
Hasan said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Calligraphic inscriptions are found
nearly everywhere around the mosque’s courtyard, such as Quranic verses,
prophetic traditions, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">bismillah</i>
(the opening), the<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> shadah</i> (Islamic
faith statements), the six beliefs of Islam, the divine attribute of Allah and
the angels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The Chinese architectural style of
the mosque is represented by a temple-like compound around the courtyard.
Inside, it is ornamented with pillars and beams decorated wit hhorizontal
Chinese-inscribed boards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Hence, the Great Mosque of Xi’an
represents a unique combination of Arabic culture and china architecture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXGDBAbcrjQ4wr2SA9sPqiqegN1qNuqSyTx6jb_Bt058hSkJEhxPWoG3ii9UQ8deoEChUtvl6dVIWSebslo9xCWjKTqy3gTWD-I7YXHrZbEzXcorv38wU8yz9GGO64YL8Pr28He0bFFQ/s1600/Xi%25E2%2580%2599an2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="550" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXGDBAbcrjQ4wr2SA9sPqiqegN1qNuqSyTx6jb_Bt058hSkJEhxPWoG3ii9UQ8deoEChUtvl6dVIWSebslo9xCWjKTqy3gTWD-I7YXHrZbEzXcorv38wU8yz9GGO64YL8Pr28He0bFFQ/s320/Xi%25E2%2580%2599an2.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: blue;">Another part of acculturation can be
seen in the food.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The quarter serves unlimited halal
food. In Chinese, halal food is called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">qingzhen</i>,
translated as pure food. Hui Muslims prepare food according to Islamic<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>laws of permission and prohibition ,meaning
that pork and liquor are forbidden.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Abstaining from pork and alcohol is
a sign of value internalization in their daily activities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As a substitute, Xi’an Muslims eat
lamb and seafood. Lamb is nearly everywhere in the quarter, ranging from
skewers to noodle soup.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The Han culture is also present in
the way food is prepared. In halal restaurants, it is common to divide food
into hot and cold categories. The eating habits resemble Han culture, which
maintains the balance between food components and a healthy lifestyle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Like many Muslims, rituals are an
essential tool in maintaining religiosity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Hui Muslims in Xi’an celebrate Eid
ul fitr and Eid ul Adha with big feasts and other cultural events.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“We celebrate Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul
Adha every year. I also took a pilgrimage to Mecca. I went there in 2013,”
Hasan said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Visiting the Muslim quarter in Xi’an
is indeed an experience, especially when learning more about Islam and china.
For most people, including Indonesians, it would seem far-fetched that Islam
and Chinese culture can coexist, especially under a communist regime.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">However, successful acculturation
does not necessarily marginalize the minority because the Hui have shown that
they can maintain and retain their ethnic social ties (Chinese culture) as well
as their ethnic religiosity.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US">Devotion: A man prays inside the
Great Mosque of Xi’an<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US">Entrance fee: It costs 25 yuan to
enter the Great Mosque of Xi’an. Legend says the Great Mosque was founded by
the naval admiral Cheng Ho, who had big influence spreading Islam in Indonesia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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HDG's travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03812020898809262902noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423622535146819212.post-49417895592642897092021-10-10T19:07:00.000-07:002021-10-10T19:07:00.535-07:00Sawahlunto Tours Destination Steeped in History<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUpLGfmSLZLjhZZGM4_9cvzyXsiXd5PbMeeFkItOPHO4SCZh2B8vQIY_z60IXstGF87mh6t3Av-ffI4pGTeCOWV8ZoD7pOuPQxIWSVSVv2NDxVf0i9Q3lLc8K6_ogN2kz1KYaNzUCWsk/s1600/sawahlunto.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="711" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUpLGfmSLZLjhZZGM4_9cvzyXsiXd5PbMeeFkItOPHO4SCZh2B8vQIY_z60IXstGF87mh6t3Av-ffI4pGTeCOWV8ZoD7pOuPQxIWSVSVv2NDxVf0i9Q3lLc8K6_ogN2kz1KYaNzUCWsk/s640/sawahlunto.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">WHEN TOURISTS </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">used to ask about places to visit in West
Sumatra, one of the most common answers was the city of Bukittinggi. Today though,
that answer includes Sawahlunto. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">The next question would then be: “What
is<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>there to see in Sawahlunto?” And the
answer is that the city has as many – if not more – tourist objects than
Bukittinggi.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Sawahlunto, like Bukittinggi, is a
small city, but it has a rich historical heritage. It is home to seven museums
and old buildings from the Dutch-colonial era that are quite well preserved. They
all reflect that past way of life in the coal-mining town.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAy2acEGS0K8XV45y6Sc1wWFz5sjyJDDs76X2caf6Zy9Ygv2r5VZi3bMdW4o25IOOcukvBujes3IB9pvy2BWMwKLUl0D6QSn8Cu0N9zg2IohuanHHJUc6nKWC0XKDvHPxUGpNgtEZPdg/s1600/sawahlunto11.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAy2acEGS0K8XV45y6Sc1wWFz5sjyJDDs76X2caf6Zy9Ygv2r5VZi3bMdW4o25IOOcukvBujes3IB9pvy2BWMwKLUl0D6QSn8Cu0N9zg2IohuanHHJUc6nKWC0XKDvHPxUGpNgtEZPdg/s320/sawahlunto11.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">In 2015 Sawahlunto was shortlisted
on the tentative UNESCO World Heritage list as an Old Coal Mining Town. And in
2019, the government will include Sawahlunto in its list of proposed sites to
the World Heritage Committee.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">The list will be expanded to include
the remains of the supporting infrastructure for coal production in the 19<sup>th</sup>
century. These include a 155.5-km railway crossing six regencies and towns in
West Sumatra, all the way to Teluk Bayur Seaport, which used to be called Emma
Haven, a docking location for coal bound for exports.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Sawahlunto is situated in a valley. It
was founded by the Dutch in 1888 when a big reserve of high-quality coal was
discovered in the area. Until today, the coal is still mined in small volumes;
large-scale mining activities, or deep mining, were halted in the early 2000s.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Mining-related building boasting
Dutch style architecture are common sight in the region, including the main
office of the coal mining company founded in 1916 and now the icon of
Sawahlunto. There are also three silos in the form of giant concrete cylinders
40 metes in height that were used to store coal.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Tourists can also visit the Cultural
Building, which in the colonial era was dubbed the Ball House. It hosted
billiard tournament s and cultural events. Another building is a cooperative
building called Ons Belang. Constructed in 1920, it was used as the office of the
cooperative whose members were the Dutch and the Indo-Dutch. Hotel Ombilin,
meanwhile,was constructed in 1918 and used to house Dutch mining engineers, and
the graceful St. Barbara Church was built in 1920.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">But one of the more popular sites
among tourists is the Mbah Soero mining tunnel, the area’s first coal mine that
opened in 1898.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsH30ZN4sFvscjw0TMIRwReNrpdHPnw7yTPWT40mNk7IA3ojSOspZOj4jgQS3tEqY7lnp4YQH411fv1W_mwVRVl0tNpIYOSSpGDXVPiUwyZOXucgtj1U8k5sua3os-aeQX-YH3vcGvhxI/s1600/sawahlunto2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsH30ZN4sFvscjw0TMIRwReNrpdHPnw7yTPWT40mNk7IA3ojSOspZOj4jgQS3tEqY7lnp4YQH411fv1W_mwVRVl0tNpIYOSSpGDXVPiUwyZOXucgtj1U8k5sua3os-aeQX-YH3vcGvhxI/s320/sawahlunto2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">The mining tunnel’s attractions
include a sad story of the “chained people”, thousands of convicts sent to West
Sumatera from prisons in Java and other regions in Indonesia. They were shipped
by the Dutch colonial government, their feet in chain, to work as miners. Many of
these chained people lost their lives in Sawahlunto.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Tourist can enter the tunnel accompanied
by a guide for only 56 US$ cents per person. Outside the tunnel is a statue of
the chained people, and in the building’s Info Box, tourists can view various
tools used by the miners.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Related to Mbah Soero is the Goedang
RAnsoem Museum. Constructed in 1918, it was used as a soup kitchen for mine
workers. Visitors can see the cooking utensils used in that era, including
stoves and cauldrons.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YObVubQAHc_LArcWxXH-f86JhFsuwFpsZKtbzATsKKjtl4gXGZuT7rvDtxGPaLxeUmq7plyN_mlCuNER0kND08ZUA8Msf6AJ90SIbESvnbKSwE2_kjXTkghiUwNxkvgcnYALiwxLdjU/s1600/sawahlunto5.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="550" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YObVubQAHc_LArcWxXH-f86JhFsuwFpsZKtbzATsKKjtl4gXGZuT7rvDtxGPaLxeUmq7plyN_mlCuNER0kND08ZUA8Msf6AJ90SIbESvnbKSwE2_kjXTkghiUwNxkvgcnYALiwxLdjU/s320/sawahlunto5.png" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">The Train Museum, meanwhile, is
located where Sawahlunto Station used to be. This is the only train museum on
Sumatra and the second in Indonesia, after the first one in Ambarawa. The musem
houses a collection of train equipment and devices used in Sawahlunto from
1918. In the yard, visitors can view the legendary locomotive dubbed “Mak Item”,
and a wooden carriage that reminds us of the American carriages from the Wild
West.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">In front of the coal mining company building,
PT Bukit Asam, is the Ombilin Coal Mining Museum, which is managed by Bukit
Asam’s Ombilin Mining Unit. The museum also functions as the company’s
documentation and archive center.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">In front of the museum, viistors are
greeted by the statue of Ir. J.W.Ijzermen, a Dutchman who held the Ombilin Coal
mining project in Sawahlunto until it become productive in 1892. Inside are
pictures of Willem Hendrik de Greve, who discovered the coal reserve in Sawahlunto
in 1867.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Three other museums in the city are
not directly related to the history of Sawahlunto, but they can offer visitors
an enjoyable day of culture and entertainment. They are the Etno Kayu Paint
Museum, which display modern paintings and wooden crafts; Museum Seni Musik,
which houses a collection of musical instruments from various regions in
Indonesia and abroad; and Museum Tari, displaying a trove of accessories for
Minangkabau traditional dances.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tourists can visit all seven museums and
historical buildings in one day on foot as they are located in the Old Town
area.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpTFpBYenz04bh1thuz2DA4RDtj0TQ2Z_wGSOyR9BzTCsZGVqlpsHaI07tZxKjn1B2-fTxz8Tcfkb9OBK9qGqzleVosuKKBzgVOelR_v3Yim1OeChfpLXf45zwox4025Ub_dWQCUps-A/s1600/sawahlunto4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="199" data-original-width="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpTFpBYenz04bh1thuz2DA4RDtj0TQ2Z_wGSOyR9BzTCsZGVqlpsHaI07tZxKjn1B2-fTxz8Tcfkb9OBK9qGqzleVosuKKBzgVOelR_v3Yim1OeChfpLXf45zwox4025Ub_dWQCUps-A/s1600/sawahlunto4.png" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Sawahlunto also has family
entertainment facilities located some 12 kms from Old Town. One of these is
Kandi Zoo, wehre visitors can not only see animals but also paly paintball and
engage in other outbound activities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Every December, to commemorate its anniversary,
Sawahlunto holds a horse race at its 1,400 –m track, the second-longest in the
country. The arena can accommodate 30,000 spectators.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Other family-friendly destinations
are the Rantih tourism village, Fruit Garden and Waterboom Waterpark, as well
as sites to enjoy the area’s beautiful scenery, such as Cemara Peak and Polan
Peak.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000;">Also in Sawahlunto is the grave of
national hero Mohammad Yamin. The grave is situated in Talawi, 15 km from the center
of town. Yamin was one of the early concept writes of Indonesia’s ideology and
a proclaimer of the historic Youth Pledge.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000;">Sawahlunto is only 95 kilometers
from Padang and 88 kilometers from Bukittinggi. If visitors don’t have time to
stay the night, they can still enjoy what the town has to offer by making a
one-day trip from either of these cities in a rental car.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpl1pn71e3PjFLKYnMtMwuymJOaG0-NCCbFgwsN3tNdcfviIhN5RHnDZXiKRXFait3yHtviv-7J_6VigwxDQlT3EVlF27dwNK1e2kZtVYj3aNRwVKxVA9CAZ1TzP0o_3JhmmvUXPtU4lw/s1600/sawahlunto6.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpl1pn71e3PjFLKYnMtMwuymJOaG0-NCCbFgwsN3tNdcfviIhN5RHnDZXiKRXFait3yHtviv-7J_6VigwxDQlT3EVlF27dwNK1e2kZtVYj3aNRwVKxVA9CAZ1TzP0o_3JhmmvUXPtU4lw/s320/sawahlunto6.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000;">Backpackers can easily visit Sawahlunto
on a budget. From Minangkabau Ekspres airport train to Simpang Haru Station
(the last station). Currently tickets for the Minangkabau Ekspres cost only
$0.8.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="color: #660000;">From the station, visitors can walk
350 meters or take an ojek (motorcycle taxi) t oa minibus shelter. From there,
they take a minibus to Sawahlunto in Tugu Api. The bus fare is 1.3$ and the
minibus is available every hour from morning until late afternoon. The minibus
stops at a terminal in the center of Sawahlunto, and visitors can stay at one
of the budget homestays that are abundant in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>[Sources : by The Jakarta Post |Words: Syofiardi
Bachyul Jb]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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HDG's travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03812020898809262902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423622535146819212.post-5753774266841781942021-09-09T19:02:00.000-07:002021-09-09T19:02:00.192-07:00Nuart Sculpture Park | Where art is for everyone<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdNAEnAc5lvrRNn18rTvZBpE0bXuCb8Rv8fQD8WhGxXLUjeZN2sbJqbj6Y3p7M2iJ90s2FQbHnETTSPZDewHtcPOkhd182fYuoZ4wAROmg9dS-MSk3XjkLKK_buaL3Cc0KG6lyJBXCNk/s1600/nuart1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdNAEnAc5lvrRNn18rTvZBpE0bXuCb8Rv8fQD8WhGxXLUjeZN2sbJqbj6Y3p7M2iJ90s2FQbHnETTSPZDewHtcPOkhd182fYuoZ4wAROmg9dS-MSk3XjkLKK_buaL3Cc0KG6lyJBXCNk/s640/nuart1.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #660000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">IF YOU LIVE </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">in Jakarta,</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Bandung or Bali, most likey you
would have come across an artwork created by Nyoman Nuarta. Among his pieces
are the Garuda statue at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, the Arjuna
statue just outside Monas and the hand sculpture in Setraduta housing complex
in Bandung, to name a few.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvBLaYJLTRWEwTCAc7k7zoZND989DTvqQNvqwgTX7ePbQhNHzUyUjeb5VLBVfDbCHIwk4uHjGi-4xdnb_ga5b2MgSjEQ7mICRjm629c0N8-mlb-LbtFxFFF-q2njrkjP7ZVqIJrMcgFo/s1600/nuart2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="730" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvBLaYJLTRWEwTCAc7k7zoZND989DTvqQNvqwgTX7ePbQhNHzUyUjeb5VLBVfDbCHIwk4uHjGi-4xdnb_ga5b2MgSjEQ7mICRjm629c0N8-mlb-LbtFxFFF-q2njrkjP7ZVqIJrMcgFo/s320/nuart2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Born on Nov. 14, 1951, this Balinese
artist does not look like he is slowing down, escpecially with his latest work,
the Garud Wisnu Kencana, which will stand up to153 meters tall in Ungasan,
Bali, and is due to be completed in August 2018 as a gift to the nation. It is
so tall, especially compared to the surrounding resorts and residential area,
you could see it from a landing plane.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Nyoman Nuarta’s Balines roots might
explain his talent, with Bali culturally known to be home to stone and wood
scultors, however Nuarta decided to choose a different media: copper, brass and
steel. Being a big fan of his publicly displayed art, it was only a matter of
time before I visited Nuart Sculpture Park located within the Setraduta complex
in Bandung.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_wFoQIfNspMzIzUvrUwXKtPjFijU3mbe1BS5daJm1agoWifl4jOicbaaXy8r2DZ4BzVSy8Tc3fLVdQY-ZXAhbgPVb5v6DGv_C_90uGDvdKIOsyEcGaTHHiPfM9S-niPyXh9L3lsenUc/s1600/nuart3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="663" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_wFoQIfNspMzIzUvrUwXKtPjFijU3mbe1BS5daJm1agoWifl4jOicbaaXy8r2DZ4BzVSy8Tc3fLVdQY-ZXAhbgPVb5v6DGv_C_90uGDvdKIOsyEcGaTHHiPfM9S-niPyXh9L3lsenUc/s320/nuart3.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Living up to my expectation, the
gallerycum-park was beautiful. Entering its gates, we were welcomed by a few
works in his signature style. Nyoman Nuarta, in my opinion, has this gothic
eerie feel to his work whether the piece is made of metal or other material. His
art contains a lot of emotion and movement, not to mention detail that could
lead one to marvel for hours. He alwasys has a concept behind his work, which
in the art world, to my understanding, is not a necessity. There’s a story
behind every piece of art.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Roaming around the gallery shows the
wide skill range and creativity of Nyoman Nuarta. Many of the pieces are inspired
by his family, especially the strong women around him, the environment and important
events. The faces of his children and grandchildren are muses, which clearly
pop up in his work. A mother orangutan holding her baby amongst tree stumps
tells the story of the dying species along with its environment. One of the
most prominent pieces is “Nightmare”, located in the middle of the plastered
indoor gallery, which reminds us of the women mutilated not long after the 1998
incident in Jakarta.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02XmS_my5VrK1oUiRMM2YDhfw6m32XCm6CuGXYmcPyRntkrXufyTP3W2n5nJ1hVKY6EVgE4HYzYGZMXZqHXCdtcGppwpNQxSZKHmBpLAQxGnl1pDFCL2tXL1eNZKTsGITONOB1JBueL4/s1600/nuart4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="700" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh02XmS_my5VrK1oUiRMM2YDhfw6m32XCm6CuGXYmcPyRntkrXufyTP3W2n5nJ1hVKY6EVgE4HYzYGZMXZqHXCdtcGppwpNQxSZKHmBpLAQxGnl1pDFCL2tXL1eNZKTsGITONOB1JBueL4/s640/nuart4.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">“Moral of the story: We should
cherish the women in our lives that have given us life,” says one the interns
on duty that day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Listening to the stories behind some
of the pieces I realize that despite the work being made of strong elements,
there is a deeply sensitive man caring and observing the world that we live in
today. Well, there is also a cute seemingly-fluffy sheep made of metal,
inspired during a trip to New Zealand, which doesn’t necessarily need any
explation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">The gallery itself is a piece of
art.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Covered top to bottom in plaster and
wood, as is the current trend for houses, cafes and restaurants. It balances
out the details of Nuarta’s work and creates the perfect canvas for its
shadows. It is also a well-designed place as a the spaces are not just room
after room, but more of an open space where you can see most of the artwork. The
exterior façade is far from plain, decorated with blue glass combined with
detailed walls. In addition, there is an amphitheater for art performances,
surrounded by a lush green environment overlooking a gushing river. Amongst the
greenery is some of Nuarta’s larger works, including my favorite, a blue whale
with its disconnected tail not too far from its head. The sporadic artwork
becomes a kind of hunt, as you don’t know where you’ll find the next piece. Not
to forget the restaurant, where visitors can take a break, because surely the
park will take a lot of time. Whether you enjoy art and Nuarta’s work, or not,
the park has a way to entertain anyone who visits.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">And of course, Nuart Sculpture Par
has a souvenir shop, probably unlike any other. Aside from books and park
memorabilia, the shop also offers various and interesting artworks and wearable
items such as clothes, watches, notebooks and wallets from local artist. So there’s
a little bit for everyone, leaving us to believe that art is for everyone. [Sources
: by The Jakarta Post |Words: Murni A Ridha]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
HDG's travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03812020898809262902noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423622535146819212.post-77311099008927628332021-08-08T00:26:00.000-07:002021-08-08T00:26:00.181-07:00Haven of Exotic Beaches<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWnDkkoyMqqzVosvM-tTmmft50LZDQiok4B8xnWBgi_0OZf-Imxuh9HMEW7SYJa_vW_KqMUSQur8ymbaOqO5qmPC42SyvQ8nB9Y38xrW83cpyNbbgpWEmxmdynnr2r6GXQ78fI2ZmLgk/s1600/gunungkidul1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="640" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWnDkkoyMqqzVosvM-tTmmft50LZDQiok4B8xnWBgi_0OZf-Imxuh9HMEW7SYJa_vW_KqMUSQur8ymbaOqO5qmPC42SyvQ8nB9Y38xrW83cpyNbbgpWEmxmdynnr2r6GXQ78fI2ZmLgk/s640/gunungkidul1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: maroon;">Gunung Kidul, located in the southeastern part of Yogyakarta, has long been known as a haven for tourists in search of beaches, which span over 70 kms, from the west to the east, along its southern coastline.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: maroon;">Beaches in Gunung Kidul offer more than just breathtaking views. Visitors can also relax by snorkeling, checking out coral reef and decorative fish under clear waters or just playing on the white sand.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_006g4wHNldQxZjbVAk7uj_MCPNtrhSG9yd66fYelwY3_8duXA60VhT2DykkHB46KG1Ymc4p9eBIwjSL8cF7zGVVjBFd0w-xeB2iSO-COvCklfHg3IYTudlmBU9ZqH1Jj8uTNP-qNCE/s1600/gunungkidul1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_006g4wHNldQxZjbVAk7uj_MCPNtrhSG9yd66fYelwY3_8duXA60VhT2DykkHB46KG1Ymc4p9eBIwjSL8cF7zGVVjBFd0w-xeB2iSO-COvCklfHg3IYTudlmBU9ZqH1Jj8uTNP-qNCE/s320/gunungkidul1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: maroon;">“It’s really fun, watching fish swimming here and there under the water. I couldn’t help but try to touch them,” visitor Dian Retnanindyah of Sleman regency said after enjoying snorkeling in Sadranan Beach waters, recently.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: maroon;">Sadranan is among beaches in Gunung Kidul that continue to lure travelers. Along with Ngandong and Slili beaches, Sadranan is suitable for snorkeling and rowing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: maroon;">Other beaches in the area have their own charms and appeal, serving as a magnet for travelers from far and wide.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: maroon;">Baron is also popular among fishermen. As the “entrance gate” to other beaches in the area, visitors can see fishermen returning to shore with their catch, apart from the beautiful scenery of the hills that surround the area.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: maroon;">Visitors can also find and underground spring that directly goes into the sea. People are also welcome to buy fresh fish that can be cooked on site to enjoy right away or to takeaway.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDOVTxFxg2JOiCgZoLbiim_ZDs9AZcZZv7rRrz5_PIZAsDufVhfHOxPlqem3CJPuU3R2rBa_8_XMPbJ3PTAlLVuJMsDObO-ZKdfIGBkevwQzkzoBVmeCscjh87i6rMUMCAhH9sIUFXSA/s1600/gunungkidul1climbing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="700" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDOVTxFxg2JOiCgZoLbiim_ZDs9AZcZZv7rRrz5_PIZAsDufVhfHOxPlqem3CJPuU3R2rBa_8_XMPbJ3PTAlLVuJMsDObO-ZKdfIGBkevwQzkzoBVmeCscjh87i6rMUMCAhH9sIUFXSA/s320/gunungkidul1climbing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: maroon;">Next to Baron is Kukup, which offers an overlay of white sands and scenery of colorful decorative fish and other sea biota. What makes this beach special is the coral hill with an observation post on top of it where visitors can observe the beauty of the surrounding panorama as well as of offshore activities in the distance.</span></div>
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<span style="color: maroon;"><strong>Long coasaatline</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: maroon;">Sepanjang is one of just a few beaches in Gunung Kidul that has a long coastline. With an overlay of white sand, sports overs will see it as the perfect place to play beach volleyball. Facilities to play so are available on the site.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Ba-d8Krq83Su4RV5po_djQ4nuwz-AIpI-oEwUW3ZDAroa0zjFdIJEG5HTaErqIdD3YgaiKj-AW5H30xZ10z4Y6NEtvr6MjNf6vN-ci7V-EU8qDNrE8uJ7cLJGpSRv4a619CUKFIkrYI/s1600/gunungkidul2sadranan.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="1165" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Ba-d8Krq83Su4RV5po_djQ4nuwz-AIpI-oEwUW3ZDAroa0zjFdIJEG5HTaErqIdD3YgaiKj-AW5H30xZ10z4Y6NEtvr6MjNf6vN-ci7V-EU8qDNrE8uJ7cLJGpSRv4a619CUKFIkrYI/s320/gunungkidul2sadranan.png" width="320" /></a><span style="color: maroon;">Drini, which is located next to Sepanjang, is named after the numerous drini trees that grow on the beach. The trees are believed to have to have the capability to get rid of snakes. Fish auctions are also held and an array of culinary treats are available from vendors. Krakal Beach, next to Drini</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: maroon;">Also offers an overlay of white sands, where visitors can enjoy sunrise and the scenery of fish and other sea biota during high tide. Sunrise can also be enjoyed from Pok Tunggal Beach.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: maroon;">Other beaches offering beautiful white sands as well as calm and clear waters are connecting Ngrenehan. Nobaran and Nguyahan in Saptosari district. Although one is located next to the other, these three beaches offer different charms.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWn1y4CAEfALMoZk7b2UE0C_OJtEJ5aofFroIFZ7R5mmcheXoBZxH-LERiAmSKsbPZmQ-ZpU8JfpMaE8aoU9wMYhfUIw7ixX1zKijpNUYsFOMMB3F8SBNtXe3FBDx8Ir7SPS19KiUEVg/s1600/gunungkidul3slili.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="309" data-original-width="550" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWn1y4CAEfALMoZk7b2UE0C_OJtEJ5aofFroIFZ7R5mmcheXoBZxH-LERiAmSKsbPZmQ-ZpU8JfpMaE8aoU9wMYhfUIw7ixX1zKijpNUYsFOMMB3F8SBNtXe3FBDx8Ir7SPS19KiUEVg/s320/gunungkidul3slili.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: maroon;">If in Ngobaran visitors can visit a Hindu temple built on the beach, in Ngrenehan and Nguyahan, visitors can enjoy beautiful panorama, buy fresh fish from vendors, or enjoy various seafood items on offer at food stalls.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: maroon;">Those with a desire to take part in outbound activities can pay a visit to Sundak, where local instructors are on standby. Visitors can also take a dip in the water and choose to just relax on the beach.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: maroon;">Gunung Kidul tourism Agency’s planning subdivision head, Supriyanta, said Gunung Kidul regency was home to beaches, but only 40 had been developed for tourism purposes.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFk4bpJc9lYcU-OM2maTX9f7HB3Xz_6MtwUfJo19ApBy-Dd_WqaxLgrsyxUbBYDzTndEi2fVfT61E5S0zb6VxEChKz5jFqoMxCubnZNV-BIiJ6A-Ki9W-W0GjRtB66eI24jiqmd_S6yBU/s1600/gunungkidul4baron.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1024" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFk4bpJc9lYcU-OM2maTX9f7HB3Xz_6MtwUfJo19ApBy-Dd_WqaxLgrsyxUbBYDzTndEi2fVfT61E5S0zb6VxEChKz5jFqoMxCubnZNV-BIiJ6A-Ki9W-W0GjRtB66eI24jiqmd_S6yBU/s320/gunungkidul4baron.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: maroon;">“Of these 40 beaches, 28 have been fully developed, meaning that they already have the required facilities as tourist destinations,” said Supriyanta, adding have among the must-have facilities included parking areas, restrooms, food outlets and souvenir stalls.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: maroon;">Thanks to the development of access roads heading to these beaches, Gunung Kidul has for the last few years been enjoying a steady increase in tourist visits to the regency by up to 400,000 tourists a year.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: maroon;">If in2015 it saw only some 2.2 million tourists, in 2016 it saw 2.6 million of them. It saw a further increase to 3.2 million in 2017, of which some 21,600 were foreign tourists, thus exceeding the target of receiving 2.69 million of tourists the same year.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeT0hDn25fG8QBBaWOF3s-KC9ppGko_NlP-2u3p6wDmaRNseolmDW3CPN03wQyedVMlNtJnB5EdFk3JVQMwh1byM_2rh6jjH8yWXBKnLuC9CQJNLkEiLg_3mgDEMDgRAP78AFvjhJyl0/s1600/gunungkidul5kukup.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeT0hDn25fG8QBBaWOF3s-KC9ppGko_NlP-2u3p6wDmaRNseolmDW3CPN03wQyedVMlNtJnB5EdFk3JVQMwh1byM_2rh6jjH8yWXBKnLuC9CQJNLkEiLg_3mgDEMDgRAP78AFvjhJyl0/s320/gunungkidul5kukup.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: maroon;">Supriyanta said the majority tourists visiting Gunung Kidul had chosen beaches as their main destinations, especially those on the central part of the regency’s coastline.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: maroon;"><strong>How to go there</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: maroon;">To get the beaches, visitors can take different routes from Yogyakarta (Yogyakarta-Pathuk-Wonosari-Baron); from Bantul (Parangtritis-Trowono-Kemadang-Kukup); from Wonogiri (Pracimantoro-Baran Rongkop-Jerukwudel-Jepitu-Wediombo) or (Pracimantoro-Girisubo-Sadeng-Wediombo); and from Kalten (Ngawen-Semin-Karangmojo-Semanu-Panggul-Jepitu-Wediombo).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiPe6q_kmwi_0ZxdVy-huNGdIdg3epqQMuMFeDqOvlzszCNSRtubPqKIjGuaI_7UGDaQFtxkJAVxsZZco0M0I0XaaNpXKmObECxlPSAwbf89IUeBMxiI085OMuW-U2jit23w5oXnDbdU/s1600/gunungkidul6sepanjang.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="400" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjiPe6q_kmwi_0ZxdVy-huNGdIdg3epqQMuMFeDqOvlzszCNSRtubPqKIjGuaI_7UGDaQFtxkJAVxsZZco0M0I0XaaNpXKmObECxlPSAwbf89IUeBMxiI085OMuW-U2jit23w5oXnDbdU/s640/gunungkidul6sepanjang.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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HDG's travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03812020898809262902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423622535146819212.post-91381452774695429142021-07-07T01:36:00.000-07:002021-07-07T01:36:00.173-07:00BULL RUN<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTiyPtExD8VeZnVpE0fXBRKFTU3QChE0LQ_tMTb23Yf2IOmxRV6izyeIXHGuk5OAzWHyz-muAhryPlWP5IbWLj8uSDXTKUqEGBFRis-dPYINUloZpa3hZ6kbg0iYGWCRUVT72ARQjxCE/s1600/Kerapan-Sapi.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="996" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTiyPtExD8VeZnVpE0fXBRKFTU3QChE0LQ_tMTb23Yf2IOmxRV6izyeIXHGuk5OAzWHyz-muAhryPlWP5IbWLj8uSDXTKUqEGBFRis-dPYINUloZpa3hZ6kbg0iYGWCRUVT72ARQjxCE/s320/Kerapan-Sapi.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Karapan Sapi is a traditional annual
event that happens only in Madura<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">ON A RECENT visit to Bali, I was
lucky to see a one-of-a kind event called Karapan Sapi, a bull race that
happens in Madura, a small island located across the Madura Strait to the northeast
of Java Island, know for this scenic beauty. This traditional sport has been around
for several centuries and happens at the district level, regency level and
finally to the residence level, with the finals, wehre the competitors vie for
the President Cup in the city of Pamekasan. The race typically happens during
the months of July to October.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><b>History calling</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">The origins of this race are traced
to Sapudi Island in Madura, and there are two interesting stories behind its
history. One school of thought believes that the race was used by ulema, while
another says this race was created by an important man from Sapudi Island to
make the soil fertile by plowing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Prince Kantadur from the local
kingdom of Sumenep in the 13<sup>th</sup> century also helped popularize the race,
and in the 1930s. Dutch rulers did their bit to organize and promote the sport across
the East Java province. Interestingly, not all bulls make the cut to quality to
be race ready.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">It is said that the race bulls are
the ones whose chest shape narrows from the upper area t othe lower area, have
humped necks, short horns and a big strong body with long back, tight nails and
along tail. Their daily diet includes, a mix of herbs, honey and eggs, which
increases by several portions before a race. And yes, bulls ar also fiven a
relaxing massage as well so that they can perform at top speed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Sporty vibes<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">When I arrived at the venue, which
happens to be a large open field fenced all around, there was a palpable
undercurrent of exicitement. Row of chairs had been arranged at one end with a
lot of local food – boiled peanuts, sweet potatoes and more. The racing event
is evidently popular with locals and is quite a unique experience for tourists,
making this a win-win for all sides.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">For local especially, this event has
prestige value because the winning bull owner stands to gain much socially and
financially. Before the race begins, each team parades their bulls to the
liting tunes of Madura’s traditional instrument, saronen, and local school
children performing the traditional percot (whip) dance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">The participating bulls themselves
are also given a makeover with rich clothing, flowery ribbons and other
decorations as part of the parade. Just before the race begins, these are
exchanged for more practical gear.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">The race<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Each team comprises a tukang ambeng
(a person who releases the harness), a tukang gubra (a person to shout from the
side of the race track), a tukang nyandak (a person to stop the ubll at the
finish line) and a tukang tanja (a person to lead the bull after the race).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">The race involves a pair of bulls
attached to a standing wooden cart, on which a jockey stands to steer the bulls
through the race. The jockeys are usually young boys who control the speed of
the bull, locally called tukang tongko. The 100-meter-long race track usually
takes 10 to 15 second to complete amidst the onlocker’s wild cheers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">One the flag drops, the jockey
starts poking the bulls with a sharpened bamboo and tries to simultaneously
keep his balance. The bull whose forelegs cross the finish line first wins the
race, which has a series of elimination heats. So the next time you are in
Madura, be sure to check out Karapan Sapi.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
HDG's travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03812020898809262902noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423622535146819212.post-23707586168499886152021-06-06T22:57:00.000-07:002021-06-06T22:57:00.189-07:00Escape to Idylic Belitung Island<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjf8YzNifTCYAywmRn2tW5i-x5W7L6rfRFEBbAOmWCPt891K2CtZ8-8C-fw2lFzoWqW1dHQSfL2EQtO67xJLogOx3JHTINPIgHMzLU-bKA9hHj9m2WtqD7rXC8bqBGUmp0YdngVamdLM/s1600/escape1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="768" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjf8YzNifTCYAywmRn2tW5i-x5W7L6rfRFEBbAOmWCPt891K2CtZ8-8C-fw2lFzoWqW1dHQSfL2EQtO67xJLogOx3JHTINPIgHMzLU-bKA9hHj9m2WtqD7rXC8bqBGUmp0YdngVamdLM/s640/escape1.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">FIRST</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
gaining popularity after hitting the big screen in 2008’s award-winning ‘The
Rainbow Troop’, Belitung island in Bangka-Belitung province is recognized for
tis white sandy beaches, Stonehenge-like granite rocks formations and lush
environs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In the past five years, the island’s
popularity has increased, as it became known as the birthplace of former
Jakarta governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I had high expectation of Belitung
after seeing thousands of pictures on my Instagram feed. I foolishly assumed
that the island would be similar to Bali or Lombok. Imagine my surprise when I
was greeted by empty asphalt roads and a quiet ambience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Evry, my local guide-slash-driver,
told me that there was only one department store on the island, illustrating
how different the island was from my imagination.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">During my visit, I discovered that
many tourists come to Belitung to see Laskar Pelangi’s shooting locations,
Ahok’s childhood home and for island hoping. After spending three days on the
island, I had to admit that Belitung’s different envirionment was perfect for
the much-needed break I was longing for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The peaceful morning<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent the first day exploring East Belitung
regency, which is where Laskar Pelangi was filmed and the Andrea Hirata
Literary Museum and Ahok’s childhood home are located.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The next day, I woke up at 7 a.m. As
I opened the curtain, I was greeted by sunshine and fresh sea breeze coming
through my window. Although, I was staying ner the town center, the BW Suite
Belitung hotel in Tanjung pandan had the luxury of ocean view rooms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I quickly got myself ready and
headed down to the loby to fin Evry. He suggested we make a quick stop at Kong
Jie Coffee for breakfast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The coffee shop was packe with
people eating traditional breakfast meals, such as nasi gemok (rice and fried
fish wrapped in simpur leaves) and banana fritters while enoying a cup of java.
Despite being crowded, time seemed to move slower. The cutomers were not in a
hurry. They slowly sipped their coffee while chating with friends or playing
with their mobile phones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The atmosphere was so laid-back and
it was relaxing to experience it, especially for someone who lives in th city
like my self.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I wished I could have spent longer
time enjoying the coffee shop. But I had to move on to Tanjung kelayang Beach
to rent a boat to island hopping.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Away from reality<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I spent almost two hours inside the
car. The jorney was smooth, as the asphalt road was empty. Prior to arriving at
our destination, I saw housed that had similar architecture and were surrounded
by huge yards. I rarely sawa people in front of the houses. Some houses had
their doors left wide open ,showing how safe the area was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Travel tips<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Paying by credit or debit card could
be considered safer and more convenient than carrying cash.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Save time and money; when traveling
out of country, paying by card in local currency can offer a competitive
exchange rate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Make two copiex of important travel
documents, including your passport, in case of emergency.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Notify your band card issuer about
your travel plans to help monitor for fraud.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Set alerts so you can keep track of
spending on your phone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Data roaming charges can skyrocket
while abroad so set up your cellphone to avoid international dat roaming or
ensure you have an international plan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Keep a list of important contacts in
case your phone is lost or stolen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Check out fun local events such as
festivals and concerts in the city you’re visiting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As I arrived at Tanjung Kelayang
Beach, I could again smell the fresh air. After paying Rp 400.000 to rent a
boat, I changed my clothes and climbed into the speedboat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The first five minutes were
heavenly. The warm sea breeze touched my face and the wind blew through my
hair. I could hear the sound of crashing waves while enjoying the sight of the
celar blue sky and crystal-clear water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“This is Batu Garuda,” said Evy,
waking me from my daydream. He pointed to a giant rock formation and said, “You
can see the shape resembles the Garuda bird.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You cannot go on the rocks,” said
Evry, asking me to take a picture from the boat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I started to recognize the shape and
took some pictures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We then move to Batu Berlayar
Island. The small island is filled with Stonehenge like rock formations that
are icons of Belitung. Here, I finally saw how popular Belitung has become as a
tourist destination. The ilse was filled with visitors trying to take nice
pictures. It took me a while to find a quiet spot. I got carried away and began
posing like an Instagram influencer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After feeling satisfied, we went to our next
destination, Lengkuas Island. The island is known for its lighthouse, which was
built in 1882. Visitors can climbup to third level to take in the view of the
turquoise below.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I felt disappointed because I could
not go to the top to see a bird’s eye view of the island. But the good news
was, Evry said, I could go snorkeling off the eastern and western shores of
Lengkuas Island.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“We should buy biscuits,” Evry said,
explaining that we could feed the fish while snorkeling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Although the corals were not as
colorful as the ones in Komodo Island or Raja Ampat, snorkeling in Belitung was
not a disappointment. Once I entered the water, holding the biscuits, I was
instantly surrounded by fish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I spent around 20 minutes feeding
the fish and enjoying the underwater scenery. Then I decided it was time to
move on to the next stop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The boat brought me to Pasir Island.
Although it is called an island, Pasir Island is actually a sandbar that is
onely visible during low tide. If you lucky, you might see large pnkish
starfish. I felt like I was staying in the middle of the ocean.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As I climbed back on the boat, Every
said that our next stop would be special, as it was quieter than Lengkuas and
Batu Layar Islands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He was not llying. There were only a
few people on Kelayang Island. It was clearly the perfect beach for sunbathing.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVv_WDSUw83_neWSYQHRVBG8f-Q6G_v6v2UHl-rsJREfoBcVQ32ci6yrFe4Zz4tTeeLR8e69IeZ-tEXqqLpiTHZQa_m-XBAChyphenhyphenwY-i0WG1L7qn2XVkrY-T5qT6oaF0k1pcR2Hg5VY3LvE/s1600/escape2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="1280" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVv_WDSUw83_neWSYQHRVBG8f-Q6G_v6v2UHl-rsJREfoBcVQ32ci6yrFe4Zz4tTeeLR8e69IeZ-tEXqqLpiTHZQa_m-XBAChyphenhyphenwY-i0WG1L7qn2XVkrY-T5qT6oaF0k1pcR2Hg5VY3LvE/s640/escape2.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It was so peaceful and I felt like I was on a private beach. However,
the weather started getting warmer, so it was time for Gede Kepayang Island</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> comes with changing rooms, a
restaurant and power stations. However, visitors need to pay Rp 20.000 per
person to enjoy the facililities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The restaurant serves freshly caught
fish grilled with local spices along with free-flow of coffee and tea. As I
enjoyed the udang saus Padang (prawns in spicy sauce), I grabbed my mobile
phone and discovered that I had been busy exploring the islands for around for
hours. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It was the first time I had checked
WhatsApp that day. I felt so happy to be able to escape from my normal routine
for a while [Source : The Jakarta Post magazine |Edittion Jul 2017 | by :
Jessica Valentina]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
HDG's travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03812020898809262902noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423622535146819212.post-12999000674314201832021-05-05T22:53:00.000-07:002021-05-05T22:53:00.190-07:00TANJUNG LESUNG Seaside Charms<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWaQIrfjAzqmJkj59-hTAdwlh36W1o_EZ0qvnmaSQ2sStopYNJxsm80mslK85vLBbQ12PmY8HBbrdyfrnEQ45YdvjR-JQc8J_vdUs_bqQu7pzDR-ynJakhw_KfMDXPYXrsNHnTxORcSY/s1600/tanjunglesung.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: blue;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="1600" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWaQIrfjAzqmJkj59-hTAdwlh36W1o_EZ0qvnmaSQ2sStopYNJxsm80mslK85vLBbQ12PmY8HBbrdyfrnEQ45YdvjR-JQc8J_vdUs_bqQu7pzDR-ynJakhw_KfMDXPYXrsNHnTxORcSY/s640/tanjunglesung.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>TANJUNG LESUNG</b>, hailed by the
government as one of the country’s new, Bali-like international destinations,
centers on Cikarang-based Jababeka & Co’s exclusive enclave of pricey
beachfront resorts and the special economic zone currently being developed at
Ladda Beach. The absence of any equal competitor and the inconvenience of
low-end options outside the enclabe means there are no alternatives to choose
from.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue;">While Bali has its recently-erupting
Mt.Agung and the West Bali National Park, the Tanjung Lesung enclave is located
in close proximity to Krakatoa, a volcanic island formed after a colossal
eruption in 1883, and to the pristine Ujung Kulon National Park. Unlike Bali,
however, it doesn’t have any strong, distinct cultural or religious heritage of
tis won. Although it is situated in Banten, it’s not the home of the Badui, the
traditional Bantenese community, whose hilly homeland is, in fact, closer to
Jakarta (120 km) than to Tanjung Lesung (194 km). This may explain why it built
a Mongolian food and culture center to entertain tourists. This, and some
decorative attempts to imitate Bali, indicate the lack of a strong vision for
its development.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNbUk5eBWK9GlBqZtNLc4ZF0QfxGFm3aFcyW-4lcP9dvXlKv8MTxAQvSv_sgrQQA03Y9DYb6zfec52nJB8e1WI-VGRz5eRCD4InchUAymTKizjUXkuT-3uha_tyDoM6A6KmSSn5gCPwE/s1600/tanjunglesung1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNbUk5eBWK9GlBqZtNLc4ZF0QfxGFm3aFcyW-4lcP9dvXlKv8MTxAQvSv_sgrQQA03Y9DYb6zfec52nJB8e1WI-VGRz5eRCD4InchUAymTKizjUXkuT-3uha_tyDoM6A6KmSSn5gCPwE/s640/tanjunglesung1.png" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue;">Located a 3-t0-4-hour’s drive from
Jakarta (and a shorter ride by helicopter from Cikarang<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>if you’re a potential investor), the giant
enclave’s top hotels are the Kalicaa Villa Resort and the neighboring, almost
two decade-old Tanjugn Lesung Beach Hotel. The later boasts a great family
villa, a beautiful beach, a very enjoyable swimming pool, but
institutionalized, uninspiring food. Currently, the resorts are awash with
visitors when there are sport events or company gatherings. Lower-priced
promotional packages also attract guests during the low season. A stay there
comes wit hfree access to the Beach Club, where different water sports (such as
jet ski and snorkeling) are offered.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue;">Despite the club’s dilapidated look,
new structures were being built when I went <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: blue;">[From : The Jakarta Post Travel
Edition, August 2018<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>| Words: ]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br /></div>
HDG's travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03812020898809262902noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423622535146819212.post-24150288483207306862021-04-04T22:45:00.000-07:002021-04-04T22:45:00.492-07:00A Family Outing To Bromo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbP10nlejWe5P_XKJrbv_ck7Cx7YQySIQc5utAMerlGdRDqh6xo3CbD7h_xcxSZRPXvQCty3htJP36LMpjylPOy70R5f65m_DS4Dbvd8H2AWw8Ij4d7FlJGmUliZjiBMq02ZfyKBzuz4/s1600/bromo1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="1200" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbP10nlejWe5P_XKJrbv_ck7Cx7YQySIQc5utAMerlGdRDqh6xo3CbD7h_xcxSZRPXvQCty3htJP36LMpjylPOy70R5f65m_DS4Dbvd8H2AWw8Ij4d7FlJGmUliZjiBMq02ZfyKBzuz4/s640/bromo1.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><b> <span lang="EN-US">“YOU MUST SEE MOUNT BROMO”.</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> It was 16 years ago and I was
traveling around Indonesia for the first time, and there was always some
“must-see” destination in each place, whether it was a royal palace, a temple
or verdant rice paddies. Well, back then I was single and (relatively) young,
so getting up atg stupid 0’clock in the morning, to drive upa sheer
mountainside in a jeep and then ride on a horse to see a volcano was something
I thought was doable. I booked a tour and arranged to be picked up from my
hotel at 3 a.m. the following morning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Alas, being single and (relatively)
young, other thing interposed. I went out for dinner with the intention of
getting an early night but met up with some friendly local people, who
persuaded me to go for a drink, just one mind, at a nearby nightclub. One thing
kind of led to another and by the time reception called me at 3 a.m., I really
wasn’t in the mood to go volcano-spotting. Full disclosure, there were quite a
few other “must-see” destinations, royal places, temples and verdant rice
paddies, that I also missed for similar reasons 16 years ago.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTrg6KvGmVIYIJSgVAGqHJAE0gTWLoTvL22oUE7yw45cDLZBT6k3X1bqkCZQyUvTRleWHNpjyLklB80IgWbUdmtdFRWZUyaUj-Km53BFFN4Nt1G_40P4OQFyxlqEhkQi27dCTX6cuw0o/s1600/bromo2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="550" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggTrg6KvGmVIYIJSgVAGqHJAE0gTWLoTvL22oUE7yw45cDLZBT6k3X1bqkCZQyUvTRleWHNpjyLklB80IgWbUdmtdFRWZUyaUj-Km53BFFN4Nt1G_40P4OQFyxlqEhkQi27dCTX6cuw0o/s320/bromo2.png" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #783f04;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">I often regretted that decision, not
a lot I admit, but enough to make me think I really should make the trip at a
latter date. So here I was all of 16 years later in the pleasantly compact
East Java town of Malang, oldern and wiser and with four kids ranging from 7 to
12 years in age, looking forward to our trip to Mt. Bromo.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">For someone used to my comfort zone
of Jakarta, rarely venturing to anywhere else in Indonesia, other thn driving
to Bogor for the afternoon or a long weekend in the expat havens of Bali, I was
looking forward to seeing again some of the other bits of Indonesia on a
family tour of East Java. The short flight to Malang certainly provides a
magnificent view of the Java that for too many of us is simply “fly-over
country”. To see the line of dark brooding volcanoes, some extinct, some just
waiting the right moment, emerging through the clouds below you is to be
reminded of the powerful and ancient forces that have crafted this beautiful
land. And to arrive in Malang’s sleepy little airport and wait the best part of
40 minutes to collect you bags from the only plane parked not 100 meters from
the baggage carousel is to be reminded why you don’t make the trip so often.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">On this trip to Bromo we were being
picked up at midnight to drive trhough the ngiht up the mountain to catch the
beautiful sunrise fro ma neighboring peak. We calmbered into a Toyota Land
Cruiser that had seen better days and began a spine-shaltering ride along
rutted tracks and around hairpin bends in the pitch dark in what seemed like
some Mad Max-style race with hundreds of other jeeps and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>insane motorcyclists to get the peak first.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Dropped off just below Sunrise Point
we climbed to the viewing platform, two hours before dawn, and having got our
spot, there was little to do other than lie down on the concrete floor and try to
get some rest, while latecomers stumbled over us in the dark as the jostled for
their spots.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">It is cold. Not cool, as in a nice
evening in Puncak, it’s an Irish night in February cold.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxI9bdOLL1NBC7mF7eH-IHBST4VD8v2wa2UjXyCVFmrbvcsK8Zys9a9IeV69-yysS7SHgKEvmZn5ydJIQKTuOY60VvlrvZTc9x43BoDmV88c5_G_mJkn7smziC0TtiPU-uRYTgSPhflg/s1600/bromo3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxI9bdOLL1NBC7mF7eH-IHBST4VD8v2wa2UjXyCVFmrbvcsK8Zys9a9IeV69-yysS7SHgKEvmZn5ydJIQKTuOY60VvlrvZTc9x43BoDmV88c5_G_mJkn7smziC0TtiPU-uRYTgSPhflg/s320/bromo3.png" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #783f04;"> <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">You need to wear warm gear, a sweater,
thick coat, hat, gloves, a scarf too. There are blankets to rent but you don’t
want to wrap yourself in one of those for a couple of hours, trust me on this. The
cold was made worse by a biting wind that rolled big, marrow-chilling we clouds
of fog over and around us. Fog that meant that when the sun did rise there was
not much to see. So, after trying to look cheerful for family pictures
consisting of shivering children against a pallid background of murky gray
mist, we finally gave up and made our way back down.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Then into the Toyoto again to go
hurting down the mountain, with the added delight of now being able to see over
the sheer sides of the road into the dedly precipes below. We arrived at a
dustbowl that appeared to contain the entire production line of Toyota Land
Cruisers circa 1996 and in the middle of which was the steaming caldera of
Bromo. The caldera is reached on the back of tiny little ponies. The ponies can
carry adults but in the interests of animal welfare I skipped the ride and crossed
the sand-blown moonscape on foot. I may have looked a little mad, because a
vendor offered to sell me a paper surgical mask. For Rp 100.000. I am not that
mad.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZ_LhqNBv5Ky-Qj4CY-RN4NZHNA0AK1FXxf30jAr5sTta8D9Eqx3ipHObIceEHDi5C-LPRevxNizvP4R_ioyteahkHUvbDMoY1pBecNjVrDQb6WVKK2aBG1Y5BiXP8TzWyTieDAQMinY/s1600/bromo4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="869" data-original-width="1586" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZ_LhqNBv5Ky-Qj4CY-RN4NZHNA0AK1FXxf30jAr5sTta8D9Eqx3ipHObIceEHDi5C-LPRevxNizvP4R_ioyteahkHUvbDMoY1pBecNjVrDQb6WVKK2aBG1Y5BiXP8TzWyTieDAQMinY/s320/bromo4.png" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #783f04;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">The climb to the caldera is a steep
one, and very crowded. But at the top the sight is ever ybit as stunning as you
are led to expect, well it is if you can get through the forest of
selfie-sticks to take a look. Don’t seek a moment of intense self enlightment
at the wonders of nature and our puny place in the great universe, though, get
the pictures you need for social media and move on for the next person to take
your place at the railing. You also might want to leave young kids below in
safe hands before you begin your ascent, trying to get that perfect instagram picture
while keeping an eye on a 7-year-old girl in a san-kicking competition with her
brother on the edge of a volcanic crater can be distracting.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Time for a few more photos before we
got emphysema from the dust swirling around everywhere and then it was back
into the Toyota to contemplate the great wisdom of modern car designers who had
the clever idea of making vehicle interiors of soft molded plastic and foam, as
we bumped hedas against the roof or backs against angular steel door fittings,
before retuning to the hotel for long hot baths in the late afternoon, a mere
18 or so sleepless, bedraggled hours since leaving.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">Whisper it, I really should have
done this 16 years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #783f04;">[From : The Jakarta Post Travel
Edition, August 2018<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>| Words: Arif
Suryobuwono]<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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HDG's travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03812020898809262902noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423622535146819212.post-3911016795495768572021-03-03T05:26:00.000-08:002021-03-03T05:26:00.139-08:00Five things to see in Labuan Bajo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="color: #660000;">Aerial viePadar Island in between Komodo and Rinca Islands near Labuan Bajo in West Manggarai, East Nusat Tenggara (NTT).</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #660000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PDLYLJgfoI9991ztbgirT5jO2OWSzFR9-94i5FriaT7f-RDLRpHCTkefFvrDtw3pTILyn8XQtHqJ8XsXvU9qasQuGUhO6M72MS7nEQUAS7BS5wBD-6OhsEmL4lpWnXKjyhV-tb4YbZU/s1600/labuanbajo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="700" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PDLYLJgfoI9991ztbgirT5jO2OWSzFR9-94i5FriaT7f-RDLRpHCTkefFvrDtw3pTILyn8XQtHqJ8XsXvU9qasQuGUhO6M72MS7nEQUAS7BS5wBD-6OhsEmL4lpWnXKjyhV-tb4YbZU/s400/labuanbajo.png" width="400" /></a></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The Komodo Dragon is not the only
interesting thing to see when you travel to Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara
(NTT).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The picturesque town on the island
of Flores offers the following atttractions worth exploring, as compliey by
Kompas.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8NicMK_6czfEu4ZXoM7OQS8djX4Y3LbbXjieRN8IZhv-2jk0De5VnIbu-98W7VyO0nW6-LPky_5X0TmsniuM9Lr8hgj5FzYu7G22lYiobO4P4fcmauWLxk83kPWO07t7RHVgRJiG1Lo/s1600/labuan.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8NicMK_6czfEu4ZXoM7OQS8djX4Y3LbbXjieRN8IZhv-2jk0De5VnIbu-98W7VyO0nW6-LPky_5X0TmsniuM9Lr8hgj5FzYu7G22lYiobO4P4fcmauWLxk83kPWO07t7RHVgRJiG1Lo/s640/labuan.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Gili Laba<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Situated in Komodo National Park,
Gili Laba boasts enchanting panoramic, views, as well as breathtaking beaches
and underwater scenes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Do make the effort and time to reach
the top of the hill ofr a breathtaking view of the surrounding azure–blue ocean
and NTT’s signature hills. Arrive at 3 p.m. and you’ll get the bonus of
catching a beautiful sunset.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprMOI0_Uu6u_tnZXy5swTwDl0nmAD862CQ2-G-BR4WOTvnz0P6q-XxTimlaY_Odtyxz67sdxRISA6g33oBmkzKb0R5a_F_Z0y3maklgZB0nQfvaftE5uMZlbEKPXy36z_LVGZYeUFnfc/s1600/labuan2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="822" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprMOI0_Uu6u_tnZXy5swTwDl0nmAD862CQ2-G-BR4WOTvnz0P6q-XxTimlaY_Odtyxz67sdxRISA6g33oBmkzKb0R5a_F_Z0y3maklgZB0nQfvaftE5uMZlbEKPXy36z_LVGZYeUFnfc/s640/labuan2.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Batu Cermin Cave<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Though some parts of Batu Cermin
Cave are man-made, it is still a fascinating place to visit for nature lovers,
featuring fossils of sea creatures its walls the prove it once rested at the
bottom of the ocean.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The name of the cave itself means “mirror
stone,” because its walls reflect sunlight streaming through an opening in the
ceiling, creating a mirror-like effect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1bPBvaxco8wN0yVP5bvccNE972B6mphtBT6J4QuYoC_4jEju3wXDHNAWsLepetLnLlfbAbkarDAyr5ayS1uSbfI8D5LejoxaGIbqEFUt0dHBgFn0tXUzsViqw0iwvRElW3JTaUKpoPw/s1600/labuan4cunca.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1024" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1bPBvaxco8wN0yVP5bvccNE972B6mphtBT6J4QuYoC_4jEju3wXDHNAWsLepetLnLlfbAbkarDAyr5ayS1uSbfI8D5LejoxaGIbqEFUt0dHBgFn0tXUzsViqw0iwvRElW3JTaUKpoPw/s640/labuan4cunca.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Cunca Wulang Waterfall<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Take a cooling dip in the
fresh-water pool of Cunca Wulang Waterfall, located some 30 kms from Labuan
Bajo, and enjoy its lush surroundings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4HJYxVXaUerewd37mWDXMCcg5yaDlZo55VxRLtS7ELqivDvez_tAJqoAxUUWRpYbDbC1HeqUsrQjBFJDIRKpIIUCSTeAyQyfxLO0Y-vxADVnX0cSA_Mlpb4SzuVTSgEGBIU1GGgbq1o/s1600/labuan5cancar.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4HJYxVXaUerewd37mWDXMCcg5yaDlZo55VxRLtS7ELqivDvez_tAJqoAxUUWRpYbDbC1HeqUsrQjBFJDIRKpIIUCSTeAyQyfxLO0Y-vxADVnX0cSA_Mlpb4SzuVTSgEGBIU1GGgbq1o/s640/labuan5cancar.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Cancar Village<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Expect to marvel at paddy fields
uniquely formed like a giant spiderweb in Cancar village. Travelers usually
climb a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>hill named Puncak Weol to take a
fantastic view.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxmwTsKw9O-82GUHQ0jOvBGk1t4raoVBTnECpq2I5_x-TOH3l_HAaC7fFEbuDnT7d3c5iE396FelM-AGPBE4f0E7-Fcanr072LuhPDLZk0DTyFU0XIqz1eGoniqJ6vWO4WBYDJu3PkHw/s1600/labuan1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxmwTsKw9O-82GUHQ0jOvBGk1t4raoVBTnECpq2I5_x-TOH3l_HAaC7fFEbuDnT7d3c5iE396FelM-AGPBE4f0E7-Fcanr072LuhPDLZk0DTyFU0XIqz1eGoniqJ6vWO4WBYDJu3PkHw/s640/labuan1.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kampung Melo<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Labuan Bajo also has a tourist
destination for culture enthusiasts named Kampung Melo, wehre visitors are
welcomed with a traditional Manggarai caci dance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kampung Melo also offers a gorgeous
view that is perfect for photos.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQ0obhdUu597PC6wJ4-5kYszqoShIDix3jGzEfwoJphfQwHa89lkWsgPQl6vbDyZFbuvf9bJK6GxRLC1vO4vsPn73-70gVeTPl5_xBx9q-zCTIDz1NmhV6jzLuOYj0muu3rVvd2LP2tk/s1600/hilarius.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="560" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQ0obhdUu597PC6wJ4-5kYszqoShIDix3jGzEfwoJphfQwHa89lkWsgPQl6vbDyZFbuvf9bJK6GxRLC1vO4vsPn73-70gVeTPl5_xBx9q-zCTIDz1NmhV6jzLuOYj0muu3rVvd2LP2tk/s640/hilarius.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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HDG's travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03812020898809262902noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423622535146819212.post-79457984575957227392021-02-02T03:00:00.000-08:002021-02-02T03:00:00.243-08:00A Seaside indulgence<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #990000;"><i>The
island’s beach clubs give vationers another good reason to bask under the sun –
in style and with a lot of fun</i></span></span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9e2g-OB42v6THCDwAvIHL7rW9HQ9jdM98klIawsgSpz7H8K6_o1DjxXMcBQdyRAPsrjl13GKkWIPNj72n7_rlhTCdz5eLuRDy_sdrDJRrZUME9XO0iieAa0l8npOdgSCzJoFFXzsMKs/s1600/kamakandara.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="663" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9e2g-OB42v6THCDwAvIHL7rW9HQ9jdM98klIawsgSpz7H8K6_o1DjxXMcBQdyRAPsrjl13GKkWIPNj72n7_rlhTCdz5eLuRDy_sdrDJRrZUME9XO0iieAa0l8npOdgSCzJoFFXzsMKs/s640/kamakandara.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>EVEN
THE MOST</b> enthusiastic vactioners will experience this inevitable feeling at a
certain point in theier adventure-filled, adrenaline-soaked holiday: a feeling
of unbearable longing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #990000;">No,
I don’t mean a longing for home. After all, who needs to return to home when
they are already in such a homey place, such as in a huxurious resort nestled
inside a lush forest in Payangan?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #990000;">It
is a longing for doing nothing.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqilAdFF4J3yqDPCuAI1wUwShedjGb3iwMPSBht9DyUpBSubmZGLJh3rUUit9w8GdHHeOqOMXOVpUuvvcdlCZ8sGCKfCySiojhGlDCV6D5LRz4UZSSBEKCNK8ctl54jfnYbhB6cDEmyE/s1600/kamakandara1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqilAdFF4J3yqDPCuAI1wUwShedjGb3iwMPSBht9DyUpBSubmZGLJh3rUUit9w8GdHHeOqOMXOVpUuvvcdlCZ8sGCKfCySiojhGlDCV6D5LRz4UZSSBEKCNK8ctl54jfnYbhB6cDEmyE/s320/kamakandara1.png" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #990000;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #990000;">Vacationing
is a fast-paced affair nowadays.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #990000;">Travelers
ma yspend their morning jogging along Sanur’s shoreline and having a fullfilling
breakfast at the famou Men Weti food stall before hopping into an awaiting car
to Ubud.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #990000;">There
they enjoy a sumptuous lunch of the world-famous sucking pig at Ibu Oka,
sampling the same dishes that awed the late Antohny Bourdain. Cultural endeavours
, ranging fro mbatk class and offering making course to traditional dance
lessons and museum tours, will keep them busy throughout the afternoon.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #990000;">They
hen navigate the island’s infamous traffic jams to reqch Canggu or Seminyak,
the nexus of the island’s upscale gastronomy and nightlife establishments. They
have a fancy dinner, si pa few glasses of wine and either dance the night away
or stroll along the deserted beach of Petitenget.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #990000;">It
is an intellectually enriching and physically exhausting day. The following
morning, thye awaken and feel that yearning for doing nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #990000;">They
need no worry. The island’s tourist industry has a potent cure for that
longing. That cure is the beach club. A rather recent addition to the island’s
landscape, beach clubs have grown in number and popularity in the last few
years.</span></span><span style="color: #990000; font-size: 12pt;">Combining
gorgeous pools, well-stocked bars, charming restaurants with easy access to a
long stretch of sandy beach,</span></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #990000;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">these beach clubs
are the perfect place for vacationers who wants to linger for hours without
doing anything of importance</i>.</span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #990000;">Potato
Head in Seminyak is one of the clubs that has played a strong role in the
rising popularity of beach clubs in the island.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #990000;">Itw
word-class restaurant, infinity pools and series of captivating night events,
including the annual Sunny Side Up Electronic Dance Music (EDM) festival, have
drawn thousands of vacationers, foreign and domestic alike, into the
establishment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #990000;">The
wall of the gigantic structure that houses the restaurant is lined with
hundreds of used wooden windows collected from across the archipelago. It is a
visual feast that lures a constant stream of visitors searching for a unique,
instagrammable spot.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #990000;">Potato
Head is till one of the best beach clubs on the island. But competition is
tight in this business as new players show up and old players elevate their
games.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #990000;">For
instance, its next door neighbor, the W Bali-Seminyak, has continuously polished
the operation of its beach club. A posh resort famous for its ultra-luxurious
rooms and over-the-top Starfish Bloo beachside seafood restaurant, the
W-Bali-Seminyak employs a full-time music curator to ensure that quality music
is the signature ambience of its Woobar beach club.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #990000;">SPF,
an annual summer party with a mesmerizing fireworks and light show, is Woobar’s
answer to Potato Head’s Sunny Side Up. The SPF in late Jully featured Derrick
Carter, one of key players of Chichago’s 1990’s house music wave, and Tensnake,
a German Dj and producer praised by the The New York Times of having delievered
“highly precises modern disco”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #990000;">Throughout
this August, Woobar has lined up scores of well-know foreign artist, including
Livia Dawn and Sebastian Leger, to light up its night.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlUyO6K236J6FYHSqZkELbFbfwi_bOwfjSwT0RYPigY6cojXZx4wqftCRm5qWTghs3EG4IHbGTZ0HfefOvjUli6w24weFvo-Z4M_fNS9C866m8SmunEc4Qiulssp6lf-hVt5U0mcqZys/s1600/kamakandara2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="1180" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlUyO6K236J6FYHSqZkELbFbfwi_bOwfjSwT0RYPigY6cojXZx4wqftCRm5qWTghs3EG4IHbGTZ0HfefOvjUli6w24weFvo-Z4M_fNS9C866m8SmunEc4Qiulssp6lf-hVt5U0mcqZys/s640/kamakandara2.png" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #990000;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #990000;">As
the beach clubs in Seminyak and Canggu are locked in the competition to come up
with the best pary might ever, a beach club in Ungasan is quietly rising to be one
of the must-visit beach clubs on the island.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #990000;">Karma
Kandara, a compound of gorgeous villas and a stunning infinity pool, perches
atop a hill overlooking the Indian Ocean. The view is simply breathtaking. Its beach
club lies 100 meters below the cliff and can only accessed by a private cable
car, giving it an aura of exclusiveness no other beach club on the island
offer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #990000;">Karma
beach club sits literary on a stretch of “private” beach with a magnificent
sunset. One can spend the whole day there, sipping cocktails while reading a
book under the grass-roofed bamboo pavilion or having a picnic by the beach.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-0UrbnX2pDVjce8h_Le2-lK79tcK77i0OXbdvrn-TxA8KnuKqpGlHRbmr0x1SVIeEMTus_WtHHbbQCtsojyiRBZovTTALAW_R6019HWhIhHL7rPs41QEMEA3WtoTuTSyaShr7zFtCjY/s1600/kamakandara3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="269" data-original-width="480" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-0UrbnX2pDVjce8h_Le2-lK79tcK77i0OXbdvrn-TxA8KnuKqpGlHRbmr0x1SVIeEMTus_WtHHbbQCtsojyiRBZovTTALAW_R6019HWhIhHL7rPs41QEMEA3WtoTuTSyaShr7zFtCjY/s320/kamakandara3.png" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #990000;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #990000;">The
rising popularity of beach clubs has spurred old players to elevate their
games. Conrad Bali, which lies in the island’s water sports capital of Tanjung
Benoa, has carried out a complete renovation of its beach club. Its Azure beach
club is expected to open its gates in late August.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #990000;">The
rising popularity has also enticed the entrance of new players. One of them is
Artotel Beach Club (ABC) in Sanur. Unlike it sisters in Seminyak and Canggu,
which put a premium value on large-scale night events. ABC apparently chose a
quieter path. After all, Sanur has always been known as the quieter among Bali’s
top tourist destinations.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #990000;">Yet,
Sanur offers something that Seminyak, Canggu, and Ungasan cannot match: an
active fishermen community. Visitors to ABC, therefore, have an ample
opportunity to not only sip cocktails and dip in the pools, but also to
converse leisurely with the local fishermen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #990000;">For
those travelers whose energy has been drained by the prepackaged, fast-paced
and commodified tourist attractions, a genuine conversation with the locals
might be precisely the thing that can refresh their day. {Words by : I Wayan
Juniarta}<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
HDG's travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03812020898809262902noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423622535146819212.post-56817537364562790952021-01-01T20:33:00.000-08:002021-01-01T20:33:00.165-08:00Soothing forest ambiance in Mount Halimun Salak<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9qsp53on1R-StwMp9zH2CTIMjh39i9Ppaj5T6Nzj8PkrNLjKJDfECAauqCpkU8EjjgkU4NuMD-xtWhsMYCmvec3fGVZ33jWetp5aBdWTWJKTzyhhev_OMTvol_MPF6jy4ywMkRfe-3c/s1600/salak2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="1280" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9qsp53on1R-StwMp9zH2CTIMjh39i9Ppaj5T6Nzj8PkrNLjKJDfECAauqCpkU8EjjgkU4NuMD-xtWhsMYCmvec3fGVZ33jWetp5aBdWTWJKTzyhhev_OMTvol_MPF6jy4ywMkRfe-3c/s640/salak2.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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A number of habitats of
endangered species can still be found in indonesia thanks partly to the large
tropical<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> forests the country
possesses, which local and international eco-conscious travelers can enjoy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Currently, Indonesia has 110 million hectares
of protected tropical forests of the second largest area in the world after
Brazil.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Of the 110 million ha, 18.7 million are
conservation areas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“These include the mount Halimun Salak National
Park (TNGHS) in Bogor, West Java,” said David Makes, head of the Ecotourism
Development Acceleration Team (TPPE).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">David said the TNGHS, managed by the Balai
Taman nasional Gunung Halimun Salak (BTNGHS) under the supervision of
Environment and Forestry Ministry, is home to habitats for several endangered
species, such as the Java hawk-eagle, Javan Owa and Kukang,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Developing the TNGHS into a nature-based
ecotourism destination is an important step to enrich ecotourism products on
offer in Indonesia, which at the end of the day can boost domestic and foreign
tourist arrivals,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The TNGHS has incredible ecotourism potential,
providing a rare opportunity for visitors or travelers to savor the soothing
forest ambiance, with green trees, cool and clean air, not far from the hustle
bustle of Jakarta.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It’s a three-to five-hour drive to reach the
Mount Halimun National Park from the capital. Compared to other national parks,
the TNGHS is relatively easily accessible by four-wheeled vehicles, said Head
of the BTNGHS.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">According to Awen, the park, which covers an
area of 87,000 ha, was not recognized until 2003 when the areas that were
developed into an ecotourism destination were expanded to Mount Salak, Bogor
regency, West Java.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Initially, in 1997 when the TNGHS opened its
door to the public as an ecotourism destination, tourism activities were
centralized in the Cikaniki area and Malasari village, he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">With the expanded tourism areas, the TNGHS
offers more tourist destination, some of which were managed directly by the
park and some others by engaging local communities, according to Awen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Things to do, which are somewhat adventurous in
nature, include camping or glamping, trekking, or experiencing the authentic
kampong life and culture in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Gunung Bunder is an ideal site for camping or
glamping.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“There are number of waterfalls, locally known
as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">curug</i>, spread across the area,” he
said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In Curug Nangka, visitors can be treated to the
sight of clear water flowing along the river while savoring the cool, clean and
fresh air.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">For those curious about endangered species in
the TNGHS, there is the Javan Hawk-Eagle Sanctuary Center, where you can spot
javan eagles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In cikanki, there is a canopy bridge,
popularity known as a canopy trail or a hanging bridge, which is also another
attraction, Awen said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The 125-m-long and 25-m-high canopy is located
about 200m from Cikanki Research Station. On the canopy, visitors can be
treated to awesome sights of the forest from above.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Head of Tourism of ministry regional promotion,
said that more attractions needed to be developed in TNGHS to lure visitors,
One example he cited was holding Hindu-related ceremonies, given that there are
many <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pura</i> (Hindu’s temples) in the
area around the foot of Mount Salak.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">According to Awen, a national park can be
defined as nature conservation area that has its original ecosystem, managed by
a zoning system and can be utilized fort the interest of education</span>,
sciencee, supporting culture, culture, recreation adn ecotourism”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Three principle are used to
manage t<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">he TNGHS, namely
protecting the intactness of the area, preserving the ecosystem of the flora
and fauna and utilizing natural resources in a sustainable manner in parallel
with the government’s policy for national parks, he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Efforts are now under way to drive local
communities to be more actively involved in developing and operating the TNGHS
areas in a sustainable manner under a partnership scheme.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJH6UYbYu0AF2yHy-yzjlLJ8-Z4qDqeOiXVZw7etflCBIS_McXg5sZ3kqyXjafqonccvJItZVvDf9uv3jIxcixUEGtogMqezvtXO-elAuPZbLMnSe4HwQ_Ri3xU4psgrPZsSaarkeKPg/s1600/salak1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJH6UYbYu0AF2yHy-yzjlLJ8-Z4qDqeOiXVZw7etflCBIS_McXg5sZ3kqyXjafqonccvJItZVvDf9uv3jIxcixUEGtogMqezvtXO-elAuPZbLMnSe4HwQ_Ri3xU4psgrPZsSaarkeKPg/s320/salak1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Apart from the importance of the strengthened legality
of the TNGHS to allow for professional management of the park, efforts should
also be made to continue to promote biodiversity for research and science
development, carbon absorption potential in relation with global climate change
and eco and cultural tourism potentials at an international level, according to
Awen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“We’ll continue to develop ecotourism
activities and use the most recent means to promote the TNGHS without ignoring
the required attention to conservation aspects of the TNGHS as a national park
areas,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Wawan emphasized the importance of good
coordination among the relevant stakeholders, such as the central government,
the local administration, academics, local communities and NGOs to develop
ecotourism in TNGHS.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Good coordination will create joint
commitment, which will help to achieve the goal,” he said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: double windowtext 2.25pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-border-bottom-alt: double windowtext 2.25pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm; padding: 0cm;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">Try and go 15 minutes without
using, interacting with or even touching a gadget. Chances are your texting
fingers will be itching before the dawn of the third minute. Is this a good
thing? It’s debatable. But, with so many shiny new devices aiming to make our
lives easier, more efficient and a hell of a lot more entertaining, even the
most curmudgeonly Luddite would have trouble denying a serious case of tech
lust.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<br /></div>
</div>
HDG's travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03812020898809262902noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423622535146819212.post-71130256881473433722020-12-12T20:17:00.000-08:002020-12-12T20:17:00.226-08:00Enjoy All The Wonders of KOMODO with an extended stay at the first 5-star resort on Flores Island<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div style="border-bottom: double windowtext 2.25pt; border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: double windowtext 2.25pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 0cm 1.0pt 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVoDV6cW_90KpIElTac7NpPdt70cZSeBsTHm4ZkRczblhzb8T_bGkaOO3udvK9pxglPRquoLUBpJJwq7sCdVPhJFj9-U0ugaewuNEFUijJ47ACBZ0fk9fUVGqrDUcFEKHLlIhv8KFlBs/s1600/ayana.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="930" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVoDV6cW_90KpIElTac7NpPdt70cZSeBsTHm4ZkRczblhzb8T_bGkaOO3udvK9pxglPRquoLUBpJJwq7sCdVPhJFj9-U0ugaewuNEFUijJ47ACBZ0fk9fUVGqrDUcFEKHLlIhv8KFlBs/s640/ayana.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">The much anticipated opening of AYANA Komodo
Resort, Waecicu Beach and AYANA Lako di’a take places this September on the stunning
island of Flores.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">As the excitement around the grand opening grows,
AYANA has launched an unmissable limited time offer!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">Whether guests are lured by the pristine aqua waters
to sample some of the world’s finest dive spots or attracted to the surreal
landscapes of Padar Island, rushing Cunca Rami waterfall, or eager to visit the
world’s oldest species of lizard – the famous Komodo dragon, Komodo is
labyrinth of on and off-land adventures. The magical archipelago is a must
visit destination and from September 15, 2018, guests can experience alla the
wonders of Komodo from AYANA’s new five-star luxury resort AYANA Komodo Resort,
Waecicu Beach or from the decks of the group’s first 9-bedroom luxury phinisi,
AYANA Lako di’a.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">To celebrate the grand opening, and to ensure
there is plenty of time to take in all the islnads have to offer, guests can
now book 2 nights and get 1 extra night free, or book 4 nights and receive 2
extra nights free at AYANA Komodo Resort, Waecicu Beach.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">With additional nights, plus 20% pre-opening
discount and complimentary 2-way airport transfer, there are plenty of perks to
booking your dream holiday early. Families can also enjoy all the resort has to
offer with connecting rooms at 50% off, children’s pool, kid’s club, and plenty
of child-friendly activities.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxJ4TwWCMngGpT_E-Q9SX22ETYc6RpZ2zIMkiFWaHDLLjTM-ycTh2MMrKCkDfcyeYqCmw0Ap7FSGsJAwyZRC1B0kgqG6yIueMiFM9NbBG9NiOOSiCLCcT5sufXNFKEFHg-qLoOMrCmD8/s1600/ayana1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="318" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOxJ4TwWCMngGpT_E-Q9SX22ETYc6RpZ2zIMkiFWaHDLLjTM-ycTh2MMrKCkDfcyeYqCmw0Ap7FSGsJAwyZRC1B0kgqG6yIueMiFM9NbBG9NiOOSiCLCcT5sufXNFKEFHg-qLoOMrCmD8/s640/ayana1.png" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #660000;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="color: #660000;">For those tempted by the elite experience of AYANA
Lako di’a, guest can sail across the island’s aquatic shores from one of the
Phinisi’s 9-luxury cabins. Departing every Monday, passengers can board for a
one, two or three-night voyage of their dreams. This once-in-a lifetime
experience hails a new standard of travel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Too book your stay at <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AYANA Komodo Resort, Waecicu Beach and AYANA
Lako di’a visit ayanakomodo.com</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
HDG's travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03812020898809262902noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7423622535146819212.post-63817815507535589712020-11-11T05:05:00.000-08:002020-11-11T05:05:00.265-08:00WINGS<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<![endif]--><span style="color: #660000;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Daring Dream of
Personal Flight</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;">Oringal test by Nancy Shute; Executive summary by</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://travelerguidance.blogspot.com/p/adventure.html"> darmansjah</a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;">ON THE BRINK Australian Jim Mitchell leaps off Ottawa Peak
on Canada’s Baffin Island while wearing a wing suit in April 2010. He died
weeks later when a jump from a nearby mountain went tragically awry.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;">Perched on the edge of a cold, windswept dune in North
Carolina, I was about to fulfill a dream I shared with Leonardo da Vinci: To
fly. The Renaissance genius spent years deciphering the flight of birds an
devising personal flying machines. On his deathbed in 1519, Leonardo said one
of his regrets was that he had never flown. Five hundred years of innovation
since then had produced the hang glider I held above my head, simple and safe
enough to be offered as a tourist entertainment. But despite those centuries of
adventure and experimentation, personal flight-the ability to bound from Earth
like a skylark, swoop like a falcon, and dart as blithely as a
hummingbird-remains elusive.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;">Our human longing to mimic birds has often proved painful.
Greek mythology mourns the melted dreams of Icarus. Arab poetry relates a
crushing crash by ninth-century inventor Abbas ibn Firnas. Medieval British
monk Eilmer became lame after leaping from an abbey on homemade wings. But as
technology takes off, the dream of personal flight seems closer than ever.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1480’S</b> The
“aerial screw” one of several flying devices sketched by Leonardo da Vinci,
hints at the whirling motion of the modern helicopter.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1783</b> A taffeta
hot-air balloon carries two men over Paris. Its inventors were said to be
inspired by paper-or underwear-floating in a fire’s updraft.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1853 </b>Sir George
Cayley, 79m sees his “governable parachute” briefly glide through what the
calls “an uninterrupted navigable ocean that comes to…every man’s door”-the
sky.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1891-1896</b> To
prove hang gliders are more than a passing fancy. German engineer Otto
Lilienthal flies his own versions some 2,000 times before a fatal fall.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1900-1911</b> The
Wright brothers pioneer the airplane and develop better gliders. Orville’s 1911
model soars nearly ten minutes, the longest unpowered flight yet.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;">That’s not for lack of trying. Many lives have been lost and
fortunes squandered pursuing the dream of flight, and even today scientists,
inventors, and adventures persist in the quest.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;">Leonardo drew hundreds of images of birds on the wing,
trying to decode their secrets, and drafted meticulous plans for flying
machines not unlike today’s gliders and helicopters. But he never figured out
the physics of flight. It took more than 300 years and many more failed
experiments until Sir George Cayley, a British engineer, determined that flight
required lift, propulsion, and control. He built a glider with a curved wing to
generate lift. Then he ordered his coachman into it and had farm workers pull
it down a slope until it gained enough speed to fly. Control, alas, was
lacking. The craft crashed after flying a few hundred yards. The coachman
survived, but reportedly was not amused.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;">My students hang glider was almost as low concept as
Cayley’s, and though I knew it could fly, control clearly remains an issue. The
instructors at Kitty Hawk Kites, at Kill Devil Hills a couple of miles from
where the Wright brothers flew the first powered aircraft in 1903’s, explained
that piloting requires just five simple motions: lean left or right to turn;
push the bar up to land. But students in my class still augered into the sand.
One fell hard enough to break the glider’s sturdy aluminum strut. That made me
more determined to succeed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;">I have always loved to fly, even in lumbering jumbo jets.
When the Kitty Hawk Kites school quoted Leonardo as saying, “for once you have
tasted flight, you will walk the Earth with your eyes turned skywards,” I
sighed in recognition.</span></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;">Some years back I learned to fly a single engine plane, but
flying a small plane is about as thrilling as sitting at a card table. I hoped
hang gliding would deliver the unencumbered essence of flight. It certainly
delivered the fear. My grip on the control bar was painfully tight as I ran
down the lip of the dune. Suddenly I was running in thin air. Flying! After a
few seconds the instructors shouted “Flare!” I pushed the control bar over my
head and landed, unsteady but on my feet-then headed back uphill. I wanted to
feel again that strange, lovely moment aloft.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;">A glider wing is an efficient way to generate lift, but my
seconds-long flight proved that running off a dune doesn’t generate much
speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Glider flight is a controlled
descent; pilots gain altitude only if they catch rising air and ride it aloft.
Birds don’t have that problem; they fly with great efficiency and more
precision than any aircraft. Sooty shearwaters log almost 40,000 miles
migrating from New Zealand to Alaska and back, while ruby-throated hummingbirds
can fly 20 hours without stop migrating across the Gulf of Mexico. Scientists
still struggle to understand the physiology of avian flight, but light bones
and an intricate collaboration among chest and wing muscles appear essential. A
hummmingbird’s chest muscles, it would stick out like a 55-gallon drum,” he
says. “It would be freakin’ enormous”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;">Legend has it Icarus fell from the sky because hubris led
him too close to the sun, melting the wax that held the feathers on his wings.
More likely, his arms just gave out. Uncounted numbers of “birdmen” had
died<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>over the centuries after leaping
from tower or cliff not realizing they could never flap homemade wings hard or
fast enough to stay aloft. Their modern heirs, BASE jumpers, leap from
buildings, cliffs, and bridges, plunge for a few exhilarating moments, then
throw out a parachute to slow their fall. Some don wing suits, with baffled
fabric wings that generate enough lift to propel the wearer forward at up to
160 miles an hour while falling. J.T. Holmes of Squaw Valley, California, who
has made about a thousand wing-suit jumps, says, “It’s as close as human beings
can get to flying like a bird.” It’s also extraordinary dangerous: About 12
BASE jumpers die each year. Hitting the mountain while free-falling or after the
parachute deploys is a common cause.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;">The best success in purely human-powered flight came in
1988, when the Daedalus, a light weight aircraft built by a team at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, flew 71,5 miles from the Greek Island of
Crete to Santorini. The 69-pound craft, pedaled by a Greek Olympic cyclist, got
caught in turbulence as it approached the beach at Santorini. It crashed in the
sea, a few yards from the shore.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1935</b> spreading
homemade canvas wings at 10,000 feet, “Bird-man” Clem Sohn rides the wind for
75 seconds. Two years later, a horrified crowd sees the stunt artist’s
parachute fail.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1948</b> aerospace
engineer Francis Rogallo and his wife invent the flexible “paraglider” wing as
a sort of parachute for space capsules. Human fliers latch on to it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1955</b> On the
Hiller Flying Platform, a pilot stands atop twin fans and steers by leaning. It
proves too unwieldy for military use.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1956</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the U.S. Army orders a dozen De Lackner
Aerocycles, one journalist envisions a “cavalry on modern sky-bustling steeds.”
Test pilots deem the open-rotor craft unsafe.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1961</b> Bell
engineer Harold Graham straps on a hydrogen peroxide fueled Rocket Belt and
flies for 13 seconds.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1960s</b> Modern hang
gliding is born as pilots attach flight frames to the Rogallo flexible wing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1970-1983</b> The
jet-powered Williams Aerial Systems Platform flies, but flops in the military
market. Years later, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">New York Times</i>
calls it “a flying garbage can.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;">To solve such problems, Wilbur and Orville Wright had fitted
a motor and propeller on a glider. That clanking, smoky machine may have
ushered in modern aviation but apparently delivered little joy. The Wirghts
also returned to flying unpowered gliders off dunes. But powered aviation did
offer hope of a personal aircraft that could soar into the air like a bird,
something my glider could not do. enter the rocket men.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;">After World War II, the American military funded a parade of
personal-flight experiments, none of which fulfilled the mission of safe,
maneuverable, or stealthy flight. Consider rocket belts the wearer of the belt
would fly less than a minute because of limits on the fuel a person can carry.
Plus, the device is expensive, noisy, and notoriously<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>difficult to control. Just ask Bill Suitor,
his neighbor Wendell Moore, a Bell Aerospace engineer, needed an average guy to
test the Rocket Belt, which he was developing for the U.S. Army in the early
1960x, and recruited 19-year-old Suitor. Now 66, Suitor has flown more than
1,300 times. “Controlling the rockets’ power was the biggest challenge,” he
says. “It’s like a fire-breathing dragon.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;">Inventors continue to try to bring the comic book fantasy of
personal jet flight to life, and Yves Rossy has come closest. This Swiss pilot
flings himself out of an aircraft wearing a six-foot-wide carbon-fiber wing of
his own invention, powered by four tiny jet engines. In May, Rossy leaped from
a helicopter above the Grand Canyon and flew eight minutes before parachuting
to Earth. The jets give him powered ascent and the oomph to do loop. That
freedom doesn’t come easy; it took Rossy years to master his tiny craft. “I
steer myself in space with only my body,” he explains. “To go left, I turn my
shoulders left, and that’s it!” He says it’s like parachuting with a wing suit,
whose panels between the body and limbs slow a skydiver’s fall, but with more
liberty. “It’s awesome, it’s great, it’s fantastic!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;">You won’t catch me jumping out of a plane with a wing
strapped to my back. But I yearn for even a small measure of Rossy’s joie de
vol. after five runs off the Outer Banks dune last April, I was getting
closer-able to fly into the wind, then floating gently down onto my feet. It
was as if the glider wasn’t there.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;">I wanted more. Sandra Vernon, a 47-years-old mother of three
I my class on the dune, egged me on. She’d been flying towed tandem flights,
pulled up to 2,000 feet behind an ultralight. This usually grants a hand glider
a good ten-minute flight back down to Earth, even if there are no rising
thermals to help keep the craft aloft. “I’m short, I’m chubby, I’m not spry,”
Vernon says. “I wish I had been doing this in my 20s. you can’t help but love
it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;">Challenge accepted, I strapped myself into the harness of a
tandem glider with instructor Jon Thompson. He warned that eh moment when the
towplane released us would remind me of going over the top of a roller coaster.
I’m a coaster fan. This was nothing like that. It felt like falling headfirst
off the top of a 2,000-foot-tall bulding. “You can fly now,” Thompson said,
genially offering me the controls. “No! I shouted over the wind. In a few
moments the glider gained lift and leveled off. My terror waned, and I took
control. I banked left, then right-more of a pigeon than a sooty shearwater but
flying all the same.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;">In pursuit of flight, I’m also keeping my eye on the Puffin,
a “personal air vehicle” that became an Internet sensation when NASA unveiled
it in 2010. Big advances in superefficient electric motors and control systems,
which let the air craft feel the intention of the pilot, may make it possible
to fly a one-person craft like this safely without typical pilot training. “We
are trying to create a horse-and-rider kind of experience,” says Mark Moore, a
NASA aerospace engineer who developed the prototype. “A horse is an intelligent
vehicle, but it’s only intelligent than the horse could ever discern.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1977</b> A British
prize set up in 1959 for the first human-powered plane is finally caimed by the
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gossamer Condor</i>, which has Mylar
wings and a furiously pedaling pilot.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1980</b>s French
skydiver Patrick de Gayardon soars in his batlike nylon wing suit. Hed dies
testing a new model in 1998.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;">2000 U.S. defense grants begin funding a program to develop
a flying “exoskeleton.” The idea is to create a suit that soldiers can wear to
take off and land vertically, with a propeller fan over each shoulder.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;">2006 Seeking the power of a plane without its confines,
Swiss pilot Yves Rossy puts jet engines and carbon-fiber wings on his own body.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;">2008 Martin Aircraft tests its fan-powered “Jetpack” and
says it plans to sell a recreational model. Flight time : 30 minutes Price:
$100,000.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;">2010 NASA’s Puffin concept a 300-pound electric “flying
suit,” would stand on its stubby tail for takeoff, then level off to cruise on
wings.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #660000;">The Puffin may never fly, but other inventors are tinkering.
JoeBen Bevirt, an entrepreneur in Santa Cruz, California, has already flown a
small scale prototype of his version of a flying car. He envisions it as a
sleek, red plane with eight electric motors. It would take off and land
vertically and fly a hundred miles in an hour, zooming him to a San Francisco
meeting in half the time it takes in his Prius. “I want one,” he says flatly.
Me too.</span></div>
<span style="color: #660000;">
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<br /></div>
HDG's travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03812020898809262902noreply@blogger.com8