Explore Belitung: Rumah Ahok And East Belitung

Open pit, East Belitung

What differs it from the western side of the island is its attractions. Belitung Timur offers visitors more varieties of places to visit. From natural, historical places to the well-known Laskar Pelangi school. It lies around 60-70 km away from Tanjung Pandan, the island's big down. So, voila! Let's take a look what places to track in. Get your shoes ready!

1. Open Pit

It used to be a mining area which are now abandoned. It was located 90 minutes away from Tanjung Pandan, island's biggest town. We should track the red-soil path on the way there --- it's like 200 meters though. There's actually a cave--or a mining tunnel-- down there but too bad, we had to chase after the time to explore other places.

How much? Only pay for the parking for IDR5,000 or less than 50 cent.

2. Danau Mempayak

This acres-lake is...just...beautiful. I had no idea what to say to describe this lake. It's right by the road between the Open Pit and Manggar, the biggest town in Belitung Timur. You can drop by taking some photos. It's free. Haha.

3. Kampong Ahok / House of Ahok

The brave but controversial former Jakarta governor is a Belitung origin. His compound is now used as a batik gallery.

3. SD Laskar Pelangi

This elementary school (BIG) replica was featured in Laskar Pelangi the movie, named after the original best-seller novel by Andrea Hirata (which is a Belitung origin). From this place the beauty of Belitung started to be exposed. I think we all should thank to Andrea Hirata for his very briliant accomplishment! The entrance fee is less than 40 cents. Really.

5. Museum Kata Andrea Hirata

It was late when we arrived here as it's closed at 5 pm. It's a museum conaisting of the ...poems...quotes... Andrea Hirata had written. I have no idea what inside was but from the outside, the building is pretty colourful. It's IDR 50,000 or USD 3.40 for the entrance fee. Please do not come by 5 pm, otherwise you miss the train.

6. The Chinese Temple of Kuala Kampit.

What's striking in every Chinese temples are its red and gold colors..and the foo dog. It lies between the Open Pit and Manggar.  There's Kwan Im Goddess statue in the outside of the temple. It's orientally beautiful.

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Makna Idul Fitri

Maybe selama Ramadan kadang tidak bisa menahan diri dari godaan takjil-dkk and overwhelming appetite setelah bedug maghrib. Maybe the next two days will be filled with joy, love, forgivng dan larut dalam festival makan besar, opor ayam- and-friends. It's okay, karena, maybe, Ramadan datang lagi tahun depan.

Most people say besok hari kemenangan, and hopefully we always note bahwa setiap hari adalah perjuangan. Semoga self-control ini tidak memudar bersama gema takbir dan suara petasan. Semoga selalu ingat bahwa Ramadan bukan hanya pelengkap untuk sebelas bulan, namun sebagai pelita sepanjang kehidupan.

Semoga kontrol diri tidak sebatas menahan air dan nasi, namun melawan belenggu fanatisme dan intoleransi.

Selamat Idul Fitri.

Mohon maaf lahir & batin.

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Explore Belitung: Sijuk

The oldest mosque in Belitung

It's my tenth month since I stepped on to this island. And there are places yet to visit. I've been in some places, some are famous and worthy and some are….well…

This time we’re exploring the North-West part of the island of Belitung. It’s located in the district of Sijuk.

The first spot was Masjid Al-Ikhlash (Did I write it right?). It's built in 1817 and the oldest mosque in Belitung. It's possibly one of the first Muslim settlements in the island. Unlike the other historical building, the Al-Ikhlash mosque is more into function. It's not big, it's not lux or outstanding and overwhelmed with calligraphy or else like any other iconic mosque.

About 200 meters away from the mosque there's a Buddhist temple with a Kwan Im Goddess statue. Too bad I did not take pictures of it, but anyway it's like the one in Bangka or Batam.

The second spot was the mangrove. It was located just like a stone-throw away from the Buddhist temple. There was nothing to see there but the mangroves themselves--that's why they called it mangroves…..wtf….

There was actually two canoes but they're just abandoned, stranded and tired. We walked through the wooden path and..yeah...nothing to see and I was like “Is that all?” Then my friend was like “I think so .. I hope so”. So we left.

The third spot was Pantai Singkik. When we're on the way there I was pretty much sure that we're lost. I mean, the red muddish road and there was like a bump or two in every 10 meters. I was wondering what if the car got cracked or whatever, there. Once we got there, all we saw was long white sand beach. And no others but us. It was beautiful, but too bad the wave was not surfable. I mean, it could've been like a very inviting and appealing beach to visit.

Actually we planned to visit a geosite in Siantu to sea the pillow lava but too bad it was getting dark so we decided to stop...not to mention we had been lost in the woods for an hour like omigosh!

The only issue was the access to the places. It would've been so unfortunate for the traveler first time visiting the area especially the beaches area. Too bad I didnt take pictures of the road that i mean as I pretty much enjoyed the bumping sensation and worried about the car got stuck or else. Overall, it's not really bad at all then, at least I was not stuck on the bed to death on my weekend.

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