Explore Banjarmasin: The Teletubbies Hill

Teletubbies Hill, South Kalimantan

It was an ordinary Monday but it turned out different. I decided to explore this province (South Kalimantan) so I was off to the southwest part.

It was located in Pelaihari, 70 km away from Banjarmasin, the province's capital. You can get there by motorbike, car or taking public transportation. For those on budget bacpacking, the latter can be considerend. So, just take a shared taxi (angkot, but locals here called it taxi) from Banjarmasin (Pal 6) to Liang Anggang. It only costs you IDR8,000 or around 60 cents. From Liang Anggang you take another taxi to Pelaihari. It took 90 minutes to get there.

For those with motorbikes or car, just go straight eastward from Banjarmasin, then you will find a roundabout (second roundabout to be exact) then turn right (southward). Then just follow the road. It's easy to find as there's only one main road--Jalan Ahmad Yani--and the hill is quite visible from the road. You need to walk and climb for about 15 minutes to reach the top. It was magnifique view you will find. So it paid off every single step.

Things to note:

1. Bring your camera, make sure the battery is on its full condition, and is the memory card.

2. PLEASE DO NOT LITTER!

3. Have a good time!!!

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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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