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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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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My Sunset Snaps!

Sunset is one of the most wanted and lovable moments the people want to seize. My love of sunset is pretty much reflecting how my life I hope will be. It wil come to an end, where --unlike any other ending that are perceived as saddened moments, like farewell and byes-- sunset, somehow, is what the people have been happily waiting for. There's peace, serenity, beauty and --surely-- happiness in the end.

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Explore Belitung: Island Hopping!

Belitung

When it comes to island trip, Belitung is one of the best places for your bucket list.  Now I would like to share what I had when exploring the Bali-size island. Not as much fun as Bali, but still, it had things to offer.

Island Hopping

We went for island hopping and it was like 4 or 5 islands we visited. So lucky to know that the weather is pretty good so w can feel sunshine throughout the tour. It started from Tanjung Kelayang where we rent a boat that costs Rp400,000 per trip. The boat also was provided with the snorkeling equipment.

The first spot was Batu Garuda, a set of big rocks shaping like an eagle. The next was Batu Belaya r where it was perfect for swimming as the water was crystal clear. The we continued to Pulau Lengkuas, the one with the iconic lighthouse and we went to the top of it. The view was OMIGOD! 

Actually we planned to snorkel but it was too crowd so we decided to head off the next spot which is the "sand island"! Its not a sole island actually, as it grain of sand in which you can enjoy only when the tide was low and we were sooo lucky that we came at the right time! It was all sand with the crystal-clear sea water all around and its not deep. We could even find star fish like...many of them.

Tips: The best time to come is on midyear. Avoid the month of November-February as it was monsoon season (we call it Angin Barat). Better with friends as you can share cost of boat rental.

See Tarsius at Batu Mentas

It was very first time for me to see one of the smallest primate on Earth. It was located in Batu Mentas, 15 miles away from Tanjung Pandan, the downtown. We saw a pepper plantation, rubber plantation on the way there.

with Tarsius!

It was a sanctuary (at least what was written at the gate) but it's more like a big cage. We went there on a rainy day but it was okay. We went down through the river using a floating wheel and it was fun. The not well-maintained facilities was what we're concerned on. But, we had Tarsius there so...it's worth.

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