Say it with flowers... HK Flower Show

I was not so interested to come to this exhibition until some friends said that Indonesia won the Golden Award of Outstanding Exhibit in the past few years. 

Booth of Indonesian Consulate General in Hong Kong @ HK Flower Show 2013

As to support my beautiful country, I arrived at Victoria Park at noon at the day when it was very sunny...  I went straight to the information center and asked for the Indonesian booth. Well, the booth made me proud being an Indonesian in Hong Kong.  

See the pic of Saman dancers @ Indonesian booth

This year, Indonesia presented a booth themed on the Indonesian province of Aceh. The booth attracted attention of many visitors. People were standing in front of the booth taking pics of the booth and flowers, the Indonesian dancers too. The booth was never alone!

Indonesian dancers @ Indonesian booth

Gile, susah bener motret booth ini tanpa orang2,…  Banyak yang mau foto bunganya, booth-nya, atau foto bareng sama penari2nya…

Other booths from different countries (and other entities in Hong Kong) present gorgeous flower arrangement as well...

Tulips

Thailand booth

Macau booth

Japanese garden style

Without having planned it, I went there again on Sunday the last day of the exhibition. The crowd seemed double! Victoria Park is always crowded anyway on Sunday as it is the day off for the migrant workers.

What does it look like?

Cute flower arrangement

Cute "mushroom" flowers

Bonzai

Still the Indonesian booth organized by Indonesian Consulate General was crowded.... Bahasa Indonesia with many different accents could be heard in almost everywhere.  The beautiful dancers dressed up in different outfits. They are as pretty as always…

Some more Indonesian dancers

This flower is not about moving Mong Kok flower market to Victoria Park, but it is better than I expected.

My 2nd favorite booth, after the Indonesian booth @ HK Flower Show 2013

Congrats Indonesian team! Good job!

Like this!

About the Event: HK Flower Show is an annual event organized by Hong Kong Leisure and Cultural Services Department to promote horticulture and the awareness of greening. The event was held on 15 to 24 March 2013 at Victoria Park - Causeway Bay. See link: http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/green/hkfs/2013/en/index.php

Tranquil Bay - Padangbai, Bali

Padangbai is in between Ubud and Candi Dasa in Bali, the island of God.  That is based on my personal calculation considering my limited geographical knowledge through Google map.  

It is only 10-12 kilometers to Candi Dasa but it is around 90 minute drive from Ubud. I couldn’t bother to find out how many kilometers as I fell asleep in the car. 

When I browsed information about Padangbai, I noticed that it is a place for transit. Visitors go there to take ferry to Lombok - an island in West Nusa Tenggara (Nusa Tenggara Barat) province, Indonesia. 

Bali beaches that I am familiar with are Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Nusa Dua, Benoa, Jimbaran, Sanur,… They sound familiar to many visitors to Bali… Choosing Padangbai as the first time was a good experience. It is time to explore other areas in this exotic island! 

Great view from the hill!

 

Let the pic tells everything… Above is the view from Bloo Lagoon where we stayed 

Thanks to Toni and Marita, we joined other group of guests enjoying the Chinese New Year set menu dinner. We sat in the long table together with around twelve people, a mix of guests from Bristol, San Francisco, etc., and us: one is originally from Jakarta and one is from Hong Kong…

 

Nasi Campur Bali - Balinese mixed rice - common dish in Bali

 

All wanted to stay in Padangbai for the atmosphere, weather, scenery, tranquility - far from the busy beaches…

 

Bloo Lagoon, Padangbai, Bali, Indonesia

 

Pssttt…. It was quite sunny days during our stay, sunblock and sunglasses are definitely required if you visit any Bali beaches. Also, drink lots of water. Some may not like the humidity, but personally it is nothing compared to Hong Kong humidity.
 

Sunset from top of the hill at Bloo Lagoon, Padangbai

Snorkeling

Other than a transit place, Padangbai is actually known as a place for diving and snorkeling. This small port town has a few diving operators to cater such need.

 

Hello sunrise! Padangbai, Bali

The hotel driver dropped us to the pier and we sailed to Tanjung Jepun for snorkeling. It was quite an activity in the pier. A group of Japanese tourists was about to board the boat too. Across the pier, a group of other tourists were having breakfast at the cafe along the road.

The guy who’s responsible for the simple wooden boat started the engine and we were sailing… "Ada dua tempat untuk snorkeling dan diving, Tanjung Jepun dan Blue Lagoon. Kita ke Tanjung Jepun dulu".  There are two snorkeling/diving points in Padangbai: Tanjung Jepun and Blue Lagoon. Normally, tourists are taken to Tanjung Jepun first, then Blue Lagoon.

 

Somewhere in between Tanjung Jepung & Blue Lagoon

 

It took us only 15 minute to reach Tanjung Jepun.  Some boats have arrived earlier. As I can see in the ocean during my ‘short’ snorkeling, there are many Nemo in this area. They seem happy swimming with snorkelers and divers from different nationalities. I could also see the Pertamina jetty from not very far… 

On our way back to the pier, we stopped at Blue Lagoon. Fishes are bigger comparing to Tanjung Jepun… We were told that Bola-bola (fish) is normally can be seen while snorkeling in Bali, especially in Blue Lagoon. Mmm… it was not our good day then, no Bola-bola fish appeared… 

It was a short one night stay in Padangbai, but good memory remains…

 

View from Padangbai main road (right: ferry terminal)

 

Next: Another beach nearby… Bali trip continues...

Bali, Romantic Ubud

My first love to Bali happened in 1993 during my first trip to this Island of Gods.  Is it two decades ago?  I went to Kuta like most tourists from Jakarta would do, for New Year holiday. 

My love to Bali seemed stagnant.  I didn't go to Bali again until 2003. Since then, I was addicted...

I visited Ubud only after 2003, and I started to love it.  Even though it is located a bit far from the airport or around 1-1/2 to 2 hour drive, but it is worth the travel.

Rice field, Ubud

Ubud is a small town located amongst rice paddies and steep ravines in the central foothills of the Gianyar regency.  One of Bali's major arts and culture centers; many beautiful paintings, galleries, stone carvings, it is a quiet and bloody damn too romantic place… 

Tips: bring sunglasses, hat, fan and it is useful to wear sunblock.  Drink lots of water. B ringing a small flash light might be useful too.  Many hotels are typical of villa where one room to another, and to the reception is a bit far, and we have to walk in the open garden under the moon.  Some locations are hilly, be ready to go up and down.

 

Lotus Pond, Ubud - day time

Lotus Pond, Ubud - before the dance starts

Things to do in Ubud

Watching the Balinese Dance Performance is a must!  There are a few places offering performances in the evening, they dance under the stars. 

Welcome Dance, Balinese traditional dance

 

During my childhood, girls' common extra curriculums were either practicing traditional dances (Balinese or Javanese) or ballet.  

Legong dancer, Bali

My mom sent me to Balinese dance class. I attended it twice a week ever since I was at the first grade of elementary school until I graduated! Six years practicing Balinese dance, every Monday and Thursday. Each session lasts two hour class.

Oleg Tamulilingan (the bumblebee dance)

The lessons were run by Tante Wila Wirya, the wife of Doctor Wila Wirya, a pediatrician. My house used to be only 15 minute walk from theirs in Kebayoran Baru, south Jakarta.



Mask dance, Bali

Doctor Wila was my family doctor. Every time I got sick, I ended up in his practicing room - that is just next door to the hall where we practiced the Balinese dances. Oh yes, I could hear the gamelan Bali instrumental from the cassette player. Ok, please laugh reading "cassette" player, no CD nor MP3/4 nor ipod during those times! 

…….. Ubud has a few places where we can watch dance performances. One of them is the lotus pond in Ubud main road, next to Starbucks. This beautiful pond becomes more beautiful in the evening, especially with the lights and gamelan orchestra (traditional music)……. 

Gamelan orchestra

Together with many girls around my age, Tante Wila taught us those dances;

 

• Pendet (welcome dance),
• Tenun (about several girls who make cloth with traditional tools),
• Margapati (the dance illustrates the movements of a lion roaming in the jungle hinting for prey),
• Panji Semirang (it is about a lady who tried to find her lost fiancé named Panji in a battle field),
• Nelayan (fishermen dance),
• Oleg Tamulilingan (bumblebee dance),
• Legong Keraton
• Kebyar Duduk (sitting dance)
• Wiranata (the magnificence of a prince)

Kebyar dance

I still remember some movements. Tante Wila's instructions ringing in my head: tangannya tinggi, nyeledet kanan, ekspresi matanya..., ngeseh, kanan, putar, kiri..., goyang pinggul, kepala...

"Nyeledet" - eyes expression, Balinese dance

 

I used to like the male dances such as Margapati, Panji Semirang, Nelayan, Kebyar Duduk and Wiranata. The movements are more energetic, the outfit and make up are simpler! No need wearing long sarong or extra long hair wig as pony tail.


Quand j'etais petite - Pendet - une dance balinaise

Walking Tours

 

Rice harvest, Ubud

Thanks to TripAdvisor, we found a good walking tour. Wayan and Balioffcourse took us visiting Balinese traditional home compound, walking around the rice field in Ubud, dropping by a water fall, and walking again until wherever!

View around Ubud, Walking Tour

 

Having Balinese food for lunch was a good way to end the tour. Thanks for the wonderful walk, Wayan!

Left: traditional Ubud market which soon be replaced by modern building (right)

 

Ubud Market

This is the place to shop. This traditional market is under renovation and soon will occupy a modern building.  I am worried about its uniqueness but we shall see…

Ubud Market, July 2008

 

Ubud Market, Feb 2013 - soon it'll be ready

Stalls in Ubud Market

Other good areas for shopping are the along Monkey Forest road and Hanoman road. Lots of things to find there; clothes, souvenirs, silver wares, restaurants, cafes, mini markets, gelato shops, ATMs, etc.

Lotus Pond, Ubud

 

Pura (Temple)



Ngaben preparation, July 2008

Ubud has many beautiful Pura. I have not visited many of them except Pura Desa Ubud (the main ‘town temple’) which is located across Ubud market.

 

I went there just before “Ngaben” the Balinese Royal Cremation which was a huge event held in July 2008. Refer to this link for more info;

http://www.bali-travel-life.com/ngaben.html

Ngaben preparation, July 2008

 

Monkey Forest

During Walking Tour, Ubud

Yup, another place to be visited with the family in Ubud. Oops, sorry, I have never been to Monkey Forest even though I had been in Ubud a few times. But please feel free to check this for more info.... http://www.monkeyforestubud.com/

Riding in Ubud

Rent a motorbike to go around Ubud is fun! If you are energetic, you may also rent bicycle. Please bear in mind that Ubud is hilly!

 

Spa, Yoga, Meditation

Ubud is the place to balance your holiday; art, culture, shopping, fun exercise - refreshing the body, mind and soul!

 

Somewhere in Komaneka Bisma, Ubud

What’s next? Still about Bali... Let's go to the beach!

Jakarta, a day in the car

Wednesday afternoon a few days before the Chinese New Year, I landed safely in Jakarta. The city where I spent most of my life and a second home after Hong Kong. 

Timing was less than a month after the worst flood in the city in mid of January 2013. Big floods also happened once in almost five years in 2008, 2002, 1997, etc...

China town, Petak Sembilan, Jakarta

Jakarta and its traffic is a never ending story. Traffic gets worse anytime when it rains; vehicle moves slower and "genangan air" (a polite synonym of flood) is everywhere in the lower parts of the roads. 

So anyway, my friend, Gus (mirip dengan nama sebenarnya) was kind enough to voluntarily pick me up in the middle of the day at Soekarno Hatta airport in his new car! 

China town, Jakarta, many "toko obat" - traditional chinese medicine shops

 

It just happened that he had free time and for me, it was to maximise my "limited time" in Jakarta to meet as many friends as possible. I thought it is a good idea to chat with a friend than with taxi driver, even though I am sure Mr. Blue Bird will do an excellent job.

First comment that he made about traffic was; there's labor demonstration today. Oh, well...

First discussion we had was about the parking fee increment in the big shopping malls in Jakarta. It was from Rp2,000 to Rp4,000 per hour.

Parking fee in Hong Kong, somewhere in Causeway Bay

 

Leaving airport, we missed the turn to Grogol and instead we headed to Kemayoran. The goal to get out in Kemayoran and proceed to Kuningan seemed to be a good idea. But the rain started when we exited Kemayoran toll gate. Rain is identical to traffic plus flood! Indeed, in a second these two happened right away!! 

I landed in Soekarno Hatta (SoeTa) at 13.10 and let's say by 14.00 we were on the road and arrived in Kuningan at 16.30's. 

Distance from SoeTa to Kuningan is less than 40 km but 2-1/2 hour drive was too much! 

Building in China Town, Jakarta

 

Second and third topics of discussion were about the last huge flood in January and Jokowi's leadership. We also talked about how Basuki or Ahok handled the recent flood in Jakarta.

Genangan air di hampir sepanjang Matraman, Manggarai and ujung Kuningan before entering Rasuna Said. 

Fourth topic was probably about how Ahok fired the Head of Rumah Susun Marunda.

Fifth was about the accident in the toll road involving the son of one of the Ministers who is also the Head of a political party.

Journey has not completed, the next route was from Kuningan to FX Sudirman. My friend and acquintance from Womanbizlife had organized ladies dinner for us, as a friend from Sydney was also in town.

Street vendor, China Town, Jakarta - look at those pipes

 

We left Kuningan after 5 pm headed to Casablanca tunnel to go to Sudirman (non 3-in-1 route). Totally flooded. 10 motorbikes stuck and it was forcefully closed. We returned to Rasuna Said and definitely did not want to try Balai Kartini area.

We decided not to try Mega Kuningan as we would ended up nowhere. So, the only route that was maybe possible to be passed is Four Seasons and Landmark, even though it was probably as busy as anywhere else!  

Kue Rangi, traditional snack, Indonesian cuisine

 

Another topic for discussion was one of my favorite topics!  It is about a young talented musician, who released from the jail and restarts his life. He, together with his band, reborn in the Indonesian music industry.

We discussed it from many aspects;

-They have great producer who has waited for two years! She is not only a producer, she seems to be a good aunt for him and his band.

-They have "sahabat" as solid fans! Everyone has their own way to support their favorite team.

-If I could write his love life story, I would do it with a happy ending. It is not to satisfy the audience, but it is because he and she deserve happiness. 

They met, separated, were together again and happy, and God knows their status now. I don't know them personally, but if I wish they were and will be together ever after. Imagine the couple in the soap advertisement featuring them, their chemistry tells everything.

Tetapi, hidup, mati dan jodoh, hanya Tuhan yang tahu..... #Tak pernah kusadari aku sebodoh ini, aku hidup untukmu, aku mati tanpamu...#



Street vendor, China Town, Jakarta

It was from 5 pm, even though 3-in-1 was not applicable that afternoon... 3-in-1 aja macet apalagi ini tanpa 3-in-1 ditambah hujan dan banjir, triplet macetnya Sudirman!

Finally we arrived in FX after 9pm! Only four out of maybe eight ladies finally reached the venue. Still, it was a must to take pics in our red outfit for the Gong Xi Fa Chai.

Sudirman was still busy at 10 pm...



China Town, Jakarta - Furniture from Guangdong China is available!

Gus picked me up again at FX and we meant to pick up Vince. Ok guys, you would probably take me to Indomie or Roti Bakar and coffee nearby the street. "Let's go to Pisa Cafe", Vince said instead...

Blessing in disguise... Semua kejadian ada hikmahnya. Traffic brings closeness among friends. Hehehe... Ini nge-les dot com apa gimana?