Food of the Week

You want something fresh, light, and tasty food? Try this one, original Fish & Chips by Fish & Co. It's uniquely serve in a pan! A good alternative when you're bored with beef or chicken steak. Have a nice meal!


Fish & Co provide seafood goodies like fish, prawns, mussels, oysters, and more in American cuisine style. Available at Plaza EX, Pacific Place, Cilandak Town Square, Epicentrum Walk.

Garuda di Dadaku

This is amazing, maybe almost all of Indonesian singing the national anthem last night.
Yes, we lost, but we're proud of you, GARUDA WARRIOR...!! Thanks for the great battle spirit..
And congratulations (huh) Malaysia, for winning the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010

Captured from Indovision-RCTI, edited by me

I Love you all, Indonesian national team members!

Holiday in Kuala Lumpur - Genting Highland

I went to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for Christmas Holiday with my mom, my aunt, and my cousin's wife. My cousin is work in there, so we visit him and had a holiday at once. On day 1 and 2, we stayed in Kuala Lumpur, shopping at Bukit Bintang and driving around the city by Hop-hop city tour bus. Too bad my cousin can't joined us because he had to work :D. Well, I must admit that Kuala Lumpur is much better from Jakarta, especially in the field of urban transport and road infrastructure. There is no traffic jam for hours, truck-free and the city bus is well maintained - no pollution, good urban planning that separate the resident area and office building, wide side walk for pedestrian (and no motorcycle run on it).. but Jakarta is still superior in architecture; the buildings in Kuala Lumpur are unattractive as well as the interior.

See a whole Kuala Lumpur city by this Hop-hop city tour bus

The only tourist :p

Silly, we don't take photos in front of this city landmark. Well, we've planned to do it on our way back to hotel, but unfortunately the light goes off when we arrived. Huuu,, it turns out that the light is turned off if it has passed 12 am :(

Me, my cousin, and his wife

Haven restaurant at Ampang Look-Out Point

Day 2


I wonder when our city will have this kind of transportation. Why it seems so difficult to build?? At least we should have an electronic ticketing system to avoid fraud (sigh..). Okay, forget about monorail. Just fix the KRL Jabodetabek first!

Traditional Kaya Toast, yummy....!!

Berryl's Chocolate Kingdom. Code number for people from embassy. We got 30% discount :p. Mind to Tiramisu Almond Chocolate, so delicious...! But these chocolate are expensive ;'(

Now we arrived at Genting Highland, about 1 hour driving from Kuala Lumpur. It located in Titiwangsa's peak, about 2000 m above sea level (source: Wikipedia). Coooooold.....! Brrrrr....! We arrived at night, check in at Hotel Theme Park, and after dinner, we started to shopping again :p. I'm kinda regret to not go into casino, but I'm run out of money after all.

In the morning, we ride the Genting Skyway cable car. OMG it's soooooo hiiiigh......!!!






Then we headed to airport but we were a bit lost. We arrived about 1 hour before boarding time and have to run to reach the check in counter in time, just like a movie scene :D. Thanks to my cousin who accompanied and treat us on this trip!!

Lost in Sea, Forrest, or Space? Whatever..

One of my office mate, Adit, has resigned based on some reasons and it makes me want to do the same. I've been thinking this and that, but still I don't have the answer yet. I.. still don't know where I want to go nor how to get there and I don't like taking risks like being lost or else. I'm a chicken *depressed ( -___-' )

Blueberry Pancake
No need expensive pancake store if you could cook it yourself, right?

Vanimo Beach Hotel Review

Vanimo Beach Hotel is located right in front of Philippine Beach. The hotel is surrounded by a high fence and gate completed with guards to protect the visitors. They have facilities like bungalow, restaurant (their foods are delicious), bar, and karaoke. The hotel receptionist staff's named Ebellina, a nice and pretty young woman, you will be happy to talk to her.

I stayed in a bungalow. This wooden building with modern furniture consist of living room (AC), mini kitchen, 1 bedroom (single bed + double bed, AC), 1 bathroom, and terrace. Clean and well maintained. Quite small but still comfort.






However, it's quite expensive; 450 K per night and 50 K for extra bed (1 K = Rp. 3000, count it yourself)

Trip to Jayapura-Vanimo

It's been a long time since my last entry. I don't know why I've been so lazy to write. Too busy playing PC game :p. Anyway, my latest journey I've done was visit Jayapura and Vanimo, Papua New Guinea! Most people said it was a though trip for a girl like me. Was it? NOOOOT...! I really excited! I mean, hey! When else I could visit this place, the easternmost part of Indonesia?

Well, actually it was a service trip in order to monitor the cross-border transportation of Jayapura-Vanimo. The plan has been delayed twice because of this and that. I went with my bosses, Mr. K and Mr. B, so I have to do all coordination by myself. Indonesian representative in Vanimo is General Consulate, that's where we are going. It was quite trouble. The phone and fax connection were not good and with all bureaucracy to do, visa and other documents, the time I need wasn't short. Thanks God all was well by the time.

We took an 8 hours flight to Jayapura, Papua with two transit times (Makasar and Biak). It was very looong flight, I'm tired of sitting, moreover, I cannot sleep well (we took a night flight). But finally we safely landed in Sentani Airport in Jayapura. Oh yeah, if you go to Jayapura, remember to look outside the windows when you already above it. The view was so cool; very enormous land filled with forest and trees just like a soft green rug. Land of Virgin. Also, there's a giant beauuutiful mountain (Mr. Pilot told us the name, but I really forgot). By the way, Mr. Pilot, which named Lucky Lukmansyah, flying the aircraft smoothly and his voice are so gentle. With no doubt I declared him as my favorite pilot :p.

Beautiful, isn't it?

From Jakarta, my boss asked a favor from our colleague from Damri, Mr. M, to accompany us down to Vanimo. Mr. M's family roots came from Vanimo, therefore he often go to Vanimo and able to speak pidgin (national language of Papua New Guinea) also know the habits of local resident. The trip from Sentani to the border took about 3 hours drive or 1,5 hours from Jayapura City. I found out that Jayapura is like cities in Sumatra. The building, the road, the scenery, the dust,, and I can tell you the weather is hot with high humidity although Jayapura is surrounded by mountain. We can see restaurant or something like that everywhere, especially Padang food. After we leave the city, the scenery turned to forest because the road was dividing the mountain around the bay. Actually we can go to the border with boat too. Right now, the government is building a bridge to connect Jayapura and the border easily but somehow the construction is stagnant.

We arrived at the border by noon. We checked in the military post that secure the border. We also saw the famous Market Point of Skouw where many villagers of Wutung and Vanimo were bought things and goods. After we exchange our money at market (IDR 3.000 = 1 Kina) and stamps the passport at immigration post, we leave our car and walk through the neutral area (about 500 meters) and entered the land of Papua New Guinea (Wutung village). First thing I noticed was red spitting everywhere from the habit of people who chewed pinang and spit it in any place. Uuughh, gross... Then we took a car and drive to Vanimo for about 1,5 hours. If the scenery in Jayapura was forest and mountain, in Vanimo we'll see coastal and sea. It's so beautiful. We arrived in Vanimo by afternoon. Do not imagine that Vanimo is a big and cheerful city, in fact it's a small, poor, and silent city. There is nothing. No more than a village in Indonesia. Actually, Vanimo is a provincial capital of Sandaun (Sandaun = Sun Down, a place where the sun last sets). High unemployment rates leads to high crimes. Recently, the consulate officer told us, a week before we arrived there was an attack against a villager who is one of the city elder. The incident sparked a horrific act; arson house of attackers by the victim's families. Previously, one of consulate officer was robbed, he was beaten to near death. Scary, huh? No wonder they were surprised that there was me, a young girl, in this team. But still, I don't feel worry :p. People of Vanimo are friendly, but it all may change once they drunk, which it was their pleasure.

Border Post. Actually this photo was taken in day 2, not soon when we arrived

By consulate officer, Mr. D, we were taken into the best hotel in there (well, there are only two hotels in Vanimo), Vanimo Beach Hotel. It's property of Malaysian and well build. There's only bungalow type left and I'm not allowed to stay alone, so I have to share the place with my bosses and Mr. M. Lady sleep on bed, and gentlemen sleep on sofa, hehehe. Then we were invited to dinner with the consulate, so at 7pm we picked up using Land Rover, even though the consulate is right beside the hotel. The consulate office is so modest but still bold with Garuda emblem at the gate. We were greeting with Mr. S, the acting consular, and few officers of consular. Then we had a dinner of Gado-gado in super portion! *buurrppp...

Transportation Corps and Foreign Affair Corps

Meeting

The next morning, we were meeting to discuss matters about cross-border transportation to further report to our Minister.

At front of Consulate office. Modest, huh?

Then we were going to border again to review the market situation, the mobilization, taking photos, etc. People of consulate seems like knows every single body. They incessantly greet and be greeted by the title "boro" which mean is "friend". Hmm,,, maybe we need to stay outside of our country to realize how much we love it. For example, one of the officers puts Indonesia national anthem as cellphone ringtone :D. I too, realized how beautiful my country is and how lucky I am for became Indonesian ♥ ♥

The border gate and the consulate's car

Market visitors, ready to go home with their goods...

... with these.

The market

Souvenirs from Papua New Guinea, expensive.. T.T

With locals

Large banner to prevent AIDS

Can you see that? Someone's stand Merah Putih on the mountain!

My bosses

As the name, our hotel is located near the beach which name is Philippine Beach (Don't ask me why, I don't know..). On the afternoon, we swam with Mr. D. The beach is very clean and pure like never been touched by human and also calm. Sooo relax... We swam until the sun sets. Normally, DO NOT swim or do activities outside the hotel on the afternoon, especially for a girl, it's vulnerable. We can swim safely because we accompanied by consulate officer. If not, the locals might come to you and ask for money or cigarette. We were invited to dinner again (how nice..) at restaurant hotel on the second floor. The food was delicious but quite expensive (35 K per portion), fortunately, it comes in super portion again :D. I chatted with Mr. D who tells how he wants to switch work place. He has been here for 9 years! He is already 40 years old (I was surprised, I thought he's around 30) and never sees his daughters grow. Well, be patient Mr. D! When we had finished eating and want to go back, suddenly it's noisy outside. People yelled angrily. Drunk people. Whew, people from Consulate had a tough life :).

Somewhere in our way to border

Philippine Beach, verrrrrryyy niceeeeeee.....

How to get there:
Jakarta to Jayapura by plane (Garuda Airlines, Merpati Airlines, or Lion Air)
Jayapura to border by car rental (Rp. 300.000 - Rp. 600.000, depends on distance)
Border to Vanimo by local transport (150 K - 250 K, depends on car type)

Worst Flight Delayed

Merapi eruption become worst and worst. Maybe you have read about it in anywhere; newspaper, television, news online, etc. One of its damage is volcanic ash covered the sky. Because that ash, I've been trap in Solo Adi Sumarmo International Airport for 4 hours, alone! You think 4 hours is just a while? Yeah, try it yourself. I'm tired and bored to death. My suffer couldn't be compared with people in refuge, but still.. T.T

While waiting in boarding room, nothing to do, I looked around and catch :

One.
A young woman (around 20) with middle-aged man sitting next each other. The woman wearing hijab, and her style is like 30 years old woman. I thought they are father and daughter. But then I note they're holding hands in romantic way. Then the man went quite long and when come back, he brought the woman a book with title "Dangerous Types of Wife" and she giggled. Many things that makes me,, hmmm,,, suspicious.. An affair? Demi Moore-Kutcher wanna be? or even a mistress? hahaha..

Two.
A young father from foreign carry a toddler (boy) and a baby (girl) with him. Walking around; carrying his baby while bottle-feeding her, the toddler asleep in his stroller. Man, he is very patient. I was touched. He looks a little bit trouble when aboard with all of his belongings. But the aircrew quickly response and help him. I salute that young father. Two kids, delayed for hours, and no angry or tired expression look on his face.

Hmmmm....

Kinda sad this night :(
*sst.. it's a secret I cannot tell you

PRAY FOR INDONESIA

Our country is experiencing terrible natural disaster. Starting from Wasior floods in west Papua, October 4, that caused more than 200 people died. Then the floods that hit the capital city, Jakarta. On October 25, continuous rain since day until night causing Jakarta can't avoid floods and making a great traffic jam ever in 2010. Many people got stuck on the street until late night and the police cannot do something much about it. The angry people release their feeling by cursing the governor or make cruel jokes about him ^.^

At the night in the same day, there's an 7.4 magnitude earthquake occurred in Mentawai archipelago, west Sumatera, causing 12 meters tsunami that swept hundreds of people. About 300 people died and more than 400 people missing. Material losses are incalculable. Aftershocks continue to occur until today but in smaller scale. Right now, the institution I'm working at is sending 4 ship that carry the aids for the disaster victim.

Then, in October 26, Merapi volcano in center of Java is erupted. People near the volcano are too late to evacuate themselves although the government is already warn them about the danger of eruption. They believe in "mountain keeper", Mbah Maridjan, who said that Merapi won't erupt. When the volcano is finally erupt, 15 people died because of extreme heat clouds (wedhus gembel) along with Mbah Maridjan, and it's still continued. Hundreds of people suffered burns or respiratory problems. Volcanic ashes is spread through many miles.

God, please bless us all...
PRAY FOR INDONESIA

The Short Second Life of Bree tanner Review

If you are so into the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer, you should read this book, really! The story is about a young vampire girl called Bree, who appeared in the end of the third book; Eclipse. She is one of Victoria's army who surrender to Cullen's Clan and being executed by Volturi. Maybe you think this book is too thin. Yep, it only tells us about the last 1 week of Bree's life. But Mrs. Meyer write it in different and perfect way, we'll get the full story of her.

Well, I thinks it's a sad book. Most of the story took place at night. The characters live in dark, distrustful, and evil world. Bree tries to survive among her cruel new friends. She can't trust anybody until at one night, she went out with a boy named Diego. The story about them, from stranger to friend, run smoothly and natural. I'm happy to see they are paired in a special relationship. The other character has its own unique like Freaky Fred who has special ability, and of course Riley, a vampire who work for his love to Victoria. I think he is the most pathetic person in this book. He is cruel, but he has to be pitied.

It's always interesting to see our favorite character in a different point of view. A brief encounter between Bree and The Cullens give us a hint about what people think and feel when they meet them. I'm slightly regret that Bree couldn't has the chance to live with The Cullens. I wonder how she can affect Bella's opinion about vampire. But if that so, the story would change, right? :p

Well, Bree lost her lover. She was very sad for losing and chose to die rather than live without Diego, and that's what she got. But before she died, she is able to take a revenge and she die with smile. It's very tragic (it's romance fiction anyway :p), she prove every little thing she did could change the world around her. Her life is worth, no matter what. So that's my opinion :)