Introducing the Place I Come From – Bandung, Indonesia

One of the most develop city in the westernmost of Java Island there is Bandung by undermined Jakarta as the capital city of Indonesia. Bandung is my hometown because I was born in the city which also called as Paris Van Java.

For the first post about Bandung, I would only write in a brief description, only for introduction purpose. Then I will continue my story about Bandung in several next posts. Wish it could guide someone of you who want come to visit Bandung someday.

Let me begin. Bandung is the capital province of West Java, Indonesia which located at 6°55' S 107°36' E, also known as the Flowers City. Don’t ask me why they named it because many plants have long gone for the sake of government developing agenda. There are many mountains in the periphery sides of Bandung. Bandung is about 127km from Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital city, by Cipularang Highway.

As one of Indonesia’s big city, many facilities you can find in Bandung with a wide range of choices. It could be said that Bandung’s public facilities are completed, such as transportations services, telecommunication services, education and offices services, entertainment and shopping services, accommodation and housing services.

There’s also many historical places and cultural interest in Bandung, such as museums and art deco architecture. One of the most historical events took place in Bandung was the Asia-Africa Conference (Bandung Conference) in April 18 – April 24, 1955, the movement of countries under colonialism and imperialism in the era. The conference resulting a ten points principles, called Dasasila Bandung, and later it such a basis to the formed of Non-Alignment Movement (1961).

The original culture in Bandung, also in West Java, is Sundanese. People in Bandung, like any other Indonesian, are friendly. So many differences in Bandung today like it were long ago. Modernization has changing the world, including this city. But still there are many interesting and attracting things must be told about Bandung. Yes I will complete it later in this blog. If someday anyone of you wants come to Bandung, just contact me. It’s a pleasure to be your guide or just give you any information needed.

Last I just wanna say that I missed my hometown.

For Good or Bad...

Sometimes we think that life’s full of bad things and often we forget what happiness it brings.
But for all bad things we had, we have to survive, struggling our life.
We have to walk through that way.
In life nothing in reverse.
Every second have to be passed.
We have to move on to see a brighter day.
The light of happiness comes after all the bad things.
>Something happened for a reason.
All depend on us and our self is the one who have right of judgment in any situations.
It’s a perception matter.
All we have to do is just do our best in every moment in life, for every good and bad ones.
And don’t forget to get down on our knees, speak loudly to the Greatest Power above.
He always knows what best for us.
He never be in a wrong time and place and never lead us to the wrong destination.
Once you doing your best then God will take care the rest.
May God bless us in every moment and every single day.

Beautiful Sunset In Kuta, Bali, Indonesia

It may be incomplete when come to Bali but have no chance to visit Kuta, which located in Southern Bali, Indonesia, just about ten minutes away from Ngurah Rai Airport. Kuta is well-known by domestic and international tourists as one of their favorite destination in Bali. It’s also having a view of spectacular sunset from its beautiful beach.

There are many visitors from different countries in the world come to this surfing and shopping mecca, where the night life of Bali lives. All the way in Kuta is fully-developed by any kind of restaurant, shops, galleries, boutiques and hotels. There are many kinds of entertainment facilities which make this site more interesting to visit. Also, there are many kinds of accommodations and transportations available at anytime. Whether you need a cheap one or higher one, you can find anything here. A variety types of services live here at 24 hours a day makes Kuta is a safe haven to many backpackers spend their time because the city never sleep.

Unfortunately, the beautiful life of Kuta has been hampered by the first and the second of Bali bombings, which happened in October 12, 2002 and October 1, 2005. It caused a number of declining visitors come to this site for some time. It takes lots of time make people believe that Bali has back to a normal condition and safe for tourists to come. There’s a memorial monument on the site of destroyed Paddy’s Pub, where the first bombing happened, today.
For whatever happened here, Kuta has its aura in attracting people to come. As for me, always be great to see sunset in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia.

A Memorable Weekend at Home

Weekend has come but you still don’t know what to do. Tired of weekend routine and bored of just hanging around the city. Ask your couple, but they have no good idea to this weekend. Why don’t you try something new? Great weekend will come if you know have good planning for. After busy-tiring working days, you should have something special for your weekend, right? Freshen up your day. I have an advice for you. No need go out to any place just spending your weekend at home. It could be great when you know what to do.

I think could be great if you spend your weekend at home with cooking a new recipe. Something, you never cook before. Find a recipe in magazines, books, or ask your mother to give you a new recipe. And prepare for anything needed. In weekend, you are ready to cook. Then invite your special one to your home. Or you invite some friends to join with you. You could invite them in lunch time or dinner time, or both. Adding up other activities, such as watching a Dvd movie, play a video game, play Monopoly or any kind, or just doing heart to heart talk, also make enjoyable moment. You are the host and everything is up to you. Then be a nice host for a day, ok?! Make your guests comfortable in your home. Don’t forget to take some pictures to make a memorable moment.

Weekend at home, why not?! Have a nice weekend, buddy!

My Two Gurus

I live in a beautiful bungalow in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Like any other Balinese home, there are three bungalows in my location with one gate ahead. My bungalow is in the middle of two others. In foremost bungalow live a little family but they move to Borneo. Then their brother and his friend replace them to rent the house. And my story begins…… =)
It's important to write about my two new next door friends because they become parts of my life today. Ok let me introduce them. First man named Anto. I used to call him with Mas Anto or Mas Susan. He’s a webmaster of a trading company. The Second is a Flores-born man named Yohanes Kerans and Om Jack is his middle name. He works in same company with Mas Anto and also a blogger which have a good reputation in the online world. They both are computerholic. Yes they really are because they spend most of times in front of their laptop. Almost two-third of 24hours times their eyes face a computer screen and 7 days a week. Very amazing! They're very hard workers.
What make them special is they bring something new in my life and make me realize about my old hobby that is writing, which I never do for a long time. Yes, they make me realize that writing is kind of interesting for me. And they told me how to make money by writing in internet. They not just talk but they also become my motivator and my mentor in writing this blog. They give me spirit and guide me to begin the writing process. They also tell me many more things to motivate me. And Om Jack lends me his laptop to write while he’s in the office at day time. Later in this blog, I’ll tell you about my experiences with them. They give me lots of wise words and lessons to learn that I like to share with you in my blog.
They told me that writing a blog is a good thing to do. Don’t do it for money but do to satisfy you and when it comes to the right time, money will come. The most important thing is you have to be in the process. “Nothing for an instant, you have to learn, you have to be in the process and you have to works, and the result will come after,” they said. Thanks to Om Jack and Mas Susan, I’ll be a good student here. I won’t disappoint you for anything good you given me.

After a Sadly Break Up

My cell phone rang at 4 o’clock in the morning. I was in my sleep. While try to reach my cell, I wonder who’s the one who have no manner calling me in a very early morning. I hang up the phone. It was my best friend. She said hello in a bitter voice. I ask her why make her sound like that. She just broke up with her boyfriend, she explained and it drives her mad. She’s crying all the times and can’t sleep well. I can’t speak much but listen to her and try to make she feel better. We’ve ended up the phone after about an hour conversation.

It was me who can’t sleep again and thinking about break up. Break up can happen in any relationship. Some can accept that as an ordinary thing in life. Otherwise, for some people break up could be very hard. They can’t do their activity normally, days might be so empty. Yes, feel of losing could be very bad. It could happen in anyone of us right?!

• Cry if you want to cry. You need it. Don’t hold your emotion inside; you need to cry to taking outside your deepest hurtled heart. Stop your tears after tired.
• Hang out with your friend and do things that you used to do with them before you in a relationship. Hang out with friends who can make you feel better. Don’t waste your time just talking about your ex all the times with them. They might get bored soon.
• Try to accept that your ex is just a closed story book. He’s now your past but your future belongs to you.
• Do something you like, like hobbies, that make you didn’t waste your time thinking about him.
• Have a good time alone or plan your holiday to a new place. Don’t go to places that you’ve been before with your ex. It could make you remind of him.
• Learn something new. Explore yourself, find what you like but never had time to learn before.
• Get involved in a new social group. You will have new friends, have something new and have new experiences. Besides, involving yourself in a new social group can make your agenda full of new planning. Have a nice busy day!

Hope that tips works for you. Remember that many people outside have more problems than you, then why should you feel that world stop working when he’s not with you? You’re the one who can make your life meaningful.

The Four Names of Balinese

First time I’ve come to Bali is in year of 1998 when my parents live in. It was a week vacation. I have a new friend name Wayan. After about three days, my parents introduce me to another man, also name Wayan. Ok, it’s just unintentionally happened. In my fifth day, I rent a bike near my parent’s house. What surprising me is the man who own the bicycles rental also name Wayan. There’s must be something to explain this situation, I think. Then I ask the last Wayan I’ve meet, why a lot of Wayan in Bali? Then he explains to me about Balinese name which make I met a lot of Wayan here.

Balinese have their unique names. They usually name their children sorted by their age.

1. Wayan / Putu, is a name Balinese gave to their first child. Wayan derive from traditional language “Wahayan”, mean “the oldest”.
2. Made / Kadek, for the second child, derived from “Madya”, mean “the middle”.
3. Nyoman / Komang, for the third child, mean “the youngest”.
4. Ketut, for the fourth child, derived from words “kitut” mean "tail" in Balinese language.

If a family have more than four children, then they repeat the order from first again with Balik after name.

So if you come to Bali someday or meet Balinese people around. Don’t be surprised if you much people with names the same. It’s Balinese culture!

Drive Carefully, Cost Effectively

Why rushing when driving our vehicle? Open the door; sit back then hands on the steering wheel. Make driving is an enjoyable thing then we could have a good feeling while driving. It’s just another routine in our daily activity. That’s why we should put safety as a highest priority when driving. Because going by a private vehicle, could be car or motorbike and others, has a main purpose is going from one place to our destination, could be anywhere. We have to remind that the street has its own rule; in term that accident can happen without we know before. If it’s not our fault, it could be other fault and we could be a victim. If we have no important reason that make us to accelerate our speed, such as we take along a man in sick to hospital that make us have to rushed or take along a mother who soon bearing her child, we better drive carefully right?! Make the road a safer place for us.

Another positive thing in driving carefully is we could safe our gasoline. If we could keep our speed under 60 km/hours we could save gasoline in our vehicle, and then stabilize our speed around. We could save our money to buying more gasoline when we drive aggressively and uncontrolled.

Save energy save money and save while driving. That’s good for us, isn’t it?

Night Bazaar at Mas, Gianyar, Bali

A friend come today and ask me to hang out with her. Sound good, isn't it? Although tonight rain drops outside, but still we keep going our way. She's a Balinese Muslim woman from Payangan, Ubud. She want me to know more about Bali that's why she ask me to have a visit at a Night Bazaar at Mas, Gianyar. Just about 10 minutes away by motorbike from my house. My friend said the bazaar always held in every end of Kuningan Day's celebration.
The Bazaar is just like other night bazaar in other town. Lots of seller with variety of things, from snack to fashion things. People are streaming down the crowd together with some kinds of music playing from different stands. Very noisy. But I think they enjoy the night after busy days before in the event of Galungan and Kuningan celebration.
What make a difference compare to bazaar in other town, and it's interesting me, is most visitors come in their traditional look. Women are wearing kebaya, a traditional woman's blouse usually worn with a sarong. Men are wearing a shirt with double line sarong and an "udeng", kind of headclothes. Some of them are modifying their costume but others still on their complete traditional style. Unfortunately, I didn't take any picture to give a complete description tonight.
Even in a crowded situation, still I enjoy the night cause it's just so different.

There's Something Inside....

I just thinking about value of a thing, it's not something which appeared on its outside packing. If we talking about something we bought from a local store, we pay a price to have this things. But I think, there's differences between "Value" and "Price/Cost". For example, a girl buy a medicine for her mother in sickness. Price is concern with money, something which economically perceived. The value in this case is they hope mother recover from her illness. Value is something that goes beyond Price.
It also happened when interpreting something in life. Something happened means more than just what come up directly in our eyes. Meaning of something is concerning our feeling, the way our heart feel it. It's not about we see, we touch but how we feel, how we found its deeper meaning, how our sense come in its inside.
For someone, a strike mean pain for a while. Another one, it could mean a lost of his existences while for other one, it could be a starting line to the next stage on his life.
In the context of our own experience, only our self who can feel what's the meaning of it, nothing in general.
How we could change a pain to be starting point for our happiness, and its reverse.
How we could take a wisdom of something and walking our path towards what we really want for our life. The way we perceive everything in our life adding one more value for ourself....and we never be same again.

Bali, Bali, Bali

End of March 2008. A very very tough times for me. I have to make decision that gonna change my life, leave my old life behind and face a brand new start. Yes, it's very hard for me.
Before i never write in my agenda that I will move to Bali on 2008. I only have one chance to come to Bali when I was in high school, only for a week, and know a little number of name, not even a ten fingers to count. But I think it's not so bad to try something new to live my life.

At time I decide to leave my hometown, I don't know it will be good or bad, all I know is I have to move on, going from one stage to next stage on my life.

Here I am right now in Bali, the land of Gods. I have to start my new life, meet new people, come to new places, have new experiences, knowing new things and learn something new to complete my role in life. I have to extending my path and leave some trails in every way that i could make to fulfill my life.

As an ordinary human, I never knew what my future would be. All I can do is try to doing everything that I should do in my life with the best that I could and I'm sure that God will take care the rest.

Bali....the Island of Gods

I live in Bali since six month ago. I meet new people, come to new places, have new experiences and other things that i never knew before have be part of my life today. What interesting me most is about Balinese culture, its people, and their lifestyle.
Bali, which located at located at 8°25′23″South Coordinates, 115°14′55″ East Coordinates, westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east, Denpasar as the capital of province (http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bali), is one of the domestic and international tourist destination.
So later in this blog I think its good to write about Bali, its places and its people. Lots of great things I found here. I'm gonna share my new life with you in this blog. Hope you enjoy and I wish it will be useful for you who need some information about Bali.

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog, an archive notes where my experience, my soul, my brain, my heart and everything that goes in my life can be found.