Hope this New Year brings you,
Affection and love
Peace for the heart
Prosperity that’s unlimited
Year-round fun
2009
Affection and love
Peace for the heart
Prosperity that’s unlimited
Year-round fun
2009
December 31, 2008
Taman Bunga Nusantara
From Central Java let’s move on to West Java (Dec 28,2008)
Taman Bunga Nusantara is a huge garden. It’s located in Jalan Mariwati Km.7 Desa Kawung Luwuk, Cipanas, West Java. It takes about 15 minutes by car from Pasar Cipanas. From Jakarta it takes about 2 to 3 hours by car (± 100km from Jakarta). Or it‘s about 90km from Bandung.
Taman Bunga Nusantara was built 10 years ago, Sept 10, 1995 on 35 ha land. You can see various collections of famous and unique species of flowers from all over the world. There are some gardens specially displayed like Taman Bali (Balinese Garden), Taman Jepang (Japanese Garden), Taman Rahasia (labirynth Garden), etc.
To see more magnificent view I, nia and fely went up Menara Pandang (view tower) with 29 meter height. Wow….we can see the garden’s surrounded by mountains. Cool! Really cool!
Taman Bunga Nusantara is a huge garden. It’s located in Jalan Mariwati Km.7 Desa Kawung Luwuk, Cipanas, West Java. It takes about 15 minutes by car from Pasar Cipanas. From Jakarta it takes about 2 to 3 hours by car (± 100km from Jakarta). Or it‘s about 90km from Bandung.
Taman Bunga Nusantara was built 10 years ago, Sept 10, 1995 on 35 ha land. You can see various collections of famous and unique species of flowers from all over the world. There are some gardens specially displayed like Taman Bali (Balinese Garden), Taman Jepang (Japanese Garden), Taman Rahasia (labirynth Garden), etc.
To see more magnificent view I, nia and fely went up Menara Pandang (view tower) with 29 meter height. Wow….we can see the garden’s surrounded by mountains. Cool! Really cool!
Yogyakarta in the end of 2008
Hi, Yogya I am back!. I never get bored visiting this beautiful city. This time (Dec 15-17), I went there with my eldest sister and her youngest daughter. Well, traveling with them actually wasn’t that bad. Or maybe it’s because I often sneaked out and explored the city by myself.
We visited Karaton Ngayogyakarta (The Palace of Sultan Yogyakarta), Taman Sari, and Kareta (The Carriages) Karaton Museum. Wanna know more? Check out the following articles and awesome pictures….
We visited Karaton Ngayogyakarta (The Palace of Sultan Yogyakarta), Taman Sari, and Kareta (The Carriages) Karaton Museum. Wanna know more? Check out the following articles and awesome pictures….
The Palace of Sultan Yogyakarta
Karaton Ngayogyakarta, (the Palace of Sultan Yogyakarta), Central Java.
This Karaton (palace) was built in 1756, the architect was Sultan Hamengku Buwono I (the first King of Yogyakarta). It is located in the center of the city. This Karaton is where the present King, Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, and his family live. And before him, his dad (the late Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX), his great dad (Sultan Hamengku Buwono VIII), and great great dad lived there too.
With only Rp.5000/person you can see the collections of batik, kitchen utensils used by previous kings, golden chair, or you can enjoy shadow puppet show.
This Karaton (palace) was built in 1756, the architect was Sultan Hamengku Buwono I (the first King of Yogyakarta). It is located in the center of the city. This Karaton is where the present King, Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, and his family live. And before him, his dad (the late Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX), his great dad (Sultan Hamengku Buwono VIII), and great great dad lived there too.
With only Rp.5000/person you can see the collections of batik, kitchen utensils used by previous kings, golden chair, or you can enjoy shadow puppet show.
Taman Sari (Istana Air)
Taman Sari Karaton Ngayogyakarta
Taman sari is located in the west of Karaton. This is the ruins of a water castle built in 1758. Taman sari was once a splendid pleasure park of the Sultans and Royal families. It was badly damaged due to an earthquake in 1865. The bathing pools have been restored and the rest is an interesting place of eerie ruins, underground passages and a large subterranean mosque.
Nowadays, it has a kampung (village) where small houses and art galleries stand.
The ticket is only Rp.2500/person plus Rp.1000 for photograph and video permit.
The Royal Carriages Museum
Kareta Karaton Museum (The Royal Carriages Museum)
This museum is in the west of Karaton Ngayogyakarta, on Jalan Rotowijayan not far from alun-alun. It’s an old-big-Javanese style building. Next to the building, there is a stable.
The names of some royal carriages are:
Kanjeng Kyai Garudo Yekso, used for the coronation of sultan Hamengku Buwono X
Kanjeng Nyai Jimad, an old carriage with leather spring, used by the first Sultan
Kyai Mondro Juwolo, belonged to Prince Diponegoro, the son of the third Sultan
Kyai Jatayu for the queen
Kyai Wimonoputro for the Crown Prince
Etc
The admission to enter the museum is only Rp.3000/person plus Rp.1000 for photograph and video permit.
December 26, 2008
ULLEN SENTALU MUSEUM
ULLEN SENTALU MUSEUM, Yogya, Central Java.
I and uwie visited this museum in June. We took minibus/colt (Rp.10,000/person) from Jalan Kaliurang not far from Gajah Mada University to Kaliurang. It took about two hours to get there. When we successfully reached the museum, it just closed. Oooo. It’s 4pm.
So, we looked for a guest house. Luckily, we found a small (but clean) guest house next to Wisma Kinasih across from the museum. We just had to pay Rp.25,000/room/night. Not to worry, it has an inside bathroom. The owner (an old lady) even served us with cups of hot sweet tea and a plate of ‘peyek kacang’ mmmmm…..they were really suited to overcome the cold weather.
First thing in the morning, we got back to the museum. The admission was Rp.25,000/person. When we passed the gate, we were suddenly in a heart of forest. We were surrounded by big, tall and old trees. Then, accompanied by a museum guide we entered the first building made of rock. It provides history of raja-raja jawa (Kings of Keraton Ngayogyakarta). We can see many pictures of Javanese kings. Other buildings provide collection of batik, paintings, statues and previous kings and queens formal wardrobe.
On the ticket it’s written :
The museum provides multifaceted venues in inspiring a romantic nuance and discovering the hidden treasures inside an encyclopedia of the ancient virtues. Immerse yourself in the exploration inside the Javanese myths and legends at the Historical district of Kaliurang.
At the end of the tour, we had a cup of ginger tea. The guide said it’s made based on the ancient recipe. It’d make us stay not only healthy but also ehem…..young.
www.ullensentalu.com
Email: info@ullensentalu.com
An Amazing Quartet
This album IL DIVO was released on April 19, 2005. This is Il divo's debut album. The Quartet is comprised of American tenor David Miller, popular French singer Sebastien Izambard, Swiss tenor Urs Buhler, and Spanish baritone Carlos Marin. The exceptional quartet brought a blend of classical and pop music to audiences around the world.
In this album there are twelve gorgeous songs; 4 songs in Spanish, 6 songs in Italian, and 2 songs in English.
They are:
Regresa A Mi (Spanish) (4.40)
Mama (3.18)
Nella Fantasia (Italian) (4.25)
Passera (Italian) (4.39)
Everytime I Look At you (3.28)
Ti Amero (Italian) (4.00)
Dentro Un ALtro Si (Italian) (4.32)
The Man You Love (Spanish) (3.55)
Feelings (Italian) (3.38)
Hoy Que Ya No Estas Aqui (Spanish) (4.18)
Sei Parte Ormai Di Me (Italian) (4.26)
A Mi Manera (Spanish) (4.26)
In this album there are twelve gorgeous songs; 4 songs in Spanish, 6 songs in Italian, and 2 songs in English.
They are:
Regresa A Mi (Spanish) (4.40)
Mama (3.18)
Nella Fantasia (Italian) (4.25)
Passera (Italian) (4.39)
Everytime I Look At you (3.28)
Ti Amero (Italian) (4.00)
Dentro Un ALtro Si (Italian) (4.32)
The Man You Love (Spanish) (3.55)
Feelings (Italian) (3.38)
Hoy Que Ya No Estas Aqui (Spanish) (4.18)
Sei Parte Ormai Di Me (Italian) (4.26)
A Mi Manera (Spanish) (4.26)
I like all the songs in this album. Even though I don't understand the songs in Spanish and Italian, I can enjoy all of the songs.
Maryamah Karpov (Andrea Hirata)
Have you read Andrea Hirata’s latest book? I have. Maryamah Karpov is Andrea Hirata's fourth novel published by Bentang Pustaka. This book is really amazing.
Maryamah Karpov tells about Ikal’s journey after finishing his master degree at Sorbonne University. He comes back to Belitong and faces many challenges.
I am thrilled to read ikal’s daring adventure to find and rescue his beloved-one A ling in Batuan islands where a group of notorious pirates live in. Ikal makes the traditional-asteroid-wooden ship named Mimpi-Mimpi Lintang by himself after gathering Lintang’s science formula. He, Mahar and the other two guys start their fearful journey to meet Tuk Bayan Tula to seek help before sailing to the islands.
I laugh to read ikal’s life-and-death experience when he is forced to see a fresh-graduate dentist in order to have his rotten tooth out. And I drain to read how miserable he is when he knows that his dad disagrees with his wish to marry A ling. hiks.hiks
I like the way Andrea uses Melayu language to express either his feeling or certain situation. For example: tak kepalang senang hatiku, genius tak terbayangkan, Bujang hebat bukan buatan!, sungguh tak tertanggungkan daya bius perempuan itu, seorang pelajar bermutu tinggi, etc.
Maryamah Karpov tells about Ikal’s journey after finishing his master degree at Sorbonne University. He comes back to Belitong and faces many challenges.
I am thrilled to read ikal’s daring adventure to find and rescue his beloved-one A ling in Batuan islands where a group of notorious pirates live in. Ikal makes the traditional-asteroid-wooden ship named Mimpi-Mimpi Lintang by himself after gathering Lintang’s science formula. He, Mahar and the other two guys start their fearful journey to meet Tuk Bayan Tula to seek help before sailing to the islands.
I laugh to read ikal’s life-and-death experience when he is forced to see a fresh-graduate dentist in order to have his rotten tooth out. And I drain to read how miserable he is when he knows that his dad disagrees with his wish to marry A ling. hiks.hiks
I like the way Andrea uses Melayu language to express either his feeling or certain situation. For example: tak kepalang senang hatiku, genius tak terbayangkan, Bujang hebat bukan buatan!, sungguh tak tertanggungkan daya bius perempuan itu, seorang pelajar bermutu tinggi, etc.
Donkey in Lahore (Faramarz K. Rahber)
Donkey in Lahore (Faramarz K. Rahber) Australia 2008. Documentary. 117 Min. Color. English/Urdu/Arabic/Punjabi (with English subtitles).
The next film I watched is Donkey in Lahore. It’s about Brian, a liberal, Brisbane-born puppeteer falls in love with Amber, a Pakistani Muslim girl from a strict religious background. They meet during Brian’s short trip to Pakistan in 2000.
Upon his return to Australia, Brian decides to convert to Islam and return to Pakistan to seek her hand in marriage. Marrying Amber is surely not as easy as he thinks. Brian starts facing the challenges at the time he decides to marry Amber.
First, he has to deal with her parents and brother who are unwilling to let her marry non-Pakistani man. Second, to smooth out the way to a marriage he has to get a job in Lahore. He tries hard to make a puppet-tv show in which his donkey-puppet is played. He dreams to bring the donkey-puppet fame. The donkey unfortunately never comes to a fame.
After several visits, Brian can ensure Amber’s parents and get their blessings. Right after their wedding, Brian has to go back to Australia because of his visa expiration. In Australia, Brian tries to get a visa for Amber. The couple is twisted by the long process of being together as husband and wife. It takes more than two years for him to get Amber a visa to live with him in Australia.
The moral of the film : If you dream to have a mixed-marriage…wake up! And rethink! A mixed-marriage will surely cost you a lot of time, money, and energy.
About the Director:
Faramarz K.Rahber is an Australian-Iranian filmmaker. An award-winning graduate from Griffith University Queensland College of Art. He has worked across many roles in the documentary industry in the last 10 years. Currently he is a lecturer in documentary and film production at Griffith Film School, Griffith University.
The next film I watched is Donkey in Lahore. It’s about Brian, a liberal, Brisbane-born puppeteer falls in love with Amber, a Pakistani Muslim girl from a strict religious background. They meet during Brian’s short trip to Pakistan in 2000.
Upon his return to Australia, Brian decides to convert to Islam and return to Pakistan to seek her hand in marriage. Marrying Amber is surely not as easy as he thinks. Brian starts facing the challenges at the time he decides to marry Amber.
First, he has to deal with her parents and brother who are unwilling to let her marry non-Pakistani man. Second, to smooth out the way to a marriage he has to get a job in Lahore. He tries hard to make a puppet-tv show in which his donkey-puppet is played. He dreams to bring the donkey-puppet fame. The donkey unfortunately never comes to a fame.
After several visits, Brian can ensure Amber’s parents and get their blessings. Right after their wedding, Brian has to go back to Australia because of his visa expiration. In Australia, Brian tries to get a visa for Amber. The couple is twisted by the long process of being together as husband and wife. It takes more than two years for him to get Amber a visa to live with him in Australia.
The moral of the film : If you dream to have a mixed-marriage…wake up! And rethink! A mixed-marriage will surely cost you a lot of time, money, and energy.
About the Director:
Faramarz K.Rahber is an Australian-Iranian filmmaker. An award-winning graduate from Griffith University Queensland College of Art. He has worked across many roles in the documentary industry in the last 10 years. Currently he is a lecturer in documentary and film production at Griffith Film School, Griffith University.
December 14, 2008
Cherry Blossoms -Hanami - Kirschbluten (Doris Dorrie)
Germany/France. 2008. Drama. 127 min. Color. German/English/Japanese (with English subtitles).
This is another JIFFEST's film. When Trudi learns that her husband Rudi is dangerously ill, she suggests visiting their children in Berlin. From here, then they go to the Baltic sea, where Trudi dies in her sleep.
On learning about the sacrifices his wife made for her love, about his wife's interest in butoh dance, and about her wish to view Mt. Fuji, Rudi determines to make amends, and sets out for Tokyo in the middle of the cherry blossom festival.
This film then shows how Rudi tries to feel the presence of her spirit by wearing Trudi's clothes under his clothes when he visits places where Trudi wished to see. He learns butoh dance. He tries to recall every little thing Trudi has made for him, her sons and daughter.
What a drama! I love drama!
About the director.
In addition to being a director, producer and author of some best-selling novels, Doris Dorrie is also an opera director, making her debut at the Berlin State Opera directing 'Cosi Fan Tutte' in 2001. This film wins The Best Film Award in Seattle International Film Festival 2008. The Best Actor and Best Costume Design, Outstanding Feature Film in German Film Award 2008. Nominated for Best European Actor in European Film Awards in 2008.
This is another JIFFEST's film. When Trudi learns that her husband Rudi is dangerously ill, she suggests visiting their children in Berlin. From here, then they go to the Baltic sea, where Trudi dies in her sleep.
On learning about the sacrifices his wife made for her love, about his wife's interest in butoh dance, and about her wish to view Mt. Fuji, Rudi determines to make amends, and sets out for Tokyo in the middle of the cherry blossom festival.
This film then shows how Rudi tries to feel the presence of her spirit by wearing Trudi's clothes under his clothes when he visits places where Trudi wished to see. He learns butoh dance. He tries to recall every little thing Trudi has made for him, her sons and daughter.
What a drama! I love drama!
About the director.
In addition to being a director, producer and author of some best-selling novels, Doris Dorrie is also an opera director, making her debut at the Berlin State Opera directing 'Cosi Fan Tutte' in 2001. This film wins The Best Film Award in Seattle International Film Festival 2008. The Best Actor and Best Costume Design, Outstanding Feature Film in German Film Award 2008. Nominated for Best European Actor in European Film Awards in 2008.
Khuda Kay Liye (Shoaib Mansoor)
Khuda Kay Liye (Shoaib Mansoor) In The Name of God (Khuda Kay Liye) Pakistan. 2007. Drama. 168 min. Color. Urdu/English (with English subtitles).
I watched this Pakistani movie at JIFFEST. The movie is about a young Pakistani man goes to the USA for studying music, but the 9/11 incident leads to his arrest, despite his innocence.
The incident prompts his younger brother to quit his music and follows his friend’s extremist path. He leaves his parents and granny to go for ‘Jihad’ in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, his uncle arrives from the UK with his only cousin, Mary, who actually wants to marry her non-muslim boyfriend back in the UK against her family’s wishes.
Without her knowing, her dad brings her to Afghanistan to marry her with her cousin, then lives her there. Marry’s shock, distressful, and tries to run away from her husband, but gets caught. With a help from her husband’s friend’s wife, she’s able to send a letter to her boyfriend back in UK. Her boyfriend, then, who tries hard to help her gets out from Afghanistan by calling the authorities in UK.
After that Her husband is put on trial in Pakistan for kidnapping a British citizen, but then he's released.
What about Marry?????
sorry, you gotta buy or rent the DVD to find out more...
These characters are representatives of how the tragic 9/11 event shapes muslims’ lives all around the world. This film is packed with beautiful soundtrack showing the music that is brought, practiced, and played by the young Pakistani to a musical school in USA. This film is the best film and gets ‘The Audience Award’ in Fukuoka Film Festival, Japan in 2007.
About the Director.
Shoaib Mansoor is one of the most influential and famous figures in the Pakistan showbiz scene. He has written, produce and directed some Pakistani hit TV shows, in addition to launching a successful career as a song writer and music composer.
The 10th JIFFEST (Jakarta International Film Festival) Dec 5-9, 2008
The 10th festival is scaled down to become a five-day event, instead of the usual ten-day festivity. During these five days movie goers may enjoy various genre of films from European countries, South East Asia region, and Indonesia as well. Here’s the list of film section:
Human Section:
The Day After Peace (Jeremy Gilley)
Donkey in Lahore (Faramarz K Rahber)
Eve and the Fire Horse (Julia Kwan)
Up the Yangtze (Yung Chang)
Where in the World is Osama bin Laden? (Morgan Spurlock)
Selami (Islamic Film Festival):
Captain Abu Raed (Amin Matalqa)
The Convert (Panu Aree, Kong Rithdee, Kaweenipon Ketprasit)
Laskar Pelangi (Riri Riza)
The Song of Sparrows (Majid Majidi)
Women Section :
At Stake (Ani Ema Susanti, Iwan Setiawan, M.Ichsan, Lucky Kuswandi, Ucu Agustin)
Drupadi (Riri Riza)
Dunya and Desie (Shekhar Kapur)
Happy Go Lucky (Mike Leigh)
May (Viva Westi)
Audiences can also enjoy A Selection of Dutch Shorts, International Shorts, Asian Shorts, Documentary, and Variety of Animation.
Similar to previous years, JIFFEST 2008 applies a membership system. Therefore, audiences can easily secure seats to see films of their choice.
To watch World Cinema, audiences can get one ticket for Rp. 20,000. Audiences can enjoy World cinema in
FX Platinum XXI (Senayan)
Blitz Megaplex
JIFFEST 2008 also provides Free Screening in :
GoetheHaus (Sam Ratulangi, Menteng)
Erasmus Huis (Kuningan)
Instituto Italiano di Cultura (Hos Cokro, Menteng)
December 06, 2008
Girls, How Would You Meet Your Future Husband???
Life can be lived forward but can only be understood backward.
Looking back my friends’ (at senior high) marriages encourages me to write about the journey they have been through until they marry their current husbands.
Evi is my school mate in senior high school. She is the first one who got married. She married young (when she was still at college). She marries her college friend. They used to go hiking and mount climbing together. The same interest brought them to a marriage.
Then, Neni. She is also my school mate in senior high school. Her husband was her English teacher when she was taking an English course. Luckily, they went to work to the same direction. Their love got deeper and deeper every day along the way to work. She quit her course a couple of months before they got married.
Dina. She met her current husband on a bus. They had a little chat, exchanged phone number, liked each other, and after a few months got married. That simple!
Danie met her husband at church. They went to the same church. Her current husband used to be close with another friend of mine and a sister of another friend of mine. Who cared? He finally marries Danie!
Similar to Evi, Tiara marries her collage friend. She had some boy friends in senior high and went out with some boys in college. And finally ended up with his current hubby.
Ruth marries a guitarist. They were co-workers. Love really falls upon them who meet each other and spend time together for hours every day. They were attracted each other. Both quit job, he pursues his dream to be a guitarist of a band. A few months later they get married.
Same case with Danie, Wiwi marries her husband who she met at church. Well, actually he is her preach. This young preach seems really attract her. That answered question why she never missed the Sunday service. We didn’t have guts to ask her out on Sunday when we were in high school cause she always preferred going to church to hanging out with us. Now, we know why. Mr. preach was too good to be missed.
How many of us who stay single? FOUR! I, Uwi, Endah, and Ryan. Want to know who will get married next? How would we meet our future husbands? Time will tell.
How about you? How did you meet your husband or wife? Want to share?
Looking back my friends’ (at senior high) marriages encourages me to write about the journey they have been through until they marry their current husbands.
Evi is my school mate in senior high school. She is the first one who got married. She married young (when she was still at college). She marries her college friend. They used to go hiking and mount climbing together. The same interest brought them to a marriage.
Then, Neni. She is also my school mate in senior high school. Her husband was her English teacher when she was taking an English course. Luckily, they went to work to the same direction. Their love got deeper and deeper every day along the way to work. She quit her course a couple of months before they got married.
Dina. She met her current husband on a bus. They had a little chat, exchanged phone number, liked each other, and after a few months got married. That simple!
Danie met her husband at church. They went to the same church. Her current husband used to be close with another friend of mine and a sister of another friend of mine. Who cared? He finally marries Danie!
Similar to Evi, Tiara marries her collage friend. She had some boy friends in senior high and went out with some boys in college. And finally ended up with his current hubby.
Ruth marries a guitarist. They were co-workers. Love really falls upon them who meet each other and spend time together for hours every day. They were attracted each other. Both quit job, he pursues his dream to be a guitarist of a band. A few months later they get married.
Same case with Danie, Wiwi marries her husband who she met at church. Well, actually he is her preach. This young preach seems really attract her. That answered question why she never missed the Sunday service. We didn’t have guts to ask her out on Sunday when we were in high school cause she always preferred going to church to hanging out with us. Now, we know why. Mr. preach was too good to be missed.
How many of us who stay single? FOUR! I, Uwi, Endah, and Ryan. Want to know who will get married next? How would we meet our future husbands? Time will tell.
How about you? How did you meet your husband or wife? Want to share?
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