Happy New Year 2006, everyone! :)
some shots in Bali during the holiday seasons.. end of December 2005-early of January 2006
A visit to Aceh...
I got an opportunity to visit Aceh on December 26 - 27, 2005 for the one year commemoration of the tsunami. Yup, it was exactly one year after the tsunami hits the area...
During those two days in Banda Aceh, I was overwhelmed to see all the damage caused by the tsunami. I went to Ulee Lheue, the worst hit area in Banda Aceh and was speechless... The entire area was flat, no houses or buildings whatsoever... all u could see were only ruins. It was really hard to imagine that this used to be a housing area for the Acehnese.
Despite all the ruins, the area was surrounded by a stunning scenery: mountains, hills and the sea.. So beautiful! It must be nice to live there, where every morning you open your window and see this amazing landscape. Ah well...
I also managed to go to Lhok Nga, a used-to-be beautiful beach before it was hit by the tsunami. There was a mass grave located nearby the beach. Kinda scary, isn't it? :p I think the beach was a bit gloomy, especially in the dawn, yet still beautiful...
There was also a visit to a mass grave in Lambaro as part of the whole official ceremonial events of the one year commemoration of tsunami. I got chill on my bumps by seeing the numbers written on the board: about 47.718 victims were burried in this area! *speechless*
During my two-days visit in Aceh, I felt so sad only by looking at the faces of the locals... (I imagined what they've been through during the tsunami.. it must be hard to survive and to accept the reality where almost all your family members were disappeared!) However, the beauty of the area has amazed me as I didn't expect that Aceh would be so pretty and dazzling as it is... seriously.
Let's hope that all the parties involved in the reconstruction for Aceh could work together and hand-in-hand in developing the area as soonest as possible. My heart was broken to see the number of temporary houses that were not enough and sufficient for all the victims... it ain't easy for them... yet, it ain't easy for us who see it as well..
Life works in a mysterious way..
*A fairy tale*
I'd like to share this beautiful story with you, my dear friends…
Princess Tini lives in the Kingdom of Snow. It’s always winter there (just like in “Narnia” movie). She’s 27 years old, still single. It’s not that she did not have any boyfriend, but at her 27 years living in the cold kingdom, she decided not to have one. All of her life she’s been wondering whether her Prince Charming does exist.. or whether this ideal figure is just a sort of hallucination and imaginary..
One day, there was a Prince Sunrise from the Kingdom of Sun asked her to marry him. Although they know each other so well, Princess Tini were not sure that he was the one that she’ll be spending the rest of her life with. She was confused and asked God to give some clues on what to do. She was afraid that she might pick a wrong decision…
For couple of days Princess Tini had sleepless nights. She loves Prince Sunrise so much but on the other hand she cannot understand why her heart keeps on whispering to wait for the love of her life that she hasn’t even met yet?
However, she didn’t know until when she has to wait for the Prince Charming to come to her real life. Then, she thought that perhaps it was her destiny to be together with Prince Sunrise as he was her childhood best friend and the only person that she could count on in this life.
Princess Tini decided to go to the Kingdom of Sun to tell this good news. She took her friends and maids to accompany her on this trip. It took few weeks to get to the Kingdom of Sun from her own kingdom. Her friends and maids were such a good company as they all shared laughter and always sang favorite songs to bright up their journey..
One day, when Princess Tini took a bath on a river, she bumped into a guy. Apparently, he comes from a neighbor kingdom, called the Kingdom of Roses. She heard a lot about this kingdom and always wanted to go there. People say that the air in the Kingdom of Roses smells like roses… as well as the wind breeze…
His name is Prince Rozlynos. Not that handsome, she thought. His skin is a bit pale and he has a strange accent – a Roses accent, that’s what people say. Normally, she never talk to strangers, because that’s what have been the Queen, her Mom, taught to her: Never talk to someone who you don’t know. But this time, she thought, it wouldn’t hurt to make friends during her journey… apart from that, Prince Rozlynos does not look dangerous at all, she tried to convince herself.
Couple of minutes later, they’re already engaged in a deep conversation. From a distance, Tini’s friends and the maids were watching them and wondering who the hell was the stranger guy that sit next to their Princess? But, seeing the Princess looked so happy and excited, they cancelled the idea to interrupt them.. and left them alone.
Princess Tini was happy to meet such a nice new friend. It appears that Prince Rozlynos isn’t just an ordinary guy. He has a lot of things that she adores: the brain, the attitude and the character. Although they barely knew each other, but Tini knows that they have a same vision. What a cool friend to have, she thought.
Later at night, she tried to remember what has happened today… and suddenly, she was shocked to hear her feelings. Her heart whispered that it is that kind of guy that she always wanted to be with! Her hands were trembling… what happened?
Suddenly, her brain worked faster. Perhaps it’s a sign from God, the answer of her prayer, the answer of her confusion. In the middle of that night, she tried to listen to her heart and concentrate. After few minutes of quietness, she came into a conclusion:
“The incident that I met Prince Rozlynos wasn’t just a coincidence. It’s a God’s sign. God wanted to show to me that my Prince Charming-type of guy- does exist. Although perhaps it’s not Prince Rozlynos who will be the chosen one for me, but at least that type of guy does exist in this real life. So, I just have to be patient. Life works in a mysterious way”.
In the next morning, she decided to return to the Kingdom of Snow… together with her best friends and maids who have been very loyal accompanying her in the very important quest of her life. From that day, she became more excited on what would happen in her life next… and she thanked God that He delivered the answer just in a right time…
Dapur Babah
Restaurant Review:
Dapur Babah is one of Tugu Hotels chain restaurants. It represents the Babah culture which involved much more than cuisine. The restaurant itself is rich in its architectural styles, artistic tastes, clothing and decorative arts from various cultures – mostly Chinese and Indonesian. It is also decorated with some artifacts from the colonial period, a room separator from the Ming dynasty and not to mention some photos of prominent Babah families – making people feel at home when enjoying the meals there.
At the back of the main house is a semi-open terrace, inspired by the kitchen of the Babah Oei family, with a statue of a kitchen goddess, old Chinese glass lanterns and other kitchen utensils from the period. What I love the most is the Tao Bar, a place in which elegantly decorated with big tall pillars and statues of Buddha.
Dapur Babah has several private rooms. In one of the private rooms, they have a huge Princess Kwan Im statue. The room is very special, dominated by red color with long table and Chinese style red wooden chair. It reminds me of Chinese kung-fu movies :D. It feels like I’m one of the warrior princesses, having dinner with my “brothers” before going for a battle. Hahaha.. :D Awesome!
Dapur Babah offers peranakan specialties meals. The favorite menu is “Nasi Campur” and “Nasi Goreng Bang Samin”. The grilled duck is also delicious. As for veggies, try their “Mie Kangkung”, apart from gado-gado and different types of “pepes”. Oyeah, don’t forget to order “Plasir d’Amour” Ice Tea to accompany your meals!
*Address: Jl. Veteran I No. 18 - 19, Jakarta Pusat*
My fave menu in Izzi Pizza
Restaurant Review:
I don't know why but lately I crave for Izzi Pizza's hot chocolate melt!!!
It seems that I'm addicted to it! Hahhaa.. it's a chocolate cake serves with vanilla ice cream. When you cut the cake, there's a melted chocolate in it... so yummy ;).
So, for those who haven't tried this particular dessert, I think it's time for you to taste it. I'm sure you'll love it and will order this dessert in your next visit to this pizza restaurant... hehehe..
Apart from the hot chocolate melt, I love the Greek Salad for the appetizer. As for the main course, I love: Pizza Quattro Formagio and Vegetarian Lasagna (yes, I'm a vegetarian!). The lasagna tastes so damn good!
But, for those who aren't vegetarian, don't worry... you have so many choices! My suggestion is.. try the Chicken Breast. It serves with pesto pasta plus sun-dried tomato (my favorite!). Also try the Pizza Beef 'N Izzi
As for the place, I prefer the one in Mahakam coz it's cozier. A lot of young people hang out here as well. So, you'll find a nice atmosphere while you're having your lunch or dinner here. Oyeah, the wine is quite cheap here, although they don't really have much types of wines... but that's okay, at least you can have a sip of wine after having your Italian meals ;) hehehe..
Lara Djonggrang Restaurant
Restaurant Review:
Lara Djonggrang
Restaurant
When you enter the restaurant, you will feel like you’re in a museum. A lot of Buddha statues, ethnic and antiques stuffs decorate the place, creating a mystical vibe around the place. The restaurant has many private rooms with different touch of decorations, such as: China Blue – decorated with Chinese ceramics and dominated by blue and red colors; La Bihzad bar – a cozy bar with huge antique pillars (it used to be pillars of an old temple), decorated with a repro-painting by La Bihzad on the wall and some imported antiques rice barns; Marilynn Monroe room – a private room embellished with Marilynn Monroe’s classic pictures on the wall; Bali room – a private room, perfect to have a formal meeting, decorated with some Balinese artifacts.
The main room is called Lara Djonggrang room, where the Lara Djonggrang statue is located. In the corner of the room, one can find a Buddha statue as well. Up above the wall, you can find some “wayang kulit” shadows, as if those shadows tell you a story of Lara Djonggrang.
If you like antiques, you can buy some art works here, to beautify your house ;). There’s one corner where you can find some antiques stuffs, “wayang golek”, small Buddha statues, etc. I don’t really enjoy standing for a long time at this corner, I think it’s kinda creepy :p
How's the food? You might want to ask this question, huh? ;) Well, Lara Djonggrang restaurant offers wide range of Indonesian food: meals that are famous from some areas of Indonesia. You can order different type of rice as well: nasi brongkos, nasi jagung, nasi uduk, nasi pandan. For the main course, you can order bebek panggang, different type of satay, soto, prawns/lobster, veggies, etc. You might get confuse to choose what to eat when reading the menu, coz everything sounds delicious! (The best way is to go there with bunch of friends and let each person orders different meal, so all of you can taste each meal written on the list!)
Despite all the good things about the restaurant, I have to admit that for a vegetarian, the restaurant doesn’t offer much. The satay tempe does not taste as delicious as it looks. However, I’ll give four stars for their tumis bayam jagung. It tastes really yummy! Oyeah, they also have “tahu telor” and “gado-gado” as well, but not that special… standard lah.. :D
I’ve been to this place couple of times, but I don’t know what to eat for the next visit coz the restaurant doesn’t have any other meals to offer for a vegetarian like me! :( huhuhu… too bad coz I love the place and its ambience so much… Next visit, I’ll just try their desserts and special drinks! ;)
*Address: Jl. Cik Ditiro No. 4, Menteng, Jakarta Pusat*
Lara Djonggrang
Restaurant When you enter the restaurant, you will feel like you’re in a museum. A lot of Buddha statues, ethnic and antiques stuffs decorate the place, creating a mystical vibe around the place. The restaurant has many private rooms with different touch of decorations, such as: China Blue – decorated with Chinese ceramics and dominated by blue and red colors; La Bihzad bar – a cozy bar with huge antique pillars (it used to be pillars of an old temple), decorated with a repro-painting by La Bihzad on the wall and some imported antiques rice barns; Marilynn Monroe room – a private room embellished with Marilynn Monroe’s classic pictures on the wall; Bali room – a private room, perfect to have a formal meeting, decorated with some Balinese artifacts.
The main room is called Lara Djonggrang room, where the Lara Djonggrang statue is located. In the corner of the room, one can find a Buddha statue as well. Up above the wall, you can find some “wayang kulit” shadows, as if those shadows tell you a story of Lara Djonggrang.
If you like antiques, you can buy some art works here, to beautify your house ;). There’s one corner where you can find some antiques stuffs, “wayang golek”, small Buddha statues, etc. I don’t really enjoy standing for a long time at this corner, I think it’s kinda creepy :p
How's the food? You might want to ask this question, huh? ;) Well, Lara Djonggrang restaurant offers wide range of Indonesian food: meals that are famous from some areas of Indonesia. You can order different type of rice as well: nasi brongkos, nasi jagung, nasi uduk, nasi pandan. For the main course, you can order bebek panggang, different type of satay, soto, prawns/lobster, veggies, etc. You might get confuse to choose what to eat when reading the menu, coz everything sounds delicious! (The best way is to go there with bunch of friends and let each person orders different meal, so all of you can taste each meal written on the list!)
Despite all the good things about the restaurant, I have to admit that for a vegetarian, the restaurant doesn’t offer much. The satay tempe does not taste as delicious as it looks. However, I’ll give four stars for their tumis bayam jagung. It tastes really yummy! Oyeah, they also have “tahu telor” and “gado-gado” as well, but not that special… standard lah.. :D
I’ve been to this place couple of times, but I don’t know what to eat for the next visit coz the restaurant doesn’t have any other meals to offer for a vegetarian like me! :( huhuhu… too bad coz I love the place and its ambience so much… Next visit, I’ll just try their desserts and special drinks! ;)
*Address: Jl. Cik Ditiro No. 4, Menteng, Jakarta Pusat*
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