Archive for March, 2007
Anggrek? Terbayang bunga eksotis nan cantik digantung dalam pot. Paling- paling tersusun rapi di depan rumah, mencoba mencuri perhatian orang yang lewat. Sekarang, jika waktu boleh menyela, akan kuajak kalian menikmati anggrek dengan cara yang juga eksotis, mencarinya langsung di alam liar.
Jangan tanya. Petualanganku bukan berawal dari wangsit mbah dukun ataupun bisikan dewa ilmu pengetahuan. Bukan, ini murni rasa penasaranku. Hasil brainstroming dengan beberapa temanku mengantarkan kami pada keinginan yang lebih jauh, terwujudnya sebuah “Desa Anggrek”.
Inget puisinya Dian Sastro di AADC? Kulari ke hutan, laut, bla bla itu? Lebih kurang kisah kami mirip dengan itu.
Awalnya kami mengincar gunung sebagai perkiraan keberadaan anggrek liar. Vanda Tricolor adalah anggrek yang konon masih asli dan hidup liar di lereng Gunung Merapi. Bahkan informan rahasia kami mengemukakan bahwa sebenarnya anggrek ini banyak dibedhol (dicabut –red) oleh petani lokal untuk pakan ternak! WoW! Nihil!Nihil!Nihil! Kami tidak menemukannya.
Dari gunung kami ke daerah selatan Yogyakarta, lalu ke barat mencari kitab suci –eh, Kulon Progo maksudnya. Semua sama saja. Tidak ada satupun yang memenuhi syarat. Sampai akhirnya, sebuah nama kembali mencuatkan semangat kami.
Beji. Tepatnya Dusun Duren, Desa Beji, Kabupaten Gunung Kidul. Gunung Kidul ? Tempat yang konon gersang itu? Yap ! Tepat sekali. Infonya dari Dinas Pertanian DIY, jadi pasti akurat. Well, mungkin siy…
Dari Piyungan kita terus naik hingga pertigaan Sambi Pitu. Belok kiri, mengikuti plang rute jalan arah Ngawen. Sekitar 9 km kemudian ada pohon beringin di tengah jalan. Daerah yang kita tuju ada di sebelah kiri pohon itu.
Dari pohon beringin langsung belok kiri dan kita akan menemui desa dengan kondisi jalan berbatu dan persawahan di tepi kanan jalan. Sekitar 400 m dari jalan utama tadi, kita disuguhi pemandangan ala jaman Megalithikum. Delapan batu berukuran raksasa berserakan dengan keindahan yang memukau. Penduduk menamainya Watu Gendhong.
Dari Watu Gendhong, kita singgah kerumah Pak Kasno (pemuka daerah). Di rumahnya yang terletak tidak jauh dari Watu Gendhong, kita banyak disuguhi cerita tentang dusun Duren. Dari mitos, sejarah, hingga polemik politik yang pernah terjadi di sana. Dan tentang anggrek, Bu Kasno mengatakan anggrek itu banyak ditemui di hutan Wonosadi (sekitar 800 m dari rumah Pak Kasno). Mendengar itu, aku menjerit dalam hati, “Yes, ketemu !” Bagaimana aku tidak antusias, sudah satu bulan ini aku berkeliling Yogyakarta, dan akhirnya kutemukan daerah yang aku cari.
Ditemani oleh Pak Sudiyo (kakak Pak Kasno), kami berjalan menuju hutan. Sepanjang perjalanan kami disuguhi pemandangan yang mencengangkan, luar biasa alami dan sejuk. Betapa hijau dan alaminya hutan Wonosadi, membuat kami tidak percaya kalau kami sedang berada di Gunung Kidul yang terkenal gersang itu. Yang lebih membuat kami ternganga adalah adanya sumber mata air di hutan tersebut. Airnya keluar dari tanah, ditampung dalam bak-bak semen yang dialirkan ke rumah-rumah penduduk dengan pipa-pipa besi. Kami mencicipi airnya. Jernih, dingin, dan segar.. Wow !!
Di perjalanan, kami melihat belalang unik, warnanya hijau dengan motif polkadot kuning di tubuhnya. Kata Pak Sudiyo, belalang itu beracun. Di tengah hutan, ada empat pohon raksasa yang umurnya diperkirakan 400 tahun. Tempat itu dinamai Ngenuman, biasa digunakan untuk upacara adat oleh penduduk.
Sekitar dua jam berkeliling, akhirnya kutemukan anggrek tanah yang warnanya putih, cantik sekali. Kelopoknya seperti sisir, sekilas orang awam tidak akan menyangka kalau itu anggrek karena tumbuhnya di tanah, di antara tumbuhan herba. Melalui identifikasi awal teman saya dan Dosen Fakultas Biologi UGM, nama spesies anggrek itu adalah Platanthera Susannae, salah satu anggrek langka yang hanya ditemukan di tiga tempat di Indonesia.
Ternyata tidak hanya satu jenis, kami menemukan jenis lainnya yang lebih kecil, warnanya merah muda keunguan. Bunganya mini, tersusun dalam barisan seperti pisang, cantik sekali. Sampai sekarang, kami belum tahu nama spesiesnya. Buat yang penasaran anggrek liar di Wonosadi, datang aja ke Gunung Kidul. Hanya 1,5 jam perjalanan, kita naik bus jurusan Jogja-Wonosari, turun di pertigaan Sambi Pitu, lalu naik minibus ke arah Ngawen.
Tidak hanya anggrek, di Wonosadi kita juga dapat menikmati alat musik tradisional dari bambu yaitu Rinding Gumbeng. Bagi yang suka hiking, menelusuri Hutan Wonosadi mempunyai nilai tantangan tersendiri. Rasakan petualangan fantastik dan menarik dalam mencari anggrek liar di Wonosadi!
Penulis: Sielvia Permatasari Setiyaviana
March 30th, 2007
“Mau ke Yogya yah? Jangan lupa pulangya bawa bakpia Pathuk, yah!,” begitulah biasanya kita kerap memesan atau dititipi oleh–oleh setiap kali ada yang bertandang ke Yogya. Rasa–rasanya bakpia Pathuk kini memang telah identik sebagai buah tangan khas kota pelajar itu. Berkunjung ke Yogyakarta rasanya belum pas kalau tidak mampir ke pusat pembuatan dan penjualan bakpia Pathuk.
Di kawasan Kampung Pathuk, Jalan K.S. Tubun, paralel dengan Jalan Malioboro itu ada puluhan pengusaha rumahan memproduksi makanan khas yang terbuat dari tepung berisikan kacang hijau itu. Puluhan mobil atau bus–bus wisata biasanya selalu padat parkir di ruas jalan sepanjang 1 kilometer itu, terutama di hari–hari libur.
Begitu membuka pintu mobil, hampir dapat dipastikan Anda langsung diserbu sejumlah tukang becak, pemuda, atau calo lain. Mereka saling berebut menawarkan jasanya. “Pia Pak, Bu, Om? Mari saya antar langsung ke pabriknya. Lebih enak, lebih murah, halal, dan lebih terjamin mutunya. Mari… mari Pak, Bu, Om!” ujarnya nyerocos sambil berusaha menggiring Anda ke lokasi yang mereka kehendaki. Kenyataan itulah warna keseharian, sekaligus gambaran sengit dan runyamnya persaingan perdagangan bakpia di sana.
Mereka saling bersaing, saling sikut, saling menjatuhkan yang lain dalam upayanya merebut hati konsumen. Bayangkan saja, hingga sekarang di seputaran Jalan Pathuk terdapat sekira 100 pedagang atau produsen bakpia. Dari sekian jenis bakpia pathuk, perbedaan yang mudah dilihat hanya pada label kemasannya yang menunjukkan alamat rumah produsen atau tokonya, semisal 25, 38, 67, 75, 99, atau nomor lainnya. Sulit dilacak bagaimana riwayat bermulanya, yang pasti perkembangan pasar pia berjalan seiring dengan merebaknya calo. Bahkan sejak beberapa tahun lalu, masyarakat kampung seputar Jalan Pathuk seperti Ngadiwinatan, Ngampilan, Sanggrahan, atau Mertolulutan pun saling mencoba memproduksi dan berlomba memasarkan bakpia.
Bakpia sebenarnya bukan makanan khas Yogyakarta. Kue dengan citarasa dan aroma khas itu konon berasal dari negeri aslinya bernama Tou Luk Pia, yang artinya pia (kue) kacang hijau. Kue tersebut terbuat dari adonan tepung terigu dan minyak kelapa (kulit atau pembungkus) dan isi atau bumbu terdiri dari campuran kacang hijau, gula pasir, dan garam. Sebetulnya selain berisi kacang hijau, ada pula produsen yang memproduksi bakpia isi kacang hitam, coklat, dan keju. Yah, siapa tahu kelak akan ada bakpia rasa strawberi, vanila, duren, atau salak pondok.
Proses pembuatan bakpia menurut dia tidak susah. Tepung pelapis yang terbuat dari terigu dimasak sedemikian rupa sehingga mudah dibentuk bulatan. Akan halnya isinya, kacang hijau, harus melalui beberapa tahap agar siap menjadi isian yang lezat mulai dari dibersihkan, dirimbang air, direbus, ditumpuk dan dikukus. Setelah itu kacang hijau dimasukan dalam tepung terigu lantas dipanggang selama 20 menit. Selama 20 menit itu panggangan bakpia harus dibolak–balik setidaknya tiga kali. Setelah itu didinginkan dengan cara diangin–anginkan di atas tampah baru kemudian siap dimasukkan dalam dos.
Sekadar informasi, di saat ramai seperti musim liburan sekolah, sebuah pabrik bakpia di Pathuk bisa menghabiskan 4–5 karung terigu sehari. Para pekerja mereka pun kerap harus lembur hingga hampir tengah malam. Namun di hari–hari biasa, setiap harinya mereka rata–rata menghabiskan 2 karung terigu saja.
Pia merupakan produksi “padat karya” yang harus dikerjakan secara tradisional melibatkan banyak karyawan. Sebuah produsen bakpia rata–rata bisa memperkerjakan 10–50 pekerja dan setidaknya memproduksi sekira 7.500 butir (300 dus) perhari. Jumlah tersebut merupakan omzet rata–rata pada ‘hari–hari sepi. Pada hari baik seperti musim liburan atau menjelang hari raya tertentu, otomatis omzetnya berlipat hinga dua atau tiga kali.
Entah siapa yang memulai, tapi sebenarnya ada salah kaprah dalam penamaan bakpia. Sebab kata “bak” berarti daging (khususnya daging babi; maaf). Padahal tak ada satu pun bakpia Pathuk yang dibuat dengan isian daging. Jadi, sebenarnya cukup dengan “pia” saja.
Lagi pula sebenarnya bakpia Pathuk masih sejenis dengan kue bulan atau tiong chiu pia yang berbentuk lingkaran berdiameter 10 –15 sentimeter berwarna putih dan tebalnya sekitar 2–3 sentimeter. Kue yang bagian luarnya agak keras karena terbuat dari terigu tanpa ragi itu biasanya ramai dijajankan sekitar tahun baru cina atau imlek. Selain ukurannya yang lebih besar dan merek pembuatnya yang biasa distempel dengan tinta merah langsung di atasnya, isian kue bulan sedikit berbeda ketimbang bakpia. Sebab isian kue bulan selalu lebih basah dan lembek dibanding bakpia yang biasanya kering.
Kembali ke bakpia, jika ingin membeli bakpia untuk keperluan beberapa hari atau dibawa keluar kota, ada baiknya memilih bakpia yang telah diangin–anginkan. Jangan asal dibungkus rapat ketika masih panas baru diangkat dari panggangan. Setelah sampai di tempat tujuan, simpanlah di lemari es.
Bakpia ini akan tahan hingga lebih seminggu tanpa ada perubahan rasa. Kalau mau lebih nikmat lagi, kalau ada panggangan atau microwave, dihangatkan dulu barang 10–15 detik. Selebihnya, hmmm……
Begitulah, bisnis oleh–oleh setidaknya dalam lima tahun terakhir ini tak bisa lagi dilihat sebelah mata.
Pusat oleh–oleh tumbuh di berbagai kota. Oleh–oleh digarap sebagai usaha profesional. Kemasan mereka yang apik seperti membungkus dapur tradisional yang penuh jelaga dan kerja keras para pembuatnya. Para pedagang oleh–oleh itu dengan jeli mengemas dan menjual oleh–oleh. Sejarah panjang penganan itu ikut terkemas di dalamnya.
Penulis: Rudianto Pangaribuan
http://community.kompas.com
March 30th, 2007
Tesso Nilo is a lowland forest in the province of Riau, Indonesia, and one of WWF Global 200 Ecoregions. WWF is striving to conserve the Tesso Nilo Forest as an example of what once were the vast stretches of Sumatran lowland forest.
WWF’s vision in Tesso Nilo is to connect the forests between the five protected areas of the Tesso Nilo – Bukit Tigapuluh (TNBT) Landscape (including a future Tesso Nilo Conservation Area) to provide sufficient habitat for elephants and tigers and thus to be a safe haven also for other threatened and rare species.
WWF tries to prevent the killing of tigers and elephants by reducing their trade and mitigating the conflict between them and humans. WWF promotes social, environmental, and economic sustainability in the TNBT Landscape through close collaboration with local communities and industries, and with government agencies at all levels.
What Tesso Nilo has ?
Threatened Elephants
The Sumatran Elephant is one of the most threatened elephant subspecies in the world. BKSDA and WWF surveys showed there may be about 350 elephants left in Riau Province, and 150-180 of them may live in the TNBT landscape, with 60-80 elephants in Tesso Nilo:
Tesso Nilo appears to be the most important block of elephants habitat left in Riau!
Can we protect their home?
Record-breaking Plant Diversity
The Center for Biodiversity Management has surveyed over 1800 plots in tropical forests around the world. No other survey plot had as many vascular plants as in Tesso Nilo. Indonesia’s Institute of Sciences LIPI surveyed forests throughout Sumatra, Tesso Nilo had by far the most species:
Tesso Nilo appears to be on of the most diverse forests on earth.
Will we be able to show it to our kids?
Natural Forests
The biodiversity surveys in Tesso Nilo showed that few big trees are left. Most of them were cut down by legal and illegal loggers. But the surveys also showed that the offspring of the big old trees were alive and well. The species composition in Tesso Nilo resembles that of a mature
forest:
To avoid further losses WWF Indonesia’s Asian Rhinos and Elephants Program in Riau works with:
Industry
Forest conversion is the single biggest threat to high conservation value forests (HCVF) in Indonesia. WWF is in dialogue with the pulp and paper, and oil palm industries to encourage Best Management Practices. WWF asks both industries to respect the remaining blocks of HCVF and not convert them. WWF also works with its industrial partners to fight forest crime by restricting access to forest blocks, and closing gates to illegal wood deliveries.
Government
WWF supports the land use planning efforts of the Province and Districts of Riau. WWF and the Ministry of Forestry are introducing environmental values like protection of watersheds and wildlife corridors. WWF works with government agencies to fight forest crimes through investigations, anti-poaching patrols, training and legal aid. WWF helps government and communities to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.
Communities
WWF helped found the “Tesso Nilo Community Forum” in January 2004. the twenty-one villages in the Tesso Nilo buffer zone will be partners in a co-management scheme for the proposed protected area. Social, environmental, and economic sustainability are the pillars on which this cooperation will be built.
Source : www.wwf.or.id
March 29th, 2007
This is Jakarta’s largest and most popular recreation park. Used to be known as “Jaya Ancol Dreamland”, its extensive range of attractions includes sea and fresh-water aquariums, swimming pools, an artificial lagoon for fishing and boating, a bowling alley, as well as an assortment of nightclubs restaurants, and massage parlors.
The Ancol complex includes a marina, Dunia Fantasi (Fantasy Land), a golf course, hotels and a drive-in theatre. The ‘Pasar Seni’ or art market has a varied collection of Indonesian handicraft, paintings and souvenirs on sale. An open-air theatre features live performances by local artists.
Ancol Beach
This water park consists of various pools and slides that will thrill both children and
adults that never quite grew up. Experience a day of fun-filled adventures by braving the
rapids, diving down the slides, enjoying the exciting water rides or just splashing around.
The theme park was refurbished several times to ensure safety and everlasting fun.
Nonetheless children must always be supervised by adults. The poolside restaurant is
popular for its variety of local dishes
Dream World
Indonesi own Disneyland where you can discover a cultural journey through Indonesia
and many other countries. With the accent on fun, other attractions include a thrilling cork
screw roller coaster, adventurous flume rides, turbo tour simulators, bumper cars as well
as many other exciting fairground amusements. Open Mon to Sat, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Sun from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Craft Shops
This colorful open-air market located in the Ancol Amusement Park provides the unique
experience of not only buying quality Indonesian arts and craft, but also a chance to see
and meet the artisans at work. You can watch puppet makers, wood-carvers, painters,
and many other craft makers from throughout the archipelago cheerfully working on their
creations.
At this art and handicraft market, visitors get to watch Indonesian artists creating their
masterpieces. Hundreds of artists from all over the country congregate here to exhibit
their work, making the spot a fascinating place for tourists and art connoisseurs. You can
even get a portrait of yourself done.
Both traditional and modern art and crafts are on display, including paintings, sculptures,
traditional Indonesian wayang kulit (leather puppets), gemstone jewelry and many other
artistic products. Art performances are frequently held at the Art Market (Pasar Seni)
inside the Jaya Ancol Dreamland on Jakarta’s beach. They normally range from wayang
kulit shadow plays to folk dances and modern drama.
Open Monday to Saturday, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Amusement Park
A village unto itself, this 24-hour park has hotels, nightclubs, shops, and amusement
centers, including an oceanarium with dolphin and sea lion shows, a golf course, a race-
car track, a four-pool complex with a wave pool, and water slides. Africa is represented
by a comedy of mechanized monkeys, America by a Wild West town, Europe by a mock
Tudor house, and Asia by buildings from Thailand, Japan, India, and Korea. Rides,
shooting galleries, and food stalls surround these attractions, all set on 1,360 acres of
land reclaimed from the bay in 1962. COST: Admission. Sat.-Thurs. 11-6, Fri. 1:20-10.
Marina Ancol
This is a special port for yachts, motor and sail boats, and the port of departure to
Kepulauan Seribu or Thousand Islands resorts. This is also a good location for
windsurfing and other marine recreation. Beach facilities for the sea or lagoon area are
amply provided: water cycles, canoes, sail boats, fishing gear and many others. Stalls
are abundant, serving drinks and snacks along the beach.
Seaworld
This giant oceanarium proudly introduces visitors to more than 4,000 fish and sharks
from 300 species. Come and enjoy the deep-sea panorama while strolling through an
80-meter tunnel. The fascinating creatures live in some 500 million liters of seawater and
are fed three times a day (some hand-fed). The attraction also features a theater which
plays three educational films in English and Bahasa Indonesia. Open Monday to
Saturday, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Ancol Golf
Built as part of the giant recreational area in Ancol Dreamland in North Jakarta, the 18-
hole plays to par 17 with a length of 6,501 meters. Here, the sea wind is often an
interesting challenge for golfers. Padang Golf Jaya Ancol has no membership
restrictions and is suitable for those wishing to combine golf with a family outing.
Facilities at the clubhouse include club rental, pro shop, driving range, locker rooms, hot
/ cold showers and a spacious parking lot.
Source : www.budpar.go.id
March 28th, 2007
Many people visit Bandung, the capital of West Java province, to pamper their taste buds. You’ll be amazed with what Bandung has to offer. From various food sold on street vendors to haute cuisine, every visitor will be able to find something to their liking here, in Bandung.
Sundanese (the people living in West Java are called Sundanese) has tempting refreshments. Sundanese food tends to be bland yet tasty unless you add sambal dadak (chili and other ingredients grinded together) to your food. If you’re looking for more spicy taste, just add this sambal dadak with nasi timbel (steamed rice formed into a roll inside a banana leaf) and other specialties. This mouthwatering treat is too good to be missed! Usually sour vegetables soup (sayur asam) is accompanied by nasi timbel.
Sundanese people eat vegetables a lot. Sometimes they even eat raw vegetables (called lalap or lalapan) like cucumbers, tomatoes, coriander leaves, eggplants, cabbages, lettuces, and so on. Lalapan is usually accompanied by sambal dadak.
Probably one of the most well known dish, timbel, consists of nasi timbel, lalapan, sambal dadak, a piece of chicken (fried or roasted Sundanese style), fried beancurd, fried tempeh, a slice of jambal (salted fish). If you want to, you can add gepuk (slices of beef, mixed in traditional herbs, then fried), pepes (main ingredients such as fish, chicken, mushroom, etc. mixed with crushed and blended herbs, folded into a banana leaf, then steamed until they’re ready to eat), sauteed greens, and others. Nasi timbel is a favorite among locals and visitors. Batagor baso tahu goreng (literally means, fried meatballs & beancurd) is one of the most well-sought specialty. Made from blended fish and beancurd, with a special peanut sauce, batagor?s popularity remains constant.
People with sweet tooth might fancy pisang molen (literally means, molen banana), Indonesian traditional pastry filled with banana and cheese. For a variation, try brownies kukus (steamed brownies). Es cendol, made of blended/grinded rice, palm sugar, and coconut milk, is delightful on a hot day. While for a colder day, you might want to taste bandrek or bajigur.
Bandung also offers various milk products most notably, yoghurt. Basically there are two kinds of yoghurt in Bandung the thin one, and the thick one (French style).
Hot snacks ala Bandung are widely sold throughout the city. Among them are gehu-toge tahu- (beancurd with beansprouts and vegetables filling), pisang goreng (fried banana), cireng-aci goreng- (fried tapioca), and many more. You might be interested in trying other snacks such as, nangka goreng (fried jackfruit), peuyeum goreng (fermented cassava, fried), nanas goreng (fried pineapple), and so on. Ketan bakar (roasted sticky rice) and jagung bakar/rebus (roasted/boiled corns) are also recommended.
Nasi goreng (fried rice), although not originally from Bandung, is also a favorite. The ingredients vary, according to people’s preference. Sometimes the rice is mixed with seafood (usually shrimps, pieces of cuttlefish, pieces of crab’s flesh), chicken and vegetables, mutton and vegetables, salted fish, and so on.
Cakue, a dish made of flour dough then fried, also worths a try.
Bandung also has other kinds of restaurants, like Padangese (food from West Sumatra, very spicy in taste), Javanese (sweeter in taste), Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Western, Indian, and so on.
Bandung
Fondly called Parahyangan meaning, Land of the Gods, this valley city has both metropolitan and homey atmosphere at the same time. Full of eateries, factory outlets, and malls, many people find going on a trip to Bandung both enjoyable and memorable.
Getting There
There are many ways to go to Bandung. You can go by plane, embark a train, or rent a car from Jakarta.
Where to Stay
Bandung has it all, cozy little inns to five-starred hotels.
Moving Around
Public transportation called angkot, covers most of Bandung. For greater comfort, it is best if you take a taxi. For greater comfort still, rent a car. A day’s rent will save you time and trouble moving from one place to another and since Bandung is relatively small, you can cover most of Bandung’s interesting places in a day.
Source : www.budpar.go.id
March 28th, 2007
It may not have spectacular panoramas or beaches like Bali but Madura, an islet off the coast of East Java, is just interesting, thanks to its rich culinary tradition. Soto ayam Madura — a rich and spicy chicken soup — became a popular dish at the turn of last century, especially with the Dutch, who were at the time coming to appreciate local fare.
The soup, made in two variations of chicken and beef, quickly changed old perceptions about not eating spicy foods in a hot and humid tropical climate, and became one of the most popular local soups. Some sources say the soups were not actually created in Madura but made by Madurese who lived in Surabaya and generated more income by selling their new culinary creations.
Another dish to catch on was sate Madura, which is made from beef or chicken. Sate Madura was the pioneer of the famous barbecued fare, establishing the name and leading to the creation of many other varieties of skewered meat since then. Of course, Soto ayam and sate (satay) Madura are now ubiquitous on the menus of restaurants serving Indonesian food abroad.
Speaking of beef, Madura’s beef dishes were inspired by the custom of the kerapan sapi or bull races, which are organized once a year in normally quiet villages like Ambunten. But when the races starts, these small villages become a hive of bovine activity.
Bulls are everywhere; they come from other villages accompanied by their owners or led by experienced jockey-cum-farm hands.
However, watching a kerapan sapi is more dangerous than one may expect because the angry bulls often charge at spectators, creating a lot of excitement and more than a little bit of fear.
I experienced some of this bullish wrath when on one extremely hot kerapan sapi day we saw an animal, the heat steaming from his nostrils, run straight off the race track into a crowd of spectators just meters away from us.
Luckily, people were able to dodge the bull’s swinging head and he was later calmed down by a guide who brought him back to the racing area. A bull that wins these races is considered a special creature and the win gives honor not only to the bull’s owner but to its whole village.
Before the races, the bulls are treated like kings and have a daily diet of eggs and honey. As far as humans go, it is believed that by eating ox-tail from their not-so-fortunate brethren, one will develop the strength of these race champions. Osik daging sapi is one of those special meat dishes you eat for those extra powers.
Then there are Madura’s vegetable treats — an array of dishes made from corn that grow well in the barren climate. Corn is an important staple food in the area, second after rice, and one popular mixture nasi jagung is exactly what the name says: Rice and corn steamed together, which gives the dish a special aroma and an interesting texture.
Nasi jagung was formerly made by mixing remaining dried corn and rice but today, freshly scraped sweet corn kernels are used.
Here is the modern version of the traditional dish that used to require hours of soaking the hard, dried kernels: Wash and drain 150 g rice and put into a pot. Add 150 g of sweet-corn kernels, freshly cut from the cob, 1/2 tsp salt or to taste, and a 15 cm piece of a screwpine leaf. Pour in 300 ml water. Boil over a medium flame until water is absorbed. Place the rice in a steamer and steam until tender. Nasi jagung is mostly eaten with a simple beef dish.
Last but not least, Madura is also known for its salt. White sea salt is made in large ponds containing in-flowing seawater. After the evaporation process, it is cleaned into blocks. Madura is therefore named Pulau Garam, the island of salt.
Suryatini N. Ganie
March 23rd, 2007
The Watu Dodol Tourist Forest is a quite potential tourist destination in the Banyuwangi Regency of East Java. It is about 14 km from Banyuwangi. This tourist forest is located within the protected forest at block 66B, RPH Selogiri, BKPH Ketapang Ketapang, KPH of North Banyuwangi, at an altitude of 10 to 50 meters about the sea level. Administratively, it is governed as part of the Pasir Putih Village, of the Wongsorejo Sub-District, within the Banyuwangi Regency.
This place is very precious. The combinations of hill, forest and beach make the beautiful scenery. Its beauty is more completed by a giant stone with a plant stands up in the middle of highway to Surabaya. The romantic panorama provides a good place for jogging track, cross country as well as enjoying the beauty of Bali strait in distance.
To the east of this tourist forest, and bordering the beach, a large boulder is standing 3 to 4 meters tall. A tree trunk is proturding from the south side of the boulder. At a glance, it seems that the branches are growing out of the solid rocks. While the larger boulder itself appears to rest on some other rocks. This is the characteristic that marks the Watu Dodol Tourist Forest.
A few meters east of the boulder; there is a platform that resembles a place of worship. At certain days the floor of this platform will be full of flower offerings, even small change.
Across the road, in the west, there is a cement stairways that leads to the mountains. About 10 meters to the right of this footpath is an ancient grave. It is at this ancient grave that visitors often meditate.
The Majapahit Soldiers
According to the local people, and believed up till today, there are many stories that relate to the large boulder and the ancient grave. When Banyuwangi (in the past was called Blambangan), ruled by Minak Jinggo, was attacked by the Majapahit soldiers, many of the Blambangan soldiers fled, some to the north tracing the beaches along the Bali strait.
One of the Blambangan officers who ran off, was carrying supplies in the form of jadah (dodol in Javanese, a sweet sticky rice cake). Because he was so tired, the jadah or dodol was unintentionally left behind on the beach, after resting out on his way to safety. The story goes that a solid standing boulder was formed out of the dodol left by the soldier. Even when the Japanese government widened the road, they did not succeed in blasting the boulder. Even the ship chains used to tumble it over, broke off. Today, the boulder still appears strong, and is even preserved as a tourist destination.
From the ancient grave, if you keep on climbing to the left, you will arrive at a rocky mountain. You can see far out into the Bali Straits. That is why it would not be redundant if the Watu Dodol Tourist Forest is claimed as the ideal place to enjoy the beauty of the straits that lead to the Island of The Gods.
On this mountain there is an observation cave left by the Japanese Soldiers from World War II. It is said that from this cave the Japanese Soldiers could watch freely the traffic of foreign vessels coming in and out of the Bali Strait from the north. Now the cave is hidden by the mountain and is covered up by bushes. From this Japanese cave, if you continue to the south, after about 500 meters you will arrive ata athreeway intersection. If you keep left and descend, you will arrive at a resting place, equipped with a children’s palyground and an umbrella shaped permanent building. For relaxation with the family this place does well. The air around is fresh and tha place shaded off by the dense ketapang (k.o. almond) and other trees. And in the south, a spacious parking area is available.
And that’s not all. East of Watu Dodol there is an umbrella shaped building that houses the restrooms and lockers for those wanting to change and bathe in the Bali Straits.
Sea Shells
A bit to the north, there is a resting house complete with a seating arrangements. It is located exactly on therock that hangs over the Bali Straits. The natural scenery from here is really fascinating. Further to the north are stretches of coconut plantation. The leave wae with the wind, while there is a lot of sea creatures, in particular sea shells. It is quite infatuating to visit the Watu Dodol Tourist Park. And if you look in the direction of the island of Bali (to the east), the Menjanagan and Tabuhan Islands at the edge of Bali Island are visible. So, when will you be visiting this tourist forest.
Source : http://laskarbanyuwangi.blogspot.com
March 23rd, 2007
Sangalaki is the world Capital of Mantas. At Sangalaki the familiar set of Manta Rays emerges from all directions. Their wing tips breaking the surfaces at regular interval. Snorkelling is the way to interact with this gentle plankton feeders. Totally unperturbed by your presence, they swim in eurythymy and sometimes glide right up to you before making a sharp nose-dive into the blue. It is not unusual to find them encircling you.
Though most of them are about 3,5 meters (12 ft) wide with a white belly, there a few black giant with a 6 meters (20 ft) wing span - we refer to them fondly as the Darth Vaders.
The sensation of looking through their giant mouths cannot be described, it must be experienced. it is totally out of this world, so much so that one published writer reported that he was whacked by his own adrenaline.
Sangalaki is surrounded by a shallow langoon and the reefs start a distance out from the Island. SInce there is so much shallow reef here, threre is a vast diversity of marine life, and since the area is a protected marine park, the reefs are quite pristine.Most Dive sites are shallower than 65 feet (20 m). The reef slope gently and all dive sites have excellent shallow areas for the end of your dive. The hard and soft corals here are amazingly prolific with over 500 species present around the island. It is a good place to see both large and small marine creatures. When you look up after watching a colorful Nudibranch, don’t be surprised to see a Turtle or Manta Ray swimming by.
Sangalaki can be reached via Balikpapan, Indonesia or via Tawau, Sabah by an hour flight to Berau and two hour boat ride down the scenic Berau River. The Island of Sangalaki is lcoated off the East coast of Indonesian Borneo. The Sangalaki Dive Lodge Resort is uncrowded, the diving is spectacular, and exotic marine life. You’ll see Cuttlefish, Blue Ribbon Eels, Turtles,Manta Rays, Sharks, dozens of species of Nudibranchs, hundreds of species of hard and soft corals, shools of brightly colored Fusailers and zillions of colorful reef fishes.
Source : www.indonesiadiving.com
March 20th, 2007
Maratua, about an hour from Sangalaki by boat is a large island with a massive lagoon. The island only rims part of the lagoon, the rest is fringed by reef and wall. A channel into the lagoon is an incridible drift dive and the surrounding walls are loaded with hard and soft corals
Imagine you are sitting on a ringside seat, the arena an underwater colosseum at 100 feet, beneath you and abyssal plunge beyond the depth of mortal endurance.
The arrival of a lone 7 foot great barracuda heralds for the show to begin. A dark cloud emerges from the distance, like an uprising tornado, as it twirls toward you, the dark mass metamorphosizes into silvery screen of barracudas, thousand… uncountable.
Eight spotted eagle rays pear from the liquid information whilst heavy bodied gray sharks arrive at an electrifiying velocity to break up a school of big tooth trevalley.
I saw this performance thrice, and after having over 8000 sojourns is tropical water, this site is among the very best in my experience. The location was discovered by Mr. Nawawi - he graciously shared this secret domain of deep with us. The water boils, your adrenalin reachers a record high as a huge giant black spotted Bull raylooms over you to cross th terrain of golden and red coral trees.
Large Dog-tooth tunas and mackerels make up the chorus line to fleeting appearence of hammerheads and mantas, this show is the greatest show on earth beneath the sea, the performance limited to twice daily everyday of the year.
Source : www.indonesiadiving.com
March 20th, 2007
Teluk Cendrawasih National Park combines coral reef ecosystems, coastal ecosystems, mangrove ecosystems and an island terrestrial tropical forest ecosystem, altogether covering a total area of 1,453,500 hectares. The Park area includes the largest marine national park in Indonesia, consisting of land and coastal areas (0.9%), islands (3.8%), coral reefs (5.5%), and marine waters (89.8%).
Some 46 species of plant have been recorded on the islands, dominated by bakau (Bruguiera sp.), api-api (Avicennia sp.), nipah (Nypa fruticans), sago (Metroxylon sago), cemara laut (Casuarina equisetifolia), and ketapang (Terminalia catappa).
One hundred and fifty species of coral have been recorded in the Park, consisting of 15 families and distributed on the shores of 18 large and small islands. The percentage of live coral coverage varies from between 30-40% to 64-65%.
In general, the coral reef ecosystem is divided into two zones: the reef flat zone and the reef slope zone. Among the species of coral that can be seen are colonies of blue coral (Heliopora coerulea), black coral (Antipathes sp.), Leptoseris sp., Mycedium elephantotus, and soft corals.
The Park is famed for its wealth of fish species. About 209 species inhabit this Park, among them butterfly fish, angelfish, damselfish, parrotfish, rabbitfish and anemone fish. Species of mollusc include cowries (Cypraea spp.), strombidae (Lambis spp.), cone shell (Conus spp.), trumpet triton (Charonia tritonis), and great clam (Tridacna gigas).
There are four species of turtle that are quite often seen in this Park. They are the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), common green turtle (Chelonia mydas), Pacific ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), and leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). Dugong (Dugong dugon), coconut crab (Birgus latro), blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), dolphin, and shark are other frequent visitors to these waters.
There is a natural cave with ancient remains, thermal springs containing sulphur without salt on Mioswaar island, and an underwater cave with a depth of 100 feet in Tanjung Mangguar. Remains from the 18th century can still be found in several places, such as Wendesi, Wasior, and Yomber. Many Christians visit the church in Yende village (Roon Island) to have a look at a bible which dates from 1898.
Interesting locations/attractions:
Rumberpon Island: observing birds and deer, marine tours, diving and snorkelling. The wreck of a sunken military aircraft lies on the sea bed.
Nusrowi Island: diving and snorkelling, marine tours, and animal observation.
Mioswaar Island: thermal springs, waterfalls, diving and snorkelling, animal observation, and sites of cultural interest.
Yoop Island and Windesi waters: whale and dolphin watching.
Roon Island: bird watching, diving and snorkelling, waterfalls, cultural interest, and an old church.
Best time of year to visit: May to October.
How to reach the Park: from Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Ujung Pandang, Jayapura, Honolulu and Darwin by direct flight to Biak; from Biak to Manokwari or Nabire by plane.
From Jakarta, Surabaya, Ujung Pandang and Jayapura by plane directly to Manokwari or Nabire. From Manokwari to the Park (Rumberpon Island) by longboat, 5.5 hours, or from Manokwari to Ransiki subdistrict by car, about 3 hours, then a 2.5-hour trip by motor boat.
source : http://www.dephut.go.id
March 16th, 2007
Previous Posts