Thursday, December 29, 2011

Sunset Worshiper


Here they are, collection of photos depicting lovely sunset at some gorgeous location. Enjoy...!


Golden Hours - The Sun approaching the Sea - Location: Kuta Beach, Bali, Indonesia




Almost There, but, Lonely - Location: Kuta Beach, Bali, Indonesia








Let's go home kiddos -  Location: Kuta Beach, Bali, Indonesia






Shoot...! - Location: Gili Trawangan, Lombok, Indonesia




Trees and Twigs -  Location: Gili Trawangan, Lombok, Indonesia


Enjoying sunset - Location: Gili Trawangan, Lombok, Indonesia


Tranquility - Location: Gili Trawangan, Lombok, Indonesia


Great clouds and approaching sunset at Mahakam River, East Borneo.








Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Hitam Putih Kereta Api - Sebuah Foto Esai


Pasangan rel & wesel (track exchanger - pemindah jalur) yang merupakan penghubung antara jalur 1 dan 2 dari dan menuju Depo (garasi) yang ada di Stasiun Bogor.




Antrian calon penumpang di pagi hari yang menunggu kereta Commuter Line relasi (rute) Bogor - Jakarta Kota di peron jalur 3. Karena beberapa keberangkatan menggunakan kereta balik yang datang dari Depo Depok atau Manggarai, maka kesigapan calon penumpang dalam mencari bangku kosong sangat menentukan.


Kereta / Gerbong Khusus Wanita yang biasa terdapat di kedua ujung rangkaian kereta Commuter Line. Keberadaan gerbong ini sebagai jawaban atas permintaan para penumpang wanita untuk menghindari hal-hal yang tidak dinginkan selama berdesak-desakan di dalam kereta.



Suasana di dalam Kereta Commuter Line saat tidak terlalu penuh dengan penumpang. Masih saja ada penumpang yang tidak mengindahkan penggunaan kursi lipat atau duduk dilantai kereta yang tentu saja menggangu penumpang lain yang berdiri.




Kalau yang ini adalah pemandangan sehari-hari di dalam Kereta Ekonomi. Keterbatasan rangkaian serta banyaknya penumpang saat-saat jam sibuk, membuat kondisi yang kurang nyaman dalam menggunakan moda transportasi ini.




Lantai 2 atau atap kereta, menjadi salah satu tempat favorit penumpang baik di Kereta Ekonomi ataupun Commuter Line. Banyaknya korban jatuh dan tersengat listrik tidak menyurutkan minat para atapers.




Pak Dadang, penjual sate sore hari di peron 7 Stasiun Bogor. Banyaknya lalu lalang penunpang yang keluar masuk Stasiun merupakan rezeki tersendiri untuk beliau. Walau sering sepi jika hujan, beliau tidak kapok berjualan di sini.




Penumpang yang menunggu antara Stasiun Pasar Minggu sampai Stasiun Bogor, relatif lebih sedikit pada sore hari. Foto diambil saat berada di atas Kereta Ekonomi.




Iwan, salah satu 'anak stasiun' yang sehari-hari berpetualang di sekitar Stasiun Bogor. Mencari nafkah dari rasa kasihan para penumpang. Tidak sekolah dan terkakdang tidur di gerbong Kereta Ekonomi.




















Thursday, December 22, 2011

Lombok's Getaway - Episode 3

The dawn was finally there. I still recalled my good night sleep was interrupted by the shutting down of power from the one and only PLN's Power Generator in the island. Yes, later on, according to the cottage manage, there is only one unit of Generator to light up the entire island.Thus, the local residence and the cottage owners must prepare the small generator on their own.

As if the I was in a hurry, I jumped off the bed, had my morning ritual and prepare my HTC Evo4G for early morning sunrise hunting.

Lucky me...! The sun was on its way to say the world. I speed up my steps to the eastern part of the island, which is only 5 minutes walking. And there it was. The majestic Mount Rinjani with a ray of rising sun. Astonishing, mesmerizing, breath-taking, all the words could not describe the sensation I felt.

The warm sun ray, the cool sea water, the clear majestic sky. All become a part of me I won't let go.


After enjoying the sunrise, I took a walk further to round the island. The people activities has begun. Cleaning the restaurants and bars. Arranging beach chairs. Many people in the island working in the Lombok mainland. This goes vice versa. Therefore, the wooden boats already going here and there since the break of the dawn.


Perempuan Tangguh Gili Trawangan
There was no motor vehicle allowed in the three Gilis. the main transportation mean are bicycles and cidomo (horse-pulled cart). Watching children go to school and others people activities just make the morning so joyful.

Perempuan Tangguh Gili Trawangan


And there was a extraordinary view of several women carrying bags of sand from the wooden boat to the shore. Apparently they are usual labor in the island to carry cargoes from the boats to the shore. I took some picture of them. Later on this picture won local contest of #simPATIPictFest.

Bersiap Menjala
After satisfying my self with the beach-walking and taking a lot of photos, I walked back to the cottage, had breakfast and prepare for check out.

I have another appointment in Lombok mainland and have to say good by to Gili Trawangan.


End of Episode 3.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Lombok's Getaway - Episode 2

The jetty connecting the boats to Gili Trawangan.
The boat which I took for the ride to Gili Trawangan swaying left and right then back and fort. For some people whose not get use to with the sea wave might end up vomiting. :D

After 15 minutes or so, the boat getting nearer to Gili Trawangan. I notice from a far the greyish-white sand and beautiful beaches decorated with the green trees and colorful boats.


The welcoming gate of Gili Trawangan.

Arrived at Gili Trawangan at around 2 p.m., I went straight to a Diving Shop where I suppose to meet the owner of missing boat. I better skip this boring working part and continue to the fun parts. :-D
 

Sunset on the western part of Gili Trawangan
The work day 1, finished around 5 p.m. Darn it..! Just realize that the golden hours was on the show.


I immediately, took the Cidomo, a 4 wheel cart with one or 2 horses pulling. Then, my instinct told me that the place I have to be is the western part of the island of course, to capture the sunset...!


Sunset on the western part of Gili Trawangan.
Lucky me, the sunset was still high. I was speechless, witnessing the majestic reddish-orange sky met a clear greenish blue sea. I have to admit that the sunset here is one of the best sunset I've ever seen.

Many people gathered in this western part of the island to capture the astonishing sunset. Although it was a bit cloudy, the beauty still could not be hidden.

Sunset on the western part of Gili Trawangan.
I took hundreds of frame like crazy with my HTC EVO4G during this golden moment. Some good, some blur but all of them were beautifully incredible (it's just me saying heheheh).

After spent sometimes enjoying the sunset, the sky is getting dark. But the nuance of the sunset still lingering on the farthest horizon.


Instead of taking Cidomo, I decided to walk along the beach back to the location of motels/cottages. The warm sands and the cool see water created unexplainable sensation.

The sea water was so clear that we can see algae, corals with just naked eyes. I reckon that this due to the location of the island that so far from pollution.

During my walk searching for motel to stay overnight, I took some photos and the result is quite awesome. Although the sun was no longer there, but the radiance of its ray made a unique colors to the sky.

Silhouette of Traditional hut just after the sunset.
After a few minutes walked, I found my self in front of traditional hut, with a magnificent sea view. The hut apparently belongs to Blue Corral Cottage, which then I decided to get a room there. With only Rp.250.000 c.a. USD.27, I enjoyed an air-conditioned spacious room with shower and free breakfast and free wifi...!

I ended the day with leyeh-leyeh in the sea-view hut, ate Quattro Formaghi Pizza and mix fruit for dinner and enjoy the cool sea breeze.

End of Episode 2.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Lombok's Getaway - Episode 1

Investigating missing pleasure boat? Tiresome!

The location is at Gili Trawangan? Woohooo, let's go!

It's early October 2011. Due to a missing boat, I traveled 3 days 2 nights free of charge to this lovely Lombok and the Gilis. This is my first trip there. Excited? You bet!
As I have traveled quite a lot, it becomes my habit to conduct a small research about the places I've never been there before. So, googling and some calls had me some confidences for a go.

Located in the province of Nusa Tenggara Barat, it only took me 2 hour flight from Jakarta. I arrived at the newly launched Lombok International Airport just before the lunch time.
It was only a day before this airport was officially operated. The old airport, Selaparang is no longer used as it too close to the main city of Mataram, the capital of this province. Meanwhile, the new airport is 90 minutes away from Mataram.

The new airport is not completely finished. There are still some construction works being carried out. The unusual view is that many local people around the airport come to look at the aircraft. This airport is new thing to many local people there.
People around airport come to see aircraft.

From the airport, I took a cab straight to Bangsal Harbour. The road taken were smooth and quite busy. To get to Bangsal Harbour, I had to pass through the busy city of Mataram and of course the incredible Senggigi beaches!

Amazing Sengigi Beach, with the Three Gilis on the distance.
The Senggigi beaches are breath-taking, clear sky, white sands, greenish-blue sea and dark green bushes made it all astonishing! After 2 hours relaxing drive, I arrived at Bangsal Harbour. This is a relatively small harbor used for transportation from Lombok mainland to the famous three Gilis (Trawangan, Meno, Air). Gili is local language for Island.

Several small wooden colorful boats with the lengh of 10 meters ready on the shore for transporting local people, convenience good, raw food and tourists for only IDR.10,000 per person..! (about USD.1.20)

Yes, tourists. International tourists seem to fall in love for the beautiful Three Gili. Bali is for amateurs, Gili is for the pros, or so they said. Lombok, especially the Three Gilis and Rinjani Mountain, have become international tourists attractions. Government involvement to promote this haven and to refine the infrastructure definitely is a must!

Colorful wooden boats waiting
While awaiting for my call to aboard the small wooden-boat, I had myself buying some snacks and waters for my one night stay at Gili Trawangan. This is to avoid outrageous price in the Gili as in Bali. Later on I realize that the prices are normal.

Boat trip from Bangsal Harbor to  Gili Trawangan took only 15 minutes. Although the Island is only 2 mile away, the wave is quite high. That's why the boat master must take precautions and sail his boat carefully.


End of Episode 1

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Perempuan Tangguh Gili Trawangan - Juara #simPATIPictFest

Perempuan Tangguh Gili Trawangan
Tak disangka dan tak diduga, ada foto saya yang menjadi salah satu pemenang foto kontes yang diadakan oleh  @simPATI selama diadadakannya @PictFest 09-10 Desember 2011 di fX Jakarta. 

Foto yang saya ambil saat trip ke Gili Trawangan, Lombok, ini, menggambarkan kerja keras perempuan Gili Trawangan dalam mencari nafkah dengan cara menjadi kuli angkut barang/pasir dari perahu kayu dipinggir pantai sampai ke lokasi penimbunan yang jaraknya sekitar 50 meter.

Kontes dengan tagar (hashtag) #simPATIPictFest ini diadakan via social media Twitter. Juri memilih 10 pemenang dan tiap pemenang mendapatkan pulsa simpati sebesar Rp.100.000...

Lumayan... daripada LUMANYUN....!!!!! wekekeke

Planking is an a new addictive lifestyle.

Me, planking on wooden boat plank.
Damn you @tuanmudakrisna and @rizataza from @fotodroids community. You spread the planking virus to me...!

Me, planking on the floor during @PictFest 2011
As on Wiki, "Planking" (or the "Lying Down Game") is an activity consisting of lying face down in an unusual or incongruous location. Both hands must touch the sides of the body and having a photograph of the participant taken and posted on the Internet is an integral part of the game.[1] Players compete to find the most unusual and original location in which to play.[1] The term planking refers to mimicking a wooden plank. Rigidity of the body must be maintained to constitute good planking.
Me, planking inside Bulldozers Bucket.

Since early 2011, many participants in planking have photographed the activity on unusual locations such as atop poles, roofs and vehicles. Planking can include lying flat on a flat surface, or holding the body flat while it's supported in only some regions, with other parts of the body suspended.

In Indonesia, planking still a new wave. There is twitter based community called @PlankingID created by @DimasMamahit

I am just a planking beginner.



It's begin...

Sunrise, symbol of a new day, a new beginning.
Just like my self start blogging to share my life, my purpose, my passion.
Don't wanna perish without a trace.