The Strongest Man - or should I say kid - in Indonesia

You could compare this kid to a small version of the “The Incredible Hulk”; you could compare him to Nanny Mc Phee in short pants, but he is not a comic hero and will not put you under his spell. He is just the trekking guide we hired on our journey to the second highest volcano in Indonesia – Mount Rinjani in Lombok (3,726 m dpl). The only thing that’s stuck in my mind about him is that he’s just the real “Incredible Zumahir.” He carried all of our 20 kg of belongings up the mountain, and is called Togog by his fellow guides.

“How old are you?” I asked.
“Over 18”
“When is your birthday?” I asked again.
“Don’t remember, it’s written in my school report book”
“Do you want to live in the city?” I asked.
“No! I don’t like big cities. I like it here in the mountain, once I visited Mataram and I hated it.”
“Have you ever wanted to go to Jakarta?” I asked with curiosity.
“No! I don’t like big cities!”

No wonder this young man never wanted to leave the mountain. You really arrive at a heaven on earth after four days almost killing track. For those who love nature, mount Rinjani is a wonder you will find here in my lovely Indonesia.

Words are not enough to describe it, so I would just like to share a couple of my pictures from Rinjani.



The Segara Anak Lake and small Rinjani crater from Pelawangan (2,641m dpl).










Segara Anak, the destination of thousand pilgrims who place offerings in the water and wash away diseases in the hot spring.




The Incredible Zumahir, so you know why I was a bit confused about whether to call him a man, a kid or a young man.




Me and my fellow Rinjani trekker.


You can find a lot of information about the wonder of Rinjani on the net. Just a couple of tips from me, don’t forget to bring your sleeping bag and long pants. Happy trekking!!

Road Trip

Idul Fitri holiday as we call it here “Mudik Lebaran” has become more of a culture for Indonesian. My family included. Daddy driving, mommy navigate with her limited sense of direction, sister and me sit at the back. Then we were ready to start our journey from Jakarta to Surabaya. It was years ago, when US$1 equal to Rp 2,500.

The habit continues until finally I could really sit behind the steering wheel. For anyone who calling him/her self love to travel, road trip is a MUST!!

Java island the south of the archipelago. The old Deandels track built on the north side, connecting Anyer and Panarukan. The road similar to rupiah and dollar fluctuation on 1997 lays on the south through the mountains, forests, paddy fields and beaches riches with great surf. Both tracks have their own attractions.

Journey through the north starts with 75 km freeway heading to Cirebon for lunch, a full plate of “Sate khas Cirebon”. Lamb skewer served with chili peanut sauce and rice. Need more spicy on it, just add the chopped green chili and red onion.

The old mosque in Demak with its giant pillars waiting 200 km east, took couple of great pictures here is necessary. Stayed for a night in Semarang where once the world greatest Admiral Cheng He has landed.

Heading east for Nganjuk having “pecel” and “nasi pincuk” for lunch. Visit Caruban, bought water melon and eat it fresh, what would you ask for more.

Before I tell you about the city finale. The south track should reveal.

Ducth inherited tea plantation 60 km south of Jakarta, then heading to Bandung “the parisj van Java”. The next 100 km then reached Tasikmalaya through Nagrek, the village famous with the 45 degrees “tanjakan”.

After had a wondrous sidetracked by finding great beach called “Karang Bolong” located in one of secluded village in Gombong. The journey continues, another 150 km east to Yogyakarta Ngadiningrat. Will need another story only to describe this beautiful city where the ancient javaness culture still rule by the existence of Sultan Yogyakarta. Stay for a night just to have small bite of this city to unwind your soul after 10 hours driving from Jakarta.

Start your journey early in the next morning to have another 10 hours driving to my city finale, Surabaya.

Yet this is not the end of the journey.

First Step

Uh ah hmmp what to start!!


If writing is so easy, why is it so hard for me to start?
Ok, let’s get on with it.

Start something stupid!!


Ouw ok I got one.



Why do people travel?
Finally I choose one subject to tell on my very first serious blog…seriously a blog!!??


Travel, transported from one point to another. Simple yet it’s addictive, at least that’s what I feel about travel.
What I get from travel is only series of feelings. Panic when the flight was canceled. The heart beating more 100 times a minute when the waters start entering the boat. Stunned to see all the beauty of nature, on top of all just never get enough with travel.

Meeting new and exiting people, that’s what I love about traveling. The planning, the journey and the moment when you finally arrived on your destinations, that all the things you always want to repeat.

Shared the people I have met while traveling and destinations I have been to or will be, all here in my finally seriously a blog.

Happy writing for me! and happy reading for you who have time to read.