Fun | Relax | Low Budget May-June 2011
DERAWAN Virgin Island
Derawan Island has been a destination for tourists these days. Of course, it is not without reasons
LOCAL CULTURE SEREN TAUN COMMUNITY KASKUS INDONESIAN TRAVELERs
EE R FMagazine
FIGURE HARLEY BAYU SASTHA
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Contents
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ON THE SPOT 3 DERAWAN VIRGIN ISLAND Derawan Archipelago has been a destination for tourists these days. Of course, it is not without reeasons HOW TO GET THERE 11 GO TO DERAWAN There are two harbors that serve to cross to Derawan Island, which are Tanjung Batu harbor in Berau and Tengkayu harbor in Tarakan. MY JOURNEY 15 MIRACULOUS DECEMBER IN DERAWAN Derawan Island, located in Berau Regency, East Kalimantan. That was the place I visited.
GALLERY 25 THE BEAUTY OF DERAWAN LOCAL CULTURE 27 SEREN TAUN There was a sudden crowd last January, to be exact on the 18-23 in Sindang Barang Village, Bogor, West Java. COMMUNITY 33 KASKUS INDONESIAN TRAVELERS FIGURE 37 HARLEY BAYU SASTHA
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Editor’s Note Cheers for Backpackers!, THOSE WHO ARE deep sea and beach lovers has brought Derawan into the must see list. Why is that so? What are the things to see in Derawan and how to get there? How much the cost is? All those things will be answered in this Backpackin’ edition! Meanwhile, in order to increase the quality of Backpackin’ magazine, from this edition we would like to show a new nuance in this magazine. Covers, some new rubrics and layouts are the things we’d like to fix to make it more interesting. We do that not for us, but for Indonesia’s tourism to be better! Let’s support Indonesia’s tourism! Enjoy It!! EDITOR IN CHIEF
GENERAL MANAGER Khemal Nugroho khemal@backpackinmagazine.com EDITOR IN CHIEF Ambar Arum ambar@backpackinmagazine.com SENIOR EDITOR Muhammad Iqbal
REVIEW 41 DUARANSEL.COM EDUCATION 45 PROTECT THE CORAL REEFS ACCESSORIES 47 TRANGIA VS GAS STOVE CONTRIBUTOR 51 BM 8TH EDITIONS INTERACTION 52 BEING SILLY IN A PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NEXT EDITION 53 SEMPU ISLAND
CORRESPONDENTS Ghamal Satya Mohammad Soekarno Ibrahim TRANSLATORS Annisa M.F. Harahap Anindya Leonita Dea Maria Christa Ryana Andari Purba DESIGN Galih Permadi Kibar Desain Salman WEBMASTER Kurniawan Aji Saputra WEBSITE www.backpackinmagazine.com EMAIL redaksiezinebi@yahoo.com
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ON THE SPOT
Derawan Island has been a destination for tourists these days. Of course, it is not without reasons
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DERAWAN V I R G IN I S L AN D
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ON THE SPOT
DERAWAN ARCHIPELAGO, WHICH is located in Berau district, East Kalimantan province, consists of many small islands. The popular ones are Derawan Island itself, Kakaban Island, Maratua Island, and Sanglaki Island.
Beautiful View From every corner of this archipelago, our eyes will always be spoiled by the extraordinary and naturally wonderful sight. Every islands has its own beauty that attracts tourists’ attention to finally made it there, whether local or international tourists.
By : Ambar Arum Photo: Maliq & Yanuar Priambodo
Snorkelling and Diving It is one of the best diving spots in the world, especially with the existence of unique jellyfish. It is the most unique species here. In Indonesia, we can only find it in
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ON THE SPOT
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THE NAMES OF THE ISLANDS HERE HAVE THEIR OWN MEANING. DERAWAN IS FROM THE WORD PERAWAN (VIRGIN), MARATUA (MERTUA/ PARENT IN LAW), SANGLAKI IS (LELAKI/MAN WORDS), AND KAKABAN (KAKAK/OLDER BROTHER)
Kakaban and Maratua Islands. It is hard to find in other countries. The easiest access to be reached is Kakaban Island. We can also see rare sea animals, like manta rays or dugong. Imagine that you can swim with jellyfish around you and dive with tortoise!
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Tortoise Captivity Tortoise and human live together here. You can meet tortoise easily in Derawan and Sanglaki Island. Take good care of any place you visit! Keep it clean and original! Be polite and follow the citizen’s rules. t
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HOW TO GET THERE
THERE ARE TWO harbors that can be used to get to Derawan Island, which is Tanjung Batu harbor in Berau and Tengkayu harbor in Tarakan. That is why we need to reach Berau or Tarakan first. Berau can be reached within the land or sky meanwhile Tarakan can only be reached through sky. Land way is much cheaper but takes a long time. On the other hand, sky way is much expensive yet faster. This information could be change at any time, especially the price.
TO TARAKAN Air Lane 1. From Balikpapan: take Batavia Air (1 hour ride). 2. From Jakarta: take Lion Air or Sriwijaya Air. 3. From other cities: transit in Balikpapan and take Batavia Air. 11
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TO BERAU Air Lane Can only be reached from Balikpapan with Batavia Air, Sriwijaya Air, Kalstar plane and Trigana Air (1 hour ride). Land Lane Rent a car from Balikpapan, 3-4 million Rupiah (back and forth, driver included, price and capacity is according to the kinds of car). 22-30 hours of ride even more, depend on the road’s condition. Straightly taken to port Tanjung Batu.
TO THE HARBOR
UNSTINGED JELLYFISH
From Tarakan From airport to Tengkayu Harbor take a taxi approximately 15-20 minutes ride. From Berau From airport to Tanjung Batu Harbor take a taxi (2–2,5 hours ride).
MENUJU P. DERAWAN From Tengkayu 1. Regular boat: 5-6 hours 2. Speedboat: 2-3 hours
IT IS THE MOST UNIQUE species here. In Indonesia, we can only find it in Kakaban and Maratua Islands.
There is a lake in Kakaban Island which
water is from the trapped sea. It is also from water inside the ground and rain since a long time ago. This is how Kakaban Lake that has unstinged jellyfish was created.
From Tanjung Batu 1. Regular boat: 1-2 hours (around Rp 400.000 back and forth for 5 persons) 2. Speedboat: 20-30 minutes
Why isn’t the jellyfish sting? It is because
the evolution process that has happened a long time ago by the rain and ground water, where the water in the lake here became more insipid compared to the other sea around the lake.
This changing impacts the adaptation of
the sea animals inside the lake. One of them is jellyfish. Because of the limited food, the jellyfish can finally adapt and do a symbiotic mutualism with algae that is the producer of food. However, algae needs sun to produce food, therefore the jellyfish can place the algae on their feet and walk back. The sting power may be decrease and even gone because of the differences of the ecosystem in the water.
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HOW TO GET THERE
BOAT RENT Remember: regular boat has longer time to reach the island than speedboat, so the spots to be visited are less than taking speedboat. The capacity of regular boat is obviously small. Regular Boat Cost : Rp500.000 – 1.000.000,00 (capacity: approximately 8 persons) Speedboat Cost : Rp 1,5 million. Capacity: 5 persons (2 days) or Rp 7,5 – 9 million. Capacity: 14 million(3 days)
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FOODS There are food stalls in Derawan and Maratua Island range from Rp 10.000,00 – Rp 25.000,00
SNORKELLING+FIN In Derawan and Maratua Islands, Rp 50.000,00 per day.
INN
TIPS
Inns are only in Derawan and Maratua Islands. The range of inn per night starts from Rp 100.000,00 (Derawan) and Rp 150.000,00 (Maratua).
1. To be economical, bring stove and food. Pick the instant ones and long lasted like abon, dendeng, dry temper, etc or the easy fried ones such as instant noodle, sausage, corned beef, etc.
CONTACTS
2. The weather is not definite nowadays so it’s better to contact local people to know the weather condition.
Maliq (Kakaban Tour) 081254200333 email: kakaban_tour@yahoo.com FB Fan Page : Derawan Island Info Rent Car from Balikpapan CV Gina Mandiri Travel. 0852 4895 3177 Inn in Derawan Danakan Inn 081347733701
3. It’s possible to stay at local people’s house or build a tent in Derawan but it needs permission from the local people.
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MY JOURNEY
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Miraculous December in
DERAWAN
DERAWAN ISLANDS, LOCATED in Berau Regency, East Kalimantan. That was the place I visited. What made me interested to explore Derawan was the unique jellyfish in Kakaban Island where it couldn’t sting! By: Antho Riyanto | Photo: Antho Riyanto & Kakaban Tour
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I started Googling about Derawan since I came home from my Komodo trip. From blog-walking, I found out that backpacking to Derawan was not really backpacking because the cost was expensive, except if we had much time. Finally, around August 2010 I booked Mandala Airlines ticket JKT-TRK (Jakarta – Tarakan) round trip, 1,4 million for 4-8 December 2010. Why I chose Tarakan? Because when I made the calculation, going to Derawan via Tarakan was much cheaper and more efficient. Next, I started to influence my friends to accompany me to Derawan. But it was hard to find a companion on this high budget trip. After I contacted all the contact persons, I started to post this trip to many mailing lists. In October 2010, gathered 12 people who were interested to go to Derawan (10 people from Jakarta, 1 person from Surabaya and another one from Makassar). Closer to the D day, one of the people cancelled the trip and on the day before leaving, there was another one cancelling the trip. Automatically, the sharing cost was increased, but show must go on!
Photo: Antho Riyanto
Friday, December 3, 2010 Since the flight was so early (6 am) and we were lazy to get DAMRI (airport shuttle bus) in the morning or to take taxi, so five of us decided to stay one night in the airport. Fortunately, it was in Terminal 3 so it was pretty comfortable. I had once stayed one night in this terminal.
Photo: Kakaban Tour
BECAUSE WHEN I MADE THE CALCULATION, GOING TO DERAWAN VIA TARAKAN WAS MUCH CHEAPER AND MORE EFFICIENT. Saturday, December 4, 2010 And the trip started‌ The flight that was scheduled on 6 am was delayed until 8 am! This screwed the plan! We were supposed to arrive in Tarakan on 11 but we arrived there at 1! As soon as we arrived in Tarakan, we straightly went to Tengkayu port. We had already contacted the boat driver. But before we took our long journey to Derawan, we took our lunch first. Around 3 pm we left Tarakan and so the journey began. We arrived in Derawan at around 6 in the evening. Thank God the waves were calm. Then we unpacked our things and prepared for island hopping the next morning.
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MY JOURNEY Sunday, December 5, 2010 We started island hopping at 7.30. The plan was we would visit Kakaban and Maratua islands. At around 8.30 we were arrived in Kakaban. I was so excited to swim with the jellyfish so I just walked to the stairs that would take me to where the jellyfish were. When I got there, suddenly I remembered Lake Satonda in Flores. It looked the same. Finally I jumped to the lake. After swimming with the jellyfish, I went to the quay to snorkel there but suddenly it was raining. According to the plan, after this we would go to Maratua but the rain made fogs. So we decided to have our lunch and continue snorkeling while taking pictures. Around 1 o’clock, the rain was not Photo: Antho Riyanto
Photo: Kakaban Tour
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Photo: Antho Riyanto
Photo: Kakaban Tour
as heavy as it was before so we continued our trip to Maratua. Along the way, we were welcomed by dancing dolphins! Wow! Unfortunatey, when we arrived in Maratua, we weren’t allowed to pull over because there were many guests there. The boat driver said that if we still wanted to go there, we could but not in group, but we were already lazy. So we were just snorkeling. Not long after that the wave was pretty high so we decided to get to the boat. Again, a bunch of dolphins came to us. Wow! The trip was continued back to around Derawan for turtle hunt. I wish I could swim with turtles. M AY- J U N E 2 0 1 1
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Photo: Antho Riyanto
Foto: Kakaban Tour
MY JOURNEY
Monday, December 6, 2010 As it was the same with the day before, we started our island hopping at 7.30. The plan was we would visit Semama, Sanglaki and Gosong. The trip to Semama was only 45 minutes. It was the home for turtles as there were many turtles there. The view of this island was so beautiful and it was nice for taking pictures. There were white sand, palm trees, everything. After that, we went to Sanglaki. Along the way we were looking for manta but we couldn’t find it, so we were just snorkeling there. After snorkeling, we pull over to the
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beach. In here, we were served by the small turtles that were just hatched. They were hatched from the eggs that were buried in the sand. Cool! After we ate our lunch, we continued our trip to Gosong. We were still looking for manta and we found it! We were so lucky. The Derawan people said we were lucky too because it was about manta’s season. Yeay! And finally we arrived at Gosong. As we can assumed from the name (Gosong means the burned skin), there was only sand. As usual, let’s take some pictures! Then we continue our trip to snorkel with turtle spot. This was our last day snorkeling in Derawan.
Photo: Antho Riyanto
Photo: Antho Riyanto
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Photo: Kakaban Tour
MY JOURNEY
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Poto: Kakaban Tour
Tuesday, December 7, 2010 After taking our breakfast in around 9 am, we started to leave the beauty of Derawan to get back to Tarakan. We arrived in Tarakan around 1 pm because the wave was unfriendly. In here, we were touring down the city, accompanied by CS Tarakan members who were willing to be our guide. What a fun! Goodbye miraculous Derawan!
Photo: Kakaban Tour
Photo: Antho Riyanto
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GALLERY
SNORKELLING
PHOTO : YANUAR PRIAMBODO
T h E
Be a u t Y
Send your photo collections to redaksiezinebi@yahoo.com 25
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o f
SEA STAR
PHOTO : INDONESIAN TRAVELER
JELLYFISH
DIVING
PHOTO : KAKABAN TOUR
PHOTO : KAKABAN TOUR
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LOCAL CULTURE
S u n d a n ese S o c i ety ’ s T h a n ksg i v i n g D a y There was a sudden crowd last January, to be exact on the 18-23 in Sindang Barang Village, Bogor, West Java. It turns out that there was held a caremony called Seren Taun, a custom ceremony from Sundanese society. This ceremony was aimed to celebrate thankfulness to Nyi Pohaci (Goddess Sri) or God for giving a life to human through nature. By : Soekarno Ibrahim | Photo: Firmansyah
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LOCAL CULTURE
THE WORD SEREN TAUN comes from Buhun Language (ancient Sunda). The meaning is to have a yearly transfer (seren: transfer, taun: year) from one year to another. Histtorically speaking, Seren Taun ceremony has been exist from the years of the Pajajaran. It was held simultaneously in all kingdom’s region, from Pakuan, the capital city, to kapuunan and kekolotan. In the pajajaran calendar, a month is not counted from the many days it has but from the starting of full moon to the next fool moon. This calendar system is the same as lunar calendar or Qamariyah system in Islam. The difference is on the beginning of the month. Throughout its history, Seren Taun ceremony got many influences including Islam.
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Seren Taun Itinerary Day One Starting from Imah Gede Kampung Budaya, the kokolot (the head of the village) and all people do ngembang or visiting Sang Prabu Langlangbuana and Prabu Prenggong Jayadikusumah’s grave in salak Mountain, a kings’ grave which is believed as their ancestors. Then it will continue to neutepken or praying to God that is lead by Sang Rama or Kokolot Panggiwa (the head of the village). This ceremony is held in pabeasan’s place (the place to keep rice) in Imah Gede.
Day Two and Three It is time for mass circumcision (it is called sudat in Sunda language). This event is held in an open space or in Bale Pangriungan. Before the boys got circumsized, there is sawer sudat ceremony and heleran or a parade for the boys through the village.
Day Four The poeple of the village and the kokolot do the process of taking the water from seven springs which is caleld Ngungkulan or Ngala Cai Kukulu. This priocess starts from gathering first in Imah Gede and throughout the journey taking the water, they will be accompanied by Angklung music. M AY- J U N E 2 0 1 1
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LOCAL CULTURE
THE WORD SINDANG BARANG ITSELF MEANS A PLACE TO LEAVE WORLDLY THINGS
Day Five It’s the time for cake alms in Kampung Budaya alun-alun. Here, the parawari (commitee) served 40 winnow of cakes and buffalo’s meat to be eaten by everyone. This day is also glorified by many arts performances like golek puppet, tatalu gamelan, and other Sunda arts.
Day Six Since morning there has been prepared Heleran, a parade of agricultural product that is festified by traditional music and mass dances such as Kendang Pencak, Parebut Seeng, Angklung Gubrag, Calung 31
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and Reog. In this procession, almost all people from the village served dongdong (agricultural products that have been purified with the water from the seven springs and is formed as interesting as possible to make it attractive). The parade is glorified by rengkong carrier (rice) and many forms of dongdong that is lined beautifully. It shows the pride of each village. They moved to Leuit Ratna Inten field, which is six rice barns aimed as the symbol of bridal dais in paddy wedding or Majiekeun Pare Ayah and Pare Ambu. After that, people and tourists can take dongdong. Sundanese call this event Parebut Dongdong, similar to grebeg maulud in Yogyakarta.
Sindang Barang as Culture Village The best time to visit Sindang Barang is on the middle of January. Why? Because
Seren Taun ceremony is held in the middle of January. Seren Taun ceremony in Sindang Barang has been died since Pupuhu Entong Surnawijaya die in 1972. Seren Taun reappear in 2007, the same time Sindang Barat receives the predicate culture village from the ministry of west java. Sindang Barang village has many culture inheritance that still can be seen untul today. The word Sindang Barang itself means a place to leave worldly things (sindang: stop, barang: material, things). There is also a myth that is still believed by the people that it is forbidden to start a business with the hope of worldly goal, moreover
if the money used is got by borrowing. All business should be started with one’s own money. If people don’t do this, something bad will happen to that person. Basically, human can’t live without nature. Nature gives everything human needs; foods, equipments, even drugs. Nature is the source of human’s life, that’s why human’s culture rooted from nature elements. In modern times wherever in the world, there must be some customs or cultures that resemble thankfulness to the Almighty taht has given the life in the form of ceremony. Sometimes nature is the resemblances of God in keeping His creatures.t
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COMMUNITY
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Kaskus Indonesian Travelers
W E A R E FA M I LY, NOT COMMUNITY
If there’s an Indonesian youngster who is active in the virtual world, there’s a big probability that he knows Kaskus. And if he’s being asked what words best describes Kaskus? The dominant answer would be “trade”.
By : Muhammad Iqbal | Photo: KIT doc.
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COMMUNITY
BUT IT’S NOT ALWAYS trade that is in Kaskus. In the previous edition, Backpackin’ had told about a community who is interested in nature tour. It looks like they are not the only traveler community in Kaskus. This time, we will see deeper about Kaskus Indonesian Traveler (KIT). At first, Backpackin’ was confused because it is writing for community rubric but clearly KIT’s tagline is We are Family Not Community. Not a community! But after we did some research, the value they have is still the same so it’s not a problem that they are called community. KIT just doesn’t want to be considered as a formal community. The trade which is very identical with Kaskus as their first medium does not include in them. There is no trade thing in family so that’s how they choose to use the word “family” instead of “community”. 35
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THE TRADE WHICH IS VERY IDENTICAL WITH KASKUS AS THEIR FIRST MEDIUM DOES NOT INCLUDE IN THEM. It all started from Zacky Soemampouw and friends who arranged their first trip to Jogja and Bali (some of them continue the journey to Lombok) on September 28, 2009. he was succeed in gathering 18 people who didn’t know each other from many regions (Jakarta, Bogor, Sukabumi, Cirebon, Jogja, Bangka Belitung) to a harmonious group. Since then, the story goes. Someone from the group told his friends and his friends told the others. Then next trip was opened. There was a new member. This new member told his friends about the group.
Another trip was opened. Another new member. And so on. Until they don’t really know the exact active number of their members. Besides, who needs to know? The thing is, the member numbers has reached more than 1500 people on Facebook. Yes, Facebook, because Kaskus is considered as not as communicative as Facebook, so they widen their network to facebook. But it doesn’t mean the communication media in Kaskus die.
If they are asked about their trip, it was so many! Until now, the event that is registered on their Facebook fanpage is 31. That’s the “legal” events only, not to mention sudden events or unannounced events. Those events are not always beaches, seas, caves or mountains trips, but there are a lot of trips such as city tour, culinary tour, history and culture tours. Even KIT join photography, music, or social events sometimes. So wide. These are some of their events that are considered big: Bali-Lombok, gathering in Puncak, Explore Cirebon and also attending one of the member’s wedding ceremony, Pramuka Island in Kepulauan Seribu, trip to Dufan, rafting in Citarik, Rumah Singgah visit, Merapi social dedication, etc. t
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FIGURE
Harley Bayu Sastha
THE MOUNTAIN CLIMBER FOR THOSE OF YOU who likes to mountain climbing, you’re definitely familiar with Harley B. Sastha. Following are the interview between the author of Mountain Climbing for Everybody (a Guide to Mountain Climbing in West Java) and Backpackin’ crew. : By : Ambar Arum | Photo: Harley doc.
When was the first time you like climbing and why? Before I start to climb mountains I was actually in love with traveling to places like Yogya and camping in Situ Gunung and Cinumpang in the foot of Mount Gede; Sukamantri and Curug Nangka in around Mount Salak. Then I started trekking to Mount Puntang in Cianjur. So I’ve been wandering since I was in junior high. The mountain climbing itself started when I was in the 2nd or 3rd grade of junior high. I like mountain climbing because of an experience. What is the most Impressive Mountain you’ve ever Visit? What’s the Story Behind it? This question is one of the most questions people asked to me. The answer
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is the same as I tell everybody else that all mountains I’ve been climbed have their own impression because every mountain has different appeal, uniqueness and history. Climbing in a different time would make a different impression. Though the mountain is being climbed over and over again, still there are new impressive things. How Long does it Take to “Memorize” the Road and Condition in all Mountains in West Java then Make it to Book? I don’t memorize road but whenever I climb I try to integrate myself with what I see, hear and feel alongside it. That’s why if you asked how long, it would be relative. For the condition of mountain climbing in West Java that I later made a book about it, it’s based on my experience. However, in order to make a book, I update it by climbing the mountains again. Any plans to make mountain guide book in Java? Not just the mountains in Java, but mountains in Indonesia. The book Mountain Climbing For Everybody is about mountain climbing in Indonesia. The first series was about 9 mountains in West Java. Now I’m finishing my second book: Mountains in Central Java and Yogya.
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FIGURE
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What is the most favorite menu to cook in the mountain? For dinner, it’s usually rice with vegetables soup, orek tempe plus omelet or scrambled egg. The beverage is hot Milo. Other easy menu to make is instant crème soup eaten with bread and fruits, of course (pear or apple).
“I LOVE TO SEE CULTURE
ACTIVITIES IN REGIONS AND SOCIETY WITH THEIR LIFE -Harley Bayu Sastha-
What is your target for mountain climbing this year? To finish the update data for my second book. For other mountains, I think for now I have no target because sometimes I could go suddenly in a month or two or even one or two weeks before. Besides mountain climbing, what are you’re other hobbies? Jogging, reading, writing including writing poetry and of course travelling because I love to see culture activities in regions and society with their life. Keep on rocking for Backpackin’ Magazine. Keep on making Indonesia’s beauty as your main point! t
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REVIEW
duaransel.com W e
o n ly h a ve tw o b a c k p a c ks a n d c l o t h es i n o u r b o dy
They had experienced the sensation of sandstorm in Maho Bay, St. Marten (Netherlands), underground rafting in Waitomo Cave, directly seen the pink sheep in New Zealand, also almost being tricked by a couple in Barcelona when they asked for taking pictures.
By : Ambar Arum | Photo: Duaransel.com
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problem, because you can learn and get during your journey. How long they want to travel? They simply answered, “This world is so big mysterious, and at this time, we still doesn;t want to stop.” Follow their journey on duaransel. com (Bahasa) or vagabondquest.com (English). Don’t feel ashamed to ask questions or just say hi, they are really nice and open. Prove it! t ITS NOT A LUXURIOUS vacation. They have to wash their own clothes. They are prefer to walking for hours than using a cab. They arrange their route tour and decided not to join package tour from travel agent. They also like to blend with local people. Simply, they enjoy every second of moment in their journey: the people, the culture, and of course, the food! Everything started from a crazy decision of a couple, Dina and Ryan on April 2009. They left their apartment in Canada, and travel around the world with ONLY two backpacks. And, hup! Now they already stay in the 35th country, and its not over yet.. Dina comes from Surabaya and Ryan comes from Canada. At the beginning their jobs make them can’t meet regularly. Tired of their routines, they decided to go together and find something new, travelling around the world. What things we have to prepared? How much money do we need? Ah, after so many things they had experienced, they realized that they only need humor and open-minded self. The other thing is not a
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TIPS
Being Solo Backpacker T a ke n Fr o m Al i y a M u a f a ’ s E x p er i e n c e
THESE TIPS ARE based on the experiences I got when I was a backpacker, both of team or single backpacker. It’s a bit much but I think it has to be noted in having a trip. So, let’s check this out :
By : Aliya Muafa
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DO NOT ASK PEOPLE WHO DO NOT REASSURE LIKE ALL BROKERS, ASK AT THE OFFICIAL STATION
1. Make sure that you want to do this trip alone. 2. Make sure that the place you want to visit is quiet safe and has no conflict. 3. Look for the information as much as you can about your destination to make you feel more enjoy in having the trip. 4. Do a trip at night in order to save the accommodation and in the morning you can travel as much as you want all day. 5. Bring food supplies that could delay the hungry such as bread or chocolate to avoid starvation when there are no sellers of food on the bus or train. 6. Bring enough money (do not over) in the form of cash as a precaution if you can’t find an ATM. Put the money in a safe place and (if possible) separate it to avoid undesirable things such as theft.
8. Make sure that the bag you will use is in a good condition. 9. Use comfortable footwear for use in a long time such as mountain sandals or shoes. 10. Ask the price first when eating to avoid a price that “shouted” by the seller. 11. Do not ask people who do not reassure like all brokers, ask at the official station. Enjoy the trip! t
7. Some other important items to bring: clothes, location map, handphone and charger, camera, toiletries in small sizes, vitamin c and personal medicines, a lot of plastic bags, needles and thread to sew in an emergency.
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EDUCATION
Protect the Coral Reefs Fr
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A GOOD SNORKELER let the reefs are not disturbed. Follow these simple instructions how to be a good snorkeler following : BEFORE YOU GO 1. Select the snorkeling place which is ecofriendly 2. Learn the ins and outs of coral reefs - coral reef is a fragile environment. IN THE WATER 1. Never touch the reefs. 2. Do not bring beings who are still living or the dead out of the water except discharges that are not living organisms in the dirt. ON BOARD Make sure the garbage is stored properly.Bring down garbage from ships to the waste properly. EDGE IN THE BEACH Avoid purchasing souvenirs made from coral, turtles and other marine animals; it can be categorized as an illegal activity, and not friendly to the environment. t Taken from : www.corel.org
MAKE SURE THE GARBAGE IS STORED PROPERLY.BRING DOWN GARBAGE FROM SHIPS TO THE WASTE PROPERLY. M AY- J U N E 2 0 1 1
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ACCESSORIES
Trangia vs Gas GAS STOVE AND TRANGIA STOVE. These two are popular among backpackers. In this accessory rubric, Backpackin’ would like to compare the pluses and minuses of each stove. In the end, the best stove to bring is the one suits our destination. So, what’s your choice?
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TRANGIA STOVE Pluses 1. Saver in any heights and any place (including cooking inside the tent) 2. Easier to get the fuel.
Minuses 1. Hard to settle how big or small the fire. 2. Heavier. 3. There are many small things to be lost if we don’t careful enough. 4. More expensive.
Pluses 1. Lighter and practical. 2. Not too big so it doesn’t use much space. 3. Easier to settle how big or small the fire. 4. Much cheaper.
Minuses 1. Easily off when wind blew. 2. Gas tube is hard to find in some places. 3. Not safe to use in certain heights (above 3000 sea level)
GAS STOVE
TRANGIA
HARLEY JAKARTA
My favorite is Trangia, I use it more often because the fuel is relatively easy to seek, even in small area. However, sometimes I use also gas stove.
GAS STOVE It’s better to use gas stove. Trangia has too many accessories. The small ones are likely to get lost. Gas stove is more practical; just bring small stove and minimum 2 tubes. Doesn’t use much space.
FACHRAN BOGOR
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CULINARY
Red and White Porridge N o t
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There are some special Indonesian foods that comes from the exploitation of basic materials from particular region such as Sukun Chip in Biereun (NAD), Sago Porridge in East Indonesia or Snail Satay in East Java. By : Amalia Pranoto
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SOME ALSO SAID THAT RED SYMBOLIZES THE BLOOD OF MOTHERS WHICH IS CONSUMED BY BABIES IN WOMB.
THERE ARE SOME others who like to search the philosophy of the food, after they found the philosophy they make the step from it. This one is very rare and Red and White porridge is considered one. Maybe because this porridge is only served at certain events which are considered sacred or special so it has to have the basic reason. This rice and coconut milk based food is usually served when there’s a new born baby, giving baby’s name, building a house and other events The porridge is of course has red and white color in it. That’s the basic rule. The white color comes from the natural color of the rice, while the red color comes from red sugar. In a bowl, the white and red is piled up into order; white-red-white-red-white-red. There are different basic philosophies of it. Some said white color represents the meaning of human’s life. Then the red color symbolizes the world as the place where human born into.
Some also said that red symbolizes the blood of mothers which is consumed by babies in womb. While white represents the mother’s breast milk which is consumed after the baby is born. It means that there are many meanings of red and white regardless the common ones; brave and purity. Whatever it is, don’t think too long or else you’ll get full before you eat the porridge. t
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CONTRIBUTOR ANTHO RIYANTO JAKARTA
This “Teknik Elektro” bachelor from University of Indonesia is so into snorkeling. His story can be read on My Journey column this edition.
AMALIA PRANOTO JAKARTA
She is rarely talking, but you will see her at Bedugul, or shopping in Klewar Market at Solo. She writes Culinary column in this magazine.
FIRMANSYAH JAKARTA
Be careful, his DSLR has a potential to make his model looks fatter than the real looks. You can see his photographs in Local Culture column.
ERLAND MAHARDIKA (INDONESIA TRAVELER) BANDUNG
Two words for him: magic boy. He contributes through his photographs in this edition.
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MALIQ (KAKABAN TOUR) BALIKPAPAN
Really good in Derawan (www. kakabantour.com) Maliq is an example of a man who has unlimited amout of money, because he never stop travel around Indonesia.
ALIYA MU’AFA JAKARTA
Hobbies: travelling, talking, and eating. She contributes in giving tips doing soloist backpacking.
PENJAMAH INDONESIA JAKARTA
A group of man who has a dream to step in Indonesia’s big five island: Adi Pratama, Yanuar Priambodo, Ok Fachru, Abdul Kohar, and Iqbal Harahap. They give lots of info and pictures about Derawan. Twitter @PenjamahIndonesia
Wants to be a contributor? Send your article to redaksiezinebi@yahoo.com
INTERACTION
Being Silly in a Public Transportation PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, SUCH AS city bus, angkot, or economy train, must have been our daily routine, especially for us who loves going around the city. Here are some silly experiences in a public transportation from several friends. How about you? AMRI JAKARTA The fifteen of us wanted to travel to Yogyakarta by Progo train. That train is always full of passangers and the seats are always seated. My girl friend, who looks like a freeman, reprehended with a big confident, “Sir, these are our seats. I’d like to see your tickets! Come on guys, we can sit here!” The men gave up and gave us the seats. It may be because they were beaten by fifteen people. It turned out that we were in the wrong daycoach. Shame on us. AMBAR JAKARTA I was in a bus when I realized that I did not bring my wallet. After that, I put my mean-face, and I asked a junior-high-school student who unfortunately sat beside me to pay my bus fee. “Pay my bus fee, I’ll return it later!” The kid took his money out with a pale face. Well, I was actually more afraid than him. AGAM BOGOR Oh, how I love sleeping. When I was in an economy train to Bogor, I fell asleep. I was in Cilebut station the last time I remembered, but then when I woke up, I was still in Cilebut. It turned out that the train had already went back to Jakarta. Then, I continued my sleep.
For the next edition, Backpackin’ wants to know your experiences in fooling your trip partner or being fooled by your trip partner. It is better to be sillier! You can send it to redaksiezinebi@ yahoo.com, the most interesting stories will be written in Backpackin’s next edition! t M AY- J U N E 2 0 1 1
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NEXT EDITION
WHAT THEY SAY?
Sempu, keren Mangga kula aturi tindak dateng sempu menawi panjenengan pados panggenan ingkang endah (Javanese Language)
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Oma hai ngen...gata payah jak u sempu,asli lagak that disinan (Acehnese)
Sempu tu rancak bana, dun sanak sadonyo wajib kasitu, kalo indak rugi gadang (Minang)
Tempat ieu alus pisan, maneh kudu kadieu (Sundanese)
n bro! Lo pada wajib kesini! (Betawi)
Coming Soon!! Sempu Island on Backpackin’ Magazine 9th Editions M AY- J U N E 2 0 1 1
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