Love Island Travel

south of Malang in East Java contains an uninhabited island deep in dense jungles to the salt water lagoon bordered by the Indian Ocean cliffs projecting shadows on the crystal blue waters and white sand beaches. His name is Sempu island, a remote national park off the picturesque village of Sendang Biru fishermen where travelers can find their own piece of paradise and experience nature as it is completely intact.

We rode our motorcycle and the windy roads of Wetang District Sumbermanjing to Sendang Biru an afternoon sunny and pleasant, and although we were very tired when we arrived, the distinctly blue waters of the harbor and plenty of extravagantly colorful fishing boats captivated our emotions and imagination for the upcoming trip. Sendang Biru translated into English in Blue Spring, and from when we arrived at the port we understood this translation as an understatement, considering that these calm waters protected by Sempu the island of the Indian Ocean were in fact force "source of the blue."

our goal was to reach Segara Anakan, a little known lagoon at the southern end of the island Sempu, and set up our camp at the night fell, but before, or anyone for that matter, can take ten minutes by ferry to the island Sempu we must first purchase a permit conservation office. the locals were more than helpful and quite the experience it seemed, to help locate the conservation office. Fortunately, we found this small guest house just up the road owned by a lovely woman by the name of Ibu Mamik, which was more informative on the procedure for obtaining a permit. Ibu Mamik and her husband helped us provide provisions such as water, food, sunscreen, insect repellent, and everything someone would need for a night on the 'island. Due to the remoteness of the island Sempu, none of these, not even drinking water can be found there. In addition to their kind, they allowed us to park our motorcycles in their guest house and even offered to rent a large tent, six people to us for 75,000 IDR. A small and simple room at the inn costs 100,000 IDR per night, while camping is the only option for travelers wishing to spend the night in the lagoon Segara Anakan.

Though they could not speak much English, Ibu Mamik and her husband were familiar with travelers from all parts of the world, and they were happy to escort us to the conservation office for the permit, informing us of having the permit price of 20,000 IDR of our portfolios, such as preservatives can rip foreigners off. Ibu Mamik arranged both a ferry ride and a guide for us. Ferry rides to Sendang Biru cost 100,000 IDR return then a guide will cost an additional $ 100,000 IDR, which will accompany you to the lagoon (we found out later that this path is fairly easy to manage on our own). In about half an hour from when we arrived at Sendang Biru, guide, Daniel, and I climbed one of those colorful wooden boats and began to cross the ethereal blue waters of the harbor to the island Sempu .

The boat docked in as far as it could go in a shallow entry and guide jumped quickly, we followed a cautious wait and took our first steps through the knee deep water. After a few steps I heard a groan in the back and turned to see Daniel holding her flip flop had broken off in the murk below him and, of course, did not pack other shoes.

With a shoe least our trek through the jungle was a hasty departure, as the guide was clearly in a hurry to return to the boat before dark, leaving us 20 steps back and no time to catch up. The path of the jungle was broad and thankfully dry place with less rain would quickly change the surface of a muddy path and extend the hike another couple of hours, making the dry season, the best time to visit the Sempu island.

Island Sempu cover approximately 877 hectares and has a thriving exquisite plant and animal life including mangroves, tropical almonds, Pandanus, fish poisons, and more, packaging system dense rainforest. In addition, there are reports of more than 51 species of animals Sempu on the island as well, with wild boar, always long tail macaques present, and a variety of birds. We even heard whispers of a belief of some people that the Java Tiger extinction still roam the island Sempu, although this has not been proven.

As our trek continued, we heard monkey calls and thunder of waves breaking in the distance. The path climbs up and down that Daniel was behind nothing but her bare feet. We worked up quite a sweat, and finally after an hour, the road narrowed and led us to the edge of the lagoon. The first view of the turquoise blue water was amazing and very welcoming.

The daylight was come out quickly when we started to make quick work of setting up tent and light a fire, because there is no housing or facilities on whole island, nothing but nature itself. Daniel proudly declared he would build the fire and went in search of wood. Fortunately, at that time, we met our neighbors for the night who kindly brought a smoldering fire to our own newspaper. It turned out that we share this piece of paradise with a group of eleven jeep drivers in holiday Bromo. They were already half plastered local whiskey when we met, and he felt they had a riot of a time that laughter broke out of their camp every few minutes. We exchanged the sign of international friendship passing around our gin while reciprocal with more whiskey. The next thing we know we were sitting by their fire enjoying a barbecue freshness, juiciest fish. Their method of cooking was simple, a long stick is pushed through the fish's mouth, then it is stuck on the fire, like roasting marshmallows. It was delicious.

The next day was spent enjoying the fruits of this dream of paradise, as we have done nothing more than to lie in the sand, swim in the cool waters of the lagoon, kick a football around the beach and soak in as much sun as we could. A short hike from the beach and a few sharp rocks, we found an incredibly beautiful view of the Indian Ocean crashed furiously on the island and stretched over the horizon. The freedom of this isolated lagoon made for a happy and relaxing day. However, the joy of that day made us lose track of time, and by the end of the afternoon, we had to quickly pack our tent and all our gear, trekking again hastily through jungle to reach the small cove where the boat dropped us before night.

travel to and from Segara Anakan was like our own private expedition in search of a paradise that seemed lost in the middle of a dense jungle, yet this experience may seem intimidating for adventurous ears, we found the entire trip to be free of difficulties and complications, as long as you keep your food hidden away monkeys

get -. Malang, Sendang Biru is about 2.5 hours away. Travelers can either rent a car in Malang or take a local mini-bus (angkot), which changes from time to Sumbermanjing (although local transportation will take the best part of the day).

Malang Tourism and other local tour outfits offer inclusive visits Sempu island.

contact Ibu Mamik in Sedang Biru for accommodation and information on 085259437575.

A public awareness campaign finds some suitable parks but forgotten Jakarta, whetting local appetites for green space they can use.

When Samsuri moved in the gatehouse of the park in Taman Langsat in South Jakarta Kebayoran Baru, he asked a family member to bless his new sturdy house and make peace with the ghosts he thought could be hiding in the trees.

Adding a sense of sadness, the 54-year-old said, "We are legions of homeless people." Over the years squatters, vendors and drivers waiting to go on the transfer had descended on this valuable park close to stone vibrant Blok M, chasing that few visitors rundown green space received.

That was 12 years ago. Today Samsuri said the park is a happier place. The renovations in 2010 visitors and a public awareness campaign a month in November has courted, swelling the numbers on the four weekends, it counts. "Co-exist spirits with the people here, maybe."

"Before, it was more difficult for people to come here. They did not feel comfortable, "said Samsuri, saying that for most of the 36 years he worked in the park less than 50 people would visit a weekend, and nearly half during the week . "I want more people to come here."

For Nadine Zamira, the founder of a public relations agency, More Leaf, which is evidence that residents of Jakarta seeking an alternative to the centers shopping and trips out of town. the city government is struggling to set aside space to meet a government imposed deadline of 30 percent by 2020. Lawn If residents do not clear what they want in a park, they may be left with the same bleak spaces unsuitable for anyone but ghosts.

but the first residents need to know the parks exist.

"Nobody has really thought about that before." says Zamira, who at 28 is already something of a veteran environmental activist, after a stint as Miss Earth Indonesia in 09 and television appearances. ". The communities need space for their activities"

In 2010, Zamira implemented sheets Plus - an advertising agency that focuses on sustainable development and environmental awareness. The Kemang based agency is profit driven, but he won what is thought to be the first government contract to sensitize the public to the Official List 1000 or if the city parks.

The Hidden Park campaign attracted over 2,500 followers on Twitter as visitors snapped photos of park art works commissioned for the occasion and load them on the networking site. movie nights, when not rained out, were another shot. Most visitors said they had never visited the park before. Zamira and her band have invited 75 students from three neighboring schools to plant vegetables and crops in Taman Langsat. Only four of the eighth graders visited the garden on their own.

"It is not the head to spend part of your weekend in the park," said Zamira. "How can we bring the issue of urban planning to mean something that is more accessible public? "

Although the client Leaf Plus Hidden Park is the Department of public Works, Zamira and his company had to work their contact lists to get the necessary permissions to host the event, highlighting how to lots, parks are unusable.

"We had to go in different points. This pressure created "recalls Zamira. "Imagine the communities wanted to have an activity. It would be really difficult. "

Author and professor Nirwono Joga, Chairman of Landscape Architecture Study Group Indonesia, said that of the 960 parks that claims Jakarta Park Agency dot the city, most lack sufficient scale, cleanliness or even plants base. with Green Map Jakarta which lists used parks in the city, it lists only 15 that are worthy of a visit, including Taman Langsat.

His first choices include Kridaloka urban forest in Senayan the sport Senayan, Srengseng Sawah park (Taman Srengseng Sawah) in West Jakarta in front of Taman Anggrek Mall, also Menteng park (Taman Menteng), Suropati park (Taman Suropati) and Lembang Lake park (Taman Situ Lembang) in the region Menteng.

he said he is confident that the new administration of Joko Widodo, who was elected governor in September, will put more green side and improve city parks already, pointing to cities like Oslo, Melbourne, Singapore and Vancouver as potential sources of inspiration.

"parks in Jakarta should have ecological value, and benefit the economy and social culture," says Joga.

"A good park improves the local climate, reduction air pollution and floods, promotion, good social interaction in public space, and ensures children have a safe place. "

said Zamira Sheet more hope to get another contract for next year, when the agency aims to extend the campaign to five parks and open spaces which potentially include the banks of the Ciliwung River very polluted.

"people (in Jakarta) are intoxicated trying to be modern," said Dila Hadju, a former school teacher and now staff member leaves more. "They forget that being modern also requires a good quality of life."

in Taman Langsat, 12-year-old Adira Machmud takes the frying time to some of the spinach is harvested from the plot school. She dreams of becoming a doctor and believes that when it does the study it will return to the park.

"It is a good place to sit and relax," she said. "I'm normally just home on my laptop."

The bus will take you everywhere on Bali. "When do you leave for Amlapura?" I asked the bus driver a recent Friday at Batubulan terminal in Denpasar. "Five minutes," he said. Its engine was running, not like the other bus, I had spent on the road, so I jumped on board the old jalopy, sitting between a musician of 28 years native of Frankfurt, a working Balinese output driver and a crone Balinese wearing a turban melon bamboo tray. Some other passengers were dozing in the scorching heat by mid morning on the back of the bus.

My destination was Padangbai on the south coast of Bali. We drove by swarming Sukawati market, Gianyar shimmering rich valleys and multitudes of rice padded decks, rocked through the town center of Klungkung and the wet seaside town of Kusamba before the thinned traffic along the sandy coastline black beyond Goa Lawah. From the turnoff to Padangbai, 50 km before Amlapura, I climbed in the back of a motorcycle taxi that took me on a new straight road to the port. The trip took hours to less than one and a half.

The entrance partially hidden by the trees Topi Inn at the end of the street is the emblem of a traveler. Built entirely of bamboo and coconut wood, the house is named after its top traditional grass roof in the shape of particular hat - a large rambling structure with an open-air restaurant on the ground floor, a dormitory 12 beds and private rooms on the second floor, with the owner's quarters teetering on top. The set creaks construction and undulates like a living thing.

Since its unofficial opening there over 28 years, the hotel has become one of the most popular rest stops in all of Bali. The carefully evolved from the restaurant menu, which attracts a clientele both Padangbai and away from the city, proves outstanding burgers, a basket of seafood nasi campur a classic, a beef rendang popular, a large assortment fresh fruit juices and the best cappuccino in town Cimbali brewed. The stairs creaking in the back led to the second floor overlooking the beach.

Daily Rhythms is a small port

I threw my shoulder bag on top of a mattress, and took a walk in a charming main street lined scruffy Padangbai confetti facades as souvenir shops. The port was scrappier, noisier and more crowded than I remembered back in the 1980s when it was mainly backpackers hangout. Although more than a sleepy little port, Padangbai always the feeling of a small town and not a large impersonal as Gilimanuk harbor on the western tip of the island seaport and fishing. Offering three beaches, cheap restaurants and hotels in all price categories (with the exception of five stars), the small port town is a destination underestimated with its own atmosphere without problems - a unique place to hang out before and after a trip or diving trips. At any time, possibly up to 400 people overnighting here, about half, leaving for or arriving from the neighboring island of Lombok.

This was after Friday prayers and Indonesian Muslims, women and girls all dressed in Islamic dress were a picnic on the sand. Gleaming family cars - symbols of Indonesia's middle class growing in the state of the arch - and a long unbroken line of motorcycles were parked along the sidewalk. Seeking shelter from the heat, I sat with fishermen, drivers, touts, sunglasses, lottery tickets, trinket sellers and fruit in Breezy ball out of parking. Some things have remained unchanged for 30 years. Everything you need to see is still within walking distance. Tangles pilgrim-waisted brightly colored jukung were still pulled up on the beach and fishing and dive boats Bobbed still in perfect pearl shaped bay.

An important destination for diving, diving companies around Bali bring their customers to this sheltered bay, which provides a safe harbor for dive boats. Since diving is the year without off-season, the company has become a boon for Padangbai and its inhabitants. The surrounding waters of Amuk Bay, with Padangbai in the south and Candidasa in the north, offer exceptional dive sites within minutes, especially for rare species such as the mola-mola sunfish giant, a marine marvel with a circumference of 2 5 meters.

on my last day, I took the left fork at the end of the city and climbed to 10 minutes until the winding road, then down in a parking lot and stairs to the blue lagoon, a small protected bay framed by gray sand. The deserted beach with rock formations scattered, public changing rooms and sun loungers massage is an easy dive site with excellent marine life, soft corals and a huge Staghorn coral. People were snorkeling just off the beach where the white sand bottom sloping to 22 meters. While the local is used for teaching open water courses, divers and experienced photographers also benefit site background. Currents can be difficult, but for several days the bay can be as calm as a pond.

Padangbai made a strategic base to see the whole region and serves as an important gateway to the eastern islands also, the legendary kingdom of Wallacea. In high season, about 1,000 people arrived at the port of tourist centers in southern Bali every day to get into one of 18 ferries making 32 crossings around the clock to Lembar Harbour on Lombok or a board of a fast boat to the idyllic Gili Islands off the west coast of Lombok.

throughout the night, strong lights for approach and departure ferry cut through the dark, churning engines then arrival and departure announcements blare of the brightly lit jetty followed by deep haunting sounds of ship horns. Some customers never make it to the eastern islands or even out of town, preferring to eat marlin, barracuda, snapper, cumi Cumi and grilled shrimp cheap incredulous dinners sleep, dive, read and relax on the beach while unhurriedly trying to figure out what to do next.

Last night I had the experience of a lifetime to the extent that taxi drivers go. I got into a taxi during peak hours. The driver pushes off, throwing me back into my seat. "Where you go," I said, "Please turn on the meter." He smiled, I say "Boss Okay.". "Such and such hotel" Then the shock of all shocks, has a miniature TV on his dashboard He looks a Kung Fu movie while driving pretty bad.! to be conducted in what we call the normal traffic, but during peak hours. Insane!

I tried to reason with the guy, but all he would do was referring to how the fight scenes were. I finally got so irritated that I raised my voice, "what do you do with your own life is one thing, but you will not play with me!" that he understood, or it was my tone of voice let you never know. he turned off the TV

the next morning I had to go to Kuta to pick up some things. I hailed a taxi, and realized I'd could walk faster than the pace of snail we advanced, but the heat outside and the weight of my head (last night) kept me from riding. How this ever got a license, I'll never know. Maybe Coco Crunch in a box? What a way to start the day!

When we finally reached my destination, I forgot that I had a big note in my pocket. The charge of the counter was only a fraction of that. Surprisingly, it was the change he made least a few notes. I said, "You owe me more." He smiled that way and said, "Not for me." "What do you mean? If I want to give you a tip that's my business! "" Not for me, "this time with a menacing look. I gave him the same look and insisted on my money. He then threatened to call the police, which I was most happy with. He slammed a missing bills in my hand, then began to shout and push me out of the taxi. to say the least, I could not believe this guy. I am surprised and thought, is it worth it? I was tip him anyway.

I slammed the door and did not look back, although we could hear its horn blasting away. so now that I have your attention, here some tips from various trippers on this planet. If you happen to be bopping around Singapore you are not supposed to tip, but it is graciously accepted. Off in Brazil? no money no honey. Absolutely not! do not definitive. what are you doing in England? pip pip and all that sort of rot. of course, my good man, it would not show the wrong shape. Yes surely failover. Bangkok, the country ahh man. Not only is authorized tipping but all that goes with it too. You can bet your bottom dollar on that. How did you get through Germany? If you do not give, they will ask you for your papers. New Zealand. "God's Country". They make enough off of the counter. So much for that. France, ahh gay Paris. Oh dear. If you do not give your money you might get thrown back in your face. Sahib you are in India, if you are not in the Groovy Guru is not only expected, it is prayed for. When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie that is Italy, as the thing is the pizza. A knife and a cork, a bottle and a cork, that is how you spell New York. You better believe it, if you do not give less than ten percent you are guaranteed to insult an abundance, which can lead to who knows what. Now that you have been on a need to know, many happy days of failover.

Chow Mein, Salvador Bali

With the celebration of the island Dewi Saraswati on August 10, it is only appropriate to offer a paean to World generous Bali books. The wife of the god Brahma, Saraswati is the Indian goddess of wisdom, the guardian spirit of the creative arts, learning and knowledge. The graceful Balinese gooseswan, the closest thing the island a real swan - a symbol of the muse - is its sacred Mount

Hari Raya Saraswati is a day of thanks to this beloved goddess bring education to. world. Out of respect, it is forbidden to read or write from Friday night until special rites are performed on sacred manuscripts. That day all the books came out and dusted off and presented as an offering. Particular attention is given to the oldest in Bali "books" sacred Lontar manuscripts on palm leaves, taken from valuable collections, cleansed and blessed by priests and put on display in the ritual Saraswati Puja.

A Gedong Kirtya (Jl. Veteran 20, Singaraja, tel. 036 222 645) visitors can see these holy books and even take pictures. A team of 24 care for the 4,000 odd Lontar books in this library that record the literature, mythology, horoscopes, black and white magic, folklore, rituals, medical science, calendars, genealogies and stories Bali and Lombok. The most valuable 18th century, are kept in a special air-conditioned room. Every 14 September, it is a great birthday party. Hours: 7:30 am am3.45 closes at 13 pm Friday, closed Saturday and Sunday

Bookstores Bali

better stocked library of Bali is the . massive Gramedia on the second floor of Mal Bali Galleria (Jl. Raya Bypass Ngurah Rai, tel. 0361758072) selling thousands of titles in Indonesia, books and imported magazines, novels and bestsellers .

Journey , with 15 bookstores across Bali, sells a wide range of books, many of which they publish. Journey is often the only distributor of new book titles in Indonesia. This shop offers a range of English titles of local interest, literature, art, decor, spirituality, cooking, as well as novels, books for children Interactive, general nonfiction, maps and the latest magazine international. Browsing is not encouraged because there are no chairs and most books are wrapped in plastic.

Ganesha Bookshop , at the corner of Jl. Raya Ubud Jl. Jembawan (opposite the post office) in Ubud, was the sale of new books since 190. They have a huge stock of English books on Indonesian literature, language, cuisine, culture, arts and history and children's books. Http://www.ganeshabooksbali.com website for ordering from a complete online catalog. Hours: 9 am - 20 hours a day. Such. 0361970320. Another Ganesha Bookshop inside Biku Restaurant at Jl. Petitenget 888 is open 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. daily. The Ganesha Bookshop in Sanur (Jl. Danau Tamblingan 42) has a special area set aside as a reading room for young players to help promote reading for pleasure in the local community.

Specialist bookshops & Secondhand Books

respectable collections of art books (Balinese, Indonesian and expatriate artists), art catalogs and scientific publications have sold Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) , Jl. Raya Pengosekan, and Neka Art Museum Bookshop , Jl. Raya Sanggingan. Threads of Life, Jl. Kajeng 24 (near Ubud Palace), tel. 0361972187, stocks of books on textiles, weaving and art. Hours: 10 am. -. 7 h

Enchanted Books Jl Raya Kerobokan 69 (. Tel 0361734822) stores a wide range of fiction, documentary and English Indonesian / bilingual books for children from infants to the age of 12. Hours: 10 am - 18 hours a day. The reception of The Yoga Barn (tel. 0361971236), a 10-minute walk south of KAFE in Pengosekan, shelves of the largest collection of yoga books on Bali, a huge 75 titles, mostly imported from India. Hours :. Seven hours-20 hours

Due to literally millions of travelers and tourists passing through Bali, leaving large quantities of used books in their wake, there is no shortage of used books available for trade or purchase. These books can be found in hotels and possibly in permanent used bookstores and semi-permanent on the island. You can usually return books you buy the same vendor and get half of what you paid. Despite the flood of books, do not expect to buy them for next to nothing. Used books cost Rp.30,000 to Rp.50,000 and for new bestsellers as much as Rp.100,000. However, you can often find free books. In the halls or dining areas smaller hotels and pensions homestays, travelers leave behind their books for others or for the hotel available for trade.

You are also sure to fall on small makeshift stalls selling books at reasonable prices decent quality. In some cases, the stock of seller is carried on the back of his motorcycle. Search booksellers and mobile vendors selling novels and travel books along Jl. 66 in Seminyak to the Lanai and Zanzibar restaurants, down Poppies Lane and on Jl. Raya on the way to the beach Petitengat. Another popular small used bookstore is just outside the back entrance to Bintang supermarket.

cabinets in each Ganesha Bookshop in Ubud, Sanur and Petitinget are glazed containing unusual titles, rare and outofprint on Indonesian history, politics, art, literature, and travel stories. Used books sold in three stores are returned for a 50% redemption. Anita and Ketut can be contacted by email: info@ganeshabooksbali.com, tel. 0361970320 or on Facebook (Ganesha Bookshop)

Anyone who loves second-hand books -. Romance and bodicerippers serious academic titles and commercial paperback quality - will be attracted to Susan Swap book in Dijon, Jl Kuta Poleng Mall, tel.. 0361759636, email: @ dijonfs Indosat. net.id, near the big Simpang Siur roundabout. This popular event takes place the last Saturday of each month (subject to change) 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.. You can take as many books as you came with, with the exception of children's books that can not be traded on a base oneforone.

Book Clubs & Libraries

There are no coincidence that the festival of the writer and readers Ubud, attracts book lovers from all over the world, sprang to life in Ubud - a bibliophile village. Attract more long-term resident and traveler cultureoriented, Ubud is flooded bookshops selling new and used books. It is the place of the best independent bookstore on the island, Ganesha, as well as excellent used bookstore. astonishing result can also be made in the selling places non-traditional books such as Ubud Music, Jl. Raya Ubud and Balispirit shop. Even the Ubud post office sells books!

The Ubud Writers Group meets the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month from 10 am to noon at the kitchen Bayu to Penestanan. Participation in meetings varies from five to 10 people. The group published three collections of short stories and poems about life in Bali. For more information on UWG, email Steve at Castley stevecastley124@gmail.com

The library of the Ubud Children :. This private nonprofit library in compounds rays Pondok Pekak a vast collection of images and activity books for children, 4000 and 00 English Indonesian. A full-time librarian bilingual children offers English language courses free of charge to local Balinese children, artistic activities on weekends and narration during the week. The costs to borrow three books every two weeks is Rp.50,000 per year, plus a refundable deposit of Rp.150,000. group of school books and subscriptions are also available on request. Hours: 10:00 to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday to Friday; 10:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For more information: tel. 0361976194, email: ubudchildrenlibrary@yahoo.co.id

Anyone can walk into a store and choose a mass produced item of clothing and probably get into a party later that night wearing the same outfit, maybe three other people there. Not so good. What a special feeling is knowing that what you wear is very unique, traveled through time unscathed but still held its own against even the most expensive designer clothes. Where can I find an article like this

As I approached the vintage Mecca on the island of Gili Trawangan off the northwest coast of Lombok, known as Casa vintage, the answer to my question was found ?; My eyes feasted on the screen before me.

At first I thought it was a cafe, as there was a colorful array of sets of antique furniture placed around the circumference of the walls whitewashed. Wood trees long gone painted the colors of lollipop candy store, and the metal frame of the old school, fashioned in the coolest pieces of furniture you might find in the Cuban film of 1960.

My eyes were drawn to a floating floral swimsuit carefree on a hanger in the window. It took my imagination to the day a young girl first unpacked from its brown paper wrapping, and with pleasure, taking a bath in a river marveling at the softness of which water slides on her new swimsuit. She was the envy of all the girls who ventured to the river this summer of '69, and it was all because of that swimsuit she attracted the eyes of her first love.

And that, my friends, is the trip you'll take to the entrance Casa Vintage, you cast your eyes on each separate item of clothing and furniture to humble homewares. There is a story behind each piece and it is waiting for you to give him yet another story. So let the story begins.

Three years after the success of their vintage store in Sweden, Nathalie and Johnny Josefsson decided it was time for a new adventure, so they packed everything and bought a one way ticket to 'Asia. At their feet touch the golden sands of Gili Trawangan, they knew it would be their new home. With the serene energy of the island, and the relaxed lifestyle he had to offer, they could see it would be a great place to raise their young son and also set up shop. Natalie and Johnny made their vintage passion, shared by many around the world, in a successful niche business.

With the success of their first store on the island, Vintage delivery, they recently opened their new store design concept Casa Vintage, which is located 50 meters inside the main port, opposite the famous Kafe Kecil Thai restaurant. Over the coming months, the terrace upstairs open a cafe that serves real coffee which is, as you know, hard to find in Gili. homemade goodies, from cakes to fresh bread will be served with delicious salads and tapas, tapenade platters, organic vegetables and night barbecues. In this beautiful setting, you will be able to drink your prohibitionstyle cocktails while listening to acoustic music night. This place was designed by a couple who turns 30 this year, and for other people in their 30s (but is not limited to that age group), it will be a good place for dinner and just loosen. Commercial followed by eating and drinking is a successful day, whatever your age.

Casa Vintage offers the bettor or a hunter, as you might call them, many delicacies from unknown places (and secrets) from around the globe. There are two men and the women's clothing section; items like lace beautiful kaftans, workwear original Levis, leather saddlebags, of art and retro sunglasses. So for those of you who have not explored the vintage scene, this is the place to go. What you will find is a piece OneOff hardpressed you'll find anywhere else. Everybody has a streak believed in them-this is the originality of the individual who is timeless. For me it is ancient suitcases time of war, battered and worn. I know that each of these bags has untold stories of transition, leaving room for another. For you it might be an original Dior dress fifties. And the story continues ...

Gili Trawangan, Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
0819-1724 3808
http://instagram.com/casavintagestore

If the definition of heaven is a strange but comforting melody revealing stories of the timelessness of the human soul, then a corner to find it is in the southernmost inhabited island in Indonesia; Rote.

Just a sail 2-4 hours to the southwest of its more famous neighbor Timor, Rote is a 70km long island covered in arid savannas and palm sugar ( Borassusflabellifer , known locally as killed or lontar ). Lontar is at the heart of life in Rota; as a source of food, fiber for weaving, wood for construction, and music.

Unfortunately, during my trip to Timor, I did not Rote because of maritime risks and canceled ferries. Fortunately, there is a place in Timor that makes me feel a little more Rote; Sasando the workshop of Jeremias in Oëbelo Pah, 22 kilometers east of Kupang.

Sasando Biola

Sasandu , a pentatonic harp made of bamboo core, bamboo or metal strings, setting mobile bridges, and a robust resonator made of palm leaves, is a native instrument of Rote. For generations, the clan Pah has been known as guardians of the musical heritage Rotinese and developers sasandu 's daughter modern diatonic, the biola of Sasando.

Sasando gained recent national attention in 09 when jazz composer Dwiki Dharmawan included in a performance before President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the then Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik. The Chairman then called for a contest Sasando in Kupang, which attracted 358 of the 400 players known existing Sasando

When I arrived Pah appeared in traditional dress. White shirt, dark woven selimut with a matching scarf, and ti'Ilangga palm sombrero. With palm harp on his lap, the 75-year maestro savvy sitting at his laptop computer and recording equipment, and began playing Batu Matia - a traditional melody that I heard two musicians plays the same.

music is nothing like the gamelan of Java-Bali or bambu angklung . Traditional acoustic sasandu clean and crisp sounds like the banjo, but with a pentatonic chord played to the rhythm of a heartbeat. There was the unpretentious simplicity in melody, harmony and facial expression. Pah sang with the soul of a wise storyteller.

According to the unpublished thesis of Dr. Christopher Basile, based on interviews with four senior sasandu maestros in the 190s, the original sasandu was invented by Sangguana, a fisherman from the 17th century Rotinese who are shipwrecked and imprisoned in Ndana (zero southernmost island of Indonesia, now uninhabited). Despite the request of Basil of historical accuracy Sangguana, Pah does not endorse this story.

Jeremias in traditional costume with an acoustic sasandu and a giant replica

The Princess of Ndana fell in love with Sangguana and assigned him to invent music that has never existed before. With the inspiration of a hopeless dream, created a Sangguana sandu (Rotinese "tremble") from a length of bamboo, seven strings from roots of banyan tree, and a resonator solid palm leaf. Over the music lessons a day, the princess and Sangguana began a scandalous love affair that triggered chaos in Ndana and killed Sangguana.

The news reached the woman Sangguana in Rota, who was pregnant with their son when Nalesanggu Sangguana left there for years. When Nalesanggu came of age, his mother told him the tragic fate of his father. However, Nalesanggu massacred every person on Ndana, including the princess for whom sasandu was invented. Nalesanggu then brought the sasandu back to Rote and taught at Rotinese in honor of his father.

The sasandu then evolved into the biola Sasando of the early 20th century when Rota became increasingly Christian and adapted the Dutch customs, music and dance. Pah Pah Ougust and Edu, the father and uncle of Jeremias Pah respectively, were credited among the first developers Sasando biola.

Pah started learning Sasando as a child in the 1940s, '50s playing hymns in church. In 1962, he moved to Kupang to develop modern Sasando and give it greater exposure to other Indonesians and foreigners. As a devout Christian, Pah attributes the continuing legacy of his family Sasando to divine inspiration.

"Because of the resonator, the Sasando used to be difficult to transport," says Pah. One Sunday morning, the arrival of a guest unexpectedly delayed Pah plan to go to the church. "I arrived in the middle of a sermon and took the only seat left next to the ladies. It was hot, so a lady pulled out a folding fan of his bag. It was as if God was telling me to develop a folding fan resonator similar to the lady. "

Pah said he had no temporary difficulties on the musical tradition in his ten children. At least four of Pah adult son now make a full time living execution, making, and Sasando education.

"Passing on the tradition to his children should not be difficult. A non-Rotinese student of mine taught three songs on the Sasando in just four days, "said Pah." When there is a will, there is a way. The key is to start your kids early in the growth of a true love and interest in music. "

Jeremias and his adult son Berto on electric Sasando biola

Pah then called his youngest, 10 years Rino playing Bolelebo on the electric Sasando. for a young learner, Rino performance already sounded well structured and practiced. Smile proudly to his son, Pah hummed along melody and told me that Rino will perform in Singapore in December.

"Oh no, I play this game bad," the boy gave a shy laugh as he finished the song, before running into the house.

in 2010, the son of Pah Djitron and Berto were candidates in two shows distinct talents to the Indonesian national television. Each execution of the electric Sasando biola, their repertoire included Jason Mraz I Yours , I Il Divo Believe in yourself Ballade Pour Adeline Richard Clayderman and am Padi Begitu Indah

Among the many tunes Pah has made to the sasandu and Sasando biola, Pah summarizes the soul of his music in three songs: . Lelendo ( "Battle Song"), Te'o Renda ( "Embroidering Woman"), and Batu Matia ( "Heavy rock").

Lelendo is a song of the Rote son of bloodshed fought for the sovereignty of Indonesia in the colonial era. Te'o Renda is a song about a time of peace after the war, when women get up hours before dawn to make embroidery, like embroidering a bright future for the dawn of a new generation. Batu Matia is a song about a young man asking for the hand of the woman embroidering in marriage, committing to build a steadfast building love like a heavy rock as they tackle the harsh realities of life together.

As the maestro watch his children develop their generation version of the old harp palm of Rote, Pah continues to brim with memories timeless music he lived. And those who have had the privilege to meet him would also come home full of memories of melodies from the Far East of Indonesia.

Jeremias Pah Sasando Workshop
Jl. Timor Raya Km 22
Desa Oebelo
Kecamatan Kupang Tengah
Kabupaten Kupang
Nusa Tenggara Timur
Indonesia