Love Island Travel

When Bandung visiting there many natural attractions and reserves to explore in the surrounding mountains. Included among these are waterfalls, lush rainforests and street markets, some of which you may not know.

Curug Cibareubeuy

Curug Cibareubeuy (Curug means Sudanese cascade) was once a destination popular weekend getaway for tourists and local adventurers. Now, unfortunately, the track and walking facilities are overgrown and abandoned the main gateway.

While a little off the beaten path, Curug Cibareubeuy is only an hour drive from Bandung near Ciater, where, after a right turn off the main track road a narrow road past spas for about 10-15 minutes from the village of Cibeusi. These days, the beginning of the track is quite hard to find, but if you ask local people to Cibeusi, they will help with directions. The entrance is just a dirt road that starts strong on the right side of the road. As you wind your way up the hill there is a broken concrete path and partly overgrown that takes you past gardens on the left and a rest area with a couple of huts. Further on is the main gateway where you can turn right and high climbing briefly on a mountain trail that follows the ridge. This is a good track, but beware the occasional low branch. Otherwise, you can go straight, following a broken concrete path along a water channel. This is quite humid in some areas, especially in places where the embankment is broken.

Overall, walking the road of the waterfall is about 5 km, takes you through thick vegetation which is kept lush and green with an average rainfall of 2,000 mm per year. From the well-valley below, you can hear the muffled chatter of the voice of farmers tending rice paddies and the sound of the river flowing fast which is fed by the waterfall upstream. If you choose the track on the top side of the ridge, you will turn left when it ends, then turn right following the river to a bamboo bridge, which came in a small retirement village with huts stubble, scattered rocks and gardens. This is an enchanting and welcoming resting place for visitors.

Only a few hundred meters further down the waterfall suddenly appears and at the same time the roar of the waterfall is always present noise drowns or birds and insects. The final challenge to reach the rock pool at the bottom of the waterfall is climbing through the rocks and climb to a point near the waterfront view. Depending on the weather, spraying can be refreshing or unpleasantly cold, but despite this, the temptation to strip and jump into the pool and the shower under the waterfall is hard to resist. Also a hot day experience is invigorating and a memorable experience, worth it.

The journey is relatively simple return, but caution should be taken on the narrow track where the embankment is torn in places and close to the road where the last path of descent is very slippery after rain .
back to Bandung, you may want to stop for lunch at the Ciater hot springs. If so, the Gracia Spa Resort is highly recommended. Its entrance is a few kilometers back on the left side of the road to Bandung.

Pasar Minggon

If you like the street markets there is one in particular that I would recommend is not well known to visitors outside Bandung. It is called "Pasar mingon" which means a market that is open only on Sundays. Located on one of the ridges that descend from Lembang in Ciumbuleuit, this particular area is also called Punclut.

The most popular market entry is at the top of Jl. Ciumbuleuit where if you turn left at the roundabout, it is 0m down the road on the right. From the beginning, you'll be amazed how busy this narrow street market is also climbs and winds up the ridge several kilometers. This is a totally fascinating experience that stimulates all the senses with a market cacophony sounds, bright colors and infinite variety of flavors and Sudanese Padang restaurants and food stalls.

The crowd is a mix of those get their Sunday morning exercise, the bargain hunters, tourists and thousands of people enjoying their makan pagi of (breakfast) on a large scale. Aside from the market, the other main attraction is the view of Bandung dozens of homes offering local food and coastal food - steamed, barbecued, fried, you name it - seafood, offal, beef Rendang, buntut sop, corn fritters, croquettes, tofu, tempeh, spicy chicken, snails, exotic fruits and vegetables, etc. to meet all these people there must be several tons of food brought to the night market in the service of this frenzy.

outside infinity food stalls lining the road, there are clothes of all kinds, shoes, hats, sarongs, gadgets and potions, the key here is to resist 'carried away by the crowd and be able to stop, take your time and find many treasures to be found.

another way to see the street markets is to take a vehicle to the top of Jalan Dago and turn left towards the International School of Stanford. Go past the school until the end of the street and turn right following the road to the top of the ridge. From there it's all downhill past many food stalls and restaurants, mostly on the left side with a beautiful view of Bandung. If you have a driver, ask him to drop you and meet you at the roundabout at the top of Jl. Ciumbuleuit. Depending on how often you walk fast and stop for food, or to purchase various nick-knacks, then it should take between one and two hours. If not the type of shopping, do not let this put you off this fabulous ride. It is the sharing of the morning air with thousands of others get their weekly exercise just a fantastic experience.

If you enjoy outdoor markets, it has a real buzz.

For more information on any of the above, contact hllnd_bb@yahoo.com.au

Most people know Kuta as a hedonistic resort where everything goes. It is a Phuket-on-Bintang, about the only place in the archipelago where public drunkenness demonstrations are tolerated.

The cabins and stalls that welcomed early visitors, hippies and backpackers in the 70s make up for glitzy shopping malls and five-star luxury as Bali is experiencing a tourism boom that will come as a welcome relief after the twin bombings in the early 21st century saw the sun and surf seekers look elsewhere for their jollies.

There has long been an element of raffish trade Kuta. While the interior of Bali, with its rice terraces and lifestyle ritual relief fought the civil war after the war between them, Kuta, lying on the peninsula in the south of the island was perfect for trade; easy access to the warm waters of the Indian ocean both sides meant that it was able to take advantage of winds that left others less blessed ports closed for months.

He was Kuta as a commercial warehouse that caught first a Danish adventurer, entrepreneur and seducer named Mads Lange. Given the violent gang that terrorized the region in the 1850s, it is unlikely Lange and the rest of the small expatriate business community called home Kuta, have deviated from the famous beach too often watch the surf crash or enjoy the famous sunset.

their days were spent making money, their retirement evenings in their compounds, locking the sounds of the jungle and the roar of blood clotting local thugs, taking solace in their memories of House.

Certainly his compound had everything to keep the 19th century trader / adventurer happy. Outside the rooms, (pendopos) that were used for trade, he kept a wine cellar, a music room and a pool table. Then as now, entertainment is a key element in business and Lange went to impress his home by the sea.

Lange was already familiar with not only Bali, but much of the rest of 'Dutch East Indies. He had spent several eventful years on Lombok nearby island where he cosied with raja then a competitor of the Company had been close to a different potentate; politics and business are inextricably linked, then as now.

He left his native Denmark when he was only 19 years, eastward as much done in those days hoping to make its mark in Asia which was then almost under the European yoke .

It was in 1834 that settled in what was to be later known as Indonesia to start his business empire. There, with a Scottish partner, with extensive contacts throughout the region, opened a trading post at Ampenan. As business expanded, he opened a shipyard nearby and was appointed Harbour Master (Shahbandar) by the local raja, a lucrative position as it allowed him to take a tariff cut on vessels using the port .

Lombok in those days was a volatile place with a control for the various micro states on the island openly challenged by local potentates, Balinese and Dutch looking around that could best serve their interests.

The Danish businessman supported the poor and Raja was forced to flee the island since 24 hours to close his business and be gone. He jumped across the Bali Strait and settled in a small trading post called Kuta.

Little Sundas is the name given to islands that extend Group East Java. As Europeans rushed to the archipelago to get a foot in the value of the spice trade that they have focused their attention on Sumatra, Java and Maluku. But there were still opportunities for a qualified contractor to enter the smaller islands, including Bali; especially if you know the language as did Lange.

When he arrived in Kuta the post of Dutch local treats looked at him with suspicion but Lange did not care. He used his contacts to make money and perhaps one of its selling points was that it was not Dutch! The dominant European power in the region were forced to take a back seat to Lange and realism finally took over the colonial dreams of Dutch hegemony and they decided the best they could hope for was working with the Dane established .

Certainly Lange had good contacts in both camps who used it as a broker or deal according to their own needs and desires. But Lange played the game for himself as much as anyone. He was not sympathetic westerner seduced by the charms terraces and Bali rice temples; he was a ruthless business man of his time and the time included the trade of a highly sought after commodity; Balinese slaves.

After 19 years in Southeast Asia, Lange found his mind often turns to home, but the return was not easy. With the Suez Canal still a pipedream trip home meant journeying across the vast Indian Ocean and rounding the Cape of Good Hope; a trip that was counted in months, not weeks

. He wrote a last letter to a good friend of his on strips of palm leaves. In what he called his journey back to Denmark and he suggested that it may never come back when he said: "On my return I will not speak" He died shortly before it. or sailing, rumor that he was poisoned

Lange was known to have two women while living in Bali;. a modest number in these days one was Balinese. the other Chinese. with the Chinese woman he had a daughter named Cecilia Catharina who married a future Sultan of Johor, but that, as they say, is another story!

If you are interested to learn more about Mads Lange and the first days of Kuta as a corporate control in Bali Chronicles by Willard A. Hanna.

We've all seen the iconic image of a sunrise filtering through a vast cloud filled caldera Mount Bromo, Mount Batok and Mount Semeru stoically flashes. Beautifully packaged in a picture perfect image is the ethereal National Park Bromo-Tengger-Semeru.

This park covers a whooping 800 square kilometers, located 2,100 meters above the level of the sea. What we see now dates back to about 450,000 years, although it is part of a larger and more ancient volcano ,.

For travelers, these volcanoes are the most photographed and best-known above all others. The convenience and ease to visit Bromo draws in the masses, as there is no need for a grueling hike eight hours to see this show. Unfortunately, the popularity has brought with it an overwhelming cohort unfair and exorbitant tourist profiteers. I'm looking at you -. Tour operators, hoteliers, and jeep drivers

It is a terrible shame, because a visit to Bromo should not be loaded with jeep rides and overpriced hotel rooms. Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park is an absolutely stunning display of the power of nature, and we should be able to wonder, explore, contemplate and admire without driver on a calendar. The landscape is too spectacular to whiz by in a jeep, and what a shame it is for most visitors miss the true beauty of the complex due to the fly-by of domination jeep excursions.

I implore everyone to visit Bromo and experience the magic of the park, and the best way to do that is to walk. Bromo is easy to explore on foot, not only is it easy for those with a moderate level of fitness, but also a must because of the complex winter temperatures make for a pleasant walk. All walks are based on the use of Cemoro Lawang as a starting point.

Bromo

This volcanic cone emerges from the crater 133m. Bromo is one of Java's most active volcanoes at present, while the cone of Bromo interior is a beautiful lake of turquoise acid, with acidity levels up to 25%. Do not let appearances fool you, as a fearless mountaineer told me. "It is acidic enough to make your hair"

Walk Hotel Café Java passed directly to the park office, this route takes you the way to the sea of ​​sand and see Bromo advance. walk straight to the stairs leading to the rim, just three kilometers and approximately 45 minutes.

It is possible to walk all around the edge of Bromo and an observation point on the second neighboring volcanic cone, which takes about an hour. Pay attention because the road is narrow and the security fence is in poor condition. in addition, do not try walk when the weather is anything but perfect when rain or high winds are a walk around too dangerous.

Sunrise at viewpoint of two on Mount Penanjakan

starting at 3 hours is a long time to make the point. Take the road that leads past Cemara Indah Hotel and just follow all the way up. The road leads through the village and becomes very rocky as you start climbing Mount Penanjakan.

Jeeps from the point of view both will stop and park midway where they will drop off passengers. There is a small shop selling refreshments and locals offering horseback rides also ply the route. The distance is five kilometers away and takes about an hour and a half. Bring a warm jacket because it does quite cold waiting for the sunrise, and a torch is useful to miss the potholes in the road (flashlight app works well, too).

The way back down to Cemoro Lawang in the early morning light is breathtaking; picturesque village houses are fixed with small vegetables. Sometimes people see that walking and invites you for a coffee and chat, if necessary, a small donation should

Mount Batok

The trail begins behind the toilet block . it is just soft volcanic ash is very dusty. Three-quarters of the height, the climb becomes steep and unstable in certain regions; follow the small red and white flags tied to trees to make sure you stay on the path. In some places, catching small shrubs need to get up.

At the top, PLEASE be sure to mark where the road ends, because there is no marker and you can easily get disoriented and go down the wrong side. My friend made the mistake and came down covered in so much dust, it looked like an actor wearing blackface offensive. It is a 45 minute climb to the summit, wear sunscreen and enough water. Climbing Mount Batok is difficult, but you'll be rewarded with stunning views of the complex.

Laotian Pasir

The Tengger Caldera is the only place in Indonesia to have a sea of ​​sand. It is really something special to watch the blow dust on the vast expanse while the horses gallop through the gray sand. Walking through the sand sea feel like walking through a lunar desert, with the crater rim around dominant shadows and clouds floating on the waves of sand.

The walk to and from Bromo, as mentioned, is easy and fast to really immerse yourself in the landscape, there is a long eight kilometers on foot through the Pasir Laotian to Ngadas, d where you can then get to Malang or walk six kilometers from Jemplang to Ranu Pani at the base of Semeru. Turn left where the end of the paved road and the left circle south side of Bromo

Semeru

Semeru is the highest volcano in Java to 3,676m, and very active. there are mini eruptions every 30 minutes. Climbing Semeru is a three-day trek that requires advanced planning and recommended only for experienced climbers. The guides are required and can be arranged in Ranu Pani.

Accommodation

Midrange hotels abound, Café Java and Indah are CEMERA. Also every other house seems to be a room with basic rooms, from 150,000 IDR for a double.

So if you are planning a trip to Bromo, why not put those hiking boots wisely and spend the day jalan jalan around the most ethereal landscape that we have here in Indonesia.

Indonesia can be a difficult place to find an address. There is no longer a surprise to me that 101 is close to 26 and there are three 52 is on one road. I am not a resident of Bali and while looking for Rob Peetoom Hair Spa, a growing sense of frustration had emerged from my third time driving down Jl. Raya Petitenget. When I finally arrived at the Hair Spa I was certainly a little tired, but what a great place to claim sanctuary after a bit of a mistake than a place of pampering.

I went to the reception where the immaculately presented receptionist greeted me with warmth and my anxiety, frustration and stress began to thaw out before that time. Rob Peetoom Hair Spa is a beautiful place filled with beautiful well-dressed people. The place is intimate, open and remains very close to nature. A lily pond keeps the reception area of ​​society with stone steps leading the way to the living room. I had preconceived ideas about what my experience would be like; I had high expectations that Rob Peetoom Hair Spa exceeded.

I had for a treatment of 60 minutes and a haircut, but found myself a bit nervous to get my haircut. Everyone has had at least a hair disaster; mine from orange hair, an Afro gluing and cutting hair of a boy who reduced me to tears. Over the years, my confidence in the thinned hairdressers and I became less adventurous with styles. Finding a good hairdresser can be difficult. You have to trust their experience and skills will be compatible with your individual style and translate what you envision in a reality-within reason, of course. What I believe is not an easy task and like any art form, the haircut is not free from subjective opinions

hair consultations are the first stage in all treatments. a diagnosis of the condition of my hair and what products were to be used to remedy the evils. The treatment includes a 60-minute shot hair and hair mask, head, neck, back and hand massage with hot stone therapy and reflexology. My hair was so dry and frizzy Extreme and Redken Real Control range has been used to address these issues. Rob Peetoom Redken Hair Spa favors because of its quality. I am guided at every step by a thorough explanation and a brief description. Massage therapy and hot stone unbended made me and my hair had fallen to its healthy form.

After treatment of 60 minutes, I felt as if everything would go well and everyone was very happy and carefree, I was then ushered in a chair in the living area have my hair cut. Now I knew I could relax and enjoy myself that my hair was in the hands of people whose agenda was to make me look and feel my best, as opposed to the practice of the new trend on my hair. I was surprised and delighted that Rob Peetoom came to give me my haircut. He asked me what I wanted and I said "whatever you think best," he advised me to be careful saying that, for hair stylists who are happy scissors. A topping cut my damaged ends and a cut that flattered my face has been suggested which is exactly what you want from a haircut. a razor was used to cut my hair Rob preferred because of the fluidity that gives and although razors have a mixed reputation, it's like choosing any artist in the tools to express themselves;. use the tools that you can monitor and control to achieve the results you're after a nice discussion and my hair had been cut, he was then style perfectly for my face. I was smiling from ear to ear, pleased with a fantastic cut and treatment that made me feel wonderful. You would not be in able to hit the silly grin on my face.

A nice haircut is more than just a haircut. It can give you a bounce in your step, twinkle in your eye or even trust the rock that meeting with those hard to please the customers you next week. And better yet, even after washing my hair, I'm still in love with my new haircut! It is not only the great service and results that find people who went to Rob Peetoom Hair Spa. The Hair Spa is the choice even for royalty; you come out feeling confident, at ease and feel beautiful after a successful treatment amidst a tranquil setting with privacy. The design and location is unmatched, which is why Rob decided to present its Hair Spa in beautiful Bali Jakarta rather than more profitable. This is my new piece of heaven on earth and I will surely go back to take a break from reality and just feel good about myself.

Rob Peetoom Hair Spa
Petitenget 16 Seminyak
Bali Indonesia
T: + 62 361 738 363
E: Bali@robpeetoom.nl
www .robpeetoom.nl

It They say in life that two things are certain: death and taxes. But if you live in Jakarta, you can add two more to the list: Macet and Banjir

Government officials come and go, and it seems that none of them can keep flooding in Jakarta .. even winning Governor Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, who visits the problematic areas of the capital on a daily basis and demonstrates considerable efforts to "fix Jakarta" -Is quoted saying to the press, "(Resolution) Banjir and takes Macet processes, so don 't expect fix me as a god turning his hand. Even the gods can not [solve Jakarta’s floods and traffic jams]. "

It is unfortunate that the evaluation of the 100th day of Jokowi fell on 22 January, the mid-major floods last month. But I do not blame Jokowi.

However, floods in Jakarta remains a serious concern perpetual. Some areas in Jakarta, urban planner and director Marco RuJak.org Kusumawijaya are confirmed to flow at an alarming rate of 18 centimeters per year (that is the height of a tall person per decade!) Mainly due use deep well groundwater and urban development.

Many people, tired of Jakarta less-than-stellar water management as to romanticize the "good old days" under Dutch rule when the old channels were well maintained and was known as Batavia "Paris of the east". But few people know that Batavia has been flooded since 1665.

Batavia was established in 1619 by the east India Company. According to historian Bondan Kanumoyoso, which is the author of a book on the socio-economic development seventh to ninth century in Batavia, the settlement now known as the old city of Jakarta was never intended to be a city proper, but rather as a hub of South-East of the company to the spice trade. environmental considerations were the least of the concerns of society.

the settlement was healthy for the first thirty years, until Batavia was attacked by Mataram (Yogyakarta Sultanate today), thus prompting the Dutch to end their isolation and start the development of new settlements along the banks of Ciliwung. sugar cane plantations swarmed to the south, and migrant workers from outside Java were brought, causing deforestation and subsequent flooding.

"But floods in the rainy season is only half the problem. In the dry season, there is drought, causing muddy water to stagnate in the channels and become breeding grounds for disease vectors such as mosquitoes carry malaria, "said Bondan. "In addition to flood control, there is also the challenge of ensuring that there is the right amount of water flowing in the dry season."

Batavia channels were commissioned in the early 17th century by Jan-Pieterszoon Coen, an official Society who studied in Venice and wanted a similar path by transport system in the hub. the Batavia channels would later inspire the infamous canals of Amsterdam.

However, some of the channels of Batavia had to be converted into roads, when the water carrying sediment from the eruption of Mount Salak stagnated. other channels were then constructed over the centuries to come, as Molenvliet in Jl. Hayam Wuruk, Gajah Mada, the Mookervaart in Jl. Daan Mogot, Kanal Banjir Barat and Kanal Banjir Timur. But the floods continue to come.

Marco Kusumawijaya refers to the book by Restu Gunawan Gagalnya Sistem Kanal ( "the canal system failure"), which explains the history of the fight against floods in the 20th century Batavia and the Dutch canals problems can not be solved. Canals ultimately fail because once larger installed, it encourages the development, which only exacerbates the root causes of floods

Marco mathematical formula for flooding is :.

F = SR - (Q1 + Q2)

F being "Flood", SR being "surface runoff", Q1 is natural drainages such as rivers and lakes, and Q2 . being artificial channels

most of the time, people are trying to control floods maximizing Q2: canals, dams, reservoirs These projects are often commissioned to private companies, making them economically and politically. beneficial.

"But the Q2 increase without reducing SR is like putting a big glass under a running water tap. Of course, it contains more water, but unless the valve is closed, the glass would always eventually overflow, no matter how big it is, "said Marco.

Jakarta already a large quantity of natural SR rain and excess water only West Java of the mountains. and then there is the additional runoff population growth, changes which remove surfaces to absorb groundwater and wastewater produced by institutions and the some industries that attract deep groundwater but can not put it in the human soil.

efforts to curb SR include reforestation and groundwater recharge by infiltration wells. "they are not politically" sexy "because they require decentralization and empowerment of people," said Marco.

"Q2 measures tend to be more popular because they put money in infrastructure, giving the impression of modernization. In comparison, SR measures tend to give the impression restricting development. "Reforestation, for example, may require the tax money on expenses to buy hectares of rainforest and just keep them, without developing lucrative investment on expensive land.

to encourage SR measures, Marco said it is important for the public to ensure that government and business that it is okay to invest in them. "The sustainable way is always a challenge, but the technology allows. It is simply not well integrated into the system, "said Marco. These technologies include permeable drainage to absorb runoff, the plants act as natural water cleaning and absorbers, biopores and "green roofs" that hold water.

In addition, the development and flood control can go hand in hand in implementing land use regulations that regulate the intensification of land use and set limits on floor area ratio. Unfortunately, companies often violent sub-the-table arrangements involving money.

"This is because our government and our people still lack a scientific mentality," said Marco. "For this to stop, the damage must be clearly calculable and must be legal procedures to punish offenders. Of course, this will increase development costs and reduce profits, but also discipline the market by forcing it to become more efficient. Companies must begin to include SAR measures as part of their normal operating costs. It only costs a few million rupees. "

" In Jakarta floods have zero, it must be zero corruption, "he added." Sustainability is the only way forward if we are to survive. First, we must believe that we need to survive and we have the technology to make it possible. "

Centre rujak for Urban Studies
Gedung Ranuza 2nd floor
Jl Timor No. 10
Menteng, Jakarta Pusat 10350
http://www.rujak.org

rujak ( "Ruang Jakarta") is a non-profit organization dedicated to exchange ideas and initiate actions that turn Jakarta into a better, sustainable city. Rujak The site is regularly updated with entries on urban planning and architecture, and announcement of upcoming public discussions.

Java civilization boasts of complex artistic traditional architecture that stands the test of time. But people often forget that Java is not only home to the Javanese and Sundanese. One of the least known ethnic groups is the Osing Banyuwangi.

After a journey of temple hopping across Java, I finished in Banyuwangi, my last stop on the eastern end of Java before crossing the Strait of Bali. Naturally, one of the first things I asked the locals about when I arrived was the architecture. After learning that the so-called "Desa Wisata Osing" I was so happy to visit was neither Desa (village), nor a place to Wisata (tourist attraction) nor did he show anything particularly Osing, the hotel manager told me to knock on the door of a stranger a few blocks away.

I found myself in Sanggar Genjah Arum, 4000 a square meter of property that displayed centenary al fresco Osing houses in the middle of a lush garden. flexible bamboo angklung music played by the top of a bamboo tower height at the entrance, from which a 360 ° view of the surrounding rice fields, coffee plantations and the village is visible .

The owner property, Setiawan "Iwan" Subekti, collected Osing houses since 1997, to save them from being sold to Balinese craftsmen who take them and recycle them in the luxury furniture for the market 'export.

Iwan is an owner of a coffee plantation and a taste of the internationally renowned coffee, so he welcomes permanently coffee lovers in his house. One of the striking features of the property is an elegant coffee bar decorated with traditional ornaments Osing like Gandrung and barong .

"These houses are made of wood and old Benda are three to five generations," said Iwan. Benda ( Artocarpus elasticus ), also known as Brazilian Terap or rubber, is native to the western half of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Banyuwangi used to be wooded Benda. Benda wood can remain intact for over 100 years, grow to 45 meters in ideal wild (or generally up to nine meters in Java) does not break easily or fold, and naturally repels termites. Bell used for building houses are traditionally harvested a year in advance by splitting the tree trunk for sap and letting him bleed slowly to death. This process makes it exceptionally rugged woods.

The Osing house consists of the frame Benda , which can be conveniently disassembled, transported and reassembled. The pillars are attached to a foundation in the ground, and the support of a trellis frame for clay tile roof. No nails are used to fix, only pegs. Yet construction is curiously strong Iwan keeps a miniature model of the image of the house, which is strong enough to support the weight of an adult climbing on top

Typically, the house is divided into three sections :. The porch, bedroom and kitchen. The porch is usually used as al fresco lounge where guests are entertained and community discussions take place. The room is traditionally enclosed within the walls of woven bamboo called gedhék pipil . They do not require windows because the warps and wefts of the wall to allow air to enter for sufficient ventilation. Alternatively, Iwan also modifies some of its houses with ornate wooden walls.

With origins traceable to the Majapahit era, Osing architecture and design blends perfectly Javanese, Balinese, Chinese, Islamic, Hindu-Buddhist and pagan elements in a dynamic look, but graceful. Timbul, an elder from Kemiren, Osing explained that the house and its ornaments are loaded with Osing the philosophy of marriage and family

"There are many types of houses Osing :. The cerocogan rainfly , the baresan triple roof , and the quadruple roof tikelbalung . the cerocogan is generally built for young men and women in their late teens . at the time, higher education has not been very common among Osing, for young men and women fall in love and get married, "said Timbul.

"The baresan symbolizes conflict and temptations after the wedding. Happiness is not automatic in a marriage because spouses have to work out and resolve to get through that test come their way. and if they do, they have children and grandchildren later, making their full house. this is what the tikelbalung is all about, "continued the former.

The Osing are descendants of citizens of Blambangan a Hindu kingdom 13th to the 18th century that survived the great Majapahit Empire and long resisted the East India Company. At that time, the spread of Islam and the battle for the local colonial and royal power in Java led Hindus to migrate to the east of Bali, making Blambangan (now Banyuwangi) a buffer zone.

According Timbul, when the Dutch invaded in the 18th century to serve Blambangan Balinese Hindu ethnic groups Nusantara conspired to protect each other. The Dutch would question their targets before attacking to check if they were Balinese, which would meet the target " O sing ... sing ngelawan. " ( "Oh, no ... I do not fight not against you. ")

the Dutch let go of each person who answered this and assumed that they belong to an unknown tribe called" Osing "-where in fact, these people could be Javanese, Balinese, Madurese, or anything else. the "Osing" has since been identified as one people, mostly converted to Islam, and speak a distinct language related to both Javanese and Balinese.

Can -be it is because of this deliberate will to unite this harmony becomes crucial concept in home Osing. A sloping roof down symbolizes humility and courtesy in society Osing. Bamboo or wooden walls symbolize modesty and simplicity. the Semanggi (clover) ornament symbolizes peace and happiness in a well-fed household. The selimpetan (sunflower with swastika) symbolizes eternal love of a man and a woman. The Kawung symbolizes loyalty and satisfaction in one partner for life. And the sun symbolizes the bright hope, warmth and joy in the household.

Other things to enjoy in the home of Iwan include sites neighbors plowing the rice fields with a pair of Balinese cattle, demonstrations of weaving fabric plantain fibers, vintage collection of Iwan coffee roasting and brewing equipment, and of course the tasting of rare blends of coffees and teas Iwan while listening to his collection of jazz records. If you're lucky, you might also be accompanied by other friends of Iwan, many artists from Banyuwangi who are happy to share a local perspective on history and culture.

Sanggar Genjah Arum (home Setiawan Subekti)
Desa Kemiren
Kecamatan Glagah
Banyuwangi
East Java

Eastern Indonesia is a kingdom of a million wonders. A region rich in scenic landscapes, biodiversity and ancestral traditions, much of eastern Indonesia remains relatively pure by modern forces. Yet at the same time, this raises the other side of reality: infrastructure, education and literacy remain major challenges,

Nila Tanzil - photo by Wahyudi Tan

These challenges drew the heart of 37-year-old Nila Tanzil. She fell in love with the beauty of eastern Indonesia during his post as communications consultant for a joint venture to protect the Komodo National Park. At the time, Nila often traveled in the villages around Flores and spent time with local children, whose extracurricular activities were playing mainly at the beach or collect firewood.

Today Nila opened 26 libraries all over eastern Indonesia. Some of these natural waterfronts magnificent libraries prospects, and are housed in colonial historical buildings, local ritual houses and village art workshops. These libraries, called Taman Pelangi Bacaan ( "Rainbow Reading Gardens") became a sanctuary of literacy for children aged 6-12, who come to read with enthusiasm.

But it was not always like that. In 09, when Nila came to Flores, she learned that literacy among schoolchildren was surprisingly low. Nusatenggara Timur happens to be the province with the highest rate of illiteracy, the lowest scores on national exams, and the enormous challenges in infrastructure and the education system.

"Children learn to spell, because they were in first grade, but many remain illiterate well into the third year," said Nila. "A college professor told me about an illiterate student. I thought, how a college student could even take the exam for primary school without being literate? It turned out that the student had attended by any teacher during the exam, which whisper answers to him. "

Nila knew she had to do something for the children of eastern Indonesia. Understanding that education is the key to this change, Nila decided to go for a need that has long remained unmet: literacy. "Books are windows to the world," Nila said. "I want them like literacy and fall in love with books. But how are they to fall in love with books if the books are not there yet? Many Indonesians East are struggling to put food on the table, even to make books available. "

After launching the idea in November 09, the first Taman Pelangi Bacaan open to Rowe, Manggarai Barat. In addition to Flores and other islands in the Komodo National Park , libraries are now found in remote villages in Lombok, Sumbawa, Timor, Bandanaira and South Sulawesi. These libraries are run by volunteers mainly composed of local teachers.

"It is called Pelangi because this project involves many ethnicities, races and colors, like a rainbow. Put them together and you end up with something beautiful, united in a mission to nurture literacy among Indonesian children in Eastern and light it, "added Nila.

Nila with children at the opening of Taman Pelangi Bacaan Messah island of Nusa Tenggara Timur

Nila said that the first step to get children to read books is to get close them. with schools are often far from villages, it is important to make it fun for them. for that children feel like they are doing more homework for school, Taman Pelangi Bacaan is stocked with fun illustrated books.

"I fell in love with books to read Donald duck and Bobo magazine," said Nila. "at least, even if the children can not not read, they take a book brightcoloured as Tintin or Asterix and Obelix. They turn the pages, curious with the story behind the pictures, and it would motivate them to read. "

" If children already like to read, they read anything, "said Nila. One day a father came to Nila, telling him that his son received 0% of its review of the science. the son has not learned the class answers, but an encyclopedia illustrated in Taman Pelangi Bacaan .

another day, the teachers said Nila the children of the compositions in the Indonesian improve examination because now their plots are clearer and vocabulary increases. Nila calls these new "small victories", recalling that most native languages ​​of these children are not Indonesian and that their crops are mainly based on oral tradition.

when Nila first met the children and asked them what they aspire to be when they grow up, their answers were invariably "teaching" or "pastoral" . the only other occupations grew these children knew and fishing. But now, literacy has captured the imagination of children, helped to identify other business needs in their communities and encourage them to dream professions that are different from those of their parents. Other aspirations now heard of these children understand become engineers, architects, business owners, and writers.

Nila also remembers a time when children in the Komodo National Park could only dream of traveling to Labuan Bajo west Flores. "Not even in Bali," said Nila, who often shares her children photo trips abroad. "But now they dream of visiting faraway places like Thailand, Cambodia, Japan and the UK."

Nila believes that nourish literacy among children is a project of influence for a lifetime. "I hope that one day these children will receive scholarships, leave the village to go to college, become successful professionals out there, make their community proud, and return to develop their hometowns."

The children at one of the libraries Taman Pelangi Bacaan

Although Taman Pelangi Bacaan is intended to be an agent of change and progress in eastern Indonesia, Nila also aims to make it a place where local traditions continue to thrive. Taman Pelangi Bacaan holds storytelling programs where volunteers would read illustrated versions of local ancestral folklore or show them with origami. Some libraries also offer dance and traditional music lessons.

In order to move more than 20,000 books from 11 islands Taman Pelangi Bacaan is working with airlines and ship owners to rotate the collection between every six months libraries. Some locals even help carry books inside their trucks, cars and motorcycles.

"I am grateful to all the volunteers in eastern Indonesia and Jakarta, as well as those who have donated books. They are real people service, fighting in the forefront of Taman Bacaan Pelangi , "said Nila.

After running libraries as a personal project in his spare time, Nila recently decided to commit full time Taman Bacaan Pelangi . in addition , Nila wrote a book about his travels in Eastern Indonesia and its trip to paint the colors of literacy among children of the nation.

for more information on Taman Pelangi Bacaan, literacy in eastern Indonesia, volunteer or donate, visit www.tamanbacaanpelangi.com.