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Jalebi from Purano Bazaar

11 March 2021

<—-Previous Story

It was still quite early in the morning when I started leaving Bindhyabasini Temple. Back in riding Mr. Tirtha’s daily rental taxi, I along with a trio of backpackers from hotel started down Pokhara-Baglung Street heading south. Mr. Tirtha planned to take me to an old market which was more than 250 years old. He said, this old market was called Purano Bazaar, but public often called it as Old Bazaar.

The road leads to Old Bazaar.

It was true that said by Mr. Tirtha that this temple and market are close to each other. Only 1.5 km away with 5 minutes of travel time. Quickly arrived, Mr. Tirtha dropped me off on a side of market and he threw his index finger in a corner as a sign that I should meet him there when my Purano Bazaar exploration was over. He wanted to enjoy situation in his own way. All I knew was that he hadn’t been exposed to coffee aroma since early morning.

Starting to explore the market.

My stomach which started to feel hungry, automatically led me down market corridor to find street food as a breakfast. Before long, white smoke which rising from three furnaces caught my attention.

“Namaste”, said old merchant who was busy frying. Before answering, my heart laughed when it was the first time in my life to see Jalebi’s appearance. Yes, it is a kind of typical Indian street snacks which I got to know when Saroo and Guddu couldn’t afford to taste it because their money from stealing coal in a mining wagon was only enough to pay for a few bags of milk for their poor family in Ganesh Talai. A touching scene in a film which titled “Lion”. Since then I have been determined to taste Jalebi in India, although I was tasting faster in Nepal.

That old merchant who was initially stunned watching me when I spoke English to buy his food suddenly laughed and raised his hand while frowning. Then a young man in blue jacket who was enjoying his meal got up from his chair and with his fluent English helped that old man served me….Great.

Come on….It were sweet jalebi.

Going back down to market corridor, while munching on snacks, I enjoyed the classic Newar architecture which were shown by many old buildings. Each building always featured visual strength of red bricks which were integrated with distinctive carvings on building wood.

One of the buildings.

It was said that Newars originating from Bhaktapur in far east of Pokhara were skilled traders. Short story, King Kaski invited him to trade in Pokhara in 1752. And at that time Pokhara had also developed trading activities with Tibet as well. My mind agreed, because there was a Tibetan village in Pokhara….I would visit it later.

Are my shoes cool?….#showingoff.

Market beauty could be felt because there were still no activity that morning. Himalayas sight was still an idol just down the road. Two bonus destinations which were well presented by Mr. Tirtha, a tall, thin Nepalese, has brown skin typical of South Asia but has slanted eyes like a Chinese.

Nice view, right?

Come on, let’s have breakfast at hotel …

Check out the Purano Bazaar situation here: https://youtu.be/wVmGgYnTs-M

Next Story—->
Closing Yogyakarta in Malioboro

10 March 2021

<—-Previous Story

I left Borobudur Temple at the last second of the sun which was about to say goodbye to its duties. I turned my back on that wonder of the world as bus which I was riding towards south. Still at the center of Yogyakarta, the last destination of that night.

A fatigue as a result of focusing on tour guide steps at Borobudur earlier, as well as the wilt of my body due to consistency of sun sting, made me fall asleep during last part journey. But I wasn’t alone, all passengers have started exploring their dream world just before I did the same.

Approaching eight o’clock in evening, a committee who sat in front seat raised his mic and began to wake up participants, most of whom were still asleep. Meanwhile, I was still focusing on seeing a biographical film of Samba’s football legend.

Bus had already lunged at the end of Panembahan Senopati Avenue, busy splitting the heavy flow of road in order to get a slot in Malioboro parking area. Failed at the first try because parking area was full, bus took a detour again to wait for several buses to leave parking area.

The second attempt seemed to be successful, bus slowed down at parking staff’s cue who was seen in front. Bus slowly pulled over and started to enter the parking area. I’ve been impatient to get down. Apart from the Malioboro armosphere which looked thick with culture and history, hungry condition had strengthened my intention to enjoy Malioboro culinary tourism.

I hurried to get off when bus had completely stopped. “At nine o’clock in night, we gathered on bus again, friends!” Said a committee member with a loud voice at same time as participants’ small jumps out of bus.

I was walking now along Panembahan Senopati Avenue at a fast pace without reducing my eyes seriousness in witnessing Malioboro area busyness. To west of avenue, perches Serangan Umum Sebelas Maret Monument as a historical landmark which represented effort to defend National Independence in 1949.

Post Indonesia Building.

Bank Indonesia Building.

BN! 46 Building.

Meanwhile, old and classic Dutch heritage buildings which functioned as Bank Indonesia office, Pos Indonesia office and BNI 46 Yogyakarta Branch office looked beautiful with spotlights on building paint which still looked fresh, neat wide sidewalks with andesite and fenced bollards.

At an intersection of Yogyakarta’s 0 Km point, I headed north, changed directions at Malioboro Avenue, enjoyed several souvenir and culinary stalls, my eyes began to watch out for finding appetizing culinary delights, considering that I was almost two hours late to dinner.

My steps stopped in an alley with a very busy meatball stall. Its smoke spreads a fragrant aroma indicating that this shop was a favorite place in Malioboro area. I decided to take a queue and got ready to eat a vein meatball menu.

“Hi, Donny“, several other participants seemed cheerful passing me.

They headed for a cart with satay griller. “Oh, they want to eat satay“, I thought in the middle of impatience waiting in line.

Fifteen minutes later, I managed to acquire a seat. Meanwhile, some friends who I knew still seem to flock to that satay cart. Apparently a participant gave a short message to another friend to get closer there.

“Satay might be better“, I was still thinking, trying to defend myself that I didn’t choose a wrong dinner menu. But there was a little regret feeling too, why I didn’t join with them to eating satay at the end of alley.

“Kriinnngggg….”, my smartphone rang when I was just halfway in eating an ordered meatball. There was someone who wants to meet. She was a Sales Admin who had worked as a team in my sales team where I work. She was waiting in front of Brievenbus van Djokdja, many of friends had gathered there, she said.

Forcing me to hurry in eating remaining meatball in order to immediately join with the others. Dinner which I didn’t really enjoy. After paying, I jogged towards the place which mentioned by her earlier. At the far end, I saw that my friends were busy and shaking hands with her. Intriguing me, I hastened my pace, to got closer and immediately knew what was happening.

Oh my God, it turned out that she was saying goodbye because she resigned from the company when the year-end party was over. It turned out that she chose as a housewife and got married. The closing of year end party wasn’t so perfect for me. The moment of saying goodbye was also be a closing of that night’s journey.

Malioboro Avenue.

All participants began to flock to bus. Likewise myself, after taking last few photos with her, I hurried to bus.

Fifteen minutes later, all passengers were ready. A committee had calculated based on manifest, nothing was left behind. Bus started to drive away from Malioboro towards the capital.

Before all felt asleep, I, who was still curious, asked a friend a friend on an opposite seat.

Me: “Hi, what satay were you eating, it was really fun?…If I know that it was fun, I was with you guys from earlier“.

He: “Hahaha….it’s pork satay. Do you want?“

Me: “Oops ……”

Next Story—->
Menjemur di Bus dari Busan ke Seoul

8 March 2021

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

Jeda tipis antara ketibaanku dan keberangkatan bus berbuah manis, menjadikanku tak terlalu lama menunggunya berangkat. Beberapa menit lalu, aku telah menanyakan demi mencari bus yang akan kunaiki kepada salah seorang pengemudi di Busan Central Bus Terminal. Telunjuk jarinya jelas mengarah pada armada berwarna putih dengan kelir merah. Aku pun bergegas menuju bus itu dan bertanya pada pengemudinya yang duduk di depan bus yang terparkir.

“Yes, this bus”, ungkapnya ketika aku menunjukkan tiket.

Tiket yang sudah kubeli sedari pagi seharga 23.000 Won.

Dia mengizinkanku untuk lebih awal menaiki bus yang mesinnya menyala langsam tetapi masih terparkir rapi di platform. Bangku bus itu berformasi dua kolom di setiap sisi dan aku mengakuisisi bangku sedikit di belakang. Dengan berada di dalam bus, selain mendapatkan ketenangan karena tak bakal tertinggal, aku juga mendapatkan udara hangat yang membuat nyaman.

Satu demi satu penumpang lokal berdatangan dan berusaha mencari tempat duduknya masing-masing. Hingga satu menit menjelang kebarangkatan, kursi bus itu tak kunjung penuh. Pengemudi datang dan mulai memeriksa setiap penumpang dengan lembar manifest di tangan kirinya. Setelah menandai semua list dalam manifest, maka pengemudi itupun turun, melapor kepada petugas di terminal, lalu mulai menempati posisi duduk di belakang kemudi. Bus itu siap memulai perjalanan jauh dengan kondisi lebih dari separuh bangku dibiarkan kosong.

Kini bus perlahan menjauh dari Busan Central Bus Terminal dan mulai memamerkan area-area baru yang belum pernah kujelajah sebelumnya. Bus itu memasuki jalur bebas hambatan dengan memamerkan siluet perbukitan-perbukitan indah Korea Selatan. Tak jarang bus memasuki terowongan-terowongan pembelah bukit. Jalanan tampak lengang di malam hari, hanya menampilkan pelita-pelita malam di sepanjang kontur perbukitan Korea. Luar biasa indah.

Para penumpang telah tertidur sedari tadi, sementara aku sebagai orang asing, lebih memilih menikmati pertunjukan malam sembari menikmati beberapa potong roti yang kubeli dari sebuah minimarket di Busan Central Bus Terminal. Yups, aku tak sempat menimati makan malam dengan layak, karena dikejar waktu demi menangkap keberangkatan bus sedari sore tadi.

Tak terasa aku telah begitu lama menikmati pemandangan jalanan, hingga akhirnya pengemudi melakukan break time di Sunsan Service Area di dekat Kota Gumi, Provinsi Gyeongsangbuk. Segenap penumpang turun untuk sekedar menikmati secangkir kopi panas atau paling tidak pergi sejenak menuju toilet. Sedangkan aku hanya memutuskan berkeliling di sekitar rest area sembari menunggu pengemudi menuntaskan makan malam.

Sunsan Service Area, tempat bus melakukan break time.

Bus yang kunaiki (foto diambil setiba di Seoul Express Bus Terminal).

Kegilaan itu datang….

Dua puluh menit kemudian bus siap berangkat, segenap penumpang kembali menempati posisi duduknya masing-masing. Aku segera menuju bus dan kembali duduk di bangkuku. Usai pengemudi menghitung penumpang, bus kembali melaju menuju Seoul.

Aku teringat bahwa di dalam backpack masih terdapat dua t-shirt dan sepasang kaos kaki yang belum sempurna kering. Melihat suasana sepi dalam bus dengan penumpang yang terlelap dalam mimpi, aku mengeluarkan t-shirt dan kaos kaki itu untuk kemudian membentangkannya di sandaran jok depan, aku sengaja melakukannya untuk membuatnya kering. “Ah, mumpung yang lain sedang tidur…”, batinku tertawa geli.

Selanjutnya akupun mulai memejamkan mata untuk beristirahat, karena setiba di Seoul, aku akan menginap dan harus terjaga di Seoul Express Bus Terminal untuk kemudian langsung melakukan eksplorasi Seoul di pagi harinya. Aku harus menghemat energi untuk itu….

Mata mulai kupejamkan, bus masih akan tiba dua jam lagi….

Kisah Selanjutnya—->
Endemik Lokal di Jalan Jenderal Sudirman, Pekanbaru

7 March 2021

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

Tugu Ikan Selais Tiga Sepadan.

Adalah Tugu Ikan Selais Tiga Sepadan, icon pertama yang kujumpai di Jalan Jenderal Sudirman. Tak lain disebabkan karena tugu inilah spot terdekat dengan RTH Putri Kaca Mayang. Penggambaran kerukunan masyarakat yang disimbokan pada keharmonisan pahatan tiga ekor Ikan Selais yang merupakan satwa endemik di Pekanbaru.

Sebagaimana mestinya jalan protokol, maka Jalan Jenderal Sudirman memiliki pesona unggulan dengan sebaran arsitektur gedung-gedung modern. Tak begitu susah menemukan beberapa bangunan ikonik dengan arsitektur khas di sepanjangnya. Jalan protokol ini membentang sejauh 7,5 kilometer, bermula dari Jembatan Siak IV di ujung utara dan diakhiri di Pos Polisi Gurindam 3 di ujung selatan.

Pesona Jalan Jenderal Sudirman yang terlihat islami dengan papan Asmaul Husna.

Salah satu bangunan yang terlihat cukup mencolok adalah bangunan perpustakaan wilayah yang berada di bilangan 462, yang dikenal dengan nama Perpustakaan Soeman HS.

Soeman HS adalah sastrawan nasional Angkatan Pujangga Baru yang begitu fenomenal.

Sementara 700 meter ke utara perpustakaan terletaklah Titik 0 Km Pekanbaru yang ditandai dengan tugu Zapin, yaitu tugu berpola perempuan bersongket melayu dan berada tepat di tengah bundaran pertigaan. Sedangkan di sisi barat jalan terdapat gedung yang dikenal dengan nama Menara Lancang Kuning. Dimiliki oleh Pemerintah Provinsi Riau, gedung sembilan lantai ini berfungsi sebagai kantor gabungan.

Menara Lancang Kuning.

Telah berusia 12 tahun, gedung ini memiliki Sky Garden di lantai teratas. Dibuka tanpa biaya untuk masyarakat yang ingin bersantai menikmati pemandangan indah kota dari berbagai sisi.

Kunjunganku sore itu diramaikan dengan tumpahnya masa sebuah organisasi massa keagamaan yang sedang melakukan protes di depan Kantor Gubernur. Sepertinya mereka memprotes keputusan negara yang membubarkan organisasi ini.

Oleh karenanya, aku tak bisa leluasa menikmati pesona keunikan Tugu Zapin yang area sekitarnya tertutup rapat oleh keberadaan para demonstran.

Tak bisa merangsek lebih jauh.

Sementara di sisi utara Menara Lancang Kunin tampak bangunan ikonik dengan arsitekturnya khas Melayu. Itulah Kantor Gubernur Provinsi Riau, gedung beratap depan tiga lapis dengan selembayung di setiap puncaknya dan memiliki lengkung-lengkung terbalik pada jendela depan. Sementara persis di sebelah kirinya adalah Masjid Kantor Gubernur Riau dengan kubah cokelat metalik bermotif jaring.

Kantor yang cukup luas.

Kembali ke arah selatan, sebelum menutup ekslplorasi di Pekanbaru, aku menemukan Gedung Bank Indonesia. Tak seperti kebanyakan Gendung Bank Indonesia di kota-kota besar lain yang sering menggunakan bangunan bekas Belanda, Gedung BI Pekanbaru ini lebih tampak seperti bangunan modern. Mungkin ini dikarenakan Pekanbaru adalah sebuah kota yang sedang aktif berkembang, jadi setiap bangunan penting yang dimiliki kota selalu serba baru.

Gedung BI yang bersembunyi di balik rindangnya pohon.

Langkahku kali ini akan menjadi langkah terakhir dalam bertamu di Pekanbaru, karena keesokan harinya aku akan bertolak menuju Bukittinggi.

Saatnya kembali ke Hotel dan beristirahat.

Selamat tinggal Pekanbaru, Selamat datang Bukittinggi.

Kisah Selanjutnya—->
Borobudur Temple: the Third

6 March 2021

<—-Previous Story

Big party last night was over. Successfully delivered the party as the MC role with my two work-colleagues. After midnight, I felt asleep in Sahid Jaya Hotel & Convention room. In the morning, I just realized that since last night I embraced two awards as a result of my work in the company for a previous year. Even though, I didn’t really win it, I became one of five Best Leader nominees in my company. The award was closely hugged by me along with a symbolically of five gram gold as a door prize which I got last night.

This morning, committee allowed Year End Party participants to enjoy hotel facilities until noon. Because of that, I took time to go to swimming pool, relax my muscles along with several other participants who had been descending into water since morning.

I also enjoyed my breakfast at hotel restaurant for a long time, the most comfortable moment after yesterday’s rushed breakfast. Even more relaxed, I still had time to enjoy my hot coffee on the porch of room with the best view.

—- **** —-

After closing and praying together session in ballroom, all participants flocked to leave the hotel, boarding their respective buses according to the manifest. I sat on my seat. Still on Kanaya Bus number 2 as before since leaving Jakarta. Buses pushed north, the harmonious acceleration of throttle, brakes and clutch shown by the driver made almost all passengers fall asleep. Accelerated by the impact of post-lunch drowsiness before event closing session.

Meanwhile, I prefer to be busy surfing using the world’s leading search engines. Looking for all literatures which can explain a little about the masterpiece of Samaratungga. A masterpiece which was composed by a series of stories starting from Karmawibhangga as a consequences explanation of good and bad deeds, then Lalitawistara which tells the story of the Buddha’s birth, continues to Jataka/Awadana which explains the story of the Buddha before becoming the consecrated as Prince Siddharta and closes with Gandawyuha which explains Mahayana Buddha.

I continued to trace the stories behind the splendor of this ninth century architecture. The Buddhist version of a classic cosmology depiction which involving three realms, namely Kamadhatu (world realm), Rupadhatu (transitional realm) and Arupadhatu (the highest realm of Buddhists).

One o’clock in the afternoon, my bus entered parking area, I immediately jumped, rushed to ticket booth, spent group’s ration money to enter this historic building.

Quite a long queue because of so many visitors, I got a ticket ten minutes after entering the queue. Now I step towards the gate and enjoy the beauty of this historical building from a distance.

Not the first, this was already the third….I have always admired Borobudur….The pride of my country.

The largest Buddhist temple in the world.

Founded by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles.

With 2.672 reliefs.

Beautiful view.

72 stupas.

Abhaya mudra stupa.

That afternoon visitation was like a bonus, I was met by a tour guide who was explaining each side of Borobudur to ten foreign tourists. Like reading a novel, I followed the storyline about this temple starting from base level to the top of temple….

Because of my own busyness, for three hours I separated from the group. Like that myself, always troublesome the group by traveling at will….Bad habbit on me.

At exactly four in the afternoon, my smart phone rang, announcing that visiting time was over. It was time to gather back at parking lot because tour group would leave Borobudur soon….
Menuju Busan Central Bus Terminal: Mundur ke Belakang Tiga Stasiun

4 March 2021

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

Tatapanku hanya melakukan repetisi sedari tadi. Jam tangan-route board-jam tangan….begitu seterusnya. Kecemasan menghukumku dengan tak mampunya diri menikmati gerbong nyaman Humetro. Aku masih tak memilih duduk, kakiku tegak menopang badan di tiang gerbong dekat pintu keluar. Aku bersiap untuk turun di Stasiun Seomyeon untuk mengakhiri perjalanan di Humetro Line 2 (Green Line) demi berpindah ke Humetro Line 1 (Orange Line). Aku harus menggapai Stasiun Beomnaegol secepat mungkin demi mengambil backpack yang tertitip di meja resepsionis Kimchee Busan Guesthouse.

Akhirnya aku tiba. Melangkah cepat keluar gerbong, menaiki beberapa escalator, aku menggapai permukaan dengan cepat. Kemudian mulai berlari ringan menyusuri Hwangnyeong-daero Avenue menuju guesthouse.

Sedasa menit kemudian aku tersengal, mengatur nafas di halaman depan guesthouse, baru kemudian menuju ke meja resepsionis dengan nafas teratur.

Aku: “Sir, can I take my backpack which I entrusted to the receptionist this morning?”.

Resepsionis: “Can you show the label card which give to you?”.

Aku: “This, Sir”

Resepsionis: “OK, follow me!”

Setelah memeriksa label card itu, dia beranjak dari tempat duduk dan menuju ke halaman luar. Aku menguntitnya dari belakang hingga tiba di sisi container box besar. Rupanya backpack yang dititip setiap tamu guesthouse ditaruh di sini. Kini aku telah mendapatkan backpack biru ku.

Aku: “Thank you, Sir”

Resepsionis: “You are welcome. Be carrefull on your way”.

Aku berpamitan dan melambaikan tangan sebelum balik badan meninggalkan guesthouse.

See you Kimchee Busan Guesthouse!….

Aku kembali turun di jalanan, menuju stasiun. Hari sudah mulai gelap. Waktu keberangkatan bus menuju Seoul semakin dekat. Berderap langkah selama 10 menit membuatku tiba di platform Stasiun Beomnaegol, menunggu Humetro Line1 (Orange Line). Pancaran cahaya itu semakin menerang menghantam sekat pembatas platform dan jalur Humetro. Rangkaian gerbong yang kutunggu telah tiba, aku memasuki gerbong belakang, menaruh backpack di sela kedua kaki dan berdiri menempel dinding gerbong persis disebelah pintu Humtero.

Kali ini aku sedikit tenang, karena tak perlu berpindah jalur untuk menuju Stasiun Nopo. Kereta perlahan meninggalkan Distrik Busanjin. Setiap stasiun yang terlewat membuatku semakin lega, membuatku semakin dekat dengan tujuan.

Empat puluh lima menit kemudian aku tiba di Stasiun Nopo. Tetapi sesuatu terjadi dengan perutku, tetiba melilit tak terbendung. Aku berinisiatif untuk mencari tengara menuju toilet di seantero Stasiun Nopo. Tapi dua titik toilet berbeda yang kutemukan ternyata jauh dari kata ideal….Pesing, becek dan penuh lalu lalang manusia. Ah….Parah.

Bagaimana bisa aku membiarkan keadaan ini, jika perjalanan ke Seoul akan memakan waktu empat jam, maka aku akan tersiksa dalam kondisi sakit perut seperti ini. Kulihat kembali jam tangan, masih ada waktu empat puluh lima menit sebelum bus berangkat. Aku kini berfikir sedikit gila….Aku akan mundur ke belakang sejauh dua atau tiga stasiun, mencari toilet yang lebih sepi dan ideal. Aku kembali melompat ke gerbong Humetro dan mengikuti lajunya. Kemudian turun di pemberhentian ketiga, Stasun Dusil.

Secepat kilat melangkah, aku melakukan pencarian toilet dan akhirnya aku menemukan toilet yang bersih, harum dan sepi. Ah….Ada-ada saja yang terjadi pada petualangan hari keduaaku di Korea.

Waktuku kini tersisa dua puluh menit. Aku sudah duduk lagi di gerbong Humetro, mengulang jalan menuju Stasiun Nopo. Sepuluh menit kemudian aku tiba dan segera berlari menuju Busan Central Bus Terminal yang terintegrasi dengan Stasiun Nopo.

“Yes…”, aku tiba di di platform bus yang dimaksud sepuluh menit sebelum keberangkatan.

“Puufffttt….”, Perjalanan menegangkan dan melelahkan.

Bye Busan…Love u.
Goddess Bhagwati’s Aura at Bindhyabasini Temple

3 March 2021

<—-Previous Story

After my eyes enjoyed Himalayas view. Two hours in Sarangkot and witnessing natural drama which began when first rays of dawn shone and then noon came.

You may completely read my adventures in Sarangkot in a story which I wrote earlier.

Here:

Passing a Morning and Getting a Sunrise in Sarangkot, Nepal

I said goodbye to Mrs. Celesse, a Belgian woman who still had a beautiful face. Maybe she was a photo model when she was young. Mrs. Calesse, who had shoulder-blonde hair, using a red jacket and a white scarf, still chose to pretty sitting in Sarangkot fot watching Phewa Lake expanse which shining blue when hit by the sun.

Parking area at the bottom of hill.

Meanwhile, at the botton of hill, precisely in a car park, I had been waiting by three other backpackers who had been heading to this place since early morning with me.

—- **** —-

Me: “So, we returned to the hotel for breakfast and taking a bath“, I said on taxi front seat to Mr. Tirtha-our taxi driver-.

Mr. Tirtha: “Sure, but before it, can I take you to two places which are located along with our way back? “, His smile held mystery and surprise.

Me: “Oh, yeah …. Is it one of International Mountain Museum, Tashi Ling, Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave or Shanti Stupa?“, I think we were still time there after breakfast.

Mr. Tirtha: “Oh No, Hahaha….These were different places…. Two places were close together, Sir“, he deliberately made me curious.

Me: “Oh yeah….Nice to hear that. How about you, bothers?“, I asked to other backpacker’s in the backseat asking for their approval. Finally we agreed to go to those place.

—-****—-

Main temple Building.

Heading east, the taxi slowly crept down Sarangkot Street. Riding it for 20 minutes, I arrived at a T-junction. I found several school buses which looked like have yellow colour all over the world, then the journey continued with passing the crowd of cyclists and motorbikes. The taxi was slowly uncovering their way until finally it was parked on the edge of pavement.

The trident given by Lord Shiva to Goddess Bhagwati.

Visitors were free of charge when they took turns entering temple area through stairs on a side of courtyard. Having finished climbing the stairs, the large temple courtyard was in front. Some congregants began queuing to perform rituals at a white stupa on the left, while others made offerings at a cow statue which overlooking a temple building. And right in the center of courtyard stood a main building with three levels of roof which were no less crowded with congregation. It was in this building which the statue of Goddess Bhagwati was located.

A monument in courtyard.

Goddess Bhagwati herself was believed to be the Protector of Pokhara who was purified in the temple. Congregations regularly made offerings to Goddess by slaughtering various livestock. And Pokhara people should be grateful that their king Siddhi Narayan Shah contributed to building this temple in the 17th century.

Temperature was starting to warm up to spoil anyone to linger sitting on the edge of courtyard with 900 meters high above sea level. Then while breathing the fresh air, I enjoyed residential areas view with the blue background of Himalayas.

Cool….

See the situation at Bindhyabasini Temple here:

Bindhyabasini Temple, Pokhara – YouTube

Let’s go to the next place …. Follow me, OK!

Next Story—->
Two Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Palace’s Plataran

2 March 2021

<—-Previous Story

Who doesn’t know about the greatness of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Palace. This two and a half century old palace was still the largest kingdom in Java until today. Founded by Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono I as the embodiment of Giyanti Agreement on 1755.

Simultaneously with the stepping down of the sun from the highest peak, I began to leave Pasar Ngasem (Ngasem Market), together with my group along Taman Street to east. Apparently the tour guide intended to entering my group to Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Palace from south side.

Dokar/Andong right at the junction of Polowijan Street, Taman Street and Magangan Kulon Street.

Changing steps on Jalan Magangan Kulon, I finally entered the palace through Plataran Kemagangan (Kemagangan Courtyard). In this Plataran, there was only a Bangsal which looked clean and well-maintained, namely:

Bangsal Magangan

Bangsal Magangan in south of palace complex.

Bale Raos is a palace restaurant. Near of Bangsal Magangan.

I noticed a uniqueness around this Bangsal where people who passing through this area had to get off their motorcycle and pushed it. The absence of vehicle engine noise made the situation around Bangsal was quiet, cool and serene.

In the past, Bangsal Magangan functioned as a training ground for abdi dalem (courtiers). But now, this place was used for wayang kulit performances and several other activities. Including functioning as a kitchen to carry out a big celebration, for example Ngapem. Ngapem itself was a procession of making apem cakes which was carried out at the moment of the coronation or anniversary of king ascension at Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Palace.

Its existence was also very strategic to make this area accessible for tourists from south side of palace complex because it was quite close to Taman Sari and Pasar Ngasem.

After enjoying the silence of Bangsal Magangan, I continued to north and started to entering Plataran Kedhaton (Kedhaton Courtyard). Kedhaton is the main platform which has the highest hierarchical level because it is the center of palace complex. Some of the parts which I got on this plataran were:

Bangsal Manis

This building was used as an official royal banquet venue. European-style formal banquets were also commonly performed by the Sultan in this place. Now this place was used to clean the royal heirlooms during Suro month.

Bangsal Manis

In some parts of Bangsal, there was an interior decoration in the form of a dragon snake. “Dragon snakes are a typical animal from China, this shows that at that time Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Palace had cultural influences from China“, said a female tour guide who accompanied my group.

Bangsal Kencana

Bangsal Kencana.

Right next to Bangsal Manis is the embodiment of Bangsal Kencana. Raised on three floor steps, this Bangsal was a building used to hold important palace ceremonies. If Bangsal Manis relied on a combination of green and cream in its interior carvings, then Bangsal Kencana exhibited a combination of green and pink color.

Gedhong Patehan (Patehan Building)

Gedhong Patehan.

Gedhong Patehan was located adjacent to Gedhong Danartapura. This building was used by abdi dalem in making tea for the king. Non-alcoholic drinks for the king were also prepared in this building. If the king was entertaining guests from Europe who drank alcohol, another room called Gedhong Sarangbaya would be used.

Gedhong Danartapura which was used as the palace treasurer office.

“If the Sultan wasn’t present or was on duty outside the city, the serving of tea was still done every day, i.e on six in the morning and eleven in the afternoon“, a tour guide said.

Gedhong Patehan wasn’t open to public, therefore I couldn’t visit this building inside. Five female courtiers would serve the tea. Gedhong Patehan was led by KRT Danukusumo, grandson of Hamengkubuwono VIII.

Unfortunately, this building wasn’t open to the public. Visitors could only catch a glimpse of activities in this building through an open door at the back of the building.

Gedhong Kaca

Gedhong Kaca.

The last part which I visited was a building with glass walls. This building was called Gedhong Kaca and was designated as Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX Museum.

Gedhong Kaca was the longest part which I visited. In the main hall, there was President Soekarno’s statement when he handed over the safety of Yogyakarta to Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX as the King of Yogyakarta and Yogyakarta was part of the Republic of Indonesia.

And in the mandate of Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX coronation the sentence was also spoken:

“Although I have received a true western education, but first I am and remain Javanese“.

I didn’t have enough time to visit the palace in its entirety. Hopefully one day I could come back to this place to do a deeper exploration.

Next Story—->
Menuju Stasiun Centum City: Memecahkan Peta Buta

28 February 2021

<—Kisah Sebelumnya

Pukul 16:30, terduduk khawatir di bawah naungan halte bus mungil di bilangan Gijang-daero Avenue yang lengang, tatapanku terus menoleh ke kiri, menantikan kedatangan bus bernomor 181. Beberapa menit lalu aku telah tervonis tersesat. Berpetualang amatiran demi sekedar menemukan Haedong Yonggungsa Temple yang terletak di tepian Selat Korea.

Dua setengah jam waktuku terbuang sia-sia di jalanan timur luar Kota Busan. Sementara itu, ancaman lain datang, yaitu keterlambatan mengejar bus menuju Seoul yang akan berangkat malam nanti. Di tengah kepucat pasian mimik muka, bus itu akhirnya datang. Aku sudah melambai tangan ketika bus itu masih tampak lamat dari kejauhan. “Aku tak boleh terlewat dari bus itu, inilah kesempatan terbaikku untuk mengejar bus menuju Seoul”.

Kerlipan lampu sein bus itu mengisyaratkan bahwa sang pengemudi memahami bahwa aku adalah calon penumpangnya. Bus berhenti tepat di hadapan, aku melompat gesit dari pintu depan dan menyerahkan 1.200 Won (Rp. 15.000) di fare box. Lalu mengakuisisi salah satu bangku tengah yang tak bertuan.

Kini pendanganku menyapu seisi interior bus, mencari markah tujuan atau petunjuk apapun yang bisa memantau keberadaan bus. Mataku jeli meilhat sebuah manual route board di salah satu sisi kompartemen atas, sedangkan tepat di belakang sopir tertampil jelas sebaris layar LCD yang terus bergantian aksara Hangeul ketika bus melewati halte-halte di sepanjang Gijang-daero Avenue. “Yes….”, aku menemukannya tetapi aku tak bisa membacanya karena itu adalah aksara Hangeul secara keseluruhan. Aku terus menahan nafas, berusaha tenang. “Sekali lagi tersesat, aku akan lebih jauh, peluangku menangkap bus menuju Seoul akan sirna”, aku menunduk memejamkan mata. Membayangkan kengerian itu.

Kini aku memutuskan berdiri tepat di bawah manual route board, segenap penumpang terheran karena aku berdiri ketika bus tak pernah penuh. Aku tak memperdulikan tatapan-tatapan itu, aku sedang sibuk menyelamatkan nasibku sendiri.

Kutatap lekat-lekat peta jalur itu. Aksara Hangeul yang begitu kecil dan aku tak benar faham. “Yes, aku menemukannya”, batinku bersorak girang. Ada logo Humetro di salah satu markah peta. Itu berarti halte yang dimaksud terintegrasi dengan stasiun Humetro. Sedangkan peta Humetro selalu kupegang sepanjang perjalanan. Terlipat rapi di kantong belakang celanaku.

Berarti aku tinggal menghafal urutan alphabet Hangeul yang menyusun nama halte itu lalu mencocokkannya dengan rangkaian alphabet yang sama yang akan tertampil di layar baris LCD di belakang pengemudi. Jika rangkaian nama itu muncul, maka aku akan turun di halte yang dimaksud. Ah, ternyata sisa-sisa kecerdasan di otakku masih ada.

Aku terus mengamati layar LCD dan terus mencocokkan setiap huruf dengan manual route board di kompartemen atas bus. Dengan begitu aku akan tahu, berapa halte lagi aku harus turun. Tekun dan teliti melakukan itu, membuatku berhasil turun di salah satu halte yang terletak di dekat stasiun Humetro, Stasiun Centum City tepatnya.

Turun di halte itu, aku segera menuju ruang bawah tanah Stasiun Centum City demi mencegat keberangkatan Humetro terdekat. Aku harus bergegas menuju Kimchee Busan Guesthouse untuk mengambil backpack yang kutitipkan di meja resepsionis semenjak check-out pagi tadi.

Aku berlari menuruni escalator berjalan mengejar Humetro yang telah berhenti beberapa detik lalu dan bersiap menutup pintu untuk pergi. “Yes….”, aku berhasil memasuki gerbong sebelum pintu Humetro itu benar-benar menutup. Kini aku sedikit tenang, tentu aku akan tiba di tujuan dengan cepat. “Ambil backpackmu dan bergegaslah menuju Busan Central Bus Terminal, Donny!”, batinku menegaskan sebuah perintah untuk diriku sendiri.

Kisah Selanjutnya—->
Pasar Ngasem: Agrotechnologist from Switzerland

27 February 2021

<—-Previous Story

My imagination of past stretch around Pulo Kenanga has ended. My thinking wass wild enough to imagine the beauty of lake stretch which juts out to the north. The lake in the past looked deep when you look at its bottom which had become a stretch of residential architecture down there. I didn’t know why the lake dried up during its time, so that the bottom stretch of lake was used by people of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Sultanate as a new economic center, namely Pasar Ngasem (Ngasem Market).

“Ladies and gentlemen, let’s go down to Pasar Ngasem. The market is more than two centuries old. We will learn the economic history of Sultanate there! ”, our tour guide started to lead the group down Pulo Kenanga. I immediately finished my last glance on each side of Pulo Kenanga. I moved down at the tail of tour group.

My steps headed north, not far, only around two hundred meters and in five minutes I arrived at Pasar Ngasem. Inside the market, the committee had provided a lunch menu in the form of boxed rice which were neatly arranged on a clean and roofed market hallway so as to reduce heat of the sun which was already at its peak.

Pasar Ngasem inside.

When the participants were busy picking up their boxed rice, I was still engrossed in walking around Pasar Ngasem Plaza which functions as a performance area. In the form of a semicircular concrete platform with a short podium surrounding it.

I watched a foreigner sitting on the podium and enjoying the situation. I purposely approached him to talking:

Me: “Hi, sir. Where are you come from? “

He: “Hi… Hello. Switzerland “

Me: “I’m Donny from Jakarta. How about Taman Sari. Is that good? “

He: “Hi. I’m Armend. Yeaaa..It’s great. It just need a little touch more to make it more classic. Tapi disini panas juga (but it’s hot in here too)“.

Me: “Hahahah…. You can speak Bahasa Indonesia. This is a surprise “

He: “Yes, Donny. Surely. I had worked in Cianjur for a year. I little learns “

Me: “Yeaa, it’s certainly cooler there. Dibidang apa Anda bekerja? (What field do you work in?) “

He: “Agrotechnology“.

Me: “Wow… Cool. Sendirian ke Jogja? (are you going alone to Jogja? “

He: “I have a family… .That”, he pointed to his father, mother and younger sister on a side of market who were busy walking around.

The two of us ended up having a conversation that was so exciting until a voice from the end of plaza called me “Donny, let’s have lunch soon, we will leave the market“, shouted a group member reminding me. Finally I said goodbye to Armend and immediately joined the group to enjoy lunch.

Pasar Ngasem gate.

That afternoon there was very little selling activity in the market. Most of the items sold were daily necessities. Even though I know that this was the biggest bird market in Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Sultanate. But now the bird trader have been relocated to Pasar Satwa dan Tanaman Hias Yogyakarta (PASTY).

Now this market had played a key role in assisting the existence of Taman Sari cultural heritage. Half of Pasar Ngasem area had been transformed into an area of arts and cultural performances and part of it was still used for traditional trade.

Next Story—->