Driver: “Donny, just get off here, okay? This car will turn to right, then car will run further away from downtown“.
Me: “Oh Okay, Uda. No problem for me“
I was lowered by Annanta Travel on Veteran Street, I sat for a moment and stretched muscle stiffness after sitting in the back seat for eight hours. The white statue of Tuanku Imam Bonjol on his horse became the first sight which entertained my arrival in Bukittinggi. The “Paderi War” Leader spreaded charisma, valiantly without sound.
T-junction of Veteran Street, Pemuda Street (left) and Ahmad Yani Street (right).
After two days felt scalding heat in Pekanbaru, now I enjoyed Bukittinggi’s cool air. Now I was free to direct my camera to every where without sun sting. I had to occasionally stop because city contours which are up and down, making me gasped for breath with backpack’s burden on my back.
Entering Teuku Umar Street, which began to decline.
From a distance, I continued to look each other with a young blond girl who was sitting to enjoying the afternoon on big motorcycle. I predicted that she was precisely sitting in front of De Kock Hotel where I would stay in it.
It was true, arrived right at the big motorcycle was parked, I was confronted to hotel lobby in the form of a cafe, then young girl followed me and hurried to reception desk. It seemed like she was a hotel staff on duty that afternoon.
I would sleep on second floor of that simple dormitory.
Me: “Hi. Were you in Samosir four days ago?, I think that we stayed at a similar hotel, Bagus Bay Homestay”.
Noah: “Oh really? Yes, I was in Samosir four days ago”.
Me: “I’m Donny. I am an Indonesian traveler. What is your name?”.
Noah: “I’m Noah form California”.
Me: “Are you on vacation, No? What do you do in America?”.
Noah: “Yes, I’m on vacation. I am an engineer at oil company. What is your job in Indonesia? “.
Me: “Marketing”.
Noah: “What marketing?”.
Me: “I work in field, meet customers, and sell products”.
Noah: “Oh, you aren’t marketing. You are a sales. How about your income? Good income? I work with good income but with high risk in America … hahahaha”.
Me:” Yes, of course, I’m a salesman. I got a lot of money from my work”.
That was Noah, my new friend in Bukittinggi. Incidentally we were the only two who staying in the dormitory room with five single beds.
—-****—-
I sat in the lobby, a medium-sized bottle of Coca Cola managed to freeze my sweat after walking in a kilometer. That afternoon I intend to visit Gadang Clock Tower which is only half a kilometer to northwest of hotel.
Around 17:30 hours, I started to moving and carrying camera towards Gadang Clock Tower. I chose to walk through Yos Sudarso Street which tends to be flat and then descending on Istana Street.
Novotel’s old building.
Directly across from Novotel is Bukittinggi Plaza. I just quietly stood in mall courtyard to enjoy the beauty of Gadang Clock Tower. Sabai Nun Aluih Park, which was under the clock tower, was covered with a tight project’ iron sheeting. Apparently, There was park renovation.
96-years-old clock dedicated to secretary of Fort de Kock (old name of Bukittinggi).
As its name “Gadang” which in Minang language means “Large”, this clock tower is twenty-six meters in high with four 128-years-old twin clocks which was directly brought from Rotterdam via Bayur Port.
Operated by a Brixlion engine whose its twin is in Big Ben, London.
Was designed by Radjo Mangkuto, Gadang Clock Tower was made with 4 levels. The lowest level is the officer’s room, second level contains a clock’s ballast pendulum. Clock is placed on third level and the uppest level is tower top where clock’s bell are placed.
I was happy, being able to see Gadang Clock Tower which since I was a little boy, I only knew it through my elementary school textbook.
Aku masih saja berdiri terdiam sambil memegang pagar besi di salah satu sisi Arrival Hall Hamad International Airport. Dipisahkan partisi kaca, aku masih memandangi patung perunggu berjuluk “Lamp Bear” yang menjadi kebanggaan bandara terbaik di kawasan Timur Tengah ini. Sementara penumpang lain bergerak sangat cepat dengan travel trolleynya masing-masing. Patung beruang kuning itu menjulang setinggi tujuh meter dan menjadikan setiap pelancong yang melintasinya bak sekerumun semut yang sibuk dengan hajatnya masing-masing.
Sebentar lagi aku akan melewati konter imigrasi untuk menambah koleksi stempel di e-passport. Membaca kisah beberapa pelancong tanah air yang tak sedikit tertolak masuk, aku sudah bersiap diri dengan banyak pertanyaan di konter nanti. Maklum aku datang di negara berpendapatan perkapita tertinggi di seantero jagad. Sedangkan penghasilanku dari profesi salesman di ibukota hanyalah seujung kuku dibandingkan pendapatan warga mereka.
“Jangan khawatir, Donny. Kamu sudah melakukan persiapan dengan baik”, aku membatin menenangkan diri. Flashback ke sebulan sebelum keberangkatan, kala aku bercakap dengan staff wanita yang bertugas di front office Kedutaan Qatar di Jakarta lewat saluran telepon. “Masuk Qatar tidak perlu visa, mas. Yang penting bawa uang 1.500 Dollar Amerika, tiket pesawat untuk keluar Qatar dan booking confirmation dari hotel tempat mas akan menginap”, ujarnya menjelaskan singkat waktu itu.
Kini aku telah berada di depan konter imigrasi dan diarahkan petugas untuk mengantri di jalur yang masih tertutup dengan tape barrier. Belum ada petugas di konter. Lima menit kemudian petugas imigrasi datang dan memasuki kotak kecil itu. Menambah lagi lima menit untuk mempersiapkan komputer, kamera dan beberapa peralatan pendukung lain. Setelahnya pelancong pertama di antrian maju. Dia disuruh berpindah-pindah posisi untuk diambil paras ayunya dalam sebuah foto. Berulang-ulang….Aku jadi curiga, jangan-jangan dia mengoleksi foto itu buat dirinya sendiri…..Hahahaha.
Tiba giliranku di antrian ketiga untuk menghadap, aku sudah siapkan passport, booking confirmation dari Casper Hotel, e-ticket Philippines Airlines, serta kartu kredit. Tak sampai 1.500 Dollar Amerika, seingatku aku hanya membawanya dengan sisa limit 500 Dollar Amerika saja….Jika ditolak….Ya sudah, aku akan berdiam empat malam di airport dan menunggu jadwal pulang….Perjudian gila.
Senjata terakhir di depan konter imigrasi.
Petugas tampan berjambang tipis dengan gamis dan sorban putih menangkap e-passportku yang hampir jatuh di konternya. Lama dia membolak-balik identitas international itu. Satu persatu diperhatikan rekam jejakku, Seingatku buku hijau tersebut sudah terisi hingga halaman 32.
“Which countries did you go to before came here?”, tanyanya sambil menatapku lekat. “I went to Malaysia, India, Dubai, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain since 29 December, Sir”, jawabku sedikit bergetar diserang was-was. Petugas itu masih saja mengawasiku, bahkan sebelum dia bertanya kembali, aku sedikit proaktif dan berusaha sekuat mungkin menyelamatkan keadaan “This is my return ticket and this is my hotel booking confirmation, Sir”. Dia hanya sedikit mengernyitkan dahi sambil berujar “Oh, No need…No need”. Ah akhirnya, begitu mudah, tak seperti yang kukhawatirkan.
Free Visa berusia satu bulan.
Welcome Qatar !, batinku bersorak girang.
Saatnya berkeliling Hamad International Airport sebelum pergi ke tengah kota. Yukss….!
Walking through Veteran Street, I slowly approached De Kock Hotel to check-in. Cool and peaceful is an image in my head about Bukittinggi when I arrived.
1. Limpapeh Bridge
Halfway to hotel, I was fascinated by a suspension bridge. It is the Limpapeh Bridge which stretches over Ahmad Yani Street. It was built in 1992 and have function as a link between Wildlife Cultural Park Kinantan and Fort De Kock Fortress area. Stretching along ninety meters with approximately three meters in width, making this bridge so dashing visible from Ahmad Yani Street.
2. GadangClock Tower
A bottle of coca cola closed my check-in session as well as a starting marker for my exploration around Pasar Atas that afternoon. Walking through Yos Sudarso Street with up-down contour, my steps arrived at a phenomenal landmark which is famous throughout Indonesia.
Gadang Clock Tower, a landmark which was given by Queen Wilhelmina, looked dashing. Needed long time in waiting for different color lights to appear and illuminated entire this giant clock tower as a marker of switching from evening to night. Because of its fame, Gadang Clock Tower has been designated as Kilometer Zero Point of Bukittinggi City. “Gonjong” shaped roof or roof style which was commonly used in “Gadang House” (typical house of West Sumatra) makes this European architectural art possess a local customs wealth.
3. Bukittinggi Plaza
Major renovations at Sabai Nan Aluih Park, made me only able to enjoy the beauty of Gadang Clock Tower from mall courtyard which is located opposite this big clock tower.
Bukittinggi Plaza in the last few years had became the best mall in Bukittinggi. Ramayana (Indonesia’s prominent department stores) becomes main player which occupies seventy percent of overall mall capacity.
4. Bukittinggi Grand Mosque
Fun in enjoying the beauty of Gadang Clock Tower almost made me lose Maghrib Prayers. I tried to trace azan origin several minutes before. Heading north, I finally arrived at Bukittinggi Grand Mosque.
The mosque which in earthquake 2007 became a refuge for residents who evacuated because of damage which was caused by the massive earthquake.
5. Pasar Atas Bukittinggi
Cindua Mato Street towards Pasar Atas
Grand mosque which is precisely located in the center of Pasar Atas (a famous market in Bukittinggi) made me interested to explore road towards Pasar Atas. Dark which continued to devour the day, made shop owners began to close them one by one.
Pasar Atas is a market which places several sellers of Kapau Rice, Ampiang Dadiah Ice and Sanjai Crackers which are favorite crackers for souvenirs which were bought by Bukittinggi visitors.
Hungry stomach has forced myself to immediately look for dinner. Dinner under Limpapeh Bridge finally closed my two hours exploration on my first night in Bukittinggi
6. Unknown Hero Monument
My second day exploration began with leaving the hotel on a quiet morning. Even residents’ activities hadn’t been seen. Quiet and cold didn’t dampen my steps to visit Unknown Heroes Monument.
This monument was built to commemorate heroes who couldn’t be identified in opposing Dutch Colonialism on 1905. The monument with a circular shaped ornament of large dragon and on its top stands a statue of a young man who holding a flag.
7. Bung Hatta Proclamator Park Monument
While across the front of monument, there is a park with a black statue of Bung Hatta. Known as Bung Hatta Proclamator Park, this park was dedicated to Mohammad Hatta, the native son of Bukittinggi who proclaimed Indonesian independence with Ir. Sukarno.
8.Janjang Ampek Puluah
Returning to Cindua Mato Street which I passed last night, I headed for a connecting stairway between Pasar Atas and Pasar Bawah also Pasar Banto (three markets in Bukittinggi). A steep concrete staircase with forty stairs which is 112-year-old. This is embodiment of public facilities integration in past time. At that time, Dutch East Indies Government and several local powers agreed to connect every market in Bukittinggi, one of which was by making janjang or stairs.
9. Bung Hatta Birthplace Museum
Coming out of lower gate and passing through Banto Trade Centre which looked unkempt, I headed to Bung Hatta residence when he was a child. Even though this house is actually only a reconstruction building, but its interior arrangement and exterior appearance are made as closely as possible to condition of the original house which has collapsed. If you want to know about life history behind Muhammad Hatta glory in his political career, then come to this place.
10. Fort De Kock
After visiting Bung Hatta Birthplace Museum, I intended to walk to Fort de Kock through Pemuda Street with quite a long climb walking and meanders from south to north. But apparently I wasn’t strong in middle of journey, I called for online transportation to drive me at Fort de Kock front gate.
Fort de Kock was built by Captain Bauer in 1825 on Jirek Hill as the defense dome of Dutch East Indies Government in facing popular resistance i.e Paderi War which led by Tuanku Imam Bonjol (Indonesia’s national hero).
11. Wildlife Cultural Park Kinantan
From Fort de Kock, I just needed to cross Limpapeh Suspension Bridge to a famous zoo in Bukittinggi.
Wildlife Cultural Park Kinantan is one of the oldest zoos in Indonesia and the only one in West Sumatra with the most complete collection of animals on Sumatra island.
12. Baanjuang Traditional House Museum
As the zoo grew, in 1935 the Baanjuang Traditional House was built in it.
Functioned as a museum, this traditional house is dedicated to elevating the traditional culture of Minangkabau people. Its inside were exhibited various clothes, jewelries and typical Minang art tools.
13. ZoologicalMuseum
Not far away….In northeast of the zoo, there is a Zoological Museum with Sumatran tiger and goldfish as its icons. The museum was established in conjunction with a similar museum at Bogor in 1894. Two thousand species of animal are preserved and exhibited in this museum.
14.Sianok Canyon
I left Fort de Kock from its entrance. My next destination was Sianok Canyon. A valley formed by natural fracture, has a wall which is perpendicular to Sianok River which flowing in the middle. But it was unfortunate that the rain fell so heavily. After getting off from an online motorcycle taxi, I felt like I was hopeless and just waited for rain to stop. Under a tree, I continued to observe valley in a side of Sianok Canyon.
15. Japanese Tunnel
The rain began to thin but still never let up. It caused my hope to enjoying the canyon for a longer time had to ending. I get a online motorcycle taxi with middle-aged women as the rider. Under light drizzle, I headed for Panorama Park.
Before exploring Panorama Park, I made time to explore the longest defensive hole in Asia. A Japanese tunnel made by order of Lieutenant General Moritake Tanabe, 25th Division of Japanese Army Commander. Very deep, long and amazing.
16.PanoramaPark
Finally the closing visit fell at Panorama Park, a large park with two entrances on edge of Panorama Steet. With a ticket for USD 1.1, I tried to enjoy this shady garden in my last seconds in Bukittinggi.
Leaving the park and returning to hotel, I prepared to go to a travel agent office to reach Padang city. On 13:00, I finally left Bukittinggi. Goodbye Bukittinggi.
So for you who intend to go to West Sumatra….Visit Bukittinggi and enjoy the cool air there.
Dini hari….Masih jam 03:14….Suasana di Kuwait International Airport begitu damai dengan alunan musik instrumental yang mendayu-dayu. Sepintas aku merasa berada di suatu sisi Changi International Airport yang kerap memainkan musik yang sama.
Tiket yang kudapat sejak di Bahrain International Airport.
Aku mengambil duduk di kursi tunggu paling ujung, merasakan pengar hidung yang masih menyisakan flu. Flu teraneh yang pernah kualami seumur hidup. Kala itu pertengahan Januari, sedangkan COVID-19 mulai merebak sebulan sebelum aku berada di Kuwait….Bahkan aku berinteraksi akrab dengan warga Tiongkok Daratan yang sedang berangkat kerja menuju Oman beberapa hari sebelumnya di Dubai International Airport….Ah entahlah!
Aku dan 12Go….Partner sejati.
Pengeras suara mulai memanggil nomor penerbanganku. “Terlambat setengah jam”, batinku merespon. Aku mulai mengantri untuk memasuki maskapai “Burung Biru” itu. Ini adalah penerbangan keduaku bersamanya setelah sehari sebelumnya aku menungganginya di rute Bahrain-Kuwait.
Aku terus mengintip ke arah bangunan Terminal 4. Yang terbayang adalah betapa dinginnya di luar sana ketika melihat embun melapisi setiap inchi badan pesawat. Sementara di sebelah kanan tampak Airbus A330 sedang melakukan proses yang sama.
Bangku 13K, penamaan bangku yang aneh (ABC-HJK).Alburaq inflight magazine menemaniku terbang sejauh 568 kilometer.
Setelah melalui 30 menit proses boarding, akhirnya perlahan aku meninggalkan Kuwait dan menyisakan keindahannya dari udara. Kuwait Airways terbang meninggalkan mainhub nya.
Pagi yang cerah dengan indahnya lampu kota.Selamat tinggal Kuwait.
Inilah penerbangan Kuwait Airways yang ku reschedule pada kisah sebelumnya. Tiket seharga Rp. 957.500 yang sudah kupersiapkan sejak 9 bulan sebelum penerbangan. Satu hal lain yang menjadi keisenganku saat memesan tiket pesawat adalah mencoba berbagai jenis makanan. Kali ini aku memesan Diabetic Meal (DBML), makanan rendah gula dengan sedikit garam beserta buah dan sayur kaya serat.
Aku bukan penderita diabetes tetapi penasaran ingin merasakannya saja….Hahaha.Menonton Gemini Man selama terbang.Suasana kabin selama 1 jam 40 menit penerbangan.
Pagi yang cerah di sepanjang Teluk Persia memberikan penerbangan yang nyaman hingga memasuki wilayah udara Qatar. Kuwait Airways mulai merendah dan menyibak muka Doha yang terang dengan warna-warni cahaya bumi.
Bersiap menapak di Doha.
Aku tiba di Hamad International Airport tepat pukul 04:45. Pahatan Teddy Bear raksasa berwarna kuning yang tertancap di tiang listrik adalah hal pertama yang kurekam tentang bandara ini. Aku ingin segera melihatnya.
Merapat di parking lot.
Di pagi yang dingin, para ground crew tidak menyediakan aerobridge untuk penerbangan ini. Penumpang harus turun ke apron bandara dan bergiliran menaiki apron shuttle bus. Begitu keluar pintu pesawat, badan terasa ditusuk udara dingin tanpa ampun. Apalagi aku harus menunggu bus berikutnya demi menuju arrival hall.
Airbus A320-214.Tiba di arrival hall dalam 12 menit.
Aku terus melangkah mencari Teddy Bear kuning itu ketika sebagian besar penumpang mengantri di toilet atau berebut bagasi di conveyor belt. Akhirnya aku menemukannya, walaupun tidak bisa mendekat karena boneka itu berada di area departure hall.
Tak mengapa, aku akan berfoto dengannya saat pulang nanti.
The last evening in Pekanbaru became a nostalgic session in durian aroma and a savory portion of fried Malon (Manuk Londo-a type of quail) which looked plump on a plate. This was a meeting which I deliberately prepared with a durian businessman that I didn’t know how long we didn’t meet, before leaving Pekanbaru tomorrow.
—-****—-
Morning came together with chewing toast from Ganda Bakery, which remained since my arrival in Madani City (other name of Pekanbaru), tasteless but still quite delicious to eat.
Smartphone ring which I was waiting for finally arrived.
“Is this Donny?“, he shortly said.
“Annanta Travel, Sir?“, I briefly replied and asked.
“Yes, Don. What is an easy landmark to find the hotel?”, he asked in detail.
Quickly reflex, I ran to reception desk and handed my smartphone to the staff on duty. Somehow the staff explained to driver. As I understood, they spoke in Minang language.
Ten minutes later, a black Kijang (Toyota’s varian) which labeled “ANNANTA” stopped its engine roar in Sri Indrayani Hotel courtyard. Saying thanks to reception staff, I left the lobby and entered travel car in right rear seat.
Snack and mineral water provided by travel agency.
“Do you understand Javanese language, Uda (mention for brother in West Sumatra)?“, I was curious because driver played Didi Kempot’s song which stored on his blue flashdisk.
“Ah, I don’t really understand, Donny. Just tunable to listen it“, he was laughing.
“Ha ha ha“, I laughed off.
I became the first passenger who he picked up. I just enjoyed every step on gas pedal into narrow alleys and streets in some housing complexs to pick up five other passengers. On second taking, I finally found my seat couple, a smiling grandmother who only could speak Minang language. Meanwhile, the last passenger was a stocky young man who seated in the front seat next to driver.
Situation in travel car.
222 km journey would be taken in 7 hours interval and through the famous Kampar River. Pekanbaru-Bangkinang highway was like a street race track like Monaco Circuit. Annanta Travel was so swiftly moving among heavy and slow-goods trucks. Grandmother who sat next to me only occasionally smiled to face me while enjoying this single race.
Entering Payakumbuh City, I kept awake. Didn’t want to lose a brief moment when passing a scenic spot. It was none other than Kelok Sembilan. I was so fascinated when I crossed this overpass, along 2.5 km and as high as 58 meters. Tall, dashing and charming to everyone who passes it.
Fascinated when Marshall Sastra and David John Schaap peeled it off on a Indonesian TV program “My Trip My Adventure”.
Overland journey for USD 11.8 passed 4 Regencies (Kampar, Rokan Hulu, Lima Puluh Kota and Tanah Datar) and 3 Cities (Pekanbaru, Payakumbuh and Bukittinggi) and leaved a natural beauty which is tempting to my eyes.
A trip which only provided a lunch break. This morning toast wasn’t longer able to withstand hunger, even wind had acquired my stomach. That afternoon, Minang’s typical black rendang (West Sumatra’s typical meat with spices) became my dining companion. This was the first time I felt rendang in its origin land.
Annanta Travel, “The Fast” from Sumatra.
Uwan Labuak Bangku Restaurant in Lima Puluh Kota Regency.
Rain began to fall when the trip entered Bukittinggi City through Tanah Datar District. I started to get ready to got off, because Annanta Travel have last destination in Padang. I was dropped off at Veteran Street, right at T-junction with Tuanku Imam Bonjol (Indonesian national hero) Monument in the middle.
Kuwait International Airport menjadi bandara di luar Indonesia ke-30 yang ku kunjungi . Tepatnya di Terminal 4, aku mulai mengenalkan diri dengan salah satu sisi bandara apik ini. Terminal 4 sendiri merupakan mainhub resmi milik Kuwait Airways yang kali ini kupilih sebagai moda trasportasi untuk meninggalkan Bahrain.
Arrival Hall
Kuwait Airways KU 614 merapat di parking lot.
Mendarat dengan mulus di salah satu runway pada pukul 13:35, aku sudah tak sabar ingin menjejak langkah di lantai bandara.
Layaknya bandara modern, keluar pesawat melalui aerobridge.Tampak bangunan Terminal 4 dengan tiga lantai.
Berbelok ke kanan dari aerobridge, koridor tak berkarpet itu dengan seringnya menampilkan wajah Emir Kuwait Sabah IV Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah yang tampak melambaikan tangan seakan mengucap “Selamat Datang di Kuwait”.
Koridor berkutnya menuju Arrival Hall.
Aku sudah siap memasuki screening gate menuju Transfer Hall. Kebiasaanku bertraveling tanpa ikat pinggang dan meletakkan passport, uang, jam tangan, kamera, handphone dan sebotol air mineral pada folding bag kecil, membuatku tak sesibuk penumpang lain yang selalu gelagapan ketika memasuki area screening dengan tempo cepat.
Aku tak melawan penyitaan botol air mineralku, karena aku yakin akan mudah menemukan free water station di bandara berusia hampir seabad ini.
Aku mulai memasuki duty free zone dengan kamera di tangan. Tentu tak ada pelayan yang menyapaku yang berpenampilan dengan satu backpack di punggung. Ya, itu saja. Aku tak membawa apapun untuk 21 hari petualanganku kecuali 5 t-shirt, 2 celana panjang, 1 celana pendek bahkan aku menggunakan dispossable panties untuk urusan dalaman, praktis sekali pakai langsung buang. I’m very light backpacker. Orang inggris menyebutku “Wong Edan”.
Duty free zone.
Departure Hall
Masih di lantai 1, selepas duty free zone, aku dihadapkan langsung pada departure area dengan 5 gerbang pemberangkatan berkode B1 hingga B5.
Departure gate lantai 1.
Di lantai ini disediakan Al Mubarakiya Lounge bagi siapa saja yang ingin bersantai menunggu penerbangan. Aku sendiri hanya menggunakan gate B1 ketika menunggu airline van untuk menuju Safir Aiport Hotel yang dihadiahkan gratis oleh Kuwait Airways kepadaku semasa transit.
Gate B1.Cafe Coco di dekat gate B1.
Sementara di dini hari berikutnya ketika hendak terbang bersama Kuwait Airways KU 621 menuju Doha, aku menggunakan fasilitas di sepanjang departure gate D1-D8 di lantai 2. Masih teringat ketika sehari sebelumnya tidur di sofa hijau panjang dan didatangi seorang polisi bergamis putih bak malaikat yang mengantarkanku pada keberuntungan mendapatkan free staying di Safir Airport Hotel.
Sofa di lantai 2.Terbang ke Qatar melalui gate D8.
Parking Lot dan Area Kargo
Yuk, sekarang kita intip bagian luar bandara. Aku berhasil melihatnya dengan leluasa ketika menaiki airline van menuju Safir Airport Hotel. Hanya berdurasi 10 menit, aku perlahan melintasi area kargo. Baru kali ini melihat proses loading kargo secara langsung ketika melewati beberapa kaki pesawat kargo.
Turkish Airlines Cargo.Area kargo.
Sebagai hasil dari pengembangan sebuah pangkalan Angkatan Udara, maka Kuwait International Airport masih berbagi tempat dengan Abdullah Al-Mubarak Air Base. Pangkalan ini sendiri berada di timur bandara, bersebelahan dengan Safir Airport Hotel tempatku menginap.
Pesawat angkut militer Alenia C-27J Spartan.
Lounge
Sebagai bandara yang memiliki kapastitas penumpang lebih dari sembilan juta penumpang per tahun maka selain menyediakan 5 area terminal maka fasilitas lounge menjadi bisnis yang menggiurkan. Selain Al Mubarakiya Lounge, Kuwait International Airport juga menyediakan Bayan Lounge di lantai 2.
Bayan Lounge dekat gate D8.
Toilet
Nah, dibagian terakhir mari kita lihat bagaimana penampakan toilet bandara. Ini dia:
Bersih dan wangi.Toilet di lantai 2.
Itulah gambaran singkat dari Kuwait International Airport, khususnya Terminal 4.
Is “Ikan Selais Tiga Sepadan” Monument, the first icon which I met on Jenderal Sudirman Street. It is caused by this monument which is the closest spot to Putri Kaca Mayang Park. Depiction of community harmony which is symbolized by harmony of three Selais fish sculptures which are endemic animal in Pekanbaru.
As should be a protocol road, then Jenderal Sudirman Street has a superior charm with architecture distribution of modern buildings. Not so hard to find some iconic buildings with typical architecture along this street. This protocol road stretches about 7.5 kilometers in distance, starting from Siak IV Bridge at north end and ending at Gurindam 3 Police Station at southern end.
Enchantment of Jenderal Sudirman Street which looks Islamic with Al Asma Ul Husna signboards.
A building which looks quite striking is regional library building which is at street number 462, known as Soeman HS Library.
Soeman HS is a national poet of “Angkatan Pujangga Baru (1933-1942 Indonesian poet era)” who is so phenomenal.
While 700 meters to north of library lies Point 0 Km Pekanbaru, which is marked by Zapin monument, which is a monument with a malay women pattern and is right in middle of T-junction roundabout. While on street west side, there is a building known as “Menara Lancang Kuning“. Owned by Riau Provincial Government, this nine-story building functions as a joint office.
Menara Lancang Kuning.
12 years old, this building has a Sky Garden on top floor. Freely opened to local residents who want to relax and enjoy beautiful views of city from various sides.
My visitation that afternoon was enlivened by spill of a religious mass organization which was protesting in front of Governor’s Office. It seems they are protesting against state’s decision to dissolve this organization.
Therefore, I couldn’t freely enjoy charm of Zapin Monument uniqueness which its surrounding area was tightly closed by demonstrators presence.
Couldn’t step farther.
While on north side of Menara Lancang Kuning, there is an iconic building with typical Malay architecture. That is office of Riau Province Governor, a three-layer front-roofed building with “Selembayung” on each top and has upturned arches on front window. While just to its left is Riau Governor Office Mosque with a net-pattern metallic brown dome.
Quite spacious office
Back to south, before closing exploration in Pekanbaru, I found Bank Indonesia building. Unlike most Bank Indonesia building in other big cities which often use former Dutch buildings, Pekanbaru Bank Indonesia Building looks more like a modern building. Maybe, this is because Pekanbaru is a city which is actively developing, so every important building which is owned by the city is always completely new.
Bank Indonesia building is hiding behind trees shade.
My step this time will be the last step in my visitation in Pekanbaru, because next day I will leave for Bukittinggi.
Aku berjalan pelan untuk menikmati setiap koridor Arrival Hall di Terminal 4, Kuwait International Airport. Tak diburu waktu, karena waktu terbang berikutnya masih lima belas jam lagi.
Berpindah di Transfer Hall, ritme langkah menjadi cepat karena petugas aviation security mengaturnya demikian. Belum semenit, aku sudah di depan screening gate setelah menunjukkan tiket terusan pada staff wanita Kuwait Airways asal Philippina. Sial, proses screening akhirnya menyita mineral waterku.
Melewati duty free zone di lantai 1, insting mengarahkanku untuk mencari tempat ternyaman demi memejamkan mata. Trauma keterlambatan, membuatku terjaga di Bahrain Plaza Hotel sejak jam tiga pagi. Kini kantuk menggelayutiku.
Aku naik ke lantai 2 melalui sebuah lift dekat gate B1. Girang hati, memergoki empat belas sofa panjang berwarna hijau tak berpenghuni tepat di sebelah departure gate D5-6. “Yeaaa….Inilah tempat tidurku”, hati bergumam.
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Polisi: “Hello, Sir?”, seorang bergamis putih membangunkanku.
Aku: “Yes, Sir”, aku terperanjat karena terbangun mendadak.
Polisi: “Can me see your ticket and passport?”
Aku: “Sure, Sir”, gelagapan mencarinya yang entah terselip dimana.
Polisi: ”Ohh, long transit. What airline did you use before?”
Aku: ”Kuwait Airways, Sir”, kutunjukkan penggalan tiket itu.
Polisi: “Follow me now!”, wah masalah …..
Jantung berdegup lebih cepat ketika mengikuti langkahnya. Tiba di area screening gate semula tiba, melalui pintu khusus aku diarahkan ke meja Customer Service Kuwait Airways. Entah dia bicara apa kepada staff itu, hingga dia memanggilku untuk mendekat. “Come!”, katanya.
Staff Customer Service meminta maaf karena kurang teliti memeriksa tiketku. Walaupun dua tiketku adalah non-connecting flight, karena keduanya menggunakan Kuwait Airways, maka aku mendapatkan benefit menginap di Safir Airport Hotel. Mengingat penerbangan berikutnya harus menunggu lebih dari delapan jam.
Polisi: “Enjoy your trip”, ucapnya tanpa senyum.
Aku: ”thank you very much, Sir”.
Polisi: ”Welcome”, dia berlalu begitu saja.
Bagiku di bukan polisi bandara melainkan malaikat yang mendadak datang menghampiriku.
Transit card sebagai akses menuju hotel.
Melewati kembali screening gate, aku menuju ke gate B1 seperti yang diperintahkan. Dua ground staff berkebangsaan Philippina mempersilahkan duduk untuk menunggu airline van penjemput. Kemudian, satu diantaranya terlihat sibuk dengan handy talkie memanggil van yang dimaksud.
Dijemput bersama dua penumpang wanita asal Qatar.
Area Lobby
Airline van mengajakku berkeliling bandara dengan leluasa. Kesibukan di area kargo dengan latar pesawat kargo berbadan besar membuatku terpana.
Sepuluh menit kemudian, aku diturunkan tepat di depan lobby. Seorang polisi mendadak berdiri dari duduk santainya di screening gate. Dia begitu serius mengamati backpack tunggalku di dalam Luggage Screening Device. “OK, clear”, sahutnya mengakhiri proses.
Aku menyusuri koridor menuju ke kamar 113. Senangnya hati bisa mencicipi hotel berharga Rp. 2.500.000 per malam itu. Hanya sayang, aku tak bisa menikmati seluruh fasilitas mewahnya karena serangan flu berat bawaan dari Bahrain. Seluruh tisu kamar dan toilet kuhabiskan untuk melawan ingus bening yang terus mengalir tak terkendali dari hidung.
Koridor menuju ke kamar.Mendapat twin bed room.Kamar mandi.idur yang tak nyenyak.
Pemandangan
Sebentar-bentar terbangun karena penasaran dengan pemandangan di jendela. Tampak pesawat dinas Kerajaan Kuwait yang terparkir tanpa kawalan, setengah jam kemudian mendaratlah pesawat angkut militer Boeing C-17 Globemaster III, jenis pesawat yang dihancurkan Donatello dalam film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows….Keren.
Bahkan aku sempat menikmati deretan jet tempur di salah satu sisi. Memang Kuwait International Airport pada dasarnya adalah pengembangan dari Abdullah Al-Mubarak Air Base milik Angkatan Udara Kuwait. Wah, beruntungnya diriku.
Pesawat Dinas Kerajaan Kuwait.Boeing C-17 Globemaster III.
Restoran
Telepon dari resepsionis membangunkanku, “Sir, please come down!”. Kujawab singkat “Wait for 10 minutes, Sir”. Aku mengepak perlengkapanku ke dalam backpack. Kemudian bergegas turun. “Why do you bring your backpack and check-out, I just want to give you an information that it’s dinner time”, ungkapnya sambil tertawa. Sontak, aku kembali ke kamar dengan malunya. Kemudian turun lagi untuk bersantap malam.
A roundabout in southeast of An-Nur Great Mosque is decorated with a yellow pointed bamboo monument with background of University of Riau right behind it. I continued to direct my Canon EOS M10 towards the monument until an online motorcycle taxi driver came to call me.
Looked like I would spend the afternoon with local residents to enjoy city atmosphere in a Green Open Space on edge of the protocol road. From An-Nur Great Mosque, I headed south for 4 kilometers with a 15-minute motor driving.
Ten minutes to four I arrived. Dozens of people have drifted into quiet atmosphere of park even though roar of vehicle exhausts adorned sound color around it.
A park with background of The Premiere Hotel.
Unique, this park is divided by a shortcut which connects Jenderal Sudirman Street in east of park and Sumatera Street in its west. It is pinned a name as RTH Kaca Mayang Steet, it is short splitting along a hundred meter.
Three-legged concrete seating, three categories of modern trash can, mushroom shaped concrete canopy with green roof, a pair of sand playful area with up-down stairs which flank a theater area, small diameter trees as a sign that they are recently embedded, jogging track with continuous pattern of two halves of park and two small bridges over a fairly clean water flow are types of facility which are seated in this one hectare park. That is a brief description of Putri Kaca Mayang park that I can catch.
Putri Kacang Mayang park is one of eight Green Open Spaces in Pekanbaru which is known as the most child-friendly park. Regional government has to spend USD 45,000 to build this park.
Park naming itself is taken from a local fairytale which is believed to be the origin of Pekanbaru city. Putri Kaca Mayang is said to be described as a beautiful princess who was later kidnapped by a king from Atjeh who was hurt because his marriage proposal was rejected.
Commander Gimpam who is the strongest figure in Gisab Kingdom feels his pride was trampled by princess kidnapping, because King from Atjeh with a help from a traitor had managed to fool him who was preparing to wait for battle at city borderline, while his enemy managed to enter the kingdom through another very path secret.
Without long thinking, King Atjeh was chased alone by him. With his power, Commander Gimpam destroyed the entire enemy kingdom alone and finally princess was returned to him. But unfortunately, Princess didn’t survive returning to Gisab Kingdom because of falling ill on the way.
That is a story piece of Putri Kaca Mayang Park naming. Apparently, there is a classic story behind beauty of this city park.
Tepat jam lima pagi aku mulai mengguyur badan di kamar mandi Bahrain Plaza Hotel. Hari itu juga, aku akan meninggalkan Bahrain dan menuju ke Kuwait. Setelah memastikan segenap perlengkapan tak tertinggal, aku turun ke lantai satu untuk menyerahkan kunci dan menuju ke shelter bus terdekat. Tak jauh, cuma tiga ratus meter di selatan hotel, tepat di depan Manama Cemetery.
Sepuluh menit kemudian Bus asal pabrikan MAN bernomor A1 tiba. Masuk dari pintu depan dan men-tap Go Card untuk membayar tarif senilai Rp 12.000, aku meluncur menuju Bahrain International Airport selama satu jam ke depan.
Tiba di airport pada jam 07:45, aku langsung menuju ke lantai 1. Area check-in yang tak lebih elok dari konter yang sama milik Halim Perdanakusuma Airport. Nomor penerbangan yang tak kunjung muncul di LCD Departure Hall, membuatku memiliki waktu untuk menukar Bahraini Dinar (BHD) tersisa. Rupanya money changer di lantai 1 tak mau menerima Dinar dalam jumlah kecil, beruntung Bahrain Financing Company (BFC) di lantai 0 masih mau menerimanya.
Jam 9:30, konter check-in untuk penerbangan Kuwait Airways KU 614 mulai dibuka. Kujelaskan singkat bahwa aku akan menuju Qatar dengan dua non-connecting flight dan akan transit di Kuwait. Staff pria muda itu hanya sekali bertanya kepadaku perihal Visa Qatar. “Qatar visa is free for Indonesian, Sir”, jawabku mengakhiri percakapan dan dia memberikan dua tiket berlogo burung biru sekaligus. Tiker sendiri aku pesan 9 bulan sebelum keberangkatan.
Kuwait Airways adalah maskapai ke-27 yang kunaiki.
Melewati konter imigrasi dengan mulus, aku segera menuju ke Gate 15 yang berlokasi di pojok ruangan dengan selasar sempit yang terhubung ke jalur aerobridge. Menunggu waktu boarding, aku terus mengamati lalu-lalang Gulf Air, maskapai kenamaan milik Kerajaan Bahrain.
Ruang tunggu keberangkatan.
Sedikit terlambat, aku mulai boarding pada jam 11:51. Rasa tak sabar menggelayuti hati untuk merasakan pertama kalinya penerbangan Kuwait Airways, maskapai milik Kerajaan Kuwait.
Satu jam terlambat.Business Class.Economy Class.
Segera mengambil tempat duduk sesuai yang tertera di boarding pass dan mempersiapkan diri untuk penerbangan pendek sejauh 420 km yang akan ditempuh dalam waktu 1 jam 10 menit.
Bangku nomor 17A yang kududuki.Terima kasih 12Go sudah menjadi Affiliate Parner untuk travelingpersecond.com.Alburaq inflight magazine.
Tampak bahwa beberapa aircrew maskapai ini berkebangsaan Philippines dan beberapa dari kawasan Afrika. Selama penerbangan, kuperhatikan botol-botol minuman beralkohol tak nampak pada food trolley, sepertinya penerbangan Kuwait Airways adalah penerbangan bebas alkohol….. Keren.
Menonton “The Martian”.Menu Low Fat Meal (LFML) yang kupesan bebarengan dengan pemesanan tiket.
Siang itu udara di tepian barat daya Teluk Persia tampak cerah. Hal ini menjadikan penerbanganku terasa sangat mulus, tanpa turbulensi sama sekali. Penerbangan yang menyenangkan.
Cuaca cerah di awal Januari.Berasa gimana gitu, terbang bersama warga Timur Tengah.
Di seperempat terakhir mengudara, pesawat mulai merendah dan menampakkan daratan Kuwait yang tampak gersang dan panas. Aku sendiri tak sabar ingin segera mengenal Kuwait International Airport yang menjadi mainhub Kuwait Airways.
Daratan Timur tengah yang khas coklat berpasir.Kesibukan di Terminal 2 Expansion Project.Penampakan kota Kuwait.
Waktu menunjukkan jam 13:35. Selepas pesawat berhenti sempurna, aku segera meninggalkan badan pesawat menuju ke Transit Hall Kuwait International Airport. Aku akan bersabar menunggu hingga pukul empat pagi di keesokan harinya untuk menuju Qatar.
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