AMaris Hotel Sriwedari

Menilik Keraton Surakarta Hadiningrat

5 March 20226 March 2022travelingpersecond

Beristirahat cukup nyenyak di Amaris Hotel Sriwedari membuatku bangun tepat saat adzan Shubuh berkumandang. Menyempatkan diri menikmati fajar dari balik jendela kaca kamar maka aku memutuskan mengguyur badan di bawah shower dengan air hangat setelahnya. Aku sengaja berlama-lama di bawah shower, menyempurnakan relaksasi otot setelah sejak kemarin lusa berkejaran dengan waktu dalam melakukan banyak sekali agenda survey dengan menjelajah Kota Solo.

Setelah lebih dari setengah jam berbasuh, aku segera berbenah, merapikan tas dan bersiap diri untuk melakukan survey hari ketiga. Tepat pukul tujuh pagi, aku sudah berada di restoran hotel untuk bersarapan. Sedangkang Rahadian Sang Wakil Ketua Marketing Conference sudah berada di restoran itu semenjak setengah jam lalu. Dia merapat ke meja makanku ketika aku menyantap nasi goreng yang dipadu dengan mendoan dan kopi hangat. Kami berbincang dan membahas survey terakhir hari itu.

Setelah tiga puluh menit menikmati berbagai sajian restoran, aku dan Rahadian mulai memesan taksi online menuju ke timur di daerah Baluwarti. Pagi itu keraton resmi milik Kasunanan Surakarta menjadi tujuan survey pertama di hari ketigaku di Kota Solo. Tak lama menunggu di lobby, Toyota Agya warna hitam datang menjemput. Aku segera mendudukkan diri di jok depan dan Rahadian di jok belakang, kemudian taksi online mulai melaju sejauh dua kilometer dalam sepuluh menit untuk mencapai tujuan.

Bangunan keraton yang telah berusia 277 tahun.

Lima belas menit menjelang pukul delapan, aku tiba di Keraton Surakarta Hadiningrat. Hari itu waktu survey kurencanakan berlangsung singkat karena Rahadian akan pulang lebih cepat dengan mengejar keberangkatan Kereta Api Lodaya menuju Bandung pada pukul 13:00. Oleh karenanya, aku mendatangi keraton ketika jam operasionalnya belum juka dibuka.

Aku dan Rahadian menikmati pelataran keraton yang juga difungsikan sebagai jalur lalu lintas satu arah. Tetapi ada satu bagian bangunan keraton yang sangat mencuri perhatian, yaitu sebuah menara setinggi tiga puluh meter yang tampak dari pelataran depan. Itulah Menara Sanggabuwana yang didirikan 38 tahun setelah bangunan keraton didirikan. Sudah bisa ditebak bahwa menara ini berfungsi sebagai menara pengawas karena keraton ini didirikan pada zaman Kolonialisme Belanda.

Dikisahkan bahwa menara itu digunakan oleh Sri Susuhan Pakubuwono III untuk menemui Nyi Roro Kidul “Sang Ratu Pantai Selatan”.

Seperti layaknya tata kota zaman-zaman kerajaan tempoe doeloe, Keraton Surakarta Hadiningrat diapit oleh alun-alun, yaitu Alun-Alun Lor (Utara) dan Alun-Alun Kidul (Selatan). Alur-Alur Lor adalah alun-alun yang lebih ramai, ditempat inilah acara “Sekatenan” (Pasar Malam) diselenggarakan untuk memperingati Maulud Nabi Muhammad SAW setiap tahunnya.

Maka untuk mengeksplore area sekitar keraton, aku mulai melanjutkan perjalanan menuju Alun-Alun Lor dengan berjalan kaki. Alun-Alun Lor ini berjarak tak lebih dari setengah kilomater dari keratin dan bisa ditempuh dengan berjalan kaki dalam sepuluh menit.

Ada destinasi apakah di sekitar Alun-Alun Lor?

Menikmati Jenang Suro di Pasar Triwindu

1 January 20223 March 2022travelingpersecond

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

Patung Loro Blonyo yang menyimbolkan Dewi Sri dan Raden Sardono yang mendatangkan kemakmuran.

Pagi tadi aku telah menyambangi keramaian Pasar Gede Hardjonagoro. Dan sore ini, aku akan berkunjung ke sebuah pasar lagi. Pasar memang menjadi daya tarik tersendiri ketika berkunjung ke Kota Solo. Ada sisi keunikan dan kekhasan tersendiri di setiap pasar yang terletak di beberapa penjuru kota itu…..

Aku terperanjat dan melompat dari salah satu twin bed milik Amaris Hotel Sriwedari ketika Rahadian membangunkan tidur yang tak pernah kusengaja. Terlelap dengan pulas selama satu jam, membuat mataku begitu cerah lepas dari kekusutan yang menimpa selama menjalani survey lokasi di Kota Batik.

Sudah jam setengah lima sore, aku dan Rahadian bergegas menuruni lift dan menaiki taksi online yang sudah menunggu kami sejak lima menit lalu di area luar lobby. Walau sebetulnya lokasi yang kutuju tak jauh dari hotel, berkisar satu kilometer, tetapi aku tak akan pernah mengambil resiko kegagalan untuk menyambangi destinasi ini.

Keluar dari hotel, menyusuri Jalan Honggowongsi, bersambung ke Jalan Moh. Yamin dan kemudian menikung di ruas Jalan Gatoto Subroto. Berlanjut memotong jalan protokol kota, taksi online kemudian berhenti di salah satu sisi Jalan Diponegoro….Sampai.

Kini aku sudah menginjak halaman Pasar Triwindu dan tekun memandangi arsitektur pasar itu dari sebelah Patung Loro Blonyo yang patah tangan kanannya. Tampak ornamen wayang menghiasi sisi atap pasar. Dapat kubaca dengan sangat jelas “Selamat Datang di Pasar Triwindu, Pusat Penjualan Barang Antik dan Klitikan”.

Sebelum benar-benar memasukinya pun, sudah bisa terlihat sebuah baju zirah milik prajurit Keraton Solo terpajang gagah di salah satu lapak. Arca-arca berukuran kecil dibariskan rapi di atas lantai. Maka aku tak sabar memasukinya segera.

Kuputuskan mulai menjelajah dalaman pasar hingga menemukan banyak koleksi topeng pewayangan, piring lebar berbahan keramik khas Negeri Tiran Bambu, lampu-lampu gantung antik, bahkan almari berbahan jati tua dijadikan etalase untuk mendisplay setiap barang yang diperjualbelikan. Menjadikan suasanan di pasar terasa magis dan membuat berdiri bulu kuduk.

Aku sempat membelikan beberapa koleksi arca mini sebagai pesanan dari teman sekantor yang juga penggila barang-barang unik. Selebihnya aku hanya menikmati benda-benda penuh seni itu di sepanjang koridor pasar. Pantas saja jika kolektor luar negeri banyak berburu barang antik di sini.

Aku kembali berputar sebelum akhirnya menemukan sebuah keramaian kecil di sekitar pintu pasar. Tampak empat perempuan setengah baya sibuk membuka lapak makanan dan memasang spanduk bertuliskan “Jenang Suro”. Suro adalah pengganti nama Bulan Muharram di Kota Solo. Jadi bisa dipastikan, aktivitas ini ada kaitannya dengan Tahun Baru Islam. Aku mencoba mendekat dan seorang dari mereka melambaikan tangan penuh senyum.

“Sini, Mas!”, ucapnya.

“Wah ada apa, Bu. Kok ramai?”.

“Ini Jenang Suro, mas. Cuma-Cuma. Untuk memperingati tanggal satu Suro”, jelasnya. Benar firasatku, peringatan Satu Muharam.

“Mari, Mas dimakan, ini buatan para ibu-ibu pedagang di sini, lho. Pasti enak”.

Sore itu aku menikmati bubur panas, bertabur “sambel tumpang” berpadu dengan lembutnya kacang tolo, kikil kulit, potongan omelet dan tahu dalam siraman rempah yang sedap. Bahkan aku menghabiskan dua pincuk kertas saking nikmatnya.

Semua kesan yang kudapat, akhirnya membuatku memutuskan bahwa Pasar Triwindu ini layak untuk dijadikan salah satu destinasi pada acara Marketing Conference nanti.

Kisah Selanjutnya—->

Terlelap di Amaris Hotel Sriwedari

26 December 20213 March 2022travelingpersecond

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

Aku masih berada empat kilometer dari batas barat Kota Solo. Udara tak sepanas tengah hari tadi, kini waktu sudah menunjukkan pukul 14:15 dan aku baru saja selesai mengeksplorasi Museum Pabrik Gula De’ Tjolomadoe. Seporsi rawon dan es susu coklat yang kusantap di dalam museum setidaknya membuatku lebih tenang dan jernih memikirkan tahapan survey berikutnya.

Tapi sudah enam jam sejak aku meninggalkan pelataran Grand Amira Hotel by Azana di daerah Pasar Kliwon tadi pagi. Aku memutuskan untuk segera mengurus proses check-in di Amaris Hotel Sriwedari. Itu berarti, aku harus menuju ke tengah Kota Solo kembali. Aku memutuskan untuk menempuhnya dengan taksi online.

Tak lama aku memesannya. Hingga taksi online yang kunaiki pun mulai merangsek menuju pusat kota. Setelah menempuh jarak sejauh dua belas kilometer, akhirnya aku tiba di depan Amaris Hotel Sriwedari dalam waktu tiga puluh menit.

Rahadian segera mengurus proses check-in di meja resepsionis dan aku memilih menikmati segelas orange juce sebagai fasilitas welcome drink hotel bintang dua itu. Kami segera memasuki kamar dan memutuskan untuk mendinginkan tubuh di bawah siraman shower.

Aku kembali membuka itinerary yang sudah kususun di Jakarta. Aku menghela nafas panjang, karena masih banyak agenda tersisa untuk dijalani. Tapi sebelum menuju ke tempat berikutnya, aku memutuskan meluangkan waktu sejenak untuk mencatat hal-hal penting yang telah kudapatkan sedari pagi. Aku mulai mencatat hal-hal penting perihal Es Dawet Telasih, Pasar Gede Hardjonagoro, Kereta Wisata Jaladara, Taman Balekambang, Swiss-Belinn Saripetojo dan De’ Tjolomadoe. Catatan itu akan menjadi sebuah laporan survey yang dibutuhkan Seksi Acara Marketing Conference untuk menentukan bentuk konferensi secara lebih mendetail.

Berbagi tugas dengan Rahadian dalam menyusun laporan tersebut, membuat kami lebih cepat dalam menyelesaikannya. Genap satu jam untuk membuat ulasan detail tentang enam destinasi itu dan laporan itu sempurna terselesaikan setelah kukirimkan via email kepada Bapak Dedi Damhudi yang menjadi Ketua Seksi Acara yang tentu masih berada di Jakarta.

Merasa kelelahan semenjak dua puluh dua jam dari waktu kedatanganku di Kota Solo, aku tertidur di samping laptop yang masih menyala. Sepertinya Rahadian membiarkanku yang pulas tertidur hingga beberapa saat kemudian dia mulai membangunkanku.

“Pak Donny….Bangun!. Ayo kita survey lagi. Masih banyak tempat yang harus kita kunjungi!”, ucapnya ringan sembari tersenyum ringan.

“Aku sudah berapa lama tertidur, Rahadian?“, sergahku gelagapan.

“Satu jam, pak”.

“Astaga, sudah sore. Ayo kita berangkat!”, aku melompat dari tempat tidur.

Hampir pukul lima….Aku memutuskan berkemas untuk menuju ke destinasi berikutnya. Aku akan menuju ke timur sejauh dua blok. Destinasi ini berada di daerah Keprabon dan hanya berjarak satu kilometer dari hotel tempatku menginap.

Mari kutunjukkan tempat itu!.

Kisah Selanjutnya—->

Merancang Makan Malam di De’ Tjolomadoe

18 December 202127 December 2021travelingpersecond

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

Aku berpamitan kepada Pak Bekti, marketing staff Swiss-belinn Saripetojo Hotel yang telah mendampingiku menggenapkan survey ruangan-ruangan penting hotel untuk keperluan Marketing Conference perusahaanku.

Tetapi ketika hendak meninggalkan lobby. Seseorang yang bernama Treavy, vokalis Artcoustic Band menelpon Rahadian yang berada di sebelahku.

“Vokalis Artcoustic Band ngajak meeting di sini pak”, Rahadian berkata pelan.

“Ya boleh lah, kita meeting di lobby hotel saja”, aku memutuskan.

Akhirnya aku dan Rahadian memutuskan menunggunya di lobby hotel. Kami hanya ingin bernegosiasi ringan perihal biaya menyewa Artcoustic Band untuk durasi manggung 2 jam di gala dinner Marketing Conference nanti.

Lima belas menit kemudian, Treavy tiba. Dan kami langsung bernegosiasi cepat dan menemukan kata sepakat tak kurang dari 30 menit. Kami membahas perihal daya sound system yang dibutuhkan, biaya manggung, jenis alat musik yang akan dibawa dan durasi tampil. Pembicaraan serasa cepat karena memang kami dikejar waktu untuk melakukan banyak survey hari itu.

Selepas Treavy berpamitan, maka kami pun segera menaiki taksi online yang telah menunggu di area parkir sejak 5 menit lalu.

“De’Tjolomadoe, mas?”, ucapn singkat pengemudi ketika aku telah terduduk di sebelahnya.

“Berapa lama, pak?”

“Tiga puluh menit mas. Jaraknya lumayan….Sepuluh kilometer, mas”, jawabnya sambil tersenyum ceria.

Aku faham bahwa bangunan pabrik gula bersejarah ini terletak di luar kota Solo, tepatnya di Kabupaten Karanganyar. Taksi online warna hitam yang kunaiki merangsek menuju ke barat. Pantulan sinar surya ke aspal jalanan menjadikan hawa kota semakin panas. Matahari bertengger di atas kepala, pukul 12:00 siang tepatnya.

Arus jalanan sedikit memadat, dan taksi online menjadi tersendat di beberapa titik. Sedikit luput dari estimasi waktu, aku tiba di gerbang depan De’Tjolomadoe.

Bangunan exs-pabrik gula itu terlihat gagah dari pelataran, dinding tebalnya menyiarkan kekokohan, Julangan ketinggiannya mengagumkan dan satu cerobong asap di tengah membuatnya klasik. Semakin elegn dengan cat warna krem cerah yang masih tampak baru. Maklum, setelah renovasi panjang, bangunan ini baru diresmikan pemakaiannya enam bulan sebelum kedatanganku

Aku mulai mengantri di gerbang depan. Setiba giliranku memasuki pintu, petugas keamanan menyodorkan kepadaku sebuah pena.

“Masih promo gratis kok mas, diisi saja buku tamunya ya!”, dia memerintah dengan sopan.

“Baik, Pak”. Jawabku sembari membalas senyum.

Aku memasuki hall terdepan yang bartajuk Stasiun Gilingan. Stasiun Gilingan ini tampaknya berperan sebagai area utama Museum Pabrik Gula ini. Mesin-mesin raksasa tampil di dalamnya. Sedangkan dinding sisi kanan memberikan informasi perihal event-event yang diselenggarakan di De’Tolomadoe seperti konser David Foster & Friends, kunjungan Bapak Jokowi Widodo (Presiden Republik Indonesia), Habibie Festival dan acara lainnya. Foto-foto De’Tjolomadoe sebelum dan sesudah revitalisasi pun ditampilkan dengan runut.

Aku mulai melangkah lebih dalam. Memasuki bagian bertajuk Stasiun Karbonatasi dengan bertampilan mesin-mesin berukuran lebih kecil, dipadukan dengan etalase kerajinan tangan. Etalase yang membuatku kagum adalah etalase batik karya Solomadoe dan Omah Camera.

Berbelok di sudut bangunan , aku menemukan ruangan ketiga yaitu Stasiun Penguapan. Tampak tabung-tabung raksasa tertampil sempurna diatas kaki-kaki baja. Keberadaan pot-pot bunga dan toko-toko seni membuat ruangan ini lebih hidup.

Aku semakin merasa tak sabaran untuk melihat suasana di bagian Food and Beverage, karena aku memiliki sebuah konsep acara unik untuk Marketing Conference nanti. Aku berencana mengadakan makan malam pada hari pertama konferensi di Museum Pabrik Gula ini dengan catatan restoran yang tersedia bisa memenuhi kuota peserta sebanyak 76 orang.

Tibalah aku di bagian yang kutuju, yaitu Stasiun Ketelan. Restoran itu bernama Street Food Festival. Aku langsung menemui manajer operasional dan menceritakan detail maksudku berkunjung. Dengan berbagai skema dan strategi akhirnya dia memutuskan bisa mengakomodasi rencana itu. Dia bersedia menambah bangku dan peralatan makan untuk hari-H nanti. Dia juga tak segan memberikan diskon menarik untukku.

Genap satu jam setengah aku mengeksplorasi De’Tjolomadoe dan memastikan settingan salah satu acara penting di tempat itu. Saatnya menuju Amaris Hotel Sriwedari untuk melakukan proses check-in dan menaruh beberapa barang supaya langkahku tak semakin berat.

Kisah Selanjutnya—->

Survey Solo Bermula dari Grand Amira Hotel by Azana

17 November 20213 March 2022travelingpersecond

<—-Kisah Sebelumnya

Hampir tengah malam….

Percakapan berbumbu secangkir latte tambahan dengan Pak Arman di lobby Solo Paragon Hotel & Residences masih saja hangat. Sedangkan Rihsan, anak keduanya yang berumur delapan tahun sudah terlelap di salah satu sisi sofa. Aku yakin jika tak menyudahi, pasti kongkow ini akan berakhir saat fajar. Maka akulah yang bertanggung jawab menutup percakapan ini.

“Baiklah Pak Arman, sudah saatnya saya undur diri dan beristirahat di hotel”, kuucapkan sesopan mungkin setelah meneguk sisa latteku.

“Oh, udah hampir tengah malam ya?. Oh iya, Pak Donny menginap dimana?”.

“Di Grand Amira Hotel, Pak Arman”.

“Oh, baiklah. Hati-hati pak di jalan. Sampai jumpa lagi kapan-kapan”.

Jalanan sudah sepi. Untuk mengurangi resiko keamanan, kuputuskan untuk memesan taksi online saja. Tak lama aku dijemputnya. Lalu, taksi melaju melalui Jalan Honggowongso menuju ke daerah Pasar Kliwon. Dalam perjalanan, aku mencoba melacak keberadaan Rahadian dalam perjalanannya dari Bandung menuju Solo. Tapi panggilanku tak berjawab, pesanku tak berbalas,mungkin dia pulas di kereta.

“Solo aman ngga pak, kalau malam-malam gini naik ojek motor?” tanyaku kepada sopir untuk membuka pembicaraan.

“Aman, Insyaallah mas. Disini ojek online jalan 24 jam. Ga usah khawatir”.

“Wah berarti besok malam saya bisa begadang di kota nih pak….Hahahaha”

“Kulineran malam saja mas Donny. Solo jagonya kuliner. Di sini kuliner ada waktunya masing-masing. Ada kuliner pagi, ada juga yang buka siang, nah malam begini juga ada yang mulai buka mas”, jelasnya singkat.

“Wah unik ya Solo. Pedagang kuliner seperti punya slot waktu jualan masing-masing. Kaya kesepakatan saja….hahaha” aku mulai mengagumi keunikan kota ini.

Sang sopir taksi memang tak pernah tahu bahwa tujuanku ke Solo ini untuk melakukan survey kuliner terbaik yang akan dijadikan destinasi pada acara Marketing Conference perusahaanku. Besok pagi aku akan mulai mecicipi setiap hidangan kuliner ternama Kota Batik bersama Rahadian.

Dalam 15 menit, aku tiba di pelataran Grand Amira Hotel by Azana. Hotel modern minimalis yang telah dipesan oleh kantorku. Bagiku hotel seharga 335.000 per malam ini menjadi hotel mewah karena aku terbiasa memanfaatkan dormitory ketika melakukan backpacking. Langkahku di lobby disambut dengan senyum manis resepsionis yang tampak bergegas berdiri ketika melihat kedatanganku.

“Datangnya malam sekali, Bapak Donny”, sapanya singkat.

“Oh iya mbak. Saya harus ketemu teman lama dahulu di daerah Mangkubumen. Keasyikan ngobrol mbak”, sambil kuserahkan booking confirmation letter dan KTP kepadanya.

“Oh begitu, tapi Bapak ga perlu khawatir, resepsionis kita melayani 24 jam, Bapak”. Senyumnya terlihat aduhai sembari memberikan kunci kamar dan kwitansi bayar.

Setelahnya aku bergegas menaiki kamar dengan lift di sebelah kanan belakang meja resepsionis.

—-****—-

“Tok…Tok….Tok”, bunyi itu sepertinya sudah berlangsung dari beberapa menit yang lalu.

Astagaaaa……

Aku tertidur pulas dan kesiangan.

“Tok…Tok…Tok, Pak Donny buka, Pak. Ini Rahadian”, suara itu lirih terdengar dari luar.

Pasti sejak pagi gelap tadi, Rahadian sudah tiba di hotel. Dugaanku, dia pasti menuggu lama di lobby. Kulihat di gawai pintarku banyak sekali panggilan tak terjawab darinya. Pesan whatsapp pun tak terbaca.

Kubuka pintu itu dan muka Rahadian tampak bercanda seolah menggerutu. “Gimana sih pak, kalau guwe kagak naik ke kamar, pasti lo bangunnya tengah hari nih. Parah Pak Donny”.

“Sorry, Rahadian. Semalam aku ketemu teman lama di Solo Paragon. Jadi kemalaman pulang….Hahaha. Sana kamu mandi duluan, kita segera sarapan dan melakukan survey”, selorohku sambil mengucek-ucek mata dan melompat kembali ke tempat tidur.

Pagi ini aku akan check-out dan berpindah ke Amaris Hotel di daerah Sriwedari. Aku dan Rahadian sengaja membawa backpack kecil dan ringan, sehingga setelah check-out kami bisa leluasa bergerak tanpa harus menaruh sesuatu di Amaris Hotel terlebih dahulu.

Mau ikut survey kulinerku? ….hahaha.

Yukksss….

Kisah Selanjutnya—>

Citilink QG 125 from Solo (SOC) to Jakarta (HLP): Back into Capital City’s Routines

3 February 20211 February 2021travelingpersecond

<—-Previous Story

Citilink QG 125 flight path (Source: https://flightaware.com/).

It was already past one o’clock when I finished in paying for lunch menu, however, I was blown away by the taste of Nasi Gudeg Komplit and Durian Juice at Javenir restaurant where I stopped by. Lunch session finally ended my adventure in Solo

Two and a half hours before the flight….

Leaving the restaurant, I waited for an online taxi in front yard when Javenir was full of visitors, several cars were queuing up to entering parking area. Five minutes in waiting, I saw a black Toyota Avanza on a road side while turn its hazard lamps on, noticed the vehicle’s license plate, I waved at the driver who looked confused. Knowing my whereabouts, he turned high beam on as a sign he understood.

“Airport, Sir!“, I sat next to him while confirming destination.

“Ok, Sir….Oh, sorry, I was hesitant for taking Sir Donny. Usually, people who leave Javenir are carrying souvenirs. Sir Donny doesn’t seem to be carrying anything ”, he started to open a conversation.

“Oh, I just went there to do a survey for my office’s event, Sir. There isn’t intention for buying souvenirs“.

“No wonder. Where is Sir Donny going back? ”, he understood that I intended to leave Solo.

“Jakarta, Sir“.

The conversation intently continued for next twenty minutes until taxi arrived at airport’s drop-off zone.

There wasn’t much time left….

After cashly paying taxi, I immediately rushed. Showing my e-ticket and ID card to aviation security, completing an initial screening process, I managed to enter departure hall. My gaze swept over the rows of check-in counters in search of an LCD with a Citilink QG 125 displaying in it. I found it in a corner of row and without hesitation I started queuing.

A few minutes later, I easily got my boarding pass. This time, I won’t enjoy the beauty of flight because I have to sit in column B seat…. Yups, that was the middle column. Leaving check-in counter, initially I smoothly went through second screening process. However, an aviation security officer asked me to take out all electronic devices in my backpack, put it on a tray which they had prepared. I myself am not worry, because I didn’t feel that I have done anything wrong and of course this was still in my own country. I just feel amazed by safety standard of domestic flights at Adi Soemarmo International Airport.

As expected, screening process went straightforward without any problems. I walked towards boarding gate to wait for the plane to arrived.

Half an hour from boarding time….

I took time to do Dzuhur and Asr Prayers in a time at prayer room and spent remaining time fot consolidating with Marketing Conference’s Head of Event Division in Jakarta. I conveyed some important notes regarding my survey results and added Javenir possibility for being a strong candidate for destination.

By sending report via email prior to check-out from Amaris Hotel Sriwedari this afternoon, it means that my survey trip and report were simultaneously completed….Wow, It was good, this free trip has done, the report was also finished….Yuhuuu.

To my surprise, coordination by telephone took so long untul boarding call had interrupted it. I ended the conversation and immediately headed for boarding gate. After checking my boarding pass and ID card, I rushed through aerobridge following other passengers who had previously entered the cabin.

That was Citilink QG 125 using Airbus A320.

Boarding was over a while after I sat on seat 21B. Aircraft began to move and cabin crew began to busy in demonstrating flight safety procedures. After being in a perfect position at the end of runaway, plane really took off and left the beauty of Solo City.

Not wanting to be busy reading Linkers, Citilink’s inflight magazine because I had read it during Jakarta-Solo flight a day before yesterday, I chose to sleep and wait until the plane arrived in Jakarta for about 50 minutes later.

The twin-jet Airbus flied 500 km with a cruising altitude of 26,000 feet and a speed of more than 800 km/h. Without turbulence, I fell asleep and felt comfortable in riding Citilink QG 125. For some reason, my heart feels safety when using Citilink’s services. Is it because a suggestion that Citilink is a subsidiary of Garuda Indonesia Airways, the best airline in this country?….Ah, I don’t know….

“Flight attendants, please prepare for landing!”….

The announcement from flight captain made me wake up and prepared for landing at Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport.

Landing at the capital’s second airport is the most enjoyable thing, because we would go down using manual stairs and felt a sensation when under the giant feet of iron bird. It was rare to be able to get a special moment like that.

Smoothly landing @ Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport.

Welcome to Jakarta….

Time to get back into capital’s busy work routine with no end.

Alternative for flight tickets from Solo to Jakarta can be searched on 12Go or the following link: https://12go.asia/?z=3283832

Stoping by at Abon Mesran Mistopawiro Shop and Closing at Javenir

30 January 202130 January 2021travelingpersecond

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Two slices of Serabi Notosuman were enough for me to enjoy this Solo’s typical culinary. After picking up a dozen others at cashier counter as souvenirs, I immediately left the shop for another souvenir shop, i.e Abon Mesran Mistopawiro Shop.

An online taxi drove me to that souvenir shop in five minutes. Now I was in Jayengan area to review shop feasibility for Marketing Conference participants to stop by.

As soon as the online taxi stopped at shop parking area, I immediately entered shop and glanced around to observing merchandise completeness on display. Then I concluded that the shop was worth visiting as a place to hunt for souvenirs. It didn’t take long to visit it, just ten minutes. This was because Rahadian, my friend in doing a survey, would back to Bandung soon.

After visiting Abon Mesran Mistopawiro Shop, Rahadian said goodbye and headed straight to Balapan Station. Meanwhile, I prefered to head to hotel to spendind remaining two hours of my staying time. Rahadian already took an online motorcycle taxi and left, so I ordered an online taxi to Amaris Hotel Sriwedari.

After arriving at hotel room, I spent two hours for compiling a survey report which I started from the day before yesterday and ended this morning. The report was targeted to reach Marketing Conference’s Event Division today as material for decision making regarding which destinations to visiting. I was so serious about preparing a report, but the phone rang. “It must be a receptionist call as a reminder that the staying time is over,” I inwardly groaned. But whatever it was, I had to leave immediately before being charged an additional cost.

But where was I going? Remembering that my return flight to Jakarta was still in afternoon. I had to think to make use of my remaining time. My hand moved quickly to touch my smartphone screen and started for surfing to find something.

“Yes, I know where to go“, my heart cheerfully cried out .

I left the room, walked down the floor in the lift and handed the key to reception desk. I ordered a taxi online and drove to where I intended. The taxi quickly moved out of Solo City’s gate, seven kilometers away. And in 20 minutes I arrived.

“Yes …. Javenir“, my heart said.

Javenir, a well-known souvenir center on western edge of the city which was a favorite for travelers in looking for souvenirs, even some tourist buses which were full of local tourists seemed to go back and forth in this place. I entered selling room and toured every corner. There wasn’t doubt about souvenir completeness in this store, from batik clothes, handicrafts and snacks. I decided to add this place as a list of preferred destinations for Marketing Conference later. I left the shop with a pack of coffee beans and rushed to its back building which was functioned as a restaurant. I decided to have lunch with a group of local tourists there.

This lunch was the closing of my survey adventure in Solo, this free journey has reached the end of the story. Because after lunch, I had to immediately go to Adi Soemarmo International Airport to return to Jakarta.

Soaking “Kebo Bule” in “Alun-Alun Kidul”

22 January 202128 January 2021travelingpersecond

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My success in enjoying Tahok made my morning worthwhile because I could enjoy again one of many typical Solo City’s culinary. My third day in Batik City continued. The limit was this afternoon when I have to leave Solo City to return to capital city.

Now I was standing back in front of Gede Hardjonagoro Traditional Market’s gate, waiting for an online taxi to came and picked me up. Not long after, a white Toyota Agya stopped its speed right in front of market gate. I walked towards it and the driver seemed to understand that I was the passenger who he would pick up.

“Alun-Alun Kidul, Sir“, I confirmed the destination.

“It’s quiet in the morning. You should have come there at night, Sir, it will definitely be festive”, online taxi driver provided information.

“What festivy is on the night, Sir?“

“Usually, families will play with their children to try various game rides, and young people will hangout around to enjoying culinary delights, Sir“, he lightly said.

“Oh, I see….but I just went there for a survey, Sir, just a moment. The main event is still two months away”.

“I see, Sir. It’s okay“

Ten minutes later, I arrived at Alun-Alun Kidul (South Square), in Gajahan area. Dropped off at east side of square. My attention was immediately fixed on two large banyan trees in the middle of square. The square still looked very quiet that morning.

“OOOngng… .aa… .kkk ……… OOOngng… .aa… .kkk”.

“Ah, that’s a buffalo sound“, I thought.

I quickly turned around to voice origin, a little further behind me.

“Kebo Bule“, I was shocked.

“*Kyai Slamet*” Buffaloes was othet their nickname.

Five buffalos were seen in an iron cage. That was “Kebo Bule” (“Albino Buffalo”) which was usually paraded at “Malam Satu Suro” (“1st Muharram”) celebration parade around Solo City. It was a routine event which held by Surakarta Hadiningrat Palace to welcoming the arrival of Islamic New Year 1 Muharram.

Illustration of “*Malam Satu Suro”* celebration (Source: SINDOnews).

I knew that “Kebo Bule” parade had been done overnight when I fell asleep at Amaris Hotel Sriwedari. Even though I had invited Rahadian to watch the celebration. But our bodies were just too tired after doing some survey for fourteen hours yesterday. So we chose to sleep and enjoy hotel facilities.

It seemed that that buffaloes was rested in Alun-Alun Kidul after last night parade, “Kandang Mahesa” is their cage’s name. Very lucky, I could see that buffaloes up close even I could touch their head.

For a long time I watched “Kebo Bule” behavior with several people who deliberately stopped from their vehicle to take a brief look at that sacred buffalo.

In the end, I decided to walk towards the middle of square to feel a magical nuance when I passed that two twin banyan trees. I thought that magical power of that banyan tree was just a myth, but I also didn’t blame it when many people believed in magical power of that trees. People’s beliefs were different each other and couldn’t be enforced.

“*Waringin Kurung Sakembaran*” (the name of that twin banyan tree) which have magical powers in the eyes of Solo City’s people.

Not felt, the sun began to rise and its heat began to pierce into the square. I have to get away from here.

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Visiting Surakarta Hadiningrat Palace

10 January 202122 January 2021travelingpersecond

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Soundly resting in Amaris Hotel Sriwedari made me woke up just as Shubuh call to prayer rang out. Taking time to enjoy the dawn from behind a glass window in the room, I decided to splash under the shower with warm water afterwards. I deliberately lingered under the shower, perfecting my muscle relaxation after since two day before I had to chase with time doing lots of survey agendas exploring Solo City.

After more than half an hour of bathing, I immediately cleaned up, tidied up my bag and prepared myself for my third day of survey. On exactly seven in the morning, I was at hotel’s restaurant for breakfast. While Rahadian, my Vice Chair of Marketing Conference, had been in the restaurant since half an hour ago. He leaned closer to my dining table when I ate fried rice combined with mendoan^*1 and hot coffee. We chatted and discussed about the last survey that day.

After thirty minutes in enjoying a variety of restaurant menu, Rahadian and I started ordering an online taxi for heading east to Baluwarti area. That morning the official palace belonging to Surakarta Sunanate became the first survey destination on my third day in Solo. Shortly waiting in the lobby, a black Toyota Agya came to pick us up. I immediately got into front seat and Rahadian at back, then that online taxi started went for two kilometers in ten minutes to reach the destination.

Fifteen minutes before eight o’clock, I arrived at Surakarta Hadiningrat Palace. That day, I planned to shorten our survey time because Rahadian would come home early by catching Lodaya train departure to Bandung at 13:00 hours. Therefore, I went to palace when its operating hours weren’t yet opened.

Rahadian and I enjoyed palace frontyard which also functioned as a one-way traffic lane. But there was one part of palace building which really stole our attention, i.e a thirty meter high tower which was visible from palace frontyard. That was Sanggabuwana Tower which was founded 38 years after palace building was built. It could be guessed that this tower functioned as a watchtower because this palace was founded during Dutch colonialism era.

But it was said that the tower was also used to meet **Nyi Roro Kidul^*2** “The Queen of South Sea” by Sri Susuhan Pakubuwono III.

Like an city planning of the ancient kingdom era, Surakarta Hadiningrat Palace was flanked by square, i.e Alun-Alun Lor (North Square) and Alun-Alun Kidul (South Square). Alur-Alur Lor was a busier square, this was where the “Sekatenan” (Night Market) was held to commemorate the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday every year.

So to explore area around the palace, I started to continue my journey to Alun-Alun Lor by walking. Alun-Alun Lor was no more than half a kilometer from palace and could be reached by walking in ten minutes.

What were destinations around Alun-Alun Lor?

Note:

Mendoan^*1 is a type of fried food that comes from the residency of Banyumas, Central Java, Indonesia

Nyi Roro Kidul^*2 is an Indonesian goddess of the sea. She is the Queen of the Southern Sea (Indian Ocean) in Sundanese and Javanese mythology

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Enjoying Sambal Tumpang at Triwindu Market

3 December 20208 January 2021travelingpersecond

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Loro Blonyo statue symbolizes Goddess Sri and Raden Sardono who bring prosperity.

This morning I have visited the bustle of Gede Hardjonagoro Traditional Market. And this afternoon, I would go to visit a market again. The market was indeed the main attraction when visiting Solo City. There was a side of uniqueness in each market which was located in several corners of the city …

I was aghast and jumped from one of Amaris Hotel Sriwedari’s twin beds when Rahadian woke me up from a sleep which I never intended to. Soundly asleep for an hour, making my eyes so bright, free from the tangles which hit me during a location survey in Batik City.

It was half past five in the afternoon, Rahadian and I hurried down the lift and got into an online taxi which had been waiting for us from five minutes ago outside the lobby. Even though the location where I wanted to go to was not far from hotel, around one kilometer, I would never take the risk of failing to visit this destination.

Exit the hotel, drove along Honggowongso Street, continued to Mohammad Yamin Street and then turned a corner on Gatoto Subroto Street. Continuing to cut the city protocol road, the online taxi then stopped on one side of Diponegoro Street….I arrived.

Now I have stepped on Triwindu Market courtyard and I was diligently staring at market’s architecture from next to Loro Blonyo Statue, whose its right arm broke. There were “wayang^*1” ornament adorning the market roof. I could read very clearly “Welcome to Triwindu Market, Center for Antiquities and Klitikan Sales”.

Even before entering it, I could see a armor suit of Surakarta Sunanate soldier which was displayed in one of stalls. Small statues neatly lined up on the floor. So I couldn’t wait to enter it soon.

I decided to start exploring market inside until I found a large collection of “wayang” masks, wide plates made from China typical ceramics, antique chandeliers, and even a cupboard which made from old teak as a display case to show every item being traded. Made the atmosphere in the market felt magical.

I bought some mini figurine collections as an order from a colleague who was also a fan of unique items. Then, I just enjoyed the art-filled objects along market corridors. No wonder if foreign collectors hunted a lot of antiques here.

I turned around before I finally found a small crowd around market door. Four middle-aged women were seen opening a food stall and putting up banner which reading “Jenang Suro”. Suro was a substitute for the name of Muharram Month in Solo City. So I could be sure, this activity had something to do with the Islamic New Year. I tried to get closer and one of them waved to me with a smile.

“Come here, Sir!“, She said.

“Wow, what is it, Mom?. Very busy “.

“This was Jenang Suro, Sir. It’s just. To commemorate the First Suro”, She explained. My hunch was true, commemorated First Muharram.

“Come on, Sir, eat it, this is made by all seller women here, you know. Definitely delicious“.

That afternoon I enjoyed hot porridge, sprinkled with “sambal tumpang^*2” combined with soft black-eyed pea, kikil^*3, omelette slices and tofu in a splash of delicious spices. In fact, I spent two plates so deliciously.

All the impressions I got, finally made me decide that Triwindu Market was worthy of being one of Marketing Conference destination later.

Note:

*1. Wayang is a traditional form of puppet theatre play originally found in the cultures of Java, Indonesia.

*2. Sambal Tumpang is spices which come from Central Java and East Java.

*3. Kikil is a popular street food in East Java especially Surabaya and surrounding areas.

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