Discover Borneo (3)

Friday, September 24, 2010 JS Hanniffy 0 Comments

After about 15 minutes walking on the unconstructed road, we were finally arrived on the top of a hill, and --- There was nothing we could say except an amazed expression of the panorama at front of us. The colour of the sea has the same colour as its sky, the beach featured by with a lot of types rocks, palm and coconut trees; there was also a small of island acrosss the beach. It was just abolutely a "Wow"! panorama --- for a second, we just stood amazed by a landscape of God's creature. All the tireness and 4 hours of our trips had been paid with this amazing landscape. We continued to walk down through the hill until eventually we saw two spartan cottages..

Kura-Kura beach is absolutely one of the amazing beaches in the world. It's exactly located at the end of the where local people live, it likes what on the guide book said that the place isolated, solitary, but believe me you'll be gratefull to the guide book to put this place on the book. Don't be expecting too much to get a modern cottage as "you're not exactly paying Rp 350,000 pp for the cottage, but for the beach" Charlie, the owner of Kura-Kura cottage said. They have two cottages and made from woods with a western bathroom. You would notice all these things as the view three meters front of the cottage could blow your mind away. The price has included the foods --- breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Be prapare with a mosquito net and spray mosquito: these are very special stuff that you have to bring while you travel in Indonesia.The beach is safe for swimming, but if you are not an experience swimmer then better ask local people or just the owner of the cottage either if safe or not. 

There are also some good places to visit around Singkawang such as Rindu Alam which to me it looks like Puncak Pass in Bogor. Another interesting thing from Singkawang is a Rafflesia --- a flower is famoust with its stinky smells. If you are interested in seeing Rafflesia or about going around to Singkawang then ask Widi; Widi is the person who looks asfter the cottage. We were introuded to a guy who was journalist and who was also as our guide. According to Rio there are different types of Raffleasia. "The original one of Rafflesia will be blomming in September" He said. Unfortunately, we were coming in August and so unlucky as the other type of Rafflesia was already dead when we were there. The Rafflesia is located on the mountaintop so a fit condition is really needed if you don't want to get a bad experience as me --- I fainted just after 20 minutes hiking. It takes two hours from Kura-Kura beah to the moutain (I can't remember the name of the mountain). If you take a motorbike to go there then make sure you have your jacket with you.

Two days in Singkawang wasn't enough to visit all the great places. But we had to continue travel, and next was planning to accross Borneo...

DBLN, 22.01-230910

Helping children to cotton in Math subject --- How to do it?

Tuesday, September 21, 2010 JS Hanniffy 0 Comments

Mostly students assume that there is no more difficult in subjects at school than math. Math subject is always challenging to everyone, particularly for those who still at school. Now days, many parents attempt to Introduce  math subject to their children on their infant age. In the playgroup school, for intance; teacher would begin to introduce math subject with numbers. Following on the next level in the elementary school, they begin to solve the basic of math problem, such as how to sum up, subtract, multiply, and divide them. Although it's just an introduction of basic math, but this simple method somehow could become a frustration subject for some children. A one of my son's friend for instance, they are sitting at grade 5 now. They both go to extra class math after the class, which I think my son doesn't really need it as he is very good already at math subject. However, a friend of my son is still not able to solve for his homework, even worst --- he dislike math. 

Many parents might consider that school is responsible as a math problem solver of their children's inability in math subject while they themselves rusty of their responsibility to encourage their children to cotton math. Perhaps my son's friend doesn't mean to dislike math at all, and not because he's not a brainny boy; he's good enough at other subjetcs. Sometimes an encouragement is indeed needed for children confidence; this might not a particular reason to this case, but a positive of encouragement attitude can build the confidennt to them that they can do it. We might merely have a little time with our children, or maybe we can't be their best person to ask for a math homework help; but we have many ways to be enourage parents even it just a message or call; and there is eternally become our responsible for every child inability.

Never give up to help your child. If you're not confident to help your child in math subject, or maybe because of limited time, then try to look on the internet for information as alternative; they provide for class math, and sometimes free math help as well.
The message from what I'm writing here is, to give our best knowledge to our child about math subject, even though perhaps we're not really good at this subject. But as long they know we deeply care about their inability then it will be the best gift for them.

Volunteer Vs Unemployed

Sunday, September 19, 2010 JS Hanniffy 0 Comments

Learn to lead in a nourishing manner.
Learn to lead without being possessive.
Learn to be helpful without taking the credit.
Learn to lead without coercion. ---Lao Tzu, Philosopher---

September evening in Ireland is not really great to be spent in a cafe, neither at home. Sitting on the couch with my cute notebook as well as a cup of tea with its muffin could perhaps heal the imperfect evening. I've been recently quite sensitive with some fellow around me which is rarely happen to me: I'm not saying that I dislike these fellow, but --- let’s just not talk about it. We have something more useful to talk about, anyway.

Almost every day I got e-mails from mostly unknown senders; well, some of them are good friends of mine, telling me as to their unresolved trouble life, and recently the subject is about their frustration for being unemployed. I've been this situation --- many times, and you perhaps, too. These e-mails suddenly bring me to my past life where I was in a fresh graduate and which afford a great of experiences ever in my life. Once that I eternally regard my life....

In 2002, I was standing beside at the entrance of the Super Queen market to volunteer in an organisation of Aware. It was my first day and first experience of fundraising.  An awkward gestured of me was easily seen by visitor and when I tried to persuasive people who walked back and forth front of me. In spite of keeping my smile as nice as possible but that still couldn't cover up the awkwardness. With years of working and volunteering experiences I thought that would not be a tough job to do: but I was wrong. On the second day of volunteering was slightly comfortable and braver to turn up my voice a bit higher: "Would you like to support Aware..." That was the first step. And the second step was practising the marketing lesson that I got from a marketing company in Jakarta where was my first training day taken, as follows to look at straight their eyes when you try to persuasive somebody. It worked. Some very kind people didn't want their 5 or 10 euro back; well, of course I offered them change. Also, my box was very quick to change into the new empty one which I think makes my fundraiser manager quite happy --- and certainly anyone who called Aware on the helpline.   

Being a volunteer is very challenging for those who are unemployed; you'd probably even think twice to do a job without paid --- particularly not when they offer you months volunteer. However, being a volunteer in an organisation or a company could afford a great experience, yet a reference. In country such as Ireland, is highly recommended to colleagues who look for working experience to be volunteer first in company that suitable with their field before they enter a job. Besides, being volunteer could give a vigorous self-confidence, and belief in their ability to work professionally within its field. But most of about being volunteers is how to concern with others --- very simple, eh? Which I'm sure, also often be taught since we're kids by this taught. 

I find myself embarrassed when I saw my fundraising partner was the same age as my mom; in the cold weather, wet and very windy, he stood, holding a box and encourage people to support  unlucky people in the world. What in my mind was: "What makes him decide to be a volunteer? On his 50s wouldn't be nice if just staying at home reading a book besides heating? In fact, he's not like an old man in Indonesia who merely people with a specific job can get a pension; so he's in his a good life; and likely same other older people in Europe who dislike to spend their free-time with nothing. And this merely the opposite of Indonesia, yet very unusual to be seen in Indonesia. I felt sorry for that man when I saw his weary face sitting between the flowers market, as well as proud of what he's doing. As I was enjoying while studying him --- the spunk gradually affected me to be more confident and something that nothing to be embarrassed with. What I can share here with you for being volunteer is by helping other people, the affections of frustrated for being unemployed suddenly had gone: I felt like a bird flying free on the blue sky.  

Being unemployed are not the end of the world, not when you are a fresh graduate, particularly. If the man on his age pension still able to use their free-time with useful activity, then why don't we? Where the young people with great intellectuals, very energetic, and vigorous ideas have gone? Is money the merely matter in life? Many people gain a great experience of being volunteer, mainly is how to be useful, patient and be positive thinking person in every situation. Imagine... what your community would have become if it's surrounded by these useful, patient, and positive thinking colleagues.
You'd be grateful to yourself when you find out how easy to sincerely help other people in your even terrible situation; the key is a sincere -- and a good reward would come with itself. It merely like what Gurdjieff had said that: 

"If you help other, you will be helped, perhaps tomorrow, perhaps in one hundred years, but you will be helped.
Nature must pay off the debt... It is a mathematical law and all life is mathematic."

Did you get what Gurdjieff's trying to say?

DBLN, 21.41-180910

Discover Borneo (2)

Wednesday, September 08, 2010 JS Hanniffy 0 Comments

Nothing really interesting on the first day we were in Pontianak, weather was too hot, yet we were in the middle of city centre; this wasn't we looked for. We then decided to go to a travel agent straight away to ensure we didn't waste time.  An equipment of guide book from Lonely Planet is very much handy for travellers; I can say guide book is the must-thing to have for travellers. Although sometimes not 100 % are exactly the same as on the guide book, but at least you're not in the middle nowhere to go.

There were not many travel agents mention on the guide book. We found it quite strange at the start when we checked that most of the travel agents in Pontianak didn't do a package of trekking in Borneo. Instead, they offer for abroad holiday. Don't be too surprise if you find them aren't quite friendly: they answer your question in unenthusiastic expression and voice. Well, we found some of quite friendly travel agents as well.  Most people we met in Pontianak don't show their 'friendly' expression to stranger: they just look at you with no expression at all, some say hello in an English practise way to my hubby. Stay nice with them and don't make trouble, then you'll be fine.

There were some nice seafood restaurants as well along the Hijjas road. I love culinary during travel, my hubby assumes that it's the only most thing I like to travel. So I won't miss any traditional food from the place I visit. We had a nice dinner in a homely seafood restaurant nearby the hotel. This we've missed in Europe, in Indonesia you can get luxury foods in homely restaurant and cost you little. A lots of nice things with good price you can get from your holiday in Indonesia; the most of it is the weather and the beach: two things you die for in your holiday. No wondering when my European friends asking: "what are you doing in here, in the cool weather, wet, and no sun at all?" Well, maybe I'm just lost in here...

We were planning to do a trekking and see orang utan, however the price that offered by a travel agent was just too much for us. We then pending the plan to ensure we didn't make decision too quick. We decided to go Singkawang instead on the following day. The price to Singkawang cost about Rp 75,000 by a private car. If you take a bus from terminal it just cost Rp 20,000. If you want to avoid too many hassles on your trips, better then to take the performer cost. Ask the receptionist where you stay to book the ticket to Singkawang; to get the seat then ensure that you book the trip the day before it.

The trip to Singkawang took approximately three hours and a half. There were about four passengers in the car when we got in the car. The jeep was quite nice, but not really sure about the driver: he seemed too young to drive along the way to Singkawang; yet, he looked very tired already.  A welcome curious question came from one of the passengers who sat beside the driver: the man was asking with a bit impolite 'attitude' as to who was my hubby to me which my hubby responded him with dislike expression. I preferred to ignore him while my hubby liked to discuss it; the views outside the car changed the subject after view minutes debate.

The first hour of our trips exceed few of great sites such as the river Kapuas which best known as the longest river in Indonesia, and located not far from the city, just view minutes from the town actually; Passing the equator monument just from the window's car wasn't really bad either; the equator monument is also mentioned on the guide book as one of the recommended place to visit in Pontianak. So don't miss this place! It just takes no more than half hour from the town to the monument by 'angkot'.

After an hour on the trip to Singkawang I fell asleep like a baby: I'm very easy to fall asleep on the trip, and this sometimes makes my hubby jealous as this the most tough-do for him, especially when on the plane; he would take sleeping pills if necessary.  
The place that we wanted to stay was not easy to reach.  I can say it even almost isolated from clamour.  We thought we couldn't find the place as we had been passing the village where the local people live.  But the driver had been helpfully and patiently to find the place, also the passengers. We were helped by a cute of local girl who knew where the place was. The girl pointed the place to a hill; we became more curious as we didn't see any existence up there.

We wondered if we were lost...

DBLN, 13.31-080910

Note: A correction on the previous post of Discover Borneo I which the departure date to Pontianak should be on 19th August 2010.

Discover Borneo (I)

Tuesday, September 07, 2010 JS Hanniffy 0 Comments

That was my first trip to Borneo, or we called it in Bahasa as Kalimantan island. What I got from information through the internet Kalimantan is the second of the largest forest of islands in the world; however other sayings it's the third. I tell you the truth, though myself is originally from Indonesia, I don't know about Indonesia very well: ask other Indonesians too about how well they know about other of islands in Indonesia? I don't mean to excuse myself --- but the truth is Indonesia is a huge country with many languages, ethnics, and yet with its thousand of islands; and now in my 33's -- born and grew in Indonesia, I can say that I only have a little of knowledge about my own country. Now, it times to explore Indonesia and the world!

Together with my huby, we flew to Borneo from Soekarno Hatta Airport on the 19th of September 2010 directly to Pontianak, which is located in west Borneo, and known as one of biggest city in Borneo. Our trips to Borneo was unplanned; just after the second days of my hubby arrival in Indonesia, we straight away booked the tickets to Borneo. Well, we had a little plan about going to Borneo the days before, but we weren't sure about our plans yet. Anyway, I prefer unplanned travel than anything is booked. I know it isn't really good idea to go somewhere without knowing where to go --- even a bad idea if you go with your children or family. Of course what I mean is if you go on your own or with your patner. Just try it out, an unplanned travel give you an exclusive experience on your trips!

It took approximate an hour and a half  flight from Jakarta to Pontianak. Still afternoon by the time we arrived in Pontianak airport. One thing I can remember when we got off of the plane is a welcome message that reminds me of 'IPA' lessons when I was in elementary school. 

"KHATULISTIWA".

It's been very,very long time --- too long, I think since at elementary school, maybe? that I haven't read or heard that words. When I read it I felt like jumped into a moment in many years ago. Just view minutes got off of the plane, Borneo affordable affecting its amazing place into my feelings.

As soon as we collected our baggages, we booked a taxi in the airport. All the taxi prices are listed at the front of the locket; the list of the prices provide kilometers information. They don't do meters -- the price will depend on the distance, and it cost Rp 70,000 from Pontianak airport to town by distance approximate 20 km. The taxi drivers in Pontianak were also quite friendly. We got a nice and friendly taxi driver who was originally from Kupang, and according to him he's been living in Pontianak for the past 20 years. Chatting with a stranger like an old friend is an usual thing in Indonesia; nothing to be worried at all. Not when you meet a person like the taxi driver from Kupang, particularly. He really enjoyed to call me "kawan" in most of our conversation during the trip.

He dropped us to a home stay called Mes located on the city centre. You must go inside to like this home stay as it didn't look very nice from the out side; however, it's a home stay with nice furnitures inside as well as well-services. If you go with your hubby/wife then make sure you bring a copy of your certificate marriage with you during travel in Indonesia --- I guess this works only for Indonesian, and mix marriage Indonesian and foreign. Some hotels in Indonesia are very strick asking status marriage to a couple, particulary a young couple. "Are you married?" the receptionist asked. Luckily, we were ready for unexpecting thing like this. Strange and very strict, my hubby thought; but this is Indonesia honey!

Although Borneo island surrounded by loads of jungles and rivers, also heavy rainning, but they can't relieve the hot temperature that might burn your skin! I can say it's even hotter than Jakarta. My hubby got his first burn in Pontianak, and while weather was cloudy and no sun at all!

Can he survive with the Indonesian weather?

DBLN, 22.31-060910

0 comments:

Nice saying shows your character but that doesn't mean you can criticize. You can still do both in nice and polite way.

MailBox

Monday, September 06, 2010 JS Hanniffy 0 Comments

Mailbox is a simple box of letters that usually hangs on the front of the house wall which you might think its just a box. Actually, a plenty of help hands you can get from a mailbox particularly if you rarely at home. What first thing a mailbox can help you? Obviously, you don't need to ask your neighbour for helps to get your letters most of the time: no one would happy to do that, anyway.  So, why not get one for mailbox then? A mailbox can be plenty helpfull even nobody at home. I've realized how important a mailbox in my house after finding sloppily of many junky mails and letters front of my door; and yet I have to ask my neighbour everyday asking if there's a letter for me: trust me, its really stress me out.

Finding a mailbox is not a difficult job. If you have time to look around a nice of mailbox, such as hardware shop provides a plenty of mailboxes. However, shopping online is not a bad idea as an alternative shopping if you'd like simpler way. A site such as Mailboxixchange might interest you as they have many types of mailbox. It's recommended your mailbox is lockable mailbox so that keeps your mailbox safety. As well as a locking mailbox keep your private secure. You can find the locking mailboxes at the Mailboxixchange's site.

I don't find anything better to help me for keeping the letters together and safe except a mailbox, do you? Sometimes I'm away from home for two or more weeks in holiday; it is nice to see my front door is clean from junky mails and letters when I comeback; I just need to check it out on the mailbox instead. Moreover, my simple cute mailbox looks so nice hanging on the wall beside the gate house.
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JS ESTD. 2008

Blogger since 2008, writing with a fresh perspective.

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