TB SILALAHI CENTER

Have u ever heard this place.. :) Ok let me tell you a bit. TB Silalahi Center is the center of batak culture preservation. Batak is one of the ethnic groups in Indonesia. TB Silalahi Center or familiarly known as TB Center located on the side of Lake Toba, Pagar Batu village, Balige, Toba Samosir Regency, North Sumatra Province. In this TB Center area, there are private museum, museum batak, huta batak, rumah bolon, and etc.

The TB Center founded by Tiopan Bernhard Silalahi (TB Silalahi), members of Presidential Advisory Council (Dewan Pertimbangan Presiden or Wantimpres) in the defense and security sector. He is also a former Minister of Administrative Reform (Menteri Pemberdayaan Aparatur Negara) 1993-1998 in the President Soeharto era. TB Center built by him because of the love, pride and concern to preserve batak culture. This is reminds all of us how important the batak culture preservation as a part of an effort to enrich the diversity of culture in Indonesia.

There’s so many visitors came to this place at the weekend or national holiday. Intentionally, they came to see batak culture closely at the museum batak and to enjoy the beautiful panorama of danau toba from the pagar batu village side. The atmosphere and the view of pagar batu village that still very natural gave satisfaction and pleasantness for visitors.


PRIVATE MUSEUM

In this TB Center there’s a private museum of the TB Center founder, TB Silalahi. The private museum of TB Silalahi shows us the life history of TB Silalahi and his private collection such as military uniform, official car when he served as Minister of Administrative Reform, some documentations when he was in duty as an armed military unit of United Nation at Middle East, educational certificates, the pictures with the family and friends, book collection and etc. Hopefully, spirit of the private museum can motivates young generation not to give up and keep running to reach the bright future, ”If TB Silalahi can, why we can’t ? Keep on fire guys :D..

At the private museum of TB Silalahi there’s also a replica of the senior high school student, soposurung foundation. The Senior High School of Soposurung Foundation is one of the favorite school in North Sumatera founded by TB Silalahi and it’s because of his concern to education in the hometown of batak ethnic (bonapasogit). The Senior high School of Soposurung Foundation also determined by President Soeharto as a sample of favorite school. It’s not only teach about formal education as generally in every school but also mental characteristics education, responsibility and discipline. It has produce so many alumnus, some of them still studying at the various university in Indonesia and the other already worked at the government or private company, in this country or abroad. Bravo Yasop !! :D

MUSEUM BATAK

Museum Batak was inaugurated by the President of Republic Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudoyono on the 18th of January 2011. The building of museum batak separated from the building of the private museum and it designed very luxurious. The museum batak contain some historic stuff from 6 (six) sub ethnic of batak such as batak toba, batak simalungun, batak karo, batak mandailing, batak angkola, and batak pakpak.

HUTA BATAK

“Huta” means village, so “huta batak” means the village of batak ethnic. Huta batak consist of some traditional house which used by batak ethnic long time ago. In the huta batak there’s also a sigale-gale dance attraction, si gale-gale is a puppet uses traditional clothes of batak ethnic, it’s moved by using rope and accompanied by tradicional music of batak ethnic. This attraction invites the visitors to dance (manortor) with si gale-gale. Wow.. i miss that moment.

I’ll tell you about the history of sigale-gale on the next article. 
Previously, The Sigale-gale dance attraction can be found at Tomok, a small village located on east coast of Samosir Island. But now, we also can find Sigale-gale dance attraction at TB Center and I would like to say Congratulation. Yeah..

RUMA BOLON

Literally, if Rumah Bolon translated into English, it means a big house. Long time ago, rumah bolon was the king’s house, consist of two parts, the front side used for the king and his guest, the back side used for the king’s wife and children. The body of the house made from woods and there’s traditional batak carving at the pole entrance door. The roofs made from palm fiber and at the end of the front and the back side there’s a symbol of buffalo head. The head made from palm fiber but the torn was original. According to batak ethnic beliefs, buffalo head is a symbol of greatness, bravery, truths and an antidote to evil spirits.

Behind the left side of prívate museum or between Ruma Bolon and Huta batak there’s a beautifull garden. Visitors can see and enjoy the greatness of Lake Toba from this garden, clearly. Lake Toba was one of the largest lake in the world.. Amazing!!

In this TB Center area, there’s a cafetaria for visitors who want to taste traditional batak foods or modern foods, and an artshop gallery for visitors who want to buy traditional batak souvenirs such as carving, statue, key accessories, ulos (woven goods), T-shirt, hat and etc.



But beside all the things i’ve told you above, in my opinion, the most interesting is the statue of a child (shepherd) who reads a book on the back of buffalo while he was tending the buffalo. I’m sure, you can guest whose statue is that.  Yup, that is the statue of TB Silalahi when he was a child. woww.. shepherd became minister. It is inspiring young generation to struggle against the challenge of life for the bright future. Keep spirit Guys!!

Have a great time there :) Horasss..

Parangtritis Beach

Parangtritis beach is the most famous beach at Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This tourist attraction located on the coast of the Indian Ocean approximately 25 kilometers from the south of the Yogyakarta city, Province of Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta (DIY), Indonesia.

Parangtritis beach inseparable with the legend of Nyi Roro Kidul. Many of Javanese people trust that Parangtritis beach was the gateway to Nyi Roro Kidul Kingdom, Quenn of South Sea. But, out of the legend, panorama of parangtritis beach was so beautiful and attractive, and it’s recommended to visit this beach at the holiday with the family.

There’s also tourist attraction facilities for having fun at this beach such as ride in an ATV (All-terrain Vechile) to conquer the bump of sand and ride a horse or a Bendi (horse-drawn carriage) to enjoy the view around the beach. The beautiful panorama of beach mixed with the tourist attraction facilities make the visitors fell comfort enjoying the trip.

Merapi After The Devastating Eruptions

Mount Merap is one of the most active volcano in the world. Geographically, Mount Merapi located at the middle of Java island with peak height about 2.968 meters and the boundary limit :
South : Sleman Regency, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta
West : Magelang Regency
North : Boyolali Regency
East : Boyolali Regency
Southeast : Klaten Regency

Since 2004, forest area around the peak of Mount Merapi become a National Park Mount Merapi.
It’s necessary to remind all of us that the Mount Merapi is one of the popular climbing object in Indonesia. The climber can see an amazing view from the top of mount.

Indonesia cry on November 2010, when a devastating eruptions of Mount Merapi happened. The forest area, settlement, agricultural land and livestock around the Mount Merapi destroyed by a huge hot clouds. Now, it’s covered in volcanic dust.

This time, I’ll not talk too much about the process of Mount Merapi eruption, Why eruption happened? How many times the eruption happened? and whether there is a possibility of the Mount Merapi would erupt again or not? because I do not understand about the science of volcano, I don’t have Idea about that, I do really keep in my mind that’s a horrible disaster for my beloved country, Indonesia.

Here, I ‘ll talk about my journey a few weeks ago, when I visited the location of the slopes of Mount Merapi after the devastating eruptions.

1. Kaliurang forest area
Before eruption, this is a very shady forest and various flora and fauna live here. The view of Mount Merapi from this side also beautiful.

The picture above is the Kaliurang forest area after swept by huge hot clouds of Mount Merapi.
Soil and burnt trunk Covered in volcanic dust. It’s true that volcanic dust can fertilize trees, but it’s take a long time to planting and growing trees.

2. Mbah Maridjan House areal, Cangkringan
Mbah Maridjan house located on Kinahrejo region in Cangkringan. Now, Mbah Maridjan house have been flattened to the ground. Mbah Maridjan as a spiritual gatekeeper of Mount Merapi, also swept away by a deadly huge hot clouds. It’s dispel myths that Merapi would never propel pyroclastic clouds onto its southern slope, especially in the Kinahrejo region in Cangkringan, Sleman where Merapi’s late self-appointed spiritual gatekeeper Mbah Maridjan lived.

THE BEAUTY OF BALI, INDONESIA

Who didn’t know Bali ? The grandeur of Bali already wellknown all over the world. But, there’s so many tourist who didn’t know that Bali is a part of Republic Indonesia. Moreover, they often asking a ridiculous questions ‘which part of Bali, Indonesia is ? . It should be a concern of government, so there will be no question like that in the future.

Geographically, the province of Bali is located on 8°3'40" - 8°50'48" south latitude and 114°25'53" - 115°42'40" east longitude with the following boundary limit :
• North : Bali Sea
• East : Lombok Strait ( the province of West Nusa Tenggara)
• South : Indonesian ocean
• West : Bali Straits (the province of East Java)

Bali provincial administration is divided into eight districts (Jembrana, Tabanan, Badung, Gianyar, Karangasem, Klungkung, Bangli, Buleleng) and one city (Denpasar) which is also the provincial capital.

Panorama Bali will always attract visitors who enjoy a holiday there. This is not surprising because there’s various interesting tourist attraction there, as cultural tourism (traditional customs) and nature tourism (water, flora and fauna attractions). The views along the road to the tourist attractions such as the green expanse of rice fields and the fresh water was great and amazing. Moreover, the hospitality of local citizens make the visitors feel comfort.

1. Tanah Lot

Tanah Lot or often called Bali Temple on the rock, is located on the coast of West Bali, at the village of Beraban in the Tabanan district. The word of Tanah Lot is consisted of two words that are Tanah word interpreted as a reef looking like gili or isle. Lot or Lod word has meaning the sea. So Tanah Lot is meaning the small island floating on the sea. The atmosphere of the beach and the views was beautifull and charming. Tanah lot also famous for it’s sunset.

2. Bedugul

Beratan Lake was one of fascinating tourist attractions at Bedugul. Beratan Lake located on Bedugul area, Candikuning village, Baturiti subdistrict, Tabanan district, Bali. The cool weather during the day make the visitors feel comfort to enjoy the view around the lake. The visitors also can enjoy the view arrond the lake by rent a boat and canoe.

In the middle of the lake there is a temple namely Pura Ulun Danu as a place to worship Sang Hyang Dewi Danu for prosperity.

The beautiful of Beratan Lake with Pura Ulun Danu in the middle, also used as image in the Indonesia country's currency worth fifty thousand rupiah.

3. Nusa Dua Beach

The clean and bluish water of this Nusa Dua beach make this beach very interesting. Therefore, it’s not surprising in this area there’s all things that required for tourist attractions, such as water sports equipment, restaurant with a complete and varied menu and do not miss the comfortable and luxurious hotels.

Most of the luxurious hotels at Nusa Dua have a private beach, usually located at the back of the hotels. The visitor also can found an Elite mall there that sell souvenir products and beach sport equipment. All of that combined and arranged well in Bali Tourism Development Center or BTDC areal.

4. Kuta Beach

Kuta beach is the most famous beach at Bali. There’s a coconut tree along the edge of the sand beach. Views of the sunset at Kuta beach is also great. There’s also a variety of accommodation, restaurant and entertainment options.

5. Monument Ground Zero Legian

This monument was built in the area of the Ground Zero as Bali bombing memorial on Saturday night 12 October 2002 at Legian street, Kuta. These incident cause 202 victims die who come from 22 countries and 324 victims seriously injured.

The most unique part of this monument is “Kayonan” with a big white wooden leaf as a symbol of whole world. At the bottom of kayonan, there’s an inscription that reads a list of all die victims and his/her nationality.

Then the monument is often visited by tourists. Many tourists taking pictures in front of the monument.

6. Desa Pekraman Penglipuran (Pekraman Penglipuran traditional village)

Penglipuran traditional village located on Kubu village, Bangli distric. This village still preserve Bali traditions in all aspects of community life. Front gate and each house are arranged uniform and neatly. It’s give an unique nuance and beautify the village.

Residential areas and main road of the Penglipuran traditional village is a vehicle-free areas. It make the visitors fell comfort enjoying the beauty of the village.

7. Pura Luhur Uluwatu (The Uluwatu Temple)

The Uluwatu Temple, one of the most famous tourist attraction at Bali, located on Pecatu village, Kuta subdistrict, Badung district, Bali. The temple was built on a steep and high rocks about 70 meters which protrudes into the sea (Indonesian ocean).

Here, the visitors can see kecak dance performance with a beautiful sunset as a background. Kecak dance performed by male dancers group about fifty people.