It was few years ago, I was watching a program named Backyard Adventure at O Channel. The show was about a trip to Mount Krakatau. I was overwhelmed with the show and said to myself, I should go to there someday. I searched some open trip offers. What hindered me was because the price is mostly expensive. The package was up to US$ 100 - 200. I didn't wanna spend that much for that destination. So, it's not until this year, my dream came true. And I got a pretty good bargain for only US$ 40 per trip. Good deal, right?
There were five of us there. We went there via Merak to Bakauheni, then heading to Sebesi Island through Canti harbour. It was a long long journey. It took approximately 8 - 9 hours to go by this route. I would recommend anyone to go to Karakatau via Anyer, Banten. It will be more efficient. We were really knackered because of this long journey.
We arrived in Krakatau the next day and climbed there at 11 AM. I thought it would be a hot exhausting journey. But, fortunately not. I could feel the breeze of wind during my journey to the top. The track looked easy. But when I tried it myself, dang it's hard. Because it was sandy. It was kinda heavy to move up on the sandy land. After almost giving up, finally I arrived at the free zone. It was the only zone we were allowed to be. Krakatau is an active volcano which can explode anytime. So, clearly it's a safety concern for the tourists.
The view above was breathtaking. We were surrounded by Sunda strait and we could also see some islands nearby. It was a worthy trip. And I began to love trekking. I want to climb many more mountains in my country.
Indonesia has hundreds of volcanoes. We can never run out of mountains.
It felt like I am having debts if I don't write my travel experiences in my blog. Though this destination was explored last February 2013, because of the procrastination, I did not publish it yet (bad habit. Hehe).
I went duo travel to West Sumatra. We got a very cheap ticket. Rp. 150,000 (US$ 15) return! Can you imagine how lucky I am? I always wanted to go to West Sumatra. Because when I was kid, I used to read Indonesian literatures, like Siti Nurbaya, Salah Asuhan, Layar Terkembang, Sengsara Membawa Nikmat. Most of the novels were set in West Sumatra. I was only 9 or 10 and yeah I read them all. Because my father worked in National Education Department.
So we arrived there in the morning. We went directly to Bukittinggi with chartered car. Be careful with the scam at Padang airport. The drivers usually offer high price and it's really difficult to haggle. We got scammed too. We paid Rp. 70,000 when it was supposed to be Rp. 50,000. If we couldn't speak Minang (the traditional language there), it is easy to fall prey.
Minangkabau airport, Padang, West Sumatra
Around three hours later, we arrived at Bukittinggi. Fresh air welcomed us. The weather in Bukittinggi was nice and chill. I was directly in love with the city. Bukittinggi is also one of the main destinations for tourists in West Sumatra. There are many foreign tourists there. We didn't book a hotel beforehand so we searched for a hotel. It's not difficult to find a backpacker hotel there because there are many of them.
After getting our bags in our room, we started to walk around the city. Bukittinggi is a small city and is pretty much walkable. We went to the icon of Bukittinggi or West Sumatra in general, which is Jam Gadang. It's a clock tower. More like Big Ben in London only smaller. We took some pictures there. Jam Gadang is surrounded by a market and some restaurants. It was lunch time already so we decided to eat nearby. Of course we would eat Nasi Padang. I am a fan of Padang food. Padang food is located all over Indonesia and all over the world too. But trust me the most delicious one is the one at the original place. It's more spicy and just delicious. No restaurant in Jakarta or Singapore (where I've tried one too) can beat the original Padang food. Yummm.
Then the next destination, we went to Goa Jepang (Japan Cave). It is actually a bunker made during Japan colonialization. I was not at all impressed with the cave, because I am a claustrophobic. I felt the urge to get out as soon as possible while I was underground.
Overlooking Japan cave is Ngarai Sianok. It is a canyon and the view is breathaking. We took some pictures with its background. Later we knew that we could actually go down there. I was challenged, but of course we didn't have much time.
The view of Bukittinggi from my hotel
Jam Gadang (Gdang Clock Tower)
Ngarai Sianok
Ngarai Sianok
The next morning is gonna be a loooonnngg journey. Our next destinations are Danau (Lake) Singkarak and Lembah (Valley) Harau. Those are two places far away from each other. I discussed with my friends what was the best way to go to both places. Renting a car was a no. It was only two of us and it would be so expensive. There was no direct transportation to get there, it would be wasting time. Fortunately, the hotel employee offered us to motor bike riding there. There will be two motorbike riders who would accompany us. The price haggling was somewhat very nasty. I'll tell you people's habit there. Once we agreed with a certain price, few minutes later they came back to us asking to add the amount. I was like, no no take it or leave it. They acted like okay, transaction failed. But the next morning they knocked our door and said okay we'll take the price. It was upsetting to see their inconsistence. Tips for you, be strict and upfront. Take it or leave it.
So, we went by motorcycles finally to Danau Singkarak. It was one hour journey. Lake Singkarak is famous internationally for Tour De Singkarak, the famous international bike competition. The view along the journey was breathtaking. When we arrived at Lake Singkarak, the view was even more breathtaking. The water is blue. And it was soo quiet there. Some people was swimming. Too bad, I didn't bring my swimsuit.
The next destination was Valley Harau. The journey took approximately 2-3 hours. When we arrived there I was gobsmacked with its beauty. Nothing could describe that. It was peaceful there. There was one hotel there. And I said to myself if ever come back to this place again I will stay in that hotel. Just imagine the morning there in the valley, quiet, chill, and very relaxing. Aaaahhh. It was the most beautiful place I've ever seen.
This was the houseof Buya Hamka. Now it's used for madrasa and masjid
Beautiful Lake Singkarak
So quiet here
I can't stop taking pictures!
View from a hill
OTW to Lembah Harau
Almost there
The view, Mashaa Allah :)
I love the yellow ricefields :)
Inside the valley
The next day we were supposed to go to Padang and explored the places there. But we were too in love with Bukittinggi. We hesitated to go and indeed we didn't. We did sightseeing around Bukittinggi and tried all kind of food. Only one place was still a mistery, Fort Rotterdam. We've been searching all day but couldn't find it.
Lovely town of Bukittinggi
Two kids went to school
I am in love with this city!
Food fiesta!
The last day we went back to Padang heading to airport. Before that we went to one mall there first. I got the chance to buy one pair of shoes. Ahahaha. Next thing, the plane was delayed and we had to wait for like two hours. But I got priority boarding. Blessing in disguise :)
The conclusion is I love West Sumatra. It has beautiful landscapes, delicious food, good weather, though I have a tad bad experience with the people. I would love to live there, especially at Bukittinggi, and farming may be. Lol.
The vlog. Mind the quality of the video, a bit shaky :(
I am in the project of reading as many books as I can! Wish me luck! Here are some of the books I plan to read: - 23 Things They Don't Tell You About Capitalism by Ha Joon Chang
- Al Hikam by Ibn Athaillah Al Iskandari
- Fawaidul Fawaaid by Ibn Qayyim Al Jawziyah DONE
- Utsul Tsalatsah by Ibn Utsaimin DONE
- The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin DONE
- Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella DONE
- Divergent by Veronica Roth DONE
- Eat to Live by Joel Fuhrman DONE And many more...... I will keep the list updated ;)
Poem on Music
By Kamal el Mekki O Muslim, lawful things have good attributes.Where is the good in singing, dancing and listening to flutes? Can we compare the words of singers and sounds of musicians…To the glorious Qur’an, it’s lessons, wisdoms and admonitions? How many singers do you know and give admiration.And how many do you know of the companions and the following generation? How much do you spend on singers from your wealth?Compared to how much you know of Islamic scholars. Do you see how much is memorised of music songs?While you ignore the book (i.e. Al Qur’an) to which memorisation belongs. How much do you memorise of these incantations?And sway back and forth in intoxication. Have you not seen those who follow the misguided?And increase the loudness of music when they should hide it? And who writes their songs, thinkers, or men of academia?or maybe scholars like Ahmad and Malik or even ibn taymiyah. O you who listens to music…Don’t you see that all the songs of the world and all the lyrics you’ve seenWouldn’t compare in reward to even Alif Laam Meem.
When I first visited Bukittinggi, I started to fall in love with hiking. I enjoyed climbing up the hills to find a breathtaking scenery. It is also very refreshing to breathe the fresh air. I used to be a beach-lover. However, I don't know why now I enjoy the calmness of the mountainous areas. Perhaps, it has something to do with soul-changing? I don't know for sure. But now I am craving crazily to hike.
My second hike this year was with my office mates. We went to the foot of Mount Salak in Bogor Area. It took like three hours trip by car and continued with another 3 hours for trekking to the waterfall. The road was so crazy. It was made of stones and muds alongside. Some of the road parts were very steep, we were like climbing. I went home with broken shoes and stiff legs. But overall, I really really enjoyed it. And I would love to have another similar trip again in the future.
Ramadhan has gone by but the sweetness still can be felt. I have read a quote somewhere that Ramadhan month is like Yusuf (AS). Yaqub (AS) has 12 sons but Yusuf (AS) is the most beloved of all. For some muslims Ramadhan is like a month of trial. They will do their best to rectify their actions. They start to pray on time, recite Al Quran everyday, do dhikr, and do many other good deeds. Their Imaan will raise during this month. For some other people, Ramadhan is the only month they are practicing true Islam. Suddenly, people who never pray before, become obedient. They start to fast, pray five times a day, and do other good deeds, for that month only. After Ramadhan passes, they will be non practicing muslims again. And there is the last group. Some people who do not even feel the spirit of Ramadhan. They do not fast and do not pray five times a day. Or they fast but do not perform prayers. This month is just like another month for them, nothing special. However, on the day of Eid, they will be the first one to say Eid Mubarak. I pray that we are not among the second and third categories. I pray that we all raise our Imaan after a month of intensive worship to Allah. I pray that our sins are forgiven and we become people of jannah. Ameen.
There are many things we will miss from Ramadhan. Though the fasting and taraweeh and other deeds are for some of us considered hard, yet people still look forward to meeting this month in the following year. I do miss Ramadhan though it is only like two days away. And what do I miss?
- Iftaar (fasting break)
Some people say you have a wonderful meal when you can dine in a luxurious restaurant. Or when you can eat anything you like whenever you like. But someone who has observed fasting must all agree that the best meal eaten is when you break your fast. When Athan is announced, you take a glass of water and say a dua, every drop of water flowing inside your throat is such a bless. Eventhough you have only dates for iftaar, you will feel content with that. That's the best meal you've ever had. Moreover, there is a good reward that when you can give some foods to other person, you will get the same reward of one day fasting. My friends and I were competing on this last time. I said to her, this day is my time to treat you Iftaar. And she said, okay the next day will be my turn. We also distributed dates to our neighbors for fasting break. This is the blessing that I will always miss during Ramadhan. Fasting teaches us to share our wealth to our neighbors or the needy. It also teaches us to be content with what we have and reminds us that there are people who are starving out there and we have to feel their pain as well.
- Du'a (supplication)
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, "Everyday and night of Ramadhan Allah sets free a great number of souls from Jahannam. And for every muslim during everyday and night there is a time when his dua is certainly accepted".
If a beggar is allowed to ask anything for a month, would he make a wish list? Would he perform the best language so that the giver will be willing to give his wealth? SURELY. Allah has promised that any Ramadhan dua will be accepted. Therefore many muslims make a lot of dua to The Lord. If a dua is like a bubble, I am sure there will be a lot of bubbles flying out in the sky in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening, and in the last third part of night during Ramadhan. The tears fell down from our eyes are blessings. The moment is so sacred that we can't hold our tears. This is the moment when we feel really close to The Creator. You also have tranquility and trust because He has promised us that our duas will be accepted. Insha Allah
- I'tikaf (staying in the masjid with the intention of worshipping Allah)
Masjid is the best place to worship Allah. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and the wives gave us examples to stay in the masjid during the last 10 days of Ramadhan. I want to admit that this year was my first experience of doing I'tikaf and I feel this was retreating and amazing. When you are at masjid, meaning you are with people who intend to worship Allah. You will be encouraged to do more good deeds. After Iftaar, we did Maghrib prayer in congregation and after that people began to recite Al Quran until before Taraweeh time. After Taraweeh, more Al Quran recitation. And then at 2 AM people woke up for Qiyamul lail. Imagine if you are at home, will you be able to do this? Nope for sure. Because there will be too much distraction. TV is on. Your bed seems so comfortable. Your video game is tempting. Your computer is on. Your brothers and sisters ask you to chat with them. I'tikaf secludes you from those worldly things in life. The first time experience, when I woke up in the morning, in the masjid after Fajr prayer, I was feeling so refreshed. At that time, I felt so tranquil and that dunya did not really matter anymore for me. But when you are out of that, well, welcome to dunya.
Those three deeds can be done as well outside Ramadhan. But it will not be the same. It is because the specialty of Ramadhan. The great rewards are there for us who sincerely do our good deeds. Let me give you an analogy. Once in a year, a company must give annual leave for the employees so that they can take a break from day to day actvities in the office. It is every employees' right. It is just the same as Ramadhan. This month is our annual leave from the scarcity of spirituality, the negligance of our religion, and many other things which make our hearts hardened. When we are thinking that Ramadhan is our right, we will happily welcome it. If we don't consider it as an obligation, then we will not feel burdened.
I hope we do not only miss the special Ramadhan dishes that we can only enjoy once a year.
May Allah accept this Ramadhan from us and give us life to see the next One! Ameen
