Panjat Pinang (climb areca nut tree) is a traditional game that normally held in Indonesia on celebrating Indonesia’s independence day, every August 17th. This game is about climbing an areca nut tree, but these areca nut will be lubricated with oil so its become slippery for anyone who want to climb it. Once someone able to reach top of Areca Nut, he/she then could grab available present that hanging there.

Panjat Pinang itself originated by Dutch imperialism on Indonesia, early of 18th century. On special occasion like wedding ceremonial or other, they provide this lubricated areca nut  tree with gift on top of it like cheese, sugar or clothes, and they would lets local people to compete to climb the tree for its prize, as those gift were consider as luxurious things by local people on that time. Panjat Pinang tradition then continue exists till date.

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Another holiday destination for whole family member in this holiday season, The Jungle, located in Bogor Nirwana, Bogor, West Java, Indonesia and having full of shady trees, come with various recreational facilities such as water park, spiral slide, race slide, lazy river, leisure river kiddy pool and fountain futsal. Spoil yourself by watching a show that raise you adrenalin in the 4D cinema or by seeing variety of world bird in the Birdpark. After that, spen your family time to relax in the Orchard Food Court while listening to live music or watching an event in the Orchard Amphitheater.

On August 5, 2003 Indonesia was grieved for 60 victims who killed on Jakarta’s JW Marriot bomb threat. Now after 6 years, again terrorist re-bombed same hotel. 2 blasts were occurred on Friday, July 17,2009 8AM. Too many speculation on who should be responsible for this threat. Issue like radical muslim activity, national coupe to chaos after Indonesia’s election were speculated to be main reason for this attack.

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, president of Indonesia state that he and all component of Indonesia should condemned this threat and he sworn that he and Indonesia will do best effort can be done to investigate and find the responsible one.

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This morning when I turn on my television to watch morning news, I was shocked when saw a bomb blast has happened on Ritz Charlton Hotel, Mega Kuningan, Jakarta. Till I publish this news, 4 killed victims (updated: 9) have been indicated while predict to be more.

OkeZone.Com, Indonesia local news portal said that bomb was blast 2 times, first was from JW Marriot hotel and 2nd from Ritz Charlton hotel. All victim have been evacuating to nearest hospital like RS Jakarta, RS Thamrin and MMC Hospital.

This bomb attack was the 2nd threat happened on Mega Kuningan, first attack was on 2002 with 60 causalities.

Personally, I condemned this threat for whatever reason, and deepest condolence for all victims.

photo: rama mamuaya/plurk.com

Ciwidey is famous as one of West Java tourism place, not just because is a mountain range, where we get relax and breath fresh air, but also because of its strawberry farming. This post will brief about our family last trip experience to this lovely place.

The Route
Ciwidey situated on south area of Bandung, capital of Indonesia’s West Java province and about 200 miles aways from Jakarta’s International Airport Sukarno Hatta, best way we could get to reach Ciwidey is trough Cipularang toll road, we should take Kopo/Soreang exit and turn right, just follow the sign and within next 22 miles we should reach Ciwidey. Be aware of traffic on Kopo traditional market place, combo of it peak time, undisciplined driver and huge number of motor cycle will make our journey longer than our expectation.

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