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PERNYATAAN SIKAP GOODREADS INDONESIA

Dec 30, 2009

Pelarangan Buku & Penarikan Buku dari Peredaran Merugikan Pembaca dan Melanggar Hak Pembaca

Pada 23 Desember 2009, Kejaksaan Agung mengumumkan pelarangan lima judul buku yang dianggap ‘mengganggu ketertiban umum’, yakni pertama, Dalih Pembunuhan Massal Gerakan 30 September dan Kudeta Suharto karya John Rosa. Kedua, Suara Gereja bagi Umat Tertindas: Penderitaan Tetesan Darah dan Cucuran Air Mata Umat Tuhan di Papua Barat Harus Diakhiri karya Cocratez Sofyan Yoman. Ketiga, Lekra Tak Membakar Buku: Suara Senyap Lembar Kebudayaan Harian Rakjat 1950-1965 karya Rhoma Dwi Aria Yuliantri dan Muhidin M Dahlan. Keempat, Enam Jalan Menuju Tuhan karya Darmawan. Kelima, Mengungkap Misteri Keberagaman Agama karya Syahrudin Ahmad. Selain itu, di kurun waktu yang sama juga terjadi penarikan buku Membongkar Gurita Cikeas karya George Junus Aditjondro dari peredaran. Pelarangan dan penarikan buku ini merupakan satu dari banyak kejadian serupa dengan yang selama ini sudah seringkali terjadi di Indonesia.

Di bawah Undang-Undang Nomor 4/PNPS/1963 tentang pengamanan terhadap barang-barang cetakan dan pasal 30 (c) Undang-Undang Nomor 16 Tahun 2004 tentang Pokok-Pokok Kejaksaan Republik Indonesia, sudah lebih daripada 2.000 buku pernah dilarang di Indonesia, mulai dari novel, studi sejarah, ajaran agama, buku-buku mengenai kontroversi sosial-politik, termasuk karya-karya tulis tentang gerakan sosial awal abad 20, teologi liberal, hingga naiknya Asia sebagai pusat kapitalisme global. (Laporan Human Rights Watch dalam "Academic Freedom in Indonesia: Dismantling Soeharto-Era Barriers", Book Censorship, hal. 58).

Kita tidak lupa bahwa sebelum kejadian ini buku kisah perjalanan semacam The Naked Traveler karya Trinity pun pernah dilarang terbit. Penulis dan penerbitnya diharuskan Kejaksaan Agung menghapus tiga bab bila ingin buku itu diterbitkan lagi. Lalu pada 31 Oktober 2008, buku HM Misbach: Kisah Haji Merah karya Nor Hikmah juga ditarik dari peredaran setelah pihak kejaksaan merazia toko buku Gramedia Matraman, Jakarta Timur. Itu belum termasuk sejumlah buku lain yang sudah dilarang oleh Kejaksaan Agung sebelumnya, antara lain:

· Tan Malaka: Pergulatan Menuju Republik, Vol. I karya Harry A. Poeze,
· Di Bawah Lentera Merah karya Soe Hok Gie,
· Sang Pemula karya Pramoedya Ananta Toer,
· A Story of Indonesian Culture karya Joebaar Ajoeb,
· The Devious Dalang: Sukarno and the So-Called Untung Putsch karya Bambang S. Widjanarko,
· Amerika Serikat dan Penggulingan Soekarno karya Peter Dale Scott,
· Primadosa: Wimanjaya dan Rakyat Indonesia Menggugat Imperium Soeharto karya Wimanjaya K. Liotohe,
· Kehormatan Bagi yang Berhak: Bung Karno Tidak Terlibat G30S/PKI karya Manai Sophiaan,
· Nyanyi Sunyi Seorang Bisu karya Pramoedya Ananta Toer,
· Memoar Oei Tjoe Tat karya Oei Tjoe Tat.

Hampir dapat dipastikan, selama Kejaksaan Agung masih memiliki kewenangan berdasarkan kedua UU yang berlaku, di masa depan pelarangan dan penarikan buku dari peredaran tidak akan berhenti.

Menanggapi peristiwa pelarangan buku dan penarikan buku dari peredaran ini, kami berpandangan bahwa Kejaksaan Agung tidak perlu turut campur dengan mengambil tindakan-tindakan yang telah disebutkan di atas. Pelarangan buku dan penarikan buku dari peredaran telah merampas hak atas informasi yang merupakan bagian dari hak asasi para pembaca. Alasan yang diajukan Kejaksaan Agung bahwa pelarangan buku-buku ini dilakukan berdasarkan muatan di dalam buku, yang dianggap mengganggu ketertiban umum, tanpa penjelasan terbuka kepada masyarakat, kami pandang tidak memiliki argumentasi yang dapat dipertanggungjawabkan. Para pembacalah yang seharusnya memberikan penilaian tersebut karena para pembaca aktif telah mampu berpikir, memilih dan memilah sesuai dengan kepentingan masing-masing mana bacaan yang berguna dan mana yang mengganggu. Dalam pandangan kami, pola berpikir atau argumentasi yang menganggap bahwa masyarakat itu bodoh dan perlu dibimbing terus-menerus harus ditanggalkan karena sudah tidak relevan lagi. Kami juga berpandangan bahwa pelarangan buku dan penarikan buku dari peredaran hanya mengajarkan ketakutan dan kepicikan dalam menghadapi keberagaman pemikiran. Kalaupun ada yang tak setuju pada isi buku-buku tertentu, seharusnya pihak tersebut mempublikasikan pendapat tandingan bukan malahan melarang. Perlakukanlah buku sebagai komoditi intelektual dengan melakukan debat publik atas buku yang bersangkutan bila tidak berkenan. Biarlah masyarakat pembaca yang menilai buku mana yang lebih layak dipercaya isinya.

Berdasarkan apa yang dikemukakan di atas, Goodreads Indonesia menyatakan sikap sebagai berikut:
1. Menentang keras dan mendesak dihentikannya upaya-upaya pelarangan, pembatasan, pencekalan buku, penarikan buku dari peredaran yang dilakukan oleh Kejaksaan Agung, karena tindakan itu telah merugikan pembaca dan melanggar hak atas informasi, yang merupakan bagian dari hak asasi para pembaca.
2. Mendesak pencabutan kewenangan Kejaksaan Agung dalam pengamanan terhadap barang-barang cetakan dan dan pengawasan peredaran barang cetakan, sebagaimana tercantum dalam Undang-Undang Nomor 4/PNPS/1963 dan Undang-Undang Nomor 16 Tahun 2004.
3. Mendesak dikembalikannya fungsi pengawasan dan pengamanan kepada para pembaca karena pembaca aktif telah mampu berpikir, memilih dan memilah informasi dari buku-buku yang terbit. Biarkan kami, masyarakat pembaca aktif ini, yang menilai buku-buku yang kami baca, dan bukan Kejaksaan Agung. Jakarta, 30 Desember 2009

Goodreads Indonesia
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/345.Goodreads_Indonesia
mirror site: http://bacaituseru.blogspot.com
email: goodreads.indonesia@gmail.com
#0813 1050 9220

1:@=1x@=1, dan @ bukan 1

Dec 25, 2009


aku mungkin bukan pemanjat tebing sejati
di antara napas satu-satu aku bukannya untuk menakluk

aku mungkin bukan pemanjat tebing sejati
karena sesampainya di puncak aku lebih suka menyendiri
mencoba mengingat jalan yang kulalui - wat have i missed..

pemanjat tebing sejati
lahir untuk bersidekap dengan raga bumi,
mencari percikan dahaga dari pitch, caving dan belay
memenangkan taruhan dengan alam..

para pemanjat sejati seumpama pertapa
ia tahu kerajaannya bukan dari dunia ini
ia adalah pejuang dari selepas batas hutan



hanya mencari.. tidak berhenti...



aku bukan pemanjat tebing sejati
yang mejauhi hiruk pikuk kota dan merasakan udara kebebasan di antara awan-awan
aku hanya perlu udara segar
melepaskan kepenatan agar bisa kulihat belahan jiwaku semakin dekat dipeluk awan-awan

aku bukanlah mereka...
aku sendiri...

bersama bilangan fu merunuti rumus mati
berharap di antara lebam tangan dan sesak napas itu
ku diberikan jawaban


a
g
a
r

t
i
d
a
k

t
e
r
u
s

mencari...


tapi sudah menemukan.

RAHASIA HARI KETIGA

Dec 24, 2009

Sesuatu yang istimewa menarik perhatianmu.
Kau mulai tertarik.
Di matamu, sesuatu yang istimewa itu mulai berkembang.
Ketika hal itu tumbuh menjadi sesuatu yang makin lama makin istimewa - kau mulai menganggapnya berharga.



Jadi, hal misterius apakah yang menarik perhatian? Setiap orang pastinya memiliki jawaban yang berbeda, namun tiga hal berikut ini ada di urutan teratas daftarku..

1. KEBAIKAN
ada sesuatu yang sangat menyentuh ketika bertemu seseorang yang baik. Kebaikan nggak selalu datang dengan mudah, tapi ketika ia datang, seorang dengan hati yang benar-benar baik sangat mempesona.

2. EMPATI
selangkah lebih maju dari kebaikan, karena itu ia sulit ditemukan. Bukan berarti orang yang memikirkan orang lain di atas dirinya sendiri itu tidak ada loh.. tapi beranjak dari kenaifan manusia dan seakan terlihat bodoh -- memiliki empati sungguh berharga.

3. DAMAI
tidak banyak ruang untuk damai di dunia. Kita mungkin bisa menemukannya jika dibesarkan di lingkungan yang damai, tapi bagaimana jika tidak? terlebih lagi jika mampu menyelaminya dalam diri seseorang.. orang lain..

Ada banyak alasan untuk merasa tidak baik atau damai, dan alasan itu tersebar menunggu dipetik... tinggallah kita memutuskannya, dan ada banyak sifat-sifat lain yang bisa menambah ketertarikan (at least for myself). Atau aku bisa begitu saja tertarik only because someone has (a real) something in his eyes..

Temukanlah sesuatu yg tersembunyi dalam diri tiap orang dan perhatikanlah itu hari demi hari.. lihatlah ia berubah menjadi permata yang paling berharga di muka bumi ini.



FIRE IN THE HEART

Cerita Kambing dan Kebo

Dec 22, 2009


Bukan.. bukan, ini sama sekali bukan kisah tentang perjalanan ke desa.. ato field trip ke tanah persawahan..

Ceritanya beberapa hari yang lalu, kala suntuk dan setengah tak sadar diri karena nyeri lambung dan sedang mencari obat penawar sakit -- panjang intronya.. delalah di rumah Mas Ais malah disuguhi film ini, awalnya penasaran karena santer beberapa waktu lalu salah satu cast-nya diramalkan seorang MIYABI..

Kenapa Kambing? awalan itulah yang dijadikan introduksi oleh Dika, penulis yang bukunya menginspirasi film ini.. lalu tersebutlah Kebo. Perempuan cantik, vokalis band yang digalangi Kambing bersama teman-temannya. Ternyata Kambing dan Kebo di dalam film ini cukup 'akur' dalam membina hubungan, well.. tau kan kalo Kambing maennya di mana dan Kebo maennya ke mana..

Lompatan cerita yang cukup pendek dan jejalan kisah LDR - nope, bukan buat mendekkin 'itu' - menjadikan film ini terkesan 'to cut the story short..' kendati tujuannya yang demi melepas humor emang ga jauh-jauh amat kesampeannya..

"Tapi ko ceritanya kyk soal Kambing n Kebo aja ya, Mas?" tanyaku..

Mungkin.. mungkin emang maksudnya itu,
mungkin pertimbangan komersial, mungkin pertimbangan waktu, mungkin juga susah milih diantara banyak cerita2 lucu di buku Kambing Jantan jadi dibuatlah yang agak merunut.. tapi tetep ajah, ko ceritanya Kambing n Kebo ajah yaaa.. maksudnya apa.. Mungkin kemaren itu aku udah bener-bener SAKIT!

Akhirnya aku kemakan cerita Kambing n Kebo yang 'akur' meski beda dunia.. lalu jarak itu ada, kemudian rasa bosan itu mulai muncul, trus semakin banyak alasan berdatangan untuk 'mengacak-acak' ke'akur'an itu.. Kambing dan Kebo tidak lagi satu.

Apa emang ke'akur'an diukur dengan seberapa rindu yang kita pendam? Apa ke'akur'an bisa diukur dengan seberapa banyak telpon n sms yang bisa kita sambungkan? Apa ke'akur'an itu sehitungan bunga hadiah.. Apa ke'akur'an bisa diukur dengan seberapa banyak kata terucap kayak CINTA, SAYANG, HONEY, LOVE, JE T'AIME, AISHITERU YO, ICH LIEBIE DICH, JEG ELSKER DIG, IK HOU VAN JOU, Я тебя люблю, danseterusnya danseterusnya..

Apa ke'akur'an bisa diukur dengan seberapa banyak mayat yang sudah dimandiin demi bisa purchase phone-card buat nelpon si dia.. Apa ke'akur'an memang soal AKU.. DIA.. ato sebenarnya KITA bukan seehh.. Apa ke'akur'an is REALLY as SIMPLE AS THAT.. ataukah ke'akur'an adalah seberapa nyamannya untuk tahu DIA ada di sana untuk AKU dan sebaliknya.. ataukah ke'akur'an adalah semu yang diciptakan manusia untuk bisa menarik benang merah ke'KITA'an dan menjadikan segala sesuatunya begitu romantis..

Kenapa? Kambing? Kebo?

Lucu.. kenapa juga aku musti memaksakan Kambing n Kebo untuk balik lagi

Daylight's End

Dec 14, 2009


Ketika waktu berlalu makin lama makin cepat dalam hidup ini
Bagaimana kita menyisihkan waktu untuk hal-hal yang benar-benar penting?
Bagaimana kita bisa menemukan kasih sejati
kalau kita menutup diri karena takut disakiti?
Bagaimana kita bisa meresapi setiap momen yang ada
kalau pikiran kita senantiasa hinggap di masa lalu atau masa depan?

Apakah terlalu banyak yang sudah kita korbankan?
Masihkan kita ingat siapa diri kita ini?

Tak ada yang bisa menenangkan pikiran kita, membuka hati kita, atau membantu kita mengerti,
karena semua ini harus bisa kita lakukan sendiri
dan keberanian akan datang kalau kita sudah siap menerimanya.


KNOWING

Nov 5, 2009


feeling the breeze of wind in the morning before waking up
my guardian angel has left the room to set in for the day

i hear an angel breathing nxt to me allnite
and giving me the morning kiss the very nxt day
later, letting me share the happiness to others

but this is especially for you
who's close to heart
143 :)

(with a 'you know what' and 'you know who u are' kindda look)

“The importance of Global Efforts to address Global Warming: Indonesian Perspective”

Oct 18, 2009

The 2009 is a crucial year in the international effort to address climate change. A series of UNFCCC meetings are taking place throughout the year, designed to culminate in an ambitious and effective international response to climate change, to be agreed at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 15) in Copenhagen, 7-18 December.

Global warming is the hot topic right now, with dire predictions from the scientific community. The previous UNFCCC in Nusa Dua attracted high level diplomats and scientists from all over the world, with the hope of creating a road-map to a solution. Indonesia itself has a vested interest in the success of the conference, not only for tourism purposes but because it also suffers from the effects of global warming. But the frame only isn’t enough, negotiations often "come down to the wire" as no one is willing to move until they feel like they have moved the other side as much as possible — the final showdown.

Being a developing country which most of its population relies on natural resources, Indonesia is highly vulnerable. Development programs in various sectors has forced the Indonesian government to incorporate climate change issues in its planning to be better prepared with changes caused by global warming.

The Indonesian government is therefore aware in trying to cope with global warming effect by involving more people from local to those across the globe to mainstreaming climate change into international and national policies. It includes collaborations in climate change mitigation and adaptation activities as well as participation in international climate change negotiations.

We believe that the core-problem for climate change is for all. And it’s about time to call home for survival. Why should we build walls to keep us from others when the sun above us is burning every inch of the ground on earth where we stand together… We believe that each and every one of us has affect on earth and it’s never too late to be civilized; don't forget we create our lives, not consume them all at the same time. The earth is in all of our processing and it needs to be a counter part and dealt with in great respect or we lose both.

Many millions of people have been lifted out of poverty over the past decades due to rapid economic growth. At the same time, the levels of economic development differ widely.

Yet climate change impacts have started threatening hard-won development progress, and will increasingly do so as climate change takes an ever greater hold. Climate change impacts will be overwhelmingly severe for Asia. They will exacerbate existing vulnerabilities and they have the potential to throw countries back into the poverty trap. And we’re thrown into the fire together.

We are living in exceptional times. Scientists tell us that we have 10 years to change the way we live, avert the depletion of natural resources and the catastrophic evolution of the earth's climate. The stakes are high for us and our children. Everyone should take part in the effort. Setting targets is always easy, achieving them is not.

“Right to Development: A Human Right?”

Nowadays, development has become core-issues, especially in Indonesia where it has the general connotation of a structural improvement of people’s well being.

The Declaration on the Right to Development proposes two distinct options: first, by stipulating a participatory process that is stimulated by the state, and second, by asserting actions from below, emphasizing a participatory activity that is, first and foremost, at the initiative of the right-holders themselves, albeit that the state ought to create an enabling environment for development from below.

And yet development can’t be separated from human rights; whereas the aim of human rights is empowerment of people through human development. Human rights are inter-dependent and inter-related and have a direct relationship with human development. Universality of human rights demand eradication of global inequities and to achieve this end the importance of “Right to Development” cannot, but, be emphasized.

The government of Indonesia is fully aware that in the past Indonesia has been victim to development as hazard. We have constantly been trying to enhance our plot through the recent year; one of its ways is by together fulfilling the goal of MDGs. We believe that feasibilities towards development are to preserve the accountability of its citizens and the wealth of nations, as well as to be connected to global enhancement, and to keep it sustain.

Statistics provided by The Human Development Reports demonstrate that there exist massive inequalities, more particularly in the developing countries, which render the enjoyment of human rights rather illusory. Political freedom would not have much significance or meaning for millions of poverty stricken people in various countries who suffer the social evils flowing from poverty, unless economic, social and cultural rights are assured to them.

It is important to appreciate that development, which has to be equitable, can not brook any discrimination in the sharing of the benefits and in the activities producing the benefits between different people irrespective of gender or caste, religion or geographical boundaries. The wide global disparities in different parts of the world are shown to be linked with varying level of human development. Global disparities must be minimized to ensure that the minimum needs of everyone throughout the world are met. Strategies must be developed to achieve this result. It is only when the potential of all human beings is fully realized that we can talk of true human development.

We have to admit that Indonesia is still far from succeeding the programme but surely we’re stepping further for 2010 MDGs meeting to open the page of reviews. Indonesia is ready to be on track for development and giving the rights to its citizens as basic acknowledgement. We hope that our vocal can be an example for other developing nations in focusing to their indigenous needs. We hope to see betterment and feasible result to development plot all over the world.

Tiket Gratis Pesta Blogger untuk Komunitas Blogger / Online

Oct 13, 2009


Seperti penyelenggaraan Pesta Blogger tahun sebelumnya, panitia kali ini tetap menyediakan tiket gratis Pesta Blogger 2009 bagi komunitas-komunitas blogger dan komunitas online agar bisa hadir dan berpartisipasi dalam pesta besar ini.

Kami menyediakan maksimal lima tiket gratis untuk setiap komunitas. Tentu saja ada syaratnya, yaitu:

1. Ketua, atau pengurus, atau dedengkot, perwakilan, atau apapun istilah di komunitas masing-masing, mengirimkan email ke yatimaulana@gmail.com. Dalam email harus menyebutkan nama komunitas, alamat atau daerah asal komunitas, nomor kontak dan email, serta alamat blog komunitas (kalau ada).

2.Email tersebut kami terima paling lambat 18 Oktober 2009, pukul 23.59 WIB

3. Dalam email tersebut, wajib disertakan pula maksimal lima nama yang akan diutus mengikuti Pesta Blogger 2009 di Jakarta. Jika berasal dari komunitas blogger, sebaiknya dilengkapi dengan alamat blog dan email masing-masing utusan.

4. Lima nama yang tertera dalam email harus dipastikan benar-benar akan mengikuti Pesta Blogger 2009 nanti. Sebab peserta pesta dari kalangan komunitas akan melewati pintu registrasi khusus yang telah dilengkapi nama dan komunitas masing-masing.

5. Tiket khusus untuk komunitas ini tidak dapat diperjualbelikan.

Komunitas online yang dimaksud tidak hanya terdiri dari komunitas blogger berbagai daerah tapi juga komunitas lain yang beraktivitas online.

Nama-nama yang terdaftar dan berhak atas tiket gratis tersebut akan kami umumkan setelah batas waktu tanggal 18 Oktober nanti.

Sampai jumpa di Pesta Blogger 2009

if i could turn back time

Oct 3, 2009


if only i could turn back time..
i'd wanna pray to God for not being indifferent - afraid of the fact that i might not stand the stake
i'd wanna walk that road again, finding what i've been missing
i'd take that words i regret saying to you, him, her... everyone.. it's not my intention to hurt
i'd wanna sit longer to watch the sun rises and say grace

if only i could turn back time
i'd listen more and more.. perhaps i'm too drawn ignorant
i'd take different turn this time, wonder how it would come out
i'd wanna choose you instead of him, and out of anybody..
and, i'd wanna b able to watch the beauty of sunset

if only i could turn back time..
i'd wanna see those people once again and say sorry
i'd mend the scars and get the outmost feeling
i'd simply touch you gently, instead of hiding in the shadow

if only i could turn back time.. i'd go and look for you
to make sure you're ok... m ok.. we're all ok

25 things about me


Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you and/or because I've mentioned you directly or indirectly in this list.

1. Ambitious

2. Perfectionist

3. Book-worm

4. smart (bukan g yg bilang, tp diamini byk makhluk, hihi)

5. Cuek abis

6. Dont trust people easily

7. Pitch Curious (kesannya jadi pendiem)

8. LOVE surprises

9. Bosenan

10. Tomboy

11. GA MO NGALAH

12. suka debat

13. suka makan

14. penggemar es krim n cokelat

15. wearing head-scraf as her identity

16. open-minded

17. to the point (bukan cuma pas atasi maag, hihi..)

18. bisa bela diri (cciiaattt!!)

19. JUTEK (byk yg blg seehh..)

20. padahal baik hati ;p

21. itchy-feet (ga bs diem, tukang jalan); travel-lust

22. suka NULIS.. NULIS..

22. suka PUISI (diakui jago bt puisi pula, huhu..)

23. mungil (kata org2..)

24. punya nickname 'princess'

25. j'aime: RALF, Ji and ASH

trus...

pengen skul overseas

diramal dapet cwo di luar dugaan -- dari seberang, hhmm..

cita2nya jd presiden

(ko ga bs berenti nulis yaa...hehehe..)

worried.. sick..

when it hurts so much, u can't breath.. that's how u survive... "it isn't just death we hv to grief, it's life, it's loss, it's change, and when we wonder why it has to suck so much some time, has to hurt so bad, the thing we gotta try to remember that it can turn on a dime.." -- Grey's 6


Just watched Grey's 6 and once again I feel like I'm being cornered, no.. it's not about something with McDreamy, though he's still so very tempting ;p It's about the tagline that says 'the season that changes everything'... I remember trying to do that with life, my life, for the past years...

Did u remember when you were born, getting toddler, and now older but mom still uses the phrase "you know, when you're a child..." you can see the blitz of stars in her eyes when she talks, for once it belongs to her only. Then time flies, you begin to see the flashes in someone else's eyes... and then there were two, three, four, till you've come to a point where you either forget or are too tired to continue counting... Things become less attractive yet people are turning seamless.

I have forgotten how it feels to have one's arms wrapping around body and be able to hear his heart beat - the same beat that gives life.. I have set aside the butterfly effect which strikes when seeing his name flashes even only from my cell blink or simply recognize his special-tone.. I thought by running away then I'd be safe, but I was mistaken!

I try to survive from seeing thru distance, I thought that's more than enough.. afraid that closer means dying in pain, giving it away while keeping me for myself, like hugging cancer and slowly dying..

Life continues to roll, careless, like a dice on a gamble-table... you either guess it right or lose the bet... I think, despite what people see, one will soon realize that life keeps on beating one's back either one is winner or perfect loser - can you believe that? Despite the winning bet, our earning will be put back to loss.. and it sucks big time :(

One gradually is missing his/her sight, losing his/her faith, going under and never come back to the surface... I have and I hardly see myself anymore. What have I turned myself into, dear God.. please save me..

These several nights, I came back to the surface.. there is a new hand there, with a life-flashing eyes chasing for his fantasy world, when only his near could bring comfort and his wrapping hands around me takes in the butterfly effect..

Am I the life-flashing eyes for him? I'm afraid I'm only dreaming and that he's simply passer-by..

I took a step back and observe..bent my knees tonite and pray to God, beg Him to lead me to light, the right life-flashing eyes..

Nite is still young, they say... I was listening to the fave tone again and again hoping to see his name on my cellphone screen, a simple blink would be just fine. I took my legs wrapped my arms around, inhaling the air wishing for his scent, putting on calming thoughts that he's just too busy with his work while I should've done my part as well :D

Maybe God's life has so much to tell tonite that it forgets to knock on my door.. while I'm so worried sick for him *sigh

Whats Life Hidden Behind Those Book Pages

Sep 5, 2009


Using only books you have read this year (2009), answer these questions.
Try not to repeat a book title.

1. Describe yourself : Penggambar Mimpi (Nielam, dkk)
(speaks for itself)

2. How do you feel : Persepolis (Marjane Satrapi)
(my fight and my head-scarf in God's given life, too bad m no prophet...)

3. Describe where you currently live : Development for Freedom (Amartya Sen)
(perjuangan perjuangan perjuangan...)

4. If you could go anywhere, where would you go : 1000 places to go before you die (Patricia Schultz)
(skalian dapetin pintu doraemon kyknya enak neehh, hihihi..)

5. Your favorite pastime : Ada Seseorang di Kepalaku yang Bukan Aku (Akmal N. Basral)
(semua terkesan loose, pdhl terpilin jd satu, byk pertanyaan belum terjawab plus suara-suara aneh di kepala - but it aint over yet)

6. Your favorite form of transportation : Dragon Rider (Corenelia Funke)
(kejer2an sama Roos aaahh..)

7. Your best friend is : Dilbert Comics (Scott Adams)
(macem2... apa aja, u name it)

8. You and your friends are : NVO (Adept, Putra, Rizky, dkk)
(Mencari celah dalam keterasingan, semuanya satu.. kendati berbeda)

9. What's the weather like : Snow (Orhan Pamuk)
(ada cahaya, ada ujan, ada bencana, ada kegelisahan... misterius)

10. You fear : Blindness (José Saramago)
(GA MO!!! takut ga bisa liat)

11. What is the best advice you have to give : The 5 People You Meet in Heaven (Mitch Albom)
(what you give is what u get in return)

12. Thought for the day : Negeri 5 Menara (Ahmad Fuadi)
(Man Jadda Wajada)

13. How would I like to die : Tuesdays with Morrie (Mitch Albom)
(it's just wonderful way to die...)

14. My soul's present condition : Mata Kunci (Hella S. Haasse); Naked Traveller (Trinity)
(mencari serpihan dari kotak masa lalu dan menggubahnya di masa depan dan lg pengen jalan2 mulu)

My Next Page of Readings

Sep 4, 2009



I was (still) lookin at the same ol'page tonite... been stunned for quite some time now, wonder when I'd turn over the page and continue with my readings...

No, I wasnt on any exam-frenzy or anything... it's just a stupidly veritable phrase ;p on a midnite before giving up a year in my life.

I suddenly remember things I've been thru this whole years and perhaps some years back as well..

I remember great new year at a new office with bunch of awesome colleagues, arent there always great new year's parties every where
I remember having someone I could turn to, tho m always so busy abt me, my work and all - but then he has decided to back down, no worries..
I remember having soulmate, whose understanding and caring is beyond words, we've been thru all in 7 years (my fave no) but some heavy rain washed it all away... and as they say people tend to forget things - perhaps it's for the best
I remember being adopted to an honorable family - becoming such lil'princess to such busy daddy ^^
I remember those latenite chat, dad.. I miz u
I remember fixing my stand in front of my parents, trying to convince them abt my goals
I remember doin tiny bitty noble things - hope thats being calculated ;)
I remember makin huge mistakes - hope for tons of forgiveness
I remember years of happy faces and times of mourn...
I remember deeply those who stay and come over instead of those who are meant to go away
I remember attending to respectable achievements and being strong to yet-to-be-called-success
I remember nights when I feel less and less sure abt my options
I remember days when I careless
I remember you... yes, you... out there!
I remember things which people say I dont know, or know less, or least xpected... I dont hv to tell

Nah,
Who would care anyway...
it's just another nights with more stars shimmering,
the sound of nature,
whispering voices towards heaven in quietly prayers,
the sound of peace,
Who would care anyway...
it's just like any other night when one wakes up over bad dream and returns to bed immediately.
it's just like that nighty nite...
only I get a lovely kiss gudnite this very nite

Tonight,
I (really) have to turn over the page.. tho m not sure whats waiting for me there
but positively it'll b no less beautiful than what I had before
would you come over - stay by my side - while I turn to the next page?

Mencari Bintangmu di Langit (30 Agst 2009, LAPAN)

Aug 30, 2009


Tempat itu sudah mulai ramai... Lobby bernuansa biru abu-abu mulai dipenuhi anak-anak yang datang jauh dari Bogor, mereka semua terlihat antusias, mengantri di meja registrasi, menuliskan nama dan memilih-milih berbagai buku mengenai alam semesta dan ilmu perbintangan yang digelar di meja untuk mereka bawa.

Di belakangnya, sudah ada anak-anak dari sekolah lain... berikutnya dari komunitas remaja... nampak orang tua murid dan pendamping beserta mereka.

Waktu masih menunjukkan pukul 14.30, satu jam sebelum waktu registrasi, setidaknya semoga ini penanda kalau acara yg digelar (di Indonesia) kali ini tidak melar... dan memang tidak.

Dibuka oleh MC tepat pukul 16.00 WIB, ruangan berkapasitas 200-an orang itu sudah penuh, anak-anak yg menjadi peserta mulai bersemangat seakan hendak 'melahap' semua yg akan disajikan.

Selaku host, Sekretaris Utama LAPAN, Bpk Dr. Bambang Kusumanto, MSc. memberikan sambutannya, aku menyusul setelahnya... tidak banyak yang ingin dikatakan sekedar menyampaikan terima kasih kepada semua pihak dan bahwa melalui acara ini Goodreads Indonesia hendak membuka lebih banyak lagi ruang bagi kegiatan creative study di luar ruangan kelas, memacu adrenalin mereka siswa yang haus ilmu untuk mencari bukan disuapi.

"Well, hope y'all enjoy the show,"

Berikutnya yang dinanti adalah pemutaran film dokumenter "different worlds" edisi Discovery. Bisa dirasakan mereka hanyut terbawa roket itu pergi meninggalkan bumi, pergi menanggalkan rasa keterasingannya dan menjelajah mencari secercah cahaya di langit sana... menguak tabir yang selama ini membayang bernama langit... mengganti persepsinya bahwa langit hanyalah selimut tipis pelindung bukannya penghalang pandangan...

Sempat terdengar seruan kecewa ketika film akhirnya selesai - sayangnya kita tidak punya banyak waktu, dek...

Kehebohan kembali menyelimuti ruangan saat MC dan Queen Quiz membombardir peserta dengan pertanyaan dan banyak hadiah sebagai imbalan.. seorang siswa bertubuh mungil baru kelas satu SMP berasal dari Madura mengejutkan kami ketika dia berhasil menjawab pertanyaan yg bahkan kami nilai cukup sulit!

Yang tak kalah menarik adalah diskusi singkat yang dipandu oleh kawan Goodreads Indonesia, Jimmy Simanungkalit, seorang penyiar radio VHR, bersama tiga orang narasumber Pak Gunawan Admiranto (penulis, praktisi), Bu Marianna M. Rajawane (Surya Institute), dan Emanuel Sungging (komunitas langitselatan.com). Pertanyaan demi pertanyaan dibahas - kami dibuat terus terpukau betapa siswa-siswa setingkat SMP-SMA itu sangat brilian... pengetahuannya tentang ilmu fisika, alam semesta dan perbintangan jauh dari ekspektasi kami sebelumnya.

Benar apa yg disebutkan Pak Bambang di awal tadi kalau Indonesia memiliki potensi besar di ilmu new-age technology ini hanya saja kita belum benar-benar diberikan pencerahan akan ke mana mengasahnya... bagaimana mengolahnya...

Waktu terus beranjak, waktu Maghrib tiba... kami menunaikan buka puasa dan solat Maghrib berjamaah lalu dilanjutkan dengan makan malam serta ramah tamah.

Beberapa minggu lalu, kami sempat sanksi acara ini dapat berjalan mulus, berbagai cobaan, sulitnya mencari dukungan dan tantangan dari dalam diri sendiri seakan menghadang langkah satu-satu kami... namun, niat baik itu terbalaskan di bulan yang memang penuh hikmah ini.

Tawaran demi tawaran kembali mengalir untuk Goodreads Indonesia terus berperan aktif menyulut pergerakan generasi muda, mengisi bahan bakar ilmu dan menjadikan manusia Indonesia seutuhnya... kami memang masih kecil, tapi kami berani mengambil langkah besar itu!

You can never tell when is the biggest day of your life not until you’re raged in the middle of it… what you decide will determine what’s coming. So choose to make a difference! As Robert Frost once said, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – take one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”

where is the ADVENTURE?

Aug 8, 2009




I just watched UP lastnite with bunch of friends, been waiting for that Pixar production to come out... and as I expected, it's damn good! I even shed a tear..

From a childhood dream of living next to a running waterfalls at Paradise Falls to a pursuit of dream at old age, it caught me by surprise how much I've been hanging too tight to my dreams that i failed to realise what living is all about, what is missing from a happiness puzzle, and where my stand is among the fam-members.. sad to say, even being so grateful is hard to tell these days.

Man, am still pretty much me.. getting more selfish than ever...
have I been stuck for so long that I couldnt realise the count of BIG zero in the parameter anymore? Is it too painful to loose a grip? or Is it too hard to feel defeat? I cant tell.. really I dunno..

I keep telling myself that God knows and He waits,
but for His sake I utter back, could I be given a hint for until when I should wait till the horn ordered me to move on.. This is still the place where I stand, my face up to the sky, urge to survive my quest... my adventure... while I keep asking myself the all-people-of-the-world question, "are we there yet? are there yet?"

*sigh*

Mr. Carl Fredericksen,
am sure Ellie would be very proud of you able to grip that happiness... it's not about the house, tho it is accidentally and beautifully placed above the rocks next to the streaming waterfalls, it's about deciding to be happy... eventually and all floating house adventure plus kiddo Russel complete its stand on the jumbled puzzle. God has decided that it was then Carl's time..

*srooottt*

my turn again asking... "are we there yet? are we there yet?"
so, when are u giving me the hint if not yet the vague answer... where is the adventure if u tie me down under the tree - crippled...

DESIDERATA

Jul 20, 2009

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.


written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s

Puisi Untuk TUHAN Kala Tersesat

Jun 18, 2009

Laa illaaha illa Anta
al-quwwah
Laa haula walaa quwwah
illa Anta

kau energi bagi setiap tenagaku
getar bagi setiap gerakku
darah bagi aortaku
pekik bagi setiap teriakku

kau
adalah aku
nyawa dari nyawaku


(A Cat In My Eyes - FD)

The Astonishing Movie - HOME


you can watch it on Youtube now.. share it wide, and get to know your HOME!
http://www.youtube.com/homeproject

IRAN ELECTION REAX

Jun 16, 2009








NO ACCESS BBC PERSIAN TV SERVICE/NO ACCESS VOA PERSIAN TV

AP Television is adhering to Iranian law that stipulates all media are banned from providing BBC Persian or VOA Persian any coverage from Iran, and under this law if any media violate this ban the Iranian authorities can immediately shut down that organisation in Tehran.

16 June 2009, 14.30A commuter bus travelling from Baghdad to a southern city caught fire Tuesday morning, killing 14 passengers on board, Iraqi officials said.

The blaze broke out near the city of Kut, 100 miles (160 kilometres) southeast of the capital.Police said the fire broke out in the engine at the rear, then wind caused the flames to spread throughout the rest of the bus.

The head of the regional health department, confirmed the death toll and said 30 other people were injured.Police officials said the driver survived and was being questioned.Though road accidents are not uncommon in Iraq, where the roads are poorly maintained, the bus fire accounted for the largest loss of life in recent days in a country where insurgent attacks are primarily responsible for large body counts.16 June 2009, 14.30

SOUNDBITE: (Farsi) General Esmaeil Ahmadi Moqaddam, Iran's National Chief of Police:
"Iran's police announce that everyone who wants to hold a rally, gathering or ceremony, should get the necessary permission, otherwise the police will take legal action. Anyway the police are determined to enforce the laws and will strongly quell (any unrest)."

SOUNDBITE: (Farsi) Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ejei, Iran's Intelligence Minster:
"More than 25 to 26 of the provocative agents behind the recent unrest have been arrested besides those arrested by the police, and I am telling the rest of them through this (interview) that their actions are not secret from the Intelligence Minister. If from now on they take to streets during the night and cause problems for people and the country they will not only be arrested but their identities will be made public."

Iran's Intelligence Minister and Chief of Police warned on Tuesday that they would take action against any demonstrators who held rallies without permission or were responsible for any unrest.

In an interview with Iranian television, the Iranian chief of national police, General Esmaeil Ahmadi Moqaddam, said all those wishing to hold a gathering or a demonstration should seek permission or face "legal action."

Meanwhile, Iranian authorities are restricting all journalists working for foreign media from firsthand reporting on the streets.

The rules cover all journalists, including Iranians working for foreign media.

It blocks images and eyewitness descriptions of the protests and violence that have followed last week's disputed elections.

The order issued on Tuesday limits journalists for foreign media to work only from their offices, conducting telephone interviews and monitoring official sources such as state television and it came as foreign reporters in Iran to cover the elections began leaving the country. Iranian officials said they would not extend their visas.

Intelligence Minister Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ejei said that more than 25 "provocative agents" involved in recent demonstrations had been detained, in addition to those arrested by police.

He warned those planning further demonstrations that their actions "are not secret" and they would be arrested if they were involved in further protests or unrest.

Rallies in support of both rival Iranian presidential candidates were scheduled to be held in Tehran's Vali Asr Square on Tuesday, where government workers were trying to prepare the venue.


The protest camp, which has been on the streets since Friday's election, has shown no signs of easing its demonstrations with backers of pro-reform candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi reportedly planning to gather in the square where supporters of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad have also called a rally to demand punishment of recent "rioters" in the country.

Iran's state radio reported on Tuesday that seven people were killed during clashes in Tehran the previous day - the first official confirmation of the deaths.

Many banks, bus stops and public buildings were also damaged and destroyed in the wave of protests and street battles.In a message posted on his Web site, Mousavi said he would not attend the rally on Tuesday and asked his supporters "not fall in the trap of street riots" and "exercise self-restraint."

Iran's Islamic leadership announced earlier on Tuesday that it is prepared to conduct a limited recount of the disputed election.

The offer by the Guardian Council for a targeted recount from specific voting sites where fraud has been alleged, is the first direct action by authorities to address claims of irregularities by opponents of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.13 June 2009, 05.30

SOUNDBITE: (Farsi) No name given, local resident:
"I thought at least 80-90 percent of Tehrani voters were in favour of Mousavi, but now that it has turned out like this I am really shocked, I am waiting to see how it ends. I can't really believe it."

SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Behrooz Sharifi, local resident:
"I was really surprised to hear this on TV and radio in the morning. In the past two months people of most cities we travelled in were in favour of Mousavi."

Tehran residents reacted to the news on Saturday that incumbent Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is far ahead in the polls with nearly 80 percent of all votes counted in the country's presidential elections.

Kamran Daneshjoo, a senior official with the Interior Ministry which oversees the voting, said that with 78 percent of all votes counted Ahmadinejad had 64.9 percent, whilst his pro-reform rival Mir Hossein Mousavi had 32.6 percent.

Earlier, Ahmadinejad reportedly topped with 66.1 percent, but his share has declined as more votes have been counted.

Meanwhile, Mousavi has countered that he was the clear victor and accused authorities of fraud.

The dispute sharply boosted tensions, raising the possibility of a standoff after an intense month long race between the combative president and his main challenger, who is backed by a growing youth-oriented movement.

A large turnout at the polls had boosted victory hopes for Mousavi supporters.

The ministry says about 75 percent of the 46.2 (m) million eligible electors cast their votes.

Even before the first vote counts were released, Mousavi held a news conference to declare himself "the definite winner" according to information received by his campaign offices around the country.

Mousavi appealed to Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to intervene and stop what he said were violations of the law.

Khamenei holds ultimate political authority in Iran.

Mousavi said some polling stations were closed early with people still waiting to vote, that voters were prevented from casting ballots and that his observers were expelled from some counting sites.

Iran does not allow international election monitors. During the 2005 election, when Ahmadinejad won the presidency, there were some allegations of vote rigging from losers, but the claims were never investigated.

Before dawn on Saturday, Tehran's streets were deserted, but there were worries of protests by Mousavi supporters if he is declared the loser.

Some Tehran residents on Saturday expressed some surprise that the results were so overwhelmingly in Ahmadinejad's favour.

Mousavi, a 1980s-era prime minister, was counting on an outpouring from what's been called his "green tsunami" - the signature colour of his campaign and the new banner for reformists seeking wider liberties at home and a gentler face for Iran abroad.

He raised hopes that a new leadership might embrace President Barack Obama's invitation to open dialogue and take a less confrontation path with the West over Iran's nuclear programme.

The Interior Ministry's partial results overwhelmingly favouring Ahmadinejad came as a surprise.

The outcome will not sharply alter Iran's main policies or sway major decisions, such as possible talks with Washington or nuclear policies.

Those crucial issues rest with the ruling clerics headed by the unelected Khamenei.

But the election focused on what the office can influence: boosting Iran's sinking economy, pressing for greater media and political freedoms, and being Iran's main envoy to the world.

The race will go to a runoff on June 19 if no candidate receives a simple majority of more than 50 percent of the votes cast.

Two other candidates - conservative former Revolutionary Guard commander Mohsen Rezaei and moderate former parliament speaker Mahdi Karroubi - only got a fraction of the votes, according to the Interior Ministry's results. (source: APTN, June 2009)

Jalan-jalan 10 hari – Why Not (part3)

Jun 8, 2009



Akhirnya, Nyemplung Yuukks… Go Deeper into Thai!!


At last, nyemplung juga… that was my first time, but I considered myself quite gud :) the coral, the fish, they are beautiful… but that made me even missed Bunaken more and more…

Michail, our Canadian-born underwater photographer, was swimming among the snorkels to get their shoots. I noticed he got me twice. We chatted when I got on board, he’s very nice and he promised to look for me at the hotel, so as we wanna keep in touch. Well practically, he’s the only one in-charge on board whose language I am familiar with (we both speak Eng & French).

So then at almost noon, we’re taken back to Koh Nangyuan for lunch and another sightseeing, plus more snorkeling, hihihi… the beach is beautiful; this cup-liked island is almost as famous as Phuket.

Makan siang disajikan secara buffet di sebuah persinggahan terbuka berlantai kayu yang di kiri kanan-nya diapit oleh toko souvenir dan pos Lomprayah. Untung queue-nya nggak seribet cari tempat duduk di perahu biarpun ada banyak orang di sana yang aku yakin kelaparan (sangat) kayak aku .

After lunch, Ka Angga dan Bang Ali kembali melanjutkan ‘misi’ penjelajahannya… snorkeling laageee… aku dan Dian menyibukkan diri dengan foto-foto sana-sini.

Di sisi kanan-kiri pulau terdapat susunan batuan tinggi, aku terpaksa menahan diri untuk tidak memanjat karena Dian takut ketinggian, akhirnya kami memutuskan berfoto ria di sebuah cottage yang nangkring dengan indahnya di antara bebatuan…

Dari sana kami mensejajari bebatuan besar di pinggir pantai. Dan di sinilah insiden itu terjadi, inisiatif berfoto di atas bebatuan itu ternyata not so cool at all… ketika turun permukaan batuan yang licin oleh selimut lumut aku kehilangan keseimbangan dan terpleset ke dalam air….

AARRGGGHHH!! Telapak tangan dan kakiku berdarah karena menahan bobot tubuhku agar tidak tercebur seluruhnya ke dalam air. Dian segera membawaku ketepian.

Di bibir pantai dekat kami berada seorang perempuan bule juga sedang mengusap telapak kakinya yang berdarah. Aku menyapanya,

“… and where did u get that?” she mumbled about sharp, stranded rocks on the beach. She saw me also bleeding and offered me her tissue.

“Thanks. Whatta friendly beach, hu?” I tried to dig her smile.

She giggled, “You still have it! The bleeding doesn’t stop you… Nice,”

Then somebody who looked like her guide tour approached her and offered his help. “See ya!” she waived her hands to us before moving towards the sandy part of the beach.

I was still struggling to stop the bleeding. Then I thought, the heck, I am gonna push it!

Jalan terpincang-pincang ternyata nggak mudah… dasar narsis, tetap aja di suasana seperti itu kami foto-foto ;p
Setelah puas foto-foto di tiap sudut pulau, huehehehe… kami segera kembali ke arah persinggahan tadi sembari cari tempat berteduh dari sengatan matahari. It’s hot and really hot… you know-lah :)

Di salah satu bangku bangunan kayu yang di tata untuk tempat kami lunch buffet barusan, Bang Ali melambai-lambaikan tangannya memanggil. Aku, Dian dan Ka Angga menghampiri… tak lama kami sudah kembali dengan guyonan dubbing (me-lagak-kan orang-orang di sekitar kita untuk lucu-lucuan).

“… Haus ah, mo beli jus gitu…” Bang Ali tampak merogoh sakunya mencari dompet. Lalu ke dalam tas koper-nya yang setia menemani bahkan hingga trip ke pulau-pulau ini. “Ko nggak ada ya?” Ia bergumam sendiri.
Tak lama berselang, kami bertiga sudah repot dengan pencarian dompet Bang Ali yang tiba-tiba raib!

“… Udah bro! Palingan ketinggalan di hotel…” seru Ka Angga menengahi. Aku dan Dian mengamini.

(Suer aja, kawan-kawan… melihat kondisi kamar Ka Angga dan Bang Ali yang ditinggalkan ketika akan berangkat tour pagi ini was worst than any plane crash I have ever watched reported on television, hihihi… I was thinking how we’re goin to find the wallet in there…)

Niatan beli jus pun tertunda karena waktu kepulangan kami ke Koh Samui dengan jet boat Lomprayah Tour Service sudah tiba. Kami pun segera berbaris bak bebek (karena nggak rapi jali) untuk kemudian di-absen sebelum beriringan menuju ke jet boat bernuansa putih-biru yang sudah parkir dengan manisnya di dermaga kecil Koh Nangyuan.

Kami yang kelelahan yet very excited able to experience this trip were still spending, kali ini foto-foto underwater waktu snorkeling tadi, each costs us about 350 Bath.

Aku menyempatkan tidur sambil sms-an dengan you-know-who.

Sesampainya di darat, kami disambut dengan souvenir pajangan dengan (lagi-lagi) foto kami ketika hendak berangkat menaiki jet boat Lomprayah sebagai pemikatnya. Another spending for about 1000 Bath.

Akhirnya tiba juga di ‘hotel sweet hotel’, hihihi… sayang beribu sayang, dompet Bang Ali memang melayang, bahkan ada laporan penggunaan credit card ketika Ka Angga dan Bang Ali mencoba mengkonfirmasikan kehilangan ke layanan call banking kartu tersebut .

Selepas maghrib, kami mengadakan meeting dadakan di kamar (kamar Aku dan Dian lebih tepatnya), untuk berembug rencana kami selanjutnya.

We have decided that we can’t go to Phuket and spend another night there with Bang Ali’s wallet missing! We’re due to pay our hotel and motorbike rent yet we still have a long way to go to Bangkok – plus couple days round trip there… we thought it was the best option that we continue the trip to Bangkok and spend the rest of the trip there.

After dinner we booked a jetty + bus ride to Bangkok, in total they charged us 2800 Bath. We’re to go in the afternoon; a driver will pick us up from the hotel to the Nathon Pier.

Diselingi dentaman house-music aku berpikir keras, jawaban dari host di Bkk belum datang juga, I can’t rely on Rino’s apt, coz there are four of us coming… the last and least expected option would be staying at another hotel – this will reduce more green bucks in our pocket not that we have plenty. I forced myself to sleep… Dian di sebelahku sudah mengigau, entah mimpi apa… (pastinya bukan ketemu dompet Bang Ali kan, yan?)



Hari 5 (28/4) Pagi harinya, aku dan Dian segera mengepak barang dan mencari ganjalan untuk perut yang sudah meronta, penjelajahan di awal hari bertumpu di sebuah mini market ujung jalan, tidak banyak pilihan selain mie kemasan dan porridge – yang kesemuanya pasti ada flavor sapi kate-nya, jadi deh kudu hati-hati … sekembalinya dari mini market, Dian dan aku mencoba menikmati sarapan dan ketenangan hari terakhir di lantai 4 kamar kami di Moby Dick.

Sejauh ini masih belum terdengar kegaduhan dari kamar kedua bodyguard kami di lantai 3.

Waktu sudah menunjukkan jam10 ketika Bang Ali dan Ka Angga masuk ke kamar, kami bersama-sama menyodorkan sisa uang masing-masing untuk pembayaran hotel (2 nights) dan motorbike rent (2 days) yang totalnya 3550 Bath.

Selesai membereskan semua urusan, Dian and Ka Angga were busied looking for cheap flight to take us back from Bangkok to KL – since train ride is not an option anymore for we don’t have any money and can’t risk taking another trip to Penang…. Dibantu Hatta dari Jakarta untuk booking order and payment – all the process went well .

Kami semua berkutat dengan pikiran masing-masing. Bang Ali masih saja mangutuki bagaimana bisa kehilangan dompet dengan segala kartu berharga-nya itu. Ka Angga the poke face selalu mencoba menyegarkan suasana. Aku dan Dian hanya bisa planga-plongo mengikuti arus yang suka berubah-ubah tiap waktunya ini.

Kami dijemput dengan mini van ke Nathon Pier, di jalan ternyata driver kami mengambil seorang penumpang lagi… bule berkebangsaan Inggris! The guys know I am into bules – jadilah aku digoda abis-abisan untuk ‘beramah-tamah’ dengan si bule yang setelah berkenalan aku tahu bernama Tom (dia hendak berangkat ke Phuket terlebih dahulu sebelum ke Bangkok menemui pacarnya, yaiks!).

Panasnya siang bolong menusuk, setibanya di Nathon Pier kami masih harus menunggu 30 menit sebelum jetty tiba dan memberangkatkan kami ke Chumpon Pier, Surat Thani. Ruang tunggu yang tadinya sepi itu kedatangan lima orang pelancong… kami berempat dan bule Inggris itu.

Barang-barang kami tidak banyak berlipat ganda, hanya memang pengalaman kepanasan dan kehausan di perjalanan membuat aku dan Dian berinisiatif men-stock minum kemasan dan sedikit makanan.

Lapar? Sudah pasti… tapi cari makan di mana? Lagi-lagi kami harus menahan lapar hingga sampai ke tempat tujuan kami berikutnya, Surat Thani.

Di kejauhan, sebuah jetty merapat ke dermaga kecil Nathon Pier.

Ruang tunggu sudah hampir sesak dengan orang, untungnya ruang tunggu ini hanyalah sebuah bangunan terbuka dengan empat pilar layaknya mini terminal.

Ada seorang laki-laki berkebangsaan Thailand; satu keluarga dengan ayah bule dan ibu Thailand serta seorang anak perempuan yang lucu plus her male-nanny (yang kayaknya masih saudara si ibu); seorang bule (yang kayaknya kenalan si ayah); dua orang bule lagi dengan tas backpack and us (of course with that Brit bule guy).
The jetty was half-empty, even after we’re inside… perhaps the rest of the passengers were in the VIPs. Beberapa gals were seen sun bathing di sisi depan geladak kapal. Sementara di bagian belakang kapal penuh bertumpuk tas-tas para penumpangnya.

After couple shots inside the dock, kami memutuskan sightseeing di geladak, lumayan dapet pemandangan cihuiy ;p

Ternyata sodara-sodara, Chumpon Pier itu nggak sampai 2 jam dari Koh Samui, walaaahhh… hebohlah kami keluar dari Jetty menuju ke coach bus yang akan mengantar kami ke berbagai tujuan; dari mulai yang mau ke Bangkok, ke Phuket, dll… you name it-lah!

Jalan-jalan 10 hari – Why Not (Part2)

May 22, 2009



Journey Continues… Deg-degan juga neh!


Kami tiba di terminal Bas Pasar Rakyat hampir jam 7 malam, segera aku mengabari orang rumah Wisma kalau kami sudah kembali dari Genting.

Sesampainya kembali di Wisma, kami segera bersiap-siap karena kami akan berangkat menuju Hat Yai jam 9.30 malam ini menggunakan Konsortium Bas Ekspres Semenanjung (nah, ini dia si 1st class). Makan malam terakhir di Wisma, sempat deg-degan membayangkan kami, aku terutama akan memulai perjalanan yang sebenarnya, as first-timer there’s always this anxiety tapi aku pikir wajar ini tokh sama halnya yang aku alami dulu ketika memulai perjalanan di dalam negeri.

Pak Nanto, the amazing driver, melepas kami di terminal Bas Pasar Rakyat.

Pemilik travel Konsortium Bas Ekspres yang telah banyak membantu kami itu dipanggil Uncle Solo (katanya, orang Indonesia pasti familiar dengan namanya itu, yes indeed…). Begitu melihat kami datang, ia menyambut kami (lagi-lagi) dengan bekal penganan dan air minum – kami sempat risih karena semakin banyak pula bawaan kami karenanya but we will regret it later on our way.

Kami segera ditunjukkan sebuah bas yang mirip dengan bas tingkat, berwarna merah dan terlihat sangat nyaman. Benar saja yang Uncle Solo gembar-gemborkan siang tadi, dengan kapasitas 18 seat saja kendaraan, it’s reclining seat with XL space dilengkapi dengan TV monitor serta remote player-nya (double wow!), and of course a blanket (what can u expect from a nite-bus); harga 60 RM nampak sepantasnya.

Kami masih punya waktu sebelum berangkat, sedikit foto-foto di Terminal Bas Pasar Rakyat waktu malam boleh kan? ;)

Bas meluncur lewat sedikit dari jam 9.30, dan sebelum lepas dari KL kami sempat mampir di Terminal Bas Purudaya untuk mengambil penumpang lain. Kami meninggalkan hiruk-pikuk malam minggu kota KL dan waktu menunjukkan jam 10 malam – wwhhoooaaamm…

Hari 3 (26/4) Kami sempat berhenti beberapa kali, seingatku jam 2 pagi kami dibangunkan di sebuah terminal, dan kondektur bas secara kolektif mengumpulkan passport kami, selama di sana kami bisa ke toilet atau memesan makanan karena tempat kami berhenti mirip terminal pemberhentian yang juga ada di Indonesia. Kami di sana hampir 20 menitan. Ketika akan berangkat kembali kondektur bas mengembalikan passport kami beserta permit form yang neatly typed!

Saran1: jangan langsung terpesona, segeralah cek kebenaran data yang dicantumkan, pada kasusku dan Dian, dengan passport Indonesia kami tertulis sebagai warga negara Malaysia – bisa bahaya di perbatasan nanti.

Saran2: di terminal itu, jika ingin ke toilet jangan ditahan ya... di perbatasan nanti juga ada toilet umum, tapi nggak jamin kebersihannya (dan keharuman bau-nya)

Saran3: sisihkan uang kecil untuk biaya tak terduga di jalan, misal: ya ke toilet lah…

Perjalanan ke perbatasan menurut keterangan kondektur bas masih 2 jam lagi, so I decided to continue my dream – yang jelas bukan soal Bukan Cinta Biasa yang tadi ditonton Dian ya ;p

Sesampai di Changloon, perbatasan Malaysia, kami diminta turun dari bas dan mengantri di loket. Ada banyak sekali bas yang mengantri, termasuk kendaraan pribadi. Masih dalam keadaan mengantuk aku mengecek tas pinggangku (benda itu tidak pernah lepas, kecuali ketika tidur dan mandi tentunya, karena di sanalah aku menyimpan my most important stuffs), mengeluarkan passport dan memastikan surat-suratnya lengkap.

Petugas di balik bilik itu sempat mengajukan beberapa pertanyaan, mungkin hendak basa-basi, aku menanggapinya dengan ramah meski masih digelayuti kantuk, hey… you got nothing to lose for being polite!

Selepasnya kami segera kembali masuk ke dalam bas yang sudah mengantri di depan gerbang pintu perbatasan.
Tidak begitu lama berjalan, kami tiba di Sadao, perbatasan Thailand. Lagi-lagi kami harus turun dari bas, namun kali ini kami diminta membawa barang-barang bawaan kami (I mean all). I was so excited, aku lihat teman-teman juga sangat antusias, akhirnya pagi datang dan kami bisa melihat dengan jelas muka-muka orang Thai dan kami memang telah tiba di Thailand – just one step closer to where we’re heading.

Kesalahan pertama: malu bertanya sesat di jalan, kalau lupa? Apalageee.. itu lah, kita lupa pesen ke cik kondektur kalau kita mo turun di Hat Yai Bus Terminal. Rupanya bus terminal itu sempat kami lewati ketika memasuki sisi selatan kota menuju pemberhentian Konsortium Bas Ekspres ini. Jadilah pengalaman pertama naik tuk-tuk (kendaraan serupa Bemo tapi dengan sisi kiri dan kanan yang terbuka)!

Ha ha ha… you guys should see tampang Ka Angga waktu itu :D

Hanya berjarak lima menit dan ongkos 20 bath (berempat) naik tuk-tuk, tibalah kami di terminal bus Hat Yai di Chot Witthayakhol Road, near Makro.

Aku langsung didaulat membeli tiket, karena di sini, bahasa asing benar-benar terpakai (maksudku benar-benar ‘asing’ yaa… I can do English, but Thai?). Kami berempat harus membayar 1800 Bath untuk tiket bus dan ferry-ride ke Koh Samui.

Waktu itu masih jam 7 lebih sedikit, bus kami baru akan berangkat jam 8.

Bergantian aku, Dian, Ka Angga dan Bang Ali, ke toilet so much for morning calls I guess… sembari diserbu rasa lapar, kami mengumbar bekal masing-masing di bangku peron dan memesan kopi (yang rasanya aduhai… JAUH). Aku dan Dian sempat tergoda menyicipi mie kemasan yang dijajakan (tapi label PORK aka SAPI KATE membuat kami mendelik)… Bang Ali dan Ka Angga nekad icip rasa yang lain, aku keburu mual.
Have you experienced flag-ceremony? Ya, jaman SD sampai SMA pernah seh… tapi melihatnya dengan mata kepala sendiri, di negeri orang? Yang ini isinya bukan barisan anak sekolah, bahkan tidak ada pasukan ataupun peserta upacara… hanya seorang pembawa sekaligus pengerek bendera ditemani lagu kebangsaan yang menyeruakkan gema-nya seantero terminal. Sumpah, aku terkesima! (And I will still be amazed later on by these people)

Sebelum upacara bendera itu usai, our bus was due to leave… jadi kami tidak sempat mengabadikan persitiwa tersebut.

Sayangnya bus kami kali ini hanyalah setingkat bus antar kota antar propinsi, yang kendati lumayan nyaman, sayangnya berhenti di setiap halte, parahnya lagi ternyata perjalanan kami masih another 6 da** hours!
Di perhentian pertama, aku sempat rada shock… kami benar-benar sudah di Bangkok, dan aku tidak lagi mengenali mereka ketika berbicara, ketika turun kami berusaha mencari makanan – mind you we haven’t had appropriate food since our last supper :( tapi baru sempat foto-foto sambil sight-seeing kondektur bus sudah meminta kami kembali ke dalam bus yang segera melaju; he said we can eat at our next stop.

Hampir jam 1 siang waktu tiba di perhentian kedua, sebuah gas station dengan rumah makan. Ka Angga dan Bang Ali tugasnya cari makanan, aku dan Dian ke toilet – simpan wudlu buat solat nanti. Sekembalinya, kita harus kecewa mendapati ternyata menu utama masakannya SAPI KATE (hu hu hu… sakit ati!).

Tahan deh lapernya!!! (teman-teman, belilah bekal selagi bisa… aku ingat sempat meremehkan bekal seabreg-abreg yang dikasih Uncle Solo si baik hati)

Akhirnya… sampai juga di Dan Sok Pier. Turun dari bus, kami masing-masing diberi tiket ferry. Di canteen pelabuhanlah kami membeli our so-late lunch…

Pelabuhannya ramai namun tetap tertib, hanya ada dua ferry bersandar. Salah satunya yang akan membawa kami ke Koh Samui.

Waktunya makan!! Dan menikmati perjalanan laut tentunya… lagi-lagi photo session ;)

Perjalanan 2 jam tidak terasa, akhirnya we arrived at Nathon Pier, Koh Samui dan hotel kami Moby Dick berada di daerah Chaweng Beach, kira-kira 30 menit dari pelabuhan. Tapi dasar baru pertama kali kita sama sekali buta arah dan ketika aku telpon penginapan, tidak ada yang menjawab, paniklah kita! Hari sudah sore dan awan menggulung tanda hujan semakin dekat…

Dalam kepanikan, handphone Bang Ali (yang hampir limitless sangat berguna, hehe) sangat berguna, I dialed my friend, Matt and asked for his help (since he’s the one recommending this place). He mentioned a place called Green Mango… I uttered that to the driver, dan kami langsung melesat tepat ketika hujan mulai turun.

Taxi yang kami tumpangi pasang argo 400 Bath (untuk kami berempat plus barang). Oya, ada dua macam taxi di sana; satu yang benar-benar bentuknya taxi dan argonya, the other one is sort of like mini van – yang terakhirlah yang kami naiki. Kenapa aku nggak nawar? Karena berdasarkan website penginapan yang aku baca, jika memutuskan naik taxi segitulah rate-nya!

Teman-teman, FYI, sebelumnya aku sudah berhubungan dengan si empunya penginapan bahwa kami akan datang untuk menginap di sana pada tanggal yang ditentukan (meski kami datang telat sehari, itu pun aku sudah sempat mengabarinya ketika masih di KL).

Letak penginapannya cukup strategis dengan kamar yang nyaman (with AC+warm water), tidak berada langsung di jalan utama, namun di kelilingi pub, resto, toko-toko branded, toserba dan penjaja sembarang benda untuk oleh-oleh… not to metion scattered money changer! Walah, mereka memang ke sini untuk menghabiskan uang, hehe…

Demi melepas lelah dan mandi, kami berleha-leha sesaat di kamar, selepas maghrib, kedua bodyguard wanna-be kami itu berinisiatif menyewa motorbike untuk berkeliling kota, hihi, so off we go!

Sebelumnya, kami sempat mendaftarkan diri untuk ikut tour ke Koh Tao dan Koh Nangyuan keesokan paginya, masing-masing kami harus merogoh kocek 1700 Bath (quite pricey for low season).

On the third largest island in Thailand yang terletak di gulf of Thailand ini pun kami harus benar-benar hati-hati memilih makanan, malam pertama itu dalam perjalanan sight-seeing dan upaya mencari makan malam yang layak (mengingat insiden sapi kate) kami terpaksa berakhir di kedai McD, karena sudah lapar ke ubun-ubun, hahaha :D

Melanjutkan perjalanan dengan motor di malam hari sangatlah menyenangkan, banyak yang bisa dijangkau. Setelah lelah muter-muter, kami kembali… aku dan Dian memutuskan beristirahat, entah Ka Angga dan Bang Ali…

Hari 4 (27/4) Esok paginya, kami siap untuk adventure ke Koh Tao dan Koh Nangyuan!

Kami dijemput jam 7.30 pagi, lagi-lagi kedua bos kami telat… telat bangun, telat bersiap-siap, terburu-buru hingga baru sadar kunci kamar nggak ada! AMPUN deh… penjaga hotel meyakinkan hal itu tidak usah dipusingkan, maka kami segera membereskan administrasi tour. Jelas sekali terlihat kalau escort kami mulai kesal, he once asked me where we come from, aku bilang Indonesia… “Aahh, Indonesia! Late!”

Sesampainya kami di pantai kecil yang disulap menjadi pesandaran ferry Tour Service Lomprayah jengkelku sudah hilang. Kami segera mengantri untuk mendaftarkan diri di loket, masing-masing dicek asal penginapan dan jumlah orangnya lalu ditempeli nomor, hihi, kayak mo apa aja ya… plus dipersenjatai dengan perlengkapan snorkel.

Light bfast yang tersedia, a cup of coffee or tea and bread… jet boat yang kami tumpangi keren! Terlihat sangat terawat dan fasilitasnya memadai (and we got free softdrinks), sayangnya kami tetap harus berebutan duduk, ko kayak kenal… kenalpot!

Suasana (lagi-lagi) dipadati dengan bule, wuihiyy… semua dengan pakaian seadanya, I really mean it, guys! Kurang lebih sejam perjalanan, tibalah di Koh Nangyuan, kami yang akan snorkeling dipisahkan untuk naik ke kapal berikutnya… sejenis kapal nelayan yang akan mengantarkan kami ke snorkeling-site Lighthouse.

Di kapal, sambil mendengarkan instruktur menerangkan perjalanan kami dan berapa lama waktu kami nanti di sana (dalam tiga bahasa, please deh jangan harap ada bahasa Indo-nya), semua orang sibuk dengan persiapan snorkel-nya, dari mulai mengolesi sun block sampai mencoba snorkel ataupun foto-foto – kayak kita tuh ;p

Jalan-jalan 10 hari – Why Not (Part1)

May 21, 2009


Well, it’s wasn’t like any of my plans when going overseas on a backpack… but pretty much acceptable.

Hari 1 (24/4)
AK 955 (CGK-KUL) takes off 2.30 PM
Passport √
NPWP √
Print-out ticket √
Cek-in temen2 √


Berhubung ini kali pertama keluar negeri pake NPWP (aka fiscal gratisan), agak bingung juga. Nah, ini tips-nya buat temen2. Usahakan fotokopi NPWP, passport dan KTP di kertas yang sama agar memudahkan pemeriksaan. Jangan lupa bawa kartu NPWP asli kali-kali diminta, en senyum donks sama petugasnya ;)


Akhirnya Tiba Juga Di KL!!!

Mind this, what you first saw during your trip might as well be what you will experience for the whole journey… hihi… Ya, ternyata temen-temen sperjalananku punya kebiasaan pejabat yang datengnya telat, ups, jadi deh kita harus selalu terburu-buru hingga kebiasaan ini berbuah pahit (nanti).

Duduk manis dua jam di dalam pesawat Low-Cost Carrier akhirnya tiba jua di LCCT Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Waktu menunjukkan pukul 6 PM (Malaysia time) – jgn lupa cocokin waktu setelah ketibaan yaa… Malaysia itu 1 jam lebih awal loh.

Dari sana, kami dijemput pihak Kedubes RI Malaysia (yg kebetulan senior di HI UNPAD) untuk bermalam di wisma Damai. Tapi untuk temen-temen yang mau menuju ke pusat kota (KL Sentral), bisa naik transit bus yang tiketnya tersedia di pintu ketibaan antar bangsa (International Arrival), harga mulai dari 8 – 9 RM, berangkat setiap 10-15 menit (peronnya dekat Coffee Bean).

There’s not much to see in KL actually, kecuali teman-teman memang niatnya belanja.

Setelah berganti pakaian dan janjian dengan seorang teman dari HC (Hospitality Club), kami pun berangkat menuju daerah Bangsar – known for the hippest part for youngster in KL. We had dinner and then strolled down the street sight-seeing the people, fabulous cars neatly parked, and gorgeous looking people in their best suits – TGIF!

It was past midnite when we returned to Wisma Damai, my senior had waited to welcome us… then we ended up chatting till what’s like 4 AM (Malaysia Time). I even couldn’t remember how I got to bed in first place!

Hari 2 (25/4) The next morning, as we decided to stay one night in KL before continuing our trip to Thailand by land, we went to Genting.

Setelah sarapan, kira-kira jam 10 (Malaysia Time) Pak Nanto, driver, took us to Pasar Rakyat, Bas Terminal, yang letaknya dekat dengan Kedubes RI, daerah Tun Razak. There we found both transport to go to Genting and our next trip – HatYai (the border between Malaysia and Thai). Watta luck! We paid for the bus fare for the night trip to HatYai and took the cab offer 60 RM to go to Genting… the four of us hopped into the car and off we go to Genting Highland :)

Perjalanan ke Genting sekitar satu setengah jam. Sesampainya di sana kami tidak buang-buang waktu, karena harus kembali setidaknya jam 5 sore dari Genting mengejar bus malam kami yang berangkat jam 9 malam dari Bas Terminal Pasar Rakyat.

Rute pulang kami memutuskan untuk naik Bus ke Pasar Rakyat, itung-itung lihat pemandangan baru kan? Untuk turun ke Bas Terminal dari Genting, kami menaiki Skyway, dengan 5 RM/person kami segera terpesona dengan pemandangan sekitar menuruni bukit.

Sesampainya di bawah, kami sudah kehabisan tiket untuk mengejar Bas yang berangkat jam 5 terpaksa kami menunggu Bas berikutnya yang berangkat 30 menit kemudian, momen ini kami pakai (lagi-lagi) untuk foto2, termasuk memanfaatkan ‘tangan’ baru Bang Ali :p (more)

Kira-kira 10 menit sebelum keberangkatan, Bas kami sudah ‘mejeng’ dengan indahnya di Peron yang bertuliskan Pasar Rakyat. Ada banyak rute yang bisa dijangkau dari terminal Bas ini, terlihat pemerintah Malaysia benar-benar mengakomodir perjalanan wisata di daerahnya. Dan perjalanan satu setengah jam itu jauh dari kebosanan, sepanjang jalan pemandangannya dibuka oleh padang luas seperti peternakan kuda, lalu padang hijau, hingga masuk ke jalan-jalan utama. Kalaupun kamu terlalu lelah, bangku-bangku Bas ini didesain sangat nyaman layaknya 2nd class (yg 1st class ceritanya menyusul yaaa..).