Nelson Dino
I was sitting on my purple couch having my mid-morning coffee hand in my familiar white mug. Sip after sip, I started organizing my thoughts for writing a new poem in Malay about interconnections among people in the region when my phone blinked in green. Although my phone was set on silent mode a message that I am going for a trip to Indonesia popped on the screen as loudly as if it was a ringtone, what a pleasant surprise it is.
I quickly got my passport and snapped a photo of it just as Abang Naddin Shaiddin, the head of Media Trip Delegation instructed me to do. It’s a Media Familiarization Trip to Southeast Asia to Jakarta, Bromo, Banyuwangi and Bali, from 11 to 21 October 2015, the invitation’s letterhead, adorned with the colorful bird-like logo with the tagline: Wonderful Indonesia.
I was sitting on my purple couch having my mid-morning coffee hand in my familiar white mug. Sip after sip, I started organizing my thoughts for writing a new poem in Malay about interconnections among people in the region when my phone blinked in green. Although my phone was set on silent mode a message that I am going for a trip to Indonesia popped on the screen as loudly as if it was a ringtone, what a pleasant surprise it is.
I quickly got my passport and snapped a photo of it just as Abang Naddin Shaiddin, the head of Media Trip Delegation instructed me to do. It’s a Media Familiarization Trip to Southeast Asia to Jakarta, Bromo, Banyuwangi and Bali, from 11 to 21 October 2015, the invitation’s letterhead, adorned with the colorful bird-like logo with the tagline: Wonderful Indonesia.
An opening dance performance during Banyuwangi Ethno Carnival held every year. It was 17th October 2015 when we visited Banyuwangi for Familiarization Trip to #Wonderful Indonesia
After filling up the forms for the trip, I went ‘googling’ places mentioned for the trip. Banyuwangi caught my interest right away. Jakarta and Bali are quite familiar to me as I have visited them a couple of times, except for Bromo; which only rang through my ears when I visited Surabaya travelling by train to Jogjakarta in 2012. I didn’t have enough time then so I left my dream to visit Bromo but instead headed for Borobudur and Prambanan temples.
Joining the delegation of 40 journalists from Southeast Asia that arrived from their respective countries; Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore and Cambodia, we reached a unique landmark in the Jakarta’s Historic Center in the evening. Café Batavia staff greeted us with smiles. We were hosted by Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism Director Noviendi Makalam.
Joining the delegation of 40 journalists from Southeast Asia that arrived from their respective countries; Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Singapore and Cambodia, we reached a unique landmark in the Jakarta’s Historic Center in the evening. Café Batavia staff greeted us with smiles. We were hosted by Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism Director Noviendi Makalam.
Sipping some cups black coffee @ Cafe d'Copiz, Banyuwangi with the colleagues from the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia , Vietnam and Singapore.
His warm welcoming speech about Indonesia’s extensive archipelago which has something to offer for everybody through vast cultures, ethnicities, religions and languages made me more excited to find out the many things that makes Indonesia the multicultural land it has came to be. Despite its diversity, the locals believe in tolerance and respect for one another, as Indonesia is hoping to attract 20 million tourists and visitors within the next five years , to achieve this the country aims to waive visa requirements for more than 45 countries.
The Café is set in a 200-year-old building on the northwestern corner of Fatahillah Square. It is the second oldest building in central Jakarta after the Fatahillah Museum; we were not only set to dine here but to step into 19th century Jakarta during the colonial era. I must visit this charming oasis if I would have the chance to travel to Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta someday.
The Café is set in a 200-year-old building on the northwestern corner of Fatahillah Square. It is the second oldest building in central Jakarta after the Fatahillah Museum; we were not only set to dine here but to step into 19th century Jakarta during the colonial era. I must visit this charming oasis if I would have the chance to travel to Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta someday.
Roasting coffee beans at Coffee Using at Banyuwangi. The owner gives a chance for the visitors from the Media and Travel Agents.
This is such an amazing historical den with affordable delicious foods and black coffee. If you are a vintage car enthusiast you should drop by the Museum Angkut in Malang. Or if you love to see exotic animals, you will never leave Kota Batu, Malang without roaming around the Satwa Museum. If you are up for seeing real cadavers, don’t miss Museum Tubuh. If you love a white beach, visit Pulau Merah to dive into its turquoise sea-water.
After enjoying the stunning sights and learning so many interesting things I thought of writing about this trip. I must say that the Banyuwangi Using Tribe also known as Usingnese peaked my interest. Enthralled upon the visits of different museums and billeted in the environmental friendly Kusuma Agrowisita picking Guavas and Apples. Two of our local tourism guides Mas Ozzy and Mas Gatot kept on mentioning Coffee Using or Kapai .The sound of coffee seems too inviting that I felt as if it was calling me to taste its authentic fresh brew.
After enjoying the stunning sights and learning so many interesting things I thought of writing about this trip. I must say that the Banyuwangi Using Tribe also known as Usingnese peaked my interest. Enthralled upon the visits of different museums and billeted in the environmental friendly Kusuma Agrowisita picking Guavas and Apples. Two of our local tourism guides Mas Ozzy and Mas Gatot kept on mentioning Coffee Using or Kapai .The sound of coffee seems too inviting that I felt as if it was calling me to taste its authentic fresh brew.
View of the Coffee Using Village comes with delightful light while having our dinner here.
I have been an avid coffee drinker and due to my love for coffee, I coined it as kahawarista. A kahawarista is someone who is thrilled with the idea of coffee. Simply put it - is someone who takes delight in drinking, smelling and savoring each cup. I stumbled upon the peaceful coffee village with Angie Duarte, a journalist and Chris Gallegos, a photographer, both from the Philippines. D’ Copiz Coffee, the rendezvous were tribal huts covered with greens, we sipped brewed coffee and chatted over it. We talked about our adventurous and exciting trip to Indonesia.
Because we were all excited to join the invitation dinner with the Bupati (equivalent to Regent or Mayor) of Banyuwangi, Bapak Abdullah Azwar Anas and sipping the last drops of our coffee, we forgot to get back to Santika Hotel Banyuwangi early. It is until the charms and scents of our rooms in the hotel enticed us to rest and have a good sleep so we could prepare for the Banyuwangi Ethno Carnival the next day. The theme “The Usingnese Royal Wedding” highlighted the Ethno carnival which was to witness the dazzling parade, symbolizing the nickname “Sunrise of Java”.
Because we were all excited to join the invitation dinner with the Bupati (equivalent to Regent or Mayor) of Banyuwangi, Bapak Abdullah Azwar Anas and sipping the last drops of our coffee, we forgot to get back to Santika Hotel Banyuwangi early. It is until the charms and scents of our rooms in the hotel enticed us to rest and have a good sleep so we could prepare for the Banyuwangi Ethno Carnival the next day. The theme “The Usingnese Royal Wedding” highlighted the Ethno carnival which was to witness the dazzling parade, symbolizing the nickname “Sunrise of Java”.
A Bromo Cowboy transporting us to the nearest point of climbing the mouth of Mt Bromo, Malang.
After witnessing the culturally graceful rainbow-like Gandrung Dance, I was craving for more Coffee Using at Sanggar Genjah Arum, Desa Kemiren. Sanggar Genjah Arum is a coffee shop that is often coveted with coffee lovers from different countries all over the world while visiting Banyuwangi. The coffee shop has six traditional houses of Usingnese. Who would have thought, Banyuwangi also has a cool coffee shop with the a group of women playing Gedugan traditional music with their rice pestles accompanied by the melodious beats of Angklung Paglak played by a man.
“It’s great. It’s traditional brewing. Yes, I like this coffee,” I excitedly answered Andy Monir (from Malaysia) a travel agent who came along to join us in the trip. He asked me how the coffee fared. “Never enough with one glass”, I added. I went to the mini bar inside a traditional house to ask for more. It was overwhelming, when the owner himself Bapak Setiawan Subekti served me a cup with his friendly smile. There is no doubt that Pak Iwan, as he is fondly called is an expert coffee planter who is known locally and in internationally made this cup of coffee more special by serving us himself.
“It’s great. It’s traditional brewing. Yes, I like this coffee,” I excitedly answered Andy Monir (from Malaysia) a travel agent who came along to join us in the trip. He asked me how the coffee fared. “Never enough with one glass”, I added. I went to the mini bar inside a traditional house to ask for more. It was overwhelming, when the owner himself Bapak Setiawan Subekti served me a cup with his friendly smile. There is no doubt that Pak Iwan, as he is fondly called is an expert coffee planter who is known locally and in internationally made this cup of coffee more special by serving us himself.
Bupati Abdullah Azwar Anas, the Mayor of Banyuwangi delivering his speech during our dinner at the compound of his office. He invited us for the dinner and warmly welcomed our delegation.
The village is not just the usual coffee shop but a den of living traditions of the Usingnese as Sanggar Genjah Arum as the name implies seven Usingnese customs, there are traditional houses serving as homes in preserving their inherited culture. I listened attentively when Pak Iwan related that “Using” is the name of the tribe who inhabited Banyuwangi dearly called Bumi Blambangan. Indeed, as a guest I looked around the village taking my imagination to how this quaint little village looked 100 years ago. It seems to me, the kindness and warm welcome just as the ambience dates back to the ancient times.
I overheard the chats of Pak Iwan with Abang Naddin Shaiddin, seven traditional earthquake resistant Using houses are laid out nicely in the land of approximately 7,000 square meters. Each house was embellished with authentic furniture of Banyuwangi with antiques aged approximately more than fifty years .Typical traditional houses are Krokogan, Tikel, Tikel Balung and Serangan. Each house had divisions; foyer, living room and kitchen.
I overheard the chats of Pak Iwan with Abang Naddin Shaiddin, seven traditional earthquake resistant Using houses are laid out nicely in the land of approximately 7,000 square meters. Each house was embellished with authentic furniture of Banyuwangi with antiques aged approximately more than fifty years .Typical traditional houses are Krokogan, Tikel, Tikel Balung and Serangan. Each house had divisions; foyer, living room and kitchen.
The beach at Pulau Merah (Red Island). It usually comes with red colors when the sun is hitting the sea water. I wasn't able to witness though. Maybe next time.
As his guest in the coffee shop, I am amazed of its uniqueness plus the humble attitude of Pak Iwan that he has truly proven the Indonesian hospitality is alive and kicking as the coffee shop has brought in droves of guests to taste this coffee wonder. Accordingly, even the Bupati of Banyuwangi, Bapak Anwar Abdullah Anas always brings guests for a coffee here.
At night, the dim light with a sound of nature make the atmosphere cooler. No wonder why many guests linger or simply chat with Pak Iwan. If anyone wanted to taste this coffee, take a flight or ferry from Bali to Banyuwangi. In this trip, we travelled across the long road near Java Sea, from Malang to Banyungwangi. Everyone can actually choose which way to take. Along the way there’s also a ground black coffee shop.
At night, the dim light with a sound of nature make the atmosphere cooler. No wonder why many guests linger or simply chat with Pak Iwan. If anyone wanted to taste this coffee, take a flight or ferry from Bali to Banyuwangi. In this trip, we travelled across the long road near Java Sea, from Malang to Banyungwangi. Everyone can actually choose which way to take. Along the way there’s also a ground black coffee shop.
#Wonderful_Indonesia is always ready to welcome it's visitors. I felt the warm welcome of the locals. Their foods and culture are authentic. This such an authentic Malay World.
Just don’t forget to visit Tanah Lot in Bali. If not, you will be indeed missing the stunning sunset over the beach-rock near the temples with Holy Water and Holy Snake - among the Hindus. If you do not know a place for your dinner, Gardin Bali, a multihued church-like international restaurant is always available to serve you from 10:00PM-1:00AM. It is located at Jalan Petitenget No.106, Seminyak, Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali.
I simply cannot think of a word that describes the kindness of the Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia that brings guests for a familiarization trip like this. Aside from bringing me closer to the past, I can feel the warm welcome of the Indonesians that indeed we belong to the same ancestry and history – a race of gallant sailors, warriors, humble, peaceful and diverse.
I simply cannot think of a word that describes the kindness of the Ministry of Tourism of Indonesia that brings guests for a familiarization trip like this. Aside from bringing me closer to the past, I can feel the warm welcome of the Indonesians that indeed we belong to the same ancestry and history – a race of gallant sailors, warriors, humble, peaceful and diverse.
A sunset at Tanah Lot, Bali. The silhouette of hopes and progress are pictured here.
Indonesia is truly a haven of “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika”, a national motto from a Javanese word for “Unity in Diversity”. With warm welcome, I am personally inviting myself as everyone is welcome to be their guest, not simply a visitor. I will be proud to welcome everyone and will say, Sugeng Rawuh to Wonderful Indonesia!
Indonesia is truly a haven of “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika”, a national motto from a Javanese word for “Unity in Diversity”. With warm welcome, I am personally inviting myself as everyone is welcome to be their guest, not simply a visitor. I will be proud to welcome everyone and will say, Sugeng Rawuh to Wonderful Indonesia!
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