Monday, December 22, 2014

Baduy - the self devided group

Baduy people (pronounce as Badui) who often call themselves in Indonesia language 'urang kanekes' is a tribe that lives 6 hours away by car from the extreme hust and bustle of Jakarta. The village is located in the western Indonesia, in the province of Banten.

The current population of the tribe has an apapproximate number of 7,000 people. The tribe is currently devided into 2 groups - inner baduy (4 villages) and outer baduy (63 villages). Majority of the tribe are scattered in the outer baduy and a very small percentage married people from outside these 2 groups.

Inner baduy is the group that still vigorously inssist to follow their ancient ways of life where else outer are opening up slowly bit by bit.

The Baduy people ethnically belongs to the Sudanese, the thing that separate baduy from thus ethnic group is the way of life where baduy people resist or rather block themselves out from any foreign wisdom but to live their life in the ancient way which mainly what I see or heard is that they refuse anything made fom the factory. For example, no nails are  allowed when building houses/bridges, all metal/plastic cooking utensils, plates/bowls, cup etc are forbidden.

The people of baduy basically told the outside world to leave them alone, they want to be isolated from civilization. The baduy people are lead by a religious head whom they call him Pu'un, this person has the power to confront any of the baduy people who do not abide to their tradition.

Now, let me show you in picture few differences between inner and outer baduy:

The roof with a round hood used by the inner Baduy people - this symbolize the home owner still follow traditional Baduy's way of life. It seems although you are out of the inner compound, some still ressist the outside influnces.
Contrary to the inner baduy, the outer people build their houses with an 'X' roof which implying they welcome outside influences
Costume of the inner baduy people - white top, black botom (sarong) and white head scarf
Costume of the outer baduy people
Rice storage hut used by the inner baduy, round shape on each corner of the hut is done in purpose to prevent rats from entering the storage room
Hut for the outer baduy village - unfortunately although from the same tribe, outer village is forbidden to use inner's design. I'm guessing if the Pu'un find out, he would tear them down without any hesitation.
Some other characteristics are such as baduy people do not have money neither they want any. So I was told that baduy people always gets free ride if they are out in the civilization. The people of this tribe also do not have any identity card, children will not be allowed to go to school. No lights are allowed as well.

All the many restriction past down from their ancestors was believe to have their people's mind free of complicated worries because they believe the stress of civilization is not necessary nor is good for an individual. Besides, inner baduy peoole are also forbidden to receive foreigners/chinese guest freely, one will need to go through a very conplicated rituals ceremony if they insist to enter the inner area. 

Listening to baduy stories makes me think of the time of Adam and Eve, time without any advance technology or fancy fashions.

Do come back later as I'll share with you, my short adventure into the village.

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Itinerary to Annapurna Base Camp

This is rather a long overdue post, been distracted by many things. Anyway, let me go back to approximately 6months ago.

It was a total 8 days trek, we return to Nepal for the second time and did the exact trekking route we embark in October 2012. The different was, we extended the trip to see their base camp at 4310m high and instead of autum it was spring this time.

It was a better prepared trip, whether mentally or physically except we have gone on the trip without buying any travel insurance! Honestly, I was quite nervous during the trek that I might fall sick in the mountain, but thank God we were both very healthy except was having a bit of altitude sickness towards the peak of the base camp where we both was struggling to swallow in the little cup of muslee at approximately 3800m.

The brief itinerary of the adventure:

Day 1: Pokhara > Nayapul > Birethanti > Hille > Ulleri 1960m (3hrs 15min)
Day 2: Ulleri > Banthani > Upper Ghorepani 2860m (3hrs 15mins)
Day 3:  Ghorepani > Deurali > Benthanti > Tadapani 2660m (4hrs)
Day 4: Tadapani > Chulie > Gurjubg > Upper Chomrong > Upper Sinowa 2300m (6hrs 20mins)
Day 5: Upper Sinowa > Bamboo > Dovan > Himalaya > Deurali 3200m (5hrs 40mins)
Day 6: Deurali > MBC > ABC 4130m > MBC 3700m (6hrs 30mins)
Day 7: MBC > Deurali > Himalaya > Dovan > Bamboo > Sinowa > Upper Chomrong 2170m (7hrs)
Day 8: Upper Chomrong > Jhindudnda > Siwy > Nayapul by local bus (5hrs)

The total walking/climbIng/crawling hours was 37hrs 40min, sounds like a lot hey.  If you average it with 8 days trip then is not too bad.

The best road map we saw from Tadapani




Wednesday, November 19, 2014

What to buy in Korea

Before embarking my trip to South Korea, I did a bit of reading up to find out what to shop in Korea. Shopping choices in this country is indeed wide, I was quite overwhelmed actualy to the extend I do not know how to start and end. 

Myeongdong is known to be the cosmetics district in Seoul, after visiting this place for the second time. In my opinion this area is way too busy, especially all the shops sales attendant are a bit too aggressive in makIng a sales and they just won't stop asking what you want. Anyway this is no doubt still a 1-stop district for cosmetics shopper.

Another area I went for my shopping is Hongdae, this is a student area, other than shopping there are also lots of night life and food spot as well. Given this is student area, you might also be able to find good bargain too. Take your pick and enjoy your shopping spree!

Sharing of my shopping list:

These moisturizer gel are great for keeping my skin moisture without the sticky feeling. however I have yet to know in terms of whether it is as good as those regular cream moisturizing lotion. Now using the Nature Republic 92% aloevera tub, shall try the Faceshop 98% tub after that. I got these for KRW4,400/tub
Fragrant hand lotion from Too cool for school at KRW7,000 for 2 tube (buy 1 free 1) guess I'm attracted to the packaging
face mask from E-tude and Beyond, each at approximate RM1.50, bought in Incheon airport and a random mall in Jeju city
Argan Oil going for KRW10,000
Too Cool for School CC cream compact with compartment for lip gloss and is going for KRW32,000
Too cool for school egg mouse face pack, KRW12,000
Fun face mist from Tony Moly
Skinfood eye cream KRW15,900 and neck cream KRW6900
Free mini packs from the trip

Now, food stuff:
Seaweeds - the ready to eat on the left is going for KRW2990 for 2 pack, Ottogi cut seaweed is KRW3250/pack
Nicely packed seaweed sheets is at KRW14,000 bought in airport

These energy bars is big time yummy, i love them. Bought them in mini mart, at KRW1,000/bar

The infamous Market O brownie 
Non food stuff:
Socks! I bought a total of 75 pairs, some given away as gift, remaining kept for my art work collection

Now, some of the cosmetics shop issue tax exemption receipt, please don't forget to ask for it and get the return at the airport, due to time, I did not have the time to clear, such a waste.  Anyway, I had lots of fun shopping there, wish to back with friends some day.


Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Gone walking in Hallasan

After a 3-full days at the Jeju Olle walking festival, I was honest feeling very lazy and was tempted to stay in bed when my alarm goes off at 6am. Anyway, I did drag myself up in the end to get ready for the hike, and here's how it turned out to be.

As I have read that there is strict hiking time in Halasan, so to avoid not making it to the peak on time, my aim was to start hiking up the hill as early as possible, and since the park entrance opens by 7am, I therefore decided on to make my way early to reaxh the park by 7.30am, and thank God the bus ride to the park was less than 30mins away from the Jeju main bus terminal, so I do not need to wake up at ridiculous hours, also I was so pleased with the fact that I'm staying so near the bus terminal.

Now to reach the Hallasan peak, there are 2 trail: Seongpanak (9.6km) and Gwaneumsa (8.7km).

My hike of the day was from Seongpanak > Peak - Baengnokdam > Gwaneumsa. Total time spent was approximately 7hrs (7.30am - 2.30pm).

the grand entrance of the Seongpanak trail
you will see these signages that tells you your location
The summit climb has time limitations, from both trail you are required to reach the mid point of the whole trail before 12noon, any time later, you will not be allowed to continue your hike up. Here's the details: 

Seongpanak > Sokbat shelter > Jindallaebat attended shelter (you are to reach here before 12noon) > summit

Gwaneumsa trail > Tamna valley shelter > Samgakbong shelter (you are to reach here before 12noon) > summit

so, I was timing myself, approximately 10 40am at Jindallaebat

Seongpanak trail is relatively easy to hike, cos there is hardly any steep slope, only a short stretch before reaching the peak (like the one in below pic). The steep stairs start here and end at the top of the hill ahead.

one of the steepest slope you can get from Seongpanak trail, the only challellenge would probably be the chilly wind that can get quite strong and disturbing
here you go, timimg myself again at the peak, made it at approximately 11.50am
some of the turn out that morning, it was a Sunday
It was actually at the peak only I realise the 2 different route leads to the same summit spot. I came up using the Seongpanak then descend via Gwaneumsa. The hike down was way tougher than ascend, it generally has steeper path, it has many sliperry surfaces, there mixes of stones and wooden path. 

the Unattended Samgakbong shelter, you must reach here by 12noon if you uses the Gwaneumsa route
some of the path were quite muddy, so it can get quite messy

the neat mountain view
we were tailing each other, eyes all cannot leave the floor
The same type of signages to tell you where you are at the Gwaneumsa trail

At the entrance to the Gwaneumsa park centre

The bus stop to catch the public bus to the Jeju bus terminal, before coming here to wait for the bus, I stop by a convenient store across the road to get some hot drink, the lady at the shop told me there is only 1 bus herear. I therefore confidently proceed to sit at the bus stop and wait, it took me more than 30mins, I started alone then many others join me later on.
There is no direct bus to Jeju bus terminal from here, get on the bus and ask the  driver to drop you at a bus stop that you can catch a nother bus to town. A map to show the driver where you want to go will help, especially thise with Korean.


Really glad to have drag my lazy body up that morning to do this.

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Train from Bandung to Jakarta

It was definitely a good choice to travel to and from Bandung using train. Here's some quick write up with pictures.

First of all check the schedule online if you have internet access handy, unfortunately the website is only available in Indonesia language, I have inserted the direct link to it's reservations page, you may want to try filing out the blanks and you should be  getting the result of the available train slots. You may also book your tickets online but do note that it needs to be 48hrs prior to departure. If time does not permit, ticket can be easily purchase on the spot at the counter or any Alfamart in Bandung.

1) Bring alomg your ID card or passport for registration purposes.
2) Make your choice of ticket with the mart cashier
3) You will then be given a receipt that you need to exhange them to boarding pass at the train station maximum 1hour before departure.
4) Exchange your ticket at the customer service counter which is located on the left hand side of the ticket check point of the Bandung station.
5) Next, board the train!

*Please ask the cashier which station you should be getting according to your final destination. In Jakarta there is either Jakarta Kota or Gambir.

This is how alfamart look like
Bandung train station
Customer service is on the left hand side by the entrance of the ticket checkpoint
In the station
The attendance who will check your ticket and give direction according to your seat/car number
The train that I rode on from Bandung to Gambir, Jakarta
This cost RP105,000 per seat
The screen will have  car number and to show passenger how to read their seat alphabet 
Shot alot the way
Another shot
Arrived at Gambir after approximately 3 hrs 15mins

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Myanmar - longyi and thanaka land

Yangon - is a city which has a lot of similarity with Kuala Lumpur, there's a lot of cars and flood after heavy rains; how familiar those sight are to us Malaysian!

On currency, USD is widely used in Myanmar, it is even better to use USD rather than the local currency Kyat (pronounce as 'chat'). For example you will be expected to pay USD10/Kyat10,000 whereby exchange rate is at approximately USD1=Kyat971. Just do your own mathematics and you will realize there is a slight differences. It is definitely worth consideting if you are on a long trip and on very tight budget.

Flood scene in Yongon and KL


The other thing we find it so familiar here is food, we stayed in a hostel near china town and   there's this long stretch of night market that sells everything. We like the food here, it is simple yet tasty! 

Seller here would carry their crops in those basket in their shoulder then sell them in the market
The variety of crops, the colour make one happy, don't you agree!



sweets and savory stuff

We ate here twice, cos it is the only stall that at least have got a chinese menu, we have been ordering the food using picture taken either on our phone or camera
Hot noodles always good for raining season

Now, the two significant things that represent the Burmese people has got to be their longyi (wide cloth wrap around) and thanaka (yellowish comestic paste from ground bark). Men and women wear longyi all the time, whether at home or at work as official attire. Women would wear thanaka all the time, cos thanaka is their traditional version of anti wringkles that they paste all over their face, sometimes body too.

This is what I meant, Burmese wear longyi all the time, even when cycling, trust me, it won't be easy to cycle with that costume