Trekking to Rinjani - what to expect

This was a long awaited trekking trip that I sign up months ago. Through an office colleague, I was introduce to Dody Adventure which I then join the group of 14 (11 Indonesian, 2 Aussie and 1 Malaysian) on a 5D4N Rinjani treks. Besides that, we also have 16 porters and 1 local guide coming with us, they are in charge of our logistics throughout the trip. Huge group hey.

The expedition was plan to start from Senaru, so all 14 of us had a night stay in Pondok Senaru, the cottage was lovely, I love how spacious the room is, and there were plenty of green around the cottage too.

Here's how our room at Pondok Senaru look like, I shared this room with a new friend, very co-incidentally we both adore cats.

Garden in front of our room, isn't it lovely?

They are plenty of monkey arpund this area, here's what happen during my 1 day at the cottage. While catching up happily outside our room's balcony, there's this wild monkey appear in front of us and suddenly started hissing at us vigorously, with those sharp teeth exposing to us, we panic. My friend automatic reaction was trying to shoo him away, however the monkey do not seems to be bothered but thank God he eventually climb away after 2 or 3 hisses. After the monkey left, we basically quickly dispersed into our room as well.

We later spent the rest of the evening in the cottage's restaurant, sipping coffee and continue our chats. 

while seated in the restaurant, a black kitty onto my lap and slept comfortably for at least 30mins, natural lap wrmer!

Let me now share on some useful info on logistic. 

Packing:  I reckon porters here prefer you pack stuff in carry bags than big backpack - this is so that they can tie your bag securely with strings, see below 2 pictures you will know why I said so. 

here's how our baggage are being pack

and this is how the porters would carry you baggage

In Rinjani national park, there is no guest houses like those in Nepal, every pit stop, you are to pitch a tent. In this trip we overnight in 3 locations:

Night 1 - Plawangan Senaru

Night 2 - Danau Segara Anak (lake side)

Night 3 - Plawangan Sembalun 

A few pictures to show you what to expect:

The interior of our tent, fits 2 person perfectly

The exterior of our tents!
Yellow - exterior of our tent from the pic above
Blue - the porters, they cook, eat and sleep in there.
Red - toilet

In case you are wondering where to bath? the answer is there is none, so prepare yourself to deal with no bathing for a few days.. Well, at least I can assure u should be able to dip your body into the hot springs near the lake side.

Now finally the most important part of the lodging - food! Don't you worry about not having enough food, with the local crew coming along, you will probably be eating none stop like I do! 

the kitchen

some of the food

I'll write about the 4D3N trek soon, stay tune.

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.

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