2018: Bukit Wairinding

Believe me, what I saw with my eyes is much more beautiful than what I captured with my camera.

We stopped by Bukit Wairinding on our way from Sumba Barat to Sumba Timur.

2018: Children of Sumba

The majority of these children don’t have any ‘hands-on’ experience with gadget, literally. How would they? Even their parents don’t have access to electricity, let alone internet connection.

On daily basis, these children are busy with school (if they are lucky enough to get enrolled), ride horses, weave tenun ikat, or simply stroll around the villages.

They get excited to see the tourist, or strangers in general. They will take their time to wavw their hands and say hello to the passerby cars, with bright smiles on their lips. But once you seem approaching them while in the forest or a bit deserted area, they will run away as soon as possible because they then think that you might be an organ theft, someone they are scared of, haha. Of course, it is their parents’ trick so that they don’t go too far from their village.

2020, The Extraordinary Year

First time since 2006, I do not go anywhere for overseas and even domestic travel – going home to Padang is excluded, of course! During this time, travel is the last thing that comes to my mind, considering how the virus spread. I believe, the best tip to travel during this pandemic situation is to have no travel at all.

Some people still choose to travel. That’s their choice at their own risk and consequences. For me, if I cannot be part of the solution, I will not be part of the problem, at least.

What about 2021? I still have no plans for personal travel, but I already have some business trips lining up. Insya Allah, if situation allows me to go, I will step my feet on a new country since Iran and Oman in 2016!

Can’t wait. Corona, go away!

Out and About in Bandung, feat. Maribaya

Pasundan soil was created when The God was smiling (M.A.W. Brouwer, a Delftse psychologist, an Indonesia-enthusiast Dutch)

Bandung never ceases to impress me. Despite of the excessive and terrible traffic jam during weekends, I always wanna go there. Maybe for sightseeing, reminiscing the old times, or just killing the time.

To me, Bandung is very nostalgic. I spent 4 golden years there. I grew up there.

Al Hambra, a Childhood Dream Came True

Al Hambra: Generalife, Palacio Nazaries, Palace of Charles V, Alcazaba

Palacio Nazaries

This panoramic view was taken from Mirador San Nicola, Al Bayzin, Granada, Spain. A distinctive palace and fortress with Sierra Nevada mountains in the background.

Granada was reconquered in 1492 by Queen Isabella I de Castille and King Fernando II de Aragon, completing the Spanish Reconquista, and marking the end of the Islamic rule in Europe.

Muhammad XII, also known as Boabdil, the last emir of Granada was forced to leave the land, where he was born and breed. He was brokenhearted and fell into pieces. According to the legend, when he reached the rocky prominent which gave the last view of the city, he stopped and surveyed the fascinating red palace and its surrounding for the last time, in his life.