TO INNER BADUY AND BACK (Part 2) ~ The Two Shelter

... The Journey Continues ...

DAY 2 : Saturday, 28 September 2013

(Ciboleger - Kaduketuk 1 - Kaduketuk 2 - Balimbing - Marengo - Gazebo - Cicakal - Cibungur - Border Bridge - Tanjakan Cinta - Cibeo)

The clock struck midnight when we arrived at Ciboleger. Ciboleger is the main gate to enter the Baduy Tribe Area. Ciboleger is a village in Leuwidamar District, Lebak Residence, Banten Province. Located about 37 km Southwest of Rangkasbitung, this area needs about 2 hours drive with Elf transportation from Rangkasbitung train station. As the main gate to Baduy Villages, this point already packed with facilities to support tourist or adventurer who wants to trek to Baduy Villages. It has many shops, small restaurants, even they have "Alfamart" store for god's sake!! hehehehe .. 

But the most important and the most wanted was .. TOILETS .. hehehehe. (Suddenly, the only Toilet that still open that night packed with Palapa Warriors who had to go and relieved what hold inside them for the last 4 hours ... wkwkwkwkwk).

So, when we arrived, everyone off the Elf and stretched the exhausted legs for a while. Pity we arrived in the middle of the night, so we didn't have a chance to see the "Ciboleger Welcome Statue" more closely. So, next time I will explain about this statue for you ...

Kang Sukma as our contact for this adventure, then took us to his house. Kang Sukma is a "Urang Kanekes Luar" or we can say as "Outer Baduy Tribe". This man had 3 houses to accommodate us! So, we split into 3 groups, 2 houses for the ladies, and 1 house for the gentlemen. 

But, that night, some of us gathered in front of the house, spread our mattress and just laid down and watched the starry night sky .. it was so peaceful, so, quite, so natural .. we hardly couldn't see the sky as bright as that night in Ciboleger. And me, myself, enjoyed the brightest "Orion" star constellation I've ever seen, my personal most favorite star! Accompanied by a cup of hot coffee, a bunch of joyful friends, and of course, a great motivator Mr. Herlin, we then spent that night discussed and talk about life. It was so memorable. But finally, the time beat us, and we still have to considered our strength and stamina for trekking in the morning. So, we slept the night off.

After breakfast before trekking
From right to left : Michael, Rendo, Angel, Ruth, Dipo,
Recklin & Kevin

I woke up 20 minutes after 5, I remember so cold that morning, and we were not in upper Outer Baduy Villages yet ... brrrrrrrr!! But, since my last shower was morning a day before (uppsss!!), I really need to get to the shower and clean my body. And so, I fought the ice-cold water in a deep clean shower that morning (truly speaking, I rather to fight 10 man instead of taking the shower that morning!!). When I go back to the house, the ladies were preparing our breakfast (thanks to Ms. Revi & Ms. Diba for their effort).

Togetherness in Palapa is the important aspect .. we showed that in our preparation that morning. The ladies preparing the breakfast, while the gentlemen cleaned-up the houses. 

10 minutes before 08.00 we gathered in front of the house and pray together followed by a short briefing lead by Mr. Herlin. Our Baduy friends also presented in this briefing. Kang Sukma, Kang Juli, Kang Armani and Kang Sapri will accompany us all the way until Cibeo.

And the trekking begun .....

Briefing before trekking

Group split into two small units .. "Fast" Unit lead by me, and "Not So Fast" Unit lead by Mr. Herlin .. this to accommodate the conditions of several Palapa Warriors who not feeling well that time. Our beloved Ms. Almira Devina was ill and have serious fever, so it affected the speed of our trekking. 

The first village that we pass was Kaduketuk .. while the terrain was getting harder and harder .. sometimes we have to climb in the tilt of 45 degree or more. As usual, every time I trek in Baduy, I always put-off my shoes, it felt so much better trekking with a bare-naked foot (I understand now how's the feeling of Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee when they try to bring the ring into Mount Doom in Mordor bare-naked footed).

While we trekked, minute by minute our surrounding were changing .. landscape was turn into forest, hills and mountain. It was so beautiful .. the sky was crystal blue and the sun was not entirely showed-up. So, we enjoy our trekking, meter by meter, passing by Baduy people once in a while .. and suddenly we enter "Balimbing Village". Balimbing is one of the village located in Outer Baduy. The interesting thing that I see in this village is, the kids .. they're so cute, white and so shy to stranger .. we pass this village and make some stops to see the handcrafting of linen weaving in traditional way .. It kinda interesting, with those kind of traditional tools can produce a very nice linen .. maybe that's why the linen price is also kinda expensive ..

Paddy Barn at Marengo Village

We proceed our journey .. the terrain was getting harder and harder .. We pas small river, climb up to a hill and step down to a valley, over and over .. the distance between "Fast" Unit and "Not So Fast" Unit was sometimes far away, but we waited for them .. in result, our trekking took more time than it should. But we're okay .. coz we love this trip, we enjoyed it. 

After Balimbing Village, we trekked for several minutes and reached "Marengo Village". We passed some traditional paddy barn, that used as storage for Baduy Tribe plantation harvest. At first we thought it was a tomb or something to keep the human remain. 

Marengo Village is small village, we took a rest for a while in this Village, before we continue. There was something interesting happen in this spot. So, together we took a picture along with our Baduy friends, Juli and Armani.

Armani with the Victory Sign

In one of the post, Armani, 17 years old boy from Cibeo, posed with a victory sign with his finger .. that made us re-think about how the modernization touch our beloved friends from Outer Baduy Tribe. Never cross my mind that actually our friends from Cibeo know about this stuff .. A Victory sign when pose in a photo session .. hahahaha ... But, It's cool .. 

A long the way, Juli and Armani told about their visit to Jakarta .. (2 or 3 times a year they visit their friends in Jakarta - including me, last year they spent one night in my house on their journey). They told us that they literally WALK to Jakarta!! Without using any footwear!! Usually, they travelling to Jakarta between "Planting Season" and "Harvesting Season" .. they bring Genuine Forest Honey and some handicraft to sell in Jakarta. 

Soon after Marengo Village, we arrived at Gajeboh Village, marked with particular small bamboo bridge. If we take a look at this bridge, we will find that people of Baduy Tribe build the bridge by using only the non-metal material. To attached parts of the bridge they use ratan (rotan) or plants from the woods, and for the base of the bridge in every bridgehead, they use big trees and attached the bridge to the trees. Very smart traditional way.

In this village, we took a rest for a while. The "fast unit" was allowed to speed up, so we continued our trekking toward next point.

And, finally, after a while, we arrived in the second Bamboo Bridge that separate Outer and Inner Baduy. And just under the bridge, we found a very clean and natural Baduy River. We decided to take a rest in this spot. Some of the Palapa Warriors couldn't stand to go in the water and swim. We hardly can see river this clean in Jakarta. Moments later, the "not so fast" unit arrive, and (also) couldn't stand to get in the water .. so, that afternoon, we enjoy swimming and relaxing in the natural river of Baduy.

Bamboo Bridge in the border

In this spot, we celebrated the 15th birthday of Recklin .. one of Palapa Warrior, and according to Ms. Recklin, that was the best birthday she's ever had .. Happy Birthday Recklin .. !! Mr. Aldo and Mr. Albert came with a plain bread, stick a candle in it, and we all sing "Happy Birthday" to Ms. Recklin .. It was very simple and humble Birthday celebration, but I think that celebration will remain forever in our memory .. the togetherness, the submission to the mother nature that made it so very special, especially for Ms. Recklin ...

So, after an hour, we gathered again and brief by Mr. Juli as our guide. That was the last point where we can use our camera, because we have entered the territory of Inner Baduy. We then continued our journey. And ... the real challenge appeared ... 

In time that we thought that we've had the worst terrain, suddenly in front of us there was an uphill or incline, the hardest incline that we had so far. It go up high with almost 90 degree slope!! The soil was dry and slippery, with the sun exactly up our head .. It was a real test for us!! A killing zone..! And this makes me wonder, why they call it "Tanjakan Cinta" or "The Incline of Love". Weeks after, I came up with my own opinion why they call it "Tanjakan Cinta". Passing that incline exhaust our strenght and power. Only the love feeling for nature that make us possible to pass the test in that place. You have to show your love and respect to the mother nature to survive that incline! That's why we call it "Tanjakan Cinta" .... 

Finally, we arrived at our main destination. Cibeo Village in Inner Baduy Tribe. After 5 hours of struggle (we took too many stops ..), we finally can rest our mind and body. We then took to the houses we will spend the night out. Mr. Juli provided us with two houses, one was his house and the other one was Mr. Ardi's. Mr. Ardi is also my best friend, he is the father of Mr. Juli and Mr. Armani. I call it ... The Two Shelter ...

So, we spent the afternoon in around the Cibeo Village. Some of us go to the river in the backyard and swim. While some is rest in the house. We learned how to live in this remote area. Take a bath in the river using only river rocks to clean our body. We couldn't use soap or shampoo as like the rules in this village. 

Juli and his family prepared all of our needs in their village. Including the crunchy fried bananas ... ha! Our dinner also prepared with the help of Juli and his family.

At night, we all gathered in Mr. Ardi's house. We had a session and discussion with the host. Mr. Ardi himself who answered all the question from us. We asked about the Baduy Tribe, it's custom, it's way of life, try to understand them better. In process, we made a very close friendship with them .. for them, guest is honored with their simplicity of life. They are so kind, polite and familiar. We bounded them as our friend and family. Thanks, Juli and family for all the hospitality, we will never forget this experience. 

Mr. Ardi - Armani & Juli at my home in Jakarta

But, ... is it over? is this the end of our journey? Nope ..! Not just yet! In my next post, I will tell you the story about our journey back .. we have not complete our test yet ...

To be continue ......

BIOGRAPHY : MOHAMMAD HOESNI THAMRIN (1894 - 1941) ~ This is way more than just a street name!

Maybe, there’s no other street in Jakarta more famous or more important than M.H. Thamrin Street. Everybody knows about this street. People from inside or outside Jakarta know about this street. It’s a main protocol street, it’s a center of business, government, social life, even a demonstration paradise ... All you can find in this street

Car Free Day @ M.H. Thamrin Street

M.H. Thamrin Street is pretty short for a protocol street in a capital city. It’s only 2,5 kilometers long with 6 lines in each way, so total 12 lines (including 2 special lines – for TransJakarta Transportation). It stretches from Bank Indonesia Fountain Roundabout (Bundaran Air Mancur Bank Indonesia) goes south and ends in Dukuh Atas Area just before Sudirman Train Station. But, what in this short street are holding the main part of Jakarta and even Indonesia political, economical and social life activities. You can name several interesting and important spot and activities in this street, like:

♥  Government Offices : The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, The Ministry of Religion Affairs, National Board of Technology Planning and Application, The Board of National Election Supervisory,

♥  National and Foreign Bank Offices : Indonesia Central Bank (Bank Indonesia), Rama Bank, Bangkok Bank, Syariah Mandiri Bank, Deutsche Bank

♥  High quality Hotels : Sari Pan Pacific, Grand Hyatt, The Pullman, Indonesia Kempinsky (the first 5 star hotel in Jakarta formerly named Hotel Indonesia), and Mandarin Oriental Hotel

♥  Shopping paradise and Entertainment center : Sarinah Department Store (the first ever Department Store in Jakarta), Jakarta Theater Building, EX Plaza, Plaza Indonesia, and Grand Indonesia Shopping Town

♥  Bundaran Hotel Indonesia (Hotel Indonesia Fountain Roundabout), the Jakarta main landmark (beside National Monument), a place where we can freely shout our voices in the new reformation era

♥  Embassy of the foreign countries, like : Japan Embassy, South Korean Embassy, France Embassy, British Embassy, German Embassy,

♥  3 in 1 Car Program (at certain time cars that pass this street must contain at least 3 person in it), Jakarta Car Free Day or Car Free Night, Jakarta Cultural Parade, Jakarta Marathon, etc

Now, enough with this sightseeing information (I can’t stand to tell the history and facts of all that I write .. sorry .. hehehehe). Now, I wanna ask you a very important question .. you know the street name, you know its location, maybe you pass this street several time in a day, but .. do you really know about a man who made a remarkable struggle which from him this street got its name??

Do you really know who Mr. Mohammad Husni Thamrin is? It’s okay if you don’t really know him .. (actually it’s not okay .. I think you should know him better .. More than just a street name)

For those who don’t know Mr. Mohammad Husni Thamrin, here’s the story about one of our greatest National Hero ...

M.H. Thamrin Statue - Located in the North start point of  M.H. Thamrin Street

M. H. Thamrin Early Days

I want to start with asking you about where was he came from? In a little survey that I’ve made, only view person answered me correctly. Many people say that he was Javanese, or come from Minangkabau, while others say that he was from Borneo.

Well, Mohammad Hoesni Thamrin, was a Betawi or Jakarta originated. He was born in Weltevreden, Batavia (now Sawah Besar, Jakarta), on 16 February 1894. His father Thamrin bin Thabri was a Wedana (district head) from the Batavia Dutch East Indies administrative under Governor General Johan Cornelis van der Wijck, it was a very rare position for an inlanders (Indonesian native) in the Dutch East Indies government system.

Because of his father position, little Thamrin was lucky enough to had education in his early days. First he entered Bosch Institute (a kind of private Dutch Elementary School). After graduated from this school, he then proceeded to Koning Willem III Gymnasium High School, which was made him very easy to get an administrative job after.  He then worked in several governmental jobs before finally work as a Book Keeper in Koninklijke Paketvaart Maatschappij (KPM – a Dutch Shipping Venture). And this was his last job as an employee, because after that he only devoted his energy and mind to the social and politic issues.

Back in his teenager time, he already had a big concern about the wealth of his people and the development of his beloved city, Batavia. There was Daart van der Zee, a socialist Dutch, member of Batavia Gemeenteraad (Batavia City Council) who had lofty ideals to make life of people of Batavia better and prosperous. Mr. Van der Zee then became young Thamrin close friend. In 1905, the government formed Batavia Gemeenteraad (Batavia City Council). With this council, later Thamrin would play the important role in his struggle for Indonesian independence.

The political inspiration for young Thamrin had also came from several Indonesian independence movement figures such as Mr. Koperberg, Mr. Ernest Douwes Dekker, later known as Mr. Danudirja Setiabudi (grandson of Mr. Eduard Douwes Dekker or Multatuli – famous for his book “Max Havelaar”), Mr. dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo and Suwardi Suryaningrat (or known as Ki Hajar Dewantara).

M.H. Thamrin Political Carrier

His friendship with Mr. Daart van der Zee caused a political interest for him to focus on social issues in Batavia. He realized how bad the condition of Betawi people social life back then. The city wasn’t guarantee for the health of the people. Many of Kampungs (villages) were dirty and muddy. And because of his interest of these matters, finally in 27 October 1919, in the age of 25 (the minimum age for a counselor) he was assigned and attended his first Batavia City Council Assembly as a member of the council.

Notes : sometimes I wonder, what were we doing in the age of 25? Mostly in that age we pursuit our demand of life and don’t give a damn care about social life around us!

By the time M.H. Thamrin was assigned to be a counselor in Batavia City Council, he was 25, and still working as a Book Keeper in KPM. This progress didn’t please his boss in KPM and the boss was trying to prevent him from active in the City Council. He offered Thamrin a promotion and better rank in the job with the increase of salary if he wants to move to Banjarmasin, South Borneo. But, Thamrin had made a fix decision. He only wanted to give all of his effort to the fate of Batavia people. So, officially in 17 September 1924, Thamrin resigned from KPM.

If in these days we often see the Governor of Jakarta, Mr. Joko Widodo (Jokowi) does the inspection to the corners of Jakarta area (or Blusukan in Javanese languange), M.H. Thamrin has done that 93 years ago! As a City Counselor, he visited the corners of Batavia to witness the condition of Batavia people with his own eyes. He then made a political speech in front of the City Council Assembly, demanded the government to fix and develop “kampungs” in Batavia. His speech then responded by the government, who launched the project called “Kanal Ciliwung”. The government built wider water canal to control the flood in villages of Batavia.

Mohammad Hoesni Thamrin

M.H. Thamrin political carrier kept on going. Here’s some record if his carrier back then:

♥  In 1923, he appointed to be the Chairman of “Kaum Betawi”, a social organization that had a big concern to promote trade, education and public health.

♥  In 1927, there was a vacancy in Volksraad (Nation Council or like our House of Representatives now). Thamrin was offered the position and he said yes. What he think was, with Volksraad he would expand his struggle nationally, more than just Batavia, but for Indonesia.

♥  In 1929, he hold the position of Loco Burgemeester (Deputy Major), a position that very important for native Indonesian at that time. While his service in Volksraad was improving from time to time. One of his biggest contribution in Volksraad was to do investigation about Peonale Sanctie, it was a kind of punishment imposed to plantation workers by the Dutch government. One particular case was what happened with North Sumatera Tobacco Plantation workers. They were treated like animals, struck and whipped. Volksraad then sent Thamrin and his colleague Kusumo Utoyo to North Sumatera n order to investigate this issue. And the report about this then read by Thamrin in Volksraad Assembly in 27 January 1930. The respond for this issue then came from domestic and also international community including Europe and America. And as a result Peonale Sanctie was determinate.

♥  In 1930, M.H. Thamrin was appointed as Chairman of  “Fraksi National” inside Volksraad.

♥  In 1932, M.H. Thamrin was appointed as a Chairman of PPPKI (Permufakatan Perhimpunan Politik Kebangsaan Indonesia) in its congress in Surabaya, East Java. In the same year, He became member of VIA (Vereniging van Indonesia Akademici – Perhimpunan Kaum Akademisi Indonesia), and in one of this organization congress, he bravely suggested to government of Japan not to buy Sugar from Indonesia because of the vicious treatment of Dutch government to the sugarcane plantation workers in Indonesia. And for this he strongly warned by the Dutch Government and consider as a dangerous person in politics.

♥  In 1935, M.H. Thamrin appointed as a Head of Political Department of Partai Indonesia Raya (Parindra) which he had the opportunity to serve together with his idol dr. Sutomo (the founder of Budi Utomo organization).

♥  In 1938, after the death of dr. Sutomo, Thamrin was appointed as Vice Chairman of Parindra.

♥  In 1939, GAPI (Gabungan Politik Indonesia) was formed and soon Parindra joint in this new political movement. The slogan “Indonesia Berparlemen” was suddenly promote and sounded in every chance they had. In this year, as a Volksraad Counselor, M.H. Thamrin make a motion (and probably the most dangerous motion he ever did) for Dutch Government to use word “Indonesia, Indonesia and Indonesier” instead of “Netherland Indie, Netherland Indies and Inlander”. He insisted and proposed to use those words in every Law and every Dutch Indies Government Regulation. But, with the reason that Government didn’t have time to discuss this mater since Dutch was involved in World War II, the Dutch Indies Government then rejected his proposal. Thamrin was very disappointed with the rejection.

♥  In 1940, in a congress of Parindra in Cirebon, West Java, Thamrin made a strong speech about the liberty of Indonesia, the right to have our own parliament. “People of Indonesia cannot wait for the approval from Netherland regarding our demand to have our own parliament. We must fight to achieve our goals with our own power and strenght.” He said in that congress. And for the effect of that, all Parindra activities had banned by the government. And Thamrin considered as a very dangerous man for the Dutch Government in Indonesia.

♥  In 1941, after a search operation in the house of the leader of Pemandangan Newspaper Mr. M. Tabrani, the Dutch Government found some letter written by M.H. Thamrin which stated the invective for the Dutch Government. This is the point where the Dutch Government considers M.H. Thamrin as an enemy of the state. In 6 January 1941, Thamrin captured and subjected to house arrest by the Dutch Government

The Loss of Our Nation

Mohammad Hoesni Thamrin was arrested in his house start from 06 January 1941 in sick condition. He was forbidden to meet his friends, except for his personal doctor, dr. Kayadu, his wife, his foster son and his loyal maid Mr. Entong.

11 January 1941, at 03.00 in the morning, one of our best national hero, the pride of Betawi people, Mohammad Hoesni Thamrin was passed away in the age of 47. His body laid in Karet Bivak Cemetery covered with Parindra flag Green, Red and White. People of Jakarta were shocked and grieving for this loss. And also the people of Indonesia. We lost one of our best country men. And only 4 years from his death, our nation had declared the independence. It was so sad that M.H. Thamrin didn’t had a chance to see red and white flag fluttering in the air of Jakarta. But, his struggle, his dedication and all of his effort will not be forgotten. And every time we pass M.H. Thamrin Street, should we remember him, take a moment to send a prayer for him, may he rest in peace.

In this house M.H. Thamrin passed away in 11 January 1941.
Located in Jalan Kenari II No. 15 - Central Jakarta, now the house has become
M.H. Thamrin Museum

So, now you know that our biggest protocol street in Jakarta is named after this great man! It’s more than just a street name, it’s the history of our struggle and devotion to the liberty.

Farewell, Mr. Thamrin ... You are a good man!!

Notes :
The Government of Republic of Indonesia conferred the title of National Hero for Mohammad Hoesni Thamrin with the Presidential Decree of the Republic of Indonesia No. 175 / 1960 dated July 28th, 1960

TO INNER BADUY AND BACK (Part 1) ~ The Fellowship of PALAPA

This is my story .. A story of an ordinary man who has extraordinary world in his hand ..

PALAPA (PencintA aLAm PAramitha) has become my 2nd family since August this year. Well, in fact the reason I join this organization was basically to have some sports activities. You see, I hardly can't find a day in a week to exercise my skinny body .. and that's not good at all .. I'm 40, and I think it's time to strengthen my endurance. So, I chose this school extra curricular instantly, so every Friday I have a chance to sweated my body, testing my smoking lungs and move my old time bones ... wkwkwkwkwk .... 
I was a member of Natural Lovers Club back in the high school and college time, I've been climb in many mountain, swim in the many deep sea, trekking the jungle .. but, that was long time a go .. I have a lot of to catch-up with these guys and girls now .. wkwkwkwkwk 

Many of the Palapa Warriors are my students in class. Students like Ms. Deaziska, Ms. Devina, Mr. Meyer, Mr. Andri, Ms. Saridewi, Ms. Prastiwi, Ms. Qudsiyyah and Mr. Mulianto, have been studying with me since 1st grade one year ago, and the other like Ms. Recklin, Ms. Nugraheni, Ms. Anggraeni, Ms. Annastashia, Mr. Rahmandi, Mr. Virano, Mr. Latuheru and Mr. Rachmansyah, were fresh 1st grade students who have been studying with me about 4 months now .. So, it was not a difficult situation for me to blend nicely in the organization. And, it's important to know that my position in Palapa is strictly as a regular member, a common participant, not as a teacher .. that is why I pay my weekly dues, I pick trash, clean-up our secretariat room together with other members .. just ordinary member I am.

The idea of trekking in the villages of Baduy Tribe in Banten, West Java, was actually came from a short discussion with my students in class, and we've planned to go there in December this year. But, then I thought, why not just drop the idea to the warriors of Palapa and see how it's going? So, I talked to Mr. Herlin, the preceptor teacher whose running this organization so well. As a member of Palapa, I thought this was a great idea to have activities in the wild to testing and training our capabilities, team-work, brotherhood and physic. 
Mr. Herlin agreed and start to prepare the program for Palapa member. So, we trained and trained and trained as our preparation for this event. Until the D-Day has come ...

This is the story of my journey ....

DAY 1 : Friday, 27 September 2013

(School - Buaran Train Station - Tanah Abang Train Station - Duri Train Station - Rangkasbitung - Ciboleger Outer Baduy)

So, we start Friday, 27 September 2013 from school. I was an advance team who must prepare all the departure process in Tanah Abang Station. So, I picked my fellow Palapa warriors Ms. Saridewi & Mr. Rahmandi to assisted me for the preparation. We left school about 15.30 WIB using a city transport to get to Buaran Station. Ms. Saridewi was a bit ill that time, but she kept going and show the strong spirit in this activities. 

From Buaran Station, we took a commuter line train to get to Tanah Abang Station, means that we had to change train in Manggarai Station and get to the other commuter line train toward Tanah Abang.

After arrived at Tanah Abang  Station, three of us had a light meal first (considering the condition of Ms. Saridewi), a plate of Lontong Sayur taste delicious for our hungry stomach.  
Minutes later, we assembled a meeting point in the lobby of the train station. Our dinner box planned to be delivered about 18.00 WIB. So, we waited. 

One by one the member of Palapa showed up. Ms. Nugraheni, Ms. Anggraeni, Ms. Recklin, Ms. Annasthasia, Mr. Latuheru and Mr. Mulyanto, so total there were 9 of us who assembled in Tanah Abang Station, while the others departed from school with Mr. Herlin. 
While we were preparing for the departure, I just found out that our train to Rangkasbitung wouldn't depart from Tanah Abang  Station but from Duri Station!! Ouuch shuuut!!! It means that we had to move to Duri Station right away! I quickly called Mr. Herlin and told him to bring the group directly to Duri Station instead of Tanah Abang Station. 
After our dinner box arrived, we soon got to the commuter line and headed to Duri Station. Once we hit the Duri's deck, we rest and waited for others to come. Second group then came about 19.15 WIB. 

Here's the complete list of the group :

Palapa Warriors ~ Baduy Trekking Adventure

1.        Mr. Herlin

2.        Ms. Almira Devina

3.        Ms. Dita (Mr. Herlin’s friend)

4.        Mr. Aldo Rachmansyah

5.        Mr. Surya

6.        Ms. Annasthasia

7.        Ms. Diba

8.        Mr. Dwi

9.        Ms. Revi

10.    Mr. Kevin Mulianto

11.    Mr. Anthony

12.    Ms. Nabilah Ayu Saridewi

13.    Ms. Laras Deaziska

Duri Station - Waiting for departure

14.    Ms. Maria Ave

15.    Mr. Albertus Rengga

16.    Ms. H. Qudisyyah

17.    Mr. Rendo Rahmandi

18.    Ms. Recklin

19.    Mr. Dipo Latuheru

20.    Ms. Ruth Gita Anggraeni 

21.    Ms. Angela Nugraheni

22.    Ms. Sandra Prastiwi

23.    Mr. Michael Virano

24.    Mr. Laurentius Meyer

25.    Me

Exactly at 20.24 WIB, our train came and we embarked. The adventure begun.
It was a local economy train, only Rp.2.000,- / person, so we expected the worst. Last time I use this train, I remember it was a very packed train with people, animals, asongan seller, hardly couldn't have a seat!

But this time it turned to a big surprise! The train was empty, full air-conditioned and clean .. A very big benefit for a Rp.2.000,- transportation rate!! And so .. we enjoyed our trip in the night heading to Rangkas Bitung. 

Duri - Rangkasbitung Local Economy Train - the unexpected value 

We passed this route to get to Rangkasbitung :
Duri - Tanah Abang - Palmerah - Kebayoran Lama - Pondok Ranji - Jurang Mangu - Sudimara - Rawa Buntu - Serpong - Cisauk - Cicayur - Parungpanjang - Cilejit - Daru - Tenjo - Tiga Raksa - Cikoya - Maja - Citeras - Rangkasbitung 

Dinner box served not long after we depart. And the rest of it was free time in the train. We enjoyed several street musician who sell their voices on the train (we even requested some songs ... lol). 

Around 2 hours next, we arrived at Rangkasbitung Train Station. This train station was built in 1901, while the train track was built in the era of 1889 - 1899.

Rangkas Bitung Train Station

Rangkasbitung is a district and also a capital city of Lebak Residence, in Banten Province. Located around 96 kilometers South West of Jakarta. 
History of Rangkasbitung can be traced back to the Dutch Colonial era. It was a quiet important satellite city to support Batavia as the center of the Dutch East Indies government. This city administratively formed in 29 September 1828 which is stated in the East Indies Staatsblad 288 year 1828 as a District under the Residence of Lebak. Back then, this city famous for the coal and oil mining. Like many other cities in Indonesia, the Rangkasbitung city site-plan also made based on the Kingdom site-plan (in this case The Sultanate of Banten), where Royal Square, Royal Mosque and Royal Pavilion were the center of the city. 

There is an interesting history that make Rangkasbitung famous in the international world. It was the "Max Havelaar" book written by a man name Multatuli that made this city known by people of the world. Who is Multatuli? Multatuli is an alias name, a journalistic name. The real name is Eduard Douwes Dekker, a Dutch born asistant residence of Lebak who lived and worked in Rangkasbitung in 1856. Although he was a representative of Dutch Government in Lebak Residence, he was very upset for the condition of people of Lebak who exploited by the Dutch. "Kerja Paksa" or "Rodi Work" was a common view in the Dutch era. And that didn't please Mr. Dekker at all. He then stood for people of Lebak and sent his protest letter to the Governor General of Dutch in Batavia, Mr. A. J. Duymaer van Twist. The official in Batavia didn't like him and didn't like the way he defend the "bumiputera" (native Indonesian), and so, they sent a hard warning letter to him.

Eduard Dowes Dekker / Multatuli

Mr. Dekker was very upset and finally put his resignation of being the assistant residence of Lebak. Soon after that he moved back to Holland and next to Brussel, Belgium and started to write a book which internationally famous "MAX HAVELAAR". The book told about the atrocity and the injustice of the Dutch administrative in East Indies especially in Lebak, Banten. To cover his identity he then used Multatuli as his literature name. The name Multatuli came from a Latin word, and have meaning "I have suffered enough". With the published of this book, finally the world knew about the truth in East Indies. 
Now, we can find a street named after him in city of Rangkasbitung as the appreciation of his struggle against the injustice of Dutch colonial in Lebak, Banten

Oh yeah, before I forgot, do you know that Eduard Douwes Dekker was also a grandfather of Ernest Douwes Dekker, our national independence hero who also known as Danudirja Setiabudi? ... Now you know .. (uuuh I love history!!)

Okay .. let's get back to the adventure trip ....

So, we arrived at the Rangkasbitung Train Station about 23.00 WIB. Upon arrival, my fellow buddy from Baduy, Kang Sukma had already wait for us with two Elfs Mini Van that ready to take us to the next trip to Ciboleger. Kang Sukma is my old time friend, an outer Baduy Tribe who usually helps me to arrange the trekking trip into the inner Baduy Tribe Villages. He lives in Ciboleger. And as our plan, we will spent the first night of our journey in his home. 

We then split into 2 groups, each embarked to one Elf, and continue our journey. It takes about 2 hours drive to get to Ciboleger, the official gate to Baduy Tribe Villages. So, when we arrived in Ciboleger, the clock had stroke an hour after midnight. 

.... To Be Continued ....

MENGOYAK SENJA (Life is about struggle ...!!)

Terbang ... Kukepakkan sayap-sayap berdarahku
Tinggi ... Menjejak mega kelabu, basah dan menyakitkan
Bukan tanpa arah, tapi ku tersesat
Bukan tanpa semangat, namun ku terkulai .. lemah ..

Pernah ku menjadi Rajawali, berkuasa atas angkasaku
Pernah ku songsong penguasa Timur, menghadapinya mata ke mata
Pernah ku jelajahi lekuk bumi, sampai titiknya yang terjauh
Pernah ku tapaki samudera, dimana airnya tumpah di ujung dunia

Namun, senja menangkapku 
Menarikku ke dalam pusaran cahaya, meredup tak berwarna
Mencabikku hingga telanjang, nanar dan tak melawan
Mencabutku dari kejayaan dan kemegahan angkasaku
Dan biarkan ku jatuh ke tanah hitam berlumpur dan berpaku

Hai! Senja yang perkasa
Hanya bisa kau tersenyum atas hancurnya ragaku
Hanya bisa kau tertawa atas punahnya tulang-tulangku
Namun ku tau pasti, tertawaku adalah akhir dari semua lakon hidupku
Karena tak surut sayap-sayapku terus mengepak
Atau hingga gugur lembaran diriku satu persatu

Ku mungkin hanya punya selembar bulu
Namun dengan itu ku pasti, kan ku koyak senjamu di angkasa
Yang terlalu lama menutupi kebebasa jiwa

(Digubah pada Oktober, hari ke 29, pukul 22.30 .. saat menapaki Koridor 12 TransJakarta)

MIRROR .. MIRROR .. ON THE WALL ~ A Therapy for brain damage

Mirror .. mirror .. on the wall

Who’s the fairest of them all ...

Maybe this Disney’s Snow White originated quote is the most famous quote about mirror that we know .. almost all people in the world, children, adults, man, woman, even  aliens (maybe) knows about this quote.

Told in the Snow White story that an evil queen who always used a magic mirror to ensure that there’s no one in this world is more beautiful than she is. The mirror became a very important tool for the evil queen to fulfill her greed and ego

            In the daily lives, mirror is an object that we use every day, every hour, maybe every minute (for an exquisite person) .. in the morning, afternoon, evening, middle of the night we always look for this thing .. In a car it becomes our important reminder and alarm, in our bathroom it helps us to shave, in our bedroom it assists us to mix and match the clothes .. simply, mirror is important for us ...

            But ....

            Have you ever think that mirror is also an object that can helps us to develop our personality? Have you ever think that from a mirror we can learn much about ourselves? Have you ever think that from a mirror we actually can see the real us?

            About 15 years ago, I discovered this session of therapy (well at least this is the therapy that works for me ..). I called it “Mirror Therapy” or “Terapi Cermin”. It works like this :

[  Get a mirror, best if you have medium size mirror that can cover all of your face in reflection;

[  Set your distance to the mirror, not too close and not too far. This will give you the best view to see your face;

[  Start looking very closely .. look at your face in the mirror not only with your eyes, but with your heart

[  Ask these question while you keep looking at your reflection :

♥    Who are you looking at in the mirror? Is that really you? Is that the person that you think you know? Is that a same person with a person you know yesterday?

♥    Look closely to the deep of your eyes .. many people sometimes can’t stand to look at their own eyes .. at the same time you look in to the deep of your eyes, try to memorize what happened in the past 24 hours (for example) .. you know, people say that “Faces can be deceiving, but your eyes can not tell a lie” .. so that’s why, If you want to know about yourself, try to find it in your eyes

♥    Next, step back about 1 foot, and look again closely to your face reflection in the mirror .. start from your forehead, your eyebrows, your eyes, nose, lips, mouth, chick, chin .. all of them .. see them closely to figure out how far you know yourself through your face

♥    Start talking .. in many different tones .. for example, said something with a high tone, and see your face, and you can figure what you look like when you’re angry .. do another tone, slow, fast, mild, strong .. so you finally can figure what kind of person you will be in front of others. Improve it when you find your weakness in talking or speaking

[       Do, this every day, or 3 times a week .. I’m still doing it until now and it helps me to control my emotion, to put my “poker face” in time when I need it, to make me keep on evaluate myself through times

The purpose of this thing so called therapy are to maintain your awareness, to increase your self confidence and set your standard of self-control, while to keep improve your speaking skill .. But the most important purpose is, to make you a better and more truthful person

BIOGRAPHY : RADIN INTEN II (1834-1856) ~ Only the Good Die Young

    There is a street nearby the school where I teach. Almost everyday I pass this street to get to the school. This street is located in Pondok Kelapa sub-district in the area of Duren Sawit District, East Jakarta. This street stretched from Kali Malang street all the way to Buaran Area, still in East Jakarta. This street also pass by the BKT - Banjir Kanal Timur (East Flood Control Canal). 

    Truly speaking, at first, I have no idea who Radin Inten II is, I didn't know that this man is one of our National Hero (and I kept miss-spell the name for Raden Inten instead of Radin Inten). Back in the 80's when I lived in Pondok Bambu sub-district in East Jakarta, this street was not existed yet. I remember riding a bike with my friends all the way to Pondok Kelapa and Lampiri, swim in the small river near Pondok Kelapa Indah in time when this street wasn't exist yet.

    So, yesterday when I came home from school after PALAPA Fire Camp Night, in the Mikrolet (one of transportation mode in Jakarta) there were two students arguing about "Radin Inten II". One said that the man is a National Hero from Lampung Province, while the other pretty sure that it is the name of a street they just passed. The argumentation was so intense that made me think that most people know Radin Inten as a street name instead of an Indonesian National Hero (just like me several years ago .. wkwkwkwkwk). So, when I home, I started to gather information and wrote this blog ..

   Who Is Radin Inten II? What was the role of his struggle for Indonesian independence? Here is the story ....

Radin Inten II Statue in Bandar Lampung 

    Talking about this great man, we have to look for the history all the way to the colonial era, when VOC (Vereenigde Osst-Indische Compagnie - a Dutch Trading Company in East Indies) still ruled Nusantara. At that time, Lampung was famous for it's spices production especially for Lada Hitam (Black Pepper). In the 17th century, VOC was still a new player of spices trading in Nusantara. They tried to overruled many trader including the Banten Kingdom as a rising star in the Malaka Strait at that time. This moslem Kingdom controlled the trade in the area with powerful resources and wisdom.

     

    It was Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa (1651-1683) the king of Banten who succeed to made Banten Kingdom as a serious competitor for VOC in the waters of Java, Sumatera and Mollucas (Maluku). Even though Banten Kingdom was continuously monitored by VOC in Batavia, this Kingdom kept on controlling trade of this area including the coast of southern Sumatera which was Lampung and surrounding area. This became a serious problem for VOC. 

So, as usual, VOC then planned to bring the Banten Kingdom down. VOC negotiated with one of the Tirtayasa's son, name Sultan Haji. This Devide et Empera politics (Politik Pecah Belah) often brought the succes for VOC in dividing Nusantara into pieces. 

This effort succeed. With the help of VOC from Batavia, Sultan Haji declared war to his father Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa the King of Banten and made the King down from his throne in 1682. With the winning of Sultan Haji, VOC then had an agreement which stated that the controlling of Spices Trading in Lampung was handed to VOC and at the same time gave the trading monopoly right to VOC in that area. 

     VOC then sent their officer to Lampung in the name of King of Banten, and start to take control of the trading in Lampung. They started to retain the Pepper Plantations around Lampung, sometimes with a hard way.

But, what VOC didn't know is, Lampung was actually not a part or under administration of Banten Kingdom. Lampung had their own leaders called "Adipati" who is totally different with "Jenang" (a representative of Banten Kingdom in Lampung who only took care of trading administration in the coastline of Lampung). And in fact, most of the Adipati in Lampung didn't accept the Sultan Haji administrative, they still considered Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa as the King of Banten, as their partner and high commissioner in trading. 

Staad Bantam (Original Name of Banten Kingdom)

So, those actions of VOC came to nothing on result for another 200 years.

                                 In 1811, the English Governor General Raffles who shortly had an acquisition of Dutch territory in East Indies occupied an area called "Semangka" in Lampung, and didn't want to give it to the Dutch, because Raffles know that Lampung was not a VOC / Dutch territory. In fact VOC or Dutch had never ruled this area in the first place. Long after Raffles leave the area, in 1826 the Dutch then placed their officer in Lampung as Residence. 

   Since 1817 Lampung had their own leader, the rising star Radin Inten I, who grown stronger and stronger and ruled a Kingdom name Negara Ratu. This situation made the Dutch so worried, so they sent Meneer Krusemen as an assistant of Lampung Residence to make some agreement with Radin Inten I. The agreement stated that Radin Inten I will have financial support from Dutch as much as 1.200 Gulden per year plus another 600 gulden to each of his two brothers. But Dutch also stated in the agreement that Radin Inten I would not expand his territory more than what he already possessed at that time. Off course, this agreement ignored and was never followed by Radin Inten I and he kept maintained resistance against the Dutch. As the result, in 1825 Dutch Government ordered Meneer Liliever to detained Radin Inten I in custody, but this order was known before and Radin Inten I had already attack the Ducth first and killed Liliever with all of his staff. In the same time, Dutch was facing the war with Pangeran Diponegoro in Central Java, so they couldn't do anything about the resistance of Radin Inten I.

    In 1825, Radin Inten I pass away and the Kingdom of Negara Ratu and the resistance handed over to his son Radin Imba Kusuma. To keep his father legacy, Raden Imba Kusuma resistance to the Dutch was never diminish. After the Diponegoro War in 1830, Dutch then focus their troops to detained Radin Imba Kesuma. And 4 years later, the Dutch succeed to beat Raden Imba Kesuma in his fortress in Semangka, Lampung. Raden Imba Kesuma moved away to Lingga with his wife who was pregnant. But, unfortunately, because of the treason of the local people in Lingga, Raden Imba Kesuma was detained by the dutch and exile to Timor Island. Meanwhile his wife who was pregnant was still in Lampung.   

Lampung Province, Indonesia

    And so, in 1834 Radin Inten II was born without the presence of his father. Even though he never met his father, but the story about the courage, the struggle and the resistance of his father was keep on told and living in the society. And it shape the character of Radin Inten II to kept the resistance to the Dutch. In 1850, in the age of 16, Radin Inten II was crowned as the King of Negara Ratu, and as soon as his inauguration, the young King then managed, prepared and established many confrontation with the Dutch. He organized his army with the help of partisan and leaders in Lampung. He built or rebuilt many fortress and armed it with canons, Lila (small canons) and traditional weapons. He stocked logistic inside the fortress as preparation for the war with Dutch. 

   In 1851, Duth finally responded. After 16 years of silence, Lampung was started to flare up again. Dutch then send 400 troops from Batavia under the command of Captain Jucht with the task to conquer Merambung Fortress. But Dutch hit the wall hard, and I mean it literary wkwkwkwkw ....

They were forced back by Radin Inten II troops and thought about another strategy to beat Radin Inten II. They sent Captain Kohler, an Assistant of Teluk Betung Residence to ask the truce and start to negotiation with Radin Inten II. After several negotiation, finally they reached an agreement not to attack each other and recognized the sovereignty of each other.

But, hey! .. It was not Dutch if they didn't have something cheat behind all these negotiation. They made agreement just to bought some time to launch their massive attack to Radin Inten troops. They believed that if Radin Inten II was still the leader of Lampung, and it would be very hard for them to conquer Lampung completely. And they also did the "Devide et Empera" strategy to devide the unity of Lampung people. For example, people in Kalianda were influenced and provoked to betray Raden Inten II and made Dutch easier to patrol Mount Rajabasa area. 

   Mid of August 1856, a large amount of Dutch troops were shipping from Batavia toward Lampung. Under the command of Colonel Waleson, consist of infantry, cavalry and Zeni troops to launched the massive attack to the position of Radin Inten II. They sent ultimatum and deadline to the King to surrender maximum in 5 days before they attack (pretty gentle I think!). On the other side, the King kept on prepared all of his resources to face the upcoming war. The Dutch was support by the traitor Prince Sempurna Jaya Putih with his army and together they attacked Radin Inten II. 

   And so, 16 August 1856 the Dutch finally launched the massive attack to beat Radin Inten II and his troops. One by one they attack many fortress in order to reach Ketimbang Fortress where Radin Inten II set the defence. First, Bendulu Fortress occupied by the Dutch, and next Hawi Berak Fortress was also occupied. The Dutch then divided their troops in to three big division and surrounded the Ketimbang Fortress from three main way. First from east side of Mount Rajabasa, second from Kalianda through Merambung Fortress, and third from Panengahan through Salai Tabuhan Fortress. 

  Recorded in 27 August 1856, the Dutch finally approached Ketimbang Fortress. Because of the lack of the weapons and soldier, the battle in Galah was won by the Dutch and also the battle in Pematang Sentok. But, when they arrived and entered Ketimbang Fortress, they found the fortress empty. Radin Inten and his army have moved to another post. Colonel Waleson was very disappointing, and sent groups of troops to locate and kill Radin Inten II. Military operations were launch to find Radin Inten II, but still they had not found him yet. All the corps of Dutch Army were humiliated by a 22 years old King .. (hahaaaa!!). 

    Finally, in the early October 1856, after two months unsuccessful military operations, Dutch used the old trick (as usual .. rolling my eyes though!!), lies and betrayal have always be the part of the way Dutch war in the battle of Nusantara. The Dutch then approached Radin Ngerapat, one of the King relative, and asked Radin Ngerapat to silently invited Radin Inten II in a "secret meeting". Radin Ngarapat was forced to tell Radin Inten II that he wanted to help and support Radin Inten with soldiers and weapons. With no suspicion Radin Inten II attended the invitation with only one person to accompany him. 

     So, in the night of 5th October 1856, Radin Inten II attended the meeting with Radin Ngerapat in Kunyanya. Meeting was only the coverage, because all the Dutch soldiers were standing by near the location to ambushed Radin Inten II. And when the first meal ate by Radin Inten II, suddenly Radin Ngerapat attack him with the help of the Dutch soldier. A heroic scene took place when 2 brave and valiant warrior fought with no fear against dozen of traitor and Dutch soldiers. It was an unbalanced fight, but it was worth to try, for Lampung, for Nusantara, for the freedom of mankind, for the sake of human rights given by God. The blood of the valiant warrior was spill and soaks the Mother Earth ... And so, in the age of 22, Radin Inten II died. He was born as a fighter, live like a fighter and die also like one. He fight for what he believe until his last breath. 

    So now, you know him, I know him, everyone supposed to know him better. He is our national hero, he isn't only a name of an airport, or a name of street. He is not only a monument standing by in the city of Bandar Lampung .. He's more than that .. He's Radin Inten II, our National Hero !!

Radin Inten II 

Alika .. Out !!    

PS : 

The Government of Republic of Indonesia conferred the title of National Hero to Radin Inten II with the Presidential Decree of the Republic of Indonesia No. 082 / 1986 dated October 23rd, 1986