Unique Way to do Exercise in Tau Lumbis

The people are jumping on a wooden floor. The floor is supported by many big bamboo. The bamboo gives the flexibility so that the floor can move upward and downward. The floor acts like a trampoline. This happened only in Tau Lumbis, East Kalimantan. No other Dayak community has this tradition. In the old days, the warrior can jump up to the ceiling of the hall where the head of the enemy hanged. The height of the ceiling can reach 3 meters or more.

This jumping thing was happening in the last night we were in Tau Lumbis. After having a feast and some traditional dance by children. They start the jump and while jumping they are singing. The floor can accomodate more than 20 people.

It is very unique. After doing this, one will feel that the legs are exhausted. Doing this jump often will strengthen the leg. It is important for Dayak people in Tau Lumbis to have strong leg because they have to go to the mountains that are very steep. It is really a good exercise.

Interested to go to Tau Lumbis? One can take long boat from Mansalong (1 hour drive from Malinau, Malinau can be reached from Tarakan by boat or by small plane). Tau Lumbis also have an airstrip. Christian mission have scheduled flight to Tau Lumbis (afaik once per month).

When the river is dry

Capitalism can create destruction to traditions and way of life (not only destruction to physical environment).

Kalimantan is well known for its fast deforestation. The rate of deforestation is very high in Kalimantan. There are some big programs now such as Heart of Borneo, that try to protect the last rain forest in Kalimantan in 3 countries i.e. Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. The forest is not only the sink of carbon emission but also home of millions species including the famous Orang Hutan. The deforestation should be stopped now, if not capitalists are responsible for making Dayak people uprooted from their tradition and way of life.

Kalimantan, as the name, has many big rivers (river=kali, in Javanese). The river shaped the tradition and way of life of Dayak people. River is their life. River is their tradition. Since you are a kid, if you are Dayak, your parents would introduce the river as early as possible. There is only very very small number of Dayak people that cannot swim (I do not have the figure). River provides them with life and nutrition. The fish gives them important nutrition. River provides them easy transportation (compared to walking in the forest) to and from villages. In short river is their life.

What happen if the forest is gone and nothing left? Flood. Land slide. Summer fog due to fire in the grass land. Long draught. Rivers that are dry. Only damages are listed there. Beyond that, one can imagine that Dayak peole will lose their source of living. Their source of tradition (beside forest). It is destructing their tradition. The world will come to final equilibrium, but it is possible that the final equilibrium will be worse than now and unbearable to us.

I am opposing forest destruction. Mining in Kalimantan is very mean. Mining companies dig up the coal using open pit technique. They destroy forest, dig the soil, dump the soil somewhere else and let the used mining site as it is. Mining is destruction. Indonesia should reduce the coal consumption (go for renewable...or the best of the worst choice nuclear). Reduce exports of coal. Increase the productivity of sustainable forest as a change for reducing coal mining.

It is not Orang Hutan that should be protected, but Dayak people that should be protected from being uprooted from their tradition and way of life. Use capitalism wisely. Rich country should reduce their greed. If you are dead you will not bring your treasures with you in the grave. Reduce consumption.....

Safe Kalimantan Forest...

Garuda Indonesia

My sister in law who is married to a diplomat has travelled around the globe so frequently. She flew with many big airlines in the world, but she got her bad experience when she flew Garuda Indonesia (from Europa to Indo some years ago). The stewardess was not friendly at all to Indonesians but they are more friendly to foreigners. Her advice to me was: speak English when you fly international flight of Garuda!!! Because when you do so, you will be treated well by the stewardess.

I never flew Garuda when I travel abroad, but I use Garuda most of the time for domestic flight. I did not have any problem during my flights with Garuda. The unfriendly manner of the stewardess (that my sis in law got) might have many reasons. Maybe the stewardess just get dumped by her boy friend or she was not promoted to be purser etc. Anyway, if time and money allow, I will try the international flight of Garuda.

Indonesia's Airlines are Banned to Fly in Europe

EU has just prolonged the ban to Indonesia's airlines to fly in Europe. EU said the main reason is low safety standards of Indonesia's Airlines (can imagine that if one fly Adam Air). But who knows the real reason? Let's try to find out.

A small talk yesterday made me do a small research especially related to tourism in Indonesia. Based on data from BPS (Biro Pusat Statistik/Central Stastistics Bureau) of Indonesia, I can see that visitors from Singapore is topping the chart. The second is European visitors, the third is Malaysian visitors, the fourth is Japanese visitors, and the fifth is Australian visitors.

Flights from Singapore can be done by any carriers, the as you might already know SIA is the biggest in Singapore. Although they share flight with Garuda, still SIA is ruling in Singapore. Flights from Europe also provide cheap seats to fly from Singapore to Jakarta (e.g. Lufthansa or KLM). So, in general Singapore's airlines (SIA or Silk Air) are for sure reaping profit from that.

Flights from Europe can be done by any carriers that fly to South East Asia except Garuda. Star Alliance and Oneworld alliance are dominating. Big airlines such as Lufthansa and SIA are joining the Star Alliance therefore they can share passengers create most economic flight to South East Asia, especially Indonesia. Oneworld alliance is also doing it. BA and other big airlines such as Qantas from Australia can share passengers and create most economic route to South East Asia and Australia (off course one can stop in Indonesia). Once again, Singaporeans are taking the benefit.

Looking at the statistics above and the flight cartel of the world (e.g. star alliance and oneworld), one can think of "hidden agenda" in the banning of Indonesia's Airlines to fly in Europe. I can imagine huge amount of money in this business. I can see that Singaporean might reap a lot of profit from the ban. SIA fly from London (2nd largest visitors from Europe to Indonesia) with a bargain price. LH and SIA share flights from Europe (while the Germans are the largest visitors to Indonesia from Europe). Totally ban any flights from Indonesian carrier and monopolize the business.

This is an affect of free world trade. The one that can set the rules, can play arrogantly and dominating the market without any fairness. If the Singaporean can reap a lot of money from this ban, then there is a sign of corruption in EU. I believe huge money plays big role here and once again Economic Invasion has been played.

If I were the government of Indonesia, I would ban any flights from Europe to Indonesia except to Batam. From Batam travellers have to use local airlines to travel in Indonesia, but first build Batam International Airport bigger. Whose money to use....off course Singaporean's money...ha ha ha...back to square one..