First Fly to Europe

Garuda eventually flew to Europe on the 1st of June 2010. The flight was the first flight after the ban was lifted last year. Only two airlines from Indonesia are allowed to fly in the European sky and one of them is Garuda (the national carrier). Garuda flew to Amsterdam and I guess this is not with any reasons. After almost 350 years colonizing Indonesia, the Netherlands is the only country in Europe that has closest historical ties with Indonesia. I guess it is easier for Indonesia to fly to the Netherlands rather than to other European countries.

Recent Trip to South and West Sulawesi

It was actually happened in late 2009 (December 2009), therefore this note might be a little late. Anyway, I guess after 6 months the conditions might still the same therefore it might be a useful info for people want to travel there.

Back in December 2009 during this PCNA (Participatory Capacity Needs Assessment) with a friend of mine Axel Biegert von Integration, I went to Makassar and Batang Uru in West Sulawesi province. We had to fly from Jakarta to reach Makassar and drive the whole day to Batang Uru. The road from Makassar to Polewali was under construction at that time. The government tried to pave the road using concrete but the contractor/s do it part by part. Therefore it's like "coitus interuptus", when one just experiencing comfort suddenly it has to stop. Stopping here means good road ends. It happens frequently and it has made the travel not so comfortable. Reaching Polewali took longer then 5 years ago.

During the trip we stopped in Pinrang for lunch at one of the famous sea food restaurants. The food was good but still the road was not. Starting at around 7 from Makassar we reached Pinrang at around 1 p.m. and I guess this was considered as slow. We reached Batang Uru when the day was getting dark and raining. The road from Polewali to Batang Uru was worse because of many holes in the road. Since the Kabupaten (one level lower than provincial government) of Polman (Polewali Mandar) was split into two Kabupatens (Polewali and Mandar), the road maintenance was done poorly. Therefore 5 years ago I can reach Makassar in just 5 hours using speedy public transport even.

On the way back we stayed overnight in Pinrang and again took the liberty to enjoy the seafood there. Back in Makassar we tried to go to Trans Studio but it was too expensive and too little time to enjoy so we just ate at a recommended seafood restaurant there and we ordered some nice stuffs to eat. When you are in Makassar do not forget to buy Minyak Tawon (literally means Bee oil) kind a rub only that really works for even small wound on your skin.

Explore Indonesia, there are many things to explore and exotic ones. Going abroad is fifth or sixth options (when there is enough money..)

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).

Boatmen of East Kalimantan

If one goes to Kalimantan and wants to visit remote areas, one can choose one the transport modes (e.g. fly, by boat or walk). Flying is possible for some limited sites. Walking is the "old way" because Dayak people used to walk to nearest market or village before motorized boat becoming common. Water transport is very common in Kalimantan since long time and it is already a "culture" for them. River means everything to Dayak people. I cannot imagine Kalimantan (especially Dayak people without river).

Talking about water transport in Kalimantan especially, one can find many types of boat. One can find "long boat" that is big and can transport up to 1ooo kg of men and material and one can also find smaller boat that is called "ketingting". Ketingting is small (+- 5 to 8 meters long) with low power motor (5-12 PK). Long boat can use up to 4 motors (each can have 40 PK power). Ketingting motor has propeller attached to its long tail (see picture above) while long boat has more modern engine with propeller attached below the engine block.

There are two important operators of boat. The one operating motor is called "motoris". At least one boat has one motorist. Bigger long boat can have 2 or more motoris. Ketingting only have one motoris. Motoris is responsible to steer the boat and control the motor. The other important person is "juru batu" or "pathfinder" or "rock expert". He is responsible to direct the motoris and shows him the safe path for the boat. Boat must avoid collision with rocks (that scattered under water) and this "juru batu" must know the safest way for the boat. Juru batu usually sits at the front of the boat. When the boat eventually stuck, Juru Batu and motoris must work hand in hand to "release" the boat by pulling or pushing it. Sometimes if the jump or the rapid is too dangerous to pass, the boat is either pulled (when you go upstream) or pushed (when you go downstream).

Going downstream is more dangerous for the boat and the passengers. It is because the boat is harder to control due to greater speed. Juru batu usually works harder when the boat is going downstream. One special thing about Juru Batu is that they usually have hunting rifle ready on their side. It is common in Kalimantan that all of a sudden they see wild animals like wild pig by the river. If the rifle is ready, they can immediately shoot the wild animal and bring it home as a bonus. Not all juru batu has hunting rifle.

So, when you visit Kalimantan do not forget to try the boat transport and feel the adventure. Dayak people (men, women, children) are used to this mode of transport. It might be very interesting if one bring his/her kayak upstream and go downstream by kayaking...hmmm.

White Water Boating..in E.Kalimantan

The boat transport provides you with "different" kind of advanture. It is not white water rafting. I call it white water boating. The challenge is greater when the boat is going down stream because steering the boat will be harder due to greater speed. Faster boat and rocks do not actually comply to each other. The risk is damage to the boat that can cause leak and you will be stranded in the jungle.

I think this can be one of those eco-tourism activities. Bring you kayak up stream and go down quietly by kayak.

My Second Trip to Eastern Kalimantan (a.k.a. Borneo)

This trip is my second trip to Kalimantan. I have been once there back in 1996 or 1995 (already forgot). My first was to Sangatta where Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC) operates. Sangatta is slightly different from other “normal” small East Kalimantan town because of KPC. By the way Kalimantan is how Indonesian calls Borneo.

WWF organized this second trip. WWF in East Kalimantan has two projects: Coastal Zoning project in Berau and Kayan Mentarang National Park (KMNP). The KMNP project is supported by GTZ. My project was invited to KMNP to find potential sites for micro hydro especially for settlements in the park area and in the buffer area. It is believed that providing people with adequate energy source can improve their well-being and reduce the pressure to the park.

We started from Tarakan. By boat we reached Malinau where WWF office situated. From Malinau we have to go to Mansalong to take the boat to Lumbis. It took one full day to reach Tau Lumbis village. The village is close to Malaysian border. In fact, their relatives are living in Malaysian side of Kalimantan. Tau Lumbis is situated in the buffer zone of the park. Tau Lumbis is the first to visit.

Second leg of the visit was in the direction of Long Berang. This time the villages are closer to National Park. Our main objective is to reach Long Pala. We took the boat to Mentarang river and this time it took 2.5 days to reach Long Pala (actually we can do 2 days to reach Long Pala). We have to stop in Long Berang and looked at their damaged micro hydro. Second stop was in Long Mekatip whose micro hydro potential is just a bit far from the small village (although it is very nice).

The similar thing of Tau Lumbis and Long Pala is that they have the airstrip. Christian Mission constructed a simple airstrip in those 2 villages. Flight to Tau Lumbis is in average once per month while to Long Pala is twice per month. Long Pala is harder to reach due to smaller stream. Long Boat (+- 10 meter boat) can reach Tau Lumbis at normal water, while to Long Pala one needs to use Ketingting (smaller boat +- 5 meter long) in normal water depth. More about Kalimantan Trip will come.

X-Trans or Cipaganti?

Yesterday, after the whole day in Bandung, I decided to go back to Jakarta. I asked my friend in the office to book me a seat to Cibubur using X-Trans, the shuttle service I usually use. He could not reach X-Trans and it was already 5 p.m. So I contacted Cipaganti, the other shuttle service that has a station in Cibubur, and I got a seat at 5.30 p.m.

My experience with Cipaganti was OK. The first ride with Cipaganti was comfortable. The driver drove the car well and the service also OK but that was when I went to Bandung from Cibubur. This time the experience was very bad. The driver drove recklessly. He often made sudden break. In the busy toll road of Cikampek-Jakarta, he drove like crazy and made sudden break that has made the passenger behind my seat jumped ahead. The road was packed with big trucks and small passenger cars, but still he drove like something after him. We, the passengers, warned him to be careful, but it seemed that he did not listen to us.

The car stopped twice. The first stop took almost 15 minutes without any explanation. We were aksing our selves: why the driver stops here? We stopped at another Cipaganti station in Bandung. There was neither passenger getting on nor package to bring. The second stop was in the rest area 62. in Cikampek-Jakarta toll road. It took more than 20 minutes. I almost lost my temper. So in total the drive to Jakarta took 3 hours (5.30 p.m to 8.30 p.m. in Cibubur).

X-Trans, to my opinion, is better. On average the drive to Jakarta or to Bandung takes only more or less 2 hours. If I leave Jakarta at 6.30 a.m., I will already be in Bandung office at around 9 (this including more or less 20-30 minutes Angkot ride from Cipaganti street to Cimbeleuit). X-Trans does not stop unless for fuel. The schedule is well maintaned and the driver drives safely. The passenger is encourage to report to the report center (there is a sticker in the car) if the driver drives recklessly e.g. drives more than 120 km/h, takes over from left side, uses the emergency lane etc.

So, personally I prefer X-Trans than Cipaganti shuttle service.

Ford Ranger DCab

Misi kali ini kami disokong oleh pemerintah dalam hal ini dari kantor gubernur. Kami mendapat bantuan mobil operasional untuk ke lapangan. Mobil yang kita pakai adalah Ford Ranger double cabin baru dan penggerak empat roda.

Our mission this time is supported by governor’s office. We got an operational car that we can use during field visits. The car is a brand new Ford Ranger 4by4 double cabin.

Kesan pertama adalah “bagus” dibandingkan Ford Ranger double cab pertama yang saya rasakan pada bulan tahun kemarin. FR Dcab yang tahun kemarin kami pakai tidak memiliki tempat duduk khusus di belakang, jadi yang kebetulan dapat giliran duduk di belakang agak kesusahan untuk mendapat posisi nyaman.

The first impression is good compared to the ranger once we used last year. Our first ranger does not have special rear seat so the one that got the chance to sit at the back will suffer a little bit.

FR Dcab kali ini jauh lebih nyaman. Pintu belakang bisa dibuka secara independen dan ada tempat duduk bagi penumpang belakang. Walau tidak bisa recline tapi sudah jauh lebih nyaman. Memang mungkin kelemahan Dcab adalah itu.

The ranger we rode this time was much nicer and much comfortable. Rear door can open independently and it has rear seat although it cannot recline.

FR Dcab yang kami pakai kali ini memiliki spesifikasi full dalam arti keempat jendela memiliki power window, electric mirror, integrated audio yang bisa MP3, AC untuk panas dan dingin serta mode 4 WD yang intelligent. Dari segi mesin kami tidak sempat membandingkan, namun FR Dcab yang dulu kami pakai tidak menggunakan turbo dan 3000 CC. FR yang kali ini nampaknya menggunakan turbo dengan kapasitas mesin yang lebih kecil.

The ranger we rode this time has full specification. Full specification means all windows have power windows, it has electric mirror, integrated audio system with MP3 capability, warm and cold air conditioner, and intelligent 4WD mode. I could not compare the engine of the two Ranger we had, but the first ranger was not equipped with turbo while the one we just rode has turbo although the engine capacity is smaller than the first ranger we had rode last year.

Tarikan terasa kurang menyentak. Hal ini dikatakan pengguna harian FR Dcab itu. Dia membandingkan dengan Mitsubishi Strada yang akselerasinya OK. Interior relative enak. Bahan kain tempat duduk nyaman dan tidak licin. Tempat duduk sopir dan penumpang depan terasa enak. Kualitas audio juga relative baik karena memiliki 4 speaker di keempat pintu.

According to the driver, this ranger has a bit slow acceleration compared to Mitsubishi Strada he once drove. Interior is good because the material is good. Front seats are comfortable and really keep your back in place comfortably. Audio quality is also good because it has 4 speakers on 4 doors.

Secara umum FR Dcab ini terasa enak dikendarai dan bagi penumpang belakang tidak terlalu besar kendalanya. Perjalanan 2 jam bisa ditempuh dengan nyaman tanpa terasa capek berlebihan walaupun duduk di bangku belakang.

Generally, this Ranger DCab feels good to ride and especially for rear passengers there are no special complaints. A 2 hours ride is OK although one sits at the rear.

Lion Air

Minggu kemarin, 8 Juni 2008, ada tugas ke NAD dan Garuda tidak ada seat sama sekali. Akhirnya kantor bookingkan Lion Air untuk berangkat ke sana. Jadwal penerbangan adalah 16.45 sore dan boarding jam 16.25. Namun kita boarding baru jam 16.50 dan berangkat sekitar 30 menit kemudian di dalam pesawat yang terasa “hangat” dan bikin keringetan.

Akhirnya, terbang juga sayangnya kita naik MD-82. Perjalanan jauh Jakarta Aceh pakai pesawat tidak nyaman sama sekali. Paling tidak naik 737 seharusnya yang mana tempat duduknya lebih enak. Seat di Lion begitu keras dan tidak nyaman.

Perjalanan jauh seperti itu, tidak ada snack sama sekali. Apa karena penerbangan murah terus tidak ada snack? Penerbangan lain yang murah juga bisa berikan paling tidak air dan sedikit kue pengganjal perut. Tetangga kursi bahkan harus beli nasi bungkus dan dimakan di dalam pesawat saat transit di Medan.
Saya rasa pengusaha sekarang hanya mementingkan diri mereka sendiri. Mementingkan keuntungan semata dan tidak memanusiakan pelanggan.

Would I be a businessperson, I would treat my employee and my customer better than Lion Air.



Last Sunday, eight of June 2008, I had to go to Aceh for a monitoring mission. We got no seat with Garuda and therefore finally we flew with Lion Air. Out flight should be at 16.45 but instead of being on time, the flight was delayed for more or less 45 minutes. We had to wait inside the aircraft in quite high temperature that made us sweat.

Finally, the plane took off at 17.30. Instead of using bigger aircraft, Lion Air chose MD-82 for this long flight. For such a long flight, the airline should consider the comfort of its passenger. I prefer Boeing 737 that usually has more legrooms and better seat. Lion Air’s seat is hard and not comfortable at all.
Lion Air is famous for its catch phrase “makes people fly”, but there is no reason for being stingy. We had no on flight service at all during this long flight, not even a drop of water. My neighbor even had to eat his “nasi bungkus” during transit in Medan.

I think businesspersons now are only caring for their own profit and forgetting the valuable customer. They do not treat customers as human.Would I be a businessperson, I would treat my employee and my customers better than Lion Air.