Bunaken...here I am again

Setelah hari pertama yang full jalan jalan & wisata, hari hari berikutnya ngga terlalu seru. Meeting, presentasi, seminar, diskusi menyita semua waktu dan juga tenaga. Yang berkesan paling ‘performance’ nya anak2 Marketing (& I’m part of the show J), yg tampil all-out dan gila waktu bawain presentasi Brand masing2. Keren deh, semua peserta conference mengaku terpukau, termasuk distributor2 kita J

Hal lain yang juga berkesan adalah suatu siang, kembali dijamu oleh distributor Manado. Distributor yang sama yang menjamu kita di Tomohon (inget gambar 3 ekor babi ‘terguling’ di meja? :P). Kali ini kita bersantap di rumahnya, dan only a limited group of people.

Walaupun di rumah, tapi ngga kalah ‘bak di surganya’ seperti jamuan pertama. Gue sampai bingung, yang katanya makanan rumahan di Manado itu apa bener ya semewah ini. Like eating in a buffet restaurant, hanya saja ini much more better because it’s fresh baru dimasak, dan spt ngga habis habisnya keluar dari dapur! Ada sate ayam, ikan mas bakar, berbagai olahan babi -> sate bai, babi panggang, babi kecap, babi di masak dengan daun ubi (kukus dengan bambu), ikan kerapu tikus tim, kerang darat, ayam kari, tikus masak pedas, sop ikan, udang rebus (gede gede banget!), sate sayap ayam wuah semuanya yummy…. Belum lagi nasinya dicocol dengan sedikit sambal dabu dabu… (dikit aja, pedes!) wuah wuah wuah mantap dan tiada terperikan :P

Dessert-nya masih ada KLAPERCAKE 2 macam pilihan topping, almond dan kismis… padahal perut udah melar kemana mana, tapi sayang banget kalo yg ini ngga dicicip. Klapercake ini semacam Klapertart yang pake fla dan daging kelapa, tapi lebih kering, jadi seperti roti.

Terakhir2, muncul tuh ibu-nya tuan rumah, seorang nenek yg sangat bersahaja. Dia-lah yang berada di balik sajian sajian lezat yg baru aja kita santap. Jadi terharu banget kita, ibu dari seorang jurangan yg terpandang di Manado, masuk ke dapur demi sajian sajian lezat menjamu tamu tamu-nya. Inilah yg gue sebut keramah tamahan, dan kekeluargaan orang Manado ! Bravo!

Hari itu hari terakhir konferens. Besok (Sabtu) waktunya have fun! Kita akan djamu oleh perusahaan untuk ke BUNAKEN ! WOW… kebayang deh asiknya subsea dan snorkeling atau sekadar duduk2 di pantai menikmati kelapa muda yang segar J

Speedboat dari dan ke Bunaken, Subsea, makan minum sepuasnya… all at Company’s cost :P Mantap ya? Sewa kapal PP Bunaken, setau gue 700,000 kapasitas 10 orang , Subsea (menurut keterangan agen yg kita pake – Papa Coxy) satu orang kena 450 ribu (wow ! tahun 2007 lalu gue & Natz kayaknya cuma seratusan ribu deh), makan minum buffet di Bunaken mungkin kena 100ribu per orang. Hehehe… lagi ngitung berapa sih biaya yg harus dibayar kalo pergi dengan uang sendiri :P

Hanya snorkeling yg kudu bayar sendiri, cuma 75ribu per 1.5 jam hehe, pastinya gue ngga mau dong melepaskan kesempatan ini. Tahun 2007 yg lalu ngga sempat (& tepatnya: belum berani) bersnorkeling. Kali ini, harus dong… Kan udah pernah nyoba di Phi Phi island (2008), trus di Tj Lesung (2009), nah,, Bunaken yg katanya paling bagus dasar lautnya, masak mau dilewatkan?

Subsea berbeda dengan glassbottom boat. Setiap speedboat yang mengantar kita PP ke Bunaken memiliki kaca di dasar perahunya, sehingga bisa melihat karang dan ikan (bahkan bintang laut) yang ada di bawahnya. Namun, dengan Subsea, lebih menarik lagi, karena pada dasarnya, kita itu berada di dalam air laut, di dasar kapal, lalu memandangi terumbu karang, ikan dan apapun yang ada di luar sana, melalu sebuah jendela. Uapik tenan ! (dan harganya per orang 450ribu!)

Snorkeling kali ini agak mengecewakan sih L Entah kenapa gue ngga begitu enjoy, dan ternyata terumbunya ngga sekeren yg gue harapkan… Mungkin untuk snorkeling (di laut dangkal) memang ngga terlalu bagus kali ya, harus yg lebih dalam (diving). Entahlah. Dan kamera bawah laut Olympus yang gue pinjem dari Ria… jeprat jepret beberapa kali aja udah habis batere-nya L Lebih parah lagi, belakangan pas fotonya mau pindah ke laptop, malah corrupted tuh memory card L Jadinya foto di dasar laut itu ngga jadi semua L Tapi gak apa apa juga sih, yg penting udah ngerasain snorkeling di Bunaken… J

Balik snorkeling, ngga ada yg lebih nikmat daripada makan sepuasnya, dengan menu berbagai masakan ikan, + kelapa segar, soft drinks dan beer… (again) free flow :P

Tak lupa, mampir ke lapak lapak yg menjual berbagai macam souvenir. Ada baju bertuliskan bunaken, dan yg menjadi favorit adalah pernak pernik aksesoris (wanita) yg terbuat dari kerang kerangan. Karena murah (berkisar 5000 dua, 10,000 tiga atau 10,000 empat -> murah banget ya?) ya, gue borong banyak2 untuk Natz, Kelly, temen temen kantor yg ngga ikutan ke sini, juga tak lupa buat sanak saudara dekat J

Sorenya, pas balik dari Bunaken dan kembali ke Hotel, langsung gue & beberapa teman bergegas untuk membeli oleh oleh lagi J Kali ini oleh oleh basah alias makanan. Yang kepikiran ya cuma Merciful. Ini tempat hunting oleh oleh baru di Manado (ngga baru2 amat sih, hanya saja 3 tahun lalu (2007) belum ada).

Berhubung segala pernak pernik udah kebeli pas hari pertama dan pas di Bunaken (lagipula di sini cukup premium harganya), gue cuma pesan Klapertart dan Klapercake aja. Untuk menjaga kesegaran produk waktu kita sajikan di tempat tujuan (dalam hal gue: Jakarta), ternyata mereka member pelayanan antar ke hotel, sebelum jam keberangkatan kita ke airport & free of charge J. Bagus juga ya servicenya. Ya udah, gue minta diantar jam setengah 5 pagi :P karena pesawat gue jam 6, jalan dari hotel jam 5 kurang. Pas nyebut rombongan dari ****** si penjaga tokonya langsung tau, dan bilang “udah banyak pak temen temennya yang pesen via telepon, nanti kita antarkan ke hotel sekalian” WOW… hebat ya kalau udah laku dan terkenal, semua orang nyari. Padahal ngga murah lho, klapertart seloyang gede 150 ribu, klapercake 75 ribu.

Ohya, Klapercake-nya ngga enak, beda banget sama yang disajikan di rumah Distributor kita itu. Balinya sampe 2 lagi, agak nyesel. Kalo klapertartnya sih mantap, rumnya berasa banget. Buat yang ngga suka rum bisa juga pesen yang tanpa rum.

Habis itu balik ke Hotel, langsung tepar… Cape + ngantuk banget, langsung gue tidur… soalnya, nanti malam ada Closing dinner, dan katanya, ada artis terkenal yg jadi bintang tamunya… hmmm… siapa gerangan ya… JUPE ! Si sexy calon wakil Bupati Pacitan itu lho heheheh

Begitulah, malamnya di sebuah Café yg cukup terkenal di Manado, acara akbar kantor kita ditutup dengan gala dinner + band + sexy dancer, dan JUPE… Manado memang selalu berkesan. Suatu hari pasti datang lagi J

E 'do 'do E' ... Torang di MANADO !!!

Sengaja gue pilih penerbangan paling awal dan langsung menuju Manado, agar tidak sia sia waktu perjalanan yang bisa saja memakan waktu satu harian. Daripada buang waktu di jalan, mending mengisi waktu melihat Tarsius, Danau Linow, Patung Yesus, dan menikmati Kepala Ikan Bakar Sukur Jaya J

Jam 3.30 pagi dari rumah, untuk ‘menangkap’ pesawat Lion jam 5 direct flight ke Manado. All goes smooth, sesaat sebelum tiba di Manado, disambut pemandangan pulau Bunaken dan Gunung Manado Tua dari jendela pesawat.

Tiba di Bandara International Sam Ratulangi, disambut “Salam Baku Dapa” dari iklan Telkomsel. Apa itu artinya gue ngga tau dan lupa tanya sama orang Manado. Di bangunan luar bandara, ada tulisan “Sitou Timou Tumou Tou”, nah yg ini gue tau, pernah dijelasin sama Pak Jimmy waktu berkunjung tahun 2007 yg lalu, artinya : Manusia menjadi Manusia karena Memanusiakan orang lain. Dalem…

Trus nemu juga, spanduk kecil bertulis…. Nama gue !! hehehe, dari Maya Tour (tour lokal) karena gue booking 1 mobil Inova seharga 475ribu untuk seharian, termasuk sopir dan bensin, all in.

Nasi Kuning SAROJA

Sampai di Manado, sudah jam 9 lewat… penerbangan makan waktu 3 jam, dan waktu Manado lebih cepat 1 jam daripada Jakarta. Hal pertama yang terlintas di benak gue adalah “nasi kuning Saroja”! Tapi mampir hotel dulu untuk tarok tarok barang sebelum lanjut petualangan hari ini.

Hotel Sintesa Peninsula, tempat gue akan menginap beberapa hari kedepan di Manado, konon adalah hotel termahal di Manado, tempat Kepala Negara (SBY) menginap waktu acara Sail Bunaken, Agustus tahun lalu. Bintang 5 dengan view yang cukup memukau. Hanya saja, sayang sekali, tempat tidurnya (untuk yang sharing), kecil banget, hati hati bagi yang suka bolak balik badan pas tidur. Bisa bisa bangun bangun sudah ngga di kasur melainkan di lantai, dan sudah ada kejadian menimpa teman yg badannya besar he he he. Lha, siapa suruh book kamar yang paling murah…

Nasi Kuning Saroja, tanpa ragu gue menjadikan tempat ini sebagai first wiskul gue di Manado. Emang udah terkenal banget, dan gue pernah kesini 2007 yg silam dan masih inget betapa gurih nasi kuningnya, abon ikan dan potongan daging sapi asap, serta krispi kentang yg aduhai. Ditambah lagi dengan sambal-nya, lengkap sudah kenikmatan pertama di Manado hari ini.

Si Imoet TARSIUS

Sesudah puas dan kenyang dengan wiskul perdana hari ini, perjalanan dilanjutkan menuju kota pelabuhan BITUNG, untuk ke Taman Margasatwa Tandurusa. Buat apa jauh jauh ke Manado kok datang liat ‘kebun binatang’? emangnya di Jakarta ngga ada? He he he, itulah kelebihannya ‘kebun binatang’ yang satu ini, ada 2 hal disini yang ngga akan ketemu di tempat lain: TARSIUS & ANOA (Babi Rusa).

Alasan kedua gue memilih kesini karena waktu 2007 yang lalu, belum sempat melihat binatang kecil nan imoet ini. Waktu itu hanya sempat ke Bunaken (dan Siladen) – hanya subsea, ngga snorkeling. Yang arah Minahasa (highland) hanya ke Danau Tondano dan Bukit Kasih. Jadi basically ada 2 jenis wisata di Manado: Laut (pantai) dan Gunung (highland). Makanya tahun ini, yang belum sempat gue sambangi 3 tahun silam, akan coba gue penuhi tahun ini.

Liat deh binatang kecil nan imoet ini bergelayutan di pohon… Ngga sia sia rasanya menempuh perjalanan hampir 2 jam dari Manado (harusnya bisa lebih cepat kalau saja sopirnya bisa jalan diatas 60km per jam – tipical orang Manado!). Primata terkecil (tingginya hanya +- 15cm)yang hanya bisa di temui di Indonesia (lebih spesifik lagi: Sulawesi), adalah binatang malam, tapi disini siklus hidupnya udah terganggu. Semuanya ada 7 ekor (4 pasang minus satu, barusan meninggal). Konon, tarsius ini adalah mahluk monogami yang paling setia. Hampir bisa dipastikan, pasangannya akan ikut mati ngga lama setelah ditinggal sama soul-mate-nya. Ini yang namanya sehidup semati…

Kalau mau melihat binatang ini di habitat aslinya juga bisa. Yaitu ke Taman Nasional Tangkoko, letaknya di Gunung Tangkoko, sekitar 2 jam lagi dari Bitung. Liat nya ngga bisa siang karena di habitat asli, Tarsius keluarnya hanya malam hari (untuk mencari serangga). Istilahnya ‘mengintai’ tarsius. Menurut info dari internet, yang bisa dilihat pun hanya 1 kelompok saja (di satu pohon) karena mereka yg terbiasa di ‘intai’ manusia.

Taman Margasatwa Tandurusa di Bitung ini ngga cuma punya Tarsius. Terdapat hewan hewan lainnya yang tak kalah unik, misalnya Anoa. Disebut juga babi rusa karena bentuknya seperti babi, namun bertanduk spt rusa. Sebenarnya sih bukan tanduk, tapi taring yang menyembul ke atas kepala menyerupai tanduk. Perhatikan Anoa di foto ini (satu2nya koleksi taman tsb), taringnya sudah dipotong, karena menurut penjelasan bapak pemandu, kalau ngga dipotong, ‘tanduk’ itu akan terus menghujam kepala si empunya tanduk, sampai akhirnya dia meninggal. Kasian ya… kutukan tanduk sendiri…

Selain Tarsius dan Anoa, ada juga Kuskus, musang, bajing loncat, berbagai kera, ular,macam macam burung, buaya, burung onta, dan babi hutan alias celeng. Yg imoet imoet juga adalah bajing loncat (beda banget imej-nya sama julukan buat pembegal di Pantura). Hewan ini penakut banget, mereka bergerombol saling dempetan dan kepalanya selalu di-umpetin. Beruntung dapet foto salah satunya lagi ‘pose’.

Ohya, ada biaya untuk masuk dan jasa ‘tour guide’di sini: IDR 25K per mobil. Hitungannya per mobil.

Makam Kuno WARUGA

Selesai dari Bitung kembali lagi ke arah Manado, tapi sebelum sampai Manado, berbelok ke arah Tomohon. Kalau Bitung adalah kota pelabuhan (yang amat sangat bersih dan asri), Tomohon adalah pegunungan yg sejuk. Penduduk asli Bitung adalah orang Sangir / Talaud, yang mostly adalah pelaut. Walaupun pelaut, perawakan mereka ngga hitam hitam, tapi malah cenderung agak ‘indo’ karena campuran Belanda. Sedangkan di Tomohon penduduk aslinya orang Minahasa, yang kalau diperhatikan lebih mirip orang Chinese, dengan mata yg agak menyipit, kulitnya juga putih.

Di tengah jalan, mampir dulu ke Makam Batu Waruga. Ini juga salah satu objek wisata yang 2007 silam terlewatkan. Makam makam ini berasal dari sebelum tahun 1877.

Sebelum 1877, makam makam ini di letakkan di depan rumah, dan turun temurun digunakan untuk mengubur sanak keluarga yang meninggal. Berapa kali digunakan/berapa leluhur yang dimasukkan di Waruga, ditandai dengan berapa banyak garis yang ada di atapnya. Spt gambar diatas itu, berarti sudah 5 leluhur yang dikuburkan di dalamnya.

Nah, ceritanya, pada tahun 1877 itu terjadi wabah kolera berat. Disinyalir berasal dari jasad di dalam Waruga yang tidak tertutup rapat/retak dll, dank arena ‘makam’ itu diletakkan di dekat rumah. Maka, oleh pemerintah Hindia Belanda, tahun 1877, semua Waruga di kumpulkan (totalnya 144 buah) di satu tempat yang sekarang menjadi objek wisata cukup popular. Ratu Beatrix dari Belanda pernah mengunjungi tempat ini. Ohya, selain makam orang Minahasa, ada juga makam orang Portugis dan Belanda, dilihat dari ornamen di atap makamnya.

Setelah liat liat ditemani penjaga makamnya, trus diajak untuk mengisi buku tamu. Eh, ternyata ‘minta sumbangan’, dan ngga enak kalo ngasihnya dikit, soalnya bukunya isinya diatas 100ribu semua. Terpaksa deh 50ribu melayang L Tapi ngga apa apa, namanya juga lagi wisata, dinikmati aja J

Kepala Ikan Bakar SUKUR JAYA

Abis dari Waruga, jam udah menunjukkan hampir jam 3 sore… nasi kuning santapan tadi pagi pun pelan pelan hilang rasanya dari perut. Waktunya perut di isi lagi. Dan tak begitu jauh dari lokasi Waruga, tepatnya di Airmadidi, ada satu tempat makan yang uapik banget, dan tak boleh dilewatkan… Kepala Ikan Bakar, SUKUR JAYA.

Kepingin banget ke tempat ini bukan karena belum pernah… Tahun 2007 pernah mencicipi tapi di cabangnya di Bulevard. Waktu itu kepala ikan kakap Jumbo yang besarnya segede setir Kijang Inova. Dihabiskan sendirian, sampai eneg eneg J Berbekal memori indah itu, kali ini terngiang ngiang untuk datang mencicipi lagi.

Deng….!!! Kabar buruk… Kepala Ikannya habis… walah… jauh jauh kok bisa kehabisan. Udah kepingin pergi cari makan di tempat lain aja rasanya. Pengennya cuma kepala ikan sih… Eh, si pelayan kasak kusuk, akhirnya dapet juga dia yg ukuran Jumbo… OMG jumbo again? Tapi, siapa takut hehehe, yang penting kesampaian kepala ikan bakar ini…

Puas… tapi kepuasan ada harganya: IDR 75K untuk kepala ikan jumbo itu..., total dengan nasi dan jeruk hampir 100ribu.

Danau LINOW

2007 yang silam, danau ini belum menjadi objek wisata. Baru sejak 2 tahun yang lalu, dijadikan salah satu tujuan wisata Sulut. Sampai sekarang pun masih sedang dibangun penginapan berupa cottage. Sekarang baru ada 2 café yang menyediakan the/kopi dan snacks. Uang masuk IDR 30K per orang, sudah termasuk the/kopi dan 2 potong cookies.

Tempatnya sejuk, namanya juga di pegunungan… Katanya sih danaunya ada 3 warna tergantung sudut pandang kita. Bisa berubah warna begitu karena unsure belerangnya yang tinggi. Di salah satu sudut, airnya bahkan menyemburkan uap seperti mendidih.

Masih sangat asri, bahkan suara dengung tawon terdengar jelas. Tapi bagi yang suka alergi sama serangga, siap siap bawa obat nyamuk, soalnya banyak banget serangga liar berkeliaran dengan berbagai bentuk dan ukuran. Laba laba hutan juga bertebaran di mana mana.

Dan yang amat sangat disayangkan adalah tempat ini tutup jam 5 sore, woalah… baru nyampe sekitar jam 4, baru bersantai santai… eh, sudah mau ‘diusir’. Ya sudah apa boleh buat. Padahal, menurut sopir yang ngantar, kalo lagi sunset, bagus banget. Dia pernah nganterin wisman asal Jepang yang ngga mau pulang pulang sampai disana.

Dari Danau Linow ini berakhir lah tour satu hari Bitung dan Tomohon. Untuk sewa mobil IDR 475ribu termasuk sopir dan bensin (all in). Karena sopirnya baik hati dan sabar, gue kasih tips IDR 50K. Sebenarnya masih ada tempat wisata lain yang dekat dekat sini: Air terjun Tino’or, Bukti Kasih, dan Danau Tondano. 2 yang terakhir sudah pernah tahun 2007. Air terjun Tino’or gue urungkan karena katanya masih jauh tempatnya dan menuruni ratusan anak tangga. Kepikir deh pas baliknya harus mendaki kembali ratusan anak tangga… hoaaaa… ngga jadi!

Monumen Yesus Memberkati

Ohya, pas balik ke Manado, jam 6an sore, sempat ke perumahan Citraland, untuk melihat Patung Yesus Memberkati. 2007 silam, patung ini baru selesai separohnya. Sempet foto juga disana.

Wisata Kuliner MANADO in ONE NIGHT !

Dan ini adalah the best part! Balik ke Hotel Peninsula di Manado, rombongan dari kantor sudah siap bergerak ke Tomohon (lha, gue baru aja dari Tomohon…) Ada 4 bus rombongan team Sales menuju Tomohon untuk Welcome Dinner di vila milik distributor kita. Langsung aja gue masuk bus dan berangkat…

Disana disuguhkan tari tarian dan lagu daerah Manado… Dan sajian makanannya yang ngga tahan… Rasanya kumplit sudah wisata kuliner Manado malam itu: mulai dari kaki 4, kaki 2 dan yang tidak berkaki, dari yang terbang sampai yang merayap ada di sana. Babi panggang, paniki, tikus, ular, er we (anjing), sate babi (ragey), sate ayam, ayam, kerang air tawar (siput) dan ikan, semua komplit plit dengan sambel dabu dabu dan sambel merah yang puedesnya pol.... Belum lagi klapertart, pudding dan segala buah buahan yang amat segar, mangga dari kebun yang manis dan wangi banget. Ada juga TUAK (arak Manado) dan FREE FLOW BEER…

Sampai ada seorang teman yang menggambarkan suasana malam tersebut seperti di SURGA, katanya… tidak perlu kerja, ketawa ketiwi, disuguhi lagu dan tari tarian, makan enak, dan minum sepuasnya… Seperti ucapan orang Manado… E do do E… Torang di Manado Jo !

Next post: BUNAKEN ! dan oleh oleh khas MANADO !(seminar yg membosankan skip aja ya J)

EXCITED ABOUT: Tour Manado [not anymore...]

Papa dan Mama Aj, karena kejenuhan mereka di Bangka, hanya jaga toko kecil yang menjual pakaian, sesekali datang ke Jakarta, lihat anak cucu, dan sesekali melancong (dalam dan luar negeri). Adalah hal biasa, kalau tiba tiba Papa telepon, dan mengatakan: "saatnya jalan jalan, tolong carikan rute .... yang murah..". Itu adalah titah Namun, bagi gue dan Natz yang 'terbiasa' jalan jalan, mencarikan tour, walaupun bukan untuk diri sendiri, tetap membuat kita merasa excited
Maka, pada saat Papa telepon pertengahan Juni kemaren untuk carikan jalan jalan ke Manado, kita cukup excited. Namun, kemudian mereka terkena sakit (chikungunya menyerang keduanya - untungnya sekarang udah sembuh). Nah, sekarang pas udah sehat mereka excited lagi mau pergi.

Maka, dengan excitement yang sama, kayak kita sendiri yang mau berangkat bersemangatlah kita menelusuri tiket, hotel, tour dan varian variannya. Kebetulan gue dan Natz pernah ke Manado, dan Natz punya kenalan orang tour disana karena dulu pernah ngadain gathering di sana (Hotel Sedona). Maka last 1 -2 hari ini kegiatan gue dan Natz adalah menelepon baik tiket maupun tour, mengirim e-mail dan googling anything about Manado. Sampai tersusunlah itinerary ciamik (lihat di bawah). Tapi apa daya. Barusan Papa SMS bilang... "Tidak jadi tour dulu, toko sedang ramai". Ternyata sudah musim ramai di sana, musim liburan sekolah dan menjelang puasa - idulfitri memang biasanya ramai luar biasa, sehingga tokonya tidak bisa ditinggal lama Ya apa boleh buat, excitement nya harus disurutkan.

ITINERARY MANADO 4D3N

Senen 13 Juli 2009

Bitung, pantai selat Lembe di desa Nae Mundung (dekat kota Bitung) mengunjungi Kebon Binatang Mini (lihat Tarsius Spectrum)
Sawangan dekat kota Air Mandidi, mengunjungi makam tua (Waruga) makam nenek moyang suku Minahasa

Ke Tomohon, mampir di Patung Yesus (Citraland) dan desa Tinoor (melihat kota Manado dan Bunaken dari ketinggian)

Check in Hotel Lokon Boutique resort (pemandangan gunung)

acara bebas, menikmati sejuknya hawa gunung

Makan siang di kota Manado/ Bitung/ Tondano (tergantung pesawat tiba jam berapa)

Makan malam di Hotel Lokon Boutique Resort Bakso Cak Man

Selasa 14 Juli 2009

Breakfast di Hotel Lokon Boutique Resort

Dari Tomohon turun ke Manado

Danau Linaw, Makam Tuanku Imam Bonjol, Pagoda Chinese Temple, Makam Pahlawan Dr. Sam Ratulangi, dan Danau Tondano

Makan siang di Restoran Tumau Tou atau restaurant Tondano, persis di tepi
Danau Tondano

Waloan (rumah bongkar pasang), Kwangkoan, mengunjungi Goa Jepang, Watu Pinawetengan, Bukit Kasih, Tour Lumimmut

Kembali ke Manado chek in Hotel (Manado)

Makan malam di Nelayan/Wisata Bahari

Rabu, 15 Juli 2009

Breakfast di Hotel

Menuju Bunaken (snorkeling, blue banter dll)

Makan siang di Bunaken

Kembali ke Hotel, istirahat

Keliling kota Manado (Museum, Klenteng Ban Kian Hiong, Monumen PD II, Patung Pierre Tendean, Patung R.W Monginsidi, Pantai Manado, Manado Town Square, boulevard)

Makan malam di Wisata Bahari/Nelayan

Kembali ke Hotel

Kamis, 16 Juli 2009

Sarapan di Hotel, check out

Lihat Patung Yesus besar (ciputra) dan keliling Manado (Museum, Klenteng Ban Kian Hiong, Monumen PD II, Patung Pierre Tendean, Patung R.W Monginsidi, Pantai Manado, Manado Town Square, boulevard – in case tadi malam ada yang belum kesampean)

Beli oleh oleh di UD Kawanua (klapertart dll)

Makan siang di Restoran Sukur Jaya (kepala ikan) atau Mapanget (dekat bandara)

Berangkat ke Airport, check in dan boarding

About QA and My Assignments

Since I joined QA team about couples of years ago, the pattern of my life have been changed a little bit. I’ve become a traveler, or more a business trip-per. I work out-of-town more than in Jakarta, sometimes no work at all back in head quarter office. Last week could be in Medan, back to Jakarta for a week and then could be in Surabaya the next week. I probably stayed in hotel more often than my own home for the past 2 years. I go more places than before. People said that being auditor can offer you the most experiences of traveling (at Company’s cost, of course) than other any profession. Well, I guess they’re right. This has been kind of exited for me, for now. I’m not sure that I still have the same excitement after another one year doing like this. Until then, let’s just enjoy all the possibility offered by life.

Well, maybe I not yet been to so many places as others might been to. Or not to a places that so different than anybody else. But this has been enough to make me feel thankful. To open my eyes to many beautiful places in Indonesia, even abroad. And a little proud too. I mean some people are perhaps know Timbuktu better than let say, Guigang or Tanah Grogot (I was, 3 years ago). Now, I have chance to go there. And the amazing thing about it, I am not just go there as a tourist, I have a chance to feel what is it like to have a life like them, to live their life, something I always wanted so much for so long.

The job, the people I’ve met, the food, and of course, the beautiful pictures I’ve taken, which also can be viewed at http\\ajnatz.multiply.com. Ohya, about the job, I will tell you as little as possible so you don’t get boring too much, or not, cause I probably have nothing to say about the job. As one of my co-worker often said to me at 5 PM before we leaving the office, “another ‘hard’ working day” with a big grin coming out of his face.

I don’t really want to work here
I joined QA team 2 years ago, as I said in the beginning. I was offered to an accounting supervisor position by this local, seldom heard, not located at Sudirman, Thamrin or Kuningan-Company. I got a feeling that they will hire me, but I will refuse them at the very end of the recruitment process which could took a long time. So, this could be a waste of time, both for me and the Company. But, considering I am an unemployment at that time, with all respect to the karma, I come to the very first interview. Like I often said, if you refuse to answer the call of interview, you might not get one when the time you need them bad, that’s karma. So, I came.

The title “accounting supervisor” it self has frighten me. Supervisor? I’ve been an Assistant Manager before. And Accountant? My God, did I mentioned why I was unemployed at that time? Because I couldn’t stand being an accountant. Yes, I quit the job as Finance and Accounting Assistant Manager at an MNC (Multi National Company), everybody heard off, and located at Kuningan-Company after working there no longer than 2 months. I’m sick of accounting! But, as I said above, I came.

But maybe it’s true that this is my destiny. On my first interview, they change the offer to an internal audit, they call it QA here. QA = Quality Assurance, later change to Corporate Assurance but people still like to call it QA instead of CA. And at the very end of interview, they higher my position to become an assistant manager (ass-man ha ha), maybe because of the salary I asked is in that level.

It’s not really a team when I first stepped in the QA. Just two of us + one Senior Manager, an India. As soon as he leave us (resign from the Company), we prepared our schedule ourselves, developed the report, working paper and new way of work. Now, there are four of us in the team. Me, Roy, Darwin in Jakarta and Agung located in Surabaya. None of us is head, and as a youngsters, we work in a fun way, as long as we can deliver what our boss, which is the owner of the Company, want. The Company has branches spread all over Indonesia from Medan to Bali. Also there are subsidiaries in Sumatera, Java, Sulawesi, even in GuangXi Province, South of China. Anywhere there’s a company owned by our boss, that’s where we assigned (ourselves) to. Below is the detail stories of each location I’ve been to.

Surabaya
There’s a branch and 4 subsidiaries here. Actually my boss’ business was started here from a small chemical store. During 2006, I spend more of my time in Surabaya than in Jakarta. I assigned to Surabaya more than my other assignments. That’s make Surabaya my second city, and Somerset hotel have been a second home for me. But actually, I’m not always work in Surabaya during the assignment, there’s a small city +- 60 KM from Surabaya called Pandaan, very near to Pasuruan, but I often stay at Somerset, a four star hotel located at Kupang Indah.

From Jakarta to Pandaan through the highway is about 45 minutes. The highway across the location of Lumpur Lapindo, one of the nation disaster that haven’t been solved until today. I have been a witness of this big disaster from its very first day happen. When the smoke is still as small as rubbish burning. Now, the highway is closed. And the Lumpur Lapindo has become not only local news headline, but also international headline. I show you the picture taken from news and other picture taken by me :) Now going there has took more than 45 minutes as before. Now could took me 2 hours, sometimes even worst, to get there from Surabaya. There is a period of time that I chose to stay at Hotel in Tretes, mountain range near Pandaan (only 30 minutes). I’d stay at Hotel Surya, owned by Gudang Garam. Old hotel, quite spooky there. But when you wake up in the morning you can smell the morning dew and feel the pleasant cool weather.

Somerset has been my second home during 2006. Some of the employee even indeed recognize me. I choose to stay here because near highway gate to Pandaan, so I don’t have to spend more time in the city traffic. At the evening, not hard to find the food or place to hang out. Very near to the hotel, there’s plenty of fine restaurant serving Chinese food, Noodle, Sea Food, Steaks etc. Some of them are quite famous in Surabaya, such as Nasi Udang Bu Rudi, Bebek HT, Kepiting Cak Gundul, Fajar Noodle House, XO and Jade Imperial. Not far from the hotel, there’s a kind of high class pujasera, and Sea Master restaurant are there. One of my favorite sea food restaurant. Or, I can take a 15 minutes taxi to Supermall (PTC), there’s a fine Chinese restaurant there, one of the place I always return to, La Shang Wei. Their pork ribs coated with honey is fabulously delicious. I also eat once at BonXo before they closed. I don’t understand why they have to close it. The place is nice, the food too. Not very far from Supermall, there’s G-Walk, a street with many choices of restaurants and foods that only open at night. Located in the Citraland residential, the place is safe, cozy and can be very relaxing. I ate at Hachi Hachi Bistro, Japanese style of steak and sushi, a couple of time, also ate once at Restoran Khayangan, a Sundanese and Javanese style restaurant. I remember there is a grandiose Catholic Church near there.

What other good food in Surabaya…. Hmmm Let me think for a while… Ow, I like Ayam Penyet Bu Kris so very much. In fact, our company’s driver has know where to take me lunch, “Ayam Bu Kris, pak Andi?” yes, hot and spicy. Also Ayam Goreng Pemuda, Ayam Goreng Presiden and Ayam Goreng Hartono. Though they all taste the same but I enjoy eating them. Not so crispy but they sure yummy… Beside the above, there’s still some places that offer a good food, such as warung ijo in Pandaan or Soto Banjar at Tanjung Perak which I happen to eat this afternoon. The Soto taste real good, not to mentioned the sate, with best quality peanut sauce. Other place that quite famous here is Kya Kya road, only open at night, because at night the road is close for car and motorcycle. The foods are mostly Chinese food, because Kya Kya is located in China Town (Jl. Kembang Jepun). I only past the street a couple of time. Haven’t try the food, people told me the food not so special.

I know quite a lot now, don't I? he he.. When I first assigned here, there’s only little things I know about the food. Thanks to my cousin, Jamie, who introduce me to most of the above. She’s a young freelance designer who like to eat. In fact, their family owned a restaurant themselves. Depot Sehat, located at Mayjen Sungkono. Chinese/Medanese food which cooked specially by the father himself. Special Menu is Ayam Goreng Bawang Putih, crispy and taste good in your mouth.

Ohya, beside stayed at Somerset and Hotel Surya, I also been stayed at Plaza Surabaya Hotel, Garden Palace Hotel, Novotel Surabaya and Hotel Elmi. In fact, right now, I’m writing this blog at Garden Palace. There's legendary ice cream house (Zangrande) just outside the hotel. If I were in Somerset, I probably been drinking Forever Tonight while writing this. I remember one night, when four of us (complete QA team) have a chance to have dinner at Terakota Restaurant, Somerset level 2, I recommend the drink Forever Tonight to them. From then, Forever Tonight have been a favorite drink of QA team. About Garden Palace, I like the breakfast buffet. Elmi, no comment, I stay there only one night, and that is because I cannot have reservation at other Hotel. Plaza Surabaya, I don’t like. Although I stayed there many times. The felling when being in the hotel is not comfortable to me, I don’t know why, maybe because I have a bad dream once in here. But one thing good about Plaza Surabaya, the café is great, open air, and they play a sound of birds in the morning.

The language, you don’t have to be able to speak Javanese here, most people can speak Indonesian. However, I learn a view of simple Javanese words my self. Like sampean = you, ghetok = see, ono = there is / have, ora = no, akeh = a lot/many, muleh = go home, mangan = eat, etc.

Some of the tradisional food in Surabaya:
1. Rujak Cingur = this one is #1 traditional food here. You haven’t come to Surabaya if you haven’t try this one. Me my self haven’t tried it, and probably never will. If I told you what it made of, you would probably agreed. Cingur means nose, yes, the main component of rujak cingur is cow’s nose. Others are vegetable with peanut and chili sauce. I like vegetable with peanut sauce like many other traditional food in Indonesia (Gado gado / karedok / pecel) but please remove the nose, I mean the cow’s nose… iyach…
2. Lontong Balap. This one I’ve tried. Lontong = steamed rise in a pandan leaf. Eat with cockle and a lot of chili.
3. Tahu Campur. Bean-curd with cow’s inside (lungs, intestine, liver, complete)
4. Semanggi. This is semanggi leaf in peanut and cassava dressing.
5. Rawon. Stewed meat with dark liquid.
6. Sate Kelapa. This is originally from Madura.
From what I’ve been tasted, Surabaya’s foods are relatively so-so. Maybe my tongue is different from the Javanese.

About the work. We have a branch at Jalan Sumatera, a logistic company (shore tanks and warehouse) at Tanjung Perak, a glue manufacturer at Rungkut (SIER), and 2 starch fabrics located at Beji (Pasuruan) and Pandaan. The last one is the most often visited this last 2 years. During my assignments in Surabaya, I've been inside the empty shore tank and climbed up to the top of HMC (Harbour Moveble Crane; which used to moved containers). Also I've been on top of shore tank to do the stock taking.

Ponorogo
2 things about Ponorogo. Beautiful sun rise and great taste chicken satay. From the first day I arrived in Ponorogo, they’ve been suggesting sate Ponorogo to me, to bring home. This is one thing they very proud of.

The beautiful sunrise is because Ponorogo is surrounding by hills and mountains, that makes the sun beautifully rise from one of those hills/mountains, giving a tremendous picture when the gleam touches the field of rice down below.

I go there twice, last year July and early this year. My company own a starch manufacturing company, which quite famous here. The local called us “pabrik telo” which means “cassava manufacturer”. I was told that when we first here, Ponorogo really a village, not many people lived there. Now, with the exist of our company, the economy of the surroundings is lifted higher and that’s attract more people to come. I can say that we are the only big factory here, no other.

The company’s by product is pulp (waste, dregs of the cassava). Some of these pulp are given for surroundings for free, they can come to collect it at set time, twice a day. The pulp has a very unpleasant smell, but yet can make money by selling it to the factory that made animal food.

Near Ponorogo, there’s a St. Marry cave, which I never go there. I would really to, but Pak Santoso (one of the employee) told me that the road at that time is very slippery and not an easy road. He told me about story of a little girl once fell in to the deep and dark valley. A few days later, when everybody, including her mother, though they would never see her again, she came home safely, nice and clean. On one occasion, her mother took her to her friend’s home, a catholic. When she saw a statue of the holly Marry at the house, she jumped out and said, “Look Mom, that was the person who saved me from the dark valley.” They built a St. Marry cave on same location the girl was missing. Nice story.
In one Sunday morning, I have chance to went to the church, holly marry church. And when I tough that no Chinese in the town, I met a lot of my kind here, in the church. But all spoken Javanese. The Javanese here is main language. Unlike Surabaya, not many people can speak Indonesian. I have to learn one or two words here, like unju’an = drink; sundu’an = satay.

First visit, July 2007, I have a chance to go to Sarangan. A lake on top of the Mountain. Cool view, but not a cozy place for holiday. The water in the lake is dirty with oil dropped from poor maintenance boat. And very crowded, with village people, people selling traditional souvenir, and cars parked there. However, at least, I’ve been there. And eaten Sate Kelinci (rabbit satay) and Jagung Bakar (roasted corn). I even bought two Kuda Lumping (horse decoration made from coconut leaf), each complete with the whips.

And they really proud of the Satay (Sate Ponorogo). Both time, they pack 50 pin of satay for me to bring home. And something about the satay, the chicken is big, bigger than ordinary satay, and the taste is sweet, one said, they used gula merah to cooked it first. The sweet taste must influenced from Middle Java, because although Ponorogo is located in East Java, it is the nearest city to Mid Java. There's a narrow street called Jalan Sate which full with restaurant selling sate Ponorogo, but only one is famous amongs all Tukri Sobikun.

About the city, it has a lot of crossroads, and each crossroad has a statue. If you new here, or long time not coming, you will be dazed. You will find hard to differentiate one crossroad to another. I did.

Anyer (Banten) and Tanjung Priok
At Anyer, we have tank terminal and transport division for one of the private company serving petroleum in the gas station. Of course it’s located on the off shore of Anyer, not far from Carita. We know a location with good view and often go there to take pictures.

There’s a restaurant serving seafood called “Flamboyan”, with special menu fish head cooked with traditional spice. The fried fish as well delicious, cause the fish is fresh. The restaurant also serving lalapan (uncooked vegetables), tempe and asinan (salty fruits) which bring up the appetite, and we can take them as much as we want for free.

At Tanjung Priok we have tank terminal at the port and warehouses at Jalan Marunda. On the way to Marunda, there’s a delicious Padang restaurant, Caniago, with special crispy shrimp. On the port, we always ate at Saio Sakato, also a Padang restaurant.

Lampung
I go there three times. Once last year and twice this year. We have tank terminal at Panjang port and a starch manufacturer (just like one in Ponorogo) at Lampung Timur. First time here, I’d stayed at Sheraton Lampung, this is really a fine hotel, I must say. I enjoy there very much, the pool view was great. Although no fine restaurant near the hotel, it doesn’t matter, because having pindang ikan for dinner at the pool side is really something. Stay 2 nights at Sheraton Bandar Lampung, I moved to other city in Lampung called Metro, second big city after Bandar Lampung. In Metro, I stayed at the office that use also for residence. At that time, the fabric located at Way Sekampung was still under construction. Way Sekampung is about 50 Km from Metro. I go there to visit the under construction plant and also the cassava farmers that being our partner to support cassava when the plant is ready to operate. They are true villagers that very nice and welcome us. Most of them originally from Java, when Soeharto’s era of transmigration. There are 2 kinds of Javanese in Lampung, from transmigration (Soeharto’s era) and from colonial (Dutch era).

The second time here is to audit the Way Sekampung project. The three of us coming here, me, Darwin and Roy with a driver (we coming by car, through Merak – Bakaheuni). This is one hell of experience. We can eat durian with very cheap price, due to Durian season. Fresh fish in pindang ikan and lalapan. Also pete, just freshly picked from the farm, and can buy it directly from the farmer with unbelievable cheap price, only Rp 20,000 for more than 100 shaft. The good thing about it, since we came by car, we can bring them home with us, durian, pete, and of course, the famous Lampung original coffee. Also, Lampung snack from Yen Yen shop. There’s one person here, that we admire a lot for the way he ate. Samsul. You will admire him also if you saw him eat. He has a small body, maybe only 155 cm height. Can eat twice even three times as much as normal adult. We always wonder where the food goes.

The third time is operational audit. This time we (me and Darwin) came by plane. Not much experience this time. Not durian season and not pete season also. The second and third visit, we stayed at Metro Pacific hotel, with one cute receptionist girl (Dessy) who driving Darwin crazy.

Manado
From all places I’ve been during my assignments, this one is the one I want to share the most. Who don’t know Manado, one of the place that attract so many tourist, especially because of the amazing coral reef under the clear water sea in Bunaken. And the excitement was doubled, because my Natz also come with me, and all on the Company’s account !

Me and Natz were assigned to Manado at the same time. Very lucky! Not quite. Actually, I assigned my self to Manado at the same time Natz going there for a seminar. How do I do that? This is QA, everybody act a boss for themselves. Natz going first, after a view days, I come. We both set the date that make possible for us to extend on holiday.

My company owned the one and only golf course and driving range in Manado. A piece of cake, an easy audit. I complete the job and the report in three days. That’s left us another 3 days to enjoy Manado. Actually, not only for ourselves, I also doing the work, verifying the land owned by my boss, to make sure that the land is properly taken care. We were accompany by Mannopo’s family, Pak Jimmy Mannopo and wife, and sons, Haryanto (bobo) and Adi. Also accompany by Pak Iwan and Pak Yapi.

First adventure is Minahasa High Land. We visit Bukit Kasih. The hill that symbolized the harmonious of the five religion in Indonesia, Islam, Christian, Catholic, Buddhism, and Hindu. Before headed there, Pak Jimmy take us to see the new residences complex built by Ciputra (Citraland). Will be huge, I think, similar to Citraland in Surabaya.

Kasih means LOVE. Below the hill before we start climbing up, there are monument with 5 angle, each symbolized one religion. At the top of the hill there’s a momentous statue of cross, symbol of Jesus for Christian. But, unfortunately, due to rain, we not climb up to the top. In the middle of the hill, there are five prayer houses for each religion. Down to the other side of the hill, there are natural hot water. In some spot, the hot water is boiling, you can even cook eggs or cassava in the water.

Down from Bukit Kasih, there’s a lake named Tondano. We stopped to relax and take picture. And in the other side of the lake, there’s a restaurant with lake view. Great view, especially at evening. When we ate there, there’s a video making of Manado local singer, singing “Kisah kasih di sekolah” in Minahasa language. I learned that ‘bifi’ is and ant. "Malu aku malu, pada bifi merah" he he

Second day, Bunaken ! But I don’t dare to do the diving, because I’m can’t swim and I’m too afraid of drowning. Fortunately, for people like me, there’s bottom glass boat, and better than bottom glass boat, is Blue Banter, a side glass boat. There’s room under the boat, down the sea, and we can see through the side glass, not bottom glass. Quite expensive, but all paid off ! The coral reef was amazing. Not to mention the fish with many kind, color, and size. We also lucky to see a Napoleon fish that day. Napoleon fish usually so shy and very seldom to show up.

Enough seeing those stuff, Pak Jimmy and wife come and take us (and Adi) to Siladen island. We’re not stopping at Bunaken island, because Natz, that already been there, told me that Bunaken island has nothing to see. But Siladen is really something. Very nice view, white sand beach with very clear sea water, and the land looks still not much touched by human. However, the heat was killing. There are three island near to each other, Bunaken, Siladen and Manado Tua (is an inactive mountain). We have a good time, but already very tired when Pak Jimmy invite us to eat Paniki at his house. I have to say no, because that night, beside very tired, I have stomach ache. Actually, I wanted so much to taste Paniki (bat cooked with dozens of chili), Manado traditional food. But, I’m afraid that it will make my stomach more ache due to very spicy.

Day three, we visiting ex factory that used to produced smocked fish and export to Japan. The factory now closed and abandon. But the position of the land is good for a restaurant (facing the beach). From there, we headed to Hotel Sedona, the five star hotel in Manado. Natz were staying here for the seminar, before she moved to stay with me at Hotel Grand Central (three star hotel). Then we went to Wisata Bahari to have lunch. After that, we went to UD Kawanua to buy a view gift for people back home. Klapertart pie, peanuts, and other snacks.

Here, the religion life can be considered very harmonious. A lots and lots of Churches here. Nearly every corner, there is a Church. Majority of Manado people is Christian. Pak Jimmy even has raise a fund to build a church near the golf course. Beside religious, Manado people is famous of like party, like to eat and having fun of life. A lot of fine restaurant here and the place were designed to be a cozy place to hang out. I notice that almost every restaurant have music entertainment. This is because Manado people like to sing and good in singing. Pak Jimmy himself is one of the good singer. He never missed to sing every time we went dinner at the reataurant.

Manado’s food is mostly about sea foods. Some of the fine restaurant I have tasted:
1. ??
2. Sukur Jaya (famous with Napoleon fish head).
3. Restaurant Nelayan
4. Wisata Bahari
5. Soto rusuk babi (pork rib) at Manado Town Square

The other thing that I have a bit regret beside not eating Paniki, is not trying to play some golf, or just a swing or two in the driving range. I won’t missed that in my next visit. But in overall, Manado TOP.

Bandung
Bandung is a fun assignment. It’s all about food and factory outlet and of course, the famous brownies kukus. Going by train I can see the hill and river view along the way approaching Bandung. It took approximately 2 hours from Jakarta.

We tasted some good food at Sari Sunda, Batagor Kingsley, Laksana (at Cibabat, Cimahi), Madame Sari (Kartika Sari’s restaurant), and enjoy great view and cool weather at the Valley restaurant. The street musician playing accoustical jam is what I like from Batagor Kingsley at night.

We stayed at Grand Pasundan. On the last day, we don’t want to missed the factory outlet + buy some snack from Kartika Sari and Amanda.

Medan
Our company own a tank terminal at Belawan Port. I came with Roy and Reza Rajasa. This was the first time for all of us to Medan. First night, we stayed at Novotel Medan, then moved to Grand Angkasa (the only 5 star hotel in Medan).

Medan has a great food, unfortunately we here during Ramadhan. Due to Moslem people is fasting, not many restaurant open as usual. For example, Uda Sayang, a famous Padang restaurant is closed for the whole month. But, whichever restaurant is, the seafood is great. We also have chance to taste the Batak grill, the famous lapo (pork cooked with pig blood). We also order pulos pulos, papaya flower cooked with spices. Taste real good, TOP, yummy. Also the famous porridge buffet at Grand Angkasa Hotel, which only served at night, from 9 PM to 00 AM. Not bad, but not as delicious as we expected, just a little bit disappointed.

Durian Medan also one of the famous. Is Eddy (head of branch) who treat us here. After eating durian, he took us to Merdeka Walk. Nothing special there, the food not so good also, that’s what Eddy told us. So, we didn’t eat here, just take a look.

Special gift from Medan: Bika Ambon and Bolu Meranti. Only one store selling Bolu Meranti, but Bika Ambon, there’s plenty of store. Eddy took us to a street which full with Bika Ambon seller along the way. The famous one is ATI and Rika. In my opinion, Rika taste better.

Medan has been my next honeymoons destination. March 2008 ticket already in hand. People told me that Danau Toba is great. We can’t wait.

Guigang, Guangxi, China
I want to write this story separately. It has it own excitement :)

Conclusion
I enjoy my job very much. Among my friends who has the same level in KPMG, I could be the one who get the tiniest paid. But my life now is balance between work and enjoying life, which I never experienced before. I enjoy my life, I’m living it now, not later when I have ‘enough’ money, which probably would never will. I mean, how much is ‘enough’ when we talking about money. I work for my family, not for the money. For me, investment not just money or property, or any other assets. A happy and balance life for family also an important investment.