Hello

Yes, it was really quite a while that I did not write in this Travel Blog of mine.I hope everything is ok with all of you at your end Today is May 6 2011 Saturday in Jakarta.  The weather in Jakarta is rather cloudy today. By the way I do not know what to write. I just  open my lap top but I feel that I am stuck and cannot think clear. Perhaps this is an indication that I need a Break, I feel that my brain needs some break after working hard last week. But since I do not know where to go I open this blog of mine called Agungss Travel Blog.

My age is nearly reaching 60 Years, but it appears that I am still busy with my work. My friends says that I am energetic, Well, I am just  a normal human being who happens to be still working and I feel I need some way to manage my way of life particularly how to operate and run my SACO LAW Firm, where and at the same time I am being seconded and is responsible to lead the Legal Department in an oil Company in  Jakarta Indonesia, who is facing its Commercial Production, and also assisting the JME Group in its legal works and aspects;

My firm SACO LAW Firm is associated with my ex Boss (74 Years of age) who is also running a Management and Consultancy firm in the Oil & Gas and Energy Industries so called JME

Life is full of surprises you never can tell and predict. Well, if you work hard you really also need to have a break and travel at least just walking in the streets  within your neighborhood and try to release your stress.

The other alternative is  by writing in your blog, for me at least, it is also a method to release the stress  from your day to day routine work; It is like a therapy for me because you can just relax and express your feelings through your fingers tips dancing and traveling with your thoughts and mind in your blog. 

You may also put your radio on,  while writing in your blog and listen to the music and watch out from your window the view outside of your house. It is really amazing knowing that you are still useful to others who needs contribution of your skill,  which in my case happens  to be providing  Legal Services and works to protect your Clients needs in pursuing their goal and venture in the Oil Industries in Indonesia.

As long as you are focused and like your professional work you feel that when you are drafting agreement you feel as if you are traveling with your mind and ideas which is really enjoyable and  fun for me at least.

• But, since it is also within your responsibility how to manage the legal load work in the Oil Company and running your firm at the same time you sometimes feel that you need to manage time and manpower properly to cope with the working load.

By visiting your own Travel Blog at least you can release your stressful mind for a while. Well, you are the one who have to seek ways to face stuck condition in your mind. You must find a method and ways to overcome such obstacles which are blocking your mind. One of my method is just by expressing my feelings in my Blog.
Have a Nice week end
Cheers...       

Jakarta, 7 May 2011
Agung S.Suleiman 

         






   

Balikpapan Kalimantan Indonesia

When I was assigned as the Inhouse Legal Counsel in Huffco Indonesia an oil and Gas Company, I frequently went to Balikpapan, East Kalimatan Indonesia. Balikpapan is a nice city, where several Oil and Gas Companies who are operating in Indonesia are having its office at Balikpapan, Kalimantan Indonesia. I usually stayed at Bena Kutai Hotel.  

Balikpapan is located East Kalimantan. East Kalimantan is rich of  natural resources such Oil and Gas as well as Timber and Coal Mining. There are 2 harbors, namely Semayang and Kariangau (a ferry harbour). The International Airport in Balikpapan is called Sepinggan International Airport..

There are several Oil and Gas Housing Complex where for Huffco (now Vico) is located at Gunung Bakaran.  Total, Unocal ( now aquired by Chevron) are also having offices at  Balikpapan. If we want to go the the oil and gas fields we usually will take  chopper Bell Helicopter  412 or Bolkow from Sepingan Airport.  Businessman usually stayed at Bena Kutai during my business visit to Balikpapan.

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Balikpapan is having an area of  around 94,6 km²  and has the population of  535.829 based on data 2005 ril 2005). Balikpapan has a motto "Gawi Manuntung Waja Sampai Kaputing" (bahasa Banjar) which means that if you start doing on something you have to complete the work untuk finish. There is also an animal moto  Beruang Madu, which is the specific animal of Balikpapan which now you may  no  longer  found.

From Balikpapan you may also go by car to interesting places such as Bukit Soeharto. I remember also going to Tenggarong in East Kalimantan. People say that if you drink water from the River Kapuas you will go back to Kalimantan.

Meetings with the Government Officials usually takes place in the Local Government Offices located in  Balikpapan. You may seek several souvenirs of Kalimantan WoodCrafts at the Art shop and galleries in Balikpapan. Accordingly, there are many businessman and also travelers who are going to Balikpapan, where for travelers they may  go and travel to Tenggarong.        

Island of Batam

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If you want to visit the Land which is nearby Singapore, you may go to Batam. You can go to Batam from Singapore by Ferry. It will take around 30 minutes. Batam is a small Island where the oil and gas Companies who are operating in Indonesia has their logistic Base in Batam. Batam is a Free Bonded Zone Area, where you are exempted from Custom. There are many real estate  houses in Batam. 

You can purchase the Batam Travel Map from Amazon.com. You may found many nice Sea Food Restaurants in the Batam Island.  Many Singaporean go to Batam on the weekends to take a break from the Busy city of Singapore.

As you may be aware Batam is one of the largest islands in the Riau archipelago of Indonesia. Since Batam become a Free Trade Zone in 1898 this Island became busy with all the Stores, Buildings and Logistic Base for the oil and Gas companies operating in Indonesia. 

During the previous Government Era, the Oil and Gas Companies who are operating in Indonesia are being forced to establish their Logistic Base in Batam, before they brought their Oil and Gas goods, and Equipments to the Oil and Gas Fields in their Oil and Gas Block Area. When I was assigned as the In House Lgal Counsel in Huffco Oil and Gas Company, I frequently travel to Batam, to visit  Huffco's Logistic Base in such Batam Island.   

If you want to view Singapore from Batam you can go the Bukit Senyum and view Singapore from Batam. 

Traveling To Solo

Well, Solo is a nice and beautiful place to visit. Last time when I visited Solo I stayed in the Sahid Hotel there. It is quite a nice place to stay. I got a Becak and ask the driver to tour me in the City of Solo. For me Solo is quite a silent City. This city was formerly known as Surakarta. If you happen to be in Yogjakarta  you just take a  train which will take you around 1(one) hour trip.

From the History aspects,  please note that Solo was used to be the capital of the Mataram Kings. Thus, this Solo City also plays a significant role to shape the Javanese Culture. You may found 2 (two) royal Palaces  in Solo. As a commercial City Solo is the Centre of Batik Industry. It is really a reach traditional heritage of the Middle Javanese Culture which is demonstrates by the many Traditional School Dance,  the wayang and traditional Music. Solo is quite a small City for your get away from the busy cities such as Jakarta. The Main Street of the City of Solo is Jl.Slamet Riyadi.  You may noticed that most accommodation is clustered around the Yos Sudarso and the A Dahlan streets. If you are interested to see temples, palaces you may go the East  Side of Solo. Search Amazon.com for Visit Indonesia

 You will notice that the people of Solo tend to be not direct person, such as the People from the East Jawa. If you ask questions to the Solo inhabitants you have to be sure you get the real answer since they inherit the soft and polite manner. So if you  happen to be from a country who has the Straight Forward communication style, you have to adjust your self with the communication culture of such Solo people.  

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Visit Semarang Central JaVa

It was a nice trip going to Semarang for a couple of days. Me and my wife once went to Semarang, where we enjoyed our visit there. We departure from Gambir Jakarta by train early in the morning. The train was with full AC. We arrived around 8 - 9 o'oclock in the morning where we went to Simpang Lima which one of the places in Semarang. We ate in one of the food restaurant which I felt it was so comfort with a traditional feelings. We stayed in a Hotel near the Simpang Lima. 

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Semarang is an old City, where it is famous for the Lumpia Food. We went with Becak  where we asked the Becak Driver to travel us around the Central Part of Semarang. For those who likes shopping there is is a shopping places at the Dekranas Handicraft Shop located at Jl. Ki Mangunsarkoro or buy local specific snack such as as Loempia. Wingko Babat, Bandeng Presto  at Jl Pandanaran. You may also visit  the  herb (jamu) factory to observe the wya of making this  Javanese Herbe Traditional so Called Jamu.

You will really enjoy traveling to Semarang West Java. You may kind  getting a relax feeling in Semarang., since it is not a crowded City like Jakarta. Based on  some sources, you may found some places to stop over where there are several interesting complex of old building with European architecture which were built by Dutch Colonial ruler. For those who likes to visit Museums you may found Mandala Bhakti Meseum  and Ronngowarsito Museum. These Museums exhibits historical, pre historical, archeological aspects of Central Java with its extensive collection of artifacts, relics and fossils. The other place you may stop over is Puri Maerkoco where it presented a man made  Island of the Miniature of Central Java.  

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We may see around 35 pavilions of 35 district of the Central Java Province, where they describe the specific architecture design buildings of each district and exhibit various kinds of tourist attraction of its own  among others  specific local snack and drink, handicraft, photo display, traditional attire.

 

Anyer Beach

Have you ever been to Anyer Beach in Indonesia in the Island of Jawa. If you live in Jakarta you can go by car to the Anyer Beach. It will take about 3 to 4 hours by car. You can just relax and don't be in a hurry. Do you know where Anyer Beach is ? Voila !! Anyer is a beach town located in Banten, West Jawa, Indonesia. The distance is approximately  38 km from Serang City. This Anyer Beach is facing the West, so you may  see the  panorama  glance of  Mountain Rakata (which is the remaining of Mountain Krakatau  which exploded  in  the Year 1833) as well as the Beautiful Sunset.  Click Here! The journey from Jakarta to Anyer may be a pleasant journey. You may bring you map with you so that you can be guided by such Map. Once you arrived in Anyer Beach you may found many bungalows ready to be rented.

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You may also choose to stay in the Hotels a long the Anyer Beach. Once you arrived in Anyer Beach you may choose the place to stay during your stay in Beach Anyer. There are cheap bungalows and there are also exclusive Hotels from jasmine to International 5 stars  Hotel. These really depends upon your Budget and your visit plan. It is nice to bring your whole family including  your children with you. You may found the  beautiful sea sight with all the activities which are available to welcome your visit  among others  the Para Sailing, Jet Ski, Speed Boat, and other  exiting sea sports. You will really enjoy and ease and release you stress. Juts forget your work and relax...

You better bring your beach accessory.  When you  intend to stay  you better  wait for the Sunset view which is really a wonderful panorama. You may also found Lighthouse at Cikoneng. We will also see the white sands in the Anyar Beach which is soft and clean.  For you who like diving you may found the deep blue sea which attracts many tourists from all around the world since there are many various sea fishes and sea plants. 

You will be amazed by the sea breeze which will help to freshen your mind and  makes you forget all the headache and stressful problems. By visiting Anyer Beach you can view the legendary  History of the Krakatau Mountain and its historical lighthouse.

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As you can see  Indonesia has many beautiful places to attract tourist from around the Globe. So if you are in Jakarta either as a Business Worker or just visiting for a few couple of days in Jakarta, please spare your time to visit Anyer Beach.We are most welcome to tourist around the world to share the beauty of our beaches with all of you. See you in Anyer Beach.....

Travel Cheap

Yes, Everybody wants to have a good cheap price budget for traveling. Traveling is good for your health. Once in a while you need to travel. The important thing is that if your Budget is limited you have tp plan your Travel Budget Plan. Can you do that. Of course you can. You can search in the internet for cheap tickets, cheap hotels. Information about traveling is scattered around  the internet. Everybody needs a break.

If you work hard enough these days what you need is a break. Just visit and browse in the internet and found links for Cheap Air Tickets amd Cheap Budget Guide Blogs. Travelers likes to write their Travel Experience. If you travel to Indonesia besides Bali there are many other nice places that you can explore such as in Toba Lake in Sumatera.   You may found some nice Blogs or websites relating to Lake Toba among others :]

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  LAKE TOBA

which I quoted part of  their nice articles as follows :  

Quote :

Lake Toba (Indonesian: Danau Toba) is a lake, 100 km long and 30 km wide, and 505 m. (1,666 ft.) at its deepest point, in the middle of the northern part of the Indonesian island of Sumatra with a surface elevation of about 900 m (3,000 feet), stretching from [show location on an interactive map] 2.88° N 98.52° E to [show location on an interactive map] 2.35° N 99.1° E. It is the largest volcanic lake in the world.

Geology
In 1949 the Dutch geologist Rein van Bemmelen reported that Lake Toba was surrounded by a layer of ignimbrite rocks, and that it was a large volcanic caldera. Later researchers found rhyolite ash similar to that in the ignimbrite around Toba (now called Young Toba Tuff to distinguish it from layers deposited in previous explosions) in Malaysia and India, 3,000 km away. Oceanographers discovered Toba ash, with its characteristic chemical "fingerprint", on the floor of the eastern Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal.

The Toba eruption (the Toba event) occurred at what is now Lake Toba about 67,500 to 75,500 years ago. It had an estimated Volcanic Explosivity Index of 8 (described as "mega-colossal"), making it possibly the largest explosive volcanic eruption within the last twenty-five million years. Bill Rose and Craig Chesner of Michigan Technological University deduced that the total amount of erupted material was about 2800 cubic km (670 cubic miles) — around 2,000 km³ of ignimbrite that flowed over the ground and around 800 km³ that fell as ash, with the wind blowing most of it to the west. By contrast, the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens ejected around 1.2 cubic km of material, whilst the largest volcanic eruption in historic times, at Mount Tambora in 1815, emitted the equivalent of around 100 cubic kilometres of dense rock and created the "Year Without a Summer" as far away as North America.

   Unquote  

I have experienced traveling to the above Lake Toba, where I went to Sumatera by Ship Tampomas which takes me around 2 Days, and 2 nights if I am not mistaken. It was rather long time ago when I was still a student.  I went there with my friend who has a relative with the Captain of the Tampomas Vessel- Ship. So we are allowed to enter and look at the Captain's room and also the place where such Ship was Driven, where we can see the Sea Destination View in front of the Big Window Front Ship.  It was really an exiting  trip where we arrived at Prapatan. We than went to this Lake Toba. 

There are many souvenirs among others the Toba Calender crafted in Bambo.  The view  fo the  Toba Lake is so beautiful as you can see on the above pictures of such Toba Lake.  In the middle of the lake there is the Samosir Island where you can found a tomb or cemetry of  one of the Kings of Toba. I wish I can travel again to Lake Toba with my family. Indonesia is really beautiful Archipelego where there are lots of places  and Islands we can travel and visit.