EKPRAM

Beautiful Trumpets

2017 just a few hours away. Every where prepare to welcome a new year with many kind of styles. But there must be uniform in every places, Trumpet. I did not know the origin of this tradition, blow a trumpet when 1 January comes. If I read some of articles, some said this tradition started by Jews that blow Shofar to welcome a new year. But whatever, I do not to discuss about origin of the tradition but I will share what caught my eyes about this tradition, about how the tradition survive and give some people reason to keep it.

Every December, in markets and every where we can find people are sale trumpets. The trumpets made from paper and some from plastics. In my place, almost all of trumpets made by traditional craftsmen. They were always happy when the last months of the year came, because they can sale more trumpets. And almost every years they can double their income just by made and sale trumpets. Although trumpet craftsmen has increased last year and made the market very competitive, but trumpets always sold.

Now, types and models of the trumpets has been more variative. If in a few years ago, the style of trumpet only the shape of funnel, Now there was trumpets in sax shape until dragon shape. The creativity of the craftsmen made trumpets sometime treated better after the party end. It was also make trash after party diminish despite still high. Highlight of the tradition was trumpets gave every craftsmen new hope with extra income to past the new year with a little wealth and happiness that can be shared to their family. Happy New Year.

A trumpets seller serve buyer at my district

Beautiful Trumpets 2017 just a few hours away. Every where prepare to welcome a new year with many kind of styles. But there must be un...

Onthel : Vintage Bike

Onthel was a vintage bicycle that popular in colonial era. In those era, the bicycle used by important people such as land lord, village head man, and another nobles. That make Onthel became a luxury vehicle and has become a badge of honor and prestige. Brands such as Gazelle, Hercules, Phoenix, etc has coloring bike market competition. After eroded era and almost all of the bike not produce again, Onthel got knockout by the presence of Mountain Bikes and Motorcycles. In 80 - 90s vintage bicyles mostly hang on the garage and warehouse. But time is always spinning and history call they back.

The development of Indonesia Tourism, making antiques began to glances back. The need to attract tourist impacts for Onthel to show off again. Almost all tourist sites that are related to the colonial era provides vintage bicycles rental as a tour vehicle. This make the prestige of the old bike back again. Some people my already have become proud to show their vintage bike, which my has been simply ignored in the warehouse. Then they create Onthel community and attract other people with their prestige feel.
          
Now, Onthel lovers was increased during more vintage bicycle community spread in every city, include in my city. Every week, Onthel community in my town always do routine activities such as gathering or traveling convoy around district. If the first fans mostly elderly, now many young age are getting interested. This makes the price of the vintage bikes getting higher. I've search in some online shop, vintage bike such as Gazelle can be priced up to 10 millions rupiahs even more (depending on specification). But price never be matter when it comes to prestige.

Onthel : Vintage Bike Onthel was a vintage bicycle that popular in colonial era. In those era, the bicycle used by important people suc...

Lime seedling ready to plant

Raining last night gave us good news after 3 days in a row my village has sunny and blown by strong winds. The lime seedling has came from seedling farmer 5 days ago and waiting to planting under the trees in my garden. The planting schedule has postponed because the weather condition. Sunny and wind feared make the seedling dries and leaves fall off and than die.

But this morning the weather was good, and time to planting the lime seedling at the farm field that not to far from my house. The lime seedlings carried by barrow to the field. The field has been ready after preparing two weeks ago (waterways and irrigation). The waterways has been created lanes with distance each 2 meters along the field.

Attached seedling into the hole

Started with made hole at the field diameter 10 - 15 cm with deep 15 cm in center of the field between waterways (so distance hole with waterways was 1 meter). Distance the next hole about 1,5 meters. I put the lime seedlings when the holes were ready and filled the hole that seedling root already in with soil. I press the soil so that lime seedling stand properly.

After all off young lime trees stand, I cleaned waste of the seedling wrap. Because the wrap made from plastic, it would be disturb soil fertility. The trees will be fruiting after 1 year old, so need patient to wait. But to make the field productive, farmer usually also planting another plant for companion. Also in my field, the corn that planted last week already grown.        

The young lime tree

Lime seedling ready to plant Raining last night gave us good news after 3 days in a row my village has sunny and blown by strong winds....

The Tirto Kemanten Waterfalls

Felt the cool air of mountain sloves and the fresh onslaught of water mist, all I got when I visited The Tirto Kemanten Waterfalls. The twin waterfalls that part of beauty of Raung Mountain Sloves. The beautiful twin waterfalls that located on Kalibaru Wetan Village, the village that part of  Kalibaru District, Banyuwangi Regency, Indonesia. Tirto Kemanten in Javanese means water bride or wedding couple of water. The name suitable with the waterfalls because there was to waterfalls side by side like couple. The waterfall also known as Wonorejo Waterfall because located at Wonorejo Hamlet.

Raung Mountain, Shot From Kalibaru Wetan Village

Wonorejo Hamlet Gate

When I was in junior high school, I have camped around the twin waterfalls. But after long time, I forget the route and little confused to access the location. But it was not a matter because the residents were always friendly. I asked everyone that I meet and they always showed the right directions. The important, get on Kalibaru City first.

The road to access the waterfall that divide the sugar cane plantation

To go to Kalibaru City we can use public transportation such as bus and train or rent a car (better suggestion, because no public transportation to waterfalls location). If you from outside of the region or aboard, you can stay overnight in Margo Utomo Resort/Cottage that located behind Kalibaru Train Station and use the vehicle facilities (off road cars).

PT Perkebunan Nusantara XII

 
The route : 50 meters to the east of Kalibaru Train Station, I found the road (alley) that cross the railway and through that way. When I found first crossroad, I turned right until meet three-way junction and turned left and follow the road, just straight to got the waterfalls. But I must passed the plantations road that not paved and inclined rocky. I passed 3 kinds of plantation, coffee, cacao and sugar cane, and some settlements. The plantation were owned PT Perkebunan Nusantara XII.

The Parking Area

I found the parking area after about 5 km's, although it was difficult but the scenery along the road was very beautiful. The interestingly the park area and the entrance to the waterfall area located around villager's homes. It feel traditional. To enter to waterfall location must pay 3000 rupiahs per person, with parking fee 2000 rupiahs per bike and 5000 rupiahs per car. This was a retribution for development the travel site and villages.

The stair to access the waterfall

Another stair (organics)

I can heard sound of the waterfall from parking area. After parked my vehicle, I must down the pretty steep stair. Step carefully needs because beside the stair was gorge and the stair without handrail. But after scary step I found a beautiful looks of Tirto Kemanten Waterfalls with awesome rumble sound. Immediately took pictures while feel the softness of water mist and did not forget to dip into cool water.

Some visitors enjoy The Tirto Kemanten Waterfalls

The Gazebo that the roof was removed

Visitors felt the cool water

The river flow under waterfall

The Tirto Kemanten consists of two waterfalls side by side as high as 10 meters. Around waterfalls standing rock wall with beautiful green looks. The water very fresh and cool, tempting to throw into water. Must carefully if want to soak because sometimes many leeches under water. If only enjoy the scenery, there was seats and gazebo (but the roof was damage) at the front of waterfalls.

Another shot of The Tirto Kemanten Waterfalls

       

The Tirto Kemanten Waterfalls Felt the cool air of mountain sloves and the fresh onslaught of water mist, all I got when I visited Th...

Traditional Craft : Kitchen Appliances

Vacation to Banyuwangi and want to get extra-ordinary souvenirs? Do not forget to visit Kalibaru City, the westernmost district of Banyuwangi Regency, East Java, Indonesia. You will find an interesting spot at Jember Street, a dozens booths of traditional craft such as kitchen appliances line up neatly on the side of the road. Yesterday afternoon, I drop in to the area of traditional craft booths and looked closer the beautiful craft.

On location, I found traditional kitchen appliances such as Dandang (Traditional Rice Cooker), Pans, Cans Of Crackers, Ovens, Cake Molds, Stoves, Spatulas, etc. The traditional kitchens appliances were mostly made of aluminium and stainless steel. The crafts were handmade and produced manually by craftsmen in the location. Every workshop produced 4-6 crafts per day in average (every booth also can be workshop).

The price of crafts vary depending on size, materials and levels of complexity. We can bring the crafts home with 10.000 - 500.000 Rupiahs. Quality? Do not doubt! The home industry has been operating for decades. Precisely in 1965 the home industry has started and increased in 70s. The home industries has been producing thousands traditional kitchen appliances and meet the needs of several towns outside Banyuwangi city, such as Jember, Surabaya, etc (Even outside Java).          

Traditional Craft : Kitchen Appliances Vacation to Banyuwangi and want to get extra-ordinary souvenirs? Do not forget to visit Kalibaru...

Waiting Visitors : Om Telolet Om

Vacation without spending money, of course, visit the nearby attractions. Although this could not be classed traveling. But strangely, nearby attractions usually even be a place that seems far away, so rarely visited. In my case, Bedul Block (Mangrove and Laguna) and Marengan Peninsula. The attractions only 5 km from my house, but the numbers of my visits more minor. It doesn't mean the place not interesting, that was absolutely wrong. Bedul Mangrove, Bedul Laguna, and Marengan Peninsula was beautiful place (I will make post about this place later).

Yore, more often like this

But in this post I would not tell story about all of the place or how to get there, I would share about a little interesting part of the place, Monkeys. (Majority, Monkeys live in Marengan Peninsula that part of Alas Purwo National Park). By the way, when I was a kid and the place not was a tourism spot yet, I often go there for played canoes and saw monkeys. That time, monkeys always hide and difficult to sew. They were always in the deep of jungle of Alas Purwo National Park. Though sometimes looks, if they felt there are people, they will go back in to the jungle.

Now : They are more often on the ground and waiting humans to get foods

Today, the monkeys had a new behavior. When visitors comes to the Marengan Peninsula, they will welcome the visitors with joy (even tend to be brutal). They will be clustered near the pier. This was occur since many visitors who come to this place and gave them foods so they no longer fear with humans. They will be very happy if we throw food at them. Even now, we must be carefully, because they did not hesitate to seize what we bring. But they remain the attraction of the Marengan Peninsula which adds to the beauty of the beach.  

Waiting Visitors : Om Telolet Om Vacation without spending money, of course, visit the nearby attractions. Although this could not be...

Novel : Mary Of Nazareth By Marek Halter

I've got this novels for a long time but I forgot, have I finished this novel? When I tidy up my bookcase yesterday, I saw this novel and interested to reread. I remembered some of the plot but not completely. There was no harm if refresh my memories about stories in this novel. Moreover, this novel tells the story of a character who deserves to be admired.

By the way, this novel has written by french writer Marek Halter who wrote bible characters trilogy. I remembered some plot, he's got a great way to explain about Mary elegantly. So, I will reread 500 pages of this novel without worried of being attacked by bored. I had the Indonesian version, supposedly, this novel was translated into 22 languages.    

Certainly, will be many messages and sage advice in this novel like most of the stories of the Bible. Also many another characters can be role model for us as well as Mary. But, with novel perhaps it was a different taste and experience. I think, this is a great way to spend this Holiday and refresh our soul into the great performance. Happy reading.

Novel : Mary Of Nazareth By Marek Halter I've got this novels for a long time but I forgot, have I finished this novel? When I tidy...

Seeding results in My Hydroponics Training

After joined to the hydroponics training about few days ago, I tried to practiced my knowledge about how to seeding in rockwool. The knowledge gained is to be practiced. Apparently, It was not to difficult. I will share what I know about seeding for hydroponics gardening (Hydroponics Farm). Disclaimer : No guarantee this is the best way and certainly successful. I'm not a professional farmer. I just share my knowledge and what I'm doing now. It's can be tutorial but I'm not thinking it's 100% tutorial post. This is more like journal.

Cutting The Rockwool

Cutting The Rockwool

Rockwool is a popular material for use as a seeding and planting at the same time. So I used this material for my seeding. The important for how to cutting the rockwool is we must make sure that the rockwool fibers will be in the direction of the plant growth. I cut rockwool with a thickness of 2-3 cm. After that, I divided rockwool into same sections (modules) in 3 cm square (slice but not separate is better). Better if, the parts are not separate (still in unit but easy to be separated). I used a little hacksaw to make results more neatly (My trainer mention about it).

Made The Rockwool modules

Wetting The Rockwool

Wetting The Rockwool

After I had Rockwool in modules, the next step is make the rockwool wet. I used fresh water (I used bottled water because groundwater in area was not good, I though contains salt because the taste salty), I was worried this could hamper the growth of the seed.

Hole For The Seed

Make hole for the seed

   
When the rockwool was completely wet, now time to make hole for the seed. I used toothpick to make holes on rockwool (one section/module, one hole). I puncture the rockwool, as deep as approximately 1 cm. I turn the toothpick to make a bigger hole.

Insert The Seed To The Hole

My Seeds

The interesting step. I had 3 packs of seeds. A pack of kangkung (kale), a pack of Tha Kua Chai and a pack of  Green Rapids. Because I was curious with Tha Kua Chai (I never heard or know about this vegetable before) so I picked it. To insert the seed to the hole is tricky, because the seed small. My trainer advised to use toothpick to pick the seed and place to the hole (wet toothpick can make the seeds allow to attached). I pushed the seeds in to the hole carefully to make the seeds stay in the hole.

The Seeding Was Started (Maintain The Seeds)

My Seeds were 1 day old

I put the wet rockwool that contains seeds in the perforated basket (to allow water allow and make rockwool not damp and moldy. I maintain water content in the rockwool to not dry out. When rockwool began to dry, I soak the bottom of rockwoll with water for a while (Just the bottom as deep as about 0,5 cm and the water perk in to all rockwool). When the seeds started to brust (after 2 days), I put the seeds under the morning sunshine (I don't have green house or anti-UV roof, so I maintain my seeds under morning sunshine for a 2 hour). My instructors said, when the seeds are 15 days old, they are ready to be moved in to Netpot. So can't wait until the day comes.

My seeds were 2 days old and put under sunshine for the first time.

That's all, It was my experience about seeding for hydroponics farm. I will update the growth of my seeds in the next post soon. Hopefully my post today helpful, Thanks.                    
      

Seeding results in My Hydroponics Training  After joined to the hydroponics training about few days ago, I tried to practiced my knowle...

The picture that captured after I sign up to blogger and made a first post

I made marathon post in two weeks and now I reach 50th post (so glad after many years hahaha). Actually, this blog had a apparent death twice. First, after join to blogger and I posted 3 posts and sleep for long time (some years). Second, I tried to concerned with one niche and active posted for a couple months but finally retired again til I change to random post in english now.

I never know, will this blog survive? But I will use this blog like nature, for journal and diary. I'll try to make writing in this blog helpful for me first, then hopefully for all readers and visitors. I'll use this blog to train my writing skill, my english, my discipline with one day one post, my time management, my creativity, etc.

Perhaps, this blog will be random post and not only focus in one or two niche (I felt I was not gifted to discuss a niche hehehe), but will still in line with my passion and activity. By the way, I still play music, writing (like stories, songs, etc), read books (all categories), sometime travelling to an affordable place, gardening (new hobby), etc.

Quality? Doesn't mean I did not care about that. But I realized, I never got quality because I never had flight hours. So, my focus it was quantity to train myself. Reach my good habits and get best reflex. Perhaps It will be like practice Malcom Gladwell's 10.000 hours rule (Oh really?). Yes, I hope I can reach my goal, one day one post with a good quality post.
   

The picture that captured after I sign up to blogger and made a first post  I made marathon post in two weeks and now I reach 50th post...

What can I do to make my mother happy in mother's day? I though about build a house for her or buy a car for her? And if I have enough money, there is no reason not to do it. But the situation is different, for now it is impossible to make all real. So I search another way to says thanks for my mother in her day. Maybe I find a simple thing but gorgeous.

And I remembered what she often complained about me. By the way, both of us live in different places and rarely meet. We only communicated via telephone or social media. One day she ever said, she was not like my facebook cover and my facebook profile picture, because almost a one and half years, I used black blank facebook cover and black and white logo from my initial name in my profile picture, also I rarely (or never) posted a selfie in my social media, It made her unable to see my face.

This was the simple thing. I changed my social media appearance with my face on it. It was not a big deal, although it was also not a perfect way to a mother day celebration. But I hope the simple thing can makes my mother happy. And I pray to God, I hope she always in healthy and happiness. # Next and better ways : prepare to meet her :)


 

What can I do to make my mother happy in mother's day? I though about build a house for her or buy a car for her? And if I have...

Visited Hydroponics Agrotourism of  Sumbergondo Village, Glenmore District, Banyuwangi Regency, East Java, Indonesia

I filled last Saturday with fun activities but full of benefit. Because lately I was interested with gardening, I decided to join a hydroponics training. The training held by Banyuwangi Hydroponics Community and Sumber Gondo Agrowisata and located at Umbul Bening Water Recreation. Umbul Bening Water Recreation located in Sumber Gondo Village, Glenmore Distric, Banyuwangi Regency.

Umbul Bening Water Recreation, Sumbergondo Village, Glenmore District, Banyuwangi Regency, East Java, Indonesia

I never gardening previously. I interested with gardening after read some article about hydroponic farm, how the way of gardening without must have a large garden area. I searching farmer who practice hydroponic gardening around my regency to learn more about hydroponic gardening.  Finally, I found Facebook Group called "Hidroponik Banyuwangi" and I ask to join this group. Mr Yon, the founder of the group accept and welcome me to joint the group.

After becoming a member of Group, I got a lot of information about hydroponic, and this make me more curious. When the community held a training about hydroponics I did not waste it and joint the training. Moreover, I need to know more about it, meet more farmer who expert and take their knowledge and someday I could be an expert like them. I took time to visit Mr Yon House and registration the training at once.

Hydroponic Vegetable

Saturday 17th, 2016 the day has come, I leave home at 10.00 am because need one and half hours to get to location and the training will start at 01.00 pm. I never visit to Umbul Bening Water Recreation before and finally I ended up wrong location. There was two water recreation in Sumber Gondo Village, the first (east) called Umbul Pule and the last (west) called Umbul Bening. I had entered Umbul Pule and made that water recreation staff confused when I ask about the training and mention Umbul Bening Water Recreation that located about 50 meters in the west of Umbul Pule Water Recreation.

The Participants

Eventually, I ended up in the Umbul Bening Water Recreation and greeted by training committee. I had half hours to make conversation with some expert like Mr Yon, Mr Choirur and more before the training started. Shortly, other participant also came and the training start at 01.00 pm.

The Starting Kit

The training started with hydroponics introduction, knowing the types of hydroponics system, practice how to seeding and ends with visiting hydroponics gardens. Every participants got starting kit that contain 1 bucket, 1 hollow styrofoam (the planting hole), 5 pack seeds from different plant (vegetables), 1 rockwool, 5 netpots, 5 flannel fabrics and papers.

Mr Yon and Mr Choiru the trainer team

Mr Yon explain about hydroponic gardening

The trainer explained how to start hydroponic farmer with  the starting kit. Although many types and system in hydroponics farming, but in this training we used wick system and focused with seeding, because seeding was crucial step to the success of farming in hydroponics. I learned step by step, from how to cut rockwool, wetting rockwool, make tiny hole in rockwool for place seed and how treat the seed. I also learned how to put the seed to net pot and how to nourishes.        

All participant of training learned basic wick system of hydroponic gardening

In the end of training, after ask and questions session we visited the hydroponic garden that located not far from training location. Every participant can explore the garden.

Visited The Hydroponic Garden

Another shot of Hydroponic Agrotourism (Sumbergondo Village, Glenmore District, Banyuwangi Regency, East Java, Indonesia)

    

Visited Hydroponics Agrotourism of  Sumbergondo Village, Glenmore District, Banyuwangi Regency, East Java, Indonesia   I filled last Sa...

Bank Of Indonesia (BI) released 11 new design of Indonesia Rupiah which consist of 7 paper banknotes and 4 coins yesterday. New designs launched coincide with National Defense Day Of Indonesia. I liked new look of the paper banknotes that has modern design with soft colors. 12 National Hero decorated all new design.


  

Bank Of Indonesia (BI) released 11 new design of Indonesia Rupiah which consist of 7 paper banknotes and 4 coins yesterday. New desig...