When Politics Turns Ugly

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/06/03/your-letters-when-politics-turns-ugly.html

I turned my head sideways when my senior colleague’s voice thundered announcing the English battle of two presidential candidates aired on TV. Needless to say, I knew who won! It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that Prabowo definitely sends a knockout blow to Jokowi.

On another occasion, my brother is at loggerheads with My Dad. Highlighted that although Prabowo does not have governmental experience, the former Special Forces Commander has a strong and decisive presidential leadership style this country needs. My brother sees such style as critical for better Indonesia. In addition, he has clear vision and mission once he holds the job.

In contrast, my Dad finds Jokowi as a man with character who remains loyal to the plights of ordinary people and whose track record so far is clean. He is humble, approachable, and is never part of the status quo in running the governmental post. He works hard and does not say many rhetorical words to please the crowds. His down to earth leadership is the leadership of the people which means he is a genuine servant of the people. My Dad said Indonesia needs a fresh figure with integrity to take the lead.

“A breath of fresh air among the traditional political elite which is known for its oligarchic and corruptive nature is what we crave for.” My Dad said weakly due to his ailing health.

Meanwhile, my Mum and I are caught up in the middle. We swallowed hard as acid comes to our mouth. Gee, I cross my arms and shake my head in disbelief!

I now feel such a sense of disillusionment to see these days many families and communities in homes, offices or any other public places come head-to-head in debate on who would be best to lead the biggest economy in South East Asia. Sipping your coffee, brewing your tea or munching at your cakes without discussing about the two figures feels sour!

And this raucous hullabaloo begins from ugly politics!

Duh! How I resent corrupt politics! Lol.

When there’s no single party emerged with enough votes to put forward a presidential ticket alone, a macabre of twisted turns and unexpected alliances was obscenely paraded. Ten parties that garnered enough votes to enter parliament were orchestrating tricks and ruses to form coalitions for securing power for their own self-interest, and not for the PEOPLE. The result has been weeks of political horse trading, backroom negotiations, and party infighting.

The last minute maneuver of Aburizal Bakrie is shocking. The runner up winner switched side to former general Prabowo Subianto of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) for a few cabinet ministerial transactions or God knows what other bargain. This is in my personal view is shaming the party. Some seasoned politicians followed suit. The list goes longer than I anticipated.

Oh, my stomach recoiled in horror!

Then, I find it more nauseating to learn how Amien Rais, one of the former icons of the country’s reform movement, blindly endorsed Prabowo for the top job on this country because Hatta is running for the vice President. He even went further to liken Prabowo to the nation’s founding father.

I laughed bitterly hearing his speech. I mean come on, he switched side to his former nemesis. Obsession for power and control is fearsome to be sure. I guess he was now only a shrinking shadow of the man he used to be.

Politics is indeed can be so sickening and there’s no absolute truth in it but viewed from transactional vested interest.

What is taking shape now is a two horse race between two very different candidates. Indonesians will have to choose between Jakarta governor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and former general Prabowo Subianto of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra).

The clock is now ticking for July’s Presidential election for the two president hopeful candidates.

Smear campaign is thick on the air. Each contender is repeatedly attacked from all direction through social media and news network.

Issues on Jokowi’s ethnicity and religious background spread like wild fire in the online community. His lack of vision and allegedly unseasoned quality as a leader is relentlessly exposed to bring him down. His opponents consider him a puppet of his party who is too weak to rule. Further, he is still burdened by the promises he has made during his campaign for the Gubernatorial office.

Likewise, Prabowo’s alleged involvement in some staggering human rights violation including his alleged role in May riot keeps resurfing to hamper his ambition. His allegedly short temper and ruthless military style becomes major issue related to his character. To add matter worse, the background where he comes from the inner circle of the former status quo cast a dark cloud over his head. Not to mention that so far he has not done anything real for the people but throwing promises and rhetoric. His ambition to run for the top job is considered like a wild horse.

This contest dynamics has viciously slithered through my home and office. Whether I like it or not, I need to choose instead of playing a silent role of a political abstainer. One voice might make a different.

That’s why, disregard of the perpetual smears; I focus on the candidates’ character. I’m supporting real character, not character assassination. The character of a person is something abstract; it cannot — and should not — be measured by numbers, a pass-or-fail grade, the educational certificate, or the language proficiency. Character isn’t a superficial style. It is who we essentially are. It is abstract but it is visible if we look for it carefully.

Afterall, Indonesia has never been lacking of smart, clever and intelligent people. What Indonesia lacks is a leader with character and humility.

In my humble opinion, character of a person can be seen from his track record, lifelong ambition and purpose, attitude and consistency of mind, words and actions. Successful leadership is not about being tough or soft, assertive or sensitive but it’s about having a particular set of attributes in which character is the chief.

I want a leader who has straightforward style that sets him apart from an aloof and elitist political establishment that has long dominated this nation. As I come from marginalized community, I want a leader who comes from such background, who knows the bitterness of being poor, helpless and mistreated so he becomes passionate servant of his people. I want a ruler who does not run after the prestigious job zealously to seize power to accumulate wealth, power, and thus control. Instead, he should be the one who is humbly offered the post and endorsed by the ordinary people.

Most importantly, I want a self-made leader who has character and humility. Unlike many of Indonesia’s politicians and leaders who were born into positions of power and privilege, I want a fresh figure who has no such advantage as such a man would be unusually honest and genuine man of integrity as the servant of people.

Having said that, I guess I have said plainly who my champion is J

HARSHER SANCTION FOR CHILD SEX OFFENDER

HARSHER SANCTION FOR CHILD SEX OFFENDER

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/05/20/your-letters-harsher-sanctions-child-sex-abusers.html

A slew of child sex abuse cases have sent the nation tethering with horror. Only days after we learn the horror of sexual violence committed in one of supposedly prestigious international school that sparked nationwide outcries, another horrific serial rapist in Sukabumi outrages us. More cases are making headlines.

With the sheer volume, the sheer number of incidents in which this man molested, is staggering. More than a hundred boys age between 7 and 13 have fallen victims into the beastial lust of the 24 years old Emon. It surprises me that somehow this was not picked up by someone earlier before it erupted.

The lewd and lascivious behavior is shocking. It cast a nightmarish outlook just how fragile the security over our children was. It is as shocking as William Vahey case, the most prolific pedophile who was free to satiate his lewd behaviors over children for almost 45 years without any authority detected it. He even went under the radar to teach in prestigious international schools in various countries, including in Indonesia.

As in Emon case, this most prolific pedophile in memory of our nation has set off a crisis in the close-knit community of Sukabumi where horrified parents even came to a great extent by using violence to make their children confess that they may have been victims of this nice regular neighbor.

Our hearts mourn and wail in deep agony. We are mad with fiery fury. We curse the perpetrators. We abhor their heinous crimes. We walk with downcast eyes because we as part of the community fail to protect these innocent children.

One vital question remains unanswered: is there no longer a safe place for our children to play? When not even a sacred place as school or revered persons as teachers, clerics, reverends or even the closest family members could safeguard their sanctity.

I remember when was a kid the only monsters we should be afraid of are those otherworldly beings as described in the local urban legend or the witch and step moms as in most fairy tales as in Cinderella or Snow White. The only movie I watched on child violence abuse during my childhood was Ari Hanggara. The film was about a wicked stepmom derived from true story. In my childish idea, step mom and demons were the only real danger preying on helpless little children.

I was wrong and naïve.

I guess as time went by, the world is getting old but the evil dwelling in human heart intensifies. The evil becomes as primal and carnal as the ancient sins. We as parents or members of the larger community are often naive while sexual predators are getting smarter, extremely cunning and often individuals we least expect would commit such crimes.

How often, we are thunderstruck to learn that the alleged perpetrators turn out to be the well-respected pillars of the community. They develop elaborate schemes and go to great extents to do anything to get access to children.

These scums know parents are worried about strangers and less worried about their close relatives, teachers or any other well-respected individuals. Parents sometimes don’t realize how devious these vermins can be. The best offense is a great defense. Understand the dynamics of child sexual abuse might keep our children be safe.

It is confounding to learn that most child sexual abuse, up to 90%, occurs with someone a child has an established and trusting relationship with, whether known or not by the parent, and who is often a person in a position of authority. The National Commission for Child Protection (Komisi Perlindungan Anak Indonesia) said it received about 3,000 reports of sexual abuse of minors nationwide in 2013, double the figure from five years ago, with 30 percent of cases reported to have occurred at schools. The case of Wiliam Vahey, JIS, and Emon are only the tip of the iceberg

Considering the extreme injuries physically and psychologically inflicted on these children, it is mind boggling to know that the maximum sentence for a child-sex offender in Indonesia is 15 years and a fine of up to $26,000. Worse, in most of those convicted typically only receive three to five years in jail. In addition, there's not a policy to publicly list these convicts as registered sex offenders, and tag the list to the community as a warning of the threat. This leniency thus far has no deterrent effects.

We are left bewildering to find out that last year; KPAI has declared rising figures of child rape a national emergency, yet no authority seemed to pay it any heed. It has taken the incidents at JIS, an elite school attended largely by foreign children, and propelled by Emon case in Sukabumi - to amplify calls for tougher sentencing of convicted pedophiles.

Even The President called for a tougher sanction and action to prevent such incident to happen again. Related authority is now on the move to revise the Law on Child Protection to formulate heavier punishment for child sex offenders.

Then, as parents or those who have little children under their care, while waiting for law to be revised, we should take any necessary prevention actions to prevent such incident ever happen to our precious ones. As child sexual abuse continues to rise, parents are now starting to apply the underwear rule. These rules help protect child from abuse. It is a simple way that parents can help keep children safe from abuse - without using scary words or mentioning sex.

We are sick with worries in protecting our kids from the terrible things to happen. Sexual abuse is one of the most horrific incidents. We support the government move to revise the Law on child protection. We pray the process could be expedited. Any sex offenders should be punished with heavy sanction of chemically castrated or sends to the firing squad.

BUNI AYU CAVING : JOURNEY TO THE UNDERGROUND NATURAL MUSEUM

(May 25^th, 2014)

The dawn broke. A gray of light slowly seeped through the interlacing bamboo splits of the small room we rented in this small village. There was no sound but the loud chirping of the night insects. Our simple homestay at Kertaangsana Village, Sukabumi looked desolate and dwarfed by the towering pine trees. The bamboo door creaked in protest as we opened it. The chill air assaulted us as we trudged our way to the meeting point.

Soon, the fifteen first-time cavers, including my husband and I, enthusiastically prepared our gears, slipping into the red and yellow wearpacks, donning the knee-high thick rubber booths, fastening the helmets into position and clipping the LED light into them. A small water-proof bag slung on my back containing pocket camera and one mineral bottle. Once finished, we looked like a bunch of miners ready for their morning shift.

Kang Iwan and Kang Oi, our experienced cave guides explained that we would soon explore the longest cavernous walls of Buni Ayu. It would take approximately four hours to trek. The passage is formerly about 3,500 meters long with 5 to 6 hours to trek. Sadly, last year or so, some of the cave wall collapsed, cutting the length to 2,500 meters and the rest is inaccessible for cavers.

Unlike the shortest passageway that is about 200 meters long known as the horizontal path which we have explored the night earlier in such relaxing and picnic atmosphere, this part would be much more adrenaline-pumping and treacherous. The terrain is hard to trek, as we would enter the underground cavernous maze by vertical path. Our guides warned us to follow their instructions closely.

A brief history lesson passed on. Kang Iwan Guha was dead serious when he presented his lecture. As if small children, our eyes beamed with interest and curiosity. We listened with all ears.

Located in Kampung Cipicung, Nyalindung, Sukabumi – East Java, Buni Ayu Cave comprises part of the Nyalindung karst formation. Karst is the combination of limestone, gypsum and other rocks that dissolve in natural acids underground. It takes hundreds of years before the cave formed with its rich ancient ornaments of stalactites and stalagmites in various shapes and colors.

Formerly known as “Guha Siluman” or Demon Cave by locals due to its supernatural element, people living nearby were convinced that the underground cavern was home to various ghosts and spirits. Then the cave is renamed to Buni Ayu to attract visitors after properly managed under the auspices of the Forestry Department. “Buni” means hidden in Sundanese, while “ayu” means beautiful, referring to its remote and beautiful underground landscapes. The perfectly covered beauty once held a title as the best cave system in South East Asia.

Our jaw dropped. We gaped in awe. As first time cavers, we would explore such phenomenal cave! Our body is burning with excitement tingling sensation!

RKT Kho, George Robert, Michael Chassier and Seveau Arnoult were the first to map the cave compounds in 1982. They estimated the cave to be more than 60 million years old. Wow….so ancient! It sent goose bumps in my skin.

The four were experts in speleology, the study of caves. The depth of the cave ranges from 20 to 50 meters. The cave has at least 83 chambers but only a small number of them have been explored. That’s why Kang Iwan once again warned us to never wandering alone the cave without a guide. Then since 1994, the cave has been open to the public.

Finishing the lecture, the journey to the center of the earth rolled onJ. We all marched like high-spirited soldiers with proud gaits to the cave entrance. The undulating rows of wild grasses were electric green—that shimmering, wonderful green under the brilliant golden morning sun. Dark pine trees towered over the rows of bamboo houses, their silvery leaves dripping with dews. The smell of cooking herbs and boiling pots wafted through the air. The mothers have already started their morning routine to prepare breakfast apparently.

After approximately 20 minutes of marching, Kang Iwan halted us to a stop. We looked around in total bewilderment. Nothing was visible ahead of us but a bunch of wild tall grasses and trees along creaking stonewall!

To our utter surprise, our guides ushered us down to small creak under the stonewall. Seeing this tiny hole barely fit one person only for an entrance, my expectations were suddenly not very high. I slid down less eagerly.

I soon changed my mind. This is where my first real adventure begins!

Using a tiny rope tied to the stone and the waist of our guide, we were hoisted down one by one in the 18 meters deep hole. Suspended in thin air for 5 minutes or so, I felt the adrenaline rushing to my body. The sensation was burning and exhilarating. I was slowly lowered down. I didn’t have to worry about anything at all as the pull of gravity wrapped me with wonders.

Suspended in the height, I could see the very landscape of this ancient cavernous chamber. It seemed to be waiting for something, something that had been foretold for thousands of years. I could hear the sound of rushing water from what seemed hundreds of feet below. This passage had once led those seeking the mysteries deep within the bowels of the earth. Once we were all down, we huddled together like little Hobbits in the deep dungeon of the Goblins Dwelling.

Our guides led us on. We trailed deeper into the darkness. The darkness in the cave exceeded when we close our eyes. Without the lamps in our helmets, it was an absolute eternal darkness. Along the way, the path was steeper and more treacherous. We had to navigate carefully, paying close attention to where our feet step on, lest, we slipped and fell into the dark abyss.

Often, we had to wade our way through the underground river. When the current was too wild, we had to walk slowly on the ledge on the cave walls, our hands and feet clambering to find something to hold on to. We absolutely didn’t want to hit and plunge free into the gurgling water underneath.

On the other hand, when the stream was mild, we had to thread in the waist deep water, while avoiding the undulating stalactites and stalagmites around the cavernous paths. Fortunately, there were many friendly alleys to enable us savoring the beautiful ornaments of the cave. With my pocket camera, I tried to capture the dazzling images. Often, I failed as the lightless surrounding did not side with me.

Through the dim light, we could see lakes and waterfalls in the cave, as well as to see the cave with water to form fossil halls and millions ornaments. Silvery-white or brown colored stalactites and stalagmites of all shapes and sizes occupied the chambers. There were even a couple of small waterfalls running down smooth, white rock faces. We were amazed!

Stalactites and stalagmites in this caves have such great variety of shapes, forms, and color that almost each of them is unique in appearance. While trudging along, Kang Iwan explained that their growth rates are so slow that once broken, they cannot recover during a human life span of time! Average growth rates for dripstones (stalactites) are about ½ inch for every 100 years.

Ops, we cringe in horror! Instantly, we withdrew our naughty hands! Yeah, their beauty kept luring us to touch them with greedy lustful appetite. What fools we were! Afterwards, we left those beauties alone. Feeling and touching their eloquence classic wonders with our eyes only!

Thus, stalactites and stalagmites are considered natural heritage objects and are protected by law in most countries, and their collection, mining, and selling is prohibited.

There are also other occupants of the cave, including bats, centipedes, crickets, fish, frogs, lizards, scorpions, shrimps, spiders and snakes. Yet, the cave is not the natural habitat for most of the animals found inside.

Kang Iwan told us that when it rains heavily, storm water usually runs into the cave and brings several animals in and they are left trapped in the cave. Thank God, we did not come across any snakes!

We continued our journey through chambers and narrow, winding corridors full of straw stalactites form along a drop of water and continue growing down from the cave ceiling forming a tubular stalactite, which resembles a drinking straw in appearance. Some grow in thickness and obtain a conical form and some stalactites touch each other to form a drapery with a curtain-like appearance. In some spots, stalagmites stalactites meet to form columns, and several columns create curtains.

Kang Iwan explained that the cave is a natural phenomenon and provides a natural laboratory with all the phenomena circle of life in the cave and the surrounding environment.  Like the museum with the arrangement of the showroom, the caves also provide beauty with ornaments in the form of various layouts are created by natural processes over a period of thousands of years.

The four hours journey was enchanting, filled with adrenaline rush, wonders, and adventure!

Once we approached the exit passage, the terrain was getting monstrous and hideous. Mud was everywhere along the ascended path. Many of us slipped and fell. It was so slippery. We literally wrestled with mud. We clawed, clambered, and fought with our hands and feet to drag our body up.

In the middle of this struggle, my energy was depleted. The knee-deep mud sucked me in as if it was quick sand. No matter how hard I tried, my feet did not budge. Sweats dripped down my face.

Kang Iwan came to my rescue. He pulled me up to the rocky wall, literally dragging me up like a sack of potato, lol. Catching my breath, I had to trudge along. An old rusty wooden ladder of 20 meters lay menacingly ahead of us. Again, I had to clamber my way up carefully, lest I slipped and fell on the rocks below. I swore and cursed to pump the energy!

After what feels like a lifetime climb finally, we came to an end. A faint of light seeped through the hole above. I clambered frantically to catch the light. It was my salvation. Another guide on the exit pulled me up once I reached the ledge. I gratefully thanked him.

Under the burning sun, I could see the first time cavers were caked in mud! We laughed and held a high five in the air! We had conquered the Demon Cave!

The exhaustion is indeed rewarding! It’s an unforgettable journey. I fall in love with caving instantly. I was love struck! Lol.

Indonesia is indeed a nation of beauty with many enchanting reliefs of nature in its every nook and cranny. A lifetime exploration will be able to satiate the hunger for its beauty!

Plato said most people do not see the underlying reality around them. Instead, what they see are mere representations, like shadows on the wall of a cave.

THREE BEAUTIFUL GEMS OF CIWEDEY: KAWAH PUTIH, SITU PATENGAN AND STRAWBERRY FARMS

Tired of the traffic in the heart of Bandung City during weekend? Or too bored spending your time AGAIN in and out of hundreds of Factory Outlets (FO) just to empty your pocket? Or are you just dying to have a peace of mind sitting idling in lust greeneries of tea plantation without wasting too much money or time?

Well, guys, you should try a one day trip to capture three amazing places to please your eyes and mind. All these attraction are located in Ciwidey, a small town in southern Bandung. Ciwedey is the gateway to the beautiful highland in the slope of mount Patuha. Believe me, it’s worth travelling!!!

What’s more interesting than spending your time in the amazing white crater, strawberry pickig, then lazing around the love lake?

The Route

These three places are easily accessed either by private cars or public transportation. It’s only around 47 km from Bandung to the south side through Soreang and Ciwidey.  The easiest way to go there is via toll road and exiting at Kopo. So, if you enter the toll road from Padalarang, Pasteur, Cimahi and Pasirkoja, you should choose direction to Cileunyi and exit at Kopo. This is the first exit after Pasirkoja. If you come from other access, such as Cileunyi, Buahbatu, and Moh. Toha, then you should choose direction to Padalarang and exit at Kopo.


Once you have paid the toll fee, turn right at the stop light, then you only need to follow the road until you reach the town of Soreang. You just need to follow the main road to arrive at the small town of Ciwidey, then drive several kilometers uphill to reach Kawah Putih entrance on the left side of the road.

If you continue driving on the main road, then you will pass many strawberry farms, Sindang Reret restaurant, tea plantations and Situ Patengan at the end of the road

Option to Travel

You can travel to these areas either by car, bus or travel agent.

If you drive, please depart very early from Jakarta or Bandung to avoid the busy traffic. As the day breaks, start up your engine and speed up all along the way. It’s the best hour to enjoy your day with lush greeneries area of tea plantation. I mean seriously, as soon as you pass by the city the view underway is breathtaking. The air is also cool and refreshing unlike the city air!

Also, you have control over your time and destination. If one spot captures your heart , you can just park your car at the roadside and you can climb uphill a bit to reach the tea plantation that is crowded with its tea leaves pickers.

As for me I prefer joining backpacking agent that offers me a quite cheap rate for the trip. It only cost me Rp. 210.000,- (USD 21) from Jakarta including the tickets for each location.  But I have to bring or buy my own meal during the trip L. Well... I am not a big eater anyway. So, I know I can survive the day nibbling my cakes and snacks J

The disadvantage of taking this backpacking tour agent is you dont have any control of the time! We were scheduled to leave from Jakarta at 5.30 a.m but as always the rubber time made us depart at 6.45!

I was lucky I didnt take the minibus from Jakarta but from the exit toll road of Kopo as I was in Bandung already for business trip. Yup.... we were stuck in heavy traffic during our climb to Ciwedey.

Nonetheless, the view to the site is so beautiful that I forgot all the fuss and complaints. Along the way we saw the scenic route adorned with tea plantation in either side of the road. The hills are covered with lust greeneries. The air was cool and the breeze whizzed around, dancing with the leaves. I was literally drowned in wonders.

The Destination

We were scheduled to visit Strawberry farms, Kawah Putih (white crater) and Situ (lake) Patengan.

Strawberry Farm

The first stop was strawberry picking activity in Ciwidey. The cool weather and mild climate around the area is perfect for starwberry farms. There are many strawberry farms here, but they are all will be crowded during weekend and holidays. Hence, you'd better come early.

The farmer will give you a basket and you can pick the strawberry by yourself. If you are lucky, you can as much ripe red strawberries ready at your service. If you came late, all those colorful fruits were gone for good. Just like what I suffered!

The price is more expensive than buying them in the store, but strawberry picking is always fun, especially for children. One kilogram strawberry is Rp. 50,000 (USD. 5). It’s pretty expensive. But the fun in picking the fruits yourself is priceless J.

Kawah Putih

Next stop is Kawah Putih (white crater). This natural beauty is one of Sunda's hidden gem. Despite its proximity to Bandung, it is less popular compared to Tangkuban Prahu crater in Lembang.

It is named Kawah Putih because the crater and all the surrounding rocks and sands are all white. Overtime, rain fills in the crater. Now, a massive of water covers the crate that make it looks like a greenish lake. Most of the time the color of the lake is green, but sometimes a part of it becomes brownish. The hot springs make the water lukewarm. The view is amazing, but you can not stay too long since the smell of sulphur is quite strong.

The best view is in the morning. Sadly, we arrived at the crater at 12 p.m. Clouds hung midair, painting the sky dark grey. Thin misty fog floated idle in some parts of the lake. I guess it was not the best moment to take some pictures.

Hundreds of visitors flocked around the site. As it was holiday, more people visited the crater. It’s so crowded that it’s hard to get the best shot for your camera. Anywhere you turn, people were posing for a photo or couples hugged and giggled. Definitely not the best moment to visit!

Around the entrance to white crater, you can find many kiosks selling strawberry, traditional snacks and souvenirs. One small plastic bag of strawberry is sold at Rp. 10,000 up to Rp 15,000 ( USD 1 up to USD 1,5) depending on how you haggle. Remember, be very careful in selecting the bags to find the fresh and good strawberries.

The traditional snack is sweets made of orange skin. It is called 'kalua jeruk'. You can also find 'berondong jagung' (pop corn ball). It is pop corn glued together with palm sugar.Since there are many strawberry farms in this area, we also can buy strawberry sweets called dodol strawberry, made of sticky rice, sugar and strawberry juice.

Situ Patenggang

The last stop is Situ Patenggang. If you continue driving you will pass tea plantation and at the end of the road you will arrive at Situ Patengan, which also known as Situ Patenggang. Situ is the sundanese word for lake. Patengan or Patenggang derives from Sundanese words ‘pateang-teang’, meaning finding each other. This is based on Sundanese legend of Raden Indrajaya (Raden is similar to Lord in England) and Dewi Rengganis (Dewi means a beautiful lady).

We rented a boat to get to the Batu Cinta (Love Stone). Each passenger was charged Rp. 25.000 (USD. 2,5) for round the trip. We were dropped at the island for an hour before it fetched us.

At the entrance of the island,  visitors waited in queue to pose in front of  the stone. Inscribed in the stone wall is the love story of Dewi Rengganis and Raden Indrajaya.
Legend has it that they were madly deeply in love, but a twist of fate separated the couple.

Heartbroken, they cried a river until their tears became Patengan lake. They kept searching for each other ceaselessly. The God apparently smiled upon them finally as they were reunited at Batu Cinta (love stone) in Situ Patengan.

Many people still believe that lovers will have everlasting love if they visit this stone. Ehm ... I think I skip the legend, lol! I was more captivated with the scenic view around the Situ.

Guys, it’s so amazing! Taking all the majestic scenery into the heart is so refreshing and relaxing. It brings a peace of mind.

Lust green tea plantations were laid out bare to cover the hills intertwined with pine forest around the the green lake. I just sat upon the rock and savored each beauty in mind. It’s so relaxing.

The Divine work of art is indeed surreal and unbeatable.