Exploring Boti Tribe – West Timor

My exploration to the traditional village in Boti made me amazed on the hidden beauty of West Timor. I felt like being thrown to the first half of 20th century

After three-hour bus ride from Kupang, the capital of Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) province, I stayed for a night in Soe. The journey to Soe gave me a chance to enjoy the beautiful scenery of central Timor that was getting cooler as the road got closer to Soe.

I was lucky to get a room in Pae Nope’s homestay. Pae Nope also recommended his friend to me for being my guide to this village.

Eventually I arrived in the village after going through a long bumpy winding road in the hill near Boti. I was fortunate to come in Boti when the elders gathered. They do this every 9th day, the day when they stopped working in the field.

As an independent traveler, I was a bit surprising for the village chief. Well, most visitors both domestic and foreigners are usually in groups.

I noticed that during the gathering the men discussed many things about their village while the women also gathered separately with the kids. To my surprise, the chief of the village was unable to speak Indonesian. The guide as well as the villagers helped me to translate the language though.

It is interesting to see the traditional culture that is truly a part of their life, from the clothes they wear, since they must wear traditional clothes until the local food they serve dto me. Jagung bose (Bose corn) was one of traditional meals served for me.

The traditional fabric they wear are locally made and now they also sell it to visitors coming to the village

The night I spent also provided a nature choir where the sound of insects, cattle, wind and many things became my lullaby. I stayed in a local guesthouse whose house is made of gewang leaves, while in Java traditional houses are made of bamboo or woods.

Too bad, due to the limited time, I was unable to go to their field or doing trekking in their village. Anyway it was indeed such a great trip. If you do want to seek cultural experience, this village in Boti might be a great choice especially if you happen to be in Timor

Hope that you could enjoy the pictures

Note :

– Lopo is the traditional house in Timor

– domestic pig is seemingly so faithful that the animal would follow the master anywhere she goes to

– Make sure that you stop for a while in your trip to Boti since you are able to enjoy the view of the hills

Amazing street artists in Spain

From a gold man, a Betty Boo,a witch, man in his private toilet, puppeteer, and dancing indians. They are truly amusing and creative as well. It was taken on my one-week journey a few months ago in autumn (yup, I know better late than never)

It was taken in two places within two big cities, Madrid and Barcelona. , but the most favorable, in spite of its touristy things, is La Rambla, that’s seemingly the most-sought tourist destination in Barcelona, undoubtedly I love this city

I didn’t manage to capture all photos of all performing street artists since we do need to donate our money for their performance, otherwise they would keep moving, showing their refusal for a photo

I’m so fortunate to choose a nice hostel in Sol, where the street artists are usually present (Thanks to LP for the hostel recommendation). It’s also located close to Plaza Mayor, a square where cafes, restaurants attract lots of tourist (and a backpacker like me) so it’s truly an ideal place for street artists to make a living.

In one morning in Barcelona, I happened to see them preparing their make-up, their costumes. During the day they would compete to withdraw as many tourists as possible

I’m really sorry since one of the artists shown here is not a genuine artist. I hope you’re able to find "the fake artist"

References :

– La Rambla
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Rambla,_Barcelona

– Plaza Mayor,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plaza_Mayor_%28Madrid%29

Keraton Cirebon, a palace of art, harmony and knowledge

An art work describing the advancement of civilazation, the use of some kind of fengshui to avoid sudden attack to the sultan and the tiles depicting bible story are the things we’re not likely to think in Keraton Cirebon. It was startling to see those things.

It happened when I came to this palace in Cirebon, my surprise was actually something amusing after knowing the facts found there since each visitor has to be accompanied by a guide who fluently explained the whole details. I could say that I have bigger appreciation for this palace after my visit. The guide explained many stories and behind the scene situation unknown before, the throne does not directly face the main gate to avoid sudden attack, two types of tiles on the wall were all imported from Netherlands (the blue one is about the nature but the brown one is about Bible Story, so that I could see Samson in action hehehe. I could even crucifixion scene on some tiles). To my surprise, the Sultan also produced an art work portraying the advancement of civilazation and even the guide told me perhaps the anti porno bill could sometime eradicate this art.

BTW, culinary journey is also possible in Cirebon, from bubur sop, empal gentong, nasi jamblang and more … 😛