Willy Akhdes

I was so fortunate to have an opportunity to visit Traditional village of Takpala in Alor Island. It’s my forth times to visit this island, but at my previous trips I just explored the beaches. At this trip, one day before I left this island, I took my self to visit this internationally-well-known traditional village.

So I made it, climb up to the second highest volcano in Indonesia, 3,726 m to be exact. I conquered Rinjani Mountain in 3 days trekking ascent and descent with my brother. The first two days of the 3 days journey lured me into a false sense of security with its magnificent green gentle slopes that merged gradually into a steeper climb. So we made the first step of the trekking from Sembalun Village on the eastern part of Rinjani. We stayed in a homestay one night before the trekking. Just right after sun rose on day 1, we started the trekking accompanied by one guide and two rock porters, ‘the superman’ who carried our food, sleeping mats, tents and other supplies in baskets attached to bamboo poles like they were huge dumbbells. They would also cook for us, set up our tents and gave us foot rubs (okay not this one). They amazed me endlessly with their strength, their flair in the camp kitchen, their cheeky sense of humor.

Sekitar jam 7 pagi kami sampai di Pelabuhan Pantai Kartini Kota Jepara. Turun dari Bis Shantika yang telah mengantar kami dari Bandung sejak kemaren jam 4 sore. Walau kondisi bis executive AC ini sangat baik dengan kursi yang empuk lengkap dengan bantal kecil dan selimutnya, tetap saja perjalanan sekitar 12 jam tersebut membuat badan remuk dan pegal. Tapi itu hanya sesaat. Saat saya berjalan memasuki pelabuhan dan melihat KMP Siginjai yang telah bersandar dan siap mengantar kami ke Kepulauan Karimun, semua rasa pegal tersebut hilang. Walaupun belum sampai di Kepulauan Karimun Jawa, tapi aromanya telah memanjakan hidung saya (alaah). Tanpa banyak cincong kami langsung menuju loket penjualan tiket. Tapi alangkah malangnya nasib kami, ternyata keberangkatan hari itu ditunda sampai besok dikarenakan ombak yangbesar.

If you are beginner in learning Spanish and try to practice in conversation, here are several common basic Spanish you can use: Spanis English ¡Hola! Hello ¿Cómo estás? How are you? Muy bien, y tu? I’m very good, and you? Yo tambien Me too ¿Me puede ayudar, por favor? Can you help me, please? Buenos días Good morning Buenas tardes Good afternoon Buenas noches Good evening Adiós Good-bye Me llamo... My name is... ¿De dónde eres? Where are you from? Soy de Indonesia I’m from Indonesia Encantado de conocerte Nice to meet you Que te vaya bien Have a good time ¡Cuidate! Take care No hablo español I don't speak Spanish No comprendo / No entiendo I don't understand ¿Podría repetir, por favor? Please repeat that, please ¿Hable mas despacio, por favor? Could you speak slower, please Estoy eprendiendo español todavia I’m still learning Spanish ¿A que te dedicas? What do you do f