The Celebration of the 77th Anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence Day and Indonesian Armed Forces

Hi everyone..

National Day or the celebration of our nation’s independence day is always be special. Commemorating the struggles of our ancestors and heroes, this day marks the new beginning in the life of the nation.

Ambassador Fientje Suebu with H.E. Deborah Geels from MFAT, Marja Lubeck, MP from Labour Party from Indonesian descent, and Defence Attache and spouse

For the celebration of the 77th Anniversary of Indonesia’s Independence Day and Indonesian Armed Forces this year, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia held a Diplomatic Reception on October 12th, 2022. 

After postponing similar celebration for the last 2 years due to COVID-19 pandemic, this time we had been able to have a proper celebration.

After the flag - hoisting ceremony that we did on August 17th, this time we had the double celebration at New Zealand National Library in Thorndon, Wellington. 

We invited around 200 guest and 150 people came and joined us that night. It was really a wonderful celebration showcasing our pride as a thriving country, surviving COVID-19 and continue to make progress in terms of economic development, infrastructures and political stability.

With Nusantara, another word to call our homeland Indonesia, as the theme, we presented a little journey to Indonesia that night. We changed the national library into Indonesian corners, with decorations from different parts of Indonesia adorning the hall we used. 

Not to mention Indonesian delicacies such as kue lapis surabaya, kue lumpur, pastel and risol, as well as our signature rendang, sate ayam, gado - gado, vegetarian fried noodles, and fresh fruits. For our guests who drink alcohol, New Zealand wines and Indonesian beer, bir Bintang, were also available.

We also have Nasi Tumpeng, the famous coned yellow rice, presented to our Guest of Honour, Ambassador Deborah Geels, Deputy Secretary for Americas and Asians of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand. We also had free souvenir of Indonesian traditional woven syal for all our guests. 

The night got even merrier with the performance of Tari Piring, a traditional dance from West Sumatera and a medley of Indonesian songs, like Apuse, Sinanggar Tulo, Cublak - cublak suweng, dan Sajojo. The opening dance was Isolo from Papua.

It was really a lovely night and here are some more photos we have from the celebration.

Lapis Surabaya, everyone..

some of our guests while arriving..

Frits with Isolo dance from Papua 

Noken and Papuan arts and textile as part of the decoration

I was wearing my gold and purple Tapis Lampung, with kebaya sulam usus in the same colors. Good thing I bring the complete set of the Siger Lampung from home.

So, what do you think? We really have so much fun and hope we can have more engagement as well as exposure of Indonesian cultures in New Zealand.

Cheers.

WW: Restaurant Indonesia, Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Restaurant Indonesia, Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Food from home is always something you are craving for, wherever you are. The joy of enjoying the menu that reminds you of your beloved family, warm hugs from your grand parents and heart-to-heart talk on the dining table, is immensely priceless.

No matter what nationalities we are, this basic notion is pretty much what many of us are familiar with, especially when you are living outside of your homeland.

As for me, I have been learning to cook various Indonesian food and drink, but I always welcome the opportunity to buy and to order Indonesian food wherever I am. On the last trip to Napier, Hawke's Bay, we managed to get a taste of home. We stopped by at Restaurant Indonesia, serving since 1983 and making it the oldest restaurant in the area.

Restaurant Indonesia from outside, Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Although the restaurant is usually closing on Monday - Tuesday due to the shortage of staff during COVID-19, we had this special session and menu at the restaurant as the Ambassador was coming with us as well.

the complete nasi bakar menu

That night, we had Nasi Bakar complete with fried chicken, ikan jambal roti or salted fish, tempe and tahu goreng as well as sayur asam, lalapan and sambal. In addition to that, we also have snapper being cooked as pepes ikan or steamed fish with lots of Indonesian traditional spices. Plus kerupuk or the famous Indonesian chips, to make the menu complete. We also enjoyed Indonesian ice tea with bay leaf and wedang ronde as dessert. Super yum indeed.

Here are some photos I took on the food.

pepes ikan... super yum!

wedang ronde, anyone?

I also love the interior design of the restaurant, with some specific themes reflecting the beauty of Indonesian heritage. It has Papua Room, Balinese and Javanese items and handicrafts, beautiful hand-woven fabrics from Timor and so many more. 

For Mas Riza and Mba Vivi Ambadar, the owners of this restaurant, coming and dining to Restaurant Indonesia is not only about enjoying the food and beverages, but it's also about the experience and the 'real feel' of Indonesia. Through these special menus, we embark on a journey of thousand miles away, diving on the endless beauty of Indonesia as well as the amazing and rich culture of this largest archipelagic state. As you get your first bite, you will feel the warmth and friendliness of Indonesians and their love for traditional and distinct taste of the homeland. That's what I felt when I enjoyed my dinner here.

So for you who get the chance to come and visit Napier, don't miss Restaurant Indonesia with its incredible menu.

Join us on (almost) Wordless Wednesday and have fun with the link party.

WW: Dining at Noah's Barn Cafe, Bandung

Dining at Noah's Barn Cafe, Bandung

Lately I have many farewell parties (although I'd prefer to call it see-you-again-soon party) to attend. 

One of them is in Bandung, when my office had a big meeting there. We were dining at Noah's Barn Cafe, Bandung, and I really love the place. 

the meeting room.. but we choose the outdoor area

The place is super comfy and it does remind us of Noah's Ark, complete with various animals (well, their statues only of course, not the real one) as well as wooden accent that resembles the boat. 

I also love the fact that this place is spacious with a lot of open spaces and greeneries. They have meeting rooms as well as upstairs sofas and corners. The health protocol was observed as well.

The food is yum, although I though the service was a bit slow that day because it was quite full. Well, my group consists of around 20 people so we packed the place with our own. 

Wanna know what we ordered that day?

We booked for around 20 people and although it was raining, all of us came down here and enjoyed the evening together.

we ordered fried rice, mushroom soup, fried mushroom, cheese and spinach roll, ayam geprek or the spicy chicken and grilled ribs, pizzas, spaghetti, steak, ice cream, carrot cake and more. It was a lovely dinner for sure. 

fried rice, complete with satay and fried chicken

So, will you come by and try the food here at Noah's Barn Cafe, Bandung?

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Plataran The Dharmawangsa, Heavenly Place for Authentic Indonesian Cuisine

I have always had a soft spot for traditional ambience and Indonesian cuisines.

While spending some time in my beloved Indonesia, I try to explore its amazing

If you are looking for a posh, authentic Indonesian restaurant elaborated with top-notch, high class interior design in rare wooden furnitures, batik and antiques, this is the place.

Welcome to Plataran at the Dharmawangsa.

If you are familiar with the Plataran restaurant, then let's see this one.

I have been a big fan of Plataran restaurant, be it in Menteng, Senayan and here in the Dharmawangsa. They are just simply awesome!

When we arrived, we parked in the side ways and walked in to the restaurant. As you step into the area, you can see the bold and intricate design of Javanese cultures, with the replicate of statues from the famous temple of Borobudur, wood carvings imitating Rumah Jawa or the Javanese traditional house and batik, beautifully coated on the floor. In short, I love the ambience, the interior design and of course the food! The price is of course a bit higher than the average but it is worth it. Being known as the provider of authentic Indonesian cuisine in an antique and traditional setting, 

As you step in to the area, you are welcomed by rows of statues like the ones in famous temples. Then the warmth of wooden Java house is welcoming you as you sit inside. I simply love it! Well, who wouldn’t! Not to mention Batik, the original piece of high quality Batik,being coated on the floor! The food is exquisite! And authentic as well. I love soto buntut, rawon, asinan jakarta, gado - gado, bola - bola udang, dendeng batokok, and more. i love the salad and soup they have here. Some rice dishes are also wonderful. As foe tje drink, you have various choices as well. They have mushola, parking lot, and clean, artsy toilet. Well… highly recommended indeed and hope you get a chance to try the food here as well.

Wonderful Wednesday with My Purple World, Oh My Heartsie Girls and Friends

Wonderful Wednesday with My Purple World, Oh My Heartsie Girls and Friends

Hope everyone is well and here comes another round of Wonderful Wednesday with My Purple World, Oh My Heartsie Girls and Friends. 

It has been another solemn week of Ramadhan for me and my family, with virtual as well as hybrid meetings in between. For sure I have done 2 extra antigen rapid tests and 1 PCR to ensue that I am well and fit before and after meetings. With the new variant of viruses and how infection spread even faster, we take a lot of precautions. Even for the Eid al - Fitr, we are prohibited from making trips back home or what we warmly call home coming. Usually, days before the end of Ramadhan, we will be traveling back home and ready to spend the victory day with the family and your loved ones. But then I guess with the latest development of cases developing in India and other countries as well, it is for the benefit of us all that we stay at home and reduce mobility. Lebaran Day will be as solemn and victorious as it can be without us gathering in big crowds or making some trips. We have seen how the cases in India get worse and worse and I believe we all have to learn from it.

Anyway, all of us at home is happily continuing our Ramadhan. The kids are so used to it and it's always comfortable to celebrate Ramadhan at home. The kids have finished their online classes and only getting some exercises through Google Classroom. They help us clean the house, cook and bake, and take care of the kittens. We have been cooking a lot at home and/or receiving food hampers from friends.

Ow, have I mentioned that we have 3 new kittens? Let me introduced you to PJ, Ink and Yellow. All of them are super cute indeed!

Cheers from Cemong, Yellow, PJ and ink somewhere there LOL

Now, as always, let me invite you to our weekly party , Wonderful Wednesday with My Purple World, Oh My Heartsie Girls and Friends is ready!

Beautiful cupcakes in purple and teal frosting from my dearest friends

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