Journey to the Land of Pharaohs #1

So, we finally made it :D...

It was indeed part of our dream to visit Egypt

Witnessing its rich histories et civilizaitons, dwelling around the ancient landmarks created thousand of years agoooo..

Never failed to awe the four of us

Thanks to my beloved Auntie Mira et Om Wicher as well as Pak Ustadz Saiful, it was quite a smooth 8-day visit to Egypt.

Being 7-month pregnant did not stop me, Udi, et Bo from having fun :D..

18-hour transit in Istanbul just added the flavour to our itinerary and made the trip even more exciting (and I will definitely share that part :D...)

We arrived in Cairo at 2 am in the morning..well, most of the flights from Europe arrive during that time so it was quite a crowded airport...

Once we arrived in my auntie's house, took a rest for while and had a wonderful breakfast of pempek panggang (for those who knew it....it's one of our fave :D)..I know, some of you might think how come we had pempek panggang for breakfast in Cairo :D...No surprises, as there are soooo many Indonesians, particularly strudents, living in Egypt...so, traditional culinaries such as tempe, pempek, sambel teri, rendang et soooo many more...Coming from Geneve, it felt like heaven :D...

The tomb of Imam Husein

Then the tour began....for the 1st day, it was starting from browsing around the Corniche, at the bank of the Nile river, Tahrir Square and Zamalek Bridge...

saaay cheeeeseeeeee.....Bo kepanasaaaan yaaaa :D>...

quite a windy day, but stil 38 degree C :D.... 

by the Nile river....

Knowing that we only have limited time in Cairo, we rushed to see all the landmarks in this city of 1000 mosques. So, on day 1,  we visited Al-Azhar Mosque and Imam Husein Mosque, 

in front of Al Azhar Mosque...

the ceiling inside the mosque...providing perfect acoustic for adzhan..

Everything is mesmerizing...breathtakingly beautiful and historically rich in cultures..

the lamps in Imam Husain Mosque...

near the mihrab in ladies section...so comfy ...

in the courtyard of Al Azhar Mosque...

plus Khan El-Khalili bazaar....for great food, great crowd, and great shopping...

enjoying melon flavor ya Bapaaaak :D....

Well, I need to peep my books again for the amazing stories of those places..

Meanwhile, enjoy some of these photos...all taken by Udi :D...

And please get back for more photos, stories, and details on our unforgettable journey to land of the pharaohs...

ASEAN BLOGGER FESTIVAL INDONESIA 2013 #3

Alriteeee......it's my 3rd piece now already ... related to ASEAN Blogger Festival Indonesia 2013..

I know it takes ageeees to complete what I have in mind (and notes) regarding our one-of-a-kind event, but please, please, please bear with me :D...

Anywaaaay....

Let me talk a lil' bit about Solo.

I love this city...

Being famously known as the Spirit of Java, Solo is indeed the perfect choice for hosting this event. With its vibrant artistic environment and deeply-rooted cultural lives, Solo definitely has a lot to offer to bloggers. Even the theme for ASEAN Bloggers Festival Indonesia 2013, Re-inventing the Spirit of Cultural Heritage of Southeast Asia, perfectly reflecting the thrust of this lovely city. Wherever you look, wherever you go, Solo will cater you thirst for everlasting cultural values and principles.

My short conversations with many Soloensis (if I may call them that way :D) or Solonese clearly

reflected their pride and unconditional love towards their traditional values and rich cultures.

And as we packed ourselves for a 3-intensive-day meeting during ABFI, we had the honour, and privilege, to witness the beauty of those generations-long inherited traditions during the Mangkunegaran Art Festival.

Regularly conducted, The Mangkunegaran Performing Art truly entertained us. Through dances and operette, we vividly enjoyed these arrays of beautiful moves depicting the gracefulness as well as grand philosophies of their lives.

Enjoying tari Golek Sukoreno, Tari Kupu, Tari Sobra and Timun Mas or Golden Cucumber operette, I was fully absorbed to the richness and colorful world of Solonese....Breathtaking...

How could you not enjoy it....lovely Gamelan composition, graceful moves and beautiful ladies and girls....

Aren't they beautiful....

during the preparation....

si timun mas :D....

I do envy these girls....they are sooo graceful...

Even Sodra Dance is sooo funny, yet still energetically and gracefully performed by boys with cool attire..perfect mix between traditional costumes with modern touch..I loveee those shades :D...

And of course....the Mangkunegaran Palace itself is quite a place...

And bloggers? we enjoyed it sooo much...

cheeeers.....

See....it doesn't take much to fall in love with Solo...first impression and you'll be smithen...

So,  come and visit Solo then ... feel the vibe and get ready to fall for it :D...

Till we meet again, Solo...

ASEAN BLOGGER FESTIVAL INDONESIA 2013 #2

DAY ONE

And we are soooooo exciteeeed :D

Imagine this.
Around 250 bloggers, from all over ASEAN countries, gathered in a beautiful city of Solo, the spirit of Java!

say cheeers...some of us taking a lead in photo session :D...

Ecstatic? Indeed.

High-spirited? For sureeee.

FUN? definitely.

Why?
Because we finally can get together, discuss and share many interesting issues when it comes to bloggers.

Bloggers ...those staying in the frontlines when it comes to many important things, from raising awareness and solidarities towards certain issues or events, from promoting tourism to inspiring people, and of course from providing necessary information to sharing valuable lessons in life.

before everybody gets hereee.....

See, bloggers are so COOL, right :D..

That’s why ASEAN Bloggers Festival Indonesia 2013 has been highly anticipated.

And the theme, Reinventing the Spirit of Cultural Heritage of Southeast Asia, is indeed timely and complementary to the overall efforts we are taking in paving the way towards ASEAN Community 2015.

And, more importantly,  I have to luxury, - and honour, to join this incredible gathering…

I can feel the vibes as we started this event…

with Agus Lahinta...my MC partner :D...

Starting from the opening session, where H.E. Ambassador Hazairin Pohan, the Head of Center of Education and Training of the Ministry of the Republic of Indonesia, who is also an avid blogger, officially opened the Festival. Highlighting the changing world, ASEAN Community 2015 will definitely benefit from bloggers’ prominent roles in knitting ASEAN peoples closer together, in materializing the ASEAN Community in 2015 and beyond

Then, we have a series of seminar and workshop.

We also have a great Tumpeng Moment for the 2nd anniversary of ASEAN Bloggers Community.

and the tumpeng goes tooooo.....

No less than Prof Hermawan Kertajaya, the father of Marketing, beside Philip Kotler  :D and the President of World Marketing Association, himself, briefed us, bloggers, on how to maximize social media in achieving our goals.

remember 13 gamechangers from him?  :D....

I certainly hope all participants do note and acknowledge 13 gamechangers for bloggers as avid marketeers “D/... I did have those slides and learnt a lot from it...

Then we have the  representative of the US Mission to ASEAN, Thomas Bills, talking about what the US has done in supporting ASEAN, including in realizing ASEAN Community 2015.

the gamechangers a la Prof Hermawan.....

For sure, we had an interesting talk with Pak Muhammad Dian Navi on the origin of Southeast Asia Cultures..and how we all related.

After lunch, the party continued....as we have more discussion on the role of social media in the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Building, featuring mas Budi Putra, the CEO of the Jakarta Post Digital, as well as one and only Mbok Venus @venustweets ...talking and sharing the ideas on how social media can boost and support the overall integrated steps towards ASEAN Community 2015. 

Here we curiously noted the idea of having bloggers exchange programmes and apparently everybody was so excited about it...we also noted the facts that bloggers have raised and campaigned many important issues, including those with less (or not enough) attention from the governments...Lucky me, I got the chance to moderate the discussion and again, we had many interesting and valuable inputs from the floor.

As the last part of the subtantive segments (not the part tho’ :p), we had presentations and dicussions with the representatives for the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy as well as from the regional office of tourism from the city of Surakarta...

Well, the fun continues as games and free stuff were distributed...through games of course :D...lucky me I got stocks of questions and games that can be used ...while we are waiting fooor...taraaaa, the fashion show...

Yuuup, fashion show...featuring bloggers from 10 ASEAN countries, featuring a lovely Batik Solo collection....

Then, we wrapped the day with 2 jammin’ sessions with Solo bands...one singing blues tunes and the other one offering some now-classic collections like what’s goin’on- 4 non blondes or imagine-John Lennon...

the band ...

Psssst....it was not all actually... I still have my piece on our adventure in the Mangkunegaran Art Festival :D...wanna check that out? Just wait and see yaaaa....

VIVA ASEAN BLOGGERS

The Frakarsa's on the road: Hola Espana #Barcelona 3

Continuing our family trip in Spain, particularly Barcelona :D...

I certainly hope I don't bore you with Gaudi's masterpieces as I have written in the first 2 blogs in our family adventure...

Well...now...allow me to introduce Casa Batllo this time....

another vivid example of  Gaudi's out-of-this-world creations...

Only a few blocks from La Pedrera, this apartment is another proof of Gaudi's amazing interpretation of underwater world..duly applied to the apartment design..

well, at least that's what I heard on the audio guide :D..

So, I wouldn't mind at all to stay in this wonderful apartment..

man, the details are amazing...

Still with no straight lines, yet it's pretty unique...

Built in 1904 - 1906, Antoni Gaudi was commissioned by Mr. Joseph Batllo to build and adorn his apartment...

The veranda....what do you have in mind seeing this :D..

Along with Bo, Udi et big flocks of Gaudi lovers (aka tourists :D), we strolled and continued being wowed by Gaudi in the legendary Noble Floor (used to be the former residence of the Batlló family, incredibly unique and spacious), 

The interior design is also mesmerizing....

even the vase and the window are out of this world :D...

look at the wall.....and the window...

then the Loft (the former store rooms and laundry rooms which I love to see...the washing room is soo cute :D), 

Of course we went to the Roof Terrace with its mythical Chimneys (where you will see the famous backbone of the dragon slain by Sant Jordi, or Saint George where I took tons of photos with Bo et Udi), 

My fave...the chimneys....so cuteeee.....

and the fabulous building well (once the communal stairwell...please see the details underneath :d...breathtakingly beatiful ;) ). 

inside the house....blue tiles dominating the wall..

Loveeee it.....and hope you share the same feeling, too :D...

Meanwhile....we have more photos to share 

So enjoy and cheers....

Bo enjoying his tea in the back....

The ceiling... pretty unique....

weellll...what do you have in mind....

spacious living room...nice view....

da stairs.....

more of the stairs.....

the elevator.....

we are hereeeee....from INDONESIA....:D....

di Radioooo....

Masih inget ngga lagu Gombloh tahun 80an, hehehe...

di radio..aku dengar, lagu kesayanganku....

Huahahahaha....berasa jadul banget yah, tapi lagi yang kayak begini nih yang nyantol di kepala..

ngga kerasa, ada kali sekitar 7 tahun gue kerja di radio..

lebih malah kalo dihitung dari mulai sering jadi guest star, hehehe...

awalnya dari radio Andalas, terus ke radio Kharisma..end end up in Yudhistira FM..all in Lampung. Have a real short time in jakarta, but I don't really count it as my 'real' time in radio..

Well, You're listening to Yudhistira, 103.7, the greatest FM...

gosh, how I miss saying that again and again as my ID station ;p.

Dulu, ada beberapa acara yang  gue pegang..

Music and Me, setiap malam jam 6 -9, 

acara chat and request berbahasa inggris yang seru, karena selain boleh request lagu top 40, kita sering ngobrol macem2, all the hot topics in town, curcooool,  plus kirim2an salam. 

Itu dia yang seru,....soalnya kita jadi punya komunitas yang seru en kompak, jadi ajang pacaran juga, huhahahaha...kadang telpon harus aku hang-up, biar bisa istirahat, soalnya ngga berhenti2 .. 

terus ada Expose, segmen serius yang kasih all interesting info, tips and tricks seputar kerjaan, hobi, lifestyle, fashion, semua-semua deh...Setiap pagi dari jam 9 - 12, dengan lagu2 current hits as well as top 40. 

Then I also hosted Sweet Line Music, kalo pagi ngga tugas ya..soalnya langsung dari jam 12 - 15, aaaaaall about request..telpon, minta lagu apa aja...plus kirim salam buat siapaaaaa aja..

Another favorite segment is Back to 60s...untung gue jarang host, soalnya dari jam 9 - 12 malem, hehehe..ini juga ajang request, tapi cuma lagu2 lama aja..60s ke bawah...oh ya, ada juga Jazz Night seminggu sekali..one of my fave juga nih, soalnya lagunya gue bangeeeet ..

Oh ya, lucunya...gue ngga siaran dengan nama asli..gue punya 2 nicknames..

Teta Anindya en Ockty Margaretha...

don't ask me where I got those names from...

yang pasti itu dikasih ama pihak radio..kalo dipikir2 lucu deh...gue sering banget di jalan ketemu orang yang manggil gue Ockty, tapi gue suka ngga ngeh, hehehe...dasar dodol. Oh ya, unlike radio2 lain, di Yudhistira tuh kita one-man show, jadi ngga ada operator en penyiar yang terpisah..it's just you, you and you..so you really have to have a state of art to arrange all those great playlists, manage your mixer, and talk on the beat...phweeew, I really missed doing it 

Ngga kerasa, 7 tahun gue ngubek-ngubek...senengnya punya temen bejibun, ngeliput acara di sana sini, ngerancang those outdoor parties and festivals, ikutan workshop yang 'gila-gila', wawancara selebriti, first-class backstage pass on almost all concerts and festivals (termasuk yang di Jakarta, hihi), never ending parties...emang rezeki gue juga kali ya...I got so many jobs and projects dari radio juga...simply have fun go mad..

With Dani Dewa....:D....

bareng temen-temen et Iwan Fals huhuuuuu :D....

para artis di jamannya...aku aja lupaaaa.....hihihi...

with Robbie Tumewu :D.....

But, all good things come to an end, so is this world of mine...

after all those time, terutama sejak masuk Deplu, rasanya I have to move forward..

I'm not saying that I don't want to pursue my career here in this blink-blink world (you can say that now...), it's just that mother destiny speaks differently..

Tapi..again, semua kenangan indah dan 'gila' itu akan selalu membekas di hati :p

miss u all sooo much....

Siaran lagi yuuuk :D...

Di Radioooo.....