On December 8, my daughter celebrates here 11th birthday. Soon, we will have my hubby's and our wedding, anniversary, then my son will soon be 15 years old. All the birthday party... yaaaay! And for sure we are all so excited as we celebrate them in Wellington, New Zealand. Well, we still stay in our temporary apartment hotel but we do enjoy our little 'home sweet home'. We are staying at the Quest on the Terrace and although we are staying in 2-bedroom apartment temporarily, this place is very strategic and it's only 5-minute walk to the City Center and waterfront, with access to shopping centers, restaurants, and more. Super happy me indeed.
As always, our first big homework in a new post is searching for the house. Well, the hunt has begun and we sincerely hope we can get the one that matches our needs and has great school for the kids. It might be a bit difficult but we are still optimistic. Well, wish us luck!
Now, let me welcome you to Wonderful Wednesday with My Purple World, Oh My Heartsie Girls and Friends for this week.
We are happy to have you join us each week and hope you enjoy our features to inspire you and to enjoy new ideas. We have so many talented bloggers it is hard to to choose but this week we added a couple more this week, and if you need more inspiration check out last weeks there were so many great blogs that visited.
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We finally arrived at Wellington and passed our self-isolation period for 3 extra days after 7-day quarantine in Christchurch.
Our swab test were all negative so we can finally go out and start enjoying Wellington, still with strict health protocol in place. We have the COVID tracer app and vaccine pass as well here.
Well, as summer is on in Wellington, we enjoyed one sunny day at the waterfront which is not that far from our temporary aparthotel in Wellington Central. We certainly enjoy it so much and it's always great to see the sunshine and blue sky again,
dearest Obi enjoying the sunny day
Let's see what we have enjoyed so far in our first week in the city, sunny day at Waterfront Wellington, New Zealand.
one of the many cool restaurants around here
I was wondering what's on the other side
lovely day indeed
more to see and enjoy
it was windy but still beautiful indeed
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The smell of roasting coffee welcomed me as I stepped into the towering entry gate of Els Coffee Roastery. I instantly smiled.
This is home.
Welcome back, Indah
***
I have just arrived in Lampung the day before, early in the morning arriving from Bandung. I am weary, but super excited at the same time.
My visit to Lampung this time is special.
Well, every visit is, but this time I come with a special mission, to join series of event for Lampung Krakatau Festival 2021. The 30th time of all, the first time after the pandemic.
Since COVID-19 rummaged the world, the tourism world were frozen, if not stumbling down. The same goes to the tourism sector in Lampung and many parts of Indonesia. Nevertheless, long story short, after tireless and determined efforts to beat the pandemic and rejuvenate the dying tourism sector, the CHSE (Cleanliness, Health, Safety and Environmentally Sustainable) Standard has been applied by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Industry in Indonesia towards all relevant sectors in tourism. This is conducted in order to ensure all visitors, from Indonesia and all over the world, can continue enjoying their visit to Indonesia without fear, hesitation and doubt towards their own safety and comfort. With that spirit, the tourism board of Lampung is holding the legendary Lampung Krakatau Festival again in 2021. To tell the world that Lampung, the treasure of Sumatera, is once again ready to welcome you all!
Lampung Krakatau Festival is back!
What makes Lampung Krakatau Festival 2021 special is because for the first time, there is Lampung Familiarization Trip as well. No less than 30 bloggers, vloggers, influencers, and content creators coming from different parts of Indonesia, including from Lampung, joined the trip. In 3 days, starting from November 4th to November 6th, we were scheduled to explore the beauty of Lampung, from its amazing landscapes, incredible culinary experience, unique cultural dimensions, and beyond. Super excited indeed!
The trip started on November 4th, where we had groups coming from Jakarta, Bekasi, Banjarnegara, Sumedang, Bogor and different cities flying to Lampung. Meanwhile, those based in Lampung and Baturaja, South Sumatera, waited in Batiqa Hotel, where all the participants stayed.
First stop, Els Coffee Roastery in Bandar Lampung. This place is indeed a must visit cafe and roastery when you are in the area. Here, after fulfiling the health protocol like washing hands, checking temperature and checking in using Peduli Lindungi app, we witnessed the roasting process of Lampungnese coffee live from the spot. Moreover, we also enjoyed free tea and the latte art, presented by the home baristas. Moreover, we also had presentations, introduction session with the Head of Lampungnese Tourism Board, Bapak Endarwan, as well as Elky, the owner of Els Coffee Roastery, followed by lunch break. We certainly had some games and lots of giveaways are being given, with some questions given by our MC as well as .our organizer, Ari Tomat. It was fun indeed!
Right after that, we were heading to Lambang Gedung Kuning, where we were warmly welcomed in traditional Lampungnese way.Hosted by Dang Ike Edwin, our visit to the cultural house was indeed packed with interesting story about Lampung and its colorful culturesa place, complete with a 'palace' tour with historic memorabilias, artifacts and more. Being a true-blue Lampungnese family who has royal bloodline from one of the sultanate in Lampung, Dang Ike Edwin
Welcome by Siger Penguten dance at Lamban Gedung Kuning, Lampung
We enjoyed the graceful Lampungnese dances being performed. They welcomed us with Tari Bedana or Siger Penguten which symbolizes the welcoming of dignitaries. Later they performed another dance which was used in gathering of the youth because it is so playful.
We even had durian competition, which brought so many participants to eat as many durian as possible, courtesy of the host. All winners (which are all the participants) brought home packages and goodie bags from the local produce and souvenirs.
the duriaaaan...
For sure, we also had photo sessions here and there while enjoying the details of Lamban Gedung Kuning as well as the private collections of Dang Ike Edwin, coming from different parts of Indonesia and the world as well.
The four of us,- Amel, Aip, Uni Rai and me, posing in Lamban Gedung Kuning
Done with all those durian and memorable session in Lamban Gedung Kuning, we headed to Batiqa Hotel, where all the participants were staying, to taste some of their signature menus and new food, while at the same time enjoying a little break before joining Pesona Kemilau Lampung, the ceremony of the Lampung Krakatau Festival 2021.
Cheers from all of us after Pesona Kemilau Lampung event
Before the night was wrapped, there was a fashion show by Mama Una and friends, who are the rising fashion designers in the area, as well as performances from the Band singing Lampungnese songs and more, including those that I learnt at school! Sweet memories indeed. And that's a wrap for the first day.
On the second day, November 5th, we started the journey early because we were going to spend our time on the island and the beach. Yes, Pahawang and Kelagian islands, here we come!
We went to Ketapang Port to catch our boat ride. There were two boats being prepared for our group and everybody was super excited indeed. First stop is Kelagian island, where many of us took tons of photos, videos and drone footage while the others, including me, trying paddle board for the first time.
trying the paddle board at Kelagian Island
Thanks to Restu Bumi Adventure for bringing the boards and patiently taught us how to do it! I myself tried it for the first time and although it was very tough, I loved it!
We went snorkeling as well around the area and for sure, we took some underwater photos as well here. So many to see and for sure it is always good to be back to these beautiful islands dotting around the Lampung Bay.
Ari Tomat, snorkeling at Pahawang Island
Happy snorkeling, paddle boarding and taking tons of photos and videos, we went to Bumi Pahawang Resort for our delicious lunch! We all ate together on top of banana leaves, or in bahasa Indonesia (or Javanese I guess) we called it bancakan, with space in between. We had steam rice, grilled fish, sayur asem or sweet and sour soup, sambal terasi or fresh chili sauce with shrimp paste, added with tempe and spicy krecek. Afterwards, we also had fresh water melon and pempek or the fish cake.Delicious indeed. We also got a chance to had room tour at Bumi Pahawang Resort. I would definitely go back here again.
Riungan... lunch together at Bumi Pahawang Resort
Bumi Pahawang Resort
Then, after the beautiful day on the islands and on the beach, we headed back to Bandar Lampung with our big bus. Dinner was then served in Lembah Batu Heritage. I skipped it because I was super tired but judging from the group's photos, they certainly had a blast indeed!
Finally, on the third day, November 6th, we started the day - trip by heading to Lamban Batik Lampung in the morning. I skipped this as well (but a couple days later, I came here and bought 6 pieces of Batik Lampung!) but I joined the group again for the visit to Madu Suhita or Suhita Bee Farm to see up close and personal this wonderful place. At the same place, we learnt about sibori or the ecoprint, beautifully presented by Kahut Siger Bori. I share more about it in my previous post: A Visit to Suhita Bee Farm and Kahut Sigerbori Lampung.
It was indeed a great experience where since the very beginning, as we walked along the flowing river and greeneries, were welcomed by local kids dancing the traditional Lampungnese dance, we learnt, tried and discussed a lot regarding the conservation of the surrounding areas, the economic-generating activities in the bee farm benefitting the local communities, as well as the fun way of expressing our artistic soul in an environmentally - friendly way through eco print. My daughter, who came joining me in this visit, and I really enjoy the Sibori session and here's what we had made.
let's make Sibori tote bage
participants were ready to create the eco print bag, after listening to the instructions
We also enjoyed our lunch here, with pecel, steamed veggies with spicy peanut sauce dressing,over rice wrapped in banana leaves. Eating it in the middle of the greeneries? Heaven indeed. Not to mention trying various honey produced here, including its super healthy propolis! Lucky us!
lunch time! pecel wrapped in banana leaves
Then, all good things have to come to an end. We had to say goodbye to all the participants from outside of Lampung who would catch their flight back to Jakarta. We took them to the airport and bid them farewell, wishing them all a safe trip back and hopefully Lampung will forever stay in their heart.
It's been a great journey indeed and appreciation goes to Lampung Tourism Board, especially the team preparing all these trips. Shout out to Ari Tomat, Ses Mega and the whole team for their extra hard work and sleepless nights. It was awesome, guys! I also love meeting so many new friends from different parts of Indonesia. Some have been friends on social media for some times and I finally got a chance to actually meet them in persons. Yaaaay
Tabik pun.... Ikam di Lampung, yay.. lovely mural at Batiqa Hotel Lampung
Lampung indeed has a lot to offer and to those who seek never ending adventures, wrapped in amazing natural landscape, tummy-loving culinary explorations, and once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Now that I am far, far away from home, I sincerely hope I will see beautiful Lampung again. Maybe not anytime soon for me, but you, my friends, are welcomed to come and visit Lampung anytime.
Saying hi from Christchurch, New Zealand and we are still enjoying our wet summer in the land of the Kiwi from our quarantine facility, Commodore Hotel.
We are obliged to have 7-day quarantine since we landed in NZ and we are indeed following all the procedures. Right after landing in Christchurch international airport, we had 5 check points for our recent condition and our health, our immigration documents, our custom document, our bags and the custom declaration. All was well and provided as obliged, so that we were rushed to the MIQ or Managed Isolation and Quarantine Facilities prepared for us, which is Commodore Hotel. And our days in the quarantine began.
stay in Commodore Hotel Christchurch
I have nothing to complain except the fact you spend so much time in the room. Once we got our blue wrist band, indicating that your swab test's result is negative, we could go to the designated area or recreation area for exercises or simply getting fresh air and enjoying the blue sky, when it wasn't cloudy.
We enjoy our stay here and I have to say the food is amazing! Everyday, we get so excited choosing our breakfast, lunch and dinner from the app called ServeMe and wait until those yummy plates are delivered to our room. The dessert is to die for!
desserts at Commodore Hotel Christchurch
Well, I will share more at later stage but bow, let's get you on board to our weekly Wonderful Wednesday Party. Are you ready?
Welcome back!
We hope all of you had a wonderful and enjoyable Thanksgiving, to those who are celebrating it.
For my dear friend Karren, who hosts this weekly link party, it was with her beloved son who made a deep fried turkey and of course some of their favorites, nothing to fancy. Theri house is in the middle of a Slab Leak, more about that in another post, but she can definitely tell you it is a mess.
All of us here are happy to have you join us each week and hope you enjoy our features to inspire you and to enjoy new ideas. We have so many talented bloggers it is hard to to choose but this week we added a couple more this week, and if you need more inspiration check out last weeks post here.
Wonderful Wednesdays For All Bloggers and Writers
We would love if you share our party for others to enjoy.
You could Pin The Banner From Above ❢❢We would love to have you follow our Social Media Links!!! 😊 Feel free to post my party button on your blog and say you linked up here!Be Notified When Our Parties Start Each Week Add Your Email
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♥Feature Chosen by Suzan // Country Crafts
White House Crafts //
5 Minute Kids Accordion Christmas Tree Craft
♥Feature Chosen by Karren // Oh My Heartsie Girl
Have Your Coffee and Eat it Too:
The Best Coffee Dessert Recipes You Have to Try
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Lamoumous
After 1 year a Reintroduction And A Feeling of Confidence
♥Feature Chosen by Karren // Oh My Heartsie Girl
Shelbee on The Edge // Maxi Skirts or Dresses
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♥Feature Chosen by Kaycee // Crafty Zoo Center
