WW: Sunyaragi Cave, Cirebon, West Java

Welcome to Sunyaragi Cave 

Another highlight of our family trip to Cirebon, West Java, on the last days of 2019.

It was only the 11 of us (out of God knows how many of my full family members :)) but for sure it was fun.

Previously, I have shared our family trip to Cirebon, West Java in a nutshell. 

Cirebon is about 3.5 hours drive from Jakarta, using the new highway we have.

Cirebon has long been known as an important city  along the western side of Java. 

It has a very rich history, dating back from the 14th century. 

During the 15th and 16th centuries, Cirebon played an vital role as a trading hub since it is strategically located along Java sea. As many foreign merchants came and went, Cirebon bears various influences from many countries, including China and India. During the colonial era, Cirebon also threw a big fight against the Dutch and Japanese, while on the religious side, Cirebon is the home of Sunan Gunung Jati, one of the famous nine Indonesian saints in Islam or Wali Songo. You see... many interesting aspects we can learn from this astonishing city.

Our first stop after driving  from Jakarta was actually Haji Apud's  famous Empal Gentong restaurant near the highway. But I will share our delicious culinary experience on another post. This time, I will take you to Sunyaragi Cave.

It looks like a temple yet it was made of strong corals.

Built in the 15th century by the Sultan of Cirebon, Sunyaragi Cave is very unique because it was made of corals. City of Cirebon is located near the sea and I guess that's why this cave was built this way. It gives a different shape and perspective as well, noting that this cave is not really a cave but more like a combination of meditation place and water palace.  Judging from the remaining structure of this place, you still can see some springs and pools surrounding the cave. There are areas with bale or beds and meditation corners as well.

The old architectures

Tomb on top of one of the towers

The elephant statue..

Original Dutch ceramics

One of the meditation corners

can you see the spring and the pool?

Another goa or cave..

cheers from the 4 of us..

The name of this place itself comes from the Sanskrit, Sunya and Ragi.
Sunya means sunyi or silence while Ragi or raga means body.
So this is the place intended for those looking for a quiet place for meditation.
That is why it has many spots for individual meditation.
Well, I will definitely share more on this place, including its interesting history.

Here's the map that shows the exact location of the cave.


 

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Thank You, 2019

Thank you, 2019

Thank you, 2019.

I haven’t really get a chance to sit down, pause, and look back to what 2019 has brought us.
A little reflection will always do us good and I always try to do it, whenever I can.
I know we have stepped into the second week ff January in this new era.
Yet, as sadly predicted, we, or rather I, had been drowning in the usual business at the office and at home.

Well, as you have probably known as I shared it in my blog before, many beautiful moments took place in our lives. My life personally as well as my family’s.
For sure life is full of ups and downs but I have to admit that my family and I have been bestowed with the best things in life.

Enjoyable school times for my munchkins.
Wonderful trips to so many new corners of the world, including beautiful Indonesia.
Smooth financial supports.
Accomplished projects and missions at the office.
Expanding networks and professional portfolios. 
First-time experiences for so many things, ranging from traveling to sports. 
So, so much to be grateful for. 

2019 telah berakhir.
Dan 2020 telah tiba.
Apakah sudah sempat menengok segala kebaikan dan pelajaran yang kita dapat sepanjang tahun 2019? Atau 2020 hadir seperti biasa dan langsung menggerus hari - hari dengan ritme yang kerap menenggelamkan kita pada aneka kewajiban?

Dulu di awal 2019, saya sempat membatin tidak akan membuat resolusi khusus, namun akan fokus pada hal - hal yang menjadi prioritas. 
Keluarga, kesehatan, dan karir. 
Tiga hal penting yang selalu mendominasi hari-hariku.

Sepintas memang terdengar biasa.
Lumrah dan jamak.
Tidak ada yang istimewa.
Tapi untuk saya yang masih menjadi 'budak kantor' dan kerap terkubur dengan pekerjaan dan prioritas kantor (baca: Pemri ), berkumpul bersama keluarga dengan tenang (dengan tenang yaa..tanpa diganggu bunyi WA yang tang - tung tang - tung menunggu dijawab saat itu juga) menjadi kemewahan tersendiri. Bahkan sering saya memaksakan diri untuk ingat menelpon suami dan anak - anak, di mana pun saya berada, supaya komunikasi bisa terus terjalin. 

Unforgettable journey as breast cancer survivor!

Belum lagi saat berbicara tentang kesehatan.
Entah berapa banyak makanan dan minuman kurang sehat yang sering menjadi teman sehari - hari di kantor maupun ruangan rapat. Menghabiskan waktu di kursi dan di depan komputer menjadi pemandangan biasa. Sedihnya, saat akhir pekan yang tidak disibukkan dengan pekerjaan kantor, saya sudah letih untuk berolahraga dengan serius. Kalau hanya mengeluarkan keringat karena beberes, membersihkan kamar dan mencuci pakaian rasanya belum cukup dikategorikan sebagai olah raga kan. 
Sementara pengobatan paska kemoterapi dan radiasi  akibat kanker payudara yang saya alami juga harus dilanjutkan. Saat masuk tahun kelima,- yang merupakan tahun terakhir untuk mengkonsumsi obat hormon anti kanker,- saya justru menghadapi berbagai anomali di tubuh, termasuk kembali bleeding padahal sudah menopause sejak tahun 2015. 

Selain itu, kesibukan saya di kantor membuat saya banyak sekali melakukan perjalanan di dalam dan luar negeri. Penerbangan di atas 9 jam yang kerap harus saya jalani bukan tanpa efek samping lho. Termasuk badan yang kaku dan nyeri di beberapa bagian tubuh tertentu. 

Banyak teman maupun saudara yang berkomentar enak banget saya sering melakukan perjalanan ke luar negeri. Memang tahun 2019 kemarin sudah seperti rekor saja saya traveling. Karena saya sempat 3 kali ke Geneva, Swiss dan 3 kali ke New York City. Belum lagi perjalanan lain ke Moscow, Russia; Tromso, Norwegia; dan juga Brussels, Belgia. In between saya seringkali mampir ke Istanbul, Turki dan Singapura, bahkan mampir ke London. Di dalam negeri, saya sempat ke Papua, Solo, Suraaya, Bandung, Jogja dan juga Semarang, bahkan 3 kali ke Bali, dalam waktu kurang dari 2 bulan! Tapi jangan lupa, perjalanan tersebut adalah bagian dari pekerjaan saya. Jangan ditanya capeknya dan segala kewajiban yang harus saya penuhi. Although I have to admit I really enjoy every beat of it as I love traveling so much and I'm proud to be able to represent my beautiful country, Indonesia, in many international fora.

Tentu saja perjalanan di atas beda dengan traveling untuk liburan, yang bahkan ke tempat dekat saja, seperti Cirebon dan Bandung, misalnya, bisa tetap menyenangkan hati karena perjalanan yang kita lakukan santai dan bersama orang - orang tercinta. Tahun 2019 kami sempat ke Lampung berkali - kali (bahagia dengan trip ke pantai, snokeling dan diving) serta Semarang. 

Well, teman - teman juga mungkin tidak tahu kalau di perjalanan yang saya lakukan tadi, semuanya melibatkan serangkaian rapat persiapan yang panjang, dokumen pertemuan yang banyak dan tidak berseri, laporan  yang harus segera diselesaikan dan kesiapan di lapangan untuk hal-hal tak terduga.
Capek? Pasti.
Stress? sudah menjadi 'paket hemat' dengan perjalanan yang dilakukan.
Talking about living a healthy life.
I did live in a fast lane and start paying the price for it.

But I have to admit that I LOVE MY JOB.
I DO LOVE MY JOB.
There.. I repeat it again.

So, back to my note for 2020, I sincerely hope I can have a 'cleaner' life.
Clean.
Bersih.
Bersih hati. Bersih jiwa. Bersih raga.
Bersih niatnya, bersih tindakannya, termasuk makanan dan minumannya, serta bersih gaya hidupnya.
Bisa kan, Indah Nuria Savitri? 
Insya Allah bisa!

Anyway, as for 2019, I try to capture the moments in one single video.
Yup, one single video.
Obviously I can’t put them all but many of the highlights from 2019 are included.
Feel free to check it out below or visit my YouTube channel.
Please like, comment, subscribe and push that notification button so that you won’t miss the next adventure. I will be happy to subscribe to your channel as well so leave me a note :).
Jangan lupa like, komentar, subscribe dan get the notification yaaa.

Nothing else to say but wishing you all a fabulous 2020.

WW: Way Lalaan Waterfalls, Lampung, Indonesia

Here comes our first trip in 2020!

This time, as we spend new year's eve at my hometown, Lampung, we took the liberty to explore more of its natural landscape.
We drove to Kota Agung (interestingly, translated as the Holy City ), the capital of Tanggamus regent, in Lampung Province. It took us around 2 hours to reach the city and we directly visited this famous waterfalls.

My kids went crazy as that was the first time for them to see the waterfalls that close and even swam under it!
Super exciting indeed.
As for me, I haven't visited this very place since ages ago and was super happy to go back!

Enjoy the photos while I will be back for more detailed stories.

clean and fresh water..

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

Ready to take off for 2020

How’s January treating you?

It’s still raining cats and dogs here in Jakarta and we’re not even on the peak time yet.

Flood has been occurring here and there but many have been assisted.

Everything is back to normal and my office has been busily starting our programs for 2020.

Obviously, it will be a busy year as we are now officially members of UN Security Council and UN Human Rights Council at the same time.

My son will soon be facing the final exam, which will take place in April.

I have faith in him as he’s a smart kid but I do see him struggling with the completely different educational system we have in Indonesia. Well, more drills and extra classes have been given and let’s hope he will nail it this time. He was in honor roll and one of the best students on his 5th & 6th grade in NYC. Again, I believe he will do his best.

I will soon join the Senior Diplomatic Training in my office. It’s the final step in my professional career and I can’t wait. It will be a 3-month program of classes, outdoor activities and more skills. I’m excited for sure.

Last but not least, I am so relieved that the obgyn didn’t find any cancerous cells in my womb after series of bleeding periods. After that painful process of hysteroscopy (I have to write it down!) and uncertainty from heavy bleeding I had, I am pretty much ready to have my womb removed through hysterectomy. Yet the hyperplasia that took place is non atopic or not going to develop into something more dangerous. At least for now. Whatever it is, I’m optimistic I will be fit as a fiddle.

And now, let’s party, shall we?

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To a Fabulous 2020

Wishing all my dearest friends and family a fabulous 2020!

I know 2019 has been super colorful for me and my family.

Colorful as we have so many ups and downs.

Beautiful moments captured yet many solemn instances took place.

We have so much to be grateful for, amidst the frequent trips to hospital that my hubby and I had to do along the year..

2019 is also filled with so many ‘first time’ as well.

Visit to Moscow, Russia .. hunt Aurorra Borealis in Tromsø .. ride the horse at Gedong Songo temple .. join Guinness World Record breaking attempt in diving and succeed .. do hysteroscopy ... those are among the view things I have on my list in 2019.

I guess the list is quite long.

First time ever seeing the Aurrora Borealis at Tromso, Norway

In my professional career, 2019 has provided so many wonderful opportunities for self-development and network expansion in the field of human rights and multilateral affairs.

I got the chance to travel to so many beautiful spots in the world as well, including a frequent trip to my second and third hometowns, Geneva and New York City.

But the most important thing is my petite family.

The Frakarsas

My treasure and all my life.

I was so lucky I got to spend some quality time with them.

My kids are having fun at school and making friends with so many talented youngsters, including exploring their passion in so many new fields, like martial arts.

All in all, happily, my family enjoyed our stay in out beloved Indonesia and again got a chance to explore the beauty of wonderful Indonesia.

I will definitely share more of my reflection of 2019 soon.

Wherever you are now, I sincerely wish you a blessed and peaceful 2020

May we have the faith, the strength and the courage in this new beginning

Always believe that the Almighty always has the best scenario for all of us

Cheers,