Happy Independence Day, Indonesia

Happy Independence Day, Indonesia

Happy 74th anniversary, Indonesia

So, this is the day.
Today, 17th of August 2019, Indonesia is celebrating her 74th anniversary. 
It might look young in terms of independence but we certainly are blessed with so many incredible things after the Independence Day.

This is our second year in Indonesia and we have a blast in celebrating the Independence Day. As you have probably remember from my post last year, we had the ceremony at the office, the flag hoisting ceremony, which were held early in the morning led by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia herself, H.E. Mrs. Retno Marsudi.

The Minister leading the ceremony

This year, we have the similar commemoration. But of course with different theme and different decorations. For sure I am wearing a different costume as well LOL.


Vienna, my junior, and I wearing Lampungnese Tapis

Last year, I wear the Lampungnese dress with white kebaya, Lampungnese Tapis, and a full set of Lampungnese Siger from Pepadun tribe. It was fun indeed, but as you can probably imagine, wearing traditional costumes is not always that practical at all LOL.


This year, I decided to wear the red kebaya adorned with Lampungnese Tapis as well, paired with red-green-and-gold Tapis and slightly smaller Siger or the head dress. It proves to be more wearable for me for the whole morning. Not as heavy as the previous Siger I wore last year. And for sure it looks beautiful as well.

Wearing red this year..my Mas Riaz, my senior

So I came to the office at 6:30 AM, which is quite early,  In order to ensure that I don’t miss the ceremony. When I arrived, the field that we use for the ceremony was already packed with people wearing colorful traditional Indonesian costumes. It is very heartwarming to see the beauty of diversity that my country is embracing, and that’s only from the costume alone. I see those wearing costumes from various parts in Java, Sumatera, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and also Papua.

 We have the usual flag raising ceremony proceedings, starting with welcoming the inspector of the ceremony, which is my minister, followed by reading out Pancasila (our 5-principles state philosophy), the preamble of our constitution, the flag hoisting process, and the presentations of various token of appreciation for those who have been working for 10 ,15, 20 or more years in my institution. Finally, the ceremony was closed by praying together and then singing some national songs.

But obviously that’s not all. We had fun photo sessions with the Minister and all the high rank officials from a ministry at the field and in front of Gedung Pancasila, One of the historical an iconic buildings in Jakarta where Pancasila our states philosophy , was inaugurated.

some members of the big family of Multilateral Affairs

ASEAN Way..

Colorful Indonesia!
the colleagues from my batch, Sekdilu 28!

Snacks and food are available as well and we definitely enjoyed them. After that I’m heading back home and rest for a while before joining my neighbors who are conducting some traditional games, like makan kerupuk, balap karung and panjat pinang, to celebrate Independence Day. 

Get more stories from my YouTube channel as well about this ceremony.



So that’s my story on the independence day.
What’s your story?

Happy Independence Day, Indonesia



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

It's birthday time!

Happy birthday to me and I am happily hitting 42 this year. It was such a blessed day as we celebrated it together with Eid AL-Adha, the sacrifice  day, commemorated by all moslem brothers and sisters all over the world.

I only wish my Rabb grants us health, strength and perseverance to continue this blessed life. I sincerely hope His continued blessings will be bestowed upon us. A little story about my birthday can be read here: WW: Happy 42nd Birthday  

Meanwhile, my hubby and I started talking about our end of the year break. We are eyeing the eastern part of Indonesia, including Komodo Island, Rinjani Mountain and the Gilis. Oh my.. I am super excited. I sincerely hope it will be another great road trip we have in Indonesia. Can't wait, can't wait!

And now, let's have fun enjoying extraordinary links from bloggers from all over the world. Join our weekly link party with My Purple World and Oh My Heartsie Girls and friends. 



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WW: Happy 42nd Birthday

Happy, happy birthday to me :).

Right on the celebration of Eid Al-Adha 1440 Hijriah on August 11th, 2019, I was celebrating my 42nd birthday as well.
It was wonderful to have your birthday celebrated together with moslem brothers and sisters all over the world!



Unfortunately, my hubby and I were feeling a bit under the weather due to some cold and sore throat. 
Purple roses

Nevertheless, we felt much better in the evening and had birthday dinner together that night. We went to Abuba for steak my hubby and fried fish for me. The kids love this place as well  and on the following Monday, we had a little celebration at the office.


Bon appetit

Thank you so much for all the big family and friends who have shared birthday wishes and given me that yummy Opera plus purple roses. You really made my day!


Join us on (almost) Wordless Wednesday  (click it to get the link) and enjoy the weekly link party!


Bunaken, North Sulawesi - Revisited

Bunaken, here we come!

Welcome back and happy to have you all here again.

Honestly, I am not yet fully moving on from the hype of the official attempt of Guinness World Records for the longest human chain, the most people scuba diving simultaneously and the longest unfurled flag underwater held in Manada, August 1 - 3, 2019.

But then I know I have to share more beauty of North Sulawesi, Indonesia, to all of you.

As we finished the official attempts, my diving club decided to go diving in Bunaken.
Bunaken has been been long famously known for its amazing underwater park.
This National Marine Park is the home of millions of marine creatures, flora and fauna, which are not only beautiful but also rare and protected. Bunaken is also famous for its walls, reefs, underwater caves and more. 


I fell in love instantly when I visited this place for the first time in 2012 and coming back in 2013 and 2019.
I have to say I can never get enough of it and even plan to come back with my kids :).

We were lucky enough to see many turtles in the spots where we dived.



Before I share more details, let's see the beauty of Bunaken, above and under water.

Bunaken Cela - cela spot
My DM, Poxy

One of my fellow buddy, Ivan, posing in front of my camera

Manado Tua

Happily posing with my medal from the official attempt of GWR

Mini me enjoying the ride

First stop, Fukui point

Bunaken Island, lunch break

Stick around for more stories, photos and details about my diving trip in Bunaken, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. 

Never get bored with it!