Traveling through time at Batu Cermin, Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara Indonesia

Welcome to Batu Cermin Cave

Welcome back!

I would love to take you all further to see the beauty of Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara. 

I know perhaps many of you have visited this wonderful place and I hope you can share your experience with me and the rest of us here.

So on the last day of my visit in Labuan Bajo, my friends and I decided to go to Batu Cermin cave, had lunch at La Cecile and went straight to the airport. I was thinking of heading to Pulau Padar at dawn but I was just drop dead tired after diving 3 times in Komodo Island.

Batu Cermin cave is not so far from the city center. It’s easily accessible and parking are abundant. Nevertheless, to those using wheelchair or have issues with mobility, it will be challenging to fully explore and browse the cave.

We paid the entrance ticket (which I forgot how much, apologies for that) and we’re assisted by one of the local guides. Our guide, Sasmita, is one of the interns from the local vocational school majoring in tourism. 

We have to go with the local guides because the cave is relatively a natural place which has to be visited with caution. We also need to bring flashlight as some parts of the cave is totally dark and we need to wear helmet as the cave ceiling can be low and pointy. All of these are provided on the spot.

We went to the cave and stopped by at Batu Payung first, a natural rock which looks like an umbrella. Well, I can argue it looks like mushroom, too.

After that, we went to the cave and in some parts of it you will see the wooden platforms and stairs.

The cave is recently discovered, I think if I’m not mistaken it was found in 1951 by Theodore van Houven (apologies for wrong or misspelling). The name Batu Cermin, or literally translated as Mirror Rock, derives from the fact that when the sunlight hits the rocks on the cave, they glimmer like mirror. When I saw them close, that’s exactly what happened and it’s cool! Moreover, this area is believed to be underwater thousands of years ago as you see many underwater animal fossils on the wall!

The three of us enjoying the cave :)

The stairs

We went inside the cave and at some point, we had to wear helmet, crawled inside to reach the particular area and were mindful of the surroundings. It was humid and a bit claustrophobic (well, it’s a cave nonetheless) but what you can see inside is amazing.

The walls are pretty much glittery and some are so smooth and cold to touch. I can see many shapes of jellyfish and corals dotting the wall along the cave as well. It took us around 1 hour to enjoy everything, take tons of photos, and listen to the stories from Sasmita.

Here are some photos I took during the visit. You will see how unique this spot is! Let’s take a look..

what do you think when you see this?

I have to see this is like underwater

and it reminds me of the movie, Alien

different side of the cave

me enjoying the rocks

Cheers..

What do you think? Very interesting, isn’t it!

Worth a visit and you can admire this historical natural landscape in Labuan Bajo. Enjoy!

THE 42nd ASEAN SUMMIT - Behind the scene story

Hi everyone..

Cheers from ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting venue at Ayana Komodo, Labuan Bajo

I hope all is well and kali ini saya ingin berbagi cerita di balik layar saat ditugaskan untuk membantu pelaksanaan KTT ASEAN ke-42 yang berlangsung di Labuan bajo, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Indonesia. Mungkin teman - teman sempat melihat exposure dan berbagai pemberitaan mengenai pelaksanaan KTT ASEAN tersebut di berbagai media massa dan media sosial. Pelaksanaan yang dapat dikatakan berhasil dengan baik dan menghasilkan banyak kesepakatan penting ini berlangsung berkat kerja sama dan kerja keras banyak pihak, terutama dari kantor saya, Kementerian Luar Negeri.

cheers from Labuan Bajo

Saya termasuk beruntung dapat bergabung dengan tim Kemlu dalam persiapan dan pelaksanaan KTT kali ini. Penugasan ini termasuk salah satu penugasan yang cukup mendadak karena saya mendapat informasinya sekitar 2 minggu setelah libur dan cuti bersama Lebaran, jadi hanya beberapa hari sebelum bertolak ke Indonesia. Alhamdulillah persiapan menuju perjalanan ke Labuan Bajo, Indonesia berjalan lancar. 

gearing up to welcome all the ASEAN Leaders

I flew from Wellington on May 5 and had a short transit in Jakarta, before flying to labuan Bajo the next day. I stayed in Labuan Bajo from May 6th - 13th, then heading back to Wellington on May 16th. It was a very intensive week with lots of meeting, coordinations, general rehearsals and last-minute adjustments for the series of meetings we had to go through during the Summit. Again, it was crazily busy and I take it as a rewarding experience.

some member of the team and all of us were posted in Indonesian Mission in New York

KTT ASEAN ke-42 dimulai dengan rangkaian pertemuan di beberapa tingkat, antara lain Committee of Permanent Representatives of ASEAN, Senior Official Meeting, and Foreign Ministers meetings and related meetings at ministerial level, before the Summit commenced. We were welcoming ASEAN Leaders,- Prime Ministers, Sultan and the likes, as well as members of their delegations. 

ready to rumble... usai MC untuk ASEAN Foreign Minister Meeting

Chef Arnold juga ikutan berpartisipasi 

With Minister for Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi

Bersama Pak Sandiaga Uno yang juga hadir dalam salah satu pertemuan

The Summit itself was very packed with meetings. Di hari pertama KTT yang dipimpin oleh Pak Presiden Joko Widodo, ada 5 pertemuan yang berlangsung secara bergantian. Semuanya di tingkat kepala negara. Di hari kedua KTT, pertemuan berlangsung hingga tengah hari, yang kemudian ditutup dengan press briefing yang dipimpin langsung oleh Presiden Jokowi dan didampingi oleh Menteri Luar Negeri dan Menteri Sekretaris Negara, dengan dihadiri menteri lainnya seperti Pak Siandiaga Uno. 

bertugas sebagai MC saat KTT ASEAN 

Di luar pertemuan resmi, terdapat rangkaian pertemuan bilateral antara Presiden Jokowi dengan pemimpin negara ASEAN lainnya, serta kegiatan menikmati matahari terbenam di kapal Phinisi serta Gala Dinner dengan pertunjukan kesenian yang menakjubkan garapan Pak Wisnuthama. It was really a series of remarkable gatherings.

collage keseruan welcoming dinner yang dituanrumahi Pak Jokowi

Saya bergabung dengan tim acara dan persidangan, di mana passion dan pengalaman saya dalam dunia MC atau Master of Ceremony benar- benar terpakai. 

the food served during the VVIP Luncheon

Jadi de ja vu dan seperti mengulang masa - masa di mana saya masih aktif di radio dan memenuhi kontrak MC di hotel berbintang di masa muda. Hahaha...kalau bicara begini rasanya seperti sudah tua karena pengalaman - pengalaman tersebut terjadi belasan tahun yang lalu. 

But in short, I coordinated intensively with the main team of conference officers as well as Presidential protocol team to ensure the smooth conduct of the events. Here are some of the additonal photos from behind the scene.

Indonesian desk

cheers dari Labuan Bajo

Bersama dengan salah satu rekan MC yang datang dari perwakilan RI di Wina, saya berbagi tugas untuk berbagai acara di atas. Saya bertugas di saat sunset reception and welcoming dinner untuk para Menteri Luar Negeri ASEAN, rangkaian Foreign Ministers' Meeting; ASEAN Political and Security Community dan ASEAN Coordinating Council, serta rangkaian KTT dan juga VVIP Luncheon yang dituanrumahi Presiden Jokowi dan Press Conference . Again, seminggu di Bajo jadi tak terasa karena hampir setiap hari penuh dengan kegiatan dan koordinasi. Pheeew, setelah acara resmi ditutup baru terasa melelahkan. But then again, it was all rewarding. 

the collage ohotos from the VVIP luncheon... 

more from the VVIP Luncheon

Saya kembali ke Jakarta pada tanggal 13 Mei dan setelah menghabiskan akhir pekan sejenak bersama keluarga di Jakarta, saya kembali ke Wellington pada tanggal 15 Mei. 

Well, itulah sedikit cerita pelaksanaan KTT ASEAN ke-42 di Labuan Bajo and again, I am very privilege to be there and hope I can come back there soon with my family, this time for a full-pledge vacation.

See you on the next adventures yaaaa.

Postcards from Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Welcome back and hope you all have a great break after Lebaran Day.

For me, it's straight back to work at the Embassy and I even had a sudden assignment to Indonesia, supporting the 42nd ASEAN Summit at Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara. 

Cheers from me and mini-me at ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting

I have to say I am totally blessed with this opportunity to see this amazing part of Indonesia while getting a rewarding experience of an international conference with the team from my office.

morning jog at Marina Komodo, Labuan Bajo. East Nusa Tenggara

This is not my first visit to East Nusa Tenggara province, as I have visited Kupang, the capital of the province, and Atambua, the city bordering with Timor-Leste, before. Nevertheless, I was so excited to come and visit Labuan Bajo, which is famously known for its spectacular landscapes, amazing underwater world, unique cultures and traditions, as well as friendly, warm-hearted people. I bet you have heard of Komodo, Pink Beach, Padar and Rinca Island, Manta point diving site, and more! Those are some of the amazing spots in Labuan Bajo.

one of the traditional boats near the marina

So, before I share more stories, let's enjoy some photos I took during my stay in Labuan Bajo.

Let's say, some postcards from Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

busy Marina at Labuan Bajo

Pink beach, babe...

morning jog at Labuan Bajo

dancing with the manta at Makassar Reef, Labuan Bajo

Pink beach in one fine afternoon

saying hi to one female Komodo at Komodo Island

taking picture with the Komodo from the safe distance

Nanti saya akan ceritakan keseruannya saat berada di Labuan Bajo dengan segala aktivitas dan tempat - tempat yang luar buasa untuk dikunjungi.

See you on the next post!

WW: Lebaran Day Feast

Eid Mubarak!

Here's a little photo album of the food that we prepared and enjoyed during the celebration of Eid al Fitr in Wellington. 

Get yourselves ready!

Can you tell me what we have on the dining table? 

Lot's of familiar things I believe!

I bet you cook many special food as well for Eid celebration. Which one is your favorite and who do you cook it with? 

Eid Mubarak from Aotearoa

Eid Mubarak, everyone!

Happy to send the greetings from Aotearoa for the victorious day of Eid Al Fitr from my family to you all.

This year, we celebrated the Eid for the second time in the land of the long clouds. Ramadhan has been beautifully and solemnly observed and I have to admit that this year, the fasting month went so well. Busy days at the office and schools in the case of my kids didn't dampen our spirits to really enjoy the holy month. It's been colorful and for sure rewarding.

Our colorful days during Ramadhan 1444H

My husband and I even managed to join many ifthar gatherings and taraweh prayer with UMI or Umat Muslim Indonesia in Wellington. Every weekend, we had the ifthar gatherings and every Saturday, in different places that had been arranged with the committee, consisting of ummah living in particular neighborhood in Wellington.

This year has been a blessing and again, I would like to once again extend the warmest Eid greetings to all my moslem sisters and brothers, wherever you are. I trust you all are enjoying this precious time with your loved ones. Mohon maaf lahir dan batin.

By the way, nearing the D-day, about 8 days before lebaran, my hubby got COVID-19. I did the test and mine got back with 2 lines as well although I have no symptoms. Udi had been coughing and having cold, then on the 3rd day he lost the taste. That was when we took the test and it was positive. 

So, we isolated at home and probably it's like the blessing in disguise. Good thing we were not heavily impacted by the symptoms this time. So, we both had time to cook extra.

some of the cookies we made

We really ended up with kastengels, nastar, lidah kucing, and kacang goreng. Plus rendang, opor ayam, sambal goreng udang, acar dan ketupat instan. Sounds like a feast, right! A lot to cook and a lot to share as well. 

Then on the D-day, we all gathered in Karori Normal School Hall which has been rented by UMI for the venue of this year's Eid Al Fitr prayer. Beautiful shermont was given and aroun 300 of us gathered in here and enjoyed Eid. After that, we visited some houses of our seniors and elderies in Wellington. It's great to come and meet them and also keep our silahturahmi. When the time is slightly noon, as we have 5 hours different with Wellington ahead, I have a video call with my family in Indonesia. That completed our day of Eid celebration this year! 

The next day, we had some guests coming and we hiked afterwards! How's your lebaran day? Share with me in the comments ya.