Category Archives: Places
Mengintip Kiprah Jokowi – Ahok di Waduk Pluit
Bertahun-tahun kawasan di sekitar waduk Pluit di Jakarta Utara ini merupakan kawasan yang kumuh dan beraroma tidak sedap. Beberapa gubernur DKI Jaya datang dan pergi, tapi kawasan ini tetap tidak berubah. Bahkan area kumuhnya semakin luas sehingga menimbulkan kemacetan parah. Untung muncul pasangan gubernur dan wakilnya, Joko Widodo dan Basuki Purnama yang lebih dikenal dengan sebutan Jokowi-Ahok yang tanpa gentar melakukan relokasi penduduk liar, memfungsikan kembali waduk dan menata area di sekitar waduk Pluit.
Tanggal 28 Agustus 2013 lalu, saya berkesempatan untuk mengintip perkembangan proyek ini. Aroma tidak sedap masih tercium tajam, tapi kawasannya mulai menunjukkan tanda-tanda bakal menjadi daerah yang cantik.
Konstruksi dengan menggunakan alat-alat berat masih berlangsung.
Di sisi yang lain dari Waduk, masih terlihat pemukiman liar nan kumuh yang belum direlokasi. Melihat pemukiman tersebut tidak sulit untuk membayangkan bagaimana keadaan sebelum mulai dilakukan pemindahan warga. Sebelum pohon-pohon eceng gondok dibersihkan dan dipindahkan ketepian
Taman yang dibangun di sekeliling waduk menjanjikan suatu keasrian. Pohon-pohon pulai (Astonia Scholaris) yang kegunaannya hampir menyerupai pohon kina berjajar dengan rapi. Begitu pula pohon trembesi (samanea saman) yang baru saja ditanam
Masyarakat sekitarpun mulai memanfaatkan taman yang belum jadi ini untuk membawa anak-anak mereka jalan-jalan.
Saya bangga bisa mengintip Kiprah Jokowi – Ahok ini. Mudah-mudahan pak Jokowi tidak tergoda untuk mencalonkan diri jadi Presiden tahun depan. Jakarta masih sangat membutuhkannya.
Quack … Quack.. Quack at Hong Kong’s Harbor
Hong Kong’s harbor is set to be the new backdrop for Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman’s recent conceptual piece: a giant 16.5 meter inflatable rubber duck that floats in the oceans instead of tub. This cute duck will be docked at Ocean Terminal, Tsim Sha Tsui until June 9, 2013 and then will move to other ports of call across the world
The original rubber duck as a bathtub companion in the hotel bathroom.
The Giant Duck viewed from my room in the Conrad Hong Kong beckoned me to come closer
Took a Star Ferry – HK$ 2.00 one way – crossing the harbor to meet the duck amidst the pouring rain
Isn’t it cute?
The Giant duck was not alone. It was accompanied by several smaller ducks
Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro
In October 2000, during one of my business trips, I had the chance to visit the site of statue of Christo Redentor (Chist the Redeemer) atop of Corcovado, just outside the city of Rio de Janeiro.
The Blue Mosque
Located in the Old City of Istanbul, Sultan Ahmet Mosque, known as the Blue Mosque was constructed by the 14th Ottoman ruler, Sultan Ahmet I. The construction of the mosque was started in 1609 by architect Mehmet Agha and completed in 1616. This mosque is the most splendid mosque in Istanbul, and the only one with 6 minarets in the city and in the country. Unfortunately only 4 minarets was captured in the above photograph.
And here is the one with the complete 6 minarets ...
Date of visit: 22 November 2012
Gateway Arch
The Gateway Arch, is the landmark of St. Louis, Missouri. With a height of 192 meters, this modern architectural structure is the tallest monument in the United States.
This monument is the most important part of the Jefferson Expansion Memorial Park, built to commemorate the westward expansion of the United States
Right behind this Monument runs the famous Mississippi River. At the river bank, there is a statue of Mark Twain.
Amankila: a Secluded Nest in Karangasem
I should have put this post in the Hotel category, but since I did not stay here, so I did not have the opportunity to view the suites’ accomodations.
My husband and I stopped by Amankila to enjoy lunch at the coffee shop, overlooking the Lombok Strait. Great views and outstanding food.
Amankila Manggis, BaliWith the rates vary from US$ 1,000 to US$ 3,500 per night, this hotel is obviously reserved for those with money. Hope someday I can stay – or someone will invite me to stay – here and recount my experience to you all.
Indonesiatel (62) 363 41333
fax (62) 363 41555
email amankila@amanresorts.com mailing address
PO Box 33, Manggis 80871
Karangesam, Bali, Indonesia
Welcome to New Mexico
Entering New Mexico from Cortez, Colorado to Shiprock, New Mexico on Road 491. Miles and miles of deserted and very mystical road. Passing this area was like wandering on another planet.
Xi’an: the Home of the Terracotta Warriors
Xi’an, 2 hours flight from Beijing, is the capital of Shaanxi Province and one of the oldest cities in China with more than 3,000 years of history. One of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world is located in the city, namely the Terrracotta Army, a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang , the first Emperor of Qin .
One other place to visit while in Xian is the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayan Ta), one of the most famous Buddhist pagodas in China.
Hurricane Ridge
Hurricane Ridge, with an elevation of 5342 ft, is one of the most beautiful spots within Olympic National Park, Washington. The 17-mile drive to the Visitor Center is so amazing with plenty of vistas to stop by and take some photos
Below are some photos I took from Visitor Center compound. We didn’t have the chance to hike, since, as you can see, the snow pile was still too high.
Date of visit: May 01, 2009
Palouse Scenic Byway
Sometimes the final destination is not the thing we remember most on a trip. Sometimes on the way to a certain place, we pass through an absolutely beautiful place and we know that we will never forget that place.
One of these beautiful places is Palouse, about 15 miles north of Pullman, where the Washington State University is located. Thousands of acres of wheat fields with an array of different colors, due to the differences in the planting and harvest time, decorate the hilly area. Very charming…..
thelanisy.com 