Hyderabad, the Pearl of India

Beyond India's more popular cities, New Delhi and Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay), discover an ancient city so rich in history, culture and nature. Capture the beauty and serenity of real India. Celebrate the wonders of Hyderabad, the City of Pearl, where history stands the test of time.

Hyderabad is a place of magic. The old city, situated on the south bank of Musi River, boasts a wide choice of places to visit and experience. Colorful historical palaces as well as warm-hearted local people who are eager to share their cultural heritage with you, lie on this bank, which is considered the center of old Hyderabad.

One of the most magnificent pieces in Hyderabad is the Chaminar. Built in the 16th century by the Qutb Shahi King, Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah, prepare yourself to be awed by the glorious edifice of Chaminar. While admiring the decorative pillars and walls, you can't help but imagine the powerful and majestic reverence the city's ancestors must have felt for this palace. It is no wonder that the local people of Hyderabad take enormous pride in it.

Letting the history bug move you along, you will arrive at yet another splendid architecture, the Falaknuma Palace. Extraordinary works of Florentine sculptors decorate its interior with seemingly no expense spared. Only 5 km from Chaminar, this piece of architecture was built in the 19th century and was often used by India's high officials to host very elegant dinners in the State Reception Room, boasting a 100-seater amazingly stunning dining table. Standing atop a high hillock, the palace also commands a grand view of the city of Hyderabad.

Attention shoppers! Hyderabad jewelries are popular for their quality of luster, whether it's natural, cultured or even imitation. Stroll along the Lad Bazaar to the west of Chaminar and make your own fashion statement with an eclectic collection of bangles, cosmetics and henna, to name just a few. For more upmarket taste, shop at the Golden Mile of Hyderabad which sells nearly all varieties that your heart could possibly desire.

If you may want to appreciate more culture, then proceed to Shilparamam, which literally means “sculpture village”. Here, other than buying sculpted handicrafts and artwork, you can also take in Carnatic performances at an open-air auditorium.

The best fuel for a trip to India is pure adventure in its lush tropical landscape and a chance to encounter wildlife. So for those of you nature lovers, you must not forget to journey to the Bahadurpura area, where around 1,500 animal species roam happily in the Nehru Zoological Park. Take a safari through the domain of lions, tigers, wild oxen, panthers and elephants!

There is still much more to see in this old glittering city. The longer you stay, the more you are hypnotized by the sheer magnet of enchanting Indian culture. And when you go home, you'll always be dreaming of the captivated land of India through its charming Hyderabad.

Jogjakarta, Eternity in Time

Jogjakarta at last. Apparently, I really needed this holiday. Didn’t quite realize that my brain was fried. Conservation work does burn you out quickly, especially since most people couldn’t give a shit about it. But this isn’t a story about conservation. The entire planet can fall apart with global warming and climate change, yet Jogjakarta stands still. Serenely beautiful, offering the ancient Javanese wisdom of true acceptance. The art of accepting anything – good or bad – that befalls us in this life. Jogjakarta is wisdom…

Jogjakarta at last. Here, I can be deep in thoughts without ending up seeking for suicidal mechanisms to end my frustration. Staring at the monumental “Tugu”, I have come to understand that life is guided. Nothing can happen without the permission of God. NOTHING. Earth is only a temporary home. And if God lets us be stupid enough to destroy our only home, then God must have another plan and His plan is always… good. Even if we have to pay for it dearly, with our lives and worse… with our souls… It’s a good plan. It’s the natural law at work. None of us should try to interfere with His force. None of us should try to reverse it by trying to “save the Earth” either. Each of us should only do what we can, while we can, to the best knowledge that we know to save ourselves, spiritually that is. Then we’ll find peace, even as Earth crumbles. Jogjakarta is endless spirituality and mysticism. Jogjakarta is peace…

Jogjakarta at last. Our fates are not written on a blank page but on our hearts. A thousand lifetimes have passed in this ancient city without having to learn the science of Earth. And yet here we are the human race… We’re all still here on the paths of everyday. Here on the common human way. Here is all the stuff that God would take to build heaven. What are we so afraid of? Dying? Afraid for the future of our children? God lets them to be born on this planet and so God must have a good plan which is written on their hearts. Afraid that the human race is ending? So what? It would be nice to see Earth without any of us once again. Why are we fighting so hard? Why am I fighting so hard? Why are we so afraid? Why am I so afraid? I have no reason to be. I am destined for eternity. Not on this planet, but in an enlightened space God has prepared for me. I must believe that the Truth will be unveiled before the eyes of the world and eternity will be ours forever. For now, Jogjakarta is my eternity in time…

The Time When Perfection Was Us

My cell phone rang at 2 AM. It was a call from the past. A reminder of the time when the moon was shining brightly over the tree tops and its reflection on the water was such a beautiful sight. It was the time when perfection was us…

So that’s what today meant… A little get together after eight long years in the attempt to steal a particular time in the past that should stand still. Because today time did stand still while I wandered in the maze of ecstasy, a brief yet true moment of bliss, leaving me craving for more and paying it with my heart. Feeling beautiful and perfectly at home. Somewhere in my receding mind I remembered the time when perfection was us…

The funny thing is the only way of having true love is to realize that someday it may be lost. But the heart is obviously so persistent in believing that no one deserves such pain and torture. I stared at the clock on my cell phone. It was nearly 3 PM. The sun was no longer riding so high. It was half a day of silver pool where memory swam. It was half a day of immeasurable and soothing grace. It was half a day when distant words seemed dancing on dark walls. And at the end, I had to tell myself to get a grip. It was only half a day trying to replicate the time when perfection was us…

All and all, I just want to say thank you. For when silence resounds and years die, your mind apparently does not stop and leave me forgotten to easy twilight years. One time in the past you had driven me to choose, but today you showed me that you have actually chosen to keep the place where I once sat… You have evidently chosen not to release the fears or sorrow, nor the sweet memories of the time when perfection was us…

Sweet, Sweet Rain

Finally, pitter patter of raindrops fall melodiously from Jakarta sky… Like a song of hope, heavy showers squelch, squirt, squiggle, drizzle and drip… The rhythm is so delightful in my ears, drumming in perfect harmony, drowning out any pain, sorrow and desperation in me… Sweet, sweet rain…

Heal my heart, clean my soul and renew my faith… The rain and me make an awkward company… The surface of every drop of water are these eyes of mine… I love the rain! I love the fact that it wakes me up in an exact shape of destiny… In the night fog, in a forest of grief, it always has a way to grow happy bushes of flowers again… The sound of rain in the four corners that I’ve been writing about… It lifts up the weight of the earth on my chest and brings back the smile to my face… Until I can see where you are, until you amuse me often enough, until we grow old and die, the rain leaves no trace of what has been taken away… Sweet, sweet rain…

Let the rain kiss you and tell you that I miss you… Still pools on the sidewalk and running pools in the gutter, let the rain play a little lullaby on your roof tonight… Gazing at the clouds, so dark up above, yet the rain gives my heart a defense like the sound of the tide… Flooding a hot August night and imprisoning me in dreams again… Making me yawn while daring me to look to the future again … From the beginning to the end, this is the sound of rain that I have saved for you… Sweet, sweet rain…

my hands are cold...

Sitting here, contemplating my fate… Going through old messages, reading old notes… Nothing is forgotten… Nothing… A familiar image of a very short time… Over and around me everywhere I go, everywhere I look… If it’s not real, then why do I have the feeling of being watched? When the only thing I wanna do is cry, the sound wakes me up suddenly, one particular image flashes brightly, one particular name that turns my dream to nothing but gray… There! The answer is so loud and clear! There’s such finality in that little travel plan. Why is the heart so stubborn? Refusing to believe, declining to accept, rejecting every logic…

Unnoticed, unheard, unseen… Keep wondering whether you remember me at my best or whether you remember me at all… What does it take? What should I do? I continue to sit in silence, hoping one of these days, you may stumble across… I can only hope you’d do it in time, otherwise I would have drifted too far... Fading out of the lives of everyone… nearly unnoticed…

Lately, days and nights are so full of secrets. Everything’s hidden. Yet you still appear so beautiful. Dangerously beautiful. And swimming in beauty, there’s a glimmer of hope that the undiscovered knowledge favors my wishes… The hope of having you waiting around the next corner… to wipe my tears away, to hold and warm my cold hands… Because I can’t let myself believe that when something good is gone, it will never come back around…

Enough of this curse. I know there’s something there… You’re not invincible… That I’m sure… Enough of these trivial things. I know it’s getting too hard to ignore… You’re not immune to morning sunlight and evening twilight… That I’m sure… Again, awaiting the next full moon… Yup, that will be the time… It must be the time to take in the fullest essence of this life… You…

Global Warming 101

The Golden Triangle

While Thailand is always highly regarded by the shoppoholics, it is often underrated for adventure. The landscape has everything. Let’s visit a bigger chunk of Thailand’s northern territory, appropriately known as “The Golden Triangle”.

Stunning scenery, towering mountains, exquisite heritage temples and exotic hill-tribe living represent a nation both deeply traditional and thrillingly young. Yes, you must sort of exit the most favorite tourist routes to call on the far north, by taking an extra flight from Bangkok to the “Rose of the North”, the eclectic city of Chiang Mai. As you arrive, direct your trip to the most southern point of the Golden Triangle, right on the banks of the Mekhong River. This is the ancient city of Chiang Saen, the birthplace of Mengrai, who founded the kingdom of Lanna. Around 1328, the city you see today was laid out when King Saen Phu, Mengrai’s nephew moved the capital of Lanna to Chiang Saen, which he obviously named after himself. Chiang Saen today is an interesting place to visit. You can easily make out the remains of most of the city's walls, as well as several temples. In the grounds of the old Wat Mahathat is an information center that can provide you with the most current happenings in this city.

At the top of a hill, a short distance from the northwest corner of Chiang Saen is the temple of Wat Phra Dat Jom Kitty. The temple is thought to pre-date the founding of Chiang Saen and was practically in ruins until recently. It has been restored with a new wiharn and made a royal temple. Adorned with intricately detailed gable, it’s a beautiful example of Chiang Saen style. Inside, you can find a large Buddha sitting serenely under an artificial Bodhi tree.

Then, a lazy afternoon can be spent by taking a boat tour on the Mekhong River, which will cruise right into the heart of the Golden Triangle, that is where borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos met. The 10th longest river in the world and the longest river in Southeast Asia, the Mekhong runs through narrow valley towards the Yunnan Province of China. While via the Golden Triangle, the river flows into Vientiane Plain. Once notorious for widespread opium production, the region remains a top attraction for its picturesque views, tranquil indigenous hill-tribe living along the riverbanks and an exotic sense of adventure all the way!

That is not all of course. You still must pay a visit to Lisu Village and Phami Akha hill-tribe community center, join an elephant safari at the Maesa Elephant Camp and buy handicrafts in Sankampaeng District. Not to mention the orchid farm and a stopover at the famous Buddha image of the Wat Phra Singh. All in all, despite its notorious past, the Golden Triangle provides a rare chance to reconnect with the soul inside us, a journey of the heart.

Ave Maria

I am cornered, Father…
even the trail can no longer be seen
I want to fly again, Father…
free like an eagle, free like I used to be
wanting to know the sand dunes
on the only non-stop flight
that's no longer mine

I'm lounging here naked, Father…
every word has been said in the dark
I'm out of words now
I've tried...
I've tried...
I've tried...
I've tried...
everything is so unfamiliar…
everything is wrapped in fog…

I'm tired, Father…
thrown between a trench, an old house and a story
like a boat without an ocean
glorious flutters of the eagle are now darkly scandalized
unyielding… I'm losing my waves, Father…
I want to walk along the coast of hope
yet only gloom waits at its end, saying goodbye…

I want to laugh without restraint, Father…
happiness that once dropped by for a while
but now… when the church orchestra plays Ave Maria
I want to run, Father… to Your embrace, if you still care
take me with You, Father…
I'm exhausted…
I give up…
I don't understand this particular will of Yours…

Sepotong Doa di Gede-Pangrango

Aliran hangat membanjiri hati dengan memori. Setiap pohon dan setiap lambaian daun, setiap rekah bunga dan setiap suara satwa, bahkan hembusan angin dan vibrasi bumi saat telapak memijak, semua seolah menyapa rindu, “Dari mana aja? It’s been a long time…”

24 tahun lalu, this used to be my playground. Taman bermain yang selalu sukses melenyapkan resah gelisah, nyaris setiap akhir pekan. Usiaku baru 15 tahun dan Taman Nasional Gede-Pangrango, yang saat itu hanya dikenal sebagai Gunung Gede (2.958 mdpl) dan Gunung Pangrango (3.019 mdpl), jadi tempat menumpahkan energi menyebalkan setelah seminggu bergumul dengan kimia, fisika dan pelajaran lainnya. Kala teman-teman sebaya menghentakkan kaki di lantai dansa atau jalan-jalan sore di Jl. Melawai Raya, aku lebih suka menyatu dengan elemen-elemen alam di kawasan Cibodas ini. Dan menjadi salah satu elemennya.

24 tahun sudah. Mendakinya sekarang tak lagi semudah dulu, tapi kesan yang ditinggalkan setiap kaki melangkah tetap menyatukan dengan alam yang telah mengajarkanku tentang cinta dengan cuma-cuma. Mengajarkan kemuliaan Tuhan tanpa perlu buka buku agama. Merasakan sentuhan kasih abadi-Nya tanpa berpandu Kitab Suci. Inilah hidup yang sesungguhnya.

Pos TNGP - Air Terjun Cibeureum, ± 2,6 Km
24 tahun silam, pos TNGP hanya sebidang bangunan jelek yang dijaga satu orang, kadang dua. Namun kini, gubuk jelek itu ternyata telah dibangun menjadi sebuah pondok kecil yang nyaman, bersebelahan dengan dinding bertegel hitam dan bertulisan “Taman Nasional Gede-Pangrango”. Beberapa langkah dari situ, terdapat sebuah taman kecil dengan beberapa pondok tertata rapi. Inilah pusat informasi bagi para pendaki. Dari sini, pendakian dimulai santai, melalui jalan setapak beralaskan batu-batu sungai yang sengaja dibuat landai. Tak sadar aku tersenyum, teringat cerita lama…

24 tahun yang lalu, aku menangis beberapa ratus meter menjelang puncak. Nyaris menyerah. Dan seorang senior pendaki mengajarkanku untuk meresapi tiap langkah. Mendengarkan suara angin di pepohonan, nyanyian burung, aliran air, gemerisik dedaunan, termasuk mengamati setiap daun kering yang jatuh ke bumi. Menyerap energi dari semua makhluk hidup yang ada di sini. Dari situlah kekuatan datang. Tak perlu jalan cepat-cepat. Jadikan setiap balutan kain di kulit menjadi bagian dari kulit itu sendiri. Jadikan tas ransel di bahu menjadi bagian dari berat badan sendiri. Jadikan jasad ini bagian dari alam. Aku pun mencapai puncak. Keampuhan nasehat itu sudah aku buktikan dalam tiap perjalanan, berat maupun ringan. Nasehat ini aku amalkan dalam setiap pekerjaan sehari-hari, agar tak pernah kepikiran untuk menyerah.

24 tahun memori aku tapaki dalam 1 jam, hingga gemuruh Air Terjun Cibeureum berdentam di hadapan mata. Tumpahan megah dari ketinggian sekitar 50 m menghantam bebatuan, tak henti, tak kenal lelah. Dan lagi-lagi... aku tersenyum sendiri …

Air Terjun Cibeureum - Sungai Air Panas, ± 3,5 Km
24 tahun kenangan terurai. Tanjakan yang harus dilalui mulai menampakkan sudut-sudut terjal, walau masih tetap cukup landai dengan batu-batu besar berserakan di sana sini. Aku teringat kata-kata sahabatku saat itu, “Batu besar nggak boleh disia-siakan.” Maksudnya, saat badan belum ‘panas’, kita jadi cepat lelah. Batu-batu besar itulah tempat istirahat yang paling ideal. Perjalanan pun jadi sering terhenti untuk menenangkan senggal napas di batu-batu. Namun saat nasehat meditasi tadi mulai ‘bekerja’, justru aku jadi malas berhenti. Istirahat terlalu lama malah mengacaukan ritme. Tak terasa, 2 jam kemudian, aku tiba di sungai kecil yang airnya mengalir tenang. Cepat-cepat aku membuka alas kaki, lalu merendam tungkai letih ini dalam airnya. Aaah… hangat merayap, memijat-mijat, lenyapkan lelah. As always, sungai air panas ini is my private spa.

Sungai Air Panas - Kandang Badak, ± 1,3 Km
24 tahun mengendap dalam dada. Berdegup jantung dibuatnya. Perjalanan masih manageable, tak terlalu ringan, tapi juga tak terlalu berat. Namun, aku tahu persis apa yang menghadang. Kandang Badak adalah ‘batas’ perjalanan yang santai ini. Setelah itu, tanjakan-tanjakan terjal dengan sudut 45 hingga 60 derajat harus dilalui sampai ke puncak. Karenanya, di sini aku istirahat agak panjang, membuka bekal makan siang, lalu tidur-tiduran dan menghimpun tenaga.

Kadang Badak - Tangga Uyo - Puncak Gunung Gede, ± 3 Km
24 tahun ternyata lama ya? Walau sering gengsi untuk diakui, biar bagaimana aku tidak lagi berusia 15 tahun… Dan kenyataan ini amat terasa saat aku berusaha memanjat tiap tanjakan, bertumpu pada akar-akar pepohonan untuk mengangkat badan. Perlahan menghadapi tantangan dalam diam, menyimpan keluhan dalam hati saja. Biar cuma Tuhan yang mendengarnya. Kawasan ini dulu punya gelar di antara anggota klab pencinta alamku. “Tangga Uyo”, begitu namanya. Karena Uyo adalah temanku yang tinggi jangkung, dan rasanya hanya dia yang bisa melalui tanjakan gila ini dengan melangkah biasa seperti naik tangga, tanpa harus bergelayutan seperti kera. Di sinilah aku dulu menangis kelelahan. Dan kenangan ini kembali membuat aku tersenyum sendiri, memberi kekuatan ekstra. Aku semangati hati sambil meraih akar pohon berikutnya, tetap berupaya mencapai puncak. Setelah 2 jam lamanya, barulah puncak gunung menyeruak, memamerkan kebesaran Tuhan berupa panorama tiada tara. Puji Tuhan…

Puncak Gunung Gede - Alun-Alun Surya Kencana, ± 1 Km

24 tahun bukan angka belaka. Perjalanan ke Alun-Alun Surya Kencana, dengkul ini mulai protes. Pegal dan kaku, seolah menolak untuk melangkah lebih jauh lagi, padahal jalannya menurun dan bisa ditempuh dalam waktu kurang dari 30 menit. Namun taburan bunga-bunga edelweiss yang menghiasi keseluruhan lembah yang amat luas ini segera membuatku memarahi dengkul dan memaksanya untuk menurut. Surya Kencana yang cantik adalah tempat aku berkemah malam ini, di antara bunga abadi lambang cinta. Di sini, cinta, doa dan harapan mendadak punya makna yang suci, bukan sekedar keinginan duniawi. Di Surya Kencana, hidup ini jadi punya arti. Aku pejamkan mata. Dan tanpa menengadah, tanpa harus menatap langit, aku tahu, Tuhan hadir di hati.

Thank You, my Lord, my Savior… Yes, i'm the fool who always attempts to accomplish near-impossible goals with almost reckless abandon. Yes, I always want what I can't have. Tapi berbekal keabadian cinta Surya Kencana, aku tetap menanti janji-Mu, kabulkan doaku…

lovingly dedicated to that particular little corner of my soul where you have lived and enabled me to always see beautiful sceneries 26.07.08

[aerial photo by: Jez O'Hare]

Coincidence

do you believe in coincidence? well, i don't. that's why even while shivering and sighing, i swear that it means something. it must mean something. it is infinite and it is undying. but now i wonder, maybe one of us is just lying...

do you believe that our actions in life are predestined? well, i do. that's why i believe in that good day when the sun was shinning. that's why it was exactly on the day that i would otherwise be in the cemetery. i believe that the eagle has returned. but now i wonder, maybe my life is predestined to be made up of coincidences. like when stupid girls look at me like i'm stupid...

yeah... yeah... this is probably just one of life's crazy games. one of God's bad jokes. go ahead and laugh. but when (read: if) i survive through this intoxicating maze WITHOUT the prize that i want, i'll walk over to you and say, "you should NEVER talk again!" oh yes, i will hold you accountable for making me believe in this shit…

i need divine intervention. NOW!