4 Days in Tampa, Florida

April 14: Our flight to Tampa was 5 hours. But flying with cakep is so much fun that I didn't find it boring at all. We played a couple rounds of cribbage and I continued reading In the Footsteps of the Prophet when cakep needed to work on his stuff.

We took a taxi to our hotel only to find that our room was not ready. Feeling unhappy, we dropped off our luggage at the concierge and left the hotel, passed the Tampa Harbour to Channelside to get some dinner. We found nothing special about this place, other than a small shopping complex and restaurants.

To our surprise though our dinner at Grille 29 in the complex was superb. We sat outside on the restaurant's patio facing the canal with the cool breeze from the water. The breeze especially felt really nice in the uncomfortable, muggy and sticky 77 degree Tampa. I slowly enjoyed my 10 oz New York Strip Steak with Lobster Mashed Potatoes and brocollini on the side. Cakep ordered the Salmon Brulle which according to him was really good.

April 15: After having breakfast at the hotel's Avanzare Cafe, I bought a $4.00 one-day pass to ride the city trolley and streetcar to explore the city. Whenever I am in a new place, I try to ride public transportation and taking the city routes as much as possible. That way I get the feel for the city I visit and can go places where tourists don't mostly go. So I took a lane to Old Hyde Park, an outdoor shopping complex which could be interesting if you like to shop. Since shopping is not my favorite activity, it was just an okay visit. I was more interested in checking out the neighborhood at the Old Hyde Park. I found something interesting; an avenue that seems "out of place" in Tampa. If you see the picture below, you would know what I meant :-)

While having lunch at Thai Than we met a couple of Indonesian crew ship from Carnival Legend that harboured at Tampa Bay for that day enjoying their lunch on the land for the day. The ship was so huge that it covers the entire Channelside deck. 


Early evening riding the bright yellow streetcar, we went to Ybor City, a Latin Quarter that was once famous for cigar making. The city was dead when we got there around 4. Most restaurants and shops were closed. Only a couple of cigar stores opened with very few customers inside smoking cigars. Of course it is quiet in the afternoon. With more than 60 restaurants, bars and nightclubs, Ybor city draws party goers on weekend nights. Well, since we are not in to the "night life", we chose to see the city during its sleep. We ended the day by having dinner at the famous "Columbia Restaurant" that received rave reviews by a lot of people online. Well, we were not impressed with the food. We found the food we ordered to be very oily and overpriced. 

April 16: I explored Tampa by riding the city bus again. It might not be something most people like to do in a new place. But, I like to know what's going on in the place I visit beyond the tourists spots. I would like to see the place as locals see. Of course it is impossible to get the real feel for the city in a few days, but at least I got something. To me, that's always interesting. 

In the evening cakep and I went to watch Stanley Cup Playoffs that was played on Tampa Stadium located just a few blocks away from the hotel. I saw a college-level game in Los Angeles few years ago but I had never been to any professional hockey game before. Since we've been talking about going to a professional hockey game many times - but our desire to watch the game was put off when we think about having to drive to Staple Center to watch the game-, we might as well do it now when we don't need to fight the traffic in LA highway and we don't need to find parking! So off we went after dinner to the stadium to get the tickets. We were not sure if we could ever get one given we didn't book them in advance. Guess what? Not only we got one of the best seats that were close to the ring, but the two tickets were given to us for free. Not bad experience for my first ever professional hockey game. It was so much fun watching the game life. Much better than watching the game on TV. Of course

April 17: After breakfast, we visited the Florida Aquarium to have a nice relaxing time before flying back home. I took so much pictures of Mumlbe's family from the happy feet. By the time we got to my favorite creature - jelly fish- my camera already run out of battery. Darn. Took a shuttle to the airport shortly after lunch.

A Day Trip to Santa Barbara

Artwork made of sands from Nepal

Since last fall, we really get hooked with a day visit to Santa Barbara.  A typical day in the American Riviera city for us would be enjoying fresh brewed decaffeinated latte at the Santa Barbara Coffee Roasting Company, strolling down the State Street in downtown, having fresh sea food at the Santa Barbara Shellfish Company for lunch then heading back home after a quick peak at the pier.

Bent Nude - Francisco Zuniga

On yesterday's visit, we added a visit to the Santa Barbara Museum of Art to our routine. The museum is on the small side with a nice lay-out and flow. It doesn't feel crowded at all.  It featured the works of acclaimed Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo and an exhibit of Ansel Adam's photographs. I was especially captured by Adam's photos of Yosemite National Park and the beauty of images he created.   Unfortunately, due to the vulnerability of Tamayo's works and Ansel's photos, no photograph is allowed.  But, I am happy with a picture of Rodin's sculpture -even though it was not "The Thinker", it's still Rodin's - and a neat sculpture by Zuniga.  

The inside part of the gallery are displayed a few paintings from Monet, Van Gogh and other artists whose names I cannot remember. On the upper level of the museum we found some art works from Asian countries, mostly Japanese sculptures and cute jars. We are intrigued by one artwork from Nepal that was made of sands! At the first glance it looked like a colorful painting. It's so detailed.   It must be a great  challenge to transport this piece to the Museum.


Santa Barbara Museum of Art

1130 State St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 963-4364

Admission: $9

A Great Sunday in Gasol Organic Farming, Cianjur, Indonesia

He who would travel happily must travel light - Antoine de St. Exupery

I love not to check in my luggage when travel domestically - that's how hubby and I travel here. It is really hassle- and stress-free to have only a carry-on when traveling. What I enjoy the most is not to have to arrive at the airport as early and to be able to leave the airport in a jiffy. Not to mention to  have peace of mind knowing my belongings are with me when I arrive at the destination and not to worry loosing them to misrouting or theft. 

I always wanted to try to travel light internationally as well. So far I haven't been very successful especially when I go to Indonesia and wanted to bring stuff for my family. Last month though when I went home for 8 days I decided to give it a try and only had one carry-on and a back pack with me - boy was i glad with my decision. I didn't have to wait at baggage carousels after the immigration, went out to get a taxi within minutes then straight into Jakarta traffic. Very fast process.

Lumbung -  to store rice after harvest

My time in Jakarta unfortunately went as fast as my travel. Between attending Stanvac Family Reunion and participating in Jalan-jalan ke Petak Sembilan (take a stroll to Petak Sembilan, part of Jakarta Old Town in Chinatown area), a fun event arranged by Jalansutra, I managed to convince my family to visit Gasol Organic Farming in Cianjur on Sunday. Cianjur is a small city in West Java, located in the middle of the road between Jakarta and Bandung, and is known as one of the best growing areas for rice in Indonesia. Gasol Organic Farming is owned by Ika Suryanawati, an Engineer in Agriculture by training, who  grows her farm using only organic fertilizer (goat manure and azolla) and traditional tools and methods during harvest. 

Ika, her husband, her two kids and her mom greeted us when we arrived at the farm around mid-morning. Shortly after we arrived, rain started to pour so we went inside one building adjacent to the main house that opens all sides so we could still enjoy the rice fields while listening to Ika's history and stories about her organic farm. I was fascinated by her courage and passion to grow her farm organically in the area where everyone else does the opposite. Ika hoped that other farmers will follow suit someday. I hope so to Ika. We tasted your rice and would want our children and grand children have the chance to also have access to organic rice in the future.

By now the rain had stopped. So off we went to the fields with a great excitement and started walking in the rice fields on foot and breathe the fresh air. Ika and her family walked along and warned us repeatedly to walk carefully and slowly as the soil from the rain was slippery. The soil was indeed slippery and muddy but it felt so good on our feet. Everyone really enjoyed the walk and the beauty of the fields. It was great to see my father, who was not foreign on walking in the rice fields while growing up in West Sumatra, enthusiastically explain what he knew about rice paddies. The smell of the goat manure that Ika used to fertilize her farm didn't seem to bother us at all. If all, it was such a nice reminder that we're getting back to nature for a change. Where can we smell fresh manure in the city? :-)

And the lunch we had after our nice walk - served on banana leaves instead of plates - was simply delicious! Ika's mom prepared Nasi Liwet Sunda, a traditional rice dish from West Java cooked in water, lemongrass, sauteed shallots and local spices in a heavy pan. To accompany the already-delicious nasi liwet were fried fish - the fish were from the pond right outside the place where we're having our lunch (talk about fresh!), fried tempe and tofu, sayur asam (clear vegetable tamarind soup), sauteed kangkung (water spinach), perkedel jagung (corn fritter), home-made sambal oelek, and of course kerupuk, a must-have item in every meal in Sundanese family. We were so happy with the food that we talked about it again during our dinner at Kafe Mangiare and still talked about it the next day. :-)




Gasol Pertanian Organik 
Desa Gasol, Kecamatan Cugenang
Kabupaten Cianjur
e-mail: gasolpertanianorganik@gmail.com

New Orleans, LA

Photos of Mardi Gras Parade during our recent visit to New Orleans. 

Mora Mora - 73%

Mora Mora adalah single origin coklat yang diproduksi dan dikemas di Madagascar dari biji coklat Criollo, Trinitario dan Forestero yang juga diproduksi oleh petani di Madagascar. Meraih medali perak di World Chocolate Awards tahun 2007, Mora Mora merupakan coklat yang dairy free dan cocok untuk dikonsumsi oleh vegetarians and vegans.

Kemasannya menarik.  Dibagian dalam kemasan tertulis sejarah singkat coklat ini. Antara lain disebutkan bahwa Mora Mora merupakan produk Equitrade, dimana prinsip fairly traded diterapkan.  

Mora Mora memiliki kriteria coklat berkualitas tinggi.  Berwarna merah gelap kecoklat-coklatan dengan permukaan yang glossy.  Aroma coklat berkualitas tercium jelas; kompleks, rich dan sweet.  Rasa pahit menyenangkan timbul dalam gigitan pertama sebelum rasa khas dark coklat yang beragam serta rich terasa menyelimuti diikuti after taste yang ringan.  

Ingredients: Cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, GMO free soya lecithin

Swimming with Dolphins in Pismo Beach, CA

Every time I watch the sun disappear into Pacific Ocean in Pismo Beach, I am reminded of one evening about 7 years ago when we used to boogie board at this very location. Until this day, I still remember one amazing moment I had when I boogie boarded for the first time in Pacific Ocean. So after riding my first wave, I was hanging on my board in the ocean enjoying the very blue color and quietness of the ocean. The set could not have been more perfect - a gorgeous sunset in a distance and a full moon slowly arising from the ocean on the other side. I just sat there for a while feeling good after riding my first wave. And all of sudden I saw a dolphin coming up from the water next to me. The dolphin was unbelievably close, I could have touched it easily if I wanted to. But I was so mesmerized by its present that I just floated on my board cherishing every second and enjoying the beautiful creature while a few arms away a group of young dolphins playing freely. I can't believe it; I am swimming with dolphins in the beautiful pacific ocean on the gorgeous sunset! 

Well, I am no longer boogie boarding; there is no safe place to do it in my neighborhood. Pismo Beach is no longer less than 10 minute drive from where we live.  But, now and then we come to this place watching sunset  - just like a couple of nights ago - or getting a bowl of clam chawder soup or just passing by on our way up north to the Bay area.

Santa Barbara, December 2006

Di musim dingin sekalipun, Santa Barbara tetap terlihat cantik.  Langitnya berwarna biru cerah, pohon-pohon palem disepanjang pantai tetap berdiri kokoh tidak terusik oleh dinginnya udara bulan Desember yang terasa mulai menusuk tulang buat saya yang tidak tahan dingin. Yang membedakan musim dingin dengan musim lainnya adalah sepinya pengunjung di Stearns Wharf.  Good for us. :-)  Jadinya kami berdua dapat tenang menikmati Laut Pacific sepuas-puasnya tanpa merasa terganggu oleh pengunjung lain.  Serasa menikmatinya di halaman belakang rumah sendiri.  (Mimpi)


Ini adalah tempat istirahat yang sempurna buat kami berdua; lokasinya diujung pier, jauh dari keramaian, dan hanya beberapa langkah saja dari Santa Barbara Shellfish Co, restoran sederhana yang tidak pernah kami lewatkan setiap megunjungi Santa Barbara.
Sejauh ini kami selalu menikmati setiap makanan yang kami pesan di SBSC.  Selain rasanya yang segar, shellfish disajikan secara  simple tanpa meggunakan banyak bumbu sehingga rasa asli shellfishnya terjaga. Delish! Dungeness Crab misalnya yang disajikan dengan semangkuk kecil coleslaw dan onion rings, hanya di rebus tanpa dikasih bumbu sama sekali.  Untungnya kami datang pas sedang musimnya Dungeness Crab sehingga dapat menikmati kembali rasa manis daging kepiting jenis ini.   Kepiting jenis ini hanya ditangkap di perairan di sekitar Santa Barbara pada bulan November sampai awal bulan January.

My Los Angeles - Griffith Observatory

Hubby and I decided to visit Griffith Observatory in the Griffith Park/Los Feliz neighborhood this morning. We're so glad we did! The drive was a brisk and the weather was perfect for December. It was truly an amazing place to visit. 

The astronomical exhibits and the light shows of Tesla coil were just awesome. The planetarium is the real deal, not the kind of observatory I visited for school trips zillion years ago. The best part is everything -except the planetarium- is free! Walking outside the Griffith Observatory is as enjoyable as wandering the exhibits inside the observatory;  we can see the breathtaking views of all over Los Angeles. It is near 360 view that made me appreciate how beautiful the city of LA can be. Especially today, when not so many visitors were present - it's Chritsmas Eve after all. 

And here is Indonesia! 


Griffith Observatory

2800 E Observatory Rd

Los Angeles, CA 90027

(213) 473-0800

http://www.griffithobservatory.org

Family and Mangoes

Family.....work....and super yummy mangoes!!!

I was back in Jakarta again in November and had a fabulous time with family.


Enjoying a relaxing afternoon with my parents in a cozy cafe  (the name of this particular cafe has slipped my mind) becomes a routine when I am back in Jakarta.

Or spending time with my nephews and niece at the pools   here and here . I stayed in two different hotels this time. :-)

or eating mangoes. A lot of it!

Lucky for me mango was in season during my entire visit so I could indulge myself with different varieties in season! Golek, Arum Manis, Indramayu, Manalagi, Kwini to name a few. I grew up eating mangos - or mangga Indonesians would call it - when we lived in South Sumatra. So I have a pretty high standard for mango - hence I don't buy mango in the U.S. after trying several mangos imported from different countries.  I found mangos in the U.S. just was not as tasty and fresh as the ones I used to enjoy. Cannot wait to taste such fresh and delicious mangos again when I am back home next year!