Monday, December 15, 2014

Mia and Her Journal: OURS named HERSHEY

Mia and Her Journal: OURS named HERSHEY: A playful DOG I fell in love with Hershey the first time I laid my eyes on him. He was the most adorable puppy among the litter of 5....

Monday, June 9, 2014

Hello Minahasa

Until now almost all the houses on the edge of Wakeke Road has become a small shop to enjoy a bowl of Tinutuan. Wakeke road whose length is less than one kilometer was crowned the traditional food Tinutuan tourist area, in the year 2004. - See more at: http://manado-tour-hotel.blogspot.com/2010/05/breakfast-in-wakeke-tinutuan-manado.html#sthash.essTJTAG.dpuf

North Sulawesi Bound

Menado is the capital of North Sulawesi. Mainly used by tourists as a stopping off point for spectacular diving and snorkeling in the Bunaken Marine Park.

After years of dreaming about this trip, we finally made it to Menado. This short visit has brought back some good old memories that somehow faded. I was only about 7 years old when my parents took us to visit North Sulawesi. 42 years later, here I am back to visit North Sulawesi, the province well known for their agricultural commodities such as nutmegs, copra and clove spices. This province is also known for their vast coconut plantations and they are also called the land of waving coconut palms or "Tanah Nyiur Melambai". Not only they are rich with their agriculture and coconut plantations, but most of all it's a popular dive spot known for its unbelievably reef wall.

Menado, here I come!!!!

Our short trip to Timbuktu today has brought back memories from when I worked in Mali in the early 1990s. - See more at: http://www.hki.org/blog/2013/07/our-short-trip-to-timbuktu/#sthash.50J9lfjF.dpuf

Our short trip to Timbuktu today has brought back memories from when I worked in Mali in the early 1990s. I - See more at: http://www.hki.org/blog/2013/07/our-short-trip-to-timbuktu/#sthash.50J9lfjF.dpuf

Manadonese food is famous throughout Indonesia for two things: the Minahasa eat absolutely anything, and the flavor of choice is very, very spicy. - See more at: http://www.tourgarage.com/destinations/manado.html#sthash.ro4hUPan.dpuf

First thing first, after we arrived, Sam Ratulangi Airport, was to try their famous rice porridge made with a mix of corns, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, cassavas, kangkungs and a few others, known as Bubur Tinotuan. We were then taken to Jalan Wakeke, where I saw numerous restaurants along the street. The restaurant that was picked called Dego Dego. The dish is usually served with salted dried fish, but here at Dego Dego, it was served with ikan Nike or cakes made from the tiny fish called Nike, found only in Lake Tondano, mixed with flour and deep fried.

The famous "Dego-Dego" at Wakeke district

After breakfast we were taken to The Hill of Prayer or Bukit Doa, a small but peaceful hill located at Kakaskasen, overlook a beautiful mount Lokon.

Bukit Doa with my aunt, sis and bro

Off we went to Kolongan, Tondano, located in the south east of Menado. The village of Kolongan is a place where my grandparents from my mom's side used to live before they moved to the city of Jakarta. Sadly, the narrow, hilly and curvy road to the village has been damaged and left unrepaired. Huge potholes were found all over. It was more disappointed as we enter the village, I acknowledged this village considered undeveloped and lack of infrastructure. Whereas Kolongan is known as one of producing a high quality clove. The hills in the inland are covered in clove trees, definitely this village are not poor, but lack of development has ensured that Kolongan remain undeveloped.

We stayed one night at my nephew's huge clove plantation. The house style is very unique. It is typical Minahasan stage house made of wooden craftmanship by the people of Woloan. This type of house can also be purchased online and easily assembled. Cool huhhh .... !!!!!

Traditional House at the plantation

We left early morning, and my nephew drove along some part of lake Tondano toward Bukit Kasih or Devoted Hill. Along the way, we saw many churches, as Menado is predominantly populated by Christians, whose inhabitants co-exist happily with its Muslim minority. Every few meters in town you will see churches and places of worship and they are very committed to their faith. As we drove along each town, we saw four different churches in a block.

First stop was Bukit Kasih, located in the village of Kanonang, Kawangkoan. This hill was built in 2002 as a spiritual center where religious followers from various faiths can gather, meditate and worship side by side in peace. Up on the hill, there are 5 worship places that represent the five religions such as: Mosque, Catholic Church, Protestant Church, Buddhist and Hindu Temples which can be reached by walking up the stairs. In addition, this place is believed to be the original place of Toar Lumimuut, the original ancestors of the Minahasan tribe. His faces was carved on the hillside beneath the second peak. Due to the hot weather, none of us willing to go all the way up, so off we go.

Monument at Bukit Kasih

On the way to Tomohon, we stopped at restaurant Ragey Kawangkoan, where they served a famous sate ragey. It's a damn good kebab that one must try. We realized after eating, that we haven't take any pictures :) Soooo ..... there you go!!!

We stopped at Lake Linow, Lahendong, where my father originally came from. Lake Linow, that changes its colors throughout the day, is a water-filled volcanic crater. It changes colors depending on the release of gas from the vents underwater and the movement of the current.
It's a beautiful scenery, just to seat by the crater surrounding by grassland, and spend some time paddling just to see the boiling mud. In my opinion it is lack of attraction and places to hang out.

Linow Lake

As the sun goes down, we drove straight to Bitung, where we stayed the rest of our vacation at my aunt's beautiful house. The city of Bitung is located on the east side of Manado, approximately an hour drive.
My aunt's house located at the green hills slopes of Mount Dua Bersaudara, stands charming overlooking the port of Bitung and Lembeh Island. A quiet, peaceful private retreat with a large porch overlooking the harbor, perfect sanctuary for the body, mind and soul. It relaxes, disconnects and definitely inspires me to build a house over the hill ... if we hit a jackpot .....

The siblings with Mommy Dearest

Our trip included a day to Bunaken island, known as one of Indonesia's most paradise for divers that draws visitors from all over the world.

Bunaken destination

With a speedboat we reached the island within half hour. But before we reach the island, we were transferred to a submarine where we directly were under the water surface. Sights from the submarine is certainly stunning.

Bunaken Submarine

Over looking Manado Tua

As we were closed to the island, I saw the crystal clear water with visibility at least about more than 10ft.

Welcome center at Bunaken

My husband, my brother and my cousin went under water for snorkeling experience. My regrets was that I don't make an effort to go. It's just because the place has no decent place to change clothes. And I saw how they clean the snorkel gear, especially the goggles. My only suggestion is to bring your own equipment.

Snorkeling at Bunaken

We also explored this pricey subdivision called Citraland residential estate, where we found this new icon of Menado city, almost similar to statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, but here in Menado it is called Christ Blessing, in a flying position.

Ria Rio was our next destination, located along the Kalasey beach. With families from Menado, our long table was served with a fresh and flavorful seafood dishes. Some fish was grilled traditionally in a piece of coconut shell and simmered with different kind of herbs. Some was

Don't ask what was ordered .... delicious meal

Before living Menado, we visited a mini zoo located at Aertembaga Village Bitung, where we found this smallest monkey in the world called Tarsier or Tarsius. The length of this cute species is about 5 inches with a huge brown eyes.

A Tarsier is resting on a tree branch

That's concluded our visit to Menado, North Sulawesi.

Next stop helloJogjakarta!
Stay tune!

Friday, March 14, 2014

OURS named HERSHEY

A playful DOG

I fell in love with Hershey the first time I laid my eyes on him. He was the most adorable puppy among the litter of 5. The owner (my neighbor) offered me another puppy, but I refused and said I will only take Hershey if they let me. And after two days they agreed for me to take Hershey. I was overjoyed to learn the news, and prepared the arrival of Hershey on my daughter's birthday. It's like a gift to her birthday but also a gift to myself too, because our birthday fall at the same day. I had talked to my husband about the news, but he refused to have a dog in the house.

nce his seizure was over, he seemed normal laid back down and went to sleep. - See more at: http://www.thedogtrainingsecret.com/blog/dog-seizure/#sthash.Wj43qAZS.dpuf

Once his seizure was over, he seemed normal laid back down and went to sleep. - See more at: http://www.thedogtrainingsecret.com/blog/dog-seizure/#sthash.Wj43qAZS.dpuf

But my obsession with dog wouldn't stop me from taking Hershey home on our birthday. After work, I picked Hershey up from the neighbor's house and surprised everyone in my house with this 5 weeks old puppy. My husband was shocked but also excited to see him. Well, he was never really much of a dog person and he refused to have a dog in the house. But I convinced him otherwise, and I was glad I did. Now, he thinks dogs are the best animal ever. It was one of those things that you adjust to once you actually get a dog and realized just how fun and sweet and cute they are.

Up till now we called him Hershey, Booboo, Boy, Baby, BaDog (aaaahhh we call him whatever we felt at the time). When I call him Badog and raised my voice, he understood what that means. And him with his tail down will come to me and plead "guilty" and give a sorry face. If only human admit their mistake, there is no need law enforcement.

Hershey is a mutt, he has a mix golden retriever, german shepherd and a coli. He turned 13 last November and yes, many times I thought of getting rid of Hershey, because I was to tired cleaning his fur. But he's been our loving companion up till now. He is not our whole life, but he makes our lives whole. He knows basic commands, such as sit, sit pretty, down, go out, bad boy, etc. His appetite still remain the same at this age. Don't even try to tease when he is eating, he will growl and protect his food.

At about 3 o’clock in the morning, this morning my 11 year old dog (who sleeps on the bed) sat up, his body got stiff, his tongue dropped out of his mouth, he started drooling, his head bobbed to the side and his eyes and pupils shook up and down. He was suffering from his first ever seizure. - See more at: http://www.thedogtrainingsecret.com/blog/dog-seizure/#sthash.Wj43qAZS.dpuf

He got seizures when he was about 6 years old, his body was stiff, his tongue dropped out of his mouth, he started drooling .... Once his 2 minutes seizures was over, he seemed normal again. Poor dog!
We took him to the vet, and done some blood work, but have found no real causes. The doctor said it might just be something he was born with, and will just have them from time to time. From then, he has to take a lifetime medication.

Hershey suffered from thunderstorm phobia, specially when the thunderstorms are accompanied by dark skies, changes in air pressure and humidity, and wind and rain. His anxiety level raises and he will starts breathing heavily and going nuts around the house.

Our dog suffered with "thunderstorm phobia"

Once his seizure was over, he seemed normal laid back down and went to sleep. - See more at: http://www.thedogtrainingsecret.com/blog/dog-seizure/#sthash.Wj43qAZS.dpuf

Once his seizure was over, he seemed normal laid back down and went to sleep - See more at: http://www.thedogtrainingsecret.com/blog/dog-seizure/#sthash.Wj43qAZS.dpuf

One thing I knew about our Hershey, that his everyday life is always full of excitement. He can't wait to eat, he loves to the word "wanna?" That means you wanna walk ... wanna eat ... wanna go out? He got so excited when we came home, he greets us and any visitors. Loves to be among people. They are the only creature that is genuinely, demonstrably excited to see you every time you come home.

What a wonderful world

In the middle of a crowds

But Hershey also steal food from the trash can and counter top. This opportunist dog will steal our food even though he was well fed at home, his instinct might still be to grab whatever around when we are not home. Not only stealing, but he destroys all my pyrex.

This rascal got caught stealing

My last pyrex

Hershey has a lot of personality and makes our family complete. I can't imagine not having one now that we do! Getting him was one of my best decisions, he is so super sweet. He has surely brought laughter and happiness back into our home and we would not wish things any different.

Hershey has earned his place as our family's best friend, thanks to his loyalty, unconditional love and his great ability to fill our lives with lots of fun and joy.

*****