The Beauty of Batik on Rainy Jakarta

November rain still pour almost anytime of the day. Jakarta is in bleaky color pallet. Deep in the city, when the traffic jam is inevitable. The wilderness portrayed in the nuance of oldies sepia photos. The crowd and mud.  Between the dimly of twilight, few shocking color spread. Unnatural. Shocking red, green, and yellow neon lights. Where was the sight of red asoka flower, green shade of bamboo, or the yellowish frangiapani?  I bet most of us craving for beauty in any form on this sepia-colored situation.

There's a term for winter depression in the northern country. For me, rainy days in chaotic rush hour traffic of Jakarta is miserable. To tackle the gloomy ambiance I wear vibrant colored batik for my busiest day. Batik is Indonesian traditional fabric made from cotton or silk, dyed with wax-resist technique. I collect few of central java classic motif called "parang". These days, I wear most of my "batik pesisir" collection that genuinely come from the coastal area of northern java. This type of batik come in shade of vivid color tone. The "pesisir" motif usually more organic in design. It feature flowers, animal, and folklore in the pattern design.

Batik Parang Motif

People have their own way to connect with their inner-self. The child in us seek for pleasure in the real life of our adult body. In my case, the strategy to rise above the gloomy mood on rainy season is to wear something vibrant, artistic, and organic. What is more convenience than wearing vibrant colored batik in a moderate dose on your working days.

Rain can soothe your mood or irritate your plan. In this case, rainy season arouse the needs of beauty in vibrant colors. I found it in the Indonesian heritage, batik. Lets enjoy rainy Jakarta in the colorful tone of batik!

Rest a while from the traffic jam.
I wore pink "batik pesisir" from Pekalongan 
with butterfly and flower motif.

Photostoria: Some Kind of Wonderful

First sight on the first dive at 20 feet deep

Buddy, photos of Sigit and Ima

Me, Ima, and Wildan under the salty splash

Almost Angler spotted on night dive. — at Rubiah Sea Garden.

Giant red crab, perhaps a spooner kind, crawl on night dive.
— at Rubiah Sea Garden.

Fimbriated dragon moray eel.

Blue-spotted Ray under moss-green coral. — at Batee Tokong.

Me and Isfan the kinky dive master :p

Lunch time for anthias. — at The Canyon.

Red lion fish

Orange colored Anthias on green coral

Giant Moray Eel spotted on the busy social life of Bartlett's Anthias

Blue ribbon eel pop out from its homy hole

Funny Underwater Signature Style

My handsome buddy, Wildan Jo. Killer diver yet a dedicated photographer of my underwater adventure.

Headstand pose, float and drop, gee!

Photostoria: Sunset Stroll Losari

Fun, glee, hilarity is a must joy in every summer. Where else could we found those thrills, except traveling with nice friends and have lots of fun. I decided to explore South Sulawesi with few close friends. They are all dive junkie and couldn't stay away from the sea.

Before the dive trip begin, we stop over the capital of South Sulawesi. Makassar is one of the largest populated city in eastern Indonesia region. It has international airport, harbor, and its own charming beauty.

Arrived in the afternoon we stroll to the city's iconic place, the Losari Beach. And here are few snapshot from the visit.

Photostoria: West Coast Aceh's Road Less Travelled

Banda Aceh-Meulaboh highway span approximately 240 km 
on the west coast of Aceh. This highway is important to 
connect the capital Banda Aceh to the trading hub of Meulaboh.

After tsunami in 2004 hit the west coast of Aceh, the Lambeso River Bridge was swept away by tremendous waves. The loss made damage to the transportation routes between region, thus set hurdles to the local economy. As an instant solution, locals established a makeshift ferry to cross the Lambeso river.

The rough and ready ferry, when there's no other choice.

Photostoria: Jejak Kaki di Sangalaki

Boat jetty goes straight to the turquoise blue horizon.

Sea pandan flower aroma was in the air!

Almost drifted root of shrubs plant. Close to the water.

Photostoria: Friendly Jelly Fish at Kakaban

Di dalam air danau yang berwarna biru tua, ubur-ubur ini seperti memantulkan cahaya.

Ubur-ubur yang suka berenang terbalik ini memang hewan endemik danau Kakaban yang berair payau. Jenis Cassiopea Ornata ini tidak menyengat. Mereka suka lho disentuh dan diajak bermain.