Bad days in Ambon

I am having bad experiences recently in Ambon just right before I will be back to my hometown. About two days ago, when I was in a meeting room, leading discussion with my friend, slowly I felt cold sweat and nausea. It was happening just right after I had lunch. Avoiding some attention from the audiences, I went to toilet. Usually, I took a toilet at the 2^nd floor, but since I thought I could not reach to the floor (I was in the 3^rd floor), I just used a toilet at the 3^rd floor which is not hygiene (yet). Just right I stepped in to the toilet, I thrown out my whole gastric contents.

It was relieving for my stomach, but the sweat was getting much and more. Fortunately, dr Etta had preserved some medicines, so I could get some. Thanks for you dr Etta. By taking that medicine and having a little nap, I felt better.

One day after, just right I stepped in to my room after completing my activities for the day, I had again felt the same signs and symptoms. Just by taking a little bit rest, I felt (a little bit) ok. However, when the house keeper told me for having dinner, suddenly, my stomach was in a problem again. I can say no and thanks for having dinner that night, but I felt uncomfortable, so I went down (my room is in the 2^nd floor). When I was there, what I was afraid of I (again) thrown out my gastric contents was happening. My friend who worried about it asked me to had dinner even just for one or two spoons of rice. But I can’t. I went back to my room and tried to sleep. Thanks God, I could sleep well.

After two bad experiences I had, I conclude that many factors contribute to my health problem.

1. Meal schedule. I should change my meal schedules. Breakfast at 7 am, lunch at 12 am and supper at 6 pm. In my hometown, I usually have breakfast at 8.30 am, lunch at 2 pm and dinner at 8 pm.
2. Ambonesses like hot and chilly meals. Their salads, fishes and meats are always added with chilly. It does not matter in the morning, noon nor night.
3. It is difficult to have meal outside the places I know since I am not sure whether it is halal or not, and
4. Basically, I have had dyspepsia. It hence takes the biggest part of the problem.

Last days in Ambon

Today was like a holiday for me. We were picked at 10 am by Mr Frans, a nice driver and headed to the office. Just about 10 minutes we were there, the vice of dean invited us to meet the vice of rector at Pattimura University, district Poka. Earlier, we arranged to take ferry to be there since it would save times. However, when we were at port, the ferry had been full so we decided to go to Poka by taking car. There was 1 hour difference between taking a ferry and a car. It was ok for me since I could enjoy the trip very well.

We can’t meet the vice of rector when we just arrived there since he had been in a meeting as well. Since we did not want to waste our times, we were going around seeing the university. Taking pictures of course. Again, we still can find how bad the impacts of the chaos in 2003.

Meeting the vice of rector was not taking many times. It was only about 10 minutes. Just right after, we were looking lunch. Since we obsess of Papeda (Ambon authentic meal), Frans suggested for having it. Since I couldn’t have much (I still have problem of stomach), I just sipped some. Flooding by soupy chilly fish, it was tasty. My suggestion is don’t let you eat papeda solely. We should add that soupy chilly fish for making it yummy.

Our last destination was Pintu Kota (Gate of City). I was thinking it was not really far from the center of Ambon, but it took about 45 minutes. Pintu Kota is located at the end of eastern side of Ambon. Right to this area, we could see the free ocean. It is called Pintu Kota since the landscape is quite similar to the door. It happens naturally. I think it is caused by the erosion sea waves.

Right-left: FMIPA UNPATTI & Pintu Kota

Right before we moved back to city, a generous family offered us durian, a tasty and smelly fruit. Some said, Amboness durian is the best in Indonesia. Again, since I have to take care of my stomach, I just put any. My saliva was drooling heavily when I was looking at my friend having it.

Anyway, it was a happy day. Thanks to Bu Merry, Ocha, dr Djohan and Pa Frans for being great companions.

Weekend in Ambon…

After almost a week having some serious activities, weekend has come. Fortunately, it is a long weekend since Monday is a holiday as well. Honestly, we had no idea what we would do on weekend. We just wait and see.

Our host offered us a short trip nearby Ambon. It was begun at 11 am and the day was rain. If I am in my hometown, I preferred to stay at home and to keep under my bedcover sheet. What a warm place to go through the day.

Just taking about 30 minutes, we arrived at Sub District Waai. Along the way, we still find burned houses, mosques and church after the great chaos. I am so sorry for what was happening in Ambon.


In there I found the giant eels… they call it as Morea. When the eels are about 30 cms lengths, but for Morea, those are around more than 1 meter in lengths and 20 cms in widths … For indigenous people, they believe disaster would come when they eat Morea. So they keep Morea alive in the small artificial river. Interestingly, local people use the river for washing clothes, taking a bath, and taking water for drinking….

Those Morea are living in the clay under the paves. So, we have to snap our fingers to call them out. Right after, we feed them with eggs. They just need one sip… and all the egg has gone. You have to keep focus… if you are not.. you will miss that interesting moment…

It won’t take times in Waai, we moved back to Natsepa Beach. On the way to Waai, we passed this beach actually. Since we though having lunch and playing on beach would be our last agenda for that day… we put the beach as our last destination for the day.


Being there in a weekend was not a good idea for you who are not enjoying the crowd. Bunch of people was there, even the day was still rain… it wasn’t prevent anyone enjoying the beach.

Along the beach, we could find many kiosks where local people sell banana fries, boiled corn, rujak, soto, etc. I had banana fries. Don’t ask me the difference between I got here and my hometown. It’s completely similar but the size. Here is bigger. In contrast, when I had soto, Soto Banjar is more tasty than soto Ambon…

Amboness Rujak is interesting. It is fruit salad covered by peanut. Little bit different, but ok….

Pics are courtessy of my friend.

Small but beautiful... Ambon....

Flying to Ambon is never expected by me. I was just like a dream... I dont know much about Ambon... all I know just about the chaos in Ambon in 1998.... when there was a conflict in.

But now i am here...

After sitting almost 4.5 hours from Jakarta. Finally the plane was landing in Pattimura Airport. It is not a big airport actually, but i like the landscape. Close to the bay... and it is so green.....
Located outside the city, so we had to take another hour to bring us in to city, Ambon.... During the trip... we could enjoy the landscape.. from the beach to the hills.... So beautiful and green... (again!!)

As my friend said, Ambon is not a big city. You just need one hour to see the whole city. One said... dont forget to see Ambon during the night... lights all over the city is amazing...

Then last night, i have been proving it... Indeed..... It was amazing...
Having dinner with my friend and 2 generous hosts.... Seems we were around by informal tour guide... many information we have got....

Seafood was the main course for us last night... It was all yummy....
But i am so sorry... i cant name all the fishs....
I have stiffed tongue.... hahaha


Leaving the Panorama Cafe located on the hill.... we moved around.... including the Martha Christina Tiahahu statue.. a symbol of freedom for Amboness....

We still have 2 weeks in Ambon... and i will bring you a lot of story........ Wait for it... :)

Rafting

After attending a national seminar on pharmacology in Palembang, South Sumatera, I and my friends had planned to continue our trip to Bandung, East Java. By taking a travel agent transportation picking us ap at the Soekarno Hatta Airport, we headed to Bandung. Trip was just begun at 9 pm and we arrived at the hotel just after midnight. Crazily, just after we dropped our luggages, we looked for some snacks.... i have no idea... may be at that moment we were so hungry... (starvation might be the most appropriate term... hahaha)..

Fortunately, Bandung is some sort of never die city. It was not difficult to find pavements salers... Some glasses of ice tea and juices, some toasted breads had moved into our stomach.

In early morning, we picked up our stuffs into rented car to go to Ceuleunca, Pangalengan Bandung. It took around 2 hours to be there...

Ok... pictures mean alot than words... Enjoy it...

We were posing just before having warming up









At the starting point...
Full of smile and excitement...

Some scariest points

Final destination...