SELAMAT HARI RAYA IDUL FITRI

For English, Some Info about Ramadan and Lebaran

Kemaren saya sempat ngobrol dengan ibu saya, soalnya sebelum lebaran kami biasanya juga ikut sibuk di rumah Jakarta. Banyak hal-hal yang membuat kami sibuk, mulai dari urusan pembantu yang akan mudik ke kampung halaman, menyiapkan beberapa masakan buat di rumah selama liburan hari raya sampai membalas kiriman tetangga yang biasanya mengirim makanan. Kami sekeluarga biasanya menyiapkan beberapa makanan seperti Makanan kecil, Rendang Sapi dan Ketupat, soalnya itu adalah hidangan favorite keluarga saya selama lebaran.

Disamping urusan tersebut, saya juga biasanya sempat menonton acara di TV, karena banyak sahabat yang biasanya mudik ke kampung halaman mereka, saya ikut merasakan bagaimana perasaan mereka yang excited dalam perjalanan maupun ketemu dengan keluarga mereka, soalnya bisa dipastikan arus mudik menjadi macet di jalur-jalur yang padat. Memang 'Mudik' sudah menjadi Budaya di Indonesia

Untuk turut merasakan kenikmatan atas kemenangan sesudah berpuasa selama sebulan penuh, Saya mengucapkan :

SELAMAT HARI RAYA IDUL FITRI MOHON MAAF LAHIR DAN BATHIN

"Affair is The Life of Survival"

I feel a bit funny when I read the board says Affair Is The Life of Survival' in front of the Gorilla's cage. Then, my friend can guess what I am thinking about, he just mentioned not to put the analogy to the human and then I smile. I have a small discussion after that, about why they put that board. Some of species in the zoo can not survive for long period with many reasons, so there is usually a species survival plan (SSP) for that kind of animal such as a love affair between a male/female between 'A' Zoo with 'B'Zoo. Gorilla is one of this program. In the last decade, the Lincoln park zoo have been successfully of doing the SSP.

I imagine, this case is not happening in Indonesia, where so many Gorillas or Tigers still living in the jungle of Sumatra. I remember, when we went for fishing in the forest of Sumatra, then my father remind us that tiger can appear at any time, so just be careful. Or even in Bukit Lawang Sumatra 'Orang Utan' lives with their species in the natural forest and a part from that, there is a trekking area with water fall for the tourist.

Chicago - Michigan and Lincoln Park Zoo

Chicago weather is very warm 60 degree Fahr and nothing much change since 5 years ago.Plan to go to downtown, Michigan Avenue and Lincoln Park Zoo. They are located in the center of Chicago. After the breakfast, I met with the old friends who stay there for more than 5 years now. The Michigan Avenue is more or less like Orchard Road in Singapore. Shopping mall and Office are located in the center of the City.

Yokoso Japan (Welcome to Japan)

Finally the flight touch down in the Narita Airport, I can feel that Tokyo don't change so much. It was confirmed by Mina later, although she wasn't there for more than 4 years, everything seems to be no change. The weather was cloudy, but I have to get rushing into the connecting flights as it will take 20 minutes walking distance from check point. The airport wasn't so crowed at the time I was arriving, so I am curious why I can't get the same airlines direct flight to Chicago. I tried to check to airlines, and then they confirmed that the flights fully booked by passengers from Japan. Hmm, I keep continuing walking to the airlines which is confirmed in my itinerary. A view minutes talk, then I can get my boarding pass. Along the way, I read some many things that make me interested, as waiting time is around 3 hours.

First, about plants, Mina told me the other day that Durian is allowed to bring to Japan also coconut and pineapple. She said those fruits can't be found in Japan. Second, about Kid’s park, I can find the park in the airport.The facility is available in the airport, this is very seldom available in international airport.



Third, about Massage Chair, It is free at that time but I decided not to try as the cover is fully locked, may be not to be used for sometime, maybe I try next time.

Boarding time is so long, so I think to take a chance to walk around. The domestic airport is located quite a distance from international airport by shuttle buss around 10 minutes. The ambience around domestic arrival is the same as the international airport, except there are two ceramic wall to separate Zone A and Zone B with the flower name Irish and Camellia.

My watch almost reach to boarding time, then I was rushing to go back to international airport, maybe next time to see glass tower and ceramic tie-wall.
The flight was checked-in in the Cargo Area, so all passangers have to take buss to flight parking area which is quite a distance. I met a couple with 2 kids, a japanese man with his wife latin america. They mentioned, this is happened if the airport is full, the flight will be difficult to park anywhere else.

Meet with Friends

It was a week ago Sunday morning when we finally decided to go for Thai food for Mina’s farewell dinner. The thai food is located somewhere in Amara hotel which is one of the famous food here 'Thanying' which means 'The Thai Noble Lady'.

One of the menu, I have never tried is the black rice which is quite soft, smell nice and taste great. Maybe we try the other place with other farewell party. Everybody seems to be full and btw, still have something left which is sticky rice with mango. Have a pleasure trip Mina!!