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Wednesday, June 20, 2001

Lake Laut Tawar

By Unknown at 4:18 PM    No comments
Lake Laut Tawar
Lake Laut Tawar

The existence of Lake Laut Tawar among the Aceh people is a proud for them regarding that it is a frequently visited destination either by local or foreign tourists. The water is not only used by people living in Central Aceh District, but also people who live in other surrounding districts.

There is a story relating to the existence of depik fish having slim shape and shiny scale that live in Lake Laut Tawar. People believe that depik fish is a grain of unhusked paddy that was thrown to the lake then later on shaped a fish. Depik fish appears to the lake‘s surface on certain occasions, especially on rainy season. Before the coming of rainy season, the fish hides in the slope of Bur Kelieten Mount, south of the lake. Depik is a miracle for Gayo people regarding that it will not be over though consumed forever and ever.

Lake Laut Tawar

Two hills flanking the lake are the magnificent scenery enhancing the beauty of the lake. The meeting of the land and the water is the livehood resources for people living around the location, especially Gayo people. It is called laut (literally means sea) since the lake is as wide as a sea and called tawar (freshwater) as the water is not salty. Depik fish is the only species of fish that can only be found in Lake Laut Tawar.

In the lcoation you can see daily activities of surrounding people such as cultivating and fishing. Gayo coffee (Arabica Coffee) is the main comodity of surrounding people, especially Gayo. This kind of coffee is exported to Japan, as well as other comodities such as potato, passion fruit (Passiflora edulis), tomato, chili, corn, avocado and vegetable.

Lake Laut Tawar Location

Lake Laut Tawar (5.472 ha in width, 17 km in length, and 5,5 km square) lies east of Takengon City in the highland of Gayo (at an altitude of 1.250 meters), Laut Tawar Sub-district, Nangroe Aceh Darussalam Province, Indonesia. Accessing Takengon City, you will pass by Bireun City by taking public transportations. It is around 5 hours with more and less IDR 25000 for the cost. The another alternative way to Takengon City is via Blang Kejeren and Kutacane. There is a motorized boat that will carry you for hanging around the lake. Some inns are also available for you who want to spend more days in the location.

Tuesday, June 19, 2001

The Museum of Dewantara Kirti Griya

By Unknown at 1:10 AM    No comments
    The Museum of Dewantara Kirti Griya
    The Museum of Dewantara Kirti Griya

    Trying to preserve the remain traces of Ki Hajar Dewantara‘s life and struggle, in 1970, a museum namely Dewantara Kirti Griya was built by a Dutch scholar. The museum of Dewantara Kirti Griya keeps so much information about Ki Hajar Dewantara and his life circle, starting from his birth until his death. Dewantara Kirti Griya means a place to preserve and keep the work arts of Ki Hajar Dewantara.
    Soewardi Soerjaningrat was the full name of Ki Hajar Dewantara. Born among the palace family, Ki Hajar Dewantara, later on was conferred title Raden Mas. Then he put his honorary title, changed his name to Ki Hajar Dewantara. Putting his honorary title, he set a group consisting of Dr. Douwes Dekker and dr. Tjipto Mangoenkoesoemo that was intended to fight the colonialism in Indonesia.
    One of his contributions is the founding of educational institution namely National Onderwijs Instituut Tamansiswa concerning with the efforts to set Indonesian people free from stupidity. “When stupidity covers a country, there will be the easiest way to conquer the country, like what has been done by the Dutch colonial government over Indonesia for about 350 years,” he said. In the early years of its founding, in the 20th century, Tamansiswa had broadened to Java, Sumatra and Bali.
    Now, Ki Hajar Dewantara is recognized as the Father of Indonesia Education. On every May 2nd, most of Indonesian education institutions hold the commemoration for remembering his contributions, especially on education. 

    Reading a biography in shape of books will be bored for some people. Therefore, the Museum of Dewantara Kirti Griya applies different approach. It offers you a biography of Ki Hajar Dewantara, not in text or book shape but in shape of diorama.You will be amazed visiting this museum for its numerous collections of Ki Hajar Dewantara‘s properties. Those collections are neatly organized on the teak racks. Some of his monumental works, “Ais Ik eens Nederlander Was” (If I were Dutch) and “Een voor Allen maar Ook Allen voor Een” (One for all, all for one), can be found in the gallery room. Moreover, another one of his great works is Sari Swara, a Javanese musical notes (gamelan) that has been converted into modern musical score, can also be found there.

    In comparison to western museums, you might not be amazed with the architecture of the museum, considering that in the past it was Ki Hajar Dewantara‘s house. However, you will discover so much information relating to Ki hajar Dewantara such as his works, the  obstacles he met during his efforts to educate Indonesian people and many more. The museum also offers you with a library, special for you who want to know more about the figure of Ki Hajar Dewantara. The other benefits you will get during the visit to the museum are that you will find the biological museum of Universitas Gadjah Mada(Gadjah Mada University), the museum and monument of General Sudirman and the Museum/ palace of Puro Paku Alaman. On certain times, you will see the elementary student of Tamansiswa practice traditional dance and play karawitan (gamelan music).

    How to Access Location Museum of Dewantara Kirti Griya?

    The museum of Dewantara Kirti Griya, which is owned by Persatuan Perguruan Tamansiswa Foundation, lies in the complex of Tamansiswa, on Tamansiswa Street No. 31st, Yogyakarta City, Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia. For you who want to visit the museum, just take the city bus number three, or you may also take pedicabs, andong, or taxi. The cost for taking city bus is IDR 2.000 and it will be IDR 10.000 when you decide to take andong or pedicabs from Malioboro Street. The museum is opened for public everyday, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
    You will be offered with guides‘ services. For you who want to spend more days around the location, you can find some lodgements or hotels around the destination. When the night comes, you can find numerous food tents along the street nearby the location.