Thursday, January 28, 2016

The Climb to Dalil Waterfall in Pangkal Pinang, Bangka Belitung islands



This group of outdoor buddies from Pangkal Pinang, mostly couchsur fers, had a plan to go to this newly opened waterfall in the Dalil Village and just right in time to my arrival, I was invited to join.

This waterfall is located about 30kms outside of the city of Pangkal Pinang en route to Mentok just before reaching the Desa Kelapa.

I was picked up from my hostel about 7 in the morning, and all of us met in the junction from Sungai Liat where others will be coming from. We went through a palm plantation with slippery clay dirt road. At about 8:30 we were in the jump off point in the village.








We managed to drive the motorbike all the way to the first river just before a paddy and the foot of the hill. Some others, as we see on the way down, managed to bring it inside the forest even, right on the foothill. 

It was a short less than 1 hour trek all in all. There are several waterfalls, first one being scenic facing it, and the next one, being the more inviting pool with a shade overlooking the land below. 







From there, there are several more other waterfalls, with some having deeper pools than the rest. We, along with our guides, tried tracing it up but a lot in the path is still wild, so we decided to come back. 

The only way to get to this waterfall is by motorbike. If there is no chance, take the public bus and get off at the highway in Desa Dalil. From there, probably, ask around for someone who can service you to the jumpoff. If coming from Mentok, the bus fare shall be around 30, and from Pangkal Pinang, it shall between 10-15. 



This group of outdoor buddies from Pangkal Pinang, mostly couchsur fers, had a plan to go to this newly opened waterfall in the Dalil Village and just right in time to my arrival, I was invited to join.

This waterfall is located about 30kms outside of the city of Pangkal Pinang en route to Mentok just before reaching the Desa Kelapa.

I was picked up from my hostel about 7 in the morning, and all of us met in the junction from Sungai Liat where others will be coming from. We went through a palm plantation with slippery clay dirt road. At about 8:30 we were in the jump off point in the village.








We managed to drive the motorbike all the way to the first river just before a paddy and the foot of the hill. Some others, as we see on the way down, managed to bring it inside the forest even, right on the foothill. 

It was a short less than 1 hour trek all in all. There are several waterfalls, first one being scenic facing it, and the next one, being the more inviting pool with a shade overlooking the land below. 







From there, there are several more other waterfalls, with some having deeper pools than the rest. We, along with our guides, tried tracing it up but a lot in the path is still wild, so we decided to come back. 

The only way to get to this waterfall is by motorbike. If there is no chance, take the public bus and get off at the highway in Desa Dalil. From there, probably, ask around for someone who can service you to the jumpoff. If coming from Mentok, the bus fare shall be around 30, and from Pangkal Pinang, it shall between 10-15. 

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Monday, January 25, 2016

That Bus ride from Pekanbaru to Jambi



From the city, we drove into the bus station in Pekanbaru to arrange for the travel to Jambi.
As expected, toutters have come and won’t leave me and my friend alone to make a decision.  There were a number of bus company booths but no one person in them. The toutters would even take you inside these booths, and show you the cost of the tickets just to get you comfortable dealing with them.

The cost of the travel was minimum 200, but later, we were able to settle for IDR170,000 to Jambi. This bus is with toilet (and 150,000 for no toilet). From there, my friend dropped me to the booking office of the company where they said we will depart from at 5pm.

The bus arrived at about 4:15pm; It was a 3 x 2 bus that was filled up because of the holidays. I was surprised somehow that we are moving even ahead of schedule. Yet, from that point though and up to the next 2 hours, we were just going round and round the city, with unlimited waiting on some stops. At about 7pm, we were back in the same office where we took the bus.

From that time though, it was a continuous drive. Everyone in the bus was asleep such that inasmuch as i’d like to use the toilet which I hope i’d have the convenience with in the additional money that I paid for my ticket, I don’t have the guts to wake up my seatmate just for me to pee. Also, my seat was about 7 rows away from the toilet, but the stink of the toilet was strong until that point. 

I was so hungry and we did not have any stop until 12mn just almost near the boundary of Riau and Jambi. Gladly, there was a warung in front of the stop that seemed to be open 24 hours and I did not have to pay for the junked prices of the appointed bus stops.

It was about 7am when we got to the bus terminal in Jambi.
This is my experience with PO Mandala Bus Company.

In Summary, take the bus from the bus station, make sure to have a seat number, and probably a little bit away from the toilet, and next to the aisle. Or better yet, fly.






From the city, we drove into the bus station in Pekanbaru to arrange for the travel to Jambi.
As expected, toutters have come and won’t leave me and my friend alone to make a decision.  There were a number of bus company booths but no one person in them. The toutters would even take you inside these booths, and show you the cost of the tickets just to get you comfortable dealing with them.

The cost of the travel was minimum 200, but later, we were able to settle for IDR170,000 to Jambi. This bus is with toilet (and 150,000 for no toilet). From there, my friend dropped me to the booking office of the company where they said we will depart from at 5pm.

The bus arrived at about 4:15pm; It was a 3 x 2 bus that was filled up because of the holidays. I was surprised somehow that we are moving even ahead of schedule. Yet, from that point though and up to the next 2 hours, we were just going round and round the city, with unlimited waiting on some stops. At about 7pm, we were back in the same office where we took the bus.

From that time though, it was a continuous drive. Everyone in the bus was asleep such that inasmuch as i’d like to use the toilet which I hope i’d have the convenience with in the additional money that I paid for my ticket, I don’t have the guts to wake up my seatmate just for me to pee. Also, my seat was about 7 rows away from the toilet, but the stink of the toilet was strong until that point. 

I was so hungry and we did not have any stop until 12mn just almost near the boundary of Riau and Jambi. Gladly, there was a warung in front of the stop that seemed to be open 24 hours and I did not have to pay for the junked prices of the appointed bus stops.

It was about 7am when we got to the bus terminal in Jambi.
This is my experience with PO Mandala Bus Company.

In Summary, take the bus from the bus station, make sure to have a seat number, and probably a little bit away from the toilet, and next to the aisle. Or better yet, fly.




Read More »

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Indonesia Travel Opportunity: The Darmasiswa Scholarship



My first visit to Indonesia last year (during my wandering around Southeast Asia), Lombok, Bali, and some parts of Java got me hooked into this country's landscape. Then, I told my local friend I want to come back to Indonesia, but hopefully not for just 1 month as it is expensive to go in and out of the country. Then, he said, I should look into the Darmasiswa Scholarship.

The Darmasiswa Scholarship is a 1 year program offered by the Indonesian Government to citizens of countries which the country has diplomatic relations with (though this is almost all countries). Aside from being an opportunity to travel this country, you are paid (by means of ~$140 or exactly 2 Million Rupiahs allowance every month) to learn Bahasa Indonesia, Arts, Culinary, Traditional Medicine, Tourism and even IT. A great opportunity for Nomads wannabe, those who'd like to take a break from work or school (gap year), or just plain want to be and learn Indonesia.

Is the money enough? Well, first, the ID government will shoulder the transportation from Jakarta to the city of the University. From your country to Indonesia, and then back to your country, you will have to provide on your own.

For the allowance, this is more than enough for your daily expenses of going in and out of the classes, and occasional trips on the weekends. It really depends on your lifestyle. Some of my classmates in my university are even able to save half. It depends too on your city.

For accomodation, you may opt to stay in the University Dorms for the cheap. However, university dorms may have stricter guidelines, and sometimes the university is not entirely in the center of the city, and that, transportation almost everywhere in Indonesia after 9pm, is very hard, if not expensive (taxi).

Apart from the discourse, You can choose from a list of Universities around the country. In case you are not accepted in your chosen program and university, check the tickbox which says you will consider other universities which may be able to accomodate you.

Most people, and I deem a lot are actually those into travelling Indonesia, either more or besides studying, chooses Java, more specifically Bali and Jogja. Hence, competition (for slot) in this side is a little stiff.

Cost of Living in the city should be one thing to consider when choosing the University. Each city will have a different cost compared to the other. West Java for instance will be a lot cheaper than Bali. Consider your interests as well. If you are a party goer, and needs party once in a while, perhaps, Java is your best bet. If you want serenity, perhaps Sumatra.

For those who'd like a very very quiet space (no parties, very timid nightlife, and pretty much conservative environment and people, but amazing landscape, choose West Sumatra, UNAND in Padang, where I am. Food is very spicy here, so try to consider that. Imagine your breakfast, fried rice is actually fried chilli's with rice.

In choosing Sumatra though, and probably Kalimantan, and some parts of Java, consider that annually, there is a problem on forest fires which may hit your city.

For 2016/2017, some of the requirements have changed compared to that of 2015/2016. The requirement of being a student, and also not being more than 30 years old. For our batch, I have seen even seniors in the program, for some reason I am not sure. I suggest consulting the embassy in your country about it.

Note that for the entirety of the program, you may be allowed to go out of the country only 1 time. Succeeding time, you will have to process an exit/entry permit on your own, and at your own cost.

There are several holidays in Indonesia too, and December breaks depend on the University that you will go to. In UNAND Padang, we have more than a month from December to January, which I am usiing right now to explore Indonesia. After a month of landtrips from Padang, West Sumatra, I am now finally in Cilegong, West Java. YES! Sumatra alone is so biggg!

In case you are not available to arrive at the opening ceremonies, or the first few weeks of classes, you may later talk to your provider, University International Office secretariat, about it. We have one student arrive almost a month after.


Exact details about the program are in their site.


results come out a little, perhaps a week, after published date... be patient.


In your application, you will be asked about what you intend to use your knowledge of Indonesia for. I thought this made a big factor in my application.

In my case, which I really meant, I wanted to work for the welfare of illegal migrants (Indonesians and Malaysians in South PH, and Pinoys in Sulawesi and Borneo). Other than this, i made mention of the need for collaboration and familiarity because of Asean Integration. Don't copy mine though; have one on your own and mean it. Your sincerity may be looked into.

Additonal Tips for Pinoys based on my application:

It took me several months before I managed to get the correct details of the Indonesian Embassy in Manila, until I gave up sending emails to addresses and phone numbers that don't work. Then, a friend later found out I was interested in taking the program, and connected me to his friend who works in the embassy. It was already a few days past the deadline, but after a phonecall, I was given the chance to submit, which I managed to do within 1 day.

Applications are to be submitted by paper. In my case, as I am outside Manila, I shipped, LBC, my documents for next day delivery, just to make it on time.

contact details for Indonesian Embassy:


Gotty Simbolon
Coordinator Office of Education and Culture AttacheEmbassy of the Republic of Indonesia
Manila, Philippines
Phone +63 2 8925061 to 68 Loc 123
edu_attache_manila@yahoo.com and jou.simbolon@gmail.com


For Health Certification, please go to a doctor and seek certification fit for travel and study. Get as much recommendation as possible, from previous boss, from professor, etc.

No need for IELTS Certification. It is but known that we speak English, so that's negligible.

For familiarity with Indonesian language, we are more than familiar. A lot of the words are the same, and you will be surprised that a lot of compound words, which root base don't make meaning in Tagalog, actually has individual meanings in Bahasa Indonesia but derived compound word is not in use in Bahasa Indonesia. E.g. Dalamhati... Dalam (inside) Hati (heart or liver). Tanghali... Tengah (middle) hari (day).
Other than this, a lot of words are the same except for the sound, mostly "R"s changed to softer sounding "L"s. So, no need to worry about the requirement of being familiar with Bahasa. You are born familiar with it. Just go over the basics on google. 

Filipino participants at the opening ceremony in Jakarta 2015-2016 Darmasiswa program

Yeah, there are countries with as much as 40 participants, and to think that this programs started for ASEAN, how could we only have 3 here. lol... hence, I wrote this article. Not so much of us know about this, and rather than getting ourselves familiar with countries of the west, why not our neighbors and blood relatives?

You will be surprised as to how much familiar things are, culture, food, etc, and some people won't even believe you are not Indonesian, to a point that they will ask you for IDs if you tell them you are Pinoy.



Then remember, upon your stay in Indonesia, try to think of something to give back what the Indonesian government has granted you over some of its citizens who are working hard to earn a living.

Darmasiswa UNAND 2015/16 participants fund raising for an orphanage in Padang



Visit the Darmasiswa site.






My first visit to Indonesia last year (during my wandering around Southeast Asia), Lombok, Bali, and some parts of Java got me hooked into this country's landscape. Then, I told my local friend I want to come back to Indonesia, but hopefully not for just 1 month as it is expensive to go in and out of the country. Then, he said, I should look into the Darmasiswa Scholarship.

The Darmasiswa Scholarship is a 1 year program offered by the Indonesian Government to citizens of countries which the country has diplomatic relations with (though this is almost all countries). Aside from being an opportunity to travel this country, you are paid (by means of ~$140 or exactly 2 Million Rupiahs allowance every month) to learn Bahasa Indonesia, Arts, Culinary, Traditional Medicine, Tourism and even IT. A great opportunity for Nomads wannabe, those who'd like to take a break from work or school (gap year), or just plain want to be and learn Indonesia.

Is the money enough? Well, first, the ID government will shoulder the transportation from Jakarta to the city of the University. From your country to Indonesia, and then back to your country, you will have to provide on your own.

For the allowance, this is more than enough for your daily expenses of going in and out of the classes, and occasional trips on the weekends. It really depends on your lifestyle. Some of my classmates in my university are even able to save half. It depends too on your city.

For accomodation, you may opt to stay in the University Dorms for the cheap. However, university dorms may have stricter guidelines, and sometimes the university is not entirely in the center of the city, and that, transportation almost everywhere in Indonesia after 9pm, is very hard, if not expensive (taxi).

Apart from the discourse, You can choose from a list of Universities around the country. In case you are not accepted in your chosen program and university, check the tickbox which says you will consider other universities which may be able to accomodate you.

Most people, and I deem a lot are actually those into travelling Indonesia, either more or besides studying, chooses Java, more specifically Bali and Jogja. Hence, competition (for slot) in this side is a little stiff.

Cost of Living in the city should be one thing to consider when choosing the University. Each city will have a different cost compared to the other. West Java for instance will be a lot cheaper than Bali. Consider your interests as well. If you are a party goer, and needs party once in a while, perhaps, Java is your best bet. If you want serenity, perhaps Sumatra.

For those who'd like a very very quiet space (no parties, very timid nightlife, and pretty much conservative environment and people, but amazing landscape, choose West Sumatra, UNAND in Padang, where I am. Food is very spicy here, so try to consider that. Imagine your breakfast, fried rice is actually fried chilli's with rice.

In choosing Sumatra though, and probably Kalimantan, and some parts of Java, consider that annually, there is a problem on forest fires which may hit your city.

For 2016/2017, some of the requirements have changed compared to that of 2015/2016. The requirement of being a student, and also not being more than 30 years old. For our batch, I have seen even seniors in the program, for some reason I am not sure. I suggest consulting the embassy in your country about it.

Note that for the entirety of the program, you may be allowed to go out of the country only 1 time. Succeeding time, you will have to process an exit/entry permit on your own, and at your own cost.

There are several holidays in Indonesia too, and December breaks depend on the University that you will go to. In UNAND Padang, we have more than a month from December to January, which I am usiing right now to explore Indonesia. After a month of landtrips from Padang, West Sumatra, I am now finally in Cilegong, West Java. YES! Sumatra alone is so biggg!

In case you are not available to arrive at the opening ceremonies, or the first few weeks of classes, you may later talk to your provider, University International Office secretariat, about it. We have one student arrive almost a month after.


Exact details about the program are in their site.


results come out a little, perhaps a week, after published date... be patient.


In your application, you will be asked about what you intend to use your knowledge of Indonesia for. I thought this made a big factor in my application.

In my case, which I really meant, I wanted to work for the welfare of illegal migrants (Indonesians and Malaysians in South PH, and Pinoys in Sulawesi and Borneo). Other than this, i made mention of the need for collaboration and familiarity because of Asean Integration. Don't copy mine though; have one on your own and mean it. Your sincerity may be looked into.

Additonal Tips for Pinoys based on my application:

It took me several months before I managed to get the correct details of the Indonesian Embassy in Manila, until I gave up sending emails to addresses and phone numbers that don't work. Then, a friend later found out I was interested in taking the program, and connected me to his friend who works in the embassy. It was already a few days past the deadline, but after a phonecall, I was given the chance to submit, which I managed to do within 1 day.

Applications are to be submitted by paper. In my case, as I am outside Manila, I shipped, LBC, my documents for next day delivery, just to make it on time.

contact details for Indonesian Embassy:


Gotty Simbolon
Coordinator Office of Education and Culture AttacheEmbassy of the Republic of Indonesia
Manila, Philippines
Phone +63 2 8925061 to 68 Loc 123
edu_attache_manila@yahoo.com and jou.simbolon@gmail.com


For Health Certification, please go to a doctor and seek certification fit for travel and study. Get as much recommendation as possible, from previous boss, from professor, etc.

No need for IELTS Certification. It is but known that we speak English, so that's negligible.

For familiarity with Indonesian language, we are more than familiar. A lot of the words are the same, and you will be surprised that a lot of compound words, which root base don't make meaning in Tagalog, actually has individual meanings in Bahasa Indonesia but derived compound word is not in use in Bahasa Indonesia. E.g. Dalamhati... Dalam (inside) Hati (heart or liver). Tanghali... Tengah (middle) hari (day).
Other than this, a lot of words are the same except for the sound, mostly "R"s changed to softer sounding "L"s. So, no need to worry about the requirement of being familiar with Bahasa. You are born familiar with it. Just go over the basics on google. 

Filipino participants at the opening ceremony in Jakarta 2015-2016 Darmasiswa program

Yeah, there are countries with as much as 40 participants, and to think that this programs started for ASEAN, how could we only have 3 here. lol... hence, I wrote this article. Not so much of us know about this, and rather than getting ourselves familiar with countries of the west, why not our neighbors and blood relatives?

You will be surprised as to how much familiar things are, culture, food, etc, and some people won't even believe you are not Indonesian, to a point that they will ask you for IDs if you tell them you are Pinoy.



Then remember, upon your stay in Indonesia, try to think of something to give back what the Indonesian government has granted you over some of its citizens who are working hard to earn a living.

Darmasiswa UNAND 2015/16 participants fund raising for an orphanage in Padang



Visit the Darmasiswa site.




Read More »

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